Along Came Merrie by Beth D. Carter Page A

death. And I was also concerned that my attraction was based on you and Leo saving me. But I’m past the desperate gratitude, Braden. What I feel isn’t that.”
    “Well, it certainly isn’t what Leo’s proposing.”
    “Why do we have to define more than it is right now?” She cocked her head. “I think the bigger question is, why me?”
    “What do you mean?”
    She shrugged. “I’m nobody. A person you saved on the road. What makes me special in your eyes?”
    He stayed silent for a long moment. “You’re brave,” he finally said.
    Merrie took his hands in hers. “Braden, I’m not Samantha. I may not have been here long, but I already know I never want to leave. I feel the love and the warmth of this ranch, of the childhood you and Leo must have had, and it’s beautiful.”
    She could see he wanted to believe her. But there was a world of hurt in his eyes that she didn’t know how to banish. Hopefully, time would help whittle away his insecurities.
    He cupped her face. “You’re so young.”
    “Not so young I haven’t lived,” she replied. “Not so young that I don’t know what I want.”
    “Would you like to try to make this work between us?” he asked.
    Once again, she looked between both men and read the sincerity in their gazes. Happiness swelled inside her as well as uncertainty. She’d never considered a ménage relationship and had no idea how to navigate the waters.
    “Have you ever done this before?” she asked.
    “No,” Leo said. “But learning is half the fun.”
    Braden swung her up into his arms and she squealed with delight. She wrapped her arms around his neck. He marched up the stairs with Leo following. At the top, he hesitated and glanced at his brother.
    “Mine,” Leo said. “I’ve got a king-size bed.”
    Braden turned left and marched into Leo’s room. She’d been in there once before when she’d grabbed some sweats and still marveled how different his room was compared to Braden’s. Leo liked forest colors. Dark greens, browns and sunset red all blended beautifully together.
    Braden placed her on the bed and began undressing her. He traced his hands over her curves, over her aching breasts, to her jeans. His long fingers brushed the skin under her fly, which sent off a thousand butterflies in her belly. He unbuttoned and unzipped her pants.
    “Lift your hips, sweetheart,” he murmured.
    She obeyed and he shimmed the jeans over her hips, leaving her only in her bra and panties. Leo gently rolled her onto her side so he could unhook her bra and she pulled it off. Both men were careful not to bump into the bruises that still dotted her skin. Then Braden hooked his fingers in her panties and pulled them down, letting her step out of them before running his hands up her smooth legs. At his touch, she thanked the stars above she’d shaved that morning. Leo glided his hands up from her ankles to her ass where he kneaded her butt cheeks. He placed small kisses at the base of her spine then proceeded upward. Her back had always been sensitive and she shivered as he caressed her skin.
    Braden ran his fingers gently through her hair. She loved the feel of his fingers soothing her scalp. He tipped her head back to kiss her, possessing her lips in a series of teasing kisses, letting his tongue dance with hers only to retreat then press back inside, like a little game he played so all her senses tingled. All she wanted to do was kiss him forever.
    The men undressed quickly, and she took the moment to admire their muscled physiques. Strong arms, toned stomachs. Leo didn’t have chest hair but Braden had a fine taper leading to his very impressive dick that jutted out proudly.
    Leo pressed himself against her back and ran one hand over the curve of her bottom, allowing his fingers to slide between her ass cheeks to touch her intimately. With his thumb, he circled her tight muscle ring then pressed in a little. The pressure made her squirm. Easing his touch, he slid his