Beauty and the Beasts [Bride Train 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Reece Butler

Taylor of the Flying X tried to chat with her but took the hint and moved away when Luke cleared his throat. She had three tarts, plus the six in the back room, when the last man thanked her and headed toward Baldy’s Saloon.
    “I’d say you made yourself a lot of friends,” said Frank. He took the last three pastries, nodded at Luke and Gabe, and strolled down the boardwalk.
    Luke cleared his throat. “Did you make anything other than those small pies this morning? One of them, no matter how good, won’t keep me working all day. Gabe and I are hoping to buy something more filling.” At the mention of his name, Gabe strolled toward her.
    “Yes, I baked bread, full-size meat pasties, and cinnamon rolls.”
    “Are those cinnamon rolls like Miss Rosa’s?” asked Gabe. He licked his lips.
    Sarah nodded and the men grinned at each other.
    “We’ll buy three of each,” said Luke. “Please and thank you.”
    She walked inside and pointed to the wide counter to her right. Luke and Gabe followed. They kept their hands behind their backs like little boys in a candy shop, warned not to touch anything.
    “Forget about Oz,” muttered Luke. “He went to the saddle shop, and he’s likely to be there half the day. For two bits we can each get two pastries and a roll, as well as a loaf of bread to take home. Oz doesn’t have to know we bought anything but bread.”
    She bit her lip to keep in a snicker, but wasn’t totally successful. Gabe must have heard, as he turned to her. He winked and gave her a slow, sensual smile. That, along with her joy at the success of the morning, rolled a tingle of awareness over her from head to toes. Was he really as innocent as she thought? He was certainly giving her the suggestion that he could be interested in solving her problem about a lack of orgasms. Not that anyone knew about that, thank goodness.
    “Oz can take care of himself. We’ll keep some bread for him,” said Gabe.
    “We can try, but there’s no guarantee,” answered Luke. He flicked his eyes around the room, empty except for the three of them. He ended up by looking her over. “You want to try another kiss, Miss Sarah?”
    “Not from you!”
    “And why not?” He pulled himself to full attention in a caricature of a gravely insulted man. He brushed each side of an imaginary moustache, like a villain on the stage. “I’ve been known to make ladies swoon from my kisses.” He winced and rubbed his nose. “However, that was some years ago. Perhaps I should practice with you to see if I still have my skill?”
    “You want a wife. I’m not going to give you any encouragement.”
    She caught a flicker of unease before his expression changed from affronted to sly.
    “What about Gabe? He said you didn’t give him a kiss like you did Oz. Gabe thinks you don’t like him.”
    Gabe growled a curse and smacked Luke on the back of the head with his palm. Luke staggered three steps before he caught his balance. “Hey, I was just trying to help!” He scowled at Gabe and rubbed the sore spot.
    She knew Luke’s theatrics were only partly put on, but he did have a point. She’d kissed Oz quite thoroughly as a room full of eager men watched. She’d only pecked Gabe’s cheek, and that was done in a dim corner. She’d thought about that tiny kiss a lot, wishing she’d had a chance to taste him like she had Oz.
    Half the time she wanted to avoid everything to do with men and the potential of sex. The rest of the time she wanted to do sinful things like nibble every inch of the man. Gabe was so big, it could take most of the night! Her nipples hardened at the thought. She tried to stop her body’s reaction to the man, but when he stood near her, all her good intentions went out the window.
    “You’re right,” she said, her heart pounding. “I do owe Gabe an apology.”
    “No, you don’t.”
    Gabe said the words, but his eyes begged for more. He held his body stiff, his fists tight at his sides. Was he trying to