Guilt threatened to overwhelm Trev. “But I could have helped you.”
Bo shook his head. “Trev, everything happens for a reason. I believe that now. We’re here today because we did stupid shit and got our asses kicked. We made mistakes and we learned from them. That’s what brought us here. I wouldn’t take a single one back. I wouldn’t be anywhere but right here, right now.” He cleared his throat as though banishing the deep emotion he felt. “Now, dinner’s ready. You two need to come inside. Apparently we’re going to need our strength. Lexi already made a plate for Beth and headed out. She’s got five different plotlines to read to her. I think I saw Beth crying just a little.”
Trev laughed, the feeling of shame leaving him in an instant. He felt lighter. “Well, I don’t want to keep your stomach waiting.”
Shelley stepped away from Bo. “I agree with Bo. I’ve made mistakes, too. Now’s the time to start fixing them. I’m going to wash my face. I’m sure I look a mess. Does Bo have to follow me to the bathroom?”
Trev was fine with his sister’s sarcasm as long as she didn’t fight him on Bo’s bodyguard duty. “I think Aidan’s bathroom is safe enough.”
Bo frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. “I don’t know. I hear sometimes women get assaulted in there.”
Trev snorted. “Damn, you heard about that, huh? Well, how about after the game, we go out and visit our little sub? You know, we promised we would give her a little something.”
“Eww!” Shelley put her hands over her ears. “Too much info, brother.”
Bo and Trev were laughing as they entered the house together.
Chapter Eighteen
Beth looked up as Trev walked into the barn, Bo hard on his heels.
“So, what do you think? I mean, I had the beta hero save the day in my last book. I think it’s time the heroine kicked some ass.” Lexi had a corkboard with about a hundred notes plastered to it.
Beth was sure they were an incongruous sight. The serious writer, going over plot and storyline, with her personal assistant, who Lexi’d had to prop up with pillows so she could comfortably sit up because her assistant was naked and tied up. “And when was the last time you had the Dom save the day?”
Lexi bit into her lower lip. “I guess it’s been a while.”
Beth shook her head. Since Lexi had started writing, she’d made a name for herself in erotic romance for her kick-ass heroines and quirky small towns. “It’s time. Throw Aidan a bone. The town of Joy, Wyoming, has been through a lot. Let your hero save the day.”
Lexi shrugged. “Fine. I guess the guy has to save the day every now and then. Hey, Trev and Bo! How did the game go? I’m glad you’re here. I was just telling Beth that I should get a masculine opinion.”
Bo’s eyes flared in panic. “Uh, I don’t really read much.”
“The Dom should definitely save the day, Lexi. Now, your Master requests your presence.” Trev’s deep voice didn’t leave a lot of room for disobedience.
But Lexi was a brat to the end. Beth admired that about her boss. “Fine, but I’m not doing the dishes.”
She grinned at Beth as she gathered her things. “I’m so glad you’re in the lifestyle now. We can have fun. I’ll show you all the best ways to top from the bottom.”
Trev growled Lexi’s direction.
Lexi took a little step back. “Fine. Maybe not.” But the minute Trev’s back was turned, she mouthed the words, “I totally will,” and slipped out the door.
“I love my sister-in-law, but I don’t think Lexi is a good influence on Beth.” Bo frowned at the door Lexi had closed.
Trev shook it off. “Lexi is a brat of the highest order. She’ll be good for Beth. And besides, I don’t think Beth is about to let us choose her friends.”
“Not for a second.” Beth was ready to obey Trev in the bedroom and in things that made sense, but she wouldn’t mindlessly follow him.
“Mind me now,” he said as if he could hear her thoughts. “Let Bo turn you over. I want to play.”
She could see that he did. His cock strained against his jeans. There was a slightly desperate look to his eyes. “What happened?”
“Nothing to worry yourself about. Let’s just say I’ve had an emotional day. And I just spent two hours watching Lucas and Aidan enjoy a six-pack of beer between the two of them. Now I don’t begrudge them, but it has me on edge.”
“Damn it. I didn’t even think about it. I had one, too. Fuck, Trev, I’m sorry.” Bo ran a hand through his hair.
Trev waved him off. “Bo, you aren’t an alcoholic. I can’t expect the world to stop because I can’t handle a drink. But I need something else. The whole time I watched them, I told myself that if I got through it, I would earn a prize.”
The dark look in his eyes told Beth exactly what prize he meant. Her breathing sped up. “I think you definitely deserve a treat, baby.”
She was his treat. She was his addiction now. And she was so happy to be it. She was addicted to him and Bo. She was addicted to wanting them, to loving them.
“Bo, did our little sub figure out how to use the ropes to her advantage?”
Bo grinned. “Uh, I might have helped her figure that out.”
“How many times did you come, darlin’? How many times did you rub your clit against the rope?”
“Not too many. Twice. Once with Bo, and then Lexi took a break. I didn’t mean to. I just wiggled and it happened.” It had felt so good, she hadn’t exactly fought it. She’d been a little disappointed that Lexi got back so quickly.
“Well, I think two still deserves a spanking. Bo, where does your brother keep the crop?”
“Uh, it’s a ranch. There are crops everywhere.”
“All right, smart-ass. Do you want in on this or not? Get me a crop.”
Bo saluted. “Yes, Sir.”
Trev lifted her easily, turning her over. She loved how it felt to be picked up by Trev. He was so strong. She relaxed and allowed Trev to move her into the position he wanted her in, face down, cheek to the side, knees bent, ass in the air. The plug tried to escape, but the rope held it in.
Trev groaned his pleasure at the sight. “Bo did a damn fine job.”
“I’m getting real good at shoving stuff up her ass.” Bo was back with a soft-tipped crop in his hand.
“I think she’s ready.” Trev’s hands smoothed across the skin of her ass. Each pass of his hands moved the rope slightly, affecting her clit and anus.
“Ready? Shit, are you serious?” Bo’s breath came out in a sigh. “Fuck, I want that.”
Beth shivered at the thought. Both of them at once. She wanted that, too.
“But first, we owe her a little discipline,” Trev said.
Beth nearly howled as the crop came down on her ass. The pain was jarring, but even as she flinched from it, the rope rubbed her clit. It rubbed all along her pussy and the crease of her ass, pressing on the plug, making her rectum light up with nerves that had never come to life before.
“I made this dress for your punishment and your pleasure, darlin’.” Trev sounded more in control than he’d been before. “That’s my fucking job in life, to see to both. To make sure you’re safe and you have what you need, and that includes my crop against your skin.”
She bit into her bottom lip to stop from calling out. He struck again, high on her ass. It changed the way the rope rubbed and pushed at the plug.
“I’m your Master, Bethany Hobbes. I’m the center of your world. You’re damn sure the center of mine.” He struck lower. Her clit threatened to go off again.