Strands of Love

Chapter Eleven

Jace studied the older man standing by the table. He held a long piece of metal in his hand. A gun Sam had called it. He would have liked a closer look at the weapon, but knew better than to ask. Tim was a warrior. It was in the way he held himself, in his eyes. He would not relinquish his weapon to a stranger.

“Now that we’re alone, I want the truth,” Tim demanded.

Jace had already told him the truth. Problem was, the older man didn’t want to hear it. Obviously magic was not well-known or accepted in Sam’s world. “I have told you the truth. We are from Javara and want to claim Sam as our own. Never doubt that we will protect her with our lives.”

Tim rubbed his hand over his bushy beard. “You don’t look like you’re lying and that’s the damnedest thing. I need to call Mary.” Tim took a small black object out of his pocket. It looked like the one Sam had that she’d always been checking. A phone she’d called it.

Tim pressed buttons and then spoke. “Hey, Mary. I found her. She’s safe.”

Jace glanced at Darian, but his brother was totally enthralled by the small box Tim was holding. It was obvious he was talking to someone. How was that possible? How could those of this world profess not to believe in the tapestry when they possessed great magic of their own?

“No, I’m not sure what’s going on. She has company.” Tim paused. “No, I’ll explain later. I will. Okay. Bye.” Tim pressed a button and put the device back in his pocket. He realized both men were staring at him. “What?” Tim asked.

Darian motioned to Tim’s pocket. “You spoke to someone through that box?”

“Yeah.” Tim seemed confused by the question.

“Yet you do not believe in the tapestry when you possess great magic?” Darian’s words echoed Jace’s thoughts.

“You’re not kidding, are you?” Tim slowly lowered himself into a chair. “Okay, explain to me again about this tapestry and the world you’re from. And why the hell it came here and took Sam.”

Sam stepped out of the shower feeling refreshed. She should feel guilty. She hadn’t offered the brothers anything to drink and wasn’t sure they knew how to work the taps, although Darian probably did considering he’d played with them quite a bit on his first trip here.

“Damn it.” She dragged the towel over her skin, wiping away the water before she dragged on her clean clothes.

When she was wearing underwear, jeans, a T-shirt and sneakers, she felt much more like herself. Her hair was wet, but she towel dried it and braided it. She really shouldn’t have left the men alone with Tim. No telling what Tim might do if he got mad. She knew in her heart neither Hunter brother would hurt Tim, but still.

She slung the damp towel over the shower rod and hurried out of the bathroom. She could hear voices as she went down the stairs. They were still talking. That had to be a good sign. Right?

Sam walked into the kitchen to find Tim sitting at the head of the table shaking his head at whatever Darian was telling him. They all turned to stare at her when she walked into the room.

Determined to get through this as quickly as possible, she raised her chin and walked over to the counter. She turned on the tap, took down two glasses and filled them with water before handing one to Jace and the other to his brother. Both men offered their thanks before quickly downing the water, making her feel worse than ever for not offering it sooner.

“Samantha Rose Calloway.”

She flinched slightly when Tim used her full name, but faced him squarely. “Yeah?”

“What kind of a mess have you gotten yourself into, girl?” Tim rubbed his hand over his bearded chin.

She shrugged. “It wasn’t my fault. I was walking the fields, minding my own business, when I found them.”

Tim sighed. “Don’t rightly know what to do or what to tell you.”

She frowned at him. “What’s to do? I’m home now.”

Tim pushed to his feet and came around the table to stand in front of her. “From what I understand, you still have a choice to make. You can go home with them when this tapestry returns.”

“If it returns,” she muttered. She didn’t look at either brother. She felt awful for even suggesting such a thing.

“There is that,” Tim agreed. “Of course, either of these men could choose to stay here. Or even both of them could stay if they were so inclined.”

Even as her heart jumped at the possibility, Sam was shaking her head. “Their mother would be devastated. Plus, they have a lot of folks depending on them.”

“And what do you have here, Sam?” Tim asked in a gentle voice that made tears well in her eyes. “Your parents and John are gone and you’re struggling every day to hold on to the farm. It’s a hard life for a woman alone.”

“What are you suggesting?” she cried. How could Tim even propose such a thing? This was her home. Where she belonged.

Tim pulled her into his strong arms and hugged her. He smelled slightly of the same soap her father had used and Sam closed her eyes, inhaled deeply and, for a brief moment, pretended it was her father holding her.

“I’m not suggesting anything, Sam. I’m telling you to weigh your options and really think things through before you make any decisions. Whatever you decide to do, I’ll support you.”

Sam’s head was spinning. Tim was actually suggesting she leave her home, her only connection to her family, take a leap of faith and go back to an unknown world with two men she’d met less than two days ago. The implications were staggering.

Tim released her and took a step back. “Think about it. If you want to talk, come on over to the house.” He collected his rifle and turned a hard gaze on the Hunter brothers. “You take good care of her. You hurt her and it won’t matter if you’re in another world. I’ll find you.”

Jace inclined his head. “You have our word.”

“Good enough.” Tim rubbed his hand across the top of her head. “You think on what I said, little girl. You know where to find me if you need me.” He handed her his phone. “You said you lost yours. You call Mary’s number if you need me.”

Tim departed, leaving her alone with Jace and Darian. She wasn’t ready to face either of them at the moment. She was so confused. Mostly, she missed her family—her father, her mother and her brother. She missed her father’s gruff voice, the way her brother teased her mercilessly and the way her mother always smelled of honeysuckle soap.

The last two days had rocked her world. First, there was the threat of losing the farm and everything her family had worked for if she couldn’t manage to turn things around. Then there was the whole tapestry thing and the trip to Javara. Was it any wonder she was feeling so emotional?

Sam knew she couldn’t hold it together much longer. She had to get away before she broke down and started crying like a baby. “There’s food in the refrigerator if you’re hungry.” She gestured toward the twenty-year-old, white refrigerator so they’d know what she was talking about. “I’ll be back.”

She walked toward the back door and pushed it open. Tim’s truck was a cloud of dust in the distance. Sam blinked as the image wavered. Just dust in her eyes. That’s all.

Darian called her name, but she ignored him and hurried toward the barn as fast as her feet could carry her. It was empty now, but still carried the scent of the horses that had once lived there. Practically running now, she pushed the door open and stepped into the cool shade.

Arrow stepped out of the shadows and meowed at her as if to ask where the heck she’d been. His food and water dishes were empty. “I’m sorry.” She worked quickly to fill both bowls and the cat dove into the food with great zeal. From his reaction, you’d swear the cat hadn’t eaten for a week instead of a day. And Sam knew darn well the cat caught the occasional mouse to feast on.

The minute she was finished the chore, the first sob broke from her lips. Sam stumbled toward a bale of hay in the corner. Before she got there, strong arms closed around her, protective and sheltering. Arrow hissed his displeasure at the intrusion and darted away. The cat didn’t like strangers and would probably stay away as long as Jace and Darian were around.

Sam burst into tears. As appalled as she was by her emotional outburst, she couldn’t stop it. Now that the dam had burst open, there was no way to close it.

“Everything will be all right, Sam.” Jace held her in his arms as he walked toward several bales of hay and sat, settling her on his lap. Darian lowered himself onto the bale beside them and Jace could feel and see his brother’s concern.

Was there anything that could make a man feel more helpless than a woman’s pain and tears? If there was, he hoped never to find out. Jace ached for Sam, for everything she’d been through and every trial she had yet to face in her life.

From what Tim had told them and what little Sam had shared, he knew her life hadn’t been an easy one. All her family was gone and she was alone. Jace wanted to roar at the heavens, demanding they return her loved ones to her. But that was impossible.

It was probably the reason the tapestry had brought her to Javara in the first place. She was a woman alone, a woman who could make a life in their world.

But she was still too deeply attached to her family and the land they owned. Jace couldn’t fault her for that. All he wanted was to return home. But he wanted her to go with them.

For the first time, he truly understood how unfair the tapestry was to the women it brought to Javara. His entire life, all he’d thought about were the benefits of having a tapestry bride—a woman to love, children, family and a future. He’d never truly understood the magnitude of what each woman had to give up when they stayed.

Like any world, this one had its problems. Sam’s brother had been killed in a war and the land seemed harsh and unforgiving. But Sam had neighbors who cared and people who loved her. She had land and a family legacy.

Asking her to give this all up and step into the unknown with him and Darian was too much.

“Shh.” He rocked her like he would a child, but the woman in his arms was no child and his senses stirred. The warmth of her skin enticed him even as her tears wet his bare chest. He wanted to keep her safe in his arms and he wanted to strip her naked and fuck her. The polar emotions had him on edge.

“Sam, you’re home and you’re safe.” Jace didn’t know what to say to get her to stop crying. He kissed the top of her head before tilting her back slightly so he could see her face. Her cheeks were blotchy, her eyes red.

He dropped a kiss on her forehead, her nose and both cheekbones. She sniffed and he could see her trying to pull herself back together. He rubbed his thumb over her cheek, swiping at the tears rolling down her face.

When she tried to smile at him, Jace lost it. He kissed her. There was no stopping him. He slammed his mouth down on hers, plunged his tongue past her parted lips and took what belonged to him.

Sam gasped, but didn’t push him away. She reached for him, wrapping her arms around his neck, clinging to him as though she’d never let him go.

He had to say something to her before this went any further. She had to know how he felt.

Jace tore his mouth away from hers, not wanting to release her sweet and salty lips. “I’m sorry, Sam. I didn’t mean to bring the tapestry back to Javara and send you away.” He thought he’d mastered his temper years ago, but obviously he hadn’t succeeded as well as he’d hoped. Sam was able to prick his temper where others could not.

“I know.” She rested her hand on the side of his face, the one with the scar. Not that Sam seemed to even notice the mark. He placed his hand over hers, holding it against his skin for a brief moment before turning it so he could kiss her palm.

“What are we going to do?” Emotional anguish spilled from her as she asked the question to which he had no answers. Another tear trickled down the side of her face.

Tim’s suggestions were still echoing in his head. Sam could still return with them to Javara. Jace hadn’t even entertained such a possibility, but Tim was right. Sam could change her mind and leave her world behind.

Tim’s other suggestions left Jace reeling. Either he or his brother or both of them could stay here with her. Jace immediately dismissed the idea of both of them staying. What would happen to their mother? All their people? Hunter Keep?

Maybe Darian could stay here with Sam? He was more easygoing, more able to adapt than Jace was. But how would he live without his brother? They’d been inseparable since they were boys. Jace could still remember the day Darian was born, even though he was only three years old. He’d always felt responsible for his younger brother.

“I don’t know what we will do, Sam.” Jace lifted her until she was facing him, straddling his lap. “But I know what I want to do at this moment.” He tugged her shirt from the waistband of her pants and slid his hands beneath.

He loved the feel of her soft skin against his rough, calloused palms. Jace didn’t want to face the possibility of losing Sam, of never being able to touch her again. He needed to love her, to show in the only way he could how sorry he was for the words he’d spoken in anger.

Jace pushed the shirt up and over her head. Her breasts were encased in a lacy covering that was the same color as fresh ripe berries. It was such a contrast to her plain, utilitarian shirt it made him smile. That was Sam—tough and hardworking on the outside, but soft and womanly on the inside.

His cock was swollen and uncomfortably pressed against the inside of his pants, but he ignored it. He rubbed his thumbs over the hard nubs pressing against the delicate material. Her nipples were swollen, ripe and sweet, and he needed to taste them.

He pulled the material aside and closed his lips around one puckered bud. Sam gasped and tilted her head back.

Darian moved, as though unable to resist any longer. Truthfully, Jace had no idea how he’d held out this long. Darian thrust his fingers into Sam’s loosely braided hair, tilted her head back, swooped down and took her lips in a torrid kiss.

Jace felt the tightening of Sam’s body, the hard jerk followed by the slow melting as she kissed Darian back. He sucked on her nipple before teasing it with his tongue. She squirmed against him, her mound pushing against his swollen shaft.

He growled and tugged at the straps of the garment, pulling it down her arms. Darian helped him free her breasts and rid her of the bothersome piece of clothing. Naked from the waist up, her thick braid of hair falling over her shoulder, her eyes dark with desire, Jace wanted her and he wanted her now.

Jace started to lift her off his lap. Darian helped by quickly wrapping his arms around her and picking her up, taking her weight from his lap. Jace bent down and pulled off her shoes. His fingers hovered over the fastener of her pants. “Sam?” He didn’t want to do anything she didn’t want. It would kill him to have to stop, but he would if this wasn’t what she wanted.

She shoved his hands aside and his stomach sank. Before he could sink into despair, her clever fingers had her pants open and were shoving them down her thighs.

Desire roared through Jace like a runaway stallion. He wanted Sam. Had to have her. He wanted her to ride him while she faced him, wanted to see her face when he took her.

Her underwear was the color of ripe berries too, lacy and feminine. Another time, he might enjoy seeing her wearing nothing but them, but not now. His cock was ready to explode and he ripped open the front placket of his pants, needing to give the poor abused part some relief. His shaft popped free from its confinement, hard and ready.

Sam shimmied out of her clothing and reached for his cock. Jace caught her wrist and shook his head. “I’m too close.” He wanted her to understand just how much he wanted her, how she affected him.

Jace shoved his pants around his hips and sat back, leaning against the wooden wall behind him. “Come here.” He held his arms wide open. “Ride me.”

Sam glanced at Darian who smiled and nodded. She licked her lips and, for a second, Jace thought it was all over for him. He could practically feel those lush lips and that hot tongue against his pulsing erection. As much as he wanted that, he needed to be inside her, to feel the hot clasp of her pussy pulsating around his cock.

Home.

Sam was beginning to feel like home to him, a safe place where he could lay down his burdens and simply be a man.

She crawled up onto the bale of hay and settled over his lap. Jace gripped her hips and guided her opening to the tip of his cock. “I can’t wait,” he warned. He knew they should take her inside and spend hours teasing her, bringing her to orgasm again and again. Should show her how good it could be with them.

Not take her quick and rough in a barn.

Jace hesitated, his hands tightening around her waist. Then she lowered herself and he was lost. Her body resisted slightly as the flared head of his cock tunneled inward. She made a low sound of pleasure before sitting down hard. The walls of her slick channel rippled around his shaft before softening and expanding enough to take him in.

He buried his face in the curve of her neck. Breathing was becoming more difficult by the second, but he didn’t care. He had Sam in his arms. Nothing else mattered.