Holly's Awakening:Creek Valley, 2(3)

Steven had noted Kade's attention toward her. His lover might hate the  way she dressed, but he'd taken more note of her than he had of any  other woman who'd tried it on with him. They hadn't taken a woman since  they'd become exclusive. There was a time when they were only friends  sharing a woman between them. That soon changed as their attraction  developed between each other.

Handing Holly some paperwork, Steven couldn't tear his gaze away from her retreating figure.

Shit, he wanted her badly.





Chapter Two



Kade waited for John Walker to finish packing up his shit before talking  to him. John was the only person Kade knew connected to Holly. He  wanted to make sure Steven wasn't putting them in some kind of danger  because he was feeling guilty or some shit.                       
       
           



       

"What's the matter, Boss?" John asked, turning to face him. The other  man wiped his hands on his jeans waiting for Kade to answer.

"I need a word with you."

"Okay, I've got to pick Holly up from the office though. Could we talk and walk?" John asked.

Following in step beside him Kade waited for enough distance to be put between them and the other men.

"How did Holy get the bruise?" Kade asked.

"Fuck! That's not my shit to tell."

"Then you better start talking, John. I want to know why your sister is  still at home with her parents? Why you're not there with her? How she  got the bruise? And if she's trying something on with Steven? Is the  shyness an act?" Kade kept firing questions at him until John threw his  hands up in surrender. They both stopped and glared at each other.

"Stop, just stop." John looked left and right. "I don't know what your problem is, but stop with all the questions."

"You're going to answer my questions if you like it or not." Kade took a  step closer invading the other guy's space. John didn't back down or  flinch.

"Boss, I grew up with a man who weighed more than you did with bad  breath and a real bad attitude. Considering he was drunk so much, his  aim was always on the mark. Back off before I forget you're my boss."

Without realising it, John had answered at least one of his questions.

"So your dad put the bruise on her face," Kade said. "That's progress."

John bit his lip and looked up at the sky. He was a muscular man who  clearly worked out. Kade wasn't attracted to him, but he saw the  determination on the man's face. John couldn't hide his emotions towards  protection.

"I work for you. I don't have to take this shit." John stormed off. Kade caught up to him.

"No, but Steven and I are thinking of claiming her for our own."

Her brother stopped. "What?"

"You heard me."

Kade waited for John to speak. Her brother looked at the offices and then back at the array of fields they owned.

"You better not hurt her," John said.

"I wouldn't dream of hurting her, John. Steven and I care about her."

"Are you wanting what Gavin and a couple of guys have found in town?" John asked.

"Yes." Kade wouldn't lie or try to fight him.

John let out a sigh. "Finally."

"What?" Kade asked. It was his time to frown.

"I knew you and Steven had feelings for Holly. If anyone can get her out of that shit-hole, it's you guys," John said.

"I think it's time you started talking." Kade waited with hands on hips.

"Holly won't leave that fucking trailer. She takes care of our brothers  and sisters. Our parents are a waste of space. Dad-I can't believe I  still call him that-he fucking takes her money. She has enough for food  and sorting out our siblings." John shook his head. "I can't get her to  live with me."

"What about teaching your dad a lesson?" Kade asked.

"I tried that. It lasts for a couple of days, and then he lays into my  family harder. I can't always been there, and I won't make it worse."

"What about letting them all live with you?"

"I can't do it. My apartment is not big enough, and my parents have  raised hell when I tried. They threatened to have me put away for good  for kidnapping and even worse for Holly. I can't hurt them, Boss."

Kade saw the guilt in the other man's face.

"What about the sheriff? He's a good guy, and he'll take care of you."

"I know, but without proof he can't do anything. Holly will never report  our dad and risk the chance of putting our brothers and sisters into  care."

He understood what John was saying. It didn't make it easier to bear.  Kade wondered how long Holly had been responsible for her family. The  more he thought about it the more hurt Kade became. She was so small and  tiny. Holly shouldn't have to deal with that kind of man.

"If you and Steven are serious about claiming Holly then you've got my  blessing, but she will never leave the others behind. You've got a lot  to deal with."

"Come on, let's go and get your sister," Kade said, patting the man on  the back. Together they walked back to where Steven and Holly stood  waiting at the door.

"How is everything?" Steven asked.

"Everything is good. We'll talk later."

Holly nodded toward her brother. "See you tomorrow at work."

Kade stood next to his lover and waited for the other two to leave.                       
       
           



       

"What were you talking with John about?"

Steven turned to walk into the house. Kade followed close behind him.  "We're talking about Holly. He gave us his blessing, and he also warned  me about her not leaving the others."

"I never thought Holly would leave her brothers and sisters. I'm talking  to our lawyer about possible guardianship," Steven said, sitting down  on the long sofa.

"You're serious about this? Guardianship for five kids?" Kade asked.

"Not all of them are kids, and they're good people. I've seen them, and  they deserve some happiness as well." Steven grabbed Kade's legs and  placed them over his lap. "Did you get everything you wanted from the  pleasure house?"

"Yeah. Callie appreciated our custom." He'd purchased some new dildos,  clamps, and cuffs. Kade already owned a selection of whips and chains  that he couldn't wait to try out on their new bed partner.

"I bet she did."

"The Elliot twins were bugging her again. I think she was just happy to  get them out of her hair." Kade chuckled as he remembered the look on  Bronson's and Andrew's faces when he asked for assistance. Callie was  never going to do it for him. The pleasure shop owner may know what the  difference was between a butt plug and a vibrator, but Kade wasn't  attracted to Callie at all.

****

The following day Steven waited for Holly to get into work. Kade started  working on the ranch early, and he'd decided to get into the office in  order to complete everything for Friday. When five came on Friday,  Steven didn't want to have to worry about working late. Kade had  promised Steven he'd be back home and ready to take care of Holly.

Steven had already decided he wouldn't partake in any of the initial  activities. He was going to sit and watch. Kade held the experience on  taking care of a sub. Steven was a dominant man, but he wasn't a Dom. He  liked to be in charge and maybe tie his woman up a couple of times, but  he wasn't trained like Kade was. The only way to bring Holly to them  was through Kade's guidance and training.

He and Kade had been good friends for a long time. They were friends  through high-school and college. Once they were back in Creek Valley  they'd become business partners and taken over their parents' ranches.  The Edwards and Clark ranches used to be small and work side by side.  Together they'd torn down the barriers between their ranches and  invested a lot of time and money to bring them up to date.

What helped their cause was the fact Steven was a wealthy man, and it  wasn't down to working the ranch. Back in college he'd had a keen eye in  the stock markets and made plenty of money back then. He still dabbled  in the stock markets, and his wealth was solid.

The only thing Steven was missing was a family. He loved Kade with his  whole heart. Being with him was like floating in a swimming pool. Steven  felt relaxed and comforted with him around. His love for Kade would  never diminish or disappear. They were destined to be together. All they  missed was a woman.

When they first slept together they both agreed that even though they  loved each other, they needed a woman to complete them. Steven wanted to  be a father. He wanted a warm feminine body to curl around or to be  curled up to, and he needed Kade in his life. From their conversation  last night, it was what Kade wanted as well.

He heard Holly walk into the office. His door was open, and he was able  to watch her without Holly being aware of it. She placed her large bag  on the counter, rubbed her eyes, and her shoulders slumped. Wearing a  large sweater, again, she looked so lost.