Page 21 of Rugged and Filthy

Illnesses.

Financial crisis.

They’d been the only three constant aspects in my life. That and being a caretaker. I needed something just for me. For once. Right? Just like my sister and bestie had told me. I wasn’t being selfish. I deserved to feel passion again if only for a little while.

By the time I was finished trying to convince myself this was not as stupid of a decision as the little voice inside my head continued to tell me it was, Foxx was unlocking the door to his hotel room. I’d never been inside this hotel, but I knew it to be two decades old and probably with thin walls.

Oh, well. I had a feeling the closest guests were going to get an earful, especially since I wouldn’t give in so easily. That could quite possibly tarnish my reputation. I bit back a laugh before realizing I was a nervous wreck. I’d never had a single one-night stand in my life, let alone with three men. Who did that?

Hold on. Had I actually agreed to staying the entire night? Oh, I was in so much trouble. Once inside, my resolve failed badly. I couldn’t do this. I wasn’t this kind of girl. I spun around, planting a smile on my face. “Look. I’m sorry if I led you on. I didn’t mean to, but I can’t do this.”

Foxx’s response? He locked the door behind him and pressed his back against the wooden surface, grinning like some crazed man who’d won a battle. “I’m afraid, pretty lady, that you’re not going anywhere.”

“He’s right,” Hudson added as he took two giant steps closer. “A deal is a deal. I don’t care what country you’re from. You can’t renege without consequences. Isn’t that right, Jack?”

“Yup,” he growled and allowed his heated gaze to fall to my shoes. I’d never felt so uncomfortable or so desired in my life. The way the huge man flared his nostrils reminded me of some caveman who’d just claimed his woman.

I suddenly felt completely suffocated, my mind spinning with how to get myself out of this mess. I laughed nervously especially when Hudson took two more long strides closer, his eyes piercing mine. Whew. To say the three of them were hot as Hades was an understatement. Their massive, manly bodies easily filled a doorway and then some.

“What do you want?” I asked, as if I didn’t know. What in God’s name was wrong with me? You’ve lost a screw or two. That’s what. Oh, yeah. There was that.

“What do we want? Is that what the lady is asking?” Jack said, his deep laugh sending a shower of quivers all the way to my painted toes. Now I was glad I’d purchased that bottle of flaming red, quick-drying nail polish as Fallon had suggested.

“Let’s get all fancied up and go out on the town.” Those had been her exact words. For me, fancied up was putting on makeup and a clean pair of jeans. I’d even gone all out, including styling my hair. Then she’d had the audacity to basically dare me. I’d blame my bestie for this atrocity.

The inner voice continued laughing up a storm at me. I was very capable of getting into my own messes without needing anyone’s help.

“That’s what she’s asking,” Hudson said as he immediately reached for his belt, taking his time to unfasten the bright brass buckle. Did these boys think they were real cowboys or something? Well, they were a far cry from the Irish lads I was used to putting up with. That was certain.

“I think I need to explain the rules,” Foxx stated with almost no emotion in his tone as he walked closer, still swaggering as if he was some famous man.

“Rules?” I found myself backing away like a coward, which was so unlike me.

“Yep. There are always rules to keep you out of trouble or in this case, as consequences for being a misbehaving little girl.”

It was tough not to laugh, but watching Hudson slowly yanking the thick leather strap out of the belt loops had a tremendous effect on me. My father had used tough love over the years, but it was all about taking away what few toys or electronics my parents had been able to afford then issuing the silent treatment for days at a time when I’d grown older.

That had been the worst punishment to date in my entire life, the quiet in the house, my father’s ability to ignore every emotion displayed like heartstrings—something I’d never forget.

Maybe that’s why my mouth was salivating at the ridiculous thought of being spanked.

Like the bad little girl the three unknown men had accused me of being.

The worst thing about licking my parched lips as Hudson made animalistic sounds was the rush of adrenaline flowing straight to my heart. I wasn’t certain if I was having a panic attack or something more horrific related to my heart pumping so wildly, but I was lightheaded as I’d ever been. Even my body was swaying back and forth.

Foxx continued his slow and in total command long strides until he stood only inches away. Maybe American men were taught a special trick of allowing their gazes to fall so slowly that the girl in question was lost in the moment, finding herself mesmerized by the deep coloration and intensity of their cobalt blue eyes. True or not, I couldn’t breathe properly.

“And, little Irish sweetheart, you will follow our rules. That includes removing your clothes so the three of us can give you a proper spanking.”

The huskiness of Foxx’s tone initially prevented me from comprehending the words flowing from his full lips.

Then I got it, my usual rebellious side taking over. There was no more time for talking. Without hesitation, I headed toward the door of the hotel room, making it as far as opening the door before I was grabbed around the waist by Jack.

“Oh, no, you don’t, our little feisty Irish filly,” he huffed. “For the next several hours, you belong to us.”

“And if you attempt to escape again,” Hudson added as he cupped my face even as I was flailing to get out of Jack’s hold, “then your punishment will be so much worse.”

CHAPTER 7

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