Page 20 of Mad About Her Cowboys

“Different how?” She couldn’t believe how comfortable she was discussing this with him. It was strange but freeing. The more they spoke, the easier the idea became.

“Being with more than one of us at a time.”

“If I asked for that, who would you pick?” God! Why was she asking this? It sounded as if she’d already made a decision. Had she? “Wait. Back up a sec. You said if I ask for it. Is that even something you’d be interested in? I wouldn’t want to push something on any of you that you’d be uncomfortable with.”

He paused for a long moment. “Wouldn’t bother me,” he finally said. “It might bother me more to have you away from me for long periods of time because you were rotating through the other three, maybe liking them more.”

His open vulnerability surprised and touched her, especially coming from the big, tough leader of the group. She cupped his cheek. “Connor! No.”

“It could happen.”

“No. It won’t.”

His lips parted then shut as he held in whatever he was thinking. He shook his head. “The guys and I, we’ve always shared everything. For almost twenty years now. The idea of sharing you—with us all together, I mean—I like it. All of us giving you pleasure, watching each other fucking you. Seeing it would probably be headier than any porn I’ve ever seen, because it would be personal. My woman with another man.”

The idea titillated her more than she wanted to admit. All of them naked together, touching…tasting…loving…

“It wouldn’t bother you being naked with them?”

“All the questions,” he laughed.

She shrugged, making a face. “It’s how I am. Always wanting to know as much as I can before jumping in.”

“Smart.”

“I guess.” She shrugged again.

“I grew up with them. I’ve seen them naked plenty of times.”

She had more questions about that but would save them for later. “Okay, so if you had to choose one of them to be with—”

“First of all, it would be your decision, not mine. Second…Franklin. I’m closest to him, and he’s staying here at the ranch. The other two are leaving in a little less than two months. They don’t have an investment here, so I’m not sure if they’ll ever be back permanently, though they’d always be welcome. They’re family, but they have other interests. So, to my way of seeing, I’d definitely pick Franklin. Why are you asking me rather than anyone else?”

Why was she?

She started to lift a shoulder in a half-shrug but stopped herself, because she knew why and wasn’t going to blow it off. Admitting the truth took bravery she wasn’t sure she had though.

Madison glanced toward the doorway, not wanting to be overheard or to have anything misconstrued, then she looked back at the man beside her. “I’m attracted to you all, and I’m not sure how I feel about that. That’s the truth. But…it’s also the truth that you’re clearly the leader here, and that pulls me more than a little bit. I want you all equally; don’t get me wrong. I just know you’ll be primary in the mix.”

“So I’d get to be second fiddle?”

At the voice, her gaze shot back to the door. Franklin. Fuck! That’s what she’d been afraid of. “No!” she protested. “Nothing like that. I promise.”

Connor sighed. He got to his feet and went to his friend, placing his hands on the man’s shoulders. “Man, I was just telling her we share equally, but if we did the relationship like Mom, Dad-Man and Dad-Des, I’d choose to be partnered with you. Geez, who else is so close to me that he practically knows what’s in my mind?”

“Only me,” Franklin said quietly.

“Only you,” Connor confirmed.

“I’m just trying to figure everything out,” Madison defended. “Not leave anyone to the side. You’re all equals, and this is all brand new to me.”

“I know,” Franklin said, looking chagrined. “And I shouldn’t let old insecurities color my thinking. Sorry.”

“Nothing to apologize for. I can guess how it sounded. I also understand somewhat. I’ve never been good enough for my parents. My whole life, they’ve always found something to criticize me for, even when I thought I was doing well. It’s a real self-esteem killer. They were pissed when I went into nursing then basically disowned me because I’m pregnant and not married. How dare I, right?”

Connor hugged her, and Franklin came close behind her, holding her, too.

“I’m sorry, darlin’,” Connor soothed.

---