“What are we talking about? What did I do?” Holly tried to squirm, attempting to cover herself, but Alexei held her fast.

Shit. The big bastard was right.

Caleb got to his feet. “You didn’t stop and get help. You didn’t call either one of us.”

“Today? When I wrecked the car?”

Caleb sighed. Why did she go there? Maybe they were better matched than he thought. She seemed to be a worst-case-scenario girl, not unlike himself. “You didn’t wreck the car. You saved your life by properly driving it. I’m not pissed off about the truck. I’m pissed off that you thought you had to walk down the mountain when you could have stopped at a friend’s house and called someone to come get you.”

She shook her head. “I didn’t want to bother anyone. Besides, Nell doesn’t have a phone and Laura’s busy.”

Alexei’s hand wound into her hair. His dark eyes found Caleb’s. “You understand why I do what I do?”

Did Caleb understand why Alexei was about to spank her? Sure he did. “She didn’t even mention calling one of us. That road is dangerous. You could have been killed just walking down it. You had another mile to go. You could have mitigated the risk by calling one of us from the Harper’s place or Mel’s. Even if you couldn’t reach one of us on the phone, you could have called Stella’s or The Trading Post and someone would have found us. Everyone knows everyone else’s business in this town. Would you really rather get hit by a car on that mountain than risk bugging one of us with a call?”

He did understand Alexei’s anger now that he thought about it. What good were they to her if she didn’t bother to rely on them?

“I need to have place with you, Holly. I am not smart man like Caleb. I am not sweet like you. I do not have place in this community. I need place in relationship. I will treat you like princess. I will treat you like queen. In normal life, I will be your lapping dog, but here, in the lovemaking section of life, I will be king and you will obey.” He pulled her head back gently so she was forced to look in his eyes. “If this scares you or you are not interested in this part of me, then I will leave you to Caleb. I can’t ignore these needs I have. I can only promise to be careful with you, to take care of you. Caleb, if you are bothered by it, I will leave, too.”

It was obvious to Caleb that Alexei wouldn’t compromise. Oh, he would share and he would give on many things, but he understood who he was at heart and couldn’t compromise.

Caleb respected that. Caleb wanted that for himself.

“Over his knee, Holly. Discipline is important.”

Alexei smiled.

Crap. They had really just become partners. And maybe they could actually be friends.

* * *

Alexei sighed as he realized he’d tackled one mountain. Caleb was in. Holly stood so still in his arms, her backside brushing his rock hard cock. She was soft everywhere. He wanted to crush her against him and show her just how different they were. He could have her on a bed, legs spread and penetrated faster than she could take her next breath, but that wouldn’t start the relationship off on the proper footing.

He’d meant what he’d said. He would trail after her, playing her ever-doting suitor. He wouldn’t care what anyone thought. But in private and when she was in trouble, he needed to be in charge. He needed this.

He let go of her though his every instinct screamed at him to keep her close. It had to be her decision. He would die if she said no, but he wouldn’t force her. He’d never forced a woman in his life. He wouldn’t start with the only one he’d ever really cared about.

“Come.” He sat down on her overstuffed couch and patted his knee.

She looked so vulnerable standing there, her arms covering her breasts. He would break her of that habit, too. She was beautiful. She should be proud of her body. He knew he was proud to have a woman as lovely as she was.

“Holly, satisfy the big guy so we can move on to the fun part.” Caleb’s hands cupped her shoulders. It was obvious that his partner was no longer thinking about the mechanics of the situation.

“Okay,” she said, her voice shaking slightly.

Caleb pulled her close, his hand sinking into her hair. He caught her mouth with his.

Alexei watched, his cock threatening to bust out of his slacks. They were beautiful together. How had he managed to become involved with not one, but two redheads? He could almost hear his father’s voice. He’d constantly teased Alexei’s mother about her hair. Redheads were more volatile, more passionate, more trouble. Then his father would disappear behind closed doors with his “trouble” for hours. Yes, these two were trouble, and he was looking forward to it. Caleb’s red and gold hair contrasted nicely with Holly’s richer hue. Caleb’s skin was tan against Holly’s exquisite porcelain.

Where did Alexei fit? Caleb had everything. Brains, money, a powerful family. He’d simply had a terribly traumatic experience. Alexei had decided after he’d learned of Caleb’s past that the way to repay the doctor was to help bring him back to himself. When Caleb was healed, would he even need Alexei anymore? When Caleb was whole again, would Holly even look at Alexei? What would she need with a former criminal who couldn’t find a job?

Caleb’s hands cupped her breasts. Holly’s moans and little cries were going to make Alexei crazy. He let go of his worry. There would be time enough to worry about the future later. For tonight, he wanted to revel in the fact that he’d won. He’d gotten the three of them in a room together. He’d brought them together.

Holly had practically melted in Caleb’s arms. Their tongues mated. Their hands explored each other’s bodies. Caleb’s hands bit into the flesh of Holly’s ass, bringing his cock in hard contact with her. Alexei watched. He would deeply enjoy watching them make love. He was surprised to discover he didn’t feel any jealousy. He’d worried about it, but Holly needed this. And Caleb, whether he ever recognized it or not, needed Alexei. It was good, so good, to be needed.

Caleb let her go and turned her in Alexei’s direction. He gave her ass a little pat. “No more stalling, baby.”

She walked toward Alexei, her breasts bouncing slightly. Her lips were swollen from Caleb’s kisses, and her skin flushed a pretty pink. He was going to make her skin even pinker. “You’re going to spank me because I didn’t call you?”

He shook his head. She should understand. He was not an unreasonable man. “No. I don’t have phone yet, dushka. I’m spanking you because you didn’t call Caleb. He would have been easy to reach. He would have taken care of you. He would have made sure you were safe.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t know how I feel about this, Alexei, but I’m willing to give it a try.”

“If you want me to stop, then I will stop, and we will come up with other punishment.” He didn’t want that. Any other punishment would make mutually satisfying sex impossible for a while. Any other punishment would involve withholding her orgasm. He really didn’t want that. His hands were itching to touch that gloriously round ass.

“I think I can handle it. Well, I hope I can. Jen seems to like it well enough, and I’ve heard Rachel and Callie mention something about it. I think I can handle it if they can.” She took his outstretched hand and let him place her over his lap. She was awkward at first, but she sighed finally and relaxed.

And he was left staring at the prettiest backside he’d ever seen. The globes of Holly’s ass were round and perfectly formed. He touched the dimples in the small of her back. They dipped gracefully and curved into her cheeks. She shivered under his hands.

Caleb came to stand in front of them. He pulled the T-shirt over his head and tossed it aside before getting down on one knee. He had the tube of lubricant Alexei had purchased earlier in the day at The Trading Post along with the condoms. Alexei had been surprised at the wide variety the small store carried.

Caleb was staring at her ass. “We’re going to have to prepare her if you want to share her properly.”

Properly? There was nothing proper about what he wanted to do with Holly. He wanted to fill all of her holes. He wanted to possess her in every way possible. But Caleb was right. She needed to be prepared. And he needed to find out if Holly would like his particular kink.

He brought his hand up and down in a short quick arc. The sound snapped through the room.

Holly’s whole body tensed and a little shriek came out of her mouth. “Damn it, Alexei! You have to warn a girl.”

The little dushka didn’t understand who was in control. Alexei was more than happy to teach her. Five quick slaps, alternating cheeks. Her lovely ass was curvy but firm. On the final slap, he rubbed her cheeks, reveling in the heat of her skin. She tried to come up, but he gently pressed her back down. “You do not make rules here. I make rules here and rule one is to call one of your men when danger is around you.”

Another five. Her ass was pinkening up beautifully. Her legs kicked a little, but she didn’t really fight him. If she had, he would have stopped immediately. He loved to play the game, but he never wanted to hurt her. Only little bites of pain to make the pleasure more overwhelming.

“Look at that.” Caleb’s hand came out and touched the now hot-pink cheek. He didn’t look disgusted with the process. He looked like he might start to drool at any minute. Alexei was certain Caleb could give a million and one medical reasons for why an erotic spanking was stimulating, but his mouth was silent for once.

“She owes me five more. You wish to give?” Alexei had made his mind up to share with Caleb a long time before. He wouldn’t back down now. If Caleb wanted to play these games, Alexei would cede a bit of control to him.