Read Beauty and the Beasts [Bride Train 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) for Free Online Page A

She trembled in his arms, standing so close that she felt his hard cock and shifted her thighs to rub him. He moved his chest from side to side to rasp the hard nipples pressed against his shirt. He dropped his hand over her hip to—
    The sharp pain of a knife prick at the back of his neck stopped him cold. He released his hands, holding them up and out at his sides. He fought to breathe, his head spinning from lust and lack of air. He couldn’t move without the knife piercing his neck. His cock, so long denied release, felt like it was the size and weight of one of the butcher’s largest sausages. It hurt, both from the need to release and his tight pants.
    The buzzing in his head faded. The sound was replaced by fists pounding on tables, boots stomping, and roars, both of approval and outrage.
    “Have I got your attention now, my friend?”
    A deep, sarcastic voice whispered in his ear. Oz swallowed, careful not to move. “Jack?” The sharp pain disappeared. He put his hand on his neck and checked it. A smear of red tipped his fingers. He turned to face his attacker. “Why the hell did you stick that thing in my neck?”
    “You want a friend to do that, or one of those jealous men?” Jack pointed to the crowd with the knife that had so recently punctured him. “They want to rip your limbs off and throw them to the dogs. Unless Sarah says she wanted that kiss, they just might.” He raised his eyebrows. “Or do you want a visit from the Vigilantes?”
    The gang of so-called upright citizens were known to hang men on the least suspicion. Guilt didn’t matter until too late. Oz shuddered. “I guess I owe you thanks.”
    Jack wiped his blade on his handkerchief. “Forget about me. You owe the lady an apology, or a proposal. Otherwise,” he drew his finger across his neck and nodded toward the women.
    Oz pulled at his collar and turned. Sarah stood beside Sophie. She clasped her hands in front of her and bowed her flaming face. She looked shy and meek, her chest rising and falling as rapidly as his own. But her smile was wide enough that no one could say she hadn’t enjoyed what they’d done.
    “Oscar Cutler!” Sophie yelled over the crowd, which quickly shushed.
    “Yes, ma’am?” His ears burned, which meant his face must be as red as Sarah’s.
    “What in tarnation was that?”
    Though Sophie glared fit to beat the band, he saw approval in her crinkled eyes. Relief flooded through him, quickly replaced by a surge of power. He knew how to play to an audience. That had saved him more than once when he knew his fists couldn’t take them all down. He stuck his thumbs in his waistband and bounced on his toes. He’d keep it light, but serious.
    “I’d say it was one of my better kisses, but the lady might have another opinion.”
    “A kiss?” Sophie looked at their audience. “That was just a kiss? Why didn’t you just peck Miss Unsworth on the cheek, like Jack did?”
    Jack nudged him with an elbow and gave him an encouraging wink. He also made sure their audience saw it. A few men in the back made crude comments and suggestions. Sophie glared at them.
    “But, Mrs. McLeod, Jack already has a woman. I’m a bachelor, so I had to let Miss Unsworth know my intentions.”
    “And what are those intentions?” Sophie crossed her arms and set her shoulders back.
    “I’m hoping that kiss might make Miss Unsworth want to see me again.”
    “Is that all? To see you?” She waited until the room was quiet again. “Mr. Cutler, that wasn’t a ‘may I see you again?’ kiss. It was a ‘will you marry me?’ kiss.”
    The thought of Sarah in his bed every night couldn’t make up for his terror of marriage. He would never do to a woman what his father did to his mother. His grandmother once said Ma used to laugh and sing before she married. By the time he came along, she had as much spirit as a worm, and for good reason. He kept his eye on Sophie so Sarah couldn’t see any hint of his feelings.
    “I