Nathan recommended that I take a long, hot bath after we finished our barn adventures, and I agreed. I could already feel my muscles stiffening up. This was from a combination of the long, exhilarating ride on Bella, and the equally stimulating ride on Nathan. Twice.

As we were walking back to the house, it hit me that I had stopped taking my birth control pills that morning. We were supposed to be using condoms, but we had already had sex multiple times without any protection at all. I realized the responsible thing to do would be to discuss our oversight before it happened again. I would save that discussion for another day.

We parted ways at the door to his library.

"I need to make a quick call, and then I'll be up to shower and change in about five minutes." He kissed me and was gone, his mind already back on his work.

Smiling, I headed up to our room and started running the bath. Maybe Nathan would like to share my bath? I fussed over the water, adding scented bath oils, and getting the temperature just right. I grabbed my phone and quickly created a relaxing playlist to listen to as I soaked.

I kicked off my new boots, removed my pants, and completely unbuttoned my shirt before walking back into the bedroom to get my robe.

I saw movement out of the corner of my eye, and thought Nathan had come in while I was running my bath.

Turning, I jumped in fright. Lawson Jackson was reclining on my bed, staring intently at me.

Clutching my shirt to hold it closed, I stammered in my surprise. "What are you doing in here?"

Lawson stood up lazily, giving me a thorough examination. "Our conversation was interrupted the last time I was here, Darby."

“Get out. You shouldn’t be in here. Get out!” My voice got louder when I realized he wasn’t leaving.

He walked over to me, and his very manner was threatening. His face was set and determined, and he didn’t hesitate in approaching me, even though my body language and my words said stay away. I froze in place. Although I had been scared a little when I met him the first time, our previous encounter had been more annoying than anything. This time, I was truly frightened.

Lawson continued approaching me until I had no choice but to back up. I wanted to scream, but sound didn't carry very well in the house, so I wasn't sure if anyone would even hear me. My phone was still playing music in the other room, making it even harder for me to be heard. Finally, I was up against the wall with nowhere else to go. Lawson put one hand on the wall beside my head, and the other hand ripped my shirt open.

I slapped at his hands with no effect. He put one hand on my throat, and I stilled in fear.

“Be good.” His voice was rough.

I swallowed hard, but nodded, hoping he would let me go. Where was Nathan?

I was standing there in my skimpy bra and panties, on full display. I tried to lift my knee to hit Lawson in the balls, but he blocked my move with his leg.

He smiled down at me, and tears welled up in my eyes. He ran a finger between my breasts, down to the top of my panties.

My heart was racing in terror.

"Now, that wasn't very nice. Was it?" He slipped one finger under the waistband of my panties. "I like this very much. You look delicious. Mmm. I can’t wait to taste you."

I tried to move away from him then, but I was trapped.

“Go ahead and scream if you want. We both know no one will hear you.”

Doormat Darby needed to step it up because I was almost out of time. I grabbed the cup of my bra and acted like I was going to pull it down and reveal my breast. Lawson was instantly transfixed, waiting for me to display my body for him. Asshole.

As soon as I realized he was distracted, I used my other hand to squeeze his balls as hard as I could. I smiled in vicious triumph as Lawson bent over, in pain. Score for Darby.

The bedroom door opened swung open, and Nathan walked in. I wasn't expecting him this quickly, but I was so relieved to see him. My knees almost buckled beneath me.

Lawson started laughing, despite his extreme discomfort. "Oops, looks like your husband caught us. Our secret is out."

Nathan charged across the room at full speed and grabbed Lawson. He threw him away from me. Lawson continued laughing. What was wrong with this man?

I was gasping for breath, and tears were running down my face. Now that I was safe, the adrenaline rushing through my body caused me to start shaking uncontrollably. I reached for my husband, desperately needing his comfort.

"Darby, are you ok? What did he do to you?" He sounded as breathless as I felt.

Nathan pulled my shirt closed and wrapped me in his arms.

"I'm okay. I just came out of the bathroom, and Lawson was on the bed. I-I didn't know what to do, Nate, so I tried to squish his balls."

Nathan’s eyebrows shot up, as his mouth dropped open. He even looked a touch proud of me.

I was almost hyperventilating in my panic. My breath was coming out in short gasps, and coming faster and faster. I needed to calm down, and speak calmly about the situation, but I was overwhelmed. I focused on my breathing instead of trying to talk.

Lawson straightened the cuffs on his shirt. "I don't know why you are so upset, Randolph. We shared Savannah. I just assumed we would share Darby, too."

I gasped again, and my head snapped up. Unbidden, I thought of the times Nathan had mentioned sharing me with other men. I had assumed that was crazy pillow talk, but now I wondered. I pushed back from my husband, but he refused to let me go.

"I figured if she married you, she was into the lifestyle."

"Get the fuck out of my house before I beat your ass." I had never heard Nathan sound so cold, so fierce. I was almost afraid for Lawson.

I could tell it was taking everything he had not to go after Lawson, but I needed him by my side more than he needed to beat up Lawson. At the same time, after that comment about sharing Savannah, I wanted to escape both men.

Lawson made no effort to leave. He stood there, smiling at us both.

Nathan let me go long enough to cross the room and grip Lawson’s arm, and then he dragged him toward the door.

I heard someone running up the stairs, and Maxwell came into the room. He took one look at my hysterical, tearful face and at Lawson smirking at us all, and he immediately took Lawson by the other arm.

"If you come back, or if you ever speak to Darby again, I will make your life a living hell."

Nathan's voice was so low and so primal that I gasped again. At my small sound, Nathan turned my direction. He let Maxwell take Lawson from the room without him.

"Darby, it's okay. You are safe now. He won't get another opportunity to touch you again. I will be adding security to the estate to make sure that even if I'm not around, you will always be protected." Nathan’s voice was tender as he addressed me.

Instead of calming down, I got even more upset.

“How did he get in our room? He shouldn’t have been in our room.” Tears leaked out of my eyes, and my harsh breathing made it difficult to speak.

He crossed the room and made his way back to my side. He kissed me softly, and frowned when I turned my head away from his kiss.

"Come on, sweetheart. Let's get you in that warm bath. You are absolutely freezing. It has got to be the shock."

He scooped me up, carried me to the tub, and helped me finish undressing. My shivers got worse. He took one look at my white face and cursed. Quickly stripping his own clothes off, he held my hand while I stepped into the bathtub, and then he climbed in behind me. Nestled safely in his arms, I finally started to relax. It was over.

Except I had many questions.