Tying the Knot Read online

  TYING THE KNOT

  An Ellora’s Cave Publication, July 2005

  Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.

  1056 Home Ave.

  Akron, OH 44310

  ISBN MS Reader (LIT) ISBN # 1-4199-0234-2

  Other available formats (no ISBNs are assigned):

  Adobe (PDF), Rocketbook (RB), Mobipocket (PRC) & HTML

  TYING THE KNOT Copyright © 2005 MAGGIE CASPER

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part without permission.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. They are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.

  Edited by Mary Moran.

  Cover art by Syneca.

  Warning:

  The following material contains graphic sexual content meant for mature readers. Tying the Knot has been rated E–rotic by a minimum of three independent reviewers.

  Ellora’s Cave Publishing offers three levels of Romantica™ reading entertainment: S (S-ensuous), E (E-rotic), and X (X-treme).

  S-ensuous love scenes are explicit and leave nothing to the imagination.

  E-rotic love scenes are explicit, leave nothing to the imagination, and are high in volume per the overall word count. In addition, some E-rated titles might contain fantasy material that some readers find objectionable, such as bondage, submission, same sex encounters, forced seductions, and so forth. E-rated titles are the most graphic titles we carry; it is common, for instance, for an author to use words such as “fucking”, “cock”, “pussy”, and such within their work of literature.

  X-treme titles differ from E-rated titles only in plot premise and storyline execution. Unlike E-rated titles, stories designated with the letter X tend to contain controversial subject matter not for the faint of heart.

  O’Malley Wild:

  Tying the Knot

  Maggie Casper

  Trademarks Acknowledgement

  The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

  Velcro: Velcro Industries B.V. Ltd Liab Co

  Black Hills Gold: Black Hills Jewelry Manufacturing Company Corporation

  Stetson: John B. Stetson, Company Corporation

  Dedication

  Aunt Barb, thank you for your strength and support throughout the years. I love you!

  Chapter One

  It was good to have his boys back together, Collin O’Malley thought as he fought to tie his tie. It had been a while since they had all been together as a family. For the most part, it was his fault his sons had stayed away. He never should have hounded them about following in his footsteps. Better late than never, he thought to himself.

  Adding three daughters to the equation was more than he ever could have hoped for. The fact they had asked him to walk them down the aisle was like icing on the cake.

  “Now if I can only get this blasted tie right,” he muttered into the quiet room.

  A suit and tie were bad enough, but a tuxedo was pure torture. Collin lowered his hands from his lapel and wondered for the umpteenth time what in the hell made him think he could tie a bow tie.

  “Should have bought a clip-on one you old fool,” he scolded himself looking at his reflection in the mirror.

  His brown hair was now gray at the temples but Collin didn’t worry about such things. He might be past his prime but he was no slouch, his broad shoulders and steady gaze were proof enough of that.

  After fiddling with his tie for a few more minutes, Collin admitted defeat. Frustrated beyond belief, he took a deep breath and just stood there staring into the mirror.

  He’d never been overly fond of ranch life, which was why he’d become a lawyer instead of a rancher but the room he saw behind him told a story all its own. The well-worn comforter—a family heirloom—was beautifully displayed on the antique bed.

  The room was cozy and comfortable and except for the pristine white paint on the walls, a person might think they’d taken a step back in time. Everything was just the way Hayden preferred it. Simple. Collin felt deep pride in the life and home his oldest son had made for himself.

  Collin’s chest puffed up with pride just thinking about the ceremony to come, but first he had to figure out how to tie his tie.

  Now I’m going to have to go find someone to do it for me and there is no telling what I’ll come upon. Collin chuckled, turning from the mirror. Since arriving at the Big O Ranch, he’d had to shoo his sons away several times. He’d actually caught his youngest son Zane red-handed.

  He had been trying to sneak into the room where his soon-to-be wife Serena was dressing. It had been so much fun to sneak up behind him.

  “And just what do you think you’re doing?”

  Collin tried to keep his voice stern, which stopped Zane dead in his tracks. One hand still on the knob another holding a large jeweler’s box.

  He was the epitome of the traditional groom. His black tux was meticulously tailored, his shoes polished to a high shine. Only the scowl marring his facial features didn’t match that of a groom on his wedding day.

  “Thought I’d give Serena her wedding gift now,” Zane said as he’d turned to face his father, giving away no indication of the havoc he’d planned once he’d snuck into the room like a thief in the night.

  It amazed Collin just how much Zane resembled him in his younger days. Wavy brown hair fell over his forehead. The hazel eyes staring back at him could be his own. Eye color was the one thing that seemed to have passed from generation to generation of O’Malley men.

  “Now, Zane, you know the ladies don’t want to be seen before they’re walking down the aisle. Here,” Collin said reaching a hand out for the box, “I’ll give it to her for you.”

  The change in Zane was immediate. His body stiffened and his eyes became feral, which Collin thought hilarious since he was the father and not a rival.

  “She gets this only from me. By my hand.”

  Collin had seen the gold choker collar Serena never went without. He might be old but he also knew what it meant. It showed possession and Serena wore it proudly, something not commonly seen in this new day and age. Collin decided not to push although it would be a whole passel of fun to do so.

  “Have it your way, son, but save it for after the wedding.”

  Zane just stood there for a minute before giving a curt nod of his head and heading down the hall. Collin couldn’t help the booming laughter that followed causing Serena’s door to open a crack.

  “Did he leave?”

  “Yes, dear, he’s gone.”

  She opened the door a bit more but not enough to allow entrance and took a quick peek down the hall. “That man is being a nuisance,” she huffed, a hand perched on the swell of her robed hip.

  “It probably had something to do with that pact you three cooked up,” Collin said referring to the fact all three women had decided two days ago they needed some time to prepare. Once the decision had been made, they had packed enough clothes for a few days and then gone into town to rent a motel room leaving only a short note in their wake. To say his boys had been angry at the time or on edge since, would be putting it mildly.

  Shaking himself from his thoughts, Collin started toward the door. Maybe he’d be lucky enough to find one of his other sons pacing the study like a caged animal. The chances one of them would know how to tie a bow tie was slim to none but it was worth a try.

  Before he could make it to the door there was a knock. And before he had time to even open his mouth to bid the visitor entrance, the door was flung open. Collin’s eyes almost popped out of his head when Austin, better known as The Hellion by
those who knew her and fiancée to his oldest son Hayden, came hobbling into the room.

  Her gown was definitely eye-catching. Collin wondered if Hayden had seen it yet. The skirt of the gown fell around her feet like a pool of shimmering cream but it was the top part that garnered attention. What appeared to be a corset hugged her body closely drawing her waist in leaving no place else for the generous swell of her chest to go but up. Her hair was once again a soft blonde, making her pixie-like face look innocent. The woman had a penchant for dying her hair the most outrageous colors. It was one of her quirks, along with driving too fast, cussing too much and selling adult sex toys, which gave his old-fashioned cowboy of a son fits.

  “What’s wrong?” Collin asked genuinely worried.

  “Nothing except that this damned thing is almost as uncomfortable as the crutches.”

  Austin lifted the hem of her dress until Collin could see the blue of the Velcro shoe the doctor had given her to use over her cast. It took the place of the crutches, but evidently, it proved to be just as bothersome.

  “Why did I have to be the one thrown around by a tornado and break my leg? And your son won’t leave me alone. What is it with you O’Malley men anyway?”

  She continued to rant and rave as she hobbled closer. Collin didn’t argue with her. He couldn’t have gotten a word in edgewise had he tried.

  “And don’t you give me that look, Dad, I’ve seen you eyeballing poor Mrs. Granger like you could just gobble her up.”

  Collin choked on a strangled laugh at the same time warmth invaded his heart. He absolutely loved to hear the girls call him “Dad” but he didn’t figure he needed to share the fact he had been doing exactly as accused. He also didn’t see the need to explain that Ethel Granger didn’t seem to mind one bit. So he kept his mouth closed.

  Austin finally made it across the room. Between the length of her dress and the cast shoe, it wasn’t an easy task. She fiddled with his tie as she talked. She was like a freight train headed for a derailment, she was wound so tight. Collin just stood there and listened, praying the whole time that she didn’t strangle him with his own tie.

  Collin had known Austin for as long as he could remember. She’d grown up locally raising hell, earning her nickname The Hellion. Vibrant and headstrong, she was one fine match for Hayden.

  “And I told him I didn’t need a honeymoon. I don’t want a honeymoon. Why in the hell doesn’t he listen? Is it so hard to understand that I like being on the ranch?”

  She went on and on until Collin was sure his tie was going to be in shreds. His legs were also getting ready to give out from the way he’d been standing with his knees bent in order to allow for Austin’s lack of height.

  “He’ll come around,” Collin said, grasping Austin’s hands in his. He gave them a little shake to catch her attention. “Do you know of anyone who might be able to tie one of these?”

  Austin looked up at his face then back to his throat, her face turned red. “Good Lord! Why didn’t you say something?”

  Collin wanted to laugh. He could only imagine what his still untied tie looked like after being mauled by a nervous Austin.

  “I bet Honor knows how,” she finally said then proceeded to tow him out the door as quickly as her cast-covered leg would allow. Once in the hall she turned to him. “I’m going to go check on Serena since it’s getting close to show time.”

  Collin nodded his head then made his way to the room he knew Honor was using to get ready. He was reaching to knock on the door when he heard the first shriek.

  “Sean O’Malley, you’d better get out of here.”

  Collin knocked loudly. It was more of a bang than a knock. He figured that ought to put a stop to whatever was happening.

  “Come in.”

  “Go away.”

  Both orders were given simultaneously so Collin decided to ignore the booming masculine voice of his middle son Sean and heed Honor’s bid to enter. He opened the door then quickly spun around.

  The tiny glimpse he did get was of a partially dressed Honor backed against the armoire, held in place by his burly son. The man was built like a wall with arms. His smooth-shaven head made him look menacing, which helped when nights at his business O’Malley’s Pub became rowdy.

  “Sean, there’s no time for this. Now get downstairs and pace with your brothers.”

  There was an exasperated sign behind him then some low-spoken words. Sean soon stalked past him with a scowl on his face. Collin just smiled and said over his shoulder, “Holler when you’re decent, Honor,” as the largest of his sons continued down the hall.

  It was only a minute before Honor was back at the door. Her hair was done up in some type of sophisticated twist and held in place by pearled clips, she looked absolutely stunning.

  “That man,” she said wagging her finger, “is a menace.”

  Collin agreed, however, didn’t think it was the right time to tell her that by leaving the couple days before, the three of them had opened themselves up for all sorts of strange behavior from the loves of their lives. He figured they’d find out firsthand tonight. So once again, he kept quiet.

  “Oh, here, let me do that,” she said stepping forward reaching for his tie. Collin prayed his tie wouldn’t get mauled again. It was only seconds though before he was pleasantly surprised by a beautiful smile and a pat on his chest.

  “There you go.”

  He was given no time to say a word before she shooed him out of the room exclaiming she was going to be late for her own wedding if she didn’t get her dress on. He made his way down the hall and eventually into the study where he found his sons. It wasn’t much later that they were all notified it was time to take their places.

  A beaming Collin had a word with each son before sending him out the front door and into the yard where the wedding was to take place. He watched as his sons fought to remain outwardly calm knowing full well how they felt inside. He’d felt the same way all those years ago when he’d married their mother.

  Before his thoughts had chance to take hold, Collin caught sight of his soon-to-be daughters-in-law. They were all dazzling in their own way.

  Serena’s gown fell from thin straps to a scoop in the front showing just a hint of what was beneath, giving her a classy look. It was when she turned around that Collin damn near swallowed his tongue.

  What there was of a back, fell to the uppermost swell of her backside in the same scoop fashion as the front. The champagne color gave her fair skin a rosy glow.

  Turning his attention to Honor, Collin wasn’t at all surprised to find her wearing a traditional white dress. The high neckline and straight skirt did nothing to take away from her beauty. If anything she looked regal, elegant.

  It amazed Collin how different the three of them were, and yet, how close they had become. He smiled broadly anticipating the look on his sons’ faces when they finally got to see their brides.

  Once on the freshly painted veranda-style porch, Serena and Austin each took an arm. Honor stood on the other side of Austin, helping with her dress so she didn’t end up sprawled indignantly across the white runner leading to the altar.

  It was a beautifully sunny day with the birds singing merrily. The grassy expanse of the Big O Ranch’s large yard was crowded with guests, the perfect setting for an outdoor wedding. And except for the wicked twinkle in three sets of hazel eyes, one might have mistakenly thought the O’Malley brothers were behaving themselves for once.

  Collin knew better, of course. He didn’t figure they would last very long at their own wedding reception. He couldn’t help but smile as he escorted the nervous brides up the aisle to their impatient grooms.

  Chapter Two

  Zane tugged Serena up the long corridor. Her small hand clasped tightly within his much larger, impatient hand. He couldn’t wait to touch and taste her, to tease and torture every curve of her body.

  Even as hungry as he was for her, Zane couldn’t help but chuckle at the way he and his brothers had ch
osen to leave their own wedding reception.

  The band had been playing, the dance floor packed with guests. The setting sun and mild breeze kept everyone cool as they enjoyed the outdoor reception at the Big O Ranch.

  After the first dance on the slightly elevated wooden dance floor covering a large portion of the ranch yard where the wedding ceremony itself had taken place, the O’Malley boys had been forced to stand aside and watch as their wives were passed from well-wisher to well-wisher.

  Zane couldn’t have kept his eyes off Rena to save his life. After holding her close for that first dance, his body expected nothing less than for him to carry her off and make passionate love to her.

  Serena had taken being tossed over his shoulder with nothing more than irritation and stiffness for being pulled off the dance floor and away from the revelry early.

  Austin on the other hand had left cursing soundly, something only the flat of Hayden’s hand on her backside would be able to deal with. And Honor had been somewhere on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. The last Zane had seen of her and Sean, Honor had all but undressed him from her upside down vantage point, her hands running over the flesh of Sean’s back beneath the un-tucked waist of his shirt.

  Zane cleared his mind of all but he and Serena as he led her down the long hall toward the bridal suite he’d reserved for the night.

  Serena’s rapid breaths were like music to his ears. Her husky whisper caused his control to slip another notch. “Hurry, Zane. I need you inside me so bad.”

  Zane stopped dead in his tracks causing Serena to run into him. With quick, efficient movements, he backed her against the wall.

  “I want you completely naked, Rena, by my hand. When we get to the room, I’ll undress you so slowly you’ll be begging me to take you before I’m done.”