Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
“Quick and simple is smart,” Diesel says.
“Is your mom a good cook?” I ask.
“She is,” Dodge says. “I get cravings for her beef stroganoff on a weekly basis.”
“How often do you see her?”
“Once a month, at least. Usually a little more often,” Dodge says.
“She’s in Richmond?”
“Yeah.”
“How about your parents?” Dodge asks.
“They live here on the island,” I say, noticing how my body stiffens at the mention of them. Is that the physical manifestation of guilt, for being with these men who my parents would vehemently disapprove of?
“That’s good, having them close,” Diesel says.
“Sure,” I say, though I’m not actually sure I agree.
After walking for a few more minutes, we stop to watch the last bit of sun sink below the horizon. The colors of the sky reflected on the water and on the wet sand are glorious, but when I glance at the twins, I can’t help but admire how they’re even more attractive than nature’s vibrant display.
The hard angles of their face contrasted with the tenderness in their eyes is something I could study for hours. Dodge notices me looking, and steps behind me to wrap his arms around me. I love being held like this. It makes me feel so safe and cherished. Diesel moves closer and takes my hand in his, even while his brother embraces me. I let my head rest back on Dodge’s chest, and wish I could stay in this spot forever.
We do stay there a long time, watching the colors change and eventually fade. I let out a contented sigh when it’s dark and Dodge says, “I guess we should head back.” He takes my hand while Diesel continues to hold the other, and we walk back that way, me between them, the three of us connected, Barnes trotting alongside Diesel.
“I think we finally wore him out,” Dodge says, nodding down at the dog.
“He’ll be more chill tomorrow,” I say. “This was an exciting day for him.”
Both brothers laugh, a harmonic sound that makes my belly flutter with joy. “I don’t think chill will ever be a word we used to describe Barnes,” Diesel says.
“Maybe not,” I say, joining their laughter, “but you’ve made him a very happy dog, and this new life is quite an upgrade from the shelter.”
“He’s going to be upgrading our life,” Dodge says, squeezing my hand in his.
22
Cherished
The dinner that Chase and Maddox prepare is delicious. Their mother must be an amazing cook if Dodge misses her cooking even while he’s enjoying his brothers’ food. We have chicken with roasted potatoes and green beans, and a mushroom sauce that tempts me to lick the plate to get every last drop. Accompanying the meal, there’s interesting and amusing conversation, as there always is when I’m with them.
We talk a lot about Barnes, who naps on one of his beds while we eat, and I also learn that the brothers like to hike and ride bikes around the island. Maddox invites me to go biking with them on my next day off, but I don’t give him a clear answer. As much as I love being with them, I can’t let myself think in terms of future plans, because I know that at some point, I’m going to have to stop seeing them.
The more I keep spending time with them, the harder it’s going to be to stop. But even knowing that, I’m having a hard time getting myself to put an end date on things. Maybe they’ll meet someone new and stop inviting me over. That would be the easiest way for things to end, and it seems a likely possibility since they have women literally throwing themselves at them at the club.
When we’re finished eating, I try to help clean up, but they won’t let me. When I say I should be going, their protest is even stronger.
“Do you have other plans for the night?” Maddox asks.
“No …”
“Then stay,” Diesel says. “Barnes will be sad if you go.”
I glance over at the dog, who seems to be sleeping even more soundly now that dinner’s been cleared away.
“We’ll be sad if you go,” Dodge says, before I can object about Barnes.
“Besides,” Chase says, stepping close and sliding a hand over my hip, “it’s my and Maddox’s turn to put on a show for you.”
Remembering what Maddox shared with me in the car about how he feels when he’s performing, I say, “I don’t want a show.” When he looks confused, I add, “I just want all of you as you are.”
The four brothers descend on me, hands, mouths, fingers, lips, everywhere all at once, and any thought of telling them I can’t see them anymore is so far away it’s like I never thought about it at all. I kiss them back, each of them as they take turns with me, as they continue to caress, explore, and excite me.