Page 31 of The Rule of 3

The next project Caro planned to take on with Zoë was to add some highlights to Zoë’s dark hair and have a stylist work with her on makeup tricks. She had her favorites flown in from New York.

The general idea for Zoë was to create a look for her that said sophisticated and still approachable. So, they kept her makeup light and her hair long, thus giving her a youthful appearance, but the fashions were a little edgier. She had to look appropriate next to her gorgeous husband who’d adapted a similar appearance. Eli also flew in a crew for Tanner, and his clothes were all custom tailored, but he never looked stuffy or uncomfortable. He had to look right speaking to a group of farmers as well as to businessmen and investors.

All of that would happen over the next week, but for now, Zoë was anxious to get back to The Hollow. She wanted to see her men. The trip home in the limo took hours, and they spent the time having dinner that they’d picked up on their way out of Louisville and just chatting about whatever popped into their heads.

Except for the porch light and a small lamp in the living room, the house looked dark and silent when the limo driver dropped her off and helped her in with her mountain of packages. So, Zoë thanked the guy, left everything in a pile near the front door, and went in search of intelligent life in the house.

The light from the television was all Zoë could see as she made her way down the hall, but there wasn’t a single sound.

In the big bed, Eli sat watching television with headphones on, and Tanner lay curled up beside him, sound asleep. Looking up, Eli broke into a beaming smile and pulled off the headphones. He put his fingers to his lips in a silencing gesture and thenslid out of bed without a stitch on.

As if he did it every day, Eli reached for Zoë and enveloped her in a big, warm, naked hug. “Welcome home,” he greeted her in a whisper. “Did you have a good time with my sister?”

With a happy smile, Zoë answered, “We had a great time and found lots of terrific things. I can’t thank you enough, Eli. Really.”

“My pleasure. Do you need some help with packages?” he asked pulling back and looking at her.

Zoë smiled and replied quietly, “That would be great. Do you want to grab some clothes first?” She looked pointedly down—Eli wasveryhappy to see her.

“Eh,” he said with a shrug then winked at her and went on quietly, “Let’s grab your stuff and you can tell me all about your trip with Caro.” Then he hugged her again, kissing her cheek, and reached around to pick up his jeans off the floor. Once he was semi-dressed—commando she noticed—he flicked off the television.

When they got to the front door where all the packages lay, Eli chuckled. “Did you two ladies leave anything in Louisville? I don’t know if this stuff is even going to all fit in the closet, so why don’t we put it in the guest room and sort things out tomorrow when Tanner’s conscious? I don’t want to wake him up.”

“Sounds good. Is he pretty worn out?” Zoë asked with concern.

Eli smiled sweetly. “He’s had a long week. Just today he had to give three speeches and then there was a rally for him over in Middlesboro. “Don’t worry, Zoë. He lives for this stuff. Feel like having a drink with me?”

“That sounds lovely,” she answered, so they headed for the kitchen where he poured them both glasses of chilled, white wine, and then took their glasses to the living room. As they sat down on the couch, Eli scooted her toward him and wrapped his arm around her. “This is nice, Eli,” she said with a sigh as she relaxed against his warm body. She had an immediate desire to nuzzle his bare chest with her face and soak in some of his deliciousness. She held back, though, for the time being.

“So, have you had the chance yet to watch Tanner create his magic in front of a crowd?” Eli asked as he stroked her arm and toyed with her hair.

Resisting the urge to purr, she answered, “Only on a small scale. I’ve watched him in town meetings. Sometimes people come in with a chip on their shoulder about some real or perceived wrong, and he can not only defuse the situation, he makes everyone feel important and… well, listened to. He’s settled disputes and made all attendees feel like a part of the decision-making process. It’s incredible to watch his King Solomon approach to justice and management. I’ve been so proud of him.”

“And yet you avoided him for years, Zoë. How could you?”

She bristled at that question. “I had to. For my own preservation. I thought he needed to go places with someone more like Caro who knows the ropes on how to behave and how to look. I was raised by goofball hippies, remember? I didn’t want to be Tanner’s downfall.”

“Oh, Zoë. You have no idea how much that man loves you. You could never be his downfall. You’re perfect just the way you are.”

Looking down rather than at him, she asked, “What if we’re both his downfall, though? What if his love for both of us keeps him from achieving his dream? The public won’t accept us the way we are; you know it and I know it.” Finally, she looked Eli in the eye. “As much as I love this, if we’re found out, he’ll be ruined.”

“Are you telling me I need to back away? Is that what you want?” he asked in a sad voice. “Because you know I will. I love him that much. I told him a long time ago I’d be content if all we could be is best friends. That’s not completely accurate, but I could learn to adjust if I had to.”

“No, Eli. I’m not asking that at all. I don’t want any one of us to lead a half-life. I’m already incredibly fond of you, and losing you would be awful. I’m just saying that your sister has already figured us out, and it may just be a matter of time before someone else does who has more to gain by spreading the news.”

Sighing, Eli pondered what Zoë said. It definitely worried him. “We’ll just have to be extra careful then.” He thought a few seconds and added, “Back to your perceived notion that you’re somehow less than what Tanner needs where he’s headed, I’m sure you didn’t see what I saw at your wedding.”

Zoë blinked and asked, “What was that?”

Pulling her closer, he went on, “I saw men all over the reception looking at you like they wanted you. They envy the hell out of Tanner because you married him. Women looked at you with admiration. I, quite honestly, expected some jealously from them, but the fact that you make everyone around you feel so comfortable says a lot for your character and how people will continue to respond to you. Tanner told me years ago he’s loved you since you were little kids, and he never stopped. I think, in his very perceptive way even back then, he saw what is so special about you. I see it, Zoë. You’re an amazing woman. You look people in the eye when you speak to them and make them feel special.”

Laughing, Zoë pointed out, “It comes from working with five-year-olds all day, no doubt.”

“Well, never lose it. I’m falling for you just as hard as Tanner did.”

Zoë sucked in a tiny breath, “Oh!”

Eli carefully took her wineglass and set it on the coffee table next to his, and then leaned in to kiss her. It was a gentle, sweet kiss that underscored his words. He really was falling for her. Zoë slipped her arms around his neck then and tilted her head for better access. Their kisses grew deeper and more possessive. Finally, they broke apart and Zoë asked out of the blue, “Did you and Tanner have sex while I was gone?”

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