Page 21 of Forever Theirs

“You didn’t offend me, Aspen,” he cut in. I snapped my lips shut to keep from rambling. “I just didn’t know how to answer right away because I’d say it’s a mix. With the way our jobs work, we’re gone at different times, so when one is here and the other is off on an outing with a client, then it’s more one-on-one time, but when we’re both home, we do everything together.”

“Everything?” I croaked, my throat suddenly tight and my mouth dry. Why did I keep repeating that word?

Headlights of a passing car illuminated the sultry look he shot my way. “As I said earlier at the bar, we share everything.”

“Oh, wow, that’s… nice.” I cringed. “Sorry, this is not a conversation I ever expected to have, and I’m kind of in shock.”

“Shock?” I nodded and licked my lips. “So, you’re not interested?”

Blood pounded in my ears, and I couldn’t breathe. “Do you want me to be interested?” I whispered, terrified to hear his answer.

Please say yes.

Please say you want me like I want you and Aiden both.

Please don’t say what I know to be true, that you two are out of my league.

The truck slowly rolled to a stop at a red light. Shifting in his seat, he leveled that intense focus right on me. Damn, and I thought I couldn’t breathe before. Now I really panted like I’d run a marathon.

“We wouldn’t be having this conversation right now if we didn’t.”

I nodded, but my heart sank a little. “Actually, neither you nor Aiden brought it up. We wouldn’t be having this conversation if that woman hadn’t come up to the table and dropped the bomb about your relationship preferences. I don’t need or want your pity interest. It’s okay to talk about this without you having to pretend to be into me.”

I swallowed down the lump forming in my throat. Damnit, I knew I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up.Stupid, stupid Aspen.

But instead of looking relieved that I gave him an out, a slow grin crept over his handsome face, completely changing his normally stern features to genuine happiness mixed with a dash of laughter. I sucked in a breath, fingers curling into fists to keep from reaching across Jubie and climbing onto his lap. This version of Miles was just as sexy as the alert protector side.

“She definitely did, but that doesn’t mean we weren’t thinking about it or weren’t waiting for the right moment. Think about it from our perspective. You’re a beautiful, funny, cool-as-hell woman. Why would you be interested instead of turned off and disgusted by our lifestyle? Of course we wanted to talk to you about it. Jessica just sped up the timing of the conversation.” The light turned green. He arched a brow as he turned back to the road and pushed on the gas. “You seem calm and understanding about all this.”

Leaning back against the seat, I closed both eyes and released a slow breath. “I know. That’s strange, right?” The sound of the whirling tires, and the darkness in the cab made it feel like we were in our own little bubble, which gave me the courage to say exactly what was on my mind. “I won’t deny that I’m attracted to both of you. A part of me is excited about the possibility of exploring your lifestyle, while the other, my more rational side, tells me I shouldn’t trust you two. I think I’m just confused about life right now. Like I’ve lost my compass and have zero clue which direction I’m headed. That would explain why I’m not freaking out, maybe?”

Or I was turned on by the thought of both of them to the point that all concerns about allowing them to share me while I was here in Anchor Bay weren’t there.

The truck rumbled along the road. Both Miles and I were quiet as we crested the hill and The Nest came into view. There was a lot to dissect and sort through after tonight’s revelations. I needed to really evaluate how I felt about them and the idea of sharing them both. The last thing I wanted to do was make a rash decision, say yes, and then back out when it became too overwhelming and hurt them. Plus, just because they liked to share and were attracted to me didn’t mean I had to be interested in them. Even though I was—and well beyond the physical attraction. I had fun earlier, more fun than I’d had in ages, and all we did was sit around drinking beers, talking.

Was this too big a decision after my drastic life change?

Or was this perfect timing?

Miles slowed the truck and cut the engine, parking in the spot directly in front of the path that led to my tucked-away cottage.

“I’ll be perfectly clear about something.” The bench seat shifted when he turned to face me and tossed an arm along the back, his fingertips playing in my hair. “If you’re not interested in Aiden or me, we will still be here for you. After everything you talked about tonight, it’s clear that you came here for a break from your life in Seattle, and we won’t fuck that up for you. Our offering to take you on that hike still stands, no matter what you decide.” He rubbed his free hand along the thick black beard covering his firm jaw. “Jessica’s interference tonight was a blessing and a curse. I’m glad you know so you don’t feel pressured to decide, but I also wished you could’ve gotten to know us a little more before learning that we both find you sexy and would like to see where this goes between the three of us while you’re here.”

“I think you’re confusing me with someone else,” I whispered. “I’m not sexy. Did you hear my story about going an entire week without a shower or proper bathroom?”

He scoffed a laugh and tugged on a lock of my hair. “I heard every word you said tonight.” Oh, wow, that was unexpected and made me want to cry all the happy tears. “It solidified what I thought about you.”

“I’m scared to ask,” I rasped.

“You’re resilient, bright, fucking talented as hell, resourceful, and you find joy in the outdoors and all it offers, just like us. We’re not your average men, Aspen. You loving the outdoors the way they are meant to be experienced makes you more captivating to us than not.”

The tears I held back with his first comment once again welled in my lower lids and burned my throat. Unable to speak without sobbing, I just nodded and reached for the door handle, pausing with my hand wrapped around the cold metal. “Thank you. That’s the most insightful thing anyone has ever said to me.”

As I shoved open my door, Miles did the same.

“Stay here, girl,” he said, his attention over my shoulder as I climbed out. At nearly ten at night, it was finally getting dark. A bark rattled from the cab, making me laugh. “I’ll walk you to your door, if that’s okay with you.”

“I’d like that, a lot. Thank you.”

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