Page 64 of Orphan Girl's Mountain Men

Later that night, when Lennon comes by to reapply ointment to my hand, the tension's still there—thick, unspoken, heavy between us. We don't mention it. We don't mention anything. But I can feel the pull between us, the heat that hasn't gone anywhere since the night before. We're pretending not to look at each other, but the air crackles anyway.

Then there's a knock at the door.

"Come in," I call, assuming it's Dean, or Grace, needing something.

The door opens, and it's Reed. That easy grin is on his face, like this is just another casual visit—except the air shifts the moment he steps inside.

"Thought you might be here," he says, cheerful as ever.

Beside me, Lennon stiffens. I feel it—the sudden tension in his muscles, the subtle shift in his posture. He's wary. On guard.

Reed doesn't skip a beat. "Actually, it's good you're both here. There's something we wanted to run by you, Hailey."

"What is it?" I ask, a flicker of nervousness curling in my gut.

"Reed…" Lennon warns, his voice low and tight.

But Reed barrels ahead. "A quick question first. Back when you turned me down—said it was because you liked Dean—was that really the reason?"

I blink. "What do you mean?"

He takes a step closer. "I mean, did you turn me down because youonlyliked Dean? Or because youalsoliked him… and me… and Lennon?"

My breath catches. I freeze, wide-eyed.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I mumble.

He gives me a skeptical look. "Come on, Hailey. Be honest."

His voice drops as he steps in again, closing the space between us. I glance at Lennon, looking for help, but Reed tips my chin gently, pulling my gaze back to him.

"Don't look at him. Look at me." His fingers are warm, steady. "I can see it in your eyes. You want me. You wantus. All three of us. But you don't think you're allowed to want that—and it's eating you alive, isn't it?"

"I… I don't…" I shut my eyes, as if that might quiet the heat rising inside me. I can feel my heart pounding, the blood thumping in my chest. I feel my cheeks burning red in embarrassment.

Reed chuckles—low and devastating. "I knew it."

Then his mouth is near my ear. "Today's your lucky day, angel. Because we all wantyoutoo. And lucky for you—we're very good at sharing."

My eyes fly open in shock.

"Okay, not Lennon," he adds, glancing sideways. "But I'm sure he'll learn from the master. He needs to get over that dumb sense of duty and admit he's a human being who deserves to move on."

Then Reed's gaze returns to mine—wicked, confident. "As for Dean and me? We've shared a woman before. And like I say, we're damn good at it. So if two works… why not three?"

My thoughts spiral. My body goes hot and light all at once. Shared. Reed and Dean. Their hands. Their mouths. The heat. The weight. One of them kissing me while the other?—

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to block the flood of images crashing through me.

"Reed…" Lennon's voice is strained. "Maybe back off a little."

But Reed ignores him. "Tell me you don't want it, Hailey. Say the word, and I'll leave you alone."

He waits.

I should say no. I know I should.

Instead, I reach up to touch his face.

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