Page 25 of Double Mountain Men

The two alpha males share another look.

“Before we get into the logistics, can you tell us how you got pregnant?” Cross asks in a smooth tone. “We’re not questioning that Sylvester’s ours, of course. We just thought that all women from Sweet Lies were required to be on protection. It’s a non-negotiable for the site.”

I nod, expecting this question.

“I did submit proof of contraception, and I was on the pill,” I say in a stiff voice. “But I was also taking an herbal remedy at that time called St. John’s wort to help me sleep. My guess is that the supplement didn’t mix well with the birth control, and I got pregnant. That’s my best guess, but it might not be the St. John’s wort either, because there’s no contraception that’s one hundred percent fail-proof. I’m a young, fertile woman, and I was with two men during what would have been my fertile time of the month. It could have been that alone.”

Barrett nods, his blue eyes gleaming.

“It is possible,” he acknowledges in a deep tone. “And we’re fine with the fact that the protection failed because we want this baby, Misty. You’ve made us very happy by having our child, and we’re grateful to you.”

“We’re very appreciative of your sacrifice, sweetheart,” Cross adds in a low tone, his blue eyes intense. “We know how hard it must be to be a single mother.”

I swallow hard as tears prick my eyes because I wasn’t expecting these sentiments. I knew that Barrett and Cross would want to be a part of Sylvester’s life because they’re alpha males who take fathering seriously. There’s no way they would ignore a son who looks just like them.

But I didn’t think that there would be words like “happy,” “grateful,” and “appreciative” thrown into the mix and suddenly I feel very emotional.

“Thanks,” I manage in a choked voice. “It hasn’t been easy.”

“No, it hasn’t,” Cross speaks. “And we want to make it better for you. We want you to move somewhere closer to us, where there’s more space. A different place with two bedrooms, one for you and one for the baby. Or maybe you’d like to move in with one of us because we live in big houses with bedrooms to spare. There’s plenty of space, and we could easily convert something into a nursery.”

“Fuck, I’m practically rattling around my mansion at the moment,” Barrett says ruefully. “My two sons are in college, so it’s just me at a huge fucking estate by myself.”

I shake my head furiously.

“No, that’s not necessary. Sylvester and I are happy here, and we don’t need to move. It’s fine.”

The two men share a look before Cross takes one of my small hands in his.

“I know this isn’t easy to hear, Misty, but we’d like to resume relations with you. It was unexpected to see you again, but Barrett and I are men who make the most of the opportunities thrown our way, and we’d like to see you again. Youarethe mother of our child.”

I squint, not sure if I’m hearing right.

“You mean, romantically? Or for sex? Friendship? Co-parenting? I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

Barrett takes my other hand then, his blue eyes intense.

“Any and all of the above. We’ve been thinking non-stop about you, Misty, since that weekend two years ago. You’re the girl that got away, and we’ve kicked ourselves again and again for letting that happen. But now that the universe has given us a secondchance, you can bet that we’re not going to fuck it up. We want you, Misty Earnshaw, in every way imaginable.”

I stare at the two handsome CEO’s, unable to believe my ears.

“But why didn’t you look for me then? Why did you let me get away if you thought I was the one?”

The two men share another look before speaking.

“Because you deserve better than us,” Chris says in a quiet voice. “You’re young, beautiful, and sweet, Misty. We wanted you to meet a nice man who’d give you babies while living in a house with a white picket fence. We wanted your life to be filled with rainbows and dreams.”

“Okay, maybe rainbows and dreams are a little over the top,” Barrett acknowledges with a wry grin. “But the sentiment is spot on. You deserve better than two assholes with baggage. I’m divorced with kids, and Chris has his own shit to deal with. But even that aside, we’re forty five year old motherfuckers with a lot of experience. We’ve had the shit kicked out of us, but we’ve also kicked the shit out of other people, and you deserve better, honey. The world is your oyster, and we want you to see it with innocent eyes, instead of corrupting you with our influence.”

I stare at them.

“You’re not corrupt.”

Both men shake their heads, harsh streaks on their cheekbones.

“You don’t get to where we are in life by taking it easy,” Cross drawls.

“We’ve definitely done our share of dirty deals,” Barrett growls. “It’s knives out, honey. That’s the only way we know.”

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