Page 26 of Double Mountain Men

Still, I’m not convinced.

“But you could have looked for me.”

“We could have,” Cross acknowledges, “but it hurt to know you were out there, probably dating a nice young man and settling down into your dream home. So we forced ourselves not to look in order to keep our sanity. It would have driven us insane.”

“But all that’s water under the bridge,” Barrett says in a rough voice, his blue eyes piercing. “You’re ours now. You’ve had our son. We want you, Misty, in every sense of the word, and we’ll move Heaven and Earth to have you. We also want more children, if you’re amenable.”

More children? I pause, my heart thrumming in my chest. On the one hand it’s tempting because the two alpha males are insanely handsome and powerful. It would be so easy to give myself over to Barrett and Cross, and to let my lovers look after me as I revel in the lap of luxury. Yet I’ve been taking care of myself for years now because of my history in foster care, and I can’t give up my independence just like that. There’s been too much hardship in my life, and too many challenges to overcome. As a result, I keep my expression neutral while folding my arms over my chest.

“I’ll think about it,” I say in a simple tone. “Thanks for your offer, and thanks for stopping by.”

The men stare, their expressions a bit disbelieving.

“Okay,” Barrett says in a low voice. “How long do you think you need to think things through? Can we at least help you move somewhere nicer? I’ll pay the fee for breaking the lease. Money is no object, sweetheart.”

I shake my head, my expression neutral.

“No, no need. I just want to be by myself for a while in order to get clarity. Things have moved so fast for all of us, and I need some breathing room just to mull things over. You do too, right?”

The two men stare at me.

“No, we don’t,” Cross rasps. “We know what we want.”

“What we want isyou,” Barrett emphasizes. “You and the child both.”

My cheeks warm as my heart goes pitter-patter, but I know I have to stand my ground.

“I appreciate the sentiment, but I’ll let you know when I have an answer for you.”

Cross stares at me, his blue eyes dumbfounded.

“Can we at least see Sylvester in the meantime?” he rasps. “He’s our son.”

I nod.

“Yes, because I want Sylvester to know his daddies. He’s a sweet boy who adores being the center of attention, and it’ll be good to have a male influence in his life. So yes. But I’ll be in touch about my answer with respect to a relationship,” I manage in an even tone, even as my heart races at the word “relationship.” “I appreciate your patience.”

The two men look like they want to say more, but then they nod and rise to towering heights within the apartment.

“Can we kiss you goodbye?” Barrett asks in a low tone.

“Just for old time’s sake,” Cross adds.

I pause for a moment, tempted to say no. But why not? After all, a kiss is just a kiss, and it wouldn’t have any bearing on what ultimately happens. So I smile softly and nod.

“Yes.”

The two men move fast. Immediately, I’m sandwiched between those hard male chests, Barrett catching my lips with his own first. His mouth is gentle initially, probing and questing, but as soon as I part my pout, he seizes control. His tongue delves into my mouth, claiming me as a big hand reaches up to toy with a stiff nipple.

“You’re so beautiful,” he rasps. “We’ve missed you so much.”

Then, Cross is next. The huge alpha male claims my mouth ruthlessly, as if he can’t hold out a second longer. He growls low in his chest, staking his claim as possession surges through his veins.

“You belong to us, Misty Earnshaw,” he rasps hungrily. “And don’t you forget it.”

Then, the two men disappear out my front door, and I’m left gasping and aroused, alone in the living room. What just happened? I thought I behaved in a rational and dignified manner, but the kiss we just shared has turned everything on its head.

14

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