Page 106 of My Brother's Best Friends

This is the best news I’ve heard in a long time.

I draw a deep breath and rest my hand on her knee. My touch alone elicits a subtle tremor from her. “Kay, you belong with us,” I tell her. “These past few weeks have been very hard on all of us, and we’ll do whatever it takes to make things work.”

“I’m relieved to hear that,” she whispers.

She leans back in her chair, clearly tired from her trip. But I’m not letting this angel rest just yet, so I get up and pull her into my arms. “You said we have a lot of catching up to do,” I remind her, making her laugh.

Yet as soon as our lips meet, all bets are off.

And our lives begin again.

32

MAKAYLA

It feels so good to be back in Alex’s arms. I inhale his scent, realizing I’ve craved that mix of soap and cologne since Sweden. His nearness zings through every synapse, reminding me just how much they all mean to me. I’ve been lost without them, even though our time together was brief yet blisteringly intimate.

“God, you’re gorgeous,” he whispers, then pulls back, holding me steady as if he senses how vulnerable I am right now.

I gaze up into his eyes to see the kind of love that I’ve only seen in movies. They are my three princes, and at last I’ve found my way back to their castle.

“I’ve missed this more than I can say,” I whisper back.

A wicked stirring coils low in my belly, urging me toward dark, delicious things. I ache to strip off every layer and feel their hands gliding over my skin. But my head spins, and my limbs feel weaker than they should. Alex notices.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“You look a little pale,” Oscar says.

I turn to find all three Anderson brothers gathered around me. I offer a soft smile, hoping to ease their concern. “I’m just… tired from the trip.”

“Let’s get you some water, then,” Kellan says. “And an aspirin, maybe?”

“Sounds like a good start. So, what have you been up to lately?” I ask, making my way into the kitchen with Kellan at my side.

This is new territory for me—their territory—and I intend to make myself at home.

“Not much,” Alex says, following behind. “I’m more interested in what you’ve been up to. You got started on your winery, then? Who’s helping you? How is it going so far?”

I laugh, looking around for a cup. Alex senses my confusion and moves in front of me. His sweatshirt rides up, flashing those gorgeous abs as he opens a cabinet and reaches for the top shelf. He hands me a cup, his eyes full of gratitude.

“It’s exhausting.” I sniffle and blink back tears, realizing how much better I could’ve done for these three gentle giants of mine.

Kellan comes around and hugs me, pressing my head to his chest until I regain my composure. I hear the refrigerator door open and someone fills my glass. I focus on my breathing, not wanting to fall to pieces.

“You’re anything but okay,” Kellan says.

“I’m so sorry,” I gasp. “I didn’t realize how much I hurt you. I never meant to cause any pain. It was just that I was so convinced that what Melanie was saying was true.”

“We don’t blame you,” Oscar says. “We blame her. But no matter what, we want nothing but the best for you. Honestly, I’m just thrilled that we can put this all behind us.”

“Yes, of course,” I say, pulling back from Kellan just far enough to accept the glass of water from Alex.

I drink slowly, feeling peace unfurl through my body. I’m home here, with them. Home is anywhere with them, in fact.

“The look in your eyes steals my breath,” I whisper to Kellan.

There are no words that can express what I’m feeling. After denying myself pleasure for so long, I’m ready to ease back into it. And I can tell that this is no fleeting arrangement between us. We’re all in it for the long haul.

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