Page 24 of Married to the Beasts
“Maybe something will find you.” There’s a fire in Bron’s eyes that’s inspiring.
“When did you all know you wanted to be musicians?” I ask.
Rafe shrugs. “I don’t remembernotknowing.”
“Me either,” Bron says.
“I started wanting to be a singer right around the time I started liking girls,” Conal says. “It seemed like the best way to get the prettiest ones to like me back.”
It’s impossible to conceive of a time when girlsweren’tgoing wild for Conal. “I’m trying to imagine what you all looked like,” I tell them. “What were you like?”
Conal points to his brothers. “These two were little shits.”
“We were all a handful,” Bron says, “or at least that’s what our mom likes to tell us.”
“I’ll bet you were.”
As Conal’s telling me about a prank he played on Rafe and Bron at Christmas one year when they were little, our car pulls into a driveway blocked by a gate. After a short pause, the gate slowly swings open and we proceed up a wide circular drive to the biggest house I’ve ever seen.
“Home sweet home,” Conal says.
Of course, the mansion is nowhere near as big as the massive casinos on the Strip, but compared to the average home, this one looks more like a museum than a house.
Actually, maybe villa is a better word to describe it. The Spanish architecture makes it look warm and inviting, despite its imposing size. The limo comes to a stop between a beautiful fountain and a grand entrance lined with flower pots that are nearly as tall as me.
Once inside, I try to keep my jaw from dropping, but I’m not sure I succeed. It’s hard to take it all in, from the gleaming marble floors and the huge wrought iron chandeliers to the stunning filigree detail on the railings of the staircase that gracefully curves up to the second floor. Another staircase curves down to a lower level, and other rooms lead off in several directions.
I can’t believe we’re going to be living here. Yet the men walk in as if this is just another day for them.
They head directly upstairs, where they deposit our things in an enormous bedroom. It’s so big, it contains a full living room area with a couch, chairs, fireplace, a tv, a large desk, and a wet bar. Of course, there’s an extra-large bed, and the sight of it stirs up images of what they did to me this morning. I can only imagine what we’ll be getting up to in this bed.
“Those are for you,” Conal says, gesturing to a stack of shiny pink shopping bags and boxes on the desk. “Just some underwear.” The wicked grin he gives me contradicts his nonchalance.
Before I can respond, he says, “Sorry we have to run, Hazel. We’ll be in the studio downstairs. Make yourself at home, feel free to explore, and I was told there’d be food in the kitchen, so help yourself when you’re hungry. You’re welcome to stop in and listen to us if you want.”
As I nod, he adds, “Don’t be alarmed if you hear people coming and going. There’ll be others joining us in the studio; we’ve got some session musicians helping out. Our assistant might stop in, and there’s a housekeeper around here somewhere, too.”
“Sounds good. I hope you have a productive day!”
“Thanks, babe.” Conal kisses me, followed by Bron and Rafe, and then they start for the door.
“Wait!” I call after them. “Don’t forget you told your PR manager that you’d call him this morning.”
Conal shakes his head. “He can wait. Thanks for the reminder, though.”
Then they leave, and I’m alone for the first time since I got married. I take the opportunity to draw in a deep breath, pause, and try to mentally and emotionally catch up with everything that’s happening. Thankfully, my hangover is gone, but my head is still spinning.
In the silence, I’m surprised to find that I already miss the Curran brothers. Not in theI can’t live without youkind of way, but I’ve gotten used to being around them, and I enjoy their company. Apparently, drunk me makes pretty good choices.
Before I go exploring, I make a quick call to the CPA firm, thank them for the opportunity, and politely decline. I’m still surrounded with uncertainty about what my future will look like, but turning down the accounting job feels good.
I also peek into the pink bags and boxes, and internally blush at the sexy things I find. There are a few sets of what I’d call practical underwear, but most of it is satin and lace in reds, pinks, and black. Thereare bras, see-through panties, camisoles, teddies, and nighties. I can’t help but imagine how the men might react when they see me in these things. I wonder if I’ll be brave enough to wear everything.
When I leave the bedroom, I feel a little like Alice in Wonderland. It seems I’ve taken a drink that’s shrunk me down to the size of a rabbit, because the house I’m in is completely out of proportion for a normal-sized human.
There’s so much open space that I’m sure there would be an echo if I were to yell. It’s ridiculous, actually.
There are several more bedrooms on the second floor, along with a study and a room with a full bar and a pool table. Downstairs, I find a small movie theater, a gym full of exercise machines, a sauna,anotherroom with a full bar, multiple sitting areas, and an honest to god elevator.
