Page 43 of Power Play
While Martha's head's stuck in the refrigerator, Scott leans across the island and whispers to me. "Should we wait to tell her about the pregnancy?"
I nod. I'm fairly overwhelmed that Scott so casually forgot to mention his house manager, and what that means about moving inwith him. I'm painfully uncomfortable with the idea of someone else cooking and cleaning after me. A rock sits in my stomach and not for the first time do I wonder if I've made a mistake.
But I'm away from my sister and safe. Protected here. No one knows where I've moved except the people in this house. And if Scott trusts her, I think I can too. I'll have to work on my other discomforts later.
He slides my coffee over to me and I take that first, delicious sip. Scott comes over behind me and wraps his thick arms around my waist gently.
"But what about the others?" I ask, tilting my head back to look at him. Will she be upset that I moved in with two other men?
Scott simply chuckles, the vibrations of if tickling my back through his chest.
"Oh, and we've got two more roommates, Martha."
Martha shimmies in place and lets out an excited squeak.
Scott, sitting on the stool next to me, lays his hand on my bare thigh. "Martha's been nagging me for years that I'm too alone. That having a family would be good for me. She even tried to set me up on a few dates."
I rest my hand overtop of his. Martha's humming happily to herself, leaning into the fridge to gather ingredients so I take the opportunity and whisper to Scott "Should we hire more help? Going from one to four, and eventually six, is a lot for one person." I know I'm not one to ask. I can't afford to hire another person. Scott nods thoughtfully.
"I'll ask her after she's gotten over her initial shock."
I smile and sip my coffee.
We drink our coffee in comfortable silence. My mind's still spinning with things we need to discuss when Garrett and Ben come out intothe kitchen, too. Both of them are wearing only grey sweatpants. In fact, so is Scott. And all the bare chests and barely concealed outlines of cocks have me shooting to my feet.
"Family meeting. Now!" I bark out, flustered, before stomping into the living room.
I stand, hands on my hips, and tap my foot impatiently. Ben and Garrett seem confused, if not a little worried, but Scott's got a shit-eating grin on his face. He knows why I'm flustered.
"First rule," I say, holding up a finger. "No walking around like this!" I say, waving my hand at all their naked muscles and low slung sweats.
"Having trouble concentrating, darling?"
I let out a little huff of annoyance. "Shirts, and and... something!" I fluster.
The boys file out of the living room, but as he passes me, Ben stops and tugs on his shirt. The one that I'm wearing.
"Same goes for you, pretty girl," he growls in my ear. My cheeks heat again and I slip into my room and rummage through my boxes until I find a suitable sweatshirt and sleep shorts.
A few minutes later the boys join me again with shirts and sweats or athletic pants. Honestly? It's not much better. Scott's white undershirt hugs his biceps tightly and spreads across his broad shoulder. Jonesy's wearing a large band T with the sleeves ripped off and even Ben's wearing college hoodie, zipped open enough to see a good expanse of chest.
I place my cool fingers to my cheeks to try to cool them down, but it doesn't work. Scott's smirking, clearly enjoying my dilemma.
Fuck, this is going to be hard.
I sit on the coffee table, facing the couch, and consider where to start.
"So what is this?" I blurt out, anxiety eating me through to my core. I hate uncertainty, I hate change, I hate feeling out of control. And whatever this is just seems crazy.
There's a beat of silence while three sets of eyes consider me.
Scott leans forwards, elbows braced on his knees. "I don't know if I speak for the other two, but you've moved in. You're having my babies, and I want a real chance at a relationship with you, and everything that means. Date nights, movie nights, sex..." His voice dropped low and sexy on that last word, sending a bolt of lust through me. That night in the hotel with him was one of the hottest of my life. More of that? Oh my God, yes.
"And while we're dating, I'll be close enough to take care of you and everything you need during your pregnancy. To be a good partner for you."
He jams a thumb at Ben and Garrett. "And I'm pretty sure the same goes for these two. I have enough rooms in my house for each of us to have our own space, and as long as we have honest communication, I can't see how this isn't the best scenario for all of us."
I look to Ben and Garrett who both nod in agreement.
