“I suppose that makes us rivals.”
“Indeed.”
I sat on the rug, face hot and not because of the fire. They had a habit of talking about me when I was right in front of them. As forwhatthey said? I had trouble believing it was real. I still expected to wake up in my bed, realizing it had all been an incredibly elaborate dream.
“You’re not angry?” Briar asked.
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that,” Maddox said in a cool tone. “I’m seething at the thought of your lips on his. Yet, I’m also impressed. You aren’t known for your interest in others.”
“Neither are you.”
“A thing we have in common.”
“Yes.” Briar’s eyes softened as they fell to me. “We do.”
Were they… bonding? Over kissing me, of all things? I moved my gaze back to the fire, confused by their attraction but also enthralled by it. The way they’d held me in the barn as I’d cowered because of the thunder sent a flutter of warmth through my chest. Their confessions deepened that warmth, allowing it to sink into my heart.
For whatever reason, they both wanted me.
I wanted them too. That feeling went beyond their looks. Beyond lust. But it was wrong to want them both.
Right?
“Why do you both like me?” My voice cracked. “I’m not a hot stud with a banging body. I’m average at best. Hell, appearance aside, I’m not even that interesting. Just a dorky bookworm who likes to bake and get lost in books. I don’t understand.”
“You have a kind heart,” Briar softly said. “When you saw the wounded knights in my clinic, you jumped in to help without a second thought. And when you smile, that kind heart shows in your eyes. That’s only one of the reasons I’m drawn to you.”
“As for me?” Maddox dropped down behind me and pressed his cheek to the side of my head, his deep voice rumbling close to my ear. “I’m fairly sure I fell for you when you smacked face-first into my armor like the graceful muffin lord you are.”
I snorted a laugh before a flash of lightning lit up the room. As the loud clap of thunder followed, Maddox wound his arms around me. Briar knelt on my left side and lifted his hand to my temple, brushing aside my bangs.
“I still don’t understand,” I whispered above the crackle of the flames. “Men don’t ever pursue me like this.”
“Then they’re fools,” Briar said. “Because you, Evan, are extraordinary.”
“And clumsy,” Maddox murmured in my ear. “Yet it only makes you more endearing. Makes me want to wrap you in my arms just like this and protect you from the world.”
Briar caressed my cheek. “And your adorableness makes me want to spoil you. Give you anything and everything you desire. All the fig bread you can eat.”
“Coffee too,” Maddox said. “He loves coffee.”
Heart thudding hard in my chest, I placed my hand on Maddox’s arm and grabbed Briar with the other. Touching them felt so right, even if my mind struggled to accept that feeling.
“Y’all are making this decision hard for me,” I said. Not only with having to choose between them… but also the choice I needed to make on the summer equinox.
“Then don’t choose.” Maddox trailed his lips down the back of my neck. “At least not for tonight.”
“What?” I could barely get that one word out. I felt him smile at my nape. Probably because it sounded like a little squeak.
“I think what he means is…” Briar linked our fingers and leaned toward me, nuzzling the other side of my neck. “Tonight, you can have us both.”
Oh, shit.
Delicious tingles spread throughout my body. Briar kissed the base of my throat as Maddox nibbled at my nape, his big hands moving down my abdomen.
Maybe I’m dreaming.
But their lips felt too real. Their hands did too. Maddox slid his beneath my tunic and glided his calloused fingertips across my belly. Briar cupped the other side of my neck, smoothing his thumb along my collarbone.
