I stared between their hands before grabbing both at the same time. A choice with a much deeper meaning. I couldn’t choose between them. I knew it in my gut—in my heart. Where that would lead us come morning? I didn’t know. But I was too sleepy to think more about it right now.
The three of us neared the bed in the corner. It was about the size of a queen. Normally not a problem for two people, but add another to that and make one person a six-foot-two mountain of muscle, and it was sure to be a tight fit.
“You first,” Maddox told Briar.
“Why me?”
“Because I sleep on the outside.” His hand came to rest on my back. “And Evan will lie between us.”
“I suppose that will do.” Briar placed his glasses on the nightstand before removing his shirt and crawling into bed. He scooted over until his back pressed to the wall. Light brown hair fell into his eyes as he reached out an arm to me, looking so goddamn enticing. “Your turn.”
Don’t have to tell me twice.
“Wait.” Maddox grabbed my elbow right before I could do a Superman dive into bed. “You can’t sleep in that state.”
“What state?” I glanced down at my body. My verynakedbody. Still didn’t see the problem considering what we’d just done. “Why can’t I sleep like this?”
“Because I said so.” A tic started in his jaw, and he walked over to the wardrobe, opening it.
Briar tucked one arm behind his head. “I have to agree. You definitely can’t come to bed like that.”
Had I been mistaken? Did they not find me that attractive despite their statements claiming otherwise? Or maybe the appeal had left now that they’d gotten their rocks off. Suddenly self-conscious, I hugged the blanket closer to my body.
Maddox returned and handed me a shirt. “Put this on.”
Confused—and maybe a bit hurt—I turned away from them as I stuck my arms through the shirt and tugged it over my head. It was so baggy on me it fell past my knees.
“Much better,” Maddox said, his deep blue eyes roaming my body. “I like you in my clothes.”
“Mine would be a better fit,” Briar said. “Yours swallow him.”
“And that’s a problem why?”
“Um.” My volume was almost too low to hear, but they stopped talking. One look at me and Briar sat up in bed, as if alarmed, while Maddox placed his hand on my waist.
“What’s wrong?” they both asked at the same time.
I dropped my gaze to the floorboards. “Neither of you wanted me naked. Not that it’s an issue. I normally feel uncomfortable being naked around guys. I prefer the lights off where they can’t see me that well.” Or judge me for being too skinny and not toned enough. My eyes stung. “But I was starting to feel kinda comfortable around both of you. You made me feel… I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. God, I’m rambling. Sorry.”
“No,” Maddox said, his voice gruff. He yanked me closer and crushed me to his chest, pushing his face into my hair. “I’m the one who needs to apologize. I never thought you’d misunderstand this way.”
“Misunderstand?” I mumbled, eyes stinging.
He drew back and took my face in both his hands. Pain laced his blue eyes as he wiped away my tears. “Please don’t cry. I…” His voice broke. “I can’t bear knowing I did this to you. When I said you needed to cover yourself, I meant that no sleep would be had with you looking that appetizing beside me. I assumed you’d laugh at me or roll your eyes like you usually do.”
The sheets rustled as Briar got off the bed and wrapped his arms around me from behind. “You silly, beautiful boy. Don’t you realize how much we both desire you?” He kissed my hair. “You’re so beautiful. Inside and out.”
More tears welled in my eyes, but unlike earlier, they didn’t come from an aching heart. “Sorry I ruined the moment. I’m not used to this kind of attention. Guess I haven’t had the best luck with men in the past. So, insecurity took over, and now we’re having a dramatic moment I’ll probably cringe about later.”
No “probably” about it. This would go into my “relive every embarrassing moment while trying to sleep” file.
Maddox kissed my jaw. “I’ve never desired anyone the way I desire you.”
“I feel the same,” Briar said. “And I pray I never meet any of the men who’ve made you doubt yourself. Because what I’d do to them would go against everything I stand for as a physician.”
Maddox breathed out a short laugh. “Another thing we agree on. Though I’d have no qualms about gutting them.”
“Perfect. I’ll knock them unconscious with a tonic, then you can take them someplace private to deal with them.”
