My heart rate accelerated. “You know? I’ve never been into praise kinks or anything, but when you say that in your deep, sexy voice, I kind of like it.”
“Your attempt to change the subject is admirable.”
“Thanks,” I said. “It’s a gift.”
His lips twitched.
Briar used a device that reminded me of a french press and poured hot water over ground coffee beans. The same ones Maddox had purchased for me from the market. The smell alone was to die for. But there would be no dying until I had a cup—or eight—and several slices of dessert.
“So.” I drummed my fingers against the top of the island counter. “How are we supposed to do this? Big, important talks freak me out. I don’t know where to start.”
“Then allow me to begin.” Briar filled a cup with the fresh brew and doctored it just how I liked, adding sugar and the perfect amount of cream. He set it in front of me. “As you overheard last night, we’ve both fallen for you.”
“That’s still hard for me to believe.” I curved my hands around the cup and breathed in the familiar smell, finding comfort in that familiarity. I took a much-needed sip and hummed a little at the bold flavor. Him knowing just how I liked my coffee showed how much he cared. Which didn’t help my nerves any because I knew what was coming.
When I took another drink, my hands shook so bad I nearly spilled some of it.
“You doubt us?” Briar filled a second cup and handed it to Maddox.
“No.” And it was true. I believed them, even if I didn’t think I was worthy of those feelings. “I don’t doubt you at all.”
Maddox stared down at his cup. Silent.
“But we need to know howyoufeel,” Briar said.
“How I feel?”
“Well, I suppose the question is more so aimed at your feelings for me.” Briar adjusted his round-framed glasses and met my gaze only briefly before averting it. That one second of eye contact was enough for me to see the tinges of worry in his hazel eyes. “I heard your confession for the captain outside the door. You love him.”
Maddox smiled… but that smile faltered when he looked at Briar.
“I won’t assume you share those same feelings for me,” Briar said, pouring a cup for himself. He stirred in some sugar but didn’t take a drink. He just stared at the swirling liquid. “And if that’s the case, then this discussion will be brief and easily resolved.”
As the worry deepened in his eyes, my heart fucking ached, like someone was using my heartstrings to play a fiddle—badly. Just yanking and pulling and scraping a bow across them. Or whatever the fuck you used to play a fiddle.
“There’s nothing easy about this,” I finally said, voice unsteady. My heart lifted into my throat. “Because while I love Maddox… I love you too, Briar.”
Relief smoothed the worried crease of his brow, though a smidgeon of disbelief lingered in his eyes. “You do?”
Nodding, I slid off the barstool and closed the gap between us, winding my arms around Briar’s lean waist. His heart thrummed wildly beneath my ear as I snuggled into his chest. “You’re just like those moonlight flowers. Rare and beautiful. Not everyone gets to see the blossoms, but the ones who do never forget. That’s how I feel about you.”
Briar returned my embrace, hiding his face in my hair.
Maddox cleared his throat. “If he’s a flower, what am I?”
“A sword.” I nuzzled Briar’s chest before turning to look over at my knight. “Deadly and a true work of art. Forged to perfection. I mean, just look at those muscles. Rawr.”
He lightly snorted. “I will accept that answer.” He took a drink of coffee before setting the cup aside.
The lighthearted moment couldn’t last forever. Much like this dance we were doing.
Throat tight, I stepped back from Briar so I could see both of them. “Last night when I heard you talking, you asked what would happen if I couldn’t choose between you. That’s what’s stressing me out. Because I don’t knowhowto choose. I didn’t intend to fall for both of you, but it happened anyway.”
One way or another, however this night ended, someone would get hurt. Either me losing both of them or choosing one over the other. Both options royally sucked.
Maddox and Briar exchanged a look. Neither said a word, but like the few instances before, they seemed to understand each other regardless.
Briar took my left hand in his. “You running away worried us sick, but one positive came from it. We set our differences aside and worked together to find you. Your safety, your happiness, is all that matters.” He glanced at Maddox before returning his gaze to me. “A decision was reached in those dreadful hours of wondering where you were and if you were okay. The captain is actually the one who suggested it, much to my surprise. Although, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t already considering it.”
