Feeling her other leg being lifted, Everly looked over her shoulder up to Zane not believing what he was doing. Zane just gave her wicked smirk as he pushed himself into her used passage.
“Oh no sweetheart, it’s not over. It’s nowhere close to being over.”
Chapter 12
The log in the fireplace popped behind the mesh metal screen sending out a small flurry of tiny orange sparks. Sitting in one of the wingback chairs, Everly had her feet propped up on a leather tufted footstool, and the blanket draped over her. Around her chair sat three heavy cardboard boxes filled with books. When Reid carried the boxes into the bedroom, he told her these were the books Zane ordered and the packages he went out to get yesterday.
Running her hands over the slick cover of the large hardback, Everly stared unseeingly into the dancing flames. Growing up, all the books she read were old, borrowed, and extremely limited. By the time she was fifteen, she had read every book in that old cramped library. Once she left home, Everly always imagined having her own extensive collection, a beautiful display of all the imaginary worlds she had visited. Glancing up at the small empty wooden bookshelf sitting against the wall, she felt a tiny sense of longing. The tall, stately windows poured in bright natural sunlight, the empty library in the office just waiting to be filled, it seemed like the whole house was perfectly designed just for her. Even if she tried, she could not have dreamt of a place as beautiful as this, and that made fighting back that much harder.
A weak pacifying part of her longed to just submit to her new reality, much like she did last night. Clenching her fist reflexively she tried for the hundredth time that morning to force last night’s memories out of her mind. Dragging her eyes away from the empty bookshelf she stared out the large window next to the fireplace, watching a tiny gray bird hop from one tree branch to another. It would be so easy to just relax and let the strong current of those two men simply guide her by their whims.
The sound of the front door opening and closing followed by footsteps interrupted her from her thoughts. Looking over her shoulder, she watched as Zane stepped into the open bedroom doorway and braced either hand on each side of the door’s frame as he gave her a large dimpled smile.
“Hi there, my sweet. You look warm and cozy,” Zane leaned his head on the doorframe, his eyes looking over her with satisfied approval. “Are you enjoying the books I got you?”
“Don’t you mean the books I went and got her,” Reid’s rough velvety voice was the first thing she heard before she watched the shadowy figure appear behind Zane in the hall. Shoving Zane aside, Reid stepped through the doorway ignoring his brother’s scowl. Looking to her Reid’s eyes warmed appreciatively. “How are you feeling?”
Heat blossomed across her face as she picked up his unsaid meaning. Reid wasn’t just referring to yesterday’s near-death experience he was referring to last night. Multiple times, each man took and gave pleasure to her weary body passing her greedily back-and-forth. But it was her own response, dear God the things she said and did, that left her speechless. Everly’s breathing intensified just thinking about her behavior. All she wanted to do was bury those scalding hot memories and forget it ever happened.
Not able to stand the intensity of his desired filled gaze, Everly made a show of straightening the blanket in her lap as she answered. “I feel fine, am I going to be forced to sit like this all day?” Referring to Reid’s stern command that morning to rest only.
Smiling, Reid came to stand next to her chair. Everly couldn’t help but shiver as his rough knuckles brushed gently against her cheek and down the column of her throat. “Only for today, tomorrow and after you can do whatever you want.”
Except have her freedom back, she thought, but she didn’t say it aloud. Everly was tired of fighting them, and it was obvious that fighting wasn’t going to work.
“Are you hungry, sweetheart? We are taking a lunch break from that fucking greenhouse,” Zane added with a groan as he flopped onto the twin wingback chair opposite hers. “You want something to eat?”
“I have no idea why you are asking, it’s not like you’ll be the one making anything,” Reid pointed out glibly.
“Hey I can make stuff,” Zane defended. “I can make sandwiches, spaghetti, chili…”
“Chili in a can,” Reid corrected, giving his brother a deadpan stare. “You can heat up chili in a can.”
Unable to help her herself, Everly began to laugh.
“That’s fine,” Zane leaned forward in his seat and cupped the sides of her feet that were resting on the footstool in front of him. “You can go make the food while I spend time with Everly.”
Ignoring him, Reid looked down at her expectantly.
Blinking, Everly had to recall the question before she answered. “I’m still full from the big breakfast you made.”
Smiling appreciatively Reid cocked his head in thought. “Then I guess I will wait until dinner then to make something.” Turning he walked to the bedroom door. “I plan on finishing that greenhouse today.”
She knew that last part was for Zane. Leaving the room, Reid left Zane alone with her. This was the first time since yesterday she had been alone with the roguish blonde. His cold-hearted threat still resonated in the room, reminding her of his vicious anger. That charming smile and magnetic crystal blue gaze tricked her, he had her believing he was incapable of such cruelty.
Keeping her gaze towards the window, she avoided Zane’s searching stare. She would not be fooled again.
“Will you not look at me?” He asked quietly.
She didn’t reply, keeping her eyes on the swaying trees outside.
“Are you still angry with me?”
Biting the inside of her cheek, Everly forced herself not to react as she felt her feet being lifted off the stool and gently lowered to the floor. From her peripheral, she watched Zane kneel before her, pushing her blanket-covered legs apart until he was kneeling in between her legs. Feeling his hands glide up each leg, Everly could not help but shudder at the trail of burning heat they left in their wake.
His voice, much closer now, started low. “Last night you were so warm and giving, would you take that away from me in the light of day?”
Stiffening all over, Everly lifted her chin higher and slowly turned to look at the kneeling man. Her resolve nearly crumbled when her eyes met his. The blatant need was clear to see, and it carved at her willpower like a blade. This man, she thought with a groan, this detestable, wicked man was her undoing. Sometimes he reminded her of a capricious little boy that only wanted to be held, and other times he was a roguish devil with a wolfish smile.
“You could at least let me keep my pride,” she whispered, her voice trembling at the torrent of conflicting emotions she fought to keep down.
Zane didn’t say anything, bowing his head, he slowly began to push at the hem of her sweater. Tensing up she opened her mouth, prepared to tell him the stop, but the scraping feeling of his beard gave her pause. Gliding forwards and back the short golden strands of his light scruffy beard brushed softly against the small curve of her growing stomach as he nuzzled her.
“Zane…” She began, but he cut her off.
“I cannot wait for the baby to get here,” cupping her stomach with his large hands he continued to nuzzle her softly, staring directly at her belly. “I can’t wait to hold him or her, to watch you hold and mother them sweetly.” Placing small kisses on the crown of her raised stomach, Zane’s bright eyes flicked up to hers beneath his golden brow. “You’re going to be an excellent mother, my sweet.”
The fight was over before it began, and she hated that about herself. Weakness spread through her as the will to resist dissipated at his honeyed words. With unshed tears in her eyes, Everly looked at him hopefully. “Do you really think so?”
“My God Everly, I have never been more certain about anything,” he gave her an exasperated smile as he straightened back up and leaned forward on his knees crowding her against the back of the wing
back chair. Placing small kisses under her jaw, Zane groaned deeply against her neck. “I’m actually already a little jealous of how much you will love and kiss the baby,” kissing her collarbone Zane sat back suddenly and stared at her chest as a thought struck him. “Are you going to breastfeed?”
Seeing the wicked gleam in his eye, she couldn’t help but smile as she swatted away his roaming hands.
“There it is, that beautiful smile.” The tension in his shoulders evaporated as he wrapped his fingers around her waist and pulled her forward in her chair. Face-to-face, separated by only a few inches Zane gave her a soft smile before leaning in to kiss her. The hard press of his warm lips was quick and devastating. “Don’t leave me in the cold from your love sweetheart, please don’t be mad at me anymore. I love you too much to stand your anger.” The overwhelming need in him crashed against her, collapsing the walls of her resistance like a tidal wave.
Knowing the battle was already lost, she wrapped her arms around his neck listening to his grateful sigh as he pulled her close. For her pride’s sake, she prodded one last time. “But you won’t apologize for that awful thing you said will you?”
Zane’s blue eyes flashed with desperate determination as his thick arms hardened around her like a cage. “No, dammit, I won’t take it back,” kissing her roughly he hugged her until her legs were practically around his waist. “I was angry and scared out of my mind. Baby, you have to know I will do just about anything not to relive that.”
Looking at him, Everly just blinked as the facts slid into place. The beautiful, charming man that was staring at her with wild anguish, the other stoic man with the handsome hard face and commanding aura, both were telling the truth. They really were madly, obsessively in love with her, she understood that now.
What she was going to do with that info—she was too afraid to contemplate right now.
Lifting her hand, Everly gently let her palm scratch across his scruff before pushing back some of his fallen hair. The excitement leapt like flames in his eyes as she leaned over and returned the kiss.
“Oh God, Everly,” Zane groaned, his grip around her tightening. “I could bury myself in that sweet…”
“ZANE!” Reid’s angry bellow came from the front hall, dampening the fiery heat between them.
“Bastard,” Zane grumbled against her lips. Leaning back, he let out an angry sigh before standing. “I got to go, my love, we will pick up where we left off tonight,” he gave her a wink before walking to the door. “Enjoy your book.”
Making sure he was gone, Everly slumped back into her seat. What was she even thinking? Ignoring the quagmire of questions, she opened her book and forced herself to escape into another world.
±
“So why don’t you have a dining room table?” Everly asked as she leaned forward to take another bite of her food off the high coffee table.
They were currently all three sitting on the living room floor facing the large fireplace. With their backs supported by the base of the couch, they used the wide coffee table as their makeshift dining table. The table was actually at the perfect height for the two large men on either side of her, but for her, it came up to her chin.
As she reached awkwardly for another bite of the herb crusted chicken, Reid let out a small laugh.
“Here,” reaching behind her, Reid turned, pivoting his broad chest in her direction as he grabbed at two of the couch pillows. “Use these.”
Pushing the cushions underneath and behind her, it helped bring the table, and more importantly her food, in managing distance.
“Thank you,” she replied sheepishly, she wasn’t used to men catering to her like they did.
Brushing his shoulder with hers, Zane pulled her attention back to him on her left. “Actually, we decided to let you decorate the rest of the house, that includes picking out the dining room table.”
Her fork paused in midair, taken aback she looked at Zane unsure of how to reply. If she accepted their offer, it felt like giving in to this bizarre situation, giving up her right to freedom.
“We built it, you decorate it, does that sound fair?” Reid pressed, turning her attention back to him. Just like his brother, she could see the hopefulness glittering in Reid’s eyes as well as his ever wariness to her reaction.
Why did they always make her feel like the cruel one, like the one spoiling their innocent desires?
Looking directly ahead at the fire Everly took the awaiting bite of her food before eventually replying. “That seems like a more than fair offer considering your blood and sweat went into this place.”
“And you can put the finishing touches on it and make it a real home, instead of an empty shell.” Though Zane’s tone was cheerful, every word was mortared in absolute seriousness.
They needed her to want them and this place, just as much as they did.
Looking to Zane, she narrowed her eyes at his expectant expression. “I will pick out the table,” she let the silent but heavily implied “only” linger in the air around them.
Smiling broadly, Zane took her small concession as an absolute win. Grabbing his bottle of beer, he set back against the couch looking immensely pleased with himself. Turning to Reid, Everly didn’t miss his own small smile. Feeling terribly duped, she pulled at the loose string on her sweater doing her best not to let her defeat show. A thought suddenly occurred to her. Sitting straight on her cushion Everly faced Reid, her eyes wide and alert, frowning Reid waited for her to respond.
“You don’t intend to make me give birth here, do you?” The horrible thought, tightened her throat, spiking the volume of her voice.
The gurgled grunt from Zane alarmed her, turning she watched him clumsily slam his beer down as he choked on the liquid in his throat. Leaning over, Zane coughed and sputtered. “What…the…fuck Everly?!” Zane coughed some more, his voice sounding raw and scratchy while his eyes watered slightly.
Not sure what to do, she rubbed his back soothingly.
“No, Everly we…” Reid’s serious tone was cut off by Zane as he regained his breath.
“No dammit, do you really think we’re monsters?” The little red veins in Zane’s eyes only made him seem even more upset. “We would never do something so barbaric to you.”
“You will be delivering your baby in…” Reid attempted to explain.
“Our baby,” Zane corrected firmly, taking another sip of his beer as he kept his eyes trained on her.
“Yes, our baby,” Reid’s tone was a blatant warning to Zane to stop interrupting him. “Will be delivered in one of Toronto’s finest hospitals. We will stay in our Toronto condo a few weeks before the delivery and however long you need afterwards.”
“What about the doctor, I want to…” She had so many questions she could barely keep them from all tumbling out at once, but Reid’s soft kiss stopped the flow of words.
Pulling her slightly into the crook of his arm Reid’s eyes softened. “Don’t worry I found you a top-rated doctor that is only two hours from here and she will be moving her practice at the end of your pregnancy. Once she relocates to Toronto, we’ll move to our condo and wait for your due date.” Tipping her chin up, Everly exhaled as he leaned down for another kiss. “Don’t worry my love we have everything covered.”
No sooner than he pulled away, she felt Zane tug her in his direction. His eyes were implacable blue. “An at home birth,” he repeated with incredulous anger. “How could you even think we would do that to you?”
“I didn’t…” She tried to explain.
“I’m going to have to have some convincing apology on your part to get over it,” Zane murmured, eyeing her lips. Tilting her head back, she gave the impossible rouge what he wanted. Using his weight against her, he crushed her against the sofa as he plundered her mouth.
Pushing away to catch her breath, Everly shuddered when she felt Reid kiss her neck.
“Our mom died giving birth to Zane,” Reid whispered calmly.
The delicious heat th
at was growing inside of her stopped cold. Jerking her head back, she looked at Reid.
Nodding, he reached up and ran a hand through her long hair, letting his fingers trail the strands to the very end. “Our sadistic bastard of a father forced her to give birth in the backwoods of Ontario, hours away from help.”
Putting her hand over her mouth, Everly felt her heart ache at the thought of that poor woman. This was what Reid meant when he mentioned not having the luxury of a mom. Did that mean they grew up all alone away from society with no mom? How did they escape? She had so many questions, but when her eyes met Zane’s she couldn’t bear to voice them. Pain and guilt laced his usually bright eyes, and again he reminded her of a little boy who needed comfort. Reaching up with both hands, Zane instinctively latched onto the silent invitation and let her pull his head down to her breast. Like a great rumbling beast, Zane groaned into her embrace wrapping his body around hers.
Back to Black: A captive ménage romance Page 15
