by Marla Monroe
“Goodness, you should be ashamed of yourselves, not feeding her lunch. I taught you better manners than that,” she fussed.
“Yes, ma’am,” they both said in unison, looking adequately contrite.
“Come on, Desire. It’s a short walk to the diner. We’ll show you more of the town on the way. I’m betting you’re going to want to do some shopping while you’re here,” Elliot told her.
“Oh, I expect I’ll be far too busy to shop.”
“Don’t count on it, pet. We won’t keep you that busy unless it’s in the bedroom,” Elliot murmured in her ear.
“You both have got to quit talking like that,” Desire said in a whisper loud enough for Clay to hear as well.
Both men chuckled and grabbed a hand, pulling her along beside them as they crossed the street to a sidewalk lined with quaint old buildings decorated in an amazing variety of colors. Both sides of the street looked elegant and full of businesses. She’d never visited a small town with so many stores that were thriving like these seemed to be. There were plenty of shoppers walking on both sides of the street.
The first store they passed advertised intimate apparel with a mannequin in the window modeling a lacy teddy in pink. The next store sold fragrances and bath supplies. All along the street they passed specialty shops of various types. Elliot was right. She would want to shop while she was here, which wasn’t in her job description. Then, neither was sleeping with the bosses, as far as she knew, anyway.
Clay pulled open a door to what looked like a pretty café but turned out to be a diner once you were inside. The food smelled delicious. Before they could take a seat, a young woman near her own age came running from the kitchen to jump in Clay’s arms.
“I can’t believe you’re really here! I’ve missed you two so much.”
Desire bristled at the way the woman attacked Clay. Then she bit her lower lip and reminded herself that she didn’t own them and they weren’t hers to claim.
“Sandy, we want you to meet, Desire. Desire, our sister, Sandy,” Clay said, pulling the smiling woman off of him.
“Sandy! Are you acting like a teenager again?” A bull of a man walked out of the kitchen followed by two more who looked just like him.
Triplets. Had to be, she thought. Dear, God. Was this tiny woman-girl married to the three of them? They were huge men. Three of them.
“Oh, these are my husbands.” She indicated the three men beside her. “Lou, Larry and Lawrence.”
“Pleased to meet you,” she said and stepped closer to Elliot in case they planned on hugging her. She didn’t think she would survive three hugs from those men.
“What am I thinking? Have a seat, and I’ll fetch you something to eat.” Sandy turned to go, but Clay stopped her.
“We just want a little something to tide us over till dinner, sis.”
“How about apple pie with ice cream?” she asked.
“Does that sound good to you?” Elliot asked her.
“I’d love some.” It was all she could think to say.
Honestly, Desire wasn’t sure she could eat a bite of food. Things were growing more complicated as the day progressed. How many people here lived in multi-partner relationships? Was it the norm? She looked around and found there were several other customers seated at various tables. One table held a woman and two men with a young child in a booster seat. At another table, a man in leather sat with a woman with a choker around her neck and a pair of leather cuffs at each wrist.
Shaking her head, she followed the men to a table near the back and took her seat when Elliot held her chair for her. Both men were real gentlemen in public and wild lovers in private. She wasn’t sure how to take them anymore. They were supposed to be her bosses, but they had yet to introduce her as their admin.
They were barely seated when Sandy approached the table carrying a tray loaded with three massive pieces of apple pie with giant scoops of ice cream on each. She sat one in front of each of them and popped Clay on the head before leaving them to enjoy their snacks.
“You’ll have to excuse Sandy,” Elliot said. “She and Clay have had an ongoing battle for years. They are only a year apart in age.”
“Naturally, I’m the oldest.” Clay grinned and scooped a bite of pie and ice cream into his mouth. “Man, you can’t get homemade pie like the guys can make anywhere else.”
“The men cook?” she asked.
“Yeah, they run the kitchen and Sandy runs the front. Usually they have two waitresses in the busy part of the day, and the three men rotate in the kitchen. They also cater for special occasions,” Elliot told her.
“The pie is good. I could make myself sick on it,” she admitted.
“Well, don’t do that. Wait until you try Mom’s lasagna tonight.”
“That good, huh?” she teased.
“You’ll see,” Clay said with a smirk.
They finished their desserts and walked back to their rooms on the opposite side of the street. The guys pointed out various shops before stopping in front of one in particular. It advertised adult novelties.
“Come on. I want to get you something,” Clay said.
“Clay?” Elliot seemed unsure.
“She’ll love it,” Clay assured him.
Desire wasn’t too sure about that. What could they possibly want to get her in there that she would enjoy? Knowing the two of them, it would be something she had no intention of trying.
With a little prodding and a lot of assurance they wouldn’t embarrass her, Desire followed them in as they pulled her along by the hands. Inside there was every kind of toy a sexually open person would ever want, but discreetly displayed. She tried not to gawk at the many items, some of which she had never even heard of. Clay pulled her back towards the back of the store where there were various items of clothing, from leather bustiers to lace thongs and edible panties.
“Here we go.” Clay pulled out a pair of garters that were pale pink.
“I agree,” Elliot said. “They are perfect for her.”
“Um, guys, I don’t think that’s appropriate to buy for me. Really, I don’t.” Desire looked around to see if anyone was watching them.
“Of course it is. As our lover you deserve pretty things. This would look lovely against your pale skin and those black lace panties I saw in your suitcase.” Elliot smiled at her.
Desire felt her face heat with embarrassment. How could they do this to her in public? Didn’t they realize people would talk?
“Hey, baby. What’s wrong?” Clay asked, handing the garter belt to Elliot.
“Don’t you realize that people will assume we’re seeing each other if you buy something intimate like that?”
“What’s the big deal?” Elliot asked. “Are you ashamed of us?”
Chapter Eleven
“No! No, I’m not ashamed of either of you. But I’m supposed to be your assistant, not your, your whatever this is between us.”
“Relationship? We have a relationship, Desire. As far as the town knows, you’re our girlfriend. That’s how we think of you, anyway. Obviously we need to work on you if you don’t know that,” Elliot said.
“If I help you design your house and I’m your girlfriend, they are all going to get the idea that we’re more to each other and that might hurt your parents.”
“Don’t worry about our parents. They know the truth about us. Just relax and be yourself. Enjoy being here with us. Don’t let worry about what others think screw up a perfectly good time away from the office,” Clay told her.
“If you’re sure your parents won’t be upset when nothing comes of this.”
“Like Clay said,” Elliot began, “Mom and the dads know what to expect.”
Desire sighed and nodded her head. “Okay. But you really don’t have to buy me anything.”
“I know,” Clay said. “But I want to.” He took the pale pink garter and added a pair of black stockings with a pink bow at the ankle and carried them to the cash register.
&nbs
p; When Desire approached, she realized the woman wore a collar with a leash attached to it. It was being held by a dark-haired man with tattoos and a leather vest sitting behind her. He grinned and stood up to shake Clay’s and Elliot’s hands.
“Man, it’s good to see you two here again. Everyone has missed you two.”
“What has Missy done to deserve the leash this time?” Elliot asked with a chuckle.
“Missy?”
“I went with Sandy to the male strip club over in Carlton Saturday night.”
“Do Sandy’s husbands know about that little trip?” Clay asked, rubbing his hands together.
“Sorry, they know,” the man said. “Don’t know what her punishment was.”
“I’ll find out,” Clay assured him.
“Oh, you’re getting the garters and stockings!” Missy exclaimed. “They are my favorites. I picked them out.”
“They are pretty,” Desire said with a strained smile.
Clay pulled out his wallet and paid Missy, accepting his change in return. The young woman carefully wrapped up their purchase and placed it in a plain brown bag. It even said “plain brown bag” on the outside. She rolled her eyes at that.
“Let me guess. That’s the name of your store,” she surmised.
“That’s right.” Missy smiled at her. “Hope to see you around.”
“Oh, Elliot. I almost forgot. I delivered that package to your room this morning. It’s in the drawer.” She winked at Desire, giving her a bad feeling.
She turned a stern face to Elliot, but he gave her an innocent smile. She was sure he was up to something. Whatever this store had packaged for him would be something she wasn’t going to be happy about. She was sure of it.
“We better go now,” Elliot said.
“Right, we want to show you the land before it gets dark,” Clay added.
They walked back to the truck where Clay helped her in this time and Elliot drove. They wound their way through town and then outside of town about five miles. Then they began to climb a small mountain where there were lush trees and green vines everywhere. As they leveled off, she could see where an area had been cut into the mountain. The ground hadn’t been cleared yet of grass or small bushes, but it was clearly the spot where the men were going to build their new home.
“What do you think?” Elliot asked.
“It’s beautiful up here. Can we get out?”
“Of course,” Clay said and jumped down from the truck. He reached in and helped her down.
Desire walked around the area, getting a feel for it, then looked out over the treetops below them to see a small mountain lake and the town off to the right. They weren’t so far up that things looked comical, but far enough to enjoy the view. She turned back around and pictured a house there. She could almost see it in perfect detail. She knew what she would do if it were her home. She’d make the master bedroom face the view, with a balcony outside French doors.
She could see the kitchen in back facing the trees where a flower garden would add color for looking out the window over the sink. The dining room and den would also face the spectacular view out over the mountain on the bottom floor. Yes, she could picture it perfectly. She sighed. If it were her house, that was.
“What are you thinking, Desire?” Elliot asked.
“You looked all excited then you got the saddest expression on your face,” Clay added.
“Nothing. I think this is going to make a wonderful place for a house. I’ll enjoy helping you figure out what to build.”
“Great. So, what do you think? Driveway curling around the front or going to the back?” Elliot asked.
“Oh, don’t mess up the front view with it out front. Put it in the back close to the kitchen so it will be easy to get to and unload groceries,” she said almost immediately. Then she thought about how that sounded and bit her lower lip.
“I mean if you really want my opinion, that is.”
“We expect your opinions, Desire. We’re counting on you to make this a perfect place to raise a family.” Elliot wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in for a kiss.
Clay moved in behind her and turned her head toward him for his kiss next. Desire felt odd kissing both of them and talking about designing a house for raising kids when she wouldn’t be around for it. In fact, she felt kind of sad.
Who was she kidding? She already cared too much about them. It was going to kill her when they tired of her and moved on. More than likely, they were ready to settle down with some lucky woman and start that family right away. Hell, they might even already have a bride in mind and be just using her as a last fling.
Desire stiffened in their arms and pushed away from them.
“I think we should be going now. It’s getting dark.”
The two men looked at each other before shrugging. She watched them exchange some sort of brotherly expression then look at her again and smile.
“Let’s get you back to the motel so you can rest. I’m sure this has been a long day for you. Dinner at the house will be around seven, and there will be all the kids there.” Elliot ushered her back toward the truck with a hand at her back.
“What kids?” she asked.
“There are four of us. You’ve met Sandy, but you haven’t met James, yet. Plus, Sandy has a set of triplets, and James has two little girls a year apart,” Clay told her.
“Good, Lord. That will be a houseful.”
“Mom and the dads love it. They want more grandkids, but Sandy said three was enough for her and James hasn’t convinced his wife, Sarah, to have another one yet.”
“So, that leaves us,” Clay told her.
“Well, I’m sure you’ll find someone to settle down with soon, and you can start adding to the bunch.” It hurt her to say it, but she managed to get it out without breaking down into tears.
“We hope so, and soon,” Elliot said.
Desire sighed as they pulled out of the clearing and back on the gravel road that led back to the main road headed into town. She needed to level with herself. She’d somehow managed to fall in love with them somewhere along the way. Even if they were interested in someone like her, she wasn’t sure she could live with two men. She hadn’t been raised as if it were the norm. It went against everything she knew. But of course, she wasn’t their type anyway.
“You sure are quiet,” Clay said, running his hand through her hair.
It sent a chill down her spine as he did it.
“Just thinking about all the work I need to get done tomorrow.”
“Well, stop thinking about tomorrow and think about tonight.” Elliot ran his hand up her dress to her panties before she could close her legs. “I’m going to eat that pretty pussy tonight for dessert.”
“I’m going to fuck that hot mouth of yours tonight,” Clay added.
She tried to control the tears threatening to fall and expose her. Like it or not, she cared that some other woman might live in the house she helped build with the two men who were quickly becoming more important to her by the day.
Chapter Twelve
Clay couldn’t stop thinking about the look on Desire’s face earlier in the truck. She’d seemed sad there for a few minutes. He didn’t like that. He didn’t want her unhappy. What was wrong?
Elliot walked back through the connecting door from her room and closed it.
“She’s going to take a short nap before tonight,” Elliot said.
“Did you notice how quiet she was all the way back? And she looked sad for a few minutes earlier, too.”
“Yeah. Something is going through that head of hers. What do you think is wrong?” Elliot asked.
“I don’t know, but we’ve got to figure it out. I don’t want her unhappy, Elliot. Maybe she’s just tired. It has been a long day, and we did keep her up late last night.”
“I hope that’s all it is.” Elliot took one of the chairs and crossed his heel over his knee.
Clay took the other one and stretched his legs out i
n front of him. They sat there for a few minutes, each lost in thought.
“She liked the house site,” Clay said.
“Yeah, and she was thinking about how to situate it on the lot.” Elliot clasped his hands behind his head.
“She got a little sad there, too. Do you remember?” Clay asked.
“Yeah, you’re right, she did. Do you think she’s scared we’re going to get rid of her and move here permanently?”
“We’ve told her we plan to commute back and forth. Surely she knows we’re going to need her even more then. Besides, I’m not sure I want her to work once we get our ring on her finger.” Clay rubbed a hand over his face. “I mean, we want children and neither of us is getting any younger.”
“True. I guess we’ll have to play that by ear. She might not want children right away, and we have to take her feelings into consideration.”
“She’s right next door, and all I want to do is curl up around her,” Clay said. “But I don’t even know how she really feels about us. What if she doesn’t love us?”
“She’s not a player, Clay. She wouldn’t be sleeping with us if she wasn’t at least a little serious about us.”
“Well, we haven’t really given her a lot of choice. We’ve seduced her both times.”
“I still can’t believe she doesn’t feel something for us,” Elliot insisted.
“The question is what?” Clay said.
He wanted to come clean with her and tell her how much he loved her, but knew deep in his heart it was still too soon for her to believe them. She needed time to get to know them and learn to be comfortable around them. She wouldn’t believe it had been love almost at first sight.
“Let’s let her hook up our computers with the ones at the office and then take her to talk to the contractor to go over the house plans. While she’s doing that, we can work some and leave her on her own for a while. I think we might be crowding her a little too much.”
Clay held his breath to see if Elliot would agree with him. Elliot was the more demanding of the two of them. He wanted to seduce her into loving them. It just wasn’t going to work that way with Desire, and he knew it. He watched his brother think about it.
