by Marla Monroe
“I…”
“Just think about it, okay? We’d love to have and the children,” Kent said.
“Okay. I’ll think about it,” she said.
Deep down Erica worried that she’d taken the first step into a spiraling whirlpool she had no control over. She would either sink and drown, or rise to the top somewhere she’d never been.
Chapter Twelve
“How much of their house are we decorating?” Sissy asked, only one of the thousand and one questions she’d peppered Erica with for the last two days. She sat expectantly in the front passenger seat expecting a reply.
“All of it in some way or another. I don’t know yet if they might have guests or family come over during the holidays or not, so I want to cover all the bases.”
“I’ll man the ladder this time,” Ricky said with a smirk.
She chuckled. “I have a feeling you won’t get the chance. Kent and Brent will probably insist that no one stands on the ladders but them.”
“Can I put the star on the top of the tree?” Aaron asked from the backseat. Her little man was bouncing in his seat already.
“I don’t know, hon, it’s their tree. They might want to do the honors. Don’t pester them, okay?” She knew that in some families that was a cherished tradition. Somehow she didn’t think that the twins had developed that yet.
When they stopped outside the gates, she noticed the new arch above the drive with the name of their ranch and a replica of their brand. For some reason it created a little bit of pride inside her for the men. They were slowly building a home, a business, and a legacy.
She pushed the button on the intercom. Without anyone speaking, the gate opened so she could drive through. Erica hadn’t told them that the children were coming with her. She really hadn’t known for sure that they could until Wednesday night. Now she worried that she might should have warned the guys.
Before they’d fully stopped in front of the house, both men walked out the door and down the steps to greet them with wide grins on their faces.
“Hey, guys! You got to come,” Brent said rustling Aaron’s hair.
“Yeah, they gave us the night off for play practice but we have to go tomorrow after lunch,” Ricky told him.
“When is the play? Maybe Brent and I can come see it,” Kent offered.
“Um, I’ll have to ask. I don’t remember, but Mom has it on the fridge at home,” Ricky told him.
“Fair enough,” Kent said. “Are you ready to decorate? I think Brent and I have everything set out and ready to go.”
“Let’s get to it guys,” Erica said walking toward the porch. “I have a feeling this is going to be an all weekend thing.”
When she stepped into the entrance way, it was to see stacks of boxes lining the wall and spilling into the living room. It would take time to go through them if they weren’t labeled. Knowing men, they probably wouldn’t be. She sighed and strode into the living room to drop her purse on the couch and pull out her planner and note pad to get to work.
“Mr. Kent. We need a very large garbage can with a big bag, and do you have any empty plastic boxes? We will need those to repack the empty containers and what we decide not to use,” Sissy said, planting her hands on her hips.
Erica hid a smile behind her hand as Kent and Brent stared at her little organizer. They had no idea just what they were in for. Sissy was the most grown up, frilly almost teenager she’d ever known. Sometimes it reminded her of her as a child living with her grandparents.
“Well, um. Brent?” Kent asked looking pleadingly at his brother. “What do we have?”
Brent chuckled. “I’ll handle the plastic box issue. You find a garbage can and get the trash bags.”
The next hour was spent organizing things so that they didn’t reopen the same boxes and redo what someone else had already done. By the time they were ready to decide where to put things, Erica had discovered that the boxes were in deed labeled but they sometimes called things by different names. The twins spent a good deal of their time translating while Sissy directed her brothers on what to put where.
Once they got started, it moved quickly and fairly smoothly considering that there were three children and two clueless and bewildered men working together. Erica spearheaded the project by explaining her overall design and the men did the climbing, lifting, and moving with Ricky’s help from time to time.
Other than a few episodes of a fuming Ricky when the twins wouldn’t let him do something they considered dangerous or potentially dangerous, the day went well. They accomplished a lot, and Aaron was tickled to death to get to put the gorgeous angel on top of the tree. Erica couldn’t remember the last time she’d enjoyed decorating for Christmas when it wasn’t her home. Usually when she worked on someone’s house, they were grumpy and anxious the entire time. The twins had been anything but.
“Wow! It looks amazing,” Brent told her as they looked at the tree in all its glory.
“It did turn out rather spectacular,” Erica agreed. She smiled and hugged the kids who stood just in front of her.
Before she realized it, Kent and Brent had their arms around the lot of them, hugging them tightly before letting them go.
“Thanks everyone. You’ve all worked hard today. Lunch wasn’t much, but we’ve got steaks, hamburgers, hotdogs and plenty of them. Kent is taking orders for the grill,” Brent said.
“We need to put everything away before we eat,” Sissy said crossing her arms. “If we don’t, it will get messed up or lost.”
Brent hid a smile much as Erica had learned to do. “That’s a very good idea. Ricky and I will move the boxes into the office out of the way until we get ready to decorate more tomorrow.”
Erica walked out with Kent while Sissy oversaw the moving of the boxes. Aaron tagged along with Brent and the others, already caught up in what they were doing.
“You have the best kids, Erica. I love having them around,” Kent told her as he gathered up what he needed for the grill.
“Thanks. They were pretty good here today. Ricky gets pouty when he doesn’t get his way sometimes and Sissy is the ultimate bossy lady. Aaron is just Aaron,” she said with a smile.
“Regardless, they’re great. Do you know what they would rather have to eat? I’ve got some of it all here ready to go.”
Erica told him the kid’s preferences then sat on one of the chairs on the deck while Kent started the grill. It felt good to just sit and watch him as he puttered around getting things ready. They had a nice set up with a huge double gas grill that was built in with brick and a nice tile prepping area. He obviously did know his way around the grill and had it smelling delicious in no time.
After closing the grill, Kent grabbed one of the chairs and pulled it up next to where Erica sat. He eased his weight into it and groaned.
“That feels good. I’ve gotten a bit lazy over the last few weeks and all that decorating today wore me out.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “I think you’re exaggerating a bit. Neither one of you has a lazy bone in your body, and there can’t be an ounce of fat on you either.”
“Hmm, I didn’t realize you’d noticed,” he said with a grin.
She felt her face heat up at the realization she’d walked right into that. Admitting that you’d been ogling a man didn’t help when you were trying to remain neutral around them.
Ah, hell. I’ve already admitted I was getting in over my head. I might as well enjoy it before I sink.
“You’re too cute when you blush like that, Erica. I can’t resist you.” Before she knew what is intentions where, he’d leaned over and covered her lips with his.
As kisses went, she could have easily pulled away, but instead she leaned into him and allowed him to take it just a step farther where he put one hand at the back of her neck as he ran his tongue across the seam of her lips. As she started to open to him, he pulled away, giving her light peck at the corner of her mouth.
“Thank you. That felt wonderfu
l,” Kent said.
She opened then closed her mouth, unsure what to say to that. Why was he thanking her? She’d enjoyed it just as much as he seemed to. As she struggled with what to say, he stood up and walked over to the grill.
“Looks like it won’t be long now,” he said looking over his shoulder at her. He give her a wink. “Do me a favor and run in and see if Brent has the rest of the meal about ready. Tell him ten minutes tops.”
Erica stumbled to her feet and managed to make it to the kitchen without tripping on her own shaky legs. The kiss had blindsided her, but it sure had felt nice. If a small sweet touch of lips could do that to her, what would she do if either of them got serious with it? Holy hell!
“Hey beautiful. How’s the grilling going?” Brent asked.
She watched as he pulled out a toast pan full of french fries. “Ah, good. He said ten minutes tops on the meat. Is everything ready in here? Do you need my help?”
Brent finished raking the fries onto a paper towel covered plate before setting the pan on top of the stove. He pulled off the oven mitt and cornered her between the counter and the fridge. It startled her so much that she didn’t expect the kiss he laid on her. Unlike Kent, Brent went after what he wanted with a vengeance. One second he’d married their mouths, and the next his tongue was conquering everything it touched.
She heard a moan then realized it was her. What was she doing? The kids where there somewhere. She started to pull away, but Brent had seemed to sense the change in her participation and stepped back, his breathing just as heavy has hers. Frantically she looked around the room, worrying that they might have been seen.
“What’s wrong, Erica?” Brent’s brows drew together as if questioning.
“N–Nothing. I just didn’t expect you to do that and, well, the kids are here,” she said, realizing just how lame that sounded even as she said it.
“They’re watching TV in the basement den. Would it upset you for them to see us kissing?” he asked. The guarded expression on his face made her pause. This was serious to him.
Hell, it was serious to her, too. She didn’t date and hadn’t for years. Not only was she too busy, but she had always been conscious of her children and hadn’t wanted to put them through a series of short relationships that might seriously cause them needless confusion when each man they’d started to get to know, stopped coming around.
“I—,” she started, then stopped. When she opened her mouth again, she was better prepared. “It’s not that it would upset me. It’s that delicate balance between getting my kids hope up about us seeing each other and still being able to spend some time with you and Kent.”
“So you do want to spend some time with us?” he asked, an almost little boy like expression of hope on his face. It was the final straw.
“Yes,” she sighed. “I do. I’m worried about it on a lot of different levels, but I don’t lie to anyone else, so I can’t lie to myself either.”
Brent grinned then toned it down to a warm smile. “Kent and I really care a lot about you and the children already, Erica. Neither of us want any of you to get hurt, but ignoring whatever this is between the three of us just isn’t an option, honey.”
“I haven’t dated in a long time, Brent. Honestly, I’ve been too busy raising my kids and making a living. I don’t know if I know how to do this.” She wanted him to understand that it wouldn’t be easy.
“That’s fine. It’s been a little while for us, too. We already know that working around your business and our ranch will be a challenge. I’m hoping that you will allow us to help you some while we aren’t as busy,” he said rubbing his hands up and down her arms.
“Help me? How?” she asked, trying to concentrate around the growing arousal he created with his touch.
“Whatever you need? We can pick the kids up for you or cart them to their events. Help you with whatever even you’re working on. The winter months coming up will leave us with a lot more time on our hands this year. Not so much after this. We’ll have a lot more cattle to tend to next year.”
“I’ll think about it. We better get everyone together. I’m sure Kent will be bringing the food in any minute now,” Erica pointed out.
Brent grinned at her as the back door opened and Kent walked in with a huge platter of meat. From the way he looked at her then winked after sitting the food on the counter, Erica was sure he knew exactly what had happened while he’d been outside. No doubt they had planned it in the first place.
By the time they’d finished eating, cleaning up the kitchen, and discussed what would be next, Erica was emotionally exhausted. They’d kept her on a sensual edge all night long with their constant little touches and whispered naughty words in her ears so the kids wouldn’t hear. Her body was one big aroused nerve and she was going home to stew in her own juices.
“Thanks Mr. Kent and Mr. Brent for letting us help decorate the tree and stuff,” Sissy told them then hugged each man before climbing into the front of the car.
Ricky shook their hands then waited while Aaron gave both men a hi-five before helping his brother fasten his seatbelt.
“See you tomorrow, Erica. Drive safe,” Kent said before she rolled up her window.
The kids talked nonstop all the way back home but all Erica could think about was how cold she possibly date both men at the same time? That was what she’d agreed to think about wasn’t it? She’d admitted to Brent that she wanted to see them and that she cared about them, but could she really take that step and go out with both of them in public?
The more she thought about it, the harder it was to make a decision. She’d nearly talk herself out of agreeing to see them only to think of all the ways they were great for the children and how much she enjoyed being around them. If she allowed herself to think about the S word, she’d really lose her head. They oozed sex appeal like skunks stunk.
Even if her head wasn’t completely onboard with the idea of shaking their small town of Pleasant Grove up, her heart was working on it and her body had already dived right in, complete with saturated panties and itchy, pointed nipples. All that was left was to throw in the towel and say yes. Yes to being treated like a woman for a change, yes to no more lonely nights sitting on the couch wishing for someone to snuggle up to, and yes to real, honest to goodness sex that she didn’t have to order off the Internet to come in a plain brown wrapper minus the required batteries to operate it.
Erica was going to do it. She was taking the plunge and praying she could remember how to swim after all these years on dry land. If not, she had two willing sexy cowboys who knew sexual CPR and weren’t afraid to use it.
Chapter Thirteen
After dropping Ricky off at the school for play practice and Sissy at her friend’s house to play and study for midterms, Erica and Aaron headed for the twin’s ranch. Her little man didn’t quiet down the entire way, telling her all of the things he wanted to do when they got there. She just shook her head and made sure he kept his seatbelt on since Ricky wasn’t in the back to monitor him.
“Can I push the button, mom?” he asked when they pulled up at the intercom.
“Sure, but buckle back up as soon as you finish.”
She heard the click as he scrambled out of his belt and scooted over to that side of the car. She rolled the window down for him and he reached out to push the button.
“Hello?” from the intercom.
“It’s Aaron Carol and my mom to help decorate,” Aaron said with a grin so wide she wondered how he’d even managed to sound articulate enough they could understand him.
“Hi Aaron. Bring your mom on up to the house,” Brent said.
The door opened and Erica looked pointedly at her son through the rearview mirror. He quickly belted himself back in wearing a silly grin. Erica shook her head and continued down the drive until they reached the house.
This time, no one stood on the porch or even came out while they were getting out of the car. Since all she had to carry inside was her purse
and planner this time, it didn’t matter, but she had to admit she was disappointed that no one had come out to greet them.
Aaron wasted no time running up the steps and knocking on the door. She just shook her head at how much enthusiasm and energy her son had. Even the heavy backpack he was wearing that contained his homework didn’t slow him down. She was sure that her reminding him that until his homework and study time was over he couldn’t help was going to do that just fine in a few minutes.
“Hey there you two. Come on in,” Kent said, opening the door wide. “Sorry Ricky and Sissy couldn’t come, but we’ll manage without them.”
“They both wanted to, but had prior obligations to take care of. Sissy is studying for midterms and Ricky will be doing the same once play practice is done,” she told him.
“What about you little man? Are you going to be studying, as well?” Kent bent down to Aaron’s level and pointed at his backpack.
“Well, Mom says I have to do my homework and study before I can help, but I figure you’ll spend the first part of that time going through stuff and figuring out what you want to do, so I won’t miss much,” he said with a smirk.
“Smart man,” Kent said with an amused look.
“Okay, Aaron. Get to work. The sooner you finish your homework the sooner you can study. Once you’ve finished that you can help us,” she told her son.
“I’ll show him where he can set up. Brent’s in the office,” Kent told her as he took her son’s hand.
Erica pulled out her planner and note pad before leaving her purse on the table by the front door. She found Brent working on the computer in the office. When she walked in, he looked up and the most amazing smile erupted across his face. It was enough to make a girl swoon.
He really does seem to like me. Any smile would have been enough for me to think he liked me, but now I know he really does like me.
“Come here and look,” Brent said, standing up and holding out his hand.
She walked toward the desk then around it to take his hand. Brent pulled her closer and had her sit down in the chair he’d been sitting in. When she turned from his face to the monitor, she gasped. He’d put up a picture of the outside of their home and had somehow managed to superimpose lights and decorations on it so they could see what it would look like once it was finished.
