by Chloe Lang
“Hey, guys.” Clay took a bite of his dessert. “You’ve got to taste this. Roberto and Miguel outdid themselves this time.”
Jay nodded, looking down at his. “It really is amazing.”
“I’m sure it is, but before we get some and taste it, Maddox and I have something very serious we need to ask your advice about.”
“Sure.” Clay leaned forward. “Anything. Just ask.”
He and Maddox recounted what had happened with Toni in the kitchen, from Maddox’s kiss to her bumping into him in the dining room.
“She’s confused and says there’s a problem.” Zane sighed, feeling the gravity of the situation.
“Do you have any idea what Toni’s issue might be with going out with you two?” Jay asked. “Izzy believes she’s interested, really interested. She just needs a little motivation.”
“We’ve tried everything we know.” Maddox shrugged. “Zane and I are at a loss. But we’re wondering what it was like with Izzy when you first started seeing her. Did she have any issues being with two men?”
“A little,” Jay answered. “But that didn’t last long. Her big issue was the age difference.”
Izzy and Cami walked over.
“What’s the big manly powwow about?” Izzy asked, hugging her two husbands. “You all look so serious.”
“Same issue as always,” Maddox answered. “Trying to figure out how to get your friend to say yes to me and Zane.”
“We’re wondering if Toni might be more receptive to going out with us one at a time,” Zane said. “What do you think about that idea?”
“It’s worth a shot,” Izzy answered. “But that’s not her big issue.”
“Then what is her big issue?” he asked in a tone that came out too harsh. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you, but Maddox and I are at our wits’ end. We just don’t know what to do anymore.”
“I wish we could say, but it’s not our place to,” Cami chimed in, placing her hand on Izzy’s shoulder.
“She’s right. Sorry.” Izzy shrugged.
“Give us a hint at least. If not the age difference, then what? Is it something about us?” He was grasping at straws as his frustration grew inside him. “I know you both didn’t let the age thing stop you with Clay and Jay or Roberto and Miguel.”
“The age thing might concern Toni a little,” Izzy said. “But not as much as it did me.” She looked at Cami. “They have a right to know.”
“A right to know what?” he asked.
Maddox’s eyes narrowed, a clear sign he wanted an answer to that question, too.
“But we promised never to say, Izzy.” Cami sighed.
“I know.” Izzy looked defeated. Then her eyes brightened. “But if we don’t give the specific details about what happened, just why she’s holding herself back from them…that wouldn’t be a betrayal of her confidence, would it?”
Zane’s curiosity shot up. What happened to Toni? What could be so bad that she’d sworn Izzy and Cami to secrecy?
Izzy’s words didn’t seem to convince Cami.
But Izzy wasn’t deterred. “Listen, Toni has been alone so long I don’t know if she realizes how much she needs to open up to just have some fun. Her boys are gone. Her place is empty. We both know how lonely she feels.”
“You’re right,” Cami conceded, looking over her shoulder at Toni.
Toni was talking to the other three women at the table with her and seemed unaware that he and Zane were talking to Izzy and Cami.
Cami turned back to Izzy. “But no details. We did promise.”
“No details. I agree.” Izzy looked at Zane and him. “Toni had a very tough breakup years ago with her boys’ father. A very tough breakup.”
“Izzy, be careful,” Cami warned. “Not too much.”
“I know.”
What the hell happened? How bad could it be? Whoever the asshole was Zane wanted to shove his boot in his face for hurting Toni so deeply.
Izzy continued. “Suffice it to say, fellas, she’s afraid to trust.”
Cami nodded. “It’s been years since she’s been on a date. You just have to be patient with her. She will come around. I hope you won’t give up on her.”
“Give up on her?” Zane shook his head. “That’s not ever happening.”
Maddox’s fists were curled at his side. “Tell me and Zane who this bastard is and where he lives.”
“I wish we knew,” Izzy said.
“Izzy!” Cami scolded. “We’ve already said too much.” She turned back to him and Maddox. “Just know it’s not about your age or about her dating the two of you at the same time.”
“Right,” Izzy said. “It’s about Toni’s fucking ex-husband.”
“Fucking?” Jay looked shocked. “You really don’t like the guy, do you?”
“No, we don’t,” Cami answered, just as Roberto and Miguel moved next to her. “And that’s all Izzy and I are saying.”
She left with her guys, as did Izzy with hers.
Zane turned to his brother. “What do you think about what we learned?”
“Now more than ever I want to be there for Toni. She’s amazing and worth us being patient. And I want to hunt that bastard down who hurt her and bust his head in.”
“Me, too. We won’t give up on her. Ever. Not a chance.”
They walked to the table where Toni was sitting. The chairs meant for them put her between him and Maddox, a position he liked very much. Always.
The three women on the other side of the table he’d met once at another party, though he couldn’t remember their names. They were Roberto and Miguel’s publisher, editor, and agent for their cookbooks.
There were several empty champagne flutes in front of the three women. They appeared a little more than just tipsy and also seemed mesmerized by Toni.
Toni only had one empty glass in front of her, and the other looked as if she’d only taken a sip or two from it. That didn’t surprise him. At the parties and events he’d seen her, she never drank more than two drinks. She always kept her cool and never got out of hand. It was just another thing he liked about her.
“Cami is very happy,” she said to the women. “And she deserves to be happy.”
“So do you,” he said, taking the seat to the left of her.
“Definitely,” Maddox added, sitting down in the one to her right.
She pointed at the two plates with the special dessert placed on the table in front of his and Maddox’s seats. “I was about to give away yours to the highest bidder. It’s so good.”
“Oh yes,” the three said in unison and started giggling.
“We weren’t sure you were going to make it to the table. Have you met before?” she asked him and Maddox, motioning to the threesome.
“Yes,” he answered. “Once. Nice to see you all again.”
“Same here,” the woman in the red dress said. “Zane and Maddox Kavanagh. How could I ever forget?” She looked at Toni. “Is the bidding still open, Toni? I’ll give you ten bucks right now for one of them.”
“Fifteen,” the one in the blue blouse offered.
The woman with the dangly earrings leaned forward and winked. “Twenty-five. I assume we’re talking about a kiss from your guys not a bite of their dessert, right?”
The three women laughed.
Toni smiled, but he sensed she was a little irritated.
“How long have you three been together?” Red Dress asked.
“Oh, we’re not together,” Toni answered. “We’re just friends.”
“Friends with benefits?” Blue Blouse grinned.
“Stop teasing her,” Dangly Earrings said, though she had a wicked grin on her face.
“Okay, but it’s very obvious she’s in to them. What woman wouldn’t be? Zane and Maddox are sizzling hot.”
“Just friends,” Toni repeated as she grabbed his and Zane’s hands and squeezed.
“With benefits,” Blue Blouse repeated, and then all three women grinned.
; Toni continued holding his and Zane’s hands, while denying there was anything more than friendship she felt for them. Her words didn’t match her actions.
Mixed messages? Most certainly.
He loved the feel of her delicate hands and wasn’t about to pull free of her hold.
“Really, we are good friends, ladies,” she continued. “That’s all.”
Was she trying to convince herself? It sure seemed so.
Zane looked past her to his brother. It was clear that Maddox, too, liked her holding his hand as much as he did.
When it seemed that Toni realized she wasn’t getting anywhere on convincing the other three women, she let go of his and Zane’s hand.
She reached down under the table and slipped on her sexy, red stilettos. Then she stood. “I’ve had a wonderful time getting to know you ladies, but I need to go home. I’m expecting a call from my sons.” She turned back and forth from him and Zane. “Good night, guys.”
“Let us walk you to your car,” he said, rising from his chair. “We need to call it an early night, too.”
She smiled. “I’d like that.”
Maybe luck is finally turning Maddox’s and my way.
Chapter Four
Toni knew why she’d agreed to let Zane and Maddox walk her to her car. Because she’d been annoyed with the women at the way they blatantly flirted with Zane and Maddox. The tinge of jealousy that she’d felt was unusual for her. She couldn’t ever remember being jealous about anyone before. And she knew it was foolish. Yet there was something about feeling that way toward Zane and Maddox that excited her. She needed to get a grip though. They weren’t hers to be jealous over.
She’d told the three women the truth. Zane and Maddox were her friends. Nothing more. More wasn’t possible, even though she’d been having dreams about the sexy pilots almost every night since meeting them.
Despite being just friends, she’d been happy to leave Cami’s engagement party with the two sexiest men in the place. But now she wasn’t sure it was a good idea. Walking between Zane and Maddox was making her warm all over.
And what about Maddox’s kiss? Since walking out of the kitchen not a word had been spoken concerning it. Still, she couldn’t stop thinking about his kiss. In her opinion, Maddox could teach a whole course on kissing. She’d never been kissed like that before. His lips had taken her to such an intense place it prevented her from thinking clearly. So warm. So delicious. So perfect.
Best to keep her mind on something else, anything else.
“I’m parked there,” she said, pointing to her white Honda Civic she called ‘Angel.’ It had been the first new car she’d purchased after losing her parents.
“Nice ride, Toni,” Maddox said.
“You’re just saying that. It’s twelve years old.”
“I’m not just saying that. I’m serious. You’ve kept it in great condition. And I think it suits you.”
“Suits me? That’s true. She’s just like me. Old but in pretty good condition. That is an accurate description in so many ways.” She grinned. “Angel and I have over a hundred and thirty thousand miles on us.”
“They’re the most gorgeous miles I’ve ever seen in my life, Toni.” Zane curled his lips into that devastating smile of his she couldn’t get enough of. “And just look at that chassis. Spot on.”
She grinned. “Angel’s?”
“Oh yeah. Hers, too. Yes. Maddox is right. You’ve taken good care of her.”
“She was a thirtieth birthday present to myself. I know it’s probably time to trade the old girl in, but I’m just not ready.” Angel represented a time in her life when she finally felt free of the past.
She’d clawed her way out of a deep, dark hole with the help of Izzy and Cami, and had put together enough money for a down payment. It was one of her proudest moments, driving off the lot with her twin boys, who had been only six at the time.
God, I miss them. Izzy and Cami’s urgings replayed in her mind about accepting Zane and Maddox’s offer of a date.
“What harm would it be to go out with them?” Izzy had asked. “They’re wonderful guys. Let them show you a good time.”
“No one deserves a night out more than you,” Cami added. “How long has it been?”
“Not long enough. I’m not ready.”
Izzy frowned. “Joel and Restin are away at college. This is your chance, Toni. Just go on one date. What could that hurt?”
“Then you shouldn’t,” Maddox said.
“Shouldn’t what?” She’d lost track of what they’d been talking about.
He smiled. “Shouldn’t sell your car.”
“Right. No. I’m not going to sell Angel.” She unlocked the door and opened it. Then she turned to face the Kavanaghs, who she was more attracted to than she should have been.
“I like that name,” Zane said. “How about we take Angel for a drive around White Rock Lake tomorrow night? The Gibbs’ jet is being serviced, so Maddox and I have a few days off.” He moved so close she could inhale his scent, which reminded her of new leather. “What do you say?”
I really want to say “yes.” I swear, I do. But I can’t. “You’re both great guys, and I know I must sound nuts.”
Maddox shook his head. He was standing next to Zane. “You don’t sound nuts, Toni. Not to us.”
“He’s right, sweetheart,” Zane said.
Sweetheart? It sounded so great to hear him call her that.
Zane touched her cheek, sending an electric shiver up and down her body. “Not nuts but you do sound afraid.” And then he kissed her, just like Maddox had done in the kitchen.
Lips to lips. Breath to breath.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she melted into him. God, Zane was a great kisser, too. Silent promises from his lips made her vibrate all over. She would never forget this moment, no matter how hard she needed to. She could feel her cheeks getting hot, her legs getting weak, and her heartbeat getting faster.
Zane’s hands slid down her waist and he pulled her in closer, continuing to claim her mouth as his. She reached up and felt his muscled chest.
Heat rolled through her, and she felt her will to resist begin to crumble. “Please. You don’t understand. I just can’t. I’m not ready.”
Zane cupped her chin. “Like I said, you’re afraid.”
She couldn’t admit that to him and Maddox. Not now. Not ever. But it was true. She was afraid, afraid of being hurt again.
There were no physical scars she carried, but there were invisible ones that went deep into her very being. What had happened with her ex had ruined her for love.
Even if Cami and Izzy believed Zane and Maddox were men worth trusting, she could never trust again. It just wasn’t possible. How could she? The two guys likely deserved someone better than her anyway, someone without so much baggage.
“Good night, guys. Thanks for walking me to my car.”
“Good night, Toni,” they said in unison.
“We’re not giving up until you agree to go out with us,” Maddox said.
A sigh left her lips that came from deep inside her, a sigh of reluctance and regret. “You should though.”
“Do you want us to?” Zane asked.
She thought about lying to them and saying that was what she wanted. If she did it might end their pursuit. But she wasn’t a liar, though she’d been married to one. “Truthfully, no. I don’t want you to stop trying. Your attention is very flattering. It makes me feel good, special even. But it’s not fair to you.”
“Life isn’t fair, Toni,” Maddox said. “And we like you. We like you very much.”
“And you like us, too. Don’t you?” Zane leaned in close again, and she almost expected him to kiss her.
God, please kiss me again. “I can’t make any promises that I will ever change my mind. It’s crazy, but it’s how I feel right now.”
They both smiled.
“Right now?” Zane nodded. “But maybe you’ll feel differently later.”
“I don’t know if I—”
He pressed his finger to her lips. “Shh. It’s okay. No expectations. You told us the truth.”
“Not all of it,” she confessed, and immediately wondered if that had been a mistake. Better to let the past stay in the past. That had been her dad’s motto about old issues that were impossible to fix. God, I miss him. He was the only man who had never let her down, the only man she had ever really trusted.
“What’s all of it?” Maddox asked.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not ready to tell you the rest of my story yet. I hate to sound like a broken record, but I may never be ready—to tell you everything or to go on a date with you.” Still being held by Zane, she looked from his rich, green eyes to Maddox’s, which were identical in color. “I just don’t want to—”
“It’s okay,” Zane said. “Maddox told you the truth about how he feels for you. Now listen to me, sweetheart, and let me tell you how I feel. I’m crazy about you. However long it takes for Maddox and me to convince you to go out with us…that’s how long we’ll keep asking. Good night.” He kissed her tenderly for a brief moment, leaving her wanting more.
When he released her, Maddox pressed his lips lightly to hers for a little kiss, creating more desire inside her. More than anything she wanted them to continue kissing her.
But Maddox stepped back, letting go of her lips, which were trembling like mad. “Good night, sweetheart.”
There was that word again. Sweetheart. Zane had called her that and now Maddox had, too. It made her feel so special and wanted.
Without another word, the Kavanaghs turned and walked back to the restaurant.
Toni got in her car and shut the door. Smiling, she brought her hands up to her cheeks, which were hot to the touch.
Maybe Izzy and Cami are right. One date. What harm can it be?
But an image of her ex appeared in her mind, and she closed her eyes tight.
No. I can’t. I’ll never give that power to anyone again. Not again.
She drove to her house, more conflicted than she’d ever been. Why was she being so ridiculous? Maddox and Zane were terrific guys. They’d given her no reason to doubt them. But neither had her ex. Even though in her heart she knew it was wrong to compare the past with the present or to compare Maddox and Zane’s actions to Peter’s, she couldn’t help herself.
