by Violet Paige
She went to bed feeling safe. She awoke feeling as if she had a purpose. Tyler and Lee had given that to her.
What happened if she did win the bet? Would Tyler throw her out of the cabin into the snow? How did this work? She would win and her freedom would become instantaneous? She shook with nerves, rubbing her arms. Was that really what she wanted? Did she want to leave them and not look back? Could she?
Brooke jumped when her door opened. It was Lee.
“Brooke, Tyler would like you to meet him in his office.”
She tried to read his expression. Did he know the decision.
“All right. Please tell him I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Want me to wait for you?” he offered.
Brooke nodded. “I do.” The butterflies attacked her stomach. She didn’t know if she could walk. This was it. The moment of truth was about to hit her.
Lee pushed the heavy double doors open for her.
Tyler leaned against the front of his desk, his arms crossed. She almost lost her breath. He shouldn’t look so edible.
She cleared her throat and took her first step into his office.
“I heard you’ve made a decision.”
He nodded. “I have.”
She didn’t know how much longer she could wait. She bit her lip. “Well?”
Tyler’s broad chest rose. “It’s you, Brooke. Only you.”
Her eyes widened. “Me? I won?”
He bowed his head in her direction. “Your design was impressive. Unique. Inspired. It was the only one I even considered.”
Her palm flattened over her heart. She tried to stop it from beating out of control. “I-I don’t know what to say.”
Tyler broke his stance and walked toward her. “Why don’t you take a seat? We have to discuss your obligations to the project at this point.”
“Obligations?” She sat on the leather sofa across from him. There was a coffee table in between them.
“You have heard Lee and I discuss the how crucial the project to our return to Denver. Launching the foundation is the pinnacle of our careers. It has to be flawless. The creator of the brand needs to be at the announcement. You are the vision, Brooke. You can’t miss being on an international stage with something so critical for the foundation.”
“We agreed if I won, I would be free.” She started to shake. There was a catch. She should have seen it coming.
“Yes. We did. You won. You can go. I’m a man of my word. I’m not breaking it.”
She exhaled, looking at Lee. He was wearing a sad smile.
Tyler continued, “I’m asking you to do this for the foundation. I’m asking you as the artist who created something beautiful, to see your vison shared the way it is supposed to be.”
Her chest prickled. Her blood rushed with heat. “You’re asking me to stay on?”
“I’m asking you to see this through to the very end. Represent your art.”
“You’re going back on your deal, Tyler,” she fired.
He shook his head. “No. I’m not. You can get up and walk out of here if you want. I won’t stop you. I swear.”
She looked at the set of double doors over her shoulder. “You’ll let me freeze out there.”
Lee sat next to her. “No one is going to freeze. We will have you safely delivered to wherever you’d like to go. As usual, Ty is being a dick about explaining what we’re trying to say.”
She shook her head. “I-I don’t understand.”
Tyler exhaled. “Thanks, man. Brooke, now that you’re free, I’d like you to stay because you want to see the project finished. At least return here and there over the next few weeks while we work on the details. We only have six weeks left at the cabin. And honestly, that’s not much time with a project this size.” He smiled devilishly. “I promise Lee and I can make those visits worth your while.”
She felt more heat rush through her. It spread between her legs and rushed to her nipples. Shit. What kind of effect did this man have on her? Was this even legal what he could do to her body without even touching her?
“You want me to come back?” she whispered.
He raked his teeth against his lip and she thought she might melt off the couch.
“Or just stay.”
Was it crazy she wanted to consider this? She could see it. Living here as a free woman. Hikes with Lee. Discussing art with Tyler over a glass of brandy. Building campfires in the backyard. Snuggling up together for movie night. Holy shit.
“You won’t regret it,” he urged. “Think about your career. Think about Dreams with Wings.”
She laughed. “My career or do you mean I should think about you and Lee?”
He leaned forward. “Can’t it be both? Can’t you have it all?”
The flutter soared in her belly. She nodded. She could have it all. She deserved it all.
“Spit it out, Ty.” It was the first time she had used a nickname for him. It surprised her as much as him. “What are you saying?”
“Stay with us, or at least promise you’ll come back in a few days. Because you want to work on the foundation. And you want what we can give you. Stay, Brooke. Stay because you’re free now. You can choose what you want. And you know Lee and I will give you everything.”
She didn’t have the willpower to tell him no. Not with those eyes and that sexy mouth. Not with large hands that could hold her close. Her lips practically parted, begging for him to kiss them. She knew she had officially lost her sanity.
He was pulling her in with that look. She knew it, but there was no lifeline to drag her back to reality.
“I promise you’ll never regret this, sweetheart,” Lee spoke in a deep voice next to her.
“I-I guess I could stay a little longer.” She looked between them. “But I can leave whenever I want?”
“Absolutely. You’re a free woman.” Tyler held up his phone. “A ride back to the city is only a call away. I swear to you.”
Tyler rose from the couch to escort her to the door. He pressed his hand into the small of her back. It was as if he seared her skin through her blouse.
“Congratulations,” he leaned to whisper in her ear before opening the door. “Why don’t you put on something special so we can celebrate at dinner tonight. I’ll even convince Lee not to wear flannel.”
She looked up at him, nodding slowly. She didn’t know whether to stay or to run. To say thank you, or screw you. She was filled with hope and regret. Confusion was pouring in from all sides.
The door closed behind her and Brooke was in the foyer to Tyler’s office. She was free.
Sixteen
Lee
Brooke was hunched over a drawing board in the corner of her office when he walked in the room. Tyler told him he needed to dig through his closet and impress their woman. He was headed to his room to find something when he saw her.
“Hi.” It looked as if she wanted to smile.
“Hi,” he answered. “Congratulations on winning the project.”
“I still can’t believe it.” She looked up from her drawing. “I won.”
He nodded. “You sure did. I’m glad you want to stay a few more days.”
He saw the blush on her cheeks.
“It seems like the right thing to do to keep the integrity of the project.”
He grinned. “Of course.”
She leaned over the desk again.
He wanted to walk behind her and pull the jeans off her hips. He wanted to sink his fingertips into her flesh while he explored every part of her from behind. His mouth went dry. What was this girl doing to him?
He walked beside her, curious to see what she had drawn. She quickly scurried in front of him, bumping against his side. Her ass rubbing into this thigh as she covered her artwork.
Her heard the gasp from her lips when his hands rested on her waist to steady her. It was a spontaneous reaction, but he didn’t want her to fall. His fingers lingered, pressing gently into her hipbones. Brooke leaned into him for
a second. Long enough he could feel the heat of her body pressed against his chest before she abruptly wiggled free.
He grinned, but she was turned away from him. Everything in him told him to pull her back toward him. She would take a little more. Give a little more. But she stepped toward her computer, putting something solid between them.
“Don’t you want to take a break?” he asked. “Get ready for a nice dinner together?”
She sighed. “My work is important to me.”
“Listen. For the past two weeks you’ve done nothing but work. If you would just take a second to get to know us, I think you’d like what we have to offer.”
“Maybe you two haven’t taken the time to get to know me. I’m not impressed by the money. I don’t need money to be happy.” He saw the sudden look of vulnerability in her expression.
“I’m not talking about money.” He walked around to her side of the desk.
She stiffened when his hand covered hers. He could hear her breath quicken. He leaned against her, pressing her body.
“I’m talking about everything else in life, Brooke. Pleasure. Happiness. Tyler and I know how to give you that.” He moved away, giving her space as the cool air rushed between them. “We aren’t offering money.”
“I said no sex,” she whispered.
“That’s not sex.” He took a step back. “There are levels of intimacy we could show you. I don’t even think sex is how you describe it.” He winked.
Her cheeks turned a bright crimson red.
Suddenly, he thought he knew what her weakness was. It wasn’t that she wasn’t attracted to them. It wasn’t that she wasn’t interested. It wasn’t that she was ready to move out.
She didn’t want to be vulnerable to them. She didn’t want to let down her walls. She was like Tyler that way. She wanted to stand on her own.
“I’m staying longer because it’s the right thing to do for the foundation. And I can leave when I want.”
“I understand. We couldn’t be happier about your decision.” He inhaled. “You’re a free woman now. Don’t let what happened in the past keeping you from being happy now.”
“It’s not that simple, Lee.”
“But it could be. It could be as simple as the three of us sharing something amazing.”
“I don’t get it.” She shook her head.
“We want to give you something. I swear Tyler’s a good guy. Gambles too much. Looks for thrills maybe where he shouldn’t, but Brooke he would keep you safe and protect you until he died. Just like I would.”
“You’re just saying that.”
Lee shook his head. “No. I’d never lie to you. Not about my best friend.”
“I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what you want.”
He smiled. “Why don’t we take the next few days to figure it out? Let us be there for you.”
He saw her eyes sparkle. “I-I don’t know. This is so complicated.”
“I have to find something for dinner. I’ll let you get back to work. See you in an hour.”
He strolled to the door.
All he wanted was to take her in his arms and kiss her. Carry her to Tyler where they could love her together. Show her how they could worship her beautiful body. Take her to places in paradise she’d never dreamed of. But the only way to get to Brooke, was to let her make the decision for herself.
Seventeen
Brooke
When she got walked into her suite there were two bouquets of flowers on her bed. There was a note tucked inside the first one.
You’re beautiful when you work. Congratulations—knew you could do it.
Xo,
Lee
She folded it and put it back in the envelope. She noticed under the second set of flowers was another card. She picked it up and read it.
Your art is sexier than your body. Congrats, sweetheart.
-D
Holy shit.
They were dropping all barriers. They were letting her know exactly what they felt. She was a free woman. She didn’t have to spend another night under their roof. And they were treating her like a queen.
She sat on the bed with the two bouquets of flowers. One red. One white. She didn’t know which color represented which man. In her two weeks living with them, she had noticed they complimented each other. Lee seemed more serious and sensitive, while Tyler was fun-loving and challenging.
Something electric twinged in her core. Dear God, did she have a crush on them? And what was that stunt that Lee pulled today in her office? His hard body had felt warm and protective pressed into hers. She wanted him to stay there a little longer, but it didn’t make any sense. She should hate him.
She looked up when she heard the knock on her door.
“Come in.”
It was Tyler.
“Oh.”
“Thank you for the flowers.” She twisted her lips together. She didn’t know how to respond to the gifts.
“You’re welcome. Lee and I wanted you to know we care. He told me about your conversation today. He told me you’re hesitant about trusting us still. That you’re hesitant about us even after you won.”
“He did?” She was surprised they had talked about it.
Tyler nodded. “We share everything, Brooke.”
“Everything?” she questioned.
He took a step toward her. Her body responded with electricity at his nearness. She reminded herself she was here because she chose it. Tyler couldn’t keep her anymore.
“Everything.”
His fingers lingered along her cheek.
They had referenced it so many times, but she was afraid to ask. Afraid she would sound like an idiot or a sexual novice. Did they share women like this? Was he implying they slept with the same women? She didn’t have the guts to ask him.
Instead, she held still while his fingertips trailed along her neck to the front of her throat.
“So damn beautiful,” he murmured before backing away.
Her eyes lifted to his. The touch had felt sensual. Something so small and innocent had her panties wet. She wanted another touch. Something more this time.
“Did you see I bought a designer gown for you?” he asked, changing the mood and the topic.
She nodded. “Yes, it’s in my closet, but it’s too extravagant for the cabin.”
“Nothing is too extravagant for you. I’ll see you downstairs soon.” He walked to the door.
She tried to think of how to stall him, but she knew it was wrong. Every impulse in her body was going against her heart and her mind. She should be throwing Tyler Star out of her bedroom with everything she had, instead she was concocting ways to keep him here.
“Tyler?”
“Yes?” He turned at the door.
“The flowers really are beautiful. Thank you.”
“I’m glad you like them. Now go get dressed. We have a lot to celebrate tonight. We have a winning artist to make feel special.” He winked before closing the door behind him.
Brooke fell backward on the bed. What in holy hell just happened?
Eighteen
Brooke
Dinner tonight was different. The seating arrangement was the same. Tyler was on one side and Lee on the other. The candles were lit. The wine had been poured. The food had been prepared as if by magic. But she glanced between the two men and something felt different. The atmosphere was electric. She didn’t know how else to describe it. She saw them through new eyes.
“I’m being extremely selective who sees your design ahead of our return to StarCon,” Tyler explained. “But I sent the file to our vice president of marketing. She was extremely impressed.” He smiled.
“She was?” Brooke still couldn’t believe everything that had happened today.
Lee’s eyes shone. “It’s incredible what you did, Brooke. Nothing compares to it. Tyler chose the perfect design.”
“It’s our passion project. And now you’re always going to be a part of it,” Tyler added.
She felt the swirl of giddiness invade her.
“Can you tell me more about what still needs to be done?” she asked.
“Of course,” Lee answered more seriously. “When we present our quarterly financials to the shareholders we will also unveil Dreams with Wings. We like to wine and dine them once a year. And of course there is always a media frenzy when we launch something new. No one knows the something new is the foundation.”
Tyler butted in, “And the press is going to want to see who we bring.”
This might be it. This might be her chance to ask. She needed to know. It had been in the back of her head since the day that goon deposited her in their offices. It was a question filled with something so taboo she couldn’t believe she kept going back to it.
“We?” She tried to look coy as she scooped a bite of roasted potato on her fork.
Tyler nodded. “Yes, we.”
Lee lifted the wine bottle from the table. “Would you like a refill? Tonight, is a celebration after all.”
She nodded. “Thank you.” She felt like celebrating. Her art was going global and she had won her freedom on her own.
“Are you trying to ask us something, Brooke?” Lee pressed her.
She felt the pink spread from her cheeks to her chest. She was embarrassed, but the innuendos were out of control. She had to know what in the hell they meant every time they mentioned sharing and giving together. It couldn’t possibly mean what she thought it did. Could it?
“I-I…maybe,” she sputtered on the words.
Tyler chuckled. “Oh come on, say it. Just ask. We know you want to ask.”
Lee reached for her hand. He squeezed it reassuringly. “Go ahead, Brooke. Ask us. Ask us the right question and we’ll give you the answer you want.”
God, they were unbelievable tonight.
“Fine.” She pulled her shoulders back. She could do this. What choice did she have if she wanted the answer. “Do you both sleep with the same girl or something? Is that your thing?”
