All He Needs: A MMM Romance (My Truth Book 1)

by Ann Grech

  Panic rose in me, my heart beating hard and fast as it overwhelmed me. My vision swam as I thought about what struggles lay ahead with me earning next to nothing, assuming I could even get a job. My breaths quickened, coming in harsh bursts as the words tumbled from my mouth. “I’ve got no skills that’d earn me any decent money apart from snowboarding. That’s a useless skill in Florida if ever there was one, and I’m suspended anyway, so I can’t earn money from it regardless. I feel like I’m gonna drown, like I’m taking my last breath before it all becomes too much and I sink. I have no idea what to do from here. You guys are smart and successful, and I’m this washed-up mess who’s about to be homeless.”

  My words came to an abrupt halt, my energy leaving me in a rush as the reality of my situation hit home, the humiliation of being such an abject failure looming large. I looked away from them, blinking back tears and scrubbing the others from my cheeks with the back of my hand.

  I tried to stand, to lift Gracie from Mace’s arms, but he held on tight to her. I understood his reticence. My soon-to-be daughter deserved the world, and at this rate, we’d be lucky to be eating ramen noodles. Mace growled, and my gut sank when Rick reached out for her and, without hesitation, Mace handed her over. They knew I was an imposter, spectacularly failing at even faking my coping skills.

  Frowning, Rick cupped my cheek with his free hand and turned me to face him, concern etched on his face. “When did the landlord do this?”

  “When were you planning on telling us?” Annoyance more than anything else colored Mace’s tone. When I cast a glance his way, he was shaking his head in disgust and looked about ready to punch something, his hands clenched into fists and his lips pressed in a sharp line. “There are laws against kicking you out for no valid reason. We can get orders against your landlord—”

  “Or you can come home with me,” Rick interrupted. “Instead of staying here, the three of you could move to New Zealand. I have a big enough house, and it’d be a perfect place for Gracie to grow up. We could be her family. Everyone could have their own room. There’d be no pressure if we didn’t work out. Gracie comes first, and it’d be somewhere stable. You’d have friends there and, depending on what work you’re after, there are jobs too. Good schools, good child care—”

  “I could look after her,” Mace added, his statement sounding more like a question. “Any time with Gracie would be a dream come true for me. I’d happily look after her while you’re at work.”

  “You can’t be serious,” I scoffed. “Move countries, move in with you, give Mace a babysitting job that I’d be lucky to be able to pay anything for, all in the hope that I could find a job. Believe me, I’m not that good a fuck.”

  I shook my head, disgust in myself bubbling to the surface. I’d fucked up. I’d been desperate to win—no, that wasn’t right. I was desperate to sleep, to cope with the pressure of competing on the world stage, but I’d only managed to ruin my career and Gracie’s future. Even if I’d bombed my last season, there might’ve been some offers open, and instead, I’d trashed years of work, my reputation, everything. I used to think winning Olympic gold and the world championship was all I needed, but I was so wrong. Now I just needed a chance.

  But that’s exactly what Rick’s trying to do.

  I immediately regretted my outburst. He was just trying to help, and God, what a dream it would be. But I’d be taking advantage of his generosity. Mace’s too. How could I accept that sort of offer without being able to give them anything in return? I’d be forever indebted to them with no way of paying them back.

  Rick’s house was perfect to raise a family in. Homey with a big yard, close to town and a stone’s throw away from the ski fields and the airport where Rick worked. But could my pride take a blow like that? Becoming entirely reliant on him didn’t sit well with me. I’d always paid my own way, always contributed, but by the time I paid for a move like that, I’d only have weeks of savings left.

  Could our relationship stand it? It’d put so much pressure on us to make it work that it might be the catalyst to make everything fall apart. I was scared. There were so many things that could go wrong.

  Rick stood and handed Gracie back to Mace, his nostrils flaring as he breathed heavily. His calm voice belied the anger radiating from him. “Mason, can you please put Grace down somewhere safe.”

  Rick’s order held an underlying steel I hadn’t heard before. Shocked, I just stared at him. I knew I’d offended him, but Rick was thunderous. He clenched and unclenched his fists like he was priming for a fight, his eyes flaring with fiery passion.

  He remained silent until Mace had set Gracie softly into her crib before demanding, “Out.” He pointed at the door and I obliged, ready to tell him to calm down when he slammed me against the wall. Looking into his eyes, I expected to see anger, but there was disappointment instead, and it sucked the air straight out of my lungs. I’d hurt him. I hated that I’d done it, that I’d disappointed him.

  He fisted my shirt and pressed me flush against the hard surface of the wall. His lips crashed down on mine mercilessly, and I opened to his assault. He was claiming me, telling me exactly who was boss, but instinct kicked in and I tried to pull away. He just held me closer, pressed into me tighter. I fought him, but my pulling away soon turned into me trying to get closer, to give as good as him.

  I was outmatched and I knew it. The moment he sensed my yielding, the kiss morphed into one filled with passion and hunger as he slowly and oh-so thoroughly made love to my mouth. He fluttered his fingers over my chest up to my face and held me close, caressing me until I melted into him. Everything about him called to me, and in that moment I knew. I was in love with him. But as good as it was, there was a missing piece—Mace.

  I was breathless by the time he pulled away, and as my head spun, Mace stepped into his place. He’d just stood by and watched me give in to Rick, handing over my heart to him. I needed to let Mace know that he wasn’t left out from that equation. I needed him too; it wasn’t just Rick I’d fallen in love with.

  He could’ve easily overwhelmed me using his strength and size to his advantage, but Mace wasn’t that kind of person. He was caring and gentle, passionate, so it didn’t surprise me when he drew me into him and held me close. His warmth and the protective grip he had around me made me want to curl up in his lap. I sighed when he brushed the softest of kisses over my face and held him tighter when Rick stepped in behind me and wrapped us both in his arms.

  “You’re never a fuck to us, baby,” Rick whispered against the nape of my neck. “You deserve happiness and love, and we want to give it to you. We want to share it with you. I’d planned on asking all of you to move to NZ with me before I left. I thought putting it out there now would give you an option. I want you both with me, but I meant what I said—it’s a four-bedroom house. Everyone can have their own room. Sex is not the reason I’m suggesting this.”

  He blew out a breath against my skin and I shivered. I clutched them both to me, one arm on each of them as I listened to him beg me to think about it.

  Mace brushed his lips over my temple, and without easing his tight hold on me, he added, “I’m asking you to trust me. I know I’ve broken that before and I’m so sorry, but if you let me, I’ll prove I’m worthy of your trust again. And I’d never do anything to hurt Gracie. Please, trust me.”

  “To do what, Mace?” My voice was raw, broken.

  “To love your baby girl like my own. To ask you to accept my help. I don’t have to work anymore, C. I’ve got investments and savings and whatever else my advisor has set up. I can pretty much support myself. I don’t want anything from you except yours and Gracie’s time. That’s it.”

  “Both of you, doing this for me….” I tried to express how grateful I was to them for trying to help, but nothing would come out.

  Mace just tightened his hold, keeping me close and comforting me. “I’m doing it because I’m falling for you, C.”

  I sucked in a breath and tried to
tell Mace the words I wasn’t ready to say through my kiss. A slow melding of our lips, our tongues touching briefly, sending shocks of energy through me. I brushed my fingertips over his collarbone as I ran my other hand down over his belly, tracing over his six-pack.

  Mace moaned and I reached back to pull Rick closer. It wasn’t only Mace I wanted. It wasn’t about sex though; it was comfort, forgiveness, new beginnings.

  “I’m sorry for getting angry with you,” Rick apologized when I broke away from Mace. Dazed and riding on cloud nine, I turned in his arms and kissed him. No less passionate, but where I’d led the kiss with Mace, I instantly yielded to Rick, letting him take control. “It killed me that you thought I’d think that of you.”

  “I’m sorry too,” I whispered. “I knew you wouldn’t use me. I was angry at myself. I fucked everything up, and for what? I’ve got nothing.”

  “We’ll work something out,” Mace said from behind me. “Whatever you choose, I’ll do what I can to help.” He looked at Rick. “I’m not choosing between you, but if Gracie needs me….”

  “I get it, Mason. You don’t need to explain, and, Caden, do what you’ve gotta do. I’ll understand either way.”

  The resigned tone in Rick’s voice broke my heart. I wanted it all, but could I have it? Could fate finally be throwing me a lifeline? Whatever happened, I didn’t want us to be apart. The thought of being without them covered my sunshine with dark clouds. I’d discovered hope again in the form of these two men.

  I held tighter to them, but I needed to get out and really think this through too. I needed perspective. Maybe I was rushing into it, pinning all my hopes on something that was impossible, but how would I know unless I gave it a chance? Rick and Mace had given me something pretty fundamental to think about, and even more importantly, they’d given me the option, the choice I’d been begging for.

  “I can feel you tensing up.” Rick’s voice was quiet, soothing me as if I’d bolt if he spoke at a normal volume. “What is it? Talk to us.”

  “I think I just need to get out and clear my head. Maybe talk it out with my dad.”

  Oh shit. Dad. How could I leave him?

  My heart sank. There was no way I could do it, not when he’d already lost everything. Those dark clouds rolled in and surrounded me once again. Like the callous bitch she was, fate was just taunting me, nothing more. The doorway I thought was open slammed shut in my face, forcing me to acknowledge my harsh reality.

  I couldn’t have a future with these men. I didn’t have the option. While Dad was in Florida, I was going to have to be there too. My breath caught and I swallowed back the disappointment swamping me. I pulled away and wrapped my arms around myself, instantly missing their warmth and protection. My voice choked, I forced out, “I need to think.”

  Rick nodded, but concern played over his features. He must’ve seen something in me—although it wouldn’t have been hard, as devastation had to be radiating from me.

  My shoulders slumped and I turned my face away.

  “Fair enough,” Mace replied, ever the reasonable one. “He should have input in your decision, especially because of Gracie.”

  “It’s not as easy as saying move in with me when we’re spaced out across continents, is it?” Rick lamented.

  I wished it was. I wished we had the chance, but the more I thought about it, the less convinced I was that we could make it work. It just wasn’t doable. I couldn’t leave Dad without any family, even if he was so distant. Especially if he was.

  I couldn’t bring myself to break it to Rick though. What’s the saying? Hope springs eternal? My hope had died. I thought I’d seen flashes, glimpses of it since the two men before me had walked into my life, but I was wrong. It was gone. The thought of destroying Rick’s hope as well was too much. It hurt like a kick to the nuts. “I have to work some stuff out,” I mumbled.

  “Go, C. We’ll look after Gracie. Take all the time you need. Maybe let us know in a few hours when you think you’ll be back.” Mace squeezed my shoulder and stepped back, putting more distance between us.

  It was a pretty accurate analogy of how I saw my very near future going—the two men before me standing strong as I turned my back and walked away.

  Taking those steps and walking out of the house after I’d collected my running shoes felt so much like I was saying goodbye. It killed me doing it, and I had to force myself not to look back over my shoulder.

  Chapter Eight

  Riccardo

  I watched him leave, taking a piece of my heart with him.

  Mason stepped close and held out his arms, waiting for me to step into his embrace. I looked at him, really took in the man before me. Physically, he was gorgeous. Tall and strong, lean muscle and a sculpted face that was far too pretty for his own good. Didn’t matter what was on the outside, though—his heart was far more beautiful than any looks could ever be. I wrapped myself around him, resting my face against his shoulder. Nuzzling him, I breathed Mason in and held tight as I fought back tears.

  Caden wasn’t going to come to New Zealand. I knew that. Mason knew it too, and I gathered Caden did as well, if the pain radiating from him was any indication. I’d help as long as I could, as long as he’d let me. It wouldn’t be easy to persuade him, especially not if what I feared came to pass. Waiting for Caden to tell us we were over before we’d even had a chance to experience “us” was like standing before the executioner.

  Gracie’s cry had me trying to pull away from the security of Mason’s arms. “Let me get her,” he whispered against my temple, and suddenly, even in his embrace, I felt very alone. He wasn’t choosing her over me—I knew that logically—but it didn’t help knowing that I’d be the one walking away, alone in the very near future.

  “Go,” I rasped, my voice thick from the lump lodged firmly in my throat. Trying to swallow around it, I pushed out of his arms and moved to the side of the corridor, allowing him to pass. When I was alone again, I looked to the front door, the direction Caden had traveled. He was long gone.

  Anger, frustration, and a hell of a lot of desperation rose in me like floodwaters, threatening to drown me. I needed to do something, anything to get the emotions out before I did. A punching bag would’ve been ideal, weights even better, but Caden didn’t have either.

  Gravitating to the kitchen, I reached for the potatoes and the peeler. Cooking was a comfort for me, a reminder of the home I’d left long ago in search of adventure. Mama had passed on her nonna’s family recipe for gnocchi, and I’d memorized it before I’d even hit my teens.

  I tried not to slam cupboards as I looked for a pot big enough to boil water in to cook the potatoes, but I didn’t succeed. Finally finding it, I yanked it out of the cabinet with more force than necessary and pressed it into the sink. White-knuckling the pot, I breathed deep and tried to cool my temper. I wasn’t angry—I was powerless and scared. And knowing that terrified me even more. If I was hurting now, how bad was it going to be when this went to shit?

  Taking a deep breath, I ground my teeth together and filled the pot halfway before moving it to the stove top. I returned to the potatoes, the slashes of the peeler against the white flesh of the vegetable rough and quick. When I’d peeled the entire three-pound bag, I dropped them into the boiling water and stared, watching the pot reheat and begin bubbling. I don’t know how long I stood there for, but Mason’s hands around my waist and the warmth of his breath against the nape of my neck had me leaning into him.

  “We’ll figure this out, Ricky. I know it doesn’t feel like it, but we will. We came here to bring our man back, and I’ll be damned if I let him walk away so easily.” The strength in his voice, his conviction, made something in me unknot, but I didn’t dare hope it could be true.

  “I know,” I whispered, my voice hitching. “But it might not be enough. Then what?”

  “Then we face it together.” Mason hooked a finger under my chin and turned my face to his, sincerity shining in his eyes. I fell into their comfort, my
own eyes sliding closed as he brushed his lips over mine. We stood like that for what felt like eternity, me wrapped in Mason’s arms as we made out right there in the kitchen until I was kiss drunk.

  I blinked my eyes open and saw his warm smile, the sight lighting me up inside. Whatever happened, I knew we’d face it together. His strength gave me the courage to face whatever the future held, and I soaked it up.

  “Unless you want the potatoes to disintegrate into sludge, I think they’re cooked.” Mason smiled before brushing his lips over mine.

  “Oh shit, the potatoes.” I laughed, having forgotten all about them.

  “What are you making? Let me help.” Mason eyed the mess I’d made, and I waved him off, moving over to collect the peelings.

  “Gnocchi.” I’d wanted to get in there and release some frustration, mash the shit out of the potatoes and slam pots and pans around, but the fight had seeped out of me. Now I just wanted to look after my family, to cook for them. “You can mash them if you want. I’ll check on what I can make the sauce with.”

  “Sure.” Mason grinned and I knew he was pleased. Knowing how happy I could make him just by cooling my jets had me smiling too.

  “What was up with Gracie?” I asked from the dry storage pantry as I shifted canned goods around. Caden didn’t even have tomatoes, so dried herbs, butter, and garlic were going to have to do.

  “Just a dirty nappy. She fell asleep again as soon as I changed her.”

  We talked, Mason mashing the potatoes in a glass bowl and me digging the flour out of the pantry. Shifting to the refrigerator, I grumbled. It was empty. It was no wonder he’d been struggling—he hadn’t even been eating.

  “Damn it, Caden.” I blew out a breath and closed my eyes, trying not to get upset over the empty place where food should’ve been. “He has nothing in here, and I need eggs.”