“I get it. If things were reversed, I’d feel the same. I married my ex because she was safe, you know?”
“Safe?”
“I cared about her, but I didn’t love her. Loving someone is . . .”
“Like throwing yourself into the middle of a tornado and hoping you survive?” Xavier said dryly.
“Something like that. It’s being vulnerable and shit. Stuff I don’t do well. I lost people I cared about when I was in the marines, I didn’t want to go through that again. When Linda, my ex, left, I was upset over the humiliation. She cheated on me for years and I had no idea. I was a failure who couldn’t hold onto my business. I’ve always put myself first. I was driven to build my business. I’m set in my fucking ways. I had all these ideas about Juliet before I even met her based on how much money she had. Yeah, all my life I’ve put myself first. That’s been my problem. Why did you never make a move on her?”
“Because I was stupid,” he said honestly. “When I first moved back here, I was a mess. My mind was in a dark place. I didn’t want a relationship. When I had to, I’d go to the club and scene with a sub. I like to be in complete control. That need grew after . . . after the incident that brought me back to Wishingbone. I didn’t even realize I have feelings for her until recently. And I never thought I deserved her. Figured she needed someone who would give her gentleness, who would let her be in control, let her call all the shots.”
Brick snorted. “She doesn’t need that. She feels better when she has rules and boundaries.”
“I never saw that.”
“I get it, she seems delicate, but underneath she’s very strong.”
“I would never have dreamed of spanking her. Then to find that she lets you spank her, that she wants it . . .” He shook his head.
“You’re an idiot.”
The words were said without malice or glee. Just matter-of-fact. And yep, he was an idiot.
“She loves you. She’s loved you for a long time, I’d say.”
Xavier sucked in a breath. “She loves you now.”
“Yeah,” Brick said with an easy smile. “She does. Didn’t know I could feel like this. Feel this love. Feel this secure.”
Xavier didn’t get where he was going with this.
“She means everything to me. I want to put her first. Her needs.”
“What are you saying?”
Brick looked at him full-on. “I think we should share her.”
26
Xavier gaped at him.
What?
Seriously?
Had that just happened?
Xavier suddenly became aware that he was staring at Brick with his mouth open. He probably looked like an idiot.
“Are you insane?”
“Likely,” Brick admitted, taking a sip of beer. “But you have to admit, it has its advantages, right?”
“And its disadvantages.”
Brick nodded. “Not saying it’s the easy option. I could’ve just let you leave without saying anything. I’m sure with time, she’d get over you. And I’d have her all to myself. That’s the option that would be easiest. Only thing is, it’s also the option that leaves us all miserable. At least for some time. Juliet, because you’ve left. You, because you don’t have the girl. Me, because I can’t stand to see my girl hurting.”
“You’re doing this for her.”
“It ain’t for you or me.”
Xavier sucked in a breath. “You really do love her.”
“More than anything. I’ll do whatever it takes to make her happy.”
“Even if it means sharing her.”
“Yeah, man. I actually shared a girl with a friend, back when I was far younger. I was in the marines, so I was away a lot, and she hated to be alone. The relationship itself was actually pretty good. He could be there for her when I couldn’t. And vice versa. It has its downsides, too, of course. But if you set up ground rules and have good communication, I think it can also work really well. It only ended because we weren’t really in love with each other. Not like I love Juliet. I’m willing to put the time and effort in to make this work. If you are.”
Was he?
What was the alternative? Never see her again? He drank his beer. “I need something stronger.”
“I’ll go get it, give you a minute.”
Xavier thought about it. It couldn’t work, right?
Except, it did for Archer and Doc with Caley. They made it look easy, even though it couldn’t be. Not with Doc involved. And they were brothers.
But what if it could work? Then he’d have Juliet. All he had to do was share her.
When Brick returned, Xavier met his gaze. “You really think it could work?”
“With communication. We’d need to be united on most stuff. And if we weren’t, we’d keep arguments away from her. We’d probably have to arrange our own time with her, as well as spending time together with her. We’d have to be a real family, meaning you and I probably need to spend time together too.”
“You really have given this a lot of thought.”
“Yeah, man.”
Xavier nodded. “I’ve got friends who are in a permanent ménage, we can talk to them as well. If you want.”
“I think that would be a good idea.”
“And Juliet? If she doesn’t agree? If she doesn’t want to do this?”
“I don’t think we have to worry about that,” Brick told him. “She loves you, loves us both. There are a few things we should talk about and go through. Some rules. She’s not experienced. At all.”
Xavier gave him a surprised look. “You mean you two haven’t had sex?”
Brick shook his head. “Not yet. We’ve played around a bit, but nothing more.”
That made perfect sense.
He let out a deep breath, feeling a sense of hope and rightness. Something he hadn’t felt in a long, long time.
“Then yeah, I’m in. I’m completely in.”
“Good, then let’s go over some rules.”
“Angelique, if you don’t drink your water then you won’t get any cake,” Juliet scolded her naughty doll.
“Angelique is being naughty again, huh?” Brick asked.
She didn’t look behind her as she was too busy dealing with Angelique. “When isn’t she naughty, Daddy?”
“Rather like some other little girl I know.”
“Missy? She’s not as naughty.”
“I think he meant you, Twink,” an amused voice added.
With a gasp, she turned and saw Xavier standing in the playroom with Brick. She flushed red. She didn’t know why, it wasn’t like he hadn’t seen her in Little space before. But it felt different with Brick here.
Wait. Why were they here together?
Brick had been acting a bit odd lately. But she’d put it down to her own headspace. She’d been sad since Xavier said he was leaving. But it wasn’t like she had any right to try and hold him here.
She stared from one to the other. “Xavier? I didn’t know you were here.”
“I invited him over.” Brick shocked her with that news. Did this have something to do with him having to go out last night and today? “That okay?”
“Yes, of course. I . . . are you staying for dinner?”
“I thought he could stay the night.” Brick moved into the room then kissed her gently on the lips.
She glanced over at Xavier, who had moved to the sofa as though he belonged here. Well, he’d been here often enough. But this was still kind of weird.
“I like your outfit, Twink,” Xavier told her, running his gaze over her with a nod. “Cute.”
“Been trying to get her to wear something other than black dresses that cover her,” Brick told him. “But she won’t wear anything out of the playroom.”
“Maybe take it in baby steps. Why don’t you wear that to dinner?” Xavier asked her.
What was going on? Why were they talking like this?
“It’s only going to be us,” Brick told her. �
�Elias and Sterling are having dinner in the pool house. Which means I’m cooking, unfortunately.”
“I could cook,” Xavier offered.
“Perfect.”
Juliet moved over to Brick, grabbing hold of his shirt. The move wasn’t lost on Xavier who narrowed his gaze at her. But she tugged at Brick, who leaned down.
“What’s going on?” she whispered.
“Trust me?”
“Of course.”
“Then just go with it. I promise, everything will be all right.”
He cupped her cheeks between his hands and kissed the tip of her nose. “Now, what say we build another fort?”
Xavier watched Juliet. Poor thing looked overwhelmed and confused. But after speaking quietly to Brick, she’d thrown herself into the fort building.
She really did look cute today. She was wearing a short blue and white striped skirt that barely covered her ass. And when she bent over, he saw blue ruffly panties underneath. Her top was white with ruffles down the sleeves.
They’d discussed whether to just come out and tell her their plans, then after speaking to Caley and the two Docs today, they’d changed their minds and decided to show her a reunited front first. To prove that this could work.
He watched as she and Brick built the fort. But then Brick looked at him, nodding towards her.
Xavier stood. “Twink, can I help?”
“Of course,” she said, in a far more relaxed voice. “I want one with two levels, then I’m going to put a moat around it and have mermaids in the moat.”
“Sounds like fun. Shall I get your bath mermaids?”
“Yes, Xavy! Get them!”
He had to grin over how loud and excited she sounded. But mostly, over how relaxed she was.
Two levels wasn’t exactly easy to achieve. They ended up using the sofa as the second level and Brick grabbed some tall lamps from downstairs to drape blankets over. Cushions around it formed the moat, and mermaids swam in the depths. Finally, Brick found some pieces of wood in the garage to make into the drawbridge.
Juliet grabbed an outfit from her costumes and got changed in the bedroom. When she returned, she was wearing a pale blue princess dress with lace sleeves, she wore a tiara and fairy wings. And she carried a wand.
“I’m a magical fairy princess,” she declared. “And I’m going to defend my castle from the naughty, evil pirates trying to take it over.”
Brick rubbed at his chin. “Would pirates try to invade a castle? Don’t they tend to stick to sailing the seven seas looking for buried treasure?”
She pointed the wand at the other man. “We don’t need your logic here, smelly pirate!”
Xavier had to grin. “Have some imagination, man. There’s hardly likely to be mermaids swimming in the moat of a castle, either.”
“You two naughty pirates need to hush!” she cried then she grabbed some swords for them. “Begone, stinky, ugly pirates!”
“I feel personally attacked,” Xavier exclaimed, sniffing at himself.
Brick grinned at him. “Well, I didn’t want to say anything . . .”
Suddenly, something hit him right in the face. He let out a surprised yelp then glanced down to find it was one of Juliet’s soft toys.
She raised her wand into the air and let out a mighty roar. “Loyal soldiers! Unite! Defend the castle!”
“Oh, it is on!” Xavier yelled back. “You’ll walk the plank, wench!”
Juliet gave him a maniacal grin. Just before she flung another soft toy in his face.
Brat.
For the next hour, Xavier didn’t stop grinning as he played the part of a smelly pirate, come to raid the mermaid castle. While Juliet yelled at her toy soldiers and pretended to fight them both off.
“Die, you ugly, smelly, syphilis-ridden mongrels!” She pretended to kill them both, piercing their chests with the plastic swords she’d taken off them. Both men died dramatically, slumping onto the floor. She jumped on Brick’s stomach, making him groan as she giggled.
“I think I need a nap,” Brick sat up with her in his lap.
Juliet giggled. “Poor Daddy, he’s so old.”
“Hey!” Brick protested. “Brat.” Placing her on her back, he tickled her until she cried for mercy and lay back on the floor, gasping for breath.
“Gotta pee.” She climbed to her feet, leaving the two men alone.
Xavier sat up and looked at Brick. “Thanks, man. You don’t know what this means to me.”
Brick nodded. “I know. But mostly, I’m doing it for her.”
“I know, I just want you to know, I’m committed to this. I’ll do whatever is necessary to make it work.”
“Good. Me too.”
Committed to making what work?
She knew she shouldn’t have listened, but she couldn’t help herself. She crept away when they didn’t say anything more.
There was definitely something going on. Why were they so friendly all of a sudden? What were they keeping from her? She didn’t want secrets between them.
This was all rather odd.
But since Xavier was here, and the last thing she wanted was for him to leave, perhaps she shouldn’t question it.
After peeing, she walked back into the playroom.
“Duchess, I thought we’d keep Xavier company while he cooks dinner.” Brick held out his hand.
She glanced down at princess fairy outfit. “I should change.”
“No,” Brick replied firmly.
“Wear what you have on, Twink,” Xavier told her. “Please. For us.”
Well, barnacles.
“Okay. I will.”
“Been meaning to ask where Twink came from,” Brick said.
Xavier’s lips twitched. She studied him for a moment. There was something about him . . . he seemed lighter almost. Happier? She wasn’t entirely sure.
“It’s short for twinkle toes,” Xavier said.
“Ah. Because she’s clumsy?”
“Exactly.”
She huffed. “It could have been because I’m light on my feet.”
They both just stared at her. She wasn’t that clumsy. She had that thought right as she tripped up over a cushion and nearly went headfirst into the fort.
About an hour later, they were all seated at the dining table. She was sitting at the head of the table. Brick had put food on her plate. Shepherd’s pie with green beans and garlic bread.
“Thanks for this, Xavier. It looks delicious,” Brick told him.
It did look and smell delicious. But she didn’t know how she was going to eat with her stomach tied in a knot. She glanced from one to the other as they dug in.
“Eat, Duchess,” Brick urged.
“Is there something you don’t like?” Xavier asked.
“No, I love it all.” Something he already knew. She picked up her fork.
“Do you need me to feed you?” Brick asked.
“N-no.” She glanced over at Xavier then shifted around on her seat.
“Do you need to go potty?” Brick asked.
“Brick!” She went bright red.
“Everyone has to pee, Twink.” Xavier grinned at her.
Ass. She glared at him. “Do you have to go potty?”
“Nope.” He popped a piece of garlic bread into his mouth. “Now, eat.”
“I don’t know if I like the two of you ganging up on me.”
“Well, you certainly seem to need it,” Brick told her, pulling her plate closer. “Think it will take two of us to look after you.”
She sucked in a breath, freezing. “What’s going on here? Why are the two of you acting like this?”
They shared a look with one another, but didn’t say anything.
“Tell me,” she urged. “I deserve to know.”
“She’s right,” Xavier told Brick. “I thought it would work better this way, but we’re confusing her.”
“What is it that you’re committed to making work?” she asked before thinking better of it.
&nb
sp; Xavier raised his eyebrows. “Were you eavesdropping, Twink?”
“I, um . . .”
“That’s very naughty,” Brick said. “I think she should spend some time in the corner for that.”
“I agree,” Xavier said.
“What is going on here?” she cried, starting to feel completely overwhelmed.
They must have seen it too, because they both winced. Then Brick reached for her, drawing her onto his lap. Xavier moved into her chair and leaned across to take her hand in his.
“Everything is all right, sweetheart,” Xavier soothed.
“I’m confused. You’re both acting odd. Where were you today?” she asked Brick. “And was Xavier with you?”
“Yes, he was. We went to Sanctuary Ranch.”
“Why?”
“To talk to Doc, Archer, and Caley,” Xavier told her.
“About what?”
“Being in a permanent ménage,” Brick told her.
She took in a deep breath. “Are you . . . do you mean . . . oh.” She couldn’t make her brain work in order to get the words out properly. She was completely flabbergasted.
“I’m going to ask you a question, Duchess, and I want you to answer me honestly. Can you do that?”
“I guess so.”
“All I want is your honesty, remember? No lies.”
“No lies,” she repeated.
“Juliet, do you love Xavier?”
“W-what?” Had he really just asked her that.
“Juliet, do you love Xavier in the same way you love me?”
27
Do you love Xavier in the same way you love me?
That was the last sentence she was going to hear. She was certain of it. Because her heart was about to seize up. There was no way Brick had just asked her that.
Right?
Because there was no way he could know. She hadn’t let it slip in her sleep, had she?
Oh God. She was going to lose him. She was going to lose Brick.
“Juliet. Juliet, look at me. Fuck.”
“Maybe we should have waited,” Xavier said, sounding stressed. “Maybe she doesn’t want this. Want me.”
Her Daddies’ Saving Grace Page 28
