3. Tucker

CHAPTER 3

Scowling at the screen in front of me, I don't know whether I want to throw it out the window or walk away. As volatile as I'm feeling right now, it might meet the pavement below.

I've been out of sorts since meeting Windsor James yesterday. Tanner might know what he wants with her, but if we hire her, then it won't fucking matter. We have a strict no-fraternizing policy. If we break it, then everyone else can also. It'll be office orgies for the foreseeable future.

"We can't hire her," I hiss at my brother for what I'm sure is the tenth time today.

"We are," he keeps arguing with me.

"No."

"You can keep going all you want, brother, but it's happening."

Glaring at my twin, I say the one thing we've both been avoiding all morning. "Then you can't fuck her."

"You mean we, and, yes, we can. We made the rules, we can fucking break them."

"I'm not interested," I emphasize again.

Tan doesn't respond after that. He knows me well enough to tell I'm lying. The reason, however, is one only I know.

Rather, one I should know.

I don't have one.

Not a fucking clue as to why I'm so resistant to her. Aside from becoming our employee, she is everything we typically look for in a woman—intelligent, curvy, determined. A sexy-as-hell submissive waiting to be awoken is hidden behind the curiosity in her eyes. She is the perfect partner for us.

After looking her up and doing a deeper background check, I was able to learn even more about her. And about the sisters she spoke of. I will keep that information to myself until I get a read on whether she'd be interested in it or not. I suspect I'll incur her anger either way.

The sisters, Lux and Cecily James, are both only children of different mothers. Neither knows about the other or about Windsor. Lux is a maternity nurse who floats between hospitals throughout the city. She lives on her own, but she's close to her mother. Cecily has been a 911 call operator since she graduated from high school and lives with her mother, who, by all accounts, still has some sort of relationship with their father.

It would appear that Windsor and Lux are the ones who missed out in the dad department. Not that Cecily's relationship with the man is anything to write home about, but he's more present in her life than her half-sisters. And it angers me. Enrages me, actually.

If my own father had been as absent as this man, it's likely our lives would have turned out much differently, especially our little sister Arden's. That woman is not one to be messed with when she gets invested in something. It's because of the love from our parents that she has always had the confidence to be herself, do what she wanted, and not care about what anyone else had to say about it.

It's the same for Tan and me, too. Enlisting in the army hadn't always been our plan. I don't know whose idea it was, but our parents encouraged us and were proud when we told them. We did three tours before retiring and began learning the ins and outs of Graham Shipping and Exports. We served our country, and now we're serving our family.

"Did I mention we're taking her for dinner?" Tanner chimes in, standing across from me, an envelope in his hands and a smirk on his face.

"You're an asshole." Sitting back in my chair, I glare at him. Anyone else, and they'd shrink away. Not him, no, he smiles like a proud fucking peacock about to mate.

"We need to leave now so we're not late." I'm going to literally kill the man. Slowly. Painfully. Without remorse.

"I'm not going," I grumble, focusing back on the spreadsheets I've been staring at all fucking day. How the hell is it dinner time already?

"The car is meeting us downstairs. Do not make this woman wait on us because you're being a difficult prick." My eyes shift from the screen to my brother, who has lost his amused smile and is now sporting the same look that told me in tenth grade that we needed to stick up for some kid being picked on because shit was happening at home and Tan didn't think he could handle anymore bullying.

It's the same look he gave me when we were in the trenches that saved our lives and those of our teams when we were ambushed.

Fuck. "Fine. I'll be down in five." With a silent nod, he turns on his heel and exits our office, where I hear him speaking with Kathleen about tomorrow's meetings.

After shutting down my computer, I stroll to the closet and grab a fresh suit. I get changed and fix my hair in the bathroom. Running my fingers through it all afternoon has made it a little wild-looking, and I know Tan will give me shit for it.

Rolling up the sleeves of my crisp white dress shirt, I button the blue vest and make my way out of our office. After saying goodnight to Kathleen, I follow Tanner onto the elevator, and we ride down in silence.

It's not until we're in the car that he speaks to me again. "I know you're against this dinner because we're hiring her, but I think that's a mistake. I think she could mean something to us, and I need for you to lose the attitude and be nice to her." His eyes, the same cerulean-blue shade as my own, shine bright with emotion he can't hide. "I've followed you our entire lives, Tucker. Let me have this. I know she'll be good for both of us."

I give a sharp nod. Tan doesn't ask for much from me. The least I can do is listen when he believes this woman could be our future.

Tanner

Tucker is pissing me off in a way that he hasn't since we were children and fighting over the attention of Arden when she was an infant. We've had the pleasure of sharing several women over the years, but none have felt as right as Windsor.

There was an immediate connection with the woman, and if I'm honest, even though I'm not sharing it with my twin, it's half the reason I want to hire her.

I want her close. I want her to be in our presence on a daily basis. A lot of that has to do with the walls Tucker has seemed to build up around himself over the last few years. But it's also because of Windsor herself. There's a hurt I can see inside her, and I want her to have the opportunity to get to know us as well as we all need to so we can form a lasting relationship.

Never in my thirty-odd years did I imagine that I'd be the glue in our relationship, but here I am, and I'm willing to put in the work because I know it'll be worth it in the end.

"Holy shit," Tuck mutters as he gets to his feet at our table.

Glancing up, my eyes are immediately drawn to Windsor as she's led to our table. She looks stunning in her white dress. It's on the more conservative side, with long sleeves and the hem ending at her knees, but it's the plunging neckline to her belly button that has me tongue-tied. White stilettos adorn her feet, and she holds a black clutch in her hand as she approaches.

"Wow," I whisper when she's in earshot. A beautiful blush crawls up her throat and blooms in her cheeks.

"You look…magnificent," Tucker compliments, and I'm not sure who's more shocked, me, him, or her. "Have a seat." He pulls out her chair so she's sitting between us.

"Thank you." Her soft tone grips me by the balls. I fucking love how submissive she is. Nothing is more attractive than a woman who enjoys relinquishing control to her men. I don't believe she realizes she wants it yet, but we'll help her along with the knowledge.

"Was the drive all right?" I ask, at a loss for words and rational thought, it would seem.

"Yes. Traffic was busy as usual, but nothing exciting happened." She gives a teasing smile as she glances at me.

Tucker has his hand over hers on the table, and I feel irrationally jealous. Not about him touching her, but because I'm not.

Reaching forward, I brush her hair back over her shoulder, and the image of kissing up the side of her throat while we're making love to her body bombards me. I have to bite my tongue to stifle a groan.

"Would you like something to drink?" I finally ask as Tucker begins rubbing her hand.

"Pink Moscato?" She bites her dusky mauve lip, and I'm jealous again. I want to do that.

Jesus, I need to get a grip. Raising my hand for our server, I relay Windsor's order, and she's gone just as quietly.

"Sweet," Tucker half groans, and I know exactly what he's thinking. Just like her. I'm sure she will be. It seems my brother is listening to my request to be on his best behavior.

"I've never been a fan of the dry stuff. Or reds. My mother and I used to sit on the roof of our building and pretend we were fancy debutants drinking the richest of sweet wines, when in reality, it was a ten-dollar bottle of Moscato from the corner store." The affection in her tone is precious. She could dwell on the loss of her mother, but she's choosing to remember the love she feels for her instead.

Her blush returns when she realizes we're both silent. "That sounds like a good time to me," I finally reply, and I'm not lying. Playing pretend while being with someone I love sounds just about perfect.

"It was. Even when she got sick, we'd still do it. Our drinks turned more to juice as the medicine got more potent, but it was our thing."

Tucker lifts a hand and wipes under her eye, brushing a tear away. "She sounds like she was a special woman. I wish we could have met her."

"Thank you." Quiet settles around us until the server arrives with her drink and a refill for ours before disappearing again.

"I promised you the contract and salary package." Grabbing the envelope from the opposite side of the table, I retrieve the paperwork. "This one is the salary and benefits package, and this one outlines and details your contract. Your job description, company policies, rules…all the not-so-fun stuff."

"You don't need to sign anything tonight. You can take the time to read it through and come to us with any questions you might have or amendments you may want," Tucker informs, scooting his chair closer to her.

Her face heats, and her eyes lower as she fidgets with some of the papers before clearing her throat and taking a drink of her wine. "I, uhm, I hate to ask this…"

"Anything," I implore, moving closer to her as well. Christ, I want inside her body, but it's more than that. I want to know everything about her, especially what she's thinking right now.

"Would it be possible to get a small advance on my salary?" She doesn't look at either of us as she asks this.

When I open my mouth to speak, Tucker raises a hand to shut me up as he fields this. "What for?" Good call.

I know she's about to lie before the words leave her mouth. "Just some bills that are backed up. With Mom's treatments, I often had to pick and choose what was going to be paid, and now, the collectors are wanting money. It's just a few hundred dollars. I'll work overtime or weekends to make up for it. I really hate to ask." Her voice is fragile, and I hate that she's had to worry about anything while her mom was getting treatments, and still, she lost her.

"Yeah, we can manage that. I'll get it wired to you first thing in the morning," I respond, and I can see the wheels turning in my brother's head already. He's every bit as taken with her as I am now.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Graham. I can't tell you what that means to me." Her smile is nearly blinding, and I can't help but hook a finger under her chin and draw her attention to me.

"Don't ever be afraid to ask us for anything, Windsor. We'll always give it to you." It's evident from the way her pupils dilate that she registers my meaning how I intend, and I can't wait until I get a taste of her.

We spend the next few hours eating and getting to know each other as she asks a few questions while skimming through the contract. When she reaches the part about no fraternization, her shoulders slump slightly. Tuck and I share a grin because that means she's disappointed about being unable to explore this connection.

Good thing we're the bosses; we can make changes when and where they're needed. After settling on a start date and talking her into accepting a wardrobe allowance so that she's dressed appropriately and comfortably for the office, we take her home.

Windsor

I think I won the jackpot. Tanner and Tucker Graham are going to be amazing bosses. All I need to do is get rid of these pesky hormones, screaming that I take them to bed. This is truly a first for me. I don't know how to respond to myself, let alone them.

"What are you doing?" I blurt out as we stop in front of my building, and they both get out.

"This isn't exactly the best neighborhood, Windsor. We want to walk you to your door." Tucker scowls down at me. Gosh, they're so tall—a full head and a half higher than me.

"Oh." My eyebrows dip. "Okay."

Shoving the envelope under my arm, I begin walking to the building. Pulling open the front door, I hear them grumbling behind me but ignore it as I lead them to the stairs that take us up to my floor.

"No elevator?" Tanner asks.

"No, it's never worked as far as I know." I smile at them over my shoulder only to find both of their eyes glued to my ass. Grinning to myself, I add an extra sway to my step, almost forgetting that they're off-limits.

Entering the third floor, I hear the locks disengaging from Joe's apartment and tense as we approach my door. I don't want this encounter. Not tonight, and not with these men here.

"This is me." I force a cheerful tone as I unlock the flimsy deadbolt and push the door in. Awkwardly, I turn and stare at them, hoping Joe doesn't appear and praying that they both do and don't try to kiss me goodnight.

My body is at war with my mind, and it's not a fun battle to be in the middle of.

"Well, goodnight, and thanks for dinner." I slip the envelope on the table inside my entryway just as Tucker takes a step forward. There's a predatory gleam in his eyes that makes my breath catch.

"Tucker," I whisper, but he doesn't retreat. One hand slides around my waist, and the other cups the side of my neck as he leans down slowly, giving me the option to pull away. I'm frozen. Torn between what I want and what's right.

When our lips finally touch, I melt into his arms, which makes it easier for him to pick me up and enter my condo. Vaguely, I register the door close, the lock engage, and somehow, we're on the sofa, and I'm straddling Tucker's lap as he devours my mouth.

Warmth seeps into my back as my hair is brushed to the side. Another set of lips begins moving softly along my throat, and I let out a little mewl of pleasure. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine being with two men at once, but it would seem that's what they're into.

"Wait," I gasp. "Please." They stop kissing me but leave their hands where they're placed. "You, uhh, you have a no-fraternization policy." I want to smack myself for that.

"You haven't started working for us yet," Tanner murmurs in my ear.

"Haven't even signed the contract." Tucker nips at my jaw.

I want to ask what that will mean once I do those things, but I'm too afraid of losing the pleasure their wicked touches promise.

"Okay," I hear myself responding.

Before long, they've stripped me naked, and someone nibbles on my neck as they carry me to my room, where I'm ravished until the sun rises.