5. Tanner

CHAPTER 5

She starts today. Windsor will be in our building. In our office. With us all day long. We've delayed a few meetings, had some construction in the office in the week since we last saw her, and now she's going to be here.

Kathleen thinks we've lost our damn minds, but ultimately, she's gone along with everything we've wanted. Even Tucker isn't so fucking grouchy, and today, he's got a spring in his step. Something he hasn't had in far too long.

We both share regret over leaving Windsor after our night together. We'd planned on taking her to breakfast and then out shopping. Instead, we got a call from our father saying he was on the way to the hospital after a fall. He hadn't wanted to worry a pregnant Arden, so it was up to us to ensure he was cared for.

Thankfully, he's fine. His high blood pressure is making him a little more fragile than he likes. Even with the meds, he's having a hard time of it. It took a lot of convincing and some tears from our sister before he agreed to a live-in nurse to help him around when he was unable to maneuver on his own.

"She's here," Tuck growls, sounding like his normal angry self again. I don't think he can help it. Tucker was shocked at the way Windsor gave herself over to us, the way she responded to our touch. I know it left him off-kilter, but he's been determined ever since to make sure she'll be comfortable here.

"Good morning, dear." At Kathleen's voice, we both look up as she leads Windsor into our combined office.

"Oh, wow! This has sure changed." Her eyes land on us as she says this, and I grin when I spot the bloom of pink on her cheeks. I can get on board with seeing that more often.

"We had some work done since you were here last," Tuck offers, that fucking scowl on his face again. I'm gonna deck this asshole.

"I see that. Was it already planned?" she asks as she walks in front of her new desk, running her finger across the plaque with her name and position: Windsor James, Senior Administrative Assistant.

A faint smile plays at her lush red lips. The lipstick she's wearing makes me want to mess it up with my cock between them.

"Do you like it?" My voice grows deeper with the thoughts swirling in my head.

"I do." She gives me her eyes, and I find pleasure in them. "I have this ready for you." Placing her purse on the desk, she pulls out an envelope and hands it to Tucker, who is closer to her.

He takes it, his scowl deepening when he sees what's inside. I assume it's the contract, and she's signed it. "Any questions?" I ask when my brother drops it on my desk.

"Nope. It was quite clear. I was hoping I'd be able to take a tour of the floors I'll be most frequent on, though. Perhaps Kathleen could show me around, introduce me to some staff?" Her smile is charming but doesn't reach her eyes. Did she want us to protest the contract?

"Oh, I'd love to. Jessica from Human Resources brings in the most delicious muffins on Monday mornings. Let's go snag one before everyone steals them away." Windsor matches Kathleen's excitement and follows her out of our office.

"Why do I feel like she's just taken over the company?" I mutter to Tuck, who stares as dumbfounded as I feel at how they left.

"Probably because she's got us by the balls," he groans, dropping into his chair and pinching the bridge of his nose.

Staring down the hall after them, I watch as Kathleen hooks her arm through Windsor's, and I recognize that she'll enthrall this office the same way she has my mind. This woman has no idea the power she has behind her stunning smile and intelligent eyes.

Fuck, I'm going to love watching her grow in our company. She's the welcoming gift we've been needing for a long fucking time.

Tucker

Windsor is diligent in her work. Not only does she record our meetings while taking notes, but she also poses questions to clarify information by writing them down and showing us. She's wicked smart for someone who's never worked before.

My resistance to hiring her is a memory I wish to forget. She's an asset we've been missing. As much as we love Kathleen, she doesn't seem to have the keen eye for detail that Windsor does. Which is fine; she brought other things to the table that we will miss. Like her wry sense of humor and ability to calm an angry client and manipulate almost anyone into doing what we want.

For the last hour, Kathleen and Windsor have been at the older woman's desk with their heads together, laughing occasionally. They are getting Windsor caught up on all the systems we use and setting up a company email for her.

"Dinner tonight?" Tan asks as he leans a hip against my desk, watching the women in the lobby of our floor.

"If she'll go for it." After being faced with that signed contract, it felt a bit like she's off limits now. She put distance between us, and I think that has a lot to do with the fact that we didn't call her after our night together—a mistake I'm sure we'll come to regret.

Tanner glances at me and raises a brow. "You think she won't?"

"I think she signed a contract. I think she's a rule follower, and we made things pretty clear by not calling her, given the date she signed it was yesterday."

My brother lets out a string of curses and storms off to the elevator, startling both women as he slaps the button to go up. They stare at him before looking back at me. I can only shrug as he enters the car, more than likely heading up to the company gym to work off some steam.

I should go with him, but I'm fascinated with watching Windsor work. The tinkling laugh when she figures out how to do something. The slight crinkle in the corner of her eyes as she listens to Kathleen speak. There's this tiny mole on the side of her neck, right under her jaw, which has captured my attention as well. I don't know how I missed it when I was kissing every inch of her body.

I feel a pulsing need to taste it now, to discover if she has more and where they are. I need to know every inch of this woman's body, and I can't do that if she rejects us.

I'm on my feet before I've even decided to ask her for dinner tonight—to celebrate her first day is what I tell myself, but it's pure greed on my part. I want her sole attention on Tanner and me. I need it like I need air to breathe.

This woman has us in knots, and usually, I'd want to untie myself, but I have the feeling with Windsor, I'll only want to tighten the cords.

"Help you with something, Tucker?" Kathleen shoots me a sly smile with her words, knowing me well enough to understand it's Windsor's attention I desire.

"Yeah, Windsor, we'd like to take you out for dinner tonight. Celebrate your first day here." I give her what I hope is a charming grin.

Crimson blossoms in her cheeks before her eyes meet mine briefly. "Uhm, thanks for the invite, but I have plans with some friends already. Maybe I could order in lunch tomorrow instead?" Her offer is innocent enough but laced with meaning. She thinks I'm crossing the line because of the fucking rules we set in place.

"Sure, sounds good. You can order for the entire office." Aggravation. Not only do I wonder who these friends are, but I'm annoyed she turned me down. Slapping the button for the elevator, I follow Tanner upstairs.

Windsor

Blowing out a deep breath, I cringe when the elevator doors close behind Tucker. He appeared so hopeful that I would dine with them again. It was only self-preservation that I hadn't agreed. I wanted to. Badly. But not only is it against company policy, it'd be bad for my heart. The poor thing is already catching feelings for my handsome twin bosses, especially since I haven't been able to stop thinking about our night together.

I grow flush with desire every time I sneak a peek to study either of them without being spotted, which isn't often because I've found them watching me just as frequently. The attraction between the three of us is combustible, and I want to light a match and ignite.

Kathleen knows what's up, too. The woman is whip-smart and has caught on to the tension in the air. Thankfully, she hasn't commented on it, and I believe that's only because today is my first day. But I don't think she'll hold out for too long.

"Where do you plan to go for dinner?" she asks once we're alone again.

"Oh, uhm, it's a surprise, I think." I'm not completely lying. I am going out for dinner, but it's by myself and in a hospital cafeteria.

I found out which hospital Lux is working at right now, and I'm hoping to catch a glimpse of her while I'm there. I've decided that I want to meet my sisters.

"Well, isn't that lovely of your friends?" I hum my agreement before asking another question to distract her. I don't think it works too well; this woman should have been a spy.

By the time the day is over, I still haven't seen Tanner or Tucker again, so I leave a note on each of their desks, thanking them for a wonderful first day and that I look forward to tomorrow.

Grabbing a cab, I head to Hell's Kitchen and the hospital Lux is working at this evening. I've spent the last week staring at a photo of her, and she's beautiful. Long blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and lips as red as Snow White's. She's a beauty and looks nothing like me, which makes me question if my mom was wrong and we're not actually sisters.

Entering the building, I follow the signs leading to the cafeteria. Of course, I realize she might never come down here, but I figure the least I can do is spend a few hours, read a book, and see if I get a glimpse of her.

I'm aware of how stalkerish that sounds. Keenly aware, but I'm just not ready to introduce myself to her yet. I could be some kind of catalyst for ruining her life, and I'd hate myself forever if I did that. I detest being the one holding this secret, though.

Two sisters.

I existed my entire life without them; it wouldn't be hard to go the rest of it the same way. But I have no one. No family left. The friends I do have are busy with their own lives and have drifted off while I was grieving. So, no, I wouldn't call them friends at all.

The hospital is like any other as I leisurely walk the halls, smelling of antiseptic, groaning, and a haunting feeling that makes me cringe. I'm incredibly grateful my mother didn't die in one. I don't think I could do this if she had.

Forging through the swinging doors, the smell of food hits me, and my stomach groans, reminding me I was too nervous to eat my lunch today. After placing an order for a turkey club, garden salad, and a slice of cheesecake, I grab the closest table and wait for my food.

Glancing around, I notice doors leading out to an inviting and relaxing garden. There are bookstands against one wall, lots of foliage, and plenty of empty seating. I've never seen anything like this one. Typically, hospital cafeterias are cold and sterile—in my experience, anyway.

As my number is called for my food, I grab a bottle of water and a coffee as well before sitting back down again. Mixing the Santa Fe ranch dressing into my salad, I carefully stir it so the leafy confections are well-coated. After taking a bite, my stomach clenches in delight, thanking me for the sustenance. I eat mindlessly until the salad is gone, surprising myself. I'm not typically a picky eater; I know I have to give my body fuel, but it's not often I finish something entirely before moving on to the next item on my plate.

Mixing my coffee, I hear chatter from the entrance and glance up briefly to see a small group of women in lavender scrubs entering and heading to the order line. My breath catches in my throat when I find Lux among the women.

My heart rate picks up, and I become breathless. My ears ring, and I feel like I might throw up what I just ate. Gripping the edges of the table, I attempt to get control of myself as I watch her order and laugh with her friends.

They sit just a few tables over from me, and while I love that Lux is so close, she is facing me, so I can't openly observe her. I really do sound like a stalker. I can feel myself pale when she glances my way. Her eyebrows furrow, and she excuses herself from the group and slowly walks over to me.

Shit.

"Hi there, are you alright?" Lux pulls out a chair and sits beside me before reaching for my wrists and feeling my pulse racing. "You don't look so well. Are you a patient here?"

Shaking my head, I take a drink of water before answering her. "I'm not. Just came to see someone."

"Your pulse is racing, and you look like you've seen a ghost." Her concern is touching.

"I'm fine, really. It's just she doesn't know I'm here, and I'm afraid," I croak out, taking another sip of my water. "She doesn't even know I exist."

Lux sits back, staring at me as she ponders my problem. "Who is she?" Leaning forward, she listens earnestly.

Blowing out a breath, I debate telling her the truth. She is the one I'm talking about, after all. "Well, the thing is, I have a sister—two actually—and neither of them knows about me. Or I don't think they do. I only learned of them last year."

"Whoa," she whistles as one of the women brings over the food she ordered and leaves us alone.

"Yeah." I don't know what else to say.

Taking a bite of her food, she asks, "What are you going to do?"

I nibble at my sandwich as I contemplate my answer. "I want to know them both. I want to have relationships with them, but I don't want to walk into their lives and upend them, you know? I'm all alone now, and they have family. I don't want to intrude on that."

"Why do you think you'd be intruding? Maybe they would be welcoming?" she counters.

"Would you?" I hold my breath for her answer.

She chews thoughtfully before smiling. "Yeah, I think I would. I grew up as an only child. My dad wasn't around much. My mom is amazing, but she worked so much to support us. My grandparents passed a few years ago. So, yeah, I think a sister would be a blessing."

Relief nearly sags my shoulders, but I'm not ready to tell her that it's her I've been speaking about. "Thank you for that. I've been so nervous because I'd hate myself if I disrupted either of their lives."

"Personally, I don't think that would be an issue. I'd welcome a sister with open arms." Her smile is genuine, but before I can respond, a page goes off, and she and the women she was with rush off with a quick wave goodbye.

I feel lighter and better for having spoken to her. I just hope she meant what she said because after speaking with her for a few minutes and discovering how caring she is, I can't imagine not getting to know her now.

Finishing my dinner, I throw my trash away before deciding to wander around the hospital a little bit. Everything I see makes me think of my mom, and sadness crowds in until I'm forced to leave.

Stepping out into the fresh spring air, I can't wait for summer and picnics in the park—something Mom and I used to love doing before she was too sick for it.

Not realizing how late it's gotten while I was inside, I watch as the sun begins its descent in the sky, tossing about rays of pink and purple that make my heart happy. I've always loved a beautiful sunset.