Chapter Ten

After dinner, I threw myself back onto the lush pillows with a groan.

What in the hell happened tonight?

When I came back upstairs, I checked my reflection to make sure I was still in the same body. The body that had betrayed me earlier.

The body that betrayed me all night.

Something inside me trusted these men already, and trust wasn't something I doled out easily or even at all.

And they were right. I wasn't tired.

I'd gone down to see them. After picking my jaw up off the floor at the size of their kitchen, I sat on a leather barstool at the counter. They had prepared some hot roast beef and Swiss sandwiches, along with too many side dishes to count.

Ansel and Edward wanted to know everything about me. Even though they had gone over the answers to all my questions on the app, they needed to know more. They asked me about my dreams and plans for the future. What I aspired to and my pet peeves.

Not once did they zone out or pull out their phones. Sure, their devices buzzed on the counter across the kitchen, but it didn't stir them—not one bit.

I answered all their questions truthfully, since I now knew they would be able to tell if I was lying.

That kind of put a damper on my coming in and resisting all their charms a bit.

Smoothing down my nightgown, I remembered how my body responded to their commands. I'd never felt outright power coming off of someone in palpable waves, but Ansel had managed to do just that. He called me on my bullshit and, though a part of me felt like a scolded child, most of me wanted to obey every command he ever gave me.

What a weird thing to feel.

Yet, the stir inside me was strangely pleasing. I could easily give into everything they asked because they wouldn't hurt me. Every command would be for my good. To take care of me.

No one had ever taken care of me. My parents had always been busy bringing my brothers to sports and events. They had been popular in school for their looks and for their sports, while I tagged along like an afterthought. Someone they had to bring with them. When I asked them to attend my science fair, they said they couldn't just take off work and come see my little project.

But they dropped everything for my brothers.

I shook my head and tried to push down the memories. It did me no good to conjure up pain.

Getting out of bed, I looked out over the backyard to see Ansel and Edward sitting by a fireplace near the pool. The area was lit up by glowing lights both inside and outside the swimming area. Ansel wore a pair of pajama or lounge pants and had his hair up in a man bun which made me giggle a bit. Edward was less casual with a sweater and jeans on, the same type of outfit he wore to the airport.

Gods, they made my core ache.

Ugh, they were charming and sexy and entirely too nice to be true. They opened doors for me and complimented me more often than I thought possible. Their velvety, bass voices coaxed secrets from me, confessions I told no one. Not even my best friend.

The men sitting by the pool laughed about something and the sound reached right into my chest and tugged at me. Truth was, I wanted to be down there, sitting in one or both of their laps and joining in whatever stories were making them happy.

I didn't understand this pull toward them. This absolute mindless craving.

No. That wasn't me. I didn't need anyone. I wanted to be back in my apartment, surrounded by my books, with Mavis acting a fool somewhere close, knocking over cups or demolishing one of my lamps. That's where I wanted to be.

Not here with their plush bed and their fancy sheets. Not their shower with eight, yes, eight, heads. And the litter box they'd set up for Mavis without even having to be asked.

With their smiles that curled around me and warmed my skin.

Men simply weren't that nice or gentlemanly or kind. They wanted something from me, maybe.

I'd read enough books to know that some men found status out of mating.

Leaning forward, I pressed my forehead against the cool glass and sighed, my hot breath making condensation on the window. Ulterior motives didn't seem like something Ansel and Edward would have. They struck me as genuine and real.

But that's what I'd asked for, right? I'd asked for older men who were wise and caring and had life experience. No games. No fucking around with my mind or my heart.

The two of them got up from their chairs and while Ansel walked into the house, Edward paused before turning around. I sucked in a breath as he turned his gaze up to my window. They had told me earlier of all their heightened senses, so I knew he could see me up here. We locked gazes and even though we were a good distance away from each other, I felt his presence as though he were standing next to me. I wanted them both to be up here. Their strong arms wrapped around my middle. Whispering soothing words in my ear. Holding me until I fell asleep.

I sighed and turned from the window, no matter how my heart pinched with unease.

No.

I came here for one thing and that wasn't to stay or fall in love.

If I couldn't help myself from wanting them, I would have to find a way to make them not want me.

Making people ashamed of my presence seemed to be something I was good at, especially with my family.

I could make Ansel and Edward send me back one way or another.

Tears welled in my eyes at the very idea of leaving them, but staying and falling for them might be even worse.