Did he just sniff me?
“Yeah. I guess you could say I am. Well, it was nice talking to you.” She pivoted on her heel, intending to give him a polite brush-off, but he fell into step at her side.
“They’re great guys.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Yeah. I’ve known them all my life.”
“That’s great.” Why is he tagging along with me?
“A woman couldn’t do better than to have them as her mates.”
She swung toward him, her focus momentarily misdirected by the sight of a rabbit standing among the bushes. Wasn’t there a little girl there just a second ago?
“So? Are you?”
She watched the bunny hop off. “Am I what?”
“Are you going to be their mate? Man, if I could have even one of them as my mate, I’d be the happiest man in the world.”
Oh. So he’s gay. The poor kid must have it rough knowing the objects of his affection are heterosexual. Or could they be bi? I should ask. But then again, why should I since I’m not planning on sticking around?
“I don’t know.” Now why hadn’t she said no?
She cared for them and was entranced by The Hidden. But did that mean she’d stay? If she didn’t, would she ever see them again?
“Is it because they’re different from you?”
Pot? Kettle calling.
“How do you mean ‘different’?”
The color in his face washed away. “I can’t say.”
She narrowed her eyes and tilted her head at him in imitation of his gesture. “Yes, you can. Talk.”
“That’s not for me to say. But please remember one thing.”
His obvious concern was mysterious. “What’s that?”
“Remember that no matter what’s underneath, they’re still the same men you’re falling in love with.”
Underneath what? “Wait a second. Who says I’m falling in love with them?” That was impossible, and yet, her heart claimed that it might be true.
“They’re waiting for you, you know.”
This kid is full of surprises.
She craned her neck toward their tent.
“Not in the tent.” He pointed toward one of the cabins built into the side of a hill. “There.”
“And you know this because…?”
“Because they sent me to find you.” He winked at her and hurried off, leaving her with more questions than answers.
They’re waiting for me.
She didn’t want it to, not until she’d sorted out her feelings, but she couldn’t deny that her pulse picked up speed. She hadn’t seen them since yesterday and now she realized how much she’d missed them.
Trying not to break into a run, she strode toward the cabin. Once there, she lifted her hand to knock on the door, then grabbed the door handle, and pushed the door open.
The sun was setting at her back and casting her shadow into the candlelit room. She inhaled the aroma of fresh flowers that filled the big open area and took in her surroundings. The men were nowhere in sight, but red rose petals were strewn along the floor, leading into the big open living area toward one of three doors at the back of the home.
She turned to close the door behind her and saw that several people had stopped to watch her. As soon as they saw that she’d noticed them, they moved on, hurrying about their business.
Damn it all. Is everyone in on this?
She shut the door then turned to face the trail of petals. Here goes nothing. Or everything.
She’d made it to the end of the hallway before the thought hit her. Why did she have the feeling that once, hell, if, she entered the room, that her life would change forever? And if it did, would it change for the better or for the worse?
Go inside.
Listening to her inner voice, she pushed the door wide. The Deacon men, all naked, were in various positions with Blue reclining on a huge bed and Pete tucked into a leather easy chair. Raine leaned against the wall, adopting a suave position and holding a rose in his mouth. White candles of various sizes cast pretty shadows on the walls and flowers filled the room.
She laughed, loving the mix of humor and romance. “I hear you’re looking for me.”
Raine spit the flower out of his mouth. “Damn straight we are.” He cupped his hands over his flaccid cock. “It’s about time you showed up. We were getting cold waiting for you.”
“Really? Because from what I can tell it’s hellaciously warm in here.”
“Get over here and I’ll show you what warm is.” Pete patted his lap.
“Never mind him.” Raine strode over to her and presented the flower to her. “Let me show you how hot it can get.”
Feeling like a princess in a storybook, she took the rose and held it to her nose. But she wasn’t interested in its fragrance as much as she wanted a moment longer to stare at the men.