Stranded(46)

“Don’t be silly, baby. You have every right to be happy. Yes, you’ve had some hard knocks in the relationship department, but it doesn’t mean you won’t be successful. You need to stop beating yourself up over the Kevin situation. If it was meant to be, he would have fought harder to keep you. Inside he retreated with his tail between his legs.”

India hadn’t thought of it that way. She had been beating herself up over the situation since she’d ended things. “I guess.”

“And don’t let me get started about Steven, the cheating son of a bitch. He didn’t deserve you. You’re better off without him. As for this thing… I don’t really know what to make of it. Have you thought about your living arrangements? How you would introduce each other in public. Any possible children from this…threesome?”

“Well, we’d live together, and if there were children, we’d raise them together. The children would have two fathers.”

“What? Now that sounds strange. Are these two men—”

“No, they’re not bisexual. I told you, they’re just close.”

“Why?”

India had left out the part about their pasts. It wasn’t her story to tell. “They just are. Please, Aunt Val, understand, these men make me happy.”

“Right now, because you’re starved for love, but the three of you were on a deserted island. You could be forgiven for doing what you did. I don’t blame you or them, but I think you’re being a little unrealistic if you don’t think there will be complications.”

Thankfully, the kettle began to whistle, giving India an excuse to leave the table. She fixed a cup of tea for her aunt and placed it on the table.

Val frowned. “Aren’t you going to join me?”

“Actually, I think I’m going to take a walk. I need to clear my head.”

Val grabbed her wrist when India would have walked past her. “I didn’t mean to give you a hard time, but I’m only thinking of your well-being. I don’t want to see you hurt, sweetie. And this could be an explosive situation.”

“I know you’re only saying this because you care, and I’m not mad at you.” She bent over and gave Val a kiss on her cheek to show there were no hard feelings.

She couldn’t be angry at her aunt. How could she, when these were the same doubts that had been assailing her mind since they were rescued?





Stranded





Chapter Fourteen


Rafe tried to concentrate on what was being said in the meeting. This past week seemed to be a parade of consecutive meetings. There was a lot for them to catch up on after being gone for so long. His head throbbed and all he wanted to do was retreat to his office and call India.

He missed her so much it hurt. Every night when he went to bed, he held his pillow tightly against his body, wishing it was her. He’d wake up with his body drenched in sweat, and his cock painfully hard. Whenever he talked to her on the phone, his ache only increased. Hearing her sweet voice only reminded him of how much he needed her in his life.

The problem was, the last time they’d spoke, she seemed distracted, and what was worse, she’d ended the call saying she had to go after only ten minutes. Grant had mentioned her being distant when they spoke on the phone, and Rafe began to worry.

He’d been so certain of her feelings for them. When they’d been on the island, she seemed happy enough to go along with their plans. Now he was beginning to have doubts. The last thing he wanted to think about was her changing her mind.

Was it the media attention they were still getting? He and Grant were still receiving calls about interviews. They were even contacted by a publisher to talk about a book deal. Rafe wanted it all to go away.

“Rafe!” Bill Jensen, the company’s vice-president, snapped his fingers to get Rafe’s attention.

“Huh?”

“Where did you go? I asked you a question about the Harlow project and who you wanted the point person to be on it. Grant thinks Mac may be a good candidate. I’m fine with that. What do you think?”

“I think we need to adjourn this meeting until later this afternoon. My head is killing me and I can barely see,” he answered honestly.

Bill huffed. “Fine. But we really need to get this settled. How about we try this again at three?”

Bill reported directly to him, and since he’d come back, he sensed the other man’s resentment. When he and Grant had been gone, Bill was in charge. Maybe it was time to make Bill partner. After all, he’d proved his worth time and time again.

“Three will be fine. I really appreciate all you’ve done.”