Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 76647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Trust.
Why was that so damn hard?
My legs released his hips as I lay there trying to catch my breath. I didn’t want Carter to know what we’d just done, or that I’d now had intimate moments with two different men. He’d tease or judge me, or worse. Tristan wasn’t worried, but he was Carter’s best friend. And it was different for men. They were admired for the same things that women were shamed for.
Footsteps sounded in the hall, and Tristan climbed off me. “Take all the time you need,” he said, before moving away, presumably to head Carter off. They went into the kitchen, and I took a few moments to gather myself.
If that were even possible.
My body still tingled with arousal and excitement, but my mind was full of conflict. Had Tristan proven me wrong? He’d certainly shown me how good a kiss could feel, but was that because of the kiss itself or because I liked and cared for him? Or did it matter?
It didn’t make any sense.
But then the back door opened, and moments later, I heard Drew speaking to the others. Then Zeus had his cold front paws up on the cushion next to me. “No more kissing today,” I whispered when he licked my cheek.
Then I pushed myself up. Time to get cleaned up before lunch.
I’d figure the rest out later.
18
CARTER
“We need to talk,” I said to Tristan and Drew after breakfast. Sierra had volunteered to take Zeus out, so it was just the three of us.
“Is this about the solar panel company?” Tristan asked as Drew looked up from the sink where he rinsed the plates. “You were right to walk away from that offer. They’ll come back with another offer. They need us as much as we need them.”
“It’s a win-win,” Drew added.
I rolled my eyes. “Not about that. Meet me out by the wood pile after lunch.”
Tristan opened his mouth to ask a question, but I cut him off. “Your work wife isn’t invited.”
Then I strode out of the kitchen, ignoring the glances I knew they’d exchanged behind my back.
“What’s this about?” Tristan asked.
“Our houseguest.” I’d brought the axe, but I didn’t begin splitting logs.
“I’m not sure I’d call her a guest anymore,” Drew said. “She’s here to work, just like we are.”
“Nevertheless, she’s causing friction in the group.”
Drew rounded on me. “So, what are we going to do, throw her out in the snow?”
Tristan held up a hand. “Just hear him out.”
“Thank you. It’s not her fault, but it’s thrown us off stride. Since it doesn’t look like she’ll be leaving any time soon, we need to figure out how to deal with it so we can get our work done—and so she can, too.”
“What’s the problem?” Drew asked. “We work during the day, and so does she. We drink and watch movies at night, and so does she. What’s the issue?”
“Well, first off, she’s pigeon-holed each of us. She’s fit us into certain slots.”
“What do you mean?” Drew sounded skeptical.
“For starters, she thinks of you like a little brother.”
That cut the wind out of his sails. “No way. Siblings don’t do the things we’ve done together.”
“Yeah, but she doesn’t see it that way. If she did, she’d freeze up on you, like we’ve seen her do many times. But she’s convinced herself that you two are just joking and playing around, so it’s okay.” They didn’t think I noticed the glances and playful touches they sometimes exchanged, but I did.
“He’s older than her,” Tristan said.
“Doesn’t matter. She thinks he’s friendly and fun, and above all, safe.”
Drew didn’t look pleased with that assessment.
“What about me?” Tristan asked.
“You’re her peer. Her work colleague.”
Neither of them looked happy, but if they thought about it, they’d see it was true.
“Couldn’t it be that she actually likes me?” Tristan asked.
“She does. She likes both of you.” But only because they fit in nice, neat roles that made her feel safe.
“So, what slot has she put you in?” Drew asked me.
“That’s easy. She thinks he’s the devil,” Tristan said instantly.
“Yep.”
“Really?” Drew hadn’t proved to be a very astute observer of human nature, but I gave him a pass because it was clear that he was besotted with Sierra.
“She sees him as the personification of sexuality. That’s why she hates him so much.” Tristan tried, but he couldn’t hold back a smirk.
“That amuses you?”
“Hell yeah. How many times have I seen women falling all over you just because of the way you look? It’s a real pleasure to meet one who takes one look at you and runs the other way.” Okay, he had a point there. But it would’ve been nice if Sierra had been one of the ones to appreciate my charm, not resent it.
Drew still wasn’t up to speed. “But you’ve barely spoken to her. How can she hate you?” He paused. “Wait, is that why you’ve been so damn quiet? Because you know how uncomfortable you make her?”