Page 17 of Falling for Cocky Cole (Shared by the Carter Brothers #2)

IVY

M y tires screech as I take the turn onto the main road too fast, my hands shaking on the steering wheel.

Share me? What the hell kind of proposal is that?

My cheeks burn with indignation, embarrassment, and something else I don't want to examine too closely.

The night air rushing through my cracked window does nothing to cool the heat spreading through my body as I replay Caleb's words: "We both like you, Ivy. And we want to share you."

I should be insulted. I should be furious. I should never want to see either of those smug, presumptuous Carter brothers again. So why am I having trouble catching my breath? Why does my stomach feel like I've just crested the top of a roller coaster?

The road stretches empty ahead of me, moonlight silvering the asphalt. I'm not even sure where I'm driving—not back to my parents' house, not to Grant's. Just... away. Away from the most ridiculous, inappropriate suggestion I've ever received.

Except it's not ridiculous at all, is it? Not to me. Not if I'm being honest with myself.

My foot eases off the gas pedal as the truth crashes over me: I'm not running because I'm offended. I'm running because they saw right through me.

Because over the past week, I've found myself thinking about both of them in ways that made me blush even alone in my bedroom. Cole with his cocky grin and knowing hands, Caleb with his gentle eyes and quiet strength. Wondering what it would be like to have them both.

It's been my secret shame, my private fantasy—the kind you never admit to anyone, barely even to yourself. The kind that makes you clear your browser history afterward, even though no one else uses your laptop.

"Shit," I whisper into the empty car.

I pull onto the shoulder of the road, gravel crunching under my tires. Killing the engine, I sit in the sudden silence, my racing thoughts the only sound. This is insane. I am insane for even considering it.

But the image forms uninvited: Caleb's hands on my waist while Cole kisses my neck. Both of them looking at me with desire, both of them wanting me. Not having to choose between the playful chemistry I have with Cole and the deep, long-burning connection I share with Caleb.

Having everything. Having them both.

My phone chimes with a text—Caleb, apologizing, telling me to forget what he said. But I don't want to forget. The realization is like a stone dropping into still water, sending ripples of clarity through my confusion.

I want this. The thought both thrills and terrifies me.

Taking a deep breath, I restart the car and make a U-turn, heading back the way I came.

My heart thunders against my ribs as the Carters' house comes into view again. Cole's Jeep is gone from the driveway, but Caleb's blue SUV remains. I park beside it, my hands still trembling slightly as I cut the engine.

Caleb opens the door before I even knock, his eyes widening in surprise. "Ivy," he says, my name half question, half prayer.

"Where's Cole?" I ask, stepping past him into the house without waiting for an invitation.

"Getting ice from the grocery," Caleb says, his brow furrowed. "Look, about what I said—don't be mad at him. He was trying to help me. Please just forget?—"

"So, you're not serious about it?" I interrupt, turning to face him. My heart is in my throat, but I keep my voice steady, my eyes locked on his.

He hesitates, and I can see the internal debate—tell me what he thinks I want to hear, or tell me the truth. "It's true that I want you," he says finally. "But if you don't want... that, I completely understand."

A smile tugs at my lips. "As long as you want me, Caleb, let's do it."

He blinks, clearly not expecting this response. "Are you sure?" he asks cautiously, like he's afraid I'll bolt again if he moves too quickly.

"Yes," I say simply.

Caleb takes a step closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "And what about Cole? Should we wait for him?"

"Cole can join us later," I say. "But you and I have ten years to catch up on."

That's all it takes—permission granted, restraint abandoned.

Caleb crosses the remaining distance between us and pulls me against him, his mouth finding mine with an urgency that steals my breath.

This kiss is nothing like the tentative one we shared on the patio.

This is wildfire, consuming everything in its path.

My arms wrap around his neck, body molding to his as if we were designed to fit together. His hands slide down my back to cup my ass, lifting me slightly, and I gasp into his mouth at the feel of him hard against me.

"Bedroom?" he asks between kisses.

I shake my head. "Too far."

He growls, walking me backward until we reach the couch. In one fluid motion, he sits and pulls me onto his lap, our mouths never separating.

My fingers fumble with the buttons of his shirt, desperate to feel his skin against mine. He's more efficient, sliding his hands under my blouse and up my ribs until he reaches my bra. When his thumbs brush over my nipples through the thin fabric, I arch into his touch, a soft moan escaping me.

"Off," Caleb murmurs, tugging at my shirt, and I comply, pulling it over my head and tossing it aside. His breathing quickens as he gazes at me, still in my bra but feeling more exposed than I did even in the barn with Cole.

"You're so beautiful, Ivy," he says reverently, reaching behind me to unhook my bra with a dexterity that might make me jealous if I weren't so turned on. The fabric falls away, and my breasts spring free, nipples hardening in the cool air of the living room.

Caleb cups them in his hands, his touch gentle despite the hunger in his eyes. "I couldn't stop thinking about you after seeing you that night at the barn," he admits, his voice rough with desire.

"They're all yours," I whisper, guiding his head down. "Taste them."

He groans, lowering his mouth to take one nipple between his lips. The wet heat of his tongue sends electricity through my body, pooling between my legs. I thread my fingers through his sandy hair, holding him to me as he sucks and teases.

Wanting to give as much as I'm receiving, I slide from his lap to my knees on the floor before him.

His eyes darken as I reach for his belt, understanding my intention.

I maintain eye contact as I undo his zipper, enjoying the way his breath catches when my fingers brush against the hard length of him through his boxers.

"Naughty girl," he says when I free his cock, wrapping my hand around its impressive girth.

I just smile in response, lowering my head to lick a slow stripe up his shaft. His taste is salt and musk and Caleb, familiar and new all at once. I take him into my mouth inch by inch, my eyes still locked on his, watching the pleasure spread across his features.

"Christ, Ivy," he groans, his hand gentle in my hair.

I'm so focused on the task at hand, on the sounds Caleb makes and the way his thighs tense beneath my palms, that I don't hear the front door open. It's only when Caleb's gaze shifts over my shoulder that I realize we're no longer alone.

Pausing but not pulling away, I turn my head to see Cole standing in the doorway, a bag of ice in one hand, keys in the other. For a heartbeat, none of us moves—a still image of interrupted intimacy.

Then Cole grins, slow and appreciative. "Well, I'm glad you changed your mind."

Caleb's hand strokes my cheek, drawing my attention back to him. "Join us?" he asks his brother, his voice steady despite the flush on his face.

"In just a minute," Cole replies, his eyes never leaving me. "Don't stop on my account."

As Cole moves to put the ice in the kitchen, Caleb gently guides my mouth back to him. "You heard him," he says softly. "Don't stop."

And I don't, my heart racing with the knowledge that Cole will be watching, that this is just the beginning of what promises to be a very memorable night.