Page 57

I t was bad fucking timing.

Tobias knew that.

But he also knew it had to be said. Because after what Jenner told her in the truck earlier, she had to be wondering what was going on.

Fucker had really overstepped. Although Tobias couldn’t really be mad. He’d have done the same.

She was going to be theirs.

Their girl.

Their woman.

Their everything.

Tobias waited on her reaction, figuring she either wouldn’t believe them or would try to argue that it wouldn’t work.

He just hoped like hell that she didn’t tell them that she didn’t want that. That she wanted to choose.

Tobias was a confident guy, but Jenner had history with her.

No matter. If she chose Jenner, he could just kidnap her. Eventually, he’d force her to love him.

“Share me?” she said.

“I know it sounds weird,” Jenner told her quickly. “And it might sound like we want to use you, but that’s not it at all. It’s just . . . fuck. Tobias and I talked about it and it seems to be the only solution. To share you. To both be your men, your . . . your Daddy.”

“That’s if you want us both,” Tobias added. He tried not to let his hope and worry show. He needed to keep his emotions tightly under control.

“I don’t think that me wanting you both is the issue,” she said after a long moment. “But sharing me? Would that work?”

“Does if we make the effort,” Tobias said. “You know I want you. Told you that. Been going slow, worming my way into your life, making myself indispensable, doing what I needed to do to make you want me. So then you wouldn’t be able to live without me.”

She just stared at him. “You have? Really?”

He cupped the side of her face. “I’ve been with women before.

But I’ve never had pure sweet and fun. I haven’t had a girl that makes me laugh, that has me thinking about her constantly, that has my guts tied in a knot worrying about her all the time.

Haven’t had a girl that bakes everyone their favorite cookies, who decorates for each holiday like it’s her job and she’ll die if she doesn’t cover every inch of the house.

Nor a girl who gets revenge for slights by making disgusting concoctions and making everyone eat them.

Who worries over everyone in her life, who takes care of them however she can, who gets up every morning and eats up life, spreading sparkles and fucking rainbows just because that’s who she is.

Haven’t had that girl before, because she’s you.

And you’re one of a kind. But no matter that I don’t deserve you, I want you.

I want you so fucking bad that I am going to share you with another man that holds a piece of your heart.

I just pray to God that I have a big enough part of your heart that you’ll let me be a part of your life, too. ”

There was silence.

He couldn’t believe he’d just said all of that.

“I can’t believe you said all that,” she said as though she had heard his thoughts. “I’ve never heard you say that much.”

“Didn’t know you knew that many words,” Jenner told him.

Ass.

But the thought was without heat. For possibly the first time in his life, Tobias was nervous.

Because she could still turn around and reject him.

“You really think that about me?” she asked. “You really see me that way?”

“Of course,” he told her. “Because you are that way. Gotta warn you that if you decide you just want Jenner, I’m not going to back down or walk away. I’m going to fight.”

Maybe it wasn’t the right thing to say.

A better man would back down, walk away, if that was what was best for the woman he loved.

He wasn’t a better man.

“You’d fight for me?”

“Yep. I would.” He glanced at Jenner who was staring back at him. Instead of looking angry as he’d kind of expected, the other man seemed almost thoughtful.

He’d already laid things bare. He had already told her how he felt. But he needed to go one step further.

“I love you, Immy.”

Tears filled her eyes, spilling down her cheeks.

“Fuck! I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“You didn’t upset her,” Jenner said. “She’s happy.”

“Happy? There are tears!”

“They’re happy tears,” Jenner explained.

“What the fuck are happy tears?” Tobias asked.

“Your mom never cried happy tears?” Jenner asked. “My mom did after she left the cult.”

“Don’t suppose my mom ever had much reason to be happy,” he replied.

Immy sniffled. “That’s so sad.”

“Those are sad tears,” Jenner warned. “You might want to turn them around. Quick.”

How the fuck did he do that?

“Stop crying,” Tobias ordered.

Jenner shot him an incredulous look. “Did you really think that was going to work?”

“I was hopeful,” Tobias replied. “But it seems she’s crying more.”

“No kidding,” Jenner muttered. “You know, I was worried about what I’d bring to the relationship. You seem so capable of everything. But I can now see you need me.”

That was pushing it. Although . . .

“Will you just help stop this,” Tobias demanded.

“Immy, look at me. No, look at me.” Jenner reached out and grasped hold of her chin, turning her to face him.

Then he grabbed a tissue and wiped her cheeks before holding it to her nose. “Blow.”

To his surprise, Immy blew her nose into the tissue.

“That’s a good girl. Now, Tobias is freaking out. Tell him why you were crying.”

“He said he loved me,” she cried.

“He did.”

“I’m happy.”

Dear Lord. “You’re really crying because you’re happy?” Tobias asked. Part of him had thought that Jenner was having him on.

“You really love me?” she asked, turning to look at Tobias.

“Fuck, yes, sweetness. I fucking love you.”

“I love you too.”

He leaned down and placed his forehead against hers. Then he kissed her lightly, because he was terrified of hurting her. He drew away and she smiled at him, her eyes shining. Then she turned to Jenner and worry filled her face.

“Share me?” she asked. “Both of you?”

Jenner’s face was blank. Tobias understood what he was going through, waiting to see what she’d say. Or whether she’d choose between them.

“Share,” he said.

“You talked about this? The two of you?” she asked. “Because it seems like you have.”

“When you ran out of the house earlier, we discussed our feelings toward you. And how we were concerned that you wouldn’t want to be with either of us if you couldn’t have both . . . but if you only want Tobias . . .” Jenner looked away.

“I don’t,” she whispered.

Then she gave Tobias a concerned look. Tobias lightly squeezed her arm. “Like I said, babe. We’ve discussed it. All we want is to take care of you, love you, protect you.”

“Jenner?” she whispered. “Do you . . . do you want that?”

“More than anything on this earth,” he said fiercely. “God, Immy, it’s always been you.” He ran his hand down his face. “I have to tell you some things and they aren’t . . . I don’t think I should do it right now.”

“Why not?”

“Because they’re not pretty and I don’t want to upset you. You’re supposed to be resting. Recovering.”

Immy licked her lips. “You want this? A relationship like this?”

“I don’t think it’s as hard for me to wrap my head around as it is for Tobias. Maybe because of the cult. Plenty of the men there had multiple wives. Why can’t you have two men who care about you? Who love you?”

“You love me?” she whispered.

“More than I have ever loved anything in my life,” he told her. “I love you so much, Immy. I think I always have. First as a kid, then an idiot teenager, then even more as a stupid man. I just hope that you love me too and that you can forgive me.”