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M aggie felt numb the next day.

Part of her was aware that Jack hadn’t once smiled at her. Or spoken to her directly. If she was capable of feeling much, she’d be upset by that.

By her stupidity.

Why hadn’t she just told him she’d love to go on a date but that she couldn’t ice-skate?

Instead, she’d run away like a fool and hidden in a bathtub.

Who did that?

People who really liked bathtubs, she guessed. And her.

She’d barely slept last night. She’d suffered from nightmares. And at one stage, after a particularly bad one, she’d woken up feeling like someone was watching her again.

Maggie, you are losing your mind.

Yep. She sure was.

When Uncle Willy knocked on her door at four in the morning, it had actually been a relief. Last night, he’d decided that they were getting up for some early morning shots in the desert. He wanted different shots at different times of the day.

Normally, she hated early morning starts, but it wasn’t like she’d been getting any sleep anyway.

“Here, let me take that,” Ian said, walking up to her with a frown as he reached for the bag she was carrying. Suddenly, he paused. “I mean, if you want me to.”

He was acting so strange that if she wasn’t so exhausted and numb, she’d be more upset.

Wait . . . did she like Ian’s bossy and domineering ways?

She really was losing it.

“I’ve got it. It’s my job.” Even though her body was burning with fatigue. At least that meant she was feeling something.

Ian opened his mouth to argue, then he shut it abruptly.

“Maggie, dear, let’s go,” Uncle Willy yelled, clearly excited.

“Okie-dokie.”

What she wouldn’t give for her bed and some sleeping pills. She hadn’t brought any with her, though. She was scared of using them too much. Of becoming reliant.

But she also needed sleep.

As they walked, Ian hovered close by. Maybe she should have let him carry the bags. Already, she could feel her body protesting. Her hip was going to give her some real grief tonight.

However, this was her job. She couldn’t become reliant on these guys. And it was helping keep her warm. The desert in the early morning was chilly.

Against her better judgment, she looked back over her shoulder at Jack.

He stared back at her. His face cold.

Ouch.

Just as well you’re numb, huh?

Right. Totally.

Four hours later, and she could barely keep her eyes open. Thankfully, Uncle Willy had waved her away from doing any more modeling so she no longer had to smile and pretend to be all right.

Because she wasn’t. She really wasn’t.

It was growing warmer now that the sun had risen. She glanced at the bruise on her wrist. It had faded but still looked ugly, so perhaps she’d better not take off her sweatshirt.

“Take it off,” Ian growled from behind her, making her jump.

“Pardon?”

“Your sweatshirt. You’re clearly too hot. Take it off.”

“You know I can’t.” She glanced over at Uncle Willy.

“I doubt he’ll notice the bruise, he’s too busy. And maybe he should see it so he doesn’t grab you so hard again,” he said quietly.

She shot him a hard look.

“You’re going to overheat, faint, and end up in the hospital.”

“Wow. Talk about jumping right to the worst conclusion. And what happened to you being less bossy?”

His jaw clenched. “I’ve been trying. But seeing you run yourself into the ground and risk your health is not something I can remain quiet about. If that means you hate me . . . so be it.”

She sighed. Ian was right. She was too hot. She could feel how flushed and sweaty she was, and it was pretty gross. Plus, Uncle Willy was super distracted.

So she took off the sweatshirt. Underneath, she wore a black T-shirt with a sparkly zebra on the front. Okay, so in hindsight, if she knew she was going to take her sweatshirt off, she probably wouldn’t have worn this T-shirt.

But it was done now.

Ian barely ran his eyes over her before moving them back to her face, anyway.

She knew he wasn’t interested in her. Although, it kind of hurt a bit.

Maybe this is how Jack feels. You need to apologize to him.

“I don’t hate you, Ian. Having a lack of social skills is nothing to be ashamed of. And it’s something else to mention to that therapist.” Reaching out, she patted his arm.

Instead of frowning or growling at her, relief filled his face. Had he really been worried about her hating him?

Silly man.

“And I, um, you don’t have to change who you are around me. I know it’s killing you to hold back from bossing me around. I don’t want to punish you or anything. What you said . . . it was mean and unnecessary. But I get it. I do work for my uncle and it probably looks like I skate through life?—”

“Hey, no. It doesn’t look like that at all. I made a fast judgment and opened my fat mouth. I have seen how hard you work. Too hard if you ask me. You look exhausted.”

“I didn’t get much sleep last night.” She glanced over at Jack, who was peering around their surroundings, on alert. As though he fully expected a commando to jump out from behind a sand dune and start attacking them.

“What happened? Did Jack say something to you?” Ian asked.

“No. Why would you think it was Jack’s fault? No, this is mine. He asked me on a date.”

“A date?” Ian looked so shocked that it kind of hurt her feelings.

She wasn’t hideously ugly. Was she? And even if she was . . . she was a good person.

Mostly.

All right, she smelled a bit right now, but she didn’t always.

“You sound shocked. You don’t think he should want me?” she asked in a small voice.

“No. Wait. What? It’s not that. It’s just that he and I . . .”

“Oh my God. The two of you are in a relationship?” How had she not picked up on that?

“Yes, we are. I didn’t think he was actually going to . . . um . . . never mind . . . ”

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to come in between you two. I would never do that . . . I said no if that helps. But I suppose it doesn’t. I’m sure he wasn’t trying to cheat on you.”

Was she, though?

“Cheat on me . . . no.” He shook his head. “Wait, you’ve got the wrong idea. We’re not in that sort of relationship.”

“There are other sorts of relationships?”

“Yeah.” Ian sent her a look. “You know that most people who live here have harems, right? Several men and one woman?”

“Yes, of course. Do you mean . . . oh . . . you’re in a harem together? You have a girlfriend?”

“No. Not yet. But one of the reasons we moved here is so we could pursue that sort of relationship. Find a woman for the three of us.”

“Three?”

His face grew clouded. “We’re trying to convince Jameson to, uh, join us.”

Right. Of course. Wow. The woman who earned the three of them would be one lucky girl.

And that’s not going to be you.

Because, obviously, you’re out of their league.

Even she wasn’t believing her own lies anymore.

“I need to go talk to him. Don’t worry, I’ll make this right.” She moved away from Ian, ignoring his demands that she come back.

Seemed he was back to normal.

Jack looked over at her, then around the landscape as she approached him.

“Didn’t take Ian long to revert to being bossy again,” he said.

She might have been relieved that he was talking to her if he wasn’t speaking in a completely monotone voice.

“Probably just as well he’s back to normal. Holding back was likely making him constipated,” she said.

Yikes.

Why was she talking about Ian being constipated?

“Or giving him an ulcer. It can’t be easy for him to hold in all his demands. He was probably born bossy. Came out of his mum’s . . . vagina . . . all . . .”

“Do you need me to stop you from talking?” he asked curiously.

She sagged in relief. “Yes, thank you. Although I really wish you’d stopped me before I said the word vagina.”

“Wanted to see how far you’d take it.”

“The answer is always too far. Jack, I owe you an apology.”

“No, you don’t.” He sounded reasonable. But he wasn’t looking at her. And he hadn’t once smiled.

This wasn’t her Jack.

“I do.”

“You don’t want to go on a date. That’s your prerogative. I accept that.”

He was saying all the right words, but he sounded all wrong.

She breathed out a deep sigh. “It was the ice-skating.”

Right.

So her plan was just to blurt it out. Good job.

“What do you mean?”

“I can’t . . . I don’t ice-skate anymore, and the idea of it . . . look, I reacted stupidly and I’m really sorry. Okay? It didn’t have anything to do with you. I’d love to go on a date with you, although Ian said you’re in a harem with him, but without a girlfriend. Since I know he doesn’t want me, well . . . I guess we could go as friends or something.”

She managed to rein in her rambling. Just. Holding her breath, she waited for him to answer.

But at least he was now looking at her. Uncle Willy glanced around suddenly. She stepped forward. Was he looking for her? Did he need her for something?

“Maggie, dear, could you get me some water?”

Shoot. How had she forgotten to keep him hydrated?

“Coming!”

“I’ll get it.” Jack reached for her arm, but she managed to get around him.

“My job. I’m good. Thanks. Nice chat. Toodles.”

She smacked her forehead as she rushed to the cooler bag before Ian could get there.

“Why are you hitting yourself? Stop that,” Ian scolded.

She rolled her eyes. “You’re getting predictable, you know.”

“What? Here, let me. You should be resting, not running around after your uncle.”

“That’s my job.” She had to fight hard not to make a snarky comment. She was better than that.

Or she liked to pretend that she was, anyway.

After taking a bottle of water to Uncle Willy who reassured her that he’d be ready to leave soon, which could mean in ten minutes or two hours, she spun back around. Only the world tilted dizzily.

Shoot. What was going on? Her head thumped as Ian and Jack suddenly appeared in front of her.

Whoa. That was almost too much for her poor brain to take in. The level of hotness was off the charts.

“Um. What’s going on?” She ran her hand tiredly over her face. To her surprise, she saw it was shaking.

“See what I mean?” Ian said.

Huh? What did he mean?

“Yep,” Jack replied. “We need to deal with this. Now.”

“What? What are the two of you talking about?”

To her shock, they each took one of her hands and led her back to the slightly shaded area where they’d put their stuff.

Ian pointed at her. “Sit down in there.”

“What? Why?” She turned to look at Jack. “What is going on with the two of you?”

“Do what he says,” Jack said firmly.

Okay . . . that was odd. But she decided it was best to go along with what they wanted.

She sat in the shade. It wasn’t that much cooler, but it was nice to be out of the sun. She closed her eyes for a moment. She could almost have a nap right here. If her head would stop thumping, that was.

A yip of shock escaped her as she felt someone pull her slightly forward. Then something cool was pressed around the back of her neck.

“Too cold.” She batted at it.

“Stop that,” Ian commanded. “You’re too hot. You need to cool down.”

“It’s not that hot out here,” she mumbled.

“No, it’s not,” Ian said. “So, why are you already dehydrated?”

“Am not. Take that back.”

“You are,” Jack added.

Someone grabbed her arm, and she felt a chilly substance touch her hot skin.

Opening her eyes, she gaped at Ian as he started putting sunscreen on her.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

He just shot her a look. Right. It was obvious what he was doing.

“Why?”

“You’re going to get sun-burned without sunscreen.”

“I already put some on.”

“Hours ago,” he pointed out. “It’s probably worn off by now.”

“Here. Drink this.” Jack handed her an open bottle of water. She stared at it.

Maybe she was delirious. Perhaps she’d fainted and this was some sort of strange dream.

Usually, she dreamed about horrible things. Death. Disfigurement. Being a disappointment to her family.

Oh, yeah.

That last one wasn’t a dream.

If she ever had happy dreams, they were about being left overnight in a candy or a toy shop. Or becoming a world-famous yodeler.

You know . . . regular stuff.

Not this.

Not where two gorgeous men were doting on her, acting like they cared.

Something welled in her throat. It felt like fear. Sadness.

Because this wasn’t her life. People didn’t want to look after her like this. They expected her to be strong. To toughen up. To act her age.

What was so good about being twenty-five? She’d rather be three. Sassy and carefree. Where no one expected anything of her and she could eat chicken nuggets and chips for every meal.

Now, that was a good dream.

“Open up,” Jack said.

Why was he being so bossy? Wasn’t that Ian’s gig?

“Baby girl,” Jack said. “Open your mouth for me. Now.”

Yikes. That was said in such a dark, delicious tone that it sent a shiver up her spine, and she automatically opened her mouth.

Both men shared a look that she couldn’t decipher as she drank several mouthfuls of water. As she started drinking, she realized how thirsty she was.

Jack drew the bottle away and she reached for it. He lightly pushed her hands away. “You need to take it slow.”

“But I’m thirsty.”

“Because you were dehydrated,” Ian said as he finished with the sunscreen. “When was the last time you drank something? Ate?”

Hmm.

Interesting question.

Jack swore. “If she has to think about it this much it was too long ago.”

Ian nodded grimly. “Agreed. I’ll get her an electrolyte drink.”

“I’m fine with water.” Electrolyte drinks tasted gross.

But Ian didn’t answer, he just walked off.

“Jack? Jackie? Jackster?”

Jack stared down at her. “Uh, yep?”

“Are you still mad at me?” she whispered. “Please don’t be mad at me.” She sniffled and gave him big puppy eyes.

His own eyes widened, then narrowed. “Are you trying to play me?”

“Who, me?”

Reaching out, he grasped hold of her chin. “Don’t ever lie to me, baby girl. Understand?”

“I . . . I wasn’t lying. I just . . . don’t want you to be mad at me.”

He grinned suddenly. “Luckily, I’m not. Well, not about you telling me no, anyway.”

“You’re mad about something else?” The tears that threatened to fall actually weren’t fake. She felt like she was at the edge of what she could take. The rollercoaster of emotions over the last two days was getting to her.

“What did you say to her?” Ian snapped as he kneeled next to Jack, facing her. “Why does she look like she’s about to cry?”

“She’s upset because I’m upset with her.”

“Well, of course we are.”

She took in a shaky breath.

“Look at how she’s neglected her health,” Ian grumbled. “Unacceptable, Little girl. If it wasn’t equally our fault that you’re in such a state, then you’d be over my knee getting your butt spanked.”

She groaned, closing her eyes. “I can’t believe you just said that.”

“Why? You deserve it.”

Was that really the only reason he thought she might protest? Opening her eyes, she looked up at Jack. He looked like her Jack again. Except for the sternness in his eyes.

“Jack? Can you tell Ian that he’s nuts,” she implored.

“And why would I do that when I agree?” Jack asked.

Holy. Heck.

What was happening right now?

“You guys can’t spank me. We’ve had this conversation, Ian.”

“If you put your safety or health at risk, then you should be punished. It will deter you from doing something similar in the future.”

God.

She should be reacting in anger. Outrage. Right?

She might be a Little, but that didn’t mean she wanted a stern Daddy Dom. She wanted an indulgent one who let her get away with whatever she wanted.

Or at least she thought that was what she wanted.

However, the way she was reacting to their words was telling a different tale. Something was wrong with her.

Perhaps she actually was dehydrated.

“Unless spanking is a hard limit. We can always come up with another punishment,” Jack added.

Hell’s bells.

“Open up,” Ian said, holding up the electrolyte drink.

“I can hold the bottle myself,” she said, reaching for it.

“You can,” Ian replied. “You won’t.”

“You know that I’m not . . . I’m not your sub.” As soon as she said the words, she wished them back.

Why did she have to point that out? It wasn’t like they didn’t know. And she liked having them fuss over her. Even if she could do without the spanking threats.

Now, they were going to back off and she’d be on her own again.

They grew silent, sharing another look.

“But you are our charge while you’re here,” Ian said.

Right. A responsibility.

Woo-hoo.

She felt a stab of sadness before she pushed it aside. Even if they didn’t want to be with her, Jack had asked her on a date. And Ian could barely take his eyes off her.

Their obsession was totally obvious.

Any doubts were shoved into that box in her head. The lock on it was wearing thin. But it was holding for now.

If it ever cracked open, she’d probably go bald and crazy. But that was a worry for another day.

“I need to check on Uncle Willy. Make sure he’s drunk his water.”

“He’s a grown man,” Ian told her. “He can take care of himself. Drink more of this.”

“I’m a grown woman,” she pointed out. Not that she wanted them to stop fussing.

“No comment.” Jack grinned at her. “And your uncle looks like he’s packing up. So unless you want him to come over here and find Ian forcing that drink down your throat, you might want to drink up.”

“Fine,” she grumbled. “But I liked you both better when you were less bossy.”

“You like me no matter how I am,” Jack replied.

“And you said you didn’t want me to change who I am.”

She rolled her eyes. But it was true. She liked them both.

Too much.