Page 20

KELLAN

“ C offee’s done,” I announce to no one in particular.

The living room is empty. Pouring myself a cup, I take it out onto the terrace where I can drink in the view. God, it’s magnificent. What happened moments ago in the suite was every bit as breathtaking, yet the fallout is already hitting us.

I was sure that once Oscar agreed, everything would fall neatly into place. That illusion lasted all of five minutes before reality slapped us. Oscar’s terrified of pissing Bryan off and tanking both our friendship and the business we share. As much as I hate to admit it, I’m worried, too.

I take a sip of coffee—too hot. “Dammit.” I set the cup on the nearest side table and press my tongue to the roof of my mouth.

“Are you okay?” Alex calls from inside.

“Yeah, I just burned my tongue,” I say.

“Where are Oscar and Makayla?” Alex asks. He steps onto the terrace, suspicion flickering in his eyes.

“They’re probably still getting ready. They should be out soon.”

“Are we going to tell Bryan, then?” Alex asks, his gaze searching mine.

“I don’t know yet. The buck still stops with Makayla. She’ll have the final say.” I pause and take a deep breath. “Oscar has some understandable reservations, as you already know.”

“I’m not sure we should crash Bryan’s romantic weekend with Callie just to announce we all slept together,” Alex says. “That seems like a conversation for several months down the line, when we’ve established that this is going somewhere and require his brotherly blessing.”

“True, but that means lying to him for months,” I say. “I doubt Makayla wants that, and, hell, I’m not comfortable with it, either.”

“You’re not sure if Makayla wants to do what?” a familiar feminine voice asks behind us.

I turn to find Makayla in a mid-thigh-length sweater that hugs every curve. Breathtaking. Every time I think she can’t possibly look better, she shows up in something that proves me wrong.

“Tell Bryan, or not tell Bryan,” I say. “I really think it should be up to you, and we’ll support you either way.”

“So, you think we should?” she asks.

“We should wait to tell him—let Bryan enjoy the weekend with his girlfriend, his hopefully soon-to-be fiancée. He’s still your brother, Kay, and the proposal pressure might make him less understanding,” Alex says.

“I agree,” Makayla says. “Oscar does, too—at least until we know if this thing between us is real.”

“Good,” I say.

“I mean, it could be something—definitely. We just don’t know yet, and that’s okay.”

I chuckle softly. “There’s no right or wrong here, Kay. Relax.”

“Good, we’re all on the same page,” she says, resting a hand on my chest. “I’m glad.”

“You look gorgeous, by the way,” Alex says as he steps behind her, sliding his hands over her hips and pulling her flush against him. He brushes her ear with his lips, whispering something I can’t hear. They both laugh, and Makayla turns in his arms to give him a proper kiss.

“I take it we’ve all reached the same conclusion now?” Oscar asks, stepping onto the deck.

Makayla and Alex pull apart reluctantly. I plaster on a smile, mindful of Oscar’s fragile mood and eager to avoid another argument.

“If you’re talking about disclosing the foursome, you’re right,” I say.

“Excellent. Then we’re good to go.”

I smile and glance around our little party. “Are we? Just making sure.”

Slacks and sweaters for the three of us; a curve-clinging knit dress for our lady—I’d prefer her naked, but tonight’s obligation forces me to behave.

“Yes, we are,” Makayla says.

I guide her back into the suite, my brothers right behind us. “How are you feeling?”

“Wonderful, honestly,” she says, stroking my jaw. “This entire experience has been unexpected but exhilarating, and I have the three of you to thank for it.”

“You don’t have to thank us,” I scoff. “In fact, I think you have it a bit backwards. We should be the ones thanking you, milady.”

She giggles. “Milady.”

Oscar bursts in behind us, breaking up our little sidebar. “I’ve got the room key.”

“I’ll take mine, too,” Makayla says.

She snags a keycard from the TV stand and tucks it into her phone case. Alex holds the door, and we head out. Walking down the hall, a jolt of reality hits me. Out here, our secret feels massive. I’m not ashamed—nothing we did was wrong—but I still can’t touch her, and the restriction chafes.

Oscar threads his fingers through Makayla’s as if it’s nothing, and irritation spikes in my chest.

Something flips inside me; I’ve never felt like this before. I’ve always been carefree, non-committal about sharing women—never cared whose arms they landed in. Jealousy is a door we never open; it only leads to strife. Utter nonsense.

“Hang on.” I snag Oscar’s forearm, giving in to the worst part of me.

Makayla’s brow furrows, so I force a broad smile. Ever perceptive, Alex catches my drift. He dips his head and claims her free hand on the other side.

“Let’s not keep Bryan waiting,” he tells Makayla.

Makayla frowns but still steps aside, letting Alex steer her toward the dining room. Oscar’s irritation is palpable. His glare warns me to spit it out.

“Hey, man.” I tug him behind a towering lobby Christmas tree and lower my voice. “Why are you monopolizing Kay like that?”

“Monopolizing Kay?” Oscar sounds confused. “Whatever gave you that idea?”

“This. The hand-holding in public, for starters,” I insist. “Earlier today, you took her to your bedroom alone.”

Oscar exhales and looks up at the ceiling. “I just wanted a moment alone with her, that’s all. It never bothered you or Alex before.”

“Don’t do it again,” I warn him. “Just because we didn’t say anything right away, it doesn’t mean it was right. All I’m asking is that you tone it down a bit.”

Oscar sighs, clearly wrestling with himself. Finally, he nods. “Alright. I apologize. It won’t happen again.”

I squeeze his shoulder. “Good.” I start for the dining room, but Oscar tugs me back.

“It’s just that this time is different,” he whispers. “She’s different—I can feel it.”

“What are you two talking about?” Alex asks, suddenly at our side without Makayla in tow.

“Where’s Kay?” I ask.

“She spotted Bryan and Callie in the restaurant and dashed ahead to join them,” Alex says. “Am I interrupting something?”

“We’re working some things out,” I explain. “About sharing Kay, to be specific.”

“Oh?”

“Kellan wasn’t thrilled that I wanted a little one-on-one time with her,” Oscar says, dropping his gaze. “I was explaining why I felt I needed it.”

“I see,” Alex says. “There’s three of us, one of her. I completely understand, especially since we’re talking about Kay, not some other woman. Are we all on the same page, then?”

“Yes and no,” Oscar says with a sigh. “But Kellan accepted my apology.”

“It’s delicate, and I’m sure Kellan has valid points. Want my two cents?” Alex asks. We both nod. “Let’s feel this out. With Kay, it’s not just sex—there’s more, whether we admit it or not. Our usual arrangement worked with other partners, but it might not fly here.”

“What are you suggesting, then? That we just wing it?” I object.

I exhale, glancing around the hotel lobby to make sure we’re far enough away from the other guests.

“We don’t usually have these issues, brother, and I don’t want to start now,” Oscar says, frustration edging his voice.

Alex shrugs. “Why don’t we let Kay decide this, too? She already cast the deciding vote about telling Bryan. If we’re debating private time with her, she should have a say in that, too.”

“You're right,” I say, stroking my jaw. I wonder why it seems so different with Makayla. “Who’d have thought polyamory would have us tangled up like this?”

“She’s something else—I get it,” Alex says. “Sometimes I want her all to myself, too.”

“Me, too,” I admit. “I should probably apologize for how I brought it up, Oscar.”

“We’ll figure it out,” Alex reassures us. “I think we all need time to adjust.”

“Adjust to what?” a familiar voice asks from close by.

I pivot and find Bryan inches away, blissfully unaware of what he’s stumbled into. Thank the fucking stars.

“Nothing,” I hurry to explain. “We’re just working out the logistics of sharing a suite.”

“I didn’t think that would be a big deal for you,” Bryan says, confusion knitting his brow. “You’ve shared everything your whole lives, basically. How is this an issue?”

Alex slings an arm over his shoulder. “We just need a little more personal space, that’s all. Don’t worry, Bryan—this weekend’s about you and Callie.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Bryan says. “Honestly, I don’t think I would’ve made it this far without you guys.”

“That’s what friends are for. Now let’s get to dinner—I’m starving,” I say, shooting Oscar a meaningful look before stepping away from the three.

However this trip turns out, one thing is certain.

Everything has changed, especially between us and Makayla—nothing will ever be the same. We don’t yet know how far we can take it, but we do know what’s at stake if we’re not careful. It used to be easier when there were no real emotions involved in this game.