Page 25

MAKAYLA

“ W hat about this one?”

I point to a spa package that promises a hot-stone massage and a mud facial.

“If you like that sort of thing,” Melanie says, her tone flat, unimpressed by the spa’s entire menu. “I’m more interested in knowing how things are going with the Anderson triplets.”

“Fine,” I mutter, not wanting to get into it. My hackles rise every time their name rolls off her tongue. “Like I said, we go way back.”

“And is that all you’re sharing?” Melanie gives me a cold smile.

“I don’t know what else I can share when there’s nothing to share,” I reply, nervously laughing before I delve back into the brochure.

“So if you don’t like hot stone massages, how about a full body scrub?

I’m told the thermal waters at this resort are so rich in precious minerals that they have biomedical scientists coming in every few months to take samples and develop new cures for arthritis and other illnesses. ”

Melanie pauses, then smiles. “I see you’ve done your homework.”

“I’m just curious by nature,” I reply.

“Sure, we could do a full body scrub. Add a sauna session on top, and we should be golden.”

“Great,” I say, feeling confident that we’ve managed to plot a course of action that doesn’t involve revealing personal insights.

“So, they’re cute, right?” Melanie asks, circling back to my guys.

“Yes,” I admit, but I refrain from saying anything further.

She’s fishing, and I still don’t know what bait she’s after, but I’m not about to spill anything about my life with the Anderson brothers. Still, I need to toss her a bone—just enough to stop the digging.

“Granted, I crushed on one of them back in high school, but the age gap—and life—kept anything from happening. Besides, they’re really Bryan’s friends, so I didn’t really keep in touch over the years.”

“But now you’re sharing a suite with them,” Melanie continues, refusing to let it go.

“It’s just a suite,” I say, setting the brochure down with finality, hoping that will discourage more questions. “You know, come to think of it, I am pretty tired.”

“Sure,” Melanie agrees.

“I hit the slopes for the first time today, and now I’m discovering muscles I never knew I had,” I joke.

“Well, I’ll let you get some sleep, then.” Melanie winks. “If that’s what you really want.”

“It is,” I confirm, offering her my hand. “It was so nice to meet you. And I’ll see you tomorrow, right?”

“I’d like that,” Melanie responds. ’I hear the coffee is really good here.”

“It is. Nighty night!”

I watch her head for the main lobby while I linger near the secondary elevator on the spa side of the resort.

My hand trembles when I jab the call button.

My heart is racing. I feel as if I’ve just walked out of a police interrogation and still don’t know why.

What is Melanie’s deal? Why is she so concerned about me and the triplets?

Maybe she’s just a busybody who wants all the hot gossip.

Maybe she’s more, and the Anderson brothers can help complete the puzzle.

Upon reaching my door, I dig the keycard out of my clutch and I’m delighted to see the brothers waiting for me as I walk in. They seem surprised and pleased to have me back.

“You got back early,” Alex says.

I set my clutch near the door and let out a breathy laugh. “Should I have stayed with Melanie?”

“No, absolutely not. The farther you stay from her, the better,” Kellan says, wrapping me in a hug.

I melt into his embrace and inhale his musky scent; heat flares low in my belly. Yet his warning prickles my nerves. My body wants one thing, but my mind argues for caution.

“What do you mean?” I ask him.

“Nothing in particular,” Kellan says. “She’s just not… Let’s just say she’s not the kind of person you want to be around.”

“She seems nice enough,” I reply. “Although I noticed the sharp edges, too. What’s her deal, exactly? Callie says my brother doesn’t like her, either.”

The triplets exchange concerned glances before they move their focus back to me. The air feels thick, charged with more than the obvious pull of physical hunger—something else simmers beneath it.

“It’s ancient history, Kay,” Oscar says. “Nothing for you to worry about. I promise.”

“Okay, but she’s going to be family. Should I prepare for some kind of crisis in the future? Or what?”

“She wasn’t really supposed to be here, in the first place,” Alex says.

“Callie invited her.”

Alex, Kellan, and Oscar give me stunned looks. Their wide eyes make me burst into laughter because rarely do I see men like these reduced to such wordless creatures. It is almost endearing, if not a tad cute, regardless of their animosities with Melanie.

“Thing is… Callie figured out that this is a proposal trip,” I add.

“I knew it,” Alex hisses. “I knew she’d put two and two together.”

“Did you tell Bryan anything?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “No.”

“Then leave him in the dark. Callie plans to let him go ahead with his proposal. She’s going to say yes,” I reply. “But she really wanted Melanie here with her.”

The brothers look at each other again, and I catch their fleeting frowns; I can almost hear the words they leave unsaid, though I can’t fill in the blanks myself. Whatever it is, it feels complicated and unpleasant. And perhaps we’re too early in our relationship to address it.

“Either way, Kay, if Melanie ever makes you uncomfortable—” Oscar begins, but I cut him off with a dry smirk.

“I think that’s her second nature, to make people uncomfortable. She was already trying to find out if the four of us are an item, so… is there anything I should know?”

“Not at this time, no,” Kellan says.

Yet he won’t meet my gaze, and the avoidance needles me. “Are you sure?”

“Once we’re confident that it is worth addressing, we will,” Oscar takes over. “What did you tell Melanie about us?”

“I said we’re just old friends,” I respond. “What else was I supposed to say?”

“That was the right call,” he says, brow furrowed.

“Oscar, are you sure you don’t want to talk about her? There’s clearly an elephant in the room, and I don’t want to be blindsided.”

He comes closer and gently cups my cheek. “Think you can trust us on this one?”

“I can…”

A single touch is enough to short-circuit my brain, it seems. I’m already putty in these men’s hands, my curiosities and suspicions fizzling away as they circle me like hungry lions. They close the distance, their eyes burning embers as they rake me from head to toe.

“It would be so much easier to enjoy ourselves if we focus on the present,” Kellan says.

“Ah, so she’s from the past,” I conclude, one measly synapse left to ruin the moment.

He rolls his eyes. “Kay…”

“Fine, fine,” I concede with a deep sigh. “We don’t talk about our exes. We make it a rule. Deal?”

“Deal,” Alex says, extending his hand.

I extend my hand, expecting a simple shake, but he yanks me in before I can say another word. Wrapping one hand around the small of my back, he kisses me. I descend into a world of pleasure that seems so familiar, and yet so foreign. It’s only been a few hours since we were last alone together.

I allow my fingers to glide up his forearms, memorizing the strength of his grip. He’s so confident, and it sends thousands of tiny jolts through my whole body. All thoughts of Melanie and Bryan and everything else beyond these walls scurry away to the furthest regions of my mind.

His tender kiss completely disarms me.

“Mhm,” Alex says as he releases me. “I can’t believe we had to suffer through an entire dinner without touching you.”

“I admit it was hard,” I agree.

“Would you like some champagne?” Kellan suggests. “We still have a bottle left over from this afternoon.”

“I would love some,” I reply. “Perhaps I should change into something more comfortable.”

Alex tightens his grip on my waist, pulling me close once again. “Perhaps you should let me handle that aspect.”

“Oh,” I say, momentarily stunned by his candor.

“I think we would all like to handle that aspect,” Kellan says, moving toward me with a fluted glass.

“I wouldn’t dream of saying no,” I say, taking the flute.

I take a sip, and the bubbles shoot straight to my head. Just what the doctor ordered on top of that red wine, but I don’t mind the tipsiness. It brings out the shameless side of me, the woman that looks forward to being fucked out of her mind and claimed by these three gorgeous men.

“Would you like some music?” Oscar asks, ever the gentleman.

“What did you have in mind?” I purr.

“Let’s try something old-fashioned,” Oscar suggests. He pulls his phone out and swipes the screen a few times before the room is filled with soft jazz.

The air thickens, spiced with anticipation. I toss back another swallow of champagne before handing the empty flute back to Kellan. He sets it on the table behind us and casually takes off his shirt.

“Let’s go out to the hot tub,” I say. “I’d like to finish what we started in there with all three of you, this time…”

“Splendid idea,” Alex agrees, nuzzling my neck with his scruffy jaw.

“I knew you’d oblige.”

“Come, then,” Alex says, guiding me toward the porch doors like a debutante headed to her first ball. “Easy breaths, love. The deck lamps are on, but the night air still bites.”

I glance over at Oscar. He’s undoing his cuffs, about to remove his shirt altogether. His broad shoulders, that storm-dark gaze… I love how he’s subtly in charge, yet eager to indulge my dirtiest thoughts.

“I’m thrilled that you’re joining us,” I tell him as Alex holds open the door.

“I wouldn’t miss it,” he promises, walking out onto the deck right behind me.

I turn around, assuming control of the entire affair.

I can kiss who I want, when I want, and guide the orchestra of our bodies through this intimate performance.

I slide a hand over Oscar’s shoulder, stopping him mid-button.

He gazes into my eyes and I see a depth of devotion that I wasn’t expecting.