Page 139 of Theirs to Possess: The Marriage Claim

Now I adjust it a little so that it rests at the hollow of my throat.

Wrinkling my nose slightly, I tip my head to one side to study my reflection. Immediately I straighten again. Mysleek chignon is piled so high that I’m afraid it will topple if I don’t keep my spine straight.

From her little nest on our bed, Calypso yawns and stretches, blinking at me. In the overhead light, her green eyes glint. Then she flicks her tail as I move in closer. “I know. You want us all to stay home.” I reach to scratch her chin.

She’s becoming as spoiled as I am. Brennan stocks her favorite treats, and a constant supply of new toys arrives every week. He’s read up on being a cat owner, and he says he wants to ensure we keep enriching her. Since the housekeeper found no less than twenty toy mice beneath the bed, I suggested he pause the deliveries. He refused.

Cally purrs, leaning into my touch. Like me, she’s content.

On the night my life changed, I couldn’t have imagined that I’d ever use that word to describe myself. After all, my sister’s vanishing act and the fact I’d been forced to fill in for her was the stuff of nightmares. I knew my life would be awful.

But now…

I glance around the bedroom. Like the rest of the house, it’s massive and masculine, though I’ve softened it with the addition of some throw pillows and lighter colored bedding. On a spur of the moment decision, I also bought a divan that I can relax on. Well, when I have a few minutes to myself, something my men don’t allow often.

Some days, I’m bone-tired, my body deliciously sore from their constant, insatiable demands. Our lovemaking is as unique as we are, and Dorian’s commanding dominance, along with Brennan’s raw intensity, leaves me breathless, marked, and utterly theirs.

Despite my best attempts to keep guardrails around mymind and heart, there’s a growing bond that deepens with each shared glance and in every private moment.

In the distance, Dorian’s phone rings.

Another demand on his time.

Softly I sigh, and Calypso stretches, asking for another pet.

With a smile, I indulge her. And it’s a rare treat.

My every waking moment seems to be carefully scripted, and my life has become a whirlwind of obligations and meeting people. Surprising me, I’ve liked most of them.

Even more shockingly, I’m even softening a little toward Dante Moretti. Another thing that would have been incomprehensible a short time ago.

A few times, we’ve had dinner at the Braes County Club with Lucian and Caleb. Since the men who seem to love gambling were seated at our table for the wedding reception, I probably should have expected that they were close friends of Dorian and Brennan.

But just what the nature of their relationship is, I have no idea. I just know that we only meet at the Braes, which only admits Titans. Whatever they talk about when I’m not around is clearly secret.

I’ve even been drafting the syllabus for a literature class I’ll be teaching.

In this moment, things are as wonderful as they can be.

Since that afternoon on the yacht, there have been no more scary text messages. And I haven’t had to see Celeste or Everett. Maybe that’s part of the reason I’ve been able to relax a little.

Well, along with the fact that Dorian has backed my decision not to see my parents. As far as I’m concerned, I did my duty, and they received an obscene amount of money for forcing me down the aisle. I still think it’s grotesque that they sold me off to finance their lifestyle.

Margeaux constantly leaves me messages, asking if we can get together. This morning, I finally gave in, and we’re meeting for coffee tomorrow.

With a whisper, the bedroom door opens.

A little startled, I look up. Then I straighten, making Calypso meow in protest.

Dorian enters the bedroom.

God, he’s beautiful in his tailored black tuxedo that emphasizes his broad shoulders and impossibly narrow waist.

Brennan follows, every inch the shadowed knight in a tux of his own, deep navy in certain light, with a charcoal silk tie.

Their gazes sweep over me in unison.

“You’re exquisite, little one.” Dorian’s voice is graveled with desire, sending heat curling through me. He strides toward me, his gaze tracing the gown’s slit and lingering on the hint of exposed thigh.