Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 51166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Though he grins at his brother’s amusement, Matteo still looks regretful. “Let’s just say we won’t be throwing any more parties here.”
I take a bite of potato and feel my body relax as I chew. A common quality of rumors is that they contain some truth, but have the facts twisted, and it seems as if that might have been the case with all the wild campus stories about Professor Bestia.
After dinner, I insist on helping Matteo clean up. Fiero hovers in the kitchen, however, appearing reluctant to leave me alone with his brother, and when it comes time for me to leave, there is an argument about who will walk me home.
Rumors still fresh in mind, and not wanting to be involved in any new ones, I remind Matteo that we probably shouldn’t be seen together near campus. Hearing this, Fiero claims victory, but I explain that I have a lot of homework, and in the end, I summon a ride-share to save time and avoid problems between the brothers.
They each manage to get me alone for knee-buckling goodbye kisses, Matteo saying he’ll see me in class tomorrow, and Fiero making plans to meet me again in the afternoon.
In the days that follow, I fall into a routine with the Bestia brothers. In the mornings and early afternoons, I have my classes and my teaching assistant job, but Matteo and I discover we share an open window of time two days a week at eleven. Occasionally I sneak coffee or food into his office for us to enjoy together, but our meetings almost always include makeout sessions that are both wonderful and frustrating for their time limitations.
In the mid to late afternoons, I see Fiero. Sometimes we walk around town, but most days we’re together at his studio, where he makes art and I study – though it’s hard to focus on reading when I can watch his lean, muscular body at work.
I eat dinner with both men at their house most evenings, and on the weekends, if I’m not busy with my classes, we hang out together streaming movies or playing games.
I’m quite happy with any time I spend with them, but on our second weekend together, Matteo groans in frustration as Fiero scrolls through the Netflix menu. “We are staying in like old married people!”
“That’s your fault,” Fiero says. “I would like to take Dani out dancing, but I’m trying to be respectful of your limitations.”
“I don’t mind staying in,” I say, though the thought of dancing with Fiero, our bodies sliding against each other, is very enticing. Despite how much time I’ve spent with each of the men, our physical relationships haven’t progressed much past kissing and touching over clothing, though both men kiss me in a way that’s very, very satisfying.
“This is not a proper courtship,” Matteo says. “I want to take you out.”
“That would be nice, but I’m not willing to jeopardize your career.”
“Let’s go somewhere out of town, then. How about a drive up to the resort in the mountains where you worked? The weather is nice; we could go tomorrow.”
“Sure. I’d love that.” Callahan Crest has been my summer job for the past two years, and Katie Callahan is a good friend of mine. In fact, it was her brothers who hosted the Thanksgiving dinner that Matteo and I went to, and Katie now lives at the resort year round with the new owners, the King brothers.
“Great! It’s a date.” There’s a gleam in Matteo’s eye, and apparently I’m not the only one who notices it.
“I’m coming too,” Fiero announces. “You’re not spending an entire day with Dani without me, brother.”
Hidden Reserves Of Wickedness
Early the next morning, alerted to their arrival by text, I find Matteo at the wheel of a small sports car in front of my apartment. It’s a two-door, so when Fiero steps out of the passenger seat, I expect he’s either giving up his seat for me, or making way for me to climb into the back.
Instead, greeting me with a quick kiss on my cheek and a warm hand wrapped around my middle, Fiero tugs me into the back seat with him and closes the door behind us. The back of the car is small, with barely enough room for one person, and Fiero takes advantage of the opportunity to hold me close.
“Good morning,” I call up to Matteo, who’s frowning at his brother in the rear view mirror.
“Good morning, Dani.” His eyes soften and he smiles for me, before changing to a stern tone. “You’re driving on the way back, Fiero.”
“Fair enough.” Fiero chuckles and slips a hand under my coat, tickling my side as Matteo pulls out of the parking lot. I don’t want Matteo to be jealous, but I couldn’t resist Fiero if I tried, and I don’t want to try.