Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
“Is that right?” Diesel says, sounding pleased to hear it. His brothers are smiling now.
“You all seem awfully happy about my loneliness,” I tease as I stand up.
“That’s only because we have a solution,” Chase says. “One that would cure all of our loneliness.”
“Oh, is that right? What would that be?” I’m smiling now too. I can’t help myself.
“We could spend some time together,” he says. “Us. You. Barnes.” He gestures as he names us.
“And a new canine companion for Barnes?” I ask.
“Sure.”
“We could do that,” I say.
“Yeah?” The look on Maddox’s face as he confirms makes my heart soar.
“Yeah.”
“We miss you terribly, Jade,” Dodge says. “We are hoping you might change your mind about the prospect of all of us being together.”
“We made some changes at the club, and—“ Diesel starts.
“No.” The smile that had been stretched across my cheeks disappears in an instant.
“No?” Maddox looks like someone’s hit him.
I step back. “I don’t want you changing anything about your work to be with me, if that’s what you were about to say. I don’t want my jealousy to lead you to make any changes.”
Chase’s voice is softer than usual. “We had some changes planned even before we met you. Much as our fans love us, they’d get bored watching the same small group of men over and over.”
“We brought on a few new dancers already, and we’re planning to hire more,” Diesel says.
“And we’re going to start having limited engagements with performers who come here from different clubs in Richmond and other cities,” Maddox says.
Dodge reaches out and takes my hand, sending those familiar sparks over my skin. “That was always part of our plan to keep things fresh.”
“As a result,” Chase says, “we have more time to take care of business details. We’re also scheduling the new performers for private parties and events.”
Dodge squeezes my hand in his. “But we won’t personally be doing any private events. Not unless you are the only one in the audience.”
“All of that keeps us busy and we’re on the stage much less these days,” Chase says.
“I didn’t want you to change anything,” I say.
Maddox steps in and takes my other hand. “These changes were coming anyway. I swear. And the more we saw of you, the less we were comfortable with strangers’ eyes and hands all over us.”
“We only want your eyes and hands on us,” Dodge says, tilting his head and giving me a look that melts me from the inside out.
“It just so happens,” I say, “that I’ve really missed having my eyes and hands all over you.”
“Another problem we can easily solve together,” Chase says, smiling again.
“Speaking of problems,” I say, “my parents’ opinions are no longer going to be an issue.”
“Have they come around?” Dodge asks.
“No, but what they think is no longer going to affect what I think or do. My parents will need to respect my decision about who I want to be with, or they won’t be part of my life.”
“We don’t want you to become estranged from your family,” Diesel says.
“I’ll just have to see how things go. It’ll be their decision,” I say.
“So you are saying you want to be with us?” Maddox says. His tone is light and joking, like he’s seeking confirmation for something that’s obvious, but there is some hesitation in his body language, even as he’s holding my hand.
“I can’t think of anything I’ve ever wanted more,” I say as he lets go of my hand and puts his arm around me. “I’ve missed you all so much,” I tell them.
“You can’t imagine how much we’ve all missed you.” Maddox pulls me into a hug, and it feels like coming home. It feels so right I could almost cry, and maybe a tiny tear does sneak out as his hand cups the back of my head and tilts it back to kiss me.
His lips are soft yet firm, and I respond instantly, the taste of his mouth nearly overwhelming me with thoughts of everything I’ve been missing about all of them.
I’m going in for another kiss when a hand on my shoulder pulls me back, and then I’m in Diesel’s arms, his lips claiming mine, his hands sliding back into familiar patterns on my body, exploring my curves and squeezing me to him. I can’t wait to be alone with these men.
Dodge takes me from his twin, brushing back hair that’s come loose from my ponytail, his eyes saying volumes before he pulls me into a kiss. Lastly, I’m Chase’s, and he holds me in a way that feels like he never intends to let go. I do the same to him, my arms linked around his neck as I stand on tiptoe and taste his kisses.
“I’ve been so foolish,” I say when we break apart.
“At least you’ve finally come to your senses,” Chase says, grinning. When he squeezes a handful of my ass, I’m reminded that I’m still on the clock.