“Have either of you macho men seen a fairy?” she suddenly burst out. “No comparison. They could be ugly. Haggard. They could have warts on private parts of their bodies. You could be insulting me. ”
He caught her around the waist as she pushed at his shoulders, the water pelting around them, her laughter shining in her face.
“No. I see a fairy every time I see you. Delicate and shining. So innocent you make grown men weep to make you wicked and so sultry you make them howl to possess you. You’re pure, Keiley. Never let anyone tell you different. ”
She paused then, staring back at him with narrowed eyes. “What happened with that picture isn’t your and Mac’s fault. ”
“We didn’t protect you. ”
“God save me,” she snapped. “Get out of my shower, Jethro. Go help Mac. ”
“Keiley. I won’t let them hurt you like this. ”
“I said enough!” Her voice rose, firmed. “I made this choice. You and Mac didn’t force me into it. You and Mac didn’t take those pictures and you and Mac are not to blame. And the next time I have to threaten a man with a bat, I’ll use it. ”
The shower curtain whisked open and Mac stood outside, his brow arched, his naked body relaxed.
“If you two are going to fight, then let me use some of the hot water. ” He crowded in behind Keiley, pushing her into Jethro’s chest before she bit off a curse and, before he could stop her, stepped from the shower. “I’ve had enough. I want to dress and eat. Then you two need to get things in perspective with this damned fairy crap you keep laying on my head. Any self-respecting fairy would have turned you both into toads by now. ”
“That’s a witch. ” Mac obviously felt the need to prick her temper, Jethro thought with a wince as he stepped out of the shower stall. “Fairies are so much sweeter. ”
She stared back at her husband archly. “You live in such a dream world, Mac. You really need to visit reality sometimes. ”
If the look she shot both of them as they chuckled meant anything, the bat might be coming out sometime soon.
“I need to get dressed. ” She just shook her head at them, but Jethro saw the joy shining in her eyes.
She was happy. Hell, she was happy when he came to her home, but he could see that that happiness had increased. His had increased. Increased to the point that he was seriously considering taking Mac up on the offer of the farm. The farm next to Mac’s was coming up for sale as well. Jethro had enough saved to purchase it and add to what Mac already had.
The horse breeding was the backbone of the property right now, but with some careful management and extra hands, the cattle could become increasingly prosperous. Jethro knew cattle. Mac wasn’t the only one who had a little experience on the land.
It would be worth considering, he thought as he helped Keiley dry off. Or rather, caressed the water from her as she batted at his hands and laughingly shooed him away.
“I need my gown and robe,” she told him as she moved into the bedroom with nothing but a towel covering her.
“Here. See if this will work. ” He tossed her one of his shirts from the drawer before pulling a pair of jersey pants out and pulling them over his legs.
The shirt did indeed work. It nearly hung to her knees and make her look smaller, more delicate than ever. Hell, all she needed were the wings.
“It’s not my gown,” she sighed. “But it will work. One of these days you two are going to have to replace the door in my bedroom. I like my bedroom. I like sleeping in my bed, if you don’t mind. ”
“What’s wrong with my bed?”
“It’s not mine. ” She rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry, Jethro, I like the middle, as Mac will tell you. You can sleep on the other side. ”
“There wasn’t a question,” he informed her. “This room is more defensible. ”
“This is not my room. ” A frown snapped between her brows. “Listen, Jethro, there are a few rules cut in stone in this house. Number one, Keiley sleeps in the room she likes. ” She counted off fingers as she continued. “Number two, Keiley likes her bedroom and her bathroom, and she does not change simply because Jethro now shares it. Do we understand these rules?”
He stared at the delicate fingers. “Are those all of the rules?”
“Of course not. I’ll let you know as others crop up though. Mac has adjusted quite well, just as I’m certain you will. ”
Mac chose that moment to walk out of the bathroom and lay his hand against her rear hard enough to cause her to jump in surprise.
“Rule three is, if Keiley gets out of hand with the rules, she gets her butt spanked,” he laughed.
“Since when?” Her eyes narrowed.