Both? I hadn’t considered the idea. Stupid for me not to since we lived in a town that made having two husbands legal. But Eve wasn’t a whore to share and bed with my brother. She was so much more and so was marriage to two men.
The baby continued to scream. Piper went over to Lane and took Lillian in her arms. She walked down the hallway to the kitchen and over the hungry cries I heard her mutter something about missing all the fun. Within seconds, the baby quieted and I had to assume Piper was feeding her.
“You’ve only known them five hours,” Curtis supplied, sputtering. He waved his arm about, pointing at me and Knox a little wildly.
“I’ve only known you five minutes,” Eve countered, looking down her nose at the man even though she was over a foot shorter.
Curtis gasped and Thomkins looked as if he was about to have apoplexy.
“They’ve talked you into marriage so they can get their hands on your money,” Thomkins said, eyeing me, then Knox with something akin to hatred. It didn’t bother me at all; I didn’t know of anyone whom he actually liked. “A woman like you marrying them?”
I wasn’t sure if he was scoffing Eve, or us.
Eve walked over to me, went up on her tiptoes, wrapped her hand about my neck and tugged. I could have resisted her actions, for I was far stronger, but I was too surprised to do anything but lean down. Then I was too pleased when she kissed me. It was a chaste peck, but her lips were soft and urgent, her hand on my neck soft, yet insistent. She tasted of coffee and I could smell a hint of whiskey. The liquor had worked in ways I had not imagined. Holy fuck, she was kissing me.
I heard Knox grumble.
Releasing me, she met my eyes. She was a little wide-eyed with surprise and a hint of arousal. Her lips were red and slick. Had that been her first kiss? After a moment, she remembe
red herself, spun on her heel and tugged Knox down for a kiss of his own. I should have smashed his face in for getting a kiss from her, but I didn’t. Surprisingly, I liked seeing her get pleasure from Knox as well. She wanted both of us, or at least she told that to Curtis. Words were one thing, kissing both of us was something else entirely.
When she finished with both of us, she turned to Lane and Spur. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes a touch glassy. For a moment, I thought she would kiss them as well, the spirits a little too strong, but she put her hands on her hips. “You were witnesses, gentlemen, to my wicked behavior. I assume you will spread tales of my actions all over town.”
What?
Lane and Spur stared at her as if she’d grown a second head, then both slowly smiled.
Spur glanced at Lane. “I love to share good gossip.” That was a blatant lie. A doctor spreading idle rumors and prattle? He’d lose his career. “In less than an hour, everyone will know of your actions. That you flung yourself at both the Dares.”
Knox stared at Eve, open-mouthed. I ran my hand over the back of my neck. Flung? Hell, she could do that anytime she wished. A bold little vixen was hiding behind a prim dress and glasses. God, I loved a smart woman and wanted to see what else she liked to do besides kiss.
“Absolutely,” Lane added.
“What the hell is going on here?” Thomkins yelled.
Eve turned to the brothers in the doorway and shrugged. “I’ve corrupted them and the entire town will know it. Trust me, in Clancy I’m known for the same behavior. I’ll have to marry the Dares now.”
I wasn’t sure what she was talking about. She’d flung herself at men where she was from? I’d learn the truth, but not right now, not in front of an audience. There was no question she was an innocent. That kiss, while eager, was far from carnal.
Spur took over then, shooing both men off his porch, although there was plenty of anger and foul language drifting on the summer breeze as they were forced to walk away.
I just stared at Eve, stunned by her ability to handle not only the Thomkins brothers, but obviously the Dare boys as well. We were completely at her mercy. Knox and I had both wanted her, but we’d never expected like this.
“Thank you for the whiskey,” Eve murmured, glancing my way. “I find I like it very much.”
Lane laughed loudly at that, slapped my shoulder.
I felt my cheeks heat, especially at being caught. “About getting married,” I said.
While I wanted to marry her, and doing so with Knox wasn’t such a bad idea, I wasn’t going to make her do it just because the Thomkinses had forced her into it.
“Yes?” She glanced at me, then Knox, pushing her glasses up as she did so. Her color was high, but her green eyes were clear. She might have been a little tipsy, but she had all her mental faculties. I had not taken advantage of her when I’d given her the liquor. That hadn’t been my intention. My plan to let her share her true feelings had worked, although I’d had no idea they meant marrying me and Knox.
To face the Thomkins men, she’d been witty and intelligent, responsive and yet with a weakened reserve that allowed her to deflect their serious intentions.
I glanced at Knox. The look he gave me spoke volumes. Don’t let her get away. No matter what I said next, I knew none of us would regret it because of overindulgence.
“I can see you liked kissing Knox and me.” Eve’s cheeks turned a pretty shade of red. “That bodes well for our marriage since I want to kiss you… some more.” I stepped up behind her, placing my hands on her waist. She shivered beneath my hold. Knox had helped her down from the stage, but for me, this was the first time I’d touched her body. She’d placed her hand on my elbow for escort, but that didn’t count. Even through her dress, she was warm, her body soft and lush. I could feel her bones, yet they were well padded. Just right.