Samantha
I’ve discovered today that Asher also happens to be an amazing cook. As if he wasn’t hubby material already, the man continues to amaze. I just wish I was in a mood to actually enjoy it.
The veggie laden omelet with a side of homemade grits and bacon sits beneath me. Its mouth-watering aroma does nothing for me at the moment. My mind is anywhere but here.
What the fuck was I going to do? Dad was hellbent on dictating my life, to the point that not only was he willing to coerce two men into marrying me, but then forbid those same men when they stepped out of line with me. No, not out of concern for my safety, but because the optics hurt the family image or some shit.
It’s my goddamn life. If I want to spend it sandwiched between two sexy as hell men, then it’s my god given right to do so.
But, how much of what he said was actually true. Now, while I don’t give two shits about my public image, the guys very well might.
I was a lingerie model, so some risqué behavior was to be expected, but these were two ranchers. Men of the land who grew goods that families all around the world could enjoy.
Wholesomeness was an aesthetic that could make or break their businesses. People imagine hard workers in overalls when they think of ranches, not two dude-bros grinding up against some floozy in a New York club.
“What’s wrong?” Asher’s husky morning voice asks me.
The question pulls me from my thoughts, and my eyes off breakfast.
“Nothing. It’s fine,” I say, as I try to pretend that it is.
“Bullshit,” Liam responds across the table from me.
I sigh, knowing the men aren’t dumb and after last night I don’t think anyone would be fine the next morning.
“I just don’t know what to do. I know what matters to me and honestly anything my dad says falls comfortably into the ‘does not matter’ side of things.”
“Agreed,” Liam responds.
“Agreed,” Asher practically growls and places a hand on my shoulder.
The gesture is comforting and having so much of their support through all of this doesn’t go unnoticed. Sure, in the beginning it was all fun and sex games, but the last few days really changed things.
Still, I want them to know they’re not trapped. They can dip at any time.
“But what about you guys? You guys were just as exposed in those photos as I was. I wouldn’t blame you if you guys called it quits.”
They gave each other a long hard look. Both men’s faces hardened into a glare.
“Never,” they say, almost in unison.
Liam continues.
“I don’t think either of us know where all of this is going to go, but I know it’s not away from you.”
My stomach does a flip while my cheeks start to burn. These men...
I try to think of things coming up; any pitfalls that could be awaiting us. Something that we’d be expected to publicly attend that would put us in harm's way. One comes to mind.
“The annual rancher’s fair is coming up isn’t it?” I ask.
Asher is the first to respond.
“Down in Houston, yeah.”
“What’re you thinking?” asks Liam.
I shrug my shoulders.