Page 10 of Thick

Kaz opens his mouth to say something completely inappropriate—I assume—but I do not have the mental or emotional spoons to deal with this kind of conversation.

I can't run away when I see two men in a clinch. But I can certainly run away when they see me watching them in said clinch. However, Brennan's no-nonsense tone rushes over me before I can even think about turning around to run back out of their apartment.

"Don't even think about it," he warns me, and I'm powerless to resist the demand in his voice.

Embarrassment and a fierce need to obey wars within me, but when he clears his throat, the urge to give in to his every whim wins. With my head hung low, and my shoulders slumped all the way to the damn floor, I turn slowly and shuffle closer to them. By the time I make it to the pair of them, they're decent again.

What a pity.

"Zelda, darling, sit down," Brennan orders again, leaning forward to pat the armchair beside them. My knees give out from under me as I collapse on the seat and continue to hide my face in my hair. I'm not sure how long we sit there in silence, but however long it is, I can promise you it isn't long enough. No amount of time would be sufficient to prepare myself for the uncomfortable conversation that awaits me.

"Fuck," Kaz mumbles before leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. I can't see the rest of him through my hair, but it'ssafe to assume he's resting his head in his hands. "This is not how this conversation is supposed to go," he grumbles before letting out a huff of air.

"No, certainly not, but it's one way to get it started. What an ice breaker," Brennan returns conversationally. He sounds almost amused, and for the life of me, I have no freaking clue what on earth he has to be amused about. "Zelda, sweets. Look at me," he asks softly, holding his hand in front of him, just in the field of my vision. His rough fingertips my chin up, forcing me to look at him. My long hair falls away, and when I finally look at his face, I am incredibly confused by his expression.

His eyes, warm with nothing but acceptance and understanding, take my breath away as his lips turn up into a smile that can be described as nothing other than adoring.

"Sweets, it seems safe to assume that you are attracted to the two of us," he starts.

I rush to interrupt. "I'm so sorry! I know you're married. I'm not a homewrecker, I promise!" I cry out before leaning forward, holding my hands clasped together in front of me, imploring them to believe me. "You're hot. Both of you. And sweet. And kind. But I would never try to get it on with you. Well... other than the other day in the room with Kaz." I groan as I realise what I'm saying and how it might sound.

"Zelda!" Kaz calls out, stopping my tirade before it can gather more steam. "Just listen, okay? Give Brennan and me a chance to explain, and then, if you still want to run into the bedroom to get away from us, well, we won't stop you, okay?"

My head bobs up and down in a nod while Kaz rewards me with a smile.

"Thank you, sweets." Brennan's smile only widens before he carries on. "First of all, we won't tolerate you talking about yourself like that. You're one of the sweetest women we've ever come across. Certainly no homewrecker."

He waits for me to acknowledge his demand, and when I nod, he reaches over to squeeze my thigh.

"Secondly, we might be married, but Kaz and I have an open relationship."

He drops that bomb on me like it's nothing.

Like he just told me the sky is pink when we all bloody well know it's fluffing blue!

I've been perving on myverytaken neighbours forages,and this entire time, I've been feeling like a creeper for doing it. And now he's sitting there, all casual, telling me they have an open relationship.

"What does that evenmean?" The question slips from my lips before I'm even aware it's formed in my head.

"Well," Kaz says, drawing my attention to him, "it means that both of us date outside our relationship. Sometimes with different people... and sometimes with the same person."

My brain is about to explode. That's the only explanation for what's happening inside it right now. I can't get my thoughts to fall into any kind of order, and everything shouts and fights for attention.

They're datingoutsidetheir relationship.

With different people. The same people. At the same time.

Wait. Wait just a damn minute, why?

"Why are you telling me this?"

Surely it can't be because... I mean, I thought I got vibes from Kaz, but Brennan has never been anything but a bossy asshole. A sexy one, but an asshole, nonetheless.

"Because," Brennan responds this time, "Since the minute we ran into you in the hallway, both of us have been head over heels in lust with you. And each time we interacted with you, that lust turned more fierce. You're adorable, sexy as fuck, and in desperate need of a keeper. And both of us want to keep you."

Okay, so they threw me for a loop. Your sexy neighbours telling you they're polyamorous will catch just about anyone off guard. And there might have been a few moments where I've been less than coherent and cooperative. But...

"I don't need a keeper!" I shout, unable to control my emotions. “I'm a grown-ass woman, and I've kept myself alive this long, thank you very much." My tone is haughty, snooty, and just a touch bratty. But who can blame me? He's practically begging for it.

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