Page 64 of Owning Emma

I shivered, knowing exactly what he meant, and honestly, I don’t think I would’ve even regretted my tardiness. But I most likely wouldn’t be able to look my father in the eye either. Somehow, I didn’t think the excuse of traffic would’ve worked at three thirty in the morning.

Shaw reached down, scooping me up and carrying me to Roman’s bathroom. He started the shower, waited for it to get warm, then placed me inside. He stepped in behind me a second later, his hands already grabbing the soap to run over my skin. He washed my hair, and his. His fingers running gently through the strands, breaking any tangles loose.

When he was done, and my hair and body was rinsed, he turned the water off and reached for a fluffy towel on the hook next to the shower. He wrapped it around my body, then wrapped a smaller one around my hair before turning mey around and nudging me forward.

“Go. Or we will be late.” My eyes turned downward, taking in his arousal. Oh, we most definitely would be late if I didn’t move.

Roman was already gone from the room when I entered it, so I used his absence to sneak back to my bedroom and get some clothes. Once I was dressed and my hair was brushed, I met both Shaw and Roman downstairs where they had my coffee prepared as they talked business.

It was nice, having both men dote on me, even if I wasn’t used to it. My whole life was always me helping take care of my father and helping him run his business. Never had I had anyone make me coffee or help me shower. Okay, maybe the shower was something I didn’t know I wanted until I had it, but having the perfectly sweetened coffee handed to me in a ready to go travel mug was something I enjoyed. It wasn’t the first time either. Each time they did it before we all shared a bed, I always got a small jolt of happiness from the action.

“What are you grinning about?” Roman asked as he sipped his coffee.

“You made me coffee.” I took a sip from the travel mug and nearly moaned with how good it was.

“I always make you coffee,” he pointed out.

“I know, and I would prefer you kept it coming.”

His eyes watched me as he let silence settle over us. “If I would have known you were this demanding, I might have brought you to my room sooner.”

I felt my body heat with arousal and embarrassment. “I guess you will have to make up for lost time.”

Where had that boldness come from? He nodded his head as he took another sip from his mug. “Indeed.”

Shaw picked up his travel mug and his keys. “Are you ready?”

“I am. Although I am regretting my decision not to call in.” Why, oh why was it so hard?

“Not too late.” He twirled his keys on his finger.

“Oh, yes, it is. I’ve already showered, dressed, and drank coffee.” I grabbed my bag and headed toward the door to slip some shoes on, with Shaw and Roman trailing after me.

I opened the door, and Roman stopped me before leaving, his fingers laced with mine as he leaned down, kissing me so thoroughly that my toes were curling and my core heated, and honestly, I might just call in. My father can handle one day by himself, right?

He pulled away too quickly, and my lips tried to follow his. His finger came up and bopped me on the nose. “So greedy.”

Greedy? Never until I met these two, now I want it all, everything they could give me, every feeling they could pull from my body until I was unable to move, my body so spent. His fingers let go of mine, and I stepped out the door, waiting for Shaw to open the truck before I braved leaving the porch.

Shaw stepped out of the doorway, and Roman’s hand grabbed onto his bicep. Shaw turned toward him just as Roman’s hand let go of his arm and grabbed his jaw. Pulling Shaw toward him, he crashed his lips to his, catching both Shaw and I off guard.

It was quick. It was fierce. It was so darn hot. The door slammed, and Shaw and I stood there on the porch for a second, both in shock. I took a deep breath. I needed to call in, that was final. I could not go to work with my father after seeing my boys kiss. The image would taunt me all day, probably for the rest of my life.

I opened my mouth to tell Shaw I was calling in, and he cut me off before a word was spoken. “No.”

His voice was breathless and so was mine. “You don’t even know what I was going to say.”

I heard him swallow. “You are not calling in.”

He left me on the porch to follow him as he stomped to the truck, not even looking back to see if I was behind him.

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