Page 65 of Single Mom's Christmas Wish

It’s the subtle doubt in their voices that wraps itself around my heart and tightens, squeezing until it hurts. “I get it.”

“Dakota, there are many factors to consider here,” Archer says. “Our feelings and our physical chemistry can’t be the only deciding aspects. We’re planning to adopt Trevor by the end of next year. And if we want this to work between us, we need to make sure that our kids get along. Last time I checked, there was a bit of friction between Trevor and Maisie, through no fault of Maisie’s, I might add. We also need to consider the future.”

“The future,” I repeat after him.

Maddox nods slowly. “Reed will marry you before Christmas. In the meantime, we want you to move in with us. As far as the world is concerned, you’ll be living with Reed. You’ll be married to Reed. And Maisie and Trevor will have this whole place to call home while they get to know each other better.”

“Sounds fair.”

“After you get your inheritance, however, you will have the option for an official divorce,” Maddox continues, his greyish-green eyes searching my face. “I’m not saying we want that—”

“But it’s an option,” Reed finishes.

“We want you to know you have that choice. Maybe someday you’ll meet someone who can give you a perfect legal frame for what society considers a real relationship and a real marriage.We clearly don’t fit that mold, given that we’re—”

“We’re a package deal,” Archer drives the point home, a muscle ticking nervously in his jaw. “And while it may be fun for now, it might not be what you want later down the line. And we will understand, Dakota.”

I don’t know why the words are hitting me so deeply. It feels like a bittersweet victory to me. I’m getting an eighty-million-dollar inheritance. I’m keeping my house, and I’ll be able to afford full tuition at Prescott Academy for Maisie. My daughter will have every tool at her disposal to help her grow into the extraordinary woman I know she is destined to be. I will have what I need to grow, as well, to build my own business, to make something of myself after having wasted enough years catering to Keith’s wild, unrealistic dreams.

But I’d hoped it wouldn’t be just Maisie and me. I’d hoped it would involve Reed, Archer, and Maddox, too. I’d hoped it would give us an opportunity to give Trevor the family he so desperately needs and deserves, complete with a little sister. Of course, these are wild dreams. The situation we’re in is already such a complicated mess, one that might find all of us in complete ruin.

I have to admit, the brothers’ cautious approach isn’t exactly an easy pill to swallow, but it is commendable.

“So where do we go from here?” I ask, feeling as though there’s an expiration date on our relationship all of a sudden.

Reed smiles and gets up from the sofa, then walks over and kneels before me. “For now, we want you and Maisie to move in with us. You can rent out your grandma’s house, or you can invest in a hefty renovation once you get the money. Either way,we’re going to have to sell this relationship and future marriage as a real thing.”

“Got it,” I mumble, my cheeks burning hot as his hands rest on my knees.

“We’ll get married a week before Christmas,” he says, and I pull in a deep breath.

“That’s three weeks from now.”

Archer chuckles dryly. “We’ll make it an official, albeit small, ceremony. We need time to draw up a prenup with our lawyers, among other things.”

“Oh, right, a prenup,” I whisper.

“We have to protect our interests and yours, too,” Reed insists. “You’ll be coming into a lot of money, and we want you to have the utmost certainty that we’ll never ask you for anything if we get a divorce.”

“I never would’ve thought you’d—”

“And that is your mistake,” Maddox cuts in, giving me a worried look. “You assume that all people are good. Yet you can never know for sure.”

“Are you telling me I shouldn’t trust you?”

“No, I’m telling you that we’re making sure your gorgeous ass is covered, no matter what. Even if it might come across as unpleasant or offensive,” he replies and stands up.

At the same time, Reed’s hands start moving farther up my thighs, kneading the tired muscles through the fabric of my jeans. Each squeeze sends a flurry of heat signals into my core.

Maddox comes around and stands behind me, then bends over and gently cups my face, tilting my head back so he can kiss me. I cave in, moaning against his lips as our tongues swirl while he trails invisible lines with his fingers down my neck. He cups my breasts, squeezing both tightly through the silk of my shirt and the soft lace of my bra.

“Whatever happens, Dakota, we will protect you,” Maddox whispers against my lips. “But you’ll be the one who decides when and if it’s time to pull the plug. It’ll always be up to you.”

Archer joins his brothers and starts unbuttoning my shirt. “We know this is a difficult situation you’re in,” he says. “But I admire the way you power through, even though you border on the reckless side of things sometimes. You should’ve come to us straight away with this whole inheritance nonsense.”

“I didn’t know how to tell you. I want to marry for love, not for money,” I manage as Maddox kisses the side of my neck, his teeth nipping at my skin.

My nipples harden, poking through the white lace, but Archer peels the bra away, leaving my breasts full and out in the open, tender and perky pink under his smoldering gaze.

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