Page 103 of Love Without Demands

“Well, I wouldn’t have cared if you walked around barefoot.”

She laughed, scooped up a mound of bubbles in her hand, and blew them at me. “I can’t believe you like bubble baths.”

“Correction: I like a bubble bath with a gorgeous woman.”

“You do this often? Bathe with your lovers?”

“Actually, you’re the first.”

“Bullshit,” she retorted. “Why?”

I leaned forward and kissed her ankles before starting on her calves. “I didn’t want to. I’ve showered with women, but I’ve never taken a bath with anyone until the mermaid thing with you.”

Lehra tickled my ribs with her toes. “Awww, I popped Cruz’s bathtub cherry. They say you never forget your first.”

Laughing, I tugged her until she was straddling my lap. “I don’t think we have to worry about that, Tink.”

Her hands cradled my face as we stared at each other. “Your eyes are so pretty. Do your siblings have blue eyes too?”

Talk about a complicated question. And answer…

“Actually, I’ve been wanting to talk to you about that.”

“About your eyes?” Lehra asked, eyebrows inching together.

“About… some things.” I’d spoken with Paul about this, and he was totally fine with me sharing my parentage with Lehra.

“Okay.” She kissed my lips softly. “You can tell me anything.”

The blood hummed in my veins, a combination of nerves and relief at finally telling someone my secret. “Okay, here goes,” I rushed out. “I found out after Papa died that… he’s not my biological father.”

Lehra’s eyes popped wide, and she instantly wrapped me in a hug that I wanted to last forever. “Oh, sweetie. That must have been so hard to find out.” Her soft hands stroking my neck calmed me, making it easier for me to spill the story.

“That’s the reason I came to New York. I found some letters between my father and… my other father.”

She sat up, keeping her hands on the back of my neck as her gray eyes searched mine. “They knew each other?”

“After the fact. Many years ago, my mother worked here in New York and got pregnant. I don’t know all the details because I haven’t spoken with her about it yet. I’ve just pieced together details from the letters and from talking to my biological dad.”

“You found him?” her voice was incredulous.

“Yes, it’s… Paul Bouvier.”

A myriad of expressions flashed across Lehra’s face. “Oh my… your eyes… and his eyes. And that means… oh my god. Auburn. And Monty. And holy shit. They’re your brothers!”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the choppy expression of her realization. “They are.”

“Wh-what do they think about it?”

My face creased into a wince. “We haven’t told them.”

Anger colored Lehra’s cheeks. “Is Paul trying to keep you hidden from them?”

“No, no, not at all,” I assured her, rubbing my hands up and down her back. “He wanted to tell them immediately, but I’ve been reluctant. So much shit has gone down in the past couple years. I didn’t want to add to the drama.”

“And you’re worried how they might react,” she said—a statement not a question.

The corner of my lips twitched. “Yeah, maybe a little. We’ve decided to tell them after Kassie and Monty get married.”

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