Page 128 of Love Without Demands

“Says the man in the sweater vest,” our brother retorted.

“You’re just jealous you can’t pull off this look.”

He was right. Monty and I would look like apes playing dress up in the forest-green vest over an ivory shirt. Auburn, of course, looked like he’d just stepped off the pages ofGolf Digest.

“Ohhh nooo,” Monty cried dramatically. “The hottest brothers aren’t able to look like pompous assholes.”

“Hottest brothers, my ass,” Auburn mumbled, and I laughed. These two killed me with their banter. As we traversed our way through this whole new family situation, they were starting to include me in their teasing. “Cruz, what was your question?”

“I want to propose to Lehra. Do you think it’s too soon?”

The other two looked at each other and burst into laughter. “The Bouvier men aren’t known for their patience when they find what they want. I know you’re keeping your last name,” Monty explained, “but you’re no less a Bouvier.” My heart warmed at his unfettered acceptance.

“It’s just… well, something is happening in New York next month, kind of a once in a lifetime thing, and I want to take advantage of it and ask her then.” I explained my idea to them, and they shared an amused look.

“That’s certainly an… unconventional way to propose to a woman,” Auburn said cautiously.

I chewed my bottom lip before blurting, “We’re into role playing.”

“Okay, that’s cool,” Monty encouraged. “Like the naughty nurse thing? I think lots of couples do that.”

“Yeah, like that, but sometimes more elaborate. Though we did do a nurse thing last month when I had a cold.” My mouth went slack as the memories came back to me, and I stared off across the bright green grass. “The way Lehra took my temperature…”

Auburn snapped his fingers in front of my face. “Focus, you horny bastard. Tell us more about the role playing. I think Gianna might like to try something like that.”

I filled them in on the costume shop and a couple of the scenes we’d tried. Without going into too much detail, of course.

“I bet you were hot as a Viking,” Monty said with a nod.

“You know, I think you and Kass should try some new stuff to keep things fresh,” Auburn said thoughtfully, a glint of mischief in his eye. “Kassie could be a Domme, strap you down, and whoop your bad little ass.”

I barked out a laugh at that visual as Monty scowled at him. “So do you guys think it’s a good idea?” I pressed. “My proposal idea?”

“I think it sounds fun,” Monty said. “I’m in.”

“Me too,” Auburn agreed.

Paul circled back and pulled up beside us with the man he’d been talking to in the passenger seat. “Monty, Auburn, you remember George Pepperfield.” They all nodded and shook, and my father climbed out of the cart and looped an arm around my shoulders. “George, this is my other son, Cruz Estrada.”

The man’s eyes went as round as golf balls. “Oh, I guess I didn’t realize you had another son.”

“I do,” he said firmly and without further explanation. “Would you take a picture of us? I need a photo with all three of my sons.”

The way those words hit me…

George climbed out of the golf cart and posed us in front of the lush green backdrop before snapping a few pictures.

“Okay,” Dad announced. “Now I’d like a pic with myfavoriteson.”

None of us moved a damn muscle for a long moment, and then we all burst into laughter with George snapping away.

A few days later, when Paul presented us each with a print of his three “favorite” sons surrounding him, our mouths open in laughter, I framed it and displayed it on the mantel above my fireplace.

With pride.

Chapter 40

“This is so exciting,”Jane Bouvier said, sitting sweetly like a little princess in the back of the huge stretch limo Auburn had rented to accommodate all of us. Beside her, Sully and Jaxon were pretending to slap fight. Loudly.

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