Page 40 of Twins for the Silver Foxes

Scott went ahead of us and turned on the shower in my room. I kept Hannah in my arms, afraid to let her go, as if all of this were nothing more than a mirage, a dream I never wanted to wake from. I held her tight and listened to her moans of pleasure. I hoped like hell that Arthur heard us and came to his senses. The man was an absolute ass at times, but I knew he felt the same way about Hannah as Scott and I did.

Henry would have understood. He might have beaten the shit out of us when he first found out, but ultimately, he would have understood. Since he was no longer here to give his definitive blessing, we had to find our own way in this complex relationship. Henry loved Hannah and wanted nothing more than her happiness. In the end, he’d have been happy simply because she was.

Scott met us at my bedroom door and helped me lower Hannah to the floor. He took her hand and walked her into the shower. I left the door open and followed.

While Scott picked up a washcloth and a bottle of body wash, Hannah turned and wrapped both hands around my shaft. “You promised.” Her eyebrows arched. “Sit down, Ryland.”

I had no choice but to do as she demanded and dropped onto the bench seat. Water sprayed across my chest and stomach. Hannah dropped to her knees between my legs and rubbed her lips over the head of my cock.

I’d stay here forever if it meant seeing her happy.

21

ARTHUR

Ispent three days wallowing in the misery I’d created for myself. Three days of beating myself up and hiding away in my rooms. I heard Scott, Hannah, and Ryland after I left upon learning Hannah was Henry’s daughter. It almost broke me to hear her pleasure and not be a part of it, but I held my ground.

What would Henry think of us? The question hounded me day and night. If he’d known my feelings for her, would he demand I walk away? Guilt locked me in a prison of my own making. I had powerful feelings for my late best friend’s daughter. Did that excuse the way I left things with Hannah? The devastation I’d seen on her face combated with my guilt.

“It’s not her fault,” I said aloud as I swept a hand across my desk, scattering pens and paper onto the floor. None of this was Hannah’s fault and I should have made that clear. “I have to make it right.” Standing, I checked my watch then grabbed my keys. By the time I pulled into her driveway, I calculated she’d had enough time to unpack from the day and be settling in for the night. My blood beat a fiery tempo in my veins as I walked upthe cracked sidewalk and knocked on the scratched and dented front door.

She opened it seconds later, peering through a narrow crack between the door and the frame. Her eyes widened. “Arthur?” It was nothing more than a breathless and soundless movement of her mouth, but I felt it vibrate in my bones.

“Hello, Hannah.” I eased my hands into my pockets to keep them from reaching for her. “Can I come inside?”

She released the door, stepping back at the same time. “Of course.”

It was almost too easy to walk past her and cross to the couch. I needed to sit down for what I was about to say.

Liddy bounded around the corner and spotted me, bolting over with a loud squeal. “Arthur!” She hugged me tight and smacked a kiss to my cheek. “Hi.”

“Hello, Liddy.” I smiled so wide my cheeks ached. “It’s good to see you.”

“I’m playing. Will you stay?” She climbed from my lap and clasped her hands together beneath her chin. “Please?”

I waited for the go ahead from Hannah which came with a miniscule nod before I answered. “I’ll be here for a while.”

“Yay!” She tore from the room. Seconds later, her voice carried back into the living room as she announced to her toys that I’d come to stay.

Hannah winced and crossed her arms while lowering herself to the other end of the sofa. “Sorry. She’s excited to see you.”

“I’ve missed her. Both of you,” I corrected quickly. “I’m sorry for my actions, Hannah. You did not deserve my pompousness.”

One side of her mouth hitched up. “I’d like to say it’s okay, but you hurt me, Arthur.”

“I know.” I bowed my head into my chest. I let it stay there for a heartbeat before I forced it up and met the censure of her gaze. “I was thinking about Henry and what he would want for you.”

“Dad would want me to be happy. That’s what good parents want for their kids. For them to be safe and happy.” She shrugged. “You, Ryland, and Scott make me happy. Why does being Henry’s daughter change that?”

“Because I was ashamed of myself though there was nothing wrong with what we did.” I held up a hand when I caught the look flashing in her eyes. “I have no regrets about that.”

“No?” She sounded uncertain, and the way her eyes dimmed choked the life out of me. “Can you look me in the eye and say you would do it all again if you’d known from the beginning?”

Denial rushed through me. I hesitated before saying anything. “I expected you’d ask me that. If I’d known from the beginning, I would have fought my feelings out of respect for Henry.”

“Even knowing that what we had together made me happier than I’ve been in my entire life?”

Her words were a challenge.

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