Page 14 of Theirs

Blake said, “Sweetheart, this place is too small for all of us. Isn’t it, Brian?”

Looking around at the small townhouse, Brian nodded. “Sorry, honey. There’s barely enough room for us to walk around.” She huffed at them and ran her fingers through her hair, groaning at the sticky tangles she hadn’t been able to get out.

Brian waited for her to continue. Inching closer to her, he glanced at Blake who sat at a computer desk behind her. Raising his eyebrow, he asked, “Has he found anything?”

She nodded, and a frustrated whine left her as she stomped to her room. He followed, watching as she grabbed the brush, turned, and smacked straight into him. “I, um, it was fun earlier. Um, fun is not the right word.” He watched as she turned bright red and buried her head in her hands against his chest and mumbled, “Now my hair and certain body parts are paying for it, and I wake up, after only an hour nap, to find Blake on my computer laughing at my work.” Brian gave an inward groan, cursing his brother as tears hit his shirt.

Moving them back to the lounge room, he sat on the couch, placed Susie on his lap, and started brushing her hair.

Blake grunted. “I didn’t laugh at her work.”

Brian glared at his brother, silently telling him to shut up. “I am laughing at what she does when she’s not a childcare worker. I knew there had to be a reason why she accepted us so quickly. You will never guess what she does.”

Brian could hear Susie grinding her teeth, and he would bet everything he owned the look she gave Blake was deadly. “Honey, you want to tell me what you do when you’re not looking after other people’s children?”

She moaned, and turned her heated glance at him, before she mumbled, “I’m a writer.”

It took a second to click. Then Blake chucked. “Not just any writer. She writes paranormal porn.”

She turned, and snarled at Blake, “It’s not porn. It is erotic romance.”

Blake nodded at her as he raised his eyebrow. “How about I read some out for Brian?” Susie jumped off his lap and ran over to Blake. Covering his mouth, she giggled as Blake growled and pulled her closer to him.

A squeal escaped as Blake stood up and threw her over his shoulder. She laughed, reaching her arms out to Brian. “Save me, Brian.” Chuckling, he got up to rescue her.

****

They were lying in a tangled heap on the bed when Blake moved Susie off him as he heard “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns and Roses. He grabbed his mobile as the last verse started, answering with a brisk, “Blake Bear speaking.”

“Hello, Mr. Bear, this is Sarah from Sold Real Estate. You rang yesterday about some properties and wanted to book a time to see them today.”

His brother sat up, moving Susie so she straddled his lap.

She mumbled. “No, I’m warm. Don’t leave. It’s so comfy. You’re so cruel.”

Smiling at his brother, Blake cleared his throat. “Ah, yes, Sarah, I know it’s late notice, but those three properties I phoned about were the ones we wanted to get into today. I understand two have residents, but—”

Sarah interrupted him. “No, it’s okay, Mr. Bear. I have organized times to see these houses. I hope you can meet me at the office in an hour. I even have a new listing just on the market today similar to what you asked for.”

“Give me a sec, please?” Covering the phone, Blake looked down at Susie, glanced at his brother who nodded, and stood up with their mate still straddled over him.

Brian kissed her lips and whispered, “Come on, honey. Shower time, then we are going to grab food and go house hunting.”

Blake laughed as Susie squeaked, “What? I don’t want to go house hunting. We talked about that last night. I want to go back to bed.”

Putting the phone back to his ear, Blake said, “Sorry about that. I just needed to check with my brother. An hour should be fine, but if we are a little late, please wait, as we are going to get lunch first.”

“Oh, I’m glad to wait for you, Mr. Bear. Enjoy your lunch.” Rolling his eyes, Blake thanked the woman and hung up, shaking his head. It was unbelievable what people would do for the Bear name.

Walking down the hall, he heard the shower running, and Susie arguing with Brian.

“I’ll say it again for like the millionth time, I love my house. I don’t want to move. My massive mortgage is all mine and I love spending all my money on it.” She was screaming by the last words, and Blake didn’t miss her annoyance. He needed to go in there and smooth things out, or it was more like show her who the boss was. He had a feeling she liked his bossy side.

Laughing because only their mate would be proud to have a big mortgage. His family was well known for their wealth. Each cousin, uncle, aunt, niece, and nephew, all had large trust funds. Money had never really been any issue for them.

He walked into the bathroom to see Brian getting out of the shower. “I know why she was given two mates, Brother.” Blake took Brian’s place as his brother continued, “She has been given two mates to make sure she does what she’s been told, and so she has more people to argue with.”

Brian ducked as a bar of soap was thrown at him, and a little snarl escaped Susie. “Ha, ha, very funny.” Picking her up, Blake kissed her, and she melted against him opening her mouth to let him in and tangling their tongues.

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