Page 10 of Claiming Tessa

“Are you thinking in this area?”Diego asked.

“I’d like to be close to Jared.I probably will never see him, but he’s the only family I have left.”

“Why would you say that?”

“He’s everything my mother wanted in a child, so the two of them were pretty close before I left.I’m not sure my mom didn’t poison him against me.”

Gavin set a hand on her arm.“I can guarantee he isn’t against you.We talked to him last night.He was glad you got home but then pissed at his mother when we told them about your reception.”

“He’s coming here in a bit to see you,” Diego added.

Her eyes widened at Diego.She didn’t know if she was ready to see him.“I think I need to go.”God, why did the thought of never seeing these two make her stomach ache and tears sting the back of her eyes?

“No,” Diego said.“You’re going to stay here.”

“I can’t do that to you.”

Diego cupped her cheek, startling her.She had very little human contact for a long time, and she was the type of person who craved it.Besides two short relationships, she’d had no human affection except for handshakes in years.

At the site in Egypt, the crew consisted of seven people.She and another woman, and then five men.One had been obnoxious, so she stayed away from him, but the others were there to do a job, and that’s all they did.If they talked, it was about the dig.Nothing personal was ever shared.It had been weird and interesting to watch.

“We know you don’t know us, but we’d like to know if you feel anything at all for us?”

It felt like her heart wanted to beat out of her chest.“I ...I find you both attractive, but I must admit, I’m unsure how I’d fare in a relationship.It’s been a while, and I couldn’t choose one of you over the other.”

Gavin grinned.“That’s good because you’d get us both.”

“Are you talking about a menage relationship?”

Diego nodded.“Yes.”

“Hmm.”Tessa nodded.“I’ve actually studied those.They are actually more common than people think, especially in Europe, and have happened for centuries.”

Diego laughed.“There are several in this town alone.”

“With two men and one woman?”she asked.

“Yes.”

“I’d like to study the dynamic.”

“How about we get to know each other?”Diego said.“You stay here, and if it doesn’t work out, we’ll find you a place to live.This way, you can take your time looking for a job, if that’s what you want to do.We own a construction company and do very well, so you’ll never have to worry about money.”

“I couldn’t just sit home every day...”

The men nodded.

“There’s a lot I should tell you.”

“We’ve got time.”

A knock at the door made her jump.

“That’s probably your brother,” Gavin said and squeezed her shoulder as he walked by her.

Diego held onto her hand, which started to shake.“Baby, you don’t have to worry.He talked about you all the time.”

She nodded and exhaled before standing and facing her brother.“Hi.”

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