Page 137 of Three Bossy Boyfriends
“I wanted to talk to you.” He runs his hands through his hair. “Look, I know you said you need time alone to think, and I respect that.”
That makes me cock my head and eye him. “Really? Because it kind of seems like the opposite of that.”
Except I’m not angry. This is just Tucker. He likes to fix things. With his hands. And doesn’t always have the words for what he’s feeling. He likes to show me, which I generally appreciate.
If I hadn’t calmed down all on my own though—with a little help from my sisters—I wouldn’t be thrilled about it right now.
“I should have called you, but I just…” Tucker takes a deep breath and puts his hands on my shoulders. “I really care about you, Finley. I know that this all started out as an old high school grudge and some sexual tension, but this is more than that for me. I hope you know that. Even if I got cold feet about a poly relationship.”
My heart squeezes.
Big, brawny Tucker Hastings looks like he’s in agony.
“I don’t want to lose you,” he adds. “Not when I just got your sexy, sassy little ass back in my life.”
I would never expect flowery words from Tucker. I don’t even think I would want them.
But this?
This feels right. “I care about you too. Why don’t you come inside for a minute? It’s freezing out here.”
“I would have thought you had Northern blood by now,” he says, as he follows me into the living room.
“Once a Southerner, always a Southerner. The weather was the thing I disliked the most about New York.” Rubbing my arms, I gesture for him to sit. “Spring is late this year, which seems like a dick move since I’m living back home for the first time in a decade.”
“Don’t even think about putting a curse on Mother Nature.” Tucker sits down beside me on the couch.
“I think I’m retired from casting curses.”
“Good to hear. Though you have put a whole different kind of spell on me.”
The minute the words are out of his mouth, he makes a face. I’m fighting the urge to laugh suddenly. “Um…”
“That sounded a whole lot better in my head than it did coming out. I’m sorry. I’m botching this.”
“Just dust off your karaoke speech,” I tease.
“I didn’t expect to see you at the law office that day. I certainly didn’t expect to feel punched in the gut by seeing you.” His hand slides over my thigh.
It’s a steady, warm grip. Solid. Like Tucker.
“I didn’t either.”
“I thought about you a lot over the years, but when I saw the woman you’ve become, I just…damn, I fell hard and fast. So hard. So fast.”
I nod, swallowing. “The feeling is mutual.”
“And I don’t object to the other guys. I get it. I want you to be happy. I loved seeing you come apart for the three of us. Hell, I loved working together with them to make that happen. It was hot as fuck, and I’m open to repeating that whenever you want.And I’m open to dating you while you date them, without rules, without a contract. I just want you to know that.”
I trace the back of his hand with my fingers, overcome with emotion. “Thank you. I don’t want to lose you either, Tucker. I’m falling in love with you.”
“And I’m falling in love with you.” Tucker leans forward and brushes a soft kiss over my lips that makes me sigh in pleasure and relief.
“You’re right,” he murmurs, kissing one side of my mouth. “We should let this evolve naturally. At whatever pace we need.” He kisses the other corner. “Who knows where it will take us?”
I shiver, leaning into him, fighting the urge to close my eyes. “You’re willing to do that?”
“Yes. I’m willing to do anything for you.”
