Page 44 of Brides and Brothers
Easton held up his hand. “Wait, from my experience, girls can’tstoptalking. The question we should be asking is how to cut them off!”
Camille giggled. “Start staring at another girl, and trust me, your date will be over!”
“What about holding a girl’s hand? Are you still supposed to do that before kissing?” Daegan asked.
This comment caught Camille off guard. She knew these guys had dated minimally, but they were asking her to lay out the how-to as if she were a legitimate expert. She wasn’t, but she wanted to build a relationship with her family, so she’d willingly share her opinion if they asked. “You might have to trust your instincts on that. I’ve never believed in throwing away kisses like free candy. If you get the go-ahead, and you’re feeling ready to take the next step, then you can kiss her.”
The boys digested that for a moment, seeming to agree.
Benson ran his hand through his hair, making the sides stick up. “Daisha probably thought I was a real piece of work. I finally had a woman’s attention, and I let her have it. My mouth did more yacking than it had in probably a year’s time.”
Easton chuckled. “As long as it wasn’t about your precious potatoes, because if it was, it’s all over for you.”
Benson’s skin turned a shade of green.
It was too painful to watch. Camille couldn’t resist trying to smooth things over for the guy. “First impressions aren’t everything. I’d say a second chance is still available for you, Benson. You’ll see Daisha again, guaranteed. We’re practically sisters, she and I.”
It worked. The lines on Benson’s forehead smoothed. “One more question,” he said. “How do you feel about dating someone simply because you have an end goal? Or do you feel like love is the only reason to pursue some-one?”
Camille hesitated. She hadn’t really thought about it. Her desire to be married had prepared her for when the time came. But there was no question about it—she loved Aiden. “You want to get married only once if you can help it. I’d say the safest bet for happiness is that you marry someone you love.”
“Like you and Aiden,” Benson suggested.
Why did his statement sound more like a question? Camille wondered where this was going. “Of course.”
No one spoke for a minute. Easton cleared his throat and in a very feminine voice said, “Session two of Millie’s Matchmaking Services will be held next Tuesday, same time, same place. Everyone comes with a story of their most recent female encounter for Camille to analyze. Now, give her a hand, gentlemen.”
The brothers clapped, more in a patronizing fashion than a genuine one. Camille stood and bowed before retreating to find Aiden.
At least her husband would be happy she was fitting in with her new brothers. Though, what she really wanted was time with him.
Aiden
Aiden punched some numbers into Excel, then rubbed his tired eyes. He was working as hard as he could to seal the offer he’d received for his software. It wasn’t that he didn’t like Camille’s plan to marry off his brothers—in fact, it mirrored his own goals—but love was a matter of chance. He’d been lucky to find Camille, but he couldn’t count on luck to work for his brothers too. Instead, he’d rely on numbers. His software was run by complicated algorithms outputting consistent, dependable results, and it would be that same software that would line up his bank numbers and save the day. He’d blindsided Camille with a houseful of men after the wedding, and it would be money, not love, that would help soften the blow when he told his brothers to move out.
“Hey there.” Camille walked into the office and sat on the corner of his desk.
Those were all the words he needed to convince him to be done for the night. He shut his computer and crossed over to wrap his arms around her. His kiss was a little wimpy, but it was all he had the energy for. He pulled back and studied her. “Have you married off my brothers yet?”
Camille smirked. “All in good time, computer boy. We’d better get you to bed before you fall asleep in this room. It’s starting to look like your man cave in here. I don’t know how you stand the seclusion day after day.”
Aiden shrugged. “It’s all for you, baby. I’m earning us an incredible honey-moon and possibly an early retirement.”
She gave him a bored look.
“No need to thank me.”
Camille laughed and laid her head on Aiden’s chest. “If it’s important to you, then it’s important to me.”
Aiden ran his hand down her soft hair. How could he explain that she was more important than his work? He couldn’t comprehend how his life could change so completely in two short months, but that was love. “Thanks,” he finally replied. “When we’re rich, I’ll build six new houses. We’ll put a brother in each one so we can have this one all to ourselves like you want. Now, pull me to bed. I can barely keep my eyes open.”
“Never mind!” Camille pushed him back toward his seat. “Go back to work. I like the idea of a house all to ourselves.”
With a chuckle, he tucked her under his shoulder and steered her away from his office. His feet dragged until he reached their bed. He flopped onto the mattress, and Camille slipped into the bathroom to brush her teeth.
“You know I don’t care about being rich, right?” Her words slurred around her toothbrush.
Aiden mumbled an affirmative.
“Oh,” Camille said, her voice carrying to him. “You’ll never guess what your brothers said after you left tonight.”
He wanted to know. Really, he did. But he closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, it was morning.
