Page 11 of Their Wanted Bride (Bridgewater Brides 1)

“We’ll be good husbands for you,” I said, ignoring Caleb’s words. “We might not be rich, but you’ll want for nothing, and no wife will ever be so cherished.”

Her brow wrinkled, making me want to pleasure her until the frown disappeared. She would be delicious and I couldn’t wait to taste her sweet pussy.

“I think it’s time I hear your long story now. Will you please tell me why you both say we when you’re talking about a wedding? It sounds as if you expect me to marry both of you, but that’s quite impossible.”

Clearing my throat, I took a sip from my water glass and scowled at Caleb for leaving me stuck with the explanations. He smirked and ate the last bite of his cornbread, swirling it through the juice left from his green beans. We weren’t ashamed of our desire to share a wife, but we knew outsiders would judge the families of Bridgewater harshly for their choices.

“Well…” I took a sip of water to give myself time to think. “Bridgewater is a special place, and things here are a little different than you might be used to.”

“How so?”

“It all started in a place called Mohamir.”

The skin between her brows smoothed. “That’s near Egypt, if I’m recalling it correctly. Did you and Caleb fight in the war there?”

I blinked, then nearly burst out laughing at the shocked expression on Caleb’s face. It appeared our new wife had a rather broad education.

“How did you know that?” Caleb asked.

“My father and I used to study geography together. He was a professor at Kentucky University.” Her pretty face fell slightly at the mention of what was obviously a fond recollection. “We’d sit on the veranda and share a cigar and sip bourbon while we talked about all the places we’d like to visit someday. I wanted to see the pyramids.”

If her father had allowed it, I couldn’t rightly fuss at her for drinking and smoking, especially if she associated it with such a pleasurable memory. Instead, I nodded in understanding. “We did not, but several of Bridgewater’s men were there. Maybe you can talk to them one day.”

“Yes, please.” She clasped her hands together, nearly bouncing in her chair. “That would be wonderful. I’ve never been anywhere, you see.”

Reaching over, I tapped her nose. “That is an outright fib. You’ve been almost all the way across the United States.”

Maddy blinked, then blushed a charming pink. “Yes, I suppose that’s true. I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me. Will you tell me what Mohamir has to do with Bridgewater?”

“There are certain customs in Mohamir regarding marriage,” I began, trying to decide how best to explain it. “You see, women are highly prized in that country, and to keep them safe, men… Well, that is to say—”

“A woman has two husbands there,” Maddy interrupted. “They believe it’s the best way to protect her should something happen to…” Her voice trailed off and her eyes widened. “You’ve brought the practice here. How is that possible?”

“It wasn’t us, but Justin and I want to embrace the Mohamiran ways. One of us will marry you legally, but you’ll be wife to both of us,” Caleb said. “We will both be fathers to your children.”

“Our lives will be spent making you safe, comfortable, and happy. That is, if you accept us,” I added, shooting Caleb a dark look. He was bound and determined to claim her. So was I, but I wasn’t about to drag her to the preacher and force her to make her vows.

Not yet, at least. I wasn’t above using the tease of the sensual delights we could bring her to further our cause.

CALEB

* * *

She stood and walked to the window, her back to us. Justin laid a hand on my shoulder when I made to go to her. “Give her a moment,” he whispered.

Although I wanted nothing more than to pull her into my arms and give her all the delight we could offer her, Justin was right. I nodded and bided my time while she made up her mind about us.

“Does this mean I don’t have to choose between you?”

“Yes, Maddy,” I said gently. “You’ll have us both, and we’ll devote our lives to making you happy.”

I swallowed the other words I wanted to say. I wanted to tell her how we’d pleasure her. How no inch of her body would go untouched when we claimed her, and how she’d know nothing but joy for the rest of her days.

“Which one of you will be my legal husband?”

I shared a look with Justin, then said, “We’ve decided to let you choose.”

“Very well. Will you tell me about your ranch?”

---