Page 111 of Stepbrothers

“But what?” Parker dragged in a deep breath. His shoulders were tense as was his jaw.

“But she’s right, there is something between us,” Trig said, “You know I haven’t had a long-term girlfriend…not for years.”

“Ever?” Hugh said.

“Not really.” Trig shrugged. “It’s just my job, being away a lot, the shitstorms I land in the middle of, they’re ugly as fuck.” He paused. “I didn’t want to drag a woman into my way of life, leave her alone for months at a time…permanently if my luck runs out.”

“Don’t say that.” Clarice worried. The thought of him being killed was horrifying.

“But it’s true.” He bit on his bottom lip. “And I’m nearly thirty, it’s time I tried to make one part of my life normal, give my heart what it wants.”

“Your heart?” She studied him.

“Let’s just say I can understand why my brothers have fallen for you.” Trig cleared his throat.

She guessed he wasn’t used to discussing his feelings in front of Hugh and Parker.

“It wasn’t hard.” Hugh smiled gently at her. “To fall in love with a woman who is smart, kind, and sexy.”

His words and his love filled her with strength. They could figure this out. She knew they could.

“And also with Clarice…” Trig went on. “I can leave her here with you guys and know she’s okay.”

“We’ll always care for her,” Parker said. “Whether you two are an item or not.”

“I know. I know you will. But in the past, I’ve stopped myself falling for someone because when I’m deployed I’d screw myself up wondering if they were waiting for me, cheating on me, or if they were sad and lonely because I wasn’t there. But to know you, my best buddies, my brothers, are looking after the woman I care about…” He paused. A little twitch caught the corner of his mouth. “The woman I fantasize about. Well, that’s gonna count for a lot.” He tapped the side of his head. “It’ll keep me concentrating on not catching a bullet or standing on a mine.”

“Yeah, we want you concentrating on that,” Hugh said gruffly. “That’s for sure.”

“So this could work.” Trig nodded slowly. “I haven’t done what you guys have before, share a woman, but…” He studied Clarice. “I could share you, if you’ll have me.”

“You’ll have to share, it’s the only way.” She held Parker tighter. “Because I’m hooked, I can’t give your brothers up.”

Parker chuckled quietly. “I’m glad to hear it, baby.”

Relief flooded through her. His mood was lightening. He was coming around to the idea of her and Trig.

“So that’s sorted,” Trig said with finality.

“So it seems.” Hugh took a sip of beer. “If everyone is happy.”

“I am.” Clarice smiled at each of the Talbot brothers in turn, her stomach doing a flip of excitement mixed with love and longing. How the heck had she gotten so lucky? They were all gorgeous in their own way, and each gave her something different. She’d be overflowing with love and attention and orgasms if all went as planned.

“And I take it you’re not telling Dad and Jenny about this little arrangement.” Trig raised his eyebrows. “Anytime soon.”

“How do you think they’d take it?” Parker asked.

“I can’t imagine they’d be thrilled,” Trig said. “It would be unconventional for one of us to be shacking up with our stepsister, but all of us. Mmm, yeah, they wouldn’t take it well, would they.”

“I think a lot of people will think it’s odd.” Clarice thought of Wendy and Sharon. “Which bothers me.”

“I know it does,” Hugh said. “But what business is your sex life, your love life, to anyone else? Most people have a private side to their lives that they share with only a few others. That’s the way I see it.”

“True.” Trig nodded and swiped up his phone and keys. “So we keep it on the down-low.”

“Where are you going?” Clarice asked.

“Over to see Dad, which is why I wanted to clarify our story. I need to spend some time with him while I’m here. He needs a hand with moving some stuff around the garage, I said I’d be the muscle, kill two birds with one stone.”

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