Page 114 of Indecent Ventures

She narrows her eyes at me. “Nice shiner.” I instinctively touch my black eye. “How does it feel to get your ass kicked by a fifty-four-year-old man?”

“He didn’t kick my ass…”

“Will you two stop bickering. I don’t have the patience for anything right now. I’m like a beached whale. You’re both better off not pissing me off.”

We turn and see Reagan. I bow to her. “I’m here to serve you, your highness. Would you like me to draw you a bath and help you undress to get in? Or, if you’re taking a shower, I can be your shower bra.”

She narrows her eyes. “What’s a shower bra?”

“The person who holds up your boobs while you shower.”

She sighs. “It’s going to be a long two days.”

I turn to Skylar. “What about you? Youreallylook like you might be in need of a shower bra too.” Her already large tits have gotten even larger in pregnancy.

She gives me the finger.

I can’t help but smile.

* * *

The past twenty-fourhours have been insane. They are keeping the house at arctic temperatures, and still complain that it’s too hot. They eat sixteen meals a day. I’ve ordered enough food to feed fifty football teams, and they plow right through it.

They go to the bathroom no less than a hundred times a day each, usually needing help getting there. They’re constantly thirsty. I’ve refilled their water bottles a thousand times.

I’ve given back massages and foot rubs. I’ve offered happy endings on the massages, but they both declined.

Oh, and Lance and Carter text me every two minutes to make sure the girls are okay.

I’m exhausted. I just need to make it through one more night. I don’t know how Carter and Lance do this every day. And they seem so damn happy about it too.

Reagan and I are sitting at the kitchen table before bed because, of course, she needed a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream before bed. Skylar went to bed an hour ago after downing a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Karamel Sutra Core. She did not care for my comments on her flavor choice.

Reagan looks at me. “How are things with Jade?”

I shrug. “She doesn’t want to see me. Or talk to me. She texted that she needs time to process. I put it on the back burner for a few days while I’m here. After Carter gets back tomorrow night, I’ll go over there and try to talk with her.”

“What’s the main issue?”

“There are a few things. Our connection is intense. Neither of us saw it coming. We both intended it to be casual. She’s freaked out about a bunch of shit, but mostly I think she’s simply afraid of love. Declan not being around the first few years messed her up. I personally think she has it in her mind that she’ll never let a man in enough to hurt her again. She wants me but is afraid of us. Of me. It’s not like I can totally blame her with my track record.”

She nods. “I get that.”

“Me not wanting to be seen in public also hurt her. She was agreeable at first, but I think she would have come out to you all months ago if I was willing.”

“I definitely understand her feeling that way. It was stupid.”

“Maybe it was. I did what I thought was best for everyone at the time.” I sigh. “At the very beginning, she was the one who was dead set on keeping things casual and secretive. As the months have gone on, I think we both realize that we’re kind of perfect for each other. It’s a scary proposition. I love her exactly how she is. I think she feels the same about me. I’m not sure I’ll ever find another woman who appreciates my brand of crazy like she does.”

She smiles. “In your weird Collin way, that was sweet.”

“I guess under my extreme good looks, I’m a little insecure.”

“How so? And you’re not that good-looking.”

I let out a small laugh. “I hate confrontation. I was terrified of Carter finding out and thinking poorly of me. He’s the most functional relationship I’ve ever had. I didn’t want to rock the boat, even if it hurt both me and Jade. I still haven’t told my family that I’m going to leave the business and work with you guys full-time. I’m afraid of my father and brothers being upset with me. Jade called me out on all of it. She told me I’m a coward and she’s right. I want to try to be a better man for her.”

She fiddles with her spoon for a moment. “Can I ask you a blunt question?”

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