Page 25 of Their Virgins Secret

She nodded, her head turning toward the Dallas skyline. It twinkled in the distance like a jewel just out of reach. “It’s pretty. At least you didn’t lie about living here. ”

God, they were in such deep shit with Jessa, they’d probably never dig out, much less get to that bag of tricks. “We only lied to protect you from this. ”

She laughed, an utterly humorless sound. It seemed that all of her life and happiness had been left behind with her son. “Yeah, you didn’t do a very good job. ”

He closed his eyes briefly, the pain that flared almost overwhelming him. They had failed her on every level. “We didn’t mean for any of this to happen. ”

She shrugged, continuing to watch the horizon. “It wasn’t so bad once I got my trust fund. My folks wouldn’t give me a loan. They told me I’d made my bed so I should lie in it. Dad offered to pay for an abortion, but only if I came back to the company and behaved the way his daughter should. ”

How close had Caleb come to never being born? He’d only met the little guy a few hours before, but he already loved their son, missed him sorely. It would have been smarter for Jessa to end the pregnancy. She would have been able to get on with her life. But Burke was glad she hadn’t.

“I’d like to meet your father someday,” he ground out.

She shook her head. “It wouldn’t matter. He’s never going to change. He truly believes he’s doing the right thing. In his mind, being an artist is one step away from being a mental patient. Don’t ask about that logic. Despite the long, convoluted lecture, I don’t understand, either. I had assumed they would want to know their grandchild regardless, but no. I don’t care anymore. I have the trust my grandmother left me, and my art is starting to pay. Caleb and I are going to be fine. Well, if I’m not dead in the next couple of days. ”

Burke couldn’t stop himself. Jessa wasn’t going to like it—but she needed what he could give her.

“Come here. ” He put his arms around her and brought her close. She didn’t fight, but she didn’t return the embrace, either. That was all right. She needed comfort; he would provide it. And just being close to her, feeling the heat of her body, calmed him, too. “I’m never going to let that happen. I swear I’ll die first. ”

She softened slightly, giving him some small measure of hope.

“The room’s clear. ” Cole stood in the doorway, watching them with burning eyes. Burke could see plainly that his brother wasn’t jealous, but envious that he was hugging Jessa. Cole wanted to do the same thing. Burke felt his twin’s frustration and worry. Cole didn’t trust himself to stop at a hug. If Cole touched her, he would try to mount her, seal their bond again. He wanted to dominate her, sink into her, make her remember who her Masters were, and he didn’t feel he had the right.

“Let’s go inside, sweetheart,” Burke murmured.

She jerked away from him and stomped past Cole. “I told you not to call me that. ”

“I’ve never been good at taking orders. ” Burke followed her in. He watched Jessa’s face as she took in the sad room. Though painfully clean, there was only one very large bed. No wonder they charged by the hour rate.

“Where are you two going to sleep?” Jessa raised a brow as she sat on the bed.

“I’m planning to wait until you’re asleep, then climb in with you,” Burke admitted.

“Uh, no. ” Jessa crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m not sleeping with you ever again. ”

Several charged retorts ran through Burke’s mind. He swallowed them down. Challenging her when she felt like her back was against the wall wasn’t productive. But god, how he wanted to make her eat those words.

“I won’t try to touch you. But we all need rest. ”

“Then you can sleep on the floor. I don’t exactly trust you to be a man of your word since everything you told me a year ago was a lie. ”

“Goddamn it, we’ve explained that!” Burke felt his temper slipping. Anxiety, adrenaline, and a burning need to fuck Jessa weren’t good for his mood.

She jumped up and got in his face. “Only because Marco forced you to. Otherwise, you’d still be working, and Caleb and I would still be at the bottom of your priority list. I’d still know that you’d seduced and abandoned me, but at least I’d have my beautiful Victorian home, my son, and some really beautiful memories of the night he was conceived. Now, all I have is some asshole trying to kill me and the two…” she fumbled for a word, “mercenaries who abandoned me saying they’re going to save me. Forgive me if I’m not thrilled with your sudden honesty. ”

“Both of you, enough,” Cole growled, his voice deep, low, and dominant. “This argument is pointless and over. I concur with Burke’s plan. You will fall asleep in the bed, then we will crawl in with you and rest. All in favor say aye. ”

Burke smiled. “Aye. ”

Jessa glared at them in turn, her mouth hanging open. “You can’t vote on this. ”

“We just did,” Burke said. “And guess what? We win. Ah, the joys of democracy. ”

She rolled her eyes. And there it was. A hint of a smile, albeit reluctant. The faintest trace of the Jessa that Burke had been worried was lost forever. “Fine. Gang up on me. But don’t be surprised if I toss and turn in my sleep and kick. There definitely might be some kicking. ”

“There might be some spanking, too,” Cole vowed. “Think on that. ”

Burke’s cell rang, cutting off a very interesting turn in the conversation. He pulled it from his pocket and checked the number and frowned at Cole. “It’s Hilary. ”

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