Harlow
We’re just finishing up our meal when I decide to broach the topic ofus!I’ve had a couple of glasses of wine, so my filter is a lot thinner than normal. Normally, I’d agonize over this a bit more and work out like ten different ways to get to the point, but the wine has decided I’m just going to blurt it out.
“So I had a little chat with Holden and Oliver last night, and I think it's time I had the same chat with you two.” They exchange a glance, but Jaxon gestures for me to keep going. “I find myself attracted to, well, all of you despite your past behavior. I’m not really sure what it says about me as a person, but it would be dishonest of me to deny it. I’m not going to play games with any of you, so even though I probably should hang some of you out to dry, I’m not going to hide or lie about what I feel.” I look at Jaxon when I say this because, let's face it, Kai has been perfect.
“When I originally agreed to come to Hawaii, I was thrilled to be able to spend time with you.” This I say to Kai, but I can’t read him. Though he’s normally so expressive and full of energy, he’s got one hell of a poker face right now. “And don't get me wrong, I still am. I can’t wait to get to know you better, but I feel the same way about Holden and Oliver and possibly even Jaxon and Declan.” I’m glad they’re letting me talk, but at the same time, I didn’t drink enough wine to help me painlessly power through this with no idea how they’re feeling. I stand up so I don't have to look at them, beginning to pace up and down the aisle. “I originally felt horribly guilty about this. That I couldn’t just pick one of you, but I’ve since come to a conclusion: why should I? Why should I have to choose? Why couldn't I see where things went with all of you? Unconventional relationships are trendy these days, and after talking to Holden and Oli, they kind of made it clear that you guys wouldn't be opposed to trying it either.”
Whirling around, I collapse into a chair across from the two of them. I want to be able to see both their faces, though that’s still absolutely no help. My breathing increases with worry, and I chew at my lip as they exchange another damn glance.
Kai is the one to respond first, taking mercy on me in my obviously impending freak out. “Harlow, as much as I would like to hog you all to myself, I can’t do that to you or my brothers. I can see your interest in them and vice versa, even though they all tried to hide it, and I would be doing you all a disservice if I opposed it. To be honest, I'm not all that jealous. I love my brothers, and I think that you’re what they all need. With this kind of arrangement, you will never feel neglected or second best because there will always be at least one or two of us around. I want this to be real and for it to last, and as much as I want you in my life, I don’t think I could do justice to one woman by myself.” Kai doesn’t sound disappointed or sad; in fact, he sounds pleased that I’ve brought the subject out into the open.
“I’ll just be happy to get a second chance after I was such an ass,” Jaxon tells me, his eyes focused on his lap before he manages to look up at the end of the sentence. “I really am sorry for the way I behaved. I let Jacinta get into my head, and I was a complete asshole. Please say you forgive me and are willing to see where things might take us. I spoke to Jacinta and told her I was all in and to leave me out of her problems, but I have a feeling that maybe all of that is over now.” He’s twisting his hands in this strangely vulnerable way, not what I expected from him, and I think that’s one of the things that tugs at my heartstrings. Sure, he’s been a major asshole, but what Hope told me about his and Jacinta’s history just keeps repeating in my mind, filling the silence.
Looking down and noticing his nervous tic, he stops before staring me dead in the eye. There’s a sincerity there that I haven’t seen since the first moment we met as two strangers just passing by one another in a bar, and that’s my undoing. Plus, he’s got to mean this if he actually spoke to Jacinta. I know, with more certainty than anything, how much he prizes his relationship with his sister.
“Forgiving takes time, Jaxon, but we are well on the way to it being a thing.” Fuck, now I feel incredibly awkward and can’t meet either of their eyes. “So yeah, we’re all on the same page. Good. That’s totally… good.”
“You didn't mention Thomas,” Kai probes carefully, and I shrug, looking anywhere but at them. “Harlow,” Kai growls, and my nipples pucker. Fuck, I am a needy bitch.
“Look, it’s not a lack of interest on my behalf, but apart from a couple of intense looks, he and I haven't really had anything to do with each other. At least with Jaxon, I know our chemistry is off the charts as long as his attitude doesn’t get in the way. Even Declan has warmed up to me, and we had a good time when we dropped the horses off. But Thomas… I just dont think he’s interested in me. I’ve been told a couple of times that he has an extreme dislike of the female persuasion. I don't know what I can do to convince him that I’m not like his ex, nor do I even know if I want to or not. I know next to nothing about the guy, and I feel like I need to know for certain before I try to get involved with his emotions. I would hate to convince him to give me a chance and then realize that maybe I don’t even want it in the first place.”
“Ok, but don't count him out,” Kai pleads, and I shrug, shivering slightly. I’m not sure if it’s because of the cool temperature of the plane or thinking about Thomas.
Jaxon must assume it’s the former because he stands up and grabs hold of me, dragging me over to sit between the two of them on the couch.
“With Thomas,youneed to decide. He won't pursue you, so you're going to have to be the aggressive one. But if you can convince him, you will find him to be the most devoted of us probably.” With each passing word, Jaxon incrementally moves closer so I can feel their body heat. My nipples throb as my panties get damp.
“Yeah, he worshipped the ground Clarissa walked on. He was attentive and loving and generous, and she wanted for nothing. But like I said, he’s a busy man and she had no interest in being faithful or loyal. It’s why he was so devastated when she did what she did. She could have had everything he has, including half an airline company, but she just couldn't see that. She wanted more.” Kai looks at Jaxon, who gestures for him to keep going.
“She tried to seduce a couple of us, but we shot her down. We tried to tell him, but he refused to see it. It wasn't until she finally betrayed him and the country by selling military plane plans that it finally hit him in the face. He was broken by it. There’s honestly no other word to describe it. It set him backyears, regressing him into the person he was when we were younger. We had worked so hard on getting him out of his shell helping him overcome the bullying from his asshole classmates, and Clarissa stole that confidence from him. He could never figure out what was so wrong with him, so lacking in him as a person and a partner, that would make her so desperate to hurt him. He went to great lengths to make sure she paid for her betrayal, but some of the things he’s done for that company were at a great cost to him. Maybe you can help fix some of that. I know that it’s not fair to throw a project at you when you’re opening yourself up for a relationship, but we just know that Thomas is worth it. He just needs someone to remind him that he’s better than his past, better than his ex ever thought he was, and that he’s enough, just as he is.”
Okay, now this is more like it.We're getting to the bottom of the mystery that is Thomas Summers. I sit up straighter, warmed by them both now. “You guys keep acting all mysterious about him. Is there something I should know? What company are you referring to, surely not Neighpalm Airlines? Dad doesn’t seem like he’d ever make any of you guys do something that would hurt you. Unless I’m completely wrong about him?”
Again, they exchange another glance over my head, and nerves start ratcheting up again. Did I get this wrong? Is there something about Dad that I need to know? “I swear, if you two don't stop it with the weird Jedi mindmeld shit, I’m going to kick you both…hard,” I threaten, and they both crack wide grins like I’m cute or something.
“I guess we can tell you. We haven't been very careful about keeping it a secret around you, and now that you're a part of the family, they’ll probably vet you anyway. No one apart from Hope and the family knows about this, so you will need to keep it to yourself, no telling Max,” Jaxon warns me.
Any of the levity in their gazes is completely gone now. They’ve both pulled slightly away, stealing some of that warmth, so that they can look me in the eyes.
“When Clarissa betrayed us, Thomas teamed up with the Federal Department Of Counterterrorism to help bring her and the people involved to justice. They were so impressed with his contributions, they wanted to cultivate some kind of relationship with him. He couldn’t be convinced to leave Neighpalm, but he did complete the field agent training and still works for them occasionally as a sort of independent contractor, I guess. I’m not really completely sure what to call him, but anyway… He can get into elite parties and social events, and considering who he is, no one ever looks twice. I’m pretty sure they’ve had him do some fairly unsavory things too, but he never talks about that.” Kai says that last bit quietly, and I can tell that he’s worried about his brother.
“So, that's also the long explanation as to why he’s getting your passport for you. He’s got government connections,” Jaxon says, standing up. “Who wants another drink? I need one after all that serious talk.” For the first time, he makes some kind of ridiculous grimace, the expression totally exaggerated, and I’m so startled to see it that it drags a laugh out of me.
“Not for me. I’ve got to drive the rental when we get to Hawaii,” Kai tells him, but I nod my head.
“Yeah, I wouldn't mind another glass of wine, please.” Jaxon heads to the front of the plane where the little galley is located between the cabin and the cockpit.
Still not ready to change the subject, Kai turns in his seat even more and grabs my hand. “Keep on trying with Thomas. I'm afraid if we all have you and he doesn’t, he’ll drift further away from us than he already has. And don't be afraid if he's nasty or aggressive. It's a defense mechanism, and it’s just his default mode since Clarissa. You’re going to have to give back as good as you get, and we will have your back. Promise me you’ll try?”
“I don’t know him well enough to make any promises, but I’ll put in some effort and see where it gets us.” Seemingly satisfied with my answer, Kai leans back in his seat again.
I shiver again, but I’m not sure if it’s from missing Jaxon’s body heat or the information they just told me about Thomas. There’s something so sad about the idea of him keeping apart from his siblings. Even when I was cursing them all, I wouldn’t have been able to deny that they’ve got a strong bond between them. He must be so lonely.
“Why don't you see if Cecelia packed you a sweater?” Kai suggests, getting up and retrieving my suitcase from where he stowed it. When he gets back, he places it at my feet, leaving it for me to check its contents. I’d rather have him wrapped around me than a sweater, but I lean forward and open it anyway. When it falls open, I can do nothing but stare in horror. Inside the case is about a hundred post-it notes withfuck youwritten on each one and what looks like clothes a two-bit 80s hooker would pick up at the Good Will like sequined boob tubes and micro mini skirts. Dear god. There’s even a leopard print bodysuit. They’re all stained and smell like smoke, booze, and body odor. On top, there’s a handwritten note.
This is payback for not letting me through at the hospital. Don’t mess with me. You’ll regret it.It’s not signed, but it's obvious it’s from Cecelia. The handwriting is very different to the one the nurse had delivered to me, and I’m feeling a weird sense of disappointment. I had been leaning toward Cecelia being the stalker, but I guess I was wrong. It would’ve been nice to be able to get rid of two problems at once. The longer I stare at the note, the more my mind whirls with questions.If it’s not Cecelia, then who?Each question brings that anger rising quicker, until I can’t help but let it out.
“Fucking bitch.” The growl that escapes my mouth is loud and feral, bringing Jaxon rushing back from the galley.
