She sat up straighter, finally looking out the open window, her eyes darting between us, as the two of them also professed their love.
“If you can forgive us, we each ask for a chance with you, not only here at the Ranch, but at home. We’ll figure it out. We don’t want a long distance relationship, so whether we meet you on your turf, and one of us stays with you at a time while the other two manage our business, or you move in with us, or something completely different… we’ll do it.”
Phoenix took advantage of me needing to pause for a breath again. “Or if you choose one of us, we’ll respect that, but please consider all three.”
“The three of you are so…. You get grumpy with each other and grumble about whoseturnit is with me.”
“We’re sorry for the way that came across. We’ve never come up against a woman who captivated us so deeply, so quickly. We didn’t have a chance to talk. But yesterday we did, and we had a discussion with Master Derek, Samuel, and Catherine. We would rather share a relationship than be left out.”
I said, “We wouldn’t want to make you move faster than you’re ready to. If you need time, if you need to date us together or individually, we’ll give it a try.”
Atlas said, “I will take my role as your Daddy Dom seriously. I will go to classes or counseling. I will do whatever you need me to do to be better.”
Phoenix said, “I’m sorry I didn’t open up to you more. I’ve been hurt before. I thought if I hid my feelings and kept it fun, I could keep myself from getting hurt again.”
His armored hand clanked against his metal chest. “But every single second since I’ve met you, I’ve fallen harder for you. It kills me to know that we hurt you, and I especially hate thatit happened here and we ruined your getaway, but I think fate stepped in, put us here, because we are the right men for you.”
I dropped to one knee. “I promise you, Penny, my purpose on this planet is to serve you, and I will risk everything to protect you if you’ll give me the chance.”
Penny looked past us, and I clumsily wobbled around to follow her gaze, realizing that we were no longer alone. Everyone from the unicorn party had gathered behind us.
Atlas saw it too. “This is too much for Penny. We need some privacy, please.”
Master Derek got a few people to take the horses’ reins, then called out, “Everyone follow the unicorns back to the party. This is a private matter.”
Surprisingly, he only sent two of the horses back.
“The choice is yours, Penny,” Master Derek said before he, Samuel, and Catherine took the guard with them into the guardhouse after tying Hercules off.
Sort ofalone at last, anxiety wracked my nerves with the knowledge that Penny could hit the gas and be gone as the gate began to open.
She watched as the heavy iron barrier slowly offered her freedom. It was the wrong kind of freedom though.
Getting her attention back on us, I asked, “Would you like us to relinquish our costumes and wait in our rooms?”
Atlas added, “Our parents don’t have to know any of this. We can simply report back that you were a star student at Rawhide Ranch, but when I talk to your mom, it’s going to be hard not to tell her that you’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. Sure you’re reserved. I guess that’s why she wanted us to protect you, but you’re strong. You know what you want. You’ll speak your mind. You don’t let people take advantage of you, and your mother was wrong to think you needed to be watched over.”Atlas inhaled quickly and declared, “I don’t want to go another day without you in my life.”
There was Atlas’ damn monologue again.
“So what do you say, Penny? Will you stay?” he tagged on one last bit.
“Do you really mean all of those things?”
Atlas continued, “Yes, and we’ll never lie to you again—we promised Master Derek, and I’m not about to find out what kind of discipline he would dole out.”
Her laugh broke the tension. “I’d kind of like to see him paddle your ass.”
Atlas inhaled hard. “If that’s what you want…”
When our gasps and laughter died off, Penny said, “You don’t think I’m weird or unlovable?”
My heart lightened as her walls came down. “I’ve never been so in love with someone. We all have our differences, or faults as some might say. Atlas is bossy. Phoenix is grumpy, and everyone says I don’t take life seriously enough, but life is too serious. Being laid back is my protection from how scary life can be. Maybe between the four of us we can find a balance.”
“We can harness each other’s strengths to fortify our weaknesses,” Phoenix said.
She nodded.
“You don’t have to agree to be nice. You really can tell us anything, even if it’s going to hurt. We want to hear the truth.” I pointed. “And Master Derek’s right there, so if you want him to paddle Atlas’ ass, I’ll go get him.”
