“It does, I think.” But even the mention of my parents rips the wound off my heart again. “I don’t know ifeasieris the right word. But over time, it hurts less, hurtsdifferently. The rawness will fade more and more each day, even if it doesn’t feel like it.”
The anguish in his eyes slices me to the core, and for some reason, I glance over to the other brother, wondering if he looks the same. He hides it better, but it’s there behind the shades of swirling green.
“It’ll get easier.”
Green Eyes nods so subtly that I almost miss it. He mouths the words, unable to speak,Thank you.
With a soft grin, I smile and nod, turning back to face the man my hand is still caressing. Although I think he may be caressing my hand with his face more than I am caressing him.
There’s an understanding between us three, a pain that we can all relate to. I don’t even know their names, but I feel like I know who they are at their core.
He’s leaning into my touch unabashedly as he wets his lips. “Are you real?”
“What?” I giggle at his ridiculous question. “Am I real?”
Reaching up, he takes my hand from his cheek and brings it to his lips, kissing my palm softly before lowering it between us, intertwining his fingers with mine.
“You’re the most beautiful woman here—rather the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. You’re a goddamn angel who materialized when we needed you. I’m just wondering if we’ve been imagining you this entire time.”
My cheeks burst into flames, my stomach flipping. “You’re sweet.”
“Do you not believe me?” he asks, seemingly taken aback.
Rolling my eyes, I look over to the other brother, the one who keeps his heart hidden, unlike the blue-eyed guy holding my hand.
Tantalizingly slowly, he lifts his hand, his pointer finger leading the way toward the top of my left shoulder. A shiver runs through me as his fingertips trail across the bare skin and over the curve of my shoulder, moving lower and lower down my arm.
Green Eyes studies as his brother’s touch drifts over me, only flicking his eyes up to meet mine as he says, “He’s right. No one else here—or anywhere—can compare.”
I swallow hard as I suddenly realize the air has shifted between us. It’s not heavy with sorrow, but thick with attraction.
I challenge them, finding theirlinesa bit unbelievable. “You’ve seen every woman inside to come to this conclusion?”
Green Eyes smiles bigger, a playfulness in his heated stare. “Every single one.”
Squinting at him, I softly shake my head. “Liar.”
The one with blue eyes and a silver chain peeking out from his shirt tugs my hand, pulling my gaze, and keeping my hand in his. His smooth voice caresses my ear. “But we definitely aren’t lying about you.”
My stomach flutters, my body burning up. “Well, thank you.”
I’ve flirted with guys, sure, but never two at the same time, who are looking at me like they’re going to devour me. This is all overwhelming, but I don’t think I want it to stop.
“Is there a reason you’re out here and not dancing the night away? Or did you desperately want to comfort two broken brothers?” Blue Eyes smirks.
Rocking my head side to side, I hum. “I don’t know. I really like getting dressed up like this, only to ditch the party and hang out in the backyard. It’s kind of my thing. Although I don’t think”—my eyes shift, scanning around the massive garden, at least what I can see—“this counts as a backyard.”
“Sure it does,” Blue Eyes says. “It’sbackbehind the house.”
“Right. Of course.” I chuckle, returning to the question at hand. I debate on how truthful I want to answer. Since I’m playing dress-up tonight and this version of me won’t exist tomorrow, I speak honestly, as I have all night. “My stepmother is a cruel, horrible woman. I needed an escape.” I pause, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. “And I happen to love comforting broken brothers.”
Blue Eyes acts offended. “Are you telling me we aren’t your first?”
I giggle, suddenly very aware that each of them is holding one of my hands. “I don’t know. I’ve gotten a lot of offers …” I tease. “But you guys are the first ones I’ve taken.”
“Honored,” Green Eyes whispers right into my ear, and I nearly jump away from him. I had no idea he had leaned forward. “We’d hate to have to fight another set of brothers over you tonight.”
Blue Eyes chuckles arrogantly. “But we would.”
