Page 41 of Harper’s Renegades

The other woman gave me a salacious grin. “Do you think they’re identical in every way?”

“Oh, are you talking about the tanned, blond-haired guys who are hotter than a human should rightly be?” I asked, cocking my head to the side.

“Yes, that’s them. I’m not sure there could be a better description of them than that,” the first girl answered, waving her hand excitedly, almost bouncing up and down.

I leaned in a little closer and lowered my voice so they had to listen carefully. “To answer your question… yes, they’re identical in every aspect physically. They do not disappoint, ladies,” I shared with a wink. “Enjoy the rest of your day.”

With that, I left them slack-jawed, staring after me as I strutted my way out of the building to find the three men in question waiting for me. None of them were wearing shirts, just their swim trunks and sandals, letting the sun glisten off their bodies. I paused a moment to take them in and had to keep from licking my lips because of how yummy they looked. The knowledge they were all mine helped a little too.

“Angel, why do you look like a cat who was given a bowl of cream?” Ghost asked as he held out a hand to me.

Slipping mine into his, I let him pull me against him, grinning like a fool. “Oh, it’s nothing. I just… I finally see why being able to boast to people that you’re with someone as amazingly sexy and sweet as you three is so much fun. It’s a bit of a high if I’m being honest.”

“Is that so? Are you saying you’re finally ready to admit your claim over us is officially official?” Jaxson asked as he stepped up behind me, placing his hands on my hips, pressing me into his brother.

I leaned my head back to look up at him. “Let’s just say if another woman dares to think she has a chance with you, I’m more than happy to correct her.”

Magnus pushed his way in on the side, so I was now the center of the circle. “Is that so? What about if a man thinks he has a chance with you? Are we allowed to correct him?”

“As long as that doesn’t mean you’re going to kill him, then yes. I’m not interested in anyone but the three of you, but I’m not willing to admit to what you three want to hear. The second I say I’m fully in this, I feel like you’ll have me before a judge putting a ring on my finger,” I said, pointing at each of them in turn. “We are exclusive and dating each other, but I’m not committing to more than that right now.”

“It’s like you have so little faith in our self-control,” Jaxson pouted.

Rolling my eyes, I huffed. “Tell me I’m wrong then.” The three of them looked at each other, then back to me, not uttering a word. “That’s what I thought. Now let’s go get our surf on and laugh at how terrible Harper is at this.”

“I’m telling you, angel, this is going to be better than you think,” Ghost corrected, swatting me on the ass as we headed onto the beach.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted the two ladies from the bathroom watching us in amazement. When they spotted me looking, they both gave me two thumbs up, then laughed as they rejoined their party.

When the guys said they liked to surf, they weren’t kidding. They each rented a board plus an additional longboard for me to learn on. I could see the excitement oozing out of Ghost as he waited for Magnus to pay the man. Jaxson was just as stoked but was able to keep from practically vibrating as he stood there.

“Look, why don’t you guys go out for a bit, catch the waves you want farther out on the break, and I’ll watch being utterly beside myself with your masculine prowess. I can get in a little sunbathing and relaxing, then we can proceed to torture me with lessons,” I suggested.

We all looked to Magnus, knowing he would be the one to have to approve this plan. However, when he begrudgingly agreed, I knew he wanted to go out just as badly as the others did. “I get to pick out the spot for you, though,” he stated.

“Fine by me. If it will set you at ease enough for you to go and have some goddamn fun, I’ll do whatever you ask,” I agreed with a shrug.

Ghost whistled, his brows raised in amazement. “Damn, angel, you ain’t playing around.”

“Look, Magnus was right before. I made you go shopping which I love to do. Now I’m going to support you in what you love to do. Other than when we’re fooling around, I haven’t seen all three of you this excited before,” I said, my hands resting on my hips. “Now, pick out my spot so you can go.”

The four of us trudged to the beach, looking for the best spot among the brightly colored umbrellas. Magnus, the brilliant man, rented one for us as well—a lovely shade of teal, I might add. We walked much further than expected until the crowd thinned out to a few scattered people. I shouldn’t be shocked that Magnus didn’t want me near a large number of people, but this seemed a little ridiculous. With more people, it should mean I was safer. Who would bother me with twenty million people watching?

“Here looks good,” the big man in charge finally announced.

“You sure, that guy and his girlfriend he’s sucking face with ten feet away, looks like he might be able to jump me,” I teased as he stabbed the umbrella into the sand.

He paused to look at me with eyes that wanted to bend me over his knee for my less-than- welcome comment. “You said you’d do anything so that I could go have fun. Sit here, don’t move, and try not to get sunburned.”

Unable to refrain, I saluted him. “Sir, yes, sir. I will do as instructed, master sergeant, sir.”

Ghost let out a snicker which got him a whack to the gut and a stink eye directed his way. “Sorry, sorry, that was just damn funny,” Ghost explained, trying to pull himself together. “Let’s go before I land myself grounded with her.”

Not leaving anything to chance, he jogged off into the water, his surfboard tucked under his arm. Jaxson leaned in and gave me a quick kiss before following on his brother’s heels. This left me with dear old Maggie.

“I promise to do as you ask,” I said, running my hand down his arm. “Please, take a break from having to worry about everything and just go enjoy the moment. You asked me to teach you how to be happier and smile more. Well, this is it. Do things that bring you joy, and the feeling can’t help but show on your face.”

Magnus cupped my cheek. “You bring me all the joy I need. That’s why I can’t let anything happen to you. If I lose you, then all that is good in the world is gone.”