Page 165 of Theirs to Tempt: The Marriage Claim

Neither Lucian nor Caleb tried to talk me out of returning to Houston. Caleb made certain there was water beside me on the flight. At some point, food appeared. Lucian sat across from me, his attention never quite leaving my face even though he respected the distance I asked for.

That should have made things easier.

Instead, every small act of care scraped against the raw place inside me, because none of this is simple enough for me to hate them.

I step from the elevator into the penthouse and stop.

For weeks, I resisted thinking of this place as home. It belonged to them—the dark walnut, the expensive leather, the enormous windows, the technology tucked invisibly into every surface. When I first walked through these rooms, everything about them seemed designed to remind me that two powerful men had decided where I would live.

Somewhere along the way, that changed.

My books are mixed with theirs now. A cardigan I left draped over the back of a chair is still there. On the kitchen counter, beside the absurdly expensive coffee machine Lucian insisted I learn to use, sits the mug I reach for most mornings.

Nothing dramatic.

Just evidence of lives quietly entwining together while I was too busy fighting it to notice.

My throat tightens.

Caleb comes to a stop several feet behind me. “Sophie?”

“I need some water.”

It’s an excuse, but they let me have it.

I cross to the kitchen and take a glass from the cabinet. My hands shake enough that I spill a little when I fill it, and I wipe the droplets from the counter with my palm before taking a drink.

Neither man moves closer.

Their restraint is almost unbearable.

I set down the glass and stare at my left hand.

The engagement diamond catches the light first, flanked by the sapphires Lucian chose before I had agreed to wear anything from him. Stacked against it are the two wedding bands.

Drawing a steadying breath, I touch the enormous diamond with my forefinger.

Behind me, the air changes.

“Sophie.”

Lucian says my name softly, but I hear the warning beneath it. It’s not directed at me, though. It’s aimed at what he fears I am about to do.

Slowly I turn. “I need you to leave me alone.” I include Caleb in my glance. “Both of you.”

Caleb nods first.

Lucian’s gaze stays on my hand, and for several seconds, I wonder whether he will agree at all.

Finally his gaze meets mine. “All right.”

A lump in my throat growing bigger by the moment, I work the engagement ring over my knuckle.

Lucian moves.

It is barely half a step, pure instinct rather than decision, but Caleb closes his hand around his forearm before he can come any farther.

“Don’t.”