Page 75 of The Betrothal

“Well, that’s rather silly of you. I don’t know what could have given you that idea.” Seb sat up, plumping a pillow and propping it behind him where he now rested against the large wooden headboard.

I frowned at him. “And you accused Alex of playing dumb.”

He arched his brow in reply and I turned to Ben for support, but he just sat calmly, his light eyes curious, no glasses to obscure them. His hair was glowing with the low sun, small shadows drawing under his cheekbones to highlight the beautiful cut of his face. The man was incredible to look at.

“Are you in need of some reassurance, Killer?” Seb asked.

My attention snapped back to him and I realised I was appraising him in much the same way. Tanned skin, bright smile, dazzling green eyes, his hair hand-tousled, rich dark brown but I could see strands of a fairer brown threaded through it.

“Right. Well, I wasn’t expecting this.” I gestured, generally. Especially not after the trauma bonding and secret sharing downstairs. “I wasn’t expecting you in my room, given that it’s a sensible time to have cut off what probably should never have happened in the first place.”

They both stared at me so I continued. “You know who I am. This was temporary. Pressing pause now gives you both plausible deniability.”

“You’re assuming people will find out?” Ben asked.

I pursed my lips. “I guess moving in politics gives you a sceptical outlook on life? Things have a way of getting out. So, yeah, it’s possible.”

“We had absolutely no idea, officer, the poor woman simply needed company in the cold, dreary storm.” Seb wore the most innocent expression I’d ever seen.

“Is that your ‘I’m a doctor, take me seriously’ tone?” I couldn’t help the quirk of a smile that broke through my scepticism.

“Not quite. I like to think of that one as ‘upstanding citizen’, but if you want to hear my ‘I’m a doctor and I won’t be argued with’, I’d be thrilled to give you a demonstration.” His eyes dared me to accept.

I gulped. Why was that so sexy? I didn’t have a medical kink, that was for certain.

“Hilarious.” I remained by the door but was becoming acutely aware of my state of undress. “But regardless, what is done is done.”

When neither man moved, I shot Ben my most pleading look, but the corner of his mouth simply kicked up and he slowly drank me in, the effect compounding the tension I sensed building in the room.

“I’d like to get dressed and settle in for the night, if you don’t mind.” I tried to get the conversation back on track.

“Not at all, go ahead.” Ben’s voice was low and my mouth dropped at his bold reply. Normally he was always so logical and considerate, sympathetic even. Now he looked immovable. He propped one foot on the other knee and rested his arms across the window, settling in.

“Hah, you’re kidding, right?” My laughter died at both of their expressions.

Their eyes hooded, Seb wetted his lips with his tongue, the movement salacious. Yep, I was definitely aroused.

“Seriously, guys, let’s give it some space for now. Leave it alone. It’s for the best.” I put out my last effort at taking control.

“Killer.” Seb rose from the bed, my head tilted upwards to maintain eye contact as he stalked towards me. “Are you saying you don’t want us?” He stopped just out of reach, his tone deeply serious. “Are you saying no to us?”

My attempt at taking control had failed miserably. Seb was demanding honesty.

“No,” I whispered.

“Louder, Sugar.”

My eyes snapped to Ben, and I cleared my throat to try again, but the words still came out breathless. “I said no.”

“Excellent.” Seb reached out and traced his fingertip across my neck and over my collarbone, earning him a shudder. He traced over my chest, curving around the top of my breast to hook under the tucked edge of the towel. “Hands off, Killer.”

I looked to where I’d instinctively crossed my arms over my body, in part from nerves, but more to avoid an inopportune failure of said towel.

“Killer,” he growled.

Gradually I lowered my arms, apprehension skittering over me, the small hairs rising over my skin.

Seb’s finger tugged ever so gently at the small knot and it fell away, leaving me bared to them.