by Marla Monroe
“Why don’t you come home with us? Nothing has to happen. We’re all beat, but we want you in our house where we can treat you like a queen, sweetness,” Jasper said.
“I don’t have anything with me,” she said.
“You can wear one of our T-shirts and a pair of our boxers. You’ll be fine,” Phillip said.
“I’ll need to go home sometime tomorrow,” she told them.
“No problem. You’ll have your car and can leave at any time, babe,” Phillip said.
She looked over at Jasper, then back at Phillip, and decided to hell with it. She was going to go.
“Okay. I’ll come over to your place,” Caro said.
“Thank you, babe. We’ll take real good care of you,” Phillip said.
“I’m counting on it.”
Chapter Eight
Phillip helped her out of her coat and hung it on the coatrack. She toed off her shoes, and Jasper set them on the tray beneath the coats.
“You didn’t have to take off your shoes. We only do that when there’s snow or mud on them,” Jasper told her.
“The floors are so pretty I hated to get them dirty,” she said.
“Come on in. How about a cup of hot chocolate to warm you up and help you rest?” Jasper said.
“That sounds great. Thanks,” she said.
Phillip guided her into the living room and drew her down on the couch where he sat at her feet and began removing her socks.
“Whoa, I’ve been on my feet for nearly twelve hours. They’re not going to smell very good,” she said, jerking her feet away from him.
“Nonsense. It doesn’t matter how they smell. I’m going to massage them so they don’t bother you when you go to bed later.” Phillip pulled her feet back toward him and then continued removing her socks.
“It’s your nose. I warned you.”
He tossed the socks on the floor, then leaned down, and took a sniff before grabbing his nose and giving a “ewweee” noise.
“Asshole.” She kicked him in the stomach.
“I’m just teasing. They don’t stink, babe.” Phillip began massaging her feet one foot at a time.
“Damn, that feels good,” she admitted as she laid her head back against the couch.
“See? We have high utility value.”
“I’ll pay you to do this every night I work.”
“I’ll do it for free, babe.”
“I just may take you up on that offer,” she said.
“What offer? Did I miss something?” Jasper asked.
“I’m promising foot massages for the nights she works.”
“I’ll throw in hot chocolate for cold nights,” Jasper said.
“Yep, you guys are too good to be true. I’m waiting for the smelly fart or annoying burp,” Caro said without opening her eyes.
“Did you promise that?” Jasper asked. “I didn’t.”
“Nope. I think she’s waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
“Oh.”
Jasper lifted her head up and then scooted in under her. He ran his fingers through her hair and massaged her scalp. “Your hot chocolate will get cold if you don’t sit up and drink it.”
She moaned and then let him support her as she sat up. The aroma was tantalizing. She took the mug from him and inhaled. Then she took a cautious sip of the hot liquid.
“Mmm. This is great. You used real milk and cocoa, didn’t you?” she asked.
“It’s the only way to make it. Though for when we’re in a hurry and heading out the door, we sometimes use the dark hot chocolate mix with the Keurig,” Jasper said.
“I’ve never had anything from one of those before, but I hear it’s great,” she said.
“Do you like coffee?” Phillip asked.
“I like it in the mornings but only one cup. It’s why I don’t have a coffeepot. I’d only end up wasting coffee, and you can’t really make just one cup. I get my fix when I go to the diner while I’m off,” Caro said.
“That’s the great thing about a Keurig. You can make one cup at a time. You need to see about getting one. They make small ones,” Jasper said.
“Maybe I will. It would be nice not to have to go out to get my fix,” she said.
“They more than pay for themselves for when there’s just you and you don’t want a full pot,” Phillip agreed.
“Drink up, Cinderella. You need to get showered and into bed so you’ll be able to get up at a decent hour tomorrow,” Jasper said. “You’re going to love the bathroom. You can either take a long luxurious bath in the soaker tub or a fantastic shower. Your choice.”
“I can’t wait to see this amazing bathroom you’ve talked about,” she admitted. She quickly drank down the rest of her cocoa and handed the mug to Jasper before pulling her feet from Phillip’s lap.
“Right this way, babe.” Phillip led the way upstairs to where a small landing looked out of the living area and then down the hall to the last door.
“Here you are. Let us show you where everything is. Then we’ll get you a T-shirt and boxers to wear to bed,” Phillip said.
She couldn’t stop staring at the massive bedroom with the equally massive bed. There was a large dresser with a mirror, two sets of chest of drawers, and three doors. Jasper led the way to the middle door where she walked into a huge bathroom with the soaker tub they’d mentioned and a glass and slate enclosed shower that would easily fit four people. It had multiple showerheads and a seat in the back. She stood there and stared for the longest time.
Finally, Jasper snapped his fingers in front of her face. “You in there?”
She laughed. “Sorry. It’s a little overwhelming. I’ve never seen anything like it. Well, maybe on one of those TV shows, but not in person. Wow. Just wow.”
“We wanted the best we could get, so when we had to tear out the old one, we took in a little of the bedroom since it was so big and made two oversized walk-in closets and this bathroom,” Phillip told her.
“I’m impressed. This is just amazing.”
“Want me to turn on the tub for you?” Jasper asked. “We have bath salts if you want them. It might help you to relax.”
“As wonderful as that sounds, I think I just want a shower tonight. I’m more than ready for bed. You guys have massaged and hot chocolated me almost asleep already,” she said.
“We’ll leave you to it then. We’ll leave the clothes on the bed for you. Towels are in the cupboard there but the one on the towel rack should be nice and toasty.” Phillip indicated the warming rack across from the tub.
“Good night, sweetness. If you need anything, just call out down the hall. We’re in the two rooms down from you,” Jasper said.
“Thanks, guys. I’ll be fine. If I don’t wake up by two tomorrow, please wake me or I won’t be able to sleep at night next week.”
“We will. But stay in bed as late as you want to. I doubt either of us will be up before noon,” Phillip said. “Night, babe.”
Both men pulled her in for a kiss, but didn’t make it more than a brief brush of lips as if knowing she was ready to get into the shower and didn’t want to get too involved. If they pressed it, she’d have been wide awake again and all over them. They affected her that way. As much as she’d attempted to keep from getting tied up with them, her body was very aware of them as men. It wouldn’t take much for her to let loose and pull them into bed with her despite not knowing how that all worked.
“Thanks, guys. Good night.”
She watched as they closed the door to the bedroom behind them. She walked into the bathroom and quickly removed her clothes and then stepped into the shower after turning it on. It took her a few tries before she got it like she wanted it, but once she did, Caro didn’t want to get out. It felt so good.
She dried off with the heavenly hot towel and peeked into the other room to find that the guys had left not only the T-shirt and boxers but also a large terry cloth towel for her to use. Caro tried on the boxers and had to roll the waist down a couple of times to get them
She also noticed that they’d turned down the bed and left the bedside light on for her. She turned off the overhead light and climbed into bed to note how warm it was. They’d also thought about turning on the electric blanket. They were jewels. Why weren’t they already snatched up?
Because they want to share, and most women can’t handle a relationship like that. I’m not sure I can handle one, but I sure want to try.
They were spoiling her already. Like Jasper said, she was waiting for the other shoe to fall.
* * * *
“She said she wanted us to wake her up if she wasn’t up at two,” Jasper whispered.
“Another thirty minutes wouldn’t hurt,” Phillip said.
Caro smothered a smile. She waited to see if Jasper would cave.
“I agree, but we don’t want her to think we don’t stick to our word. Wake her up,” Jasper said.
“Why me? We don’t know how she wakes up. What if she wakes up swinging? She’s in a strange bed,” Phillip said.
“Better you than me.”
“Damn. You owe me,” Phillip said.
When he leaned over and whispered in her ear that it was time to wake up, she giggled and grabbed him around the neck to kiss him.
“Hey. That’s not fair,” Jasper said, chuckling.
“You didn’t take a chance, Jasper. Sorry. No kisses for you,” she said with a broad smile.
“I’m not worried. I’ll get mine. I fixed pancakes and sausage for brunch,” Jasper said.
“Wow. You get a kiss, too then.” She reached out, and he immediately leaned in for his.
The one with Jasper turned a little heated, but he pulled back after a few seconds of intense kissing and cleared his throat.
“As much as I don’t want to stop, the food will get cold,” he said.
“We can always pick up where we left off later,” Phillip suggested, wiggling his brows.
Caro burst out laughing at the weird motion. She’d woken up earlier a little disoriented at first with being in the strange bed, but once she’d remembered where she was, she’d enjoyed just lying there in the warm cocoon. Now it seemed they were treating her to a home-cooked breakfast. They hadn’t been kidding about treating her like a queen.
“How did you sleep?” Jasper asked as she climbed out of bed and allowed him to help her into the robe.
“Like a baby. I think I was asleep the second my head hit the pillow, and I only woke up about fifteen minutes ago.”
“Had us fooled. We thought you were still asleep. Even had that little snore going on,” Phillip said.
She popped him on the back. “I don’t snore.”
“Do, too,” he said with a chuckle.
She shook her head. They were so much fun to be around. Would it always be that way? Would things change in a few months?
Jasper walked ahead of her down the stairs with Phillip behind her. She realized how good Jasper looked in the pajama bottoms as he padded down the stairs. They molded to his ass perfectly. She couldn’t help but wonder what Phillip looked back from behind. She’d have to be sure to make that happen before they got dressed.
“Go ahead and sit at the table, sweetness. I’ll bring everything over.”
Phillip got orange juice and milk out of the fridge. “Which would you like with your coffee?” he asked.
“Orange juice, please. I’ll need a little milk in my coffee though.”
“We’ve got cream for that,” Phillip said. He motioned to a tiny little pitcher next to the sugar bowl.
“Here you go.” Jasper set a plate with a stack of pancakes and two link sausages in front of her.
“I don’t think I can eat all of this, guys,” she said.
“Just eat what you can. We’ll adjust to what you want for next time you sleep over,” Phillip said. He set a cup of steaming coffee in front of her and then scooted the tray with the cream and milk closer to her.
Caro fixed her coffee and then took a cautious sip. It tasted wonderful. She really would need to get a Keurig. She was going to be spoiled after this.
They ate while talking about the house and what all changes they’d made when they’d moved in.
“The kitchen was a disaster,” Phillip said. “You could tell they’d rented this out often over the years. We had to gut the entire house just about. Still, it was worth it. The place suits us now.”
“What do you think about it?” Jasper asked.
“It’s amazing. The bathroom is to die for, and the kitchen looks like a cook’s dream. Do you guys do a lot of cooking?” she asked.
“Actually, no. Neither one of us is very good at anything other than breakfast or grilling out. I can make spaghetti, and that’s about it,” Phillip said.
“Then why did you put so much into the kitchen?” she asked.
“Well, we were looking ahead and didn’t know if the woman we found would want to cook or not. If she did, we wanted her to have the best we could afford,” Jasper said.
“So all this was for someone you hadn’t even met yet? You really plan to share a woman,” Caro said, shaking her head.
“We told you we were serious, babe.” Phillip reached over and squeezed her hand.
“I guess it just hit me how serious you really are. I hope you eventually find that woman who’s perfect for the two of you,” she said.
“Who knows, we may already have,” Jasper said.
“Guys, we’re just trying this out. Don’t get your hopes up that it will work. I don’t know how I’m going to feel about there being two of you once we get deeper into this,” she warned them.
“You’re right. No pressure.” Jasper smiled and stood, reaching over to get Phillip’s plate to add to his. “Are you finished or do you think you can eat some more?”
“I’m stuffed. It was wonderful, but I can’t eat another bite.” She stood and started to carry her plate to the sink, but Phillip took it from her hands.
“We’ve got this. Why don’t you go sit on the couch, and we’ll join you in a few minutes? All we’re going to do is load the dishwasher,” Phillip said.
“Okay.” She walked into the living room and sat on the couch. She leaned forward and grabbed the remote to turn on the TV.
“Find something to watch?” Phillip asked when he’d sat next to her.
“Not really. I usually read. I don’t even have cable at my place,” she admitted.
“No TV?” Phillip asked with mock horror written on his face.
“I do have a little TV that I can get local channels on, but that’s it.”
“Did you hear that, Jasper? She’s living in the dark ages,” Phillip said.
“We’ll have to enlighten her then. How about a movie? DO you like action or drama?” Jasper asked.
“Action.”
“Okay, here are the choices for today.” Jasper handed her a stack of four DVDs. “Which one do you want to watch?”
“This looks like fun. How about this one?” She pointed to Rampage, a Dwayne Johnson movie.
“Good choice. He’s always good for a laugh,” Phillip said, taking the movie from her.
Jasper put the other three DVDs on the coffee table.
“But don’t compare our buff bodies to his,” Phillip said.
“Not going to. Besides, two birds in the hand is better than the one on TV,” she teased.
“I’m not sure if we’ve been complimented or dissed,” Phillip said.
“I’m teasing. He has a good body, but he’s also in a relationship and lives several states away. I think you two are safe,” she said.
They watched the movie, stopping only for a bathroom break. She couldn’t help but laugh through most of the movie and then nearly crying when she thought George had died. Once it was over, Caro sighed.
“I hate that it’s over. That was a great movie,” she said.
“It was. I was a little apprehensive that it would completely stupid, but surprisingly it was a good movie,” Phillip said.
“I’ve had a great time, guys, but I need to grab my things and head home. I’ve got a lot to do before I go back to work on Wednesday.”
“Hate for you to go, but we understand. So, how about Sunday? Pack a bag, and we’ll take you home to drop off your car, and then spend the night with us. We’ll cook steaks out on the grill Sunday night and take you to eat pizza Monday for lunch, and that will give you the rest of Monday and all day Tuesday to get your things done before heading back to work on Wednesday,” Phillip suggested.
“Oh. That sounds like fun, but let me think about it, okay?” she asked.
“Sure, but say yes, okay?” Phillip said.
She laughed. They were incorrigible. She genuinely liked them. They were easy to talk to and cared about what she thought on any given subject. Not to mention that they’d treated her like royalty the entire time she’d been there. She knew that couldn’t last forever, but it sure was nice while it did.
“I need to change. I’ll be down in a minute, guys.”
She hurried up the stairs, and after making the bed, she changed into her jeans and blouse from the night before and carried the boxers and T-shirt downstairs so the guys could wash them.
“Thanks for the use of your clothes.”
“No problem.” Jasper took them from her and laid them on the back of the couch before pulling her into his arms.
She smiled up at him and then realized what she felt pressing against her belly was a boner. He was hard as a rock.
“Sorry, but can’t help it being around you, sweetness. I stay that way. One day we’ll explore just what that means, but right now, I want to kiss you good-bye.” He pressed his lips against hers, sipping at them as if she were liquid and he could drink her down.
Caro sighed into the kiss and sucked on his bottom lip, wanting more. He immediately complied and thrust his tongue deep inside her mouth, sucking on hers and then tracing it with the tip. She moaned into his mouth before he pulled back and sucked on her lower lip. He nipped at her jaw and then turned her to face Phillip.
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