by Suzanne Rock
"Neither do I.” Lionel glanced at Rose, then returned his attention to Jonathan. “It will be hard to find a place to live without money."
"Jobs.” Jonathan wrinkled his nose.
Lionel laughed. “Let's not get too ahead of ourselves."
"You can stay with me,” Rose offered.
Both men looked at her. “You don't have to do that,” Lionel said.
She shrugged. “I want to."
Lionel's shoulders relaxed. “We wouldn't want to impose."
"You wouldn't, believe me. It can get rather lonely in the empty townhouse. I'd enjoy the company."
"We would help with expenses, of course,” Lionel said.
"But living with two men is scandalous,” Jonathan said. “What of your reputation?"
Rose waved her hand in the air. “I'm used to scandal. I'm the one who can talk to ghosts, remember? Besides"—she looped her arm with Jonathan's—"I'm getting kind of used to having both of you around."
"I promise we'll make it up to you,” Lionel said.
Rose made a point to hold his gaze, then smiled. “I'm counting on it.” She held out her hand. Lionel smiled and took it.
Just then the door opened and Lady Denville poked her head inside. “Rose?” she called. She scanned the foyer until her gaze settled on all three of them. “Oh my.” She hurried over the threshold and closed the door.
Rose eased her hands away from the men and stepped back to a more respectable distance.
"Heavens, Rose. Who are these gentlemen? I thought you were dispelling ghosts, not running a brothel."
Anger bubbled in Rose's chest. “These two here—"
"Just arrived a few minutes ago.” Lionel winked at Rose and bowed to Lady Denville. Rose used the spare moment to take a deep breath and put a lid on her anger.
"We were planning on escorting Lady Morgan back to her townhouse.” Jonathan flashed a grin at Rose, then bowed deep at the waist.
"Who are these two men, Rose?"
Rose saw Lady Denville's eyes glisten. She was probably thinking about how she was going to spread this latest bit of gossip.
"Friends from out of town."
"Cousins,” Lionel corrected. “And we had better be going.” He picked up the roses and handed them to Rose. “Don't forget these.” His hand lingered just a fraction longer than was proper, but Rose didn't mind.
"Thank you.” Rose beamed at Lionel and tightened her grip on Jonathan's arm. Lionel was right. It was better not to tell anyone what had happened in the townhouse last night. It would be their little secret.
"Did you get rid of the...” Lady Denville glanced at the stairs.
Rose smiled. “You're house is ghost-free, Lady Denville.” She turned to Jonathan and Lionel. “Shall we?"
Lionel opened the door, and Jonathan ushered her outside.
"Wait!"
Rose turned to see Lady Denville standing in the doorway, her eyes wide. “Yes?"
"Lady Amcott asked if you could visit her. She seemed to be having some trouble with strange noises in the walls."
Rose glanced at each of the men beside her before she answered. “Tell Lady Amcott that she will have to find someone else to investigate her walls. I have officially retired from my ghost-hunting duties."
Lady Denville's eyes widened. “But—"
"Good day, Lady Denville.” Rose let Lionel and Jonathan escort her to the sidewalk as Galen brought her carriage to a stop along the curb.
"No more ghost hunting?” Jonathan whispered.
"I think I've gotten everything I wanted to out of ghost hunting. Anything else would be anticlimactic.” Rose stepped up into the carriage and sat.
"I'm touched,” Jonathan said as he got into the carriage beside her.
"Good thing.” Lionel stepped up and sat across from them. “I think you're going to be far too busy to pursue that line of work anyway.” He signaled to the driver, and the carriage pulled out into the street.
"I am?"
"Oh yes.” Jonathan reached down and ran his finger up her bare calf. “I think you're going to be much too busy."
"I agree.” Lionel took her other hand and kissed her palm.
"Too busy doing what?” She smiled innocently at them.
Lionel smiled and hauled her over into his lap. “Doing this.” He pressed his lips against hers. Desire sprang to life in Rose's body as Jonathan moved into the seat next to them.
"No fair, cousin. Don't keep her all to herself."
Rose broke the kiss and smiled at Jonathan. “Don't worry. There's enough of me to go around."
"There had better be.” Jonathan kissed her briefly on the mouth, then moved to her neck and shoulder.
Rose's soft moans of pleasure drifted outside the carriage as it continued across London to their new home.
For the first time in her life, Rose looked forward to the future. Now the world was open with possibility. She could go anywhere, do anything, and no matter what happened, she knew that Lionel and Jonathan would be right there, experiencing life with her.
THE END
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Loose Id Titles by Suzanne Rock
Cria
Spyder's Web
Whispers
The KYRON WOLF PACK Series
Up On the Housetop
Down on the Boardwalk
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Suzanne Rock
After over a decade in the scientific world, Suzanne Rock needed a creative outlet. She tried scrap booking, cooking, crocheting, painting, and piano, none of which held her interest for very long. Then one of her friends suggested writing. Thrilled with the idea of creating her own worlds, she opened up her lap top and never looked back.
Suzanne writes paranormal and erotic romance. When she's not writing, she can be found playing with her two daughters, testing her husband's latest kitchen creations, or curled up with her favorite romance novel in her central Massachusetts home.
Suzanne loves to hear from her readers. When not running the famous ‘Cover Clash’ at the Embrace the Shadows blog, she can be found feeding her Internet addiction on Twitter and Facebook.
For more information, check out her website at www.SuzanneRock.com.
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