Not all the women went topless all the time. For more dressy occasions the women wore dresses. Both men insisted she try on half the store. Not only did she purchase a fabulous full-length, silky dress for this evening, but the men told her she should get a few more items. When she left, she’d exchanged her skirt for the wonderful new dress.
Finally, it was time for the grand event. They took the tram to the residential section and disembarked. Even though they were still underground, she was impressed with how bright it was. All of the shrubbery and trees made it look like something out of the fifties or sixties. Someday, she’d ask how they got the trees to grow so well.
They led her to a two-story home bordered by trees. With the dark red wood color, white trim and large pillars, it looked quite expansive. It wasn’t yet dark out, so the solar tubes cast a wonderful warm glow to this part of town.
“It’s big.”
“We have a large family.”
“I love it. It almost reminds me of a farm home with that porch.”
“We like it, too.”
“Any final words of advice?” She balled her fists in her skirt.
“Relax. My family doesn’t bite,” Kellum said.
“But I’m different. Are you really sure they’re happy that you want to live with someone from another reality?”
Taryn rubbed her bare arm. “Ecstatic. Both of my parents were convinced we’d never settle down. You know Mom is thrilled.”
Kellum lifted her hands in his. “I never dreamed I’d find a woman I could love as much as you. They’re happy for me.”
“That’s so sweet.” Every day since she’d arrived, she told them how much being with them meant to her.
Taryn nuzzled her neck. “But I love you more.”
She rolled her eyes and focused on Kellum. “Is he always like this?”
“I’m afraid so, kitten. You’ll just have to get used to it.”
“Henla warned me about your dad. He used to be in charge of the military here.”
“That’s true, but he’s mellowed in his old age.”
While Taryn claimed his dad didn’t shift anymore, she wouldn’t put it past him to start now in order to show who was in charge.
As soon as they got inside, their mother, Elena, and their father, Jacor, greeted them so warmly she felt at home.
She was introduced to so many relatives that she lost track after the first few. They pummeled her with questions about earth and what she liked the most about Anterra.
“Hey, let’s give Lara a break here,” Taryn said. “She’s not going anywhere. You’ll have plenty of time to ask your questions.”
She appreciated that she didn’t have to give a discourse on the human race all in one night.
“Everyone, come take a seat at the table,” Elena announced.
Dinner was a vast affair with six courses, all of them delicious. When the meal finished, Elena insisted that she, Henla, and Sella clean up.
“I’d like to help.” Lara didn’t want to seem like a mooch. After all, she hoped to be part of the family someday.
“Nonsense. Enjoy my boys. I know they are often out patrolling. Go.”
She’d tried. As soon as she entered the living room, both Taryn and Kellum jumped up. Taryn held up his hand for her to stop.
“I did some research on this custom of yours, and I apologize if we get it wrong.”
She had no idea which custom he was referring to. “Okay.”
Both men got down on one knee. Out of the corner of her eye, all three women came out of the kitchen, all sporting big grins.
Taryn cleared his throat. “In our culture, when two men share a woman, it means they are married.”
Holy shit. “I didn’t know.”
Kellum’s face paled. “Are you sorry you made love to both of us at the same time?”
Heat raced up her face. “Shouldn’t we be discussing this at a different time?” With her eyes she motioned to their mom.
Both men let out a big laugh. “We have no secrets here. Sex is not something to be ashamed of.”
“I’m not ashamed.”
Kellum nudged Taryn. “What my older brother is trying to say is that we love you and want to be bound with you for life.” They both stood and came over to her. “We made this ring. Anterrans don’t wear wedding rings, but I know you do.”
They’d made a ring out of grass and woven it together. Tears brimmed her lashes. “That’s probably the best marriage proposal any woman on earth could ever hope for.”
Both men grinned. “Then you’ll be ours forever?”
She nodded. “Forever.”
The entire family clapped. Several rounds of hugs went around.
Throughout the rest of the evening, either Taryn or Kellum would lean over and whisper all the things they planned on doing with her when they got home, and she couldn’t wait.
Her only regret was that her two best friends, Amy and Krista, couldn’t be here with her to share in the most important day of her life. She could only hope she’d see them sooner rather than later.
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Unlike most other authors, I started writing late in life. Writing stories in high school and college was not for me. Only after I graduated did I fall in love with romance novels. For the next twenty years, I read voraciously. It got to a point where my book-buying habits cost as much as my groceries. At that point, my husband suggested I write a book. Hey, it looked easy, right? All the stories started in the same spot (hero and heroine at odds) and ended the same way (happily ever after). Only it was anything but easy. Eleven years and fifteen completed romantic suspenses later, I finally published. I never would have gotten that far had it not been for two local Chapters whose generous members shared their amazing wealth of knowledge.
For all titles by Melody Snow Monroe, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/melody-snow-monroe
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
About the Author
Melody Snow Monroe Page 18