“Oh my God. You slept with him.”
“Lisa—”
“Don’t ‘Lisa’ me. We’re working with him, Alana. Not just investigating the house, but he wants us to stay in town and host Halloweenfest. Have you lost your mind?”
“I know what I’m doing,” Alana snapped as she dropped her purse on the bed. “It’s just a physical thing, nothing personal. We can stay and do Halloween, then we move on.”
“Uh-huh. Then Tray and I pick up the pieces once we do.”
“Lisa—”
“I know you, Alana. You can do one-night stands. I’ve seen you do them. You do them well. But this isn’t a one-night stand. He’s not going to disappear the next day.”
“Don’t start lecturing me,” Alana snapped and narrowed her eyes in anger.
Although, truthfully, she wasn’t sure who she was really angry with: Lisa for pointing out the truth, or herself for getting into a situation she knew would break her heart.
“I don’t want to lecture you,” Lisa said softly, worry clouding her eyes. “You’re my best friend. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“How do you know I’ll get hurt?”
Lisa sighed and shrugged. “I don’t, I guess. I probably shouldn’t say anything. You’re the one who’s been talking to this guy for weeks. The two of you have been flirting and tiptoeing around each other for a while. Who am I to jump to conclusions and assume he’ll hurt you?”
Alana scowled and handed Lisa her jacket. “Maybe I’m the one who will break his heart.”
Lisa snorted. “You couldn’t break someone’s heart if you tried. You’re too sweet.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Tray said as he walked into the room and held the door open for the nurse to bring in Lisa’s wheelchair. “Alana can be quite the devious bitch when she wants to be.”
Lisa snickered.
Alana frowned. “Well, Tray. Thanks…I think.”
Tray chuckled and leaned over to kiss her cheek. Standing straight, he softly touched the side of her neck, his mouth quirking into an amused grin. “You should have worn a turtleneck today, sugar.”
Alana’s lips twisted as she glanced at the nurse, who tried her best to hide her grin. With a harrumph, she shoved his hand away. “Help Lisa, you queen.”
Tray laughed and turned to offer Lisa his hand as she made herself comfortable in the wheelchair. “I don’t know why I even need this,” she grumbled.
“It’s the rules, dear,” the nurse replied as she turned the chair and pushed it out into the hallway.
“So when did he get there?” Tray asked.
“Who?” Alana responded, deliberately being coy.
“Alana,” he chastised. “It’s me, remember?”
Alana sighed, relenting. “Not long after we got back to the hotel.”
“Did you get any sleep last night at all?” Tray asked as they followed the nurse down the hall.
“I got about two hours after he left to get cleaned up for work.”
Tray’s brow rose. “He went to work?”
She shrugged. “He’s a glutton for punishment like us, I guess.” She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. “Have I lost my mind, do you think?”
Tray scoffed. “No way. Honey, I’m all for it. I think Aiden is one hot hunk, and if you hadn’t fucked his brains out, I would have.”
Alana snorted.
He shot her a sideways glance, his lips sticking out in a pout that made Alana want to grin. “What’s that snort for? Don’t think I could?”
“I have no doubt you could if it were the right guy, but Aiden’s straight.”
Tray grinned, then drawled, “Well, I guess you would know.”
Alana slapped the back of her hand across his hard abs. Tray grasped it and brought her fingers to his lips, laughing. “I love you, Alana.”
“I know,” she said with a smile.
“Hey, what about me?” Lisa asked, glancing back at them over her shoulder.
“We love you too,” Alana and Tray sang together, making even the nurse giggle.
“Has anyone got a car?” the nurse asked.
“I have mine right outside the door,” Tray replied. He glanced at Alana. “I thought Lisa might want to run some errands with me, get out for a while.”
“I’d love that,” Lisa said with a wide smile.
Alana couldn’t help but smile back. It was amazing how good and happy she looked, despite what had happened. The loss of memory didn’t seem to be bothering her. The doctor thought that might also be part of her blocking mechanism. In her mind, nothing terrible had happened, and maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing.
“Do you want to tag along?” Tray asked. “Or do you have other plans?”
“I’m supposed to meet Aiden for lunch, but I can tag along for a while. Where are you going?”
“Best Buy,” Tray replied. “We need more cable.” Tray waved his hand with an excited flourish. “Lots more cable, and a couple more audio recorders.”
The automatic doors opened, letting in the cool fall air, and Alana pulled her leather jacket tighter across her chest. Despite the warm morning sun, a cold front had moved through, dropping the temperatures dramatically.
Tray hit the button on his key fob and unlocked the doors to his car. “Can you believe our luck with this house?” he said, smiling. “I want to get as much proof as I can. Especially of that woman.”
“What woman?” Lisa asked as she slid into the passenger seat of the car.
“Tray hasn’t told you about that?” Alana asked.
“I kept the house talk to a minimum,” Tray replied softly to Alana. “You know…”
Lisa scowled up at them. “Okay, let’s get something straight real quick, guys. You do not have to baby me, keep me in the dark, or otherwise coddle me. Are we clear?”
Alana snickered at her friend’s usual brash manner. “As glass, my queen.”
“Got it,” Tray replied with a curt nod and kissed the tip of her nose.
“Good. Now let’s go.” With that final command, Lisa slammed the car door closed, leaving Alana and Tray outside the car, giggling.
* * *
Noah stood in his brother’s office, staring at the various pictures on the wall of family members, friends, and local celebrities. Aiden had always been popular, even as a kid. Noah had been quieter, more discreet.
They’d learned at a young age the only way people could tell them apart was by their personalities, so they’d defined themselves early on. Aiden had been the sports jock, the talkative one. He’d run for class president and had been editor of his college paper for three years.
Noah had been the bookworm, the intellectual, and was usually quieter than his brother. He kept a smaller circle of friends, and Noah liked it that way. He wasn’t the partier like his brother. He didn’t enjoy politics. He hated them, as a matter of fact.
He just wanted to do his job, keep his town clean and safe, and enjoy an occasional weekend barbecue on the houseboat they owned together. And maybe one day find a woman who could put up with his and his brother’s unusual quirks.
“Hi,” a soft, sexy female voice called from behind him, and he slowly turned, knowing instinctively who it was.
Alana.
His gaze roamed over her curly auburn hair, her laughing green eyes, and full, sensual lips that were perfectly made for kissing. She wore jeans that clung to her hips. Her orange-and-cream sweater hugged her chest and outlined the curve of her breasts and waist to mouthwatering perfection. A brown leather jacket was slung over her crossed arms as she leaned against the doorjamb. His perusing gaze caught sight of a small hickey just below her ear, and he grinned, knowing exactly who’d put it there.
Noah didn’t say anything, just watched mesmerized as she pushed away from the door and walked over. She reached up and wrapped her arm around his neck, sliding her fingers through his short hair.
She thought he was Aiden; he could see it in her passion-filled eyes
. Eyes so pretty and emerald green he could drown in them. God, her picture didn’t do her justice…at all.
Standing on tiptoe, she tugged his head down to hers and slanted her lips, covering his in a sweet kiss he couldn’t have pulled away from if his life depended on it.
He should be shot for this. She’d be pissed if she knew who he was and that he’d let her do this without saying a word. But after last night, after all the physical pain and pleasure he’d gone through as he’d felt every sensation his brother had, he couldn’t not have one taste.
He put his hands at the small of her back and under the hem of her sweater. Splaying his fingers against her warm skim, he pulled her closer just as he thrust his tongue past her parted lips. She tasted of coffee—warm, white chocolate coffee—and he deepened the kiss, letting his tongue devour the taste and the feel of her tongue as it twirled around his.
His whole body sparked to life as her mouth molded perfectly to his own. No wonder his brother was smitten. There was something about her that set every inch of his flesh on fire.
Noah barely heard the sound of Aiden clearing his throat just before Alana jerked back out of his arms. Her cheeks turned the most adorable shade of red as she tried to compose herself and turn to face the intruder. Noah braced himself for the inevitable anger.
Her gaze landed on Aiden and widened in shock.
“Alana, I’d like for you to meet my brother, Noah,” Aiden said as he leaned casually against the doorjamb.
“Oh my God,” she whispered as she turned to stare at Noah.
Then those beautiful green eyes narrowed in anger. Anger he deserved.
“Why the hell didn’t you say something?” she demanded.
Noah shrugged, trying to think of anything to say that might make even the smallest amount of sense.
“It wouldn’t be the first time,” Aiden said, his lips quirking with just a hint of amusement.
Noah scowled at his brother, who didn’t appear to be helping at all.
“What do you mean it wouldn’t be the first time?” Alana snapped, apparently just as pissed at Aiden’s obvious enjoyment of the whole situation.
“He’s not painting this in the best light,” Noah murmured as he glared at his brother.
“Painting what in the best light?” Alana asked as her gaze moved from one brother to another. “Is this what you brought me here for? Some sick sex game with your brother?”
“No,” Aiden exclaimed as he pushed away from the doorjamb.
“Then what?”
“I didn’t even know Noah was here. I thought we were meeting him at the restaurant.” Aiden shrugged. “I wanted you to meet him.”
“You need to be honest with her, Aiden,” Noah said, staring pointedly at his brother.
Aiden’s eyes narrowed. “Not now.”
“Honest about what?” she demanded. “And don’t you dare say not now! It better be now!”
“It’s kind of hard to explain,” Aiden began as he reached behind him to shut the door and give them a little more privacy.
“Try me.”
“Obviously Aiden and I are twins,” Noah began, trying to find the right words.
He should’ve never let her kiss him. This would have gone so much easier if he hadn’t.
“Obviously,” she drawled, crossing her arms over her chest. “What? Are you going to try to tell me that not only do you share a mental connection but you share girlfriends?”
Aiden and Noah both looked at her a little shocked that she’d hit it on the head so damn fast.
“Not always,” Noah tried to reason. “But this time the connection is pretty…well, it’s pretty strong. Stronger than it’s been before.”
Aiden frowned at him. “What?”
Noah opened his mouth to explain, but Alana’s snort of disgust stopped him cold. He took a deep breath and tried again. For some reason it was important to him that she understand—then she could hopefully accept it.
“I know that Aiden had sex with you last night. I could feel it.”
“Feel it?” Alana sneered. “Did you feel it when he came? Is that what you’re trying to tell me? That you came every time he did?”
“Yes,” Noah snapped, his own anger rising to the surface.
“Noah,” Aiden cautioned.
“You know what? Forget it.” Alana held her palm up, her stance rigid, her face tense in anger. “I’m going to finish investigating the house, then we’re leaving. I’m done.”
“Alana,” Aiden began as she stormed past him.
At the door, she turned to glare at him. “You know, I might’ve been okay with sharing if you’d just been honest about it instead of having your brother take your place without my knowing.”
She left, slamming the door behind her. Noah wanted to run after her, stop her, make her understand.
“Goddamn it, Noah!” Aiden shouted. “What the hell were you thinking, kissing her back like that?”
“I wasn’t thinking,” he said quietly, and his brother stared at him as though he’d grown three heads.
“And what the hell do you mean you came every time I did? Are you serious?”
Noah sighed tiredly. “Yes. I’m dead serious. It’s never been that strong, Aiden. Never. That has to mean something.”
Aiden shook his head and walked behind his desk, dropping into his chair as though defeated.
“I had no control over it. I couldn’t stop it, couldn’t ignore it,” Noah added.
His brother rubbed his hand over his eyes. “I felt it too, when you were kissing her. I thought it was because I was watching you and became aroused. Apparently, I was feeling your arousal, not mine.”
Noah sighed and closed his eyes. “Imagine how it would feel if I were fucking her.”
Aiden snorted. “You need to find her and talk to her.”
“Me?” Noah asked, his eyes snapping open.
“Yeah, you. It was you that started all this shit by not opening your damn mouth and telling her who you were and for not finding me sooner and letting me know what was going on.”
“She’s not going to talk to me, Aiden. Not now.”
Aiden shrugged. “Then I guess you better pour on that thick Southern charm. I know you can. I’ve seen you do it.”
“For what purpose?” Noah asked in exasperation. “What are we talking about here, Aiden? A threesome? You know damn good and well that’s not going to work.”
“What I know,” Aiden snarled, “is that I don’t want to lose her, Noah. So I suggest you figure it out.”
Noah placed his palms flat down on Aiden’s desk. Leaning in, he growled at his brother in a low angry tone that sent most men running. “What if I seduce her? Are you okay with that? Are you okay with sharing her?”
“We’ve done it before.”
“For a short period of time. Most of the women we’ve been with were okay with it for a weekend but couldn’t handle it beyond that. A threesome could scare her off.”
Aiden’s eyes narrowed as he looked up at him. “What are you getting at, brother? Just spit it out.”
“I’m not going to go through the rest of my life masturbating in the damn shower every time you fuck your girlfriend. If I go talk to her and try to fix this, it’s with the intent there will be a threesome. Plain and simple. Is she worth it to you?”
Aiden was silent for several seconds as a laundry list of emotions flashed across his eyes until he finally spoke. “Yeah, Noah. She’s worth it, and after five minutes with her, I think you’ll think she’s worth it too.”
Chapter Eight
Alana sat in her truck, parked outside the hotel just staring out the window at the clear blue sky. She wished her emotions were as clear.
She couldn’t believe two grown men would come up with something so outlandish. Part of her became excited at the idea of twins wanting to share her. Wasn’t that every girl’s fantasy? Two men showering her with attention and affection?
With a sigh, she squeezed her temp
les, closing her eyes against the massive headache she could feel coming on.
“Just accept the fact you’ve been played, Alana,” she mumbled to herself. “That’s all there is to it.”
They were twins who enjoyed sharing and thought she would be their next conquest.
“God, why do I keep falling for jerks like this?” She sighed, dropping her head onto the steering wheel.
A knock sounded at her window, and she jumped with a squeal, lifting her head to see who had hit her window so hard, it rattled.
Tray stared at her with a frown, rolling his hand to indicate she should lower the window.
“What the hell are you doing?” he asked, his brow creasing in concern. “I thought you had a lunch date.”
Lisa stood behind him, the same concerned expression on her face.
“Change of plans,” she replied, not really wanting to get into it.
“What happened?” Lisa asked in her usual demanding tone.
Alana shook her head and opened the truck door. As she climbed out, she grabbed the bag of supplies from Tray’s hand. “Is this the cable the guys needed?” she asked, peeking into it.
“Yeah.” Tray nodded. “We were just putting it in the truck so we wouldn’t forget it.”
“Alana,” Lisa said.
“I don’t want to talk about this right now,” she said a bit more snappish than she meant to. “I’m sorry.” She sighed and rubbed at her forehead again. “I just need a little while to myself. I think I’m going to take off for a while, drive around maybe.”
“Alone?” Tray asked.
“Didn’t I just say that? I’ll be fine. I promise. I just need to do this. Okay?”
She climbed into the truck, ignoring their shocked and concerned expressions and threw the bag into the passenger seat. “I’ll be back in time to eat dinner with you guys, then we’ll talk.”
Without waiting for a response, she started the truck, threw it into drive, and headed out of the parking lot.
* * *
Noah had spent over an hour driving around, looking for Alana’s truck. When he’d finally spotted it at the house, he’d wanted to put her over his knee. Her friend had been attacked here, and the culprit was still loose. She should know better than to come here alone.
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