by Josie Dennis
“I’m a dolt,” Robert said.
Jared took a breath and faced him. “I don’t blame you. In your place, I suspect I would have forgotten myself.”
“She’s just incredible, Jared. And having her with you? It surpassed anything I could have imagined.”
Jared nodded his agreement. “She won’t speak to me. You she can easily avoid up at the manor but I see her in the common room and her avoidance chills me. Day after day she ignores me.”
“What if I gave her a child? What will become of her?”
Jared crossed his arms and leaned against the motor. “Her parents have more children than you or I can imagine. She went into service at a very young age, Robert. She’s achieved what she thinks is the best position of her life and now she’s afraid of losing it.”
Robert cursed softly. “Because of my bloody Hawk curse.”
“No, damn it. Stop hiding behind that curse.”
Robert’s eyes flashed at him. “What do you know of it?”
“I know that more than one Hawk overcame it to marry. And quite happily, too. Haven’t you taken notice of the marital bliss right under your handsome nose?”
Robert gave a very reluctant nod. “It’s not what I expected. That’s true.”
“And the earl and countess are to have a baby of their own. To be raised by the earl, of all people.”
“Yes. But what does that mean to me? I don’t have what they have. I have nothing of the sort.”
Jared blew out a breath. “Are you daft, then? You have love.”
Robert’s eyes widened but Jared wasn’t sorry he said those words. “What do you mean?”
“I mean I love you.”
The stunned expression on Robert’s face almost made him laugh. “You love me?”
“Aye, and Rose, too.”
“Rose loves me?”
Now Jared did laugh. “I don’t know about that. I meant that I love her, too.”
Robert brightened. “Then you can marry her. Be with her and keep her safe.”
“Well, wouldn’t that just tie everything up in a neat little package. And what of you?”
“What of me? I’ll go on as I always have.”
“Alone.” It wasn’t a question.
“What do you want me to say, Jared? Do you want me to admit that I love you? I do. What does that change?”
Jared’s grin nearly split his face but he didn’t care. “You love me?”
Robert ran his fingers through that thick, black hair of his, his eyes clouded. “Yes. And I think I love our girl, too.”
He thought of the expression of rapture on Robert’s face when they both had her. “It would explain your lack of control.”
“Perhaps.”
“And perhaps that’s the way you should put it to her when you offer her a new position.”
Robert slumped beside him against the motor. “We’ve discussed this. I have no use for a lady’s maid.”
“Christ, you are daft.”
Robert furrowed his brow, and then his eyes flew open wide. “You mean, marry her?”
“Yes. And before she swells with a child that might or might not exist. Make an honest woman of our girl.”
The smile that broke out on Robert’s face nearly brought Jared to his knees.
“On the condition that you come back to Waltham Hall, too, Jared. And not as my chauffeur, either.”
Jared didn’t dare hope such would happen, but he just nodded his head. “When will you ask the girl?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe tonight? Up in your rooms?”
“Seems a right fitting setting, if she’ll agree to come.”
“You have to convince her. Tell her anything you have to, Jared. Just please get her to your rooms tonight?”
Jared nodded and Robert grabbed him in a great hug. His heart swelled and he knew he would always love this man. Could they share a life together? That remained to be seen.
But he would make certain that the two people he loved had all the happiness they deserved.
* * * *
Robert paced the small sitting area, unsure of just how this evening would turn out. Jared had the right of it. He had to make Rose see just how valuable she was to both of them. He wanted her in his life. Her cheek and her sparkle and her passion. Jared had been quiet when he’d arrived, before he’d left in search of their Rose. Now he wasn’t certain the man would agree to share a life Robert was only just beginning to realize he wanted.
The past week since their time together in this room had passed with little to mark one day from the next. He’d gone shooting with Matthew Hawk. He’d dined with the family. He’d read what seemed like every bloody book in the earl’s remarkable library. He’d talked with Jared but about nothing of import until this afternoon. So now here he was. With no notion of how to make sense of the rest of his life.
He sank down on the couch, finally tiring of the circles his mind was running as his feet worked the floor. Jared loved him. That fact astounded him. He realized he loved Jared, too. His friendship and his passion, as remarkable as that should be.
Footsteps sounded on the wooden stairs and he straightened.
“I don’t know why I let you talk me into this, Jared. It’s a smooth tongue you have in your head.”
Robert smiled at the brogue evident in her voice. She was fit to be tied. That was certain. He couldn’t wait to see her fire.
“Now, Rose dearest. Just come inside and we’ll discuss matters.”
“I’m not going to lay with you, if that’s what you’re expecting.”
“I’m not,” Jared caught Robert’s eye as he shut the door. “But there’s someone you need to speak to.”
She turned, pinning Robert with those deep brown eyes of hers. “What are you doing here?”
Robert came to his feet. “I needed to speak with you, Rose. To make my apologies again.”
She crossed her arms in defiance but he didn’t miss the warmth in her gaze. “You don’t have to worry yourself. My monthlies have come and gone and there’s no baby in my belly.”
The flood of relief he’d expected was decidedly absent. “I’m happy for you.”
“For me?”
Robert came toward her. “Over the past week I began to fear a child less and less.”
“Well, isn’t that just fine for you.”
“Easy, Rose. Let Robert say his piece.”
She whirled on Jared. “You knew he’d be here? Why am I asking? The two of you have been thick as thieves for weeks now.”
“Thieves? Perhaps.” Robert touched Jared on the shoulder. “Stolen each other’s hearts, in any event.”
Her expression of dismay was captivating. “Hearts? Never say you love each other?”
“We do,” Jared said. “And you, too.”
She bristled. “I never said I love you.”
Robert laughed, another affectation he’d picked up from being in Jared’s company. “We love you, Rose.”
He waited for a reaction, and he wasn’t disappointed. He was surprised, however.
“You love me?” Her face crumpled and she buried her face in her hands.
Sobs racked her form and he looked over at Jared for assistance. Jared wore a look of confusion that Robert was certain was a mirror of his own.
“Rose, Rose,” he soothed, wrapping her in his arms. “Please don’t cry.”
“Dearest girl,” Jared said, stroking her hair. “Don’t cry.”
She lifted her head, her cheeks soaked with tears. “You love me?”
“Yes.” Robert took her hands in his. “We love you and want a life with you.”
She opened her eyes, shining with tears and rimmed by spiked lashes. “A life? As your servant? As your lover?”
“As my wife.”
Again, she stunned him by falling into tears again.
“Now, Rose,” Jared said, putting an arm around her shoulders. “I’ve never known you to be a watering pot.”
“That�
�s true enough.” She sniffled and lowered her hands once more. “But I’ve never been in love with the likes of the two of you.”
Robert focused on the truth evident in her distressed statement. “You love us?”
“Yes, of course!” She dashed her hands over her cheeks. “I’ve been with the both of you and I’ve been without the both of you.” She gave them both a watery smile. “I prefer being with the both of you, I daresay.”
Robert smiled down at her. “Then marry me, Rose. Come to Waltham Manor. You and Jared both.”
“Jared?” She turned to cup Jared’s cheek and the tenderness struck deep in Robert’s soul. “You’ll come with us?”
“Robert insists.”
She faced Robert again. “But what of your family there? Your staff?”
Malcolm shook his head. “I have no family there and as to my staff? My butler Phelps will more than welcome the breath of fresh air the two of you will bring into the manor.”
She blinked, then let out a whoop and wrapped her arms around Jared’s neck. They kissed and Robert could almost taste it. Then she released Jared and threw herself into his arms. “You love me. You want to marry me?”
He closed his arms around her and stared down at her flushed and beautiful face. “Yes I do. I want you and Jared both in my life forever.”
She squealed and hugged him tighter. “Then let’s be together right now, Robert. I can’t go another moment without having my two men.”
“Remarkable girl,” Jared said, coming close.
Their eager hands made quick work of their clothing and soon they stood with nothing between them. She kissed them both and he could taste Jared on her lips along with her sweet taste. His cock swelled against her hip and she turned to cuddle into him.
“On the bed, love,” Robert said to her. “I have to get inside you.”
“Oh, yes.” She clambered up on the bed and leaned back on her elbows. “I need you both right now.”
She made an amazing picture there on the bed, spread and ready for the both of them. A glance at Jared showed him that man was as ready as he.
Robert placed on knee on the bed and leaned over to kiss her. “I have a notion that could please all of us.”
She nodded. “Tell me.”
Robert reached over into his trouser pocket and withdrew the cream again. “I’ll take Jared and he’ll take you.”
Jared’s eyes widened then filled with heated knowledge. Rose’s face showed her confusion but he knew their girl. She would be ready for anything that would bring all of them pleasure.
“Come to the edge of the bed, Rose,” he instructed.
She did so, her eyes large and her breath coming fast. “Now what, Robert?”
He smiled. “Now for Jared.”
Jared crossed his arms. “And where do you want me?”
“Everywhere,” Robert answered. “But right now, here in front of our girl.”
Jared came to stand in front of Rose and she wrapped her delicate hand around his shaft. Jared closed his eyes and arched toward her. “Ah, Rose.”
Robert stepped behind him, wrapping his arm around his chest and nuzzling him. “Does that feel good?” he asked Jared.
“Mmm, yes.”
Robert used the cream and dipped a finger into Jared’s ass. “And this?”
Jared closed his eyes and leaned his head on Robert’s shoulder. “Robert…”
Robert slid his cock into him and they both gasped. He began to thrust inside him, feeling him stretch to fit him. Rose’s eyes were intent on the two of them. Then she leaned forward and began to suck on Jared’s cock. Jared bucked between them, groaning loud and low. Robert knew neither of them would last much longer.
“Bring that pretty pussy to the edge of the bed, Rose,” he bit out.
Without hesitation, she spread her legs and did as he asked. “Take me, Jared.”
Jared opened his eyes and moaned again. “Y–yes.”
Robert maneuvered them so Jared could enter her. Jared placed a hand on either side of her, sliding deep and hard into her willing body. Rose cried out and Robert felt an answering shudder in Jared’s body.
Holding on to the bedpost, Robert continued stroking in and out of Jared as he began to fuck Rose. The three of them were as one. It was as if they were both taking Jared. As if he and Jared were both taking Rose. His climax teased at him, coming hard and fast.
“Touch your beautiful breasts, Rose,” he bit out.
She did, giving over to Jared as she arched her body upward. Shivering, she began to cry out her release. She came fast and hard and Jared growled. Robert knew he was close to climax. He increased his thrusts, his movements more frantic now. He began to come, and then Jared buried himself deep in Rose as he came.
Robert’s orgasm racked his body and he pulled out to fall onto the bed beside Rose. She was limp and lovely there on the bed.
Jared withdrew and eased her up higher on the bed. “You two turned me inside out.”
She kissed him then turned to Robert. Her eyes were bright and her smile beautiful. “Yes.”
“Yes?” Robert’s mind was still muddled from his own orgasm.
“Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Robert hugged her close, reveling in the feel of her warmth against him as Jared hugged her from behind. This was what he wanted. This was what he needed. Not his dull, solitary life in his lonely house. He would have his two loves with him forever. Between Jared’s teasing, easy manner and Rose’s cheek and fire, life promised to be anything but dull.
They rescued him from his lonely existence, and he would hold them close forever.
THE END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Josie Dennis writes erotic romances for the discerning reader. Her characters find love in the most amazing places, and the Happily Ever After is a guarantee. Readers who like their romances hot and their heroes and heroines open to ideas they’ve only explored in their fantasies will find her erotic romances quite satisfying.
For all titles by Josie Dennis, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/josie-dennis
Siren Publishing, Inc.
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