Confessions of a Mail Order Bride - Complete (32 page)

“I’m starving!” Vic roared.

“What? We just ate!” I couldn’t help but grimace. Though we had both eaten, I was the one that had gobbled up most of the food. Considering Vic’s burly size, that was greedy of me.

“I know we just ate, but I’m still hungry. I’m gonna go get some chocolate cake and coffee. Do you want some?”

I groaned. “I ate so much at dinner. No…no, don’t get me any.” Inside I wanted something chocolatey. I loved eating chocolate.

“Are you sure?” Vic asked, arching his brows. “I’ll put whipped cream on top. I’ll even add a cherry if you like,” he teased.

“Yes, I’m sure I don’t want any.” I was going to have to exercise some self-control.

“Ok, if you’re sure. I’ll just get myself some. Be right back.” He tugged on his jeans and headed out of the room. I could hear the resounding sound of his footsteps as he bounded down the wooden stairs.

Shit! I really wanted some cake. Fine, I thought to myself, I would limit myself to one small slice. I could watch what I ate tomorrow, not tonight with Vic. I threw the sheets back, jumped out of bed, and quickly walked over to the top of the stairs.

“Vic! Vic! I’ll have that chocolate cake after all, please!”

“What honey?” his deep voice boomed from below.

“I actually do want cake,
please,
and lots of whipped cream too.”

I paused for a minute to make sure he heard me. I was pleased I had caught Vic without having to run all the way down the stairs. Soon I would be enjoying the rich taste of chocolate, and maybe I would have a little bit of Vic as a side order. Or—a lot of Vic!

“Ok, babe,” he called out.

I couldn’t help but smile, thinking of the yummy treats coming my way. I whirled around to go back into the bedroom, when suddenly…

“Max!” I shrieked, bringing one hand up to my breasts. I tried to cover my intimate parts with the other.

“Sa…Sabrina!” Max’s face flushed as he stared at my naked body in shock.

I quickly ducked back into the bedroom and pulled the door almost all the way shut, leaving a small crack. “I’m so, so, sorry. Vic said you were out for the evening. I…I didn’t realize you were here.”

“I, uh…I got back early. Please forgive me.”

“No…no…it’s not your fault. I shouldn’t be running around um…ah… naked.” My face was flushed. I was so embarrassed, and felt worse knowing I had embarrassed Max too.

I heard the sound of footsteps on the stairs and the clatter of plates on a tray. “Hey, Max, I didn’t know you were here,” Vic’s voice boomed out. “You’re back early.” He paused. “What’s wrong?”

I opened the door just a little more so the crack was slightly wider. I could see Vic looking at Max, holding a large tray with slices of cake and two coffee mugs. A puzzled expression etched his handsome face.

“It’s my fault,” I said, peering out at the two men from the narrow slit between the door and the wall. “I ran out from the room to tell you I wanted cake, and…”

“Why are you talking from behind the door?” Vic asked, shaking his head as he looked towards me.

“I…I’m…”

“Oh shit!” Vic suddenly realized I was still naked. He looked at Max, then back towards me again. “You ran out here naked, didn’t you?”

I nodded.

Max looked absolutely miserable.

Vic shook his head. “Bree, I’m sorry. I really had no idea Max would be home early.”

I stared at the floor. This was so uncomfortable. The look on Max’s face when he saw me—it was so raw, primal... I looked up to see Max still staring at the hall floor.

Suddenly, Vic started cracking up. “You two, stop being so serious… It’s not like you haven’t seen a naked woman before, Max.”

“Stop, Vic. Just stop,” Max groaned. His voice came from deep within his soul—like he had been wounded. He held up his hand, a pained look in his eyes.

Suddenly, Vic grew quiet. His eyes narrowed as he stared at his brother, a weird expression played across his face. I knew he was reading Max’s thoughts. “Well, I’ll be damned.”

What the hell was going on?

“I have to go,” Max mumbled. He turned and loped towards his bedroom.

“Max! Max!” Vic placed the tray on a side table and followed Max. “I’ll be right back, Bree,” he called out.

I watched as Max went into his room a few doors down and tried to shut the door. Vic was too quick for him, pushing his way in after him.

Shit! I walked back into Vic’s room and started pacing. It was an accident. I hadn’t meant to embarrass Max. I knew he was having a tough time these days. He had to be lonely. Seeing his brother’s girlfriend running around without any clothes on didn’t help anything, it probably just made him feel worse.

It seemed like Vic talked to his brother forever, but finally I heard the sound of his footsteps coming up the hall. He entered the room, a grim expression on his face.

“Is he ok? I’m sorry, Vic. I didn’t realize he was home.”

“It’s not your fault, babe.”

“I know he’s having a tough time these days and he’s lonely. I was just telling you to get me some cake, and I…” I knew I was starting to ramble but I still felt terrible about what had happened.

Vic pursed his lips. “Sabrina.”

“I wouldn’t have gone out in the hallway if…”

“Sabrina,” Vic cut me off.

I chewed on my lip as I looked into Vic’s eyes.

“There’s something you need to know,” Vic said softly.

What was Vic about to tell me? That Max had confessed to the fires…that Max was still terribly upset over his mother’s death…?

“What? What is it?”

“Max, he…” Vic cleared his throat.

“Yes?” I asked impatiently. What was going on?

“Sabrina…Max is in love with you,” Vic said somberly.

“Wha…? How?” I couldn’t believe what I’d just heard.

“He’s been in love with you since the day he saw you. That’s why he was hanging out at Kane’s Bar and Grill chatting you up all the time—well, as best as Max can chat anyone up.”

Yes, it was true that Max did tend to linger when he picked up his take out at Kane’s…well, he
had
lingered. For the past few weeks he had been noticeably absent.

“But…but…”

“Of course,” Vic continued, “when he realized we were a couple, he made himself scarce. He knew that he couldn’t hide his feelings from his big brother. I know him too well. So he made it a point to stay away. When we were standing in the hallway and I saw the expression on his face—it finally dawned on me what was going on.”

I swallowed. “You talked to him about it?”

“Yeah, I asked him about it and he tried to lie, but my baby brother has never been a very good liar.”

As Vic talked, I felt so weird inside. On the one hand, I knew I was totally in love with Vic, but on the other, I felt this strange thrill knowing that Max was in love with me. I had to admit, I liked the idea that he wanted me. I shook my head. I was an awful person. Max needed someone to love and cherish him. He deserved that. I had nothing to offer him. I was already part of a couple.

“That’s crazy,” I scratched my chin. “I honestly had no idea he liked me…let alone loved me. It’s sad too,” I added, shaking my head. “I’m sorry he, um, cares about me instead of someone else…someone that’s…available.”

Vic nodded thoughtfully. “Us shifters, we know what we want. Most of us know if a potential mate is the right one for us immediately.”

“Just like you knew I was the right one for you,” I replied softly. I reached up and ran my fingers lightly across Vic’s bald head.

“Uh huh. There’s scent to start…” Vic sniffed the air, his broad nostrils flaring, “and of course, physical attraction…” Vic pulled me close to his body, holding me tightly.

“Oh, it’s all about the smell and the look, huh?”

“Well, you’re pretty fun to be around, too,” Vic grinned, kissing the top of my head.

“Thank you, I’m glad I meet your approval,” I teased. “You are fun to be around also.”

“Look, I’m going to go for a run in my bull. I need to release some energy and think about what to do here.”

I knew Vic was concerned about his brother.

“I know you need to run, but don’t worry about your brother. Max is a great guy. He’ll be fine.”

“Yeah,” Vic replied.

“I care a lot about your brother, too.” Max had really grown on me during the times I’d chatted with him. There was just something about him that was really special.

Vic nodded.

“I think we just need to help him find someone that smells and looks pretty and is fun to be around…oh, wait, that would be me,” I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Vic cupped my chin, looking directly into my eyes. “Yes, that
could
be you.”

“Haha…right,” I chuckled.  But Vic wasn’t laughing. His eyes studied me and they were very serious.

“Look, I know you like Max. You’ve mentioned on a number of occasions what a great guy he is. Why not be with him?”

Uh oh. Was Vic jealous? It sure sounded like it. It seemed like he thought I would prefer his brother over himself. “Vic! You misunderstood. I love you and I want to be with you. I just think Max is a super nice guy.”

“Oh, I know you care about me. But you seem to care about Max too. He needs a mate and you are perfect…so why not?”

It suddenly hit me that Vic was not jealous because he thought that I preferred Max to him…he was actually suggesting I mate with his brother. I pulled away quickly. “Are you kidding me?”

“I think it would be great—I just know it,” Vic added.

“Vic Harris, how dare you!” I felt the blood rush to my head and a wave of dizziness pass through me.

I knew my relationship with Vic had been too good to be true. But all that attention he’d given me and the sweet words he’d said had been bullshit. Vic didn’t care about me. He wanted to pass me on to his brother. The nerve of the man!

Vic frowned, bewildered. “Sabrina!”

“Get the hell away from me!” I could feel tears burning in the back of my eyes. I would not let this man see me cry. “Get out of here! You want to give me to your brother. You want to pass me around like snacks at a party. You …!”

Vic shook his head. “Sabrina…what the hell are you saying! I am
not
giving you to my brother. I’m not passing you around. I love you!”

“What are you talking about?” I cried out.

“Listen to me, Bree. I love you. You are my mate—my forever mate. And I love my brother…and he loves you as well. Why not share that love together. Why can’t it be the three of us—you, me
and
Max?”

“The three of us—together?” My eyes widened. “The three of us living together—and in bed together?” I had a brief flash of Max and Vic, standing naked in front of me with their hard, muscular bodies gleaming, their cocks fully erect…I tried to brush the thought aside.

Vic nodded. “It would be the perfect triad.”

My mouth dropped open and I stared at Vic.

“A lot of shifters form triads,” Vic rumbled on, “why not? It’s a healthy way to love and be loved.”

“Wow. Just wow…” I shook my head. “I can’t believe you’re willing to share me.”

“And why not?” Vic shook his head. “I love you and I want you to be fulfilled and grow as a person. I’m sure you want the same for me
and
for Max.”

I was incredulous. “And what did Max say about all of this?”

Vic grinned, “He was excited. He loves us both and loved the idea of us being together.
But
only if you want it, too.”

“I can’t believe this conversation we’re having!” I snipped. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.” I quickly started dressing, pulling my panties on and blinking back tears as I fastened the hooks on my bra.

“Bree…listen. I’m fine if you don’t want to go through with this. I just thought…”

“You just thought?” I said angrily as I tugged my jeans up around my waist and zipped them. “You just thought I was a plaything for the Harris boys?”

“What the fuck? No…no. It’s not like that,” Vic sputtered.

He reached his hand out to touch my shoulder but I swatted it away.

“Save it, Vic. I’ll see myself out.” I yanked my tee over my head and grabbed my shoes and socks. I was trembling as I sat on the edge of the bed and pulled them on.

“Bree…” Vic moaned, reaching for me again.

“Vic!” I snapped, trying to stay as composed as I could through my blurry eyes. “I’m leaving now.” Thank God I’d driven over to the Big Bull in my car and could drive myself home. “If you or your brother ever comes near me again, I will have Sheriff Matthews throw your asses in jail for harassment.”

What the fuck. I couldn’t believe what had just happened. Vic had been willing to share me with his brother? And here I’d thought Vic was ‘the one’—my forever man. How stupid could I be? I’d thought he was so sweet and kind and…he was just an animal.

“Triad my ass,” I muttered. I climbed into my car and gunned the ignition. I knew I was moments away from crying my eyes out, but I had to at least keep it together till I got back to the privacy of my apartment.

As I drove, my tears turned to anger—the nerve of that man. What had I ever seen in him? Why had I thought he was so great in the first place? In my head, I ticked off as many of Vic’s problems as I could think of. One—he had no hair. Ok, I had to admit, I thought his bald head was super sexy. Two—he worked all the time. But then again, I did admire his work ethic. Three—he had a huge cock, which really
was
a little large for me…ok, never mind, I really liked, no—loved that.

Four—he had the nerve to suggest I form a triad with his brother? Not that I would ever consider forming a triad, but Max seemed to have plenty of his own problems anyway. He was very shy, though I had to admit that was a refreshing change from the arrogant men I often met. Like Vic, he worked his ass off which took a lot of time. Of course working hard was a good quality. He did seem depressed though. I couldn’t really fault him for that. What with his mother’s death and being accused of setting fires in Shifter Villages, Max had a lot of reasons to feel down in the dumps.

But Max seemed like a good man to me, and he did deserve someone kind and loving. It shocked me that women couldn’t see past his scars. Sure, he had those knife wounds, and the story of how he got them was truly sad. But in my mind, the scars were not disfiguring. They showed courage and love.

~ * ~

“Did I hear that right?” Marcie’s eyes grew wide as saucers. “He wants you to form a triad with his brother? Like—the three of you would be living together and
sleeping
together?”

I nodded, my eyes filling with tears again. “I just couldn’t believe it when he suggested it.”

Marcie put her arm around my shoulder. I was so glad I’d stopped by to confide in her. After leaving Vic I was distraught. I’d planned to go straight home, but as I drove by Kane’s Bar and Grill I decided I needed to talk to someone. I knew I could count on Marcie, my brother Kane’s wife. Though the bar was busy when I walked in, Marcie took one look at me and knew something was wrong right away. She whisked me away to a corner booth to talk.

“I just don’t know what to say,” she exhaled deeply. “I’m at a loss.”

“What’s going on, ladies? I can see you two huddled there, scheming,” Kane joked. “What are you going to make me buy to fix up the place this time?”

Marcie and I were always trying to change things at Kane’s. We’d convinced him to upgrade the seating, swap out the dishes, decorate with potted plants…we liked adding a woman’s touch, while still retaining the earthy atmosphere Kane’s was known for. I could only wish that was what we were talking about right now.

Kane frowned as he noticed my tear-streaked face, “Why are you crying, Bree?”

I looked at Marcie, then back to Kane. “He…he…” I started blubbering.

“He? He? …who is he?” Kane asked.

“Don’t get funny,” I sniffled.

“She and Vic are fighting,” Marcie piped up softly.

“You two are fighting?” Kane raised his brows. “But you always get along great. What’s going on?”

“Vic wants me…he wants me to form a triad—Max, him and me.”

“Ok,” Kane shrugged his shoulders as if it were an everyday thing for your partner to want to add a third person into your relationship.

I nodded.

“And?”

“There’s no ‘and’—he wants us to have a triad—me, him, and Max,” I sputtered.

“So? What’s wrong with that?” Kane asked.

“What’s wrong with that? What do you think is wrong with that?” I spat.

Kane rubbed his forehead, “I can’t think of anything.”

I stared at my brother.

“Calm down,” Kane said. “You and I both know it’s not unusual for shifters to form a triad.”

“I know,” I agreed softly.

“So—why wouldn’t you consider a triad with Vic and Max?”

“Well, why wouldn’t you with Marcie?”

Marcie stepped back, shaking her head. “Don’t be giving Kane any ideas,” she said quickly.

Kane scratched his head. “Marcie’s a lot to handle as it is.”

“Is that right?” I rolled my eyes.

Marcie feigned a gasp, “What!”

“Just kidding, honey,” Kane said, running his hand lovingly along Marcie’s back. “Seriously though, Bree, some shifters have the type of bond where a triad is right for them. And in other cases, it’s not right.”

I guess that made sense.

“Think about this, Bree. Vic has a special bond with you, and with his brother. He loves his brother completely. They’ve been together for all of their lives. Then you come along and he knows you’re his mate, but of course he doesn’t want to break that bond with his brother. By becoming a trio, you have triple the love. It’s a healthy way to love.”

“It’s a healthy way to love?” I repeated. “That’s what Vic said too.”

“Yes, and he’s right,” Kane said firmly. “If I had a brother I was close to, then maybe I would…”

Marcie nodded. “Hmm, now that you put it that way Kane, I see what you mean,” she shrugged her shoulders.

“I feel like the two of you are ganging up on me,” I groaned, “I think I better get going.” I slid out of the booth and started to walk away sullenly.

“Bree, come on, don’t go,” Marcie rushed to my side.

“Look, I know you both need to get back to work. I’ll talk to you all later.” I waved them away as I headed towards my car.

“Triad, my ass!” I muttered under my breath.