Read The Bride's Unexpected Change in Plans Online
Authors: Rachel Clark
The Bride's Unexpected Change in Plans (11 page)
“Are you happy here?” Juna whispered quietly.
Kimberley nodded. She’d been happier here than she’d ever dared hope. Ewin and Dayved were caring and loving men who’d taken their responsibility to protect her very seriously. She’d just never suspect that they might fall
in
love with her. It was the one thing she’d wanted more than anything but something she’d never considered actually happening.
But then the timing of Dayved’s declaration finally hit her.
Neither man had mentioned love until after she’d offered to be an incubator for childless couples. It was more likely they were trying to offer her the one thing they knew would keep her here. They were sacrificing their own happiness to protect her from her own decisions.
The ache in her chest took her by surprise. She wanted to accept their offer and pretend everything was okay, but she couldn’t hurt them in that way. Neither of them had ever mentioned wanting children. They’d never even considered applying for a mail-order bride. Their life together was perfect before she disrupted it. The kindest thing she could do was let them go.
She lifted away from Dayved, trying to get off the sofa so that she could think more clearly. He reached for her, but Juna shook her head quickly and stood up to lead her into the kitchen.
“Kimberley, what is it, honey?” she asked, looking concerned. It had been so difficult to get to know these people long distance, but it was nice to know she’d been right about Juna. The jury was still out on Hollank, but at least her instincts had steered her correctly with this woman.
“They’re just trying to save me,” Kimberley said haltingly as she tried to breathe through the pain in her heart.
“Why would they do that?” Juna asked, looking confused.
“Because they’re nice guys who’ve been looking out for me since I landed on this planet.”
“Is that truly what you see?” Juna asked, tilting her head to the side as she assessed Kimberley’s face. “I see two men deeply in love with you.”
“But they didn’t say anything until you arrived. They’ve been trying to find me new partners ever since I got here.” Except that statement was no longer true. In fact, it had only been the first couple of weeks that they’d introduced her to suitable Desconian couples. After that, they’d simply settled into a routine all three of them were very comfortable with.
“Have you shared their bed?”
A little bit embarrassed by the question, Kimberley at least owed this woman the truth. She nodded. “I was curious. They were happy to teach me.”
Juna gave her a soft smile. “Honey, I think maybe you’ve underestimated how seriously Desconians view sex. If Ewin and Dayved invited you into their bed, it was because they wanted you there. Not a random female—just you. Kimberley, it’s obvious to me that they love you. Stay here. Give them a chance to show you how special you are to them.”
“Oh.” It wasn’t much of a response, but it was the best she could do under the circumstances.
“You do love them, don’t you?”
Kimberley nodded her head as tears tracked down her face. “With all my heart.”
Juna leaned forward, hugged her awkwardly, and whispered in her ear, “Then you might want to turn around and tell that to the two men behind you.”
“Thank you, Juna,” Ewin said as Kimberley spun on her heel and faced the two men who meant the world to her. “You are welcome in our home any time.” Ewin gave her a crooked smile. “I can’t say the same about your husband at the moment, but I’m certain we’ll find a way for you and Kimberley to continue your friendship.”
“Thank you,” Juna said as she squeezed Kimberley’s hand and then headed toward the main area. She stopped in front of Dayved and Ewin. “I apologize for my husband’s behavior. He can be brash and rude and make poor choices at times, but he is a good man. He saw a way to help his cousin and didn’t really think through the consequences. Will the prince and princess be pressing charges?”
“I think they’ll be satisfied with a stern warning. Your tredella is blessed to have such an understanding wife.”
Juna patted Dayved on the elbow, glanced back at Kimberley to give her another of those reassuring smiles, and then left the room. Dayved and Ewin surrounded her before she could blink.
“I should spank your ass for ever doubting that we loved you,” Ewin said in a deep growly voice. “In fact, I still might.”
“To be fair,” Dayved said with a thoughtful look, “I don’t think either of us actually said the words out loud.”
“Of course we did,” Ewin said, not looking as confident as his words suggested he should be. “At the very least they were implied in our actions.”
“True,” Dayved agreed. He pressed a kiss against Kimberley’s temple. “But she had no idea if we treated everyone that way or not.”
“You thought we take women to our bed whenever we wanted?” Ewin looked completely insulted, but Kimberley had no idea how to reassure him without lying. She had thought that. It was probably understandable given her circumstances and lack of experience, yet explaining that probably wouldn’t undo the hurt she’d caused her men with her assumptions.
Of course it didn’t help her confusion level that she was still trying to process the fact that the woman they claimed to love was her. She’d never been truly been loved by anyone. Her own mother had treated her like an annoyance, and her father hadn’t stuck around long enough to own up to his responsibilities.
“Let’s make this simple,” Ewin said, wrapping his strong arms around both of them. “Kimberley, Dayved and I love you and promise to love, cherish, and adore you for the rest of our lives.” She bit her lip, tears streaming down her face as she processed everything those beautiful words meant.
“Kimberley, do you feel the same way about us?”
“Yes,” she finally managed to say as warmth bloomed inside her chest, spreading outward as she let loose all the feelings she’d been trying to hide. “Yes, I love you both.”
“Well in that case,” Ewin said as he lifted her high against his chest, “it’s time to start planning a mubella claiming ceremony. But first…” His words trailed away as he started kissing her, his lips and tongue claiming her more thoroughly than she’d ever understood before.
She loved them, they loved her, and they loved each other.
It wasn’t the triad she’d come to the planet to join, but it was
exactly
where she belonged.
THE END
RACHELCLARKEROTICROMANCE.BLOGSPOT.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rachel loves romance in all its forms. She writes contemporary, BDSM, paranormal, and science fiction in MMF, MF, MFM, FFM, and occasionally FMMMMMMM pairings. Her one unbreakable rule is that every story must have a very happy ending.
For all titles by Rachel Clark, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/rachel-clark
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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