“We? But you’re so good at that.”
Tyler glared at him. “We meaning you and I, lover. I know you’d rather have a colonoscopy than go clothes shopping, but think about having your own sweet Nevvie to dress.”
He considered, then smiled. “You know me too well, evil genius.”
“How do you think I keep your interest up?”
Thomas goosed him. “Maybe we’ll get a chance to get our interest up tonight if she sleeps well.”
Tyler patted his arm. “Let’s see how she is. I don’t want her alone with her night terrors.”
After dinner all three sat on the couch, Nevvie’s head in Tyler’s lap and getting a foot rub from Thomas. They realized around nine that she was sound asleep.
“Well?” Thomas whispered.
Tyler looked into her peaceful face. “I don’t have the heart to disturb her. You go to bed. I’ll stay with her.”
Thomas carefully moved her feet from his lap. She didn’t awaken, and he leaned over and kissed Tyler good night.
“I love you,” he whispered in his ear. “You did good, Ty. If I hadn’t listened to you about going after her…” He couldn’t finish.
“It’s all right. She’s safe, that’s all that matters.”
Thomas nodded and padded down the hall to bed.
Tyler grabbed a throw pillow, wedging it under his right side, leaning over to doze without waking her.
Around midnight, Nevvie awoke on the couch and realized she still occupied Tyler’s lap. For the first time since being there she didn’t have the terrifying dream that jolted her out of sleep—that the boys didn’t arrive in time and what Alex would have done, Alex morphing into Steve Moses and her terrified screams as she tried to fight him off.
She closed her eyes and inhaled, her nose pressed against Tyler’s stomach, his scent warming her heart. It felt right being curled up here with him. He felt right.
In sleep, Tyler’s left hand had come to rest comfortably over her mid-drift. Like this she could imagine they were lovers, dream of what she wished she had, platonically absorb it.
She laced her fingers through his and snuggled closer, drifting back to sleep.
Thomas awoke at one and realized Tyler still wasn’t in bed. He found them on the couch and knew Tyler wouldn’t be able to walk the next morning if he slept contorted all night. He gently nudged him, then carefully scooped Nevvie up. In sleep she put her arms around his neck and muttered something.
He carried her to her bedroom and Tyler pulled back the covers. Then Thomas whispered in his ear, “You get some sleep, I’ll stay with her. You’ve got to be in New York in two days, and you won’t sleep tomorrow night with your nerves.”
“You know me too well, love.” He kissed him and returned to their room while Thomas curled next to her and went back to sleep.
Nevvie awoke and realized she was in her bed with a warm, firm body comfortably snuggled against her.
She felt the arm draped around her waist: Thomas. Already she could tell the two apart just by their scent, not to mention their bodies. His arms were longer and leaner, not overly muscled but firm and well-defined, his fingers thicker, the hair on his arms a different texture. Tyler’s fingers were long and thin, and she imagined they were skilled at the most delicate of…
Mmm. Quit thinking like that, or poor Thomas would get a surprise. She snuggled close and laced her fingers through his, quickly returning to a deep, dreamless sleep.
The next morning, Nevvie awoke alone to the smell of coffee brewing. She rolled over, wondering if she’d dreamed Thomas slept in her bed. She put her hand on the mattress next to her—still warm. She buried her head in the other pillow and smelled his scent still fresh on the fabric.
She’d slept like a log.
She used the bathroom and walked out to the kitchen. Thomas stood at the counter in his silk sleeping boxers, with his back to the hallway, reading the paper while waiting for the coffee. The muscles in his bare back rippled against his skin. Lean, firm, and tanned, a contrast to Tyler’s softly trim but more compact form.
Nevvie put her arms around his waist, laying her cheek against his warm back. He put his hands over hers and squeezed.
“Good morning. Did you sleep okay?”
“You slept with me last night?”
He finally turned and gave her a proper hug, kissing the top of her head. “I hope you don’t mind. You fell asleep in Ty’s lap and I found you guys around one. He’s still asleep, probably a pretzel this morning.”
She felt guilty. “Oh, poor Ty. I’m sorry.”
“No, sugar.” He hugged her again. “Don’t be sorry, it’s okay. You’ve got a lot to deal with. Believe me, we’re more than happy to do it.”
It felt good resting her head against his chest, feeling his soft curly hair against her cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I appreciate it. I’m sorry I’ve turned your lives upside down.”
“Stop.” She looked up at his firm tone and fell into his deep brown eyes. “Nevvie, we mean it. You’re part of our family. You’re our girl. Let us take care of you.” He kissed her forehead and patted her back. “Coffee’s almost ready. Why don’t you take Tyler’s in to him? I was already in there, he’s decent. Well, he’s got boxers on.” He smiled. “I don’t know how decent he is.”
“It’s the least I can do.” She fixed herself a mug and took a sip, then fixed Tyler’s—black. Their bedroom door wasn’t completely shut and she cautiously stuck her head in. Stretched on his left side, facing the edge of the bed away from her, Tyler had the sheet pulled up to his waist and his arm wrapped around a pillow.
He looked so comfortable. She’d love to slide into bed with him and wrap her arm around his waist.
Or wrap her lips around his…
Yum.
Tyler’s trim backside and sturdy thighs spoke of ready action. She’d seen school pictures of him on the soccer team—football, pardon—and even then his eyes and smile were addictive. Maybe a few extra pounds across his torso now, but still firm and grabbalicious. Mega-scrumptious.
Kissable.
She walked across the bedroom and placed the mug on his bedside table, then sat next to him. His hair fell across his forehead and she couldn’t resist reaching out and tenderly brushing it from his face. He opened his eyes and sleepily smiled.
“Hey. Good morning, love.”
She struggled not to lean over and kiss him. “Thomas told me you stayed on the couch with me last night. Thank you.”
He caught her hand and kissed it. “It’s all right, sweet. I didn’t have the heart to wake you.”
“How’s your back?”
He started to turn over and winced. “Been better, I’m afraid.”
“Roll over.”
She straddled him and worked her hands down his shoulders and back, struggling not to lean forward and kiss him.
He moaned appreciatively. “Oh, sweetheart, that’s fantastic.”
“Where’s it hurt?”
“Down lower.”
She scooted lower, his ass between her legs. He groaned louder as she kneaded the muscles above his hips. “Right there. Jesus that’s fantastic, darling.”
Thomas’ deep laugh startled her. “I wondered what you were doing to him.”
She blushed but didn’t stop. “I figured I owed him.”
Thomas sat on the bed and watched. “He likes his back cracked, too.”
“Huh?”
“Stay there. I’ll show you.” Thomas changed position, kneeling behind her with his arms around her, also straddling Tyler. He showed her how to position the heels of her palms and then leaned forward with a quick motion. She heard and felt a distinctive pop.