Nevvie wondered what the boys had planned for the evening. If the staff knew, they weren’t talking. Finally, after her hair and make-up were done, an attendant handed Nevvie a garment bag and shoebox and led her to a private dressing room.
She unzipped the bag with trembling fingers. Tyler had struck again. The black evening dress was form-fitting and gorgeous. She noticed a small bag inside the garment bag—hose, a lacy bra and sexy panties.
She smiled. Tyler. It had to be Tyler’s doing because Tommy did good to put on matching socks in the morning. She’d quickly discovered either she or Tyler had to verify Thomas didn’t leave the house without making sure his clothes matched first. He was that bad.
She hesitantly eyed the shoes. She hoped the boys would let her hold their arms for support. Not quite stilettos, but the black suede peep-toe pumps with three-inch heels were much higher than she normally wore.
Nevvie dressed, careful not to muss her hair or make-up. When she finished she looked in the mirror and turned, studying her body. It was too easy to pick apart what she didn’t like—her hips too round, thighs too full, chest too flat. Well, not in this bra. Tyler chose a style that gave her B-average chest a boost and produced deep cleavage.
Okay, so she didn’t look bad. She wished she had her necklace. Tyler took it with him for safekeeping.
She gathered her clothes, put her other shoes in the shoebox, and dumped everything in the garment bag. Then she carefully tottered out of the dressing room, hoping she didn’t embarrass herself.
Again Nevvie wondered what else they had planned. Studying her nails she realized her hands had never looked so good. She never painted her nails, much less had a manicure. What was the point? Not that she could ever afford a manicure before. Without resulting to fake nails the technician had done wonders, painting them a deep, candy apple red. When Nevvie asked for a different color the technician had smiled and shook her head.
“Sorry, I was told this specific color had to be used.”
Tyler.
He’d asked if she trusted him—she did. If this made her boys happy she’d do it. They wouldn’t do anything to embarrass her.
Well, the shoes could be a little shorter. Other than that, who was she to complain?
A uniformed driver walked into the waiting area. “Ms. Barton?”
She carefully stood. He took the garment bag and gift sack containing make-up and other goodies. Seeing her obvious discomfort with the heels he offered a steadying arm. She gratefully accepted and gathered her long dress in her other hand to keep from catching a shoe on it while going down the steps, her eyes on the ground so she didn’t trip and break her neck.
When they stopped she looked up and gasped. Tyler and Thomas, dressed in…tuxes? Standing by the limo’s back door, ear-to-ear grins on their faces.
They were gorgeous. Her boys.
She sighed. So they slept a bedroom away. She’d never had one man that looked as good as they did, much less two. She was a lucky girl.
The men stepped forward and offered their arms. She released the limo driver and hooked her arms through theirs.
“You’re beautiful, sweetheart,” Tyler said, carefully kissing her on the cheek. “Stunning.”
Thomas leaned over and kissed her other cheek. “I’ve never seen a woman as beautiful as you.”
She blushed, allowing them to help her into the limo. “Can it, guys. I appreciate it, but—”
“Stop.” Tyler knelt in front of her on the limo floor and waited until she met his eyes.
Her heart pounded. How could he do that to her with just a look?
“Nevvie, we will never lie to you. Yes, we love you, but when we say you’re beautiful, we mean it. We’re not stupid, and we’re not blind. Do you understand?”
She nodded.
He pulled her necklace from his pocket. She bowed her head to give him better access, and when he had it around her neck, he smiled. “That’s better.”
He squeezed her hand and moved to sit on her far side while Thomas climbed in next to her. “Did you have fun today, sugar?”
She’d followed Tyler with her eyes and still looked at him. “Yeah. Thank you. I’m officially spoiled now, I think.”
“Anything,” Tyler mouthed.
She nodded.
They ate dinner at an expensive, upscale steakhouse in downtown Tampa. She enjoyed the show, had never been anywhere like that before. The men took obvious delight in her pleasure, and in her appearance.
She loved the looks they received from people when they emerged from the limo, sure that some assumed they were celebrities. A few people recognized Tyler but for the most part they were left alone other than the appraising stares from women and men alike.
Tyler brought her a matching wrap in case she got cold, but comfortably seated between her boys she was warmed by their arms around her. Nevvie lost herself in the story. She’d seen the movie version of South Pacific, but never appreciated the complexities of the plot and theme before, or the hauntingly beautiful music. On the ride home she found herself engaged in a wonderful discussion with her boys about the show.
She felt smart. Even more, she felt she could in some small way empathize with Nellie Forbush’s plight. Only Nevvie loved two gay guys who loved each other and would never return her affection.
At least Nellie got her shit together and ended up with the guy.
And Nevvie knew damn well it wasn’t as simple as washing the boys out of her hair.
When the limo brought them home after midnight, Nevvie was sorry to see the evening end. The boys escorted her to her bedroom door, each kissing a hand.
“Did you enjoy yourself, sweet?” Tyler asked.
“It was great. Thank you.”
Thomas smiled. “I hope you’re getting accustomed to being a kept woman.”
“Absolutely.”
They hugged her. “Do you need any company tonight?” Tyler asked.
She’d slept alone since Monday night. She didn’t want to risk a repeat of her morning episode with one of the boys in bed with her. That wasn’t fair to them, and might make them uncomfortable. As horny as she felt, it was probably best she sleep alone.
“I think I’ll be okay, thanks.”
They almost looked a little disappointed. “Good night, sweetheart,” Tyler said. “We’ll see you in the morning.”
“Night, sugar,” Thomas echoed. They retreated to their bedroom and shut the door.
She replayed the day and evening as she undressed. It was finally sinking in that they wanted her around, but still that niggling fear remained of for how long. How long did they enjoy having her in their life?
And how long until she could get rid of that fear for good? Soon, she hoped.
She carefully hung up the dress and threw on an old T-shirt and boxers—Tyler’s—and crawled under the covers, the lyrics to “Some Enchanted Evening” running through her head.
Chapter 10
After two months with the boys, Nevvie could barely remember life with Alex in the rat-hole apartment. She slept alone most nights, but if the boys heard her have a nightmare one would join her. She wasn’t as jumpy, and she didn’t mind if the men were out of the house during the day for an hour or two. She still didn’t want to be alone at night, and they never left her by herself after dark.
She spent two days a week with Thomas at the office, two with Tyler, and the last wherever most needed. She let the boys decide. They encouraged her to take weekends to rest, even badgering her to stop working to relax or to go somewhere with one or both.