“He doesn’t have the skills.” Cody stepped closer, invading her space. “But I’m very skilled.” He lowered his gaze to her chest and licked his lips subconsciously. Or maybe it was on purpose. He seemed like the kind of man who knew exactly what he was doing when it came to women.
“Sometimes it takes more than skill.” Carson shot his brother a disapproving look. Oh dear, they were fighting over her. Not fighting really, just competing for her attention. She should warn them that she’d vowed to go the rest of her life without ever having sex again. She’d spent the last few years with pillows propped under her hips every Tuesday and Friday from 10:15 to approximately 10:27. All for nothing.
Water under the bridge. Over the dam. Spilled out into the ocean by now.
She closed the bathroom door and slipped the oversized T-shirt over her head, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror. A large bruise bloomed along her left side, stopping just below her breast. More bruises appeared along her hip and back. Tears stung her eyes as she realized just how lucky she was that Carson and Cody had decided to go fishing that day.
“I’m going to fix you a cup of tea,” one of the twins said through the door. “Do you need any help in there?”
“No, I got it.” Lily tried to make her voice as strong as possible. She didn’t want whoever it was to think she was weak.
“Just checking.” His voice was strong, steady, and very sexy. “Let me know if you need anything. Despite what Cody says, I’m very good at washing backs.”
It was Carson. Her heart fluttered as she remembered the feel of his arms around her. His hand on her breast. The way he’d pressed against her, trying to warm her up. He was so solid, rock hard arms, chest, and well, if that was shrinkage…
She turned on the shower. It would take a few minutes to warm up. The water, that is. She was already warm in all the wrong places. Maybe she should take a cold shower instead. Like that would help get her mind off the two hunks in her house. Either one of them was twice the man Brian was. And put together? She shuddered as she stepped under the hot water.
The warm spray did wonders to release the tension in her body. It wasn’t just the day’s events, but the last eight months of stress that she needed to wash down the drain. She had turned thirty wondering why it was such a big deal. She had a good job, a nice house in a desirable neighborhood, and a smart, successful husband to share her life with. The only thing missing was a baby. They had been working on that.
But then she’d lost her job. No big deal. They didn’t need the money. She was going to quit when she got pregnant anyway. But they had been trying for three years. Two years longer than most people waited to get tested. The results were more than disappointing. It had been the final straw that had broken the overstrained backbone of their marriage.
Damn. She must have gotten shampoo in her eyes. The stinging sensation couldn’t possibly be tears. She had nothing to cry about. She was alive. That had to count for something. She still had plenty of time to have a baby. She had options. Maybe even right there in her living room.
Stop. Don’t go there.
She wasn’t desperate. Gone were the days when only a married couple was given a chance at having children. She could probably even adopt, if it turned out that Brian wasn’t the only one with fertility problems.
With a little effort, Lily managed to dress after her shower. A bra was out of the question, considering the bruises on her side. The guys had already seen her girls in all their glory, so she slipped on a dark green T-shirt, hoping she wasn’t asking for trouble. She’d just have to go out there and be herself. If only she knew who that was.
That’s what she’d come up here for. To live life on her own terms. And that meant taking one step at a time, starting with marching into the kitchen where her rescuers were waiting.
“Oh, good. You’re both still here.” Lily put on a brave smile. “I’m not sure how to thank you. For everything.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Carson handed her a cup of tea. “We’re just glad we could help.”
“I could make you dinner. Or something.” Lily tried to think if she had enough food for three.
“No. That’s okay,” Carson was quick to decline. “You should get some rest.”
“We could light your fire,” Cody offered, and his brother gave him a quick elbow to the ribs. “In the fireplace. To make sure you stay warm.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary.” She wasn’t sure if Cody was trying to be funny, but the way Carson glared at him made her suspect that Cody’s over-the-top flirtation was a sore subject between them.
“Is there anything else you need?” Carson’s concern was a little overwhelming. She needed to get a grip on her emotions. Her hormones. All she had to do was finish her tea and thank them for saving her life. She wasn’t looking to create a new life with either of them.
Chapter 2
Carson leaned against the counter and watched Lily sip her tea nervously. She was obviously still rattled. “Are you all right?” It really wasn’t any of his business. He shouldn’t get involved. Yet, here he was, involved. Wanting to help. Caring about her.
“Sure, I’m fine.” Lily opened the door of the old refrigerator. “You sure you guys don’t want something to drink?”
“That would be great.” Cody would accept her offer. “Can I use your bathroom?”
“Be my guest.” She swept her arm in the direction she’d just come from, fresh from the shower. Carson wondered if it was still steamy.
“This is a sweet old fridge.” Carson tried to shake off the image of her in the shower. Naked. “Classic.”
“Thanks.” Lily pulled out a couple bottles of beer and shoved the door closed with her hip. “I’m sure it’s horribly inefficient, but it reminds me of the good old days.”
“Our Granny had one just like it.” Warm memories flooded him. She’d always kept it stocked with gallons of milk for two growing boys. Plenty of fresh fruit they could help themselves to. And a bottle of sticky, red grenadine for those special occasions when Granny made them Shirley Temples while she enjoyed a glass of wine with Granddad. They had taken the boys home from the hospital and had done everything they could to give them the life their daughter couldn’t have.
Lily handed him a beer and reached around him for a bottle opener. Her right breast grazed his arm.
“Sorry.” He pulled his arm away. She must really think he was some kind of jerk.
“It’s okay.” Lily laughed—a crystal-clear sound, like the deepest pool on the river. “It’s not like it was the first time.”
“No. Sorry about that too.” Carson felt his cheeks warm. He’d really hoped she hadn’t noticed.
“Hey, no big deal.” Lily struggled with the bottle opener, a blush creeping across her cheeks.
Carson took the bottle and the opener from her, setting both on the counter. “You don’t have to entertain us.”
“I don’t mind. Really. Entertaining is one of the things I’m good at.” There it was again. Her vulnerability tugged at his heart, making it impossible for him to just walk away.
“Oh hey, Sierra Nevada.” Cody returned from the bathroom, making himself at home by prying the caps off both the bottles. “One of my favorites.”
“Sit down.” Lily indicated the heavy oak chairs at her kitchen table. “If you won’t stay for dinner, let me at least put out some snacks. I think I have some chips and salsa.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Carson was on edge.
“Great.” Cody sat back and took a nice long