Total pages in book: 184
Estimated words: 188108 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 941(@200wpm)___ 752(@250wpm)___ 627(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 188108 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 941(@200wpm)___ 752(@250wpm)___ 627(@300wpm)
“Then why would you make it sound like we were only interested in her for sex? That isn’t even close to the main reason I enjoy her company. Although it is a part of it,” he muttered.
Salem wasn’t sure that he meant for them to hear that last part. In all the time that he’d known Roman, he’d never seen the other man take an interest in another woman or man romantically.
So this was big for him.
And the look on Alexei’s face said he got it too. Then Alexei sat up. “So you want her? You want to date her? To be her boyfriend?”
Roman straightened his shoulders. “I do. And if all you’re interested in sex, then you should back off. Because I want forever with her.”
Alexei frowned at Salem. “And you?”
“I want her as well. And not just for sex. I like her. She’s soft and vulnerable, but she can also be strong and fierce. I’ve found myself at a loss lately. I thought it was because of work and I hate feeling like a failure. So I threw myself more into my job, only that hole grew deeper and wider and darker. Until she came along. Now, I have another focus. A reason to get up. I feel a purpose again. I have a tendency to become hyper-focused on one thing at a time. Usually work, like Salem. But when Tamsyn is around, I want to be with her. To make her smile and laugh. I don’t think she’s had a lot of that in her life. I enjoy her company.”
Alexei jumped to his feet.
“And you, Alexei?” Salem asked calmly. “How do you feel about her?”
The big guy had a strange look on his face. “I want to hate her. I don’t want to care about anyone.”
Salem knew why he felt that way. Because caring meant he risked losing them like he had his family.
“Nothing is going to happen to her, Alexei,” Salem told him.
“Get out of my head,” he snarled. “But, yes, I want her too. As mine.” He swung around to glare at them both. “And it’s not just about sex.”
Salem knew that was as much of a declaration of his feelings for Tamsyn as they were going to get out of the big guy.
“All right. So, I’ll start again, we all want Tamsyn,” he repeated.
“I’m not backing down,” Alexei warned. “Just because she’s the only girl you’ve ever likely wanted.” He pointed at Roman as he said that before turning to Salem. “Or because she gives you some feeling of control back.”
“It’s not just about that,” Salem said as calmly as he could. He could feel Roman growing tense next to him. “This is also about Tamsyn and her needs and desires.”
“Oh yeah? And do you know what they are?” Alexei asked, folding his arms over his chest.
“I haven’t talked to her about this. I wanted us all on the same page. If we’re not, then I don’t think she will believe in what I have to propose.”
“And what’s that?” Alexei asked.
“We share her,” Roman said quietly.
“Share her?” Alexei repeated. “What do you mean, share her?”
“It’s not a foreign concept to any of us,” Salem said.
Understanding filled Alexei’s face. “Like your sister? Like they do in Escana? Like in Roman’s books? We form a harem?”
“Yes,” Roman said. “It’s the simplest way to solve things.”
Alexei started pacing and muttering to himself. “That is not simple.” His accent started to slip through.
“Well, not simple, no,” Salem said. “But it’s the only way where we can all get what we want.”
He’d been thinking about it for a while. They only had another week of Tamsyn working here left and they had to make a move if they wanted her.
And he did.
“What we want? And what if I don’t want to share her? I don’t share things well,” Alexei warned.
“Well, perhaps it’s time you learned,” Roman said firmly.
Alexei gaped at him. “What is going on with you?”
“I like her. A lot. I want her. I could fight you both for her. But then I might lose my two best friends in the process, and I don’t want that. Even worse, I might lose her. But I think she’d walk away before that could happen. Because she wouldn’t want the three of us to fight over her. She’d pull herself out of the equation. And then none of us would have her. And I am aware that it sounds like I’m not taking her feelings into consideration. I am. I’ve noticed how she looks at the two of you. She wants all of us. This is what she needs too,” Salem told him.
“We don’t think this works any other way,” Roman added. “She’s not going to choose. And she won’t want us to compete for her. She’s not a damn prize. If we’re not all onboard, all united, then I think we all lose her. Is that what you want, Alexei?”