Tangled by Temptation (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 7)

“Sure, sweetheart. Take as long as you like. Shane, Corey, and I can hold down the fort.”

Her sister stood and walked up to Shane and Corey. “Thank you for finally getting her away from here.”

Shane smiled. “Our pleasure, Amber.”

Corey held the door for both of them and they walked out into the hall.

Dylan and Nicole were guarding Trollinger, so she and Amber headed the other direction, out the door to the back step, the same place this morning her sister had convinced her to take a much-needed break.

“You look amazing, Belle.” Amber grabbed her hand. “Now tell me everything.”

“Amber I just rested and got to take a shower.”

“You’re avoiding the real truth, Sis. I want to hear all about it. Everything.”

“Okay, nosy.” She laughed. “We had sex. It was amazing. It was different than anything I’ve ever experienced. I only know a little about the BDSM lifestyle, but I think they were trying to introduce me to it. They were in such control, trying to please my every need. I felt things I’ve never felt before, Sis. It was mind-blowing.”

“I agree with you, Belle. My guys have shown me things I never dreamed possible. Shane and Corey are clearly ready to do the same for you. Did you tell them?”

She nodded. “They told me it didn’t matter. They even talked about wanting to adopt Juan.”

Amber put her arm around her shoulder. “Your little sister is quite smart, don’t you think.”

“You are wonderful.” Belle looked up at the mountain peaks that were illuminated by the full moon. They looked much bigger here than they had at the guys’ lookout spot. It had started to snow again. Doubt began to creep out of the shadows of her mind. “I’m still not sure this is the right thing to do. It’s not fair to them.”

“Belle, please stop. Why do you do this to yourself? They love you. Love is all you need. Love is all any of us need. It will see you through whatever challenges come your way. Don’t you love them?”

“With all my heart. That’s what’s killing me.” She sighed, and her breath floated out in a fog in the chilly December air. “I want to be with them. I do. They make me so happy. But how can I take away something so precious from them?”

“Sis, they told you it didn’t matter. Why can’t you accept that?”

“Even if I can now, what happens after several years pass? How can I look at their beautiful faces and know I’m the reason they were denied children of their own? I can’t bring myself to break it off with them, but I can’t imagine staying either. I’m so confused.”

“Enough is enough, Belle. Like Mom always said, quit borrowing trouble.”

“But—”

They heard footsteps heading their way from the trees off to their left.

Amber looked the direction of the noise. She whispered. “We better get inside, Sis. No one should be out here at this hour.”

Belle completely agreed, and they went back inside.

* * * *

When Belle and Amber walked back into Juan’s room, Corey could see in both their eyes that something had startled them.

Emmett and Shane must’ve thought the same thing because they each stood up.

“What’s wrong, baby?” Emmett wrapped his arms around Amber.

“We heard a cracking noise in the ice.”

Corey put his arm around Belle. “You okay?”

She nodded. “With everything going on with Kip’s sister, we decided it was best to come back inside.”