Stormy Satisfaction (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 11)

“Damn it, Sylas. You’re pissing me off. She’s mine.”

“You’re barking up the wrong tree. We must respect Ashley’s feelings. If you’re truly considering moving here, like I am, you need to be more open to the possibility of sharing her.”

“Hell, Sylas, I’ve never thought of anything like this in my life.” Nic seemed to be softening a little, but only a little.

“Me either, but don’t you think Ashley is worth our effort?” Sylas could see in Nic’s eyes that he wasn’t as confident about winning Ashley alone as he professed. Maybe there was hope for Nic to turn around. Maybe there was hope for him, too. Ashley was more than worth their best.

Nic shook his head. “Sharing a woman? Granted, Ashley is wonderful—more than wonderful. I want her. I’ve never wanted anyone as much as her, Sylas. But how would such a thing work?”

“I don’t know, but obviously it does somehow. That’s why I’m here. To learn how it works.”

Nic nodded. “You’re the quiet one of the two of us, but you’ve always been the one willing to step up first when the need arose. I’ve always admired that about you.”

“And I’ve always admired that you aren’t afraid of a challenge. Come on, Nic. This is just another one you and I can master together.”

“This is not rock climbing or skydiving, Sylas. This is about the future. It’s about the rest of my life, and Ashley’s, though she can’t see that right now.” Nic stood and threw a fifty-dollar bill on the table. His walls were clearly back up. “If you want to get your freak on in this town, I don’t care. Have as many threesomes as you want, but stay out of my way when it comes to Ashley. I’m not going to let you fuck up my life,

Sylas.”

Desirae walked next to Nic. “No pie?”

He didn’t answer but stormed out of the diner.

“Did I say something wrong?”

Sylas shook his head. “No. He’s just very tired. I’ll take a slice of that pie, if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind at all.” She glanced down at the fifty-dollar bill, and her eyes widened. “He left without his change. You’re friends, right? I can give it to you and you can make sure he gets it, okay?”

“Desirae, I’m sure Nic meant that for you.”

“That’s way too much, especially for the Blue Plate Special. If he comes in again, I’m going to ask him about that.” She filled his water glass. “I’ll be right back with your pie.”

“Take your time. My appointment isn’t for another hour. How’s your coffee here?”

“Hot and fresh.” Her face turned red.

“Bring me a cup, please.”

“My pleasure.”

After she left, he looked at the table with the elderly threesome. His eyes locked with the woman’s. She had beautiful silver hair and blue eyes. The man on her right was bald with a gray beard. The one on her left had silver hair. The woman whispered something to her two companions. The three of them stood and walked straight to his table.

“Hello,” the stately woman said. “I’m Ethel O’Leary and these are my husbands, Patrick and Sam.”

Two husbands? Destiny was turning out to be just like Ashley had told him and Nic.

“I’m Sylas Hayes. Pleased to meet you.”

Sam was the bald one with the beard. “Welcome to Destiny.”

He shook their hands.

Patrick smiled. “Since you’re alone, do you mind if we join you?”

Both men had a slight Irish accent, though Ethel’s sounded American, Midwestern.

“I don’t mind at all. I just ordered pie and coffee. Please, have a seat.”