“Man wasn’t meant to be alone, Opal. Even the Bible says so.” He ran the backs of his fingers along her jawline, a look of complete devotion in his eyes. “Would it be so bad to live here? With us?”
Was she dreaming? She wanted to pinch herself, but knew this was all too real. “You don’t even know me. I’ve been here less than a week.”
Opal wanted to ask why they hadn’t chosen another woman by now. Who on earth could refuse them? Should she refuse them? Maybe they were alone for a good reason.
“You’re a woman—gorgeous, sweet … innocent.” He licked his lips after saying the last word. Her pussy tingled, as if sensing his thoughts, experiencing his need.
“Caleb doesn’t even like me.” She wanted this, but couldn’t just jump on board without a backward glance.
Damon chuckled. “He fucking loves you, darling. He’s just stubborn and afraid you’ll reject us.” He ran his free hand through his dark hair, the sunlight accentuating his blue eyes. “Tell me I’m not wrong. Tell me you want to stay.”
Her anxiety grew by the minute. She pulled her hand away and bolted to her feet. This couldn’t be happening. Good girls didn’t just run off into the wilderness with two bushmen, never to be seen again. What about her apartment? Her job? Her spoon collection? Opal braced both hands on the counter as she looked out the window above the sink. A few lazy snowflakes drifted down, the wall of evergreens in the distance a reminder of how far she was from civilization.
A hand rested on each shoulder from behind and she jumped. She turned around, craning her neck to look up at Damon. She didn’t realize how tall he was, his presence larger than life. “This is crazy,” she said.
“You have a man to go back to?”
“No, but I have a life in the city. I can’t just uproot and play house with you.” What kind of life did she have back home? One she needed to escape from. Her apartment was shitty, her job hell, and she’d been lonely. So lonely. Her hopes and dreams had been tied up in romance novels and the very slim chance her prince charming would show up one day. It wasn’t much of a life, so why was she fighting this?
He took a step back, his chin up. The man was sex on a stick, strong jaw, broad shoulders. His red-checked shirt was unbuttoned, his white wife beater clinging to his hard chest. “Your heart is in the city.” Damon nodded once. “I can’t force you into our way of life. Living out here is extreme, I know that.”
What had she done? His disappointment was palpable. She hadn’t said “no” to him, but replaying her words in her head, she’d been rude. Opal supposed she was looking for more reassurance, confirmation everything would work out if she decided to stay, but she’d gone and insulted him.
She believed people could learn to fall in love. In her case, she was halfway there, already carrying a massive crush for both brothers. But there were so many variables, so many chances for disaster.
Opal watched Damon leave the kitchen and heard the front door close behind him.
****
Caleb had been stacking wood, preparing for the coming storm. A bitter wind chill had already blown in and a light dusting covered the land. He adjusted his toque and did the top button up on his padded jacket.
When the front screen door slapped shut, he turned to catch Damon storming out of the house.
Damon paced in circles, kicking at the kindling left on the ground. “You were right,” he said. “Don’t bother gloating because I already feel like shit.”
“What are you blathering about?”
“I asked her to stay. Asked her to be our woman.”
Fuck. He should have expected this, but he thought his brother would listen to his advice to take things slowly. He’d jumped the gun and scared her off.
“What she say?”
“That she has a life in the city. I don’t think there’s a woman alive who’d want to live out here.” Damon yanked off his shirt, balled it up and whipped it in on the ground. “She was perfect, Caleb. I thought she was the one.”
“You’ll catch your death of a cold. Get inside,” said Caleb.
“No, I need to run.”
Caleb watched his brother walk off in just a tank top and jeans. He didn’t bother trying to stop him. This was exactly what he feared, watching his brother lose hope.
He tugged off his work gloves and made his way to the porch. Their little guest was done playing games. He’d stayed out of his brother’s courting, taking the road of caution, but now it was time to intervene. Time to set their flighty dove straight.
Once he entered the house, silence settled in immediately. He wasn’t good with emotions. Where Damon usually wore his heart on his sleeve, Caleb kept his walls firmly in place. Ever since their parents were killed, their lives had been a whirlwind. He’d closed his heart off the best he could, the only way his fourteen-year-old self knew how to cope with so many devastating changes. His only constant had been Damon, and it killed him to watch him suffer.
“You’re feeling better?” he asked when he spotted Opal standing near the fireplace. The fire had petered out, only the red glow of ashes left behind.
“Yes, thank you.” She wouldn’t look at him, still glancing down at the embers.