Ten Mountain Men's Baby (Love by Numbers 9)

Driving to the cottage, Will said, “Tonight’s party is going to be epic. We sure do have a lot to celebrate.”

“Indeed,” Ryker added.

“There’ll be music and dancing and Chandler punch,” said Will.

“And sharing,” I added with a wry smile.The party was in full swing when Wendy arrived. I introduced her to all the Chandlers. She fanned herself upon each introduction. I saw her wet her lips, and I wondered if I could get in the spirit of sharing and permit one of the Chandlers to be with her. The thought made me shudder. And I certainly wasn’t going to let her lay a hand on Ryker. I was definitely not ready for that. Apparently, I wasn’t completely on board with the sharing concept, after all.

Maybe there’s a rule like we only share within the family: wives, for example, and girlfriends included. Random friends and acquaintances don’t qualify.

I thought to inquire about that, maybe ask Shaun or Carson for specifics. But upon further reflection, I decided I’d prefer to take my chances rather than let them see my jealousy.

Doris was there, and she’d brought her sister, Carla. But so far, the dancing and socializing remained platonic. Oddly enough, I wouldn’t have minded if either Doris or Carla hooked up with one of the Chandlers, but Ryker was off-limits. And Wendy was going to have to keep her hands to herself.

I found my selective jealousy curious, and I sought out Ryker to discuss it with him. “It’s strange, don’t you think?” I said.

He shrugged. “I don’t know what to tell you. I promise, though, I won’t go anywhere near Wendy.”

“Or Doris or Carla,” I said.

He looked at me, surprised. “Really?”

“What? You want to hook up with them?”

He shrugged. “I’d never considered it. I’m just surprised you’re setting boundaries.”

I gave him a stern look. “Well, I am!”

He took a step back and put his hands up, open palms out. “Okay, Okay. No problem. I promise.”

We both looked across the room where Wendy sat in between Ted and Carson. Every time she said something to one of them, she’d touch them, either on the shoulder or on the knee.

“Though I can’t make any promises for my brothers.”

Owen came along, took my hands in his, and pulled me into the center of the room, which had been cleared for dancing. Miles was strumming a slow blues; we were in my wheelhouse now.

I straddled his leg, put my hands on his shoulders, and ran them down the length of his body. When my hand reached his groin, I felt his bulging manhood. I worked my way down, using his body like a stripper’s pole. When I came to his crotch, I put my chest to his bulge, then I slid up his body, turned around, and ground my backside against his bucking hips.

To my delight, I saw Wendy try to pull Ted onto the dancefloor out of the corner of my eyes, but he refused. She put her hands on her hips, huffed in frustration, and shook her head in disappointment. I left Owen and his hard-on and went over to Wendy.

I put my arm around her. “You having a good time?”

She frowned, looking at Ted, and said, “I’m trying to.”

I pulled her away from them and led her to where Miles was playing guitar, with Lawson accompanying him on the bongos. We sat against the wall with a perfect view of the party.

“Tell me everything,” I said. “Tell me about ‘Mirror, Mirror.’”20RykerI was reunited with my brothers after over twenty years of separation. The DNA test had confirmed it, and it was cause for great celebration. All things considered, I felt I should have been enjoying myself more at the party, but at the same time, I knew Holly was leaving. And though I told myself that she would return once she’d finished the thru-hike, there was a part of me that wasn’t entirely convinced of that.

Gannon found me in the kitchen. “What’s going on?”

“Just looking for some snacks to bring out.”

“No, I mean, what’s going on, really?”

I cocked my head to the side and looked at him with a furrowed brow.

He led me to the back of the kitchen to the pantry and pulled a bag of chips and some pretzels from the top. “Here you go.”

“Thanks.”

“But seriously, what’s up? I can tell when my little brother has something on his mind.”

“Little brother.” I chuckled. “I don’t know if I’ll get used to that.”

He put his arms out to the side and lifted his shoulders. “I think it’s a fair compromise. On the one hand, my little brother. On the other hand, Ryker. We both have adjustments to make, things to get used to.”

I nodded. “It’s strange for you to think of me as Ryker?”

He shook his head. “You were always Dennis to me, but I’ll call you Ryker. No problem. I’ll call you whatever you want.”