Bred by the Bushmen

Opal was used to being ignored or cast aside. It was just the way things were for her.

“Everything’s fine. If you’re worried about Caleb, don’t be. He’s old-fashioned and doesn’t believe in going after what he wants.”

“What does he want?”

He smirked, and it was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen. “You.”

****

Damon didn’t give a shit if Caleb wanted to live in self-denial. He planned to take what he wanted, and he wanted Opal—wanted her as his wife and to carry his child. He knew damn well Caleb felt the same way, but it would take some convincing before he agreed to take a chance on her.

She looked young, maybe too young for them, but he knew they’d be able to take care of her properly. Damon didn’t like the sadness in her eyes, or the fact she’d been barely living. They didn’t have much in way of material possessions, but that was by choice. They had money in the bank, but that was where it stayed. As long as they had an abundance of food, supplies, and firewood, they were happy.

“You’re wrong,” she said. “Men don’t like me in that way.”

“In what way?”

She bit her lower lip. “You know … as a girlfriend or wife.”

“I’m not following, sweetheart. Why on earth wouldn’t a man want you? I feel the same way as my brother. Finding you was a saving grace, like you’d been dropped out of the sky just for us.”

“Us?”

“We share everything.” He left it at that. Caleb had a point about scaring her off too soon. Describing all the delicious things they’d like to do with her in bed would be a bad start. They’d never found a woman special enough to be the mother of their children.

Opal was that woman.

She attempted to move her leg and winced. It was late, so it would be best to get her to bed. Rest was the answer to most things. He stood up and leaned over to scoop her up into his arms.

“Careful, you’ll hurt yourself,” she said, clutching his shirt.

“I’m a big boy.” He carried her to his bedroom. There were only two in the cabin. He set her down on his patchwork quilt as tenderly as possible. The doctor had already removed her boots and socks, and he noticed the injured ankle was dark and swollen.

“Where’re you going to sleep?” she asked.

“I’ll take the couch.”

“This is your bed? I can’t take your bed from you. You’ve already been too good to me.”

He sat down beside her, the mattress dipping slightly. “Did you know the townspeople are afraid of us? Apparently nobody wants to fuck with the White brothers. I can’t blame them, exactly. We don’t always tend to react with our heads, and one thing for certain, we’re very protective of what’s ours.”

She swallowed hard, looking at him with those big doe eyes. He wanted to make it clear that she wasn’t going anywhere. Damon planned on keeping her, fucking her, and filling her with his baby. His brother wanted the same thing, so he’d only fight him so long. And this little lamb might protest, but she’d soon learn how good life could be as their woman.

“You should get some sleep. It’s late and rest will help you heal faster. I’m only a shout away if you need anything,” said Damon. She looked perfect in his bed, and he had to pull himself away. Their home had lacked a female presence for too long, and until Opal showed up, he didn’t realize just how much he needed her. Before he closed the door behind him, he said, “You’re safe here. I wouldn’t let anything bad happen to you.”

He closed the door and then crashed on the sofa, resting his forearm over his eyes. He felt exhausted and invigorated at once. They’d found the most beautiful treasure, the woman they’d both been praying for. It was too good to be true.

Caleb brushed his legs aside and sat next to him. “You’re fucking nuts,” he whispered harshly.

“What did I do?”

“It’s a small cabin. I could hear almost everything you said to that girl. You’re trying to scare her into staying.”

He shook his head. “You’re crazy. I just want her to know how far I’d go to protect her, to keep her.”

“You’re going to push her away.”

“She’s not going anywhere,” said Damon. “She’s ours, you’ll see.”

“She’s not a toy, she’s a woman. You can’t make someone love you,” said Caleb.

Damon bolted to his feet, running his hands through his hair. He didn’t want to hear this. He needed love, deserved it. The only person he had in his life was his brother. Yes, Caleb meant the world to him, and the thought of losing him terrified Damon, but he needed more. He craved the love of one woman. Wanted a real life, a family, a home filled with laughter like when they were kids.