Taylor looked at the other men, who both looked reluctant to answer me honestly. I huffed out in frustration.
“You’ve gotta tell me, because you’re starting to freak me out.”
Taylor frowned. “You won’t be able to handle the truth.”
I glared at him. “Listen, mate, I’m a physician. I can handle anything you guys throw at me. Because all I want is the truth. That’s very important to me.”
After dealing for years with boyfriends who’d lied and cheated their way through our relationships, the last thing I wanted was more dishonest men.
Dexter moved to take a step forward and Taylor grabbed his arm.
Dexter frowned, that pained look on his face returning once again.
He looked at me and took a step back. “You don’t need to fear me, Claire. All this…” He indicated to his body. “Is to protect you. That’s what I’m built for—protection. I’d never hurt you. I’d do anything to keep you safe.”
I held his gaze for a moment and eventually nodded. I could kind of understand that. But any men whom I’d met in the past who were as big as Dexter were real meat-heads. They cared only for looks and intimidation.
“Okay… well, then tell me what this is all about. And don’t hold anything back.”
The men shared a look again and finally Taylor stepped forward.
“Okay, but you may want to sit down.”
Really?
I gave them a look that clearly should have said, “Are you serious right now?” but when they didn’t move, I eventually threw up my hands and sat on the couch.
“Fine. But you guys need to sit down, too. It’s like being surrounded by massive trees.”
They all found a seat so fast I barely saw them move. Taylor on the couch, Jay on the edge of a chair and Dexter moved all the way back to the stairs that I assumed led up to a second floor.
It was really strange, but seeing Dexter so sad and far away hurt in the weirdest way. It was like a hand was being pressed to my sternum and applying extreme pressure.
I wanted him closer. But why would I, when he was by far the most intimidating of all the men? None of this made any sense.
I sat up straighter and steeled myself for a revelation.
“Okay, hit me with it. What are you? And what have I got to do with it all?”
Taylor shifted forward on his seat and once again, I was struck with how beautiful these men were.
Taylor was hot, in the way men who graced the front of magazines were hot. His hair was shaggy, long and touchable. His eyelashes were far too long for a man, and his shoulders were so wide, it left you in no doubt as to how strong he was.
Taylor grinned. “You feel that attraction between us?”
What could I do?
Lie?
When I’d just lectured them on how important honesty was to me, and when I was so obviously perving on them.
“Yeah… so what?”
That didn’t actually mean anything.
He smirked at me. “Are you attracted to all three of us?”
I didn’t even need to look at the other two men. “Yes, but what’s that got to do with anything?”