Authors: Kori Roberts
“After Drew told us what you’d been trying to do, we went to visit Ethan at his law firm and made nice with him.” Nick gave her a small smile. “It took a little work on our part, but we finally convinced him to tell us which property you were trying to buy. It was still available, so we made the same offer that you did, and they took it.”
“But how did you get the money?”
Nick and Noah joined her at the window. “We’d been planning to open another
training facility, so we had the money available.” Noah shrugged. “We just decided to use it for this, instead.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Rylee’s vision blurred as fresh tears filled her eyes. “You had no idea if we’d ever be together again, if you’d ever even see me again, and you still did this. I… I just can’t believe that you gave up so much, gave up your money, your plans…”
Her words trailed off as her throat tightened well past the point of further speech.
Noah reached out and caressed her face. “We knew.” His voice was sure, firm. “And we would have gladly given up everything for the chance to live with you, go to bed with you, wake up to you, and make love to you every day.”
“You have no idea how much I want that, too.” She turned her face into Noah’s hand and nuzzled against his palm before she rested her head against his chest. She felt Nick move behind her, his arms going around her waist.
No one spoke, and in the quiet minutes that followed, Rylee soaked up all of the love, trust, and strength she felt within their embrace.
“So, what happens now?” Noah finally asked. “Do you have to go back to Seattle again?” Rylee could see the worry on his face; hear the concern in his voice.
“No” — she smiled up at him — “I’m here permanently.”
“Oh, thank God.” He held her just a little tighter. “I don’t think I could deal with you leaving us again — even for a little while.”
“And now you don’t have to be worried about being unemployed.” By the sound of Nick’s voice against her ear, Rylee could tell he was smiling. “No, I guess I don’t.” Rylee’s attention was drawn to the balcony windows again.
“When did you actually buy the place?”
“We got it about five weeks ago.” Nick told her. Rylee realized that was around the time Ethan finally told her that the property was no longer available.
“It had been empty for a while, so we hired the workers to do basic renovations and repairs. Any other changes are completely up to you.” Her mind was practically spinning with all of the changes she wanted to make.
“I know you’re planning to turn the rest of the house into a bed-and-breakfast.” Nick released her and walked in a circle around the large room. “But, what did you want to use this space for?”
“It’s going to be the master suite.” Rylee had decided that this section would be the master suite, once it was done, with a master bedroom in the middle, a smaller connecting bedroom on one side, and a large master bathroom with a shower and Jacuzzi built for three on the other. A kitchen and living room area would complete the space.
“Damn” — he whistled softly — “this is going to be a hell of a master suite.”
“It needs to be.” Rylee laughed. “It has to accommodate all three of us.”
Noises from the workers below drew their attention. They opened the glass doors and walked onto the balcony. Nick and Noah stood on either side of Rylee, their arms around her waist and shoulders as they watched the workers.
“So, do you want to get some horses to go in the stables over there?” Noah pointed across the property to the empty structure.
“Actually, I was thinking it would make a great kennel and training facility.”
“Yeah?” They looked at her in surprise, their expressions filled with happiness.
“Yeah.” Her smile turned to laughter when she was engulfed in their twin embraces.
“God, I love you,” Noah whispered. “Me, too,” Nick spoke softly. “So much.”
“I know you do. I love you both, too.”
They were quiet for a while, content to just watch the workers finish installing the display that would soon hold the name of the bed-and-breakfast.
“So, have you chosen a name yet?”
“Yeah, I did.” Rylee glanced up at Nick. She’d thought a lot about the best name for the bed-and-breakfast since she’d decided she wanted to purchase the property. She’d chosen a name that reflected how she felt every time she came here, every time she was with these two men. “I’m going to call it Sanctuary Bed & Breakfast.”
“I like that.” Noah nodded approvingly. “We’re so proud of you, baby.” He leaned down and kissed her. When she opened her eyes, her breath caught at the amount of love she saw reflected in his gaze for her.
“Hell, yeah, we are!” Nick said. “Come here.” He pulled her close, kissed her deep, and completely took her breath away before he released her.
A round of cheers and whistles could be heard from below. “I think we’re causing a scene,” Rylee blushed and hid her face against Nick’s shoulder.
“Fuck ’em,” he growled. “Let them look. I love you, and I don’t care who knows it.” He took her mouth in a heated kiss again.
“Come on,” Noah told her when she came up for air. “Let’s go home and celebrate.”
Rylee led them out of the room, through the house, and past the knowing glances of the workers outside until they reached their car.
As they drove away from the ranch, Rylee couldn’t help but think that it had been a long, hard few months. She was sure there would be many more like it. But when she looked at the man sitting next to her, and the one sitting behind her, she knew that in the end, it was worth it.
They were worth it.
*
THE END