“Something smells good,” Evan said as he slid a kiss on her cheek.
“You went to a lot of trouble,” Braden said eyeing the eggs and sausage patties while he patted her bottom.
Kane grabbed a biscuit from the table, took a bite and winked. “Uh-huh. I’d know a Cracker Barrel biscuit anywhere.” He took a sip of coffee and tugged her onto his lap.
“What time did you get up?”
“About two hours ago,” She shrugged. “I couldn’t sleep.”
Braden’s brow arched. “Why not?”
“Just couldn’t. Excitement, I guess.”
“Woke up wet, did ya?” Evan snickered.
“As a matter of fact, I did. Wonder why.”
“Wet dreams, I imagine.” Evan shoved a piece of sausage into the biscuit.
“More like living out fantasies,” she said.
Kane balanced her on his leg and reached around her for the salt. He nudged her breast on purpose and grinned at his plate. “You know, you don’t have to run around here horny, right? I mean, you don’t have to wait for one or all of us to make a play for sex, Peyton.”
“Nice of you to explain things for me,” she said as she winked at Braden.
“And you don’t have to sleep with all of us at night, by the way. In fact, we talked about it yesterday. Braden’s going to move to the spare room and we’re going to turn the master suite into a…”
“Shit, Kane, spit it out,” Evan laughed. “The master bedroom will be our playroom, and Braden will take the other bedroom for his. We’re going to add a few things in the master like a trampoline and sex machine, bondage toys and-”
“Huh?” She swallowed stiffly.
“He’s kidding.” Braden took a swig of juice. “My room is going to be more like a game room, really. We’ve been meaning to put a pool table somewhere so we decided to add a pool table, ping pong table and a few other things up there. We thought we’d put a king-size bed up there too for nights when we all stay together. Otherwise, unless you’re opposed to it, everyone is going to keep their rooms for now. Kane wants you in his bed all the time, of course. He’s selfish.”
“I’m in love,” he said.
“And we’re not?” Braden snapped.
He shifted Peyton over his body and moved her to the other side, stretching her legs out over his as he continued to eat his breakfast. He took a bite of his food, ran his finger up her inner thigh and then picked up his fork again. “Look at her. Is she beautiful first thing in the morning or what?”
“Kane, I’ve already showered and put on my make-up.”
“You don’t need it,” Evan said. “In fact, I like you better without it.”
Braden shook his head. “So it’s Western Carolina, huh?”
“Yeah, I think it suits me.”
“But you’re going to take advantage of the scholarship and play ball, right?”
“I am,” she said. “Braden, I’m not going to give up my dreams. I’ll still play ball and study hard. I’m going to become a nurse.”
“You can’t mean a nurse-nurse, like the kind who takes care of other people nurse?” Evan asked.
Kane stopped chewing his food and studied her. “Who said you would work?”
“I want to work. I want to do something for the greater good, and I guess nursing will allow me to help others and…”
“No, you’re not suited for the hospital, Peyton.” Kane said and refused to look at her. “If you want to take care of someone and nurse something, have a few babies. Hell, have a whole house full of them.”
“Kane, maybe we should talk about this later,” Braden suggested. “After breakfast.”
“She’s not working at the hospital. Period.” He got up and walked over to the sink, looked out at something- nothing-and pretended interested.
“Kane, I have college and nursing school first. It’s not like-”
“I said no,” he said.
“I didn’t ask for your permission,” she said.
“Good, because you won’t get it.” He walked outside and let the door slam behind him.
“What the hell?” She pointed in his direction and then glared back at the two brothers left to cool the path Kane heated.
“You should’ve realized he wouldn’t want you in the medical field, Peyton.” Braden wiped his mouth and tossed the napkin on the table. “It’s a fear he has. He doesn’t want to lose you, and if you’re here, where he can keep you safe, he doesn’t have to worry about anything happening to you.”
“At the hospital?”
“Germs, diseases, some crazy psycho wanting to take out his frustrations on whoever worked to save, but didn’t save, a loved one. There’s all sorts of things that could happen. Kane has an issue with protecting those he loves, in case you haven’t noticed.”
“Now you sound like him, Evan. You’ve all discussed this already, haven’t you?”
“We discussed some things we’d like to do to keep you safe, yes.” Braden took a drink of coffee. “Now, don’t get mad, Peyton. There’s a lot we’ve discussed when you haven’t been around. Things like children and-”
“Children?” She saw Kane’s body straighten, his shoulders squared. “You might as well bring your stubborn ass back in here, Kane. If they’re going to talk about the future and children, then standing there on the porch isn’t a smart idea.”
He turned around and marched back inside and stood in front of her. “Let me guess, you don’t want children?”
“I don’t have a problem with them as long as I don’t have to change diapers or lose sleep over them. I’ll play with them, feed them and hand them over to the rest of you for night duty or diaper detail.”
“Some mother you’ll make,” Evan said. “I’m kind of with her on diapers. It’s why I wanted to have a vasectomy years ago.”
“Did you really?” His confession just pissed her the hell off. “Why would you consider something like that without a woman in your life?”
“Too much sex with all the wrong girls,” Braden said. “He didn’t do it, by the way.”
“Great,” she said. “Spare me the details.”
“Honey, I hope you’re not jealous. Considering I’m going to share you with these two, I think-”
“By the way, that reminds me.” She stood up with her hands on her hips. “Kane proposed marriage. Where does that leave you two?”
“That was for legal purposes, in case you didn’t figure that part out,” Braden said. “We want you to marry all of us.”
“That won’t work.”
“Why not?” Kane demanded.
“Because, you already act like you have a stronger hold on me and eventually these two will feel like you do. I don’t like it, and it will never work.”
Braden chuckled. “Then what will?”
“Hmmm, I guess we’ll just have to think about it and take some time to figure it out.”
“While you’re thinking on it, give some thought to a different career option too. Once you enroll in school, you need to declare a major so you don’t waste your time on courses you won’t need.”
“Kane, I’m becoming a nurse.”
“Peyton, over my dead body.”
“Braden, hand me your gun. I can shoot one Cartwell and still have two of you left.”
Kane crooked a smile. “You think you’re pretty smart, don’t you?”
“Smart enough to land the three most eligible bachelors in town. I’d say I’m anything but a dumb blonde.”
“I’d say you’re right, Miss Peyton Storm Cartwell. I’d say you’re right.”
