“I am going to wake up tomorrow and none of this is going to have happened, is it?” Daphne asked.
“I hate to disappoint you, doll, but this did happen. You are ours, and well, I can safely say we’ve had a fucking blast already,” Dean said.
Micah looked at the tub. “That’s not going to fit all four of us.”
“We’ll have to take a shower,” Dean said.
“And we’re going to have to look at installing a hot tub or a bath suitable enough for all four of us.”
“You’re all making plans like you’re going to want to stay here,” Daphne said. She sounded so sleepy.
Dean leaned over the tub. Eric wrapped his arm around her waist, pressing his nose against her neck.
“One day soon, you’re going to realize we mean business and when that time comes, you’re never getting away from us.” Dean dropped a kiss to her nose. “I’m jumping in the shower and then I’ll help you with her.”
He didn’t complain. Holding her against him, he pressed his face against her neck. She smelled so good.
“Eric,” she said.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you for coming back.”
They weren’t words of love, but at least it was something.
Chapter Eleven
“And how is everything going?” Bethany asked.
Micah stayed near the shadows. It had been a few days since their first all-group sexathon, and they’d brought her back to Dean’s room every evening since then. They hadn’t all had sex with her at the same time. They were all being considerate to her healing. Personally, he wanted to fuck her again, all the time. Not a moment went by when he didn’t think about being inside her.
However, they had all agreed to follow Dean’s explicit instructions and that meant taking their sweet time with her.
“It’s going great. Even better than great.”
“Even better than great. Do I get to know more details?” Bethany asked.
“What is it with you and all the details?”
“I can’t have sex. It’s a big deal to me. I’m on this stupid fucking lockdown, and so far, there’s nothing worse, I tell you.” Bethany blew out a breath. “Please, tell me you’re getting a lot of action.”
Daphne giggled. “I guess you can say I am.”
“You are?”
“Yep.”
Silence fell.
“What’s wrong?” Bethany asked.
“Nothing is wrong. Everything is going so well. I can’t complain at all. It is like, really, really well.” Daphne sighed and all it did was make Micah want to go to her.
“But?”
“I … I don’t know. Maybe I’m being stupid.”
“No, there’s no such thing as being stupid. Just talk to me.”
Micah wanted her to talk to Bethany. She was the one woman who seemed to bring out the truth in Daphne.
“I’m worried that if I allow myself to see this as anything more than sex, then I’m going to get my heart broken.”
“But I thought you said that they were interested in the long term with you,” Bethany asked.
“They are, but … you know them, Beth. I’m not a city girl. I could never be a city girl. I love it here. It’s my home.”
“They know this?”
“Yes.”
“And they’re willing to stay?” Bethany asked.
“Yes.”
“Then I honestly don’t see the problem. They want what’s best for you. This is a good thing.”
Daphne rolled over onto her back with her cell phone looking down at her.
“I know, but what if in a few years they realize I’m just me, then they start to regret it. That they come to hate me and then they all break my heart. They were destined for something bigger than this.”
“Oh, honey, they don’t have to give up every aspect of their life for you. They’re still going to work. You’ve even called me to tell me that they are working. I don’t see the problem.”
Daphne suddenly started to cry. “I think I’m falling for them and … I didn’t start my period, Bethany. I was so stupid. I was on this like sexual high, and I forgot about the condoms and you know how I tried birth control and it made me feel sick. I don’t take anything. I think I might be pregnant.”
“I really wish I could hug you.”
“I know.” Daphne began to sob.
“You’ve got to talk to them.”
Micah made his escape, finding Dean on his way back from a walk with Eric.
“She’s pregnant,” Micah said.
They all stopped.
“What?” Eric asked.
“I just heard her talking with Bethany. She thinks she’s falling for us and she’s terrified of allowing herself the chance to fall for us and she hasn’t started her period. She’s scared,” Micah said.
Dean nodded.
Walking back toward where he’d left Daphne, he found her with her face in her hands, sobbing. The cell phone was dark, so she must have disconnected the call.
Dean did no more than go to her, picking her up in his arms.
“Dean? What the hell are you doing?” Daphne asked.
He carried her through to one of the sitting rooms, putting her down gently. Micah stood as Dean cupped her face. “We’re not going anywhere.”
“You heard?”
Micah cleared his throat. “Actually, that was me. I heard and I went to tell him.”
She looked up at him with tears filling her eyes. “That was a private conversation. You can’t keep … listening in on them. They’re not yours.” She glared at them and Dean smiled.
“Whenever it concerns you, we’re going to be here. We’re going to want to keep an eye on you. You’re our woman, Daphne.”
She covered his hands on her face. “This kind of stuff happens in fairy tales. Not here. We can’t make this work. When you came here, you were in expensive suits with your briefcases. Your life is not at a bed-and-breakfast.”
