Free A Trick of the Moon by Melinda Barron Page B

mine,” she said quickly, before either of them could reply. Dario was now sitting up on her other side, his body rigid as if ready to spring into action.
    “So it seems.” Bear's sarcasm didn't sit well with her.
    “What I do with my personal life is none of your business.”
    “In your father's house?” This time he sneered at her. “How could you?
    And with a Mexican and a half-breed?”
    “No!” Maura screamed the word as Dario launched himself at Bear, who moved backward just in time to keep from being tackled. Dario landed on his feet, his hand balled into a fist, one she was happy to see he didn't throw.
    “You've got three seconds.” Dario's words were full of venom. “Get out.”

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    Melinda Barron

    “Gladly.” Bear glared at her and then calmly walked out the door, slamming it behind him.
    Maura fell back onto the bed, slapping the palm of her hand against her forehead. “Shit! We left everything open? How did we do that?”
    “Because we didn't expect what happened,” Declan said. He sprawled out next to her and pulled her close to him. He put his arm around her head and stroked her stomach. “I'm so sorry.”
    “No, I'm sorry. I didn't know Bear was such a racist. And he's Indian. How could he say those things?”
    Dario sat down facing her, unashamed in his naked state. He stroked her thigh and shook his head. “I thought you were a lawyer. Surely you've met enough people to know racism isn't limited to one race of people.”
    Maura chuckled to try and relieve the tension in her body. “Yes, but I've known him all my life. I never thought he would be so…hateful.”
    “He was in shock,” Declan said. “If he saw you growing up, then he was stunned to find you in an adult situation, which confirmed your adulthood, but pissed him off. His protective nature kicked in. He did look like he wanted to kick our asses.”
    There was a long silence. Both men continued to stroke her sheet-clad body. Declan finally broke the silence. “It's all right, you know. I've heard that particular term before, and I'm sure Dario has too.”
    Maura barely managed a nod. “What Bear said wasn't right, and I don't regret what happened, no matter what's taken place this morning. I hope you both believe that.”
    The smiles they gave her made her stomach clench in desire. If Bear hadn't come along, they could be having wake-up sex, stroking and kissing and caressing until the three of them shuddered in ecstasy. But that wouldn't happen now, unfortunately.

    A Trick of the Moon
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    She needed to make things right, go and talk with the wrangler, take charge of the situation.
    “I need to go chat with him, keep him from calling my dad. He's stronger than he was after the stroke, true, but I don't want to think about what hearing about his daughter's ménage could do to his recovery.”
    Declan placed a gentle kiss on her lips, then stood. “Can we run two showers at once and have enough hot water?”
    Maura nodded. “After I've talked to Bear, I'll shower; then we'll make a plan for the day.”
    She waited until they were gone, then located jeans, a bra, and a T-shirt.
    She threw the clothes on, then went through the house, moving toward the office. The sound of running water followed in her wake. She hadn't told them to, but hopefully when they were done, Declan and Dario would make themselves at home in the kitchen.
    Bear was in the office, shuffling papers. He had one hand on the registration book, as if he was checking it against the printouts from the computer. She cleared her throat, but he didn't look up at her.
    “Don't worry. I'm not going to call your father. I have more respect for him than that. Of course, you obviously don't, so I'm only going to say this once.
    Get them out. They better not still be here tonight.”
    Her mouth dropped open and stayed that way. How dare he think he had the authority to tell her what to do! This was her father's business, and in the papers that were drawn up, she