Free Monroe, Marla - Their Broken Lady (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Marla Monroe Page A

all that matters to me right now.”
    “Okay. I’m going to go and let you get dressed. Come on back down when you finish. We had planned to go out to dinner, but I think you would probably rather eat something here.”
    “Oh, I don’t want to interrupt your plans. Go out. I’ll be fine here.” She had to force herself to say it, because she really didn’t want to be alone.
    “We were taking you out, honey. We can go out another night.”
    “Oh. Okay.” She hadn’t realized they had planned on taking her out. They hadn’t asked her.
    Once again, her mind and her heart warred with each other on how they were just assuming she would go along with their plans. Part of her wanted to balk at them taking over her life, while another part of her was thankful they had been there when she needed them both times.
    She finished dressing and used the brush on the dresser to brush her hair. There had been a hair dryer in the bathroom. Maybe she should have washed her hair. Shrugging, she left the brush on the dresser where she found it, and opened the bedroom door to make her way downstairs.
    Halfway down the stairs, it hit her that as much as she loved her little house, this one was perfect. It was too big for her, but it was perfect if she could have her dream house. So much of it reminded her of the house she’d designed as a teenager when she planned to get married and have a house full of kids. All of that had gone by the wayside now. She doubted she would ever get married. She had too much baggage and poor taste in men.

Chapter Eight

    The men were in the living room talking about something when she walked in. They stopped talking and smiled.
    “You look great in those clothes,” Bryan said.
    “I knew she would.” Tanner gloated over his choices.
    “Have the police been here yet?” she asked.
    “Just left, baby.” Bryan walked over and drew her deeper into the room. “Why don’t you sit down while Tanner cooks something good to eat? He’s the master in the kitchen.”
    “I can believe that after the meal the other night. It was fabulous.” Amber meant it, too.
    “Sit with Bryan until its ready, Amber. I’ll call you in about an hour.”
    “Do you need help?”
    “Don’t even go there,” Bryan said with a laugh. “He doesn’t like anyone in the kitchen when he cooks.
    “No, I don’t like you in the kitchen when I cook. Amber I wouldn’t mind at all. She’s much prettier to look at than you are.” Tanner chuckled when Bryan made a face at him.
    Once Tanner had left the room, Bryan pulled her down to sit on his lap on the couch. He immediately wrapped his arms around her in a loose hold. She wasn’t sure what to do, so she sat stiffly on his lap, looking at the fireplace.
    “Relax, baby. Lean back and just chill for a while.” Bryan urged her toward his shoulder with one hand. His other hand rested on her hip.
    Amber slowly relaxed against him. It felt good to be in his arms. She felt safe and cared for. She couldn’t fault either him or Tanner with that. They made her feel wanted and cared for. If they just weren’t so bossy, manipulating her so that she followed their plans. You have to admit that there are other circumstances at play here, Amber. They didn’t attack you, and they didn’t almost run you down with a car. They’re just reacting like you are.
    Maybe, but she didn’t think it was a good idea to get too attached to them anyway. She wasn’t going to date them—or any man, for that matter.
    Amber felt Bryan’s hands rubbing her hip and up and down her arm. He rested his head on top of hers and sighed. What did that sigh mean? Was he content like she was? Or was he uncomfortable but resigned to holding her? She started to sit back up and get off his lap, but he held her firmly in place.
    “Hey, what’s wrong?”
    “I figure I’m squashing you. I can sit on the couch.”
    “You’re fine right where you are. I like having you on my lap, and you smell wonderful.” Bryan