Free Love of Steel [The Callens 7] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Melody Snow Monroe Page A

aunt’s shovel. She couldn’t believe Parker suggested she add some more scrollwork to the balcony. She’d given him the drawing of what she planned to do, and he seemed fine with the design. What was up with needing more?
    Damn . She’d never be able to figure out men.
     
    * * * *
     
    Jade hadn’t slept much last night. She’d been trying to answer the question Dakota had posed about her desire for a relationship. She wanted to be with her two men but on her terms. Every girl dreamed of having a couple of children, but Jade wasn’t willing to toss aside her hard work to stay at home all day long—at least not for a few more years.
    Or was she making up excuses? Was fear motivating her obsession with being independent?
    Hell, if I know.
    In the middle of some delicate torch work, her phone vibrated on her hip. It was Parker. All night she kept telling herself that only Logan had made the comment about giving up her job to marry a rich man. Maybe Parker still appreciated her desire to work.
    She turned off the torch. “Hi, Parker.”
    “Hey, sugar. Just calling to let you know that rehearsal is at seven tonight.”
    “Rehearsal?”
    “You said you’d be in the play, or at least you didn’t say you wouldn’t do it. I need you.”
    Damn . He did sound desperate. When he pleaded, it was hard to say no. The problem was that Logan would be there. Parker probably wanted her in Logan’s presence to lower her resistance toward both of them. She’d fallen for Logan’s debonair attention once. In her mind, the sex had been out of the world, but to him, it had probably been rather ordinary.
    “I’ll be there.” Someday she’d learn to say no.
    Once he disconnected, she turned on the torch and returned to what she loved to do. She’d finished about a fourth of the shovel when her stomach grumbled. Time to eat and shower, even though the thought of food upset her.
    Dinner consisted of an apple, a hard-boiled egg, and a piece of chicken. She didn’t go all out in the makeup department, but she wore an extra-frilly blouse and a pair of her sexiest heels. Since Logan was the leading man, she wanted to be sure he had eyes for her and not just the leading lady, whoever she was.
    The parking lot was filled with half a dozen cars. Maybe she should have asked Parker for a copy of the script so she could understand her role. She guessed it was too late now.
    She entered through the back door as the current production was going on in a different part of the theater. Laughter floated up from this second stage. A large table sat in the middle with the group of actors huddled over their scripts. Parker sat at the head of the table, and Logan was next to a beautiful redhead Jade had never seen before. In the past, Parker had convinced some equity actor to do his show to help draw an audience. Maybe this lovely lady had her card.
    Jade inhaled, pretending the flutters in her stomach came from the fact she’d never acted and not from the jealousy coursing through her. Standing as straight as she could, she floated toward them, pretending this was going to be the most fun night she’d ever had. There was a free seat next to Parker, but she doubted he’d saved it for her.
    Waiting until after Parker stopped the scene, she stepped into the light. His eyes lit up.
    “You came.”
    You asked me to. “I’m here.”
    Parker pulled out the seat next to him. “Everyone, this is Jade Callen. She’s a virgin, so be kind.”
    He must have done that on purpose, knowing she’d instantly picture how he’d pressed her back against the wall and fucked her silly. Heat crept up her face, but she graciously smiled and took her seat.
    “Your timing is perfect. Let me give you the set up. Logan is playing Justin Boudreaux, a gentleman from New Orleans who’s quite the playboy. He’s engaged to Cecile Rambert here.” Parker nodded to the beautiful redhead. “Her real name is Marlene Deneuve.”
    “Nice to meet you.”
    Marlene’s smile