Page 8 of Broken Prince
“My apologies,” I say after swallowing. “I didn’t mean any offense by it. I’m used to it being just me and my mom. I’ll put on a robe next time.”
“Thanks.” Logan clears his throat.
I purse my lips and nod.
“We need to talk,” he adds, and I sigh.
There it is. I knew it was coming. “I was hoping this could have waited until the morning.”
He frowns. “How are you not freaking out right now?”
“Because.” I shrug. “Sure, I was just as shocked when I saw the three of you. And trust me, I was losing it inside my head—still am a little—but the fact is, we’re all adults. We had some fun without knowing our familial connection. It’s not like I set out to fuck my stepbrothers or you to fuck your stepsister.”
“Keep your voice down,” Logan hisses.
“Sorry.” I place the cup on the larger island in the centre of the kitchen and raise my hands. “I’m just saying, we don’t have to make this weird if we don’t want to.”
“You really had no idea who we were when we met?” Logan asks, but he sounds more curious than accusing.
“No.” I give him a blank look. “If I did, I wouldn’t have tried to fuck you. Instead, I’d have tried to get to know you as my new stepbrothers.”
“Stop,” Owen groans. “Please don’t refer to us as that.”
“Why?” Logan questions. “It’s what we are to her.”
“Look, man. You might be determined to act like nothing happened, but I can’t.” Owen shrugs unapologetically. “I know it can’t happen again, but it doesn’t mean I’ll just toss it to the back of my mind like it meant nothing.” Owen looks to me. “We had a good time. We connected. And maybe in another life, it could have been something more. Or you could have just been a stranger passing through. Either way, I wouldn’t change what happened.”
“Thanks,” I smile, feeling oddly comforted by his words.
“I feel the same way,” Elijah agrees, giving me a shy smile. “I really enjoyed our night.”
“Me too.” I smile back. He’s so damn cute. Ugh, why do they have to be James’ sons?
“Okay, so we’re under the agreement that nothing happens again?” Logan asks. “And I don’t mean I regretted it, it’s just...” He sighs heavily as he runs a hand down over his face. “My life is very complicated right now and the last thing I need is my dad disappointed in me. Or something interfering with his happiness. My dad is crazy in love with your mom. I haven’t seen him this happy since our mom passed away. It’s been fifteen years. He deserves to be happy more than anyone I know. Your mom is a good woman, perfect for him. And that's saying a lot because I don’t easily warm upto people.”
He seemed to warm up to me just fine the night we spent together.
But I don’t point that out. “And I don’t want to cause anything to come between them. My mom is just as happy as your dad. He’s good for her. And all I want for her is to be loved and happy. I don’t want to be the person to come between that.”
“It was a one-time thing?” Logan asks again.
I nod. “I was just looking for a summer of fun, to let loose and take back my happiness after my shitty ex fucked with it.” I scowl at the thought of him. “And you three helped me with that, so thank you. But you're right, we’re about to become family in two weeks. That's how it needs to be.”
“I agree.” Logan nods and looks at his brothers.
“Friends?” I ask them, hoping they agree. Not that being friends with them will be easy. I might be agreeing to not sleep with them again, but I have eyes, and my attraction to them is still there. But I don’t want things to be weird around the house. I don’t want to feel like I’m walking on eggshells.
“We’re adults. I think we can all manage to be friends. I know I can,” Logan declares.
“Friends,” Elijah says the word as if it’s a defeating acceptance. He looks almost disappointed?
“Alright.” Owen chuckles. “You wanna be friends? I can be your friend. I’m a real good friend.” The look he shoots my way tells me he’s picturing my naked body through my nightie.
Fucking hell, this man. I bite my lips together, trying not to smile as Logan scowls. “Owen,” Logan hisses.
“What?” Owen gives his brother a look. “I’m agreeing to be friends.”
Something tells me this whole friend thing is going to be a hell of a lot easier said than done.