Creation of Desire by Leah Brooke Read Free Book Online Page A

to be together.”
    Rachel fought the urge to give in. She wanted to laugh at the irony. If she hadn’t been feeling the effects from what she suspected happened that night, she just may have given in to them. Now she just wanted to sleep.
    “You care so much about me that you left skid marks on my floor on your way out the door.” She sighed. “Look, I’m tired. I just want to go to bed.”
    She began to close up the store, glad that they helped. She felt dead on her feet by the time they’d finished. Boone and Chase followed her up to her apartment as she dragged herself up the stairs. When they got to the top, Boone nuzzled her lips with his. “This isn’t over, baby, but I can see you’re too tired tonight to talk about it. We will talk, though. Make no mistake, this isn’t over. Get some sleep. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
    Chase moved in and she felt his lips on her forehead. “Go to bed, honey. When you’re rested, we’ll talk.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Rachel sat in the back room of Indulgenceswith Jesse and Kelly, reaching for another tissue as the tears continued to fall.
    “Thanks again for letting me borrow
Brittany
today. I’ve already placed an ad for someone full time.” She laughed humorlessly. “I guess I’m really going to need it now.”
    “Oh, honey. Everything is going to be fine. We’re all here for you.” Jesse wrapped her arm around Rachel’s shoulders as she handed her a glass of juice.
    “Thanks. Can you believe it? I’m pregnant.” Rachel smiled through her tears. “I’m going to have a baby.”
    Kelly smiled, tears in her own eyes as she covered Rachel’s hand with her own. “I’m so happy for you, Rachel. You’re going to be a wonderful mommy.”
    “A mommy.” Rachel sighed, and then scowled. “How am I going to keep it from Boone and Chase?”
    “You can’t.” Jesse said softly. “That wouldn’t be fair to them. It’s only a matter of time before they see the evidence for themselves anyway. Have they still been trying to get you to talk to them?”
    “Yes,” Rachel admitted. “But I don’t want to talk to them. They don’t want a relationship with me, and loving them the way I do, I can’t just pretend I don’t want more. Besides, now I’ve got someone else to think about.” She pressed a hand to her still flat stomach.
    They’d all been there the night six weeks ago when Boone and Chase had stormed out of the diner with her. As she’d predicted, after that everyone had considered her off limits. Not that she minded. She had no interest in anyone but them, but had finally admitted to herself that it was futile.
    “They both know that I’m not interested in having them in my life as just sex partners.”
    “Here you go.” Nat rushed into the back carrying a bag from the drugstore. “Prenatal vitamins and a box of saltines.” She smiled at Rachel. “Staples for every pregnant woman.”
    “Thanks for picking them up, Nat. I really appreciate it.”
    “Now there’s going to be rumors all over town that I’m pregnant because I picked up prenatal vitamins at the drugstore.” She laughed. “I’d better go tell Jake the truth before someone talks to him.”
    When Nat started out the door everyone laughed, sobering as Nat turned and snapped her fingers. “By the way, I saw your two studs working on the abandoned building that Hope and Charity just bought. They’re completely remodeling the inside. I think the three guys that just moved here are helping them.”
    Kelly nodded. “Yes, I know who you’re talking about. They’re brothers. Hope went to school with the youngest one, I think his name’s Brett. I’ve heard that they like to share their women and had been stressed out about it, thought there had to be something wrong with them and they felt like freaks.”
    Kelly sipped her own juice. “Anyway, Hope told Brett about her and Charity’s own background and about their hometown.” She shrugged. “They got intrigued and wanted to see