The Sextet Presents… By Male Order [In Days of Olde] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Elizabeth Raines Read Free Book Online

5
     
    Thomas picked up the first leather-bound book and brushed his fingers over the title.
    The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights
    The tome had been his favorite from the moment he spent his precious coins to buy it. He’d read it at least a hundred times and still enjoyed each and every word, savoring the story as though it were new.
    A glance inside the crate brought a smile to his lips. All of his books were with him thanks to Father Kincaid. Now, he felt whole again.
    Hope shut the door to the stove and smoothed her hands down her apron. Whatever she was baking smelled heavenly. The woman could make a feast of shoe leather. Her eyes locked on his book. “You enjoy reading?”
    “Oh, heavens, yes. It’s my favorite thing in the world.”
    Her hand stretched out as if she’d touch the book, but she quickly drew it back. The hunger in her eyes brought a smile to his face. “Would you like to read this? It’s my favorite.”
    “You would let me read it?”
    “Of course. I had no idea you enjoyed books. There aren’t any here that I can see.”
    “Billy wouldn’t—” She shook her head. “I’d love to borrow it. I’ll take very good care of it.”
    Thomas lifted her wrist and put the book in her hand. “I know you will.”
    Alec came in through the screen door, wiping his boots on the rough hemp rug Hope kept just inside the door. She kept a clean house, and both men knew to take care whenever they came inside, which was becoming more and more frequent. When they’d returned from town, she’d insisted Thomas bring his crate inside to open it. No doubt her curiosity prompted the invitation.
    “Ah, Thomas. Ye must be very happy now.” Alec put a hand on his shoulder and brushed a kiss over his lips.
    A blush heated Thomas’s cheeks, and he gave Alec a censuring glare. He’d tried to get Alec to be more discreet in front of Hope, fearing she’d send them away if she ever saw them being overly affectionate again. How many women had seen two men fucking?
    Thomas was conflicted. He’d always believed Alec was the love of his life and that all they’d ever need was each other. Then Hope had come into their lives. The passionate interlude she’d interrupted had been more intense than any he’d experienced, and he believed that was because Hope had paid witness to Alec loving him. Having an audience—especially her —was downright intoxicating.
    He was troubled. He shouldn’t be falling for another person, not when he had Alec. It seemed… unnatural to love two people at the same time, no matter how much Alec acted as though it were the usual. Yet the more time Thomas spent with Hope, the more she wiggled her way into his heart. Everything about her called to his romantic nature. Her kindness. Her beauty. But above all her pure heart. And those feelings did nothing to lessen Thomas’s love for Alec.
    “Why the frown?” Alec asked. “Ye have your books back. All should be well in your world.”
    “Thomas doesn’t want you to kiss him in front of me,” Hope replied, sending more heat to Thomas’s face. She smiled in response. “Oh, my dearest Thomas. I have embarrassed you. You look as though you’ve been in the sun far too long.” She laid a cool hand against the side of his face. “Please don’t feel ashamed. I understand that you and Alec are… together . It doesn’t matter to me.”
    Thomas stared at her, resisting the urge to turn his face and kiss her palm. Her touch was infinitely gentle, and her acceptance was more than he’d ever hoped for—except perhaps to have her love them as well.
    This woman was most assuredly one of a kind.
    “It…it doesn’t?” Thomas asked.
    “Truly it doesn’t.” She gave him a caress as soft as silk before pulling her hand back and cradling the book to her bosom. “Thank you for letting me read your book.”
    “You’re welcome to read all of them. May I keep them inside the house? I’d hate to think of them coming to some harm in the