Their Proposition by Charisma Knight Read Free Book Online Page A

angrily.
     
    “Whoa! We didn’t think that,” Pete blurted out. “We don’t think of you in that way. When you broke it off, you clearly said you preferred have a monetary relationship over an emotional one.
    You were the one who said you wanted a no-strings-attached relationship, remember?”
     
    “What?” she asked in a hushed tone. She cringed. It suddenly dawned on her that she’d definitely said that. She really hadn’t meant it, but was protecting her heart. Back then, she would have told them anything to save face.
     
    “Yeah,” Nick chimed in. “We figured we’d call your bluff. We know how you are, girl. We aren’t idiots, but just because we’re men, you think we lack emotion.”
     
    “I never said that!” she snapped.
     
    “You never had to—your actions proved it,” Pete mumbled. “I mean, do you want us to continue on the physical aspect of this relationship, or are you ready for the emotional?”
     
    She looked at them simultaneously. “You guys are losing me,”
    she said, holding up her hands.
     
    “We know how you were feeling and why you broke things off,” Nick said. “You developed feelings for us, and well—to be honest, we did too.” Nick exhaled sharply. “We never asked for this, and we realize you didn’t either. This is something that just happened,” he volunteered. He closed his eyes and shook his head.
    “This is hard, and I’m unsure where these feelings came from, but I’m going with them.” He brushed her lips with his thumb. “We’d be fools not to. We both care about you, deeply, to the point where we don’t want to see anyone else.”
     
    “But—I’m so scared. What if—”
     
    Pete held up a hand. “No, woman, what if the world suddenly came to an end? What if the economy stopped being so shitty? I’m a firm believer in living for the moment, and taking one day at a time. Hell, I may not wake up tomorrow, you know? I don’t have time to worry about the future. I’m just living for the here and now.”
     
    “Here here!” Nick said with a nod.
     
    Pete clasped his hand over hers. “So, are you with us? We’ve missed out on a lot together.” With that, he pulled out a small black box.
     
    “What’s this?” she asked.
     
    “Just open it,” he demanded.
     
    She did, and she gasped at the large diamond earrings. “Is this what you were teasing me about?” She laughed. “You dog!”
     
    His eyes were intense. “Now, that money is going toward your hair salon.”
     
    Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. “What?”
     
    Nick spoke. “We know you’re unhappy in the corporate world—” He paused and laughed. “We’re going to help you find a nice spot in the heart of Baltimore.” He stroked his goatee.
    “Business is booming downtown.”
     
    “Yes,” Pete added. “You completed your business plan when you were with us, but you need to get your ass moving, woman.”
    His eyes narrowed. “You ever look into taking those business courses?”
     
    Suddenly, she felt like an idiot. Here they were, willing to front her money for her business. “Um, no.” She frowned and held her head down. “There’s so much to do, and hardly any time, and… I thought this would take longer.”
     
    Nick nudged her. “Well, we have a buddy in real estate—get off your ass and do what you’re supposed to do.”
     
    “You guys would do this for me?” she asked, bewildered.
     
    “Um, yeah.” Nick smirked. “Your happiness is important, plus you’ve got the heart of a business woman. You’re a leader, and having your own business will do you good,” he added.
     
    Pete’s hand snaked around her waist, pulling her close to him.
    Hearing the way his breathing intensified made her pussy clench.
    She closed her eyes as he brushed her lips with his, making her whimper. Nick inched closer to them, beginning to explore her body through the fabric of her dress.
     
    “Come on,” Nick insisted. Rising from the couch and walked