Two Times the Trouble by Mellanie Szereto Read Free Book Online Page A

three months since Orsolya had temporarily defeated Kazmer. Even with the Protectors—Orsolya’s mates—on the estate, precautions had included staying close to the house and no going riding in the woods.
    Jolán studied her reflection in the dresser mirror, but the changes to her weren’t visible. She was no longer a virgin, and no one would know except her and the two men who weren’t her mates. They didn’t love her. She didn’t know them well enough to love them. Without genuine love present in the hearts of both parties, conception couldn’t occur. Only true mates could produce a child.
    As she left the apartment to go talk to her cousin, she vowed to allow her brain control over her hormones for the next week. No more mistakes.
     
    * * * *
     
    The image of Jolán lying naked in the moonlight had etched itself onto Ivan’s psyche. All his plans to work his matchmaker magic on her and Liam had gone up in smoke. He had no idea how he’d face his brother after infringing on his territory and breaking the unspoken promise of friendship. They might not be biological brothers, but they had become fast friends during the short-lived marriage between Ivan’s mom and Liam’s dad. That she hadn’t denied his request to stay with his stepdad and stepbrother after the divorce had cemented the relationship into something more than simple friendship.
    I betrayed my brother. Jolán had put herself between them, and Ivan couldn’t fight the draw of her. How had Liam walked away after becoming one with her? Was the guy an absolute idiot?
    Ivan raked his wet fingers through his hair. He deserved worse than a bed of ants for what he’d done. Pushing up from the bank of the stream, he took his time walking back to the hidden alcove to gather his clothing and get dressed. As he tucked is dick inside his shorts his hand came away sticky. Aw, fuck.
    Never in his life had he gotten so swept up in a woman that he forgot to use a condom. Until Jolán. Was she on the Pill? Not likely, considering her family lived in self-contained commune with gardens, greenhouses, and great grandmothers.
    What if he got her pregnant? Not only would he jeopardize his friendship and brotherhood with Liam, he’d risk their partnership and the job. He’d lose everything but Jolán— if she agreed to marry him.
    Marriage? That word wasn’t part of his vocabulary with other women, and for God’s sake, he was only twenty-three years old. Not that he wasn’t ready for that kind of commitment with the right person. But a baby? He had zero experience with kids. The one positive parenting role model in his life had been Liam’s dad.
    Ivan raised his eyes to the golden globe hanging above the horizon. People acted crazy during the full moon, didn’t they? He lowered his eyelids, but the bright glow filtered through, turning his vision red. The hair on his arms and neck stood on end, and the sensation of being watched had him jerking his head toward the trees. Spots dotted his sight as his pupils adjusted to the shadowy darkness.
    Nothing moved. Unable to shake the uneasiness, he aimed for the walkway back to the mansion, pulling on his shirt as he walked. The interior lights were off when he reached the camper, so he opened the door as quietly as he could.
    “Quick date.”
    His heart tried to jump out of his chest. “What’s with lurking in the dark tonight?”
    Liam moved out from the black depths at the base of the new wing. He shrugged, but with the moon at his back, Ivan couldn’t make out his facial features. “I had some thinking to do.”
    The usual smartass retort didn’t come. Ivan resisted the urge to roll the tension from his shoulders and neck. “Yeah? About what?”
    “One of us needs to be in the office to work on bids for the next project. I don’t want to end up with nothing lined up when this job’s finished because we’ve both been gone for six months. I’m going to call Wes in the morning. He can—”
    “You’re