Aaron reached forward, ran his hands through my hair, and pulled me in. His lips crushed against mine. He dominated the kiss, and my body was on fire. I felt his tongue demand entrance, and my body turned into putty under his touch. I was so lost in the kiss that I didn’t hear the door open. Aaron pulled back, and a second later, I heard Daisy’s heels on the tile floor.

  He stepped back. “We’re not done, but we need to talk to Daisy first.”

  Aaron had returned to the stool by the time Daisy walked around the corner. I peeled my eyes from the man who kissed me senseless and looked at the woman who held my heart. Her eyes were black with smeared makeup. She looked like she didn’t think she was welcome.

  Aaron

  I had waited months to show Neal how I felt. I liked to have my hands on him. I wanted to dominate him. I hadn’t only wanted Daisy the day I saw her in my parents’ backyard. I remembered the second my eyes landed on her. She was an up-and-coming makeup artist to the Hollywood elite. One day, she disappeared, and I hadn’t seen her for fifteen years until that day I came to my parents’ house.

  Over the years, I had seen Neal at Club Sanctorum. I had kept my feelings for him under wraps because of the Hollywood stigma against queer men, but I no longer cared by the time they were both in my parents’ backyard—I had feelings for both of them. It took three months for me to worm my way into their hearts. I wouldn’t let what I’d dreamed of for years fall apart. We needed to figure out what had upset Daisy then explain how the relationship would change. I knew she would be open to Neal and me. Daisy and I needed to figure out how to prove to Neal that he would always be a part of our lives.

  I followed Neal’s eyes to the woman who held my heart. When Neal called me in California, I felt helpless. It made the decision to move to Ft. Lauderdale so much easier.

  Daisy stood there in her black yoga pants and white blouse. Her presence lit up the room. She had her dark hair piled on her head, and her gray eyes didn’t have the sparkle they normally held. Neal walked over and wrapped her in his arms. She broke down, crying. I gave them a second before I walked over and pulled them both into my arms.

  “Daisy’s sorry,” she sobbed.

  “Let’s eat first. Then we can talk about last night.” One thing I knew I would change when I moved in was to make sure Daisy ate enough. The way she picked at her food had me wondering if her captor used to make comments about her weight. Every so often, I would catch her skipping something she wanted.

  Neal and I led her to the kitchen bar, and Neal plated our food. I loved having the three of us together for dinner. It felt like family.

  “Daisy wants to talk about last night.”

  “I want your full attention when we talk about last night, and we’ll get to why you scened with Fredrick. But he isn’t the only point we need to talk about.” I gave Neal a pointed look. “First, tell me your favorite part of Christmas.”

  Daisy’s hand froze in midair. I could see her body tensed. “I don’t like Christmas.”

  I glanced in Neal’s direction, and he shrugged. It seemed he didn’t know she didn’t like Christmas.

  “Okay, I’m up for the challenge of changing your mind. How about you, Neal? What is your favorite part of Christmas?”

  Neal looked as caught in the headlights as Daisy had been by my question. It seemed as though I would have to work to change their thoughts about the magical time of year.

  “Christmas was the only time of the year my mother would sober up. She did it so she could get me a gift.”

  Over the past three months, Neal didn’t discuss his life growing up, but he said it had been hard. Daisy reached out, grabbed Neal’s hand, and squeezed it. I wanted to grab his other hand and comfort him, but we needed to talk to Daisy first. Everyone around the counter ate in silence, all lost in their own world.

  I looked over and saw that Daisy had finished her food. I motioned to the living room. While Neal and Daisy got situated, I grabbed her a glass of white wine and beer for Neal and me.

  Neal and Daisy curled up in the middle of the couch. I squeezed into the opening next to Daisy. I took my seat and rested my arm around the back of the couch so I could also lie my hand against Neal’s shoulder. He looked over Daisy’s head in surprise.

  “Okay, Daisy, do you want to tell us what happened last night?” I asked, running my hand through the back of Neal’s hair.

  Daisy pulled her knees into her chest and exhaled. “When you mentioned we were going to California, Dai—I panicked, and I went back in time and wanted to erase the memories. The easiest way to clear my mind is subspace. I found the first free dom and inquired about a scene. Dai—I’m sorry. I know you guys don’t want to be with me. Is it possible for you or Neal to be in a ménage? Both of you have public careers. I want to escape before I lose everything.”

  Holy shit. “Daisy, you just talked in first person.”

  Neal had a smile on his face.

  “I talked to Dr. Robison today. She told me to think about what I said before I spoke. She said I use the third person to escape reality. Dai—I’m trying, it might take a while.”

  “I’m proud of you for trying to improve yourself. Now, let’s talk about California. I wanted you both to go to my movie premiere. I don’t care if Hollywood knows I’m in a ménage.” When she went to speak, I put my fingers to her lips. “I planned to tell you on Christmas, but I think you need to hear this sooner. I asked Neal last week if I could move in with the two of you. I’m moving back here.”

  “Really?”

  “You have the most beautiful smile, Daisy,” Neal said, and then he looked at me. “Yes, he is moving in with us. Now tell me why the mention of California sent you into a spiral. We’ve talked about going to California before, and that didn’t happen.”

  Daisy took a sip of her wine. “Talking about it and having an actual plan are two different things. Daisy hasn’t been back since Sam carried me out of the evil man’s house. Damn it. I meant I haven’t been back.”

  “Daisy, it will take time. Don’t beat yourself up about flipping back and forth. Take your time and work through it.”

  Neal and I were stupid for not thinking about how even mentioning California would affect her. Daisy never talked about her years being held by a psychopath—but we also never asked her to. “Do you want to talk about your time while Al had you? If it’s too hard, we don’t need to go there. As for California, I want the world to know I love you and Neal.”

  “No, you have to go. I panicked, and I feel like you and Neal will get sick of me. I love you both so much.” She started to cry.

  “We love you too. I don’t need to decide about California tonight. Let’s talk it over for the next few days and decide. I need to make one thing clear. If something upsets you, come to Neal or me. From this point forward, you, Neal, and I are in a committed relationship.”

  “Okay,” Daisy squeaked.

  “Now tell us about what happened.”

  Over the next hour, Daisy talked about the things Al Scott, the low-life Hollywood executive, did to her. At one point, I decided that if Sam hadn’t killed the fucker five years before, I would have killed him myself. But Daisy was strong and told us about her time even though it tore her apart to talk about.

  “I’m glad you told us your story, Daisy. This is something we should’ve talked about months ago. From this moment forward, we talk about anything that is bothering us.”

  Neal leaned forward. “I don’t care if either of you thinks your issue is small. I want to hear it.”

  “Same for me. Neal and I have something to ask you. How do you feel about Neal and me also being together? We both love you more than our next breath, but Neal and I like each other. Are you okay with that?”

  3

  Daisy

  Two days had passed since Aaron told me he and Neal had feelings for each other. After his declaration, the tension in the room evaporated, and the three of us got along better than we ever had. Excitement coursed through me. I couldn’t wait to watch the two men I loved be together. I took a swig of my cold water, but it did nothing to cool my body.

  “Daisy.”

  I jumped at the sound of Jessica’s voice. “You scared the crap out of me. Are you working upstairs today?” Jessica, who worked for Alex Ross, Aaron’s older brother, at Ross Enterprises, worked from Brock’s office most of the time but worked remotely a couple of days a week. I glanced at her growing belly, and a twinge of sadness came over me. But Dr. Robison said I shouldn’t worry until I met with a doctor.

  “I have a doctor’s appointment today. Brock planned to go to the doctor with me, but something went wrong with his current mission. I haven’t talked to you since the other night. Do you want to go with me?”

  “Sure. Just let me tell Brock.” I reached for my desk phone.

  “I already told him I planned to ask you. Let’s head out.”

  I locked my computer and sent Neal and Aaron a quick note telling them I was going with Jessica to her appointment then lunch. Sometimes, Neal stopped by with lunch, and I didn’t want him to show up and worry why I wasn’t at work.

  I followed Jessica outside to her SUV. She barely waited for me to click the seatbelt before she fired off her first question. “Are you and the men okay?”

  “Things at home are better. They’re scared to touch me because of my back. But it looked good this morning. Dai—I was dumb to do what I did. I’m happy they forgave me.”

  “I can’t believe how well you’re doing with talking in first person. But I still want to know why you scened with Fredrick.” Jessica grabbed my hand and squeezed. “I understand if it’s too private and you don’t want to tell me. But I care about you and want you to know I’m here for you.”

  “Neal asked me to go to California for Aaron’s premiere, and I panicked. Everything hit me at once. What will I do when they leave me? What will I do if I’m kidnapped again? The nightmares have finally slowed down, and now I’m going back to where it started. I would love to see my friends again in California, but I’m worried I’ll panic when we touch the ground there.”

  “First of all, Neal and Aaron won’t leave you. When Brock called Neal about the scene, he panicked. Brock had never heard Neal so worried. He left his meeting with the president of the United States and came back to Ft. Lauderdale, but Aaron wanted him to wait to talk to you. He spent the night destroying the life of the man you scened with.”

  “What do you mean he destroyed Fredrick’s life?”

  “Brock got his name then researched him. Fredrick is a bastard. He beat his wife. When she tried to leave with their kid, he divorced her and somehow got sole custody. Brock told me Neal found video evidence of him beating his wife and sent it to her along with money out of one of Fredrick’s offshore accounts. Now, she will be able to fight him fair and get her kid back.”

  I couldn’t hold back a smile. Neal used his hacking skills to help people. What he did probably wasn’t within the law, but if he helped that woman get her kid back, I would be happy.

  “He said nothing.”

  “When Neal and Aaron didn’t call that night and Neal asked me to stay at your house, I figured our relationship was over. When I showed up to the penthouse the next day and Aaron sat perched at the counter, I didn’t know what would happen.”

  Jessica shifted the car into Park, and I looked at the glass windows wrapping around the building. The clinic she went to was a state-of-the-art facility. I knew it was the clinic Brock used for his employees—he donated tons of money to make sure they had the latest and greatest of everything. It was no shock Jessica’s doctor was there. “I think they needed time to cool down,” she said. “They found out their girlfriend scened with someone without permission, which hurt both of their feelings.”

  When Aaron had mentioned that he was moving in with Neal and me, excitement coursed through my body. I loved Neal, but it felt like something was missing when Aaron wasn’t around. “I think you’re right. Aaron’s moving in with Neal and me at the start of the year. I need to figure out my emotions so I can go to Aaron’s premiere. I’m scared.”

  “Do you want Brock and me to come too?” Jessica asked, rubbing her belly.

  I needed to face my past with Neal and Aaron, and I couldn’t keep using the crutches I’d come to depend on. “No, but thank you for the offer. Let’s get you checked in.”

  The scent of roses hit me when I opened the glass door. White rose bouquets sat on the entry table on the way to the check-in desk. No patients waited in the waiting room. As Jessica checked in, I took a seat in one of the leather chairs and grabbed the latest Star magazine on the table. Annabella’s picture graced the front. Guilt hit me as I looked at her photo. Over the years, she’d tried to contact me, but I ignored the calls. I didn’t blame her for what happened. I just didn’t like to talk about my ten years of captivity.

  It looked as though Annabella had set a date for her wedding. The nurse escorted Jessica through the hallway door, and I walked up to the receptionist. “Daisy—sorry—I was wondering if I could make an appointment with a fertility doctor.” The young woman scrolled through her computer.

  “We have a cancellation with Dr. Jones, she is normally booked months in advance and hard to get an appointment with. But her twelve o’clock appointment canceled. The appointment is yours if you want it, but I will need your medical card and license.”

  My hands shook as I dug in my purse. I hadn’t planned on an immediate appointment. I was going to schedule something for next week then work up the courage.

  The young girl behind the desk grabbed my hand as I put my medical card on the counter. “You have nothing to worry about. Dr. Jones is the best.” Her soft voice calmed my nerves. I paid the copay and took my seat in the leather chair. I picked up the magazine to read Annabella’s story, but the words blurred together. I didn’t even hear Jessica walk up to my chair.

  “Daisy, I’m so sorry, but Alex fired the HR manager at work. I need to get back to Ross Enterprises before Alex fires anyone else. Do you want me to call Mia to come get you?” Mia was one of Brock’s mercenaries.

  “No, the nice lady scheduled an appointment for me today. I’ll text Neal and take an Uber back. But let’s have lunch tomorrow.”

  Jessica gave me a quick hug before she ran out the door to fix her boss’s issues. Alex couldn’t hold his temper most of the time, but his bark was louder than his bite. They would eventually hire everyone Alex fired back at a higher salary.

  “Dakota Michaels?”

  I almost missed my name. It had been years since someone said my real name out loud.

  A nurse in her late forties with light-brown hair waited for me at the door, holding a clipboard. Butterflies flew around my stomach.

  She led me down the hallway and into a room then motioned for me to take a seat on the table so she could take my vitals. It felt as if my heart was about to beat out of my chest.

  When she took me into the doctor’s office, my hands were sweating and shaking. Dr. Jones’s office was large. She sat behind a large glass desk, and baby photos lined the wall behind her. It made the room feel inviting.

  “Hello, Dakota, my name is Dr. Jones. Please have a seat.”

  “Daisy likes—sorry,” I mumbled. “Please call me Daisy.” Like the woman up front, she didn’t flinch at my words. She nodded, and I took a seat.

  “Daisy, can you tell me a little about yourself and why you’re seeking a fertility doctor?”

  I couldn’t help but twist my hands in front of me. It was hard to discuss my past. “Fifteen years ago, a sadist kidnapped me and held me captive. I was under his command for ten years. The evil man told me he made it so I can’t have kids. I found two wonderful men, and I want to know if I can start a family with them.”

  I had to give credit to the doctor for not dropping her jaw. Most people thought my story was a lie until they discovered my back. It wasn’t, and I had the scars on my body to prove the years of abuse.

  “When was the last time you saw a doctor?”

  “When Sam and his team rescued me, I saw a doctor, but my mind was a fog back then, and Daisy doesn’t remember what they said.”

  “Have you had unprotected intercourse recently?”

  “Yes, I belong to a BDSM club, and they do a yearly blood draw. I don’t have an STD.”

  The doctor coughed to cover up a laugh. “I’m glad you don’t have an STD.” She grabbed her stethoscope and walked toward the exam table. “Let’s do an ultrasound.”

  I followed the nice doctor over to the exam table and jumped up. The paper crinkled under my butt.

  “Can I lift the back of your shirt and listen to your lungs?”

  I nodded before thinking about it, and her breath hitched when she lifted my shirt. “I hope the man who did this to your back is in jail.”

  “Neal, one of my men, took care of him. He won’t be happy for a while. Aaron, my other man, wasn’t happy either.”

  “Your lungs sound good. Let’s have you lie back so I can take a look at your reproductive organs.”

  The gel felt cold as she squirted it on my stomach. She pressed a device to my stomach, and the screen lit up. A thumping noise came through the machine. I glanced to the doctor, and Dr. Jones fixated her eyes on the screen. “Do you see what the problem is?” My voice shook.

  “Well, Daisy, the reason you never got pregnant in the past is that you have an IUD. But I think your IUD is past its expiration—look here.” She pointed to a speck on the screen. “It’s one of your babies, and if you look here”—she pointed to another speck—“it’s your other baby. Given their sizes, you’re about four weeks pregnant.”

  I thought my ears were playing tricks on me. “Are you sure I’m pregnant?”

  “Yes, and with twins.” She wiped the gel off my stomach and handed me a picture with my two babies. “I can refer you to another doctor for delivery. We need to get this IUD out.”

 

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