Love Under Two Financiers by Cara Covington (best free e reader .txt) 📗

focus was on producing meals that were nutritionally balanced, with a fair bit of variety. The condiments also represented a wide assortment of preferences. At any given meal there would be soldiers dipping their fries in mayonnaise or gravy and others dipping them in Tabasco.”

“Did you notice our Texan Benedict, Kendall, and Jessop cousins alike shivering at the mention of dipping fries in mayo?” Logan asked. “That’s a clue, right there.”

“It’s a clue we all have excellent taste,” Jake said.

“The next thing you know, they’ll be claiming what a wonder it is to put vinegar on their fries.” Trevor Benedict shivered.

“What’s wrong with vinegar on fries?” Jeremy Bishop Jessop asked.

“Hey, if any of you want either vinegar or mayo with your fries, we can make that happen.” Bailey had returned to the table, her note pad held high, pen at the ready. “In fact, we can even supply you a packet or three of sweet green relish to go on your hamburger—if you want.” Groans and laughter followed that announcement. Bailey capped her performance by swooping in to kiss first Chance and then Logan.

Leesa gave her order then grinned when both Jason and Phillip ordered the burgers and fries. Jason asked for a side of mayo and one of vinegar while Phillip opted to give the green relish a try.

“We clearly have our work cut out for us,” Grant Jessop said. “Making Texans out of all y’all is likely to tax us sorely.” And he shook his head as if that was the most pitiful truth, ever.

The cousin-speak was off and running, and Leesa chuckled with Maggie, Ginny, Chloe, and Shar as the men let the puns and the quick comebacks fly.

Leesa ate slowly, enjoying her supper and really enjoying having a date on either side of her. These two Benedicts might be from New York, but they certainly know how to treat a woman.

They were attuned to her, using their gazes and little touches to show her that, despite the hilarity—and rivalry—that surrounded them, she was their focus.

And being with two men, sitting with other women that were with two—and, in the case of Maggie, three—men, Leesa felt herself relax into their date.

By eleven, most everyone in Benedict Central was ready to leave. Each of the triads had babies or small kids to pick up on their way home. Ginny confided that her mother-in-law, Samantha, had come over and shooed them out earlier.

That was one more thing that Leesa liked about her new hometown. Grandparents were plentiful and eager to give the parents a break.

The sky had cleared some, and Leesa looked up at the plethora of stars twinkling in the sky. They weren’t all that far out in the middle of nowhere, because some ambient light dimmed the view.

“Star gazing?” Jason asked.

“Busted. I’ve been in places where the stars were so vivid it nearly made my heart weep. In the desert looking up? You totally understand the concept of being a part of the Milky Way.”

“I noticed the same when we took an industry-related cruise a few years ago,” Phillip said.

“Did you find a star to wish on?”

Jason’s question, said softly against her ear, sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine. Everything within felt soft and mellow and ready—oh, so ready—for whatever these two men had planned next.

“Maybe. What comes next?”

“We continue our date,” he said. “The next item on our agenda is a movie.”

“Really? I didn’t think there were any movie theaters around open this late mid-week.”

“There aren’t,” Phillip said. “But we have a fine selection of movies available back at the house.”

“Where we hope to relax, fool around, and see if we can build some fires.” Jason turned her until she moved right into his arms.

“And if we do, and we all agree, then the next item, once the fires are quenched, will be breakfast.” Phillip gently eased forward until his front brushed her back.

She felt their heat, inhaled their scent, and reveled in the sensation of their erect cocks pressed snug against her.

“You’re both very good at making plans. That’s something that pleases me more than I realized it would.”

“Then let’s go, sweetheart. And later, maybe you can let us know how we rate at translating those plans into action.”

Chapter Eight

Leesa had thought as Phillip drove them back to their house that, since they’d all more or less agreed where the night would end, they’d skip the movie and head straight to the sex.

She surprised herself by feeling grateful they didn’t do that at all. Instead, they offered her a selection of movies to watch from the comfort of the sofa in their “man cave.”

“Pick one you really want to see, sweetheart.” Jason indicated the box of DVDs that sat on the shelf beneath the very large television. He set his hand on the shelf and pulled, and the shelf slid toward her, making access to the box much easier. “These were here when we moved in. I have to say, whoever stayed here last had a very eclectic taste in entertainment.”

Whoever stayed here last? Leesa had been in Lusty long enough that she understood the only places that were empty but furnished, usually, were the apartments. The houses that were unoccupied tended to be empty of everything. She’d heard tales from so many people how they’d been moved into their “new” house, usually over the course of an evening.

She especially recalled Ginny Kendall telling her about her moving day—or, as she called it, her moving hours. Her ex, who’d broken out of prison, had posed a real threat to her and her son, Ben. The decision was made to move her into a house, which was easier to defend than an apartment. Adam and Jake had shown her a very dedicated Victorian, one that had been built by their uncle Northrop for his bride, Connie.

Ginny had told Leesa that, while they’d been standing on the sidewalk, family—a veritable train of family—had arrived, carting in furniture, dishes, and even linens.

Others had told Leesa about