They both sat on the coffee table in front of her now, two perfectly rugged specimens of the male form. She didn’t want to stare, but they were very nice to look at. “Who lives here?”
“Just the two of us,” said Damon. He ran a hand through his mop of dark hair.
“And you said you’re brothers?”
He nodded. “Caleb’s two years older, but a lot of people mistake us for twins.”
She found it odd that two grown men lived alone together, no family, no wives, or children. Opal wanted to know so much more, but didn’t want to insult them or open up any old wounds. Maybe one of them was a widower.
“Who’s waiting for you back home?” asked Caleb. He didn’t talk as much, so he had her undivided attention.
“I live alone. I have a little studio apartment above a discount store.” After she spoke, she wondered if she should be telling these strangers that no one was waiting for her return. Maybe they lived alone because they were crazy axe murderers. She tensed up, countless horror flicks scrolling through her mind again.
“A city girl?” asked Caleb.
“I’ve lived in the city all my life. It’s where the jobs and public transit are. Only people with money get to live in the suburbs.”
“What do you call this?” asked Damon, waving an arm in the air.
“Well, it’s far from the suburbs.” She smiled. “I can’t even imagine living way out here. How do you two survive?”
Caleb didn’t look impressed with her question and kept quiet.
“I guess it’s something you get used to. Or addicted to. Once you get away from all the noise and bustle, you don’t want to go back,” said Damon.
“I’d never make it on my own.”
Damon wet his lips, distracting her. “You just need a man to take care of you,” he said. “Or two.”
Caleb stood up and stormed off to the kitchen. She heard cupboards banging, then the water running. His quick escape had stolen her focus for a minute, but had she heard correctly? Had Damon hinted at something kinky? She must have misunderstood.
The hot tea and roaring fire had warmed her, bringing back her sensibilities. She looked around the cabin. It must have been built by hand, with a lot of history. The log walls were well insulated, the interior cozy and rustic. Big colorful rugs adorned the floor and the stone fireplace flickered with red, orange, and yellow flames. It was the type of place perfect for a retreat, a getaway for the mind. Maybe a few days holed up with Caleb and Damon in this little piece of paradise wouldn’t be so bad after all.
She’d started this adventure to heal herself from the inside out, to give herself a chance at life after she’d almost taken her own. Her entire life had been a struggle. The bullying first happened in grade school and never let up. She’d always been teased for her weight, and she found out adults could be just as cruel as kids. Opal didn’t want to grow old alone, in fact, it terrified her. But so far, men kept their distance. And loneliness nipped at her heels.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
Damon leaned closer, and she took a good look at him. His eyes were an unusual blue, and she imagined they’d be even more stunning in the sunlight. He had scruff on his face, a straight nose, and strong jaw. There was something about the brothers, something different than the men she’d seen in the city. Their untamed quality lured her in, made her conjure up impossible fantasies in her head. What she wouldn’t give to feel Damon’s strong arms around him, see lust in his eyes. This was every woman’s fantasy—trapped in the wilderness with two irresistible hunks. Too bad they were way out of her league.
Opal was used to being ignored or cast aside. It was just the way things were for her.
“Everything’s fine. If you’re worried about Caleb, don’t be. He’s old-fashioned and doesn’t believe in going after what he wants.”
“What does he want?”
He smirked, and it was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen. “You.”
****
Damon didn’t give a shit if Caleb wanted to live in self-denial. He planned to take what he wanted, and he wanted Opal—wanted her as his wife and to carry his child. He knew damn well Caleb felt the same way, but it would take some convincing before he agreed to take a chance on her.
She looked young, maybe too young for them, but he knew they’d be able to take care of her properly. Damon didn’t like the sadness in her eyes, or the fact she’d been barely living. They didn’t have much in way of material possessions, but that was by choice. They had money in the bank, but that was where it stayed. As long as they had an abundance of food, supplies, and firewood, they were happy.
“You’re wrong,” she said. “Men don’t like me in that way.”
“In what way?”
She bit her lower lip. “You know … as a girlfriend or wife.”