27

Roman

We heard a motor pull up the semi-circular driveway, a revving that was unmistakable. Shouting ensued, questions of “Kyleigh, Kyleigh, a minute of your time! How do you feel about your brothers? What’s next for House Emergency?”

I held perfectly still, my mind racing. Kyleigh was back? My heart pumped at the thought of seeing our little sister again, and I could tell Ryder was just as nervous, tense and alert as we listened from inside the house.

A car door slammed, and I heard Kyleigh’s melodious voice over the din, clear as a bell.

“I believe in my brothers. It’s true that they made a grievous error, but I’d ask you to stand with me in supporting them. Roman and Ryder were only children at the time and apologize deeply for their past actions. So I hope you’ll join me in encouraging Home Starz to re-list House Emergency in order to bring this popular show back to viewers everywhere.”

My heart slammed against my rib cage. Our sister was defending us! A wave of joy rushed over me, and I could see Ryder smiling that same silly smile. Our stepsister was back and as the front door swung open, we rushed to greet her.

“Sweetheart,” I rumbled, dropping a sweet kiss on her cheek. “Welcome.”

“Honey,” groaned Ryder, pulling her into his arms for a caress, “We’ve missed you,” he murmured into her hair.

She’d never looked better. Her curves were displayed in a form fitting dress, the wrap hugging her bountiful breasts, emphasizing her narrow waist before curving into flaring, child-bearing hips. Child-bearing? WTF? Where were my thoughts going? We needed to talk.

Kyleigh seemed to read my mind. She kissed us both passionately before leading us into the living room and sitting on the divan, her legs crossed modestly, shapely and elegant. Fuck, she looked so delicious. I could have taken her right then and there, ripping that dress from her curvy body.

But she gave us a secret smile and began to speak.

“Roman, Ryder, I’ve missed you,” she said, taking a hand in each of hers. I looked down. Her hand was so small, slim and white, while our hands tanned and masculine, rough and blunt in comparison. I squeezed encouragingly.

“We’ve missed you too, sweetheart,” I growled, looking at her ravenously. Down boy! I commanded myself. The girl’s only been back five minutes and you’re already ready to ravage her? Fuck, it must have been mating season because I was a male wolf sensing a bitch in heat.

But it was the same for Ryder. He didn’t say anything. He just rumbled deep in his chest with a hungry gleam in his eye.

“Brothers,” continued Kyleigh. “It’s been complicated without you. Well, maybe I should say, life has been boring without you, but I had a lot to think about,” she amended. “What’s going on with House Emergency?” she asked.

“The network removed us from the schedule,” I said, brought back to reality with a thump. “Our advertisers canceled their spots so Home Starz canceled all of our shows. They also pulled all our re-runs, and Hulu removed our show from its streaming library as well,” I said. “Shit’s bad,” I said, shrugging. Things could be worse though. We could be in jail.

“I know,” said Kyleigh softly. “How are you guys holding up?” she asked.

“Not well,” ground out Ryder. “Shit’s been so fucked up, we haven’t left the estate much since you took off,” he said, nodding to the front door. “The media’s camped outside night and day, just waiting to get a glimpse of us.”

“And how about Mom and Dad?” she asked. “Have you talked to them?”

That was one of the few bright spots in all this. We’d spoken with George and Teresa, and they were surprisingly supportive. I guess this wasn’t new news to my dad. He was just sorry to see the secret get out, and the resulting destruction to our careers.

“Sons, this is terrible, and I’m sorry about that police report. I didn’t realize one had been filed,” he apologized on the phone. “But you will turn a new leaf.”

“It’s not your fault, Dad,” Ryder and I had said, defeated at the time. “Don’t blame yourself.”

Even Teresa chimed in. “Remember, this too will pass,” she said, her voice an echo in my mind.

She must have said something along those lines to Kyleigh as well because her daughter smiled at us and repeated those very words.

“This too shall pass, brothers,” she soothed. “When God closes a door, he opens a window somewhere else.”

I was humbled. I dropped to my knees beside her, burying my face in her lap before begging for her compassion, her kindness, and her love.

“Kyleigh,” I said, my voice muffled, afraid to even meet her eyes. “Can you forgive us for putting you through this ordeal? You mean the world to us, Ryder and I both, and it’s been fucking awful without you here. I think … I think if you stay with us, we’d be better together. Like a real couple.” My words trailed off.

Ryder joined in, also on his knees.

“Sister,” he said impassionedly. “I know we haven’t treated you fairly. We overwhelmed you, seducing you with our hands, our bodies, and our words. But know that you mean everything to us, and if you’d just find some way in your heart to forgive us, we’ll make sure it works. We want to make this permanent,” he said, his voice also trailing off.

Kyleigh laughed softly, looking at both of us.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were on bended knee, proposing to me,” she murmured with a smile.

Ryder and I exchanged swift looks. Is that what we were doing? Suddenly, it hit home. What we’d been saying had been the essence of a proposal although we hadn’t used the time-honored language. But we wanted to. We each took her hand in ours.

“Kyleigh, will you?” asked Ryder.

“Please marry us,” I finished.

She smiled the sweetest smile I’d ever seen and bent her head to kiss us softly, first Ryder and then me.

“Yes, Roman. Yes, Ryder. I do,” she murmured.

We were on her at once, kissing her ravenously, lifting her hair to touch our lips to that sweet space behind her ear and on the column of her neck. Our hands traced the familiar contours of her breasts, her tummy, and her hips. She gasped suddenly, her cheeks flushing, as we trailed our fingers over her abdomen.

“I have a surprise for you,” she smiled again, sweetly yet devilishly.

“What is it baby?” I moaned into her ear, desperate to be in her soft, female body.

“I’m eight weeks pregnant!” she announced. “You’re going to be daddies soon.”

That stopped our assault onto her delectable body. We sat there wordless, in silent shock and amazement.

“Gee, bees could fly into your mouths right now,” giggled Kyleigh softly. “Aren’t you going to say anything?”

Ryder and I sprang into action, our excitement re-doubled, our commitment to this girl renewed, rejuvenated, and stirred into full volume.

“Baby, that’s the best gift anyone could give us,” I said sincerely while tracing the vee of her décolletage with one large male finger. “Thank you honey, it means so much to us.”

“Yes, thank you baby,” agreed Ryder, dropping a kiss onto said creamy décolletage. “Let us show you how we give thanks,” he rumbled, slowly tugging the dress off her shoulders.

We pulled her to the bedroom, desperate to see her nude body. We wanted to run our hands over those dangerous curves, and were eager to explore and savor the beautiful girl who was going to be ours … forever, this time.