Page 16 of My Ex's Billionaire Brothers

I lean back in my chair, hooking one arm over the backrest. “So.”

She fiddles with a napkin, folding and refolding it. “Is the shower big enough for Gage?” she blurts, then flushes instantly. “I didn’t mean that in a weird way, just…he’s so tall. And I’m nervous about this place being…run-down.”

I chuckle. “I’m sure it’s a tight fit, but the man’s resourceful. Probably spent half his life dealing with cramped military bases or something.”

She smiles. The silence creeps in again, heavy with unspoken questions. I sense she’s working up the nerve to ask about our earlier conversation—the proposition for her to explore her not-so-vanilla side with our help.

Finally, she exhales, voice dropping to a confidential hush. “Did you three…mean it? The offer about helping me explore…myself?”

I should probably tell her no, that we were just joking around. But the sincerity in her eyes, the vulnerability—I can’t lie to her.Besides, I want her to have that freedom.

“Yeah,” I say softly, reaching for her hand under the table without fully thinking. I cover her smaller hand with mine, feeling her tremble at the contact. “We did. I know it’s a huge leap, but we’re serious.”

“So, how would that…work? I mean, it’s not like you’ve all dated one woman before, right?”

Thatis a loaded question. “Not exactlydated, no.” I squeeze her hand. “But we’ve shared submissives and women before. It doesn’t have to be complicated. We created Sins as a place to enjoy ourselves with no judgments and no normal rules. This doesn’t have to be any different than that. Just some lessons, maybe a little guidance. We stop anytime you want.”

She swallows hard, nodding slowly. “Part of me is…” She exhales shakily. “A part of me is so curious. I never got to figure out what I liked or wanted. I dated before Calvin. Not much, though. And then Calvin—he always decided for me. And I guess I just went along.”

I fight not to cringe when I hear his name. I don’t want her to compare any of us to that asshole. I rub my thumb gently across her knuckles. “Well, this time, you get to decide.”

Her lashes flutter as she gazes at me. There’s a spark in her eyes, something bold edging out the shyness. My pulse kicks up a notch. My protective nature wants to keep her safe, but my playful side wants to tease this out, see how she reacts, watch her blossom into this new, daring version of herself. The person she should have gotten to be a long time ago.

“Hunter,” she says, voice a little unsteady, “I’ve never…done anything like this.”

I smirk, leaning closer. My fingertips brush a strand of hair off her cheek. “That’s okay. No pressure.” My words are gentle, but inside, my heart pounds like a drum. “What doyouwant right now?”

She hesitates, glancing around as if making sure Gage isn’t about to step back in or Theo isn’t eavesdropping. Her gaze settles on me again, and I see her throat flex as she gulps. “I—I want to break a rule,” she whispers, barely audible.

Specifics, woman. “Which rule?”

She bites her lip. “The one that says I’m a good girl who…doesn’t do impulsive things.”

We’re in a run-down motel suite, the hiss of the shower audible through the wall, and Theo’s phone call drifting in from the outside corridor.Is it wise to start this now?Probably not. But I’ve never minded before.

“You sure?” I murmur, leaning in close enough to feel her breath on my skin.

She gives a shaky nod, and I see the courage flicker in her eyes. “I’m sure,” she manages.

My heart thunders. I cup her cheek, letting my thumb rest just beneath her lower lip. I want to see her unravel the constraints she’s lived under. It’s something I’ve always loved about kink. Seeing someone come out of their shell and discover who they are at their core.

I want to see Anya’s core erupt.

I lower my head slowly, giving her a chance to back out. She doesn’t. Instead, she tilts her face up, and I brush my lips against hers. The contact is gentle at first, just a soft, searching kiss. Her hands flutter uncertainly at my knees—when did her hands go there? Then she grips my collar like she’s holding on to me to steady herself. That little bit of trust I’ve done nothing to earn snaps my self-control.

I shouldn’t rush this, but I can’t stop. I slip my hand behind her neck, deepening the kiss.

Her mouth opens to me, and we share a slow, heated moment that has my pulse roaring in my ears. I taste a hint of tomato sauce and soda on her lips, a strangely comforting reminder of how normal this can be—just a man and a woman sharing a kiss over a cheap motel dinner. Except it’s anything but normal. It’s the first step into a world she’s never explored, and we both know it.

She whimpers when I angle my head to kiss her more fully. My free hand slides around her waist, pulling her closer so our bodies touch, my knee between hers. Sparks zip along every nerve. Her fingers curl into my shirt, clinging as though she’s afraid I might vanish.

After a moment, she breaks the kiss, gasping softly. Her cheeks are flushed, and her eyes gleam with a new light—equal parts excitement and shock. I rest my forehead against hers, savoring the rush of warmth between us.

Her expression shifts to something uncertain. “Is this okay? I mean, what about Theo and Gage?”

I kiss her forehead reassuringly, trying to maintain my playful composure even as my heart thrums. “Hey, we’re not doing anything they wouldn’t allow. We’ve been honest about this. But we’ll talk it through together, to make sure everyone’s on the same page. No secrets.”

She nods, her body relaxing against mine. “I appreciate that,” she whispers. We separate a bit as we hear the shower turn off. My blood is still buzzing, my lips tingling from the kiss.