and act like I'm just chilling in this strange house. Would that look natural? I don't even know. As footsteps thud toward me, I spring back, still not sure on what course of action I'm taking. I end up halfway to the stairs when the door creaks as it's yanked open.
I face the man I'm assuming is Gordon like we are two characters in a western, both poised to reach for guns. Except there are no guns here. Just a strange static as this sexy man's gaze drifts over my face and body. He's wondering how long I've been out here and if I heard anything, or maybe he’s just wondering what it would be like to see me after Sean had magically removed my panties like a snake charmer.
I'm wondering what his strong hands would feel like cuffing my wrists and whether he'd be as controlling in bed as he obviously is in real life. Those hands are balled into fists, but I don't think that's because of anything I've done. I get the feeling they're always like that. This man seems coiled tight and pumped with testosterone. If I had to speculate, I'd say he plays tight end. He probably likes being able to defend and attack. I get the feeling he wouldn't like to be restricted to one or the other.
I swear that time moves differently at this moment. It seems to stretch long and thin like taffy, then snap back fast as I realize how much I'm staring at his strong brow that's furrowed and frowny and the dark, swirling network of patterned tattoos wrapping their way around his right arm and dripping down onto his hand.
"Maggie." His voice is gruffer than it was when he was talking to his brothers in the kitchen. The kind of rumbling voice that goes with his beard and hulking form.
"Hi," I practically squeak. "I need to get some water."
"Sure…"
We both go back to standing motionless and staring until the kitchen door opens again and another man emerges. "Maggie."
I don't know who this is, putting me at a total disadvantage. They only have one new name and face to become familiar with. I have eleven.
"She wants water," Gordon mutters, not even turning to see which of his brothers is behind him.
"Maggie wants a glass of water," the brother behind shouts.
A head appears around the door, then another.
If it weren't so awkward, I would laugh. They're like giant meerkats peeking over rocks for predators.
"And maybe some introductions would be good?"
The mouth of the man, I'm assuming to be Gordon, twitches on one side. "Introductions!" His right eyebrow lifts.
"So I know who I'm bumping into in the hallway?" I raise both my eyebrows in challenge. I'm not sure what the big deal is but everything I'm saying seems to be amusing to this man.
"Come into the kitchen," the man behind says. "We can fix you a drink, and you can meet everyone."
Gordon still doesn't move, but I don't let that stop me from making my way around him. As I pass, he turns, still with that little flicker of his mouth. Already, I can see that we are going to end up butting heads. I can feel him following behind me. His presence is so strong.
"Everyone, Maggie's here. She wants introductions."
"What do you want to know, Maggie?" The man who speaks has dark eyes, smooth dark skin, and hair cropped close to his scalp. As I scan the room, I realize he's one of three. Triplets. Eleven was bad enough but adding in twins and triplets means that I won't have a hope in hell of working out who is who.
"She wants to know the length of your cock. What the hell do you think she wants to know?" That's Logan, the guy who shouted from the car, and he sniggers at his own words. I don't miss the eye rolls of a few of his surrounding foster brothers.
"She better find a magnifying glass to check on yours," Harley says. He gives me an apologetic look.
Logan laughs good-naturedly, and my opinion of him lifts a little. At least he's not the kind of guy to take himself too seriously. A jester, I can cope with. An arrogant ass, not so much.
"John, you start," Harley says. John, it turns out, is even bigger than Gordon, with a close-cropped beard and dark, intense eyes that should feel intimidating but instead are filled with quiet warmth. Almost immediately, I can see why he was chosen