The Brothers Rule - Carolyn Faulkner Page 0,40

happen on one day—I'd have some time to recover, not that it helped all that much."

Jace gave her a considering look. "Didn't you tell me at one point that you wanted for even more oversight than I was giving you?"

Laurie's brow furrowed. "I believe I'll take the fifth on that, thank you very much."

They all chuckled.

Then Adam said, "I think—as when we were dating—we would each deal with any kind of misbehavior on an individual basis while you were with us, unless it's something more serious that might require involving all three of us."

She grunted at that, very—understandably—unimpressed with the idea of being spanked by all three of them. "I think I would want everyone to agree on the same set of rules, so that I'm not trying to juggle different expectations from different men."

They all nodded at that. "Sounds reasonable."

"What about sleeping arrangements?"

They looked puzzled at that question. "Isn't that what the calendar is going to take care of?"

"No." Laurie squirmed awkwardly. "I'm talking about who goes to whom? Am I in a different bed each night, or what?"

"Hmm," Adam mused. "Good question."

"Yeah," she agreed.

Jace crossed his legs, putting his booted ankle on his knee. "Darlin', don't you think these are things that are moot until you've decided?"

Laurie's head was down, and she didn't respond to what Jace had said.

"Hon?" Ryan asked.

"Laur?" Adam said.

After a silent pause, Jace murmured quietly, "I think we have our answer, gentlemen."

Laurie raised her head and stared at him, biting her lip and looking more than a bit worried.

"Am I right, babe?" he asked softly, getting up to go get her. And he didn't just offer her his hand, he lifted her into his arms then came back to the couch and held her on his lap.

"Yeah," she whispered, finally, as Adam and Ryan each took one of her hands.

Ryan chuckled. "Such enthusiasm!"

"It's uncharted territory and I'm more than a little nervous as to how it's going to work out." She drew a breath. "If it's going to work out."

"Of course, you are," Adam soothed, rubbing her arm. "I don't think it's going to be all that different from dating us, except that you won't have to leave home to do it!"

"What I really don't want is to be a source of friction among you—at all, ever."

"We understand, Laurie, and we appreciate that you feel that way," Ryan said, squeezing her hand. "But we'll be fine, and we'll work out any conflicts the way we usually do—by agreeing that I'm right."

His brothers snorted at that. "In your dreams, buddy."

Even though she was feeling a bit hesitant about how it would all work out, once she'd made the decision, Laurie felt as if a great weight had been lifted from her.

"So you're ours," Jace pronounced with satisfying gravity.

"Yes." She nodded.

"'Bout damned time," he growled, kissing her deeply. "I'm very glad that this is settled, and I have a very weird feeling that it might just work out really well this way."

Then he moved her to Adam's lap. He kissed her with great reverence, pressing his forehead against hers. "We're going to make this work out—because none of us could stand to make you unhappy, even in the slightest way."

Adam gave her to Ryan, who cupped her cheeks and pressed his lips to hers. "I'm so glad to have you back. I've missed you terribly. And I think we'll all be pleasantly surprised by how well this comes together."

They all exited the room together—as together as was possible—wandering into the family room where the younger two were sitting. Laurie was holding Ryan and Adam's hands, as Jace stood behind her with his hands on her shoulders.

The four of them watched as Nick got out his wallet and handed Tanner some money.

"What's that all about?" Adam asked, frowning.

"Nothing important." Nick smiled.

Jace spoke for them, clearing his throat a little hesitantly, but then pushing through it. "We don't usually talk about such things, but we did decide to take your advice, Nick. Laurie isn't going back to her apartment. She's going to be living here, with the three of us."

"Yes!" Tanner said, punching the air.

Nick was grinning ear-to-ear. "I'm glad to hear it! Amazed, but very glad. I think you'll all be very happy together."

Laurie was blushing too brightly to say anything.

Adam squeezed her hand. "I think we will, too."

That evening, all three men had been campaigning for her to sleep with them, and it ended up that they were alone—the boys having gone off on their own