Lots of Naughty & A Little Nice - Leigh Lennon Page 0,32
focused, that I don’t hear anything around me.
The door to my upstairs office squeaks when it opens. Twisting around in my chair, I’m expecting Whitney. But it’s not my sister. It’s the men who have inspired me in ways only these two can.
“We’ve tried ringing the doorbell for ten minutes, got concerned about you, and called Whitney to find out where the extra key was. We even called for you downstairs and tried your cell,” Rowan explains.
“Oh, really?” I turn back to my sketches. “I was caught up in these designs. After my bosses told me what I couldn’t do, I had a creative block.” Knox’s cologne wafts behind me. I don’t give any thought to letting Ro or Knox in. I normally wouldn’t think of letting anyone peer over my shoulder, but they are different.
“Ave, baby, these are really good.”
I’m not sure when I’ve graduated to baby, but it seems natural falling off his tongue.
“You think? I started with a new doll altogether. I mean, I’ve dabbled in art all these years, and it’s the reason I chose design.”
He twirls the chair around, and I’m in his gaze. “You draw, and you never told me?”
“I said I’ve dabbled in it. I’m nothing compared to you.” I’ve seen his designs, both online and in their home, and his skills overtake me any day of the week.
“Listen, our little toy maker, you’re being modest. I think I know something about good art.”
I’m unable to answer when Rowan reaches past me to a sketch that resonates with him. “Is this a paleontologist?” His eyes are set on the design, and Knox moves around to look.
“Holy shit, Ave, this is awesome.” Knox stares at the other ten dolls along with their specific occupation. “I love these dolls so much. You have an artist, a designer, a paleontologist.” He continues scanning everything. “I love these jobs, an encouragement to girls that they can do anything.” He stares at my police woman, fire woman, sports broadcaster. He pauses for a moment. “Is this a park ranger?”
With a bob of my head, I answer him. “All these designs, with the cool outfits, give little girls more pause to realize they can do anything. This is really good, baby. So awesome.” Rowan’s encouragement means more to me than I can articulate.
“You like them that much? I mean, this is just preliminary, and honestly, I’ve never designed the doll, but I felt with my experience, I could give my bosses an option.”
Pushing to my feet, I twist around to put my sketches down and walk into the strong arms of Rowan. “Little toy maker”—he tips my lips to his—“you’re amazing. I wish you saw yourself the way we do.”
I’m breathless, unable to talk or think, and as they’ve done several times before, Knox moves around to my back. “And if we have to tell you every day for the next ten years, it’s what we’ll do. It’s what you do when you share the connection like the three of us do.” His breath on the nape of my neck has me shuddering from excitement.
“We want you, baby. We want every part of you. Everything you’re willing to give us.”
The door slams downstairs, but none of us move. “Avery, I’m home.” I still, waiting for her to barge up the steps, but she doesn’t. I can’t move or is it that I won’t? “Avery, you okay?” she continues, and maybe she knows both men are over and doesn’t want to interrupt whatever this is.
“Yeah, Whit, I’ll be down. Give me a second.”
A loud chuckle leaves her lips mixed with her reply. “Take your time. The two trees arrived and are on the front porch,” she informs me, but my eyes stay on Rowan, and my hand moves to Knox’s on my shoulder.
“Do you think she knows we’re up here with you?” Knox’s timbre is low, still in the moment.
“From her evil cackle, hell yeah,” I answer.
“Ave,” Knox continues, “later tonight, slip out of the house for a little bit. We won’t push you, but please…”
My mind isn’t working properly. It can’t be…It has to be the excuse when I reply, “Yeah, I’ll be over tonight.”
Rowan doesn’t pull away, and his mouth covers mine, which in and of itself—until the loud mewl of Knox—causes my entire insides to sizzle with excitement.
“Fuck, you two keep that up, and I’m going to beg Whit to go out with her friends tonight, maybe even bribe her with money.”
A deep chuckle radiates from Ro