Flawless Surrender (The Surrender Trilogy, #2)(53)

“I’m glad you aren’t easily put off your mission.” She said with a laugh, “I can’t imagine being any luckier than I am right now in this moment.”

“We’re the lucky ones, angel. Tanner filled us in on how he treated you years ago when you approached him. I’m surprised you even gave any of us the time of day after being shit on like that.” Clint’s irritation on her behalf made her belly tingle, and she lifted her head to kiss him.

“Thank you, but I believe everyone deserves a second chance, and even sometimes a third. Now, you better let me up because I have to pee like a racehorse and you’re on my bladder.” His laughter echoed through the room as he rolled away allowing her to dart into the bathroom.

She would never get tired of hearing that sound, or feeling his eyes on her as she moved. If this was what her future looked like, then she welcomed it with open arms.

By the time she came out of the bathroom, Clint had pulled on some sweats, and he held out a robe to her. “Slip this on and we’ll go find the guys. They are supposed to be making something for us to eat, but considering the lack of culinary talent between the two of them, we’re probably going to end up with peanut butter and jelly.”

“I’m more of a peanut butter and honey girl,” she responded, allowing him to take her hand and lead her into the living room.

Tanner was slicing a brick of cheese, while Dalton was filling a tray with some summer sausage and crackers. They both looked up with smiles on their faces as she entered the room.

“Hey, baby, Clint was supposed to let you sleep,” Tanner said, nuzzling her temple when she stepped to his side and hugged him briefly.

“He did. I was the one who woke him up.” She moved to Dalton and hugged him.

“More like she had a nervous breakdown on me,” Clint said with a snort.

Immediately Tanner and Dalton turned their complete attention on her. “What’s wrong, kitten?”

She rolled her eyes, “Nothing, it’s no big deal. I just had a little cry.”

“She’s worried about her job, and whether or not she’s going to move out of here.” She sent Clint a nasty look as he spilled her secrets.

“Tattletale,” she hissed at him, but he just winked in response.

“Well, I can ease part of those fears, you’re not moving anywhere, baby. Not unless you want to,” Tanner said, putting down his knife to give her a kiss.

“I second that, and as far as your job goes, I think you should tell Helen to kiss your ass when you see her tomorrow,” Dalton said.

“I can’t do that, I need a job,” Zoey argued, accepting a bottle of water from Clint as the other two finished their tasks and they all moved to the living room.

“There are other jobs out there,” Clint said with a shrug.

“But this is my dream. I want to help kids.”

Clint’s eyes met hers and he gave her a wistful smile, “Someone once told me that trying for your dream and failing is better than never trying at all. Maybe it’s time your dream changed. You can help kids some other way. You shouldn’t have to tolerate that woman’s nastiness.”

Zoey’s eyes filled with tears, and she moved to Clint, settling in his lap and kissing him deeply. For a moment they were lost in the intense emotions passing between them, and when they broke apart, she pressed her forehead to his, whispering, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, but it’s partially out of my own selfishness. I would much rather the woman I love be happy when she comes home from work.”

“I love you too, Clint,” she answered.

“Zoey, I know I should have pulled my head out of my ass much sooner, but I do love you. I think I’ve been in love with you since before that horrible night at Robin’s,” Tanner said.

“You sure have a funny way of showing it, cowboy,” she smarted off, but she grinned at him to ease the sting of her attitude. “I love you too, Tanner.”

“And me? What about me, pretty lady?” Dalton said, giving her wide puppy dog eyes.

“Hmm…I’m still on the fence about you...”

They all laughed, and Dalton kissed her hard on the mouth. “I love you too, kitten. More than I ever imagined possible.”

“Enough to play doctor later maybe?” she asked with a wiggle of her eyebrows. He tickled her until she cried mercy, “I love you too, Professor.”

They all settled in to eat their makeshift dinner before making love into the wee hours of the morning. Zoey told herself that she was going to take it all one day at a time, and accept whatever fate tossed on her plate, but in truth, she knew that she was so deeply in love with all three Keegan brothers that she couldn’t walk away from them if she tried.

Perhaps Clint was right, and it was time for a new dream and a new beginning.





Chapter Twelve





The quartet managed to enjoy one week of blissful happiness, going about their lives and virtually playing house before the bottom dropped out. At six a.m. Monday morning, one week into her life with the Keegan brothers, Zoey’s phone rang while she was pouring pancake batter on the hot griddle. The sharp chirping sound startled her and she bumped her wrist against the pan, sending a flare of pain all the way up her elbow.