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I smile at the young woman indulgently, suddenly realizing just what she needs. “Michelle, hear me out for a moment.” The pretty brown eyes flicker in my direction, so I take it as my cue to keep going. “For most of your life, from what you’ve told us, it sounds like you’ve been fighting. Fighting for your place in the world, for your education, and for the chance to prove yourself.”
She nods, listening carefully. I continue.
“And all of that – well, frankly, it’s damn admirable – but I can also imagine, completely exhausting.”
At that, Michelle laughs lightly. It’s a good sound to hear, and it eases my own intensity a little.
“So – and I really want you to think about this before you answer – why not take some time to relax for a bit?”
Gabriel nods along as I talk, and then interjects with his own input. “Tom’s right. From everything you’ve told us, life hasn’t been easy for you. You’ve worked hard since you were a kid to prove that you can succeed and you have. So maybe you deserve a break. Let us do the heavy lifting for a little while. Let go mentally, and let yourself relax. It’s not a crime, sweetheart.”
I nod enthusiastically at Gabriel’s contribution. I can read from my brother’s expression that it’s apparent to both of us that not only has Michelle been on her own for quite some time, but that maybe it’s hard for her to accept support because of that self-reliance.
I look at Michelle and watch the metaphorical wheels spin. I just want to take care of her, and to show her what love can feel like.
Love?
I shake my head subtly. Why am I thinking about love?
I like Michelle, and I find her to be funny, smart, and kind. Not to mention incredibly sexy.
But love? I look more closely at the sweet yet fierce woman sitting beside me. Despite the fact that we’ve only known each other for a short while, I have the distinct feeling that Michelle is someone that I am going to want in my life for a long time yet.
“I don’t know,” Michelle’s quiet voice interrupts my thoughts.
“What don’t you know?” Gabriel probes gently.
“I just feel like if I take a step back, wouldn’t that be unfair to you guys? I’d be mooching off of you, and I don’t want to be a burden or have you think I want to stay because of the support.” Michelle purses her lips, clearly uncomfortable depending on us.
I consider her question before I answer. “First, you’re not nor will you ever be considered a burden to us,” I say evenly. Gabriel bobs his head in agreement. “It’s not mooching if we’re giving generously. And second, how could you work in the city and live here with us? No one in this room wants you to go back to Draper Peabody.”
Michelle considers this point, her eyes moving from me to Gabriel and then back to me, large and uncertain. “That’s a really good point.”
“So if it would make you happy to stay with us, without the stress of a job, and we are all in agreement that this outcome would make Gabriel and me happy, then just stay. It’s okay, sweetheart. Relax. Let go. Indulge yourself a bit.”
She’s silent, biting her lip gently. But then she looks at us, her big brown eyes full of hope.
“You mean it?” I can hear the tentative waver in Michelle’s voice. Suddenly, my pulse quickens with joy, because this isn’t just what she wants – this is what we want too. We want Michelle to stay with us with an open mind and an open heart. We want her to relax, and to give herself over to our pampering and ministrations.
“Yes, I mean it. We both do,” my brother growls.
I stand up and pull Michelle to her feet. Carefully, and with the utmost patience, I plant a gentle kiss on her soft lips.
“Stay,” I whisper against her mouth. “Relax, baby. You’ve worked so hard, and everything’s going to be fine.”
She looks up at me, her brown eyes searching mine. “Okay,” she says at last, and with that simple word, I feel my heart soar.
Gabriel stands up and joins our little embrace, running his hand up and down Michelle’s back in a calming motion.
“You know, I think dinner may just have to wait a little longer,” I say as I gently kiss Michelle’s neck. “I think we need to head upstairs and seal the deal on our newly minted agreement.”
With that, Gabriel scoops Michelle off her feet. She giggles and throws her head back as the three of us head to the bedroom. None of us knows where this little romance is going, but for now, our little triad is happy to start with lovemaking and laughter.
