Paul had spent a great deal of time considering the thoughts of the townspeople. The Steers had always been odd, but never before had any of the brothers considered making a woman nine years younger their wife. His mind had been plagued with that f**king diary he should never have read. Over the past three years he’d read the whole thing and realised it hadn’t been many women’s thoughts. Only one woman. One woman who’d been bitter as she wasn’t the woman the Steer men wanted. Paul cursed his stupidity. He had behaved like some abominable monster after reading that trash.
Running a hand through his hair, Paul couldn’t believe the shit he was thinking. He wanted to turn round and say f**k the people and what they thought, but then he thought about Anna. How small and fragile she was, even though she had the body of a woman. He couldn’t bear to see her being treated as an outsider. She’d lost so much in her short life, and he couldn’t imagine causing her any more loss.
“We’ll figure something out,” Paul said in reply to his brother.
“Do you really love her? You treat her like shit.” Paul winced at the accusation. It was the blunt honest truth. No excuse would be good enough for the way he treated her. His heart and soul had bled more for treating her mean than it ever could have for loving her.
“I love her. I was just trying to protect her from this. From us.”
“How can we have treated her like anything but royalty? Come on, Paul. How could you think we’d treat her any different?” David asked.
“I had my reasons—”
“They weren’t bloody good ones. Anna left because of what you said. Because of what you did. Don’t f**k this up because if she leaves again....”
“You’ll what, David?”
“I’ll follow her and make her mine. I’m not going to deal with your shit. I love Anna, and I will have her.” David stormed out.
Paul watched him go. Paul’s heart was heavy. What he and David wanted from a woman was too much to ask any of anyone, let alone Anna. He wouldn’t force a life of ménage on Anna. Not before she’d lived and experienced life for herself. But could he live with her finding love with another man?
****
A few hours later the party was in full swing. A few of their old friends and business associates, along with a bunch of Anna’s old high school friends, were in attendance. Anna stood out from the crowd, and no matter what David tried to do to be distracted, his gaze would always find her in the room. He noted the amount of male appreciation she received and how she managed to dodge a few wavering hands and invitations to dance. She spent most of her time with Henry. Taking a long sip of his beer he glanced around and saw Paul watching her as well. There were times he hated his brother. Paul being the oldest caused so many problems. He didn’t know why his older brother had changed toward Anna, but he sure as hell wouldn’t accept it anymore. Anna was their woman, and if Paul didn’t see it, then he’d take his part of the inheritance and do something no other Steer man had ever done. He’d have her for his own. Thinking about the past David recalled the number of times Paul had been a little overbearing with their charge.
The rules had changed overnight when Anna came to stay. Her parents had died in a car crash, and they’d been the only family willing to take her in. No more women were allowed in the house. Anna was given a curfew, and either he or Paul was to take her to school or pick her up.
“Hiya, handsome, want some company?” David looked at the approaching woman. Her tits and ass were on display, and a few years ago he’d have been f**king her in the garden before the night was out. His scowl had her scampering away. No woman would be good enough for a quick tumble. The one-nighters were over.
He couldn’t help but think about how many times he’d used the very same look on Anna. She’d laughed at him, patted his chest and walked round him.
God, he loved her. He heard her laugh at one of the guy’s jokes, and tingles shot through his body down to his dick. Cursing, he stood off to the side so no one would notice his tightened jeans. Her laugh was deep and dirty, making him think of other sinful ways to put her mouth to good use.
Shit, he needed to get out of here and quick.
Placing his empty bottle on the side, he moved for the exit near the doors.
“Where are you going?” Paul stopped him with a hand on his arm.
“Getting some air. Is that all right, dad?” He growled at his brother, not caring about the disrespect in his voice. Pulling his arm away, David stormed out of the room pushing a few men out of his way on his way into the night.
Once outside he could relax and calm down. His hand moved to his c**k pressing the firm shaft through the tight denim.
“Fuck, I want her so bad,” he cursed the empty night air. The stars stared back at him, twinkling and beautiful. He usually admired their beauty, but this time he couldn’t help but resent them as they appeared to be mocking him.
****
Anna watched David walk out of the room, her heart beating rapidly in her chest. Did he hate her for her response to him in the bedroom? Thinking about his arms wrapped around her and his mouth bruising hers made her pu**y wet with want. Anna forced her mind to stay on track. Getting aroused while talking to an ex-girlfriend wouldn’t do.
She was pulled out of her thoughts as she watched Laura and Dean Riley enter the house. Laura had been a comforting support to her in the early stages of her parents’ death. There were only a few years that separated them.
Laura went straight to her and hugged her. Dean hovered behind. “I’m so pleased you came back.”
“Thanks. I am, too. I think.” Anna hugged the other woman and closed her eyes. A deep sense of belonging overcame her.
“I can’t stay long. Peter is caring for the little monster and begged us to not leave him alone for too long,” Laura said. Anna laughed thinking about the man being trapped with a young toddler.
“I’m so pleased you came.” Anna kissed Dean on the cheek and smiled. Paul moved behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders in the same way Dean had to Laura.
“Hello, Riley.”
“Are you really going to get all possessive on me, Steer?”
Anna and Laura watched the interaction between the two men and giggled.
“Come on. Let them catch up while you and I talk.” Laura took her hand and Anna led her to the quiet of the kitchen.
“Are you sure we should leave them together. They looked all mean at each other?” Anna asked.