Knight, Kayla - Her Long Hot Surrender [Raw Texas Heat 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Kayla Knight Page B

hadn’t thought they’d have a bookshelf full of superior literature, and their home simply looked stunning. Everything about it felt relaxed and lived in. Fine pieces of old antique furniture sat comfortably alongside the modern designs. It was a mix she found fascinating and refreshing.
    Tyler smiled, his amber gaze holding her captive. “I’ll show you my hobby after dinner.”
    “Now that’s just teasing me.”
    All through dinner, Madison couldn’t take her eyes off them. Gabe wore a simple green gabardine shirt which complimented the color of his amber eyes, showing their vibrancy to great effect. The collar was undone and his sleeves were rolled up, exposing the dark masculine hair on his forearms. Every so often he would run his fingers through his jet-black hair, brushing it away from his forehead as he spoke.
    Tyler looked relaxed and at ease. His white shirt brought his healthy tan to her attention. His collar was undone, too, though his sleeves were rolled down, enhancing his long fingers, and the gold watch around his wrist.
    There was no doubt they were full-blooded males in their prime. They made her feel incredibly feminine just being in their presence. When the meal was over they moved to the living area.
    Gabe spoke, “Would you like a coffee, Madi?”
    “Yes, please, that would be lovely. The perfect end to the perfect meal.”
    “Tyler tells me you’ve been sorting through your mother’s possessions. I know from experience with Pa, that’s very traumatic.”
    “Yes, it is. Holding things in your hand that once belonged to someone you loved. It’s the little things, Gabe, which made me cry. You know, silly little things, like her reading glasses, her brush. The cardigan she left on a chair.”
    Madison breathed in. “I found a lot of things that surprised me. Things that made me reassess who I am, where I came from.”
    “Do tell,” Gabe urged.
    Madison couldn’t help smiling at him. She didn’t feel like throwing her stiletto at him anymore. For the first time since discovering the lie, she actually felt fine about it. Maybe she’d finally come to terms with it, or perhaps the three glasses of wine she’d had at dinner were beginning to take effect. “Just before my mother died she admitted she wasn’t as well connected as she’d always let me believe. It turns out her mother and father were simple ranchers. Born and raised in a small farming community near Lubbock.”
    Gabe leaned forward in his chair. He seemed genuinely interested. “So this was all news to you? You must have been surprised.”
    “Yes, very. I was shocked, to say the least. Mother had always insisted she was born in New York. My grandparents were high-flying, eminent doctors, or so I was told. My grandfather was supposedly descended from the Russian aristocracy. It’s little wonder I thought I was better than everyone else at high school. Particularly as Mother constantly told me that I was far too good for any of the local boys, and that I should set my sights high.”
    Gabe rubbed the back of his head, and she remembered throwing the shoe at him screaming the words, “I’m prime stock. I’m descended from the Russian aristocracy, and don’t you forget it, cowboy.” At the time of uttering those harsh words, she’d already known they weren’t true. Madison had never felt so embarrassed. She could feel a blush rise from her neck to stain her cheeks. He grinned, and she knew he was enjoying her fall from grace. She supposed now was as good as time as any to apologize. “I’m sorry I lost my temper, Gabe. I hope my stiletto didn’t hurt you too much.”
    He grinned again, theatrically rubbing the back of his head. “No need to worry yourself, baby. It was my entire fault. I guess I scared you a little.”
    “You did.” Madison could feel herself tense. The subject had finally swung around to ménages.
    She needn’t have worried, because Gabe expertly changed the subject. “Lubbock you