Moving a Little Heart by Breanna Hayse Page B

Why?"
    A blush heated Baylor's face.
    "Do you think I didn't see a handprint or two sticking out from under your little white panties? I know those dorks too well. Talk."
    "Jake walked in."
    "Yeah, so?"
    "He walked in while I was kissing Hayden."
    "And the problem?"
    She stared at him. "Don't you get it? It's not normal to be attracted to two guys at once. It feels like I'm cheating or something."
    "You do know that they are polyamorous, right?" Matt straightened his face.
    "Yeah."
    "Do you know what that means?"
    "Yeah. I guess," she muttered.
    "Let me explain something, B. The word means loving more than one. Jake and Hayden? Well, they are deeply committed to each other, and because of that, they have never had the notion that there is only enough room for one in their relationship. Think of it like this—look at me and Terry and how we fit into this picture. The four of us share a home and a life; we are a family. We each have a special role in each other's lives and, when a lover is brought in for the boys, T-Bear and I have a place that we belong. No one is excluded."
    "It's just so strange to me."
    "A poly relationship is strange to most people who don't understand it. It's not much different to a gay couple, when we publically declare our commitment to each other. By openly acknowledging a shared partner, the Paterson boys are declaring that they love, support and respect her. That doesn't change, even when she's cranky or weepy, and the daddy part of them comes to surface." Matt tweaked her nose. "For them, it would be unimaginable to hide the nature of their relationship or pretend she is just, well, a neighbor."
    "Don't they get jealous? I would simply die if I saw one of them with another girl," Baylor admitted, ashamed. "I mean, we just started this thing that we are doing, and there wasn't supposed to be any romantic involvement. I've never done anything like this. What do you call it?"
    "Age-play?"
    "I guess. Anyway, I made it clear that I did not want any romantic involvement… and then I go ahead and throw myself at Hayden like I was a common whore. My ex father-in-law was right about me, after all."
    "If your ex in-laws said that, then why do you give them power by believing it?"
    "If it's the truth, then they already have the power," she said.
    "Or does giving them the power turn a lie into the truth?"
    "Are you a philosopher, Matt?"
    "I am a student of life, nothing more."
    "That's not what the boys told me. They said you are an instructor."
    "I've learned to survive in some of the harshest environments in the world," Matt stroked her ponytail absently, "and none of them is as hard as a relationship that lacks trust. Give them a chance. Give us a chance."
    He waited a moment while Baylor digested his words. She finally looked up into his long-lashed brown eyes and nodded.
    "Okay, I'll try. I have one more question. Do you support this spanking shit?"
    "Yes, ma'am. Now, as your big brother, my primary job is to help you make mischief." He elbowed her playfully. "But if I tell you something, I do expect you to listen to me. I'll put you across my knee in a second if you don't."
    "This really isn't fair."
    "Just be a good girl and you have nothing to worry about. Unless, of course the boys get into a mood."
    "Should I be afraid to ask?"
    "Yeah. Be afraid. Be very afraid." He stood up and extended his hand. "Let's go back home and exchange those plain panties for the frilly ones before the boys get any more ideas about reddening that backside of yours. It's very spankable, by the way."
    "I don't even know how to respond to that," Baylor said, as she accepted his hand and rose to her feet.
    "You don't have to," Matt said with a chuckle. He smacked her on the rump and led her out the door.

Chapter Six
     
    Baylor hid behind Matt as he pulled her into the living room, where the other three men were sitting on the couch and watching TV.
    "Look what I found! The cutest little mouse that ever hid under a