Mrs. Robin's Sons by Kori Roberts Page A

responded instead, motioning in his direction, hating the lie, even as she said it. “And that’s his brother, Noah.”
    Monica glanced in her direction. “I knew that Ethan had broken up with you, but I had no idea that you’d have to resort to searching playgrounds just to find a replacement.” Her smile became a little more evil. “Although, I must say that they are definitely worth risking a little jail time for.”
    Monica’s snide remark had Rylee ready to rip her head off, scratch her eyes out, and kick her fucking teeth in. “You know, I figured you would be sick and tired of always waiting around for my leftovers, Monica.” Rylee gave the woman a disdainful smile. “Especially after the way you wasted two years waiting for Ethan and still came up empty-handed.”
    Rylee saw the flush that spread across Monica’s cheeks as her face went tight with anger.
    “Well, it’s not your boyfriend that I’m after, it’s his brother. And, since you seem to have more on your plate than you can handle anyway, I’m sure you won’t mind if I help myself to some of your dessert.”
    “Whatever, bitch,” Rylee muttered. As Monica brushed past her, she barely refrained from grabbing the woman by her bleached blonde hair, throwing her to the floor, and stomping her into a puddle.
    Rylee walked in the direction of the doors, and she could see Monica working hard to impress Noah with phony smiles, blatant looks, and none-too-subtle touches. And Rylee watched with no small amount of satisfaction as Noah politely, but firmly, rejected her.
    As she approached the group, Noah and Nick’s focus shifted to her. The looks on their faces were filled with so much heat that Rylee knew without a doubt that she was the absolute focus of their attention.
    Rylee glanced at Monica, and she could practically see the woman’s hatred pouring off of her. “Better luck next lifetime,” she murmured next to Monica’s ear before she slid an arm around Nick and Noah’s waists, and they walked her out of the club.
     
    *
     
    “You’re up late, aren’t you?” Rylee jumped at the sound of Noah’s husky voice against her neck, his strong arms around her waist. She was so wrapped in her thoughts that she never heard him enter the kitchen where she stood making coffee. “Hey.” She smiled up at him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make so much noise and wake you up.”
    Noah shrugged and leaned against the counter next to her. “You didn’t. I don’t sleep that well when you’re not there, anyway.” He reached out and stroked her cheek. “What’s wrong?”
    Rylee was silent for a long moment before she finally responded. “I don’t like not being able to claim you, Noah. I don’t like having to pretend that you don’t mean anything to me.
    I’m not ashamed of our relationship, and I’m tired of denying that I love you as much as I love Nick.”
    Noah nodded slowly. “So, you think that just because you can’t tell everyone about us that will change the way you feel about me, or how I feel about you?”
    “No! It’s just…” She sighed heavily. “You don’t deserve to be ignored in this
    relationship, as if you’re invisible, or not important.”
    “I’d like to consider myself as more of a silent partner,” Noah joked softly.
    “You know what I mean, Noah.” Rylee knew she sounded frustrated.
    Noah pulled her into his arms and stared down at her. “Listen to me, Rylee. I know you’re not happy about having to hide our relationship. I can’t say I’m too thrilled about it, either, and I wish it didn’t have to be this way. But, for now, it’s necessary. Besides, the only thing I deserve, the only thing I need, is you.”
    “Me, too.” They turned around at the sound of Nick’s voice in the doorway. He moved in behind her, and Rylee found herself pressed between their bodies. She leaned her head against Nick’s shoulder and stared into Noah’s eyes.
    “Not being able to say how we feel about each