Chapter 7
Toby
Molly. Molly. Molly. The name sticks in my throat like the lie that it is. Dylan's on her left, I'm on her right, her arms looped through ours as we lead her to a room.
"You're really okay having sex with strangers?" My words are rougher than I intend.
She tilts her head, dark hair spilling over her shoulder. "That's part of being in the auction. Letting the magic happen."
Dylan chuckles, but I press on. "So you would've agreed to anyone who won?"
"As long as they don't start giving me a creeper vibe." She flashes me an overly sweet smile, the kind that says to let it go.
I nod, swallowing the urge to come clean.
"It's not so different from meeting someone in a bar or hooking up through an app," Dylan cuts in, smooth as ever.
He's ignoring our lie of omission like it's nothing, playing the charmer while I'm mapping out all of the possible repercussions.
"Thank you." She angles her chin up at him, and my blood simmers. "The bonus for doing the auction is the amazing track record."
It pains me to think how close we came to losing her forever. I'm not one for fairy tales, but the synchronicities that led us to her are unmistakable. "We heard about the track record. You're in this for the promise of a happily ever after? Life of luxury?"
Her laugh bubbles up, light and teasing. "And all the orgasms I want."
Dylan stops next to one of the viewing rooms—a large space with mirrors on the walls and a leather sex chair in the middle. He swings the door open, motioning her inside. "We better get started."
I grab his arm to yank him back, but he slips in after her, leaving me no choice but to follow.
He's always been like this—a chameleon, shifting to fit the moment while I vie for control.
It's not that he lacks integrity; the guy's solid.
His brain just paints everything in shades of gray where mine uses black and white.
We haven't had time to strategize since learning about the auction.
I thought for sure we'd be able to talk to her before she took the stage, get her out safely, not win her with a contractual obligation to fuck her.
The thought twists my gut, but not for the reasons it should.
I don't dislike the obligation. Hell, part of me craves it. But lying to her? That's the wrench.
She spins around, surveying the room, the mirrored walls. "No hiding in here."
Exactly. I open my mouth. "Look, Molly, we're your—"
"Future." Dylan interrupts, glaring at me.
I pivot back to her but he drags me toward the door. "Just a second, Molly. Look around, see if there's anything you want to try."
We move to the far end of the hallway, away from prying eyes. He pins me with a stare. "Are you trying to ruin this?"
"We should be honest."
With no hesitation, he says, "She was honest with us. Told us she wants to do this with whoever wins her. The fantasy. The HEA. Do you want to give that to her, or let someone else?"
"She deserves to know we're related."
His voice drops. "Do you think any other man in this place would unpack the skeletons from his closet before fucking her? The only guarantee is we've got good intentions." He pauses, his eyes narrowing. "Plus, we read her diary. She literally wants us. We know her fantasies from her own words."
Those entries torment my soul. How can I be the older brother, role model, and want her the way I do?
Dylan knows the diary nearly broke me, particularly the entries he doesn't like to speak about—the ones where she calls me Daddy.
Christ, I've ached to hear that nickname tumble from her lips, instead of her fingers. My resolve cracks.
My growing gray area overtakes logic, leaving only one demand. "We have to tell her our names."
"And if that sparks a memory?"
"We'll take it from there."
"It's too risky."
I stride back toward the room.
"Fuck," Dylan mutters, trailing me.
Fewer onlookers mill about now, and gratitude floods me. I don't want anyone watching her. She's mine—ours—to protect. To claim.
We return to the room. She's waiting, hands on hips, brow arched. "Cold feet?"
"No," I choke out, struggling with letting my carnal desires take over. "We're good."
Dylan nods, easing the tension. "We want to give you that promise of a happily ever after."
She crosses her arms, a playful smirk tugging her lips. "Let's back up a step. We have a contractual obligation to get an orgasm out of the way. And you've got your work cut out for you because I've given myself some pretty damn good ones."
I choke on her comment, my dick getting impossibly hard.
She tilts her head, zeroing in on me. "Are you a virgin?"
"No, just surprised by your boldness." It's like the private things she saved for her diary flow from her mouth now.
Dylan stays silent, and we both shoot him a look. He winks at her. "First time for everything."
Her eyes widen, then crinkle with laughter. "You're a virgin?"
"No need to dwell on it."
"No wonder you're so eager."
"You didn't see me bidding on anyone else." He steps closer. "This is all about you."
Her gaze flicks between us. "Yet we're still just standing around having a chat. If you guys aren't ready to make good on this, I'm going to exercise my right to decline the winner and go with the runner-up."
"No." The word explodes from me. I step between her and the door.
Losing her now? Unthinkable. I've wanted her for years, buried under sibling lines we never crossed.
But these other men—bidding high on an amnesiac virgin?
Undoubtedly, that unlocked a kink for some guys.
Nefarious or not, I won't let them near her.
I take her hands, pull her body into mine. Her breath hitches. I say, "I'm Toby."
She smirks up at me, unfazed. "Hi, Toby. Are we good to go now?"
I glance at Dylan. He seems as relieved as me that there's no spark of recognition.
"I'm Dylan."
I cup her shoulders, thumbs tracing her collarbone, then slide one hand to the nape of her neck. Her pulse races under my fingers. I lean in, slant my lips over hers and claim her, softly at first, testing, as she parts for me, her tongue meeting mine in a hungry tangle.
My cock throbs against my jeans. She dips low for a split-second then jumps, her legs wrapping my waist, arms hooking my neck. I catch her ass with one hand while the other wraps around her.
Dylan and I went halves on the bid, but right now, every inch of her molds to me like we've done this a thousand times. Like she's mine.
Those sibling hugs… cordial bullshit. Our fire unleashes.
Dylan presses in from the side, hand on her thigh. "Come here, N—"
She leans over, cutting him off with her mouth on his. He almost slipped. It's bound to happen. What will it cost us when it does? Why haven't I told her everything? The answer haunts me that my black-and-white world is drowned in gray. This might be the only way to keep her safe.
Their kiss deepens. He unwinds her arms from my neck, draping one over his shoulder.
She stretches awkwardly, then he yanks her fully into him.
I step back, chest heaving, and damn if watching my brother devour our stepsister isn't the hottest thing I've seen.
Pre-cum soaks my thigh, balls heavy, ready to unload just from the sight.
I don’t know how to walk the line between right and wrong like Dylan does, so I take a huge leap onto the side that will ensure I don’t lose her.
I lean to her ear, breath hot. "Daddy really wants to fuck you, but maybe we should let the virgin go first."
Panic races through me at having used the nickname.
She laughs into Dylan's lips before breaking free, her forehead resting on his, turning her face to me. No flicker of memory in her eyes—just mischief.
"The virgin? Shouldn't that be plural?" She's playful. "You afraid you can't handle me?"
I peck her lips, tasting Dylan on her.
"I know exactly how to handle you, Molly." My voice rumbles low. "But I figured he's not gonna last long."
"You don't fucking know that." Dylan shoots back a challenge.
"Yeah, I do."
She wriggles down from our hold, feet steadying on the floor, but stays sandwiched between us.
I clarify, "So you go first, Dylan. Make sure she comes before you put your dick in her. That way, when you blow your load at the first touch of heaven, Daddy can give her a proper fucking while you get ready for round two."
"Sounds like a plan." Dylan's grin flashes.
"So you're ready to commit?" she says with hope.
"We are." The last shred of my sanity is gone. "I plan on riding you bare. Embracing the full magic of the auction."
"You want to put a baby in me?"
"It's one of many things Daddy plans to do to you."
"Daddy wants to be a daddy." She laughs.
"We both want to be daddies." Dylan weighs in.
"Then we better get busy." Her fingers trail down my chest, hooking my belt. "I have a feeling there's a lot you can teach me."