Read Online A Desconian Marriage of Convenience (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Rachel Clark - Free Book Online Page A

like a question but probably wasn’t.
    “Not yet,” Tosh said with a forced grin. “Humans have different ideas about sex and sexuality. We’re easing Jenelle into our lifestyle gently. You’ve seen Jax in action.” Kallum nodded and laughed softly, seeming convinced by Tosh’s explanation.
    “True. Your man is truly hot, but I can see why you might worry he’s a little intimidating.” The moment of levity passed quickly, and they were once again faced with the reality of Jenelle’s situation. “We’ll do some more tests and determine the extent of the damage. Do you want to break the news to her, or shall I?”
    “I will,” Tosh said, even though he’d agreed not to be her doctor. He simply couldn’t let her hear such awful news from a virtual stranger. “Thanks, Kallum. I really appreciate your help.”
    “Anytime,” he said again in an echo of his earlier statement. “And I really mean that. If any of you—Jax and Baylen included—need someone to talk to about this, please come back and see me. I can recommend a good counselor, but if you want to keep your wife’s medical issues private I’m available to help.”
    Tosh nodded and then turned back to the medical exam room to deliver devastating news to a woman who deserved far better.
     
    * * * *
     
    It wasn’t until Tosh told her the exact news she’d been expecting that she realized how much hope she’d been holding on to. Knowing, absolutely knowing, that she was never going to have children hit her so damn hard she doubled over with the pain. Tosh held her, cuddling her close, pretending to be the concerned husband for their audience.
    The ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis.
    “I’m sorry, Jenelle,” Kallum said, obviously upset for her. Hell, he probably gave this sort of news to Desconian women all the time. In that regard she was nothing special. She shouldn’t be wasting his time like this.
    “Th–Thank you, Doctor. I’ll…um…get dressed. Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.”
    “No problems,” Kallum said as he gave her a sympathetic look. He briefly placed a hand on Tosh’s shoulder, perhaps as a silent offer of support, and then left the room.

Chapter Nine
     
    Baylen ached all over. Even lying in bed between the two men who loved him, he couldn’t seem to come to terms with what had happened to Jenelle. She’d wanted to go back to the compound—probably to grieve alone—but Katarnia had thankfully already reassigned her room. It was probably a little cruel to be glad Jenelle had nowhere else to go, but he was grateful for the chance to keep her close and try to help her through such devastating news.
    But she’d thwarted them all by giving Tosh permission to tell Jax and Baylen everything and then had claimed a headache and gone to bed. Now, hours later, Baylen lay awake, waiting for her recurring nightmares to begin all over again, but it was becoming obvious that she wasn’t actually asleep. He wanted to climb into her bed and hold her close. He wanted to tell her she was safe and loved and wanted right here, yet he didn’t know if it would be welcomed. He wasn’t even certain she would believe him.
    She’d agreed to marry them in name alone, and then only until they found someone of their own to love. It was obvious she believed herself as broken and unworthy of love.
    The soft sob that sounded across the room proved that neither Tosh nor Jax were asleep either. Both men tensed, Tosh pulling Baylen closer as they listened to the quiet sounds of Jenelle’s grief.
    Baylen held his breath as Jax rolled out of their bed and headed across the room. He lifted Jenelle into his arms, shushing her as she tried to speak. Without a word he placed her between Tosh and Baylen and then lay down behind Baylen and wrapped his arms around all three. Baylen held on to her, silently crying with her as she eventually cried herself to sleep.
     
    * * * *
     
    “Congratulations on your engagement, Jax,” one of the