Read Online The Gift of Shayla by N.J. Walters - Free Book Online Page B

another man.” His eyes were dark with worry.
    “It wasn’t just another man,” she pointed out. “It was Adam.”
    Rob released a deep breath. “Yeah, I know. I couldn’t have done that with anyone else.”
    “Me either,” she assured him.
    He reached for her and dragged her close to his chest. “I don’t know what to do.”
    Shayla burrowed closer to her husband, inhaling the smell of his soap and cologne. Rob always smelled so good. “Do you love him?”
    He rubbed his hand up and down her back. She wasn’t sure if he was trying to soothe himself or her. Either way, it didn’t matter. The contact was enough to settle them both. “Yeah, I do. Christ, I can’t imagine not having Adam in my life. But I don’t want to do anything to hurt you or drive you away. I love you both. How do I not end up hurting one of you?”
    Shayla tilted her head back. “Why does anyone have to get hurt?” She’d lain awake in bed early this morning going over everything in her head. “Why can’t we try to make the situation work for all of us?”
    Rob stared down at her a frown on his face. “What do you mean? Like a permanent threesome?”
    She struggled to find the right words. “We could try something a little simpler than that. See how it goes. Adam is over here all the time anyway. The only difference would be he’d share our bed. We could try it on an occasional basis and see how it works. If we find the arrangement is something we can all live with, then we can worry about what comes next.”
    Rob scrubbed his hand over his face. He hadn’t shaved yet and his fingers scratched against the stubble. “Could that even work?”
    Shayla shrugged. “I don’t know. But what I do know is you won’t be happy if Adam isn’t in your life. And, after last night, I don’t think either of you will be content anymore to just be friends.”
    “What about you?” Rob cupped her face in his large hands, leaned down and touched his forehead to hers. “I love you.”
    “I know you do.” She also knew she needed to be totally honest. “I have feelings for Adam too. Obviously, I have to or I wouldn’t have been able to let him in our bed. Last night—” She shook her head. “Last night was an amazing experience. I’m not sure it’s one I’d want every night, but I wouldn’t mind trying it again. Nothing extreme. Just three people loving one another.” She leaned back and smiled up at her husband. “I have to say, watching the two of you together was hot.”
    Rob smiled. “You’re one in a million, you know that?” He kissed her, sliding his tongue into her mouth. She tasted coffee and toothpaste. But most of all she tasted love.
    When he pulled back they were both breathless. “I’ve got something for you.” He reached into his pocket and drew out the most spectacular necklace. It was a series of diamonds that twinkled in the morning light. It was short and would sit just on her collarbone.
    “It’s gorgeous.”
    “Turn around. I want to put it on you.” She turned and he looped it around her neck, closing the fastener. She was practically bouncing on her feet.
    “Let me see.” She pulled away and hurried out of the kitchen and down the hall to the mirror in the foyer. The diamonds sparkled. “It’s beautiful.”
    “You’re beautiful,” Rob whispered in her ear as he came up behind her. “Merry Christmas, baby.”
    “You shouldn’t have, but I love it.”
    He laughed and scooped her into his arms. “Let’s go wake Adam. I can’t believe he slept in this late.”
    She twined her arms around her husband. “If it’s what you want, I want it too. I think we can all be happy together. I’m willing to try if you are.”
    Rob pressed a quick, hard kiss to her lips and climbed the stairs with her in his arms. He kicked the bedroom door open. “Hey, wake up, sleepyhead.”
    He came to an abrupt stop. The bed was empty. So was the bathroom. Adam was gone. Rob slowly lowered her legs until her feet