Middlemarch Resort
Joe walked into the room they’d set up for Sly, past dozens of plants in black pots. Their red-and-white flowers perfumed the old storage shed with cinnamon and ginger. He and Saber had painted the walls a deep, rich red, and once the paint dried, they’d hauled in a bed—about the size of a large single, and not too big that the guests got the idea of climbing in with Sly. Casey contributed by sewing ruby-red curtains for the windows and Felix had designed a frame to turn the bed into one fit for a fairy tale. Pure white sheets and a white duvet added the finishing touch.
Everything was in readiness for Sly.
He and Saber had developed a special package, which cost the ladies extra. In the end, they’d decided to embrace the obvious and name the new attraction Sleeping Beauty.
Joe snorted, his lips twitching. Sly would loathe this if he was conscious. But still, surely he would understand. Joe hated seeing his brother this way, so pale and still. He scanned the room in a final check. Hopefully, this wacky plan helped Sly regain consciousness.
Half an hour later, the room smelled like a floral bouquet while Sly lay on the bed, dressed only in boxer briefs, although the visiting ladies wouldn’t realize that, since they’d covered his lower body with the white linens. A large basket sat next to the bed, full to the brim with flowers.
He ran his fingers down his twin’s bare arm, a new habit he’d developed because without Sly around, he felt as if he were missing a limb.
Almost ready to open for business.
He checked on Sly a final time and did a double take. “What the frak?”
Joe blinked and scanned Sly’s face. His brother wasn’t awake. He touched his arm again. Still cool to the touch although he warmed when Joe’s fingers lingered.
“Saber!” With a scowl at Sly, he strode to the door. “Saber.”
His older brother came running at his call. “What is it? Has he woken?”
“No,” Joe said—and pointed at Sly’s groin.
Saber’s eyes widened, and they shared a glance before turning back to gape at Sly’s ginormous boner.
“What are we going to do? We can’t let the ladies in here with him in this condition,” Joe said.
“You didn’t notice this when you entered the room?”
“No,” Joe snapped. “It’s kind of obvious. I would’ve noticed. It just happened.”
“Maybe we should get Casey to—”
“No way, Saber. That’s all kind of wrong. First, Felix won’t be happy if he learns you asked his mate to examine Sly’s dick. You’d hate Eva checking out another man’s junk.”
A menacing growl broke free from Saber.
“Exactly,” Joe continued. “And Sly wouldn’t be thrilled exposing his dick to his brother’s mate, either. Go and tell the women there will be a ten-minute delay.”
Saber grimaced at the tented covers. “What happens if ten minutes isn’t long enough?”
“Then we’ll have to check with Casey, I guess.” Joe cupped his twin’s shoulder, anxiety filling him at the coolness of Sly’s skin. “Sly needs physical contact. He seems colder than yesterday.”
Saber placed his palm on Sly’s chest and frowned. “You’re right. Okay, ten minutes. The line isn’t long, anyway. It will take time for word to filter through. There are so many other activities on offer.”
Saber strode to the door and exited. Seconds later, he shot back inside. “Joe, we might have a problem.”
“What?”
“The line is already longer than when I came in here.”
“How much longer?” Joe peeked out the door, his eyes widening upon seeing the excited women. The blue ladies who didn’t want mates stood in the front.
“We’re eagerly anticipating this,” one of the blue ladies called.
“I hope Felix and Leo made sure these women watched the movie about the correct way to kiss,” Joe said with a frown.
Saber laughed. “Scarlett came up with the idea of making them kiss a balloon once they watch the movie. Anyone who pops the balloon with their tongue or teeth has to watch the movie again and go to the back of the line.”
Joe gnawed his bottom lip, indecisive. Was this right? Sly was his best friend. He was closer to his twin than anyone else, and guilt roared through him. Was he doing this for himself or his brother? He straightened his shoulders. No, it was for both of them. He and Sly would have their cattle.
His gaze darted back to Sly’s groin. “Saber, I think we’re good now. Give me five minutes, then send in the first three women.”
Saber stepped outside and closed the door. Joe took a deep breath and gripped Sly’s forearm, willing his body heat into his brother.
Sly’s chest barely moved. He was ashen now, and Joe’s throat thickened every time he glimpsed his twin. He’d been unconscious for almost three days, and Joe missed talking with him, having a joke, and griping about Saber and his lack of foresight regarding the farm.
“You ready?” Saber asked.
Things were back to normal with Sly’s dick, so he nodded. “Yep, send in the first three women.
“First lady,” Joe said briskly. “Kiss him gently, like you kissed the balloon. If you wake him, you win a private date with Sly.”
“I can do it,” the blue lady said with confidence. She bent her head and pressed her lips to Sly’s.
Joe watched carefully but she played by the rules. She stood back, and Sly remained still. “Come stand by me,” Joe said, placing her hand on Sly’s arm. Might as well fill Sly with extra heat.
The second lady kissed him. Nothing.
The third. Nothing.
Joe sent the ladies out after plucking flowers from the basket and tucking one each behind their ears. A consolation prize. Saber sent in the next three ladies, and they repeated the process for an entire hour.
Not a single kiss woke Sly, but at least he was warmer now.