Page 13 of My Ex's Billionaire Brothers

Hunter shifts in the middle row, twisting around to grin at her. “Oh? Anything in particular that struck your fancy, sweetheart?”

Her face turns scarlet. She clutches the seam of her sweater. “I don’t know. Everyone looked so free. Like they were living out loud, not caring what anyone thought.”

I exchange a glance with Hunter, and he gives a quick, mischievous smirk. Then my eyes flick to the rearview mirror, where Theo’s gaze meets mine, his dark brown eyes steady. The three of us share a silent understanding that this is averyslippery slope. Anya is vulnerable—hurt by Calvin’s rejection. But she’s alsohungryfor something new, for the side of herself she’s kept locked away.

I clear my throat, letting my hand rest lightly on the edge of her seat. “You’ve always been so good and proper, huh?”

“Yes,” she says, voice almost a whisper. “And I’m tired of it. I want to break free of that. I—” She swallows, lips parted. “That’s why I went to Sins in the first place. I wanted revenge, yes, but…I also wanted tosee…stuff.”

She halts, as though startled by her own honesty. The protective part of me wants to shield her from judgment, from heartache, from everything. The dom in me wants to coax her toward the experiences she’s been denied.

And that’s the problem.

I know it’s a terrible idea to pursue my brother’s ex. But the thought of helping her discover her hidden self stirs an undeniable thrill in me.

“And how do you plan to do that?” I ask gently.

She presses her lips together, scanning each of our faces in turn. “I…don’t know. I’ve never done anything like that. I’ve barelytried anything beyond…” She hesitates, looking down. “Well, vanilla,” she finishes in a mumble.

I share another look with Hunter, who arches an eyebrow, a silent invitation for me to do what I do best. Our gazes flit to Theo. He’s the logical, business-minded one, the one who keeps us grounded. But all I see in the mirror is a curt nod from him, as if granting permission for something we all know is ill-advised.

I’ll take it.

I exhale, turning toward Anya and leaning in slightly. “You’re new to things beyond vanilla, but you’re curious. And you want to break out of that ‘good girl’ persona.” I pause, letting the idea take shape in my mind. “We can help with that, if you let us.”

She blinks. Her breathy voice goes softer. “What does that mean?”

“Right now, you’re stuck in limbo—between Boston and Castle Beach, between the life Calvin dictated and the one youreallywant.”

Her eyes widen, and I know I’ve hit on what she’s feeling—that sense ofnot belonginganywhere. Her voice trembles. “Yes…”

“That’s where we come in,” I say, voice pitched low enough that it feels almost private, despite Hunter and Theo being here. “We’ve got this whole road trip ahead of us. No real schedule, aside from eventually getting you home in time for the holiday. We can experiment. Let you try things. No strings attached, no judgment. If you change your mind, we stop.” I spread my hands in a shrug that belies my heart pounding like a jackhammer. “We’re more than capable of showing you what’s out there. It’s what we do.”

She’s silent for a long beat, absorbing the weight of my offer. I know this is a bad idea. But when it comes to Anya Markoff, all I have are bad ideas.

The night I first saw her wasn’t when Calvin introduced her to us. It was a fundraiser for a children’s hospital—one of those black-tie events we’re expected to attend to keep Mom happy. I was standing off to one side of the silent auction, bored out of my mind, scrolling through my phone. Then I saw a stunning brunette across the room, wearing a sleek burgundy dress, her wavy hair pinned back to one side, cheeks flushed with delight at the lively conversation around her. She was breathtaking, so different from the cold, orchestrated women I usually found at these functions.

More than that, she laughed. Fully tossing her head back, nothing guarded about it. It was unrestrained, unrefined, and utterly magnetic. She was a beacon in a dark sea, and I was drawn to her.

I was about to cross the room, determined to introduce myself, when Calvin materialized at my elbow. “Who are you looking at like that?”

I pointed her out. “The burgundy dress. That’s the kind of woman youmarry.”

He gave a noncommittal hum, as if unbothered. Then he pointed to one of the donors near the stage, telling me I needed to speak to him about some philanthropic project Mom was heading. I turned to handle that business for what felt like only a minute or two.

When I looked back, Calvin was already at her side, making her laugh. The next thing I knew, they were dancing in the ballroom across the hall.

I tried to mask my frustration, telling myself I should have spoken to her faster. But inside, I was pissed. He’d done it deliberately. It felt like a betrayal of the unspoken code among brothers—not to swoop in on someone the other obviously wanted to get to know.

Now, looking at Anya’s face, I remember that immediate sensation I had of her beingthe kind of woman you marry.Someone sweet, passionate, and real. Her beguiling laugh still haunts me. Which is why this arrangement is dangerous.

I’m well aware she’s vulnerable right now, and I should be the last person messing around with her. Yet my instincts won’t stay silent, especially when she’s practically begging to explore who she really is.

She’s bright red, eyes darting between me and the back of Theo’s headrest. When she speaks, her voice comes out in a rush. “So…you’re saying, like, during this trip, I could try stuff? And you three would help me figure it out?”

Hunter chuckles softly. “Why not? We’re all consenting adults here. If you decide you want to push your boundaries, we guide you. Show you how to do it safely. No one’s forcing you. No hard feelings if you say no. But this is your chance to experience something like what we do at Sins without feeling like you’re free-falling in a public place. It’syourcall.”

I nod. “Exactly. No strings, no expectations. No consequences. If, at the end of the road trip, you want to go back to the quiet,polite Anya, that’s fine. But if you want to break free…” I let my voice trail off.