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cowboy. Children?”
    Ethan shrugged. “It’s inevitable. And for their sakes, the three of us have to form a unit. Gabriel and I have a duplex on Central Park West. You live in Hell’s Kitchen. Time would be wasted going back and forth. And your place is too small for the three of us. Our duplex has plenty of space.”
    She said, “What do you know about my apartment?”
    “How do you think we found you, sugar? We hired a private detective to do some research for us. He found your mom, and he found you.” Gabriel played with her fingers. “Don’t you want children?”
    “So that’s what the phony scene in the office was, a pick up?”
    Ethan shifted impatiently. “It wasn’t phony. His information on you sounded hopeful, but your pictures were unclear. Full helmet and glasses. Meeting you in person was the first step. If we hadn’t been interested, we’d move on.”
    Her mouth dropped open. “D’you know how arrogant you sound?”
    He stared at her down his nose. “Should I have sent you a formal invitation? We didn’t have time to waste on some elaborate courtship. It was blindingly clear you knew nothing about who we were. This was the most convenient and expedient plan.”
    “Wow. That’s some charm school patter you’ve got there, Ethan.” She snorted.
    Gabriel glared at his friend. As he tilted Mariella’s chin toward him, he spoke in a soothing voice. “I know what we’re telling you sounds odd, and that we’ve hit you out of the blue, but all we want is a trial. Ethan gets bossy. Give us six months.”
    “Six months! Are you crazy?”
    “Three?”
    “One!”
    “Done!” Ethan barked. “Starting tonight.”
    She put up a hand. “Wait.”
    Gabriel smiled. “Mariella. Live with us for one, short month, and let us find out if we three are meant to be mated. If so, we’re all better off. If not, the worst that can happen is that you have an adventure. A really nice adventure. With more meals at Insatiable.” He stroked her cheek and stared into her panicky eyes. “Say yes.”

Chapter Three
    Both men held their breath as she dropped her gaze. Her lowered eyelids and thick lashes hid her thoughts, but her teeth worried her bottom lip. Her pulse raced as Gabriel’s thumb stroked her inner wrist. “All right.” She saw Ethan’s hand unclench on the tabletop. He picked up his wineglass and swallowed a huge gulp.
    “Sweetheart, you’ve made us very happy.” Gabriel kissed her wrist. “And we plan to return the favor, as soon as we can.” Her big silver eyes flew to his, and a blush swept over her face.
    “I should tell you—” She stopped, unable to decide what to say.
    “What?” Ethan spoke in a quiet but commanding voice.
    She slanted a glance at him and changed her mind. She could fill them in on her lack of expertise later. “My mother never said anything. Why did she run away? And why did she lie to me?”
    The darker man studied her. “I don’t know. You should ask her.”
    Mariella nodded noncommittally. She picked up her fork and began eating again. “I’ll have to pack up my things, clean out my apartment. That will take a few days.” She sighed.
    “We’ll send someone to take care of it.” Ethan’s arrogant tone was back, and she glared at him. He quirked an eyebrow at her. “You agreed to move in with us for a month, starting tonight.” He leaned closer. “Thirty-one days. And nights.”
    “Thirty!”
    He laughed. “Still negotiating? Okay, thirty. I think we’ll know long before that. And you’ve got everything you’ll need with you now.”
    “I’ll need clothes.”
    Ethan’s eyes glittered. “Not really.” He sipped his wine and slid his gaze over her body.
    She blushed again.
    “We’ll buy anything you need.” Gabriel murmured in her ear, then kissed her cheek. He sat back, eating from his own plate. “That’ll be fun.”
    “I don’t need you to buy me clothes. I’ve got clothes. In my apartment.” She caught them exchanging glances