Hidden Pleasures - Brenda Jackson [28]
He and Eli had come straight from their parents’ home where everyone had congregated for dinner. All six sons had been present and accounted for, grudgingly or otherwise. Over the years he and his brothers had figured their mother insisted on her Thursday-night dinners as a way to show her sons that although their father had once behaved like them when it came to women, after meeting her all that had come to an end. In other words, she was allowing them to see with their own eyes that a man who’d been known for his whorish ways could fall in love one day, marry and be true to one woman for the rest of his days. Like Drew Steele.
It didn’t take long being in their parents’ presence to see just how much in love they were. He and his brothers had always known from the time they were able to walk and talk that Drew adored his Eden. And after nearly thirty-five years of marriage nothing about that had changed.
But what his mother refused to understand was that in her sons’ eyes, she was one in a million. The woman who’d brought Drew Steele to heel. She was in a class by herself and there wasn’t another woman like her. But most important if there was, the Steele brothers weren’t looking for her at the moment. They enjoyed their womanizing ways. There were benefits to not settling down with one woman, but Eden Steele refused to see that.
“Here.”
Galen turned his head. Eli had prepared the paper and was holding it out to him.
He couldn’t help but smile. “Thanks, man,” he said, taking the paper and scanning it. The wording was simple and legal. All he had to do was sign it.
“Whoa, hey, you owe me big. And don’t think you won’t get billed. For after-hours services, too.”
“Whatever.”
“And I’m beginning to question your logic when it comes to women, Galen. Are you sure this woman doesn’t mean anything to you?”
Galen lifted his head and glanced over at his brother. Very funny. She’s a woman. They all mean something to me.”
Eli rolled his eyes. “I’m not talking about all women. I’m referring to this particular one. Brittany Thrasher. The one you signed over a house to. The same one whose name I’ve seen a lot over the past couple of days.”
Galen was silent for a few moments and then he leveled with his brother. “Okay, she’s different, Eli. I can’t put my finger on why, but I need this week with her.”
“To teach you manners?”
Galen smiled. When he’d spelled out the terms of the agreement to his brother, Eli had looked at him like he was crazy. Any son of the eloquent and sophisticated Eden Tyson Steele had impeccable manners. Whether he displayed them or not was something else.
“Manners and whatever else she wants to throw into the class sessions,” Galen replied.
Eli rubbed his jaw. “Hmm, maybe I need a class in manners, as well.”
Galen’s eyes darkened. “Don’t even think it. We’ve never shared before and we won’t be doing it now. If you even make an attempt, my head won’t be the one that will get smashed. Yours will. I’ll personally see to it.”
Eli laughed. “Sounds like someone has acquired a jealous streak.”
“Think whatever you want. Just remember what I said.”
A few minutes later, after leaving Eli’s office, Galen got in his car and stretched his neck to work out the kinks. He did not have a jealous streak. If anything he had a protective streak. Who wouldn’t after hearing the tear-jerking story Brittany had shared with that other woman? He knew the story, although he’d eavesdropped to hear it.
He knew what the house meant to her, her biological mother’s last gift, and although he had a reputation when it came to women, he still had a heart. He could still be compassionate when it came to some things, thanks to having Eden for a mother. So for him to have signed the house over to Brittany made perfect sense. At least to his Eden Steele genes. On the other hand, pursuing Brittany for the purpose of sharing his bed was true to his father’s genes.
Galen knew he and his brothers had been blessed to have their parents. Brittany had never known her mother, and the house was her only connection