Paying Their Piper with Passion and Love [Loving in Silver 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Lynn Stark

So much so they could have been sisters with their porcelain skin, auburn hair, and enormous gray eyes.
    What could possibly have gone wrong with the relationship between the three? They were obviously in love, and obviously cared for one another, which didn’t always go hand in hand.
    “They want children,” Colt told her in a low voice, as if he knew exactly what Piper was thinking about. “Marriage and children.”
    “Oh.” It was so completely inadequate, but all she could come up with in her sudden shock. Piper cleared her throat. “And you don’t want those things?” she asked carefully, looking at him closely.
    Colt laughed without humor. “Believe it or not, I haven’t given it much thought. Not until recently. Now it’s all I do think about.” The man looked so miserable all she wanted to do was hug him. “I honestly don’t know what to do.”
    “And then there’s Mink,” Piper said softly.
    “Yes, there’s Mink. There’s a lot going on there that I can’t talk about right now. I don’t want to hurt him.” Colt took a long breath then let it out. “I’m not used to feeling this sense of helplessness, of confusion. I’ve always been a man to make quick decisions, to know exactly what I want.”
    “They’re both wonderful women. The first time I met them I couldn’t help but be captivated by their warmth. They both practically sparkle.”
    A chuckle escaped Colt. “Yeah, they do tend to sparkle. They are vibrant, passionate, and generous women. Being with them has been a remarkable experience.”
    The server bringing a basket of hot rolls interrupted their conversation. They ordered their meal without bothering with the menu. Once he was gone they picked up where they had left off.
    “I can tell how much they matter to you,” Piper said carefully, covering his hand with hers. “I think you should seriously consider committing to both of them. Maybe it won’t be marriage, but that’s not such a big deal here in Silver. You said yourself that most people in ménages are bound by commitment ceremonies.”
    “There are two of them. I’ll be up to my ears in babies in no time.”
    Piper’s lips twitched. “Would you really hate that so much?”
    “I don’t know. I never gave that any thought, either.”
    “Were you planning on being a bachelor forever?”
    “This is embarrassing as hell to admit to, but I just never gave serious thought to any of it.”
    Piper wanted to laugh, but held it back. It would have been unkind. The man was so miserable and confused that he was completely unlike the confident man she had always known.
    “Okay, one last question. Do you love them?”
    Colt didn’t hesitate. “Love? Yes, I love them. Am I in love with them, is a completely different question. I would think if I was, I wouldn’t have to think about it at all.”
    “Then maybe this time apart is a good thing for the three of you,” Piper said sagely, finally reaching for a dinner roll. “It will give you time to sort out your feelings for one another.”
    She didn’t mention Mink again. She didn’t know what kind of relationship Colt had with her brother, or if they even had a relationship. But she did believe there was something going on between the two men. What, she had no clue.
    Piper did hope it all worked itself out soon. Colt looked positively miserable, which was strange to see on a man who was always supremely confident.
    Thinking about her friend’s problems made her think less about her own. There was the constant worry that her father would show up and try to take her back to California. Going back was out of the question, of course. She would never go back permanently. Douglas Barrows had to see that she was no longer willing to be browbeaten into complying with his every wish and whim. He also had to see that she deserved a life, even if it was fraught with danger. Perhaps being the daughter of an extremely wealthy man did make her a target of sorts for unscrupulous