Chapter Two: Warm
The morning sun blinded me when I opened my eyes. It reminded me that I had not had that much to drink in a long time. However, did I get home? My cheeks flushed when I remembered pressing my body against Connor's. I looked down at myself. I was still dressed in the clothes from the night before.
I grabbed my head in my hands and walked out of my bedroom. I didn't remember climbing into bed or taking off my shoes. I opened my eyes when I walked into the living room. I smiled when I saw Connor sleeping soundly on the couch.
I made my way quietly into the kitchen and fumbled in the cabinets. I found an old bottle of Tylenol and poured a glass of water from the sink. I took more than the recommended dose. I jumped when I heard a tap at the door.
"Morning, Katie," Murphy greeted me when I opened the door. I stared at him for a moment. "Ye gonna let me in?"
"Sorry," I opened the door wider. "How can you possibly be standing? You drank more than me."
"I'm Irish, lass," he said, "And you've been away for a while." He gave me an impish grin. I closed the door behind him. Connor was sitting up on the couch now rubbing his eyes.
"Not that I don't appreciate the company," I started, "But why are you here so early."
"Neighborhoods not safe like it was," Murphy said, "Couldn't leave you here with the door unlocked."
"Aye," Connor agreed, "Couldn't leave Murphy here alone with you. He'd ravish you in your sleep." I felt my cheeks flush again. It was an interesting thought.
"She wanted to," Murphy stated and set his bags down on the table.
"I did?" I responded. The events of the night before were still a little cloudy.
"See can't have you taking advantage of our sweet Katie," Connor stated.
"I wasn't taken advantage of her," Murphy shoved Connor, "She grabbed my cock."
"She grabbed mine too, little brother," Connor pushed Murphy back.
"Shut it! Ma never told us who was older, Connor," Murphy shouted. It was a fight I'd heard them have all the time. Annabelle McManus would hold that piece of information over their heads to her grave. I stifled a laugh.
"Stop it both of you," I pushed them to their neutral corners. "What difference does it make who's older?" I fumbled a cigarette from its pack and flicked an empty lighter. It didn't take long for both of them to open their Zippos and offer me a light. I leaned in and took a drag. I looked at both of them.
"Sorry," they both looked at me with their blue eyes. I couldn't stay angry with them long. I stood up and walked back toward my bedroom.
"Where ya going, Katie?" Murphy asked.
"I've got to work this morning," I replied. I stopped in the doorway and looked back at them. "Last night is still a little hazy. When I fuck you I want to remember it." Their jaws dropped and I quickly closed the door behind me.
I let the water from the shower cascade down my body. I showered and dressed quickly. I smiled to myself wondering what the boys were talking about in the other room.
"Tá sí fós álainn," I heard Connor say from through the door. I flushed remembering their mother taught me a little Gaelic. Beautiful sounded so much better in another language.
"Cén fáth nach raibh againn a fuck riamh di roimhe seo?" Murphy asked. His cheeks flushed when I walked back in the room. I threw a book just missing the dodging head of Murphy.
"She's got us," Connor said, "Ma taught her too."
"For that I think you owe me breakfast," I took the cigarette out of Murphy's lips and put it in my own. I grabbed my keys and purse off the counter and headed for the door. The McManus brothers quickly followed.
I sat down in the booth. Murphy took the seat across from me and Connor slid into the seat beside me. He was so close our legs touched. He draped his arm around my shoulders.
"Interesting tattoos," I said noticing the VERITAS tattooed on Connor's left index finger.
"Do you still have yours?" Murphy asked pushing up the sleeve of my left arm.
"It's not like it was a rub on," I replied. He traced the curves of the Celtic knot tattoo on my inner arm. Connor and Murphy had matching Celtic cross tattoos on their forearms. "That one's new too." I ran my finger down the Virgin Mary tattoo on Connor's neck.
"A lot's changed since you left, Katie," Connor said.
"Not what's important," I squeezed Murphy's hand. "You boys haven't changed much."
"When can we see ya again, Katie?" Murphy asked me as they walked me out the diner.
"I should be done with work at 6," I answered.
"Where ya working?" Connor asked.
"At the bank," I glanced down at my watch, "I better be going or I won't be working there long."
I made my way to the First Bank of Boston. I mundanely cashed checks and handled deposits. I thought of my two boys most of the day.
"There are two hot Irish men waiting for you outside," Mary, the other teller, said. I smiled and locked my drawer.
"We missed you too, Katie," Connor pulled me to him and kissed my lips.
"Where's mine?" Murphy asked pulling me towards him.
"Slow down," I said, "Give me a chance to breathe."
"Sorry," Murphy responded. "Where ye want ta go?"
"Ruth's?" I said. "I haven't had a good piece of steak in ages."
"Aye," Connor said, "Was worried ya stopped eating meat."
"I love meat," I winked at them. We walked to Connor's Honda Civic. Murphy raced and opened the door for me. Connor quickly shoved him out of the way.
"Get in the back, Murph," he said.
"Damn it, Connor," Murphy reluctantly climbed in the back seat, latching the front seat.
"I could have sat back there," I said, "No reason Murphy has to be cramped."
Connor started the engine. "I like sitting next to you better." He tilted his mirror down and smiled. He had angled it so he could get a view of my cleavage. I softly hit him in the arm and readjusted the mirror.
"Had to try now didn't I, Katie?" he laughed and we pulled into the restaurant parking lot. He ran around and opened the door for me. He closed it again before Murphy could climb out.
"What the fuck?" Murphy shouted. I opened the door for him.
We were escorted to a booth by the host. Connor and Murphy sat down facing each other and slid to the wall. I looked from one to the other and took my seat next to Murphy. He pulled me close to him.
"Don' be mad at me, Katie," Connor said. I smiled wide.
"I couldn't be mad at you," I responded. I felt Murphy's hand on my knee. I ordered my steak and salad. His hand crept up and settled on my inner thigh. I closed my eyes when he crept closer. He grazed his fingers across my core. The barrier of my pants was not enough. I bit my lip to keep from crying out.
"Stop it, Murph," Connor yelled.
"Wha' she likes it. Don't ya, Katie?" Murphy responded. I opened my eyes. I took his hand in mine and laid it on the table. I could breathe again.
"Here's not the place for that," I responded. We laughed and enjoyed our meal. Murphy helped me on with my jacket and took my arm as we walked out of the restaurant. I laced my fingers into Connor's. I wasn't sure I what game they were playing with me but I wanted to play along.
"McGinty's?" Connor said climbing back in the driver's seat.
"Not for me," I replied, "I can't stay out drinking all night again."
"Ok," he responded, "Where ya wanna go?"
"Home," I said.
"We can do dat," Murphy chimed from the backseat.
"I didn't say you were coming with me," I smiled. The car pulled to a stop and I opened my door and climbed out.
"Don't tell ma I let you do that," Connor said.
"What?" I asked.
"A lady should never open her own door," he responded. Murphy climbed from the backseat and took my arm.
"I'll be walking her up," Murphy said. He shoved me a head leaving his brother standing there leaning against the car. I turned when I got to my door and looked Murphy in the eye. I laced my fingers through his dark hair and lifted myself up and kissed him.
"You know that question you asked this morning?" I softly asked.
"Wha'?" he responded.
"You asked why we didn't fuck before," I replied. I felt my cheeks get warm.
"Oh yeah," he said.
"I didn't want to choose," I replied.
He started down the stairs, then turned and looked back at me. "Katie?"
"Yes?" I responded.
"You don't have to choose." He continued down the stairs.
Both of them, that was a thought that kept me warm the rest of the night.