Chapter Five

The man between her legs did not stop thrusting right away, he grabbed her hips tighter and pinned his body to her. Lillian was desperate to wiggle away. It was as if she was inside some science fiction movie, staring at the two Tristons, bare chested in front of her.

Finally, she freed herself, and jumped to her feet. Lillian yanked the robe off the desk, and fumbled to cover her body. The newer Triston groaned in frustration, using a hand to brace his body against the wood. Lillian was now backed up into the glass wall.

She closed her eyes and shook her head violently. Hoping that when she opened them, her double vision would be corrected. Sadly, it was not.

“Someone explain what the hell is going on,” she growled.

The men glanced at each other and both shrugged in unison. The simultaneous gesture made her stomach lurch into her throat.

“Alright Atticus, since this was your idea you can explain,” the man in the towel said. He ran his fingers through his jet black hair.

Atticus was covered in the gel from earlier. He looked at her with remorse. Lillian wasn’t sure if it was guilt, or disappointment for being unable to get his dick wet.

The fury was rushing to Lillian’s face as the moment of comprehension flooded her brain.

“Atticus?” she said, her voice was a squeak compared to the anger bubbling inside.

Atticus ran his hand through his hair this time, making Lillian shudder. “We are twins.”

“Yeah I fucking got that part,” she snapped, “Clones seems a little far fucking fetched.”

She tightened the robe over her body and crossed her arms.

“I know this is bad,” Triston tried to explain, “but it is like the book, The Other Brother’s Promise, we thought-”

“Fuck your dirty book club!” she screamed into the room. Her voice echoing against the walls.

Lillian’s eyes were shooting daggers at them both. “Did you really think tricking me into fucking you both was a good idea?”

Both men looked down at the floor and shuffled their feet at the same time. In unison they muttered out to her. “No.”

“I should press charges or something!” she threatened.

“Miss Lilly, please,” Atticus begged, “we took it too far, it was completely wrong of us to-“

“Just shut up,” she snarled and walked quickly to her clothes on the floor. She was still too greasy to attempt to pull her jeans on.

Marching to the door she turned and glared at the men. “I figured this was too good to be true.”

Slamming the door behind her, she clutched the clothes in her hand and stormed down the stairs to the lobby. Both men left staring out of the creepy two way mirror.

Lillian felt like tearing all the decorations off the walls. Her rage was only increasing with every step. When she reached the desk, there were still firemen and employees bustling around the room. A few stopped and gave her a suspicious glance, noticing her lack of outfit, disheveled hair and bare feet. Tobias was busy talking to a man by the front desk, and turned his attention to her when she approached.

“Miss Reed?” he said, surprised.

“I will be canceling my membership Mr. Andeno,” she shouted over her shoulder.

“What-” Tobias stuttered.

“Turns out there was more than one fire to put out today!” she whipped open the door and stepped her bare feet on the concrete sidewalk.


Lillian needed to clean the anger and deceit off her skin. When she reached her apartment, her feet were sore and black with dirt. The cool sensation of the tile was relieving, and she let out a deep breath, throwing her clothes in a pile on the floor next to the couch. The looks she got walking downtown in her condition would have been humiliating, if she wasn’t so furious.

Not wasting any time, she barged into the bathroom, and started a bath. The sound of flowing water drowned out her thoughts, and she slunk down on top of the porcelain seat next to the tub. She put her hands to her face, and ran her fingers up, and into her mane, hunched over staring at her bare knees. She screamed.

“I can’t believe this!” she said into the empty bathroom, “Fucking twins?”

The small bathroom filled with steam from the running water. She knew stepping into the bubblebath would probably scorch her skin, but that's what she wanted.

Entering with both feet and standing, she inhaled sharply from the heat. She sank slowly, submerging her body. Turning off the faucet and leaning back, she looked around her space. Noticing the steam, her thoughts wandered to her first encounter with Triston. She closed her eyes and cried out again.

“Was that even Triston?” she said, “Or was it Atticus?”

Her mind raced. Even their father didn’t know the difference. He thought Atticus was Triston in the lobby. Asking him to go fetch her things for her while she waited in his office. The only thing that told the men apart was her stupid massage gel that was almost impossible to get off.

Replaying the last few weeks, she felt like a fool.

Was he so oblivious the day after the steam room because it wasn’t actually him? Lillian couldn’t stop wondering which brother she had experienced at different times. She was so distracted by his appearance, the way he seemed so genuinely interested in her books. She felt like a slutty fool in one of her novels.

How long were they going to play this game?

Realizing she was fueling her anger, Lillian sank her head under the scalding water. Her dark hair expanded around her. Underneath she let herself go numb. Saturating in the floating sensation seemed to help a little.

When she surfaced, her anger subsided long enough to relax. She laid back and stared at the white ceiling. Running soap across her body. Now a new set of thoughts invaded her brain.

Until the deceit she was high off Triston. Her body quaked from his touch. Lillian had plenty of lovers, but no frat boy had ever made her insides thunder the way they did this afternoon.

Her imagination started to run wild. She ran her hands behind her neck and interlaced her fingers.

Am I sick for wanting both of them?

Everything about the two men was exactly the same. She knew her attraction to Triston was strong, all the recent dirty thoughts she had been experiencing invaded her dreams, even affecting her work.The way her novels had been coming to life with his dedication to reading and learning from them. Lillian huffed, bringing her arms down and slapping the water with both hands. They are two men, not the one she thought she was getting to know.

No. They lied, what they did was wrong.

Eventually the bathwater turned cold. It was time to get out. She pulled the drain and stood, but her eyes caught a glimpse of the bathrobe on the floor. Lux Fit was carefully stitched on the back near the neck. Groaning and reliving the embarrassment, she stopped the drain and turned the hot water back on. Grabbing her wash and loofah, she scrubbed her skin raw.


Two weeks seemed to drag on, Lillian had not returned to the gym. She also had not canceled her membership like she had threatened. Instead, she ran after work around the city streets and local park. The weather was warming, the sounds of spring welcomed her each afternoon. The sunshine was also lasting longer into the evening, which she was grateful for. The rainy days were the only disappointment, though she had been researching treadmills. Her apartment was big enough for most of the newer models.

There had been a few emails from Triston’s account, but she had not opened them. The subject lines were mostly apologies, one was just a dozen sad emojis. Every time she opened her work account she regretted handing Tobias her card.

Now that some time had passed and her emotions had settled, Lillian was thinking much clearer. She did take her copy of The Other Brother’s Promise and threw it in the trash one night. After a few glasses of wine, she retrieved it. She couldn’t bear to throw a good book away.

It was Wednesday morning, and Lillian was busy getting ready for work. Wrapped in a white towel, she stared at her open closet. Searching desperately for something that wasn’t fucking red. She found a short black dress tucked away in the back, and she pulled it out. All her other outfits were in the laundry, she was wearing so much black and white lately she looked like she was going to a daily funeral.

Lillian chuckled to herself. I am in mourning for my sex life.

Once the tight black dress was on, she filled her duffle bag with her workout gear, and pulled on her black stilettos. Giving herself a last glance in her floor length mirror she sighed.

When Lillian arrived at her office, Robin filled her in on her appointment schedule for the day. Wednesdays were usually for client meetings. Nodding at Robin, she muttered her thanks and walked into her office and shut the door. Setting her bag on the floor next to the desk and turning on her computer. Slinking into her chair she crossed her legs and traced her fingers down the point of her black heel. She had thirty minutes before the first fake smile.

Turning her chair she gazed out the window to the city below. It was overcast, and most likely going to rain tonight. Foiling her after work routine. This soured her mood even more.

There was a knock at the door. Lillian didn’t bother to turn.

“Come in,” she said to the glass.

The door opened, and shut quietly.

“Robin, I am going to need the new client file before ten,” Lillian said.

An awkward cough answered her, causing her to turn sharply in her chair. Standing at the front of her desk was one of the Andeno boys. He was wearing a white collared shirt and black pants. A leather belt around his waist tucked everything away neatly. The top two buttons were left open, exposing a glimpse of his strong chest. His head was pointed toward the floor, but his eyes gazed up at her, as if he was scared she would attack him.

Lillian rolled her eyes and moaned. “Do I need to get security?”

She began to reach for her phone, when he lifted his hands in surrender.

“No, Lillian,” he said, “I just need to talk with you.”

“Which one am I speaking with now?” she snapped at him.

“Triston,” he said sadly.

“Okay Triston, you have five minutes,”

Triston shifted his weight from one side to the other, then brought his hand to the back of the chair next to him. He was so uncomfortable, the nervousness was spreading into the room.

“I have been emailing you,” he said.

Lillian remained silent and raised her eyebrows sarcastically.

“I need to apologize to you, to your face,” he stuttered. “I did not know what else to do. We have been thinking about you non stop.”

“Maybe you should put a wig on your brother and you two can play more fucking games together,” she said, the anger returning.

Triston winced as if she slapped him with her words.

“I don’t expect you to forgive us,” he started.

“Us? I don’t see Atticus here?” she growled.

“I told him not to come,” he said, “I didn’t want to upset you anymore with both of us bombarding you.”

“You both didn’t seem to mind bombarding me together a few weeks ago,” she said.

Triston started backing towards the door. “I am sorry, my brother is sorry. I do not have any excuse for our behavior, we got carried away with an idea and looking back at it now, it was-”

“Pretty twisted,” she finished.

“Yeah, twisted,”

Lillian stared at him in silence. Triston pressed his lips hard together. His expression screamed shame, but his eyes remained passionate. She lifted her hand and shewed him away with a scoff.

“I have work to do Triston,” she said sternly, “tell Atticus thanks for the steam room.”

Triston put his finger to his chest, his mouth opened to protest. Angry she reached into her gym bag and threw her copy of The Other Brothers Promise at the door behind him.

The novel made a loud thwack and rested at his feet. Glancing down at the familiar cover, he bent over and picked it up, and slapped it gently in his right hand. Lillian couldn’t help but ogle his strong body as he leaned over. Even in her horrid mood she felt an ache for his strong arms around her. He turned, set the book on the chair by the door, and left her office without a second glance.

At the sound of the door closing Lillian let out a low groan. She was wondering why she still felt like ripping that stupid dress shirt off of him. Her insides felt hollow while watching him walk away, but she couldn’t condone the twins' actions.

She stood up and paced her office floor. Confused at the feelings in her gut, battling with the desires in her mind. When a knock interrupted the silence, she hurried toward the handle.

“Triston-” she said softly.

Robin appeared with a folder in her hand, followed by her first client for the day.

Lillian cleared her throat and smiled. The fakest smile she could muster.


After an hour her meeting had ended. Lillian felt like the clock on the wall was also playing tricks on her. Time dragged on at a slow and dreadful pace. She stood up and stretched her legs, then raised her arms above her head and leaned from left to right. Her body was tense, and her concentration was slipping. This morning's visit was all she had been thinking about.

Deciding a cup of coffee would bring her back to reality, she made her way down the hall to the breakroom. There was a tray of cookies, and a fresh pot of coffee ready for her. She smiled at the cookies, her hand floated inches above them. Lillian let it linger for a moment and pulled away. She was tempted to fill her void with another guilty pleasure, but remembered she wouldn’t be running tonight. Filling her coffee mug instead, she cradled the ceramic in her hands and breathed in the aroma. It filled her nostrils instantly, and immediately made her feel better. It was still too hot to sip, so she carried it through the door and into the hallway.

About halfway down the hall, Robin called out from her desk. Lillian couldn’t hear so she turned her head to ask Robin to repeat herself mid stride. She was approaching Penny’s office door when it opened and Lillian smacked herself hard into what felt like a brick wall. Scalding coffee went flying all over her and the human barrier. The blue mug crashed onto the floor and bounced twice. The handle snapping off and disappearing under a desk.

She pulled at her black dress drenched in the hot liquid. Wanting to rip it off as it seeped painfully into her skin. Lillian looked up to apologize, but she seemed to have swallowed her tongue.

Triston was drenched in the fresh coffee as well. His shirt stained brown from top to bottom in a tie dye pattern. It must have hurt him just as much, but his face was covered in that sly smile.

“You are definitely accident prone, Miss Li-” he stopped. “Reed.”

“Ugh, you are like a bad penny!” she huffed at him.

“You need to update your catch phrases to this decade,” he laughed nervously.

Looking around, everyone's eyes were watching their uncomfortable interaction. Including Penny. She looked horrified at Lillian’s assault on her client.

“I am so sorry Mr. Andeno,” Lillian said, “that was my fault.”

Lillian straightened her dress and bent down to grab the mug off the floor. Just as Triston bent down to do the same, their foreheads collided with a loud smack.

“Not again,” she said, lifting herself up and touching her head.

Triston looked at her in confusion and Lillian scowled realizing that must have been an Atticus encounter.

“God damnit,” she whispered. “Come with me Mr. Andeno and I can at least give you a dry shirt.”

She marched toward her office, swinging the door open in haste. Triston turned around and announced to the onlookers he was okay. With a charming smile and wave, the office was satisfied with his diagnosis and went back to business. He shut the door slowly. Placing the broken mug on the chair next to the book.

Lillian had a box of promotional shirts tucked away in the bottom of a shelf. She bent over and pulled at the cardboard. She could feel Triston’s stare glued to her ass. She looked over her shoulder and squinted her eyes.

“Really?”

“I am sorry,” he said. “It’s just that dress…”

He stumbled on the words and decided to remain quiet while she looked through the tees.

Triston approached the box slowly. Lillian could not stop herself from holding her breath as he got closer.

He unbuttoned his shirt as she tossed the clothing around looking for a larger fit. There were only kid sizes on top. Damnit. Triston peeled away the coffee stained garment and placed it on the chair. Lillian was doing everything she could not to glance at his chest.

Triston grabbed her hand, he could read her like a dirty book. He brought his lips to her wrist and kissed it gently. Lillian finally met his desperate look. Her resentment was melting away faster than the cold weather outside. Triston brought her hand to his bare skin and she felt his heart beating rapidly. She was losing her willpower with every beat on her palm.

“Miss Lilly, please forgive me,” he whispered and stepped closer.

“Forgive us” she said in a low tone.

Triston’s eyes widened at her words. He seemed confused at what she was impling.

“You both have been very bad boys, and I still haven’t decided if I want to forgive either of you,” she said, warmer than before.

“We would do anything,” he pleaded, a smile forming in the corners of his mouth.

“I will have to think about this Triston,” she said.

“Of course,” he agreed, “please come back to the gym, we miss seeing you there.”

Lillian couldn’t stifle her laugh. “Oh I bet.”

The smell of coffee reminded her of her bare chested client, and the office waiting for them outside. Retracting her hand and reaching deep in the box, she pulled out a red shirt and offered it to him. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her close, planting his lips against hers. Lillian did not fight him, and was instantly transported back to their last office embrace. Triston started lifting the hem of her damp dress.

She pulled away quickly. “No, not here, with all those people out there.”

A disappointed look crossed his face, but he nodded in agreement. “When will we see you again?”

“I still have some thinking to do, remember?” she slipped him a small grin.

Triston walked to her desk and grabbed a pen, he grabbed her arm again in his hand and scribbled on it quickly.


“This is my cell, and this,” he scribbled again, “is Atticus.”

“Whatever you decide,” he said, letting his sentence trail off.

Lillian watched as he pulled the tee shirt over his head. It was too tight, and looked plastered on his frame. He backed away from her carefully, acting as though a sudden movement would ruin her change of heart.

Lillian smiled widely at him, and Triston’s eyes filled with hope, oblivious to the front of his new outfit.

The words Spoiled Little Princess sparkled in silver across his chest.

She followed him to the door and waved kindly at him, watching the man walk happily out to the busy streets below. Turning around she noticed his coffee stained shirt still lying abandoned on the chair. Lillian broke out into laughter.