Hired Hands by Wendi Darlin
The Wilder Rose Press, Scarlet Rose
Contemporary
Short Story,  M/F, M/F/M, ménage
Review by Poppy

Out of respect for her late husband, Cole has denied his attraction to Nora. Until his identical twin, Jesse, makes a move that Cole never dared. Finding the woman he wants in his brother’s arms spurs Cole into action. He's willing to let Nora have both him and his brother. Once. Then he's staking his claim.

♥ ♥ ♥

Oh. My. This amazingly well-written, unbelievably hot story is one for the keeper shelf.  Wendi Darlin has once again proven she's an erotic romance author who belongs on an auto-buy.  I have to admit to being very cautious when I approach a ménage -- they can be good or bad, depending on how they are written.

This one was very, very well written.  Believable.  Understandable.  Hot.  Romantic.  Did I say hot?

When Nora is caught fantasizing about Cole by his twin brother, Jesse, she doesn't have a moment to think before Jesse has her in his arms.  They both know Cole is due at the house at any moment to have the payroll signed.  Jesse doesn't care--in fact, that's part of his plan.  And Nora...she's both mortified at the thought and terrifically turned on by the fantasy of having them both.  Together.  It's something that's never occurred to her before, but now she can't get it out of her head.  And what happens when Cole walks into the kitchen and catches his brother and the woman he secretly loves is one of the best scenes I've ever read.

Wendi Darlin writes the hottest, most emotional, well choreographed ménage scene I've read.  And, I'll admit, I read this more than once before reviewing it.  I imagine it's a story I'll return to again.  As always, with these short stories I love, my only complaint is that they just aren't long enough.  If you like romance along with your sex, and really enjoy a good threesome, I can't recommend this story highly enough.

Kudos to Ms. Darlin for her remarkably well-penned story, and now... please excuse me while I head out to find more of her backlist.