I Remember Nothing, But I Have Four Husbands

"You are just like your Father. Like a restless dog..."

Isabelle had a dream the previous night.

There was a middle-aged woman standing before her with a distorted face. She was scolding Isabelle for something the latter had done or said. Isabelle was not really sure the reason why she was being scolded, but she could take a guess. A restless dog… That was enough to tell her that she had always been like that… Pawing at this tree to then move on to the next one in a short period of time.

Or to put it in better terms, she was the type of person who could easily fall in love, even with several men at the same time.

But, could the brothers be considered trees? Were they not also strange for being interested in the same woman and willing to share her between themselves?

Anyway, thanks to the dream, she realized that being interested in several men at the same time was not that bad or unusual. Or at least it was not for her. Was it not just a matter of having a bigger heart to share her love with several people? People loved their parents, their siblings, closest relatives, and could even have several lovers throughout their life.

Why, then, can I not love several men at the same time?

Right, maybe claiming it was love was a bit too far-fetched at the moment. Nevertheless, having the hots for several handsome men was not bad.

The gentle and caring Ethan, the quiet and honest Lucas, the cheerful and lovely Felix, and the sharp and intense Joseph. There was an amalgam of personalities that got her interest in the four brothers. Furthermore, she already had a taste of the quiet Lucas, who very straightforwardly took what he wanted and said what he felt. She wondered what would happen with the other brothers…

"Stop daydreaming!"

"Ah!" Isabelle rubbed her flicked forehead and pitifully looked at Joseph.

"Gimme." He stretched his hand, so she passed him the stake for the 30cm-tall flower bed he was building.

The soil in the courtyard was not suitable for gardening, that was why a box had to be built to plant the flowers with the soil from the mountains mixed the sandy and loamy soil and the mulch from the patch Joseph had brought. And, although he was not that optimistic, he hoped the lavender accepted the new soil.

Lucas was sent once again into the mountains to get more of that chalky soil and more lavender stalks for the considerably big flower bed Joseph was building. It was going to be divided in two for easier watering, and encompassed the other half of the front yard, opposite from the tree.

Joseph had claimed that if Isabelle wanted a garden, then he would build the best only for her. That was really sweet of him in her opinion. Now, if only he could stop being rude to his beautiful assistant. Though, she was not complaining that much as she stared at his extremely dashing countenance while he hammered the stakes into the ground.

Joseph and Ethan shared the same lean yet muscly body that hid strength in it. The type of body she desired to touch and feel up if they were truly just muscle or if there was some meat in them. Accompanying those thoughts were Joseph's previous comment about bed sounds and her own raunchy dreams.

First, she dreamed of Joseph tearing loud sounds out of her, then she dreamed of Lucas flipping her this and that way with his strong arms and powerful legs…

"The other one." Joseph demanded, stretching his hand.

"Ah… yes!" Isabelle reacted.

Why do I have to remember those dreams when I am with him? That is asking to starve oneself!

"Ok, we're done with this." He declared after he finished nailing the stake in the ground. For the time being, there was only one flower bed that would hold the lavender stalks. The garden would grow the more flowers they collected in the future. "Now, the soil."

He started pulling the vats of soil he had already mixed closer. In order to free the baskets so Lucas could use them today, the soil and the lavender stalks were put in unused vats that were also pulled closer. Once the soil was poured in the flower bed, it was fertilized, and finally the lavender was planted.

"It looks..." Isabelle had no words to express the scenery in front of her.

Joseph laughed at her expression. "Bare, yes. There're only a few of 'em, and you chose the flower that ain't in bloom yet."

"Uh… Should I have picked a blooming one, then?" Frankly, she did not know much about flowers; only the name of a few. She just wanted to see a garden with flowers blooming throughout the different seasons. In other words, she wanted to have a perennial garden in bloom. How amazing would that be?! Yet seeing the lonely, not-yet blooming lavender cooled her enthusiasm.

"Don't be silly, it ain't a good idea to transplant flowers in bloom." Joseph quickly countered her suggestion.

"Eh? But you said..." She trailed off, noticing the mischievous smirk he sported. "Were you teasing me?!" She cried out in frustration. His laugh was all the confirmation Isabelle needed. She frowned and pouted in anger.

Why is he treating me as if I am stupid and ignorant?!

Well, she was ignorant when it came to plants, but not stupid for her not to learn! He was being too mean! Harrumphing, she turned around and decided to ignore him. She had no idea how to deal with someone who treated her so meanly. However, she could not remain angry for even a minute before she felt the heat from his body hovering on her back.

"Don't get angry. 'twas a bad joke." He purred by her ear. That ear definitely melted with his hot breath. She could even imagine his narrowed eyes heatedly staring at her.

Heavens above, they are not even trying to hide their desire anymore!

"I, I will go make lunch!" Isabelle stiltedly said in a high-pitched voice. It was true that they were alone in the house with Ethan in town working, Lucas looking for flowers in the mountain, and Felix watering the patch of land, but that did not mean they could get frisky! They had to show some restrain! At least, for appearance's sake.

His intense gaze followed her retreating figure until she entered the kitchen. Ethan had warned him against voicing out more of his lewd thoughts with Isabelle present. That was the same as telling Joseph to stop being himself. He could be serious, yes, but most of the time he was flirty, bordering on slutty, with women.

Furthermore, she did not seem to be that reticent to his mild teasing. She only was trying to act all proper and decent. Oh, but how Joseph identified a fellow wanton person when he saw one. Maybe he had to push a bit more.

Isabelle, for her part, managed to calm down her galloping heart inside the kitchen. She actually did not really need to make lunch. She only had to reheat the meal Felix and her prepared in the morning: sautéed vegetables with meat for Ethan and Lucas' lunch. There was also the broth where she cooked the meat for them to eat.

Isabelle had woken up earlier than usual and dragged Felix out of the bed just to cook that. She was not sure if she ever cooked before arriving to that humble house, but she did have a talent for cooking if she had to say so herself. At least, she had imagination.

… And she also had the talent to attract horny bees.

"Isabelle, I wanna eat ya for lunch instead." Joseph, very much like a hooligan, silently entered the kitchen and trapped her in his arms with a back hug. His hands roamed along her sides and lingered a bit on her wide hips as if enjoying the curves found there. He seemed to be enjoying her body too much, pinching here and there, his breath becoming very heavy behind her.

It was all well and good to be liked, and to be told those welcomed suggestive words. More so, to be desired that passionately by the brothers she desired back, but Joseph…

…your hands… ah~ yes, touch me more… No! No! Wait!…

Her mind was ordering her to stop his hands from roaming too much, yet her body was honestly responding to his touch. The word 'protest' gone and forgotten. Surprisingly and contrary to his rude and intense personality, he was very careful in handling a woman. His hands knew how to hold a woman's breasts and deliciously fondle them…

Ah! No! Do not pinch my nipple like that!

She quickly took back what she thought as she bit on her lips to not let out a sinful sound. He was a bit forceful, but it still felt good.

Hm? Where is your hand going? Oh Lord!

She sharply gasped. "Joseph..." She lowly admonished him and grabbed his hand that was being too naughty in between her legs.

"What? Ya don't like it?" He drawled as he pointedly rubbed a bit more, her hand not able to do anything to stop him. At that point, was she even trying to stop him? "You wet already?" He devilishly chuckled.

"This… ah!" Her retort became a moan as his fingers continued teasing.

Do not say something so obvious! Of course, I am wet, but it is not necessary to say it in my face!

Her complaints completely died in her mouth as he flicked her nipple just like how he flicked her forehead a while ago. She also gave up in trying to stop him and just threw her head back on his shoulder as his fingers continued pressing over her clothes. He took advantage of her action and started kissing and nipping her neck.

He marveled at her swift pliant attitude, but was not so surprised. He only wished he had done things his way and not how Ethan said and done what he was doing way earlier. After all… "You enjoyin' yerself, aren't ya?" He asked as he slowly started untying her skirt.

She had no means to reply, or even think, when her mind was full of naughty thoughts and expectations of what he would do once her clothes were out of the way. Her knees became weak when the skirt fell to floor. She only had enough strength to open her legs to welcome him.

"I…"

"Belle!" Felix's shout interrupted not only what she was going to say, but her moment with Joseph, too. She heard Joseph click his tongue displeased and quickly stopped what he was doing.

Isabelle admitted at that moment that she felt a great sense of loss when his heat and his hands disappeared from her body. Though, her mind reminded her that they were not alone anymore and she reacted when she heard Felix's running steps getting closer to the kitchen, so she quickly arranged her disarrayed clothes and hair.

"Belle!" Felix yelled as he entered the kitchen. "I caught a few fish. Let's cook it… ah, I forgot we already cooked lunch. For tomorrow, then! I'll still go clean them." As fast as Felix appeared, he left. He really was a bundle of energy.

She glanced at Joseph who was calmly putting some firewood in the stove to lit it as if it had not been him who had been touching her a moment ago. He even had the nerve to look at her, wickedly smile, and lick his fingers in a very suggestive way. Isabelle felt her face heating up, and her heart beating like crazy.

This hooligan is teasing me again! But I am not one to take this laying down!

She leaned down, grabbed his hand and also licked the fingers he had just taken out of his mouth. His eyes widened in surprise, and she felt very accomplished. She even impishly pecked him and ran away next.

"Fuck!" He cursed behind her back, making her smile.

See if you tease me again!

Lunch was a noisy affair with Joseph nitpicking on Felix, and the latter not knowing how he earned the ire of his brother. Isabelle secretly smiled and even stole a few glances at Joseph; more than once he was also looking back at her, so they shared a few heated looks. Then, as Joseph volunteered to do the dishes, she felt their moment was over.

Full from lunch, she started getting sleepy so she went to lay down. She was waking up early and moving around more, so it was normal for her still recovering self to ask for a nap.

Isabelle had just gotten comfortable on her bed, almost drifting off, when a hungry beast suddenly assaulted her, trapping her on the bed with his weight while her lips were desperately devoured. Without even opening her eyes, she knew it was Joseph.

His lips expertly parted hers and a restless tongue introduced itself in her mouth to taste everything it could find inside. Her hands looked for something to grab on, or for leverage, yet he held them and pinned them above her head, intertwining their fingers.

She tried her best to keep up with his pace but it was futile, he was too demanding, too intense. Just when she felt dizzy from the lack of air, he stopped.

Both panted for a while, reveling in the lingering sensation of that kiss, the closeness of their bodies, their heat and the result of such closeness that would not be solved that day. When they recovered their breaths, he pecked her cheek and left with a "Sleep well."

Isabelle undoubtedly slept extremely well that afternoon.

Hammering and loud voices woke her up. Those were obvious signs that all the brothers were at home. She looked out the window and noticed the sun had gone down by a lot. It was already late afternoon. Although it was just a nap, she did sleep for quite a while. No wonder her wound was healing nicely, the naps were helping.

Walking out of the house, the first thing she saw was Ethan working on the bathtub. Lucas had also returned from the mountains and was working together with Joseph on planting the recently brought lavender stalks in the flower bed. Felix was feeding Mrs. Rabbit, and was the first to notice her standing by the door.

"Belle!" He happily called out, making the other brothers pause in their tasks to look at her.

"Hi." Isabelle shyly greeted, still with a rough and sleepy voice. She fidgeted with her clothes, arranging them into some semblance of order in vain as they were crumple, nervous by their gazes.

"How're you feelin'? Felix said you've been sleepin' since lunch." Ethan asked a bit worried.

"Have I?" She innocently asked, feigning ignorance while placing a loose lock of hair behind her ear. She was aware that she had slept a lot, but there was no need to mention it. "I actually feel fine. Maybe I woke up too early today." She giggled to hide her embarrassment.

"Don't worry 'bout us. We're used to eating very little." Ethan replied. He was grateful that she was very serious in her task to repay them by helping around, yet he would feel better if she dedicated herself to rest as she was injured.

She shook her head. "It is nothing. Even if it is just a few vegetables and herbs, I want us all to eat three meals a day." After those words, she could see a glimpse of how the brothers lived up until then, how many hardships they endured while growing up. The expressions on their faces were very telling. They were very moved by her words.

Although she could not fully understand their difficulties, she could imagine how hard their life must have been after they lost their parents. They must have been very lost, especially Ethan with a baby Felix to care for and with no idea how to do that. It made her wonder if no one at the village helped them. It was something worth asking one day.

Because of that, if possible, Isabelle wanted to make some aspects of their life easier, like having three meals a day.

She decided, from that day on, they would never skip a meal!

"I will go make dinner." She instantly said, to follow on her plan.