The bartender smiled. “Not to worry, sir. Accidents happen. We have more than enough glassware.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. Here, would you like a refill?” He reached for a bottle.
“No, thank you. I think I’ve had enough for the moment.” Seth eased himself away from the bar and moved to a dark, quiet corner. He leaned against the wall and watched the party, trying to regain his composure, trying not to obsess about what he’d just seen.
When he saw Catherine approach, his stomach sank. He still felt embarrassed for breaking the wineglass, and he wasn’t interested in talking to anyone at the moment.
“Don’t worry,” she said, barely hiding her frustration. “I know why you got pissed off, and I understand completely.”
“You do?”
“Of course. Do you think it actually made me happy to see the two of them walk out together? After all these years of dancing with Jack, of falling for him, of waiting for him to change his mind and want me, he falls for the first floozy to walk into the studio.”
“Tiara isn’t a floozy,” Seth snapped. Then he felt guilty for being angry. “Sorry. I care about her very much, and she’s not a bad person.”
Catherine put a hand on his shoulder. “I know. You’re her dance partner, after all. I shouldn’t have called her that. Jealousy got the better of me, I guess.”
“At least your jealous rage didn’t involve glass shattering all over a bar.”
Catherine giggled. “No, I guess not.”
She slid her hand down his arm, and Seth pulled away. There was something about her touch that made him suspicious.
“It’s just not fair,” he said, trying to put the focus back on Jack and Tiara.
“No, it’s not. I guess we’re just going to have to learn to live with it, though. They don’t want us, and they probably never will.”
Catherine reached out and grabbed Seth’s hand, and he jerked away again, harder this time, trying to prove a point. He was hurt that Tiara didn’t want him, but he also wasn’t about to turn to Catherine for affection just because she happened to be there.
“What?” she asked, looking up at him with a surprised expression. “Don’t you want a little comfort?”
“I’m sorry, Catherine. You’re gorgeous, and I know you’re hurting just as much as I am. Still, I can’t rush into your arms just because we’re in the same emotional boat. That might ease the pain for a little, but it won’t take it away for good.”
“Yeah, but it might give them a taste of their own medicine,” she said, a conniving grin appearing on her face.
Seth shook his head. “I don’t want that, either. Trying to get revenge isn’t going to accomplish anything. If they want each other, you and I making out isn’t going to change that. If they do want us and don’t know how to admit it, you and I making out is only going to hurt them. Either way, it’s not going to change the situation.”
Catherine’s face fell. “It would be fun, at least.”
“I’m sorry, Catherine. You’re a beautiful woman. But I can’t give my body over to you when I want someone else. It wouldn’t be fair to you, and it wouldn’t really mean anything. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I need some fresh air.”
As he walked out of the bar, Seth was shocked to see Jack and Tiara pressed up against the wall, making out. He’d assumed that when Tiara had dragged Jack out by his tie that they had planned to go back to someone’s bed. But they were right in front of him, Tiara pressed up against the rough brick wall, her hands gripping Jack’s ass, his hands tangled in her hair, their mouths opening and pressing at a frantic pace.
Seth was so surprised that he found himself rooted in one place, gaping at the frustrating-yet-sexy display in front of him. As much as it hurt him to see Tiara kissing another man, he couldn’t help but feel aroused by the way her hairstyle was getting destroyed by his fingers, the way her knuckles were getting white as she dug them into his flesh, they way their mouths never seemed satisfied, no matter how deeply they kissed. After a few minutes of staring at their display, he was pulled out of his trance by his cock, quickly getting stiff and starting to strain against the fabric of his pants. Still, he couldn’t bring himself to walk away, to go home, to go back into the bar, to do anything other than stand there and watch.
Suddenly, Tiara broke the kiss and looked Seth in the eye. “Do you want to join us?”
Seth was so shocked by her question that he didn’t respond right away.
“Earth to Seth,” she said, with a giggle. “Did you hear what I said, or are you too mesmerized by what you saw?”
“What?” Seth finally snapped back into the present moment. “Sorry, I–I guess I’m just a little shocked.”
“Well, now that you seem to have recovered, are you going to join in or not?”
“Really? This isn’t a joke?”
Tiara laughed again. “I would never joke about something so serious.”
Seth looked up at Jack. “Is that cool with you?”
Jack looked deep in thought for a moment. “I–I can’t say I ever gave it much thought before, honestly.”
“I suppose I should have asked you first,” Tiara said, turning her focus back to Jack. “I know you have a tendency to prefer conventionality.”
Jack smiled. “There’s a time and place for everything, and I’m going to say that evening is not the time to be conventional. I’d prefer if we could go somewhere a little more private, though.”
Tiara grinned. “Like your place?”
“That sounds perfect.”
They hurried into Jack’s car, and Tiara took the front seat next to Jack. Seth slid into the backseat and immediately leaned forward as far as his seatbelt would allow. He reached around Tiara’s seat and cupped her breasts. He paused for a moment, savoring this ability to touch her, the way he’d been yearning to do for years. Then he started to roll her nipples between his fingers, feeling the way they grew harder and harder with each twist and tug.
“Yeah, just like that,” Tiara groaned. “A little harder, though.”
Seth began pinching harder and pulling faster, struggling to maintain his grip as she began to thrash her body against the seat. Finally, her entire body stiffened, and when it finally released back against the seat, she let out a long, slow groan.
“You’re amazing,” he whispered, running his hands through her hair.
“I’ve been hearing a lot of that lately,” she said with a laugh.
As Seth leaned back in his seat, Tiara unbuckled her seatbelt.
“Hey, what are you doing?” Jack asked, sounding slightly nervous. “That’s not even legal.”
“Don’t worry about it. Just relax and have fun.”
Leaning down, Tiara unzipped Jack’s fly and pulled out his semi-hard cock.
“Seriously, what are you doing?”
“You’ll see,” she said and proceeded to stroke him to complete hardness.
“I don’t think this is such a good idea,” he said, but then he groaned as Tiara twirled a finger around his shaft.
“You will in a second,” she said and then slipped her mouth over his cock.
“Whoa! What the hell?” Jack swerved so hard that Tiara’s head flew away from his cock and narrowly avoided hitting the steering wheel. Among a chorus of car horns, he pulled into a parking lot.
“What were you thinking?” he snapped. “What if someone saw us at a stoplight? Worse yet, what if we’d been pulled over? I mean, we could get arrested for doing that sort of thing.”
“I was just trying to fool around,” she said. Her voice sounded so small that Seth felt sorry for her.
He sighed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you. You didn’t get hurt when I swerved, did you?”
“No, I’m okay.”
“Good. In that case, maybe we should call it a night. I’m beginning to think this isn’t such a good idea.”
Taletha looked hurt. “I won’t give you road head anym
ore. I’m sorry.”
“I know, I just don’t think I’m up for this. I know I said I was, back at the bar, but I wasn’t thinking clearly. You like to take risks, and I don’t. I don’t think we’re compatible, even for one night. What hotel are the two of you staying at again?”
Seth cleared his throat. “Look, Tiara might have crossed the line, but she did say she was sorry. I feel like you’re trying to punish her.”
Jack’s voice was flat. “That’s not what I’m trying to do. But I’m trying to protect all of us. I don’t want to do anything risky, and I also don’t want anyone to get too involved and get hurt. Now, which hotel are you staying at?”
Tiara started to cry. Seth could tell she was being as quiet as possible, trying to hide how much she was hurting, but he could still hear her sniffles and the hitches in her breath.
“We’re at the Marriott downtown,” Seth said with a sigh.
They were silent on the drive downtown, the only sound coming from Tiara’s discreet sobs. In the hotel parking lot, Seth got out without saying good-bye and then helped Tiara out of the car.
“You okay?” he asked her as Jack sped off.
“Do I look okay?”
“He’s just a jerk. What did you want with him anyway?”
“Don’t do that. Don’t act like he’s a terrible person just because you’re jealous.”
“I’m sorry, Tiara, but I’m going to be judgmental toward anyone who makes you cry.”
“Then be judgmental privately, please. I don’t want to hear it.”
Desperate to break the tension, Seth tried a different method of comfort. “Do you want to go get some dinner? Maybe we could hang out and order room service. We could even order a cheesy movie on pay-per-view or something.”
Tiara wiped her tears away. “No, thanks. I think I just want to be alone.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah.”
“Look, we don’t need him if you want to have a good time.”
“No, we don’t. But I need to not be hurt if I’m going to have fun with you. I’m sorry, Seth.”
With fresh tears starting to well up in her eyes, she ran off toward her room, leaving him standing in the parking lot wanting to rush after her and aching because she didn’t want him.
Chapter Four
Tiara didn’t answer the door when a knock woke her up the next morning. When the knock came again, she decided to give a message that was a bit more forceful than passive resistance.
“Please leave me alone.”
“Tiara, it’s Seth. Come on, we need to be at the studio soon.”
“Please leave me alone.”
“Seriously, Tiara, let me in. I’m going to stand here all day until you do.”
“Then you’ll be late, too.”
“Talking things out with you is more important. Please, just let me in.”
“Fine,” Tiara groaned. She rolled out of bed and unlocked the door.
“Didn’t sleep well?” Seth asked, poking his head in as soon as Tiara opened the door wide enough.
She took a look at the dark circles surrounding his eyes. “Looks like you didn’t exactly get a good night’s rest, either.”
“I was up late thinking about things.”
“Yeah, me, too.”
“So can I come in?”
Tiara didn’t say a word, just opened the door wide enough for him to pass through. He tried to kiss her as he walked in, but she dodged his lips. Unlike with Jack a few days before, he didn’t manage to graze her cheek, either. Instead, he lost his balance and stumbled forward. When he regained his composure, he wore a wounded look on his face.
“What, you’ve completely changed your mind just because you got burned last night?” he asked, his voice sounding bitter.
“I just think that considering the way things turned out, maybe we shouldn’t exactly rush into anything. Maybe we shouldn’t fool around.”
“It was just a kiss.”
“A kiss can mean a lot of things, and you know it.”
“So you get jilted once, and suddenly the whole thing is off? I barely even had a chance!”
“Is that what you’re mad about? That you didn’t get as much playtime in? Are you jealous that Jack got to me first?”
Seth hung his head. “Maybe a little. And, you know, I’ve been into you for years. For a brief window of time last night, I felt as though all of my dreams were coming true. But they completely fell apart, without warning and without explanation. So yeah, I’m feeling bitter and jealous.”
“I’m sorry that things turned out the way they did, but it wasn’t my fault.”
“I know, I know. I shouldn’t be angry at you. Come on, let’s go to the studio. I’ll buy you breakfast on the way in.”
Tiara shook her head. “No, thanks. Tell Taletha I’m sick. I’m going to stay in here, order room service, and mope.”
Seth’s jaw dropped. “Really? One guy blows you off, and you throw your whole day away eating junk food and watching television? It’s not like he broke your heart.”
“No, but he did a real number on my pride.”
“I’m not exactly in good spirits, either, but I’m still going in to work.”
“Good for you. I’m not.”
“Give me one good reason why.”
“Because I don’t want to see him, at least not until I can stop hurting so damn much.”
“I didn’t realize you cared what he thought about you.”
“Now that he’s hurt me, his opinion matters. Right now, I don’t feel strong enough to face him.”
“I could help.”
Tiara shook her head. “No, you couldn’t. I have to be strong on my own. Besides, it’s more than just him. I don’t want to have to face Taletha after I ditched that reception she hosted for us.”
“I’m sure Taletha will understand.”
“I don’t know. I’d hate to go to her whining that we got caught up with one of her employees and then I went into a funk when he ditched us.”
“Have you ever considered the possibility that she might have been in a similar situation before?”
Tiara blinked. “What do you mean?”
“You didn’t notice that she was with two men last night? If she’s involved with two guys, I’d say it’s pretty likely she’s encountered a situation like this before. Unless she secretly lives in a magical bubble where relationships are always easy and perfect.”
Tiara gave a small laugh. “I was a little too distracted to notice her escorts, I guess.”
“Well, I had some time for people-watching, and she definitely has two husbands. So does one of the country-dance instructors.”
“Wow. Must be something in the water here.”
Seth laughed. “Maybe. Either way, I bet Taletha has some advice. Maybe she could help you deal with the rejection.”
Tiara shook her head. “No way. I don’t care if Taletha is an expert. I don’t know her well enough to feel like talking to her about it. I’m just going to stay at the hotel today.”
Seth sighed. “Are you really going to be this stubborn?”
“Yes.”
“Fine. But you owe me double practice time tomorrow.”
“You got it.”
Tiara opened her arms for a hug, and then she allowed Seth to give her a chaste kiss on the cheek before he left. Her pussy warmed and throbbed as she smelled his musky scent and remembered the potential the previous night had contained. But she shoved these thoughts from her mind as soon as she was alone. Sex only seems to cause problems. Maybe I’d be better off without it.
* * * *
“I noticed you didn’t come back to the bar last night,” Catherine said as soon as Seth walked into the studio the next morning. Before the door closed behind him, she had rushed up and started stroking his arm. “Did things actually go the way you planned? Did you somehow get exactly what you wanted?” Her tone grew more frantic and high-pitched with every question.
&nb
sp; “Not exactly,” he said, shrugging her arm away. He had to admit she was hot, but even her great body couldn’t tempt him away from his desire for Tiara. Not even Catherine’s charms could distract him from the hurt he was still feeling.
“I bet I could help you take your mind off things,” she said, giving him a smile and snaking her arm up his chest. “Maybe we could get a drink after we’re done with work for the day.”
“I don’t think so,” he said, stepping far enough away that she could no longer touch him. “I have plans.”
“Maybe tomorrow then?” she asked, keeping her distance but batting her eyelashes seductively.
“Look, Catherine, you seem great, but like I said last night, I have feelings for Tiara, and there’s nothing that can change that. It wouldn’t be fair for me to go out with you when I’m not interested.”
A dark look flashed across her face. “I bet I could make you interested. And I always like a challenge.”
“People are not obstacles to overcome. At least, I’m not.”
“How do you know you don’t like me if you’ve never even tried?” Catherine started approaching again. Seth let her get closer, thinking he had the situation under control, but before he knew it, realized he was backed into a corner.
“Come with me,” she said, taking his hand. “I have something I need to say to you in private.”
Seth sighed and allowed her to drag him toward the staff lounge. He hoped that it would be populated by other dancers, but to his dismay, Catherine pushed the door open on an empty room.
“Have a seat on the couch,” she demanded. All of the sweetness she had previously displayed had vanished.
“I’m fine standing, actually.”
Catherine grabbed his wrist again, pulling him down onto the cushions. “I’m not.”
“Do we both need to be sitting for this discussion?”
“Yes.” Suddenly all smiles again, Catherine eased herself onto his lap. His cock fluttered as she pressed against him, and he was pissed that his libido didn’t seem to have the same standards his brain had.
“Hurry up and tell me what you want to talk about, then. I have to go teach soon, and I want to get warmed up.”
Jordan, Olivia - Tiara's Foxtrot Fantasies [Studio Seductions 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 4