Nichols, Tara S. - Island of Three (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Tara S. Nichols

  “Hey, whoa, hold it!” Blaine said, scooping up the soggy mess. “We can still use these once they dry out.”

  She flashed him a skeptical glance. “Now look who is the Survivor contestant. Knock yourself out.” She shrugged.

  The next thing she retrieved was a bundle of clothes, her longed-for sweatshirt that was quickly followed by embarrassingly sensible underwear, a swimsuit, sunglasses, a can of ground dark roast, a waterlogged romance novel, sunblock, two granola bars, a pack of gum, a pair of sandals, a bar of hotel soap she’d hoarded just for such an expedition, toothpaste, toothbrush, a jackknife, and a beach towel. “Oh!” She hesitated when she reached the bottom. “Well, I guess that’s it.” She tried to zip her backpack closed but acted too hastily and fumbled.

  Tyler frowned and leaned over the opening of the pack. “No it isn’t. There’s still something in there. I can see something bright at the bottom.”

  “It’s just tampons,” she said a little too quickly.

  “Are you sure?” He reached past her, his hand diving to the bottom. Before she could stop him, he brought up a bright green box of condoms.

  Adele flushed crimson.

  “Well, well, well. Look what we have here,” Blaine said loudly and snatched the box out of Tyler’s hand. “Somebody was hoping to get laid on this little excursion, weren’t they?” He teased.

  “And a forty-eight pack nonetheless.” Tyler joined in with a laugh.

  “It even comes with a bonus pack of lube.” Blaine snickered.

  She covered her red face with her hands. “It’s not as bad as it looks! I always buy in bulk!” She tried to explain. “It’s cheaper, and I don’t have to go shopping as often, and—”

  “It doesn’t look bad at all, honey,” Blaine said, and he rested a hand on her shoulder. “At least, not to me. Hell, I like a woman with a libido.”

  “Oh, yes it is,” Tyler countered. “It’s real bad! You saw what her options were. Just who were you hoping to meet on this trip?”

  “Oh, come on! I like to be prepared.” She struggled to defend herself, but she was grinning along with them. “And I wasn’t hoping, but you never know. It was just for just in case.”

  “Of course it was.”

  “Man, I’m just glad it’s my pack sitting at the bottom of the lake and not yours,” Blaine exclaimed and held his palm up for Tyler to smack, but Adele cut their fun short.

  “Oh?” She turned on Blaine like a tiger on her prey. Now it was Adele’s turn to tease. “Anticipating a little action, are we?” She raised her eyebrows, and his face fell. Having gotten caught up in his own enthusiasm, he’d clearly revealed more than he’d intended. He shrank back, a sheepish smile on his face. She had him now. She glanced to Tyler who sat next to him grinning, no doubt enjoying the show.

  “And who do you think you’ll be using these precious little fun balloons with, my friend? Me? The one you find so entertaining?”

  Blaine chewed his lip. Then she turned her attention on Tyler. “And do you feel the same way?” Her lips were pursed in a disapproving knot.

  His grin faded. “Um, I…” He faltered.

  Her mouth twitched, and she couldn’t fight the lopsided smile that pulled on her face.

  “Don’t worry, sweetie.” She stood abruptly. “I’m actually flattered, and don’t think I haven’t had those thoughts myself.”

  She walked away leaving both guys standing there, with their mouths open, and surprised expressions on their faces.

  Then, stopping a short ways away, she turned and put her hands on her hips. “So who’s coming with me?”

  * * * *

  Tyler met Blaine’s eyes. He recognized the same spark of hope as to what a hike in the woods with Adele might entail in the other man’s hungry gaze, and suddenly he found himself in a face off.

  “We can do this civilly, or we can do it caveman style,” he admitted. “Personally, I’d rather not have my face bashed in.”

  Blaine laughed good-naturedly. “Rock Paper Scissors then?” he suggested, holding out his hand.

  Tyler grinned, pleased that Blaine wanted to play fair, or at least on terms where he could participate.

  A lucky guess into Blaine’s psyche told him the other man would think brute force first, so Tyler countered with paper and won. To his surprise, Blaine handled the loss well and even tossed him the little green box. “Just in case,” he said with a wink. A smirk splayed across the bigger man’s face, an expression of mockery or pride as though to say Blaine had faith nothing would happen.

  His ire stirred, Tyler snatched the box out of Blaine’s hands and plucked one condom from the bundle.

  Tyler scrambled to his feet. He’d show him. Just then, searing hot pain shot up his leg, originating from his right foot.

  Biting back an agonized grunt, he hobbled over to where Adele waited, a keen grin covering his grimace of pain.

  “Let me guess.” She gave him a level look. “You brought one of those condoms, just in case?”

  His grin fell from his face, and she laughed. “Pre-dict-able.”

  His cheeks grew hot, and he knew he was blushing like a schoolgirl.

  She flashed him a beautiful smile and held out her hand to help him over the first steep ridge. His heart leapt at the sweet gesture, and he wrapped his fingers around hers.

  When she wasn’t looking, he slipped the condom package into his back pocket. Maybe there would be a day when it would come in handy, but for now, a walk through the woods with Adele seemed even better.

  * * * *

  They pushed their way through the trees, up and over a rocky incline, with Tyler following behind her. He seemed strangely quiet and stumbled often, but she suspected that had more to do with her tiny shorts than his equilibrium. She could feel his eyes on her as they meandered their way through the thick undergrowth, and once again she felt the satisfaction knowing she still had what it took to drive a man to distraction.

  Just knowing they had a condom at their finger tips put the thought of sex in her mind. Tyler could lay her down in a clump of soft petal ferns, or she could straddle his thighs while he perched upon one of the large boulders along the way. The sensitive skin on the inside of her thighs became slick as her mind wandered, and she realized her hips had taken on an exaggerated sway.

  The sweet scent of raspberries wafted past her nose, pulling her out of her thoughts, and she followed it to a patch of raspberry bushes skirting a large clearing. The bushes made a ring around the bald dome of a granite boulder, the main foundation of the entire island, she presumed. It also appeared to be the highest point. If she stood up on her tiptoes and craned her neck, she could see over the tops of the trees growing on the other side where the boulder dropped away. Other than the occasional boulder island sporting a handful of wind ravaged trees, nothing but sunlight glinting off an endless body of water greeted her. If she shaded her eyes and squinted really hard, she could make out another island in the distance. Where on earth had they washed up?

  Tyler came up behind her. Turning, she nearly bumped his outstretched hand brimming with bright red berries. “Seeing as we’re stuck here, I thought we might want to stock up on provisions.”

  “Oh my!” she exclaimed with delight.

  “I know our outlook seems pretty dismal,” he indicated to the vast body of water she had just been peering at, “but all is not lost.”

  She dipped two fingers into the pile of fruit and plucked one perfect, fresh berry up. Holding it close to her lips, she made sure he was watching before she dropped it into her mouth. Curling her tongue around the fruit, she savored its prickly texture, before crushing the tender flesh with her tongue.

  “Mmm,” she nodded, drawing the juices out. “This certainly helps.”

  She saw him swallow as though his throat had suddenly gone dry.

  “Here,” she said, plucking another berry from his hand.

  He absentmindedly opened his mouth when she raised the berry to his lips. Moving with
slow, deliberate actions, she traced his bottom lip until a streak of juice stained them pink. The tip of his tongue darted out, making a quick sweep into the corner, over to catch the juice that threatened to spill down his chin. With his eyes never leaving hers, he closed his mouth down upon the fruit, capturing her finger as well. She felt the delicious pull on the tip as he sucked ever so gently, then released it with a subtle kiss. The act was so sensual she had to lock her knees for fear they would buckle.

  A bashful smile crept up his face, and once again she was reminded of how wrong she’d been about Tyler. He had hidden charms, to say the least. His studious, goal-driven personality was delightfully coupled with a coy, playful manner that strayed into something tantalizingly sensual with a little encouragement. Well, if all he needed was a little push in the right direction, then she planned to muster up the energy of a whole cheerleading team. The way her body responded to him, they’d soon need more than a bulk pack of condoms.

  Thinking of the condom sobered her. She’d watched the awkward exchange between the guys before Tyler had joined her on the hike. Clearly, both guys wanted the same thing, her, and to be honest with herself, she liked them both, too. Choosing one over the other would be difficult, but more to the point, potentially disastrous. Placing herself in their shoes, she knew how she would feel to be the one left out.

  She had no idea how long they would be stuck on the island, and as tempting as it might be to give in to her desire, she felt it only right she wait until after they were rescued to use even one of those tempting condoms.

  She looked up from the handful of berries to find Tyler watching her. His expression had changed from sultry to kind again, and she realized he knew exactly what had just gone through her mind.

  “I guess we’d better get back then, huh?” He smiled a patient smile.

  “I guess.” She grimaced, feeling bad. They were her own rules, but they seemed unfair. Who was to say what would really happen? Maybe, there on their own little piece of the world, they could write their own laws. Maybe she wouldn’t have to choose. Maybe romancing two guys was perfectly acceptable on their little chunk of rock. Whatever the case, she decided turning her attention to the thorny brambles, they would have fun figuring it out.

  Chapter Nine

  Throwing another half tree on top of a roaring bonfire, Blaine sent sparks flying into the darkening sky. He didn’t hold out much hope his efforts would last. What little break they’d had from the overcast sky and the cold over the afternoon had returned to clouds and the threat of more rain.

  In their absence, he’d laid the sleeping bag and all their clothes out to dry, spelled the word ‘help’ out on the beach with small rocks, repaired the persistent flapping jacket corner on the hut, and added more branches to the roof.

  Spent from his efforts, he took a seat on a log and wondered what was taking Adele and Tyler so long. His nerves had been on edge, wondering what mischief they might have gotten up to, his imagination tormenting him with many erotic possibilities, and he feared his plan had backfired when he’d called Tyler’s bluff. Part of the reason he’d been so casual about Tyler going off in the woods alone with Adele had been because he suspected the other man didn’t have it in him to make the first move.

  To his dismay, their expressions were unreadable when they appeared at the edge of the woods. Whatever mood they might have carried back with them, be it afterglow or disappointment, it was quickly replaced with astonished delight at the sight of the fire.

  “Wow!” Adele exclaimed as she approached the blazing bonfire he’d built. “You’ve been productive.” She held her hands out to warm them.

  Blaine smiled under her praise. He’d worked hard and fast hoping to impress her, and he was glad it paid off.

  Tyler came up beside her, looking impressed as well. “I’ll say. We confirmed the fact that there isn’t a fast food restaurant on the other side of this tiny island, and all we have to eat tonight is Adele’s granola bars and these berries.” He held out a red-stained hand brimming with wild raspberries. “Don’t worry, there’s tons of them.”

  Blaine could see they’d spent some time snacking at the berry bushes by the telltale stains around their mouths. He also suspected that had been all they’d gotten up to.

  “It’s better than nothing, I suppose,” Blaine said, trying to be encouraging. Then he winked slyly. “Unless Adele has something else we can eat.”

  Her eyes widened with surprise. For once she didn’t have a witty come back, but her blushing smile spoke volumes. So, she wasn’t opposed to the idea.

  He felt his cock surge at the thought of spreading her legs and bringing her to orgasm many times just with his tongue. He loved going down on a woman, and suddenly he hungered for her far more than a handful of berries to quell his grumbling belly.

  He became aware that he’d been staring when her smile turned into a smirk.

  “I think I’ll make myself useful then, maybe scrounge up something to go with our berries?” she announced, and before he could blink an eye, she strode off, headed off for the woods.

  He looked to where Tyler stood poking a at stick at the fire. “I take it you had a nice walk?”

  The other man looked up with a slight smile on his lips. His gaze dropped from Blaine’s eyes to the bulge at his groin. He chuckled softly. “Yes, very nice.” He glanced back to the fire.

  Blaine wanted to inquire but thought better of it. “Then you won’t mind if I…?” He jerked his head in the direct Adele had gone.

  “It’s not up to me,” Tyler answered flatly.

  Blaine nodded, understanding the deeper meaning. They both knew the choice was up to Adele. That didn’t mean I can’t try and sway her decision, though, and he hurried off to catch up to her.

  * * * *

  The strong smell of mint wafted up Adele’s nose after she’d stepped on the plant, crushing it beneath her shoe. She’d just bent over to gather up an armful when she became aware of a presence behind her. She paused as the heat radiating from Blaine’s groin penetrated the thin fabric of her shorts. He’d come up so quietly behind her she hadn’t even heard him approach, and now he was standing within inches from her bottom.

  Her breath caught in her throat, and she waited, curious to see what he intended to do. Her walk with Tyler had driven her libido to new heights. Heaven knows she would have liked to have done something more than what had transpired, but now Blaine had come, and she found him very willing to take over where Tyler had left off. Unfortunately, their situation hadn’t changed. The same rules that applied to Tyler also applied to Blaine. It was flirting with danger, going against everything she had just decided, but her body craved him, yearned for what he offered her. His stance was dominant, and she longed to be overpowered by him, to know he wanted her as much as she wanted him.

  Her sex throbbed as she imagined the feel of his hard cock pressed against her wet opening, demanding entrance, and taking what he desired.

  Waiting was agony. She could feel her pussy growing more and more slick as the moment stretched on.

  When she couldn’t bare another second, she peered over her shoulder. As she had suspected, his eyes were riveted to the juncture of her thighs. His arms hung out at his sides as though he were about to move, but had been frozen in time.

  She could see the prominent tent his cock had made in his boxers, so what was the hold up?

  His eyes flickered, seemed to see her watching him for the first time, and he snapped out of his trance.

  He stumbled back a foot, blinking wildly, and she couldn’t help but giggle. She straightened and turned around to face him.

  “Have you come to check up on me?” she asked sweetly. “Or check me out?”

  He looked as though he were about to deny that he’d been staring at her, but then he smiled.

  “A little of both,” he admitted.

  “Good.” Her smile widened. “I’ve been struggling with my own—” She cut off short, having spotted a p
ale white mushroom growing on the pine needles just beyond Blaine’s foot. “Don’t move,” she ordered and rushed past him. Doing as he was told, Blaine froze to the spot.

  “What is it?” he asked after a moment. She came around to face him, her hand outstretched with three mushrooms proudly displayed in her palm.

  He let out a big sigh of relief.

  “I thought you’d seen a spider crawling up my neck or something.”

  She grinned, touched by his admission. “No. Something far more delicious, come on.” She beckoned him to follow her deeper into the under brush. “Where there is one there is usually more.”

  His footsteps crashed loudly behind her. “Are you sure those are edible?”

  She turned and spared him a glance. “Fairly.”

  His appalled look made any loss of faith in her foraging abilities worth it.

  “Gotcha!” she exclaimed.

  She didn’t think it was possible, but he looked even more surprised. His eyes widened, and he stared at her for a long moment before she burst out laughing.

  Then, with a roar like a bear, he playfully tackled her, dropping them both to the moss covered ground, and rolling her onto her back where he quickly climbed on top of her. Her shorts had risen in the tussle, pulling tight against her over stimulated clit, and she could feel the bulge of his erection pressing down hard onto her pelvis.

  They lay there face to face in stunned silence as though they’d both come to realize what they’d done.

  Blaine was the first to recover. “You’re a scamp, you know that?” he said, showing her his straight white teeth.

  “It’s been mentioned once or twice,” she said with a wink.

  His eyes made a quick sweep across her body, lingering on the fabric stretched tight across her breasts. Her nipples tightened under his appraisal and her legs widened, inviting him in.

  This is it, she thought, both hoping he’d tear open her buttons and ravage her and feeling guilty about Tyler alone at the camp.

  Blaine might have, too, if it hadn’t been for the low rumble of thunder on the horizon.

  They both stiffened at the sound.