by Jess Bentley
The guys have always been more or less explicitly off-limits. With my dad being an officer, he never even had to tell me that there was a line there. Was he being protective? Probably.
I suddenly remember that Cass and Will both know who my father is. They both sprang to protect me. Out of loyalty or duty, explicit or implicit, I couldn’t guess.
Kind of awesome, when you think about it.
“You should eat something,” he says without turning around.
My cheeks burn from grinning so hard.
“Should I?” I ask innocently. “Like what?”
“Like just sit yourself down in a chair and I will feed you, that’s what,” he smirks, twisting around to wink at me.
His smile is a ray of sunshine. Amazing how that works. Everything seemed so serious just a minute ago. Now I am walking on clouds again.
The bedsheet is tucked securely under my arms, but I am not sure for how long. Carefully I hitch it over my hips a little bit as I sit at the counter, swallowing the gush of saliva that fills my mouth. The scent of the kitchen is overwhelming.
He moves to the side, then returns immediately with a mug of steaming coffee.
“Milk? Sugar?”
“Just black is fine,” I smile as I take it from him.
He pauses to smile back. I see his eyes skating over my shoulders as he drinks me in. He is still a little shy, a little guarded. Not like Cass, who is downright brash. Will holds back, I can tell. But once he lets go, he lets go all the way.
“How do you like your eggs?” he asks with a modest cringe. “Actually… can you take them scrambled? I know how to make them scrambled.”
“Scrambled would be great,” I smile back.
“Very little shell, I promise,” he adds as he turns back around.
The coffee is welcome in my body, reminding me how much I need to recharge. I’m definitely short some fluids, and I think my brain could use a reboot.
In a few moments, Will slides a steaming plate of fluffy scrambled eggs in front of me, crisscrossed by three glistening strips of dark fried bacon. Extra crispy, just the way I like it.
“Haven’t quite figured out how to manage hash browns,” he explains shyly.
“Oh my God, this is amazing,” I sigh as I pick up my fork. “Seriously. I can’t remember the last time anybody cooked for me that wasn’t working in a restaurant.”
“What? Are you kidding me?”
As I stuff myself with the eggs, about as daintily as a raccoon mother, I try to think back. Mona has only mastered the art of the drive-through. My dad doesn’t date and doesn’t cook. I suppose the last time anybody with any kitchen skills was in my life was back in Seattle, back when I was in high school.
“Well, my Aunt Sadie used to make this gumbo? That was pretty good. Sausage, shrimp, rice, tomatoes… Actually all kinds of vegetables. She had a garden too.”
“That does sound good,” he says as he slides into a chair next to me with his own plate of breakfast. “Nobody since then?”
“Not since we moved here,” I answer, trying not to talk with my mouth full. “I can make the basics. My dad can live on jerky and canned peas if he needs to. My mother passed away when I was little.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“It’s okay,” I say stupidly. But what else do you say?
Briefly I feel guilty that I just started eating without waiting for him. What kind of manners is that? But he doesn’t seem to mind.
“I guess my aunt’s gumbo is the most memorable meal from being a kid. I should email her or something and let her know. I’m not sure I was very nice to her, honestly. My dad would kind of dump me at her house when he went on trips, and I guess I was mad at him and probably took it out on her.”
Will nods, his expression serious and open. Suddenly I feel a little silly.
“Wow… listen to me!” I chuckle. “I’m just babbling about my whole life! Jeez. Ignore me.”
He shrugs. “No, it’s interesting. I like hearing about your life.”
This makes me even more nervous. “Seriously? How could that be interesting?”
Shaking his head, he stares at his plate for a second. “Honestly? I’m not really sure. Everything you say is… I don’t know. Interesting, like I said. I can’t explain it.”
I think about what he said for a minute. Then I want him to say more. I don’t know why; he could talk about anything. I just really like the sound of his voice. It’s deep and rich, like plucked strings on a standup bass. It oozes masculinity and confidence.
I suppose that is just as insane as him wanting to hear boring stories about stews my aunt cooked. How am I supposed to know what kind of attitude his voice oozes? What a silly thing to think.
Cass walks into the room, making hungry noises.
“Breakfast? Seriously? Tammy… Did you cook this?”
I flinch back, totally surprised by that word. Tammy.
Will senses my discomfort and gives me a encouraging nod.
“No, I cooked it,” he calls out.
“No way!” Cass barks as he piles his plate high with eggs and bacon and comes over to the small dining table. He kicks his leg over the back of the chair and settles down, slowing in the middle of the motion as he realizes Will is giving him a meaningful look.
“What? Did I insult you? I meant to say thank you. Thank you for the eggs.”
“Maybe you should not call me Tammy,” I interrupt, grimacing. “It feels weird after all. I know I said… well, let’s just forget it.”
“I’ll call you whatever you want,” Cass grins brazenly with a piece of bacon between his fingers. “Just pick a name. We can do this all day.”
He keeps his eyes on me as he tears off a chunk with his teeth. I like watching the way his neck moves as he swallows those first big bites.
“It’s just that I will probably forget who you are talking to. I keep forgetting. You say Tammy and I don’t know who that is. It’s silly.”
“Sounds reasonable,” Will shrugs.
My belly tightens for no reason. I feel kind of ridiculous all of a sudden. Last night I felt empowered; now I feel conspicuous. Fake job, fake name, making a scene, making a spectacle of myself…
“Hey, hey, hey,” Will says, reaching out to take my hand from the table. “Are you okay?”
Startled, I look down at his big hand folded around mine. It seems weird that he noticed. It seems weird that he is paying attention to my thoughts, to my feelings.
“Yes,” I answer honestly. “Actually, I am okay.”
“Seriously?” Cass adds, though his cheek is still filled with bacon. “Looked like you checked out for a second there.”
I smile at him, not quite sure what to make of it. But clearly he is paying attention to me too. Not just playacting, but really paying attention.
Searching in my memory, I try to think of a movie that looked anything like this. Three half-dressed adults having breakfast. Talking. Sharing minor personal details.
I come up with nothing. I have to be honest, porn never prepared me for this. I suppose in real life, people make actual connections.
Okay, if this is how it’s going to be, I can do this. I might even like it. I feel sort of… Revealed. Like a lottery ticket that somebody just scratched off.
“No, I’m here,” I finally answer. “Totally here.”
“Good to hear,” Will says. “We can call you whatever you want.”
“Just call me Libby,” I shrug, happy to hear the word again. “That’s what everybody calls me. Except if I’m in trouble, then I am Liberty Jane. But hopefully I can stay out of trouble here.”
“Ooooohhhhhhh, I’m not going to be able to make any promises about that,” Cass smirks slyly. “Trouble is sort of what we are all about.”
My eyebrows go up. “Oh really? You want to fill me in on some of those details?”
“Most definitely,” he grins. “All day long, if you are up for the challenge.”
Will shakes his head and
chuckles into his coffee mug. Apparently he does not entirely improve of his brother’s naughty sense of humor.
“I would love to take you up on that… but I would also love a shower. Is that a possibility?”
“Anything you need, ma’am. Sorry. I mean, Libby. Anything you need.”
Will rolls his eyes. He shakes his head like he is confused for a second and then stands up from the table with his plate clean. I didn’t even notice him eating his breakfast. But that is another soldier thing: eating fast while the eating is good. No time for delays.
While Cass and I finish up, Will leaves the room and soon comes back with a neatly stacked pile of clothes. He flips through them one by one, shrugging.
“Here’s a towel… A T-shirt? And, um, a fresh pair of boxers. Sorry I don’t have anything more appropriate, but… you know. They’re clean, I promise.”
A smile so big I feel I can barely contain spreads across my face. This is probably the sweetest thing he has done so far. Reaching out, I take the small pile from his hands and touch his fingers with mine. Again, there is something satisfying and complete about that connection. Just the brush of his fingertips is enough to remind me of everything else that we have done together. Every kiss, every sigh.
“It’s perfect, Will,” I manage to say through my aching cheeks. “Better than I can say.”
Chapter 15
Libby
While in their shower, I can’t help but think of the strange way this all came together. Sounds like a script from a movie. Sounds like a fairytale, in a lot of ways. Ty is definitely some kind of cartoon villain. And Cass and Will? Too perfect to be anything but superheroes.
I shift back and forth between states of confusion and moments of absolute clarity. One moment my mind will be bustling with a jumble of thoughts all at the same time, so noisy that I can’t pick out just one. The next moment, everything dissipates. Everything becomes completely clear.
Those are the moments where I think about just how this all feels. From the moment I stepped out of the ladies room at Sweeney’s and got my head into it, that was when I really felt in control. Not a battle of swirling emotions, but a simple physical directive: focus on what feels good.
And these guys make me feel… amazing. Outstanding. Like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.
The towel that Will gave me is soft and fluffy. Wiping a smear of steam away from the mirror, I check myself out again. My tan lines are even darker than they were yesterday, and it really highlights the bareness of my shaved crotch.
“Great timing,” I mutter to myself, shaking my head.
So completely naked. This is the day the universe decides to hand me a man who wants to see me naked? Not just one… Two? Seriously?
I’ve never been shy about shaving my bikini area. It’s just for convenience, something I started doing when I was fourteen or so. But going completely bare was a spur-of-the-moment decision. Maybe I was bored. Curious. Maybe I wanted to see what it felt like.
But now… On the one hand, I’m embarrassed that these guys probably think I am some kind of freak, like Mona does. On the other hand, the sensations were amazing.
A shiver runs through me as I remember Cass falling to his knees behind me, grabbing my legs and opening me up like a flower. Will’s mouth covered my mouth so I couldn’t even gasp in surprise. Suddenly, I had both of them on me, filling me with sensation, fulfilling a secret fantasy I had barely admitted to myself that I had.
And yet, there is so much more to come.
I’m ready. I am beyond ready. I can barely wait another second.
After I slip into Will’s borrowed clothes, I open the bathroom door and sheepishly look out into the living room. They both turn around immediately at the sound and meet me with identical stares of greeting. They look extremely pleased to see me.
“Okay, that seems to suit you,” Will smirks as I pad into the room.
Looking down, I smooth the oversized T-shirt against my hips.
“Oh yeah? You think this is a good look for me?”
“Absolutely enchanting,” he nods.
“Really?” Cass shrugs. “I actually think she’s a little… overdressed. Maybe?”
My belly twists with nervousness as he stands and walks over to me, his steps measured and confident. As his arms fold around me, I naturally get up on my tiptoes and arch into him. It feels practiced and perfect, like a dance move that we have done a million times.
“Like, what is this?” he fusses as he pulls at the T-shirt. “Wouldn’t you be more comfortable without all this?”
“I might…” I pout, smiling with my lips just millimeters from his.
I want to kiss him so badly, but I want him to kiss me even more. I love that feeling of being taken. Being kissed. Being wanted.
His hands are callused but smooth as they drag the T-shirt back up and off. I raise my arms over my head and let him reveal me. Even though I am shy, I let him lean back and take a good look at my naked body. The room is bright with morning sun. There is no way for me to hide. I know he can see everything.
“Beautiful,” he mutters, his eyes shaded by dark lashes as he inspects every bit of me.
He kisses me suddenly, hard, with a musk on his breath that I know is his arousal. That taste—I hunger for it. I feel like I could drink him in.
Nature quickly takes over and I let the wisdom of my body tell me what to do. My hands clasp behind his head. My spine seems to know where to go soft so that he can pick me up lightly and crush me against him while his tongue thrusts into my mouth.
Behind me, I feel Will’s breath fluttering against the back of my neck. His hands knead my muscles, trying my flesh like I am a loaf of bread, curiously exploring the textures and shapes of my back and legs.
Conscious thought wants to interrupt me, but I know that is a terrible trick. As soon as I start thinking, I get confused. In this space, I need something deeper than words. Not thoughts, but whatever is more primal than that. Urges. Desires. Wishes instantly fulfilled.
The void inside me winks at me again. It is like a dark well, something that fills up from the bottom. In it is all the longing I have that I never knew how to access.
But now, with these men overwhelming every sensation, the void is all I can feel. Urges surge in me, bringing a strange sensation of need into my belly and hips. I need Cass to touch me. I need Will to bite a little harder.
Almost as though he hears me, Cass suddenly pulls back from the kiss, his lips glistening with moisture. He searches my eyes as his palms cup my cheeks.
“Fuck, Libby, you keep kissing me like that and I’m going to have to take you to bed!”
I nod urgently. Everything is on fire. My body knows what to do. I have never felt anything quite like this.
“Yes! Yes, Cass…”
His green eyes are filled with desire, and he practically trembles with the strain of standing still.
“But, Libby…”
With a start, I realize all of a sudden that he knows. They probably both know. I’m a virgin.
“Cass, I want it. So much!”
Will’s hands slip over my waist and close across my belly. I lean back into him, fixing Cass with a determined glare.
“Don’t you?” I challenge him.
“Oh, I don’t think you know what you are asking for,” he groans lustily. “Both of us… Your first time… It’s too much.”
But, stubbornly, I’m not going to be denied. He wants me, I can tell. I could feel just how much this morning when I jerked them both off.
I love the way his eyes dart to my nipples every time I shift my weight. Knowing this, I sway back and forth just slightly, just enough to trigger his reflex to stare.
“Cass… I want it,” I whisper.
He bites his lip, focusing hard on the pale triangles of my tan lines.
“Will?” I ask plaintively, reaching back to lace my fingers behind his head. I have to reach up so high that I almost can’t make it. I have t
o stand on my very tiptoes.
“You’re not going to be able to take us both,” Will whispers in my ear.
“Yes I am,” I pout stubbornly, determined.
Cass quirks an eyebrow at me. “Are you serious? Libby, there’s no way.”
But I know he doesn’t think that. I can see the swollen package in his track pants. I can see how much he wants me.
“I want it,” I say again.
Those are the words. That is the only thought. I shouldn’t have to explain this. I want it, and that is all I know.
Cass glances at Will over my shoulder, as though negotiating this situation with him. Negotiating the terms of my surrender? That might be one way of looking at it.
Negotiating the terms of their surrender, is another way.
Finally something seems to change. They came to an agreement. I can tell.
Cass looks down at me with a sly, determined expression.
“You really want this? You’re sure?”
I bite my lip, nodding tightly.
“Once we start, we won’t be able to stop,” Will warns me.
Cass smirks evilly. “Oh, I don’t know, Will,” he drawls. “Is she convincing? Do you really think she means it?”
Will chuckles, deep in his chest. “Yeah… I don’t know.”
Coming closer, Cass brushes his lips over mine, teasing, making me lean toward him then pulling away.
“I don’t know either,” he whispers.
I begin to shudder, my muscles quaking from the effort of trying to get closer to him.
“What do you want me to do?” I whisper back.
He smiles, drawing back slightly so that he can see into my eyes.
“I want you to beg.”
“Please,” I reply automatically.
He wrinkles his nose, then shakes his head.
“Not convincing. Are you convinced, Will?”
“Not at all,” Will announces.
Again he comes closer, his soft lips tantalizingly near, yet frustratingly far away.
“Yeah… You’re going to have to convince me,” he tells me. “You’re going to have to really, really want it…”
Will’s arms close around me tighter, his thumb and forefinger pinching my nipples almost to the point of pain.