by Kira Blakely
New York is a forever ago. This weekend is my only reality. But it won’t stay this way, and that’s why we’re here. We have to talk.
I make quick work of washing up—the twins are out there, waiting for me.
They haven’t torn my living room apart yet or strangled each other, judging by the relative silence, and that bodes well for our discussion.
I finish up, then step out of the shower, towel off, and grab a robe off one of the hooks on the wall next to the sink. I slip it on, tie it up and eye myself in the mirror.
I’m tanner than when I arrived. And there’s another quality about me that’s different. I can’t put my finger on it. Maybe fucking two men at once has changed me. It must have. It’s hardly a forgettable experience.
I run fingers through my damp hair, which straggles past my shoulders, and sigh.
“It’s got to work out,” I whisper. “It won’t always be this way. We’ll figure it out?” The last part is a question because I’m not sure we will.
It’s time to talk about it, regardless.
I open the bathroom door and move through to the living room, my heart beating a tattoo against my chest. I don’t want to lose either of them.
“I agree,” Holden says, from the other side of the open doorway.
He agrees? That’s a first. What have they been talking about while I was gone?
I enter the living room, and it’s a shock to the system, seeing them there together on the sofa. They’re not exactly side by side, but they’re still close, and not wrestling or strangling each other, thank god.
Two massive men. They’re different in subtle ways, but those true personality differences run deep and I love that. My hot and cold. My Joey and my Holden.
They both smile at me, Joey’s smile a little skew, Holden’s full on, stretching his lips wide.
“There you are,” Holden says.
“We thought you drowned.” Joey laughs.
I titter one, too, but more out of nerves than real amusement. I take a seat opposite them, because sitting between them now will only lead in another direction. I’m already tender from a weekend of sex, sex, and more sex.
I cross my ankles and place my hands on my thighs. “So,” I say.
“So,” Joey echoes.
“Obviously, we need to work this out.”
“Coffee first,” Holden says and gestures to the tray on the coffee table, holding three cups, two of them already half-empty. “You look like you’re about to fall over.”
Joey scooches to the edge of his seat, gets one for me, and hands it over. Our fingertips brush as I accept it.
“Thanks.” I slurp back the coffee, and it lends me a little strength. “I’ve been thinking,” I say, in the silence that follows. “I really want to be with both of you, and you know that now, but I can’t fathom how it’s possible. I—It just seems selfish of me to want that.”
“It’s not selfish,” Joey replies. “I want you.”
“And I do, too.” There’s a tiny hint of challenge in Holden’s tone. “But it’s not plausible for us to all be in a relationship. It’s weird, too.”
“Beyond weird,” Joey agrees.
I chew my bottom lip. “So, it’s over, then.”
“No.” Holden shakes his head. “We talked a little while you were in the shower, about what we want and about what you want. I’m sorry, Danielle, but I don’t think you’ll be able to continue working with me in New York. You’ll be able to visit and see Jessie sometimes, say hi, but other than that…”
“I understand,” I say, but my stomach sinks regardless. I’ll miss working for him, I’ll miss his little ray of sunshine, packing her lunches and hearing her kiddie stories, but he’s right, of course.
We’re adults, and we have to be responsible about this. I’ll have to come up with another form of income, and that’s fine. There are loads of waitressing opportunities in New York. My dreams of becoming a commercial pilot, however, are toast.
“But that’s not all.” Joey flicks back his hair, his expression alive with excitement. “We talked about what you deserve.”
“We want to help you achieve your dreams, Danielle.”
“What do you mean?” I look from one brother to the other, nerves building again.
“I do a lot of traveling for the business,” Joey says. “And while I like the frequent flyer miles, I’ve gotta say that first class is getting tired.”
“OK?” Please, let this be going where I think it’s going. Please, please.
“We’d like to help you out,” Holden says. “We’ll pay for you to get your private pilot’s license, all the hours required, and then your commercial pilot’s license. And then we’ll hire you.”
“I—what? That’s—but—we slept together. That’s hardly ethical,” I whisper.
“We’re beyond the point of ethics, I’d say.” Joey glances at his brother askance, then laughs. “That ship sailed yesterday afternoon. Listen, Dani, because of me, you’ve lost your job. A good job. It would’ve taken you forever to save up to do what you want to do with your life. This is a gift from two friends. Think of it that way.”
Holden tugs up the legs of his pants and rests his forearms on his thighs, clasps his hands together. “Let’s be very clear here. In no way is this considered payment for anything other than a job, which you’ll undertake once I’ve purchased a private plane. If, in the future, you decide you want to stop working for us, then you’ll be free to do that within the bounds of your contract.”
“Are you serious?” This is too good to be true. This is just—I shake my head. This is more than I could ever have expected or wanted. This is my dream. My life’s dream. To see the world.
The nerves are replaced by sheer excitement. I let out a little muted screech of excitement. “You’re serious!”
“We’re serious,” Holden says, in that businesslike tone I’ve heard him use on the phone.
The ramifications of this streak through my mind. A steady stream of thoughts that render me speechless. Until… wait. My stomach sinks. “What does that mean for us, though? I’m in love with you both. I—does that mean I won’t get to see one of you?”
“You’ll see more of Joey than you will of me,” Holden says. “But we’ll still see each other, too. We’ll have weekends like these together, you and me alone. And you’ll be flying Joey around the globe, so I imagine that you’ll spend some evenings with him, too.” He grits his teeth.
I process that.
“And on special occasions, we’ll all get together to make sure you have the time of your life.” Joey nods to me. “Your pleasure is what matters, Dani. Your happiness.”
“And yours, too,” I counter. “And Holden’s. I don’t want to do anything that’ll jeopardize—”
Holden lifts his hand and quiets me. “Everything’s going to work out in its own unique way. I’ll admit it grates me a little that you’ll have more time with Joey, but I do have my obligations in New York, and my daughter to look out for. I’ll have to start searching for a new nanny. At least, while you’re studying for your license, you’ll be in New York. We’ll put you up in your own little apartment.”
So, this is our final decision. I’m not disappointed. I’m the luckiest woman alive, it seems. After all, this could’ve turned out completely different. I could’ve lost them both, my job, too, and returned to my hometown with my tail between my legs and nothing but memories that’d probably have become bitter as time passed.
“Thank you,” I say, welling up a little. “Thank you for everything. This is seriously more than I could have wished for.”
Joey gets up and walks to my side. He takes the coffee cup from me, sets it on the tray, then holds my hand and I rise. He tucks me against his chest, kisses my forehead. “Come on, you need to sleep. You’ve got to head back to the city tomorrow and start a new life.”
Holden stands, too, and strides around the table in the living room, slipping my hands into his.
/> The two strong men, my Gemini twins, walk me across the living room and through to the bedroom. They strip off my robe, kiss me once on either cheek, then lower me into the bed and pull the sheets back.
Their figures hover over me, and I know this is it. This is the night I’ll never forget.
The start of my life.
The start of our forever.
Epilogue
Danielle
Five years later…
I stand in the cockpit of the Longs’ private plane and dust off my uniform—a blouse and a pair of tight, tailored pants. That’s the simple uniform I picked out two years ago when I completed my commercial pilot’s license.
I lay my hand on the seat and stare out at the runway. The dark tar shines in front of me. It’s going to be one helluva hot day, but it’ll be cooler in France.
It’s times like these that the wonder strikes me.
If not for my crush on my boss years ago, I wouldn’t be in this situation.
A knock raps at the plane’s side door and I frown—I’m not due to fly for another two and a half hours. I make a habit of checking the interior of my plane prior to every flight. I like to spend time in here alone. Just let it sink in.
“Danielle?” Holden’s voice shuttles through the cabin toward me.
I smile and turn from the cockpit. I walk through to meet him.
My boss waits in the center of the cabin, his arms at his sides and a warm smile lifting his lips at the corners. He gives me a hug and a pat on the back, and we part.
“We need to talk,” he says.
“We do? Is it about the contract?” Oh, god, does he want me to leave the company? It’s been a while since Holden and I have spent time alone together.
“No, of course not. You’re an amazing asset to Galactic Empire.”
“Oh, good.” I giggle nervously.
“It’s about us. You and me.”
I blink up at him, take in his blond, styled hair and those aquamarine eyes. No mole next to the mouth like Joey, and a few more lines on the forehead than his brother.
“All right,” I say, softly. “What’s up?”
“I don’t want to upset you, Danielle, but I think our time together is over. Our romantic time, at least.” He takes in a breath, as if he’s struggling with this. “It couldn’t continue forever. It couldn’t be more than a fantasy. I think we both knew that.”
Did we? Probably, yeah. It’s unreasonable for me to assume I’ll have my cake and eat it forever. And things have kind of petered off with Holden.
“I’ll always love you in my own way. Just not the same way I did at the start of all of this.”
I laugh, not bitterly, but at the fact that he’s clearly rehearsed this speech. That’s such a Holden thing to do. As in control as always, but softer, now. A little older, too.
“You’re upset,” he says, and those lines on his forehead become more pronounced. “I don’t want there to be any hard feelings here, Danielle. I think you’re beautiful, amazing, a star in so many ways. I’ve met someone else, though, and I want to commit to her fully, knowing that this portion of my life is closed.”
There will never be any hard feelings between any of us. We’ve shared too much for that. And while I loved every second of being with Holden, it’s true that the passion we shared on Mystique Island, at the start of this adventure, has been sated.
It’s not a roaring fire anymore, it’s warm coals. And it’s friendship, mainly. We haven’t been together physically in over a year, now.
But with Joey…
“You’re right.” I squeeze Holden’s hand. “Of course, you’re right, and I’m happy for you. I’m happy you’ve met a woman who satisfies you and who loves Jessie like the mommy she deserves. I’m so proud of you, Holden. And I’m so grateful.”
His eyes glisten. “Danielle, you’ll always be a friend to me,” he says, drawing me into a hug. I inhale his scent—the spicy sweetness—one last time, and my heart flutters a little goodbye. “You don’t have to thank me for anything. Because of what we shared, I’m totally open. I’ve unlocked a different side of myself, and I can give that to Lauren. Thank you, Danielle.”
The hug lasts a second longer, then Holden pulls away from me and shoots me an easy grin. “Now, I’d better get going. I believe you have another visitor. See you at Christmas.” He gives me a mock salute then heads for the door, walking the length of the cabin, with its rich carpet—the one Joey chose—and the leather seats interspersed throughout, with their polished wooden tables between.
He reaches the door and nods to someone outside, then ducks out without a backward glance.
Light floods the entrance, but another figure blocks it again, almost immediately. The same height as Holden, but not exactly the same size. Bigger. Joey’s spent a lot of time working out between business meetings.
We often go to the hotel gym together. He lifts weights while I cycle or do Pilates.
“Hey,” he says.
“Hi,” I reply, checking my watch. “I wasn’t expecting you for another two hours.”
Joey strides across the cabin and halts in front of me, looking down the front of my blouse. “Have I ever told you how cute you look in this uniform?”
“Every flight,” I reply, winking at him.
“Good, just as long as you know how crazy you drive me.”
“Still?” It’s been five years, and Holden’s definitely moved on. What if Joey does, too? Unlike his brother, I’m still infatuated with this man. Every second I’ve spent with him has been better than the last.
I know this man, now. I love this man more than ever.
“How is that a question, baby? You know I’m crazy for you. And it makes me even crazier now that you’re mine, alone, as you should’ve been from the start,” he says.
So, he knows then.
I stroke the sides of his face, and he draws me into his chest, kisses my temple, then my cheekbone, my jaw, my neck. He opens his mouth and sucks, hard.
“Hey,” I say. “We’ve got to fly soon.”
“How about we fly early?” he asks against my neck. Joey slides his palms down my back then grabs my ass cheeks, lifting me into the air as if I weigh nothing. I let out a little shriek of joy.
“The door’s not closed,” I whisper.
“So?”
He carries me through to the cockpit, then sits down in my chair, and grinds me against his erection. “Fuck,” he says. “It’s such a turn on, knowing it’s official. You’re fucking mine. You’re mine for good. Forever.” Joey slips his fingers to the button on the front of my pants and undoes it. “Take it off. I’m going to own you.”
I stumble upright and do as I’m told, strip off my pants, my core tightening up already. God, I can’t wait for the future with him. Whatever happens, it’ll be perfect.
Joey makes quick work of tugging his dick out of his pants. He doesn’t pull them all the way down, though.
“We’re going to make a mess,” I say.
“Fuck it, I don’t care. I want your cum on my dick. Get over here, girl.”
I straddle him, and he lifts his dick, sweeps it between my lips and shares our fluids, spreads them over his head.
I quiver for him, biting my lip. “Joey,” I whisper. “Don’t tease me.”
“Quiet,” he grunts, landing a hand on my shoulder. Slowly, he presses me downward onto his cock, sheathing himself inside my heat, inch by thick inch.
I writhe and clench around him, hard. “It’s too good,” I say.
“Baby,” he whispers, moving me up and down, his hands on my hips. “Baby, you’ve got to stop clenching or I’m going to come. It’s too tight.”
I only tighten up more at the sound of that.
Joey’s my fucking god in the bedroom. He grazes his dick against my g-spot and brings me to an earth-shattering internal orgasm within seconds. I cry out and keep moving, shaking, squirting all over his lap.
“Fuck,” he grunts. “Fuck me. I�
�m coming. I’m fucking coming.”
He unloads inside me as he’s done so many times before, squirts that hot cum deep, as I rock through the last of my orgasm, my gaze tied to his. We’re connected. We’re in love.
Joey finishes with his eyes wide open, his lips parted, and his hair flopped to one side. He’s so expressive. So fucking amazing.
So hot.
My hot. All I need.
This is the man I belong with, the man I fell for years ago, entirely by accident. Our love story might not be conventional, but it’s real. It’s true. And nothing will ever take that away from us.
Joey curls me against his chest, his dick still inside me, our combined juices leaking between us, probably staining my pilot’s chair and definitely his Gucci suit pants.
“You’ll marry me,” he says, kissing the top of my head. “Right?”
I bathe in the scent of him, that lemony cologne I loved from the start. “You don’t even have to ask.”
Thank you for reading,
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Throttle
BY KIRA BLAKELY
*Amazon Top 100 Best-seller, 4.7 stars, 345 reviews!*
I’m a boss with my hands.
Right about now is when I mention how big my… wrench is.
No need.
It speaks for itself.
My story is simple: Michelle comes to my body shop and can’t pay for the repairs.
I give them for free. I guess that’s a turn on.
We crash against my desk both wanting it like fucking animals.
Then poof, she’s gone.
6 months later, I punch a crooked cop, and Michelle is assigned as my court appointed lawyer.
One problem.
The crooked cop in question will do anything to have her.
Fuck that. She’s mine.