by Terry Towers
“Let’s test that out.”
“Huh? How?”
He pinched me on the bottom and I squealed, attempting to squirm out of his embrace, but he wouldn’t allow it, holding tight. “So, real?” His hand grazed my bottom again and I bucked against him, rubbing against his groin and feeling him start to grow against my stomach.
“Okay, real. It’s real. But maybe I need another test.”
Cocking a brow at me he replied, “You going to fondle my ass? ‘Cause that would be super.”
Giggling, I shook my head. “Nope.” Pressing up against him, I tilted my head up just enough to let my lips graze his. “I think there’s better ways to prove it,” I whispered, kissing him a little harder. He responded and I moaned against his lips, completely forgetting that I was ever concerned there were other people around. When he pulled back, I was left breathless and yearning for more.
No sex for nearly a year had taken its toll on me. It had been so long I was beginning to not even care about sex. I had gotten myself back into the all work and no play routine. But now, after a week of being around the two of them and here, now, dancing so close, all I could think about was getting them both back to my place and experiencing some of the pleasures they’d shown me before.
But this time would be different. This time they were mine and only mine.
I stopped swaying to the music and stared up at him.
Xander placed a hand on my cheek and ran his thumb along my lower lip. “What, baby?”
“Let’s do it.”
“Do it?” His brow furrowed as he stared down at me. “You mean?”
“I mean I want to try this. It may work, it may not, but I want to try. It’s not the norm, but there’s no guarantees in any relationship, anyway. I’m tired of going with safe and not taking chances, and what better thing to take a chance on than you two. You and Mitchell have made me feel things.” When he gave me a devious look, followed by a wag of his eyebrows I swatted his shoulder. “Not just those types of things. But for the first time in a long time, if ever, I feel cherished and desired and…” Loved? I didn’t say that. None of us were there yet, I didn’t think, but I was on my way and I knew in my heart of hearts they both were, too.
~*~ TT ~*~
Xander
I never expected to see Monica at the bar. I’d just needed some time to myself to think. When I suggested the idea to Mitch I really didn’t think he’d go for it. When he’d finally decided it was the way he wanted to proceed earlier tonight it had thrown me for a loop. I’d honestly begun to dismiss the idea. But life has a way of throwing curveballs at you. So here I was, back in New York, about to go to medical school a year earlier than expected and holding the most incredible woman I’d ever met in my arms, with plans of moving in with her and Mitch.
“What are you thinking?” she asked, pulling away from me and looking deep into my eyes, a look of concern creeping onto her features.
I smiled, attempting to reassure her. “I was thinking that perhaps this is an excellent idea.”
She tilted her head to the side and waited for me to explain further.
“Besides, I don’t think either Mitch, nor I could handle you all on our own. I’m thinking it’s going to be a two man effort.”
Laughing, she gave me a swat on the shoulder. “I’m hardly a handful.”
“In all seriousness, medical school is so draining and intensive and lasts for years. I think it would only be fair to have us both. You deserve more than a part-time boyfriend that tries to fit you in. Between the two of us I hope we can be the man you deserve.”
The concern faded and something else appeared in her expression. Love? I looked deep into her eyes. And yes, I could see it, the flicker of something more than mere attraction or ‘like.’ She was falling in love. Scratch that, she wasn’t falling in love, she already was in love.
“I’ve never been in love, or had someone fall in love with me,” I said softly, the words coming out before I could stop them. It was meant to be something I said in my head only and quite frankly I was as surprised as she was at the declaration.
Releasing her, I kept her hand in mine as I motioned for us to leave. This wasn’t a conversation to be had in front of strangers. She nodded and left the bar heading in the direction of her apartment building. Neither of us spoke for close to ten minutes, and I hoped she’d forgotten my silly comment.
She hadn’t. “Are you serious?”
I nodded, feeling heat creep up into my face. “Never.”
“That’s rather hard to believe.”
“You and me both, but no. I’ve never been with anyone long enough to gain those feelings. Mitch is the one who gravitated towards the long-term things and thinking ahead. I was more of a day by day, girl to girl, kinda guy.”
“A playboy.”
Laughing, I shook my head, not really denying it. How could I deny it, I spent two years selling my body to the highest bidder. “I wasn’t ready or interested in something serious. And I never found anyone that could sway me from my bachelor ways.”
“Until now,” she teased.
I looked down at her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “Until now. I’m falling hard for you, Monica.”
Her mouth dropped open and she was silent for a moment. I waited for her reply, even though I could see it in her eyes. She loved me. Her feelings were deeper than maybe she even wanted to admit to herself, let alone me.
“Me too, Xander.”
I left elated. I’d been told those oh-so-powerful words dozens of times over the years. Clients had said those words, but they never really meant it. They loved the feeling of being with me. They loved the image I presented to them, but they didn’t love me – they didn’t know me, so how could they? But Monica was different. All those months apart, we never lost contact, she’d become my best friend and confidante, despite being a half a world away.
Chapter 17
Monica
Things were moving so fast. It was like a whirlwind and both my head and emotions were having a hard time keeping up. The guys didn’t have a lot of stuff, as they were quite literally living out of a suitcase, all of their belongings given away or stored at Mitch’s parents’ home. It wasn’t as though I had the room anyhow, so their lack of belongings was actually a relief for me.
We’d decided that rent would be split three ways, which took a bit of a financial burden off of me, although it’s not like I needed the financial help, but less money towards household costs meant more towards saving – just in case. Self-publishing was a very volatile business: one day you could be on top of the world making more money than you ever dreamed of, and the next day clipping coupons praying your next book made enough to pay off your editor and promotional costs. It was a line of work that wasn’t for the faint of heart.
A soft knock came at my door, followed by Mitch opening the door and peering in. “Got a moment?”
I looked down at the single paragraph that had taken over an hour to write and sighed. The intention had been to stay out of the way while they settled in. Looking back up at him, I gave him a smile. “I have all the time in the world.” Writers’ block. I fucking hated writers block, I didn’t get it often, but when I did it was torture for me. Each day without anything new published was another day I risked my readers forgetting about me and never coming back again. Well, shit, I had two incredible, sexy men moving in with me so the last thing I should have been feeling was writer’s block. I should have been inspired with tons of dirty thoughts racing through my mind.
Proceeding to enter the room, he closed the door behind him and sat down next to me on the bed. “Thank you, Monica.”
I cocked my head to the side and eyed him. “Thank you for what?”
“For taking us in.”
“I’m hardly taking you guys in.”
“You’re giving us a place to stay when we had nowhere to go, that’s taking us in.”
“You’re paying me rent,” I countered.
“Everything?” I was pretty sure I knew what he was getting at, but wanted to verify we were on the same page.
“Not just the living arrangement, but our… relationship arrangement.”
“Are you?” I argued. He was the one who had to share a girlfriend, if anyone should have issues with the arrangement it should be Mitch and Xander. It had been Xander’s idea and he seemed to be very clear that he was fine with how we were going to proceed. Mitchell, however, I had concerns about.
“It’s had time to sink in and I’m good with it. I’ve had more time to think this over than you have.” I nodded, but said nothing. “Of course there will be jealousy from time to time and problems may arise along the way, but as long as we’re open and honest with each other, all three of us, I believe this can work.”
Admittedly, I’d considered the jealousy issue. And a part of me felt guilty, so many women had such a hard time getting one good guy and I had two. Two kind, caring, dreamy men and they were mine. I smiled. “So do I.”
We stared into each other’s eyes a moment. I saw a flash of something, something that warmed my heart and made me sure of this decision, love. It was on the tip of my tongue, the words ‘I love you’ waiting to be said, but I needed more time – I think we all did. Besides, we still hadn’t even been intimate since I left Amsterdam. Of course, there was no rule that you had to have sex before you said those three small words, but still. In our situation I think we needed to make love again before saying it. If for nothing else, to solidify the bond we’d established nearly a year ago.
“Good.” He gently slapped my leg, just above the knee. Then how about you put your work away for a little bit. Xander made supper and the table is set, we just need you.”
“You didn’t have to make me supper.” My smile widened, it was nice to have someone make me supper. I felt like a pampered princess. I was always the one to prepare supper when I was with Joseph, so this was such a refreshing change.
“I didn’t.” His smile turned smug. “Xander did, weren’t you listening?”
Rolling my eyes, I set my laptop on my night stand and slid from the bed. “Smart ass. Either way, thank you. And I’ll thank Xander personally when I get out there.”
“Don’t be too quick to thank him, he made lasagna and his lasagna isn’t as good as he thinks it is. I’ll admit is breakfast is incredible, supper on the other hand…” Mitchell followed my lead and got up from the bed trailing behind me to the door and out and into the living room.
As soon as I entered the living room the delicious aroma of the lasagna greeted my nose. My stomach grumbled; I didn’t even realize I’d been hungry until I smelled the food. Nothing smelling that good could be anything short of delicious. “Ohmygod, that smells incredible, Xander.”
Xander finished cutting a loaf of garlic bread and looked up to meet my gaze, a grin creeping onto his face. “I hope you like it. You two take a seat and I’ll bring the bread and wine over.”
I sat down and with each of them on one side of me, sandwiching me. The thought of being sandwiched between these two men in the bedroom again was vivid, despite it being close to a year after the fact. I squirmed in my chair as flashes of them pleasuring me bombarded my consciousness. Those memories were imprinted into my head. I swore, even if I lived to be ninety those images would be vivid in my mind. As if they’d happened only yesterday. I’d used those memories as my masturbation material since the very first night with them.
Xander caught my attention by placing his hand on mine. “So, how about the three of us take a walk through Central Park and finish catching up after supper?”
“I’d like that.”
~*~ TT ~*~
“It’s beautiful here in the evenings. I’d forgotten how nice it was here and how much I enjoyed walking through the park,” Mitchell said draping his arm around my shoulders and pulling me to him, giving me a quick kiss on the top of the head.
“I don’t spend as much time here as I used to.”
“Hey, they still have the remote-controlled boats here, don’t they?” Xander asked, looking over his shoulder at us. He didn’t seem perturbed by the fact that Mitchell and I looked like a pair of lovers hanging out with a buddy.
“They do.”
“Good, let’s go.” We changed our route and headed for the boats which were a rough ten minute walk from where we were.
“So, tomorrow we have to go to the school and grab books and start preparing for classes.” Mitchell stated.
“Yeah, it’s been a few years since we’ve been in school so a little refresher and discipline now will help in the long run. Even if it’s only a week of preparation,” Xander added, then went off to set himself up with a boat.
“Which one of you is the book worm and which one the partier?” I sat down on a bench with Mitchell sitting next to me, facing toward the boat pond.
Mitchell laughed. “Is that how it’s supposed to be? Can’t we both be dedicated to studies?”
“You could. But I’m thinking you’re the one who always kept Xander in line.”
He gave me a look that said I was dead on. “I would never say that.”
“He doesn’t have to.” Xander chimed in, looking over his shoulder at us as he began to navigate the boat over the calm water. “I’ll admit it. If it wasn’t for Mitch I may not have graduated.” He turned from the boats to look at us directly.
“He has the potential,” Mitch said.
Xander shrugged. “I just had other things on my mind that tended to take up priority.”
“Like?” As if I didn’t already know, I just wanted to see him admit it.
“College chicks. Frat parties. I was a whore, I’ll admit it.”
“And what has changed?”
He shrugged, taking a step toward me, and then another and another until he was standing directly in front of me. Leaning forward, he slid his hand into my hair bracing the back of my head and lowered his lips to mine. His kiss was hard, frantic and demanding. He kissed me like he’d done back in Amsterdam, with virility and passion.
As our tongues danced, Mitchell slid his hand onto my lap, slowly inching its way to the juncture between my legs. I was vaguely aware of the people walking past us. Normally, I would be hesitant and shy over such public displays of affection, but not now, not this time. Not when in the matter of seconds I was being taken from an easy going, light mood to burning up with desire. All I could really comprehend was them – Mitchell and Xander.
A week had gone past since they arrived at my doorstep and it had been a week of yearning. I’d waited long enough, I needed them both. Waiting to get back home would be torture, though I suspected the feeling would be mutual.
With each step we came closer to my place – no, correction, our place – the more nervous I became. My god, I’d been with these men before, a couple of times, on their turf. We were now in New York and going to our place and so you’d assume I would be okay, or at least less nervous than I had been that first time I walked into the brothel, but I wasn’t.
“What are you thinking, beautiful?” Xander asked, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. The roles had been reversed and Mitchell was up front, chatting on his phone as Xander and I trailed behind. It made me wonder if they preplanned this, to give each other equal opportunity.
“Nervous.”
Xander frowned. “Why?”
I could feel my cheeks growing warm. “Because... I kinda figured.”
“Kinda figured what?”
“That, umm, we might be...” My God, I was feeling like a schoolgirl. Get a grip, Monica, I chastised myself. They’re here because they want to be.
“Might be what?” He cocked a brow at me, a sexy smirk appearing on his lips.
“Are you seriously going to make me feel like an idiot and say it?”
He didn’t even skip a beat in responding
. “I think so.”
“You’re cruel.”
“I don’t think so. Though I will admit that I may be having a little fun with you.” His cocky grin and wink made the heat in my cheeks grow warmer.
“Uh-huh.”
“So, to get back to it, might be what?”
Having sex. Fuck. Make love. Shit, I didn’t even know how to describe it, what category what we were going to do belonged in. “Spend the night together.”
“Of course we are, we all live together. Or have you forgotten?”
Rolling my eyes at him, I huffed. “You know what I mean. In the same bed, the three of us, or a subset of the three.”
A roar of laughter erupted from him, making him stop in his tracks. “Oh god, that was funny! A subset. You’re so damn cute, sweetie. So damn cute.”
I merely shrugged, unsure if I was amused along with him or embarrassed. Maybe a little of both.
He stopped laughing, wiping at his eyes to rid himself of the stray tear that had formed. “I didn’t mean to laugh, I’m not making fun. You took me off guard.” He gently pulled me into his arms. “If you’re asking if we’re going to make love to you when we get to the apartment, the answer is yes. I know I am, and pretty sure Mitch is going to be in on the action, as well.” He lowered his head, ghosting his lips across mine. “You’re the one in control. But this time it’s not because you paid to be. It’s because we want you to be. We’re yours, Monica.” He kissed me then, making it impossible for me to think, just feel.
He may claim that I was the one in control, but I had never felt so out of control in my life. That being said, I don’t think I’d ever wanted anyone more than I wanted them both, my desire overriding my fear and insecurities. His closeness, his occasional kisses, and random caresses as we walked were turning the need within me into an inferno of desire. By the time we were back to my apartment I had to hold myself back from jumping into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist and begging them both to show me pleasures like they had in Amsterdam.