by Jayne Rylon
They petted each other, touched, explored and soothed. It must have been a while because Morgan began to shiver despite their proximity and the still-warm spray spritzing them. The backup water heater he’d installed when she’d started serving customers in the bakery marked another point in his favor. She whimpered when Joe shifted, reluctant to end their snuggle session.
“Don’t worry, I’m still not going anywhere.” He leaned forward far enough to flip the drain closed and switch the water flow to the gorgeous new spigot he’d installed earlier. With one arm slung around her shoulders, he pumped some bubble bath beneath the stream, filling the tub. He grabbed a lighter and ignited the wick on the candle she kept on the surround for the nights she indulged in a proper soak while reading. She adored Sweet Treats, but being on her feet all day made the decadence part necessity.
“What would the crew think if they saw you taking a bubble bath?” Morgan licked his collarbone. Her hand wandered across his chest and down his washboard abs. His softened cock had long ago slipped from her. Half-hard, it bobbed with the rising tide.
Warmth suffused her as their bodies were submerged.
“They’d think I’m a lucky bastard to be sharing it with you.” He nuzzled her temple. “Especially once I get laid again.”
“Awful sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
“Am I wrong?”
“Hell, no.” Morgan straddled his thighs. She gathered huge handfuls of the growing foam and spread it all over her chest and belly.
Joe cursed and reached for her.
She smacked his hands. “Put them on the sides of the tub and leave them there.”
He complied, gritting his teeth all the while. “For how long?”
“Until I say so.” She peeked at his fingers. They turned white from gripping the edge of the tub and the handle of the built-in soap dish on the other side. The corner of her mouth tipped up in an evil grin. “Remember when Kay gave us that nuru massage demonstration?”
“God, yes,” he hissed.
“I’ve been thinking about asking her for some lessons.” Morgan glopped more bubbles onto Joe’s chest, then slithered across his frame. When she slid lower, she used her feet on the front wall of the tub to propel herself up his body once more.
“If we’re not careful, I’m going to drown.” He gurgled when her breasts and mound rubbed along his entire front.
“Imagine how much slipperier that seaweed goop is.” She repeated her circuit, loving the contact of all his severe angles with her lush curves.
“Might make you too hard to hold on to.” He grabbed her ass, spreading her cheeks as he tugged her where he wanted her. She rotated her hips to stroke his rejuvenated hard-on, trapped between them.
“I’m not trying to escape. Promise.” She put her hands on his shoulders and boosted herself six inches higher. “But since you were bad and moved your hands, I think you should make it up to me by giving me your cock.”
His cheeks flushed before her eyes. “I love it when you talk dirty.”
“Really?” She lifted her brows. “Like when I say I need you to open me up and push your thick shaft inside my dripping pussy? Or when I say, I can’t wait to feel you pumping your load inside me again, filling me with your come…?”
“Jesus. Yes. That.” He shattered her illusion of control by plunging into her from below.
Thank God. She relaxed her thighs, allowing him to inhabit her fully. This time they had a tiny bit more restraint. They rippled together, gently for the most part, though surges punctuated the peace and tranquility of their joining.
She gave up attempting to articulate everything in her soul and relied on her body to speak his language. If his answering moans and caresses were any indication, he understood perfectly.
Their tender sharing escalated into something tinged with desperation and longing. Neither of them noticed the water and thick foam sloshing onto the floor. They wouldn’t have cared if they had.
The waves they generated facilitated their rhythm, buffeting them and rocking them together with prurient insistence. Morgan bit her lip, hard.
“It’s okay,” Joe murmured. “There’s plenty more of this. Come, Morgan. Never hold back. I’ll always provide you as much as you need.”
Her body obeyed his mastery. Nails sank into his biceps as she came around him. He never flinched from her full-on display of passion. Instead, he pressed into her with long, strong glides that extended her pleasure until she nearly forgot her own name.
Only when the contractions lessened did he shout and release within her.
The rough seas they’d inspired calmed to a steady lap of waves that shook them both in the wake of their spent passion. Morgan sighed as they threatened to rock her to sleep. Probably not a great idea while still in the tub.
“Time for bed.” Joe stifled a yawn. He flipped the drain with his foot, nodding when the valve opened smoothly even after the alterations he’d made.
“Already?” Despite the lassitude permeating her bones, it couldn’t be past seven o’clock. “I just got up.”
“I didn’t say sleep.” Joe grinned.
“Seriously? What were they feeding you up North?” She tried not to wince, imagining him invading her swollen pussy again so soon.
“Hey, I didn’t say fool around either.” He clutched her to him as he rose. Water sluiced from his cut frame. “I missed you. I’d like to catch up. Tell me how your weekend was. Did you try that new recipe I copied from my Aunt Bianca? She was thrilled and flattered you might use it.”
“Oh! Yeah, it was as good as you remembered. Better than you said, even.” Morgan poured out a detailed recounting of the tests she’d conducted to improve the balance of flavors.
Joe’s stomach growled.
“Want me to run downstairs and check the fridge for leftovers?” She patted his flat belly.
“Nah. I’m sure I’ll have a slice or five tomorrow.” Joe relinquished her to stand on her own long enough to towel off. He plucked her from the bathmat and carried her to their bed the instant she’d finished.
They burrowed under the covers together, exchanging stories and news. She shook her head at the antics of his Carter cousins. Together with the crew, the six guys—a collection of lost souls Joe’s uncle had adopted after the untimely death of his wife—were rowdy enough to stir up trouble even in the middle of nowhere.
Eventually, they’d shared the peaceful evening together—though the time flew by—complete with a couple pieces of cold pizza and the remainder of her test creations, which Joe had inhaled, unable to restrain himself. A tough job, but someone had to do it. Having the foundation for her happiness nearby cleared her mind. She made her decision in a snap after debating all weekend.
“I’m going to tell the girls as soon as I have the chance.” Morgan was grateful he nodded without her having to elaborate. She should have realized he’d be on the same page even hours later. It made it easier for her to continue, though she had to clear her throat before she could force the rest out. “They’ll need to know to understand why I’m going to wear a diaphragm and insist on condoms next time we’re together. The whole group, I mean.”
“But—” Joe’s jaw slackened. “Are you saying? What happened with James this morning? More of that? Beyond that?”
“Yeah, we discussed it and we’d like to try swapping.” She wondered if he would love or hate the idea. “How do you feel about that?”
“Wow.” He sank deeper into the pile of pillows. “You all were busy while we were gone.”
“And…”
“Most of me says hell yeah.” He scrubbed his hand through his not-quite-dry hair. “And part of me is unsure.”
“Which part is which?” Morgan draped over his chest, relishing the strength of his arms, which came around her instantly.
“I think it would be smoking hot to watch the rest of the crew spoil you.” He licked an imaginary crumb from her neck. “I’ll never forget your birthday. I still rememb
er how sweet that cake tasted when we all ate it off you.”
She would cherish the memory until the day she died.
“But…you know…the other girls.” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“Having sex with them?” she supplied, adoring his stumble considering the libertine delights she’d witnessed him and his friends indulge in.
“Yeah. That’s a big step. Huge. You’re like sisters. I couldn’t stand it if we fucked that up.” He sighed. “It took a while for the crew to find our balance with each other. It’s not easy when all those connections linger. They can glue you together or trip you up. What if everyone gets tangled into a giant knot?”
“You’ve already been with Kate,” she reminded him gently.
“True. But that was before you.”
“I appreciate what you’re saying. It’s those worries exactly that made me hesitate. Still, I feel like we already have these crazy bonds. Do you really think we could ever drift apart?” They both considered in silence for a few moments.
“No.” He reached the same conclusion she had after she’d mulled it over. “We’re one unit now. With that said, if something starts to happen and you decide it’s not what you thought, or it makes you uncomfortable—”
“What if it turns me on to think of you with them?” She squirmed enough to admit exactly which part of her liked the proposition.
“Is that a hypothetical question?” He looked at her as if afraid this was some kind of sick trap.
“I’m willing to try just about anything once.” She nibbled her bottom lip. “And I can think of a lot of things that would be lower on my list. We’re so close. It feels unnatural to limit ourselves.”
“My guess is the rest of the crew would agree with you. I do.” Joe threaded their fingers together. “I would bet my share of the business that we’re not the only ones having this discussion tonight either.”
“I know how much I respect and love the other guys. I believe that goes both ways.”
“Is that a bisexual crack?” He smirked, diffusing some of the tension simmering between them.
“No, but it would have been one hell of a that’s-what-he-said joke if Kay were here to seize the opportunity.” Morgan shook her head, clearing the distraction. “What I’m saying is this… Why would I want you or any of our circle of friends to have roadblocks to expressing our affection for each other?”
“How in the hell did I get so lucky?” Joe rolled, flipping her onto her back. He smothered her so well she wished she never had to draw another breath. “I have the best friends a guy could ask for. A sexy, sweet and dirty wife. And a collection of equally awesome women who all hope to get it on with me.”
Morgan laughed. “That’s a guy’s perspective for sure, but… I suppose you do have it pretty damn good.”
“And I’ll never forget it.” He lowered his face, bringing his lips down on hers, and blanketing her with his flaring heat. “I swear to you. I will always cherish you. And the crew. Our family. However big, small or unconventional.”
With that, they practiced the whole night long.
5
Devon tucked a flat pencil behind her ear. She hauled the marked crown-molding to the compound miter saw in the corner, then flipped her safety glasses into place. The whir of the blade never ceased to impress and thrill her. In the blink of an eye, the long piece became two smaller ones.
Building something polished from raw materials, transforming an ordinary space into a home that met its full potential, had satisfied her since she first visited a job site with Ray. Her older half-brother, her mother’s son from her first marriage, was a mason. He’d allowed her to wander freely between the various contractors as long as she kept out of his hair. Babysitting had never been his forte. At the end of the day, he’d found her crouched beside the foreman, who flipped through pictures of the house they worked on in various stages of its construction.
She’d discovered her professional passion when she was twelve years old. The fascination had grown over the past decade. But the crew elevated her craft to new levels. Though she’d been around the business forever, nothing had rivaled their attention to detail, flair for design or pride in their workmanship. Each man was held in high regard in his area of specialty. The friendship they shared enhanced their partnership. And now that dream team miraculously included her on its roster.
She grinned and bopped to Hot Chelle Rae’s “Tonight, Tonight”. The party anthem blasted through the beat-up radio they toted from site to site. It might rely on duct tape to hold it together, but it kept her entertained. Her shimmy punctuated the chorus. Dancing on the Hollywood sign couldn’t match the euphoria her career and partners produced.
After checking the alignment of the angle, she dry-fitted the pieces on the ground before climbing her ladder to shoot a couple brads into the detail. With the finishing touches on the dining room as complete as she could make them, she hopped down to the hardwood floor, hands on hips, and surveyed the fruits of her labor. Pretty damn fine if she said so herself.
Devon rotated her wrists, which ached a bit from the awkward angle she’d had them at most of the morning. She peered through the plastic sheeting intended to confine dust to her workspace, into the living room. This house would make a great starter home for someone, complete with a smattering of furniture even.
Some of the pieces abandoned by the former residents, who’d moved suddenly following a job offer out of state, had great character. Devon planned to beg Kate to undertake some experimental reupholstering of Neil’s hideous college-days sofa so she could apply the learning to sprucing up this set. She could picture the finished product in her mind.
Plus, it would be a handy skill, allowing her to bring something new and different to the crew’s capabilities. Win-win, it would also eliminate the burnt sienna plaid monstrosity from her home. Their home. James would definitely vote in her favor on this one.
A rustle from behind her had her glancing over her shoulder.
“Came to lend a hand. Doesn’t look like you need our assistance, though.” Neil ambled into the room with the rest of the guys in tow.
Dust clung to their holey jeans and T-shirts. Dirt streaked their arms. Exertion had their cheeks glowing. Rugged and filthy, they still managed to steal her breath. Maybe more than when they spruced themselves up.
They’d focused on demolition and the structural concerns rampant in the basement while she completed the more refined project on the main level. Worked for her, except she’d missed having them nearby. Okay, so one stinking floor below her didn’t constitute a huge rift. Still, it was enough. Anywhere beyond her grasp seemed too far.
Their faith in her skills overwhelmed her with smugness. They wouldn’t allow her to roam unbridled if they had any doubt about her capabilities.
Mike inspected her progress carefully. “This is good shit, Dev. I like how you built up the molding with the dental piece on top of the cove. Looks fantastic. Cost effective. Solid workmanship too. It’s stuff like this buyers will notice and pay more for. They don’t give a crap that we’ve made sure their foundation won’t crack and sprayed enough insulation in this place to save them a boatload on energy bills. Nice work.”
“Thanks, boss.” She giggled when he smacked her ass with one of his leather gloves. She couldn’t resist teasing. “Was that my reward?”
“Careful or I’ll put you over my knee, imp.” Mike’s warning held no heat, unless it was the kind borne of desire.
“Promise?” She would have liked to play more. If there wasn’t one last thing she had to attend to. “Seriously, though, I couldn’t reach the tray section, even with the ladder. Could one of you hammer this in for me?”
The twitch of Neil’s lips guaranteed he’d caught her double entendre. “I suppose I could toss it a couple bangs, since I have such a big tool.”
“Have a big tool or are a big tool?” Dave smirked.
“That’s what he said,” Devon said simultaneously. She gro
aned when none of the crew laughed along with her.
Mike imitated a sad trombone with a descending waa waa waa.
At least they didn’t have any rotten tomatoes or rubber chickens on hand. Suddenly she had a lot more sympathy for Fozzie Bear. Devon stuck out her lower lip. “Aw, party poopers.”
“Dave, you have to wrestle Kay under control.” Joe smacked their friend in the gut with his knuckles. “She’s got all of our girls doing it now.”
“That’s what he said,” James quipped and high-fived Devon.
“I knew I loved you for a reason.” She stole a kiss, aching for more than the tiny nibble. She hoped he understood how much she adored his infallible instincts, which ensured she was never the odd “man” out.
“Yeah, and let Kayla hear you talk about muffling her. She’ll rip you a new one. Or better yet, maybe she’ll tattle on you to Morgan.” Mike shook his head.
“Oh please, no.” Joe held his index fingers out in a cross as though warding off a clan of vampires on the attack. “I promise. I’ll be good.”
Devon’s face hurt from smiling so huge, caught in the crossfire of their banter. She loved them so much tears pricked her eyes. Quickly, she put her back to the crew and shoved her safety glasses on top of her head like the least designer headband of all time. Kneeling as though tidying her workspace, she scrubbed surreptitiously at her cheeks.
James crouched by her side. His hand rubbed a soothing arc across her back. “What did we say?”
Only then did she realize the room had gone silent, her playlist complete.
She dropped her head on his shoulder and rooted her face into his neck. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“What’s all this?” Neil bracketed her. With one hand on James’s shoulder, he nudged her chin up so he could peer at her face.
“I can’t believe how lucky I am.” She sniffled. “Dumb, I know. But you make me so happy. Sometimes I’m afraid I’m dreaming and that I’ll wake up and you’ll all be gone. A figment of my imagination.”