Hard to Hold

by Nicole Edwards

Rhys pulled back, meeting those dark green eyes. “For what?”

  “For makin’ you feel like an outsider.”

  Okay, so Rhys had been gearing up to accuse Wolfe of not knowing what the hell was going on. Clearly he didn’t have a leg to stand on because Wolfe had nailed it right on the head. And damn it to hell, it took all the wind right out of Rhys’s sails. Not that he wanted to fight with the man, but he had felt like an outsider.

  And not just tonight.

  Wolfe leaned in, his hand still cupping the back of Rhys’s neck, their foreheads touching.

  “That wasn’t my intention. Not by a long shot.”

  Rhys took a deep breath, released it.

  “I told you,” Wolfe continued, “I don’t know how this fucking works. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do or say … or … fuck. I don’t even know what I’m supposed to feel.”

  Those words shocked Rhys momentarily.

  “But I know one goddamn thing,” Wolfe growled, moving even closer, their lips practically touching. “I’m not about to let you shut me out. I’m all in where you and Amy are concerned. I want every damn thing you’ll give me. Not just tonight. Not just tomorrow night. I want every goddamn night, Rhys. From here on out.”

  Swallowing hard, Rhys fought the emotion that clogged his throat. He hadn’t been sure what he’d wanted from Wolfe. Not even what he’d wanted the man to say. However, this was a damn good start.

  “I don’t know how it works, either,” Rhys admitted.

  He knew he felt something for Wolfe and Amy. Whether it was love or simply lust, he hadn’t yet figured that out, but it was serious, whatever it was. It was the very reason he’d needed time and space. To think. To work it out in his head. To come to terms with it.

  “We can figure that out together,” Wolfe whispered.

  They could. But that would require them to talk about it, and Rhys damn sure wasn’t good at that. He’d never been the kind to open up. Having had a hard-ass for a father, Rhys had learned long ago to keep his feelings locked up tight. He didn’t know how to express himself, and half the time, he didn’t even know what he fucking wanted.

  But he knew what he wanted right now.

  Wolfe and Amy.

  That was what felt right to him.

  This.

  Here.

  These two people with him. They made him feel whole. Complete.

  “So, does that mean y’all are gonna kiss and make up?”

  Rhys grinned, reaching for Amy when she moved up beside him, her cool hand sliding over his bare chest.

  “Is that what you want us to do?” Wolfe asked, pulling back.

  “Oh, yeah.”

  “Well, we should probably take this party inside then,” Wolfe suggested.

  Rhys stepped back, keeping Amy locked to his side as Wolfe moved inside the house. He shut and locked the door behind them. When he turned around, he found Wolfe standing as close as he’d been on the porch. Only this time, neither of them said a word before Wolfe’s mouth crashed down on Rhys’s.

  An overwhelming surge of adrenaline powered through his veins, fueled by a desperate, all-consuming need and something a hell of a lot stronger. He grabbed Wolfe, fisting his shirt as he pulled him closer, letting the kiss consume him. The way Wolfe plundered his mouth stole his breath and all of his thoughts.

  Realizing he was still holding on to Amy, Rhys managed to break the kiss, but as soon as he did, her mouth was on his. Or maybe it was vice versa.

  Her soft moan vibrated through his entire body and he grabbed for her, lifting her until she had no choice but to wrap her legs around him. Once she was securely against him, Rhys carried her to his bedroom, then deposited her on his bed.

  Amy chuckled as she got to her knees, pulling her mouth free from Rhys’s.

  “I know it’s after midnight,” she whispered, “but you think we could pretend it’s still Wolfe’s birthday for a little while longer?”

  Rhys felt the smile tugging at his lips while it grabbed hold of his heart. This woman never ceased to amaze him. He felt as though she was what he’d been waiting for his entire life.

  And okay, yeah. He probably owed Wolfe that much.

  “What’d you have in mind?”

  They both turned to look at Wolfe. The man’s eyes were dark with desire as he watched them, one shoulder leaning against the wall, hands in his pockets as though he was completely unaffected.

  Right.

  The bulge in his jeans said otherwise.

  “Don’t mind me,” he said gruffly. “I certainly don’t mind watchin’.”

  “I think it’s my turn to watch.”

  Rhys’s attention turned to Amy instantly.

  She smiled shyly. “What?”

  “You wanna watch, darlin’?” Wolfe sauntered toward them.

  “I do.”

  Rhys glanced back at Wolfe.

  “Come here, Sheriff.”

  There wasn’t an ounce of request in Wolfe’s gravelly tone. Without thinking, Rhys turned to face the sexy cowboy who had driven all the way to Rhys’s house in an attempt to salvage this thing they had. He wasn’t sure what the next steps were after tonight, but right now, Rhys knew exactly what he wanted.

  And he damn sure wasn’t about to do anything to jeopardize that.

  24

  __________

  The second Wolfe’s eyes landed on Rhys out on that front porch, he knew that this thing between them was about to explode. He’d spent the past few weeks twining his world with theirs to the point he knew he wanted them in his life. Permanently.

  Not that he was the type to ever think about the future or anything long-lasting, but the mere thought of losing either one of them damn near made him crazy. Tonight had been a hell of a lot harder than he’d let on. He had wanted to spend his birthday with Amy and Rhys. They were the brightest points in his life right now and without them he felt empty. Lost.

  And this … the intense lust that coursed through his veins, that ignited like diesel fuel when they were together was only a fraction of it.

  Wolfe came to stand between Rhys’s legs, staring down at the man as he sat on the edge of the bed. Unable to help himself, he ran his hand down the side of Rhys’s face, the rough stubble abrading his palm as he studied him, tried to read his mind.

  Love.

  That was what Wolfe felt for Rhys and Amy. Strong, powerful, all-consuming love. Something he’d never felt for one person, let alone two. Not like this. It was a need, a hunger, a desperate yearning that only seemed to be sated when he was with them. And he was serious when he said he was all in. He wanted it all.

  Rhys’s eyes were searching his face in turn, and Wolfe met and held his gaze as he slipped his hand behind Rhys’s neck, shifting higher and palming the back of his head as he leaned down.

  When their lips met, Wolfe forced himself to take this slow. As hot as the fire inside him was burning, he didn’t want to rush this. He still remembered the first night he was with Rhys. The two of them alone. It had been more than he’d anticipated. Truth was, it had scared him a little. Made him want more than he knew he should want.

  And though he’d found the same feelings churned when he was with Amy, he could never imagine his life with one and not the other. He needed both of them.

  Amy moved closer, kneeling behind Rhys, her hands on his shoulder, her breasts pressing against the back of Wolfe’s hand. She was watching them and he fucking loved that.

  Strong fingers tugged on his jeans and Wolfe pulled back, staring down the length of his body as Rhys unbuckled his belt, then released the button. He sucked in a breath when Rhys’s hands slipped beneath his shirt, curling around his waist, warm fingers pressing into his flesh. He fucking loved the way Rhys touched him. So sure of himself, so strong, powerful. It settled him in a way he’d never expected.

  Wanting to feel more of him, Wolfe reached behind his head and tugged his shirt up and off, tossing it to the floor. Rhys’s hands moved higher. Rough, warm.
Wolfe’s abs contracted, his breath lodged in his chest as sensation after sensation consumed him. When Amy’s hands joined Rhys’s, Wolfe drew air deep into his lungs. Soft, smooth. So different, yet they both touched him with reverence, in a way that made Wolfe feel like the luckiest bastard on the planet.

  Rhys leaned forward, pressing his lips to Wolfe’s stomach. Wolfe kept Rhys’s head cradled in his hand, holding him, desperate for more of his touch.

  Amy pulled back, her eyes on them as she kept one hand on Wolfe, the other on Rhys. Wolfe fucking loved that she was always touching them, as though she didn’t want to be too far away.

  Wolfe pulled Rhys to his feet, then leaned in for a kiss while they both fumbled to get the other’s jeans off. It took several minutes, but they managed to disrobe, still groping, still kissing.

  When Wolfe laid Rhys back on the bed, Amy moved out of the way, but she didn’t go far. Wolfe reached for her, placing his hand on her thigh, needing to feel her, too, wanting her close.

  “Wolfe…” Rhys pulled him down, then crushed their mouths together. The kiss went from simmer to boil in seconds, and Wolfe was lost to it, drowning in the sensation of having Rhys beneath him. Warm, hard, eager.

  His brain was processing all the things he intended to do to Rhys, but before he could put a plan in motion, Rhys flipped their positions. Wolfe found himself flat on his back, Rhys’s weight blanketing him, their mouths once again coming together, tongues dueling, hands roaming. For a brief moment, he considered giving in to what he knew Rhys wanted.

  “Let me,” Rhys groaned. “Let me give you this.”

  Wolfe shook his head, instinct saying he couldn’t give in. Not that he didn’t necessarily want to, but he wasn’t sure he could handle it. If he gave up that last piece of himself, he wasn’t sure he’d ever get it back. And despite his feelings for Rhys and Amy, Wolfe wasn’t sure he could allow himself to be that vulnerable. After all, Wolfe had admitted how he felt to Rhys—told him he was all in, that he wanted everything—but the man hadn’t responded in kind.

  Rhys pulled back and stared down at him. Wolfe met his gaze, held it.

  “Let me love you, Wolfe.”

  The tightening in his chest threw him, the acceptance, the need. His self-control was being battered from all sides and he knew if Rhys pushed him, he would give in. He couldn’t help it. He wanted everything these two were willing to give him. He’d always been the one in control, the one others depended on. To have them focused completely on him…

  Rhys’s mouth trailed down his jaw, his neck. Wolfe closed his eyes as the warmth moved south, pausing to torment his nipple before shifting lower. He sucked in a sharp breath when Rhys’s mouth descended over his cock.

  A warm body moved beside him and Wolfe opened his eyes to see Amy lying on her side, warm and so fucking beautiful. While Rhys teased him with his lips and tongue, Wolfe pulled Amy down to him, kissing her. Gently, leisurely. He forced himself to relax even when Rhys’s mouth moved lower.

  When Rhys’s tongue slid lower, rimming his asshole, Wolfe’s entire body jerked.

  “Does it feel good?” Amy whispered, her eyes on his face, her fingers sliding down his cheek.

  It amazed him that she understood his hesitation.

  He nodded.

  She kissed him again, and Rhys’s mouth sent him into hyperspace, his tongue thrusting inside his ass, fucking gently. When his finger replaced his tongue, Wolfe sucked in air, his arm banding around Amy.

  “Let it feel good,” Amy said softly, her hand sliding over his chest, his neck, cupping his face.

  He gave her a jerky nod, but he wasn’t even sure what he was agreeing to. This was too much. If Rhys wasn’t careful, Wolfe was going to come before they made it to the next phase of this birthday seduction.

  Sensation after sensation slaughtered him as Rhys fucked him with one finger, then two. The man brushed that sensitive spot inside him and Wolfe damn near came off the bed.

  “Oh, fuck … oh, fuck…” Wolfe drew air deep into his lungs.

  As though he knew how close Wolfe was, Rhys paused, his mouth moving over Wolfe’s cock once again.

  “Naked,” Wolfe commanded Amy. He needed her naked. He needed…

  Amy nodded. While Rhys continued to blow him, Wolfe watched as Amy shed her clothes until she was gloriously naked. Then she was back on the bed, her hands on him. It was clear she was distracting him, and it was working.

  “I want to feel you inside me,” Amy told him, her lips sliding along his jaw. “Deep inside me.”

  Wolfe growled at the same time Rhys released him. He managed to roll over, pulling her beneath him. Without thinking about the repercussions, he plunged inside her before he even realized he didn’t have a condom.

  His entire body drew taut as the slick warmth of her pussy clasped him.

  “Fuck … oh, my … fuck…” He didn’t move, staring down at her. “I … oh, God, Amy.” A deep, rumbling growl sounded from his chest, more animal than man. “Feels so fucking good.”

  A small smile formed on her mouth.

  “Need a condom,” he groaned, hating the thought of pulling out of her right now.

  “It’s okay,” she whispered. “I trust you.”

  It wasn’t necessarily about trust. Well, it was and it wasn’t. Wolfe wasn’t sure where this thing with them was going. If she got pregnant…

  The idea of her pregnant with his baby had his body pulsing dangerously. He stared down at her.

  “I’m on birth control,” she said. “Implant.”

  Part of him was relieved, part disappointed. Still, he couldn’t move. Warm hands gripped his hips, pulling him out of the erotic stupor as he felt the mattress shift behind him.

  “Kiss me,” Amy pleaded, pulling Wolfe’s head down.

  Welcoming the distraction, Wolfe gave in.

  To her kiss, to Rhys. To everything.

  For the first time in his life, he was handing the reins over to someone else.

  And he realized then that they were the only two he’d ever trust to hold on and not let him go.

  Ignoring Rhys behind him wasn’t even an option. He heard the rustle of a condom being opened, felt the shift in the bed when he joined them. The way the man leaned over him, his warm, comforting weight didn’t detract from the anxiety he felt as the blunt head of Rhys’s cock pressed against his asshole.

  Damn.

  Fuck.

  Amy shifted; the friction of the smooth walls of her pussy had ecstasy shooting through him. It was almost enough to ease the sharp pain that ignited deep within him when Rhys pushed inside. His body stretched painfully around the intrusion, but he focused on breathing, letting the pain morph into pleasure.

  “So tight,” Rhys groaned against his ear. “So fucking tight.”

  Amy moved again, rocking her hips, exquisite pleasure slamming through him as his cock lodged deeper inside her body.

  The next thing Wolfe knew, they were both fucking him. He could do little more than remain poised above Amy, her sweet softness beneath him while Rhys plunged deeper and deeper into his ass with every thrust and retreat. His head was spinning, his brain obliterated by the intensity of it all. He didn’t know whether he was coming or going. Wolfe could easily get addicted to this. Having both of them at once. It was fucking incredible. More so than he’d ever expected.

  “Oh, fuck,” he hissed when Amy pinched his nipple.

  “More,” she pleaded on a sigh. “Fuck me, Wolfe.”

  Holding his hips still, Wolfe redirected his cock so that he was fucking into her every time Rhys slammed into him. Sweat broke out along his forehead as he tried to hang on, desperate to make Amy come before he let go. He wasn’t sure that was going to happen.

  It was too much.

  Not enough.

  “Holy fuck,” he growled. “Fuck … me…”

  Amy’s nails dug into his back as she cried out his name over and over. It took a second to realize she was coming. Once he did, Wolfe’s body
took over, his cock swelling, his balls drawing up tight to his body.

  “Rhys … oh, fuck… Gonna…” Wolfe roared his release as it barreled through him, every cell in his body overwhelmed by sensation.

  Seconds later, Rhys groaned behind him, his body stilling as he let himself go.

  Amy might’ve been slightly jealous of Wolfe.

  She’d never seen something as incredibly beautiful as that man when he gave himself completely to someone else. It had stolen her breath and her heart at the same time. Then again, the look of pure ecstasy on Rhys’s face when he’d claimed Wolfe… Amy had felt that right down in her soul.

  So, maybe she was a little jealous of both of them.

  And now, as she lay between Rhys and Wolfe, she was scared to close her eyes. She wanted this night to last forever. She’d never felt more complete than she did right then, with these two men. It all felt a little surreal. Although the L word hadn’t been mentioned once tonight by anyone, Amy knew she’d been surrounded by it since she walked into Rhys’s house. Truthfully, she hadn’t felt anything even remotely close to this sort of emotion since before she met him.

  Still, she had to wonder when this happy-go-lucky feeling was going to end. She knew it wouldn’t last forever. As much as she wanted it, her life wasn’t mapped out that way. She was still waiting for the other shoe to drop. And that shoe just so happened to be a two-hundred-pound monster she was waiting to jump out at her around every corner.

  “Come here, girl,” Wolfe whispered, tugging Amy until she was curled up against his side. He kissed her forehead. “Why can’t you sleep?”

  She shrugged, but the movement was limited because of her position. Resting her head on his chest, Amy draped her arm over his stomach, her hand resting on his chest. She loved when Wolfe held her like this. It made her feel safe, cherished.

  “I’m sorry about tonight,” he added, his voice low.

  Hugging him tighter, she swallowed the lump in her throat and tilted her head slightly. When he bent his, Amy kissed him softly, letting her lips linger on his.

  “It ended well,” she told him.

  “It did.” He brushed his lips across hers. “You made my birthday perfect.”