Jana cocked her head and her expression softened. “Joey was several years younger than I was, but I remember him following you around from time to time.”
Nicolas laughed reminiscing how his brother trailed him like a shadow. Then something clicked inside. “You remember my brother?”
“Uh… Well, it’s just that—Lisa and I, we used to see you guys around the neighborhood.” She shrugged and then took another lick of her ice cream.
“But he was younger than you.”
“And you were older than me by four years. Does it matter?” she asked.
Just how much about him did she already know? And where did she get all this information? He couldn’t remember ever speaking to Lisa about his brother. She didn’t really seem interested in his family. Not really disinterested, but aloof.
But Jana was interested.
She picked up a napkin and dabbed at the corner of her mouth. “What’s his major?”
Damn. He had wanted to lick that spot of ice cream off her lips. “Joey’s a history buff. Don’t know what he’ll do with the knowledge, but he’s happy and that’s all that matters.”
She smiled again. “You love him.”
“Yes.” His response came quickly. His love for Joey was probably similar to that between Lisa and Jana. His brother meant everything to him. He watched as her tongue made a long swipe around her ice cream cone.
“Your mom and dad?”
He didn’t really want to talk about his father. But his mother had been the light of his life. “My father passed right after you left Arizona. Mom died last year.”
“I’m sorry.” And she was. He could see it in her eyes. For a moment they just stared at each other, then he dropped his gaze to his watch.
“Damn. I need to get back to the restaurant. You guys are coming over to my house for dinner tonight aren’t you?” What he wouldn’t give to spend the rest of the day with her.
She picked up her purse and tucked it beneath her arm. The ease in which she asked, “Was that the plan?” showed how comfortable she was getting around him.
He gave a slow nod as they moved toward the door. Oh, yeah. He’d wanted to get her to his home on more than one occasion.
“Then I guess we’ll be there.” She passed by him and out the door he held open.
After they climbed into his four-door truck and he started the engine, the oily scent of diesel filled the cab. A comfortable silence lingered between them as he shifted the vehicle into gear and pulled into the traffic. Jana was easy to be with. Even the light fragrance of her perfume was unobtrusive. She was the type of woman a man could simply enjoy while holding her hand and walking along the ocean or mountainside.
That was until she was mad or edgy. Even then he relished the fight in her. He especially enjoyed their banter and the chase. She always appeared trapped in the “flee or fuck” mode. While he guessed her mind told her to run far and fast from him, her body was giving the opposite signals.
He had no doubt she wanted him as much as he wanted her.
Nicolas glanced at Jana and she smiled, a smile that sent warmth radiating through his body. This was a side he hadn’t seen in her, or at least she hadn’t shared with him before. She usually wore her hard-as-nails exterior or the fragile girl persona. The multiple facets to her personality made him feel like he could be with her a lifetime and never completely know her. But something inside of him knew he wanted to try.
As they pulled up to Lisa’s house he turned off the truck, got out, went around to her side and opened the door for her to exit. For a moment he thought of taking her into his arms, but then thought better. The time would come when she didn’t run from him. And when that time came, it would be all the sweeter.
There was a slight awkwardness in the moment as Nicolas stood before Jana. Almost as if he debated on kissing her. The strangest part of the situation was that she wanted him to. Wanted to feel his lips pressed to hers.
Dammit! Was it wrong to want to taste passion? To desire what Lisa and Nicolas had together? Or was that just a dream? They kept saying nothing existed between them.
“Tonight.” His whisper almost sounded like a promise.
“Yes. Of course. Tonight.” She stumbled from her wandering thoughts and took a step backward, before pivoting and leaving.
When she got into the house, she collapsed on the closest chair with a huff.
What would happen if she gave in, let Nicolas kiss her, let him touch her? Well, it didn’t matter because it was never going to happen.
She pushed to her feet and headed for her bedroom to choose what she would wear tonight. After ten minutes she said, “Girl, you’re taking an awful long time to pick out an outfit for a man that doesn’t matter.”
“But he does.”
When she heard Lisa’s voice, Jana turned quickly, almost losing her balance. A flush of embarrassment heated her face. “Lisa.”
Her friend held up her hand. “Nicolas is everything you’ve ever wanted. Why not for once in your life be greedy? Take what you want.”
“But, Lisa—”
“Jana, there isn’t anything I have I wouldn’t share with you, including Nicolas. I love you. All I want is for you to be happy.”
Jana stood speechless.
“Think about it.” Then Lisa floated out of the room, leaving Jana with a lot to consider.
Could she simply slip into a relationship with Nicolas when he was having one with her best friend? And what about this bondage stuff? Did she dare give him the trust needed to even experiment with BDSM?
The thoughts made her breasts grow heavy and that familiar tingle began in her nipples.
Was it possible?
Chapter Eight
Olive oil, butter and garlic simmered in a large frying pan. The oil popped and sizzled as Nicolas tossed in moist broccoli and stirred for preparation of the rigatoni he planned to serve with their main dish, Chicken Marsala. The rich scent of garlic, herbs and spices filled the air.
Before his mother had passed away she used to tease, “Garlic to an Italian is like apple pie to an American.” Feelings of his recent loss surfaced, but didn’t stay long. He grinned, remembering her many antics. His mother had been a hoot. He loved to listen to her soft laughter. She smelled of almonds, a scent that always warmed his heart. With her gone he felt something was missing in his life.
She would have liked Jana.
Adding chicken broth to the pan, he covered the dish and strolled away from the stove. With a dishrag he wiped down the large island in the center of his kitchen. His mother loved cooking while her family gathered around her, everyone participating in some small way.
With her in mind he had designed his custom home located just south of the restaurant. Upon entering, his guests walked into a great room consisting of a living room, dining room and kitchen. The openness lent itself to entertaining and gave him a sense of home as he cooked.
He placed a chicken breast between two pieces of wax paper, then gave it a whack with a wooden kitchen mallet. Lisa and Jana had arrived only minutes ago and were touring his home. He would have liked to have shown Jana around himself, but earlier a broken waterline at the restaurant had flooded the northeast side of the restaurant, causing him to start dinner late.
Now he found himself in a rather odd mood—antsy—with no idea whether it was the problems at the restaurant or Jana who had captured his attention from the start. The idea of seducing her had become an obsession. Usually a patient man, he was finding it extremely difficult to keep his mind off her.
Man, she looked great tonight. She wore a black evening dress, while Lisa had on a flesh-colored gown that almost made her appear as if she had nothing on at all. A sizzle behind his back drew him to the rigatoni on the stove. He raised the lid and used a fork to check the tenderness of the broccoli.
Done. After adding a hint of basil, he pulled the pan off the fire and set it aside.
What he wouldn’t give to strip Jana of her cloth
ing and pour rich red wine over her body. A wicked smile surfaced. Side by side, he and Lisa would lap the sweet alcohol from Jana’s soft skin, one lick at a time.
The thought hardened his cock. He shifted his hips. Fuck, he was horny tonight. Hell, when was he not horny when Jana was around?
Feminine laughter caressed his ears. Like an invisible rope it tugged, begging him to follow as he heard their footsteps descend the stairs to his basement. He turned to the island counter, retrieved the mallet and gave the chicken another whack, hard. All he wanted at the moment was to be caressing a certain redhead with kissing and fucking on the menu.
His erection jerked against his pants as if fighting its constraints. Heat rushed through his body and it wasn’t from the gas stove behind him.
Would Lisa show Jana the dungeon? It was a special place he kept locked, but Lisa knew where he hid the key. She’d prepared the room for one of their bondage scenes when he had once again been delayed.
The restaurant business could be demanding.
As he finished preparing the chicken, he switched off the burner and wondered what had captured Jana’s and Lisa’s interest downstairs. They’d been there for a while. Instead of completing the final touches to the dinner and putting it into the oven, he decided to check on the women.
When he reached the downstairs, he was surprised at the laughter coming out of the dungeon. He’d never found anything in the room funny, but evidently they had. As he grew closer he heard Jana say, “I can’t believe this swing.”
He peeked around the corner into the room. Jana’s legs were spread wide, laced through the swing supports hanging from the ceiling, while Lisa gave her a push now and again. They were like two young girls at the playground.
His playground.
Both had kicked off their shoes and appeared to be relaxed and enjoying themselves. From his position, as she swung higher, he could look straight up Jana’s dress, but a pair of black panties hid what he wanted so badly to see.
Lisa stopped the swing. “I want to show you his toys.” She assisted Jana out of the contraption while they both giggled. “If the swing and hobby horse surprised you, wait until you see his toys. They’re going to blow your mind.”
Nicolas couldn’t believe he was eavesdropping on their conversation, but he couldn’t help enjoying their girlish mannerisms. They were like two high school girls down on their knees as Lisa pulled out the suitcase that contained all his special equipment. She flipped open the lid and Jana gasped.
Lisa’s face sparked as she dug through his case.
“Oh my God, what is this?” Jana held one of his glass butt plugs by her thumb and index finger as if it contained some type of disease.
“Six inches of anal bliss,” Lisa said as she continued to rummage through the case.
The confused look on Jana’s face was priceless. “Anal?”
Lisa stopped what she was doing and looked up. “A butt plug, silly. Don’t tell me you haven’t ever seen one before.” Jana didn’t respond and Lisa chuckled. “I can’t believe it.”
“Hey, don’t laugh at me. I’ve been busy.” Jana’s tone sounded playful and young as she placed the plug back into the suitcase. “While you were learning the ins and outs of sex, I was reading and going to school, remember?”
Lisa shook her head and went back to digging through the suitcase.
Nicolas loved the carefree way Jana teased with Lisa, and it was hard to believe she’d been through so much shit in her past. For the first time, he saw her at ease, even happy. She reminded him of how she looked earlier today at the ice cream parlor when she had smiled at him.
“Here. I found it.” Lisa extracted a seven inch vibrator with clit stimulator. “This is a woman’s best friend. BOB.”
Jana’s brows dipped.
“Oh, Jana.” Lisa shook her head again. “Battery Operated Boyfriend. BOB. I really have a lot to teach you.”
“I know what a vibrator is.” Jana’s voice rose with indignation.
“Strip off your panties.”
Nicolas’s heart skipped a beat.
“What?” Jana squealed. Her eyes shot wide.
Lisa grabbed a tube of lubrication and covered the vibrator. “Take off your panties.”
“Here? What if—” She looked toward the open door, but Nicolas was watching from the crack between the door and frame, and he knew it was doubtful she could see him.
“He’s busy. He’ll never know what we’re doing and even if he did he wouldn’t care. Now get those panties off, girl.”
Jana moved slowly, hesitant, but Nicolas could see the excitement in her eyes. Lisa had said Jana was a scientist and naturally inquisitive.
Blood rushed into his balls and cock as she drew her dress up, hooked her thumbs in her panties and brought them down so quickly her dress fell, robbing him of a peek.
“Okay go lay on that soft mattress in the corner.” As Lisa spoke she drew out a small butt plug and lubed it too.
“I’m not sure about this, Lisa.” Still, Jana moved toward the mattress.
There were mirrors on the ceiling and wall that would give her a good look at what she was doing. Not to mention he’d be getting a great view, too. His breathing had elevated and he wished he could join them, but it would probably halt their fun. Shit. He had no choice but to resort to voyeurism, at least for now.
“Lie down,” Lisa said as she dropped to her knees.
Jana bit her lower lip before saying. “Lisa?”
“You do trust me, don’t you?” Lisa asked as she patted the mattress.
Jana’s eyes met Lisa’s. “You’re the only person I trust.”
Nicolas heard the truth in Jana’s soft words and for some reason a pang struck him in the chest. He wanted that trust, and not because he wanted to fuck her. He wanted her to feel the same way about him as she did Lisa.
“Come on then. You’ll have the orgasm of a lifetime.”
“What about Nicolas?” There was edginess to Jana’s tone, as if she expected him to pop out around the corner, which just might be a possibility if he got any more aroused.
Lisa brushed her hand through the air. “He’s lost in his cooking. C’mon, lay down.” Nicolas couldn’t see Lisa, but he knew her well enough to know there was a twinkle in her eyes. “Wait. Take off your dress. Bra, too.”
Jana’s expression was tentative as she grasped the hem of the dress and drew it slowly up, giving him a good look at the patch of auburn curls at the apex of her thighs. As Jana revealed more flesh, he followed the flow of her hips to the curve of her small waist. After she slipped the dress over her head she stood for a moment and clutched it to her chest. With a slight tilt of her chin she threw it aside. She was wearing only her strapless bra. A visible shiver raked her body as she reached behind her and unfastened the bra, letting it fall to the floor.
She was beautiful. Her breasts were full and round, her nipples a rosy pink. Previously, when he had seen her naked in the bathroom, she had been flushed from the warm water. But as she stood before her friend, her skin was tinted a light shade of innocent pink that he found simply adorable.
Nicolas was swollen to a bursting point. He reached down and unzipped his pants, setting his engorged erection free. Damn if he wasn’t as stiff as a board. The throb he felt clear down the shaft was begging him to join the ladies.
As Jana knelt, her long red hair brushed her nipples and he swore they tightened more. Nicolas would have liked to see Lisa’s face because he was sure she was as aroused and excited as he was.
With hesitancy in her movements, Jana slid upon her back.
“Relax, Jana.” Lisa’s voice was soft and warm. “Since it’s just the two of us, let me tie you up.”
“I-I don’t know.”
“Puleeese…” That little shrew. Lisa had the sweetest way of getting what she wanted—when she wanted it. “Okay?” Lisa asked again.
Nicolas didn’t hear Jana respond. But when Lisa reached for the pair of thigh cuf
fs, he knew she had won. He was glad she had chosen this type of restraint instead of the ones that would stretch Jana’s arms above her head. The two soft straps of material connected by a short chain with cuffs on the ends were less intimidating. They would restrain her wrists close to her legs. The last thing he wanted to see was Jana distressed. He preferred seeing her as he had only moments ago—happy and full of life.
As Lisa pulled the larger strap apart, the ripping sound of Velcro sent a tremor through him that shot down his cock. It was easy to imagine it was his hand circling Jana’s thighs with the larger strap. God, what he would give to watch her eyes grow dreamy with excitement as he secured the smaller constraint around her wrists that would keep her arms by her sides.
Well shit! He was so aroused he didn’t think he’d make it through the next part of the show. But it would take a natural disaster to move him from this place.
Not in her wildest dreams had Jana ever expected to be lying naked before her best friend, her wrists tied to her own thighs, in Nicolas’s home, while he unsuspectingly prepared dinner. Her belly clenched. Damn, what if he wandered down and caught them?
Just how much more bizarre could this picture get?
Plenty. Lisa pulled her dress over her head, revealing she wore nothing beneath it.
“Now I’m comfortable,” Lisa murmured. Then she gave Jana what was probably supposed to be a reassuring smile, but only moved her up the tension scale. “Relax. We’re going to have fun.”
Fun for whom? Jana thought as her nipples drew tighter. God, she couldn’t believe she was doing this. And she couldn’t believe how excited she was becoming.
Lisa’s hands were soft as she placed them on Jana’s calves and began a deep massage. “I’ve never asked you how you feel when Nicolas and I enjoy sex in front of you.” She looked up through heavy lashes. “Does it arouse you?” Her fingers danced on the inside of Jana’s legs moving toward her thighs.
It was automatic—Jana’s legs squeezed together.
“We might just have to do something about that.” Lisa moved away blocking Jana’s view, but it wasn’t long before Lisa’s fingers gently circled Jana’s ankle and wedged her legs apart. Before Jana understood what was happening, her legs were spread wide and secured with another set of straps that Lisa connected to D-rings at each side of the mattress. Actually, there were four—one on each corner.
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