Deceptive Changes: Kat LaMond Book 1

by R A Baker

  Trace started with, “I’m not into guys, Kat, though I will participate. I’ve toyed with the idea of all three of us pleasing you at the same time. I’m sure they have as well. We like being individually pleased but it’s time for a change, don’t you think?”

  I blinked at Trace. This was such a change from earlier this morning. “I thought we were doing well before.” Of course, this would change things and even if I chose to have only two in the room at one time, someone would be left behind and I couldn’t fathom that.

  “We are, Katja,” Erick said as he twisted his lips. “We just want you. In this particular instance it’s about pleasing and pleasuring you and being together in the most intimate way possible.”

  “You guys aren’t gonna do anything, are you?” I asked.

  “In what way?”

  They were going to make me state it. I bit my lip. How do you ask them if they wanted to try a freer way of living, at least in the bedroom? I chewed on my lip until I tasted blood. Ick. I stopped chewing and looked at each of them. I loved them with their varied eye color and hair color and thoughts. Todd with his brown hair and eyes, looking scrumptious in pajama bottoms and no shirt. I looked at Trace with his blue-y grey eyes and sandy blond hair cut short, looking yum in pj bottoms and a t-shirt that molded to his chest and arms. I turned to look at Erick, his emerald green eyes shining and his chocolate brown hair framing his face just so that it made his naturally pale skin gleam.

  “I shouldn’t have asked, it’s nothing.” That was my way of getting out of asking the sticky question. Yeah, right, like they let me get away with that.

  Todd, in his oh-so reasonable voice, said, “If you were going to ask if we were going to help each other out, without you, then I think the answer would be no.”

  I could feel the heat of my blush run up my neck and fill my cheeks. I stumbled over a few um’s and oh’s but didn’t say anything coherent.

  “Don’t be embarrassed, Kat. It’s a natural question to ask,” Trace said, and held his out to me. After a moment of hesitation, I took it; my other hand was still clutching at my stomach.

  Erick had been quiet throughout most of the conversation so I decided to ask him. “What do you think about this, Erick?”

  “I’m game for this activity. I have always wondered if you would be though.” He licked his lips and dropped his gaze.

  “Why am I the only one that has an issue with this?” I wondered aloud. I didn’t expect an answer but I got one anyway.

  “You have always thought of your life being in the direction of monogamy. We were married after all, Kat. Naturally, this would be foreign to you,” Todd said.

  “And it’s not to you?”

  Todd chuckled and shook his head. “No. I didn’t think it would be with two other guys but no. I’ve always had a fantasy with at least one other person in bed with us. Now it can happen.”

  “You do realize that I couldn’t accept having another girl in bed with me, right?”

  Todd continued to stare into my eyes. “Yeah,” he said, like it was no big deal.

  “Todd, seriously, what’s changed? Did something change?”

  “Yes.” I looked expectantly at him for the rest of his answer. “I found that I can’t live without you and need to be with you, however that may be. I don’t mind Erick and Trace. I actually enjoy their company. So if it also means bringing them into the bedroom with you and me then I don’t have a problem with that.”

  I was stunned. Todd, mister cop guy, was okay with having two other men in the same room, naked. I couldn’t believe it.

  “Don’t look so shocked, Kat. I’m just telling you what I know. They may feel differently,” he said softly and made a sweeping motion with his hands.

  I looked at the other two and they shook their heads, whatever that meant. “Well?”

  “I don’t have a problem with it, like I said I’ll participate and help with pleasuring you but I won’t be having sex with another guy,” Trace said, almost sounding as blasé as Todd had a moment ago.

  I looked at Erick. “I do not have a problem with this, either.” He left the other part open which could mean that he wouldn’t mind trying or just neglected to qualify that part of the conversation.

  “Look, it’s flattering that you want to have sex with me at the same time but it’s just really weird. I’d rather just one at a time. It seems a bit easier and a bit saner, too.” I stood up and buttoned my blouse. As much as this was exciting, I needed to think and I couldn’t do that with three really hot men looking at me like I was something to eat.

  “Kat, don’t leave,” Todd said softly, “I’m sorry I made you uncomfortable. I really didn’t mean to. I was just really looking forward to having sex with you. I still want to but I don’t want to make you nervous. I guess it’s too late for that, huh?” He smiled but it wasn’t the lusty smile that was on his face earlier it was a sad smile. My heart crumpled a little at that smile.

  I smiled slightly at him and ran my hand along his jaw. I could feel the day’s stubble on his face. “I’m going to go into work for a few hours and look up a house for us. When I get back, I should have this whole weird-o feeling taken care of.” They looked at me and I realized what I had said. “What I mean is, I may have worked out, in my head, a way for us to enjoy each other at the same time.” I flicked my eyes to Trace and Erick and saw looks of sadness on their faces. This time my heart did crack at the sight. “I’m sorry, guys. I’ll only be a little while. I’ll bring lunch home with me and maybe I’ll be in a better mood.” I kissed each on the cheek and left. They didn’t stop me this time.

  Chapter Three

  I drove to work and walked into the office. “Hey, Starla, I’m only here for a few minutes. I need to find a house.”

  “You need a house?” Her surprise was hardly hidden.

  “Yeah. It’s really crowded at my apartment. Do you have anything on your desk?”

  “We just got in a mini-mansion. It’s got six bedrooms, a theatre, a formal and informal dining room, a sitting room and living room. In the master bedroom there’s a giant bathroom with a big tub, separate shower stall, and secreted toilet area. Double sinks. The place is mostly done in marble and soapstone. A big yard and a quarter mile drive,” she narrated, as she looked at her notes. “The clients want around three and half million for it.”

  “I’ll take a look at it.” She handed me the listing with another of those infuriating smiles. I was out the door and on my way to this mini-mansion without another thought to her smile or what she thought on my desire for a house.

  >< ><

  I drove through trees for about a half hour before I came to the driveway. She wasn’t kidding, it really was a quarter-mile paved. The house was stunning. I stopped about three hundred feet from the house and took it in. There was a portico that was big enough to hold three cars easily. I didn’t think I needed anything this elaborate but I was willing to look at it. I drove under the portico and got out.

  I opened the door to the house and found myself in a beautiful soapstone and marble foyer. There was a graceful staircase to the right of the door with rooms leading to the side of the stairs. I looked to the left and saw several doors to the side. The master bedroom was on the first floor, or main floor, and was just as beautiful. It was a giant room that took up almost the whole half of the house. As described the bathroom was beautiful and big.

  I had seen enough. I called Starla on my cell phone and told her to work it so I could have the house within the next two days or so, I’d pay upfront. Of course I wasn’t planning on paying the full three point five million but I’d come close.

  She called me back a few minutes later and said that they would take three million upfront to allow me to move in today. “Great. Have them meet me at the bank. I’ll transfer the money immediately. Oh, and be there, too.”

  >< ><

  I drove to the bank and met Starla. She waited with me in the lobby. The couple who owned the house showed u
p a few minutes later.

  Starla introduced me and we went about getting the transfer made. It took almost an hour for them to certify that I was who I said I was and the payment went through.

  I didn’t have a real worry that these people weren’t the real owners of the house. Now that I was living with Trace, I’d brought his company on as investigators to make sure that the people who want to sell through us are legit. We haven’t had any who weren’t but a few of our real-estate competitors have.

  The bank clerk thanked us and shook our hands. I shook the previous owners’ hands and walked out of the bank with Starla close on my heels. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Starla. Tell Cindy that I’m happy for her.” Cindy’s our star agent, and the best decision I had ever made in my life.

  >< ><

  I left the bank and crept down Main Street, looking for a good restaurant. I found a Thai restaurant and ordered to go. I twiddled my thumbs as they fixed the food and then I paced while they put the food into containers. The instant the woman behind the counter handed me the bags, I was out the door and on my way home. I was anxious to get back to the three and deal with other things. I also wanted to tell them that we had a house.

  I called the apartment and told Erick that I would be home in a few minutes. It was slow going on Main Street but it thinned out as I got to the apartment building.

  I got out the instant I pulled into the parking lot of my apartment, and the valet got in. I made my way into the building with a quick wave to Karen and made my way to the elevators.

  The lift dinged and I got in, thankfully no one else was in the cabin, so I was alone, with my thoughts and the smell of good Thai food. I listened to classical music as the elevator carried me to my floor.

  I hated musak and couldn’t stand the crappy sound system in the elevators that were there before. I had some music technicians renovate the elevator sound system to include a subwoofer to give bass and proper speakers to give the classical music some depth.

  The elevator binged open and I stepped out. I didn’t know what I was going to do with Charles and those I raised. I guess they could stay with us at the house. There were enough rooms for everyone.

  I let myself into the apartment and found rose petals along the foyer and hallway. I set the food down on the little table by the door and followed the roses.

  They led into the bedroom, where I found all three men. They were still in pj’s and looked yummy. I blinked at them and tried to keep my mouth closed. They weren’t asleep so much as resting. I tossed my suit jacket off and threw my purse on the chair by the door.

  I climbed into bed with them and the touches started, hands ran along my stomach. I sighed contentedly and relished being in-between Todd and Erick, Trace was lying against Erick with his arm across Erick’s stomach and my arm.

  I started to fall asleep when the doorbell rang. I jerked upright. Fuck. None of the guys so much as twitched.

  I heaved a sigh, got out of bed, and answered the door. It was Charles.

  Charles was my right hand man, and when I first met him, I was mildly shocked by his appearance, as his face was heavily scarred, otherwise, he was as normal as anyone I’d ever met. His blond hair was loose, hiding the harshest of the scars behind the strands, and his blue eyes were focused, as usual.

  “Hey, Charles.” I waved him in but he declined.

  “I am here to make sure that we are still on for midnight?”

  “Yeah, as far as I know.” I paused and then said, “Hey, I bought a house. We can move in right away. There are enough rooms for everyone. Why don’t you tell the others to get packed? We’ll be moving there tonight. I have to call and get some furniture but other than that, we’re good to go.”

  “I will tell everyone, mistress.” He bowed quickly and left me staring at the empty space he had once inhabited. Charles was like that. He rarely stuck around long enough for me to ask more questions or have idle conversation.

  I closed the door and turned to find Trace, Todd, and Erick standing a little behind me, near the kitchen. “So you have a new house, huh?” Trace asked.

  I nodded. “It has this huge bedroom for us. I just have to get furniture. Speaking of which…” I grabbed my cell phone and called a furniture store that delivered the same day.

  A half hour later, I had a houseful of furniture. I’d used the company on several occasions that I didn’t even have to see the stuff I ordered. I even kept them on retainer in case clients decide to buy a non-furnished house and needed furniture for a short time.

  “They said they’ll have the furniture at the house before seven tonight,” I said as I clicked my phone shut.

  I walked into the kitchen and dished out some food. I was starving and, apparently, so were the guys. We ate slowly and talked little.

  “The roses were beautiful, guys,” I said.

  “I’m glad you liked them,” Todd said in between bites.

  We finished our meal in silence.

  Chapter Four

  After dishes were put in the dishwasher, I got a look from Todd. “Have you thought this whole thing through?” he asked.

  “I have,” I said, and paused to drink some soda before answering. “I think we should at least try it. Maybe I’ll even like it.” I chuckled and stopped when I saw how serious they were looking at me. Yikes. “Uh, guys? Scary looks again.” They blinked and the looks disappeared. I had to blink at the change in them.

  Todd stood up and grabbed me around the waist, lifted me in his arms, and carried me to the bedroom. He stopped in front of the bed and kissed me. I tangled my fingers into his hair and pulled him tighter to my lips. I didn’t want to go farther than kissing.

  Todd pulled away from my mouth, set me on the bed, and stood over me. It was somewhat intimidating.

  Trace and Erick made their way into the bedroom and looked at me lying on the bed. I breathed deeply and nearly shrieked when Todd put his hand on my arm. “Kat, are you okay?”

  It took a moment to get breath enough to chuckle at my jumpiness. “Yeah. I’m okay.”

  Trace and Erick climbed onto the bed and lay next to me. Todd looked out of place to me but he didn’t seem to mind. I wondered if he just wanted to watch. That actually made me nervous, almost too nervous.

  “Are you going to watch, Todd?” I breathed the question because my heart was permanently lodged in my throat.

  “I was planning on joining.”

  Instead of having my heart in my throat it went down to my stomach and then lower. “I think I need a drink,” I said with a small chuckle and tried for a joke but I was dead serious. This wasn’t something normal for me and the longer it took the more my nerves got the better of me.

  I sat up in bed and looked at them. They were more than ready and I wasn’t. “I really need a drink. Sorry, guys, it’ll have to wait until I am thoroughly plastered.” They rolled their eyes at me.

  I got off the bed and went to the kitchen. I grabbed a beer from the fridge and chugged it. If I was going to do this then I needed something to calm my nerves. A lot of something.

  Todd came in, gave me an amused look, and grabbed three beers before leaving the kitchen and, presumably, going back into the bedroom.

  I finished the first beer and grabbed a second. I popped the metal top, sipped some, and made my way slowly back into the bedroom.

  Todd, Trace, and Erick were sitting on the end of the bed, drinking and laughing. I could feel my cheeks heat up, which was silly but hell... They probably weren’t even talking about me but just seeing them do their male bonding thing made me uncomfortable. Normally, I wasn’t around for the male bonding, not that I can’t hold my own but these were three people that I knew intimately.

  “Come sit, Kat,” Trace patted the bed.

  I looked at them and thought for a second before shaking my head. I took a seat on the chair by the door instead.

  I swallowed more beer and started to feel the alcohol kicking in. Maybe I was ready for this. Maybe.


  I set the bottle on the floor and got unsteadily to my feet. I kicked off my shoes and Todd said breathily, “Leave the shoes.” I just about had a heart attack. This wasn’t like Todd. For the whole time I’ve known him, he’d never been into shoes. I slipped the shoes back on and stood there not knowing what to do. I splayed my hands and shrugged my shoulders.

  When they didn’t give me a direction, I plopped down on the chair again and grabbed the bottle. I took a long swallow and had to relax my throat muscles to avoid choking.

  I cleared my throat after I pulled the bottle away and caught them staring at me. “What? Can’t I drink a lot of beer?”

  “It’s not that, Kat. It’s your nervousness. I wish you’d get over it. I, we, really want to have some fun and you’re not playing,” Todd said.

  “Uh, sorry, Todd, it’s rather frightening to think about this. Maybe I shouldn’t think about it but I can’t help it.” Cold feet, definitely.

  “Oh, geez,” Trace sighed in exasperation.

  “Well, sorry, Trace. I’d think you’d be a little nervous, too.”

  “I’m not,” he stated matter-of-factly.

  “Well, I guess it’s different for you guys. I’m the one that’s going to be totally taken care of. It’s not you that will be in the middle.”

  “Do you want me to be?” The challenge was laid by Trace and I wasn’t one to balk at a challenge.

  “Yes. I want you, each of you, to be in the middle. Then I’ll be in the middle, okay?”

  They looked at each other and then nodded. It was weird how they seemed to be talking to each other without words. Maybe they were and I just didn’t know it.

  I finished my beer and stood up. “Finished?” They nodded. I grabbed the bottles and went into the kitchen, tossed the bottles in the recycle bin, and stood at the sink. I tried to keep the challenge alive but it was fading fast.