“If we’re all so okay, maybe we’re just a trio with a guest?” Ross teased.
Tony shrugged at Ross. “It’s not us who feel the need to hop in a plane and take off. One of us traveling for work is different. We don’t need to pick up and leave as a habit. If anyone freaks out over things getting serious, it’ll be the guy who’s not here.”
“You’re right,” Ross said.
Gretchen smiled. “And if the worst happens, we’ll survive. But I don’t believe for a second you two want him edged out or gone. You love him and me. I couldn’t pick among any of you three either. I love all of you and not giving up anyone. Now, for dessert. Would it be really weird if we have Baked Alaska in Alaska?”
The guys cracked up and Tony leaned over and kissed her. With Gretchen in the mix, things were complete. They all missed and wanted Matt, but Tony wasn’t as grumpy or miserable with the issue anymore. He still missed Matt and how it impacted the group frustrated him, but it was less than before. There was only one explanation for it: the new woman in their lives.
Chapter Eight
It had been a long week of traveling for Gretchen. The bridal show was a huge hit for Mel’s business. She’d handed out a ton of cards and the app had been downloaded over a thousand times. That was a big success in her book.
The day trips to Seward and Homer had worked out as well. It was less organized than Anchorage but most things were. Small town were unique, and you had to know people to get anything done. At least now she’d met the people. Small steps. She could pop over for visits and build the connections easily. Networking took a little more effort but everything in Alaska did.
Today she could just be a spectator. Mel’s men would be handing out cards for their business, but they’d told her not to join in. Men talking boats with men seemed more effective. Tony’s brother Jason would be steering their boat in the parade while the other two worked the crowd. So she’d decided to take today off.
“Ready for the boat parade?” Ross asked.
“Sure. The mayor has no official duties?” Gretchen asked from the passenger seat of Tony’s car.
“Not really. It’s basically the big but informal kickoff of the summer festivities. Every weekend is something else. There are bands and food. Shooting and fishing competitions. The Taste of Sterling is the big one, but that’s not for a week. We might consider having a dance that evening. Might not be able to get it set up for this year. Not in the budget. But next year.”
“Dance?” Tony asked.
“Something I suggested when I first met with Ross about the tourism and dress sales for Mel. A little fancy something can’t hurt. Right? Or will they think it’s not Alaskan?” She looked back at Ross.
He shrugged. “It’s hard to tell. We can ask around this week. Have you put together your proposal yet for the wedding packages?”
Gretchen smiled. “Yes. I need to figure out who’d collect the money and then pay the participants. But first I need to run it by them and make sure everyone is really on board. Would the town donate the justice of the peace or license fee?”
“We’ll talk,” Ross said.
“That means he’s not sure he can get that approved,” Tony said.
“Worth a shot. We really need a wedding planner or something to pull this off properly.” Gretchen sighed.
Tony parked the car, and the trio piled out and followed the crowd. The seventy-degree day was sunny with a light breeze. She watched the harbor. The boats would be trailing out, but it was impressive to see a coordinated effort. No fishing or tours, just a show for the town.
They found a good spot, and she felt totally at ease standing between Ross and Tony. There was only one thing missing.
“You didn’t think I’d stay away for this, did you?” a familiar voice said from behind her.
The trio turned around. Gretchen hugged Matt. She’d managed fine but seeing him again triggered possessive feelings and the urge to cuddle. He hugged her tight and kissed her soundly. The fact that he missed her too helped a lot. He hadn’t forgotten.
She let him go, and Ross hugged Matt as well. Tony got the same treatment, but the men were a little quieter about it. The boats kept parading, and fireworks began to pop.
“Fireworks in the daylight?” she asked.
“You want to wait for it to get dark?” Matt chuckled.
She rolled her eyes. “Weird. Too bad the aurora borealis aren’t low enough. We could’ve marketed winter weddings with a great hook. Get married under the stars and the northern lights in Sterling.”
“Those lights are rarely seen down here, but it has happened. I thought you said you weren’t working today?” Tony asked with a touch of a snap in his voice.
“It’s just an idea.” She shrugged.
“Workaholics,” Tony said.
“You love your job, and I love mine. Just because yours is more organized doesn’t make it more or less valuable.” She couldn’t believe he was turning grumpy again. “Matt shows up and you get bitter. What am I missing?”
“Nothing. I just adjust to one thing and it flips again. I need to take a walk,” Tony said.
Ross kissed Gretchen then Matt. “I’ll calm him down. He actually did fine while you were gone.”
“I should’ve stayed away,” Matt said.
“Why? Tony loves you, and he wants you around. He did do fine while you were gone. Maybe I helped. Ross is very even. Tony had a stable family. I had a dad who was in and out, so I understand where you’re coming from more. It’s what we’re used to. Even in Alaska, where jobs might make you move around, we don’t want to be separated from the people we love. I think we could talk about it. Figure out something,” she said.
“I like helping people too. The tourist thing is fine. I don’t hate it. I could make a living at it here. Maybe I like the danger too.” He shrugged as they walked.
“Maybe you’re a little crazy,” she said.
Gretchen saw Tony’s pattern of frustration. He was sensitive and needed a bit more attention. In a big group, it made sense, and his reaction had added to her suspicion. She didn’t want to say anything yet. First they needed to settle down and get back in an even state as a group. Tony wouldn’t react well to her trying to manage the guys right now, and she needed to be sure before she made a move.
“You have to be to live here. We don’t even notice it. You’re the odd one.” He slid his arm around her shoulders. “I’m glad my leaving didn’t ruin things.”
“Nope, we didn’t fall apart without you. And I went to the bridal show in Anchorage with Mel, and that didn’t ruin things either. You can come and go. That’s the routine you grew up with.”
“And Tony and Ross always had their families, so they think I’m testing them or running out. They know this is normal for some men in Alaska, but they want me to be different,” Matt said.
“Can you blame them? You are testing them, at least partly. I mean, you don’t have to take as much work as you do away from Sterling. I get that you want to keep your hand in that job market because tourism could tank in two years. It’s smart and good for the family. My dad traveled around and put me through college. I appreciate it, but we made sacrifices too. Everyone’s lives revolved around his schedule, and my mom had to juggle all the kids’ events, bills, and errands alone. He missed a lot of things and had an excuse. My mom was there; she only worked part time. He made the real money so I believe he didn’t have a choice. You have more flexibility.” She leaned on him.
“But no pressure,” he said.
She stopped and looked up at him. “No, no pressure. But if this group works out, then there might be some pressure. We haven’t all talked about things because you weren’t here. I want kids. I want holidays. We all need to put our cards on the table and see where we stand. Compromise and negotiations will have to happen with four people. If we’re getting serious, we need to talk not just have fun.”
“The mood Tony was in when he saw me, tonight maybe we should
just have fun. Talk in a day or so when things are calm. I do want in. I missed you a lot. All of you, and I wanted to come back sooner,” he said.
“Why didn’t you?” she asked.
“Sterling is easy living for Alaska. I know compared to where you grew up it’s still rougher, but it’s nothing like Nome or Bethel. I feel for those people and have a hard time saying no. I say it’s for the money, but sometimes I underbid other guys. Give people a break.” Matt looked at his feet.
She smiled. “You big softie. Why don’t you start a company? Hire on other pilots? Get another plane? Expand. Then you can have one working all summer here and the winter weddings too, while another pilot takes the business trips. If you want to see people in Nome or whatever, you can do it once in a while but more time with the family.”
“A company and employees? That’s a huge commitment. Lots of work. Just me and my plane, it’s like a cowboy and his horse.” Matt looked her in the eye. “But I’ll think about it.”
“It could be a partnership with a pilot you already know. They’d have their own plane. Pool your operations to cover for each other and back each other up.” She shrugged.
“You make it sound so easy. Those guys told you that I’m divorced right? I’ve tried the settle-down-and-commit thing. I don’t deal well in a cage,” he said.
“No one told me, but I’m not shocked. None of us are twenty-two anymore. We all have some history. If you think of marriage as a cage, does that mean you’ve been using Tony and Ross?” she asked.
“No, I love them. I love you. I…hell! I trust my instincts. I know what feels right. I don’t second-guess it. That’s how I was taught to hunt and to fly. If you hesitate, you can end up dead.” He looked at her.
“Good. I love you guys too. That doesn’t mean you don’t explain to the people you love what you have to do. Or why. We’re not mad that you left for a job. You just never updated us on when you’d be coming home.”
“It’s easier. Every time I text to say I’ve got another leg of the trip, you’d all be mad at me.” He shrugged.
“If you’re avoiding coming home, yes. If you’re taking medication to people who need it or taking a patient to a medical facility…I don’t think so. But if you don’t want to be with us, then you need to be honest about it.”
“What about trusting me? My dad worked like a dog for the family. He drank, he smoked, and he worked. He had a heart attack before he was sixty. All that work for nothing.”
“I’m sorry. Is that why you keep running away? You think it’ll happen to you and don’t want us to get dependent.” She grabbed his hand.
“Who knows? But he left my mother with a nest egg big enough to move her to Anchorage. Left some to all of his kids too. Now Mom doesn’t have to worry. He did right by us and never got to enjoy his retirement. That’s what men do,” Matt said.
“I guess your trip didn’t give you a fresh perspective. Hopefully I’m not shaking things up too much.” She spotted Tony and Ross walking toward them.
Matt smiled. “Not too much. Just enough. I love how you see the world. Someday I’ll take you up to Nome and Deadhorse. Let’s go make peace with our boyfriends.”
“Good idea. A quiet night at home is exactly what we need.” She walked faster and Matt matched her pace.
* * * *
Gretchen had caught on to the group vibe so well that Matt knew he’d have trouble staying away. He had to come back and see for himself. She was right; he was testing them, but he was also terrified to let them down.
Peace was made primarily through sex when it came to Matt and Tony. They fed off each other and satisfied each other, but being apart frustrated them both. Matt thought it made the sex better for a while, but as they all stripped off their clothing and tumbled into bed, he realized he just ached for all of them.
With Gretchen it was different. It was harder to stay away and not just because of the sex. She was making them all more like a real family. As she settled on the bed, gorgeously curvy and naked on her back, the men pounced to lick her tits and pussy.
Matt whispered to Ross what he had in mind. Ross nodded and grabbed the supplies. Turning to Tony, Matt pulled him in close for a kiss.
“Miss my ass?” Tony gave into the affection, but the sass was still there.
“I want you to fuck mine today,” Matt said.
Tony smirked a bit, but Matt wasn’t sure if it was what Tony wanted.
“Go on, get in position then.” Tony smacked Matt’s ass.
Moaning, Matt needed a little punishment so he’d feel right. He never went into any kink, but sex as a healing tool and giving the people he loved what they wanted got him off too. Tony spanked Matt for a bit, and he caught Gretchen watching and fingering herself.
“Let’s try this,” Matt said.
He climbed on top of Gretchen in a sixty-nine. Licking her pussy, Matt also offered his ass up to Tony. Matt expected lube but got a rimming. Damn Tony and his tongue. Then Gretchen joined in sucking Matt’s cock from beneath.
When Ross settled between her legs, Matt backed off and let him fill her cunt. When they found a pattern, Matt slid his tongue in the mix as well. She gasped in approval and moaned on his dick.
Tony’s tongue had Matt pushing back.
“She’s going to make me lose it before you even fuck me,” Matt said.
“Maybe that’s the idea?” Tony worked lube in Matt’s crack.
“Fuck me now. Please,” Matt said.
Tony eased into Matt’s ass. “We should make him suck dick and eat pussy. Service all of us since he can’t stay put.”
“Tony, don’t,” Ross said.
“Why not? He likes it. He wants us to miss him. Give him all the attention so let’s make him work for it.” Tony went from easy to full force.
Matt groaned and pushed back for it as he took that cock. He deserved it and worse, but they loved him. He loved them too. It had happened so fast with Gretchen. Everything had changed yet seemed to only grow deeper. Ross understood that Matt wanted it and did his best. It was Tony; Matt always felt like he let Tony down.
He wanted to be here with everyone. The softness of Gretchen and the hardness of the other guys only drove his lust. How could he keep letting them down? He lapped at her clit as Ross fucked her cunt.
She shrieked and he kept on licking. Her lips quivered against his shaft and he nearly lost it. Pushing back inside, Ross worked her pussy until she screamed again. Grabbing that erection, Matt pulled Ross out and tossed the condom aside. Jerking Ross’s cock, Matt licked the tip and got what he deserved, a face full of cum.
“Eat her pussy,” Tony said as he pushed Matt’s face down.
Ross rounded Matt and kissed Tony. Matt watched for a second over his shoulder before he buried his face in Gretchen’s pussy and ate her until she screamed her lungs out. Tony pounded Matt’s rear, and all was right with the world. He lost his focus with Gretchen moaning on his cock and Tony working his ass.
“I can’t,” Matt said.
“Come on, come for her.” Tony slapped Matt’s rump.
He tried to muster some control, but the release hit and his cum shot along her lovely body. The moans from her told Matt she was content. Tony wasn’t, he kept on filling Matt’s ass, so Matt went back to eating sweet pussy until she wiggled from underneath him.
“This was cute, and I love watching Tony fuck Matt, but I need a new angle,” she said.
Tony pulled out and pushed Matt. “Flip over.”
Matt rolled on his back and pulled his knees up to his chest. That cock filled him again and Matt moaned. Gretchen kissed him and watched.
“Like it?” she asked.
“So fucking good. I don’t deserve it,” he replied.
Ross smacked Tony’s ass. “Come on, don’t be a show-off.”
“I want it to last,” Tony said.
“If we fucked Gretchen’s ass like this you’d say we were being too rough,” Ross said.
“Not ro
ugh at all for me,” Matt said.
Tony changed his angle and increased his pace until his hips pistoned like a machine screwing Matt deep and hard with every stroke.
“Fuck!” Matt pulled her close and rubbed his face in her tits.
“Ross, finger him,” she said.
The woman was brilliant. Ross must’ve fingered Tony and sent him into orgasm. He buried his dick deep in Matt and stayed there. The pressure made Matt jerk in a deep internal release, but he held onto Gretchen and took his fucking like a man.
“That was intense,” she said.
“I think they both need to be spanked before they get any more,” Ross said.
“Don’t be mean. We all missed Matt. It’s not the same when he’s gone. We don’t want to get used to it.” She stroked his chest and kissed his lips.
“I don’t want to leave. I can’t explain it. I need to take care of you guys too,” Matt said.
“So stay.” Tony pulled out. After he dumped the used protection, he kissed Ross. “I need to get fucked for a change.”
“Does that mean I get Tony and Matt inside of me? Could be an interesting duel,” she said.
“If they get too rough, I’ll take care of it,” Ross promised.
* * * *
Matt exited the bathroom fully dressed. The trio he loved remained blissfully asleep in the afterglow. Great sex and love—he had it, and it was harder and harder to leave.
He left an envelope on the dresser and grabbed his backpack. They had careers, lives, and a future here. Matt hadn’t been able to keep one woman happy. One person might be pressure, but he’d tried ménage with the two men, and he still felt like he was letting them down. Tony was the only one who was honest about it. Matt needed to get honest and rip away all the stories he told himself.
They’d all wake up to e-mails…he needed to check on his mother. He hadn’t been there in a couple of months. All that time on the road working, he’d kept busy. He missed the group but when he was in the air, his mind was all about the weather, the world, and the freedom. And the money. Being able to squirrel away money like his father for a future made Matt feel worthwhile. Maybe, if he worked hard enough, he’d get to enjoy life before he died.
Men of Alaska 2: Sterling Sunshine Page 8