by Gina Kincade
Squeezing her lids shut, she recalled the night before. They’d watched TV while the guys drank a few beers. She eventually turned off the lights and snuggled down in the covers, telling them to stay as long as they wanted, but she was done for the night. Not long after, she was out cold.
“How late did you two stay up?”
Ty nuzzled his face against her hair, a move she knew was only happening because he was still half asleep.
“Just a few hours after you,” Josh whispered, tucking a loose, sable curl behind her ear.
Her eyes fluttered open. “And you chose to stay in here instead of that giant pillow you call a bed?”
Josh smirked. “We tried to leave... you told us to stay.”
She bit her lip and scoured her mind. A blush warmed her cheeks and son-of-bitch, she had told them to stay. That was a memory she could have done without.
Josh chuckled softly, his face so near hers as they shared a pillow that his breath tickled her face. His hand squeezed her hip lightly, alerting her body to all the places she was pressed or held by the two men invading her bed... This had to be a dream.
Josh’s lips pressed against her forehead. “Ty’s right. It’s too damn early. Go back to sleep for a little while, then we can go get breakfast and take Ty shopping for a tux.”
She grinned, her body relaxing and settling back into the warmth of the two males surrounding her. Soft breathing filled the room as they fell back into the black canvas of sleep. She soon followed, only her sleep was less a blank canvas and more a hot dream about the two men encasing her.
“COME ON, TY. LET’S see it,” Josh urged as he and Malea sat on a small couch waiting to approve the suit.
Ty groaned and stepped out from behind the dressing room curtain, a small scowl touching his lips and brow.
Malea’s eyes widened. And that familiar heat that always accompanied seeing the blond-haired, blue-eyed, built man before her lit her veins.
“That’s the one,” she said, rising from her seat to walk around him. Stopping in front of him, she patted down his lapel and smiled. “You look good, all cleaned up.”
He grinned. “I always look good.” Leaning closer to her, he murmured, “I know you think so, Lea.”
“I can’t believe I forgot how arrogant you are,” she bristled, slapping his chest and stepping back to stand with Josh, who’d also left his seat on the small couch.
“That’s his main personality trait—how could you forget?” Josh quipped.
Ty flipped him off and returned to the fitting room to change. “Hey, so I was looking at the parade schedule. There are a couple happening tonight, one that ends near Night Sinners. Any interest in going?” he asked, stepping from the dressing room, back in his worn jeans and white T-shirt.
“Sure, what krewes?” Malea asked.
“Not sure. Does it make a difference?”
“Not really, just curious.”
“Did you find what you needed, Malea?” Lola, the owner of the shop, asked, smiling as she approached the group.
“We did, but these two need masks for the De La Fontaine ball.”
Lola smiled. “I’m sure I can make that happen. Your dress is ready for pickup too.”
Malea grinned. “I can’t wait to wear it.”
“I can’t wait to see pictures... now are these two,” her manicured finger bounced between Ty and Josh, “escorting you?”
Malea hesitated. “Well...”
Josh laughed. “Yes, we are.”
Lola arched a brow. “Lucky girl. I will get some masks put together for the two of you. Are you both going to be wearing all black?”
“That’s the plan,” Ty said, holding up the suit they’d chosen. Lola reached for it and headed back to the counter. “I’ll have everything ready for you Saturday. Sound good?”
Malea nodded. “Perfect. I’ll get my dress then too.”
Chapter Seven
Malea smiled brightly as Ty placed a purple throw over her head. He and Josh seemed to be getting all kinds of beads. It shouldn’t have surprised her. They had both discarded their shirts and were drawing all kinds of attention—and not only from passing gazes—a few hands had wandered over their chiseled perfection.
Ty had—of course—led them to an all-female krewe parade. Each float was brilliantly decorated and shimmering in the late sun. Gold, green, and purple were featured in the floats, but they weren’t limited to just the traditional colors—each color of the rainbow could be spotted. Although, pink was definitely favored in a few of the Goddess-inspired floats.
Malea’s fingers plucked at some gold beads hanging around Ty’s neck. “I still want those,” she said over the music and roaring crowd.
“You have to earn beads like this.” He winked.
“How does she earn them?” Josh asked over her shoulder, his hands resting on her hips.
Ty’s smile turned positively wicked as he tapped his lips with one finger. “Plant those pouty little lips right here, Lea, and you can have the beads.”
Was he kidding? Challenging her? Testing her?
With a shrug of one shoulder and confidence built of the drinks she’d already consumed, she pressed against him and planted her lips on his—for what she intended to be a simple peck.
Ty’s fingers slid into her hair, tilting her head to deepen what should have been a chaste connection. His tongue swept over her lips, and dove into her mouth when they parted in surprise. Pushing closer to her, he backed her into Josh’s chest.
Shock flitted briefly through her as Ty kissed her deeply, and Josh’s hands reached around her to grasp Ty’s hips and pull them tighter together. The move didn’t faze Ty as his tongue continued to tempt and ravish her mouth. Her tongue sprang to life, meeting his in a dizzying dance of need.
Ty broke the kiss with a smile. His lips remained only a breath away from hers. “Too fucking long, Lea... I have waited too fucking long to do that.”
She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and nervously worried it. He chuckled, pecking her lips again, and transferred the golden beads over her head before stepping back. “You two ready to head to Night Sinners?”
Almost robotically, she nodded. Ty turned and started to make his way through the crowd. Josh placed his hand on her back and began ushering her forward.
She looked up at him. “What just happened?”
He smiled. “He’s cared about you for as long as I’ve known him... I guess he finally decided to do something about it.”
“And you were just, what? Helping a friend out?” she asked, curious about his role in the heated kiss she and Ty had just shared.
“That’s a complicated situation.”
“I’ve heard you say that before,” Malea pushed.
“Talk to Ty,” was all he said as he focused on weaving them through the crowd.
Malea’s eyes widened, and she stopped dead in her tracks. Grasping his arm and pulling him to a stop, and asked softly, “You and Ty?”
Josh arched a brow and hesitated before saying, “Would that matter to you?”
She shook her head. “Of course not—whatever makes you both happy. I am fine with... I just... Why did he kiss me, especially in front of you? I’m sorry.”
Josh chuckled. “Don’t mistake what just happened. He wants you, and so do I.”
Malea just stared at him—dumbfounded. What kind of hot fantasy had she fallen into?
“Don’t look so surprised, Malea. Ty and I are not traditional. We both want you, and we are both good with that. Really, it depends on what you want.”
What she wants?
Looking into the gorgeous, melted-chocolate pools that were Josh’s beautiful, warm irises, she was so damn confused. In the short time she had known him, her attraction had grown so deep that she found herself aching to be near him... and fuck her, but it was just as powerful as the draw she felt for Ty... what did she want? Could she bow to the desire and passion that fueled her body? That inspired her creativity?
Could she give herself to both men?
Josh’s long fingers grazed over her cheek. “You don’t have to decide what you want right now, Malea. There will never be pressure from either of us. Just promise me that knowing all of this won’t change what we’ve already built between the three of us.”
She nodded. “Promise.”
Josh smiled. “Good, let’s catch up with Ty.”
“He’s probably already ordering drinks.”
“Probably,” Josh agreed as they began moving through the crowd again.
They’d been right. Ty had already snagged a table, and Jenna was delivering a tray full of shots.
Shaking her head, Malea helped herself to a drink, hip bumped Jenna, shot back the silver tequila, and slid onto the stool opposite Ty.
Jenna arched a brow. “Rough day?”
Malea’s gaze slid to Ty, then to Josh, and finally back to Jenna. “Not at all, it’s been a day full of possibilities.”
Ty caught her gaze, relief filling his ice-blue eyes.
Jenna assessed the threesome. Her brows rose as a bright smile curled her lips. “Good for you. Lola came by earlier and said she was working on some new masks for the gorgeous men who were with you at her shop today.”
Malea nodded. “Yep, they’ve agreed to join us at the De La Fontaine ball.”
“Awesome. Well, do you three need anything else?”
Josh and Malea both eyed the multiple—full—shot glasses littering the table.
“I think we’re good,” Josh said, grabbing a shot of his own.
TRENT SAT AT THE BAR as Jenna rushed around, tending to her customers. When she finally untied her apron and tossed it under the bar, Trent smiled. “Does that mean you’re done?”
“God, yes. You want to go join Malea and her boys?”
Trent’s brow ticked up. “Her boys?”
“There’s something hinky going on. And I am not judging, but I am curious.”
Trent nodded. “Let’s tag team it.”
“I think there might already be some tag teaming going on,” Jenna joked.
Shaking his head, Trent headed for the table. Grabbing Malea’s hand, he tugged her to the dance floor, winking at Jenna as she slid onto Malea’s vacated stool.
“So, what’s going on with the three of you?” Jenna jumped to the point.
Josh and Ty exchanged wary glances.
“I’m not judging, but I’m telling you both right now, that neither of you better break her heart. I don’t know what’s going on with you three. Just don’t hurt her.”
Ty grinned. “Has Trent received this same speech?” he asked, gesturing to the two on the dance floor.
Jenna laughed. Holding up her left hand, she pointed at the diamond on her ring finger. “He better not need the speech. My husband isn’t trying to sleep with her. But I get the impression the two of you might be.”
Ty arched his brow, and Josh laughed. “We’re not going to hurt her. Neither of us would ever want to hurt her.”
Jenna nodded. “See, funnily enough, I believe you. I think you really are a good guy, but we don’t really know you.” She then looked back to Ty. “But you? I know a lot about you, through the stories she’s told me. You already broke her heart once. Don’t lead her on.” Jenna pushed off the stool and worked her way to Trent and Malea, joining them on the dance floor.
Ty blew out a deep breath.
“Did you really not know?” Josh asked.
Ty shook his head. “I ignored it.”
“Why? Honestly, she can’t be all that different now than she was then.”
With a half-hearted shrug, Ty answered, “I wasn’t what she needed at the time... I wasn’t boyfriend material.”
Josh’s gaze shifted to Malea on the dance floor, her arms in the air as she and Jenna swayed on the floor together, tempting and teasing every man that spotted them, including Jenna’s husband.
“I think you could have been. You never would have been locked up for a stash of drugs that weren’t even yours.”
Ty nodded. It was true. Had he been with her, he never would have ended up in a car with Jackie and her drug-toting friend. They wouldn’t have been able to turn around and point the finger at him, claiming it was his bag of drugs in the backseat of the car when they were pulled over.
Pushing out a deep breath, Ty reminded himself that all of that was his past, and he had moved on from the mistakes he’d made. And by some goddamned miracle, he was getting a second chance with a woman he was sure he’d never see again.
“True, but then we wouldn’t be sitting here.” He smiled. “This is where we are both supposed to be.”
Josh grinned and took his last shot. “No, we’re supposed to be out there.” He gestured with a head tilt towards the dance floor. “And that is exactly where I am headed.”
Ty watched as Josh prowled towards Malea. His hands landed on her hips, his fingers grazing the bare skin above her waistband. When he pulled her back flush to his chest, she lifted her arms and reached back, wrapping them around his neck, exposing more of her silky skin. Ty licked his lips as he watched the way they moved like one. A sensual swaying, dipping, and grinding of their bodies. Still watching them, he finished up his drink. He was captivated by the sinful way they moved together. His body responded as heat flooded his veins. Rising from his seat, Ty stalked towards them, his movement liquid smooth, not missing a beat as he stepped in front of Malea and joined in the carnal rhythm they’d set.
Chapter Eight
“I think I drank too much,” Malea mumbled as Ty and Josh helped her up the steps and into the house.
“Is that our fault?” Ty asked, tossing her keys in the little glass bowl and kicking the door shut behind them.
“Noope,” she slurred. “I’m a big girl, Tyler, and more than cap-capa-capable of cutting myself off.”
He shook his head and chuckled. “Not exactly what I meant, Lea. I meant—did you drink so much because of what Josh told you tonight?”
Her head lazily swiveled in his direction. Cupping his face with her hands, she shook her head slowly. “No, all I’ve ever wanted for you was your happiness.” She attempted to whisper the next part, completely failing as she spoke. “Plus, he’s super hot.”
“Thanks.” Josh chuckled from behind her.
“Welcoome,” she said brightly, and then giggled. “He heard me. Also,” she continued, now trying to sound serious, “I’m guessing he helped you get your head out of your ass. I mean... I won’t lie, I am slightly curious and maybe even fascinated by how it all works between the two of you... but that would be rude to ask about.”
“Fuck, Lea, sto—”
She giggled wildly. “No fucking Lea tonight. I’m too tired. Ooh, but we could have a slumber party.”
Josh chuckled. “You are going to regret all of this conversation tomorrow. Come on, sweetheart,” he said as he lifted her into his arms and headed up the stairs. Ty followed behind, shutting off the lights as they moved through the house. Josh pushed her door open with his booted foot, Ty moved to pull her bedding back, and Josh set her down in her bed.
She kicked off her shoes and squirmed ungracefully out of her jeans, leaving her covered only by her tank and a pair of boy-short panties. Rolling to the center of the bed, she landed on her stomach and patted the bare mattress at her sides.
“You guys can stay, unless you need some time alone.”
Ty and Josh both shook their heads as they stripped down to their boxers and slid in next to her.
“I SMELL BACON,” MALEA grumbled in a sleep-laced tone. “And I have to pee.”
Groaning, she scrambled to the bathroom. After tending to her body’s need, Malea brushed her teeth and smoothed out her hair before she made her way back to her bed. Ty lay under the covers, watching her as she crawled back into the bed and pulled the sheet over her head.
He laughed, pulling the red satin back. “How ya feeling?”
“I almost wish I had a hangover,” she said
, cracking one lid open to peek at the handsome face staring down at her.
“Why would you wish for a hangover?”
“Cause then I probably wouldn’t remember all the things I said last night. Holy fuck...”
Ty laughed. “It’s all good, Lea. I imagined you’d have questions. You wanna ask them now that you’re sober?”
She blew out a deep breath. “How? I mean not like how it works, but when did you realize?”
Ty sat up, propping himself against the headboard. “He was there for me after I got out. I didn’t know what I was going to do. He helped me and in the process of starting over, I realized that what I felt for him was deeper than what I should have felt for just a friend... I don’t know, Lea, I had only felt like that once before... and I let you go. I wasn’t going to let it happen again.”
Sitting up, she pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. “You never said a thing—never seemed to notice me.”
“I always noticed you, Lea. I just wasn’t a good man then.”
She shook her head. “I don’t believe that.”
“Regardless, it’s how I felt.”
She sighed. “So what happened? You’ve been separated for like a year.”
“Not exactly, we would see each other every couple of months. But I guess that just wasn’t enough for either of us anymore.”
She nodded. “Not that I don’t love having you both here, but why didn’t you two just stay at his place?”
He laughed. “You saw that shoe box. We would have killed each other. We still need our own space... Now, do you want to talk about what Josh said to you last night?”
Her face flamed slightly. She bit her lip and rested her forehead on her knee. Taking a deep breath, she finally looked to him. “I just don’t see how I fit into this equation...”
“Well, to be honest, you wouldn’t be the first woman to warm our bed. You’d just be the first woman that would be more than a one-night stand.”
She couldn’t suppress her snort. Was that a compliment?