by apple desk
She heard him blow out a harsh breath. “Someone’s sabotaging our businesses.”
“What?”
The list Jesse laid out for her chilled her blood. The latest event especially made her shudder. “People could’ve been killed. You and Max could’ve been killed.”
“We weren’t. And we’re going to figure out who did this, but Max told me he hadn’t said anything to you about why he canceled and I figured you’d want to know.”
“Do you think I’m in danger?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. But I do know I don’t want to risk you getting hurt.”
She melted a little at his concern but she didn’t want to give up her time with them. “So what if I come to your place tonight? We can get pizza or we can order in or whatever. I…want to see you tonight.”
Another short pause. “And we want to see you too. I just want you to have all the facts before you make a decision.”
“I want to see you. Both of you.”
“Then how about tonight around seven? Do you want me to pick you up?”
“No, I’ll drive. That way you won’t need to drive me home—”
“So bring a bag and stay.”
Yes. She wanted to say. It was on the tip of her tongue. And the intensity in Jesse’s voice made all of her girly parts clench with desire. “Okay. I can do that.”
“Good. We’ll see you tonight.”
She hung up, excited for that night. But fear began to bite into her stomach. Not for herself but for Jesse and Max.
If anything happened to them…
She tried to shake the thought out of her head but it followed her all afternoon.
* * * * *
“Did you honestly steal the mayor’s car and get away with it?”
“We had no idea it was the mayor’s car at the time. We were, what? Fifteen?”
Jesse looked at Max and the smile on Jesse’s face made Max’s tight muscles relax a fraction more.
“Yeah.” Max nodded, trying to rid himself of the black mood hanging over him. “I think I was still fourteen. That damn Cadillac drove like a dream.”
Sitting on the couch in their living room, Jesse, Mally and Max had been talking for two hours as they sat on the couch while the Phillies game played on the TV. Mally and Jesse had been keeping the conversation going as they ate pizza and drank beer and wine.
He’d been shocked as hell when Mally had arrived a little after seven with a bottle in her hand and a smile on her face.
Jesse hadn’t told him she was coming. Probably because Max would’ve told her not to.
But she’d walked in like she did it every day. Like they were old friends. Or comfortable lovers. Nothing felt awkward with her. And he realized that’s why he was drawn to her.
She didn’t treat them any differently than she would anyone else. He had no idea why. For so many years, anyone they’d come into contact with treated them like they were bugs under a microscope or dangerous animals who should be behind thick glass.
Why didn’t she?
“So you just took the statue and ran?” Mally laughed again, covering her mouth with her hand. “How did you carry it all that way?”
Jesse must be telling her about the time they stole the St. Francis statue from the church. They’d been even younger then, maybe eight or nine. They’d gotten caught that time, but instead of handing them over to the police, the priest had conscripted them for the summer. They’d repainted the church’s living quarters and completely redone the extensive gardens where they’d stolen the statue.
Though he and Jesse never went to church, they did that summer in exchange for Father Gregory not turning them in to the police. They’d absolutely hated Sunday morning mass but they’d actually enjoyed the labor.
“Yeah, I kinda think Father Gregory expected us to turn the corner and lead upstanding, crime-free lives after that,” Jesse said to Mally, leading Max to wonder if Jesse was reading his mind. “He was pretty old at that point and he died when we were…” Jesse looked at Max, “twelve, I think.”
Max nodded, a grin kicking up the corners of his mouth. “Yeah. But that old man was sharp. I swear he was psychic. If you even thought about doing something wrong, he’d give you a lecture about eternal damnation until you were too intimidated to even think about screwing up.”
Damn, when she smiled at him like she was now, he felt that pit in his stomach open. The one that made his world fold in at the corners.
How the hell did she do that?
Jesse said something that Max didn’t catch but that made her smile, making her even more beautiful.
“Does the fact that we were criminals not bother you at all?”
The question had been circling Max’s brain for days, especially since her aunt had stopped at their table on their date the other night. He was surprised Jesse hadn’t asked it already. He knew Jesse had to be thinking the same.
But Jesse probably hadn’t asked because it was a surefire way to kill the conversation.
Silence descended as Mally and Jesse looked at him. But he only had eyes for her. He watched as so many emotions crossed her face. He knew he didn’t catch them all. But one he was sure of.
Pure stubborn will.
Tonight had absolutely nothing to do with their arrangement. No one knew she was here. No one would know she was here unless she told them or they saw her car, which she’d had to park a block away.
So what were they doing? What was she doing?
“You do realize you said ‘were criminals,’ right?”
She raised her eyebrows at him and waited.
Yes, he’d deliberately used the past tense because that’s how he thought about their time working for the Oleksy family. In the past.
“And,” she continued, “have you considered the fact that maybe I enjoy your company?”
Yes, he had. But he couldn’t quite bring himself to believe that. For a second, Max let his gaze snap to Jesse, whose attention was solely focused on Mally. Jesse had that air of expectant stillness. He wanted that to be true just as badly as Max did.
“Can you blame us for being skeptical?”
Mally’s chin went up, but that stubbornness eased a little and morphed into something Max recognized as compassion.
Did she feel sorry for them? Did she pity them? He’d accused her of looking at them as fairy tales beasts who transform through the power of love. Was that how she really saw them and he was just too blinded by lust to see it?
Finally, she sighed and shook her head. “No, I guess I can’t blame you for doubting me. You don’t really trust anyone, do you?”
“We trust each other.” Max didn’t bother to look at Jesse for confirmation. He knew he had it. His unspoken “And that’s it” was implied. And understood if her short nod was any indication.
“Then whatever I say, you won’t really believe me.”
Max took a deep breath. “You are the only person I’ve met in years that I’ve considered trusting.”
She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth and bit on it. Max let his gaze drop to watch, wanting to lean over and lick away the hurt. Not wanting to stop there.
“And if I told you I’ve wanted you since the first moment I met you, would you believe me?” Her head tilted to the side as she spoke, those beautiful blue eyes watching his every movement. “That I knew about you and Jesse and how you share women. How the idea made me wet every time I thought about it. I’ve seen how Adam and Tristan treat Kat, how much they love her, and maybe I thought, wouldn’t that be amazing? To have two men who care about you so deeply. I knew how other people would react. I knew how my parents and my brothers would react. And I still decided to go after what I want.” She paused, checking each of their expressions in turn. “So what do you think now?”
Lust hit him hard, like a swift kick to the balls, taking his breath. And maybe finally breaking through the shield he’d built around his heart years ago. The one only Jesse got through.
&
nbsp; “I think we have to make damn certain we live up to your expectations.”
Jesse’s rough growl barely made it through his teeth before he shot across the cushion separating him from Mally, wrapped her in his arms, and took her horizontal.
Max figured they were lucky she didn’t have a glass or a plate in her hand. Then again, he wouldn’t have cared if they painted the walls with wine or stomped pizza into the carpet. They could repaint and replace anything in the room.
Except her.
She hadn’t exactly been ready to be pounced on by Jesse, but after her initial gasp of surprise, she wound her arms around his neck and kissed him back.
Jesse kissed her with a ferocity Max would’ve taken exception to…except Mally appeared to love it.
She kissed him back just as fiercely, with the same sweet intensity she did everything, her fingers sinking into his dark hair to hold him close.
Still reeling a little from the realization that he might care more for her than he wanted to admit, Max leaned back into the couch and prepared to enjoy the show, content for now to watch. He’d already been half hard all night but now he stiffened completely as Jesse reversed their positions on the couch, pulling her on top of him and letting his hands mold against her back before sliding down to her ass so he could pull her even more tightly against him.
Her deep moan made Max’s blood heat as Jesse grabbed her long, loose skirt and pulled it to her hips so she could spread her legs, and straddle his lap.
Bracing her hands against Jesse’s chest, she pushed up until she broke their lip-lock and could look into his eyes.
Then she smiled, a slow, seductive grin, and wriggled her hips, making Jesse groan as his hips lifted to grind into hers.
“I’m here, now, because I want to be. Because when I’m with you,” she flashed a look at Max, still on the other side of the sectional, “both of you, you make me want things I’ve never wanted before.”
“And what’s that?”
Jesse’s question held so much desire, so much naked want, Max felt a response deep in his own body.
“To be taken. By both of you.”
Jesse sucked in a breath but Max got out the question first. “Are you telling us you want both of us to make love to you? At the same time? And be very sure of your answer, Mally. Because we’ll stop if you ask but I’m not sure my heart will be able to take the strain.”
Her smile softened, just a little. “I know what it means and I know what I want.”
When had sweet Mally become the one with all the power? How had that happened? And why wasn’t he more freaked out by that realization?
“Then we’re all yours.” Max spoke for both of them. He knew Jesse would’ve said the same. “You tell us what you want and we’ll provide. But remember…at some point, we’re going to want you to reciprocate. At some point, we’re going to demand and you’re going to give.”
She swallowed hard and shuddered but she nodded. And, while she was somewhat distracted, Jesse took the opportunity to shove his hands beneath the thin t-shirt she wore and cup her breasts.
As her eyes closed on a moan, she let her head fall back while Jesse caressed her for several seconds before stripping off her shirt and getting rid of her bra. Naked from the waist up now, she bent to kiss Jesse again but he intercepted her, curling up to put his mouth on her breasts.
Her head fell forward, her hair falling around them, momentarily blocking Max’s view of them until Jesse pushed her hair over her shoulder. Now Max could watch Jesse suckle her breasts then bite her and make her moan.
Watching her get off gave Max a satisfaction he’d never felt before. Knowing he’d touch her soon only added to the excitement.
Jesse suddenly shifted on the couch, throwing his legs over the side and standing, lifting her with him and wrapping her legs around his waist. Kissing her hard, Jesse headed for the first-floor bedroom, not bothering to look at Max. Jesse knew he’d follow.
Max made a side trip to the kitchen, dropping off the half-eaten pizza and grabbing another bottle of wine. For later.
By the time he got to the bedroom, Jesse had her naked and spread out across the bed and was kissing his way down her body. As he went, she pulled his shirt up his back until he obliged her and lifted his arms so she could pull it over his head.
As soon as his head was free, Jesse put his mouth over her sex, eliciting a moan from her that had Max stripping off his clothes in record time and dropping them to the floor. Jesse licked and sucked until she writhed on the bed, eyes tightly closed and her arms thrown above her head to hold onto the comforter.
Sliding onto the bed beside her, Max gathered her hands in one of his and held them captive while he kissed her. She groaned into his mouth and rolled into his body. Jesse had released her to remove his pants, and her warm skin molded to every available inch of his. Already erect and aching, Max pressed his cock into the cradle of her hips and let her squirm against him. Her body radiated heat, making his body temperature rise, as well.
With his mouth over hers, Max slid his tongue between her lips, kissing her harder and longer. Keeping them both on the edge.
The bed dipped as Jesse stretched out behind her, his hands going to her hips to pull her ass against his groin.
As she moaned, Max used the distraction to roll to the side and open the drawer for condoms and lube. When he rolled back, Jesse’s dark head was bent over her shoulder, his mouth latched on to the soft skin of her neck.
Mally’s head was tilted back, eyes closed, the pale column of her neck exposed. A flush spread across her entire body. Absolutely beautiful.
Max lay there, head propped on his hand, watching Jesse make her forget everything but them. His pulse pounded and his lungs felt like they were encased in concrete. His fingers itched to touch her but he wanted to postpone the pleasure. Drag it out as long as he could.
And he was worried that if he touched her now, he’d pull her out of the moment.
But then her eyes opened and she stared directly into his. And she reached for the condom in his hand.
He watched her open it carefully then reach for his cock. She pulled his stiff flesh away from his body then rolled it down. Trying to control his body’s response so he didn’t come in her hand, Max seriously considered counting down by sevens from one hundred.
Instead, he watched her chest rise and fall faster and faster as Jesse reached for the lube and other condom.
She knew what was coming. She’d asked for it.
Fuck, he couldn’t wait.
Grabbing her, he rolled onto his back, bringing her with him to lie on top of him. Her legs fell on either side and she rubbed her mound against his erection, now trapped between them. Pushing herself up just enough to move her hips, she got his cock where it needed to be. He didn’t even need to use his hands. She tilted her pelvis until his tip parted her lips.
Max plunged inside as far as he could go, wringing a moan from her and making his every muscle tense with pleasure. Then he fucked her, hard and steady. She held on but didn’t complain. In fact, she urged him to go faster by biting his earlobe and neck.
When she broke apart, she did without warning. Just tightened around him and came with a cry that hit Max right in the balls.
Fuck, he wanted to come but he reined in the urge.
And Jesse made his move. They’d done this many times before but this didn’t feel like any of those. Max caught Jesse’s gaze for a few brief seconds and he knew they were thinking the exact same thing.
Ours.
Then Jesse looked down, his hands moving to her hips while Max’s arms wrapped around her back, holding her tight to his chest.
He heard her draw in a sharp breath but Jesse had already breached her and she barely had a chance to stiffen before Jesse slowly invaded her ass.
“Oh my god. That’s…”
“Are you okay?”
She turned her face into Max’s neck and he felt her lips move against his neck, “It�
��s— Oh wow. It’s almost too much.”
“Mally, are you sure—”
“One of you has to move. Right now or I’m going to—”
Max pulled out while Jesse stayed deep. They knew how to do this to give her more pleasure than she’d ever had.
And her arms tightened around his neck as she moaned, her pleasure audible.
They fell into the perfect rhythm, in perfect sync. Max could barely catch his breath. Jesse sounded like a freight engine. Mally… God, Mally bit into his neck with those perfect little teeth and made him shudder.
Jesus Christ, he couldn’t—
Max came hard, buried deep inside her, his arms so tight around her.
Jesse followed him seconds later as Mally shook between them.
And Max knew this was way more complicated than any of them had bet on.
Chapter Six
Jesse sat up in bed, the silent alarm triggered and buzzing through the wristband he wore at night.
On other side of the bed, Max stirred then sat up as well. Neither of them woke Mally, still sound asleep between them.
Sonuvabitch. He really fucking hoped this was a false alarm.
He knew it wasn’t.
Nodding at Max, Jesse slid from the bed, the Berretta he kept between the mattress and the box spring already in his hand.
Motioning for Max to stay behind with Mally, he headed for the door. Max would already have retrieved the Glock in the bedside table.
In the hall, Jesse checked the security pad, which said the breach had come from the kitchen. There was only one window there but it was a big one. And it didn’t open.
He hadn’t heard glass breaking so that meant someone might have deliberately tripped the kitchen sensor to throw them off.
Closing the door to the room behind him, he knew Max wouldn’t be content to be left behind for long. He’d take Mally out the secret exit and stash her in the safe room in the garage, then he’d come back for Jesse.
Jesse wanted to have the threat neutralized before that happened.
Crouching just outside the door, he listened for any noise out of the ordinary and heard something almost immediately. The faint sound of rubber soles against carpet.