Triple Booked

by Mardi Ballou

  Knowing she was on the brink of her orgasm, Gabe began to let some of the iron control he’d been exerting slacken. And then they were both coming their favorite way—together. Body fluids, movements, sounds intermingled and joined. She collapsed on top of him and the two lay hugging, enjoying the aftermath of their shuddering climax.

  Just the way he always wanted to orchestrate their lovemaking. Not that he was bragging to himself or anything, but Gabe did make love with special skill, the touch of the master. Far better than Alex Rapsos could perform in the bedroom, he was sure.

  Shit. Why had that man intruded on Gabe’s thoughts now?

  Chapter Two

  The phone rang far too early the next morning. Neither Jade nor Gabe awoke perky and ready to face the world or even to act civil. But the phone was on Gabe’s side, so he grudgingly groped for it. “Corelli,” he mumbled. His mouth tasted like a bad batch of turpentine.

  “This is Alex Rapsos.”

  “Wrong number.” Gabe slammed down the receiver.

  Jade was wide awake now. “Wrong number?”

  Gabe grunted something.

  On a mission to reclaim the inside of his mouth for the human race, Gabe staggered to the bathroom. He’d just begun brushing his teeth when the damn phone rang again. He wanted to catch the call before Jade did, but his body wouldn’t cooperate.

  “Good morning.” Sheesh, Jade sounded like an airline stewardess or whatever they called those people these days.

  Gabe stopped brushing his teeth and listened.

  “Coffee sounds fine. Ten?”

  He hated it when she didn’t identify the person at the other end. How difficult was it to say a person’s first name?

  He started to ask her, but Jade held up a finger in a wait-a-minute gesture.

  “I hope you’re not committing me to anything,” he muttered, resuming brushing.

  Jade hung up the phone, rolled out of bed and smiled in Gabe’s direction. “That was Alex Rapsos.” She was practically singing.

  Great. “Who?”

  “Alex Rapsos,” Jade repeated. “You remember, the guy from last night at Maura’s.”

  Gabe pretended to mull that over as he rinsed his mouth out. “What guy?”

  Jade rolled her eyes. “You remember, the one who took our card? The one who wanted to meet us.”

  “I need coffee.”

  “We’re meeting Alex in an hour for coffee, so you can wait. I’m going to hop in the shower.”

  Gabe felt the beginning of a headache. “I thought we were going to work on edits this morning come hell or high water. I promised I wouldn’t even be stopped by the killer hangover I don’t remember drinking enough to get.”

  Concern pinched Jade’s face. “Where does it hurt?”

  Everywhere. “Back of my head.”

  Jade beckoned for him to sit on the lowered toilet lid so she could massage away the ache. She really had magic fingers. Gabe allowed himself to release some of the tension knotting the back of his head. Jade stopped abruptly and Gabe bit back a protest.

  “I’ll take my shower now. We need to get going to meet Alex on time.”

  “Shit, Jade. You jump all over me if I set up anything without asking you first, but you just made this date unilaterally.”

  She’d stepped out of her sexy little nightshirt and stood before him, her body looking well-loved and inviting. For the moment, he ignored the invitation.

  “If you’d been willing to take a few minutes last night to talk to him, I wouldn’t have had to say yes this morning.” She leaned over to turn on the shower. When she’d adjusted the water temperature to her liking, she stepped into the tub.

  “Can I shower with you to save time, being that you roped me into having coffee with this guy?”

  “No fucking in the shower this morning, Gabe. We really are going to be on time.”

  Gabe’s cock, which had been set for a “yes” response, twitched with disappointment. Maybe later. He brushed his teeth again, which still didn’t help. Then he wiped condensation off the mirror and shaved. Remembering Rapsos’ stubble of the night before, Gabe wondered if he’d show up clean-shaven today. Gabe nicked himself and started bleeding like a son of a gun. Shit. He never cut himself. Cursing, he groped in the medicine cabinet for the styptic pencil. Its burn brought tears to his eyes.

  All Rapsos’ fault. Gabe had been shaving just fine until he’d begun to think about the other man. Though Gabe usually tolerated his fellow human beings well enough, Rapsos had started off badly with him and continued to rub him the wrong way with his early morning phone call. Gabe also disliked the way Jade’s face got funny and glowy around Rapsos. Not that he ever worried about Jade and other men, but he didn’t believe in getting complacent.

  Also, there was something else about Rapsos—something weird that clenched his guts. He did not intend for this guy to stick around very long.

  With a piece of toilet paper stuck to his wound, Gabe clunked around the bathroom.

  “You coming out any time in the near future?” he hollered. So much for Jade taking a fast shower. Stupid idea, telling Rapsos they’d meet in an hour.

  The water abruptly stopped. Jade peeked out and looked rosy and happy. “It’s all yours, grumpy.” She pushed aside the curtain and, after snatching up her towel, daintily stepped out of the tub.

  “Where are we meeting Rapsos, anyway? If we have to take the subway, an hour doesn’t give us much time.”

  She smiled smugly. “Izzy’s.” Gabe hadn’t expected her to name the coffee and bagel shop two doors down from their building. “You think you can manage that big trip?”

  Gabe’s brow furrowed as he tried to process Jade’s words. “You told Rapsos where we live?”

  “Didn’t have to. It turns out he moved into the vacant apartment on the third floor. Alex Rapsos is our new neighbor. We could all walk to Izzy’s together.”

  Groovy. Could this day get any better? When the shower hit Alex’s face, his wound began to bleed again—profusely.

  * * * * *

  Jade couldn’t have explained why she had such butterflies in her stomach at the prospect of meeting with Alex Rapsos this morning. She felt a very unusual and unfamiliar excitement. She knew this had nothing to do with being profoundly attracted to or turned on by him or anything like that, because Gabe was the man for her—no ifs, ands or buts about that. On the other hand, she could still look, and Alex was attractive. Okay, hot.

  So, though it wasn’t her usual practice so early in the day, she dressed and made up as if she were going on a longed-for blind date. Maybe the sundress with splashy red flowers that made her look like a brunette Marilyn Monroe was a bit over the top for morning coffee, but she went for it anyway. That and her strappy black stiletto sandals.

  She could tell Gabe she was dressing for him. Thankfully, with his ego, he wouldn’t question her, and anyway it was partially true. But she’d also be sure to add that she was dressing for herself. She didn’t often let herself go into full girly mode like this, which was maybe why it felt so damn good.

  She tried to convince herself her excitement arose from her gut instinct about Alex being a catalyst for their work. Though she had no idea where her intuition came from, she felt Alex might hold the key to unlock her and Gabe’s true potential. Since she’d drawn the Three of Pentacles card at Maura’s party, Jade kept conjuring up images of wild success, money enough for luxuries and all the things that had eluded them up to now. Once they were successful, surely all the tensions that sprang up between her and Gabe would be resolved. Ironic that a third person would help strengthen them as a couple…

  “That new?” Gabe looked her up and down.

  Jade grinned. She loved it when Gabe noticed what she was wearing or something special she’d done with her hair or face, which didn’t happen all the time. Not that he took her for granted, but he didn’t always express approval the way he had when they first got together. Not like now. “Sort of. You like?” She whir
led around.

  Gabe cocked a brow and favored her with his let’s-fuck leer. “Yeah. How fast can you get it off?”

  The dress had the desired effect, but the timing was wrong. “Later, hotshot. We’ll be late if we don’t leave in two minutes.” Now she looked hard at him. “Is that what you’re wearing?” Though Gabe was one of those effortlessly elegant men who always looked like he’d just come from a fashion shoot, today he’d chosen grungy jeans and a Harry’s Pizza T-shirt with a marinara sauce stain above the logo.

  “Figured it’s good enough for coffee down the block,” Gabe mumbled.

  Given the wisdom of choosing her battles, Jade refrained from commenting. “But what’s that on your face?”

  Gabe’s mouth tightened into a disgusted grimace. “Cut myself shaving.”

  “Is that toilet paper?” She couldn’t believe it, but figured she shouldn’t make a big deal. “You want me to get you a bandage?”

  “Trust me, the toilet paper will do the trick better than anything. You ready? If I don’t get coffee soon, I may self-destruct.”

  Jade nodded. Gabe steered her out to the stairs. “You realize we could have put Rapsos off. We weren’t obligated to meet with him, take away from our work time.”

  Jade decided she’d better keep quiet for now about her gut instincts. “At the least, Gabe, he’s a fan. We make it a policy to be polite and encouraging to fans.”

  “Yeah, but that doesn’t include personal meetings. Look, you set this up, so we’re doing it. We’ll go, have coffee, schmooze and bid the guy a fond adieu. Shouldn’t take more than half an hour.”

  “Come on, Gabe. We spend longer than that over morning coffee in our apartment.”

  “That depends what we’re having with the coffee.” He looked her up and down again.

  She wouldn’t let him distract her. “All I mean is, you were very rude to him last night. He didn’t let that put him off, and I admire persistence. Let’s hear what he has to say. He might have some good ideas.”

  “Right.” Gabe shook his head. “Listen, my softhearted lovely. Let me handle things so this guy doesn’t tie us up for half a day. When I say something, like ‘We have an appointment and have to leave’, just nod your head and come along.”

  “Are you going to promise to listen to what he says with an open mind?”

  “Open mind? Are you implying I don’t have an open mind?”

  “Just…promise you’ll do what I ask.”

  “Okay. I promise. And you’ll follow my lead?”

  Though she hated to make that commitment, his agreement to her stipulation forced her to. “Sure.”

  * * * * *

  Determined to take charge of the upcoming meeting and start moving his new partners in the necessary direction, Alex arrived at Izzy’s before the time he’d told them. With just a bit of manipulation, he was able to grab a great table. He’d sit with his back to the wall, which would give him a great view of the shop and his companions.

  This morning, guided by some instinct and impulse, he’d chucked the jeans and polo he usually wore in the States to put on cream linen slacks and a matching jacket—what a former lover called his “tropical diplomat” look. The informal suit and open-necked white shirt emphasized his usual tan. Though he’d have to shave sometime soon or risk sprouting a full-fledged beard, right now his facial stubble had reached what another former lover had once labeled the peak of scruffy appeal. He got himself a mug of strong black coffee and lounged back in a nonchalant pose to prepare for his appointment. Fortunately, he didn’t have to wait long.

  The moment Jade came into view, he swallowed hard. Gods, he was glad she was tapped for this mission. She looked amazing—a goddess deigning to grace the world mere mortals populated with her shimmering presence. As to Gabe, well, he appeared grubby, miserable and out of sorts—and oddly appealing in a standoffish sort of way, though that was clearly not his intent. In all, Alex felt, a most promising start for their meeting.

  He rose when Jade and Gabe came to the table. Alex took Jade’s hand and, with Continental flair, lowered his face for a kiss. Jade’s lashes fluttered prettily, and she smiled and blushed in response. Gabe looked as if he wanted to kill Alex. Before they accomplished their mission, Gabe would have to learn to deal with far more.

  “I’m so glad you’ve arrived.” He welcomed them both as if they’d come to his home for the morning meal.

  Gabe nodded his head toward Alex’s coffee mug. “I’m going to get coffee and bagels for Jade and me. I see you already have a drink.”

  “I’d like a bagel, too. Do you want me to come with you, Gabe?”

  The other man frowned. “I think I can handle two coffees and a few bagels. Name your poison, Rapsos.”

  “Toasted rye, cream cheese.”

  “The usual for you, Jade?” Alex was sure Gabe emphasized the word to demonstrate once again his and Jade’s relationship. Though Alex didn’t appreciate the implication that he was a slow learner, he figured projecting a cool, unflappable image would best serve his goals.

  “Yes. Make sure it’s light cream cheese with the bagel.” She blushed again. Alex loved how her cheeks grew a deep pink, and he looked forward to giving her many more occasions to blush.

  He was going to say Jade had no need to for diet foods, but he knew this was tricky terrain with most women and he didn’t know her well enough to predict if she’d be complimented or offended.

  “How long have you lived in the neighborhood?” Jade asked him.

  “I moved in as soon as an apartment became available, just two days ago.”

  “Where did you live before?”

  Before Alex had a chance to completely satisfy Jade’s geographical curiosity, Gabe raced back to their table, bearing a cardboard tray loaded with the drinks and food. He almost—but not quite—sloshed more coffee on the floor than remained in the cups. Alex smiled languidly at him, enjoying the other man’s lack of ease. He appreciated the way Gabe carried off the smooth-shaven look. Alex couldn’t be bothered maintaining any style that required that much effort or shaving on a regular basis.

  Gabe gave Jade her order, then started in on his own food and drink.

  “With your fresh wound, Gabe, you look just like Hyacinth.”

  Gabe, occupied with a mouthful of bagel, tentatively probed the toilet paper he’d forgotten to remove. Glowering, he swallowed hard. “Hyacinth? Isn’t that a flower?”

  So many people were ignorant of anything beyond the most basic Greek mythology. Alex laughed indulgently. “Yes, but that’s not what I was referring to. More exactly, I meant the man Hyacinth for whom the flower was named.”

  “So, now you’re an expert on botany too? Lucky us, to be in the company of such genius.” Gabe’s jaw tightened.

  Nibbling on her bagel and sipping her coffee, Jade frowned.

  “Genius is in the eye of the beholder. Hyacinth the man had the name first.” Alex took a bite of his bagel.

  “Who was he?” Jade asked. “A Greek god?”

  Alex nodded, grateful to Jade for the reprieve her question had provided. “Hyacinth himself was a mortal, but the god Apollo very much favored him. You see, Apollo loved both men and women.” Silence greeted that bit of information.

  Gabe started to say something, but Jade cut him off. “Yes, I’ve heard that many of the deities were dual-natured like that.”

  “You mean they were ambisextrous.” Gabe lounged back in his seat and smirked.

  Jade rolled her eyes, and Alex grinned politely.

  “Come on. You wish you’d thought of it first.” Gabe looked very smug.

  “Right. We’re just green with jealousy. Alex, you were saying?”

  “Apollo chose not to restrict his favors to only one gender.”

  “The Greeks invented it,” Gabe muttered.

  “And the Romans perfected it.” Alex raised his cup to toast Gabe.

  Gabe chewed his bagel determinedly and looked everywhere but in Alex’s direction.<
br />
  From the corner of his eye, Alex caught a glimpse of Jade looking from him to Gabe and back.

  “All those dusty old myths. Who cares?” Gabe evidently wanted his companions to think he didn’t. Alex could sense the other man was protesting far too much. Good. Next Alex would have to continue opening them both up to the fullness of love’s possibilities. That was crucial for the accomplishment of his mission.

  Jade glared at Gabe. “I don’t think those myths are dusty or old. I love those stories. How did this Hyacinth get a flower named for him?”

  Alex enjoyed having the chance to tell stories. That was why he’d become a writer and why he took on the specific missions he chose. “Hyacinth was, of course, quite beautiful—which first attracted Apollo.”

  “Beautiful? Sheesh. You’re a writer, Rapsos. Men aren’t beautiful. Use accurate vocabulary.” Gabe looked disgusted.

  “Come on, Gabe. Why are you acting so macho? What’s wrong with the word beautiful?” Jade countered. “Alex is beautiful. And Gabe, you’re beautiful too. Most of the time, anyway.”

  Gabe screwed up his face and looked even more disgusted.

  Alex figured he’d be better off not responding to either Jade or Gabe in this particular disagreement. Ultimately, he needed to have them unite and bond with him, not spin off in opposite directions. He projected the self-image he wanted them to see—cool, detached and disinterested—none of which he felt. A sense of urgency had to govern every step he took.

  “By all accounts, beautiful was the most accurate word to describe Hyacinth. He was also quite the athlete, a skill much admired back then. But one day, when he and Apollo were throwing the discus, a strong wind suddenly arose. Before Apollo could do anything to help save him, the discus struck Hyacinth in the head. The poor guy died almost immediately. Naturally, because of the nature of the wound, Hyacinth lost a lot of blood. Apollo, heartbroken, fashioned a white flower splashed with red from Hyacinth’s blood—a memorial to his lover.”