Exposed Affections

by Rene Folsom

  Coda’s text messages were very similar and grew more needy toward the last one. Just as I was almost done checking all my messages, another one panged through.

  It was from Coda.

  Julia. I heard from Gowan. I’m so relieved to know you are okay. I still have no idea what happened between you and Aiden. He won’t talk to me. He has never shut down to me before. I feel like I’ve lost my two best friends in the past 24 hours. Please. You don’t have to tell me anything. I just need to hear your beautiful voice. I’m here for you.

  His text made me cry. Goddamn waterworks. I couldn’t call him. Not while I was blubbering like a little baby.

  Just as I started to gain a little control over my pity-party, my phone rang. It was Lib wanting to know if I wanted to work a little early today. They had a special party coming in around five, and they planned to supply an open bar and a buffet of finger foods.

  I told her sure. Usually, these private parties tipped well and I could use the money.

  I only had about an hour to get ready, so I quickly hopped in the shower and let my salty sorrows flow down the drain.

  I chose a sensible blouse that displayed just a hint of cleavage and combined it with a cute pair of black shorts that fit tight around my hips and ass, but slightly loose around my thighs. Matching them with a pair of sheer thigh-high stockings made me feel sexy. The lace rim of the stockings rested about three inches below the bottom hem of my shorts, exposing just a trace of skin. Finishing off my outfit with a pair of black kitten heels with pink soles and pinning the sides of my hair up slightly, I was ready to go.

  I started to gain my confidence back as I walked into the club. The private party was a breeze with Sid and I working together. The rest of the night was slow and left way too much time for my mind to wander.

  I was about to ask Lib to let me go home when two dashing, walking turn-ons sauntered through the door. My pulse soared and pounded in my chest. I sucked my lip and swallowed hard. Apprehension skittered through me, causing chill bumps to lick my skin.

  My mind was in a tizzy. I didn’t know whether I wanted to run and hide, or make them regret ever letting me walk away. I chose the latter as I confidently continued serving the few customers in my section.

  Mingling with Dex near the door, Aiden and Coda didn’t even notice me. After a few minutes, Coda finally looked in my direction and froze mid-step as he stared at me.

  God, he was so handsome. I blinked and smiled sweetly as I turned to serve another customer.

  Even though I was attending to patrons on the floor and in VIP, the VIP section was practically empty. So, most of my time was spent serving the tables that surrounded the dance floor.

  After handing two girls their drinks, I turned and ran straight into a wall of muscle.

  Coda.

  He smelled so good.

  Suddenly, he reached around my waist and, with a quick flick of his wrist, untied my apron. Throwing the scrap of fabric on the table I just served, he offered me his hand and led me toward the dance floor.

  His beautiful gray eyes glowed with fire and determination. He crooked his finger and his smile grew more arrogant, daring me to refuse his invitation to dance. I took a few steps to close the distance between us, anticipation clawing at my skin.

  Boy, did he know how to dance—his rhythm was intoxicating and erotic. Coda wrapped his arm around my waist, digging his fingers into my hips. Rolling his body against mine, I raised my arms around his neck as we moved into the crowd.

  Turning so my back was to his front and doing a sexy shimmy against him, I glanced forward and noticed Aiden stood mere inches from us. Undulating his body in time with ours, he moved in until I was sandwiched between two hard Stones.

  Four hands caressed every inch of my body. Having their hands on me again made me feel sexy and powerful. The music was so loud we didn’t bother with talking. We just danced and gyrated in time with the beat.

  Our trio must have made an interesting scene—our bodies meshed together, moving up and down in sexy, sensuous movements. Several groups of people stared and hollered with excitement as they joined us on the dance floor.

  The pulse of the music coursed through my veins, slipped under my skin, and flowed through my muscles until I relaxed and let go. Lights flashed around my men, electric, energetic, and exhilarating. They moved even closer, pinning me in the middle of them until we were one unit moving in time together.

  My inhibitions flew out the window, quickly ignoring the fact we weren’t on good terms at that moment in time. I was glad I wore the pink stilettos because they made me feel bold. Daring. Sexy.

  Aiden and Coda possessively wrapped their arms around me, pressing their bodies hotly to mine as they continued to dance. It was a strikingly intense and erotic act.

  Finally, Aiden’s mouth closed hot and wet over my lips, and my knees nearly buckled. Coda’s grip tightened around my waist to hold me up and support me. We continued to undulate together as Aiden devoured my mouth, tasting me with his tongue, and biting my lip.

  Unexpectedly, Aiden pulled away and quickly turned me hard into Coda. I let out a soft whimper as Coda took my mouth, causing me to be overcome by the assault on my senses. The way they kissed me was a forceful reminder that I belonged to them. Yet, at the same time, their kisses weren’t terse gestures, but sweet—breathtaking.

  Warmth spread through my body. My pulse thundered. I wanted them to kiss me like this every day. But as the song came to an end, I remembered that was likely not going to happen.

  Abruptly, I backed away, realizing I had let my guard down. I was still so pissed at Aiden for how he spoke to me, and now I was letting them consume my rational thoughts. As the slight look of shock left my face, I turned and headed to the table that held my apron. I didn’t look back as I swiftly headed for the employee lounge.

  I was done. Lib didn’t need me to be here anymore. Sid and Pete could handle it from here. I needed to go. Thankfully, Lib agreed and I was on my way in less than ten minutes.

  I didn’t look for them as I bolted out the door.

  Chapter 15

  “How could something so beautiful be bad?”

  Once I stepped foot inside my apartment door, I sighed and finally exhaled the breath I was holding since I laid eyes on them. I didn’t bother to change. Instead, I dragged my ass to my bedroom and lay on my bed, looking at the ceiling.

  Reliving the moments they touched me, held me, cherished me, kissed me… reliving those wonderful moments wasn’t a bad thing, right? How could something so beautiful be bad? And if it wasn’t bad, why did I feel like shit? Like I betrayed myself?

  I must’ve laid there for a while because my eyes began to grow heavy. Just as I thought I was falling asleep with the light on, I heard someone open my bedroom door.

  Quickly sitting up and hoping to hell it was Sid, I gasped when I saw Aiden and Coda standing in my doorway.

  “What? How did you…?” Aiden quickly jumped at me and held his hand over my mouth. I began to scream. Flashes of Rob forcing himself on me riddled my mind, and I fought.

  Coda was immediately in my face, shushing me and telling me to calm down.

  “Julia, I need you to be quiet for one second, please!” he begged.

  I slowly looked at the two men and noticed their eyes were filled with fear. I just nodded and Aiden quickly let go of my mouth.

  Aiden hurriedly gathered me into his arms as he whispered, “I’m so glad you’re okay. God, if anything were to happen to you…”

  “Wait,” I said sternly as I pushed him away. “What’s going on?”

  “We got worried when you disappeared from the club. We came here to make sure you were all right, but your door was wide open,” he said. He opened his mouth to continue, but I abruptly stopped him.

  “Stop.” I pushed at his shoulders just a bit for him to back up. He backed away ever so slightly while his hands still stayed on my shoulders. “You said my door was open?”

 
“Yes, and I panicked. Which is why I came barging in here and…”

  “Aiden, wait just a minute. I had that door locked. We have to look around.” I became more freaked out at the fact Rob could be inside the apartment. Aiden saw the panic in my eyes.

  He had a mixture of pain and anger rolling through his muscles. Tension radiated from Coda too as he grabbed me and tugged me into a tight embrace.

  I began to shiver uncontrollably as Coda and Aiden held me in their arms.

  Aiden kissed me on the forehead and said, “Stay here, we will look around. Please, just stay here.”

  “Oh, hell no. I’m not staying in here by myself,” I said with a voice I didn’t even recognize. My voice sounded so small and nothing like me. I clung to Coda so tight, he would’ve had no choice but to stay with me. “I’m checking things out with you whether you like it or not.”

  “Shhh. Okay, Julia, okay. Shit,” Coda said as he held me and stroked my back. I was holding him so tight he was very likely having trouble breathing.

  Aiden got me up quickly, and I held onto his waist behind him while he looked around my small room. There weren’t too many hiding places in my room, other than my closet and under my bed.

  They both gradually led me out into the hall, and Aiden briefly poked his head into the bathroom. Nothing.

  He pointed to Sid’s bedroom door and gestured his head, telling me he was going to check her room as well. I nodded and clung to the back of his shirt with a death grip while Coda clutched my shoulder in reassurance.

  Sid’s room was messier than mine, but there were still very few hiding places available. After clearing the room, we made our way out to the living room. Our furniture was simple and sparse, just enough to live with. We didn’t need anything fancy. Aiden gestured toward the apartment door, which was now open about two feet wide.

  “We closed and locked that door,” he whispered, obvious rage rolling through his expression.

  “Oh, my God.” I buried my face into his back, unable to comprehend what could have happened if they hadn’t shown up.

  He walked over to the front door and poked his head outside. Looking both ways down the concrete hallway, he saw nothing, no one. He squatted down and examined the door. It looked like it had been jimmied open. Marks littered the side of the doorjamb on the outside, and I knew then just how psychotic Rob really was.

  Aiden closed the door and locked it, then turned to me and grabbed my face with both of his hands.

  “Are you okay?” he asked. I just nodded and tears began to fall… again. Rolling my eyes, I couldn’t believe I still had any tears left.

  Coda broke away from me and walked over to the front door where he bent over and picked up a note. After scowling and cursing, he handed the note to me. Aiden leaned over my shoulder to read it.

  You always did like to fuck in your sleep. Next time, your man-whores won’t interrupt us.

  “That mother fucking bastard. I’m gonna kill him!” Aiden yelled as he started to storm toward the door.

  I grabbed his arm and cried, “Aiden, don’t! Stop!”

  He spun on a dime, jerking his arm out of my grasp like my touch was some kind of poison. With a snarl, he spoke loudly, never taking his vicious glare off me. “Why? Why save the bastard? You’re probably still hung up on him and his sick, twisted idea of how to treat you. I can’t believe you still want to defend him!”

  Hearing him speak to me in such a coldhearted manner made me lose all the strength in my legs, like gravity had increased exponentially.

  “Fuck, Aiden! Really? You’re such a moron,” Coda exclaimed. “Go! Go kill the fucker, get locked up, and then see how Julia feels.”

  Suddenly, it’s as if the strength of a million stallions roared through me. I stood up tall and the control was so solid, I felt taller than the striking man standing in front of me with hatred in his eyes.

  I had to get out of here. Not because I was running away from Aiden, but because I knew it wasn’t safe. I wasn’t stupid.

  Still, with no idea where to go, I stood up to the man who made my heart weep.

  “I had no idea you thought so little of me, Aiden Stone. I won’t be spoken to so disrespectfully, especially with all this shit going on,” I gritted through my teeth, looking him straight in the eyes as I walked past him toward the door, thankful I left my heels next to the entryway. I didn’t care that I was leaving with nothing other than the work clothes I had on. I’d go buy something if I had to. I just had to leave this situation immediately before I lost all self-control.

  Just as I hit the stairs heading toward the parking lot, I heard my apartment door slam and footsteps descend in my direction.

  “Leave me alone, Coda,” I said calmly without turning around as I made a mad dash toward my car.

  “Hell no, Julia. You don’t get to push me away,” he yelled, grabbing my arms and pressing me up against my car.

  The force of his fingers squeezing the bruises on my arms caused me to audibly wince with pain. I didn’t think he was intentionally trying to hurt me. I imagine if I didn’t have the evidence of yesterday’s encounter still spotting my arms, Coda’s grasp probably would have gone unnoticed.

  He let up on his grip, but kept his fingers splayed gently along the sides of my arms. A startled look crossed his face.

  “Julia? What’s wrong? Are you—?”

  “Nothing, Coda. Just let me leave,” I pleaded, looking away at anywhere but in his concerned, stormy eyes.

  “Not going to happen. I’m not walking away,” he said as he grabbed my face and forced me to look at him. “I still have your smell assaulting my senses. I can still taste your sweet flavor on my tongue. I can still feel your body pressed hotly against mine. I can still remember the adoring look in your eyes as you danced with me. You can’t fool me, Julia.”

  “Coda. Please. I can’t stand to have him hating me. He looks at me like I’m something stuck to the bottom of his shoe. I just want to get away so I can attempt to forget…” I trailed off. Regardless of how Aiden felt about me, I didn’t want to forget anything. And even if I wanted to, it wouldn’t be possible to forget anything about these men.

  “I know you don’t want to talk to me. I know you’re upset. But what pisses me off is I have no fucking clue why. Aiden won’t talk to me. You refuse to look at me,” he said with a slight jerk to my face in an attempt to get me to look back at him. It worked. As I looked into his eyes, he asked, “What did I do?”

  “Damn it, Coda. You didn’t do anything. It’s me. I’m broken, and Aiden is sick of picking up the pieces. I don’t blame him. But you… you and him are a package deal, and I’ll be damned if I come between brothers.”

  “Where do you plan to go?” Coda asked as he let me go but didn’t step away. He still pressed himself hard against my body, pinning me between muscle and car.

  “I don’t know. A hotel probably. I need to get away from here.”

  “Okay. Give me your keys and go get in my car, now. No arguments. I want you with me and this is not up for discussion,” he said forcefully, without raising his voice.

  A thrill glimmered through me at the sound of his forceful tone. I’ve never been attracted to the overly dominant type, but he definitely didn’t fit that bill, and I really needed someone to just take control of my life right now.

  I thought about protesting just for the sake of standing up for myself. But the reality was, I wanted nothing more than to be with him—with both of them. I just needed the reassurance they wanted me instead of just feeling bad for me. Deciding I could discuss it with Coda later, I nodded and he quickly released his hold on my body. With no additional desire to argue, I did as he demanded and made my way to his car after handing him my keys.

  Chapter 16

  “Such contradiction was bound to split me in two.”

  Coda ran up to my apartment, taking two steps in each stride, disappearing for a few seconds before bounding back down in a hurry. The moon glowed, casting beautifu
l, hard shadows across his cut muscles and strong jaw.

  After several minutes of driving, I realized he was taking me in the direction of his house.

  “Aiden is not going to want me around, Coda. This isn’t a good idea.”

  “It’s my house too and I’d be a total shit to let you go stay in a hotel by yourself. You’re coming home with me and that is final,” he countered.

  “Can I at least ask what you did with my keys?”

  “I gave them to Aiden so he has a way home,” he said calmly, without taking his eyes off the road.

  After a few more minutes of silence, Coda asked, “You look like you haven’t eaten in days. Are you hungry?”

  “There’s no way I can stomach anything right now. Thank you though,” I answered politely. Truth was, my stomach was so empty, it was turning itself inside out with starvation. But I also knew I was in no mood to eat.

  “When was the last time you ate something, Julia?”

  I had to stop and think. Everything was happening so fast, my head was spinning and my days blurred together in a hectic swarm of tornadoes, determined to destroy everything in their path and leave my life in disarray.

  “If you have to think about it, then it has obviously been too long and I need to feed you,” he said, still keeping his gaze directly on the road, never once glancing at me.

  “I was just thinking whether I should lie to you or reap the consequences of the truth.”

  “Truth. Always,” he clipped.

  “I had an apple yesterday, at lunch. Right before everything went to hell in a hand basket.”

  He sighed and said, “I really don’t want you withering away to nothing, Julia. I like every single curve of your body. I like you just the way you are. You need to eat something. Even if it’s just some toast.”

  “Toast actually sounds do-able,” I said with a small, shy smile on my face. He finally glanced over my way, just soon enough to catch my grin.