by Jess Dee
“Right,” Blake agreed instantly. Like Lily, he was an only child. The idea of any siblings, let alone four, was foreign to both of them. With that many children in one house, life had to have been chaotic for Angus.
“It wasn’t. Our folks loved us, but they had rules, and we obeyed those rules or suffered the consequences.”
“Consequences?” Lily asked.
Angus grimaced. “Bathroom duty. We didn’t listen, we landed up cleaning the toilet. And with five teenage boys, it wasn’t pretty.”
She laughed.
“My parents assigned us chores. Mine was looking after the garden.”
“Like mowing the lawn?” Blake asked.
Angus shook his head. “There wasn’t a lawn to mow. House was too small. But my mother liked her pot plants, and she liked them looking good.” He shrugged. “Taught me everything she knew about flowers and then sent me to the local nursery to learn more. I spent a lot of afternoons there. Got my first job there too—and stayed on until I opened my business.”
“Which is a huge success,” Lily told Blake proudly. “Lifestyle Landscaping was recommended to me by three different people. Plus, you’ve seen my garden. It’s now gorgeous.”
Angus nodded his thanks.
Blake regarded Angus with a gleam in his eye. A gleam that sparked a million questions in Lily’s mind. “Do you have any suggestions for landscaping this place?”
“A couple. But I haven’t seen too much of it yet.”
“Which we’ll remedy as soon as lunch is done. Give me a rough idea from what you have seen.”
Angus went on to outline some of his suggestions, all of which sounded brilliant to Lily. Blake looked impressed too. Very impressed.
Lily watched closely as Blake and Angus spoke. Something about their interaction demanded she sit up and take notice. She couldn’t place what it was, but it left her tingling somewhere deep inside.
Damn panties of hers. They were useless in the presence of these two men, one so very different from the other.
Angus, so serious, so focused. So determined to set himself apart from her and Blake. The whole Duchess comment hadn’t really surprised her. Numerous times when they’d shared an early-morning coffee, Angus had made reference to the difference in their social standing.
Then there was Blake. So quick to smile or make them laugh. So unaffected by life and everything it had offered him. So open and honest with her about everything—except his sexuality. He was oblivious to the whole class issue Angus seemed so aware of.
Interestingly, Blake had instinctively known something about Angus Lily hadn’t picked up on. While Blake and Lily shared a bottle of the estate’s special, a Cabernet-Merlot blend, Angus nursed a beer. One of several that Blake had brought to the table.
Smart guy.
And he still had that gleam in his eye.
“So how does a man of your age from Sydney come to own a hotel and winery in the Hunter Valley?” Angus asked. There was genuine curiosity in his voice. And in the way he looked at Blake.
Lily had told Angus she and Blake were the same age. Twenty-nine. Angus was a year older.
“Just lucky, I guess,” Blake answered casually. “I came in to some money and wasn’t sure how to invest it.”
Lily snorted so hard wine went up her nose.
Blake glared at her. “Gee, that sounded lovely, Lil. So ladylike.”
She grabbed a serviette and coughed into it. “Lucky?” she gasped. “Luck had nothing to do with it.”
“You okay there? Want me to smack your back?” Blake asked. “Hard?” he then muttered as an afterthought.
She didn’t need back-smacking—as the guy could clearly see. Coughing fit over, she turned to Angus. His gaze searched her face. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“Sure?” Lord, why did his attention make her want to tear off the dress she’d put on with such care this morning? Come to think of it, what would Angus and Blake do if she did?
“I’m sure, thanks. See, the thing is, Blake over here didn’t just come in to money. He earned an obscene amount of it from a computer program he and a friend wrote while at uni. A security program two American companies found so impressive they both offered to buy it.”
Blake might not make a big deal about it, but Lily was ridiculously proud of his achievement and had no problem filling in the missing pieces for Angus. “A bidding war ensued, and let’s just say it got…zealous.”
“Blake Seymour…” Angus said the name contemplatively before staring at Blake, incredulous. “As in Seymour-Stafford Security?”
“You’ve heard of it?”
“Mate, anyone with eyes and ears has heard about it.”
Angus was right. The winning bid had been in excess of four hundred million dollars. Australian media had broadcast the sale over every newspaper, telly and radio in the country. The company, Seymour-Stafford, still existed, and flourished, thanks to Blake and his business partner, Andrew Stafford. However, the program, Seymour-Stafford Security, now had another name, compliments of its new owner.
Blake shrugged. “About six months ago, Lily suggested I invest in a winery. She was…passionate about it. And convincing. Thus…this.” He waved his arms around.
“You going to live here?” Angus wanted to know.
“Nope. I’m a city guy. Need to be where things are happening. I’ve found someone to manage the hotel though, and the winery came fully staffed—part of the settlement.”
Angus whistled. “Nice investment.”
Blake nodded. “It is nice. A good weekend break too.” He gave Angus a meaningful look. “It’ll be nicer once the gardens are done.”
Okay, yeah, Blake had mentioned the gardens, but there was something about that look that made Lily sit up and pay attention all over again. A million thoughts hit her at once, and her stomach lurched at the possibilities that opened up in her mind. She’d known Blake and Angus would get on well. But she hadn’t suspected how well.
The same electricity that zapped between Angus and her now zapped between the men as well.
Angus drained his beer, his gaze on Blake the entire time. “Then let’s clear this food away and go take a closer look at your property.”
A walk outdoors was exactly what Blake needed. A very long walk. Or maybe a marathon sprint across the grounds. Anything to work off the erratic, excess energy that pulsed through his veins.
The first pulse had caught him off guard when he’d swung open the door to Lil’s car—and found Angus. The second followed when the man had stepped out of the Merc and stood before Blake in all his muscled glory.
Blake had taken one look at Angus and gotten hard, then rounded the car to see Lil—who looked like she’d just had the best sex of her life—and the third pulsed had slammed into him.
But then Blake was always horny around Lily. It was something he’d grown accustomed to years ago. Some unfortunate souls existed in a permanent vegetative state. When Blake was around Lil, he existed in a permanent erect state.
In his heart of hearts, he knew he and Lily could never be a couple. Not without him hurting her deeply. So instead of giving in to his craving for her, he fought it, pushing it to the back of his mind. Over time, he’d learned to deal with the desire and discomfort and to act normally around her. Mostly, it worked. But today, Angus’s presence had thrown his years of careful conditioning to the dogs.
As hard as he tried to repress his urges, Blake was feverishly aroused by Lily. The added presence of her totally hot landscaper only worsened his pathetic state.
Hopefully the fresh air would clear his head, or at the very least help settle his erection. He’d been semi-hard since he’d met them in the car park—and damn it, it hurt.
They spent a good few hours exploring the winery and the grounds. Judging from Angus’s comments and questions, both impressed the hell out of Angus.
But then Angus impressed the hell out of Blake.
Blake had been
worried he’d struggle to focus on business, struggle to focus on anything other than how much he wanted Lily…and Angus. But it turned out Angus’s appeal extended way beyond the physical. His knowledge of, and passion for, plants and gardens fascinated Blake, as did the fact Angus had done extensive research about gardens in the Hunter Valley before heading up here.
As they walked toward the small lake about a hundred meters away from the hotel, Angus suggested that a trail made of natural stone surrounded by agapanthus would make a great a scenic walk for guests—one on which they’d probably spot a couple of kangaroos, if today’s sighting of the animals was anything to go by.
He also recommended planting a rose garden to the left of the house—the opposite direction of the winery—with a huge pergola making up the centerpiece. And creating several rockeries, strategically placed, so they’d add both interest and aesthetic beauty to the estate.
As he spoke, Blake found it easy to picture his suggestions. The man knew what he was talking about. If Blake had already drawn up a contract, he’d have insisted Angus sign it then and there and begin work on the gardens the next day.
It wasn’t just Angus’s obvious talent in the garden that held Blake rapt. It was the man himself. He was… Christ, he was hot. One look had been enough for Blake to know he wanted him—naked, sweaty, and buried balls-deep in his ass.
But then he wanted to be buried balls-deep in Lily’s body too.
He threw a casual arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. He found it difficult to be near her and not touch her. “What do you think, babe? Rockeries or rose gardens?”
She leaned into him, completely comfortable with his touch. “Angus paints such a vivid picture, it’s easy to imagine them both here. And the pergola is a must. I can already see myself spending hours in it with my canvas and easel.”
“I like the idea of the rose garden and pergola too.” He also liked the idea of her spending hours there. Lily felt good pressed up against him, her curves as tempting as ever. She smelled sensational. Like a summer garden. One breath of her perfume was enough to lift his cock from half mast to full erection—again.
“How about lavender?” Lily asked Angus. “Do you think it would look good out here?”
Blake watched the two of them carefully. Without a doubt, there was something between them. He’d noticed it on Lil’s face earlier, and the spark of awareness that bounced between them now was almost tangible.
The day was a scorcher, the sun blazing in the afternoon sky. Yet it was the waves of sexual tension simmering between Angus and Lily that had Blake sweating.
Angus smiled at her, the heat in his gaze unmistakable. “The lavender in your garden isn’t enough?”
Angus might treat Lily like a princess, but he watched her with heavy-lidded, predatory eyes. It was that wanton look that turned Blake the fuck on. Lil’s response to it too. The reddening of her cheeks and the laughter she couldn’t contain. Blake wanted in. He wanted to share the spark.
“I love it, as you know. There’s no such thing as enough lavender.”
Angus considered the plant. “Maybe. I know it thrives in the Hunter, but I’d have to investigate how it’ll interact with the vines. It may change the soil and affect the way the grapes grow.”
Angus’s gaze flickered from Lily to Blake, and then to the spot where their bodies touched. It stayed there for a second, before landing on Blake’s arm, the one resting on Lily’s shoulder, his hand inches away from her breast.
Angus pressed his lips together, then turned and headed to the place he’d indicated the pergola should stand.
Lily watched him walk away. “God, he’s gorgeous. I’d love to paint him some day.”
“Naked?”
She rolled her eyes at Blake. “Have I ever painted anyone naked?”
“No. But you obviously like him. And he has the body for it.”
“Actually, I was thinking I’d like to paint him shirtless. Working in the garden. But nude’s good too.” She raised an eyebrow. “Interesting suggestion, by the way. Especially coming from you.”
“You blush when you look at him, Lil. And laugh to yourself. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize you like him.”
“I blush when I look at you too. And laugh. Doesn’t mean I’ve ever painted you naked.”
He threw her a cocky grin. “Would you like to?”
Yeah, right. As if he’d ever have the self-control to sit around, nude, with Lily’s gaze on him for hours. At least making light of the situation helped ease the ache in his balls.
“Sure,” she teased right back. “Just as soon as you tell me you love me.”
The words were there. On the tip of his tongue. Christ knew he wanted to say them. Always wanted to say them. But confessing his true feelings for Lil would also be deceiving her. Because no matter how much he loved her—and his love went way beyond the bond they’d built as friends—he could never give her everything she needed. He could never give her one hundred percent of himself.
The fact that he’d responded so viscerally to Angus reinforced that intrinsic knowledge.
Yeah, Blake wanted Lily with a desire so raw and basic, it hurt being around her. But the love of a woman would never meet all of his needs. As much as he ached for her, he also desired the touch of a man. One lover could not fulfill him, and he would never pretend to himself or to Lil that it could.
He loved her too much to lie, and confessing the truth—that he liked men and women, and that she alone would never be enough for him—would only hurt her. It was easier to avoid the subject.
“Telling you I love you now would be a waste of good breath. You only have eyes for Angus.”
“Can you blame me?”
“No.” But he could feel a surge of irrational jealousy.
“Hah.” She raised her fist in triumph.
“Hah, what?”
“I knew you’d understand.”
“And how did you know that?”
Lily slipped out from under his arm and patted his cheek tenderly. “Because, my dear and trusted friend, I’m not the only one. One need just glance in your direction to realize you too only have eyes for Angus.”
With that, she waltzed off across the garden to join the other man, leaving Blake gaping at her back.
Shit. She was too damn perceptive for her own good. But then she was also wrong. Blake didn’t only have eyes for Angus. He had eyes for her too.
Back at the lodge, Angus sat himself down at one of those couches by the window he’d eyed earlier and sketched a couple of ideas. No, he hadn’t decided to take the job. And certainly Blake wouldn’t hire him without agreeing on what needed to be done. But his head was overflowing with thoughts, and he wanted to get them down on paper.
Blake headed back to the winery to chat to the winemakers, and Lily retrieved her iPad from the car and sat close by, reading. Sharing downtime with Lily was cozy. And easy. He didn’t feel the need to make conversation. He did, however, feel her presence in his gut. She sat close enough that every time he inhaled he caught a whiff of her unique scent. More than once, he stopped sketching simply to look at her curled up on the couch beside him, lost in her book. Damn woman had his mouth watering and his dick aching. He intended to do something about it. Soon.
The problem was, the damn man seemed to have the same effect on him. How the hell did he kiss Lily again—without wanting to kiss Blake too?
The ache persisted through the rest of the afternoon and well into dinner.
They prepared steaks and salad and ate once again in the dining room. Conversation flowed freely, like it had at lunch, and the more time Angus spent with Blake and Lily, the more he liked them.
And the more he wanted them. Both. At the same time and separately. Which just fucked with his head.
He couldn’t deny his relief when, after dinner, Blake excused himself to go shower. Angus had been aroused the whole goddamned day, and he wanted Lily in his arms, now. Fuck knew how she’d resp
ond to him, what with being at Blake’s hotel and spending the day with the man she loved, but he was about to find out.
“Lily?”
“Hmmm?” She looked up from the sideboard where she’d been packing away clean cutlery.
He walked toward her.
She closed the drawer and stretched lazily. “Need something?”
Angus didn’t pretend his gaze was focused anywhere other than her chest. “Yep. I’m curious.”
“About what?”
“I’m wondering if being here, in Blake’s hotel, will affect the way you respond to my kiss.”
She laughed, a soft, feminine laugh that he felt deep in his groin. “Hmmm. Good question. Now you have me wondering too.”
He regarded her for a long time. “Wanna hear something crazy?”
She nodded.
“I get it. I get what you like about him.”
She raised a brow. “Blake?”
“Yeah.”
“You do?”
Angus chose his words carefully. He wasn’t going to lie to her, wasn’t going to deny his attraction, but neither was he going to scare her off by spelling out exactly how attracted he was to Blake. “He’s a good guy.”
A gleam filled her eyes. “He’s a good-looking guy too.”
“I s’pose.”
“And he has a great ass.”
“S’pose,” Angus agreed.
It was Lily’s turn to regard him for a long time. “You like him too.”
He nodded. Yeah, he liked the guy. A lot.
The gleam in her eyes turned speculative. And hot. Jesus, the way she looked at him now? Fucking sexy.
“I’m curious about something else,” she murmured.
He raised a brow in question.
“I wonder if being this close to Blake will affect the way you respond to my kisses.”
Observant woman. Did she know he wanted to explore his response to Blake’s kisses too? “Only one way to find out.”
Before she could draw the conversation out any further, he hauled her into his arms, and molded his mouth to hers. Their lips met in an instantly heated toying of tongues.