The Handy Men

by Jamie K. Schmidt

  “Hello,” she said, squinting at the clock. It was flashing four p.m. That was a big help.

  “Thank God,” her mother said. “We’ve been worried sick.”

  Peeking out the window, Paige tried to gauge the time. Mid-morning, it looked like. The sun was out and the rain had stopped. The damage didn’t look too bad, but there was a lot of debris on the beach.

  “Mom, it’s only been two days since we last talked.”

  “We heard there was a terrible storm last night.”

  Paige grabbed her robe from the bathroom door and shrugged into it. “It wasn’t too bad.”

  “We’ve got a lot of things to discuss, though. I haven’t seen a budget from you in over a month.”

  As she walked downstairs to start breakfast, Paige wanted to skip and twirl in happiness. But her mother was ruining the wonderful afterglow. “There have been no major changes to the budget since the last time you saw it. I’ve been very busy getting ready for the grand opening. I can’t believe it’s just a couple more weeks away.” Paige wasn’t sure she was going to make it without a nervous breakdown. She glanced back upstairs. Of course, now she had a great stress reliever to fall back on. Just one more thing to thank Jack and Dean for. They were fulfilling her every fantasy. They were perfect.

  “Well, that’s why I’ve been calling. Your father and I are coming down to help.”

  A sound of a needle screeching across a record thudded in her head.

  “What?” Paige shrieked and then winced. The last thing she wanted to do was wake up Dean and Jack with this news. “You can’t. I don’t have any room for you here. I’ve got a full house.” For the first month anyway.

  “That’s fine. Caillie Berns has a guest room she’s going to let us use. Oh, Paige, it will be so much fun to spend our summer with you. Just like old times.”

  Paige could think of a lot better ways to spend her summer. “That sounds great, Mom,” she lied. “But I’m going to be so busy we’ll probably never see each other.”

  Please stay home. Please stay home.

  Things were just getting good in her life. She did not need her parents coming over here cramping her style. Not to mention bringing their snooty country club attitudes all over her laid back bed and breakfast. And if they found out she was sleeping with Jack and Dean, it would be more than embarrassing. They’d call in the loan and spend the rest of her life reminding her that her perfect sister would never bang two married men.

  “Your father and I were talking it over, and it isn’t seemly for a young woman to be running an inn all by herself. I think you’ll gain more support and trust, at first, if you had your family with you. Of course, it would have been better if you and Fred were together.”

  “I don’t think his girlfriend would have liked that,” Paige said. “They’re getting married, you know.”

  “I saw. It’s nonsense. She’s after his money. It won’t last five years, and mark my words, he’ll come running back to you.”

  “I don’t want him.” She wanted her handsome lovers from last night. A part of her knew that her conservative background made it even more thrilling and forbidden, but another part of her couldn’t shake that this was how her life was supposed to be.

  Her mother sighed as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders. “What am I going to do with you?”

  “Nothing. I’m fine. We’re on schedule with all the repairs, as long as the storm didn’t do any damage.” Paige walked out on the porch and looked around. Aside from the odd branch and tumbling plastic bags, it didn’t look too bad.

  “I want you to take pictures of the property for me. You have insurance, but we don’t want to file a claim if it’s something we can take care of ourselves.”

  “I know that.” Paige wanted to argue more, but it was easier to give in. “We only lost power, but it’s back on now.”

  Her mother grumbled, “You need to fire that electrician.”

  “Dean does a fantastic job. It’s not his fault we’re on an island.” She sat on the porch swing, wincing as the damp wood soaked through her robe. “And if there’s any damage, which I can’t see at the moment, I have handymen on retainer who can fix it.”

  “I told you I didn’t approve of those two.”

  “Don’t believe everything you hear from Caillie, Mom. They’re my friends. This inn wouldn’t be as ready as it is without them.” I’m already half in love with them. The truth was a bit of a shock, and she was glad the swing supported her weight. She was in love with two men and it was awesome. She grinned so hard, her face hurt.

  “That better be all they are.”

  Paige’s smile dropped as her jaw clenched, and she saw red. “What do you mean?” She didn’t put it past her mother to have Caillie spying on her. Her mother would hate it that she was doing great without Fred. Well, maybe not hate it. But it would put a big crimp in her weekly lectures if Caillie actually told her that she was happy and successful.

  “I mean, if you want to attract a respectable crowd, you have to be above reproach.”

  “I’ve done nothing wrong.”

  “Gossip will kill your business faster than bed bugs.”

  “I don’t have any of those, either,” she said, swinging violently. In her agitation, the water trapped above the chain splattered down on her head. It was cold and she hid a gasp. Lunging to her feet, she padded out to the garden, making sure there wasn’t anything that would pierce her bare feet on the path.

  “Those men are wild.”

  Boy, were they. The grin slipped back on her face.

  “They have a bad reputation.”

  Shaking her head, Paige held in a sigh. “They’re the best contractors around. I can send you their references.”

  “Don’t play dumb with me.”

  “Then come out and say what you mean, because right now all you’re being is vaguely insulting toward my friends and me.”

  “I remember how Hamlet Island used to be when you were a child. People want that innocent slice of life again, where they can have wholesome family fun.”

  “It’s still like that. It’s the island that time forgot. Some of the faces have changed, but everything else is pretty much as I remember it.”

  “And it should stay that way. Reconsider using those handymen. I realize it may be too late to take them off the job, now, with the opening so close. But going forward, you should hire locally. It will help strengthen relations with the townspeople.”

  “Jack and Dean are local.”

  “They don’t live on the island.”

  Paige pulled a few weeds that were threatening her herbs. She was going to have to do something about the mint; it was taking over everything. But she was dabbling with the idea of making special soaps or lotions with it. Maybe she’d leave it for now. But she filed it away for later. Jack and Dean might have some suggestions on that. Paige was looking forward to sharing her business ideas with them. Unlike her parents, they were supportive and made her feel like a competent adult.

  “They might as well be local,” Paige said, rolling a mint leaf between her fingers to breathe in the fresh scent. It perked up her fuzzy brain. Coffee. She shouldn’t be having this conversation with her mother without it. “They live in Port Hamilton, a ten minute walk to the ferry, and they own a house here on Dune Street.”

  “Well, at least they aren’t staying with you.” Her mother sighed in relief.

  Paige wandered back inside with the goal of brewing a fresh pot of coffee. “Again, that’s no one’s business but mine.”

  “I beg to disagree. That inn is as much our business as it is yours.”

  “How do you figure?” Paige stopped dead in her tracks.

  “Darling, we just want the best for you.”

  “I wonder about that sometimes,” she said. “Like right now when you say things like that.”

  “We’ll talk more about this next weekend. I don’t want to get into it over the phone. But I want all the repairs done
by the time we get there or there will be hell to pay. Your father is going to go over your budget with a fine-tooth comb, so be prepared to answer any questions.”

  Paige resisted the urge to grind her teeth. She’d have answers, all right, but she wasn’t sure they’d like what she had to say.

  “But the main reason I was calling you this week was I wanted to check on your availability for August. How many rooms do you need to fill?”

  All of them. Did she dare tell her mother? Oh, what the hell, she was going to find out eventually. “I have all ten rooms free on August first. Why?” That was vague enough that it should buy her some time.

  “Senator Mellon wants to hold his family reunion at your inn. He’s going to stay for two weeks. He’ll need all of your rooms, though.”

  “That’s fine,” Paige said quickly. This phone call was starting to look up.

  “I don’t have to remind you how conservative he is, do I?”

  Paige wasn’t familiar with his politics. “How conservative is he? I mean do I need to wear a skirt three inches below my knees? Perhaps I should have Daddy run the inn while he’s here?”

  “That’s a splendid idea,” her mother cooed.

  “No, it damn well isn’t. I was being sarcastic.”

  “I don’t appreciate your attitude. Please watch your tone with me.”

  “Sorry,” Paige bit off. “Do you have a contact number for the senator?”

  “I’ll make all the arrangements.”

  “Get a credit card, please.”

  “Do you think that’s necessary?” her mother asked, appalled.

  “Yup, and since you’re booking him, make sure you let him know our cancellation policy. Just in case something comes up.” Like if he is mortally offended by a woman running her own business.

  “We have a cancellation policy?”

  “I’ll email it to you,” Paige said. “I need to get some things done, Mom. Are you sure I can’t talk you out of coming up next week?”

  “More hands will make your opening go smoother.”

  Paige doubted it. “Unless you’re planning on cooking or cleaning or having Daddy act as the bellman, I think you’re just going to be in the way.”

  “What an awful thing to say.”

  “I’m trying to be honest here. It’s been very stressful, and having you guys here is going to add to that instead of making it better.”

  “We’re coming. We have a lot of money tied up in that inn, and we just want to protect our investment.”

  Paige sighed as she made a large pot of coffee. No special ground beans today, but she considered adding a dollop of whiskey for the aggravation. “What time can I expect you?”

  “We’ll be on the five p.m. ferry next Friday.”

  “See you then,” Paige said, and hung up.

  While the coffee was percolating, she looked up this Senator Mellon and her stomach twisted in revulsion. He was ultra-conservative. Her heart sank. She couldn’t afford to turn him away, not if she wanted to survive the summer in the black, but part of her wanted to refuse service to people like him. Maybe someday. She scowled at his handsome face. Why were so many people filled with hate?

  About an hour later, she was balancing a tray filled high with pancakes and sausages as she climbed the stairs back up to her bedroom. Jack and Dean were spooned together, but Jack stirred when she pushed open the door.

  Looking at them, she smiled. That’s what love looked like. She wanted that for herself, and she thought she had a chance at that with them. They were her two best friends already. Love was probably around the corner. Wasn’t it?

  “That smells great,” he said, stifling a yawn.

  “Help yourself,” she said. “I have to go back for the coffee and juice. It’s not fresh squeezed, though.”

  “Well, then I’m out of here,” he said, sliding out of the bed and walking over to her.

  Paige loved the sight of him, buff and naked, covered with exotic tattoos. She couldn’t control her grin when he placed the tray on her bureau and then pulled the tie of her robe open. Jack groaned. “I left some marks on your breasts.” He touched the red rasps from his stubble.

  “No complaints,” she said.

  He kissed her good morning with enough enthusiasm that his cock twitched to life.

  “The food will get cold,” Paige said half-heartedly.

  “I like cold food.” Jack led her by the hand into the bathroom and turned on the shower.

  He kissed her until the water warmed up and then helped her step inside. Paige sighed as the water hit her sore muscles. She pushed the thought of her mother, conservatives, and the gossipy townspeople out of her mind. She would do this on her terms; she just had to be careful this year, that was all.

  “Are you okay with everything?” he asked. “We weren’t too rough?”

  “Perfectly okay. I’ve been having fantasies about you guys for months now. You exceeded all of them.”

  He kissed her again. “All that wasted time. You should have said something.”

  She laughed. “Like what? I know you’re married, but I really want to jump your bones? That wouldn’t have gone over well if you were in a traditional relationship.”

  “There’s nothing traditional about us.” Jack squirted soap into his hands and lathered her up until her entire body was tingling. She returned the favor, running her palms over his chest, shoulders, and thighs. Paige made extra sure that his cock got a lot of attention.

  “How are you feeling today?” he asked, his eyes half shut as she stroked the hard length of him.

  “I’m a little sore,” she admitted.

  Jack tested between her legs with a gentle finger. She gasped, but put her foot on the edge of the tub while she steadied herself on his shoulder.

  He was gentle; just his fingertip dusted over her clit. Paige leaned up to kiss him. A blast of cold air hit her as Dean stepped in.

  “I don’t think we’ll all fit,” she protested.

  “We’ll just have to press closer together,” Jack said, squirting soap over Dean’s cock. “Think you can help him out?”

  Paige couldn’t believe she was doing this, but she held each man’s cock in her hands and tugged on them. Dean was long and thick, curving up a bit. Jack was wide and hard.

  Jack’s finger was getting to be unbearable and she shifted. “Too much,” she panted.

  “Sorry, baby.” Jack kissed her.

  Dean teased soapy fingers around her backside. He tickled over the rim and tapped his finger over her hole. She gripped them tighter and pulled on their cocks faster. Dean pushed her wet hair off her shoulder and sucked on her neck. Jack lathered up her breasts, rubbing his palms over her nipples. Her body twitched and shook as that familiar desire ran through her.

  “I’m going to fuck you,” Dean growled. “But I want you to suck on Jack while I do it.”

  “I’ll drown,” she said, increasing her pace on their cocks.

  “I’m going to come in your hand,” Jack moaned.

  Dean turned off the water and picked her up and carried her out of the tub.

  At the interruption, Jack growled and stalked out after them.

  “Don’t slip,” she warned.

  Tossing her a towel, Jack took a few more, draping one over Dean’s shoulder.

  After depositing her on the bed, Dean dried off a bit. Jack rubbed the towel over her body and then climbed on the bed with her. She immediately took him in her mouth and bobbed her head up and down his shaft.

  “Put on a condom and fuck her,” Jack ordered. “She’s going to make me explode.”

  Paige hummed in pleasure, liking the power she had over him. Jack trembled and his fingers gripped the bed covers.

  “I like seeing her ass up in the air like that.” Dean leaned in and licked her between her cheeks.

  His tongue was hot and it felt so naughty. She wiggled her butt at him, not letting up on Jack.

  “She’s sore,” Jack rasped. “Be gentle wi
th her.”

  Dean licked her pussy next. “She’s so nice and wet.”

  Paige shivered. They talked about her like she wasn’t here, and it was erotic. She took Jack deeper and he let out a shout, but Dean wasn’t in a hurry. He kept licking her private parts, putting his tongue all over her. She gave a ragged cry around Jack’s cock when Dean’s talented tongue brought her over the edge.

  “Now, you’re ready,” Dean grunted in satisfaction and slipped on a condom.

  “Fuck her slow,” Jack panted, his voice garbled with desire.

  Dean eased himself inside her.

  Paige moaned.

  Dean pushed in deep. She swallowed around Jack’s cock.

  “Yeah,” Jack grunted.

  Dean eased in and out of her. She whimpered, but in pleasure instead of pain. She’d feel this later, but it was so worth it.

  When Jack reached over and tweaked her nipple, Paige let him feel the edge of her teeth.

  “Aw fuck,” Jack cried out and came.

  Surprised by his sudden explosion, some leaked out of her mouth. Paige arched up and gasped when Dean increased his pace. Jack kissed her, licking her mouth clean.

  “You make me lose control,” he said. “I can’t get enough of you. I loved watching Dean fuck you while my cock was in your mouth.”

  Dean filled her deep, and his slow lovemaking was just what she needed while her tongue played with Jack’s. Tightening the walls of her pussy around Dean’s cock, she shuddered as she came.

  “Need another shower,” she said, as Jack gathered her close.

  Dean cuddled in next to her and their warmth lulled her into letting go of all her anxieties about her parents’ visit. It was no one’s business what happened behind closed doors, and this feeling of completeness was still too precious to risk.

  Chapter Ten

  The rest of the week went by in a whirl of last minute craziness. When Paige told Jack and Dean that her parents were coming up opening weekend, they were more concerned about not having the third floor done than what her parents’ reaction would be. But Paige also had deliberately downplayed their response. She was hoping to avoid the subject altogether, at least until she had the sixty thousand dollars to pay back. Keeping their relationship secret was probably a sore spot for Jack and Dean, although they never talked about making this a permanent relationship. Right now it was about just having fun—and glorious sex. She had a feeling Stephanie had left twisted wreckage in her wake in that area.