by April Vine
“Thank you,” I whispered. Tears filled my eyes as a curtain hanging from the ceiling dropped around us, concealing us from sight as thunderous applause rocked around the stage. I was much too relaxed to notice how they quietly took me back upstairs where they wrapped me in my coat, got themselves dressed, gathered all our things and left the mansion by the back door. They took me home, collapsed on either side of me on my bed and we slept, deeply and heavenly.
* * * * *
Sunshine peeped through a crack in my blind some hours later. I stretched my body and enjoyed soothing out the kinks only good sex could bring. My gaze weaved between the two men sleeping soundly beside me. I kissed their foreheads and wriggled out of bed, careful not to wake them yet as the coat I still wore brushed against their jeans.
A well of nervousness settled in my tummy once my feet hit the carpet. I bit my nail, pacing around the room as thoughts formulated more fully. I took a deep breath and nearly laughed as the final decision took hold in my head. I wasn’t pretending to be someone else last night, that was me, all of me and I couldn’t fathom going back to the way I was. Not now, not after last night. I sat at the desk in my room, started up my laptop and opened a word document. I typed as quietly as I could, printed it out and tiptoed to the lounge to collect my sheet of paper from the printer. I used my spare bathroom to shower then slipped back into my bedroom for a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. I was putting on a pair of shoes when Alan and Ridge stirred.
“Come back to bed,” Alan said.
“We don’t have to get up ’til sunset. It’s Saturday.” Ridge opened one eye and looked at me. I loved these men more than anything in my life. They gave me a second chance, a new lease on life and now I wanted to know more about me. What other secrets was I hiding, what other stuff was I capable of? I had to know the real me and they opened my box just enough to give me a glimpse of so many possibilities. I was actually better than the doormat I thought I was and I deserved more, so much more.
“I have something to do.”
They sat up, instantly alert.
“Need help?” Ridge asked.
“I think I can handle it.” I walked up to Ridge and sat on the edge of the bed then hugged him. “Thank you. For always being there for me and showing me I’m special.” I did the same to Alan.
“Where are you going?” Alan rubbed my arms, keeping me seated on the bed.
“I’m going out into the world. I always wanted to travel and before I’ve never been brave enough but…now I know I can basically do anything I want. I have enough in savings to see me through a year at least, but first I’m going to resign from my dead-end job. The perks are just not worth my time anymore, you know, and I can’t wait for Monday, so I’m just going to slip this,” I waved the envelope in hand, “under the door of Danny Munro’s apartment.”
“That’s our girl.” Both Alan and Ridge grinned at me. I nodded, stood and walked out my bedroom door, leaving a trail of new confidence in my wake, ready at the age of twenty-five to take charge of my life. And who knew, I might make the occasional visit back to South Africa for an encore with my friends.
The End.
About April Vine
April Vine writes erotic romance by night and is a professional dreamer by day. She has two precious sons who keep her sharp and one very tolerant husband who chivalrously defends her honor on a daily basis.
April welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by April Vine
Unbound
Undone
Ellora’s Cave Publishing
www.ellorascave.com
Getting Even
ISBN 9781419943164
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Getting Even Copyright © 2012 April Vine
Edited by Grace Bradley
Cover design by Syneca
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Electronic book publication October 2012
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