Josh’s groan filled her head. Her thoughts swam with bliss, and everything flowed into a wash of ecstasy.
Dylan didn’t ease up on his attention, pushing her into a second orgasm.
She clenched around Josh when she came, no longer knowing where one of them ended and the next begin.
Josh’s frantic thrusts and grunts told her he was on the verge of climax too. He squeezed her legs hard, and for a heartbeat, everything in the world paused.
Then he slammed inside her as he peaked. Filling her up. Leaving her in a blissful haze.
They slowed to a stop, and she rested her forehead against Josh’s chest. Dylan trailed his lips along her shoulder.
Whatever came next, the three of them would confront it. And in between, they’d explore each other. Physically. Mentally. All of it.
Sydney was looking forward to each and every new moment.
DYLAN WAS GLAD SYDNEY was sleeping soundly. It had been a long, stressful day.
Which was probably a large part of why he was still awake. He couldn’t afford to be bleary eyed in the morning, but knowing that didn’t help him shed the tension that thrummed through his body.
He extracted himself from Sydney and Josh, and wandered into the living room. Maybe sitting out here would help him unwind.
His mind looped over the day’s revelations. Why he’d stuck around this morning—because Josh meant so much to him. Because he already didn’t want to imagine life without Sydney.
This was all so fucked up. That was what logic said. He shouldn’t be involved in this. He shouldn’t be willing to share.
Does it matter?
No. Logic didn’t matter here. He felt what he felt, for both of them.
“You all right?” Josh’s question drew Dylan back into the room.
Dylan glanced at the clock. Had he really been here for more than an hour, just thinking? “Yeah. I’m good.” And he was. “Really good.”
“Whatcha thinking about?” Josh dropped onto the sofa next to him, pressing his leg to Dylan’s.
“A lot of things. You know, if the two of you hadn’t broken up three years ago, I probably wouldn’t be part of this now.”
“Not that I’d know in that case, but I wouldn’t want that. There’s a weird kind of ambivalence here. I hated that time away from Tink, but I wouldn’t give up my time with you.”
Dylan agreed. He hated that Josh and Sydney had been hurt, but he wasn’t willing to surrender either of them. “So if you could go back in time...” He wasn’t sure where the question was going.
“Would I tell myself not to be an asshole? Probably. But if I have a chance to go back and fix things, I’m not only telling me to treat Sydney better, but also to go find you.”
“I was going out of my mind this morning, trying to figure out why you’d quit.”
Josh sighed. “I didn’t mean to add to your stress. I needed time to process.”
“And when we got here, you helped Sydney process, too.” There was a spark of jealousy over that. Dylan liked seeing it, but he didn’t care for being on the outside.
“Your being here, sticking around, helped too.”
Dylan smiled. “I love you. I don’t know why it took me so long to put words to it, but I want you in my life, long term. I need you here.”
“Me too.”
Dylan raised his eyebrows, waiting for something a little more heartfelt.
Josh laughed. “I love you too. I’m glad we’re in this together—and by this, I mean life.” He leaned in, searching Dylan’s face, then crushed his mouth to Dylan’s.
One of the groaned—or they both did.
Dylan cupped his face, searing the moment into his memories—the hard press of Josh’s mouth, the heat that flowed between them... He couldn’t count the number of kisses they’d shared in the past, but this was different. It was sweeter, and stronger, and promised everything, and didn’t deny them anything.
Desire and expectation roared in his veins as Josh’s tongue danced with his. He never would have guessed meeting the perfect woman would land him with the perfect guy as well.
The shuffle of feet on carpet drew his attention, and they broke apart.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Sydney stood in the doorway, wearing an oversized T-shirt that hung just low enough to cover her ass.
“You’re not. Ever. Come here.” Dylan gestured.
She approached, and when she was within arm’s reach, he grabbed her hand and tugged her into his lap. He was in the mood to bare his soul tonight. There was no reason to stop with Josh.
SYDNEY LEANED INTO the kisses Dylan laid along the back of her neck. His touch was casual and light, but it sent intense tingles racing over her.
“I love this,” he murmured against her skin.
Love. It was an easy word for her to use with Josh. Saying it after so long was scary, but they’d said it before. Then again, she was overthinking this moment. Dylan hadn’t said the magic combination of three words.
“Love what?” she asked.
“All of this. What we’re doing right now. Having both of you so close. Hearing you laugh when you’re happy. Seeing you light up with enthusiasm. I love this, and...”
She frowned at the way he trailed off. “What’s wrong?”
He shifted her to the couch and stood.
Emptiness rushed in behind her, at the loss of his touch, despite Josh’s still holding her hand and listening quietly.
Dylan crouched in front of her, which put him at eye level with her. “Nothing’s wrong.” He searched her face. “Everything is incredibly right. Except for this bullshit with your game. But us, here and now... It’s perfect. I don’t want to say this to the back of your head, though.”
Her heart lodged in her throat, and she raised her brows, not trusting herself to respond. Could he hear her pulse? She could. It hammered in her ears, muting other sound.
“I love you, Sydney.” He kissed her fingertips. “I know it’s only been a couple of weeks, and they’ve been messy ones. And yeah, a lot of people make fun of love at first sight, and this wasn’t that. But it was lust, and it’s become so much more. I’ve wanted you since the moment I met you. The more I get to know you, the more I fall into how incredible you are.”
The confession sank deep into her, filling her with a warm glow and making butterflies dance in her gut. She wanted to say it back, but she couldn’t. Not until she knew she meant it.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to be there yet.” There was a hint of sadness in his tone, but understanding muted it.
“It’s okay?” She couldn’t leave it at that.
He winced. “It stings a little. But I say that to be honest, not to manipulate you. I hope you get there, and if you don’t, I understand.”
She believed the assurance. That was comforting. “I want to get there. I like you a lot. A whole lot. I’m miserable, thinking about you, not being here. I want you in my life. I want to be on your arm and in your bed...”
“The rest will happen as it happens.” He brushed his lips over hers.
If he kept that up, love would happen quickly. She kissed him back. There was a tiny stone of longing that asked why she couldn’t tell him now. It whispered, what if he leaves?
She ignored it more easily than she thought possible. He was here to stay. She believed him and Josh when they said that.
They had enough to worry about, with their meeting tomorrow, without her causing more drama.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Josh should be dreading the day ahead—the meeting with his mother, the lack of employment...
Instead, he felt lighter than he had in... He couldn’t remember, but it was while he was still with Sydney. Before law school. Before the reality of expectation fully caught up with him.
Even sitting in the law firm lobby, with Sydney clutching his hand, him having no idea what they were about to walk into, he felt like everything was going to be all right.
“Ms. Hunt
er will see you now.” Her assistant led them to the conference room attached to Laurie’s office.
Dylan was seated at the round table. Josh’s mom stood at the front of the room, wearing a scowl.
Josh held out Sydney’s seat and pushed it back in as she sat, which earned him a deeper scowl.
Good. He picked the chair next to Sydney, which sandwiched her between him and Dylan.
“The only reason I’m seeing you is because I know the two of you don’t throw around panicky terms like this is critical lightly.” Mom’s voice was tight. “You don’t have much time to prove I made the right decision.”
Josh was ready to take the heat for this. “Aaron Jorgensen is manipulating contracts. Bait and switch—”
“Stop.” Laurie slammed her palms on the table. “I shouldn’t have to say this. I thought after my conversation with Dylan, a week or two ago, I didn’t need to. The two of you can’t be involved in Sydney’s contract. I don’t care what she told you.”
“We know.” Dylan nodded. “Conflict of interest. We’ve been working hard not to cross any lines.”
Mom barked a laugh. “Everything about this is a crossed line.”
“And not just for us,” Josh said. “She’s not the only one Aaron has done this to. We have proof. Dylan has proof, since I’m not supposed to be in those files anymore.”
Dylan slid a manila folder across the table. It contained several of the altered contracts—showing before and after—and associated complaints they’d found online. “All of these tell a similar story to Sydney’s. This isn’t a one-time mistake. He’s got a history of this.”
As Laurie Hunter flipped through the printouts, she paled. “Fuck me.” She sank into her seat. “How long... I can’t believe... You’ve tried to tell me he was a problem.”
“I thought he was just incompetent.” Josh had said it before, but it bore repeating. “This is worse. I stopped pushing, because you weren’t listening.”
“This could ruin the firm.” She scrubbed her face. “I’ve been sleeping with him. I never...” She exhaled through her fingers, then met Josh’s gaze. “I’m sorry for being blind to this. For yesterday. For everything that led up to it. And I’m so grateful you brought this to me, instead of going around me.”
Josh wasn’t as certain she’d listen as Dylan had been. “I’m glad we didn’t have to go around you.”
Mom turned to Sydney. “I still don’t know that you’re a good influence—”
Sydney cringed.
“—but I apologize for the way you were treated yesterday. And that you got caught up in this. I want to make this situation right for you. You can’t touch the money or the game, and I can’t change that. I can offer other things, though. While Josh’s law-school friends may be clever, this isn’t a get your feet wet kind of case. I’ll get you a real attorney, as long as these two promise to step back from this completely. I can’t have any more blurred lines.” She gestured to Josh and Dylan.
Sydney’s smile was tight. “Thank you.”
It wasn’t peace, but it was a decent ceasefire.
“Now if the two of you will excuse me, I need to talk to my son alone,” Mom said.
Dylan and Sydney shook her hand, then Dylan tangled his fingers with Sydney’s and led her from the room.
Josh would much rather join them, but this conversation needed to happen.
Mom turned to him again. “Does this mean you’re coming back to work?”
“No.” The answer flowed out easier than he thought possible. “My quitting wasn’t about this thing with Aaron. You know I’ve never been happy here.”
She frowned. “You spent all that time in law school for nothing?”
“No. I’ll still use it. I’ll still practice somehow. I haven’t figured out the details yet.” He definitely wouldn’t be working for the publisher he’d been eying. Not if this was how they fucked over people they bought from. “Besides, I paid for the schooling. I can waste it if I want.”
Laurie almost looked like she was in pain.
“I actually enjoy law,” he said. It might not reassure her, but it helped him feel better to say it aloud. “I have to do it for me, though. I can’t do this for you anymore.”
“I see.” She stood, and he did the same. “If you ever change your mind, you’re welcome to apply again. And promise me something.”
“All right.” He shouldn’t agree blindly, but he had a feeling it wouldn’t be an issue.
“I need you to swear to me you’ll step away from this case of Sydney’s. Hands off. You know how I feel about her—prove me wrong. But don’t fuck her out of her life’s work by interfering.”
“I promise.” That was something he could do with certainty. And maybe, by walking away like this, he could rebuild a healthier relationship with his mother at some point in the future.
SYDNEY WAS GRATEFUL the morning’s meeting didn’t end in a worst-case-scenario, but things were still pretty bad. They left Dylan at the office, and Josh dropped her off at her apartment, before heading home.
He promised they’d be back tonight.
She’d need to book more conventions. At least she had her other merchandise—toys, models, clothes—even if she didn’t have her game to sell. She looked at the boxes stacked in a closet, her gut churning. Acid rose in her throat.
She swallowed it down. The situation was what it was. She wouldn’t get anywhere stressing about things she couldn’t change. What she could do was make adjustments. Hell, she’d start doing freelance, or even get a part-time job if she had to.
By the time Josh and Dylan showed up that evening, she’d made a billion lists, but doubt lingered inside.
Sydney didn’t have a guaranteed next paycheck. She’d lost half her revenue stream. All the plans in the world might act as a band aid, but they wouldn’t fix the core problem.
She kissed both guys as she let them in.
Dylan drew his thumb across the lines in her forehead. “What’s wrong?”
She spilled everything she’d kept bottled for the last several hours. It felt good to let it out.
“I have another item to add to your list of things that may help,” Josh said.
She liked the confidence in his words. “I’m listening, because I need something.”
“Having one or two people to share the rent with would take a huge financial strain off you.”
His meaning sank in immediately.
She smiled. “Are you inviting yourself to move in?”
“I am. Not just me, but my roommate too. We’re kind of a package deal.”
Dylan waved.
Her smile grew. “Here, right? After all, that’s why we got the place.”
“Here.” Dylan pulled her close. “We’re not giving up that shower.”
She sighed happily and relaxed back into him. Maybe things would be all right after all.
Over the next couple of weeks, Josh and Dylan moved into Sydney’s apartment. It felt right having Josh here again. And incredible having Dylan here.
Sydney added more nearby conventions to her schedule—smaller locations she could get to inexpensively and still earn.
Josh didn’t have any trouble finding a new job. His mom offered a great recommendation, and he had his pick. He chose a small charity that wanted an on-staff advisor who wasn’t looking for a partner-level salary. It meant he worked more nights than he did days, but they were also willing to give him time off, to travel with Sydney.
They were also planning their next game. Getting into the details and building something. Sydney and Josh would have a handful of new samples to take with them for sale in a few months.
Dylan shared all sorts of stories of the fallout Aaron was dealing with. His name was showing up in legal journals. He was facing disbarment. His life was falling apart.
Sydney wished she could have been there, to see Laurie rip him a new one when she confronted him. Dylan assured her that, if the conference rooms weren’t soundproofed, the
entire office probably would have heard it.
Josh was working late tonight, leaving Dylan and Sydney to hang out at home. The two were cuddled on the couch, half paying attention to the TV.
“Wash,” Dylan said. “No contest.”
Sydney hadn’t seen that coming. “I’m glad you didn’t say Jayne. That might be a relationship ender,” she teased. “And Wash is fun and all, but that’s who you’d be if you could be any one of them?”
“Were I unwed, I would take you in a manly fashion.”
She laughed. “‘Cause I’m pretty?”
“‘Cause you’re pretty.”
“So, you like him for the one-liners?” Sydney was trying to make sense of this.
Dylan shrugged. “That’s a lot of it, yeah.”
She twisted in her seat so she could see him. “You know you’re a way smoother talker than he is.”
“You take that back. No one has better lines than Wash.” His scowl would have carried more weight if he weren’t fighting a smile underneath.
She shook her head. “Nope. I said it. I meant it.”
“I can make you take it back.” He lunged and tickled her, trailing his fingers up her sides. Hitting every sensitive spot he’d discovered in the last several weeks.
She squealed, but didn’t try to break away. His touch was as enticing as it was giggle-inducing. “You’ll never change my mind,” she managed between laughs.
“Fine.” His sigh was exaggerated. He brushed his lips over hers and rested his hands on her hips instead. “You’ve got it all figured out, which Firefly character would you be?”
“Inara.”
He raised his brows. “Not what I would have guessed.”
“Kaylee is awesome, but I’m already an adorably optimistic genius in my own way.”
“No arguments here.”
“And Mal looks good in a dress, but if I’m going to be someone else, I want to shed some of the emotional baggage.”
Dylan seemed to consider this. “You’ve put a lot of thought into this.”
“I’m swapping my life for a fictional character’s. It’s got to be right,” she said.
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