by Ramona Gray
“Me neither.”
“Christ, we’re really screwed.”
“No, we’re not screwed. That’s the problem.” Ian drank some water and wiped his mouth. “I’ve been thinking about it and maybe if we told her we were open to the idea of sharing her, just not at the same time, she’d be more willing to give us a chance.”
Dread filled Jackson’s stomach, but he forced himself to nod. “Maybe. But is that what you really want?”
“You know it isn’t,” Ian said. “I want both of us with her at the same time, but if she doesn’t want that, then the alternative is sharing her separately. If you’re okay with it, I think we should talk to her about it.”
Jackson stared at his half-eaten wrap. His appetite was gone, and he yanked at the knot on his tie. He was suddenly too hot and the air in the café had turned to soup.”
“Jackson? You okay?” Ian was always too goddamn perceptive.
“Yeah, I’m … I would prefer us to be with her together.”
He tried to stop the bitter laugh from bubbling out. That was the understatement of the century. He wanted Chloe, wanted her desperately, but he wasn’t sure he could sleep with her if Ian wasn’t there.
He swallowed down the anxiety brewing in his belly. It had only been in the last six months or so that he’d started to realize what was happening. Hell, it was only in the last two months that he could admit to himself that the reason he no longer slept with women without Ian there, was because one - it held zero appeal to him and two – he stayed as limp as a motherfucking noodle.
“I would prefer that too,” Ian said in a low voice. “But, Christ, Jackson, I can’t stop thinking about her. I’m rubbing myself fucking raw every damn night.”
“I know, me too.”
Ian had been with Chloe. He knew how she looked naked, how tight her pussy was, and for the first time in his life, Jackson was jealous of his best friend. He didn’t think Chloe would ever change her mind about a threesome, which meant he’d never get to be with her. Even if they did what Ian was suggesting and tried sleeping with her separately, he’d just end up humiliating himself. He couldn’t even risk trying to sleep with her without Ian around, which meant that Chloe would be with Ian and only Ian.
They’d end up dating and then they’d get married and have babies and he’d be alone, exiled to the occasional dinner with them, and only ever being Uncle Jackson to their kids. The anxiety was turning to panic, and he gripped the edge of the table as Ian said, “Jackson? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” He cleared his throat.
“You don’t look so hot.”
“Just feeling a little sick to my stomach.”
“Shit,” Ian glanced at Jackson’s half-eaten wrap, “I hope you didn’t get food poisoning.”
“I don’t think so.” Jackson drank some water. “I’m all right.”
“You sure?” Ian said.
“Yeah.” He wished the café wasn’t so damn crowded. It really did feel hard to breathe. “Do you want me to talk to Chloe this afternoon?”
Ian shook his head. “No, I think we should both be there. I have to work tonight and tomorrow night, but I’m off Saturday and Sunday. Ask her to meet with us for coffee this weekend.”
“Yeah, okay.”
“Are you sure you’re good with this?” Ian asked.
Jackson nodded. He wasn’t, not by a long shot, but he couldn’t tell Ian that. He wasn’t about to fuck up Ian’s chance with Chloe, just because he suddenly couldn’t get his shit together.
“Okay, good.” The relief in Ian’s voice was palpable.
“Jackson? Hey there.”
Jackson stood as Ian did the same, and smiled at Amy. “Hi, Amy. How are you?”
“Good. Just grabbing a sandwich. The café is busy today, huh?”
Jackson nodded. “Would you like to share our table? We’ve got an empty chair.”
“Yes, thanks.” She held her free hand to Ian. “Hi, I’m Amy.”
“Oh sorry,” Jackson said. “Amy Dawson, this is Ian Aldrin, my best friend and roommate. Ian, this is my boss Amy Dawson.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Ian said.
“You as well.” The three of them sat down and Amy opened her bottle of water. “How long have you been a police officer, Ian?”
“Almost a decade now.”
“I bet you have some interesting stories to share.” Amy smiled at him.
“Probably a few more than most people.” Ian studied the purple choker around her necklace. “That’s an interesting necklace.”
Ian knew as well as he did that it was a slave collar. Despite the anxiety still coursing through him, Jackson had to bite back his small smile when Amy touched the heart that dangled from her collar and blushed softly. “Thank you. It was a gift.”
Ian studied her, and Jackson watched as Amy returned his look for only a few seconds before she lowered her gaze to the table. He hadn’t known her very long, but she was assertive at the office and obviously knew what she wanted and how to get it.
She’d never had any trouble meeting his gaze or anyone else’s from what he could tell, but only a few minutes after meeting Ian, her submissive tendencies were emerging. He wondered again why Ian hadn’t gone full Dominant. He had a damn knack for knowing when women were naturally submissive.
Thanks to the slave collar, Jackson knew Amy was submissive, but he was certain that Ian would have known even if she hadn’t been wearing a collar. Amy was still studying the table, that soft blush covering her pale skin.
“Jackson tells me you’re an incredible designer,” Ian said.
Amy took another drink of water. “I enjoy what I do.”
She stared at Jackson – she had no problem meeting his gaze – and said, “We’re very happy Jackson has joined the company. He’s been doing amazing work on the new digital storefront in such a short time.”
“Thanks, Amy,” Jackson said. “I’m really enjoying working for you and your brother.”
There was a moment of silence before Amy cleared her throat. “Actually, I’m glad I ran into you, Jackson. It’s my birthday this Saturday, and Jane and Luke are throwing me a party at their place. I’d love it if you, and,” she paused, her gaze landing on Ian for the briefest of seconds, “Ian came to the party.”
“Oh, uh…” Jackson hesitated. He didn’t know Amy that well, and he knew for certain that Ian would definitely not go. His best friend wasn’t a hermit, but he was an introvert and Jackson would never get him to agree to go to a party full of people he didn’t know.”
“There’s going to be other work people there,” Amy said. “Quite a few actually. I know you don’t know a lot of people in the company yet, but Chloe will be there, so you can stick with her.”
“Chloe’s going?” Could Amy hear the eagerness in his voice? Jesus, he hoped not.
“She is,” Amy said. “She’s been helping Jane plan the party. The party starts at seven-thirty, you can come by any time after that. So, what do you say? Will you and Ian be there?”
Before Jackson could reply, Ian said. “We will. What should we bring?”
Amy smiled at him. “Just yourselves. I am way too old for presents, and Luke is providing all the alcohol and food.”
She stood and picked up her water bottle and unopened sandwich. “I’ll email you Luke’s home address, Jackson.”
“Uh, okay. Sure.”
“Great. Ian, it was nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too, Amy.”
Jackson waited until Amy had left the café before staring at Ian.
“What?” Ian said.
“What? You’re going to a party full of people you don’t know. What do you mean, what? Are you having a stroke?”
Ian ate more soup and Jackson poked him in the shoulder. “Dude, seriously?”
“I’m fine,” Ian said.
“It’s because Chloe will be there, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” Ian said bluntly. “We’ll t
alk to her about our new…idea at the party, okay?”
“Is that really the best time?” Jackson said.
Ian shrugged. “If she doesn’t want to talk about it, we can at least ask her to go for coffee with us on Sunday.”
Jackson leaned back in his chair and stared at Ian. “Yeah, okay.”
Ian studied him. “You’re sure you’re okay with this? If you’re not, we don’t have to -”
“It’s fine,” Jackson said. “It’s a good idea.”
He stared down at his wrap as Ian finished his soup. It was a good idea. It was a fine idea, and he could sleep with Chloe without Ian around. Everything would be fine. Just fine.
Chapter Seven
“Holy shit.” Jane was suddenly standing behind her and Chloe gave her a curious look.
“What’s wrong?” She studied the living room of Jane and Luke’s home. It was filled to the brim with people, and she smiled when she saw Amy, giggling and her cheeks flushed, walking toward them. Amy’s birthday party had only been going for about an hour, but it seemed to be a success.
“Look who just walked in.” Jane was staring at the entrance to the living room. Chloe followed her gaze, her mouth dropping open when she was who was standing with Luke.
“What the hell are they doing here?” She said.
“I invited them.” Amy joined them and threw her arm around Chloe’s shoulder before kissing her cheek. “You’re welcome.”
“I – you don’t even know Ian. Do you?” Chloe gave her a confused look.
Amy grinned at her. “I met him Thursday. Remember when I went to the café to grab lunch? Jackson was having lunch with Ian and I sat with them for a bit.”
Amy glanced behind her before leaning closer and saying, “That Ian…whew, he’s something else. I mean, Jackson is gorgeous and reminds me a little of Mark with his sweetness, but Ian’s got the dark and mysterious vibe in spades. Why didn’t you tell me he’s a Dom, Chloe?”
“He – what? He’s a Dom?” Chloe said.
Amy nodded. “Pretty damn sure he is.”
“How do you know?” Chloe asked.
“I don’t know,” Amy shrugged. “It was more of a feeling, really.” Her slender fingers touched the necklace around her neck. “I’m almost positive he knew my necklace is actually a slave collar, and Jesus, at one point when he looked at me, I couldn’t stop from going all submissive. Like, bowed head and two seconds away from calling him ‘Sir’, submissive.”
“No,” Jane said. “Are you serious?”
Amy nodded. “Yeah. I’ve had that happen before at the club. Although it’s usually with a specific Dom there named Wallace. I don’t know why. Other Dominants I’m like whatever, dude, but sometimes…”
She shrugged again. “Mark says it’s not uncommon, but I’ve never had it happen outside of the club.”
“What club?” Chloe asked. She glanced at Amy’s necklace, her face going a little red. “Slave collar?”
“Oh, sorry, it’s a BDSM club that Mark and I go to. Mark’s part owner actually. And the collar is…well, it’s locked around my throat with a key and Mark carries the key.”
“He owns a BDSM club and you wear a collar?” Chloe’s mind was overloaded with information.
Amy laughed. “Okay, so not the time to talk about this, but we’ll go for coffee later next week and I’ll explain it all then. Just be prepared that at some point Ian might want to tie you up when you’re banging him.”
“One, I’m not going to bang him again, and two, he did kind of pin me down and not, uh, let me climax until he said I could.”
Her face was bright red now, but Amy gave her a look of triumph. “Told you. He’s a Dom.”
“I still don’t know why you invited them to your party,” Chloe said.
“You said you thought you’d made a mistake. This gives you the chance to talk to them, tell them you’ve changed your mind.”
“I, I don’t think I have, I mean, I can’t -”
“Amy?”
“Hey, honey.”
“Hi.” Mark kissed Amy’s neck above her necklace.
No, her collar, Chloe thought bewilderedly. She was wearing a collar.
“Are you having fun?” Mark asked.
“I am.”
“Good. Can I steal you away from Jane and Chloe for a minute? Valerie wants to do a birthday shot with you.”
“Oh hell, yes,” Amy giggled. She waved at a pretty brunette across the room. “On my way, you sexy girl!”
Amy took Mark’s hand and they walked toward Valerie. Chloe’s stomach tensed when both Jackson and Ian looked over at her. Jackson waved and Ian nodded, and she plastered a smile on her face before giving them a limp wave in return. They followed Luke to the bar set up in the corner.
“You okay?” Jane asked.
“Yes, I’m fine,” she replied.
“You don’t look fine.”
“I’m a little nervous,” Chloe said. “I’m not sure what I’ll say when they come over or…”
She watched in astonishment as both Jackson and Ian grabbed drinks but stayed with Luke. They were engrossed in conversation with Luke in less than a minute and neither of them even looked her way.
She swallowed down her disappointment. Why did she even think they would come chat with her anyway? She’d turned down their offer and they’d been clear what they wanted from her.
“Chloe?” Jane touched her arm.
Chloe smiled at her. “I’m fine. I – excuse me, I need to use the ladies’ room.”
Forcing herself not to glance at Jackson and Ian, she walked out of the living room.
* * *
He hesitated only a moment before sliding open the door and stepping out onto the patio. He should have been waiting for Jackson, but it’d been almost two hours since they’d arrived at the party and he couldn’t stay away from her a minute longer.
It was cold outside, and he frowned. She wasn’t wearing her jacket and she was shivering. He wasn’t wearing a jacket either and he stepped closer to her, touching her arm through her sleeve. She made a soft sound of surprise, her entire body jerking before she stared up at him.
“Hi,” he said.
“Hi, Ian. How-how are you?”
“Good. You?”
“Good. Enjoying the party?”
“I am. It’s too cold for you out here.” He wanted to pull her shivering body into his arms.
“I needed some fresh air.” She wouldn’t look at him and, unable to resist, he stepped behind her and put his arms around her.
To his surprise, instead of pulling away, she leaned back against him. He held her a little closer, his big hands rubbing her upper arms. She was wearing a thin sweater that hugged her breasts, and a pair of tight jeans that showed off the curve of her ass.
He willed himself not to get an erection as he inhaled the sweet scent of her hair. She had it in a simple braid and he wanted to unbraid it and thread his hands through the fire coloured softness.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“For what?”
“For, uh, kind of freaking out on Tuesday night. I made a fool of myself.”
“You didn’t.” He squeezed her a little tighter. “It was a shock for all of us.”
“Yeah.” She sighed and stared up at the faint light of the stars. “Valerie seems nice.”
“Who?” He asked.
“Valerie. Pretty brunette. You and Jackson have been talking to her almost all night.”
He could hear the slightest hint of jealousy in her voice and a slow grin crossed his face. If she was jealous, he and Jackson might have a chance with her after all. It would have to be separate, but separate was better than not at all.
Is it? Jackson said it was fine, but he looked miserable about it.
He sighed and rested his chin on the top of Chloe’s head. He was almost positive that Jackson didn’t want to sleep with Chloe separately, but what choice did they have?
“Ian? Are you and Jackson
going to, uh… date Valerie?”
“We don’t date and no, we’re not. She’s nice, but I didn’t even remember her name.”
He could feel some of the tension leave her body before she glanced up at him. “Sorry, it isn’t any of my business.”
“You’re the only one we want, Chloe.”
Shit, he shouldn’t have led with that, he sounded like a deranged stalker, but it had just popped out.
“Why?” She whispered. She didn’t seem too freaked out by his admission, and hope made an unexpected appearance inside of him.
“Because you’re beautiful and sexy, and fucking you was amazing. I can’t stop thinking about you, Red.”
Even in the pale glow of the moon and the stars, he could see her soft skin turn red. “Fucking you was amazing for me too.”
He glanced behind him. The patio opened up off of the dining room and the room was dark and empty. He wished that Jackson was with them, before deciding to go for it. “Chloe, what would you say if Jackson and I agreed to sleep with you separately?”
She craned her neck to stare up at him, shock covering her delicate features. “I – what? You said you didn’t want that.”
“No, we said our preference was together, but we talked about it and we’re willing to share you in a different way. Whatever makes you comfortable.”
“Really?”
“Yes.” He stared down at her sweet face, his gaze dropping to her mouth. God, he wanted to kiss her.
When her lips parted, he couldn’t resist any longer. He bent his head and kissed her, softly at first but with growing need when she pressed her ass against him and opened her mouth wide. He tasted her, his tongue stroking against hers as he cupped one firm breast.
“I’ve missed you,” he breathed against her mouth.
“I-I missed you too,” she whispered.
He kissed her again, kneading her breast through her sweater and her bra. She arched into his touch, her cold hands clutching at his forearm. The door slid open behind them and he knew instinctively it was Jackson.
He stopped kissing Chloe but when she tugged at his hand still cupping her breast, he shook his head.
“Ian, it’s not -”