She had to assume he was locating something with which to clean them up. Though it was a warm June day, she bet the pond and stream would be cold. Leaves crunched as he headed toward the water, and sticks cracked as he returned.
“This might be a tad cool.” Dante swiped some towel across her pussy and she jerked.
“Cool? That’s downright frigid.” As soon as he withdrew the cloth, she dropped on the blanket and quickly donned her clothes. He placed the towel on his cock and his eyes widened. “See?”
His brows instantly relaxed to show her he was only kidding. “We need to eat.”
She slouched down and sighed. And I need to tell you my secret.
Chapter Fourteen
Lisa had lost her appetite, but she ate the sandwich Dante had made for her with as much gusto as she could muster. The problem was that her hands shook and there was nothing she could do short of sitting on them to make them stop.
Dante put down his ham and cheese. “Are you okay, babe?”
His sincerity cut straight through her. “Yes and no.”
He scooted closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “You know you can tell me anything, right? Are you worried about Trevor? You know he doesn’t mind if both of us aren’t with you when we make love.”
Her eyes shot downward. “No. It’s not that.”
With his knuckle, he lifted her chin. “Lisa. What is it?”
Her stomach tumbled from his sudden harsh tone. She inhaled and blinked to keep back the tears. “I never meant for this to happen.”
His chest caved. “You never meant for what to happen? Making love with me?”
Horror slammed into her. “No. No. I met Mitch Dawes.”
Dante schooled his features so she couldn’t get a read on him.
“Go on.”
Tell him everything.
She inhaled. “I’d gone to Starbucks to apply to some jobs online when I see this man who appeared to be working on a book. Then when I heard the girl at the counter call him by his author name, I got so excited.”
His jaw hardened. “Did you sleep with him?”
At least he hadn’t asked if she’d fucked him. “No. We played tennis.”
“But you wanted to have sex with him.”
She’d been brought up to tell the truth. “Yes, but I stopped because I wanted to be with you and Trevor.”
“How much of what happened between him and Trevor did he tell you?”
“All of it, including the fact that Sabrina stabbed both men in the back. Mitch feels really bad about betraying Trevor.”
Some of Dante’s irritation seemed to dissipate, and he leaned back on his elbows. “He said that?”
“Maybe not in those exact words, but he said if could do it again, he would have stuck by Trevor and ditched her.”
Dante lay back, rested his head on his hands, and said nothing. From the way his eyes were searching the sky, he was thinking, so she let him alone.
Eventually, he sat up. “Tell me what went through your mind when you were with Mitch.”
Her face heated as she thought about him touching her breasts. “I wished all four of us could have been together.” Now he’d know she wasn’t the one for him. Her chin trembled. She’d royally messed up.
Dante slightly rocked. Then his head began to nod. “I think it might work.”
She stilled. “What might work?”
“Trevor and Mitch were in a sharing situation once before, and now Trevor and I are, but there’s no reason why all three of us can’t share your gorgeous body.” He leaned back again. “Just think, Denver, You’d have three men to dote on you.”
His comment should have made her smile, but she couldn’t bring herself to imagine something so wonderful. “I’m not getting my hopes up. Trevor hates Mitch and with good reason.”
He jackknifed up. “Don’t you see? That’s why Trevor is so fucked up and can’t commit again. He thinks that if he gives someone his heart, she’ll dump him again.”
“That’s silly. He can’t possibly believe that all women are the same. That’s rather immature.”
Dante laughed and the sound rumbled inside her, healing her wounds.
“You do call it like you see it. Just so you know, I totally agree. It’s been, what? Fourteen years since the incident? He needs to get over it. Besides, from what Vince and Daniel said, those two were tighter than tight. To lose your best friend would scar anyone.”
“I’m surprised he was willing to give the sharing thing a try with you.”
He cocked a brow. “I think his cock told him to hitch a ride with me. I get the women because he’s too busy.”
“In my case, I met Trevor first.”
“True.” He chewed on his bottom lip and pumped his foot to some unknown beat. He snapped his fingers. “I think I know what might work.”
Nothing was going to repair the damage of losing a best friend. “What?”
His eyes sparkled. “How about if you invite Mitch over to the penthouse and tell him you’re cooking a potluck dinner? You can cook, right?”
“My skills are limited, but I do make a mean lasagna.”
“Perfect. Ask Mitch to bring the veggies and salad and Trevor can make the dessert.”
She shook her head. “Trevor won’t allow Mitch in his house.”
Dante grinned. “That’s the beauty of it all. We won’t tell him.”
“That’s deceitful. Besides, how can he bring the dessert if he doesn’t know what it’s for?”
“Good point.” He scrubbed a hand down his chin. “You have a better solution?”
The problem was that she didn’t. Her mind raced. “Maybe I could try to sweet talk Trevor into at least meeting with him.”
He cocked a brow. “Trevor is a proud man who hates to lose. He let Sabrina slip away and he won’t let it happen again with you.” Dante inhaled. “He’s also too proud to admit that he misses Mitch and their friendship.”
Amen. Then the image of them duking it out had her belly fluttering. “They wouldn’t try to beat each other up, would they?”
“Don’t know, but if you’re serious about wanting the three of us, then Trevor and Mitch have to patch things up between them.”
His willingness to give her what she desired, and not be jealous, sealed the deal for her. She was falling in love with Dante Williams. Falling? Hell. She already loved him.
If that was true, how could she be attracted to Mitch? Because he’s open, honest, and shares your passion for writing.
“If you want me to ask Mitch to dinner, then I will. Just let me know when Trevor is free.”
He leaned over and kissed her. “Did I tell you how special you are?”
Her body relaxed at his lighthearted question. “No. Never.”
He pressed her shoulders down to the blanket and dragged a finger down her nose, over her lips, and across her neck. If he continued, she might just have to jump his bones again. Too bad her pussy was already too swollen or she would have.
* * * *
When Dante called two days later and said Trevor didn’t have to work on Friday, they made their plans for the big event.
“You’ll have to get Mitch to agree,” he said.
“That won’t be a problem. He wants to patch things up in the worst way.” She was watching Josh for a few hours while Mandy had a spa day. The baby cooed and she lifted him out of his carrier and sighed. She so wanted a baby of her own.
“Good. The only hiccup is that I have to tell Trevor.”
His comment jarred her out of the moment. “Call me when he agrees, and I’ll text you if Mitch agrees.”
He let out an audible breath. “Wish me luck.”
“Luck.”
No sooner had she disconnected than her cell rang. Her body shot to high alert. It was the law firm in Intrigue that she’d applied to. “Hello?”
“Ms. Brightner?”
“Yes.” She failed to keep the excitement from her voice.
“This is Richard Bryant of Scott, Schaly, and Bryant.”
“Yes, Mr. Bryant.” She wiped her damp palms down her pants.
“Our firm had been looking over your resume and we’re very interested in your credentials. Could you meet with us tomorrow at two for an interview?”
Her pulse raced so fast she barely was able to speak. “Absolutely.” She fisted her right hand and pumped it upward.
“We’re in suite 105. I’ll see you there.”
As soon as he disconnected she let out a squeal, and Josh returned one of his own. “I have a job, Joshie. Okay, maybe I have a job.” She didn’t want to get her hopes up.
She rocked the baby, refusing to address the issue of having to sell her condo. Even though it would cost her all of her savings, if Trevor could see fit to forgive Mitch, and if they decided that they did want to share, and if they asked her to stay, then maybe she’d find a way to make this work.
She sank back onto the chair in the kitchen. Those were an awful lot of “ifs.”
* * * *
“She did what?” Trevor hadn’t even had time to change out of his scrubs when Dante hit him with the worse news ever.
“You heard me. She invited Mitch over for dinner tomorrow.”
There was no way on earth he wanted to be civil to that bastard. Good friends didn’t screw each other. Even though Sabrina dumped him because he wanted to go to med school, Mitch should have told her to go to hell. That’s what friends did for each other. Period.
“I’m sure I have to work.” Even to Trevor’s ears, his excuse sounded lame.
Dante pulled two beers from the fridge and set one on the counter for him. “Fine. Don’t be here, but if you don’t show, Mitch wins. Lisa told me she wants him as well as us. Tomorrow night, when you’re at the hospital, we’ll both be sinking our cocks into her.”
Trevor picked the bottle up then slammed it back onto the counter. “Fuck you. Don’t you see what’s happening?” The betrayal was starting all over again.
Dante sipped his beer as casually as could be. “Nope. Enlighten me.” He strolled over the sofa, sat, and propped his feet on the wooden coffee table.
His friend was baiting him. “What’s to stop Lisa from adding another man to the mix, assuming I could stomach having Mitch in the same room with me in the first place?”
Dante’s smile pissed him off even more.
“Mitch is a good guy. If you’d take your head out of your ass long enough to listen, you’d see that. You both were young, and Mitch made a mistake that apparently he’s been trying to right for a long time, only you’re too goddamn stubborn to listen to him.”
He wasn’t going to be sidetracked. “I repeat what’s going to prevent Lisa from picking up another stray?”
Dante guzzled half his beer. “You’re afraid you’re not good enough for her. Is that it?”
That’s what Sabrina had implied. Somehow she thought he should go to school part-time or delay it so both he and Mitch could spend all their time with her. How had he not seen what a selfish bitch she was?
“Hell no. I’ll grant you that Lisa is special, but remember she’ll be leaving in ten days.” He refused to address Dante’s question directly.
Dante grinned. “Your information is out of date.”
Trevor allowed a bit of excitement to shoot through his veins. “What are you saying?”
“When I spoke with her yesterday, she told me Scott, Schaly, and Bryant offered her a job at their firm.”
He eased over to the counter and picked up the beer, needing to wet his dry throat. “Did she say yes?”
Dante shrugged. “She’s waiting to hear from a firm in Denver who’s interested in her. But it’s her condo that’s the problem, not the job.”
She had mentioned she owed too much on it. Financial issues could be solved. Her wanting to be with Mitch could not.
“Has she slept with Mitch?” His knuckled turned white.
“No. She cares for us too much. Mitch told her the whole story about how he screwed you, and that he was your best friend. It’s been eating at him as much as it has you.”
“Good. I hope he suffered. A best friend doesn’t fuck with you.”
Dante waved his beer. “You were willing to give sharing a second chance with me.”
Dante was open and trustworthy, but then again Mitch had been too. Trevor stabbed a hand over his head, recalling all their boxing matches and good times. He did miss their bond and Mitch’s competitive nature. Even now, Trevor was convinced the guy kept pumping out the books just to be able to say he made more money than him.
“Maybe I’m not cut out to be the sharing kind of guy.” If he went solo, he wouldn’t have to deal with others.
Liar. You like knowing your woman would always have someone to lean on.
Dante lifted his feet and placed them on the floor. “Listen to yourself. You’re acting like a spoiled brat. One misdeed and you go running. You know what my dad taught me?”
“What?” Though he wasn’t really in the mood to hear another one of Mr. Williams’s sayings.
“If something is worth going after, it’s going to take work and sacrifice.” Dante leaned forward. “I love Lisa, and I want her. I’ll be frank with you. If Mitch is willing to share and if Lisa wants to stay, I’d be tempted for the three of us to make a go of it if you turn us down.”
He strode toward Dante and wanted to punch the shit out of him. “You don’t even know she wants to stay.”
“She won’t if you take on extra work just to avoid having to face issues that you should have resolved years ago.”
Half of him wanted to forgive Mitch. It had been Sabrina who was to blame. Hell, if Lisa told him that she only wanted to be with him and not both of them, would he betray Dante? He wanted to say no, but the decision would torment him no matter his choice.
He closed his eyes and pictured Lisa doing another striptease for them. He didn’t think he could handle her being with Mitch and Dante and not him. She was his, too.
“Fine. Tell him he can come.”
Dante lifted his bottle and whooped. “It’s a potluck. You’re in charge of dessert.”
“A potluck. That’s so—” He couldn’t think of any word other than geeky. Then again if it meant pleasing Lisa, he’d give it a try. “What’s Mitch bringing?” He refused to be outdone.
“Salad and veggies.”
“Fine.” Cheyenne had a really high-end bakery down the street from the hospital. He’d order the fanciest dessert money could buy just to show both Mitch and Lisa that he was the man for her.
Chapter Fifteen
“Babe, calm down. They’ll be here.” Dante rubbed Lisa’s shoulder.
“I know Mitch will come, but what if Trevor has to work?”
He turned her toward him. “He’ll be here. Trust me on this one. He’s not going to let Mitch touch you unless he’s present.”
A knock sounded, and she blew out a breath. “That must be Mitch.” She hurried to the door and pulled it open. “Hey.”
Both of Mitch’s hands were full. One contained a bowl and the other a tray. She lifted the bowl from his hands and motioned him in.
Mitch had shaved. If she wasn’t mistaken, it appeared as if he’d had his hair trimmed, too. His jeans didn’t have holes in them and he wore a blue linen button-down shirt that molded to his body. He’d also splashed on cologne.
He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “You look hot.”
“Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself.” She must have tried on ten different outfits. In the end, Mandy said she’d be more comfortable in jeans and a sexy top. Now she was glad she’d listened. Lisa placed the bowl on the counter.
Dante opened the refrigerator. “Beer, Mitch?”
“Thanks.”
While all three had gone to the same high school, Dante and Trevor hadn’t become close friends until a few years ago. Dante explained that when Trevor and he started hanging out, Mitch had approached Dante to see
if he could help patch things up between him and Trevor. While Dante never succeeded, he and Mitch had developed a renewed respect for each other.
She couldn’t imagine what it would be like if she, Mandy, Beth, and Candy were ever at odds. It would suck.
“Where’s our host?” Mitch asked, looking around.
Dante handed him a beer. “He’ll be here. There is no way he’s going to let you get your hands on our woman.”
At least Dante’s voice held exasperation and some bitterness toward his roommate. The front door opened and Trevor backed in, carrying something.
She rushed over to him. “Let me help.”
He turned around, and instead of focusing on her, his gaze went to Mitch first, then back to her. His smile made her heart sing.
“Hey, beautiful.” He leaned over and kissed her while holding the tray to the side. “Need to set this down.”
Oh, boy. This was going to be so awkward. It would be up to her and Dante to carry the conversation, but how did one get two enemies to shake hands? Trevor certainly wouldn’t welcome talking about the problem directly.
Mitch strolled over to them and her racing heart clogged her throat. He held out his hand to Trevor.
“It’s been a long time, Trev.”
She noticed the use of his nickname. Lisa stepped back and kept her gaze on Trevor.
“I need a drink.” He turned his back to Mitch and stomped to the refrigerator.
Facing Mitch, she mouthed, “I’m sorry.”
He shrugged and guzzled his drink. She looped an arm through his and leaned close. “You never did get to tell me what your new book is about.” She led him to the sofa and sat next to him.
Dante, who’d been standing this whole time, sat on her other side. After Trevor retrieved his beer, there wasn’t much he could do but walk over to the seating area. He took the seat on the side nearest to Dante and facing her. From the way he was scowling, he was ready to burst.
The second Mitch placed a hand on her thigh, Trevor’s eye twitched. He fisted his bottle and drew it to his lips as if it was his lifeline. Her heart broke for his pain, but rushing to his side and giving him a hug wouldn’t solve anything.
Competing for Lisa [The Callens 11] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 13