One Taste

by Cari Quinn

  Tris rolled his eyes. As if Matt and Caity sniping at each other was anything new. “Baiting each other about what?”

  Matt lifted his head and stared him straight in the eye. “You.”

  “Me?”

  “Yeah. We made it into a competition about which of us wanted you more. And then we circled around wanting each other. I’m still not really sure where we stand on that score. I mean, I know where I stand, and I know she wants use of my dick, but as for more than that, no clue.”

  Tristan shook his head, trying to comprehend what Matt was telling him. “You fought over me. Then you fought over each other. And she wants use of your dick?”

  “Yours too.” Matt saluted him with his soda. “Our little Cait has her share of needs, it seems.”

  Tris picked up his own bottle of soda and rolled it between his palms. “You’re not telling me everything,” he said softly. “And I’m guessing what you’re leaving out involves sex.”

  “Things escalated. But no, we didn’t have sex. She wanted to, though, as part of her big master plan.” Matt shrugged. “Let’s just say she had plans for both of us that went beyond quick kisses and fumbling clutches. And before you ask what kind of plans, use your damn imagination.”

  “Already doing that,” Tris replied, his stomach roiling with the pictures his mind insisted on forming.

  What exactly had happened? More to the point, what experiences had they shared without him?

  He released a long breath. No wonder Caity had been so shocked and hurt. She’d been the one left out of things going on right under her nose, and now he was in that role. And he didn’t like it one bit.

  “Anyway, the point is this. She’s ready for us, Tris. We just need to do this the right way. My way.”

  “You kissed her. What else?”

  “Man, you’re fixated, aren’t you?”

  “Wouldn’t you be?”

  Matt nodded and sipped more soda. “Hell yeah. Let’s just say other parts of her taste as good as her mouth.”

  “Not surprised.” With effort, Tristan tried to focus on the conversation and not what parts of Caity Matt had gotten to sample. Lost cause. “You didn’t get her naked.”

  “No. But if I could’ve, I would have. And I wouldn’t have felt guilty. She’s been the goal all along. We ended up being a pleasant side trip, but we weren’t planned. Doesn’t mean we can’t alter the plan a bit now, though.”

  “Seriously, Matt, I’m way too freaking hungry to try to make sense of what you’re saying. Get to the point, would you?”

  And leave me in peace to try to figure out why the hell Caity kissed me.

  Beyond the obvious, of course. She was clearly stretching their boundaries, between what had happened with him and from what had occurred with Matt. Whatever the hell that was.

  But there was more to it. The kiss this morning had almost felt like a test. He still didn’t know if he’d passed or failed.

  Caity had taken off early a short while ago, but she hadn’t said a word about anything but work to either him or Matt all morning. Nor had she flirted or teased or even flipped her hair.

  Hadn’t mattered. His dick was still as hard as a damn brick.

  He’d had her in his arms. Her peachy scent still clung to his skin. Their kiss had taken the many fantasies he’d had of her and destroyed them. None of them could hold a candle to the reality of Caity’s lips heating under his and hearing her soft, sweet moans.

  “Her birthday’s next weekend.”

  “I know that.” Impatience oozed from Tristan’s voice. “Your point?”

  “I want the three of us to go up to my cabin.”

  “Okay,” he began, belatedly catching the intensity of the look in Matthew’s eyes. “Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?”

  “Absolutely. She wants us. And we’re going to give her what she can’t admit she needs, but first we’re going to play hard to get. No more kisses. No more looks. When she comes back in here tonight, treat her like one of the guys.”

  “No. I’m not doing this to her. She has no clue what she’s playing with.”

  “Tristan.” Matt’s sharp command made him suck in a breath. “She’s shy, and she’s innocent, but she doesn’t want to be. Trust me on that.”

  “Caity shy?” He couldn’t hold back the laughter. “Since when?”

  “Since I asked her this morning to give herself to both of us, for a start.” Matthew banged his mouse hard enough to make Tristan wince. They were always fucking with the equipment.

  Which had been important, oh, a few hours ago. Now he had much bigger problems.

  “You asked her to what? Are you fucking crazy? She isn’t ready for—” Words failed him, and he tensed his fingers around his soda until the plastic buckled. “She’s just not.”

  Matthew wheeled away from his desk and faced Tristan across the few feet that separated their workstations. “She knows about us, and she still came on to you this morning. You didn’t kiss her, did you?”

  Tristan shook his head numbly, still trying to process everything. “No. I startled her, and then I saw she’d broken her mug… No. I didn’t kiss her.”

  “She knows we’re lovers, and she’s turned on by it. She’s curious. And there’s no way in hell I’m losing this opportunity to go after what we need. All three of us.” Matt’s voice lowered. “You’re not going to argue with me, got it? And if you don’t, I can promise you we’ll have what we always wanted: Cait.”

  Reason demanded he argue. Tristan always argued. Just because Matt directed everything behind the scenes at TD didn’t mean he knew jack about dealing with women outside of the bedroom. His many failed relationships proved that.

  But then again, so did Tristan’s. And he was desperate.

  He’d finally tasted Caity. How was he supposed to forget that?

  Tristan closed his eyes and blew out a breath. When he opened them again, Matthew’s gaze was still fixed on his. “Tell me the plan.”

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  Filthy Scrooge

  Chapter One

  KAY

  “If you don’t get out on that dance floor, I’m going to kick your ass.”

  “I’m going, I’m going.” I tugged at my short red velvet skirt. Mel had convinced me to schlep all the way to Brooklyn to go to this club, the least I could do was get my dance on. I missed it. Working seventy hour weeks had killed any extracurricular activities in my life. Starting my own company was worth it, dammit.

  There’d been a time when a club had been my favorite outlet. I could lose myself in the colors, the music, the anonymity of it all. This place—Purgatory—lived up to its name in every way. It was in between in all ways that mattered. Depending on the day, the center of the huge building could be a dance club or concert venue. Outside was a sidewalk cafe with a garden straight out of England.

  I could let the wilder side of me free.

  I didn’t have to be Kandy Kane here, with all that sugary name implied. Most of the time I loved it. Hell, I made my career around my name.

  Here, I was just Kay.

  I didn’t have to make decisions or give orders.

  I could feel a man’s hands on my skin without the promise of anything more.

  The lights flared, then dimmed. A wash of purple and red swirled over the crowd turning everyone the same hue—cool and hot at the same time. The lights and the dancers pulsed as the low beat of the song ebbed and flowed.

  I felt an answering echo in my lower belly.

  Bad sign.

  “There she is.”

  I threw a narrow-eyed-glare at my best friend and assistant. She knew me far too well. “One dance.”

  Her glossy red lips lifted at one corner before she wrapped her lips around her straw. “Sure. I’ll be here, drinking my courage.”

  “And you expect me to just go on out there?”


  “Yes. Go let loose.”

  I flicked my heavily curled hair over my shoulder and took a deep breath. It was just like riding a bike.

  I glided into the crush of people. Instinct took over as the music infused into the marrow of my bones. There was no expectation. No one knew me. So I let go. The watery undertones of the song urged my hips into soft, fluid circles. This was exactly what I needed. As usual, Mel had been right.

  I found my spot in the center of the crush of people. I ignored the bump of strangers, and the dancers who thought they were far more talented than they were. I let my gaze drift to the whirling lights above me as the tension in my shoulders melted away.

  My body became one with the underlying beat of the song. The heartbeat. I could find it in any piece of music. A Christmas carol, a hymn, a rap song, a country tune—it didn’t matter. There was always heart to a good song.

  Once I found it, everything else fell into place.

  I slipped my fingers into my hair and let the dreamy music take me away. Clubs often extended the song with remixes and I chased the rhythm. My breath raced as the song built up and spun out.

  Eyes were on me.

  I ignored them.

  Right now, I didn’t want small talk, or someone grinding on my ass.

  I just wanted this. The only release I could find.

  The song changed to a big hit that had been reduced to a shadow of its original flavor. One that I didn’t want to dance to. I raised my arms to shimmy my way through the crowd when a large hand slid along my waist. The pads of a man’s fingers skimmed along the raised hem of my shirt.

  Being in a club meant hands on you whether you wanted them or not. I’d broken my share of fingers when I wasn’t in the mood. I lowered my hand to do just that when the guy invaded my space.

  Strong thighs aligned with mine as he pushed me back toward the center of the floor.

  My eyes flashed wide, met eyes the color of blue flame. An intense, unflinching stare. There was no guesswork, no teasing—just pure heat. His fingers slid around to the small of my back. His hips moved in time to my own.

  He didn’t hold me tight. Just enough to keep me close.

  I tipped my head, curiosity riding me harder than annoyance. I shouldn’t have allowed it. He was too big, too overwhelming to be the kind of man I normally danced with. I preferred fun and smiles. No harm, no foul kind of guys who didn’t give me trouble when the dancing was over.

  Not like this man.

  His broad shoulders were encased in a fitted black shirt with another collared shirt under it in the same jet color. In fact, he was dressed in black from head to toe.

  He stroked his thumb under my chin to bring my attention back up to his eyes. He didn’t speak. Not that either of us could be heard over the music, but he didn’t even bother with the pretense.

  Just those ridiculous blue eyes burning into mine.

  The song faded into one that I loved. Watery strings with a staccato lyric to start before the drums and crashing tones filled the space. His hand grew bolder, coasted down my back to my ass, and his knee slid between my thighs.

  Our gazes didn’t waver.

  Our bodies melted together in a sexual dance that should have been far too provocative for strangers. My heart raced and a wash of heat rushed from my thighs up to my sex. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had such a heady reaction to anyone, let alone a man who didn’t know my name any more than I did his.

  Did he do this often? I knew I sure as hell didn’t.

  I swallowed down a sudden flood of panic. I glanced around us. No one was paying attention to us.

  His thumb was at my chin again, dragging my gaze back to his.

  “Right here,” he mouthed.

  I swallowed and tried to step back. He brought his hand to my hip and caught my hand with his other, lacing our fingers. His skin was smooth with a ridge of calluses along his palm. The beat of the song was harder, darker than the previous ones played.

  I moved into him this time.

  Maybe I didn’t want the link broken. Just for a few more moments.

  The tingle along my thighs grew with each brush of his. The roll of his hips in time to the song changed the simple buzz to a surge. My nipples throbbed and my thighs were soaked under my skirt. Arousal slammed into me. Panic licked along my lower spine and activated my flight response.

  Dancing was one thing. More?

  No, that wasn’t me.

  I twisted away and pushed my way through the dancers. The murmur of pissed off people doubled. The next song was a Britany remix that had the room pulsing again.

  My heart crashed in my ears as I finally broke free from the dance floor.

  Don’t do it. Don’t turn around.

  But I couldn’t help myself. I glanced back to see if my mystery man was following, but he was not.

  He’d probably moved on to the next girl.

  So stupid. He’d probably lost interest the moment I’d pulled back like a frightened virgin.

  Worldly. Yeah, that was me.

  I might know how to find my inner dancing queen, but the vixen half of me had yet to figure out how to play.

  I placed my hand over my midriff. Everything was still buzzing and fluttering madly. I tugged my shirt down, then smoothed my skirt. Disappointment crashed into self-preservation.

  Besides, there was no way I could test the waters with someone like that. I was better off with Jason. He was one of my temps at work. He’d been asking me out for the last three weeks. He was sweet and would undoubtedly take his time—and surely let me take mine.

  I’d been putting him off because he was my employee, but the season was officially over tomorrow. At least the Christmas season, which pretty much floated most of my business for the year. Maybe if he asked me again, I’d have to just say yes for once.

  Eyes the color of blue flame flashed into my head. Intense eyes. Hooded eyes with slashing cheekbones, giving his face arresting angles.

  A man like that didn’t seem nice. He’d take and demand.

  Damn if that didn’t give me a serious pause.

  No. I shook my head firmly—not for me. The Jasons of the world were more my speed. My fingernails dug into my palms. I couldn’t even pull Jason’s face up at the moment. Kind brown eyes…maybe? Or were they hazel?

  I straightened my shoulders and headed for the bar.

  Those damn blue eyes were sticking. I had little doubt they’d follow me into my dreams tonight. Time to find Mel and get the hell out of here. I had a huge day ahead of me tomorrow anyway.

  I could trust work.

  I understood work.

  Just one more day to get through.

  CHAPTER 2

  “Just one more day. One more party.” I’d been saying that same phrase since last night. I swapped out my battered sneakers for my suede ankle boots. One more party and I could curl into my bed and sleep for eighteen blissful hours.

  “Kay!”

  I fluffed the cowl neck of my sweater, ignoring the crazy person calling my name.

  Nothing was going to ruin today.

  I pulled out my lipstick and glossed the candy cane red across my lips.

  “Kandy Noel Kane, you answer me right now!”

  I winced. Yeah, that wasn’t good. Was there still time for me to duck out the fire escape?

  Mel pounded on the heavy door. “Kan—”

  I swung open the door. “Go down a few decibels maybe?”

  She pushed me aside, then peeked back into the hallway before slamming the doors. “I can’t. I’m going to hyperventilate.” She plastered herself against the door.

  I twisted a fat curl from my ponytail around my finger. Mel was prone to histrionics, but there was a whole lot of panic going on in her big brown eyes.

  “The ice sculpture is here, the presents for the charity raffle are under the tree, I finished the place settings myself not even an hour ago. I watched the chef make his specialty.” For the entire two hours. This
was my biggest party of the season. “Nothing is going to go wrong.”

  “Yeah well, we don’t have a Santa.”

  I blinked at her. The room sort of fuzzed out of focus and a soundtrack of waves and screams crashed in my head. “I’m sorry?”

  “No—capital N, capital O—there is no Santa in the building.”

  “But Jason said he was going to be here.” It was a two-fer. I was going to make sure we had a super sweet, super jolly Santa for the party and maybe let Jason ask me out one more time.

  I was pretty sure I was going to say yes.

  Sort of.

  Maybe.

  I slumped into the black leather U-shaped chair across from the massive mahogany desk. The simple glass name plaque said Lincoln Murdock, CEO. I focused in on the name. The same man who had sent me the terse email four weeks ago.

  The email that had changed my life.

  I’d worked with his assistant after that email, but I’d never forgotten the name. Especially after a little research had me kicking up my heels yabba-dabba-doo-style.

  My tunnel vision slowly widened and Mel’s babbling came into focus.

  I held up my hand. Mel pressed her cherry red lips together, the bow at the top of her lips becoming more pronounced as she tried to contain her crazy. It was difficult, I knew. “What happened to Jason?”

  “I just told you.” She gave an exasperated growl.

  “I’m sorry. I went deaf and dumb there for a moment, because I’m sure you couldn’t have said my most reliable Santa was not showing up for the last freaking party of the year. You know, two days before Christmas. And the party where I’m paying said Santa double time.” Because we’d had two parties a day for most of the week. I pushed a shaky hand through my hair. “So please tell me why he’s not here?”

  “He eloped with the elf, Michelle.”

  “He what?” He’d asked me out three days ago.

  “It was a whirlwind or some such nonsense. They’d done six parties together and lightning struck or something stupid. I get lust—but eloping? What is wrong with people?”