The Road To Heaven: A Reverse Harem Contemporary Romance (The Allendale Four Book 3)

by Angel Lawson

  Sweaty and overheated, we curled up in one another, the fancy sheets wet underneath us.

  “That,” he said, pulling back an inch to give me a quick kiss, “was definitely unexpected. Fucking amazing, but truly unexpected.”

  “Something in me snapped. I didn’t want to wait any longer.”

  He burrowed his face in my neck. “Thank god.”

  “Do you have to go to work?” I asked him, running my fingers through that alluring patch of hair on his lower belly. He flinched. Every time he flinched, and I loved it.

  He waved a hand. “Jackson can take care of it.”

  “What do you think he’ll say when he finds out about this?”

  “He’ll probably weep tears of relief. He’s been waiting for us to figure it out and wanting you two to figure yourselves out.”

  I snuggled in close, feeling drowsy. Safe. “I want to do that, too.”

  He kissed my forehead. “You will. We will.”

  Yeah, I thought, drifting off to sleep, my body relaxed. We will.

  Oliver was sound asleep when I woke up. The clock said it was late morning and my stomach rumbled, confirming the time. Between my early morning run and my activities with Oliver, I’d exerted my share of calories. I needed food and he probably did too. I tugged on the baseball shirt and my panties and went to the kitchen to fix breakfast.

  The sound of pots and pans along with the mouthwatering scent of bacon hit me before I made it halfway down the hall. My stomach growled right when I noticed the mop of blond curls and his body next. Shit, I thought, spinning on my heel.

  “Heaven?”

  Jackson’s eyes zeroed in on what I was wearing, or maybe what I wasn’t wearing. Pants in particular. Or a bra.

  “Hey.”

  He placed the pan on the stove. “I, uh, I didn’t know you were here.”

  “Yeah, I got here a while ago.”

  “I gather that.” He cracked two eggs into the pan and glanced at me. “You want an omelet?”

  I nodded. “Sure?”

  I watched him cook, moving quickly around the kitchen, juggling the stove and ingredients he’d set on the counter. I spotted a container of cheese, an avocado, spinach.

  “Is this weird?”

  He shook sat in the pan. “To see you walk in here half dressed?”

  I tugged at the hem of the shirt. “Yeah. I guess.”

  “A little weird, I guess, if seeing the woman of your dreams walk in the kitchen with no pants is weird.”

  “I’m sorry, Jax. It just kind of happened and I know we were working on our stuff but then Hayden pissed me off so I came over here and…” He turned to face me, a wicked curve on his lips. “What?”

  “You got mad at Hayden and came over here and fucked Oliver?”

  “Yeah, I guess so.”

  He broke into a wide, brilliant, gleeful grin. “God, I love it.”

  “You do?”

  “Hayden will be furious—at himself, mind you—” he made this point with his spatula, “when he finds out he sent you straight into Oliver’s arms. Classic.”

  I frowned. “Seriously, you’re being competitive about this?”

  “Hayden’s being an idiot lately. He’s feeling sorry for himself and don’t get me started on this Sabine thing.” Again, he pointed at me with the utensil. “Look what he missed out on. You, half naked, in the kitchen. His loss.”

  I sighed. “You guys are ridiculous.”

  He fussed with the omelet, turning down the heat on the stove, tossing in the cheese. I got lost in his movements, the way his fingers deftly used the knife, the confidence in everything he did. He cut the avocado into thin slices and said, “So how was it?”

  I looked up from his hands. “How was what?”

  “Sleeping with Oliver.”

  Warmth rushed up my body. “Good, actually.”

  “And this was for closure?” The question came out softly and that time he didn’t sound quite so sure of himself.

  “No, it wasn’t.”

  His blue eyes met mine. “No?”

  “No. Between you and him and,” I looked at the counter top, “everything else. I don’t think closure is really what I’m looking for.”

  I heard the scrape of the pan and felt his presence before I could blink.

  “You’re not looking for closure?”

  I shook my head and his fingers grazed my hip.

  “Thank fucking god,” he said in a rush.

  “You want more too?” I asked. I needed to know. I needed to clarify so we were on the same page. Me, him, and Oliver, at least.

  “So much more.” He kissed my forehead, my nose, and then lips. I linked my arms around his neck, tugging at the hair that curled at his nape. He tasted like coffee and smelled like soap. My desire, content a few moments ago, reared again, telling me I had room for more.

  Jackson’s fingers pushed at the hem of my T-shirt, slipping under the edge of my panties. He pushed me against the counter, my foot finding leverage on a drawer pull.

  I lost myself in him; his touch, his mouth, his body. He moved his fingers so they rubbed between my legs, grazing over sensitive spots, igniting sparks of desire across my body.

  Jackson used those fingers I’d just admired for their dexterity on me; stroking, swirling, caressing. My belly seized under the activity, my breath came out quick.

  I was so lost that I didn’t hear the footsteps in the hallway. Or sense Oliver’s presence until he was all the way in the room.

  Jackson looked up first, swallowed, and said, “Hey man.”

  I glanced over my shoulder, not knowing how he would respond. We’d always kept our physical relationships separate—discreet to an extent. It just seemed right. Sure, there had been mishaps, but the person that walked in generally walked back out. And there was an unspoken rule about hooking up right after one another. It wasn’t a rule I made—it seemed more like an understanding between the guys. Something territorial.

  But now Jackson held me, fingers touching my most intimate places, rubbing tiny circles. I didn’t want him to stop and it sure as hell didn’t seem like he wanted to stop. We both looked at Oliver although my jaw was slack, my brain and body warring for control.

  My body was certainly going to win if Jackson didn’t get his hands out of my pants.

  Oliver’s eyes drifted down my body, across the hard peaks of my nipples obvious through the thin, worn fabric of his shirt. Down to the where my ass hung out at the bottom. His eyes shifted to where Jackson fondled me, stroked me, and I held my breath, not wanting this moment to end but willing to stop it for the sake of our fragile, new co-existence.

  Jackson still didn’t stop and he focused his attention back on me fully. I gripped the counter, my elbows weak. I sensed Oliver move, I thought leaving us alone, but a moment later I felt him. He eased behind me, cradling my body against his chest, snaking an arm around my thigh, opening me for Jackson.

  I sighed and relaxed into him, feeling stabilized and incredibly, overwhelmingly aroused.

  Jackson continued his movements, continued his kisses. Oliver’s mouth moved to my neck, sucking gently. His hands traveled to my breasts; cupping, kneading, twisting. I slid my hand over his shoulder and into his hair, linking our bodies together.

  The moment was extreme, full-bodied, mind-melting. I writhed against Oliver. I bucked into Jackson’s hand. I breathed into his mouth. When my second orgasm of the day came rushing over me I was surrounded by heat, by heartbeats, by warmth. I was surrounded by two men that’d stuck by me, that despite the rocky past two years, loved me, and I didn’t hold back. I let Oliver support me. I rode Jackson’s hand until I slowed, easing into blissfulness. And when I finished, finally finished, bleary-eyed and breathing heavy, they wrapped their arms around me and we hugged, the three of us, forging a different kind of bond.

  36

  Heaven

  The dress had a dusty rose tint, the bodice shimmery with sequins and beads; the skirt made of n
etting that grazed my knees. I felt like a ballerina, but Amber looked like a queen. Her dress was ivory, straight and strapless. We’d both tried on our dresses and it was now my turn to stand on the pedestal, twisting to look at the back—it plunged in a deep v, revealing my slim back and the tattoo nestled at the bottom of my spine.

  Five stars, inked like a constellation.

  I’d gotten it just after the breakup, panicked and consumed with sadness. After years of not wanting to hurt myself I felt the need for something real—pain. Something to remind me I was still alive, even if they were gone. I didn’t pick up the blade. I walked into the tattoo parlor and had the artist ink a star for each of us on my back. Even if they were no longer there, I still carried them with me.

  Amber smiled when she looked at me, pleased at her choice. She wanted a fairytale-beach wedding and a dress like this for her maid of honor was just one step in that direction.

  “God, it’s gorgeous, you’re gorgeous,” she declared.

  “It’s an amazing dress. Are you sure it’s not too much? I don’t want to upstage you,” I joked. I ran my hands down the netting, feeling the rough material. I liked this dress too. A lot.

  I noticed a button needed fastening on Amber’s dress and stepped down. “Turn around,” I told her. As I slipped the button in the hole, I broached the question that had been circling in my brain all day. “Have you ever had a threesome?”

  She glanced over her shoulder. “You’re asking me that? You’re the one that had four boyfriends at the same time.”

  My cheeks warmed. “I know, but I’ve told you before, we weren’t really into that kind of thing.”

  I smoothed the back of her dress with my knuckles and she turned around. “Yeah, I have actually. With Ginger and Ben, back when he and I were trying out the open relationship thing. A few times, actually.”

  “Really?” I was a little shocked. “He was into that?”

  “Oh yeah. Two girls at once? He was definitely into it.”

  “How was it? You know, overall?”

  “It was sexy, but I may have been a little spoiled. Both of them were into me and I think I reaped the benefits.” She lifted the hem of her dress and walked closer to the mirror. I made eye contact with her reflection. “Is there a reason you’re asking?”

  Amber wasn’t stupid, and she’d expressed her confusion and surprise that we hadn’t explored this side of our relationship before. I decided to just admit it. “The other day after Oliver and I had some amazing make-up sex, Jackson and I were kissing in the kitchen. Then Oliver came in and instead of leaving or us stopping or whatever we would have done before, he kind of, uh,” I felt my cheeks burning hot, “he joined in.”

  Amber’s jaw dropped. “Wait, wait, there is so much to unpack here. You and Oliver had make-up sex? Like you made up? And Jackson, too? And then right there in the kitchen?”

  I nodded. “It was unbelievably hot. I mean, I’d fantasized about it some, but the guys seemed more comfortable keeping things separate.”

  “They baby you, you know.”

  “I know.” Even though I’d tried desperately to get them to stop, they couldn’t help it.

  “Do you think you’ll do it again? What’s the next step? Do Hayden and Anderson know?” The questions came out in a rush.

  “Yeah, I think it’s likely we’ll do it again. I hope so, you know? And I’m not sure on the next step, other than Jackson, Oliver, and I know we’re not done with one another.” She eyed me, waiting for the final answer. “Hayden knows a little but he’s in a relationship with Sabine. Anderson? We’ve texted a few times, but he’s isolated himself so badly now that no one even knows what’s up with him.”

  “Wow,” she said. “That is a lot. But you know what’s crazy?”

  “In my life? God knows, you tell me. What’s crazy?”

  “You look happier than I’ve seen you in a long time.” She studied me. “You’ve been doing really well for a long time personally and professionally. Killing it, honestly, but there was something missing—a piece to your puzzle. I figured you’d fill it with someone else, something new, but I don’t think that was what was wrong.”

  “I don’t think it was either,” I agreed. “I also think that after the other day I realized something else about me and the Allendale boys. We had to evolve and change in our relationship. Just like how we changed from high school to college, we had to evolve into adults. Open ourselves up more. Like you and Ginger getting married, sharing this new kind of bond. Me and the guys…well we needed to do that, too, with one another. The three of us together…it felt so right.”

  Amber gave me a weird look and then walked across the room, gathering me in her arms. Her hug was breathtakingly tight.

  “What’s this for?” I asked, when I could get the words out.

  She leaned back and smiled. “My little girl is growing up and it’s such a delight.”

  “Shut up,” I said, pushing her away.

  “Nope.”

  She did though, and I wrapped my arms around her too, thinking about how she was right; I did know what was wrong and two pieces of the puzzle were back in place.

  Now I had to figure out what to do about the other two.

  37

  Hayden

  Three weeks until I head back to training camp. Three weeks to get back in top condition. Three weeks before I can walk away from Allendale, the memories, and the past.

  That was my mantra as I lifted weights, over and over I repeated it, willing myself to believe it. Bryant thought I could do it, he was counting on it. Calling me every day to check on my progress, talking about the future back in Atlanta, when I’d be done with Allendale for good.

  I’d gone on a run that morning—alone—pushing myself faster than the day before. My ankle held. My ribs were still sore to the touch but I’d learned to work past it, adding reps to my weight training. Jackson was pissed I’d stopped using his program. Sabine was pissed I stopped returning her calls. Heaven…well, Heaven and I hadn’t spoken since the day in the park.

  The fight in the park felt strange. I’d been angry, but those feelings rolled over me more often lately. Deep down I knew I needed her mad at me, but I also may have gone too far, although distance would be helpful so I could focus on recovery, on my career, and on moving forward. Coming back to Allendale had been a mistake. I blamed my agreement on the haze of drugs while I was in the hospital. The idea of being somewhere familiar—with the guys—seemed good while I was high, but I had no fucking clue it would be a catalyst for bringing Heaven crashing back into our lives.

  I dropped the weights on the rack and stripped off the hand wraps, sweaty and wet. My shirt was drenched, sweat poured down my face and I wiped it away. When I looked up, RJ Malone stood in front of me.

  “Hey man,” I said, offering him a damp handshake.

  “You’re killing it over here,” he said. “You’d never know you had an injury a month ago.”

  “Thanks,” I said. “Doing it in here is one thing, but getting back on the field is another.”

  “How long do you have?”

  “I report back to pre-season June first.”

  “Well, if I was a betting man I’d say you’ll be just fine.”

  “Either way, I’ll be ready to get out of here.”

  “You don’t like Allendale? I kind of like it—way better than the traffic and insanity of LA or New York.”

  “Allendale is okay. I think I just outgrew it.” I pointed to the bench press. “Spot me?”

  “Sure.”

  I laid on my back and RJ took his position behind the bench. He watched as I lifted the weight off the rack and lifted the bar six times, each one getting progressively harder. On the last one I wobbled, arms exhausted, and he grabbed for the weight and helped me put it back in position. I exhaled and sat up.

  “Any of this dislike of Allendale have to do with your ex, Heaven?”

  I wiped my face again and glanced over. “Heaven told yo
u about us?”

  “I spent a minimum of two hours in her makeup chair a day. We talk about all kinds of things.”

  I laid back again, resting my head and back on the bench. Again, I lifted the bar, grunting under the weight. By the time I got to number six, my arms were wobbly like Jell-O and RJ grabbed the bar, guiding it back to the rack.

  “Being around Heaven again has been a challenge. She’s great—don’t get me wrong, totally willing to help me out, but I’ve moved on for a variety of reasons, one being my career. I don’t have the time to look back.”

  “Wow,” he said with a small frown, “That sounds like agent talk.”

  I laughed. “How did you know?”

  “My agent gives me the same talk at least twice a month. He’s fucking obsessed with me and Lea dating—pissed that I went public.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “The fans like me single, available. I guess it helps fulfill the dream that I may be an option for them or some bullshit.”

  “But you took Lea to the premiere.”

  “I did, against my team’s wishes. But I like her. Really like her, and I’m not letting this PR crap get between us.” RJ stopped to do a set of reps with the twenty-five-pound weights. “So, what? Your agent is afraid you’re going to cause a problem being away from your girlfriend for so long? The trainer?”

  “Kind of. Sabine’s not pleased about the press seeing me and Heaven together.”

  “Lea and I had to talk about my celebrity when we got together and how the gossip columns are and how they love to drag shit in the news. It’s part of the life. She’s gotta see that, right?”

  Sabine knew good and well about the paparazzi. She toyed with them like cat with a mouse, but she didn’t like being on the other side of things. “Sabine is savvy with the media. She’s helped me out a lot with my career—getting endorsements and stuff.”

  “Building an image; a brand.”

  I nodded. RJ got it. He had to. It was his life, too.

  “So being seen with Heaven messes with the image.”

  “And being injured and not seen at all the events.”