by Lily Harlem
She drew in a breath. Had she heard Jackson right? Had he just confessed? Confirmed her suspicions in one heated sentence?
“I’m sorry,” she managed, not knowing what else to say. “For everything. But I’m going home soon and I won’t be back here, at the gym.”
He made a strange growling noise. It wasn’t like anything she’d heard before and it vibrated from his chest onto her back. “We don’t want that.”
“But…” Again she went to turn. Again she was blocked by his solid body. “What do you want?” she managed.
“You, tomorrow night. Dinner.”
“Dinner?” That had been the very last thing she’d expected Jackson to say.
“Yeah, we’ll pick you up at eight.”
She hesitated. “We?”
“Yeah, the three of us are gonna sit down and talk…” he paused, “about this unusual situation we’ve found ourselves in.”
“I don’t understand.”
“That’s why we’re going out.” He pressed his lips to her temple, the section now warmed from his breath. It wasn’t a real kiss, just a press of his mouth but it sent a skitter of little tingles over her scalp.
Jenny balled her fists, and kept her eyes closed. They were going out? All three of them?
As quickly as Jackson had surrounded her, he was gone.
The air seemed to flood her torso, chilling her, but her breaths became easier to catch. She spun in time to see Jackson striding from the room. His vest top had a line of sweat down the gutter of his spine and the ends of his hair were damp and sticking like tiny commas to the nape of his neck.
He’d come into the office, stated what was going to happen and then left. She should be mad. Wasn’t this the new Jenny? Not being told what to do. But how the hell could she refuse the chance to spend an evening with both Dale and Jackson? And what did he mean by ‘unusual situation’?
You kissed my boyfriend.
His words rushed back to her, blowing up a storm of emotions. Jackson had admitted what she’d suspected. Dale couldn’t deny it now. But why had he last night? Was it such a secret?
Perhaps it was. Maybe neither of them had ever come out as gay. Certainly they kept their feelings for each other wrapped up tight at the gym.
She pushed her fingers through her hair, touching the spot Jackson had kissed. Why had he done that? It was familiar yet also possessive. Did he want her? Would he have kissed her the way Dale had, given the chance?
A shiver of nervous anticipation rattled through her. Dale had been raring to go until she’d ruined it. Would Jackson be the same given a similar situation? Did they both like her? Certainly it seemed she’d been a topic of discussion between them.
No, that was ridiculous. They were simply nice guys looking out for her. They probably felt sorry for her because of the whole Billy situation and the way he’d used her.
But even so, they were taking her out for dinner.
She glanced down at her dull clothes—flat, comfortable shoes, black trousers and a pale blue blouse which had been through the washing machine more times than it should.
“I need to do something about this.” She quickly reached for her phone and drew up Stella’s number. She hit dial.
Stella picked up on the third ring. “Jenny, hi, you okay?”
“Yes, fine…” She paused. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize how late it was.”
“It’s okay, I’ve just got home, been out to dinner.” She was quiet for a moment.
There were male voices in the background, deep and rumbling. Jenny couldn’t quite make out what they were saying or identify who it was.
“You sure you’re okay? You didn’t seem yourself at the office today,” Stella said.
“Er, yes.” Was that Andre and Tristan with her? Had she been out for dinner with both of them? “Actually I’m ringing about dinner. I’ve been invited out, tomorrow night.”
“Oh, a Saturday night date, how exciting.”
“Well yes it is…the trouble is I have absolutely nothing to wear. I know it’s short notice but do you fancy a few hours retail therapy tomorrow afternoon?”
“Hang on.”
Again Jenny heard voices, then, “Sure,” Stella said, returning to the call. “That would be great. Shall we meet on the King’s Road, at Sloane Square Tube?”
“Perfect. About one.”
“Make it twelve and we’ll grab some lunch, make an afternoon of it.”
“I’d love that.” Jenny grinned. “See you then.” She hung up.
A bubble of excitement pinged in her stomach. Tomorrow was going to be a good day, an unusual one, with a few firsts, but she was looking forward to it.
Jenny awoke late the next morning to the sound of pigeons cooing in the tall tree outside her bedroom window. Before she even opened her eyes, thoughts of the day ahead swirled in her mind. Shopping with Stella was going to be great. Though she had some trepidation about what the night might bring—would Dale and Jackson tell her to keep her mouth shut about what she’d discovered? Was that the reason for the meal? To convince her they weren’t together or confess they were in love but demand her confidence?
She didn’t know, and the more she thought about Dale’s reaction to her mentioning Jackson when they’d kissed, and the way Jackson had ordered her out for dinner, the more confused she became.
Eventually, she pulled herself out of bed, showered and dressed in jeans and a plain white t-shirt. She opted for comfortable shoes then placed her bag over her head so the strap sat securely across her chest, and headed out of the front door.
Sloane Square was, as usual, busy with shoppers and tourists and it took a few minutes before Jenny spotted Stella through the crowd. Her work friend was dressed impeccably in a floral dress with flared skirt and nipped in waist and she wore a matching bow in her hair—though, like Jenny, she’d opted for flat shoes.
Stella saw Jenny and waved. As she moved closer it became apparent she had someone with her. A female with pretty dark hair and dressed like Jenny in jeans and a t-shirt.
“Hey,” Stella said, drawing up close. She gave Jenny a quick kiss on the cheek. “Meet Sian, I mentioned her at work the other day. I just bumped into her; she’s one of my oldest friends.”
“Hey, I’m not that old.” Sian laughed and directed her attention at Jenny. “It’s lovely to meet you though I hope you’re prepared for shopping with a professional. Stella takes clothes as seriously as most of us would take catching Ebola.”
Jenny smiled. Sian’s grin was infectious. “Well that’s good, because heaven knows I need some guidance.”
Stella linked both of their arms. “But first, let’s eat. I’m starved. You haven’t eaten yet have you, Sian?”
“Well no…but…”
“Oh yes, do join us,” Jenny said. Was this the woman who had two men in her life? The one Stella had talked about? If so, Jenny was intrigued as to what had motivated her to allow her husband to sleep with another man, and how did their happily ever after work now? Okay, so she could hardly ask across lunch but she might get some information that could help her situation.
Chapter Eight
Stella steered them toward a small Italian restaurant down a cobbled side street. Inside it was cool and quiet and the lighting dim—which was a relief after the hot journey across London and the bustling crowds.
A waiter offered them a table at a booth set away from other diners, and Jenny slid into it happily, enjoying the aromas lacing her palate—oregano, basil, tomato and garlic.
Sian picked up a menu and sighed. “I’m really hungry. It’s been a busy week. I’ve barely stopped.”
“You’ve a busy household,” Stella said.
“Tell me about it.” She peered at the tasty offerings. “It’s going to have to be the seafood linguine, my favorite.”
“Good call, I’ll have that as well.”
Jenny scanned the dishes listed on the folded card before her, but didn’t really absorb them. “Make t
hat three,” she said. Food wasn’t what she really wanted to talk about.
“Perfect.” Stella grinned then leaned forward, her hands clasped on the table. “So tell all, Jenny. Who is this date with tonight?”
Jenny cleared her throat and looked between the two women. “It’s err…” Hesitating, she tried to find the words. It wasn’t something she’d ever thought she’d say. “It’s actually with two guys, from the gym, the ones I mentioned.”
Stella glanced at Sian whose eyebrows raised a fraction, then they both turned back to Jenny.
“Two guys,” Stella said slowly. “I remember you mentioning a drink, that they were both gay.” Again she glanced at Sian, but only briefly.
Sian kept her attention on Jenny, her expression serious.
“Gay,” Jenny repeated. She glanced around. There was only one thing for it, and that was to find out what these two women thought of it all. She had no one else to turn to, discuss it with, and from what she gathered if anyone was going to understand, give her some advice, it was Stella and Sian.
“Tell us,” Stella encouraged. “We won’t breathe a word of what you say to anyone else.”
“I believe you.” Jenny pulled in a breath. “I kissed him, Dale, the other night.”
There were no sharp intakes of breath, no expressions of surprise.
“What happened, with this kiss?” Sian asked.
“And he seemed to like it.” Jenny blew out a breath. “Hell, more than like it. He hoisted me into the air and pinned me to the wall. I could hardly breathe.” She giggled.
Stella grinned. “Go you.”
“Until…” Jenny said, becoming serious again. “I mentioned Jackson, that’s the other guy, then the whole situation flipped on its head and next thing he was gone.”
“Gone?” Sian sounded shocked.
“Yes, he freaked out and left the building.”
“Why? What did you say?” Stella leaned back as the waiter set down three glasses of iced water. Each had a slice of lemon floating on the surface.
Jenny waited until he was out of earshot. “I said I thought there was something between the two of them.”
“And he took offence to that?” Stella asked. “I can see how some guys would.”
“But you genuinely think these two have something, a spark?” Sian added.
“More than that,” Jenny said. “I think they’re a full on item.”
“What makes you suspect that?” Stella asked.
“They finish each other’s sentences. Whenever one is there, the other is too, they’re always together. And the way they look at each other, when they think no one else is taking any notice…fuck, there’s enough heat in those gazes to start a wild fire.”
“I think you have to trust your instincts on this one,” Sian said. “Why would your imagination be making it up? There’s no reason for it to.”
“I agree. I doubted myself at first, thought I’d messed up majorly until one of them accosted me at the gym.”
“Accosted you?” Stella said with a frown.
“Yes, but in a nice way.” Jenny remembered how he’d surrounded her with his body, gathered her close and trapped her within his embrace. “He said…” She glanced around then leaned forward and lowered her voice. “He said I’d kissed his boyfriend.”
Sian blew out a breath. “Oh yeah, you’ve got yourself a right pair, haven’t you?” She looked at Stella. “What do you think?”
“Well you know more about it than me.” Stella pressed her hand on Sian’s. “If you don’t mind me saying so.”
“Oh right, yes, yours are…” Jenny’s sentence trailed off.
Stella bit on her bottom lip and glanced at Jenny.
“So,” Sian said, obviously choosing to ignore the words that had hovered on Jenny’s tongue. “This date, tonight, it’s with them both?”
“Yes, apparently we need to talk about our unusual situation.”
Both women were quiet for a moment.
Jenny looked between them. She was anxious for their opinions.
“Well I think that sounds like the best plan,” Sian said eventually. “Put all the cards on the table and see where they lie.”
“But where do you think they’ll lie?” Jenny asked. It wasn’t in her nature to be so forthright, so pressing, but never before had she been so confused by something so desperately important to her.
“I think,” Sian said, tapping her fingers on the menu. “That your boys are bi.”
“You do?” Jenny’s eyes widened.
Sian nodded. “Yep, and much as they’re into each other, they’re into you, too.”
“So thank goodness Billy is out of the picture,” Stella said. “Because that means you’re free to enjoy them both.”
“I can’t have both.” Jenny shook her head.
“Why not?” Both women said at the same time then glanced at each other and giggled.
Jenny studied them. Her suspicions weren’t leaps of fantasy, they were real. She knew what was going on. Both Stella and Sian had two guys each. Sian’s were hot for each other as well as her, but Stella’s—Andre and Tristan, CEOs of Wainwright and Bramon—only had eyes for Stella but were happy to share.
“So you think I should date them both?” Jenny asked.
“Yes, absolutely. If they’re up for it.” Sian nodded enthusiastically. “I would.”
“But isn’t that wrong? To have two fellas?”
“Not if it works for everyone,” Stella said, “and believe me, as long as everyone is honest about what they want, it will work, spectacularly.”
“You sound like you’re speaking from experience,” Jenny said with a smile and hoping to learn more from Stella.
“Let’s just say,” Stella said, resting her hand on Jenny’s, “there’s more threesome couples in London than you’d think. And why not? If two in a bed is fun, stands to reason three in a bed is going to be awesome.”
“Are you ready to order, ladies?”
Jenny snapped backward, pulling her hand from beneath Stella’s. The waiter had intruded upon a sudden image of her in bed with both Dale and Jackson. They were all naked, sweaty, hot for each other. Fucking wildly, her body tiny between theirs. She’d be enveloped in thick, hard muscles and panting for breath as orgasm after orgasm ravaged her.
Will that ever happen?
“Do you still want the linguine?” Sian asked.
“Er, yes…please, that would be lovely.” Jenny pulled in a breath and studied the two pretty, in-control women on the other side of the table. She wanted to be like them. Have a handle on her life, her desires and her future.
And if that future meant having both Dale and Jackson, then that was something to look forward to very much.
She could only pray the ‘date evening’ would go the way she hoped.
Several hours later, Jenny examined herself in the full-length mirror in her bedroom.
After lunch, Sian had said goodbye as she’d had errands to run on her one day off from the tattoo studio where she worked. Jenny was sorry Sian wasn’t shopping with her and Stella. There was something fascinating about her, plus she was fun. Jenny hoped she’d see her again sometime.
But shopping with Stella had turned out to be a fabulous experience. She took Jenny into shops Jenny hadn’t even noticed before. They had brightly dressed windows, rows and rows of quirky, individual clothing, and accessories Jenny hadn’t known existed.
Now standing in a body-hugging pale green dress that accentuated the few curves she had, and strappy silver sandals which were surprisingly comfortable, Jenny was pleased with her new look. Stella had insisted on buying Jenny a ‘good luck’ present—a long necklace with a silver feather on the end. The feather sat just below her breasts and the pendent swung a little when she moved. The whole ensemble was a different style, but not so different it didn’t look like her.
She patted her hair which she’d washed and blow-dried to be a little fluffier than usual, then leaned into the
mirror and checked the pretty pink lipstick Stella had recommended. Yes. She’d do. More than do. It was exactly what she’d planned for herself when she’d decided to regain control of her life. Billy would have commented negatively, she was sure, had she worn such a tight dress and glossy lipstick. But it didn’t matter. His opinion wasn’t of concern.
But she did hope Dale and Jackson would approve and they wouldn’t think she’d dressed over the top for dinner. She hadn’t, though, it was perfectly acceptable, just a bit fancier than usual. And as Stella had reminded her, Dale and Jackson had no idea what she wore out for a meal—not that she went out often—so they had nothing to compare it to.
The intercom rang, making her jump. For a moment she stared through to the hallway, then pulled in a breath. They were here. It was time to go. She was ready—ready for whatever they had to say and whatever the night would bring.
With her chin tipped and feeling tall in her heels, she grabbed her purse and headed from the room. “Hello,” she said into the intercom.
“It’s me.” Dale’s voice filled the hallway. “You ready?”
Her chest tightened. “Yes, I’ll be right down.”
“Good.”
He’d sounded a little brisker than usual, his voice sharper.
Quickly, and trying not to let nerves create prickles of dampness in her armpits and cleavage, she locked up and took the elevator.
Stepping out into the sunny evening, she shielded her eyes from the low sun. Dale’s van was nowhere to be seen. She came to a halt beside a shiny black Mercedes.
“Jenny.” From the other side of the Mercedes Jackson appeared, wearing smart black trousers and a fitted black shirt. The sleeves were rolled up a couple of times, showing off his thick forearms and heavy tattoo.
He stepped up to her and his gaze glided down her body. “Wow, you look great.”
“Thank you.” The heat she was trying to avoid swarmed over her skin and she shifted from one foot to the other feeling sure her cheeks were flushing.
“Here, get in.” He pulled open the passenger door. “It’s got air-con.”
“Thanks.” She did as instructed. “Where’s Dale? I heard his voice.”