The Experiment

by HelenKay Dimon, Foreword by James Patterson

  That time brought a strange dance and series of half hugs. The whole not-talking-about-the-obvious-issue gave her a headache. She vowed to put an end to the misery tonight.

  Attraction snapped between them but questions still lingered. She wanted answers…and a night that didn’t include staring at the ceiling wondering what it would be like to take the next step.

  On the fourth night, she waited until Dave and Jasper loaded the dishwasher. When they started the nightly ritual of stalling as they walked Dave to the door, she sat down on the couch and glanced up at them. No more dodging.

  “I’m just going to say it.” She debated softening the delivery but decided they’d passed that point. They were talking about having sex, starting a relationship together—all three of them—so being delicate struck her as silly. “When there are three people, one is frequently left out. I don’t want that to be me.”

  Jasper snorted as he sat down next to her and slipped his arm along the back of the couch. “Me, either.”

  “Oh, please. You’re both fine. We all know it’s going to be me.” Dave stood in front of them, still in his dress pants and shirt since he came straight from the office. He’d abandoned the jacket but looked as if he could go right back to work if needed. “I’m the extra. The fling.”

  The laughter bubbled out of Annie before she could stop it. “Fling?”

  “I’m serious.” Dave balanced on the arm of the chair across from them. “All reports are that you two are doing great together and have sex all the time and—”

  “I let him sleep now and then.” Annie tried to interject some humor. They needed to have this conversation without the constant whip of tension.

  Dave sighed at her but looked more amused at her interruption than upset. “My point is you guys enjoy sex, right?”

  She didn’t see any reason to lie. “Definitely.”

  “Right.” Dave hesitated for a second before continuing, as if weighing his words. “I don’t want to be the ‘thing’ you try, like some sort of human sex toy.”

  Silence shot through the room. It only lasted a second but it was tough to miss.

  Jasper whistled. “Wow.”

  After a few beats of quiet, Dave shook his head. “You’re both assholes. You know what I’m talking about.”

  Annie knew a very real concern lurked under their conversation—panic. She recognized the sensation and had tried to ignore the waves of it that crashed over her during the last few weeks, so she took pity on Dave.

  Enough talk. Not touching, and just pretending they weren’t debating climbing into bed and into their lives together, made her twitchy. Since the men weren’t moving this forward, she did.

  “Let’s try this.” She got up and went over to Dave. Stood close enough to see his chest lift with each breath. She motioned to him to move. “Stand up.”

  He frowned at her. “Why?”

  She almost rolled her eyes. These men made having sex way more complicated than it needed to be. “Don’t be scared.”

  Dave held up a finger as he rose. “For the record, I’m wary.”

  “Typical lawyer. Always arguing.” She was done with that, too. “Kiss me.”

  As she drew closer, his eyes widened. He tried to step away but rammed the back of his legs into the chair and swore under his breath.

  “Are you sure?” The shock vibrated in Dave’s voice as he looked from her to Jasper. “Are you?”

  But Jasper was Jasper, and he never lost his cool. He didn’t even fidget on the couch. “Do you want to?”

  “Hell, yes.”

  Jasper laughed at Dave’s quick response. “Then listen to the woman.”

  “Fine.” Dave skipped the silence and hesitation this time. His hands went to her waist and his head dipped.

  She expected a quick kiss, sweet and simple. A peck. But that didn’t happen. His mouth covered hers and the air rushed out of her lungs. The kiss blinded her, whipped her around and left her panting.

  When he lifted his head again her lips still tingled. She touched her fingertip to them and tasted him there.

  “Well?” Jasper asked.

  The corner of Dave’s mouth lifted as his hands dropped from her waist. “It didn’t suck.”

  “Now who’s the asshole?” Annie fought not to laugh at the amusement in their voices as she looked at Jasper. “Come here.”

  Dave tried to move around the chair and out of the way. She grabbed him to keep him in place. “What’s happening?” he asked.

  He could not be this clueless. Annie started to wonder if she was going to have to do everything to get this relationship started.

  “A test. We can’t pretend you two don’t have feelings for each other.” She didn’t want to. Worries and insecurities still pummeled her, but the idea of seeing them together had become her nightly fantasy.

  Jasper stepped around the coffee table and stood at Dave’s side. With an easy familiarity that came with knowing each other for years, Jasper reached out and put his hand on the back of Dave’s neck. They moved in unison and their mouths met.

  Lips crossed over lips. Strong muscles slid over each other as they pulled their bodies close together. When Dave licked his tongue over Jasper’s lower lip, Annie could not look away. She didn’t want to. If anything, she wanted more.

  “Well that still works,” Dave said as he pulled back.

  Jasper lifted his head and stared at Dave. Then he looked at her. “You okay?”

  The jealousy she expected never came. A very different sensation moved through. Something warm and searching.

  She put a hand on each of their chests. Let her fingers trail over firm muscles to lean stomachs. They were fit and hard. Jasper was a bit bulkier, but both had her wanting to explore.

  Jasper exhaled as his hand covered hers. “We need to stop here.”

  “You two are killing me. Please be kidding.”

  His hand cupped her cheek for just a second before he backed away. Not far, but enough to put a bit of air between their bodies. “Once we take this step, once we have sex, we can’t go back. Whatever anger and resentment and confusion we have is going to be magnified.”

  “He’s saying we need to talk this out more.” Dave sounded as grumbly as she felt.

  She groaned. “I hate when he’s sensible.”

  Dave nodded. “Very annoying.”

  “You two clearly get along fine,” Jasper said as he moved back to the couch, but stayed standing.

  “Because we both love you.” She said it because she knew it was true.

  She knew that Dave didn’t come to town planning to wreck their relationship. He loved Jasper and was attracted to her, and if his frown was any indication, he was as confused and revved up and wary as they were to jump in further.

  “I don’t want to mess up what we have.” The intensity in Jasper’s eyes spoke to how genuine his words were. Then he looked at Dave. “And I don’t want to lose you again. But I don’t know if we can have everything.”

  “How will we know without trying?” That was the question that pulled at her, nagged her, and didn’t let her sleep.

  Dave pivoted around the chair and scooped his suit jacket off the table where he threw it when he came in. “We’re smart people. We’ll know.”

  He sounded so sure. Annie couldn’t help but love that. “He’s adorable.”

  Jasper came up behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist. “And he’s really sexy in that tie.”

  “Okay, that’s enough.” Dave slipped his jacket back on. “I’m leaving before I strip you both naked.”

  Anxiety rushed over her. She felt the icy fingers of panic in her stomach at the thought of him going home alone. Again. “You don’t have to go.”

  But Dave’s smile reassured her. He walked over to them with a confidence that soothed her unease.

  “I do because if I don’t, I’ll be all over you.” Dave leaned in and kissed Jasper. This one was quick and sure. “And you.” Dave kissed her then,
sweet and lingering. The type of kiss that had her wanting to beg him to stay.

  “You’re irresistible.” She meant it.

  He grabbed the keys out of his pocket. “Good. My plan is working.”

  “What plan?” Jasper asked.

  “The one where you two figure out you can’t live without me.”

  Chapter 23

  The next morning at work, Annie was still a ball of confusion. One second, she wanted to call Dave and Jasper, and order them home and make them peel the clothes off each other. The second after, she wanted to call it all off and retreat into the safe relationship she and Jasper had before Dave arrived in town.

  She hated all her doubts. But with both men in her life, the muddled feelings might always be there.

  She needed to make some calls and check the new listings, but instead she sat in the break room, cradling her coffee mug and letting its warmth seep into her skin.

  “You came in late today.”

  Annie hadn’t even heard Manda slip into the room. “I do that sometimes.”

  Manda snorted. “No, you don’t.”

  “Okay, let’s cut through this.” Annie needed to say the facts of her personal life out loud to make sure they all made sense in her head. Annie focused on getting the preliminaries out of the way. “I love Jasper. Dave still loves Jasper. They both know I’m attracted to Dave. We’re actually all attracted to each other. And…yeah, that’s it.”

  Manda’s snort was even louder that time. “That is not it. I want details.”

  Sharing with Manda had never been an issue, and it wasn’t now, but the idea of spilling every private moment had Annie feeling squirmy. “It’s new and strange and…”

  “You all had sex.”

  “Not yet.” But not for a lack of trying. She never expected the men to be the hold-up. She was ready and convinced they needed to make sure they were compatible in the bedroom. But Jasper pulled back and Dave ran off to the hotel. Short of yelling at them, she was running out of ways to get them to take the next step.

  Manda nodded. “Good.”

  “Wait, I thought you were the threesome cheerleader.”

  “That’s not a thing.”

  Annie tightened her grip on the mug. “Could have fooled me.”

  “As someone who has walked down this path and didn’t love it because I wasn’t able to get over the jealousy, let me offer some advice.”

  “But you’ve been saying I should—”

  “Listen.” Manda reached her arm across the table and put her hand on Annie’s. “Know the rules.”

  “What?”

  “All relationships have rules. Some people marry for money and the dependent spouse’s role is to always be pretty and ready for sex. The provider’s role—often the man—is to make the money and guarantee the prestige. That happens a lot in this town, and I’m all for it if both parties agree to the terms going in.” Manda squeezed Annie’s hand. “You need to be clear, too.”

  “We were going to try and see what happened.”

  Manda was already shaking her head. “Wrong answer. You have to want this going in. Like, really want it. You also need to know that despite your best intentions and care, it could go sideways. The key is communication. Deal with the fear. Don’t pretend it doesn’t exist.”

  Annie could almost see the ache in her friend’s eyes. “Why do I feel like I have to offer my condolences for your expertise in this?”

  Her smile was even sadder than her low tone. “Don’t. I love you and want you to learn from my mistakes. If you figure out how to conquer what you fear, this could be the best thing that ever happened to you.”

  Chapter 24

  Five nights of dinner and talking and now they’d added some kissing. Jasper wasn’t sure what to think about the slow pace. He knew both Dave and Annie had concerns. They each silently saw the other as a competitor of sorts. If they couldn’t work through that, sex or anything else wasn’t going happen. And Jasper wanted everything to happen.

  He had started off as a reluctant party to this idea. He’d been bound up in his anger over not being told the truth the moment Dave returned to town. Not anymore. Spending time with Dave taught Jasper what he already knew—he’d never stopped loving the guy.

  That didn’t lessen his feelings for Annie. Jasper still viewed her as his great love. He was just pretty sure he had two of those. And right now they sat on the couch, inches apart, debating their Top Ten action movie lists.

  Jasper had other plans for the evening.

  “I’m going to bed.” He figured that should get this party started.

  Annie glanced at the clock. “It’s only nine.”

  “Right.” Dave stood up. “I can head out.”

  These two were determined to make this moment difficult. Lucky for all of them, Jasper was not easily dissuaded.

  “Maybe I’m not being clear.” Jasper started unbuttoning his shirt and felt two sets of eyes zoom in on his hands. “I’m not going to sleep and I’m hoping not to be alone.”

  Dave visibly swallowed. “You’re saying—”

  “My patience has expired.”

  He shrugged out of his shirt, letting it drop to the floor. Annie stared at him as she slipped her legs out from under her and sat up straight on the cushion.

  At least he had their attention now. Not wanting to waste it, he reached for his belt. The clanking of metal against metal filled the room as he opened it and undid the top button of his black jeans.

  They still didn’t move, so he pushed. “Well?”

  “You get that this is a turning point, right?” Dave asked.

  “I get that we’re being careful, but the truth is, we all want this.” Jasper brushed a hand down his bare chest as he spoke. He saw Annie smile.

  He didn’t wait around. Instead, he went into the bedroom. He listened for footsteps and sighed in relief when he heard the steady thumps behind him.

  Flicking on the light, he eyed the mattress. Since he wanted Annie sprawled out on it, he settled for sitting on the edge of the bed. The top of his pants lay open and his dick was already hard, but he remained calm and didn’t let the tightening inside him show.

  When Annie walked through the doorway with Dave right behind her, Jasper gripped the edge of the mattress. He was okay with luring them in here, but they needed to want to stay.

  Annie made the first move. She turned around and pressed a light kiss on Dave’s shocked mouth. As he reached for her, she spun around and headed for Jasper. Stalked, really. Made it absolutely clear she was on a mission.

  It was about time.

  Jasper leaned back a little and forced his grip to ease. The muscles in his arms unclenched, but the rest of him stayed keyed up and ready to go.

  “You aren’t being very subtle,” she said as she stopped right in front of him with their legs touching.

  “Good.” It was the only word he could get out because Dave had started unbuttoning his shirt.

  “Then let me join you.” Slowly, she dropped to her knees in front of him. Slipped right between his opened thighs and put her hands on the mattress on either side of his hips.

  She leaned in and kissed him. She let her mouth linger over his as her hand moved over him, cupping him through his jeans.

  Her mouth was hot and her fingers searching. Jasper felt his temperature spike. His cock pressed against his briefs, begging to be set free.

  He was about to order her to take his pants off when Dave stepped up behind her. His fingers slipped through her hair, then to her neck. The sensual touch vibrated through Jasper. It was as if he could feel Dave’s hands roam over her.

  She tipped her head back, silently asking for a kiss. Dave took the hint. He leaned down and fit his mouth over hers, licking her lips and meeting her tongue with his. The kiss continued, hot and pulsing with need, as Dave slid his hand around to her chest and down into the open neckline of her blouse.

  Jasper could see Dave massage her breasts. The back of his hand mov
ed against the material as a soft moan rumbled out of her.

  Watching them, seeing her abandon control, made Jasper need more. He reached out and his hand covered Dave’s through the material. He guided Dave’s touch, sliding his hand lower.

  “Get on the bed.” Jasper could barely get the order out. His voice trembled, matching the small shake moving through him.

  Without another word, Annie stood up and stripped off her unbuttoned shirt. She let the silky material brush over her skin in slow motion, tormenting them, before dropping it to the floor. Next came the skirt. She reached around and unfastened the button and wiggled until it fell in a whoosh to the floor.

  That left her in a sexy light-blue matching underwear set that Jasper wanted to rip off her. From Dave’s gaze, Jasper guessed he was a fan, too. Good that they could share that, because tonight they would share her.

  Over the next few hours, they’d make her hot and excited until her body gleamed with sweat and her back arched off the mattress.

  She crawled across the bed on her hands and knees, showing off that impressive ass as she moved. Then she turned and dropped onto the pillows, her arms at her sides.

  It was all the invitation Jasper needed. He turned and moved up the mattress, sprawling out beside her. He glanced over at Dave and the erection tenting his pants. His chest was bare, with its light sprinkle of hair, and Jasper wasn’t sure when Dave had stripped down that far, but he wasn’t complaining.

  He put a hand on her stomach but kept his gaze on Dave. “Get on the bed.”

  Dave unbuckled his belt as he walked around to the opposite side of the bed. He took off his pants, stopping only when Annie brushed her palm over his outer thigh in what looked like encouragement.

  Perfect. “We’re both going to have you. We’ll take turns.” Jasper wanted that to be perfectly clear. There would be no spectators in this sport.

  She nodded. “Touch each other.”

  Jasper looked Dave up and down. “Definitely.”

  Without any other direction, Dave took off his boxer briefs, exposing his cock. As he stroked it, it was exactly as Jasper remembered. Long and thick. Perfect for sucking.