by Bianca Vix
Surely she was mistaken.
But the men shifted slightly, and it was enough for her to see something else. Dex’s hands were very clearly gripping Kade’s ass. Jen gaped at the scene before her. What they were doing was unmistakable.
Her jaw fell wide open at what happened next. Kade wrapped his hand insistently around the back of Dex’s head, pulling him in close.
And they kissed.
A full-on, mouths smashed together, urgent kiss.
Dex and Kade.
Jen couldn’t breathe.
Chapter 7
Tossing her phone done on her bed, Jen flopped down next to it. She’d already decided what she was going to wear tonight, but now she gazed at the outfit she’d picked out with a lot less enthusiasm than she had a couple days ago.
It was Saturday evening, and getting close to the time that Jen should be starting to get ready for her date with Dex. And she couldn’t have been any less excited. Twice she’d picked up her phone to cancel, although both times she stopped herself at the last minute.
She just couldn’t decide what to do. She couldn’t get the picture of Dex and Kade out of her mind, and yet she still wanted to see Dex. It was just too confusing.
If Dex was interested in Kade, why wouldn’t he just be with him then? Was he in the closet? Was she just supposed to be some kind of front for him?
But the way he’d kissed her. He couldn’t have been faking it. Every single one of his kisses had been way too scorching for that. There was no way they could have been just for show.
If they were, he was one hell of an actor and he should change professions right now.
No. She was right. There was something behind them. It wasn’t just for show. Not that they were showing off for anyone anyway. They’d walked out onto the street and kissed on the sidewalk. The chances of anyone they knew happening to be there were next to nothing.
Plus, there was definitely no-one around to impress the first time. The two of them were in his car and totally alone. If Dex wasn’t interested in her, he wouldn’t have kissed her in private. And certainly not like that. Their first kiss was so hot, it took her breath away.
So going by that, Jen should show up for their date tonight.
And yet.
She couldn’t forget that image of Kade and Dex. She hated to admit it, but in spite of herself, Jen was kind of upset with Kade. Had he even gone out of town? Was that a lie too? But whether he had or not, he was obviously here now, and definitely not getting in touch with her.
But there was another reason she couldn’t get her mind off that moment between the two men. The sight of them didn’t just confuse and upset her. She wouldn’t admit it to anyone else, but seeing them together had been quite a turn-on.
Jen just couldn’t stop thinking about the two men together. It had been something she’d never even seen before.
And it was sexy as all hell. She’d been rooted to the spot when she’d caught them together, and it hadn’t been just because of the shock.
They were damn hot together. Two gorgeous men, their lips smashed together, hands running all over each other’s bodies. So incredibly sexy, Jen couldn’t even believe it. Just the thought of it was making her throb. What would have happened if she’d stayed around? She been thinking about all the possibilities pretty much ever since the moment she’d snuck out, unnoticed by either man.
God, they were hot. But what did it mean about Dex? Kade wasn’t interested in her, that much was crystal clear. But Dex. He’d kissed her like he truly meant it. And it’s not like he’d canceled their date tonight, so he must still want to see her. Even if Kade had just showed up and their kiss had just…happened. Dex seemed to still be planning on taking her out to dinner tonight.
Automatically Jen checked her phone. Speak of the devil, or rather think of him. There was a text from Dex.
Can we make it 8 instead of 7:30 tonight?
Now was her chance. She could back out easily, right now.
Jen stared at the screen. She should cancel. Why should she go out with a man who’s interested in someone else? And another man at that. Whatever it meant or not, he sure seemed into Kade. From what Jen saw in the shadows, Dex had appeared to be kissing Kade with as much enthusiasm and interest as he had ever kissed Jen.
Damn it.
Jen sighed. This was just too confusing. She started typing out her reply, not even hesitating before she hit Send.
8 is fine. See you then.
Jen squeezed her eyes shut. What was she doing? Letting her curiosity get the better of her. Because if nothing else, she could at least ask Dex what was going on. Get an explanation for what she’d seen, or at least see what Dex’s reaction was when she brought it up.
And there was always a chance that there was something she’d missed. Or maybe she hadn’t really seen what she’d thought. And that would mean there could still be something between her and Dex. She couldn’t give up on him so easily. Other than this…thing, and it was a big deal, even she couldn’t deny it, everything else about Dex was amazing. Jen couldn’t let that go without at least finding out what was really going on and clearing everything up.
Pushing herself up and off the bed, Jen went right to her closet, mind turning. Her original plan had been to go for a moderately sexy outfit for tonight.
Now she was determined to pull out all the stops. If she was looking her best, and Dex didn’t respond to that, well then she had her answer.
Jen found the sexiest dress she owned and took it out. After laying it out carefully on her bed, she stretched to reach the back of her closet and dug out her highest pair of stilettos.
She’d only worn them once, and they nearly killed her. Now, she needed them. Dex’s first reaction when he saw her should reveal if he was at all attracted to her.
If Dex could resist her in this outfit, that was that. Even if he didn’t come clean about Kade, that would tell her everything she needed to know.
Chapter 8
The moment Dex opened the car door for her, Jen was happy. It was just like every other time she been with him. She felt so comfortable and yet at the same time, she wanted to shiver from the sparks that were flying over her skin.
She wanted him so much. Things had to work between them. They just had to.
Maybe she could ignore what she’d seen with him and Kade. Let him bring it up sometime in the future. What harm would it do to see where this went first?
But no. There was no sense wasting her time if there was no chance with Dex. Distracted by thoughts of what she knew she had to talk to him about, Jen made an big effort to keep the conversation going with him on the short ride to the restaurant he’d chosen.
Once they were seated, Dex caught Jen’s gaze. “You seem a little quiet tonight. Is everything alright?”
Jen forced a smile, about to answer when the waiter came over with a bottle of wine.
When they were alone again, Dex lifted his glass, touching it to hers. “Cheers.”
“To what?”
“Us getting together outside of the office. You’re a real distraction for me there. But you didn’t answer my question. Is there something on your mind?”
The office. Where she’d caught him with his friend. Focus, Jen. You have to do this.
Now was the time to say something, but she no longer wanted to. He was such a gorgeous guy. What did it matter if he was dating someone else? It’s not like he was her boyfriend.
Was he Kade’s?
Jen stifled a sigh. She knew what she had to do. “You know, there is. There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you about.”
When she hesitated, he gave her that smile of his that she couldn’t resist. “You can ask me anything you want to.”
Jen took a deep breath. “The other night, after we went out for drinks.” Pausing, she took a long sip of her wine before she pushed ahead. “I went back up to the office. It had started to rain and I wanted to get my umbrella and my jacket.”
&nb
sp; She looked him over, checking for some sort of a sign that he might have figured out what she was about to say. Dex’s expression stayed unchanged as he sat waiting for her to continue.
Awkward. So, so awkward. How was she supposed to say it? Hey, I saw you kissing another man?
“When I was leaving, I walked by your office to say hi to you. When I saw you there, you weren’t alone.”
It was almost imperceptible, but Jen was certain she saw Dex’s jaw tighten.
“Is that right?” His voice was neutral, but she could tell he knew what was coming.
“Yes, I saw you with…someone. And the two of you were kissing.”
Leaning back in his chair, Dex gazed into Jen’s eyes. He didn’t seem upset. Actually, he seemed pretty damn relaxed, considering what she’d just said to him. How could he be? She just told him she caught him kissing someone else, and another man at that.
And as relaxed as Dex appeared to be, Jen was feeling just the opposite. Her stomach tightened. Did he really not care at all that she’d caught him with Kade? And so did that mean that her worst fears were right, and that Dex and Kade were together?
This wasn’t how this was supposed to go. She wanted him to reassure her, to explain it away somehow, to tell her it was a mistake and he only wanted her.
Instead, he was sitting back and looking like he didn’t care at all that he was caught.
Hand shaking as she lifted her glass to her lips, Jen waited for Dex to say something.
At this point, anything would do.
“Well, Jen. I didn’t mean for you to find out like that.” Dex paused, swirling his wine around in his glass. She wanted to scream with impatience.
“Find out what?” Why wasn’t he telling her she was mistaken by now? “What’s going on?”
“Jen, I actually wanted to talk to you tonight. Like I said, I didn’t mean for you to find out that way. But there is something I was planning on telling you over dinner tonight.”
Jen tried to exhale. Was she even breathing at all? Her whole body was tense. This was it. He was going to tell her he was gay, and that he needed her to be his date for a family wedding or something.
Damn it.
Finally Dex continued. “Kade and I are involved. We’re seeing each other.”
“Since when?” Jen managed. Did she sound strangled? She felt like she was choking. “And why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“We’ve been together about a year or so.”
He was just so calm about it. Just like they were talking about the weather or something. Was he really sitting there and telling her that he was involved with another man, while he was supposed to be on a date with her?
Not to mention, a man that she’d recently had sex with herself?
Oh, god. On top of everything else, had she unknowingly become the other woman? Kade had certainly never mentioned he was involved with anyone, let alone his good friend Dex.
But now it seemed that Kade had cheated on Dex with her.
“A year?” Jen’s voice was faint.
“Yeah, about that long.” Dex was still being so casual about the whole thing. She didn’t want to tell him, but she had to. It was the right thing to do.
Jen cleared her throat. “Dex, there’s something you should know. And I hate to be the one to tell you this. But I didn’t know you were…with Kade before now. And recently, he and I got together. We kind of hooked up.”
“I know. He told me.”
“He told you?” Jen’s head was spinning. What the hell was going on here? “What, did he send an email around to the entire office? Does everyone know?” How could Kade do something like that?
Dex shook his head, taking hold of her hand. Jen’s instinct was to pull away, but something stopped her.
“It’s not like that. He didn’t spread it around. He only told me.”
“Why? Why would he do something like that?” This was too crazy, even for her. Freeing her hand from Dex’s, Jen gathered up her purse.
“Jen, hold on. Don’t go. Let me explain.”
Jen stopped before she pushed her chair away from the table. She’d come to hear what he had to say, and so she would.
Then she’d go off and drown her sorrows.
“Like I said, Kade and I are together, and we have been for awhile now.”
“Then why did you ask me out?” Jen broke in. “And since Kade seems to tell you everything, why did he want to have sex with me?”
“I’m not gay, and neither is Kade, if that’s what you’re wondering. We both like women. A lot. And when Kade first met you, he was captivated. He couldn’t stop talking about you. And he told me he thought you might be the one.”
“The one? The one what? You’re involved with each other, you shouldn’t be still out looking for The One. That makes no sense at all. You should be each other’s One.” Although to be fair, Jen wasn’t sure if she was making sense herself at this point.
“We are. But we want more. Both of us want a woman to join us. We want to be in a threesome. Kade thinks you’re the right one. And I can see what he means.”
A threesome. What the hell was he talking about? She needed another drink. Helpfully, Dex refilled her glass for her.
Dex’s dark eyes glittered. “I asked you out because I’m interested in you. So’s Kade. We want you to be with both of us.”
“I doubt that.” Jen swallowed nearly half of her wine without pausing. “Kade asked me out, and nothing happened. He never got in touch with me after he left town, or when he came back. Did he even actually go away?”
“Yes. He got back that night that you saw us in my office. He was a day earlier than he expected to be, so he surprised me there. And yes, in case you’re wondering. I really did have a client call to make that night.”
“But why didn’t you tell me sooner that you’re a couple? Either one of you?”
“It’s not exactly the best kind of thing to bring up on a first date, don’t you think? Tends to scare women away.”
“I can see that.” Jen glanced around her. Everything in the restaurant looked normal. She must have been the only one there who just had her world turned upside down.
“I am sorry you saw us like that, without knowing what was going on. And I don’t know why Kade didn’t get in touch with you while he was gone. I know he meant to. But if you can forgive him for that, what do you think?”
“About what?”
“About seeing both of us at the same time.”
Chapter 9
Jen couldn’t answer Dex. As much as she wanted to tell him yes.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Dating two extremely hot guys at the same time? It was a no-brainer.
Except when they were both involved with each other. Why did there always have to be a catch with the men she was interested in?
The waiter set their plates down in front of them. Stalling for time, Jen took a bite of her salad.
“I don’t like secrets.” It was the truth. Something about this whole situation reminded Jen of her ex. Dex was waiting for her to continue, and as much as she didn’t want to get into it, Jen wanted him to know her reasons.
“TW isn’t the very first job I got after college. I started out in a much smaller office. It was a company I thought I could grow with, and I was happy there. But I made the mistake of getting involved with one of my coworkers there. It didn’t end well.”
Understatement of the year. But Dex didn’t need to know all the messy details. “So I left. And now I know better than to get into another work romance. Especially one that seems…complicated.” TeraxWest was the first place to make her an offer once she started the job hunt again. She’d jumped at it, and fortunately it was a great place to work. There was no way Jen wanted to endanger her future there. Not now, not ever.
“That’s reasonable. But then, why did you agree to go out with me at all?” Dex’s eyes glittered with what seemed like amusement. He was always so serious at work. Now he was almost too
relaxed about this whole thing. Didn’t he get that this whole situation was throwing her right off?
Jen was upset enough to be honest. “Because I liked you. And since we don’t work together directly, I thought it would be okay.” Jen sighed, pausing to take another bite of roasted potato. The food here was excellent. Dex’s taste in restaurants was just as exquisite as his taste in clothes. “It just seems like I’m getting mixed messages from both of you. Kade acted interested in me for awhile, but not any more. And you. You ask me out, and then I find that you’re with Kade. I just don’t get it. Why not just be with him?”
Setting his fork down, Dex leaned forward, going from zero to intense in about two seconds. “Jen.” God, he was sexy. She couldn’t deny that. Was she crazy to turn down his offer? “I want to be very clear about this. Kade and I aren’t gay. Never have been. We’re bi. Both of us like women and men. That’s all there is to it. You know, at first we were going to be exclusive with just each other. But that didn’t work out for us. We both like women too much.”
Dex paused to take a drink. “And so we decided that we’d try to find someone that we both wanted, who would also accept us for who we are. It’s a long shot, I know. We’ve tried to find the right woman before and every single time, it just ended up being a short-lived, purely sexual fling. Not that it wasn’t fun. But Kade and I are looking for more. We want a woman in our lives. One woman, who’s as into us as we are into her.”
Jen twisted her napkin between her fingers. “Then you’ll have to find someone else. Kade flaked out on me. You can’t make him like me, you know.” It hurt more than she’d expected to say that out loud. But it was true.
“Kade is very into you. And I have no idea why he wasn’t in contact you while he was away. You know what? We can find out why tonight. We can drop in on him after dinner. See what’s up. Because I know he wants you. As much as I do.”