Stuck in Between (Bound by Your Love)

by Bennett, Blakely

  I shook my head. “Not tonight. I’m too tired. I just want to zone out to the TV and eat my dinner.”

  “We can do that,” Red said, handing me a plate of pizza and a glass of water.

  “Thanks. I think the new Bachelor is starting today.”

  Bond groaned and said, “You don’t really watch that crap, do you?”

  “Do you have another TV upstairs?” I asked Red. “I can watch it myself.”

  “This is the only one. I’ll keep you company,” Red said, sitting on the couch next to me.

  “Damn it,” Bond said, lowering down beside me.

  I placed the water glass on the coffee table and took a bite of the spinach and mushroom pizza. “Yum, that’s good. I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”

  “How was working with Ted?” Bond asked, laying his arm behind me on the couch.

  “Ted seems great although I spent most of my time with Cynthia. I can already tell I’m going to like it there,” I said, glancing at Red.

  “Ted gave you two thumbs up and said he can’t wait for you to go full-time.”

  “I’ll be very happy when I’m only in one place,” I said, taking another bite of pizza.

  “Speaking of moving—” Red started.

  “Can we talk about all of that tomorrow? Cynthia promises to get me out of work earlier.”

  “Tomorrow it is,” Red said.

  I looked over at Bond and he nodded.

  Red flipped on the TV and we watched as car load after car load of women were introduced to the newest bachelor.

  “Why the hell would all these women want to date this one guy?” Bond asked.

  “That’s sort of funny coming from you,” I said, trying not to smirk.

  “That’s completely different,” he said.

  “I’m sure some of them just want to be on TV,” Red said. “You know, their fifteen minutes of fame.”

  “That guy is barely even attract—”

  “Will you guys shut up? I want to hear what they’re saying!”

  We watched in silence for ten minutes.

  “Do you guys want anything?” Red asked as he got up. “I’m grabbing a beer.”

  “Nothing for me, thanks,” I said, over my shoulder.

  “I’m good,” Bond said. He drew me back to him, and I extended my legs out on the couch.

  When Red came back, he gathered my feet into his lap and massaged them.

  “Oh, that feels so good,” I said. “It’s going to make me fall asleep.”

  We had only made it halfway through the Bachelor episode before I started to doze off. Bond insisted on carrying me upstairs.

  I got ready for bed and climbed into the middle.

  “Tonight I want you to sleep with your head on my chest,” Bond said.

  “Can you guys switch sides? I think you’re sleeping on Red’s side anyway.”

  “He is,” Red said. “As long as I can spoon you from behind.”

  I rested my right cheek on Bond’s chest as Red snuggled in behind me. Surrounded by their energy, I sighed deeply. I was apprehensive to have the “discussion” and yet I wanted to have it over with as soon as possible.

  *****

  On my way into work, I dropped Bond off at his apartment to pack up some more of his belongings.

  The day sped by.

  Arriving back at Red’s house, I found the place empty. I took my time to stretch out my body and do a few yoga poses. The warm shower helped to loosen up my tight muscles. I padded down the stairs in my gray flannel bottoms and red tank top and stared into the open refrigerator. Finding the ingredients I would need for a broccoli and cheese quiche, I set out to prepare our dinner. I tossed a salad and set the quiche to bake.

  “That smells good,” Red said, carrying in a large box and placing it next to the stairs.

  “Is Bond with—” I started to ask until I saw him lugging in another box.

  Fuck, I thought. “Are you moving all of your stuff over here?”

  “No, why? You don’t sound happy about—”

  “It’s one of the things I wanted to talk about when we have the talk,” I said, taking a step closer to Bond.

  “You don’t want me to live here?” He stood there with his palms out. Pain and sadness ran across his face.

  I touched Bond’s hand and said, “I was hoping you were going to keep your apartment so you have a place to bring your other women. I don’t think I could stand to watch you parade around here with them on your arm.”

  Bond snatched me up in his arms and twirled me around. “You scared me there for a second.” Lowering me down his body, his lips touched mine before my feet hit the ground.

  “Maybe we should start the conversation now,” Red said, clearing his throat.

  I stepped back from Bond and said, “The quiche has ten more minutes to bake, and then it should rest for a few minutes.”

  “We can talk while we eat if necessary,” Red said, moving over to the couch that faced the back of the house.

  I sat on the coffee table, and Bond found his place across from me.

  “Since it’s already come up, let’s talk about other women,” Red said. He reclined against the couch and crossed his legs.

  I looked over at Bond and he appeared calm as well.

  “Am I the only one that’s nervous?”

  “No, you’re not,” Bond said. “As far as me dating other women, right now I seem to have lost interest.”

  “You haven’t been around any,” I said, pursing my lips. “You’ve been holed up here with us. What about on Thursday when you go to work and are surrounded by a bevy of broads?”

  “I guess we’ll see. I won’t bring them here and plan to keep my apartment ... for now.” Bond sat back and then hunched forward over his knees.

  Red and I waited for him to speak again. Bond seemed as though he had more to say.

  “I would ... you guys will have plenty of time to yourself ... on the nights I work. When do I get time alone with you, Jacqs?” He ran his hand over his hair and stretched his arms across the top of the couch. His posture was one of relaxed confidence but his expression said otherwise.

  “Red and I haven’t discussed this—”

  “Isn’t that what we’re doing now?” Bond asked.

  “Yes, we are,” Red said. “Go on Jacqs.”

  “Maybe Bond and I can have a night to ourselves? Monday or Tuesday?” My pulse escalated and I dipped my head, peering up at Red.

  “That seems fair,” Red said. “I’m not thrilled about it but I’m willing to try it out.”

  “Or both,” Bond said.

  “Let’s start with one,” I said.

  “Tonight then,” Bond said. “I haven’t had any time alone with you since—”

  “I think we all remember the day,” Red said. “It’s what set everything in motion.”

  “Red do you have anything you want to discuss?” I asked, touching his knee. “I have two more on my list.”

  “Go for it,” he said.

  “How do we act in public when the three of us are out? It was a bit awkward last night. I usually hold hands with each of you when we’re walking. Do we act platonic?”

  “I don’t give a shit what other people think,” Bond said. Holding my hand in his, he kissed the top of it. “I’m having a hard time focusing, knowing you’ll be in my bed tonight.”

  I squeezed his hand and put it back in his lap. “Red?”

  “As long as we aren’t at a work function.”

  “Okay and what about with our friends? Are you two going to take turns or what?”

  “That’s an interesting question,” Red said. “Bond?”

  “I say we act like we do when they aren’t here, less the wild threesome sex on the couch.”

  I laughed and said, “Okay.” The oven beeped and I went to take the quiche out. My heart raced with excitement believing that we might actually make things work.

  “Let’s eat quickly,” Bond whispered into my e
ar as I placed the dish on the top of the stove.

  “I’d like a few minutes alone with Red before. I haven’t seen him all day.”

  “I would really like that,” Red said.

  Bond looked from Red to me and said, “That seems fair.”

  “Phew, that was a lot easier than I anticipated. I’m assuming we’ll be totally out about us tomorrow night. I’m thinking of inviting Samantha. Is that cool with you guys?”

  “Sounds good, and I’ll pick up some food on the way home from work,” Red said.

  *****

  “I missed you today,” Red said, once we entered his bedroom. “And damn, I’m going to miss you in my bed tonight.”

  “Me too. I don’t mean to be cruel, but it was your idea.” I shifted from one foot to the other, gazing up at him.

  “Right at this moment, I’m feeling like an idiot.”

  I playfully punched him in the stomach and said, “I’ll be back in your bed tomorrow. Plus, if I get up during the night to pee, I’ll come by and say hi.”

  “You’d better not. I won’t let you leave.” He gathered me up in his arms and hugged me.

  “Kiss me before I have to go,” I said, standing up on my toes, my arms thrown around his neck.

  And he did, hard and full of passion. “I love you, Little One.” He hugged me tight and pushed me on my way. “Get out of here before I change my mind.”

  “I love you too, very much,” I said, closing his door behind me.

  I felt a little shy and overly elated to be spending time alone with Bond. For the first time, I felt real consistent love radiating from him and somehow it scared me too.

  “I was about to come get you,” Bond said as I entered his room. Bond’s smaller space had a queen size bed, brown walls and pale wood furniture.

  “Worried I would change my mind?” I said, sitting down on the edge of the chest of drawers.

  “Yes, I was.”

  I undressed and said, “Does it help to know, I’m a bit ... um ... distressed?”

  “Distressed? How do you mean?” He lifted me to sit on the top of the dresser.

  “You seem different, and I feel myself opening up my heart to you again and it scares me.”

  “Don’t be scared, baby. I love you so much, sometimes it hurts and in the past I’ve pushed away from you, but I’m not now. Let me show you.” He drew me in close, entwining his fingers into my hair. When he kissed me, his soul reaching out to mine, tears fell.

  I gazed at him; his light brown eyes were wet as well.

  “I’m sorry, Jacqs. I know I haven’t been the man you’ve needed. I promise you, I’m working on it.”

  “I see that, and I love you even more for it.” I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulled his cock against me, and touched his silky, long, brown hair. After all the years, his light brown eyes still managed to light me on fire. “I need you, Bond.”

  “You have no idea,” he said, grabbing my ass and grinding into my wetness.

  I adjusted myself so he easily slid inside. “Ahhh,” I groaned. “So good.”

  When we held eye contact, the connection morphed into something new. Instead of feeling the control that he so needed to maintain, his eyes spoke of love and abandon.

  “I love you ... oh god ... Jacqs,” Bond called out and slowed his movement. “Lean back against the mirror.” He adjusted me slightly so he could reach between us, and fingered my distended bud.

  “Hmmmm,” I moaned, licking my lips. I tugged on his nipple rings and saw desire flash in his eyes.

  “So sexy,” he said, timing the rhythm of his strokes with his circles around my clit. “It’s excruciating, it’s so good.”

  “Yesss,” I hissed. “Oh, just like that ... so, so good. Oh lord!” I cried. My pussy began convulsing around Bond’s cock. The climax rocked my body and expanded my heart. I reveled in Bond’s ability to elicit explosive orgasms, and when I opened my eyes, I saw him staring down at me.

  “Thank you,” he whispered.

  “For? Shouldn’t I be thanking you?”

  “Giving me another chance,” he said and then he kissed me hard and fast. He lifted me off the dresser and carried me over to the bed. “Lay down for me.”

  I scooted to the center of the bed and rested on my back.

  He climbed up next to me and ran his long hair over the top of my body, causing goose bumps to cover the surface of my skin.

  “Oh, that feels good,” I moaned.

  He took his time, bathing me with the sensuous flow of his hair over all of me. “I want to try something with you. I promise I won’t hurt you.”

  “Okay,” I said. I swallowed hard, turned on and nervous.

  He opened the drawer on the end table and brought out a black flogger, one I had seen on the rack in his bedroom.

  “I don’t know,” I said, shaking my head.

  “Trust me.”

  Like he did with his hair, he trailed the flogger over my skin, around my breasts and down my stomach. The straps of leather felt exquisite and caused my areolas to tighten around the hard peaks of my nipples. He continued to draw the flogger between my thighs and over my mound.

  Shivering in response, I said, “Oh that feels so good.”

  “Baby, I’m going to try something else now.”

  “Okay,” I said, holding my breath.

  He whipped the flogger against my thighs, across my stomach and over my nipples. I watched his lips part and his cheeks flush. When our eyes connected again, the pupils of his eyes appeared dilated. “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “Yesss,” I breathed.

  “I’m going to start again.” He gifted me with a rare, private smile that exposed all his secrets. “I love you,” he mouthed and resumed the dance of the flogger.

  Breathing out heavily, I grunted, “Ah, ah, ah, ohhh.”

  “Good, right?” he asked.

  The titillating sensation caused me to pant. The controlled strikes thrilled me, escalating my fervor.

  “Turn over, baby.” As soon as I compiled, he treated my backside with the same luscious whipping. He struck my ass harder, and I felt wetness drip down the inside of my thighs. “I knew you would love this,” he said when he stopped. “Come to me.”

  My entire body flamed with desire, raw and pulsing with need. I climbed off the bed.

  Bond embraced me, lifting me off the ground. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he pressed my back to the wall. After adjusting so his cock slid inside, he gripped my waist. His eyes bore into me as he pounded against me, rubbing my clit with each stroke.

  “Oh yes, take me, Bond,” I held onto his shoulders, grinding myself against his penetration. So aroused from the foreplay, I quickly arrived at the edge of a riotous climax. Tiny orgasms fired each time he slammed into me.

  “Oh baby, can you come with me?” he asked.

  “Oh lord, I’m so close, yes Bond, oh god, don’t stop.”

  We rocked together in unison, forming a stronger connection of trust. My heart opened wide, letting Bond, my best friend, back in. The culmination of my release crested over the top and I cried out at the same time Bond deafened us with his roar. Our chests rapidly rose and fell as we clutched onto one another, eyes locked in the thrill of our unification.

  “I love you so much,” he said into my hair, holding me close. He kissed me softly as we both came back down to earth.

  “God that was good,” I mumbled against his mouth.

  He surprised me when he carried me into the hall bathroom and placed me down. In the cup on the vanity, I saw the toothbrush I had used at his apartment. I smiled up to him. We got ready for sleep, side by side, and climbed into his bed.

  “That was incredible, Jacqs. Thank you for trusting me.”

  “I love you,” I said as I lay my head on Bond’s chest and my leg across his waist.

  “I love you too. More than you know, but I plan to show you if you continue to give me the chance.”

  I truly believed him, for th
e first time in a long time. As sleep beckoned me, I thought of Red, wondering if he heard us making love and was lonely all by himself in his big bed. I loved my alone time with Bond and understood that it was necessary to continue building the relationship we were all forging. And I wouldn’t regret it for a second, but in truth, I missed having Red’s presence next to me too.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  So High

  by John Legend

  Red nudged me awake Wednesday morning. I quietly scooted out from the bed and walked across to his room. Before I had a chance to say anything, he swept me up in his arms and hugged me tight.

  “I missed you last night,” he breathed against my neck.

  “Were we too loud? I worried that you could—”

  “I had to take care of him myself,” he said, pointing down between us.

  “I would’ve loved to watch that,” I said with a big grin.

  “That can be arranged,” he said with a wink.

  “What time is it?” I asked, opening the closet to pull out a set of my drab work clothes.

  “Seven thirty. Why don’t you wear one of your cute, colorful dresses to work?”

  I looked over my shoulder and said, “I know what you have on your mind.”

  “We need to make up for last night,” he said, twitching his eyebrows.

  I laughed and said, “Are you joining me in the shower?”

  “No doubt,” he said, lifting me up in his arms.

  I giggled as he carried me into the bathroom.

  *****

  Training continued to go smoothly with Serena and on my way over to Burke & Associates I called Lainie’s store.

  “Bella Boutique, Samantha speaking. How can I help you?”

  “Hi Sam.”

  “Hey Jackie, how’s it going?”

  “Very busy juggling the two jobs—”

  “And the two men,” Samantha added.

  I chuckled. “Yeah, that too. Listen, are you free tonight? I’d love you to come by Red’s. Bond hasn’t been drinking and neither does Stay so I think—”

  “I’d love to,” she squealed.

  “Drag Lainie along with you, okay? Let me speak to her and I’ll see you later.”

  “Hang on.”

  I heard her put the phone down.