by Lexi Blake
Reid’s mouth formed a hard line. “Lie to yourself, but I know the truth. Love is hard. It’s not some cotton candy fantasy where everything falls into place and no one makes a mistake. We all fuck up. Did you love Gideon?”
“Yes.” She’d loved him, still fucking loved him despite her better judgment. But he wasn’t the only one she loved.
“Then you should have fought. I’m not saying you should have fallen to his feet and begged him to love you. But you didn’t even fight to save the friendship you say was so important to you. You didn’t try to figure out why a man who always treated you with love and affection would say something designed to hurt you. You dropped him and, as far as I can tell, you didn’t look back. Do you want to know what he was doing the morning you left? Gideon showed up with a huge bouquet of lilies the day you quit. He wore his best suit, with a tie and everything. When I gave him your note, he walked into his office. I didn’t see him for the rest of the day. He canceled everything and sat there staring at those flipping flowers.”
“He felt bad because we were friends,” Jessica said woodenly. But now she was thinking. Had she been wrong to leave? What had been going through her head? She’d gone into full-on protection mode. She’d pulled a shell over herself. Had it been fair—to Gideon—to herself?
Reid looked vaguely disappointed in her. “He felt bad because he realized how good it could have been. He went into a six-month funk because he knew he’d lost you. He didn’t love Anna, Jessica. He loves you. If you can’t forgive him, you need to tell him and let him go.”
“That’s not fair,” she said, scrambling up. “Why do I get some timeline?”
“Because I’m damn tired of waiting for the two of you to get your shit together,” Reid spat out. He took a deep breath. “Sorry. I’m a bit stressed. I shouldn’t have even opened this line of discussion. Gideon’s going to be upset with me. He has the right to tell you his secrets. Look, how about we shelve this discussion until tomorrow night. Gideon and I would like to take you to dinner. I scheduled something private. The three of us can talk, and we’ll get everything out in the open. You can’t make a decision until you know the whole truth. Can you do that?”
He was staring at her intently, as though he could imprint his will on her. She nodded. She wasn’t sure what they wanted her to understand, but she was willing to listen. “I’ll go to dinner with you and Gideon. But I don’t understand why I can’t go tonight.”
Reid got up and straightened his clothes. “It’s a couples only night.”
“Orgy night then.” Maybe it was for the best. She had a lot to think about. “Fine. I’m probably not ready for an orgy anyway.”
He muttered something under his breath that sounded like “never,” but he was all polished elegance when he leaned over to kiss her forehead. “Good night. I’ll come back later and tuck you in.”
Forty minutes later, she stood in front of the window and watched the snow. It made pretty patterns on the glass. She thought about everything Reid had said. She thought about the way Gideon had patiently tried to teach her how to ski earlier in the day. She was never going to get past the bunny slopes. Still, it had been a wonderful afternoon. Gideon and Reid had been beside her every minute. When she fell, one of them was there to catch her. It made her feel so safe.
What did they want to talk to her about? More than likely, they wanted her to come back to work. She knew from Reid that they’d only used temps to fill in, and sporadically at that. Reid had to do a lot of the day-to-day stuff himself, and it had to be driving him crazy. He was happier poring over contracts and arguing points of the law. Gideon was a complete loss when it came to organization. He had a brilliant legal mind, but he could barely find his desk in the morning.
Could she work with Gideon again? After Reid’s speech, she thought she could. She’d missed him terribly. What if they could start over again?
There was a knock on her door. She turned from the winter wonderland outside and walked across the suite. She opened the door, expecting to see Reid there.
“Hi.” Master Erik stood in the doorway. He looked scrumptious in dark jeans and a black open throated dress shirt. He had a bottle of wine and two glasses in his hand. His brown eyes took in her pajama bottoms, tank top, and cardigan. She was painfully aware of the fuzzy slippers on her feet.
“Hi. I’m sorry. I’m not dressed.”
“You look beautiful, Jessica. I noticed your keepers are occupied with the festivities this evening. I thought we could spend some time together.” He held his hands up. “No touching, sweetheart, not if you don’t want to. Everything is up to you at this point. I only want to talk to you. We can go into the lobby if you prefer.”
She smiled. This seemed like as good a time as any to experiment. “No, please come in. I’d like to talk.”
Jessica watched as he walked into her suite and knew it was time to find out if she could care about anyone but the two men she could never have.
* * * *
“You know it’s going to be hard to be in a relationship with Jessica if you intend to keep her out of the D/s scene.” Reid looked over the large conference hall. It had undergone a miraculous transformation. This afternoon it had been an elegant room; now it was a decadent dungeon. He’d made sure everything was perfect. All around him, scenes were being performed. He would love to walk Jessica through. She would get hot and bothered watching the play. When she couldn’t stand it anymore, he would flip up her skirt and give her the fucking she needed. It had been so hard to walk out of her room. He’d been patient, but it was wearing thin. Tomorrow night couldn’t come quickly enough.
Tomorrow night would make them or break them. She would understand or she would walk away.
Gideon slipped his arm around his waist, leaning in so he could be heard over the throbbing dance beat. “When she safely has a collar on, I’ll be more than proud to take her into any dungeon you like. Until then, it’s not safe. I don’t like her being here at all. That architect is too interested in her.”
Reid bit back a laugh. His partner was entirely too jealous. It was something he’d gotten used to over the years. Gideon was intensely possessive. Erik, the architect, should be glad Gideon was on his best behavior or he’d find himself on his ass for even looking at their girl. “It’s not a bad thing. She thinks no one wants her.”
Gideon threw his hands up in apparent frustration. “I’ve made it plain I want her. We intend to tell her we want a threesome with her tomorrow. We’re going to have our whole lives to show her how gorgeous she is. I’m not letting a bunch of would-be Doms paw her so she feels better about herself. You can’t expect me to do that.”
“I’m simply telling you how she feels.”
“I don’t get it.” A frown marred Gideon’s masculine face. “Does she not look in the mirror? I get an erection every time she walks in the room. What else do I have to do?”
Reid rolled his eyes. “You do not understand women at all, do you? It’s all right. She doesn’t have a clue when it comes to men. Luckily, you both have me.”
Gideon’s smile was wide. “Yes, you’re the expert.”
“Well, I’m certainly the expert on you and Jessica. I admit that despite all evidence to the contrary, I haven’t had a ton of lovers.”
Gideon snorted. “You’ve had me. You’ve had me and a handful of girls we’ve shared over the years.”
Reid cuddled closer. He remembered the night they lost their virginity to each other. It had been messy and slightly painful, and they’d come a long way since then. His heart was filled with love for his man. “Like I said, I’ve chosen quality over quantity, but I know the two of you. We need to make her comfortable. If she believes we love her, she’ll come to us. She won’t let social pressures stop her. She’s full throttle. If she loves us, she won’t ever stop.”
Gideon nodded. His hand found Reid’s hair and stroked him. “She’s like someone else I know. I love you, Reid. I’ve spent a lot of time apologizi
ng to Jessica, but I haven’t said the words to you.”
“You don’t have to.” He didn’t need them.
“Yes, I do. I’ve hidden you for years. I was going to marry a woman I didn’t love to hide the fact that we’re lovers so I could keep my asshole father happy with me. I thought I couldn’t have the career my father wanted me to have as a bisexual man. In the end, what Anna did freed me. I don’t have to worry about disappointing my father, because he’s completely cut me out of his life. I know who my family is. It’s you and Jessica. I promise, I won’t ever deny you again.” Gideon pulled him close and without regard for anyone watching, planted a long kiss on his lover’s lips. “And thank you for bringing her back to us.”
“I didn’t let her get very far.” He’d been on her doorstep the night she quit, and he’d seen her almost every day since.
“No, you always watch out for us,” Gideon murmured.
“I have to,” Reid replied sincerely. “You get lost sometimes. If I let you, you would wander out into the cold and never come back.”
Gideon swallowed once, giving away his emotional state. “I’m never cold when I’m with you.”
“That’s not what you say when I steal the covers.”
Gideon’s hand slipped into his and his smile was warm. “I’ll have to warn Jessica about that habit of yours. Maybe she’ll be warm enough in between us. We’re going to need a bigger bed. I think we should stay at my place.”
Reid stopped. Everything seemed to get quiet, and the world narrowed down to Gideon. He looked amazingly sexy in tight leather pants and a shirt he hadn’t bothered to button up. Though he was supposed to be playing the Dom at this conference, the sub in Reid wanted to be dominated by Gideon tonight. “What are you saying? I thought Jessica would move in with you, and I would visit.”
Regret was plain in Gideon’s gray eyes as his hand traced the line of Reid’s jaw. “No. Like I said, no more hiding. I don’t intend to announce to the world that we’re a polyamorous threesome, but I’m not going to force you to live by yourself, either. I’m certainly not going to live by myself. And my place is bigger than yours. I told you, I’m serious.”
Reid was floored. He hadn’t dreamed Gideon would be willing to live openly with him. He’d accepted a long time ago that Gideon would never be comfortable openly loving him. He’d made the painful decision to accept it. He’d known Anna would be the lovely wife, and he would be the dirty secret. He’d been thrilled at the prospect of Gideon loving Jessica as much as he did because it opened a world of possibilities. Not one of those possibilities had been this one. To live with both Gideon and his sweet Jessica, to have them in his bed every night, it was almost more than he could believe.
Gideon looked unsure all of a sudden. “You can redecorate. I know my place looks like crap.”
Reid pulled him into a hug. “Your place is crap. We’ll buy something new, and I’ll take care of the decorating. Jessica and I will have a blast shopping.” He looked around and noted that one of the aftercare rooms was wide open. “Come on. I need you now.”
Reid acknowledged people he knew as he pulled his boyfriend along. He gave them passing nods, but his only real thought was on getting Gideon alone in that room. His need was riding him.
Gideon was already unzipping his pants when Reid slammed the door shut. He pushed Gideon onto the comfy chair that had been dragged down from one of the suites. His attention to detail always came in handy. Gideon freed that big, gorgeous cock of his and stroked it up and down. His eyes were hot as Reid got on his knees in front of him.
“Suck me,” Gideon demanded.
Reid leaned over and swiped his tongue across the already engorged head. He enjoyed the salty taste on his tongue. He teased him for moment, licking at the sensitive V and then running his tongue all the way to the base of Gideon’s cock. He lapped at Gideon’s heavy balls.
“God, if you don’t suck me soon I’m going to die. Stop teasing me or I’ll put you over my knee.” Gideon’s voice became hard and commanding. “We’re in private now. You follow my orders, sub. You take me now.”
“I’ll let you be the Dom with me, but I get to top Jessica, too. From now on we play those games with our girl together.” Gideon couldn’t help it. He was what he was, and Reid wouldn’t change him for anything. He winked up at Gideon, and then ate his dick in one long swallow. Gideon’s hands twisted in his hair. Reid loved the way Gideon filled him. Reid reached down and cupped his lover’s round balls. He moved his mouth over and over the monster, opening his throat a bit more with each pass. He sucked strongly when he felt the cock twitch in his mouth, a sure sign Gideon was ready to blow. Reid let his throat go soft.
“Oh, yeah, take me all the way.” Gideon’s hips pumped up, forcing his dick further in.
He heard Gideon gasp as he gave him the barest edge of his teeth. Gideon lost control, which had been the point. While he loved being dominated by Gideon, he also loved these moments when all that mattered was the passion between them. Gideon fucked into his mouth ruthlessly. He shoved his dick to the back of Reid’s throat, and Reid pointedly swallowed around him.
“Yes,” Gideon hissed as he came. “God, you give the best head. There’s nothing else like it.”
Reid swallowed, drinking down every ounce of the salty stuff erupting from his partner’s cock. He made sure to take it all and then gently began to lick Gideon clean.
“Oh, shit,” Gideon said suddenly. He pulled away.
Reid looked up and realized he really should have locked the door.
Chapter Six
Jessica knew she was screwed the minute Erik tangled his hands in her hair and masterfully held her still for his kiss. She allowed herself to go submissive beneath him. What came naturally with Gideon, however, she had to think about with the handsome, dominant man currently sitting on the sofa with her. He’d been pleasant to talk to, and on a purely physical level she was attracted to him. He was darkly handsome and reeked of authority. He was in complete control of himself. She found that incredibly sexy in theory…
Erik gently forced her head back and took her lips. She tried to relax as he took control. His tongue surged into her mouth, but all she could think about was Gideon. While Erik attempted to seduce her, the only vision in her mind was one of Gideon standing over her, his hands pulling her up and into his arms. She could hear his dark voice demanding things from her.
And Reid, leaning over and touching his forehead to hers, connecting to her in a way she’d never connected to another human being. Not even Gideon.
She pushed away, suddenly unable to be in Erik’s arms for one moment longer. It felt wrong. Crap, it felt like she was cheating on them. Them. She had to get that thought out of her head.
“What’s wrong?” It wasn’t so much a question as a demand.
She shook her head. “I can’t.”
Erik sat back and looked disappointed. His eyes were kind, though, as he watched her. “It’s Master Gideon. I thought the two of you were just friends, but you’re in love with him.”
She fought back the tears that threatened to take over. She was hopelessly in love with Gideon. The trouble was she was pretty sure she was in love with Reid, too, and that was hopeless.
“Jessica, are you sure? I understand you’re submissive, but do you also like to share? I get the feeling you’ll be doing an awful lot of sharing if you get involved with Master Gideon. I’m willing to make you my only submissive,” Erik offered.
“Gideon doesn’t have a girlfriend right now.” According to Reid, he hadn’t dated or slept with a woman since the night they’d spent together.
Erik’s dark hair shook slightly as he sighed. “Oh, sweetheart, they have you fooled, don’t they?” He stood up. “Well, I’m in an awkward position. I have information that could change your mind, but I think it would make you hate me. It would also be a blatant violation of the rules to gossip about it. Just know this, I am very interested in you. If you need someone, give me a call
.”
He walked out, leaving her a bit flummoxed. She supposed it was possible that Gideon was playing around with some of the women in the clubs he went to. Maybe Reid either didn’t know or didn’t want to hurt her feelings. She had a hard time believing it. She needed to ask him. She wasn’t going to make assumptions anymore. Reid had been right. She’d walked away far too soon. She wasn’t a doormat, but she should have demanded answers from Gideon.
Her decision made, she stood up and strode to the closet. She quickly changed into jeans and a sweater, slipped on ballet flats, and made sure her hair wasn’t too crazy.
She couldn’t blame him if he had been fooling around. It wasn’t like they’d been together. If he had, then Gideon wouldn’t be playing around anymore. She was going to find him and they were going to sort this out. She pocketed her key card and started toward the conference rooms. She knew that tonight was couples’ night, but if things went as planned she and Gideon would be a couple soon.
Jessica pushed open the doors to the conference room. It wasn’t hard to find. The rest of the place was quiet. She supposed it was one of the advantages of having the entire resort to themselves. She slipped in.
She was definitely overdressed.
She stared at the scenes going on around her. She stopped for a moment and watched a Domme as she spanked her trussed-up sub. He was bound to a whipping chair and his strong voice counted it out.
“Fourteen,” he shouted out as the crop struck his muscled buttocks.
She felt herself get warm as she watched. There was no question she was submissive. Everything about the dungeon got her hot and bothered. The only problem was, she only wanted one Dom.
A mental vision of Reid spanking her whispered across her brain.
Stop that. Gideon might be within reach, but Reid certainly wasn’t. The man was picky. In the years she’d known him, he hadn’t had a single boyfriend despite the wealth of hot guys who checked him out. There was always something wrong with them. She knew exactly the excuse he would use on her. She was female.