“Diamonds? As in real ones?” I was supposed to have that conversation in my head.
“You deserve only the best. It would be inconceivable to us to cheapen what we have by offering you something fake.” Ethan’s words hit me straight in the heart. “So to answer your question, these are absolutely real. They’re as authentic as the pearls.”
“God,” I whisper. I’ve seen my fair share of extraordinarily wealthy women in New York City prancing around with their beautiful black pearl jewelry. It never occurred to me that one day I’d own a piece. This is too much to handle.
“There’s a symbolism to the three rows.”
“There is?” My eyes shift to Xander’s and he nods, confirming what his best friend just said.
“Yes, love. Each row represents one of us and together we form one.”
“That’s so beautifully said. I already feel so incredibly lucky to have met you. For me that’s a big enough gift, but this—” For the first time since Ethan lifted the lid of the box, I find the courage to reach down and pull out the bracelet. I bring it to eye level and admire it like an appraiser would marvel at a one-of-a-kind. “This…”—I stutter—“is the most opulent thing I’ve ever held in my hands. I can’t believe you selected this for me. I’m not even sure ‘thank you’ is enough to express how I feel.” I choke up.
“I know I’ve said this before, but I truly believe from the bottom of my heart the three of us are meant to be together. I know Xander feels the same way too.”
“The connection has been very strong since our first encounter, but I think these last couple of weeks have confirmed that there’s far more to explore.” Xander’s words are so profound.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“He means that we want you to know that you belong to us.” Ethan’s tone is unwavering.
Fuck the fact that I’m only here for a few months. I don’t care. As Maggie said, why miss out on something amazing even if it has an expiration date? “I don’t want anyone else,” I confess. “I can’t even imagine what that would be like at this point. And frankly I don’t want to know.” If I’m going to be honest, I might as well go all the way.
“Good.” I’m completely captivated by Ethan’s impenetrable expression. “We never want you to doubt that we’re yours as much as you are ours,” he continues.
“Yeah, there’s nobody else but you.” Xander’s revelation makes my heart skip a beat.
“Really?” It’s true that I’ve been here practically every night in the past couple of weeks, but it wasn’t every day. Who knows what happened when I was stuck working late and had to go home instead of coming here? Of course I was hoping I was the only one they were seeing, but I’ve learned not to assume. Hearing them say it is so overwhelming.
He nods. “You’re the woman I want to cradle in my arms as I fall asleep.” His voice is so deep.
“And you’re the one I want nestled between my body and my best friend’s.” Ethan caresses my cheek before grabbing the bracelet I’m still clutching. “Let me slip this on your wrist.”
“Okay,” I let out in a whisper. When Ethan is done, I lift my arm up to the light, twisting my wrist left to right so that the light hits as many of the little diamonds as possible. I’m in awe. This is officially my most cherished possession.
“You like it?” Xander asks.
“I love it. I can’t wait to find the occasion to wear it.”
“I’m sure it will complement any dress you wear at the upcoming gala.” Ethan is right.
“I’m going to have to up my fashion game in order to find something that does this dazzler justice.”
“I have no doubt you’ll leave us jaw-dropped, like always.” Xander bumps his arm against mine and I can’t help but grin.
“Challenge accepted.” I beam.
“Speaking of the gala. I hope you’ll accompany me, but not as my date. As much more.” What Ethan just said went way over my head.
I draw my eyebrows together. “What do you mean?”
“There’s a question Xander and I want to ask you.”
“Oh, okay.” I try to sound as nonchalant as possible to hide my nervousness.
“It’s an important one.” Thanks for elevating my anxiety level.
“You can ask me anything.” And I’ll give it to you. This moment is so consuming, I start to tremble. I guess I’m not doing such a good job at being imperturbable.
Xander leans down and brushes my hair behind my ear before dropping a soft kiss against my cheek. “You’re shaking,” he murmurs in my ear.
“I can’t help it. You guys are being all dark and mysterious,” I offer as an explanation. “Should I be worried?”
“Not at all. I want to find the right words to ask you the question burning my lips.” In the short time that I’ve known him, I’ve never seen Ethan hesitate. He’s a straight shooter who is never shy to tell you exactly what he wants and how he wants it. I’m taken aback by the softer side of this dominant man. “We care about you.”
“Both Ethan and I do,” Xander confirms.
“It’s the same for me.” My breath hitches. I’m so emotional right now. “For both of you,” I add. “There are no words to express how much I enjoy spending time with you. I so look forward to you coming to pick me up at the end of the day. By the time the clock hits five, I’m restless. The last hour of the day is usually unbearable.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that. We also enjoy spending time with you—and not only in the bedroom.” Ethan chuckles. I laugh nervously.
“We’re in it for so much more than just the sex,” Xander says.
“You are?” Damn, there goes my inner voice again.
“You look so surprised.”
“I am, Xander. You can have any woman you want. I just figured you guys were having a little fun and I was the flavor of the month.”
“At first, yes, it was about gorging on your sinful body, but not anymore,” Ethan declares.
“We wouldn’t want to spend this much time with you if it were only about us getting off,” Xander adds.
“You don’t know what it means to hear you say that.” I bring my hand to my beating heart.
“The only way a relationship can work is if all people involved are on the same wavelength. Isn’t that right, Xander?”
“Ethan, it seems that we are.”
Relationship? “Okay.” I nod.
Ethan reaches for my hands and brings them up to his lips. He kisses me tenderly before meeting my gaze. “So back to that question I wanted to ask you.” What’s so serious that they have to prep me like this?
For a few short seconds, Ethan doesn’t say a word. He simply smiles and stares at me. His eyes are emanating such fire. I squirm in my seat, not sure what to do with myself. I try to look away, but I can’t. I’m drawn to his magnetism like a dragonfly to the light. Everything about this moment is laced with emotions. “I’m all ears,” I say, hoping to encourage him. I brace myself.
“Will you be our girlfriend?”
“Come again?” My jaw drops. Ethan’s question surprises me to no end. I misunderstood. I’m certain of it. “I’m sorry?” I backtrack when I realized how gauche my first question must sound. “What did you say?”
“Will you be our girlfriend?” Ethan repeats his question. I’ve never seen him smile so wide.
“Your girlfriend?” Clearly I have a hearing problem.
“Yes, sweetheart. Ethan and I want you to know we’re totally committed to you,” Xander says. My God, his words are turning me into mush.
Holy Jesus. Is this for real? My heart is beating so fast I can nearly see it jump out of my chest. I open and close my mouth a few times before attempting to speak. I really didn’t see this coming at all. “Me?” I point to myself as if there’s another woman in the room. They nod, smiling. “Are you serious?” Yup, that’s the best I can come up with. My two hot lovers want me to be their girlfriend and all of a sudden I have the vocabulary of a
two-year-old. Truth be told, I’m so shell-shocked, I can’t string a coherent sentence together to let them know how utterly happy I am.
“Yes, you, Delilah Belle Babcock.” Xander taps the tip of my nose with his index finger. I guess now that he’s said my full name, there’s no more confusion.
“I know we’ve only been seeing each other for two weeks now, but this feels right for both Xander and I. We hope you feel the same way too.”
I’m so high right now, I feel I could fly. I smile up at Ethan. “I can’t think of anything I’d want more. I can’t believe I’m lucky enough not to have to choose between the two of you. I’d be torn in half if I had to.” It would’ve been easier to slash my wrists than to do such an unimaginable thing.
“We were hoping you’d say that,” Ethan rejoices.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk.” Xander shakes his head and waggles an index finger at the same time. “You, mate, not me. Don’t put us in the same boat.” He exhales loudly. “I knew she couldn’t resist two handsome and strapping lads with British accents. I’m not even going to add the fact that our twelve-inch cocks are a huge incentive.” Xander grins from ear to ear.
“Oh, get off of it. As if you’re a mind reader. Are you only now discovering your psychic powers?” Ethan goes for the kill.
“I knew it. I just knew it,” Xander volleys.
“Having a gut feeling about something doesn’t mean squat. You had no way of knowing she was going to say yes.”
I look back and forth between the two of them like I’m sitting in the front row of a Wimbledon tennis match before breaking up their fight. “Your bro-arguments are laced with testosterone. I shouldn’t say this aloud and I’m totally blaming the delicious French wine, your eye-popping gift and the fact that I’m still giddy—and dizzy—from your proposal, but this caveman attitude is very attractive.” We all laugh. My sudden joy turns to worry when I realize I haven’t got a clue how this is going to work. “Oh, no.”
“What is it, love?” Ethan wraps his arms around my shoulders and pulls me against him.
“How do I date both of you? It’s not something that’s very common.” I know the Brits are far more open when it comes to sex than us Americans, but still.
“That’s a fair question—”
“I think we might raise a few eyebrows if people were to see all three of us being intimate,” I add, cutting Ethan off.
“You’re right. It’s not common. Here’s the thing, the outside world doesn’t need to know what’s goes on behind closed doors. Since you met Ethan first, we’ll let them believe the two of you are together. When you’re here with us, we know that the three of us form one. That’s all that matters. When we’re out in public, I’ll just play wingman. I’m okay with that. In my heart, I know you’re mine as much as Ethan’s.”
“That’s the best way to handle this,” Ethan reinforces.
“Okay,” I say. “I guess there’s no point in giving people a reason to be all up in our business.”
“Precisely. Xander is coming with us to the gala and I’ll present you as my girlfriend.” Oh, my God, I love hearing those words rolling off his tongue. “Everyone already knows that Xander and I have been inseparable forever, so no one will be surprised to see him there with us and it won’t shock anyone if the two of you appear to be close.”
“Clearly, you’ve talked about this at length.” My tone is teasing.
“We have. This is a major step for the three of us.” Ethan points to each one of us before linking us with an invisible cord. “Xander and I want you to be comfortable with this.”
“I am,” I say with certainty.
“We will always be here to protect you. When I’m not around, Xander will be here for you and vice versa. Do you understand?”
“I do.” I know this isn’t a dream because their hands are caressing my body. My tripping heart is another indication. Not to mention that dreams are never this good.
“Thank you so much for this unforgettable evening,” I say, playing with my bracelet. “I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy.”
“You make us happy.” Xander leans down and kisses me tenderly.
“I’m going to have to side with my best friend on that one.” It’s Ethan’s turn to take my lips. Damn, it’s good to be me.
“Bloody hell, I’m so ready to celebrate this night,” Xander blurts out, clapping his hands together. “And I’m not referring to us doing any more talking. I think it’s safe to say that we covered everything. It’s time now to move on to more pressing matters. It’s been a fight for me all night to rein in my impatient nature and not ruin your surprise. I’m very ready now.”
“Oh, whatever do you mean, sir?” Yeah, I go really Southern for this one. I totally know where this is going.
“Isn’t it obvious?” He raises his left eyebrow before lowering his eyes to his crotch.
“I’m afraid it isn’t.” I sound so helpless.
“I want to fuck my girlfriend so badly it hurts.” Xander stops beating around the bush.
I expect Ethan to scold him for his forwardness, but he surprises me when he says, “Mate, my cock has been throbbing in my trousers since she walked in here looking like a goddess. But this was her night. Now, that she’s officially ours, I’m looking forward to watching you fuck my girlfriend’s sweet pussy while I take care of filling her mouth with my cock.”
“That’s what I’m talking about.” Xander is already up on his feet.
“Let’s take this party upstairs, shall we?” Ethan’s question isn’t a suggestion.
Oh, boy.
CHAPTER 52
Ethan
Delilah squeals with delight as I carry her up the stairs to Xander’s bedroom. She’s squirming and kicking, but alas, my arm is locked solid around her luscious body.
“The way you’re carrying me, you’d think I were as light as a feather, Ethan. I can walk, you know, and I learned how to climb the stairs without any support from my parents, a wall or a railing when I was two.” She laughs. “Trust me, I’ve got this.”
Slap.
“You should conserve your energy,” Xander says. “You’re going to need it. Stop wasting your breath on complaining about one of your boyfriends wanting to take care of you.”
I’m impressed by Xander’s foresight.
“Oh, God, you’re scaring me. What do you have planned for me?”
“You heard the man. He suggested you don’t strain yourself.” I chuckle and slap her ass for good measure.
“You can’t gang up on me like this. You have to be gentle. Remember, I’m your girlfriend now. You’re supposed to treat me with kid gloves. You can’t just handle me like cavemen.” Her plea is amusing.
“Says who?” both Xander and I ask in unison.
“No one is expecting you until Monday morning. Ethan and I can handle you any which way we want.”
“Xander, I have a feeling we’ll have to do a condom run before the end of the weekend.” I piggyback on my best friend’s cockiness.
“You can count on it, mate. I wouldn’t be surprised if we finished the two boxes we stocked up on before breakfast tomorrow morning.” Although I can’t see him, from the deep tone of his voice, I’m willing to bet that Xander’s eyes are veiled with lust.
“What?” Delilah’s voice goes up by several octaves. “Aren’t you going to show me any kindness whatsoever?”
“Nope,” Xander and I quip at the same time.
“Shouldn’t there be a warm-up period when a girl takes on two boyfriends?” She’s cheeky.
“Sweetheart, we’ll allow you to ride our kindness until you forget your own name. How does that sound?” Xander is unleashed.
“Funny,” Delilah says.
“I thought so,” he replies.
“Love, if you keep arguing with us like this, you’ll be exhausted before we make you come.”
“Heck, if she keeps at it, I might be tempted to demand we punish her,” Xander says.
�
�What did you have in mind?” I ask.
“I say we bring her to the brink and just when she’s about to free-fall, we prevent her from climaxing.” Xander suggests his devious plan from over my shoulder.
“You can’t do that to your girlfriend.” Delilah protests.
“We most certainly can.” Xander sets her straight. “It seems our girlfriend is suffering from temporary amnesia. She should know by now how things work between the three of us.”
“I guess you’re the badass master tonight,” I say as I reach the top floor. “I’m usually the unwavering one,” I add, turning around to watch him climb the last step.
“When I said I was horny, I wasn’t kidding, bro.”
“No, you weren’t.” I flash him a side smile.
“Are the two of you just going to stand there and have a conversation with me still hanging over Ethan’s shoulder?”
Slap.
I spank her first.
Slap. Slap.
Xander doesn’t discriminate. His hand lands on both her cheeks.
“Ouch. You two are tyrants tonight. You’re lucky I love it when you do that. In fact, you can do it again. Better yet, lift my dress up, pull down my panties and go crazy. Slap me silly.”
Xander’s eyebrows hit his forehead at the same time as mine do. Clearly we’re both surprised by her cocksureness.
“Xander, she hasn’t been our girlfriend for half an hour and already she thinks she can bend the rules to satisfy her whim.”
“There are so many shades of wrong with that assumption, mate. Remember that punishment I was talking about a few minutes ago?”
“Yeah.” I chuckle. “What do you have in mind?”
“If we were to wank in front of her, but forbid her from touching our cocks or swallowing our cum, she’d remember quickly how things work between the three of us. It goes without saying that she wouldn’t be allowed to seek pleasure at her own hand. And of course, she doesn’t get to ride twelve inches of raw desire.”
“Oh.” Suddenly Delilah goes silent and she stops wiggling in my arms. That does it.
“What? No sassy repartee?” When she doesn’t answer, Xander continues. “And just like that our feisty little Texan is docile again.”
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