Chapter Eighteen
Sitting at the upscale steakhouse at a table across from the booth she and Cade had been in two hours earlier, Ella kept the forced smile on her lips through the entire patronizing dinner. She nibbled on her salad, choked down a small portion of her steak, and handed her dessert to Colleen. Her daughter was sixteen weeks pregnant and had supposedly told the Grangers about it twelve weeks ago. Although something didn’t ring true about Matilda Granger, Sammy’s mother’s confession.
“Oh, Ella,” Matilda cooed across from her. “I couldn’t help myself from buying the house. It’s so perfect for a growing family.”
The portly woman reached over the white linen table cloth, past the empty dessert plate, and patted Ella’s hand like a grandmother would a child. She inhaled and dramatically slapped her other hand to her chest and held it as she nodded. A puff of baby powder spiraled through the air and dusted the woman’s neck and plates. Her eyes filled with tears for the hundredth time. “We’re going to be grandmothers.”
“Colleen is so lucky to be getting you as a mother-in-law,” Ella said. Maybe Colleen will appreciate the family she has after getting to know the obnoxious in-laws. “The generous engagement gift is spectacular. It will be wonderful to be so close.” At least until I sell the house I can’t afford. She held up her water goblet for the waiter to fill. “I think it would be best if she and Sammy marry sooner than July.”
“But she’s so small.” Matilda removed her pudgy hand from Ella’s and placed it on Colleen’s.
“Which is why she needs to get a dress and get married immediately.” Ella scooted forward in her chair. Her hands clenched to fists “Soon she’ll have to wear a maternity wedding gown.” She might need one now. “Colleen, what do you think?”
“I’m barely showing. A couple months won’t make a difference, will they Mrs. Granger?” Colleen asked.
“I didn’t show until my sixth month.” Matilda beamed at her husband Nathaniel.
“I noticed my pants were tighter at seven weeks with Colleen and five weeks with the boys.” Ella’s cheek twitched. Her fake smile faltered. “It’s up to Colleen and Sammy whether they marry now or in July. They need to decide whether being married matters more to them than the venue where the ceremony happens.” You’ve got so much to learn, Colleen. Marriage is hard work, not playtime.
Colleen’s gaze fell to the third empty dessert plate in front of her. She blushed a bright pink.
Garrett gently patted Ella’s back and kissed her cheek. His lips lingered near her ear. “Let it go.”
“She could stand to gain a few pounds.” Matilda patted Colleen’s hand.
“She’s perfect the way she is.” Ella straightened up in her seat. With the week she’d had, she was ready to explode on the woman. Colleen wasn’t perfect. Right then, Colleen was high on her shit list from all the deceiving she’d been doing for months, but damn it… Colleen was her child, not Matilda’s. She’d be damned if Matilda said anything negative about her daughter, ever.
Garrett slipped his arm around her and squeezed her tightly against his side. “Drop. It. Now.”
“She is perfect.” Sammy pulled Colleen onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek. “She couldn’t be more perfect.”
“Aw.” Ella sighed. Maybe Sammy isn’t so bad. She needs a strong protector.
His hands slid to Colleen’s belly.
Shit. She hadn’t signed up for a pregnancy rider for her medical insurance. None of Colleen’s appointments would be covered. They needed to get married now. Tonight. Colleen needed Sammy’s insurance to cover all the pregnancy and baby expenses.
“We could always get married in Vegas this weekend with just our families,” Sammy said.
Now we’re talking. Get married as soon as possible. Don’t wait.
Colleen gazed up at Sammy. “We could do it here in a couple weeks with family and friends.”
“Sounds great.” Garrett held up his hand for the check, and the waitress hurried over. He handed her his credit card.
“We’ll have close to one hundred guests on our side wherever they get married,” Nathaniel Granger said. “We expect a picture-worthy wedding and reception.”
The Nathaniel Granger Ella knew finally reared his ugly head. He had been surprisingly reserved the entire evening, allowing Matilda to talk incessantly about how Colleen was the daughter she never had while making left-handed compliments about Colleen’s weight, hair, and clothes. All she needed was Mrs. Kellen to stop by for an impromptu visit about how Jason and Kyle would never graduate high school. Then her day would be complete.
Colleen bit her bottom lip and glanced at Ella like she always did when she worried.
“Colleen and Sammy are a gorgeous couple. They are picture-worthy in their pajamas. As for you and your guests, I can’t speak to your photogenic qualities,” Ella said. Her heart softened as Colleen’s back straightened up. Maybe Colleen had seen all the sacrifices. Maybe she was scared like every first-time mother.
“I expect perfection, Ella,” Nathanial snorted. “Not some red-plastic-cup wedding and reception in your backyard.”
“Dad,” Sammy grunted. “Jeez, stop it. The wedding doesn’t matter. I love Colleen, and I don’t care about anything but marrying my girl.”
Nathanial frowned. “Let’s get real. She hooked you with a pregnancy. You never looked twice at her the entire time she lived down the street.”
“She was twelve,” Sammy said. “That would have been sick. But you know what? She was nice. She was always a nice girl with a sweet attitude and a confidence that drew people in. She’s still that way. If you want to get real, let’s let it all out. I got her pregnant. I roped her in. I wanted her so badly I did damned near everything I could think of to get her…”
Sammy stood up, holding Colleen in his arms. “…So, if you don’t want to come to the red-plastic-cup wedding in Mrs. Winthrop’s backyard, then don’t. We’ll have a great time with our friends, and we’ll have the best photos ever made because they’ll be real. They’ll be honest. And they won’t be staged.”
Colleen closed her eyes and buried her face against the collar of Sammy’s white dress shirt.
“Mrs. Winthrop, I’m taking Colleen home to our house. Thank you for enduring tonight. I love your daughter, and I genuinely hope my parents’ poor behavior doesn’t sour you on me. I know the wedding and reception will be perfect, just like my Colleen, with or without plastic cups.” Sammy took a step toward the exit.
“Oh, and we could have plastic cups in our favorite colors—blue and yellow and pink would be perfect.” He winked at her and grinned. “In fact, if we get married in your backyard, Garrett and I could make a pavilion and stage for the ceremony. We could grill out and make the reception fun and casual. Maybe get a fire in the fire pit and roast marshmallows once it got dark like you used to when we were all kids? That would be my kind of party.”
Ella grinned. Sammy Granger was all right. “Colleen and I will talk about it,” she said. “We’ll work something out.” And it won’t break the bank.
“And Mrs. Winthrop, I’d appreciate your blessing on me marrying your daughter. I would have asked sooner, but I’ve been working up the courage. I know I’m older than Colleen, but I promise, I’ll take care of her for the rest of my life.”
Warmth filled Ella’s heart. It might have come late, but he cared enough to stand up and ask her approval even after his parents insulted her and Colleen.
“You have my blessing, Sammy.” She’d have a discussion with him about Colleen’s future after they got to know each other better. One way or another, Colleen would be trained in a career outside the house too.
“Thank you, Mrs. Winthrop.” Sammy turned toward his parents. “Mom, Dad, if you can’t be nice, I don’t want you around me and my fiancée. We have a baby on the way, and we don’t need the extra stress. My Colleen doesn’t need the extra stress. I’m sure Mrs. Winthrop doesn’t need it either. Your bullshit about knowing about the baby before today was just that—bullshit. The only person who knew about it prior to now was Garrett because Colleen was nervous about telling her mother.”
Sammy pivoted away and strode out of the restaurant with her daughter like the knight in shining armor he was.
Ready to jump up and down with joy for the smack down Sammy gave his parents, Ella held in her glee. Her daughter’d found a strong man who loved her. There were worse things in life than not finishing a college degree immediately after high school.
And she wasn’t too far out of the loop in her daughter’s life after all. She might not have to take out a loan for the wedding and reception, depending on what Colleen really wanted. Her evening was turning around.
“We hope you’re happy,” Nathanial said. “Our only son is marrying a girl whose only aspiration is to be a loser like her mother.”
“Nathanial, that was rude,” Matilda said. “Let’s go. Maybe we’ll talk him into adopting the child instead of marrying such a young girl.”
“You two better not say another word against my niece or Ella,” Garrett said in his no-nonsense military voice. “You will not like the consequences, if you do.”
Nathaniel sputtered, “W-well, I’m not sure I know what you mean.”
Garrett raised his eyebrows and tilted his chin down at Nathaniel. “I think you do.”
Ella shivered as Garrett glared at the man. Garrett didn’t threaten unless he meant it. Greg had been the same way. Garrett could make people disappear, not that he would do that to the Grangers, but he might make life difficult or scare the shit out of them. Greg would have ruined them financially. It wasn’t beyond Garrett’s abilities to do the same.
The waitress came back with the receipt and saved them from more awkwardness. Garrett signed the receipt and stood up.
“Matilda, Nathaniel.” He nodded at them and grinned as if he hadn’t just threatened Nathaniel with a scary unknown. “We hope to see you at the wedding, whenever and wherever they choose to have one.” He pulled Ella’s chair out and held out his hand.
Ella delicately placed her hand in his and joined him at his side like she would have Greg. Her leg ached with the effort, but she refused to show any weakness. “Thank you.”
“Thank you for dinner, Garrett.” Matilda stayed frozen in her seat.
“You’re welcome.” Garrett led Ella to the front of the steakhouse and held open the door. “What happened to your leg?”
A black stretch limo pulled up to the side of the curb in front of them.
“It’s nothing,” She said. A couple painkillers would make her forget about it.
The driver stepped out of the car and opened the back door as Garrett guided her to the limo. The man looked down at the sidewalk away from Garrett’s gaze. “Mr. Winthrop.”
“We’re ready to go. No interruptions,” Garrett ordered. He gently coaxed Ella into the backseat and climbed in after her. The car door closed. They sat next to each other in a soundproof box with a tinted window divider between the driver and the back.
“Why don’t you have a regular car?” she asked. She rubbed her hands back and forth nervously on the black leather seat beside her. She had never asked him why he always had a driver when he visited. Usually Derek drove, but he wasn’t in the limo tonight.
“This one is safer for me and I’ve been doing it forever. It’s habit.”
“Why does Derek usually drive you everywhere?”
“Honestly, he’s a control freak. He has to be the one in the driver seat in everything he does. People think I pay him, but I don’t and never have. I don’t care one way or the other who drives, but I prefer this arrangement when I’m with you.”
She slid to the opposite end of the back seat away from Garrett and stared out her side window at the darkness of the clouds covering the moon and stars. Maybe her leg hurt worse this evening because of the storm system moving in or because she reinjured it falling out of Cade’s car.
Garrett moved over and lifted her right leg onto his lap. “How long has it hurt?”
“It’s been a while.” I’m not sure I can handle your touch tonight. You were so good at dinner. So strong. “It’s probably the weather.”
He tested her range of motion and pressed the exact spot of the injury. She jerked away.
“I don’t think it’s broken,” he said. “It may be bruised or sprained. Your ankle looks swollen. Baby, did you fall?”
“I fell earlier. Sometimes I’m a little clumsy when the weather changes,” she said. “I’m fine.”
“Your ankle needs to be wrapped.” He slipped her heel off and rubbed her foot. “Sneakers for the rest of the week. If you want a second opinion I can get Derek to give you an x-ray. He’s working tonight.”
His familiar hands rubbed at the knots in the arch and heel of her foot. It had been too long since she’d been able to afford a massage. She gave but rarely received anymore. Once she sold the house, she would get a massage. “Mm. You’re good at that.” She adjusted her body to get more comfortable. She wouldn’t get an x-ray, at least not one tied to Garrett. He’d take over her life if she let him.
“I learned from a master,” he said.
“I am a good teacher.”
“Are you still mad at me?”
She closed her eyes and sighed. “Yes.”
“Marry me,” Garrett whispered.
She shook her head. He hadn’t changed at all. He always strove to get what he wanted. “No.”
He lifted her foot and kissed her ankle and then massaged her foot again. “Get rid of Cade.”
“Don’t kiss my foot,” she said. “And no. I like Cade. We’re dating.”
“You understand why I left, right?”
She nodded. “I understand you thought you gave Greg what he wanted. But he didn’t want you gone.”
His explanation of leaving hadn’t minimized the hurt. The shock of his return had lessened some of the pain from his abandonment. In her heart, she hoped he would never leave again, but her trust was shattered. It would take more than one night to glue the pieces back together. “It doesn’t matter. I’m not the same anymore.”
“You are the same in all the ways that count.” He caressed over her calf, up her thigh, under the hem of the chocolate-brown silk dress he bought her, and up to her hip.
She placed her hand over his but didn’t stop his exploration as it focused over her panties along her pubic bone. She wanted to be angry with him for manipulating her, but she couldn’t bring herself to hold onto the grudge. She loved him. She shifted her hips and gave his long fingers more room to wander. “How do you do it?
He slid his fingers back and forth along the edge of her panty at the crease of her leg and hip. “How do I do what?”
She removed his hand and sat up. “Make me forgive you so easily.” Just like Greg. They always found it easier to ask forgiveness than permission, something she never understood.
He settled his hand on her foot again. “You love me. I love you. We’re free to be together. There’s no guilt being in the same room alone anymore. You can touch me without Greg screaming bullshit infidelity. We can dance, hold hands, kiss, and make love.” He released her injured leg and pulled her other leg onto his lap. He began massaging her other foot. “The kids are grown. We can indulge in each other without any worry of interruptions or complications.”
He shifted and spread her legs open. He slipped out of his jacket and tossed it to the seat across from them.
“Garrett, we’re not having sex.” She couldn’t make love to two different men. She couldn’t date two men. She needed to walk away from both of them. It would be the right thing to do.
“Why not?”
“Because we’re not.” He would walk away from her now that he couldn’t get into her panties.
He unknotted his yellow and blue diagonally stripped tie, slipped it off, and threw it onto his jacket. He continued stripping off his shirt and undershirt as she watched in rapt attention. The scars over his abdomen gave the pretty boy a sexy edge. Greg always reminded her of a male-fitness model, ripped muscles over flawless skin, while Garrett was more of a warrior, a masculine machine, scarred yet powerful and tough, and sculpted from years of training and combat. “If we’re not making love…”
“Get dressed,” she whispered.
He flexed his muscles as he steadily seduced her. He pulled her legs around his waist and gently pushed her down on the backseat. God, help her, he knew her body like he knew his own.
Juices dripped from her sex, dampening her panties.
She wanted to make love to him knowing it was him. But she couldn’t do it with Cade in the mix—even with Cade’s permission. Could she? Was it possible to get Garrett out of her system without having sex with him again? Not with years of desire brewing inside them. One night wouldn’t be enough. But, would a month? I need to stop this line of thought.
She sat up. He sat up too and took control.
“Anyone can see inside.” She needed to get distance from him. He was too tempting. She was too vulnerable too confused with all the changes in her life.
“Tinted windows,” Garrett murmured. He pulled her against his chiseled torso.
Her chest heaved with anticipation at his next touch. Was he really adventurous? Or had he been teasing her earlier? He’d been mostly vanilla and missionary last night. But that was her Greg ghost. She had been wild with Garrett. Did she touch Derek? Derek hadn’t touched me. He took all the pictures.
“I can feel your heat,” Garrett whispered a hairsbreadth from her lips. “You want me as badly as I want you.” Desire rolled off him like steam from an overheated engine. She parted her lips for a kiss. He pressed his smooth lips to hers.
His fingers slid between them as his tongue stroked and explored her mouth. He adjusted his hips as his fingers pushed her drenched panties aside. The tip of his hot length pressed against her pussy. She slowly inched down onto him as he guided her. His thick cock filled her, stretched her.
She groaned. So good.
He rocked her back and forth as she dropped down his shaft all the way to the hilt. Her heart hammered inside her chest. She shouldn’t be doing this, but she couldn’t stop. She needed this. Needed him. Needed to remember every kiss, every caress, every thrust, and every orgasm.
She hadn’t felt the limo stop with the motion they had going, but the car door opened.
Garrett shifted his hold, and slid out, carrying her with his cock buried inside her pussy. Her dress covered their joining as he strode past the driver, through the garage, and into his home.
They weren’t supposed to be at his place.
Garrett stopped kissing her and held her against the smoke-colored wall in the hall next to a closed door. “No barriers. No boundaries. We can get as kinky as you want.”
The door swung open, and he carried her inside an undecorated bedroom with a king sized, poster bed she remembered him designing. She’d forgotten how talented he was as a carpenter. Hand carved into the wooden headboard framed with mirrors were large figures of the Greek gods in all their nude magnificence.
Her back hit the soft mattress. Gazing upward, she saw her own lusty smile reflected in the hidden mirror embedded inside the canopy.
“Wait until you see my cock sliding into your pussy. I built this for us. I built it so I wouldn’t miss seeing every inch of your incredible body.”
She had no words as his back flexed and rippled with muscles honed through a lifetime of military training. He pushed his pants down, uncovering the firm ass and powerful legs that would make sure nothing was vanilla about their coupling. He carefully lifted her silk dress over her head.
“I’ll get the size right next time,” he said. “No bra?”
“No.” Nothing clean. No time for shopping at lunch or after work. She shifted her focus to his blue eyes instead of the mirror and his back. She traced the edge of his stubbly cheek. “Thank you for dinner.”
“You’re welcome. I’d do anything for you. Anything, except leave. I’m never leaving again. Don’t ever ask that of me. I won’t do it.” His hands dropped to her breasts, but his gaze stayed focused on hers.
“I won’t ask you to leave.” She wouldn’t. She loved him. She and the boys would adjust to and process his return over time. They’d find a way to let go of the fear Greg instilled in them at his quick approach and remember it was Garrett, not Greg, coming for them. The goatee would help. The rough outline of shadow on his face distinguished him from her late husband.
He inhaled slowly and drew circles around her nipples. “Every Thursday and Friday night you’re going to sleep over here.” He continued teasing her nipples, squeezing, circling, as he told her the schedule he and Cade had made for her.
“I don’t think so.” She wasn’t allowing him to dictate her life. “I’m not staying the night. I have children.” She wiggled to break their physical connection, but his hard cock grew harder inside her, and his hands shot like bullets to her wrists. He pinned her arms down to her sides.
“We’re going to hash this out now. The boys were uncomfortable around me. It’s been a long time since they’ve seen me. It seemed like their hesitation wasn’t about me, but something else they wouldn’t talk about. I wasn’t sure if it had to do with Colleen and Sammy, or with you and Cade walking in on our conversation. Do you know what spooked them?”
“I don’t want to be in your bed with your cock in me while we discuss my boys. It seems wrong, really wrong.” A sudden rush of guilt clouded her mind. I’m in bed with my brother-in-law. “I can’t do this. Please get off me.”
“Ella,” he whispered as he shifted off her. He rolled to the side and pulled her back against his chest. “It’s me. We’re not doing anything wrong.”
“It feels wrong.” She loved him, but she couldn’t shake the guilt. Why couldn’t he have just continued seducing her until they were sweaty and satisfied? She’d feel guilty enough for having sex with him when she had been determined she would only make love with Cade. Now she had to deal with the memory of Greg too. “I don’t want to date you and Cade.”
“Great. Let’s call him, and tell him it is over. You’ve made your decision, and it’s me.” He kissed the back of her head and got up from the bed.
She took the break and righted her uncomfortably wet panty. Ugh. She grabbed her dress and pulled it over her head and down, covering the rest of her, before climbing off the bed.
Garrett stood with his cell phone to his ear. “Hey, Cade. Ella has made her decision… Yes, you can talk to her. Putting you on speaker.”
“Ella,” Cade’s deep voice vibrated from the phone.
“Hi,” she said. She walked over to Garrett and checked out the detailed scenes of demi-gods in multiple sexual acts with men and women, men and men, and women and women on his nightstand, dresser, and the mirror above his dresser.
“We need to talk before you make any decisions,” Cade said.
“I’m not going to date either of you.” I want to. God, I want to do so many of the things Garrett carved into his furniture with you and him. “You guys make me feel like I’m a child dealing with a divorce, being shuttled from one parent to the other with the way you two are dividing up my week.”
Garrett’s blue eyes grew as wide as an owl’s. “What?”
“I’m not doing this. I thought maybe I could, but I can’t.”
“What about hanging out?” Cade asked. “Pizza at the house with the boys? Watching a movie on the couch kind of stuff?”
“That’s fine but no sex. No demands. No seduction. No sleepovers. At ten o’clock y’all go home.”
“What about hanging out with Maddie and Mike, and Josie and Mark?” Cade asked.
Garrett stayed surprisingly quiet as his pale face returned to a normal healthy glow.
“That’s fine. We’re not going to be alone together.” She’d keep it platonic with both of them. The only way to keep from jumping either of them would be to make sure other people were present.
“Great. Tomorrow we’re meeting…” He continued talking. He explained the week he’d planned with her and his family along with all the construction plans for Colleen’s backyard wedding. “The ceremony will be three weeks from tonight, right?”
“I don’t know. I hope so. I can’t let your parents do all that for free.”
“Don’t insult them. Mom is giving the flowers and food as a wedding gift which means it will be over-the-top, and the most beautiful arrangements you will ever see. The men in the family will build all kinds of arches and platforms. The vases for the ceremony are taken care of, and Mom promised the reception flowers around Sammy’s man cake will be masculine. He wants the cake to be a football. Did you know he got a scholarship for football but turned it down to go into the military?”
“I didn’t know that. You got all that information since dinner ended?” Wow, he was good at getting information. Not only could the man talk, but he was a master listener.
“Well, yeah, sweetie. Colleen said dinner didn’t go so well. Sammy said it sucked. The boys and I were having dinner with my parents, so we put them on speaker, and talked as we finished dessert. They’re great kids, well, young adults. Are you home?”
“No.” Garrett broke his silence. “I’ll help you design and build the backyard structures for the ceremony. Greg and I designed the house and landscaping, so I can help with placement of the structures.”
Really? She mouthed to Garrett.
He winked at her and nodded.
“All right, I’ll have Pappy send out group emails with the information. We’ll meet at Ella’s within the next couple days and go from there.” Cade rattled off his father’s email, and Garrett typed it into his phone. They exchanged more information and once again scheduled her nights around platonic get-togethers which sounded more like chaperoned dates.
How did I end up with two men controlling my days and nights again?
Garrett ended the call. He stood naked with a red, throbbing erection against his eight pack abs. “A platonic relationship will not work with us, not when you’re available and so am I.”
She burned to have him, to love him, to feel him inside her again, but this time there would be no games, no questions as to his ghost status. She knew exactly who he was and what she was doing. “I’m making an exception to my ‘no sex’ rule for tonight.”
After she got the initial need out of her system, she would put him back in the “friend” category and take the time to figure out her feelings for him and Cade.
A bead of precum gathered at the top of his cock.
He closed the space between them. In less than five seconds, she lay nude in the middle of his bed. “We both want this for forever, Ella.”
Her chest heaved with anticipation at his next touch. She didn't want him to affect her so much. She didn’t want to want him so badly. Part of her didn’t want to find out if his talk about being adventurous and sharing her with Derek was just talk, but as soon as he touched her, the other part that did, really did.
She closed her eyes, gave in, and took a chance. “Just tonight, Garrett. Only once.”
“This is a sample. We’ll be doing this plenty more than once.”
She shook her head. “Once. Then we’re back to friendship only.”
“Neither of us want only friendship.” His lips met hers, planting a tender kiss. “I’m going to give you a fantasy tonight.”
Soft, cotton linens caressed her back as his chiseled body hovered over her. He nudged her knees apart and settled his pelvis against hers. It was so familiar, yet different.
“What fantasy?” Is Cade coming over? Is Derek joining us?
“Open your eyes,” he said softly.
She opened her lids. The minute her gaze found his, he rocked forward and drove deep inside her pussy. She whimpered as he kissed her lips. His tongue delved into her mouth, bringing with it the burning desire she’d held in her soul. Her hips undulated against the familiarity of his body, rocking her to the core.
He wasn’t Greg, but his body matched his in every way, and she automatically reacted to him as if he was her husband. She opened her body and heart to him.
She wrapped her legs around his hips, stretched her arms straight over her head, and pressed her hands against the Greek gods in the headboard for counter pressure to his thrusts. Her fingers fit perfectly inside little grooves, allowing her to curl her fingers, and grip it tightly.
“That’s it, baby. I made it for you, for your hands.” He rocked back and thrust forward.
She moaned as his hot cock slid in and out. In and out.
He grunted. His rod jerked and hit the perfect sweet spot. All of her inhibitions vanished.
Her body sizzled and begged for more. Pieces of the previous night came together. The positions. The photos. Derek’s gaze always on them. Her pussy contracted around him.
“Hold on tight, baby.” His fingers curled into the ridges and valleys in the headboard over her hands.
She had no idea how he could have constructed something so complex. Genius. Always seeing things no one else does.
He scooted forward and drove his cock deeper. Her hunger for more increased and pushed her closer to ecstasy.
He lifted his chest and lowered his head. His gaze met hers. “I—”
“Garrett, you’re going to be late for work,” Derek shouted.
She stiffened. Shit. “Is this Derek’s place?”
“Yes. I couldn’t get transferred to a base nearby, so I retired from the military. That is what took me so long to get here. I yanked every chain I could and called in every favor to get out. I thought they’d never let me go. But they did.”
“How long has Derek been here? Isn’t he in the military?” She swallowed hard. He suckered her in again. When had he truly arrived in town? Had he been watching her? The boys?
“Derek was honorably discharged from the military about five years ago. He has been in Memphis for a month. He’s the chief of surgery at a private sector defense company of which I am now a partner. The corporate headquarters is here in Memphis. It’s as close to a normal job as I’ll probably ever have. Field missions will be rare—maybe twice a year.”
“Please don’t tell me you have to leave tomorrow.” She inhaled as her heart sank to her stomach. “Please, Garrett, don’t make love to me and leave. Don’t tell us you’re staying and be gone the next day.” You need to make up with us. You need to prove we can trust you again.
“I’m not leaving. The next assignment isn’t for a few weeks. My schedule is all over the place, but it’s only because I’m heading up some training. I’m here for the rest of my life.”
“Oh,” Derek said. “Good reason to be late.” She turned her head toward his voice.
The gorgeous doctor in all his naked glory strode toward the bed. His erection bobbed against his abs.
“Beautiful sight,” Derek said. He climbed on the bed and kissed her lips.
“So glad you’re here with us.” He cupped the back of Garrett’s neck and kissed his mouth. “Dinner went well?”
Her eyes widened. I thought you guys had something going on, but you’re a couple? “Are you two fucking each other? Are you in love?”
“We—” Derek started.
“I haven’t had anal sex,” Garrett said.
Derek frowned. “We’ve been best friends for more than thirty years. We’ve been sleeping together, sucking each other’s dicks, and sharing women for decades. Last night scratched the very surface of our sexual interests. The photos are a part of our journey. The way you spread your pussy lips showed me you are open for trying new things.”
She nodded. I did do that. I must have rubbed your cock too.
“Are you ready for a real adventure? One you’ll want to continue for the rest of your life?” Derek asked.
“Um.” If you only knew about the dreams I’ve had about you and Garrett and me. Fantasies of me making love to Garrett and Greg and having you join us. I’m up for an adventure. Would he want her too? Would he want to make love to only her, sometimes? She’d fantasized about having sex with only him too.
Garrett shifted forward. Her hips curled farther upward. His cock tunneled deeper inside her. “You weren’t sure I was serious about my sex life,” Garrett said.
“I believed you.” Your cock is in me and Derek is here. She should have been embarrassed but she wasn’t. “Why does this feel so—”
“—much like home?” Derek said.
Home. Comfortable. Right. She gazed at Derek and nodded.
“Because it is.” Derek kissed her lips. “Ready to experience a real adventure?”
A lopsided grin took over Garrett’s mouth. “You are.”
“She is,” Derek added. “Her nipples are hard, and she’s blushing. She wants a taste of two men.”
She opened her mouth to say something. To deny their claims. Nothing came out. They were right. All her intentions to get rid of anything too complicated flew out the window. I want to experience something new. One time and never again. I could never keep up with two men. “If we did do something, it would have to be confidential. No one talks to anyone else outside these walls.”
“I’m not ashamed of Derek in our bed, but it wouldn’t be wise to broadcast it around in our circle or yours,” Garrett said.
“When you’re ready, we’re going to make it so fucking good, you’ll want to do it every day for the rest of your life,” Derek said. “We get you Sunday, so we’ll prep you tonight.” He climbed off the bed and strode toward the door. He glanced back. “I’ll grab the supplies she’ll need while you’re getting alone time with her. I’ll be back soon to drive her home and you to work.” He walked out of the bedroom and left the door wide open.
“I could call him back.” Garrett wiggled his eyebrows.
“This is about us, Garrett. I thought you wanted to marry me?”
“I do. We can go to the chapel now.”
“Um. No. I’m trying to figure out what all this means? Are you gay?”
“I’m attracted to Derek. I love him. He’s the only guy I’ve ever wanted and done anything with. I love women. I love you. I want to marry you.”
“But you want Derek to join us?”
“Yes. We would be in a permanent relationship. The three of us.”
“That is more than adventurous. That is… I don’t know.” It’s sexy, and why am I so turned on by it?
“Wait until he sticks his cock in your ass while mine is in your pussy.” He swiveled his pelvis and rubbed circles over her beaded clit. He stimulated a sweet spot the tip of his cock pressed against. “You’re going to love it.”
Her legs trembled with pleasure. The words she’d kept to herself for years fell out. “I want to know what that feels like.”
“I know you do, baby.” He rocked back and thrust forward. “We’re going to give it to you.”
She slid toward the headboard with his powerful thrust, but she locked elbows stopping her head from making contact with the carvings. Her hips lifted off the bed as his cock tunneled into her depths and lit up her pussy with an electrical charge she’d only felt with Cade. “Oh, my God. Yes.”
“Like that?” He groaned. “Look up, and watch me fuck you.”
She spread her thighs and planted her feet flat on the bed as her gaze drifted to the mirror above her.
He adjusted his legs and positioned her so she could see their joining. Slowly, he pulled out. Her pussy juices glistened on the smooth flesh of his cock.
She needed to install ceiling mirrors in her new house so when she made love to Cade, she could see every glorious inch of him. Her pussy contracted and more juices trickled from her slit. Cade would be all over her, taking her hard, not waiting. He’d tell her exactly what he was doing as he was doing it. He’d make her talk. Except, he wasn’t there.
“You want my cock?” He lowered his pelvis, tapped her entrance, and lifted up again, not giving her the orgasm she wanted, teasing her.
“Yes, sir.” She whimpered. Just do it. Fuck me. I need to know I can walk away from this, from you, from the possibilities of wanting two men for more than an evening.
She lifted her hips and tried to get closer to his beautiful cock. Precum dripped from the head onto her clit.
“Derek is watching us,” he whispered. “He wants to taste your pussy, but you’re mine. Your pussy is mine. Your ass is mine. Your mouth is mine. Your breasts, your neck, your back, every inch of you is mine. All mine.”
“Fuck her, Garrett,” Derek ordered. His gorgeous, athletic body came into view from the side mirrors around the top of the canopy. His hand wrapped around his thick cock and pumped up and down. Pearls of cum covered the huge head. He skimmed over the top, drew the liquid down, and lubricated the shaft. “I’m going to be deep inside you.”
Derek’s abs contracted. Ripples of muscle formed an eight pack as his hips thrust up into his hand. He’d always been in shape, but damn, he was as cut as Cade and Garrett.
She scanned him more thoroughly than before. Gorgeous, smooth, tanned skin all the way to a low speedo swim line. His cock stood firm, thick, and long with clean-shaven, heavy balls drawn up against his shaft.
Garrett drove into her, awakened her G-spot, and roughly rubbed against her breasts with his chest. Energy crackled in the room. Her breathing grew shallow as her pussy contracted in waves.
“She wants us.” Derek’s voice sounded gravelly and deep. He stepped closer toward the bed. He reached out with his other hand and caressed along Garrett’s firm ass while he glided up and down his own length with the other.
Garrett moaned loudly. In and out, Garrett thrust. Harder. Faster. Deeper. “Watch my cock take your sweet pussy.”
“Pull out and let me see her pussy juices all over your big dick,” Derek demanded.
Garrett’s legs shook as he lifted his hips. The mirrors around the top edge gave her a crystal clear, three-sided view. Her wet pussy spread open and waited for his return.
Her juices dripped from his cock. Her slick, pussy cream glistened along her inner thighs.
The bed dipped as Derek crawled between their legs.
“I need a taste,” Derek said like an order. Like Cade.
“Oh, my God,” she muttered.
Derek’s tongue dipped into her pussy. He lifted his head and licked the head of Garrett’s cock.
“Oh fuck,” Garrett said.
Derek licked Garrett’s balls and sucked on them as Garrett inched into her again.
“Mmm.” Derek’s voice vibrated into her sex. Painfully slow, Garrett retreated from her center. Derek’s mouth took over. He licked her pussy, sucked her clit and then deep-throated Garrett’s cock.
Her heart pounded out of her chest. Her legs shook as hard as Garrett’s. Her clit throbbed. Her pussy contracted. She was going to explode.
“Derek,” Garrett moaned. “Yes. Oh, shit. Yes.”
Derek’s tongue lapped at her center. His teeth tenderly raked over her sensitive, swollen clit. His lips brushed along her labia. He opened his mouth and traveled from her to Garrett’s cock. He sucked down Garrett’s shaft then dropped back to her entrance and dipped his tongue inside her.
She lifted her legs, needing more of his tongue’s caresses.
His finger entered her as his hot mouth covered her clit.
“Yes,” she whispered. “Yes.”
Derek moved from between their legs.
She whimpered. “Please?”
“Garrett, fuck her,” Derek demanded.
Garrett moved in a blink of an eye. He slammed his cock into her pussy. In and out. In and out.
Derek crawled behind Garrett. “Let’s give all of us a real adventure.” His hands caressed Garrett’s sides and down along his abs to where his cock joined her pussy. Derek whispered, “I’m going to make this so much better.” His fingers slide back and forth over her sensitive clit.
“Please,” she begged. Her body trembled with the oncoming orgasm. She was so close. So damn close.
In the mirror, Derek’s cock slid against Garrett’s ass cheeks. His mouth pressed against Garrett’s neck.
“I love you,” Derek whispered.
Garrett’s lids closed and his lips parted. He thrust down into her.
“Need this. Need you. Oh fuck. Feels so good.” He rocked back.
“Push against me.” Derek groaned. He pinched Ella’s clit and held it as Garrett drove into her.
“Yes,” she cried out. Her pussy clenched around Garrett’s cock.
“Yes,” Garrett grunted. “Fuck. Yes.”
Derek’s fingers let go of her clit. Blood flooded to the hard bead and sent her careening into orbit.
“Watch me take Garrett’s ass like I’m going to take yours,” Derek said.
Garrett rocked back as Derek’s length disappeared into Garrett’s dark channel.
“Yes.” They both grunted.
Derek’s right hand caressed along Garrett’s side as they all held still, panting.
“You’re so tight and sexy.” His hand moved upward, sliding between them over her breast. “Ella, we’re going to worship you.” He pinched her clit and let go.
Her hips jerked up and trembled. Again. “Please, more.”
Derek’s hand glided up over her arm and to the headboard, taking hold of an area beside Garrett’s firm grip. He thrust forward, propelling Garrett forward, both cocks disappearing once again.
Garrett’s cock seemed bigger, longer as he withdrew and reentered her.
“That’s it.” Derek found her beaded clit and squeezed harder than before. “Fuck her. We need to fuck her.”
She bucked. “It’s like you’re both inside me.” I want you both inside me. I want both your cocks in my pussy. I want your cum dripping down my thighs. “I’m going to come again. I’m going to…”
Garrett grunted. He rocked back and forth, faster and faster.
Garrett’s mouth covered hers as his incredible cock vibrated against all her sweet spots, and Derek’s fingers gave her the edge of pain she’d learned she loved.
“This is how it will be from now on,” Derek said.
“I’ve had so many fantasies of doing this,” she whispered. She held strong as their bodies glided, rocked, and pounded into her. Slow, then fast. Slow. Fast.
Derek lifted her legs up and changed the angle of Garrett’s entrance into her, pushing him in deeper.
She let go of the headboard, and curled her arms around Garrett’s strong neck. His mouth crashed onto hers. Her tongue stroked his and begged for more.
He silently demanded control. His tongue stroked and guided her toward the next orgasm.
Derek’s hand let go from the headboard. She sucked in an audible gasp as her clit and pussy throbbed in unison. Derek glided up over her mons between Garrett’s and her flesh. Garrett sucked in his belly and gave Derek’s fingers room to explore.
Garrett retreated, but his tongue danced in a frenzied pace with each solid thrust. Derek’s fingers slid to her throbbing clit. He tapped it and brought her to the very edge of climax.
Needing more, she writhed under the two men as the three moved as a unit. In and out. In and out. Garrett’s cock seemed to grow. Derek’s hand at her pussy reached up to the headboard.
Electricity shot through her, causing an orgasmic earthquake.
“Come,” Derek commanded.
Her partners joined in the shaking of the world inside her and scorched her as a bigger orgasm hit her system.
The men shouted something, but nothing made sense. She shuddered and trembled as absolute bliss held her captive, and her body came apart beneath them.
The two men collapsed on top of her, moaning and panting.
“I love you, Ella,” Garrett whispered in her ear. “Once will never be enough.”
She let go of the headboard and let her arms fall to the mattress as all the tension from his unexpected return left her. “Wow.”
“We can do that again.” His cock stirred inside her.
“We can’t.” Her pussy embraced his cock like she would never let go and gave her real desire away. She wanted more, so much more.
“Not tonight,” Derek sighed. “Garrett has to work.” He kissed Garrett’s neck. “That was better than it’s ever been. Thank you.”
A smiled grew on Garrett’s lips as he pressed them against Ella’s ear. “You’ve just had the best sex of your life. Admit it.”
It tied with Cade.
“The best? I’ve had just as good.”
He puffed out a laugh. “Did you hear that, Derek?”
“Damn. Yeah, I heard her. We’ve got to up our game. One guy can’t outdo us.”
She gazed up at the mirror. Derek withdrew his cock from Garrett and spread his ass cheeks. Cum dripped from the passage. A stroke of jealousy hit her. I want him to look at me like that. I want to please him too.
Garrett moaned.
“God, you’re gorgeous.” Derek kissed the base of Garrett’s spine. “Stay here, and I’ll be back to clean you up.”
He crawled off the bed and walked to the master bathroom.
“Was it the first time you’ve done that with him?” she asked.
“Yes.” He nuzzled her ear. “We’ve played with toys but never actually fucked.”
“Oh.” She bit her bottom lip. “Did you like it?”
“Mmm.” He rolled his hips and moved his cock back and forth inside her. “Did you?”
“Um…” She rolled her hips and joined in on his gentle glide, keeping the sensual connection. I did, but something was missing. More like someone.
“You won’t get in trouble for liking it, Ella. I’m not my brother.”
“I liked it. I’m not sure it’s for me long-term.” I love Cade too. I don’t love Derek. I like him. But he’s not into me. Not like he’s into you.
“We’re dating to figure it out,” Garrett said.
Derek returned with a tray of wet and dry washcloths along with bowls of soapy and clean water, reminding her of all the times she’d bathed her husband once he couldn’t clean himself. Years of the most basic care, the kind she’d done for her children.
“I’m going to hop in the shower while you two clean up.” She wiggled out from under Garrett. His semi-hard cock slipped from her center. She needed to get away before the memories of Greg consumed her. “I’ll be back in a couple minutes.”
She hurried off the bed as Garrett followed.
“Let her have a few minutes,” Derek said. “She’ll be fine. It’s been an emotional day.”
Garrett’s footsteps behind her stopped as she entered the bathroom. She turned on the shower and stepped in. Under the spray of warm water, the memories of her husband, the guilt for giving in to her desires for Garrett, and the love she had for Garrett and Cade overwhelmed her. Silently, she let it all out under the cleansing flow of water where no one would hear, no one would know.
She missed her husband.