“So, you’ll relax.” He rounds the desk and kneels before me, resting a hand on my leg to keep it still as his hazel eyes search mine. “Please don’t freak out around me.”
“I can’t help it. I keep thinking about last night.”
“Do you regret it?” Now he’s the one holding his breath.
Images flash through my mind on a loop; warm hands, soft lips, breathless cries. And the sensation of being protected. Safe. How could I regret that?
“No.” I shake my head even as I feel blood rushing to my cheeks.
“Are you embarrassed?”
“A little.” I press my lips together and focus on the hand caressing my knee.I’m aroused, too, though I’ll keep that part to myself.
“Why?” he asks softly.
I’m tempted to make something up to protect what’s left of my dignity, but a tiny peek at Blake’s expression reveals curiosity and concern, not judgment, which has me re-thinking the need to deflect.
“Why?” he asks again.
“Because I liked it.” It’s easier to say that to his hand than his face, but it’s the truth.
Blake tips my chin up, so I’m forced to meet his eyes. “I liked it, too. More than I expected I would. So did Jace, although he never had any doubts. He’s more…experienced.” He offers an awkward shrug.
No surprise there—they did suggest it—but it’s nice toknow all the same.
“Does that mean we keep doing this? The three of us all the time.” My gaze darts awkwardly between Blake’s face and the floor, the door, even the desk, as I wait for his answer.Will I ever be comfortable talking about this?
“It doesn’t have to be all the time.” His calm tone gives me the strength to meet his stare. “It can be you and I, or you and Jace if we aren’t all in the same place for some reason. But when we are together it’d be the three of us. Does that still work for you?”
My practical side sees only red flags, convinced this arrangement will result in one or more of us suffering a broken heart. My inner flamingo is telling me I’ve only just started flapping my wings and I should get ready to fly, which is a selfish but also much more satisfying argument.
This whole venture—new job, new town—was about getting out of the comfortable bubble I’ve been living in, so I might as well burst the damn thing instead of just poking a tiny hole in it, right?
“Look,” Blake exhales, “this isn’t where I saw things going with us, and I’d be lying if I said it feels natural to have a threesome. But I feel connected to you, and I know Jace does too, so I want to keep exploring it. I mean, if you want that.”
Taking a deep breath, I give Blake a decisive nod. “Yes.”
“Yeah?” A relieved smile stretches across his face. “Cool.” He leans forward, planting a soft kiss on my forehead. “Now let’s go build some trails. The sooner we get those done the sooner I get to ride them with you, and Jace says you’re pretty sexy on a bike.”
My heartbeat accelerates under his praise, and my inner flamingo revels like the badass he is.
Chapter nineteen
Blake
After the slightly awkward morning-after several days ago, Kane and I settled into a comfortable rhythm at work. We meet first thing in the morning to go over plans, then spend the day fine tuning the sections of trail that have been excavated by the crew. We part ways around five, and he comes by for dinner andentertainmentbefore the three of us call it a night. Most times the entertainment is sex, but sometimes it’s a game of cards or even watching some of the videos Jace has filmed. The only thing that would make it better is if Kane slept over, though admittedly that would start talk we haven’t even addressed ourselves.
Several conversations have to take place between the three of us—sooner rather than later—so we can decide what to tell people and when. That’s unfortunate since things are going really well in their undefined state, but if we ever hope to make things official, which Jace and I do, we’ll have to talk about what the three of us are to each other. I’m both excited and terrified for that discussion.
Jace and I are careful not to act too familiar orcouple-yin front of Kane, which just as he suggested seems to put us all on a level playing field, meaning Kane doesn’t feel like an addition. At least, he doesn’tact like he does. Still, while I know there’s a well-intended purpose behind the deception, I’m worried that the longer we omit the truth the greater the risk Kane feels betrayed when we come clean. The full story has to come out, and quickly.
That’s my opinion anyway. Jace still thinks it’s a little soon, believing Kane should feel comfortable spending the night before we say anything, so he doesn’t feel like an intruder in our bed. To an extent I see his point, but since Kane is sensitive to the fact we work together I could see it being weeks or even months before he feels comfortable staying the night, and I don’t think Jace and I should keep our relationship secret that long.
Either way, since we’d eventually like to come out as a throuple, Jace and I agree it makes sense for the town to get used to seeing the three of us together. The concert in the park tonight is the perfect excuse. No one will think twice about me bringing my new roommate and boss to the event, and the three of us can do something outside the confines of my house. Win, win. Now I just have to convince Kane.
“You want to take me on a date? Both of you, together?” He pauses mid-shovel with a leery expression when I casually mention the invite while we’re clearing the trail.
“I want you to come with us to the weekly concert in the park.” I veryspecificallydidn’tsaydate,but it’s interesting that’s what he heard. It seems like a step in the right direction. I’ll have to tell Jace.
