She sniggered, and her voice was light and more forgiving when she said, “After everything you’ve been through, you’re allowed to loosen up a little. Have some fun.”
“Gee, thanks for the permission, I guess.”
“You’re welcome,” she said without hesitation. “Now get some sleep. I’ll call tomorrow, okay?”
“Deal.”
Silence folded in on me when the call ended. No more voices, or to-do lists. Just me, and that piercing blue-gray gaze pouring into mine whenever I closed my eyes. His grip on my waist, and how heat instantly gathered at his fingertips, spreading through me like a wildfire. I let out a slow breath, helping my mind to slip further into the memory of what he smelled like up close. The low tenor of his voice in my ear. There’d been something there. I was sure of it. I felt it all over when we were crammed together in that closet.
And now, alone, it was impossible not to feel it still.
I bit the inside of my lip. Somewhere in the back of my mind I was aware they were downstairs, talking. Aware that I probably shouldn’t. Any one of them could come up here. Need something. Wrench open my door to find me in the most compromising position.
But the idea only turned me on more, and my hand floated between my breasts, drawing a feathery line down my abdomen. Until I reached the waistband of my jeans.
I indulged in the ‘what if?’ of it all. Because what if the kids hadn’t started screaming? What if Ethan and I had a few more minutes of absolute privacy in that small closet in the hall? Our bodies pressed so close I could feel the heat of him rushing into me.
What then?
Would it have been so wrong to lean in when he gripped me that way? To wrap my arms around his neck and lose myself in those stormy pools of not-quite-blue?
I was soaked all the way through my underwear, and sucked in a breath the moment my finger slipped over my mound anddown the length of my folds. My clit was hard, swollen with lust for him.Only him?
I bit back a moan, my hips dipping as I applied more pressure. Fuck me, I had no idea what the fuck was going on, but all three of them had me in a vice-like grip. From being days away from settling down with one man for the rest of my life, there were now three who had me all hot and bothered.
A particularly forceful shudder raked through me, and I couldn’t take it anymore. The layers between me and what I wanted most was infuriating, and I pulled back just enough to slip my hand inside my underwear. I was so wet, my finger slid easily between my folds, teasing my clit as I rolled my hips to increase the friction. The bed squeaked under me, but I don’t slow down. Because Ethan in my head isn’t slowing down. The taste of salt and cologne set my senses ablaze as I dragged my tongue along his collarbone. That low groan of his coming out all ragged and desperate when I closed my hand around his hard cock.
I moved faster and with more pressure as I circled my clit, a surge of arousal spilling out of me all over again. Except it wasn’t my finger working the magic. It was Ethan. He was the one with his hand between my legs, encouraging me with barely-there whispers to come for him while I held him close. And then his voice changed, and it wasn’t him anymore. Miles now. Flicking the tip of his finger over my pulsing clit, and using two fingers to hold me open. I pursed my lips tightly together to stop the trembling moan that wanted to break out of me. No noise. Only heat.
The muscles in my thighs tensed up, and I twisted my hips to change the angle for Adrian. Sweet, chaotic Adrian. So attentive with how he pleasured me. Faster. I dipped a finger inside, thenbrought it back over my clit, quaking with how fucking good that felt.
Soon, it all melded together. All three of them. All stroking me to climax. Building momentum until there could be only one outcome.
I turned my head to bury my face in my pillow just as a cry of pleasure tore from deep in my throat. My orgasm hit hard, raking through me until I was nothing but a wet, trembling mess on my bed. I clamped a hand over my mouth to muffle my ragged, shallow breaths as I slowly eased through it, my body growing heavy and limp where I lay.
The room went quiet again, but I was anything but calm. Every breath carried the echo of hands that hadn’t even touched me. And the only thing louder than my heartbeat was the one thought I couldn’t shake—
This job was supposed to save my life, not complicate it even further.
9
Maren
I once got so drunk at a tequila bar in Seaport, that Liv had to give her phone number to a couple of strangers so they’d help load me into the back of a cab. I was sick for two whole days following that, my skin a light shade of green.
Today’s trip to the vibey district would be far less provocative, because I was on the clock. Even so, it didn’t stop me from overthinking yet another outfit-change as the time drew nearer to pick up the kids at school. Miles had called earlier. He wanted me to bring them to the office for a surprise—their pick of Halloween costumes by none other than Anouk Belrose, herself.
“Must be nice.” I gave my thrifted prairie dress the evil eye. If I was smart, it might just work. I rifled through my closet for the most obvious finishing touches, and surprised myself with the end result.
Liv always complained the vibrant swirls of russet and indigo flowers made her seasick, but the mini dress always made me feel like a movie star from the ‘70s. Paired with my Chelsea boots and camel wool coat, it gave the distinct air of effortless style I was going for.
I grabbed my purse and made it all the way to my bedroom door before turning back for one last look in the mirror. I tugged my hair out of its tie and let my waves fall over my shoulders. Better. The blonde in that photo with Ethan, Miles, and Adrianwore it down. Longer than mine by a good few inches, but not as much curl to it.
Must’ve been a good summer, judging by those short shorts and her wide, flawless grin.
*
Lumen Events resided in a converted warehouse loft overlooking the harbor. Red brick exterior, black steel frames, and huge arched windows for maximum light. The sleek interior elevated the industrial feel with the men’s unique charm. High ceilings with exposed beams, metal piping, and an expanse of creative hubs that took up the floor space leading to three offices at the far end of the long room.
