“Anything at all,” Rhett agreed, and the intensity in his eyes made my breath catch.
They left, closing the door until it was open just a crack—probably for the kittens, but it made me feel safer knowing I could hear them moving around in the main room. Cheeto had already curled up next to his sister, both kittens purring softly. The sound was soothing, like a tiny engine running in neutral.
I closed my eyes, trying to relax into the unfamiliar bed that smelled like Troy—clean laundry and that spicy cologne he wore. But the moment darkness descended behind my eyelids, I saw them again: sleek, sinuous bodies sliding across my floor, tongues flicking, eyes like glinting beads. I moaned and punched my pillow, sending the kittens skittering off to a safer cuddle spot.
“Shit. I’m sorry, kittens!” But they were already gone, and I could hear the clatter of cat food being poured into a bowl and Rhett chatting with the little furballs about spending the nightin their kennel as he prepared them for bed, lecturing Cheeto on his tendency to chew on electrical cords when unsupervised.
I forced myself to breathe slowly. What would podcast Aimee tell me to do? Then it struck me: it never worked to tell yourself not to think about something scary. That just made you think about it more. Instead, I had to think about something else, fill my mind with a positive thought to focus on.
A booming laugh sounded from the other room, and suddenly I knew exactly what to think about. I closed my eyes, listening to the reassuring sounds of Rhett and Troy in the other room—cupboards opening and closing, the clatter of dishes, the low rumble of their voices. Their presence was like a security blanket, wrapping me in a sense of protection that even the burrito comforter couldn’t match.
I couldn’t make out what they were saying until Rhett’s voice suddenly rose, clear and distinct, telling Troy he wanted to fuck.
I grabbed a pillow and pressed it over my face, torn between embarrassment and a sudden, fierce heat that pooled low in my belly. The image that flashed through my mind was vivid and unexpected: Troy behind Rhett, both of them naked and glistening with sweat, muscles rippling as they moved together.
What would my life be like if I just… let them? If I let them fix my plumbing and stop by at all hours with food and pull me into the bed between them. Would it really be so bad?
Why was I so determined to push them away? They were here, willing to drop everything at a moment’s notice every single time there was even a hint that I might need them.
What was I afraid of, really? Through all their irritating hijinks, these men had never been anything but a safe space for me. And maybe I was finally safe enough to want something more.
I closed my eyes and imagined walking into Rhett’s bedroom, imagined Troy’s dark eyes filling with want and Rhett’s wicked grin inviting me in. I let my hands wander over my body, cupping my breasts as I imagined Rhett’s big, calloused hands on me, pinching my nipples, making me moan. What would it be like to have both their mouths on me, sucking hungrily on my tits as their hands wandered lower?
One hand slipped between my legs, all thoughts of my stalker and the snakes fading into the background as I pictured every filthy thing I’d heard them say through the wall. I pressed my face into Troy’s pillow, breathing in the spicy scent of his cologne as I rocked against my own hand.
My fingers moved faster on my clit, pleasure coursing through me as the sound of their laughter, rich and warm, vibrated through my body, making me shudder. I bit back a moan, sure they’d come rushing in to check on me if they heard any kind of sound.
Would that be embarrassing, or would they crawl into bed and help me come?
Chapter 11
Troy
AsIwatchedRhettget ready for bed, it occurred to me that this was the first time we'd deliberately slept together. Two nights ago, we'd tumbled into bed together, caught up in our passion. And last night, we'd been separated at work, but this was different. This was us, doing our bedtime rituals with the intent to spend the night together. Like boyfriends.
My cheeks felt hot as I remembered that he'd called me that. It was just like Rhett to dive right in and assume I was his boyfriend without discussing anything first. And it turned out I didn't hate that about him. Boyfriend. I couldn't keep my eyes off of him as he tossed his shirt into a hamper, then unbuckled his belt, sliding his jeans down his legs to reveal gray boxer briefs that hugged the curve of his ass in a way that made my mouth go dry.
Fuck, he was beautiful. I was used to appreciating men, but not like this. This was Rhett, my best friend, the guy who knew every embarrassing story from my past, who'd seen me at my worst, who could make me laugh harder than anyone else. And somehow, seeing him like this—half-naked and comfortable in his own skin—hit me harder than any hookup ever had.
"What?" he asked, catching me staring as he turned around. A slight flush crept up his neck, and I wondered how he could still be shy after what we'd done to each other.
"Just appreciating the view," I said, covering my deeper thoughts with a playful smirk.
Rhett couldn't hide his pleased smile. He liked being admired, and I was completely happy to indulge him in that. He walked over to the large enclosure in the corner of the bedroom, crouching down to peer through the mesh. Inside, Olive and Cheeto were curled together in a fuzzy orange and gray ball, their tiny bodies rising and falling with each breath.
"Hey, little monsters," he whispered, his voice going soft in that way that made something in my chest ache. He unlatched the door and reached in to gently stroke Cheeto's head, smiling when the kitten stirred just enough to push into his touch before settling back to sleep. "Soon you'll be big enough to roam free at night, I promise. But not until I'm sure you're safe."
I watched him, this big strong man talking baby talk to tiny kittens, and felt something shift inside me—something that felt dangerously close to falling in love. And that was terrifyingbecause we hadn't even figured out what we were to each other yet. Not to mention the complicated feelings I had brewing for Aimee, who was currently sleeping in our guest room after the snake incident that had left all three of us shaken.
"How's the dynamic duo?" I asked, trying to pull myself out of my head.
"Sleeping like the innocent angels they're not," Rhett said with a grin, carefully latching the enclosure door again. "I caught Cheeto trying to scale the curtains when I came in to change earlier. Kid's a menace."
"Takes after his dad," I teased, starting to undress.
Rhett watched as I pulled my shirt off, his eyes darkening in a way that sent heat straight to my groin. "Which dad?" he asked, the playful question loaded with meaning. "The cool, laid-back one or the uptight, rule-following one?"
I tossed my shirt at his head. "Fuck you. I'm not uptight."
