Sated in Ink

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  “I’m really bad at this.” She moved forward so she was encircled in his arms, and he leaned his forehead against hers. When she inhaled his scent, her toes curled, but she also felt as if she were coming home.

  Warning. Danger. All the wrong moves.

  But she didn’t move away. She sank into his hold. She knew this was just one more mistake in a long list of many. But she didn’t care. Not then.

  “I’m going to try to do better.”

  “I hope you do. You missed out on that really amazing art show, and then you missed out on dim sum. And, tonight, you missed out on sushi and ramen.”

  “I forgot tonight was sushi.” He grumbled, and she smiled.

  “Lincoln was telling me each of your favorites while we were eating them.”

  He grumbled again.

  “I kind of liked learning about you through him. But, Ethan?”

  “Yes?”

  “I want to learn about you through you, as well. And maybe learn a little bit about Lincoln through you, too. I love the fact that you guys have so much history. I guess that means that Lincoln knows that maybe you’ve been working too much. Or putting work before him.”

  “I know. That means I’m putting work in front of you, too.”

  She ignored that clutch in her belly again. Because she wasn’t allowed to think of them as a true relationship. If she did, she’d break.

  “I know how you can make it up to me,” she whispered. There, she’d use sex to make herself okay. Because that was all this was. Right?

  She’d use her body, not her soul.

  But only with them.

  Because, honestly, she didn’t think she’d ever be the same when this ended. When they found each other, and she was left to walk away. Because she would. For them.

  But she was so afraid that she was going to fall in love with them. Or worse, that she’d already fallen.

  Ethan lowered his head and brushed his lips along hers once, twice. Then his hands slid down her back and gripped her ass.

  She ground against him, grinning.

  “Stop making it so easy for me.”

  She looked up at him then and bit his chin. “Stop hurting yourself because you’re making mistakes.”

  She ignored the fact that she’d just said that because she was not going to listen to her own advice in this case.

  “I don’t know what I did to deserve you. Or Lincoln. But I’m going to try to actually make it worth it.”

  “All you have to do is be yourself, Ethan.” Holland reached up and trailed her fingers under the dark circles shadowing his eyes. “You look so tired. Like you’re not getting enough sleep and putting so much pressure on yourself. It’s not just Lincoln you’re hurting.”

  “I know. It’s you, too.”

  She shook her head. “No, I’m talking about you. You need some time for yourself.”

  “I’d rather just spend it with you.”

  “Well, you’ve come to the right place, then. I was just about to put on a face mask and take a bath with some candles. What do you say? Want to join me?”

  He raised a brow. “I don’t know about the face mask. Probably not good to ingest if I’m going to kiss you all over.”

  She knew she was blushing from her head to her toes, and she didn’t care.

  “Okay, well, my house is pretty small, but the bathroom was remodeled.”

  “I like what I’ve seen of your place.”

  “I like it, too. But, it’s not my dream home yet. However, as I was saying, the bathroom was completely remodeled. And that means I have a tub that can easily fit two.”

  His brows rose, and once again, her toes curled.

  “Oh, really?”

  “Oh, yes. Now, let me get you comfortable. You look like you deserve a little relaxation.”

  She pulled away from him slightly but held his hand in hers as she led him to the bathroom.

  He looked around her house as they made their way, and then she remembered he hadn’t really seen much of it. But there really wasn’t much to show him. This was the place she was trying to make hers after moving out of the house she had bought with Dustin. There were pictures on the walls and furniture that was her, but pieces were missing. She didn’t like the flow of the house yet. This place wasn’t hers yet. Not entirely. Maybe one day it would be, but for now, the bathtub was what she wanted.

  That was her oasis. Whoever had owned the house before her had put in a huge, sunken tub. It was obscenely large, and if they worked at it, it could probably fit the three of them. Maybe not entirely comfortably, and it would be way too small for sex with all three of them, but she could easily ride Ethan in this bathtub.

  Not that she thought about it. Often, at least.

  “Wow,” Ethan said with a whistle. “I forgot how huge this thing is.”

  “Aww, are you talking about your dick?” she said, laughing when he turned around and slapped her on the ass.

  “Hey,” she said, grinning.

  “What? I couldn’t help it. And, yes, I’m also talking about my dick.”

  “Okay, strip down. I’m going to run you the perfect bath.”

  “Really? You’re not going to strip me?”

  She tapped her foot on the tile as she folded her hands over her chest. “Don’t be rude. Get naked, and then maybe I’ll touch your dick.”

  “You say the sweetest things.” He winked, then slowly undid the buttons of his shirt, sliding it off his shoulders before undoing his belt buckle. She swallowed hard, watching his forearms and wrists work as he shucked off his pants and shoes. And then he stripped off his undershirt and his boxer briefs. That left him naked, standing in her bathroom, and she hadn’t even turned on the water yet.

  The damn man knew. He’d been watching her the entire time.

  “I thought you were going to turn on the water,” Ethan said, his tongue in his cheek.

  She shook herself and then flipped him off before bending over to turn on the taps. She added a little bit of lavender bubbles and a touch of effervescent salts to help with his sore muscles—but not so much that it overflowed.

  But as she was bent over, Ethan came up behind her and gripped her hips, slowly rubbing his very erect cock against her ass.

  She moaned and leaned back, rubbing herself against him before standing up. That left her back completely pressed to his chest, and she grinned at him over her shoulder.

  “Soak first, maybe sex later,” she whispered.

  “Are you going to get in with me?”

  “Only if you’re good.”

  “You know I’m never good.”

  “Ethan? You’re one of the sweetest, nicest guys I know. Same with Lincoln. You’re very good.”

  When he looked as if he were ready to pout, she grinned. “But I love it when you’re bad.” And then she kissed him hard right on the lips but pushed away when he tried for more.

  “Get in that tub. I’ll be in in a minute.” And then she sauntered off, knowing his gaze was glued to her ass.

  Oh, yes, she knew exactly what she was doing to him. But he was doing the same to her.

  When she heard him get into the water, she looked into the mirror and met his gaze. Then she pulled off her top, her breasts falling free of their confinement. Then she bent over, loving the way Ethan whistled again as she pulled her shorts down.

  And when she turned, she watched as he slowly slid his hand over his dick, pumping once, then again.

  She moaned, gripping her breasts as he continued jacking himself off.

  And as he soaked in the tub, she moved closer so she could turn off the tap.

  “Jesus Christ,” he groaned.

  “Pretty much.”

  She quickly turned around again and went to the cabinet as he grumbled behind her. She pulled out a condom and held it up.

  “Sorry, I forgot this part.”

  He licked his lips, and she handed it over. When he was fully sheathed—thankfully out of the water somewhat because she
hadn’t filled the tub completely—he gripped her hands and helped her in. She straddled him and then slowly began to lower herself on top of him. He kept one hand on hers, the other on her hip as he helped to guide her over him.

  She probably could have used a little more foreplay, but then again, she was wet just watching him. And she couldn’t help it, she wanted him. But when he slowly slid his hand over her clit, she moaned and knew she was wet enough. And then she slid down even farther, the tip of his dick penetrating her with ease. And then she lowered herself completely. They both moaned, the water sloshing around them, and then she just rocked. Having him fully seated inside her as she tried to catch her breath made her feel whole. Like this could be it. Even if she was afraid to want that.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, sliding his hand through her hair. He pulled her closer for a deep kiss, and she undulated again.

  They moved together, her rocking as he slid in and out of her softly.

  He was already so deep that she knew she could come easily. And when she squeezed her inner muscles, he groaned and kept kissing her. They worked as one, slowly, sensually, the sound of the water sloshing around them filling the space. When he pinched her nipples and bit down on her lip, she moaned and then came.

  He followed her, slamming into her one last time with a hard thrust that sent water over the edge of the tub. She shivered, calling his name even as he kissed her, hard.

  And then she leaned over him, holding him close as he slowly slid his wet, slick hands over her back, holding her as if she were the most precious thing in the world.

  She was so afraid that he actually thought so.

  She didn’t want to let go. She didn’t want to leave this at all. Ever. But she was so afraid she would have to once they found something better—like Dustin had.

  She wanted this. Wanted it more than anything. And as Ethan held her, as he whispered sweet nothings in her ear that told her she was important, she knew she couldn’t have this. Because this wasn’t hers.

  But for now, she could live the lie. She could pretend. She could hold on.

  Lincoln lay in bed, wondering when he should get up, or if he should get up at all. Maybe today would be the day that he sat lazily and tried to get his head in the game or work a little bit on his painting. But he was still so pissed off from the night before, he just wanted to stay in bed and try to think about what he was going to do.

  Because he wasn’t only angry at Ethan, he was angry at himself. He’d gone off on Ethan when he’d done nothing more than what he usually did. Ethan always made things up, Lincoln knew that. But Lincoln had flown off the handle because he was afraid of losing Holland. He knew the way she constantly took that tiny step back. As if she were waiting for them to run away with each other rather than staying with her. He didn’t know how to fix that. That’s why he needed Ethan. But Ethan wasn’t helping matters. And, hell, maybe Lincoln wasn’t doing well. Maybe this was his fault. Perhaps if he weren’t so focused on what he wasn’t doing with work, he’d be able to fix what was important between them.

  Maybe he just needed to get out of bed and go find Ethan and apologize. And then he’d go find Holland and chain her to them or something.

  Lincoln was working just as many hours as Ethan had been lately, but they were both working far too hard at this point. Because Lincoln hadn’t missed the dark circles under Ethan’s eyes. Hadn’t missed the fact that his best friend and lover looked exhausted.

  And Lincoln needed Ethan to make sure that Holland didn’t run.

  After all, he’d first met her while on the run, even if it hadn’t been her fault that she’d fled. He’d likely always be worried. Until she said that she wanted to stay. Until this wasn’t just a moment or a little bit of time and fun while they were together. He was going to worry.

  Maybe that was on him and not her, but he couldn’t help it. That’s what he did, he worried.

  His phone rang, and he frowned. It’d better not be Damien. Lincoln really didn’t want to deal with the asshole right then.

  He needed a new agent. Maybe even a new studio. Something to push him into drawing. He hadn’t sketched again since that one time with Holland’s and Ethan’s faces. He kept wanting to, thought about Holland’s curves and the way she smiled, the way Ethan looked at her, but every time he tried to put it down on paper, he just couldn’t. Or Damien showed up, and Lincoln lost the inspiration.

  He was done. So fucking done.

  But he looked down and let out a sigh.

  He slid his finger to accept the call, and Ethan’s face popped up on the screen. But he wasn’t alone.

  “Hey, you two,” Lincoln said, clearing his throat.

  Ethan sat shirtless—probably naked—on Holland’s bed, his back against the headrest while Holland lay over his chest, her red hair splayed over Ethan’s skin.

  It was hot as fuck, and Lincoln wanted to draw it.

  He almost reached for a pencil but couldn’t grab it without showing off the fact that he was sleeping naked.

  He didn’t think naked FaceTiming was something they did. Right?

  “Just wanted to see what you were doing,” Ethan said.

  “Hey there,” Holland said, and Lincoln grinned.

  “Well, I was sleeping, but then I woke up and was just lying here.”

  “We didn’t wake you?” Holland asked.

  “No, babe. You didn’t wake me.”

  She grinned at him, and his cock went hard. Jesus Christ, that smile could do things to him. Just like Ethan’s. This felt right, the three of them. But he was so afraid that he was going to fuck it up somehow. They really needed to figure out what to do because he did not want to lose this.

  “I came over here after talking with you last night,” Ethan began.

  Lincoln nodded. “I can see that.”

  “I wanted to apologize.” He paused. “Apologize for a lot. And, one thing led to another.”

  Lincoln laughed. “I get that. How’s our girl?”

  “Your girl is lying right here, and she’s doing just fine.” Holland stretched, arching her back so the sheet slid down to her waist. Lincoln groaned.

  Her beautiful, pink nipples were pert and hard on those voluptuous breasts of hers. He wanted to reach through the phone and take a lick, but he couldn’t. However, Ethan groaned as well and reached around to cup one breast, rolling her nipple between his fingers.

  “Jesus Christ. Is this how you’re going to wake me up in the morning now?” Lincoln asked.

  “I’m okay with that,” Holland breathed.

  “Well, before we get to the fun part,” Ethan said with a wink, “I wanted to apologize again.”

  Lincoln shook his head, palming his dick in his hand under the sheet. They couldn’t see, but given the way his biceps bunched just a bit, he knew they would notice that part, at least. “No need to apologize. You said you’re going to try and fix it. We’re going to fix it.”

  “That’s why I’m not working today.”

  It was a Saturday, so Ethan shouldn’t be working at all. But considering what his boss had been making him do recently, Lincoln counted this as a win. Ethan was trying. He had been trying. Lincoln would, too.

  “Okay, we’re all going to do better,” Holland said, arching into Ethan as he played with her breast. “But it’s really hard to concentrate with your hand there.”

  Ethan looked down at her and then into the screen.

  The camera shook a bit, and Lincoln swallowed hard.

  “What exactly are we doing?” he asked, and Ethan licked his lips. He wanted that tongue on his mouth, his dick, everywhere.

  But they were at Holland’s, and he was here. But he was still going to make the most of it.

  “I have an idea, you naked under there?”

  “Yes,” Lincoln answered, a little wary. He wanted whatever they were willing to give him, but this was new for him.

  “Well, since it’s just the three of us. How about we have a litt
le fun this morning?”

  “I’m in if you are. But this is just us, right? You’re not streaming it anywhere?” Holland asked.

  “I promise you. Just us.” Ethan kissed her hard, and Lincoln increased the speed of his hand on his dick. “We can stop this right now,” he growled.

  “Anything you want, I’m yours,” Holland said, and Lincoln met Ethan’s gaze. Ethan gave a tight nod, and Lincoln knew he was thinking the same thing that he was. They weren’t going to lose her. They would fight for her. But for now, they could have a little fun.

  Ethan moved the camera around, and all Lincoln saw was a bit of flesh. Then he heard a giggle, and the sheets rustling and all he could do was shake his head. But then Ethan put the phone somewhere close—on the nightstand, most likely, leaning against the lamp from what he could tell—and Lincoln got a full view of Holland spread out on the bed, her hands on her breasts as she looked directly at the camera. From this angle, he could also see Ethan’s head between Holland’s legs, a wry smile on his face, and his eyes dark.

  “Angle that camera so we can see what you’re working with, big boy,” Ethan said, and Lincoln barked out a laugh before doing as he was told. Well, this was going to be a fun way to start the day.

  Lincoln slowly worked his hand up and down his shaft, cupping his balls as Holland played with her tits, her gaze on his. Her eyes darkened, her mouth parted as Ethan started to lick, sending spasms of pleasure through him as if Ethan were licking down his cock.

  He tried to keep his eyes open, did his best not to come right then and there, but he couldn’t help it. All he could do was imagine Holland’s mouth on his cock, Ethan’s dick in his mouth, and try not to blow right then.

  Holland gasped, arching her back as Ethan moved, growling against her core. Lincoln’s hands increased their friction, and his balls tightened, the base of his spine tingling. And then he was shooting his load on his stomach, growling out their names as Holland arched her back again, her eyes closed, her mouth parted in an O as she came. But Ethan didn’t let up. Instead, his hands dug into her hips as he licked and sucked. All the noises hit Lincoln so hard, he almost came again, his dick nearly as rock-hard as before. He kept touching himself, holding out his orgasm so he could see Ethan move again. When Ethan finally lifted his head from Holland, his mouth wet, his tongue darting out to lick the juices from his chin, Lincoln held everything back since just watching, needing made it impossible. And then Holland was suddenly on her knees, swallowing Ethan whole, her ass, and her wet pussy right in front of the camera.