Wetness pooled between her legs. Each time she shifted her weight, the seam of her slacks dug into her, taunting but not providing relief. She grabbed the hem of Gavin’s shirt and yanked it over his head.
“Anxious?” he asked.
She gave a strained chuckle. “Very.”
“Good.” He scooted back, breaking all contact.
The cushions shifted, and Aaron stood. He extended his hand, and when she took it, pulled her to her feet. He looked her over, and need followed everywhere his gaze traveled. “What was it you said that first night we met?” he asked. “That you were prepared to be disappointed?”
It figured that would come back to bite her in the ass. “I don’t think those were my exact words.”
“Your meaning, though.” Aaron didn’t sound upset. “That’s all right. I don’t intend to live down to that expectation.”
“That’s a big promise.” She forced bravado into her voice.
His smile grew devilish, as if he knew she was about to sell her soul, and that they both looked forward to it. “I’m not worried about it.”
She swallowed the mewl that rose in her throat.
“The couch is good for making out, but there’s more space in the bedroom to play.” Gavin joined them and settled a hand at the small of her back. He pointed her toward the hallway and gripped her waist. “But first, take off the rest of your clothes.”
“I—” Her vocabulary chose that moment to abandon her.
Aaron stepped in front of her. “It’s a simple command.” He undid the button on her pants and pulled down the zipper, then shoved her slacks and panties to pool around her feet.
“Bra next.” Gavin’s lips vibrated against her shoulder.
She reached behind her to undo the clasps, and let the lingerie fall to the ground. Anticipation and desire stole her reason. Being exposed like this was both terrifying and freeing.
Aaron drew a line along the middle of her chest, under one breast, and up to her nipple. He pinched the swollen nub and rolled it between his fingers. The sting of pain was enticing. He increased the pressure as he claimed her mouth.
Gavin slid his hand between her legs, teasing her entrance. “You’re soaked.” He scraped his teeth along the skin where her neck met her shoulder. “Enjoying things?”
She moaned in response, not able to speak with Aaron’s tongue dancing around hers. If this was just the introduction, she might not survive the rest of the night. It could be the best way ever to go, though.
Gavin drew his finger—slick with her juices—back to nudge her other hole. She gasped at the penetration, though he didn’t move too deep.
Still tweaking her nipple, Aaron used his other hand to part her folds and zero in on her clit. The new touch against her swollen sex pushed her toward climax. The air stole from her head. She pumped her hips against Aaron, trying to get closer. Seeking release.
Orgasm built inside, pushing her breaths out in short grasps for air. She closed her eyes, falling into the combination of touches and letting sensations run together until they focused on a single point near Aaron’s attentions.
Then every touch vanished. Before she could process what it meant, Gavin smacked her ass. The loud slap tore her eyes open, and the sharp feeling of his palm against her skin made her press her legs together.
“Bedroom. Now,” He growled against her ear. “I need to fuck you, and I’m not the only one.”
Chapter Ten
GAVIN WAS SO HARD HIS balls ached and his cock dug into his jeans. When he stripped off his jeans, his dick sprung free of its prison but didn’t finding relief in the open air. The right conversation with Aaron was its own kind of foreplay, but adding Cynthia to the mix brought a new level of temptation.
He was grateful he didn’t have to choose which of them to study. Aaron had shed his clothes as well, and stood behind Cynthia. She was curves and seduction. He was sculpted and delicious. Aaron pulled two condoms from the dresser and handed one over her shoulder.
She intercepted it before Gavin could grab it. “May I?” Her tone wasn’t deferent, but more playfully submissive.
He raised his brows. “Sure.”
She ripped the foil. When she rolled the rubber on, her touch was light, and he jerked against her palm. He wrapped his hand around hers, to tighten her grip on his shaft, and guided her to stroke. It would be easy to let Cynthia finish him this way, but he wanted to be inside her.
Gavin dropped back onto the bed, and pulled her toward him. “I want to watch you ride me,” he said.
Her smirk was impish, as she straddled his legs. She hovered over him, her heat near enough to feel, but not touch. He nudged her opening with the head of his cock, then thrust up.
Her cry when he pushed inside her was musical, and her pussy wrapped around him, squeezing tight.
Behind her, Aaron kissed along her neck, and reached around to cup her breasts. Gavin didn’t know which he liked more—the feeling of Cynthia, slick and wet around him, or the sight of Aaron making her gasp with each new pinch and caress.
Cynthia rocked against Gavin.
He had to dig his fingers into her hips to slow her down. “You’ll make me come,” he warned.
She caught her bottom lip between her teeth. “I thought that was one of the goals.”
“It is. But not yet.” Even setting an easier pace, Gavin bit the inside of his cheek to keep from climaxing. He moved his hands to Cynthia’s back and pulled her forward as he glided up to her shoulder blades.
Her breasts pressed into his chest. An alluring flush decorated her face.
“Can you take more?” he asked.
Aaron squirted a dollop of lube into the palm of his hand.
“More what?” Her question faded into a squeal when Aaron slipped his fingers between her ass cheeks. “Oh.” Her lips formed an O. “And yes.”
Gavin liked the sound of her agreeing.
Aaron fisted his cock, and knelt behind Cynthia. Gavin felt the change in resistance when Aaron entered her. He proceeded slowly, pausing regularly to give Cynthia a chance to adjust.
Gavin enjoyed the torturous, prolonged moment. When Aaron was completely inside Cynthia, Gavin raised his head to draw one of her nipples into his mouth. He licked and sucked, matching Aaron’s thrusting speed, and falling into Cynthia’s moans.
Her sighs grew to sharp, rapid gasps. She dug her nails into Gavin’s arms. Though her eyes were open, she stared at something past him. When she came, she clenched around his shaft, milking him.
The ache of her nails digging into his biceps mingled with the rub of Aaron the slickness of her tunnel. Gavin couldn’t hold back. He pounded hard and fast, losing himself in waves of pleasure. Climax spilled through and out of him. A sparkle of lights danced behind his lids, and he grew light-headed.
He recognized Aaron’s grunts and knew he was coming too.
It took a few moments, before the chorus of cries, groans, and whimpers faded, leaving gasps for breath in their place.
Aaron slid out of Cynthia, and Gavin helped her roll to the side. She rested her head on his shoulder with a giggle-sigh. Aaron took the spot behind her on the mattress, and draped an arm over her waist. “Disappointed?” he asked, tone light and breathless.
“So far from the opposite, it might as well be another country,” she said.
Gavin brushed her hair from her face. It wasn’t often he was at a loss for words, but right now, nothing felt adequate. Had it ever been like this when he and Aaron picked someone up?
He shook the question aside before found purchase. Cynthia was fun, unique even, but not worth going all swoony over, even in the throes of post-coital bliss.
AARON GLANCED AT GAVIN’S sleeping form, and a pleasant thrum pulsed inside. He grabbed his suit coat from where he’d draped it over the back of a chair, gave his partner one last look, and left the bedroom. Gavin hadn’t slept through Aaron’s getting up in months.
Then again, Aaron hadn’t slept so well in
ages, either. Last night with Cyn wasn’t just great sex; it was also some sort of mental outlet. Between failed investments at work, the resurgence of Gavin’s name in the media, and the arguments both caused, the weight on Aaron—on them both—had built to unbearable. It was as though the balloon burst yesterday, but in a good way.
Aaron was right to add the condition to his pending contract with Cyn. Not that he expected this result or could have guessed it, but he was happy with it. There was a whisper of disappointment when all of them agreed it was best she head home at the end of the night, but it passed in a cloud of rationale.
He grabbed his wallet and keys from their post near the front door, and headed out. A light, nameless tune danced through his head as he took the elevator to the main floor of the condo building.
A small pack of people huddled around the security desk. Habit dictated Aaron duck his head and skirt the crowd without making eye contact. As he stepped outside, he realized how silly the habit was. Gavin hadn’t had fans stalking him at home in years.
Sun streamed between buildings as it rose, and when Aaron stepped outside, it warmed his face and drew more of his calm to the surface. Might as well walk to the office and enjoy his morning. Some people thought L.A. was all smog and misery, but he loved it here—the sun, the lack of a real winter, and being so close to the ocean despite living in a concrete village.
Twenty minutes later, he stepped into the lobby coffee shop of the building he worked in. The queue snaked toward the door. Fine with him. He wasn’t in a hurry. He took his spot and pulled out his phone to browse headlines while he waited.
He stuck to celebrity news. Who was dating, engaged to, or cheating on whom was easier to stomach at an early hour than global politics. He’d catch up on those later in the day.
Former Child Actor Gavin Jackson Doxed
Fuck. Aaron tightened his grip on his phone, concern and fury souring in his gut. Coffee didn’t sound appealing anymore. Pictures getting out wasn’t a huge deal. Rumors of a career revival were easy to brush off. Having their dinner plans leaked and being interrupted? That sucked a bit.
But home was sacred. It was their safe haven.
Aaron headed for the elevator. His fingers itched to be doing something. He wanted to dial their lawyer now, but this was a conversation best held in the privacy of his office.
As he waited the excruciating seconds for the car to climb to his floor, he followed the links in the article. All sources mentioned Gavin’s information was out there, but no one listed the actual address. That was something to be grateful for, wasn’t it?
He reached the agency suite, and cut a straight line for his desk.
“Murdock.” The receptionist’s call stopped him before he was halfway down the hall.
“Yes?”
“VitaStat has called three times. They need an answer today.”
Because their fuckup was his priority? Aaron kept the irritated thought to himself. No reason to take it out on her. “Thanks. If they call again in the next half hour, tell them to”—go fuck themselves—“sit tight. I’ll be with them soon.”
“Will do.” Her voice faded behind him as he stepped into his office and closed the door. He was settling in front of his computer, when his phone chimed.
The email was from Don. Saw the news. We’re on it.
The note didn’t reassure Aaron the way he wanted. Keep me posted. Just me, he replied. Gavin wouldn’t take this well, and there was no reason to wake him up just to ruin his day.
Aaron dove into work as much as he could, with the celebrity news lingering at the forefront of his mind. He looked over the VitaStat account again. His didn’t like either of his options—extend them more capital that only had a fifty-percent or so chance of putting them back on track, or admit now they weren’t going to recover, and eat most of his investment.
A couple updates came in from Don. All of the notices had come down. Like the other day, with the pictures of them coming out of Cyn’s office, they couldn’t trace the rumors back to a source. But they also didn’t find any trace of Aaron and Gavin’s home address online.
Aaron had been studying the VitaStat proposal for a few hours, when Gavin called.
“So, it’s always great to wake up to my name in the news.” Gavin sounded nonchalant.
Aaron swallowed a growl. He’d stressed all morning over that, but this wasn’t the time or person to take his frustration out. “It’s under control.”
“You couldn’t drop me a note to let me know that?”
“I’ve been busy, and I didn’t want to get you up before you were ready.” A new wave of concern surged inside. Was the crowd in the condo lobby this morning there because of Gavin? Aaron’s office line rang, Cyn’s number flashing on the screen. He sent it straight to voicemail.
“Because waking up to headlines like that is so much better than hearing it from you?” Gavin chuckled. “I’m serious. It’s not a big deal. Not until they start banging on the front door.”
A fraction of the weight pressing in on Aaron lifted. “Thank God. You’re taking this really well.”
“Maybe it’s not such a big deal, you know? I’m a big boy, I can deal with a little bad news.”
Aaron sighed, pushing out a breath of tension in the process. “Glad to hear it.”
“I’ll let you get back to work, handsome. See you tonight.”
Aaron was feeling better as he disconnected. That went better than he could have possibly imagined. He turned back to his VitaStat numbers. If he set up the new contract correctly, to extend them additional funds, he could give them what they wanted and mitigate his risk. They had a fantastic product—he wouldn’t have backed them otherwise. They didn’t know much about the business side of things, though. Aaron would install someone in their organization who did.
He worked through lunch, ensuring his math was solid. Cyn called again, and he sent her to voicemail a second time. He’d deal with one decision at a time. Not that he had a much to figure out in her case. He was pretty certain her app was a done deal.
A little while later, he dialed VitaStat’s founder.
“Hey, man. Glad you didn’t forget about us,” Shawn greeted him.
Aaron gave a tight laugh. “Not an option. Is now a good time?”
“Depends on what you have to say.”
“I’m giving you more money.” Might as well cut to the punchline.
“Fantastic.” The irritation vanished from Shawn’s voice.
Aaron gritted his teeth. “With conditions.”
“Sure. Anything.”
“I’m installing a new CEO.”
“Fuck that.” Shawn’s tone shifted in a blink. “I’m the CEO.”
Aaron gave the phone a thin-lipped smile. Now that he’d made the decision, he’d plow through to the results he needed. “No. You’re a board member. You’re head of development. You require a counterpart.”
“This is bullshit. You can’t oust me. No.”
Aaron shrugged. “Funding hinges on it. Let me know your decision in the next twenty-four hours.”
Shawn disconnected without a reply.
That went about as well as Aaron expected. He didn’t want Shawn to call his bluff; having VitaStat turn down this requirement meant Aaron had to back out now, and that would be costly. But if they couldn’t agree to this, they wouldn’t survive long enough to be worth an additional investment.
Time for a far more pleasant conversation. He called Cyn.
“I was starting to think you were avoiding me,” she answered.
A sliver of doubt gnawed at him, carried on the question was last night a mistake? He shoved it aside. Last night was incredible, and he wasn’t letting a couple of bad moments today spoil that. Besides, that was pleasure, this was business. Everyone agreed. “And why would I do that?”
Chapter Eleven
CYNTHIA TOLD HERSELF not to fall off a cliff of paranoia. Aaron hadn’t called her back because she wasn’t his only priority. T
hat was fine. She could wait.
Except her legal issues loomed, and her worry was enhanced by doubts about what happened with Gavin and Aaron—not the sex itself, or even the time leading up to it. But could that line between professional and personal could stay sharp and distinct?
Ridiculous. She’d never had an issue with it before. Not that she’d ever slept with a business associate before.
When Aaron returned her call, relief spilled inside, followed by the reminder she was being ridiculous. Of course he’d get back to her. “I was starting to think you were avoiding me.” She kept her voice light and teasing.
“And why would I do that?” He sounded pleasant.
That was a good sign. “No reason. The mind plays tricks; that’s all. Is now a good time?”
“I called, didn’t I?” A tired thread bled into his voice. “What’s up?”
She pushed friendly-but-professional to the surface. “I’d like to get on your calendar to discuss next steps on funding my project. See if you’re interested in proceeding. Talk about any other requirements. Pencil in how we’d like to move forward. Sooner rather than later, if we can.”
“I’ll have to check my schedule. This is something we should set aside a decent block of time for.”
“You put off a girl too long, and she may start to feel used.” She regretted the teasing the moment it was out. She gave a tiny laugh to take the edge off. Like that’s going to help.
His chuckle wasn’t so playful. “How do you think I feel, as the guy holding the wallet?”
“It was a joke.” If she glued her smile in place, it would show over the phone line. That was how it worked, wasn’t it?
“It was a shitty one. Any specific reason you’re pursuing this so hard?”
I don’t want to lose my business to my ex-best friend, because I couldn’t keep my mouth shut last time I spoke to her. “You know how it goes. I’ve been waiting a long time to move forward, and now that a solution is in sight, I’m anxious. I don’t want to be pushy, though. I can wait.”
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