by Mari Carr
“Pussy,” she whispered, the word so quiet it was lost in the din of the large food court.
They were in the middle of a mall, surrounded by people, but Casey didn’t give a shit. This was the hottest conversation he’d ever had in his life. “Then what does he do?”
“He kisses me, licks me. I’m so hot. I beg him for more, so he pushes his fingers inside me.”
“How many fingers?”
“Two. At first. Then three. It’s a tight fit and he stretches me, but it feels so good.”
Casey clenched his free hand into a fist. What would he give to touch her that way?
“I beg him to take me. With more than just his fingers.”
“You want his cock?”
She nodded. He wanted to hear her say it, but he wouldn’t press her. Yet. After today, he knew without a shadow of a doubt he wanted Jordan in his bed. It was a foolish dream, one that was destined to ruin his friendship with Gabriel, but he couldn’t let it go.
“He won’t give in to me. He keeps using his fingers, driving me higher and higher until I come. It’s an amazing orgasm. I swear I see fireworks, but when I open my eyes, he’s gone and I’m alone.”
Her eyelids slowly rose, her gaze landing on his face.
“I’m still here.” He wasn’t sure what compelled him to make such a statement, but Jordan didn’t pull away, didn’t reject him.
“You’re here.” Her words were simple and the wishful thinker in him heard approval in her tone.
“Jordan. I want to kiss you.”
She nodded. “I want that too. So much.”
He moved closer, his lips a millimeter from hers.
“Casey? Jordan?”
Gabriel’s voice broke the spell and reality crashed down on Casey’s head like a ton of bricks. Fuck. What was he doing?
He turned and saw the hurt in his best friend’s eyes.
“Gabriel.” Jordan was the first to break the silence. “What are you doing here?”
“I had a meeting.”
“Oh,” Jordan said. “That’s right. I forgot your family’s company is a major shareholder in the mall.”
Casey was surprised by her steady voice and the distinct lack of color in her face. She wasn’t blushing, wasn’t embarrassed to be caught with him. Whether she realized it or not, she was playing into his original plan perfectly. Gabriel was not happy to see them sitting together so closely, the jealousy so thinly veiled Casey was surprised Jordan seemed oblivious to it.
“Did you change your hair?” Gabriel asked.
Jordan reached up to touch it. “Yeah. I’ve always wanted red highlights. Casey likes them. What do you think?”
Gabriel looked at him, shooting daggers as if this new, hotter Jordan was somehow his fault. “It looks very pretty. Of course, I liked it the other way too.”
“You did?”
Gabriel smiled at her. “Yeah. I did. What are you two doing here?”
“We’re just hanging out. Jordan was shopping and I offered to come along.”
She looked at him, confusion in her gaze. Clearly she’d expected him to call their outing a date. If he’d been smart, he would have, but he was torn.
He wanted Gabriel to be happy. He wanted Jordan. Those two desires were in direct opposition to each other.
Gabriel gestured to an empty chair nearby. “Mind if I join you?”
“Not at all.” Jordan moved her packages out of the way as Gabriel pulled the chair over and sat down.
“What are you shopping for?”
Casey gave her a friendly smile. “Jordan decided to update her wardrobe a bit. She found some pretty smokin’ outfits. She’s going for a new look all around.”
Gabriel frowned slightly. “What was wrong with the old look?”
Jordan laughed and rolled her eyes. “Um, I don’t know. Maybe everything.”
She’d clearly meant her words as a joke but they triggered Casey’s temper. “I said the same thing, but the crazy woman doesn’t seem to realize how pretty she is.”
Gabriel scowled. “You don’t think you’re pretty?”
Jordan blew out an exasperated breath. “I’m okay, I guess.”
Gabriel shook his head. “You’re more than okay, Jordy.”
She smiled at the nickname. “You know, you’re the only person who’s ever called me Jordy and lived to tell the tale.”
Gabriel wiggled his eyebrows. “You realize every time you tell me that it’s the equivalent of triple-dog-dare to keep it up. Listen, I wanted to apologize for yesterday. I acted like an ass.”
Jordan shrugged, unconcerned. “I figured the heat just made you crabby.”
Gabriel leaned closer and tugged on Jordan’s hair. “I don’t get crabby.”
Jordan snorted, letting him know his words were bullshit. “So how was your date? Or should I call it an orgy?”
Gabriel didn’t acknowledge her joke. Instead his smile dimmed as his face sobered, becoming far too serious. “I didn’t go out with either one of them.”
“Why not?” Jordan asked.
Casey watched the two of them converse, feeling like an outsider. He’d invited Jordan out for the sole purpose of helping to move things along with her and Gabriel. Now that his plan appeared to have worked, he couldn’t help but feel…sad.
Gabriel looked at him. His gaze had lost its hardness, its anger. “I didn’t want to go out with them.”
Jordan seemed oblivious to the change in Gabriel’s demeanor. “Wow. Moving on so soon? I don’t think either of those women made it past the first date, did they? You must be slowing down in your old age.”
Casey laughed at her jest. Jordan certainly had the friend gig down pat. If she hadn’t confessed her feelings, Casey wouldn’t know of her interest either. No wonder Gabriel had never pushed for more.
Casey’s cell phone rang. “Shit. Sorry about that.” He recognized the number of the hardware store. “I have a feeling this is about the part for your AC,” he said as he answered the phone.
Stepping away from the table, he spoke briefly to the clerk about picking up the part while Gabriel and Jordan talked at the table. Gabriel seemed friendly, lighthearted. For the moment, it appeared his old friend had returned.
Gabriel watched Casey walk away from the table and knew his time alone with Jordan would be short. “I really am sorry for acting like such a prick yesterday, Jordy.”
“Gabe, it’s no big deal. You talk about your dates all the time. If you want to start doubling up to save time—”
“Don’t. Don’t do that. Not today.”
She paused. “Do what?”
“Make a joke about my asshole lifestyle. I’ve let things get out of control the past couple of years. God knows you’ve told me enough. I can see that now.”
Jordan leaned back in her chair. “Wow. Who turned on the light?”
“Casey said something yesterday and it’s sort of stuck with me.”
She frowned. “What did he say?”
“Two things. He said you were interested in me beyond the realm of friendship. Is that true?”
Jordan blushed and looked away. He thought he heard her whisper, “He knew?” but he couldn’t be sure.
He turned her face to his with a finger on her chin. “Is it true?”
She nodded.
“He also said I was going to lose you to someone else if I didn’t open my eyes. Is that true?”
She nodded again.
“Have I already? Lost my chance with you because I was a blind, stupid idiot?”
Her gaze drifted to Casey. “I don’t know.”
Gabriel couldn’t let her glance go without comment. “He’s a great guy. He’d never hurt you, Jordy. I’m not sure I could say the same. Lately, I seem to be a pretty bad bet.”
She reached out, grabbed his hands in hers. “Don’t be ridiculous. Any girl would be lucky to fall in love with you.”
He shrugged. “You don’t see the me I show the rest of the world.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Casey came back to the table but he didn’t reclaim his seat. “That was the store. The part’s ready. I’m going to pick it up and head to Books and Brew. You’ve already lost two days of business over this heat wave. I figure you don’t want to make it three.”
Jordan started to rise but Casey waved his hand, stopping her. “No, don’t rush. You haven’t finished your lunch. We both have our own cars. There’s no reason why you can’t stay here. Gabe can keep you company.”
“I’d be happy to hang out.” Gabriel knew what his friend was doing and he appreciated it. He also knew Casey didn’t want to leave her here alone with him. Jesus. After nearly a dozen years of bachelor status and friendship, they’d both found the perfect woman.
The same perfect woman.
What the fuck were they supposed to do now?
Casey waved and walked away. Gabriel couldn’t help but notice Jordan checking out his friend’s ass during the departure. Strangely, that covert look didn’t make him as jealous as he expected.
“There’s a charity event Friday night.”
Jordan’s attention returned to him. “I know. Sophie, our little socialite, is on the planning committee. Isn’t it some big dinner and dance deal at the Crawford Inn?”
Gabriel nodded. He’d been the one to offer the space for the party. The inn had been built in the early 1900s and Casey had been instrumental in helping him renovate it for private parties. It had a large ballroom, a restaurant and a small pub, as well as a dozen quaint hotel rooms for partiers who wished to stay overnight. “It’s sort of the grand opening of the inn as well. I promised to take you on a tour of the place. Would you like to go to the party with me?”
Jordan’s eyes widened. “It’s a thousand dollars a plate, Gabe.”
“Which is a total rip-off because you don’t even get to keep the plate.”
She laughed. “You know what I mean. That’s a lot of money.”
“You’re worth it.”
She sobered. “I don’t want to be part of your girlfriend list—a name with a box beside it that you check off once you’ve been there, done that.”
He winced at her painfully accurate description of his love life. “There’s no box by your name, Jordan. There never will be.”
“Oh.” She bit her lip and looked around the mall.
Shit. He had a lot of crap to make up for. He’d been a womanizing jerk for too long. Jordan was right to be distrustful of his intentions.
“Will Casey be there?”
He nodded. He’d invited his friend personally. Told him he deserved to hear what people said about the inn. It was a beautiful place. He wanted Casey to revel in the praise. “He will. In fact, he’d probably give a better tour than I could. Come with me and we’ll both show you around.”
She reached over and ran a finger down the side of his face. The touch was innocent yet surprisingly intimate. He didn’t move. He barely breathed, afraid to break whatever spell had prompted her to be so bold. When she reached his chin, she blinked twice, her gaze meeting his, startled and chagrined.
“Sorry,” she said, pulling her hand away. “I don’t know why I—”
He gripped her wrist and pressed her palm against his cheek. Then he reached toward her with his free hand and cupped her soft cheek. They looked at each other for several quiet moments before he leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers.
Her lips were close. He wanted to kiss her, but he didn’t dare. “I don’t want to mess this up.”
“I understand.”
Neither of them moved. Instead they let the moment play out.
“This feels so natural,” she whispered, her breath hot on his cheek. “Being close to you.”
“Did you think it wouldn’t?”
He released her wrist, relieved when she kept her palm on his face. “We’ve been friends for so long. I guess I always wondered what it would be like to touch you. This could have felt awkward. Instead…” She paused.
He didn’t need to hear the rest, but he wanted the words said. “Instead it feels right. It is right.”
She pulled away from him. “I have to go.”
She stood and grabbed her bags. He felt as if he’d been run over by a city bus, so he could only imagine where Jordan stood on the emotional scale.
“You’re going with me on Friday?”
She nodded. “Yeah. I am.”
Then she walked away.
Chapter Five
Jordan stared at her computer screen, failing to see the numbers listed there. She sighed.
Jeez. The more things changed, the more they stayed the same.
She’d made a promise to her friends to start dating and she’d followed through. She’d had a great time with Casey at the mall, her initial attraction sparking into a full-blown flame. Then her prayers had been answered and Gabriel asked her to the party on Friday night. He’d touched her, confirming every sensual suspicion she’d ever had about him. Sex between them would be out of this world.
And yet here she still sat.
Alone.
Dreaming impossible dreams.
She rubbed her eyes wearily.
This morning she’d come in early and thrown herself into her work, hoping it would help her forget the mess she’d made of her life in just two days. She’d asked Stephanie to run interference, claiming she had a migraine and didn’t want to talk to anyone.
It hadn’t really been a lie. Her head did ache a bit, but she suspected that was due to lack of sleep. Talk about a restless night. She’d fluctuated between confusion and horniness for hours.
She was stressed-out about Gabriel and Casey, and so fucking hot for both of them she’d be wise to buy stock in a vibrator company.
Leaning back in her chair, she recalled the sexy, disturbing dream that had kept her up all night.
“That feels so good,” she murmured as Casey kissed the side of her neck. Her entire body tingled with the sensations he provoked with that simple touch. “But I should be working.”
He reached for the hem of her t-shirt, pulling the soft cotton over her head. “Work later.” He unhooked her bra and tossed it to the floor with her shirt.
She looked over her shoulder and smiled at the lust in his eyes. God, he was hot.
His hands wrapped around her, grasping her breasts. His fingers were calloused, rough from working with clay. She didn’t care. It felt too good.
“Did you do as I asked? Skirt with no panties?”
She nodded, recalling his suggestion for sexy work attire.
“Good. Then open your legs,” he whispered, his breath hot against her bare skin. “Put one foot on your desk chair and let him taste you.”
Him?
Glancing down, she immediately recognized the familiar chestnut hair.
Gabriel was with them? When had he come into the office?
She jerked slightly but Casey held her tight, her back pressed firmly against his muscular chest.
Gabriel knelt in front of her, waiting patiently for her to follow Casey’s directions. His gaze was intent on her pussy.
She was spellbound, shocked, unable to move. They were both here? Gabriel looked up, his eyebrows raised. “We’re waiting…”
She parted her legs. Gabriel smiled, then moved forward. He spread her open with his fingers, his tongue and teeth tormenting her clit.
Casey tightened his grip on her breasts while whispering beautiful, naughty things in her ear.
She gasped when Gabriel pushed two thick fingers inside her pussy. Her trembling grew but Casey contained it, kept her still as Gabriel drove her closer and closer to climax.
“Please,” she cried. She needed sex. The real thing. As amazing as this sensual torment was, she needed a cock. Hell, maybe two. Driving into her.
Gabriel didn’t respond. Instead, he continued to finger-fuck her as Casey pinched her nipples, bit her shoulder, pushed her higher.
“More,” s
he demanded. “I need more.”
Gabriel answered the cry, but not in the way she hoped. Rather than take her, he removed his fingers from her pussy—and reached a bit farther back.
When his wet finger rimmed her anus, she knew she was lost. She screamed with her orgasm, and even Casey’s strong arms couldn’t halt the tremors rattling her body.
She was there, with both of them. It was perfect, incredible.
Impossible.
That final thought jerked Jordan from her dream and she sucked in a deep breath as she opened her eyes.
Fuck. She swiped at the sweat gathering on her brow, then rested her palm against her forehead. She must have a fever. She was delusional.
Glancing down, she was embarrassed to discover her skirt hiked up around her waist, her panties thrust to the side and her fingers wet from playing with herself. As if her original fantasy wasn’t making her crazy enough, now she was adding another out-of-her-league hottie to the mix.
“Brilliant,” she muttered, wondering if she should consider committing herself. What would she tell the psychiatrist? I’m having nonstop sex fantasies and masturbating at work. Yeah. That wouldn’t be a humiliating conversation.
She tried to clear her head. Standing, she pushed her skirt down, pressing the material against her legs to smooth out the wrinkles.
“Work. Work. Work.” She repeated the word over and over as she resumed her seat, forcing herself to focus on the computer screen.
The image of Casey’s hands on her breasts returned.
“No. No more of that. Work.”
She pressed her legs together as she imagined Gabriel’s wicked tongue.
“Work.”
She recalled how Gabriel’s finger had touched her ass and her eyes drifted closed once more. Dream Casey was right. She could always do her work later.
* * * * *
“I’m calling a meeting.”
Jordan looked up from her computer to find Jayne, Stephanie and Sophie all standing at the door of her office. She’d been so deep in thought she hadn’t even heard them come up the squeaky staircase. Mercifully, she was decent, though she suspected her face was flushed. An entire day had passed and all she’d managed to do was indulge in sexy daydreams about not one, but two guys. Something had to give.
