by Tina Donahue
He cupped her chin and glided his thumb over her velvety cheek, its warmth heating his blood.
Her lids fluttered. Color stained her face, making her blonde hair seem lighter. She wore those tresses pinned up tonight, rather than having them grazing her shoulders. Pity.
However, he did like how her suit hugged and accentuated her ripe breasts and lush hips. At five-eight or so, her heels made her close to his height, her delicate features affording her a perpetually youthful look, plush lips ready for sin.
If not for her concern, he would have kissed her again, far deeper and longer than earlier. Now, though, he wanted to reassure. “Do you trust me? Us?”
She searched his eyes before sliding her gaze to Cody, who’d practically welded himself to her, then over her shoulder at Tav who gave her a wolfish grin.
That’s it, guys, help her relax. Lucius shot them an annoyed look to stop teasing her and get serious, as he had.
Neither noticed his glare, both intent on remaining close.
He couldn’t blame them. She radiated female need, her marvelous scent beyond enticing: an exotic and earthy fragrance that spoke of passionate gazes, deep kisses, and fevered embraces.
His cock thickened, making his clothes feel restrictive.
She cleared her throat. “Trust you as to what?”
Naughtiness flared in her hooded eyes.
Okay, now she was playing with them.
Lucius couldn’t have been happier they were back on track. “Keeping this between us. You, me, Cody, and Tav. Our games, no one else’s.” He didn’t want to consider what he’d do to any stranger who tried to horn in on this fantasy. When it came to wanting a woman, Lucius had never been jealous or violent with other guys. Somehow, Bree brought out a protective and possessive side that should have scared the crap out of him but didn’t. It felt right. Which, in itself, was troubling.
What the hell is the matter with me?
This was about enjoying each other as they hadn’t when they’d worked together, then moving on with their lives, like normal people did. Nothing more complicated or crucial. He dismissed his weird emotions as mere eagerness at having waited so long to have her. Once he did, everything would fall back into place, their casual friendship intact, no recriminations or regret. Just two people who’d had fun.
She regarded him closely.
He wasn’t certain why. “What?”
“If we keep this between us, what about voyeurs?”
Her question surprised him. He certainly wasn’t opposed to spectators but wasn’t sure where she was coming from. “Is that one of your ground rules?”
Uncertainty crossed her face.
It seemed that particular kink was still on the table. Excited, he slid his arm around her waist, pulling her from Cody and Tav into himself.
They each gave him a sour look.
Lucius couldn’t have cared less. “Let’s go to Chasteté. We’ll iron out the details there.” Eager to arrive, he rushed her through the crowd, Cody and Tav doing their best to keep up.
Dark wood paneled the cavernous restaurant. Sparkling chandeliers rained muted light on the elegant place settings and numerous patrons. Lucius wouldn’t have guessed anyone would be eating in this place when there were other, more pressing needs to indulge in.
A young woman approached dressed in a sexy tuxedo—dipping low on top to accentuate her generous cleavage, the general fit super snug. “Good evening. Four for dinner?” She regarded them, showing no recognition as to Bree being her boss.
Lucius could work with that. In fact, this was turning out better than he’d thought. “I need a word.”
Bree gave him an odd look.
Curiosity rose in the hostess’s eyes. “Of course.” She waited.
He pointed. “Over there.” Once they were far enough away so Bree couldn’t overhear, he leaned in. “Is a private room available?”
“I’m afraid not, sir. They’re all reserved. Sorry.”
Unless those areas had also burned down or disappeared, he wasn’t taking no for an answer. “Exactly what will it take to free one up so I can have it?”
She took him in, lingering on his fly then offered a feline smile. “Are you free tomorrow evening for some fun? I don’t have to work then.”
Call him old-fashioned, but he liked to handle the pursuing. “I do have obligations. My flight leaves for Greece in the morning.”
Her grin didn’t waver. “When will you be back in Malibu? I can give you my number…”
He bet she could, but he had zero interest. No one but Bree was on his mind and hadn’t been for too damn long. Curbing his impatience, he tried another tack. “I’d rather give you a huge tip for you to free up a room. Use whatever excuse you want with the party who reserved it. I know the lady who runs this place. I’ll smooth things over with her, should there be a complaint. I’ll even put in a good word as to what a great employee you are.”
Her pleasant features lit up. “How much of a tip?”
He named the amount.
Her lips parted, shock widening her eyes. “God, yeah. Take whatever one you want.”
“Thanks. But there’s more.” He kept his voice low as he told her what else he needed. “Can you manage that?”
“Consider it done.”
“I’ll need those things right away.”
She nodded.
He looked over. Bree watched him closely, her mood inscrutable. He guessed that was better than her showing obvious misgivings. He wanted tonight, and any others, to be fun for them.
As far as Tav and Cody were concerned, he ignored their impatient gestures for him to get a move on. “Which room is mine?”
She pulled out a smartphone and checked it. “The first one on the left. I’ll get started on your other request and will have a server bring the items to you as soon as possible.”
“Leave them outside the door on a tray. Once the server takes our order, I don’t want her or him inside the room again. When the food arrives, have them knock once on the door to let me know. Understood?”
She fingered her lapel. “Completely. And thank you for the generous tip.”
“My pleasure.” Using his smartphone, he transferred the funds from his account to the number she provided.
One happy lady down, the most important one still to go. He faced Bree, his heart light, his cock thick and hard, ready for anything and everything. Especially her.
Tav didn’t like the pleased look on Lucius’s face, as if he’d scored a huge deal. For himself.
Uh-uh. Wasn’t going to happen. If he tried to get Bree alone tonight, there would be trouble. A first for Tav, since he wasn’t a fighter by nature, preferring to take things easy and make everyone happy.
This evening had changed things and him. Jesus fuck, he’d tried to get close to Bree from the moment they met at Mortganson, liking how she joked around when everyone else, especially the women, were damned cutthroat, stealing insider tips about businesses, trying to outmaneuver everyone else. Bree had always been fair and honest with him. Her teasing made him feel special and worthy. Strange reactions when he’d never sought approbation from females. They either liked him or didn’t. No. Big. Deal.
Her feelings mattered.
However, try as he might, he hadn’t been able to crack her nut and get her to loosen up past an occasional smile or joke.
That had to change, right now.
Before Lucius reached her, Tav stepped in his way and kept his voice low. “What was that about with the hostess? And don’t tell me you were making a date with her. I won’t believe it. Because if you did, I’d have to rip off your balls. What’s the matter with you? We’re supposed to be keeping Bree happy, making her feel treasured, not giving her any reason to doubt us. What is going on?”
Lucius tapped his foot. “Is your tantrum over?”
Tav squeezed his fists, ready to rumble, his worry over Bree bringing out an uncivilized trait he didn’t know he owned. “Answer me.”
“
Do you still have the cuffs?”
They weighed down his jacket pocket. His indignation drained at Lucius’s question. “Of course.” He lowered his voice further. “We’re using them on her in here?”
As far as Tav could see, everyone behaved themselves, focusing on food rather than sex. How they did it, he hadn’t a clue. Maybe they hadn’t waited for a night with their ladies as long as he had with Bree. “Everyone will notice. Some might realize she owns this place. Uh-uh. I’m not doing anything to embarrass her.”
“And I would?” Lucius clamped Tav’s shoulder. “I got us a private dining room. That’s what I was speaking to the hostess about… among other things.”
Tav perked up, his good humor returned. “Like what?”
Lucius clued him in on the items he’d asked her to get and his upcoming plan on how to use them.
Damn. “Not a chance she can say no to that.” He hoped. “If she tries, we have to convince her to go along with the program.”
“I’ll do my part.”
And he wouldn’t?
Lucius stepped around him to reach Bree, expecting Tav to trail behind as usual.
His good nature had changed too. Powerwalking, he arrived at her side first, slipped his arm around her waist, and spoke to Lucius. “Where is it?”
Bree glanced at Tav’s hold on her then regarded him and Lucius staring hard at each other. “Where’s what?”
Lucius’s mood softened. He chucked her chin. “Our private dining area.”
Even in the muted light, her blush was obvious. “How’d you manage that?”
Tav spoke first. “We have a plan. Right, Lucius?”
“Well, I certainly do.”
Cody leaned in. “What in the fuck are you guys talking about? Better yet, why are we talking at all? Let’s have some fun.”
“When Bree’s ready.” Tav hugged her to him. “Not a second before.”
The guys gave him dirty looks. He guessed for stating the obvious: she came first. They could be cavemen after easing her into their agenda.
She wound her arm around Tav’s middle and hugged him gently. What he sensed was appreciation. Score one for him.
Shaking his head, Lucius stepped away and gestured for them to follow.
The private dining area was larger than Tav’s childhood home where he, his single mom, and five siblings had survived and existed but hadn’t come close to living. That hadn’t happened until he’d started raking in the cash. He’d put his brothers and sisters through school and still supported his mom, not minding in the least. Money didn’t mean shit unless it could help people or buy an evening in a place like this.
Motherfuck. Despite his current wealth, these furnishings were far nicer than anything he’d seen to date, the long table sporting a white tablecloth, sparkling place settings, and leather-bound menus. Someone had polished the wall paneling to a high gleam and candles flickered every-freaking-where for a romantic touch, with flowers sweetening the air.
He liked Bree’s scent better and held her close.
Lucius closed the door. “Time for negotiations.” He looked at Tav. “The cuffs?”
Right. Given the splendor in here, he’d momentarily forgotten the plan. In a flash, he plucked the restraints out of his pocket, dangling them for all to see.
Bree pulled away from him. “You’re going to cuff me while we lay out the ground rules?”
“No.” Tav pressed his face to her hair and inhaled deeply, loving the floral scent. “These are for when we eat.”
Her laughter spilled out, the sound melodious and tinkling.
God, I like you.
She, on the other hand, stepped away from him again. “How am I supposed to eat if I’m cuffed?”
Lucius wiggled his eyebrows. “We’ll help. But first—”
“Wait.” She held up her hand and took them in. “Precisely how do you intend to help me eat?”
Mimicking Lucius’s self-assurance, Tav slung his arm around her shoulders. “You’ll see.” He turned her face to his. “You do trust us, right?”
She leaned into him, desire burning in her eyes. “So far.”
Not good enough. He needed her certainty. Without it, they couldn’t go forward. Hell, they’d stop being friends. “I hope you know I’d never do anything you didn’t want. This isn’t about me or them.” He gestured to the guys. “It’s about pleasing you first, last, and always.”
Her grin blossomed to a full-fledged smile. “Yeah?”
“I mean it.” He brushed his lips over hers. “Whatever you want, you got. Just name it.”
“Okay.” She stroked his beard. “Lots of chocolate and a chick flick, preferably one starring Emma Stone or Mila Kunis.”
Lucius groaned.
Cody rolled his eyes.
Her mischievous smile broadened.
Tav’s cheeks burned. Not because Bree had yanked his chain, but from being important enough for her to mess with him. He shook her playfully. “Anything but that.”
A knock sounded.
Lucius opened the door.
“Good evening. I’m Alicia, your server.” Young and eager, she slipped inside, a tablet in her hand. “Am I here too soon?” She glanced at the unopened menus. “Do you need more time to decide?”
Cody spoke up. “Surprise us. But be sure to bring whatever chocolate you have on hand for the lady.” He winked at Bree. “I’ll also have a Yorsh, if you have it.”
“We do.” She tapped the screen. “Everyone else?”
Bree ordered merlot. Lucius a bourbon, neat.
Tav opted for a regular beer, no designer crap or foreign-sounding booze for him. You could take a guy out of the inner city, but it was hard to get a homeboy to drink anything fancy.
“Excellent.” She stepped away. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.”
Lucius grabbed the door before she could close it. “You know how to deliver them?”
“I do. Nadine told me.”
Tav supposed Nadine was the young woman Lucius had spoken to earlier. Alicia wore a similar tuxedo, her V-neck not as brazen.
She smiled. “Back in a few. I’ll knock once to let you know the drinks are here.”
“Thanks.” Lucius closed the door and spoke to Tav. “Guess we should let Cody in on the plan, huh?”
Bree waved her hands. “How about me?”
Tav caught her wrist and kissed it, tarrying over her satiny skin and luscious scent. His legs turned watery. “You’ll learn in time. First Cody needs to know what’s expected.” He motioned his friend over.
Cody hadn’t a clue why Tav and Lucius were being so damn secretive, unless they wanted to play with Bree’s head.
Given her crossed arms and downturned mouth, they’d succeeded.
Fools. If they pushed any harder, she might tell them to fuck off, and he wouldn’t blame her. Despite how he craved a rush from work, sports, and especially sex, he needed to know the perimeters first. Like were there shark sightings where he planned to scuba dive? Or was a blizzard approaching the area where he’d snowboard?
Although he lived for the outlandish, he wasn’t deliberately suicidal. He cupped her elbow. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle this. No way are they going to screw up tonight by being dicks. As soon as I know, you will too.”
She touched his cheek. “Thanks.”
“No prob.” Getting on her bad side wasn’t his goal. He wanted her primed and ready for adventure—laughing, moaning, and yelling in delight as much as he planned to do.
It was definitely in her. At Mortganson, she’d been a tigress at times.
He hoped she’d surpass that behavior tonight in bed… or wherever they ended up. Feeling hopeful, he gave her a tender kiss, meant to comfort rather than arouse, then joined the guys. “I’m here. Spill it.”
Tav told him the plan.
Whoa. Fucking nice. In fact, better than Cody had considered. He glanced over at Bree.
She wore a questioning and trusting look.
&nbs
p; If the program hadn’t been as good as Tav described, Cody might have caved and told her every detail. Surprising her was better. Once things got started, she’d appreciate the wait. He prayed.
A single rap sounded on the door.
Lucius waited a moment then opened it a crack and hauled their drink tray inside.
Cody delivered Bree’s merlot.
“Thanks.” She gripped his wrist before he could take his Yorsh. “So? What is it?”
He played dumb and gestured to his drink. “Basically, Russian vodka mixed with beer. A boilermaker, if you will, only not with whiskey.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Really.” She spoke through her teeth. “What did Tav and Lucius say to you?” She spoke quietly. “What are they planning?”
“Nothing bad. It’s going to be great. Trust me—them—us. Excuse me.” He twisted free, grabbed his drink, and gulped a mouthful. Gah. The mixture burned all the way down his throat. He stifled a cough.
Lucius and Tav traded a glance then gave him a pointed look.
Showtime.
Cody placed his drink on the table, then waited until Bree had finished her latest sip before taking her glass.
She screwed up her mouth. “What now? I don’t get to drink either?”
“Sure. Once you’re undressed.”
“What?” She stepped back. “In here?”
Cody glanced around. “We’re alone.” He looked over. “Right, guys?”
They nodded.
She didn’t budge. “Oh goodie. Tell you what, you first. Or Lucius. Unless Tav wants to start the show.”
“Nope.” He licked beer foam off his lips. “I’m good. Cody?” Tav inclined his head to her.
They’d agreed he’d make the first move. Lucius explained that Cody’s insatiable desire for danger made him the perfect candidate to begin stripping Bree.
She looked at him warily.
He offered a non-threatening smile. “Ready?”
Her eyes goggled. “To be nude while you three remain dressed?”
That was the plan and a damn good one when Tav had been gushing about it. Now though… Cody held her hands between his, wishing they hadn’t grown clammy, and kissed her fingertips. “What’s more exciting than being completely vulnerable to three men you’ve known forever and have wanted as much as we crave you? Don’t deny it. I’ve seen how you look at us.”
