by Morgan Henry
They both laughed. “Can I ask you about your marriage?” Cailynn enquired hesitantly.
“Sure. What do you want to know?”
“Do you have any, you know, problems around town?”
“Not really. Around here most people just don’t care what you choose to do in the bedroom. There’s the odd jerk who can’t keep their nose in their own business, but they seem to get a cold shoulder from the rest of the town. I’ve found people either accept it or move on.” Lisa was quite blasé about her unusual arrangement.
“What about your families? How did they react?”
“Craig and Mike came from a ménage. Their mom and dads still live here in town. My parents were shocked, but they accepted it in the end when they realized how good my men are to me.” Lisa shrugged. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s like any other relationship. It’s not all sweetness and roses all the time. But the love and closeness I have with the two of them more than make up for the little bit of crap you get sometimes,”
“Thanks, Lisa. I really appreciate the info.” Cailynn was a little more at ease with the idea of a ménage.
“Sweetie, if you three are into each other, you should go for it. Life’s too short not to take a chance on happiness.” Lisa gave her a one-arm hug and moved off to mingle.
When Lisa moved off to visit with the rest of the guests, Cailynn struck up a conversation with Karen. The two women hit it off, finding they had similar tastes in movies and books. They both shared the same sense of humor as well. Cailynn hoped she would see more of Karen and decided to visit the candy store as well. It sounded like Karen had a great selection of everything a sweet tooth could desire.
As the party went on, she noticed how Mike and Craig looked after Lisa. They helped out with serving all the guests so that Lisa wasn’t looking after everyone on her own. They made sure she had what she wanted to drink. As they all sat down to eat, the brothers made sure Lisa’s plate was full of her favorite foods. Similarly, Carter and Kent looked after Hanna, but Hanna didn’t look as appreciative of them as Lisa did of her men.
Cailynn was also pleasantly surprised that Andrew and Dan looked after her, too. They didn’t try to suffocate her or dominate any conversation she was in, but one was always nearby, refreshing her drink if she wanted it, getting her a sample of the hors d’oeuvres, and filling her plate as well.
“We had a big day,” Andrew said with a wink. “You need to replenish your energy.”
Cailynn blushed as Dan added in a low voice, “I know I’m hungry for more, too.”
The evening seemed to fly by with plenty of laughter, good food, and friendly conversation. Cailynn felt that she hadn’t had such a great day in years. This was what she had been looking for in the city but hadn’t found. It was so good, she had a tiny thought in the back of her head that something would have to go wrong for her. Fate just couldn’t possibly be this kind.
As the evening wound down and everyone was heading home, Andrew and Dan led Cailynn out to their truck.
“We’d love it if you came home with us, sweetie,” Dan offered.
“No pressure though, love. We can just cuddle if you want,” Andrew added.
Cailynn carefully considered her next words. “Part of me really wants that, too, but this has been pretty fast for me. I only moved here a couple of weeks ago. This much change is a lot all at once. I really like you guys, but I think we should take it easy for a bit.”
“Do you regret what happened earlier?” asked Andrew. His chest tightened a little at the thought of her rejecting them.
“No!” Cailynn said emphatically. “But, I just left another guy that I should have left a long time ago, and I don’t want this to be, I don’t know, influenced maybe…by my recent past.” She sighed. “I know I’m not making myself clear, but I don’t know how to explain. My feelings are too mixed up right now.”
And they were. She was attracted to the Harris men. They were smart, funny, and kind, and they seemed to really like her. As much as she was trying to let go of her past experiences, she worried that this would turn out the same as all the other relationships she knew of in her life. The man, or men in this case, would get tired of the woman and either make her life miserable or just leave. Then where would Cailynn be? Left in a small town on her own and possibly without the friends she had found. They had all been friends with Andrew and Dan way longer than with her.
It was Andrew who gently enfolded her in his arms. “We will give you the space you need. It won’t be easy, ’cause we’re both crazy about you,” he said softly into her hair.
Dan caressed her back. “Don’t think we’ll give you too much space, though. How about we go out for dinner next week?”
Cailynn smiled. They really did seem just too good to be true. “Okay, that sounds nice. Why don’t I make you dinner on Thursday? I’m off that day.”
“You don’t have to cook. We would take you out.” Andrew frowned a little. It was their job to take care of their woman. Neither he nor Dan wanted her to be a slave to them.
“But I like to cook, and it’s nice to make dinner for more than one person.” Cailynn stroked Dan’s chest and tried to look convincing.
Dan shot Andrew a restraining look. “We’d love to come over. How about six o’clock?”
“Great. Thank you,” she said softly to Andrew, trying to appease him a little. “I really will enjoy cooking for you.”
Andrew sighed and then smiled. “All right, love. Let’s get you home before you fall asleep on us. It’s late.”
He lifted her into the truck and they set off for Cailynn’s apartment. They escorted her up to her door, leaving her with a toe curling, panty wetting, and breath-stealing kiss from each of them.
“Make sure you lock the door, sweetie,” said Dan as she entered the apartment.
“And get some sleep,” added Andrew.
Like I can after those kisses, Cailynn thought as she went inside to bed.
Chapter 7
Cailynn went to Karen’s Kandies early on Thursday to find something for dessert that night.
A cowbell on the door handle clanged a cheerful welcome as she walked into the store. The cheerful décor of reds and yellows highlighted a dentist’s nightmare. There was an enclosed glass display of various types of chocolates to the right when she entered, along with a sign stating, “Specialty molds available on request”. Deeper in the store were bulk bins of jelly beans, hard candies, and other sugary delights, just begging Cailynn to take them home. She had shelves of chocolate bars that Cailynn had never heard of and other wrapped candies. There were displays of special tins full of goodies, candy kebabs, lollipops, and licorice. At the back of the store was a freezer advertising homemade ice cream, and a few small tables and chairs with a coffee bar. It was wonderfully overwhelming.
“Hi, Cailynn!” Karen gave a cheerful wave at her as she came out of the backroom. She was wearing a red apron with the store logo on it. “What sort of naughty treat are you in the mood for?”
“Now that I’m here, I have no idea! I couldn’t have imagined this much candy in one place before. And homemade ice cream! That must do great in the summer.” Cailynn smiled appreciatively at all of the goods on display.
“I know. The store’s a sugar junkie’s nightmare, but I love it. Unfortunately a bit too much.” Karen grimaced as she patted her hips. “I have to work really hard not to eat all the inventory.”
“Workplace hazard, I guess,” commiserated Cailynn, and both women laughed. “I actually need something for dessert tonight.”
“Are Andrew and Dan coming for dinner?” Karen asked with a knowing look.
“Um, yes.” Cailynn gave a little smile. “Do they buy stuff here?”
“You bet they do,” Karen replied. “I can set you up with their favorites. Dan loves the chocolate peanut butter balls, but Andrew is into the pink grapefruit jelly beans. He hates that they’re pink, though, and tries to hide them.” They both laughed.
Cailynn
bought some of both and some dark-chocolate-covered blueberries for her. She managed to stop there, though it was tempting to purchase several more treats. She decided to treat herself to a specialty coffee and enjoy the cheery spot. Karen joined her and chatted amicably, telling Cailynn more about the store and the town.
“We used to have a cottage up here when I was little, and when I was looking for a town to set up business, it seemed like a great place to be. There wasn’t anything like it here, and I also set up an online store, too, that’s picking up gradually.”
“Is it being too nosey to ask about the ménage thing that seems to be going on here?” Cailynn was hesitant to offend her new friend.
“I didn’t know anything about it really, until I moved here and got to know Lisa a bit,” Karen confessed. “I always try to live and let live, so it doesn’t bother me really. I think most of the people that are here year-round feel the same way. The locals try to keep it a bit quiet, though. It’s not like they’re ashamed, more like they just don’t feel that everyone else needs to be in their business, you know?”
“Yeah, that makes sense. It must be a bit harder for Gina, Owen, and Bruce, though.”
“They bill The Cottage as a family business since Bruce and Owen are brothers, too,” Karen explained.
“Well, that makes sense and most people wouldn’t look beyond it,” Cailynn mused. “What about the rest of the people in town, you know, the non-ménage types?”
“Well, the town seems to have a pretty liberal tolerance thing happening when it comes to sexual issues. Gay couples have no problems either, and there are a few doms and subs that are somewhat open about their relationships as well.”
“Wow, like BDSM stuff?” Cailynn was a bit surprised about that.
“Yeah, they tend to be even more discreet than the ménages, but it’s around.” Karen shrugged. “Again, live and let live.”
“You know, I’m not sure I would have been so open to it all if I hadn’t met Lisa and Gina and the rest, but I certainly agree now,” Cailynn said slowly. She’d certainly had her horizons expanded lately. There was a short pause as they sipped their coffees.
“Okay, the other thing I have to ask about is what are specialty molds?” enquired Cailynn.
Karen gave a great laugh. “I have molds for chocolate that are quite naughty,” she said. “You know, ones for making chocolate cocks for bachelorette parties, breasts, stuff like that. They sell great online. You want some for tonight?” she asked with a naughty smile.
Cailynn’s eyes widened. “I’m not sure that’s second date dessert material,” she deadpanned.
“You’re right,” Karen agreed in the same tone of voice. “You should definitely wait for the third date.”
They burst out laughing, tears leaking from their eyes, but had to stop when more customers came in and Karen had to get back to work. Cailynn thought about their conversation as she finished her coffee. It seemed as though threesomes were more or less accepted here, as long as it wasn’t pushed it in anyone’s face.
* * * *
Andrew and Dan were keyed up for dinner that night as they arrived at Cailynn’s but were determined to be perfect gentlemen. They brought her a beautiful bouquet of flowers and wine to have with dinner. Cailynn was an excellent cook and they all thoroughly enjoyed the food. The men refused to allow her to clean up after dinner and parked her on a stool in the kitchen to direct where to put the dishes they cleaned. Their comedic routine doing dishes made her laugh and feel less self-conscious that she wasn’t doing anything.
Afterward, they took some coffee into her small living room and Cailynn shyly produced the candy she had bought for them.
“How did you know…? Oh wait. Karen probably told you all our secrets, didn’t she?” groused Andrew when he saw the jelly beans.
“I don’t care what she told Cailynn as long as those are peanut butter balls,” said Dan as he reached for one of the chocolates.
“Yes, she told me every last one of your deep, dark secrets. I know it all now. You don’t have to hide anymore,” Cailynn said calmly with a deeply serious expression on her face.
Andrew and Dan looked at each other in confusion. “What the hell did she tell you?” asked Andrew, with caution and a hint of irritation in his voice.
Cailynn burst out laughing. She couldn’t keep up with her little joke for long. “Nothing aside from your manhood being a little too fragile for pink jelly beans.”
Andrew put a mock angry expression on his face and pulled her into his lap. He started tickling her. “You brat! I’m afraid you’ll have to pay for that little bit of fun.”
Cailynn shrieked with laughter as Dan joined in the tickling. They quickly found several spots on her body that had her gasping and giggling uncontrollably. “Stop! Uncle, uncle!” She finally managed to get out the words.
They eased off of the stimulation but trapped her on the couch between them. “I think we should have a little fun with our dessert, don’t you, Andrew?” queried Dan.
“Absolutely,” Andrew returned.
They quickly set up a relatively innocent kissing game with Cailynn. To earn jellybeans or chocolate, she had to kiss one of the men, varying in length and intensity. Dan set up the game to let them all have fun. After a number of passionate kisses that left Cailynn gasping for breath, he called a halt.
“Oh, sweetie, we had better call this quits for tonight,” Dan said with a groan. “We promised you we would slow things down.”
“We all have to work tomorrow, so we should let you get to bed, love,” Andrew whispered softly against her ear. “I’m thinking that if we keep playing this game, we won’t leave, and won’t get any sleep either.”
Cailynn bit back a pouty protest as she knew he was right. She also realized that this was Andrew and Dan going slowly for her. She saw their erections after they were kissing her and was pleasantly surprised to see them restraining themselves. Cailynn wasn’t used to having her needs come first in a relationship. She was also a little disappointed at the restraint but knew she would be happier in the morning because of it.
They left her with gentle kisses at the door and a promise to take her out again on the weekend.
Chapter 8
Spring gradually started to turn into early summer over the next few weeks as Andrew, Dan, and Cailynn got to know each other better. The weather warmed up and the trees leafed out. The water in the bay was a beautiful blue, but still really cold, as it would stay for most of the summer. Flowers started to show themselves and gardens were planted. Outdoor patios sprang up in front of the restaurants and cafés in town. More tourists started to come to Hardwick Bay as the cottage season got into swing.
The trio enjoyed more hiking, dinners, movies, and just hanging out together. Cailynn was surprised that each man also spent time with her alone. They told her that though they wanted a ménage, there would always be times for “one-on-one.” Andrew pointed out that they were different people, and at times Cailynn would need to spend more time with one or the other. Andrew was methodical and measured, while Dan was more spontaneous and creative.
One night as the clinic was closing, Dan arrived with a change of clothes for Cailynn. He knew she didn’t like to wear her scrubs anywhere but at work.
“We’re going out,” he stated.
“Where?” asked Cailynn
“I don’t know. I thought we’d drive around and find some dinner. Talk to each other. I might try to get to second base.” He grinned at her and waggled his eyebrows.
She grinned back and they took off in his truck. They found a French fry truck and had a terribly unhealthy dinner that tasted fantastic.
Afterward, Dan guided the truck down so many back roads Cailynn didn’t know north from south by the time they stopped. He parked at the edge of a cliff overlooking the bay so they could watch the water and talk.
“I have something for you, but I won’t give it to you unless you agree to accept it without any argument.” Dan
was watching her intently.
Cailynn frowned. “I think that means I’ll like the gift but be mad you bought it.”
“You’re very perceptive. I want you to know I didn’t actually buy it though. I knew if I did you’d be really upset. So agree to accept it and give me a break.”
“I still think you’re being sneaky but okay.”
Dan produced a small, flat, wrapped item. Cailynn opened it cautiously and gasped.
“It’s an iPad!” she cried. “I can’t—”
“You agreed,” Dan interrupted.
Cailynn was silent for a moment. Finally she spoke. “You’re right. I agreed. You said you didn’t buy it. Did you steal it then?” She gave him a mock angry look through narrowed eyes.
Dan laughed. “No. I didn’t steal it. I’m an IT guy and I decided I needed the latest version of the iPad so I bought a new one. This is my old one that I scrubbed all my data off and Andrew and I loaded it up for you.”
“I’m slightly more comfortable with this but not much. Go on.”
“We set it up so that it will automatically access the Wi-Fi at our place, the clinic, Karen’s, and The Cottage since you don’t have it at your apartment. Now you can e-mail your friends from school easier. Andrew took pictures of your bookshelves when he was at your place last week. We put a Kindle app on it and he loaded it with books by the same authors that are on your shelves. I put some kick-ass games on it to waste your time with.”
Cailynn was overwhelmed both by the value of the gift and by the fact they took the time to load it with apps that were personalized for her tastes. She felt her eyes fill with tears at their thoughtfulness.
“Oh, Dan! I love it. It’s still too much but I do love it.” Her voice caught a little.
Dan drew her into his arms. “Good. I’m glad. Now can we get to the making out portion of the evening?”
That, of course, made Cailynn laugh and she tilted her head up so he could kiss her easier. And Dan did get to second base.
