I was attracted and frustrated at the same time. Dane had seemed so up front at the party, but the second I questioned his personal life, he shut me down—except for sex, which he was clear was going to be on his terms. I thought perhaps I should take Liz’s advice about him. She wasn’t herself after getting mixed up with people in his company, but even after I went back to finishing up my workout routine and took a shower at the gym before heading home, I couldn’t stop thinking about him.
CHAPTER SIX
* * *
When I went to pull into my driveway upon returning home, I was surprised to find a silver Mercedes parked out front. The car had left me enough space to drive around to park in the garage. Once I stopped in my usual spot, I got out, went back to the driveway, and pressed the button for the electronic door to come down.
“Miss me?” purred a deep voice behind me.
My face heated. It wasn’t Dane; he’d said he didn’t mix business with pleasure, but apparently he hadn’t told Elliott, whom I now faced. His brilliant, crystal blue eyes bore into mine with a knowing that immediately set me on edge. They brought me right back to him on his knees before me with his fingers bringing me to a climax.
If the flashback wasn’t enough, I was overcome with lust. He looked too damn good in his structured indigo blazer and dark jeans. They were tailored to fit what I had little doubt was a well-toned body underneath. Shit. Now I was imagining him naked. I inhaled a heavenly scent of expensive cologne that was just another lure into the Elliott zone, one that was too much right then, especially with Liz’s warning against him. “No, I haven’t given you much thought since the mixer.”
Elliott’s mouth turned up in a smile. “You’re lying. I can take just about anything but liars. I was there—I know better.”
My cheeks burned. Was I that transparent?
He leaned close to me. “If you want me to stroke your pussy again, Gia, I’ll let Dane know, since you’re interested in him. I’ll ask him not to make you beg before you come, but I can’t promise you that.”
My brain didn’t intend for any of it to happen. My body, on the other hand, was pulsing at just the thought. Still, his assumption that Dane would dictate what I did or didn’t do bothered me. We had agreed to only do business, and that was how this meeting was going to go.
I squared my shoulders. “I contacted Westbrook Designs for a consultation for remodeling my home. I didn’t realize he would send you.”
“I handle initial consultations for clients planning a complete remodel,” he replied. “I admit I flirted, but WB Designs can do your job. If you need to see samples of our work, I have our portfolio in my car. Our most recent designs were featured in the November issue of Architectural Digest. If you don’t think you can work with me, I can call Dane to send someone else over?”
I crossed my arms. To be honest, I was uncomfortable. “I was caught off guard by you being here, but I’d still like to continue with the consultation.” I stressed the last word to make it clear I may or may not use Dane and Elliott’s company.
We walked a few paces and he frowned. “Your hair is dripping down the back of your jacket—do you realize it’s below freezing out today?”
“I went to the gym and now I’m going from the car inside. It’s hardly anything to worry about,” I tried to explain, but oddly my excuse still concerned him.
“That’s what people think, and then they get sick,” he argued. “Get inside and dry your hair now, and I’ll do the walkthrough of your place.”
I was both surprised and annoyed by his orders, but strangely I walked with him with plans to do just as he asked. We were about to go inside when I heard the sound of a car door closing. I looked down the driveway and saw Liz. Inwardly, I cringed at the twist of her mouth as her gaze shifted between the two of us.
Elliott smirked. “Well that explains your less than warm greeting,” he said to me. “Hello Liz—”
“It’s Ms. Crenshaw to you,” Liz interjected, her tone curt as she corrected him.
Great. I’d figured she disliked him, but I hadn’t realized the extent. They had some sort of history, and I thought it would be better to stop them now before any more conflict arose between the two of them.
“Elliott is here to look at the place. You left before I had the chance to tell you about the consultation for a remodel. I didn’t expect you to stop by,” I babbled.
Liz relaxed some. “I know. I was wondering if I could borrow your shawl for an event I’m going to in San Francisco tomorrow.”
I smiled. “Of course. I just have to find it.” I motioned for them to follow me up the steps, despite the tension.
Once inside, Elliott wrinkled his nose as he circled the living room. “I feel like we’ve taken a time machine to the seventies, and not in a good way. Did the furniture come with it?”
“No, smarty-pants,” I said, trying hard to suppress my smile. He wasn’t far off in his criticism. The place looked like a dump. I’d chosen this house because the asking price was well below market, it was in a great neighborhood, and it was available to move into quickly. In hindsight, it was impulsive and unwise. As a single woman, this large house didn’t suit me at all, nor did the green and brown multicolored shag carpet or the faded gold and plaid paisley wallpaper that clashed with the knotted cherry wood and stucco paneling. Perhaps the previous owner hadn’t been able to decide what they wanted to do.
“If you need me to stay with you, Gia,” Liz said, glaring at Elliott, “I don’t need to be anywhere for the next couple of hours.”
“I could come back, or do you have the hours after that free too, Liz?” he mused, smiling over at her. Liz wasn’t laughing or moving from her spot.
“Thanks for the offer, but I do need a remodel, and having their expertise in design isn’t something I’d like to pass up,” I explained. “I’ll go get your shawl. I’ll just be a minute.”
She folded her arms. “All right. I’ll wait for you here.”
I kicked off my shoes then took the stairs two at a time and threw things around in my closet to find the shawl Liz wanted to borrow. I was in a rush to separate them. However, the sound of their raised voices on my way back to where they waited for me had me slowing down to listen to what they were arguing about.
“It was a mistake sending Gia to The Agency,” she said. “She doesn’t need to get mixed up in this. She’s not going back. If you and Dane had any decency, you’d turn down this job.”
“Oh, clutch the pearls, we must be decent,” Elliott said mockingly. “Nothing will happen that she doesn’t want to—”
“We know that’s not true,” she snapped.
“It is with me,” Elliott said sharply. “You’re crying foul now after everything—”
“I’m not,” she said heatedly. “And please be quiet. You don’t know me or what you’re talking about.”
“I know that you like to upgrade,” he said scornfully.
“It wasn’t like that,” she muffled.
“Seriously, what do you want?” His tone was gentle.
“Like you’d help me now, even if I told you,” she grumbled. “Just stay away from me and my friends.”
No more hanging back. I hurried down the rest of the stairs noisily and just like I suspected, they stopped arguing. I went to Liz.
“I found it.” I held out the shawl and she took it. “We’ll talk later, okay?”
She glowered at Elliott. “Oh, we will, most definitely.”
I gave her a hug at the door and watched her drive off. I came back in to find that Elliott had moved on to my kitchen. He was jotting down notes on a notepad. “This room will need to be gutted. Hope you like takeout.” He winked at me.
I crossed my arms. “Actually, I’m no longer sure about the remodel, at least not with Dane’s company.”
He came over and stood in front of me. “That’s fine—even better, actually. We both know that’s not why you called in the first place. You wanted to take Dane up on his
offer to have sex with us.”
I looked away, my face hot. I couldn’t deny it—I had considered Dane’s offer—but I offered some further explanation. “At the time I sent the message, things were different. I was curious, and you were pretty clear from that night that you considered me a tourist.”
“You were one,” he said, not backing down. “You enjoyed us both playing with your pussy, but afterward you tried to make us feel like shit for doing it to you.”
I lifted my chin, despite the heat growing in my face at his crass words. “No, that’s not all that happened. I admit that I wanted to and agreed to allow you both to…do that to me. I just had never done that before and I was embarrassed, but I have since found out that Dane’s involved with someone.”
Elliott sighed. “It’s complicated, but you’re not looking for a relationship, are you?”
“No,” I admitted. “But I hate cheaters. Even if he was in an open relationship or whatever, someone is bound to get hurt.”
“No one will,” he said. “Dane has his interests, like having me in the mix, but you know that already.”
“Yes,” I said. “But is there anything else?” I was curious.
“That’s for you to find out if you decide to take Dane up on his offer,” he replied. “What I will share is this: if it ever turned personal, he wouldn’t change his kinks. If you already feel like it’s too much for you, you should walk away like your friend wants you to do.”
I glared over at him. “Did something happen between you and Liz?”
“Nothing happened with me,” he said, rubbing his jaw. “She thinks she knows something about me, but she’s judging me by whatever gossip she heard.”
I shrugged. I believed there was more to it, but neither one of them was willing to share. I also thought it better to not jump to conclusions.
“Fair enough, but still, she’s really unhappy about something.”
“Sometimes people get caught up,” he said with a sigh. “But let’s get back to you, me, and Dane—what’s keeping you from taking him up on his offer?”
I rubbed my arms. “I don’t know.”
“That’s not a no,” he replied with another wink.
I tried to hold in my smile. It wasn’t.
“Now that we’re okay”—he tugged my hair until it fell from my bun—“go dry your hair and put on a dress.” There went his hand, this time with a cup and a squeeze on my buttocks. “Sexy.”
I pushed his hand aside, but I couldn’t hide my grin. “Stop flirting.”
He was infuriating, but I liked being called sexy.
“Show me the rest of your house and we’ll dry your hair.” He placed his hand on my lower back and we moved through a quick tour that ended in my bedroom, where I went into the bathroom to dry my hair. He came in after a few minutes and took over brushing it. I thought it odd that he was surprisingly gentle.
“You do this often?” I mused.
“I did for my mother before she died,” he said. “She had pancreatitis and many aliments growing up. My sister and I did what we could. It took some moments away from her pain.”
My heart turned over, watching him try to school his face. I knew that pain; I had it too. “My mom died from an aneurism before I left for college. It came as a shock. My father remarried. He’s in Palm Springs.”
“We have that in common too, but it’s Florida for my dad, and his third wife. We’ll leave it at that.” The amusement that surrounded him left, and I gave him a side hug. “I’m all right,” he said then let me go and followed me back into the bedroom. We walked into my closet. “Business suits and more business suits,” he mused.
“I’ve been meaning to shop for new clothing.” I grimaced at my selection. “Most of what I have in the closet is for work or political fundraisers.” For a few minutes we went through the racks of clothing in silence. He broke it first.
“You know, Gia…” he said in a low tone.
I paused between the racks and looked at him. “Yes?”
“I’m all right with you being curious about having sex with the two of us,” he said. “I can also promise you that when we all do, it’ll be the best sex of your life.”
I lowered my brows. “The best sex of my life? I can’t imagine sex being that good.” Moving some clothes on the top shelf dislodged a couple of boxes, which Elliott quickly set back in place for me. The collar on his shirt came untucked at the neck, and I reached over to fix it.
His face softened. “It would be, and then some. Dane would spoil you if you’d let him, beautiful.” His fingers traced the side of my face and down my neck, making me shiver.
Just Dane? I shook my head. What was I thinking?
That was when I realized my hand had moved down from his collar to the front of his shirt, and I was feeling the ridges of his muscles rippling underneath.
My eyes slid back to his and our gazes locked together. All the air left the room. It was like slow motion watching his head come closer. I could have moved away, but I didn’t, and when his lips met mine, mine parted.
Elliott groaned approvingly as he glided his tongue in and slid it seductively with an eagerness and demanding I had never experienced before. I found myself responding in kind, my tongue intertwining with his.
It would have been perfect to put my arms around him. Though it felt good, it also felt off. I was genuinely interested in having sex with Dane, but there I was again making out with someone who was not only his friend, but his business partner too.
I broke away and sucked in air, my confusion overtaking the enjoyment of the moment.
“Dane is fine with you kissing me,” he reassured. “It’s good with us. We’ve shared women before.”
My brows furrowed. “Maybe, but I’m not sure if I’m fine with it. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”
He sighed and took out his phone. “You’re doing what you want and not worrying about it. It’s freeing. If you want Dane’s take on it, I’ll get him to tell you.”
I tugged his arm. “No. I don’t want to interrupt whatever he’s doing.” Interrupting was one of Patrick’s pet peeves, which made it ironic that he always expected me to drop everything for him. I shook my head and tried to move all thoughts of Patrick to the back of my mind.
“Dane will make time to speak to you,” he assured me. I watched him, not knowing what to make of it, or of myself.
My conflicted mind had me pulling into myself by wrapping my arms around my body. I was certain I wanted to spend more time with Dane, but I was also attracted to Elliott. I didn’t know how it would work.
Elliott talked to him then held out his phone for me to take.
I took a deep breath and answered. “Hi Dane.”
“Hello, Gia,” he said, and I couldn’t stop the thrill that ran up my spine at hearing him say my name. “Elliott said you stopped a kiss because you were worried about what I’d think. I’m feeling encouraged—that’s what you’re having a hard time understanding. I know you’re attracted to him. You want him too, don’t you?” There was no mistaking the delight in his voice.
“I…I don’t know,” I stammered.
“Just say how you feel,” he said encouragingly.
“I considered taking you up on your offer of…sex,” I admitted, my face burning. “But I don’t know if I can have sex with…” My voice wavered. I couldn’t bring myself to say with Elliott too with him right there staring at me. Fortunately, Dane understood.
“You’re attracted to Elliott,” he said.
“Yes, but I was hoping maybe the two of us could talk more, maybe go slower than how things went at the mixer.”
“I don’t do that. If there is no attraction, no passion, I don’t waste my time with dinner and conversation,” he replied bluntly. “My idea of going slow starts with sex, and I’m turned on by what is happening with you and Elliot right now.”
“Is that how things worked with you and your partner?” I said, broaching the subject again. “I d
on’t want to hurt her.”
He went quiet for a few moments and then answered. “She’s not with me, but that’s about as much as I wish to discuss on the matter.”
I frowned and took a few steps away then leaned against one of the built-in shelves, ever aware that Elliott was near and watching me. I didn’t exactly understand what he meant. She wasn’t with him, but were they still together? Why wasn’t I willing to walk away knowing he had someone else, even if she was okay with sharing him? Everything about the situation was compromising the person I thought I was. Never would I have ever imagined myself being involved with a man who belonged to another woman. Then again, he had said she wasn’t with him anymore.
I felt so exposed in that moment. Elliott’s kiss had left me wanting more, and I was slick between my thighs at the prospect. Why should it matter so much if it was only going to be one night with him, or with them both?
My whole body burned with anticipation. I eyed Elliott, who stood quietly staring over at me while Dane and I spoke. Starting with someone other than the person I was most interested in seemed wrong. “Maybe Elliott and I can try another kiss?”
“If you can come from that kiss, you can try,” he replied dryly. “I know you can from his touch, and we both know that’s not what you really want. Elliott touching you isn’t a deal-breaker for me. I want Elliott to make you come, and I want to listen to it happen. You want it too. Now, hand back the phone to Elliott.” His tone held an authority; something about it freed me of my reservations and heated my body with liquid fire. In the end, it was all me, and he was right—I not only wanted Elliott to touch me, it turned me on to think Dane would be listening in while he did it.
Elliott took his phone from my trembling hand and placed it on a shelf facing upward, letting me know they must have discussed this possibility and were already in agreement. His blue eyes were dark and hot as his gaze swept over me
Waves of heat surged through me and I squeezed my thighs together to soothe the ache, my hand moving along the button of my pants. “Elliott,” I moaned. I didn’t know what to do or how to start.
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