She felt the goose bumps run along her skin the moment his warm breath collided with her ear. She almost closed her eyes and relished in the sensations, but Emerson placed a hand along her waist and guided her toward the front entrance of the restaurant. Stone opened the door for them.
“Good evening, sirs. I have the table all set for you,” the hostess stated as she eyed both men and then Antoinette. Antoinette stared right back at the woman and then the hostess smiled, before leading them through the one dining room and into a back room.
The aroma of different Italian delicacies lingered through the air. The further they walked, the less crowded it was and then there were empty tables and one single table in the corner, illuminated with candlelight.
“As you requested,” the hostess said.
“Thank you,” Stone replied.
Emerson pulled out a chair for her and then they all sat down.
“Everything smells so good,” she told them.
“Are you hungry?” Stone asked as he locked gazes with her. She felt his thigh against hers on one side and Emerson was close by on the other side. They could both move barely an inch and keep physical contact. She was on fire.
“I am hungry.”
“How do you stay in such good shape, being around all those delicious sweets all the time at Bliss?” Emerson asked. She smiled. People always asked her that.
“I enjoy working out, and I only splurge for a little something here and there.”
“Where do you work out?” Stone asked.
“Oh, that’s a secret.”
She looked at the menu the hostess left and Stone gave her thigh a little nudge.
“A secret?” he asked, moving a little closer to her. God, the man was gorgeous. His deep blue eyes appeared very naughty right now, and she loved that.
“I can’t tell you.”
“Why not?” Emerson exclaimed, never even picking up the menu. Had they been here before? With whom and how often that he didn’t have to look at the menu?
“Well, this is our first date. It may not seem right if I tell you that I take kickboxing classes and that I’m prepared to strike if provoked,” she told him, never looking away from her menu.
“Damn, the thought of you doing that is hot,” Stone said. Then she felt his hand move over her thigh to her knee. He kept it there.
She swallowed hard. Oh boy, did this man just make my temperature rise. She looked at him, and he caressed her thigh.
“Did I tell you how beautiful you look?” Stone asked as she locked gazes with him.
“You told me that you liked my dress.” She watched his eyes roam over the V of the top of her dress, showing some cleavage. With a thirty-eight-D chest, it was difficult to not show off some cleavage. His eyes seemed to roam over her breasts, and then to her lips.
“I would love to kiss you right now.”
“Oh, that might not be a good idea,” she found herself replying quickly.
“Why not?” Emerson asked as he placed his hand over hers. She tried to calm her breathing. She suddenly wanted to bypass dinner and get right to dessert. Would it be so bad if she had sex with them on the first date? The thought made her feel even more excited, and then she shyly looked down.
“You two are tag-teaming me and it’s not fair.” Both men eased away and she immediately felt their loss. She tried to say something. Maybe “don’t stop” or “I didn’t mean to make you stop touching me,” but it didn’t matter. The waiter arrived.
* * * *
Stone was having a difficult time not touching Antoinette. She looked so beautiful, the way her face almost glowed beneath the candlelight. Her eyes even sparkled, and those thick, lovely eyelashes of hers were beautiful. Her submissive demeanor and the way she shied away from their questions or flirtatious remarks had his cock straining for release. There was something so incredible about her. It was like he never felt so compelled to get to know someone.
He had become hardened over the years. After a crazy, dysfunctional childhood, being involved with the wrong women and, of course, being in the profession that he was in had made him hard. It was difficult if not nearly impossible for him to relax and just let himself be around someone other than Emerson. Emerson had seen Stone through such tough times. Some dating back to his childhood, and the times Emerson hid Stone out in the family basement where Stone’s abusive father couldn’t find him.
He hated his father. He hated any man who struck a child, a woman, or someone weaker than them. He glanced back at Antoinette as she laughed at something Emerson said. They were discussing competitors, and naming specialty treats from some famous store brand names. Antoinette was giving Emerson hell and it was funny.
“Oh, by the way, thank you for adding those extra strawberry shortcake muffins into the box with the brownies. They were amazing,” Stone told her.
She smiled. “I thought you might like them. Especially since Emerson enjoyed it so much."
“So, how long have the two of you known one another?” she asked as she clasped her fingers under her cute, delicate chin and looked from Emerson to Stone.
This wasn’t a subject Stone liked to revisit for obvious reasons. He looked to Emerson, who gave him that look of his. It told Stone that he was being ridiculous and that they were best friends for life no matter what.
“Well, we’ve been friends since elementary school. Then I went to Boston University and Stone went to Columbia University. We both shared an apartment after college and have been around one another forever.”
“Wow. You must really get along well. You’ve never gotten into any arguments?” she asked, sounding curious.
Stone of course thought about the numerous times Emerson had to talk him down from doing something stupid when Stone was in a fit of rage. Those were the younger days. But more recently, was the Olivia situation. God, did they fight over that one, and trying to get rid of her. Out of habit, Stone looked around and then so did Emerson.
“What?” she asked, obviously seeing them look around for something or someone. The coast was clear.
“I’ve had to calm him down a few times. You see, Stone can get a bit passionate about stuff.” Emerson winked as he picked up his glass of Clos du Bois cabernet and took a sip.
“Oh, don’t let Emerson let you think he’s all nice and sweet all the time. The man has a mean streak for business. You should see him in action.”
“I’m making progress, and so are you, Stone. Now back to Antoinette.” Emerson reached over and took her hand into his own.
“I love the way the candlelight is shining softly against your hair and face. You look like an angel.” Emerson both looked and sounded so sincere and honest. Stone hadn’t seen this side of him in forever.
“She sure does. We’re very lucky that she accepted our invitation for dinner.” Stone placed his hand on her thigh and slowly moved down her skin to her knee. Her legs were crossed, and if this weren’t their first date, he’d explore a little further than her knee.
Their food arrived, and before long they were offering each other tastes of their meals and sampling the food. Antoinette talked about the people she worked with and about her friend Tina.
“Yes, she’s a bit forward. But then again, so is Stone.” She gave him a wink before placing her fork down, indicating that she was finished with dinner.
She put the wine glass to her lips and sipped. She had such appetizing lips. He would love to taste them, feel them against his own lips.
“She’s not for me. You on the other hand, are entirely for me,” he said. She stared at Stone over her wine glass and held his gaze. They said nothing, but the intensity in their eyes surely was identical. He felt compelled to hold her, touch her, and kiss her breathless.
Antoinette placed her wine glass down then looked at Emerson and then at Stone.
“Are you two for real?”
Stone could almost see wetness in her eyes. Not like she was about to cry but more an expression of emotion. She fel
t it, too. This was so unlike any other date he’d ever gone on. Then again, he didn’t date. Stone bounced from one woman to the next, never wanting to commit or get close to any of them. More than likely it stemmed from his own inner fears of abandonment. That thought suddenly made him feel like such a dick. But he’d never met a woman he was compelled to impress, to care for, and get to know like Antoinette.
The waiter interrupted the opportunity to reply to her question, and they sat back, holding her gaze.
The waiter disappeared and Emerson leaned forward.
“We are most definitely for real. We’re both grateful that you accepted our invite, Antoinette. We’d really like to get to know you better. Are you feeling more comfortable with us?” Emerson asked, as he brushed his thumb back and forth across her hand between her thumb and pointer. She swallowed hard.
“I’m very comfortable with both of you. The two of you have great personalities. I’m just waiting for the bad news.”
The waiter returned and asked if they wanted dessert. Emerson suggested having it elsewhere.
They paid the bill and escorted Toni from the restaurant.
“Shall we walk a little bit?” Emerson asked.
“Sure,” Toni replied as they headed down the block. They followed the crosswalk and headed toward the small park.
* * * *
Toni was truly enjoying herself. Stone and Emerson seemed so nice, and they were very good at flirting and talking. She hadn’t even realized that she had a second full glass of wine, and as she continued talking with them, asking questions, Stone poured her more. She had three glasses of red wine, and boy was she feeling it. She felt as if there were stars in her eyes. She chuckled at the thought. There was a song with those lyrics, wasn’t there?
“What’s the giggle for?” Emerson asked her as they strolled toward a park bench. Emerson took a seat but she remained standing a moment. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. It was a gorgeous night. The stars were shining and the air had an edge of chilliness to it. She smiled down at Emerson, and then felt Stone wrap his arms around her from behind. She jerked a moment but then relaxed in his deep embrace. The man was so big. She fit perfectly, with her back against his chest.
“Are you cold?” he asked.
“Not anymore,” she whispered.
Stone walked her closer to Emerson, whose legs were parted, as he sat forward on the bench. He was so tall that his face was nearly level with her chest.
Emerson placed his hands on her waist. He rubbed them up and down. At first, she wondered if people saw them. Then she wondered what they might think. Two men with one woman would surely seem naughty and uncommon. But as she heard some voices and looked to the right, she saw three men with one woman, and a few other sets of similar couples. Soon they were gone, and she focused on Stone and Emerson’s touch. Never had she felt so comfortable, so safe before. Truthfully, she was scared out of her mind.
“About what you said back at the restaurant. About waiting for the bad news about us. Baby, there isn’t any. We’ve been thinking the same thing about you. We’re waiting for the bad news, the reason why such a hot, sexy, gorgeous woman like you hasn’t been swept up by a man, or men,” Emerson told her. Then he slowly stood up. His hands remained on her hips and Stone’s remained wrapped around her midsection.
She felt Stone’s breath and lips against her neck and ear.
“You smell incredible.” He kissed her neck.
Emerson cupped her cheeks, and stared down into her eyes.
“I know it’s only our first date, Antoinette, but I need to know.”
She knew that he was going to kiss her. She felt as if she should stop him. Stop them before there was no turning back. But as Emerson touched his lips to hers, and Stone squeezed her snugly against his chest, she softened into their combined embrace.
That kiss grew deeper and more sensual very quickly. She placed her hands against Emerson’s chest as he continued to explore her mouth, stroking his tongue along her cavern, trying to reach and fulfill his need. Then she felt as if she were ignoring Stone, so she reached one hand back to touch his waist. He released one of his arms and clasped their hands together. His mouth licked and sucked along her neck, as Emerson continued to kiss her. She never felt so out of control and so turned on in her entire life. She wanted them. She wanted to throw inhibition to the wind, forget about her fears, her reservations or about society and life, and just get lost in Emerson and Stone.
She was getting so excited and sexually aroused that she was losing her breath and her ability to stay in control. My God, their kisses and their touches are fucking lethal.
Then came the worry and the uncertainty. She thought about Vince and his conniving ways. Not that these men were involved with the mafia, or wanted her business. They were hardworking businessmen, making their way up the corporate ladder. They were like her. They were struggling to survive, to save money for the future, and to secure a future and whatever it brought. They were honest and funny, and they wanted her, just like she wanted them. So why was she feeling a twinge of fear in her gut? It was becoming too much. She shouldn’t allow them to kiss her like this. She shouldn’t—
Emerson released her lips and as she took a deep breath and prepared to respond, Stone maneuvered his body and turned her around. He cupped her face between his hands and locked gazes with her.
“My turn to taste the sweetest dessert ever.” He covered her mouth with his, and he immediately stroked his tongue between her teeth and deepened the kiss. There was no slow advancing for Stone. He was a powerful kisser, a man who went after what he wanted. That thought aroused her, too. They were both mouthwatering, and as she absorbed the taste of wine and Stone, she categorized the differences between the two men. When she felt the second set of hands on her shoulders, Emerson pressed his chest against her back, and she moaned.
“Damn, baby, you make such sexy little sounds. I love it,” Emerson told her. His hands moved over her hips then to her back. Stone kissed her deeply, and as he released her lips slowly, he pulled her bottom lip back in such a way it made her legs feel weak. The palm of his hand moved over her hip to her rear and he squeezed her ass as he pulled her hard against him. She felt both men’s erections. It was a signal to slow things down, or throw inhibition to the wind and take them both home.
Stone released her lips then smiled down at her. “You taste better than any bite-sized little brownies. I could kiss you and taste you for hours.” His voice and his exotic blue eyes were filled with sex appeal and hunger for her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. He was about to kiss her again, but she pressed her palms harder against his chest, then let her forehead fall to his chest.
“You two need to slow down. You’re too much for one woman to handle.”
Emerson rubbed her shoulders then whispered next to her cheek. “You can handle us. Look how good you fit between us.” He kissed her cheek. She raised her head up and held Stone’s gaze.
“This is only our first date. I shouldn’t have let you both kiss me like that.”
“Nonsense. We all wanted to kiss. We’ve been feeling the attraction and sexual pull all night long. Trust us,” Stone said.
That was when she felt the fear of trusting them surface. That word, and everything it stood for, brought on fear and intimidation. She needed to place some distance between them and slow things down.
She slowly stepped from between them and rubbed the outer part of her lips, being sure to not smudge her lipstick any further.
“I had a wonderful evening. I loved hanging out with you and getting to know both of you.”
Stone crossed his arms in front of his chest and stared at her as if he were unsure about her words. He had a look in his eyes. He had a way about him that made her think he could read her mind. He was a bit of a mystery, yet she could tell he said what was on his mind, no matter what.
“I wish you would come home with us. I know we won’t regret it,” he said and she
was shocked.
“Stone, I just met you. This is our first date. Now, I know that this whole ménage thing isn’t new to either of you, but it is to me. In fact, dating again is new to me. I have trust issues, and fears to work out. I’m being honest with you. Give me some time.”
* * * *
Emerson felt his gut clench. Someone obviously hurt her. That didn’t sit right with him at all, and by the look on Stone’s face, his buddy was about to ask fifty questions.
“Who hurt you? What happened?” Stone asked.
“I don’t want to talk about it. It doesn’t matter. He’s history. I’m just being cautious. That’s all.”
“We understand.” Emerson gave Stone a nudge in the arm. Stone looked like he was going to continue an interrogation. The man was determined to get answers to anything he had questions or concerns about. He was relentless until he got his answers. That was one of the reasons why their business was doing so well.
“I don’t understand. I want you to know that we can be trusted. We’re not like other guys. I don’t even date, Antoinette. This is the first date I’ve had since freaking high school,” Stone admitted.
“What? You expect me to believe that you have not dated since high school? What do I look like? An idiot?”
“He’s telling the truth. Neither of us date. We’re working all the time,” Emerson said. But Antoinette looked at both of them then laughed as she placed her hands on her hips.
“You are both drop-dead gorgeous. There is no way that you don’t date. You’re men. You’re human.”
Emerson stared at her. She was kind of pushing the issue. Did she really want to know the truth?
Stone took her hand and pulled her into his arms. “We don’t date. When either of us want a women, we get her, do our business, and it’s over. No woman has ever come home to our pent…apartment,” Stone said, and Emerson sighed in relief that Stone didn’t say penthouse. He was already feeling guilty letting Antoinette think that they weren’t well off. She may be pissed about this little lie.
Their Sweet Desire [Power Surge: The Billionaire Club 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 7
