by Terry Towers
Ivy’s mouth dropped open. She wanted to say something, knew she should be saying something, but words didn’t seem to want to come to her. Taking a deep breath in, she slowly released it and stared at Trey a moment longer.
“What do you mean?”
It was Trey’s turn to look baffled. “Ethan’s in love with you. What about that statement is tripping you up, love?” He turned to the skillet and focused on the omelets.
She gave her head a shake; the idea was silly. “Wait. How do you know that? Has he told you?”
“Not in so many words, but I know. He was miserable when you were gone. You shutting him out really tore him up. And part was guilt I’m sure, but now that I know what went down before you left, his reaction is clear to me. So when you ask whether this will work or not, it’ll largely depend on whether Ethan is able to share the woman he loves.”
“But he went along with it last night.”
The cocky grin reappeared on Trey’s face. “It’s possible that he was horny and you said it was what you wanted and he just wanted to make you happy. I’m sure he enjoyed himself, sure seemed like it. But whether he could spend the rest of his life sharing you, I don’t know. He brought up some valid questions. And he may ultimately force you to make a choice.”
When she was making up the plan she never anticipated it going on for longer than a few group sex-a-thons and some dates. She’d only planned on letting it go on until they were smitten over her and then she was going to say goodbye. But now, she didn’t want to say goodbye – not to either one of them – she truly did want them both. But could she insist on having them both if it hurt Ethan? She didn’t think so.
“I’ll talk to him.” Looking up at him, she got up on her tiptoes and placed a kiss on his lips. “You’re a smart, sweet, amazing man Trey Phillips.”
Trey gave her another wink. “I’m not just a sexy body and pretty face, baby.”
~*~*~*~*~
Wow. Ethan let out a loud huff of air as he sat up on the bed and looked around the deserted bedroom. What in the hell just happened? It seemed so surreal to him. He’d never dreamed he’d ever share a woman with Trey and certainly not Ivy and he wasn’t exactly sure how he felt about it.
Standing he gathered his clothing and left the bedroom. Crossing the hall, he paused hearing Trey and Ivy downstairs. He couldn’t make out what was being said, but the chatter was pretty lively – apparently neither of them had an issue with what had happened. He entered the bathroom and tossed his clothes into the hamper, then went directly to the shower, turning it on and hopping in.
He was just finishing when the bathroom door opened.
“Ethan?”
He laughed. “Who else would you expect to be showering in the bathroom?” Turning off the shower, he pulled the curtain back and flashed her a smile. She’d gotten dressed – sort of – wearing a pair of boxers and camisole, similar to what she’d been wearing the other night, but the camisole wasn’t sheer and the boxers were a plain plaid pattern.
She shrugged, giving him a shy smile. He didn’t miss the fact her eyes dipped to his groin for a split second. “I don’t know. Guess it was a rhetorical question.”
“How are you feeling?” Grabbing a towel from the overhead cabinet he wrapped it around his waist.
“Honestly?”
“Sure.”
She crinkled her nose up at him. “Sore. Kinda confused.”
A bark of laughter escaped him. “I could have guessed that.” His laughter slowed as he noticed the smile fading from her lips. “What’s going on?”
Placing her palms on the sink countertop she hoisted herself up and sat on it, letting her legs swing over the side. “Can we talk?”
He went to stand beside her and leaned into the mirror trying to determine whether it was worth the effort to shave. It wasn’t. He pulled back and caught her stare. “Thought we were already talking.”
She laughed and gave him a swat on the shoulder. “You know what I mean. Seriously. About last night.”
“What about it?”
Her brow furrowed and she cocked her head to the side staring up at him. He could see her mustering the courage to say whatever it was that was on her mind.
“Come on. Spill it. What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?” He leaned in and placed a kiss on her temple.
“Were you okay with last night?”
He shrugged. “Sure. I suppose. It was a fun night.” Despite his words, his dick jerked alive at being reminded of the previous evening. Hearing her moans and screams of pleasure was incredible.
“But how are you feeling about it?”
“Ahhh, so you want to talk about our feelings?”
She nodded.
“Kinda heavy for the day after isn’t it?”
“Probably. But it’s kinda important. Oh and just before I forget, mom and your dad called and they’re extending their trip another week and a half. Apparently, they’ve fallen in love with Rome and want more time to explore it before carrying on to Venice.”
“Uh, yeah. Nice topic detour.”
She shrugged. “So what do you think? Would you be comfortable with the three of us –together?”
Ethan took a deep breath in and slowly released it, glancing over her shoulder at his reflection again. Could he really do it? He’d always thought he’d have a wife of his own and kids. The regular family unit, not him, his wife and his wife’s husband. “It’s… I don’t know. My feelings toward it are complicated.” But then again, he was getting ahead of himself. Severely ahead of himself. He was a planner, always had been a planner. How could he plan for something so insane? But an odd part of him found the idea interesting, perhaps something that could work. He certainly enjoyed the previous night much more than he expected.
“Because you’re in love with me?”
His eyes shot to hers and he watched as she slapped her hands over her mouth and her emerald green eyes grew wide; apparently she was as shocked she’d said it as he was.
She kept her gaze focused on his and slowly lowered her hands. “I’m sorry, just Trey said…”
Ethan groaned. Trey. “Yeah, I swear to God Trey gossips more than a woman, no offense.”
“None taken.”
They continued to stare at each other. He could see the hopefulness in her eyes. Along with her feelings; they hadn’t changed. He could see she was still in love with him, despite how he’d rejected her before she’d left. But she also had feelings for Trey now. She wasn’t just his anymore and there was no turning back now.
“Is it true?”
He was the one to avert his gaze. “This whole thing has my head pretty fucked up.”
“You’re not answering the question.”
“I know. Sharing someone I love wasn’t something I ever considered doing, Ivy. Even if it is Trey.” He ran his index finger along her jawline. “But I fucked up once and you’re giving me another chance. So if that chance means sharing you, if that will make you happy, then it’s what I’ll do. I’ll do it for you. Because, yes Ivy, I’m in love with you.”
Chapter 9
Ivy
While his statement should have sent a rush of joy through her, it didn’t. Trey had been right, he wasn’t doing it because he was into the idea, he was doing it because it was what she wanted.
“I know what you’re thinking.” He spread her legs and stepped between them, grabbing her bottom and pulling her to him. When she looked up at him with questions in her eyes he continued. “You’re thinking, I’m feeling backed into a corner and just giving in. That’s not exactly the case.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, even though I love you it doesn’t mean I’d do something I wasn’t comfortable with or agree with. Yes, I never thought I’d be sharing, but I’m willing to try and make it work. Had it been anyone else other than Trey, then no chance. But I’m willing to keep an open mind. I wouldn’t have participated in last night had I been completely opposed
to the idea. But you have my word, if I become uncomfortable with the idea, or feel it’s too much for me then I’ll bow out and Trey will have you to himself.”
She didn’t want him to bow out that way, she wanted him. But after the few days with Trey, she wanted them both. How could she be feeling this way about two men? It seemed so wrong. But it felt right. Would it be worth the risk of potentially losing Ethan forever to take a chance on the three of them?
“Breakfast is ready you two,” Trey poked his head into the bathroom and announced.
Both Ethan and Ivy’s heads turned to look at Trey – Ivy with a smile, Ethan with a scowl. “Doesn’t anyone ever knock before busting into closed bathrooms anymore?” Ethan grumbled just loud enough for Ivy to hear, lowering his forehead to her shoulder. She had to bite down on her lower lip to keep from laughing.
Her eyes locked with Trey’s. Sweet, fun-loving Trey. She knew she was being greedy, but she had to take the chance to have both men. Had to. Not because it was part of her stupid plan, but because she cared for him and needed him in her life.
“Oh, was I interrupting?” Trey gave them a lopsided grin, though didn’t seem to be perturbed by his intrusion. “Didn’t mean to. But didn’t want to miss out on some potential shower action – we’re a trio, right? And I think I’m behind a shower… And, like I say, breakfast is sitting on the table.”
~*~*~*~*~
Ivy
“Is it all good? We one big happy trio?” Trey asked, motioning Ivy over to the hammock he was stretched out on. The day was beautiful, maybe one of the last beautiful, warm days until winter hit.
“I don’t know.” And she honestly didn’t. She looked down at him in the hammock as he patted the area next to him.
“Come on, there’s lots of room for us both.”
Ivy laughed as she gingerly attempted to get onto the hammock with him. “I just don’t want to send us both toppling to the porch.”
“Ahhh, it’ll be okay.” He helped steady her as she crawled on next to him, nearly dumping them both onto the porch a couple of times, but after a minute of shifting and squirming Ivy managed to situate herself next to him, wrapped up into his arms.
“I don’t know if it will. He said he’d try, but won’t promise anything.”
“Nothing in life is guaranteed, baby.”
She looked up into his eyes and smiled. She supposed he was right.
“And what would you do if he decided to force you to choose? I told myself I wouldn’t ask that and I’ve been thinking it’s the noble thing to do and step aside, but I’m not sure I want to.”
She looked up into his eyes and smiled. “I don’t want you to.” Her feelings and emotions were tearing her apart, she never expected this to be hard. She thought she’d hardened herself enough to be able to handle them both, but she’d been lying to herself. The only thing she wanted was to make them both happy. The fact they were both also in turmoil over this hurt.
“Good.” He raked his fingers through her hair; the gentle pull of the strands of hair was oddly erotic and she closed her eyes, letting herself enjoy the feeling.
“Am I being selfish?”
“A little bit,” he replied, not even slowing in his stroking of her hair.
Her eyes flew open and she picked her head up from his shoulder so she could stare at him. That wasn’t the answer she was expecting from him.
Trey laughed. “I’m being honest. But I’m okay with it and I think Ethan will be too. Give him time. We’ve shared all kind of stuff over the years, why not a beautiful woman?”
“Goof.” She gave him a swat, the quick and unexpected movement nearly toppling them onto the porch. “I’m serious.”
“And so am I!” He slipped his hand behind her neck to bring her lips down to his when the sound of footsteps coming around the side of the house made them both freeze.
“Ivy? You back here?”
Ivy groaned inwardly as she let her forehead fall onto Trey’s chest.
“That voice sounds familiar.”
“It’s Cassidy. I forgot I invited her over this afternoon.” She looked back up and gave him an apologetic smile.
He sighed. “So much for my quality one-on-one action.”
“Trey?”
“Please, like you weren’t thinking it.”
“Ahh there you are, why weren’t you answering your phone?” Cassidy asked, coming into view.
“It’s in the house,” Ivy explained, untangling herself from Trey’s embrace.
“Oh, am I interrupting something?”
“Yes, actually Cassidy, you are.” Trey assisted Ivy from the hammock as he got out of it himself. “But I’ve gotta hit the gym anyhow.”
Ivy shot Trey a scowl that he seemed to shrug off. Ivy didn’t care for his comment towards her friend. Maybe he hadn’t changed as much as he had let on.
“We’ll talk later,” Trey whispered in her ear as he bent and brushed his lips against her temple. “Okay?”
“All right.”
“Cassidy.” He gave Cassidy a final nod before leaving the women and making his way into the house.
“What’s his problem?” Cassidy asked as the two friends made their way to a nearby picnic table and sat down across from each other.
Ivy’s brow furrowed and she shrugged she was baffled and slightly pissed his attitude had been so cold that even Cassidy picked up on it. It certainly wasn’t what she expected from the new and “improved” Trey Philips. “I’m not sure to be honest. Sorry about that.”
It wasn’t until the sound of Trey’s motorcycle engine roared to life that Cassidy began with the questions that Ivy knew had been eating at her from the second she laid eyes on Ivy cuddled with Trey in the hammock.
~*~*~*~*~
Trey
Trey knew he’d been cold to Cassidy, it hadn’t been her fault how things had played out, but it was easier than having to make awkward chitchat. He was roughly a mile from the house when the motorcycle seemed to choke up and the engine began to die, leaving him stranded.
Well, shit. He was too far from his own place to walk the bike there, so he turned it around and began walking back to Ivy and Ethan’s. That was the better alternative anyhow, the trio planned on spending the night together so maybe once Ethan got off work they could spend an hour trying to figure out what in the hell was going on with the bike.
At least I’m still getting my workout, he grumbled under his breath as he pushed the bike up the final hill and the house came into view. The final few yards up the steep hill were torture; by the time he wheeled the bike into the driveway and put the kickstand down he was panting and sweating profusely.
He made his way around the side of the house and as he came up to the backyard, his steps slowed hearing his name being said. He stopped completely when he heard Ethan’s name mentioned. He knew he shouldn’t eavesdrop, but he was curious as to how Ivy was explaining the situation to her friend, if she was explaining it at all.
Cassidy: So how are they?
Silence.
Cassidy: Come on, tell me. I’m dying to know. Like, how do you make it work?
Ivy: It was good. Kinda odd at first, but good.
Ivy giggled.
Ivy: Okay, it was mind-blowing. I’m so glad I waited.
Cassidy (with wonderment in her voice): So, they both agreed to share you.
Ivy: Yup, I mean… It’s been a little up and down. Trey’s more into the idea than Ethan, but I think they’re both on board.
Cassidy: I gotta admit, I had my doubts you could do it, but you have my admiration, girl.
There was a soft clapping sound that Trey assumed to be the girls high-fiving.
Trey frowned. What in the hell? Did Ivy come home having this planned all along? Sure, she’d been rather forward, but with the weight loss and coming home with a new sense of confidence he didn’t doubt she’d have the courage to go for them both. But still? It didn’t sit right with him.
Ivy: It was nothing. An
d it’s not like that.
Cassidy: So are they really falling for you, or is it just sex?
Trey’s jaw clenched at the tone in Cassidy’s voice. Sure, Cassidy had a reason to be bitter, at least with Ethan, but what in the fuck did he do to her – sweet fuck all, that’s what.
More silence.
