Tangled

by Karen Erickson

  But she couldn’t help it.

  “You’re not busy, are you? I was hoping we could talk.”

  Caution slithered down her spine, and she tried to smile through it. “No, I’m never too busy for you, Drake.”

  “I won’t take up too much of your time.” He seemed to be stalling.

  “What’s going on?” she asked, ready to get right to the point.

  His gaze met hers, pale and piercingly direct. “I’m curious. Are you and Trevor…involved?”

  Oh. Well, she hadn’t expected that question. Talk about putting her on the spot. “Um, well, we’ve been seeing each other a little bit. Kind of. Nothing serious, though.” She winced the second the words left her mouth.

  Was she giving Drake hope? Did she want him to think she and Trevor were exclusive? Was she even still interested in Drake?

  Confusion muddled her brain, scrambled her thoughts. She honestly didn’t know the answer to any of those questions.

  “Nothing serious.” Drake’s voice was flat, and he looked away from her with a sigh, plunged a hand through his hair in a gesture of frustration. “I don’t want to ask you this Scarlett, but did he say anything about me…and him?”

  “Yes.” She wasn’t going to lie. Better to be out with it. “He told me about it.”

  “Everything?” Drake looked shocked.

  She nodded. “Everything.”

  “Wow. Huh. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. He has no shame. He puts everything out on the table.”

  Wasn’t that the truth? She knew she certainly appreciated Trevor’s honesty.

  “He won’t take my calls. Now I know why.” He glanced back at her. “You two make a good couple.”

  “We’re not a couple.” She shook her head as if to emphasize her words. The idea scared her. It scared her because the thought of them being a couple also appealed. “We’re not even dating.”

  “Then what are you two doing?”

  Fucking? She couldn’t say it like that. Didn’t want to hurt Drake’s feelings or make herself look like some callous bitch.

  But it was the truth. Right?

  Uh huh, right.

  “Just something very casual,” she said instead. It sounded better that way.

  “Hmm.” He gazed at her desk as if lost in thought. “Can I admit that I’m jealous?”

  “Can I admit that I’m jealous of what went on between you two?”

  “Sure.” He smiled, dazzling her with perfectly straight white teeth. No wonder she had a crush on him. She still had a minor little thing for him. Her tummy fluttered at the sight of that sweet smile. “Too bad we can’t share him.”

  “Who says we can’t?” The words fell out of her mouth when an idea formed in her brain. A very wicked one.

  Drake’s smile faded. “You can’t be serious.”

  She was dead serious. The more she thought about it, the better it sounded. She’d get the best of both worlds. All three of them would. She’d originally wanted Drake, Drake wanted Trevor and Trevor wanted her.

  Now they could all have each other. Tangled webs and all that good stuff.

  “I am very serious,” she finally said, wanting to choose her words carefully. “I mean, why not? It might be fun.”

  He studied her as if she’d grown another head. “Have you ever been in a threesome before?”

  She had, a long time ago when she’d first moved to L.A. and had been up for everything and anything. Anything to help escape her old, boring lifestyle. To indulge the dirty thoughts that had consumed her. She’d been curious back then, free to try anything once. And she had. She’d been wild and crazy and had given it away too much.

  “I have,” she answered. “Have you?”

  His cheeks colored, turning a ruddy color. “I have. A few times.”

  “With a woman involved?” She had to know if Drake was one of those gay guys who’d never touched a woman. That was Brad, Austin’s ex-boyfriend. Oh, he’d kissed a few girls but that was it.

  I don’t touch the pussy, he’d said to her more than once.

  She studied Drake’s hands, his fingers. She wondered if he touched the pussy.

  “Yeah.” Drake nodded, looking slightly petrified.

  The way they were discussing it, cold and clinical as if they were putting together a business transaction suddenly struck her as funny. Scarlett started to giggle, tried to stifle it with a hand over her mouth, but she couldn’t help but let it tumble out.

  Drake’s expression turned mortified. “What’s so funny?”

  “This. The way we’re talking about it. Like we’re trying to put together a business deal.” She shook her head, her giggles turning into full-blown laughter. “It’s kind of ridiculous.”

  “You’re the one who started it.” Drake smiled.

  “I know, I know.” Her laughter died, and she thought of Trevor. How would he feel about this? He was a kinky bastard. She didn’t think he’d mind. He’d probably be for it.

  An image floated through her mind, of her naked, sprawled on Trevor’s bed. Drake would be on one side of her and Trevor on the other, their big, masculine hands roaming all over her body. Touching her breasts, her thighs and stroking her wet pussy. She’d suck Drake’s cock while Trevor pounded deep inside of her, driving her to the most intense orgasm of her life.

  Mmm, watching Drake and Trevor together, their sweaty male bodies wrapped around each other, cocks in hands, mouths locked. It appealed to her voyeuristic tendencies, and she wondered if Trevor would mind if she watched.

  Her now very wet pussy ached, and she swallowed hard. She couldn’t get carried away, not yet.

  But if this was going to happen, it was going to be oh, so good.

  “So what do you think?” she asked softly, reaching out to touch Drake’s arm. He was strong, firm muscles shifting beneath her fingers, his skin warm. He felt good.

  “I honestly don’t know what to think.” He stared at her, that intense gaze locked on her face, making her want to squirm. But in a good way. “How do you feel about it, Scarlett?”

  “I can share,” she murmured. Did she really believe that? She told herself she could.

  But deep inside, she wondered.

  “With me? You won’t have a problem with me being there? In bed with you and Trevor?” He looked truly concerned.

  “I don’t think I have a problem with it. I chased you for months, after all. I’m finally getting what I wanted.” And that kind of scared her. “Do you have a problem with me being there with you and Trevor?”

  “No, I don’t think so. I’ve always liked you, Scarlett.” He reached for her, his broad palm curving around her cheek, turning her face toward his. Her heart dropped into her stomach, and she realized he was going to kiss her.

  Oh God, what would Trevor think? Would he be mad if he saw us right now? Or would he join in?

  But the kiss Drake dropped upon her lips was simple, pleasant. It sent a warm buzz through her, and she slowly drew away from him, wondering why he didn’t give her the same electric jolt straight to her pussy like Trevor did every time kissed her.

  Every single time.

  “I need to talk to him,” she whispered, blinking up at Drake. “I need to see if he wants to do this. We can’t just spring it on him.”

  “Of course we can’t.” He looked offended that she even suggested it. “Why don’t you bring him to the club tomorrow night? I’m working a short shift. I’ll be done by eleven.”

  Possibilities. She should be thrilled, but a shaft of apprehension cut through her. “If he’s interested, I’ll do it. We’ll be there around eleven.”

  “And if he’s not?” Drake’s brows lifted.

  “If he’s not, then we won’t show up.”

  He sighed. “The ball’s in your court, Scarlett. I have to give it to you.”

  She hoped having that ball didn’t end up costing her everything.

  Trevor couldn’t wait to get Scarlett alone. All day he’d been tortured, having h
er close yet not being able to touch her. She wanted their relationship to be kept on the down low, a secret from everyone at the theatre. At first he’d been more than ready to agree to it. He wasn’t one to let everyone know his personal business. Hell, everyone knew he couldn’t stick to commitment. He rarely saw a woman more than twice.

  Scarlett had become the exception.

  For whatever reason he’d started to feel offended by her secretiveness. Why didn’t she want people to know they were together? Was she embarrassed? By him?

  The idea rankled. Pissed him off. They’d been in meetings the entire day. Discussions of what was happening with the new production, introducing the new actors joining them and the new crewmembers. Scarlett had led one discussion about the costumes and makeup, how extravagant it was going to be.

  They’d been around each other all day and yet she’d barely looked at him. Could hardly bring herself to smile at him. He’d purposely stood next to her at one point, asking her in an intimate whisper if she was okay, and she’d given him a stark, cold yes as an answer.

  That was it. Just one word and then she’d walked away.

  Damn woman ran hot and cold and it drove him up the frickin’ wall. He didn’t tolerate this kind of shit. He didn’t have to. He always had his pick of women and if he tired of them, he moved on to the next one as fast as possible.

  So why didn’t he want to move on to the next one? What made Scarlett so damn special that he was desperate to keep her around?

  He felt a connection with her. And it wasn’t just a sexual one either though the sex between them was explosive. She always put up a little fight, as if she didn’t want anything to do with him until he wore her down. It took nothing for him to wear her down, either.

  He figured she liked the fight. He knew he enjoyed the battle.

  But she still wouldn’t let him all the way in. After that one night when she’d shared a few facts about her life, he’d thought he had her. That she’d capitulate and open up completely. Didn’t happen. No, more than ever she was closed mouth, quiet and only saw him to get her groove on.

  Lord help him, he wanted more than to get his groove on. He wanted to establish a relationship with her.

  Trevor Braxton did not do relationships.

  Drake had kept calling him until a few days ago. Voicemails, suggestive text messages, the works. In the past Trevor would’ve been tempted, and he would’ve done something about it. Like meet up with Drake and fuck his brains out. Deep down inside he could admit he was tempted. That night with Drake had been pretty mind-blowing.

  But he couldn’t do it. Couldn’t be unfaithful to Scarlett even though they hadn’t established any type of boundaries with whatever they were doing. This realization shocked the hell out of him.

  Scarlett Goldsmith had turned him into a different man. A better man. Now if she could only open her eyes and see that, see him.

  When it came to him, her eyes were still tightly closed.

  He waited for her outside the theatre, the warm gush of the Santa Ana winds whirling all around him. The end of summer always brought the winds and the heat. Almost everyone complained and definitely everyone worried, afraid that those winds would bring fire and often they did.

  Trevor didn’t like the fire part, but he had to admit he didn’t mind the hot wind. It heated his skin, his blood, made it boil and feel so damn alive. The wind caressing his skin at this very moment invigorated him and he paced outside the back door, waiting for her to come out.

  She was taking forever. He glanced at his cell phone for the time, wondered if she was doing this on purpose. It was pissing him off, she was pissing him off and he didn’t appreciate her distant behavior any longer.

  There needed to be a change. And he was going to demand it. Tonight.

  The heavy metal door suddenly creaked open, startling him from his thoughts and he watched, dry mouthed as Scarlett walked out into the heady warm night. Her hair, that gorgeous wild curling hair, swirled about her head and with a look of disgust, she smoothed her hand over it to calm it down.

  It didn’t work. He loved her hair. It gave her an uninhibited air. She wore jeans and a simple black tank top, a thin silver chain curling around her slender neck and big silver hoops hung from her ears. Nothing special, nothing outrageous yet she looked damn sexy. The denim emphasized the length of her legs, the cotton top hugged her breasts and nipped in waist.

  She was sex personified. His every fantasy come to life. And he wanted to indulge in her, sink deep inside her and stay there.

  For as long as she’d let him.

  “Trevor.” She sounded surprised to find him waiting. “I thought you left.”

  “I think you wanted me to leave.” He stepped away from the building so he faced her head on. “We were supposed to get together. You agreed last night.”

  She shrugged and took a couple of steps. She was completely out of the light that shone from the side of the door, casting her form in shadows. “I’m tired.”

  Something in the tone of her voice told him otherwise. “Liar.”

  “It’s been a long day.” She visibly bristled. He saw the shake of her shoulders, the straightening of her spine. She always stood taller when she was angry. “I’m exhausted.”

  “Too exhausted for me?” He sounded wounded. He cleared his throat, pissed at himself.

  But she did this to him. Made him reveal things he normally didn’t show. Like emotions.

  She sighed, long and loud and she went to him, walking closer and closer until she was right in front of him, her head tilted back so she could look into his eyes. He yearned to reach out and touch her but something told him to hold back.

  Not yet. Be patient.

  “I talked to Drake yesterday.”

  Nerves made Trevor’s stomach clench at her abrupt comment.

  What the hell? The only thing they could have in common to talk about was him, or the two of them together.

  Jesus. Is she going to dump me? For fucking Drake?

  “What about?” He hoped he sounded casual but inside, his nerves tangled around themselves and his temples were pounding.

  “He said you’ve been ignoring his calls.” Her voice was soft, not accusing, which made him relax the slightest bit.

  “I’m not interested in him,” he said tightly, clenching his hands into fists so he wouldn’t touch her. Yet. “I want you.”

  She exhaled, he heard the catch in it and her dark brown gaze locked on his face. “What if you could have both of us?”

  “What?” Confusion flooded his brain.

  “Together? Would you be interested then?” She bit her lower lip, her gaze skittering away from his and he reached out, cupped her chin and forced her to look back at him.

  “What the hell are you talking about?” His entire body was tense, his breathing ragged. She stared at him, her lips parted and he saw the nerves there on her face. The apprehension.

  “The three of us together, for one night doing whatever you want. Doing whatever any of us want. How does that sound to you?”

  Like pure trouble. He shook his head. “When?”

  “Tonight,” she whispered.

  His mouth dropped open. “Are you kidding me? Why?”

  She shrugged. He realized he still held her chin and that she hadn’t pulled away from him. “Why not? I thought it might be something fun for us to do.”

  “Fun? A threesome with Drake? The guy you used to have a major crush on.” He watched her carefully. “For all I know he could be a guy you might have a crush on. Hell, I don’t know. Sorry but this sounds like a major mistake.” His hand dropped away from her and he turned, unsure of what to do next.

  God. Why did she spring this on him now? It made no sense. It came out of nowhere.

  Scarlett constantly kept him on his toes. Sometimes he liked it.

  At this very moment, he wasn’t sure.

  “I want to do this. I want to do this for you, for us.” Her eyes pleaded with him. �
�I trust you, Trevor. I wouldn’t do this with someone I didn’t trust.”

  Her words blew him away. That he had her trust meant more to him then he could express. He stared at her in wonder—saw the tentativeness written over her face, her expression unsure.

  “You trust me.” It was a statement, though in his heart, it was a pounding, startled question and disbelief filled him when she nodded silently, trust shining there in her eyes. “Why?”

  “Because you put up with me when no one else will, no matter how hard I try to get rid of you. And I do try. I try even when I don’t realize I’m doing it.” She smiled at him, and it socked him right in the gut. “I want to give this to you, Trevor,” she whispered. “Please let me.”

  He didn’t know if he believed her. She wanted to give this to him? Or did she want this for herself?

  “We’re supposed to meet Drake at the club. He’s off early tonight,” she continued as if she already had it completely mapped out.

  Trevor believed she did. “How does he feel about this?”

  “He’s for it. As long as you are,” she said carefully.

  Yeah, he bet. Drake had been after him ever since that night, relentless at first with his calling and texting. It had begun to taper off but the idea of them all being together filled Trevor with apprehension.

  What if this night gave Drake more hope? Belief that they might have a chance together? In Trevor’s mind, they didn’t. He didn’t want Drake.

  He wanted Scarlett.

  “Are you doing this just to please me?” He had to know. Did she believe that he’d rather be with a man so she was giving him this in order to keep him around?

  “No.” She shook her head, her wild curls sliding over her shoulders. “I want this. I want it with both of you.”

  He couldn’t help it. He started to laugh. “This is fucking surreal.”

  Her brows lifted, and she crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Have you ever done something like this before?”

  “What a threesome? Well yeah, but it has happened a lot more naturally than this.” He waved his hand around, gesturing at nothing. “You’ve got it all planned out.”

  “Drake said the same thing,” she whispered, suddenly looking very worried.