“I agree,” Sebastian says. “Invite us in, honey. This isn’t pre-drinking. This is celebrating.”
I step aside. “What are you celebrating?” I ask them, heading into the kitchen to find some champagne flutes.
Sebastian pops the cork expertly and pours the shimmery liquid into three glasses. “I’m going to turn down the franchise deal.”
“Seriously?” This has been so important to him. “You were so enthused about it. What made you change your mind?”
We clink glasses and I take a sip. The bubbles tickle my throat and it feels very sensual. Add in the string of pearls that rub against my clitoris every time I move, and I’m incredibly aware of my body.
“I wanted the idea of it more than the real thing,” he replies. “So many nights, when I was cooking at one lousy restaurant after another in the early days, I dreamed of going back home one day and proving everyone wrong.” His lips turn into a grimace. “It’s a dreadful thing to live in the past.”
“And what prompted this revelation?”
“I couldn’t tell you,” he says frankly. “A feeling has been growing within me that this is the wrong thing to do. Then on Thursday, I saw the details of the proposal, and it was garbage. Juliette keeps saying that the terms can be reworked, but I don’t want it to be.”
“How has Juliette taken the news?” I can’t see her approving of Sebastian’s decision, and she doesn’t strike me as the kind that is going to roll over and play dead.
“She’s still arguing with me.” He dismisses her with a shrug. “Whatever. She’ll come around soon enough.”
“Sebastian,” I say, my voice earnest. She’d followed me into the bathroom and told me to stay away from Sebastian, all because he kissed me. In the face of outright defeat, I can’t imagine what she might do, but I know it won’t be pretty. “I wouldn’t underestimate Juliette.”
He tosses the champagne back and refills our glasses. “I don’t want to talk about Juliette,” he says. “Not when all I can think of is pulling up your dress to check if you are wearing a very sexy pair of panties. I’m going to taste you, Bailey. I’m going to get you keyed up and aroused, and tonight, every time I turn and look at you, I’ll know you are hot, swollen and ready for my dick.”
Daniel bares his teeth. “When the party is over tonight, Bailey,” his hands caress the curve of my butt. “I’m going to take your ass while Sebastian pounds your pussy. Would you like that?”
I dismiss thoughts of Juliette from my mind, focusing instead on the two desirable men in front of me. “Yes,” I whisper, moving so I’m standing between their rock solid bodies, “I would like that very much.”
34
Bailey
'Tis a secret: none knows how it comes, how it goes. But the name of the secret is Love!
Lewis Carroll, Sylvie and Bruno Concluded
I’ve retreated to a quiet corner of the crowded bar. The party is in full swing and everyone appears to be having a blast. There’s a band playing, people are dancing and strolling among the artwork, all while sipping at their wine and beer. The museum security people must be having a coronary at the thought of damage to their Van Gogh's and Picasso's.
Daniel walks up to me with two drinks in his hand, extending one to me. “I noticed you were empty,” he says with a smile, gesturing to the glass in my hand. “Having fun?”
“I’m a little intimidated by the conspicuous consumption on display,” I reply with a wink. “Also, I’m uh, distracted.”
“Mmm.” His gaze moves over me like a heated touch and goosebumps rise on my skin in response. The beads starts to vibrate against my pussy, and I almost spill my drink, startled. “Steady there, Bailey,” he grins.
“How?” I ask weakly.
“There’s a remote, of course. The range isn’t great, but it works well enough when I’m up close to you.”
He’s standing a safe distance away, and no one looking at us will think that we are having anything other than a casual conversation. Daniel’s extremely good at managing his image.
As the waves of pleasure thrum through my body, I realize that’s not the only thing he’s good at. He’s very skilled at torturing me as well. I’m too proud to beg him to stop, and I definitely don’t want to orgasm in front of an audience of hundreds. To take my mind off the vibrations at my core, I ask him something I’ve been curious about. “Has everyone in your family always been so driven? Cyrus looks a little scary.”
The beads stop buzzing. I’m not at all surprised that Daniel’s glowering uncle can put him off sex. “Talking about Cyrus, where is he?” Daniel wonders aloud, scanning the room, then his attention switches back to me. “Sorry, Bailey. He’s due to make a speech soon. To answer your question, the lesson we learned from early childhood was that the family firm is the only thing that mattered. We are merely guardians of its legacy.” He smiles tiredly. “It’s a wearying concept for a child.”
“You have a sister, right? Does she work at your company as well?”
He shakes his head. “Susan was supposed to marry well and produce babies. She’s dating the most boring guy in the world, so I’d say that she’s doing her part.” He sips at his drink. “I’m being dramatic. I had a wonderful childhood, we both did. My father did his best to shield us from the family obligations. We only had to listen to lectures on our duties as Hartmans when we visited my grandparents.”
“Cyrus seems all about duty.”
He grimaces. “Yeah, well, the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree there. Cyrus is a spitting image of my grandfather. My mother can’t stand him.”
“Why was your father different?” I ask. “How come he was immune to the family pressures?”
He smiles. “The oldest reason in the world, and one I understand too well,” he says lightly. “He met a woman that mattered more than obligations.” His eyes linger on me till I squirm with discomfort. He can’t mean me, right?
Silence stretches between us. “Families are funny things,” Daniel says finally. “You think that you are free of their influence the moment you move out, but that’s not really ever the case, is it? I work at the family firm, even though Cyrus persists in acting like my nanny. Sebastian almost made the biggest mistake of his career because he can’t forget how little support his parents gave him.” He gulps down the rest of the drink. “What about you, Bailey? Do you get along with your parents?”
“This is,” I remark to no one in particular, “about the strangest conversation I’ve ever had when I’m about to come.”
He laughs at that, long and hard. People turn around and gape discreetly at their boss. Across the room, I spot Cyrus in a far corner, deep in conversation with Juliette. They look up as I notice them, and both of them frown in my direction, though I can’t bring myself to be bothered. So they disapprove of me. Big fucking deal.
When Daniel’s done with his mirth, he flashes me a devious smile. “As much as it would be enjoyable to watch you come right now,” he says, “I much rather keep you keyed up for later.”
“Asshole,” I say without heat. “Yes, I get along very well with my parents. My dad was a freelance photographer and my mother was a painter. They gave me wanderlust.”
“Is your quest for tenure a search for the stability you didn’t have growing up?”
That’s a very perceptive question, but I don’t know why I’m surprised. Daniel pays attention. I laugh uneasily, and his hand comes out and rests on my forearm. “I’ve made you uncomfortable,” he says, apology in his tone. “I didn’t mean to.”
“You know too much about me already,” I admit. “It’s intimidating.”
“It’s not meant to be.” He takes in the room around us, the glitz and the glamour, the expensive gowns and suits, all the trappings of wealth. “Look at this place,” he mutters, stepping closer to me. “There’s hundreds of people here. Yet I can let my guard down around only two of them.”
One of those people is obviously Sebastian. And the other? Is he really talking abou
t me? “Why?” I whisper. There’s a tremble in my voice that I try to disguise. “Why me? I’m not gorgeous and thin. Look at the women here. Any of them would fit better in your world.”
“Why do women always think that gorgeous is the same thing as thin?” he asks exasperatedly. “I don’t see how an extra ten pounds makes you any less interesting or accomplished or fascinating.”
“Ten?” I snort. “Try thirty.”
He shakes his head. The pearls comes to life again and I shiver as lust hums through my body. “I’ve seen you naked,” he says softly. “You are beautiful and perfect. And if you put yourself down again, I will punish you and you won’t like it.”
The intensity increases and I whimper. I can barely stand, I’m so close to the edge. I’m afraid someone’s going to look at me and reach the obvious conclusion. My pussy is damp, my cunt lips slippery with desire. “Turn it off,” I beg. “I’m going to come.”
“Will you behave?”
“Okay,” I whimper. “No comments about how I need to lose weight.”
“And none about how you don’t fit in my world,” he prompts.
“Fine. Please, Daniel…”
The vibrations stop. “What were we talking about?” he asks smoothly, not missing a beat.
“Family,” I reply weakly. I’m struggling to focus my thoughts, which are drifting about my head like tendrils of fog on a cloudy night. “You were saying something about how you and Sebastian were controlled by family expectations.” His words come back to me. “Was it really going to be the biggest mistake of Sebastian’s career? You must be pretty relieved he walked away then.”
He lifts his shoulder in an elegant shrug. “I always trusted him to make the right decision.”
“You did?”
“Of course, Bailey. And I trust you the same way. You were uncomfortable the other day when we talked about expiration dates. Will you tell me why?”
Sebastian walks up to us at that moment. I’m grateful for the distraction. I still haven’t told them that I’m going away in September. No matter how much we’d like to pretend otherwise, that’ll be the end of us.
Then Daniel’s words register.
I trust you.
And I know what I have to do.
“I have something to say.” I take a deep breath and look up at both of them. “I’ve been avoiding telling both of you, but in September, I have a six month research project in Patagonia. That’s why I was so reluctant to talk about long-term stuff the other day.”
Sebastian looks puzzled. “I know you are going to Argentina. Why does it matter? Are you not allowed to fly home for an occasional weekend?”
I gape at him. “How do you know about my trip?”
Daniel clears his throat. “I told him,” he says. “I didn’t realize it was a secret. Your department chair mentioned it to me during one of the meetings we had to discuss the Hartman endowment.”
Of course. “It’s your business to know things, right?” My tone comes out bitter.
“Bailey,” Daniel mutters. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. Yes, it’s a long journey and we won’t be able to see each other as often as we are able to now. But surely you didn’t think that would mean the end of our relationship?” He grimaces. “You are looking at two fellow workaholics.” His fingers link in mine.
“You’re okay? There’s no need to pick between Patagonia and you?”
“Why on earth?” Daniel asks. “Wait. This was a concern in a previous relationship?”
I nod. “In Siberia,” I confess. “I didn’t want to end things with Ivan, but he couldn’t contemplate the idea of a long-distance relationship, and he wouldn’t consider moving. It was very clear that my only option, if I wanted to stay with him, was to give up my career.”
“We aren’t him.” Sebastian’s voice is steady. “I let my past go this week, Bailey. Can you do the same?”
Juliette’s still glaring at us. Earlier this evening, in my apartment, I told Sebastian to be careful of her, but now, I’m the one not listening to my own words, because I’ve suddenly seen hope. This doesn’t have to end. I don’t have to choose between a relationship and my career. I can have both.
A waiter carrying a tray of champagne passes by, and I flag him down. He sees Daniel standing next to me and immediately beelines toward us. “A toast?” I suggest, lifting my glass of champagne in the air. “To a future, rich with possibilities?”
We drink to that, and Daniel waves the waiter away. “I’m more interested,” he whispers with a wicked gleam in his eyes, “in the very immediate future. Once Cyrus is done with his speech, shall we head out of here?”
My pussy is slick with desire. “I thought you’d never ask.”
35
Daniel
You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.
Dr. Seuss
I find Cyrus before I head out. He’s been avoiding me in the office, and he’s dragging his feet on keeping me updated on the Kansas City deal. “You didn’t return my call,” I tell him pointedly. “Where are we with Ryan Communications?”
“I’m working on it,” he replies evasively. “If there’s any news, I’ll let you know.”
No. I’m his boss. He might have been my mentor once, and I might have needed his guidance in the early days. But no more, and this shit isn’t going to cut it. “You’re out of time, Cyrus,” I tell him flatly. “I warned you about this. You had three weeks to get the Ryan Communications deal done, and I’ve seen nothing.” I exhale and paste a bland smile on my face as a group of people from Operations walks by. Once they are out of hearing range, I continue. “On Monday morning, I’m going to ask for your resignation.”
“You can’t do that,” he blusters. “You think the board’s going to allow you to get rid of me?”
“I have the votes I need.” My voice is confident. “You don’t think I’d threaten you if I can’t back it up, do you?” I shake my head. “You better hope that Wayne Ryan is willing to work the weekend, Cyrus. Because Monday morning, I want to see one of two pieces of paper on my desk. Either a deal waiting for me to sign, or your letter of resignation.”
Not waiting for him to respond, I turn and walk away.
I’ve made my move. It’s time for Cyrus to make his.
“What was that about?” Bailey asks in the car as we drive back to my place. “You were glaring at Cyrus.”
“Was it that obvious?”
She places her hand on my arm. “Not really,” she says. “I have the benefit of knowing how you feel about him.”
“I don’t want to talk about Cyrus, not now. Right now…” I give her a meaning look, “I have other things on my mind. Spread your legs for me. Put one leg over my thigh, and the other over Sebastian’s.”
She complies, blushing. “The driver?” she asks. “What if he sees us?”
“The partition is up,” I point out. “He won’t be able to see anything.” I grin at her. “However, it isn’t soundproof, so keep your voice down.”
She’s wearing her hair down tonight. It cascades in shiny, lustrous waves down her shoulders. I bend down and kiss a spot at the base of her neck that I know drives her insane. She shifts and presses the back of her hand against her mouth, stifling her moan.
Sebastian’s hands are on her dress, hiking it up. “All evening,” he mutters, “I’ve been looking forward to unwrapping this parcel.” The fabric inches up and exposes her creamy thighs, and her legs fall open to reveal the softness between them. I gulp. Seeing that ivory white string of beads, nestled against the fiery red of her neatly trimmed pussy hair makes me instantly hard.
It had been something of an impulse to ask her to the company gala, and I’m very glad I did. Keeping her a secret doesn’t sit well with me. If she needs me to be discreet about our threesome because of her career, then I’m happy to comply.
However, had it not been for this Ryan Communications deal, I woul
dn’t have felt the same need myself. If my dad were still alive, he would have loved Bailey. I’ve already told my mother about her. I’m not embarrassed about the unconventional nature of our relationship - I can’t live my life according to the expectations of other people.
I’m glad she told us about her trip. Things feel different between the three of us now. Deeper and more meaningful.
Sebastian pulls something out of his pocket with a grin on his face. I smile when I see what it is. A blindfold.
Bailey’s eyes widen. “In the car?”
“I think you’ll enjoy yourself more if you aren’t stressed about who might be watching,” he says smoothly.
“You have such interesting theories, Sebastian.” Her voice has a trace of sarcasm in it, but there’s a healthy measure of lust as well. She’s an adventurer, our Bailey. She reminds me of a sky-diver, hesitating at the door of a plane before jumping into mid-air.
“So many protests,” I scold her. “When we all know you want this. Close your eyes.”
She laughs. “I do want it,” she says. “The two of you have a bad habit of keying me up in public. I expect you to make up for it.”
I move her hair out of the way and Sebastian fastens the blindfold. “Can you see anything?”
She shakes her head. “No,” she says.
“How does it feel?” I move my hand up her thigh, and watch her shiver. Sebastian cups her chin and kisses her, while I run my finger over the string of pearls. She whimpers. “Daniel,” she begs. “Don’t tease me.”
“How do you know who it is?” I ask her.
“The two of you kiss differently,” she confesses, her cheeks pink. “And you touch me differently. I can tell you apart.”
“Really?” Sebastian sounds intrigued, and the two of us exchange looks. “Let’s test this theory out.”
“Test it out on my clitoris.” Her hands move toward her pussy. “Else I’m going to have to take care of myself right now.”
Ménage in Manhattan: The Complete 5-Book Ménage Romance Collection Page 19
