Oh what the heck. I’m here, and they’re here, and I want them. I lift my chin up. “I want Wyatt to kiss me.”
Wyatt pulls me toward him. “Kiss you where?” he whispers, his breath tickling my ear. “Here?” He kisses the side of my neck. “Or here?” He pushes the blanket aside and he nuzzles the curve of my shoulder.
“On my lips.”
His fingers rest on my chin. “Gladly.” His mouth lowers on mine, claiming my lips with a deep, sensual kiss. His fingers skim the sides of my breasts as our tongues dance together. I’m dizzy with need when he breaks free. “What next, Piper?”
This is getting easier. “I want Owen to go down on me,” I say bravely. “And I want to suck Wyatt’s cock at the same time.”
“Fuck me.” Wyatt looks at the stars. “You said cock. I think my heart just stopped.”
Owen positions me on the coffee table again. Wyatt unzips his pants and his cock leaps out, hard, long, and thick. I swallow as I look at it. Wyatt’s huge. If Owen’s the same size, I’m in over my head.
Owen’s tongue lavishes my clitoris with toe-curling attention. I twist to the side and reach for Wyatt’s cock, wrapping my hand around the base. Wyatt throws his head back. “Piper,” he rasps. “You are killing me here.”
I look up at him through my eyelashes. “I just wanted to repay the favor,” I say sweetly. Then I take his length into my mouth, my tongue swirling around his head.
I’m rewarded by his throaty groan. His hand presses against the back of my neck, but he’s letting me set the pace, and I appreciate his consideration. I’m not an expert at this. I don’t know how to deep throat. If he forces his cock into my mouth, I might bite him.
Owen slides two fingers deep into my pussy and twists them to find my g-spot. “God,” he says, his voice ragged. “You are so fucking tight, and you taste so fucking good.” His tongue circles my clitoris while he pumps his fingers in and out of me.
I moan into Wyatt’s cock. I’m seconds from losing control again. Blood pounds in my head as my orgasm nears. Owen’s skilled fingers and mouth cause me to hurtle to the edge. I bob faster on Wyatt’s dick, alternating delicate licks with harder suction. His desperate moans make me feel powerful.
The ache in my pussy intensifies as Owen circles my clit with the tip of his tongue. His touch feels amazing, but I need more. I need a cock thrusting into me, pounding, thrusting, each stroke making me tremble and quiver. “Please,” I pull my mouth free of Wyatt’s cock and beg Owen. “Fuck me.”
His eyes blaze with heat. “Gladly,” he growls. Wyatt tightens his grip on my hair, and I turn my attention back to his cock. My fist slides up and down his length, and I wrap my lips around his thickness.
Owen rolls a condom onto his cock. His hands grip my ankles. “I’m going to fuck you, Piper,” he warns. He pushes into me in one forceful thrust.
Oh my God this feels incredible. He fills me completely. After years of celibacy, it’s a little painful, but I welcome the burn. It’s been so long. I want this.
My gaze meets Wyatt’s. His eyes are hazy with desire. “Piper,” he warns me. “If you don’t want me coming in your mouth, tell me now.”
Owen’s thumb circles my clitoris. His dick pounds into me. The strokes are thundering, raw and powerful. I’m engulfed in pleasure. I pull back from Wyatt’s dick long enough to look him in the eyes. “I want to swallow.”
“Fuck me,” Wyatt groans. “Piper, what are you doing to me?”
Owen’s thrusts are faster now, more uncontrolled. I moan aloud, uncaring that I can be heard. I can’t think about anything other than how good this feels. The friction is exquisite. My body is liquid heat. My muscles tighten and clench. I can’t hold back; I need to come now.
Wyatt grunts, his hand on the back of my head holding me close. He comes deep in my throat, and I swallow every drop. Owen doesn’t let up on my pussy. He slams into me, hard and fast. When his fingers increase their pressure on my clitoris, I come again, screaming my pleasure for all of New York to hear.
“Spend the night,” Owen says lazily.
I can’t deny I want to. I don’t know if the subway’s running at this hour and the idea of curling up between the two of them is very tempting.
But sleeping with someone is a far more intimate thing than having sex with them.
“Piper.” Wyatt’s voice jerks me out of my reverie. “We only bite on request. The bakery downstairs makes an incredible croissant. You’ll think you’re in Paris. Please stay.”
“Okay.” Who am I kidding? I don’t want to leave.
28
Owen
If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
I wake up early. Piper’s curled up into a ball in the center of the bed, the blanket wound tight around her. Wyatt’s side is empty. He must be up already.
I slide out of bed without making a sound, and head to the kitchen. Wyatt’s leaning against the counter, sipping at his coffee. I nod in his direction, grab a mug and pop a coffee pod into the machine. No messy coffee grounds for Wyatt.
“I met Mendez yesterday.”
Wyatt snaps to attention. “You did?” he asks warily.
“Yeah. I checked out three restaurants for him. They were all clean. I told him I was done helping him.”
“And?” Wyatt knows there’s more to the story.
The coffee finishes brewing. I add milk and sugar and take a long sip before replying. “He implied that Seamus Cassidy is in Manhattan.”
For an instant, Wyatt’s expression is shocked. Then his natural skepticism reasserts itself. “Mendez brought up Seamus Cassidy after you told him you wanted out? Doesn’t the timing strike you as suspicious?”
“Of course it does.” I give him a steady look. “But if Cassidy is in New York, that explains why Mendez thinks the Westies back in business.”
“Hmm.” Wyatt considers that carefully. “Wouldn’t your uncle have warned you if Cassidy was out of jail?”
“Not necessarily.” After my mother had been killed, my uncle had succumbed to his own demons. Even though he’d been part of the mob, he’d been unable to protect his sister and her family. We’d gone into Witness Protection, and the experts had separated us, sending me to America for my protection, and placing him in hiding for his own. I haven’t spoken to him since. “I don’t know how to reach him.”
“I know I should walk away,” I continue. “The first round of Piper’s contest is next week. Carl’s loaning us Linda to work the front all weekend, but that’s only a temporary solution. We need to hire someone - Kimmie can’t act like a hostess to save her life.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more.”
I grin. Kimmie’s gum chewing drives Wyatt insane. If there was any way he could fire her and still make the finances work, he would. Unfortunately, with an accountant auditing the books on a monthly basis, we can’t afford to fire her. Yet.
“You said you should walk away. Are you going to?” Wyatt asks.
I drink my coffee. The idea of letting my grief go is tempting. Last night, I saw what my life could be and it was good, filled with a warm beautiful woman, good food and wine, laughter and happiness. For the first time, I have something to lose.
Then I hear my mother’s voice, thick with fear, wondering what would happen if the Westies came for us. I see the bodies, sprawled on the floor in a pool of blood. I shake my head. “I’m going to try and reach my uncle to see if he knows anything about Cassidy. But I’m not ready to walk away. Not yet.”
29
Piper
The insistent ringing of my phone wakes me up. I grope for it, my eyes still closed, and hit the Talk button. “Hello?” I say, my voice thick with sleep.
“Piper Jackson?” The guy on the other end sounds irritated.
“Yes?”
“My name is Josh Lewis. I’m the auditor from Grant & Thornton. I was under the impression I was m
eeting you at ten this morning, but the restaurant is closed.”
I sit up, the blanket falling to my waist. “You’re supposed to show up on Tuesday.”
“No,” he corrects me. “Monday.”
I’m fairly certain the letter from Grant & Thornton said Tuesday, but I don’t want to argue with the guy who’s about to audit my books. “I’m sorry, I must have got the dates mixed up. I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”
“Fine,” he snaps. “I’ll find a coffee shop to hang out in until you get here.”
Damn it. Talk about getting off on the wrong foot. I jump to my feet and look around for my clothes. I find my panties on the floor of Wyatt’s bedroom, and my bra on his dresser. Grabbing them, I get dressed, slipping my sundress over my head. I wish I had time for a shower and a change of clothes, but unfortunately, it’s not in the schedule.
“I thought I heard you in here.” Wyatt appears in the doorway. “Coffee and a croissant?” He takes in my stressed expression. “What’s wrong?”
“The accountant called. There’s been some kind of mix-up and he’s at the restaurant right now.”
“Fuck. Okay, we’ll come with you.”
“You will?” The fear gripping my heart lifts a little. “Really?”
He gives me a puzzled look. “We’re your partners, Piper,” he says. “Of course we’re coming.”
Twenty seven minutes later, we’re outside Piper’s. Even though I’m nervous about the upcoming audit, I can’t suppress a thrill of excitement as I look at the sign with my name on it. The last month has been so busy that I haven’t had any time to stop and just breathe, and reflect on the fact that my dream is slowly but surely coming true.
Thanks to Owen and Wyatt. Who I slept with last night. I hope that wasn’t a mistake.
Josh Lewis is waiting for me, with an impatient look on his face. He’s a tall, thin guy with dark hair and wire-rimmed glasses. “You must be Piper Jackson,” he says tightly when he sees me. “I’m glad you could make it.”
I shake his hand. “These are my partners,” I tell him. “Wyatt Lawless and Owen Lamb.”
The instant he hears their names, his attitude changes. “Mr. Lawless, Mr. Lamb,” he stammers. “What a pleasure to meet you. I knew Ms. Jackson had new partners, but I didn’t realize…” His voice trails off. “My wife is a line cook at Paesano’s.”
Owen turns on the charm. “My compliments to her,” he says. “I’ve never had a bad meal there.”
Wyatt nods in agreement. “Mr. Lewis, you’re here to audit Piper’s books?”
“I am,” the accountant says, his voice more conciliatory than it was when he was addressing me. But hey, I’m just the lowly chef. I’m not Lawless and Lamb. In a minute, he’s probably going to offer to blow them. “I hope it’s not a bother.”
“Not at all,” Wyatt says. “Piper runs a clean shop.”
Josh Lewis gives me a doubtful look. Grant & Thornton have probably hinted that my books could use extra scrutiny. My cousin Colton would love to find any evidence that would make me lose my restaurant, and my parents seem eager to assist him in the process.
I unlock the front door and we enter. “My office is really just a cubbyhole,” I say. “Why don’t I bring my laptop to one of the tables and we can do our work in the front?”
“Good idea,” Owen says. “In the meanwhile, I’m going to grab us some coffee and breakfast. Josh, you want something?”
The accountant looks surprised that he’s being asked. “No thanks, Mr. Lamb,” he says. “I should get started.”
I fetch my laptop for him and navigate to my accounting software. “Here you go,” I tell him. “I’m going to be doing some prep in the back. Call me if you need something.”
He nods, his attention on my computer. I don’t think he even notices when I walk away.
The instant I walk into the kitchen, Wyatt pushes me against the freezer and kisses me hard. I whimper at his touch. Damn Josh Lewis. I would have liked a repeat of last night this morning.
“Hi there,” he says, smiling at me. “How’re you doing?”
I don’t know how to respond, so I settle for politeness. “I’m well, thank you.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Did you have a good time last night?”
I turn red as I remember yesterday evening. I can’t believe I sucked Wyatt off while Owen pleasured me, first with this mouth, then with his thick cock. I also can’t pretend I didn’t enjoy it. “I had a very good time.”
“Had a very good time with what?” Owen comes through the back, holding a tray of coffee and a paper bag. “Just bagels and cream cheese, I’m afraid. We’ll have to do croissants some other time.”
“Piper was just telling me she had a good time last night.”
“Did you?” Owen grins. “That’s good, sweetheart. Me too.”
I eye them both with exasperation. Part of me wants another go at Owen and Wyatt, and the other part of me is nervous.
“What’s the matter, Piper?” Wyatt asks.
I chew on my lip. “Should we have done what we did last night?” I reach for the coffee and take a sip. “We work together. Maybe we shouldn’t have been so self-indulgent.”
Owen looks up, his expression intent. “Are you concerned that if things end badly, we’ll take it out on your restaurant?” he asks me.
“No, of course not.” I can’t see them being so petty. They’re consummate professionals. “But things could get really awkward, couldn’t they?” I fix Wyatt with a level gaze. “Have you seen Maisie Hayes since your break-up?”
He doesn’t meet my eyes. “No,” he confesses.
“Why not? Because it’s uncomfortable, right?” I challenge him. The more I’m thinking about this in the clear light of day, the more I’m starting to think I made a mistake. “And Owen? Do you keep in touch with ex-girlfriends?”
“I don’t have any,” he responds.
That knocks me off my stride. “None? Really? How come?”
He grimaces. “Can we leave my dating history out of this?” His blue eyes lock onto mine. “Piper. Listen to me. All that matters is the three of us. Do you trust us not to screw you over? Do you trust us to be fair to you?”
“Yes.” They’ve more than demonstrated their commitment in the last month.
“And we trust you to be fair too,” Owen replies. “So, rather than jumping ahead to the future, can we just take it one day at a time?” His lips twitch. “What are you doing tonight?”
“It’s Monday,” I reply automatically. “I’m hanging out with my girlfriends.”
“Ah yes,” Wyatt grins. “The drinking club. We can’t get in the way of that. And unfortunately, we have to work the next couple of evenings. Are you free on Thursday?”
Before I can answer, I hear Josh Lewis call my name. “Ms. Jackson, do you have a moment?”
I hurry to the front to see what he wants. The table is scattered with papers, but my laptop is shut. “I’ve got everything I need,” he says when he sees me.
“That was quick.”
He nods. “Well, everything seems in perfect order. I can’t think of why Mr. Elliott wanted to check your books.” He shrugs. “Still, it pays the bills. I’m supposed to audit your books every month, so I’ll see you in four weeks.”
Mr. Elliott. Wait, Colton was responsible for this, not my parents? Guilt stabs at my insides. Maybe I’m being unfair to my mom and dad. The restaurant has been doing better. Maybe they’ve finally accepted my decision to stay in New York.
I shake his hand and show him out, Wyatt and Owen right behind me. “See?” Wyatt says, when Josh Lewis is out of sight. “Piece of cake. On to more important things. Will you come over on Thursday night?”
I gaze at them helplessly. I’m not sure if they’re being foolish or wise. “The contest starts on Thursday,” I point out.
“Good,” Owen says. “You’ll be stressed out. Dinner will relax you.”
I can’t help myself. Excitement buzzes through me at t
he thought of another night with Owen and Wyatt. “Okay.”
I hear my mother’s voice in my head. You’re being very foolish, Piper, she sniffs. I’m afraid she’s right. I’m am being foolish, but I don’t care.
30
Piper
“Piper,” Gabriella’s voice sounds from the monitor. “Spill.”
While I’ve been busy with the changes at my restaurant, Gabby’s been making some changes of her own. She’s in a relationship now. She moved to Atlantic City a month ago, which is why she’s on Skype, not here in person. Though I miss my friend, I’m really happy for Gabriella. She reunited with the two guys she had a one-night stand with. She’s got her own mini-family now, complete with two boyfriends and a new nephew, an adorable toddler called Noah.
Unfortunately, Skype or not, Gabby always has an eagle-eye. “I don’t know what you are talking about.” It’s a weak answer. The truth of the matter is, I’m not looking to keep last night a secret. My girlfriends are good at advice, and I need it.
“Piper,” she warns me. “There are consequences to keeping secrets from your best friends.”
“Shot, shot, shot,” chant the others. I smile inwardly as I remember the night Owen, Wyatt, and I sat around a table at Aladdin’s Lamp and had a drink. That was the moment everything had changed. I take a shot of vodka, coughing from the burn of the alcohol as it flows down my throat. “We miss you, Gabby,” I tell her. “There are no sandwiches.”
“I’ll be in Manhattan in two weeks,” she promises us. “Dominic has some kind of work thing, and we are all coming down for the week. I’ll bring sandwiches then. And Piper?” She gives me a dirty look. “I know an attempt to change the topic when I hear it.”
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