by Caia Daniels
“Welcome to Scandal. What’s your name, beautiful?” He asks in a low, raspy voice.
My thong is melting as he speaks. I can’t help but drool. Again. He has dark hair, green eyes and next to Alec, the most muscular physique I’ve ever seen this close up.
“Um, Merlot LaRue.”
“Miss LaRue.” He holds out his arm. “I’m Lucian. Your escorts are waiting at the bar in the main ballroom. Let me take you to them.”
“Thank you.” I smile, getting a little weak in the knees, if I’m being honest.
We walk through a set of massive French doors, all polished mahogany and dark bronze, then down a nearly deserted hallway opening into a huge foyer.
The place is ginormous. Even the anteroom.
Lucian pushes through another set of darkened glass doors that opens to a huge ballroom below us.
Now I see why he’s escorting me.
A long, spiral staircase leads down to a huge ballroom. Lights are dim, but bright enough to see everyone in the place. Cream-colored walls arc all around the massive space with balconies wrapping around halfway up, maybe twenty feet or more off the floor. Soft, indirect lighting flares up the walls here and there, leaving the ambience low and sensual, but still providing plenty of light to see by.
This place is more beautiful, more luxurious than any other ballroom in NYC I’ve seen, hands down.
“Are you ready, Miss LaRue?”
I nod.
“Your masque?”
“Oh, yeah. Sorry, Lucian. I’ve never been to one of these before.”
“It’s all right, Miss LaRue. Everyone’s a Scandal Virgin once.” He winks.
I hold in a laugh as Lucian helps me down the gracefully long set of stairs into the beautiful ballroom. There are sexy people everywhere.
In threes.
There are three men together. Three women. Two men and one woman. Two women, and one man.
I understand the significance of the theme, now.
This is a thing? Wow.
We reach the bottom of the stairs and walk steady to a circular bar in the middle of the ballroom under a domed, glass ceiling. The lighting coming from the bar is an aqua hue, which juxtaposes nicely against the golden light cascading up the walls. Reminds me of the Rotunda at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.
Toward the back of the bar area, I see my dates. I could spot them a mile away.
I inhale sharply as they turn toward me, both wearing black tuxedos, looking hot as all fucking get out.
“Oh my gods.” I say out loud, sparking a laugh from Lucian.
“Mr. West and Mr. Grimaldi have been waiting for you anxiously,” Lucian says.
We reach Alec and Luc, and Lucian holds my hand out toward them.
“Delivered as promised. Enjoy your evening.” He nods to Alec and Luc, then turns and disappears into the crowded ballroom.
“Merlot.” Luc and Alec say my name simultaneously, and with such reverence, that I think my heart has just skipped a beat. No joke.
“Well, you two clean up amazingly well.” I goad them.
Alec reaches down, moving his masque away, and kisses me on the cheek. “You, my love.” His gaze scans up and down. “Gorgeous.”
“I’ve never seen you in a suit, much less a tux. This is quite a treat.” I tease. “I’ve seen Luc in a tux.” I turn and smile. “And you look just as ravishing as the last time you wore one.”
Luc leans in, laces his fingers with mine and kisses me on the cheek. “You’re perfect as always, thank Addison for me.”
All this attention sends the butterflies in a flying frenzy, deep in my belly.
Standing in front of me, Alec takes my hand and holds it like Luc, and we stand there for a second, probably all reeling over this new dynamic.
Never in my life have I ever felt so… intense.
Love is a funny thing. Trying to make sense of the adoration from one man is hard enough but feeling it from two is damn near overwhelming.
My knees get a little wobbly, and Alec holds me tight.
“Sit down, love. Have a drink. Relax a little.”
Taking his suggestion, I sit in a velvet love seat that’s big enough for three, and Luc sits beside me.
“Moscato for our Merlot?”
“That’s perfect, thank you.”
Alec nods, then turns and leaves while Luc sits beside me.
“So, how does this work?” I turn and stare at Luc.
“Just hang out, enjoy each other’s company.” He shrugs. “See what happens.” He takes his fingers and runs them over mine. Like he used to do in high school, back when we dated.
“This feels familiar.”
“I know, right?” Luc laughs, his dimple sinking into his cheek.
“Why did we break up again?” I squint my eyes for a second. “Oh yeah, because you liked boys.”
“I’ve always loved you,” he whispers, leaving a kiss to my cheek.
“So, we’re supposed to act like a couple? I mean, a threesome? What the hell do you even call three people?”
“A triad.”
“Oh, duh.” I giggle.
“It’s all new to you, to us, too. Just try to relax. Have a good time. See how it feels. I mean, it already feels right to me.” He rests his hand on my cheek and leans closer, his lips just inches from mine. “I’ve loved you all my life. I’ve dreamed of this day since you brought Alec home.” He runs his thumb over my bottom lip. “I love you, Merlot. Not like my best friend, but… more. I’ve always wanted more, I just didn’t know it was possible. Now, I do.”
Luc touches his lips to mine. A spark of electricity races through me as his hand rests on my knee, uncovered by the high slit in the gown.
His kiss is soft. Powerful. Perfect. Luc parts my lips with his tongue and explores mine slowly, decadently, sending shivers racing through me.
In that moment, I know this is right. Being here with Luc. It had always been right.
Alec walks up then, holding two wine glasses.
I glance up to see a wide smile on Alec’s perfect lips.
Alec reaches out to me, handing me the wine.
“I’m sorry, I—”
He sits beside me and sets his fingers against my lips. “Shhh. Don’t ever apologize for showing your love for Luc. Besides.” He leans in closer. It’s my turn.” Less than a second later, his lips meet mine just as Luc’s had moments earlier, chasing another set of tremors through to my chest.
His lips feel softer than Luc’s. His kiss is slower. Sweeter. More ravenous.
So different, yet alike. Their love runs through me every second our lips engage in their furious test of wills.
Alec sweeps his fingers through my hair, gently grasping at my neck as he kisses me.
A second hand touches my knee, and I know it’s Luc’s.
This is amazing. Beautiful.
Perfect.
Eyes still closed, I inhale Alec’s musky scent as he releases my lips. It’s as if he and Luc coordinated colognes because the two scents swirling together incite my need for more of their everything with each passing moment.
I open my eyes to see Alec still mesmerized. His smile is adorable. And Luc – his gaze is fixed to mine, nearly identical to his boyfriend’s expression.
“Everything’s going to be okay, isn’t it?” Luc smiles.
“Yeah,” I whisper. Because it’s true. I feel it. Every bone in my body feels it. This is right. This, this thing we have…
It’s everything I never knew I always wanted.
“Are you hungry?” Luc asks.
I shrug.
“When did you eat last?” He caught me, damn it. It’s not that I intentionally didn’t eat, I just got busy.
“Uh—” I stare off, trying to remember.
“Too long.” Alec scoffs. “You need to eat something.”
“Okay.” I relent. They’re right, I really do need to start eating better.
“You go dance with Alec while I gather something up for you.”
He leads me to a dance floor where people are dancing to music coming from invisible speakers. All sexy as hell beats –you know, the fuck songs you’d make mixed tapes for back in the day? Yeah, those.
Alec puts his left arm around my waist and holds my right hand, dancing to the music, slow and methodical.
“This is the first time we’ve danced together,” I say. “Luc, not since prom.”
“I didn’t go to my prom,” he says.
It makes me sad. I let out a sigh, then rest my cheek on his chest. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“So, your aunt. She owns Scandal. I heard a rumor.”
“What kind of rumor?”
“That you and Luc work here. In the summers.”
Alec’s body clenches up a little, which makes me nervous. I hear him swallow and his breathing intensifies.
“Who told you that?”
“Addie.”
“I see. What else did she tell you?”
“That you and Luc work together, giving ladies the ménage experience. Is that all this is to you? Me, to give you your girl fix?” I take a breath as he stops dancing and lifts my chin.
“Is that really what you think?”
I shake my head.
“Good. Because that’s not it. At all. Do you want to know why we work for Summer?”
“Who’s Summer?”
“My aunt.”
“Oh. Yes, I think I do. I need to know why.”
“For one, we couldn’t have you.”
I lift my cheek. “What does fucking other women have to do with me? I don’t mean to sound like a bitch or anything, but that doesn’t make sense.”
“Well, we kind of held out hope that you and fuck face would break up sooner or later. And we wanted to see if it was other women we wanted, or if it was you.”
That’s… interesting.
“It was fun, playing pretend with beautiful women. But they weren’t you.”
“I’m also having a hard time with the idea that you two are bi. I mean, did you date girls in high school? Luc didn’t, except for me. I guess that’s why I don’t get it. Did you date guys?”
“I’ve dated both. I only ever dated men in college, though. Except for you. But trust me, there’s a good reason for that.”
“Which is?”
Of all the women I’ve dated, you’re the only girl I’ve ever loved. Same for Luc. There’s only ever been you.”
His revelation takes my breath away.
“I know this is a lot to take in so fast, but Luc and I won’t rush you. Take all the time you need. Just enjoy tonight. Enjoy us flirting with you. Taking care of you. Relax and have fun. See what life could be like with two men who absolutely adore you.”
I nod, resting my head back on his chest, feeling it rise and fall with each breath he takes.
Being here with Alec feels different, but it feels right.
While we dance, I think about how this could all work. How being in a relationship with two men equally could really work.
The world isn’t ready for relationships like that, but am I? Are we? Do I really care what the world thinks?
Luc and Alec are right, this isn’t about anybody else but us. My—triad.
Something about it just feels right. Comfortable, even, despite the general eccentricity from what the world sees as ‘normal.’
I’m not positive I can pull this off for the long haul, but how could I be if I don’t give them a chance? The opportunity to find out if this could actually work? If it could be real?
I decide then, I want to find out. If nothing else, I owe Luc and Alec that much.
I owe myself.
And seeing them looking fine as hell all decked out in tuxedos, and those masques?
Yeah, I’m curious.
How will it work, a night with my boys, me, center stage?
It’s time to find out.
I stop dancing and stare into Alec’s eyes. Those beautiful caramel eyes that send me into a tailspin.
I can finally admit my feelings for him. That he’s more than just my best friend’s boyfriend.
“You okay, love?” Alec searches my expression, holding me tight to his chest.
“I’m more okay than I’ve been in years. I can finally admit to you and to myself how I really feel. There’s something so freeing about it, actually. Something powerful.”
“I know what you mean.” He stops moving and sets his hands on my cheeks. “Luc’s loved you for years. He didn’t realize how much or that this could even be possible until you brought me home to him.”
“He’s right.” Luc says walking up to us. “Alec opened up a whole world to me. One that could include you. He made me see poly was a thing, and that we could actually have that. But then you got engaged, and well, that was that.”
Alec hands me over to Luc, who laces his fingers with mine and pulls me to a small table beside the bar. There’s appetizers waiting for me. I sit at the table and take a few bites, feeling a hundred times better already. Not realizing how hungry I was.
“You really wanted this with me, before now?” I ask, taking a sip of my Moscato.
“I’ve wanted this for so long. But you moved out in such a rush, and then you met the douche and left on your tour. We never had a chance to see what could happen. But now?”
Luc stands behind me, closer, if that’s even possible. His breath blows across my neck.
“It’s all I can think about. It’s all I want. All Alec wants.” He nudges to Alec, who’s standing beside us. “We’re not complete without you.”
I’m sitting in this chair, suddenly speechless. Sparks flying between us all.
Luc gently takes my hand and pulls me up, slowly spins me around to face him. A second later, he brushes kisses me, sending goose bumps racing over my arms, straight to my heart.
I wrap my arms around his shoulders and run my fingers behind his neck, gently tugging at his thick hair.
His kiss is magnetic. I feel his heart beating against my chest.
If there were ever more perfect words to hear, I didn’t know what they were.
This evening is already like nothing I’d ever known possible.
Two men I’ve loved for years feel the same for me.
At this moment, I push any concern from my thoughts. For once, I want to live in the moment. This moment. Leave worry for another day.
While Luc’s kiss enraptures me, another set of hands firmly brace my hips.
I inhale sharply, taking in Alec’s familiar musky scent.
Alec’s erection grazes my ass as his warm breaths blow across my neck.
“We have a room waiting. If you like. If or when you’re ready. Just say when.”
Alec leaves light kisses on my wanting skin, his hands roam up, barely touching the sides of my breasts while Luc continues to kiss me, slowly and passionately.
My belly fills with butterflies while my men kiss me. Caress me, offering promises of the night to come.
A night I never saw coming, but one now, I can’t wait to live out.
Maybe it is a fantasy. To believe two men could both love me physically and with their hearts. Maybe it’s just a dream, but I’m ready to find out what being loved by two men is like.
And judging by Alec and Luc’s erections, so are they.
I pull back, lifting my masque to my eyes.
“When.” I smile, giving them both the ‘I’m ready’ look. “I want the fantasy.” I turn to Alec, keeping a hand on Luc. “Show me. I need to know what being loved by you both is like.”
9
Merlot
“Merlot, this is Madam West.”
A beautiful dark-haired woman in her mid-thirties stands waiting at a door. She’s wearing all black, from her head to her stilettos. Her dress isn’t so much a dress as it is lingerie. Sexy as hell, that’s for sure.
“If you’re agreeable, s
he’ll be getting us started. Only if you’re okay with it.”
“Um—” I stutter briefly. How would she be assisting? She’s his aunt?
She apparently knows what I’m thinking, answering my question without asking it out loud.
“I’m here to help you get settled in, nothing more.”
I’m unsure but something just seems exciting about the whole thing.
“Okay,” I whisper. “I trust you, Alec.”
He grins then nods to Madam West.
She opens the door, ushering the triad inside.
The room looks like a bedroom, honestly. The lights are so dim, soft music is playing overhead and shadows dance across the walls.
There is an enormous king-size bed, maybe even bigger. It’s kind of like the one at Luc and Alec’s only with grey bedding. The massive mahogany four-poster sits in the middle of the room, away from the walls. A dresser and mirror are set up along the back wall, and a cabinet with sexy toys I can only imagine inside. Two doors along the side walls lead out to somewhere.
Madame West locks the entrance door, then comes in behind us.
Alec leads me to sit in a chair along the wall.
Madame West walks to one of the closed doors and unlocks it, then to the other, doing the same thing.
Luc bends down and kisses me slowly, then stands straight. Alec does the same. They’re both very methodical. I wonder if they acted this way while on duty?
“We’re going to get ready,” Alec says. “Madame West will brief you on things, if you’re okay? And if at any time you want to stop, just say so. That’s all it will take.”
I nod.
Luc and Alec disappear into one of the rooms, leaving me alone with the Madame.
“Are you feeling all right?” Madame West asks.
I nod, although my body is visibly trembling.
“In here, you may call me Summer. But once the scene has begun, I’m Madame West. Do you understand?”
“Okay.”
“Good. Now come.” She reaches down for my hand. “I’ll prepare you.”
“Um—okay?”
Summer laughs. “Don’t worry, I’m just going to show you to the restroom, where you can change.”
“Oh.” I feel silly as I take the woman’s hand, and Summer leads me into a large restroom.
“Have a seat.” Summer ushers me to a chair at a vanity in the corner of the room. “If you would like to undress yourself, here’s a place to hang your gown and set your things. Otherwise, you can clean up and go as you are. They can undress you in the room. It’s up to you, whatever your fantasy.”
