by Jane Jamison
He whipped his gaze toward her. “Marlee?”
Hadn’t he seen her with the others? Maybe he hadn’t recognized her with all her gear on. Whatever the reason, sticking around after setting a Dumpster on fire wasn’t the brightest move.
“What are you doing here?” She tried to keep from sounding accusatory, but it was difficult to do. Every instinct told her he’d had a hand in the fire. Perhaps in all the fires.
“I live nearby, remember?”
“Where’s your car?”
His search for the right thing to say showed in his confused expression. “I felt like walking. Is that a crime?”
“Of course not.” She put on a pleasant look. “Still, why would you want to walk anywhere near here? This is where Max Bondin lives.” As if he doesn’t know.
“So what? I’m not afraid of him.” He’d gone on the defensive.
“I’m not saying you are. But why take the chance of running into him? You don’t want to give that jerk any reason to come at you.”
His smile was anything but genuine. “Look, Marlee, it was good seeing you, but I’ve got to get going. I’m supposed to meet Kyle soon.”
“Oh? So you haven’t seen Kyle today?” If he tried to use her brother as an alibi, he’d have a hard time of it now. She’d testify to seeing him.
“Uh, no.” Panic swamped him, lighting his eyes with fear as he realized he’d made a mistake. “I’ve got to go. See you later, okay?”
As much as she wanted to, she couldn’t keep him, much less take him to the authorities in charge of investigating the fires. Reluctantly, she let him hurry away.
Yeah, Clay. Unfortunately, I have a bad feeling I’ll be seeing you again soon.
* * * *
Marlee was doing everything differently with the men. Before meeting Ridge, Colter, and Adam, she never would’ve dreamed of holding the attention of three men. Especially men like them.
Before meeting them, she wouldn’t have had sex so soon. Then again, she’d never felt the raw sexuality she did for them. Whenever they were near her, her body sizzled with lust and her fingers burned to feel their skin again. She’d not only had sex with all three of them at the same time, she’d done it out in the open where anyone could’ve seen them. Hell, if the fire alarm hadn’t gone off, Walt might have seen her fucking Colter.
Before meeting them, she wouldn’t have gone to a man’s apartment. Not before dating him for a while. Although she was all about a woman’s right to choose, along with a woman’s ability to take on any man’s job and do it as well or even better, she was still a little old-fashioned in other ways. One of which was sex. And yet, there she was, stepping off the elevator and into the small foyer of their penthouse apartment.
She had no illusions about what had happened on the boat. They’d have sex and more sex, if she had her way. The small tote she carried held a sexy nightie, one that left nothing to the imagination, along with her toothbrush and a change of clothing for the morning. Thankfully, she’d taken vacation time and didn’t have another work shift for a full week.
She just hoped another suspicious fire wouldn’t happen before she was back on duty. If it did, she’d have to find Walt or Ray and get filled in on the specifics. The more she thought about it, the more she was sure Clay was setting the fires. She’d done more research and had found out that Clay wasn’t a stranger to trouble. Most of the arrests were minor, but all of them had resulted in being attacked, either physically or verbally, by people who hated gays. She sympathized with him, but if he’d started fighting back by setting fires, then she had to stop him. Hopefully, by doing so, she’d keep Kyle out of trouble.
She ached for her brother and his boyfriend. Clay had only recently “officially” come out and didn’t know how to handle the pressure others put on him about his sexual preference. Kyle had grown up facing the difficulties of being gay, and although he usually managed to handle it with grace and strength, it had come close to killing him. If she could, she’d protect him from the world and himself.
What was wrong with people, anyway? Wasn’t it difficult enough to find love? Why put restrictions on who someone loved? A person’s heart and soul were all that were important. Why couldn’t others understand the pain they were causing?
The door opened a moment before she knocked. “Hi.”
Adam pulled her into the apartment. “Hi yourself.” His gaze slid appreciatively over her. “Damn, girl, you look better than ever.”
“Thanks.” She placed her tote on the floor and hoped they wouldn’t think she was slutty for assuming she’d stay over. What if they didn’t want her to spend the night? “Wow. This is amazing.”
Ridge and Colter, drinks in their hands, turned away from the magnificent scene of the city landscape. The setting sun lit up the horizon with beautiful hues of blues and purples. Her gaze took everything in then lifted upward. The ceiling was far higher than any she’d ever seen, almost like that of a capital building or a great mansion. She felt as though she’d stepped onto a movie set for the rich and powerful.
“Hey, babe.” Colter lifted his drink to her. He wore black slacks and a white shirt that set off his tan and dark hair. His silver eyes glittered.
Ridge remained silent, but if his huge smile was any indication, there was no mistaking his joy at seeing her.
“Take a look around,” offered Adam. “I’ll get you a glass of champagne.”
It pleased her that he’d remembered her favorite drink. She strolled around the enormous room, taking in the expensive, yet comfortable décor. A large sectional leather couch dominated the room while more chairs were grouped around the room, creating cozy areas to talk. The floor-to-ceiling windows were the big draw, taking her attention back to the view again and again.
“This is what you call an apartment?”
“It’s what we call home,” answered Ridge. “Why?”
“I could fit my apartment five times in just the space of this room. How many rooms are there?”
“Seven bedrooms and five bathrooms as well as a home theater and, of course, three offices.”
The scope of the place overwhelmed her. She’d heard of people living lavishly but had never met anyone who actually did. “And all of you live here? Together?”
“I know it seems weird when three men want to live together. Three very macho, sexy, virile straight men, of course.” Colter chuckled at his joke. “But it’s more convenient, and the place is big enough that we don’t run into each other too much.”
“Plus, these two can’t stand to be without me,” countered a smirking Adam.
“We travel for our businesses, too,” added Ridge.
“You don’t have to justify how you live to me.” As far as she was concerned, no one had to justify how they wanted to live their life. As long as they weren’t hurting anyone. Or committing dangerous acts, like setting fires.
“We’re not.”
Ridge was one of those men she couldn’t see ever feeling as though he needed to justify his choices. Neither was Adam or Colter. They were strong, independent men who made no excuses for their lives.
All at once, she wanted to tell them her fears. Not just about Clay but about her brother, too. It wasn’t like her to lean on anyone for support, but having them to turn to would feel so good. She couldn’t resist. For once in her life, she needed someone.
“I’m worried.”
“What about, babe?” Colter gestured to the couch.
“About my brother and his involvement with Clay.”
“That’s the guy the police questioned the other day at the car fire, right? Kyle’s boyfriend?”
“Yes.” She dragged in a hard breath, both to steady herself and to take in Colter’s and Adam’s scents. Ridge remained standing, his attention on her. “I think Clay may have started the fire.”
“Why do you think so?” asked Adam.
“Because he was there and because”—she hesitated, unsure if she should voice her doubts of her b
rother—“Kyle vouched for him, telling the police they were together all day. But I know they weren’t.”
“So your brother lied to the cops? He covered for Clay because they’re together?”
She nodded at Colter. “Yes. This guy Max? The guy whose car was torched? He has a record of assaults. Mainly against gay men and lesbians.”
“Has he given Kyle any problems?”
“I don’t know. But, from what I can gather, I think he might have hated on Clay, both now and back in high school. Kyle said Clay hasn’t had an easy time since coming out. From the way he was acting the other day, he’s got a temper on him.”
“I don’t blame him for being angry.” Colter’s clenched jaw jumped. “A guy should have the right to choose who he wants in his bed. What he is shouldn’t matter.” His gaze met hers. “Even if some people think he’s a monster, it doesn’t mean he really is.”
A monster? She’d heard people call gay men a lot of horrible names, but referring to them as monsters was new. Deviants, perverts, and more, yes. She’d heard them all. But never monsters.
“We can do some digging and see what we can find out.”
“Would you, Ridge? I’ve asked around, discreetly, to a few of my friends on the police force. That’s how I found out about Max’s record. But I didn’t think to check on Clay. He’s supposed to be the victim, right?”
“Maybe he’s both a victim and a perpetrator.” Adam shrugged. “If Max targeted him, he could’ve finally gotten fed up and wanted to fight back. Not directly, but in a way where he wouldn’t have to confront Max straight-on.”
“Makes sense to me,” added Colter.
She sighed, already feeling less weight on her shoulders. Having the three of them help was a major relief.
“Until then, why not give it a break, baby?”
“What do you mean?” She looked up at Ridge as he moved closer and held out his hands.
“You know what I mean.” His gaze jumped to her tote bag next to the front door.
“I guess I’m not very good at hiding things.” And yet, had she really wanted to keep it from them? She hadn’t had enough nerve to ask them if she could stay overnight, but she’d given them enough of a hint. A hint Ridge had caught.
He tilted his head toward a hallway. “Bedroom. Now.”
She gave him a playful “what the hell?” look. “Are you trying to order me around?” Not that she minded. She loved that they wanted to take charge. At least when it came to sex.
“Take it any way you want.”
The sheer passion-filled look he gave her had her sucking in a quick breath. “Are you going to order me around all the time?” She glanced at Adam and Colter. “Are you?”
“Not all the time. Variety is the key.” Ridge tilted his head again in the same direction. “Go.”
“And if I don’t?” She wasn’t about to refuse, but where was the harm in toying with him?
“Then I’ll throw you over my shoulder and haul your ass to bed.”
Oh hell yeah.
“That’s right. I forgot you share a bed.”
“Not yet, but now that you’re here, we all will.”
She couldn’t help but tease him. “Living together as friends is one thing, but I’m not sure I’m ready to get involved in a bi-sexual relationship.”
Or was she? An image of the three hard-bodied men hit her. Watching them get it on wouldn’t be bad. Not bad at all.
“We’re not bi, and we only share a bed when we share a woman,” answered Ridge.
So they’d shared other women? The idea of them with any woman twisted a knot in her stomach. Jealousy, hot and burning, struck her.
“Easy, babe.” Adam put his hand in hers and took her with him. “Yes, we’ve shared other women but not in the huge master bedroom. That bed was made just for you.”
“Why me?”
“Because you’re the woman we’ve been waiting for. You’re special, one of a kind.” Colter tugged his shirt over his hair and dropped it to the floor.
“Why am I special?” She let Adam lead her as they followed behind Colter and Ridge. Many doors lined the hallway, but they went past them, heading to the large ornate door at the end.
Adam turned her hand loose and wrapped his arm around her waist. “You’re special because you’re you.”
“Baby, we’ve waited a long time for the right woman. You’re beautiful and brave. Smart and funny. We don’t have any doubt. You’re the one.”
“Like Ridge said, you’re special. No one else we’ve ever known is like you. We feel something different between us. Something…more,” added Colter. “Stop asking ‘why me?’ and say ‘why not me?’”
She’d never had any man treat her as though she were really special. And now, there were three men asking for that privilege.
“Stop asking us to explain what can’t be put into words. We’d never do it justice.” Ridge opened the door to a vast bedroom. A large, oversized bed sat in the center of the room. The rest of the space was filled with ornate furnishings and paintings that had to be masterpieces. The plush carpet begged for bare feet.
Adam took her inside. “Let yourself feel what you’re feeling. Don’t try and analyze it. Just accept what is.”
Colter came up behind her and slid his arms around her, enclosing her in his embrace. His warm breath tickled her ear. “We want you, babe, more than we’ve ever wanted anyone. All the other women over our lifetimes can’t compare to you. You are truly the one and only one for us.”
She might’ve laughed at the flowery words if they’d come from any other man. But from Colter? With Ridge and Adam staring at her longingly? She knew in the deepest part of her that they were true.
Colter undid her silk blouse, his fingers deftly working over each buttonhole, his touch so light she almost didn’t feel them. Her breaths rose and fell, lifting her breasts as she arched her back, hoping he’d move past the material and let his fingers caress her skin.
Adam moved in front of her. His brown eyes sparked with bright spots of red as he took hold of her jeans and slid the zipper down. His gaze never left hers.
“Your eyes. How?”
His lips curved ever so slightly. “Don’t think. Don’t wonder. Just be.”
The velvety tone of his voice cocooned her, lulling her into a dreamlike state. She closed her eyes briefly and inhaled a long, slow breath.
Ridge?
A moment after she’d asked, he appeared beside her. His silver eyes mirrored Adam’s with bits of red lighting up the silver.
He helped Adam slide her jeans over her hips then pushed her shirt off her left shoulder. Adam tugged, bringing her shirt to her elbows. Another pull from Ridge and her shirt was forgotten as it floated to the floor.
Ridge kissed her shoulder, feathering his kisses along her skin. Adam easily popped the clasp on her bra and tugged it away. The air conditioner blew chilly air over her naked breasts, bringing her nipples to peaks.
“Step,” ordered Adam. He shoved her jeans to the floor and took her arm as she shifted from one foot to the other, removing her sandals.
Colter bent low and kissed the swell of her breast. His hand found her mons. Slipping his fingers under her panties, he pushed her pussy lips apart. She gasped as his finger pressed against her clit. “Come for me, babe,” he whispered.
She was hot and getting even hotter. Her mind, already seduced, let every thought flow outward. Only the sensations searing into her body were essential.
Colter massaged her clit, his body against hers, his other hand on her breast. Fondling her, he tortured her nipple with his thumb, matching the insistent movement of his other finger.
Adam trailed his palms along her arms as he dropped to his knees behind her. Kissing his way along her spine, he nibbled her rounded ass and slicked his tongue along the seam of her butt.
Needing support to stay on her feet, she reached out and clung to Ridge and Colter. She closed her eyes and let the amazing feel of their han
ds and mouths do their work.
Her body vibrated as though they had electrified her. Gone was the chill of the air conditioner. Instead, the room had suddenly been transformed into a sauna. She dug her fingers into Ridge’s arm and Colter’s shoulder. If she could’ve found her voice, she would’ve begged them to make love to her.
When Colter dropped in front of her, his hands gripping her legs to pull her closer, she was sure she’d fall to the floor. Pulling her panties aside, he added his tongue to his arsenal, driving it between her pussy lips.
She cried out, but the sound was lost in Ridge’s kiss. Holding her by the back of her hair, he kept her on her feet as his tongue ravished her mouth. Deeply, fervently, he kissed her, making her mind useless.
“Down.”
She obeyed Adam, slipping to her knees. Her eyes opened a little, just enough to look down and see Colter’s head between her legs. He pleasured her, whipping his tongue in and out of her core. Using his thumb, he plundered her clit, alternating between rough and tender circles around the throbbing nub. Ridge came to the floor, renewing their kiss.
When Colter left her, she wanted to cry out, to beg him to keep going. She needn’t have worried. He soon gripped her again, harder, faster than before.
“Come for us, baby.” Ridge palmed her cheek, urging her to open her eyes wider.
His expression held all the lust she felt and more. “Please.”
He shook his head. “No. First you come. Then we’ll fuck you.” He nibbled the top of her breast then dragged her nipple into his mouth.
Colter’s sucked her clit into his mouth, capturing it between his teeth.
Adam sank one then two fingers into her ass and bit her left butt cheek.
She came, her climax roaring through her, shaking her body. A cry of despair and joy burst from her as her body, without any strength left, crumpled to the floor. She lay on her side, their mouths, tongues, and fingers continuing their assault.
Adam’s fingers were relentless as he lay down behind her. “Tell me you want my cock.”
She had no hesitation. “I want your cock.”
Adam pressed his hard length against the crease of her ass. She tensed but only for a moment.
