by Linzi Basset
“Don’t be so sure, old-timer,” Rachel warned. She redoubled her efforts to put some space between their bodies. “Now, get your big hulk away from me. I have work to do.”
“Well, that’s up to you, my sweet,” Mason drawled. His deep voice sounded smooth, like rich, smooth, dark chocolate, causing a delightful quiver to thrill through her body.
“Mason Walker, I’m not into mind games. Let me go.”
“After.”
Rachel narrowed her eyes and they shot daggers at the infuriating man who was clearly enjoying the cat and mouse game he was playing with her.
“After what?” She gritted through clenched teeth.
“You give me a taste. I find I need a little reminder. Something to tide me over until you come to your senses and beg me to fuck you.”
“You’re completely delusional, do you know that? I told you months ago, I won’t beg you. And no, you’re not getting a taste.”
She pushed at his chest; desperate to escape the warm cocoon of his arms, before she gave in and made a complete fool of herself. Again.
“Oh no, you don’t. One taste, Rachel and I’ll let you go.”
Rachel sighed and rested her head back against the wall. He’d clearly made up his mind.
“Very well, then,” she sighed and puckered her lips without opening her eyes.
His chuckle merged with her horrified shriek as he stepped back and in one economical movement, yanked down her pants and panties.
“This is the taste I’m after. Spread them, my sweet,” he ordered while his tongue sneaked out to lap at the tiny pearl that was peeking from within the slit between her legs.
“Stop! Are you crazy? Anyone can walk . . . oohhh, fuck that feels good,” she purred as Mason locked his lips around her clit and sucked.
Rachel was so lost in the sensations flooding her mind that she didn’t hear the brief knock on the door, or see it opening.
“Well, I guess I worried for nothing.”
But Logan’s amused drawl did penetrate her hazed mind and with a squeak, she pushed Mason away. She fumbled to pull up her pants, searing the two men with a blazing glare.
“Need some help, Mason? I’d love a taste myself.”
Rachel’s eyes widened when his words registered. She waved her finger between the two men.
“You both stay away from me,” she snapped and quickly sidestepped them when they approached her. She glowered at them from behind the safety of her desk. “I’m not a plaything for you two. Out. Now. Both of you. Get out!”
They conceded, but only because the kitchen staff was peeping curiously down the hallway.
Mason looked at her over his shoulder. His voice was taunting as he asked, “Tell me, my sweet, have you been sleeping well?”
He ducked the stapler that came hurling toward his head. It hit the wall next to him before clattering to the floor.
Rachel simmered at his deep chuckle that echoed through the hallway as he walked away.
Somehow, Mason Walker knew she wasn’t sleeping well and that he, the devil incarnate, was the reason.
Chapter Two
“You’re deluding yourself if you believe this is all there is between us.”
“Look, I told you, this was a mistake. I was kinda drunk and allowed my libido to take over.”
“Is that a fact?” He asked darkly.
Rachel glanced toward the man lying on his back watching her from the bed. His nonchalant attitude irritated the hell out of her but she bit back the retort that sprang to her lips. She yanked the red mini dress over her head and did a twirling dance while she attempted to pull up the zipper at the back.
“Yeah and let’s not forget, old-timer, you made it clear it was only sex, so, let’s just leave it at that. Clean cut, no expectation and say cheers.”
She finally located her red stilettos under the bed and she reached for them with her ass stuck in the air.
A hand slipped between her thighs, causing her to jerk and bump her head against the bedside table.
“Hm, it seems this hot, little pussy has a mind of its own then,” Mason drawled in her ear. “Now, spread those legs, little snip,” he ordered brusquely. He yanked her hips higher and caught her hands behind her back, keeping her upper body pressed against the floor.
“No, I have to . . . ooohhh,” she cried out as he pushed his hard cock deep inside her throbbing slit.
“Your mind might be telling you one thing but your body is demanding quite the opposite, my sweet. And since this is all there is, I’m going to make it worth my while. I said, spread your legs. Good, now, luv, I’ll give you something that’s going to keep you awake for months to come,” he growled into her ear and then began to thrust.
Hard and deep.
Fast and furious.
Finally, with a raw intensity that blew her circuitry within minutes.
Her scream sounded carnal and as raw as his uncontrolled pounding had become. Rachel climaxed, her pussy clenching and releasing in non-stop spasms that made her thrash and twist on the floor beneath him.
“Stop! No more. I can’t—”
“Oh, but you can, my sweet. And. You. Will.”
Another primal scream echoed in the silence of the room, which shook Rachel awake. Her body shuddered as one thrilling wave of pleasure after the other trembled through her body.
“Damn you, Mason Walker! I hate you. Oh lord . . . I can’t stop,” she wailed into the silence of the night.
Her hand curled between her legs as her body continued urging for more. The memory of their last copulation had woken her more nights than she could remember.
Just like he’d taunted earlier today; in throes of climax, while demanding, always demanding more.
Later, she was sprawled on her back, staring at the ceiling in the dark. The silver beams of the moonlight played hide and seek across her room.
“I can’t give in to it. I just can’t. Not with a man like him!”
Pfft. Come now, Rachel. Be honest with yourself for once in your life. You’ll never be satisfied with anything less than what he made you feel.
Rachel pressed her lips together, refusing to acknowledge the challenge from her inner voice. It didn’t matter. She’d learned from a very young age to make do with whatever life offered; mostly unwanted.
So, does that mean you have to avoid something you do want? Just because you don’t believe in your ability to make someone love you. Are you not gonna practice what you preached to your bestie, Alexis? Let them win. Again. Is that what you want?
“Shut up! I don’t want to hear it,” her shriek shattered the silence of the night. “I don’t want to hear it,” she whispered with her face pressed into the pillow.
Well, someone has to try and talk some sense into you and seeing as Alexis—
“I said shut the fuck up! It doesn’t matter. She had a choice. They won’t allow me to make my own choices. They never have! I may have been pretending to control my choices, but it has always been them. I was just too stupid to realize it.”
That’s a matter of opinion. You’ve always been the driver of your life. It’s your choice. You’re thirty-two years old, Rachel Cooper. They can’t force you to do anything. Unless you allow them to.
The voice from inside her soul shook her. She did have a choice. She had made a success of her life and had been awarded her second Michelin star a year ago, after years of hard work. Rachel had become famous for her ability to experiment with exotic flavors, her nose-to-tail cooking and the innovative plating style that elevated the dining pleasure. As a two-star Michelin chef, she was used to being headhunted by well-known hotels and resorts. She had options.
And it was all her. No matter how much they tried to convince her otherwise; it has always been her. Ever since she got her first job as an executive chef at the most sought-after restaurant in Los Angeles. Achieving that accolade—the Michelin stars, was all her. Her hard work, dedication and skill brought her those two stars. They, her paren
ts, had nothing to do with it.
It was time. Mason was right. She had to cut the strings once and for all. It was time to start living. For herself.
“I already made that unconscious decision when I decided to take the job here and walked away from my comfortable rut,” she whispered in the dark. She detected the awe in her own voice. “Goddammit! I am in charge. Finally, I can cut the strings. I don’t need to bow to their demands anymore.”
She tried to squash the little voice reminding her of her parents’ reaction when she’d told them about moving to Colorado.
“You’re making a mistake, Rachel. Again, just like Justin Moore. When will you ever learn? Without us, you are nothing.”
In their opinion, she would always be a failure, no matter what she did to prove otherwise.
She sat up in bed, moaning at the tingling feeling in her loins.
“Very well, Mason Walker. I’m up for the challenge and am taking charge of my life. Right now. Yes, and you, old-timer won’t know what hit you by the time I’m done with you.”
She fell asleep with a smile on her face.
* * * * * * * *
“Rachel Melinda Cooper! Open this damn door!”
The pounding on the door and Alexis’ loud voice penetrated Rachel’s sleep induced mind. She crawled out of the bed and stumbled to the door, feeling like death warmed over.
“What the blazes are you making such a ruckus for?” Rachel mumbled as she yanked open the door.
“You sneaky little bitch! Come on, out with it! What the devil is going on between you and Mason and no . . . don’t you dare give me that innocent, wide-eyed look. Logan told us what happened last night,” Alexis rallied as she pushed past Rachel and marched inside.
“I can’t believe that I had to hear something this juicy from someone else,” she continued to complain as she walked toward the open plan kitchen of the luxurious little chalet and started brewing some coffee.
“I should’ve known the stupid ass wouldn’t keep his mouth shut,” Rachel grumbled. She was still standing in the open doorway, staring at the white snow-covered mountains in the distance.
“Stop mumbling, Rachel and get over here. I’m all ears.”
The sigh that drifted to Alexis was heavier than a ton of bricks but had no effect on her determination to wring the truth out of Rachel.
“It’s a good thing you’ve got such a dedicated team of sous-chefs, otherwise your ass would be in trouble this morning,” Alexis continued conversationally while she poured two cups of coffee and handed one to Rachel.
“What are you talking about, Lex?” Rachel asked after she’d swallowed two big gulps of the fragrant brew.
Alexis leaned against the kitchen counter and smiled indulgently. “Did you happen to look at the time, by any chance, girlfriend?”
Rachel’s eyes shifted to the clock on the wall.
“Oh, fucking hell! I’m late,” she shrieked and slammed the cup down on the counter, Coffee splattered all over the top. Alexis tsk’ed and wiped the counter clean.
“Too late to panic now, Rachel. Breakfast is already over. Although I have to admit, it was quite entertaining for me and Noah to watch Mason squirm during our interrogation; especially, when he tried to look unconcerned about your absence.”
Rachel settled on the high barstool. “He was worried? Really?” She couldn’t help but ask, then groaned at the gleeful expression on Alexis’ face. She leaned her head on her hands. “Oh god, you’re not going to stop, are you?”
“Nope, you know I won’t. Come on, I’m all ears.”
“Well, he irritated me and before I knew it, I had emptied his wine glass over his head.”
Alexis waved her hand in the air. “Pish-posh, I know all about that. What I don’t know, is how and where did this thing start between the two of you? And don’t give me that look, Ms. Cooper. I know you too well. Mason too, for that matter. Somehow the two of you . . . wait a minute! That night I patched things up with Noah! Yes! You disappeared. I thought you were with Logan, but you weren’t. You sneaky little slut, you!” Alexis beamed with a wide smile.
Rachel didn’t take offence because it wasn’t meant as an insult, rather a compliment for taking the bull by the ‘horns’—so to speak.
“Well, he irritated me that night too,” Rachel defended herself.
“Oh, I noticed. The sparks were flying between the two of you. I felt scorched whenever you guys looked at each other.” Alexis’ eyes narrowed. “It was all an act then, wasn’t it? It didn’t start with wine over his head; it had already begun five months ago. You had sex with him all those months ago, didn’t you? But you never said a word to me, to this day, which means . . . ah, no, Rachel, you’re not going to pull away from him! He’s not Justin and he doesn’t know your parents from a bar of soap.”
“I know that, Lex but contrary to what you believe, I’m just as insecure about love as you’ve been over the years. Especially after the Justin fiasco. I’ve just been more adroit at concealing it from you and Shanna.”
“So, you do have feelings for Mason?”
“I didn’t say that,” Rachel hedged. “Pfft. Don’t look at me like that, Alexis. It was one night. Feelings don’t develop that quickly.”
“They don’t? Hm, I’m not so sure I agree with that theory. Look at Noah and me. He bowled me over that first night we met—admittedly it took me longer to acknowledge that I was in love with him. And from experience, I know Mason has the same magnetism.”
Alexis cursed at the look on Rachel’s face.
“What are you saying, Alexis? Did you have sex with Mason while you were dating Noah?”
“Ehm, kinda with Noah,” she mumbled under her breath.
“A threesome? Oh, fucking hell! I forgot you told us about the threesome. It was with Mason?”
“Well, Mason and Logan. Since then it has developed into foursomes as well.”
“Oh god. I knew it was too good to be true.” Rachel wailed. Her mind was in shambles as she tried to compute what Alexis was saying.
“It’s what they do, Rachel. Have been for years. They play together, and they make love together,” Alexis tried to explain gently.
“Always?” Rachel asked in a thin voice.
“No, of course not. But on a regular basis. Look, I’m not sure how the dynamics will change once there’s another woman involved, so don’t sweat it and if it bothers you, I’ll talk to Noah.”
“And let that old-timer know I’m jealous because he fucked you? Hell no!”
Rachel jumped down from the barstool and paced the small kitchen. Her hands waved up and down as she debated the emotions running wild through her.
“How does it feel?”
“A foursome?”
“Yeah. Or a threesome, for that matter.”
“It’s amazing. The sensations of having two cocks inside me while I’m sucking off another, gives me a sense of such power, it’s all encompassing. Yes, I know; I feel vulnerable and exposed too, but it’s like I’m the one holding the power over how much they take from me. It’s an incredible feeling. I never thought I’d want to be with anyone else but Noah, but if they don’t come around for couple of weeks, I feel a hunger inside me that just won’t go away. Not until they feed it with . . . well, you know what I mean,” she ended with a wink.
“I can only guess.”
Alexis looked at her with a searching gaze. “You’re a very possessive woman, Rachel. How would you react, if Mason wants to continue with our arrangement? And share you with . . . oh, fuck! I never thought that far ahead,” Alexis exclaimed as the repercussion of the three men’s habits suddenly flashed in her mind. “If they demand to have sex with both of us, how would you feel?” She ended cautiously, her mind spun as she tried to examine her own feelings about watching Noah having sex with her best friend.
“Probably as confused as you are right now,” Rachel admitted. “But I can’t deny that I’m attracted to Logan as well and . . . Noah. Well, your fi
ancé has a magnetism not many women can resist.”
“Yeah, I know but I’m confident of his love for me and he’ll never cheat on me, outside of being with his friends, that is.” Alexis was pensive but somehow not too concerned about sharing Noah, Logan and Mason with Rachel. It would bother her more if Mason suddenly disappeared from their little circle of intimacy.
“What a tangled web this is,” Rachel mused. She’d just convinced herself to fight for her future and now wham! Another unexpected twist challenged her equanimity. Could she handle sharing the man in her life with her best friend? For that matter, be shared with his best friends?
Rachel felt her stomach rolling at the thought of being sandwiched between two men. The fantasies she’d been dreaming about for a long time, swirled through her mind. Maybe it had been a sign of things to come, because the thought of a foursome with the three men didn’t seem daunting at all.
“Rachel, don’t over think this. Just let yourself feel and go with the flow. You took the first step to unchain yourself from a life that had been holding you prisoner for so long, by moving away from LA; just like I did. I’m going to repeat the words you told me not so long ago.”
“Alexis, I—”
“No, I know you don’t want to hear this because you’re the strong one who fights her demons alone. But never forget that I’m here for you, as is Shanna. You said it to me—we are what we are, because of what we have endured. We didn’t allow them to get us under. Don’t let the negativity break down the wonderful human being you are. I didn’t let them win. You won’t either. Let your heart guide you in the right direction for once, Rachel. I promise you, you won’t be sorry.”
“I want to, Alexis. God knows I do, but what if I fuck it up? What if—”
“Stop right there and listen to yourself, Rachel. That’s your mother speaking. You are stronger than them. Come on, girlfriend, it’s taken both of us over thirty years to finally open our eyes. You taught me that. Don’t fall back in the same trap I did every time I was faced with the challenge of love and happiness. Grasp it with both hands.”
