by Davis, Jo
“I accept, but I don’t think I can stay at the firm. Too much water under the bridge.”
“You don’t believe that and neither do I. Do you really want to start over where nobody knows you or the incredible attorney I know you are?”
“Not really, but I’m too old and I’ve worked too hard to put up with the crap I did from you.”
Alex put every ounce of sincerity in his voice he could muster. “It won’t happen again. You have my word. And I’ll tell you a secret about why.”
Ken sat down, interested in spite of himself. “Yeah? This I gotta hear.”
“I’ve got a newfound appreciation for life, and I’m here to tell you, it really is too short. I’m going to be cutting back on my caseload, so I’m going to need you more than ever. The other partners count on you. They look up to you, Ken. So do I. What do you say?”
Alex stuck out his hand, hoping Ken would accept his peace offering. For several heartbeats, he thought the man would refuse; then Ken reached out and shook his hand.
Withdrawing first, Ken said, “For what it’s worth, I’m glad you’re not pushing up daisies.”
“Thanks. Me, too.”
“You’re something else, man.”
“So I’ve been told, in prettier company.”
“Jackass.”
Alex wiggled in the hospital bed, flipping channels, bored out of his freaking skull. Yeah, he was grateful to be alive to get bored at all, but Oprah? Still not his favorite afternoon pastime, and it was too early for the news.
And goddamn, his chest itched. A while ago, one of the nurses caught him red-handed with the bandage peeled back, scratching up a storm on the healing flesh. She’d lit into his ass like his sainted mama would’ve done if she’d been alive, swabbed and taped it back, then marched out again, leaving him thoroughly chastised and wishing for a Jack and cola.
Maybe Jason would sneak him some—
As though he’d conjured the man, Jason sauntered into his room, face lighting up on seeing him. “Man, you’re looking better every day.” The younger man pulled him into a bear hug, drawing back quickly at his grunt. “Crap, I’m sorry!”
“It’s okay.” Christ, the guy was strong for being so lean.
Jason took the seat by his bed and laughed at the television. “Dude, Oprah? That’s so not right.”
He flipped off the TV and tossed aside the controls. “Wasn’t watching it.”
“Sure you weren’t.” He grinned. “Must be boring as hell, stuck in here. Have you played the pipe organ yet?”
He laughed, wincing at the pull in his chest. “God, you’re a piece of work. I’ll never tell.”
Jason sat back, crossing his calf over one knee, relaxed but sobering some. “I have to go back to Virginia.”
Oh. He’d been expecting that. So why did it feel worse than the bullet to his chest? “Permanently?”
“Depends. I have to get my shit together, find out where I stand at the bureau. Get reevaluated, and with any luck, reassigned.”
“Oh? What do you want to do?” There. Casual. Not like he was holding his breath, hoping to hear any promises.
He plucked at his jeans, watching Alex from under his lashes. “I’d like to apply for a transfer to the St. Louis field office. . . . If you and Liv wouldn’t mind having me next door.”
Pretense failed. He knew the younger man could read the emotions on his face, but he didn’t care. “You didn’t even have to ask. There’s nothing we’d love more than having you here. How long will it take to make the move?”
Jason smiled. “A few weeks. Months at most. But I’d visit in the meantime.”
“We’ll count on it.” Something else was bothering him, and he had to get it off his chest. “Jase? I’m sorry we doubted you. Your notes and the gun, they were scary in light of what was happening. Liv was the first to trust you, but I wasn’t so sure. I had no idea what you’d been through, and hope you can forgive me.”
“Nothing to forgive, Alex. You didn’t know, and I wasn’t forthcoming. In the secrets department, anyway.” He wiggled his brows suggestively.
“I’d better get going.” Jason stood, gently laid a hand over Alex’s heart, careful not to hurt him. “You’d make a terrible agent, you know that? Your poker face sucks.”
Jason bent and kissed him right on the mouth. Slow and lingering. A little tongue, a sweet sigh. A hint of pleasures to come. “I’ll be in touch.”
“You’d better.” He cleared his throat. “Liv will miss you.”
Jason didn’t reply, just gave him a knowing smile before turning on his heel and walking out of Alex’s life.
For now.
I’ll miss you, too, he added silently.
Picking up the remote, he flipped on Oprah.
Maybe the lady had some advice today for someone with an aching heart.
Home.
Holding Liv’s hand, Alex walked into the kitchen and inhaled. “I wasn’t sure I’d ever see this place again,” he said softly. “Wasn’t sure I’d be granted a reprieve to be with you in this world for a while longer.”
Turning in to him, she hugged him close. “I prayed every day, something I haven’t done in years. I don’t know what I would’ve done, how I would’ve survived if—” She couldn’t finish, but held him close. Telling him with her soul what no words could ever express.
“Baby, we don’t have to think about it now. I’m home, on the mend, and all yours.” He nuzzled her hair, pulled her closer, his cock beginning to take notice. Lord, it had been so long.
“You still need a lot of rest. Two more weeks, minimum.”
That, on top of four boring weeks in the hospital. At least he was home, where people weren’t constantly poking him. Where he could eat real food—he’d lost fifteen pounds—and have a drink that wasn’t fruit juice.
Where he could make love to Olivia.
“You’ll be my nurse?”
“Absolutely. Can’t have you wearing yourself out.”
“Unless it’s for a good cause.”
“I’m all about good causes.”
He wanted to sweep her into his arms like he’d done weeks ago, but he wasn’t quite up to playing Conan the Barbarian yet. So he settled for taking her by the hand and walking together to the bed where they’d shared so many happy years.
They removed their clothing, crawled onto the mattress. Alex pushed his wife onto her back, cupped her breast. Rolled the nipple between his thumb and forefinger, loving the way she gasped and arched into his touch like a feline being petted. He drank her in, wondering whether she missed Jason’s touch, as well.
“You never did answer my question, you know,” he said casually. “The one I asked you weeks ago, about Jason.”
She cocked her head, midnight hair fanned across the pillows. “Which one?”
“Would you have let him go?”
“Oh, Alex,” she said, reaching up to run her fingers down his face. “You’ve been my heart and soul for most of our adult lives. You’re the first man I ever loved, and despite my feelings for Jason, yours is the last face I ever want to see. So, yes, I would have. I’d hoped you knew.”
“I suppose I did.” He smiled, never more in love than at this moment. “But I never would’ve asked you to.”
“I know.”
“I love you, Liv. More than anything on earth.”
“Prove it, Counselor.”
He kissed her soundly, tongue sweeping between her lips. His fingers found her little clit, circling, dipping into her passage. Making her wet and ready for him. She whimpered, and he positioned himself between her legs, the head of his eager cock pushing inside. Then all of him.
“Ohh, Liv. God, it’s good to be home.”
They both knew he meant here. In their bed, joined together, alive and happy. Loving each other without fear or uncertainty.
He made love to her slow and sweet until they quickened, in perfect tune with one another. Flying toward the edge and over, before floating
down to earth once more.
He’d never take this for granted again.
After, he rolled to his back and pulled her onto his chest. One of her hands rested over his scar, fingers tracing the ridge. Instead of hating the puckered flesh, he considered it another reminder to count his blessings.
“My turn to ask a question,” she said.
“Shoot.” He winced. “Sorry, bad choice of words.”
That stupid joke earned him a punch in the arm. Not a very hard one, though. “Idiot.” She gave him a faint smile. “We reached the end of our bargain, so it’s time for us to make a decision. Bring some closure.”
“Seems to me we already made that decision, sweetheart. Jason will be back before we know it, and I, for one, can’t wait.”
“You really want him with us, don’t you?” She hesitated. “You love him, too.”
“I couldn’t help but love anyone who makes you happy, but yeah. I do. He’s a great guy.”
She was quiet for a moment, toying with one of his nipples. “No more confessions? I know you enjoyed them. So did I.”
“Well . . . I never did get to confess about the night of the party with Danielle.”
Reaching down, she brushed his semierect cock. “The new blond secretary who looks like a Victoria’s Secret model,” she observed, her body growing warmer against him. “I have a confession of my own. I saw you together in the library.”
“Y-you did?” he stammered. “You never let on!”
“Yes, while this handsome man pleasured me. Thinking of you fucking another woman turned me on, but seeing it—my God. I wanted to join you, but then—” Boardman had found her. No sense in going there again. “Did you enjoy her? Was she good?”
“Oh yeah, twice. Her pussy is like silk and she loves her backside to be finger fucked at the same time. And I learned something else—she was the mystery woman at the club that night. We’d already been together, and I didn’t even suspect.”
Her fingers closed around his cock, which had perked up with the memory of Danielle. “When you go back to work in two weeks, she’ll be a temptation, my sexy husband.”
“Shit, yeah,” he moaned, arching into her hand. “She’s responsive and fun to be around. And she’s already warned me she’ll be difficult to resist. What will you and Jason do if I give in?”
“Punish you, of course,” she murmured, trailing her tongue down his abs. “We have all of that equipment downstairs; it would be a shame never to use it again.”
“Damn, you drive me wild. I’ll have to be sure and confess. From time to time.”
She gave a husky laugh, treated him to a slow lick.
“Kinky man.”
“All your fault.” He winked. “You’ve created a monster.”
“Why don’t you prove it, big boy?”
Not a problem. As her lips sheathed his cock, he did just that.
One hot afternoon in July, the doorbell rang. Liv dabbed the last of the icing on the Italian cream cake she’d made for Alex and hurried to the front door. Where was Alex, anyway?
Always cautious these days, she looked out the peephole. Blinked and looked again, to be sure her eyes weren’t deceiving her. “Oh! Alex, come here!”
Throwing open the door, she launched herself into Jason’s arms, squealing as he hoisted her up and twirled her around. “You’re back! Please say you’re here to stay.”
“I am, gorgeous.”
He took her mouth in a blistering kiss that curled her toes, then held her shoulders, smiling like he’d won the lottery. She stood and gaped at the man on her threshold. Still their Jason, but one she’d never seen before.
He wore a crisp thousand-dollar suit and polished shoes. His sun-streaked hair had been trimmed to his collar and combed away from his face in a futile attempt to tame it. Dark, wraparound sunglasses completed the effect.
“Wow, very Men in Black.” She whistled. “I like.”
“I’ll say,” Alex said from behind her. “Welcome home, Agent Strickland.”
“Are we going to stand out here, or can I come in?”
They trooped inside and Alex grabbed beers for all of them. Jason tossed his sunglasses on the coffee table, got rid of his tie, and plopped onto the sofa with a contented sigh, taking his Corona from Alex and twisting off the cap.
“Thanks, I’m parched.” He took a swig, and Liv admired his tanned throat and hint of chest at the part of his collar. “Damn, it’s great to be back. Frigging bureaucratic red tape involved in every single step along the way, let me tell you. Being put through the wringer after all of that shit was over, securing the transfer, moving. And I missed you guys like crazy.”
“Poor baby,” she sympathized, settling on the sofa next to him. “I suppose we’ll forgive you for not being able to visit. Sounds like you need some TLC.”
Poking out his lip, he gave her exaggerated puppy dog eyes. “Like you can’t imagine.”
“Oh, I think I can.” She went to work on the buttons of his white shirt, revealing a strip of his lean, muscled chest bit by bit. She tugged out his shirttail, then slid her hands under the fabric to peel it away, starting when she bumped the holster hidden under his suit jacket.
“Sorry,” he said, contrite. “I didn’t think about the gun. I mean, I know guns will always bring back bad memories of what happened to Alex, but I have to carry one, sweetheart. More often than not, you’ll see one with me. Is that going to be too much of an issue?”
Would it? She hadn’t really thought about it before now.
“Is that the same gun?” she asked, lifting his jacket to peek at the weapon. “The one you used to shoot Hodge when he was standing over Alex, getting ready to put a bullet in his head?”
“Yes,” he said softly. “The same.”
“Then I’m fine. You saved our lives, Jase, and without that gun, none of us would be here. Being an agent is your job, and you’re one of the good guys. One of my guys.”
“For as long as you want me.”
She helped him off with his jacket and holster, laid them on the coffee table. She kissed her way along his jaw, nibbled down the strong column of his throat, his chest and flat tummy. Next, she unbuckled his belt and undid his pants. He shoved them down, lifted his hips, and they were off.
Jason was spread naked on her sofa, fully aroused and fisting his cock, lips parted slightly. “Feels like I’ve waited a lifetime to return. I’ve wanted this so much . . . with both of you.”
She smiled. “Well, you’re here, and none of us has to want any longer.”
Peeling off her tank top, she freed her braless breasts, exposing them to two feral pairs of eyes. One female taming a couple of wild beasts—or perhaps they’d tame her. Her pussy clenched at the thought.
Alex stood and pushed down his cutoffs, the only clothing he’d been wearing, and she did the same. “Let’s go over to the rug by the fireplace,” she said, taking Jason’s hand. “We’ll all be more comfortable.”
They padded over and Jason lay on his back, grinning, legs spread. The man didn’t possess an iota of modesty, a trait she intended to enjoy to the fullest. Every day.
“Look at that lush mouth, Alex,” she said, tracing Jason’s lips. “Have you ever wondered what it would be like to kiss him together?”
“Yeah,” he admitted, scooting close. Eyeing their prize. “I have. In fact, I was fantasizing more along the lines of devouring him together . . . before we both stuff you full of our cocks.”
Oh, my! “That sounds fabulous.”
“Jesus,” Jason murmured. “Yes.”
She and Alex stretched out on either side of him and bent, angling their faces close to his. At first, they took turns nipping and licking at his lips. Jason’s tongue darted out, flicking against theirs, brushing each one. Drawing them in to his hot mouth, closer, more urgent, until all three of them were locked in one passionate kiss. Tongues sweeping, eating each other’s mouths. Electric.
More than sexual, although certainly aro
using, it was also an affirmation. An acknowledgment of their union, a loving home-coming.
They moved from his mouth, exploring his throat with nips and kisses, to his chest. Liv grazed one of his taut male nipples with her teeth while Alex did the other, coaxing a rumble from their lover. They journeyed lower, all the way to his flushed sex, ready and eager for whatever they wished to do.
Liv crawled between Jason’s thighs, lay on her stomach, and lifted his heavy sac. She rolled the velvety balls, manipulated them, and when she began laving and suckling them, both men groaned in unison.
“God, Liv, that looks so damned good. Show him who he belongs to, baby.”
“Join me,” she said, winking. “We’ll show him together.”
Alex going down on their lover’s beautiful cock while she nuzzled his soft skin was the sexiest, most decadent thing she’d ever seen. Alex’s lips slid along the slick flesh, making Jase shiny and wet, nearly driving him out of his mind.
“Oh, my God! Oh, don’t . . . you two are g-gonna make me come too soon,” he rasped.
“Can’t have that, can we, baby?” Alex gave the weeping slit a last lick. “Why don’t you straddle our boy and let us take you some place special.”
“Shit, yeah,” Jason panted.
Liv placed her knees on either side of Jason’s hips. Her sex was so hot, already moist, her entire body needing her men. Off to one side, Alex steadied the base of Jason’s cock, eyes burning.
“Sink onto him slowly, sweetheart. I want to watch as he fills you.” He nudged her folds, rubbing with the head of Jason’s penis as she lowered her body. “Shit, yeah. That’s so hot, so fucking sexy. All the way, baby, that’s it. Feel every inch of him.”
Ohh, she did. Every bit of skin sliding into her, the delicious hardness overlaid with soft. Alex’s naughty talk, cloaking her in a haze of pleasure. She felt desired, cherished, powerful.
Bracing her palms on Jason’s chest, she began to ride. Not too fast, savoring the friction that fanned the flames. She was hardly aware of Alex moving away, rustling for something, then crawling behind her, between Jason’s legs.
