by Rayne O'Gara
He is right. How can I expect someone or someones to love me if I can’t really even fully love myself? With the help of these two, I know I can get everything I’ve wanted out of life. How did I get so lucky? Someone must have put an extra dose of luck on the star I have been wishing on.
Pushing slightly away, I grab up his face in my hands, lean and give him a light quick kiss and focus on his pale blue eyes.
“Thank you, Rome,” I whisper before getting off his lap and repeating the process with Alex.
Not letting me go, Alex looks from Roman to me.
‘Well…which way do you want to get the cookout? Would you like for us to take you home to your car, or ride all together?”
“Well I brought an overnight bag, so why don’t I just change and we can go in your truck,” I answered with a shoulder shrug.
With a smile and a wink Alex relaxes deeper into the brown arm chair.
“Alright, so go ahead. Get dressed.”
“Yeah, baby, go ahead,” Roman agrees with Alex while crossing his arms across his chest, still sitting on the bed. Oh good Lord! I can’t get naked in front of them, we will never leave for Sofie’s house. A snatch of the bag and a snick of the bathroom door finds me undressing and redressing in private. Smoothing some wrinkles out of my blue and white floral sundress, I open the door and find the guys standing next to each other talking with seriousness.
“I am ready to go, you okay?”
“Yep, all good,” Alex answers.
Grabbing up my stuff we head to the door.
“Let’s go play with the dragon, boys!” I say enthusiastically.
At their wary faces I laugh and lead the way to Alex’s truck.
Chapter Twenty-One
Cait…
Already having gone to the store for the cases of beer, one for each of them, I am snuggled up in the middle seat. I sigh in contentment as I hold Alex’s hand and rest my head on Roman’s shoulder. The boys just had to bring something to Sofie’s, so we were running late, but not by too much. Feeling Roman tense I sit up to look at him. They both have been very quiet so I know something’s not right. Now I just get to play the waiting game until they let me in and tell me.
“What’s the matter?” I ask.
“We need to talk to you about something before we get to Rob’s,” Alex answers. I look over at him I raise an eyebrow.
“So talk.”
“Well, you know how we feel about public and our relationship, but we don’t know how you feel about being open to everyone. So, we basically want to know how you would like to carry on at Sofie’s,” Alex explains quickly. Well okay, wasn’t expecting that. I figured I would fall in line with however they acted. I have to make the decision? All right. I get to have control. I like this feeling. I also know that whatever I decide, my men would respect my decision. Looking back and forth between them, I notice the set jaws and tense forms. What I choose is going to be very important to them.
“Are we together?” I ask Alex.
“Yes.”
“Roman? Are we?” I ask, turning to him. They should really be side by side for conversations, I’m going to get whiplash.
“Yes.”
“Are you both mine and am I both of yours?”
“Yes,” they answer together.
“Then we will be together wherever we go.” Two bodies relax at my declaration.
“Did you think I would be afraid to be seen in public actively dating two men?” I ask, trying to understand their brains.
“A lot of people don’t understand a relationship like this and can be hurtful,” Roman answers first.
“We didn’t want you to be uncomfortable at your friend’s house. We want the world to know, but we want you okay with it first,” Alex followed.
“Thank you, and I am. If someone has a problem with seeing us together then we don’t have to know them, do we?” I say confidently.
Alex smiles and parks the big truck next to the curb outside Sofie’s house in a perfect parallel parking maneuver. Roman leans over me and places a soft kiss to the top of my head.
“Thanks, baby,” he whispers as he climbs out and helps me down.
Each one holding a case of beer in one hand they grab up a free hand of mine and we walk up the driveway with me, as always, safe and protected between them.
Alex rings the bell and Roman knocks on the door forcibly. Yep, because just one way wouldn’t get it done. Laughing in my head, I grin. We wait for someone to answer and I give a shake of my head. Letting go of their hand I turn and start to walk away from them.
“Cait?” Alex asks confused.
“Come on, she’s probably out back. She is not exactly one who putters around inside while she has company outside. I am going to the gate.” I motion with my head over to the pine latched door.
“You were just going to leave us here with no word?” asks Roman incredulously.
At their eyes sparking to life I slowly start backing away with my hands out like to pacify wild animals.
“You would have eventually followed,” I answer with a shoulder shrug and a smile before turning on my heel and darting to the door. I just barely get into range when it swings open, narrowly missing my face.
“Caitie-bug! I was starting to get worried you weren’t coming. Rob said these two are pretty punctual so I figured I would have to come over with some scissors.” She laughed while hugging me.
“Caitie-bug?” I hear Alex mumble to Roman grinning.
“Yes, that’s her nickname,” Sofie answer him.
“Not by choice,” I grumble. “But an eight year old Sofie is just as uncontrollable as she is now. I don’t know how Rob does it honestly.”
“With patience and love…and kinky sex. Come on, love birds, the party awaits.” She signals over her head as she walks through the gate and into the backyard.
“Yeah, Caitie-bug. The party awaits,” Alex cajoles.
“A slap is awaiting you if you don’t stop,” I threaten.
“Ooh, the little bug is so frightening. I’m shakin’ in my boots,” he continues.
“Oh, Alex? You must not like sex very much, because you, sir, are about to be on lockdown, you feel me?” Having said that I lift my nose in the air and grab Roman’s arm.
“Come on, Rome, I’m thirsty.” Turning away from him, we walk through the gate. As Alex catches up with us, he grabs up my free hand and gently squeezes it.
“I was just playing, sweetness. Don’t leave me out in the cold.”
Coming up on my tiptoes, I brush his mouth with mine.
“I forgive you this time.” I smile at him and we resume walking.
Reaching Rob, he gives me my custom Cait hug.
“Hey, girlie. Good to see you. How these two treating you? Better be good,” he asks me with the last part directed at the two men at my sides. Hugging him back, I smile as he sets me down.
“Has Sofie killed them yet?” I ask Rob sweetly.
“No, they’re still kickin'.”
“Then we’re good,” I explain.
With a full belly laugh he nods and with proud eyes winks at his wife.
“It’s good to see you again, Rob. Thanks for having us over. Where would you like these?” Roman asks, gesturing to the beer.
“Over by the coolers will be fine. Thanks for bringing some. We will add them in as we make room for ‘um,” Rob answers while waving a spatula at the coolers.
With a nod, Roman picks up both cases and we take them over to the patio. Reaching in one of the coolers, I take out a bottled water and grab one for Roman as well.
“Thanks, baby.” He smiles as he pulls me closer to his side. We watch the people wander around the backyard sipping on beers and crunching munchies. Alex is quite the social butterfly flittering here and there making me laugh at his antics.
“That man could charm a brick wall,” I muse out loud.
“He gets it from his dad,” says Roman as he watches Alex with me.
“From Jake?”
“No, his other dad, Ryan.”
“Oh?” I ask, intrigued.
“Yeah, you should see them together. Mom doesn’t know what to do with them most the time. Wait until you meet his parents. Just watch them go. She gets so exasperated,” he answers smiling.
“What does his dad do? The charming Ryan?”
“He was a lawyer. Was wanted as D.A., but he resigned and moved instead. Good guy.”
“I can’t wait to meet him,” I say and snuggle in closer to his side. Spotting our hostess, I give her a small wave as she comes to a stop in front of our small group of two.
“Hey, Roman, can I steel Cait for a bit?”
“Yeah of course,” he answers with a smile. Turning that smile on me it starts to turn into a smirk. “Go talk to Sofie about all my epic manliness, baby.”
With a shake of my head I playfully push him away from me. “Shut up, Rome,” I tell him as I lean up for a goodbye kiss. Something sweet and quick turned deeper and hotter with one lick of his tongue against my lips. Bodies pressed together, I forgot where we were.
“No, no, no!” Sofie huffs as she grabs my arm and pulls me away from Roman. “I didn’t want a demonstration of your epicness! I want Cait!”
With a shocked look on my face, I look at her. “Well! Now were getting kinky.” With a wink to Roman I blow him a kiss. “Don’t worry, baby, we’ll videotape it for you,” I reassure him, making Sofie laugh.
“What are we videotaping and why?” asks Alex as he joins in our circle coming to stand behind me and wraps his arms around my middle holding me. Sofie and I just look at each other and start laughing.
“Why does it always feel like I’m missin’ somethin’?” Alex asks Roman.
“Because you are. If you would stick next to her instead of gabbing all over the place you would be in the loop,” Roman states with his own playfulness.
I turn in Alex’s arms and brush a quick kiss on his mouth. “It’s okay. I will fill you in later…something about ya’lls epic epicness of epic proportions…and the videotaping of Sofie getting kinky with the wanting of awesome me,” I explain with an impish grin.
“Well,” Alex whispers, making us all laugh loudly. I make my escape with a wiggle out of his arms and walk the short trip over to Sofie. Arm in arm and with a sway in our step we walk away from them toward the house.
“I want to introduce you to some people, standing next to your guard dog all day is not socializing,” Sofie reprimands.
“Okay. But just a couple of people, then I’m back to my guys.”
“Damn, girl, you’ve got it bad.”
At my head nod she smiles and tugs again on my arm making me walk faster.
“Well then I’ll take what time I can get.”
We walk up to a couple standing alone on the other side of the yard. I know him. I know I’ve seen him before. Looking over his red hair and slight build, the dings in my head go off. Oh yeah. It’s Carl from the family picnic. This must be his new girlfriend. Looking over at her, I take in her good looks. Black hair piled on her head, perfectly applied make-up, tank top and shorts. Wow, she’s a stunner.
“Hey, Carl, Ashley, this is Cait. She came with Alex and Roman so I’m showing her around. She doesn’t know a lot of the people here yet,” Sofie introduced.
I glance over at her from the corner of my eyes a little confused. What game is she playing? Well I’ll play with her, she will tell me what’s up soon. I look back over to the couple and see Carl twitch and look everywhere but at me. Why does he look so nervous and a little scared all of a sudden? I see Ashley look me up and down before fake smiling at me with narrowed eyes. Um okay. What did I do? I just met you. Okay, I’m done here.
“Nice to meet you,” I politely say. I turn my head to Sofie beside me and widen my eyes at her a bit before turning back to the couple in front of me with a smile.
“It was very nice meeting you. Please excuse me.” Turning to Sofie still playing her game, I continue, “Could you please show me where the restroom is?”
“Yes of course,” she answers me before turning back. “Excuse us. Enjoy the party.” With a quick nod from Carl and a sickly sweet smile from Ashley we are released from their presence.
“Holy shit, Sofe. What was that about?”
“I will tell you later. Do you really need to pee?” she asks.
“Yeah. I’ll find you later.”
Having reached the patio sliding glass door, she nods at me and gives me an ‘it’s all good’ smile before walking away toward her husband.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Cait…
“No, I’ve never seen her at the station before! She came out of nowhere!” Hearing the snarky voice through the kitchen revolving door I stop. I don’t want to interrupt anyone.
“I thought you said he was single. You said it would make it easier to get him ‘cause he would be all hard up for some good fucking. And what did I say? A man that looks like him is getting it somewhere.”
Oh dear, I should go, I don’t need to hear this. It’s a personal conversation. Looking left then right I look for a place to escape to. Maybe back to the bathroom for a bit. I might as well just go out the front door and make my way around to the gate. Why did the patio door have to be attached to the kitchen?
“Oh shut the fuck up, Cherri. After I introduce myself he will drop that redheaded cow,” the voice said with vehemence.
Well, that got my attention! Not moving from my spot, I lean in closer to the door. Other than Carl, I am the only other person here that could be considered redheaded. My mother’s voice blares through my head, “The eavesdropper never hears anything good about themselves.” Yeah, well, the eavesdropper at least knew what was said behind their backs, mom. Shaking my head to clear it I focus on what was being said.
“Well he brought her here, Ash, there is not a lot you can do about it."
Ash? Ashley…that’s why she seemed so hostile toward me. She wants what I have, but which one? ‘It doesn’t matter which one! The bitch is trespassing!’ said a jealous voice in my head.
“Oh, please. Once he meets a real woman like me he won’t think twice about what’s her name. The pansy ass can get a taxi for all I care,” Ashley snarls.
A real woman? Those tits are real? You’ve got to be kidding me…
“What about Carl?”
“What about him? I only hooked up with him to get closer to Roman. Who would want his pasty ass when they could have Roman? Damn, he’s fine. He should be with someone like me not her. Like why would you want a Station Wagon when you could drive a Ferrari? She won’t be a problem. I’ll just have Carl take her home. Kill two birds with one stone.”
Shifting from one foot to the other, I shake my head. She wants my Rome? This woman is crazy. She doesn’t care what he thinks or feels. Like he’s an object to be obtained. I know I need to walk away and be done with her but the need to know the all of it keeps me rooted to the floor.
“What about his roommate? I’ve heard stories about them sharing.”
“Whatever, the more the merrier. He’s hot too.”
“Well call me when you want to share!”
“Not until I’ve had my fill, Cherri. Now listen, I’ve got some plans on how to sink that Titanic out there and get my man in my bed.”
What?! I don’t think so!
“Who the fuck do you think you are?”
Sofie?
“You think you can come into my home and insult my family with your hatefulness and your fake boobs? You think you are better than she is? You’re not even fit to breathe the same air as her,” Sofie rages.
“Cait?” came a low male voice from behind me. Turning around, I take in the stranger before me.
Almost as wide and tall as Roman, he has beautiful olive skin, slightly curled dark brown almost black hair, and piercing intelligent chocolate eyes. Must be of some Italian descent. Damn. How does Sofie know all of these good looking guys?
&n
bsp; “Are you, Caitriona?” he asks.
Not able to talk I just nod my head in affirmation. Hearing Sofie screech he looks to the door then back at my flushed face, balled up fists, and the angry tears in my eyes. His brown eyes soften as he wraps an arm around my shoulders and starts walking me away from the door.
“Let’s get you out of here, sounds like your friend has it under control. She sounds like a firecracker,” he says with a slight chuckle.
We walk out the front door and take the path I considered earlier around the house and through the gate. When we reached the patio I stop moving. I need a moment before facing people. I need to calm down before facing my guys. Obviously knowing what I need the man stops pulling me on and steps a respective distance away from my body.
“Who are you here with?” he asks.
Not really paying attention to his conversation, I mumble ‘Alex and Roman’ as I look around the spacious backyard looking for them.
“Oh yeah. Good guys. I have been working with them for a couple of weeks now.”
I bring my attention back to him, blushing at my rudeness. He has been kind to me and I am ignoring him. I smile at him hoping he understands. Smiling back, he reaches out his hand.
“I am Luccas Ariea.”
“Nice to meet you, Luccas. I’m Cait,” I say as I grasp his hand and give it a shake.
“Good. Now that we are properly introduced I can say this,” he says and grabs ahold of both my shaking hands in his large callused ones, looking me straight in the eyes.
