by Jo Raven
“So you’re not leaving?” I blurt out, the words escaping me before I can catch them.
So sue me. I’m worn out, blissed out, still high on pleasure.
Still mired in fear.
“Leaving? Why the fuck would I leave?” He sits up a little, and I blink to find him looking down at us, frowning. “I’m right where I wanna be.”
“Good,” I whisper, not caring if my voice cracks, and I bury my face against this warm skin. “That’s… good. Because I don’t want you to go.”
“What is he talking about, girl?” He sounds baffled.
“We were worried,” she says quietly. “That you might change your mind again after talking to your parents.”
“Dammit.” He huffs, then snorts. “I’d kick both your asses, but I can’t move a single muscle right now. When will you believe me when I say I love you guys? For real?”
I guess it will take some time. But he hasn’t run, despite what happened today, and that has to count for something.
It’s up to me to start believing.
Chapter Nineteen
Candy
“Mexico is great,” I say, straightening my sombrero. “But I can’t wait to go back home.”
“Me too,” J-One says.
“To start work on the baby-making,” J-Two adds.
The thought makes me happy. But above all I’m happy at the thought of having a home with my boys. They are the best thing that ever happened to me, and I hope we love each other forever and ever.
And more.
(Candy’s Note: Nothing against Mexico, though! I’d totally go there someday.)
From Candy Ever After (Unpublished epilogue to the serial Candy Boys)
Joel looks okay—well, apart from the nasty shiner, but at least the swelling is going down. He has moments when he’s staring into space, sadness in his eyes, and I know his parents’ rejection has hit him hard.
I can’t even imagine what I’d do if mine cast me out with a fist in my face and calling me names for being who I am. For being happy as I am.
Jet… still worries me. He hasn’t slept through a single night since the hospital, and he looks frayed at the edges. But the haunted look in his eyes whenever he glanced in Joel’s way this past week, while waiting for Joel to meet with his parents and make his choice, is fainter now.
As is my own fear about Joel leaving.
Joel hasn’t left. It’s been four days since he walked out of that building with a dark bruise on his face and an invisible one on his soul. But he never gave any sign of indecision, of wavering. Of doubting. If anything, he’s been appeasing our fears all along. He seems calmer than ever. Like he’s found his center.
So I push down any lingering uncertainty and tell myself for the thousandth time that neither of the boys need to get down on one knee and give me a diamond ring to ease my insecurities. It doesn’t work that way. My fears are my own to handle, and I am the only one who can beat them into submission.
Besides, Mom and Dad did the whole diamond ring thing, and how did it help?
Oh God, I need to talk to Dad. Saturday, the day of the party, is tomorrow, and I don’t even know if Mom isn’t planning to arrive with an escort on her arm.
The image makes me cringe and convinces me to try calling him again.
“Hello? Who’s that?”
“Dad, it’s me.”
“You, who?”
Okay, it’s true I never call him. “Your daughter.”
“Candace? Is everything okay?”
Aw. “Yes, Daddy. Don’t worry.”
“You never call me unless you need something.”
Okay, that’s true, too. Damn. “I just wanted… to talk to you.”
A silence. “I am at work.”
“I know that!” Crap. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to interrupt. Should I call back later?”
“Nah, it’s okay. If it’s about tomorrow’s party, didn’t your mother tell you we’re coming?”
“She did. That’s not… uh. There’s something else. Uh.”
“Candace.”
I sigh. “Yes, Dad.”
“Spit it out. What’s the problem?”
“No problem. I just, uh. Wonder. If you know.”
This time the silence is tenser. “Know what? Candace, are you with child?”
I blink. “No. And are you seriously using that expression in the twenty-first century?”
No reaction. “So, what’s the emergency, then?”
“It’s Mom. She’s acting weird.”
“And that’s news to you? Look, Candy, I’m glad nothing is really wrong, but I have to go now, I—”
“Did you know she’s been looking for an escort service?”
Dad snort-laughs. “Yes.”
Yes?
“Yes?” I wave a hand in the air and try to pull up my jaw from the floor. “That’s all you have to say? YES?”
“Honey…I promised your mom not to talk about it.”
“You what?”
“You’re not so eloquent today, baby girl.”
Now he even talks like her! “Dad, why aren’t you fighting this? Why aren’t you fighting for Mom? Don’t you love her at all?”
“Love her? Of course I love her. Isn’t this proof?”
“Proof of what? She wants an escort!”
“We both do.”
Oh. My. God. And. Baby. Jesus. In. A. Cradle.
I hang up, unable to continue with this conversation. Both? BOTH?
My parents with escorts. If that isn’t a disturbing image.
Oh God, my parents’ marriage is doomed. What will I tell my brother tomorrow? That I gave Mom ideas by dating two guys and ruined it all?
***
It’s Saturday evening. Darkness has fallen outside our windows. The table is set, the food warming in the oven, the wine chilling in the fridge.
The party is almost about to start and Joel’s cock is buried deep inside me, while Jet is pushing into me from behind.
The combination is driving me slowly insane. My breath catches on a gasp as Jet slides home, his thick cock filling my ass, and Joel lets out a curse. I bet he feels Jet’s dick against his, and my clenching pussy around his cock.
“Move, Jet,” Joel mutters, dragging me down for a sloppy kiss. “Fuck, I’m so damn close.”
“Fuck yeah,” Jet mutters in his turn, and slides back an inch only to thrust again, making me moan at the sparkles of pleasure shooting through my belly, turning into a hot ball of need.
My hips rock in response, and Joel’s hard cock swells more inside me, filling me up until I think I might burst.
“God.” His head falls back against the pillows, his body arching off the mattress. “Do that again.”
Not sure whether he’s talking to me or Jet—probably to both—and Jet grunts as he starts fucking my ass in earnest, his hands tight on my waist. I lean on my hands, propped on Joel’s chest, and his pecs flex as he grabs my hips, controlling my frantic movements, lifting me and slamming me back down on his hard-on.
I love this feeling more than words can say—this feeling of being filled by both my boys, my Candy Boys, of being needed by both. I never last long in this position, with both their cocks filling me, relentlessly fucking me until I have no option but to come.
Joel looks up at me, his blue eyes dark with desire. “Do it,” he whispers. “Come on our dicks.”
“Candy.” Jet groans, and his cock jerks inside me. “Come with us. Now.”
Joel’s strong thighs tense underneath me, lifting me up, his cock pushing deeper into me until we both cry out. I’m gasping, breathless, as the pleasure hits, so deep inside me it’s tearing me apart, like hot, sharp glitter exploding in my core, and then Joel’s cum floods me, and Jet’s cock jerks, and… oh my God.
We rock together, shaking and moaning, skin gliding against sweaty skin, hot flesh against hot flesh, chasing after the last shivers of pleasure.
And then we roll on the bed together, intertw
ined, settling into each other, legs tangled up, arms around each other, my curves fitting into the hard planes of their bodies as they hold me on either side.
On every side.
And the realization sets in that rings and weddings and all that don’t matter at all. The way they hold me, the way they cling to me and breathe my name is the only promise I need for the future.
***
Although I wish we could have stayed in bed all night and day, heck, all weekend-long, it’s party time.
…Yay?
I don’t want to move. Don’t want to leave the warm cocoon of my boys’ bodies and shower, dress, put on a smile and go meet family and all their shenanigans.
Although sure, I’m looking forward to seeing my brother that I haven’t seen in a while, talk to Joel’s sister, see more of Jet’s cousins.
Okay, so now I’m getting excited again.
Even if my parents have decided to pay escorts for sex instead of talking to each other and looking for a way to stay together, apparently.
Argh. Why? Why would they do this? How could they? It’s both pissing me off and breaking my heart.
Thankfully, shoving the boys out of bed and getting ready takes my mind off that business, and by the time we’re all clean and dressed and the doorbell rings, I’m almost calm, and mostly happy for this strange little party.
Joel and his ideas… Okay, I admit it’s touching that he’s gone all out in telling everyone about us and getting to know the folks. Just like his touch and the sincerity in his gaze when he says he loves us, this goes a long way in appeasing our fears.
And I bet he knows it.
He opens the door and steps aside to let his sister and her boyfriend inside. Damn. I’d hoped my parents would arrive first so I could take them aside and talk some sense into them unnoticed.
Joel’s sister is a doll. I’ll never forget seeing her arrive outside their parent’s building the other night with her cute boyfriend, worried about her brother. The girl loves Joel, and anyone who loves Joel is my friend.
Anyone who loves him in a sisterly way, that is. I’m ready to fight any woman, or man, for my claim on him.
Just so we’re clear.
Evangeline makes a beeline for me, her eyes smiling. “Candy. How are you? Do you remember Micah, my boyfriend?”
“Of course.” I shake hands with the guy. His grip is strong, and the way he puts his arm around Evangeline reminds me of the way Joel and Jet hold me.
Jet moves to stand beside me and shakes hands with Micah, too. “Jet,” he mutters. “So?”
“So what?” Micah frowns and shoves blond hair out of his eyes.
“Do we meet your approval?” Jet turns to Evangeline and arches a brow. “Isn’t this freaking you out, that your brother turned out to like guys, too?”
“Jet!” I elbow him in the ribs.
“What?” He’s frowning now, too, all prickly and defensive, the way he gets sometimes. “This is the official introduction to the family.”
I link my arm with his and push up on my toes to kiss his cheek. “And that’s all it is. An introduction.”
“Candy’s right,” Evangeline says, shooting us a warm smile and I decide then and there I want her to be my sister, too. “You don’t need anyone’s approval. But for all it’s worth, you have it. Anyone who makes my brother happy is an instant yes in my book.”
Jet’s cheeks color. “Is he happy, then?”
“Can’t you tell?” Evangeline nods at something behind us. “Ask him yourself.”
“Ask me what?” Joel wraps his arms around us both.
“If you’re happy,” his sister says.
“Happiest man in the world,” he says quietly, and well. There it is.
The truth.
What I needed to hear.
And a real smile on Jet’s face.
“There’s someone at the door,” Joel goes on, leaning in to breathe on my neck, “asking for you. Could it be your brother? Only problem is, he doesn’t look like you at all, and I’ve left him waiting outside.”
I laugh, startled. “Holden looks like me! We have the same eyes.”
“Oh. You’d better go get him, then, before he leaves.”
Shit. I swat at Joel and head to the door. I throw it open, and yeah, that’s my brother, looking pissed and disheveled on the doorstep.
Joel and Jet have followed me, and now they flank me as if expecting some sort of attack.
Or maybe they’re just curious.
“Hey, little sis.” Holden glares at Joel, then shoots Jet an assessing look. “May I come in, or are you going to leave me outside all night? Take your time. It’s not like it’s cold out here or anything.”
“Holden!” I throw myself at him and he catches me with a quiet snort. My brother isn’t very effusive, but he hugs me back and that means he’s happy to see me. I pull back to gesture at my boys. “This is Jet. And you met Joel.”
“Very briefly,” Holden says and gives Joel a tight-lipped nod.
Oh boy. “Why did you leave him outside?” I demand of Joel who’s shoved his hands in his pockets and is giving me a sheepish look.
“He didn’t say he was your brother. He only asked if you were in.”
Oh God, so very like Holden. “Come on,” I tell my brother and drag him inside to introduce him to Evangeline and Micah. “Next time explain who you are, okay?”
“Who else would I be?” he mutters, with perfect Holden-logic.
Yeah, all right. I give up.
Sometimes he reminds me of Brylee. Only with bigger shoulders and a hairy chest.
Among other things.
“How have you been?” I shove a glass of wine into his hand without asking. “How’s work?”
“Fine.” He sips at the wine. Makes a face. “Why am I drinking this?”
“It’s a party!”
“I don’t drink wine.” He takes another sip. “Ever.”
“Until today.”
He likes that, I guess, because he grins. “Yeah. To you and your boyfriends.” He raises the glass.
“Thank you, big brother.” I’m genuinely happy to see him. “How about you? Any girlfriend or boyfriend in the picture?”
“Nah.” He gives me a small, rueful smile. “Not me.”
As far as I know Holden has never seemed interested in anything but numbers. Nevertheless, his reply makes me a little sad.
“I don’t want you to be lonely,” I tell him.
“I’m not.” His smile brightens. “I have some good friends. Don’t worry about me, sis. I’m happy you’re happy. I came to tell you that.”
Awww shucks…
Before I have a chance to reply that I’ll always worry about him because he’s my brother and I care for him no matter how he tortured me as a child, refusing to play with my dolls and not allowing me to hold karaoke parties on his bed late at night with my friends, the doorbell rings again, heralding the arrival of Brylee, Simone and… a cat.
Jet who’s gone to open the door, turns to look at me, his dark eyes wide. “Cat,” he mouths.
“Spot on,” I mouth back.
Jet sighs. “Come on in,” he says, “Girls and animal.”
Brylee is holding the cat, and Simone is holding a tray covered in tin foil, her pink hair pulled into two puffy pigtails on top of her head.
“Guys, this is Brylee and Simone.” I go to meet them halfway.
“And Fluff,” Brylee says. “Fluff, say hi.”
The furball glares at us with baleful yellow eyes and says nothing.
Okay. I’ve got this. I usher them into the living room and introduce them to Evangeline and Micah, then my brother, drawing them all together into a group.
Simone places the tray on the table where we’ve already placed ten thousand kinds of snacks and dips that Joel spent two days making, and uncovers it.
Micah squints at the oddly-shaped cake. “Interesting.”
“Hey, I’m only the tray-holder,” Simone says and l
icks her lips. “But I’m up for anything.”
Silence greets this enigmatic statement.
Okay, then…
“What is this?” Joel drawls, wandering over to us and slipping an arm around my waist. “Brylee, you made a cake?”
“Yes. It’s pussified.”
Pussified. Somehow I don’t think this conversation is going right. “Bry…”
“It’s shaped like my pussy,” Brylee goes on.
Micah chokes on his drink.
“Your pussy,” Evangeline says, her face red.
Joel leans closer. “Not sure I see it.”
“A pussified cake?” Jet appears on my other side, intrigued.
“Well, Candy said I wasn’t allowed to make a dick-shaped cake,” Brylee pouts. “Because of parents coming.”
“Right. No dick-shaped cakes tonight.” I lick my lips, frown. “Bry, really…”
“A cake in the image of your pussy?” my brother asks, leaning over the cake. “Is this for real?”
Brylee lifts the grumpy cat she’s been holding. “Yes! Isn’t it a spitting image? She used to be called Fang, but I changed it to Fluff, because of the fur.”
Oh. OH!
“Behold the pussy that launched a thousand ships,” Joel mutters, and I swallow a snicker.
“Goddamn,” Jet breathes, nuzzling my neck, sending goosebumps over my skin. “I prefer your pussy, Sugar Pop.”
“You’d better.”
And of course his words remind me of how they fucked me less than an hour ago and heat spills in my cheeks. My insides clench, the tips of my breasts tighten.
He gives me a knowing look, but the doorbell rings again.
Murphy’s Bell.
“I’ll get it,” Jet says, and crosses the living room to open. It hits me as I watch him go that for the first time since I met him, he’s not dressed all in black. His jeans are blue and his sweater gray.
“Looks like Jet’s mourning time is over?” I whisper to Joel, happy for Jet, and shocked I didn’t notice earlier.
“Holy shit, you’re right.” He grins widely. “That’s a damn good sign. He must be feeling better.”
I think something changed in Jet the night Joel gave over control to him. I wonder if Joel noticed.
