Three Times Lucky: Five Sizzling Tales of Three-Way Love

by Kim Carmichael

  A knock resonated on the door, and Zack leaned in. “Morning, ready for me?”

  The tightening of his stomach rolled into a sense of nervousness and excitement he often got in his best friend’s presence. If he only knew how much. He gulped down the response, and nodded his head.

  All long limbs and muscles, Zack sauntered in and plopped into the chair across from him. On his day off, he wore tight faded jeans and a black T-shirt. Although Zack graduated from law school top of his class, and now worked for a prestigious firm—the one Tommy’s dad had used for all his business—he still embodied that laid-back California surfer attitude. It’s what attracted him to the other guy as a teen. Coming from such a formal, stuffy family, he wanted to be Zack.

  As they got older, he learned his friend was drawn to more structure. Playing football had rules, and then there was the law.

  “What are we working on today?” he asked. “You know the firm’s handling all the big stuff in the trust.”

  “More day-to-day stuff, and then long-term planning. The foundation is self-sufficient. Dad hired a CEO to handle the office, but I need to figure out what I want to do going forward.”

  “Any special projects, or charities you’re interested in?” Zack asked. He picked through the stack of papers on Tommy’s desks, sorting them into various piles.

  “Yes, I’m hoping Shannon might help with that.”

  “She’s turned into quite a looker since high school, hasn’t she?” Zack raised his eyebrows.

  “She’s always been beautiful. You’re not having thoughts about pursuing her, are you? After all this time?”

  With a shrug of his shoulders, Zack pushed off Tommy’s question. “Because we both know you don’t have the best track record with women. Shannon deserves more than that.”

  While he liked the idea of Zack finally seeing the female member of their trio as more than one of the gang, Tommy still felt protective toward her. “Have you even had a relationship last longer than three months?” he pushed back.

  “Dude, no worries. Even I have to think about settling down sometime.”

  * * * *

  Outside in the hallway, Shannon listened, hand covering her mouth. She leaned against the wall. Of course, with the three of them together, they’d talk about each other. It was only natural, right?

  Beautiful. Interested? They think of me as more than a friend? Or potentially?

  Over the years, the two of them fueled more than a few fantasies. In fact, they ruined what could have been many a good relationship. It was hard for one man to live up to her imagination of two. She’d even bought a toy, a tiny vibrating plug, to indulge. A flush crept up her face. She needed to get in there, but didn’t just want to walk in.

  Holding the heavy planner about waist high, she dropped it. A resounding thump interrupted the discussion inside.

  “Clumsy me,” she said a bit louder than normal, and picked it up.

  “Oh, hey there,” Zack said. “Need any help with that?”

  “I’ve got it, thanks.” She avoided making eye contact with him. If she did, he’d know what she had heard. She was never good at hiding her feelings. She plastered on a smile, entered the office and addressed Tommy. “I’m guessing you invited me here for my mastery organizational skills right?”

  He laughed. Shadows clung to the walls of the room, and the florescent yellow lights did nothing for his sallow complexion. She placed her stuff on the extra chair, and crossed the room to the window. She pulled back the drapes, letting in the day. The sun danced through the leaves of the overgrown tree. She turned back. The natural lighting highlighted the textured red in Tommy’s dark brown hair. On closer inspection, he looked more rested than the night before. Less strain around his eyes, and the bags had faded. He needed someone to take of him, more so than employees who cleaned the house and served him meals.

  That could be me.

  She shoved away the thought. He’d never expressed a romantic interest in her, and the only thing she’d heard minutes earlier was him warning Zack not to hurt her. Sure he cared about her, but nothing more than that.

  Zack, on the other hand, well, he could hurt her any day—or night—he wanted.

  “Do I pass the test?” Tommy asked, palms facing up.

  “What?” She picked up her stuff and plopped back in the chair. Like most elements in the house, the office didn’t reflect Tommy’s personality. Oversized dark redwood furniture and forest green accents. The entire place needed modernization.

  “You studied me like some sort of specimen. Any hairs out of place?”

  “Don’t be silly, Tommy. I’m here to make you feel better, not give you a complex. So, what are we working on today?”

  Over the next few hours, Shannon poured through information on the upkeep of the estate, and scheduled an appointment for a tree trimmer. Zack worked steadily sorting through files and keeping a record of accounts that needed to be transferred over to Tommy. Every now and then she caught him stealing glances at her. When he wasn’t looking, she adjusted her blouse a little lower, so her cleavage popped even more. The next time he looked up, she saw his eyes widen, and she checked off a mental “win.”

  As the afternoon wore on, the light shifted in the room. Shannon stood, stretching out her back. “I don’t know how you two sit for so long. How can I get so tired, just by sitting on my ass all day?”

  “Welcome to my world,” Zack said. “I’m not used to being so inactive. Now I’m lucky if I have time to ride a stationary bike at the gym. Some guys have a treadmill in their office. No thanks.”

  “You need to slow down a bit,” Tommy said. “It’s a hard lesson I learned from my dad. At the end, he’d lost more that he cared about because of his over-commitment to work.”

  “Some of us earn a living,” Zack said, “and the market out there is competitive. If I ever want a chance of making partner someday, I need to pay my dues.”

  “If that something you want? Making partner?” Shannon asked. “I had no idea you had ambitions like that.”

  Zack’s chair screeched against the tile floor and he stood. “Why can’t anyone take what I do seriously?” he said. “That’s what lawyers at small firms do. They make partner. Does it seem like I couldn’t cut it?”

  “That’s not what I meant,” Shannon said. She attempted to grab his arm as he walked by, but he yanked out of it and walked out. “Zack, wait.”

  “Let him go,” Tommy said. “Something’s bothering him. Once he blows it off, things will get better.”

  She hesitated, heeding his advice, even though she didn’t agree with it. “I’m not used to seeing him get upset over things. Usually, he’s so laidback. Nothing bothers him.”

  Tommy steepled his fingers, and leaned onto the tips. “What you don’t understand about Zack is that he’s a quandary of personalities. He works hard, and doesn’t want the responsibilities. He dates a dozen different women, but really only wants one special person to settle down with.”

  Her face flushed at the thought of whom he might want to settle down with. She was only there until Monday. What could happen?

  * * * *

  When they finished up the afternoon’s work, Tommy left for an appointment. Alone, Shannon stopped by the parlor, and had a snack and a couple glasses of wine. Whenever she looked away, she swore Julius swept in and refilled her glass.

  Bolstered with liquid confidence, she went in search of Zack. Yes, Tommy had told her to let him be, but she didn’t want him to think she looked down upon him. Here she was without a job, aimless, and he worked as a lawyer. He’d pushed past his jock stereotype from high school to make something of himself.

  Once before, way back when, she’d seen the guest quarters off the back of the house. Since he didn’t seem to be anywhere in the public areas, she headed there. The door was shut, and loud, angry music blasted from inside.

  “Zack!” She knocked and called out his name. And again. He probably couldn’t hear her over the aud
itory racket. She walked around to a side window and rapped on that. Nothing. Back at the front, she tried the doorknob. It was open.

  Should I? She bit her lip. Would I mind if he walked in on me if he’d tried to get my attention? No.

  Slowly, she pushed open the door, and stepped inside. The living room was empty, and the music came from further back. Off to the right was a mini-kitchen that consisted of a small fridge and two burners. Two empty beer bottles sat on the table. She continued on.

  “Hey Zack. You here?”

  Down the darkened hallway. The bathroom door was open, and empty. One door remained open on the left. She guessed it was the bedroom. She’d come this far, she might as well go on. As she turned the corner, she caught a glimpse of bare feet, bare legs and then Zack in all his naked glory, laying on top of the covers. He held his cock in his hand, and pumped away.

  Her mouth grew dry, and her heart pounded.

  “Oh, my God, I’m so sorry!”

  “Fuck Shannon.” It was right at that moment come shot out of his cock, and he shuddered, cursing, as he fumbled with the comforter to cover himself.

  “I’ll come back.” She scrambled to duck back, and get out of the room, and ran into the doorjamb instead. “Ouch.”

  “No, wait, come here,” he said. She heard a sliding commutation, and he tumbled out of bed, pulling the sheet with him. He caught her in the hallway. “Go sit down inside. Let me wash up.”

  With her face hot from embarrassment, she returned to the bedroom, trying not to look at the disarray. The room didn’t have anywhere else to sit, so she perched on the corner of the bed.

  When he returned, the sheet was tied a bit better. While it covered everything, she still could make out the bulge of his cock. She realized where she was staring and looked up at his face.

  “Did you see something you liked?” He moved toward her, not waiting for an answer. If she was standing, she’d backpedal. But there was nowhere to go, except farther on the bed.

  Here, she’d spent years wondering what it would be like to get into bed with Zack, and when faced with the reality, fear struck. He moved in closer, standing in front of her so his knees almost straddled hers. He ran his hands up her bare arms, raising goose bumps along the way.

  “Why’d you come here, Shannon? Do you know how crazy you make me? Being near you, even the smell of you tortures me in the most exquisite way.”

  Right in front of her, the sheet twitched. His cock was coming back to life pretty fast. If she reached out…

  What was he saying?

  “I’m sorry,” she stumbled, fighting to get her words out. “I didn’t mean to make you mad back there. I totally respect everything you’ve done.”

  With a sigh, Zack stepped back, and ran his hand through his hair. What would it feel like to do that? To yank on it, while she rode him hard. The moment had been right there, literally in front of her to grab, and she didn’t take it.

  “It’s not just that,” he said. “It’s all of this. The three of us, being together, here. It’s like old times, but nothing’s really the same.”

  He returned to her side, and sat on the bed.

  “Nothing ever stays the same,” she said. It may be cliché, but it was true.

  Running his hand along her inner thigh, he pushed up the material of her skirt to gain access to her bare flesh, and leaned in. “There are some things I don’t want to stay status quo.”

  It was now or never, and Shannon wanted now. She let her legs open, giving a signal that he was allowed access. He kissed her, lips pressed against her lips. The connection felt so right. Her body burned with awareness. His every touch, every move. Zack slipped his tongue into her mouth, and they deepened the kiss, and cranked up the passion.

  “I’ve wanted you for so long,” he murmured against her mouth. “So fucking long.”

  The words registered through the haze of Zack’s kisses. His hand palmed over her breasts. He sucked her ear lobe, nibbling and making her giggle at the same time. Tickles mixed with desire. Warmth pooled between her legs. This gorgeous, intelligent athlete wanted her.

  He slipped his hand between her thighs, pushing aside her underwear. The moment his fingers touched her heat, they both moaned.

  “Oh, Shan, you’re so wet for me.”

  Leaning toward her, he circled her clit with his thumb, rubbing lazy O’s that would soon drive her insane. She wanted to strip off the sheet, straddle his body and fuck him until she got it out of her system.

  With his other hand, Zack threaded his fingers through her hair, and pulled her close. She opened her mouth in a gasp and he sank his fingers into her pussy.

  Good lord, did she just mew into his mouth?

  Did it matter?

  They breathed shared air, until he plunged his tongue into her mouth. She sucked in, tasting him, letting him take control. His tongue promised a talent to be used elsewhere. They tangled, caressing, building the passion. Zack synchronized the movements of his hand and mouth, tightening the tension holding Shannon at bay from coming. She wanted to come all over his hand.

  She lifted her hips with the rhythm of his thrusts.

  “Mmmm, baby,” he said against her. “Like that, do you?”

  “Yes, oh yes, don’t stop.” She begged him with her words and her body language. She tightened her thighs, holding onto his hand.

  “I don’t plan to.”

  She leaned against him, her head on his curved shoulder. As the power of her orgasm overtook her, she clamped down on the meaty part of his shoulder, finding focus and centering while her resolve to stay away from him shattered.

  “That’s it,” he coaxed, slowing the speed. “You’re so beautiful.”

  He feathered light kisses across her lips. Senses on fire, shivers streaked up her back. All he’d done was touch her. How could she be so affected by him?

  The floor creaked, and her senses shifted to the person who’d entered the room. Really, who else could it be?

  “Get your hands off her. She’s mine.” Tommy stood there, hands fisted on his hips.

  The kissing on the side of her neck abruptly stopped.

  “Aye Dude, we were starting to have a little fun.” Zack brushed the hair off the nape of her neck, and lay a small peck there, as if claiming some sort of territory.

  Shifting to the side, she squeezed her thighs together, trying to indicate that maybe it would be time to retreat. Her lover from moments ago picked up the hint and pushed back the edges of her panties and smoothed down her skirt.

  A new heat flushed against her face. She’d been caught in the act, in her friend’s house. It was almost like if a parent had walked in on them. Since it was Tommy, it might even be worse. She didn’t want to make him feel worse, unpaired, and more alone.

  “Don’t make me hurt you.” Two jean-covered calves came into view and she looked up.

  “It’s all right Zack, can you give us some time,” Shannon said, fighting against her desires. She’d come to help Tommy, not jump into bed with her former crush.

  “You know I want you, right?” he said like a pouting child, who couldn’t believe he’s not going to get his favorite toy.

  She patted the inside of his thigh, trying not to notice how muscular and thick it was, or the hard indentation of his cock. “I know, and you’re gorgeous, and talented. I’m sure it would be wonderful.”

  “Hmmpf.” Cold replaced his warmth as he stood, his full height, dwarfing Tommy. “It will be. Don’t think I’m going to let you go so easily.”

  He crossed to the dresser and grabbed some clothes, before looking at her pointedly and dropping the sheet. His cock jutted, proud and ready. He turned his bare ass to her, and stormed out, along with her hopes for getting laid.

  Her focus turned to Tommy. Fury crept into her stomach. Shannon raised her hand. “What did you need from me?”

  His eyes looked haunted. And yet, he said nothing. Talk about a cock-block. What was so important, it couldn’t wait? Despite
a glance here and there, she could never interpret, it’s not like he’d ever tried or said anything about being interested in her before.

  “What the hell is this all about? You can’t stand seeing someone else want me?”

  He took her hand, running his thumb over the top. “No, every moment more he touched you, I saw my chance of being with you drift further away.”

  “He’s sexy as hell,” she said. “You know that, right?”

  “I understand. But we have something more. We have a history.”

  “We all do. I don’t get it. You never said anything, or tried anything. Why now?” Her head and sex repeated the same question. After knowing him for ten years, what made right now the moment he couldn’t live without her? Was it simply seeing her with someone else? Was it the loss of his father? Or had he finally decided he wanted Shannon for himself?

  With a deep inhale, Shannon centered herself, and tried to figure out what the hell she wanted. A shadow fell over them. Zack returned, hands shoved in his pockets, and a concerned look on his face.

  “Yeah, I figured I’m not going anywhere.” He glanced at Tommy. “First, this here’s my room, and you may want her, but get in line. You’re not the only one. You waited too long. She’s moved on, to me.”

  Something inside of Shannon clenched tight. Not only was he willing to wear his heart on his sleeve, he was willing to fight for her. He wasn’t going to step away.

  Wait? What had happened? How had she gone from the driest of dry spells to two very eligible and attractive men wanting her at the same time? And how was she supposed to choose between them?

  Tommy stood, setting his shoulders back, and puffing out his chest. Despite this new territory, she knew him too well and could recognize his posing stance. He poked out his index finger and shoved it into Zack’s chest.

  “We already settled this. You’re leaving. I get to stay with Shannon.”

  The way he talked, Tommy was more than used to getting his way. Growing up with a life of privilege, he threw his money around and people—usually—listened.