Enlightened [Sexual Magic 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Jennifer August

She looped her arms through theirs. “Now what, guys?”

  “How about we explore the park?” Mason suggested. “As stunning as it is from above, the view down here is just as inspiring.”

  “Sure,” Emma agreed. “I would love to take some pictures of all this.” She made a moue of irritation. “Wish I’d brought my good camera.”

  They headed down to a wood-framed directory and plotted out a course that would take them through the majority of the park and spill them out near the entrance when they were finished.

  Emma pulled her serviceable point-and-shoot from her bag as they started off. She snapped pictures of the scenery, the dozens of kids in the park, people screaming down the zip line above them, and when they weren’t looking, Griff and Mason.

  She loved their easy camaraderie and banter, especially when they included her in the teasing.

  Mostly though, she hung back and studied them. They were so different from each other, and yet, quite the same. Yesterday she would have sworn that Griff embodied the strong, silent, and humorless type of guy. But after all she’d learned, she now knew it to be a façade he maintained to protect himself. She was determined to find out from what, too.

  Mason, on the other hand, was wide open and easygoing. He was a charmer from the word go. But he, too, held secrets he didn’t want to spill. She would never have imagined him as a cop.

  The news was something she’d have to get Ryan to check out for her. Emma frowned as she snapped a series of images of two toddlers running through the lush green grass.

  Why hadn’t he pulled that up when he did the initial background check? Would that have been violating some sort of unspoken blue-line code?

  Men.

  She snorted, knelt, and continued taking pictures. A prickle slid coolly up her neck, and she paused, finger at the button. The feeling did not go away. In fact, the feeling grew strong and harsh...

  It felt almost like a malevolent hand was trying to squeeze the breath from her.

  Attempting to appear casual, she stood and turned around, the camera still held to her face. She swept her gaze over the people, but no one stood out. No one stared at her or looked even remotely interested in her.

  The eerie feeling receded, and she expelled a sharp breath.

  What the hell was that?

  “Emma? You coming?” Mason’s voice brought her round.

  “Yeah,” she hollered and waved. One final glimpse backward revealed nothing at all. Maybe she was still freaked out from the zip line.

  She hurried to catch up to the men who waited at the top of the hill.

  “So, that’s ZipNVu Park,” Griff said, face relaxed and posture wide open. “What did you think?”

  She stowed her camera and bounced on her heels. “Pretty awesome, actually. I’d do it again.”

  He smiled. “Good, we’ll have to come back soon.”

  Come back soon.

  Did he mean together? Could they do that once their job was done? Emma bit her lip and squelched the questions on her tongue. His offhand comment about a future date probably meant nothing at all.

  But Emma found she wanted it to mean something.

  “I’m hungry,” Mason said. “How about we go to the new steak place on Carpenter Road?”

  “Is that the one down the street from Branford College?” she asked.

  “Yeah. Lots of the students and faculty eat there. I hear it’s both tasty and affordable,” Mason replied.

  “Affordable definitely sounds good.”

  “Hey, you’re not paying, little one.” Griff squeezed her arm. “We’re here to take care of you, remember?”

  His words were a balm, and she sighed happily.

  She let the men lead her, content in their presence. The day had been wonderful, full of laughter and fun and new adventures. She knew more about herself and her daring than she had when she woke up in the morning.

  She liked that knowledge.

  More than that, she loved being exposed and opened up by them.

  The thought went dirty in her mind, and she giggled.

  Griff lifted a brow as he handed her into the car. “Something funny?”

  When he slid into the driver’s seat, she answered, “I think I like playing hooky. This has been a blast.”

  Mason checked his phone and waggled it at her. “Hey, it’s after five. You’re officially off the clock.”

  “Yep, I guess so, but I’m still having fun!”

  They pulled into the steak place’s parking lot, which was jammed to overflowing. “Ugh,” Mason muttered. “I hope the wait isn’t long. I’m starving.”

  Griff snorted. “When aren’t you hungry?”

  “Hey, I’m a growing boy,” Mason protested.

  The hostess took Griff’s name, handed them a buzzer, and directed them to the outdoor-seating patio with the promise they’d be called within fifteen minutes.

  Emma took the opportunity to excuse herself and dash to the restroom, where she found the line just as long as the one for the table.

  “Emma?”

  She froze at the voice.

  Oh, no. Of all the damn luck.

  Pasting a smile on her face, she turned. “Uh, hi, Lucy.”

  Her coworker eyed her with a grin, green gaze dancing with mischief. “Sick of work, huh? Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”

  Emma relaxed and shook her head. “Jeez, I feel like a kid getting caught cutting school. I never do it, and the one time I do, I get busted.”

  Lucy winked. “Did I see you with two dips of delicious and decadent?”

  Her body flushed with pride. “Yeah.”

  “Who are they, and where can I find me some?”

  “Griff and Mason.” She faltered.

  Damn, I wish I was a better liar. “I guess you could say they found me. We’re, uh, doing some research together.”

  Lucy’s brow furrowed for a half second. She opened her mouth, but her words were covered by the flush from behind them. When it quieted, she cocked her head. “Research puts that kind of sparkle in your eye? Yeah, I definitely got to get in on that.”

  The stall door opened, and Emma breathed a fervent sigh of thanks. She lifted her hand to Lucy. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Promise.”

  Her friend ducked into the next stall. “Honey, if I had something like that waiting for me, I’d call in the rest of the week!”

  As Emma washed her hands, Lucy joined her at the sink and eyed her in the mirror. “You look happy, Em. More relaxed than I’ve seen you in a long time. I think taking a day off has done wonders for you.”

  She studied her own reflection. Okay, yeah, she looked pretty upbeat. “Really?”

  “Yep.” Lucy dried her hands. “Really. You look more like your usual self.”

  She shook her head. “It’s been a while, I guess.”

  Lucy held the door open as they exited. She touched Emma’s shoulder. “It’s been more than a while. I don’t know why you have been so tense, but today you look happy and relaxed.” She winked. “And young. Just like me.”

  They both laughed at that. Lucy was eight years older, though she didn’t look it.

  “Gee, thanks.”

  “Okay, hon, I gotta run. I’m on a blind date.”

  “Wait, what? How come I didn’t know about this?”

  “’Cause you didn’t come to work today,” Lucy retorted. “I have been talking to him for a while online.” She cleared her throat and looked abashed. “You know what a bad rap that gets, so I never said anything.”

  “What site?”

  “You know that online site for professionals? That’s where we hooked up. He emailed me, said he liked my pic and profile. We’ve talked for ages and finally agreed to meet.”

  Emma grew concerned. “Define ages.”

  Lucy laughed. “A couple of weeks. Yeah, you know how impatient I am.”

  That was a true enough statement. And God knew Emma was in no position to chastise her for meeting a stranger. Hell, she�
��d just slept with two of them.

  She held her tongue and hugged Lucy. “Have fun. I want all the details tomorrow!”

  “You got it.”

  She watched Lucy disappear around the corner and then threaded her way back to the patio.

  Just as she arrived, the buzzer flashed red and vibrated in Mason’s hand. He hooted and sidled close then surreptitiously pressed the still shaking device against her breast.

  She gasped, feeling it all the way to her clit.

  “Time to eat,” he said and headed for the hostess stand.

  Emma and Griff followed, and then they all trooped behind the waitress into the room where Lucy had gone. She craned her head, seeking out her friend, but didn’t see her.

  “Damn,” she muttered.

  “What’s wrong?” Griff asked.

  She nibbled at her bottom lip. “Nothing really. Ran into a friend in the bathroom. She’s here on a blind date.”

  Mason grimaced. “Those usually suck.”

  “I don’t know, she seemed to be enjoying herself.”

  The waitress slid menus across the table and took their drink orders.

  “Then what’s the problem.”

  She shrugged. “None, I guess. I wanted to get a look at him. Lucy is not known for her ability to ferret good from bad men. She’s been involved with more losers than a gambling addict.” She swept the dining area one last time, but didn’t see Lucy.

  “Hey, relax and enjoy your evening with us, okay?” Griff covered her hand and squeezed.

  He was right. She was being an idiot. Two handsome and charming men at her disposal and she fretted over someone else’s blind date.

  “So,” she said lightly. “Does this count as a blind date?”

  The waitress, who’d just brought a basket of warm bread, gasped and looked between the three of them, face alive with curiosity.

  Mason shot her a devious look as he filched a piece of bread. “I don’t know, Emma. We’ve had a lot of sex already. I think that means it’s definitely not a blind date.”

  She choked on her water and kicked at him under the table.

  “Ow,” Griff said with a growl, “that was me.”

  “Are you ready to order?” the waitress asked gamely.

  “Yes,” Emma replied quickly.

  As soon as the girl left, they all shared a low laugh. “You guys are so bad.”

  “Indeed we are,” Griff confirmed. “That’s what makes us so good.”

  “Oh, you are definitely good.” Emma tore a piece of bread from the loaf and studied Griff. Her curiosity and the rush of the zip park were pushing at her to ask him questions. She chewed the bread and then sipped some water. “So, tell me something about yourself, Griff.”

  He lifted a brow. “What do you want to know?”

  She slid a glance toward Mason. He smiled and nodded.

  “Well, I know that Mason was once a cop.”

  Griff gave a start. “He told you that?”

  “Yes. And you know everything about me. That means it’s your turn to spill something from your dark, deep past. Besides your mom, I mean.” God, she was mangling this. “Something from your adult past.”

  She held her breath. Would he talk about his marriage? She was intensely curious. She had a feeling whatever emotional roadblocks he’d erected were a direct result of his divorce.

  Silence blanketed the table. The only sounds were the clinks of silverware on china from the other diners and the low hum of their conversations.

  Griff leaned back in his chair. His face was expressionless, but emotion raged in his eyes. “I was married once.”

  Emma exhaled in a rush. She laid her hand palm up on the table. He gave her a crooked grin as he settled his palm to hers and squeezed. “I don’t like to talk about it.” He shot Mason a knowing glare. “Especially not with clients.”

  Her heart pinged with pain of his rejection and she tried to pull away.

  He refused to allow it. “But,” he said gently. “I don’t mind with you. What do you want to know?”

  She saw Mason’s jaw drop from the corner of her eye and heaved a sigh of relief. “What was her name?”

  “Anna.”

  “How did you meet her?”

  “At a dinner party for one of my friends. It was lust at first sight.” A muscle ticked in his jaw. “If I had been smart, I would have left her bed the next morning and never looked back.” He grimaced. “Hell, that’s not fair,” he said. “In the beginning we were great together. In love and in lust and eager to be with one another every second of the day.”

  Even though she’d asked for them, hearing the details turned the bread in her stomach to stone. “You don’t have to go on,” she said.

  “No, I want you to know.” He looked surprised at the admission. “I never thought I’d say that, but it’s true.” His fingers stroked hers. “Anna turned out to be nothing that I thought she was. Her morals and decisions ran counter to mine in many areas. I put up with a lot because I thought I loved her. I was no saint, but she drank too much, partied too hard and spent too much money. The beginning of the end came when I discovered she had started abusing drugs. I tried to get her help, but she refused.”

  “Oh, Griff.” Emma felt tears well in her eyes. No wonder he was so disillusioned by love and relationships. “Not everyone is like that.”

  “No,” he agreed. “But she was. Hell, she even proposed a threesome with me pleasuring her and her lover, Tracy.”

  “Did you accept?” Emma held her breath.

  “No,” he said curtly. “The final straw came the day she waltzed drunkenly into our bedroom. I could tell she was already strung out on something, too. I was disgusted by her. She repulsed me and that was when I knew I had to get out.”

  He swallowed hard and sipped some water.

  Emma scooted closer and placed her other hand atop their joined ones. She gave Mason a smile when he inched his way nearer as well.

  “I told her I wanted a divorce. She looked shocked at first. She laughed and said no. She started taking off her clothes and rubbing against me. I pushed her away, and she hit her head on the bedpost and fell down. She wasn’t hurt, but I found myself so disgusted with both of us that when I picked her up I told her again. Anna became enraged and started yelling and running around the room throwing things at me. I got a suitcase out and started packing. Just as I’d finished, she collapsed to the floor and started to cry.” He laughed but the sound didn’t hold any humor. “I gave her a box of tissues and told her my lawyer would be in touch. I thought that was that. I was done. She couldn’t hurt me anymore.”

  Emma held her breath. She could feel his tension. She saw the heartbreak in his eyes and wanted to pull him to her and hug him close.

  “What happened?” she whispered.

  He sighed. “Just before I reached the door, she surged to her feet and punched me in the back. As I turned around to fend her off, she started yelling she was glad we were getting divorced.”

  “Why?”

  His eyes closed for a brief moment and agony crossed his face. Then he looked at her and she saw all the sadness he was holding inside. “Because she said she was tired of having abortions.”

  “Oh, my God,” Emma whispered.

  He nodded as a tear gathered in the corner of his eye. He wiped the moisture away. “She aborted three of my children and never told me. I couldn’t believe it. I don’t know if I do believe it yet. I’ve never seen any kind of medical records to back up her claim. But the fact that our relationship had come to this kind of hell and I’d been blind to it made leaving and divorcing her that much easier.”

  Emma rubbed his hand. She was at a complete loss of words.

  She looked at him and saw his apprehension as he waited for her response.

  Emma withdrew her hands and picked up her steak knife. She waved it in his direction. “It’s a good thing that witch isn’t anywhere near here or I’d have to beat the shit out of her. What a freaking nu
tcase!”

  Griff blinked a couple of times and then he laughed. A deep, rumbling chuckle that infused her with warmth. “You’re a bloodthirsty little thing,” he said.

  “Good,” Mason commented. “You’re absolutely right, Emma. She’s a bitch of the highest order. I have been telling Griff he dodged a bullet for years.”

  “Any more questions, Emma?” Griff asked.

  “You do know that not every woman is like that, don’t you?”

  He shrugged. “I’ve met some very fine women who have no problems being real and honest. Fi McGantry is one of those women.”

  Emma breathed a sigh of relief. She was glad to know he hadn’t given up on her gender entirely. She wanted to ask if he ever thought he’d marry again, but her reserve of courage was gone.

  She gave Mason a pleading glance and he picked up on her need immediately.

  “Enough of that crap, let’s talk about something fun.” Mason winked at her. “Like how much we enjoyed abusing your body.”

  The tension was lifted as the men shared a grin and then directed their considerable charms her way.

  The rest of the evening sped by. Emma pried as much trivia from them as she could, which admittedly was not much. But by the time they returned to her apartment, she was giddy with happiness.

  They walked her upstairs. “Want to come in?” she asked at the door, hopeful they would.

  But Griff shook his head. “I know we promised you another small session, Em, but it’s late. You do have to go to work in the morning, and we’ve got some things to see to as well.”

  She didn’t miss Mason’s sharp questioning glance before it slid back to his normal amiable expression.

  She sighed deeply. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, little one. Boundaries, remember? Yours and ours.”

  “Fine.”

  She reached up on tiptoe and gave each man a slow, lingering kiss. Tonight, she meant to seduce and entice.

  Mason’s pulse kicked up against her breasts, and his hands spasmed at her waist, but he didn’t try to come in.

  Griff remained aloof yet oddly tender. She sensed his amusement and could not resist sticking her tongue out at him. Maybe she could get herself in enough trouble and he would—

  Griff tapped her nose. “You’re not the right temperament for the brat treatment, Em, so don’t go there. You would not enjoy the consequences.”