Distracted, he saw that Kyle had turned the car into a quiet alley and that he was slowing down.
"Is that what you really think?" Kyle asked.
"Yes."
"Why don’t we ask her?"
"What?" Max scowled, noting absently that Kyle had parked the car and switched off the engine. "Of course not. She’ll make excuses--"
"Are you saying she’ll lie to us? Tell us some untruth to pacify us?" Kyle shook his head, and his look was pitying.
Max glanced away, hating to see it.
"Max."
Kyle cupped Max’s chin and turned his reluctant face toward him. It was then he saw that Kyle wasn’t pitying him at all, but was instead concerned and sympathetic. "When did you become so cynical? So hard to believe in people?" he murmured. "Has your experience with your bigoted colleagues so colored your view that you can’t trust anyone would want you for you? Geeky, warts and gay?"
"Warts? What warts?" Max arranged his features into a mock scowl, not wanting to answer Kyle’s other questions. They shone a light into the darkness in his soul, something he’d avoided facing all this time.
Kyle didn’t even smile at his attempts at humor. "Max…" He ran a hand through his hair, tousling the blond strands further. Max loved this untidy, natural look better than the usual gelled and combed style that Kyle preferred to use on unsuspecting clients.
"Max…" Kyle said again, clasping Max’s hands in his. "I-I’m sorry." He shook his head helplessly. "I know nothing I say will help. This is something you have to find your own way out. But I want you to know I’m here. We will get through this together."
Warmth unfurled inside Max, and he fell in love with Kyle just that little bit more. The burden he’d been carrying seemed lighter and not at all that worrisome.
Wait, no. He had to be vigilant. He had to make sure he and Kyle had made the right decision in allowing Cara into their lives. He was already falling for her--with her smiles, her wit, her hot body--and he knew Kyle was in the same boat. He had to be sure of her before they fell all the way past the point of no return.
"Thank you." He squeezed Kyle’s hands.
"I love you," Kyle murmured, his green eyes intent as he released Max’s hand to stroke his cheek instead. "Whenever you need me, I’m here. This is my promise to you."
Max’s heart was full. With Kyle beside him, he could conquer the world.
He met Kyle’s mouth with unrestrained eagerness, and the kiss felt like a solemn vow, Kyle sealing his words with this show of love. Their mouths moved against the other in a slow, tender caress, like the first rays of dawn over a dew-dropped earth.
Kyle kissed his way over Max’s jaw to his ear, where he nibbled on the soft lobe, causing Max to groan and his cock to stir.
"Still, I think you should give Cara a chance to explain herself."
Max tried to reorder his scattered thoughts. "Catch her…off-guard…better."
"If she were a thief maybe," Kyle rebutted. He nipped at the skin at Max’s throat, then soothed the bite with rubs of his tongue.
Max’s breath caught. His eyes fluttered shut, and his hands slid over Kyle’s strong, muscled biceps, which were toned in the gym.
"Have…have a plan," he managed to say.
Kyle lifted his head, and Max protested, his eyes opening to see his lover frowning down at him.
"What plan?" Kyle asked.
"I made reservations at a five-star hotel for dinner tomorrow night--"
Kyle’s eyebrows rose. "Expensive trap."
"To celebrate your birthday."
"Oh." Kyle flushed. "I thought you’d forgotten."
Max flashed him a smile. "Never. The day you were born is the luckiest day of my life."
"I thought it’s when you met me."
"That’s the second luckiest. After all, if you’ve never been born, how could I meet you?"
Kyle gave him another kiss, this one hard and demanding and passionate. "You’re so sweet," he said a few seconds later, panting. "Your ex-lovers are idiots to give you up."
Max laughed, a full belly laugh that had been missing from his life in recent weeks. The sound felt good, and the working of his muscles was even better. "Much as I’d love to say you’re right, the truth was we had our differences, so it was to everyone’s benefit that we parted ways."
"It would take more than that to drive me away," Kyle said, kissing him again, one hand curving around Max’s neck to draw him closer while the other snaked down to fondle Max’s cock through the thick fabric of his jeans.
God, that was…heaven. It didn’t matter that they’d made love only that morning. Anytime and anywhere, he would always want Kyle, would always be hungry for him.
Kyle’s mouth was hot and tasted of coffee, causing his pulse to spin crazily. His favorite scent. Fortunately, he didn’t drink coffee or he’d be in a constant state of lust.
Kyle squeezed him, and he almost lost his breath and whatever mind he still possessed. "Groceries," he managed to croak out.
"Later," Kyle murmured against his mouth.
Much as Max was also reluctant to relinquish the kiss and wherever it might lead--God, his cock was like steel by now--he also knew this wasn't the place for it. Moreover, he'd rather be in a bed where they can spend delicious hours--as opposed to a quickie--exploring and tasting each other's bodies.
"Let's get the shopping out of the way and finish this in bed," Max said after they'd broken the kiss, both panting for breath.
Kyle considered him for a moment, then turned and gunned the engine. "One hour."
It sounded like a sacred vow.
* * * * *
Hours later, Cara finally put down her pen and stretched. God, she was so tired. The silence felt deep, with nary a sound from within or outside the house. It must be past midnight, and the guys must be in bed. She stretched to remove the kinks from her body and surveyed her table with bleary eyes.
Papers and more papers, definitely. But this time, there was a plate on one corner of her table, evidence of the late night snack Kyle had brought in to her--a slice of oreo cheesecake, her favorite.
A smile flitted about her mouth. She hadn’t known it then, when she’d spied these two gorgeous guys washing their car, that Kyle would be the domesticated one. He loved to cook and experiment with dishes, and he baked a mean cheesecake. Best of all, he took such good care of her. He made sure she ate at the right time, her clothes were laundered and pressed, and she had every physical thing she might have thought she needed. He still called her "Hot Blonde" sometimes, teasing her when she desperately needed a laugh. He had the ability to anticipate a person’s needs, and she supposed that was what made him a superb insurance salesman. His unspoken and unstinting support during this trying time of her life filled her with a grateful rush of upwelling emotion.
Max, the soulmate of her geeky self. Once upon a time, before her dissertation took over her life, they could talk about higher mathematics all night, too often boring Kyle so much that they had to make it up to him in bed. Her slight smile split into a huge grin. That was great fun--both the discussion and the lovemaking. And the next morning, they'd spoil Kyle some more with breakfast in bed--toasted bread, scrambled eggs and coffee (juice for Max).
Her smile faded. When had the fun stopped? More importantly, what did she give them in return? A girlfriend who was more absent than not.
Guilt assailed her once again, more intense than the tendrils she’d felt earlier when she was with Lynne on the phone.
Tonight. Her spine stiffened with determination. She’d make it up to them tonight. They would make love like they did once, slowly, thoroughly, until no one could speak for the passion spent.
Energized and resolved, she bounded from the chair, took the plate to the kitchen sink and almost ran up the stairs to the bedroom they shared. They had outfitted it with a custom-made bed that was big enough to accommodate all three of them. She swayed a bit when she reached the top of the stairs, but she firmed h
er spine and marched to the darkened bedroom.
She heaved a heavy sigh in disappointment after she peeked in.
Max and Kyle were asleep, spooned together, with Max’s back to Kyle’s front. Their nudity and the lingering scent of sex in the air made her envious at the intimacy she’d missed out on. She considered waking them up, but at the sight of the bed, fatigue and exhaustion hit her. It was all she could do to walk the next few steps to the empty side of the bed and drop her boneless body onto the mattress.
Chapter Three
CARA, KYLE AND MAX
When Max awakened the next morning, Cara was in deep sleep, her chest rising and falling in tandem with her breathing, her face peaceful and looking far youthful than her thirty years. His heart ached to see the dark circles under her eyes, and for a moment, his heart softened, making him forget all he suspected about her. Perhaps Kyle was right. She was busy and perhaps, it was just coincidence that she turned down all his invitations--
All?
Yeah, right.
Some, he could swallow. But all?
When he came back an hour later from his morning run with Kyle, Cara was already up and hard at work, scribbling and tapping. She gave him an absentminded smile when he peeked into the study, and she mumbled when asked what she wanted for lunch.
Max shook his head, and all the doubts came roaring back, looming bigger and graver than before. Before he could talk himself out of it, he charged into the study.
Cara raised her head and blinked at him, her eyes dazed and tired. He felt guilty for what he was about to lay on her. As her boyfriend, shouldn’t he be supportive of her career? Shouldn’t he make up for her lack, knowing--hoping--she’d do the same for him when it was his turn? Wasn’t that what couples--in this case, triad--do?
Then he remembered. He’d offered to look over her dissertation and help with the problem she was facing, and had been shot down. At the department, he’d talked more with the new intern who wasn’t interning for him than with Cara.
Another realization burst in him. Kyle was right. Max had thought to browbeat her into attending tonight’s dinner celebration, but that wasn’t enough. He had to get to the bottom of things. He needed to hear what Cara had to say. Whether he believed it or not was another matter entirely.
"Max?" Cara’s voice drew him out of his thoughts. "If you don’t mind, I’ve still got a ton to do."
That got his temper stirring, but he calmed himself. With great effort. He was normally even-tempered, but Cara had always been able to rile him up quick, especially in recent days. "Right. I just wanted to tell you that Kyle’s birthday dinner celebration is at seven." He named a famous restaurant known for its ambience and pricey food.
"It’s Kyle’s birthday today?" she asked, shocked, a hand coming up to cover her cheek. "I’d forgotten."
"I’m not surprised," Max muttered.
"I haven’t even greeted him yet," she continued in that dazed voice of someone who was now only coming awake from a deep sleep.
He’d bet she didn’t notice much of life passing by in the weeks she’d been immersed in her paper and work. He could almost feel a pinch of pity for her. Almost.
"I should…" she said, rising from her seat.
"He went out to get breakfast," Max said, anticipating what she wanted to do. "So, dinner?"
Max couldn’t believe what he saw.
She hesitated. She goddamn hesitated.
He couldn’t take it anymore. He exploded.
"What’s the matter with you? It’s Kyle’s birthday. Couldn’t you spare an hour or two of your time for your lover?" He stalked toward her and loomed. "We get that you have to work on your precious dissertation, but does it have to be every fucking minute of every fucking day? We hardly get to talk to you. We don’t eat together at the U; you turned down all my invitations. We live in the same house, but it’s like you’re our landlady and we your lowly tenants, beneath your notice, except when we serve you food and drink."
He knew he exaggerated some of what he’d said, but he couldn’t care that much anymore. He was on a roll and he didn’t know how to stop. All the things he’d been feeling and keeping inside burst out from him with the force of the incoming tide.
"You slave over your own wants and needs, while we slave for you. Just what do you contribute to this relationship, Cara? Or is it even a relationship?" he asked with great sarcasm, noting Cara paling beneath her tan. Good, he hoped he was shocking her out of her stupor. "Or is it because we’re convenient to have around? Sex when you need it? Food when it’s time? Someone to do your laundry? Get your groceries? Keep this house livable and prevent it from decaying due to disuse?"
"Max!" From the doorway, Kyle’s voice came like whiplash.
"I-I-" Cara was trying to say something, but she couldn’t seem to get the words out. Her beautiful blue eyes shone with unshed tears. Max’s shout appeared to release her from whatever spell was holding her immobile. Snatching up her purse from the adjacent chair, she sprang from her seat and rushed out of the room, pushing Max away with a force that sent him staggering back. A moment later, he heard her car roar out of the driveway.
"Max, what have you done?" A sympathetic hand came down on his shoulder.
Max had thought he’d feel better after laying everything out for Cara in black and white, to let her know she may have fooled Kyle into complacency but Max was on to her game. But he didn’t feel any better. He felt as though his heart was ripped out of his chest as he was accusing her of all those things, and now, there was only a dark, empty void in him.
Fine birthday Kyle must be having, and it was all his fault.
* * * * *
Five hours later, Cara still hadn’t come home. It was nearing seven, their table’s reservation time, and Max couldn’t care less. He was too worried, too guilty.
He looked at his watch as he paced. Only one minute had passed from the last time he’d checked. "Damn it, where is she?"
Kyle didn’t reply, knowing it for the rhetorical question that it was. Though the other man sat calmly on the sofa, Max knew the anxiety his lover must be feeling from the way he drummed his fingers on his thigh.
Max tried Cara’s cell phone again for the nth time that day. It went to voice mail. He left a short, pleading message before hanging up.
"God, Kyle, I’m so sorry--" Max’s anguished voice broke off mid-sentence. Guilt ate at him. If anything happened to Cara…
A second later, he was enveloped in strong, comforting arms.
"Shh. I’m sure she’s okay," Kyle said. "She’s a grown woman; she’s got her car and her purse. She’s probably having a sumptuous dinner right now, laughing and imagining how worried we must be at this minute."
"Cara’s not like that," Max protested.
"She’s punishing us for saying those things."
"Me."
"Well--"
Whatever Kyle was about to say broke off in the ringing of Max’s cell phone. His hand trembled when he saw Cara’s name flashing on the screen; his heart beat fast in relief. "It’s Cara!"
"Answer it, man!"
His finger hit the call button. "Cara, where the hell are you?" he roared. Okay, that probably came out wrong. He meant to be calm and humble and beg her to return.
"Really, Max, that’s my line," her cool, sweet voice came over the line. "I thought we had a dinner reservation at seven."
His thoughts jumbled together at the implication. "You mean you’re…?" he croaked.
"Yes, I’m here," she said crisply. "I’m only waiting until eight. See you."
She ended the call.
"Where is she?" Kyle asked, his fingers digging urgently into Max’s flesh.
"At the restaurant." Max still couldn’t wrap his mind around the revelation. Did this mean she had forgiven him? "She’s giving us one hour to get there."
Kyle was already running out of the living room. "What are you waiting for? Go get ready. Fifty-nine minutes and counting."
* * * * *
Cara watched her guys walk toward her, their sexy, confident swagger firing her neurons. They were both wearing button-downs tucked into black trousers, exuding the sort of virile masculinity that made women's heads swivel for a second, third and fourth look. As they were swiveling now.
At one point during the afternoon, she'd gone to the mall and bought an off-shoulder dress that looked good on her, as well as befitting this place and the occasion. She knew she'd chosen well from the heated looks her men were giving her.
She stood up as they neared. "You guys look fabulous." She turned to Kyle and threw her arms around his neck. "Happy birthday, lover." She drew his head down and gave him a long, passionate kiss. With tongue. She was sure her lipstick was smeared beyond recognition, but that couldn’t be helped. She’d just have to reapply later.
Kyle’s eyes were glazed over when she finally let him go. She smirked in satisfaction and swiped a hand down between their bodies to bestow a swift caress on his hardening cock. She didn’t care who saw. She’d neglected her guys for too long, and tonight, she was going to claim them again.
She turned to Max, who was standing on her other side. She was glad to see him looking uncomfortable and repentant. He opened his mouth to speak, but she beat him to it. "Let’s talk later. For now, only a peck for you, because we have unfinished business between us."
She went on tiptoes and placed a soft kiss on his cheek, wanting to give him more. But they needed to talk, to clear things up before things could get intense. This way, the make-up kiss would be sweeter. She was all tingly in anticipation for the make-up sex.
"It had better not stop at that," Max muttered darkly after she settled back on the ground.
She smiled, hiding it by ducking her head as she took her seat.
After they were seated and orders given to the waiter, Cara took a deep breath and launched into the speech she’d prepared. "This entire day--"
"Wait. Let me go first." Max burst out. Catching hold of her hand, he continued, "I’m sorry, Cara, I shouldn’t have said what I said. I know you’re busy with your dissertation and work, and I should’ve been more supportive instead of lashing out like that. Especially in that tone of voice--all furious and superior, as though I didn't know what it was like to be caught up in things that are important to me. And…I'm sorry."
Threesome Bonds Page 2
