by Shaw, Leia
Though he’d struggled to make enough money to support them, he always made up for it with emotional support and love. Her childhood hadn’t been sunshine and daisies, but there were still goodnight kisses and lots of laughter.
About six months ago, she told her dad and her brother that she was in a loving relationship with a woman. They weren’t prejudiced people, not on purpose anyway, but they didn’t have a lot of exposure to the LGBTQ community. Even though they both accepted her and loved her, they’d been awkward about it. After she’d told them, an uncomfortable silence had ensued and she regretted it immediately. Why put them through that again by flaunting Scarlet in front of them?
“You can’t hide me forever,” Scarlet said. “Or is that your plan? We talk about marriage all the time. Are you just blowing smoke up my ass or are you serious about it?”
Reece snapped her gaze to Scarlet. “What?”
“What are you going to do? Not invite them to the wedding? If we have kids, are you going to bring their grandkids to the house secretly without me?” Tears formed in her eyes but she blinked them back.
Crap. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt Scarlet, but she didn’t want to hurt her family either.
“You told me they accepted that you’re bi,” Scarlet accused.
“They do. But...” She squirmed in her seat, feeling a little like this was turning into an interrogation. “It makes them uncomfortable. They don’t know what to say or how to act...”
“So you’re protecting them?”
“Yes. Exactly.”
Scarlet rolled her eyes. “They’re grown-ups, Reece. If you can’t trust them to handle this, you must not think very highly of them.”
But it’s complicated! she wanted to shout.
“When you told them about me –” Scarlet leaned across the table and grabbed her hand. “– they didn’t get angry, they didn’t turn you away. I know you think they feel awkward about the whole thing, but how are they going to get comfortable with it if you don’t give them the chance? You’re not being fair to me or to them.”
She had a point but was she really ready to do this?
Scarlet gave her hand a squeeze. “Or is this more about you feeling uncomfortable?”
“What?” Reece looked up at her girlfriend.
Her forehead creased. “Are you ashamed of me?” Hurt tinged her tone.
“What?” She yanked her hands out of Scarlet’s grip. “No! How can you even think that?” Reece loved Scarlet more than she cared about social nuances. Shame about being bi wasn’t in her realm of understanding. Even with her dad, it wasn’t shame, it was...guilt. Guilt at putting them in the position of having to accept something like this. Reece didn’t have a problem defending herself and her life choices, but she didn’t want to force them into that situation.
“It’s a valid conclusion. It seems like maybe you’re the one with the problem, not them.”
She shook her head. “It’s not me. Look. I’m sorry. You’re probably right. Max and my dad would probably manage fine meeting you. I’ve just been...lazy about it, I guess. It’s easier not to deal with it, but you’re right. I think it’s time.”
Scarlet beamed. “Good. When’s the party?”
“Next week.” Her stomach tickled with nerves. Crap. That was so soon.
“Okay.” She nodded then took a deep breath and looked at Reece. “Fuck, I’m nervous.”
“Me too.” She laughed.
“Will you help me find something to wear?”
She couldn’t help but smile. So freakin’ cute. “Yes. Though they’d probably like you better if you just wore that.” She gestured toward her dirty work clothes then chuckled. “They’re both very manly men.”
“Then I’ll fit right in.”
***
Getting out of work early wasn’t a blessing today. Reece looked at the kitchen clock as she set her purse on the table. Three hours. Her stomach had been knotted up all afternoon. This was their last play session. It felt so formal – so final. She swallowed hard.
A sticky spot on the kitchen floor caught her attention. Then crumbs on the counter next to her purse. She fought the urge for a cleaning spree but lost. Ten minutes later, she had her ratty clothes on, gloves, and all her cleaning supplies laid out on the table.
As she wiped and scrubbed and sprayed, she tried to keep her mind off of tonight. It helped a little – throwing herself into a project. When the kitchen floor sparkled like a Mr. Clean commercial, she moved onto the living room. Yeah, she was being a little anal. The coffee table didn’t need four scrub downs.
She was going to be exhausted by the time they got to Mal’s shop. Malachi’s sexy grin formed a sweet picture in her mind. Then the way he arched his brow when she said something bratty. His carefree laugh when she amused him. His strong arm wrapped around her waist when she sat on his lap. She’d miss that. After tonight, who knew when she’d see him again?
They’d stay friends, of course, but would it be awkward? Right now he felt like a permanent fixture in their condo. Like a stray dog everyone knew had to go eventually but no one wanted to give up. She almost laughed out loud at the analogy. She was the kitten and Malachi the old dog that protected her.
One option had been nagging at the back of her head for a while. What if they kept Malachi? They could be a triple like Jude and his girls. But did Malachi even want them that way? Sometimes, when they watched movies cuddled up on the couch, he watched them more than whatever was playing. And he touched them so tenderly. She’d even caught him eyeing Scarlet with a look of longing. And not just as a man who wanted to fuck a lesbian to prove he was special – it was different. It was more than lust.
Ugh. She threw down a dirty rag and went to the closet to get the vacuum. She was getting ahead of herself where Malachi was concerned. Scarlet would be devastated if she knew Reece was thinking about him that way. She’d assume something ridiculous, like Reece planned to replace her or something. Which was the opposite of what she wanted to do. Scarlet was her life – her confidante and best friend. Normally, she passed when it came to cake, but in this case, she wanted to have her cake and eat it too.
After yanking the vacuum out of the closet, she plugged it in the nearest wall then began running it in neat rows over the carpet. Why did the sound of the vacuum eating up dirt always make her feel good? Back and forth across the carpet, over and over the same spots. Then it suddenly stopped. But she hadn’t turned it off.
She spun around and saw Scarlet holding the plug away from the wall and staring at her. Reece hadn’t even heard her come in.
“I’ve been yelling for you,” she said, frowning as she took in the room. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Vacuuming. What’s it look like? Plug it back in.” One more pass should do it.
“No.” She dropped the plug then walked into the kitchen. “Fuck, Reece. It looks like the cleaning aisle blew up in here.”
Good. That was exactly what she was going for. Ignoring her, Reece moved to plug the vacuum back in.
“You need to settle down, kitten.” Scarlet yanked on the cord before she could get it into the wall. “You’ve worked yourself into one of your cleaning frenzies.” Her gaze flicked to the clock. “One hour until Mal gets here to pick us up. I think you’ve done enough cleaning. Why don’t you take a shower and relax now.”
She shook her head. The bathroom needed scrubbing first. Before she could open her mouth to protest, Scarlet sighed then wrapped her arms around Reece’s waist. Looking her in the eye, she asked, “What’s wrong, beautiful? Is this about tonight? Are you really that nervous?”
The bathroom was calling her, making her feel unsettled. She squirmed in Scarlet’s arms but she only tightened them around her. “You’re not getting out of this until you talk,” she said then kissed her nose.
Reece scowled at her. She wasn’t in the mood for hugs and kisses. “I’m nervous, yes. That’s all. Now let me go so I can finish quick.”
/> This time her Domme voice came to the fore. “No. We’re gonna take a shower. Both of us. And you’re going to let me wash you.”
It sounded good but...
“No arguments, kitten, or I’ll spank you.” Her lips twitched. Oh she’d just love that. But Reece wasn’t in the mood for that either.
She sighed in defeat. “Fine.”
“Good girl.” Scarlet grabbed her hand and towed her into the bathroom then started the shower. When Reece started to lift up her shirt, Scarlet swatted her hand away. “Let me.” She looked her over before undressing her. “Look at you. You’re a mess.” Shirt gone. Bra off. “Now is this really about our play session tonight or something more? You know we’re not going to tie you down and tattoo you or anything, right?”
Scarlet yanked down her shorts then froze. Lifting her gaze to Reece’s face, she smirked. “No underwear? Naughty girl.”
Reece stepped out of her shorts while Scarlet checked the water.
“In,” she said, gesturing to the shower. Scarlet gave her ass a little slap as she walked by.
The warm water felt good on her aching muscles. Why had she worked herself so hard? Now she was going to be twice as sore later...after whatever happened at Mal’s shop. She gulped.
Scarlet climbed into the shower and Reece had a hard time paying attention to her worried thoughts anymore. Water droplets fell onto her girlfriend’s chest, decorating her nipples, making them look so lickable. Before Reece could swoop in and taste her, Scarlet pushed her back under the spray.
Reece let the water fall over hair and some of the tension in her shoulders relaxed. Scarlet squirted lavender body wash on a loofa then bent down. Starting at Reece’s ankles, she rubbed the loofa up her legs, washing away the bleach she’d knelt in as she’d scrubbed the floor. She made her way up to her knee, then higher to her thigh. Reece gasped when she pressed the loofa right at the top of her thigh so close to her sex. An inch more and she’d melt. She let out a soft moan, letting the wave of lust take over.
“Please, Scarlet,” she rasped.
“Later, kitten.”
A growl escaped her. “Tease.”
She did the other leg as Reece washed her own hair. The flowery scent mixed with steam and filled the room. It smelled like girl and, as turned on as she was getting, sex.
“Turn around,” Scarlet ordered when she finished washing her legs. “Hands on the wall. Don’t move them.”
Instinct took over and she obeyed without much thought. It was nice to let go. Stress washed away with each stroke of the loofa down her back. She rested her forehead against the wall. The loofa made a soft trail down the cleft of her ass then under each cheek. She shuddered. A slippery hand replaced the loofa and came around her belly. It drifted up her chest, between her breasts. Scarlet’s warm body pressed up against Reece’s back. Her breath tickled her ear.
Scarlet moved her hand from her chest down her belly again then lower. Fingers grazed her lower lips too soft to do anything but tease.
She groaned and squirmed then squeezed her legs together to relieve the pressure. “Scarlet,” she whined.
“What’s the matter, my girl?”
With a grunt, she turned on her girlfriend, “You know what’s the matter!”
Scarlet chuckled then took her face in her hands and kissed her. A wet kiss as water ran over them. Warm lips moved with hers, sliding against each other. Just as Reece was getting into it, Scarlet pulled away. “Talk to me. Why did you morph into some psychotic version of June Cleaver this afternoon?”
She sighed. “I... I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do.”
She didn’t exactly. A painful lump had been growing in her chest all day, but she couldn’t really explain it. It was clear it wasn’t just about nerves anymore. And yeah, they’d both miss Malachi but... This felt like more.
Scarlet stroked her hair. “Come on, kitten. We don’t keep secrets. I know you’re pondering some deep thought in there.”
“I’m going to miss Malachi is all.”
“Oh.” She dropped her hands to her sides and frowned. “Well he said we’d still all be friends.” A small smile appeared then left just as quickly. “Or do you mean as more than friends?”
“No!” She answered too fast. “Just as friends. I’m worried it’ll turn awkward.”
Scarlet nodded. “Yeah. I was thinking the same thing.” She slid her hands down Reece’s arms. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure it out. I don’t think he wants to lose us as friends either.”
A distant knock on the door drifted through the steam. “Shit!” Scarlet said. “Of course he’s early.”
Reece turned the water off and Scarlet jumped out and grabbed a towel. She looked at Reece helplessly.
She laughed. “He’s already seen us naked. I’ll get it.”
Scarlet gave a quick nod then ran into the bedroom and shut the door. Hard to believe it was Scarlet who had the bigger issue being naked. Reece wrapped one of their larger towels around her curves, tucked it just above her breasts then walked to the front door.
When she opened it, Malachi stood there, wearing a black t-shirt, jeans, and that sexy grin she loved. The grin faded a moment later and his mouth dropped open.
“Whoa.” He gave his head a shake. “Now that’s a greeting.” He stepped in and kissed her cheek. “Is Scarlet still in the shower? Can I join this party?”
Reece chuckled. “No. She’s getting dressed. Why are you so early?”
After closing the door behind him, he stepped around Reece and looked around. “I was bored and impatient.” His brow furrowed. “What the hell happened in here? It stinks like bleach and everything is all shiny.”
“Uhhh.” Was it that obvious?
“She went on a crazy cleaning spree,” Scarlet answered from the bedroom doorway. Dressed in jeans and a navy t-shirt, she sauntered into the living room.
“My turn,” Reece said, heading toward the room.
Malachi stopped her with a hand wrapped around her arm. “You should stay just like that.” His gaze dropped to her breasts then swooped down and back up. He bit his lip and his eyes darkened with hunger. She was going to miss that look. That stomach knot started again. It was hard to breathe.
She yanked out of his grip before she started crying. Crying? It wasn’t like he was moving away...or dying.
His expression changed to a confused sort of worry. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Giving her head an inward shake, she mumbled. “It’s nothing.”
Scarlet swooped in and saved her. “Reece, why don’t you put on something sexy for us and we’ll pack up some toys for tonight. Okay?”
Nodding, she swallowed hard then hurried into the safety of the bedroom.
From behind her, she heard Malachi ask, “What’s going on with her?”
Then Scarlet answered, “She just had a long day.”
As soon as she closed the door, she leaned her back against it and sucked in a breath.
Get it together!
Tears pricked at her eyes. Her throat tightened. She was so fucked. As soon as she saw him in the doorway, grinning at just the sight of her, she knew. And now she had to admit it to herself. She wanted Malachi. Not just as a friend, but as a Dom. No, not only that either. She wanted him like she wanted Scarlet. A partner, a lover, a best friend.
Fuck! She was in love with Malachi Johansson.
She slumped to the floor and buried her head in her hands. What was she going to do now? She couldn’t cut him out entirely because he and Scarlet were still friends. There was no way to get out of this without someone getting hurt.
She was so, so fucked.
Chapter 14
Scarlet handed Reece up into the pick-up, catching a flash of bare thigh for her trouble. It was hard not to leer, but Reece wasn’t in the mood for that sort of thing. She’d been quiet since she’d gone to their room to get ready for tonight. She’d even refused to ride shotgun, insisting that Scarlet sit t
here even though she usually joked that seat had her name on it.
For a moment she pretended to herself that she had no idea why Reece was upset. Suspension of disbelief. But she knew, deep down, Reece wasn’t being completely honest with her. Reece had feelings for Malachi and didn’t know how to tell her. They were going to have to sit down and have a serious talk. She was sure they could figure it out, at least until Reece had her fill of him. Blaming it all on Reece was convenient, but it wasn’t fair. Scarlet liked him too much, too.
If she brought it up now, though, she had a feeling Reece would either deny it or shut down. She might not be ready to admit it herself, let alone talk to Scarlet about it.
On Saturdays, Malachi’s shop closed at five. Aside from the coffee shop across the street, not much was open a half hour later. The street was so deserted a person would almost expect some zombies to shuffle past, herd of tumbleweeds in their wake.
“It’s always so quiet down here after the shops close.” Reece said from the back seat. “At least they didn’t roll up the sidewalks tonight.”
“Not totally deserted. Look.” Malachi gestured to an odd-looking couple sitting on the bench outside his shop. They looked like they weren’t in a hurry to go anywhere, and were sipping at their coffee. “My tenants at the farm, Winter and Mack. Winter works for Cross.”
Scarlet looked at Mal again, and wondered how she’d ended up letting him drive her truck. She didn’t even let Reece do that. She was getting too used to sharing control with him.
Malachi pulled up to park in front of the building, close to where the couple sat. He hopped out and went around the truck to open the doors for her and Reece. Really? Was this the 1950s?
Chuckling, she slid out of the truck and grabbed Reece’s hand as he shut the doors behind them. Instead of going right into the tattoo shop, he ambled over to the coffee drinkers, beckoning for them to follow.
