Of course, Keegan had had her last night and he still seemed starved for her.
Erik totally related.
When Keegan finally left her up for air, Erik practically elbowed him out of the way to have his turn.
He kissed the trace of a smile off her lips, hands settling on her hips to pull her forward. She came with no hesitation, her arms wrapping around his shoulders as she arched into him.
Fuck the party. He wanted to go straight back to his place and get her naked and between them.
But he knew this party was a test he had to pass. If he wanted to keep Jules in their lives, well… He had to suck up his fear and step out.
But first, he wanted to enjoy having her back in his arms. She tasted warm, welcoming. Like home.
He let her up for air and so he could look into her eyes and see what she was thinking. Her smile reached her eyes and told him all he needed to know.
Now, he needed to take a deep breath and plow ahead.
Keegan watched Erik kiss Jules, all the while trying to get his unruly cock to stand down. He wanted to suggest they all return to Erik’s and continue like nothing had come between them.
Which wasn’t what Jules wanted.
He knew she wanted to see if they could make this relationship work in the real world.
And as much as he wanted it to, he knew she had legitimate concerns. There’d always be people who’d say stupid shit and look down on them. It’d never be easy, but he’d make damn sure that, when it was just the three of them together, nothing would get in their way.
Now, they just had to make her believe they could.
So… “Are we ready?”
Jules gave them each a bright smile then looped her arm though Erik’s. “I am. My friend’s house is only a few minutes away. We work together. For Carol. He’s a great guy. You’ll love him.”
Erik exchanged a look with Keegan over Jules’s head. Yeah, he wanted to know who this person was that Jules thought they’d “love.”
But neither of them was stupid enough to ask her if she’d ever been involved with this “great guy.”
She wasn’t kidding about the drive. It literally only took minutes to get where they were going. Not even long enough to start a conversation because she was giving directions.
The closer they got, the more tension he felt from the backseat, where Erik sat staring steadily out the front window.
He was hiding it well but Keegan knew Erik was seriously stressing this. Their previous date at the restaurant had been easier for him because those people were anonymous faces in a crowd.
These were Jules’s friends. People she worked with. People she liked to spend time with.
And Erik knew his personality lacked tact these days.
Hell, Keegan should be worrying about his own reclusive personality. He tended to want to sit in a corner and watch everyone else. But, he realized, after these past few years when he’d been forced to be the face of the company, he’d become a little more comfortable in social settings.
Maybe he’d finally learned enough to make small talk with strangers. He’d never been good at it, but knowing Jules, he figured her friends would be just as open and easy to talk to as she was.
Christ, I hope so.
When he parked where Jules told him to, he was pretty sure he knew which house they wanted. The one that still had the Christmas lights blazing and the open curtains. Inside, he saw a crowd of people, most of them laughing or smiling.
You can do this.
Since Erik had helped Jules out of the car and was holding her hand, Keegan motioned for them to head across the street as he followed close behind.
Jules didn’t bother knocking on the door. She just turned the knob and walked into the mass of people and sound.
Erik had slipped behind her as they entered so Keegan saw his back go rigid.
He wanted to put his hand on his friend’s shoulder, let him know he was there, but Erik knew Keegan had his back. Would always have his back.
“Hey, Jules! You made it.”
A tall man with dark hair and a face that must have women flocking gave Jules a bear hug.
“Thanks for having us. Jon.” She turned to smile at Erik. “This is Erik and Keegan.”
The man’s attention turned to Erik and his gaze narrowed in shock before quickly dissolving into matter-of-fact sympathy. “Jon Petrius.” He stuck out his hand. “Erik Riley, right?”
It was Erik’s turn to be surprised and he took Jon’s hand by habit. “That’s right. Have we met?”
“No, but I’ve worked for Carol for a lot of years. I’ve worked your Christmas party several times. I recognized your face. Nice to meet you.”
The shock made Erik go slack-jawed. Keegan could almost hear his gears grinding in confusion. No one had ever taken a picture of Erik’s face after the explosion. So that could only mean that Erik was still recognizable, even with the scars. “Nice to meet you, too.”
Jon turned to Keegan and he realized he remembered this man’s face, probably from their parties.
“Keegan Malone.” He stuck out his hand and Jon took it with a firm grip. “Nice to meet you.”
“Glad you could come.” Jon smiled. “And if you don’t mind, I’m going to introduce you to my partner, Gary, before we start with all these other miscreants. I warn you now, though, he loves to talk shop. He’s an engineer, too. Mechanical. Once you get him going, he doesn’t tend to stop. Follow me. We’ll get you set up with drinks then I’ll let Gary loose on you. Trust me, you’ll need the drink first.”
As they moved through the small house, Jules stopped to talk to a few people. Not all of them hid their shock and Keegan heard a few whispered conversations behind them, but Erik seemed to be handling himself better than Keegan had ever expected. Or dared to hope for.
Keegan released the breath he was holding and made a conscious effort to relax his shoulders.
But he couldn’t stop watching Erik.
Jules must have known every person in the house because she greeted everyone she passed with a stunning smile or a few words.
They all smiled back and gave hugs. And she never failed to introduce Erik and Keegan. A few of them did double takes at Erik, but none of them turned away in disgust or froze up and stared at him like he was a circus freak.
When they finally made it to the kitchen, Erik was visibly more relaxed than he had been when they walked in.
Jon walked into the kitchen first, wrapping his arm around another man who turned slowly to face them.
Gary was at least ten years older than Jon, so he was probably thirty-five, maybe forty.
And obviously ill. So thin, he looked like a prison camp survivor.
Jules threw her arms around the man’s shoulders for a big hug. “Hey, Gary. You’re looking so much better than last time. Did you like the soup I sent home with Jon?”
“The soup was wonderful, sweetheart.”
“Good, then I’ll make sure to send more next time.”
“And if you sneak in a loaf of white bread, I will love you for all eternity.”
Jules laughed and the sound made Keegan’s heart skip a beat. Damn, he just wanted to wrap his arms around her, grab Erik, and go the hell home.
Instead, he put on a smile and shook the guy’s hand when Jules introduced him. Gary’s hand felt so frail, he was afraid he’d squeeze too hard and crush his bones.
Gary raised an eyebrow at him, as if he knew what he was thinking, then he turned to Erik, looked him straight in the eyes, and said, “Afghanistan?”
Keegan had absolutely no idea what the hell the guy was thinking. Erik did, though.
“No. Explosion in the lab. Mostly fire damage.”
“My apologies for being so blunt. My nephew came back from his third tour with similar scarring and I thought—”
“No need for apologies,” Erik cut in, his tone downright gentle. “Your nephew is a brave man.”
“Yes, he is. He’s still g
oing through tough times but his wife’s stuck by him. They’ll be fine. Maybe you’ll get to meet him tonight. I’ve invited him several times but he’s not comfortable among other people yet. Someday I hope…”
Jon gave his partner a hug and kept his arm around the slightly shorter man. “One of these days, I’m just going to drive over there and shove him in the car.”
Gary laughed. “I’d like to see you try, you scarecrow. Jimmy’s got about fifty pounds of muscle on you.”
“True, but he likes me.” Jon waved at the fridge. “Anyway, we’ve got beer and liquor and pretty much anything you could want. Pick your poison and hurry up. The good seats go fast. You’ve gotta stake your claim early.”
Keegan and Erik opted for beer, Jules had a whiskey sour.
When Jules started to head back to the living room, she snaked her arm through Keegan’s and held out her hand to Erik.
Who took it and squeezed but didn’t move.
“I’m gonna talk to Gary for a few minutes. I’ll be right out.”
Jules’ smile got wider then she leaned forward and went on her toes so she could kiss Erik. “Don’t be too long.”
When she turned, Erik’s gaze met Keegan’s. And for the first time in a long time, Erik grinned at him and nodded. At that moment, he looked so much like the old Erik, Keegan actually blinked in surprise.
Then Erik turned back to Gary.
“So, your nephew.” Erik leaned back against the counter. “How’s he handling his recovery?”
Keegan didn’t hear any more because Jules pulled him back to the front room, where twenty or so people were debating the merits of the Capitals over the Flyers.
Jules joined the conversation easily. Keegan wasn’t familiar enough with the game to add anything. Which was just as well. Between his unwavering attraction to Jules and his concern for Erik, his concentration was fractured.
He just hoped this night would go a long way to fixing the fractures in their relationship.
*
“Thanks for asking us to come along with you tonight.”
“I’m glad you were both able to come.”
Jules turned in the front seat so she could see Erik. She tried not to smile too widely but she couldn’t help herself.
Tonight had gone better than she’d dared to hope. Erik had actually looked like he was having a good time. He’d spent a lot of time talking to Gary. Keegan had been a little quiet but she’d realized that was his normal state of being. When he had something to say, he said it. Otherwise, he listened. And he didn’t miss much. She figured she talked enough for all three of them.
From the few winks she’d gotten, her friends had been sufficiently impressed with her guys and no one had said anything stupid to Erik.
Win.
At least, a cautiously optimistic win.
Erik wore a slight grin that widened when she smiled back. In that instant, the shadows covered him at just the right angles that only the unscarred side of his face was visible and she had a brief flash of what he’d looked like before.
Startled, she blinked because he didn’t look like the man she’d grown so fond of.
Oh, just admit it. You love him.
Keegan slid her a quick look. “Jules? You okay?”
And you love him too. What the hell are you going to do?
She nodded and smiled. “I’m fine. Just a little tired.”
Maybe a little drunk? Maybe just a little.
But she’d been in such a good mood, especially because she was with her guys. She’d been celebrating.
And trying not to notice that Keegan and Erik weren’t saying much to each other.
Damn it. She didn’t want them to be pissed off at each other. She wanted everything to be perfect.
Which was stupid, because she knew nothing ever would be. Life was messy and dirty and fucked up.
And sometimes you just had to push ahead and get to the next good thing while living through the last bad thing.
Huh. Maybe she wasn’t as drunk as she’d thought because that actually sounded profound.
Which made her giggle because, yeah, she’d had a little too much to drink. Or maybe just enough.
Erik leaned forward and now the lights from oncoming cars showed him so clearly, and he was the man she knew again. His lopsided smile made her hot. Hot enough that she wanted to crawl into the backseat with him and ride him while Keegan drove.
“Hell, Jules, you keep giving me that look and I will pull you back here and fuck you.”
Beside her, Keegan sucked in a deep breath.
She pouted, giving Erik a look she knew he’d correctly interpret as permission. Because, oh wow, did she want him to do it. “But what about Keegan?”
“Keegan can fucking wait until we get back to my place.” Erik looked into the rearview mirror. “Can’t you?”
“I can wait.” Keegan’s voice sounded almost strangled. “But not for long.”
Erik’s grin widened. “Then you better get back here, babe.”
She thought about it for all of a second. Then she unclipped her seatbelt.
The rest wasn’t easy and it certainly wasn’t pretty but Jules managed to contort her body until she landed on Erik’s lap in the backseat.
She was still laughing when Erik shoved her skirt up her thighs, grabbed her panties, and tore them down her legs.
Erik leaned forward to kiss her, cutting off her laughter and making her moan instead.
“There you go, babe. I’ve been dying to get inside you all night.”
“Nice to know I have that effect on you.” Her heart thudded almost painfully as she unbuttoned his jeans and pulled down his zipper.
Erik shoved his hands in her hair, holding her mouth at just the right angle to give her long, slow, deep kisses that made her toes curl.
The emotion she tasted on his lips went to her head, more potent than any liquor.
When she pulled back to finish what she’d started, she looked into Erik’s eyes as she helped him move his jeans low enough to free his cock. She saw the same heat she felt burning in her gut.
The car’s powerful engine gave a muted roar. Keegan must have stepped on the gas.
She didn’t know how far they were from Erik’s house but she wanted Keegan back here as well.
“How long until we get to Erik’s?”
She didn’t bother to look over her shoulder, kept her eyes locked with Erik’s as she slid her hand slowly down his chest.
“Five minutes.”
Keegan sounded out of breath.
She liked that.
She also liked the way Erik’s chest rose and fell and the heat of his breath on her cheek.
“Drive faster because I want you back here too.”
“Fuck.”
She barely heard Keegan’s response but it made her shiver all the same.
And when she wrapped her fingers around Erik’s shaft, he said the exact same word in the exact same way.
Yes. This is what I want.
Erik began to thrust into her hand, loving the feel of her fingers gripping him tight.
He took her lips again as she tightened her grip, moaning when she felt the slickness leaking from his cock.
“Jesus Christ. You two are going to get us killed.”
Keegan took a turn a little too sharply and Erik put his arms around her so she wouldn’t hit the door.
“Keegan, man, be careful.”
“I’m trying but it’s a little tough when I know where she’s got her hands.”
“Don’t worry,” she threw the words over her shoulder. “Your turn’s coming.”
“I might not last that long.”
Erik barely heard Keegan but Jules’s laugh told him she had, loud and clear.
“Yes, you will. Because Erik’s going to wait too. Aren’t you?”
“No, I don’t want to wait.”
“Tough.” She smiled to take the sting out of the word. “I’ll make it worth your while.”
“Honey, you make every damn thing worthwhile.” Erik was still smiling but intensity burned in his eyes. “Haven’t you figured that out yet?”
Her gaze collided with Erik’s and she sucked in a sharp breath at the emotion there. Raw and vivid and bone-shaking.
She squeezed his cock and brought her pelvis forward so the tip brushed against her clit.
Ohmygod.
She moaned, unable to keep it locked inside.
He felt so damn good. She wanted to move into position and slam down on him. Take him all the way, fuck him hard and fast.
But she wanted Keegan here too.
As if he’d read her mind, he muttered, “Almost there.”
Yes.
Her head fell back as the car turned again, this time at a slower speed. But it was still enough to jostle her, lodging the head of Erik’s cock right at her entrance.
The temptation was too much.
She took him in, making them both groan.
Oh god, she didn’t want to wait any more.
She started to move, Erik’s hands on her hips encouraging her. Leaning forward, she let her forehead rest against Erik’s as he started a slow, slow rhythm that made her burn from the inside out.
He wouldn’t let her move any faster, the pace glacier-slow. He helped her sink down on him then pushed up to get even deeper.
His kiss was just as languid, as if they had all the time in the world. She felt he should be going faster, keeping pace with the speed Keegan was pushing the car.
Then the car began to slow until it finally came to a smooth stop, followed by the sound of a car door slamming and, seconds later, the back passenger door opening.
Cold night air drifted over her overheated skin for the few seconds it took for Keegan to slide in.
“Jesus, we’re gonna be pretzels after this.”
She smiled at Keegan’s observation but couldn’t think of anything to say because Erik rubbed his cock against that spot inside that made her shiver and shake.
“Then I guess you can wait your turn.” Erik sounded almost out of breath.
“Fuck you.” Keegan’s tone lacked heat. “Move.”
Apparently they’d done this before. In a couple of moves, Jules was on her back across the bench seat, Erik’s cock still wedged inside her as Keegan knelt over her, pushing his cock down so she could suck him.
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