Chapter 26
Cole
We walked in the back door right as they called Karley to the stage. She looked nervous, scrubbing her hands up and down her thighs as she stood, but she lifted her chin and headed towards the front.
“Looks like we got here just in time,” Carol said.
I was glad that my sister told me where they were.
“Y’all go take a seat. We’re gonna hang back here so she doesn’t see us.” Shane pointed towards an available table near Anna and Bobby. “Let’s go before she looks out.” Shane and I headed towards the bar, standing closest to the door.
Karley stopped to talk to someone momentarily before she took the mic. She bit her lower lip as she finally gazed out at the crowd. My heart swelled. She was such a strong woman, had been through so much, and even now, was standing up to her fears. She was gorgeous; her curves in a figure hugging pair of jeans. I wanted to ravage her, but I reigned myself in, tried to calm my inner animal wanting to come out and play with her.
Shane cocked his head, much the same as me, when the music didn’t start right away. I noticed someone handed her a chair, which she placed in the center of the stage before she sat down. Once she was in place the music started, a soft, mellow tune.
“Someone once told me, that you have to choose, what you win or lose. You can’t have everything…”
My gut tightened as she sang the words. Her emotions were raw; her voice pure as she projected the lyrics. By the second verse, she was out of the chair, rocking back and forth as she crooned. She closed her eyes, losing herself in the meaning of the song. I’d never seen her more beautiful, more free.
Goose bumps broke out over my skin as she hit a high note going into the bridge. She threw her hand out, as if opening herself up as she came back into the chorus. Her hand came into a fist as she leaned into the notes. The words sounded like a cry, a true guttural cry from deep within her soul; as if she truly did just want to be happy.
As she finished the song, I was truly left speechless. Her talent, her love, her strength, blew me away. No other person had ever touched me the way she did, reached me the way she did. I didn’t know what I’d do if I lost that, if I lost her. She didn’t realize it yet, but she loved us, both Shane and I. I was certain of it. She was gun shy because of her past, but something in me said she wouldn’t walk away. Just like us, she couldn’t. We were all in too deep.
Applause broke out over the floor, bringing me back to reality like a cold glass of ice water being thrown on me.
“Damn, that was deep,” Shane said. I’d never seen him stunned before. My best friend looked like his life had just flashed before his eyes.
“Let’s go.” I headed towards my parents, who were on their feet with the rest of the crowd.
Karley passed the mic to the host and was walking off the stage when a man grabbed her shoulder. I abruptly stopped mid-step; every protective instinct in me coming alive. Shane bristled beside me; he glared at the guy. I watched as Karley wrung her hands, a sign of nerves or anxiety. He moved past her and she turned back around with him, biting her lip as she watched him take the mic.
“Hey everyone. My name’s Van Epsteen, and Miss Suzie Barkley invited me here tonight raving about an undiscovered talent. Now, being the CEO of Fillis Records, I get these sort of requests often, and rarely do they offer a smidgen of hope. I have to say, tonight blew me away. I haven’t heard such a soulful, powerful voice in damn near forever. I think you’re going to be big, Karley. You have what we in the biz call ‘Diva Potential.’ Knowing that, I’d like to offer you a five million dollar recording contract. I’ll write you a check tonight. All I need is a ‘yes’.”
“Oh shit,” the breath left Shane in one blow.
My heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t move, couldn’t stop what was playing out in front of me, and I wished so hard that I could. The only woman I ever loved was being taken right out from under me; it was happening right before my very eyes. One minute I was certain she felt the same as we did, the next, I was asking myself why we didn’t do more.
My confidence melted into a puddle as I watched her continue to fidget. My pulse raced. I picked up on her heartbeat sprinting, nearly identical to mine. My panther roared, fighting to be set free; to gain the freedom needed into order to trap her.
My mother came in front of me, slapping my face. “Control yourself, Cole! Your eyes are glowing,” she hissed.
I shook my head, my world spinning as I watched with baited breath, waiting for her response. I wanted to yell, wanted to beg her not to do it, but that was the selfish part of me talking. I wanted to keep her and all her talent for myself and Shane. I didn’t want to share anymore of her.
I chanced a look at Shane; he looked defeated. I’d never seen him so weak, so vulnerable. We were tough. We didn’t take shit, we delivered it. Marge and Peter stood beside their son, holding his hands, offering their silent support. I felt my father grip my shoulder. How did parents know you needed them when you didn’t say a word?
“Well, pretty lady, what do you say?” Van pressed.
Karley stood there, eyes wide. I swore her lip was bleeding she was biting it so hard. Her hands were all over, rubbing her pants, tugging on her shirt, crossing, uncrossing. She shifted back and forth. She was debating.
“Say yes!” Suzie cupped her mouth and yelled.
“Do it, do it, do it!” Random people encouraged. I wanted to rip every one of their throats out. My muscles coiled; my body tense with anticipation.
“Oh God, we’re gonna lose her,” Shane choked. I broke at the tears in his eyes.
“I can’t do this,” I snapped. I walked away, punching my way through the door to the fresh air outside, where I didn’t have to watch my entire world collapse in on me.
Chapter 27
A war was waging inside me. This was the opportunity of a lifetime, but then again, I could be throwing away the love of a lifetime by taking it. My stomach was in knots, my heart pounding. I felt light headed. I wished someone would make the decision for me. I wished Cole and Shane were here; I wished they’d step forward and take over. I loved how they took care of me. I loved everything about them, even their stubborn ego-headedness.
I wanted to laugh like a crazy person. It slapped me in the face at once. Oh God. I love them. How else could I walk away from this? How else could I be dumb enough to turn the man down in front of everyone?
I walked forward, my nerves finally calming. It’s as if everything fell into place. I knew where I belonged for the first time in my life; I knew where I was meant to be. I was meant to be with these men; they were the ones that brightened my day. They were the definition of happiness for me. Plus, with how sick to my stomach I felt every time I went on stage, I couldn’t handle this as a career.
“I’m so flattered by your offer, Mr. Epsteen. You’ve made my year just by giving me the opportunity, but unfortunately, my heart doesn’t belong to music. My heart belongs to two men who I couldn’t imagine leaving for anything, even the opportunity of a lifetime. So thank you for considering me, for taking time to come out here and everything, but I’m going to have to decline.”
Understanding sparkled in his eyes. He’d loved once. By the absence of a ring on his finger, I assumed he lost that love somehow, but he didn’t push. “I can’t say I’ve ever met a woman like you, Karley, but I’m damn jealous of your men for having found you first. If you change your mind, my offer will still stand.” He offered his hand, which I gladly shook.
Happiness burst through me. I was giddy as a school girl. I was ready to find my men and make that same declaration to them.
Abruptly, I was ripped from Mr. Epsteen’s grip and was in Shane’s arms. His mouth collided with mine with a vengeance. His emotions pouring out in his touch, in the catch of his breath, the way he fought back tears, ripped every barrier I’d ever created to protect myself into pieces. Home. That’s what he was, what they were. It didn’t matter if we lived here or Birm
ingham or the freaking North Pole, as long as I had them, I would always be happy.
His lips devoured mine, demanded I submit to him; demanding I revel in all he was willing to offer me. I gladly took every bit of it, enjoying the taste of him, enjoying the feel of him. He pulled back, breathless as he kissed my cheeks and my neck; forgetting the crowd, forgetting the shouts and claps sounding around us.
“I love you,” he declared.
“I love you too.” I smiled, my eyes watering as I wiped a single tear that escaped his green depths. He kissed me again, softer, sweeter, this time; he didn’t linger, only affirmed that he’d heard what I said and felt it.
A loud whistle brought me back to where we stood: on the stage, in front of half the town. I flushed, grabbing Shane’s hand and nearly running off the stage. He laughed behind me.
I came up short. Cole stood at the top of the steps; his muscles were tight, his features tense, but every single feeling he felt for me sparkled in his eyes. I gave him a shy smile.
“Anna played the video for me; I heard everything.”
“I meant everything. I love you, Cole. It’s taken me a while to realize that I love both of you, but I really couldn’t imagine my life without you, even when you’re neurotic and bossy.”
I shrieked when he lifted me into his arms, swinging me around and into his chest. He captured my lips, exactly how my body hit his just now; he hit hard and fast, but wrapped me in his arms quickly to assure me I was safe with him, that I’d always be safe with them. He pulled back, staring out at the crowd, still in uproars.
“Let’s go celebrate our love somewhere a bit more private,” he said, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
“Oh the things we have in store for you, darlin’,” Shane stated, walking around us. He grabbed my hand right as Cole set me down. Both men escorted me towards the exit.
“That was fabulous, honey,” Marge exclaimed.
“Not now, mother,” Shane snipped, dragging me past them when I tried to stop to reply.
“Shane!” his mother and I yelled in unison.
The men laughed together, but Shane and Cole didn’t stop. I looked over my shoulder at them and shrugged. Marge winked as Peter pulled her into his side. He had a knowing grin on his face. They knew.
Chapter 28
Shane yanked me to him the second I was through my apartment door, his erection already pulsing against me. He immediately started undressing me. Before long, Cole was behind me helping him.
“I’m sorry; I can’t wait darlin’.” Shane’s fingers sought my pussy. I moaned as he pushed a single digit inside, testing me. The way they’d teased me through my clothes on the way home, I was hot and ready to go, just like them, thanks to my hands over their jeans. “Shit, she’s dripping wet.”
The men groaned their approval. Shane stumbled with me towards the couch. In one swift move, he lifted me into his lap and impaled me at once. “Fuck, I’m not gonna last long. You feel so fuckin’ good, darlin’,” he grunted as he flew in and out of my pussy.
I’d never been taken so quickly before. He was slamming into me, the tip of him hitting my cervix, sending pleasure ripping through me. Sensation tickled every nerve in my body; expectation licked every pore. My breasts felt heavy; my nipples ached like never before. Shane’s fingers went to my clit, rubbing as I bounced from the force of his moves.
Cole came up behind us, reaching down, he tweaked my pert tips, pulsing with the need to be sucked. I’d never craved for my nipples to be laved the way I was now. I moaned, leaning into his touch.
“That’s not enough,” I cried, as I felt Shane swell within me, stretching my inner walls.
“Shit. Get ready Cole,” he huffed between pumps. Within seconds I felt his seed filling me. My name was a harsh cry. “Damn, I love you.”
I whimpered, the tension so tight in my womb. The pressure was mounting quicker than it ever had right before he deflated.
“I’ve got you, sweetie.” Cole slid me into his lap, immediately penetrating me, picking up right where Shane had left off.
Delicious ecstasy swept through me as Cole captured my nipples, his tongue suckling the elongated tips. I mewled; my body twisting into a tight ball, my muscles on the verge of cramping.
Shane reached over and rubbed my clit. A shot of pleasure jolted from my womb. I felt their every move. The way Cole pounded into me, caressing my slick channel, hitting every pleasurable spot perfectly; his mouth covered my breasts, switching back and forth, soothing my ache. Shane assaulted my clit, his fingers twirling in a circle over the taut nub as he encouraged me.
“Just let go, darlin’. Come hard; give yourself up to Cole. We’ll take care of you. We won’t let you fall. We’ll never let you go,” he said.
His voice warmed over me, liquid heat gushing at my core.
“Oh shit. Keep talking, Shane,” Cole said.
Tingles zapped from my pussy, my muscles bunched tightly as I gasped for air, trying to remain focused on the peak, of reaching the top. I groaned. I was so close; needed just the tiniest push to go over.
“I need more,” I cried.
Shane growled, taking my lone abandoned nipple into his mouth. Both men sucked hard, but the second Shane nipped me, my body flew. “Oh God!” My eyelids fluttered as stars burst before my eyes. Sweat broke out over me as my body quaked beneath the pressure, beneath the overwhelming demand they gave for release. Every part of me broke into an erotic response to their touch; my senses heightened as they soothed my clenching muscles.
I heard Cole grunt his own release, the jerk of his cock hitting a sensitive spot inside me, sending me into another wave of pleasure. I gasped, whimpering as my vision blurred. They continued milking me, touching me through the last spasm of unadulterated bliss that dared attack me. By the time the last ripple drifted, my body was spent; I was exhausted.
I fell forward into Cole. I closed my eyes as I inhaled the scent of us mixing; the scent of happiness and pleasure and perfection. I felt him lift me. Seconds later I was in bed, a warm washcloth gently wiping my center. Shane set the cloth aside and settled in, both men cuddling beside me.
“So Birmingham, huh?” I asked, yawning as I sunk into the pillows.
“Sleep now, we’ll talk tomorrow, darlin’.” Shane kissed my head, sweeping my hair away from my face. Almost immediately, sleep took me over.
***
“We agree then; we’ll do the transfer when we get to Birmingham,” Cole said.
“Hell yeah, and I already called Walt at the store. Set up a meetin’ with him for the day we get there,” Shane replied.
I slowly opened my eyes. I heard them, but I didn’t see them. I grabbed the first shirt I saw, which happened to be Cole’s. I threw it on, surprised to find it fit perfectly across my chest, but was a little loose in my waist. Had I really lost that much weight? The second I yanked it down over my hips and rear though, it fought me. Figures. I pulled a pair of panties from my drawer. I was running low thanks to their need to shred them in the heat of the moment. Heat washed over me at the memory of the last time. Grabbing a hair band off my dresser, I threw my hair into a messy bun. Lord only knew the mess it was after last night. We had a second round some two hours after the first when I woke up.
I walked out into the living room, but they weren’t there. I rounded the corner to find them in the kitchen, each leaning against the laminate counter with a cup of coffee in hand. They’d taken the time to pull on their boxers, but nothing else.
I looked to the window, frowning when I saw it was still dark out. “What time is it?”
“About 5:30,” Cole said. “I like my shirt on you.” He winked.
“Yea, well, it seems I have a lot more hips and ass than you do. Sorry if I ruin it.”
He set his cup down and pulled me to him. “I happen to love those hips” – he caressed my hips – “and that ass, I love even more.” He slid his hands down and squeezed my rear. “If you could only see how my dick looks sliding in
and out of those big, round cheeks, you’d be as turned on as I am by it.”
My eyes widened. “Cole!” I smacked his chest, feeling my cheeks heat up. He laughed, slapping the cheeks he loved, the sound reverberating off the tile floor.
“Mmm. Make that two of us, darlin’.” Shane gripped my hips, pressing his erection against my rear, as he kissed my neck.
I giggled, squirming beneath their onslaught. “Stop. I just woke up; I haven’t even brushed my teeth yet.”
“We don’t care,” Shane stated, pulling me against him at my hips. I looked to Cole, but he just wagged his brows.
“Can I at least have coffee first?”
They laughed, breaking away. “Sure, sweetie. Anything your little heart desires.” Cole’s grin was devilish, sending a tingle of excitement and fear through me.
“What are you two going to do when I go back to work tomorrow?”
Cole poured me a cup of coffee, mixing in the sugar and milk just how I liked it, before passing it to me. “Thanks,” I said, bringing it to my lips carefully. I blew lightly over the rim against the brew so I didn’t burn myself.
“About that.” Shane picked up his abandoned mug, taking a quick sip before he looked at me. “We already talked to her about the move. She’s hired Jessica on full-time as your replacement.”
My blood pumped, anger bubbling beneath my surface. I set down my coffee so I didn’t hurl it at them. “What on earth possessed you to do that?”
“We figured it’d save you the trouble of having the talk with her,” Cole offered.
“But I didn’t even agree to go with you guys. I’ve never said that.”
They both looked at each other, their expressions grim. Shane focused on me, his features tight. “Then what the hell was last night?”
“What do you mean?”
“You chose us, and you knew that included moving with us.” He narrowed his eyes.
Karley's Surrender Page 15
