by Chloe Lang
“Not at all.” Carlotta spread out her blue silk scarf on the coffee table and placed her tarot cards and crystal ball on it. “Da spirits are anxious for me to read all dhree of you togdher. I dhought I vould be using da cards tonight, but the crystal ball says ‘no.’ I am to use it instead.”
Lance grinned. “I’m game.”
“Me, too.” Chuck was clearly open to whatever Carlotta wanted.
Danielle understood. It was hard to resist the dear woman. “I guess I am, too.”
“Hold hands.” Carlotta pulled out a red candle and a lighter from her purse. She lit the wick. “Did you know that crystals have been used for scrying for dhousands of years? It takes years of practice, gazing at da reflective surface to see into da spirit vorld.” The sweet fortune-teller stared at the ball. “I see Lance’s parents. Dhey are still among da living, yes?”
“Yes,” Lance answered in a quiet tone of awe.
“Dhey are svimming in a large beautiful pool, enjoying dhemselves.”
“They have a pool.”
“A pool dhat you gave dhem, yes? Wait. Your fadher is getting out of da pool. He’s grabbing his cell. Da spirits tell me he’s about to call you.”
“Really?” Lance’s eyes were wide. His cell rang and they all jumped, except Carlotta of course. He looked at the screen. “It is my dad.”
Chuck’s jaw dropped. “You’re kidding.”
“Oh my God.” Danielle looked at Carlotta with a new level of respect and belief. She was the real thing.
“Hello, dad. Can I call you back? I’m in a meeting. Sure. Thanks.”
“He’s getting back into the pool now, Lance.” Carlotta looked up from her crystal ball. “I told you da spirits wanted me to come tonight. Chuck, shall I dial in your parents’ place?”
“I suppose so, but by the look on Lance’s face, I’m sure that won’t be a problem for you.”
“No problem at all.” Carlotta’s attention returned to the reflective surface. “They are in bed, enjoying—”
“That’s all I need to know, Carlotta.” Chuck put his hands over his eyes as if he was able to see what was inside the crystal ball, too. “Let them have their privacy.”
Carlotta nodded. “I suppose you’re right. What about your parents, Danielle?”
She felt the giant hole inside her that had been there since the day she’d run away. “No. Please don’t.”
“Da spirits believe I should, but I will honor your vishes. Let’s see vhat else is in store for da dhree of you.” Carlotta closed her eyes and hummed for a few moments. Then she gazed into the orb once again. “Da spirits show much love in your lives. A bright future, full of happiness and joy. You belong togedher. I see children playing around you.”
Danielle couldn’t help but smile. “Children?”
“I like what you’re seeing, Carlotta.” Lance put his arm around Danielle’s shoulder.
Chuck squeezed her leg. “How many, Carlotta?”
“Wait.” Carlotta’s eyes were filled with worry. “Someone is coming. Someone dangerous.” She sighed. “I’m sorry. Da vision is gone.”
“Whoever is coming will have to face me and Chuck.” Lance patted his gun, which was holstered to his side. “We won’t let anything happen to Danielle.”
“I know.” Carlotta took off her turban. “You are meant for each odher. You vill protect her.”
Chuck stood, checking the windows and doors. “Yes, we will protect Danielle.”
“I must get back to da diner, children.”
“Thank you for coming.” She gave the sweet fortune-teller a hug.
Carlotta turned to Lance and Chuck, kissing them both on the cheek. “Good-night.”
After she walked out the door, Danielle turned to Lance and Chuck. “That was amazing.”
Chuck smiled. “She is a true psychic. I’m a believer from here on out.”
“How can any of us not be?” Lance shook his head. “I always suspected there were things invisible and supernatural that couldn’t be explained, but now I know it for a fact. My God, that thing with my dad and him calling blew my mind.”
“Mine, too.” Danielle sat down on the sofa. “My head is swirling with all she told us.”
“Mine, too.” Lance stepped in front of her. “How about a glass of wine, baby?”
“I would love one.”
After Lance brought all of them drinks, he sat down on one side of her and Chuck on the other.
“How often do you talk to your dad, Lance?” What kind of parents did he and Chuck have?
“Almost every day. Dad and mom have always been my biggest cheerleaders.” It was evident how much he cared for his parents. “We weren’t rich. Dad worked for the water department and mom cleaned houses. We didn’t have much but we always had fun.”
“Any brothers or sisters?”
“Nope. They had me and realized that another child would fall below the perfection they had right in front of them with their baby boy.”
“Perfection, my ass.” Chuck laughed. “Ellen and Paul stopped because they didn’t want to subject the world to another Lance, that’s why.”
“You only say that because you are the middle child in the Covington family. Marie and Joe had their hands full with you and your siblings.” Lance turned to her. “He’s got two older brothers and one older sister and two younger sisters and one younger brother. You know what they say about middle children, Danielle? All true when it comes to Chuck.”
She loved how Lance and Chuck teased each other. “What do they say about middle children?”
“Middle children, like Chuck, always talk about feeling invisible.”
“Not true, buddy.”
“I know.” Lance smiled. “You’re a great friend.”
Chuck grabbed her hand and squeezed. “With my mom and dad, none of us felt invisible. Like Lance’s parents, mine are my biggest supporters. If I need anything, I know I can depend on them. They always told me to go after my dreams, saying that with hard work, I could have it all.”
“And we did, didn’t we?” Lance took her other hand. “You know we have money now, but it wasn’t always that way. Chuck and I met in college. We were roommates and became instant friends. He became my brother then and remains so to this very day.”
Chuck nodded. “Always. We built a company together. It was hard work but so much fun.”
“That’s how you two made all your money?”
They both nodded.
“I can’t imagine what it’s like to be able to not worry about what things cost.” She sighed, remembering the past ten years of struggle she’d come through. Paycheck to paycheck was all she’d ever known.
Lance shrugged. “Having money is nice, baby, but it doesn’t bring real happiness. It’s fun, don’t get me wrong, but it’s the people in your life that matter the most, not the things you can buy.”
“We enjoyed building our business, sweetheart, but then we sold it.” Chuck’s tone filled her with sadness. “We became billionaires but we lost our way.”
“Why don’t you start another business? If it made you happy before, I’m sure it would again.”
“Not a bad idea, baby, but there’s something more important that has captured all our attention at the moment.” Lance stroked her hair. “You. Business is fun, but you are the only one that will really make me happy. I don’t need Carlotta’s crystal ball to know that.”
Chuck touched her on the cheek. “Even back in the earlier years at college, we both sensed something was missing in our lives. Now I know that was you, Danielle. You are the one we’ve been looking for our whole lives.”
Danielle believed in Lance and Chuck. She believed Carlotta was right. She belonged with them. She needed to tell them how she felt. She loved them. She knew it from the top of her head to the tips of her toes.
Where to begin?
The front door burst open. Lance and Chuck were on their feet in front of her with their guns drawn.
“Put d
own your weapons.” Michael raised his hands over his head. “I surrender. It’s just me and Harry.”
Lance holstered his gun. “Glad you’re home, buddy.”
Chuck nodded. “We can really use your help right now.”
“When we heard about everything that has been happening, we came back home as fast as we could. Is Danielle okay?”
“I’m fine, Michael.” She came to her feet and walked over to the sweetest gay couple in town. “Better than fine.”
* * * *
Lance held Danielle’s hand. She’d gotten Michael and Harry up to speed on all that had happened since they’d been at Lake Tahoe.
“I’m beat.” Harry stood. “Good-night, all.”
Michael kissed him. “Honey, I’ll be up in a few minutes.”
Danielle yawned. “I think I’m ready for bed, too.”
Lance stood and pulled out her chair for her.
Chuck nodded. “I’ll finish my beer and be right in.”
“Good. I’ve got something I want to discuss with you.” Michael clearly still had something on his mind. He’d invited him and Chuck to Wilde for some other reason that had been put aside because of all that was happening with Danielle. Chuck would get all the details.
Lance walked into the bedroom with Danielle. Life had never been better. He was happy, really happy, and the reason was standing next to him.
Sheepishly, Danielle looked up at him. “Can I ask you a question?”
God, she is adorable. It was clear to him that she had the heart of a submissive. He couldn’t wait to introduce her to the life, but it wasn’t time. Not just yet, anyway. “Honey, you can ask me anything.”
“I care about you and Chuck the same. You do realize that?”
He touched her cheek. Her face was so soft, so beautiful. “I do, and you know we care about you, too, right?”
She nodded. “But my first time was with you. I know Chuck made love to me right after, but you took my virginity, not him.”
“Yes, baby.” She’d given him the most precious gift a woman could give a man. He couldn’t get over it.
Her lip began to tremble ever so slightly.
He pulled her in close. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m not sure. I never dreamed I would like having sex so much, but you two make me want it every time I look at you.”
“It’s not just sex, baby, it’s making love. You’ve set off desires in us we’ve never experienced before.”
“But how can I let Chuck know he’s just as important to me as you?”
“You mean because I was the one you gave your virginity to. Now you’re afraid he will think he’s a third wheel…or something like that?”
“Sort of. I just want him to realize how much he means to me. But I can’t give him my virginity. Do I sound crazy?”
He stroked her hair. “Not at all. What if I told you that you could give him something that would be very special, something that would be another first for you, another kind of virginity?”
“I don’t understand.”
She was so sweet, so innocent. He loved her with all his heart. “Sit on the bed and let me tell you my idea. Chuck will love it. I promise.”
* * * *
Chuck finished his beer. “You were right about this town, Michael. It gets in your blood fast.”
“I told you it would. So what do you think about my idea?”
“I never thought about owning a television station before, but it is intriguing, especially with the call letters K-I-N-K.”
Michael smiled. “This is Wilde, Chuck. They do things differently around here.”
“Yes, they do.” Putting down roots here made sense to him. “Let me talk to Lance and Danielle about it.”
“Lance…and Danielle?” Michael clearly approved. Always the matchmaker. “I like the sound of that, my friend.”
“I do, too, Michael. More than you know.”
“Danielle looks happier than I’ve ever seen her. Have you two said those three words to her yet? If you haven’t, isn’t it about time?”
He’d never spoken those words to any woman before, but spoken or not, he definitely did love Danielle. “You’re one to talk. What about you?”
“I’ve told Harry I love him. I’m not a coward.”
Time to turn the tables on his friend. He grinned. “But have you made an honest man out of him yet? Have you asked him to marry you? It’s legal in several states, and is recognized by the federal government now. What’s holding you up?”
Michael laughed. “Going for the jugular, are you?”
“Hard to give up that playboy lifestyle, isn’t it?”
“Not really, Chuck. It’s the past. I want to build a life with Harry. Just hoping to find the right time to ask him.”
He cared for Michael like a brother. Everyone who ever met the guy did. Michael was charming as hell. “Back to the business at hand. Are you sure the families who support it will be willing to sell to us?”
“More than willing. I’ve already told Austin my idea and he’s on board. With you two running the television station, it will be such a gift to the town. I better head to bed. I’ve got a handsome devil waiting on me.”
“And I have Danielle waiting for me.”
He walked into the bedroom and found Danielle and Lance sitting on the bed, both naked. “I thought you two were tired. What’s this all about? As if I didn’t know already.” He smiled, happy with how much Danielle seemed to enjoy sex.
“I’m not sure you know everything, buddy.” Lance held up the bottle of lubricant and a package of condoms.
“Wait a second. I’m not sure she’s ready for anal sex yet, are you?”
“Ask her yourself.”
She stood and walked right up to him.
“Danielle?”
She looked up at him and put her arms around his neck. “I care about you, Mr. Charles Henry Covington.”
“I care about you, too, baby.”
She tilted her head up, offering her lips. He devoured them, relishing the taste of her. His cock stirred in his jeans.
“I want you to know how much you mean to me.” Her sweet gaze unhinged him. “Lance explained some things to me. About the lifestyle you and he are into.”
“He did?” He glanced at Lance, giving him his most disapproving look. How could he have thought she was ready for D/s play? She wasn’t. Not yet. Sure, she seemed to have a submissive streak deep inside her, but she was so new to sex.
“Not much, but a little.”
“Honey, you’re not ready for that. Not tonight. There’s much more to talk about and go over before we introduce you to BDSM. Trust me, I want that more than you know, but it’s not time. I’ll know when you are ready.” It wouldn’t be fair to rush into the life without more time together.
“You’re right, buddy. She’s not ready for BDSM.” Lance gave him that rare look he knew not to discount. It was serious and thoughtful. “But hear her out. I think you’ll be surprised what has been going on in this little doll’s head.”
“What’s he talking about, sweetheart?”
“You’re just as special to me as Lance. You know that, right?”
“I do.”
“I gave him something that I can only give once. My virginity. Yes, you made love to me right after, and it meant the world to me. But I want to give you something that is special, too. Something that you and I can share that will be a first for us.”
Realization was dawning on him. “You want me to be your first for anal sex?”
“Yes, Chuck. More than anything. Will you be my first?”
“Hell yes, baby.” He lifted her into his arms. “Where have you been all my life, angel?”
“I didn’t know it, honey,” she said, “but I was looking for you and Lance. Now, I’ve found you both.”
“And we found you.” He kissed her, devouring her lips and sending his tongue into her sweet mouth. He placed her gorgeous body on the bed next to Lance. “It
’s clear that you two will be trouble whenever you are out of my sight.” He grinned and began undressing.
“That’ll teach you to leave us alone.” Her sauciness was just one of the things he adored about her. “Who knows what else we will cook up if you do?”
Lance smiled. “You gotta like how she thinks, buddy.”
“Oh, I do.” He crawled onto the bed, positioning her between him and Lance. “Come here, you little conniving vixen.”
She rolled on her side, facing him. “Like this?”
“Exactly like that.” He cupped Danielle’s chin. “I want every ounce of your one-hundred-and-nine-pound, sensual body tonight.” He caressed her breasts, which were the most perfect pair he’d ever seen or touched in his life. Everything about Danielle was flawless. “Face Lance for me, baby. I want to get your pretty little ass ready for me.”
She nodded, and he helped her onto her other side.
“Don’t hold back anything, sweetheart.”
“I won’t. I’m yours.” Her words went straight to his need, enflaming it even more.
Lance moved his hand down her body.
Chuck loved seeing her sweet shiver.
“Buddy, she’s nice and wet for us.”
Chuck nodded and applied lubricant to her soft virgin ass.
Lance began sucking on her nipples, and her breaths turned to pants.
Knowing he needed to take extra time and care with Danielle, since this would be her first time with anal sex, he gently massaged her anus.
After a few minutes, she began to moan. Starting to put a finger into her bottom, Chuck felt her tense.
“It’s okay, baby.” He couldn’t get over how sweet and innocent she was. “I won’t hurt you. Trust me. You will enjoy what I have in store for you.”
“I will?”
He kissed the back of her neck. “Yes, you will.”
“I trust you both.”
It thrilled him to hear her say those words. The strength that resided inside her amazed him. She’d survived so much, and now she was his—his to pleasure, to protect, and to love.
“Don’t stop breathing.” He sent a single digit into her ass, pressing forward only when he could sense her relaxing. Slowly, he claimed a fraction of an inch at a time. Finally, when he heard her moan, he slipped his finger the rest of the way into her hot body.
