An Indecent Proposition Complete ARe

by Stephanie Julian

  It made her hungry again. Horny.

  For both of them.

  Which made no damn sense, at all.

  She wanted to fall on the bed and flail around, just for a few seconds, like a toddler having a temper tantrum. Instead, she took a deep breath, closed her eyes and tried to clear her mind, at least for a few minutes.

  But all too soon, she was trying to make sense of all the different thoughts running through her head.

  This isn’t right. You need to let one of them go.

  Damn it, she didn’t want to. Call her selfish. She didn’t care. It was their own damn fault for spoiling her that first night. She wanted both.

  Yeah and how’s that going to work?

  People in this town already thought she was a slut. What would they call her if she started hanging out with two guys? Two older, wealthy guys? Who’d already given her money to sleep with them?

  “Argh.”

  No more stalling. Straightening her back, she stood.

  She knew what she should do. Now, she just had to do it. Taking a deep breath, she headed downstairs.

  As her foot hit the last step, she almost faltered, her knees wanting to lock so she couldn’t go any farther.

  She pushed ahead.

  And when she stepped into the only room on the first floor with light shining through the doorway, she caught back a sigh.

  They’d taken up positions on opposite sides of the room. Keegan sprawled in a leather wingback chair, staring at the wall beside him. Erik stood in front of the bay window, hands shoved in his pockets, bare shoulders hunched.

  Both seemed to be in deep thought and she had a few seconds to observe them before Keegan turned and snagged her gaze. She didn’t make a sound but Erik must’ve heard Keegan. Or maybe they were just that attuned to each other that Erik sensed a disturbance in Keegan’s force.

  She would’ve laughed at her own joke if it’d been even the least bit funny.

  Neither of them spoke so she crossed her arms over her chest.

  “So, how do you want to do this?”

  She sent the question out there, not really knowing how they’d respond. Not sure how she wanted them to respond.

  Keegan spoke first. “I don’t think that’s the question you want to ask, Jules.”

  She thought about what he’d said for a few seconds before she realized that’s exactly what she’d meant to say. “Actually, it is.”

  Keegan’s brow furrowed as he thought that over, like he was trying to find the bombshell hidden in her words.

  It took him at least half a minute but he finally shook his head. “I’m not sure there is any way to work this.”

  She’d expected him to say something to that effect but it still hurt. “So you don’t even want to try?”

  He rose from the chair with an explosion of movement then began to pace. “Try what? A relationship between the three of us? Are you serious? How the hell would that even work?”

  Her heart pounded, her lungs tightening with anxiety. And anger. “I don’t have a clue. I’ve never done it before. I guess the question is would you even want to see if it could work? I know you and Erik have taken other women to bed together before. You’re too good at it.”

  Erik snorted but didn’t turn from the window. And he didn’t say anything. Keegan sliced a vicious look at his friend but Erik continued to ignore him.

  “So…,” she infused as much sarcasm as she could in her tone. “Let me guess. You didn’t do relationships. You only did sex.”

  She knew she was right when Keegan stopped to glare at her before continuing to pace. When she slid a glance at Erik, she saw he’d bowed his head.

  Her hands went to her hips as her temper continued to build. “So that’s your response? Ignore me? Not going to work. Why the hell did you come to that reception tonight, Keegan? If you didn’t want anything to do with me, why didn’t you just leave me the hell alone?”

  His lips twisted. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay—”

  “Bullshit.” She slashed a hand out in front of her, and he halted in his tracks. “Jesus, could you please not lie. If that’s all you wanted, how did we end up fucking in a closet?”

  Keegan flinched and the blush leached out of his cheeks. “I’m sorry. You’re right. That’s unforgivable. So slap me. Tell me to fuck off.”

  He took a step closer and she had a brief flash of fear. She’d been hit by a man before, by the one man who never should’ve laid a hand on her. Her father had slapped her when she’d confronted him. After he’d left them. After he’d cleaned out the bank accounts and moved in with his new girlfriend.

  But as Keegan drew closer, she saw his anger wasn’t fueled by rage. It was directed inward.

  “Why don’t you just tell me why you’re afraid to even try?”

  When his gaze flashed at Erik, she knew what she was thinking was right. This wasn’t only about her. This was about Erik, as well.

  Maybe Keegan really did have sexual feelings for Erik that he wasn’t willing to admit. Maybe she was simply a scapegoat. Or a standin.

  Her anger started to get the better of her.

  “You want him, don’t you? I was just a way to be able to have him. Christ, I’ve been such a fool.”

  Keegan had been shaking his head almost since she started to speak. “That’s not it. God damn it, Jules.”

  “Then explain why you look at Erik like you have something to say to him but don’t know how. What could you possibly not be able to tell him?”

  A tense silence fell and she heard two sets of heavy male breathing. With another shake of his head, Keegan turned away from her, yanking his hand through his curls. Which was exactly what she wished she could do. Sink her hands in his hair and pull his head down so she could kiss him. Then she wanted Erik to plaster himself against her back and kiss his way down her neck to her shoulders.

  But apparently, it was all just a stupid dream on her part.

  They’d used her for their own purposes and she’d been paid. She should’ve stayed away.

  “God damn it, Keegan.” Erik’s voice startled her out of her thoughts and she looked up to find him closer than he’d been. Actually, he was closer to Keegan. “Say it. Go ahead, just fucking say it.”

  Keegan’s hands curled into fists at his side for several seconds before he made a conscious effort to release them. “Whatever you’re thinking, you’re not right.”

  Erik shook his head, his expression sarcastic. “How the hell would you know what I’m thinking? We don’t fucking talk anymore.”

  “That’s not all on me.” Keegan finally turned to face Erik and Jules knew she’d just been sidelined. But she didn’t move.

  “I know that.” Erik shook his head but this time didn’t look away. “I know I’ve been a bastard. But that’s not her fault. Don’t make her pay for things I’m guilty of.”

  “You’re not guilty of anything.”

  “And neither are you!”

  Erik was shouting by the end but she didn’t flinch this time. She couldn’t take her eyes off Keegan. He looked so tortured, she almost felt sorry for him. Sorry she’d started this.

  “I don’t know—”

  “Don’t fucking lie,” Erik shot back. “Did you really think I wouldn’t get it? Why you’ve been so damn apologetic? You walk around like a kicked puppy. What happened to me was not your fault.”

  “But I should’ve been there that night!”

  Jules’ eyes popped wide.

  Oh wow. That explained so much.

  Erik scraped a hand through his hair and pulled it back, apparently forgetting, for once, to keep the scarred side of his face covered. “Jesus, Keegan. When the hell are you going to let that go? What happened to me was not your fucking fault. The fault’s with whoever set up that explosion.”

  As Keegan shook his head, Jules frowned at Erik. “You think someone deliberately tried to hurt you?”

  Erik turned to face her. “I think so, yeah.”
<
br />   She turned to Keegan. “And you don’t?”

  Keegan closed his eyes and shook his head. “I never said that.”

  “You don’t have to say it.” Erik’s voice sounded flat. “I can read it in your face. You think I’m delusional—”

  “Oh, that’s utter fucking bullshit.” Keegan’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. “You’re not delusional.”

  “I know that. I know there’s a goddamn reason why that burner blew other than a simple malfunction.”

  “You think someone sabotaged your lab?” she asked.

  Both men turned toward her but she kept her eyes on Erik, watching him come closer.

  “Yeah, I think someone deliberately set it to blow.”

  “Do you know who?”

  Erik shook his head. “I have some suspicions but nothing concrete. Not yet.”

  “And you’re driving yourself crazy trying to figure it out.” Keegan slammed his fist again the wall. “You need help, damn it.”

  Erik threw his hands in the air. “And there you go. You think—”

  “Fuck it, you know that’s not what I meant. If you really think someone rigged that explosion then you need to hire someone.”

  Apparently this was an ongoing battle between the two of them but she couldn’t help but ask, “Why won’t you get someone to help you with the investigation?”

  “Because what if he’s wrong?” Keegan’s voice held a bitter tone. “What if whoever we bring in proves him wrong? You’re never wrong, are you, Erik?”

  Erik shook his head, his expression bitter. “Oh, please. You know that’s bullshit.”

  “Then why won’t you let me hire someone?”

  “What if this was an inside job? What if we bring someone in and tip off whoever did it? No. I can do this. I just need a little more time.”

  “And in the meantime, you leave me to keep everything else going. This is supposed to be a partnership, Erik.”

  They seemed to have forgotten she was there again, squared off against each other.

  She should leave. She couldn’t help them with this and she felt useless. And slightly guilty for pushing them into this discussion, although apparently, they needed it.

  Erik sighed loudly. “I know I’ve been preoccupied but I’ve been putting in as much time as I can on that new pad and—”

  “Jesus, I’m not questioning your schedule.” Keegan shook his head. “I’m fucking worried about you. After that last operation, you walked around like a fucking zombie. These past few months you started to come back to the land of the living but you’re still not here completely. When you saw Jules, I thought…”

  Thought what?

  She looked at Erik, watched another flush creep into his cheeks. He didn’t look at her and she wasn’t sure if that was deliberate or not. She’d begun to feel like she was at a tennis match.

  “Don’t.” Erik’s voice had a sharp edge to it. “Don’t put that on her.”

  “I’m not putting anything on her.” Keegan shook his head. “But admit it. The first time you saw her, you finally started acting human again.”

  They stared at each other for several seconds before Erik’s gaze slipped toward her.

  “Is that true?” She wanted to know. She knew she’d been his first after the accident. He’d told her so. And Carol had practically said the same thing earlier tonight.

  After several seconds, Erik nodded with a sharp jerk.

  She frowned. “Why wouldn’t you want me to know that?”

  Erik just stared at her as Keegan released a frustrated sigh.

  “Because he doesn’t want you to feel obligated. God damn it, Erik. Just tell her how you fucking feel.”

  Erik’s gaze slid to Keegan. “Because that’s exactly what you’re doing, right?”

  Keegan’s jaw locked and she had that sensation of being on the outside again. Locked out. Maybe there really was nothing romantic between the men. But they had one hell of a complicated relationship.

  And she was making everything worse.

  “I’m leaving.”

  She couldn’t take it anymore, this constant push and pull. Was she crazy thinking they could build something between the three of them?

  Definitely crazy. It would never work.

  “No.”

  Two male voices spoke in unison. Two pairs of intense eyes locked onto her. Determination shone from each of them. But she wasn’t backing down.

  “You two need to work this out. I can’t help you.”

  Erik reached for her, wrapping his fingers around her wrist. “Don’t go.”

  “I have to.”

  “No, you don’t.” Keegan had stepped up behind her, enclosing her between them. “Neither of us want you to go.”

  “And what if I don’t want to stay? Would you keep me here against my will?”

  It was a pretty shitty thing to say and she wanted to take the words back immediately, especially when she felt Keegan go rigid behind her and watched Erik’s expression harden into a mask.

  When he released her, she wanted to grab for him but managed to curl her fingers into her palms. She couldn’t play this seesaw game. It wasn’t fair. To her or them.

  “Do you think we’d do that, Jules?”

  Keegan’s voice held a hint of ice she’d never heard before.

  Frustrated, she threw her hands up and took two angry steps away from them, giving them both her back.

  “No, I don’t think that. You two are screwing with my head and I hate this.”

  Behind her, dead silence.

  Which just fucked with her head even more.

  Forcing herself to take a deep breath, she reached for calm. But knowing they were there, just as screwed up as she was about this, didn’t help.

  But they’re both here.

  The thought lodged in her brain and wouldn’t leave.

  They’re here and they want you.

  No, she shouldn’t be thinking about sex.

  And yet, she couldn’t stop thinking about it. For the past two weeks, all she’d done was obsess over that night.

  And you could have that again. Right now.

  All she had to do was turn around and tell them. Tell them she wanted them. They wouldn’t deny her.

  And is that fair? To any of you?

  Right at the moment, she didn’t care about fair or unfair. All she cared about was easing the ache deep in her gut. The ache these men created simply by being in the same room.

  Finally, behind her she heard movement.

  She held still, waiting, unwilling to move. Biting into her bottom lip, she sucked in a deep breath.

  Had Keegan left? She didn’t want him to leave.

  Or had Erik retreated?

  A hand grasped her shoulder and her eyes closed.

  Only to fly open again when another body moved in front of her.

  She found herself staring into Keegan’s dark blue eyes.

  Which meant that was Erik’s hand on her shoulder, the hand now smoothing down her arm, sending erotic shivers through her body.

  Keegan’s eyes were rimmed in red but they were clear. Sober.

  His mouth, when he sealed it over hers, was hot and demanding. The same as Erik’s when he pressed it to her shoulder.

  Feet anchored to the floor, her hands curled into fists. She was almost afraid to reach for either of them for fear they’d pull away. She knew that was ridiculous but it didn’t make her move.

  Her lips stayed still beneath Keegan’s mouth, waiting. For what, she wasn’t sure. Her skin heated at Erik’s touch as he stroked his hands down her arms to the hem of the shirt.

  When his hands slipped beneath it and splayed across her lower back, she shuddered and Keegan released her mouth, though he didn’t step away.

  “This is your last chance to run, Jules. If you really don’t want to be here, you need to go now. If you stay…” Keegan’s breath as he spoke fanned against her cheek, making her lashes flutter to stay open. “This is wh
ere you’re going to be all night. Between us.”

  She drew in a sharp gasp as Erik tugged the shirt up and over her head in one swift motion. Bared from the waist up, she didn’t feel exposed. She felt desired.

  Erik’s arms wrapped around her from behind, pulling her against his chest. His erection pressed against her lower back and she couldn’t help but wiggle against it. His groan echoed in her ear.

  Her gaze snapped up to Keegan’s face, but his eyes were focused on her body. Watching Erik’s hands stroke her belly before moving up to cup her breasts.

  When Erik began to play with her nipples, tugging on the tips through her bra, her eyes fluttered shut but Keegan grabbed her chin in his hands and tilted her head back until it hit Erik’s shoulder. Her eyes flew open and locked onto Keegan’s.

  “He’s going to play with you until you come.” Keegan’s voice was nothing more than a dark rasp. “Then we’re both going to make love to you. On the couch, on the floor, against the wall. In the middle of the damn room. I don’t give a fuck where. We’re going to give you what you want. And we’re going to make sure you enjoy it.”

  Oh, God. She had no doubt she would. Her skin broke out in goose bumps, sensation shivering through her.

  This was what she’d wanted. So why was she afraid to move?

  Maybe because she was afraid she’d break the tenuous truce. Between them. Between her and them.

  Erik’s teeth sank into the tender spot joining her neck and shoulders as Keegan’s arms crossed over his chest. The slight pain sent a shock through her that jolted her against the cage of Erik’s arms. They tightened around her even more and, for a second, she felt helpless.

  God, it made her wet.

  Her eyes closed again and this time Keegan didn’t tell her to keep them open. The darkness heightened her sense of touch, and every inch of skin pressed against Erik’s felt like it was on fire.

  Erik’s fingers plucked at her nipples, teasing them into hard, aching points. The cooler air of the room brushed against them, pebbling them. Her skin soaked up the heat from Erik’s hands until it sank into her veins and made her blood boil.

  Leaning back against him, she finally let her hands reach behind her. She slipped her fingers into the waistband of Erik’s jeans, scratching at his skin. Her fingers fumbled at the button but from this angle, she couldn’t undo it. So she contented herself with cupping his erection through the material.