It was damn fine.
Body and head buzzing, Rachel was vaguely aware of Ben and Will taking turns cleaning up. Neither left her alone. There were always strong arms around her and the pillow of a hard chest. Will offered her water, which she accepted. Ben brought her a warm washcloth, which she somehow managed to use and return to him.
Finally, they were tucked in an afterglow cuddle. She spooned against Will’s back with Ben at hers.
He dropped a kiss to her shoulder. “You don’t really think you’re going to take a nap, do you?”
“Yes.” She wiggled her butt against him and hugged Will tight. “And you two aren’t going anywhere until I wake up.”
“Sounds good to me,” Will mumbled.
Ben’s sigh settled him deep into the bed. “I’ll wake you when we’ve had enough turnaround time.”
Rachel smiled. “Not if I wake you first.”
Chapter Nine
Rachel lay sprawled in Ben’s lap, an erection digging a hole in her back while lower, Will worked some serious tongue magic on her clit. Now this was the way to wake a woman.
Ben locked her open for Will’s mouth, his heels hooked over her knees and spreading her wide. Ben rolled, tweaked, and pulled her nipples until they were as hard and swollen as her clitoris.
“Oh God.” She titled her pelvis, trying to get Will’s tongue right where she wanted. He cupped her bottom, supporting her while his tongue took a leisurely stroll everywhere but the one place she needed.
Rachel clamped her hands over his head. His short hair foiled capture, or she would have had a fistful. “Would you quit teasing?”
Will’s laughter rumbled through her pussy. “Yes, ma’am.” He rolled her clit between his lips and flashed his tongue over it.
Rachel strained against Ben’s bonds, digging her nails into his forearms as she held on for dear life. The aftermath left her spent, her muscles no more than a rag doll’s. She lay cradled between Ben’s thighs, his erection throbbing against her spine. Will kissed her thighs, gently squeezed her buttocks. He had to be just as hard and wanting. Neither pushed her. She could roll out of bed and go about her business, and they wouldn’t say a thing. Not a problem; she’d be happy to oblige them.
Easing from their hold, Rachel rolled over and lifted her hips to Will while she eyed Ben’s erection. Ben grinned, grasped the base of his cock, and held it in place for her. Rachel licked her lips, eyed his meat, and planned her attack.
Will’s hand on her hip kept her in place. He traced his cock down her crack, then raked the length over her sensitive clit. She gasped, lifted higher, her face now mere inches from Ben’s sac. She blew out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. Ben groaned and spread his legs.
Rachel nuzzled his balls, pulled one between her lips, and moaned when Will plunged deep.
“Oh God.” Ben smacked his fist into the bed.
Rachel sucked his testicle and hummed, but the sound morphed into another groan when Will’s fingers closed over her clit. He stroked it in time with his thrusts. How the hell was she supposed to concentrate on giving Ben the blowjob of his life when Will was…
“Suck me,” Ben gasped out. He clutched his dick in one hand and cupped her head with the other.
Rachel licked her way up the thick under ridge, flashed the tag of flesh beneath the head, then deep throated him.
“Holy shit.” Ben’s grip on her head tightened. She tensed, expecting him to grab a handful. Instead, he pulled in a shaky breath, skimmed his hands over her shoulders, then dropped them to his thighs. She rewarded his consideration with the flat of her tongue, a twirl around the head, and another deep suck. It was her last conscious act.
They let Will take the lead, set the rhythm. Rachel rode with him, her sucks to Ben’s cock in time with all he did. The rise built fast. Her lips tightened around Ben. Will tensed, froze, then ground his fingers over her clit. They came together, straining into the climax, collapsing in a heap of sweaty bodies.
Will relieved her of his weight and plopped back on the bed. Rachel crawled into the space next to him. Ben fumbled for the sheet and pulled it over them against the air conditioner’s chill.
“I could stay like this the rest of the day,” he said as he curled into her, burrowing his face into her neck.
“Come on, guys.” She patted their hips. “Those breakfast dishes aren’t going to do themselves.”
“I already had to shave; I shouldn’t have to do the dishes. It’s my birthday. I get to do whatever I want, and what I want is to—”
“Oh shit!” Will bolted upright. “What time… Oh shit!” He scrambled from bed like the place was on fire. “Get dressed. Hurry. We don’t have—”
Ben pushed himself onto his elbows. “What the hell did you do, Will?”
Will splayed his fingers over his chest. “It wasn’t all me. Your sisters—”
Ah, a surprise birthday party.
“And you couldn’t have warned me?” Ben crawled from the bed.
Rachel wedged a pillow behind her and enjoyed the view. They looked glorious standing there naked, at odds, penises lifting with the extra shot of adrenaline. Like two swordsmen ready to duel.
“I had other things on my mind.” Will jerked his arm toward Rachel. “My fondest wish coming true shoved everything else out of my head. Besides…it was supposed be a surprise.”
“Well, that explains your desire to take me on a tour. You couldn’t have said something then?” Ben stabbed his legs into his jeans, jumping a little to pull them in place.
Rachel appreciated the bob of his erection. If either of them knew how delicious… She hugged her knees to her chest. It’d be a true test of her skills to see if she could distract them now. Unless she missed her guess, the party guests would be arriving shortly.
“I’ll get started on the dishes.” She hopped from bed and started to dress, doubting either man heard her.
“How much time do we have?” Ben’s T-shirt muffled the words.
“None.” Will was fully dressed, headed for the door. “They’ll be here any second. You weren’t supposed to be here.”
“Stop…both of you.” Rachel darted into their path, blocking the door with arms outspread. Both men looked at her like she was crazy, like they could pluck her out of the way with one arm. Well…they could, but…
She leveled a hard stare at them. “Remember… I am small but mighty.”
“You.” Rachel stabbed a finger in Ben’s direction. “Will and your family went to a lot of effort to surprise you. You will be surprised, and you will enjoy every minute. It’s too late to hide, so…man up and fake something. Make the bed, for God’s sake.”
Even as she spoke Rachel could hear voices outside.
“And you.” She jerked her finger Will’s way. “Get in there and get those dishes cleaned up.” He skirted around her without question. Ben was a different matter. He stood there, arms crossed, wearing a smirk.
“And what will you be doing while we pick up?”
“Hiding until it’s over.”
A frown replaced the smirk. “No. You will not hide from my family. You’re my woman.”
A little thrill rattled down her body. “What? No caveman chest thump?”
Ben smacked his fist into his chest and grunted.
She slid her hands over his ribs. “The transfer isn’t official. You didn’t sign—”
“But you did. It’s done.” A sigh released the tension in his shoulders. Ben caught her hips and drew her to him. “I won’t hide. We’re together. The three of us. When…when I said you mean a lot to me, I meant that—”
“Wasabi.” Rachel pressed her fingers against his lips.
Ben gently pulled her hand away. “This isn’t a scene, Rachel. This is the real deal.”
“That’s what makes it so scary, Ben. I’m not at the same place as you right now. If you tell me how you really feel, and I can’t reciprocate…” She didn’t want to risk losing what they had now, didn�
��t want things to get awkward.
Ben smiled. “It’s enough that you know without me saying it. When you’re there, you tell me. It’s enough you want me.”
“So much,” she breathed. “For so long. In so many ways.”
He cradled her head to his chest. She closed her eyes, comforted by the steady beat of his racing heart.
“They’re here!” Will shouted.
Ben dropped a kiss to her lips as she eased apart. “Stay away from my brothers. They’re horny little bastards.”
“Must run in the family.” She gave his fine ass a pat when he walked away. “Don’t worry. A little time in the playroom should calm them down.”
Ben whirled on her, eyes wide. “No!” He drew breath to say something more, then apparently thought better of it and walked away.
But the chest thump was obvious. Rachel just wasn’t sure how she felt about it this time. The three of them together meant more than love. It meant exclusivity.
Rachel closed the door and listened to the joyful commotion on the other side. She could have that, right now.
Together. God, her heart raced at the idea, but she didn’t know if that was from fear or joy. The men had decided. Now it was up to her.
Rachel buried her face in her hands, but the tears she expected to pour out wouldn’t come. The choice was simple. All she had to do was make it. Her heart already knew the right move to make. All she had to do was take control.
“Very well then.” Peace settled over her.
It felt good, right?
She’d never been more scared in her life. So many questions, so many decisions. So many—
The door swung open. Will poked his head in. “You coming or what?”
She smiled. “Soon as I make the bed.”
“That will be today, right?”
“I’m doing it as we speak,” she said with a laugh and fluffed a pillow.
Will’s look called her a liar. He ducked out the door, then came back in. “And watch out for Ben’s brothers. They’re—”
“I’ve heard.” Wow, two chest thumpers. Make that three. “And you stay away from his sisters.”
Will grinned. “They’re married, but… Yes, ma’am.”
Chapter Ten
There was a distance in Rachel’s eyes Will never liked to see. She was here, she interacted with everyone, seemed to have a great time, but something was off. It scared the hell out of him. This was her worry face, where she picked apart and analyzed everything to pieces.
And she and Ben thought he was obsessive?
He glanced at Ben, cavorting with his three little nephews in the pool. Everyone was having a great time, and for all intents and purposes, it looked like Ben was focused on his family. But Will didn’t miss the long looks Rachel’s way, the calculating hunger in Ben’s eyes. He was hooked. Rachel was…iffy. Will had to play this one carefully.
“See how great he is with kids?” Ben was very good with children. They adored him, and the feeling was mutual. It was a definite plus. “Hell, a lot of times Ben’s nothing more than a big kid himself.”
It gave Rachel another good glimpse into the type of man Ben was personally.
She surveyed the pool patio from her chaise lounge behind her oversize sunglasses, sipping blueberry lemonade and offering no comment. She looked hot as hell in a simple black one-piece suit that drew a lot of attention her way from all the males. He loved how she fit in well with Ben’s family. They were a rambunctious bunch. Rachel acted like she’d known them forever, and vice versa.
But despite all that, she’d been too silent. Too long. That couldn’t be good. God, what the hell was she thinking about?
Sitting next to her, Will nudged her foot. “And though he puts up a good front, I think he really can cook. He just likes fucking with me,” he added in a whisper.
She lifted an eyebrow his way at that. “Who doesn’t? Girl in the middle, of course.”
He felt his face warm and backed away. There was a bite to her words. Maybe her being quiet wasn’t a bad thing.
“Back off, Will. I can see for myself what fine mating material he makes. You can give it a rest. Your work here is done. We’re together. End of story.”
He swung his feet to the patio and pressed forward, forearms on knees. Tense communication was better than none. “Are we, Rachel? Because I see this distant look in your eyes that says otherwise. Do you love him?”
She gave an unladylike snort. “I don’t know him well enough to love him. Let’s just say I’m open to the possibility that one day I might. I love you. It’s enough for now. Why are you pushing?”
“Because I want this so badly.”
“All right.”
Rachel skimmed her hand over his knee. Now he had a steel pike in his swim trunks and couldn’t move.
“Where are we going to live? I have a home and studio in Palm Springs. You and Ben have homes and a business here. No move? Then consider the commute is around two hours one way. That’s four hours on the road. No commute? Then we’re back to weekends. Now you want to turn this monstrosity of a house into a bed-and-breakfast you expect the three of us to run. For someone who’s so by the numbers, you really haven’t thought this one through.”
So that’s what was bothering her. He should have known. Yeah, he had the answers, but in the mood she was in, Rachel would expect him to be submissive. He wouldn’t get away with making demands twice in one day. He was lucky she hadn’t skewered him earlier. He owed Ben for saving the day. He’d jumped in just like Will had hoped.
So he’d give her sub. The fact that she was worrying over this meant she was more than iffy on the idea. She was intrigued. She wanted it.
“From my perspective, we’re not talking general hookups. This is all or none.” Rachel pulled her feet down, facing him head-on now, all guns blazing. “And what about children?”
Whoa…her mind really was going a mile a minute. How did he play this? She’d hit him out of the blue with this one. He wasn’t exactly sure how he felt about it.
“What?” He dropped his gaze to her belly.
She smacked his shoulder. “Chill out. Not this second. I swear your eyes are going to bug out.”
“Sorry. I don’t understand.” He stared at her, making sure his eyes stayed wide. Well, hell, at the thought of kids they were. By now, they would have Ben’s attention. He wished he could verify that. Rachel would catch the lapse in a heartbeat. “What do you mean?”
She clutched his hands in hers. “Whose children do I bear? Who gets to be a father first?”
“I never thought… I just wanted… Rach, I need us to be together.” Forever. It was as simple as that. The rest, the stuff that made that furrow between her eyebrows, they could figure out together. That’s what being together meant. But he couldn’t push. Not this time. No matter how much he wanted.
Rachel brushed her thumbs over his hands. “And this is why I decide what you need and when you need it.”
Will sat there dumbstruck. She’d slid that one in on him, and he hadn’t seen it coming. His erection wilted. Words failed him.
“Now…” She patted his thighs and resumed her seat. “If you really want Ben more agreeable about the bed-and-breakfast, you might want to line up an investor. He’ll appreciate not having to foot the bill for this completely. I know I will. Give Oliver a call.” She looked over the top of her sunglasses. “Now.”
What choice did he have but to appear to obey? After all, she was his Domme. She didn’t have to know having Oliver on board as an investor was already a done deal. Hell, he was afraid to say anything else at this point.
“Yes, my Lady.” He slipped inside the house, then sank into the nearest chair and tried to gather his thoughts. He’d screwed up, pushed too far. Now what?
He scrubbed his hands over his face and watched through the sliding glass doors. Ben hauled himself from the pool and headed her way. Any victory Will might have felt was washed away by the distance in Ben’s gaze. Cold a
nd remote, like Rachel’s had been. How could Will have thought it’d been calculating want? This was boardroom Ben out for…something. And it sure as hell wasn’t sex.
God, he’d misjudged everything. Will had sucked at being a Dom all those years ago, and now he sucked at being a sub. As if you ever fully embraced that. True, so true. That thread of Dom in him still edged for control. Control Will had no business wielding in personal matters.
He watched Ben sit astride Rachel’s chaise. Watched the looks on their faces as they assessed each other. It scared the hell out of him. He’d lost. There might be a union once the dust settled, but he doubted very seriously if it would include him. His heart clenched.
Will pushed to his feet and walked away. He couldn’t bear to watch another second.
* * * *
“Problems?”
Dripping water, Ben sat astride the edge of her chaise. Except for a smile, Rachel didn’t budge. He wondered if she harbored any doubts about what they were about to do. It would make him feel better to know he wasn’t the only one. His family’s arrival gave Ben the cooling-off period he needed to think things through. One part of him said he was getting carried away in the heat of the moment, now that he had the woman he’d craved for so long. Another part of him cheered and knew it was all so very right. Both parts had questions that needed answers before this could go any further. Now, with her so near, seemingly his, all Ben wanted to do was wipe that furrow from between her eyebrows.
He leaned as close as company allowed without crawling on top of her.
“Nothing I can’t handle,” she said.
“I’ve never see Will back down like that for anyone. You are mighty.”
“Thank you.” Rachel gave him a single nod, then pushed her glasses up. “I will need some alone time with him tonight. Is that all right with you?”
Not really. Will had had plenty of time with her. Ben wanted her to himself. Somehow he forced himself to say, “Perfectly.” He damned convention and moved closer. His family could make of it what they wanted.
“Marking your territory?” She glanced toward the pool where his younger brothers were trying to outdive each other.
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