Foundation for Three

by Vella Day

He filled three cups with the delicious smelling hot brew. Zoey liked her drink with sugar and cream while he and Thad preferred it black. After he located the sugar bowl and found the container of cream in the fridge, he carried Zoey’s drink out, along with the sugar bowl. “Be right back.”

  One trip later, Pete had served them all. He probably should have suggested Thad and Zoey come into the kitchen and fix their coffee in there, but talking wasn’t really on his mind. Neither was drinking coffee.

  Zoey ripped open the sugar packets and poured in the cream with slightly shaking fingers. Why would she be nervous? She seemed to have had a great time at the party, and she certainly had been at ease when they’d gone riding. She’d also responded to his kiss.

  While the three of them sipped their hot drinks, Zoey kept running her finger around the top of the cup, her touch light and soft. Was she doing that motion on purpose to drive Pete crazy? Or was she unaware of her actions?

  She looked up at them. “Anyone want to look at the pictures I took? I’ll have to download them onto my computer first though.”

  Photography seemed to be a passion of hers, and Pete wanted to view the evening through her eyes. He’d assumed downloading would be the first step, though huddling around the small camera display worked for him as well. “Sure. It’ll be fun to see what we have.”

  “My desktop’s in the bedroom. Do you mind going in there?”

  As much as he wanted to make love with her, he probably should ask if she was okay being with both him and Thad. This was a big step for anyone. “Not at all.”

  With coffee cup in hand, she picked up her camera bag, and both he and Thad followed her into her bedroom. From the death grip she had on her cup, she was nervous. Damn. Had she planned on seducing them and was now getting cold feet? Or had his people reading skills vanished?

  Once in her room, the air had that sweet linen scent that was so her. Pete had passed through her bedroom to work on the master bath, but he’d never carefully checked it out before. The soft pastels on the bed fit her personality—tailored yet feminine. It was quite homey. One thing was sure, she really liked the color pink. He should have paid closer attention and bought those pink candles instead of the beige ones.

  Zoey sat at her computer desk that butted up against the wall across from the bathroom. “Give me a sec to boot this up.” She faced Pete. “You want to snag two chairs from the dining room so we can all sit next to each other?”

  “You got it.” So far so good. In a flash, he was back, careful not to bump the legs against the walls. As soon as he placed one on each side of her, Thad joined them. By the time they were settled, Zoey had the first picture up.

  It was the one of him on the truck roof with Thad leaning against the fender. “Two handsome men, I’d say.” Pete wanted to keep it light to help her feel more at ease.

  Zoey laughed, as had been his hope. The next photos were of Zoey and Thad hamming it up.

  Thad leaned closer. “That’s a beautiful shot of you, Zoey.”

  She smiled and looked more beautiful than ever. “Thanks.”

  Pete waited for the one of him and Zoey kissing. She clicked the next one. There it was. “Can you enlarge it?” he asked.

  Her face turned a slight pink, but she made the photo bigger. He’d forgotten that her right hand had been clasping his thigh. She was leaning close, touching his cheek with her left hand, her lips pressed against his.

  “Hmm,” Zoey said. “I do like it, but the shot lacks… passion.”

  Was she kidding? “I know I was enjoying it.”

  She glanced between the two of them then back at Pete. “What do you say we try again, and let Thad be the judge of the level of passion?”

  Pete was glad he’d finished his coffee, because if he’d any in his mouth, it would have been all over the keyboard.

  * * *

  Pete’s eyes widened, but Zoey was tired of second guessing herself. She wanted these men and they seemed to want her. There was no need to be nervous. Zoey leaned forward, cupped the back of his head, and nipped his bottom lip to test the waters. She wanted to delve into his sweetness and take all of him, but timing was everything.

  Pete must have wanted her bad, because he took full possession of what she had to offer, his kiss transporting her to the wonderful moment they’d shared at the family gathering. She then ran her tongue along the seam of his lips to tantalize him, and the second their tongues touched, her body heated. As they kissed, she tasted the hint of coffee and smelled the fresh outdoors on his skin. As much as she wanted to explore every inch of Pete, she didn’t want Thad to be left out. With much dismay, she broke the kiss, her breath coming out faster than she ever expected.

  “Okay then.” Drawing on her professional demeanor she faced Thad. “Score?”

  He stroked his chin in a deliberate manner and drew in a deep breath. “I’d give it a seven point five out of ten.”

  Pete laughed. “Let’s see you do better.”

  Thad didn’t wait for her assent. He drew her close, and when their lips touched, fire filled her veins and her heart slammed against the ribs. Yes, they’d kissed before, but this seemed more real, more personal. Definitely more intense.

  She pulled back, realizing it was the time to tell them, the time to warn them about her lack of experience.

  “Another seven point five for sure,” she said, a bit out of breath. Giving Thad a different score would only cause bickering. For there to be any chance of them being together, she needed to be upfront with them. “Can I be honest for a moment?”

  Thad clasped her hand. “You can tell us anything.” All hint of joking disappeared.

  She loved how he could sense her every mood. “I told you I’d been with two men, but maybe not in the way you think.” Lies between parties only caused problems. She didn’t need a degree in psychology to know that.

  As Thad ran his hand down her shoulder, his callused fingertips left a trail of sensuality on her warm skin. “What do you mean?”

  “The two men I was with weren’t into anal sex.” Pete’s brows rose and Thad’s pinched. Shit. While she’d never taken a poll, her friend Amber said she and her men loved it. How many others did, too?

  “Did the three of you share a bed?” Pete asked. His voice held no judgment.

  “Sometimes, but they worked a lot, so I had sex with whoever came over.” That made her seem cheap even though it wasn’t like that.

  Compassion filled Pete’s face. “We don’t just want to have sex with you.”

  Blood rushed fast through her veins. “What do you want?”

  “We want to make love with you. We want you happy. Mechanics don’t matter as long as we can experience you.” Pete’s eyes darkened, or else the computer screen had dimmed. “Have you been hankering for two cocks at once?” Pete asked.

  It was time to be honest. “No.”

  Pete smiled. “Then we’re in agreement. I’m a pussy man and so is Thad.”

  “Thank you.” With that out of the way, the tightness in her chest released. Since she was going to have sex, she didn’t want to have streaks of rust on her hands and face. “Mind if I take a shower first?”

  Pete’s grin reached his eyes. It was as if she’d just told him he’d won the lottery. Without a word, he stood, drew her to his chest, and gazed deep into her eyes. The gold flecks in his eyes danced amidst the blues and greens, causing her pulse to soar and funny sensations to zip through her. If her mind hadn’t blanked, she’d have given the tingling and pulsing a name.

  Thad stepped behind her and wrapped his good arm around her waist. Surrounding her. Tempting her. Making her want them badly. “How about the three of us get clean together?” he said as he nuzzled her neck. Heat rushed over her skin. “It’ll save water.”

  She smiled as she looked over her shoulder. “Save water?”

  Thad chuckled. “If I had said that I wanted to see you naked, touch your luscious breasts as the liquid cascaded down your soft skin, and de
vour your lips, you wouldn’t have freaked?”

  No. It’s what I want. “How about you do that and let’s see how I react?”

  Both men cracked up. Pete tilted her chin toward him. “You are a true treasure.”

  Zoey wasn’t sure what had come over her to say something so suggestive, but now that she had, she was glad. Aggression was not in her genes, but she was enjoying every minute with these men so much that she didn’t want it to end. They were smart, noble, sexy, and kind. She’d been wrong in her belief that being with two men would automatically end in disaster.

  She ran a finger down Pete’s chest. “Now what?” Should she take off her clothes or try to strip them of theirs?

  Pete pulled the lapels of her shirt apart, and the snaps popped one at a time. When her blouse fell open, his blue eyes shimmered. “Holy fuck. Thad, look at her. She’s perfect.”

  They were probably trying to set her at ease. Thad twisted her toward him. “Let me see.” He whistled. “You’ve been holding out on us.”

  At his sincerity, a smile tugged at her lips. Thad twisted her back to face Pete, and then slid her blouse down her shoulders. Thad’s lips pressed against her bare neck, and electric pulses shimmied down her body.

  “Shouldn’t we get clean first?” That way, she could touch them all over.

  “Shh.” Thad nuzzled her neck again then moved close to her ear. “How about we decide? We’ll do whatever feels best at the moment, okay?”

  Anything either of them wanted to do was fine by her. “Sure.” Her blouse floated to the ground, and the cool air kissed her shoulders. “Do you want me just to stand here?” Having them undress her would be a high.

  Pete placed his hands on her breasts and rubbed his thumbs over her bra. “What do you want to do?”

  Touch you, feel your skin under my fingertips. Kiss you both.

  Show them.

  She latched onto Pete’s big belt buckle and yanked it open. He smiled. Encouraged, she undid the top button of his jeans, and then unzipped his pants, one notch at a time. When she managed to get the tab to the bottom, she whipped open the two sides. Her breath caught. “Oh shit. Where’s your underwear?”

  Pete cracked up. “I like to go natural.”

  Dampness spread between her legs then something heavy clunked behind her. As much as she wanted to check out Pete’s cock, she looked back at Thad. Standing on one foot, he tore off his second boot.

  She tossed him her best frown. “I was hoping to take off your clothes.” Slowly. With lots of touching.

  “With the speed you two were getting naked, it’ll be morning before you get to me. I’ve waited a long time for this, Zoey Donovan, and now that making love with you is near, I can’t wait anymore.”

  She wasn’t sure she’d heard Thad say that much at one time before. And for him to express an emotion like that floored her. Not wanting to delay the adventure anymore, she reached out and slipped her hands under Pete’s shirt to hurry the process. His warm skin nearly burned her fingers, and she itched to take in more. But Thad was right. She needed to strip Pete naked now.

  “You are so beautiful,” Pete said. “I can’t wait to taste you.” When he ran a tongue over his lips, she froze. Her whole body caught on fire as her breath lodged in her throat. Good thing he pulled back or she might have dismissed the shower. “Thad’s right. This is taking too long. Don’t move. I want to finish undressing you as soon as I get naked.” Pete stepped back, shucked his boots, socks, pants, and shirt in record time.

  Her gaze zeroed in on his big cock, and then she raised her eyes upward to his flat abs, past his spectacular pecs, and up to his massive shoulders. All the wallboard lifting, hammering, and demolition sure had made his body hard. “Wow.”

  Pete smiled. “Now, it’s your turn—or rather, our turn to get you undressed.”

  She swallowed. They both wanted to help? Yes!

  From behind, Thad’s hand slipped around to the front and undid the button on her jeans. His touch made her senses swirl. The zipper followed next. Instead of tugging her pants lower, he slipped a hand down her belly over her yellow lace panties. She sucked in a big breath as the thrill of being one with him—with them—made her a little dizzy.

  “Nice,” Thad whispered. As if he were playing the piano at the apex of her thighs, he leaned his naked chest against her back. When his cock pressed against her rear, a big breath escaped.

  Using his injured hand, Thad lifted her hair out of the way and sucked on her earlobe. She let a low moan escape. Hoarse, needy, wanting.

  “She likes that, Thad.” Pete slipped his hands under her bra and pushed the confining material on top of her breasts. “Incredible.” He leaned over and ran his tongue lightly around one nipple. His touch made her lightheaded and hot.

  “Did you forget about the shower?” She was barely able to get the words out through the thick haze of lust blocking her brain.

  She didn’t want to stop them from what they were doing, but at some point none of them would be able to keep from making love. When they sniffed the rust and sweat lightly coating parts of her body, they might be sorry.

  Pete laughed. “I don’t forget anything you say or want.”

  How sweet was that? Thad’s hands clasped her hips. “I’m naked. I say we get clean.” As if he was finished with teasing her, he dragged the right side of her jeans down and then her left, using his right hand both times.

  His injury must be bothering him, but if it hurt him too bad, surely he’d stop. “Let me take off my shoes,” she said. And then my bra. Removing them might be tough for a man with only one good hand.

  “I have a better idea,” Pete said. A second later, he scooped her up and placed her on the edge of the bed.

  Without a word, both men dropped to their knees and removed her shoes and socks. Zoey leaned back on her elbows to make it easier for them. Pete nodded, and both of them slipped off her pants. They acted like a well-honed military unit on a mission, complete with hand signals and head motions.

  The bra hiked up over her breasts couldn’t possibly look sexy. Since neither man seemed to have this need to remove it, they must think it looked fine, which was all that mattered.

  “Thad, you go ahead and finish unwrapping the present,” Pete said, “but after we’re clean, we go slow. Real slow. I want to hear Zoey beg for mercy.”

  She’d never begged in her life, but with these men, she just might.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Both men climbed on the bed like predatory animals. Pete slipped a hand behind Zoey’s back and smoothly unclasped the bra hook as if he’d done it hundreds of times. With care, he slipped the strap down first one arm and then the other before tossing the bra to the top of the bed. “Better?”

  Zoey’s pulse soared. “Uh-huh.”

  Pete tapped her nose. “I’ll get things ready.” He slipped off the bed and ducked into the bathroom.

  Get things ready? All he had to do was turn on the water. As soon as Thad stretched out next to her, Zoey’s focus shifted to him.

  He lifted onto his elbow. “You know what got me through those long hours lying in that hospital bed when I was undercover?”

  His soft words caressed her skin. Or else it was his finger brushing against the tip of her nipple. “What?” Shivers of delight flowed down the sides of her breast.

  “Waiting for you to come talk with me.”

  Her heart rate increased. “Seriously?” Tell him. “They asked me to visit once or twice to make it appear legit, but once I met you, I was so intrigued that I couldn’t stay away.” When she wasn’t with a patient, she’d stopped in to see him.

  “Oh, yeah?”

  She rolled onto her back and placed her hands behind her head, as if being almost naked with this man was an everyday occurrence. He leaned over her and caressed her belly with his lips before moving lower. Her breath caught. “Yeah.”

  “Why’s that?” He looked up at her, his eyes sparkling.

  Thad was fishing
for a compliment, but she didn’t mind. She wanted to tell him how much she liked him. “You were focused and determined to do whatever it took to help catch the serial killer, even if it meant putting your life in danger.”

  “You think I was some kind of hero?” Thad puffed out his chest.

  “I don’t think it. I know it.”

  His chin lifted. “I am, aren’t I?” She loved the glint in his eyes.

  The bathroom door opened. Pete stopped then clapped his hands. “Dude, she’s not even naked. What’s wrong with you?” He rushed toward the bed, acting as if Thad had committed a crime.

  Zoey laughed at Pete’s ridiculous tone. Not wanting Thad to hurt himself by having to take off her panties, she slipped them off herself. Only then did she remember not all men liked a waxed pussy. Brazilians were her one vice. Not nails. Not pedicures. Not even haircuts. Just being free of the frizz made her feel more feminine.

  Neither man said anything. She looked up at Pete first who blew out a small breath. “You keep getting better and better.” Pleasure raced through her.

  Thad rubbed a thumb over her pussy lips and electric sparks shot everywhere. “Smooth.”

  Pete held out his hand. “Come on. I can’t wait to touch you all over, sugar.”

  She let him pull her to her feet. As she stood, she looked behind her to make sure Thad was okay, that he wasn’t favoring his arm.

  As Pete led her to the bathroom, he held her hand. When he pushed open the door, she halted. All of the lights were off, except for the one in the shower. Ten beige candles flickered, encasing the room in a warm and romantic bliss. “It’s awesome.” She was glad he’d found the matches.

  “I wish I’d thought to buy pink candles.”

  He remembered how the beige ones had triggered her breakdown. Zoey stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. “No. These are perfect. Thank you.”

  “Nice,” Thad said, coming in behind them.

  “I thought so, too.” Pete opened a drawer and picked out the remote. A few buttons later, the shower shot to life.

  She’d seen the gadget, but hadn’t had the time to figure it out. “That is so cool.”