Her eyes widen and I can already tell she’s going to try to fight me on this. Just as she’s about to pull the fabric back down, my free hand reaches out to her. I trace the contours of her beautiful face, along her cheek, down her chin, up the other cheek. “To answer your question, it means Xander and I can’t get enough of you.”
She jerks her head back as if the words have slapped her across the face. “Have I entered an alternate dimension or something? I’m sure I’m delusional here and this sweltering sauna-like chamber we’re in right now is affecting my brain and therefore my thinking ability. That said, I swear it sounded like the two of you are interested in me.” She looks behind her, searching for Xander. He moves closer and sandwiches her between us again.
“We are,” I answer.
“We both want you,” Xander adds. I have no doubt the heat emanating from his stare matches mine.
“Are you kidding me?” She stammers over the words. She looks completely bewildered by our confessions.
Clearly, I need to be a bit more forward. I brush aside her silky hair and lean down until my lips find her ear. “Does this feel like I’m kidding?” I grunt before pressing my impossibly hard cock against her. I rub my erect length up and down her stomach. She freezes for a beat, but as I keep at it, she relaxes. She lets out a long moan. I’m dying to make her desperate for all the pleasure we can bring her. By the time we’re done with her, she’ll become a junkie unable to live without our affection.
“Just in case you were wondering, I’m not kidding either.” Xander palms her waist and drags her close. From the way her eyes roll at the back of her head, I bet Xander is grinding his cock into her backside. Given that he’s squatting slightly, I’m willing to bet his cock is wedged nicely between her ass cheeks—rock hard and ready. Lucky bastard.
She chokes a breath. Not that I thought it was possible, but to my great surprise Xander moves even closer. “Fuck, I like your ass against me like this,” he grunts.
She looks up at me for help. I smile and toy with her hair. I lean forward and run my lips over her ear. She quivers. I’m not playing nice and I know it. Her head is full of questions, but her body already knows the answers. So I push her a bit more. “We could make you come right here in the middle of this sea of people. Xander pressed against your ass and me taking care of your pussy with my finger pressed against your clit.” She flashes me an incredulous look. “Trust me, I’d be up for the challenge.” I burst her bubble. Enough playing around. “Things are getting too intense between us. We can stick around and pretend we don’t all feel it or run with it. I vote for the latter. Let’s get out of here.” Without waiting for her answer, I turn on my heel and take her with me.
“Where are we going?” she asks as I drag her off the dance floor. I don’t even have to turn around to know that Xander is following right behind us.
“A more private setting, love,” I throw over my shoulder, moving decisively forward as I part the crowd in front of me with my free hand.
“We have a chill-out room reserved for the rest of the evening. It’s just going to be the three of us,” Xander explains further.
“Oh.” She sounds surprised, but she doesn’t say no.
I’m so eager, I nearly kick open the door in front of me leading to the hallway. When we’re outside the lounge area, I quicken my steps down the long corridor. None of us speak a word. I take the first left, whizzing down another deserted hallway, grateful we don’t have an audience. At this time, the crowd in the VIP area is so entrenched in the party atmosphere, there’s no way they’re stepping out unless the opportunity is too good to turn down—like it is right now for my best friend and I. We reach a set of heavy modern ebony-colored doors. I grab the long vertical handle, pull and swing it open. I follow the path that leads down another luxuriously decorated hallway. It might cost a small fortune to rent these by the hour, but in the right set of circumstances, it’s very much worth it.
As we approach, a tall well-built bald bodyguard immediately rises to his feet. From the smile dawning on his face, I know he recognizes us. “Ethan. Xander. I gather you have a room?”
“We do, Gary,” Xander answers. “It’s under my name.” He steps forward to stand in front of me. Delilah grabs my hand with both of hers as she nestles her body closer against my arm. I can’t think. I can only feel the pressure of her tits. I look down at her and she flashes me a shy smile. She’s nervous and it shows. The ways she’s gripping my hand suggests she’s a little apprehensive. If she wants to put a stop to this, she can. We would be disappointed, but neither Xander nor I would push her further. We would respect her decision. I bend down and kiss the top of her head before gently squeezing her hand to reassure her. That seems to do the trick. The lines of worry on her face disappear.
“Xander, you know how it works here.” Does he ever. “If you can first sign the waiver so we’re both on the same page…”
“No problem.” Xander scribbles on the iPad Gary is handing him.
“One of the larger rooms is still free. Will that do?”
“Gary, I think that sounds perfect.” Xander smiles at him.
“In that case, you’re all set. The Finchley is yours. Here’s your key.” Gary drops a plastic card in Xander’s open palm. “As usual, drop it in the secured box over there before you leave.” He points to the right of his long desk.
“Of course,” Xander agrees.
“In that case, there’s only one thing for me to do.” He pauses for a beat. “I’ll let you continue enjoying the rest of your evening,” he says, brushing his eyes down the length of Delilah’s body. From the way he cocks his head to the side and the faint smile pulling at his lips, I’d say he approves.
“Thank you, Gary. We will.”
“Ethan. It’s always great to see you again.”
“Same here,” I respond. After three years here, Gary Griffith has seen it all. Two men accompanied by a woman is nothing shocking to him. He’s paid to be discreet. He excels at his job. As long as we don’t trash the place and everything is mutually consensual between adults, the owners turn a blind eye for their VIP patrons.
I bolt forward for a few steps before I slow down my stride. I just need to be far away from Gary so this conversation remains between the three of us. I lean down so my lips are only a fraction of an inch away from Delilah’s ear. “Ready?” She just stares at me and blinks. After a few seconds she realizes I’m still waiting for an answer so she nods. Not good enough. “Do you have any second thoughts about this?” I hope she doesn’t, but what can I say? I’m a gentleman.
“Don’t be shy, sweetheart. You can tell us if you’ve changed your mind,” Xander coaxes.
She shakes her head. “No, not at all.” Her answer is filled with certainty.
“Good.” I reward her with a huge smile.
I encircle her in my arms, ready to guide her forward. I pull my eyes away from hers and focus on Xander for a beat. I don’t even have to ask the question. He answers before being prompted.
“I’m right behind you, mate.” His grin is larger than mine.
My need to bloody devour the woman I’m dragging behind me jacks up with every step I take. This night is going down in history. I know it.
CHAPTER 15
Delilah
My heart is hammering against my chest so loudly, I’m certain they can hear it. What a night, and from the looks of it, it’s only the beginning. Ethan is leading the way. Xander is right behind me. It’s been like this since we re-entered the lounge area—me trapped between the two of them. Considering how my head is spinning in their presence, I’m surprised I can even take note of my surroundings as we rush down the hallway. I guess it’s impossible to remain blind to this kind of opulence regardless of how many butterflies are flitting in the pit of my stomach.
With each step we take, I can’t help but notice the upscale and modern décor of this entire floor matches what I’ve seen so far in the lounge and restaurant. Everything is
in luxurious shades of dark greys and whites to compliment the rich wood tones.
It doesn’t take long for Ethan to stop in front of a door. Xander steps forward and slides the plastic card the bodyguard gave him inside the slot. He turns the handle and enters the room. Ethan follows. He pushes the door with one hand and drags me behind him until we reach a small granite counter set in the right corner. This looks like a mini-kitchen.
When they said room, this isn’t what I envisioned. This place is larger than the shoebox apartment I lived in for four months when I moved to New York City before finding a roommate. “Wow,” I let out as I walk around the room, taking in what resembles a small elite executive condo. Across from the counters, there’s a long white leather couch, a couple of modern chairs at its side and a low glass table weighed down by a large silver bucket topped with ice and bottles of champagne. Next to it, there’s a long tray of scrumptious-looking desserts. When I look up, I notice a glass bar cart stocked full with alcohol. The museum-like art adorning the walls doesn’t go unnoticed. Neither do the thick dark gray curtains drawn over a long window. “This is magnificent,” I marvel.
I haven’t forgotten their presence, but suddenly I feel two pairs of eyes weighing on me. I turn around to face the two men who lured me here. When did they have time to strip out of their jackets? I take in the delineation of their muscular mass under their perfectly fitted shirts. Xander’s white shirt compliments his light brown skin beautifully, while Ethan’s black shirt makes him look dangerously hot. His chestnut skin stands out even more. They’re devouring me from head to toe. God. These two are seriously fit. I shrill with joy inside at the thought that men who look like this find me attractive. I’m so overwhelmed, I look away for a brief moment, hoping to find my bearings. When my eyes meet theirs again, I smile nervously.
Xander and Ethan’s only response is a half grin. Right on tempo and in one fluid motion they take a step forward. They’re now standing in front of me. Although I’m fully clothed, it doesn’t feel that way. It’s as if I’m as naked as the day I was born. They’re staring at me with such intensity in their gaze, it’s like they have the power to see right through me. It’s intoxicating and a little intimidating at the same time. Men simply don’t look at me that way. Certainly not gorgeous and very desirable hunks like these two. Honestly, right now, I feel like I’ve just walked through the gates of Heaven and God is saying, “For tonight, Delilah, I’ve selected two of my finest specimens. You get to pick between younger versions of an Idris Elba lookalike and the British James Todd Smith. Enjoy. And oh, this all goes away in a few hours. Don’t blink or you’ll miss all the fun.”
Most women would clamber over each other ready to knife anyone they need to in order to capture the attention of men like these. Yet here they are with me. I swallow hard. There are so many questions colliding in my head right now. I know I came here of my own accord, but standing here feeling so vulnerable, I start to doubt myself. My temporary burst of self-confidence evaporates like mist under the warm early morning rays. I’m still not sure what’s going on. Or perhaps I’m not willing to read the obvious signs.
“Drop your handbag. Make yourself comfortable,” Ethan suggests. I obey. I walk to a plush velvety grey chair and drop my small bejeweled clutch. For an inexplicable reason, I step back to where I was standing. “That’s much better, don’t you think?” I nod. “We’ve laid our cards on the table. Now it’s your turn, love.”
What is Ethan talking about? “I don’t understand.”
“What do you think of me? Do you like me?” His question startles me.
My eyes go wide. “You want me to answer that?”
He nods. “If I didn’t, I wouldn’t ask.” There’s not a hint of humor on his face.
How do you tell a man you’ve been infatuated with for the last three weeks how you feel about him? “I do like you.” It’s much more than that, but I’m not sure I want to compromise myself any further than this.
He takes a step forward. “Are you attracted to me?”
Are you kidding me? My eyes shift to Xander’s to find out if this is a joke, but his eyes are as veiled with lust as Ethan’s. “Look at you,” I say, waving at the dark-skinned man wearing stylish clothing. Just like Xander, he isn’t wearing a tie. “You’re gorgeous, smart, charming, fun, elegant, eloquent and the list goes on.” And on, and on, and on.
“That doesn’t answer my question,” he presses. “I didn’t ask for my qualities—although I’m quite flattered by the list. Let me try another approach.” The man is relentless. “Do you want me?”
His question is so bold it silences me for a few seconds. He’s just staring at me, waiting for an answer. Xander has his eyes on me as well. His sly smile and the way his hands dig in his pockets in such a nonchalant way lets me know he has no intentions of rescuing me.
I shift my attention back to Ethan. “I don’t know if you know this, but I don’t have a model-like body.” I know he has eyes, but the fact that a demigod like him would ask that question makes me wonder if he sees me. All of me. “I have lumps and bumps—in fact, I have a lot of them. My hips are wide. My breasts can get in the way because they’re huge, heavy and they hang when I’m not wearing a bra. Most times, I think they have a mind of their own. I don’t know what a thigh gap is. My thighs have been rubbing against each other for as long as I can remember. Flat abs are foreign to me. I have a soft stomach. And with the size of my butt, you’ll never catch me squeezing in a pair of skinny jeans. Ever. I’m not a size twelve or even fourteen.” I oscillate between a sixteen and a size eighteen. After Paul showed his true colors, I hit an all-time low and plunged into a spell of self-doubting depression where nothing I owned fitted. I had to go up to a size twenty. I wouldn’t call it a broken heart because I wasn’t in love, but I still medicated myself with food. “I’m a big girl.” There. I laid it all on the line.
Growing up in Austin, I was never so self-conscious of my body. In fact, I was okay with what was reflected back at me in the mirror. There are tons of women who have as many curves as I do back home. Not to mention, I’m as curvy as my mom, my Nana Ruby Mae and most of my aunts and cousins on my mom’s side.
When I moved to California to go to college, I became aware I didn’t look like a lot of the girls around me. New York was my wake-up call. That’s when it hit home—when you’re as big as I am, men tend to dismiss you or ignore you altogether. Either way, it hurts. And I’m talking about guys who don’t look half as good as Ethan or Xander. I know what Gemma said about Londoners’ preferences for women who aren’t stick figures, but after hearing about their superstardom, I’m not so certain she has the full scoop on Ethan. I’m sure he and Xander had their fair share of women with perfect bodies—I’m sure they still do.
Yes, my old insecurities are sneaking out of the shadows and taking over, but I can’t help it. There’s no way I’m good enough for men who don’t have to settle and I know it. It’s my job to snap them back to reality. If they’re going to let me down gently, I’d rather they’d do it now and spare me the humiliation of doing it after they’ve seen me naked.
“And that’s a problem how?” Ethan’s answer stuns me.
Xander is the one to tackle my concerns head on. “Ethan and I share very similar taste in women. If you were a wafer-thin size nothing with a body that looks like it belongs to a teenage boy, we wouldn’t have given you a second glance. Skinny, emaciated bodies bore us to tears. Your outrageous curves are what my wet dreams are made of. I could gorge on them for days without ever needing a rest. And I know it’s the same for my best friend.”
“It is, mate,” Ethan confirms.
“Really?” The compliment, spoken with such certainty, floods me with delight.
“Absolutely, Delilah,” Xander affirms. I can’t help but smile. As far as I’m concerned, this night is going down in history.
“Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let me ask you that question again.” Ethan doesn’t back
off. “I want to know if I turn you on half as much as you do me. Do you want to kiss me? Do you want my hands all over you? Do you want my mouth between your legs? Do you want me pressing my cock against you like I did on the dance floor? Do you want my fingers playing with your wetness? Do you want me to fuck you? That’s what I want to know, Delilah.” Oh. My. God. Can he be more direct? No one has ever asked me these questions point blank. Ethan doesn’t tiptoe, he barges right in.
I draw in a long breath, desperate to slow down my speeding heart rate. After a few seconds, I feel brave enough to answer him. “I do,” I offer. I want it all. I surprise myself when I keep talking. “I think I’ve been attracted to you since my first day I met you at work. The second you walked into the gallery and smiled at me, that was it. It’s as if I was under your spell. I never imagined you’d notice me. I mean, I didn’t think I had a chance with a guy like you.”
“You have me.” Ethan reaches for my face and cups my cheek. I lean into his hand and allow myself to close my eyes, relishing the moment.
A pair of hands caresses my back. “What about me, sweetheart? I know we’ve just met, but how do you feel about me?”
I pull away from Ethan and face Xander. “That’s the problem.”
“I don’t turn you on?” He looks almost hurt.
If you only knew. I shake my head. “No. That’s not it. When you accosted me at the bar and I turned around to face you, I stopped breathing for a second. You’re freaking hot.” He grins from ear to ear. “Your charisma is undeniable and you can seriously charm the pants—and the panties—right off a girl.” He grins grows even wider. He might pretend to be coy, but he isn’t fooling me. “By the time we were done with dinner, I was completely captivated by you. Like that weren’t enough, your dancing skills aren’t that bad either. I guess that’s a bonus.” I giggle nervously. It’s not like me to be this open with my feelings when it comes to men, but these two draw it out of me.
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