by Marla Monroe
He’d lucked out with the song. Not only was it one that didn’t require coordination but it was a nice song that he could use to hold Alice close. They swayed to the music, and he kept his hands just above her ass as she wound hers around his neck. He looked down into her smiling eyes and felt the first tendrils of something warm wrap around his heart as surely as her arms were wrapped around him. He didn’t let it worry him. Ben had already accepted that he was going to fall for her at some point. This was kind of soon, but she was special.
“You feel good in my arms, Alice.”
“I like being in your arms, Ben.”
“It’s a nice song.”
“It is. Kind of sad, but happy, too.”
All he could think to do was grunt and pull her a little closer. He didn’t want to think about anything the least bit sad around her. His thoughts were all good right then, and he wanted to hold on to that for as long as he could.
* * * *
Alice finished her Corona and smiled. She was having a wonderful time, and the guys were attentive and fun to talk with as much as they could talk over the sound of the band then the jukebox when the band took a break.
“I need to run to the ladies room. I’ll be right back.” She stood and started toward the back.
“Wait. I’ll go with you. Creeps stake out the back for women without a date. Don’t want anyone to bother you.” Ben got to his feet and took her hand.
“Thanks. I honestly don’t think I need an escort, but I’ll take it.” She squeezed Ben’s hand.
He’d been so nice all night and had danced with her twice so far. Poor Landon was going to have sore feet the next day as much as he’d danced with her. She loved it, but she was going to take it easy on him for the rest of the night. She was a little out of practice herself. No doubt she’d have sore feet, as well.
Alice let Ben lead her through the crowd to the little hallway where the bathrooms were. He dropped her off at the ladies and stood near the door as she walked in. There was a line for the measly three stalls, but at least it was short. The first woman out of the last stall was Jilly. She washed her hands then sauntered over to where Alice waited her turn.
“You know they’re going to want to fuck you at the same time, right? You ever had a cock in your ass before, honey?” Jilly didn’t lower her voice at all.
“Thanks for the info, but I know what they want and what I want. But none of it is your business, Jilly.” Alice shrugged and walked off when her turn came up.
Alice hated how she’d let the other woman get to her. She’d wanted to slap her for being so crass but knew it would only end up in a catfight with Ben rushing in to see what was wrong. For some reason, the idea made her laugh. The thought of him busting in the women’s bathroom to witness a catfight was amusing. Most men would pay good money to watch one, but she bet Ben would have been horrified and pulled them apart before carting her off over his shoulder and out of the bar.
She laughed some more and noticed that the other women in the bathroom were staring at her when she walked up to the sinks to wash her hands. No doubt they figured she’d already had too much to drink. Didn’t bother her one bit.
“Hey, you okay?” Ben asked when she walked back out.
“Yeah. Why?” she asked.
“Jilly was in there with you. I figured she’d have been rude to you.”
“Nothing I couldn’t handle. I can take care of myself when I need to, Ben. Don’t worry so much. If it’s a guy thing, I’ll let you handle it, but if it’s another woman, leave it to me. Okay?”
Ben didn’t look very happy about that, but he nodded then led her back to their table. The sight in front of her when they got back made her want to punch something though. A pretty redhead was pulling on Landon’s hand, trying to get him to stand.
“Come on, honey. Dance with me. We always dance when you’re here,” the woman whined.
“Landon. Isn’t this our dance?” Alice asked, standing next to him.
She wrapped her arm around his shoulder and glared at the other woman.
“Who are you?” she demanded.
“I’m Alice. I’m their girlfriend.”
She felt Ben rub his hand up and down her back.
“You’re dating both of them? For real?” She looked up at Landon, who’d stood when Alice arrived. “I thought you guys had given up sharing.”
“You guessed wrong,” Alice said before either of the men could say anything. “Landon. My dance?”
Landon nodded to the woman then led Alice toward the dance floor. Alice resisted the urge to turn around and see what the other woman would do with Ben still there. She trusted Ben to behave himself. It was the woman she didn’t trust. Then, of course, Ben could take care of himself. Landon had been the one having trouble. A smile pulled at her mouth at what Ben might even now be saying to the unlucky woman.
“You handled that pretty damn well,” Landon told her.
“She doesn’t bother me. You should have told her to shove off though. Be nice, and then, when that doesn’t work, be firm.”
“You’re right. I was trying not to cause a scene, but with her pulling on me like that, it was causing one anyway. Sorry. You know I didn’t want to dance with her, right?” Landon asked.
“I know.” Alice smiled up at him. “That kind of thing’s going to happen for a while until people get used to us being together.”
“You sound like you plan on this lasting a long time. I like that.”
“I don’t start something with the idea it won’t, Landon. Even if it doesn’t, I plan on it lasting until it doesn’t.”
“I plan on this lasting a lot longer than awhile. I want us to have a future together, Alice.”
“I’d like that, too.”
Chapter Thirteen
Landon held Alice close during the slow dance the band was playing. It would be one of their last since it was closing in on midnight. The bar didn’t close till one, but they needed to take Alice home so she could get some rest. God knew his feet hurt. He could only imagine how hers felt.
The night had gone wonderfully, if he dismissed Jilly and the other woman whose name escaped him. No one else had bothered them. Since there were so few women to the number of men at the bar, it was nothing for one woman to sit with two or three men. It didn’t mean they were all dating. They were just visiting and dancing together. Several men had even stopped at their table to ask if Alice had wanted to dance. She’d smiled and thanked them but told them she didn’t. They’d left it at that.
Which was a good thing since Ben had looked fit to be tied. The poor man had probably bitten a good portion of his tongue off over the night. Landon decided that Alice had had a talk with him about behaving. He couldn’t wait to find out what she’d said to him later.
“I’ve had a great time tonight, Landon. You and Ben have been wonderful to be with.”
“We’ve had a good time, too. I’m just sorry those women had to say something to upset you.”
“No one upset me. I’m not fragile, Landon. Like I told Ben, leave the women to me. I can handle them myself. You both worry too much,” she told him.
“I just don’t want anything to upset you. It’s the man in me.”
“If I didn’t know that I could handle a little talk, I wouldn’t have agreed to dating two men. Give me some credit.”
Landon smiled and pulled her a little closer. He let one hand rest at the top of her ass but moved it back up to her low back just as soon as he’d done it. He smiled to himself. That had been for Ben, the asshole.
I can’t believe how civil he’s been all night. Alice is really good for Ben.
She was good for him, too. Landon hadn’t enjoyed himself this much in years. He wanted the night to last a lot longer but knew it was time to go. They’d have other nights. In fact, he wanted to suggest that they have lunch at the diner the next day. He wanted to see her again, and somehow, waiting until Tuesday seemed too long to him.
The s
ong ended, and he led her back to the table. Ben stood as if knowing what Landon was thinking. He held Alice’s sweater out and helped her into it. She didn’t question what they were doing, just went along with it.
“Figured now was a good time to leave. The crowd will begin pouring out once they finish their drinks now that the band is done,” Ben said.
“Good idea. Thanks for helping me with my sweater, Ben.” Alice smiled at his friend then took Landon’s hand. “Let’s go.”
Landon squeezed it and followed her as Ben paved a clear path for them toward the door. Once outside, Landon wrapped an arm around her shoulders against the cool night air. He was glad she’d thought ahead enough to bring the sweater, but the night air had probably warranted a jacket over the sweater.
He walked around to the other side to climb into the driver’s seat after handing her off to Ben to help into the cab. When he glanced over, it was to find Ben kissing her. It was definitely not a Ben kiss. It was soft and gentle. He kissed the tip of her nose before he closed the door and got in the back seat. Landon smiled at her and started the truck. Thankfully, the sight of his best friend kissing Alice hadn’t stirred anything remotely close to anger in him, not even jealousy. Instead, it had made him smile.
When they were back at her house, Ben unlocked the front door for her. She turned and looked up at them.
“Why don’t you come in, and I’ll make some coffee. It’s a good night for it,” she said.
“Sounds good.” Landon wasn’t in any hurry for the night to end, but it would have to sooner or later. Still, coffee would be nice.
They settled in the living room on the couch while she brewed them each a cup. She carried the mugs into the living room on a tray, and Ben jumped up to take the tray from her. She didn’t complain, only shook her head as she sat between them. That startled Landon, as he’d expected her to sit in the chair across from them.
“This is good. I’m telling you, Landon, we need to get one of these.” Ben sipped the coffee.
“Have to head to the city one day soon and do that. Can’t find one here in Rock Creek. Austin will have them.” Landon thought for a second. “Hey, why not take next Saturday off and all three of us go for the day?”
Ben’s mouth twitched into a smile. His friend liked that idea, as well. They’d have a good time and eat while they were there. Maybe they could find something to get for Alice, as well.
“That sounds like fun. If you’re sure you can spare the time, it would be nice to go. I have a few things I want to get while I’m there if we do.” Alice looked toward Ben. “Would you like to do that, Ben?”
“Anywhere you want to go, I do,” he said. “I want that coffee-maker thing, so you’ll have to tell us where to go.”
Landon smiled. This was great. Ben actually wanted to go shopping. Well, he wanted a coffee maker, which meant going in, grabbing it, and stopping only long enough to pay for it before barreling back out to the truck. He couldn’t wait to see how the man handled a woman shopping. It was something he’d never expect to see with Ben. The entire idea amused him.
“What’s so funny?” Alice asked with a smirk.
She knew. Oh, yeah, she knew exactly what he was thinking.
“Nothing. Just wondering how long we’ll last with you shopping,” he said.
“Don’t worry. I’ll have pity on you. Most of what I want is in one store, and the other few things are in an office supply store, so you guys should be able to handle it.”
“You can shop however much you want to. If Landon can’t take it, he can wait in the truck,” Ben told her.
Landon’s mouth fell open. What the fuck?
He’s got to be head over heels in love with her already. I’ve never heard him say anything remotely that far off before. I’m not sure I like the new Ben.
Well, yeah. He did. Ben not in a surly mood was pretty nice for a change. It was how fast it had happened that amazed him. Did he even hear himself and know what was going on, or was he completely ignorant of how he was acting?
“If you aren’t busy tomorrow around one, would you like to have lunch with us at the diner? Just lunch. I know you’ll need to get ready for work on Monday,” Landon asked, changing the subject.
“That sounds great. I love their chicken on Sundays. I don’t always go because I’m too lazy,” she said.
“So, tomorrow at one. We’ll pick you up and drop you back off. Then our usual Tuesday and Thursday and next Saturday a day trip to Austin. Think we’ve about got it all covered,” Landon said.
“Goodness. I didn’t realize how much of your time I’m taking up. Are you sure you want to take off on Saturday?” Alice asked, looking up at him.
“We’re sure,” Ben said before Landon could say anything.
“Okay. I’d like to see more of you.” Alice squeezed both their hands before letting go to pick up her coffee once more.
“I don’t think I’ve had this much fun in years,” Landon said. “Just seeing Ben out on the dance floor more than once was a treat.”
“Didn’t see you missing too many dances, now did I?” Ben snapped back.
Alice laughed. “There you go again. I’m going to get a crick in my neck if you two keep bouncing back and forth.”
“His fault,” they both said at the same time.
Alice just shook her head and continued to sip her coffee while Landon watched her. She amazed him. She didn’t get agitated when he and Ben snapped at each other, and neither did she hang all over them. She touched them from time to time and allowed them to touch her at the same time without looking around to see if anyone was watching. She was a gem. One he wanted to hold on to for as long as she’d let them.
* * * *
Alice stood when the men did. Landon picked up the tray with their cups and carried it into the kitchen for her. When he returned, the three of them walked over to the door. Before Ben opened it, Landon pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She relished the taste of him and inhaled his slightly citrus scent. Beneath that was all male.
He licked along the seam of her lips then, when she opened to him, delved deeper with his tongue. She moaned into his mouth as he explored then slowly released her into Ben’s arms. She hadn’t even realized he stood behind her. How could she have missed the heat of his big body?
When Ben pulled her into his arms, she felt completely surrounded. He dwarfed her, and yet instead of scaring her, it made her feel safe, secure. He kissed her much harder than he had in the truck earlier. His mouth covered hers then pulled back to nip at her lower lip before conquering hers. He explored every inch of hers, mapping it with his tongue and sipping from her lips before he released her and leaned his forehead down on hers. They both panted from the kiss.
“You go to my head, babe. I don’t want to leave, but we need to. If we don’t, I’m going to carry you to bed and take you until you scream my name.” Ben’s words did little to dissuade her from holding on to him.
“I wouldn’t stop you, but you’re right. We need to back off. For now,” she said.
Landon opened the door and grabbed Ben’s arm. “Let’s go, lover boy.”
“Good night, Alice,” Ben said.
“Good night, Ben, Landon. See you tomorrow.”
She closed the door behind them, and even before she could turn the lock, a soft knock reminded her. She smiled to herself and made sure all the locks and the chain were in place before walking into the kitchen as the sound of the truck starting told her they were leaving. She rinsed the coffee cups and set them in the dishwasher.
Alice couldn’t stop thinking about the night as she undressed and stepped into the shower. Both men had treated her like the most important person in the world. They’d danced with her, hadn’t pressured her to drink more than the two Coronas she’d had, and hadn’t started any fights when other men had asked her to dance.
She chuckled at that thought. She was sure Ben wanted to, but he’d restrained himself, and after hearing her tell the se
cond man no thanks, he’d relaxed and not even stiffened up when the next walked up. Their little chat outside the bathroom had evidently settled something inside of him. The rest of the night he’d growled less and smiled more.
Well, yeah. It had been mostly half-smiles, but for him, she figured that was pretty damn good. She somehow doubted the man smiled much at all. She liked being able to squeeze a few out of him.
I’m falling for them.
She loved touching them and how they touched her. She liked that they didn’t squabble over her, not really. They just plain squabbled in an adorable way. It always made her smile when Ben said something Landon thought was inappropriate. The poor man didn’t have a clue sometimes that what he said might have been taken wrong. It was one of the things she liked about him.
Thoughts of their kisses, so different, circled in her head as she crawled into bed just shy of two a.m. Heat spread through her body over how Ben had planned to make her scream his name. She had no doubt he could.
The dream seemed to spread from those kisses into something more. Ben had her in his arms, his cock wedged deep inside her pussy as Landon sucked on her tits, one then the other until she was squirming between them. The more she moved, the harder Ben fucked her. She knew how large he was from when he’d pressed against her body, but feeling his dick deep inside her cunt was somehow more. More intimate and more amazing.
Landon’s mouth nipped at her nipple as he pinched on the other one. Then he lifted from her breasts to his knees and rubbed the crest of his cock against her lips. Alice licked over the cockhead before running the tip of her tongue around the bottom of his dick. His hiss of pleasure spurred her on to lick up and down the shaft before opening her mouth and sucking him in deep.
“That’s it, Alice. Suck my dick. Fuck!” Landon’s voice cracked as she swallowed around the thickness of his shaft.
She reached beneath his cock to cup his balls in one hand, even as she wrapped the other around as much of his shaft as she could. There was no way she would be able to take all of him down her throat. He was long, where Ben was thick. Ben stretched her pussy to the point of pain while Landon filled her throat as he fucked her mouth.
