“Why ?”
“There’s a subdivision on the outskirts of town,” he says. “You’d have passed it driving in from Portland. Most of the people who live there are retirees. Hardy wants to transform Goat into something sterile and cookie-cutter, and his message seems to resonate with them .”
His expression turns disgusted. “The guy ran three businesses into the ground. Now, he wants to add Goat to that list.” He takes a bite of his French toast, and the food seems to cheer him up. “Still, I try not to get too involved. We’re officially neutral at the Weekly Goat .”
After we’re done eating, we drive to Connor Perkins’ house, which is a beautiful Colonial mansion surrounded by ten acres of forest. The Weekly Goat’s offices are in a converted barn in the grounds. Skylights and large windows let in natural light, and lush green ferns dot the space. On the back wall is a large mural of downtown Goat. It’s the nicest office I’ve ever seen in my life, and the painting is stunning. All the businesses in downtown Goat are captured on Connor’s back wall. Goat Morning, the diner that we were in, Nick’s bar, the Randy Goat, the bed-and-breakfast, it’s all there, painted with love and skill .
“Oh wow,” I murmur, unable to take my eyes off it. “Who’s the artist ?”
“I am.” Connor looks faintly embarrassed. “I spend a lot of time in this space. I wanted to brighten it up .”
“It’s lovely,” I tell him, my voice sincere. “I’m really looking forward to working here .”
C onnor assigns me two articles to research and write for the next issue. I work on them until four, and then he chases me out. “You just moved to town. Go look around. Get to know people. Have fun .”
I smile at him in gratitude. “I do need to go shopping,” I admit. “My refrigerator is empty .”
“Go then,” he urges, handing me a key. “I won’t be here tomorrow. Feel free to work from home if you’d prefer. I’ll see you on Wednesday .”
After stopping at the grocery store to stock up on food, I pull up to Elvira’s cottage. My cottage. It’s five, and I have four hours to get ready .
Secret confession: I’m really nervous about tonight. I’ve had one-night stands before—after Matt, that’s all I’ve allowed myself to have—but this arrangement with Nick and Sean feels different .
No, it isn’t. It’s friends-with-benefits. It won’t be weird unless you make it weird .
Cooking always relaxes me. After I put away my groceries, I make myself a stir fry with chicken, red peppers, and broccoli. Even though the dish calls for garlic and onions, I leave them out for obvious reasons. For additional relaxation, I gulp down a glass of wine as I chop vegetables, and I pour myself a second glass and take it into the shower after dinner .
There had been a mirror in Sean’s hotel room six years ago. He’d pulled me down on his lap, spreading my thighs with his hands. “Keep them open,” he’d murmured into my ear. “Watch .”
Nick had squeezed my breasts while Sean had teased my clitoris with his fingers, and I hadn’t been able to tear my eyes away from our reflections. It had felt so shocking, so carnal, so necessary .
I place my glass on the ledge as I shave my legs. Once I’m done, I rub my favorite lotion into my skin, inhaling the fragrance of jasmine and lavender. I dry my hair and let it hang loose down my back, before turning to my closet .
After fifteen minutes of indecision, I settle on hot pink lace panties, a matching bra, and a red polka-dot wrap dress. I’m in the middle of swiping some gloss over my lips when there’s a knock on my door .
It’s nine. They’re here .
My heart hammers in my chest. “Coming,” I call out, a slight tremor in my voice. I have no reason to be nervous, yet it’s with unsteady feet that I make my way to the front door .
Nick and Sean are standing there, Sean holding a bottle of wine in his hands .
When he sees me, his lips curl into a smile, and his eyes run over my body. “That’s a lovely dress,” he says, his voice low and intent. “Let’s go inside and take it off .”
Oh boy. Let the games begin .
8
Hailey:
“Y ou didn’t have to bring wine.” I step aside to let them in .
Sean shrugs, unconcerned. “I know,” he says. “I wanted to.” He looks around the cottage curiously. “Well, it’s not as bad as I thought. I was expecting holes in the floor .”
I roll my eyes. “You guys. It’s not bad at all. Want the tour ?”
I show them around the place, starting with the living room, going through the kitchen before ending up at the larger of the two bedrooms. “Once I get properly settled, I’m going to convert the other bedroom to an office,” I tell them. “It doesn’t have any windows, but apart from that, it’s perfect .”
“Where do you work now?” Sean asks curiously .
I make a face. “On the couch. It’s not the most comfortable spot, but I manage.” As much as I appreciate it, I don’t need their concern. I’m not dating them, after all. It’s time to bring the conversation back to sex. “Shall we open the wine ?”
“Sure,” Nick says agreeably. “There’s just one thing you need to do before that .”
“ What’s that ?”
His lips lift into a crooked smile. “You need to take off your dress, Hailey .”
Desire settles into my core, hot and heavy. My fingers tremble as I untie the knot holding my dress in place. Sean takes a step closer, and he tugs it free. “Fuck,” Nick growls. “The sight of you …”
My nipples are hard underneath my bra. My pussy is slippery with need. A vein pulses at my neck, and Sean lowers his lips to that spot, his hands wrapping possessively around my waist, pressing me against his body .
My breathing quickens at the look of raw hunger in Nick’s eyes. I can feel Sean’s erection against my ass, and I grind into him, eager for more. In about three seconds, I’m going to lose the ability to think. “The wine,” I pant .
“You’re right.” Sean’s fingertips trace a path from my neck down the curve of my shoulder. For one brief second, his thumbs graze my nipples, then he lets go of me. “Where’s your corkscrew ?”
Damn. I didn’t want him to stop. “In the kitchen.” I lead the way, self-conscious about being in my underwear while they’re fully clothed, but turned on at the same time .
“Allow me.” Nick reaches past me and opens the bottle expertly. I hand him three glasses, and he pours the wine. “To a very pleasurable evening,” he toasts .
I practically gulp down the contents of my glass. Sean gives me a questioning look. “Thirsty ?”
“I’m a little nervous .”
His eyes are warmly reassuring. “Don’t be. Nothing’s going to happen that you don’t want .”
Nick stalks toward me and pries my glass from my nerveless fingers. “You’re so beautiful,” he breathes, his expression hot with desire. “Your nipples are hard, Hailey. Why is that ?”
“Because I want you.” There’s no need to be coy; my traitorous body makes my desire clear .
Sean’s fingers trace a path along my spine, and goosebumps break out on my skin. He unclasps my bra, and the straps fall down my shoulders. Nick eases it off me and inhales audibly. “God, you’re gorgeous,” he rasps. Moving forward, he cups my breasts in his palms and rubs his thumbs against my nipples. They tighten even further at his light, teasing touch. A shock of pure arousal runs through me .
Behind me, Sean trails his hands down my body. When he reaches my panties, he tugs them free, and then he pulls me against his body. I feel the hard bar of his erection against my ass. “Remember how good it was?” he whispers in my ear .
It had been the best sex of my life. They’d fucked me thoroughly that night. I hadn’t intended to stay, but I’d ended up falling asleep in the hotel room, and then, the next morning, we’d made love again .
I couldn’t get enough of them then, and I can’t get enough of them now .
Nick’s hand wraps around the back
of my head. I’m sandwiched between the two men, my boobs smashed into his broad chest as he kisses me, his lips warm and possessive .
Sean, in the meanwhile, cups the globes of my ass, squeezing my curves. He kisses my shoulder, his stubble prickling my skin, and then his hands move higher and caress the side of my breasts. “Let’s get you on the table,” he growls. “I want to taste every inch of you .”
Nick gives me one final kiss and then hoists me up on my wobbly kitchen table. “Lie back,” he orders .
I obey readily. Nick moves a chair between my legs and sits down. He’s at the perfect height to lick me, which I really hope he’s going to do. “Sorry, Sean,” he says to his friend. “You’ll have to wait .”
Sean doesn’t appear too put out. He looms over me, his large hand closing over one of my swollen mounds. “I’ll be okay.” Squeezing my flesh, he lowers his mouth to the nipple closest to him, licking and sucking it between his lips. A rush of pure pleasure runs through me .
Nick moves his chair closer. He pushes my thighs apart, and he makes me rest my legs on his shoulders. “Do you know,” he asks conversationally, “how many times I’ve jerked off remembering our threesome?” His lips brush against the soft skin of my inner thighs. “What about you, Hailey? Did you think of us when you touched yourself ?”
I refuse to give him the satisfaction of a reply. Nick’s a little too self-assured. “Maybe. Maybe not .”
Sean’s teeth nip at my nipples, and I arch off the table. “You should answer Nick’s question,” he scolds, his eyes dancing with laughter .
And Sean claims he’s not good with women. As if. He knows exactly what he’s doing as he teases my nipples, rubbing the nubs between his thumbs and forefingers, biting them with the perfect amount of pressure, hard enough to send a jolt of sharp lust through me, but not hard enough to cause pain .
Nick trails his fingers up my bare calves. “Tell me what feels good, Hailey.” He parts my folds and breathes on my bare pussy, and a shiver runs through me, one that intensifies when he licks my slit with the flat of his tongue .
I can’t hold back my whimper .
Sean’s lips crash over mine. His kiss is raw, possessive, heated. I open my mouth and kiss him back, our tongues tangling. Nick’s circling my clitoris with the tip of his tongue now, and it’s all too much. Sean’s kisses, the way he’s tweaking my nipples between his fingers. Nick’s mouth on my pussy. Sensation assaults me from every direction, and all I can do is grip the sides of the table and hang on .
“You like that, don’t you?” Nick asks, his voice muffled. “You’re so responsive, Hailey. I can feel your muscles twitch and tighten when I do this.” He sucks my clitoris between his lips, and I tense. My head thrashes from side to side as I groan. The rush of pleasure has me squirming away, my body clenching. It’s too much. I’m too close, I can’t hold on …
“Where do you think you’re going, sweetheart?” Nick lifts his head up, his lips curling into a grin. “We’re just getting started .”
Can a person die from too much pleasure? Because if so, I’m not going to make it. I’m wet, soaked, burning, molten lust running through my veins .
Sean’s eyes are hot with arousal. Holding my gaze in his, he walks over to my refrigerator. Opening my freezer, he pulls out an ice cube tray. I hold my breath as he fills his empty wine glass with ice. He heads back to me, a half-smile dancing on his lips. Fishing a cube from his glass, he holds it over my chest .
So wicked. “Is this how firefighters cool things down ?”
“Sometimes.” Icy drops of water drizzle on my nipples, but it doesn’t serve to dampen my lust in the slightest. The fire inside me just burns hotter. I watch him, half-hoping, half-dreading the moment when he’s going to rub the ice over my nipples .
He doesn’t disappoint. The sharp bite of cold on my nipples makes me jump, but an instant later, Sean’s mouth is on them, warming me up. Cold. Hot. I seesaw between the contrasting sensations, whimpering, moaning, delirious with need .
Nick slides two fingers into my pussy, his tongue dancing against my clit, his rhythm faster now, less teasing, more intent. I try again to flail out of his grip, but he doesn’t let go. Every muscle in my body goes taut as I approach my release, and a second later, I erupt, waves of pleasure roiling through every inch of my body .
There are a few minutes of silence as I catch my breath. “Wow,” I murmur, dazed. “That was one hell of a glass of wine .”
Nick chuckles. “Do you want a refill, or do you want to head to your bedroom ?”
With shaking feet, I clamber off the table, leaning against Sean for support. “Why do one or the other?” I ask, feeling the warmth of his body against my naked skin. “Let’s do both .”
N ick carries me to my bedroom and sets me down on the mattress. “Hold on to the bed rails,” he orders .
I lift my chin. “Who made you my boss ?”
His blue eyes rake over my erect nipples. His lips twitch. “Hold on to the bed rails, please. And Hailey, any more sarcasm and I promise you, I’ll spank that perfect ass of yours.” He follows that maddening statement with a wink. Outrage battles with arousal. Arousal wins .
With a pout, I obey Nick’s command, grasping the wooden slats of the headboard. Nick kisses my lips. At first, he’s gentle, and then, his touch turns possessive. His lips nibble and suck, and I open my mouth and kiss him back, our tongues dancing together .
Sean settles himself between my legs. “You’re soaked, Hailey.” He parts my legs and kisses my inner thighs. I’ve already come once, but I’m greedy for more. Groaning with need, I push my hips into his face, but he chuckles and lifts his head up to stare at me. “What’s the hurry ?”
Nick’s eyes darken as he watches me writhe on the bed. “I want you so much.” He whips his t-shirt over his head and tosses it across the room. His jeans and boxers follow. I lick my lips at the sight of his hard, thick cock, a drop of precum glistening at the tip. “I want to suck you,” I whisper, reaching for him .
Sean licks his way to my clitoris with aching slowness. His deliberate touches stoke a fire in me. “Please…” My voice is ragged with lust .
His tongue flicks over my clit softly, and I dig my nails into the wood. I start to close my legs, and Sean spanks my inner thighs, reminding me to keep them open. He slides a finger into me, and a tremor runs through my body .
Nick trails light kisses down my neck and throat before he flicks a tongue over my nipple. His fingers move to the other one, pinching them and plucking at the aching nub until I’m thrusting my pussy into Sean’s face. “I want your cock,” I groan again, staring at Nick, wordlessly begging him to thrust his hard length into my mouth .
“All in due time.” He props himself on an elbow, and his mouth lavishes attention to my nipples. Pleasure hurtles at me from every direction .
Sean adds another finger. He presses against my g-spot. That’s it. I can’t hold on. My fingers fist in his hair, I push my pussy into his face, and I shudder and mewl as another climax rips through me .
“I’m going to take you now,” Sean growls. My breath catches at the heat in his eyes .
“Finally,” I snark, watching him undress .
Nick chuckles. “More sarcasm,” he says, shaking his head. “Open your mouth, baby.” His cock nudges at my lips. I swipe my tongue over his head, and he hisses, his face clenched with desire. “Fuck, yes,” he groans. I suck greedily, loving the velvet-steel feel of his shaft in my mouth, loving the way he watches me, his eyes hooded .
Sean rolls a condom on his cock and plunges into me with one smooth stroke. I hold my breath as he pulls out and thrusts back in. My pussy is sensitive from my two orgasms, and every stroke sends a quiver through me. My muscles clamp around his cock, milking him, making him groan .
I wrap my hand around Nick’s thick shaft as I adjust to the rhythm, but once I do, I resume sucking his cock .
It doesn’t take long for us to climax. Sean’s fingers strum on my
clit, and I explode. Nick’s grip in my hair tightens. “I’m going to come,” he grits out and erupts down my throat. Sean isn’t far behind. His thrusts speed up, and his face contorts as he comes .
“Oh my God,” I breathe. “That was amazing .”
“Yes it was.” Nick wraps an arm around my waist. “Let’s get another glass of wine, and we’ll do this again ?”
Every muscle in my body is going to hurt tomorrow morning. “Sounds like a plan .”
I n the kitchen, Sean clears his throat. “There’s something I wanted to bring up. I know what we’re doing is casual, and we’re using protection, but in the interests of being responsible, I won’t be sleeping with anyone else while we’re doing this .”
I look up. “Really?” I thought they’d jump at the chance of being able to sleep with me without any expectations of monogamy .
“I agree with Sean,” Nick says. This time, it’s Sean that looks surprised. “If any of us wants out, we can end this first, right?” Nick continues .
I ignore the sinking sensation in my heart when Nick talks about ending our arrangement. Don’t be stupid, Hailey. Remember, this is casual. No feelings. Just sex .
“ Yeah . Okay .”
W e go two more rounds. At two in the morning, we’re all ready to collapse with exhaustion. “We should go,” Sean says. He gets up and pulls his jeans on, looking around the room until he finds his shirt tossed in a heap on the floor. “See you next Monday ?”
Nick gets dressed as well. “Thank you, Hailey,” he says, brushing a soft kiss across my lips .
There’s a small part of me that wants to ask them to spend the night, but this time, I remember my rules. Nothing serious .
But once they leave, it takes me a very long time to fall asleep .
9
Nick:
A month passes. Sean and I spend every Monday night with Hailey, and I’m not going to lie, those hours quickly become the highlight of my week. The sex is amazing, wicked and naughty. Hailey’s open about her desires, she doesn’t play games, and she never gets clingy. She offered casual sex, and she’s kept her end of the bargain .
Her Cocky Firefighters Page 4
