His and Hers and Hers

by Nona Raines

  Methodically she sorted all of Jordan’s crunchy socks and nasty jeans into one pile. Once that was done, she began on his shirts. Hold on, what’s this?

  One of his T-shirts had a red streak near the collar. What the hell? She held it up and examined the stain more closely. For a moment boiling jealousy surged through her. But the red mark was only jelly, most likely dribbled there from a doughnut that gave way.

  Kyla laughed softly to herself, shaking her head in relief. How stupid. Jordan wasn’t the kind of man who’d let some bitch kiss on him. Her laughter stopped abruptly as she remembered that he’d kissed, and done much more, with Cassie.

  Those memories sent a different rush of heat through her, one that had nothing to do with jealousy. Their threesome was hot and sexy and tender, yet thinking of it now also made Kyla sad. Cassie wasn’t some faceless hoochie. She was their friend. And Kyla hadn’t spoken to her all week. Hadn’t called her once.

  She didn’t know what to do. She and Jordan were still sorting out their feelings, dancing around each other. But it was a shitty move, treating Cassie like a booty call, and Kyla felt guilty as hell. Cass didn’t deserve to be frozen out like some nasty hookup they just wanted to forget.

  The more she thought about it, the guiltier she felt. And the more pissed off, at Jordan and herself, for acting like a couple of babies.

  “The hell with this,” she muttered, scooping up the dirty clothes and dumping them back in the basket. Laundry would just have to wait. She needed to talk to Cassie.

  * * * *

  Jordan aimlessly pushed his shopping cart down the aisle. Though he’d spoken to Ky only a few minutes ago, he couldn’t quite remember what she told him they needed. Paper towels, had she said? Ah, what the hell? He tossed a couple of rolls into the cart.

  Lately his concentration was shot to hell. Maybe because it took so much of it to act as if everything was normal between him and Kyla. Pretending that their threesome with Cassie had never happened.

  As he turned into the next aisle he spotted a tall blonde near the detergent. Jordan froze. Shit. Was it Cassie? Quickly he backed up, retreating to the row of paper products. He shook his head, thoroughly disgusted with himself. Chickenshit much?

  If it was Cassie, he wouldn’t blame her if she greeted him with a punch in the gut. He had it coming for being such a putz. He was ashamed of himself—not for the threesome, but for the way he and Ky had treated her since then.

  He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. Grow a friggin’ pair, would you, Brougham? He headed back to the cleaning aisle, almost hoping the blonde was Cassie and that she’d deliver the sucker punch he so richly deserved. Maybe then he could stop feeling so guilty.

  Now the blonde was facing him, and a cool wave of relief washed over him. It wasn’t Cassie. The woman noticed him looking at her and gave him a smile as she rolled her cart past his. He nodded back and quickly looked away. She was pretty, this one, maybe even beautiful, but her cool, remote beauty couldn’t compare to Cassie’s warmth.

  Enough of this shit. With new purpose, he wheeled his cart to the nearest checkout lane. As soon as he paid for and packed up his items, he’d call Cassie.

  * * * *

  Cassie closed the shop but was in no hurry to head home. She had no plans, nothing to look forward to but a long, lonely weekend. Especially since she didn’t know when Kyla and Jordan might contact her. Or if they would, ever again.

  She picked up a sandwich and coffee at the corner minimart and headed down the next block. She couldn’t help but smile seeing the Christmas items displayed in storefronts, though it was weeks yet till Thanksgiving. Jordan had been right about the holiday season being rushed.

  Walter was in his usual spot. He nodded a greeting and took the coffee and sandwich she handed him with a murmured thank-you. There was nothing obsequious about Walter. He had a certain dignity, as though he were bestowing a favor instead of accepting charity.

  “Still staying at the mission?” she asked, making conversation. She needed human conversation, companionship. She dreaded the thought of her empty apartment.

  “I’ve moved up to Holy Spirit Episcopal,” he informed her after checking the contents of his sandwich. “Not as many thieves there.”

  “Well, that’s good.” Cassie wondered what he had to steal. Walter didn’t even have a shopping cart. All his worldly possessions must be kept in the pockets of his long coat.

  “Mm-hmm.” Walter chewed his sandwich and gave her a look of sympathy, as though he knew why she lingered with him, reluctant to leave. He knew loneliness too. “How are you doing?”

  “Oh, I’m…fine.” She nodded at the carnation in the lapel of his coat, wondering where he’d gotten it. “I like your flower.”

  He plucked it from his buttonhole and handed it to her. “For you.”

  “Oh, Walter.” She looked down at the carnation and back at him, touched. “Thank you.”

  “You’re very welcome.” He nodded, gently dismissing her. “You take care, now, Cassie.”

  “Good night, Walter.”

  Cassie drifted down the block, twirling the flower in her fingers. She felt lighter, less alone.

  She wasn’t sure why she was so drawn to Walter. Maybe it was his proud demeanor, in spite of his homelessness. Or it might be that he made her think of her parents.

  If that were the case, why didn’t she avoid him? Her parents had abandoned her, and she’d lost touch with them years ago. She didn’t even know their whereabouts.

  But part of her still wondered if they were safe. If they were cold or hungry. Though they hadn’t cared for her, the lonely child in Cassie wanted to care for them. To make them love her, even as she despised them for throwing her away.

  She was almost at the corner when she heard someone call her name. Turning, she saw Kyla hurrying up the sidewalk to catch up.

  Cassie’s heart lurched in both happiness and fear. She licked her dry lips and tried to smile. “Hi.”

  “Hi.” Kyla was breathless. “I thought you’d still be at the shop. I stopped by, and you’d already closed.”

  “Oh. We close a little earlier on Fridays.”

  “I’m glad I caught you, then.” Kyla’s face was serious and intense. She was a woman with a purpose. “We need to talk.”

  “All right.” Cassie felt queasy with apprehension. “Let’s go back to the shop.”

  Kyla was silent as she accompanied her back to New Again, and Cassie’s skin felt clammy with dread. Kyla had come to say good-bye. Cassie heard herself talking rapidly, breathlessly, as she unlocked the door, trying to forestall the inevitable. “I’m glad you came by. Someone dropped off a bunch of books today. I put aside a few I thought you’d like.” She hoped her voice didn’t betray her nervous trembling.

  “Let’s go in back.” Kyla glanced at the plate-glass window looking out at the sidewalk. “It’s more private.”

  There was no one on the street to see them, but Cassie didn’t argue. “All right.” Her tongue felt thick, her hands cold. She led the way to the back room. Then, gathering all her courage, she turned to her friend. “I don’t want what happened to—”

  Kyla spoke at the same time. “I’ve been an asshole.”

  Cassie blinked. “What?”

  Kyla’s mouth was bunched in frustration. “We both have. Jordan and me. I’m sorry, Cass.”

  “What for?”

  “For not coming by, not calling all week. Leaving you hanging. It was really shitty. You must think we’re a couple of scumbags.”

  “No.” Cassie shook her head. “I’d never feel that way about you and Jordan.”

  “You’re our friend, and we treated you like some one-night stand.” Kyla shook her head, her eyes cast down in shame.

  “Am I still your friend?” Cassie had to know.

  Kyla’s gaze shot upward. “Of course you are.”

  “I wasn’t sure. I got scared when I didn’t hear from you guys, and I thought…maybe you were angry,
or you blamed me…”

  “Blame you? Why?”

  “Well, I started it,” Cassie stammered. “When I kissed you…”

  They were both silent, remembering that kiss. Cassie’s lips tingled, as though experiencing the feel of Kyla’s soft mouth again. The hush between them felt heavy, like the atmosphere preceding a thunderstorm.

  “No,” Kyla said. “It wasn’t your fault. We were all…”

  Again she fell silent. Cassie flashed back to that night and knew Kyla did too.

  “You said you didn’t want to pick it apart. Let’s not. It happened. It’s over. It’s not going to happen again.” Cassie’s throat tightened painfully, and her eyes ached as though she was about to cry. But she hadn’t cried since she was a child and realized that tears never changed a thing.

  Kyla looked at her sharply. “So you—”

  “What?”

  “Nothing.” Kyla gave her head a small shake. “Never mind. You’re right.”

  Cassie’s chest felt like a crumpled paper bag. “Let’s not let this hurt our friendship. You and Jordan are too important to me—”

  “Oh, Cass. Honey.” Ky placed her hand on Cassie’s shoulder, rubbed it soothingly. “Come here.” Kyla pulled her close in a hug. “I’m so sorry. We’ve been so selfish.”

  The fragrance of cinnamon filled her nostrils as Ky stroked her hair. The scent of Kyla’s sweet breath.

  Their gazes locked, and under Kyla’s intense stare, Cassie’s breasts grew full, her pussy heavy and achy. A week ago, Cassie had initiated their kiss, but this time it was Kyla who made the first move. She claimed Cassie’s mouth hungrily, as though she’d been starved for kisses. Her hot, supple tongue danced along the seam of Cassie’s closed lips.

  After an instant of surprise, Cassie responded in kind. Her mouth opened, giving Kyla free rein to tease and play. They lost themselves in kisses until Kyla murmured something into the cavern of Cassie’s mouth.

  Her mouth still clinging to Kyla’s, Cassie said, “What?”

  Ky pulled away, licking her lips as though to capture every bit of Cassie’s flavor. “Jordan.” Her voice was a croak.

  Cassie fell back to reality with a thud. “Jordan.”

  “We can’t—I can’t do this.” Kyla shook her head, her face distraught. “Not without him. It’s like cheating.”

  Cassie’s heart plummeted with disappointment, but she knew Ky was right. “Yes. Does he—”

  “I don’t know. I think he feels bad about it.”

  Cassie’s insides were a cold lump of clay. “He’s sorry?”

  Ky shrugged. “I don’t know what’s going on with him. We’ve been tiptoeing around it all week. It’s the first time since we’ve been together that we haven’t been able to talk.”

  Cassie wanted to throw up. “It’s my fault.”

  “Stop that.” Ky’s voice was sharp. “It’s our fault. Mine and Jordan’s. We’re both too chickenshit to be honest about what we really want.” Her tone softened as she gazed at Cassie. “What about you? What do you want?”

  Cassie licked her lips. “I don’t want it to be weird. I want us to stay friends, you, me, and Jordan, like it was before—”

  “Stop it, Cass. You know it can never be like it was before.”

  Of course not. They couldn’t turn back the clock. Cassie saw her own sad recognition of that mirrored in Kyla’s eyes.

  “Tell me what you really want,” Kyla insisted.

  Cassie’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “I want you both.”

  Kyla brushed Cassie’s hair away from her forehead. “Why does that make you sad?”

  “It can’t be.”

  Kyla’s jaw set stubbornly. “Who says?”

  Cassie had to smile. Ky didn’t like hearing no from anyone, but she didn’t understand how complicated three-way relationships really were. How hurtful for the person who was left out. Three was an odd number, and Cassie would always be the one out in the cold.

  Her phone rang, keeping her from saying more. “Excuse me.” She went still when she checked the caller’s name. It was Jordan.

  “Cassie?” His deep voice sent a jolt of fear and need spiking through her.

  “Ah—” She swallowed hard as her gaze slid to Kyla. “Yes. Hi.”

  “Cass, look. When you get off work, do you think we could meet for a drink or something? I’d really like to talk to you.”

  “You’d—what about Kyla?”

  Ky’s eyebrows lifted at the mention of her name.

  “She’s not—just the two of us, Cassie.” His voice trembled with nerves. “But don’t get the wrong idea. It’s just to talk.”

  “Jordan, I don’t know if—” Cassie broke off when Ky held out her hand for the phone.

  “Let me speak to him.”

  “Cass?” Jordan asked.

  Kyla took the phone and put it to her ear. “Babe, it’s me. Yeah. Just a little while ago. Because I needed to see her.” There was a pause. “Probably the same thing you wanted to tell her.” She went silent. When Ky spoke again, her voice was low, intimate. “I know. You don’t need to explain. You know I trust you.” Then, more briskly, “Where are you now? All right. See you soon.” She ended the call and handed the phone to Cassie. Their eyes met. “He’s on his way home. We’re meeting him there.”

  * * * *

  Cassie was reluctant to go to their place, but Kyla persisted. “He wanted to say sorry, Cass. Just like I did, you know? What we did was shitty, and we want to make it up to you. Please?” When Ky batted those big browns at her and gave her the sad-puppy look, Cassie couldn’t refuse her. Who was she kidding? She’d fold for Kyla anytime.

  Cassie followed Ky in her own car, and they walked together toward the house. But when Cassie reached the doorstep, her courage abandoned her. Kyla took her hand and drew her inside. “Come on.”

  Delicious aromas met them as they stepped in. Jordan was pouring wine into three crystal glasses on a dining room table set with china and covered with a linen tablecloth. The wineglasses had been a gift from Cassie the first time she came to their home. The heavy antique table was one she helped select at a flea market she and Kyla had visited. Cassie was a dab hand at recognizing the hidden beauty in something old and forgotten.

  Now the table, refinished by Jordan, looked like something from an exclusive antiques store. Still holding Cassie’s hand, Kyla sauntered over to him.

  “Mmm.” She kissed him hungrily. “Smells delicious. Pizza? Did you make it?”

  “No. It’s from Mario’s.”

  Kyla grinned. “Well, his is almost as good as yours.” She turned to Cassie. “You’ve got to taste Jordan’s homemade pizza sometime. It’s awesome.”

  Jordan handed Cassie a glass of wine, and his smile sent a bolt of lust straight through her. She was instantly wet. “Hey, Cass. I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Thank you.” She took the glass, her fingers trembling. If her friends noticed, they were too kind to say anything.

  Kyla hooked her arm through Cassie’s. “I told her we wanted to make it up to her for being such asshats.”

  “Total asshats,” Jordan put in. “That’s what I wanted to say to you, face-to-face. And I’m sorry.”

  “We’re sorry,” Kyla said. She took her glass and tinked it against Jordan’s, then Cassie’s. “To us.”

  Cassie’s clit throbbed, and her pussy contracted. She took a swallow of the tart wine, feeling dizzy after just one mouthful.

  She looked away and noticed the laptop that sat open on the sofa. Kyla saw it too. “How long has that been out here?”

  “Not long,” Jordan said.

  “Hmm. I’ll bet. Just don’t forget what we discussed, babe.”

  “Take it easy. It’s perfectly normal. It’s not like I’m an addict or something.”

  “It’s that slippery slope I’m worried about,” Kyla told him.

  “Well, stop worrying and come sit down.” Jordan pulled out a chair for each of them.

&nbs
p; As she sat, Kyla admired the table. “Oh, look at this. Gorgeous.”

  Jordan had created an antipasto that was a work of art—a colorful palette of lettuce, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, black olives, and rolled slices of provolone and salami. It was almost too pretty to eat.

  Kyla plucked some of the olives and popped them onto the tips of her fingers. “I used to do this when I was a kid.”

  She waggled her fingers while Jordan shook his head, smiling, and Cassie chuckled.

  Ky slipped the first olive into her mouth, leaving her forefinger bare. “Yummy.” As Jordan’s gaze burned into her, she teased him by twirling her tongue around the next olive and going down on her middle finger before popping the treat into her mouth. “Mmm.”

  “You’re a bad girl.” Jordan’s voice was a growl.

  She smiled at him, offering her hand. “Now you.”

  He took Ky’s hand and flicked his tongue in the tender skin of the V between her middle and ring fingers. Then, flashing his teeth, he nipped the olive off her ring finger.

  “Ow!” Kyla pouted. “You bit me!”

  “That’s not the only place I’ll bite you, you don’t stop teasing.” His eyes glinted a warning at both of them. A delicious thrill shivered through Cassie while Kyla smirked at her man as though she had every intention of ignoring his warning.

  “Last one’s for Cassie.” Ky wiggled her pinkie at Cassie, who gently slipped the remaining olive into her mouth.

  They stared at each other wordlessly until Jordan cleared his throat. “I’m starving. Let’s eat.”

  Cassie hadn’t thought she could swallow a mouthful, she was so turned on. But as she dug into the antipasto, her appetite bloomed. It was as though her sexual appetite, now stoked, ignited other hungers as well. Jordan and Kyla ate hungrily too, and there wasn’t much conversation during the meal.

  Before she knew it, Cassie had devoured a large helping of Jordan’s appetizer along with two slices of cheese-and-sausage pizza. She sat back in her chair with a sigh.

  Kyla smiled at her. “Good? Had enough?”

  “Mmm, plenty. It was delicious.”

  Jordan pushed back from the table. “I hope you’re not too full, because there’s still dessert.”