“Ms. Arnold, it’s Scarlet Reeves from Alders, Blakely, and Torano, LLC. I wanted to call and let you know that Mr. Torano has agreed to your terms. You’ll meet with our legal team first. Does eight a.m. tomorrow work for you and Mr. Peters?”
Could I do a happy dance on the sidewalks of Chicago right now? I wondered. This was the last thing I’d expected. “Eight a.m. works.” I tried to play it cool and collected, but, hell, this was the best news. “And, Ms. Reeves, please thank both Mr. Blakely and Mr. Torano again for the opportunity.”
I stopped on the sidewalk of the very busy downtown Chicago street and latched onto Andrew tight, causing others to grumble as they went around us. “We got it, Andrew. We really got it. Now it’s time to fix that piece of crap architect’s designs.” I was pivoting through thoughts in my mind, organizing them like a filing cabinet. This would be my big break. And, for a bonus, I’d get into the mind of Arden Blakely too. Too bad it couldn’t be his pants because it was so much fun the first time.
* * *
My loft apartment was bright and airy and nothing like my contemporary designs. One day, I’d create my dream house for the family I longed for. The idea of having the American dream played out in my thoughts like a movie in the theatre. That was the life I’d always wanted, one that people ached for in those sappy movies with the perfect ending.
For now, I called this little condo home, which was an old, large house converted into twelve small lofts. I made good money, and this job would put me on the map, but it wasn’t like I could afford the Jimmy Choos I loved or anything from the Vera Wang line. However, my home was my own, and I was able to afford the mortgage payment and still live comfortably.
I’d started to acquire an impressive clientele list, but with going out on my own, and the added paycheck of Andrew—I had to be careful.
My loft was pure white. All the white made my house feel clean, but I was OCD to begin with, being a classic type A personality. I could ice people out, it was my way, but it did lead for a boring life. Except for Andrew and Levi, I was alone. My last serious boyfriend, one I regretted as much as that perm in tenth grade, was scared of my success.
“Okay, Ell, whatcha thinking?” Andrew questioned with my design book in hand.
I looked at the existing plans and then my new sketches while reading the list of changes. “I think we can get as low as forty percent of an increase, but I just don’t know what sort of damage we’re looking at or redos. Shit, I can’t ask for more money, and that dark brooding man was not one to be trifled with.” Though internally, I wanted to trifle with him.
“Hell, Ell, these are your best ones yet. I wish I could’ve seen what you would’ve done before rehab had started on the buildings. These condos are going to be gorgeous. Absolutely wonderful.”
I began to fill him in on all my plans, changing the existing ten standard floors. By making more usable square footage, they could charge more for the condos. After four hours of making engineering changes, which was Andrew’s specialty, we called it a night. I was so tired and barely able to keep my eyes open, but the ding of my computer alerted me to an email. In case there was a change to the meeting, I ambled over to my desk and opened it up.
Ms. Arnold,
I wanted to apologize today for our presumption that you were not capable of doing this project due merely to the fact you’re a woman. We do live a more untraditional life than most and understand how hate and bias can brew in people. With all your credentials, I have no doubt you’re the best choice for our project. Let me also apologize for my business partner. He’s quite skeptical, but he was also impressed. Take it as a sign of respect because if he didn’t like your ideas, he would’ve shut you down immediately.
I look forward to getting to know you better.
Arden Blakely
“Why do all the good-looking men have to swing the other way?” I shouted at my ceiling. My bad luck with the opposite sex ran the gamut.
After changing into my satin nightgown, I pulled the covers over my body and fell into a restless sleep, plagued with images of those beautiful men taking my breasts into their mouths and touching me down there. It had been way too long since I’d been worshiped in that way. It was such a basic carnal desire, and my lack of physical intimacy with a man was compelling me toward such erotic wishes.
I was coming off a horrible breakup with my on-again, off-again ex. Keith was not just a cheater, but was also mean. I was not a small girl nor was I big, but he always made comments about my curves. I could feel my muscles and veins straining against my skin at the thought of him. When I thought about the last straw that broke me, my blood felt as if it was actually boiling.
Pulling his keys from my purse, I was going to surprise him. He wasn’t due home for another four hours, but my hands were full of his favorite foods. It was going to be a feast to sustain us since I wasn’t planning on letting him out of his bed for a good two days.
Barely making it to his large kitchen at the front of his condo, I found all the lights were on. That was odd because yesterday when I’d brought up his mail, they were off. It wasn’t long before the sounds of whimpers and moans invaded my ears. I didn’t remember walking through his living room toward the bedrooms. Opening the barn door that slid—my own idea he loved—all I saw was his bare ass as he rode some bimbo doggie style. Dropping the maraschino cherries I bought for him to eat off of me, I announced my presence with the shattering glass.
He, of course, ran after me. It was dramatic that way, and Keith lived on that shit. “Ell, it was one time. Just one time,” he swore, naked in the hallway with all his neighbors watching.
“Funny. That’s what you said last time and the time before that.”
“Good!” he hollered, grabbing my purse I’d forgotten when I tried to get away from him. From the entrance of his door, he threw it at me. “No skin off my back, you fucking fat bitch.”
My parents thought Keith was the catch of the century and it was one reason I kept taking him back. You need security, Elliot. You need a husband, and you’re not getting any younger, they’d constantly tell me.
But now, I was happy. I was on my own but had surrounded myself with loved ones. My twin brother, Levi, was making plans to move to the city, and I had Andrew, along with his sister, Kayla, who was hoping to get a teaching position in Chicago. Kayla was like the little sister I never had.
In my thoughts of the future, I found sleep again, but my mind was on the broody dark-haired man and the happy blonde. I wished Arden could have been my forever. If only it was that easy.
5
Arden
Our penthouse was on the top floor of one of the many buildings we owned in the middle of renovations. We’d made sure this was the first level completed as we wanted to move in right away. However, it was not finished to our liking from the half-assed work of our last architect and his team. Of course, today I knew I’d get Elliot up here to help with changes. Oh, how I couldn’t wait to get that sexy blonde in our house and in our space.
We entered our apartment and were on one another, mouth-to-mouth, body-to-body. “Hey, whose turn is it?” Daimen asked. Early on, we knew we loved both positions, and we agreed to take turns.
“Mine,” I said with a wicked smile.
“Okay, let me be more specific. Who’s on top?”
“You, my beautiful lover.” I snickered, being a bit sappy, but, hell, this man was everything to me. Smacking his ass, I ordered, “To the bedroom.”
“You forget; I’m the one in charge.” He smiled, leading me to our master and saving time by unbuttoning his business shirt on the way.
Pulling him by his waistband back into my embrace, I squeezed him tight. “Ah, honey, you would never let me forget you like control, just like I wouldn’t let you forget that I like it a little rough.” My tongue found his nipple, biting it hard enough to elicit a squeal from him. “But isn’t it hot every once in a while when I playfully take charge?”
I
loved this look on him—his entire being was set on fire by me, as mine was by him. The tie I was wearing was his way of pulling me toward him. “Everything about you is hot.”
We were barely in our bedroom when, it seemed, he had me undressed in less than a second while he still had on pants. But it didn’t matter, and before I could say anything, his mouth was engulfing my cock, slathering warm kisses down my erection with his tongue and lips. When he pulled back, his eyes were hooded, and I was ready to be slammed by him. We made love so often, but today, I wanted to be thoroughly fucked. I opened my mouth to request this, but it was as if he’d read my mind.
“Don’t worry, babe, I’ll fuck the hell out of you.” With his declaration, his hand landed on my ass with a loud smack, and the pain was like medicine to my body. This man was my everything—his soul was connected to my own. “And because you like it kinky, I’ll even allow you to act as if the sassy little blonde is watching us. I know how you like being watched when we fuck.”
Turning me around, he shoved me on our bed, which sat high off the floor. Peppering kisses down my neck, I heard the drawer open along with a squirt from the bottle of lube we use. “You get me, hon! You fucking get me!” And the idea of her being a part of this in my imagination made me submit to his power—to his control. He was normally one for foreplay but not when it came to fucking me. My own cock was squeezed against our mattress as I was accosted by the cold lube. His fingers worked my ass, and the only thing I could hear was my moans. With the departure of his fingers, he started teasing me with anticipation. I needed him now, but he only tormented me more. “Daimen, hon, please,” I begged. As soon as I opened my mouth, he pushed deep within me and slapped my ass again. Fuck, he stretched me good as my cock grew more and more against our bed.
Our orgasms hit at the same time, and we were both riding through ecstasy when he pulled out. I felt his strong arms reach for me, and I rolled over. His smirk said it all. When I got him out of the office, he was my teddy bear. The whole world that he let dictate his life rolled off his shoulders, and I was left with the best man I had known in my life and in my arms.
* * *
We were lying in our custom-made bed, larger than the state of Texas, when his voice softened. Very few people saw this part of Daimen Torano besides me. We were skin to skin, holding one another when he whispered, “Arden, babe, you know I’d do anything to make you happy. I’m trying with this idea of yours.”
“You’re my world, Daimen Torano. We loved having a woman with us before. Sure, it wasn’t what we’d wanted, and in the end, she hurt you.” I had never loved Lana—not like Daimen loved her—but I was willing to sacrifice for him. At the end of the day, I cared for her deeply, and that was enough for me—because I had Daimen.
“I can’t handle it happening again.” His statement was the truth. My strong man was a mess when Lana left us. In his eyes, I still saw the pain. “And worse, I never want you to hurt like I did.” It was true; I had missed her at first, but my pain was nothing compared to Daimen’s.
Daimen and I had grown up together on the bad side of Chicago with our estranged business partner, Spencer. When college was upon us, we went our separate ways. Spencer and Daimen headed to Illinois State University, and I moved to Savannah for design. I’d always had an eye for art. In the end, I’d decided on industrial design, which worked well for a business that refurbished old buildings.
When I returned from Savannah, I’d discovered that Spencer and Daimen had become close in a way I never imagined. They had a small apartment in Chicago and invited me over one night. I’d arrived early, and when I found the door unlocked, I’d peeked in and saw Spencer with a girl. I’d walked in on them having sex, but before I could excuse myself, I discovered Daimen was a part of the action too. It was hard to wrap my head around, but I couldn’t deny it was fucking hot. Once the girl was gone, they sat me down and were honest about their arrangement.
“You mean you both are into one another too?”
Spencer scoffed, “I’m not like that.”
It seemed odd at the time for Spencer to word it that way. Next time their girl came by, they invited me to join. I’d always been playful and daring, so it came naturally. They were my best friends, and it seemed like it should be this way. It made us closer, and I’d loved our bond.
Then we met Lana. She was perfect for Spencer and Daimen. However, throughout our time together, I’d developed feelings for Daimen that I didn’t have for Spencer. What seemed more unlikely was that he felt the same way. The comment Spencer had made always struck a chord with me, and I wondered about Daimen’s sexuality.
One night, while we were hanging out, drinking beer and having pizza, Lana and Spencer took some alone time to themselves, as they did often. We were just drunk enough, and it made us just brave enough to admit our feelings for one another. It didn’t bother Lana to watch us together when all three of us shared her, but it did bother Spencer.
When Daimen realized I was not in love with Lana, it gnawed away at him. I would never give him an ultimatum and make him choose between me and Lana, but it was a discussion we had often.
“How can you choose this life, babe, when you don’t love Lana? I feel selfish, like you’re settling,” Daimen asked one night when it was just him and me.
“I’m never settling when it comes to you. And you LOVE Lana. I could never ask you to give her up. I care for Lana, and maybe in time, I’ll love her. But I choose her because I love you so much.”
I never could have asked him to pick between two people he loved, and for that reason, I would have chosen to protect Lana against all the evils of this world. That was, until she broke my man’s heart. Daimen’s need for security and the hurt that cut through him like a machete resonated from the shitty childhood that still plagued him.
Daimen and I being together was the beginning of the end of the relationship between the four of us. Spence was disgusted by our love for one another. When Spencer gave Lana an ultimatum, she chose him over Daimen and me. Though we were still partners in business, Spencer packed up his office and started working from another one of our buildings downtown closer to Lana.
Daimen was scared to death to let another woman in our relationship. Losing Lana nearly destroyed him, and I had to watch while the strong and dominating Daimen sank into a full-on depression.
“Honey, I’m not going to fall for someone and leave you.” This fear was what it always led to—me leaving him like Lana had.
His hands found passage around my waist. “Fuck, I love that you get me. Hell, I love you, Arden, more than life itself.”
I believed him because that was the truth when it came to Daimen too. I loved him more than life itself.
6
Elliot
After my meeting with the lawyers, I was escorted to the main offices that housed the three partners, though I had yet to meet their silent partner.
“Ms. Arnold,” their secretary called my way, “Mr. Torano had an unexpected emergency. Mr. Blakely will take the meeting first for design, then Mr. Torano will catch up with you afterward.” It eased my already pulsing nerves. Sitting directly under the scowl of the grumpy, albeit hot Italian was not how I wanted to start my day. In my thoughts, Scarlet continued to ramble on until the visions of the grumpy guy turned to that of the sweet and happier hunk of a man who’d once been inside me. “Let me show you to Mr. Blakely’s office. And afterward, I’ll take you to your office space. They told you during contract negotiations that they want you to work from here for easy access, right?”
Of course, Mr. Grumpy demanded this in the contract. I wagered to guess that Mr. Grumpy was also Mr. Controlling. Without sharing my thoughts on the sexy Italian, I replied, “Oh, no problem.” Due to the overhead cost, an office space was not quite in my budget, so it would be nice to work someplace other than my home.
Scarlet seemed sweet as apple pie when she continued to share logistics with me. “As you and Mr. Blakely talk, I’ll arran
ge a tour for Mr. Peters around the offices.”
I started toward Daimen’s office when Scarlet stopped me. “Ms. Arnold”—Scarlet paused—“Mr. Blakely’s office is over here.” I expected since they were partners in what seemed every aspect of their life, they’d also share a workspace.
“I assumed …” Before I could finish, I turned around to see Arden standing in his doorway, looking amused and very playful, with his large dimples accentuating his handsome face.
“Oh, Ms. Arnold, look who’s assuming now.” He smirked, and it did something to me, making me sopping wet. How could this man cause me to be this turned on with just a slight smile?
“Touché, Mr. Blakely, point taken,” I replied, grinning as he led me into his office. Of course, I was behind him, and I couldn’t help but stare at that fine ass I remembered all too well. “Thanks for the candid email yesterday. I appreciate your honesty.”
His hand found his clean-shaven face, and a lopsided smirk greeted me when he started, “I mean, you’re so impressive. You took us by surprise; you come in with guns blazing, taking absolutely no shit from my business partner, which, believe me, very few stand up to him. He’s not used to anyone putting him in his place. Then add in that you’re completely stunning—we were not ready for all of you.” Yeah, I must be so stunning that he couldn’t even remember the best night of sex. Then he winked my way. Ah, shit. What is he doing? He was into dudes now, which was more than fine—I respected that—but it was a blow to the ego. Still, with his unexpected compliment, I attempted to catch my breath. More like suppressing the panting horndog my body was turning into. Treacherous was what my traitor bitch of a body was.
“Sorry, Ms. Arnold, I wouldn’t think a small compliment would make you blush like this.” My face wasn’t only red, it was burning, and not from his flattering words but from the memories of our evening together having been burned in my mind.
Foundations: The Power of Three Love Series Page 3
