Foundations: The Power of Three Love Series

by Lennon, Leigh

  I was home with images of my girl with my guy. This was Daimen’s idea of being more direct. But now that I didn’t have access to her, I realized that with every smile, wink, lunch date, barging into her office, and a million other parts of her that were branded in me, I’d fallen in love with her.

  It was only when I was removed from her life did I understand the Elliot Arnold effect. She’d see me in the hall and turn around quickly. I thought it would hurt, and sure, it didn’t feel great. I wanted her close, to take in the aroma of her jasmine perfume. But with her vehemently pushing me away, I was positive she was running from us out of fear.

  My mind was on the “glass is half full” mentality. I was sure Daimen would bring Elliot home to us tonight after their business dinner, but when SOPHIE announced just my man, my steadfast attitude fell a bit.

  Daimen’s expression showed defeat. A long, low sigh was all I needed to hear to understand our plan didn’t quite go as we’d hoped.

  In his face, I saw a familiar look that had been gone for so long. “Honey.” It was all I needed to say as my guy threw himself into my arms. I understood in his actions that the hurt from Lana leaving us was coming back.

  As I held his face in my palms, his gaze didn’t meet my own. “I don’t love Lana. It’s been a while, but tonight, the resolve in Elliot’s manner … I’m afraid we’re getting invested when she’s not.”

  Tonight, we’d take a break from winning over Elliot. Tonight, I’d take charge and make love to my man. If he didn’t feel loved, I would make up for it tenfold.

  * * *

  I didn’t remember leading him to the bedroom. We ended up there somehow while his body and his face, begged to be loved. The tips of my fingers tenderly stroked the base of his neck, small circles that elicited moans as though I was sucking his dick. My man needed to be loved and reminded he’d forever have me.

  The palm of my free hand stroked his five o’clock shadow, barely making contact but causing friction on his handsome face. He closed his eyes, leaning his head into my touch when I trailed my hands down his arms.

  “Slow. Tonight, you need slow,” I say. “Let me give that to you. Show you my love will be the greatest hurdle you’ll never have to clear because you’ve crossed the finish line already.”

  His mind was drained, body emptied of all strength, and only a grunt came out of him. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Pulling at his hand, I eased him into bed. The beautiful features of a man who filled my life with an internal peace? His mere being made it possible to inhale the ugliness that life threw my way.

  Relishing the tenderness of this moment, I wanted to bottle it up and covet it for the rest of our lives. We were rough, and oh, how I loved when the fierceness of my man overtook my very being. But in the rare moments I’d reach out and acquire this Daimen, my heart fell deeper in love with him.

  “I’ll do it all for you tonight.” As I unbuttoned his pants, his eyes remained closed, inhaling pleasure at my every touch. His shirt was the next item of clothing I removed. When I reached his boxers, a long, deep hiss was released from his lips.

  My mouth reached those supple and soft lips, and I devoured them, biting his bottom lip. He didn’t stop me, and with Daimen, he needed a little bit of pain along with playful me.

  The second I pulled away, the shine in his eyes glossed over and softened. The hair rose on my arms and the nape of my neck. Goose bumps covered my forearms.

  My lips moved from his mouth to his neck, then down his body to his erection. To say Daimen had a beautiful cock was an understatement. His iron-hard manhood was thick and long but velvety smooth, and the veins that pulsed on his erection made it a piece of art in and of itself. And with his Prince Albert, David had nothing on my man.

  Going in for the kill, I knew the big O was for his pleasure and not for me. Not tonight. My tongue started at his swollen bulb, leaking pre-cum. My hunger had nothing to do with food or water, and I lapped up every bit of his taste. Only with my tongue, I licked northbound.

  My mouth attacked his raging cock, and his hands found passage in my hair. I hurried to make the idea of the potential pain go away, yet he was loving, stroking my head in gentle circles. Even his moans were controlled. My goal, the only objective to this—the blowjob of the century—was to make him forget all the pain of past lovers and concentrate on the here and now.

  When his hips jerked, thrusting his dick farther into my mouth, he exploded, his hands finding my cheeks. One tip of my head to his found eyes that reflected the love we both shared in our bodies and our hearts.

  * * *

  It’d been a week since I’d spoke to Elliot, and by all accounts, my intentions be damned, work demanded that I break the silence. Being me, I took my playful approach. Knocking on her door to her office, I popped my head in. “Hey, you have a couple of minutes, Ell? Work calls.” I didn’t give her a chance to shoot me down. As I walked toward her, it was the closest I’d been to her in a week, and soon, my nose took in the aroma of her jasmine perfume.

  Her eyes did not leave her drafting table, pencil gripped tightly in her hand. She replied, a tone I didn’t like her using toward me. “Sure, but I’m swamped here, Arden.”

  “Ell,” I started, and she didn’t respond. “Ell,” I said again, more forceful.

  Throwing her pencil down, she looked in my direction. “What do you need, Arden?” She was cold and calling me by my first name in her snarky high-pitched way sounded worse than calling me an asshole. “For the past week, you’ve been fine to run everything through Andrew. So, let’s go back to that.”

  “Elliot!” My playful mood disappeared. “Regardless, we’ve gotta work together, so stop being so fucking stubborn and look at me.” She forced her eyes down, pissing me off. “Fucking ballbusters, look at me!” My tone caused her to flinch.

  When her gaze met mine, her eyes were silently challenged me. “You sort of ruined it with your preposterous proposal.”

  “It actually isn’t that preposterous, Ell. And I miss you. Don’t you miss me?” It was a question I wasn’t sure I wanted an answer to.

  “Fricking hell, what do you want from me? What did you expect?” Picking up her pencil from earlier, it quickly flew across her desk farther this time.

  I pushed my hands down in front of her. “Answer the question, Ell!” I demanded.

  With a little smirk forming, her answer was, “I thought you’d never call me Ell. Right?”

  Her little grin was infectious, and I smiled. Extending my hand, I let it stop just inches from her. “Fuck, Ell, I’ve missed you.”

  “And I’ve missed you too.” A small tear leaked from her eye, and my heart hurt. She cared for me; I’d bet my life on it. But because this was new to her, I couldn’t fault the fear that had encompassed her.

  Without thinking, I blurted, “It’s Tuesday night dinner at the penthouse. Have dinner with us?”

  Her eyes stared at her drafting designs. “Can’t. Got plans.” Her voice was not the confident woman I’d come to love in her. She was still second-guessing herself.

  “Ell, don’t do this. Please, just come to dinner tonight. Scarlet and Andrew will be there just as it’s been for the past several weeks.”

  My own cheeks burned with both desire and anger. I couldn’t believe she was lying just to get out of a weekly ritual I’d come to covet. Turning away from her, I casually called, “Well, you know where to find me.”

  “Hey, I thought we were going to get some work done?” Her tone was raised while I walked toward the door that led directly to Andrew’s office.

  “Another day. I just remembered I have plans.” It was a douche move, but I missed this woman as much as I loved her.

  Andrew’s eyes met mine when I entered his office. “Hey, man, I need to go over some of those changes in materials with you.”

  “Fuck, this is getting old. I have my own work to do. I can’t be the go-between with you and Ell.”

  Sucking in a deep breath, I knew he was
right. Not only was this killing me, but it was fucking unprofessional. “Yeah, man, sorry about this, but, hell, it’s tough. I just want to grab her and shake her.”

  “What did you expect, man? If you knew her family, you’d understand why you scared the shit out of her.”

  “Yeah, I’m not great with subtlety. But, fuck, now she’s lying to me, not wanting to come tonight.”

  He stood, almost in my face. “She’s not lying, man, and believe me, I wish she was coming to dinner instead of …” His words fell short, and he walked away, sitting at his desk without another indication of what he meant.

  “You can see I care for her, right?” He nodded his head. “Then tell me, spit it out.”

  Even as he averted his eyes, I stood steadfast. He would tell me what was going on with my girl, even if she didn’t know she was mine yet.

  “It’s Keith. He’s back in town after his time in Japan with his startup company. I told her it was a mistake, but she didn’t listen.”

  “C’mon, do you think she’ll listen to me?” I said, doubtful.

  “But her reaching out to Keith, the world’s biggest jackass, is because of you and Daimen. It’s because you scared the fuck out of her with your offer.”

  “Crap, does she tell you everything?” I wondered out loud.

  “Pretty much.” He smiled, telling me he found humor in knowing all of Elliot’s secrets.

  “Okay, but …”

  “I’m positive you aren’t asking me if I approve? But she cares for you both … as more than just friends.”

  I stood at the door that led back to Elliot’s office. Part of me wanted to confront her and make her see reason, but Andrew was right. I’d scared her—pushing my desires on her before her mind had a chance to truly see what the three of us could be together. That was when I decided to exit through the other door, leading to the hallway. I’d give Ell space, but I was not giving up, not when it came to her.

  21

  Daimen

  We were determined to get Elliot over for our weekly dinner. In my take-charge attitude, I sulked in the house after reading Arden’s text that Elliot couldn’t come tonight. There were no other details. Being the first to speak when my eyes fell on his, I walked straight to my partner and said, “I’m sorry, guys, help yourselves to whatever. I need to talk to Arden, and we may be a while.” Scarlet was used to this, and Andrew had become part of the gang. Scar shrugged in agreement, while Andrew started pouring him and Scarlet more of our expensive wine.

  Retreating to our home office, I pointed my index finger at Arden, about ready to light into him. He must have messed something up further. Fuck, listen to me, I was ready to go to blows with the one man who had single-handedly pieced me back together after Lana. Opening my arms, I simply embraced him.

  “Babe, this is killing me—us.” I kissed his cheek, his body leaning into mine for support. “What happened? Maybe we should just go to her house.”

  Arden lowered his head, weaving his hands in the blonde waves of his hair. With a wince, he simply stated, “She’s not home … has plans tonight.” With a clench of his jaw, something I rarely saw, he continued, “I thought she was giving me the runaround, but she’s out. Andrew confirmed it.”

  “She’s on a date?” I yelled, but Arden, knowing me as he did, didn’t flinch. My possessiveness was one of the many traits Arden had always found endearing.

  “Yes.” He paused. My heart ramped up because I didn’t like the tense expression that pulled at his lips. “With Keith.”

  “The jackass Keith? The man who screwed her over and left her at a low time in her life?” Jealousy tormented my heart and soul.

  “Dammit, I’m going after her. Even if she doesn’t want us, or she needs us to back the fuck off—we pushed her to do something this stupid.” Arden didn’t try to stop me and knew me well enough to understand it was fruitless at this moment. I slammed down the hallway to the one person who could help me, and I’d be damned if he gave me the runaround. When I found Andrew, my demand was made apparent when I almost roared, “Where is she tonight?”

  I saw the conflict in his eyes, but I didn’t give a fuck. “Dammit, Andrew, I’m not to be messed with right now. Just tell me. If she fires you, I will hire you.”

  “Shit, man, you’re asking a lot out of me.” Andrew’s eyes flitted to Scarlet for what I assumed was support, but her stare remained on her wine glass.

  “I don’t care.” My reply was flat.

  “Okay, okay.” He waved his arms in defeat. “He always takes her to NAHA on Clark. I can’t guarantee that is where they are, but he’s a greedy man and never treats her to her favorite places.”

  Already at the elevator with my keys in my hands, I called out, “Wish me luck, baby. I’m going to get our girl.” She’d shot us down on every other occasion, but if we had to back off to get her to understand clinging to her past wasn’t healthy for her, we would. That was what you did when you loved someone. Fuck, I was in love with Elliot Arnold. Fuck me sideways.

  * * *

  The second I crossed through the doors of NAHA, I was met with Elliot’s striking face. Knowing the staff as I did, they didn’t stop me as I marched up to her—a man on a mission. It didn’t take me long to come face-to-face with the smug SOB taking over the entire conversation. My girl looked bored. Fuck—she was my girl—Arden’s and mine.

  Drumming her fingers on the table, she didn’t see me at first until my booming voice brought her out of her trance. “Ell, I need to talk to you. Can you give me a couple of minutes please?”

  She jerked her head back. “Why am I not shocked? You have no boundaries. Not this time.”

  “Ell,” Keith said, “wanna introduce me to the man interrupting our date?” Even his voice was abrasive to the ears.

  “Keith, this is my non-boss, Daimen Torano. Daimen, this is my old boyfriend, Keith Morley.”

  He took a drink of what I only assumed was whiskey. The man sneered at me, waving his hand at my dismissal. Who the fuck did he think he was dealing with? “Oh, I have seen you in the paper. You’re that man, the billionaire, the faggot, right?”

  Nothing set me on fire more than the hate that could be sparked by that one particular word. With my fists clenched, I’d limit my verbal response to the bigot. In my attempt to take control of the situation, Elliot’s voice could be heard throughout the restaurant. “What the hell, Keith? He’s signing my paychecks for the next two years, and he’s my friend.” Her regard with her conviction was as sensual as if she’d bared her naked self to me.

  “Ell, beautiful, I’m not leaving you here with this asshole. Let’s go.” I extended my hand toward Elliot.

  “Wait, you can’t manhandle her. She’s here with me,” Keith demanded.

  “You’re both right, so I’m leaving you two right now.” As she turned to Keith, her volume was higher than her normal “you’ve pissed me off” tongue lashing. “Don’t ever contact me again, you fucker.” The one thing I’d learned about this wonder in front of me was that she was determined to live her way. No one told her to do anything. She stood, exiting the restaurant as everyone watched the scene unfolding before them.

  How the fuck could someone walk so quickly in heels and a tight as hell dress? Running to catch up to her, I was yelling. “Ell, wait, I’m sorry. I wouldn’t let you stay there with him.”

  Her curvy figure turned around. “You have no boundaries. You or Arden.”

  “Ell, can we go to your apartment? Please, I don’t want to fight with you here. If you tell us to back off, we will, but we need you back in our lives.” Those words left my mouth, and her eyes softened. “Even if we give up this dream of making you ours, please don’t go out with any more ex-boyfriends because you think that’ll rid us from you.” Fuck, I sounded so mushy right now, but I meant every word.

  Her face frowned from what had hit her. “You’d give me up just so I wouldn’t do flipping dumb shit, like hook up with an old boyfriend, to try to forget the
two of you?” Her tone hit me while I was bouncing from foot to foot like a schoolboy making it to first base. Her words didn’t stop. “Dammit, I like you both too much! That’s why I went out with Keith tonight. Thought I’d see him and fall back with him to get over how you two invaded my heart. I can’t make me love Keith again. But this, with us, I can’t …”

  “Ell, please, let’s just talk.” I was freezing my ass off in this Chicago winter, but I’d do anything for her right now.

  “Part of me wants this, and then the other part … goes back to what’s socially acceptable,” Elliot revealed, shuffling from side to side and biting her bottom lip. She was too adorable in this almost vulnerable state I’d been a witness to.

  “C’mon, woman. Let’s get off the street. Privacy, little girl, that’s what we need.” Pulling out the name for her when she’s pissed off at me might not work in my favor, but hell, it got her attention.

  “What the hell?” Her lips turned slightly upward, but her narrowed eyes told me she wasn’t a fan of that name. “I need to go home.” When she made this declaration, something funny gnawed away at me.

  “Beautiful, does Keith have a key to your loft?” I asked.

  Her eyes gave me the answer I’d demanded. “You’re not fucking going home with your crazy ex having access to you. Until I can get your locks changed, you’re staying with us.”

  Elliot pushed off me. “Shit, you’re so bossy. Do you think that caveman shit will work with me? And that you’ll always get your way?” she asked. I was six-foot-five and two hundred and twenty pounds. As light as she was, I turned, scooped her up, and put her over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

  “Freaking hell, Daimen Torano. You put me down, now, you shitbag,” she demanded.

  “Are you gonna come willingly to our penthouse?” I asked. She was beat, and she knew it.