by Lexi Blake
“Maybe I want to,” Reid murmured as he uncorked a bottle of wine.
“Don’t you pull stuff out of the mini-bar. I can’t afford that.” She really couldn’t. Temping paid crap, and her savings was almost gone. She would have to think about getting a smaller apartment soon. She’d gotten too used to the healthy salary she’d earned when she’d worked for Reid and Gideon.
Reid’s dark eyebrow arched elegantly. “Darling, who do you think owns this place?” She shrugged and he continued. “This is my uncle’s lodge, but I bought in a couple of years ago when he needed to renovate. It’s why he shuts down for a week to give us the place to ourselves for the retreat. I told you I used to come here and work during the summers. My uncle and I are very close. Since he doesn’t have any kids, he’s always meant to leave the place to me. When I’m sick of being a lawyer, we’ll move up here and be innkeepers. Tomorrow we can go skiing.”
Jessica threw him her best “you’re crazy” look. She ignored the “we” comment. He loved to joke. It didn’t mean anything. “Do I look like a girl who’s ever skied before? This is the most snow I’ve ever seen in real life. Besides, I told you, I’m heading home tomorrow. There’s not a lot I can do if Gideon won’t let me in any of the classes. I suppose the mixers will be off-limits, too.”
Reid poured himself a glass and lounged casually on the bed. He looked incredibly sexy leaning back against the snowy white comforter. He was all lean elegance and male model hotness. She rather thought he knew the effect he had on her. “You can mix with me. Screw Gideon. He can handle the conference all by himself. He doesn’t need me, anyway. I’ll spend the week teaching you to ski and…other winter sports.”
“Dare I ask what those are? I doubt it’s hockey. Are you going to teach me to figure skate?”
He snorted elegantly. It was a thing Jessica thought only Reid could manage. “That is so stereotypical. I do not watch figure skating. I prefer hockey. The guys are way hotter. No darling, I was talking about other winter sports. What do you say we fuck?”
She threw her head back and laughed. He was such a tease. “Sure, Reid. We’ll just hole up in here and fuck each other’s brains out. I would believe that you were fucking Gideon before I would believe that was going to happen.”
Reid’s handsome face flushed. “Well, now that you mention it…”
There was a loud knock on the door.
“Saved by the bell,” Reid muttered under his breath. “That must be your martini. I told room service to bring it up.”
He crossed to the door and opened it. Gideon charged in.
“Thank god,” he breathed upon catching sight of her. He crossed to her and laid his hands on her shoulders. “I thought you had left.”
“Reid wouldn’t let me.” She pulled away from him. “He said it wasn’t a good idea for me to drive back tonight.”
“It’s not. They closed the road,” Gideon explained.
Yet another crappy thing to happen in a crappy day. If this kept going, she’d be electrocuted by the hair dryer. “How long will that last?”
Reid was the only one who seemed vaguely amused at the news. “It could be days. Looks like we’re all snowed in. Whatever shall we do?”
Gideon rolled his gray eyes. “We’ll teach our classes, Reid. Maybe you’ve forgotten, but we have fifty paying guests. Some of them are only here to mingle, but we already have some full classes. My class on the single tail filled up immediately.”
Reid grinned at her. “That’s a bull whip.”
She pulled the wine glass out of Reid’s hand. She needed it far more than he did. He didn’t complain, simply poured himself another one. “Well, I’m so sad I’ll be missing that one.”
“It wouldn’t be for you, pet,” Gideon said, distracted by something. “A little sub doesn’t flick the whip. She takes it.”
“Again, so sad I’ll miss it,” Jessica said sarcastically. She pointed to the door. “You’ve done your duty. I’ll stay in my room until the snow clears. I’m sure Reid will find ways to amuse me when he’s not spanking the students.”
“I’d rather spank you, love,” Reid said with a wink. “I know how much you like it. And I wouldn’t leave you unsatisfied the way mean old Gideon did. Did he get you all hot and bothered? How wet were you after that spanking, Jessica?”
She pinned Reid with a glare. “Do I need to open that trunk? I have more shoes, you know.”
Gideon stared at the trunk. “Do you have an extra person in there?”
He sounded normal. The wry teasing tone took her back to the days when they were friends. This was why she had turned in her notice. She’d known that if she’d gone to work, she wouldn’t be able to stay angry with him. She loved him too much. “Go away, Gideon. My luggage is my business. I’ll be out of your hair as soon as possible. I promise to remain utterly hidden away so you don’t have to answer how the fat chick got in.”
Gideon stopped. He frowned the way he did when he was thinking through a problem. “I deserve that. I never meant to make you think that way about yourself. I was an ass. I was trying to protect myself. Please, if you can’t accept my apology, at least understand that I think you’re a beautiful woman.”
There wasn’t any point in arguing with him. It would just make her look desperate and prolong this painful encounter. Being in the same room as Gideon Michaels couldn’t end well.
“Thank you,” she said evenly. “I appreciate it.”
The blond hunk didn’t seem to know what to make of that. He stood there with his hands on his lean hips. “Good. I’ve thought about what you said. I was wrong. If you want to attend the seminar, you’re more than welcome.”
That didn’t seem like such a good idea now. Learning from Gideon would probably cost her more than she was willing to pay. He’d probably brought along a gorgeous, slender sub to show off. She didn’t know if she could handle that. “I think I should take a pass, but I appreciate the offer. It’s better I stay out of your life, and you stay out of mine.”
“Are you afraid?” Gideon pinned her with his gaze. “Are you afraid I’ll hurt you again?”
“Yes,” she replied with a laugh. It should be blatantly obvious. “I might be submissive, but I’m not a masochist.”
“That’s a shame,” Reid pouted. “And a little untrue. You liked getting your nipples pierced.”
Gideon’s face flushed. “You pierced your nipples?”
He seemed to be trying to see through her sweater. She fought the urge to cross her arms over her chest. “That’s none of your business.”
Reid’s fingers rubbed together as though he were playing with her nipples. “They’re pretty gold rings. She wanted silver, but I convinced her gold would look prettier against her skin. One of these nights I’ll get her drunk enough and we’ll pierce her hood.”
“There is not enough vodka in the world, Reid Chandler,” Jessica shot back. Her clitoris was staying piercing free.
“A little barbell would be so pretty,” Gideon was saying. His voice had taken on a distinctly husky tone. He sank down on the bed next to Reid.
“Or another ring. We could run a chain through her nipple rings down to her clit. It would stimulate her every time we yanked her chain,” Reid continued.
They were sitting together on the bed now looking ridiculously decadent together. Gideon leaned in. He looked comfortable being so close to Reid. She gulped down the nice Bordeaux and wondered where her martini was. They talked about how they could stimulate her, and all she could think about was jumping in the middle of them and begging them to take her. This was the man who ripped her heart out of her chest and pissed on it, and her best friend.
What was she thinking? She really was a masochist.
“Don’t you two have a public orgy to attend?” she asked irritably.
“That’s not until Friday,” Gideon replied seriously.
Reid laughed. “He’s joking, love. Tonight is just a mixer. Everyone will be fully clothed. We’re all g
oing to eat, drink, and mingle. It’s a nice way to meet people who have the same interests.”
“He means it’s a good way to meet a Dom.” Gideon was still looking at her boobs. She had a bad feeling her nipples were hard as rocks and he could see the outline of her gold rings. She gave in to the urge and crossed her arms over her chest. “Everyone’s passed a background check and, unlike you, everyone else had to talk to our resident shrink before being allowed to attend.”
“Lisa talked to her at the club,” Reid explained. “It wasn’t formal, but Lisa didn’t have any problems passing her.”
It had seemed to be the safest way to meet people in the lifestyle. Reid had made it sound like one big, relaxed party. “Well, I’ll have to take out a personal ad. Now go to your mixer.”
Gideon gasped and shot off the bed. He reached for her before pulling back, obviously thinking better of putting his hands on her. “You’re not putting out a personal ad. What the hell are you thinking? That’s a good way to get yourself killed. Fine. I don’t seem to have any control over anything these days. Get dressed. Reid can escort you.” He sighed and leaned over, his face softening. “I’ve thought about it, Jessica. You’re right. I have no reason to keep you away except for the fact that looking at you makes me feel bad about what I threw away. I was an idiot. I can’t fix what happened between us, but I can offer to show you around.”
She wasn’t sure what to make of it, but she wanted to go to that mixer. She’d been excited about it for weeks. She knew she should hole up and follow through with her plan to leave in the morning. Being in the same room with Gideon was far too dangerous. He stared down at her expectantly, and she found herself nodding. “Okay.”
Gideon gave her a smile that set her heart to pounding. “Good. Then I’ll see you in an hour. I’ll come and walk you down.”
She shook her head. “That is not necessary. I can find my way.”
“No, I think it’s best if you stay with me or Reid. Sweetheart, these people are hard core. Some of the men here are 24-7 and looking for a slave. I would feel better if you spent the first couple of days with one of us to advise you.”
“I’ll go with Reid,” she said stubbornly.
Gideon looked like he would argue, but finally agreed. “All right. I’ll let you get ready. Reid, let’s give her some privacy.”
Reid seemed surprised but got up and joined his best friend. “I’ll be back here in an hour.”
The men left, and Jessica poured herself another drink. It looked like she would need it.
* * * *
Reid followed Gideon out of Jessica’s suite, wondering exactly what would be waiting for him in the hallway. He clenched his fist to try to stop the fine tremble in his hands. He’d been plotting this reunion for weeks, plotting to get the three of them together forever, and now that it was here, he was so nervous he could hardly breathe. This was either the breakthrough he’d been waiting for, or the ass-kicking he’d been dreading.
His lover walked halfway down the hall and then rounded on him. Gideon’s face was tight, his voice tortured. “Are you fucking her?”
Breakthrough! Reid had to contain his almost savage sense of satisfaction. “She still doesn’t know I’m bi. It was the only way I could stay close to her.”
“Good, keep it that way for now.”
Reid felt his eyes narrow. He’d been patient for years, but that trait was deserting him. “Keep it that way? Are you telling me to keep it in my pants? After what you did?”
Gideon took a step back and his face turned to granite. “Watch your tone with me. I know we’re not 24/7, but I’m not putting up with disrespect.”
Wow. He was done. Reid felt that fine tremble he’d had before become a raging tremor. “Disrespect?”
Gideon’s face fell. His shoulders slumped. “Reid, I…”
“I stand by for years while you play the straight boy wonder. I let you keep me in the closet. I was willing to let you marry a woman and never hear the words ‘I love you’ in public. And you want to talk to me about disrespect?” Reid turned, unable to look at him a second longer. The hall was lined with floor-to-ceiling glass, offering a spectacular view of the winter wonderland outside. Reid leaned his forehead against the glass to catch his breath. It was cold against his skin.
Gideon pressed against his back, his arms winding around his middle, enveloping Reid in his embrace. “I am sorry.”
Three little words, and his rage started to loosen. He blinked back tears. Why hadn’t he left? Because he loved this man with his whole heart. Despite Gideon’s maddening attempts at living in two worlds, he knew Gideon loved him. He proved it the only way he knew how. Gideon was the one who made sure the oil was changed in his car. Gideon was the one who made sure his security system worked and forced him to stop for dinner when he was immersed in a case. For years, Reid had had faith. He wasn’t going to give up now. “I thought being the Dom meant never having to say you’re sorry.”
Gideon’s breath was a welcome heat against his ear. “Well, I’ve been a terrible Dom. And you’re possibly the worst sub ever.”
He chuckled. He really was a bad sub. Like most things in his life, he found himself trapped in a fluid role. He wasn’t submissive enough to truly be a subbie. He enjoyed playing the Dom far too much for that. He liked men. He liked women. He’d given up on trying to figure himself out. He was simply Reid. He found he was much happier when he stopped trying to label himself. Jessica had given that to him. Jessica’s open acceptance of him had shown him the way. How was she going to react when he told her he’d been lying to her for years? He couldn’t stand the thought of losing either one of them. “I love you, but I love her, too.”
“She belongs with us.”
Reid threw up his hands in frustration and turned. “I believe I’ve been saying that for three fucking years.” He’d known the moment he saw her that Jessica was their perfect third, but Gideon had tried to please his family.
“I am sorry. I’m sorry for everything. I can only thank the universe that you didn’t leave me.” Gideon forced his chin up, his eyes filled with promise. “I love you. I’m just a man. I’m a dumb man, who needs to make up for years of wasted time. You were right. She’s everything we could want in a woman. I’ll get her back for us.”
“It won’t be easy.”
Gideon ignored him, preferring to take on a thoughtful look. “I don’t think she believed me when I told her she was lovely.”
It took everything Reid had not to smack him. He could be dense. “No, she was humoring you. She thinks she’s fat because you told her she wasn’t your type, asshole. Do you have any idea what I’ve gone through trying to convince her she’s hot? I’ve had to sit through her trying on lingerie and playing the supportive friend when all I wanted to do was rip it off her and eat that pussy of hers.”
Gideon sighed. His eyes slid closed and Reid could tell whatever memory was playing in his head was a nice one. “It’s really sweet. She gets wet incredibly fast.”
Reid smiled as he noticed his partner’s boner. It tented his jeans. Reid ran his hand over that hard piece of flesh. He was happy with the way Gideon pressed into his hand. It was a complete turnaround from six months before when he would have been worried about people watching. Now he seemed more interested in getting off than hiding his inclinations. Reid felt himself getting hard at the thought of easing Gideon’s discomfort.
“So, do I understand you correctly?” He slid his hand inside the waistband of Gideon’s jeans. He closed his palm around Gideon’s thick length. “We’re going after Jessica?”
“I love her.” Gideon’s hips moved. “I think I always have. She’s perfect for us.”
He brushed his fingers over the wet head of his lover’s cock. “She’ll probably be pissed when she realizes we’re bi. You know that, right?”
Gideon laughed. “Hell, she’s so pissed at me she can’t see straight. We’ll be lucky if she talks to me, much less actually lets us fuck her.
”
He leaned over and whispered. “She’ll be between us by the end of the week, and you know it. She’s our sweet slave girl. We just have to prove it to her. I want her. I don’t want to play around with this. She’s a forever girl. I want one of us to live with her. I want one of us to marry her and later, I want a family. If you don’t…”
“Stop.” Gideon turned his head around and pressed his lips to Reid’s. “I love you. I love her. I’m done pretending to be something I’m not. Screw my family. They dumped me. It’s time I found my own. I want a home with you and Jessica. I should have done this a long time ago. We have to rebuild our friendship with her. We need to take this week and let her get comfortable with us. At the end of the week, we’ll wine her and dine her and make her ours.” Gideon kissed him again, and when he lifted his head there was a dirty little smile on his face. “Are her nipples really pierced?”
Reid chuckled as the cock in his hand pulsed. He wrapped his fist around Gideon’s cock and pumped slowly from the thick base all the way up to the head. “She squeals with pleasure when I tug on them.”
“Oh, god,” Gideon moaned. “Where is your room? I need to fuck.”
Reid ignored him and swiped his thumb across the head of Gideon’s cock. His hand was getting nicely slippery. Reid’s own cock throbbed in anticipation. If Jessica were here with them, he’d order her to suck it.
“I said stop. Now. We finish this in your room.”
Reid reluctantly pulled his hand out and fished in his pants for his keycard. He knew when the Dom meant business. “Your wish is my command.”
Reid opened the door, and Gideon was on him immediately. He tugged at the waistband of Reid’s pants. Reid kicked off his shoes and allowed Gideon to push him onto the bed. He worked the sweater off his chest and over his head while Gideon pulled off his pants and got out the lube he kept in the nightstand. There was a condom on Gideon’s hard cock in no time at all, and Reid groaned as Gideon spread his legs wide and thrust inside. He was rough and quick. Reid groaned as he was filled. Every nerve in his ass came alive as Gideon fucked him ruthlessly. Gideon’s hand came between them and he palmed Reid’s cock, squeezing with the rhythm of his thrusts.
