Rhymes With Orange

by Tymber Dalton

  Dani and Hunter looked at each other. Hunter’s wide-eyed amazement likely matched her own.

  “I don’t know about you,” she whispered, “but that’s got me hot.”

  He grabbed one of her hands and placed it on the front of his shorts, where his cock was also hard. “Question answered?”

  “Uh-huh.” They turned back to watch the two men, Hunter pulling her hand from the front of his shorts, but he laced his fingers through hers, not letting go of her.

  Well, at least he’s more comfortable with me now.

  Ned and Todd were locked like that for a good two minutes, at least, writhing together before Ned finally lifted his mouth from Todd’s.

  “Stop fucking squirming around,” Ned growled at him. “Hold the fuck still.”

  “I can’t hold fucking still,” Todd growled back. “It feels too goddamned good!”

  “I know it feels good, that’s the fucking point!”

  “I’m not a girl!”

  “You’re humping my leg like one!”

  “I can’t help it, Coop, you got me fucking hard!”

  “Well, fucking hold the fuck still, and I’ll take care of that for you!”

  It looked like Ned was reaching for Todd’s belt to unfasten it when Dani realized these two had fallen completely down the rabbit hole and forgot they weren’t alone in the kitchen, and that they had places to be.

  Then Hunter giggled.

  She cleared her throat. “Um, gentlemen?”

  The men froze. Ned looked over his shoulder at her, while Todd, who’d hopped up onto the counter and had both legs now hooked around Ned’s hips, peered around Ned.

  She held up her left wrist, where she actually was wearing a watch, for once. A pretty little piece of costume jewelry her mom and dad had given her back in high school.

  “Not to interrupt your fun, but I think we have a cookout to attend, don’t we?”

  Both Ned and Todd seemed at a loss for words. “Uh…” they echoed.

  “Maybe I should drive,” Hunter said. “I haven’t had a Xanax yet. Let them have the backseat.”

  “Looks more like they need a room,” Dani teased.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Todd ended up driving, because they took Todd’s car. So Dani and Hunter sat in the backseat and she made herself stay in character, including reaching over and holding hands with Hunter during the ride to his brother’s new house.

  He finally seemed to be relaxing into the role thrust upon him.

  She gently stroked her thumb along his, occasionally squeezing his hand to get him to look at her, where she’d give him a smile.

  They didn’t talk much during the ride, both of them more amused to watch Todd and Ned in the front, the silent, smoldering looks the two of them kept exchanging.

  No one had given or received an orgasm once they peeled themselves off each other in the kitchen. They’d both taken a couple of moments to freshen up, try to unharden their cocks, and then rejoined Hunter and Dani in the living room, where the two of them were sitting on the sofa.

  Dani had been working with Hunter, trying to find the most comfortable and natural-feeling cuddle position for them. Because if they didn’t have this nailed down now, it’d be impossible for either of them while in front of his family.

  She had faith in him, knew he could pull this off if she could keep his attention focused on her. He was used to following, she was used to being independent. Meaning even though she was submissive to Ned, she had no problem taking charge and leading when called for.

  Like right now.

  When they reached the house, they had to park on the street because of all the cars. Fortunately, it was a quiet, upscale neighborhood without any through-traffic. Todd drove down the street a little farther and then turned around so that he could park with Dani’s side of the car closer to the sidewalk. When the car came to a stop, Hunter got out and walked around to her door, opening it for her and helping her out.

  She rose up on her toes to brush a kiss over his lips. “Thank you, sweetie,” she said, no longer Ned’s girl.

  She was Hunter’s girlfriend. That’s who she’d stay until they were safely away from there later tonight.

  He forced a smile and she took his hand in hers, lacing fingers with him. “We’ve got this,” she whispered to him. “Do I look okay?”

  “Yeah. You look beautiful.”

  She reached up and palmed his cheek. “Thank you.”

  This had to be more difficult for him than for her, and not just because of the stakes involved. He was used to contact with Todd and Ned, but not with her. They’d both adjusted to being around each other socially, and even in the context of their relationship with Ned, but this was the most physical contact they’d had since they’d met.

  He gave her a curt nod before she hooked her arm through his again and he slowed his steps to take into account her reduced mobility. She’d opted for flat sandals, both for comfort and for practicality. She didn’t want to be in more pain than necessary, or accidentally turn an ankle and face-plant in front of his family.

  She’d had gorgeous shoes she’d given to friends before moving from New York, some cherished pairs making the move with her. A few pairs she couldn’t bear to part with but knew she might never wear again, except while her ankles were in the air, remained in her closet.

  The sandals she currently wore she’d bought upon returning to Florida. Completely impractical for New York except in spring and summer, they could be worn nearly year-round in the Sunshine State. Except—ironically—during summer downpours.

  They were also stable shoes she could comfortably wear for hours without fear of death by accidentally self-inflicted misadventure at a family cookout.

  Todd and Ned followed them, and she hoped both were enjoying the view they were getting, of Hunter’s cute ass and how she absolutely fucking owned that dress.

  The hard-on Ned had sported when he picked her up had been evidence of that. She’d seen the dress the week before and splurged on it because it’d only cost her twenty-five bucks after discounts and a coupon. She’d planned to wear it for Ned, but this was a worthy cause.

  If she could help Hunter get his inheritance, it meant he could finally find the happiness he yearned for. It felt like the bad plot of an old Broadway farce. All they needed was Cary Grant and an escaped chimpanzee or something.

  She felt zero nervousness as they approached the front door. The worst of her nerves, her stage fright, she’d already dealt with before Ned picked her up. She’d worked through her pre-show jitters with a short series of exercises she’d never in her life thought she’d go through again.

  When Hunter tensed next to her, she tightened her grip on his arm and leaned in. “You’re doing great, sweetheart,” she whispered, a term that she’d never heard Ned or Todd use with him. She wanted to stay away from any term of endearment the other men had ever used, unless she had to pull out a “boy” or “pup” or something similar to focus him.

  “I don’t feel great.”

  “You’re going to rock this.” She reached out and rang the doorbell before he could, his arm relaxing just a little in her grip, more naturally flexing.

  When the woman answered, wearing shorts and a T-shirt, her eyes widened a little when she saw Dani and Hunter standing there. “Hey, Hunter. Is this Dani?”

  Dani hated that Hunter hadn’t had the opportunity to make the introduction himself and have a chance to take ownership of their roles.

  So she improvised. Stepping closer to him, molding herself against him, she played nervous even as she pressed the fingers from her other hand against the inside of his wrist, on a pressure point there she knew helped control nausea.

  “Hi, I’m Dani,” she said, noting with satisfaction how Hunter’s head whipped toward her in alarm at her soft, shaky tone. “Nice to meet you.”

  “I’m Margie,” she said, starting to extend her hand.

  As soon as Dani shrank even more against Hun
ter’s side, his inner actor finally kicked in. He reached out, angling his body to shield Dani.

  “Sorry, Margie. I should have said something earlier. Dani’s very sensitive to touch. It’s a long story, part of what happened in her accident.”

  Bingo. Atta boy.

  Margie’s eyes widened a little more, and Dani almost felt sorry for her.

  Almost.

  And it wasn’t even a lie, what Hunter had said.

  “I have a lot of pain issues,” Dani said. “I’m sorry.”

  “No! No, it’s okay,” Margie said, stepping aside to let them in. “I’ll make sure to warn everyone.”

  “I hope people don’t think I’m being standoffish,” Dani said, allowing more fear into her tone. She turned slightly, in the foyer, and pointed at the back of her dress. “There was some nerve damage when they had to stabilize my spine.”

  Above the top of the low back on the dress, she knew from using a hand mirror to check, you could see most of her scar.

  An audible gasp erupted from Margie. “You poor thing!” She turned to Todd and Ned and waved them in, closing the door behind them. “Oh, come on out, let me go in and warn everyone to be careful. Can I get you a pillow or something?”

  “I just can’t tolerate a hard chair for long. I’m sorry to be a pain in the—”

  “No!” Margie waved her off. “Not at all! My sister had to have spine surgery, and it was horrible for her. I totally get it. Come on out to the back.” She raced ahead.

  Todd and Ned stepped up on either side of them, staring after her in stunned silence.

  Hunter held up a fist, low, to Dani.

  She bumped with him.

  They followed Margie toward the back of the house.

  * * * *

  Hunter wasn’t stupid enough to get his hopes up just yet. The night was young, and there was still plenty of time for something to bork their plans to convince his family he was a horny het dude.

  But even he had to admit Dani was not only playing her part note-perfect, she had him convinced of it, too.

  Well, besides the fact that he was forcing himself not to watch Todd and Coop and the way they were interacting. If he did watch them, he’d get horny.

  And that might not be a good thing in this particular context.

  Margie cleared two of her kids off a cushioned rattan settee on the lanai so Dani and Hunter could sit there. At one point, when Hunter got up to get Dani a drink, Hunter’s mom cornered him in the kitchen.

  “She’s absolutely wonderful!” She smacked him on the arm, hard. “Why haven’t you brought her around sooner?”

  “Because, Mom, she’s nervous around strangers. Please, go easy on her. And definitely do not do that to her!” he said as he rubbed his arm. “She has horrible pain issues as it is.”

  “Well, we wouldn’t be strangers if you had introduced us sooner! You are bringing her to dinner next week at our house. Oh, and we’re having your birthday dinner next week.”

  Now Hunter’s stomach threatened to upend. “Mom, let me work her into the family gently, please? If it hadn’t been for Coop and Todd also begging her to come tonight, she probably wouldn’t have.”

  That was the wrong thing to say, because she frowned. “Well, why not?”

  Shit shit shit! “Mom, a guy died in that car accident, okay? She watched him die and couldn’t help him. It was very traumatic for her. And like I said, she has a lot of really bad pain, even though she does a great job of trying to hide it. Please, tonight was a huge step for her. She knows Coop and Todd, and she’s friends with them. Having them here with me is helping her relax a little because she knows them.”

  “Oh. Well, fine. All four of you are coming to dinner next week. Wednesday.” She nodded before turning, settling the issue.

  Shit! “I don’t know what Coop and Todd’s schedules are with that change, and let me feel Dani out first to make sure she’s not overwhelmed. Please?”

  “It’s your birthday party. We had to move it because Kent told me tonight he’s going out of town the week after. I’ll ask your friends and confirm with them and then we can ask her. You won’t know if you don’t ask.”

  He didn’t know if he could deal with that. At least with everyone else around, including grandchildren, his parents’ attention was somewhat divided.

  “I’ll promise I’ll ask her, but I’m not going to force her if she doesn’t feel ready. Or if she’s in a lot of pain that night. Now, I’ve talked to her psychologist, and I’m not going to do something to push her away.” Time to nut up and make the chimi-fucking-changas. “I really like her. I don’t want to screw this up.”

  That made her stop and turn, studying him. “You really like her?”

  “Yeah. Like, really like her.”

  “As in you’re in love with her?”

  “I don’t want to say that yet. I want to say that, but we haven’t known each other that long. I want to be cautious.”

  His mom approached him again and dropped her voice. “Is she the one?”

  “Maybe. But if you scare her off, I swear I’ll never forgive you.”

  She shocked him by throwing her arms around him and hugging him, long and hard. Finally, she said, “I was really beginning to think you were gay. Not that I wouldn’t still love you, because I would, but you know your father.” She finally let go of him. “I just want you to be happy. I promise I’ll go easy on her.”

  “I mean, what’s not for Dad to love about her?” he said, hoping this wasn’t pouring on too much schmaltz. “She’s got her own money and asked me about a pre-nup before I could even bring it up. To protect her settlement money. So no, she’s not a gold-digger. But please don’t expect her to want to work at the stores if this does work out, because she can’t physically manage it. She’s rebuilding her life, and I want to be a part of that.”

  Well, as a friend, but close enough…

  “I’ll handle your father,” she said, patting him on the arm. “Just don’t push her away if she is the one.”

  “I won’t push her away, Mom. I promise.”

  His mom left the kitchen and he felt like a bad case of the shakes were about to hit him. He finished dumping ice into the cup for Dani and getting her some water before returning to the lanai.

  He handed it to her and carefully sat, making sure to keep up the pretense of her being far more disabled than she really was.

  “Thank you, sweetheart,” she said, leaning in for a quick peck on the lips.

  As his eyes met hers, he couldn’t help but smile back. “You’re welcome, sweetie.”

  She winked.

  He winked back.

  Then she tipped her head onto his shoulder and he found it easy to let his arm settle around her shoulders.

  * * * *

  Todd tried not to watch Hunter and Dani together as the evening progressed. It wasn’t that he was jealous of her, because he wasn’t. Especially because of what she was trying to do to help Hunter. He knew the strain she was under and he loved her for doing it for Hunter.

  It was because after that hella fucking hot kiss Coop had sucked out of him earlier, it was too easy for him to start engaging in what-if fantasies of him, Hunter, and Coop together in bed.

  Hell, the four of us. Why not include Dani? He might not be fucking her, but he wouldn’t mind watching Coop fuck her.

  Watching Coop’s ass while he fucked her.

  Fucking Coop’s ass while he fucks her.

  Oooh, baby.

  Aaaaand he was hard again.

  Dammit.

  He’d done so good, too, trying to beat back his earlier chub.

  That had been one of the fucking hottest kisses of his life. And yeah, had Dani not interrupted them, the next step would have been…

  Well, he wasn’t sure what it would have been, but had Coop ordered him to bend his ass over that counter to get fucked, he would have been willing to do it without a second thought.

  And from the way Coop had been hard, ther
e was no doubt in his mind there would have been orgasms involved.

  As the evening went on, every time he touched Coop, or the man touched him—not even sexually, either, just innocent stuff like a hand on an arm—his cock threatened to tent the front of his shorts. Hunter’s family was eating up Dani’s act like it was the best mac and cheese they’d ever had, apparently totally in love with her.

  Everything seemed to be going well. They’d made it through dinner and were all now lounging around and talking, some people enjoying the new pool, some of the kids inside playing video games. A great evening. Fun, even, despite not being able to talk with Hunter much because of the circumstances.

  Then he accidentally locked gazes from across the lanai with Hunter.

  He hadn’t meant to. He understood why Dani had specifically asked Coop not to look her in the eye, because he’d seen it happen to Hunter before. That intense, intimate eye-to-eye contact triggering an emotional response when tensions were already running high.

  Hunter ripped his gaze away from Todd’s before Todd could look away first, and he saw how the man’s fist suddenly tightened into a ball next to him.

  Another tell, Hunter digging his nails into his palm to try to rein in the reaction before it spun out of his control, much like Dani pinching herself.

  Dani flashed Todd an angry glare before she reached over to Hunter and took his other wrist in her hand and started rubbing it while she was talking to Sascha.

  Shit.

  Todd wouldn’t blame her if she laid into him over that, either. All her hard work tonight. Everyone loved her. If Hunter’s dad didn’t give him the inheritance this time around, it was because his dad was an asshole, not because of anything Dani did wrong.

  Hell, Todd even believed she was in love with Hunter.

  * * * *

  Dani wanted to kill Todd. She’d felt Hunter suddenly tense next to her, and when she glanced away from where Sascha was droning on about something, she realized exactly what had happened when she followed Hunter’s gaze across the lanai.