Sofie's Boys

by Jenika Snow

  When I pulled back, she still had her eyes closed and a small smile on her lips. I just took a moment to watch her, to be mesmerized by the sight of her. She was perfect and gorgeous, everything I ever wanted in a woman. And she was mine.

  She opened her eyes and her smile grew. She had a drowsy expression on her face that made my heart skip a beat. I’d never been much of a sappy guy, but fuck, when it came to Sofie, there was just no getting around that.

  “It’s not the same, because both of you are so different.”

  I looked down at her lips. “He gives you what I can’t and vice versa.” I didn’t phrase it like a question, and she nodded. “I get it,” I said honestly.

  “Can I ask how you’re okay with it all?” She sounded genuinely curious.

  I stared at the ceiling for a second, letting her question play in my head. When I looked at her again, I could see her focus was trained right on me, could see she held her breath, waiting for my reply.

  “Sure, at first I was jealous, but it never really bothered me, if that makes any sense.” I looked back at the wall in front of me, thinking about when we talked about becoming official, starting a relationship. Sofie had been open and honest with me from the very beginning, telling me how she wasn’t with Jareth, but she felt something between them. This connection, the same thing she felt with me.

  And I respected the hell out of that, that she had been truthful right from the start.

  Of course, I became envious that she would spend time with someone else if we got together, but then I realized none of that mattered. She loved me, and if that meant I had to share her with someone, strangely enough, I was more than okay with it.

  I’d heard people comment on how I was “stronger than most” for letting my woman be with another man while we were together. They’d even called us “freaky” over it all. But none of that fucking mattered, because I didn’t think it was weird or crazy, or that it even made me a strong man.

  It made me human to want to make the girl I loved happy. Because if she was happy, then so was I.

  And it got easier over time, sharing Sofie, my jealousy diminishing, before finally vanishing altogether. I didn’t consider being jealous a weakness. It was natural.

  Human.

  I didn’t really think about her with Jareth. I focused on my time with her, when we were together. I was consumed when she was near… obsessed when she was gone.

  I never felt like I wasn’t enough for her, despite the fact that Jareth could give her what I couldn’t.

  It just… was.

  “It makes me feel selfish, if I’m being honest,” she finally said, and I glanced back at her.

  “You’re not selfish.” I said that with such determination I knew she could feel it. There was no way she couldn’t. “We all need something, Sofie.”

  “Yeah, but if you said you wanted to see another woman....” She trailed off, not finishing what she was about to say.

  “That won’t ever happen. I’m devoted to only you. Just because you need more doesn’t mean we all do. I’m content. I feel complete with you. Only you.” I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and pulled her in, just holding her, because I could see she was letting this get to her. “How about all of us get together? The three of us?”

  She laughed softly. “Funny you mentioned that, because my mom wanted us all to get together so she could bring her new boyfriend over.”

  “New boyfriend?” I looked over at Sofie and saw her smiling.

  “Yeah, she’s finally going after what she wants, and I can’t wait to meet the guy who caught her attention.”

  I couldn’t help but grin. “Get it, Theresa,” I said, and Sofie laughed, which in turn had me chuckling. “I bet he’s younger.”

  Sofie looked over at me. “You think?”

  I nodded.

  She shook her head. “No way. She’d want an older guy, more secure with his life after the shit she went through with my dad.”

  “Maybe, or maybe she wants a young buck who can keep up with her newfound insatiable appetite.”

  “Oh my God, Ryker.” She was in a fit of laughter, and I loved hearing it. “You may regret agreeing to get together if that’s how it goes down. I’m not about my mom and her PDA.”

  I tightened my hold on her arm and leaned down to kiss her on the top of her head. “Either way, I’m glad she found someone. She deserves it.”

  “Yeah, she does.”

  We lay there in silence, and I sensed Sofie start to drift off to sleep. But I was wide awake, which was perfect, because nothing sounded better than holding her the entire night and not missing a minute with her in my arms.

  Chapter Ten

  Sofie

  I shut the front door with my foot, juggling three bags in my arms, and walked into the kitchen to set them on the counter. I’d stopped at the grocery store after work. The closer it got to the dinner—which although was still a few weeks away, seemed like it was right around the corner—I realized I was becoming increasingly nervous the more I thought about it.

  Thankfully, my roommate told me she’d be gone for that evening, so I’d have the house to myself when everyone came over, and hopefully shit didn’t hit the fan. Obviously my mom had met Ryker before, since we’d grown up together, but it was her first time meeting Jareth. And it would be nice having everyone in the same house, under the same roof—although I still had to ask Jareth.

  I started putting things in the fridge but froze when I heard banging coming from down the hall. I straightened, my arm braced on the door of the fridge as I lifted my head and stared at where the bedrooms were.

  And there was silence once more, so I started putting the rest of the food away, about to shut the fridge door, when I heard a very distinct, very loud moan.

  “Oh my God,” I said under my breath and quickly put the last box in the cupboard before folding up the paper bags and putting them off to the side.

  I walked out of the kitchen and peeked down the hallway to my roommate’s closed bedroom door, hearing another set of moans come through. The banging, coming from what I now knew was the headboard hitting the wall, was loud and powerful, and I felt my eyebrows lift in surprise.

  “Damn.”

  But then everything went silent, a little too quiet, and I straightened, wondering if that was it, if they were done. I was just about to head back into the kitchen and grab the wine coolers I’d bought, when her bedroom door opened and out walked a very naked man.

  “Um,” I said softly and looked away before I could see anything of importance. Embarrassment and definite discomfort filled me.

  “Oh hey,” Mr. Naked said. “You must be the roommate.” His voice sounded like the stereotypical surfer boy type. “Sofie?”

  I nodded but still wasn’t looking at him. If this wasn’t the most awkward thing to ever happen.

  “Lane, get your sweet ass back in here and finish what you started,” my roommate called out. “And sorry about this, Sofie. We thought we’d be done and gone before you got home.”

  I lifted my hand and waved it away, as if she could see me. “Yeah, I’m just gonna grab my drinks and head out to the deck to give you guys… privacy.” I went back into the kitchen, grabbed the six-pack out of the fridge, and headed out back to the deck.

  Once the back door was shut, I exhaled slowly and shook my head. You’d think having a roommate would mean more run-ins with half-naked men, but this was the first time I’d “caught” her in the act. And she’d never seen me with Jareth or Ryker, since I stayed with them it was at their places.

  But now I really felt like I was intruding on her space. Getting my own place was sounding better and better, but with time still on our lease, and me not wanting to fuck her over by leaving, I’d stick it out for the remaining months. I’d given her enough notice that I’d be finding my own place once the lease was up, but looking for an apartment felt stressful and tedious.

  Maybe I could convince Jareth and Ryker that we should
all move in together?

  I snorted at that thought.

  I put the six-pack on the small wicker table and sat down, leaning all the way back and staring at the fence that surrounded our tiny as hell, postage stamp back yard. Although I didn’t technically live in the city, I was only about ten minutes outside of where the skyscrapers were. The tiny house we rented was in this small allotment, the place really only big enough for one person, given the square footage, but we made it work.

  Besides, even with my salary, actually living in the city was a little out of my price range, at least for everything I’d seen for sale or rent.

  I rested my head back on the chair and closed my eyes for a minute. Even though it was still a few weeks away, I tried to picture how the dinner would go. We were all adults, so there was no reason to think this would be weird or become awkward. Right?

  I think I was more nervous about meeting my mom’s new boyfriend, wondering if he was older or younger, if he made her happy. That was my main concern, because she deserved that, deserved to have a nice man who took care of her for once.

  I reached over and grabbed a wine cooler, twisting off the cap and setting it aside. And then I tipped the bottle back and took a hearty drink of the strawberry-and-lime-flavored alcoholic beverage. Honestly, I probably could’ve used something a hell of a lot stronger.

  I sat there for long moments, just staring at one of the neighbors in her back yard. She was sunbathing, wearing a skimpy little red bikini as she laid out her towel on her deck, slipped on her Jackie O. sunglasses, and proceeded to put her hair up in a messy bun.

  I noticed how she kept looking over her shoulder, and I followed her line of vision to the house next door, where a big, burly man stood by a grill, smoke coming up from whatever he was cooking. He wore a white wifebeater, his biceps huge, his tattoos sporadically placed. He had his longer hair tied up in a bun, similar to the girl right next door. I also didn’t miss how he kept glancing over at her, trying not to be obvious, but he really was.

  It was funny watching the girl primp before lying down, stretching out her arms above her head, her act of trying to be sexy for the neighbor guy pretty clear.

  I could imagine what their lives together would be like, how they’d meet, what they’d say if they talked to each other. I assumed none of that had actually happened, given the fact that they seemed like they were too afraid to even say anything to the other.

  She was getting his attention in a flashy, sexy way, and I had to give her props for that. She was taking charge of her life.

  And then there was Mr. White Tank Top, trying to act like he didn’t notice her. But if I could tell he kept checking her out, no doubt she could as well. Women were intuitive that way.

  I brought the wine cooler up and took another long drink. I was about to set it down on the little table beside me when I felt my cell vibrate. Pulling it out of my pocket, I saw my mom’s face flash across the screen.

  “Hi, Mom,” I said and watched as little Miss Red Bikini started putting tanning lotion on her arms and legs. At this point, White Tank Top was turned full around and facing her, a spatula in his hand and his mouth hanging open. I wanted to tell him to watch his meat, because the dark smoke coming up from the grill was starting to be reminiscent of an extinguished campfire.

  “Hey, sweetheart. Just double checking that we’re still on for dinner.”

  “Of course, but it’s still a ways away, unless you want to make it sooner?”

  “No, no, same time is fine. I just want to make sure your schedule hasn’t changed. I’m excited for you to meet Trevor.”

  Trevor. It was the first time she’d said his name. The name Trevor sounded young.

  “Yup, still good to go.” There was a pause, and then I heard my mother start to giggle. Followed by the rustling of sheets and a distant, low, deep voice.

  I sat up straight and felt awkwardness claim me.

  Oh my God. Was my mother in bed with her boyfriend right now? Why did she think calling me was a good idea? Why was this my luck? Two uncomfortable sex situations in the span of an hour.

  But I was not about to touch on that subject or bring it to light.

  Knowing my mom was having sex was at the top of my list of hell nos. Probably the same way she didn’t want to know or think about me getting it on.

  She started talking about what to bring, even though the dinner wasn’t for a while.

  “Mom, we have a ways to go still.” I laughed softly.

  “We need to be prepared, honey.”

  She went right back to talking about whether to bring a dessert or side dish then started going on about all the things that might be good. And here I was worrying about how everyone would interact, and what her new beau would be like, and she was wondering whether to make a raspberry parfait or bring a cherry cheesecake.

  Maybe I was overthinking this. Maybe I was worried for nothing. Maybe I just needed to pull the stick out of my ass and go with the flow, like my mom was apparently doing.

  Because what was the worst that could happen?

  Chapter Eleven

  Sofie

  A couple weeks later

  I popped the cap off my lipstick and stared at my reflection in the mirror, smoothing it over my bottom lip first, and then the top. I had my hair in a low bun, little wispy strands framing either side of my face.

  I could hear the low thump of music from the event hall, the entire company packed inside the massive room to dance, drink, and eat. It was a celebration of landing one of the biggest deals for the company, and Jareth and the other higher-ups had put together the party as a thank you to everyone. And everyone had helped, in some way, shape, or form.

  It didn’t matter how small your position was—if you were part of the maintenance department or an executive assistant. We were all equal when it came to working as a team.

  We all made an impact on the company, and Jareth and the other bosses wanted to show their thanks and gratitude, which meant one big-ass bash.

  I shoved my lipstick in my small clutch, moved a piece of hair away from my forehead, and gave myself a tentative smile. Time really went fast when you’re happy, and that’s how it was for me, with Ryker and Jareth.

  My three days with each of them went by so quickly it was almost as if it didn’t even happen. Here I was with Jareth again, my time with Ryker having been incredible but seemingly ended so soon.

  That’s how it felt each and every time I was with them, and I couldn’t help but start to think how it would be if we didn’t have to split up.

  Our time… if we were all together and there were no rules.

  I made my way down the hall, my heels clicking on the polished marble floor. The banquet hall the company had rented out for the evening was ornate and luxurious, with crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, Faberge eggs on display, and a price tag big enough to give somebody a heart attack.

  But that was the thing with Jareth and the other bosses. They treated their employees well and showered us with lavish as hell things when the time called for it.

  I smoothed my hands down my dress and stepped into the room, the space massive, with a ceiling that resembled a starry night, the fiber optic lights twinkling above. It was gorgeous, more like a piece of artwork than a place to throw a party. But in the city, there were lots of hidden gems.

  Although the hidden gems my wallet and I were more familiar with were the off the beaten path pizza joints that were open all night and served beer with the slices.

  I glanced around the massive room, everyone mingling, drinks in their hands, waiters in black-and-white attire moving fluidly between everyone with platters of champagne and hors d’oeuvres in their hands. There was a DJ off to the side, up-lighting on every wall, and the whole place almost gave off the feeling that you were at a ritzy wedding reception. A very expensive, very elaborate wedding reception.

  I spotted Jareth and a few of the other executives off to the side. No doubt they were tal
king business. They did that a lot, even if they weren’t at work. But I supposed, when you were in a position such as they were, work was everything. It had to be, if they wanted to be and stay as successful as they were.

  I stood there just people watching, wondering about their lives, what they were thinking about, what he’d be doing after this. Would some of them go home with each other? Would they let the copious amounts of alcohol they’d been consuming tonight affect their inhibitions?

  I looked over at Jareth again, my heart jumping in my throat when I saw he was watching me. He had this intense expression on his face, his focus screaming one thing.

  Mine.

  Although there were official rules about not having relationships within the company, I knew it was probably frowned upon, because I could imagine the complications a breakup would cause. But nobody talked about it, despite the fact that I knew there were several employees who were getting it on, even sneaking off together during their lunch breaks for a nooner.

  And although Jareth and I had never made our relationship official, there was no doubt in my mind that people knew. They had to. It wasn’t like things stayed secret for very long. They were just smart enough not to talk about it, because Jareth was the boss.

  Jareth said something to his associates and then made his way toward me. I straightened from the wall I was leaning against, my pulse instantly increasing the closer he came.

  God, he looked good, with a three-piece suit on, his salt-and-pepper-colored short hair styled away from his face, and an arrogant, sophisticated expression.

  He looked good, really damn good, and I was one lucky woman to be able to say he was mine. He stopped only a foot from me, a low growl leaving him as he raked his gaze up and down my body.

  “Damn, Sofie, you’re looking good enough to eat.”