by Jaci Burton
Victoria laughed. "You're young. Plenty of time to find your forever love. This is the time in your life to explore and have new adventures."
Whitney's gaze tracked over to the bonfire, where Cade stood next to Alex. "He certainly is sexually adventurous."
"As long as you want the same things he wants, then it's all good."
Whitney pulled her gaze away from Cade and smiled at her. "I'm very open to what he wants. And the best part is he's definitely open to what I want. The sex is fantastic."
Victoria laughed. "Then it's definitely all good."
"How about you? Where do you see yourself with Alex and Ben?"
She looked over at the two men standing side by side, both so utterly different. "I . . . don't know. I imagine it'll run its course and then I'll head back East."
"You don't sound so certain about that."
Was she? When on vacation, she was always firmly planted in the right now, enjoying every second. And when it was over, it was over. She flew back home with great memories and not a second thought.
But as she looked over at Ben laughing with Alex, her heart clenched.
What was that all about?
She did not get emotionally attached to men. She never had.
Before now. And now? She had . . . feelings. Not just sexual feelings, but emotional ones.
What the hell was she going to do about these feelings?
Nothing. She was going to do nothing about them, that's what she was going to do. Because they were ridiculous and she had a life and a perfect career in New York, and Ben and Alex traveled all over the world for surf competitions. Their lives would never mesh.
She chewed her bottom lip and stared at them some more.
Yes. Ridiculous.
And yet when they turned and they both smiled at her at once, her heart clenched again.
Goddammit.
"Hey, they're waving us over. Let's join the guys," Whitney said.
What she really wanted to do was run like hell. Away from these strange emotions that stirred in her heart.
Instead, she gave Whitney a smile. "Sure. Let's do that."
Whitney moved over to Cade and gave her a wave.
When Victoria stepped in between Alex and Ben, Ben put his arm around her.
"Are you all right?" he asked.
She tilted her head back to meet his gaze. "Of course I am. Why would you ask that?"
"You looked . . . uncomfortable when you were sitting over there with Whitney."
He'd read her mood, her confusion. It was as if he knew her already, even after such a short time. She laid her palm on his chest. "I'm fine. But thank you for asking."
Alex leaned in. "If you want to cut this short tonight, we can leave. You're way more important than a party."
If either of them got any more solicitous of her feelings, she might just cry.
"And miss all this fun? Not a chance. What I would like, though, is a Bloody Mary."
"I'll take care of that," Ben said. "Be right back."
He wandered off. So had Whitney and Cade, leaving her alone with Alex, who took her hand.
"Seriously, babe. We'd be happy to take you back to the suite if you're tired or just not up for a party."
She nudged him with her shoulder. "And I'm seriously fine. So stop asking."
He gave her a grin. "In that case, let's dance. This song is slow and sexy."
He pulled her into the middle of the dancers, planted his hands on her hips and the two of them swayed together to one seriously hot song. Alex drew her in and wrapped his arms around her, then buried his face in her neck.
"You smell good, Tori."
It felt so perfect when he held her like this, his body aligned with hers. He was tall and lean and his muscles--all hard, pressed to her. She closed her eyes and breathed in his scent--something crisp and clean. She wound her hand around the nape of his neck and lost herself in him.
And when the dance ended and they walked back to the sidelines, there was Ben, holding her Bloody Mary for her, smiling at her as if she hadn't just had her hands all over another man.
"Thanks," she said, and rose up to press a kiss to Ben's lips.
"You're welcome. You looked hot as hell dancing out there with Alex."
Ben put his arm around her, his fingertips resting against her hip.
How was it that these two men weren't jealous? Were Ben and Alex unique, or were there relationships like this and she'd spent her entire life living in a bubble?
When Alex came up to her other side and they led her away from the crowd, walking her down toward the beach, she decided to ask.
"Is this familiar to the two of you?"
"Is what familiar?" Alex asked.
"Sharing a woman. Without jealousy."
"We've shared women before," Ben said. "But if you're asking if we'd had the kind of relationships with women like the one we're currently having with you, then the answer is no."
"You both seem to handle it so well. When I'm off alone with one of you, neither of you seems to be jealous or asks me probing questions about what we did when the other was away."
Alex took her hand, squeezed it. "Probably because it's you, Tori. I don't know, it seems to be a pretty unique situation for all of us."
"Alex is right. We both want you to be happy. I'm not jealous of Alex giving you pleasure. I doubt he's upset when I'm with you."
Alex shrugged. "Why would I be? Ben's making you happy."
Her heart filled with so many emotions she didn't know what to think. "You both make me happy. I'm having such a wonderful time with you--with both of you."
They'd reached a cove where the waves crashed against the shore. It was private--no other people around.
Ben led them toward a hill of tall rocks, their view obscured, so they climbed, Alex leading the way and Ben next to her, holding her hand.
"Check this out," Alex said, his voice dropping to a whisper.
High along the shore was a couple. She didn't recognize them, but it must have been one of the surfers and a beautiful young woman with shoulder-length brown hair. She was on her knees and he was naked, his cock thick and hard, and the woman was sucking him.
Her pussy quivered as they watched.
She tugged Alex's hand. "We should go."
Alex laughed. "Why?"
"So they can have privacy."
Alex looked down at her. "Babe. I know Rob and Belinda. Trust me, if they wanted privacy they'd be doing this in the hotel."
"Okay. You might have a point."
Ben came up behind her, smoothing his hands down her arms. "They probably don't care who sees them. So . . . let's watch."
She had to admit the sight of the man's cock sliding between the woman's full lips was an absolute turn on. And when the woman pulled the straps of her dress down to fondle her own breasts, Victoria's breath caught. It made her want to do the same thing.
She was on fire.
"Is it turning you on watching them?" Ben asked.
"Yes." She could barely get the word out. Her gaze was fixed on Belinda sucking Rob, on the way she drew her lips slowly along his shaft. And when Rob pulled his cock out and raised Belinda up to stand, their mouths fused in furious passion, Victoria wanted that, so she turned to Ben and kissed him, feeling that same feverish need she'd witnessed in Belinda.
After she'd thoroughly kissed Ben, she turned to Alex, who was waiting behind her. She put her mouth on his, and felt the explosive desire in his kiss.
Knowing they both felt the same passion and need she felt inflamed her. She pulled away from Alex to watch more of the action.
Rob had Belinda on her knees and had put on a condom. He pushed his cock inside of her and despite the crashing waves, she could hear Belinda cry out in pleasure.
"We're going to make you come," Ben said, pulling her against him. He pulled the straps of her sundress down, revealing her breasts. "Just watch them while we make you come."
"Yes." She was ho
t and her sex throbbed. They could both make her come.
Right here and right now.
Alex moved in next to her, raising her dress. "Is your pussy hot and wet, Tori?"
"Yes."
He slid his hand into her underwear, cupping her sex. "I'll bet you come fast watching him slide his cock in and out of her pussy."
"I love watching. Look how hard he's fucking her."
"I see it," Ben said. "Do you want us to fuck you like that after we make you come?"
Just the thought of it made her clench, made her dampen with desire. "Oh, yes. Just like that."
Alex slipped his fingers into her pussy.
"You are so wet, Tori. I can already imagine my cock inside of you, pumping hard into you. Do you want to suck Ben while I fuck you?"
Between watching Rob and Belinda and imagining herself on her knees with Alex pumping into her from behind while she sucked Ben's cock, it was too much.
"Make me come, Alex."
Ben rolled her nipples between his fingers, lightly pinching them.
She bit down on her lip to keep from crying out as she came. Alex pumped his fingers into her and she pushed her hips against him as the waves of her orgasm overcame her.
She panted, out of breath from that magnificent climax.
Alex leaned over and kissed her, then smiled. "That was good, babe."
"It was."
"Down on your knees, Victoria," Ben said after she pulled away from Alex's kiss. "I need your mouth on my cock."
Alex pulled out a condom, and she was so glad he'd thought to be prepared.
He raised her sundress over her back. She wasn't even paying attention to Rob and Belinda now. All she knew were these two men she was with and their pleasure--and hers.
Alex fit his cock into her pussy while Ben slid his between her lips.
"Oh yeah," Alex said. "Just like I imagined. Tight and hot and wet, Tori."
"Suck me, Victoria," Ben said. "Suck my cock and make me come."
Her pussy tightened around Alex's cock, making her quiver with undeniable pleasure. And as she wrapped her lips around Ben's shaft and drew it into her mouth, she couldn't think of any place she wanted to be other than right here. Or any men she wanted to be with other than Alex and Ben. They had given her such pleasure, and now it was her turn to pleasure them.
She drank in the sounds of their groans as she pushed back against Alex while she drew Ben's cock from her lips, only to slowly take Ben's shaft inch by inch deeply into the cavern of her mouth, withdrawing her pussy from Alex, making him thrust hard into her.
It was the sweetest, hottest sex play, and she enjoyed every second of it. The fact they were outside where anyone could see them only heightened her own pleasure. And when she met Ben's gaze and saw his features tighten, when he thrust more deeply and Alex pushed harder and faster into her, she knew they were both going to come.
She took Ben's shaft deep, then pulled back, accepting the first spurts of his come along her tongue. She gave him more suction during his climax, sucking him in deeper and harder as he groaned and shuddered.
Alex called her name as he ground against her with his orgasm, his body pressed to hers, his fingers gripped tightly to her hips.
It was perfect.
Ben withdrew, and so did Alex. Ben pulled her to a standing position and helped her right her clothing before grabbing his board shorts from where he'd flung them on top of the rock.
Then Ben kissed her and so did Alex.
"Good for you?" Ben asked.
She inhaled, let it out, and smiled. "Perfect for me."
"Good," Ben said. "Let's go back and join the party. I'm thirsty."
"Me, too," Alex said.
She fit herself in the middle of them and they walked back to the main beach, staying close to the water. Victoria settled into the silence, lost in her thoughts.
She was equal parts deliriously happy and at the same time utterly conflicted. In such a short period of time she'd become attached to both Alex and Ben.
She didn't like attachments. They made everything so complicated.
Sex was fun. It was easy and uncomplicated and typically at the end of her vacation flings, she found it easy to say good-bye.
But when it came time to return home, she didn't think it was going to be so easy to say good-bye to these two amazing men.
Chapter Twelve
Alex had slept like the dead last night, snuggled against Tori's perfect backside. Unfortunately he'd had to get up early again to prep for the second day of the tournament.
Waves were cranking today. He was ready to score at the top of the leaderboard.
His practice runs had been good, though he'd been raked over by the waves each time he'd paddled out.
The runs were going to be gnarly today, no doubt about it. But with waves this impressive, all the guys should have notable showings.
He was just going to have to be the best.
He ran over to Ben's tent while he had a few minutes before the first heat started. Victoria was there in a white sundress, taking his breath away as usual. He leaned over to kiss her.
"Best of luck today, though I doubt you'll need it."
He loved her confidence in him. "Thanks, babe."
He grabbed a sports drink from Ben.
"Those waves are killer today. And by killer . . ."
They didn't have to say the words to each other. Alex knew what Ben meant.
The waves could make for some spectacular rides. But they were also dangerous.
"I know. I'll be careful."
Ben grabbed his shoulder. "Go kick the Pipeline's ass."
Alex grinned and made his way to the water.
He paddled out along with three other surfers. Priority indicated he or Matt could drop in first. Not seeing a wave he liked, he let Matt take the drop.
Matt rode the wave like the pro he was. Scored high, too.
Shit.
That was okay. Alex thrived on pressure.
He sat out there and waited through two other waves. Then a big one came and he dropped in, sliding into the barrel.
Now it was just him and the wave, alone in the tube. This was his sweet spot. He'd surfed his entire life and when he was on the water riding a wave he felt an adrenaline rush like nothing else. He could reach out and touch the monster, so he leaned in and ran his hand along the underside of the wave, then flipped out the end of the tube and did an aerial.
He could hear applause, the sound of clapping carrying across the water, and he knew he'd mastered it.
His second and third heats were good, too, though not as stellar as the first one had been.
Good enough to land him solidly in the top three at the end of the day. He'd move on in the championships. And at his age, with all these young and hungry surfers coming up and nipping at his board, he'd take it.
He made his way to the tent where Tori came over and threw her arms around him.
"You did it. You were amazing."
Having her confident in him made a difference. "Thanks." He brushed his lips across hers, then shook Ben's hand.
"Took some chances out there on that monster wave," Ben said.
Alex shrugged. "You know me."
Ben smiled. "Yeah, I do."
"I was so afraid during that first heat," Victoria said. "But oh, my God, Alex, the way you rode inside the wave--you were beneath it for so long before you came out the other side. I know I need to learn the lingo--but it was amazing."
He slung his arm around her. "Trust me. I know what you're talking about. It felt amazing, too. I had a good run."
"It sure seems that way. So now that the competition is over, what happens?"
"It's an accumulation of points," Ben said. "He'll move onto the next competition, and do it all over again."
"Where's the next one?"
"Australia."
As they made their way back to the hotel, Tori shook her head. "It must be an incredible life to be able to trave
l the world like you do."
Alex nodded. "It has its benefits. Then again, you do the same thing, don't you?"
"Well, not for work. But yes, my work has its perks, definitely. It has allowed me to do a lot of traveling."
They stood in the lobby, waiting for the elevator.
"You could meet us in Australia," he said to Tori.
She laughed. "Unfortunately, after the holidays I have to go back to work."
"Yeah, we all know about work," Ben said with a wry grin.
"I'm going to head upstairs to shower," Alex said as they stepped into the elevator.
"I'm going to do the same," Victoria said. "Catch up with both of you later?"
Ben nodded. "We'll call you."
They got out and went to their separate rooms.
Once back in the suite, Alex told Ben he was going into his room to shower. Ben waved him off, saying he had a call to make.
Alex went into the bathroom and turned on the shower, then stepped in under the hot spray.
It had been a really good day. Until they'd started talking about what came after this.
He didn't want to leave Tori. He knew she had a successful career. So did he. So did Ben.
So what the hell were they going to do about that?
When he got out of the shower, Ben was in his room.
"Need something?" Alex asked.
"Yeah. I want to talk to you. About Victoria."
"Okay." He grabbed a clean pair of board shorts and slipped them on. "What about her?"
"I need to know if what I'm feeling for her is just me. Or if it's both of us."
They went out into the living room. Alex grabbed a beer for himself and one for Ben and handed it to him. They both sat on the sofa. Alex knew how he felt. This was as good a time as any to talk it out with Ben.
Ben had been holding this all inside for a while now. But he trusted Alex, his best friend, and knew that before he said anything to Victoria, he had to talk to Alex first.
"Tell me how you feel you feel about Victoria, Alex."
"I think I'm in love with her."
"You're not the only one who feels this way. I'm in love with her, too, Alex."
Saying the words out loud were like a gut punch. First a little bit of fear, followed by overwhelming relief.
Ben blew out a breath. "Okay. This is both good and bad, Alex."
"I know."
"I don't even know how to approach this," Ben said. "It's not something that's ever happened with us before."
"Yeah. In love with the same woman. I never saw that coming."
"Neither did I. It happened so fast. I never thought I'd ever fall in love. But Victoria. She's--"
