16

Laikyn

I stood in Rule’s bathroom, staring at myself in the mirror as I toweled the water from my hair.

It had been ten days since we’d gone to the clinic to get the blood test to determine whether we had sex ever again. I mean, I knew these things took time, but seriously. The past ten days had felt like ten freaking years.

Even before I opened the letter that the postal carrier had delivered to the house this afternoon, I’d known what the results would be. I was clean because I had results from a test taken after the last guy I had sex with. Plus, I hadn’t been lying when I told Rule I’d never had sex without protection. It was a hard and fast rule that I lived by, and something told me Rule and Jinx were sticklers for protection, too. I trusted them, even though Rule said I shouldn’t.

And now that I had the indisputable proof, it was time for me to experience sex without the barrier of latex for the first time. To do that, I had to kick this thing between us into high gear.

I’d resorted to using Rule’s shower because the water pressure was better. At least, that was what I told him. Truth is, I liked using his things. Mostly because I could tell he wasn’t sure how to react to it. Rule had the ability to shrug off almost anything except for me. He wasn’t sure how to handle me. Because of that, I’d taken to tormenting him as much as possible.

Well, because of that and because I was spending so much time alone. At first, it was fun. Not so much anymore. I mean, sure, it was nice to have Waldo around. Because of him, I wasn’t going completely out of my mind, but I was lonely despite my one-sided conversations with him. Not to mention sexually frustrated, thanks to Jinx and Rule and their ridiculous sex hiatus until the results came in. When I told Rule that condoms were still an option, he’d shut me down, telling me it would be good for me to learn patience. Yeah, right.

Since I wasn’t allowed to jump them whenever I wanted, I had plenty of time to devise ways to torture both of them.

It wasn’t hard. Certainly not now that Rule had given me a way to contact him when he wasn’t home. Last night, he’d given me a burner phone and told me to use it only to contact him, no one else. If I wanted to text Jinx, I needed to use my cell phone. Something about security and encryption and whatnot. I was disappointed when I realized the burner phone didn’t have a camera because it meant I couldn’t send him lewd photographs. However, there was a texting capability, so I was working with what I had.

—We got the test results. We’re all clean. You should come home and fuck me.

I honestly wasn’t expecting a response, so I was surprised when half an hour later, a text message came through.

—I’ll be home in ten minutes. I want you naked, on the couch, using your vibrator to tease yourself.

A slow smile crept on my lips. “Holy shit.”

—Do not come. If you do, I’m gonna turn your perfect little ass red.

I probably shouldn’t have been turned on by the threat (or pleased that he called my ass perfect and little), but the mere thought of Rule spanking me made my blood run hotter. I’d tried in the past to compel some of my fuck buddies to venture to the kinky side, but either they weren’t interested, or they needed me to spell out what I was talking about. When you took the spontaneity out of kink, you ended up with bad dialogue and boredom. And the easiest way to dampen arousal was to hear a guy make a command with a question mark at the end.

Since I was still naked, I merely had to drop the towel, which I did, leaving it on the floor of Rule’s bathroom. If he was bothered by my deliberate messiness, he hadn’t said anything yet. I figured that time was coming because I was even annoyed by it, and I was responsible.

I stopped in my bedroom and retrieved my vibrator from the nightstand. I hadn’t replaced the batteries yet, but I’d taken them in the event I needed them. Good thing, too. I quickly changed them out, then went to the living room and flopped down on the sofa.

Waldo came over, sniffing as though he wasn’t sure what was going on.

I pointed toward his dog bed in the corner. “No. You get to go sleep on your bed this time.”

He gave a little doggy pout, then turned and sauntered over to the big fluffy bed near the back door. He flopped down with a huff.

Pretending the dog wasn’t ogling me, I got situated. It took a few tries to get to a position I was comfortable in, one that I thought would be appealing to Rule when he got home. Turned out that seducing with words was much easier than trying to put on a show. I was uncomfortable with my nakedness, but my lust was significantly more potent than my modesty. At least for the moment.

I honestly didn’t expect playing with myself to arouse me. I usually required something to stimulate me mentally—erotic short stories, porn, or a damn good fantasy. Going from zero to sixty had never been my thing. Not until Rule and Jinx, anyway.

It only took a few minutes with the vibrator and my dirty thoughts of them before I was wet enough that I would no doubt leave a spot on the sofa. Even that made me hot. Especially when I thought about Rule’s response when he noticed I’d sullied his sofa because I was wet for him.

When the garage door opened, I forced myself to relax, waiting for him to appear. My eyes were glued on the hall he would come from, and the moment I saw him, I felt a jolt like I always did.

I’d been attracted to plenty of men before, but never one as devastatingly dark as Rule. I wondered if that feeling would ever go away. If I would one day be so used to seeing him that I didn’t notice how hot he was. I decided I wouldn’t because I would never have the chance. I still didn’t know what Rule was up to or why he’d insisted on marrying me, but I knew it was going to come to an end. It obviously wasn’t serious since he was letting me fuck Jinx, too. No, I got the feeling Rule was motivated by something, and one day, either he would tell me, or I would find out on my own. For the moment, though, I was enjoying this. It felt like a brief reprieve from my humdrum life, and I wouldn’t lie and pretend I wasn’t having a good time.

“Stay,” he told Waldo as he moved toward me.

With his hands tucked in his pocket, Rule leisurely strolled around to the ottoman that acted as more seating, his gaze hot as it raked over every inch of me. My heart rate kicked up, and my respiratory system went on the fritz as I let the sensation of the vibrator mixed with the heat from his gaze work me closer to orgasm.

“Did you come?”

I shook my head because I couldn’t form words.

“Good girl.”

He sat across from me, resting his elbows on his knees as he leaned toward me, his gaze locked on my face. “You’ve got a greedy little pussy, baby.”

I nodded because it was true. My pussy ached for his cock. It didn’t matter if I was freshly fucked and recovering from a mind-altering orgasm, I still wanted him. Although I found myself drawn to this man in a way I’d never been drawn to anyone else, I only gave myself permission to want him. I wouldn’t cross the line, wouldn’t confuse sex for love, but I could give in to my baser urges. There was no reason we couldn’t seek the pleasure the other offered since our circumstances allowed for it.

“Jinx will be here in a minute.”

As though he knew my thoughts were pinpointed on him, leave it to Rule to bring up Jinx.

Not that I minded. I would give my body to Jinx any day of the week. More than once if he would have me. But with Jinx, it was different. We had a foundation built on friendship. Not a deep one, but we’d started slower, and I knew more about him than I did Rule. With Jinx, there really was the risk of me falling for him because I didn’t merely lust for him, I genuinely liked him.

Rule didn’t say anything as he watched me, and I found myself relaxing, letting the glimmer in his eyes steer me toward the impending release. Minutes ticked by, and I knew I wasn’t going to last. I was caught up in his eyes, in the heat I saw there. No one had ever looked at me like that before. People saw beauty when they looked at my mother. Compared to her, I was too plain, too average. I wasn’t a sex goddess, but I almost believed I was when Rule turned that intense stare on me.

“You’re so fucking wet. Push that thing in your pussy.”

I angled the thick silicone toy and pushed it against my entrance. My body resisted, but I pushed past it.

“Now pull it out.”

I did, then teased my clit with the slick vibrating tip.

“In again.”

Within minutes, I was fucking myself at his urging.

“I can’t … Rule … I need … God, I’m going to come.”

His face remained impassive, but I swore I saw satisfaction in his eyes.

A sound came from behind me, and I noticed Waldo sit up, his tail thumping with excitement. I knew without looking that Jinx was home.

“She’s playing with herself,” Rule said without looking at Jinx.

A moment later, I felt Jinx’s callused fingers graze my shoulders, my neck. He moved my hair back, then let his hands trail over my chest.

“Oh, God.” I sighed, my nipples tightening to the point of pain from the gentle graze of his hands. “It’s too much.”

Jinx lightly teased, his pinkies grazing my nipples while I fucked the toy in and out of my pussy. My muscles clenched and released, spasming in warning. I was going to come, and I couldn’t stop it.

“Please … Rule … I need…”

“Come for us, butterfly. Come on the toy, then I’ll give you my cock.”

I inhaled sharply as I fucked myself with abandon, eager to earn my reward. I could make myself come like this, but it wouldn’t be nearly as satisfying as having him inside me. I wanted that. I wanted to feel him without the barrier of latex. I wanted every ridge of his iron-hard cock to rub inside me.

I pushed the vibrator in deep and succumbed to the orgasm, gasping and moaning as I went limp.

The toy fell to the floor with a thud as Rule stalked toward me, unbuttoning his jeans as he did. By the time he reached me, his cock was in his hand. He manhandled me into position, forcing one leg up, draping my leg along the back of the sofa, my other foot dangling above the floor.

The cushion dipped, and then he was impaling me, ramming in so hard I thought he would split me in two.

Rule held himself above me, holding my gaze as he pounded into me. I grabbed his arms, holding on, accepting every brutal thrust. This time, I didn’t worry about seeking permission. It was futile. He drove me over the edge within seconds and never gave me time to come back down as he took what I so freely offered.

He leaned forward, pressing his hips to mine as he pumped deeper and deeper, his pelvis grinding against my clit. I exploded, surrounded by heat and light.

“I’m gonna come inside you,” he said through gritted teeth. “I’ve never…”

I dug my nails into his arms and tilted my hips, allowing for deeper penetration. I held my breath, wondering if I would survive the moment because no one had ever come inside me before, either. Not without the barrier of latex.

“Ah, Jesus … fuck … Laikyn…”

My name on his lips was the last thing he said as he slammed forward, grunting as his body jerked. I felt him inside me, felt the pulse of his cock and the warmth that came from his body. It triggered another orgasm, which dragged a ragged groan from him when my muscles clamped down on him.

His gaze lingered on mine for what felt like an eternity before he finally withdrew.

When he walked away, I stared after him. I looked around, expecting to see Jinx nearby, but he wasn’t. He’d left, too.

I won’t lie … there was a hint of regret that pinched in my chest.

Regret that they would one day be walking away for good, and for the first time in my life, I was hoping that wasn’t the inevitable outcome.

* * *

Jinx

I doubted Laikyn or Rule even realized I had walked away when I had. They’d been too caught up in each other to notice me, so I’d taken my leave.

Perfect timing, too. The instant I heard Laikyn’s cry of pleasure when Rule rammed his dick into her, I would’ve lost my shit if I’d stuck around. If I could’ve explained what came over me in that instant, I would have. I couldn’t. I wasn’t sure whether it was jealousy or pure adrenaline that flooded my system, but something knocked me for a loop.

Rather than insert myself where I clearly wasn’t needed, I disappeared into my bedroom and opted for a shower. If lucky, they wouldn’t be fucking in the living room when I was finished. I needed dinner, and if I didn’t get food soon, my stomach was going to start eating itself.

Yes, that was me being dramatic. So fucking what? I was feeling a bit rejected, so what the fuck did it matter?

Why I thought Laikyn or Rule would’ve invited me to their couch party, I wasn’t sure. Rule had spoken as though he’d welcomed my attention, but the moment she got herself off with that damn toy, a flip had been switched. I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen him as intensely focused as he’d been when he prowled toward her.

As I was pulling shorts on, a knock sounded on my bedroom door.

“Hey, Jinx. What are you hungry for? Rule’s going to order food.”

Since she knew I couldn’t answer, I figured she was waiting for me to unlock the door and let her in. I wouldn’t. Hell, I couldn’t. I was pretty fucking sure she wouldn’t understand. In fact, she’d likely think I was some sort of psycho for having the collection at all.

She knocked again. “Jinx?”

Taking a deep breath, I moved to the door and unlocked it. I opened it enough to get out and locked the knob behind me, the key tucked in my pocket.

Her gaze shifted to my face, then to the door, and back again.

Her smile was slow and mischievous. “Are you hiding something in there?”

I played it off, grabbing her shoulders and turning her in the other direction. She giggled, leaning into me and letting me steer her through the house.

“You smell good,” she said, leaning her head against my chest as we walked.

I did my best to maintain a detachment that wasn’t working for me. Whatever my feelings for her were, they were superseded by Rule’s. He had married this woman, and I had to remember that. Even if the marriage wasn’t real, it still loomed between us, a silent sentry warding me off until Rule gave me permission to share what belonged to him.

When we reached the kitchen, Rule lifted his head. He had adjusted his jeans, but his shirt was missing. I could see the scratch marks on his arms and figured there were matching ones on his back. It sent a chill dancing down my spine when I thought about the marks Laikyn had left on me the other night after our tryst in the shower.

“Pizza?” Rule prompted, raising his eyebrows in question.

I nodded.

“No bell peppers, please,” Laikyn tacked on. “I can deal with just about anything else but that.”

I nodded again so Rule knew I was in agreement, then moved around Laikyn toward the refrigerator. I grabbed a beer from the back and carried it out to the patio. I grabbed the remote and flipped on the television as I took a seat, propping my feet on the table. I had a whole two minutes to pretend I gave a shit about what was on the screen before Laikyn joined me. Although I didn’t look her way, I sensed her hesitation.

Feeling like a bug under a microscope, I finally turned and cocked an eyebrow. She took that as an invitation to move closer.

“Did I do something wrong?” she asked, placing a knee on the cushion beside me.

I shook my head, turning my attention back to the TV. I didn’t want to get into this right now. Which was partly why I left my phone in my pocket. Without it, the best she could do was guess my answers, and if I were lucky, she would give up and move on.

Her cool fingers slid over my shoulder as she tucked her other foot underneath her so she was kneeling at my side. “Jinx. Look at me.”

I forced myself to, wishing like fuck that I could shake the feeling of rejection. It was stupid, for one thing. Laikyn didn’t belong to me. Nor did Rule. And no one said that our encounters would be all-inclusive. I had no right to be upset.

“What’s wrong?”

She knew I couldn’t answer, but it was obvious she wanted something. I shook my head and took a long pull on my beer, feigning disinterest in the topic.

The next thing I knew, Laikyn took the beer from my hand and set it on the table. She straddled my thighs and forced me to shift my legs.

Her eyes skimmed my face, and if I didn’t know better, I would’ve said she was trying to read my mind.

“You’re upset.”

It wasn’t a question, so I didn’t confirm or deny.

“Because of what happened earlier?”

I met her gaze and got lost in the emerald depths, wishing my words wouldn’t fail me. It was rare for me to even care that I couldn’t speak. Only once or twice in my life had I wanted to formulate words to relay my feelings. A couple of times with Rule and now with Laikyn. Not that it mattered. It was hopeless.

“I didn’t want you to leave,” she said, leaning in closer, her fingers gliding along my jaw as her eyes caressed my face. “You could’ve stayed.”

That sounded like a pity invitation, which was the last thing I wanted. It was petty and childish, but I attempted to peer around her to see the television. She fixed that by turning my chin, forcing me to meet her gaze.

“I don’t really know what the rules are,” she said softly, leaning in. “All I know is that I want you and Rule. I ache for you.” Her breath fanned my lips. “I crave you.”

I knew seduction when I heard it, and I could tell she was attempting to make me feel better by drowning me in it. I appreciated the effort, but it wasn’t her problem.

“Let me make it up to you.” She pulled back and met my gaze, her hand sliding down my chest, my stomach.

The moment she tried to cup my dick, I grabbed her wrist.

A frown creased her forehead, her eyes snapping to mine.

I shook my head, willing her to see that it wasn’t solely about sex for me. Sure, I could’ve whipped out my dick and let her get me off, but that would’ve given her the impression that was the only thing I wanted. That might be the case for her and Rule, but it wasn’t for me. And for whatever reason, I’d thought she was beginning to realize that. For the past ten days, although she’d been taunting us both, we’d refrained. And even with sex out of the equation, I thought we had enjoyed ourselves.

She was back to the full-time seduction, and I wasn’t eager to play the game.

“Okay,” she said, jerking her hand back. “You win. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t—”

Before she could jump to her feet, I grabbed her around the waist and brought her down on her back. I moved over her, my face close to hers. I held her stare, listening to the gasp of her breaths as my lips hovered over hers.

When she stopped struggling, I kissed her. Gently. Lightly. Not a seduction. Not this time.

Although she didn’t try to pull away, even returning my kiss, Laikyn’s hands remained at her sides for several minutes before she finally relented to my coaxing. When she traced her fingertips over my bare back, I inhaled sharply, letting her know how much I liked her touch.

“I wish you could tell me what you need,” she whispered against my mouth.

Lifting my head, I propped myself on one arm and pointed to the center of her chest with my finger.

Laikyn frowned.

I pressed firmly.

“Me?” she asked. “You need me?”

I nodded. Laikyn and Rule were the only ones I needed. Hell, they were the only ones I’d ever wanted. I learned at a young age not to rely on others and not to get your hopes up because most people failed you. Until Rule came into my life, I thought the only person who would ever make me feel safe was my grandmother. He proved me wrong, and until Laikyn came into the picture, I hadn’t realized how much I’d come to rely on him.

“You have me, Jinx,” Laikyn whispered. “The question is, what do you want to do with me?”

Since I couldn’t tell her, I decided to show her by easing down on my side so that I was lying beside her. I slipped my arm beneath her head and cupped her jaw with my other hand, continuing to kiss her softly. When she turned into me, I inhaled deeply, soaking up her warmth.

In all my life, I’d never made out with a woman. Not like this. I’d fucked plenty, but even my first time hadn’t been anything special. I’d lost my virginity to a woman a decade older than me, and while she’d been good at getting me off, she hadn’t wanted anything more. At seventeen, I hadn’t realized there was more to it than that, so I’d mirrored that encounter with my future fucks, keeping them at arm’s length because it made sense to me.

With Rule, it was different. He would say it was purely physical, but he was lying to himself. We both knew it. While there was more there than either of us admitted, we didn’t cuddle. Hell, we didn’t even sleep in the same bed. Maybe once or twice when one of us was too exhausted to move. We took for granted what we had because we expected the other to always be there. If the day ever came when that wasn’t the case, I knew he would be as lost as I was. I didn’t need him to tell me as much, although it would’ve been nice if he acknowledged it.

I never realized what I was missing out on until the night Laikyn had slept in my arms.

Since then, I’d hoped to explore more of that. I didn’t mind fucking for the sake of fucking, but I wasn’t going to pretend there wasn’t something more here. She might not feel it, but I did. And while I didn’t have to admit it, I damn sure wasn’t going to pretend I wanted nothing more than to shove my dick inside her to sate the urge.

* * *

Rule

After placing the pizza order, I stood at the back door and stared at Jinx and Laikyn, watching as they made out on the couch like a couple of teenagers. Oddly, I didn’t feel the urge to roll my eyes even though I was sure that was the correct reaction.

No, I found a foreign sense of relief in their interactions, the way Jinx loomed above her, kissing her gently while her hands moved over him. It was the exact opposite of the encounter I’d experienced with Laikyn a short while ago. I’d fucked her like a starving man. And when it was over, I wanted to fuck her again. Only I didn’t because I’d realized Jinx wasn’t there. I wasn’t sure when he slipped out or why, but I’d felt his absence.

I’d never felt that before. That absence. Like a part of me had disappeared, and deep down, I feared it was gone forever. I wasn’t supposed to feel shit like that. For anyone.

Laikyn was changing me. That was the only conclusion I could come to. She was making me see things from a different perspective. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Or rather, I hadn’t been sure until I saw Jinx and Laikyn making out on the couch. Now … well, now I wasn’t sure what the hell was going on because something about this entire situation felt oddly right. As though the three of us were meant to be right here, right now. Together.

And yes, I realized how fucked up that sounded. I’d insisted Laikyn fuck both of us or neither because I’d wanted to keep my distance from her. Two weeks later, here I was, writing endings like this was a romance novel or some shit. Endings that didn’t make sense because there was no way that Laikyn was going to want to have anything to do with me when this was all over. Once she realized I’d manipulated her the same way her mother did, she would walk away and never look back. I wouldn’t even blame her.

Yet, for this brief moment I wanted to pretend that the future wasn’t laid out already. That the ending wasn’t written because there was more to this than I’d anticipated.