Brooklyn Bound (5 page)

* * * *

She woke at some point during the night and stayed awake long enough to throw up before climbing under the covers to fall back asleep. The next morning her alarm went off and she smacked it for silence. Five a.m. She didn’t have to be at work until eight, so she rolled over and closed her eyes. It occurred to her that she should make sure Gabe was awake since he had to be there at six, but he wasn’t in the bed, and she wasn’t getting up to find him.

Sometime later he shook her arm. “Brook, you okay?”

She shoved him off. “What time is it?”

“Quarter to six.”

Never opening her eyes she replied, “I’m going to sleep in for one more hour.”

He fiddled with the clock and she knew he was resetting the alarm. Guilt pierced her.
He really is a good man.

“I’m going. I set your alarm for six-forty-five.”

“Thanks,” she mumbled, then added, “Gabe?”

“Yeah?”

She opened one eye. “I’m sorry I slapped you.”

“I know. See you later.” He turned and left.

She immediately fell back to sleep.

* * * *

At nine a.m. Brook texted Carla Nelson from her cell phone at work.

I need to talk. Can you do lunch today?

The reply came back shortly.

Sure! What time can you go?

Noon? Buster’s Deli?

See you there.

Brook put her phone in her desk drawer and tried to concentrate on work. It was next to impossible. All she could think about was Gabe’s admission and ensuing request. Was he out of his mind? She couldn’t imagine doing what he’d suggested. She also couldn’t image losing him, which was what she feared might happen if she ignored his suggestion completely.

Nervous energy was about to do her in when noon finally arrived. She hurried to her car and drove to the nearby deli. Carla arrived at the same time, and suddenly Brook was embarrassed and didn’t know if she could even talk about it. She sat in her car, shaking.

“Honey, what’s wrong?” Her pretty brunette friend slipped into the passenger seat. “Has something happened?”

“This is so…humiliating…” She held her face in her hands.

“Brook, please.” Carla touched her arm. “I realize we haven’t discussed much about our personal lives, but I’m honored that you wanted to talk to me. Whatever I can do to help, just ask.”

The story spilled, starting with Drew Smith in college and ending with Tucker Gleason and his asinine request. She was in tears by the time she’d finished, and Carla pulled one tissue after another from her purse.

“Okay, look. You know Seth is gay. Well, he used to call himself gay—now I’ll occasionally hear him say ‘bisexual’. It doesn’t matter to me, those are just labels. Seth loves me. When he’s with me I’ve no doubts he’s totally
with
me, you know?”

“With Michael waiting in the wings? How can that make you feel? Does he choose each night who he’s going to sleep with?”

“Of course not. Everyone’s feelings are taken into consideration. If someone is tired and wants a bed to themselves, they get it. If someone wants company, they get that, too. We’ve never had a problem once in that regard.”

She shook her head. “I just can’t fathom it, and I don’t know if I could watch my husband having sex with another person. I don’t care if it’s a man or woman, either way it just seems too creepy.”

Carla smiled. “It’s actually pretty hot. Seth and Michael have sex a lot. I’m welcome to join in or not. Sometimes I don’t think I will, and I start to watch and get so turned on I jump in and join them.”

“They don’t care?”

The woman laughed. “They love it! Honestly, sugar, if you’ve never had two people make love to you at the same time, you don’t know what you’re missing. The orgasms are incredible. I lost count after ten once. And we’re talking ten
good
ones, not the ones you blink and you’ve missed it.”

Brook laughed. She suddenly realized she was talking about the most personal thing in the world with someone who wasn’t her husband, and she wasn’t mortified. It was actually okay. “Carla,” she hesitated. “I’m afraid they’re just including me because they want to be with each other, and Gabe knows that’s the only way it can happen.”

“Oh, sugar, it’s not the only way. They could be poking each other behind your back all they wanted during the day, and you’d never know it. Gabe was honest enough to bring his request to you, to share his deepest desires. I give him credit for being so open. Some people live their whole lives not admitting what they really want or need. It’s pretty cool that he trusts you enough to tell you what he wants—and maybe even needs.”

Brook chewed on a fingernail. “You think he needs Tucker? Because that makes me feel inadequate, like I’m not enough for him.”

Another chuckle. “Brook, people have lots of different needs. Some guys drink beer and hang out with their friends on the weekend, and there’s nothing sexual about it. Some women go shopping and have lunch with their girlfriends—again nothing sexual, just a need to reach out to someone you can relate to and spend time with. It makes us feel good inside. Humans crave friendship, bonding, whatever you want to call it.

“We also have sexual cravings. I’d wager a guess that most of us have looked at a person of our same gender at one time or another and had a sexual thought about them. Some people, like Seth and Gabe, are more in touch with those desires. They understand they crave the touch of both a man and a woman. It’s pretty cool in my opinion. Seth is happy as hell in our polyamorous relationship. Michael and I are, too. We both benefit from Seth’s strong sex drive. It sounds to me like Gabe is a lot like Seth. You and Tucker could benefit from that as well.”

She leaned back against the head rest. “But Tucker is my boss! How in the hell am I supposed to handle that?”

“Good question. I’d recommend working out the details before anything happens. You probably didn’t know that Michael and Seth had me sign a contract before we started our relationship. Everything was spelled out in writing.”

Brook gaped. “You’re kidding me!”

“Nope. Now that might not be necessary for you, but it worked for us. We got some of the sticking points out of the way up front. In your case, you definitely need to know that you’ll still have a job if things don’t work out with the three of you.”

“No kidding.” Brook held her head again. So much information to digest, but at least she had a clearer understanding of how some people did it. It might not hurt to at least
talk
about it. She’d mull it over some more before discussing it with Gabe. “You’ve given me a lot to think about, Carla. Thanks so much for taking the time.”

“I’m happy to do it. Now can we get some lunch? I’m starving!”

Chapter Three

Gabe glanced around the living room, making sure everything was in place. Fragrant incense burned in the corner, and he’d placed a bottle of wine and three glasses on the coffee table.

Brook joined him. “I’m not ready to face wine again so soon.”

“No problem. It’s there if anyone wants it.”

She gazed at him. “Tonight is just talking, right? We’ll iron out some details and make sure he’s clean and intends to use condoms.”

“Right.” He drew her into the circle of his arms. “Thank you for considering this. I know it’s all pretty scary for you, but I promise, we won’t do anything you aren’t comfortable with.”

“And I promise I won’t slap you again.”

He chuckled. “You hit like a girl. Besides, I’d just had the hottest sex of my life. I’ll let you slap me again if I get more sex like that.”

The doorbell rang.

She smiled up at him. “We’ll see what Tucker thinks. He might be into the whole spanking scene.”

Gabe swatted her butt as he headed for the door. “Now you’ve really made me horny.” He opened it and gazed at Tucker, who was wearing a striped tank top and khaki cargo pants. “Hey. Come in.”

“Evening.” He held up a six-pack of light beer. “I wasn’t sure what you liked to drink, so I took a chance on this.”

“That’s my brand. Come in.” Gabe pointed to the wine bottle on the table. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, either.”

Tucker laughed. “Wine’s good, but when I’m kicking back nothing beats a good brew.” He looked at Brook. “Evening, Brooklyn. How are you tonight?”

She eyed him cautiously. “Well, I gotta admit I’m a little nervous here. So I’ll take one of those beers, and put what’s left in the fridge.”

Tucker handed them each one and gave her the extras. “Thank you.”

“No, thank
you
.” She disappeared into the kitchen.

He turned to Gabe. “You’re looking fine this evening. As much as I like the ponytail, I do enjoy seeing this down.” He ran his hand through the long hair.

A tingle ran down Gabe’s spine. He turned his face into Tucker’s hand and sucked the pinky into his mouth. Releasing it quickly, he took a step back and sat on the end of the sofa. “Have a seat.”

Tucker chose the other end of the couch, and sat sideways to face him.

Brook returned and sat between them, leaning against Gabe. “My husband tells me we’re just here to talk tonight, and work out some of the details of this
arrangement
.”

The man smiled. “Makes it sound rather clinical, doesn’t it? I was rather hoping we’d just go with the flow.”

She crossed her arms. “I’ve spoken with Carla. Did you know Seth and Michael had her sign a contract before they began a relationship?”

Tucker laughed. “I’m not surprised. The contract would have been to cover the naughtier aspects of their role-playing.”

Brook blinked. “What are you talking about?”

“Carla didn’t tell you? They’re into BDSM, Brooklyn. Michael’s their Master, and Seth and Carla are slaves. With each other, Carla and Seth are considered switches, because sometimes he’s the Master and sometimes she is.”

Brook glanced at Gabe then back at Tucker. “How do you know all that? I’m not sure I believe you.”

“I’ve got no reason to lie. They belong to the same social club as I do. It’s called the Rose & Thorn Society. Michael is the Grand Master of the M.A.s.T. sub-genre, which stands for Masters and slaves together. I understand he’s also on the board of directors for the whole society.”

Gabe was shocked now. “You’re a member too? Are you into that Master and slave shit?”

Tucker shrugged. “It can be fun, but I’m not hardcore about it. Let’s just say I’m into having fun and feeling good. The Rose & Thorn has some good tenets to live by. They practice safe, sane and consensual sex. Everyone who goes there is clean, discreet, and agrees to abide by widely recognized rules of decorum.”

Brook waved a hand. “We’re not interested in that, but we do want to talk about the clean and consensual part. We’re both clean and have recent blood tests to verify it.”

Tucker nodded. “As do I.”

She continued, “And you may be into that kinky shit elsewhere, but we’re not, got it?”

“Got it. But do we need to define ‘kinky’? I mean, is it okay if I suck your clit, but not cool if I want to suck your toes? Just where do we draw the line?”

Gabe thought darts might fly from his wife’s eyes into Tucker’s chest, or any parts lower. She started to retort, but he wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed her cheek. “My wife loves oral sex, giving and receiving. She’s an anal virgin but has expressed some interest in trying it.”

“Gabe!” Her face reddened and she swatted his arm.

Tucker shrugged. “Might as well be open and honest. I also love giving and receiving oral sex.” He grinned. “I must admit I don’t have a lot of experience with girly parts, but I’m a quick learner.”

Gabe’s heart fluttered at the endearing expression. Tucker had an incredible sense of humor. He hoped Brook would warm up to the man soon. “So I’m the only one experienced in both the male and female anatomy.” He nibbled Brook’s earlobe. “I can lick a pussy or a cock with equal enthusiasm.”

She closed her eyes. If he could read her mind, he suspected she was wishing she was anyplace but here right now. He glanced at Tucker and they shared a smile.

Gabe said, “Brook has a concern that is actually pretty valid.”

Her eyes popped open. “Like my others aren’t?”

“Shush,” he whispered, and turned back to Tucker. “If we try this and it doesn’t work out for whatever reason, she’s worried she might lose her job.”

Tucker’s face went blank. It was obvious he’d never even considered that possibility, as Gabe hadn’t before she’d brought it up. “Oh, hell no! I’d never do anything like that. Brooklyn, you have my word, and I’ll put it in writing, that whatever happens between the three of us personally will have no bearing on your job now or in the future.”

She gazed at him. “So if my husband kicks your ass to the curb and you aren’t ready to leave, you mean to say you’ll allow me to continue to work at your law firm? I’m sorry, I’m not sure I believe that.”

He laughed out loud. “You’re a mistrustful little wench, aren’t you? I said I’d put it in writing and I will.” He stood. “Where’s a pen and paper? I’ve got to do this
now
.”

“Tucker, it’s okay,” Gabe insisted.

He wandered into the kitchen. “I found a grocery list. Can I use that?”

Gabe raised his gaze to the ceiling. “Absolutely.”

Tucker returned, speaking aloud as he wrote. “I, Tucker James Gleason, being of sound mind and body, on this date do duly swear that if a personal relationship between myself and Gabriel—what’s your middle name?”

Gabe sighed. “Nathan.”

“Gabriel Nathan Conner and Brooklyn—”

Gabe added, “Renee.”

“Brooklyn Renee Conner, be it physical or sexual in nature, does not come to full fruition and we part on good terms or bad, that there will no repercussions on Brooklyn’s position with Dryer, Stokes and Associates Law Firm. Signed, Tucker J. Gleason, Attorney at Law.” He waved the paper at them and slapped it down on the coffee table. “There you go. Just remember you still need Pop-Tarts and aluminum foil at the store, since I took your list.”