Keeping Katie (8 page)

Jack took a swig of his beer and gave a knowing smile.

"The plan is simple. We use our charm; wine, dine then seduce her. How could she resist? After we've fucked her till she can't walk… Then we'll be one happy family."

Jack made it sound so simple. "So how did she get the scars?"

Katie woke with a throbbing pain in the side of her head. She was confused for several moments as to where she was. Her mind started to un-fog and she remembered she was at Jordan's place. She also remembered seeing a naked Jack Cullen. She sat up on the bed. The blanket slipped down her torso. She was naked.

Of course she was naked. She had taken a shower but didn't remember getting into anyone's bed. Jordan must have put her there, or was it Jack? She couldn't remember much past having a massive panic attack at seeing Jack's naked form and his incredibly long, hard cock bobbing up and down.

The bed was soft and scented with musky masculine smells, much like she had smelled on Jack. On the end of the bed Katie noticed some clothes. Katie pushed herself forward reaching for them before climbing off the bed to slip them on. They too smelled like Jack. Katie glanced around the room and realized this was Jack Cullen's bedroom.

Clothed and bare foot, she went in search of Jordan and Jack. She wanted some painkillers and an explanation as to what the hell was going on.

Softly, she pulled open the door. She could hear male voices coming from down the hall, and silently she padded forward. Katie held her breath as she listened in on the conversation. From her spot in the shadows she could see the two men clearly.

"I'm not going to lie to her, Jack." Jordan was standing at the kitchen counter. Jack was standing close behind him. Katie noticed Jack was slightly taller than Jordan.

She blinked in surprise and watched in heated fascination as Jack leaned forward and kissed Jordan on the back of the neck. Jordan closed his eyes, enjoying Jack's kiss, leaning back into him. Jack rubbed Jordan's shoulders as he continued to trail kisses over his neck to the collar of his shirt.

"No one has to lie. She's a smart woman. She will figure it out on her own," said Jack.

Several emotions rolled through Katie, confusion being the strongest. The second was betrayal that Jordan hadn't told her he was involved with someone, yet she was incredibly turned on by witnessing the intimate touches and kisses between the two men.

Taking a step back, Katie paused, let out a slow breath and tried to make sense of what she had seen and heard. The coward in her was telling her to get out of there and quickly. Yet, she couldn't will her feet to move. She didn't want to run. She wanted to stay, and more than that she needed to know what was going on. Despite everything she had seen, she still wanted Jordan and Jack, for that matter. The shock of wanting two men took a long moment to wear down. Was she evil and wicked for thinking such things? She didn't know.

Summoning some inner courage, she decided she was going to stand up and face what she didn't understand. She wanted clear facts before making the decision to bolt.

Okay, one fact was that Jordan and Jack weren't gay. They had both come on to her.

Both had kissed her. More than likely they were bisexual. Jordan had come so close to fucking her. She suspected there was something more going on with Jordan than she could figure out. But Jack had been a total surprise, coming across as a man who regularly seduced women. He was Jordan's lover. She couldn't deny being strongly attracted to Jack just as much as she was to Jordan.

She swallowed, remembering the fantastic orgasm Jordan had given her in the hall by the bathroom door. Katie shook her head, but the throbbing pain wasn't making it any easier to think clearly. She drew in a deep breath, slowly letting it out, steeling herself to face the two men. She reached out to the door handle and made a production of closing the bedroom door. She wanted to warn them she was coming before she walked down the hall and into view.

Jack had a sheepish grin on his face, and Jordan was frowning. They had moved apart. Jack's gaze swept over her as if he liked seeing her in his clothes.

"Hello, kitten," purred Jack, making her pulse jump. Involuntarily she felt the heat rise to her cheeks.

"Katie, are you all right? How are you feeling?" Jordan came around to take her hand, leading her to a seat at the table.

"Like I got smacked on the back of the head with a sledge hammer. Do you have any painkillers?"

"I'll get some. Stay right here, sweetheart, and you behave," he shot Jack a pointed glare before turning to race down the hall. She wanted to laugh despite the throbbing pain at the back of her skull.

"Guess it's a small world after all, hey kitten." Jack walked around the kitchen bench.

She watched as he took a glass out of one of the cupboards and filled it with water before bringing over to her. He took the seat on the corner, his dark chocolate eyes regarding her.

"So it seems," she said, meeting his gaze.

"This doesn't excuse you from our date tomorrow night; I'm still taking you out."

Jack's tone was confident.

"Maybe." She dared to counter. "It depends upon a few answers. I think I'm due. You make it a habit of walking in on women in the shower?" His sexy, challenging smile sent a fresh flood of juices down between her thighs. Jack relaxed back and gave a casual shrug.

"It's not often I find an insanely beautiful Australian woman in my shower. I must say it was a treat--how was I to know you were going to knock yourself out."

It was her turn to give a shrug. It was a struggle to stay calm in front of Jack, amidst the pounding of her heart. His casual button down shirt and slacks didn't make him look any less dangerously sexy.

"I think I'll live. You thought I was Jordan, didn't you."

"Very astute of you." Jack's dark gaze swept over her from head to toe. Her stomach clenched at the carnal look in his eyes.

"Here you go." Jordan had returned and placed a packet of pills into her hand.

"Thanks."

Jordan sat down on the other side still looking uncertain. She took out two painkillers, swallowing them down with the water.

"Does it bother you Katie?" Jack asked, leaning forward again in his chair.

"What are you talking about?" Jordan glanced between Jack and herself.

"She knows, Jordan. You don't have to bother pretending." Jack glanced over at Jordan.

"So, is this some kind of game you two play? Divide forces and conquer women?"

Jack gave a laugh.

"No, that's not what we do; we didn't know you were seeing both of us, well, until now."

"Katie, I'm sorry, I should have told you before I brought you here. I suppose it's all a bit of a shock," Jordan cut in.

"It is a lot to take in I admit. What I don't get is why you both are making advances at me when you're together?"

"We're not gay. We like women as much as we like each other, and it seems we both like you a lot. And if I'm not mistaken the attraction is reciprocated toward both of us, even though you didn't know we were together."

She couldn't deny it nor did she want to. The thought of both Jordan and Jack wanting her made her toes curl and incredibly hot under the collar.

"Do you both do this kind of thing often?" She looked at Jordan.

"No, we have tried finding someone to accept the both of us; some only want Jack, or the other way around. What we both want is a rare and special woman who is willing and able to handle both of us at the same time. We have been looking for that special woman who will accept and love us both for who and what we are."

She winced at Jordan's use of the 'L' word. Jordan leaned over to take her hands in his. "I know you are special, Katie. You're talented, smart, beautiful, and I'd also say exceptional."

She blinked, overcome with a wave of emotion she didn't quite understand as she looked at Jordan.

She suddenly remembered her Aunt and Uncle. "Crikey, what time is it?" Jack glanced at his watch.

"Just after seven, kitten." Both men frowned as she pushed to her feet.

"My aunt is going to be frantic. I meant to be back two hours ago."

Jordan got up grabbing the cordless phone.

"Easy sweetheart, just give them a call, but please stay for a while longer. I still don't know how to cook that fish we bought," Jordan pleaded.

Her lips quirked up slightly as she took the phone. "Okay then."

She rang her aunt and apologized for not turning up then reassured them she was safe and with friends. Katie didn't elaborate any further on the gender and intentions of these friends. Her aunt was happy she was out and about. She ended the call and handed back the phone.

"How's your head?" Jack asked.

"It feels better now." And it did. The painkillers were working.

"Good." Jack stood up, grabbing her hand pulling her into the kitchen. "I believe you promised to cook for us."

"I promised to cook for Jordan. You're just an optional extra," she teased, with an impish grin. Katie glanced over at Jordan. He was watching her with Jack. If he was jealous, he didn't show it.

Katie turned her attention back to Jack, "Can you cook?"

"No, not really."

"Can you follow instructions?"

Jack gave a laugh. "Kitten, I'm a lawyer. I can follow them to the letter. Tonight I am at your command." He gave an overly dramatic bow, capturing her hand to kiss the back of it. She giggled before grinning over at Jordan who was now leaning against the table.

"And you?"

"Hey, I thought I was your boss." Jordan's boyish grin could seriously accelerate global warming. "Okay, okay I'll get the drinks. How about some music? Ladies'

choice."

"Anything but eighties music."

~ * ~

Katie felt good; there was no uneasy awkwardness between her and her two men.

She paused to think about her train of thought and where it was heading. They weren't her men. She realised they could be for the moment, at any rate.

Jordan had clearly stated they wanted a woman to share. Could she do that? Could she be that bold? She didn't know what it was like to have one man let alone two.

But she wasn't at all repulsed by the idea. Maybe her life was taking a turn for the better. Could three people in a relationship really work? Not that Katie wanted any kind of relationship.

Dinner took a little longer to get ready as both guys were acting the fool, each trying to outdo the other in making her laugh. She was still giggling through the meal.

"Oh, this is fantastic, Katie. You know now we're going to have to keep you chained in our kitchen," Jack said taking another mouthful. His expression was one of divine pleasure.

"You are not taking away my worker or we'll never get out of this place." Jordan pointed his fork at Jack. "Our dream home." Jordan gave her a wink. She felt there was more meaning behind his words.

"Jordan says your grandfather was a builder."

She nodded, her giggles fading as she looked at Jack. "How did you end up living with him? I though you said your mother was back in Australia."

She lowered her head. Taking in a deep breath, she knew they would start asking these questions sooner or later. Katie didn't want to deal with those emotions, not in front of Jordan and Jack. She didn't want to look like an emotional cripple to these guys.

"I went to live with my Grandpa when I was ten. After my family was killed in an accident." A short, simple explanation, she hoped they wouldn't press her further.

She looked up to see the questions in Jack's gaze. Quickly she moved on to more present issues rather than deal with questions of her past.

"My grandfather died two months ago. My aunt Penny invited me to come and live in the UK. My aunt and uncle are the only family I have left."

"I'm sorry for your loss, Katie," Jack said. She could feel the sincerity behind his words.

"She spent the last few years caring for him. He had Alzheimer's," Jordan explained, reaching out to gently rub her shoulder, the simple touch sending jolts of white-heat through her body.

"You haven't had much of a life if you've had to care for your grandfather."

She attempted to look casual but failed miserably. She tried to blink back the tears that threatened to fall and failed again. They escaped, sliding down her cheeks.

"Sorry," she muttered, swiping at her tears with the back of her hand.

"Don't be sorry, sweetheart." Jordan, the tender-hearted, had moved off his seat to pull her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his waist, comforted by his warmth and his delicious masculine scent. Jordan pulled back, leaning down to whisper into her ear.

"You don't have to be alone anymore, sweetheart. We are both here for you." Katie realised Jack too had left his seat and was standing close behind her. He placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned to gaze up into Jack's dark depths.

He tugged her away from Jordan and into his arms. She hid her face against his hard chest and felt him kiss the top of her head. She could hear the rapid beating of Jack's heart beneath her ear. It was a heady aphrodisiac. Jordan mixed with Jack; she was on a hormonal overload, her body on fire.

"For as long as you want us to be."

She looked up at him a little confused by his words. He raised his hand and wiped away her tears with the pads of his thumbs before tracing down over her lips.

"You have the most incredible lips I have ever seen." Jack lowered his head to cover them with his own. A soft sweeping kiss, he traced his tongue across her bottom lip.

Katie suddenly didn't want soft and tender. She wanted hungry and demanding. She slid her hand up to Jack's neck, tugging him down harder against her mouth. Jack groaned and got the message darn quick, giving her exactly what she wanted. His fingers wound up into her hair and angled her mouth, pushing his tongue in deeply to plunder her depths. A moan rose up from her throat. Jack's kiss had a stun affect on her, turning her knees to water.

Jack knew there was much more to the small details Katie had told them--there was something she was hiding behind her sweet blue eyes. She had been deeply hurt if those scars were any indication. She was also grieving the loss of a loved one. Katie brought out his protective instincts; Jack wanted to make sure she never got hurt ever again. But her hungry response to his soft kiss made him realize she was more a tigress than a kitten. All she needed was a little push in the right direction.