Kiss Is a Four-Letter Word (10 page)

Eli stepped closer and slowly let his full weight press her to the wall. He was warm. Hard. He smelled like vanilla, probably from the custard they'd eaten for dessert. She tilted her head, inviting him in. He didn't attack her. Instead, he gently set his lips on hers, kissing her softly. He moved back before she even had the chance to touch him.

"Eli, you're a tease," she said.

Simon laughed and she startled, not realizing he was so close. "Yeah, he is." Simon moved in then and kissed her too, his full lips caressing hers hotly. Sherry whimpered as desire rocketed through her and then Eli was there, kissing her cheek. When Simon lifted his face away, Eli captured his friend's lips right in front of her. Sherry gasped as need pooled in her body. She felt desperate. She clenched her fists and held them against her abdomen where the ache was worst. If she didn't get somewhere private soon, both men would know how aroused she was just from the scent of her body. Her tiny scrap of a thong didn't do much.

Eli kissed Simon until both men were panting. Sherry had to clutch the wall to stand up. Seeing the two of them together was incendiary. She could hardly believe they wanted her too, but they didn't forget her. Simon raked her body with a hot gaze and then he touched his fingers to her temples.

"So pretty. You're flushed, Sherry."

She nodded, unable to speak. Her heart pounded. When the elevator dinged, she pushed off from the wall. Just down the hall a small knot of people stared at the three of them. One of the women held a phone. Crap. They'd probably seen everything.

"Eli," Sherry nudged his arm and nodded towards her.

Eli looked over, conflicting emotions playing across his face. "Damn."

"Eli? Is that you?" the woman called, walking down the hall. Eli ignored her, turning away.

"Ignore them," Simon said. He slung an arm around Eli's shoulders and used his body to shield them as they walked into the elevator.

"Eli?" the woman called again, closer now. "That's Eli and Simon. I could have sworn I saw them kissing," she said to her friend.

"What?" another woman asked. "Eli and Simon? I thought they were here with some girl?"

"They were—" The woman's voice cut off as the elevator doors closed.

Sherry frowned, worried. Eli spoke before she could say anything. "If this makes it into the papers, it's going to be a huge mess."

"It shouldn't be," Sherry said, staring morosely at the closed doors. "You have a right to your privacy."

Eli snorted as he pulled out a card and fitted it into the brass key slot. He punched in the number fifty-four on the display. "It doesn't work that way. I wish the world didn't care, but unfortunately, everything Simon and I do is a hot topic for the gossip rags."

Simon sighed tiredly as the car rose. "You know what? There's nothing we can do about it. And I'm too damn horny to care right now." He pushed Eli against the elevator wall, reached out for Sherry, and deposited her neatly against his friend's body. Sherry sucked in a breath as Eli's cock pushed against her ass. He was so hard she could feel the entire length of him through his tux and her dress.

"Sherry, God, you look delicious," Simon muttered. He slid his hands up the sides of her body. "Do you know I can see your nipples?" He palmed her breasts and she shuddered.

"Yeah," she gasped. "I can't wear a bra with this dress."

"You don't need one." Eli kissed under her ear. Even as he licked her skin Sherry wondered when everything had become so intense. She remembered Eli's grin when they kissed at the charity booth. She remembered Simon teasing her at the bike trail. But tonight— She shook her head as he dragged his lips up her jaw. She shivered. Tonight was the night she'd get to see them completely exposed. Feel their skin against hers. A brief thought about Eli and Simon's age relative to hers flashed across her mind. They obviously didn't care that she was much younger than they were, so why should she? Eli rubbed his nose into her hair. Simon was watching, his blue eyes soft and dark.

"Everything okay?" he asked her.

She nodded.

Simon smiled. Sherry's heart flipped. He was devastating. "I'm going to kiss you now." She trembled as he thumbed over her nipples. Eli caught her around the waist, holding her up as Simon moved in. Her head fell back as Simon kissed her. And kissed her. She nearly lost her mind with the pleasure of it. When the elevator doors dinged Simon pulled back but Sherry didn't move. If she tried to walk she would fall down. A moment later Eli growled and Sherry felt herself being lifted. She closed her eyes and kissed her last misgivings goodbye as she let him carry her out of the elevator.

Chapter Six

Simon followed Eli into the larger bedroom of their suite. He barely spared a glance at the skyline glittering beyond the floor to ceiling windows. Sherry was much more mesmerizing than glimpses of buildings he'd seen almost every day for years. He watched at Eli set her down on the creamy bedspread. God, she looked lovely. He loosened his tie. He felt hot. Agitated. His dick had been hard since the kiss in the hallway downstairs. Near the bed, Eli was taking off his jacket. When he tossed it on a chair, Simon could finally see just how aroused his friend was. He should look ridiculous, his cock jutting out like that but instead, Simon's mouth went dry with lust.

"This place is beautiful," Sherry said. Simon smiled at her. She looked around, her eyes falling on the windows, the lamps, and finally on the art above the bed. The skirt of her red dress opened to the top of her thigh. Simon loved the way her high-heeled sandal glittered against the soft skin of her ankle. He went to his knees and clasped her foot.

"Can I take these off for you?"

Sherry nodded, smiling down at him. Simon set her foot against his chest and unbuckled the strap of her shoe. When it came off, he kissed the top of her foot. She'd painted her toenails silver. She smelled faintly of honeysuckle.

"Jesus, Simon," Eli growled, stalking over. He ran his hands through Simon's hair. Simon grinned and leaned into Eli's hand, then set Sherry's foot down. He picked up the other and fiddled with the strap. This one stuck slightly and Simon fumbled with it as Eli slid a hand down his back.

"Eli, stop it. I can't concentrate when you do that," Simon said, finally getting the buckle undone. The sandal fell to the carpet, the glittery scrap of leather and rhinestones looking bereft for a moment. Sherry poked him with her toes and he winked at her, kissing that foot too before setting it back on the bed. He looked up the long line of her thigh and settled his eyes on the juncture of her thighs. Was that a thong? His breath caught.

"See something you like, Simon?" Sherry asked, her voice teasing.

He nodded, absently pressing the heel of his hand against his cock. It didn't help. His dick was so hard he felt lightheaded. He cleared his throat and forced his eyes to Sherry's face. "Yeah, everything about you is something I like."

Eli laughed and hauled Simon to his feet. "You're way overdressed, my friend." He unbuttoned Simon's shirt then shoved his tuxedo jacket off. It hit the floor in a crumpled heap. Simon didn't give a shit. Eli was intent on getting to skin and Simon was intent on letting him. He licked his lips impatiently, knowing Sherry was watching. When Eli fumbled to a stop at his cufflinks, Simon gently took his friend's hands and pressed a kiss to his knuckles. "Let me."

Eli watched as Simon removed the cufflinks and tossed them on the bed. Sherry picked them up and slid one down her dress. The other she held in her hand, rolling it around her fingers.
Holy shit.
The look on her face had Simon sweating.

"Jesus, Sherry. Do you have any idea how sexy you are?" Eli croaked.

Simon grinned. Like usual, he and Eli were on the same page. Eyes gone nearly feral, Eli turned to him and attacked his shirt buttons again. "Eli, relax." Simon laid a calming hand on Eli's arm. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Like hell you aren't," Eli muttered, not slowing down one bit. Simon's breathing caught when Eli shoved his shirt down over his shoulders, the fabric tangling with his suspenders. Eli didn't care. He wrestled the sleeves off then went for Simon's pants.

Simon backed away. "Whoa. No way you're getting near my zipper until you calm the hell down." He laughed, knowing Eli would ignore him.
Yup, there he goes
, Simon thought when Eli pushed him backwards toward the bed. Simon had seen Eli like this before. He'd experienced the single-minded determination Eli got when confronted with something he desperately wanted.
Hell, that's how I ended up living with him.

"I swear to God, Simon, if you don't stop laughing, I'll punch you," Eli said through clenched teeth. Simon let himself fall backwards onto the bed. Eli attacked his zipper, slowing only marginally when the metal teeth slid down over his cock.

Simon flinched. "Jesus, Eli, try not to injure me permanently."

Sherry giggled and rolled closer. Her breasts pressed against Simon's bare chest, the nipples hard little points. "Simon, you have no idea, do you?"

He looked at her helplessly. "What?"

"No, he doesn't," Eli said, wrenching Simon's pants off along with his shoes. The socks came next. Simon lay on the bed in his underwear, bemused.

"What are you two talking about?"

Sherry sat up and took the sparkly barrette out of her hair. She shook the curls down over him. He shivered as the silky strands teased his skin. "You are gorgeous," she said, leaning over and kissing his right pec. She kissed the other side then moved lower, kissing his stomach. His cock twitched, wishing she would hurry.

Down boy
, Simon thought. His dick ignored him. Pre-come leaked defiantly from the tip.

"Oh, what's this?" Sherry asked, tracing a finger over the dragon tattoo on his hip, still half-covered by his boxer-briefs. Simon looked up at Eli who shrugged and went back to wrestling with his own clothing.

"It looks just like Eli's tattoo, only tiny," Sherry said. Her fingers traced fire over Simon's skin. He thumped his head back on the bed, fighting for control. What the hell? How did he end up so close to orgasm in such a short time?

"It's exactly like my tattoo," Eli said, finally tossing his shirt away.

Simon stared at Eli. Eli stared back, a smirk on his face. Simon rolled his eyes even as he admired the dragon that decorated his friend's skin for the thousandth time. The dragon's green face had glowing blue eyes and red tipped scales. The creature smiled down at him from Eli's muscled bicep. Her body twined up around Eli's arm and over his shoulder, then down his left pectoral muscle. Her tail curled up over the top of his abdomen then teasingly pointed down to Eli's cock.

Simon was finally able to admit to himself that part of the reason he loved Eli's dragon was because he loved Eli. Because he thought Eli was beautiful, desirable, sexy, and not in a just-friends kind of way. He sucked in a breath and decided to explain honestly for the first time.

"I wanted to carry a piece of Eli around with me," he said, voice low but determined. "Every time Eli had more work done on her, I wanted some too. So one day, when Eli's dragon was finally done, I took a picture of him. Then I had my own done. An exact copy, as much as possible."

Eli stared. "I thought it was a joke."

Simon flushed, looked away then forced himself to man up. He rolled over slightly, cuddling against Sherry for courage. "That's what I told you so you wouldn't freak out on me."

Eli sat down on the bed and put a hand over Simon's thigh. Simon's cock hardened even more. Eli was almost brushing up against him.

"I—" Eli broke off and ran a hand over his short hair. "Simon, you idiot." He smacked Simon on the hip. "I wouldn't have been angry—" Eli broke off and stared at him.

Simon swallowed, his mouth dry, throat full, fighting not to climax. That slap had put him right on the edge. "Do that again," he croaked.

Eli's eyes flashed. "Simon—"

"Do it again."

Eli smacked him, harder this time. Simon couldn't keep himself from jerking.

"Fuck, Simon. Fuck." Eli sounded broken but Simon knew better.

"He likes it," Sherry said quietly. She was breathing heavily, her dress rucked up a little. "Simon likes it."

Simon glanced over. Her lips were wet and pouty. Her skin was flushed a gorgeous pink. "You liked watching Eli do that."

She nodded. "Do it again, Eli."

"Fuck," Eli gasped. He smacked Simon again, this time closer to his cock, higher on his thigh.

Simon gasped and rolled over onto his back, legs splayed. He clenched his fists, willing himself not to come. Not yet.

"Simon, shit. You make me crazy." Eli stood up and Simon's eyes flew open. Was he angry? Leaving? He almost had a seizure worrying that Eli couldn't handle it then he realized Eli was tearing his clothes off, desperate to get down to skin. He lifted a hand, determined to help, but Eli shook his head. "Oh no, don't you fucking move, Simon," Eli gritted out. He shoved down his pants and underwear, then his socks. Simon watched, biting his lip. He'd had no idea. No idea at all that he'd like this. No idea he’d want it so damn much.

****

Sherry's whole body flushed when Eli smacked Simon on the thigh. The dark-haired man's spine arched, cock straining against his boxer briefs. She could've sworn she saw him get harder. Was that even possible? This entire experience was completely new to her. When Simon told Eli to do it again heat shot through her. She was so wet she could feel the moisture from her arousal slipping down her ass onto the bed. Eli slapped Simon a second time. The tattoo of the dragon on his hip looked alive as he writhed next to her.