Pleasure Bound (16 page)

And, damn but he wanted to see her again. And he loved watching her with Ty.

Ah, who the hell was he kidding. He wanted to see this thing through.

He pressed the reply button on his cell.

*   *   *

Marie walked the two blocks from her building to the park where she’d agreed to meet Zeke for lunch. The sun shone brightly—a warm day for September—as she walked along the paved path toward the river’s edge. She spotted Zeke sitting on a bench, gazing across the water.

She sat down beside him. “Hi, stranger. Mind if I sit down?”

He glanced around and smiled. “A beautiful woman like you? I’d be a fool to say no.”

He lifted a chunky rectangular bag onto his lap and unzipped it. When he opened the flap, she saw it was insulated. He pulled out a couple of individual-size bottles of fruit juice and two sandwiches.

They ate their lunch and enjoyed the sunny day, people-watching. A woman walked by pushing a baby stroller, with a young boy following on her heels. Two people on bicycles rode along the path that ran along the other side of the river.

“So I haven’t had a chance to ask you how it went with Ty on Saturday,” Zeke said.

She took a sip of her juice.

“I … uh … was surprised you didn’t call Sunday.” She’d figured he’d want to talk about it.

“I wanted to give you space. Allow you to enjoy whatever happened after waking up together.”

She glanced at him. “What makes you think we spent the night together?”

He shrugged. “Ty’s a smart guy. Finding himself in bed with a gorgeous woman … I figure he’d want to make the most of the situation.” He stroked her cheek with his finger. “I certainly would have.”

She’d felt guilty making love with Ty after the initial scenario—and several times—but Zeke seemed to be okay with it.

“So…?”

“It was … really sexy.”

“You’re not going to tell me what he did when he found you? How he stroked your breasts? Maybe kissed along your thighs? Interesting details like that?”

She didn’t intend to talk about it, but this gave her just the lead-in she needed to talk about Ty joining in the relationship.

“Maybe tonight we could invite Ty over to … act it out,” she suggested.

“With me watching?”

She smiled. “You watching … you joining in … it’s all good.”

He tucked his arm around her waist and pulled her close to his body. “You little vamp. You’re turning into a wild woman.”

“And you love it, right?”

Fourteen

Damn, Marie had meant it as a flip remark, but it had come out sounding like she was seeking his approval.

But he just chuckled and planted a light kiss on her lips. “Damn right I do.” He took a sip of his juice. “I guess the question now is will Ty go along with it? With the rift between us, I’m surprised he went along with this morning’s adventure.”

“He actually suggested it. Sending you the e-mail and all.”

He grinned. “I figured that.”

“Before that, he asked me if having him involved in our … sexual play … would be a regular thing. I asked him about it since it’s obvious there’s some resentment between the two of you.”

She didn’t intend to tell him about the rest of their conversation, where Ty had told her about Zeke’s tragic past. The story still made her heart ache … made her want to take him in her arms and hold him tight … but she didn’t take Zeke for the kind of guy who’d want to talk about it.

“On his side, not mine,” Zeke said. “I’d like nothing better than to mend our friendship.”

She nodded. “I figured. And I think this arrangement could help do that.”

“You could be right.”

“So you’re okay with it becoming a regular thing?”

“Better than okay.” He sent her a heated gaze that sent her insides fluttering. “I can hardly wait to get started.”

Thinking about this morning’s lovemaking, how erotic having both men make love to her in the changing room had been, sent thrills through her. If only she could grab Zeke’s hand and drag him to a secluded spot right now and tear off his clothes. Memories of their first encounter at the lake … in the water … sent her body tingling for his touch.

“I … uh…” She drew in a deep breath. “There was something I wanted to ask you about. When Ty and I talked, he said he wanted to do this because … it gives him a chance to be with me.” She gazed at Zeke. “I’m a bit concerned. I don’t know if it’s just a physical attraction he has for me or … something more. Do you think it’s something I should worry about?”

He took a sip of his juice. “How do you feel about him?”

“Well, he’s a great guy but…”

“Are you attracted to him?”

“Yeah, sure,” she said.

“So would you consider being in a relationship with him?”

Marie shifted on the bench. Zeke seemed very casual asking all these questions, but Marie found the situation uncomfortable.

She took Zeke’s hand. “I’m in a relationship with you.”

“Sure, right now. I meant if I wasn’t in the picture.”

Right now?
Was he tiring of her already?

She drew in a deep breath, pushing aside her feelings of insecurity. “No.”

He raised an eyebrow. “If he’s attractive and you think he’s a great guy, why not?”

“Because I like him so much.”

He shook his head. “You’re not making much sense.”

“If I went out with him, we’d eventually break up. When that happened, our friendship would end, too.”

“Why are you so sure you’d break up?”

She sighed. “Because every time I go out with a nice guy like him, it ends. I’m tired of failed relationships and I’ve heard that people tend to fall for the same type of person over and over again, repeating a failing pattern.”

“Do I fit in that ‘nice guy’ category?”

She smiled. “You’re better than nice. You’re hot and sexy.”

“Does that mean you think our relationship might last?”

She’d expected him to laugh and maybe tease her, but his tone was serious, and when she gazed into his olive green eyes, she saw a curious vulnerability.

She wrapped her hand around his raspy jaw and kissed him. “I think we’ve got a fighting chance,” she said, thinking maybe there was a happily-ever-after in her future after all.

*   *   *

Marie knocked on Ty’s door. A few moments later, he opened it and peered out at her … without his usual welcoming smile.

“Hi.” She felt a bit nervous. But maybe that look on his face was just because he’d had a bad day. “May I come in?”

“Sure.” He opened the door and stepped aside to let her in.

She followed him to the kitchen and they sat at the table, which had always been their favorite place to sit and talk.

“I talked to Zeke today … about the three of us. He thinks it’s a good idea, too.”

Ty shoved his hands in his jeans pockets. “Yeah, about that … I’m thinking that might not be such a good idea after all.”

Her pulse started to race. “But, you liked the idea yesterday.”

She hoped what they’d done this morning hadn’t damaged their friendship.

“Yeah, I know. I did think it was a good idea, but … I’ve had time to think about it. You and Zeke need time to yourselves. You’re just starting to build a relationship.”

“Sure, but … the three of us don’t always have to be together.”

Ty’s face turned grim, as if he didn’t like that idea. “Yeah, I get that. I just think … I’d be in the way.”

“Ty, is it because…” Oh damn, how did she finish that sentence? She couldn’t ask him if he had deeper feelings for her.

“Because what? Because I want to go out with you, too?” He shrugged. “I admit it. If you and Zeke break up, I’d like a chance to date you. I like being with you.” His gaze heated. “I like
touching
you.”

At the thought of him touching her, heat pulsed through her.

“Well, then … wouldn’t this be a good thing?” Her voice came out husky. “I mean … I like
being
touched by you.”

Oh God, she felt like a siren trying to lure him to the rocks, but she couldn’t help herself. She wanted to be with him so much right now.

She stepped toward him and stroked his cheek. As he gazed into her eyes, she could feel his jaw clench. She knew she should walk away … respect his decision … but she couldn’t. She wanted him. She tipped her face up, showing him just how much.

He hesitated, then his hand came around the back of her head and he pulled her into a kiss. His lips moved on hers. Sure and firm. His tongue swept into her mouth and seared her desire. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back.

The phone rang, but he ignored it, pulling her tight against his body. Her breasts swelled and she stroked along his raspy jaw to his strong neck, then down his chest until her fingers tangled around his shirt button.

The phone continued to ring as she released the next couple of buttons, then ran her hand along his sculpted chest.

The answering machine picked up, giving Ty’s brief message … then Zeke’s voice came on the line.

“Hey, buddy. We should talk about Marie and—”

Ty released her and snatched up the phone.

“Yeah, I’m here.” He glanced at Marie. “No, I don’t think that’ll work.” His hand refastened his shirt buttons as he listened. “Marie’s right here. You can talk to her yourself.”

He handed her the phone.

“Hi, Zeke.”

“Hi. Is something wrong?” Zeke asked. “I thought you said Ty wanted to do this.”

She gripped the edge of the kitchen counter. “He seems to have changed his mind.”

“Okay, we’ll talk about this when I get there. I’ll be over in about an hour.”

*   *   *

Marie stared at the thin straps of leather connected with various black rings that Zeke held out to her.

“Don’t you think we should respect Ty’s decision?” she asked.

“No.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”

“Because we all enjoyed being together and whatever is bugging Ty is probably a result of his mixed-up notion that he shouldn’t be himself and I think we should help him past it.”

She took the leather from him and eyed it warily, wondering exactly how she would even go about putting on this … garment.

“So you’re saying we’re actually helping him?”

“That’s right. Now go put that on.” Zeke winked. “Or do I need to order you to do it?”

She shrugged. “Either way, I think I’ll need your help.”

Zeke grinned wickedly. “Well, that sounds like fun.” He followed her into the bedroom, carrying a shoe box under his arm.

*   *   *

Ty picked up the phone on the second ring. “Hello?”

“Hi, Ty. This is Marie. Could you come over for a minute?”

“Why?” He knew Zeke was over there. He’d heard them make the date.

“Um … Zeke and I just want to talk to you.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Please?”

Ah, damn. “All right. I’ll be over in a minute.”

He finished putting his dishes in the dishwasher, wondering why the hell they were pushing this. His anger with Zeke had fizzled in the face of discovering these strange feelings for him and Ty had started to wonder if the real reason he’d rejected Zeke was because of this disturbing attraction rather than because he really believed Zeke had stolen Ashley from him.

He poured the detergent in and started the machine, then walked down the hall to Marie’s apartment. He knocked on the door.

Zeke opened the door almost immediately.

“Hey, man. Come on in.”

He stepped inside, noticing Marie standing in the middle of the room, wearing a black coat. Were they on the way out?

“Look, I already talked to Marie,” Ty said to Zeke, “and—”

Marie flung open her coat and dropped it to the floor. Ty’s jaw nearly dropped to the ground after it.

Ty stared at Marie as she stood there in a black leather harness held together with black O-rings, straps crisscrossing her body, but covering nothing. His cock swelled at the sight of her perfect round breasts surrounded by the black leather straps, the dusky nipples tightened to hard nubs. A patch of leather covered her pussy, but it looked like it could peel away easily.

She wore six-inch black spike heels that made her legs look sensational. She turned around in a slow circle, and he saw that the patch of leather covering her pussy narrowed to a strap gliding between her cheeks to attach to another strap at her waist.

“Marie told me you were reluctant to join us again, but we thought this might convince you otherwise,” Zeke said.

Ty could barely stop from drooling.

“We have a little game we thought you might like. Basically, we’ll take turns ordering our reluctant slave to perform whatever actions we like. Are you up for it?” Zeke asked.