Build a Love (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) (7 page)

“Will you?”

I sniffed. My tears were easing off. I nodded. Bryan gave me the biggest, sexiest, most wonderful smile. He knelt and kissed me on the forehead.

“Thank you, Harry.”

We sat there for about ten minutes. No one spoke but it was comfortable. Then Bryan stood and grabbed another chair, pulling it over to sit closer.

“So dinner tonight?”

This was it. I could say no and that would be the end or I could take the risk. I chose the risk and nodded. “What if we meet you at the restaurant? That way if you feel uncomfortable with us you can leave any time.”

“You’d do that? You’d meet me there?”

“Of course. Marco and I don’t want to force you into anything. This is all about you, sweetie.”

“How about you meet us outside the restaurant? Honestly, Harry, we’ll take it slow.”

“Okay. I can do that.”

“I’ll get us a table at Guido’s for seven. Do you like Italian?”

For some reason I looked a Marco, he winked.

“Yes, yes I do.”

“Hey Bryan, Marcie wants you. Says you’re not answering your phone. Ignoring her again.”

It was George. Bryan patted his pockets and groan.

“Damn, left my phone on the car charger. Marcie’s our office master. She cracks the whip and we jump. Hand over your phone, hon.”

Marco pulled his phone out of his top pocket and gave it to Bryan who stood and walked down the yard.

“Are you okay, babe?”

“Yes. Yes, I am. I feel better now that I’ve told you my dark secret.”

He grinned at me. “Well you know our secret so only fair we know yours.”

Bryan came back and handed the phone over.

“We have to go. Slight crisis at another site. You okay, sweetie?”

I nodded to him. Marco stood. He leant over and kissed me gently. My pulse raced. Then Bryan did the same. My pulse rate tripled.

“We’ll be waiting for you tonight about seven. Okay?”

“Okay.”

They walked off but as they turned the corner, both blew me a kiss. I sat and hugged myself. I felt so good. Jumping to my feet, I raced inside to ring Vince and tell him what had happened.

“Guess what? I’m going out to dinner!”

“Hello, Harry. Dinner?”

“Yep. I told them what happened. They want to still see me and we’re going to dinner tonight.”

“That’s great news, Harry! The best. I’m so glad you’re being brave.”

“I’m meeting them at the restaurant. Their suggestion, so if I feel stressed I can leave if I want to. I feel good.”

“Harry, you sound the best I’ve heard you for ages. You need this. You need to take a chance at being happy.”

“I’m scared.”

“That’s okay, just take things as they come and have fun.”

“I’ll try. Bye. Say hi to Andy for me and give him a kiss.”

“Easy done. Bye, Harry.”

I think I changed my clothes a dozen times. In the end I had to leave so whatever I had on would have to do. I was scared stiff but I was determined to do this and to enjoy myself.

I drove to the restaurant, then drove around a few times trying to find somewhere to park. In the end, I was lucky. Someone was pulling out of a nearby car park and I was able to slide in. It was only a street away from Guido’s.

I got out, locked the car, and headed off. I was so nervous. With every step, I was shaking more and more. I was so tempted to turn and run but I was also determined to do this. It was time to take my life back. I straightened my back and walked on.

As I approached the entrance, the men were waiting. I felt my heart leap. They both looked delicious. When they saw me, they both burst into smiles. I reached them. Bryan gave me a kiss and then Marco did.

“Hi, babe,” he whispered.

“Hi yourself.”

Bryan smiled down at me. “You look beautiful, sweetheart. Absolutely gorgeous.”

“Thank you.”

They moved either side of me and we walked inside. The waiter led us to a table. I sat down. Marco sat alongside and Bryan opposite. The waiter handed us menus. I was shaking so badly I dropped mine onto the table. Bryan reached over and put his hands on mine.

“Whatever you want. You’re in charge.”

I took a breath and picked up the menu. It was a complete blur to me and I gave a groan. In my panic, I remembered I’d left my glasses at home. Marco looked up from his menu.

“What’s up, babe?”

“I forgot my glasses.”

He just laughed, picked up my hand, and kissed it. I felt easier.

“Borrow Bryan’s, he’s as blind as a bat without his.”

Bryan just looked at Marco and rolled his eyes, but he did take his glasses off and hand them to me. I was amazed to find I could actually read with them. I quickly scanned the menu and decided what I wanted, then handed them back.

“What are you having?”

“I’m going with the cauliflower risotto.”

“Do you like prosciutto, babe?”

“Yes I do. Why?”

“Let’s get
some
Prosciutto
 
e melone
to start with. I love that.”

“Heavens, Marco, you love anything Italian.”

“Blame mama.”

“Is your mother Italian, Marco?”

“Yeah. She’s a typical Italian mama. Wait till you meet her. Drives us crazy but we love her.”

“What about your dad, is he Italian, too?”

“Yes. He was born out here. Mum came here with her family when she was in her early teens. Dad’s parents migrated here before he was born. Anyway, they met, fell in love, and married.”

“What about your parents, sweetheart? Do they live nearby?”

I shook my head.

“No, they passed a while back. I still miss them.”

Both men took a hand. I felt a little silly but I also felt comforted. The waiter came and took our orders. Both men were having pasta. Carbonara for Bryan and tortellini for Marco. They ordered the prosciutto and melon for us all along with some fresh bread. Neither men had alcohol, we all had a cider instead. I was beginning to relax a little.

“What about your parents, Bryan?”

“They live on the west coast. Haven’t seen them for years.”

I must have looked surprised because he went on.

“They don’t approve of my lifestyle.”

“What, that you’re a builder?”

“No, that I sleep with men.”

“Oh, sorry, wasn’t thinking.” I cocked my head and looked at him. “But surely after a while they’d get used to it?”

He shrugged. “Beats me. I left when I was twenty. Haven’t seen them since I was twenty-eight. They know where I live, if they want, they can contact me.”

It was mine turn to feel sorry. I squeezed his hand.

“Did you get your problem sorted out on the other job site?”

“Yeah, some contractors are hopeless at reading plans.”

“How long have you both been working for B.A.C.?”

It was the men’s turn to blush. Marco laughed and looked over at Bryan.

“Actually, we own it.”

“You own it?”

Bryan answered. “Yeah. I started the business when I got my trade certificate. Started getting work, building it up, and looked around for some staff. I put an ad in the local paper.”

“And I answered. The rest, as they say, is history.”

“I hired Marco. I was attracted to him from day one but didn’t want to wreck things because he was, and is, a damn good builder. We skirted around our attraction for a few years.”

“Only because Bryan was too shy to see. I wanted him at once. Took the fool two years before he realised it. By then the business was booming and I had bought into it as his partner. We renamed it after ourselves—Bryan and Campione.”

“Why not Bryan and Marco?”

“B.A.M.?” Marco rolled his eyes.

“Mm…see what you mean.”

“Anyway, we’ve been together ever since.” He looked over at Bryan, his face filled with love.

“So how long have you been together?”

Bryan answered with a grin. “Just over fifteen years. Mind you, he drives me crazy.”

“Ah, Bryan, you love me.”

Bryan lifted his eyebrow and grinned. He looked at me and whispered.

“I do, but don’t tell him that.”

We all laughed and at last, I felt completely relaxed. We talked about nothing exciting but it was good. We discussed books and movies. Discovered we shared some likes and some hates. They both loved that I was a sci-fi nut, we spend at least half an hour arguing about
Star Wars
. It was wonderful.

We finished our main meal and Bryan decided he wanted dessert. Marco said he would, too, and they both looked at me. Now I love dessert, in fact, I could forgo the rest of the meal and just skip to the end, but I was trying to be ladylike.

“Of course she will. What would you like, babe?”

“I don’t know.”

“Do you like caramel? They have a salted caramel Semifreddo here that’s out of this world.”

“Okay.”

“Perfect. I’d hate to think you were one of those women who won’t enjoy a meal in case they put on weight.”

I grinned and looked down at myself.

“Er…with this padding? I don’t think so.”

“Padding? My god if that’s padding, it’s magnificent. I love your body and you should hear what Bryan was saying about it.”

I was feeling a little bolder so I looked at Bryan.

“And just what was Mr. Garrett saying about it?”

“I merely said that it was the kind of body that drove men crazy. I want to kiss every single part of it.”

“Oh.”

They just laughed at my discomfort.

The
Salted Caramel Semifreddo with Salted Praline arrived shortly after. Marco was right, it was out of this world. I savoured every mouthful. I must have looked like I was in love. Bryan leant over the table with a spoonful of his and held it to my mouth. I licked it off. He gave me another and I did the same again.

Marco nudged me and held his spoon out. I opened my mouth a little and closed it over the spoon. He withdrew it slowly. I felt my pulse race. They took turns in feeding me the remainder. I was worried I was going to orgasm in the restaurant. Mind you, they looked like they might, too.

Sadly, the Semifreddo was soon finished. Regretfully they put down their spoons. I was breathing rapidly. I’m sure if we had been alone, I would have been thrown on the table and taken by them both.

The waiter broke the spell by bringing over coffee and chocolate mints for us all. I felt disappointed the magic was broken.

We drank our coffee. Bryan asked about Andy and Vince. I told them how much they meant to me. How they had been together for years and they were my best friends.

Finally, our meal was over and we stood. Marco paid the bill while Bryan and I walked outside.

“Where’s your car sweetheart?”

“Down the street, about a block in that car park.”

“Okay, we’ll walk you to it.”

Once more, they walked on either side. I was feeling very brave so I tucked my hand into an arm of each man. Both immediately covered it with their hand. We strolled to my car and I found myself disappointed that the evening was over. They stood as I unlocked and opened the door. Then Marco leaned in and kissed me. This time it wasn’t a little peck on the lips, this was a proper kiss. I was glad I could lean against him. When we parted, he handed me over to Bryan, who did the same things. My legs were in danger of turning to jelly as Bryan held my arm and helped me into the car. He leaned in through the open door and kissed me. When he stepped back, it was Marco’s turn. He even pulled my seat belt out for me before closing the door. I unwound the window and looked at them both.

“Thank you. I really had a wonderful time.”

“We’re glad. Want to do it again tomorrow night?”

I shocked myself by saying. “Oh. Yes, yes I would.”

“Okay. Anywhere in particular?”

I shook my head.

“Okay, Marco can pick and we’ll ring you to let you know where and when.”

“All right. Thanks.”

Marco made a silly bow and blew me a kiss. I started the engine and Bryan reached out and touched my arm before I drove out.

I felt like singing all the way home. I was so happy. I had done it and I had thoroughly enjoyed myself. I hadn’t freaked out. And I had another date!

With two men! I felt a little naughty and I loved it!

* * * *

“That went great!”

“I know. Marco, I really like her. I mean
really
like her.”

“So do I, babe, so do I. I hope we can convince her to take things further.”

“Well at least she’s agreed to another date. My god I thought I was going to come in the restaurant when she was eating our dessert.”

“Oh god, don’t remind me. I wanted to push her on the table and fuck her crazy.”

“Come on, hon, let’s go home and then you can fuck me like crazy.”

I ruffled Bryan’s hair, he was driving tonight. I truly loved the man, he was everything to me and what made it even better was he agreed with me about Harry. I just hoped we could convince her. When we had seen her at the office, we both felt that instant “pow!”

That connection!

Then Bryan had the great idea of sending Sidney on another job. That way he and I could oversee Harry’s. My god, she was even more gorgeous up close. I was so worried when we freaked her out but thank goodness those friends of hers came through.

Nice guys.

Hope they like us. Pretty important really, they’ve been her support all this time.

“How the fuck could anyone live through what Harry did and come out sane?” Bryan must have been thinking the same things as me.

“Beats me, babe. I doubt I could. No wonder she’s wary but we have to convince her that we would never do anything to hurt her.”

“Want to eat Thai tomorrow night?”

“All right. Let’s swing pass Thai Phoon’s and book. Only take a few minutes,”