Finally (Mature Men, #3) (7 page)

Holy hell! Trapped between the two of them my pleasure sensors were on overload. Nothing else mattered except the exquisite delight I experienced each time one of their wonderful cocks channeled deep into my body. My heart raced, my pussy pulsed, and I exploded into countless tiny pieces as they continued fucking me with delicious symmetry before filling my pussy and ass with their seed.

As I lay sandwiched between them with their cocks still firmly in possession of my body, eager to start a new fuck-a-thon, my phone alarm shattered the sexy dream and rudely dragged me from the sweet dream the next morning.

Once fully awake, I lay feeling restless. I'd always been a one-woman man and had never fantasized about having two men inside me at the same time. For the few weeks Darkwater and I had been lovers, I'd never spent a second wanting another man. So why was I suddenly dreaming of a raunchy ménage à trois? Call me delusional, but I felt almost as if I'd cheated on Darkwater by dreaming of having them both fuck me.

To make matters worse, I was so damned tired, I longed to call out for the day and lie in bed until I fell back to sleep. However, I didn't dare. Not only did I have to talk to Janine, but with layoffs looming at work, calling out and leaving my unit shorthanded was a sure way to ensure I earned a spot on the potential layoff list if I wasn't already on it.

As I walked back into my bedroom after a quick shower with a towel wrapped around my body, my cell phone rang. Recognizing Janine's ring tone, I sighed and reluctantly pushed the speakerphone button. "Hello?"

"Oh my god, Sher! You'll never guess what happened. Oh, of course you will since it's your doing. Thank you! Thank you!"

I frowned. Janine's obvious good mood was going to make it difficult to tell her that Shane had no interest in dating her. "For what?"

"He called me, Sher. He just called me and we're going out tonight."

"Who called you? Who are you going out with tonight?"

"Shane! Who else? Oh, Sher! I'm so sorry."

"For what?" I asked, trying to reconcile Shane's insistence the night before that he had no interest in Janine with her present excitement.

"I had to admit that I didn't fully trust you. When you told me you were going out with him, I'm ashamed to say that I thought you were going to stab me in the back and take him for yourself, but I should have known better."

I sank onto the side of the bed and closed my eyes. Thank God she had no idea how right she'd been to doubt my loyalty when it came to Shane.

"I'm so excited I’m almost hyperventilating. I have to go. I'll see you at work," she said and hung up.

I shook my head, wishing I'd asked Shane for his number so I could call him and—

Call him and what? Jealously demand to know why he was going out with Janine instead of you? Ask him if he planned to sleep with her when he took her home? Ask him to make your dream a reality sans Darkwater?

After I dressed, I poured myself a cup of coffee and called Am. "I know it's early and you have things to do, but I need a quick word with you," I said when she answered.

"I have the day off so I'm all ears. What's wrong?"

I took a deep breath and told her about my evening with Shane—including how close we came to having sex.

"Oh, no, Sher!" She said. "No. Shane's a great guy, but..."

"But not worth betraying a friend over?" I asked, feeling even guiltier.

"They weren't dating and hadn't even met. I don't think you actually betrayed her, but that's not what I was going to say. Shane's a great guy, but then so is Darkwater."

"Darkwater?"

"Yes. You remember him. He's my big brother and the guy you kicked to the curb too quickly."

"What?"

"You didn't really give him a fair chance, Sher."

"I didn’t what? Excuse me, but what have you been drinking, Am?"

"Look, Shane is a great guy and if Janine hadn't seen him first, you couldn't do much better than him—unless you gave Darkwater another chance."

"I have news for you, Am. He doesn't want another chance, but even if he did, I have no intentions of—"

"What did he do that was so bad, Sher? I mean really? Yes, he called you a name, but that was only because he was hurt by the way you treated him."

"He was hurt by the way I treated
him
? Are you on drugs, Am?"

"I don't mean to sound confrontational, Sher, but let's not forget that you're the one who kicked his ass to the curb without any warning."

"And you know why I did!"

"Actually, Sher, I don't because you've never really wanted to talk about it and I haven't pushed it because I know it's a painful subject."

"I know he's your brother and I know your loyalties are stretched, but...but I expected more support from you, Amber."

She sighed. "I'll always be supportive of you, Sher, just as you've been of me."

"But?" I challenged.

"But I just don't understand why you're so determined to vilify him."

I sucked in an angry breath. "I don't have time to tell you what you should already know," I said and ended the conversation. I sucked in a breath, feeling hurt and angry. And a little scared. I'd just hung up on my best friend and when Janine learned how close I'd come to betraying her trust, she'd be pissed with me as well. I'd be manless and worse, friendless.
And all over two men, neither of whom would want or need you as Don did. Nice going, Sherlyn.

To make things worse, I had to go to work where I'd probably encounter both Janine and Shane in the lobby. It was difficult to see how the day could deteriorate any further.

Steeling myself to face a long, frustrating day, I left for work.

As I had known, as soon as I entered the lobby, I found Janine waiting. She looked so happy and radiant my guilt doubled. Then, as we stood waiting for the elevator, she looked over her shoulder and suddenly grabbed my hand.

And I just knew Shane was behind us. I turned to find him just a foot or so away.

"Ladies." He met my gaze briefly before smiling at Janine and extending his hand. "Shane Reddorn and you must be Janine."

Janine nodded and frowned. "Reddorn...you're John's brother?"

"One of them. I'm looking forward to our dinner tonight," he said.

Her smile widened. "So am I."

The elevator opened behind us and to my surprise, Janine hurried inside, followed by several other people. I turned to join her.

Shane reached out and caught my hand. When I turned back to look at him the doors closed on Janine's frowning face. Great. Now I'd have to explain why he wanted to talk to me without her.

"How are you?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Confused. You're taking her out?"

"That's what you wanted me to do, isn't it?"

"Yes, but..."

"But what, Sherlyn? Afraid I might decide I like her after all?"

His words made me feel even worse than I already did because they hit too close to the truth; especially coming after that dream coming so close of nearly betraying Janine. The thought of his transferring his interest to Janine left me feeling petty and jealous.

"Why are you taking her out?"

"Because you asked me to and I decided I wanted to please you."

"So you haven't changed your mind about her?"

"No."

Damn. "Then why are you taking her out?"

"I told you: to please you."

"If that's the only reason you're taking her out—"

"It is."

"Then what are you going to say to her?"

"That's between us."

"She's very easily hurt."

"I promise you I have zero intentions or interest in hurting her."

"I'm going to hold you to that promise." I glanced at my watch. "I have to go," I said.

He caught my hand again. "Have lunch with me."

"You want to have lunch with me and dinner with her?"

"No. I'd rather share both meals with you, but I asked her out to please you."

I tugged at my hand until he released it. "I have to go or I'll be late for work."

He inclined his head. "Okay. Have a good day, Sherlyn."

"You too," I said and gratefully stepped onto the elevator as it opened behind me. I briefly closed my eyes.
Oh, Lord, give me strength to face this day and all the difficult ones to come.

* * *

D
arkwater

I was still at home, seated on my bedroom balcony with my laptop on the table in front of me assuring myself I'd get to work any minute when Am called.

"If you're going to make a move with Sher, Darkwater, now's the time," she said.

I sighed, sat back against my chair and closed my eyes. "I don't recall saying I was going to make an attempt to see her again, Am."

"What? Are you...let me be brutally frank with you, Darkwater. If you don't do something soon, you'll lose her to Shane."

"You told me they weren't dating when we talked earlier."

"When I talked to you, I didn't know how last night went. Now I do."

I didn't like the sound of that. I opened my eyes and sat up. "And how did it go?"

"I can't break her confidence, but he's very interested in her, Darkwater."

"Is she interested in him?"

"Judging by how interesting she said things got when he took her home, yes."

Fuck! "Did she sleep with him?"

"All I'm going to say is that unless you're totally disinterested, it wouldn't be a good idea to allow those two to be alone again."

"And if I'm totally disinterested?"

"You wouldn't have called me at the crack of dawn."

"Amber—"

"I know this isn't easy for you. I know you find displays of affection hard. I know you find it difficult to say how you feel, but she's worth a little effort and worth risking your heart for again. I also know that you can have your pick of women, but I don't think any of them will ever love you as deeply as she does."

"You mean did."

"Do I?"

"Are you implying she's still in love with me?"

"I'm saying that Shane is a handsome, charming man who has the potential to win her heart just as Don did. Now why the hell would you just stand by and let that happen again?"

"Has she slept with him?"

"You should ask her that because I'm not prepared to break her confidence any more than I already have."

"So she has slept with him."

"I didn't say that. Will you do something for me, Thomas?"

"If I can you know I will."

"Don't let him take her from you. He's a great guy and if you allow them to really get to know each other, you'll lose her for good. He's starting to get lonely and wanting something different than his ex-wives. If you don't make a move, I'm afraid they'll fall for each other and you'll lose any chance to win her back."

"You've been talking to Michael."

"Yes, I have. We're all worried about you."

"There's no need."

"There's every need. Please, Thomas. Try again with her before it's too late."

I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. "I know everyone thinks I have no feelings, but I do and she..."

"She hurt you?"

I nodded. "I'm not eager to have her take another whack at my feelings."

"I can understand that, Thomas, but—"

"Thanks for calling, Am. I appreciate your concern. I'll talk to you later. Slap the hell out of Reddorn for me, will you?"

"Which one? John or Shane?"

"Both of their worthless asses."

"That's the spirit, Darkwater. Speaking of asses, get yours in gear. Love you."

"I love you too, Am," I said and hung up. And then sat taking slow, deep breaths trying to decide if I wanted to risk my heart again with Sherlyn or if I were okay with her ending up with Shane Reddorn. And seeing them together every time Amber gave some family related function.

* * *

S
herlyn

I spent an unproductive and unsettling day at work. I passed the morning waiting for Am or Janine to call me. Neither did and I felt too guilty to call them. After lunch at my workstation, I attended a meeting in the conference room where the H R manager informed us that layoffs were imminent and the company would be sending out the notices within the next week. Once given, layoffs would be effective immediately.

Great. Just before Darkwater and I started seeing each other, in an effort to lift my spirits, I'd bought a new SUV and moved into a larger, more expensive apartment in my complex. As I sat at my workstation, certain I'd shortly be getting a layoff notice, my phone buzzed.

After picking it up, I stared at the screen, blinked, and then stared again. T. Darkwater.
Call me.

I admit that my first response was one of complete and utter joy and excitement. Finally he wanted me back. Then reality set in and I realized Michael had probably told him he'd seen me with Shane and...and what? Why would he care if I were dating Shane? Unless he objected to my wearing the choker he'd bought for another man. Too damn bad. He'd given it to me and it was mine to do with as I liked.

I'd call him seconds before hell froze over—maybe.

When I hadn't heard from Janine by three that afternoon, I called her.

"I'm too nervous to talk," she said. "I'll call you tomorrow morning before work to let you know how our date went, but I know it's going to go well. Don't you think?"

Oh, God! Should I tell her how Shane really felt or should I let her find out the hard way? I moistened my lips. "Janine—"

"I'll call you tomorrow morning," she said again.

"Janine, wait. I need to tell you—"

"I have to get back to work. I'll talk to you tomorrow morning, Sher."

Disheartened by how badly I felt, I bit the bullet and called Amber. "I'm sorry," I said as soon as she answered.

"For what?" She sounded distracted.

"For hanging up on you this morning."

"What? Oh. That. Forget it. I already have."

"Thanks. I can't talk long, but I wandered if you knew what was going on."

"With Janine? Yes. She just called me to tell me she's having dinner with Shane tonight."

"I know and I'm afraid how he's going to...what's going to happen when he tells her how he feels."