Gordon, Solara - Jet Lag Blues (Siren Publishing PolyAmour) (3 page)

“How about a picnic theme for dinner?” Val’s gaze and shrug worried him. This wasn’t her. What had her upset?

“Talk to me while I hang Mason’s things up. He’s almost done with his shower.” Darryl entered the closet and placed Mason’s uniform pants and shirt on one hanger. His sweater went on another. “What’s wrong?”

“How much preparation are you expecting? I want a shower before I’m too tired to care or eat.”

“What about finger foods and sandwiches? I can warm up the sandwiches while you shower. I already put the wine to chill, though scooping up some snow with the ice bucket might help.”

Val smiled and shook her head. “Ever practical. How is Mason helping?”

“Oh, leave that to me.” Darryl grinned and entered the bathroom, his blue shorts sticking out of his pants pocket.

Mason wrapped the towel tighter around his waist. He hated wearing boxers and shorts together. But the thought of asking Darryl or Val to hand him a pair of briefs set his stomach off and his heart skipped a beat. At home with his roommate was one thing, but with Val present was another. Why did he feel like he needed to be on his best behavior? A huge knot throbbed at the base of his neck. Sexual tension and need threatened to overcome his small reserve of self-control. Maybe he needed to eat and sleep.

Darryl’s hard knock hurried Mason’s dressing. Tossing his damp towels on the floor, he smirked at his reflection. Hot red shorts with a hint of blue boxers peeking out below them. What a sight he made. It was too late to worry about it now.

Chapter Four

“Who’s next?” Mason called out, opening the door. Darryl’s nod and arched eyebrows tightened the knot growing across his shoulders and the new one forming in his groin. He wished Darryl would come out and say what plans he had in mind. Asking him about his thoughts and views on Val in the middle of Walmart had Mason wondering if Darryl suspected his sexual attraction to her. Was he trying to get him to admit it? What if he did? The one time he’d done so with another friend had gotten him a black eye and a busted lip. And a ruined friendship. He didn’t want that to happen nor lose Val’s friendship, either.

Catching her tired gaze, he stepped aside and let Darryl enter.

“Hang on one moment,” Darryl whispered as he passed.

Mason hung near the door, waiting to see what he wanted.

* * * *

Darryl pushed the door partway closed and leaned toward Mason. “Help Val out with making the sandwiches and offer to rub her feet once you’re done. She’s limping from wearing those heels all day. Surprise her with the slipper socks we got and see if she’d like a glass of wine before her shower.”

Mason’s silent nod and puzzled expression struck him as odd. Usually they needed few words to communicate when their ideas ran in tandem. Was Mason tuning him out? Or being obtuse for a reason? He hoped he spoke up soon.

* * * *

Darryl clicked the door shut and shucked his hot, sticky clothes. Glad to be out of them, he entered the shower. Warm water cascaded over his head and down his front. Reaching for the shampoo, a scene unfolded in his mind. He wished Mason could pick up on his thoughts better. He’d be helping Val relax very well if Mason caught on to this one.

Working the suds into his scalp, Darryl closed his eyes and let his mind wander. His thoughts formed pictures, bringing one of his fantasies to life.

Val stood before them wearing a light, mauve-colored teddy. The white ribbon holding the top part closed laced down the front, ending just below her pert breasts. Thin straps covered her lightly tanned shoulders and at the rim of her pubis, another bow sat. As she turned, modeling the lingerie for them, the edge of the high-cut sides showed off her long legs and defined calves. He loved breasts, and Mason went for legs.

A slight turn more and her rounded firm buttocks came into view. The thong barely covered the cleft of her twin cheeks.

He grew harder as the fantasy played out in his mind. His soap-slicked hands stroked down his chest, stopping at his nipples. Plucking and twisting them, Darryl groaned and rocked his hips back and forth. The scene in his head changed.

Val walked toward him with a short leather quirt in her hand. She lashed the air, testing its stiffness and the cut of its movement. In her other hand, she held two clothespins. His nipples peaked, growing tauter the closer she came. Working his hand down over his stomach, he raked his sharp nails around and across the sensitive area between his ribs and navel. He inhaled and bit his lip to keep his noise down. Pain edged his excitement higher. His cock jerked as Val clamped first one nipple then the other.

He grabbed his cock and squeezed. Exquisite torment raced up his shaft and pooled over his balls. Two more strokes and he’d come. A hot, hard come…yes—Val cracked the quirt against his ass and commanded he be quiet and service himself without further noise.

Soaping his hand, he quickly washed and treated himself to a small, fast orgasm. He wanted to coat his cock with K-Y jelly, bury it deep in her anus, and pump himself dry. What an ass and pain slut he’d become!

He soaped and rinsed again, cleaning away all traces of his sexual play. Having taken the edge off his horniness, Darryl dried off and donned his shorts. He’d lucked out with a pair of lined lightweight sleep shorts. He didn’t have to worry about briefs.

Opening the door, Val’s moans greeted him.

Darryl reached down and adjusted the crotch of his shorts. Damn, he thought he’d taken the edge off his desire. One moan from Val and his cock throbbed tight against his shorts.

“Oh, yes! That is so go–ooo–od!”

Val’s vocal punched him in the gut. What the hell was Mason doing? They hadn’t discussed tactics beyond a foot massage and helping with dinner. He started through the doorway.

Two words echoed in his conscience—
foot massage
. He halted, his mouth open ready to speak. Should he peer around the wall and confirm what was happening? Announce his entrance?

What if they were doing something else? How should he handle it? He didn’t mind, or did he? But at least being informed would be nice.

Darryl sucked in his breath at Val’s next moan. He trusted Mason. Maybe there were limits to trust. Their previous threesomes didn’t involve someone this close to them, nor someone who cared as much about each other as they did.

Darryl swallowed hard and shook his head. The sooner he knew what was going on the better he’d feel. Sharing and knowing were one thing. Sharing and not enough info was making him uneasy.

Clearing his throat, he stuck his head around the wall and grinned.

Chapter Five

Mason looked up from where he knelt on the floor. Next to him sat Val’s bottle of cocoa butter and shea lotion. One slicked hand held her heel, and the other grasped her calf. She lay back propped on her elbows. Her broad grin and relaxed gaze slapped Darryl’s retort down his throat.

* * * *

Val sat up and touched Mason’s shoulder. “Thanks, I needed that.”

She rose and approached Darryl. “He gives great foot rubs. Thanks for suggesting it.”

She kissed his cheek and whispered, “Any hot water left?”

“Uhmm—yeah.” He took in her glassy-eyed gaze, wondering what else had occurred while he showered.

“Thank you for the lovely slippers and robe,” she murmured, patting his cheek.

She winked and sauntered into the bathroom, clutching the bag containing her gifts.

* * * *

Robe? What robe? Mason hadn’t said much in Walmart. Was he acting on his own? Darryl clenched his hands and silently counted to ten.

Stop. Ask questions Remember he’s your best friend.
His conscience tried to thwart his ego and the green-eyed monster struggling to burst forth. Jealousy hadn’t gripped him before. Why now?
Because you’re in love with Val. She’s important in more ways than the other women ever were.

Two words rolled through his thoughts—assume and quiet. He’d learned this fact not once, but a few times before it sunk in. Darryl wasn’t blowing another friendship or relationship due to either assuming or keeping quiet.

The solid click of the door closing drew him from his musing. He shook his head and sat down at the table.

Mason rose and joined him. “I can see something is bugging you. Want to get it off your chest?”

“I’m not angry. Confused is probably a good word. What’s with the robe?” He faced Mason and looked him in the eye.

“I didn’t get a chance to tell you. When I went to the pharmacy, I saw it hanging on a rack. It sorta matched the slippers. Sorry.” Mason laid his hand out, palm up on the table. “I figured Val might want an extra layer depending on what she brought to sleep in.”

Darryl inhaled deeply and smiled. “I forget sometimes how thoughtful you are. Thanks.” He grasped Mason’s hand and squeezed. “No hard feelings.”

* * * *

Val pressed her ear to the door. Their muffled voices reached her. She couldn’t make out what they said. Probably planning again. Eventually, they’d tell her. Even though she trusted them, she preferred knowing to not knowing. Too many past surprises had gone awry for her to be comfortable with them.

She smiled as she undressed, remembering a friend who had gifted her with a kitten shortly after she’d gotten her first place. Three days later, with a red nose and watery eyes along with a prescription for allergy pills, she’d returned the precious gray fur ball at arm’s length to her friend.

Wiping steam off the mirror, she laughed. If she had appeared anywhere close to her current look, no wonder her friend had gasped. Red, tired eyes and mascara streaks greeted her along with tufts of hair sticking out here and there. Okay, so at one point, she had laid back on the bed, clutching the spread, ready to cream her panties. Mason gave a damn good foot massage and knew the pressure points on her calves. Since he’d stopped hanging out or coming over much, she’d forgotten how good his hands felt on her.

A knock rattled the door. Darryl cracked the door and stuck his head in. “How much longer you gonna be, woman?” His teasing tone made her giggle.

“Stop ogling me.” She smirked and shook a finger at him. “A bit longer. Why?”

“We’ll get the picnic area ready. And open the wine, if madam approves.”

“Yes, and hand me my shampoo off the counter, please. I’ll use one of your soaps.”

Darryl paused as her hand brushed his as she reached for the bottle. “Are you sure everything is all right?”

“Yes. Now go and let me shower.” She pushed the door closed and turned the lock. A few moments without interruption and maybe her calm would return. What was it about seeing a man’s eyes light up with hot desire?

Since she began dating Darryl, she’d grown accustomed to his presence. The nights he spent with her filled a part of her heart she hadn’t noticed before. Still the emptiness that used to be occupied by the three of them being together and sharing affectionate hugs and soft kisses refused to go away. Some nights she wanted to fall asleep wedged between Mason and Darryl like they had sometimes sat together watching movies or talking about anything and everything.

Tearing open the bag sitting on the sink, Val withdrew the slippers. Mauve-colored chenille footies greeted her. Their softness caressed her fingers. Reaching around behind her, she unhooked her bra. She almost groaned aloud as she slipped the straps down her shoulders and freed one breast, then the other. She arched her shoulders and rolled them, easing the tension working its way up her back.

Drawing the bag to her, she pulled out the lavender robe. Mason’s thoughtfulness warmed her. White lace decorated the edges and button-up front. Its three-quarter-length sleeves made her smile deepen. He’d overheard her remark to Darryl about borrowing one of his T-shirts to cover her sleeveless baby doll pajamas. Darryl had remembered her aching cold feet.

Most women considered themselves blessed to find one attentive, thoughtful, caring companion. She had two. Her heart skipped a beat as she looked in the mirror. Was she ready for the two of them?

A warm flush began just below her breasts and wormed its way upward. Images of Mason massaging her legs and feet flashed through her mind. She glanced at the slippers sitting on the edge of the sink. Their supple softness reminded her of his hands, his gentle yet firm grasp as he applied pressure against her calves and worked his knuckles across the soles of her feet. She thrust her hand into one slipper. Running her fingertips over the enticing softness, her cheeks grew warm at the thoughts racing through her mind. Vivid memories of a recent sensation play session with Darryl formed and mixed with the images.

* * * *

Darryl tightened the silk scarf covering her eyes. “Can you see anything?” he asked huskily against her ear.

Excitement, tinged with a small amount of panic, rippled through her as something brushed against her. Her hands clenched and her arms flexed to rise. A cold ripple of fear iced across her stomach as her arms refused to move. Tipping her head from side to side, blackness greeted her. It was like she was totally blind and helpless. Never mind that she trusted the man she’d let restrain her in this way.

His soft laugh rasped against her other ear. “Relax and let yourself adjust. In a few moments, your other senses will heighten, and the real fun begins.”