Kiss Is a Four-Letter Word (13 page)

"Come here, lie down closer to me," Simon told him, shifting back a little. Eli followed his instructions and Simon lifted Sherry's hand away. "Put your cock right here, next to mine."

Eli did, gasping at the sensation of heat. He'd had no idea that the feel of another man's dick against his could be so erotic. "Simon, fuck."

"Yeah, now Sherry, here," Simon took her hand and wrapped it around both of them, covering her fingers with his own. "Oh, this is a good idea."

Eli agreed. He watched their cocks appear and disappear as Sherry and Simon's hands pumped over them both. He bit his lip and looked up. Simon watched his face from mere inches away. Eli couldn't help himself. He kissed his friend, savoring the soft heat of Simon's lips. His dick was so hard and Simon was so warm. So loved. Eli thrust his hips, jerking his cock up against Simon's.
So close.
He shivered and curled his toes, thrusting harder.

The door to the bedroom slammed open. The three of them froze.

"Simon, Eli, we have a major problem. I just got off the phone with—" Erica Johnson, Eli and Simon's assistant broke off her sentence and stared at them. Eli was strangely disappointed he couldn't see her face because from Simon's expression, it was priceless. He bucked his hips a little, just to see what Simon would do. Simon glared at him, but he didn't loosen his hand. For some reason, Eli was not the least bit embarrassed. On the contrary, his dick swelled even more.
Hell. I've got an exhibitionist streak, too
, he thought.
What else have I been repressing all these years?

"Oh shit," Erica finally choked out. She didn't leave.

"Um, don't you knock?" Simon asked in his I'm-going-to-kill-you voice. Eli's cock jumped again, just from the tone. God, he was so fucked. Getting off on the sound of Simon's pissed-off tone? Eli grinned and rubbed his face against Simon's shoulder.

"Um, yeah, I can see you're busy, so I'll just—" Erica said. The sound of the door closing told Eli that she'd gone.

"So. That was unexpected," Eli said, trying to stifle his laughter. He failed. He bucked his hips again, savoring the sensation of Sherry's hand squeezed tight, except just then she loosened her fingers as if to pull away.

"No, don't stop now, Sherry." He put his hand down, trapping her fingers under his. Simon's prick hadn't flagged one bit either.

"Seriously?" Sherry chuckled but she squeezed again.

Eli groaned. "Yeah. Seriously. God I'm so fucking close right now."

"She's going to come back, you know," Simon gasped out. "Erica never barges in like that unless it's an emergency."

"This is
more
of an emergency," Eli said. He flipped onto his back and fumbled in the nightstand for another couple of condoms. When he'd finished rolling the latex onto Simon and then himself, he lifted Sherry up and pulled her on top of him. "This okay?"

She nodded and slid down, her pussy opening up beautifully. If Eli didn't know better, he'd never believe she'd been a virgin until last night. She had her eyes closed and her head thrown back, the dark curls of her hair tumbling down over her shoulders. Eli teased her breasts, making her gasp. Her silver studs flashed in the sunlight. When Simon moved up behind her to slide a hand down to her clit, she moaned. Eli grinned at Simon and started to thrust, gently.

"Still okay?" he asked her. Eli didn't want to hurt her if she was tender.

"I'm good. I'm really, really good. Don't stop."

Eli didn't stop. He fucked her until he felt her body start to climax, then he fucked her some more. When he finally came, too, Sherry was gasping, slumped down onto his chest. He smiled and Simon gently nudged her onto her back on the bed.

"Can I?" he asked, kissing down her neck. She opened her eyes and nodded. Eli shifted onto his side and idly played with her breasts as Simon licked down to her pussy.

"We probably don't have much time," Eli said.

Simon narrowed his eyes. "Shut up. You got your turn."

"Just saying," Eli said.

Sherry laughed then Simon ducked his head and kissed her mound. Eli lifted her left thigh up, opening her for Simon. His friend spread her pussy with his thumbs and kissed her more deeply. Sherry arched her back, gasping. A minute later and Eli could tell she was close again.

"Simon." Eli nudged his shoulder and Simon kneeled up then plunged in while Eli held Sherry's body.
He looks good fucking her.
Eli liked Simon's strength, the smoothness of his skin. The tattoo on his hip. Sherry thrashed her head and Eli slid a hand down, cupping her clit then circling his fingers around Simon's cock as he pumped.

"God, Eli, what the hell are you doing? Feels good." Simon sped up, thrusting into Sherry more violently.

"God, please. Oh—." Sherry had her hands twisted in the sheets, her pleasure obvious. She was lovely. Eli flicked a finger over her clit and suddenly she writhed, spine bowed and mouth open. Simon froze for a split second then thrust one more time, his face tight with orgasm.

"Beautiful," Eli said. Simon looked at him and Eli held his gaze. He refused to pretend that he didn't feel as attracted to Simon as he did to Sherry. "Beautiful." Simon bit his lip, hips jerking. Amazingly, Eli felt an answering twitch in his dick and suddenly he knew nothing would ever be the same again.

****

A half-hour later they were dressed, Sherry in an extra pair of Simon's sweats and Eli's t-shirt. She looked adorable, all rumpled and blushing. Eli poured her a cup of coffee and settled down on the couch next to her. The floor-to-ceiling windows of the Taipan suite showed a stunning view of the city skyline, now lit with morning sunlight.

"So, Erica's going to be back any minute now," Simon said, pouring himself a cup. He grabbed a croissant from the tray and sat next to Eli.

"Who is Erica?" Sherry asked, stealing Simon's croissant. She took a large bite, smiling at Simon's mock-glare.

"She's our assistant. Basically, she organizes everything for us: meetings, dinners, paperwork, everything. She's also a very good friend," Eli explained. His body still buzzed from the morning's lovemaking but he didn't regret it, not even Erica barging in on them. She was going to give them hell, Eli knew. He glanced at Simon, catching his friend's knowing look. Simon knew it too. Eli cringed just thinking about it.

"She's very pretty," Sherry said and looked away.

Eli stared at her. Was she worried? Jealous? "Not half as beautiful as you. She's also very married, and we've known her since we were kids."

"She used to be our babysitter, actually," Simon said, snagging another croissant. "She has the ability to embarrass us hideously with little or no warning."

Sherry laughed, looking relieved. "Okay. I'll chill out."

A knock on the door to the suite had them all turning to look.

"
I'm
not going to answer it," Sherry said. She bit at her croissant almost violently. Eli winced. He knew that Erica stopping by so early the day after their annual charity ball could not be a good thing. Clearly Sherry knew it, too.

"I'll get it," Simon said, standing up. He shoved the last bit of his croissant into his mouth and strode across the room. Eli watched him go, thankful he wouldn't be the first one in Erica's crosshairs.

"This can't be good, can it?" Sherry asked him quietly. She sipped at her coffee.

Eli sighed and ran a hand over his short hair. "No. I'm afraid it probably isn't."

Simon opened the door and stepped back. Erica walked in, a paper newspaper tucked under her arm. She took in the cozy scene in front of the coffee table then took a seat in the chair next to it.

"Hi. I'm Erica," she said to Sherry after she'd put the paper down.

Sherry smiled. "Sherry. Nice to meet you." She leaned in to shake Erica's hand. Eli hoped the two women would get along. If Erica didn't like Sherry it would complicate his life immensely.
And Simon's too
, he thought, catching the flash of worry that darted across Simon's face.

"So, I guess you're wondering why I'm here so early?" Erica sat back in the chair and sighed. She looked exhausted.

"Did you sleep last night?" he asked her.

Erica snorted. "A little."

"What's going on?" Simon asked.

"I should ask
you
that." Erica looked significantly at Eli and Simon, sitting next to each other on the sofa. Eli was leaning into his friend in a distinctly lover-like way.

"Um, well, Simon and I—" he broke off. Eli didn't have a clue of how to explain what had happened.

"You and Simon finally figured out that you were in love with each other and decided to do something about it?" Erica said, clearly amused.

"What?" Simon's voice actually cracked. Eli felt him trembling and slung a comforting arm around his shoulders.

"Oh please, it's been obvious to me since the two of you were in high school. Although I have to admit, I'm kind of surprised by Sherry." She smiled, but not unkindly.

She thought he and Simon loved each other? Since high school? What the hell? Eli tried to wrap his brain around that bit of news and failed. He shoved it to the back of his head. There will be plenty of time to grill her about it later. "What's the problem that made you came barging in?"

Erica, looking highly uncomfortable, pointed to the paper on the table. "Print is a bit old-school, but it gets the situation across quite well." Eli looked at the paper and then at Erica.

"Go ahead. Pick it up. It won't bite you."

Simon leaned forward and snagged it, unfolding it so that they could all see. On the front page a grainy photo of Simon and Eli kissing was blown up across the whole spread. The headlines screamed: "Billionaire investors' secret gay affair!"

"Shit." Eli pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I would advise you not to check the stock report today," Erica said grimly.

"Wait, what? A picture of Eli and Simon kissing screwed up the stock market? That's absurd," Sherry said, leaning forward.

"Oh, it gets worse. Open the paper." Erica poured herself a cup of coffee and sucked it down like a desperate woman.

"Oh. Well. Shit." Sherry spread the paper out on her knees. "Eli Moest and Simon River get it on with unidentified woman."

"Are there photos?" Simon leaned over. "Damn. Wait, that's a good picture."

Eli rolled his eyes at Simon. His friend had the temerity to wink at him. Jesus.

"That woman I saw down the hall, right before we got on the elevator? She must've taken these with her phone," Sherry said, tilting her head uncomfortably. "At least they're kind of good?"

Eli stared at her. Sherry caught his gaze and looked away but not before shoving the paper at him.

Eli looked down. The first photo was of him and Simon kissing with Sherry leaning on the wall next to them, mouth open and face flushed. The second one showed Eli watching while Simon kissed her. A third showed Eli kissing her. They looked like artsy erotic photos—a little grainy, a lot dramatic.

"There's a crowd of reporters outside the hotel," Erica added, draining her coffee cup. She picked up the pot and frowned. "It's empty. Damn." She set her cup down and sighed, leaning back as she massaged her temples. "I went home late last night and went to sleep, none the wiser until my contact at the Post woke me up around four a.m. He said there was nothing he could do to stop it."

"Are these only in the print version?" Eli asked her.

Erica looked at him like he was crazy. "As if. No. They're all over the Internet. More than one gossip rag picked up the photos. Whoever took the pictures is getting paid a pretty penny for them, I'll tell you that. Anyway, I'm more concerned about the stock falling."

Eli shrugged. "The stock goes up and down all the time."

"So what do we do about the pictures?" Simon asked.

"We ignore it. People are always taking snapshots. Camera phones. Video. You know that," Eli said.

"Maybe we should ask for good copies," Simon joked.

"You're a public figure. Goes with the territory," Sherry said quietly, rubbing her finger over her lips.

Eli frowned. She didn't look ok. "Sherry? Everything all right?"

"I think I need to get home," she answered, standing up. "Do you have something I can put my dress in?"

Erica nodded. "I brought a bag for you."

Sherry smiled gratefully. "I didn't expect you to do that. Thank you."

Erica smiled back. "If Simon and Eli liked you enough to keep you overnight, something they never,
ever
do with their dates," she raised her eyebrows at the men, "Then I'm happy to help you and them out however I can. We can smuggle you out the back door. I checked with the hotel manager."

Sherry let loose a relieved breath. "I owe you, big time. You're my new favorite person."

"Hey!" Simon protested, grinning. Sherry ignored him. Eli frowned. Something was wrong.

"It's really not a problem." Erica leaned over and handed the bag she'd brought to Sherry.

Sherry grabbed it and went into the bedroom. Eli and Simon exchanged worried looks but Eli didn't want to get into a discussion about Sherry in front of Erica. Not a minute later Sherry emerged wearing a pair of sandals and the bag slung over her shoulder. "I'm going to head out. Thanks for the flip-flops, Erica."