Lynne's Love Triangle (20 page)

“I’d never even heard Edward Branson’s name until that day.”

"Mr. Branson intimated you might possibly have enjoyed his attack. What do you have to say about that?"

“It was disgusting. He acts like I am a whore, and I'm not. I did not deserve to be attacked and did not enjoy any part of it.

"It's true I have an untraditional relationship. I am in love with and live with two men. But, I do not have sex with strangers off the street."

"Okay, Mrs. Hughes, you're excused." Lynne scooted past Edward Branson before he could touch her.

Branson went to his table and leaned forward. "As far as I'm concerned, judge, y'all are against me and your minds have been made up."

"Sit down, Branson. I'm warning you."

"No, I will not. This woman is a whore." He fumed until the bailiff forcefully subdued him.

Closing arguments were ridiculous. Edward Benson ranted on forever about her being a whore and posting her naked pictures online for money. He ranted on endlessly until Lynne wanted to curl up in a corner and die, but she sat straight and tall and listened to all of it.

Mr. Taylor gave a stirring speech about what harm Lynne had suffered and reminded the jury it didn't matter who she lived with or how she lived. This was about rape, attempted murder, and an act of terror. He reminded the jury how Lynne lived under a constant cloud of fear and simply wanted to get on with her life.

The judge gave the jury their orders and they filed out silent and solemn to make their decision.

She waited when the jury left, hoping beyond hope they would see past his lies and rantings of a madman. Edward Branson seemed intelligent and came across to an outsider as sane. He looked clean and presentable on the outside, but she knew firsthand on the inside was a twisted mind.

Half an hour later, the jury came back to announce they had reached a verdict.

The foreman of the jury stood and read the paper. “We the people of the jury find Edward Branson guilty…”

A loud gasp and cheer went up from the crowd and from Lynne. She felt elation rise and bubble up. Her face stretched taut with a wide smile, and she jumped up and down. Kurt squeezed her in a powerful hug, and then Troy joined in. She was so happy she felt like she was going to burst.

She fought and she won.

Edward Branson was guilty, and now the whole world knew it.

* * * *

On her way out of the courtroom, a woman tapped Lynne on the shoulder.

“Lynne Hughes?”

“Yes, do I know you?”

“You don’t know me, but I know you. My name is Elisa White, and I volunteer for a nonprofit group that supports women who go through situations involving domestic violence.”

“Oh.” Lynne didn’t know what to say or what the woman could possibly want to speak to her about.

“I followed your trial on the television, and I wanted to see if I could meet you in person and let you know what a great strength you have been to people like me. Every day we get women who are afraid to stand up to men like the one who attacked you and what you went through in there.” Elisa shook her head “It just shocks me, but the threats and degradation of going through a trial intimidate most women. They are afraid of what will happen to them if they lose—or to their families.”

“Well, thank you, but I’m not the hero you paint me to be. I was afraid of being up there, too, but I sat on the witness stand because I couldn’t let Edward Branson hurt another woman.”

“That’s why I want to invite you to speak at a dinner and fundraiser next week. You would inspire so many people and just having you come would raise awareness to our plight.”

“I don’t know what to say.” Lynne was stunned. This woman wanted her to speak at a fundraiser dinner?

“Say yes.”

She had never been considered a public speaker before for anything, but she had given lectures in front of her class on subjects that were important to her. Subjects she loved and hoped would make a difference in the lives of her students. This was definitely an important topic, and it would bring a sense of purpose back to her life again.

Suddenly the answer in her heart was on her lips. “Yes.”

“Then you’ll do it?” Elise seemed stunned.

“Yes, it would be an honor.”

Chapter Sixteen

Lynne walked happily up the marble steps to the five star restaurant, arm in arm with her men. The restaurant was famous in Nashville for their steak and sat under a ritzy hotel where only the elite, rich, and powerful could afford to stay.

A doorman dressed in a black silk shirt and matching dress pants opened the door wide for them to enter. It took a moment for their eyes to adjust to the dim light, walking in from the bright late afternoon sunlight outside. The room was dominated by massive stone columns and a marble floor and walls. The detail of the molding and metal accents felt as if the building had been around from the turn of the century.

A young kid, probably working his way through college, greeted them at the podium. “Welcome to Bosco’s. Do you have a reservation?”

“Not today.” It was their unofficial anniversary. They had moved in together six months ago, and Lynne couldn’t be happier with their non-traditional relationship. Who cared if they did things a little differently? She couldn’t choose between the two men even if she had to. She loved them both so very much, her heart would break to lose one, and her life would be incomplete.

The only person she had to please was herself. The rest of society could take a flying leap. She was happy living with Kurt and Troy. There was so much love flowing between the three of them. No one could be happier than they all were.

“How many in your party today?”

“We’ll need a table for three.” Troy told the
Maître 'd.

The man didn’t say a thing, but his nose crinkled in disdain. Troy and Kurt just held her tighter. She felt like the luckiest lady in the world. Surrounded and protected by men who loved her.

“This way, please.” The host picked up three menus and tucked them under his arm.

“We’d like to get a view of the river if possible, please.” Troy directed.

“Yes, sir,” he replied before changing directions. He stopped at one of the tables lining a wall of glass. Three stories below, there was a perfect, peaceful view of the Cumberland River running alongside the building. A few ducks and geese paddled against the current, staying around for the meager handouts from the tourists.

The host pulled out a chair for Lynne, waited for her to be seated, and then passed out menus.

“This is a really nice place, Troy. How did you hear about it?” Lynne pulled her folded napkin apart and set it across her legs.

“My agent told me about it. I thought you would like it.”

“It would be nicer if we didn’t get all the judgmental looks around here.” Kurt nodded his head in the general direction of the host walking back to his station at the front of the restaurant.

“I don’t care. They are all just jealous we can share so well.” Troy leaned back on two legs of his chair.

“Don’t believe it's easy. It’s only because I love you so much I put up with him.” Kurt’s voice was clearly teasing, but Lynne still remembered how much trouble he did have getting a grip on his jealousy and accepting Troy in their three-way.

Now he was a little more easygoing about sex and much more likely to try something new. Sex was more fun with someone you loved, and he shared a great deal of love for Troy.

Watching the men fuck always got Lynne horny and wanting to join in. Just thinking about it now was getting her hot and wet in her most intimate places.

The prices were off the chart expensive, but every bite was pure joy on the taste buds. Lynne ate until she thought she was going to burst, especially after she splurged on dessert.

She was never one to turn down cheesecake, especially not strawberry cheesecake.

“Thank you for the lovely dinner out. You two really know how to spoil a woman.”

“You think this is all we have planned for you?”

“You are the love of our life,” Troy covered Lynne’s hand with his, “and we have a very special surprise for you.”

“Upstairs, in the honeymoon suite.” Kurt grinned and took the hotel key out of his pocket and tossed it on the table.

* * * *

“To us.” Lynne raised her champagne glass in toast, and the glass clinked against her lovers' drinks. She had to raise it a little higher than normal so it would stay dry in the Jacuzzi, but this was so much fun. She wouldn’t have it any other way. Sharing a nice hot Jacuzzi, complete with bubbles, drinks and with the naked men she loved would lead to a night of unforgettable memories.

“To us. Happy anniversary, Lynne.” Troy lifted the glass to his lips.

Kurt drank deeply before replying, “Did you ever think our relationship would last this long?”

“It will last a lot longer if you men keep spoiling me like tonight.” She purred. Every romantic notion she could have thought of was in the room, down to the tiniest detail. Rose petals covered the heart-shaped bed. Her heart stopped in her chest when she saw how thoughtful her two lovers could be. They never said the words before, but she could tell they adored her. They loved her as much as she loved them both.

“Spoiling you? I don’t think so, but if you want to stick around we won’t mind.” Troy pulled her onto his lap, and she could feel every rigid line of his hard desire pressing against her bottom

“Ah, you do love me.” She drank the last of her alcohol and set her tall wineglass down on the table next to the Jacuzzi so she could wrap her arms around Troy’s neck.

“Is that a real question? Of course we love you. From the very first day I saw you teaching my English class wearing a sexy black dress”

“You mean my grandma skirt—the one that hangs below my knees?”

“Very sexy in a grandma sort of style—with those black heels.”

“I never wear anything over half an inch.” Lynne laughed, rubbing her hips over Troy’s lap.

“That first day was the day I fell in love with you, Lynne.” Kurt came up from behind her, sandwiching her between himself and Troy.

“You’re very lovable, Lynne. I couldn’t stop loving you if I tried.” Troy nuzzled into her neck, nibbling the soft skin below her ear.

“So why can’t you say the words?”

“I can. I love you—seriously—love you and plan to love you for the rest of my life.”

“Ohhh, you say the sweetest things, but you two will have to move on someday. You’re both young. You’ll get tired of being seen with an old woman.”

“Not me,” Kurt replied.

“I am not planning on ever leaving you. Why would you say such a thing?” Troy sounded offended.

“Your dreams and desires change over time.”

“You are the object of our desire. Can’t you see that?”

Lynne shook her head. “You’re so much younger than me. You are going to want to have a wife—start a family. You know the two point five kids and a dog. The things the rest of America has—the American dream and all. One day you are going to want more than I can give you.”

“Don’t you want kids?”

“Exactly my point. I can’t give either of you children. I had a hysterectomy years ago. It wasn’t my choice, my health demanded the surgery. I can never have kids—it’s not possible.”

“You are our family, and if loving you means no kids then I’m okay with it. How bout you, Kurt?”

“Fine with me. I’m just happy to have you two. Some day if we all want to, I wouldn’t be against adoption. If you decide you don’t want to be a mother, so be it. The most important thing for me is to have you in my life.”

“Really? You’d do that?”

“I’d do anything for you, Lynne. You deserve to be a mother and a wife and everything you want to be.”

“Adopting is a lot of work, and the kids will need a father as well as a mother.”

“Good thing since any kid we have will be blessed with two great dads.”

Tears welled up in Lynne’s eyes. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”

“If we can make your dreams come true, then let us help,” Kurt said.

“Let us love you,” Troy asked.

“Let us be your family.”

“Your lovers.”

“Let us be your everything.”

“You already are my world. It makes me so happy to be part of this love triangle, and I love you both with my whole heart.”

THE END

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