Magic of Three (18 page)

She watched Janice scurry out the door, a woman with a mission, before throwing the bolt lock on her door. Janice had her own key. She could get in if she got back before Lisa finished.

Silence. Blessed, blessed silence. Only one way to truly enjoy the peace.

She turned to her bathroom. It was a simple apartment bathroom. No fancy roman tub or three-man shower. But it was neat and clean, fresh smells wafting up from her small collection of perfumes in delicate crystal bottles. With the exception of those bottles and a bright red fluffy towel, all surfaces were free of clutter.

A small oasis in a hectic world.

Turning her shower on as hot as it could go and turning the showerhead to pulsate, Lisa stripped. She couldn’t prevent her groans as stiff muscles, not used to the type of exercise they got the night before, vehemently protested.

She let the pounding steam envelop her, let hot water wash away her worries, doubts and fears.

Since her romp with Julian, she felt different. She couldn’t put her finger on how exactly but different, almost centered. Maybe she felt a connection she hadn’t felt with anyone before, not even Janice. Belonging. Maybe she felt the tingle of roots trying to grow.

She knew she felt embarrassed that she had been that easy but wanted even more.

Her desires never completely ruled her like that. She enjoyed herself, did whatever she wanted, when she wanted. She answered to no one, explained to no one. But she hadn’t wanted so much so quickly before, had never been so out of control.

She closed her eyes, tipping her head back in the steaming stream.
Block it out
.
Block it all out
.
Don
’
t think
.
Don
’
t think about tonight
.

Don
’
t imagine two men running their hands over your body
,
tracing your form
.
Don
’
t see those hands lifting your breasts up to be worshiped by two pairs of lips
.

Lisa picked up her lavender-scented foaming bath wash. She pumped a generous amount into her palm and let her hands glide over her shoulders and chest. Her nipples peaked at the attention, nerves remembering a masculine mouth closing over them. Teeth clutching and nipping. Tongue caressing and teasing.

Lisa screwed her eyes closed, shaking her head. She slammed her palms against the shower wall, leaning into the spray. Shit. She couldn’t let herself get into a state. She’d had sex, for crying out loud. Nothing more. A nice quick release of tension. Not the end of the world. Barely a beginning of a relationship.

Then why did her body get all tingly at the thought of Julian? Or worse, why did she keep imagining how Tim would fit into the mix? She knew the feel of Tim’s body, though not as well as Julian. She remembered the spicy scent of his skin, the way his muscles clenched next to her own along with the rhythm of the music.

Would he make love the same way? Would he be gentle, flowing against her like a gentle stream? Or would he be more like Julian, taking her where and how he wanted, pushing her beyond herself, a wild, erotic storm?

Was she ready to find out?

Lisa flipped off the water and stood in the stall, body trembling. Her gut twisted and her knees shook. Julian and Tim flat-out terrified her. Not because they would hurt her. Not because of their unusual relationship. Not because she didn’t like the idea of having sex with the both of them, loved the idea of being sandwiched between their two solid bodies.

She wanted them too much. Too damned much. And when she wanted something that bad, ached for it, the world had a way of ripping the rug out from under her.

She didn’t know if she’d survive those two men coming into her life just to be ripped away from her.

Chapter Sixteen

Lisa took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders before following the immaculate maître d’ to her table. Dark polished-to-gloss hardwood floor clicked beneath the heels of her borrowed boots. Wood and billowing cloth flashed by. Dimmed lights and glittering candle-lit chandeliers sparkled. Every time she came here she felt like she walked back in time to a more gentile place. Pure Southern gentility, the kind only found in historical fiction. Not exactly in keeping with the fuck-me outfit Janice came up with. But the management was much too well-trained to say anything to her or to treat her with anything but the utmost respect. Vegas being Vegas, there was no telling who she really was, no matter how she dressed. Hooker or high roller—who could tell?

But eyes weighed heavily on her, not just those of the two men waiting for her in an intimate corner table. The quiet, warm feeling of the classic restaurant hushed as she made her way to her dates. Janice did her job well. Lisa looked hot and she knew it. But she stood out in the sedate atmosphere of Cajun Delights and all the patrons knew that.

Both Julian and Tim stood as she approached. Julian took her hand and placed a kiss on her knuckles as Tim came around, beating their server to her seat. He pulled it out as Julian lowered her.

“You look breathtaking,” Julian whispered in her ear, his warm breath tickling the delicate skin of her neck. Images of what that wicked mouth had done to her that afternoon taunted her.

“Appetizing,” Tim added, eyes sparkling as he took in her partially opened blouse and the hint of lace.

She blushed under the dual perusal, too much male attention at one time. Her heart raced and her fingers trembled as she reached forward to sip her water.

“I took the liberty of ordering a bottle of wine,” Julian offered as the men took their seats. “I hope you enjoy a nice rioja.”

Lisa swallowed and nodded. “Yes, thank you.”

She couldn’t meet his knowing eyes, eyes she’d last seen dark with desire as he stared down at her naked body. She glanced over at a smirking Tim and wondered how much he knew.

He looked at her then at Julian, a half-smile teasing his lips. Her blush deepened and he chuckled. “Don’t worry, love. Believe me, I know just how fast he moves when he really wants something. He has you on your back before you know what hit you.”

Lisa glared at Julian. He shrugged sheepishly but didn’t pretend to apologize.

Tim reached across the small table, taking her chin and turning her to face him. “Julian doesn’t kiss and tell. But I know that look. Satisfied and slightly shocked. I’ve had it on my own face too many times not to recognize it. Don’t feel embarrassed. I’m not. Julian’s not. There’s no reason for you to be. And goodness knows you’ll live with a blush on your face around us if that’s all it takes to embarrass you.”

Lisa was saved from answering by their server bringing their wine and an appetizer, a fresh, tart shrimp ceviche.

“Have you had a chance to look at our menu?” the server asked as he spread her napkin across her lap.

Lisa nodded. She was a regular, though it didn’t surprise her that she hadn’t been recognized. She ordered their pâté-crusted filet mignon and trademark crab cakes. As the men ordered she picked up her small fork. She nibbled at the small serving of tangy seafood, wondering how she’d manage to eat anything she’d ordered. Butterflies bloated her stomach.

Julian took her other hand from her lap, gently stroking. “Lisa, relax. You have nothing to worry about. We’re enjoying a lovely meal together, getting to know each other. Nothing else. Nothing to let yourself get worked up over.”

Lisa looked up at Julian, her face still hot and the hand holding her fork trembling so hard she gave up pretending to eat. “You’ll have to forgive me if I don’t know what to expect. This whole situation is strange to me. I don’t know how to act.”

“Don’t worry about acting,” Tim responded, scooting his chair closer and resting his hand on her thigh. “This is about three people having a good time, not about appearances and acting. You’re worried about what other people think. You know what we think. We want to get to know you better, no matter what happened between you and Julian earlier. No matter what happens between all of us later. Who cares about anyone else?”

Lisa forced her shoulder muscles to fall and sipped her wine. But she didn’t scoot away from Tim or free her hand from Julian. She nodded. “Okay, I’ll try to take things as they come. I can’t guarantee I won’t freeze up at odd moments but that’s the best I can do.”

“I’ll thaw you out if you freeze,” Tim answered, his hand sliding up her thigh ever so slightly, heating her flesh. She wondered if he could tell how far her stockings went. “I mean, I am the one with the charming sense of humor. And Julian rushed things so it’s my turn.”

Lisa laughed but let his hand stay and Julian’s grasp to remain as she reached for her drink with her free hand. “Do you always take turns?” she quipped.

“Nope, Julian’s a greedy bastard, likes having things his way. Likes to be first, no patience. Sometimes I get a turn. Otherwise we do share well.” Tim looked down her blouse, leering and wiggling his eyebrows. “Real well.”

She sputtered, struggling not to choke or spray wine at him as she laughed at his antics.

Julian sighed, releasing her hand and leaning back in his chair. “You’ll have to get used to Tim. He’s a constant flirt and he’s under the impression that he’s funny. I let him keep his delusions of comedic grandeur.”

“You’re just jealous because you’re so serious,” Tim taunted. “You wouldn’t know a good joke if it came up and bit you on the ass.

Julian raised a single eyebrow.

“Hey, I’d know better than anyone,” Tim replied, his grin growing wider, the sparkle lighting up the dim room. “I have bitten you on the ass. I love biting your ripe ass.”

Lisa looked at Julian, wondering how he’d respond. She’d never been around any gay or bisexual men before. She didn’t know how open they would be. But she was learning, fast.

His face twitched, a smirk lurking in the corners of his lips. “Maybe, but don’t forget it’s your ass that gets most of the workout.”

Tim burst out laughing, hand coming off Lisa’s leg as he tipped his chair back. “Okay, okay, you have a slight sense of humor, twisted though it is. If you didn’t I’d have dumped you ages ago.”

“No, you would’ve driven me nuts and I’d have killed you ages ago,” Julian deadpanned as he drained his wineglass. “Let’s get our stories straight.”

Booming laughter subsided into soft snickers. People at other tables glanced their way but both men ignored them completely. Lisa smiled along, relaxing despite herself.

By the time Tim regained control, wiping tears of mirth from the corners of his eyes, the server came with their soup. Lisa enjoyed the rich, thick, spicy gumbo as the two men continued sniping playfully at each other.

“Well, one thing’s for certain,” Lisa joked. “It’ll never be boring around you two. Are you always like this or is it only on my account?”

Tim leaned forward, grinning. “You ask that like a person who’s planning on spending a lot of time with us.”

Lisa stared down at her gumbo for a moment, stirring it aimlessly before shooting Tim a coy glance from below lowered lids. “Well, I don’t go out on dates with people planning on never seeing them again. That’d be a complete waste of time. What would be the point of that?”

“True, but you are considering us. Julian didn’t scare you away.”

“I didn’t scare you away,” Julian grumped. “Why should I have scared her?”

“I don’t know. You’re overbearing and overpowering?” Tim quipped.

“Only when the person I’m with wants me to be.” Julian turned from Tim, leaning closer to Lisa. Heat shot up her arm, followed by an electric tingle as he slid his thumb against her wrist. “Do you want me to be overpowering? I didn’t hear any arguments before.”

Lisa licked her lips, watching as Tim’s infectious grin faded and both men’s eyes darkened, tracing the movement. “I guess it depends on the situation. If you didn’t hear an argument I had no problem with it.”

“So if we rushed you you’d tell us?” Tim asked.

“Of course.”

“You wouldn’t do anything you didn’t want to?” Tim asked again.

Lisa shrugged but appreciated the concern behind the question. “Life’s too short. I’ve had enough of doing what I didn’t want to already. I promised myself that I wouldn’t be pushed around like that ever again.”