Pleasure Bound - Complete (83 page)

Oh boy.

His eyes twinkled darker with amusement.

She picked up her burger and started eating. Flavor she remembered so well slammed against her taste buds and she moaned her gratitude.

“Nice sound,” he whispered. “You should do it more often.”

“Shut up, Hero, and eat your food.”

And that’s what they did. They devoured the food Sully’s grandmother had prepared for them and, to her surprise, it felt as if she were sinking right back into old times. Chatting with Sully, finding out about his astronaut training, digging around for information on any girls he’d dated in between assignments while he’d been gone. His playful avoidance of her questions about those girls seemed, oddly enough…reassuring and relaxing, and even enjoyable—that he’d taken her feelings into consideration and not talked about them. It allowed the same familiar roar of sexual tension to hum all around them that had been there years ago during their time together.

As he related his experience with NASA, she noticed his sudden frown.

“And then NASA asked us if we might be interested in a top secret assignment. My cousins, you remember them, Joe, Ben and Buck…were totally gung ho about it. I wasn’t.”

“I find that hard to believe. I know you were thinking of joining the team when we first met. Your desire to go out into space. Why’d you change your mind? Why did you come back here?” That last sentence slipped out even before she realized she’d been thinking it out loud.

Sully sighed. It was a ragged, uneven breath of frustration. The sound squeezed her heart and made her burst with pain for him. Obviously, his space adventures hadn’t turned out the way he’d thought.

“Have you ever left something behind and then later realized it was the most important thing in your life?”

She’d realized what she’d lost when Sully had left town and because of the pain she now experienced at his sigh, she wasn’t sure how to respond, so she remained silent.

“It’s because I left you behind that I realized how important you are to me, Jenna.”

Oh. Wow. This was something she’d craved to hear, and now that he was actually saying it, she couldn’t believe she wasn’t seriously dreaming. She resisted the impulse to pinch herself.

“You’ve heard about the Ménage Club,” he said. It was an unexpected statement, not a question. Surprise almost made her choke on her food at how quickly he’d broached the subject, but she managed to gulp it down before he noticed her reaction.

“Yes, about how it brings estranged couples back together—” she swallowed at her nervousness “—with the help of a third and sometimes a fourth.”

She managed to act nonchalant, as if what they were discussing was an everyday occurrence to her. To her satisfaction, she even managed to take another bite of her burger despite the wild pounding of her heart beating against her chest.

“I know what we had together could be classified as a summer fling.”

A summer fling? Was that all she’d been to him?

“But for me it was more than that.”

“For me too,” she admitted.

The tips of his mouth turned upward at her confession.

“And we have this overwhelming sexual attraction that has stayed with us over the years.”

“But a relationship can’t be based on sexual attraction alone,” she voiced, hoping he felt the same way.

“I realize that we’ve got a lot of work to do, and the way we left it between us… It shouldn’t have happened that way. I apologize. I shouldn’t have let my anger blind me toward my love for you and it isn’t a love based on sex.”

“I know. There’s something else between us. Even though we fought, we always seemed to get back together…except for that last one. I’m to blame too. Don’t you see? It was my upbringing. I was tied too much to my grandparents. They were both very strict with me… You have to understand—” she took a deep breath and continued “—and I kept thinking you were fooling around on me with all those women friends of yours.”

“I wasn’t. I still have those women friends, though. I won’t get rid of them just because of your insecurities. They are friends, and that’s all they’ll ever be.”

The flare of anger reared its ugly head again, but it quickly disappeared at his next words.

“I came back to Hideaway for you, Jenna. I wanted to come back sooner, but I had a contract to fill and I was out of this world…literally.” He grinned. “I was halfway across the galaxy when I realized being an astronaut wasn’t for me. I realized not having you in my life wasn’t for me.”

His confession made a wave of warm happiness spill through her but they still had so much to work through.

“There’s something you should know…” Since he was being honest, she may as well be too. “Because of what happened, because of the way you left… I can’t trust you not to do it again. How do I know that with our first fight or some disagreement down the line, you won’t leave me?”

“I was young and immature back then, Jenna. I’m a man now. A man with responsibilities, a business… Maybe I’m not the white picket fence kind of guy like you want, but I know that I want you, Jenna. I want you to learn to trust me again. I want to make you happy and, as crazy as it sounds, I want our relationship to start off on a sound footing. Our past pattern hasn’t been very good so I went looking for help from the Ménage Club. Meemee said it would work—”

“Meemee! You based your decision on Meems? She doesn’t know anything about the Club or ménages for that matter.” Did she?

“She’s in it, Jenna. She’s one of the instructors.”

She blinked as both shock and hurt knifed through her.

Her best friend was a part of the notorious club and she hadn’t told her? She should be more upset than this, shouldn’t she?

“The Initiation is tonight, Jenna. One night of pleasuring you with a couple of others from the Club. No strings. After that, we can talk again. If you want to walk, then you can walk. But, Jenna, know that I can’t go back to the way it was between us. I can’t fight with you anymore when you get angry with me. I won’t, because I can’t hurt you again as I did in the past. It would kill me this time around. So? Are you in?”

He held out his hand to her.

His hand resembled a bond. A bond she never wanted to break with him.

She nodded as she placed her hand into Sully’s outstretched one.

“I’m in.”

Chapter Five

“Meemee! I am going to kill you!” Jenna spat at her best friend. It was a mere few minutes later and Sully had dropped her off at Meemee’s place, but not before giving her a searing kiss, which reminded Jenna of exactly why she wanted Sully back in her life.

Now she stood with her friend inside a closed lingerie store down the street from Meemee’s apartment. Apparently, the Ménage Club had given Meems a key to this place and instructed her to help Jenna get ready for her Initiation.

“What did I do now?” Meems asked as her hands scrambled between a shimmering blue chemise and some skimpy red outfit.

“You never told me you belonged to the Club,” Jenna hissed as she stood beside Meemee. Jenna wore nothing but her thong and a warm terrycloth towel Meemee had given her after instructing her to take off all her damp clothing in the store. She didn’t feel the least bit self-conscious or embarrassed at having Meemee seeing her partially nude or totally naked for that matter. They’d seen each other in their birthday suits off and on ever since they’d decided to be best friends in kindergarten.

“So? You never told me Sully was so well-hung either,” she giggled.

“Meemee, please be serious. Why didn’t you ever tell me? Why the big secret? We’re supposed to be best friends. We’re supposed to share everything.”

Meemee turned from the rack of sexy clothing and winked at her. “Even best friends have secrets, sweetie. Now how about this outfit? It’s a hot red, baby doll satin and lace with open bust and strapless, and it’s cute with these frilly ribbons and it’s crotchless… Your face isn’t giving me the ‘okay, this is a great outfit’ signal… What’s the matter? Have you changed your mind about the Club?”

Sweet heavens! No! She’d never been so excited in her life! Just thinking about actually having sex with Sully along with others participating—not to mention the Club’s unbeatable success rate—how could she even think about changing her mind?

“It’s not sexy enough. Besides I don’t think I look so great in red.”

“Hmm, okay, give me an idea of what you’re looking for,” she said as she chewed her lower lip thoughtfully.

“I want something daring,” Jenna admitted. Her heart was thumping a mile a minute at what she envisioned herself wearing. “Something that Sully won’t expect. Something that will blow Sully’s mind…and get him so horny he wants to take me right there and then. Something that will complement my figure.”

“Newsflash, Jen. He wants you no matter what you look like.” She threw the red outfit back onto the rack and turned to Jenna, a scolding tone to her voice. “Woman! He is in love with you! L-o-v-e! Or haven’t you figured that out yet? Why the hell do you think he came back to Hideaway? Why would he join the Club? Why would he agree to this Initiation? He’s not willing to go the regular route of trying to get back together with you because it’s failed in the past. During your relationship, you guys broke up so many times it had my head spinning. I can only imagine how he felt or you, for that matter. Am I not right? You two kept getting back together and just kept on fighting and breaking apart again.”

“Yes, but—” She wanted to tell Meems that Sully had already told her all this and that she eagerly looked forward to what was going to happen tonight, but her friend seemed to be on a roll, and when she wanted to get her point across, she wouldn’t stop talking until she had her say.

“He knows you both have problems that don’t have an easy fix. Sure, maybe relationship counseling might help your jealousy issue about him being so hunky gorgeous. And it might help your problem that you don’t feel as if you deserve such a good-looking guy, even if you aren’t svelte and drop-dead gorgeous like those thin, anorexic models in those lousy glam-glam magazines. But, Jenna, our way at the Club proves that everyone is equal. Fat, skinny, short or tall, we all want to be loved, and to have sex and be pleasured without feeling guilty about our sexuality or whatever the hell problem some couple is working on. The way they do it at the Club is a hell of a lot quicker in helping to repair a relationship than traditional counseling. And it’s a lot more fun. Ménages, when used right, are the ultimate trust factor in a relationship. Are you getting my meaning?”

“Think sexy, Meems. Sexy, hot, something flattering. What do you wear to the Ménage Club when you want to grab a man’s attention?”

Jenna hid a smile as Meemee emitted a frustrated curse. “Haven’t you been listening to me? He doesn’t care what you look like—”

“Every word, Meems. Now move aside so I can see what else is on this rack. I have a man to catch.”

* * * * *

Sully’s heart was pounding a mile a minute as he stepped out of the shower adjoining the lavish bedroom they’d be using at the Ménage Club, which was actually in the basement of Tony’s secluded, beachfront, three-story home a few miles outside Hideaway, Maine.

“You’re looking more nervous than a virgin bridegroom on his wedding night,” Tony chuckled from the doorway.

“In a way I am, aren’t I?” Sully said as he grabbed a towel and began to dry himself, being extra careful around his rock-hard cock. “It’s been years since I’ve made love to her. I’ve almost defied the Club rules several times and shown her how much I want her back.”

“But you didn’t defy us and now, tonight, you will show her what she’ll have in store for the rest of her life…if she so chooses to accept the rules of the Club.”

“It’s been killing me not to be intimate with her, Tony. I mean intimate the old-fashioned way…one-on-one.”

Tony’s expression softened. “All in good time, Sully. All in good time. I know it’s been hard staying away from Jenna. When a man is in love with a woman, he wants to express it by making love to her, but that would have repeated your old pattern.”

Tony was right. Sully knew it, but it didn’t mean he could easily turn off the way he was raised. His mother had always told him that love between a man and a woman would solve all problems. Too bad she’d been wrong in this case.

Sometimes outside help, no matter how extreme, was needed to repair a relationship and regain the trust of the woman he loved.

“Here’s a little something to keep you going for Jenna. It’s state of the art. New on the market,” Tony said as he placed something on the bathroom counter.

Sully’s eyes widened and his cock immediately pulsed as he recognized the item he’d seen advertised on the Net and had been meaning to get. He blew out a breath as he examined the supple leather item and the bronze ring. He knew full well he’d need the help of this device because without it, he was so hot and horny, he just might explode before Jenna was ready for him.

“Thanks, Tony. I appreciate it.”

“Hey, what else are best friends for?”

* * * * *

“Shit, Meems. I’m getting nervous,” Jenna admitted as Meemee ushered her down the elaborate marble staircase that led to Tony’s basement. She’d never been to his beach house, or maybe castle was a better word for it. She’d never realized such an extravagant house actually existed so close to the pretty little tourist town of Hideaway. Tony had built both it and the Club a couple of years ago when he’d come back from one of his astronaut missions. She’d been invited for the housewarming but had to decline because she’d been busy getting her antiques shop in working order.

And now, here she was…under totally different circumstances. Totally erotic circumstances.

She couldn’t believe this was actually happening. She was actually going through with this Initiation.

Sweet mercy! Had she flipped her lid? Was she so desperate she’d try anything to be with Sully? Or was she finally loosening up and letting her true sensual nature shine through?

“Girl, I’d be nervous too.”

At her friend’s words, her nervousness only increased. “Gee, thanks for helping.”

“C’mon, Jen, I’m joking. There’s no need to be anxious. You’ll be fine, and remember Sully will be with you every step of the way.”

Strangely enough, having her say that, actually calmed her a bit.

“Thanks, Meems.”

“Hey! What else are best friends for?”

Suddenly Jenna realized she’d been focused so much on herself tonight she hadn’t even realized when Sully had dropped her off at Meemee’s that her friend was dressed in a flirty, one-shouldered minidress with a keyhole bodice and buckle trim. The midnight blue dress contrasted so beautifully with her long, straight blonde hair that the familiar tinge of wanting to have the same perfect body as Meemee’s crept into her mind.

Jenna shoved her envy aside. No use wanting to be someone else. She needed to stay comfortable in her own skin. That’s where her happiness lay.

That, however, didn’t stop the guilt from sweeping in around her. “I ruined your evening, didn’t I, Meems?”

Meemee looked surprised and shook her head. “Ruined my evening? What makes you say that?”

“You’re dressed to kill and now you’re bringing me over here to Tony’s, so I’m making you late for your date.”

“I always dress this way when I come to the Club.”

Dressing for Tony perhaps? Tony was an idiot if he hadn’t noticed Meems by now, and joining a club just so she could be with Tony was kind of stupid, wasn’t it?

Jenna stifled a laugh at that thought. She was doing the same thing just to be with Sully so who was she to cast stones?

“Which reminds me, best friends aren’t supposed to have secrets. Why didn’t you tell me you joined the Club?” Focusing on her friend might take her mind off what would be happening soon. Unfortunately, Meemee wasn’t in the mood for talking about herself.

“This is the bedroom you’ll be using,” she whispered as she grabbed Jenna by the hand and giggled as she pushed the oak door open to present the awesome sight.

“Oh!” was all Jenna could say as she surveyed the bedroom suite decorated in misty blue and gold highlights. In the middle of the room was a wrought iron canopy bed where a fluffy blue and white square comforter was folded back to reveal midnight-blue satiny sheets and matching pillows.

The walls were virgin white with gorgeous, tastefully framed pictures of nude sex scenes, most of them shots of group sex that made Jenna’s pulse race with both excitement and a tinge of anxiety. Perfectly normal under these conditions. Especially when she was going into a world she didn’t know too much about except for what she’d researched on the Net and that was totally different than what she would be experiencing tonight.

She was glad she wore the sparkling, white leather chemise with lace trimming at the half-cups and hem. It made her fit right into this gorgeous, sexy scene. The instant Jenna had spied the outfit, she’d known it was what she’d wanted. It hugged her plus-size figure to perfection, the underwire cups cradled her large breasts, allowing ample cleavage, and the material dropped over her rounded belly, hiding it nicely.

The clothing gave her a sexy, flirty, feminine kind of feeling and that’s what she wanted for Sully. It also had a provocative slit that went right up her sides, giving a great view of her bare legs and hips, allowing the men to realize she wore no underwear, making herself easily accessible.

She’d removed the plug as per Meemee’s instructions and her ass now throbbed and ached to be filled again.

Jenna swallowed against a flutter of nerves as the lights suddenly dimmed and soft, romantic music floated through the room. Behind her, the door softly clicked shut.

She turned around and discovered Meemee gone.

Some best friend! Deserting her in her hour of need. She made a move to follow Meemee when nearby another door she hadn’t noticed opened.

Jenna did a double take as Sully strolled into the room. He wore a two-tone charmeuse robe, dark forest green accented with emerald green. The coloring of his robe enhanced the green hunger in his eyes as he saw her standing there.

“Jenna, I’m glad you could make it,” he whispered as he came toward her. His hair was damp, curling wildly, and made him look so damn sexy that for a split second she thought she just might be having an erotic dream about him.

His eyes shone brightly with desire, hunger splashed across his handsome face. The sexy way his nostrils flared as he caught the scent of his favorite perfume she’d dabbed behind her ears had her own breath backing up in her lungs and her physically backing up as well. She hadn’t even realized she’d been so overwhelmed by the erotic sensations spiraling through her that she’d backed into the door, the coolness of the oak smacking against her bottom.

“I’ve waited a long time for us, Jenna. A long time to finally be with you.”

“Me too,” she whispered, reacting to his touch as his hands came to settle at her elbows.

His fingers slid with featherlike strokes along the sides of her arms and awareness coursed through her.

“Are you sure you want this?” he asked. She could see the need to be with her so clearly now as he looked into her eyes.

She nodded, suddenly unable to speak, mesmerized by the tingling sensations sifting up along her arms as he continued to stroke her flesh.

“You look absolutely beautiful in that outfit.” His words warmed her, his soft touches set her on fire.

“Thank you.” She’d never been much for compliments, but his always made her feel so nice.

“They’ve given us a little time together. Time to get to know one another a little more intimately.”