Sharing Hailey (11 page)

It wasn’t working.

She wrapped her arms around her waist, suddenly unsure of herself. It was the first time she’d come to them knowing the three of them would make love. The first time, she’d thought it would just be her and Mark. And last night, she’d thought they were going to watch movies. This felt…different.

“I’d tell you to put those shoes back on, but we’ll have to play that game another time. I can’t wait that long,” Tony said before yanking off his T-shirt and dropping it to the floor.

Hailey’s knees began to melt, and her fingers twitched with the need to explore the dips and bulges of his chest.

“Shirt or skirt first?” Tony asked.

“Definitely shirt,” Mark answered.

Tony nodded at Hailey. “You heard him.”

Hands shaking with desire and nerves, Hailey grasped the hem of her shirt and slowly lifted it over her head. The cool breeze from the ceiling fan pearled her nipples. Or was it their enthralled gazes on her breasts?

She tossed the shirt to the futon then pushed her hair out of her face with both hands.

“Skirt,” Tony choked out.

When she reached back to unzip the denim skirt, her breasts thrust forward.

“Fuck,” Mark rasped.

Slowly, she eased the zipper down, drawing out the action longer than necessary. After all, they did like her breasts. She pushed the skirt over her hips and let it fall to the floor before stepping out of it. Standing in front of them in her red thong, she clasped her hands self-consciously in front of her.

All three stood silently. Her eyes drank them both in, and she wondered how she’d gotten so lucky. They were gorgeous.

Her lips dry, she moistened them with the tip of her tongue. Tony started toward her, his smooth movements reminding her of a big cat in the zoo. He stripped his jeans and underwear as he moved. The muscular bands of his quads drew her gaze.

When he knelt in front of her, he was naked. Mark seemed frozen in place.

“Hands by your side,” Tony said, his hot breath teasing her belly.

She released her hands and clenched her fists at her sides, tensely awaiting his first touch, silently begging for it. When he lightly kissed her belly button she jerked, the expectation of his touch not preparing her for the actual event. He circled it with his tongue—once, twice—then dipped the tip inside. A bolt of desire shot to her groin. Her moan of pleasure blended with Mark’s groan.

She watched Mark watching her and Tony. Fascination and raw need mingled in his eyes and the set of his jaw. His gaze caught hers and sent a trickle of hot liquid to the lacy crotch of her panties. He pulled off his shirt then shucked his jeans and boxer briefs in one move, never releasing her gaze.

When he straightened again, he lifted his heavy cock in one palm. His low voice drifted to her sex. “You do this to me.”

He wrapped his fingers around the shaft and began a languorous stroke that was so erotic, she forgot to breathe.

Tony kissed, nipped and licked his way down to the top of her thong, sending sparks firing through her body with each caress. His teeth caught the top of the lace and tugged, dragging it down. When his nose bumped her clit, her knees buckled, and she grasped his shoulders to catch herself. He quickly released the lace, letting it float to the ground, and grabbed her around the waist so she didn’t fall.

Mark’s eyes widened in alarm. He reached her in two steps, slipping behind her and enfolding her in his arms.

Tony buried his face between her legs at the same time Mark began nuzzling her neck. Sensations overwhelmed her. She dropped her head back against Mark’s shoulder. He took her chin in one hand and turned her head so her lips met his. His kiss wasn’t gentle. It engulfed her, his beard scratching, demanding her attention, her response. His breath took hers until she was gasping. He bent his knees until his cock slid down her buttocks and between her legs. The tip of his penis touched her opening and with Tony’s exquisite attention to her clit, the distinct tickle of orgasm began to build.

Mark lifted his lips, and she tried to follow, but his next command stopped her. “Suck Tony.”

The order spilled juices from her core, drenching his cock.

Did she go to her knees under her own power, or did one of them help her? She only knew that one moment she was looking down at Tony, and the next she was kissing her juices from his mouth as she pushed his shoulders back until he was flat beneath her. Her nipples brushed his smooth, firm chest. She swept her lips across his chin, his neck, his chest, and lower hurrying to reach her goal. She wanted to taste his cock.

She crawled between his legs. “Tell me you’re clean,” she breathed, just before flicking the broad head with her tongue. She didn’t want to taste the condom. She wanted to taste him—the entire hot, sweet, bare length of him.

“Yes,” he hissed.

She didn’t waste time on more preliminaries but took him into her mouth to the back of her throat. His cock was scorching, as if he were feverish. His hips jerked, pushing him farther, and she swallowed to accommodate him. The taste of him, musky and salty, blended in her mouth.

She gently cupped his smooth balls in one hand, lovingly massaging, and wrapped her other around the base of his cock.

Mark lifted her hips. She spread her knees and moved her hand from Tony’s balls to the floor to rebalance herself. Mark nudged her opening with the sheathed head of his penis then groaned, thrusting inside her to the hilt. She cried out at the exquisite fullness, dropping Tony’s cock. Quickly reclaiming it, she sucked harder, faster. Mark’s fingers traced circles around her clit as he thrust deeper, but she focused on Tony and his pleasure, ignoring her own. His shallow breathing. The increasing pace of his thrusts. His hands gripping her shoulders.

All because of her.

She did this to him. The knowledge made her feel sexier.

Tony’s balls drew up. She sucked and was swallowing the head when he came, his hot seed spurting and coating her throat.

The force of Mark’s thrusts increased. She braced herself with both hands as she hovered over Tony. Flattening her tongue against the base of his cock, she dragged it along the full length one last time before focusing on her own orgasm. She was so close, every nerve in her body, every breath, every heartbeat centered on that tiny button of ecstasy that Mark manipulated with such skill.

The orgasm blew through her. He was seconds behind, holding her ass tightly against him, seated as fully as he could get while his cock pulsed in counterpoint to the clasp and release of her vaginal walls. She pushed back, trying to take him deeper, wanting to feel every throb, every twitch of his release.

When they’d both finished, he gently lowered her to Tony’s chest and slowly pulled out, as if reluctant to break the connection.

Tony wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. “You’re amazing.” His voice reverberated through her.

Mark’s chest grazed her back. He kissed her shoulders then her nape before he left. A few seconds later she heard the toilet flush. Condom disposal.

Tony rolled them over so she was on her back. He leaned on his elbow next to her and smiled in bemusement.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing. I knew it would be good with you. I just never…” He shrugged. “My imagination didn’t do it justice.”

“Definitely worth the wait,” Mark said. He knelt on her other side then scooped her into his arms.

“I can walk,” she said.

“Yeah, but I like carrying you.”

“I don’t want to go back yet.”

“Good,” Mark replied. “’Cause we’ve still got a few hours.”

Tony rolled up from the floor. “I’ll set the alarm,”

Hailey sighed and draped her arms around Mark’s neck. “I’m glad you like to cuddle.”

“Don’t let that get out,” he warned.

She released his neck when he lowered her in the middle of the mattress. “Not a chance. It’s hard enough keeping women away from you.”

He shook his head. “Babe, no one comes close to you.”

Slipping his arm beneath her shoulders, he rolled her toward him so her head rested on his shoulder and her calf slid between his thighs. The mattress dipped behind her, and Tony’s warmth pressed against her back. His forearm rested on her hip. His hand splayed against Mark’s abdomen.

That simple gesture reassured her as words couldn’t.

* * *

Everyone slept in the next morning. Jake was just getting breakfast for Nikki when Hailey entered the great room a little after ten. Her hair was still damp from the shower. Meredith and Landon were at the breakfast bar with Nikki, but Mark and Tony were absent. Hailey was tempted to go down to the guesthouse.

“Good morning,” Nikki said cheerfully. “Did you have a good time last night?”

“Yes,” Hailey said, her voice still hoarse with sleep. She’d had a great time.

“You hungry?” Jake asked. “I’m cooking.”

“Yeah, thanks,” she said as she joined him in the kitchen, searching for coffee. When she’d poured a cup, she asked, “Anybody need a refill?”

A chorus of “nos” answered.

Landon vacated his bar stool. “Have a seat, Hailey.”

She tried to smile at him but knew her lips weren’t really responding to commands yet. Not enough sleep. She did manage another rusty “Thanks.”

She sipped her coffee and blissfully let the warmth trickle down her throat. She didn’t understand how anyone could function without the stuff. When she could hold up her end of the conversation, she asked, “Any plans for today?”

“Nope,” Nikki answered. “I figured after partying all night, y’all would be happiest just hanging around the pool.”

Hailey sighed. That sounded almost like heaven. But she knew better, because heaven’s steps were pounding up the stairs.

Jake placed her breakfast in front of her then topped off her coffee. “Sounds like Tony and Mark finally dragged their lazy butts out of bed.”

“I didn’t see your lazy ass on the dance floor last night,” Mark countered as he entered the kitchen. “Where’s my breakfast?”

“Sitting in front of Hailey.”

“Ouch. Not even
Star Trek
would go there.”

“You are such a girl,” Jake said.

“Yeah, but I’m a girl who still has both hands.”

Hailey allowed a real smile at their good-natured ribbing. Jake sounded more like himself this morning—less stressed.

Mark plucked two apple bananas off a bunch on the counter and tossed them to Tony, who leaned against the bar next to Nikki and began peeling one of them. Mark took one for himself and propped his tight, denim-clad ass against the granite countertop. They ate their bananas while Jake started their omelets.

They briefly discussed the band last night but quickly moved to other topics. Hailey, Mark and Tony couldn’t add a lot to the discussion, and none of them wanted Jake and Nikki to realize it. When Hailey finished her breakfast, she carried her coffee cup and plate into the kitchen and loaded the plate into the dishwasher. She poured two cups of coffee, handed one to Mark then took the other to Tony. After refilling her own, she leaned against the counter next to Mark, their hips touching.

He smelled so good, she was tempted to bury her nose in his shirt or the side of his neck. For the first time since she’d started vacationing in Hawaii, she was looking forward to returning home, where she could sleep between them all night and wake up between them in the morning. Maybe even spend all weekend in bed.

Jake’s back was to them as he tended the omelets at the stove. He was laughing when he turned around and started to say something to Mark, then stopped cold, a smile frozen on his face. His head swiveled from Hailey to Mark and back to Hailey. His smile faded. His gaze narrowed.

“Mark, I need to talk to you,” he barked, his gaze never leaving Hailey. “Outside.”

Hailey stiffened. What? What had they done? Nothing. She was standing next to Mark like she’d done a million times before. She looked up at Mark, her eyes wide, then to Tony and back to Mark. Jake was already walking out of the kitchen. Mark shrugged and followed him, clearly as confused as Hailey. He didn’t seem concerned, just bemused.

When the front door slammed behind them, Hailey turned to Nikki. “What’s up with that?”

Nikki frowned. “I think Jake just figured it out.”

Chapter Ten

Hailey’s breakfast suddenly threatened to come back up. “What?” she croaked.

“I think he just put one and one together. You and Mark. He hasn’t added the third
one
yet.” She stared pointedly at Tony, who was very quiet and still. “Or you’d be out there with them.”

She’d known this was coming, but what she didn’t know was how they’d tipped off her brother. One moment he’d been joking with Mark. The next he’d barked at him. What had happened in those few seconds? And how long had Nikki known?

“How did he…?” Hailey trailed off as Tony headed to the door. “No, Tony. Wait.”

He didn’t.

Oh, shit
. She followed him. No way would she let them face Jake without her. After all, she was one-third of the problem. Not that Jake knew it yet.

She caught him just before he reached for the door handle and hooked a shaky finger in one of his belt loops. “You need to calm down,” she said as her heart pounded in her ears. “It’ll be okay. Just calm down.”

“You trying to convince me or you?” he said over his shoulder, his voice tight.

“Me,” she said flatly, clenching one trembling hand into a fist.

Jake’s angry voice hit them before Tony got the door open. “Did you see her face?”

Her face?
“Wait, Tony. What’s wrong with my face?”

“Beard burn,” Nikki said from behind her.

Hailey jerked one hand to her chin. It had been a little red and sensitive, but she figured she’d gotten too much sun yesterday. “Why beard burn? Why not sunburn?”

Nikki’s eyes sparkled, and humor laced her voice despite her husband’s anger. “We’ve had a lot of experience with it.”

Jake’s voice carried through the door again. “She’s my sister, you fucking asshole. What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

Oh, shit
. What would he say when he learned the truth?

“I’d better get out there before he punches Mark,” Nikki said.

Tony opened the door, and Hailey hurried around him before he could stop her. Jake had his back to her.

Tentatively, she placed a hand on his forearm. “Jake, just calm down.”

He turned on her, and she almost shrank back at the ferocity on his face. “Get back inside. I’ll deal with this.”

A calm determination settled over her. She didn’t know where it came from, but she welcomed it, needed it. “No, you won’t
deal with this
. It’s my relationship to deal with, not yours.”

“He’s my friend,” he argued. “He took advantage of you.”

“Oh please,” she scoffed. “You know Mark better than that. He would never take advantage of you
or
me.”

“That’s Tony you’re talking about, not Mark,” Jake spat.

The statement knocked her back as if he’d slapped her. Where had that come from?

Mark reached out to her. “He didn’t mean that, babe. He’s angry.”

Well, she’d rebounded from her shock, and white-hot anger had replaced it. No one talked to Mark like that. Not even her own brother. She turned her full fury on Jake. “FYI, if that’s your criteria for friendship, Tony’s not any more of a friend than Mark, dear brother of mine.”

His face registered his confusion as he focused on Tony. “When did this happen?”

“Just recently,” Tony answered.

“So you dumped her, and Mark stepped in?”

“Not exactly,” Tony said. “But before we get into details, I think we all need to calm down.”

“That not gonna happen,” Jake argued.

“Tony’s right,” Nikki said.

Hailey looked to see if Meredith and Landon were witnessing the drama, but the door was shut behind Nikki. Too bad. Landon might come in handy if they needed to restrain Jake.

Nikki rubbed her hand in circles up and down Jake’s back. Hailey could see him trying to appease his wife. Anger, fear and concern crossed his face as he struggled to tone things down.

Hailey took full advantage of the lull. “I would think you’d be happy that I got rid of Daniel and found not just one man, but two who would do anything to make me happy.”

“What the hell?” Jake sputtered.

“Well, so far, it’s really more like heaven,” she countered belligerently, although a bit of wistfulness crept into her voice.

Jake’s hazel eyes pierced Tony. “Is that true?

“Yeah, heaven pretty much describes it.”

Jake’s hands clenched at his sides, and for a moment she thought he was going to punch Tony. “Don’t be an asshole. You know that’s not what I meant.”

Tony sighed. “Yeah, it’s true.”

Jake’s attention returned to Hailey. “Both of them? You’re dating both of them…at the same time? What kind of fucking friendship is that?”

“A pretty good one,” she answered. “They didn’t force me to choose between them, and they didn’t fight over me. So far, it’s worked out really well.” Never mind that it had only been a few days.

The full force of Jake’s wrath turned on Tony, and he jabbed his finger into his chest to emphasize his words. “You’re a fucking doctor. I knew you were a bleeding-heart liberal, but I never pegged you for a pervert.”

Hailey cringed. That was exactly the wrong thing to say to Tony.

But he didn’t flinch. “We both love your sister,” he said simply. “And she loves us.”

“Look, this is new for all of us,” Mark said calmly. “Maybe Tony and I should leave for a few days—give you some time to get used to it.”

“Not without me,” Hailey said at the same time Jake said, “
Get used to it
. How the
hell
am I supposed to get used to my two best friends sniffing after my sister?” He turned on her. “And
you
. You were raised better than this. Our parents would—”

Mark grasped Jake’s shoulder and yanked him away from her, cutting off the hurtful words. He didn’t raise his voice, but his narrowed gaze and clipped words clearly conveyed his anger. “Don’t you ever talk to her like that. If you’re angry, fine. But you take it out on me. You don’t speak to her in anger. You don’t touch her in anger. You got that?”

“She’s my sister. I’ll do whatever it takes to make her see reason.”

“No, you won’t,” Mark said angrily. “You wouldn’t allow me to speak to Nikki that way.”

“Nikki’s my wife. She’s my responsibility. You have no claim on Hailey. You’re not related to her. You’re not married to her.”

“Same as, as far as I’m concerned,” Mark countered.

“How the hell do you figure that? Don’t you think Tony might dispute that claim?”

Tony stepped between them. “We don’t need any labels to validate our feelings for Hailey. I’m sure you felt the same way before you and Nikki married.”

“She can’t marry both of you,” Jake pointed out.

“We’ve just started dating,” Hailey interrupted. “It’s a little early to start talking about marriage.”

Truth was, she hadn’t thought about marrying either one of them. Still, Jake had a valid point. If it came to marriage or even a long-term relationship, she didn’t know how they would handle it, but since she hadn’t planned on having any children, she wasn’t too concerned. She didn’t need the safety net of marriage. She sure as hell didn’t want them to argue over whose name she would take. That was another decision she didn’t want them to force her to make.

“Mark’s right,” Nikki said. “We need time to calm down, process everything. Why don’t y’all go to Volcano or head up north for a day or two?”

“Hailey stays here,” Jake said.

“No, I’m going with them.”

Nikki backed her up. “Hailey won’t be happy here without Mark and Tony. And you won’t be able to calm down and think this through rationally with her here. You’ll spend that time trying to talk her out of the relationship. That’s not fair to her, and it would be a waste of your time.”

“Mark, Tony, y’all go pack,” Hailey said, unwilling to be the first to leave, afraid that if she left them it would come to blows, even with her sister-in-law acting as peacemaker.

The three men seemed intent on staring each other down. Hailey glanced helplessly at Nikki, who shrugged and mouthed. “Men.”

“Let’s go to Volcano,” Hailey said. “The lava flow is supposed to be really good. I’ll pack a few things and meet you in the guesthouse. Give me fifteen minutes.”

Tony was the first to turn away. “Fifteen minutes,” he said as he opened the front door. “Come on, Mark.”

Mark clenched and unclenched his hands, as if he really wanted to hit something.

Hailey took one of his callused hands in hers and smoothed it open in her palm. “Hey,” she said softly, wanting him to focus on her, not Jake.

He gazed down at her, and the hard lines around his eyes and mouth softened.

She smiled. “It’s okay. I’ll be fine. I’m just going to throw a few things in a bag. I’ll be right there. Jake’s not going to hurt me. He’s not going to stop me.”

Nikki chimed in. “Jake’s not going to bother her, Mark. I won’t let him. Don’t worry.”

Mark’s shoulders relaxed. Clearly he knew if anyone could control Jake, it was Nikki. He placed one hand at the small of Hailey’s back and gently urged her toward the open door, where Tony still waited. When she stepped back in the house, they both followed her until they reached her room.

“You need any help?” Mark asked.

She turned to face him and Tony. “No, thanks. I’ll be right down.”

“Fifteen minutes,” he said.

“Max,” she answered emphatically. Her lips trembled as she tried to smile.

Neither man moved until she entered her room.

Unwilling to take the time to decide what she needed to pack and what she didn’t, she began throwing everything into her suitcase.

Nikki stuck her head in the door. “I’m sorry about Jake’s temper,” she whispered.

“It’s not your fault,” she replied. “He was born with it. At least, that’s what Mom used to say.”

“The pregnancy has him more stressed than usual. I’ll work on him,” Nikki said, her voice still low. “He’ll come around. You know he will. He loves you—all three of you. He can’t stay angry with you. It’s just not possible.”

“That’s what everyone keeps telling me,” she mumbled dispiritedly.

“When he calms down, he’ll realize what a wonderful thing this is. He loves Mark and Tony like brothers. Now, they truly will be because of you.”

Guilt assailed her and all of her fears tumbled out. “Oh God, Nikki. What if it doesn’t work out? What if we get tired of each other after a few months and break up? It will ruin Jake’s friendship with them. You know it will. It will ruin my friendship with them too. I don’t think I could stand that. I’ve made such a mess of things.”

Nikki crossed the room and hugged her. “Shhh, shhh. That’s not going to happen. I’ve never seen three people more perfect together. I’m surprised it’s taken y’all so long to get to this point.”

Hailey pulled back and frowned. “You’re kidding me, right? You saw this coming? The three of us together?”

Nikki shook her head. “No, not the three of you. I figured it would be you and either Mark or Tony. I didn’t know which. I was worried that when you chose one, we’d lose the other.” She smiled. “Now, I don’t have to worry about that. Was it Mark who came up with the solution?”

“I don’t know.” Truthfully, she hadn’t thought to ask. They’d presented the idea to her as a team. Now, she wondered. Had it been Mark? Probably.

Nikki interrupted her musings. “Well, anyway, thanks for taking his mind off of me for a while. I’m sorry he blew, but I’m not sorry that y’all gave him something else to worry about.”

“Glad we could help,” she said sarcastically.

Nikki hugged her again. “I’ll try to find a few minutes alone tomorrow to give you a call and let you know where his head is.”

The house was eerily quiet as Hailey rolled her bag to the front door and left it there then descended the stairs. Landon and Meredith were on the couch in the game room, watching the flat-screen TV.

Hailey smiled weakly at them. “Sorry for the drama.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Landon said as he stood up. “Anything I can do?”

She shook her head.

“We’ll work on him. He’ll come around.”

Tears pricked her eyes. Her brother was forcing her to choose between him and the men she loved. The full impact of the decision hit her. If Jake didn’t accept her relationship with Tony and Mark, she’d lose her brother, her only family. And if this relationship with Mark and Tony didn’t work out, she’d lose her two best friends. She tried to swallow the thick, painful lump lodged in her throat, but it didn’t budge. It was impossible to speak. Didn’t matter. If she said anything, she’d break down. She couldn’t do that until she had some privacy. That wasn’t going to happen for a few more hours, unless she considered a restroom stall in a gas station private. She didn’t.

She smiled weakly and continued to the guesthouse. Mark met her at the door, backpack slung over his right shoulder, duffle bag in his left hand. Tony was standing over the bed, zipping his bag when she stepped inside.