Winter Fire: A Red Hot Winter Story (9 page)

Garreth had said something earlier in the evening that left Rachel with food for thought.

You may be Jenna’s best friend, but you’re not the stupid kid who fucked up her life, and it’s not fair to assign that responsibility to you.

Never had truer words been spoken. Rachel wasn’t that kid. But she was Jenna’s friend, and somehow, because she and Jackson were involved, Rachel now had the potential to become that kid. The person with the power to hurt Jenna. Which was of course nonsense, since Jenna was the last person in the world Rachel would ever hurt.

Not for the first time, Rachel wondered how Jenna would react if she just came out and told her the truth. If she just confessed her love for Jackson. She’d be upset, no question about it. But would the hurt and disappointment persist? Would Jenna be able to overcome that initial burst of panic? Would she believe that no matter what happened, Rachel would always be her friend? Could she trust Rachel and Jackson enough to know they had no intention of hurting her, that they simply wanted to be together?

It was a useless debate to have with herself. Jackson would never allow her to speak openly to Jenna.

The knock came again.

Rachel knew who it was. And she knew she was going to open the door.

When she did, Garreth raised an eyebrow. “I wasn’t sure you’d answer.”

Good grief, he was gorgeous. “I’ll always answer when you knock. I’m just not sure I’ll let you in.” Rain fell steadily behind him, and the wind cut a path into the chalet, chilling her to the bone.

“Let me in, sweet thing. You know you want to.”

Shit, he was right. She did. She wanted to haul him inside, rip off his clothes and fuck him mercilessly. She also wanted to get the damned door closed so she could trap the heat inside and the cold out. “You sure you want to come in? Knowing I love Jackson this much?”

“I told you this morning, it doesn’t bother me at all. And knowing it’s Jackson on your mind just turns me on more.”

Her pussy jumped. Damn, did he say all the right things or what? “He’s not with you, is he?” She knew the answer would be no. As hard as she tried, she couldn’t hide the disappointment.

“No.” Garreth shook his head. “I’m sorry. I was so sure he’d come after you.”

She gave him a sad smile. “He has to put his sister first.” Rachel chewed on her lower lip. “Garreth?”

“Yeah?”

“I can’t do this.” She hadn’t been sure what her answer would be until this second, but now she’d voiced it she knew there could be no other choice. “I think you’re wonderful. I do. I also think you’re about the sexiest man I’ve ever laid eyes on.” She smiled a small smile, telling him in her own way that he was forgiven for keeping the truth from her.

“But?”

“But I can’t make love to you again. Not without Jackson. Not knowing who you are and how you fit in with Jackson’s life.”

His eyes filled with the warmth she’d come to associate with him. “Ah, sweet thing. I never expected you to sleep with me without him.”

“You, uh, didn’t?”

“You and Jack are supposed to be together. I told you that. There’s no way you’d be disloyal to him with me now.”

God, his insight was truly astounding. “Then why did you come here?”

The wind shrieked around him. “Because I thought he’d follow.”

Tears rushed to her eyes. He’d done that for her? For Jackson? “Damn it, Garreth. If I wasn’t already in love with Jackson, I’d
fall for you like a ton of bricks. Even if your logic is somewhat twisted.”

“Yeah, and if I wasn’t in love with someone else, I’d fall for you too.”

They smiled at each other, a sad smile borne of mutual compassion. If two people ever understood each other, it was her and Garreth. “Would you like to come in anyway? I have wine and scotch in the bar fridge. We can drown our sorrows together.”

Garreth nodded. “I’d love to.” He stepped inside and walked over to the couch.

Rachel pushed the door shut and headed to the fridge. Before the door had a chance to latch, it was shoved open again, so hard it slammed against the wall.

A furious Jackson stormed into the room, looking menacing. Water dripped from his hair and jacket. His cheeks were scarlet, and his chest heaved as though he’d run all the way here from the restaurant. His eyes blazed with fury.

“You are not fucking doing this,” he roared. “No way. No how. Do you understand me?”

“Jack,” Garreth nodded at him, calm as anything.

“You,” he pointed at Garreth. “You don’t get to touch her one more time.”

Rachel gasped.

“And you—” He turned to glare at Rachel “—You don’t get to fuck him. Ever again.”

Rachel gaped at him. “What—”

“I told you,” he raged. “You are not fucking doing this.
Not without me!
”

“Not without…” Rachel let the words trail off as their meaning registered. She lost her breath.

“Finally come to your senses, asshole?” Garreth asked.

Jackson tore off his jacket. It landed in a wet pile on the floor. “Don’t asshole me, you prick. I told you all along. She’s mine.” He yanked his sweater over his head and shook his hair out. Droplets splashed around him.

Rachel blinked. “I am?”

His hands stilled on the buttons of his shirt which he’d begun to open, and his expression softened. “You know you are, Rach. You always have been.”

Her heart pounded.

Garreth stepped up behind her and pressed himself to her back. “She wasn’t yours last night,” he told Jackson. “She was all mine. Every last naked inch of her.” His cock, which he’d strategically positioned snugly behind her butt, shifted. It grew with every word he spoke.

Jackson’s eyes flashed dangerously.

Garreth wrapped an arm around her waist and pushed her pajama top up, exposing her belly. He dragged his hand over her stomach, igniting all sorts of fires inside her. She looked at Jackson, felt Garreth’s touch on her naked flesh and groaned.

Garreth had been right. Jackson, thinking Garreth intended to sleep with her, hadn’t been able to stay away. He’d come after her. She could have kissed Garreth.

She
did
kiss him.

She twirled around his arms, held his face in her hands and pressed her mouth to his. His lips parted to meet hers instantly. Even with his tongue sweeping into her mouth, she could feel his lips curving into a smile.

She smiled right back.

Until Jackson interrupted the kiss with one furious word. “Enough!”

Garreth pulled away an inch. “Go to it, sweet thing,” he whispered. “Make him yours.” He gave her a gentle push, and she lost her balance and toppled over.

Jackson caught her, spun her around and kissed her. So forcefully she couldn’t breathe. But that was okay. What was a little life-saving oxygen when the man she’d loved forever kissed her as though his very life depended on it?

He kissed her and he kissed her and he kissed her. And when Rachel began to think she might pass out from the sheer pleasure his mouth induced, he kissed her some more. And she kissed him back, cherishing every second.

An eternity passed before Jackson pulled away, before he looked over her shoulder at Garreth and nodded. “This is it. The last night we share. Ever.”

“Then we best make it worth our while. And Rachel’s.”

Rachel smiled. Oh, this was going to be worth all of their whiles. She put her hands on Jackson’s shirt and finished off the task of opening his buttons for him.

Jackson shivered beneath her touch, and his hand tightened in her hair. “Enjoy it, Halt. After this you don’t get to touch her again.”

Let the men argue it out. Let them iron out all the creases. She just wanted to touch them. Both of them. Rachel pushed Jackson’s shirt off, showing his lean, muscled chest. She pressed her lips to one of his nipples and then the other, making him groan out loud.

She smiled at the knowledge she and Garreth shared. They’d already accepted the fact they wouldn’t touch again. Tonight, now, was simply an added bonus for both of them.

Rachel turned to face Garreth, still smiling, and he winked at her. She went to work on the buttons of his shirt too. The six-pack covering his stomach made her mouth water. Both of them, Garreth and Jackson, looked ridiculously good shirtless. Two hot-blooded males, filling her room.

She could hardly wait for them to dispose of their pants.

She leaned in to lick one of Garreth’s nipples and he brushed his hand through her hair. “Oh, yeah, sweet thing. Just like that.”

Rachel sucked the nipple into her mouth, making Garreth shudder.

“Christ,” he rasped. “I need to see you naked.”

Rachel grinned as she released his flesh. “Then get rid of these pajamas.”

“I’ll let Jackson do the honors,” he said, and turned her in his arms so she faced the man she loved.

He stood less than a meter away. His eyes were dark as night and heated breath escaped his parted lips. When he stepped forward and lifted his hands to undo her buttons, they shook.

It probably didn’t take long to open her pajama top, but it felt like forever. His hands worked torturously against her. They were icy cold, making her nipples bead instantly, but it was the soft flicking of his fingers over her breasts that drove her wild. It had her moaning in Garreth’s hold. The cold prickles that had covered her skin vanished. Goose bumps took their place, erupting all over her arms and shoulders. Her nipples were tight buds, desperate for Jackson’s touch. For Garreth’s mouth.

Wet heat pooled in her pussy.

Jackson heaved in a deep breath as her top fell open. “Dear God.” His voice was dry as grit, and he spent several seconds just staring at her.

Her breasts grew heavy beneath his gaze. Needy.

“Damn, Rach.” Jackson swallowed hard. “You’re beautiful.”

Garreth’s arms reached around her, and he cupped her breasts. One he massaged gently, and the other he brushed with his thumb, running it over her erect nipple.

Rachel let out a squeak. God, that felt stunning.

Jackson leaned in and kissed her. She drank from his lips thirstily, dying for another taste of his mouth, his tongue. His hands found her hips and he stepped even closer, holding his lower body snug against hers. His erection ground into her stomach through his jeans.

Behind her, Garreth nuzzled his nose through her hair to nibble at her neck. He pressed his cock between her buttocks.

Rachel had trouble remembering to breathe. How could she, when every sense was inundated by these beautiful men? When Garreth, the gorgeous stranger she’d grown so fond of, tantalized her neck with tiny kisses and tormented her breasts with perfect strokes of his hands? When Jackson, the man she’d loved forever and given up hoping for, kissed her like he might never kiss another woman again?

Guilt licked at her subconscious. This was wrong. They shouldn’t be here. Shouldn’t be doing this.

She pushed it away, refusing to think about it. Later there’d be time for self-doubt and recrimination. Later she could face the consequences of her actions. And Jackson’s. Now she just intended to luxuriate in those actions. To relish every second spent in Jackson’s and Garreth’s arms.

As Jackson had said to Garreth, this was a one-off thing, the last night. She wasn’t about to waste a second on shame and remorse. Not now. Tomorrow. But not now.

Garreth’s hands left her breasts and his cock left her ass. He moved against her back, lowering himself to his knees, dropping light kisses all the way down her spine, making her tingle. He steadied himself by holding her around her hips, just like Jackson.

And then slowly her pants were sliding over those same hips. Whether Jackson was pushing at them, or Garreth was tugging them down, she couldn’t tell. She just knew they were coming off, and the knowledge had her chest squeezing in anticipation. The liquid pooling in her pussy oozed from her lips and slid onto her inner thigh.

As Garreth nuzzled her buttock, Jackson dipped his head forward and drew a nipple into his mouth.

Rachel’s head fell back as sensation and lust tore through her.

Garreth inserted his hand between her thighs, pushing her legs apart. Jackson suckled on her nipple, the action sending a dart of pleasure rippling through her, deep into her pussy.

When Garreth swiped a finger over her slick, wet folds and found her clit, Rachel lost it.

She came. Just like that. With Garreth on his knees behind her, and Jackson latched onto her breast.

Her knees gave way as waves of bliss crashed over her. Jackson caught her before she fell and carried her to the couch, where he lay her down. She barely had time to breathe before he crouched and buried his face between her legs.

Rachel’s eyes popped open. Jackson was licking her pussy. She stared at Garreth in disbelief.

He grinned at her. “Told you,” he mouthed silently.

Rachel tried to smile back, but Jackson lifted her leg up high and tongued her clit as he slid a finger inside her, making her howl almost as loud as the wind outside.

Garreth stripped off his pants and headed to the couch, his erection bobbing proudly before him. “You and me have unfinished business,” he told her. “This morning, when Jackson walked in on us, he disturbed us. Remember?”

She nodded. God, how could she ever forget?

He gripped the base of his cock. “Wanna try again?”

“God, yes.” She licked her lips. Her pussy in Jackson’s mouth, Garreth’s cock in her mouth? Damn straight she wanted to try again. Jackson moaned out loud as cream gushed from her pussy. He licked up every drop, still using his finger to fuck her.

Garreth placed his hands on the back of the couch and leaned over her, bringing his balls to her lips. She dragged her tongue over them.

The sac pulled tight against the base of his dick and he threw his head back. “Oh, yeah!”

Jackson paused to look up and watch them. His expression was black, as if seeing them together hurt physically.

She drew a testicle into her mouth and sucked it gently.

Jackson inhaled a sharp breath and his eyes darkened, lust lurking in their depths. His finger moved rhythmically inside her. In, out. In, out.

She released the testicle and repeated the process with Garreth’s other one.