Zoey (I Dare You Book 2) (5 page)

“I am on a mission, a fact that I’ve stated to Rafe, and he seems okay with it. I have no doubt the man could get anyone he chooses to, but it’s different this time. He wants to settle down with someone who will accept him for who he is, lifestyle choices and all. Before we moved, there were memories at Drink Nights I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.” Heidi smiled dreamily, thinking of the night Nathan had proposed there. “And I’d love to check out The Rendezvous. Maybe we could all go together sometime?”

“You, me, and your two gorgeous men. Hell yeah, that sounds like a plan.”

“Good. Now, what would you say if I told you I wanted you to be the one?” Heidi held up her hand to keep Zoey from interrupting her. “Please just hear me out. You’re beautiful, inside and out. I’ve known you since I can remember, you’re my closest childhood friend, my best ‘girl’ friend, and we’ve been through so much together. You’re single, someone I trust with my life, and someone I’m attracted to and value. You’d be perfect for us, and Rafe is already half in love you after our night together.”

“Are you sure? Your situation, although untraditional, is fine with me. Hell, I’ll even admit I’ve thought about our night together an awful lot since. I love you, and Nathan and Rafe are amazing, but it’s something I’ll have to think about.” This situation was everything she wanted, yet she wasn’t totally convinced Rafe was a hundred percent on board, and he’d have to be in order for her to agree with it. There were also other factors to consider before she just jumped right in too.

“Why?” Heidi asked.

“I want this. Believe me I do, Heidi but what if it didn’t work out? One, I’d hate to lose our friendship, and two, I’m not sure how I would fit in. A single night was one thing. Are you willing to share Rafe with me for some one-on-one time so we can get to know each other as a twosome as well?”

Heidi giggled as she watched Zoey express herself with her hands as she spoke. “I’m sorry, I know this isn’t funny, but you’re adorable. We could go as fast or as slow as you would like. Some alone time between you and Rafe would be important, especially in the beginning, so yes, I’d be okay with that, and only when you’re ready would Nathan and I join the two of you again.

“I mean, who knows? This may not even work out. All I’m asking is that you hang around us more often to give it a chance. Rafe is a great guy. He needs to feel loved and to find someone to settle down with so he doesn’t feel left out, and Nathan and I love him enough to help him find that someone special. Whether we like it or not, Rafe needs more than what we have provided him with, and I’m trying to give him the happiness he needs. That’s what you’re supposed to do when you love someone, isn’t it?” Heidi cleared her throat. “Look, the last thing I want is for you to be uncomfortable, but I had to try. You’d be doing us a huge favor, and at least you know us. Will you at least think about it?”

Zoey exhaled in relief and nodded. “Then I can’t say no.” She smiled shyly and reached out to squeeze Heidi’s hand. “I’m half in love with him already too, and you know how I feel about you. So yes, but I really want this to work out, so I’ll have to go slow, okay?”

“Thank you, Zoey.” Heidi exclaimed. “I can’t picture sharing them with anyone else. You won’t regret this.”

Squee!

****

“Well, what do we have here?” Nathan said. Both men had just entered the house and seemed to follow the delicious aroma of dinner being prepared. Heidi had talked Nathan into playing tour guide for Rafe so she could have that talk with Zoey. Coming up behind her, Nathan wrapped his arms around Heidi’s waist and leaned in for a kiss.

“Dinner.” Heidi turned around and smiled at Nathan and Rafe. She pecked Nathan on the lips and then moved to do the same to Rafe. “Nathan, Rafe, you remember my good friend Zoey, don’t you?” She visibly suppressed a smile when Zoey blushed. “She’ll be joining us tonight.”

“Will she?” both men chorused with mischievous grins on their faces that suggested all kinds of naughtiness again.

“I will, for dinner. I’ll be joining you for
dinner
tonight, so behave.” Zoey winked then

  blushed again as Rafe blurted out “a pity” and feigned a pout.

“Be good,” Heidi teased, and then pointed towards the dining room. “Now, out. Dinner will be ready in a minute.” The last thing she wanted was to scare her poor friend off. She knew how virile and appealing both men where, and it could be quite intimidating if you weren’t used to all the attention. Both men chuckled as they obliged, leaving Zoey and Heidi to have a minute before they joined them at the dinner table.

“You okay?” Heidi asked.

“Yes.” Zoey exhaled loudly. “I just wish you hadn’t told me you wanted to set me up as your fourth. I’d be far less nervous about it. I mean, God, I remembered they were gorgeous, but my memory didn’t do them justice. It’s a little intimidating.” She chuckled.

“I understand. Hey…” Heidi brushed the side of her face so she’d look up from preparing the salad. “This will go as fast or as slow as you want it to. Tonight, you’re here as a friend. It doesn’t have to be anything more.”

“I know, and I’m sorry. Do they always flirt like that?”

“Oh yeah.” Heidi giggled. “Those two are both sex on legs.”

“That I definitely remember.” Zoey giggled with her. “Oh, man, am I in trouble?” she teased, grabbing the salad bowl to take with her to the dining room. “Let’s get this started, shall we?”

Heidi smiled wide before putting her arm around Zoey’s shoulders and giving her a peck on the cheek. “We shall. Let’s go.”

****

“Man, look at them in there.” Nathan nudged Rafe as both men sat at the table and watched the two women only a few feet away. “Zoey’s pretty hot, don’t you think?”

“They both are.” Rafe smiled. “Too bad we don’t get to play with both again.”

Nathan laughed. “You do realize that Heidi has a plan, right? She’s been friends with that woman since childhood, and I’m pretty sure she’s the one Heidi hopes you’ll end up with. She’s already joined us so we know she’s cool, and although she may seem a little shy today, at least we know she’ll be okay with our relationship as it is. Hell, she’d be perfect for you, man.”

“She is beautiful, and seems to be nice, but I’m not going to jump into anything. I love that you and Heidi care enough to make me happy, and I certainly have no plans to go anywhere. Ideally, the woman I end up with needs to be open and spirited like Heidi. Hell, I wish there were two of her, but I’m willing to see where this goes. There’s no doubt Heidi likes her, and I can’t deny that I’d like to see Ms. Zoey naked some more and writhing for me, so what the hell.”

“Thatta boy.” Nathan smiled. “I’m a lucky man. I can’t deny it. I love Heidi so much it hurts, and I’m glad we’ve found you. We do want you to be happy, Rafe. We want you in our lives for the long haul. I’m rooting for you, man, and Zoey is a beautiful woman. It certainly wouldn’t be a chore having her in our bed again or our lives, so good luck.”

“We’ll see.” Rafe cleared his throat and stood as the ladies approached with the food. “Is there anything I can help you with?”

“No thanks.” Heidi smiled as she set the food on the table and then took her place beside Nathan, which left Zoey the spot next to Rafe. “We’re good. Dig in.”

Rafe nodded and sat again as everyone began to eat. There was no pressure, and Zoey looked more comfortable around them as the night progressed. They laughed, talked, drank wine, and even flirted a little. Heidi couldn’t be more pleased. Her plan was now in action, so far so good, and as the hours passed, it was time for a little push.

They all sat on the couch cozy by the fireplace. She was nestled in Nathan’s embrace, feeling content, and stretched with an exaggerated yawn. “Nathan, honey, I think it’s time the two of us headed to bed.” She stood and reached her hand out for him to follow.

“Good idea.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “You, me, and a bed. How can I refuse?” He winked at Rafe, who smiled at them.

Once Nathan stood, Heidi bent over to quickly kiss first Zoey and then Rafe goodnight. “Sweet dreams, you two.”

****

“I’m sorry.” Zoey sighed and shook her head. “It’s getting late, isn’t it? Maybe I should get going too.” She stood to leave but stopped as Rafe’s hand halted her movement.

“Please stay. I’m enjoying your company.”

“Me too.” She smiled as she sat down beside him again. “But it would be so much easier if I wasn’t so nervous.”

“Why are you nervous?” Rafe reached out to gently caress the side of her face. He couldn’t help himself. She was beautiful, and as the night went on, he found that he liked having her around. She was one of them; he could see that clearly now. Not only did she have a great relationship with Heidi, she laughed, joked, and fit in so nicely with them. He wanted to learn more about her, and he began to think maybe he had lucked out. She was clearly something special, and it intrigued him enough to want to get to know her better.

“Okay, I’m just going to blurt this out before I lose my nerve, so here goes.” She lifted her gaze to his, blue eyes meeting his dark ones with uncertainty. “Heidi and I have been friends since I can remember, and when she married Nathan, I couldn’t have been more thrilled for her, and then there is you. They both care about you so much, and I think what you have is great, but Heidi told me about you wanting to find your someone
spicy
, and I think she wants that someone to be me. How can I not be nervous when truthfully I’m not sure if you’re even interested? I’m very attracted to you and definitely not a virgin as you very well know, but I’m also wary.”

“I already figured out Heidi’s plans pretty much as soon as we walked in.” He chuckled. “Gotta love her, though. She’s got spectacular taste, especially in women.” He winked, allowing his fingers to linger against her skin as his thumb stroked her cheek. “But it’s my time to be honest. I can’t deny that I’m no virgin either, as you put it, and I have a lot of experience. I love sex, Zoey. I always have and I forever will. There is nothing more satisfying than bringing the one you choose to be with such an intimate pleasure and knowing it was you who gave them that sort of ecstasy, but I’m also ready to settle down. Heidi and Nathan have taught me so much, and I envy the love that they share. You should also know that I love them both, and I’m not willing to leave what we have for the time being, and honestly if ever. They make me happy, and I’m hoping to find someone who will learn to love me for me, kinkiness and all, because Nathan, Heidi, and I are a package deal.”

“I understand,” she whispered, and he nearly groaned as she zeroed in on his lips with her gaze.

“Good, because I need you to,” he said in a low tone. “And it should also be said that I’m very interested. You’re beautiful, Zoey. You’re kind, loving, and witty, and I love how well we all get along. You’re already one of us, honey, and I’d like to get to know you. What do you say? You want to give it a try?”

“I’m pretty sure that I do.” She smiled, and he closed the distance between them.

Her lips were just too delectable, and he had to have a taste right then. Her breath against his mouth made him moan. Their soft, plump lips pressed against each other, and he was already addicted, needing more. He moved his body as close as he could get. Her firm breasts teased him as they pressed against his chest, and it felt amazing to have her in his arms. She moaned with him, seeming just as eager as he was. His tongue coaxed her lips open to meet with hers, the wet, silky glide of them touching while he made love to her mouth with his own.

They were both panting by the time the kiss slowed down.

“Damn, Rafe, I want you so bad right now. I can’t stop thinking about the ecstasy you spoke about a few minutes ago. Is that bad? Because I’ve never wanted to fuck someone so quickly before. Oh God, Nathan and Heidi are upstairs and—” She flopped backwards on the couch and covered her blushing face with her hands. “I should just go.”

“Don’t be silly.” Rafe moved off the couch and knelt in front of her. “I’d love to bring you bliss, honey. Do you want Heidi and Nathan to join us?”

“No, not tonight.” she said it so low he almost missed it. “I know you’re a package deal, but I want you, only you, at the moment. Heidi is such a good friend, and I need to go slow with them. It terrifies me to think this may not work out and I could end up losing what we already have, not just with you, but with her as well.”

“I understand, and I certainly don’t mind keeping you all to myself for a while.” He smiled. “Will you stay so I can love you properly?” He wiggled his eyebrows.

“I can’t wait.” She smirked.

“Good.” He stood and lifted her off the couch into his arms. “I’d make love to you anywhere, but something tells me that you’d be more comfortable with a little more privacy right now. Let’s go christen the spare room down the hall, shall we?”

“Let’s.” Her eye’s glistened with delight as she snuggled closer, and he knew right then that he was already hooked.

He kicked the door shut behind them as he carried her inside the bedroom. She was still a bit skittish so he planned to take things slow. He wanted to take his time. Or so he’d planned, until she began to squirm, slid down his body as he released her, and pushed him against the wall with need. Her kiss was almost frantic, and it made him want to puff up his chest with pride. She wanted him bad, and he loved it.

“Damn, Zoey, you’re driving me crazy.” He flipped her around so that she was against the wall, and he pressed against her. “I want you.” He grunted. “Clothes off.” He fingered her collar before stepping back to unbutton his own shirt.