Three Words: A Novella Collection (45 page)

Everyone
shakes hands, has a drink, talks about stupid stuff you talk about
when you meet someone for the first time. We move on to the latest
bands, which of us has tickets to what music festival over the
summer and the places we like to eat in the city. Throughout the
entire conversation there’s a hand on my bottom, caressing it and
I’m assuming it’s Nicholas’ —seeing that Joel’s
gay—
but
either way I don’t care, it’s turning me on something shocking. I
can feel the excitement building with each tiny squeeze, every
subtle rub of flesh over cloth.

Then we dance
and it’s subtly sexy. Emily is so engrossed with Alex she hasn’t
seemed to twig that I’m doing the threesome version of
Dirty
Dancing
and at one point I mistakenly kiss Joel because I’m
feeling so turned on. At least I hope she didn’t notice, because in
the very next instance I seem to be kissing Nicholas. The whole
thing is like a blur of bodies and lips and I’m loving every
minute. Finally, we’re so sweaty it’s time to call quits on the
dancing so we head back to the bar and Emily sends Alex to order
another round. I raise my eyebrows in her direction while his back
is turned.

“
He seems nice,” I mouth, nodding.

“
And
sooo
cute,” she mouths back and moves closer to me
so we can put our heads together. “Not a sign of arsehole so far,”
she whispers.

“
That’s great.”

“
In fact, I’m thinking he and I need to go somewhere so we can
get to know each other a little better.”

“
Oh Emily, you’re not going to shag him are you? You promised
you’d stop hooking up with random boys. You’ve only just
met.”

“
I wasn’t thinking anything of the sort… for a change. What I
meant was that maybe I could coax him into going for a walk on the
beach or something. You know, to talk. Do you think he’d be up for
it? He won’t see it as an invitation to throw me in the sand and
have his way with me, will he?”

I glance over
to the bar where Alex is paying for drinks. He’s been very
attentive to Emily. “I don’t think so. If you let him know you want
to take things slowly I think it’ll be okay—”

As opposed to
myself who is about to have my way with two men.

“—
But can you text me and let me know what you’re up to?” I
add. “So I know you’re safe? I mean, Alex seems nice, but people
can change once they get in the dark and I don’t want you out there
alone without me knowing where you are.”

“
Yes, Mum.”

“
The key to the cottage is under the frog statue near the
front steps, if you get home before I do and there’s a spare
toothbrush in my bag if you need one.”

“
I’m not gonna ask why you brought a spare toothbrush.” Emily
smiles. “You’re the best friend ever.”

I give her a
hug. “Be safe.”

“
I will.”

“
And have fun. But not too much.”

Emily goes to
the bar and whispers something to Alex who quickly distributes
drinks and then yanks her out the door as if he’s been waiting for
the invitation for hours. At last, Nicholas, Joel and I are alone…
in a crowd of, oh, two hundred or so. The only impediment to my
night has been removed. There are no more excuses.

I turn back to
find the boys standing there looking at me. And the look I’m
getting is telling me they’re thinking the same thing I am.

Chapter 8

The trip from
the bar to my place takes no longer than six minutes but it feels
like the longest walk of my life. The boys have made small talk the
whole way but it’s not helping. Even being insanely smashed is not
helping. The butterflies are back and this time they have teeth.
They’re gnawing at my insides inflating the indecision I thought
I’d so cleverly squashed. I’m
soooo
nervous.

Okay. That’s
an understatement. I’m freaking out, packing it.

As we walk,
Nicholas takes hold of my hand. His skin is warm and his palm soft.
He looks down into my eyes; his own filled with a mix of desire and
understanding. I feel calmer. Well, not as likely to throw up. The
nerves are still there, I mean, I’ve never done anything like this
before so I suppose it’s understandable. But, somehow, just from
the way he’s looking at me I know it’s okay and I
definitely
know I want to do it. It’s the getting started part that’s the most
difficult.

“
It’s okay, Sadie,” Nicholas says, softly. “We don’t have to
do it if you don’t want to.”

I squeeze his
hand. I can’t speak. I’m overwhelmed by the fact that even though
he knows I’m a sure thing he’s letting my feelings be the guide for
this. He’s not pressuring me into anything.

On the other
side of me, Joel is quiet, too. He’s walking very close, I feel his
arm graze mine every now and again and I wonder what’s going on
inside his head. Is he jealous that Nicholas is holding my hand? Is
that why he’s so quiet when he’d usually be making some silly joke?
I don’t want him to feel that way. I want us to be okay. I slide my
free hand into the back pocket of his jeans. I can feel the firm
muscles of his butt moving as we walk. He clenches them on purpose
under my fingers and I catch a glimpse of his cheeky grin. There’s
nothing wrong. He’s simply going with the flow, letting this thing
we’re starting run its course.

We reach the
beach gate and I remove my hand from Joel’s pocket to unlatch it.
As I do, I stumble on the step, partly because it’s dark and partly
because I may be a little drunker than even
I
realised.
Instantly, there are two sets of hands on my body, steadying me,
and as I right myself Joel moves in front of me leaving Nicholas to
take up the rear.

“
Did you hurt yourself?” Joel asks.

I do a quick
mental check. My knee is stinging but I muster a smile. “I’m fine.
Tripped on the stupid maxi dress.”

Joel’s eyes
skim my body. I feel them travelling along my bare arms, over my
collarbone and down my cleavage towards my ribs. I’m wearing no
bra; the thin straps of the dress don’t allow it. His eyes come to
rest on my breasts and instantly my nipples harden like he’s just
kissed them. I don’t move. I simply swallow and wait to see what
he’s going to do.

“
I think the dress is hot,” he says. “But you look so much
better without it.”

He yanks my
waist towards him. My body is against his. The gentle thumping of
his heart is in sync with mine. Behind me, Nicholas has moved
closer too. He’s flipped my hair over my shoulder to expose the
skin at my neck. My back is nestled against his chest and he’s
squeezing my hand tightly as his lips dip into the space where my
shoulder meets the top of my spine.

Then Joel’s
lips are on mine. They’re hot and urgent and as he deepens the
kiss, I can’t help but kiss him back, I’m so turned on. Nicholas
has both of my hands now. He’s pinioned them gently behind my back
and is directing them to feel the erection growing between us while
Joel continues his offensive on my mouth. I feel hands raising my
skirt, touching the soft skin at the edge of my underwear. I feel a
finger tracing the outline before it delves inside, teasing me
where I long to be teased the most. As Joel, flicks his tongue in
and out of my mouth, the hand finds its target. Fingers pinch
gently and I’m pulsing so hard I think I’m about to come right here
in front of the house. I’m wet and needy, ready for whatever it is
they’re going to give me.

The heat
builds. Joel kisses me harder. His hands are on my breasts now and
through the flimsy fabric of my dress I feel him tug at first one
nipple and then the other. The fingers in my knickers are working
faster too. I can’t kiss anymore, I can’t breathe with what they’re
doing. I need release.

“
Do it Sadie,” Nicholas still has his lips at my neck. “Show
us how you come.”

I hear Joel
groan with desire, feel the vibration of his mouth against mine.
This is like nothing I’ve felt before. Ever.

And it’s
soooo
good.

*****

I wake before
the boys the following morning. We’re in a tangled heap on the bed,
all naked limbs and twisted sheets. I stare up at the ceiling, a
satisfied smile spreading across my face. I did it. I actually did
it. That’s something I can’t quite believe. I think the secret —
apart from the crazy attraction I feel to them both — lays in the
fact that it was planned. I’ve never been that good at spontaneity
but if I know what to expect I can plan for it. It makes me feel
more comfortable.

Closing my
eyes, I let the images of last night swirl through my head. They’re
hot. So hot, I feel the throbbing begin at the very idea. The
blindfold, the darkened room. One of the boys taking me from
behind; the other nipping at every part of my body. I want more.
Yes, that’s what I want. And I want it now.

I roll in
Joel’s direction. He’s asleep, so I snuggle into his chest and wrap
my arms around him. He feels good — hard and soft at the same time.
His heart is beating slowly, lulling me back to sleep. Then he
stirs and his arm creeps over mine, his hand comes to rest on my
bum, which he caresses before giving it a pinch.

“
Ouch,” I whisper, half-giggling and not wanting to wake
Nicholas.

“
Morning.” Joel bends his head. His lips are on mine. His
mouth begins to devour me, making me open up to him. I love the way
he kisses. I pull away at last and he makes a little face like he’s
sad.

“
Morning,” I whisper back.

“
Are you okay?”

“
Yep. You?”

He grins and
kisses me again. I guess that’s his answer.

Over my
shoulder I feel Nicholas stretching. He rolls, spooning me, and
brushes the hair from my shoulder before kissing it. His fingers
linger and I feel loved, so loved.

“
Morning,” he says. His voice is gravelly in the aftermath of
the drinking last night but the huskiness is sexy. It sends ripples
of desire through me.

I kiss his
fingers on my shoulder. “Morning.”

“
You okay?”

I think I’ve
had this conversation before. Joel seems to think so, too. He’s
smirking. I know I shouldn’t love it, but I do. He’s so
devilish.

“
Yep. You?”

“
The best.” Nicholas pecks my shoulder again. He shuffles
closer so that the length of his body is touching mine. I roll
over, hooking my leg over his hip. I feel rather naughty, like
doing this is so wrong. But it feels so right.

“
The best, huh?”

He nods
slowly. I can see the lust in his eyes but it goes deeper than
that. Way deeper. It’s the way I feel too.

“
I’ll see your ‘best’ and raise you an ‘awesome.’” Forgetting
that we agreed I should never see who does what or how the boys
look in daylight — except when they’re clothed, of course, I slide
my hands between us, taking Nicholas’ erection in my fingers,
rubbing it against me. He doesn’t move but smiles, allowing me to
control what’s happening, feeling me pushing my suddenly needy body
onto his. Behind me, Joel plays around the crack of my bottom. His
hard length is thrusting slowly between my legs and his hands are
squeezing my breasts. Nicholas bites into my neck. Every nerve in
my body is on fire. My breathing elevates; my heart pounds out of
control. They’re going to tip me over the edge without even doing
it at this rate.

“
Sadie? Anybody home?” It’s Emily.

“
Fuck.” Joel sits bolt upright in the bed.

Well, not
literally, we were just getting to that.

“
What’s she doing here?” Nicholas asks.

“
Shhhh
!” I hiss. I hear Emily’s heels clicking down the
hall. Five more seconds and she’s going to be opening the door and
exposing me for the slutty thing I am.

Oh shit. Oh
shit, shitty, shit.

I scramble
from the bed, trying to untangle my foot that’s become twisted in a
sheet as I go and accidently punching Nicholas in the side of the
head in the process.

“
Jesus, Sadie, that hurt.”

“
Shut. Up!” I fall flat on my face on the floor, my naked
bottom in full view, and for some reason I feel very embarrassed.
Why? I don’t know. I mean, the boys saw every bit of me up close
last night. It’s nothing new.

“
Sadie? Are you okay?” Emily calls.

God, what is
with everyone and asking me if I’m freaking okay today?

“
Yes, yes. I’m coming. I just banged my knee on the chest of
drawers, that’s all.” I grab my robe from the chair and wrap it
around my body before rushing to the door. “Stay there,” I order
the boys. “And don’t move a muscle. Don’t even breathe. I’ll get
rid of her somehow.”

I slither out
the bedroom door, holding it closed behind me. I fluff my hair and
attempt to look un-bedded and less hung over. My smile is strained
and tight.

“
Hey, how was your night?” My voice cracks as I speak and I
know Emily knows I’m up to something. I cough and clear my throat.
She’s looking at me oddly, like I have two men in my bedroom or
something.

Oh that’s
right. I do.

“
Fabulous. Alex is so nice, a real gentlemen. I told him I
wasn’t up for some holiday shag and he was perfectly fine with
that. I’m meeting him for dinner tonight. I hope you don’t mind. I
came up here to spend time with my bestie and I feel like I’m
blowing you off.”