23. Begging for Mercy

Chapter 23

Begging for Mercy

Libby

I ’d never been so excited to go on a date before. Everything was happening so fast now, and I found myself leaning into my feelings instead of away from them.

Ethan made everything so easy, and in turn, my heart was open for possibly the first time ever. Of course, it was scary, but I could think of no one else I’d trust my heart with.

Maybe all the years of keeping everyone at arm’s length had finally come to a head and my heart was craving what I’d never let it have. Even with my adoptive parents, I’d never opened up fully, always fearful of my heart being broken beyond repair.

This could all end very badly, but I was now in a place where I was willing to risk it to find my happiness.

Even if that happiness was with two men.

And currently, happiness was entering an adults-only arcade. There was nothing I hated more than trying to relax and enjoy myself with kids running around. Don’t get me wrong, I loved kids, but the teacher in me could not relax. I always felt like I had to watch them or correct their bad behavior.

“I was thinking we could do laser tag first. I reserved one of their smaller courses meant for less than eight people.” Leo rubbed his hands together with a grin. “I want to see how much of those video games you two play translate into real life.”

I could barely contain my excitement. I hadn’t played since college, but the gamer in me was itching to get my hands on that laser gun. “I’m ready! Where do we pick up the gear?”

Spotting the laser tag area, I headed straight for it, Ethan and Leo right behind me.

“So, this was a good idea for a date?” Leo was definitely proud of his date-planning prowess.

“You’re three for three, Caponetti.” Ethan put his arm around Leo’s waist, and Leo stiffened. “Relax, or you’ll make it awkward.”

“Just takes some getting used to is all.” Leo looked around as if making sure no one was watching. “I’m a little worried about photos.”

Ethan sighed and stepped away from Leo. “Sorry. Didn’t even think about that.”

I stopped in the short line at the laser tag kiosk and turned to face the two of them. “Maybe we should get you a hat and a fake mustache.”

Leo smiled, but I could tell he had other things going on in his head. “That might work, but then I’d attract attention for looking weird.”

“You’d be really hot with a baseball hat on backwards.” Ethan moved beside me and took my hand. “I personally don’t care if my picture is plastered all over the internet, but I’ll tone it down.”

Leo nodded, his eyes darting around again. “It’s not that I don’t want to hold hands or whatever. You really never know who will recognize you and take a picture for a few bucks. I’m not worth a lot, at least.”

“Can I help you?” the lady at the kiosk called out to us.

After getting our arena assignment and gear, we headed to the room and got into our vests. My adrenaline was already pumping as I looked out over the space that was designed like a forest.

“So, I was thinking that we could make this game a little more competitive by having a prize.” Leo powered on his vest and gun. “Are you two game?”

“Tell us more.” Ethan was stretching his legs, and I giggled at how ridiculous he was.

“Winner gets to decide what goes on in the bedroom tonight.” Leo looked between us. “And I mean everything… who fucks who.”

I raised an eyebrow at Leo’s proposal, heat rushing to my core. “You’re on. But don’t come crying to me when you lose.” I was never one to back down from a challenge, and this one? Well, this one had a particularly enticing reward.

Ethan chuckled, slinging an arm around my shoulder. “You’re going down. You’re good, but not that good.” His eyes sparkled with competitiveness, and I knew he was in it to win it.

“Let’s get started then.”

With all of our vests and guns turned on, the game was activated, and a countdown clock began. We scattered, the sound of our feet drowned out by the music that began playing.

The room was about the size of an average house with all the walls and ceiling painted black. The neon lights were strategically placed to give just enough light to see, but if you were careful, you could stick to the shadows. There was fake foliage and obstacles perfect for hiding scattered throughout the room.

I found a spot to hide behind a fake tree, my laser gun at the ready. The game started with a loud buzz, and my heart rate shot up. I knew it was all fake, but the vest would vibrate when I got shot and would scare the shit out of me.

“Come out, come out, wherever you are,” Ethan taunted, his voice nearby. He was more of an offensive player versus defensive, so I wasn’t surprised he was already coming after who he perceived as the easiest target. He could easily chase me down with his long legs and speed.

Before he was right on top of me, I sprang into action, moving from my hiding spot to try and catch Ethan off guard. I spotted him darting between two barriers, and I took aim, firing a shot that hit him square in the back.

I ducked back behind the tree as he turned to return fire. There was no way I could stay where I was now that he knew my location, so I zig-zagged as I ran to the edge of the room and hid behind a wall, staying as low as possible. My quads were burning, but I hadn’t been hit.

Peeking around the side, I caught a glimpse of Leo darting between barriers, but he was so fast, I’d never hit him. Not wanting to stay in the same spot for long, I was on the move again.

Ducking behind a bush, I went as still as possible. I could hear footsteps approaching, but I couldn’t tell if it was Ethan or Leo.

“Oh, princess,” Leo’s voice rang out, a teasing lilt to his tone. “I’ve got plans for that sweet ass of yours when I win this game.”

I bit my lip to stifle a giggle. “In your dreams!” I quickly darted away from the bush.

As I moved, I caught sight of Ethan’s tall frame. I took aim and fired, managing to hit him again. I was feeling pretty damn good about hitting him twice already.

“You’re going to pay for that later. On your knees, begging for mercy.” His words sent a shiver down my spine, and I momentarily lost focus. That was all Leo needed to get a shot in, my vest vibrating as it registered the hit.

“Fuck!” I hissed, ducking behind another barrier.

“Language, princess,” Leo taunted. “Or do I need to put that dirty mouth of yours to better use later?”

“Always so vulgar with wanting to shove your dicks in my mouth. Maybe I’ll suffocate you both with my pussy.” I moved again, someone hitting me before I could duck.

The sexual tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. Every taunt and comment had my body humming with anticipation for what was to come after our date.

As the game went on, I managed to get a few more shots in on both of them, but Ethan was proving to be a force to be reckoned with. I wasn’t surprised at how ruthless he was. He liked to win, and besides that, he could cover more ground faster than me and Leo. His height should have made him an easier target, but he knew how to move his body behind barriers and was so fast it was hard to hit the target.

“You know,” Ethan called out, his voice closer than I expected considering I’d just run the length of the room for what felt like the hundredth time. “I’m thinking when I win, I might sit back and watch you two put on a show for me.”

The thought of being watched by Ethan sent a jolt of arousal through me. I was so distracted by the mental image that I didn’t notice Ethan sneaking up on me until it was too late.

“Gotcha,” he whispered in my ear as he shot me point-blank.

I spun around, finding myself trapped between Ethan and the wall. His eyes were dark with desire, and for a moment, I forgot we were in the middle of a game.

“You cheated,” I accused breathlessly.

Ethan’s lips quirked into a smirk. “Is that so? Seems to me like you’re losing on purpose.”

“Ten seconds left!” Leo shouted.

“Prepare to be at my mercy!” Ethan jumped back and fired at my chest before I could react, his voice filled with triumph.

I couldn’t even raise my gun before he was gone, leaving me flustered against the wall. The buzzer sounded, and the lights came on.

We made our way to the scoreboard, and I couldn’t help but groan when I saw the results. Ethan had absolutely demolished us, his score nearly double mine and Leo’s combined.

“Well, well, well.” Ethan grinned, looking entirely too pleased with himself. “Looks like I’m calling the shots tonight.”

Leo shook his head but laughed. “I didn’t want to win.”

“No?” Ethan’s gaze swept over Leo and me, his eyes darkening with desire. “Good, because I’ve got plans. Big plans.”

It was going to be tough getting through the rest of this date, especially knowing that Leo and Ethan had been intimate.

“I need a snack and a beer.” Leo gathered our equipment. “I’ll go return these and then meet you two at the bar?”

“Sounds good.” I kissed him and Ethan did the same. It felt so normal, even though it was anything but.

Ethan took my hand, and we walked back into the main facility, where it was loud with the sounds of arcade games, music, and other adults having a good time. Would the three of us ever be able to be affectionate in public like we had been in the privacy of the laser tag room?

New York City was a lot more accepting than other places, but did that extend to two men and a woman who were in a throuple? I hadn’t talked much to my brother or Paige about what it was like when they went out, but maybe I needed to.

“He let me hit him.” Ethan came to a stop in a short line to order food and drinks.

“What?” I was confused.

Ethan rolled his eyes. “In the game. He literally stepped out and spread his arms wide for me to get points.”

I glared up at him. “So, you admit you cheated and I’m the winner?”

He laughed. “I didn’t say that. I was informing you that he wants whatever happens later.”

“Are you going to…” I looked around and then lowered my voice, “fuck him in front of me?”

He smirked and leaned down to my ear, nipping at it. “You’d like to watch that, wouldn’t you?”

“Maybe.” I shrugged as if I didn’t care either way, but I wanted everything with these two whether it be watching or involved.

Leo cleared his throat from next to us. “It’s our turn to order.”

We placed our orders, Leo paying with his fancy black credit card. Ethan, although a bottomless pit most of the time, didn’t get anything to eat while Leo and I ordered chicken wings and pretzel bites, along with beers.

“You don’t want anything?” Leo double-checked as we took the order number card and found a table.

“Nope.” Ethan sat and took a sip of his beer. “This kind of food can be iffy for my stomach.”

I narrowed my eyes at him because I knew for a fact that he was lying out of his ass. He loved chicken wings and pretzel bites and had never once complained about them. “Well, we’ll just enjoy our snack while you watch.”

“Oh, I intend to.”

I got the feeling he wasn’t talking about us eating food.