Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

It sucks that I still have to go to work the next morning, but Leon wakes me up early with a soft kiss on the crown of my head. I’m bundled up tight in his arms, his hand stroking my curls.

“I’ve got to get out to the site,” he says into my ear, trailing his lips down my jaw to my throat. My lower body wakes up, and I’m turned on instantly, remembering how he felt last night. “But I hope you know this is just the beginning.”

I don’t have time to ask, The beginning of what? before he’s sliding on his shirt and heading out the front door. But it sure sounds enticing. I knew Leon wasn’t the type to leave and never call back.

After getting thoroughly fucked last night, I’m so tired I could simply roll over and fall asleep again with my head in the pillow where Leon slept—the one that still smells like him—but it’s time to get going for me, too. I simply don’t have it in me to go for a run, and I’m pretty sore, so I drag myself into the shower and stand under the hot water, remembering everything that happened.

A group event . He can’t be serious, can he? My imagination returns to last night, when Leon was crouched over me, deep inside me, making me scream until I was hoarse. Now Jace is standing there, too, right in front of me, with his cock inches away from my mouth.

Whoa. I blink a few times, realizing the water’s starting to go cold and my fingers are wrinkled like prunes. I think that deep-dicking last night scrambled my brains.

No, it was more than that. I’d felt so close to him, like what we were doing wasn’t just sex . Leon had shown me his dominant side, sure, but he was taking care of me, too. He made me feel comfortable and safe when he took control and guided me. He paid such close attention to my pleasure, when most guys have only ever bothered to rub me a little before doing the deed.

Certainly nobody’s ever eaten me out like I was the last cupcake left on planet Earth.

Finally, I get out of the shower, wondering how I’m going to focus on my job today when I can’t think about anything but my two hot landscapers and what filthy things they might do to me.

Without my usual run, I’m early getting into the office, and my good mood buoys me even higher. Maybe I can escape Mr. Bosley’s wrath by having everything ready before he even shows up. Now I don’t have to speed from the Starbucks to the office to get coffee onto his desk in time.

When Mr. Bosley comes in, I’m sitting in my chair, focused on my computer and the paperwork in front of me. He stops in front of me and frowns.

“Did you bring my coffee in with you today?” he asks. No remark on my punctuality, but that’s fine.

“Yes,” I answer quickly, politely. “It’s waiting in your office. I got here early today.”

That frown of his deepens, and I wonder what I’ve done wrong now.

“So it’s cold already, is what you’re saying?” Mr. Bosley asks in a dangerous tone.

I didn’t even think of that. That coffee’s been sitting there for ten minutes now. It’s not only cooled off, but likely all his whipped cream has melted, too, and I know how much he hates that.

“Oh.” It’s the only thing I can think of to say. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think?—”

“Of course you didn’t.” The words are cutting. “You never think.”

My heart is racing as he stalks into his office, grabs the coffee, and returns with it. He sets it down firmly in front of me.

“M-Mr. Bosley?” I ask, trying to keep the waver out of my voice.

“Get me a new one. Hot this time.”

“But you have an appointment in ten—” I begin.

“I ask for one thing in the morning,” he interrupts. “One thing. A hot coffee. That’s it. It’s not that difficult. It shouldn’t be.” He levels his gaze on me. “I wonder if I should find another assistant. Someone a little more competent.”

Dread pools in my belly. I need this job. I’ve been here for two years already, and only recently started earning vacation. Before, I was unemployed so long that I nearly maxed out my credit card. I was lucky to find Mr. Bosley when I did, and he hired me even though I had little in the way of qualifications.

I’ve looked for other jobs, but there’s simply nothing out there for someone like me, with no degree, that would pay well and offer healthcare. And now Mr. Bosley is thinking about replacing me. How would I pay my rent then?

“I’ll get a new one right away,” I say robotically, as a familiar, sharp sense of panic rises up in my belly, to my chest and throat. I pick up the cold coffee and dump it in the trash as my boss watches me head for the door. I keep it together just long enough to get to the other side, and then I sprint to the bathroom. There, I crumple against the sinks, trying to bring air into my lungs. I can barely breathe as sobs wrack my body.

Why can’t I do anything right? I’m like a drunk gorilla stumbling around in the darkness, knocking everything over in my path.

I sniffle a few times, remembering what Eli said. I close my eyes and focus on my breathing, until at last, my shaking subsides. Then I pull my keys out and rush to the Starbucks. The woman at the drive-thru looks perplexed to see me a second time. I hastily order Mr. Bosley’s drink, then zoom back to the office so I can get it to him before it gets cold again.

He says nothing when I come in with the replacement, not even looking up from the note he’s scribbling.

“I need you to sign the stack of orders on your desk,” he says, without stopping what he’s doing. He ignores the coffee, too.

“But I never sign orders,” I say without thinking. He’s supposed to clear those, not me. The last thing I want is to make a mistake on an order and clear a purchase for fifty AC units when we only need five. I’d definitely lose my job then.

Mr. Bosley’s pen slaps down hard on the desk, and he sighs with impatience.

“Can you not do this one thing, Ms. Dockett?” he says, shaking his head.

I back away, holding up my hands. All I need is to piss him off even more today. “Of course I can. I’ll do it right now.”

Still trembling from my harried rush in the car, I head back to my desk. Sure enough, a stack of orders waits for me.

I barely look at them as I sign, hoping I still have my job tomorrow.

The moment I finish the last order, I get a text from Jace. Thank god. I hurry to open it, desperate for a distraction.

How was last night?

My entire body blushes at once at his message. He and Leon must have discussed what happened—and my mind instantly jumps to Leon on top of me, inside me, calling me a good girl .

Can these guys really be so casual about this?

It was good

I’m not sure how honest I should be. I don’t want to hype up Leon in front of Jace and make him jealous, or worse, inadequate.

Just good?

I read the message a few times, trying to understand his tone. I wish I could hear his voice.

Then another message appears.

Did Leon make you cum?

My face is practically on fire. Yes, he sure did, to the point where I thought I might pass out. I swallow as I type the answer.

Yes.

I don’t know how much I should say. Could I tell Jace that he did it not once, but multiple times? Could I tell him how Leon buried his face between my thighs and made me climax in a few short seconds, which had never happened in my life? It usually takes a lot to get there, and most guys don’t have the patience, or even the inclination, to go down on me.

There’s a moment before I get a response from Jace.

Good, because I can’t wait to make you cum even more

This time, the fire spreads straight down between my legs. Holy shit. Are these guys for real? I’m starting to breathe a little harder when I get a follow-up message.

What are you doing tomorrow night?

I don’t really make plans unless Aisling and Hannah invite me out, so I’m a little embarrassed when I type out my answer.

Totally free

The response comes instantly.

Would you like to grab a drink with me again?

I gape down at my phone. So Jace isn’t perturbed in the least by the idea that I hooked up with his brother last night? In fact, he seems... almost pleased by it. And he’s still interested in me.

I feel strange about never having gotten that follow-up date with Jace before things turned to the wild side. I moved ahead with Leon in intimacy, when Jace is the one I met first.

Besides, I want to learn more about the funny, second-oldest brother, to get a better sense of who he is. And I need to suss out why Jace doesn’t seem to mind sharing one woman with someone else. If I’m going to be comfortable with this arrangement, I have to understand better where they’re coming from.

Finally, I text back.

I would love that

Jace gives me a time and place, and I agree to meet there. It’s a bit of a ritzy bar, but I hardly spend any money going out, so I don’t mind dropping twelve bucks on a cocktail if it means I get to see Jace again. I loved his big laugh, and all his cute, silly stories about his childhood with his brothers. He had a lightness to him that infected me in the best possible way.

Not to mention that he’s a great kisser. I wonder what we might do after going out on another date.

For a second, I even wonder if his cock is as strange as Leon’s was. As greedy as it makes me feel, I hope I get to find out.

When I go on my run the next morning, I’m surprised when the Lupine Landscaping truck is missing out front of the big white house on the corner. The yard is still dug up, and it looks like some hoses have been placed under the ground, but the landscapers are nowhere to be seen. I wonder if something happened and they won’t be working on this property anymore.

I hope they’re okay.

After that, my day is a drag, just counting the hours and minutes until I can go home and get ready for my date. At least Mr. Bosley doesn't hassle me, too busy arguing with someone about expenses and don't tell me how to run my business. I’m buzzing with excitement by the time I clock out and head to my car.

Since we’re going somewhere more upscale, I decide to doll myself up a little. Yeah, I want to impress Jace. I want him to look at me and lick his lips like he’s about to eat the perfect burger.

Does that make me the burger?

After taming my curls into ringlets and putting on a solid dose of mascara, I change into a black dress with a slim waist and flared hips. It accentuates my curves perfectly, but my tits are somewhat reined in. I make sure to wear my cutest lingerie, which I haven’t worn in years. Just in case.

The bar is a hip little place with rock music playing and neat, high tables arranged outside. I’m waiting for Jace to arrive, shifting from one foot to the other, when the Lupine Landscaping truck pulls up.

“ Awoo !” Quinn howls out the window.

Before Jace can escape the front passenger seat, Quinn throws the back door open, hops out, and jogs over to me. I don’t even have a moment to react as he grabs my hands in both of his and squeezes them.

“I’m sorry about the other day, Tiff,” he says. His hair is longer than his brothers’, and it falls into his face as he urgently tries to get his message across. “I really am. I didn’t mean to come on so strong.”

Quinn is hot to the touch, surprisingly so, and his hands are rugged and calloused around mine. His face is so earnest and regretful, I have to sigh. He reminds me of a cute puppy desperate for approval.

Besides, what do I have to lose? Jace and Leon are both such nice guys, their little brother can’t be all that different. I feel like I should give him a break.

“It’s okay,” I say, offering him a smile. “I won’t hold it against you.”

Quinn grins with relief but doesn’t release me. “The offer still stands,” he says, winking. “I’d really love to take you out.”

I’m so stunned by the proposition that I can’t manage an answer right away. Jace plucks my hand out of Quinn’s and wags a finger at his little brother.

“Don’t overwhelm her,” Jace says. “We talked about this.”

Quinn rolls his eyes. “Fine. I just thought I’d shoot my shot.”

He is cute, in a younger guy kind of way. I like how his hair curls, and the addition of the puka shells gives him a kind of surfer look. He has the same strong jaw, pronounced chin, and upswept nose as his brothers, but a much more carefree attitude.

I shake my head to clear it. I’m ridiculous. Of course I find him hot, since I also find his brothers hot, and they all look alike. That doesn’t suddenly make him an option for me.

“Can I at least get your number?” Quinn asks, and Jace shoots him a deadly look. “What? It’s innocent. If she’s going to date you guys, I want to get to know her, at least.”

Leon stands next to the hood of the truck, watching us with interest. The only one who hasn’t emerged from the truck is Eli, the skinniest of the brothers. He’s got his arms crossed, drumming his fingers on his biceps like he’s waiting impatiently to leave.

I glance sideways at Jace, asking him with my eyes, What should I say?

He shrugs. “Go for it if you want, but don’t let him pressure you.” Jace shoots his little brother a chastising look, and Quinn shamelessly shrugs in return.

“Okay, okay,” I say. “Give me your number.”

Once I have his digits entered into my phone and he’s got mine, Quinn hops back in the truck next to Eli, who’s staring straight ahead with a dark look on his face. I wonder what that’s about. He’d seemed so nice and friendly before.

But I don’t have time to ponder it when the truck speeds off, leaving Jace and me alone on the sidewalk.

“Shall we?” He loops his arm through mine. I’m so happy to see him again that I feel myself grinning like an idiot, and my heart starts beating faster.

“We shall.” With an imperious nod, Jace tucks me tight against his side and leads me into the bar.