12. Blake

CHAPTER 12

Blake

“Elise,” I say, turning to face her, prepared to just spit it out.

But she’s still in the damned coat and her pajamas. I’m sure the coat is Aidan’s. She looks small in the coat. And she still looks a little dazed and definitely vulnerable and suddenly I can’t just pile this craziness on top of what just happened to her this morning.

“Why don’t you take a hot shower and change, too?” I ask.

She looks surprised. Probably because I’m typically not that nice.

“Good idea,” Aidan says, stepping forward. “I’ll make coffee. Do you want something to eat?”

She turns wide eyes from me to him. “I, uh…”

“Coffee’s always a good idea,” I say when she trails off. “I can go downstairs and get something from Luna.”

“Or I can make eggs or something,” Aidan offers.

“I can make eggs too,” I say. Stupidly.

Aidan shoots me a smirk. “That’s amazing. We can make eggs together.”

I frown at him.

“Yeah,” Elise finally says. “I…a shower sounds good. And coffee. Definitely.”

She shrugs out of that coat, the move pressing her breasts against the front of her tank. She hands the coat to Aidan. I give him a sideways glance and notice that his eyes are definitely on her breasts.

Of course they are. Her breasts are amazing.

As Elise steps around us and heads into the bedroom, Aidan starts for the kitchen. I don’t know if he’s been here before or not, but it’s easy enough to find the kitchen. Elise’s apartment is small and I can see the kitchen from where we’re standing.

He walks around the clutter without comment and I decide, while I want to follow Elise, I need to give her a little space. Simon’s in there anyway, so I follow Aidan.

He rummages in the refrigerator and pulls out a carton of eggs, some cheese, and butter. Then he plucks some leafy greens and a tomato from the door of the refrigerator.

I frown. I’ve never seen anyone store produce in the door.

He turns with everything in his arms, and asks, “Do you really want to help or was that just a competitive reflex?”

I should say that I want to help, and while I can make eggs, I don’t actually want to.

“You go ahead,” I tell him as I lean back against the island opposite of the stove.

He doesn’t say anything, but he moves to the counter next to the stove and begins prepping what I assume is an omelet.

“You want one?” he asks as he breaks eggs into a bowl that he retrieved from a cupboard.

“I’m good.” I watch him for another moment. “So you’ve been here before.” I say it as a statement rather than a question.

He shakes his head without looking at me. “Nope.”

“Then how do you know where everything is?”

“She has things organized in a pretty obvious way. I definitely know my way around the kitchen. Do a lot of cooking at the firehouse.”

Right.

“So are you fucking her?” I ask. I wince slightly at how blunt that comes out, but that’s kind of how I roll.

He spares me a glance at that. “No.”

“Oh.” I’ll admit I’m surprised. “So you were here just for the fire.”

“Yup. This morning anyway.”

“So there’s nothing going on between you and Elise?” I ask.

“We’ve been talking ever since New Year’s Eve. We’re going out tonight.” He pours the egg mixture into a heated pan that I didn’t even notice he’d gotten out.

“Really?” I ask, not loving this new revelation. “And Simon is cool with that?”

“Well, he’s coming tonight too.”

“You’re all three going out? Together?”

I hadn’t considered that for even a second.

“Yep.” Aidan leaves the eggs cooking and moves to the coffee pot. It’s a single pod unit, so he pulls a mug from the cabinet above and inserts a pod in the machine, pressing a button to get one cup going.

“And how’s that work?” I ask. I’m not asking about a threesome. I definitely know how those work. I’m specifically asking about these three. Who is with who, how this started, and so on. Maybe Aidan and Simon are together, and that’s how Simon ended up here with Elise.

Aidan gives me a grin. “I imagine it’s going to work very well.”

“You guys haven’t done this before?”

“Well, not the three of us. I’ve done this before. I get the impression Simon’s done this before. But this will be a first for the three of us.”

And that answers a lot of questions right there.

“What about Elise?”

Aidan picks up the cup from the little platform on the machine and holds it out to me.

I take it. I think I’m going to need the caffeine. At least.

“We haven’t discussed specifics, but she was interested when we suggested it.”

“And what was suggested? Exactly?”

Now I’m very interested. And it’s not just because I’d like to know what’s going on with these three. I feel my body stirring. I’ve shared women in the past and always enjoyed it. And if Elise is into more than one guy at a time, it could make this upcoming favor I need to ask easier. If she can still see Aidan and Simon, maybe she’d be more apt to say yes to helping me out. And there will be less pressure on the two of us and our fake relationship.

“Right now, it’s just a date tonight. But I think we’re all on the same page with how we’d like the night to end,” Aidan says, starting another cup brewing, then moving to the stove to check on the eggs.

He’s obviously very comfortable in the kitchen and can easily multitask.

I guess that’s a good thing if he’s going to be dating two people.

“What are you going to do tonight?” I shake my head and add quickly, “On the date part I mean.” I don’t need to know what they’re going to do when they get back to the apartment.

Even though I kind of want to.

Suddenly, I’m picturing Elise with Simon and Aidan, and I definitely feel my body heat.

Elise is a gorgeous, feisty, passionate woman. It is not hard for me to imagine her with two men. Hell, maybe even three.

I shouldn’t be surprised by that thought. I love sex. I really fucking love sex. And I’ve already had a taste of Elise. The image of her spread out, being pleasured from head to toe, is so easy to conjure. There’s something about both Aidan and Simon that makes me think that could be a hell of a good time.

Aidan shrugs. “I assume a nice dinner or something. Simon strikes me as the type of guy who would like to spoil her a little. And I’m all for that.”

“You’re not into spoiling?”

“Oh, definitely,” Aidan says, lifting his cup of coffee. “But I don’t need a lot of money or fancy cars and clothes for my kind of spoiling.”

The guy has an air of confidence about him that is obvious without being in your face. My competitive streak is constantly on edge. It’s incredibly easy to poke my desire to be top dog. But Aidan gives off a quiet competence. As if he is completely sure of what he has to offer without having to prove it.

“Wanna come?” Aidan asks, lifting his cup for another sip.

I’m surprised by the invitation. I’m also surprised that I’m seriously considering it. But why not?

“I –”

“Much better.”

Elise cuts me off as she comes into the kitchen.

She looks completely different. She’s now in jeans, with a pull-over hoodie that’s a bright, kick-ass red color. The front has sparkly letters that read Fun Fact: I don’t care . Her long dark hair is wet and twisted up into a messy bun.

She might be dressed down, but she looks like her usual confident self now.

Without a word, Aidan moves to the coffee pot and starts brewing another cup. Then he grabs a plate out of the cupboard and dishes eggs onto it.

Simon comes into the room and gives Elise a kiss on the back of her head before taking a seat on the only empty stool at the kitchen island. Then he pulls her in between his knees so that she’s leaning onto him, her butt resting on the front edge of the stool. Aidan sets the plate and fresh cup of coffee down in front of them.

Simon lifts the cup and takes a sip before handing it to Elise. She smiles at him, then takes a long draw.

Aidan presents her with a fork. “Do you need cream or sugar? Hot sauce for your eggs? More salt?”

But rather than hand her the fork, he lifts a bite to her mouth. I watch as she opens her mouth and lets him feed her.

“Mmmm,” she moans.

All of us are watching her raptly.

She chews and swallows. “They’re perfect. Thank you.”

And suddenly I wish I’d helped make them.

I clear my throat.

She looks at me. “Right. Okay, what did you need to talk to me about so badly?”

I look at her leaning against Simon, who is now, thankfully, also dressed. Though the clothes he’s wearing are obviously what he wore last night. I guess that means he’s not staying here on a regular basis.

So far.

Then I look at Aidan. He’s watching me with an amused look.

He basically just asked me out on a date with the other two.

The three of them are going out tonight.

Aidan is not fucking her. Yet. That ‘yet’ is very obvious. It could practically be a neon sign. And Simon clearly has.

Elise definitely has the happy afterglow going. So it was good. And she’s going out with him again tonight, which means she wants a repeat.

My gaze locks on hers.

Drop it.

No, you can’t drop it. Just say you need a favor.

Just say it’s about your grandma. Lead with the grandma.

Drop it!

No, you can’t! It’s just a favor. It’s fake. It’s temporary. Lead. With. It’s. Fake.

But when I open my mouth and actually speak, what comes out is, “Elise, I need you to marry me.”

The kitchen is completely silent for five ticks on the clock above her sink.

Then Simon starts chuckling, Aidan says, “Didn’t see that one coming,” and Elise says, “What the hell are you talking about?”

I blow out a breath. “I want to buy a house. It’s where I want to retire. It’s been my dream. But my grandmother won’t sell it to me unless I can convince her that I am in a serious relationship and won’t move to the Minnesota woods all alone and become a hermit.”

She studies me.

Aidan and Simon just go back to drinking coffee.

Specifically, Simon keeps drinking Elise’s coffee. I don’t know why that annoys me.

I step forward and hand her my cup. It’s still two-thirds full and apparently, she drinks it black too.

She looks down at the cup and then back up at me.

“Do you want to move to the woods all alone and become a hermit?” she asks.

I nod. “Very much so.”

“So you want to trick your grandmother into selling you the house?”

I hesitate for a second, but then nod again. “Yes.”

“Is she a terrible person?” Elise asks.

I give a short laugh. “No. Not really.”

“Would I like her?”

“Probably.”

“But you want me to lie to her too.”

I nod. “Yes.”

She laughs softly. “I do appreciate your blunt honesty.” She takes a breath. “Why would I do this to a nice old lady?”

“I said she’s not terrible, not that she’s nice,” I point out. “She’s trying to manipulate my life. It’s none of her business. She can’t make me get married. If I want to live alone in the woods, I should be able to.”

Elise is quiet for several seconds, then she nods. “Okay, I agree with that.”

Thank God. “If I try to go around this demand, she won’t sell it to me. Her attorney has strict instructions. And I don’t want her to manipulate me, but I do love her. I don’t want to fight with her. So, I need a fiancée. Ninety days. Someone to pretend to be planning a future with me until I own the house. Then we can break up and she won’t be able to do anything about it.”

Elise frowns. “And I’m your best option?”

“Your name was the one that popped out when she asked me about this fiancée of mine.”

She’s clearly surprised by that answer.

“It’s a favor,” I insist. “I know it’s huge. But I’ll make it up to you.”

Interest sparks in her eyes. “How?”

“However you want.”

She doesn’t say anything for a long moment. She just sits there, watching me.

I noticed that Simon’s hand is on her hip and he’s stroking up and down.

I narrow my eyes. “You don’t seem upset by this,” I say to him. He’s the only one in the room who’s actually slept with her. How can he be so completely nonchalant about two other men clearly wanting her? Is it really that casual between them?

“Why would I be upset? This is completely up to Elise. And you just said it would be fake,” Simon says.

“Still, I’m famous here in Chicago. If she’s dating me, it will make it into the media. Other people will think the girl you’re sleeping with is going to marry me .”

Simon gives me a cocky grin. “Seems like you should be the one who’s worried. Your fiancée is fucking me on the side.”

Suddenly, I kind of want to punch him.

Elise rolls her eyes. “Everyone needs to calm down.” She looks at Aidan, then looks over her shoulder at Simon, then back to me.

“I want to keep seeing Simon and Aidan,” she tells me. “Would that be a problem?“

I think about it. “I guess not.”

“What if the media finds out? What would your grandmother think?”

I actually consider her question. The media and Racketeers fans will be no problem. Other members of the Racketeers family are already in poly relationships and people are supportive for the most part. Then I think about my grandmother. Then I actually chuckle.

Elise looks startled.

“As a matter of fact, my grandmother would probably think it was great. She was just telling me how the house is way too big for one guy. Her greatest fear is me dying alone. If I brought home a girlfriend and two boyfriends, she'd probably be thrilled.”

“You’re going to fake date all of us?” Elise asks, a smile tugging at her lips.

“I’ll introduce you as my fiancée. But if people find out that the four of us are seeing each other, or whatever, I guess that’s okay.” I really don’t give a shit what people think about me. And this would not be a cause for my grandmother to take the house away from me. So c’est la vie .

Elise looks at Aidan and then Simon. “What do you guys think?”

Simon shakes his head. “I’m fine. I’ve never dated a famous hockey player before. Could be fun.”

Aidan nods. “Same. I’ll be the envy of the entire firehouse.”

“I’m cool with the four of us being linked together. I have no problem sharing,” I say, my eyes resting on Elise. I’m gratified to see her cheeks get pink with my comment. “But,” I say, meeting first Aidan’s gaze, then Simon’s. “I’m straight.”

They both shrug.

“Fine,” Simon says. “Though a tad disappointing.”

Just a tad? I give a grunt of acknowledgement.

“Understood,” Aidan agrees.

I look at Elise again then. “Okay then, what do you say? Will you marry me?”

A smile curves her beautiful lips. “No. But I will be engaged to you until your grandmother sells you the house.”

A weight seems to lift off my shoulders and give her a genuine smile. “Thank you.”

“Am I right to think the two of you have not been out on a date?” Simon asks.

“Yes, you’re right,” Elise says.

“Then I think you should go out tonight. Get to know each other. Make a public appearance just the two of you before we spring a foursome on Chicago.” His eyes find Aidan. “Let me take you to dinner.”

And damn if Aidan doesn’t blush just a little. He nods. “That sounds nice.”

I look at Elise. “Can I peel you away from this charming British billionaire?”

She laughs. “I suppose.”

Simon squeezes her hips. “Temporarily,” he says. But then he nudges her toward me.

She stops right in front of me, looking up, breathing a little faster.

“You could’ve asked any woman in Chicago,” she says softly.

I lift my hand and cup her cheek, remembering the silky feel of her skin from New Year’s Eve. “Not a single other woman even came to mind.”

She blows out a breath. “Dammit Wilder, that was a pretty good line.”

I smile as I bend to kiss her, my lips hovering just above hers as I say, “I have all kinds of good things in store for you.”

And when I do kiss her, with a cocky Brit, and a smug firefighter looking on, the only thing I can think is damn, this was a really good idea.