38. Show-Off

Briar

Tonight, there's been a certain ease between Rhys and Hollis and me, but also a delicious tension as to how the night might unfold.

But when it comes to Gavin, I have no clue what's next or how Hollis and Rhys are going to figure out the third man.

Gavin has made the occasional remark, like the naked Candy Land one, but otherwise he's been quieter than usual. When he flips a card and moves three spots to an orange space dangerously near Candy Castle, he then clears his throat and looks my way. "When do you start writing the column?"

He sounds a little awkward, like he's not entirely sure what to say to me. But it's an easy enough question to answer, and I can do my part, too, in helping Gavin feel comfortable. "I started it earlier today before my brother came over."

"And what did you decide makes for a good boyfriend?" Rhys asks as he lifts his glass of wine and takes a drink.

"A good boyfriend listens," I say, remembering chatting with Rhys on the walk this morning. "But a good girlfriend should too," I tell him. Rhys's eyes spark, like he enjoys the memory too. I turn to Hollis by my side. "Making plans that she likes and sticking to them."

"Hell yes, Pretzel," Hollis says, then like the bold, outgoing man he is, he drops his hand to my thigh in front of everyone. My skin tingles from his touch.

Words gallop away from my brain for several seconds. Once I wrangle them, I nod toward Gavin, locking eyes with his hazel ones. "And a good boyfriend helps her with work."

He swallows roughly, looks down, then back at me. "Glad I was useful."

"Aww, did our guy help you?" Hollis asks.

"A leg on my tripod broke, so he played the role of the tripod."

Rhys hums knowingly. "Just like when we helped save the cat."

My smile brightens at his analogy. "Yes! Exactly."

"Seems you're good at that, Worthy," Rhys says to his friend on the floor. "Playing a critical part in a group project."

I sit up straighter, putting two and two together. This is how they keep their eyes and ears open? By dropping subtle hints? I purse my lips to contain my excitement. My thrill, too, at the way they're both playing their part as they lay the groundwork.

The Englishman unapologetically slides an arm around my shoulders. That's quite welcome, this kind of twin affection, even if they're showing off that they get to touch me.

Or maybe because they're showing me off. Because they're enjoying me. Because they're having fun for me. Since they know I want this.

They're not doing this for themselves. But once again, for me.

It's heady.

Like they promised earlier, they're doing the work. They're letting me surrender.

As we take the next set of turns in the game, Hollis touches my thigh, Rhys my shoulder, and Gavin the gingerbread pawn, landing first at Candy Castle. "I win," he declares.

But it sounds like a hollow victory. The other guys hardly seem to care. Hollis is busy languidly stroking my exposed leg, while Rhys threads his fingers into my hair. The board game is meaningless to them. They're playing the game of pleasing me.

I'm trembling as they touch me shamelessly in front of Gavin.

I'm not sure how to act as my body sparks and sizzles. But I try my best to play this thrilling new game.

"And how was the obstacle course?" I ask all of them, but my voice is wobbly since it's hard to concentrate while Rhys is running his fingers through my hair. I didn't know my hair was such an erogenous zone till now.

"We had a ton of people show up," Rhys says. "People had a blast, wouldn't you say, Worthy?"

"Definitely," Gavin says, gritting out the answer.

"What did you think they liked best?" Rhys asks him. "You had a good view of the whole course from where you were, wouldn't you say?"

"The rope climb. Everyone likes the rope climb the best," he says, stoic, like he's not taking Rhys's bait.

Shame.

But I can't complain about a thing. Not with Rhys touching me, and Hollis roaming that talented hand higher up my leg. Still, I manage to say, "How fun," as Hollis draws dizzying circles with his thumb. I swing my gaze to Gavin, adding, "I had fun at my tent too."

There. I've said my part. Made an invitation of sorts. That's as far as I can go, especially since I'm under some kind of spell right now. My skin is buzzing, and my body is melting. If I was wet earlier, I'm pretty sure I'm a Slip ‘N Slide right now. I squirm on the couch as Hollis lightly runs his strong fingers dangerously close to my center.

"Sounds like a good day. Like everyone had one," Hollis says, his voice lower, deeper than usual.

"It was…good." I'm barely aware of how I'm forming words.

Rhys cups the back of my head, stroking slowly and sensually. "Bet it's a good night too," he says, leaving that possibility crackling in the air as I melt into the couch.

"And Gav, you checked out some bands today?" Hollis asks innocently—too innocently. "Any good…groups?"

Even in my heightened state of arousal, I'm pretty sure Hollis is using his eyes, ears, and mouth now as he drops a not-so-subtle hint.

"Yeah. I did," Gavin says, and his voice sounds hoarse. Frayed even.

"Cool. If you like any, you should, you know, share them with Briar and us," Hollis adds.

An invitation.

I'm as turned on by Hollis and Rhys being willing to offer it up as I am by the possibility of Gavin RSVPing. I'm turned on by everything. By the rush of sensations hitting me all at once. Pretty sure my bones are dissolving. I'm even whimpering as the two men languidly tease me while Gavin tries not to stare at me.

Tries but fails.

His jaw tightens as he swallows roughly, checks the clock on the wall, then grits out, "I should…let you…do your thing."

He stands and turns toward the door, but not before I notice his jeans. And the hard ridge of his erection.

I'm even more aroused. So aroused that before the door clicks shut, I say, "Will you fuck me tonight?"