Before I know it, we’re outside with the wine, warming up in front of their beautiful fireplace, all three of us, drinking and laughing about so many memories I’ve forgotten over the years.
“Are you telling me, it was you who was responsible for all the garlic on the pizza I ate, the night of my first date with Tony Mariano?” I ask when Ren shamelessly tells on Landon.
“What can I say? Ren, Zander and I knew that guy was a mega jerk. We just helped the demise of the relationship along a little.”
I lean forward, smacking his arm. “Fuck, Abs, for a girl, you hit hard. You’re going to leave a bruise.”
“Serves you right, asshole,” I jest, as the smug jerk stands.
“All right, Rocky—duly noted.” He almost saunters to the grill, obviously still pleased with himself for the cruel joke he played on me over eleven years ago. “Dinner is served.” And he disappears into the house when Ren laces his fingers with mine.
“He had always been very protective of you. And sure, your own brother hated the punk. But Landon was jealous because if he couldn’t have you, nobody could.”
Ren’s sentence doesn’t entirely make sense, not at first, then it hits me. “Wait, you guys were just starting to admit you had feelings for one another, around that time.”
He pushes himself up from the outdoor patio furniture, bringing me with him, my chest bumping into his. “We love who we love. It’s never been about gender for us. It’s the one thing that has always forged our souls together.” He drops a kiss on my forehead, leaving me more confused than when their large bodies had surrounded me on the couch earlier.
Dinner is amazing. Landon has prepared a Caprese salad, and a cold pasta with green olives in a pesto wine sauce, along with the steaks. Forcing my plate back, my poor stomach has been pushed to the point of overindulgence.
“Hell, boys, if I ate like this every night, I’d never be able to zip my jeans.”
Both men look at me, then at each other and then back at me. “Ah, honey, you can use a little bit of meat on your beautiful body. Wouldn’t bother me for one second,” Landon tells me.
I square my face with Landon’s, narrowing my gaze in on him. “If that is supposed to be a compliment, you failed miserably.”
He shrugs, apparently ready to own his statement, when Ren begins to clarify. “I think what my fine man means, our sweetest Abigail, is your body, regardless, will always be a turn on. Don’t ever doubt this.”
What are these men doing? They’ve never once acted this way before. If I didn’t know any better—and at this point, it’s a crapshoot guess—I would almost wager, this is seduction at its most original and awkward attempt.
“Well, thanks,” I purposely stammer my words, then continue, “for the backhanded compliment.”
Still sitting in the dining room, open between the kitchen and living room, both men begin to laugh. “Ah, we’ve missed you, Abs, a fuck ton. Is there any way to convince you to stay more than just one day?” Landon asks.
Do they want me with them? My body has never been more turned on and confused at the same time.
“Sorry, if my car isn’t a quick fix, I’ll just rent one. This is the only time my best bitches and I can get together. We don’t have another opening for the six of us, until next year, almost eighteen months from now. Shayna is due in Milan next week for a photoshoot, Lily is still in her residency, Jess has been promoted to CFO of her company, Cara leaves on her six-month deployment, having been promoted to Lieutenant Commander, and Makenzie is working on a patent for something genius she’s created.”
“It sounds like the bitch squad is all very successful, good for you.” He stops. “We were kidding anyway; we know how much you love your bitches.” His words don’t carry understanding—more fear, dream, and maybe even anxiety. “But,” his tone changes instantly, “We’ll only let you go if you promise to visit more often.”
Picking up my wine glass, I raise it when their glasses clink with mine. “Now, I’ll drink to that,” I say.
After a dessert of Tiramisu, they lead me upstairs, past their bedroom, and I’m able to peak into their little life together. Their double doors to the master are open, and I stare into the white and dark blue adorned room longer than is polite, but I can’t help myself.
“Here you go, sweetheart.” Ren opens the door to the spacious room housing a king-size bed, a chaise lounge, a large television, and a mini-fridge.
“I added some sodas, water, and wine. Help yourself, Abs,” Landon adds. He’s near me, and I can feel his breath on my ear. Wrapping his body around my waist from behind, he kisses my cheek. “We’re glad you are with us tonight. We’ll always have room for you in our life.” His breath causes my skin to pebble with heat; then his touch is gone.
“If you need us, come get us, sweetheart.” I keep my body faced ahead, not turning toward them because it is a traitorous bitch at this point. The night has been an odd mix of desire and taboos all rolled up into one, and I’m not sure if I like it or dread it. Fuck, this is Ren and Landon, after all. I fall back into bed, deciding I love it and want it, a fuck ton.
Chapter Two
Landon
Ren runs back downstairs to check the security system, and I make my way to our en suite, brushing my teeth. My body is excited after our dream evening with Abs, the subject of my affection for years. I had put it on the back burner because I’d fallen in love with one of my best friends, and my other best friend has always been overly protective of his little sister.
Stripping out of my jeans and my gray V-neck t-shirt, I make a beeline for the bed, and as horny as I am, I hope my man is ready for me.
He saunters in the room, giving me a quick wink. In typical Ren by-the-book fashion, he crawls into bed with me, after stripping from his clothes, snuggling in close to my body. His hand stretches around my torso, where I’m lying on his stomach, his fingers tickling my chin.
“You were very charming tonight,” I begin, as he raises his body up on his elbows to kiss me.
“You were a little overbearing tonight.” Leave it to Ren to say it as it is.
“And how else would I act? This is me.”
Pulling his knees up to his stomach, he readjusts, giving me better access to him. “I love you in all your bossiness and demanding ways, my lover.”
There is something about the man I love, calling me his lover, all the while having my erection pushing against my boxers, searching for him. “Fuck, Ren, baby, I love you so much,” I say.
I extend my hands around him, as he ducks to get out of my embrace. I narrow my eyes on him when he pops from the bed.
“I’m just shutting the door, lover.” Again, I want Ren near me so I can show him what kind of lover I am.
“No, baby, leave it open,” I demand, with Ren’s one eyebrow shooting higher than the other.
“You are playing with fire, Landon.” Ren closes it just enough but has it cracked to hear her.
“I can handle it a little hot.” Ren jumps back into bed with me, his face so close to mine. “Do you think she understood our subtle hints?” I question.