residual tension in the air, thank goodness.
After the bartender dropped off their shots, Pete raised his glass for a toast. “To the birthday girl. May all her wishes come true tonight and always. ” He fixed her with a poignant stare that hinted at erotic intentions. Then he knocked back his shot.
Unspoken innuendo hung heavy in the air. She drew a steadying breath. Were they both actually coming on to her or was it merely harmless flirtation? Long forgotten awareness stole through her, hot and thick.
She drank her shot, enjoyed the slow burn as the alcohol went down. A very naughty thought took root. She imagined being the recipient of both men’s attentions and had to fan herself to cool down.
Rudy moved closer and squeezed her shoulder. “So you tell us, Emmy. Which one of us would you choose?”
She chewed at the corner of her mouth. “W-what do you mean?” A nervous, alcohol-induced giggle stuck in her throat. This was turning into her most interesting birthday yet.
“Don’t be coy,” Pete teased.
“Yeah, if you could go home with one of us, who would it be?” Rudy asked.
Her heart kaboomed. “I could never choose between the two of you. I’d have to have you both.” She’d have never been able to voice such a thing if not for the alcohol.
The men stared at each other a few seconds before they started laughing. Unsure of what to do, she joined in. Had they been kidding around with her? The sobering thought gave her pause.
Pete stared at her for what seemed like minutes. Muscles ticked around his jaw. He leaned his elbows on the table and steepled his fingers. “I’m game.”
Rudy’s answering grin made it clear that he was too.
Okay, so they weren’t just blowing smoke. Holy cow.
Breathe!
Emmy grabbed her beer and took a gulp. Was she seriously going to have both men? At once? She’d never done anything half as decadent, but the idea made her knees weak. A threesome was something she’d only fantasized about, never expecting she’d actually do it. Talk about getting what you wished for. In spades. And with the best men she knew.
“My place is only a few blocks away. We could walk,” Rudy offered.
Pete finished his beer then set it down hard on the table. “Works for me.”
God, this was getting too real. Moisture slicked her panties at the mere thought of having sex with both men. She clasped her hands in her lap to keep them from shaking.
Rudy took her chin and turned her face to his. “Are you sure?”
She thought about the question. Yeah, she was surer of this than she’d been of anything in a long time. These were the men she trusted, even after all the time that had passed since they’d been together. All her life she’d played it safe, done what was expected of her. This was her chance to take something for herself. Yes, she wanted this. She needed it. “Positive.”
Rudy snaked his hand around her neck and reeled her in for a blistering kiss. He tasted of beer and erotic need. Something deep inside her melted as his tongue coaxed hers into a sensual dance.
Tendrils of desire curled through her. Had the alcohol diminished her inhibitions? She didn’t care. There was something so natural and comfortable about kissing Rudy.
She remembered Pete was there and broke the kiss, glanced across the table at him and caught his wicked grin. “You look like you’re enjoying this,” she said. The notion that Pete had been watching them added a whole new dimension to the game.
He tilted his head, regarded her for a several seconds before nodding. “It’s very hot.” He tugged at the collar of his polo shirt. “I say we get going while the night’s still young.”
All the moisture wicked from her mouth. How was this going to work? “Um, I have a question.”
Rudy smoothed a hand over her hair. “I’m sure you do. What is it?”
“Will you two be…?” She cleared her throat. “Are you going to…do anything to each other?” She looked from one to the other.
Pete laughed. “Nope, we’re straight as arrows. You’re our common denominator.”
“You good with that?” Rudy started twirling one of her curls again.
A sweet ache took root low in her belly. “I’m real good with that. Have you ever done this sort of thing before, like the two of you and one woman?”
Pete reached across the table to hold her hand. “Yes and no. We’ve never done a threesome together before but I, for one, have participated in a menage a trois once before.”
She glanced at Rudy.
“It’s been a long time since I did, but yeah. I’ve had a couple. Does that bother you?”
She thought about it a moment. “No, it really doesn’t. At least you two know what to expect.” But she didn’t. And damn if that didn’t make her panties even wetter.
Pete had always been such an amazing lover, so tender and concerned with her gratification over his own. She knew he’d keep her safe and satisfied. And she still trusted Rudy completely. If ever she was going to do this, now was the time and these men were the ones she trusted to do it.
Pete squeezed her hand. “We’ll take good care of you, babe. Now let’s get the hell out of here before we ravage you right in the middle of Murphy’s.”
Okay, they both seemed pretty into her. But she still wondered if her body issues would turn them off. Could she really go through with this?
Chapter Three
Rudy unlocked the door to his bungalow then held open the door for Emmy. She stepped inside and glanced around. The living room was surprisingly neat considering the man’s college apartment had been a typical guy- messy affair.
A white cat came scampering into the room. Rudy scooped it into his arms. “This is Tiza. Either of you allergic?”
“Not me.” Pete petted the animal’s head.
Emmy set her purse on a brown leather sofa and tried to calm her jitters. “Me neither. What’s his name mean?”
“Chalk. And he’s a she.” He set the feline down then headed into the galley kitchen and pulled open the fridge. “Anybody want a beer or some ice tea?”
The buzz from the alcohol she’d consumed at Murphy’s was starting to wear off leaving her more nervous than she cared to admit. “I’ll take a beer.” A little more liquid courage would go a long way.
“Ice water, please.” Pete crossed the room to the bookcase and turned on the stereo. “Mind if I play a CD?”
“Go ahead.” Rudy brought her a bottle of beer then handed Pete his water.
Norah Jones’ smooth voice filled the air.
“How’s that?” Pete sat on the couch and placed his drink on a coaster on the glass coffee table.
“Perfect.” Rudy took a seat on the opposite end of the sofa and patted the cushion next to him as he looked at Emmy.
She studied the two men. Pete’s hair was light-brown and his complexion fair. Rudy’s Cuban heritage showed in his olive skin and black hair. His green eyes were fixed on her. Outside of family, she loved them both more than anyone, trusted them with her life despite the years that had lapsed since they’d last seen one another.
Two completely hot men wanted her. Her self-confidence shot up two hundred percent. This was definitely going to be a night to remember. She took a long pull on her beer, then set it down and sat between them. There’d be no going back now. “Guys?”
“Yeah?” Pete ran his thumb over her lower lip and a rush of longing stormed through her.
“Is it going to be weird after?” She wrung her hands.
Rudy massaged the back of her neck. “We’ll make sure it’s not. Maybe we’ll be closer than ever. I, for one,
