His and Hers and Hers (8 page)

“No,” Kyla said. “It wasn’t your fault. We were all…”

Again she fell silent. Cassie flashed back to that night and knew Kyla did too.

“You said you didn’t want to pick it apart. Let’s not. It happened. It’s over. It’s not going to happen again.” Cassie’s throat tightened painfully, and her eyes ached as though she was about to cry. But she hadn’t cried since she was a child and realized that tears never changed a thing.

Kyla looked at her sharply. “So you—”

“What?”

“Nothing.” Kyla gave her head a small shake. “Never mind. You’re right.”

Cassie’s chest felt like a crumpled paper bag. “Let’s not let this hurt our friendship. You and Jordan are too important to me—”

“Oh, Cass. Honey.” Ky placed her hand on Cassie’s shoulder, rubbed it soothingly. “Come here.” Kyla pulled her close in a hug. “I’m so sorry. We’ve been so selfish.”

The fragrance of cinnamon filled her nostrils as Ky stroked her hair. The scent of Kyla’s sweet breath.

Their gazes locked, and under Kyla’s intense stare, Cassie’s breasts grew full, her pussy heavy and achy. A week ago, Cassie had initiated their kiss, but this time it was Kyla who made the first move. She claimed Cassie’s mouth hungrily, as though she’d been starved for kisses. Her hot, supple tongue danced along the seam of Cassie’s closed lips.

After an instant of surprise, Cassie responded in kind. Her mouth opened, giving Kyla free rein to tease and play. They lost themselves in kisses until Kyla murmured something into the cavern of Cassie’s mouth.

Her mouth still clinging to Kyla’s, Cassie said, “What?”

Ky pulled away, licking her lips as though to capture every bit of Cassie’s flavor. “Jordan.” Her voice was a croak.

Cassie fell back to reality with a thud. “Jordan.”

“We can’t—
I
can’t do this.” Kyla shook her head, her face distraught. “Not without him. It’s like cheating.”

Cassie’s heart plummeted with disappointment, but she knew Ky was right. “Yes. Does he—”

“I don’t know. I think he feels bad about it.”

Cassie’s insides were a cold lump of clay. “He’s sorry?”

Ky shrugged. “I don’t know what’s going on with him. We’ve been tiptoeing around it all week. It’s the first time since we’ve been together that we haven’t been able to talk.”

Cassie wanted to throw up. “It’s my fault.”

“Stop that.” Ky’s voice was sharp. “It’s
our
fault. Mine and Jordan’s. We’re both too chickenshit to be honest about what we really want.” Her tone softened as she gazed at Cassie. “What about you? What do you want?”

Cassie licked her lips. “I don’t want it to be weird. I want us to stay friends, you, me, and Jordan, like it was before—”

“Stop it, Cass. You know it can never be like it was before.”

Of course not. They couldn’t turn back the clock. Cassie saw her own sad recognition of that mirrored in Kyla’s eyes.

“Tell me what you really want,” Kyla insisted.

Cassie’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “I want you both.”

Kyla brushed Cassie’s hair away from her forehead. “Why does that make you sad?”

“It can’t be.”

Kyla’s jaw set stubbornly. “Who says?”

Cassie had to smile. Ky didn’t like hearing no from anyone, but she didn’t understand how complicated three-way relationships really were. How hurtful for the person who was left out. Three was an odd number, and Cassie would always be the one out in the cold.

Her phone rang, keeping her from saying more. “Excuse me.” She went still when she checked the caller’s name. It was Jordan.

“Cassie?” His deep voice sent a jolt of fear and need spiking through her.

“Ah—” She swallowed hard as her gaze slid to Kyla. “Yes. Hi.”

“Cass, look. When you get off work, do you think we could meet for a drink or something? I’d really like to talk to you.”

“You’d—what about Kyla?”

Ky’s eyebrows lifted at the mention of her name.

“She’s not—just the two of us, Cassie.” His voice trembled with nerves. “But don’t get the wrong idea. It’s just to talk.”

“Jordan, I don’t know if—” Cassie broke off when Ky held out her hand for the phone.

“Let me speak to him.”

“Cass?” Jordan asked.

Kyla took the phone and put it to her ear. “Babe, it’s me. Yeah. Just a little while ago. Because I needed to see her.” There was a pause. “Probably the same thing you wanted to tell her.” She went silent. When Ky spoke again, her voice was low, intimate. “I know. You don’t need to explain. You know I trust you.” Then, more briskly, “Where are you now? All right. See you soon.” She ended the call and handed the phone to Cassie. Their eyes met. “He’s on his way home. We’re meeting him there.”

* * * *

Cassie was reluctant to go to their place, but Kyla persisted. “He wanted to say sorry, Cass. Just like I did, you know? What we did was shitty, and we want to make it up to you. Please?” When Ky batted those big browns at her and gave her the sad-puppy look, Cassie couldn’t refuse her. Who was she kidding? She’d fold for Kyla anytime.

Cassie followed Ky in her own car, and they walked together toward the house. But when Cassie reached the doorstep, her courage abandoned her. Kyla took her hand and drew her inside. “Come on.”

Delicious aromas met them as they stepped in. Jordan was pouring wine into three crystal glasses on a dining room table set with china and covered with a linen tablecloth. The wineglasses had been a gift from Cassie the first time she came to their home. The heavy antique table was one she helped select at a flea market she and Kyla had visited. Cassie was a dab hand at recognizing the hidden beauty in something old and forgotten.

Now the table, refinished by Jordan, looked like something from an exclusive antiques store. Still holding Cassie’s hand, Kyla sauntered over to him.

“Mmm.” She kissed him hungrily. “Smells delicious. Pizza? Did you make it?”

“No. It’s from Mario’s.”

Kyla grinned. “Well, his is almost as good as yours.” She turned to Cassie. “You’ve got to taste Jordan’s homemade pizza sometime. It’s awesome.”

Jordan handed Cassie a glass of wine, and his smile sent a bolt of lust straight through her. She was instantly wet. “Hey, Cass. I’m glad you’re here.”

“Thank you.” She took the glass, her fingers trembling. If her friends noticed, they were too kind to say anything.

Kyla hooked her arm through Cassie’s. “I told her we wanted to make it up to her for being such asshats.”

“Total asshats,” Jordan put in. “That’s what I wanted to say to you, face-to-face. And I’m sorry.”

“
We’re
sorry,” Kyla said. She took her glass and tinked it against Jordan’s, then Cassie’s. “To us.”

Cassie’s clit throbbed, and her pussy contracted. She took a swallow of the tart wine, feeling dizzy after just one mouthful.

She looked away and noticed the laptop that sat open on the sofa. Kyla saw it too. “How long has that been out here?”

“Not long,” Jordan said.

“Hmm. I’ll bet. Just don’t forget what we discussed, babe.”

“Take it easy. It’s perfectly normal. It’s not like I’m an addict or something.”

“It’s that slippery slope I’m worried about,” Kyla told him.

“Well, stop worrying and come sit down.” Jordan pulled out a chair for each of them.

As she sat, Kyla admired the table. “Oh, look at this. Gorgeous.”

Jordan had created an antipasto that was a work of art—a colorful palette of lettuce, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, black olives, and rolled slices of provolone and salami. It was almost too pretty to eat.

Kyla plucked some of the olives and popped them onto the tips of her fingers. “I used to do this when I was a kid.”

She waggled her fingers while Jordan shook his head, smiling, and Cassie chuckled.

Ky slipped the first olive into her mouth, leaving her forefinger bare. “Yummy.” As Jordan’s gaze burned into her, she teased him by twirling her tongue around the next olive and going down on her middle finger before popping the treat into her mouth. “Mmm.”

“You’re a bad girl.” Jordan’s voice was a growl.

She smiled at him, offering her hand. “Now you.”

He took Ky’s hand and flicked his tongue in the tender skin of the V between her middle and ring fingers. Then, flashing his teeth, he nipped the olive off her ring finger.

“Ow!” Kyla pouted. “You bit me!”

“That’s not the only place I’ll bite you, you don’t stop teasing.” His eyes glinted a warning at both of them. A delicious thrill shivered through Cassie while Kyla smirked at her man as though she had every intention of ignoring his warning.

“Last one’s for Cassie.” Ky wiggled her pinkie at Cassie, who gently slipped the remaining olive into her mouth.

They stared at each other wordlessly until Jordan cleared his throat. “I’m starving. Let’s eat.”

Cassie hadn’t thought she could swallow a mouthful, she was so turned on. But as she dug into the antipasto, her appetite bloomed. It was as though her sexual appetite, now stoked, ignited other hungers as well. Jordan and Kyla ate hungrily too, and there wasn’t much conversation during the meal.

Before she knew it, Cassie had devoured a large helping of Jordan’s appetizer along with two slices of cheese-and-sausage pizza. She sat back in her chair with a sigh.

Kyla smiled at her. “Good? Had enough?”

“Mmm, plenty. It was delicious.”

Jordan pushed back from the table. “I hope you’re not too full, because there’s still dessert.”

Kyla’s eyes lit up. “Oh, babe, you made dessert?”

“Mmm-hmm. And I want you to help me.”

Cassie made to stand up. “Let me.”

“No, no.” He waved her down. “You relax; you’re the guest. Ky.” He turned his gaze toward his girlfriend, and a meaningful look passed between them.

“Dessert. Sure thing.” Kyla stood and followed Jordan into the kitchen. “Be right back, Cass.”

“Sure.” She toyed with her wineglass as Kyla and Jordan busied themselves in the kitchen, murmuring to each other, laughing softly. Cassie wanted to be with them, but they were a couple, with a history, shared experiences and secrets. She was an outsider. She would never be part of that magic circle.

Good God, what a sad sack you are. You’ve just finished a beautiful meal with your best friends, and you’re feeling sorry for yourself. Cry me a river.

She reached for the bottle of wine to pour herself a third glass, then changed her mind. No. She’d had too much alcohol last weekend. Whatever happened tonight, she wanted to be sober.

And just what would happen, after dessert?

She heard Jordan’s low rumble and Ky’s giggle. Then Kyla’s voice came from the doorway. “Cassie.”

Cassie’s mouth went dry. Kyla stood there wearing nothing but a tiny black thong and an impish grin. Her hard brown nipples pointed straight at Cassie, and her generous breasts begged to be caressed and kissed. Cassie’s own nipples tightened in response.

Kyla’s eyes flashed as though she knew exactly how turned on Cassie was. Her smile hitched a little higher. “Dessert is now being served. In the bedroom.”

Chapter Seven

Cassie pushed back her chair and rose, her body tingling with anticipation. Kyla beckoned her with a crooked finger, and Cassie followed her down the hall. When they reached the bedroom, Kyla stopped.

“One thing. Entrance here requires special dress. Or
undress
, I should say.” She smiled. “Let me help.”

Ky assisted as Cassie stepped out of her shoes, socks, and pants and peeled off her top. When she stood only in her bra and panties, Ky stepped in close. “I’ll undo your bra.” Her warm breath tickled Cassie’s neck, her bare breasts, and hard brown nipples teased Cassie’s skin as she wrapped her arms around Cass and unfastened her bra.

“You can keep those on…” Ky traced her finger down the seam of Cassie’s pink bikini panties. “For now.”

Cream drenched her pussy at the wicked promise in Kyla’s tease. Ky took her hand and drew her through the doorway. “Come on.”

Jordan sat on the bed, in a pair of black briefs already distended by his rising cock. Dark hair dusted his chest, and Cassie’s fingers itched to feel its texture and the warm skin underneath. More than that, she wanted to caress the bulge that grew bigger the more she stared. His green eyes were bright, his expression dreamy. His smile, the smile she loved, still hitched up a little higher in one corner. “Hey, Cass. Ready for dessert?”

“Are
you
dessert?” Excitement made her short of breath.

“If you want me to be,” he answered, his voice smoky. “You’re the guest of honor.” He patted the place beside him on the bed, and Cassie went to him.

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Ky said. “There are some goodies right here.” On top of the nightstand sat a plate of fresh strawberries. Next to it, a smaller dish of chocolate syrup. Kyla took a berry, dipped it into the sauce, and held her hand underneath it to catch the drips.

In spite of her care, a couple of drops dotted the floor as she walked the few steps to offer the treat to Cassie. “Oops.”

Jordan shook his head. “Ky, you’re making a mess.”

“Sorry. Can’t help it.” She held the berry to Cassie’s lips.

The sweetness of the strawberry and the richness of chocolate burst onto Cassie’s tongue as she bit into the fruit. “Mmm…” Some of the chocolate syrup dripped onto her chin and chest.

“Mmm,” Jordan echoed as he licked the sauce from Cassie’s chin, then leaned forward to clean up the drops on her chest.

“No fair, I want some too,” Kyla said. She, too, flicked her tongue over Cassie’s chest. When the last stray drop was gone, Kyla and Jordan kissed, sharing the flavors of chocolate and Cassie. As she watched their hot, intimate, messy kiss, Cassie’s nipples tightened and ached.

When they broke their kiss, Jordan and Kyla each latched on to one of those nipples, soothing and torturing them at the same time. Cassie’s head fell back with a groan as the sensations streaked straight to her pussy.

Jordan’s lips were tender, delivering teasing licks and sucks, while Ky’s mouth was insistent and firm. She moved up to Cassie’s lips and captured them in a demanding kiss, her tongue sweeping the cavern of Cassie’s mouth.