Scarlet Page 8

  “So, where’s Cain?” Paxson asked as he opened his bag of chips. Heather tensed, not sure where this was going. “He wasn’t free for lunch?”

  Heather shrugged. “He might have been.” She could only think Paxson was letting her know that he knew about her and Cain. No need not to be honest. “I’m meeting him for dinner later.”

  “Busy girl.”

  “Want to join us?”

  “You and Cain?” He cleared his throat. “Uh, no.”

  The idea of her, Cain and Pax had developed into a full-blown fantasy over the past three days. Maybe she needed Cain’s assistance with this.

  “Are you sure?” She smiled, flirting hard. “I would be lots of fun.”

  His cheeks turned red but his sat up even straighter.

  She tipped her head to the side. “Is there something wrong?”

  He shrugged and shook his head but she could tell he didn’t mean it so she waited. She’d learned during the first lunch that she had to wait, give him a moment to process and respond.

  “I’m just not sure what’s going on here. You’re sleeping with Cain.”

  She nodded, because well, Paxson knew the truth.

  “And you’re flirting with me.”

  It was her turn to shrug. “I like you. And I like Cain.”

  “So you want us both?”

  You have no idea.

  “Well—”

  Paxson shook his head. “No. I like you but Cain’s my friend and I’m not going to do that to him.”

  “But—”

  Paxson scooped up his lunch. “I’m going to head back to the office. I’ve got some work to get done.”

  Before she could eke out another protest, he was gone.

  Now, what the hell was she going to do?

  * * * * *

  Cain sat in the corner of the bar, looking gorgeous as he waited for Heather.

  Her lunch with Paxson had not gone as planned. Damn it.

  It wouldn’t have been so bad if she didn’t like Paxson. He was the opposite of Cain, but combined, they made the perfect man. Paxson was quiet, thoughtful, serious. Yesterday, they’d dragged lunch into almost three hours, so caught in the conversation she hadn’t noticed time passing until her bladder screamed she needed to go.

  With Cain they did a little less talking but it wasn’t as if it was all sex. They had sex—a lot of sex—but they connected in other ways.

  Still, it felt as if something was missing when she was with Cain.

  She knew what was missing with Paxson—the sex!

  She’d tried calling Cait for advice—after all, the woman was sleeping with two men already—but her friend had just giggled and sighed, rhapsodizing that it was truly amazing. More information Heather didn’t need if she couldn’t make it happen.

  So she turned to the only person who could help—Cain.

  She smiled as she walked up to the table. He stood, took her hand and pulled her close for a quick, sexual kiss. For a brief lip-lock, it made her pussy tremble.

  Oh, yeah. Definitely not getting rid of this one. Not yet anyway. God, with him as my lover, I don’t need anyone else.

  She sat down in the chair across from him and felt the zipper at the back of her skirt split open.

  Oh wait. That’s right. The curse.

  “What’s wrong?” Cain asked, a curious smile bending his lips.

  “What? Oh nothing. Problem with my skirt.”

  He chuckled. “You have problems with a lot of your clothes.”

  “You have no idea,” she muttered. “Listen, I have a bit of a situation and I need your help.”

  She laid the whole thing out for him and sat back, watching as understanding filled Cain’s eyes.

  “You want my permission to fuck Paxson?”

  “No.” She waved away the question. “I want you to help me.”

  “Help you?” He sat back, stretching his legs out long. He looked relaxed and casual but the hard glint in his eye told a different story. Well, she’d known this wouldn’t be easy.

  “Yes.”

  “Help you how?”

  “Seduce him!” she blurted out.

  “I’m really not sure I’m the person—being that I’m the man you’re currently sleeping with—to complain that you can’t get my best friend to fuck you. Not that we ever said this was exclusive.”

  Heather rolled her eyes. They both knew what this was—a vacation fling.

  “But still, kind of tacky to try to seduce my best friend and then complain to me about it when it doesn’t work.”

  “You don’t think I know that? I’m desperate here. In a few days, I’m not going to have anything to wear.”

  “What?”

  She sighed. In the past three days, she’d gotten a glimpse of what her aunt had called “bad”. Minor stuff really, but it was building. Every piece of clothing she’d bought at the mall, with the exception of the extra scarlet panties she’d purchased to restock her dwindling supply, had an issue that made it practically unwearable. The zipper in one skirt broke. The seam in another ripped. She was going to have to resort to that hideous wedding dress just to have something to wear.

  No. Never again. I am never putting that dress on again.

  Heather took a breath and prepared for the explanation. “Listen, it all starts with that wedding dress.”

  She told him about the dress, the curse, Cait and her men and ended with Heather appearing in the casino.

  “You know the rest from there.”

  “So because some magical dress decided Paxson and I are your ‘true loves’, you think I should help you fuck him.”

  “Wow, when you describe it like that, it sounds a little Disney, you know…until you get to the fucking part. And yes, I need your help. I’ve tried over the past three days and I can’t even get the man to kiss me.”

  The left side of his mouth pulled up in a smirk. “Maybe he’s just not that into you?”

  She glared.

  “Then we’ll find out, huh?”

  Cain shook his head but she could see him actually considering the idea.

  She leaned closer, holding his gaze and dropping her voice. “Doesn’t the idea interest you at all?”

  “Helping you fuck Paxson.”

  “No, the three of us. Together. You and me and Paxson.” His expression didn’t change. “Think about it. I’d be naked, on the bed on all fours…” She let the words trail away, implanting the idea in his mind.

  Something wicked sparked in Cain’s eyes. She leaned forward and kept her gaze locked on his. She’d thought about it a lot in the past three days and more and more the idea seemed delicious and totally doable.

  Cain obviously found the idea intriguing as well.

  “You’d be behind me, fucking me while Paxson—”

  Hunger flashed in Cain’s gaze.

  “Something about that made you hot,” she accused.

  He shrugged but the motion was more tense than casual. “You know I like your ass. I’ve demonstrated that enough times in the past few days.”

  He was right. He’d taken her several times from behind, whispering how much he loved having her ass pressed against him. But the vibration beneath his words told her that wasn’t all.

  “You want to watch Paxson fuck me?”

  Again the telltale clenching of his jaw. She was close, but not quite on point. She flipped through all possible options and gasped.

  “You want Paxson to fuck you.”

  His mouth opened and she waited for the masculine denial but the words seemed caught at the back of his throat. His gaze dropped to the carpet.

  “You’re gay?”

  He glowered at her. “I’ve been fucking you for the past three nights and you ask that?”

  She shrugged. “Well—”

  Cain shook his head. “No. I guess if you have to call me anything you’d say I was ‘bi’.”

  Her grin widened as she pictured Cain and Paxson—hard, strong bodies, moving togethe
r, pumping deep. All that lovely male flesh. Yummy.

  Her pussy clenched.

  “I think it’s an amazing idea…as long as I can watch.”

  Cain’s head snapped up, his eyes cautious. “You’re serious?”

  “You wouldn’t leave me out of it, would you?”

  “Hell no.” He leaned in and lowered his voice. “I was thinking I could lick your sweet cunt while he fucks my ass.”

  Heat rushed into her pussy, the images filling her brain. “Have you guys done this before?”

  Cain grimaced. “No. Every time I’ve tried to get him to join in, he backs off. But he wants you.”

  They both settled back in their chairs. Heather’s mind raced through the possibilities. She could see the same thoughts churning through Cain’s brain.

  “This is kind of insane. You know that, right?” She felt compelled to point out.

  “It’s your idea.”

  “I know but I wanted you to know that I do realize the insanity of it all.”

  “Good to know because I could lose a good friend.”

  “Or gain an incredible lover.”

  Cain nodded again.

  He stood up, reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He tapped the screen and as he walked away she heard, “Pax, where you at, man? We need to talk.”

  * * * * *

  Her heart pounded in her chest as she fingered her wineglass. She took little sips, hoping to make it last, drawing it out as she waited for Cain to arrive. He’d sent her a text earlier to meet him here about nine. She didn’t know if he’d managed to convince Paxson or not.

  Flutters filled her tummy.

  What was she going to do if he said no? Go home and slowly watch my wardrobe disintegrate into nothing. And it would mean leaving Cain. It had only been a few days but her heart ached at the prospect. In between bouts of outrageous, wicked sex, they’d actually had conversations. He’d been funny and interesting. They agreed on movies and food but not on books or politics.

  He was surprisingly conservative. At least outside the bedroom.

  Inside? Wowser. And now she was deliberately setting up a three-way.

  “Heather?” Cain’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts, his hand skimming across her bare back. She shivered and leaned into his chest. He held her close for a moment, then eased back to reveal a nervous, possibly irritated Paxson.

  “Hi,” she said.

  He nodded but didn’t speak.

  She spun around on the bar stool and faced them.

  “You look fantastic,” Cain said.

  The sparkly gold top hung around her neck and tied across her back but beyond that, the material swung free, clinging to her breasts. She liked it because it allowed her hair to brush against her bare back, teasing her skin. She only hoped the strings keeping the damn thing on stayed together. With her recent bout of bad luck with clothing, she wasn’t taking anything for granted.

  The short black skirt rode up high on her legs as she turned around, not enough to flash her panties but the image made her smile.

  She hopped off the bar stool and while that might have made the skirt slide down a couple of inches, it also made her breasts bounce. She watched both men’s eyes drop to her chest. The hunger reflected there made her nipples tighten even more, sending delicious flutters into her pussy.

  “Thanks. So, what’s the plan?” she asked, directing the question to Cain but quickly turning it to Paxson. He was the wild card. She knew Cain was into it.

  The muscles along Paxson’s jaw tightened.

  “All you need is one night of sex?” he asked, his voice hard. He crossed his arms over his chest. The move made him look huge and intimidating. The gentle man who’d blushed when she’d teased him had turned into someone cold and a little frightening.

  “I guess this isn’t a good idea.”

  “You think?” Paxson snapped.

  Something wilted inside Heather. She hadn’t wanted to upset anyone.

  “Let’s just forget it,” she said.

  “What about the dress and the curse?” Cain asked.

  Paxson scoffed. “Oh right, the curse.”

  The edges of Heather’s eyes tightened. She could handle irritated. She could even accept pissed off. But snotty? Oh no. “It’s true.”

  “Right.”

  “I’ll prove it to you.”

  “Right,” Paxson said again.

  “Okay, buddy, now you’re getting on my nerves.” She pushed back her shoulders and glared at the two men—Paxson for being a snot and Cain for just standing by. “Let’s go.” She stalked off toward the bank of elevators that led to her room. It only took a moment before she realized they weren’t behind her.

  One of the thin strings holding the back of her top on snapped and the material fluttered, floating away from her body. She wrapped her arms around her waist and spun back around. She stormed up to them. They stood close together, engaged in a furious discussion.

  “Would you two please come on before I end up completely naked? Damn, and I really liked this top.”

  Paxson and Cain shared a look then Paxson nodded once.

  Heather sighed with relief. This time, when she walked away, Paxson and Cain were with her. They stepped onto the elevator and were immediately crowded to the back as others climbed aboard. Cain put his arm around her waist. Paxson stood in front of her, an impenetrable wall. Her heart clenched at the thought that he was so pissed he couldn’t even look at her.

  But then she realized he was protecting her. He blocked anyone except for Cain from coming closer. It was kind of sweet actually, in a macho he-man sort of way.

  The elevator was half empty by the time it reached her floor. She stopped as they got off.

  “And we probably need another man. Is there someone you could call?”

  Paxson blinked and stared down at her. “You need another man?”

  “Yes, and see if he can bring some scissors.”

  Paxson could hardly believe his ears. First Cain came and told him this insane story about a cursed bridal gown, then he tempted Paxson with the one thing that had kept him awake for the past four nights—making love to Heather.

  Damn it, he knew Cain liked her. Cain had been grinning every morning at the gym. It was all Paxson could do not to punch him.

  Now this. Spend the night with Heather and Cain.

  Great. Could he feel like more of a third wheel?

  And now she needed another man? Damn, she had to be a contortionist. He’d seen three guys and a girl in a porn movie once. Instead of exciting him, he’d spent the whole time wondering how they could fuck all twisted up like that.

  And scissors? He unclipped his phone from his belt and called Rogers asking him to get a pair of scissors and come to Heather’s room.

  She smiled and opened the door, inviting them both in.

  Paxson hesitated. Cain didn’t seem to find any of this odd. Maybe he followed the theory that sex with crazy chicks was great. Paxson wasn’t so sure.

  “Now what?” he asked as the door closed behind them.

  Heather sighed and her breasts swayed beneath the glittering piece of fabric covering her chest. The tight little nipples pressed through the material and Paxson wanted to run his lips over those tight nubs. Damn. Maybe he should look at it as a chance to finally do all those things he’d been dreaming about.

  Except it all happened a little too conveniently. Just this morning he’d talked to Cain, mentioning that he thought Heather was hot. He’d meant to say it casually, a little teasing that Cain had found a sexy, interesting woman. In the back of his mind, maybe he hoped Cain would share a few more details—because Paxson really needed something else to torment himself with.

  But who knows? Maybe he’d sounded envious. He’d mentioned it to Cain and poof—suddenly his woman wanted a three-way? Too convenient.

  “Well,” Heather started. “I guess you guys just take a seat and I’ll put on the wedding dress.” Her shoulders slumped
and the material that covered her chest fluttered, baring the soft curve of her breast.

  Paxson’s throat tightened.

  “What’s wrong?” Cain asked.

  “I swore I would never put this dress on again.” She straightened her spine, pushed her shoulders back like she was going into battle, and stared directly at them. “No matter what happens, you—one of you—has to promise to stay in this room until the dress comes off.”

  Paxson blinked but didn’t answer. He wasn’t sure how to answer.

  “Promise,” she insisted.

  He shrugged. “Okay, I promise.”

  Cain nodded.

  Tension drifted from her shoulders but she still didn’t look happy about putting on the dress. And Paxson felt a little guilty about not going along with the plan. The woman—sexy though she was—obviously had issues.

  “Listen, I—”

  The string around her neck that held up the shimmering material snapped without warning and the piece of cloth slithered to the floor in a sparkling pile of gold.

  “Damn it!” Heather stared at the crumpled material. “Another one, totally ruined.”

  She snatched a pillow off the bed and held it to her chest, but Paxson had long since memorized how her breasts looked. Hell, he’d imagined how they felt in his hands, against his lips. Still, looking at the real thing had been nice.

  “I guess I’ll go put on the ugly dress.” She snatched the white cloth off the end of the bed and dragged it toward the bathroom. “Promise,” she said as she stopped at the door. “You won’t leave, right?”

  The worry in her eyes was real. “I promise,” Paxson vowed for both of them.

  Her lips looked like they were trying to smile but the effect was more of a grimace. She disappeared into the bathroom and Paxson released the breath he didn’t know he’d been holding.

  “What do you think?” Cain asked.

  “I don’t know.” Paxson shook his head. “She seems perfectly normal when you talk to her.” They’d “run into” each other at lunch the last three days and he’d found himself eating with her. He realized she’d arranged the “chance” encounters but he hadn’t managed to resist spending time with her, even if it was just lunch.

  “Until she starts talking about that dress,” Cain added. “Is it possible?”

  Paxson rolled his eyes. “A cursed wedding dress? I don’t think so.”