CHAPTER SEVEN
~Bailey~
“COME HERE,” KEVIN SAYS, HIS face tight and his green eyes on fire as he leans on the pool table.
Why do I suddenly feel like I’m walking into the lion’s den?
I keep my eyes on his and walk slowly to him, then stop directly in front of him, not touching him, though my palms are itching to slide under that T-shirt and explore his smooth skin and muscles.
He taps my chin with his finger, tilting my head up, and leans in to kiss me, brushing his soft lips over mine, then settles in to nibble at the corner of my mouth, sending shivers along my scalp and down my spine.
I can’t help it, I brace my hands on his hips and lean in, pressing my nakedness against him as he deepens the kiss. His tongue slips into my mouth and explores me lazily, and when I’ve been thoroughly kissed, he backs away, kisses my forehead and wraps his arms around me, hugging me close.
“I’m naked, you know.” I glance over at Gray, whose arms are crossed over his chest as he watches us with heat and humor in his blue eyes.
“I’m aware,” Kevin replies as his hands roam up and down my back. “But anticipation is part of the fun.”
Gray smirks and I whip my gaze up to Kevin. “Seriously? I have to just walk around naked all day?”
“You lost the bet,” Kevin replies and shrugs, like it’s not his fault in the least.
“I can’t play pool naked,” I insist.
“Oh, I think you can,” Gray replies softly. “And I think you’ll enjoy taunting us with that incredible body of yours while you do.”
“Can I have my shirt back if I win?” I ask hopefully.
“No.” Gray smiles smugly as he crosses to me, pulls me out of Kevin’s embrace and kisses me fast and hard. “No, you can’t.”
“Damn,” I mutter, making them both laugh. But they’re right. Playing pool naked, taunting them both, is damn fun.
Finally, after I’ve lost the third game, I yawn and stow my cue. “I’m done. You guys play, I’ll watch.”
“Tired?” Gray asks as he tucks my hair behind my ear.
“Lazy,” I say with a smile.
“Come here.” Gray lifts me and settles on the couch with me in his lap. Kevin joins us and pulls my feet in his lap and begins to knead my arches.
“Oh God that’s good.” I lean my head on Gray’s shoulder and watch Kevin as he loves on my feet. “You guys are forever touching me.”
“We like touching you,” Gray whispers in my ear, then kisses my temple. “Speaking of that . . .” He’s interrupted by my cell phone beeping with an incoming text. He reaches for my phone and passes it to me.
“Damn, it’s work,” I mutter and begin to tap the screen, responding to my co-chair on an event we’re working on for next month. “A venue just fell through.”
“On a Sunday?” Kevin asks with a frown.
“You guys aren’t the only ones who work 24/7,” I reply with a grin. “I usually work every day. Hey, are you guys going to do the Fireman’s marathon in April? I’m planning that one too.”
“Why are firemen always asked to do things that require us to run or climb?” Kevin asks with a frown.
“Mostly because we spectators hope against hope that you’ll take your shirts off,” I reply dryly and raise a brow, staring at their shirts, making them laugh.
“Seriously,” Gray replies.
“Oh, I’m very serious,” I say and finish typing on my phone.
“Why do you do this?” Gray asks quietly as he tightens his arms around me and kisses my cheek. “You said yesterday that you decided not to use your law degree, but why?”
Kevin watches me quietly as he continues to rub my feet, making me melt just a little more.
“My grandma,” I sigh and thrum my fingers up and down Gray’s arm. “My father’s mother was an amazing woman. I spent a lot of time with her as a child. She was also a senator’s wife, but she was never idle. She gardened and volunteered her time in schools and organizing charity functions. She used to always tell me, “Bailey, we are blessed people. But there are plenty who aren’t as blessed as we are, and there’s nothing wrong with spending our time and money making sure we help make their lives just a little better.”
“I like her already,” Kevin whispers.
“Oh, you would have loved her.” I bite my lip as a wave of grief swarms me. “She died when I turned fourteen. But from the time I could walk, I was stuck to her hip, following her around, helping. I learned a lot from her about charity and what it is to be generous and passionate about a cause. I also learned how to grow beautiful tomatoes.” I grin and bury my face in Gray’s neck, take a deep breath and place a sweet kiss under his chin.
“Mom and Dad thought I should make law my career,” I continue. “And organizing charity events a hobby. I went to one job interview and knew, as I was sitting there in that stuffy office, that it wasn’t for me. I want to help people, not sue them.”
“So you pissed your parents off,” Gray guesses correctly.
“Oh, big time,” I agree. “Dad yelled and carried on and Mom cried delicately in her two-hundred-dollar handkerchief and both of them glared at me with disappointment and regret. But you know what?” I back away and look Gray right in the eye. “I didn’t give a shit. I don’t care that I make peanuts and I work long hours. When I hand a check over to an organization that desperately needs the money, it’s the best feeling in the world.”
“I’m so fucking proud of you,” Gray whispers and plants his lips on my forehead.
“You’re amazing, princess,” Kevin says and rubs his hands up and down my bare legs, then lifts one leg to kiss my knee softly.
“What about you guys? Why firefighting?” I reach over and twine my fingers with Kevin’s, then pull his hand up to my lips and press it to my cheek. I love touching my men, even if it is only for one more day that I have unlimited access to them.
“He’s a pyromaniac,” Kevin says, pointing at Gray.
“Whatever, dude,” Gray replies with a roll of the eyes. “This idiot decided he wanted to play with fire and I decided I’d better go with him and make sure he doesn’t get himself killed.”
“It’s dangerous,” I say seriously. “Have you ever been hurt?”
They look at each other and then nod thoughtfully.
“It can be dangerous,” Kevin says carefully. “But we’re trained well and we have a great team.”
“Why do I think you just downplayed it?” I ask with a laugh.
“He told you the truth,” Gray says with a shrug. “It can be tricky. But we’re very careful.”
Jesus, what would I do if I lost one of them? And where the fuck did that thought come from? They aren’t mine. We’re just having a fun weekend.
“Can we watch a movie and veg out for a while?” I ask.
“Absolutely,” Gray says and kisses my nose, then stands with me still in his arms—Dear sweet Moses, the man is strong—and lowers me to Kevin’s lap. “Wanna watch Backdraft?”
“No!” I respond immediately. “No firefighter movies. It’ll only make me worry more.”
“Aww, you worry?” Kevin asks and nuzzles my ear. “That’s so sweet.”
“Stop it.” I giggle when he tickles my side, then sigh when he slips those hands down my side to my lower belly.
“Okay, what do you want to watch?”
“Something with action and hot shirtless men, since my hot men won’t get shirtless for me.” I pout my lip out, but Kevin kisses me sweetly, making me melt against him. “God, you’re good at the kissing thing.”
“You like being kissed,” he whispers.
“Yeah.”
“Good ‘cause we like kissing you.”
I smile up at him and drag my fingers down his cheek.
“Hello? Focus here,” Gray says. “Movie.”
We finally agree on something with lots of car chases and guns shooting and settle in to watch it. I slide my ass onto the cushion between the guys, my torso leaning on Kevin and legs over Gray’s lap. It feels . . . right. Like I’m supposed to be right here, between them, always.
This has been the best weekend of my life. These men are loving and affectionate, and I’ll be the first to admit that’s something that I’ve lacked in my twenty-seven years, so it’s no wonder that I’ve soaked it up and fallen hopelessly in love with them.
With both of them.
They each bring so much to the table. Gray is quiet and intense, while Kevin is more outgoing and quick-witted. They’re both sexy as hell and have so much love to give.
How could I ever choose between them? It’s insane to think that we could go on having a relationship between the three of us. Life doesn’t work like that. At some point I’ll have to choose, or ask them to, and that’s not fair.
Not to anyone.
I bite my lip and keep my eyes trained on the TV as Mark Wahlburg and Charlize Theron try to break into a safe, but I’m not paying attention to the movie.
This is my last few hours with them. I have to go back to my apartment tonight and back to my regularly scheduled life tomorrow. And the thought of it makes me ridiculously sad.
Maybe I should go now, rather than prolong it, like ripping off a Band-Aid.
My mind made up, I stand and walk toward the stairs.
“Do you want us to pause it, sweetheart?” Gray asks.
“No, thanks.” I shake my head, but don’t look back. If I look back I’ll climb back on that couch with them and beg them to let me stay. I’ve quickly become addicted to their touch, to their sweet words.
I need to go home.
I hurry up to the master bedroom and stuff my dirty clothes into my bag, pull on a shirt and pants and sweep my toiletries into my bag as well. I tidy the room as best as I can and trudge back down to the basement, my bag and purse slung over my shoulder.
The guys are still watching the movie intently. Kevin glances up as I walk into his line of vision, then does a double take.
“What the fuck?” he demands, as he and Gray stand and glare at my bag.
“Can someone please take me home now?” I ask, hating that my voice sounds weak and shaky.
“Where are you going, sweetheart?” Gray asks. Kevin’s jaw clenches as he crosses his arms over his chest.
“I think I should just go ahead and go home. I have an early morning tomorrow, and I have some things to do.” I shrug and bite my lip. I will not cry.
“Did we do something wrong?” Kevin asks.
“What? No, of course not.” I shake my head adamantly. “I’ve had a great weekend with both of you. Thank you for everything. Maybe we can do it again sometime.” I smile bravely and then frown in confusion when Kevin growls and Gray shoves his hand through his hair in frustration.
“You’re not leaving,” Kevin says, his voice matter of fact.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard him.”