Scott:

After the ride back in the limousine on Thursday night, I think we’ve turned a corner, the three of us. Then I send Nina a text message, and get her reply. No.

“No,” Zane reads the message aloud, then fixes me with a serious look. “Something’s wrong.”

“No shit, Sherlock,” I snap at my buddy. “I’m quite aware of that.”

Zane holds up his hand. “Before you hide in your bedroom with your guitar and write moody love songs, stop and think for a minute. What did we learn yesterday?”

“I’ve no fucking idea,” I snarl. “I know I want to punch you in the jaw.”

He ignores my growl. “Nina might stay her ground and fight most of the time, but I learned yesterday that when she’s really upset, she retreats. And,” he adds with exaggerated patience, “if she’s feeling vulnerable, we should be there for her.”

He’s right. Damn it. He’s going to be smug about it too, but I’m willing to put up with the mockery because he’s totally right about Nina. “Does she work in the bar on Friday nights?”

Zane shakes his head. “No, the two bartenders we met, James and Lucas, do.” I give him a questioning look, and he shrugs. “This is a gossipy little town. I’ve learned that James and Lucas are in a relationship with the same woman, a friend of Nina’s named Cassie, and I’ve also learned that they host an internet show about sex. It’s all very scandalous, the woman at the grocery store told me.”

Whatever. I’m not interested in petty gossip. “So Nina’s at home?”

Zane nods. “Let’s go.”

I grab my coat. “We need to stop for Chinese food first.” Nina loves Chinese. It’s her comfort food, and if she’s upset, I’m going to be showing up at her door with hot-and-sour soup.

“Good call.”

* * *

Nina:

After responding to Scott’s text message, I put on my heavy winter jacket and head over to China Garden. I intend to eat two orders of spring rolls and see if that’ll cure my aching heart. “Hey Maggie,” I greet my friend, who’s working in the front today. “Can I place a takeout order?”

“Sure,” she says readily. “Dominic’s taking over for me in twenty minutes. If you want to eat in, I’ll join you.”

Normally, I’d take her up on her offer. Not today. “Can I take a raincheck?”

“Of course.” She peeps at my face with a frown. “Have you been crying, Nina?” she asks me. “Is everything okay?”

“Not really.” My father’s words sound in my head, and no matter which way I look at it, I can’t deny the truth of his words. If I keep seeing Scott and Zane, there’s going to be a time in the near future when I’ll have to choose between the Merry Cockatoo and them.

Three years ago, I picked them. I’m older now, and I’ve learned that I need my own purpose. I can’t watch them live their dreams and give up on mine. That way lies only resentment.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

If I tell Maggie everything, I’m going to burst into tears in the middle of the crowded restaurant, and by the time the sun rises tomorrow morning, the entire town of New Summit will know that that woman who runs the Merry Cockatoo had a breakdown in public. “Not today, Maggie.”

She gives me a concerned look. “Does this have to do with Scott and Zane?” My head snaps up, and I must look shocked, because she explains, “My mom and I were touring one of the new homes, and we saw you talking to them.”

I don’t know why, but my first impulse is to lie to Maggie. “I was just scoping out the place,” I say, keeping my voice light. “After our lunch the other day, I thought I’d go see what the houses look like, that’s all.”

She doesn’t look convinced, but she lets the matter drop. “Okay,” she says. “What are you in the mood for?”

I’ve eaten a spring roll out of the carton and emptied the fried rice into a bowl when there’s a knock on my front door. It’s Scott and Zane.

My heart leaps in my chest. I force myself to tamp down the joy I feel when I see them there. “I’m not in the mood for games.”

“Good,” Zane replies, holding up a bulging plastic bag in his hands. I recognize the red pagoda logo of the China Garden. “Neither are we. We are, on the other hand, in the mood for Chinese food. Want some?”

Zane and Scott have no special attachment to Chinese food. They’ve brought takeout for me. It would be rude and ungracious to turn them down. “Come on in.”

They enter and look around at my colorful, cluttered space. The walls are a bright turquoise that reminds me of the ocean. Photos I took when I was traveling with Scott and Zane are everywhere. Just landscapes though; while I took many photos of the two men during our eighteen months together, those are buried in a box in the back of my closet.

“Looks like you beat us to it,” Scott says ruefully, gesturing to the cartons of Chinese food on the table. “Maggie might have warned us.”

“You told her you were coming here?” I wince. “Great, now she’s going to know I’m a liar.”

“Are we a secret, Nina?” Zane demands. “Would you prefer your new friends not know about us?”

I sigh. “Of course not.” I go to the kitchen to fetch a couple more plates, while the guys arrange the cartons on the table. In addition to the hot-and-sour soup and spring rolls, they also have beef and broccoli, shrimp with vegetables, an order of cashew chicken, and more fried rice. “How many people were you planning on feeding?” I ask, gazing at the humongous spread. “Did Maggie not warn you about the portions at the China Garden? They’re huge.”

“She did. We didn’t know exactly what you were in the mood for.”

Damn it. Stop being nice to me.

I owe them the truth or at least a part of it. I’m not the girl I was, and I won’t put them through crazy tests anymore, demanding they win them to prove their love. “I didn’t mean to blow you off,” I say apologetically. “My dad called. He said something that upset me.”

Scott puts his arm around me, and Zane hands me a spring roll. I bite into it and allow myself to be led to the couch. “Sit,” Zane instructs. “Tell us what you need. We’re here for you. If you want to talk, we’ll listen. If you want to bitch, we’re all ears.”

I don’t want to do either of those. I just want to lean against their shoulders and pretend for an evening, that this isn’t going to end in disaster. “Will you stay with me?” I whisper. “All night?”

Zane bends down, and his lips graze mine. “Of course we will, Neen.”

We eat our meal in silence. Once we’re done, Zane puts the leftovers in my refrigerator while Scott does the dishes, ignoring my protests. I open my pantry and peer at the contents of my wine rack. “I’m all out of beer,” I tell them, “but there’s red wine if you want a drink.”

“Sounds good,” Scott agrees readily, looking up from the sink, where he’s elbow deep in soap suds.

“Since when do you do dishes, anyway?” I ask him.

“I always do dishes,” he replies calmly. “You didn’t see that part of me on the road, that’s all.” He smiles at me. “After years of craziness, it’s nice to do normal things. I’ve missed that.”

“You missed doing dishes.” I shake my head wryly. “That’s the weirdest thing I’ve ever heard.”

We settle back on the couch with glasses of wine in our hands, Scott and Zane on either side of me. “Can I ask you something? Why didn’t you fuck me last night? You know I wanted you. Had you just asked…” My voice trails off, and I look at them, waiting for their answer.

“I wouldn’t have asked,” Scott replies at once. Zane nods in agreement.

“Why not?”

Scott’s eyes bore into mine, and I can’t look away. “I don’t want to make love to you, Nina,” he says quietly, “if the only reason you’re doing it is so that you can win a game and get us out of your lives. Things didn’t work out between us, Nina, but do you hate us that much?”

I swallow the lump in my throat. “I don’t hate you,” I whisper. “That’s not why I want you gone.” I stare at the glass of wine in my hand. “I can’t stand the thought of seeing you with someone else,” I admit, my voice small.

Zane laughs harshly. “When you left,” he says, “you sucked the joy out of our worlds. We’ve existed on autopilot since then. There’s no one else, Nina. No one measures up to you.”

It’s been eighteen months. He’s not saying what I think he is, is he? The two of them are chick magnets. Women fawn over Zane, attracted to his dark eyes and soulful voice. When they see Scott step on stage, his fingers flying over his guitar, they flutter their eyelashes at him, hoping his talented fingers will tug at their strings.

I process their words. They promised me this game wasn’t about sex. They’re not going to touch me unless I ask them.

The words hover at the tip of my tongue.

I can’t lie to Scott and Zane and pretend we have a future. My conversation with my father made it crystal clear that the three of us don’t have one.

But I want them tonight.

Swallowing my nerves, I rest my palms on their thighs, my fingers curling around their strong muscles.

On Tuesday, I’d walked into their house, screaming at them to leave town and get the hell out of my life.

On Wednesday, they serenaded me in my bar, singing a love song with lyrics so poignant that thinking about those words makes my throat tighten with emotion.

Yesterday, they’d arranged a private after-hours tour of the MOMA and made me come in the limo on the way back home.

And today, because they thought I was upset, they showed up with Chinese food. Because they didn’t want me to be alone.

They’ve changed. I’ve changed. On Tuesday, I wouldn’t have slept with them, no matter how much heat ran through my veins. Today, I can’t deny my need. I can’t hide from the truth.

“I want you tonight,” I say. “Please…”

Scott’s gaze is troubled. “You’re upset,” he begins. I know what he’s going to say next. They don’t want to take advantage of my turmoil.

Before either of them can voice that thought, I get to my feet. Ruefully, I notice what I’m wearing for the first time, Faded sweats and an old, tattered, navy-blue sweater. I probably look like a complete wreck.

I undress. The room is slightly cool, and goose bumps rise on my naked skin. “I want you,” I repeat. “Please don’t make me beg.”

Their eyes never leaving my body, they both rise. “We’ll make you beg us to let you come, Nina,” Zane says, his voice low and quiet. “We’ll make you beg us to stop teasing you, to hurry up, to get a damn condom on already…” His lips turn up in a smile. “But Neen, we’re never going to make you beg for us.”

“Not here,” Scott interjects. “I’ve waited twenty months for this moment. I can wait for us to make it to the bedroom. I think.”

I growl in frustration, and a grin tugs at the corner of Scott’s mouth at my impatience. I lead them up the stairs to my bedroom, and they follow, their eyes glued to my ass. The moment we enter the room, Zane tips me back on the bed, and the two of them are on me, kissing, stroking, exploring every inch of my body.

I want them so much that I ache all over. My stomach quivers and my pussy is heavy with need. Their touches are possessive, their kisses passionate, but I want more. I need to feel their naked bodies against mine.

“This isn’t fair,” I protest. “You’re still clothed.”

A smile ghosts across Zane’s face. His thumbs graze my nipples, and he watches them swell in response to his touch. “You’re right,” he agrees. He yanks his t-shirt over his head and tosses it aside. I inhale sharply as those washboard abs come into view, and he chuckles. Pulling me into his body, he brushes his lips across my ear. “You’re so fucking beautiful, Nina,” he whispers.

I smile at him, enveloped in his warmth. “You’re pretty damn sexy yourself,” I reply, trailing my fingers over the sprinkling of chest hairs covering his rock hard muscles. His cock is tenting his pants, and I graze my hand against his erection, rubbing his thick shaft, feeling him harden even further at my touch.

He groans, and my body thrills at his reaction. “Take off your pants,” I urge Zane. “You too, Scott.”

Scott complies, his t-shirt and pants flying across the room. He lies on the bed too, his chest pressed against my back. His fingertips swirl on my skin and caress the curve of my shoulder, before sliding down to cup my ass.

My breathing catches. “Are you going to spank me again?” I ask, my skin prickling with anticipation. I can feel Scott’s thick cock nudging against my ass cheeks, and if he doesn’t either spank me or fuck me, I might scream in frustration.

“Maybe.”

In front of me, Zane rolls my nipples between his thumb and forefinger, making me moan with pleasure. I wrap my arms around him and tilt my head up for a kiss, and his lips graze mine gently before he draws me closer and deepens the kiss.

I missed this so much.

Zane captures my mouth with hungry urgency, his tongue dancing and curling around mine. At the same time, Scott’s hand nestles between my legs. I groan as his fingers part my lips. I’m so wet, so ready.

Scott chuckles. “You’re soaked, Neen,” he says, plunging two fingers into my hot, slick channel.

I whimper as he pumps me with his fingers. “More,” I beg.

“More?” Zane raises an eyebrow, and his lips curl into a cocky grin. “That’s pretty vague, Nina. Tell us exactly what you want.”

Any other time, I might be embarrassed at what Zane’s asking me to do, but not now. My desire is at full boil and threatening to overflow, and I need them now. Teasing foreplay can wait—I need to be filled by their fat cocks.

“Fuck me.” My fingers work at the button of Zane’s pants. Unzipping them, I push them down his hips, reaching impatiently for his thick cock. I close my fingers around the base and fist that velvet steel, lost in pleasure. Zane groans, clenching his eyes shut, his face contorting with desire.

With my other hand, I reach behind me and grope for Scott’s erection. “Oh, that’s it, sugar,” he breathes in my ear when I find his dick. “That’s right; you want this cock, don’t you? You want it deep inside you, filling you to the brim. Isn’t that right, Nina?”

“Yes,” I exhale, my brain in a fog of lust.

Zane’s fingers join Scott in a slow exploration of my pussy. The two of them caress my folds and tease my nub until I’m an aching, quivering ball of need. “Now,” I gasp. “Please fuck me.” They made me come yesterday, over and over again, with their mouths and their fingers, and I want to return the favor. I want them to bury themselves to the hilt inside me.

“Fuck yes,” Scott groans. “I can’t wait anymore, Neen. Zane and I are going to fuck you so thoroughly that you’re going to have trouble walking straight.”

Yes. Finally. “Promises, promises,” I tease them with a wide grin.

“Do you have any lube?” Zane asks.

I shake my head. “There’s some baby oil in the bathroom,” I reply. “First drawer on the right.”

“That’ll work.” Zane eases himself from my grasp and heads to the bathroom, shedding his pants and boxers on the way. He returns ten seconds later with the oil.

I’m so wound up that I can’t breathe.

Scott shifts positions, lying on his back. He rolls a condom on his hard length and pulls me on top of him. “Ride me,” he orders, his voice hoarse.

I lower myself slowly on his cock, gasping at the way my muscles stretch to accommodate him. “It’s been so long,” I whimper, as I impale myself on his straining shaft.

“Fuck yes,” Scott hisses. His hands squeeze my breasts and pinch my nipples, and I lift myself off his length, almost lifting off him entirely before sinking back down. “So good.”

Zane also rolls on a condom. “Bend forward,” he says, pushing down on my lower back. I do as he asks, my nipples grazing Scott’s chest hair, and I feel the trickle of baby oil over my ass.

My breath catches.

“We’ll be gentle,” Zane promises, mistaking my anticipation for fear. He pushes one finger into my ass, and I gasp, as the feeling of fullness inside me grows.

I should tell him I’m not afraid, but sensation assaults me from every direction. Raw heat is radiating through my body, and my thoughts scatter in the wind. Zane adds another finger, and as he does, Scott’s thumb traces a soft circle around my clitoris.

My muscles clench at his touch. “Nina,” Scott groans, “Keep this up, and I’ll explode.”

“Not yet.” Zane removes his fingers. The head of his cock nudges my ass. I inhale sharply as my muscles stretch to accommodate his girth. Oh God, I’m so full. Scott’s cock in my pussy, Zane’s shaft in my ass—I’d forgotten how overwhelmingly good this felt.

Then they start moving.

I’ve been dangerously close to an orgasm ever since Zane pushed me on the bed. When I feel both of them stroke in and out of me, I can’t hold back any longer. I explode into a thousand pieces. Sandwiched between their bodies, I writhe and squirm as wave after wave of pleasure washes over me.

They pick up the pace. They coordinate their thrusts, both pulling out of me, leaving me feeling empty, then thrusting in unison. I’ve no time to recover; I go from one orgasm straight into the next. I’m filled, so filled. I explode between them, almost sobbing with the intensity of my climax.

They’re right there with me. Scott grabs my hips, and Zane’s fingers bite into my ass, and their hips buck as they flood into me.

Afterward, I cuddle between their bodies and listen to their breathing as they sleep, deep and even. It almost killed me to leave them the first time.

And I’m going to have to do it again.