Hailey:

Part of me wants to turn around and run away, but I force myself to move forward and take a seat next to Sean. “Of all the bars in the world…” I quip.

Nick finishes my sentence. “You walk into mine…” His lips quirk into a crooked grin. “This is one hell of a happy coincidence, Hailey. What brings you here?”

“I’m going to write for the Weekly Goat.”

“Ah, you’re Connor’s new reporter.” Sean smiles warmly. “Lana’s friend.”

I chuckle ruefully. “Lana warned me about the gossip mill,” I murmur. “I’ve been a city girl my entire life. It’s going to take me a while to get used to everyone knowing everything about my life.”

Nick tops up Sean’s drink and his own with a bottle of high-end Scotch. “Connor Perkins is my great-uncle,” he explains. “Welcome to Goat, Hailey.” He tips the booze down his throat. “Can I get you a drink? Vodka or would you prefer something else?”

I was drinking vodka that night. Nick remembers.

Of course he remembers, you idiot. He’s a bartender. It’s what they do. Stop reading anything into it.

“I better not, I’m driving. Could I get a half-pint of beer?”

“Lager, IPA, or stout?”

“IPA, please.”

Nick pours my beer. Sean turns to me. “Catch me up with what’s going on in your life, Hailey,” he says. “The last time we talked, you ran a magazine. Girl Power, right?”

“I still am,” I reply. “We’re online-only, and subscriber numbers are dropping every day, but it’s still going. For the moment, at least.”

Sean’s grey eyes gleam with amusement. “Articles about threesomes not enough to keep the subscribers coming back?” he says teasingly.

I flush deeply. I’d almost forgotten about that damn article. Shortly after my night with Sean and Nick, I’d poured my soul out in a column. Not to increase subscriber numbers, but because writing about those events had been my first step in picking up the pieces of my shattered life.

Of course, I hadn’t counted on Sean reading the article. I’d changed their names, of course, and disguised the events as best as I could, but still, he has a right to be offended. “You read it?”

Sean nods. I don’t think he’s angry, but I can’t be sure. “I looked you up when I got back home. Call it curiosity.”

He wasn’t the only one who’d been curious. I’d been tempted too… But after Matt’s betrayal, I’d sworn that I’d never again give a guy that much power over me.

“I should have asked for your permission first,” I mutter, my cheeks hot with shame. “I’m sorry.”

Nick cuts in. “Sean, stop giving Hailey a hard time,” he says, rolling his eyes. “Hailey, neither of us were offended.” His eyes crinkle at the corners. “I, for one, was pretty flattered. You were very complimentary.”

Oh God. I cover my face with my hands. I hadn’t written a detailed account of the sex, but I hadn’t censored myself either. I remember how the article had opened.

On the day I should have been getting married to the man of my dreams, I found myself in a bar with two handsome strangers. Before the night was over, I’d have a threesome with them.

A wave of humiliation washes over me. I’d bared my soul in that article, and they’d read it. Now would be a great time for the ground to open up and swallow me whole.

“Hailey.” Sean places a hand on my arm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to embarrass you. Please forgive me. It’s really great to see you again.”

Other people have mentioned the article before, and it’s never bothered me. Why am I so mortified now? I slowly uncover my face and take a steadying sip of my drink. Nick clears his throat. “You want something to eat?”

Food. My stomach rumbles, reminding me that all I’ve eaten today is a plate of scrambled eggs for breakfast. “Yes please. That is if you’re still open? When I walked in, I thought you said you were closing.”

“The kitchen staff is gone for the night, but I can rustle something up. Burger and fries?”

I beam widely. “You read my mind.”

He chuckles. “Give me a second,” he says and disappears into the back, leaving me alone with Sean.

“Again, I am sorry,” Sean says. “Nick’s far better with women than I am. I seem to manage to put my foot in my mouth on a regular basis.”

“No way.” I give him an incredulous look. “You’re a firefighter, and you look like that.” I wave my hand in the direction of his washboard abs. Six years ago, I’d licked my way down this chest, past those abs, following a very happy trail to his rock-hard cock. Even now, thinking about that night, my insides heat with lust. “Are the women in this town blind?”

Sean laughs easily. “They’re too busy throwing themselves at Nick.”

I doubt it. I’m willing to bet that both men receive more than their fair share of attention.

Nick reappears with my food. The burger smells delicious, and the fries are fresh out of the fryer. “My hero,” I moan. “I can’t even tell you how happy I am right now. I’ve been eating eggs all weekend.”

He winks at me. “For you, babe, anytime. When did you get into town? Are you staying across the street?”

“My budget doesn’t extend to the Nanny Goat,” I reply. “Elvira Grantham was kind enough to rent me her cottage.”

“That old wreck?” Nick looks astonished. “When was the last time someone lived there?”

Sean frowns. “I think Blake lived there one summer when he was a teenager,” he replies. “But as far as I know, it’s been empty ever since.”

Blake’s one of Lana’s boyfriends. He’s also Elvira’s nephew. Super nice guy. “I like it,” I tell them. “It’s much larger than my place in Portland, and it’s really cheap.” I take a bite of the burger and suppress another moan. It’s juicy, flavorful and perfect. “I lucked out.”

Sean rolls his eyes. “Elvira’s the one that lucked out,” he says. “It’s harder than you think to find a responsible tenant. I’m surprised she’s never sold it, to be honest. The place is more trouble than it’s worth.”

“I’m going to fix it up.” I pause, then truthfulness compels me to add, “That is, as soon as I learn how to fix anything. I’m a bit useless with tools.”

“If memory serves me correctly,” Nick says, his voice deepening, “you are very good with tools.”

His eyes roam over me, and my body reacts to his inspection. My nipples harden, and my insides melt. Sean shifts in his stool and moves closer, and I swallow hard. “That was a long time ago,” I murmur under my breath.

“I’ve never forgotten it,” Sean replies, his voice whiskey-smooth. “It’s been six years, but the memories haven’t faded.” His fingers trail up my forearm. “What about you, Hailey? Do you remember?”

I lean toward Sean, breathing in his smell, clean and smoky, like a wood fire on a clear summer night. I gaze into his grey eyes, and I start to drown under the weight of my desire. My half-eaten burger is forgotten; my beer warms on the counter, but I only have eyes for the two men.

What are you doing?

Panic fills me. It’s too much, this feeling. Too overwhelming. I jump off my stool. “I have to pee,” I stammer out, and run for the sanctuary of the washroom.

In the bathroom, I splash some water on my face and study the woman who looks back at me in the mirror. My eyes are sparkling. My cheeks are red. My nipples are visible underneath my dress. I look alive.

I haven’t felt this simmering sense of possibility in a very long time.

Would it be wrong to sleep with them again? To see if the magic’s still there? No expectations, no rules. Just a casual friends-with-benefits kind of thing.

But I believed in fairy tales once. I’d allowed myself to fall in love with Matt, and it had broken my heart.

What I’m considering isn’t a good idea. Six years ago, we’d been strangers. This time, they live in the same town as I do. Nick is related to my future boss. There’s a lot of potential for complications.

I stare at myself for a long time, but I can’t hide in the restroom forever. Opening the door, I make my way back to the bar, but the two men aren’t at the counter. They’ve moved to a booth. “Come here, Hailey,” Nick orders.

Wordlessly, my feet trace a path to their side.

“Are you seeing anyone?” Sean asks. “Should we back away?”

Now. Now’s the time to be sensible, to tell them I’m not interested. But my lips stay closed, and I shake my head mutely.

Sean pulls me onto his lap. “The night I spent with you was the hottest night of my life,” he breathes into my ear. “You can sense it, can’t you, Hailey? The chemistry, the connection.” He circles my nipple with his thumb, and that light touch sends a jolt of pure lust through me. “I’m not going to lie. I want to explore this.”

“I’m not looking to get involved.” My words come out in a rush. “I’ve just moved to a new town; I’m starting a new job. I’m not interested in dating anyone.”

Sean’s fingers go still. “Should we back away?” he asks again.

For six years, I’ve masturbated to the memory of these two men. It was, hands down, the best sex of my life. I thought I’d never see them again, but now, they’re here, and they both still want me.

Can I be brave?

“I don’t date,” I whisper. “But if you were interested in something more casual…” My face flushes as I wait for them to respond to my brazen offer.

Nick’s smile turns carnal. “I don’t work Monday evenings.”

Sean takes a deep breath. His hands rest on my hips, and I’m intensely aware of his touch. “Casual sex, no strings attached, once a week? Is that what you want?”

That’s all I’m going to allow myself to have. “Yes,” I reply firmly. A thought strikes me. “Neither of you is married, right? Or seeing someone?”

“We’re both single,” Nick assures me.

“Okay.” I can’t believe I’m entering a friends-with-benefits arrangement with these two guys. There’s something very cold-blooded about it.

“Tomorrow’s Monday,” Sean murmurs into my ear. His teeth nibble at my earlobe, and I inhale sharply. God, that’s hot. It takes a surprising amount of effort to focus on the conversation.

Tomorrow is my first day of work. I might have to work late. I should tell them I can’t make it.

But when I open my mouth, what comes out is breathless assent. “See you at the cottage? At nine?”

Nine is perfect. There’s no assumption that we’ll eat a meal together. Nothing remotely date-like about it. When they come over at nine, it’ll be for one reason and one reason only.

Raw, passionate, dirty sex.