CHAPTER TWELVE
“Do you realize it’s noon?” Elliott said after shaking me awake the next day.
I tutted and pulled the covers up over my head. “Am I getting off the ship? If not, go away.”
Elliott chuckled. “Ha. I pegged you for a morning person, but you’re grumpy. Get up. I need to give you a quick lesson.”
“What kind of lesson?” I grumbled.
I sat up and pulled the duvet under my arms to cover myself. His shirt was tight, showing every ripple of muscle in his broad chest and abs. His jeans fit just right—he was crazy hot.
He cleared his throat and my eyes shifted up to his handsome face, which was now sporting a smug grin. “You can stop undressing me with your eyes. If you want me naked, just beg.”
I guffawed, but ended up laughing too.
“Good, you’re getting past the hate,” he said with a wink. “Seriously, Dane asked me to go over protocol for this type of party, but what I think you need first is self-defense training.”
That woke me up. I was surprised by his offer, though the biggest obstacle could render my defense useless, which I was quick to point out. “I can’t fight a gun.”
“It’s still possible to defend yourself, if you know what to do,” Elliott insisted. “I’ll go over some moves, but you will also have this.” He dug into the pocket of his trousers, brought out a little metal square, and pressed the side, producing a pocketknife. “This weapon will be between you and me. Dane didn’t want you to have it because he feared you’d end up hurt, but I think you’d rather fight than give up.”
I dipped my head and smiled at the compliment, though I didn’t feel strong at the moment. “Thank you, but do you think it will come to a fight?” My voice cracked.
He placed his arm loosely around my shoulder. “I don’t think so. Neither one of us plan to let you out of our sight. We will hurt anyone who touches you. This defense stuff is me being overly cautious.”
My chest warmed at his concern and when he leaned in to peck my lips, I didn’t stop him. “I shouldn’t let you kiss me,” I said.
He cocked his head. “But you did anyway,” he replied. “Don’t beat yourself up about it. You want to kiss me, and I want to fuck you. There is nothing wrong with it.”
I pushed back my hair. I didn’t bother denying it, and his humor put me at ease, but I moved on. Slipping my hand out of the sheets, I grabbed my robe and put it on underneath the covers. Thankfully, Dane hadn’t put it out of reach.
He handed me a tank and shorts to put on. “Such a shame to cover your sexy body.”
My mouth dropped open. “I thought there was only a robe.”
He laughed. “Good on Dane. There are a lot of things on this ship, including clothing stores.”
“Then why don’t I have clothes?” I asked.
He grinned. “Because we like you naked.”
I tried to scowl, but ended up smiling. I quickly left for the bathroom to change. Both men were on my mind as I dressed and pulled my hair into a bun. They contrasted each other, but I found them both fascinating in their own way.
When I returned to the room, Elliott waved me over to a spot near the enclosed patio area that had an obstructed view out to the deck.
“This is how you hold the knife.” He took my hand and showed me the way to grip the handle. “Quick bend to the knee to go lower. Jab. If you’re close to his eyes or balls, go for it. You don’t fight fair.” He twisted his body and lunged out with the small knife. “Now you.”
Elliott was a good and patient teacher. He spent a good part of the day practicing defensive moves with me, both with and without the knife, until I was less shaky and more confident. It also made me more relaxed with him, so much so that it didn’t bother me to return to the room in a robe when we separated to bathe and for Elliott to order brunch for us. I appreciated that it was one of those soft terrycloth robes even though its sleeves were a bit long and it hung just below my knees.
Placing my hair in a loose braid, I padded back into the main room to find Elliott standing by one of the windows, looking out at the ocean. The denim of his jeans was darker than the ones he’d had on earlier, and they looked even better. He turned his head my way, and I didn’t look away fast enough. It was virtually impossible when he was in the room; he was just that appealing. “Nothing wrong with looking,” he teased.
He would know—his gaze hadn’t moved from me.
A bell chimed, giving me a needed break, though it didn’t put me completely at ease. Someone was at the door. He gestured toward the bedroom. “Go put on your mask then come out and kneel with your head down and your palms on your knees.” I quickly did as I was told. The only reference I had for the position was what I had seen in a movie, and I hoped it was good enough.
“That’s sloppy,” he teased, letting out a low chuckle in response to the curse I said back before opening the door.
“Elliott. This is the brunch you ordered,” said a female voice in a tone that seemed a bit too familiar.
“Thanks. Set it up over there,” he replied, his voice just as friendly. He was charming, but then again, I had met him at an orgy.
I waited until I heard the sound of the door closing before rising again.
The brunch was a spread of bagels, scones, eggs, steak, fruit, and yogurt.
I took the yogurt and bagel and was about to take off the mask, but Elliott shook his head when he sat down across from me.
“No, leave it on to get used to it,” he said. “Outside this room you need to wear it and act as if it’s natural. Dane and I have been trying to do the social stuff and leave you in here, but I doubt that will work for the whole week.” I decided not to dwell on what was going on at the moment and instead changed the subject.
“Where did you learn those moves? Hardly something an interior designer would use,” I said with sarcasm.
“Let’s just say I didn’t start out as gorgeous as I am now,” he responded, buttering his toast. “I was a little guy in school. My parents got tired of me getting beat up, so they sent me to the gym to bulk up and hired a friend of theirs to teach me to kick ass.”
I tried to hide a smile, imagining Elliott as a child. “Did you get your revenge?”
“Damn right I did,” he said, and we laughed easily. “I kicked all their asses. I know that’s not the right thing to do and people should do good, but fuck them. Once I fought back, they left me alone. So, you find yourself scared or backed into a corner, you survive. That’s what I see in you, Gia. You came to Dane’s with brass balls and didn’t crumble to the ground when you had to come along. That’s nerves of fucking steel. That’s fucking hot.”
My insides warmed at his praise. “You know, Elliott, if it wasn’t for this situation, I might like you and Dane.”
His smile wilted at the edges. “I hate that you’re here. I had hoped the three of us would end up all having fun together.”
I sighed. I had wanted that too. “Why do you even want to share me with Dane?”
“Less expectations that I’d be in an exclusive relationship,” he replied simply. “I’m not the settling down type. Work keeps me busy and away from home. Most women want something steady. I also like variety in bed and want the same for whoever I’m with. Not many women can handle a man who likes to fuck other women, even if they get to fuck other men.”
“Have you ever had a girlfriend or were you both sharing…Angel.” I said her name in a hushed tone.
He hesitated before answering. “No. Angel wasn’t my type, but Dane did share her with me a few times. I shared the woman I was dating at that time with him, too. What I mean by share is sex. We both enjoy watching sex and fucking. That’s why going to something like an exclusive club was ideal. I can understand why Angel would try it. It seemed safer with all the privacy and medical tests.”
“Do you think The Agency has Angel?” I asked in a hushed tone.
“I don’t know.” He furrowed his brows. “But Dane deserves to know. It’s ruined him not knowing.”
I agreed. Dane wasn’t all bad, and neither was Elliott. “You’re good friends?”
“Yeah,” he said. “He’s the best man I know. When I had an accident that ended my first career, he didn’t think twice about helping me—he just did it. I’d do the same for him.” He took my hand. “I know you’re scared about everything that’s going on around you, and I think you should take it seriously and keep that guard up, but Dane and I are not out to get you. We want to help you.”
I bit my lip. I liked them both and wanted to believe them. I just was still unsure, but the defense lessons did make me feel a bit safer. “I’ll think about it. Thank you for the lesson.”
I stood up and was about to leave the table when Elliott pulled me onto his lap and captured my lips. His tongue slipped into my mouth, tasting mine. His kiss was sudden, and I was instantly swept in, kissing him back with my own eagerness and need.
He undid the sash of my robe then his hands grasped the back of my neck and waist as he pushed his muscular thigh between my legs.
I was caught up in the wildness of his dominant advance, and when he began moving, I was gone. He ground his thigh insistently into my crotch. The coarse material of his jeans against my skin worked as hot friction, setting off jolts of pleasure in my clit. I let out a moan and arched. My arms tightened around his neck, my hips grinding lustfully into his thigh, his mouth moving over my chest and breasts. Yes.
“Fuck, Gia,” Elliott groaned as he pulled back, his chest heaving while he caught his breath. “We need to stop.”
I climbed off his lap and cinched my robe back in place. My mind raced as I struggled to understand him, as well as myself. I was getting caught up again. This wasn’t a game to me.
“Gia, don’t be upset. I want you bad.” He rubbed his jaw. “Dane and I are good with sharing you, and I’d rather we did it together. I don’t want—”
“Me to have any expectations of more by being with you alone,” I interjected hoarsely. “I get it. I shouldn’t be doing anything anyway. This is an arrangement until we leave, that’s all.” I walked over to the couch and sat down, facing away from him.
“You don’t believe that,” he replied.
He was right; I didn’t. There was a part of me that wanted to see them again.
The door opened and my pulse sped up. It was Dane looking impeccable in a dark pressed suit and gray shirt. His eyes shifted between us. “What’s going on?”
“I wanted to wait for you before we fucked,” Elliott answered. “Gia’s upset about it.”
My face burned. “I’m not upset,” I said with annoyance. “It was a temporary lapse in judgment. I’ve come to my senses.”
Dane and Elliott smiled at each other. Dane came over to sit by me and handed me a piece of paper from his pocket. “Here is the number for my personal lawyer. He has all the information I’ve agreed to concerning the return of your business.”
I took the paper and studied it before putting it in the pocket of my robe. What he’d told him and the actual action plan wasn’t there, but it did ease some of my tension. “Thank you.”
He touched my hand, and our sensual connection flared. “You want to have sex with Elliott—”
“I don’t,” I stammered. “I’m just confused.”
“Is it confusion or fear?” he asked. Slipping his hand around my robe, he grasped the lower part of my leg, making me shiver. Heat sparked in my core. “What we share right now is outside of what is happening around us. It’s just you and me and Elliott enjoying each other. I want the truth. What do you really want?”
I shifted, and Dane’s hand remained firm, possessive in his grip. My thoughts spun with how dangerous this was with the two men. It was tantalizing, rousing a desire I couldn’t deny. “I want you both.”
Dane didn’t hesitate to act. He opened my robe and moved it back over my arms until I was naked then pulled me onto his lap, crushing his suit beneath me. He positioned my legs to the sides of his knees, exposing me to Elliott, who had come closer to the front of my body. His face darkened with desire.
Dane cupped between my thighs, his fingers sliding on the sides of my clit.
“I’m giving your pussy to Elliott.” He stroked my already slick folds and spread me wider. “You want that, Gia.”
I breathed hard between my parted lips in a low moan. “Yes, I do,” I whispered.
Dane’s command made me hotter. Our eyes staring down between my thighs at Dane as he teased my clit was going to make me combust.
Elliott dropped to his knees between our gapped thighs and devoured me. His tongue dragged up my slit and pushed inside me. He swirled his tongue and slipped in two fingers to stroke pleasure points. I was soaring.
My breath came out in pants. I writhed against his mouth. The ecstasy was astronomical.
I could feel Dane as hard as stone beneath me. He sucked on my neck, his hands kneading my breasts. “Don’t come,” he demanded in a deep tone. He couldn’t be serious.
Elliott moaned into me. He licked and sucked on my clit while I writhed, my body tightening. The climax was inevitable and got closer with every skilled lash of his hot tongue. I quivered.
Elliott fucked me with his fingers, and in one quick motion, Dane slipped his finger down to my clit and pinched. The pain and pleasure hit me hard. I cried out as I came apart. My body shuddered as the sensual spasms tore through me. It was pure bliss. No guilt or shame came to mind. I went for what I wanted. It was sexually invigorating. I was ready for more.
“Mmmm that was sexy, but I told you not to come,” Dane said in a low tone. “You came without permission.”
“I couldn’t help it,” I replied as I panted.
Elliott removed his hand and stood. “I don’t remember you giving Gia permission to speak.”
Dane gathered my hair and pulled my head backward so I was forced to crane my neck to look up at him. “What kind of punishment do you think she deserves, Elliott?”
“I would say we should punish her mouth for speaking out of turn. As for coming without permission, I think she deserves a good spanking,” Elliott answered. His pale blue eyes regarded me coolly while a hint of a smile touched his lips.
Dane knew I had limits and a safe word should things go too far. The very air between us was electrified and I was charged, so keen to go wherever the two men would lead me.
Dane groaned, placed an arm around me, and pressed the hardness of his erection into the crack of my buttocks. I moaned.
Elliott took off his jeans and threw them to the side. He was nude underneath, and my current position left me staring at his erect cock. He was glorious. He grabbed my head and pulled me closer then slid his shaft in slowly between my lips, gliding back and forth until he hit the back of my throat, with inches still outside my mouth. He stayed still, letting me adjust to his size. I inhaled through my nose and swallowed.
Elliott let out a groan. “Fuck, she’s good. Go ahead, Dane.”
Dane slapped my pussy with his palm and I detonated on contact. I whimpered, and my throat rippled against Elliott’s cock, making him groan. He hit my pussy in the same spot again and I moaned, the vibrations from my throat making Elliott’s dick pulse in my mouth.
“Breathe,” Dane instructed.
Elliott eased his dick out and I sucked in air. Then, he slowly began thrusting in and out of my mouth.
Dane’s palm came down again and heat lanced through me. His sensuous swats were making me unbelievably wet.
Elliott thrust in farther and farther, causing me to gag on his cock’s large head. With every other thrust, Dane’s palm hit my pussy, releasing pain and pleasure.
It surprised me how much I liked it and how the pressure was building once again. The men could sense it.
“Remember, you may not come without our permission,” Dane warned me. “Especially when you’re being punished.”
I moaned around Elliott’s cock. I was so wet I could feel it coming out of me.
Elliott thrust in again, making me gag, and Dane’s palm came down hard on my pussy and clit. I cried out as another burst of pleasure exploded from the contact.
Elliott began thrusting in earnest, picking up speed. With every other thrust, Dane landed a blow, spreading the pleasure in my pussy. All the muscles in my body were clenched with anticipation, and there was unbearable heat in my crotch. Dane stroked my folds and moaned. “She’s so wet. I want to suck her sweet pussy.”
My inner muscles clenched, tightening with want. My clit was on fire from Dane’s slaps. I was going to come.
Elliott kept feeding me his cock. I sucked hard on his thick shaft.
“That’s right, suck me, Gia.” He gripped my head, thrust his cock deep, and yelled out as he came down my throat.
I struggled to swallow as Dane spanked my pussy even harder.
“Come, now, Gia,” Dane whispered in my ear as he strummed on my clit.
My body exploded. I came, convulsing, breathing hard, my chest heaving.
I was dazed when Dane moved me off his lap and onto the couch. He freed his cock from his pants and pressed the head against my entrance. My pussy was swollen from coming and even tighter than usual. I moaned at the pleasure and twinge of pain that came when he pushed slightly into me, stretching me unbearably. He pushed farther, stretching me wider, until he buried himself to the hilt inside me. Reaching down between us, he made a circle around my clit with one finger, teasing but not touching it directly.
It was maddening, intense, and I gave in to him as the pressure built once more.
Dane pulled out slowly, and my pussy tightened in his absence before he buried himself again in one fierce thrust that made me gasp. Then he began a steady rhythm with powerful thrusts that rocked me forward. He picked up his pace, stretching me and hitting a sweet spot deep inside me.
“Oh fuck, Gia.” Dane thrust hard and fast, impaling me fully on his cock each time till he finally came, his hot seed erupting inside me.
He touched my clit, rubbing and squeezing until I orgasmed once again.
It was ecstasy, and I was spent.
Elliott pushed my damp hair back from my forehead. “We went easy on you today.”
I was too tired to do anything but grin back. I was in bliss.
Dane chuckled then picked me up in his arms and carried me to the bedroom. After quickly removing the rest of his clothing, he moved me on my side and pressed kisses along my back then gathered me close in his arms. “How do you feel?”
I smiled. “I feel incredible, and a little tired.”
He kissed my cheek. “I’d like nothing more than to hold you all night.”
I looked around for Elliott. He hadn’t come in to join us.
“Elliott is careful of attachments,” Dane said quietly. “But I know he thoroughly enjoyed what we shared today.”
I buried the seed of disappointment before it took root and snuggled back into Dane. “I enjoyed being with the two of you. That went better than I imagined it would.”
“For me too,” Dane said, and then he kissed me.
Things did get better, though we didn’t have sex again over the next couple of days. The cruise functioned more like a vacation, at least in the suite. I was rarely left without Dane or Elliott with me. In the mornings, Elliot would give me some lessons and a lot of laughs. During the evenings, Dane would have dinner, watch a movie, or hold me silently as we stared out at the ocean. Both would leave to handle whatever was happening on the boat. So far, they hadn’t returned with news on Angel. Dane didn’t talk about her. Most of the time, he’d ask me about my life, thoughts, and dreams. One evening we were out on the covered deck, staring out at the calm black water after sunset. He had me pondering, of all things, what I’d done on my last break.
“Worked mostly,” I admitted. “Running a business is full time, especially starting out.”
“Yes, but it’s useless if you don’t take a break and rejuvenate.”
“It’s not always easy to take that time off,” I said. “We have a pool to donate time to those that need it. I usually end up giving most of mine away.”
“That’s kind of you, but I don’t agree with it,” Dane said as he kissed my cheek. “Everyone needs a break. At my company, each person must use their holiday time. We’ve made it so that a part of our work incentives is to give away a dream vacation each quarter. People come back with a fresh set of ideas. It has been worth it. Imagine what you can gain from some time away, plus it gives your staff room to grow and learn to function more independently, before you burn out.”
I sighed. “I hear what you’re saying. It’s more that I don’t know what to do with myself…I haven’t spent much time alone. I lived with my parents, roommates, and then Patrick. I guess I don’t know what else to do other than work.”
“That’s understandable,” he said. “I’m on the opposite end of that spectrum. I went to boarding school and I had my own place during college. I was always fine on my own, until I wasn’t.”
“Until Angel?” I asked softly.
“She was a part of it,” he said. “I hadn’t realized just how much she filled my life until she was gone. She always had something going on and was always pushing for me to get involved. She was always putting on a show. I tried to give her the space where she could be herself, or so she used to say.”
“I’d have to agree, from the little time I’ve known you,” I said. “You make everything seem easy. I guess that’s why I’m not freaking out right now.”
A knock sounded at the door, and Dane tensed behind me.
“Is something wrong?” I asked.
“No,” he said, and we both heard Elliott answer. “If there’s a problem, Elliott will come back and tell us.”
A few minutes later, Elliott came out on the deck, holding up a card. “We’ve been summoned to tonight’s festivities.”