Piper

I used to hate running, but ever since I saw him, running became a habit I never knew I needed. Every morning, after Cannon leaves for work, the butterflies return. I throw on some clothes, and then I hit the sand.

I love the way the water feels as it crashes against my ankles. The strength of the current is so powerful, I’m reminded that life’s bigger than my missing pieces. My problems become small enough that I’m able to put one foot in front of the other and let go.

For the forty-five minutes spent under the early morning sun, I come to life. It’s just me, his broad shoulders, and our sun-kissed skin.

If I time it just right, we pass by one another where the beach narrows, and the jetty forces us closer. On those mornings, I get a glimpse of the little scar above his lip. I’ve thought up a million different reasons about how that scar got there, if someone had hurt him or if it had been an accident. But it doesn’t matter how evil the reason because it transforms into something beautiful the second his lips curl.

I’m lit on fire by the flirtatious gleam in his eye, and I can’t hold back. My lips ache until they’re stretched from one side of my face to the other. The way he admires my curves fills me with more confidence than any compliment could.

My feelings morph into fantasies of me beneath him, screaming his name. Without experiencing a single touch from his fingers, he drives me crazy—teasing me, torturing me with the promise of what’s to come.

He’s why I’m standing in front of the bathroom mirror, fixing my hair again. I was so nervous at home; I couldn’t get the curling iron to do much of anything. I gave up when I dropped it on the floor, and the pin popped out, ending any chance I might have had of saving it.

“Piper, they’re knocking,” Cannon says as he peeks his head around the corner.

“Answer it,” I tell him, taking one last deep breath.

I already know who’s waiting on the other side of the door. That’s probably why my heart’s racing, and my hands are freezing cold.

“You’re sure you want to go through with this?” he questions when he notices my worry. “We can still change our minds.”

“I’m sure. Do I look okay?”

He pulls me into his arms and kisses the top of my head. “You’re beautiful, baby. Always.”

I wrap my arms around his back and hold on with everything I have, my last bit of security before I hand him over to Tilly. “I still can’t believe we’re doing this.”

He holds on just as tight, his heart hammering against my cheek. “I’ve read everything you’ve shown me. This can work, Piper.”

“She’s good with words, isn’t she?” I ask him.

But I’m pretty sure that’s not the only thing she’s good with. Cannon’s intrigued because of those emails, and I can’t blame him. I feel the same way.

“She is. But it’s not about her. It’s about what this arrangement can do for us.”

That’s exactly what I needed to hear from Cannon. “Come on, let’s go meet them.”

I hear her voice before I see her. Tilly’s as excited as I expected her to be. Her long blond hair is stick straight and hangs down to her elbows. Bright blue eyes scan my husband’s face, and they exchange similar looks of approval.

This is what I wanted, and still, the first inkling of jealousy stings. It’s unexpected, and I’m not sure what to do with it. I spent so much time pushing Cannon into Tilly’s arms, making sure he understood what she was looking for, that I didn’t stop to think about how that would make me feel. Probably because I was so wrapped up in what I already felt, I didn’t think his reaction would affect me at all.

I was wrong.

But we’re here. We’ve gotten this far. I can’t go back on my word.

And, as my body absorbs the burn of his stare, I don’t want to stop. I can’t.

I blink a couple of times, making sure it’s really him. I had my suspicions—the guy in the photo looked a lot like the man on the beach—but I told myself I was imagining it because I was caught up in a fantasy I’d created. Getting my hopes up would have only led to disappointment.

But I’m right.

I’d recognize that smile of his anywhere. The one he reserves for me every morning as he passes me by. West hasn’t even touched me yet, and I’m so wet, it’s embarrassing.

Tilly lets go of Cannon’s hand and says, “Our room or yours?”

I look to Cannon for an answer, but he’s busy eyeing West.

Cannon’s struggling—at least, I think he is. I hate that I can’t get a read on my own husband. But that’s just how he’s been lately. I remind myself that he wouldn’t be here if he didn’t want to be.

“I thought…I mean, I guess I thought we’d talk or something first,” I tell Tilly with a voice full of nerves. “I’ve never—we’ve never done this before.”

“You mean, about the rules?” Tilly questions.

“That’s a good idea,” West says, agreeing with us both. His voice is as sinful as the rest of him. And then he goes and licks his lips, and I almost fall to his feet. “Come sit with us,” he says.

Cannon places his hand on the small of my back and ushers me through the door. His eyes sweep across my face. You okay? he mouths silently.

I give him a little nod, thankful for his protectiveness. But I can tell I’m flushed, and that makes me feel a little guilty already.

“Relax,” he whispers as he squeezes my hand.

That little bit of reassurance helps calm my nerves. Because, nothing that happens between Tilly and Cannon will make me less of a wife. No matter how close they get, I’m still the one going home with him. I didn’t realize how much I needed that from him until this moment.

“Sit with me, Cannon,” Tilly says.

Cannon looks down at me.

I whisper, “It’s okay. Go sit with her.”

He lets go of me and takes a seat next to Tilly. I wait for West to sit down, and then I join him. The four of us sit opposite each other on the edge of the beds.

Tilly bumps her knee against Cannon’s and smiles. “We need to loosen up. This is supposed to be fun.”

“This is all new to us,” Cannon tells her.

Tilly gives him a tender smile and I wonder what her relationship with West is like. Were they ever this awkward and unsure about swinging? Because right now, they’re seasoned pros.

Tilly glances at West and then back at me. “So, what do you think?” she asks me.

I freeze, unsure of what she’s asking. If Tilly knew about our morning runs, she’d already know how I felt about her husband. How I more than approve of this arrangement.

After a few more moments of awkward silence, she laughs and says, “I’m just kidding.”

“Why don’t we get back to the rules, Tilly?” West tells her.

“Okay, yes. Back to business. I’m game for just about anything, but I have two rules that I think you’ll agree with. First, all four of us have to be present for any kind of sexual interaction to take place. That doesn’t mean we all have to be in the same room or watching, just that we’re all aware and together in one place. The other is protection. Nobody does anything without it. If we can agree to those terms, I think we should shut down this stuffy meeting and have a little fun. Unless there’s something else you’d like to add?”

I swallow, unprepared for this entire conversation. I’m not as bold as she is. I wish I were sometimes, but that’s not who I am. I’m a thinker and a feeler. I overanalyze situations, and then I worry myself to death. Sometimes, the anxiety is so bad, I can’t think straight, so I try not to think at all. Cannon hates when I do that.

“No,” I tell everyone, “there’s nothing else I can think of right now.”

My husband locks eyes with me and agrees.

Tilly watches Cannon the whole time. Already, I can tell she likes what she sees, especially when Cannon smiles back at her.

Am I still scared? Yes.

But there’s no going back.

Cannon’s ready.

I’m ready, too.