What’s it like to be in love with two men? Scary, exciting, maddening, enlivening.
It’s passion, sin, and sanctuary. It’s also becoming my life.
I don’t recognize this new person, this new side. But I like it. I like the idea of having a secret. Of the illicit love affair. I love all the things Reese and Dev give to me, do to me. They make me want to be dirty, while at the same time forcing me to feel. I haven’t allowed myself that luxury in a long time. But they demand it, and I have no qualms about giving them what they want. Whatever they want, whenever they want it.
I stir my coffee slowly, fantasizing about Dev’s hands and Reese’s lips as I wait for Sam. She was adamant about meeting for breakfast, so here I sit at Lou’s. It’s a beautiful morning, warmer than usual for late November, but still cool enough for sweaters and boots. The sky is blazing with pinks and oranges as the sun rises over the horizon. This is always my favorite time of day. Pure peace, beauty, and vitality.
The door chimes sound forcefully, causing me to look over my shoulder. Sam strides toward me dressed in a black pantsuit and long trench coat. She plops down, motioning to the waitress for some coffee.
“Morning.” I react to her unusual energy. She isn’t the cool, calm, and collected woman I know her to be. Her skin is pale, there are bags under her eyes, and her hair is greasy. Very unlike Sam.
“Are you okay?” I ask, concerned. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her like this.
“I’m fine.” She sniffs as the waitress drops off her coffee. “I’ve been on a stakeout all night.”
“It didn’t go well I take it?”
“Oh, no, it did. Very well.” She dumps a boatload of sugar into her cup and a spot of cream.
“Well, what’s so important that you needed to see me?” Her appearance and her actions are highly concerning.
Sam glances around the barren room before she leans over the tabletop. “Does anyone know you sent me that picture? Is there any way it can be traced back to you?”
“Ah, no. No one knew I took it or sent it. Except you.”
“Okay, good.” She takes a long sip of coffee.
“Sam, what’s going on?” She’s scaring the hell out of me.
“I can’t say right now. I just want to make sure that you have no involvement with what happens next.”
I stare at my aunt. I haven’t seen her at all in the last month. With her crazy work schedule and my crazy life, we’ve barely had time to text each other.
“Should I be worried?” I ask.
“No, sweetie.” She puts a hand over mine. “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to keep you safe.”
“I didn’t mean me, Sam. Should I be worried about you?”
She huffs. “Kayla, I chose a dangerous job. We both need to make peace with that.”
“Sam, you’re scaring the shit out of me.”
“Good. Fear is good. It makes you remember you’re alive. And I want you to live, Kayla.”
“I am living.” For the first time, in a long time, I am.
“Good.” She squeezes my hand. “Now that that’s out of the way, let’s order. I’m starving.” She enlarges her eyes at the menu.
I stare at her blankly.
Is she being serious right now?
“What can I get you ladies?” the elderly waitress asks cheerfully.
“I’ll have two fried eggs and extra home fries,” Sam orders without missing a beat.
“And you?” the waitress asks. I stutter, unable to peel my eyes away from my aunt.
“Um . . . the same, please.”
Sam hangs back in the diner as I leave for work. Our whole breakfast has me freaking out. She was acting so weird. So unlike her. It makes me wonder if there was a break in her drug case. A big break causing her to fret like that. I chew my nail as I cross the street. Our conversation is going to worry me all day.
Just as I make it to the sidewalk, I hear the roar of an engine. It actually startles me. I look around for the bike and spot a black monster with gold markings pull out from the shadows of the alleyway. I recognize him immediately. It’s Viper, Reese’s arch nemesis. Or, at least, that’s how he exaggerated it. Apparently, they climbed up the racing circuit together. Always in top competition. But Reese was better, and he beat Viper out for the top spot. We all know the rest is history. Reese is convinced Viper is harboring some resentment, and I’m inclined to agree seeing the way they reacted to each other the night of the rally.
My skin erupts in goose bumps, and not the good kind, as he watches me cross the pavement in the direction of the double doors of the hospital. That fucking helmet creeps me out, alien tentacles and all.
Once inside, I shiver with a foreboding feeling. I swear, I need to run fifteen miles just to shake off the anxiety of the morning.
I hurry upstairs, change into my scrubs, and throw myself into work, desperate for the distraction. Before I know it, it’s nearly noon and time for lunch.
In the nurses’ lounge, there’s a spread set out. Potluck. Right, I completely spaced.
“Don’t worry, Kayla. There’s plenty for everyone.” Tricia, my nurse manager, encourages me to eat. “You can just make two dishes next time.” She winks.
She’s a sweet older lady you can get over on, no problem. She hates conflict and avoids it at all costs.
“I can do that.” I pick up a paper plate and smile.
“Done deal.” She steals a drumstick of fried chicken and takes a bite.
Before I even grab a serving spoon, Dev walks into the room.
“I heard there was a feast in here.” He’s his usual suave self. I can almost hear Tricia swoon as he stalks around the table, taking inventory.
“Help yourself to whatever you want, Dr. Dynamite.”
“Dynamite?” I repeat. “Do I even want to know?”
Dev just shrugs like he has no clue.
“Did I say that out loud?” Tricia giggles like a schoolgirl, blushing. “Well, I’m off.” The woman pushing sixty excuses herself and nearly runs out of the room.
As soon as she’s gone, Dev crowds me into the corner where the countertops meet.
“Hey.” He kisses me openly, and I jump. “Whoa. Why so jittery, butterfly?” He places his hands on my arms.
“I just . . .” I shake it off. “Weird morning.”
“Breakfast go okay with your aunt?”
“Yeah . . . yes.” No, I don’t know. “She has a lot on her plate, and I worry, you know?”
“She’s fine. She’s a tough lady.”
“I know. You’re right.” I’m being ridiculous, but she really freaked me out, and then that whole thing with Viper . . . It was all just bizarre.
“Of course, I am.” He presses his lips to mine again. “Dev.” I lift up on my toes and pull away. “Someone is going to see.”
“So what? Do you know how long I’ve been waiting to kiss you right here, in this spot? The very first place I ever laid eyes on you.”
“How long, Dr. Dynamite?” I toy.
Dev laughs modestly. “Way, way too long.” He slips his tongue between my lips, flipping and rolling it until I give in. I indulge him for a few heated seconds before I put the kibosh on the whole thing. Our situation is way too sensitive. And this place is a rumor mill on steroids. People have seen me with Reese, and people have seen me with Dev; sometimes, they’ve seen all three of us together. For dignity’s sake, I think it’s better not to give them something concrete to talk about.
“Fine, deny me. I’ll get my revenge later on.”
The threat excites me because I know what he’s capable of. I know how he can draw out my need until I’m virtually crying. He loves to hear me beg and will find any excuse for me to do so.
“I look forward to it,” I rise to the challenge.
“So do I.” His blue eyes smolder, and I nearly fall to my knees. I know that look all too well and all the naughty promises it holds. “Back to work, butterfly.” He steals one more kiss then saunters away.
I fan myself with the paper plate, ogling his ass as he goes.