“You’ve got so many tattoos.” The admiration in Ailith’s voice makes me grin as we sit down on the white bench next to the stables.

“I started eight years ago, and I doubt I’ll ever really stop getting them. Not until I run out of room, that is,” I murmur. I stretch my arms in front of me, turning them so she can get a better look.

She tilts her head as she looks more closely at one on my wrist—an infinity symbol that’s pretty dorky with the words Family Forever entwined around the circles.

“Which one was your first?” she asks.

I point at the infinity symbol.

“That one. I got it on my eighteenth birthday.”

“I really like it,” she beams at me, but then looks confused and points at the letters on my knuckles. “Are you a Lone Soul like the wolf on your hand?”

I shrug as I place my palms flat on my thighs and take a moment to consider her question. I shouldn’t be surprised she’s so insightful, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been around children her age, I’ve forgotten how much they actually see.

“I suppose I felt like I didn’t belong anywhere for a long time.” I clear my throat and smile gently at her. “Sometimes, people feel out of place, and it takes a while before they find their footing.”

I stop, realising that maybe that’s not exactly the right thing to talk about with her.

But when she turns her face and gives me a sympathetic smile back, I feel more at ease.

“I think Mummy is a lone soul, too.”

“Why do you say that?”

She sighs a little and sits back on the bench, looking a little shy as she starts to fiddle with one of the straps of her boots.

“It’s just a feeling.” Her eyes perk up then. “But I don’t really understand why. I mean, look at our home, all the horses.” The way she raises her hands up and wide makes me grin. “Who could ever feel lonely here?”

I lean back in my seat and look at the surroundings.

“It’s very peaceful. Have you always lived here?”

She bites her lip, and I frown as she hesitates.

“No,” she finally answers. “We only came here two years ago, but it feels like we’ve been here forever. It’s our safe place, where no one can touch us or do us any harm.”

She clams up, crossing her arms in front of her and avoids my eyes again.

I get the feeling that there’s a whole lot of story behind those words, but I don’t feel right trying to pry it out of her. That’s not fair.

“I see. Well, I’m glad you’re happy here.” I look back at the horses. “But that grey one? I hope my aunt doesn’t end up buying him. He doesn’t look nice.”

Ailith giggles, and I feel relieved she’s back to her joyful self.

“He’s not for sale.”

I look down at her.

“What’s his name?”

“Thunder. He’s only been here for a month. Gan-Gan saved him from a really mean man.”

I raise my eyes at her, confused.

“Gan-Gan?”

“Oh, that’s Grandma Wenn,” she explains.

“Ah, I see. So, how did she save him?”

We spend the next couple of minutes talking about the whole operation. I’m impressed a girl of her age is so knowledgeable about it, and as I find myself intrigued to learn more against my will, Wenn and Lise walk outside. I look up at them when they stop in front of us.

I smile at my aunt.

“Found your horse yet?” I ask her.

She beams at me, but Wenn answers my question.

“We think so. I’m just about to show Lise one of our older mares, Daffodil. I think they’ll be a good match, but you can’t really know that until they meet.”

“I have to go inside and have lunch with Mummy,” Ailith pipes up. As she stands, she reaches her hand out to me. Careful not to squish her small fingers, I shake it.

“It was nice to see you,” she says as she grins at me. “I hope we’ll meet again.”

I glance up at Lise who’s fidgeting on the spot, clearly anxious to see her horse, before I wink at Ailith.

“I have a feeling we’ll come visit you often.”

She nods, satisfied with my answer, it would seem. Then she turns and runs in the direction of the house.

Even if her mother keeps turning me down, I’ll just have to be persistent. Now that fate has thrown me in Laura’s path, and I’ve had the chance to talk with her, I’m even more determined to get to know her. I want to see where those flickering sparks of attraction between us could lead to.

I’m a stubborn man, so I’ll get through to her in the end.

I’m sure of it.

“Kristian, do you want to come with us?” Lise asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.

My phone rings just as I’m about to answer her, but when it says, Unknown Caller, I push the red button, silencing it.

“Sure.” I get up from the bench and follow the two women around the corner, behind the stables, where there’s another paddock with horses grazing. As we stop at the fence Wenn lets out a whistle, and a golden horse with a white mane and tail raises its head.

“That’s Daffodil.” Wenn points to the horse as Lise and I stop on either side of her. “She used to be a steeplechase race horse, but had to be retired due to the strain on her legs. She’s only ten years old, though, and she’s got lots of years left in her.”

“She’s beautiful,” Lise whispers, clearly awestruck.

I have to agree, she is.

“Want to meet her?” Wenn nudges Lise’s shoulder, grinning at her.

“Yes, please.”

“I’ll stay here,” I tell them as Wenn opens the gate. She purses her lips at me.

“I take it you’re not that into horses?” she asks.

I shrug. “It’s not that I don’t like them. I just feel kind of like Sherlock Holmes—that they’re dangerous at both ends and crafty in the middle.”

Both Wenn and Lise grin at me and I shake my head at their amusement.

“Okay, then. Lise, come with me, please.”

As they walk inside, I lean on the fence. The fact that I don’t feel anxious to get back to the city should probably worry me, but it’s like I told Ailith—this place has a peaceful air to it. As if we’re stopped in time, and all the worries in the world can wait.

I tense as Daffodil begins to walk closer to the women, but the tension ebbs as I watch Wenn hand Lise some carrots. The horse’s ears perk up, clearly interested in the food. A low laugh erupts from my chest as Lise’s face lights up when the horse takes the treat from her outstretched palm. The wide smile takes years off her age, and I’m glad to see her so smitten.

Looks like my aunt has found the new love of her life, and I couldn’t be happier for her.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, alerting me to a text message, and I pull it out of my pocket to read it.

Frowning, I text back.

“Fuck,” I mutter as my dick stirs at the memory of the threesome I had.

I look back at the house, thinking about Laura and how she makes me feel, but then shrug. As long as she says she’s not interested, I’m free to do what I want. I’m still a man, and I have needs. And right now, those needs are stirring.

Quickly, I text Jessica.

A few seconds tick by as I wait for her answer, ignoring the way my conscience balks at what I’m about to do.

When the phone vibrates in my hand, I’m shaken from my stupor.

“Shit.” My dick hardens further as hazy memories assault my senses, and I take a deep breath, trying to calm down.

I don’t intend to have sex with these two in the basement at my aunt’s so I quickly text Jessica one last time.

Sighing, I turn my attention back to my aunt in the paddock, thankful she’s not a mind reader. Laura’s stormy, grey eyes enter my thoughts, but I push the image of her away.

I’ve never denied myself a fuck with a willing female—or two—if the occasion presented itself. I’m not about to do it now.

* * *

There’s something insanely erotic about watching two women make out in front of you—especially a couple of busty blondes who seem to enjoy it just as much as you do.

I’m in Jessica and Jodie’s flat—a posh place in one of the best parts of Glasgow—nursing a beer on the couch as I watch them kissing, lying on their sides facing each other on the floor in front of me. The light streaming in from the big, Victorian windows casts a bright glow over their naked bodies as they caress each other, and I groan as Jodie begins to finger fuck Jessica.

“Yeah, baby, that’s it,” Jodie coaxes at the sound of the soft whimper puffing from Jessica’s mouth. I can’t take it anymore. Consumed with lust, I stand up, take off my shirt and jeans at lightning speed and swallow the last of my beer before I take a step closer to them.

Kneeling in front of them, I take a firm grip on the base of my cock. Jessica opens her eyes, and she smiles as she sees my piercing. Then she looks down to Jodie between her legs, moaning. My eyes land on Jodie, and I begin to stroke my cock harder as I watch her licking Jessica’s pussy.

“Fuck, ladies,” I grumble. “You’re going to make me come before I want to.”

In my beer-addled state, I’ve almost forgotten Laura—almost, but not quite. Maybe I’ll feel disgusted with myself when I leave the flat later, but at this moment, I don’t care. All I care about are the two blondes in front of me, and the mind-blowing sex we’re about to have.

Jodie keeps her eyes on me as she licks Jessica’s pussy, making me hiss at the sight.

“Oh God, baby,” Jessica cries out. I release my cock and bend to run my tongue over her nipples, licking and sucking them as I restrain her hands above her head. Her cries become louder, and I smirk as she thrashes on the floor in an attempt to free herself.

“No, babe,” I murmur. “Let me watch you come.”

She does as I say at once, and I smile at Jodie. Her lust-filled eyes meet mine, holding them in place. Again, I take one of Jessica’s nipples in my mouth, biting down hard as she whimpers.

“Fuck me, I’m coming.”

Her soft cries grow louder until she clamps her legs around Jodie’s head.

“Finally,” I mutter, almost about to burst. “Time for me to fuck you, Jodie. Come here.”

I lie down on my back next to Jessica as Jodie does as I say. On her hands and knees, she straddles me, but when she leans down to kiss me, I frown.

“No mouth,” I remind her, my voice low but firm. “Remember our deal?”

“I’m sorry,” she murmurs. I almost lose my concentration when her hands begin to wander on my body. When she glances at Jessica, I smile.

“Feel free to kiss as I fuck you. I don’t mind—in fact, I insist.”

As I watch the pleasure in Jodie’s eyes, I take a firm grip on her hips. My eyes flicker up at Jessica when she bends her head to tug at my nipple ring with her teeth.

“Condom. In my jeans,” I tell her. She springs up, rummages through my pants and finds it quickly. “Put it on me as you kiss Jodie.”

Fuck, these girls are like putty in my hands, never hesitating to do as I ask them to. Groaning, I brace my legs underneath Jodie as Jessica puts the condom on me, my hands moulding Jodie’s arse. I take a moment to enjoy the way the girls look above me, their eyes closed as they become consumed with each other, and my cock jumps at the sound of their moaning.

I move my hands to Jodie’s hips and line up my cock at her entrance. When I push inside her, all thoughts evaporate with the pleasure of feeling her slick pussy.

“Stop kissing,” I groan as Jodie begins to ride me. “Jessica, let me taste that hungry pussy—ride my face. Touch her tits as I lick you out.”

“You’re such a dirty boy,” Jodie gasps as I tilt my hips, the apa hitting her in just the right spot.

I grin at her. “I know.”

Jessica kneels above my head and I lick my lips at the sight of her glistening pussy.

“Mmm,” I hum as I push a finger inside her slippery heat. “It’s time to blow my mind, ladies. Are you up for it?”

They giggle and as Jodie grinds down on my cock, all thoughts vanish from my mind. I don’t care about anything except getting my brains fucked out.

Luckily, these girls seem to be pros at it.

* * *

“Well, ladies, it’s been fun, but time for me to go now.” I grin at the sight of them lounging on their black leather couch as I put on my leather jacket.

Jessica winks at me, Jodie cuddling up close to her.

“Just text us if you want more, handsome. We’re more than happy to be of service.”

“Enjoy your evening,” I tell them as I walk to their front door. I give them a half wave as I look back at them one last time. They giggle as they wave back, naked bodies on full display.

I shut the door behind me on a heavy sigh, completely exhausted but wide awake at the same time.

“Fuck, I must be getting old,” I mutter as I push the button to the lift.

Now that lust is no longer clouding my head, I take in how unfulfilled I feel even though the two vixens did a good number on me. As I enter the lift, I take out my phone to text Alex.

It’s Friday night, so I already know the answer. He may be a nag during the week, always talking about abstinence and keeping your head in the game, but come the weekend, and all his good intentions seem to vanish into thin air.

Just as I open the front door and breathe in the summer night, he texts me back.

Satisfied, I head to Oran Mor, glad that it’s not too far from here.

* * *

I’m sitting at the bar, nursing a pint of lager as I feel a clap on my shoulder. I look to my left and grunt in greeting when Alex sits down next to me. He takes off his leather jacket and hangs it on the back of his chair. I chuckle darkly when I notice that he’s his immaculate self as usual—bow-tie, button-down shirt, and slacks.

Weird.

“Hey.”

He jerks a chin at me before he flags down the barman, motioning to my beer that he’ll have the same. The pub is not that crowded yet, but you can feel the weekend vibe in the air.

“So, what’s up?” Alex says, turning in his seat.

I hardly know where to begin. My thoughts are all jumbled up, and I feel tied up in knots.

“I’ve just left the flat of two very busty blondes—had the most mind-blowing sex—and yet I feel somehow guilty.”

His eyes shoot up to his hairline.

“Why, are you in a relationship with someone else?”

“No,” I scoff. “You already know that. And if I was, I wouldn’t go astray.”

He narrows his eyes at me as he takes a sip of his lager.

“Right, I need more information before I can pass judgment,” he grumbles then.

Sighing, I lean my arms on the bar, casting my eyes down.

“You know that woman who came in the shop yesterday? The one wearing a flannel shirt and riding clothes?”

His eyes light up in recognition.

“Ah, so that’s what she was wearing—fuck me if I know anything about horses and shit.” He shrugs. “What about her?”

“Well, I met her again today, totally by chance, and I can’t get her out of my mind. But, when I asked her out, she turned me down.”

His frown deepens as I take another swig of my pint.

“So?” he asks, clearly not following me.

“So, when those blondes texted me, offering a threesome, I went to their flat, fucked them, and they did a good job of keeping me satisfied, but now?” I grimace. “Now, I feel guilty—as if I’ve done something wrong. What’s up with that?”

Alex puts down his glass and leans closer to me. I raise my eyes at him in question.

“That, my friend,” he says, “means that it’s not only your body that wants to get some action with that brown-haired lass. Your heart wants it, too, and that’s a whole other kind of disaster waiting to happen.”

I sit up a little straighter.

“I don’t have a heart,” I bite out. “My heart was lost some time ago, and it hasn’t returned to me yet.”

Alex coughs once. “Eh, son, I hate to break it to you, but from the sound of it, your heart is no longer lost. What’s her name?”

“Laura.”

He hesitates. “This is probably going to sound stupid, but do you know why she has that scar on her cheek?”

“I’m surprised you’d remember that,” I muse.

“It’s hard to forget, seeing something like that.”

“No, I don’t know anything about it.” I snort and shake my head at him. “I didn’t exactly want to grill her about that since I don’t know her. That would be fucked up.”

He grimaces.

“Well, yeah, I get that. Look, Kristian, I’m the last person to hand out advice—look at my own fucked up love life—but a woman whose scar is visible like that? There’s bound to be some kind of story in her past—an ugly one. Are you sure you want to get tangled up in all that?”

I frown.

“What the fuck do you mean by that? Scars don’t define people, Alex. They don’t rule them.”

“See, that’s where I think you’re wrong,” he deadpans, jabbing a finger into my chest. “Some scars run so deep that they do end up ruling the people who have them. Call them battle scars for lack of a better word. And that’s a whole can of worms you better be prepared to open if you want to keep pursuing her.”

“Hold up.” I raise my palm at him. “Back up a step. All I asked was why I was feeling guilty about having mind-blowing sex with two very willing women? Why, when the one person I’m really interested in turned me down? I didn’t ask you for an analysis of human behaviour or why people act like they do.”

He sighs, nodding. “Okay, fair enough. Do you know why she said no to going out with you?”

“No. I just know she lied when she did.”

He blinks. “How?”

I stop with my glass halfway to my mouth, giving him a look.

His lips twist.

“Right,” he smirks. “I forgot who I was talking to,” he murmurs.

“Trust me, she was interested.”

Alex sits back in his chair and runs a hand through his hair.

“How the hell do all these women flock to you like bees to honey?”

I wink at him. “It’s the apa.”

His wince makes me chuckle.

“No way am I subjecting my manhood to that level of pain. How you managed to abstain from your playboy ways for six months is beyond me.”

I shrug. “It wasn’t easy, but, Alex, the rewards? It’s definitely worth the pain.”

He shudders.

“Well, to answer your question,” he continues, “you’re feeling guilty because you couldn’t control your body, even though your heart is dead set on Laura. It happens to us all, my boy.”

I clench my teeth. There he goes with all that mushy stuff again.

“I just want the chance to get to know her, that’s all.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, but if you don’t believe me, then all I’ve left to say is this…” He raises his glass at me and smirks. “Good luck, lad. May the best man win.”

Sighing, I clink my glass to his, hoping like fuck that he’s wrong about my heart. I don’t need any more heartache in my life. I’ve already had enough to last me a lifetime.