CHAPTER 16
The second full morning of their time off began with the sun streaming over the bed, the curtains at the window wide open. Erin rolled over to discover she was alone.
A quick examination of the room didn’t turn up any signs of Tim, so she crashed back into the pillows and wallowed in the unfamiliar luxury of sleeping in.
Last night had been one of the best sleeps she’d ever had.
After their explosive adventure in the sunroom, she’d expected to have to face Matt, but the living room had been empty when they returned, and Tim had whooshed her back to their rooms and basically put her to bed.
She’d been fine with it. Fine with all of it. Talking through the adventure right away would have ruined the intoxicating buzz rushing through her veins. Settling into Tim’s arms for the night had been the perfect end to the most unusual day. And the unusual would continue today.
He’d asked for one day, but there was nothing to change her mind about wanting him to keep going. Not really. Last night had been so far up the scale of what turned her on that another pulse of desire struck just thinking about it.
Okay—maybe there was one thing to discuss. In all their playing years ago, the one thing that they’d never done was include anyone else in the picture.
Matt changed things.
If she was going to be honest with herself, the idea of fooling around with Tim and Matt did crazy things to her brain. Sex was pleasurable, but she could only imagine what it would be like to have two men focused entirely on making her feel good. Remembering the hot slick of Matt’s tongue over her fingers made her shiver and think good was far too insignificant a word.
Tim appeared out of the bathroom, strolling slowly toward her with nothing but a towel wrapped low around his hips, and she wasn’t thinking anything anymore but damn.
He paused in the middle of rubbing his hair dry. “You hungry?”
She licked her lips, deliberately looking him over.
A short burst of laughter escaped. “Insatiable.”
“You know it.” She hesitated for a moment. “So, about last night.”
Tim raised a brow. “I say insatiable, and it reminds you of last night. I like the way those topics connect in your brain.”
She took a mock swing at him, and they ended up back on the bed, play wrestling for control. Erin played dirty, and Tim must have let her win, because she ended up on top of him in the reverse position from where they’d been earlier.
Somehow the towel had been lost in their struggles. Strange.
Erin rested her hands on his abdomen and enjoyed playing lightly with the treasure trail under her fingers. “All kidding aside, I’ll tell you straight out. Nothing about last night upset me. It was hotter than hell, and I’m game for the rest of the trip to be on your call.”
His eyes flashed as he ran his hands from her hips to her waist. “Thank you for sharing that. I promise whatever we do will be with your pleasure in mind.”
She nodded. “I trust you.”
Quiet descended on them, the only sound their soft breathing. Erin’s mind raced as she tried to imagine everything Tim would lead them into.
A gentle brush over her cheek brought her back from her mental ramblings. Tim had curled himself up and was staring intently into her face. “You’re so far away. Stop thinking so hard about it all. It’s not that difficult, kitten. Just enjoy yourself.”
She nodded. Took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “You’re right.”
“Of course I am.’
A laugh escaped and she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely.
Tim gave her nose a tweak. “Come on. Breakfast awaits.”
Matt waved hello as they entered the room, but other than gesturing to the table he didn’t say a word, his attention pinned to the computer tablet sitting beside his plate.
Guilt hit Erin briefly. “I should check my e-mail.”
Tim made a rude noise.
She snorted. “You should check your e-mail as well. Bastard.”
He held a hand up by his ear. “What’s that? You’re mumbling. I think you said something about bastards, though—that sounded familiar.”
“What if you’re the missing heir to the throne of some tiny nation you’ve never heard of, and they’re desperately trying to track you down to crown you?”
“More likely find a bunch of Viagra offers, which I don’t need.”
He leered at her, and Erin laughed.
Jason stepped into the room, coffeepot in hand. “If there’s anything you need from the kitchen, let me know. The chef is making a cold lunch, and he’s taking requests for dinner as well.”
“God, I like how rich people live.” Tim held out a chair for Erin. “I like how I live when I’m with them.”
“Tim,” Erin scolded.
“What? Matt knows he’s loaded. It’s not really a secret.” Tim pulled his cup forward for Jason. “And I have no requests—let the chef do his magic and surprise me.”
Jason paused after filling Erin’s cup and leaned in to speak softly. “Tim’s right. Matt knows he’s loaded, and I like how I live when I work for him. It’s all good.”
Erin laughed as Jason pulled back to his formal distance. “I like you.”
He tipped his head and retreated from the room with a smile.
* * *
Tim took his time prepping his coffee, watching Erin out of the corner of his eye. She sipped her juice, then pulled her phone from her pocket, glancing at Tim as if daring him to say something. He just smiled and grabbed a couple of pastries from the table, before eyeing the covered plates resting in front of Matt.
She’d said she was fine with last night. Given him the go-ahead to keep things rolling, which was incredible. But part of accepting responsibility for their bedroom games meant being in tune with what she wasn’t saying. The subtle or not-so-subtle hints that she was giving off.
If her words said she was okay but her body screamed for them to stop, he’d call off his plans in an instant. Nothing was worth hurting her, and the last thing he wanted was a repeat of years earlier when she’d taken off without explaining the true reasons why.
Matt closed his computer and put it aside, turning with a satisfied sigh to the table. “And that’s done for the day. No more work to deal with for a week.”
A muttered curse escaped Erin. She glanced up, frustration in her eyes.
Shit. That didn’t look good. “Trouble?”
“You were right.” She slouched back in her chair. “I shouldn’t have checked my e-mail.”
“Something wrong?” Matt asked.
Erin made a face. “Not wrong, but our holiday time here is cut short. They need the chopper in Calgary by tonight. We have to leave.”
“Seriously?”
She nodded.
It was Matt’s turn to make a rude noise. “Can I admit I’m disappointed? I was looking forward to your company for a few more days.” He cleared his throat and damn near flushed. “And I mean that without any ulterior motives.”
“Of course not,” Tim reassured him. “You’ve been a great host and . . .” It was a wild idea, but why not? “Why don’t you come with us?”
Matt and Erin both straightened.
“If we’re just making a delivery, why not?” he reasoned. “We still don’t have to report for work for a couple of days. And there’s more than enough room for Matt to join us even with the rest of the team.”
“No team,” Erin added, eyes on her phone. “It looks like it’s just you and me.”
“That’s crazy.” Didn’t anyone know how to relax anymore? “Did everyone else sprout wings and fly home without us?”
His sarcasm pulled a reluctant laugh from her. “Check your e-mail. There have been a whole slew of updates from everyone since we left them at the airport. Tripp and Anders actually went home yesterday morning to spend their time off in Banff.”
“That makes sense.” Tim spoke down the table toward Matt, who had rested his elbows on the table and was listening intently. “Tripp’s boyfriend isn’t out here. He’d want to be with him,” he explained.
Matt nodded.
Erin was still scrolling through e-mails. “Get this, though. Devon found out there’s a training session being offered by the coast guard next week, and somehow convinced Marcus it was vital for him and Alisha to stay and take part.”
Amusement hit instantly. “Poor Alisha. Does this mean she has to use a scuba suit in the Pacific at this time of year?”
“Probably. Devon I expect that kind of insanity from, but Alisha is into tropical temperatures.” Erin shuddered. “She’s going to freeze.”
“They’re in love—that’s more than enough to keep her warm.”
Their gazes met, and for a second hope stirred in the dark, beautiful depths before Erin jerked herself away, as if hiding from him.
Some things they weren’t ready to even think about—he got that, but her quick denial seemed harsh.
He focused back on their current dilemma. “Then that makes it even easier to fit Matt in.”
Erin glanced at his friend. “Would you be interested in flying with us? Like Tim said, there’s no reason you couldn’t come along. It’s about a four-hour trip, and I can guarantee some great views. You’d have to find a way home, though.”
Matt waved a hand. “If you’re headed to Calgary, I can take advantage of the opportunity and book meetings for next week. I would love a semiprivate tour of the glaciers.”
“Then we’re settled,” Tim said. “Erin, you want to set up a liftoff time with the authorities?”
She nodded, far more relaxed than a moment ago. “Two hours from now? Three?”
“Three. No need to rush out of here, and the trip is short enough we’ll still be flying in the light even if we leave later.” Tim gestured toward the hot plates in front of Matt. “You planning on sharing any of that?”
Their host smiled happily and held out his hand. “Let me load your plate for you.”
“One second.” Erin typed quickly, then smiled as she put the phone down on the table. “Done. I’ve requested a leisurely departure time just after lunch. I’ll check back after breakfast to confirm we’re a go.”
They played pass the plate, Erin handing off to Matt then returning it on the way back.
Matt held her plate for an extra moment. “Sausage? Bacon? Your choice.”
“Anything is fine,” Erin answered.
“You didn’t ask my preferences,” Tim pointed out, waving a sausage-loaded fork in the air.
Matt snorted. “Your plate is full. That’s what you’d ask for. I know you too well, my friend. Only Erin is a new guest, and she needs to ask for what pleases her most.”
He turned his attention on her, no trace of teasing as he waited.
Erin eyed the food. “Extra bacon, please.”
“Ahh, an excellent choice.” Matt loaded her plate with bacon and scrambled eggs. “And after we eat, I’ll make arrangements for Jason to drive us to the airfield.”
“Sounds great.”
“Tim, you need to do anything to prep for leaving?”
“Nothing more than stick my dirty clothes back in my bag.”
Matt turned to face them both, his expression gone serious. “And finally, I figure I should ask. Is there an elephant in the room who’s also going along for the ride?”
Tim appreciated his friend all the more in that moment for bringing up a potential issue before it became a real issue. He knew from past adventures with Matt that a bit of voyeurism wasn’t a problem for him. Erin had given him the same assurance this morning.
Matt and Erin hadn’t yet spoken about what happened last night, though.
A burst of laughter escaped Erin as she glanced at Tim. “Well now, that’s one way of asking.”
The small edge of concern that had still hovered was wiped clear by her obvious amusement. If she was teasing about being watched during sex, things really were fine. “We should tell him it’s a pet. And it’s about this high”—Tim held out a hand at shoulder height—“and bright purple.”
“With polka dots,” Erin added.
Matt dug into his breakfast. “If it can pack light, I’ve got a carry-on for it. Otherwise, it has to stay home without us.”
Erin eyed Tim, then rose to her feet, crossing the short distance to Matt’s side.
He stood as well, wiping his mouth on a napkin. “Yes?”
She shrugged. “Just wanted to say an official good morning.”
Erin wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. Matt’s brows shot skyward, but he returned her embrace, looking over her shoulder to Tim for a sign that what was going on was kosher by him. Tim nodded at his friend, allowing his approval to show in his expression and voice.
“There’s your answer,” Tim assured him. “No pachyderms traveling with us today.”
Matt guided Erin back to her seat before resuming his own. “That’s good because there really isn’t room in the limo for more than four people anyway.”