Three to Tango Read online

  “Looks like we’re tied, champ.”

  “So that’s how it’s going to be, huh?”

  “A girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do.”

  Back at center court, Melody couldn’t help but notice that, despite their teasing banter, Alec’s jaw was still tense. Good. That meant he was affected. She might be a tomboy most of the time, but she knew how to play the sexy card when it worked in her favor.

  As they continued the match, she made sure to keep things physical: a lingering touch here, a slide of skin there.

  It was a close game, with neither able to pull ahead by more than one basket. He played hard against her, which made her like him all the more. His competitive nature wouldn’t allow him to let her win. Most men were too intimidated by her to even play with her, let alone challenge her skills.

  She’d seen him play enough to know they would be pretty evenly matched. Alec was strong, physically fit, and well-rounded, a guy’s guy kind of athlete. He played on softball leagues in the spring, football in the fall, and basketball whenever the weather was good, which was pretty much all year on the sunshine coast.

  He was coordinated and good at handling the ball, but his shot-making ability wasn’t quite on par with Melody’s. Even though her sport was volleyball, she had been the starting center in high school and could have played college ball if she’d chosen.

  After thirty minutes of sweaty, aggressive play, they were tied, four all. It was Alec’s turn to shoot, and he bounced the ball toward Melody. Rather than tossing it back, she set it on the ground between them. Time to dial things up.

  Holding her hands up to form the shape of a T, she put a halt to the game. “I’m going to get a quick swig of water.”

  Melody walked over to the bench and grabbed the water bottle. Tilting her head back, she took a swallow, then set it down. As she turned to walk back, she casually gripped the bottom hem of her T-shirt and pulled it up until it was just under her breasts. She bunched it to one side in her hand and tied it into a knot, baring her stomach. She felt the heat of Alec’s gaze on her and bit back a grin.

  “Hot out here, huh?” she murmured as she stepped back to center court.

  Alec cleared his throat. Twice.

  “Yeah,” he said, his voice like gravel. “Pretty hot.”

  She lifted her arms, scooping the long, blonde hair off her neck. Then she tied it into a loose knot at the back of her head, her eyes never leaving Alec’s face. His intense gaze drifted to her breasts as they strained against the T-shirt. It seemed like he was in a trance as his eyes ran over her taut stomach, lingering for a moment on the amethyst belly-button ring, then moving down to her hips where the cutoff shorts hung low.

  Mission accomplished, she picked up the ball and tossed it to him. It hit him square in the chest with a thunk and bounced off.

  “You okay?” she asked, struggling to keep a straight face.

  “Yup, good.”

  She didn’t miss the flush of color that flooded his cheeks before he turned away and retrieved the ball.

  They faced off again. Melody’s pulse skittered as her eyes drifted down the front of Alec’s body and took in the long, thick bulge in his shorts. She briefly wondered what he would do if she reached out and squeezed his stiff cock right then.

  Patience, Mel.

  Alec bounced the ball his roommate’s way, hoping to distract her from the situation developing in his shorts. He usually managed to keep his attraction for her hidden, but damn, she wasn’t making it easy today. Lucky for him, although her tan legs were usually bare in deference to the Southern California weather, she typically kept the rest of the goods under wraps. In fact, except for the occasions he and Jace would go to a volleyball game to cheer her on, he never really got to see the whole package. But even then, watching her play from the stands was nothing like seeing all that real estate close enough to touch.

  Cut the shit, man. He had found the perfect situation: an awesome place on the beach, reasonable rent, and two roomies who had quickly become his closest friends. He wasn’t going to allow his base urges to fuck that up for him. Things inevitably went to shit in a hurry when that “roommates only” line was crossed. But damn. It was hard living with two amazing, gorgeous people and not letting his cock take the lead for once. Guess that meant he was growing up.

  It was past time to finish this game so he could take a quick—and very cold—shower and get back onto safe, more familiar ground with Melody. He couldn’t tell if she was deliberately flirting with him or completely oblivious, but he didn’t trust himself not to react if she kept it up.

  It’d be a hell of a lot easier if she’d pull her shirt back down, though.

  When the ball came back to him, Alec put his game face on. He caught it with a snap, turned on a dime, and moved to the left. Driving forward quickly, he lofted the ball toward the net, his aim true.

  Melody seemed to come out of nowhere, her long legs making short work of the distance. Bending low, she launched herself into the air, her feet a yard off the ground. He watched in awe as she plucked the ball out of the air scant inches from the basket, then landed gracefully on her feet. She took one step back and sent the ball flying through the air.

  Swoosh.

  “How do you like me now?” She raised her arms in the air and rocked her hips in a sexy circular motion, spinning around in a victory dance.

  He let out a low whistle and then began to clap. “Shit, girl. You’ve been holding out on me. That was unreal.” He shook his head. He knew she was good, but watching and playing were two different animals.

  She blushed prettily and executed a neat, ladylike curtsy that was a total contradiction to the warrior who had just schooled him at b-ball. How could a girl be so fucking cool and so fucking hot at the same time? He found himself envying the guy who finally won her heart.

  He walked over to the bench and picked up the now warm beer, handing it to her with a flourish and a smile. “To the victor.”

  “Thank you, kind sir. I—“ She stopped short, holding the beer straight in front of her as she bent low and groaned.

  “What’s the matter, Mel?”

  “Cramp.” She gasped.

  He took the beer, put it on the ground, and pushed her down to sit on the bench.

  “Where?”

  “Right hamstring.”

  “Lie on your stomach.”

  She turned and stretched her long form out onto the bench. He looked down for an instant and wished he hadn’t. His imagination soared. Mel, in the same position, naked, while he took her from behind. Would she like it if he nipped the back of her neck? Would she groan if he gripped that fine ass in both hands as he plunged his cock into her wet pussy? Would she call his name?

  Alec shook his head and took a steadying breath. He knelt down in the sand next to her legs, grasped the back of her toned thigh, and began squeezing and kneading the muscle. God, her skin was hot and smooth as silk under his hands.

  She moaned under his ministrations, and his hands stilled for a moment. Blood drained from his brain, heading south. How many times had he dreamed of getting her to make that exact sound? And it sounded so much better live than in his dreams.

  What a dick. Your friend is hurting, and all you can think about is making her come.

  Alec closed his eyes tight, trying to block out the sight of her shapely thighs and firm, curvy ass. He continued to rub, forcing himself to think of anything but the woman lying on her stomach before him. Baseball. How about those Angels this year?

  Damn, but he could still feel the silky skin under his palms, could still hear the sounds of pleasure coming from her lips, could still smell the clean sweat and pear-scented body spray that was perfectly Mel.

  Work. Think work. Flagstone, aggregate, paver stones… Paver stones would be perfect for the Simpson patio job…

  “Better?” he asked briskly, hoping to God the answer was yes.

  “Yes, thanks so much.”

  His ey
es snapped opened as the husky tone of her voice registered through the fog of desire enveloping him. He took in the whole picture: the pulse pounding in her neck, her full lips slightly parted as she took short, shallow breaths. When he lifted his gaze to meet hers, a jolt of heat shot straight through him, settling in his groin.

  Melody wanted him. If only for that second, Melody actually wanted him.

  Jace eyed the clock on the wall with a scowl. Two minutes since the last time he looked at it an hour ago. Or at least that’s how it felt. How long did it take to play a round of one-on-one anyway? And why was it bothering him so much? He’d watched them for a few minutes, but if he wanted to keep pace with Mel, he knew he needed to focus on his game, not hers.

  No doubt she had already made progress. The girl was driven and didn’t take any challenge lightly. What he did see of her first foray wasn’t very promising for him. It seemed that in no time at all, she’d already made an impact on Alec.

  To counter, Jace decided his first attempt at winning Alec would start with one of his roommate’s favorite dishes. Because hadn’t his Grandma Mabel always said that the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach?

  Jace had somehow become the household chef over the years, but he was happy with the position. He cared about his roommates, and Alec was just like Mel when it came to food: a garbage can. By cooking for them he could at least make sure they had a healthy breakfast or dinner to combat the damage from the processed foods they shoveled down their throats the rest of the day. Even though they gave him a hard time about it, he knew they appreciated his efforts.

  Alec loved Mexican food, so, in the spirit of challenge, Jace made buffalo steak burritos with sautéed veggies, fresh, homemade salsa—extra spicy, just the way Alec liked it—and a crunchy, fully loaded baby romaine salad. He put out a bowl of organic tri-colored tortilla chips, a side dish of fresh guacamole, and a plate of perfectly cut lime slices. Then he centered the table with an ice bucket full of cold beer.

  Just as he looked up to see the hand on the clock inch another slow minute forward, Alec and Melody burst into the house laughing and shoving at each other like teenagers.

  “Shit, Jace,” Alec said with a grin as the pair crashed their way into the kitchen, “why didn’t you tell me Mel’s a ringer?”

  Jace chuckled. Mel had everyone fooled. She was a whole lot more than just a volleyball player—she was one of those natural athletes who excelled at everything she tried. “What? She kick your ass?”

  Alec opened his mouth but snapped it shut for an exaggerated inhale. “What is that incredible smell?”

  “Certainly not you,” Melody teased, punching Alec lightly in the biceps.

  “Hey!”

  “Steak burritos. J-style, of course.”

  “A real steak burrito?” Alec’s eyes lit up, “Not tofu or that veggie-burger crap you call meat?”

  “Only the real thing for you, baby.” Jace winked at him and was rewarded with a bright but slightly puzzled smile. Okay, it was a start. He’d taken the first step outside the lines—he usually reserved terms of affection for Mel and boyfriends—but Alec had responded. Albeit tentatively. Now that he had him off balance, it was time to press him just a little more.

  Taking an inward breath of courage from the universe, Jace stepped forward, placed his hands on Alec’s carved, muscular shoulders, and turned him around.

  “There’s nothing hotter than a big sweaty man, but I prefer them clean at the dinner table,” Jace said in a low voice near Alec’s ear.

  He let his hands slide down Alec’s strong back, palms open, to rest on lean hips, then gave his roommate a push toward the doorway. Jace groaned inwardly at the feel of all that hard flesh and smooth skin under his hands.

  “I’ll join you,” Melody said, coming up behind them. Alec and Jace turned in unison. Focused on her, Jace couldn’t see Alec’s face but knew it registered the same shock that had to show on his own. Mel and Alec in the shower? Together?

  And there was that strange, painful squeeze in his chest again. Suddenly, he wasn’t sure if it was because he didn’t want to think about Mel with Alec, or because he didn’t want to think about Alec with Mel. Damn, what the hell was the matter with him? Gay, remember? So then why was he feeling possessive of her?

  Melody gave them a coy smile. “In my own bathroom, you dogs.”

  Alec laughed but was shocked by how husky his voice sounded. The combined heat of Jace’s body so close behind his and the sensual slant of Melody’s smile sent images dancing in his head that were best left ignored. They were his roommates. His friends. They had a good thing going on here, and the last thing he wanted to do was fuck that up.

  Jace gave him another push, his hands hot on Alec’s back. “Shower, stud boy.”

  Alec looked over his shoulder at Jace and froze. Like a deer caught in headlights, he was rendered immobile by the brilliant gleam in the dancer’s intense sapphire eyes. His brain briefly disconnected. Holy. Shit.

  Alec stumbled through the doorway, glancing over his shoulder one more time to catch Melody leaning into Jace’s ear. Whatever she said was too low for him to pick up, but the look on Jace’s face said it all. The two were in cahoots, and Alec had a sneaking suspicion it had something to do with him. There was definitely a change in the atmosphere tonight that had his body thrumming in a quiet state of anticipation. He looked forward to figuring out what the hell they were up to.

  Jace laughed, and as Mel turned away, he smacked her playfully on the ass. Seeing Alec still in the doorway, watching them, she winked at him as she squeezed past, so close her erect nipples scraped across his bare chest. He barely suppressed a groan. He looked back at Jace, who winked again, this time clicking his tongue at the same time, before turning back to set out their dinner.

  And what the hell was that all about?

  Alec was still shaking his head when he stepped under the hot spray of the shower minutes later. That touch basketball game with Mel, Jace cooking one of his fave meals for dinner, and the two of them with their meaningful winks and flirty comments…

  He’d been completely turned on playing ball with Mel. She was something else. And then the fire that burned into his bare skin when Jace touched him. If they kept this up, he was going to be reciting a whole lot of boring work-related materials in his head.

  But they were his roommates, good friends. Jace and Mel had been partners in crime for so long it was hard to tell them apart. They had their own private way of communicating that was near impossible for anyone else to decipher. They were the perfect couple, even though they weren’t actually a couple. The last thing Alec wanted to do was come between them. But damn, they were both so hot.

  He closed his eyes and imagined a naked Melody standing in front him, her perfect skin wet and slick. Her long body pressed up the full length of his, her firm breasts and hard nipples sliding against his chest. His fingers tangled in her hair…and Jace’s fingers gripping his. The length of Jace’s agile body rock behind him, his hard cock gliding along the crack of Alec’s ass.

  Alec groaned. Blood rushed from his northern head to his southern one. He placed a hand against the cool tile of the shower wall for support while the other found its way down his abdomen. He imagined it was Jace’s hands sliding over his body and digging into his hips, holding him steady, while Melody’s hot, wet mouth closed over his hard length.

  We’re going to rock your world, Alec. Daydream Jace growled, then bit the back of his neck. Fuck.

  Alec wrapped his hand around his dick and began to pump, imagining what it would feel like with his cock buried to the root in Melody’s mouth while Jace’s cock seated balls-deep in his ass. Together the roommates rocked him in a steady, practiced rhythm. In and out, up and down, perfectly choreographed like one of Jace’s sensual dances.

  Alec pumped his hand faster, squeezing harder, at the erotic image. Mel’s hot lips pulling at him, sucking him as she ran her tongue over the swollen head of his dick. Jace wor
king his ass deeper, harder.

  Fuck.

  Electric bolts shot outward from the base of his spine, his balls tightened, and he let go, coming hard, pulsing again and again onto the shower floor as he fought to stifle a yell.

  He couldn’t remember ever having jacked off so hard before. But hell, the idea of being with Jace and Melody together… Now that the image was firmly planted in his mind, he’d never be rid of it. Not without bringing the fantasy to life. But how could he do that? It was totally insane to even think about suggesting it to his roommates. They’d kick him out without a second thought.

  Or would they?

  Whatever was going on with the two of them tonight, he couldn’t have mistaken the vibes he was picking up. Any red-blooded male would have to be completely oblivious not to have noticed the way Melody was flirting with him. Out on the basketball court, when she’d looked back at him from the bench, her eyes dark and lips parted, he could honestly say he’d never seen that side of her before. It was all he could do to keep from pulling her up off that bench and kissing her senseless.

  And then there was Jace. What was up with those long looks, sly winks, and that business of running his hands down Alec’s back? As far as he knew, Jace thought he was straight. Alec had never given them any kind of sign and had certainly never told them that he swung both ways. It could be that his gut was on the mark this time and Jace really had been flirting with him.

  Already his stomach was beginning to tighten again. He was going to have to maintain a running landscaping commentary in his head to keep his cock from embarrassing him in front of them.

  A bang on the bathroom door interrupted his thoughts. “You trying to grow gills in there, homeboy?” Melody’s voice was muffled, but it was pure Mel. No flirty undertones, no sexual innuendos.