Three to Tango Read online

  But when Mel had come back into the room, she’d seemed distracted and wouldn’t meet his eyes. As confused by their kiss as he had been? Whatever the case, the night had lost its magic.

  He needed some time alone to process everything that had happened.

  “Okay, I don’t want to be the party pooper, but I have a lot of rehearsing to do over the next couple days and can’t afford to be tired. Are you guys calling it a night, or should I put my ear plugs in?”

  “Wh-what do you mean?” Mel stuttered.

  “I mean, are you going to stay up yakking and keep the music on or…” He trailed off. She looked visibly flustered.

  “Nope. You can turn it off. I’m going to do the dishes and hit the sack myself.” She shot him a weak smile.

  “Me too,” Alec said. “And I’ll take out the trash.”

  “You guys want help?”

  “You did the cooking, so you’re off the hook,” Mel said.

  Jace was grateful for the reprieve.

  As he snuggled into his comfortable bed, he put his brain to work. He started out hatching a plan to seduce Alec, but instead kept replaying the kiss with Mel. Her soft lips, her sweet smell. Why couldn’t he stop thinking about her?

  He flipped over and pushed the image away. Time to focus on Alec.

  Mel had been right. Time was running out, and aggression was the name of the game.

  Melody tried to stay relaxed and give off a just-hanging-out-washing-the-dishes vibe, but it wasn’t easy when she was feeling more of an I-want-to-fuck-your-brains-out. After what had happened earlier, Alec was as good as hers. There was no denying that he wanted her.

  As much as she and Jace had joked around and made it into a competition, she knew her best friend really liked him too, which made the victory bittersweet. The last thing in the world she ever wanted to do was hurt Jace in any way. Still, to the victor go the spoils. And her hormones were raging; she couldn’t wait to claim her prize. It might not be today, or even tomorrow, but it was going to be soon. Her stomach fluttered with anticipation at the thought.

  If things went well and Alec was interested in more than just hooking up, they would tell Jace then. But for now, it would be just for her and Alec.

  She was up to her elbows in soapy water, finishing off the last of the glasses, when the front door opened. She froze, breath held, as footsteps paused in the kitchen doorway. An endless moment passed; then Alec padded in, stopping just behind her.

  She withdrew her hands from the soapy water to rinse them and willed herself not to react, not to turn around.

  You made your move; now let him come to you.

  Her patience was rewarded an instant later. Alec’s finger brushed her nape, descending downward in a slow caress, following the indent of her spine to her bottom. His hot mouth pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder once, then again. His hand stole around her body to cup her breast, teasing her nipple through the thin cotton. She let her head fall back with a moan.

  “Quiet, Mel,” Alec whispered, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear. She shivered and nodded. “All night long, I wondered if you had on a backless bra or no bra at all. Now that I know, I wish I didn’t, because it’s driving me crazy.” He let out a low, harsh laugh. “How can you be so sexy without even trying?”

  “Who says I’m not trying?”

  He released her breast and slid his hands to her hips, pressing her ass against his thick arousal. She gasped and wriggled.

  Alec took in a shaky breath. “How far are we going to take this?”

  This was going to change everything, but she was past rational thought. She wanted Alec, and she wanted him now.

  “How far do you want to take it?”

  He didn’t answer but released her hips to slip his hand under her dress, flipping it up until her ass was bare. The cool air hit her, and she drew in a breath.

  He didn’t touch her for a long moment, and the wait was almost unbearable. She was completely exposed. It was at once delicious and terrifying.

  Did he like what he saw? And more importantly, was he was as aroused as she was?

  Finally, big, warm hands cupped her bottom almost tenderly.

  Jesus, no fucking underwear either.

  She was a walking wet dream. He could come right now and die a happy man.

  He palmed her ass with both hands, squeezing and rubbing the soft, pliant flesh. Would she let him fuck her there? His cock pulsed in response to the idea.

  Alec moved his hands to the shoulders of the dress and pulled it down to her waist in one swift motion. Mel swayed against him, panting. He ran his hands over her smooth, flat belly, pausing to finger her sexy little belly-button ring, then up to cup both bare breasts. They were a perfect, pert handful, and he ached to see them, but she felt too good to let go, even for an instant. He plucked her nipples, reveling in her intake of breath.

  “Take your hair down.”

  She reached one hand high over her head, releasing the clip that held her beautiful mane of golden hair. It spilled down her back like sunshine, and he couldn’t stop himself from burying his face in it. He inhaled the fresh scent of pears that was unique to her.

  Somewhere inside him, a dam broke. He shifted, pressing a knee between her thighs until they were spread wide. Kneading his way past her ass cheeks, he paused as he reached her pussy. Wet silk. He held his breath, pressing two fingers into her clutching heat. She groaned, her back arching.

  “Shh.”

  She leaned forward to rest her elbows on the countertop. He thrust his fingers deeper, biting back his own groan as her slick walls squeezed him. Damn, he needed to be inside her now.

  He pulled his fingers away, then reached down to unbutton his pants. As his cock sprang free, Mel reached her hand back between them and closed a fist around him. Helpless, he thrust himself more fully into her hand. She began to work his dick in long, firm strokes. In moments he was pumping his hips in counterpoint, a colossal orgasm bearing down on him hard.

  What the fuck?

  Just as he was about to wrench himself from her clever grasp, she stilled, releasing his shaft. She delicately circled the head of his cock with one fingertip, letting out a satisfied purr as she encountered the drop of moisture that clung there. A jolt of pure animal lust shot through him, and the need to bury himself inside her overwhelmed all thought.

  He pulled back for a second, fumbling briefly through his pocket, then donned protection. Wrapping a fist in her hair, he grabbed his dick, rubbing it up and down against her hot slit. Slippery with her moisture, he centered himself and slid home in one long thrust, not stopping until his hips were anchored to hers.

  Mel whimpered, and her pussy fluttered over him. His balls tightened, and his cock throbbed in response, every nerve ending aflame. Desire clawed at him, urging him to move, to thrust, but she was so damn tight. Shaking with the effort of remaining still, he leaned forward to whisper, “You okay, Mel?”

  “God, yes.” To emphasize her words, she retracted from him until only the head of his dick was still inside her, and then slammed her ass back against him. He let out a loud grunt before he could stop it.

  They both stilled. Jace was a pretty heavy sleeper, but that had been loud. They waited in tense silence for any sign they’d woken him.

  Mel quivered, and Alec flexed his hips. But for the sound of the blood pounding in his head, the house remained silent. He took that as a good sign and reached around to cover her pelvis with his hand, pressing her back toward him.

  Slipping his index finger into her folds, he found her clit, plump and slick. He massaged it in quick, light strokes as he plunged into her from behind, settling into a merciless rhythm. Deeper, harder, each time until his pelvis slammed against her ass. His balls tightened almost painfully, ready to launch, the urge to come a grinding need.

  Mel’s body tensed, and she tossed her head back, teeth bared. He tightened his grip on her hair as he growled low in his throat. She was close…so close.


  “Come for me, Mel.”

  He pounded his cock into her, increasing the pressure of his fingers. Her legs shook from the tension, and her breath came fast. She froze, and then all hell broke loose.

  “Ahh, Alec, yeah,” she cried out, her pussy gripping his dick as she came.

  All thoughts of silence fled as his own orgasm slammed through him. Hot liquid pulsed from his swollen cock, and he shouted, delirious. Intense waves of pleasure crashed over him, rocking him on his heels. Mel would have none of it, as she pushed back against him, making sure he stayed deep inside her until he was drained.

  He collapsed over her, pinning her between his body and the countertop, spent.

  He knew sex with Melody would be hot, but that was…that was… Shit. He was so screwed now.

  If he couldn’t pull the three of them together, he would have to move out. There would be no way he could go on never having Mel like that again, and there was no way he’d be the wedge between her and Jace.

  No way.

  Melody awoke Sunday morning to the smell of coffee brewing and bacon frying. Turkey, no doubt. She lay there for a moment in her air-conditioned cocoon, brushing away the cobwebs when it hit her.

  She had done the nasty with Alec.

  Giving herself an air high five, she giggled like a silly teenager, then covered her face with a pillow and let out a muffled scream. The sex had been so exhilarating and delicious. She couldn’t wait to tell Jace.

  Jace.

  Her eyes stung, and she pressed the pillow hard against them, her exhilaration deflating like a balloon. How could she tell him? It would break his heart, no matter how cool he tried to play it. But at the same time, it went against the grain to keep it from him. They told each other everything. When she’d lost her the scholarship to her first-choice school because she’d defended a friend against some bullying bitch, Jace had been her rock. When her mom had nearly died of cancer, he had listened to her cry every day for months. But in spite of her love for Jace, even though she knew he really had it bad for Alec, she couldn’t walk away. Because she had it really bad for Alec too. For the first time, she was truly afraid of what this might do to them all.

  Shaking off the sense of foreboding, she tried to focus on starting her day. She would know the lay of the land soon enough. Tossing the pillow aside, she sat up in bed, raised her arms high above her head, and began a light stretching routine. Her muscles warmed quickly as she worked out the morning kinks, ending in the lotus position.

  It had been a late night. Even though she had physically been in bed by midnight, the last time she’d looked at the clock, it had read 2:27 a.m. She had tossed and turned, unable to stop replaying the encounter with Alec over and over in her head. And if she was being honest, she had also spent a fair amount of time thinking about her kiss with Jace.

  A shiver ran through her as she thought of those soft, firm lips and clever tongue. Her nipples stiffened as imagination took flight, memories colliding until they melded into a sensual collage: Jace’s mouth on hers, drinking in her cries of delight as Alec took her from behind. Heat pooled to her center, and she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.

  “You getting up or what?”

  Mel’s eyes snapped opened. Jace was standing in the doorway, spatula in hand.

  “Breakfast is almost ready.” He stepped into the room, looking for a clear pathway to her bed. “Ugh, this place is a nightmare. Why is it that your hamper is empty, but you have a week’s worth of clothes on the floor right next to it?”

  “Sorry, Mom. I promise I’ll pick up after breakfast. They’re all clean anyway. I was in a hurry getting dressed last night and didn’t have a chance to hang everything back up.”

  Although she managed to keep her tone light, her heart thumped out a techno beat. Jace was utterly delectable in striped pajamas. Of course, he only had on the bottoms since she was wearing the top. They shared jammies because Melody preferred sleeping in a shirt and underwear, and Jace liked sleeping shirtless. The thought made her feel even worse than she had before. She knew how much Jace wanted Alec—even though he played it down. Could he really step aside without ever feeling a niggle of resentment toward her? Would their friendship pay for it? Their lives were so intertwined; they were like two halves of the same whole. Heads and tails. Yin and yang. Cookies and milk. Straight and gay, she reminded herself for the thousandth time.

  She swallowed the sudden lump in her throat. “Beat it so I can change.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He picked his way back to the door and turned. “Doth milady care for freshly squeezed orange juice with her vittles?”

  She grabbed the nearest throw pillow and launched it at his grinning face. His reflexes were quick, though, and the pillow bounced off the door he’d managed to shut in the nick of time.

  “So is that a no?” he asked through the door, chuckling.

  “It’s a yes. Now don’t talk to me again until I’ve had my coffee.”

  Despite the typical playful exchange, her heart sank. It was weird between them. Suddenly, Jace seeing her in only a shirt and underwear was totally different than before. And most mornings Jace would get into bed with her and spoon her while they chatted. But not today. The comfort level they had shared for over a decade had vanished in the wake of that one kiss.

  Melody’s stomach clenched, fear and despair again clogging her throat. What if they could never get it back to the way it used to be?

  Alec bounded up the stairs two at a time. Ever after a four-mile run, he was wired, thrumming with energy. Strange how in just a day’s time, his entire world had turned upside down. Granted, he’d had a great life before yesterday. But now his eyes were opened to the possibility that he could literally have everything he’d ever wanted. It both thrilled and terrified him because, in order to make it happen, he needed to risk his newfound closeness with Mel and his friendship with Jace.

  The door burst open just as he reached for the knob, and Jace came crashing through, almost smashing into him.

  Jace reared back with a hand over his heart, a foot short of him. “You scared the shit out of me.”

  Alec smiled. “Sorry, I’ll try not to come up the stairs again.”

  “Wise ass. I gotta run. There’s an egg-white-and-spinach omelet for you on the counter. I’m off to meet my sister and the kidlets at the zoo. I’ll be back around dinnertime.” He leveled Alec with a killer grin, then jogged down the steps like he didn’t have a care in the world.

  Alec kept his eyes trained on Jace, taking one last look at what he stood to lose by opening this can of worms. When he was out of sight, Alec stepped into the living room and closed the door behind him.

  Time to talk to Mel.

  He’d promised himself the second he had time alone with her he would bite the bullet and come out with it. He just hadn’t thought it would be so soon.

  “Forget something?” Mel called from the kitchen.

  She walked in a second later and gave him a nervous smile. “Oh, hey. I thought you were Jace.”

  They stared at each other for a long, tense moment, and Alec’s brain stuttered. Even in her comfy clothes with her hair tangled around her face, she was so sexy. He ached to touch her.

  “Mel, about last night…” He paused, trying to get his thoughts back on track.

  Mel’s face fell, and she blinked rapidly before turning her attention to some nonexistent lint on her yoga pants. “No, no. I understand. Heat of the moment and all. It’s all good. We’re totally cool.”

  Alec moved to stand in front of her before she could turn away, and put a hand under her chin, urging her to meet his eyes. Hers were suspiciously shiny, and he cursed himself for being so insensitive. He should have thought about what that sounded like to her—the opening line of a textbook blow-off. “Really? Because I thought we were a little more than cool. Last night was unbelievable. In fact, it was probably the best eleven minutes of my life.”

  Mel laughed and laid her head on his shoul
der. He wrapped his arms around her and realized that she was trembling. “You scared me. I thought—”

  “Sorry. I was just trying to put into words how great it was, but I botched it. I want to talk to you about something, though, okay?” “Sure.”

  Mel sat on the couch, and he sat across from her on the ottoman. She stared at him, still looking wary.

  Despite the fact he’d spent his entire run thinking about what to say and trying to anticipate all of her possible reactions, now that she was sitting there in front of him, his mind was a total blank.

  Spit it out. No matter how you say it, it’s not going to get any easier.

  “I know about your bet with Jace,” he blurted. Smooth. Very smooth.

  Mel flinched, and her face paled.

  Words tumbled from her mouth in a rush. “He told you? I swear it isn’t what you think. We both really lo—like you. This isn’t just some game.”

  Relief washed over him, and he realized just how important it had been for him to hear her say that.

  “No, he didn’t tell me. I overheard you guys talking. And I know it’s not a game. Man, I’m really fucking this up, huh? I’m not mad at either one of you. In fact, it’s just the opposite.”

  He said a silent prayer and laid it on her. “I like you both too. A lot.”

  She stared back at him through narrowed eyes, nonplussed.

  “I want to be with both of you. And I want you to be with both of us. Do you know what I’m saying, Mel? I want us to be exclusive. The three of us.”

  His words hung heavy between them, their weight almost crushing him, constricting his lungs until he could barely breathe.

  She shook her head almost imperceptibly, but he saw it and braced himself.