A Firm Merger (4 page)

William smirked. “We have to make an offer the big guy can’t refuse.”

“What kind of offer?” she asked, arching a brow. “Nick’s avoiding us, and with good reason. I think we should just leave things as they are.”

“Then no one would benefit, Emily.”

She shook her head. “Is that all you care about? That attitude is what got us into this situation. If I hadn’t been so selfish to begin with, putting my needs in front of everyone else’s... Be fair about this. Can’t you try to see this from Nick’s point of view?”

“I do see his point of view,” he muttered. “That’s why I’m here tonight. But I need you to back me up.”

She eyed him, amazed by his composure in the wake of his proposal. William’s self confidence might have been his most attractive feature, but she still found it unsettling at times. Yet the same confidence made it difficult for him to see life through the eyes of others, and she often had to remind him that his wishes weren’t the only ones that counted.

While his methods, whether above board or underhanded, might have been appreciated in a courtroom, William’s go-getter mentality often grated on others, especially sensitive people who saw his matter-of-fact approach to life as a personal attack. Nick was sensitive, despite his devil-may-care attitude. She didn’t want William messing with Nick’s head.

She sighed, knowing her dishonesty had set this into motion, afraid further action on her part would simply make things worse. “I’m done making decisions for other people,” she whispered. “Whatever happens, whatever comes out of this has to be Nick’s decision, and not because we tricked him.”

“Who needs trickery?” he asked, his teeth clenched. “You’re allowing your guilt to blind you to the facts, Em. If I thought Nick hadn’t enjoyed the time we spent together, I’d be the first to walk away and leave well enough alone. But I saw him. He was into it.”

“Even if that’s true, that doesn’t mean he wants a repeat performance.”

William’s expression became unreadable. “Doesn’t mean he doesn’t.” He stood. “You just said you’re done making decisions for other people, but you’re still doing precisely that. Nick and I might not have had a choice when it came to being with you, at least in the beginning, but all that’s changed now.”

“It hasn’t--”

“But everything has changed, and you know it. How about you stop attempting to run everything and simply allow what’s going to happen to happen.” He turned his back to her. “I’ll show myself out.”

On Saturday, Nick discovered three things.

The first discovery was that his apartment building would be transitioned into co-ops in the coming year and his lease wouldn’t be renewed. He could leave immediately or finish out the rest of his lease, which amounted to eighty-six days.

The second was the protein shake he’d consumed for breakfast didn’t agree with him, and he’d be spending much of his free time in the bathroom if he continued to drink it. The third was no matter what he did, where he went or how hard he worked, he could not get Emily Dawson and William Drake off his mind.

He finally broke down and called Emily an hour ago, but he’d been sent to her voicemail. It would serve him right if she was icing him out, he knew. He’d probably waited too long to work through the stuff in his head, and William was probably there to make it
all
better.

Just after noon, he sat at his kitchen counter enjoying the chicken and broccoli dish he’d concocted, yet he could barely concentrate on the delicious meal without his thoughts wandering. Three days ago, William sat in this apartment and told him they made a great team. They had a bond. But what bound them, exactly? Sex with Emily? Something more? And was Nick willing to find out?

Each time he bumped into William in the law office’s corridors, he’d had to stop himself from flinching. Since they worked on different floors, it wasn’t often enough to warrant a meltdown, but Nick was still thankful for small favors.

He’d jerked off after William left--had whipped out his swollen cock, stood in front of the bathroom sink and come so hard he couldn’t see clearly for a few minutes afterward. As he’d stroked himself, he’d imagined William fucking Emily’s ass, heard her moans and recalled his arousal at seeing them together. He’d never been so turned on by anything in his life before that night, and that frightened him badly.

Watching William’s cock moving in and out of Emily’s wet pussy, so up close and personal, in 3D, had been enough to send him into the most pleasurable orgasm of his life. William’s thrusts had quickened, pulling guttural moans from her that curled his toes. Her lips had parted, oh-so-wet, as she tried to catch her breath.

The worst part--or the best part, his traitorous mind kept telling him--was the look on William’s face as Nick’s climax flowed out of him. He’d looked so satisfied. Almost as if he’d had something to do with Nick’s pleasure, despite their unspoken “no touching” rule. And God help him, Nick realized William’s blissful look had made it even better for him.

So ... I’m gay now?
Shaking his head, he remembered all the women who’d crossed his path, crossed his face, crossed his bed... And yet the biggest thrill he’d ever had happened when he was face-to-face with another dude.

His cell phone vibrated on the counter, startling him so much his fork clattered to the floor. “Yeah?” he barked, not bothering to check the caller ID screen.

“It’s me, Nick. I’m so glad you called.” Emily sounded breathless, almost as if she’d raced for the phone despite being the one who placed the call.

“What are you doing?” he asked, though his stomach clenched as he awaited the answer.

“I was on my treadmill, wearing headphones. I didn’t realize you called until just now.”

“That’s good to hear, Em. Keeping everything nice ... and tight.”

She giggled. “Is that why you finally called? To talk dirty to me?”

“Would that be so bad? It’s been a few weeks since we’ve had that kind of conversation.”

“It’s been a few weeks since we’ve had any kind of conversation, Nick.”

He nodded, forgetting she couldn’t see him. “I’m sorry about that. I’ve just been trying to deal with all that happened. I--I didn’t know what to make out of the whole thing. I just needed some time to digest it all, ya know?” Nick’s grip on the phone was tight.
Relax, man.

“I know exactly what you mean. Really. You think I expected any of that to happen?” She cleared her throat, and his ears perked up because he knew that meant some grand declaration from his girl. “But I’m not sorry about it, Nick. It was fantastic. I get that seeing me with another man might have been jarring, but to me, it felt like the most natural thing in the world. Call me crazy. Call me slutty. I don’t care what you call me--just as long as you call. I miss my weekly stud service.”

“So you haven’t been getting it on with your other boyfriend, huh?” His jaw clicked, the words struggling from his mouth. “From what I’ve seen, he’s even more thrilled about what happened than you are.”

“Yeah, he seems happy all right, but we haven’t been together since San Francisco. He saw how depressed I was when you stopped talking to me. William’s a gentleman first, horndog second.”

“Sounds like I need to get some tips. You really like him a lot, don’t you?”

“Yes. I do, but that doesn’t change how I feel about you and I hope you can find a way to understand that someday. I want both of you in my life, and with that secret out, I’m through pulling punches. I don’t want to sneak around anymore; I’m through hiding. Nick, I don’t want to lose you, but I’ll understand if you can’t deal with it. Shit, on the crime documentaries I watch, this situation is a recipe for murder. Seriously, I half expect that Maureen Maher chick to show up at my door complete with
48 Hours
cameras rolling as she narrates the last days of my short tragic life.
Emily Dawson: Killed By Lust
.”

Nick’s mouth dropped open. Then he laughed. It was a hard laugh from the gut, the kind he hadn’t experienced in weeks. Emily chuckled too, and it was music to his ears. “Sorry to spoil your fun, but I don’t see any craziness like that in your future. At least not coming from
me
.”

“Oh, so you think William’s the spurned lover, do ya? Well, I’ll have you know that he wants everything to work out. Between. Us. All.”

Nick swallowed hard. “He seemed really into it.”

“As were you. As was I. Stop putting on that front, Nick. We’re all very good friends here.”

“Yeah, but I’m wondering how friendly Drake wants to get with me!”

She cackled like a witch, and in his mind’s eye Nick saw her rubbing her little hands together. “How friendly you get with William is purely up to you. I’m not pro or con. But if we get together again, I insist we all leave happy afterward.”

Nick inhaled a long breath. His voice sounded far away to his own ears as he made his proposal. “How about we hang out tonight? The three of us, I mean. I can throw some food together and--”

“I’m already sold. I’ll contact William and work out the logistics.”

After they clicked off, Nick sighed. Emily had the right idea. Either do it or don’t, but feeling guilty wouldn’t get his needs met.

It’s on.

“Good evening, comrades. Come on in. Dinner will be ready in about fifteen minutes, so take a seat.” Nick led them inside the apartment and pointed at the liquor cabinet. “It’s freshly stocked so, Emily, if you don’t mind playing bartender while I’m in the kitchen, I’ll see you two in the dining room.”

“Works for me. What are we eating tonight?”

“Italian,” Nick replied, a proud grin brightening his handsome face. “I made my own sauce and everything.”

“I’ll make a housewife outta you, yet!” Emily teased.

William nodded at his host before sitting in the very spot he’d occupied during their talk earlier in the week. Despite the forced jokes, the tension was thick enough for him to wonder if he’d miscalculated. Nick Scott wasn’t shaping up to be the good-time boy of William’s fevered imaginings. In fact, of the trio, he appeared to be the most sensitive, fearing any breaks with convention. The man’s bravado was an act, and that knowledge both thrilled and fascinated William.

“Your drink,
Monsieur
.” Emily handed him a glass and slumped beside him. She wore her reddish-brown hair loose for a lovely change, and he noted with appreciation that she’d taken time with her make-up, outlining her hazel eyes with kohl pencil, and dabbing on a shimmering rose-hued lip gloss. From the neck down, however, she maintained her standard casual attire: crisp, white button-down shirt, blue jeans and sexy black ankle boots.

When they’d first begun dating, William asked her why she didn’t wear more feminine attire. She’d rolled her eyes. “I wear a skirt to work at least twice a week. On the other days, I’m forced to wear women’s business suits. When I’m on my own time, acting as my own boss, I’ll always choose comfort over style. So, if you expect to ever see me tottering around on stilettos, baby, you’re going to be disappointed.”

William had not been disappointed. Dating low maintenance women certainly had its benefits. Emily had usually required less mirror-time than he had during the few occasions she’d stayed with him overnight. She’d never once asked him if she looked fat. She ate how and what she wanted, working off any extra calories whenever she felt the need to get back in shape. Best of all, they’d never been late for dinner because she’d wasted an extra hour figuring out what dress looked better with what shoes.

Emily patted his thigh, leaning in close. “You know what? This is the best I’ve felt in a long time. I’m actually at peace. Comfortable. Maybe even a little happy.”

“I know, Em. I can see it. I’m happy you’re happy.”

“Is it crazy of me to want this--this thing between us to work itself out somehow? We could be like that polygamist show on cable!”

William looked doubtful. “Unless Nick and I volunteer to stay home with the children, I don’t see that happening.”

“Truer words have never been spoken. See? You know me better than you thought.” She kicked off her boots and rested her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. “You’re really going to enjoy dinner. Nick’s a wonderful cook.”

William believed that Nick could be wonderful at a lot of things if he’d only just
relax
. Emily seemed to inch closer and closer until she practically sat on his lap. Instantly hard, he absently caressed her hair, loving the easy intimacy that had developed between them since their night in San Francisco. Nick’s hesitance was the only detriment to their fulfillment, he knew. But that could be rectified easily enough.

He grazed a kiss on Emily’s temple, inwardly amazed by the new thoughts and emotions swirling through him. Other than adolescent “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours” sessions, he’d never been with another male before, had never considered it, and if he’d been asked two weeks ago about his orientation, he would have sworn that he was as straight as an arrow.

But he wasn’t a bigot, and had never been put off when a man hit on him... Thinking back now, William was astonished to recall how often he’d been approached by other men, starting from his freshman year in college to the present. He’d always been flattered by the attention, had in fact even purchased drinks for men who’d cruised him in bars, but the thought of ever going home with one of those men, of having
gay
sex, had really never occurred to him before now.
I never considered it a possibility. I never considered it at all because it wasn’t something I’d scheduled into my life planner.

So what was the difference now? It would have to be Emily, of course. She was attractive, smart, and his equal in every way. Though their dating history was short and checkered, whenever he tried to imagine his life without her in it, William became saddened. Recently he’d attempted to envision life as a carefree threesome. In his fantasies, he and Emily always got along well. Emily and Nick continued their sexy vibe. But a block formed in his brain each time he tried to create a scene with only Nick and him as participants.