Radiance (7 page)

Mid-November 2014

Two weeks following her birthday party at
Trois
, Brie found herself restless on her first night back at the club. 

She missed Elijah constantly and hid her sadness. 

There were no more nightly visits but she continued to listen for his knock, just in case.  She hadn’t seen the bodyguard since the night he told her to seek the comfort she needed.

She didn’t cry but she worried about her newfound anger.  It wasn’t an emotion that sat well on her shoulders.

Riya and her men looked vibrant and happy, whispering together and laughing quietly.  Zach and Quinn waited for Tawny, talking to Hudson about recent changes to the market. 

Other members frequently approached and she’d smile and converse for a few minutes but she wasn’t really in the mood.

Brie was frequently lost in her own thoughts. 

Though Riya and Tawny inquired, Brie remained unwilling to share information about Harper and Elijah.  It seemed over before it began but…she
hoped
.  Her mind drifted to the two men constantly and she was furious with Harper’s callousness. 

She wasn’t sure how to go about finding, much less
pursuing
, a casual relationship at this stage of her rehabilitation. 

Looking around, she wanted to explore the unique space on her own two feet.  The cane was too slow and she needed both hands while she sketched. 

She itched to see
everything
inside the historical building.  There was an elevator to the second floor but she was embarrassed to use it.

“Gabriella.”  Hudson’s voice pulled her from her unusual introspection.  “Would you like a tour?” 

She shook her head with a sigh. 

“The upstairs…”

“I’ll
wait
, Hudson.  When I see it, I want to
walk
.  To explore and be able to sketch without having to make sure I don’t fucking
fall
.”  Her eyes widened.  “I’m so sorry…” 

“Ssh.  I understand.”  His voice was gentle as he reached out to place his hand over hers.  “I’d have already gone mad.” 

Turning hers over, she gripped him like a lifeline.  “I need this to happen
faster
.” 

“Your recovery?”  She nodded.  “You’re doing remarkable.  Your doctors are blown away by your progress.” 

“I can do
more
.” 

“You will.  I know you’re impatient.  What can I do?” 

“Forgive my behavior.” 

“You’ve done nothing wrong, Gabriella.” 

Rubbing her temple, she whispered, “I feel like a raging bitch.” 

“
Never.
” 

Tawny collapsed in the chair beside her.  “Did you call me?  I distinctly heard raging bitch.”  Grudgingly, Brie laughed.  “Hating this shit, huh?” 

“I mean…
fuck
.”  Releasing Hudson’s hand with a final squeeze, she gave the redhead her full attention.

“You feel helpless and that must chafe like nipples in winter.” 

Laughing, Brie nodded.  “Something like that.  I don’t mind putting in the work.  I just want more headway.  I want…I don’t even know what the fuck I want.” 

“I get it.”  Tawny sighed.  “Bet it doesn’t help that your last experience before all this was being crawled over by the dynamic duo of dirty sex.  Must make you antsy.” 

Hudson choked on his scotch. 

“Tawny…
lord
.”  Brie couldn’t contain her grin.  “I’m stuck in limbo.  Truthfully, I could use a distraction.” 

Considering, she asked, “What about that sexy motherfucker who gave you the penis sculpture?” 

Her heart contracted painfully but she covered it.  “It’s a fucking
whale
and you
know
it.” 

“Sure but it’s definitely
phallic
.  I mean…seriously.  From the shape to the blowhole, I see penis.” 

“Bitch, you see penis in
everything
.” 

“A-fucking-men.  Anyway, what about calling him and his hot bodyguard to work your pretty ass over and remind you why you need to keep getting up in the morning?” 

Brie closed her eyes and took a deep breath.  No way could she share the complexities of Elijah and Harper with Tawny.  The woman was way too unpredictable. 

“I’m can’t handle them right now.” 

“Why not?  I thought these were
done deal
orgasms.” 

“I’m not strong enough physically or emotionally.”  She chose her words with care.  “I offer nothing of value at this point.” 

Tawny stared deeply into her eyes.  Brie got the impression the woman saw more, knew more than most.  “You’re not just a hole to fuck.  If either of them don’t see the value in every goddamn thing
else
you have going on, fuck them.” 

Twisting her hands in her lap, Brie murmured, “I’m not firing on all cylinders.  I’d probably get sex mixed up with love.” 

“You need some disconnected play time.” 

“I have no clue what I need.  I’ll be fine.  I just have to be on my own feet for real.  I couldn’t even
handle
full on sex yet.”

Tawny made a funny tapping motion on the arm of the sofa.  “Want some good news?”  Brie nodded with a smile.  “Joshua and Jessica are here.  They’re heading this way.” 

“Oh
god
…” 

“Chin up, buttercup.” 

The outgoing and adventurous couple who’d been part of Riya’s dissertation ignored everyone else as they approached and knelt on either side the chair where Brie sat. 

Hudson’s eyes were huge.

Joshua took her face in his hands.  “You’re fucking gorgeous.  What’s this I hear about you feeling bad?”  He kissed her full on the mouth, licking inside and following with several small kisses that trailed along her jaw to her neck. 

Jessica stroked her fingers through her hair.  “Injuries couldn’t snuff you out, pretty girl.  Looks like you’re kicking ass and taking names to me.”  She gently cupped the back of her head and delivered a kiss that made Brie’s breath catch in her throat.  The blonde moaned.  “You’re delicious.” 

“You look overheated, Brie.”  Joshua worked her light sweater off her shoulders with a wink.  “I really want to see as much of your skin as you’ll let me until I’m given permission to pet you everywhere.” 

She wore black jeans and a turquoise shell top with flat boots that ended just below her knees.  The weather was turning cool but he was right.  Brie suddenly felt
very
warm. 

In tandem, the couple ran their palms over her shoulders and down to her hands. 

“Still silky and golden.  Soft and tempting.”  Jessica’s eyes lifted.  “You think a few scars makes me want you less, Brie?” 

“I…” 

“They make me want you
more
.  You’re a fighter.  Nothing makes me hotter than a fucking fighter.” 

Joshua ran his hand up her inner calf to her knee.  “What’s different?  Something’s different.”  Rising, he cupped the outside of her breast.  “Are these smaller?” 

Brie nodded, overwhelmed by their attention and unable to form a coherent sentence. 

“I thought you were hot before but
damn
.  I bet you like yourself better now.  That’s what matters, you know?  They’ll still taste as good as I imagined.” 

He kissed her again and she felt dizzy. 

When he broke it, Jessica waited and they traded her mouth back and forth for a couple of minutes.  The entire time, their hands stroked over her body through her clothing. 

Finally, they hugged her hard.  “You should let us love you down, Brie.  You don’t have to do anything or worry about our pleasure at all.”  Joshua raked his hands through her hair.  “We would be so careful.  What do you think?” 

She confessed, “I can’t think.” 

The blonde traced her cheek with the back of her knuckles.  “You don’t have to think.  What you need is pleasure without being flooded with emotional stimulation.  We’d be great friends for you, Brie.  We’d make sure you had fun and remembered you’re still young, without twisting you up inside.  Just the ticket, I think.” 

Glancing over her shoulder, Jessica grinned.  “Hey, Riya.” 

Blinking away the sensual fog the couple wove around her, Gabriella realized her friends were watching the three of them with their mouths open.  Natalia sat quietly on Hudson’s lap, having joined them at some point. 

Riya struggled to find words.  “Hey…you guys.  Um, you know Brie is still recovering, right?” 

Joshua and Jessica smiled at Brie while they lightly traced her face.  “We heard she was feeling a little down, frustrated with her recovery time.  No fucking
way
were we going to miss a chance to show her how sexy we found her from day one.  We can be gentle, lick her from head to toe, and remind her what pleasure is all about without doing anything to set her physical therapy back.” 

The imagery immediately sent signals to Brie’s nipples and womb. 
Just the thought…

“We’ve masturbated to the thought of you many times.  That’s the kind of impression you made last year when we met.  We heard you hooked up with the hot stoic guy and his delicious girl.  Sadness like you wouldn’t
believe
at the missed opportunity.”  Jessica shrugged.  “We got it though, they telegraph
we’ll-fuck-your-brains-out
real subtle.” 

Natalia and Hudson stared at the younger couple.  It was one of the few times Brie had ever seen them truly speechless.  Natalia’s eyes met Brie’s and she issued a shaky laugh. 

“We heard they’re engaged, totally your BFFs, and you’re back on the market.  Fucking awesome news and we’d like to cover you in some much-deserved pleasure.” 

They lowered their lips to the skin beneath her ears and planted warm kisses along her shoulder. 

Brie met Tawny’s eyes.  The redhead stared back, the only one not shocked by the couple’s appearance or hard press. 

“Did you do this?” 

“Sure as fuck did.  They talk about you every time I see them.”  She shrugged.  “They wanted you before the accident.  They restated their desire to lick you unconscious without going against doctor’s orders so I brought them tonight.” 

Winking at Hudson, she added, “I concur with all their accidental compliments.” 

“
Tawny…
”

“Brie, shut up and let them touch you.”  She smiled as her men scooped her up and settled her between them.  “You deserve to remember ecstasy.  They can remind you and ensure you end up a quivering mass of nerve endings.”  Blowing her a kiss, she added, “Just hush and let it happen.” 

Taking a deep breath, Brie let herself fall into the way the couple caressed and murmured to her. 

Their voices were low enough that no one else could hear them and so soft that her mind layered them over each other.  Smooth Texan accents turned her insides to melted butter.

“You forgot how beautiful you are but we can remind you.  Touching you, making you feel amazing, is such a small gift we can provide that’s completely selfish.  We won’t hurt you, won’t take more than you can give.  We’ll make you feel so good.  Let us show you what you need.” 

They pulled back to look at her face.  Holding her hands, they placed them on their faces and guided her over their necks and shoulders. 

She whispered, “You’re both in amazing shape…” 

“We have stamina for
days
, Brie.  We want you to touch us.  Take whatever you want, whatever you need.” 

They moved closer to give her more access to them and she relished the chance.  The temptation to
touch
and
be touched
was almost overwhelming. 

Joshua was still in
incredible
shape and Jessica reminded her of Natalia, slender and almost delicate. 

Her gaze met Natalia’s and her friend winked. 

“I’d love to…sketch you together.”  Brie looked at them shyly.  “Would you let me do that?” 

Their smiles were brilliant.  Jessica asked excitedly, “Could you draw one for us to keep?” 

“Oh yeah.  I can do that.” 

“Whatever you like, we’re open to, Brie.”  They resumed kissing her and said at her ears, “Any position you want to see.  We can hold back for a
long
time.  We can do that between licking and sucking you.”  More touches.  “Maybe you could tell us
exactly
what to do so we get it just the way you want it.” 

Holy shit…the possibilities.

“How’d you get here, Brie?”  Joshua asked the words quietly as he massaged the inside of her thigh.  “I’ll get you safely anywhere but the destination should feature a bed.  We’re going to lay you down and spend
hours
feasting on every inch.”