Szot, JC - The South Window (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) (23 page)

Dan’s lips curved into a weak smile. His soft expression radiated a kindness that was uncommon in a partner who’d discovered his mate had strayed. Dan stood up, tugging on her hands. Allie stood and moved into his arms, his body warm and forgiving. His hands ran over her back, his touch sedating. He tipped her chin, aligning their lips.

“Do you still love me?” He gently stroked her cheek.

“I do.” Her voice breaking.

“I know your love for me comes first, but I wasn’t here.”

“That doesn’t make it right.” Allie’s voice rose over his. Dan slowly shook his head. “We’re not talking about right or wrong. The heart is a complex thing. How do you feel about Marty?” Dan stepped back, his eyes lowering to hers. Allie looked away, uncertain, afraid to release what she’d tried to bury for so long. “Allie, I want you to be honest with me. I’m not going anywhere, but I need to know how you feel about Marty before this discussion goes any further.” His thumb grazed over her lips.

“I do care for him deeply.” She wiped her face, gazing up at him, afraid of the expression her confession would bring.

He pulled her into his arms, cradling the back of her head gently.

“I’m so sorry.” Allie buried her face into his chest, breathing him in, his spicy scent, a familiarity she’d missed. “I just…I tried so hard to not let my feelings get out of control. Jesus, can a woman want two men? I must sicken you.”

Dan gazed into her eyes.

“Don’t apologize. An empty heart needs affection. It’s human nature.” His words a hushed whisper. Something burned in Dan’s eyes, something Allie couldn’t identify. “Maybe we need more in our lives, someone to share our love with.” His fingers slid through her hair, his gaze smoldering. “Maybe something’s missing.” Dan smiled.

Allie took in a rushing breath.
What was he saying?
A shivering tingle moved over her skin, making her shutter. Allie swallowed, trying to open her throat so the words would come.

“We’re not married. I don’t think… having a child, I…” Dan gripped her shoulders, his words pushing through hers.

“I’m not talking about marriage or a baby, Allie. I’m talking about Marty.” Dan cupped her face, steering her eyes back to his. “I know he loves you.”

“Did he tell you that?” Allie froze. Not knowing what had transpired between Dan and Marty had her at a disadvantage. Had he put his feelings into words, giving them life?

“No, not straight out, but I know when a man has it bad for a lady.” Dan’s lips crushed into hers. His tongue pushed through the seam of her lips, artfully stroking the inside of her mouth, reintroducing his passion for her. Dan tightened his grip. His palm covered her breast, squeezing and kneading, his actions desperate. Allie felt smothered by his lust. Dormant desire was being awakened, wrapping around them, the heat building. Her body welcomed him.

Dan released her, his chest heaving.

“I love you. I know Marty loves you.” His eyes lowered, heavy with longing. “He saved your life, and he may have saved us.” His lips dipped down, nibbling on her neck. “Because of my neglect, I’ve not only hurt you, but now I’ve hurt him.” Allie felt her eyes widen, her lips parted.
Was
Dan giving her free rein? Was he opening their relationship?
Her mind reeled with the thought of Marty in their bed.

“Dan…just what are you trying to say?” Allie’s hand settled on his chest. His heart thumped wildly under her palm.

“I want what you do. Don’t be afraid to tell me what you want.” His hands slid underneath her shirt, spreading a trail of warmth over her skin. “My heart is big enough, and so is yours. I know you love me, and I love you. We’ve got love to share. It’s been buried, or brushed aside for too damn long. What a fool I’ve been. Life’s too short. Screw all the money.” Dan took her lips again, his kiss searing through her. Dan tugged at the waistband of her jeans, pulling them and her panties down. Allie’s head spun. Seeing Dan’s lust for her was like taking a drug she’d never ingested. This effect she was having on him was something Allie hadn’t seen in a very long time.
Had real life gotten in the way of their love?

“I already told Brent I needed to be home, that they have to get the younger guys out there to do the traveling.” His words were muffled as he wrestled with her clothes, his mouth buried between her breasts. Allie reached for his belt. His hand caught hers, his fingers holding hers.

“No.” His eyes burned into her. “This is your ride.” Dan lifted her, setting her on top of the island. He eased her down, the marble cool on her back. She was naked, sprawled across her kitchen island.
This was all so crazy. They hadn’t done something like this in, like, forever.
Dan yanked off his shirt, turning to grab one of the stools. He sat down, taking her feet in his hands.

“And what a ride it will be.” His words were a guttural groan.

Allie stared up at the ceiling. Her heart pounded. A fevered rush barreled through her veins. Dan set the heels of her feet on the edge of the counter. His soft hands slid down her inner thighs, gently spreading her. Allie let her legs fall open under his guiding hands. He bent her knees further, pushing on her shins. Her pussy pulsated. The thought of Dan’s soft mouth and tongue had her itching with expectancy. She wiggled her hips, her body on the brink.

“I’m right here, honey.” Dan’s light breaths blew over her heated folds. Allie gasped at the feel of his anointed fingers as they slipped inside her. Her body short-circuited. She let the fever sweep over her. Her scent rose into the air, her body liquidating. A whine leaked out of her mouth when the tip of his tongue swept through the creases of her pussy.

“Oh Dan.” Her lungs burned for air. Dan always had such a skilled softness, something she didn’t realize she’d missed. His mouth pressed into her, his tongue flicking her clit, probing her slit delicately.

“I love you Allie.” His words were a pressured whisper. His lips suckled her clit. Dan’s hands slid under her ass as his tongue lapped and teased. Her legs twitched. An exquisite pressure began to build. Her hands gripped the edges of the counter, her body unable to hang on. Allie tilted her head back, her back bowing. The counter dug into her shoulders, making the experience all the more delicious. Allie yelped, her voice a ringing shrill through the kitchen.

“Oh God…I’m coming!” Her hips bucked. Dan tightened his grip on her legs, his tongue a relentless, thrashing machine. Her body went rigid as her orgasm plowed through her.

* * * *

Dan moved the stool to the other edge of the island and sat down, stroking her hair. Allie was still sprawled across the island, her body limp like a rag doll. They stared into each other’s eyes. Dan’s hoarsened words filled the quiet afterglow air.

“You know what would be really hot?” Dan’s eyes still blazed with a hunger that Allie thought had been lost forever.

“What?” She reached for him, pulling him down for a kiss. His lips brushed over hers, moving to her ear. His words ignited the flames all over again.

“I’d love to do that again, and while I’m doing it, I’d like to see Marty’s cock between those beautiful lips of yours.”

“Dan!” Allie’s mouth dropped open, her body frozen in shock.

It was a different side of him. Had Dan buried his own wants and desires? Had he also battled an empty, aching void? Though she acted on hers, had Dan always wanted an open arrangement, or had Marty’s presence changed everything between them.

“You just think about it, sweetheart.” Dan’s mouth latched onto her breast, his tongue laving across her nipple. Her eyes roamed across the ceiling, her body humming, her thoughts reeling.

Epilogue

One week later

“Allie, you have to come see this! These fish are amazing!” Dan yelled, standing up in the pristine turquoise water. He pushed the goggles above his eyes, squinting at her. They’d arrived in Antigua a week ago.

The police had come over one more time to talk to her and Marty. Their investigation had revealed that the men who were filming and producing the pornography were selling it to several upper-level politicians, and then blackmailing them. They were also involved in a drug ring that had led to several arrests. Tess had started using drugs while making the films, becoming addicted. The men who owned the production company had also extorted money from her. All the information she’d collected to use to her advantage had put her in danger, leading to her assault.

This opened up a huge scandal. Tess certainly had been good at making an entrance, now her exit was just as memorable.

Allie tried to talk to Marty before they left, but Marty wouldn’t budge. He told her not to worry and to enjoy her vacation. Dan had molted into another man, a free spirit. An uninhibited candidness was oozing out of him. He had broken free from the reins of his job, embracing her and their life together. During their first few days together, Allie would catch him staring at her, his mouth breaking into a mischievous grin, as if he knew a secret.

Allie knew that she’d allowed her anger and jealousy over Tess’s behavior to interfere with her relationship with Dan. The root of Allie’s anger had been over Tess’s mission to remold Marty to suit her own needs. Marty had been a great guy from the start. Tess was never interested in him for what he was. What had happened over the summer seemed to strengthen her relationship with Dan. All was not lost.

Allie did miss Marty. He’d helped her and Dan to recognize certain things, things that were really important in one’s life. Money, objects, and prestige do not meet your needs. Often by the time people figure this out, it’s too late, and their lives are filled with regrets. Tess had fallen into that trap, endlessly searching for something to complete her. Her mission had failed miserably.

Thank God they found out in time. Marty moving in next door had certainly changed the dynamics of their small neighborhood. His presence had uncovered many truths. Allie also learned that she needed to be an effective communicator. Instead of burying things, she would now go straight to Dan. Since he’d come home they’d done nothing but talk.

“Allie, are you coming in?” Dan was waving her toward the serene, blue water, his smile wide like an excited young boy.

Allie got up off the lounge chair, her feet sinking into the hot, soft sand.

“I’m coming,” she called. The yellow sun glared off the water, penetrating the skin on her shoulders with a rejuvenating heat. Frothy coils of water rolled over her feet. Dan swam toward her, his arms slipping around her waist.

“God, it’s so beautiful here.” His wet skin slid against hers.

“It is paradise.”

“It looks like paradise just got a bit better.” Dan’s eyes flashed. “Look over there.” He pointed to the shore. Allie turned, squinting against the rays of the sun.

There was a man walking along the beach, carrying a pair of sandals, a navy blue bandanna wrapped around his head. Allie felt the sand sink beneath her feet. She cupped her eyes to get a better look, the breath catching in her chest. Marty waved to them both. Her head spun around, meeting Dan’s smile.

“What’re you up to?” She laughed nervously. Her skin pimpled as a shiver moved through her body.

“I’m up to no good,” Dan laughed. “But don’t you worry. Everything’s gonna be fine, great in fact.” His finger glided along the wet skin of her arm. You’ll see.” He held her face, kissing her slowly, his tongue lingering in her mouth. He released her, his eyes dark.

“I know you love him, too.” His hand lowered into the water. Dan’s fingers wandered between her legs, his thumb pressing into her pussy. His touch bled through the crotch of her suit, awakening her. “Please just tell me. I know you’re afraid, but it’s gonna be okay. I’ll make it all good, I promise.”

“I love you both.” Allie’s voice hushed. The words that she’d feared most had Dan’s hand grabbing hers and placing it on his cock.

“We do, too, more than I think you know, especially that guy who’s standing on the shore.” Dan’s eyes darted to Marty.

“But…” Allie’s stomach rolled over. Thoughts of her and Marty together over the summer gnawed at her mind. Could she be with both Dan and Marty? Could this work?