The Irresistible Bundle (151 page)

"As a friend" Devon begins. I open my mouth but he holds his hand up stopping me. "Let me give you my observations and then you can respond if you still feel it necessary."

I find the nearest barstool sitting down ready to hear him out. Apparently he has more than one perspective on this and I'm not entirely sure if I'm going to like it.

"As a friend" he reiterates, "I can see the love shining in your eyes whenever you look at him. I know that's sappy as fuck to describe it that way but I genuinely see that you love Marco as much as Carina."

"As your employee" he emphasizes, "I see the reason why you're strictly professional with him while the club is open. You work together and you're an example for the rest of us. I get why you can greet the Troublemakers the way you do whenever they come to the club but limit your interactions with Marco like that while on the clock.

"With that being said... I also see the in-between times. I've been a bartender for so long that it's second nature to be attuned to people and details. I notice the subtle brushes when you pass him. Even I can feel the heat between you two when you watch him from a distance. But I think what that asshole was trying to communicate is the fact that you're so open and affectionate with Carina but you're quiet and careful around Marco. Under the estate roof you're no-holds-bar. I've never fooled around with a dude but I'm man enough to admit that's some hot as fuck shit when you and Marco don't hold back."

"What aren't you saying?" Because I know he's still holding something back. It's the very thing I'm trying to get at. I'm missing something vital.

"Shit" Devon mutters. He runs his hands over his face like this is the hardest part. "It's just that I've noticed the way Marco watches you when you aren't looking. I see the sadness in his eyes when you scoop Carina into your arms. He tries to play it off when he realizes that I catch him but it's happened more than once. I've noticed a few times when he's reached out for you but then pulled back. I don't know. Fuck. I really think you need to talk to him."

"I appreciate that Devon" I softly stop his rambling. "I needed to hear this. Thank you."

"I don't want to cause any issues" He grimaces as he looks away.

"You haven't and you're not" I assure him. "Even before that fucker said something Nic called me out on it. Apparently I need to be knocked around a few times before I notice things." I chuckle trying to play it off but I'm screaming inside. Am I that callous with Marco's feelings?

"Cool" Devon breathes a sigh of relief. "Should I tell Brody to have security looking out for that douchebag?" He's all back to business.

"Not yet" I rub my chin contemplating how I want to deal with Garrett. He thinks he has a chance. If I'm so secure in my relationship with Marco the fucker shouldn't even be a blimp on my radar. It isn't that I think Marco would leave me for him but I also need to ensure Marco's happy and fulfilled in this relationship. Garrett is a jackass and an ignorant fucker but he just may be able to help me see what I'm missing. "But I won't give him much leeway either."

"I'll tell Brody to keep his eyes open then" Devon knows what to expect from me. It's why I pay him well. He earns crazy tips but I don't want him getting any bright ideas. I want him happy with me so that even if he has an opportunity to open up his own place he'll choose to stay with us.

Don't hate... That's smart business.

I break out into a sweat as the phone rings for a third time. I don't want to leave a message but I will.

"Hello" her warm honey voice seeps right into me. From the moment I laid eyes on my Latin beauty I knew I was done for. On one of my busiest nights of the year I could barely focus on work. She captivated me a year ago and she still has me bewitched.

"Hey love" I take a deep breath unsure how I should present this to her. "Do you girls have plans tonight?" I ask although I know that Friday nights are usually dedicated to 'Girls Night'.

"Nah" She drawls. "I've got a bastard of a group project to work on and I have two tests to study for."

I nod my head although she can't see it. I fucking love how passionate she is about school. Carina and Desirae could quit school today and not ever worry about finding themselves a job. They would be guaranteed one between us and Nic for the rest of eternity.

"I'm gonna go out with Marco tonight" I inform her rather than ask. Before, I would've asked and invited her not thinking twice about being a fucking hypocrite. Because the fact of the matter is that I would've just gone on a date with Carina knowing that Marco was managing the club and merely inform him. I'd simply assume he was okay with me spending time with her not contemplating postponing it so that we all could go together. But that's exactly what I would've done, before, if Carina said she wanted to join us.

"It's about time you two do something together baby!" She playfully chides. Fuck even Carina's noticed but failed to say something. "Marco's been complaining about not having enough time to make it out to the shooting range. Oh! He even asked if we all wanted to have a paintball war at the estate!"

This is why I love this girl. Here I am contemplating if we should scout another club or just have an intimate dinner. When was the last time Marco and I did something fun without the others?

"Do you think it's lame if I take him to the estate's shooting range?"

"I think when you enter the gates he'll just assume you're going to the estate. It'll be a nice change of scenery. You can have the chef fix you something special in your private suite." She suggests like it isn't her man too that we're talking about.

"We'll miss having you there" I softly admit.

"You two need this" She quietly states. "Marco needs this. I love you baby but it isn't always fun being the favorite. Sometimes I just want to watch you loving on him."

"You think I treat you like the favorite?" I ask although I know the answer. Devon's observation was a perfect example. Have I ever just approached Marco with Carina right there and grabbed him first? How often do I step back so he can scoop her up and throw her on the bed? Have I ever gotten him a gift just because?

"I think you need to reassess some things" She timidly replies. "But if my gut is right I think you're doing just that and it starts with this date."

"I've worked really hard to ensure there's balance in our relationship. If I kiss you, I kiss him. I make sure you both come before I do." I feel the need to defend my actions.

"And there is" She amends quickly. "Neither of us has ever complained that you don't love us enough. If anything I feel like you sometimes over-think things. Just be. Just do. The rest will fall into place. We always work things out. There's three of us in this relationship."

"Relationships are hard enough" I grumble into the phone. Her laughter warms my chest. Carina isn't judgmental or resentful. She's accepting and flexible about our relationship. I'm still man enough to admit that without her I don't think I would've ever had the courage to take that next step with Marco. I was terrified of losing what we had. But in the end it hadn't been enough and Carina was observant enough to see it and brave enough to approach it head on.

"Exactly" She quips, "Which means that there will be different issues, concerns, and complications when it comes to
our
relationship. All we can do is be honest with each other and voice when something bothers us. If there's no communication there's no resolution. That can fester. It can ruin something beautiful that was built on a foundation of love and trust."

"When did you get so wise about relationships?" I can't help the smile in my voice. I know for a fact I would've never tried this kind of three-way relationship with a freshman in college if it hadn't been her specifically. Carina is an old soul. She sees the ways of the world and learns by observation. She doesn't always need to retain the lesson through a trying trial.

"I've had great role models and a phenomenal big brother" She proudly states; I have to agree with her. Ignacio and Yolanda are the kind of role models all couples should strive to be and Diego is one-of-a-kind.

"Now go get our man and love on him tonight" She instructs. "Give him a blowjob from me with some love and kisses in between."

I laugh unable to stop myself. There's my little pervert. Regardless how loving and committed she is, Carina has an insatiable sexual appetite that I have no problem trying to fulfill. "Will do love" I chuckle before we hang up.

Time to get our man...

~

"Where's Carina" Are the first words out of his mouth. I internally wince knowing he's asking more for my benefit than his. He loves Carina, as do I, but I didn't miss the excitement flashing in his eyes the moment he realized it'd just be us.

"She's got a group project to work on" I truthfully admit. "But I only know that because I called to give her a head's up that we wouldn't be available." He's been unusually quiet for most of the ride to the estate.

"So we're not working" He angles himself so that he can better look at me. He appreciatively eyes me from head to toe making me want to throw all my good intentions out the window and just take him straight up to our suite.

"Nope"

"Are we meeting up with Nic?"

I tighten my hands on the wheel. I can't be upset with him for automatically assuming that we're working or doing something with someone else. I've done this. Marco may not doubt that I love him. He may not complain but he certainly doesn't expect a lot from me. Fuck if that doesn't knock me down several notches.

"No" I sigh frustrated with myself.

Over a year.

We've been together for over a fucking year and Marco has somehow accepted that this is the best he'll ever get from me. And damn doesn't that suck ass.

"Okay" His eyebrows arch unsure how to respond to me.

"I have a surprise for you" I don't say anything more as the gates to the estate open for us. I pull the SUV up to valet. Marco unbuckles his seat belt. I grab his forearm preventing him from reaching for the door. "We're not going into
Hedonism
" I admit. "Just follow me, okay?"

Marco blinks a few times completely thrown by my evasiveness. He opens and closes his mouth a few times, probably to articulate something, but only manages to grunt before nodding his head. I step out waiting for him. He's dressed comfortably today in coffee-colored cargo pants, a navy long-sleeve Henley shirt, and outdoor boots. It beats my casual jeans and button-up long sleeve shirt.

"Your nervousness puts me at ease" Marco chuckles as he stops my hands from pulling on my shirt again. I feel slightly overdressed for what I want to do but I wanted to look nice for him. I told him to come casual yet I'm trying to pull off name brand shit.

"I want you to enjoy our day" I grumble into his shoulder as I lean into him. My thumbs hook into his belt loops, one of my favorite things to do. I don't know what it is about making that minimal amount of contact knowing he feels it right down to the bone.

"Already done" He nuzzles my neck. "Just being with you is enough" His lips tickle my skin causing me to shiver. "Now if we don't get moving I'll waylay any of your plans and drag you upstairs to our room."

I pull back smiling. Marco knows me so well. I speak via actions, touch, and looks; not so much through words. "Our ride's here, hop in" I motion to the XRT1550. Marco whistles at the ATV that looks like a tricked out golf cart but with the 4X4 capabilities to drive through rough terrain and carry equipment for the hunters and staff members on property. Nicholas doesn't permit vehicles to drive throughout the property; he prefers for valet to park the cars and for members and guests to use these beauties to get from one side of the property to the other. The XRTs are quiet enough that even the hunters use them to get around.

"Can I drive?" His eyes light up with excitement. He acts like such a kid sometimes.

"On our way back" I compromise. I slide into the driver's seat waving goodbye to the few valet attendants we know. Marco shifts in his seat making guesses as to where he thinks I'm taking him. We pass the stables, the golf range, the private cabins, and a large lake before I finally slow down.

"We've got the place all to ourselves" I quietly state as I park in front of the shooting range. Nicholas has two on property; one indoors and one outdoors. The outdoor range is on the opposite side of the property away from all the hunting trails and game. The indoor range is in a strategic location close to the paintball fields and rock climbing wall.

Marco squeezes my hand; his brilliant smile causes my stomach to flip. We walk into the building without saying a word. The Range Officer at the desk merely nods his head acknowledging us. There's no need to escort us anywhere since we know where everything is. We know the rules and code of conduct for the range. No one has to babysit us. It's one of the beautiful things about being beside Nicholas since the inception.

"Handgun or rifle" Marco asks as he eyes the selection of weapons.

"Let's start with a 9MM" I suggest. Knowing Marco he's going to want to go a few rounds with a rifle too.

"And we've got all this to ourselves?" He motions to the 10 empty stalls.

"Yep" I verify. "You choose where we should go." I don't let him know that I don't care much about shooting today. I just want to be with him.