Worried, he turned to Thomas. “What happened?”
Thomas motioned Tyler out to the garage. Tyler smiled when Thomas finished the story. “I think we’re on schedule for the party this weekend.”
Thomas crossed his arms and looked at the floor. “I guess.”
“What’s the matter?”
He finally met Tyler’s eyes. “If you hadn’t called when you—”
“Stop.” Tyler put his arms around his lover’s waist. “Look at me.”
Thomas finally did.
“Don’t feel guilty.”
“But what if—”
“Shh. No ‘what ifs.’” Tyler’s eyes locked onto his. “It’s all right.”
“I shouldn’t have—”
Tyler kissed him, cutting off his protests, holding him until Thomas finally responded. When Tyler knew he had his full attention again, he smiled.
“She referred to us as ‘her boys!’ Don’t lose the forest for the trees. Saturday we will finally get to show her how we feel and believe me, you will forget any guilt you have right now.”
“Are you sure we shouldn’t just tell her how we feel? Let’s get it over with.”
“It’s a brilliant plan, and she’ll absolutely love it. It’s only a few more days. You want everything to be perfect, don’t you?”
Thomas nodded. “I’ll be more careful. I promise.”
Tyler hugged him then stepped away. “I know, sweet.”
Chapter 15
Late Friday afternoon, Nevvie curled on the couch, watching a horror movie marathon on TV. Tyler returned from a shopping trip to St. Pete and slipped in through the garage door, bag in hand.
“Did you get it?” Thomas whispered.
Tyler waved him into their bedroom and let him peek at the last two items they needed to complete her costume.
“It’s perfect! Jesus, you think we can talk her into that?”
“Guaranteed. Let me do the talking though, lover boy.”
They waited until bedtime to spring their trap. Tyler took the lead. “What are you doing tomorrow evening, sweetheart?” She’d already declined their invitation to the party weeks ago, before recent events.
She shook her head. She looked listless, sad. “I’m staying home. You guys go and have a good time, really.”
She never insinuated herself into their plans. They practically begged her to go with them anywhere involving other people. Always happy to take off with the two of them, she was still nervous in settings such as parties. She’d also settled into a melancholy state and was quieter than normal. Now she’d had time to sit and think about the past, about the traumas to her psyche, and had reached a plateau not even the hottest night of cha cha cha-ing could cure.
Tyler knew the time had come, especially after last weekend and her trip with Thomas. Tyler had planned for over a month, sensing the subtle shift in her demeanor. She was equally comfortable with them. He’d noted the sadness in her eyes when she watched Thomas and him together, holding hands or talking quietly. Even with the two of them she felt alone. He knew they had the power to heal her of that.
If she’d let them.
He sat next to her on the couch. “Halloween is a time to let go, have fun.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll stay here and hand out candy to the little goblins.”
“Nonsense. You’re going with us to Pete and Eddie’s party.”
“I don’t have a costume.”
“We’ll take care of it.”
“Ty, you guys don’t have to—”
He laid a gentle finger on her lips. Thomas had slipped into the room and watched. “Do you trust us?” Tyler asked. Her eyes flicked to Thomas and she nodded.
“Will you give yourself to us for twenty-four hours? Let us show you a good time? Guaranteed to get you out of your funk.” His finger still gently rested on her lips and again she flicked her eyes to Thomas’ playful smile.
She nodded again.
Tyler pressed forward. “Tomorrow afternoon, we will dress you in a fabulous costume. Then we will take you out and show you the best time you ever had.” He moved his finger and kissed the end of her nose. “You promise? We get twenty-four hours of your time?”
“Okay.”
Both men grinned. “Excellent,” Tyler said. “Then as of four o’clock tomorrow you are all ours, right? Promise?”
“Yes, I promise.”
Tyler hugged her, breathing in the scent of her coconut shampoo. Damn, he loved that. “We love you, sweetheart. We promise to take good care of you.” He stood and Thomas leaned in for his good night hug, kissing the top of her head.
“Good night, Nev. We’ll see you in the morning.”
They waited until behind their closed bedroom door to do a silent happy dance.
Thomas fell into bed, a broad grin on his face. “You think she’ll go through with it?” he whispered.
“She has to. She promised. If she tries to renege I’ll use the sad puppy eyes.”
Thomas grabbed a pillow and laughed into it to muffle the sound. “Jesus, she’s a goner.” He looked at Tyler. “Do you manipulate me like that?”
Tyler undressed. “Of course not.” He looked at Thomas and grinned.
“You shit! When?”
“I’m kidding. We have to gently break down her defenses. If we rush her we could lose her forever. Just because she’s willing with one of us doesn’t mean she’ll automatically be open to a threesome.”
Thomas closed his eyes. “That would break my heart, man. I love her.”
Tyler slid into bed and Thomas put his arms around him. “As do I.” He looked at Thomas. “We have to go slow. She lets me lead her on the dance floor. I have no reason to believe she won’t let me lead her into this as well.”
“I trust you.” He kissed Tyler. “I saw a great ring the other day. It would look beautiful on her.”
“That’s putting the cart before the horse.”
“Do you think she’ll go for it?”
“She wants to be submissive to us. You saw how she was. But only if she trusts.”
“Remind me never to complain about those college psychology books you kept.”
“Paying off now, aren’t they?”
“Damn straight.” He trailed his fingers across Tyler’s shoulder. “We’re gonna need a bigger bed.”
“That’s the least of our concerns right now. Let’s get through tomorrow first.”
Tyler decided to play extra dirty the next morning. He cooked her favorite breakfast—French toast, scrambled eggs, and sausage—and took a mug of coffee in to her, made exactly the way she liked.
She’d left her bedroom door partially open, something she frequently did. Nevvie looked beautiful in one of Tom’s old T-shirts, the sheets twisted around her legs, her hair mussed and loose around her shoulders. He imagined what she’d look like dressed for the party and his cock throbbed between his legs.
Slowly, he thought. Don’t screw this up.
He sat on her bed and gently stroked her cheek. “Sweetheart,” he whispered, “breakfast is ready.”
She stirred and turned, throwing her arm over his thigh, cuddling close, not quite awake. He leaned over and kissed the nape of her neck, and she softly moaned in her sleep. He placed a tender hand on her shoulder.
“Nevvie, darling, breakfast is ready.”
Her eyes fluttered open, a brief second of startle reflex before a sleepy smile caressed her face. Tyler longed for the day they could take that pain from her soul once and for all.
“Hey, Ty,” she said, her voice still husky from sleep. “I had this great dream right before I woke up.”
“Yeah?” He imagined it had something to do with his kiss. “Coffee and food, love.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek.