Page 59 of Double Dare

“Fuck, Lake. You have no idea.” He wraps an arm around me. “I realized something while you were gone, though.”

“Yeah? What?”

“If you aren’t here to distract my dick, it gets hard around Gar. Every. Fucking. Time.”

I laugh against his chest. “He is a sexy bitch, isn’t he? I missed him. I talked to him more than I talked to you guys. I’m half-ass worried about this new girl he’s got.”

“Same,” Jed agrees. “Something isn’t right with her. And he’s…hiding.”

“His sexuality?”

“Maybe. But more just like…himself. She doesn’t know the real him, and I don’t like that he settled for her.” I’ve had long and in-depth talks with Gar about his sexuality, but none of those details are Jed’s business. “I just love him and want to keep an eye on him.”

“We will.” Jed smacks my ass. “Climb on and ride me. I’m ready, but my legs are tired.”

I straddle him, not to ride him, but to admire him. “You’ve earned some lazy love.”

The morning starts with a quickie. It’s nothing like last night. This was all about connection, sensuality and understanding, and the shower that takes place after is even more intimate. I love that he missed me, and hearing it so often is making my heart happy. Jed has come so far from that cocky asshole who ran from his feelings and drowned them in a bottle of whiskey.

“Eat,” he says, sliding a plate of weird breakfast things across the island at our cabin. He has half a bagel on there, a single, overcooked egg, and an attempt at a fruit salad. Love it. “You’re going to need your energy for later.”

“For what?” I take a bite of the bagel.

“Kade.” Jed smirks.

I watch him, really studying his expression and his body language. If this is really going to take a step to the next level, I want to make sure we’re all on the same page instead of just saying we’re on the same page. His smirk is genuine, his shoulders are relaxed, and the look in his eyes suggests more excitement than anything. I’m guessing they had a chat about it while I was gone because the night seemed oddly planned, and even today seems to have an agenda. When I don’t say anything, he squints those green eyes at me.

“You still want this, right? Both of us?”

“I do. You’re still on board?”

“Fuck, more than I ever thought I’d be. I’m fucking in this shit, Lakes. Done feeling weird about it,” he laughs. “I just think you guys are entitled to some alone time too, you know? We got a lot of time alone, and you two deserve the same. We can fuck around and learn shit after that? Kinky shit, Laken. Like really kinky shit.” There’s that grin again.

“Really? You’re done with the hesitations and overthinking? Be honest with me, Jed.”

“No, I’m not done with the overthinking. I’m done hesitating, though. This is our reality, love. You love us and we love you.”

“We could get hurt,” I remind him. “We could all hurt each other.”

He leans over the counter. “We always run that risk. Even just me and you. You scared?”

“A little,” I admit. “Navigating a two-person relationship is hard sometimes, so I’m sure a three-person one will be harder.”

Jed walks around the island to sit on the stool beside me. “Yeah, shit’s gonna be hard, and we’re gonna fuck it up a lot. But if I claim you all to myself, that only hurts you and Kade. I’m just…my head is wrapped around this now. It feels…right to me. We’re all a bit fucked up, but let’s just roll with it. As long as it’s still something you want.”

Fuck, I love him. “It is. I love you.”

“You might not love me when you learn all the dirty shit I’ve been cooking up in my head,” he laughs. “We got drunk and talked about it, and trust me, if you think my mind is dirty, wait until you hear his.”

Oh, I’m well aware. I grin, forking fruit into my mouth. “Oh god.”

“God won’t protect you, love. You signed up for this, so you take the brunt of the punishment.” He tucks my hair back. “Maeve is off today, so Kade is at the shop until later. Let’s go to Mom and Dad’s. Everyone is dying to see you like you're the second coming of Christ.”

“I am the second coming,” I taunt. “And I’m going to see Gar later, too.”

“Don’t talk about Gar when my dick is already hard but too tired to fuck,” he groans.

I sip the coffee and face my plate. “You Dare boys and Gar.”