Scandalous (11 page)

Shit, he was mad. More angry than he’d felt…ever. Yeah, he
and Brandon had arguments. Yeah shit got to him and drove him to blow. But this—this
felt like a betrayal.

Brandon had taken Lex back to her apartment and most likely
fucked her all night long. They were probably naked and in bed right at this
very moment.

Fuming, Eric jerked the keys out of the ignition and climbed
out of the car, slamming the door with a satisfying
thunk
. He strode
toward Alexa’s apartment building, thankful he remembered exactly where she
lived, and he went to the door. Knocked on it loudly. Hell, he pounded on it.
Her neighbors in the entire building probably heard him.

He didn’t give a shit. He needed to confront them and get
this over with.

It took awhile and another knock on the door but finally it
opened. Alexa stood before him, disheveled and barefoot, clad in a silky cream-colored
robe that hit her mid thigh. Looking as if she had just been thoroughly fucked.

Which she probably had.

“Eric.” She visibly swallowed and tried to turn on a bright
smile. It didn’t work. “Come in.” She opened the door wider.

He stepped inside without a word, his mouth tight, his throat
clogged with furious emotion. Glancing about the room, he looked for some sort
of evidence of Brandon within but didn’t find any.

The bastard was probably still asleep in bed.

“Where is he?” he asked through clenched teeth.

She jerked the ties of her robe tight. “Let me explain
first.”

“There’s nothing to explain. You two came here last night
and fucked. Without me.” He started down the hall. “Is he in the bedroom? Tell
me, Alexa, did you two even think about me last night? What I might be
thinking? How I might feel about all of this?”

“Eric, wait.” She ran after him, her small hand wrapping
about his forearm, but he shrugged her off. Threw open the one closed door to
find Brandon lying in bed just as he thought he would be, the pale yellow sheet
draped about his waist. Hair a mess, chest bare, expression startled. As if he
was the last person he expected to see.

“Eric,” Brandon said carefully as he moved to get out of
bed. “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask the same of you, but I’d have to be blind not
to figure it out,” Eric spat. Brandon froze where he was. God, had he ever felt
so wronged before? As he did at this very moment?

“Listen, we need to talk,” Brandon started to say, but Eric
cut him off.

“I really don’t think there’s anything left to say. You’re
all cozy in Alexa’s bed and she looks like she just climbed out of it. You guys
didn’t even call me last night. I had no idea where you were.” Damn it, he
didn’t mean to sound like a whiny baby, but he’d been worried and angry and
frustrated.

He still felt that way. Alexa stood by the door watching him
with sad eyes. Brandon looked ready to jump out of bed but most likely didn’t
want to since he was naked beneath the sheets.

“I’m so sorry, Eric. It was just so late and I thought about
calling you…” Alexa trailed off, a little frown appearing on her face.

“But you didn’t. No big deal. I know where I stand. It’s
clear how you two feel about me.” He turned to leave but Alexa stopped him,
resting a hand upon his shoulder.

“Eric.” The pleading tone in her voice, the questioning
light in her dark eyes, it made him pause. She looked as if she almost cared.
And damn it, he thought she did. He thought they shared a connection, something
deeper than just friends. He thought he was falling in love with her.

“We need to talk,” Brandon said from the bed. “All three of
us.”

“There’s nothing to say.” Eric reluctantly pulled away from
her hold, shooting a glare over his shoulder in Brandon’s direction. “You need
to move out your stuff. I don’t want you in my apartment any longer.”

Brandon’s mouth dropped open. “That’s it? That’s all you’ve
got to say? You’re kicking me out because of this?”

“We didn’t mean to hurt you, Eric,” Alexa said, her voice
low, her gaze cast downward.

“Yeah well too fucking late for that because it hurts—more
than I care to admit. And it’s over, Brandon. Between all three of us.” Without
another word he left, exiting the apartment before Brandon or Alexa could try
and stop him.

He needed to be alone. With his thoughts, muddling over what
he told Brandon. He meant every word he said. He was done with this. Neither
Brandon’s heart nor head had been in their relationship for months and with the
addition of Alexa, Brandon had become even more distant.

It didn’t help his confusion over Alexa and his feelings for
her. Whereas before Eric thought he could never find himself falling for a
woman, now he wasn’t so sure. But was it only Alexa? Or was it the thrill of
discovering a woman’s body? Hell, the thrill of discovering that his options
were wide open, that it didn’t matter what sex a person was? That he could find
pleasure with both a man and a woman?

He was angry and hurt like he’d never been in his life,
angry at them but more than anything, he was angry at himself.

In some hidden part of him, he’d predicted this outcome. Had
expected this shit to happen just as it played out.

In some inexplicable way, Eric had let it go this far.

Had he set himself up for utter heartache?

Time and distance could only tell.

And more than anything, at this very moment, he needed
plenty of distance. From the both of them.

Chapter Eleven

Alexa knocked on the door and waited patiently for an
answer. She hadn’t gathered her courage and come all this way just to turn
around and give up.

She was going to make Eric talk to them if it was the last
thing she did.

“I don’t think he’s going to answer,” Brandon murmured close
to her ear. He was reluctant too. She could practically feel the vibes radiate
off his big body. He didn’t want to do this. Would rather pretend it was good
and over and they all went off on their merry way.

She couldn’t let that happen. She needed the proper closure
with Eric. Felt that Brandon needed it too.

Finally the door swung open, a very irritated looking Eric
standing there glaring at them. “What do you two want?”

“He doesn’t want to see us. Let’s get out of here, Lexi,”
Brandon said, wrapping his fingers around her arm and giving her a tug.

“No.” She shrugged out of his grip and pushed her way past
Eric. “We need to talk to you.”

“What else is there to talk about?” Eric asked as they
barged inside. He slowly closed the door then leaned against it. “You should’ve
at least called first.”

“What so you can turn us away? I don’t think so.” Alexa
stopped in the middle of the room and crossed her arms in front of her. “How
are you? Really?”

Eric shuffled his feet, clearly uncomfortable with their
presence. He wouldn’t even look in Brandon’s direction. “I’m fine.
Really.
So
stop worrying about me and feeling guilty over what happened.”

Alexa threw her arms up into the air and growled in
frustration. “We hurt you, Eric. I can’t help but feel guilty. I’m trying to
reach out to you and all you want to do is push me away.”

“Because I don’t need this. I don’t need either of you.”
Eric pushed himself from the door and began to pace the short living room.
“Yeah, I was hurt, I’ll admit it. And I’ve missed both of you like hell. But
damn it, it won’t work out like this.”

Alexa watched him, her heart aching at the frustration in
his voice. How she’d missed him. It had been two weeks. Two long weeks since
the moment at her apartment when he found them together. Brandon had told her
to let it go and they should move on. They’d spent every moment together since
it happened. He’d gone to his apartment and emptied it out one afternoon when
Eric was at work and hadn’t left her place since.

She didn’t mind. She wanted to be with Brandon. What they
shared was…indescribable.

“It won’t work like what?” She knew what his answer would
be. She just needed to hear him say it.

“All three of us, together. Damn it, Lex, I thought I was in
love with you.”

“And now you’re not?”

He stopped his pacing and slowly shook his head. “I love you
like a friend, I’ll always love you, but not…like that. I can’t interfere in
what you two share.”

She took a step toward him. “I love you too, Eric. But
you’re right. We’re better off as friends. Not that I regret what we shared
because I don’t. Really I don’t.”

“What about me?”

Alexa turned to find Brandon glaring at the both of them,
his eyes dark, his expression…hurt. Surprising. “What about you?”

“He tells you he loves you, and you love him back. What
about me? What about what we shared, Eric? Damn it, I thought what we had was
good.”

“It was. At first,” Eric agreed, shaking his head. “It fell
apart a few months ago. You know this. And with Lex in the picture well, I
couldn’t compete.”

“But she doesn’t love me,” he muttered. “Not like she loves
you.”

“Oh my God, we’re all being complete idiots.” She went to
Brandon and looped her arms around his neck. “I love Eric but just as a friend.
I’m
in
love with you.”

Brandon’s eyes widened, and he dipped his head, his forehead
pressed against hers as he slipped his arms around her waist. “Really?”

“Yes, you dumbass so tell her you love her back,” Eric
called from behind them.

Brandon shot him a murderous glare before he kissed her,
stealing her breath, her very soul with his beckoning lips. “I love you,” he
murmured once he broke the kiss.

“So you two came over to confess your love for each other in
front of me?” Eric rolled his eyes. “That’s just great.”

Alexa withdrew from Brandon’s embrace and went to Eric,
wrapping her arms around him and giving him a quick, fierce hug. “I came here
asking for your forgiveness.”

Curling his hands about her shoulders, he gently pushed her
away so he could look into her eyes. “You always had it. I just had to be alone
for a bit. Lick my wounds.”

Tears misted her eyes as she stared into his beloved face.
“You’re being so grown up about this. I don’t even know what to say.”

“Well, I’ve been going to therapy for over a year so the
extra visits the last couple of weeks have made me realize a few things.”

Laughing, she shook her head. “Like what?”

“Like I’ve always been looking for something I can’t seem to
find. Acceptance. Love. Real love. I’m so busy trying to make the other person
happy that I forget about myself.”

“Eric…” Brandon started, but Eric quieted him with a held up
hand. “It’s not all your fault, Brandon. I have a huge part in this. I need to
focus on myself.”

“What if I—” Alexa glanced from Brandon to Eric and back to
Brandon again. “What if I said I wanted to be with the two of you one more
time? Just for something to remember it by?”

She waited quietly for their answer, nerves making her
stomach jump. Would Brandon hate her for such a suggestion? Would Eric kick
them both out and demand to never see them again?

They both looked at her, their gazes searching, Brandon’s
expression solemn. She wondered if she overstepped. How could she resist asking
for both of them just one more time?

“Are you sure?” Brandon asked, his voice low, just for her
ears.

Alexa nodded. “Only if you want to.”

“I want to make you happy.” He leaned in and dropped a
gentle kiss upon her lips. “And I’m not about to deny you this.”

She smiled. “You’ll benefit too you know.”

With a smile, Brandon glanced in Eric’s direction.“I’m up
for it. If you are,” he said, resting a hand upon her shoulder. A united front.

Eric laughed and shook his head. “You two are crazy.”

“You can’t deny the sex was good between the three of us,”
Brandon pointed out.

“No, I can’t deny that.” Eric sobered. “But nothing between
the two of us, Brandon. I can’t… I can’t go there right now. Let’s just share
Lex. One more time. Then she’s yours.”

“Brandon?” She looked behind her at the man who she loved
more than anything. Waiting for his permission. She belonged to him now, and
she wasn’t about to overstep and offer herself when he didn’t want to share.

“One more time,” Brandon agreed quietly.

They moved together for a group hug, arms looping around
each other and Alexa in the middle. She closed her eyes, one arm around each of
their shoulders, savoring the feeling of their broad chests pressing into her.
She hated that they hurt Eric and they had to end things like this but he was
right. It wouldn’t work, the three of them together permanently.

But it was working between her and Brandon. She was so
thankful for what they shared, his understanding, his utter kindness. The way
he made her feel cherished, as if he never wanted anyone else but her.

He was man enough to share her one more time with Eric. She
couldn’t love him more for that gesture.

They headed toward the bedroom, Brandon shedding his clothes
as he walked down the hall until he entered the room in just his underwear.
Taking his cue, Eric removed his clothing as well, baring himself completely
and settling on top of the bed, fist wrapped around his already erect cock. He
smiled at Alexa, and she glanced in Brandon’s direction, as if asking her
permission.

Brandon gave her a slight nod, ran his hand down the front
of his underwear. His cock strained against the fabric, already eager to join
in on the action but he wanted Eric to have his moment first.

“Take off your clothes, Lex,” Eric urged, lust making his
voice strained. He slowly stroked his cock as he watched her strip, and she
played it up. Tugging her shirt off in a suggestive manner, she revealed her
skin bit by bit. Her breasts clad in pale pink lace, hard rosy nipples poking
against the thin fabric.

Brandon moved behind her and flicked the clasp and the strap
parted, falling loose. Casting him a quick smile over her shoulder, she drew
the bra off and flung it to the ground. Then she slipped out of her jeans and
panties until she, too, stood naked and proud, her entire body quivering in
anticipation.

“Show Eric how much you missed him, babe,” Brandon murmured
when he moved in close behind her. Gently he cupped her smooth ass and gave her
a push. “Crawl onto the bed and suck his cock.”

Eric groaned at his words, groaned louder when Lexi crawled
onto the bed on all fours and crept toward him until her head was just above
his cock. She leaned in and kissed him hungrily on his mouth before she dropped
back to her task at hand.

Brandon shucked his underwear as she bent over and drew her
tongue down the length of Eric’s twitching cock. Another groan filled the room,
this time his own as he watched her spread legs, her pert ass waving in the
air. He caught a glimpse of her creamy pink depths, and he couldn’t resist. He
touched her there, a gentle rub of two fingers, and she wagged her ass at him.
A muffled moan escaping her since her mouth was full of Eric’s cock.

“Do you mind?” Brandon glanced in Eric’s direction, and Eric
shook his head.

“We’re sharing her,” he said on a rasp. “She’s yours man.
You can do to her what you want.”

Climbing onto the bed on his knees, he pushed one finger
inside her clenching heat, then two. Slowly thrust them in and out until he had
her moving with him, her ass nudging against his fingers, sliding them deeper and
deeper until she was panting around Eric’s cock.

“Suck him good, Lexi,” Brandon urged as he continued to
finger fuck her. “Make him come down your throat.”

“Jesus, Brandon,” Eric muttered, already caught up in the
moment.

“I’m going to fuck her,” Brandon declared to no one in
particular. He slipped on a condom from the stash in the bedside table. Wrapped
his hands around her slender hips and pushed inside her, filling her completely
with one sure thrust.

“Oh God,” she whimpered as she came up for breath. Her head
was thrown back as he carefully fucked her, keeping his thrusts quick and
shallow, teasing her into a frenzy. It wasn’t difficult. Things always worked
into a frenzy when they were together.

“Feel good?” Brandon smoothed his hands over her ass, wrapping
his hands about her hips and increasing his pace.

“So good,” she murmured just before she took Eric’s cock
into her mouth once more.

Brandon watched his cock slide in and out of her body, his
length glistening from her juices. Heard the slurping noises she made as she
sucked Eric’s cock deep into her mouth, the agonized moans coming from Eric
with his every thrust.

Glancing up, he caught Eric staring at him, his eyes glazed,
his face coated with a sheen of sweat. He flashed him a crooked smile, it felt
just like old times and Brandon wished he could fuck him. Just so he could
experience it one more time.

“Harder, Brandon,” she suddenly said, drawing his attention
back to her. He increased his pace, slamming into her, the hard slap of their
sweat-slicked flesh filling the room. Eric closed his eyes and threw his head
back, a low moan sounding from deep within him as Alexa resumed sucking him
deep.

Brandon stiffened, his hands clenched her hips so hard he
was sure to leave a mark. His belly tensed, he felt the rush of semen go
straight up his cock and then he was coming, shuddering above her body as he
shouted a curse. Watched as Alexa moved off of Eric, her pussy clenching tight
around Brandon’s cock as her orgasm took over her. Her fist slid up and down
Eric’s cock furiously, come shooting out the top and dripping all over her
fingers.

“Jesus,” Brandon said when he finally came down off his
high. He started to laugh at the decadent sight before him. Eric slumped
against the headboard, his body coated with sweat. Alexa in a naked heap,
collapsed on his lap, Brandon’s softening cock still inside her delectable
body.

“That was fucking amazing,” Eric muttered.

Brandon withdrew from Alexa’s body reluctantly. “I’ll say.”

“I’m tired,” Alexa said as she rolled over on her side, her
hand draped across Eric’s thigh. She smiled up at Brandon. “I need a nap.”

“Baby, it’s only just begun.” He smiled in return and
climbed out of bed, disposing of the condom. “I want to fuck you again. The
both of us inside you—together. What do you say?”

They’d rarely done it, the both of them buried deep inside
Alexa. There were so many other interesting positions to find themselves in
that they’d only fucked her at the same time a couple of times.

But if this was going to be it then Brandon wanted to be
buried inside her pussy while Eric took her ass. That way he could feel close
to both of them.

“Just give me a few minutes,” she murmured sleepily as her
eyes slid closed.

Eric looked at him. “I’m game.”

Brandon grinned. “Just the answer I want to hear.”

“I think she really needs that nap though.”

“I wouldn’t mind a little rest myself.” Brandon settled
himself on the bed on the other side of Alexa who already seemed dead to the
world. Reaching across her, he rested a hand on Eric’s shoulder and gave him a
firm, quick squeeze. “I’m glad we talked, Eric.”

“I am too,” Eric confessed quietly.

“I’m sorry it ended the way it did.” Brandon swallowed hard,
needing to get this off his chest. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”