Their Proposition (2 page)

“You know damn well what I meant, woman,” Pete said with

an agitated sigh.

“Yeah, I know, but I’m not interested,” she said, quickly

turning her head, for fear he’d call her bluff.

“Why are you in denial?” Too late. Pete moved so he was right in front of her. “Do you have to make everything so difficult?”

“Don’t you have work to do?” she shot back, placing her hands on her hips. Pete’s face was stern, and his eyes narrowed.

He wanted to say something smart, but he held back.

Scratching his head, he sighed throwing back his shoulders. “Listen, I need an admin in New Jersey.”

A spark ignited in her loins at the thought of the three of them alone.

“Come on, you’ll enjoy the trip.” Pete crossed his arms over his broad chest. “We had a blast in Vegas last year—let’s have some fun in Jersey.” He frowned. “Maybe, in a few months, we all can go to the Bahamas.”

“Not interested,” she said quickly. Why was she being a fool again? Goose bumps erupted on her flesh as she found herself gasping for air. She even felt their strong gazes upon her. “And could you lower your voices? There are other people in the office,”

she huffed.

Nick peeked into the next room and sat down across from her cubicle. “No one can hear us. We’re not talking that loud, doll.”

“You haven’t even heard my offer, and you didn’t answer my

question,” Pete said, almost smiling.

“What offer?” Melanie filed more folders away before looking at them both. She observed Nick sitting across from her, pretending to fiddle with his BlackBerry. She would have believed he was busy with emails if it wasn’t for the smirk etched onto his handsome face.

“Come to lunch with us, and we’ll explain in more detail,” Pete insisted. His gaze captured her, causing her pulse to quicken.

Already, she was wishing she’d brought an extra pair of panties to work.

There was something magnetizing about the blonde’s lust-filled gaze that forced her to stop what she was doing. “We’ll make it worth your while,” he murmured, almost rendering her speechless.

“How so?” she asked, cocking her head to the side. “Do I get a raise or something? I sure as hell could use one, but I’m not under either of you.”

“Come to Jersey. You’ll be under both of us, like old times,”

Pete said in a husky voice. Those words turned her into a quivering pile of jelly. “We’ll be staying at The Borgata. You won’t have to spend a dime, of course, and all your expenses will be paid, and—”

“So, the company will be paying my way?” She wanted more

details. “I know the conference starts Friday, ends Wednesday,” she said, looking at her desk calendar.

“No, we’ll both pay, of course.”

She gasped. Now Ferguson had her full attention. The Borgata in Jersey was no joke. They’d had a ton of fun at The Bellagio in Vegas. When they were stuck in meetings all day, they’d given her money so she could till she dropped. She’d often found herself alone in the plush hotel, but so what? She found other ways of occupying her time—that was until both men returned. She smiled at the memory.

Against her better judgment, she let the men take her to

lunch. Old feelings stirred in the pit of her stomach, her throat became parched. She’d called things off, but now, they were trying to rekindle something she’d wished had died when she’d dismissed them.

The three walked to Pete’s black Lexus. She was shocked when he opened the passenger side. “You sit up front with me,” Pete said, motioning her to climb in. Nick chuckled as he climbed in the back.

A strange sensation fell over her. She knew what these two wanted, and she was determined to make them work for it. With a toss of her braids, she climbed into the truck and situated herself in the leather seat.

Sushi Haven wasn’t too far, and was one of the best places in the area. The popular restaurant sat beside the lake next to Columbia mall. Now, it was less crowded.

“Table for three?” the hostess asked as she sauntered over to them. Nick nodded, and the woman guided them to a small booth next to the window with a breathtaking view of the lake.

Melanie exhaled as she slid into the booth. When Pete sat

beside her, it seemed like someone turned the temperature in the room up a few notches. She looked over at Nick, who held her beneath his scrutinizing gaze.

“Finally, we can talk business,” Pete said, clasping his hands together.

“All right, spill it,” she demanded, glancing at both men.

“Nick—” Pete motioned for his dark-haired companion to

explain.

“Well, I’m just gonna break it down to you like this, honey.

There’s one hell of a connection between us, and we want you back,” Nick said with a grin.

“What are you talking about?” she asked, shifting in her seat.

She knew what the fine-ass Italian meant, but she wanted them to say it aloud. No way in hell she’d let on that she felt the same.

“You know damned well—” Pete’s face became beet red.

“No, Pete, allow me.” Nick smiled as his liquid green eyes

sparkled. “I think what my buddy is saying is, we both share a mutual interest in you.” The Italian pointed at her. “And we’d like to set up a monetary agreement.”

“Monetary agreement?” Melanie crossed her arms when a

waitress came over, taking their drink order.

“Ladies first,” Pete said.

“I’ll just take a large cranberry, no ice,” she said with a sigh.

She was eager to get back to the conversation, because now, her interest had been piqued. She patiently waited until the guys ordered their drinks.

“First things first. Next weekend is the conference. This

weekend, I think the three of us need to get reacquainted—and see if we still mesh.” She watched his Adam’s apple move as he continued talking. “I promise, there won’t be any arguments between us.”

“Agreed,” Nick added. “I’m interested to see how the three of us will get along after all these months.” He stroked his goatee in a way that made her hot all over. “People change, Melanie. Let’s hang out at the Harbor, we’ll take you to Schuyler’s, or McCormick’s & Schmicks, and then go back to Pete’s place.”

“Just come on out and ask her, man,” the big blond insisted impatiently.

“Ask me what?” Melanie demanded. They had something up

their sleeves—she could feel it. Both men fixed their gazes on her, making her squirm. They specialized in making her wiggle in her seat, and they loved it, she knew. She was an open book, and they read every damned page.

“Well,” Nick said nervously, while scratching his head. “We both decided we’d pay you for your time.”

“What!” she exclaimed, capturing the attention of several

passersby. “You’ll pay me?” Bile formed in the back of her throat.

She wasn’t sure if she should knee Nick in the balls with her high heels, or connect her elbow with Pete’s temple, or just leave both their asses in the restaurant. They’d done it now, the bastards.

“Yeah, you know, a no-strings-attached kind of thing,” Pete said in a low voice. “Nothing more, nothing less.”

Melanie blinked several times. Hurt brewed in her chest. Did they really think of her as a lowly prostitute? Just then, she had to smack herself back into reality. Had she misjudged them in their relationship, cutting them loose in error? What the hell. After all, if they wanted her body, then why shouldn’t they pay? She silently chastised herself for even admitting the feeling she’d experienced for them was love.

“Do I have to give an answer now?” she asked, as

disappointment singed her insides. “I mean—”She closed her eyes and shook her head. Once again, things were becoming difficult.

She opened her eyes. They both held solemn looks on their faces. “I don’t think I can do this again,” she insisted. Now, her heart was heavy. “There’s a ton of women in the company—I’m sure you two clowns can find someone else to take my place.” She hated to admit it, but a pang of jealousy reared its ugly head at the thought.

Pete gently placed a finger beneath her chin, forcing her to look at him. “That’s the dilemma, sweets. We don’t want anyone else, if you can believe that,” he said with snort.

“Bullshit!” Melanie said, pushing his hand away. “You guys are lame. What do you take me for, an idiot?”

“No, of course not! We’ve been with other women since we’ve been apart, but somehow, it’s just not the same,” Nick admitted, despite Pete’s frozen look. “I mean—I’m all for good sex, but—”

Pete cleared his throat and arched a brow. Immediately, Nick grew silent. He smiled nervously beneath her interrogating gaze.

Something was definitely up.

”Oh, bullshit!” she exclaimed. His words echoed inside her

head, “Nothing more, nothing less.” “You both are a couple of jerks, and furthermore—”

Pete rudely interrupted. “Yeah, yeah, yeah! Who was the one who called things off?” he said, looking at her with intense eyes.

“I—”

“Uh uh,” Pete said, holding up a hand. “Don’t deny the fact that you still want to be with us. See, Melanie, you’re always doing that. Why can’t you own up to the truth?”

Uh-oh—they were calling her bluff. Were they ganging up on her or something? “What the hell made you knuckleheads think I still want the both of you?” She’d hope they didn’t see right through her. She had to sport this tough facade, just to protect her heart.

“By the way you look at us,” Nick said, reaching across the table to grasp her hand. “I’d take you right now, if I could,” he said in a low voice.

She closed her eyes at his familiar touch. As much as she

wanted to, she could no longer deny the powerful feelings they held over her. She just wished they felt the same, but it was all physical to them. Why was it possible for her to be in love with both men?

She knew this was just their way of passing the time, until they found someone else they clicked with. So, why not take them up on their stupid monetary offer? Another lucky woman would. Melanie shuddered as Pete’s hand crept into her lap, and began stroking her thigh.

“Don’t do that,” she murmured. She truly didn’t mean what

she said, and the blond knew it. He slipped his hand on her leg, inching her dress up.

“Umm,” he murmured. “Come over tonight, and we’ll treat you to some Chinese,” he said. His blue eyes had softened and were now filled with lust. His breathing intensified, and his grip tightened on her thigh. She looked over at Nick, who had the same lust-filled look in his green eyes, and she swooned. An electric-like aura graced them, and she parted her lips.

“Ahem.” All three jumped at the sound of the waitress clearing her throat. “Shrimp tempura, Beef teriyaki, and sashimi,” she said, holding a large tray in her tiny hands.

“Yes, thank you,” Nick said, clearing his throat. His face had turned three shades of red. Once the waitress delivered their food, the conversation continued.

“I don’t know about this,” she said with a laugh. She was

excited, but deep down, something told her this experience would probably blow up in her face if she wasn’t careful.

“You know you miss us?” Pete said, arching a blond brow. “It’s been awhile, and I want things they way they used to be,” he scowled.

“Ditto,” Nick replied, before stuffing his face with sushi. “Plus, he can’t stop talking about you,” he continued.

“Shut the fuck up, Nick,” Pete said in a low voice. “You’ve got a big fucking mouth, man.”

She studied them both. There was something they weren’t

telling.

“See what I’ve gotta put up with?” Nick joked.

Melanie intervened. “This is how arguments always started

between you two, and then, I’m dragged into the middle. Been there, done that!” she insisted and looked at them both. Now she was playing hard to get. “I mean, if you two can’t act like men, then I don’t want anything else to do with you.”

“Fine,” Pete said, glancing at Nick with a cold stare. “We can manage. But, I have a request for tonight.”

Melanie frowned. “Tonight? I didn’t say anything about

tonight, remember?”

“Okay, okay, what about Friday?” Nick insisted, holding his hands up. “Tomorrow night, we’ll come by your house and pick you up. I’ll drive. We’ll go out, eat, have a nice time, and come back to one of our places,” the handsome Italian said with a boyish grin.

“It’ll be a blast!”

“Okay, dammit!” Her cheeks flushed. If it wasn’t for her mocha-colored skin, they’d known she was blushing.

Truthfully, she was ecstatic, and could relate to what they were talking about. She’d dated other men, but they always fell short of her expectations. Nick and Pete knew her likes, dislikes, exactly where to touch her, how to make her feel, mentally, as well as physically. For her, it was all or nothing. She’d rather not have sex at all than to have it and be disappointed. Everyone else seemed like robots. There was no warmth and no feeling in their caresses.

Plus, no others jumpstarted her heart the way they could. Was it possible that these two men were her soul mates?

“So, you’ll go out with us?” Nick asked with a smile.

She couldn’t help but get a kick out of his twinkling green eyes. By his facial expression, she’d made his day. It was so hard to believe this man, who was a die-hard executive, was like putty in her hands—or was she putty in theirs? Well, Pete wasn’t so much like putty, but more the master while she was the submissive. She turned to see Pete scowling. He was definitely keeping a secret, but what?

“What’s wrong with you?” Melanie asked, before taking a bite of her food.

“Nothing,” the blond mumbled. His hand shot to her thigh and he squeezed. “Make sure you get plenty of rest.” He glared at her with intense blue eyes. “You’re gonna need it tomorrow night.”