Three Is Just Enough (5 page)

Tara sighed and tossed her fork into her plate with a satisfying clatter. “What’s wrong with you two tonight? You’re never this quiet.”

Dalton shrugged and looked even more uncomfortable when Tara tried to catch his gaze. She turned to Cole, locked his gaze and his mouth twitched a couple of times before he blurted out. “Dalton and I had sex today and he’s freaked about it.”

“Cole!” Dalton yelled.

“Cole.” Tara said.

“Well, fuck.”

Dalton started. “I told you not to say anything until I was ready. What are you doing?”

“If you’ve screwed up our friendship with Dalton, I swear to God you’re never going to hear the end of it,” Tara said.

“Holy crap. It already fuckin’ happened. It wasn’t planned, but we need to talk about it,” Cole said. He turned to Tara. “You know I can’t keep secrets. I couldn’t hide it if I wanted to. We just need to talk it through. So, sorry fuckin’ me if I didn’t do everything right.”

Tara put her hands over her face and sighed through her fingers. Just one quiet night, just one. She turned and rested her hand on Dalton’s thigh and squeezed lightly. She was a little surprised, and honestly a little pleased, to find that Dalton was hard and his cock had snaked down the leg of his pants. She grinned to herself, but moved her hand lower. Dalton’s face was already so red it looked like it might combust.

“How are you feeling about all this? It’s a lot to take in,” Tara said.

Dalton nodded. “Yeah, it is. But Cole and I talked, and some things make more sense now. I guess I must be bi—” he looked at Cole, who nodded. “—But I think I’m toward the
likes girls
side because there have only been a few guys I thought were sexy. Cole’s the first one I’ve been attracted to and understood what was going on.”

“Well” Tara said, “This isn’t something we’ve done before. We’ve talked about it a lot and both of us think the relationship, and sex, would be amazing. But we haven’t found anyone.” Her gaze met Dalton’s. “We like you, Dalton, and don’t want our relationship messed up. If you aren’t interested, that’s okay. We don’t want you to feel like you’re being pressured. And I’m not upset you and Cole had sex.” She winked at him. “Although I wish I could have been in on the action.”

“Really?” Dalton couldn’t help but blurt out.

“Yeah, really. I can’t think of anything hotter than making out with two guys who are into each other, too.” Truthfully, the idea of seeing the two of them together had Tara wet and throbbing. She’d get the details from Cole later. That part was certainly true—Cole couldn’t keep a secret.

Tara considered them for a minute, wanting to comfort Dalton, but knowing he needed to know more than what Cole had probably explained. “Okay, I think we need to make sure you understand what kind of relationship we’re talking about, and what it’s not. First, it’s not you being the odd man out with our pairing. What we want is an equal relationship. We all care for each other. That doesn’t mean any time we’re intimate it has to be all three of us. You and Cole may have higher sex drives than I do, or sometimes one of us might not be around, so there will be times it’s just two of us. But everyone is always welcome. If you’re the jealous type, this might not be for you,” Tara sighed, “That’s the main thing. We don’t want anyone feeling bad. Or guilty. Or anything like that.” A goofy grin slid onto her face. “It’s free love, man.”

Dalton and Cole chuckled, then Dalton looked at the couple. “I need to think about it. I’m not sure. You said you’ve never tried this kind of arrangement—you might not like it, either.”

“No, you’re right.” This time she met each of their gazes with a firm eye. “But until you decide, no more hanky-panky. Okay?”

“Yeah, that’s only fair,” Dalton said.

She turned to Cole. “And you, no walking in on Dalton in the shower
by accident
or any stuff like that. You’ve been dropping not-so-subtle hints since before he even moved in.”

Cole had the good grace to look sheepish and nod. “Yeah, you’re right. No more trolling for Dalton.”

“Good.” She smiled, happy that things were working out. Tara thought for a minute to see if she’d overlooked anything. With a smile she turned to Dalton. “One last thing, Cole’s always horny. Like four or five times a day horny. I’m happy to share the wealth if you decide to join us.”

They all began to laugh, Cole the loudest of all.

* * * *

Cole sat at the table with biology books spread in every direction, struggling to stay calm when what he wanted to do was ask Dalton what he’d decided. Not knowing was killing Cole. Tara had her drawing supplies and fabric samples arranged over one of the overstuffed chairs, and Dalton was reading a history of architecture textbook that must be duller than dirt because Dalton looked up about every thirty seconds.
I wish he’d make up his mind. Tara said if I ask, it’d be a long time before I ever have sex with anyone again. But damn! It’s been three days.

Cole glanced up when Dalton laid his book on the floor and uncurled from the chair. He smiled, taking his time.

Come on! Say it!

Dalton looked from one of them to the other, and smiled.

That’s a good sign?

“I’ve been thinking about what we talked about Saturday. You know, with the three of us being a couple.” Dalton shrugged and then grinned. “So I’ve been looking around and reading up on it. Like you said, it could be a tough relationship. But I don’t think I’m the jealous type. And I already like you both a lot.

Dalton took in a deep breath. “I’d like to give it a try.”

Tara squealed and Cole thought he’d pop as the good news flooded him. They both descended on Dalton and hugged him tight. Once Tara stepped back, Cole kissed Dalton on the cheek and hauled him out of the chair.

“Cole, what are you doing?” asked Tara.

Cole looked at her for a minute before answering in a deflated voice. “Not going to the bedroom to have mind blowing sex with my two favorite people. That’s what.”

Dalton chuckled and Tara smiled at Cole. “Let’s have a date night Saturday. We can save Saturday night as our night. We don’t have to have sex, but just spend time together. How’s that sound?”

“But we can have sex, sometimes, right?” asked Cole.

Dalton patted his back and grinned. “I think that sounds like a fantastic idea.”

* * * *

Dalton put the rack of ribs on the table. Tonight’s meal had cost him a fortune. But since this was their first date night ever, he wanted to make it unforgettable. He’d made spareribs, which everyone loved, and several vegetable dishes Tara would eat to keep both of them happy. He’d expected help with the preparation, but Cole had been called into work for a few hours. The grounds crew was preparing for a massive snowstorm forecast early Monday morning. But most of the food had come from their weekly trip to the farmer’s market.

The market had become a way the trio stretched their food budget. They’d gotten to know some of the venders and were learning what was in season, and less expensive. Tonight the new dish was oven-roasted brussel sprouts. He and Cole were working to find what Tara liked. She was definitely the most particular about her food of the three of them. Her idea of edible veggies went more along the lines of mashed potatoes, corn and…ice cream.

In spite of all the failures, they kept plugging away to find something. The pressure of being responsible for the entire meal played on Dalton’s nerves until his hands began to tremble. Tara had left several hours ago on errands of her own, but promised she’d be back before Cole got home. Dalton sighed and dropped onto the couch. Everything was ready. He’d already showered twice to make certain he was as clean as possible.

A familiar banging of boots on the porch sounded just before Cole burst through the door. “Damn, I’m exhausted.”

Dalton’s heart sank.
Our first date night’s going to be a dud.
He gathered his already shredded nerves and bolstered his attitude. “Go shower. Dinner’s almost ready. Tara should be here any minute.”

Cole glanced over the table and at the piles of pots, racks and pans strewn across the kitchen. He cradled Dalton’s face and kissed him softly. “Relax. It’ll be fun, regardless of what happens. I’ll go clean up so I’m all glittery for tonight.”

Dalton chuckled at the idea of Cole’s huge body coated with glitter. “I know. Go wash up—by the time you finish off the rack of ribs I made you’ll feel better.”

“Yum. Ribs sound delicious. I already have more pep in my pepper.”

Dalton laughed, spun Cole and swatted his ass before pushing him toward the shower. “Go. Wash off the stink.”

Cole disappeared down the hallway but Dalton could still smell the strong scent of his roommate’s sweaty body.
Damn. Even his stink makes me horny. I’m not going to last long if I don’t calm down.

The shower started and Dalton knew Cole would be out in a few minutes. Hopefully Tara would make it before Cole finished washing up, or there might not be much food left. He had the ribs on the table when Tara burst in with a pair of bulging plain bags. “Hey, is Cole home?”

“He’s in the shower. He’ll be out pretty quick though.”

“Cool! I’ll be right back to help.” Tara trotted to the bedroom with her purchases. But good to her word, she was back in a couple of minutes. As Tara walked away from him, Dalton admired the pair of barely there shorts that Tara had changed into. The sight of her luscious ass made his dick throb. He spotted Cole coming down the hall and his cock jumped again. Cole’s clothes, or lack of, were as provocative as Tara’s. The pair of white compression shorts he was wearing left little to the imagination, but the cropped football jersey framed his deliciously thick treasure trail in a way that had Dalton’s stomach doing flip flops.

They sat down for dinner and the tension melted from Dalton. The evening waas filled with grins and laughter from the trio. The sexual pheromones wafted through the air, surrounding them with the initial foreplay of their upcoming evening. Dalton was hard and anxious long before the meal was complete. He and Cole had gulped down their food, then sat staring at Tara.

“Boys,” Tara sighed, “I am not rushing my meal because the two of you are horny. You might as well relax and enjoy this wonderful meal Dalton put together.” She smiled at each of them. “Consider dinner to be mental foreplay.”

Dalton grinned and refilled his plate. “But we want foreplay, foreplay.”

Cole frowned for a moment, then rolled his eyes and grinned as he added more ribs to his plate. “To hell with foreplay. I want sex.”

Dalton and Tara chuckled. She leaned over and kissed Cole on the cheek. “Soon enough. No need to rush.”

With a more leisurely pace forced on them, the guys relaxed, but they both kept a close watch on Tara as she finished her meal. When she swallowed the last bite from her plate, she looked at Dalton. “So, what’s for dessert?”

“Oh, holy shit. Come on,” Cole said.

Tara chuckled and pushed away from the table. “Okay, maybe we can have dessert afterward.”

Cole leapt to his feet and sprinted down the hallway. Dalton struggled to stay calm, but his cock trying to poke its way through his shorts said otherwise. He did manage to walk with Tara into the bedroom. They entered the room to find Cole kneeling on the king-size bed with a huge grin plastered across his face. Dalton looked hesitantly between the two of them, unsure how to begin. Tara took his hand and led him to the bed. She knelt and pulled Dalton tight for a kiss.

“Relax and tell us what you like. Cole and I are pretty open,” Tara said.

Dalton swallowed hard, his head spinning with apprehension and anticipation. Tara pressed her lips against his. The heat of the kiss traveled through Dalton’s body as it continued for several long moments as the fireworks of her kiss shot off again and again. Dalton had let a load build up for several days for tonight’s fun. Just as he thought it couldn’t get better, another set of lips kissed down his neck. The scent of the two combined in a haze that left Dalton hard and throbbing.

Cole’s lips joined theirs and soon they were sharing a wet three-way kiss. A thick hand slid under his shirt, the work roughened fingers gliding over Dalton’s back. At the same time, Tara slid her hands up the front of his shirt to run her fingernails over his nipples.

“Oh, god. That feels so good.”

Dalton felt both sets of hands pull his shirt over his head. The cloth had barely cleared his head before Cole’s lips were urgently pressed against his. The fire of Cole’s kiss added to the rising level of Dalton’s elation. When Tara moved behind him to run her hands up his chest and tease his nipples, Dalton doubted it could get much better.

He focused on the increasingly passionate kisses from Cole. The day’s growth of scruff that Cole had left rubbed against Dalton in a way that was primal and exciting. Even through the sharp tang of soap, Dalton caught the scent of Cole’s earthy masculinity, and his cock throbbed in response. Remembering it wasn’t only he and Cole this time, Dalton paused with indecision.

Tara’s hand slid over his shoulder and she planted a kiss on the back of Dalton’s neck. Whispering in his ear, Tara said, “You okay? We can stop if the whole thing gets to be too much, or if you just need a minute.”

Dalton nodded and ran his hands over Cole’s chest. “Can I take off your shirt?”

“Oh, hell yes!” Cole moved closer and grinned at Dalton. “Enjoy.”

Dalton pushed Cole’s shirt upward until it bunched under his arms. The sight of hair running across Cole’s chest to join into a thick dark line traveling downward made Dalton’s body tremble. Tara slid her hands across his body. She leaned in and murmured into his ear. “Cole wants you to play with him, too. Don’t worry that he won’t like it.”

Dalton ran his hands over Cole’s chest, letting the hair trickle between his fingers. His lust broke down his reservations until Dalton was pressing his face against Cole. He inhaled deeply. His cock jumped as the scent of Cole’s masculine body rolled through him and the fire of lust inside burned hotter. Dalton surrendered himself when Cole’s hand grasp the back of his head and pulled his face into his darkly haired armpit.