18. Kane
Chapter eighteen
Kane
C arter’s office is beautiful. So much so, that I’m a little worried he’ll have to call in a cleaning crew after I leave, given that I’ve got dirt in every crack, crevice, and joint on my body. Perks of working outdoors.
I take a seat in the leather chair he gestures to, facing him over the expanse of his cherry wood desk. It’s framed by a massive window overlooking Katah Vista mountain. I suppose if you're not going to work outside, this view is the next best thing.
Wiping my sweaty palms on my shorts, I wait for him to finish his call.
Carter didn’t make me nervous the first time we met, but something about the antique desk between me and his commanding tone has my stomach in knots.
Or maybe it’s not the man himself but the fact I slept with his employee— my employee, twice now—that has me off kilter.
Not only that, I fucked him and his roommate at the same time.
Sexually depraved, thy name is Kane.
Only, what we did doesn’t feel depraved or dirty.
Just like the first time with each of them, they made me feel special.
Cherished. How that’s possible in the midst of something that seems like it should be taboo I have no idea, but there’s no doubt in my mind it’s true.
Blake was gentle and observant, reading and responding to my silent cues.
Jace was patient, yet commanding, providing the guidance and instruction that ensured all of us were satisfied.
Together they made the experience beautiful in spite of the forbidden nature of things, and it worked out so well I can honestly say my body wants more.
My heart, on the other hand, is hesitant.
I already caught a case of the feels for each of them the first time we were together, though I was rational enough not to dwell on it. I accepted that those were special moments not special beginnings, mainly because they couldn’t be the beginning of anything at the time.
Last night falls into the former category.
It was one night. One incredible, mind-blowing, perfect night, but ultimately just one.
If I keep it up, I could see it becoming the latter in my mind, which is a problem considering there’s two of them.
I can’t have a special beginning with two people. Right?
Of course, I can’t. That’s ridiculous. Does that mean I should stop this thing now before I develop feelings for both of them? Probably. Definitely. Will I? That’s…
“Sorry about that.” I jump when the receiver hits its cradle with a crack.
“The forest service wants to push back our opening date because of some bird migration. What birds in the air have to do with snow on the ground is beyond me, but they’re afraid the overlap would hurt the birds.
“If it’s not one thing…” Carter trails off, shaking his head with frustration.
“I’m sorry. Should I come back another time?” There’s nothing worse than meeting with someone who’s in a bad mood before you even start to speak.
“No, let’s hear the update on the bike park. I need some good news.”
That I can do. A relieved smile spreads across my face.
“I’ve got lots of that. The first trail, which we’ve nicknamed Grasshopper, is about twenty-five percent done.
It starts off with some nice switchbacks that weave down the steeper terrain at the top, a safer option than pointing the trail straight downhill, and it will finish with some long, rolling straightaways toward the bottom.
We’re on track to finish that by the end of the season as sort of a preview to what we’re bringing to the mountain. ”
“Good, good.” Carter nods, pausing so I can continue.
“We’re also making progress on the path for the trails we’ll be starting on next season.
The switchbacks turned out so well on Grasshopper that we’d like to duplicate them on a blue or even a black run, only with taller berms to accommodate higher speeds.
The goal will be to create a luge effect so bikers can ride the wall of the trail.
Closer to the base area, the trail will end in a series of jumps, rollers for the blue trails and table-tops for black. ”
“You’ll have clear signage to indicate which trails are which? I don’t want a green rider ending up on a black trail.” Carter’s tone is firm, leaving no doubt safety is his top priority. I respect that.
“Yes, sir. Plus, the trails won’t merge, so unless a rider cuts between trails there shouldn’t be any crossover where people end up on a route that’s too advanced for them.”
“Sounds like everything is on schedule. And what about you? How are you doing?” Though his eyes are gentle his stare is intense, setting me on edge.
He doesn’t… He couldn’t… There’s no way he could know, right?
“I’m…” I swallow under the weight of his gaze. “I’m doing well.”
“Have you met anyone yet or explored the town?” Though he can’t be too much older than me, Carter’s making me feel like a parent asking their kid if they've finished their homework .
“I went to Murphy’s?” It comes out like a question, causing blood to rush to my cheeks.
“Best fries in town.” Carter grins. I return it with a shy smile of my own.
“So, listen.” He leans forward, resting his forearms on the desk.
“It wasn’t that long ago I moved here and spent the first year holed up here in the resort, thinking I had too much work on my plate to do anything else.
I don’t want you to make my same mistake.
Make sure to get out and experience the town. There’s nowhere else like it.”
My heartbeat returns to normal with the realization that Carter’s only looking out for me, not speculating about my private life, and I give him a genuine smile. “I will. Promise.”
Scooting off the chair, I give him a lame wave then head several floors down to my office, where Blake’s waiting patiently in the chair next to my desk. Shit – somehow, I forgot I’d have to see him following... yeah.
I’ve never really had to do the morning after before.
Not one where there’s a gap in time. Usually—okay the two times it’s happened—I woke up with the other person, and we shared a hug or kiss goodbye.
What’s the protocol for waking up alone and going to work with the guy who watched someone else fuck me while I sucked him off?
Is there any way to do this without turning the color of a tomato, because red and pink don’t mix so well.
“Hey.” I stride past him and take a seat at my desk, casting him what I hope is a normal- ish smile. At least I think it is since he doesn’t point it out.
“How’d things go with Carter this morning? Is he happy with the progress so far?”
“Fine. Yeah.” My leg bounces uncontrollably under the desk though I plow forward since trying to stop it would only draw more attention.
“I explained how we marked the trails, went through the timeline. We talked about… What are you doing?” My eyes track Blake as he jumps up and strides toward the door.
“Giving us some privacy.” It clicks shut.
“What for?” My knee bounces faster, despite the fact I’m no longer fueling it with oxygen.
“So, you’ll relax.” He rounds the desk and kneels before me, resting a hand on my leg to keep it still as his hazel eyes search mine. “Please don’t freak out around me.”
“I can’t help it. I keep thinking about last night.”
“Do you regret it?” Now he’s the one holding his breath.
Images flash through my mind on a loop; warm hands, soft lips, breathless cries. And the sensation of being protected. Safe. How could I regret that?
“No.” I shake my head even as I feel blood rushing to my cheeks.
“Are you embarrassed?”
“A little.” I press my lips together and focus on the hand caressing my knee. I’m aroused, too, though I’ll keep that part to myself.
“Why?” he asks softly.
I’m tempted to make something up to protect what’s left of my dignity, but a tiny peek at Blake’s expression reveals curiosity and concern, not judgment, which has me re-thinking the need to deflect.
“Why?” he asks again.
“Because I liked it.” It’s easier to say that to his hand than his face, but it’s the truth.
Blake tips my chin up, so I’m forced to meet his eyes. “I liked it, too. More than I expected I would. So did Jace, although he never had any doubts. He’s more… experienced .” He offers an awkward shrug.
No surprise there—they did suggest it—but it’s nice to know all the same.
“Does that mean we keep doing this? The three of us all the time.” My gaze darts awkwardly between Blake’s face and the floor, the door, even the desk, as I wait for his answer. Will I ever be comfortable talking about this?
“It doesn’t have to be all the time.” His calm tone gives me the strength to meet his stare. “It can be you and I, or you and Jace if we aren’t all in the same place for some reason. But when we are together it’d be the three of us. Does that still work for you?”
My practical side sees only red flags, convinced this arrangement will result in one or more of us suffering a broken heart. My inner flamingo is telling me I’ve only just started flapping my wings and I should get ready to fly, which is a selfish but also much more satisfying argument.
This whole venture—new job, new town—was about getting out of the comfortable bubble I’ve been living in, so I might as well burst the damn thing instead of just poking a tiny hole in it, right?
“Look,” Blake exhales, “this isn’t where I saw things going with us, and I’d be lying if I said it feels natural to have a threesome. But I feel connected to you, and I know Jace does too, so I want to keep exploring it. I mean, if you want that.”
Taking a deep breath, I give Blake a decisive nod. “Yes.”
“Yeah?” A relieved smile stretches across his face. “Cool.” He leans forward, planting a soft kiss on my forehead. “Now let’s go build some trails. The sooner we get those done the sooner I get to ride them with you, and Jace says you’re pretty sexy on a bike.”
My heartbeat accelerates under his praise, and my inner flamingo revels like the badass he is.