Love Triangle
Yeah, I know this category is weird, but it was a weak moment resulting in giving into my curiosity. The asterisk next to it on the list indicates it’s an imagination-required one, and I just really want to know how this plays out.
Which is how I ended up on a couch in a bar with Isaac. He’s so freaking normal it feels like a regular date—one where I could actually see us having a second and third. Actually having a goodnight kiss. And in a couple of dates, making it past second base.
“And when the guy walks up, he’s trying to tell me that I have to do it. I have to bolt the awning where he told me to. If I don’t, I’m going to ruin the entire design for the owner, and I’ll lose my job,” Isaac says.
His sandy hair and brown eyes have me captivated. He’s so warm and inviting. And pretty well built.
“How… how did he expect you to bolt metal to a window? That doesn’t work,” I say and laugh.
Shaking his head, he leans back. “Architects. He actually came back and told me that it worked with his program, so it will work here.”
“His program thought you could drill and bolt a metal awning to a glass window with no issues?”
“I guess. And because the program is apparently God, it was supposed to magically work in the real world. I asked him to bolt something to glass for me to see how it works since I’m clearly the stupid one. Any window. Just bolt something to it and show me how dumb I am.”
I gasp and drop my jaw. “He didn’t, did he?”
“Oh, he did. And the owner lost his mind. Of course, he picked a window that was specially treated and had a unique cut-out. Really expensive, and it went about as well as you can imagine.”
“What did he say? You had to tell the owner why he did it, right?”
A bright smile spreads across Isaac’s face, and I’m enthralled by his storytelling. His body language is so relaxed and inviting, and I honestly forget we met for a Love Triangle date.
“Oh, yeah. After the yelling stopped, I explained the situation. When I told him I needed the architect to show me how to do this because I was stupid, and his program is gospel, the owner called him a moron who had more student debt than brains and common sense combined.”
“How’d he respond?”
“Tried to blame me, of course. That I should have explained better. But the owner took over and said that if someone has to explain why metal can’t be drilled and bolted to glass, then he should re-evaluate his career choices… and maybe some life decisions while he’s at it.”
“That’s amazing.”
Leaning in, Isaac tucks my hair behind my ear, and I could melt right here. It’s such a small gesture, but it’s one of those little things I love so much. The best parts of the greatest love stories.
His lips graze mine, sending sparks I haven’t felt since Decker’s kiss. Not as good as Decker but definitely a great kisser, and I deepen it. Our tongues dance, his whiskey mixing with my vodka, and his hand cups my face.
The kiss is so good that it almost has me considering letting it lead to wherever it may lead. Like to his bed.
Almost.
His kiss makes me push Decker to the back of my mind, and his calloused hands scrape at my skin, making goosebumps appear and spread down my neck.
“You’re a great kisser,” he whispers in my ear before his lips touch my neck.
“You’re not bad yourself,” I tease, tilting my head to give him better access.
His tongue trails along my skin, and I have to remind myself—twice—that we’re still in a bar. Surrounded by people. Otherwise, I might be tempted to undress right here on this couch.
How can a kiss completely dull all my other senses? I feel the bass of the music in my chest, in sync with my heartbeat, but I don’t hear it. All I hear is my own pulse, sending blood to all the wrong place and away from my brain.
“Holly?”
“Yes?” My voice comes out breathless as he finally pulls back.
I’m basically putty in his hands, and if he asks me to leave with him, I doubt I’ll say anything but yes.
“I’d like to introduce you to someone.”
Shit. I completely forgot what this date was.
“This is Ana. Ana, this is Holly.”
The blonde smiles warmly, throwing me off. Shouldn’t she hate me? Scowl? At least glare?
“She’s perfect, Isaac.”
Perfect? “For what?” I ask, looking between them.
“To join us,” he says, his voice low and husky.
And suddenly, the blood rushes back to my brain, even as his hand caresses my thigh and toys with the edge of my panties under my skirt. “To… join you?”
Ana slides in beside me, her hand on my other thigh, toying in the same way Isaac is. “You’re gorgeous.”
“Th-thank you?”
He cups my cheek again, thumb brushing my skin, sliding down to my collarbone. It feels good—too good—until Anna’s hand slips between my legs and brushes my sensitive area.
Eyes wide, I push their hands off me. “Oh, you want me to join you… in… That’s… that’s not what I signed up for.”
“Damn it,” Isaac sighs. “We were really hoping you’d be open to entering our relationship with us.”
“Relationship?”
“We’re poly,” Ana says, tugging her top lower to flash more cleavage as though it’ll sweeten the deal for me. “We’re looking for a third.”
What. The. Hell?
“There’s a poly category in the app,” I point out, my brain struggling to catch up.
“Yeah, but it’s only couples looking for other couples right now. There are no singles looking to join a couple—and we’re particular. You’re exactly what we’re looking for,” Isaac says. “I get it might be a bit too much too soon.”
Ana nods. “I agree. Presumptuous, maybe?”
“It’s… something,” I manage, the s dragging like a snake hiss as I jump to my feet.
“Why don’t we start simple?” Isaac suggests and stands.
He wraps an arm around my shoulders, caressing my cheek again. This time, his touch does nothing but make my skin crawl.
“What would that be?” I ask, keeping my body rigid.
“Come home with us. We’ll show you how great it can be.”
“We’re very attentive lovers,” Ana adds, taking my hand and running her long nails along my arm.
Pulling myself away, I shake my head. “Yeah, that’s a hard no. Super great that you two know what you like, but I’m… not into that. Threesomes aren’t on my bucket list, and I’m fine keeping it that way. So… bye.”
I grab my purse and head for the door. This isn’t working. None of this is working. And even when it looks like it could, it fails me.
“Fuck,” I groan as I step into the night air.