Fallen For Three

Chapter 3

THREE

As I approachthe dark silver truck, Nate greets me with a friendly smile wearing a stylish, red flannel shirt that hangs open to reveal a crisp, white t-shirt underneath. Matching the shirt perfectly, he wears a pair of dark jeans that complements his rugged appearance. As I reach the door, he kindly holds it open for me. I thank him and climb inside, fastening my seat belt as he walks around the vehicle to the driver”s side. The engine roars to life as we begin the journey down the winding country roads, surrounded by beautiful scenery. Our first destination is my house. As we drive, I can’t help but feel peaceful in Nate”s company.

The crisp, early spring air rushes into the truck through the slightly open window, filling the cabin with its refreshing scent. I turn my head toward Nate and ask him with a curious expression, “So, about your time in the army…”

I observe Nate”s expression change abruptly as he tightens his grip on the truck”s steering wheel. It is evident that he does not feel comfortable discussing the matter. ”I think it”s better if we don”t talk about it right now. Not yet,” he says, his voice tinged with a hint of reluctance. “And I wouldn”t go ask Mike about it, either, baby.”

“Sorry if I came across as intrusive,” I say gently, my voice full of concern. Feeling slightly nervous, I twirl a strand of my hair around my finger, hoping to distract myself from any potential awkwardness.

Nate”s gaze briefly flickers towards me before returning to the road as he speaks with a measured tone. “It”s fine. I will tell you, just not yet.” The atmosphere inside the truck is subdued, the only sound being the faint hum of the engine. Nate reaches out to turn on the radio and the opening notes of Everybody Wants to Rule the World fills the air.

“I love this song,” I shout out.

As I glance towards Nate, he flashes me a quick smile and asks, “Are you a fan of eighties music?”

“I love eighties music. It”s odd, I wasn”t even born in the eighties,” I reply, bobbing my head to the music.

I gaze out of the windscreen, watching the passing scenery. I turn to Nate. “Question, what is your surname?” I ask, curious to know more about him.

Nate emits a brief, soft laugh, causing a slight upward curve on his lips.

“Greenman. I’m Nate Greenman.”

I give a slight nod of my head. “Well,” I reply, ”it”s nice to meet you. My name is Tessie Billings.”

“Oh, baby. I already know your surname.” His hand finds its way to my thigh, gripping it smoothly as he focuses on the road ahead.

“Of course you do...” I chuckle.

I gently place my hand on top of his, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine. Slowly, I begin to caress his hand, tracing the lines and curves of his hand with my fingertips.

“What about Mike? What is his surname?” I ask.

Nate can’t help but chuckle at the question. He replies, “You are a curious one today. Well, his name is Michael Chadderton, but everyone just calls him Mike. His surname sounds like a type of cheese.”

“No, it doesn”t.” I giggle.

It feels strange that I had allowed myself to become physically intimate with individuals I knew so little about.

We pull up to my house and Nate quickly exits the truck as he walks around to open the door for me. Stepping out of the car, I inhale the fresh air and notice the gentle breeze blowing through the trees. We make our way to the front door together and I fumble with my keys before finally unlocking it. As I push the door open, Nate steps in front of me and says, “Let me go in first, baby. Just in case.” His protective gesture elicits a sense of comfort and security within me. I follow closely behind him as we enter the house.

After a thorough examination, he turns to me, calm and collective, reassures me, “Everything looks good.”

“I”m not sure if all of this is really necessary,” I say as I make my way to the bedroom to change out of last night”s clothes.

Nate nonchalantly leans his shoulder against the doorframe as if he owns the place. He speaks calmly yet firmly, “We are only trying to protect you, baby.”

I carefully take off the vibrant, red blouse and black skirt, tossing them into my laundry hamper with a sigh. I turn towards my wardrobe and my eyes land on dark blue jeans and a crisp, white t-shirt. I quickly slip into the comfortable clothing, feeling the smooth fabric against my skin. I sense Nate”s gaze on me.

“Look, Cain is going to do some digging. Hopefully, we can find out who this second person is and then–”

I interrupt him. “Let me guess, kill them, too?”

As I approach the bedroom door, Nate suddenly blocks my path. He firmly grasps the side of the door frame, creating a barrier that prevents me from passing through.

He tilts his head down, bringing his face towards mine. With a hint of aggression, he asks, ”If we do, do you have a problem with it?”

I gaze toward him, my expression filled with worry and apprehension. “No, I just have never witnessed death until I watched Cain plunge a blade into Dan”s throat,” I confess, my voice barely above a whisper. The thought of it makes me uneasy and I can”t shake off the feeling of dread that accompanies it.

Nate wraps his arms around me in a warm embrace. His voice is soft and soothing as he whispers, “Don”t worry. Everything will be okay. You won”t have to witness anything like that again, baby.” The comfort of his hug and the reassurance in his words helps to calm my nerves, easing the tension in my body.

Nate releases me from his warm embrace and I approach the spare room. With each step, the sound of my footsteps echoes through the quiet house. I enter the room and feel the coolness of the air against my skin. I walk toward the bed, kneel down, reach under it, and retrieve a small suitcase. The suitcase is old and worn with scratches and scuff marks covering its surface.

“Let me take that,” Nate demands, taking the suitcase from me as he carries it into the bedroom and lays it on the bed.

I unzip the suitcase, take a deep breath, and start filling it with clothes, toiletries, electronics, and other essentials I will need.

Suddenly, the sound of my front door opening jolts me out of my thoughts. I look up at Nate and my heart starts pounding in my chest. He meets my gaze and places a finger to his lips, signaling me to remain silent. My eyes follow him as he slowly makes his way out of the bedroom, his footsteps barely audible as he treads cautiously toward the source of the noise.

A female voice breaks the silence. “Where is my daughter?” the voice echoes through the room. Without hesitating, I leap out of the bedroom and rush towards the sound. In front of me, I see my mother standing tall and poised. Her once dark brown hair has now been peppered with streaks of gray, but it still flows with grace. She is dressed in a floral blouse paired with sleek black trousers. However, her lipstick seems out of place, as it is too light for her complexion. Her face is full of confusion and concern.

“Mom,” I gasp.

My mother turns her head toward me then looks behind me. With a smile, she looks Nate up and down, admiring his appearance. “Who is this handsome man?” she asks, her voice filled with curiosity. A bit taken aback by the compliment, Nate scratches his head and gives an awkward smile.

“Uh,” I mumble. “This is Nate,” I answer.

Mom approaches Nate with confident strides and extends her hand towards him. Nate reciprocates the gesture by shaking her hand firmly. “Nice to meet you, uh…”

“Dawn,” my mom offers.

Nate finishes his sentence, “Nice to meet you, Dawn.”

“What is a handsome man like you doing with my Tessie...” My mom asks in a sarcastic tone.

I glance suspiciously at my mother. I retort to Nate in a low voice, “Be careful, Nate. You never know–she might make you husband number four.”

Mom chuckles then playfully flicks her hand toward me. Nate laughs awkwardly and mutters, “I”ll wait for you outside, Tessie.” He quickly makes his way out of the house, leaving us behind.

“What do you want, Mom?” I ask, crossing my arms.

“He seems nice. Anyway, I”m going away for a couple weeks. I would appreciate it if you could keep an eye on your brother. I have ensured that all his meals are taken care of and stored in the freezer. He simply needs to warm them up when he”s ready to eat,” my mom says.

I gaze toward her, a look of confusion etches across my face. The words escape my lips before I can even comprehend their meaning. “But you”ve only been back from holiday for barely a month. Besides, he’s a strong, independent nineteen-year-old. Why do you need me to check up on him?”

My mother turns on her heels, her hair swaying gracefully behind her, as she confidently strides toward the front door.

“Just keep an eye on him. I don”t want the police called again for him smoking pot outside the house. Also, don”t give him money. He will only buy drugs.”

I follow her to the door and let out a sigh.

“Fine. Oh, by the way, Nan”s birthday is soon. Maybe we should call or visit her? It has been years,” I say.

As my mom opens the front door, she looks at me sternly and utters, “That woman wants no part in our lives. She was never there to lend a hand,” my mother says, opening the front door.

I nod in agreement, hoping to quickly escort her off the property. Following her footsteps, I glimpse at Nate standing by the porch, a cigarette in his hand. He notices us and waves goodbye to my mother before taking another drag, the smoke swirling around him in the cool air.

I stand on the porch and watch my mom walk down the driveway toward her car.

Nate stands just off the porch beside me and offers a comforting smile. “You got everything?” he asks, breaking my train of thought. I nod and reply, “Yeah, I just need to grab my laptop and then we are good.”

Nate takes one final drag from his cigarette before extinguishing it under his boot. He steps into the house behind me, his footsteps echoing off the walls as he makes his way to the bedroom. Without hesitation, he reaches for the suitcase.

“Everything okay with your mom?” Nate asks as we both walk to the front door.

“Yeah, she just wants me to check in on my brother while she is away.”

We leave the house and I take one last glance around before locking the front door. Nate carries the suitcase, making his way to the truck. I follow him and climb into the passenger side as Nate gets behind the wheel and starts the engine.

“We need to stop in town to get some food and things,” Nate states.

“Oh yeah, I forgot,” I reply.

As we begin our journey to town, Nate gently places his hand on my thigh and looks at me curiously. “What”s the story with your mom?” he inquires.

As the truck speeds down the road, the wind rushes in through the open window, tugging at my hair. I avoid making eye contact, instead staring fixedly ahead through the windscreen. The topic of conversation is one that I loathe – my mother. “After my dad passed away, my mom became restless and seemed to look for someone to fill the void constantly. She has been married three times, but all of them have ended in a bitter divorce. She has a habit of prioritizing her partner over everything else in her life.”

Nate”s hand moves slowly up and down my thigh, his eyes filled with compassion as he speaks. “I”m sorry to hear about your father. How did he pass away? Or would you rather not talk about it?”

When it comes to discussing my dad”s death, I don”t feel particularly uncomfortable. It happened when I was still relatively young, and although it was undoubtedly a difficult time, I have since come to terms with it and have found a way to move forward.

“Heart attack. My mom always said his gambling habit caused it. Plus, smoking didn’t help, either.”

I hold Nate’s hand tightly. I can”t help but recall painful memories of how my dad would recklessly spend all his and my mom”s hard-earned money without a second thought about our basic needs, such as paying the rent. A memory from when I was ten shoots into my mind when my dad left me locked in the car for three hours while he went to the casino. It still haunts me.

“He was always chasing that big win, blinded by his addiction to gambling. He would even take time off work to spend time at the betting shops. He once left me in a car for hours while he went into a casino. He was supposed to take me to the doctor, I was off school, sick. I guess my mom was right; in the end, it was all too much for him.” I say, showing no emotion.

Nate gazes at me with a worried expression etched on his face, his eyes brimming with concern. “Oh, baby,” he whispers. “Let me pull over and hold you.”

“No. It’s fine. I’m over it now. Life goes on,” I quip.

I knew if he had hugged me at that moment, I would have shown emotion toward my dad’s death.

I didn”t want to.

As we drive into town,Nate pulls his mobile phone from his pocket and starts typing a message. I quickly glance at him before stepping out of the truck, taking in the sights and sounds of the busy streets around us.

Nate quickly jumps out and approaches me with a confident stride.

“Right, what are you thinking for dinner?” he asks.

My mind ponders for a moment.

“Umm. What about roast chicken?” I ask.

Nate”s head bobs up and down in a gesture of affirmation as we make our way towards the store, bracing ourselves for the hustle and bustle of the busy streets ahead.

We enter the store as the bright lights and neatly arranged shelves welcome us. We head straight to the food section, scanning through the colorful packages and fresh produce. We begin picking up the ingredients we need. Suddenly, when no one is around, Nate playfully slaps my ass and lets out a deep chuckle, making me smile and blush at the same time.

“You’re naughty.” I giggle.

Nate gently grabs my arm and pulls me closer. He plants a quick kiss on my cheek, his warm breath tickling my skin. With a soft whisper, he says, “Only for you, baby.”

Nate takes a step back and pivots, his gaze shifting to a shelf. Meanwhile, I shift my attention towards the window and catch a glimpse of someone who looks like Mike walking past.

I shake my head, dismissing the thought. I turn around to face Nate and begin filling our basket with fresh vegetables. We make our way to the checkout, quickly pay for our groceries, and exit the store.

We hop into the truck and begin our journey back to Nate”s place. We accelerate through the winding roads that cut through the vast countryside. Suddenly, Nate veers off the road and brings the truck to a halt in front of a lush and verdant forest. The sight of it is breathtaking with trees standing tall and proud, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze.

“I wanna show you something!” Nate suddenly exclaims, promptly jumping out of the truck. I am a bit confused. However, I follow suit and hop out of the truck as well, eager to see what he has in store for me.

As he grasps my hand, our feet start moving down the uneven path surrounded by the lush greenery of the forest. The crunching of the stones under our shoes accompanies the rustling of leaves as we venture deeper into the woods, hand in hand, with nothing but the sound of nature to keep us company.

“Where are we going? You have a forest behind your house, you know,” I say.

“I don’t have this behind mine,” Nate claims, pointing his finger in front of him.

I raise my gaze towards the lush green forest and my eyes are drawn to a breathtaking sight. The vast expanse of the forest floor is adorned with a carpet of stunning bluebell flowers. The vivid hue of their petals are mesmerizing and profound; I find myself awestruck by the sheer beauty of this natural wonder.

“Wow…” I breathe.

“It’s beautiful, isn”t it?”

Nate”s hand clasps mine tightly and guides me towards a vibrant patch of bluebell flowers. We find a cozy spot to rest and lower ourselves onto the soft ground.

Nate leans closer and his lips meet mine in a gentle, yet passionate kiss. Our eyes lock in a meaningful gaze and I feel a rush of emotions that leaves me momentarily speechless.

Nate holds me close with a comforting embrace, his arms feel warm and secure around me. “I can relate to the loss of your dad, Tessie. I know how it feels to lose a parent. My mother is practically gone,” he says softly with empathy.

I look at him, confused for a moment, and query, “Practically gone?”

As Nate gazes down at the delicate bluebells, I notice a hint of sadness flickers across his face, yet he remains stoic. It”s as if he”s trying to conceal his emotions, but I can sense that he”s struggling. Finally, he musters the strength to speak, “My mom has Alzheimer”s; she doesn”t know who I am anymore. She doesn”t remember she has a son. It breaks me every time I see her. I had to put her in a care home for her safety.”

My arms wrap tightly around Nate, holding him close. My heart aches for him. With empathy, I say, “Oh, Nate, I am deeply sorry. I can only imagine how tough it must be for you.”

Nate turns his gaze toward me and offers a gentle smile. ”It has been quite a few years now,” he says, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness. “I have grown used to her not recognizing me. But let”s not dwell on that.”

I gently press my lips against his warm cheek, holding him close. “I”m always here for you, baby,” I whisper, reassuring him that he can count on me whenever he needs support.

He whispers, “You have me, too, Tessie. I’m yours.”

The sun”s rays gently peek through the trees, illuminating every strand of Nate”s hair, and I can”t help but admire him. His dark blond hair looks perfectly styled and his eyes twinkle in the light. However, it”s his tattooed arms that really catch my attention. Each design is unique, and as I observe them, I can”t help but wonder about the stories behind them.

We hold each other as the sweet fragrance of bluebells fills the air, surrounding us with its floral essence. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, cherishing this moment of warmth and tenderness.

I decide to straddle Nate”s lap. We meet once again and lock ourselves in an embrace. Our lips touch and we start kissing with passion. He gently brushes my hair behind my ears and I let out a little moan.

My lips part to ask, “Are you okay with me being with Cain and Mike?”

Nate gently touches my chin and tilts my head upwards. He looks me in the eyes and speaks softly, “I don”t have a problem sharing with them. I trust they will treat you with the same respect and care I do.”

I glance at him and a smug smile creeps up on my face.

“Plus, I love watching them fuck you,” he whispers in my ear.

I can’t help but let out a giggle and feel my cheeks turn red.

“I want to fuck you right here in this forest, baby,” Nate breathes.

I instantly get turned on and fist his flannel shirt on either side.

Suddenly, the moment is interrupted as his phone starts ringing. I jump off his lap and he quickly pulls it out of his pocket to answer it.

“Hello? No, we haven”t gotten lost and are on our way back,” Nate scoffs before hanging up.

He tucks his phone back into his pocket, rises from the ground, and extends his hand to help me stand up. With a smirk, he quips, “Looks like Cain”s worried we got lost, huh?”.

We finally reachNate”s place and I can’t help but feel a sense of relief. But as we start driving up the pebble path, I notice something is off. Looking ahead, I see Cain and Mike standing in front of the door with a blond woman in front of them, visibly angry and throwing her arms in the air. Nate”s face looks shocked and he immediately turns to me, his voice laced with concern, “Oh, fuck. Stay in the truck, Tessie.”

“What’s going on?” I ask.

Nate ignores my question, jumps out, and strides towards the group of three. Intrigued, I open the window just enough to eavesdrop on their conversation. My attention is immediately drawn to the stunning blond woman in the group. Her flawless complexion, slender frame, big boobs, and perfectly aligned teeth leave me in awe.

“There you fucking are! Two months…Two months you have ghosted me,” she screams in Nate”s face.

“Celeste, I told you I do not want more from you,” Nate states.

She moves closer to Nate while Cain and Mike follow her. She lets out a piercing scream, her voice laced with anger and hurt. “I can”t believe I wasted nearly a year of my life on you,” she cries out, her eyes blazing with fury. “Is this how you are gonna treat me?”

Nate”s voice is soft and gentle as he speaks to Celeste, placing his hand gently on her shoulder. “We were never anything serious, Celeste. I made that abundantly clear right from the start.” His words are firm, but kind, as if he doesn’t want to hurt her.

“You asshole! Why can’t you love me!” Celeste screams.

“I never have or will, Celeste. You know this,” Nate says, removing his hand from her shoulder.

I gaze upon the scene before me, feeling a jolt of shock and uncertainty. Should I exit the truck and confront them? But before I can make a decision, Cain”s voice cuts through the tension, addressing Celeste with a hint of disdain. “Get back in your car, Celeste,” he says with a sneer. “You look awfully needy.”

Mike slaps Cain”s arm, giving him a warning look.

Celeste”s eyes are brimming with tears as she gazes at Cain, her expression conveying a deep emotional turmoil.

“You can shut the fuck up, Cain. I know you have always wanted me,” she gloats.

I am in complete disbelief. I am shocked, questioning whether I am just one of many girls.

“That”s bullshit. You tried making a move on me and Mike. That night, you were drunk and Nate went to bed early. We pushed you away,” Cain says with anger in his voice and his jaw clenched.

Nate places his hand behind Celeste”s back, applying gentle pressure as he urges her to move forward. “Celeste,” he says softly, “Just go.”

Celeste shifts her gaze towards the line of trucks and catches sight of me. Her expression contorts with fury and she turns to face Nate. “Who is she?!” she demands, her voice seething with anger.

Celeste takes a step forward, intending to approach the truck. However, before she can get any closer, Nate grabs her arm and Celeste screams, “I wanna speak to her!” Cain steps in and positions himself between the truck and Celeste. Firmly, he declares, “That”s not happening.”

“What”s so special about her? What, are you all having a go on her or something?” Celeste remarks.

The guys exchange uncertain glances, their faces betraying confusion and a lack of direction. The silence hangs heavy in the air. I sit there in silence, feeling at a loss for words and unsure what to do next.

Celeste laughs, claps her hands in my direction, and cries, “Wow. What a slut.”

Cain”s eyes narrow and his gaze intensifies, conveying a sense of anger and aggression towards her. It”s as if he”s holding back the urge to inflict harm on her.

“Celeste, please leave,” Mike asks, his tone conveying a sense of urgency and desperation.

Celeste”s voice trembles with anger as she stares into Nate”s eyes and shouts, “Do you love the little whore?” Nate meets her gaze, but his expression remains unreadable. He doesn”t say a word.

“I’m not letting her speak about Tessie like that,” Cain”s jaw tightens for a moment. “ Tell her to leave Nate or I’ll make her!” Cain shouts in a deep voice.

Celeste scoffs.

“I don”t want you, Celeste. I never have. Just leave,” Nate quietly says to her.

Suddenly, she lashes out and slaps him hard across the face. Nate doesn”t react– he just looks at her with no emotion.

I jump out of the truck and a sudden shock runs through my body. The air around me is tense. Before I can even process what happened, I hear Mike”s panicked voice yelling at me, “Get back in the truck now, Tessie.”

Mike rushes toward me and shoves me back inside the truck. Meanwhile, Cain swiftly moves toward Celeste and pulls her away from Nate, his voice booming with urgency. “You need to fucking leave, now! Before I get you arrested for assault,” he yells, his eyes fixed on her.

“FUCK YOU!” Celeste screams.

Cain grips Celeste”s arms tightly and guides her towards her car. As they pass by the truck, Celeste spits on the ground. “They”ll chew you up and spit you out like you’re nothing,” she mutters, her voice filled with a mix of bitterness and resignation.

Celeste”s brown, golden eyes are brimming with tears as she enters her sleek, red convertible car. She revs the engine and speeds off, leaving behind all of her troubles.

Mike opens the truck door. “Are you okay?” he asks.

Cain and Nate stand behind him, casting an intimidating shadow over me. My nerves get the best of me and I mumble under my breath, “I wanna go home. I don”t want to be here.” Cain turns his head towards me and glares with his piercing eyes. He speaks in a stern voice, “You have no choice. Get out of the truck now, Tessie.”

“I refuse to be just another one of your girls!” I shout at Cain, my frustration boiling over. His response is a soft chuckle, which only irritates me further. “You are not another girl. Get out of the truck, Tessie. Don”t make me force you,” Cain threatens, his voice intense with emotion.

I hesitantly leap out of the truck. I watch Nate retrieve my suitcase while Mike picks up the shopping bags. We make our way up to the house and I feel Cain”s hand on the small of my back, guiding me forward.

We step into the house and I immediately feel thirsty, so I make my way to the kitchen. Nate places the suitcase on the floor and trails behind me, his footsteps echoing through the hallway. Once I reach the kitchen, I open the cabinet, grab a glass, and fill it with water from the sink. As I take a sip, I ask Nate, “What was that all about, Nate? You were in a relationship?”

“No. She always wanted a relationship, but I made it clear from the start that it was just sex. Nothing more. Yes, I slept with her for about ten months on and off. We never went on dates or anything like that,” Nate confesses.

“This whole foursome thing we have going on? Have you guys done it with other women?” I ask.

Cain scoffs as he walks in the kitchen and bluntly says, “No.”

I lift the glass to my lips and take a small sip of the cold drink before placing it back on the kitchen counter. “She”s nothing, Tessie,” Cain continues. “She never has been; Nate made it clear from the start.”

“Cain, your words are not comforting to me. It”s troubling to hear you refer to her as nothing,” I say with concern.

Nate approaches me with a gentle touch on my shoulders, his eyes filled with remorse. “Listen, baby,” he says, his voice soft and apologetic. “What happened between me and her was just sex. I made it clear I had no emotional attachment to her whatsoever.”

I gulp. “And what, you have an emotional attachment to me?”

Nate nods in agreement as we intensely gaze into each other”s eyes. Suddenly, Mike”s loud proclamation from the doorway interrupts the silence. “The bedroom is all done!”

I look down the hall at Mike with a perplexing expression and utter, “Bedroom?” in a confused tone. Without a word, Cain grasps my hand and leads me towards one of the bedrooms as Nate trails behind us.

“Close your eyes,” Cain commands.

With a hint of trepidation, I tightly shut my eyes as Cain takes my hands and guides me into a bedroom. “Open your eyes,” he says softly. Slowly, I open my eyes and take in the sight before me. The bedroom is adorned with pristine white bedding, perfectly complemented by a floral throw. The bedside table has a bouquet of roses, while the flickering candles cast a warm glow, creating a cozy atmosphere. A fluffy cream rug underfoot adds to the overall sense of comfort and relaxation. “Wow,” I whisper in awe, taking it all in.

Mike walks into the room and says, “This will be your room while you stay here. We want you to feel comfortable and understand that you might want some time alone sometimes. So, don”t feel obliged to join us every night. I went to town and got you some fresh bedding and other bits. I wanted to make sure everything is perfect for you.”

I run up to him and wrap my arms tightly around his neck. “It”s perfect, Mike,” I exclaim, my voice filled with gratitude. “Thank you so much. I knew I saw you in town earlier.”

Cain stands next to me with his arms crossed. His tone is sharp as he asks, “What room do you plan on sleeping in tonight?”

Nate chuckles while I sarcastically glare at Cain. “Very funny…” I retort, not at all impressed with Cain”s attempt at humor.

“Right. We will let you settle in your new room,” Nate comments.

After the trio departs my room, I find myself sitting on the edge of my bed, lost in a flurry of thoughts. The silence only amplifies the chaos in my head, leaving me feeling overwhelmed. What have I gotten myself into?

I startto unpack my suitcase and get comfortable in my new bedroom. I become aware of a faint noise emanating from the kitchen. Curiosity piques my interest and I make my way towards the source of the sound. As I approach, a tantalizing aroma of roasted chicken wafts towards me, making me feel hungry. Upon reaching the kitchen, I find Mike standing in front of the oven in a blue apron, intently focused on his task.

“Smells nice,” I state.

Mike gives me a playful wink and exclaims, “You know what I love? A succulent roast chicken.”

“Well, it looks and smells amazing. Where are Cain and Nate?” I ask.

Mike walks up to me, holds my hands, kisses my forehead, and explains, “They are watching TV. Dinner will be ready in ten minutes, by the way.”

I release Mike”s hands, clear my throat, and say, “I”ll go tell them.”

I walk toward the living room. The sound of the football game grows louder as I approach the door. I peek inside and see Cain and Nate sitting on the couch, their eyes fixed on the big TV screen.

Cain and Nate turn their heads towards me, momentarily breaking their concentration on the game.

Cain motions for me to come toward him with his index finger, and as I approach, he invites me to sit on his lap.

Cain”s hand slowly moves over my thigh, sending shivers down my spine. Meanwhile, Nate takes a sip of his beer and looks at me. “Are you okay, baby?” he asks softly.

“Yeah. Dinner will be ready soon,” I explain.

Nate nods and goes back to watch the football.

Cain”s lips meet my neck. He whispers, “It”s a shame I have work tonight.”

I look at Cain. He leans back in and whispers into my ear, “I want a night just me and you again.” A sudden rush of excitement courses through me as I try to maintain my composure. Meanwhile, Nate starts watching us closely while sipping his beer.

I don’t know how to respond to what he said. I didn”t want Nate or Mike left out, but the thought of having each of them separately still pleases me.

I kiss Cain and then slowly rise to my feet, my eyes wandering around the spacious lounge. I notice a few photographs hanging on the wall and one catches my attention. It”s a picture of Nate standing alongside his mother from his childhood. He looks absolutely adorable, his innocent face radiating with happiness and joy. I can”t help but smile as I gaze at the priceless moment captured in the photograph.

Nate notices and rises from his seat. He strides towards me and rests his hand on my back. “You”re looking at my first day of school picture,” he says with a hint of nostalgia in his voice.

“You look so cute. Look at those chubby cheeks.” I giggle, pointing to the picture.

Nate chuckles and dismisses the comment. ”It was only a matter of time before I grew into my cheeks,” he says lightheartedly.

Mike bursts into the living room with a pair of oven gloves, his face beaming with excitement. “Dinner is ready!” he exclaims, his voice echoing through the room. Cain immediately jumps up from the sofa and the three of us make our way to the kitchen.

The aroma of the roast chicken and vegetables fills my senses, arousing my appetite. The sight of the perfectly cooked meal makes my mouth water. Mike, being the gentleman he is, pulls out a chair for me to sit down as we all gather around the table. I gently kiss Mike on the cheek before I sit. Looking at the delicious food in front of us, I can”t help but admire it. “This looks absolutely amazing, Mike,” I say with a smile, genuinely impressed by his culinary skills.

The sun begins to set and the evening breeze blows through the open windows as we engage in lighthearted small talk. The clinking of silverware and occasional bursts of laughter fill the room, creating a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere.

“I’ve gotta get ready for work soon,” Cain states.

I take a bite of my food, chew it slowly, and then swallow it before looking up at Cain. “What time do you usually start and finish work?” I ask in a curious tone.

Mike”s hand suddenly lands on my thigh under the table.

Meanwhile, Cain leans forward, resting both elbows on the table, and replies confidently, ”Seven in the evening until five in the morning.”

I scoff. “All night? You must be so tired after those hours.”

Cain nonchalantly lifts his shoulders and responds, “It”s something you get used to.”

Nate shifts his weight forward, his elbows resting on the table as he addresses me, “I was thinking, baby, we could spend the evening watching a film. You can choose whichever movie you prefer.”

I bring a small piece of chicken to my mouth, savoring its flavor as I chew with a nod of my head.

I open my mouth to suggest a movie, but Mike interrupts me, “she will pick out a really girly film.”

I give him a stern look, smile, and carefully place my fork down on the plate. With a mischievous grin, I reply, “Well, just for that comment of yours, Mike, I”m going to choose the most feminine movie I can find.”

Nate chuckles and responds, ”Despite my rugged exterior, I have a soft spot for girly films. So jokes on you guys.”

Mike withdraws his hand from my thigh, leans back on his chair, and covers his face with his palm.

Cain looks at me and gives me a wink.

After savoring the last bite of his dinner, Cain rises from his chair and makes his way to the sink. He carefully places his empty plate inside it and turns around, saying, “I gotta get ready for work.”

After finishing dinner, I thank Mike again for his delicious cooking. Nate and I start washing the dishes while Mike clears the table and wipes it clean. We work together to clean up after the meal.

I preparefor the evening and slip into a cozy set of clothes that relax me. Suddenly, I hear a knock on my bedroom door and Cain”s voice calling me, “Can I come in, Tessie?” He pokes his head through the doorway.

“Yes…” I reply.

Cain steps into the bedroom. I look at him, admiring how his police uniform hugs his muscular frame. His presence fills the room and I can feel my heart racing as he looks me up and down. A smile forms on his lips.

I gaze at my reflection in the mirror, taking in the details of my appearance. Suddenly, Cain appears behind me, planting gentle kisses on my neck. As he leans closer, our eyes meet in the mirror”s reflection, intensifying the moment between us.

“They better be gentle with you tonight,” he says under his breath.

I tilt my head back, allowing him to deepen the kiss. I whisper, “I don”t know why you’re saying that. You”re the one who is always rough.”

Cain tenderly wraps his fingers around the back of my neck. I look at him in the mirror and smirk.

I feel his cock getting hard in his trousers, pressing up against my ass.

“I can be rough because you’re mine to dominate,” he breathes as he pushes my torso forward. I bend over without hesitation, placing my hands on the mirror. Cain rubs his hard bulge over my leggings. I can feel it up against my pussy as he starts humping me.

“Cain…” I moan.

We look at each other in the mirror, locking eyes.

“Fuck I want you so bad,” he mumbles.

Grabbing my shoulders and digging his fingers in, he humps me harder. I let out a whimper.

“You were made for me, Tessie.”

I just want him to have me right now up against this mirror.

He suddenly stops rubbing against me, turns me around, pins my arms up against the mirror, locks our hands together, and kisses me.

“You will have to wait. I’ve got work, unfortunately…” he says annoyedly.

I’m a turned-on mess. I just want him to pull my leggings down and fuck me.

Cain shifts his weight, reaching down to adjust his cock in his trousers.

Slowly, he leans forward and places his hand behind my head, pushing it against the mirror. He gently places his other hand on my chin and tilts it upward.

“Don’t think for one moment you will ever be able to escape me. Even when you think you are rid of me, I’ll always be there in the shadows.”

My eyes meet his and I feel a sudden tightness in my throat. The gravity of his words hit me hard and I know that he is not joking around.

“I don’t want to escape you, Cain,” I breathe.

Cain”s gaze drops to the floor, his eyes briefly scanning the ground before flicking back up to meet mine. His expression is twisted into a scowl, then a malicious grin slowly spreads across his lips.

“Good girl,” he growls, releasing his grip from my chin.

Cain leans down and kisses my forehead, his police uniform perfectly highlighting his chiseled jawline and broad shoulders. As he turns to make his way towards the bedroom door, I can”t help but admire his confidence and authority.

“You look good in the uniform…” I blurt out.

He turns around and winks at me, his face lit up with a warm smile. Then, in a deep voice, he says, “Thank you. Have a nice evening...”