61 Christian
Ryan gets home around four, and it’s not a minute too soon. I’m waiting in the foyer for him.
“Hey- how was J- ”
I grab him before he can finish, pressing a finger to his lips to silence him before Francesca can hear.
“We aren’t talking about it,” I say, quietly. “He refused visitors, she broke down, then decided she’s going to drink her troubles away.”
“What?”
“She’s drinking cocktails in the kitchen.”
“What the fuck?”
I shake my head. “I’m making them super weak, like half a shot in each, but I don’t think she’s ever really drank much before.”
“This is such a bad idea,” Ryan says, shrugging off his jacket.
“Yes, it is,” I mutter. “But I can’t say no to her. Not right now. She needed to escape from everything.”
We head into the kitchen and both pause in the doorway.
“Looks like it’s working,” he says.
She’s dancing to some pop song I’ve never heard, wearing one of Jamie’s black t shirts and tall socks.
She spins, some of her drink sloshing over the side of the glass.
“Hi!” she says, grinning, holding her glass toward Ryan. “Join us! It’s an ‘everything’s fucked’ party!”
He crosses the room, pulls her in for a quick kiss, then she tips the glass back, finishing her frozen cocktail.
“Did you know Christian is a mixologist? I had no idea. He can make all sorts of stuff. So far I’ve had a margarita and a daiquiri.” She looks at me, eyes sparkling. “What’s next?”
I take a deep breath. “How about a Sex on the Beach?”
“Oooh! That sounds fun!” She jumps up and down a little.
“But only if you eat something first,” I say, walking to the fridge, while Ryan pulls her onto his lap at the table.
“What’s your favorite drink?” she asks him. “Christian says his is bourbon- which is just sooo Christian. Fancy, responsible, boring…” I shoot a look at her and her eyes adorably go wide.
“I mean, I love fancy and responsible and boring. Obviously.” Then back to Ryan. “Absolutely love it.” She leans close, whispering in his ear loud enough for me to hear. “But really… tell me you like something more fun, puhlease.”
I grab a pan and some bread, starting a grilled cheese while they talk about drinks.
“Martinis seem sexy. Like, that’s a sexy drink, right? Do you like those? You’re sexy enough.”
Ryan laughs. “I’m more of an IPA guy.”
“Oh- ick. I do not like beer. One night at the club, it was a friend’s birthday… we stayed after close. I had a beer and, blech. Never again. After that, only shots.”
“What?” Ryan asks as we both straighten.
“Yeah- I only took shots after that. Guys would always buy me drinks- and tips were better if I drank with them. Ben, the manager- you met him Christian, at the club when we went- he was the best- anyway, whenever someone bought me a shot, he’d make me this shot- it was pink and delicious. Called it my special shot.”
“How many of these would you have, babe?” Ryan asks.
“Like, sometimes nine or ten a shift?” Ryan’s eyes go wide but I relax.
Jamie told me that Ben seemed like a decent guy. That he had been protective of Francesca. And based on what she’s saying, I’m pretty sure he was just giving her shots of grenadine-and-sprite or something.
“Nine or ten? Did you ever get sick?” he asks, sounding alarmed.
“Nope. Ben’s shots were magic.”
“Sure, love,” I say, bringing the sandwich over. “Eat.”
She gives me an adorable salute, and I take a seat.
“Uh uh,” she says with her mouth full. “Sex on the beach please.”
I shake my head and sigh, stand up, kiss her forehead and go make her drink.
~
“Okay, that was the best,” she says, finishing her Malibu Sunrise. “Totally my favorite. What’s next?”
We’re still in the kitchen. Francesca’s on her fifth drink- plus a grilled cheese and half a bag of chips. Ryan and I haven’t touched a thing. She hasn’t even had that much, but she’s tiny, exhausted, and this is more than I think she’s ever had.
“Next,” I say, pushing to my feet, “is bed.”
She pouts, bottom lip sticking out. “Why?”
“Because you’re exhausted. And you’ve had enough to drink.”
“But I like this,” she protests, shifting on Ryan’s lap- yes, still there- then gasps softly. “Oh. I like that more.”
She moves again, slow and deliberate this time, and Ryan groans.
“Nope,” he says, standing abruptly and lifting her with him. “Bedtime.”
“I’m okay with that now,” she murmurs, pressing lazy, open-mouthed kisses to his neck.
“Frankie- no. Frankie, stop,” he says, setting her back on her feet.
I’m right there when she turns, that pout back in place, her eyes bright and a little wild.
She sways a step closer. “Will you take me to bed then?” she asks me. “Since Ryan is no fun?”
“What?” Ryan protests, but she doesn’t even look at him.
“You can be fun, can’t you, Christian?” Her hand comes up, cupping my cheek. “You aren’t always the in-control boss man, huh? You can be a real good time when you want to.” Her hand starts drifting down until I catch her wrist gently before she can go further.
“Love,” I say quietly, keeping my voice steady, “this isn’t really the time.”
“Why not?” she asks, searching my face. “I’m here. I’m willing.” Her lips curve faintly and she tilts her head. “What’s the saying? Live. Laugh. Lots of orgasms.”
I huff a laugh despite myself, and she grins.
“Okay,” Ryan cuts in, “first of all, I’m pretty sure there’s a rule about not using us against each other.”
“Probably,” I admit, not taking my eyes off her.
“And second,” he adds, softer now, “I am fun. I just… don’t want to take advantage of you.”
She stills, her hand dropping as she steps away and looks between us.
“Seriously?” she asks, quieter now. “You’re not taking advantage of me.” Her voice softens further. “I trust you. I love you.”
The words hang there. “Yeah, I’ve been drinking,” she goes on, a little unsteady now, “but I’m not gone. I just…” Her voice cracks. “I need to feel something other than this. Not fear. Not anger. Not… all of it.”
My chest tightens.
Ryan’s jaw sets, his hands hovering like he doesn’t know whether to pull her in or hold the line.
“Francesca,” I start carefully-
She shakes her head, cutting me off. “I’m not asking for something reckless.” Her eyes lift to mine, glassy but certain. “I’m just asking you to love me.”
Ryan steps in first, taking her hand and pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “Are you sure this is what you want?” he asks gently. “Right now?”
She exhales, then pulls her hand back from him and reaches for the hem of her shirt. She pulls it off in one smooth motion.
Before either of us can react, she spins and takes off up the stairs, laughing- light, breathless, just a little wild.
I let out a slow breath and glance at Ryan. It’s obvious she needs this- needs to feel and connect and have something to focus on other than the constant aching loss we are all feeling.
He nods once and we head upstairs.
When we reach her room, she’s there, naked, practically bouncing with laughter, eyes bright and wild.
When she sees us, she holds out her hands and does little grabby motions and I laugh again as I move toward her, pulling my shirt out and beginning to unbutton it.
I step into her space and kiss her, hard.
She’s a little wild, her lips and tongue almost attacking me.
She puts her hands on my shoulders and jumps.
I have to act quick to catch her, she catches me so off guard.
I’m holding her in my arms, shirt unbuttoned, and I can feel her warm, wet heat press against my stomach.
“Fuck, Francesca, I love you so much,” I say, kissing her again.
She pulls back. “I know.” Then she wriggles out of my arms and turns to find that Ryan is now naked next to us.
“Oooh, goodie,” she says before dropping to her knees.
The sight is fucking erotic and dream-like, and I can’t hold back a groan. Neither can Ryan as she takes him into her mouth. I quickly shed my pants and underwear and watch her start to go to town on his dick.
But after a moment, she pulls back. “If I tell you a secret, you promise not to tell Jamie?”
“Uh- ” Ryan’s eyes go a little wild as they flick to me, clearly looking for guidance.
I don’t get the chance to say a word before she goes on.
“I love his piercing,” she says cheerfully. “Ten out of ten. But the mild, constant fear of chipping a tooth is real.”
I just grin- and wrap my hand around myself, stroking slowly. “It’s pretty amazing, but I have that fear too.”
“Whew, so glad it’s not me,” she says, stroking his dick, but adjusting her knees a bit. I’m worried the floor is hurting her.
“Can we move this to the bed?” I ask.
She leans back a touch, and I help her to her feet. She turns and plants her hands on my shoulders again. This time I’m ready when she hops up, wrapping her legs around my waist.
She’s wetter this time, and her pussy slides around against my lower stomach as we walk. Then she shimmies her body down a bit, until my cock is kissing her folds.
“Hang on,” she says, and I pause while she squirms some more. “Almost… there,” she says. Then she notches me into her hole.
“Fuck Francesca,” I moan.
“Can you fuck me while you hold me?” she asks, with a wild smile.
“I- yeah. Of course I can,” I say, getting my composure back, “I definitely can do that.” I adjust my hands, holding her by her ass, then thrust my hips upward while I pull her down on me.
“Holy cow!” She yells out, “I feel like I’m flying. This is awesome!”
We stay like that for a bit, me holding her up, lifting her up and down my cock while she laughs and groans and grinds down on me with each thrust. Ryan approaches, stepping up behind her, and wraps his arms around her waist.
“Come here, baby. Let me help him make you come,” he says.
She sort of collapses back against him, his arms now tucked under hers, her head resting in the crook of his neck. It redistributes some of her weight off me and he snakes one hand down to play with her clit as she moves on me.
“Oh my God, love, you are so fucking sexy,” I say. “You feel so good on my cock.”
She locks her eyes on mine and says, “I want more.”