Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty Three
Evie
Six Months Postpartum
My brain sets off fireworks and alarms as the plump lips that are currently on me, are not Monty’s but Josie's.
I want to be clear, there is absolutely no objection on my end. I just didn’t think she’d be the one to cross that line first.
I thought that if I pushed and teased Monty enough tonight he would snap and cross that line with Josie in tow. I could see the possession from across the dance floor as he watched us dance. The tick in his jaw when that random guy pulled up behind me and began to dance.
I entertained him for a minute but then he got too handsy and he needed to go. He tried back on me and I had to turn around and tell him to go feel up someone else because I was not interested.
My train of thought gets back on track when I feel her tongue caress the seam of my lips. I happily open up for her, and the first touch of her tongue against mine as I push my ass up against Monty.
I hear a muffled groan as a hard bulge rubs against me. My body shivers with anticipation at the idea of where things could go here. Josie’s hand snakes to the back of my neck and she pulls me in closer to deepen the kiss.
When we pull back, I only get a second to breathe before Monty has my chin grasped in his hand, angling my face toward him.
His lips crash into mine as the faint hints of beer invade my tastebuds.
We battle for dominance, but when he lightly strokes his thumb down the pulse point of my neck, I submit and let him lead.
When we pull apart we’re all breathless.
It’s Josie who speaks first, “Let’s go home.” She pants, grabbing my hand in hers. “We need to talk.” She pulls me behind her as we head for the exit. I don’t know where Xavier or Harper are, but if they’re still here then they won’t be far behind.
Alarm bells go off in my head marking danger.
There’s no way they want to take you home.
They’re going to take you back to the house and tell you to pack up because you crossed the line.
Suddenly, I feel very sober, and embarrassment blankets me like a warm hug.
I don't want a warm hug right now, it’s too hot. I need to cool down.
Just as that thought finishes we burst through the doors of the exit and are on the street. It’s not exactly cool, it’s still a bit humid here, but I already feel like I can already breathe slightly better. Until I begin to think of everything again.
Hands frame my face as my eyes connect with familiar green ones. Her brows furrow with concern as she scans my features. I try to calm my racing heart, but it’s like she can see right through me. A soft smile forms on her face as she leans forward and gently presses her lips to mine.
“Hey.” The words dance across my lips, Josie doesn’t move away as she continues. “It’s nothing bad, Sweets. We want this.”
I intake a sharp breath as everything clicks. We want this. They want this? What is this? Do they just want to hook up?
I mean I’ll do it. I’ve been fantasizing about these two for months now. Only now there’s a lot more at stake. Feelings are involved, I care about this family way too much. Those boys make my heart so happy, I can’t imagine not being involved in their lives anymore.
The faint prickle of tears begins to form, and Josie catches it. “No no, please no tears.” Her thumb begins moving softly over my cheek, “We want to talk about how to make this work. We can’t really do that in the middle of the street.”
“Oh.” I breathe out, finally taking a moment to look around a bit better. “That sounds like a good idea… Where is Harper and Xavier?”
“They wanted to walk back. Xavier shared his location with me. They’re just walking up to their house now.” Monty shows me the screen of his phone. A dot labeled “Xavy” hovers over the address of where we are staying. Letting out a little breath of relief, I look up to the sky and close my eyes.
“Did you want to walk back too? Or would you rather us take a rideshare back?” Josie asks, her hands long gone from my face but still has one hand running up and down my arm in comfort.
Ultimately we decided to catch a rideshare. I didn’t think I could walk back to the rentals without spiraling deeper. The ride was quick, with me sitting in the middle between them in the back seat.
Silence fills the vehicle as we take in everything. Small touches from both of them keep me present, not allowing my mind to wonder.
The next thing I know, we’re pulling up to the house.
Monty thanks the driver as he gets out, offering his hand to me.
Sliding my hand, I take in the rough calluses, only something that comes from years of manual labor.
I step aside and watch as Monty pulls Josie out of the car.
He pulls her against his body, he leans down and kisses her while his hand snakes around and grabs her ass.
She giggles and slaps his chest before walking away. The smile that curves her lips only gets bigger when she looks up and connects her eyes with mine. In a few short steps there’s no space left between us and she threads her fingers between mine.
“Come on.” She tosses over her shoulder, leaving Monty and I to follow.
Walking hand and hand, we go inside and settle into the living room.
Monty veers off to the kitchen and returns with three bottles of water.
Passing off one to each of us before sitting down on the large couch.
Releasing my hand, Josie joins him, pulling me along.
Our hands release from one another and I find myself standing there staring down at the two of them.
I’m battling with myself, deciphering between whether this is just a dream or if this is my actual life right now.
I don’t know what came over me at the bar. We were dancing and having fun, alcohol flowing through everyone. No one was getting sloppy, we were just enjoying each other's company.
When I ended up sandwiched between them on the dance floor, I don’t know what happened. My body was buzzing with excitement and there were hints of anticipation of what could come from this.
We’ve all been walking so close to the line for the last couple weeks, but no one has had the balls to finally cross it.
The desperate woman deep down inside me who just wants to be loved and cherished the way that they do for each other took control.
With the bit of liquid courage I had, she came bursting through the door and asked for what she wanted.
With Monty having to say yes to whatever I told him to do.
It seems like a no brainer to tell him to kiss me.
The perfect way to cross that line, and if he really didn’t want to do it he would’ve said no.
He didn’t say no, but it wasn’t his lips that pressed to mine when I said it.
When her plush lips crashed with mine, it was like I was zapped back to life.
The old Evie who I thought died all those years ago, never to be found again, was crawling out of the rubble letting me see that she’s still here.
I’m not going to question this, at least not for tonight. I take the spot on the other side of Monty, and we sit in the silence for what feels like forever. Suddenly, my throat is so dry I don’t think I’d be able to speak if I tried.
Uncapping the water I down the whole bottle before looking over to them on the couch.
“Sorry, I was thirsty.” I squeak out, not sure how to start the conversation.
A smile curves Josie’s lips, “I can see that.” I return her smile with one of my own, but it feels a little forced. I know I said I wasn’t going to question this, but if my nerves could get the memo that would be fantastic.
Having both their eyes on me sends electricity across my skin, the need to be closer consumes me, and I see I’m not the only one.
Josie angles her body to face mine, Monty sitting with his back against the couch, moving his head back and forth between our interaction.
She leans forward, and I find myself gravitating toward her.
The warmth of her palm slides along my jaw, gliding along my skin until her hand grasps the back of my neck.
Pulling me in until our lips meet once more.
Resting one hand on Monty’s thigh, I use that leverage to keep me balanced as Josie continues to take the lead.
Our tongues massage one another in such an intoxicating way, I feel myself become light headed.
Keeping her grip on the back of my neck, she begins peppering kisses along my jaw before taking my earlobe between her teeth.
A breathless moan leaves me as I try to capture her lips once more, but she doesn’t allow me.
Instead she guides me toward Monty who’s eyes are blown so wide, the color appears almost purely black.
A whimper leaves me as our lips crash together. The hard, firm feel of his lips are a contrast compared to hers, and with her hands still on me I feel my skin prickle as goosebumps begin to appear over my whole body.
Before I lose my train of thought to the need running rampant through my body, I pull away.
“Wait.” I pant, “you said we were going to talk.” I put a little distance between the three of us, because if they continue to touch me and keep their hands on me, I’m going to say fuck it and just let my need take control.
“Right.” Monty mumbles, running his hand down his face before expelling a deep breath.
We sit there, no one speaking, the only sound is our heavy breathing as we collect ourselves.
“Like I said while we were outside the club.” Josie rests her hand on Monty’s thigh, his hand covers her own and she twists it around so they are intertwined. “We want this and we want to make this work.”
“Okay… and what will this -” I wave my pointer finger between all of us, “look like exactly?”
“Well,” Monty starts, “I mean it’s ideally up to all of us. It’s whatever we think will work, as a group. The biggest thing is communication, if we can’t freely express how we are feeling then this won’t work.”