Chapter 1 #2
“I’ve got one,” Morgan announced, oblivious to the sexual tension building around the fire pit. “Never have I ever had a threesome.”
Okay, maybe she wasn’t oblivious.
Jase and Dylan both took another shot, and my jaw dropped. “Really?”
Jase shrugged. “College party. Alcohol. Things happened.”
“You can’t just leave it at that. We need details,” I demanded playfully.
Dylan leaned back, twirling his shot glass between his fingers. “Fine. It was sophomore year. There was this girl from the sports med department—”
He didn’t get any further before Morgan stood on wobbly legs. “I need to pee.”
“Such a lightweight.” I chuckled. “I’ll go with you.”
She waved me off. “Stay. I’ll be fine,” she slurred.
I glanced over at Agent Pederson, then back to my friend, who was already walking toward the house. Without me saying anything, he nodded and followed her inside.
“Should we continue?” Jase lifted a brow in question.
“Why not?” I replied.
He scooted to the edge of his seat and braced his forearms on his knees. “Never have I ever imagined kissing someone I probably shouldn’t.”
He and Dylan both drank to that one, their gazes boring into me.
I swallowed hard. “That’s not how the game works. You’re supposed to say something you’ve never done.”
Dylan offered me a lazy smile. “We play by our own rules, Princess.”
Princess. It was a nickname I’d heard often and usually hated. But the way it rolled off his tongue sent heat unfurling low in my belly.
“Are you not going to take a shot?” Jase asked.
My eyes flicked to him. “What?”
He grinned. “Just wondering what your answer was to my statement.”
For a moment, I considered not downing the tequila in my hand, but what would be the point of lying? I gulped down the contents of my glass and set it down for a refill. “All right, I have another one. Never have I ever kissed two men in the same night.”
Dylan placed his hand on my leg. “You sure you want to play that round?”
I should’ve said no or laughed it off. Instead, I whispered, “Yes.”
A smile spread across his face, and he moved in, slow enough that I could’ve pulled away. I didn’t. His lips met mine in a soft kiss that tasted of alcohol and a hint of trouble.
When he pulled back, Jase’s gaze darkened. “My turn?”
Before I could answer, his mouth was on mine. His kiss lingered a moment longer, and every nerve in my body lit up.
I ran my hands up his T-shirt-covered chest, but he pulled away quickly. “Faye,” he whispered, his forehead resting against mine. “You’ve had a lot to drink.”
“I’m fine,” I argued.
Dylan squeezed my thigh. “Even so, we’re gentlemen, which means we should probably call it a night.”
As much as I didn’t want the moment to end, I knew deep down it was the right decision.
Just then, the back door opened, and Agent Pederson stepped out. “Ms. Donnelley, Ms. Ashford decided to go to bed, but I wanted to let you know she’s fine.”
“Thanks.” I forced a smile. “I’m going to head in as well. Would you mind showing these two to the guest rooms?”
He looked over at Jase and Dylan. “Of course. Right this way.”
They began to follow, but Dylan looked at me one last time. “We had fun tonight. Hopefully we get a chance to hang out more tomorrow.”
My smile turned genuine again. “Maybe I’ll save you a dance.”
The pounding in my head was a clear sign that tequila and rosé had not been a smart combination. Groaning, I shoved the blanket off and sat up, immediately regretting the movement when the room tilted.
Flashes of firelight, tequila, and the memory of Dylan’s lips, followed by Jase’s, crept in, but I forced them back. After a few deep breaths and a silent vow never to play drinking games again, I dragged myself downstairs for breakfast.
Jeffrey was setting out platters of food when I turned the corner. “Good morning, Faye,” he greeted.
He’d worked for our family for several years as our personal chef, and he had prepared some of the most delicious meals I’d ever had.
“You have no idea how happy I am to see you. I’m desperately in need of water, coffee, and food, in that order.”
“I’ve already made some eggs and bacon. Do you want those or something else?”
I had to hold back a gag at the thought of forcing down greasy bacon. “How about something light? Maybe an egg-white omelet with avocado?”
“On it.”
A couple of minutes later, I’d already gulped down a glass of water and was sipping a steaming cup of coffee when Jeffrey slid my omelet in front of me, along with a bottle of ibuprofen. He knew me too well.
“Thank you,” I mumbled, then dug in.
I’d just taken my first bite when I heard footsteps coming down the stairs.
“Morning.” Fallon strolled into the kitchen with his boyfriend.
“Don’t talk so loud,” I whined.
He exchanged a look with Rhett. “I’m not talking loud. Are you hungover?”
“Yeah. After you went to bed last night, your friends got me wasted.”
He chuckled and began dishing up the scrambled eggs, bacon, and fruit that Jeffrey had prepared. Rhett followed him, making himself a plate too.
“Can’t hang with college kids?” Fallon teased.
“I did hang with them. That’s the problem.” I grabbed the bottle of painkillers in front of me and downed a few.
“You need the hair of the dog.” Rhett reached for the refrigerator handle. “Want me to get you a beer or something?”
“Oh god, don’t mention alcohol,” I moaned and pressed a hand to my forehead.
Fallon grinned and sat across from me. “Are you going to make it through the party?”
“I just need to eat.”
Rhett sat next to my brother. “Did you add avocado to your omelet?”
“Yeah, why?” I replied.
“It should help.” Rhett stuck a bite of egg into his mouth.
“Handsome and smart.” Fallon winked at him.
A second later, Jase and Dylan sauntered in, showered, dressed, and entirely too smug, as if they hadn’t downed as much alcohol as I had less than eight hours earlier.
Both sported purposefully messy hair that shouldn’t have worked but did, and bright, clear eyes that made me question how they’d escaped the hangover hell I was currently living in.
“Morning!” Jase beamed.
“Who’s ready to party today?” Dylan boomed.
“Jesus. How are you both smiling and chipper?” I groaned.
“What’s the matter, sunshine?” Dylan smiled at me.
Sunshine? The night before he’d called me princess and I was surprised that I preferred it over sunshine. Although sunshine probably sounded better in front of my brother and Rhett.
“She’s hungover.” Fallon smirked.
“Well, we can’t have that,” Jase stated. “You promised us dancing tonight.”
I stood and grabbed my plate. “I’m going back to bed.”
“Sleep it off,” Dylan said. “Then we’ll see you on the dance floor.”
As I started up the stairs, I glanced back. Jase leaned against the counter with Dylan beside him, both watching me with looks that sent a fresh wave of heat to my cheeks. I knew that if I wasn’t careful, I’d want more than just a dance later.
When I finally woke up again, the pounding in my head had dulled to a faint throb. Thankfully, most of the party setup had been handled the day before, so the only thing I needed to do was get ready and do a quick walk-through to check for any last-minute issues.
After a shower and a full face of makeup—including some industrial-strength concealer to hide the evidence of my hangover—I could almost pass as human. Once I added a few curls to my blonde hair and slipped into a short red strappy dress with nude wedges, I was ready to join the party.
Downstairs, the staff rushed around putting the finishing touches on everything. Music played from the outdoor speakers, and the scent of grilled food mixed with the ocean breeze. I made a lap around the patio, checking everything before the guests arrived.
Right on time, a steady stream of people walked into the backyard. Family and friends quickly filled the tables, and every time I tried to slip away, someone stopped me for a chat.
“Faye, sweetheart!” a familiar voice called out, cutting through the chatter.
I turned just in time to see Sean, Morgan’s dad and my father’s best friend, walking toward me with a drink in his hand.
“Uncle Sean.” I leaned in for a hug. “So glad you made it.”
“It’s tradition,” he said with a smile. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
Eventually, I made my way across the lawn and found Jase and Dylan by the pool, beers in hand, watching the crowd.
“Look who finally decided to join the party,” Dylan teased when he saw me.
“I’ve been socializing,” I countered. “Some of us have to greet all the guests.”
“Sounds boring.” Jase took a drink of beer. “You could have hid out with us.”
“As tempting as that sounds”—I smiled and brushed a strand of hair from my face—“I didn’t want to be rude. What if word got back to my parents?”
Dylan reached for my hand. “Well, if you’re done playing hostess, I think it’s time for you to dance with us.”
I slipped my hand into his. “Okay, but just one song. I’ve got things I need to do.”
“We’ll see about that,” Jase returned, seemingly confident they’d keep me with them longer.
If only they knew, I’d rather spend the rest of the party with just them.
The three of us stepped onto the dance floor, joining a few other couples already there beneath the string lights. Dylan’s hand found the small of my back, while Jase’s fingers laced with mine.
They moved in close, guiding me between them with ease, as if it wasn’t the first time they’d danced with a woman together.
As the warmth of their bodies pressed against mine, their cologne and heat wrapped around me until I forgot anyone else was nearby.
My skin prickled as their hands slid over me, each touch leaving me wanting more.
When the song ended, I took a wobbly step back, needing a moment to collect myself. “You two are trouble.”
Jase grinned. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“I’m not sure yet,” I admitted, fighting back my own smile. “But I do have a question.”
Dylan tilted his head, playful curiosity in his eyes. “Just one?”