Chapter 14 - Reece
All damn night.
Their muffled moans woke me up more times than I can count.
Why did it make me hard as a rock knowing what they were doing?
More than once I sat up in bed, debating on just walking into Dean’s room.
I finally abandon any hope for sleep somewhere around six in the morning to get up and stoke the fire.
The storm seems to have passed, and the sun has a little heat to it when I go outside to gather wood.
Focusing some of this frustration into splitting rounds seems to help.
By the time I go back inside with an armful of wood, I’m sweaty and calm.
“Good morning,” Dean says from the sink, filling the French press. He looks clean and dapper, nothing like the way I feel.
All I can do is grunt in return.
I take a moment while I stack my load into the box to weigh what I should say.
“Here.” He hands me a steaming cup of coffee.
“Where is she?” I glance towards his door.
“Sleeping.” Sitting in his leather chair, he crosses his ankle over his knee. “Don’t be jealous.” He watches me over the rim of his mug.
“Why shouldn’t I be?” I grumble, begrudgingly taking a sip of my own drink.
Damn him for it being delicious.
“She wants us both, Reece.”
My face twists like I’ve eaten something sour. “How in the hell does that work?”
I want her. Me.
But fuck, I want him to be happy too.
His shoulders rise and fall in a shrug. “She said it’s just for the holidays, then we part ways.” The longing in his voice betrays him. “I don’t know what her plan is. She’s a smart girl, she likely has it all figured out.”
He gets a distant look as he gazes out the big bay window.
I don’t think he’s exactly thrilled with the arrangement either.
“I’ve never shared before.” Staring into the flames, I try to process this new information.
“Same,” he mutters. “I don’t think I’d ever consider it if it wasn’t you.”
“Ditto.” I’ve never even had it cross my mind.
Our taste in women is usually so different.
It’s what makes Stacy even more remarkable. She’s perfect for both of us.
Speak of the devil, herself.
She appears from the hall, her face still damp and pink from scrubbing.
“Good morning.” Flashing a broad smile, she pauses to pull her long hair up into a messy bun. “It’s cold in the bathroom!” With a shiver, she rubs her hands together and walks closer, then stops in front of me. “Can I sit there?”
“Oh. Um, sure.” I start to gather my cup and push myself up.
“No, silly. On your lap. You’re the best at warming me up.” She tilts her head, raising one brow over her piercing blue eyes.
Dean freezes with his coffee halfway to his lips, transfixed.
“I’d like that.” Leaning back into the couch, I guide her hips onto my thighs and tug the blanket from the arm, wrapping it tightly around us.
“Much better,” she murmurs, snuggling against my chest. “You smell so good. Did I miss you chopping wood?”
I hate how amazing she feels. I don’t want to let her go.
“Mmhmm, gotta keep everyone toasty.” I can’t stop myself from pressing my lips to her temple. “Gotta take care of our girl.”
I catch Dean’s eyes crinkling in the corners and the twitch in the corner of his cheek.
“Our girl?” he mouths.
I just nod.
It’s the truth.
His jaw tics, but then something shifts in him making his features relax.
“I like that.” Her fingers work under the fleece to tuck into the gap of my shirt.
The burn of her touch on my skin makes blood rush to my crotch.
Then she wiggles.
She knows what she’s doing.
Dean rises, pouring himself another cup, and pulling down one for her. “Reece? Top off?” He holds up the decanter and shakes it lightly. “Stacy? Want a little something extra to warm up?” With a slight smirk, he gestures to the half-full bottle of brandy.
“That sounds delicious.” She raises her head from under my chin as he hands her the steaming mug.
But as he starts to turn away, she reaches out to his wrist, pulling his palm to her lips. “Thank you.”
His fingers linger on her cheek, yet his gaze immediately flicks to me, as if he’s gauging my reaction.
Why does that do something funny to me?
Can I actually like this?
Dean and I have been best friends our whole lives. We’ve shared all of the ups and downs, finding more comfort and peace in our own company than we ever had with anyone else.
I just never expected that we could enjoy this.
But seeing the absolute adoration in his eyes when he watches her and I, it makes me start to wonder if maybe she was the missing piece to both of us?