Chapter 19
JARED
A hushed silence fell over all three of us and my face heated.
“Tell us,” Alex whispered.
There was a time to be quiet and a time to speak up.
It was now or never.
“I want you. I know it’s complicated, it’s bad timing, and it might be fucking crazy. To us and to other people. But I can’t stop thinking about what it would be like. The three of us. Like last night. Only better. With nothing between us.”
My delivery was choppy, in between anxious breaths.
Alex didn’t say anything. Neither did Aiden.
For one horrified moment, I thought this was it. I’d obliterated the professional line between us, and I’d probably ruined the friendship we’d started to build.
For once, my honesty may have cost me more than I could bear to lose.
But I’d been through worse, and I would get over it. I’d get over them.
Liar.
Panic seized me again, and I started to move away when Alex reached out.
He pulled me onto his lap, one hand sliding down to grip my ass and the other on my neck.
His possessive touch lit my desire like lightning shooting up my spine.
Fuck, I’d thought of nothing but this moment for so long and now that it was here, I could barely believe it.
I wrapped my legs around his waist and ground my covered cock against his, my heart pounding so hard and loud it was all I could hear, drowning out the sound of the nearby waves.
Alex’s breathing was as ragged as mine, his chest moving in and out like he was running a marathon. Even though we were both sitting still.
But not for long.
Then I felt Aiden slide in behind me, one large hand smoothing over my hip, the other reaching out to grip Alex’s waist, pulling all three of us together. His hips hit my ass and he rubbed up against me, against Alex’s hand.
Alex and Aiden were touching me.
Fuck, fuck.
I was burning up, my cock throbbing, my pulse out of control. The tremors that racked my body intensified as Aiden’s hot breath kissed my neck. I let my head fall back, leaning against his shoulder.
I was cradled between the two of them.
I never wanted to leave.
I locked on Alex’s face—his blue eyes lit with desire, and those sexy, full lips turned up in a crooked grin I couldn’t get enough of. His cool countenance was long gone, and in its place was a heated hunger that mirrored mine.
I pumped my hips, needing friction. Alex moaned in response, leaning forward to take my lips in a kiss that was worth the agonizing wait.
He was tender at first, his soft lips and rough stubble teasing my mouth, his tongue playfully tangling, exploring. I tasted sweet tea and salt and a flavor that was all Alex.
It was heady, and I shuddered as another wave of desire took hold of me.
Then Aiden’s tongue licked a sensuous path up my neck, and the added pleasure had a loud moan rumbling uncontrolled out of my chest.
“Jared,” Alex whispered my name as he broke the kiss. “Aiden.”
I watched as Aiden leaned over my shoulder, claiming Alex’s mouth. They both moaned as they kissed each other deeply, their tongues and lips aggressive, a dark red flush staining Aiden’s cheek.
Watching their filthy kiss had me pumping my hips faster, my dick aching for touch.
Then Aiden slowly pulled back, reaching down to take my lips. He gently bit my bottom lip, and I didn’t hesitate to open for him.
I tasted Alex on his tongue—fuck, I tasted both of them.
I hoped I wasn’t dreaming or suffering from sunstroke, because it didn’t get any better than this.
These gorgeous, powerful men wanted me and each other. I was about ready to float off into another dimension.
Until someone nearby shouted and broke the sexy spell between us.
“Fuck, I just remembered we’re on a public beach,” Aiden growled and pulled back. His hand trembled as he slid it around my hip and squeezed. “You two are fucking dangerous.”
“Back to the ship,” Alex commanded, his voice gravelly. He licked his swollen lips and leaned back. “For several reasons. Let’s grab our stuff and I’ll text Charlie.”
Aiden pulled back and I missed his body heat.
As he stood up, my gaze caught on his tented shorts and the outline of his hefty cock. Fuck, I couldn’t wait to wrap my lips around that fat dick and suck it all the way down, until all I could feel and taste and smell was him.
“Jesus, Jared, don’t say things like that right now. I’m trying to calm the fuck down,” Aiden grumbled as he adjusted himself.
I was so blissed out I didn’t even realize I’d spoken my thoughts out loud.
Alex helped me stand up and, after brushing off a megaton of sand and taking several deep breaths, I was ready to start walking again.
Aiden paused, needing another minute.
After a few calming breaths, Aiden took my left hand and Alex my right, and together we walked back along the beach.
I didn’t really walk, I floated.
If people stared, I didn’t notice. I finally felt at ease. Like I’d been waiting for this moment for, well, all my life.
Logan was sitting on the beach, guarding our stuff, and gave a wave as we grew closer. A slow smile spread across his face as we drew near.
“Took you guys long enough. Whatcha been up to?” Logan commented with a shit-eating smirk.
Then I remembered that I was holding Aiden and Alex’s hands. I tried to pull back but neither Alex nor Aiden let go.
“What does it look like?” Aiden asked as he raised our joined hands. “And couldn’t you see us at the other end of the beach?”
Alex finally let go of my hand to pick up my phone and his backpack. I noticed the grimace on his face when he read the text message, then he placed the phone in his bag.
Palming his own cell, he began to type furiously.
“I saw a hot threesome, but then I thought maybe it was a mirage. I’ve been out in the sun all afternoon,” Logan chuckled.
Alex shook his head, his face crimson. “We uh, we’ve got to get back to the ship. Thanks again for today, Logan. We had a great time.”
“No worries, nice to have met you all,” Logan stood up and grabbed his bag, pulling out a card and holding it out to Alex. “If you’re in the region for a while and would like to explore the other islands, let me know. I’d love to meet up. It’s nice to make new friends.”
“We might do that,” Alex replied as he took the card.
We shook Logan’s hand and then he sauntered off towards the main road. I let go of Aiden’s hand and gathered up our towels.
Alex glanced at me, and his smile had me hot all over again. “Charlie will be here in five.”
As we ambled over to the edge of the water, I felt a hand on my back, then two. I glanced at Alex. He was tense, looking up and down the beach while we waited for the tender.
When I spotted Charlie, I breathed a sigh of relief. That earlier text message had given me a good scare, and I just wanted to be back on the ship.
The tender came to a stop in the shallows, and we hopped in.
A short ride later, as the sun dipped into the horizon, we were back on Now, Voyager.
As we headed up to the bridge deck, I spotted Tate and Reed deep in conversation. Not yelling, not shouting.
They stopped talking when they spotted us, Tate’s cheeks turning red.
“Hey, guys,” I greeted them.
“I’m going to make some calls,” Alex declared. “Meet you back on deck in half an hour for dinner?”
“Sound great,” Aiden replied, and I nodded.
I watched both men as they wandered down the hallway together, Aiden’s hand on Alex’s back. Funny how Aiden claimed he didn’t feel for anyone, and yet he was so obviously protective of me and Alex.
Alex who, of all of us, needed the least protection.
Then again, given what we’d learned about him last night, maybe he needed it the most of all.
I turned my attention back to my costars, and Reed smiled at me knowingly. Did I have beard burn? Were my lips swollen?
“How was your afternoon?” Reed asked.
“Rock climbing was surprisingly fun. We got some great pictures,” I replied, sticking to safe topics. “What about you? Did you sleep okay?”
“Ah, yeah. Look, I’m sorry I overdid it on the alcohol yesterday. I’ve just got a lot on my mind, and I hope I didn’t say or do anything stupid.”
I shook my head. “Nope. In fact, I owe you an apology for snapping at you.”
“Let’s just forget about it. Tate and I had a good talk today.”
“Over a year in the making,” Tate confessed with a grin.
Reed nodded. “Yeah, long overdue.”
“That’s great,” I replied. “Are you staying onboard for dinner?”
“No, Charlie’s taking us back to Bangkok.”
“I’ll see you both on set tomorrow then.”
“We’ll be there,” Reed replied as he ambled down the stairs, Tate following him.
I headed back to my suite and took a hot shower, then changed into pink shorts and a t-shirt. I went to grab for my phone, then I remembered that Alex had taken it.
I was better off.
Not that I could ignore it for long. I probably had a shitload of messages from my assistants about the shoot tomorrow.
My mind began to spin with thoughts of work. A necessary distraction.
I ambled back outside to find the bridge deck empty. Having a rare moment to myself, I stood at the railing and watched the last hour of daylight.
The sky morphed from a shimmering gold to deep pink then lavender, the pearlescent water reflecting every color. As day turned to night, the velvety darkness set in, punctuated by thousands of stars.
I had only the waves and the lonely cries of seagulls for company.
Evenings in Thailand were magical, and I let the beauty of the moment wash over me.
I smelled Aiden before I heard his footsteps.
Smoky wood and amber. Sophisticated and sexy.
Just like the man himself.
A smile I couldn’t contain had my cheeks aching.
“Now I understand why George prefers to live on the water. It’s so peaceful out here. And slower. Like time is standing still.”
I turned at the sound of Aiden’s voice as he stepped up beside me, our shoulders brushing. The simplest of touches, and yet I leaned into him before I could stop myself. I watched a lock of his wavy hair fall over his forehead, brushing his eyebrow.
“It is. Makes me want to stay here forever instead of going back home,” I whispered.
There was nothing good waiting for me back there.
California was my base, but I’d started to grow restless. The more independent films I made, the more I wanted to leave Hollywood behind.
For good.
Aiden leaned closer, his lips a whisper’s breath away from mine. “Maybe it’s time for a change. A new adventure. A new home.”
I heard footsteps and turned to my left to watch Alex approaching.
“I think maybe you’re right.”