66. Enslee
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
FIVE WEEKS LATER
It’d been six weeks since Declan had been released from the hospital, and over three months since I’d last seen either man in person.
Both made sure to keep up with me. A day rarely went by when I didn't hear from one, if not both of them.
It made my heart swell to know they were so happy once again.
There hadn't been any grand proclamations or coming out parties yet, but the two were often photographed together doing a number of different things.
In fact, when I saw they were in California, it made my heart skip a beat.
I was in San Diego visiting a woman who’d been sentenced to life in prison for the death of her child at the hands of her boyfriend.
I felt no sympathy for her plight. An innocent child had suffered and ultimately lost his life.
And it made me question a number of different things, such as how a mother could stand idly by and watch a child she loved be hurt?
How could she participate in some of the abuse, whether physical or not?
She’d rightfully been convicted and sentenced, but on my podcast, I didn't pass judgment. Over the last few years, I’d sat with some of the most evil people, but felt it was important to get their story out.
That was my job. I wasn't there to glamorize anything.
I was there to ask the hard questions and reveal the unfortunate truths.
With my world focused solely on my job, I was back to visiting at least one prisoner a week. Sometimes I’d visit multiple prisoners in the same jail, then I’d have a couple of weeks’ worth of material to work on. During those times, I’d normally stay in one place until ready for my next interview.
At the moment, work had me in San Diego.
Declan and Brogan were in La Jolla, which was an affluent suburb of this city.
Knowing they were so close to me, it wasn't a surprise that they’d asked me over for dinner.
Although I had no reason, I was a bit apprehensive because I hadn't seen them in person for a while. Talking to them on the phone was one thing, but the last time I’d seen either man in the flesh, I'd broken their hearts and mine.
I didn't know how to come back from that, and for someone who was supposed to hold grudges, Brogan had never done so with me.
He had with Declan, but not anymore, which made me even happier.
Their love, as I'd always witnessed, was beautiful.
Even when I had nothing to compare it to, I knew it was special.
I'd never known what it was like to be loved in the way they loved each other.
And of course, upon their invitation, I started getting weepy.
These men had a hold over me that even I couldn't explain.
It was like my day didn't fully start until I’d spoken with one of them.
We'd exchange text messages, voice and video chats, and just talk to one another.
Hearing their voices was often the best part of any day.
I'd normally get struck with impostor syndrome before a podcast because there were so many like mine out there on social media. It was so easy to fall from the top because once you made it, there was nowhere else to go but downward. Every day, I was terrified it’d happen to me, and once it did, what would become of me?
Thankfully, I'd invested most of the money I’d earned, so I knew I’d be okay for a short while.
I'd even been talking to Layla about the media business. The two of us had kept in touch with one another since she’d left New York.
She and Nash were doing well, and I was thrilled that she’d found love.
It really was truly a case of all's well that ends well.
And I supposed things hadn't been that bad for me. I mean, I did gain three good friends out of all this, and ones I never would’ve known had I not shown up to the interview that day.
I also talked to Jenni and Edna when they were together.
It was like I now had a small family I’d never known I needed.
As wonderful as it all was, tonight’s invitation would place me alone with Brogan and Declan.
I knew that any ulterior motives they had did not involve simply my company.
Or maybe it did, and I was psyching myself up by projecting my own sordid fantasies into the universe.
Oftentimes, I’d dream about their hands on my body, and I'd wake up in a cold sweat, imagining myself being pinned between them as they fucked me. It didn’t matter whether it was my mouth, pussy, or my ass.
I'd come with their name on my lips, and tonight, I’d be there in person, which left me a bit nervous.
It was the reason why I’d taken extra time at the truck stop I’d stopped at to shower.
I’d even applied makeup and the perfect amount of perfume.
When it came to my clothing, I discarded my usual jeans and sweatshirts for a polka-dotted mini dress.
It was tight at the top with spaghetti straps, but after the empire waist, it flowed to mid-thigh.
I finished everything off by putting my hair up in a French twist.
I don’t even recognize myself.
They might not either because I doubted either had ever seen me gussied up. While I didn’t quite compare to those beautiful women that had hung on their arms over the years, I could at least look better than I had before.
I just need to remind you both that I’m a woman.
Unfortunately, I knew the two had friend-zoned me.
Despite that, knowing I’d be around such stunningly handsome men, I needed to do more of my part this time.
I’d hyped myself up for this dinner, at least until I followed the GPS directions and got closer to them.
The moment I entered La Jolla, the houses became larger and the cars more luxurious.
It was a completely different world from New York City, which had been mesmerizing and terrifying too.
I found their property, and after giving my name to the guard, he allowed me entry.
From there, I followed the GPS to a long driveway before coming to a stop in front of a huge white mansion surrounded by palm trees.
There were perfectly manicured flower beds lining both sides of the driveway, and the bricks on one part of the exterior were arranged in a unique pattern.
The house was definitely not cookie-cutter because every detail was custom.
I exited the van, then started up the walkway, taking in the lighting that had been meticulously placed.
The sun hadn't set yet, but I knew it would soon because the skies were already turning darker. The closer I got to the door, the more butterflies fluttered in my chest. I didn't know why I was so nervous, but then again, I remembered the tears I’d cried over these men the last time I’d seen them.
That ache in my chest still hadn’t fully healed.
Soon, it became hard for my feet to move.
I was afraid because I’d never been one to live in fear.
Most of all, I was scared of what I’d feel the moment I laid eyes on them again.
Suck it up, buttercup.
I rang the doorbell because there was no point in delaying the inevitable.
They’d be happy to see me, and unlike the very first time, they were actually expecting me.
And not just for dinner. I suspected they had ulterior motives, which made my core ache.
I shouldn't be getting hot thinking about having sex with these men, especially knowing they were so deeply in love with one another, and I’d never be more than a toy to them. Maybe even a game.
Whatever it was, it filled me with nerves, nonetheless.
There was no room in their world for someone like me, and upon reminding myself of that for the umpteenth time, I plastered on a friendly smile when I saw a shadow through the glass door.
When it opened, I laid my eyes on Declan, and I felt like any other fan of his would feel upon seeing him. It was like a punch to the gut.
“Hi, Declan.”
He said nothing at first, but I could feel his eyes as they moved from my face down my body, pausing briefly on my chest, which was suddenly heaving.
This dress was low-cut, and between that and the built-in bra, it pushed my breasts together, creating even more cleavage.
I remembered back in Mexico how he’d fucked my breast. As those memories came rushing back, my nipples hardened behind the tight fabric.
His gaze continued moving down my body before he slowly dragged it upward once more. When he noticed my hard nipples, he smirked. It was just my luck that I’d figure out a way to embarrass myself ten seconds into our reunion.
“You look nice tonight, darlin’.”
A warmth filled me because he rarely ever called me an endearment and had only really started once I’d left town this last time.
“Is she here?” I heard Brogan ask from the other room.
“She is,” Declan said before turning his attention back to me. “Come on in, Enslee.”
I stepped inside and came to a sudden stop. The sliding pocket doors were completely open, drawing my eyes past them to the amazing view. Ignoring the men momentarily, I walked to the lanai and stared out at view of the Pacific Ocean just past the infinity pool.
“Wow,” I murmured. As I stood there, I couldn’t help realizing how far removed this was from the cramped van I'd been living in.
Declan moved to one side of me, then sat down in one of the four chairs surrounding the fire pit.
It was already lit and looked so intimate and cozy.
Despite the heat emanating from it, I shivered, especially when a pair of strong male arms wrapped around me from behind, then pulled me backward.
I tilted my head to the side and looked up at the pair of black eyes boring down on my face.