Chapter 16
~
Rhea
Luckily, whoever had been walking past that day didn’t need any equipment.
Calder had simply made me wait for a while before he had me make my escape.
I assumed that he’d left the room some time after that.
Either way, nobody had called to let me know that he was in trouble for the whole thing, so I figured we were in the clear.
It had now been a few days since then, and while I was doing my grocery run, I got a message from Jackie inviting me to lunch. I didn’t have anything better to do, and she was the closest thing I had to a friend in the neighborhood.
Besides, I really needed to talk to someone about the latest developments.
I suggested a coffee shop a fifteen minute drive from my house in the opposite direction from the mall. The last thing I needed was to spend more time that close to my job. I also didn’t want to run the risk of one of the employees possibly overhearing my conversation with Jackie.
It was only once I parked the car in front of the shop that I realized it was pretty close to Ash’s old ice cream parlor. It made me wonder if I was subconsciously thinking of him, maybe wishing that I was spending the afternoon with him instead.
I got out of the car, and was struck immediately by how hot it was outside; almost sweltering.
I couldn’t wait to get inside the coffee shop, which, as far as I remembered, at least had some good air conditioning.
That thought made me walk a bit faster toward the glass doors that would lead me into relief.
The coffee shop was cozy, with most of the tables fairly close together and the lights dimmer than the sun outside. Jackie wasn’t there yet, so I settled in the far corner away from the two sets of other people chatting away.
“Can I get you anything?” The waitress was smiling, but I could tell that she was tired. “We have a sandwich special.”
“No, just a coffee, please. Two sugars with cream.”
It was about five minutes before Jackie came waltzing in with clear curiosity in her expression. She probably couldn’t wait to hear about my newest exploits, and I couldn’t wait to share them.
“Coffee, please, sweetie,” Jackie called to the waitress before she sat down across from me. “So, Rhea, tell me. What have you been up to?”
“A lot,” I laughed dryly, stirring the coffee in front of me. “I’ve… been with Calder now, too.”
“Oh, three for three then!” Jackie said a bit loudly, causing the other tables to look our way. When she continued, Jackie lowered her voice. “Sorry. I mean, really, you’re lucky, you know? Not many of us can say we’ve bagged three firefighters at once.”
“I don’t know about that,” I sighed, looking past her to the window. “I’ve got feelings, but I don’t know exactly what they are. It’s got me all twisted up.”
“Mmm, I see,” Jackie nodded slowly, and bit at her top lip. She looked like she was in thought for a few seconds. “The thing is, it’s hard to organize feelings, isn’t it? Is there anyone you like a little bit more than the others?”
I glanced at her. “I don’t think so. That’s the problem. I think it’s going to end badly.”
“You can’t think like that,” Jackie insisted quickly, before the waitress showed up with her mug. “Thanks, sweetie.”
“Anything else?” The waitress asked, and I wondered if she had gotten any sleep at all the previous night. She seemed like she was in desperate need of a nap.
“No, we’re good,” Jackie said, and watched her walk away before she continued her thoughts.
“I get it, it’s a tough situation. When I was in college, there was a time where I had one guy sending me love letters, and another knocking on my dorm room door every other day.
It was all fun and games until they ended up in a bit of a fistfight. ”
“Really?” My eyes widened and I had to smile. Jackie’s stories were always dramatic, but somehow, knowing her better, I could actually imagine her enjoying that situation.
“I let them both go,” Jackie answered, as if she’d simply thrown away a few old sandwiches. “It didn’t take long before I found someone else. Once the drama gets too real, at your age, it’s not necessary to bog yourself down.”
“I don’t know about that.” I sat back in my chair, fiddling with my spoon and staring at my reflection in it. “I really like all three of them.”
“Lots of fish,” Jackie shrugged. “Some really nice fish, too. I got a pretty good one, even if he’s as dull as cardboard.”
I laughed again as the tension was momentarily broken. “It’s not that bad, is it? Being stable and settled?”
Jackie took a sip from her coffee pensively. I wondered if it wasn’t burning her, given that mine was still almost too hot to drink. It seemed as if she were having some sort of inner struggle. I wondered if maybe her home life wasn’t that great, but I didn’t feel like it was my place to pry.
“I’ll be honest with you,” she finally said, a deep sadness in her voice.
“I love being a mom, of course I do. It’s just…
Sometimes I wish there was more to life, you know?
I used to be adventurous. I did so many things.
I had a fire in my heart. I… I sometimes feel like I can’t reach that side of me anymore. ”
She paused, and I sat with her in the silence that followed. I had no idea what that felt like, and I couldn’t really relate to it. Maybe in twenty years, I’d be in the same place that she was. But I didn’t know that for sure.
“Anyway, you still can!” Jackie’s demeanor switched so fast that I almost felt as if I had whiplash. “Look, you’re fine. The men are into it, right?”
“Yeah,” I answered tentatively. “It seems like it.”
“Then why stop?” Jackie’s confidence spilled over into me. “Seriously, life is short. No point if you’re not living it.”
“I mean…” I waited for a second, wondering if what I was about to say would sound completely insane or not. “I’ve been thinking. Maybe I should just date all three of them. If I can, I don’t want to be forced to choose.”
“That’s the spirit!” Jackie’s eyes lit up, and it looked a little like she was living her dream through me.
“I’ve wanted a bit more excitement in my life, but you?
You’ve hit the jackpot here. Don’t let it slip through your fingers.
If they all want you, and they can actually share you, then I don’t see why not! ”
“You’ve got a point,” I agreed with a firm, decisive nod. “I won’t know if I don’t try.”
“Can I get you something to eat, or do you want the bill?” The waitress’ arrival momentarily interrupted our chat, but it gave me a moment to consider what we’d been talking about.
If it was really possible to have my cake and eat it too, maybe it was a chance worth taking.
By the end of my lunch with Jackie, she had me convinced that my dream could become reality. I left the coffee shop with my heart much lighter and the future looking bright. I headed straight home, thinking that I needed to consider my game plan.
When I pulled into my driveway, I stole a glance at the station next door. The engine stood in its place. I thought of stopping by, but decided against it. I’d see one of them soon enough, and hopefully, I could have that world-exploding pleasure again.
The thought alone was riling me up. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to focus on anything else if I didn’t get some kind of release.
Inside, I locked the door and placed my keys on the counter before heading straight upstairs to my shower.
Don’t worry, I’ll keep you warm. Ash’s voice echoed in my mind, the sensation of him exploring me while I sat on his bike running through my body.
I think I’m going to take my time with you. Beck, standing next to Ash in my fantasies.
You feel incredible. Calder, completing the perfect trio.
Outside of the shower, I quickly undressed, before getting in and turning the water open wide. As the water ran over my body, I could imagine it transforming into their hands, their fingers, all exploring me at the same time.
All three of us? I imagined Beck saying as he kneeled in front of me and pushed my knees apart. You’re brave, aren’t you?
Wild, Ash’s deep growl as I thought of him kissing me, with Beck’s tongue exploring.
We’re going to make you come, again and again, Calder’s stoic firmness as he stood beside me in my mind, letting me take his hardness in my hand.
In reality, I leaned back against the shower wall, and let my own hand travel down my stomach. I felt myself; already incredibly wet, ready for what would come next.
As I started moving my fingers in circles, the guys were all still in my fantasy, each exploring a part of my body.
All of the attention was on me, and I drank it in like fresh water in a desert.
I could imagine how each one of them felt inside of me, how they felt in my hands, how their skin felt against mine.
I was breathing hard, my legs spread as much as they could be, my back pressed hard against the shower tiles. The shower water crashing over me was intensifying the experience, and my fantasy dipped into it.
I imagined standing under a waterfall, with each of the men taking a turn to kiss me, to touch me, to be inside of me. Calder, powerful but reserved. Beck, carefree and fun. Ash, intense and passionate. Each one had his own strengths, his own way of getting me over that edge.
All together, I couldn’t imagine how incredible the experience would be. But I knew that I wanted to find out.
The fantasy escalated, and I sped up the movements of my fingers. I had my eyes closed, seeing each of them in my head, and I knew I wouldn’t last very long.
I leaned into it, adding more pressure, thinking of their eyes, their mouths, their bodies. How deep they could each get into me, how right it felt to be with each one of them.
“Oh, god,” I whispered as I came, harder than I ever had before in a solo session.
I had to take more than a minute to simply catch my breath and get my head back in the real world.
The intensity of it all surprised me. Usually, a DIY-moment would take at least twenty minutes, and it would be a mechanical process.
It had never felt like this before, and I thought of doing it again.
Then my phone buzzed from its spot on the sink outside of the shower. I couldn’t see who the text was from with the steam and water on the door, but it did somewhat break the trance I had put myself in.
I cleaned myself up and got out, thinking that I might go for another round later in the evening. I took my time getting into my pajamas before I checked my phone.
The first thing I noticed was that the message was from my mom. I was a little disappointed that it wasn’t one of the guys, but simultaneously, I was curious. My mom wasn’t the biggest texter; she preferred calls if she wanted small talk.
Then, I checked the message.
Hey Nugget, Dad and I saw there’s a festival in town in a few weeks. We’ll be coming down. Hope your guest room is ready!