Chapter Five. #2
I thought it would have been strange watching Rain give Shotgun a blow job, but it was anything but.
Actually, it was as hot as fuck and hotter when Shotgun took him while Rain once again went down on me.
Nothing was weird. I wasn’t sure if that was because of the ease between Shotgun and Rain or because I was their missing piece.
We spent the entire weekend together, and it felt natural to me.
Rain and Shotgun were going out of their way to ensure that I didn’t feel pressured, but it was the opposite.
Both of them were caring and attentive, not just towards me but to each other.
I honestly was lucky to be around them and knew this was something I wanted to continue exploring.
“Are you okay?” Rain asked as I stared out of the window.
“Yes, just thinking,” I replied, and I felt his guard go up.
“Want to share?”
“I’d like to try, but slowly. Let’s date, have days out, sleepovers.”
Shotgun spoke from behind. “Us being in public together could be an issue. Rain likes PDA, for all he can have a stick up his ass.”
Anxiously, I turned on the stool I was sitting on. “Explain.”
“If I’ve got my arm around your waist, Rain might wanna hold your hand. If he’s got an arm around you, I might throw one around his shoulder. People will stare,” Shotgun elaborated.
“Liar,” I whispered, and Shotgun stared.
“Why?”
“Because you two don’t show PDA because neither of you has told your families.
You’d both be on guard, wary and alert. You know too many people,” I pointed at Shotgun, “to be comfortable with PDA with Rain in public. And you’re scared because you worked with that asshole.
What you’re worried about is if you both hold my hands and someone makes a comment that I’m a slut. ”
Rain and Shotgun both cocked their heads and regarded me.
Neither of them could deny my words because they knew they were the truth.
It was heartbreaking that they felt they had to hide their love.
Love wasn’t anything to be ashamed of. It was small-minded people who judged others who desperately needed the very thing they enjoyed shitting on.
It was clear those assholes had never experienced real love, or they’d believe as I did.
Love should be celebrated whether heterosexual or other in my mind, and I really didn’t care what anyone else thought. Love was to be cherished and nurtured.
“Finished?” Shotgun asked.
“Yup.”
“You’ve not walked in our shoes,” he replied with a scowl.
“No, I haven’t, but you’re asking me to.
You’re asking me to make a leap of faith here.
Triads aren’t something I’m familiar with.
My cousins and grandparents will support me, but others?
I don’t imagine they’ll be as supportive.
This could cost me jobs, get me blacklisted if someone really takes offence, and I could lose everything.
But I’m willing to take a risk. Ask me why. ”
Shotgun eyed me, and I couldn’t read his thoughts. Rain, on the other hand, looked like he was second-guessing himself.
“Ask,” I pushed.
“Why?” Rain snapped.
“Because love is worth it. And you two have so much love inside you, I want some. I wanna be part of this and screw the naysayers. I’m willing to risk everything, are you?”
Shotgun
He stared at Allegra as her words hit home.
Shit, how the hell had they landed Allegra?
She wasn’t even in deep. Allegra could easily have called this a dirty weekend and walked away.
Nothing was keeping her here, apart from herself.
The sex had been amazing, had fuckin’ blown his mind.
But that didn’t mean Allegra was open to being part of a triad.
Allegra was jeopardising everything. Despite the Spaldings clearly revelling in being outrageous, this might be a step too far.
He’d no doubt her parents would cut her off and would try to blacken her name.
Although judging by some of Allegra’s cousins’ careers, none of them would give a shit.
Allegra could easily be labelled a slut and shunned by a lot of people.
Some might even proposition her, thinking her easy.
Allegra was correct. She was definitely risking as much as they were.
He and Rain swapped glances, Rain’s thoughts plain on his face.
Shotgun saw how much Rain desired this, but he was wary, too.
What if public condemnation became too nasty for Allegra, and she folded?
Neither of them could say they knew her well.
Allegra appeared strong-willed and stubborn, but was she?
“Look, I understand Rowena hurt you. And I don’t blame you for doubting me and yourselves. But did you even try to date Rowena as a triad?” She looked between their faces before continuing. “See, that’s what I want. Let’s start as we mean to go on.”
“So let me get this right. You want dates like Shotgun explained?” Rain asked.
“Yes. How will we get to know each other otherwise?”
Shotgun was tempted; that was something they’d not done with Rowena. She’d been perfectly happy staying in and screwing their brains out. But not Allegra. She wanted more. She was looking to set the tone and plan for moving forward. It could have been pushy, but Shotgun found it a huge turn-on.
“How would you suggest starting?” he asked as he leaned against the wall and crossed his legs at his ankles. He couldn’t help but feel a spark when Allegra licked her lips and stared at him.
“Allegra?” Rain pushed, amused.
“Huh? Oh, yeah, sorry. Friday night, a couple goes out, and on Saturday, we go as a threesome,” Allegra suggested.
“Do we need to draw up a rota?” Shotgun chuckled.
He was watching Allegra carefully, searching for any signs of doubt. He couldn’t find a single bit of it.
Allegra held his gaze. “You asked me, remember? Don’t back out now. Life is a risk, and love is worth it.”
“Fine, this Friday you and Rain can go out. The following you and me,” he said.
This was what he wanted, so Shotgun found it hard to explain his reluctance.
Was it because he was worried this would backfire?
Shotgun knew he didn’t believe that Allegra was fully aware of the hate that might face her.
But he was seeing something in Allegra: a core of steel.
If Allegra and her cousins were willing to support each other, Shotgun hoped that meant she’d have a solid circle surrounding her because she’d need it.
Allegra - eight weeks later – September
“Oh no. This will be awkward,” I muttered to Shotgun.
“What?” he demanded, glancing over as we entered the restaurant with his arm around me.
“That’s Rain’s sister,” I whispered, and Shotgun turned his head.
“Yeah. Thalia.”
“She’s seen Rain and me on a couple of dates. Thalia has an uncanny habit of popping up where we do,” I murmured.
Thalia’s eyes had clocked us the moment we walked in. Her stare bore into us, and I guessed drama would soon ensue.
“Wanna go elsewhere?” Shotgun muttered, ducking his head towards me.
“No. I like the food here.”
“Ah. A woman who thinks with her stomach.”
“Shotgun,” I gently slapped his hard abs. “The slaw!”
“Not the ribs then?” he teased as the hostess approached and led us to a table. And crap, we were two away from Thalia and Bear, her husband.
“Brother,” Bear said, his eyes worried.
“Bear, Thalia,” Shotgun replied as he held out a chair. He put his back to the wall, something that Bear had also done. Shotgun always did this. Rain explained that it was so Shotgun could keep an eye on the room. It was a protective move.
“Allegra,” Thalia snapped coldly. Oh, yup, her mind was working overtime.
“Thalia, a pleasure to see you again.”
“Is it? I’m surprised,” Thalia replied with a glare.
“Babe,” Bear murmured, but Thalia kept glaring.
“How’s Rain?”
There it was. I smiled at Shotgun as he reached for my hand. His thumb moved back and forth over my pulse. There was a steady calmness in his touch.
“Rain was perfectly fine when I spoke to him an hour ago,” I answered, and a look of disbelief appeared in her eyes.
“Yet Rain’s at home and not here.”
“Oh no. Rain’s not actually. He’s gone out celebrating. Didn’t you hear? I’m sure Rain told you. ENS hired on his old team a few weeks back, but they’re just getting together for a celebratory meal.”
“So you thought—what? That you’d cheat?” Thalia continued.
“Thal!” Bear warned.
“No. That’s my baby brother, and Rain thinks Allegra’s his girlfriend, but she’s here with Shotgun!” Thalia said, and I heard the anger in her voice.
“Rain knows I’m here.”
Thalia’s eyes grew wide, and she looked like an extra from The Exorcist. “What?”
“Rain is aware of my date with Shotgun. Call him if you must.”
“I’m confused. You broke up?” Thalia asked.
“No.” Now, even Bear appeared bewildered. “This is none of your business. So politely, enjoy your meal and butt out.”
“Shotgun, you can’t seriously be okay with this?” Thalia exclaimed.
“Thalia, stay out of it,” Shotgun ordered.
“Hey!” Bear bristled.
“Don’t go there, brother. Thalia’s no say in a brother’s life.”
“I have a say in mine!” Thalia snapped.
“You don’t with me. Now excuse us,” I retorted and turned away. I smirked at Shotgun, who regarded me impassively, but I saw the amusement in his eyes. But there was also conflict; I was getting shit because he and Rain weren’t out.
“Slut!” Thalia hissed.
Shotgun rose angrily as I spun around. “Remove Thalia now, brother, because I’ll cause a fuckin’ incident,” he threatened.
Bear stood up. “You have to push,” he growled at Thalia, who stared daggers at me.
“One day, those words will haunt you. When they do, don’t look at me for forgiveness,” I replied evenly. Bear grabbed Thalia as confusion rose within her.
“I’m telling Rain. He’s my brother and you’re cheating on him!” Thalia cried.
“Still quick to fuckin’ judge. Losing a finger and the rest of the shit that happened taught you nothing. Remember who rode for you, and show respect,” Shotgun growled out.
Thalia paled, but I was done. I turned and picked up the menu. Moments later, I heard Thalia and Bear leave. Shotgun sat down and took his cue from me. Thalia wouldn’t ruin our date night, no matter how misguided she was.