THIRTY-SEVEN
DAKOTA
We had been back home for two weeks, and I’ve been on edge ever since.
A lot had been going on between the guys, and I recently—even before we left for the mountains—and I just… well, I needed my best friend.
“You are aware that you can sit and wait for Logan, right?” Chase yanked me out of my head, and my eyes landed on him across from me.
I was unknowingly pacing up and down the living room with both him and Kaden occasionally casting confused glances my way.
I nodded. “Yeah, you’re right.” I heavily exhaled and found my place beside him.
I had barely been seated for five seconds before I was back to pacing up and down. This time, Chase shut his laptop.
Kaden grabbed my attention thereafter. “Dakota, what’s going on?”
My head snapped up, and I swallowed hard. I opened my mouth to speak—fiddling with my fingers—then clammed shut. “I just… no,” I shook my head. “We need to wait for Logan,” I glanced between the two of them.
“Wait for Logan?” Logan appeared in the doorway, and I swallowed the lump of anxiety down my throat.
“Please, sit down,” I gestured toward where Chase was seated, and he looked over at both men before sitting down. “Please?” I nodded for Kaden to come over, and he did, sitting down next to Logan.
“Okay…” I exhaled, shifting my eyes between them.
“I know that you all really value your privacy,” I nodded, my pacing having picked up again.
“And I promise you can trust me, I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize our relationship,” I added, looking down at my feet as I walked.
With my heart thumping in my chest, I chewed the inside of my cheek.
I paused and finally stopped, meeting their uncertain gazes. My hands clutched together in front of my face, panic coating my words.
“Please, let me tell Solace about us!” I blurted out.
“I can’t keep lying to everyone about this, especially my best friend—it feels like I’m losing my mind!
” I heavily exhaled, my fingers pressing to my temples.
“I just need someone to talk to—” I cut myself off, whipping around to face them.
“And I know that I have you, but it’s not the same, so please understand,” I caught my breath.
With my chest heaving for air, silence fell over the room, and I wasn’t sure whether or not they were considering it, or just confused as to why I was panicking to begin with.
“Breathe,” Logan got to his feet, and I slowly inhaled, before releasing a heavy exhale.
He cautiously approached me as though he was concerned.
“You can tell Solace,” he calmly lifted a hand to my lower back and excitement brewed in my core.
My anxiety vanished, and suddenly, my heart wasn’t beating as fast.
“But,” Chase leaned back, grabbing my attention. “She’d have to sign an NDA as well,” he explained, and my smile broadened across my face.
“Really?” I beamed in excitement.
“Yes,” Logan nodded in confirmation, and I shrieked, slinging my arms around his neck. “Thank you, thank you!” This is amazing!
“I’ll type—” Chase got up, but my arms were around his neck instantly. I smacked a kiss to his cheek and turned my attention to Kaden but immediately froze. He had been silent this entire time. My heart rate picked up again, and I anticipated his reaction as I stood—a fiery ball of nerves.
“We trust you.”
Pure happiness exploded out of me, and I straddled his lap, attacking him with kisses of gratitude. “I won’t let you down,” I wiggled off his lap. “Either of you!” I glanced between him and Logan and rushed upstairs.
As soon as I entered my bedroom, I grabbed my cell phone from my bag and plopped down on my bed.
Kicking my feet in the air, I dialed Solace’s number.
* * *
“Sign here, here, and here,” I pointed to the black spaces.
With knitted brows of confusion, Solace signed.
“D, what’s going on?” she asked, lifting the pen from the page. “And why are we at Professor Hale’s house,” she glanced around. “And most importantly, why do you have your own bedroom here?”
“Well… because Logan and I are in an oddly, weird, complicated relationship.”
“Really?” she faked a gasp. “You’re dating Logan? The Professor Logan Hale?” she sarcastically asked, trying to sound shocked.
“I’m serious!” I laughed, and she smiled.
“I know,” she nodded.
“But that’s not all…”
In suspicion, she crossed her arms over her chest.
“Chase and Kaden are in a relationship with us too…” My brows knitted in confusion. That definitely didn’t come out right.
Solace’s teasing expression slowly morphed into confusion. “What…?”
“Yeah…” I nodded, clutching my hands in front of me.
“You’re having sex with all three of them?” she blurted out and I chuckled. Of course that’s her response.
“Well, yes, but it’s more than that,” I explained.
“You slut!” she gasped, grabbing my pillow and hitting my arm repeatedly. I laughed, shielding myself and she held the pillow in her lap in excitement.
“I’m their… submissive,” I explained.
“Oh my God it’s a kinky relationship,” she rushed through her words in one breath.
“Solace!” I playfully reprimanded and she chuckled, covering her mouth to hide her smile. “You’re judging me—”
“No, D, I’m not. I swear I’m not,” she grabbed both of my hands, unable to hold back her smile.
“You can’t even stop laughing,” I tugged my hands from hers but she only tightened her hold.
“Okay okay,” she caught her breath. “It’s just so unexpected, I’m sorry,” she flicked away an imaginary tear. “So,” she exhaled. “Are they treating you well?”
“Yeah,” I avoided her eyes.
“And you’re happy with them?”
I nodded in confirmation.
She tilted my chin upward, but this time, a heartwarming smile spread across her lips. “Come here.”
I leaped into her arms and she squeezed me, making me chuckle.
“If you’re happy, I’m happy,” she reassured me.
Slowly, we broke the hug and a devious twinkle sparked behind her eyes. “So you really have sex with all three of them?” she whispered.
I fought back a smile, covering my face with both hands and she grabbed my forearms with a squeal.
“Oh, D, I’m jealous!” she groaned. “Do they have friends?” She suddenly whispered, leaning in.
“It’s not just about having sex with three hot guys, Lacey.”
She stuck her tongue out, throwing her head back. “But why can’t it be?” she whined.
“Because—” I cut myself off. “Actually, I don’t know.” Hope sparked behind her eyes and I shook my head. “I’m not asking.”
“Boo!” she screamed and I chuckled, grabbing my pillow to hit her.
Her and I continued chatting until it turned into an official sleepover. We had been snacking and gossiping nonstop and soon enough, music filled the room.
I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston boomed through the speakers and she stood on my bed, holding the remote as she sang.
I stood on the floor, dancing beside her while partially cheering her on. We danced around the room, jumping on my bed every so often.
She disappeared into my closet before popping up in my fur coat and sunglasses. I chuckled, watching her strut toward me—singing as though she was Whitney Houston herself.
I disappeared into my closet as well and returned with a scarf, wiggling my shoulders towards her.
Her laughter mixed with the music and my heart swelled with happiness.
Eventually we crashed onto my bed, laying side by side with heaving chests. Unable to hide my joy, I squealed.
* * *
Solace and I were skipping and humming our way downstairs for breakfast until we immediately halted, seeing both Chase and Kaden in the kitchen—shirtless. That’s right, they go running early in the morning.
Chase, as usual, was behind the stove and Kaden sat behind the kitchen island.
“You’re still here?” Kaden grumbled, but Solace was too speechless to snap back.
“Good morning,” I smiled, and subtly nudged her.
“Morning,” she blurted out, darting her eyes between Chase and Kaden. She’ll get used to it.
“Good morning,” Chase glanced between us.
“Morning, baby,” Kaden smiled at me and I found my spot across from him.
“Why so moody, Muscles?” Solace questioned him, plopping down beside me. “Didn’t get enough beauty sleep?”
“It was difficult with all the noise coming from Dakota’s bedroom,” he shot back.
Solace and I glanced at each other in guilt then chuckled, apologizing.
“Speaking of,” she trailed off beside me. “What the hell are you training for? Seriously,” her head slightly tilted to the right. My head tilted too. She’s right. His bicep was probably the size of my head.
“Told you it would be easy,” Logan said, and when I turned, I saw him entering the kitchen with his cellphone screen angled toward Chase.
“If it isn’t my favorite Professor,” Solace grinned at him.
“Miss Allard,” he returned a smile, then greeted me.
“I take offense to that,” Chase stated and our heads snapped to him. Right. He’s her Professor too.
“Well, I take offense to the C minus you gave me two weeks ago,” she snapped back.
“Should’ve studied.”
“Should’ve been more lenient,” she scoffed, and I playfully shook my head at her. “The carnival!” she suddenly blurted out. “You made my best friend cry,” she hopped off the stool, pointing a stern finger at Logan.
“We have resolved the matter.”
“Resolved the matter my ass,” she murmured, glancing back at me. “And let’s just get one thing clear,” she shifted a stern finger between all three of them. “No one makes my best friend cry. Not even you, Muscles,” she narrows her eyes at Kaden who simply rolled his eyes.
“It won’t happen again, Solace,” Logan reassured her, and I placed a gentle hand on her arm.
“I’ll be fine,” I leaned over to whisper, then looked up at Logan. “Solace and I are having lunch with my mom, so I won’t be home today.”
Having Solace around the guys was definitely going to be something. Especially now that she knew the truth.
* * *
After endless fun with my mom and Solace, I finally got back home at around 5 p.m. and Logan and I headed over to Kaden’s office.
“Woah…” I breathed, trailing my eyes around the room.
Kaden had his cellphone pressed to his ear, looking handsome as usual behind his desk. Logan closed the door behind both of us, and I slowly approached his desk, still looking around.
When Kaden ended his call, Logan spoke up. “My wife and I heard you’re the best in the city,” he mused and my head snapped back to him. I rolled my eyes and he smiled. “She’s been having issues lately,” he added.
“What kind of issues would that be?” Kaden asked, pulling me onto his lap.
His hands squeezed my ass and I didn’t miss his eyes lingering on my exposed cleavage.
His hand slipped around my throat and he pressed his lips to mine. I smiled, slipping my arms around his neck before pulling back. “I’m sexually attracted to my therapist and find myself on his lap often,” I played Logan’s game.
“Mhm,” Kaden kept his gaze on my lips and I adjusted slightly, allowing my chest to be level with his eyesight.
“Just wanted to see where you work,” I explained, looking around the office.
Well, that was only partially true. Mom and Solace gossiped so much until they ended up telling a story about a therapist who had sexual relations with their patients and all of a sudden, I was on edge. Mainly because that was Kaden’s specialty.
“And why’s that?” he asked before burying his face in the crease of my neck.
Butterflies tickled my lower stomach and I smiled, tilting my head to the side.
“Curiosity,” I lied.
Logan pinned me with a look and I silently pleaded for him not to say anything.
I trusted Kaden… I really did, but I was still getting used to the fact that he was a sex therapist, so to give me some peace of mind, Logan offered to bring me here. And I needed to find out if he only works with women.
Kaden lifted his head, and glanced from me to Logan. “I’ll drop her off before my next appointment.”
Logan nodded and got to his feet. He shot me a look I instantly understood as—tell Kaden the truth—before saying goodbye and leaving the office.
With a solid grip on my hips, Kaden lifted me onto his desk and I gasped, gripping the edge.
He held my thighs, pulling himself closer and I leaned back onto my forearms. Pushing my skirt up, he pulled my panties down my legs.
“Kaden—” I was immediately cut off when his tongue pressed against my clit. “Oh.” My head fell back onto the desk.
* * *
Kaden decided to reschedule his appointment after our moment in his office, and decided that we should go and get food instead.
Thereafter we entered the living room to find Chase—marking a couple scripts—and Logan typing away on his laptop.
The fire had cast a cozy orange glow over the room, and I hugged my stomach, feeling warmth bubble inside of me.
My mom was away from my abusive father, living her best single life. My best friend knew the truth about my relationship with the guys. And finally, I was loved and cared for by three amazing human beings.
I found my usual spot between Chase and Logan, and pulled my legs up on the couch.
Logan grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. It was already playing Geordie Shore.
I smiled over at him, and he winked before Chase reached over to cover me with my furry blanket. I thanked him and as he got back to work, Kaden entered with my hot chocolate. Perfect.