2. Cassidy
Chapter two
Cassidy
I sit on the sofa, pretending to watch the movie, with butterflies in my belly. Why am I nervous about seeing Tom again? We’ve seen each other in the hallway since the wardrobe malfunction incident in the bar, but he’s usually working on Friday nights when Jack and I tend to hang out.
The butterflies increase in volume and intensity with each minute that passes and I physically jump when the door buzzes. Jack chuckles in a deep rumble as he gets up to answer.
“I’m not sure why I’m jumpy. Sorry.” I cringe as I remember my scruffy attire. Not the best impression.
“It’s all good.” Jack opens the door and Tom steps into his bearhug. Maybe I won’t need to experiment; perhaps watching these two together will give me enough inspiration for my story. It’s easy to imagine myself squeezed between them right now. My nipples tighten as a wave of lust rolls over me.
The guys break apart and Jack puts his hand on Tom’s shoulder to steer him towards where I’m sitting. I realise I should have got up, but the guys have stepped closer now and I can’t do it without being awkward. Instead, I gaze up at them, certain that my mouth is hanging open. Jack’s gaze smoulders while Tom bites his lip as he watches me.
Jack smiles down at me. “You look like you’re about to drool.”
I bring my hand up to my mouth to check for dribble. This makes him laugh deep.
“Don’t be mean,” Tom says, smacking Jack on the shoulder. Then he turns back to me. “Mac, good to see you again.” Our eyes meet and hold for a while as pleasure spreads through me at the sound of the nickname.
I gulp before replying, “Hey, Tom. It’s lovely to properly meet you… I mean, umm… I’ve seen you in the hallway and that night at the bar and stuff.” I shut my mouth when I realise I’m stumbling over my words. Perhaps it’s because they’re towering over me and all I can think about is dropping to my knees and pleasuring them both with my mouth. I blush but also make a mental note to add that into my plot notes. That’s hot.
“Sit,” Jack tells Tom, pushing him down onto the couch beside me. “Do you want a drink? We’ve got wine open.”
“Got any beer left?”
“Sure. I’ll grab one. Cass, you want anything?”
“Can I get some water, please? I’m feeling quite parched.”
His eyebrows raise at that before he makes his way to the kitchen.
“So you finished work early?” I ask Tom. “Does that happen often?”
“I’m usually there until close, but my assistant manager was in tonight. We were expecting a big crowd, but it was quiet, so I won the coin toss to leave early.” He smiles at me as I brush a tendril of loose hair away from my face and tuck it behind an ear. His gaze follows the movement, and I watch as his tongue darts out and licks his lips.
“Here.” Jack shoves the beer between us and then holds out a glass of water to me.
“Thanks,” I murmur before taking a gulp, hoping to quench my hot thoughts.
“Jack said you’re a writer,” Tom says after gulping down some of his beer. “That must be a cool job.”
“It is. Did he tell you what I write?”
“Better than that—we read some of it.”
I gasp and look across to Jack, who is sitting on my other side on the L-shaped couch with a shameless smirk on his face. “You didn’t tell me that!”
Jack chuckles. “How could I resist reading it when you told me what you’d written? It’s sexy.” He waggles his eyebrows at me.
Pride washes over me, knowing they’ve read my writing. I hope it turned them on. “Which one did you read?”
“The one about the Femmedomme. Fuck, she was a goddess.”
That’s my most recent release and my pride and joy. I poured my heart and soul into that story and it gives me the warm fuzzies when I know someone has read it and enjoyed it.
“That scene where she whipped him and he enjoyed it. Jeez, that was intense.” Tom quietly speaks beside me.
“I might have asked for a little light spanking myself after reading that,” Jack admits.
Tom lets out a noise that sounds like a growl, making me shift in my seat. The chemistry between these two is insane and here I am, caught in the middle. To think they’ve read my writing and been aroused. I’m turning to mush here in this seat, thinking about how these guys must look together naked and entwined. Jack reaches across the back of the chair behind me and brushes Tom on the shoulder. The pair of them stare at each other for a while and I have the feeling they are replaying the spanking in their minds.
“Err, I should go.” I slap my hands on my thighs, not wanting to be a third wheel when things are clearly heating up between them.
“Why?” asks Jack with a frown, dropping his hand back in his lap.
“Let you guys spend some time together.”
“We can do that with you here, Cass. Don’t go, not yet,” Jack pleads. “Tell Tom about your next book,” Jack prompts me. “And the research you want to do.”
I give Jack the side eye, not sure I want to share my plans. “It’s a… uh… threesome book.”
“Wow, I look forward to reading that one,” Tom tells me with an earnest look on his face.
“And you’re looking to do some research, aren’t you, Cass?”
“Err, yeah. I’ve been feeling a bit stuck and realised I need some inspiration. I’ve never had one… a threesome, that is.” I’m stumbling over my words. “I’ve put out an ad to find a couple to join for the evening.”
Tom frowns and his eyes seem to lock with Jack’s.
“What, like a hetero couple?” Tom asks.
“Erm, no. I’m looking for two guys.” I can’t believe the heat coming off my cheeks right now. I write smut for a living and here I am, blushing like a schoolgirl.
“I’ve offered to help her vet the replies,” Jack tells Tom huskily. Tom nods.
“You need to be careful, Mac.” His careful warning is oddly comforting.
“I know. I’ve already had this chat with Jack.”
Jack dances his fingertips across my shoulders, causing me to quiver. “We could take care of you.” His voice has dropped another octave, even huskier now.
What? What is he offering here?
I watch as Tom gives a slight nod and Jack’s face breaks into a grin.
“What do you mean?” I blurt, my gaze bouncing between them.
“We could be your test subjects.” Jack’s hand sweeps up the nape of my neck, burying his fingers in my hair at the back of my head.
I swallow hard. “Have you done anything like that before?”
“Once or twice,” comes Tom’s muted response. He licks his lips. I wonder if it’s some kind of tell. But what is it telling? That he’s turned on? I sure am. I fidget in my seat as all the blood in my body seems to rush south. I’m sure my underwear is ruined, and that’s just from my earlier daydreaming about watching these two together.
“What do you say, Cass?” Jack draws my attention again with his question. He raises his eyebrows as I turn to look at him.
“I’m not sure,” I croak. I’ve lost my voice from the shock I’ve just had. When I posted that ad, I hadn’t thought beyond whether I’d receive any legitimate takers or if it would all just be the usual dating site nonsense.
“You know us. I know you don’t know Tom as well as me, but I can vouch for him. I swear he’s not some crazed pervert.”
“No, that would be you,” comes Tom’s dry reply.
“I don’t like the idea of you meeting strangers from the internet. You get all sorts out there.”
I can’t help but roll my eyes. “Come on, Jack. That’s how dating works these days. And I’m not stupid. I wouldn’t just jump in blind and meet people when I know nothing about them or have a safe plan in place.”
“But you don’t need to, Cass. We’re here and we’re offering. Unless you’re not attracted to us. Is that the problem?” Jack probes, dipping his head and looking up at me from beneath those long lashes. “Because that’s definitely not a problem for either of us,” he goes on, his eyes smouldering so much I’m convinced he’ll start a fire soon. “Is it Tom?”
I rip my gaze away from where I think Jack is trying to hypnotise me to look at Tom again.
“You’re gorgeous, Cassidy. I’ve thought it since that night at the bar. Jack’s been talking about you since you moved in. I’m surprised he’s not made a move before now.”
Is this really happening right now? These two amazing men are offering themselves to me. This is my chance to fulfil my threesome fantasy and get some inspiration from my book. But am I brave enough to jump in and actually do it?
“I don’t want things to get awkward… you know, afterwards. I like Jack and I’d love to get to know you more, Tom. You guys might not want to see me again after. And that’s gonna be weird as hell with me living across the hall.” I close my eyes, drawing in a deep breath. “My friend Mel already thinks I’m a hermit. If it got awkward between us, I’d never be able to leave my apartment again.” I take in another gulp of air. My heart is racing, sweat building on the back of my neck. Maybe I should get out of here.
“We don’t want to pressure you, Cassidy.” Tom has such a quiet, laid back manner and I wonder if he’d be a relaxed, easy lover. “Do we, Jack?” He looks across to Jack with a frown, as if he’s telling him off for coming on too strong.
“No, we don’t, but would you let me do something that might help persuade you, Cass?” Jack dips his head closer but pauses, waiting for my response. He’s going to kiss me. I can tell. I want this.
I nod and almost close my eyes, puckering my lips—ready to receive all the persuasion he wants to throw at me—but decide to keep myself open and alert to experience the whole thing.
I gasp when he reaches past me and takes Tom’s lips in a kiss instead. Their lips crush together and I can’t hold back my gentle moan when their tongues tangle. Jack’s hand strokes up my thigh while Tom reaches up and toys with my hair.
I can’t take my eyes off them. Jack’s other hand is gripping the back of Tom’s neck and a current of electricity is zinging through the three of us, connected by touch. I have no idea how much time has passed but can’t help pressing my thighs together to try to alleviate the pulse quickening there as I watch them devour each other.
Eventually, they ease back, and Jack dips his forehead to rest against Tom’s as they both seem to revel in their connection. “Now your turn,” Jack murmurs as he uses his hand on the back of Tom’s neck to encourage him forward, closer to my mouth.
“Okay?” Tom whispers.
I blink and nod shyly. I close my eyes as his soft lips meet mine. Tentatively at first. Such gentle kisses. My sigh sounds out at the same time as Jack groans. Tom makes me feel precious. I can picture him taking very good care of me.
I peel my eyes open and my vision is full of Tom. His eyes twinkle as my gaze meets his. Jack’s lips brush the sensitive spot behind my ear. My skin tingles all over as heat builds within me.
Tom gives me a peck before grinning. I laugh as Jack’s hand pushes Tom’s face out of the way and then he’s there. He doesn’t ask. He takes. Showing me just how different these men are.
Diving straight in, his tongue pushes between my lips, twisting with mine. His hands hold my hips, keeping me in place. Tom buries his fingers into my messy bun, massaging my scalp as Jack ravishes my mouth.
There’s no doubt this persuasion technique is working as they both lavish me in attention that has my body humming. When Jack eventually pulls away, he’s panting like he’s run a marathon.
“Fuck, Cass, that was hotter than I even imagined,” he groans. I’m glad I’m not the only one that’s been fantasising about this.
“Please say yes,” Tom whispers against my ear as his hands drop to my waist.
I glance back at him and his damn dazzling eyes—maybe it was him that hypnotised me and not Jack.
“I think so,” I whisper.
Tom tilts his head to the side, his eyes questioning.
“I just…” I draw in a breath. “Can I think about it?” I blurt. “I don’t want to rush into anything. That was incredible and it would be easy to be swept away and leap right in, but can I just have some time?”
He pecks me on the cheek. “Of course, Cassidy. Take your time.”
“Is that okay with you, Jack?” I twist around to ask and find him watching me and Tom intently.
“Sure thing, doll. I hope it’s a yes, Cass. That was the hottest kiss I’ve ever had. Imagine how good we’d all be together.” I’ve been thinking of nothing else all night.
He gives me one of his signature grins and I doubt my decision for a moment. These guys are insanely attractive and inviting me into bed with them. What is there to think about?
But I know I can't rush into this. Jack is my friend. One that I’ve met since my horrendous marriage break up. And I don’t want to spoil this friendship by jumping into something temporary with them. No, I’m right to take a step back and gain some perspective.
My hands pull away from each of their legs.
“I… uh… I’m going to go. I need to think about this. But I really appreciate the offer and I promise I will give it my every consideration,” I tell them both seriously.
Tom nods at me and Jack gives my hand a squeeze as he says, “Take the time you need, Cassidy. We will be ready when you are.”