Chapter 4
MADISON
None of this is what I expected when I signed up for the auction. I thought I’d come into a room with someone and get him off by crawling around or licking his balls or something. Instead, I’ve got two guys who just, what, want me to use them? Multiple times?
“What do you need to come a second time?” Damiano strokes my breasts.
“I don’t know…”
“We’ll wait and see. Anything you want, you can ask for it.”
I think I’ve died and gone to some sex heaven, that’s what happened. Except Seth is fully dressed, and he doesn’t look at all like he’s going to join in.
It’s because of Kyle, because of our past. Maybe it’s best this way.
I lock my arms around Damiano’s shoulders and rock my hips. This time, I move forward and backward, experimenting with the angle and depth.
“Yes, so beautiful like this.” Damiano continues stroking my breasts, then reaches back to cup my ass, urging me forward. “You came so beautifully the first time, I can’t wait to see it again.”
I slide back and forth, increasing my speed, adjusting the angle. My heart pounds, my breath comes fast.
Everything is too hot, too sensitive, too good.
“I’m close, bella.” Damiano presses a sucking kiss to my neck. “Are you?”
“Yes, but I can’t—I can’t—”
“You can.” Seth’s voice is firm. “I know you can. You can do anything you set your mind to, Madison, and right now, you’re going to fucking come all over Damiano’s cock.”
“I’m trying,” I gasp.
He called me Madison. My hips move faster. My legs burn from the exertion, but my body refuses to stop. I’m so close, but not there yet.
“Please. Please.” I don’t know what I’m asking for, but I need it. More connection, more something. More.
“What do you need?” Damiano asks.
“A—a kiss—please—” I’m wild. Full sentences are impossible.
Damiano looks up at Seth and nods, like he’s telling him to do it. I didn’t—that wasn’t what I was asking for, but—
Seth bends forward and sets his mouth against mine.
Perfection. He tastes like spicy mint and his lips are firm, yet soft. He slides his tongue over mine. I feel, rather than hear, a low growl as he takes the kiss deeper.
I come apart. My cries of pleasure are muffled by Seth’s kiss.
“Yes, bella, yes.” Damiano lifts me, causing my kiss with Seth to end.
I’d be disappointed, but Damiano pushes me onto my back on the bench and soon instead of me fucking him, he’s fucking me.
Long, steady, powerful strokes slam into me, carrying me through my release.
I tighten my legs around his waist until he groans and stops thrusting.
His cock pulses inside as he comes, and he presses kisses against my cheeks, neck, and shoulders.
I don’t think I can move from this bench. I don’t think I’ll ever move again. My legs have turned into jelly.
Damiano pulls out of me with a soft smile on his face. “You were magnificent.”
Magnificent. It sounds so magical coming from his lips.
While Damiano deals with the condom, Seth grabs my robe. He helps me stand just long enough to wrap it around me, then he picks me up and sits down, setting me sideways over his thighs.
Seth Colton, my former brother-in-law, is holding me in his lap.
It should feel wrong…but it doesn’t.
Damiano returns with a bottle of water. He hands me the water and sits next to Seth. “Is there anything you need, Miss M?”
This, always. For the first time in five years I feel completely cared for. I feel treasured. It’s a sensation I thought I lost when Kyle died.
“No, this is perfect.” I snuggle against Seth’s chest. “Thank you.”
The three of us sit together for several minutes while my breath evens out and my heart rate returns to normal. I don’t want it to end, but eventually the guys begin to stir. Our two hours are up.
I gingerly climb out of Seth’s lap. My legs don’t want to hold me—I’m going to be sore tomorrow.
Worth it, though.
But was it worth it for Seth? He didn’t even do anything. The question burns in my mind.
“Why—why didn’t you fuck me?” I frown at Seth. “You only watched.”
“Fucking you is a line even I won’t cross, little Miss M.” He cups my cheek in his warm, firm hand. Then he closes the front of my robe and belts it tight. “Goodnight. Be well.”
Damiano kisses my cheek. “Thank you, bella.”
The two of them leave the room just as silently as they entered, but their absence echoes like drums in my heart.
* * *
DAMIANO
Seth and I pass Parker guarding the door to Low Vice. I gesture toward the inside of the club. “Our auctionee is still inside. Please ensure she makes it safely to her car.”
Parker nods. “Will do.”
Unsurprisingly, Seth has said nothing since our interlude with “Miss M.” I wait until we get in my car. I don’t look at him as I ask, “When are you going to tell me what that was about?”
He scoffs and looks out the window as I maneuver the car onto Caro Boulevard.
“You know her,” I press. “You know her and you bid on her. Not only that, you made sure to win. So she’s important to you.”
“She was important to my brother.”
“To Kyle? Your brother who died?”
“He was my only brother.” Seth’s voice is scathing. “So yes, to Kyle. My brother who died.”
I grip the steering wheel like it can offer me some patience. “You don’t have to be an asshole. I’m trying to figure out what you threw me into back there.”
“She’s my brother’s widow.” His words are so quiet, it takes me a moment to understand.
The meaning hits like a glass of wine to the face. “Your brother’s—what were you thinking?”
“I wasn’t, okay?” He shakes his head like he’s trying to clear it. “Let’s go home. I don’t want to talk about it.”
“I want to talk about her.” I keep my eyes on the road as I navigate us toward the Salding district. “That was…”
I don’t have words for what it was. Madison was perfect. Not just for me, but for us. Responsive, eager, and unafraid to take her pleasure. She was nervous, of course, as would be anyone when in a new scene with a new partner. But with a little direction, she came alive.
“She’s off limits.” Seth’s tone is firm.
“Obviously not.”
The question is how I will get him used to the idea. We’ve always known that we’ll settle down with a woman together. Unfortunately for him, I want that woman. Little Miss M.
* * *
MADISON
I stay in bed longer than usual on Sunday morning.
Moments from last night keep replaying in my mind.
I press my thighs together, my body clenching at the memory, my pussy getting wet when I think of how Damiano filled me.
My heart thuds with equal parts thrill and shame when I remember how Seth kissed me.
Seth, of all people. Why did it have to be him?
I pull my blankets over my head. Maybe I won’t get up at all.
I don’t even have to leave my room. I have the day off—no weddings, no parties, no preparations.
Next weekend is a big wedding, so starting tomorrow, we’ll be doing endless prep work.
My boss, Glinda, made sure everyone had at least one day off this week. Today is mine.
At least, it is until my phone buzzes with a text. It’s from Jaclyn, one of my coworkers at the catering company.
I can’t go in today. I told Glinda you’d cover for me. I’ll take your shift tomorrow, k?
My mood sours immediately. She won’t take my shift tomorrow. She never does. I text back. Sorry, can’t. You still owe me for the last three times I covered you, anyway.
Her response is immediate. Don’t be mean, Madison, I need this. Besides, Glinda’s already expecting you. Your name is on the schedule.
Fuck that. I open up the scheduling app. Son of a bitch, Glinda already made the change. And Jaclyn’s name isn’t on Monday’s schedule, either—mine still is.
I take a deep breath. It’s fine. I can use the money. Sleep is for suckers, right?
Because it’s just my luck—I’m supposed to be there in an hour. I have barely enough time to get cleaned up, have a bite to eat, and drive to Glinda’s restaurant.
I rush through my shower. My body is pleasantly sore from last night. I wish I could linger here, exploring all the ways I feel different. Last night changed me. I feel sexy, confident. Powerful. Having two handsome men completely focused on me was incredible.
It’ll never happen again, and I don’t need it to. Because last night was a gift—a gift to my inner siren, a gift to the long-dormant part of me. The part of me that died with Kyle. The part I lost in my grief.
Once I’m dressed, I go straight to the refrigerator. I pause before opening it. It was Felix’s turn to get groceries yesterday. Odds are ten to one he didn’t do it.
Bracing myself, I open the fridge door.
Fuck. Me.
We have ketchup, two cans of beer, a tub of baby spinach turning into green sludge, and some leftover pad thai that should’ve been thrown out three weeks ago.
Why don’t Felix and Hugo ever do their part? It’s not like I enable them by bailing them out. They’re happy eating take-out, canned pears, and macaroni and cheese from a box.
I slam the door closed.
“Mads?” Felix voice floats from the hall. “Is that you?”
I can’t face him or his weird attempts to flirt with me. Before he can stumble out here, I pull on my shoes, grab my bag, and flee.