Chapter 7
Violet
It’s strange, the way Heath and Brody communicate with each other without speaking. I’m used to feeling left out of conversations, whether it’s because I don’t understand the references, or I miss the subtler conversational cues.
Heath and Brody aren’t making me feel left out, though. It’s exactly the opposite. I feel as if I’m their sole focus.
I learn more about their work with Ironwood Security.
My dad worked in the tech department, but Heath and Brody are bodyguards.
Their passion is photography and spending time outdoors—hence their presence here in the mountains.
They usually travel to Joshua Tree in the winter, but when my dad offered them the cabin, they decided to try something new.
With three of us stuffed into a two-person hot tub, we have to sit close. Brody is next to me. His thigh keeps touching mine. Every time it does, a zing of pleasure shoots through me. And Heath’s feet knock against mine so often, I don’t think it’s accidental.
It hits me, suddenly clear—they’re flirting with me. Their questions, their compliments on my bikini. The way they keep touching me.
Well. I certainly don’t hate this. Yes, they’re older. My dad would not approve. But he’s not here, and my love life isn’t his business.
Besides, I already know Heath and Brody are at least somewhat kinky, if the two of them always date the same woman.
Could I be that woman?
I wanted to introduce spice and kink into my life.
Here is my opportunity.
While this entire situation is new and scary, I’m really glad they’re here. I don’t know what to expect. But for some reason, I trust that they’re going to make it okay…whether it happens or doesn’t.
“So.” Brody’s blue eyes stare directly into mine. “You said you don’t have a boyfriend anymore. Sounds ominous. Did you murder him?”
“Did I murder—?” I cough. “Oh. Another joke. No, I didn’t murder him. We broke up.”
“Ignore Brody’s jokes.” Heath sends me a reassuring smile. “How are you doing with the break-up?”
My eyes water. Something about the kind way he asks makes me want to cry. Stupid Callum didn’t deserve my tears, but I’m ready to shed them for Heath and Brody.
“Hey.” Brody puts an arm around my shoulders. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“No, definitely not.” The past two days have been humiliating enough.
Heath stretches his legs out, nudging one of my feet with his own. “We’re good listeners, when Brody isn’t cracking stupid jokes.”
Brody flips him off, but there isn’t any heat in the gesture. I’m fascinated by how comfortable they are with each other.
I think about my words before speaking. “My ex and I…we just wanted different things, I guess.”
“Like, for your futures?” Brody asks. “Your careers?”
“In our sex life,” I blurt, then I immediately cover my face.
The men are silent. All I can hear is the jets of the hot tub, rumbling around us.
“Did he hurt you?” Heath asks, but it sounds more like a demand.
“No.” Not physically. He lashed out where it hurt the most—in my misunderstandings.
“He didn’t hurt her. But he was terrible in bed, wasn’t he?” Brody’s voice is calm and understanding. Gone is the joking tone.
I can only close my eyes while I try to block out the feelings of dissatisfaction and low self-worth that Callum inspired.
“Look, Violet.” Brody tightens his arm around my shoulders. “You don’t have to be embarrassed. I saw your bag of…craft supplies, and it’s okay. We like those things, too.”
“Craft supplies?” Heath asks. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“It was a big duffel bag full of sex toys.” I stare down at our three pairs of legs, distorted through the swishing water. The men are naked, and I’m talking about sex toys.
“Why am I only now hearing about this?” Heath’s voice sounds deeper, quieter than it did a moment ago.
“Violet seemed embarrassed. I didn’t want to make her feel worse.” Brody clears his throat, nudges my thigh with his. “But Violet, we do like those things. What did your ex say?”
“He said…he said there was something wrong with me, and he wanted a”—I lower my voice, hoping to lessen the sting of the words—“a proper girlfriend.”
“He’s an asshole.” Heath leaves his side of the hot tub to crowd me between him and Brody.
“If you were our girlfriend, we’d never make you feel improper for wanting to use toys or try new things.
You’re an angel—our angel. If I were to catch you with a dildo in bed again, I’d demand you show me how you use it on yourself. ”
“Dildo?” Brody leans back to look at me fully. “You were using the dildo and Heath caught you?”
I can only nod, not trusting myself to speak.
Mimicking Heath’s voice, Brody says, “Why am I only now hearing about this?”
This is embarrassing…and exhilarating. There is no judgment in their faces or in their words. I think…I think they like me. And all the touching, all the eye contact? It makes me feel cherished and wanted.
“You brought those toys to use this week, didn’t you?” Heath asks.
“I came straight from his house,” I explain. “I didn’t have plans after we broke up, but I thought I might learn what I like. And I would think about whether I’m actually cut out for a relationship, because I don’t think I am. Not after what Callum said. I might not be ‘proper.’”
“You’re proper enough for us,” Brody says. “Callum’s an idiot.”
A gust of wind rushes over us, but I barely feel it because I’m so hot with the guys bracketing me in the warm water.
“What kind of toys did you bring?” Heath’s voice is deep, his mouth close to my ear. “Other than that little dildo I saw?”
I shake my head, too embarrassed to say.
Brody takes my hand in his. “I saw dildos, butt plugs, vibrators, nipple clamps, flavored condoms. If it exists in a sex store, our little angel bought it.”
Heath grins. “Well, Violet…how about we use the toys with you?”