This is…nice. Sitting in the hot water, looking out at the lake.
This place is like something out of a fairytale, and man, I don’t believe in those. So where does that leave me?
Ryan helps Brylee down the steps, and her curves are a welcome distraction from my confused thoughts. The moment she sinks into the water, I draw her to me and she sighs, melting against me. Her mouth parts as she strokes her fingertips over my tattoo, and I kiss her.
Kissing her is easy, like breathing, and just as essential.
We break apart, and I lick her taste off my lips, my hard-on bobbing in the water.
Ryan watches us, rubbing a hand over his chest. He does that often. A nervous tick? He stops when he catches my eye, and lowers himself into the tub with a rueful smile.
“You’re too far,” I say. “Come here.”
He does, scooting closer, ducking under my arm when I lift it. His body presses to mine, so different from Brylee’s, firm and hard, muscles shifting under my hand where it’s splayed on his back.
I’m aroused with their naked bodies pressed to mine, but also drowsy. It’s so peaceful. In this slice of time, everything’s perfect.
Thunder rolls in the distance. A flash of lightning. The clouds sail closer, gray and dark. The surface of the lake heaves as the storm approaches.
Shelter, Brylee said. We take shelter. Together.
For as long as this respite lasts.
***
“Look,” Ryan says, pointing at a faint black V moving across the darkening sky.
Geese.
I watch through lowered lashes as they honk by, through the steam wafting from the surface of the tub water. “Flying must be cool.”
He snorts softly. “You’re half asleep.”
“Nothing wrong with that,” I retort.
“What time is it?” Brylee asks, turning up to see the geese. “Feels like we’ve been out here forever.”
“It’s hot tub o’clock,” Ryan says seriously. “Do you have somewhere else you’d rather be?”
“No,” Brylee says and sighs.
“What about later? What’s the plan?” I ask.
“Does there have to be a plan? I thought we’d just chill.”
“And what, we’ll sit inside and look into the flames?” No idea why I’d mind that, in fact, but
for some reason my heart pounds.
“If you want. Or not. I’ve got some ideas.” Ryan waggles his brows.
“More ideas. Amazing.” Brylee pretends to be in awe.
Or maybe she is. After all, coming here was Ryan’s idea. Hell, the house is his.
But I can’t work up any resentment, not when he looks at me and grins. I duck my head to hide a grin of my own. He’s like an oversized puppy. In a moment his tongue will loll out. So pleased with himself. So happy to please us.
“We should have brought cocktails,” Brylee murmurs, rubbing her cheek on my shoulder. “Watch the storm roll in with those champagne cocktails people have for New Year’s Eve. Pomegranate Mimosas and Raspberry Coolers.”