He swallows and I take that as my cue to continue walking to my car. I get to it and shake while unlocking the door. I offer him his coat, but he motions to the car. “It will take time to heat.”
“You know, here it’s normal that if a guy walks a girl to her car and she’s made it obvious she’s interested, she’d get a kiss.” I huff. “I have a feeling, that’s not on the agenda for tonight.”
It takes three tries for my car to start. I crank the heat, then stand up. Lief just watches me, his eyes are churning. “You’re interested in me?”
“It’s pretty fucking obvious to everyone but you. You’re hot, mysterious, have a ton of fun facts that make me want to go home and research other topics, and you play hard to get really well.”
“You slept with Chase,” He says it simply and the wall goes right back up over his eyes.
“Because you walked away!” I force myself to lower my voice. “And I’m sure you haven’t been celibate your whole life or slept with someone because you wanted to because you were happy and horny and wanted to feel someone else against you instead of your hand.”
I take a chance and close the space between us. After trying to gauge his expression, I carefully touch his chest. “If me fucking your friend after giving you the green light means you’re not interested, the decent thing to do is to tell me so I don’t …”
“Don’t what?”
“Nothing.” I glance at my car, willing it to warm faster.
He sighs and turns my chin to face him. “I do appreciate stability and routine. I like working because it is clear and defined. People, no matter how many books I read, do not make sense.”
“Which is why you want me to check out your clients, I get it.”
He releases my chin. “All people, Valerie. Not just clients. I enjoy our conversations, even when you are … assuming things.”
“I wouldn’t have to assume if you’d tell me.”
His lips definitely curl up this time. He leans towards me. “Where’s the fun in that?”
A shiver that has nothing to do with the light flurry of snow teases my spine. Lief tightens his coat around me. “Return it to me when we go over a client. You need it more than I do.”
“Definitely a Viking,” I grumble.
He stands there another moment, makes sure I get in my car, then carefully closes the door. I roll down my window and look him over again. “I don’t get how you are friends with those two. You’re so different.”
“In some ways more than others.” He says calmly. “Drive safely.”
With that he turns and heads back inside, shoving his hands in his pockets as he goes. I just noticed his long hair is tied in a bun at the back of his neck, just noticed that he didn’t bother with a tie, just noticed that I’m clutching his card like it’s a lifeline in the ocean.
These three are definitely going to be taking up real estate in my head.
I get home, strip myself of my dress, and flop in bed, stretching out. Since I’m feeling particularly sexy, I take a few selfies, showing off my tits and the simple rose tattoo under my right breast.
Wrapping my arm over my breasts to hide all but the top and bottom curls, I take another picture. Before I can do anything more, I get a text. The notification introduces the strange number as Hunter, which means Chase gave him my information.
I open it and ask him what he wants.
HUNTER: waiting for you to beg, beautiful. Ready now that you’re all alone?
VALERIE: I have what I need to be satisfied. Night.
I hesitate a moment, then put Lief’s number in my phone. I toss it to the side and reach in my nightstand for my vibrator. I stare at it for a moment, then turn it on a low setting, low on my belly, thinking of all three of the men, even though I hate it.
Hunter kissing me, because, despite everything, he’s damn good at it, Chase kissing and licking my nipples. His mouth is so much better than my fingers stroking and pinching. And Lief, just watching, hungry churning his gaze on my body as his friends make me moan and pant.
My thighs squeeze together as I imagine him approaching, guiding my underwear down my legs, and pushing my thighs apart. I finish stripping, then press the head of the toy against my clit, rubbing slowly, imagining Lief’s fingers there, working and teasing me, winding me up without any promise of more.
“Fuck.” I pant as my hips rock forward.
Hunter would pull away to watch, tell me if I want to be fucked, I have to beg. But I don’t beg. Chase would be more convincing, layering soft bites and soft kisses across my chest while Lief would give me a hint of what I could have, dipping the tip of his finger inside me, just to go back to my clit.