VALERIE
Closing my eyes, I let myself remember those three sexy men. Hunter with his tousled light brown curly hair, tan skin, wild and cocky attitude but with a body that begs to be licked and touched. Chase, he’s so smart and oh, so easy on the eyes. He had that almost bad boy rocker look with the sides of his head shaved, that single tattoo spreading across his chest, big arms straining against his shirt, and even those glasses. They made him look more dangerously sexy as if that’s even possible. It almost feels illegal looking at him. All of them!
Then Lief.
Lief the enigma. His honey-brown hair, pale blue eyes, hint of a beard, and those hot Norse tattoos that tracked up his whole right arm and maybe further. Beyond all that, he was huge, at least six foot three or four, and broad. Ugh, I’d felt exactly how proportional hiseverythingwas when we’d danced together. Who am I kidding? All of them were hung.
Hunter was a bit of an arrogant asshole from the first time I met him all the way through to the wedding, but the naughty, delicious things he’d said in my ear while grinding against me had made me wet on the spot. Even though I hate it, I’ve always been a sucker for a bad boy and Hunter is that times ten.
Chase knew just how to touch me, got hard from my dance moves alone, and his determination to please and tempt didn’t go to waste. He read me just right, made me feel hot and valuable, then gave me an incredible night that has fueled plenty of good solo sessions for me.
But Leif. Oh, Leif. There’s something so dark and cold about him which means he has sexy secrets I’d kill for. The gentle offer for more than a dance in my ear and the most mediocre compliment ever had set my skin on fire. But when I’d been ready to capitalize, he’d been on the phone, then he walked away.
So I’d turned my attention back on Chase and had absolutely no regrets. Honestly, it had been the hottest night of my life. He did more than satisfy me. He loved my rough side, took every bite, and gave them right back to me. He manhandled me, gave me control just to take it back. Our back and forth was insane. He was intense, we were loud, and it was pure ecstasy. The kind of sex and passion a girl dreams about. And we’d just kept going and going. Round after round until we passed out and nearly woke up around lunchtime.
But I haven't heard a word from him since.
At least my vibrator is reliable. Plus, there’s no confusion, shitty personality, risk, or compromise. It’s just all about me and I get myself off every time … alone. Then roll over and go to bed … alone. Which used to be fine, but now that I’m staying in on another Friday night looking at a weekend with nothing to do but study, I hate my lack of relationship.
I have friends and colleagues, but … but seeing Sophie so happy with four men wrapped around her finger has me questioning if getting my Ph.D. is the end-all be all that I want.
Maybe it’s time to start considering a regular partner instead of my vibrator for emergencies. I could handle an actual boyfriend, or at least a regular friends’ with benefits. At least I’d spend less on batteries that way.
Scrolling through my phone, I find Chase’s number but I hesitate. It’s been weeks. Do I want him to capitalize on a booty call? Won’t I look desperate? And what would he think of me after? Would he want more than I’m ready to give or go and brag to his brother?
“Crap!” I toss my phone. “Can I just turn this brain off for one weekend so I can get laid?”
Since that’s not going to happen and thinking of these three sexy men is just making lust pool in my belly. I eat my pizza and try to focus on a documentary a professor recommended. When that doesn’t cloud out fantasies of all three men playing a tug of war over me in bed, I check my emails and see a forwarded invitation from Sophie for some charity event. Gunner is going to represent their company and it’s just an hour away. Tomorrow.
A reason to get out of the house – check. A reason to get dressed up and sexy – check.
A chance to get laid and stop thinking about that trio of tall handsome hunks that offered me themselves– double-check. Maybe Gunner will be a good wingman and do the job well. I email back saying I’ll go and print the invite before changing for bed and getting a solid twelve-hour hibernation in.
The next day, I get some good quality studying done, so I feel productive for school, then get ready for the event. I style my auburn hair into lanky curls and pull on a black glittery cocktail dress that’s backless and says, “down to fuck.” After getting stiletto heels on, putting pepper spray in my purse, and applying my wine-red lipstick, I pull on a sweeping white coat to keep myself warm through D.C.'s lingering winter.
I check myself one more time in the mirror, then walk down to my car and I fight my way through traffic with the help of my GPS.
I can’t believe the venue. It’s huge, classy in that modern art way, and somehow makes me feel like I’m underdressed despite wearing the best thing in my closet. There are also so many people. Most of the guys are dressed the same, so I have no clue how I’m going to find Gunner by wandering.
Taking a slow breath, I reach into my little purse for my phone. I’m sure I still have his number saved.
“Val!” I hear a second later.
Gunner crushes me against him, nearly breaking my back. I push against his chest while laughing. “Thanks for the back crack, but don’t break me!”
“I just don’t know my own strength.” He flexes his arms.
He’s trying to hide it, but I can see the bags under his eyes and the exhaustion in his eyes. He’s trying too hard. I tap his nose. “You look tired, Gunner. Pregnancy not as much fun as you hoped?”
I let him vent about it as he guides me to a table, then he sighs. His venting is different from Sophie’s at least. He shrugs, then pauses. “I love Sophie so much. The mood swings are a little hard, but I want to do everything for her, want to be all over and when she’s not jumping us, she’s trying to get a million things done.”
I believe it. There’s a whole nursery to put together, a ton of things to have ready for when the baby comes home, and life doesn’t stop to give even a second for Sophie to relax.
Gunner continues. “Nick knows just what to do. Just what to get, all of it. Holden gets to cuddle her all day, and Roman keeps her fed, so I’m trying to help out with something other than sex and it’s a lot.” He chuckles.
“I’m sure you have plenty to offer and Iknowhow much she loves you, Gun. There’s just a lot going on with her hormones. She’s growing a whole human.” I remind him.
“Yeah, I know. That’s why I’m telling you and not her. I’m overthinking and you’re my sounding board. Congrats.”