“I don’t think I’m into that,” she says, and her body visibly relaxes as she smiles back at me.
“What are you thinking?” Darian asks when Lorraine’s focus goes to her water glass, where her pink-tipped finger traces a swirl through the condensation.
“I feel like this arrangement would need some sort of structure. Rules? A time limit?” she says.
“Rules are up to you,” Leo says.
“How about four fantasies?” I suggest. “One for each of us.”
She blinks. “Oh. Okay. I guess that works. But what if I don’t have four fantasies?”
“Don’t you?” Darian asks.
She tilts her head and shrugs a shoulder. “I don’t know.”
“I bet if you think about it, you’ll come up with more than four,” Leo says.
She returns to drawing a pattern in the moisture on her glass. “So this isn’t a business arrangement. What’s in it for all of you?”
“Are you kidding?” I say, voicing the first thought that comes to mind.
“Have you seen yourself in a mirror?” It’s Troy who asks this rhetorical question, and Lorraine’s brows shoot up in surprise as he smiles at her. Aside from discussions about the plants in her yard, I don’t think he’s said one word.
She’s flattered by his remark, and her cheeks turn a pretty pink.
“It’s not like we’re being selfless with our offer,” Leo says. “You’re a beautiful woman. Of course we want to … spend time with you.”
“You sure know how to make a woman feel good.” Her comment is directed at all of us.
“We’re just being honest,” I say, “but you’re right. We do know how to make a woman feel good, and we’re looking forward to showing you that.”
12
Lorraine
It’s actually sad how flattered I am. I thought I had a healthy opinion of myself, but apparently I’ve become insecure over the years. I weigh more than I did when I got married, and my ex used to like to remind me of that fact, but these men don’t seem to mind my extra padding.
Dante said I deserve to have some fun, and sitting here around the table with these four gorgeous men, I’m inclined to agree with him.
There are so many years that were wasted. So many years being a good wife, or trying to, and not worrying about my own needs. If these men are offering some harmless good times, why shouldn’t I take them up on their offer? It’s not a business deal, as they’ve repeatedly said, but if it was, I’d be a fool to turn it down.
Except I wasn’t being coy when I said I didn’t have four fantasies. Nothing specific comes to mind, but the longer I sit here looking at their well-muscled bodies, the easier I think it might be to come up with ideas.
“This is all so bizarre,” I say, thinking out loud.
“Life isn’t meant to be routine and boring,” Leo says. And then he leans in, turns my face toward his with a finger on my chin, and presses his lips to mine. Even though I see it coming, it’s still unexpected. But I don’t turn away this time. I let him kiss me, and after a beat, I kiss him back.
Hip lips are tender, and the scent of him fills my senses. He’s been working hard out here, and the smell of his sweat leads me to imagine him lying over me in bed, sweaty, working hard to please me.
The taste of his mouth gnaws a hole of need low in my belly. I suddenly feel empty. I’m starving, and I want more of him. But three others are watching us, and I refuse to get caught up in this. Not here. Not yet.
I break away, even though it takes tremendous willpower.
It was odd to kiss someone other than Nick. I haven’t done that since my first year of college, and I don’t even remember that guy’s name. After I got married, I never imagined that I would kiss anyone other than my husband. Too bad he didn’t have the same limitations that I did.
“This is all very strange.” My tone is apologetic as I rise onto shaky feet. “I need some time for all of this to sink in. You probably need to get to your next yard, don’t you?”
“We probably should get going,” Leo says, his voice thick before he clears his throat and pushes his chair back to stand.
As always, the men offer to help me clean up, but I refuse. I’m eager to be alone. I need time to process everything.
“When are you free?” Leo asks, and my stomach flutters like a teenager being asked out on her first date.
“Most nights,” I say. “Your schedule must be much busier than mine.”
“I’ll take a night off whenever you want me,” he says, and his choice of words sends my mind racing and my skin turning to fire.