Wicked Bad (Wicked 3 2)

Her body was heating up and she could hardly wait to finish dinner, to get back to Jared’s place. To get him into bed. And maybe, to see one of her fondest fantasies brought to life.

They ate quickly, and Leigh wondered if Jared was anxious to see Matteo, if he was thinking about the possibility of a ménage, if he was concerned about whether she and Matteo would get along.

Stop worrying so much.

Yes, she needed to just see what happened, not think about it or she was going to over-think it. Either she and Matteo would mesh well or not. He’d find her attractive or he wouldn’t. And vice versa. She still wasn’t entirely certain that Jared had been hinting what she thought he was. What she hoped.

By the time they got back to his place her body was on fire, buzzing with possibilities. They pulled into the driveway and found another car already parked there, an old, hard-topped Porsche. Jared turned to smile at her.

“He’s here.”

She smiled back, nerves lighting up her skin, making her stomach flutter as Jared came around to help her from the big SUV, led her up the flagstone path to the front door, opened it.

He was sitting on one of the overstuffed chairs, his legs swung over one arm, an acoustic guitar in his hands. He was as beautiful as Jared told her he would be. Dark hair waving to his shoulders, his skin a gorgeous golden-brown. And his eyes were green, darker than her own, a deep shade of moss. Electric. He had his shirt off, and she could see that while he was more delicately built than Jared, he was still all muscle, long and lean. And his chest was perfectly smooth, his skin sleek, his nipples dark. He was smiling at them, his gaze assessing her.

Jared crossed the room in a few short strides, taking Leigh with him, her hand in his. He reached out and pulled Matteo to his feet, his arm wrapping around his neck to pull him in close. The two men kissed, and heat shot like lightning through Leigh’s body.

Jesus.

There was something almost terrifyingly erotic about those two masculine mouths meeting. She’d never seen anything like it, this intimate caress of lips between men, not this close up. Not with Jared holding onto her hand, as though she were a part of it.

They pulled apart, and Jared pulled Leigh closer.

“This is Matteo.”

“Hi, Matteo. It’s nice to meet you.”

Matteo was smiling at her, his teeth a brilliant white in his wide, lush mouth. He really was beautiful. He took her free hand in his, his long fingers wrapping around hers. His palm was warm, his fingertips calloused from playing guitar. She couldn’t help but imagine what those rough fingers would feel like on her skin…

“And you’re Leigh.” His accent was purely American, surprising her for some reason. “Jared told me his new neighbor was a beauty, but I had no idea…” He turned to glance at Jared. “I hope you weren’t planning on keeping her all to yourself.”

“That’s entirely up to her.”

Matteo’s smile widened into a grin as he turned back to her, and she went hot all over as he gave her hand a squeeze. “I’ll have to work hard to charm you then, Leigh.”

She smiled back. He was charming enough already. And she understood fully that the invitation was there, for them all to go to bed together. Would it be too much if she simply screamed yes?

“Can I get you two anything? A beer?”

“We just came from dinner and a few margaritas. Have you eaten?”

“I stopped on my way from the airport. I didn’t want to waste time eating once I got here. I have a new piece I’ve wanted to play for you. Do you mind, Leigh?”

“No, not at all. I’d love to hear you play. Jared says you play beautifully.”

“I hope you like it. Come, sit next to me.”

Matteo was still holding onto her hand. He pulled her down next to him on the dark leather sofa. Jared sat on her other side.

Matteo began to play, his fingers fluttering over the guitar strings, making them sigh. The tempo built, a lovely rhythm that was sensual, sexual somehow. He was watching them, Leigh and Jared both, his green eyes gleaming, some sort of challenge in them. Or was she imagining that? He could certainly play. The music was gorgeous, Spanish-style guitar mixed with a bit of Caribbean flavor. She turned to look at Jared, and his gaze was on Matteo, but quickly flicked to her. He smiled, his dimple flickering in his cheek, and he took her hand, stroking the back of it with his thumb as they listened. The music, Jared’s touch, was sending heat spiraling into her system. And Matteo’s beautiful face, the intensity of his expression… What sort of lover would he be?

When Matteo was done he set the guitar down on the floor carefully.

“What do you think?”

“Brilliant,” Jared answered.

“You always say that.”