* * * *
Carl was lying down on the big, wide couch in the living room watching Juliet as she helped Richie make dinner. If it weren’t for his aching shoulder, the bandages, and the fact that eight highly trained soldiers stood guard around the property, it would almost seem like a normal evening with their girlfriend. He took in the sight of his woman. She was more than a girlfriend. In a matter of days she had become his everything. She looked gorgeous as usual, wearing her hair tied back in a low ponytail. The red locks brushed over her lower back and the patch of skin. She wore a pair of black hip-hugger pants that showed off her perfect ass as well as her belly ring every time she raised her arms up to reach for something or bend over. The navy-blue T-shirt she wore fell off the shoulders and revealed a pretty lace tank top. She was breathtaking.
He watched her closely as she prepared a small dish of cheese and crackers then brought it over to him. She sat down on the edge of the couch beside him and checked him for fever, fussing over him as Richie teased him in the background.
“Quit being such a wuss. You got a damn flesh wound and you’re acting like a baby.”
“Hey, he was shot, Richie,” Juliet reprimanded then stared at Carl.
“Do you need anything? Would you like to have dinner in here? I can feed you.”
He caressed her thigh and smiled at her.
“I’m good, baby. All I need right now is a taste of you. Come here.” She slid down, half over his chest, to touch her lips to his own. He used his good arm to maneuver around her and cup her lower back then smooth down over her ass as he increased the pressure of the kiss. She tasted so good, like honey and wine, as sweet as could be. He adjusted his hips, raising one leg up against the side of the couch so that she fell between his legs.
He released her lips, and she kept her hands on his chest as she stared down into his eyes.
“Stay right here, baby. You feel so good. I can’t wait to be inside of you.”
She snuggled her head under his chin and caressed his chest.
“I don’t want to hurt you. You were shot, Carl, and should be resting.”
“Fuck that. I’ve been shot before, honey. This is nothing. It’s just the stitches that kind of hurt. Nothing too extreme.”
She raised her head up to look at him, and he could see the tears in her eyes and the fear.
“I’m sorry, Carl.”
He squeezed her ass and thigh. “Hush now, darling, this ain’t your fault. If you think about it, you actually saved me by hugging me so hard from behind I nearly lost my balance. It could have been a different story entirely.”
She looked so sad and serious before she leaned forward and touched her lips gently to his. They stayed snuggling together on the couch until dinner was ready, and he couldn’t help but shake the feeling that Juliet was hiding something.
* * * *
Richie had checked with the guards before locking up, setting the alarm, taking a shower, and heading to bed. Juliet had just finished showering when she stepped out to dry off and saw Carl standing there, leaning against the vanity in only his boxers.
“Hey, why aren’t you in bed?” she asked as she dried herself off then pulled the shower cap from her hair.
“I was lonely in there without you,” he whispered so seriously her belly quivered. How was she going to ever leave him or Richie? What if Robert and Pierce pushed so hard, she had no choice? She wouldn’t let them get hurt, or worse, killed. She swallowed hard and turned around to apply some fragrant body powder and then run a brush through her hair.
He walked closer, used the towel to turn her around, and tugged her to him with his good hand. Carl towered over her, and the hungry expression in his eyes made her body warm with need. She wanted him inside of her. She wanted Richie.
He held her gaze as he looked down into her eyes.
“Everything is ready.” Richie suddenly appeared in the doorway. Every nerve ending in her body knew that something was up. They wanted to make love to her just as she anticipated making love with them.
Carl ran his good hand down over her back to her ass, and he squeezed.
“You trust us right?” he whispered, and she nodded without a hesitation. Of course she trusted them.
He turned her toward the doorway and walked with her to the bedroom. Richie pulled off his shorts and now stood by the bed, his cock hard and aroused.
She immediately saw the tube of lube on the side table just as Carl rubbed his palm over her ass cheek and squeezed. They were going to make love to her together.
“You’re so beautiful, Juliet. You’re everything Carl and I ever hoped for and wished you to be. Tonight is special. Come here,” Richie told her, and Carl stopped her a moment, leaned down to place his lips softly against hers before he took off his boxers, then took position on the bed.
She walked to Richie, and he kissed her hard on the mouth. He used his hands to caress every inch of her then lifted her up into his arms so that she straddled his waist.