The kiss broke and Connie tore herself from between them. The shirt didn’t hide her arousal. Her nipples puckered against the fabric of the shirt she wore, and seeing them made him want to taste her even more.
“Okay, you guys are really, wow, I don’t…”
“How about you think on our offer?” Scott said. “We’ll give you a couple of days to think it over.”
“A couple of days?” Connie asked.
“Yes.”
“Wow.” She ran her fingers through her hair before going to her lips, touching them. They’d clearly startled her. “I, I think I’m needed. Er, can we talk about this at another time?”
“Sure.”
Beau wasn’t happy. Scott slapped him on the back.
“You look amazing,” Scott said.
With that, he nudged Beau away from their woman, and she would be their woman. He had no doubt about it as far as he was concerned. She’d belong to the two of them. She was too curious and even if her mind denied that she wanted both of them, her body craved their touch and he could work with that. They both could.
“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” Beau asked when they found a quiet spot where no one would bother them.
“What?”
“We’re here to claim our woman, and you’re keeping her away. What the fuck?”
“What the fuck indeed,” Scott said. “You saw her. She wants us.”
“And why are we wasting time allowing her the chance to come up with any number of excuses? I thought you were the clever one, but clearly, you’re a bit dumb if you’re just going to let her go.”
“I’m not letting her go anywhere. We cornered her here and there’s no way I’m going to allow her to think she was manipulated into being with us. We both agreed we’re in this for life, and I’m taking this fucking seriously. Are you?”
“You know I am.”
“So stop your moaning and just follow my lead,” Scott said.
“Since when did you become the voice of reason?” Beau asked.
“Since I’m the one who came up with this plan and so far, it’s working.” His gaze followed Connie, and it didn’t look like she knew what she was doing. She kept looking at them, then around at the fair. He watched her hand touch her neck, her chest, her lips. “Watch her, Beau. See how she reacts.”
“I am.”
“That’s not a woman who’s going to push us away but a woman who’s curious. We’ve agreed to share and part of that means we’re going to have to trust each other. I don’t want to lose her. Now tell me you’re on board, or I’m going to have to find someone else.”
“I’m on board,” Beau said. “You don’t have to worry about me in that regard. I need a drink.”
Scott watched his friend leave and knew where he’d be going as soon as he got a drink. He wasn’t worried.
Once he grew bored of seeing Beau, he looked back to Connie who stood near a chili tasting stand. She wasn’t in the line, but he waited to see what she’d do.
She touched her lips again and he smiled. It was nice to know he’d gotten under her skin. She’d been getting under his for as long as he could remember. His only regret when it came to her was not initiating something first. If he’d done that, there was a chance she’d have belonged to him now.
He didn’t mind the chance of progressing things with Beau either.
They were good friends and he knew, together, they’d win Connie. It was strange really, they’d been friends for a long time, and there was a short spell when he imagined them both having the same woman, living in the same house, sharing the same life.
Scott didn’t want Beau sexually. They were really good friends and had been for as long as he could remember. Nothing would come between them, which was why together, they were going to love the same woman.
It was fate, he was sure of it.
As predicted, Beau held two drinks as he approached Connie. His friend wouldn’t fuck this up. They both wanted it too damn badly.
****
“Drink?” Beau asked.
“I don’t actually drink alcohol,” she said.
“It’s a good thing it’s a plain soda then.” He smiled. He’d been tempted to buy her a beer but in all the times he’d seen her, he’d never seen her drink a single drop. There had to be a reason for it. “Trust me. I don’t want to get you drunk or lower your inhibitions, not that I’m saying they’re easily lowered. I’m going to shut up now.”
She giggled. “You’re sweet, Beau.” She took the drink from him and took a sip. “A soda.”
“Yep, a soda.” He didn’t know why he repeated her sentence. He drank from his own drink and looked at the stand. The scent of chili was always incredible. He had a weak spot. “You want to try some?”