What She Needs (Cape May 3)

Con stepped forward, closing the distance between them, and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. It felt so good to be held by Con. He didn’t do pathetic hugs. Only big bear hugs would do for him. “Oh hell, baby,” he whispered against the top of her head. “I could never lose interest in you. Not in a million years.”

She nuzzled his chest, content to breathe in his warm, masculine scent for a few seconds before asking, “What is it? We need to be able to communicate, Con. This won’t work otherwise.”

“I know. It’s just…” He paused before saying, “I don’t know. Give me a few days to figure it out. Okay?”

She pushed back enough to look him in the eye. “Fine, but that’s all I’m giving you.”

He dipped his head and brushed his lips over hers. The brief contact scattered her wits. “You’re getting bossy, you know that?”

“I have to in order to hold my own against you two.” She felt another hard-bodied male behind her. Large, gentle hands caressed her bottom through the sheet. Tory’s legs shook at the knowledge that she was effectively caged in by the two men who had managed to slip inside her heart as easily as they had her body. When Con tugged the sheet down, revealing her breasts, Tory blurted, “Summer and I are going shopping today.”

“Mmm, what time?”

“Noon,” she replied, forcing herself to stay on topic. “It’s already after ten and I still need to shower and dress.”

Con grinned and stepped back. “No problem,” he growled, then he took her hand and led the way to the bathroom. She looked back to see Devon slipping out of his pajama bottoms once again. When his erection sprang free, Tory knew she was a goner.

“Con was upset today and I don’t know why.”

Summer swallowed a mouthful of fettuccini. “Upset?” she asked. “With you?”

Tory stared at her manicotti. It was her favorite dish at her favorite restaurant and yet she wanted nothing to do with it. She pushed her plate away and slumped against the seat. “He said it wasn’t me, but I’m worried. I’ve never seen him so quiet, Summer.”

“Con’s sort of…intense, though, isn’t he? He doesn’t strike me as the sharing type.”

Boy, didn’t she know it! Two months together as lovers and three years of friendship before that, and Tory still hadn’t managed to get him to open up about his childhood. Oh, she knew the condensed version. Living in foster care. Fighting just to survive. Taking himself from nothing and rising to the top. Everyone knew the story, but he hadn’t filled in the gaps. She wondered if he ever would. “He’s always been hard to figure out and he doesn’t like talking about…certain things. Still, this is different. I’m worried.”

Summer snorted. “That man loves you like nothing else. Whatever is bothering him, it’s not you. I would bet my bed-and-breakfast on that.”

“He and Devon got into an argument this morning. I thought they were going to start throwing punches. It was almost like Con was itching for a fight too.”

“What brought it on?”

“Con announced that he wanted to take us to Cancun this Friday. He’s booked the room for the weekend and everything. A Valentine’s Day getaway for three.”

Summer’s eyes lit up. “That’s really sweet. So, what’s the problem?”

“Devon was angry.” Tory picked up her napkin and fiddled with it. “He felt Con should’ve talked to him before planning something for my Valentine’s Day.”

“Oh, oops.” Summer set down her fork. “Boy, the dynamics of this relationship are tricky, huh?”

Tory nodded. “I suppose. The thing is, I’ve gotten used to thinking of them as one. I can’t imagine Devon without Con, and vice versa. I know it sounds crazy, but if Con decided to leave, it would feel like a part of my heart went with him.”

“You love them, don’t you?”

“Yes,” she muttered, before suddenly finding the placemat utterly fascinating. Of course, Summer saw right through her. Didn’t she always? Tory wondered if Con and Devon could read her so easily.

Summer nudged her foot beneath the table to gain her attention. “What?”

“Have you told Con and Devon that you’re in love with them?”

“I was going to wait until Valentine’s Day. It just seemed like it would be more romantic that way. With the mood Con’s been in lately, I’m not sure he even wants to hear it, though.”

“Okay, in case you didn’t hear me the first time, Con and Devon love you! Of course they want to know their feelings are reciprocated.”

“You didn’t see the way Con acted after we made love this morning. He shut down. No tender words or teasing remarks. He was…cold.”

Summer dabbed her lips with the napkin, then tossed it onto her plate. “You know, maybe he’s just having a guy moment.”