Page 11 of The Best Number

The sound of footsteps tells me someone is approaching the door on the other side. The handle moves and the door swings inwards. My gaze is downward and I catch sight of bare feet. Allowing my eyes to rise slowly, I take in well-worn jeans. They are worn in all the best places and even have a couple of frays near the knees. My gaze continues and I grin as I see Jack’s six pack between the two sides of his open shirt. It’s a beautiful, crisp, white button-down. Finally, I reach his face, seeing his wide grin and meeting his sky-blue eyes, which burn into mine.

“You look fucking stunning,” he tells me before he kisses me on the cheek. It’s just a peck, but the heat soars through me. I breathe in his fresh, clean scent—so familiar to me from all the hugs he willingly gives. It’s often edged with a muskiness of hard work, and I’ve spent far too long daydreaming about helping Jack build up a sweat. I want to shiver and I haven’t even made it inside yet.Wow, I might need to rein myself in at this rate so I don’t come just from his proximity.

Jack grabs my hand and pulls me into the flat just as Tom steps out from the bedroom and draws the door closed behind him.

Tom is wearing smart slacks, and his deep grey shirt is buttoned up. I can feel myself swooning as he rolls up first one sleeve and then the other, revealing his tattoo sleeve. His muscular forearms hold a lovely colour tan and a sprinkling of dark hair. Jack is still holding my hand and Tom gives me an almost shy smile as he closes the proximity between us to kiss me on the forehead.

“You are beautiful, Cassidy,” Tom says earnestly.

I beam at both of them. “Keep this up and my head will be so big it won’t fit out the door afterwards.”

Jack chuckles and leads me further into the room.

“A glass of wine?” Tom asks.

“What are you guys having?”

“I’m happy with red. How about you Jack?”

“Sounds good to me. It’ll match Cass’s lips.” He gestures for me to sit in my usual spot and he takes the seat beside me. “Are you comfortable in those heels?”

I look down at the strappy silver heels adorning my feet. “Not really, but they look pretty,” I reply with a wry grin.

“How about we take them off now and you can always model them for us again later?”

I nod and he lifts my feet, spinning me around so I’m lengthways along the couch with my feet in his lap. I gulp as he strokes his fingers down my calves and unbuckles each shoe, placing them under the coffee table before his large hands massage my arches. I thought I’d be more nervous, but I welcome his touch. His hands are warm and the pressure is just right. I want to close my eyes and soak up the sensation of his hands on me. He lifts one foot to his lips, kissing the top, thenrepeats the action with my other foot before laying it back on his lap.

Tom approaches, carrying three glasses of red wine. I reluctantly remove my feet from Jack’s lap and sit up again. I take a sip of the wine I’m handed and enjoy the rich, full-bodied flavour as Tom sits at my other side.

“Dinner’s in the oven—shouldn’t be too long.”

Right, I remember, we are eating first.I’m not sure I’ll manage anything, as the butterflies are too busy fluttering around inside me.

“What are we eating?”

“Hopefully you,” Jack drawls from the other side. I bite my lip as I glance at him.

“But before that, just some pizza and salad,” Tom adds.

“He’s being modest,” Jack taunts. “He made the pizza base from scratch before you arrived and the toppings are probably the most bougie thing you’ve ever heard of. What’s on it tonight?”

“Some chicken, basil, and mozzarella. I thought I’d keep it light.”

We chat for a while and I tell them I’ve been doing some online research for my book.

“So you’re saying you’ve been watching porn all day and calling it research,” Jack snorts.

“It wasn’tallporn. I was also researching throuples and the dynamics of that type of relationship. I’m thinking about taking my book in that direction.”

“And did you see anything in your research today that you want to try tonight?” Jack asks, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

He looks ridiculous and I giggle as I reply, “Perhaps a thing or two, but let’s see how the night transpires.” I attempt my own salacious eyebrow waggle.

“Do you know what I’d like to try?” Tom questions us both and Jack and I turn to look at him.

“For you two to stop waggling your eyebrows.” He kisses me on the tip of the nose and then does the same to Jack. The affection surprises me. I’d been expecting a night of hot sex, but there’s a layer of romance to it too.And I’m not mad about it. My romantic side wants to be wooed.

“I’m going to check on dinner.” He places his glass on the coffee table, rising from his seat.

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