Page 18 of The Forbidden Trio

The wait staff bustled around with heavily laden trays, and there was the clatter of silverware and the murmur of voices, along with the lovely scents of maple syrup and good coffee. Her stomach rumbled. They were seated quickly at a table by the front window, given menus and steaming mugs of coffee. Jessie added cream and sugar to hers, looked up to find the two men smiling at each other across the table. A small stab of jealousy dug into her stomach.

You have no right to feel like this.

No, but she did. As much as she liked Noah, as much as she’d enjoyed the sex and wanted to do it again, her feelings for Paul were as strong as ever. Stronger, after what they’d done the night before, and even more after those lovely, private moments they’d shared when it had just been the two of them that morning.

She watched them watching each other, that lustful and amused exchange of glances, and felt like an outsider for the first time since they’d had sex. She didn’t like it at all, but she understood it was up to her to accept the situation. Maybe Paul was hers on this trip, but she still had to share him with Noah. And Paul wasn’t really going to behers. Not in the way she’d fantasized about since she’d first met him in college. Still, this was better than nothing, better than never touching him, feeling his arms around her naked body.

Wasn’t it?

“Jess, what are you ordering?” Paul asked her, oblivious to the gears turning in her head, the dull ache in her chest.

“What? Oh, French toast, I think.”

“Me, too,” Noah said. “It’s one of my favorites.”

“Jess makes the best French toast.” Paul’s bright blue gaze was trained on her, and a smile lit his handsome face. “Remember how you used to make breakfast for me in the morning after those college parties? You always let me crash on your couch. I couldn’t believe you actually got up and cooked for me after those late nights.” She would have done anything for him. Then. Now.

Jessie shrugged. “I had to eat, too. Anyway, I never really drank much. You were always the one who was hungover.”

“So, he was the party guy in college?” Noah asked, grinning as he reached over and laid his hand on Paul’s for a moment.

Another small jealous stab, which Jessie tried to ignore.

“Maybe a little,” Paul admitted. “Okay, maybe a lot. If it weren’t for Jess, I probably would have flunked out of my second year, especially after I lost my mom. She made sure I got to class and gave me her notes when I didn’t make it.”

“It was no big deal.” She shrugged again, sipping her coffee.

Paul took her hand, curling his fingers around hers. His skin was warm, his big hand smooth. She shivered, her entire system going warm. It felt too good.

“It was a big deal to me,” Paul said. “I haven’t forgotten about it.”

He was smiling at her again, his eyes so damn blue and clear, like the water in Lake Tahoe—that brilliant, that deep. Desire shimmered over her skin, along with the familiar yearning she’d never really come to grips with. She didn’t know what to say, couldn’t think with him staring at her like that, with something unreadable in his expression.

Was he thinking back to that year when his mom died? He’d been absolutely crushed, and had really shut down for a while. She’d been happy to be there for him—for the man she was already in love with.

She watched as he joked with Noah with a gaze she hoped wasn’t too obviously wistful. This weekend was going to be wonderful. And torturous.

Get your puppy dog eyes under control, girl.

Luckily their food arrived, and she was able to focus on eating. They chatted as they ate, relaxed together, laughing, but for Jessie there was still that underlying current of tension. She couldn’t seem to shake it.

Get a grip.

Yes, she’d better, or the trip was going to be ruined. Her friendship with Paul would be ruined, which was exactly what she’d been trying to avoid all these years.

“We should head to the beach,” Noah said. “What do you think, Jessie?”

“What? Yes, sure. This pale San Francisco skin of mine could use some sun.”

The guys insisted on paying the bill, then they got up and walked back to their campsite. Once more there was one on each side of her, holding her hands. She sank back into that comfort, even if a small voice in her head reminded her it was temporary, an illusion of togetherness. But for now, she would do her best to allow herself to revel in it, trying not to think about the future.

By the time they changed and found a spot on the shore of the crystal-blue lake, she’d relaxed a bit. They laid out a blanket, their beach towels, and a cooler filled with beer and snacks. The guys looked amazing in their swim trunks, tanned muscles gleaming in the summer sun, and she wasn’t sure if she needed to look at Noah’s tight abs or Paul’s broad chest. She tried to give both equal attention from behind the safety of her sunglasses. Paul grabbed her hand and pulled her down onto the blanket next to him.

It was excruciating to be so close to him, almost as naked as they’d been together that morning. Excruciating and wonderful at the same time.

“What’s up, Jess? You’ve been quiet all day.”

“I’m just tired, I guess.”

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