Page 57 of Duplicity

Besides—and it’s a very bigbesides—he might let me off the hook and take me back to the office if I safed out, but it would be a red flag to him. The first time he tries to push the envelope, I bail. I need this job for at least another month, and I told myself I’d do anything necessary to ensure Brendan held onto me.

Falling at the first hurdle is not an option, not when I’m so close to funding Tabby’s operation. Nor is bailing as soon as the going gets tough.

I look at Brendan’s blue eyes, and I realise I know something else to be true. No matter how much he’s planning on pushing me outside of my comfort zone, I trust him.

I really do.

So I give him my answer.

‘I’m good.’

CHAPTER 27

Marlowe

‘Have you ever had two men use you before?’ Ethan asks in an arrogantly casual monotone.

He’s basically asking me if I’ve ever had a threesome, so I’m unclear as to why his turn of phrase is so charged.

I drag my gaze to him. ‘No. Never.’

He closes his eyes briefly as if he can’t handle this information.

‘God,’ Brendan whispers beside me. ‘This is going to be so fucking good. You’ll fucking adore it, love. I know you will.’

I admire his confidence. I wish I shared it. But I turn back to him and give him what I hope is an encouraging smile. ‘I’m sure I will,’ I lie.

‘We’ll tell you everything you need to do,’ he tells me. Those big blue eyes are softening with desire, and I’m struck all over again by how ridiculously, disgustingly attractive he is. ‘Just give yourself over to us. The more you surrender to it, the hotter it’ll be for everyone. Understand?’

I nod.

‘Say it.’

‘I understand.’

‘Good girl. Now stand up.’

I stand. I can’t help but notice that Ethan’s eyes are fixed on me. They haven’t left me at all. Knowing that I’ve been ambushed, that the guys have set this whole thing up, gives his intensity a whole new meaning, and a tiny part of me—my inner whore, I suppose—feels a thrill to be the sole focus of these two obscenely powerful, attractive alpha males.

I stand, and Brendan rises with me. My hair is tied back today, its style a world away from Old Marlowe. Gone are the messy, easy buns and in their place is a glossy ponytail. I secured the ponytail before carefully curling my hair in sections and back-combing it a little so it’s all bouncy and elegant.

He starts to undo the zip that runs down the back of the dress. I’m facing Ethan, who can’t see anything interesting just yet. Still, he’s spread his legs wide and is leaning forward, elbows resting on his knees and fingers interlaced and facial expression, if not quite avid, then laser-focused. His pale blue shirt is as crisp and crease-free as if he’s just put it on, the folds in his navy suit trousers razor-sharp, and his effortless polish throws into sharper focus the fact that these two plan to destroy me.

‘I got her to wear her best lingerie for you, mate,’ Brendan says conversationally. ‘AndI warmed her up in the car, so you can thank me later.’

The zip is fully open, and he slides the feminine black dress I’m wearing off my shoulders so the slinky fabric falls down my arms, the front of the dress dropping to my waist.

Oh my God. My boss is undressing me, and my boobs are now on display for this random guy in lingerie that screamshigh-class hooker.I’m well aware that my nipples are still taut from Brendan’s ministrations to my pussy in the car, and that Ethan can likely see them through the lace.

‘Believe me, I will,’ he mutters. ‘Now, take it off. Take it all off.’

Brendan pushes my dress down over my hips and the expensive fabric falls heavily to the ground with a swoosh. I stand, frozen, for a second in only my heels and my lingerie, the dress pooled around my ankles and the air conditioning cool on my skin.

‘Very good,’ Ethan says, his eyes glued to the spot where the black lace of my panties gives way to a scalloped edge and then the bare flesh of my pussy.

Brendan kneads my bottom with his hands. ‘Get rid of the dress, love,’ he reminds me gently.

I start. ‘Oh—of course.’ I step out of it and push it to one side with my stiletto.

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