Page 29 of Run for Us

It’s been one year to the day that I chose me, and what I wanted in life. My mom wasn’t happy and told me if I left, I wouldn’t have a job to come back to. I handed in my resignation letter the same day. I spent so much time worrying about the bad things that could happen if I left that I never stopped to consider the good things that may come my way.

Since being back in Bluebell, I’ve kept painting, displaying my pieces in the studio downstairs and opening an online store. The money I make isn’t a lot, but it’s enough to keep me busy thanks to some old clients who found my store. Some have even commissioned custom paintings. I have never been happier.

As for the three men who changed my life, they have been my biggest support team, along with Beth and her family. Cove had me paint a mural on his boat. When I refused to accept payment,he started bringing me seafood from his time out at sea. Beth cooks it up, and Cove delivers it.

Small towns and a sense of community are exactly what I’d been yearning for, and I feel complete—well, almost. Kasen, Shore, and Rip have taken me on dates but have given me the space and time I need to enjoy life and rebuild my sense of self. Everyone in town knows we are dating, and not one person has had an issue with me seeing three men. They just accept it.

The guys have been itching to make things official, but first I needed to make sure it was really what I wanted. I had doubts because they are so much younger than I am. I thought we would be at different stages in life, and I didn’t want to hold them back. Beth made me realize that every single one of them is exactly where they want to be—happy. That’s all they want. Material things don’t matter to them, as long as we have each other.

So tonight, I plan to show them how I feel and that I’m ready.

Tyde is like the little brother I never had. While he works for his dad most days, when he is off, he is always at the shop helping me. Last week, I asked him for ideas on how I could tell them I was ready to take the next step. Now, because small-town gossip travels fast, he knows about our masked chases. Dax, the paramedic, had told his wife, who told someone, and word traveled fast. So Tyde suggested I go to the lighthouse and leave the box of masks at their door and knock, with a note that says:Come catch me. So that is what I have planned.

It was perfect timing. Kasen had his self-defense class and a family arriving at the house he had to check in, Rip had a client at the tattoo shop, and Shore was working at the food truck, so I pretended I needed today to relax since I stayed at the lighthouse last night. They all promised to be back by nine.

By eight, I had set everything up in case they returned early. The note and the box of masks are now on the doorstep, so all I need is to hear the boat mooring at the dock and then I’ll slipout the back door. The small slice of land the lighthouse is on isn’t overly big, but it’s large enough for a chase. I don’t plan to be outside long; I plan for them to chase me, and then I will lead them back to the lighthouse.

The sound of the small boat engine alerts me they are back—early as I expected. I jump up off the sofa and head out the back door, slipping around the side of the lighthouse. I use the overgrown trees to conceal my body so I can watch them read the note. Kasen pulls it down from the door, then they open the box and pull out the masks, each man slipping one on.

“Come catch me!” I call out from my hiding spot.

Three glowing masks look my way, and I take off running toward the sandy shore, the terrain easier to navigate. I don’t wait to see if they follow because I know they will.

I rush through the trees and down the worn path—one I know Shore keeps clear so he can pull his Jet Ski down easily. The sound of footsteps behind me has me smiling like an idiot.

“Run for us, baby. We’re coming for you!”

Branches whip at my arms as I burst through the trees, my heart pounding in my ears. Moonlight shines through enough that if I squint, I can see the clearing ahead.

I dare a glance over my shoulder and spot a glowing mask weaving between tree trunks. I skid out of the trees and onto the cool sand. My bare feet sink deeper with every step, sand spraying up behind me. They fan out to my right, gaining ground, each of them more skilled at running along the beach from years of living here and enjoying the ocean.

Heavy boots thud behind me, and I pivot, sprinting back toward the lighthouse, leading them exactly where I need them to be.

One of them lunges for my elbow, trying to take me down. I squeal and dart around a large piece of driftwood, laughter echoing behind me. The safety of the lighthouse comes into view,and I push myself harder, knowing I just need to get to the large red doors.

I make it, ripping one of the doors open, and it bangs against the outside wall. Running into the living area, I sprint up the stairs—past Kasen’s floor, then Shore’s, through Ripley’s room, and up to the studio, where the flicker of candles greets me. I quickly strip out of my clothes and stand naked in the center of the room.

Shore is the first inside. I know by the board shorts and lack of shoes. He rips the mask off his face, and I pout.

“Nope, I have waited twelve long months for this moment. I want to enjoy every second, not trapped behind a mask.”

Though I feel bad I’ve made them wait so long, I needed to work on myself first and get to a point where I was confident in the decisions I made. Now I know for sure that I want to date them all openly, and I need to see them every day. These men make me happy, and they want to be in my life forme, not for what my name can do for them.

Rip and Kasen step into the room, both removing their masks when they see Shore has taken his off. All three of them drink in my nakedness like men dying of thirst, and it doesn’t make me nervous or want to hide from them. I want them to see it all: my scars, my past, and even my future.

“It seems like you’re running the show, pretty girl. Tell us what you want.”

I bite my lip at Rip’s words. We have been talking a lot recently about whether Rip and Shore’s relationship will be intertwined with my relationship with them. Kasen is fine with them being together in front of him, and they have no issues. Rip voiced he may need one-on-one time with Shore so they can maintain their own relationship, and I understand that, because I think I would like one-on-one time with them all too. It will allow us to build more intimacy and stronger bonds.

“I know we have spoken a lot about how our dynamic would work, but tonight I want Kasen to edge me while I watch Rip and Shore together. Oh, I also want Kasen’s cock in mythroat while Shore fucks me and Rip fucks him. I want it all.”

Kasen chuckles. “You can have whatever you want. Guys, the lady has spoken, and you are both wearing too many clothes.”

You don’t have to tell Shore twice to get naked. His clothes are off faster than I can blink, and Rip just smirks. He still has a safe word. That conversation between us was hard for him to have, and he didn’t go into every detail of his past—just enough for me to understand. Even then I tried to reassure him he didn’t have to tell me, that I respect his boundaries, and all he needs to say is stop. But Rip likes the power of a safe word. He doesn’t think he will need it, but he is also scared he could hurt me if he isn’t in control.

“Kneel for me, Shore,” Rip commands. “I want to watch you worship every inch of my cock, pretty boy.”

Shore drops to his knees, looking up at Rip like his world starts and ends with him. It makes my stomach flutter, and I hope one day someone loves me like that.

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