Page 2 of Accepted Precedent
“What?” I screech, the lime escaping my fingers.
“College friends fall madly in love, get married. You can’t get more wholesome than that.” He shrugs as if he didn’t just suggest I throw my own career away. Still, there’s a tinge of jealousy layered in his tone.
Jaw tight, Andrew shakes his head. “No.”
“Think about it. It can be temporary—a year or two. Once you’re in office, you have a quick divorce, say you’re better offas friends. Evelyn returns to lobbying.” Mick’s lips turn up in a smirk. “And you’ll be back in my bed.”
“Two years?” I chew on my lip as I consider it. We’ll have to be affectionate in public. Andrew and I hug, and occasionally hold hands, so it shouldn’t be an issue. But we’ll also have to… kiss.
I gulp half of my gin and tonic, then cover both of them with my spandex lids. While I trust the guys to watch them, all it would take is glancing away for a moment, and anyone could slip something into my drink. Sliding off my stool, I swivel Andrew in his seat, stand between his legs, and take his face in my hands. Then, like a drunk college girl, I kiss him.
It takes him by surprise, laughing against my lips, but he doesn’t pull away. “What are you doing?”
I break our lackluster kiss to reply, “Testing something. You’re not a very good kisser, Andy. Mick, how do you put up with this one?” I poke Andrew’s chest. “That was worse than my first kiss in eighth grade. The poor guy ran six blocks to my house to kiss me and was a sweaty mess—but even he beat whatever the hell that was.”
“Fuck that.” Andrew grips my ass and pulls me flush with him. “I just didn’t expect my best friend to kiss me.” Leaning in, he whispers beside my ear, “Have I told you lately that you have a great ass?”
I bite my lip as a blush creeps up my neck. “No, you haven’t.”
Mick chuckles into his glass, watching us from the corner of his eye. “If you’re not going to properly kiss her, then I will.”
“You’re both drunk,” I laugh nervously.
“I’m not,” Mick insists, lightly licking his lip. “It’s been a while since I’ve kissed a woman, but I can promise I’d be the best you’ve ever had.”
Andrew pulls back, his eyes searching mine. Since we met in our macroeconomics class in undergrad, he dated both men and women—mostly men. We’ve never been more than friends, never dated, and certainly never kissed. Through every failed relationship, job I didn’t get, and even when my mother died of cancer, he’s been my rock. If we do this—pretend to be in love—it could ruin our friendship. I do love him, even if that love is platonic, and I don’t want to lose that. But if a few public displays of affection get him to the Senate, then I need to risk it.
I glance over to Mickey to tell him I’ll marry Andrew, but he’s no longer in his seat. My breath hitches as a large hand splays across my stomach and tugs me flush to a firm chest. The fresh, pine-scented cologne gives Mickey away, and I finally let out the breath I’ve been holding. Andrew’s eyes darken as mine widen. Mick’s hard cock pressed against my ass is unexpected but not unwelcome—the feel of him gives my pussy a heartbeat. He’s my best friend’s boyfriend, I should pull away, laugh it off as friends flirting after too much to drink. I don’t. It’s been entirely too long since I’ve had sex, and with tonight continuing my dry spell, I’m the terrible, asshole friend enjoying being in a gorgeous man’s arms.
Hooking his finger in the waistband of my pants, Andrew pulls me closer, forcing me to brace myself with my palms on his shoulders. “What do you say, Evie? Are you up for being my fake wife for a few years?”
“To think, I came here for a one-night stand and walked away with a fiancé,” I tease, but if it helps him, I’ll absolutely get married for show.
“You want a one-night stand, I don’t mind sharing Mick.”
His suggestion jolts me back to reality. “What? No! That’s a joke, right?” I crane my neck to check for Mickey’s reaction. “We’re joking.”
“Not jokin’.” Mick moves my chunky braid over my shoulder until it’s resting on my chest. “Could be fun to have your pretty red hair wrapped around my fist while you come so hard you forget your own name—making your future husband watch.”
I swallow thickly, my cheeks heating. “But you two are…” I’m at a loss for the right word. They’re more than dating, they’re in love.
“We’ve shared partners before,” Andrew purrs. “It’s just sex.”
“Just sex?” My eyes fly back to him. “What you’re suggesting is ridiculous.”
“Do you want me to touch you?” Mickey kisses my neck, making my nipples peak.
“Yes. Fuck! I mean,no!” I rush out, making them both laugh. I shouldn’t entertain any of this. I’m practically sober, alcohol isn’t to blame for how turned on I am by the thought of being with two men—especially if one of them is Mickey Gallagher. Could we really do this and remain friends after?
“What about Andrew?”
“I don’t know,” I quietly admit. “We’re just friends, and he’s… yours.”
Mickey’s hold on me tightens as he whispers, “Aye, and I’m his. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want you to be mine too—even if it’s only for one night.” My body warms at his admission. “If you decide to marry Andrew, the public will need to believe you’rein love. We’ll have to be careful. It would just be for a night. No sneaking around after.”
“Why would you want me to go home with you? If I marry Andrew, shouldn’t you be spending as much time as possible with him while you can?” I ask Mick, my gaze darting between the two of them.
“I think it’d be fun to tame you.”
