Page 56 of The Exception

I couldn’t do much with my back to him, with my clothing in this state, except grind against him. I needed more. Him inside me. Release from this building need.

He nudged me forward, urging me to bend at the waist, making me catch myself on the sink. The tear of foil was a new harmony to accompany my thumping pulse. The feeling of his cock nudging my entrance was a new verse. The way he slipped inside me, stretching me out…

So, so good. If I died in here—because God knew my heart was beating fast enough—at least I’d pass on happy.

When Eli was buried inside me, he slipped his fingers to my clit. He moved in and out of me at a slow, steady pace, while he stroked the aching bud between my legs. I was already so slick with anticipation, so close to bursting, that it didn’t take much to push me over the edge.

As climax spread through me, stealing my thoughts and breath, Eli gripped my hips with sticky fingers, and the slow steady build vanished in a frantic, hard pounding.

I barely held onto the thoughtkeep quiet, but the rest of my restraint was gone. Climax engulfed me, and I clenched around him as he fucked me with a fast intensity that was all-consuming.

His grunts, the way his rhythm changed, made me think he was close too. I couldn’t help but watch in the mirror, the way his face screwed up as he came. The way he jerked in time with his muffled grunts and groans.

As we both slowed to a stop, only our breathing, mingled with a fan, filled the room.

I managed to find my voice. “Did you bring me in here just for this?” I teased.

“No.” There was a growl in his voice that hadn’t been there before. “I brought you in here to show you the woman I see when I look at you. But then inspiration struck.”

“Chasing the inspiration. That’s what makes you a great storyteller.”

This time his kisses along the back of my neck were more tender. “Maybe, maybe not. But chasing you has made me feel more complete than I’ve felt… ever.”

I didn’t think I could put my thoughts and feelings into such sweet words, and I felt silly parroting him, but I had to say something. I rested more of my weight against him. “Me too.”

21

kandace

My face was hot,my pulse was racing, and giddiness spilled through my veins as Eli and I returned to the dining room. Could anyone tell what we’d done? If they could, did it matter?

“Do you want to go home?” Eli wrapped an arm around my waist and nudged me back to our table.

The city tour was fun, but the intimacy with him was better. Not just the naughty orgasm in the bathroom, but all of it. “Joystick is home.” I hated to risk ruining the moment, but it seemed like something that needed to be said.

“He is. We could bring him some food, since he missed out on the fun.”

Whatever switch was flipping between them, I both liked it and was a little scared of it. Would I be as much fun for them once they cleared away all the debris from their past?

Eli’s words, his touch, from the bathroom still lingered in my head, and I clung to the memory. Of course I was still a part of all of this. “Sounds like a plan. Let’s do it.”

We had them box up the leftover pizza, and were on our way.

Eli and I made our way back to the house, a comfortable silence settling between us. His arm pressed into mine as we walked, and a moment later, he tangled his fingers with mine. The warmth that spread through me this time wasn’t arousal, but it was definitely desire. This felt so sweetly perfect.

Except for that stupid bit of my mind that insisted I couldn’t have it all, no matter how sweet both men were. Why exactly was I convinced of that?

Because that was what it had been my entire life. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride, as they said. Why would now be the moment that not one, but two, wonderful men decided they were willing to put aside years of animosity, angst, and obvious attraction, to include me in their lives long term?

Eli squeezed my hand as we drew closer to the house. He met me before he knew I had anything to do with Joystick. He showed an interest in me, asked me out…

I knew he was sincere, but that nagging insecure voice, the one that had been left at the metaphorical roadside too many times, didn’t want to get hurt again. I’dknownwith past boyfriends, too.

We stepped inside the house and found Joystick waiting on the couch. The scent in the room was different from when we left—spice and vinegar and meat.

He looked up the moment the door opened, and grinned. “Welcome back, you crazy kids. How was it?”

“Dinner was so good we brought you your own serving.” Eli held up the take-out box, and sniffed the air. “I think you may have eaten already.”

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