Page 82 of Mine to Share

When both turned their full focus on me, a shock raced through me like I’d gripped a live wire with two hands. The burst of energy made me tremble, and my heart skipped a beat before racing like I’d just run a full marathon.

“You coming out, Raindrop?” Jameson asked, moving away from Slade toward where I stood frozen. “The water feels amazing.”

With a shaky breath, I stepped away from the doorframe, the wind catching my cover-up and exposing my mostly naked body to both men.

Jameson stumbled a step but recovered quickly. “Holy fuck. And I thought you naked was the hottest image I’d ever see.” Dipping one finger inside the sheer material, he pushed it aside, exposing my shoulder to the cool night air. “This is a very close second.”

Words failed me, my heart hammering too hard against my chest to take a full breath, so I simply smiled and shrugged. The feel of their eyes, knowing they traced every part of me and committed it to memory, was empowering instead of the opposite like other men made me feel. These two knew me. Knew my quirks, saw me for more than my body. They respected me and wanted me.

And that intoxicating combination almost had me crying.

How long had I longed for a complete, well-rounded relationship? To have brain-stimulating conversations, easy banter, and attraction? This, what was building between the three of us, had it all. And it felt natural. Sure, my parents’ relationship helped open my mind to the idea of being attracted to more than one person, but even if they hadn’t, this would still feel normal.

“Hey, you okay?”

The concern in Jameson’s voice had me pushing up to my tiptoes and pressing a chaste kiss to his lips. Peering over his shoulder, I caught Slade watching.

“Yeah, I’m great, actually.” Pinching his waistband between two fingers, I snapped it against his skin. “No swimsuit shopping for you?”

He draped his arm across my shoulders and directed us toward Slade. “I didn’t have time to buy any, and his swim trunks aren’t actual trunks.” Leaning closer, he pressed his lips to my loose wavy hair. “They’re practically Speedos. And I’d rather go skinny-dipping than wear one of those.”

“They’re not Speedos,” Slade grumbled, but the twitch of his lips was proof he wasn’t upset at all. “They’re what you’re wearing right now, just a little shorter. A shit ton more comfortable than loose board shorts.”

“And they show off your biggest asset,” Jameson chuckled.

My eyes widened at the innuendo.

“We all know it’s not my bubbly personality that attracts women.” Jameson laughed at that, his body shaking against mine. “Grilled salmon with a honey balsamic glaze, roasted brussels sprouts, and seasoned red potato squares. Does that sound good to you both?” Slade asked.

My stomach rumbled in response, and I pressed a hand to it in hopes it would help keep it quiet. “Good? Sounds delicious. You plan to make it all?”

“I like to cook,” Slade said with a nonchalant shrug. He pointed the tongs toward the side of the house. “I have a garden where I grow fresh herbs and a few vegetables. It’s fun to experiment, but tonight I’m going with something basic.”

“Basic,” I stated. “Basic is me ordering fish tacos from DoorDash. This is gourmet.”

His answering grin was almost shy and sweet. “Well, hopefully you like it. We’ll eat in about forty-five minutes. I’ll put the salmon on last.”

“Come swim with me,” Jameson whispered, his lips hovering along the sheer material covering my shoulder.

Without waiting for an answer, he interlaced our fingers and tugged me toward the sparkling water. The underwater lights slowly changed from purple to pink to blue, giving the entire scene a surreal feel.

The light fabric swept down my arms as Jameson helped me out of the cover-up. I chanced a look over my shoulder. Slade watched, those green eyes sweeping up and down my body the same way I felt Jameson’s taking in every bare inch from the other side.

The intensity of the moment, one I’d never felt in my life, suddenly became too much.

Shooting them both a wicked grin, I leaped from the edge and dove gracefully into the deep end of the pool. Warm water caressed my skin as I glided from one end of the pool to the other without coming up for air. At the shallow end, I crested the surface.

Before I could blink, an arm wrapped around my waist.

For one second, one breath, I relished that arm.

Until it tightened and a wicked laugh sounded above the water lapping against the tile. Between heartbeats, I broke the surface and went sailing through the air. A half giggle, half shriek filled the air, something that sounded like it came from a little kid, just before I crashed back into the pool. Bubbles drifted up all around me as I slowly sank toward the bottom, enjoying the calm and weightlessness for a few precious seconds. When my ass hit the smooth bottom, I kicked off, rocketing back toward the surface.

My wet hair slapped side to side as I searched the pool for the soon-to-be dead man. Not that I could do anything about it, but it was fun feeling playful. I hadn’t had this lightness in my heart in way too long. I felt younger, happier, despite nothing changing but the way these two men made me feel.

“You,” I yelled, though I couldn’t hide my laugh when Jameson pointed innocently at the very dry Slade. “You’re going down.”

“Bring it on, Raindrop. Do your worst.”

---