Authors: Stephanie Ganon
"He nicked her, but I think it was more to scare her than anything else.” Digging his hands in his pockets, Duff contemplated their next move. “I was thinking maybe she shouldn't leave tomorrow. She's still pretty shook up and everything."
Bo tested the water and reached for the bubble bath. “Do you hear me arguing?"
"Arguing about what?” Lily inquired from the doorway.
She was naked. The drying blood crusting on her neck made her look like a victim in a B-grade horror flick. Her bottom lip was swollen but would probably return to normal in a couple of days. Duff noted the ugly reddish purple bruises at her wrists and shoulders from where Doherty had held her down. They would heal rather quickly too, though he suspected her psychological scars might take longer to heal.
"Who's coming in with me?” She walked toward the tub unselfconsciously.
Bo gazed at her appreciatively before moving aside. “There's just enough room for you, I'm afraid."
She swung her hips playfully, a bounce in her walk. Duff couldn't help but stare. He'd forgotten how quickly she overcame adversity. Not much got her down—or kept her there. Dipping her hand into the water, she turned to Bo. “Perfect."
"Anything for the lady."
Duff rolled his eyes. Bo's crush on Lily was amusing at turns, disturbing at others. What was it about her? She'd managed to enrapture an out and proud gay man; he didn't believe Bo would argue that point. He was smitten, damn it, and Duff felt a twinge of jealousy snaking through him.
But was he jealous of Lily? Or Bo?
She sank into the water and leaned back. Holding her breath, she dunked herself and came back up sputtering. “Who's gonna help me wash my hair?"
Duff cursed under his breath.
"Oh come on,” she drawled. “Don't be that way. Duff, you were always so good at it. Get over here and help me out."
He pretended to hesitate, but inside he was anything but annoyed. He loved Lily's hair to the point where it had almost been an obsession. She knew it—damn her—and had asked him to wash it just to get under his skin.
Well, if that was her plan, it backfired. He wanted to touch it, to run his hands through its silken softness. Most of all, he yearned to pull it, wrapping it around his fingers just the way she liked it when—
"Bo, get out that expensive shampoo you order off the computer. If I'm gonna act like a hair guru or somebody, I need the best products."
Bo threw up his hands. “I'm all out. What I do have is that coconut shampoo-conditioner combo with the silk amino acids. It only cost me fifteen bucks, but it works like a charm."
"Is that why your locks are always so bouncy?” Lily teased. “Gee, your hair smells terrific."
She ducked in time to avoid the washcloth Bo lobbed in her direction.
"I'll be right back.” Bo left the bathroom.
Duff went to her, positioning himself behind the claw-foot bathtub. She looked up at him, and her breasts bobbed through the bubbles, begging to be licked.
"I can't believe you didn't fight me on this, Duff. I love when you wash my hair."
"Me too."
"Yeah? Why do you like doing it?"
Dipping his hand into the water, he tugged casually on a lock of her hair. “I just liked doing it for you, I guess. It always made you happy, and I loved doing anything that made you smile."
Her lip quivered. “I'm so sorry—about everything. I know I've said it over and over, and there's really nothing I can do to change the pain I caused you."
"I think I'm finally making peace with it. I spent years being eaten up with anger, and I resented the hell outta you. When you first showed up again, those old feelings came back full force, and I wanted to make you pay for making me feel like that."
"And now?"
Duff kissed her cheek. “Now I wash your hair. After that, I really can't say."
She reached for him with a wet hand, pulling him into a proper kiss that took his breath away. She grinned at him as she always had—looking a lot like a devilish schoolgirl on the verge of being expelled.
"Y'all are some horny somebodies.” Bo stood in the doorway holding the shampoo.
"No need to be jealous.” She hooked a finger at him. “Come on over here, Bo."
He scampered over for his kiss, reminding Duff of a dutiful puppy hoping to be petted. He watched them together, and his heart was suddenly so full. It was almost like...like this was the way it should be.
That's crazy.
Yet no matter how he tried, he could not escape the thought.
"Let me put this under your knees, Duff.” Bo unfolded a towel.
"Sure."
With that out of the way, Duff shook the bottle and fixed her with a menacing stare. “This won't hurt a bit, I promise."
"Make it up to me later, Duff."
"Shit, Lily. I think you made Duff blush.” Bo sat cross-legged in front of the tub. “That's a new one."
"I do
not
blush.” But he did, and his red face was proof.
Lily lay back, shut her eyes, and waited.
"Our very own Sleeping Beauty,” Bo whispered.
Duff opened the bottle and poured shampoo into his hands. He liked the smell—sort of a mix of coconut, banana, and strawberry. Working slowly, he lathered the shampoo in her hair, starting at the roots and working down. “Bo, hand me the comb. It's on the faucet."
Lily smiled. “Thanks, baby. Detangling is a bitch."
The comb slipped easily through the creamy product as he combed her hair. He set down the comb and dug his hands into her scalp, massaging it in the circular motion she'd taught him.
"You're still so damn good at this,” she mumbled. “Just another in a long line of things, I guess."
"What else is he good at?” Bo asked. “I once allowed him to wax my chest, but I regretted it."
"Honey, if I have to explain to you the many, many ways in which Duff is gifted, the last couple of years have been wasted on you."
"Oh, you mean his dick? Shit, I don't consider that being gifted necessarily. That's just genetics and dumb luck."
Lily rolled her eyes. “You couldn't be more wrong. Trust me—it takes talent to wield a monster like what our Duff is packing. The big ‘uns can be deadly if not used properly. Take it from a woman who knows."
Duff yanked Lily's hair.
"Ouch! What'd you do that for?"
"Because y'all are sitting here talking about me and my cock like I'm not even here. Please. Stop. It."
A look passed between Bo and Lily that sent them both into hysterical laughter.
"How ‘bout we stop talking and start doing?"
Duff, who thought it a splendid idea, dunked Lily's head and reached for a towel.
Lily inhaled a hard breath.
"Am I hurting you?” Duff asked. He lay on his side, entering Lily from behind.
"Yes, but don't stop. You know I don't mind a little pain as long as there's a payoff."
"Hmm.” Bo knelt over them, eyeing the action. “I don't know if this is gonna work. I'd have to put her legs damn near at my shoulders to get at her."
"Then do it,” Duff said wisely, his progress not stopping one inch. “Lily's pretty flexible, ain't ya, sweetheart?"
"Oh, shit.” She groaned as Duff finally worked his cock in to the balls. “Fuck! Don't—don't move. Jesus.” When he'd told her he was going to stretch her ass, he'd certainly meant it. Beads of sweat trickled down her forehead into her eyes. It stung. Not as much as having a huge cock in her ass, mind you, but it stung nonetheless.
"Don't move, huh?"
"Uh-huh."
"But what if I want to? What if I absolutely need to move, Lily?"
She rolled her eyes and wished she were lying in a position that left her able to punch him. But if she moved, it would be the same as Duff moving, and she wasn't ready for that.
She lay on her side facing away from Duff. The original plan had been for Bo to enter her from the front. But she already felt stuffed and close to bursting. She wasn't sure how much more she could handle.
"Damn it, Duff!” He'd shifted his hips.
The bastard.
"Oh, poor wittle Lily,” Bo singsonged, clearly enjoying himself. “I think I may have a solution, one that might ease Lily's discomfort and make us all happy."
"And what might that be?” Duff flexed inside her.
"Duff, you stay right where you are."
Lily groaned. “Really? You must enjoy watching me be torn in half!"
"And I'll make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure this brave woman gets off properly."
Duff gritted his teeth. “Much obliged, Bo. Sacrifice away. I don't know how much longer I can hold back."
Bo lifted her trembling thighs and set her foot on his shoulder. He dipped his tongue to her clit, enveloping her in sensation, moving down to taste and titillate before circling back up to suckle the swollen nub.
"Ooh.” She moved forward to meet Bo's mouth and gasped as Duff moved with her, escalating the searing pleasure tearing through her. The movement started a pleasurable chain reaction. Every lick made her wetter. The more excited she became, the wetter she got, shifting her hips against Bo's dexterous tongue. She thrust against Duff, feeling his cock burn and stretch her, setting ablaze an exquisite agony she'd never before experienced.
As the delirious heat spread inside her, she bit her lip to quiet the scream threatening to break free. She couldn't stop it, couldn't silence the sounds of ecstasy demanding release as Duff pumped in and out at full speed—pounding away any doubts she might have had about letting him fuck her ass.
Duff exhaled loudly and mumbled into her hair. “I'm about...done. I don't think—” Growling, he wrapped her hair in his fist, his final powerful thrust jolting her into a climax all her own.
Dazed, she remained on her side, unmoving. Bo leaned up on his elbow and grinned at them, a mischievous glint in his eye.
A sacrifice indeed.
When Lily was sure that each man slept soundly, she slipped out of their bedroom and went inside her own.
Three days. And yet so much had happened she could barely keep the timeline straight.
She would leave later that morning with few regrets...other than having to leave at all.
But it was for the best, wasn't it? She loved Duff and was truly glad he'd found someone to give him everything she hadn't been able to. So she couldn't be the one to make him happy. So what?
Lily was content to heal an old hurt and perhaps make a new friend. She'd made more progress in three days than she ever had in her entire life.
Now it was time to start over. She'd do it with a heavy heart, but she'd do it.
She lay across the bed and prayed for daylight.
Lily bit into an apple and waited for the coffee to perk. Her car would be arriving soon; she wanted to get on the road as soon as possible.
After creeping out of Duff and Bo's bed that morning, she'd lain awake for hours, searching for answers. Around four a.m., an idea came to her. She'd try something a little different—especially since her time was her own and no one would be looking for her.
Someplace else. Someplace warm. Someplace where my past won't matter so much.
South Florida sounded like a nice place to start over. It had nice weather, interesting people, and perhaps a second chance at a real life.
"I see you're almost ready,” Bo said from the doorway.
"As soon as they bring my car, I'm gone.” Opening a cabinet, she pulled down two mugs.
"Coffee?"
"Sure. Listen, Lily, I know you feel like you should leave, especially after everything that's happe—"
"Duff doesn't want me here—even after what we did—and I don't stay where I'm not wanted.” She handed him a mug and sat opposite him. “He didn't want me here when I first showed up, and I doubt what's happened between us changed his mind."
"Lily..."
"And why do you want me to stay so bad, Bo?” She set down her mug. “Why are you so okay with me staying here? Does watching me fuck your boyfriend turn you on that much? Or maybe you crave danger. I bet you just can't wait for another crazed ex-boyfriend to come looking for me, huh?"
Bo looked puzzled. “Wait. One thing at a time. You want me to be jealous? Is that what you're saying? You want me to throw a fit so you'll feel better about running away?"
She shrugged. “It would at least be a normal reaction considering what's been going on around here the last few days. And if you were thinking clearly at all, you'd know asking me to stay is probably not in your best interest."
"I'll worry about my own interests, okay?” Catching her off guard, he stood, pulled her into his arms, and twirled her around the kitchen. “I'm simply asking you not to rush off without thinking it through.” He dipped her.
Lily giggled. “My goodness, Mr. Astaire. I simply don't know what to say."
"Actually, that was my Gene Kelly impersonation. My Astaire would be a lot lighter on your poor feet."
Sighing, she nuzzled his chest. His arms tightened around her waist, and the now familiar electricity they channeled coursed through her in a shockwave of emotion. They rocked silently. If she stayed, this was what her life would be like all the time...
"This is nice,” he murmured into her hair. “It's been a long time since I've had a girlfriend."
She pulled back. “You've been with a woman before?"
"Does that surprise you?"
"But aren't you...gay?"
"Well, if wanting to spend the rest of my life with Duff means I'm gay, then yes.” Bo brushed a quick peck on her lips. “But that doesn't seem to mean anything when I'm around your beautiful body, so how about we leave the labeling to society?” He palmed her ass, pulling her to him. His erection throbbed against her.
"Hmm, now I know why you want me to stay."
"Seems I'm interrupting—something that's been happening around here a lot.” Duff eyed them from the doorway, his expression unreadable.
She pulled away from Bo. “I'm so—"
"Don't you dare apologize,” Bo told her. He turned to Duff. “She hasn't done anything wrong."
"I know it. I just need to talk to Lily a minute.” He cleared his throat. “Alone, if you don't mind."