I HAVE a lot of energy to start the day. I didn’t see any of the guys last night since they were all getting ready for the road trip to Texas, so I actually went to bed early.
Not that I slept early. I was actually up late. I was writing. Then reading. Then hoping one of the guys–or two…or three of the guys–would show up to surprise me. Or ask me to come over. When that didn’t happen, my imagination kept me up until Michael video called me.
That had been a very relaxing phone call. I’m warm just thinking about it.
I did hear from all three of them. Yesterday and now again this morning. Michael had texted first.
I’m going to miss you. Can’t wait to see you when I’m back
Then from Nathan came a command.
I want to see you when I get back. I’ll send a car.
Crew had texted late at night.
I can still taste you and can’t wait to taste you again
This morning he’d been the first to text and ask how I was.
Sore and sleepy. I’ve been…busy lately
I’d added a winky emoji and an eggplant emoji.
Michael had greeted me shortly after that.
Good morning, beautiful. I loved the new pages and discussing them last night with you. 😉 You’re amazing.
I was still floating from that.
Nathan had also texted this morning.
We will not be going out. Plan accordingly.
I laughed and texted back.
I assume I don’t need to pack panties.
Correct
.
Yes, he gets right to the point and he’s dirty, but even his messages make me float.
I love having attention from these men. It’s all different kinds of attention and I’m soaking it up like it’s sunshine and I’m a newly budded flower.
I end up going through the rest of the inventory I need to do, dusting my entire bookshop, doing some website updates, and sending out a newsletter to my customers. All before two o’clock. At two I sit down behind the front counter, drag in a deep breath, and feel a strange exhaustion sweep over me.
Okay, it isn’t that strange. I know exactly where it’s coming from. Yes, in part, it’s because I haven’t slept much the last few nights. Between staying up late writing after Michael took me home, my night with Nathan, followed by my big afternoon with Crew, my body is running on adrenaline, and caffeine.
But it isn’t just the lack of sleep. My body feels like it’s buzzing. Just the thought of any of the men and my body heats and endorphins flood my system. And I feel like I’m constantly thinking about one of them.
Or all of them.
From the amazing way Michael kissed me, to all of the dirty things Nathan said and did, to the nymphomaniac who took over my body in the art gallery with Crew.
I would almost call what I’m feeling… giddiness. This is so unlike me.
I love it.
I love this new side of Dani. Danielle. Cookie. I love that they all call me something different. I love that they all treat me differently.
Michael is so sweet and romantic. Nathan was so bossy and dirty. Crew is so playful and fun. I’m different with each one of them, too. It’s like they each tap into a different part of my personality. And I like all of these sides. I love being romanced. Michael makes me feel sweet and adored. But I also love being wanton and being able to say all the filthy things I want with Nathan. He makes me feel empowered in a way I’ve never felt before. And it’s so fun to tease and flirt with a guy like Crew. I would have never thought I had it in me to draw or keep the attention of a guy like that, but he makes me feel like all those sexy, fun, confident girls in high school and college I wanted to be.
And I love that I don’t have to choose between them.
I can tell Nathan doesn’t love the idea that I’m seeing the other men, but I’ve been honest and told him that’s what was happening, and he certainly hadn’t pulled away. That gave me a thrill. Even if he didn’t embrace the idea enthusiastically, he is still obviously willing to go along with it to be with me.
And Crew had taken me out after knowing I’d been with Nathan.
Michael had talked me through a hot session of phone sex, also knowing that the scene I’d written had been inspired by Nathan.
They all know about one another and they are all still texting me, thinking about me, wanting to see me.
I really can have them all. At least one at a time.
My heart starts racing thinking about bringing up the idea of having them all at once. I really think Crew and Michael will at least consider it. Nathan is the only one I’m not sure of. But if he says no…I’ll be disappointed, for sure. But I’ll still have two hot, sweet men who make my heart pound and my panties wet. Two will still be a fantasy come true.
But three would be even better
Yeah, yeah, I tell my wanton inner voice. But I grin. Men are like cookies…why have one, or even two, if you could have three.
I have to admit at the moment, though, knowing they’re all out of town, and that none of them can suddenly show up and surprise me, lets me relax a little.
I’m sore, I’m tired, and I need an early bedtime tonight.
I grin even as I blush thinking about those sore muscles. Those muscles haven’t been worked out like that in… ever.
I also want to get some more writing done.
I already dictated some notes this morning as I was blow drying my hair because I didn’t want to lose them. These three guys are giving me plenty of fodder for my Habanero writing. This is going to be some of the best I’ve ever done.
Will I still be able to write this well when I’m no longer seeing these guys?
I’d already thought Nathan and I were done. But I guess I get one more date. There is no way a forty-year-old billionaire is going to keep seeing me, though. There is no way he’s going to make a twenty-four-year-old his actual girlfriend.
Crew and I might see each other a couple more times. I hope we do. He is so much fun, and brings out a playful side of me that I didn’t realize I have.
But Crew McNeill can have any woman. He literally has women throwing themselves at him every single night. There is no way he was going to find me interesting for anything long term.
He’s on the road tonight, in fact. He’ll have tons of offers in just a few hours.
My heart squeezes as the thought occurs to me. I don’t know what he’ll do about those offers, and honestly it’s none of my business. We aren’t in a committed relationship. Hell, I had sex with another guy the night before Crew took me out. If Crew takes another woman to bed tonight, I can’t say a thing about it.
But the stab of jealousy is real. I can admit it. I’m such a hypocrite.
Then there’s Michael Hughes. I sigh happily thinking of him. Michael is boyfriend material. For sure. He’s someone I could see myself dating seriously. He’s eleven years older than me and sure, this might just be sex for him too, but it doesn’t feel that way. He’s not quite as gruff and bossy as Nathan, but he does give me lots of delicious I-want-to-take-care-of-you-in-every-way vibes that I want to wallow in.
The little bell above my shop door jingles as a pretty woman with long dark curls steps inside.
I stand and paste on a smile, pushing thoughts of my suddenly very full social life to the back of my mind.
“Hi, I’m looking for Danielle Larkin,” the woman says.
“I’m Danielle.”
“Oh, hi!” Her smile is warm. “This is for you.” She comes forward and hands me a gift bag and a single rose.
A week ago, I would have been very confused by this. Today I’m actually delighted to find that the only question here is, which of the three guys is the rose from?
I know I’m smiling like an idiot.
But two seconds later I realize I know exactly who it’s from.
Speak of the devil. This is from Michael. The red rose is the giveaway without even looking in the package.
I know my guys—yes, my guys. I’m already thinking about them as mine. That’s going to be a problem when it all ends. I know that. I know my heart is going to be a little broken. But for right now my entire body feels warm and mushy. Including my heart.
Michael is absolutely a single red rose kind of guy.
It’s way too traditional for Nathan. He would come up with something far more over-the-top and exotic. If nothing else, there would be six dozen roses, not just one. And Crew would never send flowers. That’s way too old-fashioned and predictable. He’s more the type to send balloons. Or a giant frosted cookie. Or a singing telegram.
Actually, he’s more the type to show up with the balloons and do the singing himself.
I take the rose, smiling as I lift it to my nose. “Thank you.”
The woman nods. “Of course. Do you have a message in return by chance?”
I give her a puzzled look. “I’ll just text him later.”
Her face falls in disappointment. “Dang. I was hoping for some info. I’ve never seen him like this.”
I can’t help but laugh. “You know Michael personally?”
She smiles. “Yes. My husband is actually one of the trainers in the Racketeers’ athletic department. I don’t normally do this kind of thing, of course, but he couldn’t figure out a way to get this particular gift to you. They were getting everything ready to get on the plane to leave and he was talking about how he just had to get a special gift to someone before he left. I volunteered because I thought it was romantic.” She laughs and gestures to the bag. “I mean, I think it’s sweet he’s trying to take care of you. And I assumed because of the rose that you’re not just a friend or a cousin or something.”
My eyes widen. I didn’t realize that Michael was talking about me. I shake my head. “No, not a cousin.”
She must’ve read my surprise, because she quickly reassures me. “He didn’t say anything specific. Just that he really wanted you to know that he was thinking about you while he was gone. But he wasn’t sure how to get this combination of things to you. I don’t know what it means, but it was important to him.”
Curious, I now dig through the bag. I pull out the little note that’s tucked inside first. It’s a plain piece of paper, like something he just swiped off his desk, but he’d taped it shut so no one would read it.
I can’t have you sore when I get back. Take a long soak and then I’ll kiss it better when I see you.
Whoa. We haven’t had sex yet. But I feel connected to him anyway. As much as I do to Nathan and Crew. Sharing my stories with him has felt intimate in a whole different way than what I’ve done with Nathan and Crew. Michael is more… sensual. He’s romantic. Things are going slower with him, but that feels right. Somehow I know that sex with Michael will feel more like making love. It will be long, and hot, but he will be very into lots of different sensations, lots of touching, drawing things out.
I know my cheeks are blazing hot, but I smile as I pull out bath salts, bubble bath, two candles, and an eye mask. Everything I need for a relaxing bath.
Of course my hot doctor is literally taking care of my body, even over the distance.
Even though he didn’t cause any of the pain.
Wait a second… how does he know…
I put a hand over my mouth.
Was Crew running his mouth? He’d better not be talking about me in the Racketeers locker room!
I look up at the woman. “Um… thank you.”
“I hope your ankle…or whatever… feels better soon,” she says.
Oh, my God. I nod. “I’m sure it will. And I’ll definitely text him. I really appreciate you going to the trouble of getting this to me.”
“Well, Michael is a special guy. He means a lot to the guys on the team. He’s more than just a doctor, you know? He’s kind of a mentor. Definitely someone everyone looks up to. And not just the players. Everybody in that department. He’s been so great to my husband. So, anytime we see anything that makes him happy, everybody piles on.”
My stomach flips at the idea that I might be something that so obviously makes Michael happy. They haven’t even seen me with him. But evidently the idea of me makes him happy. It is a very odd feeling that strangers can know this, but I love the idea that Michael could actually have feelings like that for me.
It’s going to be really hard going all these days without seeing the guys. And I want to see all of them. Equally.
There is no way I could choose between these guys.
“What are some other things that make Michael that happy that you all notice?” I ask her.
Her eyes brighten and I can tell she genuinely likes Michael. Which, of course, makes me like her. “Oh, he discovered this new microbrewery in town, and he was talking about it one day and the guys all got together and bought him like three cases of the beer.” She laughs. “And then there’s this movie theater where they show classic movies. He was talking about it one day and how much he loves going there, and all the guys got together and bought him a gift certificate. I don’t think he’ll have to buy a movie ticket for the next two years.”
I grin. I love that Michael is surrounded by people who care about him like that. And I love that he openly enjoys things so much that the people around him notice. He is such a good guy. And now I miss him even more than I did before.
“Well, again, I really appreciate the trouble you went to.”
She shakes her head and waves her hand as if it was no big deal. “I hope I see you around. Hopefully Michael will bring you to some team’s family functions.”
Yeah. That would be awesome. Except that there are two other people on the team that would also maybe want me to be with them. Or who could, at least, make it awkward if I’m there with Michael.
Ugh, this could be complicated.
A little of that giddy, happy cloud I was floating on seems to diffuse.
I force a smile and nod. “Yeah, maybe.”
We say goodbye and she makes her way out of the store.
I whip out my phone and text Crew.
You better not be talking about me in the locker room, McNeill!
He doesn’t respond. Dammit. He’s probably on the plane. Or in a team meeting. Or warming up. Hell, I don’t know what a day on the road to an away game is like.
I spin on my heel and yell, “Luna!”
Late morning is usually a little quieter for her as well. It’s after the initial morning coffee and pastry rush, but before people come in for their afternoon pick-me-up.
She looks up as I storm into the bakery. “What’s going on?”
I hold up the bath items and rose. “I got a gift.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She bends back over the pastry she’s adding chocolate swirls to. “Quit rubbing it in.”
“Rubbing what in?” I drop the items on the counter next to her.
“You have three boyfriends, and they’re all texting you constantly because they can’t even spend twenty-four hours away from you now. I don’t know how you went from my awkward nerdy little friend who has been sexually repressed since those fucking assholes in college clipped your wings to this femme fatale who now has three hot, rich men drooling over her, but…” She looks up and gives me a grin. “I really like it. Being absolutely adored and sexually worshiped looks good on you.”
I quickly glance around the bakery to see if anyone overheard. We are blissfully alone. “Sexually worshiped? Who said that?”
“Your face. The glow about you. The fact that you’re walking about six inches off the floor,” Luna teases. “And yes, I hate you for it. I’m also so jealous. But I love everything about it. You totally deserve this.”
I lean onto the counter, and pin her with a serious stare. “And you swear you don’t care that one of them is your brother?”
“I absolutely don’t. I’m thrilled that he is smart enough to want to date a woman like you.”
I shake my head. “I don’t know if I would go so far as to say we’re dating. You know as well as I do that Crew’s going to get tired of this. We’re having fun now, and I hope that we do it for a little bit longer, but there’s no way we’re going to get serious.”
“Why not?” Luna frowns. “Is Crew not someone you would be serious with?”
I think about that for a moment. She’s my best friend. She deserves the truth, especially when it’s about her brother. I swallow. “Actually, I think I could be serious about Crew. He makes me laugh. He makes me happy. He makes me feel different…lighter, sexier, fun. He makes me look at things differently. And he just has this way about him of making everything more colorful, and more laid-back. But I know he’s a hard worker. I know the things that he’s serious about always get his full attention and full energy.”
Luna looks relieved. Which also makes me feel relieved. I would hate it if this was weird between us.
“Good. Because eventually Crew is going to get serious about someone. You are absolutely the type of girl that could happen with. He’s known you forever. And he’s finally settling down in other ways. Sure, early in his career, he was a playboy and having fun and going out and playing the part of the goodtime guy. But now he’s back in Chicago, I think he wants to stay here. He wants to make this his home, his team. And I think that he wants the city, and the team management, to see him as serious and to keep him here. I mean, he’s always going to be a good time, that’s just his personality. But I think that he would like this to be a long-term gig. Settling down with someone here makes sense.”
All of that makes my heart beat faster. Crew is a great guy. And if he wanted to get serious, and really was going to stay in Chicago, then I can’t help but think that I would love to be the girl that he got serious with. I love his family, I love this city, I love…him.
Oh, God. Is that possible?
But, could I be falling in love with him? I’ve known him for a long time. I like him, I trust him, I want him.
That could all add up to falling for him.
“You don’t think he’s talking about me in the locker room do you?” I ask Luna.
She frowns. But she hesitates, thinking about it. Which I appreciate. Then she shakes her head. “No. Other girls? A hot hook-up? Maybe. But you? No way.”
And that feels right. I agree. But then how did Michael find out I was sore?
Of course, Luna’s mention of the Racketeers’ management, along with me being sore, makes me think of Nathan.
“Well, I can’t imagine being serious with Nathan. I mean, he’s a lot older than me, he’s a billionaire, there’s no way he’s gonna want to get serious with a woman who is so much younger who can’t even make her own business work. But, we had one really hot night and I do not regret it. I would do that again in a heartbeat.”
“I am so happy for you and still waiting for details,” Luna says, holding her hand up. I give her a high five and we both laugh.
“Dirty. Bossy. Dirty. And five times,” I tell her.
She stares at me. “Oh my God.”
I nod. “Right?”
“Who is that from? I mean, I kind of wanted it to be from my brother. I want to think that he’s cool enough to send you a rose afterwards, but that feels billionaire-ish.” Luna laughs. “Of course, my brother is a millionaire. I keep forgetting that. But a rose doesn’t seem like Crew’s style.”
I laugh. “Exactly what I thought. But it’s not really Nathan’s style either.”
“No?”
I lift the rose to my nose and pull in a long breath. “This is from Michael.”
Now it’s Luna’s turn to lean onto the counter. She pops both elbows on the counter and then rests her chin on her hands. “Yes. Tell me about the hot doctor.”
“Well, we haven’t slept together. Yet. But we had really hot phone sex and I know we will sleep together. He’s kind of more the type for me to date, actually. I can see myself getting serious with him. He’s older than me too. But he’s romantic. Sophisticated. I mean, he’s very sexy. But he’s a little less intense than Nathan. And I swear, just the kiss he gave me the other night was almost enough to set me on fire.”
“This is amazing,” Luna said. She fans herself with her hand. “If I’m not getting any, at least I’m in the front row for this.”
“What happened to Kyle?”
Luna shrugs. “We mutually ghosted each other. It just didn’t feel right.”
“I’m sorry.” The door in the bookshop jingles again as someone comes in. “Hang on,” I tell her. “I’ll be right back.”
I poke my head around the archway that separates our two businesses. “Hi, can I help you?”
It’s a guy in a T-shirt and jeans, wearing a ball cap, he’s carrying a paper bag. “Yeah, I have your delivery.”
“I didn’t order anything.”
He looks down at his phone. “This is the address. Dani Larkin?”
“Yes.”
“Then this is for you.” He thrusts the package at me and turns and leaves.
I frown. The package is a plain white bag. I open it as I return to the bakery. But I freeze halfway across the floor.
Oh, no, he didn’t.
But he did. And I know who this gift is from too.
This is definitely from Crew.
“What is it?” Luna asks.
“Um.” I look up. “I’m not sure I should show you.”
She straightens and props a hand on her hip. “Now you have to.”
“It’s from your brother.”
She rolls her eyes. “Is it something dumb?”
Hmm. No. I would not call this ‘dumb’. “It’s…” Finally, I just blow out a breath and cross to the counter. I set it down and pull out the two items. The first is cotton candy flavored lube. Which of course makes me think about when he said he’d like to take me to the circus or a county fair. Crew can even make lube playful and fun.
The second is a set of three dildos. Each one bigger than the last. And the package says they can specifically be used for…ahem…stretching.
“Oh.” Luna says. “Yeah, okay. Not dumb. Also probably didn’t need to see that.”
I just shake my head and pull the note out.
Be sure you have that lube with you.
I love eating cotton candy.
And stretch while I’m gone.
Only good pain, sweetheart.
A winky emoji and a tongue emoji are at the bottom of his note.
He’s so…much. But I’m laughing even as I look up at his sister. Who he had to know would be here when this delivery arrived.
She holds up her hand. “Please don’t read that out loud.”
Before I can respond to that, the door of the bookshop opens again, the bell tinkling.
I sigh. “Hang on.”
There are two women standing just inside the shop door. “Hi, can I help you?”
“Yeah, we’re here for Danielle,” one of the women says with a big smile.
I’m starting to feel overwhelmed. “That’s me.”
“We’re here for your massage,” the shorter, blonder of the two says.
I stare at them. “My… what?”
“Mr. Armstrong sent us,” she explains. “We’re here to give you an in-home spa treatment. Starting with a full-body massage. He said you have some muscle soreness. You’ll also be having a manicure, pedicure, and facial.”
“And I’m here to give the same treatment to your friend Luna,” the taller blonde says. “Are you ready?”
“Yes!”
Luna has come into the shop behind me. She gives me a big grin. “I was Team Crew before because you being my sister-in-law would rock but I could pretty easily become Team Nathan if this is how he rolls.”
I roll my eyes. “If I told these three men that I love giraffes Crew would buy me a huge, cute, stuffed giraffe and take me to the zoo. Michael would find some amazing book for us to read about a romantic safari. Probably a spicy one. And Nathan would have me on an airplane to Africa.”
Luna links her arm with mine. “Okay, honestly? I’m Team All Three of Them because you deserve it.”
I think about that as I lock up the bookshop and bakery while Luna leads the two masseuses up to our apartment for our spa treatments.
I think maybe I’m Team All Three of Them too.
My phone chimes with a message and I pull it out.
It’s from Crew.
Of course not I’m not talking about you in the locker room, sweetheart.
Then how did Michael know I’m sore today?
Oh, well, I talked to Michael. And Nathan. But not in the locker room.
I stare at the message.
Oh.
My.
God.
You what????????
We talked about you. In Nathan’s office. And on the plane.
I stare at the message. They were talking about me. My first reaction is shock. But then I realize there’s no way I should feel shocked. All of these guys are very sexually confident and open. Nathan and Crew already had a confrontation about all of this. And they know Michael took me home from the game that first night. I can imagine Michael being mature and…actually, I can easily picture Michael being a mediator between the other two.
But the “in Nathan’s office” finally sinks in.
Nathan called you all in for a meeting?
That also doesn’t seem all that shocking. If Nathan wanted to see me again. I honestly hadn’t thought that was the case.
Yep. And it’s all good. But we’re all concerned about you being sore. Well, not Nathan. He seemed proud. He’s an asshole. You should dump him. Just date me and Hughes.
I read that message over three times.
It also doesn’t surprise me that Crew would have told them I was sore. That seems…almost sweet. Or something? Like he would have gone to the other guys who care about me and would have said, “Guys, she’s sore. We need to take care of her,” and then they all did that in their own way.
I press a hand to my stomach. That should seem so weird. Three men talking about me. Talking about how I was sore from sex. From sex with two of them. But they all got concerned and then sent things over to take care of me. One in a sweet way, and one in a playful, funny way. But both things that would actually help. And one just being smug that he made me still feel him two days later.
My body heats thinking all of that through.
I am so in over my head here.
Hey, I’m just kidding. You don’t have to dump Nathan
Crew is evidently taking my long silence as annoyance.
Though fuck he’s wound tight. But we all want to see you when we get back. So you’re welcome for the stretching program.
He adds another winky face and then three eggplant emojis.
My heart starts pounding and my palms start sweating.
Wait…What. The. Hell??
Three eggplant emojis…
“Are you okay?” Luna asks.
I look up. She’s standing on the stairs.
“Um. I’m…”
“You look upset. Or confused.” She tips her head. “Or…stunned?”
I nod. “All of those.”
“What’s going on?”
“The guys are talking about me. Together.”
Her eyes widen. “They’re fighting over you? That’s amazing.”
But I shake my head. “I don’t think so.”
“So, one of them is telling the others to back off?”
That would be Nathan if it was anyone.
The thought hits me out of the blue. But then I shake my head as I think about Crew’s message. “I think they’re talking about…how to work this out. How to all date me.” Then I frown. “Without me.”
Crew texts again.
You better rest up over the next couple of days, because when we’re back, you’re not going to be getting much sleep.
When we’re back. Yeah, they’ve definitely been talking about me.
Behind my back.
“This could get complicated,” Luna says. “Who are you going to choose?”
That’s the question.
Or is it?
Who would I choose?
How could I possibly choose between them?
I shake my head. “I don’t think I can,” I tell her.
“What do you mean?”
“I think that—” I take a breath. “I think it’s all of them. Or none of them.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah. I need to have a talk with my guys.”
