Theirs for the Night Read online

  “Cara.” Meg grabbed her hands and gave them a squeeze. “Cara, I’m good. They asked to dance. I said yes. It’s good.”

  “They…” If anything, Cara’s eyes went wider. “Oh shit, I am the worst wingwoman in the history of wingwomen. You were getting busy, weren’t you? Look at you, you’re all flushed.” She laughed and leaned against the counter. “God, I thought you were freaked out and couldn’t escape and that’s why you looked like that. But it was lust.” She gave Meg a playful smack. “Get it, girl!”

  Meg glanced at herself in the mirror and, sure enough, a flush of pink stained her chest and cheeks. Even more telling, her nipples pressed against the thin fabric of her low-cut dress. She cleared her throat and tucked her dark hair behind her ears. “It’s fine. I’m sure they’ll get another partner.”

  “They?” Cara waggled her brows. “I know you don’t really hookup, but this might be the time to make an exception. If I had one guy—let alone two—looking at me the way they were looking at you, I’d consider breaking my rule about going home with strangers.”

  Meg adjusted her dress, half sure she could still feel the imprint of their hands on her hips, could feel Blue Eyes’s chest under her hands, could definitely feel Dark and Broody’s fingers dragging over her skin. She cleared her throat. “How were they looking at me?”

  “As if you don’t know. Come on, honey. I know you’re out of practice, but you’re not that rusty.” Cara laughed. “They were looking at you like they wanted to take turns eating you up.” She sobered a little. “But, for real, you should go for it. You’re only twenty-three once. And it’s your birthday. I couldn’t have come up with a better present for you if I’d tried.” She drew her short frame up and took Meg’s shoulders. “I give you permission to go home with them and do the kind of filthy things you’ll embarrass your grandchildren with stories about when you’re old and senile and drunk on red wine.”

  Meg gave a nervous laugh even as her gaze skated to the bathroom door. “It’s okay, Cara. Like I said, I’m sure they found someone else to dance with. And dancing is not the same thing as them taking me home. If there’s even a them. They’re probably not into women. It’s probably some game they play before they go home with each other and…” She opened the door and stopped short, causing Cara to bump into her.

  Blue Eyes and Dark and Broody leaned against the wall opposite, twin expressions of heat in their eyes. Meg swallowed hard. “Oh.”

  “You were saying?” Cara laughed in her ear. The music should have covered up their words, but Meg couldn’t shake the feeling that both men knew every word of the conversation they’d just had. Cara squeezed Meg’s shoulder. “You sure you’re good with this? I fully support it if you are, but if you need a save, I will hustle you out of here like you’re the nuclear football and I’m the head of the Secret Service.”

  Meg licked her lips, and two pairs of eyes followed the movement. “It’s just a drink.”

  “Sure, honey, whatever you have to tell yourself.” Cara didn’t release her. “If you change your mind, text me. Just don’t leave the club until you’re sure.”

  “Yeah, okay.” That was smart. She took one step forward, and then another. Blue Eyes held out a hand, every move as imperial as a king. As if he already knew how this played out and every move she’d do before she knew.

  It irritated her despite the lust beating a drum through her veins. She might want him—want both of them—but she wasn’t a goddamn sure thing.

  Meg cocked her eyebrow and met first Blue Eyes’s gaze and then Dark and Broody’s. And then she took off into the crowd.

  Chapter 2

  The woman was a challenge if Theo had ever seen one. She cast a look over her shoulder, as if he hadn’t managed to get the hint the first time. Her look might as well have hollered, Come and get me.

  He took a single step toward the dance floor, but Galen stopped him with a hand on his chest. He leaned in and spoke directly in Theo’s ear. “This is a mistake.”

  “You want her, too.”

  “Fuck yes, I do.” He leaned harder into Theo’s chest. “But I know you, and I know that look. This is just for tonight, Theo. You can’t afford anything more—and she doesn’t know enough to sign on for more.”

  His mouth twisted at the ever-present reminder that his life wasn’t his own. More than that, anyone attached to him developed a really ugly target painted on their chest, courtesy of his uncle. He pinned Galen with a look until his friend dropped his hand. “I know what’s at stake.”

  “Never said you didn’t.”

  His attention drifted back to the crowd, to the flicker of red that drew him like a siren’s song. “It won’t kill us to have a little fun, Galen. A little distraction is good for the soul.”

  “I know.” Galen stepped back, willing to follow Theo’s lead even as he watched his back. He gave a grim smile that was barely more than a quirk of his lips. “She challenged you.”

  “Fuck yes, she did.” And damn if that didn’t make his cock ache for her all the more. She’d caught his eye the second she walked through the door earlier, obviously not wanting to be here but determined to enjoy herself all the same. Then she’d boldly met his gaze.

  A long time ago, he’d been caught in one of the summer storms that ravaged his country from time to time. Before it hit, the air had a bite to it that snapped at his skin, the only warning before the skies opened up, releasing a deluge, and the thunder had boomed loud enough that he still felt it rattling around in his bones from time to time.

  Even as his ten-year-old self had been sure he was going to die, something had risen in him in response. A savagely defiant beast that would not go quietly into the night. A part of Theo that never went to sleep again after that night.

  Looking down from the VIP lounge and seeing her raise her chin as she took him in…

  It roused the same feeling inside him.

  Theo cut through the dance floor with ease, searching for her. She might play at the chase, but she wanted to be caught. There had been no mistaking the interest—the need—written across her face as she moved between him and Galen. Add in the flash of defiance that prompted her to lay this particular gauntlet at his feet, and Theo couldn’t have walked away if he’d wanted to.

  He sure as fuck didn’t want to.

  A hand on his arm stopped him. He glanced back at Galen and followed his friend’s gaze to the VIP stairs. The woman in red stood there, that single damn eyebrow raised as if she was disappointed by his response time. He approached slowly, enjoying the view.

  She really was something. Her short red dress teased the senses, clinging to her breasts and hips and ass, painting a picture he wanted nothing more than to unwrap at his leisure. She’d left her long dark hair down, and his fingers twitched against the need to tangle there, tilting her head back for better access to her mouth. And what a mouth she possessed. Lips sinfully curved and made for pleasure. Combined with the way she moved and, yeah, she was fucking perfect.

  Exactly what he needed to get his mind off the clusterfuck his life had become.

  More importantly, to get Galen’s mind off it.

  He closed the distance between them and held out an imperial hand. If anything, her brow arched higher, but she slipped her hand into his and stepped into him, speaking in his ear. “I got tired of waiting for you.”

  “Patience, princess.”

  She pressed her other hand to his chest and flexed her fingers. Unknowing or not, she’d placed her hand in the exact same spot that Galen had earlier. If Theo was one to believe in signs—and he wasn’t—then this would only confirm his plans for the night. She leaned back to get a look at his face and, this close, he saw that her eyes weren’t the blue he’d expected. They were a strange sort of green that tipped toward hazel in the low light.

  She gave a brief smile. “I’d like that drink.”

  He nodded and touched the small of her back, guiding her up the stairs. The U-shaped booth he and Galen had
earlier remained unoccupied, which was just as well. He hadn’t been recognized since he arrived in New York several months ago, but there was always the first time. With his increasingly shitty luck, tonight would be the exception to the rule.

  She slid into the booth and he followed her in. Galen, being Galen, took the other side and scooted until he could see the entirety of the VIP lounge. Assessing for threats. But Theo didn’t miss the way his friend angled his body slightly toward the woman, not quite touching her, but the slightest movement would bring them flush against each other.

  He approved.

  Theo left a little more space between them. He had what he wanted—she was here and she was interested. He wouldn’t fuck things up now by doing something to spook her. That said, he wasn’t a fucking saint. He draped his arms over the back of the booth and let his fingers brush her hair. “What’s your name?”

  “Meg.” She answered easily, clearly having nothing to hide. Why would she? Most people didn’t move through life with the weight of an entire country on their shoulders.

  Neither do I.

  Not anymore.

  “I’m Theo.” He nodded at his friend. “This is Galen.” The bartender—a spunky woman who somehow managed to make school bus yellow hair look good—approached with a smile. Theo lifted his voice so she could hear him over the music. “The same for me and my friend. Crown and Coke for the lady.”

  Meg shook her head. “I don’t know if it’s sexy as hell or stalkerish that you were watching me long enough to know what I drank before we started dancing.”

  Theo shrugged a single shoulder. “You can see a lot from the VIP lounge. You caught my eye—both of our eyes.”

  “I guess I did.” She leaned back against the seat more firmly. “What brings you to New York?”

  Theo waited for the bartender to deposit their drinks—bourbon for him and Galen, Crown and Coke for Meg—and leaned forward a little. “That isn’t the question you want to ask.”

  She mirrored his move, bringing their faces kissably close. “Pretty sure it’s exactly the question I want to ask since I just asked it.”

  “Mmmm.” He twined a lock of her dark hair around his finger, giving it a gentle tug. The desire that flared across her face in response gave away more than she could possibly know. Theo ran his thumb over the hair, enjoying this small connection. A prelude of things to come. “The question you’re dying to ask, princess, is if we’re really offering what you think we’re offering.”

  She went so still, he suspected she held her breath. “And what do I think you’re offering?”

  “The answer is yes, you know.” He released her and sat back. “Us. You. Tonight.”

  Meg blinked and gave herself a shake. “Arrogant, aren’t you?”

  “I know what I want. I don’t see a point in pussyfooting around.”

  She reached for her drink with a shaking hand and tossed the tiny straws aside. Meg took a passably large gulp and set the drink back on the table. She turned to Galen. “He talks a lot and you don’t seem to have much to say.”

  Galen didn’t take his attention from the VIP lounge. “In this instance, Theo speaks for me.”

  Some steel slid back into her spine and the strength reappeared in her tone. “I’d rather have you speak for yourself.”

  “Doubt you’d like it.”

  “Try me.”

  Galen gave Theo a look, and Theo nodded. No reason to hold back now. She was interested and, as he told her, he knew what he wanted. What all three of them wanted, even if Meg was understandably hesitant about going for it.

  It wasn’t every night an opportunity like this came across her path.

  Galen twisted to face her fully, his big arms creating half a cage, bracketing her in. The move brought his thigh against hers, and Theo’s cock jumped as her dress slid up a little. Another inch and he’d know if she was wearing panties or not.

  Fuck, man, focus.

  Galen leaned down, though he pitched his voice just high enough for it to reach Theo. “You want to know what I want.”

  A tremor rode through Meg’s body, but she didn’t retreat. She nodded slowly. “Yes.”

  “I want to watch.” He met Theo’s gaze and then turned his attention fully back to her. “I want to sit here while Theo slips a hand up your dress and plays with your pussy until you’re coming and we’re the only three people in this entire fucking club who know it. When you’re shaking and wondering how it can possibly get any better, I’ll have my turn.”

  “You want…to take turns.” Only the slightest breathiness in her voice. Theo’s estimation of her rose yet another notch. She was no wilting flower. With the right opportunity, she’d give as good as she got.

  Galen gave the slightest shake of his head. “Only to start. Theo and I have known each other a long time, and we’re very, very good at sharing.”

  “Oh.” She sat back in the booth and took another big gulp of her drink. She looked downright shellshocked, and Theo stamped down on his disappointment. He’d misjudged her. Galen was usually subtler than that, but the stress of their current situation affected them both in different ways. He didn’t hold it against his friend, but damn it, he’d wanted to taste Meg tonight. She let loose a shuddering breath. “Well, then.”

  Galen shifted away to refocus on the rest of the club. “Told you that you didn’t want to know.”

  Meg’s mouth went tight and her eyes flashed. She suddenly laughed. “God, what a night. You sure you two aren’t serial killers or something? Because what you’re offering is usually filed under ‘too good to be true.’”

  Well, shit. He hadn’t misjudged her, after all. “It’s only one night, princess. We won’t be in town much longer.”

  If anything, that seemed to draw her in further. She gave him a shaky smile. “Want to know something funny?”

  Where is this going? He nodded. “Sure.”

  “It’s my birthday. The big two-three.”

  Twenty-three. Fuck, she was barely more than a baby. Theo started to lean back, but her next words stopped him cold. Meg picked up her drink and looked into the dark depths as if it held the answers to the mysteries of the universe. “I always wondered what it would be like to be with two guys. Kind of one of those filthy fantasies you never speak out loud. I don’t do this. I don’t even hook up, really, because who has the time or energy for that shit, but damn it, it’s my birthday and I’m here and you two are seriously sexy if you’re not murderers.”

  Theo took a moment to pick apart that stream of consciousness she’d just rambled out. “We’re not murderers.”

  “That’s something a murderer would say,” Meg countered. She jerked her thumb at Galen. “He looks pretty murderous with that expression on his face.”

  “That expression is just my face,” Galen said without looking at her. “And you already decided that you’re coming home with us, so there’s no point wasting the energy to justify it.”

  Her jaw dropped and she shook her head. “Wow, at least let a woman have some pride.”

  Galen moved in that crazy fast way of his. One second he was studying the VIP lounge and the next he tangled his fingers through her hair. He tilted her head back, just like Theo had wanted to do earlier. He nudged her to face Theo and dipped his head to speak in her ear. “Who needs pride when you can be coming inside of five minutes?”

  Theo shifted closer, using his body to block her from sight of the rest of the VIP lounge much the same way Galen had done. “Say yes, princess.”

  She met his gaze steadily. “I’m in.”

  He touched her knee lightly, exerting the slightest amount of pressure. “Just a teaser for now.” He bracketed her knee, letting her feel his strength, and he could see Galen’s arm flex as he tightened his grip on her hair. Not enough to hurt—that wasn’t their kink—but enough for her to be well and truly present. “Say yes.”

  Meg tensed and for one eternal moment, it felt like all three of them held their breath while they
waited for her answer. If she said no, that would be the end of it. Theo would pay for her drinks, see her to a cab, and he and Galen would head back to the loft they’d rented and work off some of their sexual frustration on each other.

  But she didn’t say no.

  She shot a look over his shoulder. “Anyone can see us.”

  “No one will see anything we don’t want them to.” Theo squeezed her knee, waiting.

  Finally, she gave a short nod. “Yes.”

  “You’re sure.” This from Galen, but the question that wasn’t a question wasn’t for Meg.

  It was for Theo.

  He nodded even as she said, “I’m sure.”

  There was no going back now.

  Truth be told, there had been no going back from the moment he laid eyes on her. Theo slid his hand up her thigh, enjoying the way her muscles flexed beneath his grip. Strong. Strong enough to take everything they could give her. He stopped at the hem of her dress, checked her expression, and pushed it up that last inch to reveal a pair of red lace panties.

  Fuck, I love her in red.

  He drew the knuckles of his fingers over the center of her, testing her. Meg gave a shuddering sigh and relaxed back into Galen, trusting him to hold her up. Galen shifted her so she leaned against his shoulder and he reached down to pull her dress higher, exposing more of her, then slowly dragged his finger under the top edge of her panties.

  Galen always was a fucking tease.

  Theo slid his fingers into her panties from the side, gripping the fragile fabric as he repeated the same move he’d made before, dragging his knuckles through her wetness. And, fuck, she was wet. Wet and shaking as if she might come apart before he had a chance to truly sink into this experience.

  That wouldn’t do.

  That wouldn’t do at all.

  Theo pushed a finger into her and cursed as she clenched around him. He pumped slowly, his cock jumping at the tightness that stole over Galen’s expression as he watched Theo finger fuck Meg. Oh yeah, his friend liked to watch.