Rough and Ready, page 16
Gio was big everywhere.
He started to reach toward the side of the bed, then stopped. “Shit. I haven’t unpacked much.” He looked over at Rafe. “Condoms are still boxed up somewhere.”
“I have some in my room.” Rafe started to slide out of the bed.
He stopped when she said, “I’m on the pill.”
Both men stilled but remained silent.
She gave a light shrug when their attention turned to her. “I’m just saying,” she added. She’d never let any guy inside her without a condom, so she was trying to figure out why she really didn’t want Gio to use one. Probably because…it was Gio.
“Keeley,” Gio whispered, and she marveled at his almost reverent tone. And the intense, sexy way he was staring at her. She’d noticed it a few times before. Lately, Gio was looking at her like…
Like she was special. And not in a snowflake way, like she was used to. But like a hung-the-moon way, which was she definitely not used to.
“We can use condoms if you want,” Gio said, pushing his boxers completely off.
“I don’t need them if you don’t.”
Gio kissed her again. “God, you’re so beautiful.”
She smiled, blushing again. Gio wasn’t the first guy to tell her that, but he was the first to say it in such a way that made her think he meant it and wasn’t just saying it to get in her pants. They shifted together, her legs parting as he knelt between them.
One second, he was poised just above her, and the next…he was inside.
Keeley released a long, slow breath once he was seated to the hilt. She’d dreamed of this night so many times, but none of those fantasies held a candle to this reality. It was a tight fit, maybe a little too tight, but all she could think was that it felt perfect. Like he was meant to be there.
Gio nuzzled her cheek affectionately. “Okay?” he asked, holding still.
She nodded. “This feels,” she sighed, “so good.”
Gio took her at her word because after that, it was on. And all she could do was hold on tight as he thrust inside her, gaining speed and strength, bending his knees slightly until he hit…
“Shit! There,” she cried out. “Right there!”
“She’s close, Gio,” she heard Rafe say.
Her eyes flew open when she felt fingers on her clit, Rafe’s touch turning her arousal up another ten decibels. He shifted closer, the warmth from his body mingling with hers and Gio’s, until they’d created a heat wave that promised to singe everything in its path. He was looking at her the same way Gio had earlier, and it was too much.
“Come for us. Let me see it this time,” Rafe demanded. “Do it now.”
“Oh!” Keeley grunted, the sound completely unfeminine when an orgasm she hadn’t seen coming hit her hard. “Shit!” she yelled, her fingernails clenching Gio’s shoulders in a way that had to be painful. Not that he seemed to notice. He pumped faster.
“Jesus, Keeley,” he said, his eyes closed tightly. “So fucking good!” His thrusts became harder but staggered, as if he was trying to make it last and losing the battle. “Goddammit. Too quick but—” He pushed in deep one last time and gave up the fight, coming inside her.
He dropped to his elbows, kissing every part of her face—her lips, her cheeks, her closed eyes, her brow. The whole time, Rafe whispered sweet, wonderful things in her ear, telling her she was beautiful, brilliant, brave.
She and Gio may have just had sex, but right now, it felt like both men were making love to her. She’d never experienced anything like it…and it made her want to cry. Not out of sadness but out of wonder and bliss and a happiness so huge, it took up every square inch of her body.
They took a few minutes more to catch their breath, then Gio withdrew from her body, shifted over, and dropped next to her on the bed.
Rafe still claimed the other side, but he made no move to take his turn, as she’d expected.
She looked over at him, lifting a limp arm to his dear face. “Rafe?”
He kissed her gently—too gently—and she knew what he was going to say before he said it.
“Not yet,” Rafe murmured. “It’s so late, it’s morning. And none of us has had much sleep.”
“But—” she started. But Rafe shook his head, and she knew anything she said would be wasted breath.
Keeley could tell his comment had taken Gio by surprise too. She felt him stiffen slightly before he lifted up on his elbow so that he could look at Rafe.
She wondered if Gio would say something, would call him out, but she noticed—not for the first time—that the two of them had some sort of secret language, spoken through looks she couldn’t begin to interpret.
In the end, Gio sighed and said, “Rafe’s right. We need to get some sleep.” And because he was strong, and she was still basically boneless, he twisted her until he could spoon her, his thick arm banded around her middle. Within seconds, Gio was breathing heavily, sleep claiming him quickly.
She wasn’t going to be so lucky. Her exhaustion had apparently come out on the other side, so that now she felt wired and worried and confused.
Rafe lay on his side, facing her. He took one look at her expression and gave her a gentle smile. “You’re reading too much into this,” he whispered, not wanting to wake Gio.
“Did you not want—”
“Don’t finish that question,” Rafe growled. “I want you more than my next breath, Keeley. But you’ve had a hell of a night.” He glanced toward the windows, where the sun was beginning to stream through a crack in the curtains. “And morning,” he added with a grin. “Gio and I are taking you out on a date tonight. We can talk about what’s going to happen between us. The decision will still be yours after that. That was the original plan after all. It just seems Grandpa and Marta had a different opinion.”
She gave him a breathy laugh, trying to remain quiet so as not to disturb Gio. Then she realized everything Rafe was saying was completely in character. He was a thinker, and not the type to act on impulse…or because a couple ghosts drove her into their bed. Of course he would want to talk things out. It was just so Rafe.
“Okay. We’ll talk later,” she whispered.
He leaned toward her, giving her a sweet, soft kiss, his fingertips gliding along her face. “Gio was right. You’re beautiful. So beautiful.”
He shifted away, only a little, and closed his eyes. He didn’t fall asleep as quickly as Gio, but he lay still and quiet. So she followed suit, shutting her eyes, waiting until her body gave up its fight to remain awake.
Her last cognizant thought was a simple—if powerful—realization. One she had waited for her entire life.
I did it.
I found what my parents had.
Chapter Ten
Rafe chuckled and shook his head at Gio, who merely grinned and kept whistling.
“Jesus, man,” Rafe said. “You could at least try to tamp down some of that just-got-laid obnoxiousness.”
Gio kicked back in the passenger seat and shrugged. “You could be feeling the same way, but you took the let’s-think-it-to-death route.”
“Nope. I chose to be a gentleman. The poor woman had been run through the ringer last night between that prick JT, the fight, the broken phone, the twisted ankle, the two of us blackmailing her for a date while breaking the news we wanted to share her in bed, and those damn ghosts. I think she deserved to have more than two hours of restless, freezing-cold sleep before we both jumped on her.”
Gio’s smile only grew wider. “You’re not going to make me feel guilty. Because it was too fucking perfect.”
Rafe rolled his eyes but didn’t keep the debate going. Guilt hadn’t been his intention anyway. He’d just been trying to explain his actions. The problem was, he wasn’t sure if his justifications were for Gio or lies he was telling himself.
Nope. He knew the answer.
Lies.
They were lies.
He’d lain there with Keeley and Gio, in bed in the wee hours of morning, overwhelmed by a sense of belonging. It wasn’t something he’d ever experienced—and it had freaked him out.
Rafe had grown up with a single mother who was always busy with her job and current husband, a workaholic grandfather, and a rotating door of stepfathers. He had a family, but he’d always felt a bit like an afterthought, like something there just hovering in the background. That love of family that Gio and Keeley always described wasn’t something he’d ever really felt.
And while he’d been included in the greatest group of friends a man could ever have, Rafe had never been able to shake the feeling that he was the one who didn’t truly fit. The Morettis, Rhys, Kayden—they were all confident, impulsive, fun-loving guys who’d never met a stranger or doubted themselves. They knew their place in the world, in their families, and they attacked life with energy, vigor, and joy.
In contrast, Rafe questioned every decision he made. He was quiet, slow to laugh, and, at the moment, terrified.
Because Keeley and Gio were making him feel things he had no experience with. Things he’d sworn he would never feel simply because he’d been so sure he couldn’t.
He pulled up to the curb in front of Keeley’s building, parallel parking before shutting off the engine. They’d driven Keeley to her car, still parked outside the restaurant where she’d started her date with JT a little after noon. None of them had stirred before midday, thanks to their sleepless night. They’d both kissed her goodbye, then promised to pick her up for their date at six.
Gio reached for the door handle, but Rafe reached out and gripped his forearm, holding him back.
Gio looked down at his hand and shook his head. “No more fighting this. No more excuses. The cat’s out of the bag and we’re not putting it back in.”
“I know that. I just…” Rafe was perfectly aware that things were different with Keeley, but he and Gio hadn’t really discussed exactly how. “You care about her,” he said.
“Of course I do. I…” Gio gave him a lopsided grin, rubbing the back of his neck as if embarrassed to admit the next part. “I’m crazy about her, bro. Shit. More than that. I’m falling hard for her.”
Rafe nodded. He knew that. Knew that Gio wouldn’t walk away from Keeley even if—when—Rafe did. He’d thought hearing those words would help, knowing that Keeley wouldn’t be left alone at the end of…
Fuck.
And there was the truth…the KO punch. The thing that had him putting on the brakes this morning despite the fact he’d been hard and hurting and so fucking desperate for her, he thought he’d lose his mind with it.
Because Rafe wasn’t sure he could walk away from her. He only knew he should. For her, for Gio. He wasn’t a good bet. Love was uncharted territory for him, and it should remain that way, if for nothing else than his own peace of mind.
His life had changed too fucking much in the past few months, and he had the chronic stiff neck to show for it. One more upheaval and he’d likely lose the ability to turn his head completely.
Rafe couldn’t let this last domino fall. He’d help his mom pick up the pieces too many times, vowed he wouldn’t go there, do that, open himself up to…fuck…desertion.
He released Gio’s arm and got out of the car, desperate to escape before his friend saw the confusion on his face or—God forbid—asked him about his feelings.
Gio, too anxious to see their girl, joined him on the curb and slapped him on the back. “Nice to be here at the beginning of the date instead of having to crash midway through,” he joked.
They hit the buzzer to Keeley’s apartment, and she pressed the button to unlock the building’s door. Then they climbed the three flights of stairs—Gio taking them two at a time—instead of bothering with the elevator.
Keeley was waiting for them with the door open, leaning on the jamb, and grinning as widely as Gio.
She looked gorgeous. They’d told her to dress up because they wanted to take her someplace nice to show her off. Keeley had taken them at their word. She wore a gray-and-white print dress that wrapped around and tied at the side. It showcased her breasts and her legs, the hem ending a few inches above her knees. Her hair hung loose with big, full waves and her makeup—as always—was minimal, natural looking. She was pretty enough to go without, so Rafe was glad she didn’t go overboard.
Gio wolf-whistled his appreciation, and Keeley laughed with delight when he pulled a bouquet of flowers from behind his back. She wanted romance, and Gio was determined that was what she was going to get it.
“Come inside a minute. I’ll put these in water and then I just need to switch handbags. I was running a little late.”
They walked inside, but before they’d made it more than a few steps from the front door, Gio took the flowers and put them on the small table in her entryway. Then he closed the door and pushed her against it, kissing her hard.
Gio’s hands slid down her sides until he reached her ass, neither of them breaking the kiss, consuming each other like people on the brink of starvation. Their tongues touched. It was hot and heady, and Rafe couldn’t have looked away if his life depended on it.
Keeley’s hands were everywhere, on Gio’s chest, his shoulders, in his hair. She seemed to want it all, and at the same time. Finally, she closed her fist in his thick hair and deepened the kiss, a silent demand for more.
Gripping her ass, Gio lifted her, and Keeley followed his lead, wrapping her legs around his waist, grinding herself on his dick as her breath turned ragged.
Rafe had been sporting an erection since he’d seen her in the doorway in her short dress. Now the hem shifted upwards with their position, which meant there was nothing between them right now except Gio’s pants and her panties.
Rafe knew his friend well enough to see that Gio was two seconds away from unzipping, pulling her panties aside, and giving in to his desire to fuck her. He was a passionate, insatiable lover, something Rafe had witnessed before. Just not…
Not anywhere near this level.
He reached out and put his hand on Gio’s shoulder because if he didn’t stop this now, they weren’t going to stop at all.
Gio might have been out of his mind with arousal, but the simple touch worked. He slowly broke the kiss.
It took Keeley a few seconds longer to regain her wits, her eyes still closed, her face flush, her pelvis grinding against his friend in a way that told him just how much she wanted him.
She blinked a few times before she was able to focus. “You stopped,” she whispered, the words an outright accusation.
Gio nodded as he released her ass and her legs dropped back down. He retained his grip on her until he was sure she was supporting her own weight.
“I’m not the only one here,” he reminded her before taking a large step to the side.
Keeley followed his progress only until Rafe moved forward to take his place.
“Rafe,” she breathed, smiling. “Missed you.”
Rafe ran the back of his hand along her flushed cheek. “You look beautiful tonight, Keeley.”
Her blush deepened.
“I’m going to kiss you,” he said. “Just a kiss. Then the three of us are going on our date before we take this too far.”
Keeley tilted her head playfully, her tone pure seduction when she said, “I’m okay with skipping the date and going too far.”
Rafe shook his head. “No. That’s not how tonight is going to play out. We still have things to discuss, remember?”
Keeley considered Rafe’s words, then nodded her assent. “Okay.”
He lowered his head to kiss her. The second his lips touched hers, every excuse, justification, every lie and every truth fell away until there was only her.
He was already laying his weapons down.
But only for tonight, he thought to himself.
He pushed her lips apart with his, plundering her mouth with his tongue, determined to steal every taste, every breath.
Keeley moaned, her fingers fisting in his button-down shirt, wrinkling it. He didn’t give a shit.
Like Gio, he needed to feel more of her. His hands reached for her ass, but he didn’t lift her. He had a different goal in mind.
He reached beneath her dress, his fingers sliding to the front, finding her damp panties.
She gasped. “But you said…” she whispered, her words falling away when he burrowed his fingers beneath her panties—a thong—and found her clit.
“We’re not going all the way,” he murmured, rubbing his lips against hers as he spoke. “But you are going to give us one of those sexy orgasms before we leave. Then you’re going to sit with us at the restaurant with that gorgeous, just-climaxed flush on your cheeks, squirming in your chair in those wet panties, proof to every man who looks at you that you belong to us…tonight,” he forced himself to add at the end. He had to keep the boundaries clear—for them and for himself.
“God,” Keeley breathed, when Rafe backed up his words with action. He drove two fingers inside her, pumping them fast and hard—and he suddenly understood why Gio had been so annoyingly giddy all day. Keeley was hot, responsive, ready, and he went light-headed when he considered just how tightly her pussy was going to glove his cock.
He added his thumb to the game, stroking her clit, recalling her surprise that they not only knew how to find it, but how to use it to bring her pleasure so fast. He had to beat down his unexpected anger at every loser who’d taken her to bed and failed her. None of them had been worthy.
He wasn’t either, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to give her less than she deserved.
Keeley’s head flew back against the door, her eyes closed tightly, bliss etched on her face.
Rafe might be doing all the work, but he didn’t forget for a second that Gio was there, watching. Now, as always, the knowledge that he had an audience pushed Rafe higher. He loved watching, but there was something even more heady about putting on a show.
Gio stepped closer, right next to them, and Rafe felt his friend’s gaze. He wasn’t looking at just Keeley. He was looking at both of them.
The bastard had him on the ropes, knew exactly when and how to see the things Rafe worked overtime to hide. Because he wasn’t able to shield a damn thing right now as Keeley’s pussy clenched on his fingers. His name slid from between those plump pink lips of hers, lips that were going to be wrapped around his dick very, very soon.
