Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 100060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
“Try us,” Gabe says gruffly against my temple.
“The truth is, we all have our shit, Elise. We’re all carrying baggage around.” Banks is speaking. “Maybe I’m crazy, but the shit doesn’t feel as heavy when we’re together.”
“I actually forgot I was carrying mine last night.” A frown line appears between Tobias’s brows. “To say that’s unusual would be an understatement.”
I’m caving. I can feel it.
I’m letting a toe edge over my line in the sand.
Because what they’re saying is true. For so long, I’ve been powerless, like I didn’t have control of my life or anything in it. Where I moved. What school I attended. As an adult, I can’t seem to find success no matter how much I want it. But when the four of us are together, I’m given this wealth of control. Sure, I’m currently locked in an escape room, but I’m usually the one deciding how we proceed. Who I touch. What I want. Yes or no.
They make me wonder what else I’m capable of. Beyond them.
“Do you guys have an actual plan or are you just going to keep showing up and accosting me in public?” I whisper in a big rush.
Their chests start to move faster. Deep exhales of relief. Inhales of anticipation.
“I always have a plan,” Banks says, pulling me closer, followed by the other two converging on me. I’m lifted into a four-way bear hug, my feet elevating off the ground.
“I always have the hotel room,” Tobias says, his tone a little bumpy. “That’s an invaluable contribution and I won’t hear any different.”
Gabe clears his throat. “I steal things.”
“We date. That’s the plan, Elise. We date you exclusively. You date us exclusively. We don’t have to put a label on this.” Banks chuckles softly. “I’m not sure there is one for us.”
My groan is muffled by Banks’s shoulder. “The group texts trying to schedule dates around four different agendas are going to unalive me.”
“Do all four of us have to go on every date?” Gabe asks. “No offense, but I doubt Tobias wants to go to a Mets game.”
The Brit rears back slightly from the four-way hug. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Gabe shrugs. “It means they don’t serve martinis at Citi Field.”
“How do they feel about uncontrollable erections?”
“Break it up, guys,” I say.
Both of their mouths snap shut. I could get used to this.
Maybe it’s that glimmer of optimism that nudges me into making a suggestion. They can’t be the only ones concerting an effort. If I’m agreeing to become a member of a quad, I’m going to be an active participant. “How about…we commit to one date per week with all four of us. The rest of the time, we can do one-on-one dates. But the other two must be made aware. All four of us have to agree to everything. I want…”
“You want…?” Tobias prompts me.
“I want you all to feel like you’re in the loop. I want you all to feel…valued.”
“Even me?” Tobias again.
I cast my gaze toward the ceiling. “I guess.”
He elbows Gabe without breaking the hug. “She’s warming up to me.”
Banks has been silent for almost a full minute. “I can agree to solo dates. And group dates once a week.”
Gabe chews the inside of his cheek for a beat. “Me too.”
“I’m in no position to make demands,” Tobias sighs, before winking at me. “Yet.”
“Do the solo dates include sex?” Gabe asks, his swallow audible.
The air grows thicker in the dark room, their bodies seeming to swell, tighten around me. They settle my feet back onto the ground, stepping back. The four of us eye each other, as if trying to gauge how we feel about that not-so-tiny detail.
“I think I speak for the Tram Fam when I say…” Tobias rakes me head to toe with a look, his middle finger trailing side to side along his waistband. “…there is no way I’d be capable of going on a date with Elise and not try to get her into bed.”
“You read my mind,” Banks admits.
“God no.” Gabe’s voice is pure gravel. “Me either.”
It would be easy right now to surrender to the darkness of this room and the touch of these three men. My men, apparently. My sex is already turning damp and pliant, simply from the way they’re looking at me. I’d love to close my eyes and let them feed me pleasure, feel their hands raking over every inch of my skin, their mouths sampling me like it’s going to be the last time. It would be so easy to receive their pleasure.
I crook my finger at all three of them, gesturing for them to come closer. In seconds, they are breathing hard, shedding their tuxedo jackets onto the concrete floor. They embody head-spinning lust to the power of three and I’m their target.
Unfortunately, if we’re actually doing this, if they have seriously convinced me to give up my bachelorettehood, then this needs to be a teachable moment.