At work, I know exactly what I want, and I will do everything in my power to get it. But when it comes to guys, relationships and sex? I’m not good at asking for what I want. Gabby was right. I do find it easier to hide behind drab clothes and pretend that men like Sebastian and Daniel could never be attracted to me.
“Bailey,” Daniel’s voice is steady. “Are you alright?” His eyes are warm and concerned.
“Yes.” I force the words out past my too-dry throat, and I take a fortifying gulp of my beer. “I have a confession to make. I’ve never done this before.”
“Define this.” Sebastian gives me an encouraging look.
“This…” I gesture to the two of them with my beer. “With more than one guy at once.” I screw my eyes shut as a wave of heat washes over my face. “Sorry.”
“Bailey, open your eyes.”
Hang on, is Daniel laughing at me? My eyes fly open and I glare at him. “This isn’t funny.”
He doesn’t smile back. “One question,” he asks, and the strained intensity of his voice catches me by surprise. “Do you want to do this?”
“Yes.” Heaven help me, yes. I haven’t been able to think of anything else. Desire and burning curiosity prickles at my skin, threatening to erupt from me like a molten, heated volcano. “I really want to.”
Sebastian lets out a huge breath. “That’s all that matters.” They move closer to me. “We won’t do anything you don’t want to.”
Daniel looks at me with a slight frown. I guess I must still look wary. “Tell you, what,” he says after a minute, his expression clearing. “Why don’t we head to the game room and play a game of pool? No pressure.”
“You have a game room.” I shake my head in disbelief. Sheesh. Billionaires. The guy has a rec room in Manhattan, on the Upper East Side. “Must be nice. Lead the way.”
Daniel is entirely unperturbed by my eye-rolling, as is Sebastian. The sound of their chuckles fill the air, warming me from the inside out.
* * *
They make me break, because they are jerks and because Daniel reminds me that he has serious money riding on my performance. Now that I’ve seen his place, I know that fifty thousand dollars is a drop in the bucket for Daniel Hartman. A rounding error.
Despite their tips the other night, breaking remains a mortifying experience. “Come on, Bailey,” Sebastian chides as I chalk my cue tip elaborately in an effort to stall the proceedings. “Stop delaying. I know what you are doing.”
Daniel moves behind me, his expression gleaming with anticipation. His hands come up to stroke the outside of my arms. “We can teach you how to play,” he mutters into my ear, his breath warm against my skin, “or…”
“Or?” My voice comes out breathy and fluttery, a perfect match to the feeling in my belly.
“Or we can do more.”
“And what does more involve?” All I want to do is lean back against Daniel’s hard chest.
Sebastian moves in front of me, effectively trapping me between the two of them. They don’t close in yet, but their intent is clear. “What do you want it to involve?”
I’ve been thinking about what my limits are. I don’t want to be a prude, but I also know that these guys are significantly more sexually adventurous than I am. “No unprotected sex,” I say firmly. My safety isn’t up for negotiation. “Beyond that, I don’t have a lot of experience. I’m game to try almost anything once.”
Sebastian’s eyes fill with startled surprise, then he starts laughing. Behind me, Daniel wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me toward him. “Ah Bailey,” he says into my ear, before nibbling at my earlobe, sending a spike of pure desire through me. “This is going to be so good.”
Sebastian places a finger on my chin and inclines my jaw up toward his face. I watch as he dips his head down to kiss me. I can see each bit of stubble, and I want to rub myself against it, like a cat seeking a scratching post. I reach to pull his head toward me, impatient for his kiss, but Daniel makes a noise of disapproval and seizes my hands in his.