Risk Is A Four-Letter Word
Author: Erin M. Leaf
Date: 2012-04-19T00:42:14+00:00

Evernight Publishing

www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright(c) 2012 Erin M. Leaf

ISBN: 978-1-77130-004-9

Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs

Editor: Natascha Jaffa

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

For Jennifer. You made me truly understand what it means to be a strong woman.

RISK IS A FOUR-LETTER WORD

Four-Letter Word, 1

Erin M. Leaf

Copyright (c) 2012

Chapter One

The first time Carrie Haake set eyes on the two most gorgeous men in the world, she was cowering in the ocean, frantically trying to locate her missing bikini top. Okay, actually she was totally failing to find it. The waves rolled around her, smirking at her misery as she squatted beneath thigh-high surf, collecting sand in the bottom half of her bathing suit. The top was nowhere to be seen. She frantically twisted her head back and forth, looking for the bright-red scrap of fabric. Crap!

"Aunt Carrie! Look! We built a moat!" one of her nieces cried from the shore.

Carrie hunched down further into the water. "That's awesome, Gina! So cool!"

She hoped the girl wouldn't wonder why her favorite and only aunt wasn't coming to inspect their work. She peered into the murky water, keeping her hands around her boobs. Nada. She glanced at her nieces and nephew ten feet away on shore happily building their sand castle. Carrie's sister Olivia, the children's mother, snoozed under the family umbrella, oblivious to the drama happening right in front of her. Still no sign of her top. Double crap!

Carrie cursed her sister under her breath. It was Olivia's fault she'd lost it, anyway. "Take a risk, Carrie," Olivia had said. "You never try anything new these days." Bah. Carrie wanted to smack herself upside the head, but that would require letting go of the goods. That would not be cool, she thought. The world does not need to see your double D's.

"Is this what you're looking for?" a deep voice asked.

Carrie startled and jerked her head around, trying to locate the body that had produced such a lovely sound. Unfortunately the movement set her left breast free so she ducked even further under the water, getting a nose full of foam. After she finished coughing she looked up. Her mouth dropped open.

Standing before her were two men. Or maybe they were gods. One had curly brown hair tousled sexily around his face and a tattoo of a hummingbird on his right wrist. The other had shoulder-length chestnut hair gleaming with gold highlights. He had no tattoos that she could see, but his pierced nipples were sexy enough. The man didn't need any more decoration. And hot damn were the two of them built. Carrie always thought abs like that were fake, a result of some good photo editing software and careful lighting, but clearly she'd been mistaken. Both men sported sleek muscles and a light dusting of hair on their chests. Both wore baggy swimsuits drooping low on their abdomens.

Carrie swallowed again, tearing her eyes away from their naked chests. Safer to look elsewhere, right? Wrong. Their thighs, just visible above the waves, were as phenomenal as the rest of them. They stood close together, comfortable in each other's company. The dark-haired man dangled her bikini top from his right hand like a wilted flower. The hummingbird tattooed on his wrist looked disgusted. No nectar there.

"Miss? Is this yours?" he asked again.

Carrie cleared her throat. "Um, yeah, thanks. Where did you find it?" She made no move to get out of the water. The men made no move to come closer. She wondered if they realized she wasn't going to be able to simply stand up and take back the top.

"It was floating about twenty feet out," the other man said. His lovely tenor voice gave Carrie the shivers.

"Thanks for rescuing it." She told herself to stop staring at his nipples before he noticed her fascination but every time she looked away her eyes landed on another delicious body part. Between his piercings and the dark-haired man's unlikely tattoo, she felt like someone had clocked her on the head.

"We couldn't just leave it there. Someone might get the wrong idea about this beach," Dark-Haired Man said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Carrie narrowed her eyes. Was he being snarky? The sounds of shrieking children drifted around their little bubble of awkwardness while Carrie shifted in the water uncomfortably. She was starting to get cold. Even in July, the Atlantic Ocean wasn't what she'd call warm. And this particular beach on the coast of Maryland was about as far as you could get from the topless decadence of Spain.

"Can I have my bikini back? Please?" She hoped one of them would take the hint and come closer so she could snatch the fabric. She might not be able to preserve her dignity, but she could probably spare the middle-aged couple wading closer a bit of a shock.

Dark-haired Man smiled. "Sure. If you tell us your name." He moved closer.

Carrie pursed her lips. He was bribing her? Hmph. She supposed it couldn't hurt to tell them. "I'm Carrie. Nice to meet you." She did not stick out her hand.

He wrapped the string of her top around his finger. "I'm Zeke. This is my friend Eric."

Carrie smiled uneasily. The closer they got, the more amazing their abs looked. "Um, I'm not sure how to get my top back on without flashing the nice people behind you. Or you." She wondered if they could tell how much she wanted to touch their delicious muscles. She hoped not. Under her palms, her nipples tightened.

"Don't worry. Eric and I will help." He stepped behind her and Carrie nearly panicked. If he touched her, she would totally lose it. She'd probably throw herself at one or the other and any hope of getting out of this situation without being completely humiliated would plummet to zero.

"Oh! Wait, you can just go get my sister! She's on the beach up there." Carrie pointed with her chin.

"If it's that pretty woman under the umbrella, she's sleeping. It'll take forever to wake her up and convince her that Eric and I aren't creepy stalkers." His fingers brushed her shoulder and she jumped. "Relax. It's okay. I promise this won't hurt a bit." Zeke crouched behind her.

She could tell he was smiling by the tone of his voice and it didn't calm her down one bit. "How do I know you're not a creepy stalker?" She asked, certain her fair skin had gone pink with embarrassment, despite the cold surf. She almost bolted, modesty be damned, when her bikini top landed in the water in front of her, the top ties held over her shoulders by Zeke. The bottom half wiggled gently in the ocean, taunting her.

"I promise, we're not stalkers.Or creepy. Let me just help you get this on. I'll tie it around your neck and you arrange the fabric so no one sees anything. Then I'll get the other ties around your back." His voice was matter-of-fact.

Carrie bit her lip, trying not to let on what it did to her to have this sexy stranger murmuring in her ear. What was wrong with her? She never acted like this. You also never wear bikinis, she berated herself. The lack of clothing was clearly making her act like a ditz. Eric had moved close enough for her to see the amber flecks in his hazel eyes. Good grief, he's handsome, especially close up. She frowned. He was staring at her hands. The ones still covering her breasts. No way was she was going to drop them while he was looking at her like that. She blushed harder.

"Eric? Eric! Dude, get a grip," Zeke ordered.

Eric jerked his eyes away, smiling apologetically at Carrie before fixing them on a point over her shoulder. "I'm sorry. You're just really pretty."

Carrie gaped at him. Pretty? Was he joking? He hadn't even looked at her face yet. She wondered if he was stupid. A lot of men are, she thought uncharitably. He didn't move back at all, but at least he'd averted his eyes. Whatever. She let go of her boobs and grabbed at the swimsuit top, placing the scraps of fabric over her body. She watched Eric closely the whole time.

"Okay, you can tie it now."

Eric's eyes darted down when she spoke, honing in on Carrie's boobs then back up to his friend. Was he blushing? Hmm. He chewed on the inside of his cheek for a moment. What was he thinking?

Zeke's hands on her neck snapped her out of her reverie. He tied the strings of her top quickly, not once fumbling, then laid a palm on her nape. His fingers were warm. Why do I feel like I can trust him? Carrie shivered as she caught herself looking at Eric's amazing abs again. Maybe she couldn't trust herself, sheesh. Eric winked at her. She wanted to glare at him, but she was so flustered trying to cover everything up she couldn't get control of her expression. I must look like a complete nitwit. Her bikini wasn't cooperating and her hands were cold and clumsy. This thing isn't meant to cover everything up, you idiot.

"Are you cold?" Eric asked. "You're shivering."

Carrie nodded, not wanting to admit it was the concerned expression on his face combined with Zeke's skillful fingers that was making her tremble. Carrie enjoyed the occasional flirtation with a cute guy, but this disaster with her bikini was entirely outside of her comfort zone. Two gorgeous men paying complete attention to her at the same time? Completely new situation. She snorted quietly. Men liked her straight dark hair and delicate skin. Her bright blue eyes. But let them get a whiff of her intelligence and quiet nature and poof! They were gone. Carrie shrugged internally. Still. These two guys had her reconsidering her recent vow to avoid men at all costs. They seemed nice. They were helping her. And they were amazingly good-looking. Just because her last boyfriend was a total ass didn't mean every man was an idiot, right?

Eric was looking at her face now, not her boobs. Amazing. Unsettling. Even so, she knew they'd snap back to her chest in a moment. Why the hell did I let Olivia talk me into a bikini? I never wear bikinis. Something bad always happened when she wore sexy or revealing clothing. A bra strap would break. Or the slit in her skirt would rip. Today's lost top was a perfect example.

"I'll be fine once I can get out of the ocean," she finally said, remembering Eric had asked her a question. Zeke moved his fingers to her back, caressing her cool skin beneath the water. It felt nice. Soothing. The waves rushed around them, their frenetic energy a direct contrast to the zone of quiet around them.

"Zeke will have you put back together in no time," Eric assured her. His voice went husky and Carrie's lips tingled with the urge to kiss him, which was insane. She didn't kiss men she didn't know, even lethally attractive men. She shouldn't even be thinking about it! His eyes darkened as his glance roved over her face. "You know, I was the one who found your top."

Carrie fought a smile. "I thought Zeke found it." She heard a chuckle as the dark-haired man fooled with the strings at her back.

Eric shook his head and Carrie told herself to stop thinking about how ridiculously soft his hair looked. She deliberately avoided looking at his chest. And his groin.

"No, I found it. He snatched it away from me," Eric said.

Carrie adjusted the fabric over her breasts to buy time, thinking, yeah, so what? Zeke finished tying her bikini, but hadn't stood up or moved his hand away from her skin. His fingers rubbed tiny circles on her spine. If she wasn't so lightheaded from the attention, she'd probably try to run. From herself. It helped that they were in an extremely public place. No creepiness here, just two amazing specimens of male beauty and my own insanity, she thought.

Eric glanced at his friend before pinning her with his amused expression. "I found it. Zeke tied it back on. You owe us, don't you think?" He grinned, the expression bringing a boyish charm to his masculine face.

Carrie's heart lurched. Oh, God.

"Maybe we should get a kiss as payment."

Carrie stared at him, dumbfounded. What? Was he serious?

Eric's eyes twinkled. He looked past her and Carrie presumed he was sending mental messages to his friend because just then Zeke leaned in. His breath ruffled the hair by her ear. "Don't worry. We promise we'll be good. No tongue."

Carrie stood up from her squat in a rush, ignoring the water cascading down her body. She had goose pimples. "Are you joking?" she asked, not because she felt threatened, but because she couldn't believe either of them would actually kiss her, a total stranger, in the middle of a crowded beach. Were they crazy?

"Definitely not joking," Zeke stood and walked around to face her, sliding his hand down her arm and taking her fingers in his. His hands warmed hers quickly as he pulled them up to his face. He kissed her palms, one after the other. Carrie liked the stubble on his cheeks. "Don't say no. You'll break our hearts."

Carrie shook her head. "Are you two nuts? There are people everywhere." She looked around wildly.

Eric laughed. "Crazy? Probably. Can we kiss you anyway? Pretty please?"

Carrie chewed her lip, thinking about it. I must be insane for even considering this except they really are freaking gorgeous. How often did she get the opportunity to kiss two hot men? At the same time? Her inner tease came out to play. "Um, ok," she said, then stepped back, abruptly nervous despite her inner bravado. Her hands slid from Zeke's grip.

"Hey, don't worry. We don't bite," Zeke said, his tone conciliatory. He reached out a hand. Carrie stared at the hummingbird on his wrist. Beautiful. His fingers were strong and well kept, but he had some callouses. Vaguely, she wondered what he did for a living. Model?

"Speak for yourself," Eric retorted, coming closer. "Sometimes I bite. Just a little." He smiled at her as he slid a hand around her head, holding her steady. Carrie didn't even have time to panic before his warm, full lips were on hers. She gasped.

"So beautiful," he muttered. His tongue swooped in gently. He kissed her once, twice, then nipped her lower lip and stepped back.

Carrie stood there, mouth open, lips tingling. What just happened? No tongue--yeah right!

"My turn." Zeke wound his arm around her waist. Carrie tore her eyes away from Eric just as Zeke kissed her hungrily, rubbing his lips against hers before licking inside. She moaned, comparing them. Eric tended to use his lips more, pecking softly rather than licking. Zeke kissed her open-mouthed, his lips hot and commanding. Her head spun. There was no way she'd ever be able to choose one over the other. Both men made her want more. Both made her realize for the first time that her ex-boyfriend was probably a total idiot who couldn't kiss his way out of a paper bag.

When Zeke stepped back, Carrie almost fell. Eric caught her, steadying her on her feet until she could get her wits back together. "Whoa." She touched her lips. They were strangely lonely.

Zeke chuckled. "Yeah, whoa."

Carrie watched him discreetly adjust his swim trunks. Was he aroused? Her eyes widened in shock when she realized he was, most definitely. Oh. My. God. They were on a public beach! She'd just let two men kiss her in the middle of the afternoon, a few feet from her sister's kids. Carrie felt faint. It was a good thing Eric still had his arms around her.

"Whoa, times three." Eric sounded both amused and shocked. Carrie struggled to calm her racing heart. He let go of her arms. She locked her knees and luckily didn't fall over. She glanced down at Eric's shorts only to find he'd stuffed his hands in the pockets. He followed her gaze and smiled. "Yeah, you made me hot, Carrie."

She flushed. "Oh, God. I'm so sorry." She didn't know what to do with her hands and settled for wringing them in front of her.

Eric laughed. "Oh, believe me, I so totally do not mind."

Carrie wondered if she could disappear if she concentrated hard enough

"No need to apologize, honey. It was our pleasure," Zeke drawled. He hit Eric on the arm with the back of his hand. "Gotta run, dude. Remember we promised to meet Sherry at the movies?"

Eric grimaced. "Your sister hates me."

"She likes you. Man up and stop being such a baby about it."

"She's sixteen! Nine years younger than me, are you crazy?" Eric's voice rose.

"I don't want you to kiss her, for God's sake! Just be nice. Until she figures out that the little dickhead she was dating wasn't worth her time. She's still moping around."

"I thought he dumped her last month? She's still upset?" Eric asked.

Zeke nodded. "He did and she is."

Eric sighed and ran his hands through his hair. "I don't see why we can't just pound him like he deserves. Just a little bit. I won't do anything really permanent. Maybe just rearrange his face. It'll make him look better."

Zeke shrugged. "She'd kill me if she found out I even knew. Mom was the one who told me about it."

Carrie looked from one to the other, chuckling. They were cute. Like brothers, only, well not. Zeke slung an arm around Eric's shoulders and rubbed a thumb into his skin. Eric leaned into his friend comfortably. Carrie didn't think either of them realized how hot they looked like that, all cuddled together.

"What? Do I have something on my nose?" Eric demanded, catching the look on her face.

Carrie bit her lip. "No, you don't. Thanks again for rescuing my top." Wow, I sound so lame.

Zeke smiled at her. "It was nothing. Really." He nudged Eric with his hip.

"Yeah, what Zeke said. It was nothing," Eric agreed. His smile lit up his face. Carrie's skin prickled with heat. Again. Ask them out, you ninny, she told herself. You're already embarrassed; it won't kill you to ask. "Hey, would you like to--"

"Aunt Carrie! Aunt Carrie! Come quick! Caro got a splinter! And Scott isn't helping, he's laughing at her!" Gina threw herself at Carrie's legs. Carrie glanced toward her sister and saw her trying to calm down an hysterical four-year-old while her oldest child, Scott, made faces at the girl. Carrie shook her head. Scott wasn't a bad kid, he just wished he didn't have two younger sisters. She bent down to Gina's level so the six-year-old would calm down.

"Okay, hang on. I'm coming. Let me just say goodbye--" Carrie looked back, but her two rescuers were nowhere in sight. She frowned, but didn't see them on the beach. Where did they go? She squinted out to sea. Maybe they'd swum off? Before she could search more, Gina tugged at her more violently. Specifically at her bikini top. Carrie grabbed for it. The last thing she needed was for the damn thing to come off again.

"Okay, hold your horses, silly girl." She took Gina's hand. They waded to shore, but by the time they reached the center of the disaster, Carrie's sister had everything under control.

"Is Caro okay?" Carrie asked, walking up to the blanket.

"She's fine. Just a teeny little splinter from a piece of dried grass." Olivia set the girl on her feet and watched her toddle off to the sand castle. Scott was already digging at the moat, oblivious, Carrie noted. Gina let out a shriek and ran off too, joining in the digging. Amazing how quickly they recovered.

"What about you? Are you okay?" Olivia asked.

"What? Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" Carrie brushed the wet sand off her arms, avoiding eye contact.

Olivia snorted. "I saw you making out with the two hotties."

Carrie flushed all over again. "I don't know what you're talking about." She straightened the pink blanket Olivia had set up under the umbrella then dropped down on it, arranging her torso in the shade. She leaned back on her elbows, but left her feet in the sun. When she glanced at Olivia and saw her sister's expression, Carrie dug her toes into the hot sand uncomfortably, hoping her sister would let it drop. No such luck.

"You lie so badly." Olivia settled back into her beach chair. "I saw tall, dark and handsome times two locking their lips with you not five minutes ago. And don't try to weasel out of coughing up the details. Inquiring minds want to know."

Carrie sighed, knowing her older sister would nag until she'd dragged everything out of her. "Okay, okay. I lost my bikini top in the ocean." She glared at Olivia. "I told you bikinis were a bad idea for me."

Olivia rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Details."

"So, I was down in the water, trying not to flash anyone, when out of nowhere these two guys show up, one of them dangling my top right in front of my face. He helped me put it back on while his friend watched, and I gave them each a little kiss in thanks. That's it. Nothing else to it."

Olivia pursed her lips. "Those were not little kisses. Believe me, I know what a peck looks like. I get them all the time from my kids."

"Fine. Okay, so they were more than pecks. I don't see how it's any of your business," Carrie said. This whole thing was embarrassing enough without picking over the details.

"Carrie, you kissed them in front of the whole beach. How is that not my business? Besides, everything you do is my business. I'm your older sister." She picked up her drink and sucked on the straw noisily.

Carrie did her best impression of a statue. Even though everyone probably saw me smooching the hotties, I'm gonna act like nothing happened. Denial is my friend.

"And anyway," Olivia continued. "Even if you'd kissed them in the privacy of your bedroom, it would still be my business. Sister privileges."

Carrie flopped down onto her back. Her sister was only teasing, but telling herself that didn't help. "Do you think anyone else saw?" she asked with a low voice. So mortifying.

"Carrie, if they did, they were jealous. I thought my eyes were going to catch fire watching you. Whoooo boy! Did you at least get their numbers?"

"No." Carrie wondered if they would've gone out with her if Gina hadn't barreled into her and interrupted her pathetic attempt to ask them. "I tried to but your daughter derailed me mid-sentence."

"That's a damn shame." Olivia sucked on her drink again. Loudly.

Carrie winced. "Yeah, well, that's the story of my life."

"You just need to get out more."

Carrie twisted around to stare at her sister in disbelief. "You're joking, right? I spend most of my time shopping."

"That doesn't count. That's for your job," Olivia retorted. "I meant out with friends. Meeting guys."

Carrie sighed. "I'm too tired at night to go gallivanting around, trying to hook up with one loser after another. They take one look at my face and my boobs, and the next thing I know, they're pissed off when they find out I have a brain, too. It's not worth it anymore." She put her arm over her eyes, trying to relax. "I'm happy with my job. I'm happy with you and the kids as my family. I don't need anything more."

Olivia fell silent for a long moment. Carrie listened to the sound of children playing happily around them, wishing her sister would stop with the matchmaking ideas.

"I know you enjoy being an interior decorator. And I know you interact with a lot of people. That doesn't mean you aren't still lonely," Olivia said finally.

Carrie shifted, her nose prickling. That comment hit a little close to the bone. "I'm okay. You shouldn't worry about me. And I love living next door to you." She opened her eyes and sat up to look at her sister. "You and your wonderful husband and my awesome nieces and nephew keep me from being lonely. I'm glad I moved in next to you." She grinned slyly. "Although I have to admit, those townhouse walls are a bit thin."

Olivia smiled. "Stubborn. You're really stubborn. And please don't tell me you can hear us. What I don't know can't hurt me."

Carrie laughed and lay back down. "Youbetcha."

Chapter Two

The second time Zeke met Carrie, he and Eric were wandering around the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan. He loved coming here. For some reason, the artwork in MoMA spoke to him, more so than the paintings in other museums. Maybe it was growing up the way he did. When his father drank too much, Zeke would lose himself reading an art book. Later he began to whittle chunks of balsa wood. He loved creating beautiful things with his hands. He loved finding inspiration in other artists' work.

"Why do I always let you talk me into coming with you here?" Eric whined as he trailed behind. Eric did not like museums. Even though he was as much of an artist as Zeke, he approached beauty from a different perspective, preferring to wrestle it into submission rather than coax it.

"Because I'm your best friend and you had nothing else to do today. Stop complaining. You sound about two years old. It's embarrassing." Zeke walked to the stairs leading from the main level up to the second floor atrium, dodging a group of high school students and a family of four on the way. From there, he headed to the escalators. He loved the way this building was put together. He could see multiple levels as the steps carried him up which was why he always started on the fifth floor. Also, his favorite Wyeth painting was up there. So were the bathrooms.

"I hate these escalators," Eric said behind him. "They creep me out."

Zeke smiled to himself. Eric hated escalators. He especially hated the ones in this building. Zeke knew this. Everyone's gotta have a hobby, he thought. Tormenting Eric is mine.

"Next time we can take the elevators, right? I mean, you promised this trip would be quick. I'm getting hungry."

"Oh, my God, you're such a baby. You just ate a donut so you're not starving." Zeke struggled to keep the laughter out of his voice. "Why did I drag you here with me?"

"Because art is boring and I make you laugh," Eric replied, his voice light and teasing. "And you love me."

"Oh, sure, I love when you bitch and moan. How could I live without that for a few short hours?" Zeke walked onto the next escalator. He needed to use the men's room.

"Why do we always have to start at the top?" Eric's voice was annoyingly penetrating, despite the noise of the crowd. Zeke hunched his shoulders. This was how Eric got back at him. Nothing like playing stupid to drive Zeke out of his mind. Maybe if he ignored him, Eric would shut up.

"I'm dragging you to the next car show. I swear I am," Eric continued. "You'll like it. Sweet Mustangs. Tricked out Chevys. The occasional hot chick."

Zeke sighed. "Yeah, okay. Whatever." He stepped off the escalator onto the fifth floor and headed to the restroom.

"Wait. What?" Eric grabbed him by his jacket. "Did you actually agree to come with me to a car show?"

Zeke tried not to grind his teeth. "Maybe. If you're nice to me."

Eric smiled, happiness lighting up the strong lines of his face. Shit. Whenever Eric smiled like that, Zeke found himself doing whatever his friend wanted.

"Yes! You said it out loud. Let everyone here be my witness!" Eric let go of Zeke's shirt and spun around, right hand outstretched. "On this lovely day of October 14th, 2012, my best friend, Zeke Griffin, promised he would come with me to a car show."

Several people gave them funny looks, but an older man standing by the water fountain flashed a thumbs-up. Zeke wanted to choke his so-called best buddy. "Eric, seriously."

Eric grinned and slung an arm around Zeke's shoulders. "You are the best friend a guy could ever have," he said quietly into Zeke's ear.

Zeke repressed a shiver with the ease of long practice. Eric has no idea you are bi, he told himself firmly. Get a grip. "I guess I owe you since you always come to MoMA with me when I ask." He gave Eric a penetrating glare. "Of course you complain bitterly every time, so you can expect the same exact treatment from me at the next car show."

Eric laughed good-naturedly and hugged him closer, obviously not taking his warning seriously. Just you wait. I'll whine so much you'll want to kill me by the end of car-show-day, Zeke thought as he relaxed into his friend's embrace. He opened his mouth, about to deliver another disgruntled retort when he caught sight of a familiar face. He froze. Was that--?

"Zeke? " Eric squeezed his arm. " What's wrong? I was only playing around, you know that, right?"

"No, no it's not that." Zeke stared hard at the woman standing in front of Christina's World, his favorite painting. He pointed at her. "She looks like the woman from the beach."

"What woman from the beach?"

Zeke rolled his eyes. "The woman who lost her bikini top. There is no way you could have forgotten that so don't play dumb. What was her name?" He kicked his brain into gear, a difficult prospect with Eric pressed all along his side. "Carrie. Her name was Carrie. She had gorgeous blue eyes and--"

"Oh! Yeah, the one with the big--"

"Don't say it out loud! Jesus, Eric," Zeke muttered.

Eric chuckled. "Well, the nakedness kind of made an impression on me."

Zeke coughed. "Yeah, well, that happens when your brain is the size of a pea."

"Hey!"

"And when it sits below your belt," Zeke couldn't resist adding.

Eric shoved at him playfully, but Zeke ignored his friend and moved closer to the woman. He was about to tap her shoulder when she stepped back and her elbow socked him in the gut. He lurched to the side, trying to catch his breath. Damn, her bones were sharp!

"Oh, my gosh, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, spinning around. She rushed over and he got a good look at her face. It was definitely Carrie. "Are you okay?"

Zeke nodded, trying to catch his breath. His stomach was still knotted up, from the hit or from meeting her again, he wasn't sure. At any rate, he was looking right at her when she realized who he was. Her eyebrows lifted and she gasped, flushing. Her blue eyes widened.

"You!"

Zeke smiled as he finally got control of his breathing. "That's not my name." Eric came up behind him.

"That's not my name either," Eric teased.

Carrie bit her lip. She looked wonderful. Her deep blue eyes matched the scarf she'd knotted around her neck. Her long dark sweater brought out the pretty brown of her hair. Leggings hugged her hips and black boots emphasized her sexy calves.

"Zeke. I remember," Carrie said. Her gaze shifted to Eric. "And you're Eric. I didn't forget. I'm just surprised to see you here."

"I guess it's unlikely we'd run into each other in the middle of a city in a completely different state. Maybe the universe is trying to tell us something." Zeke stepped closer and fingered her scarf. The crazy attraction he'd felt at the beach was still there. "You look lovely."

Carrie smiled. "You don't look so bad yourself."

Her eyes trailed down his body and Zeke wondered what she thought of his brown canvas jacket. The ripped jeans. Eric was wearing Zeke's favorite sweater today, the green one that brought out the hazel in his friend's eyes. The one Eric stole from his closet, not that Zeke minded. Eric looked great in it. Carrie eyed him then Eric, her flush deepening. Oh yeah, she liked the way they looked.

"What brings you to MoMA?" Eric asked her.

She lifted a shoulder. "I'm working with a client here in the city in a couple hours, but I got in early. Whenever I have time to kill, I come here to look at Christina." She motioned to the painting behind her. "It's my favorite."

"I like it, too," Zeke said. Would she freak if he moved closer? There were a lot of people around. He stepped close enough to smell her perfume. Honeysuckle. Yummy.

"Why are you here in the middle of a Wednesday?" Carrie asked them curiously.

Eric laughed. "Mr. Artist here drags us into MoMA as often as possible."

Carrie's expression lightened. "Oh? You're an artist?"

Zeke shrugged. "I make furniture. Eric and I make furniture together, actually, but I like to paint, too."

She pursed her lips and Zeke wanted to touch them, thumb them until she relaxed. "What kind of furniture?"

"High-end stuff. We work with some exotic hardwood and steel. I do most of the welding, Zeke works with the wood," Eric explained.

Zeke tried to hide the happiness he felt at Eric's pride in their business, but didn't think he did a very good job of it.

Carrie's face sharpened with interest. "I'm an interior designer. I'd love to see some of your stock, if possible."

Eric grinned and Zeke's heart thumped at the sight. Damn. The man did things to him. It really isn't healthy standing between these two, Zeke thought. Eric was the embodiment of what Zeke liked in a guy: strong, confident, good-natured. And Carrie seemed to be what he most liked in a woman: beauty, brains, and creativity all woven up together. It was a perfect storm of sexual and intellectual attraction. Zeke felt a little lightheaded.

"We have a small studio out in northern New Jersey, in an old barn. We do most of our work there. But we also have a website where you can look at our stuff." Eric reached into his pocket, rubbing against Zeke's hip as he went for a business card. "Here's our information."

Carrie took it and tucked it into her bag. "Thanks." She pursed her lips and looked around. "I know it's not even close to lunch, but I'm hungry. Would you two like to grab a bite with me?"

Zeke grinned, delighted and completely unable to hide his pleasure. I probably look like a dork, he thought, but that didn't stop him from accepting her invitation. "Yeah. We'd love to." He didn't ask Eric beforehand. Zeke knew his friend would never turn down the opportunity to eat with a gorgeous woman, particularly one as interesting as Carrie.

"Great. I just need to use the restroom," she said, pointing behind her. She tucked a long strand of hair behind her ear. Her eyes dropped from Zeke's face to his groin, as if by accident. Zeke thought maybe it was unconscious on her part, except she did the same thing with Eric, looking him up and down. Then she licked her lips. Eric tensed beside him at the exact moment Zeke's crazy idea took hold. He shifted closer. I hope she doesn't slap me, he thought. Just one kiss and I'll let her go. The noise from the crowd in the museum receded into the background as he kept his eyes on her. She glanced at his face, frowning slightly. Zeke moved in some more. She blinked and turned slightly, but didn't edge away.

"I need to use the bathroom, too," Zeke explained.

"Um, okay." She turned and Zeke followed her, ignoring the weird look Eric shot his way. His friend would figure out what he had in mind soon enough. And hopefully join in, a small voice whispered at the back of Zeke's brain.

Carrie stopped in front of the bathrooms. "Only the family restroom is open." She reached for the door when Zeke stroked her cheek with his right hand. She froze.

"You're so lovely," he murmured.

She stared at him. Zeke watched surprise play across her face then brushed his thumb over her lower lip. It was as soft as he remembered. She opened her mouth on a gasp.

"Eric, get the door," Zeke said. Eric finally caught on, opening the bathroom door and waiting until Zeke nudged Carrie inside before locking it behind them.

The three of them stood there for a moment eyeballing each other. Is this going to be a total disaster? Zeke wondered, a pang of unease skittering up his spine, when suddenly Carrie lunged for him. Zeke staggered back with an armful of beautiful woman. He fell against Eric, which was fine with him. Zeke let Eric catch him, sucking in a breath as Eric's hard-on pressed into his ass. Zeke wasn't about to complain. He'd seen his friend aroused before. Eric had no idea Zeke was bi and he didn't want to spook him and risk their friendship. Now was his chance. Carrie was not only gorgeous in her own right, she was also the perfect excuse for Zeke to 'accidentally' grope Eric. Win win, he thought, then Carrie's lips were on his mouth, coaxing him to open up.

"God, Zeke," Eric groaned, his hands tightening on Zeke's hips. Zeke kissed Carrie back, knowing Eric had an up-close show of the entire thing. And if his friend's cock was any indication, he was enjoying it immensely. Zeke wasn't going to move until either Eric or Carrie made him. The only thing that would make it better was if they were all naked. A man can hope, right?

"Jesus, Zeke, you should see how hot you look kissing her," Eric murmured.

Um, what? Zeke paused for a second, confused. He thought Eric would be focused exclusively on Carrie. She made a small sound of protest and Zeke mentally kicked himself in the head. Focus, man. He kissed her again, reveling in the feel of her soft breasts pressed against his chest. Behind him Eric was all hard muscle. He moaned and Carrie nipped at his bottom lip, making him shudder. Eric pressed into him even harder. Zeke was in heaven.

"Fuck," Eric grunted. "Zeke, you don't mind, do you? I, God--" Eric's hands ground into Zeke's hipbones. Carrie was making these soft mewling sounds and Zeke's dick was suddenly so fucking hard he thought he might come in his pants for the first time in years. When Carrie pulled her lips away and yanked on Eric, pulling his head down around Zeke's shoulder, it was all he could do to just keep standing up. He leaned even harder on Eric, trying to catch his breath as he watched them. Eric's prick throbbed against his ass.

Carrie kissed Eric as passionately as she'd kissed him. Zeke's brain fuzzed. Impossibly, Eric's cock grew even harder and Zeke felt it through two sets of jeans. He shoved closer and was rewarded with Eric's grunt and an involuntary thrust. Zeke smiled and kissed his way up Carrie's neck. It might be the first and last opportunity he'd ever have to sort-of make out with Eric and he intended to take full advantage of it. And it wasn't like he didn't want Carrie, too, because he did. She's incredible and I don't think she even realizes it, Zeke thought.

She smelled amazing. Tasted amazing. Her skin felt delicate and warm and Zeke couldn't resist licking at her neck. He kissed the hollow under her ear then moved back down. She trembled and if Zeke hadn't had his hands around her ass, her very amazing fine delicious ass, she probably would've fallen. He flexed his fingers, savoring the feel of her muscles under the thin fabric of her leggings. Gorgeous.

He kissed up Carrie's chin and then, when Eric pulled back to catch his breath, Zeke took a chance and kissed his friend for the first time. Twenty years of friendship might be blown all to hell but he couldn't resist any longer. Carrie's sweet sensuality had clearly weakened him. Zeke savored the fullness of Eric's bottom lip and opened his mouth, hoping Eric wouldn't deck him when this was all over. To his shock, Eric kissed him back.

Zeke shuddered, gripping Carrie harder. Eric licked into his mouth. Eric wasn't just accepting the kiss he was returning it! With tongue! Zeke didn't waste time worrying about it. He lifted a hand away from Carrie and slid it into Eric's hair. Their bodies twisted together so Carrie was somehow between them now, but Zeke was too far-gone in the kiss to care. He savored the heat of Eric's mouth, groaning when he finally had to pull away or pass out from lack of air.

"That's the hottest thing I've ever seen," Carrie whispered, sounding shocked.

Panting, Zeke stared at his friend, trying to figure out what Eric was thinking. Eric stared back, flushed and disheveled. Then, impossibly, a smile lit up his face. "Zeke, I didn't think you had it in you."

Wait. What? What the fuck did that mean? Zeke opened his mouth, about to ask Eric what the hell? when Carrie yanked his face back down. She kissed him, three short pecks on the lips. He wasn't thinking clearly. Her breasts pressed on his chest, distracting him. He could feel Eric watching. It made him tremble.

To give himself time to think, Zeke slid a hand up to cup one of her boobs and she shivered. He flicked his thumb over the nipple and Eric slid a hand over her other breast, bumping Zeke's. His eyes flew up and Eric kissed him again. So much for figuring out what the hell was happening. Zeke gave up trying to think at all and just let himself feel. Carrie's leg curled around his as she shoved closer. Eric's soft lips and stubble made his skin tingle as his friend kissed down his jaw. Jesus. His cock pressed against his zipper, throbbing in time to the pounding of his heart.

"Now it all makes sense," Eric muttered.

Zeke let his head fall back, not understanding. Not caring. Carrie managed to cup a hand around his dick through his pants so Zeke wasn't tracking much of anything anymore. He wanted to come so badly, all he could think was more. More, please. When Eric kissed Carrie, the visuals were too much. Zeke shoved his dick into her hand, hoping she would squeeze really, really hard.

The pounding on the door scared the fuck out of him.

"Shit! What the hell was that?" Eric jerked back.

Zeke almost fell. He shook his head and tried to pull himself together. The door vibrated again beneath someone's fist.

"You've been in there forever, come on. I've got a kid with a full diaper. Open up!" a rough male voice shouted from the other side.

At the image of a shitty diaper, Zeke's cock wilted slightly, but not enough to completely blunt his arousal. His brain was obviously still broken. He stepped back, careful not to let go of Carrie until she was stable. "Uh," he said, oh so eloquently. I'm a total moron, he thought to himself.

"Hang on! We'll be out in a sec," Eric shouted through the door.

Zeke watched his friend attempt to calm his breathing. How the hell was Eric functioning? Zeke didn't think he could talk yet.

Carrie cleared her throat. "I don't know what the heck just got into me." She ran her fingers through her hair then pulled out her cell phone. She checked the time and paled. "Crap! I'm going to be late! We were in here almost a half hour!" Hurriedly, she grabbed lip-gloss from some mysterious place and repaired her face.

Zeke shook himself and staggered to the sink. He washed his hands with cold water and blotted at his neck with the damp paper towel. It didn't do any good. He looked in the mirror. His face was flushed and it didn't help that Eric watched him, eyes bright with some emotion Zeke couldn't name. Laughter? Anger? He had no idea.

"Look, Carrie, I'm sorry I dragged you in here," Zeke apologized.

She laughed, the tone bright and amused. "I didn't resist, you know. I wanted to kiss you as much as you wanted to kiss me." She glanced at Eric. "As much as we all wanted to kiss each other." She stuffed her lip-gloss back into her bag and squared her shoulders. "I've gotta go. My client will be waiting." She opened the door and quickly walked out.

Before they could follow her, a middle-aged man juggling a baby and a full diaper bag barreled into the room. "Just shut the door behind you," he said, already pulling down the changing station.

Zeke looked at Eric, who shrugged. They left the restroom together. Zeke searched for Carrie, stopping abruptly when he couldn't find her. Eric stumbled into him.

"Shit!" Zeke was beyond pissed with himself. A well-dressed couple almost ran into him, but he didn't give a damn. How could he be so stupid?

Eric eyed the annoyed couple and dragged Zeke to the escalator. "What's wrong with you? I'm the one who should be freaking out here."

Huh? Zeke shook his head, dismissing his confusion over Eric's response. "No, no, we didn't get her number. And she's gone now. Damnit! I didn't think she would disappear so fast." He let Eric prod him onto the down escalator.

"Oh." Eric frowned. "Yeah, shit." Eric didn't seem worried, just thoughtful.

Zeke eyed his friend. Is this where he punches me? He was just now remembering he ought to be afraid of what Eric would do.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" Eric asked.

Zeke bit the inside of his cheek. "You're not going to punch me?"

"Punch you? Why the hell would I punch you?" Eric snorted as the escalator neared the lower level. They stepped off and he dragged Zeke to the elevator. "These stupid escalators take too long." He punched the button on the wall. To Zeke's surprise, the elevator opened right away. "Get in," Eric pushed Zeke inside.

"You're going to punch me because I kissed you," Zeke said slowly, his mind still stuck on his earlier thought.

Eric laughed. "Zeke. I've been wanting to kiss you for years but I thought you were straight."

Zeke stared. Wait, what? "What?"

Eric laughed again. "Man, you're slow today. First you forget to get Carrie's number, then you forget how to comprehend English."

"She has our card. And besides, you could've asked for her number, too," Zeke retorted. Eric wanted to kiss him? Had wanted to kiss him for years?

Eric sighed through his smile and grabbed Zeke by the arm. The elevator doors opened. "Yeah, she does. If she wants to call us, she has our number. Right now, though, we've got more important things to do."

Zeke followed him out of the building and onto the street, his brain stuttering over the same thought again and again: Eric wants to kiss me. Eric dragged him down

53rd Street

, deftly avoiding the tourists clogging the sidewalk. "Where are we going?"

Eric hailed a cab. When one stopped, Eric wrestled the door open and shoved Zeke inside. "9th and 33rd," he told the cabbie.

"Eric?" Zeke started to get worried. Eric was no longer smiling.

His friend glanced over and looked away, his jaw tight. "We're going home."

Zeke's gut clenched. Shit. He's angry. He thought about Eric kissing him earlier and wondered if the true gravity of that particular moment was just now sinking in for Eric. How long will it be before I have to move out? Dammit. He liked living with Eric in the old house his friend inherited from his aunt. He liked working in the barn out back. Liked the ten acres of meadow and woodland he got to gaze out at every morning as he sipped his coffee. Rural New Jersey was a fast-shrinking commodity, but the place Eric owned in the northwest of the state was beautiful. And now Zeke had fucked everything up beyond repair with his impulsive kiss. I really am a moron, he thought, stomach knotted tight.

****

An hour and a half later Zeke desperately needed a lobotomy. Or a chiropractor. He cracked his neck as Eric unlocked their front door. His back was killing him. After they'd made it to the car at the parking lot in midtown, Eric had shoved Zeke into the passenger side and driven them all the way home in a tense silence. Zeke tried starting a conversation a couple times, but finally gave up when his friend refused to speak. He wondered if Eric would kick him out today or wait until tomorrow.

"Eric? I'm really sorry," Zeke began as he followed his friend into the house.

Eric threw him a disgusted look and kicked the door shut. "You're an idiot, Zeke."

He sure was. Zeke grimaced and stood there, not even taking off his jacket. Eric carelessly threw his keys down on the side table for the first time in Zeke's memory. What the hell? His friend was obsessive about the finish and that piece was one of the first things they'd made together. Zeke rubbed his face as he looked around the living room, saying a mental goodbye to his favorite space in the house.

He thought about how Eric had always been there for him when he was a kid, through the worst of his dad's frenzies. How Eric let him sleep over when Zeke's dad kicked him out. That happened a lot before his dad finally took off and his mom divorced the loser. Eric was his best friend in the world. Zeke didn't know what he would do without him.

I have to say something. He opened his mouth to apologize again, but before he could make a sound, Eric had his hands in his jacket. Zeke flinched, trying to pull away, thinking Eric was going to hit him for sure. Oh shit, he thought, already bracing himself, but instead of punching him, Eric yanked him closer. Zeke didn't even have the chance to catch his breath before Eric's lips fell on his. Zeke panicked for a split second and then instinct took over.

Eric's lips were soft at first, then demanding. Zeke opened his mouth, shocked, and Eric licked inside, making little sounds of satisfaction. Holy shit. Is this happening? Zeke thought, confused as hell. Eric kissed him and kissed him until his legs started to give out. Eric let him up for air and Zeke locked his knees for the second time in one day as he stared at his friend, stupefied.

"You thought I was straight? I thought you were straight!" Eric said hoarsely. "We're both idiots. Total fucking morons." He dived in again before Zeke could say a damn thing.

Several minutes later, Zeke shoved away, trying to breathe. "You're not straight?"

Eric rolled his eyes. "Duh." He thrust his hips at Zeke, making sure his erection slid across Zeke's aching cock. Zeke jumped as the contact sent sparks up his spine. Jesus.

"But, you liked Carrie. You wanted to kiss her. I was there," Zeke said.

"So did you." Eric nibbled down Zeke's jaw. "This jacket is stupid." He shoved at Zeke's arms, pushing the brown canvas down and off until Zeke was in just his t-shirt.

"But I'm bi," Zeke said. "That's why I also like Carrie," he explained as he wrapped his arms around Eric. He wasn't about to let go now. He wanted more. Another kiss, at least. Even if Eric decked him later. He snaked a hand under the waistband of Eric's jeans, savoring the hot, smooth skin that met his fingertips. Might as well cop as much of a feel as he could now, before all hell broke loose.

"Oh, my God, Zeke. Shut up. I'm bi, too. You are so clueless," Eric growled, biting his neck. Zeke's heart banged against his ribs so hard, he was afraid it might break something. Eric was bi, too? How did he not know this?

"How the hell did I not know that?" he asked around Eric's kisses.

Eric snorted. "How did I not know you were bi?" He gnawed on Zeke's neck, making him shudder. "I'll tell you how. Because we're both total fucking morons. Ok? That's how." Eric kissed him again and Zeke couldn't make his mouth form any more coherent sentences. He grabbed Eric's hair and held on. If Eric was bi and Zeke was bi, why the hell were they still standing in the living room with all their clothes on?

"Why the hell are we standing in here with all our clothes on?" Eric asked when Zeke let him up for air.

Zeke grinned and grabbed Eric's arm, propelling him to the stairs. "Because we're fucking morons, remember?"

Five minutes later, he had Eric on his bed, shirt off, jeans unbuttoned. His hand cupped Eric's sizeable cock through his underwear, fingers teasing at the crown. Eric was huge. Zeke's mouth watered with anticipation.

Eric threw his head back. "Fucking morons, both of us. Yeah. Right there. Oh man, Zeke, you've got magic fingers."

Zeke laughed, trying to ignore the pressure of his pants' zipper against his dick. Yeah, no. That hurts. He gave up and unbuttoned it. "Yeah. That's what you can call me from now on. Magic fingers."

"Fuck you," Eric moaned as Zeke slipped his boxers and jeans down to his thighs. Eric lay spread out beneath him, all gorgeous muscles and a lovely hard cock just begging for Zeke's mouth. He licked his lips, starting to feel lightheaded.

"Jesus, Zeke. Don't just stare."

"I'm kind of going on instinct here, Eric. I'm only theoretically bi. I haven't actually done this before." Zeke slid his hand over Eric's erection, savoring the delicious heat.

"Theoretically? Yeah, whatever, I don't give a fuck," Eric mumbled. "God, get down here." He reached up and yanked Zeke on top of him, hissing when Zeke's jeans scraped at his hip. "Get these off. Fuck, we're bad at this. I haven't done this before either, as you can tell." Eric pulled and shoved and between the two of them they managed to get rid of their pants. Zeke was too impatient to let Eric pull off his shirt, diving back in and kissing him as if he was starving. Hell, he was starving.

"You taste so fucking good." Zeke mouthed at Eric's neck, inhaling the clean scent of healthy, warm male. He slid a hand down and wrapped it around their cocks, sliding them together. He lost his grip, cursing when Eric bucked. He tried again, but Eric clamped his hands on Zeke's hips, thrusting against him, dick hot against Zeke's hip and abdomen. Zeke couldn't think. He grabbed onto Eric's shoulders and held on, the friction from his friend's movements just enough to get him off. A couple more thrusts and Zeke came all over Eric. Eric froze, then moaned. Impossibly, Zeke's prick twitched, forcing yet another stab of pleasure through him. Eric shuddered, hands still clamped on Zeke's hips as he came, too.

Eventually, Eric pried his hands off Zeke's hips and settled them on his back, running them up and down soothingly. Zeke had collapsed on his friend, head tucked into Eric's neck. He was too exhausted and relaxed to move. Hell, he could hardly breathe even though it had to be at least ten minutes post orgasm.

"What. The. Fuck," Eric finally said. He sounded dumbfounded.

Zeke chuckled helplessly. "We didn't quite manage that."

Eric huffed. "Yeah, no shit, Sherlock. I meant, how the bloody hell did we miss this all these years?"

With inhuman effort, Zeke managed to roll off, sliding to the side. He grimaced at the stickiness just starting to dry on his abdomen and hips. "Well. I suppose we were both in denial."

Eric leaned over and grabbed his boxers, dabbing ineffectually at the mess on his stomach. When he was through, he tossed them at Zeke, who eyed the damp cloth dubiously. "It's not going to bite you."

Zeke shrugged and wiped himself clean then rolled over and tucked himself back against Eric. He couldn't pretend this didn't happen. "I didn't tell you how I felt because I was afraid you would freak."

Eric shifted until his arm was beneath Zeke's head. "You thought I would freak? When have I ever been homophobic?"

Zeke rolled his eyes. "I wasn't worried that you were homophobic over me being attracted to some random guy, I was worried you would deck me if you knew I was attracted to you, specifically. I was afraid to risk it."

Eric cleared his throat. "Ah."

"Ah? That's it? That's all you have to say?" Zeke snorted. The dumbass.

"Um, ditto?"

Zeke laughed helplessly. "Ditto? To everything? Jesus fuck, we've trapped ourselves in some ridiculous chick flick!"

Eric pulled away, glaring at Zeke. Zeke couldn't help it, he laughed harder. It was too absurd. Over twenty years of friendship, five years living and working together, and neither of them had the balls to man up and admit a damn thing about their feelings. Even now, the best Eric could manage was a gruff "ditto."

"We're such fucking morons!" The hilarity of the situation made it impossible for Zeke to stop laughing. Fuck, his stomach hurt. When Eric's mouth started twitching, Zeke grabbed on and rubbed his streaming eyes in his friend's t-shirt. "Oh, my fucking God. You still have your shirt on."

"Yeah, well, no one ever said we were a couple of rocket scientists," Eric muttered, ineffectually shoving at Zeke, trying to get him to stop mopping up his tears in his precious concert shirt. No such luck, buster, Zeke thought, grabbing on even harder. Eric gave up and let him molest the fabric.

"You know I love you, right?" Zeke finally managed. Eric's face took on a devilish edge. "Oh no! Don't you dare say it. Just keep your stupid mouth shut!" Zeke attempted to glare and failed miserably. He shook Eric, hard, but it didn't do a damn thing.

Eric opened his mouth. "Ditto."

Chapter Three

The third time Carrie ran into Zeke and Eric, she was sitting in the waiting room of a hospital in Teaneck, NJ with her nieces. Her sister Olivia was in the emergency room with her nephew Scott. They'd been at the playground when the boy fell from a swing onto the winter-hard ground and hurt his arm. He also had a nasty scrape on his scalp that bled all over everyone: Carrie, her sister Olivia, and, of course, the girls. Carrie sat by the windows with them, ineffectually trying to wipe the worst of it off Caro with a rapidly shredding wet wipe.

"Carrie?"

She jumped, almost dropping the cloth as she looked up to see Zeke walking Eric into the emergency room entrance not five feet from her. What the hell? A flicker of worry wormed its way up her spine. Eric looked dazed and pale. Zeke held up Eric's right forearm. There was a tightly wrapped towel around it.

"Zeke! What happened?" Carrie asked. She was already stressed out trying to cope with two hysterical girls. She wasn't expecting to see the men she so fondly remembered show up in the hospital.

"Eric sliced his arm on the table saw," Zeke explained, face grim.

"Because I'm a total moron," Eric mumbled, swaying.

Zeke grabbed for his friend, holding him upright. "I think he'll be okay. He only needs about a thousand stitches."

Carrie made an abortive movement towards them but stopped because Gina was hanging onto her coat. Caro cried quietly into Carrie's hair and she knew she had streaks of blood on her hands. I must look absolutely horrible. This wasn't how Carrie wanted Zeke and Eric to see her again.

Zeke waved her off. "I've got him. He's just in shock. Some steak for dinner and a good night's rest will fix him."

He maneuvered Eric to the empty chair next to Carrie, carefully lowering him down until he was stable. Carrie shifted over so Eric could let his head rest on her shoulder. This is turning into a helluva day , she thought. She had two little kids and a big, gorgeous male leaning on her. Since when had she become a responsible adult? She smiled wryly then caught Zeke looking at her with a fond expression.

"Can I leave him there with you for a sec? I've got to get him checked in." Zeke waved at the line near the desk.

"Of course." Carrie patted Eric's head and he sighed, slumping down further. He smelled nice. Carrie let herself sigh too, quietly. Zeke was lucky he'd found a free chair for Eric. The place was packed today for some reason.

"Thanks. Hopefully it won't take too long before they get him back there."

Carrie nodded, wishing she'd had time to call them the past few months, see if they could at least go out to dinner with her, but she'd been frantic with work and helping her sister. Robert, Olivia's husband, was away on business in Singapore. Carrie couldn't let her sister tackle three kids alone and since she lived next door, it was easy for her to pitch in whenever Olivia needed a hand. Still, she felt bad she hadn't called.

She watched Zeke walk to the desk, his extremely fine ass moving in his jeans in a way that made her want to just grab. And squeeze. She blushed. You're in the ER, she told herself firmly. Get a grip.

"He's got a great ass, doesn't he?" Eric said, his voice slightly slurred. Carrie looked over, surprised. She couldn't see his face because of the way he was leaning on her. She glanced down at his injured arm, making sure he kept pressure on the wound.

"How can you even notice that now?" She wondered if he and Zeke were lovers. After their make-out session in the museum, she'd been curious. Both seemed surprised by what was happening, but Carrie had been so caught up in the kiss, she didn't think about it until afterward. Eric wouldn't have made a comment like that if they weren't lovers though, would he? Carrie frowned. If they were together, what were they doing hitting on her?

"You're joking, right? The only time I wouldn't notice is if I were dead," Eric laughed then grunted as the movement jarred his arm. "Motherfucker, that hurts," he muttered, looking apologetically at the girls hanging all over Carrie. He took a deep breath and let it out.

Carrie let her confusion drop as she sought to make him a little more comfortable. "Here, if you shift over this way, you can relax a bit more." She shoved at him a bit. He slumped down in the chair a little more and Carrie smiled as she watched some of the tension leave his body.

"Thanks." Eric's eyes closed, though he still breathed heavily, probably from the pain.

"Aunt Carrie, who is that man? He's all bloody," Gina said. The girl had her head on Carrie's lap on the side opposite from her sister so Caro wouldn't kick her.

Carrie shifted the toddler to a more comfortable position, glad the smaller girl had finally settled down. She'd just about given up trying to wipe away the blood when Zeke and Eric walked in. Thankfully most of it landed on her and Olivia.

"He's a friend of mine." Carrie hoped the girl wouldn't ask any more questions.

"He's big," Gina said. "And he's got a pretty bracelet on! I didn't know boys wore jewelry!"

Eric laughed under his breath. "Some boys like to wear jewelry, sweetie." He thumbed over the silver links on his uninjured arm. "This was a gift from a very special person. I always wear it."

Carrie noted he had wonderful hands: lean and strong and graceful, despite the bloodstains decorating them at the moment.

Gina peered over Carrie's leg. "It's pretty."

"It is indeed, just like you," Eric said, smiling.

His voice seems a little less strained, Carrie thought with relief. Probably because he's sitting down.

"What brings you here?" Eric asked the girl.

"My stupid brother broke his stupid arm," Gina answered, clearly still put out by having to leave the playground so abruptly. "And he bled all over everything. See?" She held up her arm where her winter coat was stained. "This is my favorite coat and he got it all yucky."

"Gina!" Carrie admonished, amused despite herself.

Eric laughed. "Well, brothers can be a pain sometimes."

Gina nodded glumly. "Yeah."

"I have a younger brother and he and I fought when we were kids, but we get along fine now. It'll be different when you're grown up."

"That's what everyone says, but I don't think Scott will ever be fun. He's stupid." With that, Gina put her head back on Carrie's leg, dismissing the stupid grown male from her head along with her brother. Carrie grinned. She loved her sister's kids.

"Wow." Eric shifted against her shoulder. Carrie could tell his arm hurt. "She's pretty certain about men and she's, what, five? Six-years old?" He looked questioningly at Carrie.

"Six. Her brother Scott is eight and this little one," Carrie readjusted Caro on her lap, "she's four."

"They're not yours, are they?" Eric asked, looking a bit fearful.

Carrie laughed. "Oh, no. They're my sister's kids."

Eric sighed theatrically. "Thank God. I thought Zeke and I were going to have to reexamine our desperation to take you out on a date."

Carrie looked over in surprise, trying to see his expression, but her chin bumped his head. "Um. You want to ask me out? Aren't you and Zeke kind of a thing?" Her face burned with embarrassment.

"Didn't stop us before," Eric muttered. In a louder voice he added, "We still want to date you."

Carrie blinked in confusion. Yeah, okay, it was hot when we kissed at MoMA, but how did that work in real life? Her mind immediately supplied her with several graphic theories and she felt her face grow even hotter. Now is not the time to be thinking about it! Ixnay on the exsay!

"Hey, I've got a wheelchair for you. Let's get you in the back." Zeke suddenly appeared in front of her just as she was imagining him and Eric locked in a kiss. Naked. Um, so awkward. She hoped Zeke couldn't tell what she'd been thinking. Carrie contemplated sliding under the chair before discarding the idea as impractical. Where would she stash the girls?

Zeke leaned down and gently helped Eric into the wheelchair. When Eric was settled, Zeke looked at Carrie and smiled. "Just because Eric and I are together doesn't mean we don't have room for one more." He winked at her and before Carrie could say anything, he wheeled Eric away, past the front desk and through the doors to the emergency room. She stared at his ass. Still phenomenal. Also, damn, she was so busted. He knew what she'd been thinking about. He totally knew.

It wasn't until the doors shut behind the two men that the full impact of what Zeke said penetrated. They had room for one more? Her mind immediately flashed right back into her fantasy. God. She thought about the museum and her body went hot at the memory of them kissing each other. Kissing her. Carrie took a shaky breath. Did that sort of thing actually happen in real life? She wouldn't mind trying it out. She shifted her weight on the chair, her sudden arousal uncomfortable. She wished she were anywhere but here. She thought about Zeke's perfect ass and Eric's lovely face. She wouldn't mind getting her hands on them. She wouldn't mind them putting their hands all over her.

Chapter Four

The fourth time Eric set eyes on Carrie, he and Zeke were stuck beneath a stupidly heavy table, arguing about how to get it into the truck.

"Put the fucking thing down on your end. I can slide it in from here!" Zeke said.

Eric rolled his eyes and didn't budge. "If I put it down here, your fingers will be crushed, you moron."

"Eric, I swear to God, you're the moron. My fingers aren't even under it. I've got it propped on the truck, but you can't fucking see that, can you? Because you're the dumbass with his head stuck under the backside of the thing. PUT IT DOWN."

Eric sighed and did as he was told, ignoring the yelp that came from the opposite side of the table. Zeke could really get testy when they were loading furniture. He walked around to find his lover perched in the pickup's bed, blowing on his thumb.

"Got it caught underneath, huh?" Eric said as snidely as possible. He grinned as Zeke gave him the finger. When he cocked his hand that way it made the hummingbird on Zeke's wrist look like it was about to fly away. Eric loved that ridiculous tattoo. He smirked, thinking about licking it. "Want me to kiss it better?"

Zeke flipped him off again. A woman laughed and Eric spun around to see Carrie standing in the gravel driveway with an older woman just behind her. Whoa. He'd hoped she'd contact them after meeting up with her in the hospital, but she hadn't. And now here she was, in the flesh. She looked delicious, all bundled up in her red coat. Somehow her blue eyes looked even brighter in contrast.

"Carrie?" Zeke hopped down from the truck bed and joined Eric in the driveway. "I didn't hear a car."

Carrie smiled as she walked closer. "I know you didn't. I could tell by the way you were arguing. It was too much fun listening to the two of you to interrupt."

"You never called us." Eric jogged over, pretending to be angry. She saw right through him, grinning and holding out her hand. He bent over it and kissed her glove instead of shaking it. The faintest hint of honeysuckle drifted to his nose. He couldn't believe she was really here. After seeing her in December at the hospital and never getting a call, he'd given up hope.

"I'm here with a client," Carrie said. "This is Daniela Clifton. She's looking for something interesting to put in her foyer."

Daniela smiled and held out her hand. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Wright. Carrie told me you had some intriguing stuff in your showroom."

Eric wished he could kick himself. He and Zeke had been swearing at each other while a client stood in their driveway. Idiots. He pulled off his leather work gloves and held out his hand. "Hi, Ms. Clifton. We'd be pleased to show you what we've got inside." He gestured to the large red barn behind them. He and Zeke had a small showroom carved into the front of the workshop. The rest of the barn held their equipment and was where they did all their work. They also had a storage room in back, on the second level. They'd built a wall separating the showroom with large windows so he and Zeke could see when someone stopped by.

"I'm really sorry you heard us bickering, Ms. Clifton," Zeke said, coming up behind Eric.

Eric nodded in agreement. He hoped they hadn't scared her off. He ran a practiced eye over her clothing. She wore expensive jeans and boots with a cashmere sweater. He bit the inside of his cheek, thinking. Experience had taught him which clients had money to spend and which didn't. This woman was dressed casually, but she probably spent more on her purse than he did on his work boots.

She shrugged, smiling at Zeke. "I've heard worse in my time, believe me. My husband and I own a few restaurants and the cooks can get a bit spicy, if you know what I mean Mr....?"

"Griffin. I'm Zeke Griffin. Eric and I own G&W Design." He shook her hand, flashing a smile as he stepped forward.

"It's Daniela. And if your work looks as good in person as it does on your website, I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other."

Eric nodded and glanced at Carrie. She was smiling, obviously pleased. Why show up now? Not that he was upset about it, oh no, but it had been over a month ago since they'd run into each other in the hospital. The holidays had come and here she was, all of a sudden, with a client. He wished he'd gotten her number at the hospital.

"How's the arm?" Carrie asked, startling him out of his reverie.

"Oh, it's fine. See?" Eric pushed up the sleeve of his work shirt. The scar was still pink, but the wound had healed completely and didn't bother him. Carrie lightly touched it with two fingers, sliding them down his arm before she let go. Eric shivered and he glanced at her pretty, luscious lips, dick leaping to attention. A quick look at Zeke and he knew his lover had the same problem. Why else would he be trying to tug his coat down?

"You must be cold, out here with only a shirt." Carrie glanced at Zeke who'd moved closer. Eric nodded. She was right, except for the part about him being cold. He wasn't. He was hot. Hot and bothered. Still, the February air was bitter today. Spring hadn't yet reared its head. He should get them inside.

"Why don't you and Daniela come inside? You can look over the small pieces we have in the showroom. We have a few tables and some artwork, inlay and steel. We can put on a pot of coffee, too." Eric stepped back, angling his body so he still looked welcoming while he tugged his loose shirt over his jeans. Thank God he hadn't tucked it in. His dick was hard enough to cut steel. Zeke smirked at him and Eric knew he hadn't managed to hide it as well as he'd hoped. Bastard. Eric narrowed his eyes and looked pointedly at his lover's groin. Zeke flushed then deliberately licked his lips. Jesus.

"We'd love to." Daniela started for the door, clearly oblivious to the undercurrents of arousal and frustration. She carefully avoided the half-frozen muck in the gravel driveway and walked to the barn. Eric hurried to open the dark-stained doors for her, flipping Zeke off once he was sure Daniela wouldn't see. Carrie did though. She shot him a huge smile as she followed her client inside.

Eric wished desperately she'd come alone.

--------------------------------

Two hours later, Eric fingered the business card in his hand. Carrie Haake, interior design. The crisp white cardstock was embossed with a dark purple design on one side that vaguely resembled a bird. Or maybe a star. Interesting. More importantly, however, was the number printed on the bottom.

"We've got it, Zeke. We've got her number. Finally." Eric felt like jumping up and down. Except you're not five years old, he told himself. And Zeke would never let you live it down if you started hopping around like a little kid.

"I thought you'd be more excited about the huge commission we just got from the lovely Daniela," Zeke said.

Eric shook his head. "Nope. You can't distract me that easily."

Zeke chuckled, snatching the card from his hand and tucking it into his jeans pocket, right next to the generous swell of his cock. "How about now?"

Eric cocked his head. "Do you really think I'm not going to go after it?"

"I'm counting on it." Zeke laughed.

Eric grinned and stalked his lover, pinning him against the long workbench they'd built along the west wall of the barn. Late afternoon sunlight streamed into the windows they'd put above the workspace, lighting Zeke's hair with deep red highlights. Eric leaned in and kissed him lightly on the lips. When he stepped back, he flourished the card he'd stolen from Zeke's jeans. "Ha!"

Zeke shook his head good-naturedly. "You distracted me."

"Damn straight, I did."

Zeke guffawed. "You're no straighter than I am."

Eric grinned. "Yeah, don't I know it." A moment later the smile slid off his face when he remembered he wanted to talk to Zeke about telling his mom about them.

Zeke walked over and touched Eric's shoulder. "What's wrong?"

Eric glanced at Zeke then away. "We can't keep this a secret any more. I don't want to live like this."

Zeke pursed his lips thoughtfully. "I know this has been bothering you a lot."

Eric shrugged. "The last conversation I had with my mom didn't go well. She's still trying to fix me up with her girlfriends' daughters. I almost told her about us and then chickened out."

"I know your mom isn't going to take it well but remember, I've got your back. We're in this together," Zeke said.

Eric sighed and ran his hand through his hair, pacing. He wished he didn't have to have this conversation. "I know."

"I was waiting for you to decide before I told anyone," Zeke said, his voice warm. "I can wait longer. As long as you need. We don't have to tell anyone if you don't want to. You know my mom and sister will be fine with it."

"Your dad won't," Eric pointed out.

"He doesn't matter." Zeke's voice turned hard. "He walked out on the family years ago. I'm more worried about you."

Eric shook his head violently then thrust Carrie's card into Zeke's hands. He walked back to the workbench so he could stare out the window. The sun was just dropping into the tree line across the meadow. For February, it was a strangely beautiful day. "I don't want to wait or pretend or lie anymore. That's not who I am. It's killing me to not be able to hug you in front of my family. In front of yours. I love your mom and sister."

"We can just tell my mom and Sherry. We don't have to tell your parents."

Eric spun around. "No. They'll have to deal with it. And I think my dad will be fine with it. At least I hope he will. I'm okay with it whatever happens. It's just--" He broke off, taking a deep breath. "What about Carrie?"

Zeke rubbed his eyes and walked over. "What about her?"

Eric glared at Zeke for a moment. "I don't want to give up on her."

"No one's asking you to. I like her as much as you do, remember?" Zeke slung his arm over Eric's shoulders and hugged him close. "We'll figure something out."

Eric sighed and leaned into Zeke. Thank God he'd had the good sense to fall for his friend. He didn't think anyone else would understand his fascination with Carrie quite so well. Only Zeke would understand his bizarre desire to have two lovers. "I'm sorry."

"I know what you're thinking and you're acting like a fucking moron again," Zeke said with a hint of laughter in his voice. "I want her as much as you do. And if that's too weird for most people, they can just fuck off. They don't get a say in how I live my life." Eric frowned Zeke's body suddenly tensed. "In who I love."

Holy shit. Did Zeke just say what Eric thought he did? He swallowed, twisting to see Zeke's face. The man was serious. "You love me?"

Zeke nodded.

"Thank fucking God," Eric muttered, pulling him into a hug. He buried his face in Zeke's neck. His heart thumped once, twice, banging on his ribs. Eric he wasn't sure if it was relief or excitement. Maybe both?

"I take it this means you're okay with that?" Zeke asked, running his hands through Eric's hair.

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm okay with it. I fucking love you, too." Eric leaned in and kissed Zeke desperately. It quickly flared out of control and Zeke didn't resist when Eric slid his tongue inside. Zeke tasted so good. His strong body felt so fucking right against his. For the past few months, ever since they'd begun this crazy affair, they'd had to create a hands-off policy during work hours or they'd never get anything done. Eric was intentionally blowing that policy to bits right now and he was beyond fucking relieved Zeke was willing to go with it. Eric needed something real to hang onto. Needed Zeke to make him feel whole. Loved.

Eric kissed Zeke again and again, threading his hands into Zeke's soft, curly hair. Zeke ground his erection against Eric's hip, knocking some tools to the floor. Eric didn't give a shit. He shifted them so Zeke was against the bench then slid his thigh between his lover's legs. Zeke took shameless advantage of the new position, humping Eric desperately. The thick leather of Zeke's belt rubbed right up against Eric's cock and he moaned every time Zeke thrust against him. Just when Eric was afraid he would come in his pants like a teenager, he heard someone banging on the back door.

"What the fuck?" Zeke lifted his head away, looking around blearily. "Who would come to the back door?"

"Ignore it. I locked it. Whoever it is will go away," Eric muttered, kissing Zeke again. Zeke opened up to him so beautifully that the sound of a key going into the lock faded into insignificance. When the door abruptly opened, they jerked apart and stared at each other in horror. Eric was too aroused to move. His hips twitched against Zeke's, making them both shudder.

"Eric, since when do you and Zeke keep the back door locked? I had to use my key and--" Eric's mom stopped midsentence when she caught sight of them.

"Oh shit," Zeke muttered, staring at the back of the shop. Eric flinched at the dismay on Zeke's face and slowly turned around. Shit. Why in the hell is my mother here? Just behind her was Andy, his younger brother. Eric swallowed. Zeke was right. The shit had indeed hit the fan. His dick had never deflated so fast in his life.

"Uh, Mom. What are you doing here?" Eric stepped away from Zeke, heart in his throat. His mom's face went from shock to disbelief. Thankfully his brother seemed to have figured the situation out. He gave Eric a thumbs-up from behind their mother and relief washed through Eric. At least Andy was okay with it. Thank God for awesome little brothers.

"I was hoping you could glue the leg back onto this stool," she said, voice shaky. Eric looked at the stool Andy had put down near the door. One of the legs was broken off. It would be easy to fix as long as the leg hadn't splintered, but Eric was fatalistically certain the wood was fucked all to hell and back. He and Zeke would probably likely have to make an entirely new leg in order to repair the stool. Eric sighed.

His mother's expression firmed. "I certainly didn't expect to walk in on--" She stuttered then forged on. "Walk in on that!"

Eric glanced at Zeke. His lover looked back at him with a faintly worried yet supportive expression. Zeke had known Eric's mother since he was a kid. He'd been to family gatherings and on vacations with them. Eric's mom and dad always treated Zeke like another son. Eric was suddenly angry. What right did she have to barge in through a locked door and look at them like that? Zeke was okay as Eric's friend, but not as his lover? It didn't take her long to throw Zeke under the bus. Eric felt like hitting something.

"We were kissing, Mom. Not setting fire to a church. Kissing. You may have heard of it?" Eric leaned back against the workbench. "Also, the door was locked."

"You-- how could you?" His mom stared accusingly at Zeke. "I treated you like my own son." She looked like she was going to cry.

"I know you did. Does me loving your son as more than a friend really change all that?" Zeke quietly asked.

Eric's mom swallowed then squared her shoulders. "Is this a joke?"

"Mom, maybe we should go," Andy said, tugging on her sleeve.

She shook him off. "No. I want to know what's really going on here."

"Mom, Zeke and I love each other. That's all. Nothing more complicated than that." Eric thought of Carrie and dismissed her from his mind. No sense trying to bring her into this before they'd even managed to get her on a date. He cringed at the thought of trying to explain her to his mother.

"So what, you're gay now? Since when?" His mom sounded angrier.

"We consider ourselves bisexual. We like both men and women," Zeke explained calmly.

Eric shot him a grateful look.

"Bisexual? What does that even mean? You can't decide?"

"What? No! Mom it doesn't work like that." Eric tried to make her understand. "Being bi means that the outside packaging doesn't matter. I fall in love with the person, not their gender. And I was born this way. It's not a new thing. I didn't suddenly wake up and decide, 'Oh, I think I'll date guys now.' No. It's not a joke." He slashed his hand down.

Eric's mom clenched her fists and he knew she wasn't even listening. "I can't talk to you right now. What you're doing is wrong. It's unnatural." She spun on her heels and stalked out before Eric could say another word. Andy made the universal sign for "I'll call you" with his thumb and fingers then followed her.

Eric blew out a sigh. "That went well. Not." His stomach rolled.

Zeke shifted uncomfortably. "Andy was fine with it."

"Andy was never the problem. I knew he'd be fine. I'm so sorry."

Zeke rubbed his eyes. Eric watched him, worried. He hated that his mother had hurt Zeke, too. Himself? Well he'd expected it. He knew how she'd react. He'd been bracing for it. It was her lashing out at Zeke that made him want to punch something.

"I know," Zeke finally said. He gripped Eric's arm. "Whatever happens, we'll get through it.

Tears threatened and Eric blinked. Dammit. He pulled Zeke into a hug. "Yeah. I know."

Chapter Five

The fifth time Carrie encountered Zeke and Eric, the snow was falling so thickly she had trouble seeing further than a few feet in front of her. It wasn't just snowing, it was freaking blizzarding. Is blizzarding even a word? She gunned the engine one more time just to listen to the tires spin. Her car didn't move. She was stuck on a back road in rural New Jersey, trying to get home. Why did these things always happen to her? She looked out the windshield in despair and shut the car off. It was one in the morning. She'd been out to dinner with a client in Manhattan. Of course it ran late. In the city the snow was a mild slushy annoyance, but once she got off the interstate and onto Route 23, she quickly realized she might have a problem.

Yeah. A problem. Carrie snorted. Just a teeny tiny little problem. She pulled out her cell phone. Low battery. Low signal. Of course. Who would she call anyway? Her sister was home with the kids and couldn't leave them. Her brother-in-law was still overseas. Her mother lived forty-five minutes away and she couldn't drive in this kind of snow anyway. Because no one can drive in this kind of snow, Carrie thought. She'd have to walk to the nearest house and beg for shelter. Dammit.

She pulled on her hat, thankful she'd thought to stick it in the car this morning along with her snow boots. She slid on the thick socks she'd brought then yanked the heavy footwear on, shivering. She zipped up her coat and tucked her cell phone into the inside pocket. Something crackled against the plastic. Carrie frowned and fished out a slip of paper. Zeke and Eric's address and phone number. She was supposed to be meeting them tomorrow night for dinner and rather than go out to a restaurant, Zeke had volunteered to cook. She could hardly wait. She'd been looking forward to going out with them since she'd brought Daniela to their place a couple weeks ago.

She'd told her sister about them after the museum incident. In direct contradiction to her remarks at the beach, Olivia thought she was crazy. "You're going to date two guys at once? Seriously? Do you know how much work it is dealing with just one man? Clearly you don't or you'd never even consider taking on two." In her opinion, what had been an amusing incident at the beach did not in any way prepare Carrie for the reality of trying to going out with two men at the same time.

Carrie didn't think her sister quite understood the situation. She wasn't going to try to date each of them separately at the same time. She was going to try to date them both. Literally at the same time. "Double the farts," Olivia had declared during their conversation, making Carrie laugh. She'd eventually come around when Carrie reminded her she was the one who told her to take a risk.

"I told you to take a chance, not jump from the frying pan into the fire," Olivia had argued.

"Olivia, two hot guys.At the same time. Kissing each other."

Olivia had taken one look at the leer on Carrie's face and burst out laughing. "Yeah, okay. That sounds like it could be fun, as long as they have their priorities straight."

Carrie smiled at the memory of her sister's tart voice. They'd spent the next fifteen minutes coming up with increasingly more absurd puns and non-sequiturs. Carrie's sister was awesome. Carrie sighed, wishing she were back in Olivia's house, warm and safe. She smoothed out the creased paper. Didn't Eric and Zeke live around here somewhere? She'd only been there the one time, but she remembered taking a turn off

Echo Lake Road
to get to their place. That's the road she was on now. If she could make it to their house, she was sure they'd help her get home. Or take me to bed, her traitorous libido murmured.

Ignoring the stab of lust she felt at the thought of them, she pulled out her rapidly dying phone and loaded a map. Five minutes later she had a rough idea of where she was and where she had to go. She wanted to call first, let them know she was coming, but her phone blinked the low-battery icon at her and went dead. She thought it was about one mile to the turnoff then another half mile to their house. She cursed her cell and its pathetic battery, wishing she could've zoomed in on the map while the device still had some juice left, but the signal had been spotty and the map only partially loaded.

I remember boots and my hat, but God forbid I remember my phone charger, Carrie snarled to herself. She tucked her scarf around her mouth and took a deep breath. She'd have to trust her memory and luck. Stupid snow.

She shoved open the car door, shuddering at the cold. She had to dig a path away from the car just so she could open up the door enough to clamber out. She grabbed her bag and started walking. Even though it was the middle of the night, there was so much snow everything was lit an eerie white. The trees looked like ghosts. She was totally going to get snow in her boots. She hated wet socks. Hated them.

****

An hour later Carrie staggered down Zeke and Eric's driveway. Both house and barn were dark, not surprising at two a.m. She headed for the old stone house where a small light burned in the window. Quaint. She stomped up the stairs, trying to knock the snow off her boots. It didn't do much good. The stairs were covered with two feet of the stuff. Carrie's fingers were clumsy. She couldn't tell if her feet were missing or just numb. She staggered onto the porch and leaned on the doorbell. At least there's a roof in front of the door. She brushed off her pants and almost fell over, banging her elbow against the wood. The pain woke her up a little. She pressed the doorbell again. And again.

"Okay, okay, coming!" a masculine voice called from inside a few minutes later. Eric.

Carrie slumped down, listening to the lock turn. The relief she felt when she heard his voice made her lightheaded. When the door opened she fell over the threshold but strong hands caught her, nudging her hat aside. She didn't have the energy to respond as her hair fell over her face, obscuring her vision.

"Carrie? Oh my God, Zeke, give me a hand."

Carrie felt herself being lifted and carried into the house. God, he was strong. She struggled a bit so he put her down while he kicked the door closed, but her knees kept falling out from under her. Eric caught her before she hit the floor and propped her against him as Zeke frantically tore open her coat.

"I knew you'd help," she mumbled. She couldn't feel her lips. She lifted a hand, trying to see if she'd frozen her face, but hit herself in the eye with her snow-crusted glove.

"Carrie, relax and let us handle it." She felt Zeke pull off her coat. "Eric, get her gloves off. We've got to get her out of these wet clothes."

"Thank you," Carrie whispered. She forced her eyes open. Zeke stood there with nothing on but a pair of flannel pajama pants. She couldn't see Eric because he was holding her up.

"We've got you, just hang in there," Zeke said, kneeling down to strip off her boots. She tried to help him, lifting up her legs as he pulled. She would've crashed to the floor if not for Eric's strong arms around her midsection.

"I was heading home, but the storm was so much worse here than in the city." She had a feeling the words came out garbled when Zeke glanced up at her, worried.

"It's okay. You're safe now," Eric murmured against her cheek.

Carrie shivered.

"That's good. You body needs to warm up. Shivering is good," Zeke said as he pulled off her socks. He started on her pants, pulling them down unceremoniously with her panties. Eric helped him get her sweater and bra off then swung her into his arms. Carrie was too cold to feel embarrassed. She huddled as close to Eric's warmth as she could as he carefully walked upstairs. He's not wearing a shirt either, she thought, confused.

"Put her in the bed, between us," Zeke said.

She was lowered into something soft and warm. Heat, oh my God. She curled in on herself.

"No, Carrie, honey, we need to warm you up." Carrie let Zeke stretch out her legs then he slid in and pressed his body against her front. When Eric slid in behind her she shuddered. They were completely naked. Their skin was hot. Silky. Amazing. She moaned, squirming, needing to get closer to their warmth. She rubbed her legs over Zeke's, enjoying the roughness of his hair. Eric tucked his up behind her, his cock rapidly hardening against her ass. Whoa. When did they take off their pants?

"Shit, I'm getting a fucking hard-on," Zeke hissed, angling his hips away. Carrie snuggled closer.

"Join the club," Eric muttered. His cock was tucked up against her butt. She didn't mind at all. He seemed resigned, letting her rub herself against him.

"Dammit," Zeke muttered when she succeeded in slipping her leg between his. His erection prodded her hip. Carrie was quickly losing her cold-induced befuddlement.

"Zeke, just man up and deal," Eric said. He wrapped an arm around her waist. "God, she's freezing. Even her boobs are chilly." Zeke laughed then sucked in a breath when Eric shifted again.

Carrie felt Eric grin against her shoulder before he deliberately moved his hand, bumping it into Zeke's cock. Zeke growled and Carrie couldn't help it. She snickered. Despite the numbing cold still penetrating her bones, her brain was almost thawed out.

"Don't mind me," she mumbled, shoving her nose into Zeke's neck. So warm.

Eric chuckled then relaxed into silence. The feel of their skin against hers was rapidly making Carrie's trembling change from shivering to lust. They stayed like that for a few minutes, maybe even half an hour. Carrie's toes began to tingle. So did her pussy. She guessed she must have escaped frostbite if everything was heating up this fast. Her hands were warm and she finally felt her spine unknot.

"Carrie? Are you back with us?" Zeke asked after another minute. He gently tipped her head up so he could look into her face.

She smiled at him. His eyes were a warm chocolate in the low lighting. His expression was concerned, but a hint of his arousal peeked through his firm control. She wished he would kiss her. "I'm better. The two of you saved my life. Thank you."

"Thank God, she's sounding lucid," Eric said into her skin. He pressed a kiss to her shoulder then shifted her onto her back. He ran his thumb over her cheek. His hazel eyes positively glowed. Carrie couldn't look away. "We were worried about you. What happened?"

"I'm so sorry I showed up like that. I had dinner with a client in the city and I had no idea the weather was so much worse here." She looked at their concerned faces and wondered once again why she felt so connected to these men. The three of them barely knew each other. Was it fate? Carrie didn't believe in destiny. Except-- she bit her lip. They kept running into each other. Why did that keep happening? When she finally agreed to a date, she ended up here a day early. And she felt so comfortable with them that she hadn't even blinked when they stripped her down. Of course, she'd been freezing at the time and not thinking clearly. She shook a mental finger at herself. Talk about making too much out of a handful of random coincidences. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, she told herself. Just enjoy it while it lasts.

Eric sighed. "No one had any clue it was going to snow so much. They were predicting a couple inches this morning, not a couple feet."

Zeke laughed. His hair was tousled and evening stubble decorated the strong planes of his jaw. Jesus he's gorgeous, She wanted to run her hands through his hair. Cup his stubbled jaw and kiss him.

"Yeah, we closed up shop early. Didn't even shovel the driveway," he said.

Carrie snorted. "I noticed." She remembered trudging her way through their yard.

"How did you get here anyway? There was no car."

Zeke's smooth, low voice was incredibly sexy. Carrie trembled. She bet he had no idea how he sounded. He pulled the covers up further, probably thinking she was cold. She stared at the hummingbird on his wrist. The brilliant green and ruby ink looked almost real. "My car is out on

Echo Lake Road

, about a mile south of here. I got stuck. They hadn't plowed at all," Carrie explained.

"Where were you going?" Eric asked. He shifted again and Carrie suddenly realized he was still aroused. Every time he moved, the covers brushed up against his cock.

She twitched the sheet and he sucked in a breath. She did it again, pretending to slide it more firmly over her shoulders just to watch him fidget. God. Moisture slid down her thigh at the thought of his erection just inches away from her body. She remembered how it felt tucked against her ass. She stared at him, eyes dancing from his hair to his lips then to the gold studs in his nipples. Oh, wait. He'd asked her a question, hadn't he? She swallowed and forced her lust-dazed brain to function.

"I live in West Milford, so I was on my way home."

Eric lifted his eyebrows. "That's only a few minutes drive from here. Well, in normal weather."

Carrie stifled the urge to run her hands through his hair. "I know."

Eric must have seen the rising lust in her face. His eyes darkened and he leaned closer. Her breath hitched and she couldn't help pulling at the sheet again to make him squirm.

"Carrie, I want to kiss you so badly. You're beautiful." His voice deepened to a low rumble.

He was asking permission? Another drop of moisture slipped from her core and rolled down her thigh. At this rate she was going to make a mess of the bed before anything even happened.

"Yeah, okay," she said thickly. Like she was going to protest? Sensing her need, Eric lowered his head slowly. Too slowly. Carrie slid her fingers into his hair and pulled him down. She licked over his lips. He opened up and let her dip into his mouth. He tasted like mint. She lost herself in the sensuality of the kiss, not even pausing when Zeke's hand slid from her waist down to her pussy. What a clever, clever man. Carrie opened her legs, knowing he'd immediately realize how aroused she was.

"Carrie, my God, you are so wet," Zeke murmured, rubbing his fingers over her labia. She let her thighs fall open further and he slid a finger inside, teasing, before slipping out to play with the hood of her clit. She tore her face away from Eric, panting. Zeke chuckled and continued to torment her, sliding down the bed until his mouth was on her mound, blowing air over her sensitized flesh. He shoved the covers away as she writhed, wanting more, but he continued to gently roll the hood around with his fingers, never enough pressure to do more than drive her insane.

"Zeke, please," she begged.

"Patience," he murmured as he opened her labia with his thumbs. He blew on the exposed bud and she shuddered.

"God, Zeke," Eric rasped. He stared at the juncture of her thighs. She reached for him, hoping to bring him in for a kiss, but Zeke slid a finger over her again and her intent shattered.

"Zeke. You're killing me here." Carrie slung a leg over his shoulder, trying to get him closer.

He chuckled as he pulled back on her clit, exposing the tip. More moisture rolled out of her pussy as she froze, waiting for him to do something.

"You are so lovely," he said then he bent his head.

She felt warm breath for a moment and then he was licking at the tight bundle of nerves, light and quick. She arched her back, seized with pleasure. Eric rolled his arm under her shoulders and sucked on her neck, adding to the unbearable sensations rocketing through her body. Zeke kept lapping at her, the tiny, tight flicks driving her right to the edge before he abruptly pulled back.

"No," she protested, crooking her leg and trying to keep him close. He kissed the inside of her thigh and ducked away. The next thing she knew, Zeke was rolling across the bed to fumble in the nightstand.

Carrie frowned, her pussy throbbing, but Eric kissed her again, so deeply she thought he might be trying to distract her. She let him, drowning in the taste of him. He mouthed down her throat, pausing to lick at the spot he'd sucked earlier, playing with the sensitive skin. What was he doing to her? It felt like a hot wire going from his mouth to her clit, bright and sharp. She clutched at him, but he slipped away to her breasts. She couldn't think. Could barely breathe. She tugged at his hair, but he didn't budge.

"Eric," she whispered, mouth dry. She swallowed, trying again. "Eric."

He looked at her, grinning. "I want to taste you so bad." Carrie's body went molten as he nibbled her nipple. She burned even hotter when Zeke came back and settled between her thighs again. Yes, she thought. Yes, yes, that's exactly where I want you. Eric sucked on her and she twisted, bumping her pussy against Zeke's cock.

He sucked in a breath, hard. He grabbed her legs and widened them until her joints ached. "Is this okay? I need to fuck you," Zeke asked, his legs trembling between hers.

She nodded and Zeke took himself in hand to tease at her entrance. He deliberately slipped around all the most sensitive parts until she growled and grabbed at his hips with her legs. She arched her back and thrust up into him in desperation. His cock slid in all at once and the three of them groaned. Carrie whipped her head back, wondering, then saw Eric was watching where Zeke had his cock inside her body. She flushed, knowing what she must look like. Then Zeke moved and she forgot all about how she was a total slut, putting out before the first date.

"Carrie, Jesus, you feel so fucking good," Zeke said, thrusting in short, sharp bursts. All she could do was hang on. Eric bit at her nipples and she gasped, her climax suddenly dancing all along her spine. Zeke froze.

No, not now, dammit! Her eyes flew open. "I'm going to come, don't stop, don't stop!" Her voice sounded high. Breathy. Eric somehow got his face down between her legs and licked at her clit. Carrie went postal, writhing and bucking as her orgasm flared. Zeke had to hold her hips down so he could fuck into her.

Carrie loved it. She loved being held down like that. Pleasure ripped through her like a flash flood. She rode it, keening and shoving onto Zeke's rock-hard erection, savoring the rough sensation of Eric's stubble scraping at her thighs. Her body spasmed once, twice, three times before she could catch her breath. When her back finally unknotted itself, she sighed, but Eric hadn't stopped playing with her clit. He sucked lightly and she jerked, the over-stimulated zing of his mouth almost too much. Zeke was hard as ever in her pussy, shoving in with long, steady strokes. She petted them both.

Eric lifted his head. "You can have another, Carrie."

"What?" She frowned at him, disbelieving, but then she felt it. Zeke shoved up inside her right at the underside of her clit. Her G-spot? She thought that was a myth. Zeke rocked the thick head of his cock over the spot again and a crackle of heat snapped through her.

"Ah, right there," Eric said, watching her face. Then he bent down and rubbed his stubble over her clit. The pain/pleasure was ridiculous. Carrie might have screamed. Or cried. Another orgasm built in seconds, but this time she hovered on the edge, not falling over. Zeke slowed and pulled out until just the crown was inside. His cock was so hard she could feel it pulsing.

"Zeke?" she gasped. Eric chuckled, mouthing down along his friend's erection. Oh my God, she thought as she watched, feeling her toes curl. So hot. What was Eric doing? He licked at Zeke, then at her, making them both tremble. Then he grabbed Zeke's erection and forced him out of her. She moaned in protest.

"My turn," Eric said, moving away. "Don't you dare come." Carrie didn't know which of them he was commanding. She supposed it didn't matter. Zeke had his eyes tightly closed. He looked like he was going to pop.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

Zeke nodded. When he opened his eyes, Carrie froze. He was so aroused, he looked violent, the brown of them completely swallowed by black. She felt a moment's worry, but then Eric came back, rolling a condom down his own considerable erection. Her mouth watered.

"Oh, we can do that tomorrow," Eric said, reading her mind.

She blushed, wanting to feel him on her tongue then he shoved in without any warning and obliterated any remaining coherent brain cells she had left. She held on as he fucked her like he was crazed. Carrie's climax welled up all over again. She bit her lip, scrabbling at the sheets. Right there. Come on, oh my God--

Eric froze.

Carrie's eyes flew open and she saw Zeke had moved behind Eric. What was he doing? His hands were busy at Eric's ass then he moved in, his thighs forcing Eric's apart.

Holy shit, she thought. Eric grunted and fell over her. His face was part grimace, part ecstasy. Was Zeke doing what she thought he was doing? Whoa. Eric ground his teeth together. The base of his dick jumped against her clit.

"Doesn't that hurt?" she asked, trembling.

Eric shook his head, gasping for air. "No. Yes. Oh my God, Zeke, just fuck me. Stop with the teasing before I fucking kill you."

Zeke chuckled and Eric's body lurched forward. His cock rammed inside her so hard his pubic hair scraped her clit. She shivered, grabbing onto him and Zeke. This teasing was making her insane. She writhed, grinding her pussy against Eric as she hooked a leg around Zeke's hip.

Zeke ran a hand around Eric and shoved it down until a finger tapped her clit. Carrie's thighs trembled, then Zeke shoved into Eric, his movements completely erratic until he got himself under control and began to thrust. His movements drove Eric deeper inside her. All she could do was hold on. Her orgasm hovered just out of reach until Eric's body banged into hers once, twice, and Carrie lost her fucking mind. She bucked as the pleasure ran through her, sparkles painting the inside of her eyelids in glitter. She tried to breathe, but couldn't make her lungs work as the unutterably delicious sensation of two men fucking wildly between her legs stretched out her climax. One minute, two, then three passed as the waves of delicious bliss took over her body.

When she came back to herself, she felt Eric's cock jerk inside her. Zeke let out a groan, long and low, like an animal. Carrie hoped he was okay. Maybe he's just going to pass out. She certainly felt lightheaded enough for it. He panted and collapsed on top of Eric who somehow wasn't smothering her. When Carrie could finally make sense of things, she realized Eric was propped over her on his elbows, face tucked into her neck so the men wouldn't crush her with their combined weight.

"Holy shit," Zeke said reverently.

Carrie giggled. Zeke's arm was still slung around Eric's waist. She could feel him but she couldn't see his face. "Yeah. Ditto."

For some reason both men laughed. Zeke pulled out carefully and Eric shuddered as his spent cock slid from her body. Carrie was grateful she didn't have to do anything but lie there, exhausted.

"I'm not really sorry I barged in on you guys in the middle of the night anymore," she said.

Zeke grinned, grabbing a t-shirt from the floor and wiping gently up her thighs. "Yeah, well, we were never particularly upset about that, honey. Surprised maybe, but not upset."

She smiled. "Still. 2 a.m. is a bit late."

"It's never too late for fucking," Eric declared, settling himself back down against her. She let herself be prodded and moved until she was tucked between the two men. She felt very warm. And very happy. Her heart gave a startled thump. I could very easily fall in love with these two, she thought, just before she drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Six

The sixth time Zeke set eyes on Carrie was when he woke up with her and Eric in bed. Naked. He had a hard-on. For a split second he panicked, his heart banging uncomfortably against his ribs, then Carrie licked over the head of his cock again and all thought fled.

"Relax, Zeke. It's just Carrie," Eric said from somewhere down near the vicinity of his groin. Zeke struggled to open his eyes. When he finally succeeded, no easy feat with Carrie's mouth doing such wicked things, he looked down to see Eric tucked in right next to her, holding his thighs open. When she pulled off to catch her breath, Eric took over. Zeke didn't have a chance. The stimulation was too much. His balls tightened. He reached out to grab onto something, but he couldn't move his arms. Fuck. Eric had tied him up again.

Eric pulled off with a pop. "Easy now, lover. I don't want you ruining your wrists." He smirked. "Again."

Zeke moaned and lifted his hips, hoping they would get the hint. His dick was slick with their saliva, the crown an angry red. He was close to orgasm. Really close.

"Eric, I'm going to kill you," Zeke managed.

Carrie grinned. "Is he always this grumpy in the morning?"

Eric nodded solemnly. "Yup. That's why I try to wake him up with a blow job as often as possible." He leaned down and sucked Zeke's balls into his mouth. Zeke's hips jerked.

When Carrie licked the head of his cock like a lollipop, Zeke heard someone whimper. She sucked him in then bit down lightly. The whimpering turned into a moan. Oh. He was the one making all the noise. He tried to move his legs, hoping to make them suck more consistently, but Eric gripped him too tightly. Goddammit.

"Please," he whispered. Shit. He was such a pussy.

"Please? " Eric asked, pride and a bit of laughter in his voice. "Please what?"

"Fuck." Zeke was having trouble stringing words together. Carrie lightly mouthed around the crown of his cock then played with his sac. He was going to go completely mad. "Please let me come. Please."

Eric smiled. "Sure thing. But not until Carrie comes first."

Zeke struggled in disbelief. "What?"

Eric rolled a condom down Zeke's dick, pinching at the bottom so Zeke couldn't climax. "Just hang in there," he said. Zeke shuddered. Carrie was looking at his body, her face open and happy. He managed to get back a little bit of control.

"Eric said you wouldn't mind," she said, gesturing to the ties.

They were Eric's silk neckties. The ones he almost never wore because getting his lover into a suit was close to impossible. Eric loved his jeans and work boots. Zeke, however, loved those ties. This was what, the third time Eric had tied him up? The fourth? Fuck. He didn't care. "I don't mind," he said. The small crease between Carrie's brows eased. He hadn't even realized she was worried about him until the tension smoothed away. Stupid libido. He couldn't think clearly when his dick was in charge.

"Oh, good," she said. "I mean, it's kind of kinky." She blushed even as her eyes roved over him again. He knew what he looked like: arms tied up over his head, morning stubble, and a raging erection still slick from his lovers' mouths. His erection throbbed at the knowledge that he couldn't get away. He really, really didn't mind being tied up. He flinched as he felt a sting under his balls then moaned at the burning sensation. Eric had pinched him. Goddammit. Eric knew every single one of his buttons.

"Pay attention," Eric said. Zeke nodded automatically. He hoped they could get on with the sex soon before he died from lack of blood flow to his brain.

"Carrie is going to ride you until she comes. You don't get to come. Then I'm going to ride you," Eric explained.

Zeke screwed his eyes shut. How the hell was he going to keep from orgasming?

"If you're wondering how the hell you're going to last through that, don't. You will. I have confidence in you," Eric said, a hint of amusement in his voice as he rolled a condom down Zeke's length.

Zeke counted square roots in an effort to control himself but when Carrie climbed over his body and settled her hot pussy over his cock, the numbers he couldn't really remember anyway scattered. Her gorgeous boobs were right there in front of him and he couldn't touch. Dammit.

"Carrie, fuck me. Put me inside your lovely pussy. I want you so much," he managed. Her nipples were hard little points, pink and pert. Eric crawled up behind her and massaged them with his fingers, plucking them until she writhed. Zeke was desperate to get his cock in her. "God, Eric," he muttered, thrusting his hips up. His cock slid against her clit. She was so swollen that he could feel it through the condom. She whimpered and he did it again until Eric forced his legs down.

"Stay still."

"Eric, you're killing me here," Zeke growled.

Eric smiled and urged Carrie up. He grabbed Zeke's cock and aimed it right for her core. Gently, so gently, she sank down. Zeke sighed as her heat engulfed him.

"Does that feel good?" Eric asked her. Zeke watched her nod. Eric massaged her nipples.

"This will feel even better then," Eric said. He slid one hand down and toyed with her clit. Because they'd so thoughtfully propped Zeke's head under some pillows before they woke him up, he could see everything they did. Her clit was a plump red button, slick and pretty. Eric rubbed his finger over it, making her squirm.

"Are you close?" Eric asked her.

She nodded. Zeke hoped she was close. They weren't fucking, but the sensation of her inner muscles clenching around him in pleasure drew him closer to orgasm. Suddenly, she stiffened and her body pulsed around his dick as she climaxed. She moaned and threw her head back and forth, but Eric had her clamped down tight on top of Zeke, left arm around her waist while his right hand fingered her. When she finally went limp, her juices trickled down Zeke's thigh. God, she was hot. Eric lifted her off Zeke's aching shaft and she fell onto the bed, snuggling into Zeke.

"My turn," Eric rasped. Zeke's cock jumped without anyone even touching it. He stared at it in disbelief.

Eric smiled and reached down to Carrie's pussy. "Do you mind?" he asked her. She shook her head and Eric sopped up her moisture with his fingers before going to his knees. Zeke's arousal surged even higher when Eric fingered himself. He knew what that felt like. He knew how hot Eric must be inside. His cock leaped again. When Eric inserted two fingers, Zeke swallowed.

Eric smirked. "Like what you see?"

Zeke nodded and licked his lips. Eric straddled him and grabbed Zeke's cock, aiming it at his tiny hole. "Ok, hang on," Eric murmured as he fucked himself down slowly. Zeke groaned at the hot-tight-wet sensation. It felt like his dick was clamped in a vise.

"That looks difficult," Carrie said. She sat up, trailing her fingers down Zeke's chest.

"It takes some getting used to, but it feels amazing," Eric managed. Sweat had broken out on his forehead.

"What happens if I suck you while you're doing that?" Carrie asked.

Eric froze. "If you do that, I will have officially died and gone to heaven."

Carrie smiled and Zeke's blood burned at the expression. She delicately tapped her fingers on the end of Eric's cock. Pre-come welled from the tip. She brought her thumb to her mouth and licked experimentally.

"I like the way you taste. So sweet," she said.

Zeke clenched his fists around the ties. Was that a rip he heard? He wasn't sure he cared. Eric was almost fully down. When Carrie leaned over and sucked Eric's prick into her mouth, Zeke's brain short-circuited. This was possibly the most erotic thing he'd ever experienced. The softness of her breasts pressed on his abdomen as she sucked. Eric trembled on top of him. Zeke flexed an arm and one of the ties broke. Zeke grabbed hold of Eric's hip with his right hand and thrust, hitting Eric's sweet spot with each push inside.

"Zeke, Jesus," Eric gasped.

Zeke clenched his teeth grimly and kept moving. His orgasm loomed over him like an avalanche. He fucked harder, pulling on the remaining tie, trying to get his arm loose. Carrie had her hand wrapped around Eric's cock, letting just the crown shove into her mouth with his movements. She had her teeth out and Zeke knew Eric was feeling the scrape of them with every thrust. Somehow Zeke managed to get his knees up and he lifted Eric, pushing into him with hard slaps. When Carrie snaked her free hand down to play with herself, Zeke lost it. He arched his back, grunting as his hips continued to move. Eric shuddered and clenched around Zeke's cock so hard his orgasm paused in mid-spasm. Carrie jacked Eric, directing his spunk onto Zeke's chest. When Eric finally relaxed, Zeke's climax roared up again and he panted, the pleasure indescribable. It felt so good it hurt. Carrie was making these adorable mewling noises and Zeke had just enough awareness left to realize she was coming again, too.

A long minute later, Eric gently unrolled the condom clinging to Zeke's softened cock and discarded it. Then he reached up and untied Zeke's left wrist, rubbing at the red chafe marks. "Dammit, Zeke. I told you not to struggle so hard."

Zeke stared at his lover in disbelief. He tried to say something and failed. He cleared his throat and tried again, this time managing to form actual words. "Are you insane? How the hell was I supposed to not yank on the ties?" It's a good thing we have such a sturdy bed, he thought, glancing at the steel and wood headboard. If they hadn't made it themselves it would be in splinters.

Carrie grinned and tucked herself up against his side again. "You guys are incredible. I'm spoiled forever."

Zeke's spine prickled. He glanced at Eric. Did she mean it? He hoped so. He wanted her to stay. So did Eric. Both men were both completely okay with the idea of Carrie joining them for life. A peculiar mix of fear, satisfaction, and love welled up in the vicinity of his heart. Zeke recognized the sensation because he'd felt the exact same thing the first time he and Eric had admitted their feelings for each other.

"Yeah, well, we were kind of hoping you'd like to stay." Zeke's voice cracked as he tried to put everything he felt in those few words. How the hell is it possible to fall in love so fast? He darted a glance at Eric, but his friend was still looking a bit shell-shocked.

Carrie leaned in for a kiss but paused before she got halfway there. "Were you two expecting company?"

"What? In this weather? No. Did you hear something?" Eric frowned and rolled out of bed.

"I thought I heard a door."

Zeke thought he had, too. "Only a few people have keys to the house."

Carrie slid out of bed and hunted around on the floor for her clothes. Zeke was afraid to tell her she was shit out of luck. Her stuff was still downstairs.

Eric unearthed his pajama pants and pulled them on. "I'll go down and see." He threw Zeke's flannel bottoms at his face. "Find something for Carrie to wear, would you?" He walked out of the room and into the bathroom.

Zeke nodded, standing up and pulling on his sleepwear. He walked over to the dresser and hunted up his smallest pair of sweatpants, a set of clean boxers and a t-shirt. He brought them over to Carrie.

She took them, looking confused. "Where are my clothes?"

Zeke grinned sheepishly. "Um. Downstairs. Remember? They were soaked through from the snow."

Carrie sighed. "They're probably still on the floor then, right?"

Zeke nodded. He could hear Eric brushing his teeth.

"That means whoever has just walked into your house couldn't miss them."

"Shit," Eric said from the doorway, toothbrush in his mouth. He'd put on a shirt, a soft grey jersey. He looked great for having just rolled out of bed. He turned and tossed the toothbrush into the sink. "Maybe I'd better get down there." He strode through the bedroom and opened the door to the hall, running straight into a female's small fist, raised to knock on the door.

Zeke groaned and dropped his head in his hands. Sherry, his sixteen-year-old sister stood in the doorway, mouth gaping as she stared at Zeke's naked chest and Carrie's naked everything.

****

"Hey guys, for future reference, I would prefer to meet your family members with clothes on," Carrie snarked as she brought her coffee to her lips.

"Um, yeah. Me, too," Zeke said as he ran a hand down her back. He was sitting next to her at the kitchen table while Eric fried eggs for their breakfast. His mother sat across the table from them, sipping the coffee Eric made for her. Zeke wished he could go hide in his room like he used to when he was a little boy. His mother had the look on her face that said, "You're in trouble." Zeke sighed, cringing inside. He didn't have the energy to deal with family drama. He just wanted to eat breakfast and wallow in the afterglow of some truly spectacular sex.

"Me, three," Eric said with feeling, waving his spatula. Zeke winced as a piece of egg fell on the floor. Eric, catching his look, rolled his eyes and cleaned it up.

"It wasn't fun for me either," Sherry said, leaning back against the counter. She avoided Carrie's gaze. The window behind her framed a beautiful winter scene: thick snow-covered trees sparkling in the morning sunlight. It was calm and serene, the exact opposite of the emotions riding high in the kitchen. "I could totally have done without seeing my brother in the buff."

"I had pajamas on," Zeke cut in.

"They were barely clinging, dude. I so did not want an image of your happy trail in my head," Sherry retorted.

Their mother choked. Zeke considered crawling under the kitchen table. Happy trail? Did that mean what he thought it did? The thought of his sister staring at the hair near his groin made his stomach roll. He hunched his shoulders. Why, oh why, did his mom think it was a good idea to come visiting with his sister and Eric's mother, Josie, today of all days?

Across the kitchen, Josie stood near the back door, arms crossed uncomfortably over her chest. As far as Zeke could tell, she wasn't feeling any better about his and Eric's dating situation, even though a week had passed. He wasn't sure he was up to explaining about Carrie.

"So, Mom, you sure you don't want anything to eat?" Eric asked as he divided up the scrambled eggs onto plates. Zeke watched her shake her head, lips pursed. He had the inane thought that if she kept up the sour look, her face would freeze that way. He stifled a highly inappropriate chuckle, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

Carrie caught his unease and pasted a bright smile on her face. She turned to his sister and Zeke winced under his mask of calm. "So, Zeke tells me you're his younger sister, Sherry. We didn't have a chance for introductions. I'm Carrie Haake." Sherry stared at her for a long moment and Zeke mentally urged his sister to chill. There had to be some sort of sibling voodoo he could use, right? He chanced a glance at her face. Yeah, no. Sherry wasn't playing.

"Are you a sophomore in high school? Junior?" Carrie bravely carried on.

Sherry stared at her a moment longer then opened her mouth just as Eric leaned over them with the food. Zeke watched her narrow her eyes at his friend. Uh oh.

"Are you dating Eric?" Sherry asked.

Shit. Eric flinched. Zeke winced as the food-laden plates clattered onto the table. He grabbed one and passed it to Carrie who was struggling to come up with a reply. How would anyone answer that question? He imagined her saying something snarky like, "Oh yeah, I was planning on dating Eric, and your brother too, by the way, but we kinda jumped to the sex part first." Zeke felt a headache surfacing. That wasn't going to fly with Sherry. His sister had an enormous crush on Eric. Zeke glanced at his mother, hoping for some help.

His mother sighed and offered her hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm Mary Griffin, Zeke's mom."

Carrie smiled, clearly relieved. "Carrie. It's nice to meet you too. I can see where Zeke gets his lovely eyes."

Zeke fought back a blush as his mom wrinkled her nose. "Yeah, well, his dad had brown eyes, too," she said flatly. Crap. His mother wasn't happy either. She was just making nice so everyone would get along. He frowned at her, but she avoided his look. "Did you know that Eric and Zeke are dating?" she asked Carrie.

"Mom!" Zeke protested, choking on a bite of egg. Eric's mother looked like she wanted to spit, but Zeke's mom gazed at him innocently, ignoring her friend.

"What? That's what you told me last week."

Zeke sighed and put his fork down. "Yeah, that's true."

Carrie jumped in, probably hoping to deflect an argument. "Yes, I knew, Mrs. Griffin."

Zeke's mom pursed her lips, but before she could say anything, Sherry interrupted. "If you knew, then why were you in their bed. Naked?" She practically hissed the last word. Zeke sent a "run away" look to Eric, but his lover shook his head minutely and dropped heavily into the chair next to Carrie. Brave man.

Carrie blushed and forged ahead. "Well, my car got stuck on

Echo Lake Road
in last night's storm. I knew Eric and Zeke lived here, so I hiked through the snow, hoping they could help. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was slipping into hypothermia."

Eric chimed in finally. "We had to get her out of her wet things and warmed up."

"You had to get naked to do that?" Sherry asked, her voice sharp. Zeke sensed the hurt beneath her bitchiness. He'd known this moment would come ever since he realized she had a thing for Eric, almost two years ago now.

"The best way to bring someone's body temperature up is to share body heat," Josie said. Zeke stared at her in surprise. She was defending Eric now? The woman who hadn't spoken to her son in a week when she found out he was in a relationship with a man? He frowned as she continued. "You don't want to bring up the temperature too fast though. If the cold blood in the extremities hits the heart, it can be dangerous. Sharing body heat is the most efficient and safest way to help someone if you can't get them to a hospital." She eyed Carrie speculatively. "Usually stripping down to the underwear is sufficient, however."

Zeke's chest hurt when he realized what was going on. The only reason Josie was talking was because she hoped Eric would fall for Carrie instead of Zeke. Problem was, Eric was falling for Carrie, it's just he wasn't also falling out of love with Zeke. He glanced at his friend. Eric looked haunted. Zeke didn't know what to do. Carrie looked from him to Eric, then at their mothers and Sherry. She opened her mouth and shut it again. The undercurrents swirling in the room were deadly. He didn't blame her for keeping quiet.

"Eric, where did you meet Carrie?" Josie asked.

Zeke wondered how she missed the part where he was naked with Carrie, too. Probably willful blindness. She just didn't want to picture her son Eric in bed with another man.

"We met her on the beach. Then at MoMA," Eric answered, warily.

"Then we met her at the hospital, when Eric cut himself," Zeke explained, voice neutral.

"And then I brought a client by, to see some of their work," Carrie explained. "That was last week."

"And you thought you'd pop by in the middle of the night? Sounds like you barely know each other," Sherry said.

Zeke didn't know how to explain the attraction he and Eric felt for Carrie. How every time they ran into each other, it felt like the universe was nudging them. He took a deep breath, about to at least try and explain when Carrie suddenly jumped up from her chair.

"You know, I've got to get going." She hurried over to the bag of her wet clothes and pulled out her boots. "The snow is already melting."

Zeke frowned and pushed away from the table. Can this get any more awkward? "Hang on, we'll drive you to your car."

Carrie shook her head. "No, no, I'll be fine. Look, they already plowed the roads and the snow is melting fast. I could use the fresh air." She had her boots on and was slinging her purse over her shoulder before he could catch her. She picked up the plastic bag with her wet clothes and walked away so quickly Zeke couldn't figure out what just happened.

"Carrie, we can drive you, just wait a second," Eric called after her. He looked for his boots, but they weren't near the door like usual. Zeke vaguely remembered sticking them in the laundry room last night so they'd dry out faster.

"Seriously. I'll be fine." She moved through the kitchen to the living room then paused at the front door. "I really appreciate all you did for me. Really."

Zeke hurried after her, but she had the door unlocked and open before he even got out of the kitchen. Near the front door he saw her hesitate and grab a worn business card out of the bowl on the side table. What the--?

"Goodbye, Zeke. Eric," she said, a wistful note in her voice then she was gone.

Eric stumbled out of the laundry room with his boots on and his coat buttoned askew. He saw the front door was closed and yanked it back open. He stepped onto the porch. "Carrie! Wait!"

Zeke joined him, shivering as his bare feet touched the melting snow. "Eric. She's gone." He'd watched her run down the driveway like a bat out of hell. There was no way they'd catch her. Their truck was still piled under the snow and neither of them was dressed.

"Shit!" Eric yelled then spun around. "Why'd you let her go?"

"What did you want me to do, tie her up?" Zeke said, pissed.

"If necessary," Eric snapped.

Zeke looked at him for a long moment.

"All right. Fine," Eric said, backing down and stomping back inside. He kicked off his boots, ignoring the stares of the three women who'd followed them to the living room.

"She wanted to go, Eric," Zeke said, shutting the front door behind him. His heart hurt. This situation was a total clusterfuck. First Josie, my mom, and Sherry show up out of the blue and then Carrie spooks and run. Not that I blame her, after the way the women treated her. He shook his head. He just wanted to go back to bed. Preferably with Eric. He tried not to think about the card Carrie took when she left. That card had her number on it. Clearly she didn't want them contacting her again.

"Yeah, whatever." Eric rubbed his face and turned to his mother. "Thanks a lot, Mom."

She glared. "I didn't do a damn thing, Eric. You're the one who ran her off. She probably knows better than to take up with a man who likes other men."

Zeke's mouth dropped open. Did she just say that out loud? He watched Eric's face pale but before he could say a word Sherry started yelling. "You're a bigot, Mrs. Wright. And you're talking about my brother too, in case you've forgotten!"

Wait, now she was defending them? "Sherry, don't bother. Just--" He struggled for words and failed. "Just don't."

"No, you don't, Zeke. I'm not a child. I may not like the fact that you're dating Eric, but it's not because I hate gay people!"

Josie's face turned pink. "Don't talk to me like that, young woman. You don't know a thing about it."

"I know a helluva lot more than you do, Mrs. Wright. One of my best friends is gay. And he's a perfectly normal person. So is Eric, not that you can see that."

"It's unnatural," Josie said.

Zeke moved closer to Eric, wishing he could stop this train wreck.

"Enough, both of you," Zeke's mom interjected. She sounded tired. "Josie, I thought you were going to at least try to understand." She turned from her friend to her daughter. "And you, Sherry, show Mrs. Wright some respect. She didn't grow up like you. It's hard for her to get used to this." She waved her hand at Zeke and Eric.

"You don't have any problem with it, Mom," Sherry said.

Zeke's mom sighed. "I did, a little." Sherry gasped, and Zeke could tell from the look on her face that she was furious, but before she could open her mouth again, Zeke's mom continued. "Then I remembered how much I loved Eric like my own son. And I remembered how much I love Zeke." She sent him a smile. "And I realized it just doesn't matter. I'm going to love them both no matter what they do. And they're not fundamentally different now than they were three weeks ago. Not really."

Josie shook her head. "Yes, they are."

Zeke couldn't think of a damn thing to say. He shifted closer to Eric and leaned on him. Eric slipped his hand into Zeke's.

"No, not really. Eric is still your son. Zeke is still mine. They still live together. Just because they share a little bit more with each other now doesn't change that."

Josie's shoulders slumped and for the first time Zeke felt a hint of pity for her. She was really struggling with this.

"I'll try. I know I promised to try," she said.

Zeke's mom smiled and hugged her friend. "That's all we can ask for." She straightened and looked at Zeke and Eric. "We should get out of your hair, too. I've gotta get to work, even if it's just for half the day."

Sherry grimaced. "Yeah, I thought we'd get the whole day off school, but nope."

Josie nodded, grabbing her coat from the stair banister where she'd tossed it. Then she stiffened. "What about that woman? Carrie. What was she really doing here?"

"Mom, she was freezing," Eric said, dodging the question.

Zeke watched Josie grit her teeth and nod. She knew what was going on, but she wasn't going to make an issue of it, at least not right now. He let out the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.

"All right. I'll see you Sunday for dinner?" Josie asked Eric.

Zeke froze. That was a peace offering. Would Eric take it?

"Yeah. I'd like that, Mom. See you Sunday." Eric's voice was quiet.

Zeke exhaled.

"You too, Zeke," Josie said.

Zeke nodded, relief filling him. He'd been part of their Sunday dinners for as long as he could remember.

"All right, it's time for us to go," Zeke's mom said. She walked over and gave Zeke a hug. "I'll see you later."

Zeke hugged her back. "Okay."

"Later, bro," Sherry punched him in the arm. She stopped in front of Eric. "You too. Bro." She punched him as well. Zeke smiled. His sister was trying, too. Despite her disappointment, she was trying.

"Bye, Eric. Zeke," Josie said, slipping her coat on. She didn't hug anyone, but then Zeke didn't expect her to. Eric held the door and the three women left. It felt like the end of a long day and it was only mid-morning. Zeke sighed and rubbed his eyes. His gaze fell on the bowl near the door. He fingered through the keys and spare change, crumpling up a receipt when he didn't find what he was looking for. He hoped he'd been wrong.

"What?" Eric asked, coming to stand next to him.

"Carrie took her card out of the bowl. Unless you programmed her number into your cell?" Eric shook his head and Zeke continued grimly. "Well, we no longer have Carrie's number. She took it back."

He and Eric stood there, looking at the piece of pottery. When Eric's hand suddenly shot out, knocking it to the floor, Zeke didn't even flinch.

Chapter Seven

The seventh time Carrie ran into Zeke and Eric, she was pissed off at herself. And completely mortified. Scared of her feelings for them. She'd been trying to avoid them for the past few weeks and mostly succeeded, but they lived in the same small town. She was bound to run into them sooner or later. Sure, work took her into the city a lot, but there was only one grocery store. Truthfully, she'd been waiting for it to happen. She was a fool for running out on them. For snatching her card. It was a stupid thing to do. The day after the storm, she'd told her sister about what happened and Olivia had been shocked.

"You what?Both of them? At the same time?" Olivia asked a few days after the snowstorm. Chocolate ice cream dripped down her chin.

Carrie handed her sister a napkin as she thought about how to explain what happened. They were sitting in an ice cream shop in the mall. Carrie really needed someone to talk to so she'd persuaded their mom to babysit Olivia's kids for the day and dragged her sister out shopping.

"How does that even work?" Olivia asked, cocking her head as if trying to visualize things.

Carrie blushed. "That's not the important part."

"Oh, yes it is. I want details."

"Olivia! It wasn't hard," Carrie said, getting irritated. Olivia broke down in hysterical laughter as Carrie rolled her eyes. "Seriously, I need your help." Olivia eventually pulled herself together and Carrie explained about Eric and Zeke's families. How awkward she'd felt that morning.

"I really like them, but they already have so much to deal with. Eric's mom was really, really angry. I could see it. It hurt him, a lot."

Olivia licked her ice cream cone thoughtfully. "So you just left? I thought you were supposed to go on a date with them the night after?"

"I took my number back. They don't know where I live exactly. We were supposed to meet at their place, but I called and left a message saying I couldn't make it. And I know Zeke saw me take the card. He knew I didn't want them to try and find me. So they didn't," Carrie explained. She felt horrible about the whole thing.

"So, let me get this straight. Two hot guys save your life. You sleep with them. Along comes their moms and you skip out because you're a total loser even though fate dumped you in their laps how many times? Three? Four? Have I got it right?"

"You're not helping." Carrie rubbed her face. "That morning was weird. I mean, why do they even want to date me anyway? They've got each other."

Olivia sighed. "I don't know. Did you ever think of calling one of them? Asking? And why can't you just pick one? Does it have to be both at the same time?"

Carrie shook her head. "You didn't see them together. They're like a matched set. I can't even imagine one without the other."

"You know, explaining that to Mom might be a little tricky."

Carrie pounced. "Exactly! They couldn't even explain it to their families when it was just the two of them. Being gay is no big deal for you or me, but go one generation back and people get really uptight. How would we explain a threesome?" She took a deep breath, trying to keep from crying. "Impossible."

Olivia bit her lip, then reached over and grasped Carrie's hand. "Whoa. You don't even know them that well."

"I do, though. I don't know how to explain it. We met all those times just by chance. I know that they take care of each other and own a business together. They make gorgeous furniture and art. I know that they're polite and gallant. And reliable. I know that they love their families. And they can cook." Carrie swallowed and looked at her sister, willing her to understand. "How much more do I need to know?"

"I guess you're right. It's just..." Olivia broke off, but Carrie knew what she was thinking.

"Yeah, I know. Falling in love with two guys at once isn't exactly the smart thing to do."

"Are you in love with them? Or is it just lust?"

Carrie looked down and away. Her sister could always read her mind. "Sure, I fell in lust with them almost immediately. They're gorgeous. But after all the other times we crashed into each other, I grew attracted to the inside, too. You should have seen how good Zeke was when Eric cut himself. How gentle they were with me when I banged on their door at 2 a.m."

Olivia wiped her lips with a napkin and sat back. "Okay, so why did you run out of there like that then? It's not like snatching the card will keep them from finding out where you live. They know you're an interior designer and they know your last name. They can look you up."

Carrie fell silent for a moment. Did she really want to explain why she ran? They'd always been able to tell each other anything, but Carrie was embarrassed. She'd acted like a bitch. Dammit. She took a deep breath and spilled. "I was scared. They're so amazing and I just felt overwhelmed. And then Eric's mom was horrible and Zeke's sister started picking at him and I panicked."

Olivia chewed on her lip. Carrie knew her sister was thinking and forced herself to wait.

"You could call them," Olivia finally said. "If they're as nice as you say they are, I'm sure they'd understand."

Carrie felt the panic start to claw at her again. "No! No, I don't want to do that. They probably hate me anyway. I ran out on them, after they saved me. No."

Olivia sighed. "Okay. You don't have to make any decisions today. Just think about it." Olivia poked at the hand Carrie had fisted around a napkin. "I don't think I've ever seen you this torn up about a man before. Clearly these two mean something. You should just take your time with it."

"There's still the threesome thing."

"Well, if what you feel is real, isn't it worth it?" Olivia's face tightened. "I fell in love with Rob knowing his job would take him overseas a lot, but he was worth the risk. Your risks with these two men are different, but when someone special falls into your life, you've gotta grab on with both hands."

--------------------------------

Ironically, Zeke and Eric showed up just as she stopped in front of the contraceptives.

"Thinking of us?" Zeke said in her ear.

Carrie jumped. Holy shit he's like a ninja. She glanced at the condoms on display. The universe was definitely trying to tell her something.

"Zeke." Carrie forced herself to turn around, a pool of shame burning in her gut. She was such a loser. Why didn't she call them? If she had, she wouldn't be stuck in this awkward situation. "Um, I didn't see you. Or hear you." Eric was right behind Zeke. "Eric, hi." Her voice squeaked embarrassingly high.

Oh my God, I am so lame. She remembered what her sister said. You gotta grab on with both hands. "I'm so sorry I didn't call." She squared her shoulders. "I got a bit freaked out." Zeke wasn't smiling, but he didn't seem angry. Eric still looked a little hurt.

"Yeah, that morning was kind of rough." Zeke ran a hand through his hair.

Carrie didn't know what to say. She looked around. An old lady stared at them from the toothpaste section. This wasn't the right place to talk, anyway. Carrie stepped back intending to shove her cart to the side. Instead she crashed into a bunch of boxes, obliterating the display. Crap. She looked down. Five cartons of Extra Large Ribbed For Her Pleasure were strewn all over the floor. "I am such an idiot," she muttered, crouching down.

Unfortunately, Eric squatted at the same time and their heads smacked together. Carrie lost her balance and landed on her ass. Her hand came down on one of the boxes, crushing it. She felt little ringed packets under her palm and snatched it away, flushing. She banged into Eric again. "Ow, shit. I'm so sorry." She rubbed her forehead. When she looked up, Eric sat across the aisle from her, laughing. Her pussy gave an interested throb as the memory of the night she'd spent with Eric and Zeke flashed through her mind. God. "What's so funny?" Carrie was mortified.

"Do you realize that we've run into each other seven times now? And this time we somehow ended up right in the middle of a pile of condoms?" He chuckled, shaking his head. "Someone's trying to tell us something. It's karma."

"That's what my sister said," Carrie muttered as Zeke's hand dipped in front of her nose. She grabbed it and let him pull her to her feet. "Thanks."

"What about me?" Eric joked. Zeke rolled his eyes and helped him up, too.

Carrie picked up the boxes and set them back on their hooks. What was she going to say? How to explain? She eyed Eric as he stood near her cart, watching her. She remembered how kind he was. How his sense of humor never let Zeke's tendency toward seriousness slip into depression. Zeke stood next to Eric, his hand on Eric's waist. Clearly they were comfortable with each other, even in public. She thought about Zeke's calm, how every once in a while his mischievous side came out. Did she really want to give all that up? No, she thought. She didn't. She really, really didn't.

"This isn't the best place to talk," she said, biting her lip. She felt terrible. "But I really want you to know that I'm sorry. I screwed up. I shouldn't have run like that."

Zeke looked at her speculatively. "I know that morning would've sent anyone running. Hell, I wanted to run and I live there. If you're willing to give us a second chance, would you like to go to lunch with us?"

Carrie bit her lip then nodded. She could explain better and hopefully they would forgive her. She eyed the crushed condom package in her hand. It stared up at her accusingly and she felt even guiltier. She'd smashed the memory of an amazing night with her cowardice.

"Screw that," Eric said sharply. "I don't want to eat lunch."

Carrie's stomach twisted and her eyes darted to Eric's face. He was no longer smiling. In fact, he looked downright forbidding. Her fingers smooshed the last abused condom box even more. What happened? He'd just been laughing. Teasing her. Why was he suddenly angry? She'd really hoped he would at least let her apologize. He took one step toward her, then another before abruptly grabbing her hips and jerking her against his hard body. Carrie gasped as his erection pressed into her abdomen. What the hell? What was he doing? Before she could take another breath, he kissed her. In the middle of the store. Next to the condoms. Holy shit. The old lady down the aisle was certainly getting an eyeful along with her denture cream.

Carrie's head fell back under the onslaught of his mouth. What else could she do? As soon as he touched her, heat sparked up her spine. She felt dizzy. Overwhelmed. Too much emotional whipsawing in the past few minutes, she thought dimly. Eric licked inside her mouth then bit her lip, growling. Carrie sucked in some desperately needed air as Eric kissed her again. A stab of lust pierced her core and moisture gathered in her pussy, wetting her panties. Her bra itched. She couldn't stand up by herself anymore. When Eric nibbled down the side of her neck, she whimpered.

"Eric, not here," Zeke hissed. Carrie felt someone tugging at her arm and eventually realized it was Zeke trying to get Eric to stop. He failed. Eric swung her around and pinned her against the intimate products display, right next to Zeke. Bottles of lube went flying. Her head spun. She watched Zeke watching them. He was hard. Carrie clearly saw the outline of his cock against his black jeans. She wanted to touch, but Eric kissed her again, hitching her up on his thigh. Zeke grabbed Eric's arm, but he still couldn't do a damn thing to stop what was happening. Carrie wasn't sure she wanted it to stop.

"Eric. Eric, the manager is coming." Zeke said, his voice low and strained. Eric slowly eased Carrie down his leg. She shuddered as the seam of her jeans scraped against her clit. She swallowed, trying to straighten her top. How the hell had she let this happen? She tried to shove her libido back into its neat little box, but it kept spilling out, like boobs stuffed into a too-small bra. Carrie bit her lip, hard, hoping the pain would help. She ended up leaning against Zeke so she wouldn't fall down.

"Yeah, okay, we need to get the hell out of here," Eric said, adjusting his erection. Carrie eyed his groin. Whatever he thought he was doing didn't help. His cock stood out in full display against the soft fabric of his worn jeans.

Carrie forced her eyes away and grabbed her cart. Should she even bother with it? She only had a pack of crackers and some oranges in it. And the crushed box of condoms. "Fuck it," she muttered. She didn't need food that bad. She'd order pizza for dinner. She met Zeke's eyes boldly. "Come on." She grabbed Eric's hand and dragged him to the door, ignoring the indignant look of the middle-aged manager as they passed him. She didn't really care. It's too busy here, she thought, heading for the doors. Once they were outside, she pulled Eric over to her car and pushed him up against it. "This is all your fault," she said then kissed him.

He groaned and let her ravage his mouth.

"Guys, Jesus," Zeke said. Carrie tore herself away and attacked Zeke, swinging him up against Eric. His muffled protest faded as soon as she got her hands on his ass, so delectable beneath his leather jacket. She kissed him until he gave in, leaning against Eric and sliding his hands into her hair. She rubbed against his hard-on, wishing they were somewhere private. She wrenched away, panting.

"Okay, at this rate I'm going to come in my fucking pants," Eric said. He pulled out his keys and shoved at Zeke. "Get in the truck." Zeke blinked then obeyed.

Carrie laughed when she realized their truck was parked right next to her car.

"Did you know this is my car?" she asked, then shook her head. "Of course not. You never saw my car. The day I brought Daniela to see your furniture we were in her BMW." Was it a coincidence they'd pulled in right next to her? Did she care? Carrie could take a hint, especially when it was parked directly in front of her.

"Get in." Eric held open the door to the extended cab. "I know it's a squeeze, but we're not going far."

Carrie did as he said. They could always drop her off back here later. She looked around but didn't see anyone who might be watching so she climbed in and dropped her purse next to the toolbox on the seat. Her feet were squashed on top of some sort of tool. "What the hell is this?"

"It's a router. Here, just shove it over," Eric reached in and pushed it to the side so she could rest her feet on the floor. Carrie put her seatbelt on and closed her eyes. The sense of rightness she felt grew stronger.

"I'm really sorry," she said again once Eric got in the driver's seat.

"Carrie. Enough. You don't have to explain." Zeke twisted around in his seat.

"Yes, I do." Carrie rubbed her eyes. "You don't understand."

Eric laughed. "Actually, I think we do understand. My mother is insane."

Carrie sighed. "It wasn't just that." She grinned. "Although, between your mom and Zeke's sister, I was a bit scared. If looks could kill--"

Zeke rolled his eyes. "Oh come on, Sherry is like, sixteen. You're afraid of a sixteen-year old?"

"Haven't you ever heard the expression 'mean girls'?" Carrie snorted.

"Sherry is not a mean girl. She's just a little confused right now," Eric said, pulling out of the parking lot. He put the heat on full-blast, chasing the chill out of the truck. Carrie didn't need it. She was still so aroused she was sweating beneath her coat.

"She had a bit of a wake-up call," Zeke explained. "She has a crush on Eric. When she discovered that Eric and I were together, she kind of flipped out."

"I'm guessing that having me show up in your bedroom naked wasn't particularly helpful then?" Carrie asked.

"She's starting to come around." Zeke said, his tone dry. "It was bound to happen sometime."

Carrie smiled wryly, remembering what it was like to be sixteen. "If it's any consolation, I can barely remember who I had a crush on when I was that age."

"Liar," Eric interjected. Carrie squirmed. "Oh, come on, everyone remembers their first crush."

"Yeah, I can still remember Billy's ass," Zeke said, his voice light.

"What?" Eric's voice rose. "Are you telling me that your first crush was on a guy?"

Zeke laughed. "I'm bi, remember? Considering where your dick was this morning, you oughta know."

Even from the back seat Carrie could tell Eric was rolling his eyes.

"Surely you remember Billy Diyann. He was on the football team?" Zeke asked Eric. Carrie sat back, enjoying the way Zeke needled Eric. Their bickering amused her and she wasn't afraid to admit it.

"Oh, my God, you had a crush on the quarterback? That's so lame, man. So lame." Eric turned left and headed down a rural lane. Carrie frowned. This road led to a state forest. In the middle of February the only people who came here were hunters and mountain bikers.

"Dude, come on. Remember his ass? It was gorgeous." Zeke grinned at Carrie and she couldn't help but return it.

"I certainly do not remember his ass. My first crush was on Cindy Mitchel. She had the most incredible ta-tas. Yummy." Eric mimed squeezing something with his free hand as he sighed theatrically.

"Wait, you mean Billy's girlfriend? The cheerleader? You had a crush on my crush's girlfriend? That's just wrong. So wrong in so many ways." Zeke chuckled as he shook his head. "We are so fucking weird."

Carrie laughed. "You guys are kidding, right?"

"Nope, not kidding. Her boobs were beautiful." Eric pulled into an empty lot under the trees and put the truck into park. He unbuckled his seatbelt and turned around. "Of course, they weren't as perfect as yours are." He leered at Carrie.

Carrie blushed. "Um, I'm not quite sure what to say to that."

"You don't have to say anything. Just take off your coat. And your shirt." Zeke undid his belt. "Oh, and your pants, too."

He wasn't serious, was he? Carrie smiled at his antics until he leaned over the seat and touched his fingers to her lips. They tingled. A pang of regret slid through her. Why had she run again? These men were kind and intelligent and funny. Not to mention sexy as hell. She licked at Zeke's fingers then sat back, slowly undoing her coat.

"I shouldn't have run away like that. I shouldn't have taken my card." Carrie looked at Zeke. "I know you saw me take it. I knew you'd know that meant I didn't want you to call."

"Carrie, we get it. Stop beating yourself up over it," Eric said.

"I was a coward. I hate that."

Eric sighed and rubbed his face. "Look. That morning was pretty hairy. I'd just had the most awesome sex of my life and then my mom and Zeke's mom and sister showed up, all judgmental and shit. Sherry knocked on the bedroom door! If that isn't traumatic, I don't know what is. I wasn't at my best either. And you know, we could have tracked you down. We had your name. Hell, we had Daniela's name and number. It would've been easy to find you."

Carrie didn't know whether to be hurt or relieved.

Zeke continued where Eric left off. "We spent the last couple weeks hashing things out with our moms." He glanced at Eric. "And my sister, too. My mom is fine with everything. Sherry is growing up. And Eric's mom is--"

"My mom is still being an idiot." Eric stretched his neck. Carrie winced as she heard his spine crack. "But I'm not going to let my mother dictate who I can and can't fall in love with."

"Adding a woman to your gay love affair is hardly going to make it easier on your mom," Carrie said, only half-joking.

Eric burst out laughing. "My 'gay love affair?' Where did you come up with that one?"

Zeke grinned. "It has a certain ring to it. Like a tragic-comedy."

"Oh, stop it, you know what I mean," Carrie retorted. She felt a smile tug at her lips. "Seriously. That's going to be a tough one to swallow."

"I really don't give a fuck," Eric said, sobering. "I want you. And I don't want to give up Zeke to have you. Conveniently, he wants both of us. If you're willing to jump in the water, we're willing to catch you. Imagine the waves we can ride together." He waved his hand, miming surfing on a wave.

Carrie remembered their first meeting, when she'd lost her bathing suit top. She remembered what it felt like to have both of them inside her. What it was like to make love with them. Dammit. She was going to do this. She let her shoulders relax and Zeke broke into a smile that lit up his face. She looked at Eric. He looked back seriously.

"My mother doesn't rule my life. I love her, yeah, and it'll suck if she doesn't come around, but that doesn't change how I feel about you and Zeke. The heart wants what it wants." Eric smiled and the last vestiges of Carrie's fear broke into pieces and floated away.

"Yeah, okay," she said, voice thick. Her heart felt like crying and laughing at the same time, but her body decided it would rather make-out. She crawled over the back of the seat, trying to get to them. She ended up sprawled over Zeke's lap trying to kiss him while Eric shifted along the bench seat and grabbed her hips.

"Enough talking. Yeah, good plan," Zeke mumbled around her lips. "I can deal with that." He kissed her and she melted against him, moaning when he moved down her chin to nibble on her collarbone. "Eric, did you shut the truck off?"

"Yeah, don't worry about it," she heard Eric say. Someone unbuttoned her coat the rest of the way and stripped it off, tossing it in the back seat.

"Lovely scarf. Blue is my favorite color," Zeke said, pulling it away from her neck. He flipped it away and slid his hands under her sweater.

Carrie writhed against his warm palms. He felt so good. She wanted to be naked. Even worse, she wanted them to be naked. This squirming around on the front seat of a truck was really frustrating.

"Easy honey, let us take care of you," Eric said, unzipping her jeans. She let him pull off her boots and ease the denim over her legs while Zeke took off her sweater.

"Maybe we should go to my place. Or yours," she gasped as Eric palmed over her pussy. The blue fabric was damp and clung to her. Her underwear was definitely in the way. "Or maybe not."

"Too fucking far away," Zeke muttered, holding her arms. "Eric, get this bra unhooked."

Eric obeyed, biting his lip when her breasts tumbled free. "God, you're so damn beautiful, Carrie." He sucked one of her nipples into his mouth. She arched her back as his tongue danced over the aching point.

"More. Please." Carrie tried to maneuver him between her legs. She needed someone to touch her clit. She pulled a hand away to do it herself, but Zeke held her tight.

"Uh uh, none of that. Let us make love to you," Zeke said, mouthing down over her neck. He bit down on her collarbone and Carrie whimpered. His teeth stung, but that only added to the overload of pleasure. Eric moved on to her other breast, nipping at her nipple until it was rosy. When he popped his mouth off, it stood out from her boob in protest.

"God," Zeke muttered, looking. "Eric, get her panties off."

"Yeah, already heading that way."

Eric eased the scrap of silk down. Zeke held her against his body, trapping her hands in his. The two men still had all their clothes on. Not fair. She was about to complain when Eric put one of her legs on the dash and the other over the back of the seat. Carrie flushed. She was naked in the front of a truck for God's sake. What the hell am I doing? she thought, struggling, then Eric dipped his head down and licked her pussy, lingering on the tight bud of her clit. Her thoughts scattered as the pleasure burst over her nerve endings. Her hips arched up, trying to get closer. Eric pulled away, grinning, then his thumbs eased in over her labia, gently parting her so his tongue could get to all the best places.

"Easy, I've got you," Zeke murmured in her ear and she clenched her fingers over his. His cock pushed against her ass, but he made no move to open his pants or even take off his coat. She tried to tell him what she wanted but her thoughts scattered when Eric started sucking on her. He eased one finger inside, then another, teasing her right up to the edge of orgasm. When she was about to come, he drew back and she groaned in protest.

"Eric, don't you dare stop!" Carrie forced her eyes open only to find him frantically shedding his coat. Her body throbbed in approval. Yes, yes, hurry up! She shoved the mental command at him, hoping it would make him undress faster. Eric flung his coat over the seat then opened his jeans and pulled out his erection. Carrie's hips twitched in frustration. "Don't make me wait," she threatened. He tossed her a grin as he leaned in and slapped the thick head of his dick over her pussy. She jumped as sparks flared from her clit to her toes.

"You're so fucking hot, Carrie. I want you so bad. I didn't get to fuck you last time and I've been dreaming about it. About how you'd feel," Eric said, coating himself in her juices. When he was finally wet enough, he stopped playing and shoved inside in one forceful thrust. Her back bowed in shock and pleasure. "I'm sorry, I can't hold back," he grunted, thrusting again.

Carrie nodded agreement. She couldn't speak. He was so thick she felt every single vein as he forced himself into her body. Carrie attempted to help, but Zeke was still holding her down and Eric had his hands clamped on her hips. She couldn't move. She couldn't do anything except moan and bite her lips. Eric trembled for a split second then started fucking inside her, little sharp thrusts, barely pulling out at all.

"Feels so good," he said as Carrie wrapped her legs around him. It wasn't until she hovered on the edge of climax once again that she realized he'd forgotten to use a condom. So had she. The sensation of his naked cock inside her pussy was so smooth, so hot and wet, she wasn't sure she cared. She felt her body seize up as he fucked her, then her orgasm took over and she gasped, clenching her eyes shut against the nearly unbearable sensation. Delicious. Erotic. So fucking hot.

Eric sensed her peak and fucked faster and harder, hitting her clit with his body, drawing out the pleasure. She relaxed into his thrusts and his hips stuttered. His cock jumped against her womb and his body went rigid. Carrie held him with her legs, savoring the sensation of his hot breath in her ear. His cock pulsed as he grunted and came, semen jetting into her in sweet, molten waves.

When he finished, he collapsed. Zeke was still holding her hands. Carrie knew he hadn't come. She also knew he wanted to, desperately.

"What are you waiting for?" she asked, breathless.

Eric shifted up and off her, his softening cock sliding out. "Yeah, Zeke, what are you waiting for?" he teased hoarsely.

Zeke hauled her up and handed her to Eric, who'd propped himself up against the door. She almost fell down the seat, but Eric caught her and pulled her over him, her front against his, thighs splayed. Her elbow jammed against the steering wheel as moisture trickled down her thigh. She could feel his half-hard cock against her mound.

"Yeah, that's perfect. Just like that Carrie. Eric, hold her up," Zeke rasped. He unbuttoned his jeans with a quick jerk. She knew he still had his coat on and she opened her mouth to tell him to take it off, but then Zeke knelt over her, hands sliding across her ass. Oh. She opened her thighs wider for him, but there was no need. Zeke was already nudging the head of his erection at her pussy.

"Shit, that was so fucking hot. Watching him fuck you made me almost come in my pants. His spunk is in your pussy right now," Zeke muttered frantically. He positioned himself and started rocking, his cock penetrating her swollen tissues little by little. Carrie was shocked when she felt her body tighten with arousal all over again. Eric saw it on her face and smiled at her.

"Yeah, that's it, Carrie. Let him in. Open up and let Zeke fuck you." Eric slid a finger across her mouth then dipped his thumb inside. Carrie sucked on it, reveling in the sensation of being penetrated from both ends. When Zeke finally fucked all the way in, Carrie bit down on Eric's finger. He grinned and let her gnaw.

"You like that, don't you? You like knowing that you're completely naked and Zeke isn't. Anyone could see in through the windows," Eric said. Carrie forced her eyes open and looked outside the truck. The windows were a little steamy, but she could still see the gravel parking lot. The trees. The other truck parked at the end of the clearing. Wait, the other truck?

"There's someone out there!" she managed to gasp.

Zeke kept fucking her, sliding his hands over her ass and up her spine. "Yeah, they pulled in when Eric was inside you."

"Oh, my God. They're going to see us!" Carrie struggled a little, but the sensation of his erection was so divine she couldn't make herself move. He was really good at this. He had a way of thrusting in and twisting his hips that made her crazy. She didn't want him to stop. She groaned as her clit gave a tingle. Anyone could see them.

"I don't think they'd mind watching us," Eric said, kissing her. He drew back. "They'd see a gorgeous woman and her lover getting it on. They'd be jealous. They'd wish they could have you. Fuck your beautiful body. Touch your delicious tits." Eric palmed over her nipples and she shuddered, another orgasm suddenly creeping up on her.

"You're going to come again, aren't you?" Eric murmured. "I can see it in your face."

Zeke fucked her harder, his balls slapping at her clit. She trembled. If Eric hadn't been holding her up, she never would've been able to stay on the seat.

Suddenly, Zeke froze, his cock half-in, half-out of her body.

"What's wrong? God, don't stop now," she whispered. Her pussy clenched around him.

Zeke grabbed her hips. "Hunters. They're looking this way." He stayed perfectly still, breathing heavily. "Ok, they're getting in their truck."

"Oh, shit," Carrie said. She looked up out the driver's side window and sure enough there were three men dressed in coveralls and orange vests. They had bows with them. "Did they see us?"

"Dunno. I can't see them from this direction," Eric said.

Zeke gripped her hard then twisted his hips, sliding his cock back inside. "I think they did but I don't care right now."

He fucked in and out, putting that delicious twist on it again and that was it. Carrie's orgasm ripped through her. Her lungs seized up and her whole body screwed itself further onto Zeke's cock. He obliged, fucking her so fast she worried they'd both end up on the floor. Happily Eric held them firmly as Zeke climaxed, his cock jerking. When he finally relaxed over her back, Carrie wondered when he and Eric would realize they'd all forgotten the condoms.Too late now.

"Whoa, fuck me sideways, that was incredible," Zeke breathed, sliding out.

Carrie smiled wryly. "That's my line, I think."

Eric huffed a laugh then handed her some tissues. "No need to be sexist. I like getting fucked too."

Carrie rolled her eyes at him. "Thanks." She dabbed at the mess on her legs. Getting dressed was going to suck. "Did the hunters leave?"

Zeke stuffed his still somewhat-hard cock back into his jeans. "Yeah. I think one of them gave me a thumbs up as they drove away."

"Oh, my God," Carrie said, blushing furiously. "Neither of you will ever, ever mention this again. Ever."

"Are you kidding me? I'm going to be bringing this up all the time. All. The. Time. You were hot like a fire, baby." Eric's eyes twinkled. "I think public sex should definitely be on our to-do list in the future."

"Oh, my God," Carrie muttered again, trying to get her legs into her panties. "You suck, Eric. You totally suck."

He helped her with her underwear then her jeans. "Well, yeah. I do. And I'm good at it."

"And you said I was lame," Zeke joked. He held her bra up and Carrie put it on, letting him hook it closed. There was no way she'd have been able to get dressed in the small space without help.

"I hope they weren't locals," Carrie said.

"Um, I think I know the one guy." Zeke flinched when Carrie glared at him. "Or maybe not!"

"I hate to be a downer, but did either of you notice that we forgot the condoms?" Carrie said when she'd finally got herself mostly put back together. Eric looked at Zeke who muttered a curse then sighed.

"Yeah, we noticed. Afterwards." He looked embarrassed. "We're both really sorry. If you're worried about STDs, we're clean."

Carrie rubbed her face, trying to hide her grin. Both men looked increasingly uneasy. "I'm clean, too." She paused, drawing it out. They glanced at each other, a dozen separate emotions chasing across their faces from dismay to worry to a sort of twisted hope. Hmm, how long should I make them suffer? she wondered. When Eric's face grew pale enough she thought vomiting was imminent, she let them off the hook. "I'm also on birth control."

Eric let out his breath. "Jesus. You sure know how to freak a guy out, Carrie."

She grinned. "Serves you right. Neither of you even thought about it, am I right?"

Zeke shrugged sheepishly. "Well, Eric and I are monogamous." Carrie narrowed her eyes at him. "You know what I mean! I meant we're exclusive. Well, except for you. Now we're exclusive with you."

Eric cracked up. "Smooth, Zeke. So smooth. Why don't we try asking her if she'll go out with us first? Did we even manage a date yet? No. No we didn't."

Carrie smiled. They were adorable. "I'll go out with you."

Zeke whooped and kissed her while Eric hugged them both tightly. Carrie relaxed into their arms. She figured she might as well give it a shot. How hard could it be, dating both of them? Two guys meant double the fun, right?

Chapter Eight

How hard could it be? You idiot, Carrie berated herself. The answer was very. Very hard. The eighth time she met up with Eric and Zeke, they were finally going out to dinner together. Unfortunately, she doubted whether they'd even get to the restaurant.

"Zeke, stop it." She swatted at his hand as she stood in front of the mirror that hung above her dresser. Zeke was lifting up her red dress, trying to palm her ass. "Seriously. We are never going to get out of here if you don't cut it out."

"Carrie, you look delicious. I'm not hungry for food anymore." Zeke slid his hands up her thighs again.

Carrie missed her earlobe and poked herself in the neck with her earring. "Zeke!"

"Okay, okay, sorry," he said, backing off.

Eric leaned against the door watching them. "Why do you think I'm all the way over here, Zeke? You have to keep your distance from her or the lust takes over. It's like being a vampire. Cannot control the hunger," Eric intoned in a fake-creepy voice. Carrie grinned. Zeke stalked over to Eric who straightened up in alarm. "Hey, keep your distance from me, too."

Zeke kissed his lover. Eric resisted for a moment then caved and kissed him back before shoving away. He walked to her bed and plopped down. "Zeke, stay away. If we start touching each other we're going to end up christening Carrie's girly bed instead of eating dinner." He leaned back on her purple comforter, looking strangely yummy in the midst of her frilly pillows. His masculine beauty was perfectly framed by the lace and jewel colors. Carrie stared at him, earring dangling from her fingers.

"Carrie! Not you, too! Focus," Eric snapped his fingers at her.

"Yeah, ok. I'm hurrying." She stuck the diamond drop in her ear and slipped on high-heeled boots. "How do I look?" She twirled around. She hoped they liked her outfit: her favorite red dress with a black scarf and high black boots. The dress was clingy and long-sleeved. It wasn't low, but the fabric highlighted her curves perfectly. And she loved her boots. The black leather made her feel sexy and confident.

"You look gorgeous enough to eat," Zeke said. He walked over to her again.

She backed away slowly. "Zeke--"

"What?" He smiled at her and her heart melted. She let him kiss her softly on the lips. Delicious. He smelled like cinnamon. Her stomach growled.

"I'm hungry," she murmured against his mouth.

"Okay, okay, I'll be good." Zeke offered her his arm and she followed him down the two flights of stairs to the main floor. Her townhouse was sandwiched between her sister's and another neighbor. The living space spanned four levels with the kitchen on the main floor, the bedroom on the top floor, and her living room and office on the bottom two levels. Running up and down all the stairs helped keep her in shape, or at least that's what she told herself when she blew off gym night. She locked the front door behind her and waved to her nephew playing in the front yard. He'd managed a small snowman with the remains of the snow from the freak storm several weeks ago.

"Bye, Aunt Carrie!" the boy called.

"See you tomorrow, Scott!" She followed Eric and Zeke to their truck, blushing as she slid into the middle of the front seat. She remembered all too well her complete lapse of modesty the day before.

"Don't worry about it. No one could see anything except the steamy windows," Eric said, reading her mind as he climbed into the passenger's seat. He patted her on the knee.

"Yeah, right," she muttered as Zeke started the engine and pulled out of her short driveway. "Even if they didn't see anything, they might know whose truck it is. And they certainly knew what was going on inside, even if they couldn't see anything."

"Who cares?" Zeke said nonchalantly. "I don't. I'm not ashamed."

"Brave words."

Zeke shrugged. "My mom knows. So does my sister. Eric's mom is coming around." He glanced at her then focused back on the road. "Are your sister and mom upset?"

Carrie shook her head, thinking about the phone conversation she'd had with her mom the night before. Carrie's mother was concerned but not judgmental. Her mom had always been cool with her decisions. Her sister Olivia was okay with it, too. "No, they're okay with it. When did your mother chill out?" Carrie turned to Eric.

He sighed. "I called her again last night and we talked. She's not happy and she doesn't really understand, but we've always been so close as a family, she's willing to try." He laughed. "My dad, of all people, was the one to talk her around."

"Your dad? Why is that weird?"

Eric was still smiling. "He's the original tough guy, you know? He's a veteran, worked as an electrician his whole life. He was the last person I thought would understand, but he's always been good about letting me make my own decisions."

"Your dad was always easygoing, Eric," Zeke offered.

Eric was silent for a minute then shrugged. "Yeah. You're right, I guess. My mom was the one who ruled the roost and my dad usually went along with her, but he always stuck up for us when she freaked out over the crazy stuff we did."

"Yeah, like the time we tied all those firecrackers together to see what would happen. Or the time we snuck out to the city when we were supposed to be helping him build that deck." Zeke laughed at Carrie's expression. "Oh, we got in trouble when we were teens, no doubt about it."

"Remember how she lost it when I got my nipples pierced?" Eric laughed.

"Yeah. She even freaked out over my tattoo." Zeke turned his wrist over, driving with his left hand. Carrie traced a finger over the hummingbird.

"Why a hummingbird?"

Eric sounded like he was choking and Carrie swung her head around to look at him. He was stifling laughter. "What?"

"Just tell her Eric," Zeke sighed.

"It was a dare. He lost a bet with me and that was the girliest tattoo I could come up with when I was young, drunk, and stupid. Little did I know that the ladies were going to love it so much. Zeke got more dates from flashing that stupid tattoo over the years than you'd ever believe."

"What was the bet?" Carrie asked.

Zeke snorted. "I bet him he wouldn't kiss a guy at one of our college fundraising things. Some fraternity had set up a kissing booth and was selling kisses for charity."

Carrie giggled. "But, you both like guys. I don't understand how that could backfire?"

Zeke grinned. "Well, remember that neither of us knew the other was bi until recently? So, Eric gets up there and before anyone knows what's going to happen, he plants a big smack on the dude in the booth. Dude loses it and punches Eric in the nose." He shook his head. "All hell broke out. Knowing Eric, I really should have known better. He'd kiss anything, dead or alive."

"Hey!" Eric protested.

Carrie smiled, thinking back to her high school years. "I didn't do anything like that. I studied and took myself off to college where I studied some more. Most of my dates were disasters."

"I promise, this one won't be a disaster." Eric patted her leg again.

****

Next time I'm going to keep my fucking mouth shut, Eric thought, staring at Zeke's long-estranged father looming over them at the dinner table. 'This one won't be a disaster' my ass. What the fuck? Why does the asshole show up tonight of all nights?

"Dad, please, I'm trying to have a nice dinner here," Zeke said, voice tight.

Eric sensed Carrie's worry.

"I thought they were fucking kidding me when they told me they'd seen your truck at the park, but no. John and Stan were serious! You were fucking around with your fag friend in public!" Zeke's dad spit the words at him.

Eric clenched his fist around his napkin, trying to figure out how to diffuse the situation. His growing anger wasn't helping. Zeke's dad had walked out on his family fifteen years ago. Zeke had only seen him sporadically since them, and the visits usually didn't go well. Eric snorted quietly to himself. What an understatement. Zeke hated his dad with a seething malice for what the man had done to his mother and little sister. He'd even changed his last name to his mother's maiden name: Griffin.

Eric despised the man too, had disliked him since the day they'd met, even though he was just a kid in middle school at the time. Zeke's father was a mean, bigoted asshole. He didn't get custody of Zeke or Sherry in the divorce because he had a history of drinking. And skipping town without notice. He also liked to punch the closest family member when he was on one of his binges. Eric hated him, especially after the time Zeke showed up at school with a shiner on his face.

"Zeke, what the fuck are you doing? I didn't raise no faggot!" Ted Williams said loudly. Eric could tell he'd been drinking. His eyes were glassy.

"You didn't raise me at all!" Zeke replied, finally raising his voice.

Uh oh. He's getting angry, Eric thought, throwing his napkin on the table. He had to intervene before Zeke did something rash, like hit the man in the middle of a nice restaurant. Already the other guests were starting to realize something was happening.

"Mr. Williams, we'd appreciate it if you'd leave. We don't want any trouble," Eric said.

"I'm not leaving until Zeke tells me what the fuck he thought he was doing!"

Eric glanced at Carrie and saw her nod imperceptibly. He knew what she was thinking. "Mr. Williams, let me introduce Carrie Haake, Zeke's girlfriend."

Carrie smiled tightly. "Hello."

Eric had to admit she was good at the fake courtesy thing. Zeke shot them a disbelieving glance and Eric shook his head, warning Zeke to go along with it. If convincing Zeke's asshole father that Carrie was Zeke's girlfriend convinced the man to go away, he'd take that chance and run with it.

"Oh, please, you're not fooling anyone with that story." Zeke's dad leaned closer, ignoring Carrie. "The two of you have been living together for years." He shoved his finger in Eric's face.

"You know what? This is stupid," Zeke declared. He pushed away from the table and stood up.

Crap, Eric thought. His eyes met Carrie's alarmed gaze. Now what? He watched her carefully slide her wineglass away from Zeke and his dad.

"You've probably been fucking each other since high school," Zeke's dad sneered. He wasn't backing down.

Eric carefully stood up, using his body to shield Carrie from the crazy fucker.

"Dad, okay, you're right. Eric and I are lovers. Carrie is our girlfriend. I don't really give a damn what you think. You need to leave. Now." Zeke moved closer to Eric. A stab of lust rushed through Eric when he saw the determined look on Zeke's. Zeke was sexy as hell when he was angry. Even so, now is not the time, Eric told his libido. It didn't listen. His cock twitched. Dammit.

Zeke's dad looked like his head was about to explode. "You, you ungrateful fucking fag. This is the thanks I get for feeding you and putting clothes on your back--"

"Oh, for God's sake. Mom was the one who raised me and fed us all. Get over yourself," Zeke retorted.

Shit, Eric thought. That did it.

Zeke's dad's face turned bright red. He swung an arm, probably intending to catch Zeke in the head. Fat chance, Eric thought spitefully. Zeke easily caught his father's fist in his hand, twisting the older man's wrist until his elbow stuck out painfully.

"You had your chance, Dad, and you blew it."

"Fuck you! I hope you rot in hell!" Zeke's dad shouted, wrenching his arm away. He kicked at a chair. It flew over, knocking into Carrie's leg. She cried out, more surprised than hurt, Eric saw, but Zeke lost it. He grabbed his father by the arm and wrenched it up behind his back. The older man moaned, struggling, but Zeke was younger, stronger, and pissed off.

"Time to go," Zeke said, marching his father to the door. The manager of the restaurant had just shown up and Eric knew by the look on his face they weren't going to get to finish their meal.

"I'm sorry, but I have to ask you to leave," the manager said.

Carrie frowned, looking from the manager to Zeke walking out the door. "It wasn't our fault."

"Nevertheless, this establishment is known for its quiet and discreet service. We can't afford to let altercations upset our guests." The manager looked like he'd swallowed a bone as he gestured at Eric and Carrie. "Please. I'll be happy to refund your meal."

"We didn't even eat our meal yet," Carrie exclaimed. "We certainly didn't pay yet."

"Nevertheless." The manager didn't budge.

Eric debated the merits of protesting until he heard shouting from outside. He and Carrie took one look at each other then Eric grabbed their jackets and headed for the exit with Carrie right behind him. Screw the so-called refund. The manager could kiss his ass if he wanted them to pay. "That sounds like Zeke."

"Yeah," Carrie said, shoving her arms into her coat. "What the hell? Zeke's father is horrible."

Eric nodded as he ran for the door. "Zeke's dad has always been a giant dick," he told her. Damn this place. He couldn't see outside because the restaurant had no windows. It was built into the basement of an old house and they had to run up a half a flight of stairs to get out.

"That sucks," Carrie said.

He shrugged. It was true. Finally, he thought as they reached the top. He wrenched open the door and froze. "Shit!"

A large man had Zeke's arms pinned back while his father punched him in the gut. A third stood close by, a tire iron ready in his hands. Rage washed over Eric and he rushed forward, kicking Zeke's dad in the knee. The man went down, howling, but Zeke was still struggling with the man holding his arms. The fucker was huge. And where was the third guy? Eric spun around just in time to see the tire iron come up over his head. Carrie! He thought, desperate to protect her. He lunged and everything went black.

****

"So, is this going to be a habit? Hanging out in hospitals?" Carrie asked as soon as Eric opened his eyes. His head hurt. A lot.

"What happened?" Eric asked. Or rather, tried to ask. His head felt like it had been on the losing end of a fight with a tire iron. Oh. Wait. He winced as a particularly loud beep penetrated his aching skull. The cuff on his arm tightened for a moment, then relaxed.

"Well, you saved Zeke," Carrie said.

Eric forced open his eyes. The light hurt. He was lying on a hospital bed with a saline drip in his forearm and a blood pressure cuff on his bicep. "Shit."

"Yup. Except for the part where Zeke is really grateful to you saving his life, this whole experience has been shit. For both of you. He's next door getting his face sewn back together." Carrie shifted in her chair and stood, then leaned down and kissed his cheek gently. Fuck. Even that hurt.

"I have to tell them you're awake." She smiled and walked out of the room.

He heard Zeke cursing through the curtain on his right.

"Zeke? You okay over there?" Eric yelled then winced. The sound of his own voice made his head feel like it was going to split open. He thought he might throw up, too, just to round out the overall experience of shittiness.

"Eric? You're awake? Hey, careful! I'm going to need that lip, you crazy doctor."

Eric grinned to himself. Zeke was going to be okay. "We're in the hospital. Again."

"No shit, Sherlock. My fucking asshole father shows up out of nowhere, whattya know. So much for restraining orders. I'm just happy he didn't hurt Carrie," Zeke called back. His words sounded a little muffled.

"What happened?" Eric wanted to know what happened after he got clocked. The curtain between the trauma bays flew back. Eric looked at Zeke. He sat on his bed, shirt off. He had some pretty massive bruising on his ribs and a shallow cut on his face that went from mid-cheek down to his lip on the left. It didn't look too bad, thankfully.

"If you're going to have a conversation, might as well do it face to face," a youngish doctor said as he dropped a pair of forceps on a tray and let go of the curtain. He looked at Zeke, touching fingers to his chin and holding his face to the light. "Looks good. You should heal up no problem. Might have some scarring though."

Zeke shrugged. "I've had worse."

The doctor's professionally cheerful face darkened. "Yeah, well. Let's try not to be a repeat customer here." He strode out of the room just as Carrie came back with another doctor in tow, an older woman.

"What's his problem?" Eric asked her.

The new doctor grimaced. "Somebody put grape juice in his Wheaties this morning."

Eric grinned as she walked over to his bed. The doctor touched his forehead with her palm then pulled out a penlight. "I see you're awake and reasonably coherent. Good. The concussion isn't too bad. We already had you in for a scan and your skull is fine. No swelling. You can go home with your friends tonight as long as you promise to take it easy."

Eric grunted, suddenly exhausted. He wanted details about what happened. Carrie read his irritation correctly and touched his arm comfortingly while the doctor checked his vitals.

"Are you still nauseous?" the doctor asked.

Eric shook his head. "No."

The doctor smiled. "Good. The antiemetic we gave you is working."

He nodded then looked at Carrie. "What the hell happened?"

"After the third guy hit you with the iron, you went down like a sack of potatoes. Zeke went berserk and heaved the guy holding him over his head. It was amazing. He had to be at least a hundred pounds heavier than Zeke. I got the guy swinging the iron with my pepper spray. Then the cops showed up and hauled them off. End of story."

Eric stared at her in disbelief. Pepper spray? Seriously? She took down a man swinging a tire iron with pepper spray? "What did the police say?"

She shrugged. "They asked me and Zeke a lot of questions while we waited for the ambulance. Turns out Zeke's dad has been in and out of the county jail a bunch of times this past year. Public drunkenness. Thankfully the cops believed us, not him and his cronies."

"Jesus," Eric breathed.

"Yeah. My dad is a real piece of work," Zeke chimed in.

"So much for our date." Eric wished he could hit something, preferably Zeke's dad. Multiple times. Hard.

"At least you don't have to stay in the hospital," Carrie said with forced cheer. "I get to take the two of you home tonight. Lucky me."

"The cops didn't say anything about us making out at the park?"

Carrie blushed, glancing at the doctor. "Um, they didn't believe Zeke's dad."

The doctor looked at them curiously. "The three of you were on a date? Together?"

Eric looked at the woman and decided to just come out with it. "Yeah. The three of us are dating each other." He was tired of hiding it, worrying about who was going to freak out and who wasn't. Let everyone just deal with it.

The doctor frowned, confused. "How does that work? Do you take turns or something?"

Carrie laughed, her face still pink. "No. We kind of just wing it." Eric wanted to laugh at the expression on the doctor's face, but he knew it would probably hurt. Carrie took pity on the doctor. "Zeke and Eric are bisexual and I'm just really lucky."

The doctor grinned. "You must have a lot of energy."

Carrie smiled. "When I get tired, these two can keep each other occupied."

The doctor's eyes widened in surprise but she recovered quickly. She shook her head and tucked her stethoscope in her jacket pocket. "Well, except for the mild concussion, you look to be in excellent health, Mr. Wright. I'll get your discharge papers and you can head home."

"What about me?" Zeke called as she headed out of the room.

"Oh, Dr. Gilbert has your paperwork done already. He's just waiting on the printout."

Carrie looked at Eric. Eric looked at Zeke. They burst out laughing, Eric wincing in between guffaws. Goddamn his head hurt.

"Did you see her face?" Carrie wheezed.

"Yeah. That was awesome. Almost as awesome as Eric taking down my dad with one kick." Zeke smiled and grimaced then smiled again. Eric knew the cut near his mouth probably hurt, even with the anesthetic.

"That wasn't as cool as Carrie taking down that other guy with her tiny can of pepper spray. And I missed it," Eric complained.

Zeke grinned again. "You should have seen her! She was great. I was kind of busy trying not to throw up at the time, so I let her do all the work."

Eric rolled his eyes and immediately wished he hadn't. His head still ached like a bitch.

"It was nothing," Carrie said bashfully.

"It was awesome," Zeke insisted. "That was a helluva risk you took."

She shrugged. "Someone once told me that some people are worth the risk. You've gotta grab on with both hands if you want to be happy." She looked at Zeke, then at Eric, her face serious. "The two of you make me happy."

Chapter Nine

The ninth time Zeke set eyes on Carrie, she was standing in the front doorway of her townhouse. A strange mixture of anticipation and nervousness slid through Zeke and he shifted closer to Eric as the door swung open into the hall. Carrie looked beautiful. Zeke hoped that this time they'd actually get to eat without interruption.

"Hey, ready for some dinner?" she asked, stepping back to let them in.

"You bet." Zeke smiled and followed her into her foyer.

"I'm looking forward to it," Eric said, right behind Zeke.

"You both look a lot better," she remarked, taking their coats and hanging them in the closet.

Zeke shrugged. "We're fast healers."

"Still, it's only been a couple days and already your cut looks mostly closed up." Carrie cupped his cheek.

"Hey, what about me?" Eric asked.

Zeke grinned under her hand as she rolled her eyes.

"Your head is so hard, I had no doubt you'd be fine," she said, her voice light.

Eric laughed and kissed her on her temple, lingering. "It's a good thing you're cute."

"Or what?" Carrie retorted as she leaned into him.

"Don't listen to him, he's a moron," Zeke said.

"You're the moron." Eric swatted him and stepped back, laughing.

"Come on. Dinner's waiting." Carrie tugged at their arms and led them downstairs to the living room. She had take-out Thai arranged on the coffee table. "So, do you think we can manage a date without injury or interruption if we hide out here? I promise, I didn't tell anyone you were coming over."

"God, I hope so," Zeke muttered, dropping down onto her sofa. He sighed, letting his tired body sink into the soft brown fabric. "I love your couch, by the way. I think I want to make love to it."

"Um, I'm right here, you know. You don't have to settle for the sofa." Carrie laughed.

"And what about me? I'm here, too." Eric dropped down next to Zeke, leaning over and kissing him.

He smelled good and Zeke let himself relax into Eric's affection for a moment before leaning back and smiling, touched. "I'm so sorry about my dad."

Carrie sighed. "Stop apologizing. I'm sorry I freaked out after the snowstorm. I hate that I let my fear win but we can't do anything about it now except move on. I'm willing to bet Eric is sorry about his mom, too."

Eric nodded. "Though she is coming around. She was pretty upset when she found out what Zeke's dad did. I think my concussion and Zeke's cut made everything very real very fast for her."

"Nothing like a little violence to bring a family together," Zeke quipped. Carrie and Eric looked at him sympathetically. He sighed. "My dad is never going to accept me. He's never going to see the two of you like I do."

"Oh, Zeke," Carrie touched his hand.

"No, it's okay. I knew that. He abandoned us years ago. I don't want anything from him except to be left alone."

Eric pulled Zeke into a strong hug and Zeke absorbed his lover's comfort with gratitude. He knew Eric and Carrie didn't care if his dad was a loser.

"At least your mom and Sherry are okay with everything." Carrie toyed with her drink.

Zeke nodded. "Yeah. They're good people. I'm lucky to have them. And you." He smiled and grabbed one of the cartons of Pad Thai. "I'm hungry. Let's eat. I want to get to the date part of the night. Enough with all this melodrama. I feel like I'm in a soap opera or something."

Eric grinned. "You bet."

****

A half hour later, Zeke helped Carrie throw away the last of the empty cartons. "That was really nice," he said, dropping his empty cup in the garbage.

"Yeah," Carrie replied, smiling at him as she leaned against the kitchen counter.

"Where did you find such good Thai?"

She smiled, her beautiful eyes sparkling. "I took a chance and called a new place. It was worth it."

"What was worth a chance?" Eric asked, coming into the kitchen. He tossed his carton in the trash.

"The new restaurant I ordered dinner from tonight," Carrie explained.

"Oh," Eric said.

Zeke knew Eric was confused. "'Oh.' That's it?" Zeke teased.

Eric flushed and ran a hand through his hair. He looked gorgeous like that, tousled and a little flustered. "I thought you were talking about something else."

"You thought we were talking about you." Zeke walked forward and pressed his body into his lover. Eric relaxed against the counter and Zeke leaned in.

"Maybe." Eric sighed as Zeke kissed his chin. Zeke smiled and settled into Eric's solid body, kissing over his jaw. Everything had been so stressful lately. He felt a sudden urge to mark him. And Carrie too, make certain they knew how serious he was about them. So many chance meetings. So many misunderstandings. At last they were here, in her place, and what were they doing? Making small talk over dinner. His cock hardened as Eric's warmth penetrated Zeke's jeans. He closed his teeth over Eric's neck and sucked, suddenly desperate. His lover shivered.

"Zeke?" Carrie whispered from the left.

Zeke let go of Eric, looking with satisfaction at the hickey blooming on his neck. He turned to Carrie and swept her up against his body, shoving her against Eric who grabbed her hips. Zeke trusted Eric to hold her up.

"I feel like I'm going crazy," he said into the side of her mouth. She lifted her hands and wound them around his neck.

"Why? We've got you," she said.

Zeke laughed. They had him? No, he had them. Right where he wanted. He rutted up against her hipbones, making sure to press her into Eric's erection. They both quivered and Zeke's cock leapt. Look what I do to them. So hot. He rolled his hips some more. " I've got you, right here, right now, and it's perfect," Zeke muttered, kissing her. Her mouth opened to him, beautifully pliant. He ignored the anxiety that kept surfacing in his gut, no matter how often he pushed it down. The thing with his Dad kept floating into his head and he couldn't get rid of it. Dammit. He kissed Carrie deeper, licking inside as if he could lose himself there.

"Zeke, what's going on?" Eric asked. He lifted one of his hands off Carrie's hips and touched Zeke's face.

"I want you." Zeke couldn't figure out any other way to put it. "I've got to have you."

"You do. You can," Carrie murmured, kissing along his jaw. She moved back to his mouth. "You have us anyway you want. Whenever you want." She sank her teeth into his lower lip, biting until it stung, then laved the spot with her tongue.

Zeke shuddered as the stitches on his face pulled a bit then he tore at her shirt, buttons flying everywhere. Her creamy skin beckoned to him, her breasts plump and gorgeous behind the scrap of black lace that was her bra.

"Whoa, man, we don't have to do this here," Eric said, trying to stop Zeke's frantic haste.

"Yes, we do." Zeke shook off Eric's hands and pulled down Carrie's skirt, the filmy red fabric floating to the floor like a petal. He tore away her panties then went for Eric's t-shirt. "Off. Take this off."

Eric stared at him for a moment, desire and confusion warring on his face then he took off his shirt, exposing his muscled chest to Zeke's eyes. He stared, fascinated as always by Eric's nipple rings. He reached up and flicked one, smiling as Eric's mouth opened on a soundless moan.

"Come on, Zeke," Carrie said. She stepped away. How did she get loose? He thought Eric had her. But no, she was walking down the stairs naked. Zeke started after her.

When he got to the bottom, he found her lying on the couch, one leg up on the cushions, one leg on the floor. Her pussy was already wet. She'd taken off her bra. Suddenly, Zeke couldn't breathe.

"Come on, Zeke. Don't stop there." Eric prodded him from behind and Zeke walked forward, falling to his knees in front of Carrie. He leaned in, but Eric had him by his shirt.

"If I've got to strip, so do you." Eric unbuttoned Zeke's cuffs then slowly peeled the shirt off his torso. Instead of letting him go, Eric unbuttoned Zeke's jeans, pulling on the fabric so the zipper slid down by itself over Zeke's burgeoning cock. Zeke growled. Too slow. They were going too damn slow. Eric was tormenting him on purpose.

"Stand up, Zeke," Eric said.

He looked up. Eric took off his cargo pants. He had nothing on underneath and Zeke went a little bit crazy. He stood and ripped off his jeans, ignoring the faint soreness of his bruises. He almost tripped in his desperation to get to Eric.

"Easy there," Carrie said from behind. She took his arms and held them gently while Eric got down on the floor and unlaced Zeke's boots. Carrie kissed the hummingbird on his wrist so delicately, he almost cried.

"What's got into him?" Carrie asked, looking at Eric.

Zeke shook his head. How could they not understand? He'd almost died. His father almost killed him and for what? Because he loved another man? A woman? "I don't want to waste any more time."

"I'm not going anywhere." Eric pulled off Zeke's boots. He unrolled his socks then Carrie was able to peel him out of his jeans. He stood there, trembling. He wanted to fuck and fuck and fuck.

"You won't hurt me," Carrie said, interpreting his tension correctly. She rubbed her lips over his tattoo.

"Don't let me," Zeke whispered.

Eric took his arms and held them behind his back. Zeke nearly sobbed in relief. "What the hell, Zeke?"

"Eric, don't let go," Zeke heard himself say.

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm not fucking going anywhere," Eric said, holding Zeke's wrists so the bones ground into each other. It hurt and Zeke was goddamn grateful for it. Then Carrie touched her lips to his straining cock and he felt his body twist, almost escaping before Eric brought him back under control. Zeke panted and Carrie slipped her mouth all the way down, deep-throating him with an astonishing lack of preparation. He shuddered. Jesus.

"You're not fucking dead, Zeke. And neither am I. We're right here, with you," Eric said, backing up to the couch and pulling Zeke with him. Zeke groaned as Eric's movements took his dick away from Carrie's sweet mouth.

"Eric. Fuck. I'm dying here." Zeke let himself be manhandled, dropping onto the soft brown cushions. The fabric was so soft it felt strange. "What's wrong with me?" His cock ached, pre-come dripping from the tip.

"Delayed reaction," Eric said. Carrie nodded and knelt down, kissing up the inside of Zeke's thigh.

"I'm a fucking basket case," Zeke muttered. The cut on his face began to throb, too.

"No. Just exhausted." Carrie smiled up at him, her brilliant blue eyes sparkling. He watched as she lowered her head slowly. So fucking slowly. Her tongue reached out and licked at his dick. Zeke bucked, trying to shove himself back into her mouth, but Eric held him down.

"Easy cowboy. You're gonna just sit and take it, okay?"

Zeke thrashed his head, but Eric had him pinned. He looked down again just in time to see Carrie delicately hold him with two fingers then slide the head of his cock into her mouth. She sucked strongly and his hips came off the sofa. She smiled at him, mouth full, then bent down and took him back into her throat. She swallowed, once, twice, and Zeke felt his orgasm roar up out of nowhere. He cried out and came, thick jets of pleasure coursing out of his body. Carrie swallowed it all.

A minute later he thought maybe he could speak. "Nngh." He cleared his throat. "Uh." Okay, maybe talking would have to wait for a minute.

Carrie laughed, swiping a hand across her wet lips. "Well. Now that we've got that out of the way, what should we do?"

Eric laughed and let go of Zeke's arms. "I've got a few ideas."

Zeke blinked, watching as Eric kissed Carrie. That's my come on her lips he's tasting, Zeke thought. His cock gave a twitch then impossibly, swelled again. Eric licked at Carrie, his tongue making slow circuits of her mouth. He nibbled at her lips and dove back in again. Zeke watched as the two people he cared about most in the world devoured each other. He let his hand drift down to hold his dick then he slid it lower, over his balls. His back arched, bumping into Carrie.

"Oh, he's back with us," Eric said. He smiled at Zeke then leaned down and nipped at Carrie's right nipple. "I've got some ideas."

"Ideas?" Zeke croaked. At least his voice was working again.

"Yeah." Eric grabbed Zeke's hand and forced it away from his balls, to Zeke's regret. "I want to blow Carrie's mind."

"What?" Carrie asked.

Eric smiled at her and Zeke felt her flush rush through his body as though it was his own.

"Here, lay across Zeke." Eric arranged her so she sprawled over the top of him, her ass nestled against his groin. Zeke approved. She felt wonderful and smelled even better. He kissed at the nape of her neck and she shivered.

"Now, I'm going to go down on you while Zeke keeps you from flying off." Eric looked up at Zeke, his intent clear. Oh. Zeke knew what Eric intended and he approved. His cock jumped against her warm skin. He definitely approved.

Eric slid down Carrie's body, his strong shoulders a marked contrast to her pale skin. Zeke had a great view. When Eric kissed her clit, Zeke saw it. He felt her pleasure in the way her body fluttered. When Eric sucked on her labia, Zeke enjoyed her sigh of pleasure. When Eric slid a finger into her pussy, Zeke cupped her breasts then fingered at her nipples. Carrie was whimpering by now, her hips jerking. Zeke knew she wanted to come, but Eric wouldn't let her. Not yet.

"Shhh, relax. I've got you," he murmured to her. When Eric's mouth moved lower, licking past Carrie's pussy and landing on the tiny hole between her buttocks, Zeke was ready. She keened, but he held her thighs open, letting Eric rim her until she was nearly sobbing.

"Oh, fuck me, please, please, Eric, I'm dying here," she begged. Eric looked up at Zeke and nodded. Zeke let his fingers drift down to tap at her clit. She bucked then froze. Zeke knew Eric had slid a finger into her ass, using her own juices to ease the way.

"Yeah, that's it, Carrie. Let me in," Eric said. Zeke's cock ground against her soft ass as she writhed.

"Oh, fuck, it feels good. Why does that feel so fucking good?" Carrie panted.

"Do you trust us?" Zeke asked her, still tapping at her clit. She was so hot and wet it was hard not to slide off the spot. She didn't answer. He stopped his hand, just resting it over her pussy. He wanted to shove inside so badly. "Do you trust us?"

She arched her hips, trying to screw herself down on Eric or up against Zeke's fingers, he wasn't sure which. When her hips came back down again, he fingered her gently.

"Yes, oh my God, yeah, I trust you." Carrie was shivering now.

Zeke could feel her orgasm hovering like a butterfly about to land on the juiciest flower. "Then you have to relax and let me in."

She nodded and Zeke felt Eric pull his fingers out. Carrie moaned in protest, but Zeke knew they needed a condom. Eric rummaged around in his jeans then came up with one. He flicked it at Zeke. Zeke grinned and caught it in his free hand.

"Carrie, honey, let me up for a sec," Zeke said, shifting her onto the couch. Eric watched, eyes hot but otherwise calm. Zeke didn't know where his lover got his control. He'd already come once and he felt desperate. He fumbled with the wrapper, trying to get his slippery fingers to cooperate when Eric growled and snatched it off of him. Hmm. Not so controlled after all.

"Let me do it," Eric said.

Zeke nodded. Eric had it open and was rolling the thin latex down Zeke's cock in under ten seconds. Zeke bit his lip, trying not to orgasm just from the feel of Eric's fingers. When he finished rolling it down, Eric looked up and grinned, not letting go of Zeke's erection. Zeke couldn't move. Eric's eyes were electric. He caught his breath when Eric leaned in and sucked one of his balls into his mouth.

"Jesus fuck, Eric!" Zeke ground his teeth against the insane pleasure. "Are you trying to make me blow?"

Eric pulled away with a slow lick. "I couldn't help myself."

Zeke took a shaky breath. "Yeah, whatever." He turned back to Carrie who was grinning. "What are you laughing about?"

She shook her head then the smile fell off her face as Eric leaned in and licked her pussy, lapping at her clit. She shuddered and Zeke shifted her back onto his lap, positioning her so his cock nudged at her ass. He ignored the sullen pang from his bruised ribs.

"Okay, we're going to take this slow. You're nice and open so just relax and let us in, ok?" he asked. She nodded so Zeke hooked one of her legs over the back of the couch and put the other one over Eric's shoulder. She grabbed onto a cushion with one hand, letting the other clasp Zeke's thigh. He bumped at her tiny hole and teased her with his fingers. Eric continued to lick her clit, helping matters considerably. When Zeke felt her loosening, he thrust, popping the head of his cock into her ass. She froze, tightening around him. It felt incredible though Zeke knew it had to hurt her a little bit. He bit his lip, trying to keep still until she got used to the sensation.

"Hey, relax," Eric said, kissing at her thighs. "Let Zeke in." He licked at her clit again and Zeke felt himself slide in a little bit further.

Carrie thrashed her head back and forth, obviously uncomfortable then her muscles relaxed and Zeke's cock slowly sank into her body. He gave a little thrust in time with Eric's tongue and she cried out.

"Yeah, that's it. You're ok," Eric said, pulling back.

Carrie grabbed onto Zeke's thigh so hard, he thought she might break something. Then, to his shock, she lifted up off him a little and screwed herself back down onto his dick with a grace he didn't think he could manage right now. He breathed hard, struggling to keep still. He wanted to just let go and fuck into her so bad but didn't want to hurt her. She screwed herself down again and Zeke bit his lip.

"Carrie, fuck." The top of his head prickled. "You're goddamn incredible." She did it again and he lost the power of speech as her tiny asshole squeezed his cock so tight, he thought he'd die.

"Hold her still, Zeke," Eric said, maneuvering onto the couch.

Zeke opened his eyes with superhuman effort and tried to do as Eric asked. He put his hands on her hips, stilling them despite her protests. "Hang on, honey. Eric is coming in." Zeke kissed under her ear.

"Yeah, okay. Hurry the fuck up." Carrie panted and Zeke ground his teeth as she squirmed, fucking onto his cock in tiny increments.

"Yeah, hurry the fuck up, Eric," Zeke forced his jaw to relax and repeated Carrie's words. If he didn't, Zeke would personally rip Eric's head off in the next thirty seconds.

"Fuck it, just hang on." Eric muttered. His cock bumped Zeke's balls and he almost lost it but Eric muttered a "Sorry" and recovered, slipping his dick into Carrie's pussy instead. He went slowly, so slowly Zeke felt every inch of him through the thin wall of her body.

"Oh, oh Jesus," Carrie said, her voice nearly gone. "You feel so good. How is this even possible?"

Eric grunted, then fucked into her in one long stroke. Zeke groaned as Carrie shivered. He opened his eyes to see Eric grinning down at him, then his lover pulled out and fucked back in, rubbing against Zeke the whole way. Zeke shook then somehow managed to get his free hand over Carrie's clit. She quivered and threw her head back. Zeke felt her orgasm rip through her and Eric went crazy, fucking into her so hard Zeke didn't even have to move. He just took it, holding Carrie steady as Eric fucked fast and hard. When Zeke's climax hit he couldn't move, couldn't think. His cock jerked, the pleasure roaring out of him in a thick, hot wave. Eric yelled something and Zeke knew he was coming too, pulling Carrie into a second orgasm, the pleasure rolling over all three of them at the same time.

A thousand heart-pounding seconds later, Zeke opened his eyes, blinking. The living room was still there: serene browns with the occasional pop of red and yellow pillows strewn about. The fireplace had burned down to embers. He was alive and intact, although for a few seconds there he thought that might not actually be the case. Carrie stirred on top of him.

"What the hell was that?" She coughed and cleared her throat.

Zeke closed his eyes against the sensation of her body moving on his dick. He was still half-hard. Still inside her.

"Um, you guys are never going to get rid of me now. We're going to do that again. And again," Carrie said.

Eric laughed and Zeke felt it against his dick. Jesus. "Well, we kind of wanted to keep you anyway."

Carrie shook her head then let it fall back to Zeke's shoulder. "Yeah, okay." She waved a hand and let it flop down. "Whatever."

Zeke smiled and stroked her hair as his cock finally softened all the way and he slipped out of her body. "I'm so glad you took a chance on us."

"Well, I don't take a lot of risks in my life, but when I do, they're usually big."

"Are you feeling better Zeke?" Eric asked. Zeke opened his eyes and looked at his lover's face.

"Yeah. I am. I guess I was overwhelmed. Between your mom and my dad and everything, I never expected falling in love to be so--" He broke off, searching for words.

"Difficult? Unexpected?" Carrie offered.

Zeke laughed. "Public."

"Yeah, well I didn't expect my family to be all up in my business either," Eric stated. He dropped his head to Carrie's shoulder. "My mom drives me crazy."

"I didn't expect my dad to show up and try to bludgeon me to death," Zeke said. "I just didn't have that scheduled in on my calendar."

Carrie laughed then rubbed his arm soothingly. "It doesn't matter now. We figured it out."

"Yeah. We sure did." Zeke gave a little wiggle as his insane cock perked up again, impossibly, nudging against her ass. He reached down and stripped off the condom, tying it off and rolling it into some tissues . He'd get rid of it properly later. When his now-bare erection touched Carrie's skin, he shivered. She felt so damn good.

Carrie tilted her head back in disbelief at him. "Seriously?"

"What can I say? I love you, Carrie. That makes me randy." Zeke kissed her head. He thrust his cock against her again, shivering when it slid wetly along her skin. She laughed then Eric swooped down and kissed her.

"You're a total lech," Eric grunted at Zeke loftily.

Zeke rolled his eyes, looking pointedly down to where his lover's dick was still buried inside Carrie. "Oh please. I can feel you fucking her, you know," Zeke retorted as Eric slid out slightly, then pushed back in.

Carrie giggled.

"Okay you two. Play nice."

Zeke grinned against her ear. "We always play nice."

Eric thrust again, pushing her against Zeke's now completely hard erection.

"I love you, Carrie. I really, really love you," Zeke gasped.

"Ditto," Eric grunted, fucking into her. "Ditto squared." He moaned.

Zeke laughed. "Yeah, that's it Eric. Way to convince her of your undying love."

"Fuck you," Eric muttered.

"Yeah, okay," Zeke said after a particularly hard thrust.

Carrie laughed then moaned. "I love you, too, Zeke and Eric. I really, really do."

Zeke kissed her and glanced at Eric. Eric was watching her eyes as he pushed in. When he looked up, meeting Zeke's gaze, he mouthed love you and smiled. Zeke's heart opened wide. He smiled back. Ditto.

The End

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