Summer shook her head. “I wouldn’t have a problem making love with you both at the same time. It’s just…”
“Could you tell me what happened?”
Summer watched Ace’s face as she explained. “It started out just fine, good in fact. They made sure I was ready and everything went smoothly until…‘Guy number two’ started thrusting into my ass. H–He lost control and couldn’t slow down, got too hard and fast, then came. It hurt and I never got my momentum back. ‘Guy number one’ came soon after.”
She referred to them without names because she didn’t think Ace would care to know. “‘Guy number two’ was a friend of my boyfriend’s. Beyond that friendship there was no relationship motivating him to be more…careful or considerate. If he’d cared more perhaps it would’ve turned out different.” Summer shook her head to dispel the memory of how used she’d felt. “I was left hanging.”
And wasn’t that the story of her life? “Left hanging” was a pattern that had developed over the years. Looking into Ace’s understanding eyes, she hoped she wasn’t repeating that pattern again.
“They offered to help me out, but I was hurting, frustrated, and quite frankly, pissed off. I called a halt to it, they apologized and left. That was my freshman year of college. Later on, the two of them became a couple. They wanted to try again, but I wasn’t interested anymore. It’s not as much fun when the one in the middle doesn’t get to come.”
Ace kissed her knuckles, smoothed the comforter over her knees, and leaned in to her. “That was with college boys. You’re with men now. Men who have a bit more restraint and staying power. Are you worried that we’ll leave you hanging, too?”
Summer bit her lip, at a loss to explain. His question brought to mind all the other worries she had. She didn’t have any illusions about what they were doing, but she needed more. Perhaps more than they were offering.
Facing possible rejection, she steeled herself to answer. “No, and yes.” Ace nodded silently, looking her in the eye. He smiled and waited, evidently knowing she was choosing her words carefully. “No. I imagine that a ménage with the two of you would be beyond all my fantasies. I have no doubt it would be good with you.”
She looked into his eyes as she continued. “And yes, but in the metaphorical sense. My love life has been neither prolific nor lucky. It’s always the wrong type that’s attracted to me, and blind dates have been a total disappointment. I want more than dashed hopes and disappointment. I’m not saying I’m looking for the perfect man…or men. I’d just like…” What was she doing? Telling him what she wanted like he was going to jump up and down and holler, “Pick me! Pick me!”
“Something that could last?”
She looked up at his unexpected words. Did he understand what she was trying to convey?
“Someone who won’t let you down?” Kemp said from the doorway.
Her breath left her in a gust when she looked up and saw him leaning casually against the doorframe, a towel wrapped low on his hips. Words failed her, both because he was huge and all muscle but also because their words surprised her.
In her experience, guys who talked this early about relationships that lasted generally had something wrong with them. In the past, statements like theirs would’ve sent up a red flag in her mind, but looking in their eyes, she thought they might be serious.
“Yes. Exactly. Discovering that I’m dating a dud is disheartening and embarrassing. Having had several of those in a row, I’ve gotten to the point where I don’t want to invest in a relationship for fear of what I’ll find after I’ve made the commitment.”
“We can appreciate taking it slow, Summer. There are no skeletons in our closets waiting to surprise you,” Ace replied as Kemp stepped into the room and lifted his overnight bag from the end of the bed.
“I forgot to take my bag in the bathroom. Be right back.”
Summer watched in appreciation as he sauntered out of the room. Through the towel she could make out the curve of his perfectly tight butt and had to stifle a soft moan. She felt positively petite around all their masculine strength and size.
Ace reclined beside her on the bed, facing her, and propped his head up in his hand. He stroked the top of her lavender, satin-clad thigh, and his warm touch felt reassuring. “Summer, we want you to feel safe with us.”
“I do, Ace. Have no doubt about that.”
“But your heart is safe, too, kitten. We’re not out to control you, or use you for our own gratification. We feel very lucky that you like us both and are open to exploring with us together.”