Page 102 of Taking Turns

Smith reaches over to the bedside table, grabs a washcloth and cleans off my face

This is what I’ve always wanted. “More,” I moan, so sad that it’s already over. “I want more.”

Bric pulls me back into his arms and we fall onto the soft bed, laughing. He pulls my back into his chest as Smith settles next to me. He places a hand on my cheek as Bric whispers sweet things in my ear.

“This is just the first time, Chella,” Bric is saying. “It will only get better.”

Smith kisses me and smiles, then closes his eyes and hikes a leg over mine, claiming me, even though another man is hugging me tight.

And we just breathe.

This is why I’m here.

I wanted them both.

And now that I have them, I will never them let get away.

Chapter Twenty-Six - Chella

The next morning Bric wakes early, and I wake with him. Smith is still here, which surprises me a little. I figured he’d be gone. But he’s not. He’s got his face buried in a pillow, legs spread out across the bed.

“Where are you going?” I ask in a whisper.

“I gotta go take care of some things downstairs,” Bric says, walking into the bathroom and turning on the shower. “Are you going into work today?”

“Yes,” I say. “I have to be there early, actually. We have a delivery today and it’s scheduled for eight AM.”

“I thought Matisse was the only exhibition until March?”

“He is,” I say. “But I’m in charge of the Denver Undiscovered Artist Show in February and our gallery is where the jurors choose participants.”

Bric comes back out of the bathroom as he lets the water get hot. “Sounds fun,” he says, kissing me on the mouth. It’s a nice kiss. He holds my face as he leans and when he pulls away, I reach for him.

“I’m late, Chella. But I’ll see you tonight, OK? One last Christmas party, then we’re done.” He winks at me. “Until New Year’s. But we’ll talk about that later.” One more quick kiss and then he’s gone, closing the bathroom door behind him as he gets ready for work.

“Work?” Smith mumbles beside me. “Really? Why the fuck do you work, Chella?”

“I like work,” I say, turning my body towards his.

“We could stay here in bed all damn day.”

“I’m pretty sure the rules are back the minute Bric leaves.”

“Mmm-hmmm,” Smith says into his pillow. “Doesn’t mean we can’t just sleep next to each other for a while.”

I don’t say anything as I picture what kind of hell that would be. I feel the need to get the fuck out of this bed right now before I start touching him. Groping him. Wanting him.

“Unless,” he says, lifting his head just enough so he can open one eye to peek at me, “you can’t control yourself around me? I have that effect on women, so I get it. It’s OK.”

I shake my head and smile. “For real, Smith, you’re right. I think your rule sucks. I’m not even ashamed to admit it.”

He takes an interest in this revelation because he cocks that one visible eyebrow at me.

“But I don’t think you’d last long either,” I add.

He turns all the way over on his back. His dick is so hard, it’s practically sticking straight up in the air.

I roll my eyes. “Why are you doing this to me?”