Page 115 of The Man with a Treasure

I needed no reminders of my guilt, so I snapped, “Then her fucking father should have done his job and protected her. He failed her. A mistake I will not make.”

He raised his hands. “Alright. Alright.”

“Where she is, is not my fault.”

“You’re right. Breathe.” Sal watched Scarlett come to me.

She laid her hand on my chest and peered up. “Stop worrying. You will keep me safe.”

I needed to feel her. I was wound tight. My hand raced to the back of her head and gripped her hair. No one will ever fucking hurt you again. I pressed my lips to hers.

“Maybe it is best if we tie you up for your first time with her.” Sal chuckled, heading toward the pan that was screaming for mercy. “Let go of her hair, Angelo.”

I loosened my hold but put our foreheads together, my exhales brushing across the mouth I wanted to possess and positively claim.

Her hands went to my waist, amping me up even more.

Sal teased, “I’m not sure what is sadder, this poor omelet,” he slid it onto a plate with a clunk, “or how bad you want to fuck her.”

Scarlett stared at me as if there was no one or anything else in the room. Her labored exhales told me she was hungry, too, but I knew she didn’t understand what for just yet. So, I released her. “Let’s eat your wonderful breakfast.”

“And plan our funerals. Oh, God,” Sal gagged, “it smells so bad.” He laid a fork on the plate, then slid it toward the barstool where I was headed.

After I took a bite, I was grateful to be sitting. My legs would’ve crumbled at the horrid flavor.

Scarlett beamed. “Is it good?”

My throat refused to swallow. “Oh, yes. So good I think I should share with Sal.”

He whimpered.

After two long days, I received a text from Mae sharing that the Hell Furies had left town. Then weeks passed. Confident again that we were alone in the mountains, we focused on Scarlett again, answering any questions she had about ‘healthy’ sex. Scarlett was growing more and more curious, and it was becoming painful to keep holding her at bay. I was thankful she was still asleep, arms and legs sprawled across me and Sal as if she had not a worry in the world. She was now sleeping so soundly. Us being in her bed made her nightmares fade. It was a wonderful time while hiding Scarlett. The three of us were together, as always, but we were growing even closer.

It helped so much to know Mae and our realtor were staying true to their word, remaining epically discreet about the two Italian men and the pretty girl.

At the dining room table, as all three of us were putting a puzzle together, Scarlett asked, “What else do I need to know to be a good lover?”

I choked on my water. Our break was over.

Grinning, Sal placed a puzzle piece in its proper place. “Umm, let’s see… Oh, openness. Explain to him—or her—”

Sal shrugged when he saw my glare. “What? Who am I to judge?”

Gasp! “I could choose a woman as my lover?”

No! Me! Choose me!

“Of course!” Sal cheered, practically causing me to lose Scarlett. “If that is your preference. I’ve never been with two women at once.”

“Why?” Her hair was elegantly tied back with some sort of stick-thing Mae got her, exposing her perfectly silky neck.

Sal studied another puzzle piece. “I’m a very focused lover. I prefer to give all my attention to one woman at a time.” He placed the puzzle piece in its place. “Think you want a woman instead of a man—Ow!”

I kicked him under the table.

“Hmm…” Scarlett eyed me, then her own body sitting in a chair. Then me again. Her eyes went half-lidded. “I want a man.”

Erection? Check!