Chapter 2—Eve

I tried to focus on the tomato I was slicing, but my mind continuously wandered to my husband and his best friend, Liam, and what they were talking about out there on the back porch. I knew what those two used to do. Their reputation wasn’t a secret, but Derrick had given up that life when he and I got together. I knew that had been a big sacrifice for him, and I loved him so much for it, but I also knew he missed it. He’d told me more than once. And then he’d asked me if I’d be willing to let him share me. At first, I’d laughed. But then he asked again, and I’d gotten pissed. That argument had taken place the night of our two-year wedding anniversary, right after we’d made love.

“C’mon, Eve.” He trailed his finger along my collarbone. “I want to share you. Just once. I think you’d really like it.”

I huffed with indignation. “I’m your wife, Derrick. You don’t get to pass me around to your friends like I’m some toy you want to show off.” I climbed out of bed and yanked on my robe.

He chuckled. “I’m not going to pass you around.” He propped himself up on an elbow. “I’d be there with you the entire time.”

I stared at him. “So, you’ll watch another man touch me?”

“No. I’d be touching you, too. We both would.” He sat up and reached for me. “Come back to bed, babe.”

Reluctantly, I sat. “I just don’t understand why you’d want another man touching me.” The thought of any other woman laying her hands on him was enough to make me see red.

“Because it’s fucking hot. To see you getting pleasured by me and another man, knowing we’re both there for you, to give you everything you want, to touch you in all the ways you like…We’d worship you.” He moved my hair and kissed my neck. “It would be someone you know and trust.”

“Who?” I snapped.

He turned my face toward his and grinned. “Liam.”

Derrick had planted the seed in my mind, and it grew out of control until it was a full-blown fantasy I couldn’t stop thinking about. I’d always thought Liam was sexy. What woman wouldn’t? He was all hard lines and tight muscles with a boy-next-door face that made my knees weak. His eyes were a tantalizing shade of grey that sucked you in and wouldn’t let you go. I might have gotten myself off once or twice thinking about those eyes staring down at me as we made love. Not that I’d ever tell my husband that. There were just some things better left unsaid. Although, knowing Derrick, it would probably turn him on knowing I was getting off on the idea of being with another man.

And now Liam was here. I knew it wasn’t a chance for us to “hang out” as Derrick said. Just a week ago he’d brought up the idea of sharing again; Liam’s arrival was no coincidence. I’d told him I’d think about it. He must’ve taken that to mean yes. Why else would he have invited Liam to spend Fourth of July weekend here? I set down the knife and scooped up the tomatoes, dumping them into the salad bowl.

“Need any help?”

Liam’s deep voice startled me. I turned around to find him sauntering toward me. My heart raced, and I licked my lips. His eyes narrowed, his gaze flickering to my mouth. I swallowed hard. Would I even be able to handle him? My husband had a hell of a sexual appetite, and there were times I wasn’t sure I satisfied him.

“Uh, no, thank you.” I cleared my throat. “How’re the steaks coming along?”

“They’ll be done in about ten minutes.”

I nodded. “Actually, if you want to put the salad on the table.” I handed him the bowl, and he took it, his hands covering mine for a bit longer than necessary. The touch sent a tingle up both of my arms, and it was a damn miracle I didn’t drop the bowl.

“Sure. Anything else?”

“No.” The word came out as a squeak.

He gave me that adorably sexy lopsided grin, and I had to clutch the counter to stop from falling over. God, that look was lethal. It was no wonder woman threw themselves at him all the time. I was seconds away from doing the same. Derrick would love that, I was sure. He’d probably swoop in and help Liam undress me. A tremor worked through my body at the thought of them slowly removing my clothes, kissing my exposed skin, their hands caressing my body. Heat flamed my face, and my clit throbbed with need.

Liam tilted his head. “Eve? Are you all right?”

I swore his voice was permanently in bedroom mode, raspy and deeply seductive. “Yes. I’m fine.” I forced a smile.

“Hmm.” The throaty hum that rumbled from his chest was like a jolt to my libido. “Are you sure? Your face is flushed.” He cupped my cheek, and I couldn’t stop from leaning into his touch and letting my eyes flutter closed. Nor could I hold back the sigh that escaped my lips.

“It’s just…hot in here. That’s all,” I said.

He studied me, his gaze unflinching and inquisitive. I’d never been very good a hiding my feelings, and I prayed Liam didn’t know me well enough to see through my weak lie. Reaching around, he set the salad bowl on the counter, the act bringing his body closer to mine. I held my breath. He boxed me in, his hands covering mine on the counter, and then he leaned closer, putting his face inches from mine. Oh, God. Those eyes. I swore they turned a shade lighter right before me.

“You know why I’m here, don’t you? The real reason Derrick invited me?”

Holy shit! He didn’t waste any time, did he? My heart threatened to tear free from my chest. “Yes,” I whispered.

He raised a brow. “And?”

And there it was… The question I still didn’t have an answer for. Was I going to let my husband share me with his best friend? I shrugged and hung my head, chewing nervously on my bottom lip.

Liam tucked his finger under my chin and tilted my head up so I had no choice but to look at him. His eyes were soft, concerned, and so incredibly hot I worried I’d go up in flames any second. “Look, I’m not going to lie, Eve. I want this. I want you.” His voice dipped to a seductive whisper, the true depth of his want evident, and I involuntarily squeezed my legs shut to ease the throbbing down there. “But”—he slid his hand along the side of my neck, his thumb tugging my lip from my teeth—“this is your choice. Not mine. Not Derrick’s. If you don’t want this, I will walk out that door right now. No questions asked. No hard feelings.”

My eyes widened. All I had to do was say no and all of this stopped. Just like that. But the thought of Liam leaving had my stomach dropping. I wanted him, just once, just to know what it was like to be with him, to have his full, undivided attention on me. I wanted to know what all the fuss was about, why these two and their laundry list of past conquests were so adamant that sharing was the best thing in the world. And I knew Derrick wanted this, too. With a simple three-letter word, I could please my husband and have my wildest fantasy come true. How many married women had an opportunity like this?

“Eve?” My name tumbled from his lips like heated sin, and I trembled.

“I want you to stay,” I said quietly. My heart thrashed at my simple admission, and then excitement bubbled up inside of me.

His mouth curled into a panty-melting smile, and then he stepped closer, pressing his body fully to mine. It was then I knew he hadn’t been lying—he really did want this. Me. I could feel exactly how badly he wanted it, and holy mother of God. He was hard. And I was wet. He placed his mouth near my ear as his hands slowly blazed a path of lustful destruction down my bare arms. “You’re in complete control, Eve. Of everything.” He nipped at my ear, and I groaned, my knees buckling slightly. If it weren’t for his hard, warm body holding me in place, I would’ve fallen.

“Okay.” I turned my face into his, letting my cheek rub against his. All he had to do was move a couple of inches and his lips would be on mine. God, I bet he knew how to kiss. A long, passionate, breath-stealing, orgasm-inducing kiss. I hadn’t been kissed like that in years. Derrick didn’t like to kiss, but I did. Loved it, actually, and I missed the thrill of losing my breath as a result of a long, deep kiss.

His fingers traveled back up my arms, leaving goose bumps in their wake. “You have my word that I won’t do anything you don’t want me to.” He nuzzled his nose to the soft spot behind my ear before puckering his lips against it. His hands went to my waist, his touch searing through my dress.

“Oh, God,” I moaned before I could stop myself. My eyes fluttered closed, and I put my palms on his chest to steady myself. I felt his smile against my neck, and I wanted to smack him for being so damn arrogant. But I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t hot. That was one of the main reasons I’d fallen in love with Derrick—his alpha-male, take charge attitude. He always knew what he wanted, and he wasn’t afraid to go after it. And Liam was the same exact way.

“Sweet, sweet, Eve.” He groaned, flexing his hands on my waist, drawing me closer. “I’m going to enjoy the hell out of you.” And then he pinned me with those grey eyes a second before he lowered his head, his gaze still holding mine as if he were waiting for permission.

My heart stopped. He was going to kiss me! And I wasn’t going to stop him. Before his lips reached mine, I heard the door open, and I jerked away from Liam. What if Derrick had caught us? Adrenaline spiked through my system. I turned and opened the window above the sink, letting the summer breeze cool my face. Behind me, Liam chuckled. “What’s so funny?” I glared at him over my shoulder.

“You act like we’re doing something wrong.” He reached for the salad bowl, once again pressing his body to mine. “In case you’ve forgotten already, your husband invited me here to have sex with you. He wants me to touch you, Eve.” And then, just like that, he walked away.

My entire body slumped, and I blew out a shaky breath. If I wasn’t worried before, I definitely was now. There was no way in hell I’d be able to handle both of them. I was so in over my head.

“Hey, babe.” Derrick slid his arms around my stomach and kissed my cheek. “Steaks are on the table.”

I nodded. “Thanks.” I waited for him to say something more, to ask about Liam or my decision. But he didn’t, and I attempted to push it out of my mind for the time being. I needed to get through the rest of the evening. And a couple bottles of wine. Then I’d focus on what would happen next.