Chapter 2
“It was just a quickie. To blow off some steam.”
“Well, I’m glad somebody got blown.” He leaned back against the wall, folding his arms across his chest. His gaze flickered for a moment to Jesse’s collar, and his mouth curved again as he said, “I don’t suppose you took that chance to try and work on Emma some more about moving in.”
“I asked her if she had reconsidered her decision. She said she’s happy in her apartment. But, you know, we have three weeks to change her mind.” He paused. “Or convince her she’s insane for spending time with us.”
Gideon rolled his eyes. “I am not going to scare her away. I wouldn’t have agreed to this vacation if I thought I’d fuck it up by making her run in the opposite direction.”
Jesse touched his arm reassuringly. “Just don’t come across as too strong. You know you can be a bit…intense.”
He didn’t say a word. The subject of Emma’s living arrangements had been an increasingly common one over the past month, always ending with Gideon’s request she do so and then her polite demurral. Jesse understood her need for some independence, but it was a disappointment, nonetheless. He loved both of them; having both of them all to himself under one roof would be heaven.
“Do you think that’s why she’s fighting this? Is it me?”
“No. It’s not you. But moving in with somebody is a big step, even when the relationship is completely normal. Our relationship is far from that, and our lifestyles aren’t exactly compatible right now. She’s…she’s still living in the regular world. We’re not. I think that worries her. Just give her a bit of time, Gideon.”
“This would be a hell of a lot easier if I could just fuck her bloody like I did you.” He rubbed a weary hand over his face. “Fine. Time. I’ve got lots of that. Three weeks of it, even. Unless Emma’s serious about seeing the town as much as she is. I can’t believe she packed so many clothes. I should’ve given her the same memo I gave you about clothes being optional for this vacation.”
“You’re kidding, right? There’s no way she packed more clothes than you did. I’m surprised there was even room in the car for my bag.” He moved closer to Gideon, eliminating the space between them. “It would be easier if you could treat her the same way you treated me, but unfortunately, she insists on being her own person. What can you do?”
His eyes were dark, his gaze heavy, especially when it returned to the strip of leather around Jesse’s neck. Gideon lifted his hand and ran his finger along the edge, and though he barely touched the skin, a thrill of anticipation slithered over Jesse’s flesh.
“Be grateful I’ve got you.” His voice was rougher, rich with promise. “Though I’d be more grateful if you were naked.”
“I can do that.”
Gideon didn’t have to tell him twice—in fact, Gideon usually didn’t have to tell him once. If he had given Jesse a few more minutes before following him into the dungeon, Gideon probably would have found him in nothing but his collar. Within moments, his clothes were discarded, and he was standing in front of Gideon, visibly calm, though he knew the vampire heard his heart racing.
Gideon didn’t touch him. He didn’t have to. A flicker of his gaze downward was enough to get Jesse’s cock at full attention.
“Oh, sure, I get all dressed up, and the first thing you do is strip Jesse out of his clothes. I should have guessed it.”
The amused glint in Gideon’s eyes was all Jess needed to know he’d known Emma had been standing in the doorway the entire time. He glanced over, a comment ready on his lips, only to have it fade away when he saw her.
In the process of unpacking, Emma had changed for the fancy late dinner Gideon had promised them. Normally, she wore comfortable clothes, flowing skirts or jeans, soft sweaters or loose blouses. There was the odd occasion when they got the chance to dress up, but not nearly enough for Jesse’s taste. Her attire now only proved him right. A sleeveless black dress flowed over her lush curves, highlighting her porcelain skin, and she’d pulled her dark blonde hair up, off her neck, exposing the black collar Gideon had given her the first month the three of them had been together. In this ensemble, it looked like a simple choker. Only they knew the significance of it.
But what surprised Jesse the most were the heels on her feet. Emma had gorgeous legs, but she rarely wore shoes to highlight them. While changing, she’d slipped on a pair of black patent pumps, with a thin, nearly four-inch heel. They heightened the promise of taut legs wrapped around his hips as he drove into her.