She turned and pointed to Kane. “And it all balances out nicely with Mr. Showoff here, who made me smile by cutting it up in the ski line, or chasing me down the hill like a sex maniac. I love the unique things you both bring to me, and it’s always been that way as friends. Why should I expect you to be anything but yourself when it comes to sex?”
Jack stared into her pretty green eyes. It was true. They’d never asked him to do the changing; it had been his idea in the first place. To find out it hadn’t been necessary—the relief hit him hard, although if he could kick himself in the ass right now he would. He’d wasted part of the time they’d had together.
He cleared his throat. “Damn it, you two. I’m supposed to be the logical one of our trio.”
Kane laughed out loud. “Right. Like we’ll fall for that load of bull.”
Dara rested her head on his chest and hugged him tightly, squeezing the final bits of fear from his system.
He lifted her chin until he could see into her face.
“I hoped I’d get a chance to do this privately somewhere down the road, but I suppose what we’re entering into means ‘private’ has new definitions. Dara, you want to move in with Kane and me? I really care about you. I think I love you, and I’d like to see where we can take this.”
A mischievous expression flashed over her face. “Hang on…”
She slipped from his arms and out of the room. Jack watched her go, uncertainty seizing him.
“Good one, Jack, you scared her off already.”
Jack pivoted slowly, giving Kane a glare. “Freaks?”
“Exhibitionist?”
They both laughed and Kane rose to give him a huge bear hug. They pounded each other on the back in typical guy fashion before Kane grabbed him by the arms. “This only works because it’s you. We’ve been there for each other forever. This is just one more adventure.”
Jack nodded. “We’re going to have to get a bigger apartment.”
“Bigger beds.”
“Another ski-getaway in February.”
Kane laughed. “Definitely.”
Dara strolled back, her hands tucked behind her back. Jack eyed her carefully. Tricky woman. Between her and Kane, he was never going to get to relax again. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“I thought this would be the best way.” She pulled out three chocolate bars and passed them around. “They’re from the freezer, so don’t break your teeth.”
Kane scooped her up and spun her in a circle. “You’re a goof.”
“Takes one to know one.”
It seemed more than appropriate. Jack held up his 3 Musketeers bar with ceremony. “Ahem. I hereby proclaim we’re all for one…”
Kane lowered Dara carefully, keeping her tucked under his arm. She held out her free hand and took Jack’s in it, linking their fingers together before raising her chocolate bar to meet the other two.
“…and I’m the one for all,” she declared.
The three of them burst out laughing. Jack cupped the back of her neck and drew her in for a long, slow kiss, letting the taste of her wash over him and clear away the remaining concerns. For now, this was all they needed to be together.
Loving, freestyle.
About the Author
Vivian Arend has hiked, biked, skied and paddled her way around most of North America and parts of Europe. Throughout all the wandering in the wilderness, stories have been planted and they are bursting out in vivid colour. Paranormal, twisted fairytales, red-hot contemporaries—the genres are all over.
Between times of living with no running water, she home schools her teenaged children and tries to keep up with her husband—the instigator of most of the wilderness adventures.
She loves to hear from readers: vivarend@gmail.com. You can also drop by www.vivianarend.com for more information on what is coming next.