Looking For It (Three Player Co-op Book 1) Page 6

  People were just starting to trickle in, but Jax and everyone in sales would be here to mingle and eavesdrop and spread goodwill.

  And I was wandering through these crowds of businesspeople with no panties on. It was insane and I was so turned on, I wasn’t sure I could talk without bursting into giggles if anyone addressed me.

  “Hey, guys.” Chase’s voice cut through every layer of haze in my head.

  Talk about an arousal killer. I turned to face him, and gave my brother a smile.

  “You here for work?” Chase asked me.

  “Exactly the opposite.” I was going to give him as close to the truth as I could without saying, Did you have any idea how fuckably hot your friends are? “I’m stressed about my latest video, so they’re distracting me.”

  He furrowed his brow, and I could almost hear the gears turning in his head. “I’m not used to seeing the two of you getting along so well.” He was talking about Jax.

  “Help a woman move her mattress, and the dynamic changes. That’s just the way things work.” Jax’s reply was smooth and without hesitation.

  I was grateful we’d agreed to discretion. I’d have to apologize later for the fit I threw about their original request.

  “Uh-huh,” Chase said flatly.

  Grayson tangled his fingers with Jax’s. “Personally I’m glad they’re finally acting civil around each other. How have you lived for years with the awkward tension they generate when they’re in the same room?”

  “Hughes.” Someone called Chase from across the room.

  He glanced at us one more time, shook his head, then trotted off to catch up with the guy who summoned him.

  “Just so you know, that wasn’t because you’re a dirty secret.” Jax moved his free hand to the small of my back, his voice so low only we would hear. “All three of us—you have an equal say—need to be on the same page when we tell people.”

  Tell people. His statement added a reality filter to an erotically surreal situation, and my thoughts revolted. “What is there to tell?”

  “Part of what we’d discuss. When we’re not in the middle of a crowd of software company execs,” Grayson said.

  I didn’t have an argument. What were we doing? I reached for Grayson’s sleeve, to tug them aside and ask. Despite what he said, now was as good a time as any to talk.

  “Grayson.” A woman approached, putting a dent in my plan. “I was hoping you’d be here.”

  “Lee. Great to meet you face-to-face.” Grayson shook her hand. “This is Sadie, and my boyfriend, Jax.”

  An ache pinged in my chest at the introduction. But it was a solid reminder, and one I needed, that they were them, and I wasn’t a part of that.

  Chapter Eleven

  I gave Lee a warm smile. “How do you two know each other?”

  “Lee’s my contact for the VR hardware I’ve been streaming with,” Grayson said. He had early access to some top of the line gear that was lighter weight and higher powered than anything on the market.

  From what I’d seen, and what he’d said, even with the bugs in the beta version it blew everything else out of the water. “It’s amazing tech,” I said.

  “I’ve got to know,” Lee dropped her voice to a stage whisper, “Have you hacked it for porn yet?”

  Her blunt question didn’t surprise me. In the gaming industry there was no flinching when it came to casual talk about sex. But the assumption caught me off-guard. “You have people doing that with beta hardware? And you’re okay with it?”

  “Absolutely. We’re encouraging it.”

  Grayson shook his head. “Haven’t gone there yet. It’s no fun alone, but if you wanted to send me an extra set or two...” He brushed my hand before slipping his hand into Jax’s.

  Heat seared through me at the brief contact.

  Lee chuckled. “I’ll make a note, and see what I can do.”

  Lee and Grayson chatted a few minutes longer about the hardware specs and upcoming fixes, before she gave us all another smile and headed after someone else.

  “You’re not really surprised by the porn thing, are you?” Jax asked as we resumed our wandering through the crowds.

  I shook my head. “Just that they’re okay with it.”

  “They’re encouraging indie games and mods from the start.” Grayson rested a hand on the small of my back, searing a patch into my skin. “Company sanctioned means more control over what happens.”

  That made sense.

  “The hardware has other applications too,” Jax said.

  “Besides jerking off to cartoon people? Are you sure?” I teased. “I know it’s already being investigated for military and medical training purposes.”

  Jax led us to the bar, and ordered two Cokes, and a seltzer with lime.

  “You’re going to raise eyebrows if you’re not drinking when there’s an open bar. And thank you.” I took my soda from him.

  The seltzer was for Grayson. He dipped his head to rest his lips near my ear. “Let them talk. We want you sober tonight.”

  “Applications specifically for you.” Jax talked over the questions that tried to bubble up in my head. The demand for answers. “Imagine being able to see a 3D mockup of your outfits before you started sewing, with no more work than what you do now, when you design them in Photoshop.”

  I liked the thought, and I loved that they were thinking about my work that way. “It’s not that simple. Is it?”

  Grayson sipped his drink. “Not yet. But it’s getting there.” He nodded across the room. “The guy over there with the neon purple hair? He’s the head of digital output at that new studio. The one giving ILM and Weta Workshop a run for their money. He uses the hardware to storyboard.”

  “They did the effects for that new horror movie.” I’d heard the guy was insanely brilliant. Like, talked above most people’s heads, but came up with such groundbreaking ideas that no one minded. “The combination of digital and physical are supposed to be surreal.”

  Jax smiled. “That’s him. Supposed to be? You haven’t seen it yet?”

  I gave him a look of disbelief smattered with duh? I loved horror movies, but Anne and Lyn weren’t fans. I’d rather see the spectacular films with friends, so we could all ooh and ah at the same time. I usually went with Grayson, but he’d been busy. “Not yet.”

  “We should go,” Grayson said. “Christmas afternoon?”

  “And you might be able to convince me to go.” Jax didn’t sound enthusiastic.

  I was surprised he made the offer at all. “You can hide behind your popcorn during the scary scenes.”

  “I can squeal in terror and hide my face in your shoulder.” Jax mimicked hiding behind me, brushing a light kiss on my shoulder in the process. “As long as you promise not to tell anyone I covered my eyes through half the movie.

  A flash of need pulsed between my legs. How much longer did we have to be here? “Everyone already knows.”

  “Good point. I’m in anyway.” Jax straightened again.

  Aside from the questions their behavior was planting in my head, about what I was to them, this was nice. Normal. The way things usually were with us.

  But those questions bounced against the reminder they were a couple, and regardless of anything else, that wasn’t going to change. I certainly couldn’t choose between them, or push them apart.

  It didn’t matter how much teasing and flirting there was. I needed to be happy with being a horror movie buddy. Nothing more.

  When Jax and Grayson were pulled into separate conversations, my mind had room to wander. I could either focus on the impending inbox explosions waiting for me on all of my accounts, or direct my attention what was going on with the guys. It seemed more likely I could act on the second one first, and it was a more pleasant thought.

  Grayson said we’d talk about what we all were. How we introduced ourselves to people. That didn’t make sense. This wasn’t exactly the kind of society where someone said this is my boyfriend, and this is our fuck b
uddy.

  Was he talking me being more to them? I couldn’t wrap my brain around that. Sure, they hooked up with other people, but it was never a long-term thing. And yeah, there was polyamory, and multiple person relationships. But that wasn’t something I could see myself doing.

  Aside from the awkwardness of explaining it to Chase, which they seemed a lot more concerned with than I was, I’d always seen myself as a one-guy girl. It always came back to my dream future. Find the perfect guy. Have the perfect wedding. Settle into a life that wasn’t perfect, because no life was, but we’d make it work, because we loved each other.

  Jax and Grayson had already found the perfect guys, in each other. I was outside fun. I was enjoying it; this definitely wasn’t a one-sided arrangement. Did I want to be their booty-call long term, though?

  “Sadie?” An unfamiliar voice called my name, startling me, and I turned toward the man. He wasn’t anyone I recognized from Rinslet. “It is you. Wow.”

  I pasted on a neutral smile. “It is. I’m sorry, I don’t recall your name.” Was he a colleague of Chase’s? Anne’s?

  “Chet.” He extended his hand. “I’m a huge fan of your work.”

  “Thank you.” I let some warmth bleed into my expression and returned the handshake. I was cautious about meeting fans in person, especially male fans. But I also appreciated flattery. Grayson and Jax were close enough that I had a back-up escape if needed.

  “No. Thank you. The way you bring flat drawings to life in a real world setting is brilliant. That takes some serious talent. I’m not just saying that. I speak from experience.”

  Possible connection? I never passed on one of those. “Are you in costume design?”

  “3D rendering. Our artists struggle to translate 2D into something with depth, and they don’t have to do it with fabric.” Chet’s tone was warm and his enthusiasm felt genuine. His gaze never dropped below my neck.

  I let the appreciation seep in. “3D rendering fascinates me. There’s so much potential in the art form, and we’re right on the cusp of crossing the uncanny valley.”

  “Maybe my team will the first.” He grinned. “I won’t keep you long, but when I realized you were here, I wanted to tell you in person, I saw what you posted on your pages this afternoon.”

  My gut turned itself inside-out. “Oh?”

  “It was brave and bold. I’m furious on your behalf that people are doing shit like that. To anyone, and especially to talented artists like you. You have my support.”

  My heart dislodged from where it was stuck in my throat. “Thank you.” I poured my sincerity into my reply.

  He gave me another warm smile. “I’ll let you get back to mingling, but good luck. It was a pleasure meeting you.”

  “Same.”

  And then he was gone, melting into the crowds, like everyone else we’d talked to tonight.

  “Do you know who that was?” Jax asked, suddenly by my side again.

  “Chet?”

  He chuckled. “Charles Stanford. He’s Senior Vice President of Art for KaleidoMation.”

  Dials and knobs clicked in my head to draw an association. “The 3D rendering company?” One of the biggest. Even Rinslet bought their assets—CGI models and objects to be used in video games. “Wow. He was a nice guy.”

  “That’s what I hear.”

  Grayson joined us too. “Do you want to get out of here?”

  Was it that late already? “Don’t you have to stay until things wrap up?” I looked at Jax. I didn’t mind the mingling.

  Jax shook his head. “I’ve done what I need to.”

  “I’ll rephrase the question.” Grayson dropped his hand to his pocket, and let a hint of black lace peek out. “I keep brushing against these.” He dipped his head close to my ear. “Someone’s going to notice soon that I’m a walking hard-on, and I’d rather we take you back to our place than hang out here.”

  Oh. “All right.” Any witty reply I had evaporated, but intense, throbbing desire had replaced it.

  Chapter Twelve

  The drive back to the guys’ place was painfully basic. Settled between them, warm and safe and very hands-off. It made the anticipation that lingered on the tip of my tongue that much sharper.

  Then we were in their bedroom, and Grayson was kissing Jax, their mouths merging and their tongues dancing with such passion, I expected literal sparks. Their love and passion flowed and spilled from them in waves.

  They broke apart, and Grayson turned to me. He kissed the tips of my fingers. “We talked about who gets to have you first.”

  “Seems like I should get a say in that decision.” I still didn’t know how to feel, besides turned on, that they talked about sex with me.

  Jax grinned. “That’s fair. What’s your decision?”

  I hadn’t expected him to yield so quickly. “Both? Both is good.”

  “That’s where we landed as well.” Grayson slid a finger under the neckline of my dress, and glided his finger along my collarbone.

  I captured his hand, enjoying the feeling of his skin against mine. “Do I get to see the two of you naked?” These were the pressing questions that needed to be answered.

  “Presumably.” Amusement lined Grayson’s voice.

  “You say that, but I keep ending up missing more clothes than either of you.” Two times weren’t exactly a pattern, but now was the time to balance things out.

  Jax pressed into my back. “Are you complaining?”

  I liked being a Sadie Sandwich. “About the sex? Not even for a second. About missing out on what I’ve imagined is an incredible view? A little.”

  “Wouldn’t want to ruin the fantasy,” Grayson said.

  I worked my fingers into the knot of his tie to loosen it, then untied it and left the ends hanging loose. “I’m not worried about that.” My world went black when something slipped over my eyes. The texture of silk against my skin said it was Jax’s tie blindfolding me. I laughed lightly. “Can’t see any nakedness this way.”

  “You will,” Jax whispered in my ear.

  Shivers raced down my spine, chased by him tugging down my zipper and exposing my back. He pushed my dress to the ground, leaving me on display in the middle of their room, my body screaming in anticipation.

  Jax’s familiar stubble scraped along my skin when he kissed my shoulder, then nibbled playfully. He trailed a barely-there touch down my spine. Every new contact from him shuddered through my body on a wave of desire.

  Where had Grayson gone? More than a minute or two couldn’t have passed, but the loss of one sense distorted time.

  Lips brushed mine. Lightly. Sweetly. Grayson’s kiss could have been innocent, if I were wearing more than a pair of heels. He knotted his fingers in my hair, and tugged hard, making me gasp. He bit my bottom lip, then licked away the sting.

  At the same time, Jax was teasing his fingers lower along my back, and slipping a finger between my legs. He brushed my slick skin, but didn’t part my folds.

  Grayson pressed his body to mine. Every texture—fabric, skin—lit up my senses. The smoothness and the roughness of all of it.

  Jax’s touch fell away, but Grayson kept my mind and body busy. He glided his touch over my hips, lower, dipping toward my clit but not touching it. Nearly sliding inside me, before pulling away.

  Then Jax was there again, bare skin against my back, his erection digging into me. He gripped my hips and nibbled my ear. “You’re not the only one who’s been fantasizing, but the reality is much better.”

  “It really is.” My words came out on a gasp. My skin was absorbing every sensation, but there was a tug in my chest as well. Jax’s words, Grayson’s attention, warmed me in a way their kisses didn’t. It made me want to swoon.

  When Grayson’s hands fell away, Jax’s replaced them. He moved between my legs again, drawing a groan from me when he slipped two fingers inside me. He rested his palm on my stomach, holding me to him. This was more than physical intimacy. It was a feeling I didn’t dare look at
too closely.

  He sought out my clit, dancing lightly at first, but increasing the pressure and speed as my hips bucked into his touch. Climax lingered just out of reach, then flooded through me. I leaned into him, needing the extra support when my legs wobbled. I wanted to memorize everything about this moment.

  Jax guided me toward the bed, slowly, making sure I didn’t trip or run into anything, since I couldn’t see. He turned me to lay back on the mattress, my legs hanging over the edge.

  When he licked up the inside of my thighs, that scruff of barely-there beard scraped along my skin with a tantalizing burn. I arched into his touch. His open-mouth kisses. Every lick and nip made me squirm a little more, and when he reached my core, I whimpered.

  He dove in with enthusiasm. His tongue inside me was the only thing I could focus on.

  Until Grayson wrapped his lips around my nipple, and sucked.

  My mind fuzzed, and I let myself fall into all of it. I lost track of where one touch ended and the next began, and this orgasm lingered just out of reach longer. When I came, my entire body shuddered.

  The blindfold fell away, and Grayson was kissing me.

  I blinked several times in the abrupt light. “It’s bright.”

  “You wanted to see us,” he murmured against my lips.

  I had, and I did. I took them both in. Grayson, propped up next to me on one elbow, familiar ink trailing down his chest. His cock large, erect, and already wrapped. And Jax stood at the foot of the bed looking sexy as fuck, and just as impressively aroused.

  Grayson traced the edge of my ear. “How are your legs?”

  “Non-functional.” Not that I had any issue with that.

  “On your side.” He nudged me so my back was to him, crooked my leg, and teased my opening with the head of his cock. He glided inside me slowly, stretching me out an inch at a time.

  This was a new angle of penetration for me, and it was an incredible one.