Weird. Nice. But very strange.

  As the meal went on, the conversation moved in waves from individual pockets to full-room discussions. Sonya relaxed more and more, and worked her way through a few more drinks as well.

  I was content to down Pepsi. I preferred to keep my wits in a room of strangers, especially one this odd, regardless of how friendly they were. Besides, someone needed to drive Sonya home.

  “Serious question time.” Nigel leaned in as the wait staff cleared our plates away and brought dessert out. “Who are you casting as the characters in Sonya’s series?”

  “Paul Rudd,” Adrienne said without hesitation.

  Luna squealed. “I met him once. He’s so nice.”

  “Which character?” Nigel asked.

  Adrienne scrunched up her face, and then grinned. “All of them.”

  Reese, who had insisted she was fine without dessert, stole a forkful of Sonya’s chocolate cake. “I can see that.”

  “Nope.” Sonya playfully swatted her hand away when Reese came back for a second bite. “Not every role. I need Gary Oldman in there too.”

  “As who?” I asked.

  “It doesn’t matter.” Sonya shook her head. “He’s so good, he’s so good, he could be playing Paul Rudd playing every character, and you’d never know it wasn’t a dozen different actors on the screen.”

  I didn’t dare argue with such intensely flawed logic, but I did laugh.

  By the end of the night, Sonya’s cheeks were pink from the liquor, not embarrassment, and she was spitting out thoughts one after another. “So picture this—vampires in space plus video gam— Oh.” She looked at me. “We should go home.”

  “Probably a good idea,” I said.

  She looped her arm through Jeremy’s. “And bring him.”

  “We should drop him off at home.” I hadn’t planned on another passenger, but he’d had as much to drink as Sonya.

  “No.” Sonya shook her head so hard, she lost her balance. “Jeremy’s coming home with us.”

  I steadied her. “Why?” The vampires needed someone to game with?

  She smooshed a finger to her lips. “It’s a secret.”

  “I’m good at keeping secrets,” Jeremy said.

  They were both kind of adorable right now, and the booze had knocked twenty years off their personalities. “All right. Quentin’s Cab now in service. Everyone aboard.”

  Sonya snickered. “Litter… Aloo…”

  “Alliteration.” Jeremy laughed.

  Fucking writers. They were still cute, though. Especially Sonya’s half-scowl at not finding the words she wanted.

  We climbed into my car and headed toward home.

  “So, these vampires…” Jeremy twisted in his seat to look at Sonya. “Are they playing the games or are they trapped in the games?”

  “Both. Definitely both. Like, most of them are just playing, but there’s someone trapped in the game who’s probably a vampire, because only vampires play the game, but she might also be Alice.”

  I frowned. “From Resident Evil?”

  “From Alice in Wonderland.” Sonya paused. “But ooh both! Yes. And they could fight vampire zombies and eat cakes and drink tea and blow up spaceships.”

  I was starting to understand the rules here—as in, there weren’t many. “If they’re trapped in the game, how do they know it’s not their ship they’re blowing up?”

  “Maybe it is.” Sonya sounded excited. “And that’s part of the drama.”

  We were still discussing the logistics of vampires in space in video games when we got home. Sonya stumbled taking off her shoes, and again stepping into the living room that was two stairs lower than the entryway. She was going to hate the hangover in the morning.

  “Stay right there.” I hurried into the kitchen and returned quickly with water for both her and Jeremy. “Drink this.”

  Sonya giggled. “Yes sir.”

  Fuck, I liked the way she said that.

  “So what’s this secret?” Jeremy asked.

  Sonya set her half-empty glass on the coffee table, having enough presence of mind to use a coaster even when she was drunk. “Okay, okay, okay. So listen to this, ’cuz it’s brilliant.”

  “We’re listening.” And I was very curious.

  “I think that the two of you”—she jabbed us each lightly in the arm—“would be super cute together.”

  I looked Jeremy over. He was certainly attractive, and we’d make sexy as fuck porn together, but knowing Sonya, that wasn’t what she meant.

  “Why?” I asked at the same time Jeremy did.

  Sonya huffed and rolled her eyes. “You’re both smart. And single. And you get along. Sparks. Boom.” She made an explosion gesture with her hands.

  “We’re both single on purpose.” Jeremy said what I was thinking.

  Sonya scowled. “You have to at least give it a try. A kiss. Something.”

  “Most relationships don’t start with a ki—”

  Jeremy crushed his mouth to mine, cutting me off. A rainbow of reactions lit through me, from surprise to desire. Even drunk and sloppy, his kiss seared my senses.

  But I wasn’t letting him control this situation. I shifted my weight, controlling and deepening the kiss while I nudged him back toward the couch.

  He raked his fingers down my chest, shifted his weight, and ground his hip into my growing erection. Snippets of his orgy story teased me, mingling with images of what he looked like, jerking off. What Sonya looked like.

  And she was watching us. She had to be enjoying this. Her groan confirmed that.

  Now I was harder. There were probably a billion reasons not to do this, but all I could think about were the reasons to keep going.

  Jeremy stumbled, breaking the kiss and landing on the couch on his ass. The room seemed to pause, and then he and Sonya started giggling.

  Giggles became loud laughs and gasps for air.

  There was my Number One reason to stop—they were both drunk.

  “Both of you, to bed.” I pointed Sonya toward her room and Jeremy toward the guest room.

  Sonya grabbed our hands and tugged. “After that? You’re coming with me.”

  We most certainly were not.

  I let her lead the way because it would be easier to get her to her room.

  She fell into bed, pulling on our arms. “Don’t go.” Her tone had shifted to sad. “I promise I’ll behave. I just want company.”

  This was such a bad idea. “Okay.” I climbed into bed next to her, unable to ignore the way my pulse roared when she pressed into my side and laid her head on my chest. My jealousy roared louder when Jeremy settled on her other side.

  Sonya kissed my shoulder, the heat of her lips searing through my shirt. “Thank you.” She sounded drowsy.

  I lay there wide awake long after the two of them fell asleep, sorting my thoughts into nice, neat columns and making sure any feelings I had about tonight were stashed away before morning.

  Hours later, I had to admit that wasn’t happening, and I only saw one other solution.

  Fuck it. Once Jeremy and Sonya were sober, I was going to see if either or both were interested in making our relationship physical.

  10

  Sonya

  Last night was one of the best nights of my life. And yet, I felt like I’d missed out on something important. I remembered all of it—I hadn’t been that drunk—and I felt it all, too. I’d wanted Quentin and Jeremy to keep going.

  At the same time, I’d wanted one of them to kiss me. That was selfish and stupid. I wasn’t the girl who got the guy; I was the girl who wrote about the guy getting the guy. And now I was in bed between those guys, one pressed into my back and the other one acting as an uncomfortable but soothing pillow.

  I scooted off Quentin’s arm and opened my eyes.

  He was staring back, dark lashes framing a thoughtful gaze. “Morning.”

  I started to open my mouth, and more reality sank in at the coated feeling on my tongue. I smiled instead.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked.

  I covered my mouth, hoping to shield him from what I assumed was toxic morning breath. “Like a horde of zombie strawberries died on my tongue.”

  His chuckle mingled with Jeremy’s, sending a pleasant shiver down my spine.

  “You think your mouth zombies are related to my mouth fungus?” Jeremy asked.

  Quentin winced. “I was going to say something, but I’m pretty sure the two of you have ruined the moment.”

  “What? No.” I wouldn’t let him drop a line like that and not explain. “Say it.”

  Quentin shook his head and booped me softly on the noise. “Go brush away the zombie strawberries, so you’re not hung up on them. I’ll make coffee.” He extracted himself from us and walked out of the room.

  Nice view. Was Jeremy appreciating that as much as I was?

  I flopped back with a sigh, colliding with Jeremy, who rested his head against the back of mine. “Is this awkward? That we’re making a habit of falling asleep in the same bed?” he asked.

  “Is twice a habit?”

  “More of one than once.”

  I didn’t want it to be awkward. That was the last thing I wanted. “How many overnighters have we pulled over the years?”

  “More than I care to admit.”

  “See? It’s fine.” I wasn’t sure my logic worked, but I was going to pretend it did. “Do you want mouthwash?”

  “Or something.” Jeremy made a lip-smacking sound near my ear.

  A glance at the clock said I was up earlier than normal, which meant I could drag my feet getting ready for work. That was good. I wanted time to enjoy the company.

  A short while and a bit of mouthwash later, I felt like we’d killed off most of the lingering liquor taste from last night.

  Jeremy and I found Quentin in the kitchen, sipping from one mug, with two more on the table. His hair was damp, and he was in fresh clothes. He’d managed to shower and make coffee while we were still getting out of bed. He must be part wizard.

  I took a long swallow of coffee and cringed.

  “Doesn’t mix well with mint, does it?” Quentin sounded amused.

  I set the mug down. “What were you going to say in the bedroom?” If I didn’t find out now, it would bother me all day.

  He looked past me toward Jeremy, then shook his head. “Nothing.”

  “Nope. That won’t fly here.” I was way too curious and anxiety ridden to brush off a statement like, I was going to say something sweet, but…

  Quentin looked at Jeremy again before settling a hand on my cheek and meeting my gaze. “If you hadn’t been drunk last night, things would’ve gone differently.”

  My brain stalled, refusing to interpret his words or his look or his touch. “With Jeremy?”

  “With you.” Quentin dragged a thumb over my bottom lip. “I’m not looking for romance, and I know that’s one of your things, but—fuck—I want a taste of the body that goes with that brilliant mind. And if he’s there as well, that’s fine.”

  My book going viral. The TV offer. My gorgeous roommate, telling me he wanted… to fuck me?

  I couldn’t process this kind of world. This didn’t happen to real people. It didn’t happen to fictional ones. Life wasn’t this kind unless it intended to stick the knife in and break it off at the hilt. “Is this an elaborate joke? A dream I’m not going to wake up from?”

  “You wanted to know what I was going to say in bed. This is it.” Quentin’s voice was low and deep, rumbling over and through me. He slid his hand to the back of my neck and claimed my mouth.

  The hunger in his kiss made me whimper, and my world tilted off its axis. I didn’t… I couldn’t… What? I gripped his shirt in my fists, needing something to cling to, to keep my mental footing.

  That didn’t help. The way his tongue danced with mine and his fingers dug into my skin flooded me with an all-consuming need.

  I’d never had a dream like this before. And he was kissing the wrong person. I almost hated the thought, but he belonged with Jeremy.

  Quentin glided his free hand down my side. It brushed the edge of my breast, slid lower, and rested on my hip, his thumb teasing under my waistband. He twisted us both, until my back met the fridge. My body had no choice but to mold to his hard, chiseled form.

  I’d do anything he asked, and not think twice about it.

  When he broke the kiss, I gasped. The world that rushed back in, but I couldn’t look away from him.

  Jeremy’s barking laugh shattered the mood. “Wow. No, really. He was kissing me last night, and now he’s sticking his tongue down your throat? Who will you find him kissing tomorrow?”

  “You kissed me last night,” Quentin countered. “At her prompting. And you’re the one with stories about how many of your co-workers you’ve fucked at the same time—not that I’m complaining. Are you really throwing shade? Besides, the offer is open to both of you.”

  That made so much more sense than Quentin wanting me, and everyone knew the right no strings attached agreements frequently led to the sweetest long-term relationships. If I got to participate and nudge them together at the same time… That was a hard offer to walk away from.

  “I’ve always wondered what two guys at once would be like.” I looked at Jeremy. “And you can’t tell me co-workers with benefits isn’t a thing.”

  “It was a good kiss last night. And watching you two together…” Jeremy closed the distance between us, cupped my cheek without pushing Quentin out of the way, kissed me.

  The spark at his light touch blazed when he knotted his fingers in my hair and shifted my body toward him. The way he nipped at my bottom lip then licked away the sting was more playful than Quentin’s kiss, but just as intense. Just as breath stealing.

  Jeremy pulled his lips from mine and searched my face. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.”

  “He said, as if they’d known each other for an eternity.” I didn’t typically narrate my own life unless I ran out of anything else to say. Apparently, these men made me thought-tied.

  “When’s your first meeting, Sonya?” Jeremy asked.

  “Nine thirty.”

  He tugged me away from the fridge. “Shame we don’t have more time. We could have you for breakfast.”

  “Ooh, I like the way you think.” Quentin spun me to face him and teased a finger along the inside of my waistband.

  Jeremy brushed my hair off my neck and trailed his lips along my skin, up to my ear. “Strip you down. Drizzle honey all over you and lick you clean. Watch Quentin fuck you and I can have cream pie for dessert…”

  Or cook an egg on my flaming hot skin. Oh Goddess. Did I know Jeremy could harness the power of filthy language? Of course, it was what we did. But this new trend of his using it on me?

  Few things were hotter.

  “I assume we can skip a lot, since you two are in a hurry.” Quentin shoved my shirt up, the friction teasing my skin.

  Drawn-out foreplay had its place, but the way Quentin yanked my bra down and captured a nipple in his mouth made me feel like I was his lifeline. He sucked and bit the skin, sending fissures of delight through me.

  “I still remember how good your pussy tastes.” Jeremy undid my jeans and teased his hands under my panties. “I guess I have to be satisfied with memories of you grinding against my face. For now.”

  Quentin worked his hips, pressing his erection into my thigh as he sucked on my nipples. He dug his fingers into my ass cheeks, holding me tight while Jeremy stroked my clit. The attention from so many directions at once built inside, pushing me closer and closer.

  My breath escaped in short gasps as Quentin sucked and Jeremy fingered me. I whimpered when I came, riding the wave until the pleasure ebbed.

  Jeremy pulled his touch away, but I still felt him behind me.

  Quentin hovered his mouth over mine, then hesitated.

  “That’s disappointing,” he murmured.

  My heart seized. “What is?”

  “Condoms are in the bedroom, and I really want to fuck you now.”

  I let out a barking laugh of relief and rested my palms on his chest. “Are you clean?”

  “Yes.”

  I was on birth control, and this was too good to pause for even a second. “Then I don’t care. Fuck me. Come inside me. Just don’t stop.”

  “You say the sexiest things.” Quentin’s chuckle was strained. He spun me away from him, and yanked my bottoms down to my knees, restricting my movement. He glided his fingers along my slit to penetrate me. “Fuck, he made you wet.” He pumped lightly, teasing me.

  I was working on a witty-but sexy comeback when Quentin slid out of me. Before I could catch up, he gripped my hips tight, and slammed his cock into me. A gasp tore from my throat instead of words.

  Quentin pressed me forward, his hands between my shoulder blades, until I was bent at the waist, supporting myself with my hands on a stool. When he wrapped my hair around his hand and yanked, my head jerked back. I groaned in surprise and delight.

  “You look delicious.” Jeremy stepped in front of me. “Trapped. Flushed.” He dragged his thumb along my bottom lip and pressed it into my mouth. I licked along the pad, watching him with wide-eyed innocence and smirking with satisfaction when his eyelids fluttered.

  I was intently aware of Quentin moving slowly in me, keeping my head pulled back with his grip. Being trapped like this, between the two of them, was enough to make me slick all over again.

  “The most amazing thoughts come out of your mouth.” Jeremy popped his thumb out, and lifted my chin. “And I’ve fantasized so many times about fucking it.”

  He’d fantasized… about me? I licked my lips and held his gaze.

  Jeremy slid down his zipper, worked his cock free, and pressed the head to my lips. I opened my mouth to let him in. When I teased my tongue along his skin, his grunt was intoxicating.