Sofia calmed down somewhat. The conversations around us gradually resumed, though I noticed several people glancing our way with concern.

  Wade and a few others shook our hands and affirmed their support. Then I led the way through the doors into the damp night air.

  Chapter twenty-one

  The road was dark as I drove home to Caroline’s. No stars shone, and rain started to patter on my windshield.

  Sofia shivered in the passenger seat. “Is getting cold. Fall is starting.”

  Caroline purred from the back seat, “I’ll be making pumpkin pies soon.”

  In the rearview mirror, I could see Kate following on her motorbike, hunched over, bracing against the wet air.

  The rain picked up as we drove, drumming against the roof. By the time we reached Caroline’s driveway, it was pouring.

  “Poor Kate’s going to be soaked,” Caroline said, watching the motorcycle pull up behind us.

  We made a dash for the porch. Kate arrived last, her leather jacket glistening with raindrops, hair plastered to her forehead.

  “Come in here, you poor thing. You’re drenched!” Caroline ushered her inside.

  Kate stood shivering, water puddling at her shoes. Her chest was dripping with water, the blouse soaking wet and stuck to her skin.

  “Let me get you something to change into,” Caroline hurried up the stairs.

  I helped Kate out of her jacket. “You okay?”

  “I’m fine—just cold,” she said, teeth chattering.

  I gathered her into my arms, rubbing her back. Her head fell against my chest.

  “Let’s get those shoes off,” I said, gently stroking her hair.

  She balanced on my shoulder and slipped off her soaked shoes.

  Caroline returned with towels and a robe. “Here. You should get out of those wet clothes.”

  “Well, I’m not staying that long,” Kate protested.

  Caroline’s tone was maternal but firm. “Don’t be ridiculous. You can’t stay in those clothes. Go change in the bathroom and I’ll throw your clothes in the drier.”

  Kate hesitated, but it would have been silly for her to refuse. Her clothes were soaked. “Well, alright.”

  She took the towel and robe. Outside, the rain showered down noisily. The wind joined in, too, tossing leaves against the window in a powerful gust.

  “I’m not sure if you should be on the road tonight with that nasty weather,” I said.

  “But I can’t stay here!” Kate said, stepping back.

  “Ryan’s right,” Caroline said in her motherly tone, which did not permit disagreement. “You can’t ride that bike home tonight.”

  Kate’s eyes narrowed slightly. Maybe she was suspicious of Caroline’s authoritative tone. She sighed and looked at the door. “I have to go to work in the morning!”

  But her resistance seemed more for show than genuine. When I slipped my arm around her shoulder, she immediately relaxed against me.

  “Maybe the rain will stop,” I murmured. “But right now, let’s just get you out of these wet clothes.” I kissed her cheek.

  Her voice softened with my kisses. “I’ll just stay until the rain lets up.”

  “I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Caroline said, handing her the robe and towel. “You can sleep in the guest room and go to work from here tomorrow morning.”

  Kate chewed on her lip. She knew Caroline was queen of her own roost.

  Yet she also clearly craved the warmth and comfort being offered.

  “Come on, let’s get you changed.”

  “Okay.”

  I led her past the stairs, down the hall towards the bathroom. Then I went to the front living room and dropped onto the couch, loosening my tie and unbuttoning my collar.

  “I’ll pour some wine!” Sofia chirped, disappearing into the kitchen.

  Caroline flicked on the adjustable lights over the dining room table, lowering them to a soft glow.

  When Kate emerged from the bathroom wearing Caroline’s robe, her hair towel-dried and her face flushed, I felt a surge of desire.

  The robe was short, showing off her legs. It was tied around her waist, and her braless breasts sat heavily underneath.

  There was something vulnerable about her now—the commanding officer stripped of her uniform.

  She clutched her wet clothing, all bundled up in a towel.

  “Give me your clothes so I can dry them,” Caroline said, putting out her hands.

  Kate looked down at the bundle, then at Caroline. Her cheeks flushed hot.

  “Alright. Thank you, Caroline.” Kate handed her the clothes, her voice softening with genuine gratitude despite herself.

  Sofia brought glasses of red wine. “This will warm you up.”

  Kate’s eyes lit up. “Thank you. I could use that.” She sipped it appreciatively.

  When we all had a glass, Sofia nestled beside me on the couch.

  Kate started to pull out a chair from the table, but Caroline directed her to the couch. “Please, Kate. I want you to be comfortable.”

  Kate looked at the spot beside me, clearly tempted.

  I smiled encouragement.

  Her face brightened. “Okay.” She walked over, her bare feet padding the wood floor, and sat beside me, crossing her legs and pulling the robe down.

  She hugged herself, shivering, wine glass in one hand. Sofia was clinging to me on the other side.

  Caroline stood, wine glass in hand. “You know what would be nice? A fire.”

  “Mmmm, that would be cozy,” Sofia purred, clutching the lapel of my suit jacket.

  “I’ll get some wood.” I moved to get up, but Caroline raised her hand.

  “No need. I already loaded up the fireplace.”

  I sank back against the couch and twisted my neck to look past the dining room table. I could see the hearth was piled up with logs.

  “When did you do that?” I murmured.

  Caroline grinned. “Like a week ago. I’ve been waiting for an excuse to have a fire. You guys relax. I’ll light it.”

  The hardwood creaked under Caroline’s high heels as she walked through the dining room.

  Kate shivered, her teeth chattering. I put my arm over the back of the couch. “Come here, Kate. Let me warm you.”

  She shifted towards me, lifting her legs up and curling against me.

  Now I had one around Sofia and the other around Kate. The feel of their skin, the smell of their hair, blanketing me all at once— it was intoxicating.

  I almost couldn’t believe that Kate let me cuddle her at the same time I was cuddling another woman.

  I could feel her tension — not just from the cold, but from the unfamiliar surrender of being one of several women sharing a man’s attention.

  But here she was, cuddling against me. She accepted it. My cock stiffened, straining against the crotch of my suit pants.

  As the fire started crackling, Caroline called us over. “Come warm up by the fire.”

  A huge sheepskin rug lay in front of the hearth. Sofia settled on the rug, leaning on hand, elegant in her dress.

  Kate sat on her heels beside Sofia, the robe riding up her thighs.

  Feeling the warmth of the flames, I shrugged out of my suit jacket and draped it over a chair.

  Caroline sat in an armchair by the fire, crossing her legs and looking down on Kate and Sofia.

  In the warm light of the fire, Caroline’s stockinged legs looked incredibly sexy, especially with those heels on her feet.

  I saw Kate glance up at Caroline, then down at the rug where she sat.

  Caroline in a chair, Kate on the floor.

  Surprisingly, the implication didn’t seem to bother her too much. Maybe it reminded her of the last time she was here—on her knees in the kitchen.

  Kate sipped her wine with one hand, putting her other hand on her lap, pulling the robe farther up her things. She arched her back and tossed her bangs girlishly.

  Caroline and I exchanged a glance of understanding.

  We were both seeing the same thing. Something had shifted in Kate. She wanted more of what she’d gotten last time she was here.

  I undid my tie and slipped it off, tossing it onto my jacket. Then I took a slow sip of wine and stood watching the women.

  A feeling of expectation hung in the air.

  “Come here, Kate,” Caroline said, pointing at the floor near her feet. “Let me work on those shoulders.”

  The fire crackled for a few seconds as Kate peered at Caroline over her wine glass, considering the invitation.

  “Your neck must be tense from that ride,” Caroline added, her tone softer but still authoritative.

  Kate slowly put it down on the floor. She crawled a few feet towards Caroline, then turned around so that she was sitting on her heels in front of Carolilne’s chair.

  Caroline uncrossed her legs and leaned forward, reaching down to massage Kate’s neck and shoulders.

  Kate let her head loll back as she exhaled.

  “Better?” Caroline asked, her fingers working deeper into Kate’s muscles.

  “Mmm,” Kate murmured, eyes half-closed.

  I was a little surprised. But I was pretty sure that in Kate’s mind, this was not the end of their power struggle.

  The situation was just too erotic for her to resist. It was getting too close to fulfilling her deepest fantasy of surrender.

  “I need a massage too,” Sofia moaned, rubbing her neck.

  I knelt behind her on the rug, carefully gathering her lustrous black hair and moving it aside. My fingers worked her shoulders at the same time Caroline worked on Kate.

  Caroline clicked her tongue at Kate. “Look at you. You’re still tight. But we both know there’s only one thing that can make you really relax.”

  Kate immediately looked up at me. “Of course. I want Ryan to do what he did last time. Take control of me.”

  I stood, leaving Sofia with a gentle squeeze of her shoulder. Kate’s eyes never left mine as I stood over her.

  She tilted her head back to expose her neck. “Please…do it.”

  My fingers traced over her cheek. “Do what?”

  “I want to feel your grip. Do it.”

  Slowly, my fingers wrapped around her throat, applying the gentlest pressure.

  Her neck was small and feminine. Her mouth fell open, a gasp escaping as her eyelids fluttered.

  I took my hand away. Her chest heaved, and Caroline reached over her and pulled open the robe, exposing Kate’s breasts.

  I admired her big hard nipples, then walked to the table and reached for my tie, sliding the silk between my fingers. “Alright, Kate. Turn around.”

  Chapter twenty-two

  Kate’s eyes widened with excitement. She readily turned, presenting her back to me. Caroline smiled over Kate’s shoulder, one hand resting on the top of her head.

  “I’m going to tie you,” I said softly. “Hands behind your back.”

  I looped the tie around her wrists, binding her loosely.

  “Too tight?” I asked.

  “No, that’s perfect,” she whispered.

  Bending over her from behind, I kissed her cheek and squeezed her shoulders, feeling her tremble.

  “You seem so much more relaxed now,” I murmured, pressing my lips to her neck.

  “I am,” she said, letting her head fall back against my shoulder.

  Caroline leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs, her eyes luminous in the firelight.

  I reached around, untying Kate’s robe.

  She gasped but didn’t resist as I pushed it off her shoulders, trapping her arms further.

  “Beautiful,” Caroline breathed, taking a sip of wine. “Kiss her, Ryan.”

  I gripped Kate’s face, clamping my hands around her jaw and the top of her head, bringing my lips to hers.

  She moaned into my mouth, straining against her bonds, desperate to touch me.

  Sofia scooted over and looked at Kate, her hand caressing her thigh with admiration. “She’s so cool. So sexy.”

  Kate moaned between us, caught in a web of sensation. When I pulled back, her eyes were glazed, lips parted. “My pussy’s so fucking wet right now.”

  Caroline caressed Kate’s face. Then she stood up. “Here, honey. Use the chair.”

  Still on her knees, Kate fell forward onto the chair, her big ass sticking up. I lifted the robe and groped her pussy. It was dripping wet.

  Hastily undoing my belt, I shoved my pants down and got behind Kate, inserting myself inside her.

  With one steady thrust, I slipped halfway inside and started fucking her, working my way deeper as her tightness gradually relaxed to accommodate me.

  Sofia and Caroline stood on either side, undoing the buttons of my shirt, their hands rubbing all over me.

  Kate’s body tensed, her back arching as she pressed back against me. Her breathing turned to shallow gasps.

  “Oh god... oh god…” she panted against the seat of the chair, her voice rising in pitch.

  Her muscles clenched around me in rhythmic waves as she shuddered.

  A long, keening cry escaped her as trembling tore through her.

  Caroline smiled, leaning over the back of the chair to run her fingers through Kate’s hair. “She came so hard.”

  I slowed my pace. “Did you come, baby?”

  Kate nodded weakly, her cheek pressed against the seat of the chair. “Yes... yes…”

  “Good.” I sped up, chasing my own release.

  But Caroline straightened, wine glass in hand. “Not so fast, young man.”

  She put her glass aside, then wiggled her hips as she pulled her pencil skirt up. “You know the rules, Ryan.”

  At the sight of Caroline hiking up her skirt, revealing more of her pantyhose, my thrusts became more erratic.

  Caroline’s hand landed firmly on my ass. “Save that for me, honey.”

  “Get ready then!” I was about to explode.

  Caroline walked behind me and got down on the rug.

  I pulled out of Kate. My cock leapt, shooting a stream of pre-cum onto her ass. Turning, I saw Caroline lying back on the sheepskin rug, her legs opened. She quickly ripped open a hole in her pantyhose.

  Her slit glistened.

  Scrambling between her legs, I pushed inside her welcoming heat. Intense pleasure quickly caught up with me as I fucked her frantically, emptying myself deep inside her.

  Caroline’s fingers dug into my shoulders, her eyes locking on mine as she took everything I had to give.

  “That’s a good boy,” she cooed. “Fill me up.”

  As my breathing slowed, I pulled out and turned back to Kate, on her knees, slumped forward over the seat of the chair, her wrists bound behind her.

  I gently untied her wrists and gathered her into my arms. “You okay?”

  Kate melted against my chest. “Never been better.”

  I gazed down at her, struck by the transformation. The commanding officer was gone, replaced by this soft, yielding woman in my arms.

  “You’re beautiful like this,” I murmured, kissing her forehead.

  She looked up at me with something like gratitude in her eyes. “I’d like to stay like this forever.”

  Sofia moved closer, gazing at me with pleading puppy dog eyes. I pulled her in, adding another layer of warmth.

  Caroline joined us on the other side, wrapping us in her warm embrace and completing our circle.

  Rain continued to drum against the windows as we held each other in the firelight.

  Chapter twenty-three

  Sunlight streamed through the kitchen windows as I stirred a pot of oatmeal. Kate sat at the island, the early morning sun shining on the counter.

  Caroline had been a gracious host, insisting that Kate sleep in my bed. Our morning sex was simpler than the night before—just us lying on our sides, me entering her from behind.

  I hadn’t planned on morning sex. I knew Sofia would be wanting attention soon, probably tonight, and she rarely took no for an answer.

  My body was feeling the strain, but Kate’s warmth beside me in the morning was hard to resist.

  Now dressed in yesterday’s clothes, Kate looked surprisingly fresh considering our lack of sleep.

  “You’re having brekky?” I asked, sliding a mug of coffee toward her.

  Kate’s nose curled with a laugh. “‘Brekky.’ You’re cute. Sure, I’ll have some.”

  The rain had stopped sometime during the night, but the morning air was chilly. I could see goosebumps on the skin of Kate’s bare arms.

  I couldn’t resist coming around the counter and hugging her, letting my hands explore her back and waist.

  Caroline breezed into the kitchen as we were kissing. Already dressed for work, her heels clicked on the tile floor.

  “Morning!” she sang. “Mmm, I need some coffee.”

  “There’s still some in the pot,” I said, giving her a kiss.

  “Thanks, hon. Your oatmeal’s almost burning. You sit down. I’ll lift it.” She shooed me away.

  I took a seat at the island as Caroline spooned the porridge into bowls, setting them down in front of us with milk.

  Kate’s smile came easier than I’d ever seen it. “Thanks, both of you… For everything.” She stared into her bowl. “I don’t usually let myself go like that. Never knew how, really.”

  Caroline nodded, her expression softening.

  Kate paused, searching for words. “Growing up, showing vulnerability wasn’t exactly encouraged.”

  “Your dad was strict?” I asked.

  Kate’s posture straightened slightly. “My father was a colonel. Sometimes it felt like our house was a barracks.”

  She let out a small laugh. “But he was a good man.”

  “He was certainly respected around town,” Caroline said. “A real man’s man.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “You’re talking about him in the past tense. I take it he—”

  “He passed two years ago,” Kate said.

  “I’m sorry.”

  We ate in silence for a moment, the only sound the scrape of spoons against bowls.

  “So, was he why you joined the army?” I asked.