Healing the Wounds (32 page)

“Vocalization, though, hmm.” William tapped his fingers against his thigh. “That might be a violation of the rules, don’t you think?”

“What would you suggest, Will?”

“This little play did have two actors.”

“It did.”

“We might split the prize. A kiss each?”

“That seems a more than fair compromise.”

Henry and William wore matching grins.

They played several rounds, and she bounced between hovering on the edge of orgasm or collapsing into giggles. Both made for a hell of a good time. Henry and William finally agreed to call the game a draw.

William treated her to a sip of his port—fruity, with an aftertaste like thick caramel on her tongue—and one of the dark chocolate truffles he’d brought, which had a maple syrup center. She kissed his fingertips as he fed her.

He tipped her chin up and kissed her cheek. “Will you come snuggle with me, little one? It’s traditional to sit on Santa’s lap.”

Warmth flooded her face.
Traditional
conjured memories of the birthday traditions Henry and Jay had celebrated with her.

Though William held his arms open, he didn’t tug, prod, or pressure.

She settled into his lap, comforted to find him flaccid beneath her despite the arousal he’d obviously felt off and on throughout the night. He wrapped her loosely in his arms. Trying to guess his cues, she leaned into his touch and tucked her head against his shoulder when he stroked her arm or hugged her to him. Seemingly content, he made no demands.

From across the coffee table, Henry let out a soft hum. Jay massaged his feet, intent on his task.

She felt relaxed. A little sleepy, even. Santa warmed her back with steady strokes. Nestling closer, eyelids drooping, she glimpsed Henry’s smile.

“Your girl has given me quite a gift, Henry.” William spoke in a low tone, as if he feared to disturb her. “She’s shown lovely poise. And such comfort.” The light touch of his fingers tickled her arm.

“My Alice has taken a liking to you, Will.” Henry shook his head and loosed an exaggerated sigh, his voice teasing and soft. “Heaven knows why. As if you aren’t entirely too jocular, always jumping in without looking, always finding trouble—”

“Oh-ho, I’m the one who finds trouble, am I? I seem to recall—”

“Now, Will, let’s not be hasty. Little pitchers have big ears, and they’ve had their story time today.”

William snorted, waving aside Henry’s words. “If you found my boyhood antics so troublesome, you’d hardly have gone and chosen a joyful pup for your own household. You’re too serious, Henry. You need lighthearted souls around you.”

“They are a wonderful comfort, that’s true.” Henry ruffled Jay’s hair and tugged him to lie half atop him in their nest of pillows. “My home is never short on laughter.”

“Would that mine were the same.” William sagged into the pillow, his chest deflating beneath her.

She tilted her head back in question.

He frowned, his eyes distant, before he laughed and chucked her under the chin. “But you say your girl’s taken with me, hmm? I admit, I’m hard to resist. Is that true, little one? Have you been comfortable in my hands for the evening? Speak freely.”

She twisted to meet his gaze. “I trust Henry’s judgment. He chose you as a friend. His best friend, I think.” The evidence suggested it was true. “So when he tells me I’ll be safe with you, I know it’s the truth. He wouldn’t lie. And he didn’t. I’m not uncomfortable, Santa.”

William stared at her. He blinked, twice, sharply. “My God, Henry.” He pulled her in tight and kissed the top of her head. “What I wouldn’t give to have half—a quarter, even—of that trust and devotion.”

His chest expanded beneath her shoulder as he breathed. “The faces that come and go over the years are fun for play, but they’re so focused on short-term needs. All wanting me to be someone or something else for them. I can hardly offer them more, can I?” William laughed. “Emotional connections. I’m not sure I recall how to make them. My wife acts as though my slightest touch will contaminate her with unspeakable desires.”

Henry hummed a soothing melody. “It’s all right, Will. Alice is an excellent cuddler—the consummate lapwarmer.”

He knew how much she enjoyed touch, how she’d come to depend on his in so many ways.

“I guarantee you she won’t tire of it, and she already has affectionate emotional ties to you.”

To soothe the stresses of the day, to comfort her, arouse her, and to make her feel she belonged.

“Her needs are being met.”

She’d isolated herself, afraid to mix love with sex because she refused to risk emotional involvement. William had been isolated by circumstances, wanting love but unable to have it. Along came Henry, determined to fix everything for everyone. She was glad he was so good at it. Be nice to know why, though.

William rested his face against the top of her head, his breath warm. He didn’t see her as a potential sex partner. Or not simply a desirable woman who might be available to him if she weren’t with Henry and Jay. He could find sex with willing partners at the club. Despite his apparently sexless marriage, what he lacked wasn’t sex but affection.

That explained why Henry had been comfortable allowing her to offer her thank-you to William as a temporary submissive. The subs Santa played with wanted something from him, and they negotiated to get it. She’d only wanted to give him something.

The conversation moved on, Henry asking William about his son. He’d be a senior in high school in the fall. The near dozen years between her age and Henry’s had never seemed such a vast distance. But she had the same number of years on Santa’s kid. If life had worked out different, Henry could’ve had a kid that age by now. Jesus.

“One more year, then.” Henry’s quiet, knowing tone suggested he meant more than the kid and his graduation.

William bumped her head as he nodded. “The marriage has been hell, but I did get an amazing son out of the deal. Her hatred and deceit was worth living with to have a son who knows I love him instead of one who’s been told nothing but lies.” Pain and determination mingled in his voice. He shook it off, patting her knee. “But who knows, Henry? Maybe you’ll have a son of your own soon, now that you’ve finally found perfection.”

A mother? Her? Soon?

“
Alice?
” Jay echoed her own surprise before he clamped his mouth shut.

“A premature notion, Will.” Henry’s voice was firm. “I’m content with the joyous blessings already in my home. My Alice is young yet.”

“Ah. I’ve overstepped. Forgive me, little one. It wasn’t my intent to startle you.” William kissed her forehead. “I’ve heard nothing of any plans in that direction, Alice, and any such decisions would undoubtedly rest in your hands.”

“As they should,” Henry murmured.

Laughing, William ran his hand down her arm. “Tell the truth, Henry. It’s those sleek muscles you love so much. You want more time to capture them on canvas before trying your hand at beautifully swollen curves.”

Henry shook his head, smiling as he stroked Jay’s cheek. “Alice has delightfully swollen curves with the proper encouragement, doesn’t she, my boy?”

“Yes, Henry.” Jay licked his lips and met her gaze. “Delicious curves.”

Her nipples hardened. The sheer, gauzy fabric of her nightgown did nothing to hide them as she shivered. William followed her spine down and rested his hand above her bottom. Larger than Henry’s, with wider fingers, his hand didn’t make her heart thump the way Henry’s touch did. The way Jay’s eyes were doing now.

William twitched under her thigh. “My God, Henry. Living with these two, how are you not walking around with a permanent hard-on?”

“Meditation. Willpower.” He tousled Jay’s hair. “An unending succession of exquisite blowjobs.”

Will groaned. “Have a heart. I’ve a cold bed waiting for me. A man can only take so much torment.” But he rubbed her back with a light hand and kissed her head. “You’ve been a charming companion, little one. It’s no wonder Henry’s so ass-over-teakettle in love with the both of you. Go and join your playmate, and I’ll leave you to your games. Whatever debt you felt you owed is more than paid.”

She grazed his lips with hers and wrapped her arms around his neck in a quick hug. “Thank you, Santa,” she murmured. “I’m glad you’re such a good friend to Henry and to us.”

Henry welcomed her return with a tight hug and a whisper in her ear. “My dear, sweet girl. Such a beautiful gift.” He settled her on the pillows beside Jay, who clutched her in a fierce grip. “You’re both at leisure while I see Will out, my dears.”

They lay in silence, Jay curved as tight around her as Henry’s slacks hugging his ass when he walked to the door. Yum.

“I had a wonderful evening, Henry.” William slipped his shoes on. “It’s been a long time.”

“Too long.” Henry handed him his coat from the armoire. “We’ll plan something again soon.”

William smiled at her and Jay in their nest, and she smiled back. “They’re a credit to themselves and to you, Henry.” He must have said something else as he turned away, because he and Henry chuckled together.

“I wish you luck, Will. Give our best to Em if you see her.”

Ah. Santa was off to the club, to find a playmate of his own before he went home to that cold bed. The rest of her night would probably be much more fun, even if it involved cleaning the kitchen and falling asleep. At least her bed would be warm and full of love.

The door opened seconds after Henry buzzed. Unmarked, unobtrusive, no different from the half-dozen doors he’d driven past as he threaded the car down the alley and parked. Tuesday evening. The shadows hung deep in the alley between buildings though the sun hadn’t set.

Jay brushed Alice’s fingers.

She clasped his hand.

Emma ushered them inside and down a narrow hall. An oddity, coming out to the main reception area from the back. Past small offices and a coat room, all dark.

No one stood behind the curving counter to greet them. Emma didn’t request their electronic devices or log their visit. Her heels echoed on the granite with each step. She flipped a switch, and the sconces along the wall highlighted their path up the stairs.

“No one will be here tonight but me, Henry. It seems we’re undergoing a ‘pest extermination.’” Emma appeared immaculately coiffed as always. Dress, hose, heels. Pearl choker.

Did she sleep that way, or did she don a persona every morning?

“Even those with private rooms have been informed they won’t be accessible this evening.”

Ugh. Distracting herself by worrying about irrelevancies like Emma’s perfection wouldn’t cut it tonight. Henry had brought them here to confront their lingering unease. To excise that fucking bastard Cal from whatever corner of Jay’s mind and hers he occupied.

“Take whatever time you need.” Emma’s mouth softened as she glanced at Jay and Alice. “I’ll lock up behind you when you’re ready.”

“Thank you, Em. Your attention to detail is most appreciated.” Henry kissed Emma’s cheek.

A brief kiss. A friend kiss. An entirely nonromantic kiss that still left Alice grateful for the squeeze of Jay’s hand in hers.

“Come along, my dears.” Henry held out his hand. “We’ll begin with a tour of the second floor. Alice hasn’t seen it at all yet.”

They’d taken the elevator straight to the third floor the night she’d been here. Dressed to attract attention. To see and be seen.

Tonight they’d dressed for comfort, covered from head to toe. Her coziest flannel, her softest jeans, her well-worn sneakers. Jay sported equally scuffed sneaks topped by loose sweats and a thin, long-sleeved T-shirt.

“Second floor.” She stepped onto the stairs, Jay half a beat behind, their hands entwined. “Can’t wait. What’s up there?”

Henry settled his hand against her back and played tour guide as they climbed the grand staircase. The rise and fall of his voice soothed. At the top of the stairs, he led them left, past a separate reception area and expanded cloakroom.

“Not everyone arrives dressed to play. For those with more elaborate tastes, such would be unthinkable.” Henry pushed open a door and turned on a light. “Changing rooms on this floor. A non-play area. The rules of respect, the code of conduct, still apply, of course, but contact must remain nonsexual. Locker rooms, as well, for post-play showers.”

“But the bathrooms upstairs have showers.” She and Jay had climbed to the fourth floor because the showers in the third-floor bathrooms had been in use.

“Those are not for bathing so much as playing, my dear.” Henry flipped off the light and closed the door. “As we did at Will’s vacation home.”

Shower sex. She laughed, an edge of nerves beneath. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of that.”

“Really, Alice.” Jay tsked at her, mock-sorrow on his face. “After all the showers we’ve taken together. How could sex not be the first thing you think of when you see a shower? It’s the first thing I think of.”

“Sex is the first thing you think of as soon as your eyes open in the morning.” She smiled to take the sting out of the tease. “I’m pretty sure it’s what you think about when you’re asleep, too.”

Jay splayed his hands in the universal sign for
eh, what’re ya gonna do?

Henry made a soft sound between a hum and a grunt. “The salon and the attached kitchen command the largest space on this floor.” He led them back past the stairs, threw open a pair of oversize doors, and lit up an enormous room.

“Whoa.” She pivoted to take in the dozen or so seating arrangements. Cozy, intimate spaces for two. Larger groupings of short sofas. The room clamored for men in formal dress discussing weather and war while women in Victorian gowns played the piano or embroidered. A movie set from some period piece where the electricity would get edited out. “Fancy.”

Jay’s sigh seemed almost relaxed. Her estimation had been way off. He hadn’t shown a hint of upset, no fidgeting, no clinging to Henry. Maybe he’d find confronting this easy.

“Tell Alice about the salon, my boy.” Henry’s fond smile matched Jay’s. “What does this room remind you of?”

Jay wandered right, weaving from seating area to seating area. Stopping at a pale blue chair, he frowned. “Where’s the other one?”