Neil, Louisa - One Queen with Two Kings (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) (15 page)

“Go on, I’m listening.” She tucked her feet up under her on the chair.

“At night we’d fantasize about being home. My ass just became a surrogate for your pussy.” Russell’s face turned bright red.

“My pussy and ass were here last night
. Why
didn’t you use me
,
Dex? Why did you feign sleep and then slip out of bed to fuck Russell?”

“Thea…” His voice cracked when he said her name.

“Is that all you can say, my name
?
Russ, continue
. At
least you’re willing to talk to me. We’re all alone here, at least let’s be honest with each other
,
considering this involves the three of us.”

Thea rose and brought the glass pot from the coffeemaker to them, topping off each of their cups before returning it to the warmer. “I’m not sure if I’m mad about you two being together or mad that you didn’t think to include me
,
or worse
,
that I couldn’t handle the strain of finding out.” She reached for her cup and settled back in the chair. Dex was still hiding his face in his hands
. At
least Russ had the courage to look at her. “I feel betrayed, like you two have been having an affair behind my back.”

“I’m glad you know, Thea. It’s been the worst part of all of this. Dexter was so afraid you’d find out and leave him without at least hearing him out.”

“Pretty hard to do considering he doesn’t have the courage to say a word.”

“Please don’t look at this as an affair. The entire time we were marooned and even before, from the first day I met you
,
I was attracted to you. But you took one look at Dex and I didn’t exist. I never stood a chance to win your affection.” He put his cup aside. “We talked on the island, dreaming that when we got back, we could become a threesome, a complete unit of trust, love
,
and sex. Our dreams had you being the center of our affections, of us taking care of your needs and in turn you handling ours. That we could all be sexual together.”

Thea let out a cynical laugh. “Of all the things I considered you might have experienced on the island, I can honestly say this one never crossed my mind. Actually, sex didn’t enter into any of my wondering. I guess because I was so shut down
,
I assumed you two would be too. I guess it’s ironic to some degree
.
I always knew you were close, but never considered that there was an absolute love and tenderness between you.” Dex started to interrupt
,
but she talked over him. “You had your chance
.
I’m talking now. What I watched in your movements last night between you two was lovemaking
. It
was intimate, not just fucking. I think that’s what bothers me the most, the intimacy between you. I knew when we found you things would be different, just not this way. I expected there to be some distance between us, but not like this.”

Thea stood and walked to the kitchen door, overlooking the deck and then the mountains. “I feel like I’ve lost two years of my life,
and
I’m not ready to accept defeat and lose you again
,
Dex. I just won’t accept that you don’t love me or want me anymore.” She opened the door
,
and the cold morning air rushed in. She walked outside and leaned on the railing
,
taking deep breaths of air until her lungs hurt from the cold. “This was supposed to be a new beginning for all of us. I just never anticipated being the third wheel.” She said the words more to herself than to the men.

With a decisive thud, Thea came back in the house and pulled the door shut. “I’m going to shower and dress…alone. I need some time to think this all through, unless you two have made up your mind and I’m just out of the picture.” She headed across the living area toward her bedroom. “Dex, if that’s what you want, for me to be gone, I can arrange it.”

Finally, he stood
,
but it was as if he was rooted to the spot and didn’t make a move toward her.

“I’m going to shower alone. I’ve done it for two years
.
I can do it again.” She left the two men in the living room, watching her walk away. While she would have liked to know what they were thinking, she didn’t ask. It would all unravel soon enough now that she’d told them of her discovery.

Thea had no fear either man would attempt to make contact while she was dressing. Dex was frozen with anxiety
,
she decided, and Russ wouldn’t encroach on her private shower. Taking her time, she showered, dried her hair
,
and carefully applied her makeup. She dressed in warm jeans, wa
l
king boots
,
and several layers of sweaters. When she ventured back to the living area, the men were huddled around the kitchen counter. They broke apart, each with a guilty look on his face, when she cleared her throat to let them know she was back.

“I guess that decides it all. My worst fear all night was that I’d be intruding in your relationship. Now I know I’m the third wheel. It’s not a place I like.” She paused for a breath. “Russ, is this how you always felt, like a third around us?”

“No, until the island
.
I never thought to approach Dex with my feelings or wishes. I always kept that side of my life very separate.”

“Is that why every week there was a new woman, because you had to hide your feelings for Dex and parading women covered your real want?”

“You’re right about the women, but wrong on the concept, Thea. In all honesty, I always wanted us to be a threesome. I always wanted some of your attention and affection. Dex used to call you his aqua queen,
and
I always thought I’d be damn lucky to have you be my aqua queen
,
too.”

“So
i
f I’m the queen, who’s supposed to be my king?”

“Dex is your king
. Consider
me an ally king who visits occasionally for fun and sex.”

“One queen with two kings.” Thea took a clean cup and filled it with fresh coffee, turning to look at both men. “Dex, you’ve let Russ do all the talking
. Don’t
you have anything to say?” He glanced at her and looked at the floor. “Doesn’t the idea of me being with another man bother you on some level?”

“Absolutely,” Dex finally said, pulling himself to stand straight, looking directly at her. “But I had to accept you might have been while I was gone. I couldn’t expect you to stay celibate for two years not knowing if I were dead or alive.” She realized he’d finally gotten his strength back. “It drove me crazy to think you were with another man or woman.”

“Okay, let’s get one thing straight. I’m not into other women. What happened between you two on the island is one thing, but I didn’t turn to women while you were gone, or ever before.”

“Thea, Russ isn’t just a random lay
. It’s
not like you picked up a stranger in a bar and brought him home to be with us. Russ belongs with us. I know that sounds crazy, but it feels right. He’s been our friend for years.”

“What if I chose to sleep with other men, just for the fun of it
.
Ho
w would that make you feel?”

“
Outraged
,”
Russell burst in. He looked away quickly. Thea started to laugh and Dex followed. Finally Russ turned back to face them. “I’m glad my feelings are laughable to you two.”

“Not laughable, maybe just a moment of relief from all the tension.”

“Fine, then here’s the facts.” Russ gave Dex a resigned look. “I’ve loved you, Thea
,
since the first time I saw you. I knew you’d never give me the time of day, but I’ve always had feelings for you of love and sex. My biggest fantasy of all the women I’ve dated was to find someone like you. None could measure up. None could break past the crush I’ve had on you.”

“Russell, you want me to believe that all the years we’ve known each other you’ve pined for me and I never gave you a second look
,
sexually? All those weekends away and vacations?”

“I couldn’t tell you
. You
and Dex were in love. If I told you
,
I’d never see either of you again. That would be worse than unrequited love and sex.”

“What did you say about all this
,
Dex? What did you do when Russ confessed to you?”

“I wasn’t happy
,
to say the least, but my leg was in a
makeshift
brace
,
and Russ knew I couldn’t chase him. After a while, we talked
,
and I began to see his side of it.” Dex took a step toward her
,
but she took a step back. “Please don’t make any rash decisions.”

“Thea, I didn’t want to spoil your reunion. Last night just happened. It wasn’t planned. We, Dex and I
,
always promised that if we were ever rescued, our intimate times would end, without being discussed. That was Dexter’s one wish. We didn’t plan to meet last night after you fell asleep,
but
we both wound up in the same place. We started talking about being back on the island
,
and it just happened.”

“Nothing seems to be going according to plan these last two years. I need to get some air, outside of this house. I’m going to take a drive into town, window
-
shop
,
and have lunch. Take some time to clear my head. I’ll be back before dark.” Thea hesitated
.
“Either of you want to come with me? Or would you rather be left alone together in the house to play?” Her words weren’t cruel, just a question. “If you come
,
I have one rule, no talk about sex, in any way, shape or form. Let’s just get out and be human for a few hours.”

“I need ten minutes to get ready,” Dexter told her.

“I should probably give you some time alone.” Russ didn’t look at either of them.

“Oh no, I’m not leaving you behind to feel sorry for yourself. Get dressed
.
I’m driving.” She watched the men glance to each other and her. “As I reminded you at the airport, I’m the only one with a license.”

“Don’t you hate it when she’
s
right?” Russ said, heading to his room.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes,” Dexter added, wandering away toward the master bedroom she shared with him.

Thea grabbed her jacket and purse and left the house, heading outside to warm up the rental car. She noted but didn’t comment on Dexter taking the front passenger seat
,
and Russell slid in the back seat. The image of the men fucking came to her mind
,
and she held back a laugh.