Shifting Michelle's Boundaries (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) (12 page)

“Won’t be much longer,” she called. “Sorry about this.”

“My fault for coming early.”

“I hope Jack’s food won’t burn.”

“Nah.” Craig stood and walked to the dresser, his attention on the knickknacks on the top. “It takes a while. I’d tell you what, but I think he wants to dazzle you with his culinary efforts himself.”

“I’ll have to wait, then.”

Craig looked up from the ornaments to see Michelle stood in the doorway in a skirt and tight top that was cut low enough to hint at what Craig had seen ten minutes earlier in the bathroom.

“Wow.”

She grinned. “You like? I like the skirt, but I’m not sure about the top. Is it too revealing?”

“Not for me, it’s not. And I doubt Jack will complain either.”

“I’ll bet,” she said. “And who knows what will happen after I get a little wine in me.”

Craig raised an eyebrow. Was she kidding around, or was she being serious? She answered the question herself with a blush.

“I mean, uh…” She cleared her throat. “That came out sluttier than I’d intended. I just meant that, if things went well, it could be an option. But don’t let Jack know, okay? I don’t want to promise something that I might change my mind about.”

“It’s okay, Michelle.” Craig smiled and put a hand on her arm. “Jack and I are very close, and our relationships with women always work better when it’s the three of us, but I’d never ask you to do something you weren’t 100 percent okay with. And if I thought you were anything more than tipsy I’d call it off myself.”

She put her hand on his, then leaned in and kissed him, her warm lips soft against his own. “You’re a good guy, Craig. Bit of a horndog, but I like that in a boyfriend.”

He returned the kiss. “And you’re a wonderful woman, and I love that in a girlfriend.”

“Well, that makes it official, then. We’re boyfriend and girlfriend.”

“I guess so.” He grinned. “Sounds good, doesn’t it?”

And it did.

Michelle shivered in the cool night’s air as she waited for Craig to lock his truck. Even from the driveway she could smell Jack’s cooking. Meat of some sort, cooking merrily on a barbecue somewhere on the other side of the house.
Must be brave. This is wolf and bear territory.

Her father had had a cabin not too far from where they were now, and he’d often come back from a hunting trip with tales of packs of wolves running free through the trees. She’d been glad when he finally hung up his rifle for good.

Craig took her arm and they headed to the house, their feet crunching on the gravel. If there were any wolves in the area, they’d certainly hear their footsteps. Thankfully they didn’t have far to go.

“Ladies first,” Craig said as he swung open the door.

The smell of meat and spices assailed Michelle as she stepped onto the plush carpet of the lounge, making her mouth water.

“Whatever that is, I want lots of it,” she said as Craig took her jacket and bag.

“Me, too. Jack?”

Jack appeared from Craig’s bedroom door with a large plate in either hand. “Just in time.”

“Hope you didn’t spill anything on my carpet,” Craig said.

“Hey, you’re the one who had the bright idea of putting the patio doors in there. I can’t be held responsible for your stupidity.”

Craig laughed and headed over to the already-laid table, Michelle in tow.

The spread was impressive. As well as the steaks—each cooked to a different level of doneness—there was a slow-cooked joint of beef, several kinds of potatoes, a selection of roasted vegetables and what looked like homemade bread.

“Wow, this looks great,” Michelle said as she took a seat between the two men. “And so much of it.”

“I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I gave you a few choices. Whatever’s left will be turned into tomorrow’s lunch,” Jack said. “I’m both excessive and economical.”

“Both fine traits,” she said. “I can’t wait to get started.”

“After you.”

Michelle picked out a fair-sized steak, a few roasted potatoes, and a hefty serving of boiled carrots. Craig uncorked the wine and poured it for Michelle and himself, then filled his plate with an ungodly amount of food. Michelle was about to comment on it when Jack did exactly the same thing.

“Whoa, you two eat more than I do in a week!”

Jack grinned as he twisted the cap off a beer. “You’d be surprised how much energy a freelance programmer needs.”

Craig laughed. “Yeah, right. Sitting in a chair all day is such hard work.”

Michelle nudged him with her elbow. “Hey, that’s what I do!”

All three laughed, then turned their attention to the meal. As Michelle had guessed from the looks, the food was delicious. Jack must have spent time as a chef, or at least worked in a restaurant. There were some things you couldn’t learn from an internet search.

The conversation was scarce during the meal, but it was pleasant nonetheless. She had good company, good food, and good wine. What more could she ask for?

To her astonishment, both men not only cleaned their plates, they proceeded to help themselves to seconds. Where the food went she had no idea. She’d never seen anybody eat as much.

“You guys must have crazy metabolisms.”

They just grinned and ate on as Michelle finished. Thankfully she ate slowly, so even though they consumed way more, they all finished around the same time.

Michelle slid her plate from her and patted her belly. “Jack, that was wonderful. Where did you learn to cook like that?”

“Texas. I used to own a restaurant down there.”

“I’ve never been, but I hear it’s a beautiful state.”

“Definitely. I’ve seen most of ’em, but Texas is one of my favorites.”

She turned to Craig. “And what about you? Travelled much?”

Craig shook his head. “A few states, and I spent a year in England, but that’s all. I’m happiest here.”

“I’m kind of like that. I love to travel, but I love coming home, too. No place like it.”

He smiled. “Be it ever so humble.”

Jack stood from the table first and took away the dirty dishes. “So, I don’t know about you two, but after all that food, I need a comfy chair and a dumb movie.”

“Sounds good to me,” Michelle said, standing. “Want some help clearing up?”

“Sure. Craig can move the booze and sort the DVDs out.”

“I sure can.” He headed into the lounge. “Take too long and I’ll drink all the wine, though.”

Michelle grabbed a handful of dirty plates and followed Jack to the sink. He was turned away, rinsing the cutlery, so she took a moment to take him in. He was wearing tight blue jeans and a matching denim shirt, and looked every inch the cowboy. His career slightly tarnished the image, though, she thought with a smirk.

“Hey, I was going to ask you about the freelance life,” she said as she dumped the dishes onto the worktop.

He turned and smiled, and she had to fight hard not to get lost in his piercing gaze.
Wow.

“Sure thing. Anything in particular?”

“Just general stuff, really. I’m very much at the beginning stage of the idea.”

He nodded. “It can be pretty daunting at first, giving up job security.”

“Nice not having to get up so early though, right?”

“Oh definitely. And there’s no boss to shout at you for browsing porn sites, either.” He grinned. “Not that a lady such as yourself would ever do such a thing.”

Michelle cleared her throat and glanced away for a second. “Don’t be so sure about that.”

“Oh, see, now I like you even more.” He laughed. “Tell you what. I still have a bunch of bookmarks on my PC for sites that help with freelancing. Most are programming based, but some are general. Give me your e-mail later, and I’ll send them over.”

“That’d be great, thanks.”

“No problem. I’ll send you some porn, too, if you ask nice.”

She laughed. “And just how nice would I have to ask?”

Jack waggled his eyebrows. “Maybe we’ll come to that after the food has settled.”

Michelle grinned and tried not to blush.
Jesus, Michelle! You started off unsure as hell and now you’re practically bending over for him in the kitchen. Again!
It certainly wasn’t the wine that was making her do it, like she’d joked to Craig, either. The more she thought about it, the more she actually wanted it. To be pleasured by two men at once, while giving them just as much pleasure themselves? Where was the downside?

“You in there?”

Michelle looked up at Jack, who was looking bemused. “Sorry, I was miles away for a moment.”

He smiled. “I’ve got these dishes. You go sit down. Be over in a few minutes.”

“Okay. Don’t be too long.”

Craig had set the wine and beers up on the coffee table, and was kneeling by the TV, a stack of DVDs by his leg. “What are you in the mood for?”

I’d tell you, but then we’d miss the movie.
“Something corny we can mock.”

“Ah, so we need Jack’s movie collection then. He’s a connoisseur of the terrible and the tasteless.”

“I know, he already told me about his porn habit.”

“I heard,” Craig said with a raised eyebrow. “For now, how about we start with a disaster movie?”

“Ooh, sold.” Michelle headed back to the couch and dropped into the middle. “I hope it’s atrocious.”

“Oh, it is.” Craig slipped a DVD into the player and then joined her on her left. “Truly awful.”

Michelle reached for her glass and took a few sips as the titles ran. As soon as the first character started talking, Jack appeared, dish towel in his hand.

“Aha, a classic. Well chosen.”

Craig dipped his head. “Thank you, thank you.”

Michelle sank a little lower into her seat. “I don’t think I’ve seen this one.”

“Ah, it’s a very complex plot.” Jack tossed the towel roughly in the direction of the kitchen sink and joined them on the couch. “You see, an ice cap sort of breaks off in the Arctic for some poorly explained reason, and everyone has to try not to die.” He pointed to one of the characters. “Especially him. He tries very hard not to die, while also protecting his family of terrible actors.”

“I’m sure I can follow it,” Michelle said with a chuckle.

Jack grinned and grabbed a beer from the table at the same time as Craig. They both twisted the caps at the same times, too, which made Michelle grin. Craig gave her a questioning look.

“You two are like twins at times,” she explained.

“As the prettier one, I take offense.”

“In your dreams,” Jack said. “You may have the muscles, but lithe beats bulky.”

Craig just snorted and turned back to the movie, a smile on his face.

Michelle could have watched them banter all night. Their barbs may have been sharp at times, but it was always in jest. They really were like brothers.
Only without the icky when it comes to bedroom stuff.
Bedroom stuff. Her mind started to wander again, and she forced her attention onto the crappy movie. It wasn’t the easiest thing to do with a gorgeous man on each side of her, their legs against hers.

The movie dragged a little in places, but the three took those opportunities to mock it mercilessly, each trying to make the other two laugh. Halfway through, Jack headed off to the bathroom and Craig took the opportunity to put his arm around Michelle, pulling her a little closer. She snuggled into his side and squeezed his thigh.

“This is nice.”

“I’m glad you having a good time.” Craig looked down at her. “And you’re okay with Jack being around?”

“Of course. He’s a great guy.”

She meant it, too. She had been unsure beforehand, but seeing them together was like seeing a completed puzzle. Not that she thought Craig was incomplete. Just that he seemed even better when Jack was near. She assumed the same went for Jack, though the only time she’d been alone with him she’d been pretending not to see him.

The sofa sank a little, and Michelle jumped. She hadn’t even heard Jack come in.

“Sorry,” he said. “I’m sneaky like that.”

“So I noticed.” She took a sip of her wine, then a deep breath. “For a second time.”

Jack was silent for a moment, and though she hadn’t turned from the movie, she could tell he knew what she meant. “You saw me?”

“Saw her when?” Craig turned, a faint smile on his face.

“When I stayed over the first night. I came out of the bedroom to get a drink, and Jack had just come in. He must have not wanted to scare me so he stayed out of sight.”

Jack cleared his throat. “Ah, yeah. Sorry about that. Like you said, I didn’t want you thinking I was a burglar or something.”

Craig raised an eyebrow, his lips quirked in an amused expression. “That night when you went for a drink and happened to be naked?”

Michelle colored. “Mmm hmm. Yup.”

Craig turned to look at Jack. “Sounds like I missed a show.”