My Best Friend's Stepfather #3 Read online

  Shock jolted through Ashley. “Oh, my God, Adam and Helen?” Her heart pounded, but Dare waved his hand.

  “No. It turns out she was just yanking my chain. I confronted Adam about it and he told me, in as gentlemanly a way as he could, that Helen had thrown herself at him, but he’d turned her down. I’d suspected she’d been drinking and Adam reluctantly admitted it, not wanting to get Helen in trouble, but realizing that Helen had a problem and that I should know.”

  Jessica had told her about Helen drinking in school and now she was hearing this.

  “How did that turn into a relationship?”

  “Adam’s a good listener. When I found out he knew about Helen’s problem, I opened up to him.” He raked his hand through his hair. “It was a tough time. I was going through this horrendous divorce, Helen was taking it hard—started drinking too much, getting into trouble. I couldn’t tell anyone else what was going on. I didn’t want people knowing about Helen’s problem, hoping that I could get her straightened out and back to school, but in the end, it got so bad, I had to put her into rehab. That’s why she didn’t go to college.”

  She took his hand. “I knew it was hard on Helen, but I hadn’t realized how much it messed her up. Or how difficult it was for you.”

  The waitress returned and refilled their glasses. Ashley took a sip, watching Dare as he stared at his glass.

  She sucked in a breath, not wanting to drag him through more emotional turmoil, but needing to find out the answer that was key to them all moving forward.

  “You know that it really hurt Adam when you left to move to New York. Why did you end it with him?”

  “Fuck, Ash, I never wanted to hurt him. But what I had with Adam…” He gazed at her, his eyes begging her to understand. “It happened too fast, and at a time in my life where I couldn’t really start a relationship. He thought we could make it work. I couldn’t convince him otherwise.” His hand curled into a fist. “Finally, I had to walk away.”

  “Abandoning him.”

  “What else could I have done?” His jaw twitched. “I tried to make him understand. He wanted to keep trying to make it work, but all I wanted was to be as far away from this town, and all the pain it represented, as I could get.”

  “So why didn’t you get in touch with him later? Once your life settled down? I take it you weren’t in love with him.”

  The troubled look on Dare’s face shocked her.

  Oh, God, it looked like …

  Was Dare still in love with Adam?

  Her heart skipped a beat. And if so, did she even fit in the picture? Could both Adam and Dare’s feelings for her pale in comparison to what they felt for each other?

  “I didn’t try to start up a relationship with him again later for his own good. Once I had time to think about it, I knew it was a bad idea. Adam has always wanted to get married. To have kids. I felt he would be happier meeting a woman and getting those things in a more traditional way than with me.”

  “You didn’t want to be a father?”

  His eyes filled with pain. “Why would I? Helen is a handful, and I seem to be doing a lousy job. What kind of mess would I make with my own children?”

  “So you don’t want to have kids?”

  He raked his hand through his hair. “Oh, fuck, Ash. Of course, you want to have kids, and with me…”

  She rested her hand on his arm. “Dare, you’re a wonderful father. You stand by Helen through far more than most people would. You’re patient and loving with her.” She shook her head. “Don’t blame yourself for a problem that existed long before you showed up.”

  He nodded, but she was sure he didn’t really accept her statement.

  “As for you and Adam and me. I’m curious about what you were going to suggest the other night, when you said you had a solution that might work for all of us. Were you going to suggest that maybe the three of us…?”

  His glance jerked to hers. “Is that something you’d consider?”

  “Right now, it’s a question of convincing Adam, not me.”

  * * *

  Ashley walked along the path to Dare’s front door, Adam by her side. She could feel the tension emanating from him. It hadn’t been easy to convince him to come here.

  “Do you really think this is a good idea?” Adam asked as they approached the entrance.

  “Please give him a chance.”

  “I’m here, aren’t I?” he said through gritted teeth.

  She pressed the doorbell. Sunlight glittered on the beveled glass of the door. She saw a shadowy shape approaching through the glass. Too tall to be Helen. Dare had promised Helen would be nowhere near the house tonight.

  The door opened.

  “Adam.”

  Adam nodded acknowledgment as he followed Ashley into the foyer.

  “Come into the living room. I’ve opened a bottle of wine.” Dare led them to the living room and Adam sat down beside Ashley on the couch. Dare poured them each a glass of white wine, then sat across from them.

  The three of them sipped their wine, silence hanging over the room.

  “Thank you for coming over, Adam,” Dare said, breaking the uncomfortable quiet.

  “I came because Ashley asked me to.”

  “Yes, I think it’s important you two talk about what happened in the past. To try and heal old wounds,” Ashley said.

  “What’s the point?” Adam asked, flashing Dare an acidic glance. “What’s done is done.”

  “The point is to move forward.” She took Adam’s hand and linked her fingers with his. “Don’t you want to make it work between us?”

  “I want to make it work with you. I don’t want Dare to deign to be with me just to keep you.”

  “Damn it, Adam. It wouldn’t be like that.”

  Ashley’s gaze jerked to Dare. Anger and pain warred in his eyes as he stared at Adam.

  “Adam, I’m sorry I hurt you. I really am. But you know it didn’t make sense for us to continue our relationship.”

  “Yeah, I know. Because you were going through a tough time with the divorce and all.” Adam’s hand clenched into a fist. “But you wouldn’t even consider trying again later.”

  Ashley watched the two of them, hearing the emotion edging their voices.

  “I didn’t want you waiting around for me, especially since I thought that I wasn’t the best choice for you.”

  Adam stared at him. “What the hell are you saying?”

  Dare leaned forward. “I’m saying I wanted you to meet a woman, fall in love, then start the family you’ve always wanted.”

  Adam drew in a deep breath, his gaze locking with Dare’s.

  “You and I could have had a family. There are a lot of options, including adoption.”

  “But I know you really want your own child. With your own genes.”

  Adam’s gaze filled with a longing that took Ash’s breath away.

  “I wanted you more,” he said simply.

  Ash choked up at the pain and longing in Adam’s voice. Oh, God, these two men were meant to be together. If only they could see it.

  Even if that meant she couldn’t have either of them, it was a sacrifice she knew she had to make.

  Pain slashed across Dare’s face. “I’m sorry, Adam. I … just tried to do what’s right.”

  “That’s the problem, isn’t it? You’re always deciding for other people what they need. What’s best for them. That’s great in the bedroom. You are an exceptional Dom. But that’s where it should end. You decided for me, and you did it again with Ash. You need to let other people make their own decisions. Decide what you want, then let us decide what we want. In the end, everyone will be happier.”

  Dare drew in a deep breath. “You’re right. That’s exactly what I should do.” He gazed at Adam, his eyes gleaming. “What I want is you.”

  Ashley’s heart sank. She had succeeded in getting the two men together, but where did that leave her?

  But then Dare gazed her way. “And you. I
want both of you. I want us to make it work together.”

  Her heart pounded in her chest. Could this really be happening? Could she really have a relationship with both these men?

  Her gaze turned to Adam, as did Dare’s. If Adam didn’t want this … and she couldn’t blame him … then this wonderful dream would die right here and now.

  “What do you want, Adam?” Dare asked.

  “I want to hear from Ashley first.”

  “I…” She glanced from one to the other. “I want the same thing. I love you both. I can’t think of anything better than to share my life with the two of you.”

  Adam’s eyes gave nothing away. Ash held her breath.

  “Adam,” Dare said, “I promise I won’t walk away from you again. Or Ashley. You’ll have to drive me away with a stick.”

  Adam’s lips compressed. Then he let out a long breath. “I believe you. But if we move forward with this, how would it even work?”

  Her heart soared at his words. He was going to say yes!

  “Well, you and Ash could get married, just as you told me you wanted to do, and I could live with you.”

  They had talked about her? About Adam marrying her?

  “Or you and Adam could get married,” Ashley suggested, “and I’d be the live-in mother of your children,” she ventured with a grin, loving the idea of them recapturing their lost love and flaunting it in front of the world.

  “Or we don’t worry about social conventions at all and just commit to one another,” Adam suggested as he stood up and stepped toward Dare. Then he took Dare’s hand and pulled him close.

  Ashley was blown away by the heat in his eyes. Their lips met and Ash drew in a breath at the sheer magnetic attraction she felt between the two men. Dare’s arms went around Adam and her body heated at the sight of the two of them locked in a passionate embrace.

  She realized she should leave. The two of them could use some alone time to catch up. To discover each other again.

  She stood up and started toward the door.

  “Stop.” Dare’s authoritative tone stopped her in her tracks.

  She turned to see the two of them watching her, Dare’s arm around Adam’s waist.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Dare asked.

  “I just thought—”

  “Come here, Ash,” Dare commanded.

  She turned and walked toward them. Both of them watched her with heat in their eyes and she felt tingles dancing through her body in response.

  Dare grasped her wrist and drew her close. “Were you trying to run away?”

  “No, sir.”

  “I think she was,” Adam said, stepping behind her.

  Dare curled his hands around her hips and pulled her tight to his pelvis. She could feel him growing hard against her. Adam moved closer, placing his hands on her shoulders, then glided them down her arms. They were both so big and so masculine, sandwiching her between them.

  “Maybe we need to restrain her so she can’t escape,” Adam suggested.

  “Good idea.” Dare took her wrist again and guided her down the hallway toward the special room. He opened the door and led her inside.

  “Nice,” Adam said, glancing around.

  “Take off your dress,” Dare commanded.

  Instantly, she unbuttoned the front of her dress, conscious of both pairs of male eyes watching her intently. She slid the dress from her shoulders, then let it drop to the floor, leaving her standing there in her skimpy panties and bra. She leaned over to pick it up, but Dare stopped her by grasping her wrist.

  “Leave it.”

  He led her across the room, then leaned her over a padded bench which was just wide enough to brush the underside of her breasts when she was horizontal. Dare stretched her arm down the other side of the bench and wrapped a restraint around her wrist, then did the same with the other arm. He moved behind her and fastened her ankles with restraints, too, forcing her legs wide apart. She could feel the two men behind her, looking at her. Her cheeks flushed.

  “What a lovely view,” Adam commented appreciatively.

  “This is even better,” Dare said as he tugged on the waistband of her panties, pulling the crotch tight against her folds and between her buttocks. Then he tucked the crotch to one side.

  “Oh, yeah. Much better.”

  She could hear the smile in Adam’s voice.

  “What about this?” Adam asked and she felt a finger glide under the back of her bra and tug on the elastic.

  “Take it off,” Dare said.

  The hook released and the bra slid down her arms, dangling around her bound wrists. Adam’s big hand cupped one of her breasts and caressed it. Her nipple hardened in the warmth of his palm. It felt strange with the remains of what she wore in disarray, but also sexy.

  “Now that she’s undressed, I think you should be, too,” Dare said to Adam.

  The two of them had moved in front of her so she could see the flash in Adam’s eyes.

  “Is that an order?” Adam challenged.

  Dare’s eyes glittered. “Oh, most definitely.”

  Tingles danced through her as she watched Adam strip off his shirt, revealing his broad shoulders and washboard abs. Dare watched intently, too. Adam unbuckled his belt. The sound of his zipper pulling down seemed to echo through the room, then his jeans fell to the floor with a clunk. The outline of his very hard cock was clearly visible through his snug boxers.

  Dare smiled. “Don’t stop there.”

  Adam tucked his thumbs under the elastic of his boxers, then pushed them down. His impressive erection fell forward.

  Dare’s eyes darkened and he moved closer to Adam. Her breath caught when Dare wrapped his hand around Adam’s cock and squeezed, then stroked him. Adam’s eyes fell closed, clearly in rapture at Dare’s touch. Then Dare pulled him close and kissed him. Passion flared between the two men as Dare’s lips moved hungrily on Adam’s. Adam groaned, wrapping his arms around Dare.

  Ashley’s insides ached in need. She wanted to be touched, too, but watching them was exciting beyond belief. Dare sank to his knees in front of Adam and stared at the big cock in his hand. Then he licked it, from base to tip, to Adam’s murmur of approval.

  Dare opened and took Adam in his mouth, then glided deep, taking Adam’s whole impressive length down his throat.

  “Oh, God, Dare, that feels so good.” Adam’s hand cupped Dare’s head, his fingers gliding through Dare’s dark waves.

  Dare cupped Adam’s balls, caressing them, as he glided along Adam’s cock, until it almost slipped from his mouth, then he dove deep again. He moved on the big cock several times, then finally, his mouth slipped off. He lifted the big shaft, then licked Adam’s balls, drawing one into his mouth.

  Ashley ached at the erotic sight.

  Then Dare stood up. “Now I want you to look at Ashley.” He guided Adam behind Ash and she felt a tug on her panties again.

  “What a beautiful ass,” Dare said. “Now touch it.”

  Adam’s fingers lightly stroked over her ass. Tingles danced through her. He cupped her with both hands and squeezed gently.

  “What about that pussy?”

  “It’s beautiful,” Adam answered.

  “Have you seen her pussy before? Have you touched it?” Dare’s finger glided along her ass, so close to her tender flesh.

  “Yes.”

  “I want you to tell me if she’s wet.”

  Oh, God, she was so wet.

  Adam’s finger brushed against her flesh, but Dare immediately pulled it away.

  “No, use your cock.”

  Her insides fluttered in anticipation.

  Something thick and hot pressed against her damp flesh, then glided along the length of her slit.

  “Oh, yeah. She’s soaking wet.”

  Dare laughed. “Good. Now go and push your cock into her mouth.”

  Adam appeared in front of her, his cock stiff and long, pointing straight at her. Adam wrapped his hand around his shaft
then pressed the slick tip of him to her mouth. She opened and he guided his cockhead inside. She stretched her mouth around him until his cockhead was fully inside her mouth, then she sucked.

  “Oh, baby, yeah.”

  Then she felt Dare stroking her inner thigh. She stiffened, waiting for his finger to glide over her slick flesh. When it didn’t, she lifted her ass in encouragement. Instead of moving his fingers to her folds, he cupped her ass with both hands and widened the flesh. Then she felt his mouth brush against her.

  She moaned around Adam’s cockhead. Adam glided deeper into her mouth. Dare licked her slit, then his fingers found her clit. He teased it and she moaned. Adam drew back.

  Dare’s mouth left her and she whimpered.

  “I think I’m distracting Ash from sucking you off.” Dare stepped behind Adam and crouched down. His hand tucked under Adam’s balls and he cupped them.

  “Ash, now you can focus on making Adam happy. Give him the best blowjob ever.”

  She glided deeper on his big shaft. She sucked, then swallowed, causing a deep suction that made him groan.

  “Fuck, Ash. That’s incredible.”

  She opened her throat, then glided forward, taking him incredibly deep. He drew back, then slid forward again. His fingers curled through her hair and he guided her. His cock moved in and out. She squeezed as he moved between her lips. He drew out, leaving just his cockhead in her mouth and she took the hint and sucked. Hard. Causing that deep suction again.

  “Fuck, I’m so close.”

  “Take him all the way, Ash. Let me see him fill your mouth with come.”

  She sucked, pulsing her mouth around him. His fingers tightened around her scalp and he groaned. She could feel his cock swell, then he jerked forward, hot liquid erupting in her mouth.

  She kept on sucking until the flow stopped, then she lapped her tongue around his shaft. Slowly, he drew his cock from her mouth and she swallowed his salty seed.

  “Fuck, that was so hot,” Dare said, standing up.

  Adam dropped to his knees. “Now let me do you.”

  Dare seemed to want to protest, probably wanting to stay in total charge, but as Adam pulled down his zipper, he stood frozen, need dancing in his eyes. Then Adam reached inside and drew out Dare’s enormous cock. It pulsed within Adam’s grip.