BriarEdge Academy: Winter Break Read online

  He reached for her other hand, holding it tightly in his for a moment as he looked down at her. “Relax. They’re going to love you. Even if they don’t, it’s fine too.”

  She scowled. “I’d never ask you to give up your friends for me.”

  He smiled. “I’m glad, and I wouldn’t unless they were hurtful to you. I’m just saying, there are ways to be friends with them and still be with you.” He was certain it wouldn’t come to that though. His friends were all sure to like her. He’d have to watch a couple of the guys, because they might like her too much.

  When they were inside, he saw some familiar faces in the crowd, and they moved over to the corner. There were two seats remaining, and he sat down after ensuring Candace was seated in hers. Twelve of his friends had shown up for the spontaneous reunion, and he was a little nonplussed to see Veronica, Terry, and Austin among them. Not that he minded seeing Veronica again, but it felt uncomfortable to introduce Candace to his old girlfriend and her lovers. It would’ve been better if she hadn’t come, but they were still friends, and he didn’t have it in him to tell her to leave.

  Still, he found himself holding his breath a little bit as he introduced his friends. Candace stiffened when he said Veronica’s name, and she shot him a look that was difficult to read, though she nodded at Veronica and smiled politely. He didn’t like the way Austin reached over and took Candace’s hand, holding it intimately rather than shaking it.

  It shook him to have that reaction, because he’d never felt jealous when Austin and Veronica touched in front of him. He wasn’t bothered by Candace’s interest in her other lovers, but seeing Austin flirt with her unsettled him.

  They spent the next couple of hours drinking and eating, and he mostly relaxed. Austin and Terry continued to flirt with Candace, but it was all fairly benign. Veronica was flirting with him too, and perhaps even with Candace. It felt mostly like the usual to him, so he didn’t give it much thought, other than to check on Candace frequently, who seemed to be having an enjoyable time as well. He excused himself to visit the bathroom after his third beer, and Candace smiled at him as he left the table.

  He’d been in there for a few minutes when Terry came in, ostensibly to wash his hands. He knew Terry well, since they had shared a lover, sometimes in the same room, but something about Terry’s gaze unsettled him. He quickly finished his business and washed his hands. As he started to throw away his paper towel, he stiffened when Terry said, “We should swap tonight. You could be with Veronica again, and your Candace seems very sweet. Is she as sweet as candy?” He chuckled in a lewd fashion.

  Kip’s reaction surprised even him as he turned and put his face near Terry’s. “Keep your filthy thoughts—and hands—off Candace.”

  Terri’s eyes widened. “Whoa. You don’t have to be like that, man. If you don’t want to swap, we can just have a good time together. You know Veronica appreciates a beautiful woman as much as we do.”

  Kip realized he was on the verge of losing control, so he took a deep breath and stepped back. He didn’t say anything further to his friends, who felt like an enemy at the moment, as he left the restroom.

  When he returned to the table, Candace wasn’t there. Panic clawed at his belly as he looked around for her.

  Chapter Three

  Candace

  Candace was uncomfortable, but she was doing her best to hide it from Kip. Most of his friends were nice enough, and she honestly couldn’t say she disliked Veronica, Terry, or Austin, but she knew about their past with Kip, and she was uncomfortable with the way they kept flirting with her.

  She braced herself to be strong when Kip left the table to use the restroom, and Terry followed after a quick whispered conversation with Veronica and Austin. She couldn’t help a small grimace when Austin stood up out of the booth to allow Veronica to squeeze out, and she took the seat Terry had occupied beside Candace.

  “You’re really pretty, Candace.” She brushed a strand of hair off Candace’s cheek in an overly familiar manner. “May I call you Candy?”

  Candace grimaced. “Not if you’d like me to answer.”

  Veronica chuckled while she slid her fingertips across Candace’s hand. “I can see why he likes you. You’re sweet, but you seem to have a feisty side as well. Do you know about our past?”

  Candace looked up, meeting Veronica’s gaze. “Do you mean, do I know that he used to be one of your lovers?” At Veronica’s nod, she nodded as well.

  “We had a very open relationship, and there’s room to open further.” Veronica lowered her voice slightly as she leaned forward, licking her lips. “I’ve missed Kip, and Austin and Terry both find you quite lovely. What would you think about sharing tonight?”

  Candace’s stomach clenched at the thought. She pushed back from her chair before she realized she was doing so, and she rushed from the pub, not stopping until she was in the cold night air to breathe in several lungsful of oxygen to clear her head. She couldn’t explain why she’d reacted so negatively to the idea, other than she had no emotional connection with Veronica or her man.

  Knowing Kip had once had feelings for her, even if he didn’t any longer, shook her confidence in their relationship. Sharing Kip with another woman was something she couldn’t contemplate. She’d known from the start of her dating her guys that she wasn’t strong enough to do that, though she expected her men to maintain loyalty to her. Maybe she was being unfair, and she’d certainly reacted too strongly when she ran out of the establishment, but she was still shaking, more from reaction than the cold.

  She’d only gone a few feet from the pub, so she heard the door open, and she looked up as Kip stepped outside. She didn’t move to him, uncertain for a moment if he was there to convince her to accept Veronica’s invitation. Maybe if she were older, more sophisticated, and completely sure of her relationship with Kip and the others, she’d be up for those adult games, but she definitely wasn’t right now. She couldn’t actually envision being ready for random sex with virtual strangers ever.

  He walked over to her, putting his arms around her. He ignored her stiffness as he pulled her against him. “I’m sorry. I had no idea they were planning that, and I wouldn’t have allowed it if I’d known. Veronica is very polyamorous, and she also likes women. She’s a lot freer than many people, so she didn’t understand that we’re different. I’m different with you.”

  Candace looked up at him uncertainly. “How are you different with me?”

  “I feel possessive and jealous with you, and I never felt that with Veronica. Other than some awkwardness at first adjusting to the idea of sharing her, and the first time I was in the same room with her and her other lovers during sex, it never bothered me. When I think of Terry or Austin touching you, I get angry.”

  She swallowed “Do you get angry at the idea of Lex, or Dalton, or Jonas?”

  He shook his head. “They’re different. I know they care about you as much as I do. I care far more about you than I ever did Veronica. It took seeing her again to realize that. I had a good time with her, and I care about her, but I don’t think I was ever in love with her.”

  Candace blinked back tears. “But you’re falling for me?”

  “I’ve already fallen,” said Kip as he kissed her deeply. She clung to him, needing the reassurance of his touch.

  When he pulled away, he said, “Let’s get out of here.”

  Candace squared her shoulders. “No, not yet. I know you’re having a good time with your friends, and I can handle it. I freaked out a little bit at the suggestion, but it was because I wasn’t interested in any of them, and I’m not able to share you with her. I can handle this though.”

  Kip looked uncertain. “Are you sure? It’s not necessary. I can see them some other time.”

  “Just a little longer.” She took his hand, her confidence restored, and led him back into the pub.

  When they returned to the table, there was a sense of awkwardness for a few minutes, but it soon dissipated. She found he
rself sitting by Veronica again, and as everyone around them started talking about other things, she leaned over and said, “I shouldn’t have run out like that. I should’ve just said no, thanks.”

  Veronica looked uncertain. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t understand things were different with you guys. You have a different dynamic with Kip than I had. I wasn’t trying to anger you. I really do think you’re a lovely young woman, and I know you’re going to make Kip happy. He’s obviously much happier with you than he ever was with me.” She seemed just fine with that.

  “He cared about you,” said Candace, finding herself in the odd position of wanting to assure Veronica that Kip had cared. She didn’t like seeing the other woman’s self-doubt.

  “Oh, I know. But we were never in love. If we had been, we would’ve made it work when he wanted to go to Maine, or he wouldn’t have gone to start with. But I can see just by watching you two for a while that it’s different with you. I think he loves you, and you love him too?”

  Candace nodded, not verbally confirming that though. She hadn’t even told Kip yet.

  “I hope he’s happy, and you are too. And I promise, no more shenanigans.” She winked, then swayed a bit closer. “Unless you change your mind. I think you and I could have a really lovely time…just the two of us.” She licked her lips suggestively.

  Candace’s face warmed. It was flattering, but she wasn’t physically attracted to Veronica. “I’m straight, not narrow.”

  Veronica laughed. “No one’s perfect.”

  Shortly after her conversation with Veronica, she and Kip left the pub. Having eaten while they drank, there was no reason to stop anywhere else. Kip hailed a taxi, and as they headed back to his apartment, she knew they weren’t too tired tonight. There was nothing keeping them from becoming lovers, and she was excited about the idea, though a little nervous since it was her first time.

  After a quick shower, this time alone, she put on lotion and some light perfume, but skipped nightwear. She left the guestroom completely naked as she joined Kip in the living room. He’d suggested a movie, but that was the last thing she wanted.

  He swallowed audibly when he saw her. He’d taken time to have a shower too, and his hair was still damp. He wore pajama pants, but his toned torso and defined abs plainly visible made her mouth water with anticipation.

  “I was going to suggest a comedy, but I don’t think I can focus on anything now,” said Kip. His eyes gaze darted down southward, and she followed, laughing at how thick and swollen he was. He frowned. “That’s not the usual reaction I get.”

  She grinned. “Believe me, I’m not laughing at that, honey. I’m just laughing at your comment. I really don’t want to watch a movie.” As she said that, she moved over to the couch to straddle him. “Do you?”

  “Not right now. I feel more like making a movie.”

  She grinned. “The adult kind?”

  He nodded, and then he put his hands on her hips. “We’re not going to film it though.”

  She nodded, not up for that. Instead of verbally answering, she bent her head slightly so she could kiss him. Their tongues entwined, and their mouths mimicked what their lower bodies would soon do as his hands cupped her breasts, squeezing gently and rolling her nipples under his thumbs.

  Her mouth drifted from his to the thick column of his throat, where she started sucking and nipping lightly. She moaned when Kip tightened his hands on her hips, pulling her pelvis closely against his. His pajama pants prevented their bare skin from touching, but she was so wet that she probably soaked the flannel in seconds.

  He groaned. “So hot, and so wet. Let’s move to the bedroom.”

  She nodded, but she made no attempt to stop gently nibbling on his earlobe. A second later, he picked her up, and she clung to him, content to let him navigate them to the bedroom. She felt the mattress under her back a few moments later, and Kip came down with her. His mouth was even with her breasts, and he took one nipple in his mouth and stroked it with his tongue before sucking lightly. She shifted restlessly against him, putting a hand between their bodies to start touching herself.

  Kip intercepted her hand before she could reach her clit. “Let me,” he said as he lifted his mouth from her breast.

  “Hurry,” she said with a whimper.

  “Patience,” said Kip before lowering his head, trailing his tongue down her abdomen and over her mound. A second later, he slipped inside, navigating the geography of her insides expertly. He moved slowly and leisurely, not rushing like it had been with Lex due to time constraints, and she found herself wanting more. She buried her hands in his hair, dragging his head closer to her.

  He just laughed and continued his slow, torturous exploration. His tongue dipped into her sheath, probing gently while she started sobbing and arching against him. It felt good, but it wasn’t enough, and once more, she reached down to stroke herself. Kip intercepted her hand again, holding both of hers in his at her sides, not allowing her that bit of relief. “Kip, you’re so mean.”

  He laughed against her slit, which created an entirely new set of sensations. She writhed and moaned, and he finally pressed harder with his tongue as he slipped up her slit and wrapped his mouth around her clit. He sucked lightly and gently, alternating sucking with flicks of his tongue, until she was a sobbing mess. Candace couldn’t find a clear thought to hold onto. All she could do was try to weather the onslaught of sensations his mouth evoked. Finally, he provided enough pressure and suction that she came with a cry, and it felt like a tidal wave crashing over her.

  When she could think again a few seconds later, as the bliss started to fade, Kip looked up at her. His face was covered with her arousal, and she blushed from embarrassment.

  He was grinning though, and he wiped his face with enthusiasm before sliding up her body. “I could tell you really liked that.” At her nod, he chuckled. “I told you patience, didn’t I, Candace?”

  She glared at him. “It was still like torture.”

  “You wouldn’t have squirted if you’d gotten off as quickly as you wanted.”

  Her eyes widened. “I did what?” She grimaced as he explained to her. “That sounds unpleasant.”

  Kip laughed. “Trust me when I say it’s kind of a macho-pride thing. If you can make your lover do that, it makes you feel like you’re on top of the world.”

  When he put it like that, it didn’t sound so bad. It wasn’t something she was eager to do again, but he clearly liked it.

  He must really like it, because he was hard and thick against her, his cock nestling against her sheath. He started shallowly thrusting against her, and she wondered at what point he’d lost his pajama pants. She had no memory of him taking them off, but he must’ve had a chance at some point when she was practically incoherent during him pleasing her.

  “I want to be inside you so badly, but I don’t want to rush you. Tell me now if you don’t want this yet, Candace.” He sounded like he was the one being tortured now, and he continued to thrust shallowly into her.

  “I want you to. Want you so much, Kip. Please make love to me.”

  He groaned, but he still didn’t go any deeper. “Do I need a condom?”

  “I’m on the pill, and I’m definitely clean.” She looked down and away for a moment, blushing. Then she looked up at him to meet his gaze. “I’m a virgin.”

  Kip groaned, but it sounded more like one of triumphant than displeasure. “Fuck, I can’t control myself much longer. I promise you I’ve been tested recently, and I’m okay too. Is it all right if I skip the condom?”

  She nodded, not wanting anything between them. She trusted him to tell her the truth, and since it was her first time, she wanted to experience everything the way it was supposed to be.

  With a harsh groan, Kip collapsed against her, holding her tightly against him. He cupped her buttocks in his hands as the head of his cock slowly pressed into her sheath. She whimpered at the intrusion, finding it still uncomfortable despite how wet she was after
her orgasm.

  “I’m not going to hurt you if I can help it, baby.” Kip moved one of his hands from her buttocks to between their bodies, so he could start stroking her clit.

  She soon lost herself in that sensation, barely noticing as his shaft penetrated deeper while he rocked his hips. She strained to meet him and was soon on the verge of coming, but she winced and got temporarily distracted when his cock pressed fully inside her. There was a sharp sting of pain, but then he swiped his thumb against her clit again, bringing on an orgasm that quickly wiped out any of the pain from his body joining with hers.

  She shook under the intensity of it, though she was still aware of him burying himself inside her. Kip pulled out and thrust in again, bringing a twinge of discomfort, but it wasn’t too bad. Another thrust, and she hardly noticed it.

  Once the pain disappeared, he put his hands under her buttocks again, clutching her close to him, and started thrusting. Apparently, he forgot all about patience, because now he was hard and frantic, thrusting into her with wild abandon, and she did her best to meet each of his jerky thrusts with one of her own.

  She didn’t expect to be able to come again, so it was a surprise when a small orgasm overtook her just as Kip spasmed inside her, his cock growing harder than ever for a moment before he twitched, and his arousal filled her. She cried out as she came once more, clenching her thighs around him as she clung to him, riding out the wave of her orgasm.

  Afterward, they collapsed together, still joined, with him semi-hard inside her. She pressed her head to his chest, noticing they were both sweaty. She felt amazing. She was so relaxed and in such a state of happiness that she never wanted the moment to end. If she could, she’d stay with Kip just like this, though part of her felt like she wasn’t complete.

  She was completely satisfied with Kip, but she needed her other lovers too. Then, this would be an amazing, perfect moment, though there was nothing negative about with being with just Kip.