Laid Bare - Lauren Dane [93]
Erin was touched and accepted. They’d eaten a spectacular meal and had laughed and talked until the wee hours of the morning, until she and Todd finally staggered back to their room, where rose petals had been spread on the bed and the bathtub had been filled just right.
“Damn, if you want to quit the security business I think you’d have a bright future as a wedding planner.”
“I already have a bright future,” he said, tossing his jacket to the side.
She tutted at him and hung it up, then moved to him again to undo his cuff links and to unbutton his shirt.
“I love French cuffs. They’re so elegant and glamorous.” She drew his shirt off and hung it as well.
“That dress . . . You look like a goddess, Erin. I lost my breath when I saw you come out those doors. It’s perfect. You’re perfect. I love you so much. I’ve never been happier than I am right this very moment.”
“Let me try to make you even happier,” Erin said, reaching for him.
28
Todd took a shower and watched her sleep for a while after he got out. His wife, nestled in the blankets, her hair covering her face, a leg poking from the covers in a long, creamy expanse.
What a lucky man he was to have her, to have those big hazel eyes looking up at him with such love and trust. They’d made love and fucked and made love again until after the sun had come up.
He heard a light tap on the door and when he peeked, he saw it was Ben. Todd smiled as he let him in.
Ben had helped with the planning, knowing that Erin would be another man’s wife. All the while, loving her. Todd and Erin had talked, in between bouts of sex, about turning part of the second condo into a living space for Ben so he could be there with them. As they’d sealed their relationship officially, they’d both understood they wanted Ben to be a more established part of their lives too. More important, they wanted him to feel and understand they desired him to be theirs full-time and not just when it fit into their schedule.
“Hey, is she still sleeping?” Ben asked as he came in.
“Yeah. I, um, tired her out. We didn’t get to sleep until dawn. You could have come with us, you know. I know Erin told you that.”
Ben grinned. “I expect there will be times when I want to have her all to myself and I figured your wedding night would be a time you wanted that.”
“Go wake her up. We’re supposed to meet everyone for a late lunch before they all go back home tonight.”
Ben quietly stalked to the bed and Todd admired the way he moved. He’d been close to Ben for most of his life and he’d grown closer to him over the last months with Erin than he’d ever been before. It wasn’t that Ben was male or female; it was that Ben was Ben. That’s what made him appeal so much.
Logically, Todd knew it was weird. He knew he should be jealous and territorial, but he wasn’t. Erin had enough for both of them and they certainly had more than enough for her. Both of them loved her, wanted her safe, and in turn, cherished her. Ben didn’t have that history Todd had with her, but they were building their own memories.
Todd didn’t know what to call it; he only knew it worked.
Ben drew her close as he got into the bed. Warm and sleep-soft, she came willingly, snuggling into him with a smile, her eyes still closed.
“Morning. Mmm, you smell good. Like coffee. I need it.”
He laughed. “You know the way to make a man feel wanted.”
She smiled, her mouth against his neck. “We missed you last night. You’re staying this week, right?”
He swallowed. He’d wanted her to ask. When they’d planned it, he and Todd, Ben had been truly happy for both of them. But he wanted Erin to want him too, wanted her to ask him to stay with them. It would take some planning with Cope, who knew what was up and thankfully never judged. But there was no way he’d turn down the opportunity to be with them both this week. Far away from home in a city that wouldn’t bat an eye at two men squiring one woman out on the town.
“I’d love to.”
“Mmm,