Forbidden Indulgences by Terry Towers Page B

waist.
    “Honestly?”
    “Sure.”
    She crinkled her nose up at him. “Sore. Kinda confused.”
    A bark of laughter escaped him. “I could have guessed that.” His laughter slowed as he noticed the smile fading from her lips. “What’s going on?”
    Placing her palms on the sink countertop she hoisted herself up and sat on it, letting her legs swing over the side. “Can we talk?”
    He went to stand beside her and leaned into the mirror trying to determine whether it was worth the effort to shave. It wasn’t. He pulled back and caught her stare. “Thought we were already talking.”
    She laughed and gave him a swat on the shoulder. “You know what I mean. Seriously. About last night.”
    “What about it?”
    Her brow furrowed and she cocked her head to the side staring up at him. He could see her mustering the courage to say whatever it was that was on her mind.
    “Come on. Spill it. What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?” He leaned in and placed a kiss on her temple.
    “Were you okay with last night?”
    He shrugged. “Sure. I suppose. It was a fun night.” Despite his words, his dick jerked alive at being reminded of the previous evening. Hearing her moans and screams of pleasure was incredible.
    “But how are you feeling about it?”
    “Ahhh, so you want to talk about our feelings?”
    She nodded.
    “Kinda heavy for the day after isn’t it?”
    “Probably. But it’s kinda important. Oh and just before I forget, mom and your dad called and they’re extending their trip another week and a half. Apparently, they’ve fallen in love with Rome and want more time to explore it before carrying on to Venice.”
    “Uh, yeah. Nice topic detour.”
    She shrugged. “So what do you think? Would you be comfortable with the three of us –together?”
    Ethan took a deep breath in and slowly released it, glancing over her shoulder at his reflection again. Could he really do it? He’d always thought he’d have a wife of his own and kids. The regular family unit, not him, his wife and his wife’s husband. “It’s… I don’t know. My feelings toward it are complicated.” But then again, he was getting ahead of himself. Severely ahead of himself. He was a planner, always had been a planner. How could he plan for something so insane? But an odd part of him found the idea interesting, perhaps something that could work. He certainly enjoyed the previous night much more than he expected.
    “Because you’re in love with me?”
    His eyes shot to hers and he watched as she slapped her hands over her mouth and her emerald green eyes grew wide; apparently she was as shocked she’d said it as he was.
    She kept her gaze focused on his and slowly lowered her hands. “I’m sorry, just Trey said…”
    Ethan groaned. Trey. “Yeah, I swear to God Trey gossips more than a woman, no offense.”
    “None taken.”
    They continued to stare at each other. He could see the hopefulness in her eyes. Along with her feelings; they hadn’t changed. He could see she was still in love with him, despite how he’d rejected her before she’d left. But she also had feelings for Trey now. She wasn’t just his anymore and there was no turning back now.
    “Is it true?”
    He was the one to avert his gaze. “This whole thing has my head pretty fucked up.”
    “You’re not answering the question.”
    “I know. Sharing someone I love wasn’t something I ever considered doing, Ivy. Even if it is Trey.” He ran his index finger along her jawline. “But I fucked up once and you’re giving me another chance. So if that chance means sharing you, if that will make you happy, then it’s what I’ll do. I’ll do it for you. Because, yes Ivy, I’m in love with you.”
     

 
    Chapter 9
     
    Ivy
    While his statement should have sent a rush of joy through her, it didn’t. Trey had been right, he wasn’t doing it because he was into the idea, he was doing it because it was what she wanted.
    “I know what you’re