Over the Edge (Bridge #3)(58)
I cleared my throat and set my glass down, trying to pull my thoughts away from my primal needs.
“So, gentlemen, what’s the occasion? I’m feeling thoroughly spoiled by all of this.”
Will twirled his glass by the base, amusement glittering in his eyes. “Can’t a couple of guys treat their girlfriend to a night on the town every once in a while?”
I laughed softly, a little bubble of happiness growing inside me. “Is that what I am now?”
Will gazed at me intently. “The ribbon-cutting was a bit of an eye-opener, for all of us, I think. I know it wasn’t easy for you to be truthful with your family about our relationship, but I’m glad you were. Because this isn’t a passing thing anymore. I want to be with you and only you, for the foreseeable future. Ian feels the same way. We want to see where this goes for the long-term.”
I nodded slowly. The picture he painted was everything I never knew I wanted until recently. Hearing it on his lips was a thrill and a relief, as long as I knew we could make it work. I hoped that I’d endured the strain with my family for the right reasons.
“You’re both comfortable with…sharing me in that way?”
“As long as you’re happy, we’re happy.” Ian’s voice seemed to vibrate through me.
I was quiet a moment. I couldn’t help but pay attention to the small kernel of doubt that crept up on me more often than I would have liked.
“Neither of you are the relationship type. At least you weren’t when we started all this. I’m guessing that’s because you’ve gotten used to keeping things simple and liking it that way. Right now, this is anything but simple. The other night was proof that things can get pretty complicated. I want to see where this goes too, but I need to know that we can get through those kinds of hurdles together.”
Will spoke up quickly, his tone confident and sure. “We stood by you, Olivia, and that’s what we’ll continue to do. We gave you the space you needed afterward, even if it was damn near torture. We were ready to be there for you. Nothing wavered for us. Nothing changed. In fact, taking heat from your brothers has only ever solidified my resolve to be with you. I’m not letting a few rash opinions get between us.”
“Neither am I,” Ian said.
The determined set of Ian’s jaw reassured me along with the fervency of Will’s words. If I hadn’t already fallen so hard, I would have been on the floor with loving these two men.
If what we had was important enough to protect, I had to stand by it. We all did.
“Thank you for giving me the space I needed. Trust me, I wanted to be with you more than I wanted to be by myself, but it was important for me to think things through after everything blew up with Darren and Cameron. I’ve been thinking about our future too, a lot. If we’re going to do this for real, I have some terms.”
My gaze settled on Will.
He smirked. “Name them.”
I glanced between both men. “No matter how hard it is to do at times, I don’t want to have to hide or lie about how I feel. Every time I have to pretend like I’m anything but committed and in love with both of you is going to slowly break us down. I don’t want to feel the way I do right now and lose it all because we feel pressured to act like we’re someone we’re not.”
Heat and love burned in the stormy depths of Ian’s eyes. “Agreed.”
Will nodded. “That’s fair. We need to own it. Otherwise, there’s no point in going forward. What else?”
I stuttered into my next words. “The way it’s been…with sex. Our time together…” I reached for my wine and took a gulp. I swallowed over my nerves and took a steadying breath. “I don’t know how to say this. Do you still want me…together?”
Will’s lips parted on a slow exhale. “There are times when I want you to myself. I’m sure Ian feels the same way. I think we both need that. And when it comes to the three of us together, I have no intention of denying you those pleasures, unless you’re intent on denying yourself.”
My pulse raced, and my body heated uncomfortably under my dress. Suddenly I was stifled by the beautiful thing. My nipples ached in my bra, and my * throbbed for attention.
“What do you want, Liv? Do you want both of us?” Ian pressed, his tone low and seductive, his gaze molten.
I swallowed hard, unable to form words for a second. “Yes. I want you both.” I slid my hands down my thighs. Even my own touch spurred an ache for theirs.
The waiter momentarily broke the tension by delivering our entrées. While mouth-watering, they couldn’t measure up to what I was taking home with me.
After the waiter left, Will exhaled heavily and tossed a hand through his hair. “Now that you’ve made me hard at the table, let’s eat dinner.”
Ian smirked, and mercifully, the conversation lightened. Will talked about work and some of the trips he’d planned that would take him out of the city over the course of the next several months. London, Hong Kong, and Mexico City. I knew all too well the demands this new position would place on him, having watched my father navigate the industry for years.
Ian would be helping Will oversee a new real estate project that had been in the works before taking over the fund. Ian’s involvement would lighten the management responsibilities Will typically took on. I immediately sensed the weight that put on him and the regret of having to take his focus away from his passion to fulfill new obligations. I had a sudden urge to do whatever I could to alleviate that pressure.