He continued watching in earnest, enjoying the scene playing out before him, patiently waited his turn. Sydney reached down and caressed his shaft, and the glide of her silky fingers was almost his undoing.

Gwen leaned over and kissed him, and her lips tasted of the cherries she’d eaten earlier at the bar. She had sucked each one into her luscious mouth, and then tied the stems into knots with her magical tongue. His cock bucked in response to the memory. Now her tongue probed his mouth, driving him mad. He ran his fingers through her soft, strawberry-colored hair. He loved strawberries, especially in chocolate. A chain reaction formed in his mind, and he pulled away to suck on her mocha nipple. As if anticipating his needs, Gwen shifted her weight to one arm and leaned in to accept Sydney’s kiss. Lance took the dusky tip into his watering mouth. He suckled on it until the bud hardened between his lips. He grazed the nipple with his teeth. He hadn’t anticipated his reaction. He knew he would enjoy it, but to be overwhelmed by this beautiful stranger was beyond comprehension.

His mind vaguely registered Sydney riding him, but was intently focused on Gwen at the moment. On her scent, her taste, the absolute satin of her breast. He felt a pulsing around his cock, then Sydney collapsed onto his chest. She looked beautiful, but he was far from ready to release.

Gwen looked at Sydney with a grin. “Are you done, sweetie?”

Sydney rolled off him, her alabaster skin glowing against the salmon-pink sheets. “Yep, he’s all yours”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m off to the shower.” Sydney rose from the four-poster bed and padded across the lush carpet floor. She turned to look at him; if he wasn’t mistaken, his girl was still turned on. Sydney simply blew a kiss at him before closing the door.

He shifted his attention back to Gwen. She was Sydney’s exact opposite. Where Sydney was short, Gwen was tall. Sydney was reserved. Gwen was open, sharing everything, with a no-holds-barred attitude. She had no qualms about who she was or where she came from. It was an attractive quality.

Lance heard the shower and had a hard time envisioning Sydney’s naked form beneath the spray. He was too engrossed by his present lover, anticipating what this Amazon would do to him. His gaze dropped from her emerald eyes to her breasts. Then his eyes roved lower to the chestnut curls beneath her smooth stomach.

“While the cat’s away...” Gwen trailed her fingers along his chest.

“I think you may be the cat in this particular scenario,” he spoke thickly.

“Well, let’s find out, tiger.” Gwen bent forward, pressing her breasts against his chest. Her nipples stroked his skin. Lance swore they marked his flesh; he felt the rock-like points acutely. Her lips pressed against his.

“Hmm,” she pulled away, “just like candy.”

Gwen trailed her tongue along his neck and down, circling his nipples before biting them to hardness.

He groaned.

“Too much for you?” she teased.

“Of course not,” he breathed raggedly.

Gwen smiled and continued her exploration of his body.

As her head dipped toward his groin, Lance inhaled sharply. Would she? He hoped so; it was the one thing Sydney rarely did. When Gwen’s lips wrapped around his erect rod, Lance had to fight for control. Her tongue swirled around like a twister before it reached the tip, which she sucked. Hard.

“Gwen, I can’t.” He was on the edge.

She gave him the okay signal with her hand and nodded.

Lance threw his head back into the pillows and thrust his hips aggressively into her sweet mouth. Abandoning himself to pleasure, he cried out.

Gwen pulled herself up along the length of his body to rest beside him, grinning like a satisfied cat.

“Sorry,” he said, astonished by this impulsive woman and the response she’d elicited.

“It’s fine.” She ran her fingers up and down his drained form.

“No, it’s not.” His voice was unyielding, absolute. He rose to his elbow, facing her, and then moved his other arm beneath to support her. She would need it for what he had in mind. Lance lifted her chin and kissed her lips. He moved his hand down her neck to her breasts, lifted them, enjoying their texture and weight. Lance continued along the path of pleasure, skimming over her stomach and exploring lower. He ran his hand through her dark red curls. “Lovely.”

“Hmm,” Gwen moaned, opening her legs wider.

Lance cupped her mound while dipping his index finger into her wet pussy.

Gwen gasped.

“I bet you taste sweet down here, too.” he whispered between kisses.

She didn’t answer, instead moving to meet his hand in response.

Lance eased another finger in.

Gwen clutched his shoulders.

He rubbed the pad of his thumb over her hard clit.

She squeaked.

“You like that?”

“Oh, yes,” she panted.

Lance dipped his fingers in and out of her tender flesh, occasionally bringing his thumb to meet them, her natural lubricant allowing it to slide with ease over her aroused nub.

He continued kissing her, delving his tongue in and out her mouth in time with his stirring manipulations. He was hard again, but wanted to feel her orgasm.

Gwen hands wrapped around his neck, her fingers gripping his hair tightly. She moved her hips to meet his fingers, and he could feel her getting closer and closer as she pushed up against his hand. “Ohhhhh,” she cried.

Lance held tight as she came on his fingers and quivered in his arms. He slowed his rhythm until she relaxed in his arms. He’d never felt so in control or needed by someone.

“Wow.” She looked up at him, her eyes slightly glazed.

“No kidding.” Lance moved to mount her. His delayed gratification was intolerable, and it was something he meant to remedy immediately.

“I’m glad to see you two are enjoying yourselves,” a voice chimed in behind them.

They looked at Sydney in bewilderment and he realized the moment was lost.

Sydney smiled openly at both. Lance’s heart sank as his sense of loyalty came forward. How could he have forgotten about her? It didn’t matter that he lusted after Gwen; his heart should belong to Sydney.

“Hey, babe.” He got up from the bed and kissed Sydney as he passed. “I guess I’m in line next.” Lance mentally planned a cold shower, but when he looked over his shoulder at Gwen, his ardor did not cool; if anything, it became far worse.

Lance entered the cold, gray tiled bathroom. It was so sterile, sharply contrasting with the warm sensual colors of the room he had just left, a room whose light green walls, red, decadent furniture and coral sheets seemed to mimic the very woman with whom he’d been intimate. The moment he met Gwen, Lance knew the striking redhead was different. She laughed easily, smiled freely and touched openly. Remembering her touch, his cock hardened. Lance took a deep breath and stepped under the spray of cold water.

Chapter One

Passionate Prose Convention

St. Louis, Missouri

One year later

Good for nothing bastard! How could he treat Sydney this way?

Gwen fumed, pacing the floor of the spacious hotel suite. She was wearing a pattern in the carpet with her back and forth between the phone and the door. Lance-a-not had decided to be a big no-show. Luckily, Syd was out with some fellow writers at a local jazz club. Hopefully her friend could forget the insensitive jackass masquerading as a man.

Gwen tried to remember what she had seen in him. Oh yeah...his marine-blue eyes, the ebony hair falling over his brow, his sculpted arms and a chest that made her hands itch to feather across it. In her memory, his arms were powerful, his entire frame screaming linebacker.

Gwen felt herself grow damp with anticipation and admitted her own disappointment over his last-minute cancellation. She should be relieved. She didn’t want to watch Lance and Sydney moon over each other, not when she lusted after what she couldn’t have.

She leaned against the wall and crossed her arms, staring out the French doors into the night sky. Lance hadn’t come, and it was for the best. He was a difficult man to ignore. It was a crime to fall for a man who belonged to your best friend, but if he’d been single, she would have pursued him...maybe even ruthlessly.

She’d been unable to stop herself when Sydney propositioned her a year ago with the temptation of joining the two in the bedroom. Lance and Sydney had dated for years, but something about him made Gwen want him for herself. She knew her passion was teetering on the edge of something more, and it wasn’t something she could explain easily. She also knew it wasn’t worth her friendship with Syd. After the ménage a trios, she had left without delay, flying back to Minneapolis, hiding from the lust and guilt, which surfaced far too easily. The memories of their love play were embedded in her mind.

A knock on the door interrupted her musings. Sydney must have forgotten her key--it was too late to be anyone else. But when Gwen opened the door, it was to find her unwanted obsession in the hall.

*

Lance stared, the champagne bottle he’d brought as a peace offering dangling from one hand. He hadn’t expected to find Gwen in Sydney’s room. His eyes raked over her, almost of their own volition.

She wore a long emerald nightgown with skinny straps cut in a deep V with lace barely covering her voluptuous curves. Her beauty was irresistible. The negligee complimented her eyes and cut clear to her hip on one side. Lance ached, wondering if she wore anything underneath.

He found his voice. “What are you doing here?”

“What am I doing here? You called and canceled.”

“I had a change of heart.”

“After you broke Syd’s? Isn’t that convenient.”

God, she was sexy when she was angry. “That still doesn’t explain what you’re doing in her room.”

“Doesn’t it? I moved into her room this morning.”

“Hoping to get lucky?” he goaded, wanting to see fire flash through her eyes. It was masochistic, but he needed it on a level he didn’t quite understand.

“Don’t be crude. Our relationship isn’t like that.”

“What about last year?” Lance was getting hard just thinking about Gwen’s lips around his cock.

“That was different, and you know it.”

“How?”

“It was a one-time thing.”

“So sad.” Lance lowered his head. Gwen didn’t need to see the relief in his eyes. He suspected he wasn’t everything Sydney wanted, but the idea she and Gwen might share the same sexual tastes wasn’t appealing. More than once he’d thought that if the two friends decided to bed down, he would end up alone.

“Arrogant ass,” Gwen said clearly as she walked away. She leaned back on the arm of a nearby brown sofa; unaware that the action lifted the slit of her nightgown higher, revealing she wore nothing beneath it.

“Where is Sydney?”

“Out.”

“For how long?”

“Not sure. She could return at any moment.”

Lance needed to get the man downstairs under control. His attraction to Gwen was intimidating. The reason he felt such overwhelming lust towards a woman he’d not seen in a year unnerved him. “Well, I’m waiting for Syd, so what do you propose we do?” Lance asked.

“How ‘bout a movie?”

“Perfect.” Maybe she’d change to go out; maybe she’d change in front of him. Yeah, it was a pure dude response, but one he couldn’t really squelch. He’d seen her naked, and wanted to see her again.

“I paid for Casablanca.”

“Oh.” He couldn’t help but sound disappointed.

“I think there’s some popcorn in the cupboard next to the fridge.” Gwen pushed away from the chair and walked to the mini-bar. As she walked by him, Lance craned his neck to see if he could catch a glimpse of anything beyond her luscious thigh.

“Okay.” He sighed heavily. He took off his jacket, resigning himself to an evening of a movie and popcorn. It was probably just as well; he wouldn’t want to explain things to Sydney when she arrived. Gwen stood waiting for the popcorn to finish popping, drumming her fingers against the counter. Lance’s cock ached to feel those digits wrapped around his cock. He settled on the sofa, ran his fingers through his hair and exhaled the breath he held.

Gwen strolled leisurely towards him, her hips swaying, before sliding next to him on the couch. She handed him the bowl, and he used it to cover his erection. The television lit up with a movie title: Cock in Bianca. Lance couldn’t help it; he laughed uproariously.

Gwen's cheeks matched her hair, "Oh, my God." She stared.

"So this is what you do in your spare time,” he teased.

"No!” Gwen faced him. “I don't know how this happened."

"I think you’re trying to provoke me." He shifted to get more comfortable.

"To do what?" Gwen challenged him and with it he found himself reacting on his most base needs. It was something he’d sworn he would never do, after that night a year ago. Lance accepted that his mind was no longer in control and he gave into his red-haired siren.

"This." He lifted her stubborn chin upwards, and bent low to kiss her.

*

Gwen’s shock held her for a second. Lance was kissing her. Oh, God. His tongue plunged into her waiting mouth. She should stop him but didn’t want to. At the moment, she didn’t care if he belonged to Sydney. She desperately needed more of him. She had since the night she’d tasted him. His moan vibrated through her body, warming her skin. His hand cupped her breast and moved the lace aside. “I missed you, Gwen,” he said huskily.

“Lance, we shouldn’t ... I mean, Syd...”

“This is between us ... don’t worry ... I want you...” He massaged her nipple until the traitorous bud hardened.

“Ohm...” She was powerless to stop him, nor did she want to.

Lance caressed her neck, running his fingers through her hair. His crystal blue eyes held hers, and he whispered, “Let’s move this to the bed.”

Gwen rested her head against his shoulder, and he placed his arm underneath her long legs, lifting her. She was weak against the hunger that streaked through her. The way he touched her, looked at her as if she were a precious commodity. Despite Lance’s arrogance, Gwen saw his softer side in these tender moments. She let out a squeal as he lifted her. “Lance?”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got you,” he reassured.

I know, she thought. Lance was one of the few men she had met who could lift her with ease. He laid her gently on the bed before standing to unbuckle his belt, then the button on his slacks, letting his pants fall, revealing his glorious cock. He stepped forward and urged her beneath the covers. His hand coasted along the inside of her thigh, continuing up until he reached the juncture of her thighs. “Spread your legs.”

She obeyed, weak with lust as he placed two fingers at her opening and ran them back and forth along her pussy. “You’re so wet. Is this for me?”

Gwen didn’t deny it. “Yes,” she breathed.

“Do you want them inside you?”

“Yes.”

“Beg me.”

“Please.” She arched up to meet his fingers, not caring if she sounded needy. She ached for his touch.

“Please what?”

“Please put them inside me.”

He immediately plunged his thick fingers inside her. She couldn’t stop the cry that escaped her lips. It was pure pleasure. Her heart seemed to rush to her G-spot. His touch turned from probing to soft and caressing as he built up the tension until it she teetered on the edge. His mouth took hers hungrily. He continued to wreak havoc on both sets of her lips until she clutched his big shoulders, feeling her impending climax. “Lance, I’m going to come,” she gasped.

“Do you want to come like this, Gwen?”

“I don’t care,” she panted.

“Me either. Do it.”

Lance kissed her hard as his fingers moved rapidly, deeper towards her center. When he lifted his head, she looked into his blue, blue eyes and saw a cunning gleam. He knew exactly what he did to her and was enjoying every moment. That intent knowledge pushed her over the edge, and her body trembled beneath his warm touch.

*

Lance held Gwen as her orgasm subsided. He had never witnessed anything more beautiful. She was flushed, her emerald eyes smoldering with warmth. If he wasn’t mistaken, she looked ready to go another round. Who was he to leave a woman in such a state of want?

“Ready?” he asked.

“Of course.” Her reply was breathy, and it ratcheted up his desire a notch further.

He lowered his mouth, devouring her softness. She tasted of popcorn and a sweet taste all her own. The combination was intoxicating. He delved his tongue deeper into her mouth while his fingers roamed intimately over her body, strumming her pussy, bringing her almost to peak again. She arched to meet his caress. She was gorgeous, her hair falling back in waves as her hips thrust toward him. He peeked at the auburn curls above where his fingers danced and knew he couldn’t take much more.

“Gwen, I need you.”

“I need you too.” She shifted and spread her legs to accommodate him, and he’d never seen anything so welcoming.

He was settling into position when another voice called, a very female voice, loud and clear from the doorway, “Gwen? You okay?”

Sydney! He ducked beneath the comforter.

“Yeah, must’ve gotten a little excited with the man in my dream.” Gwen spoke in a halting voice.

“Don’t you mean the man in your bed? I can see him under the covers.” Syd’s voice was almost near the bed.

“Him, too.” Gwen ducked under the covers a little more, and in the scant light he could see her blushing from ear to ear.

“Okay.” Sydney laughed. “I’m gonna hop in the shower. Be out in fifteen.”

Lance heard the bathroom door close.

“What the hell was that?” Gwen lifted the covers and glared at him.

“I didn’t want her to see me.”

“Why the hell not? I thought this didn’t concern her,” she alleged scornfully.

“It doesn’t,” he answered reluctantly.

“But you want to keep it from Sydney?”

“I don’t want to hurt her.”

*

Gwen was silent, her jaw locked as she fought the emotions rising within her. She stood, grabbed her robe and wrapped it about her waist, then moved to the far end of the room; she needed distance and fast.

“Say something.”

“Get out,” she whispered heatedly, her heartbeat drumming in her ears. She couldn’t tell if it was in rage, disappointment or shame. “Get your pants on and get out.” She flung his slacks at him, emphasizing her point.

“Gwen...” he pleaded with her.

“Why are you here, Lance?” She fought to keep her voice level. How he could take that tone of voice when Syd was in the next room...

“I came to...” He stuttered to a stop.

“To what? See Sydney and have a little Gwen on the side, I’m sure.”

”No.” Lance’s head hung as he whispered the words.

“Why did you cancel in the first place?” She continued to interrogate him as she backed him towards the door. She felt like an idiot. She’d let him maneuver past her defenses and now found herself sneaking him out. She glared at him.

Lance’s guilty gaze engaged her while he shrugged into his shirt. “You! Okay? I canceled because of you.”

“What?” Gwen’s voice was barely a whisper.

“I love Sydney, but I can’t stay away from you. I knew I wouldn’t be able to resist this attraction I feel.” They both heard the shower stop.

Gwen maneuvered him out the door and into the hallway, and threw his shoes at him. Her last image was of Lance standing dumbfounded in his boxers and half-buttoned shirt before she slammed the door shut.

She stared at the closed door. How had she let things go so far? She could hear the faint sounds of Sydney finishing up in the bathroom.

God, she didn’t want to betray her friend’s trust and she didn’t want to be Lance’s dirty little secret either. More than anything, she needed to talk with Syd and figure out what was going on in this love triangle.

She picked up the bottle of champagne. Syd never could hold her liquor; it loosened her tongue. It might make her a total bitch, but Gwen needed to find out what Syd really felt for Lance. Especially since she was obviously incapable of fighting Lance’s appeal, no matter how guilty she felt afterward.

Sydney came out of the bathroom, toweling her wet, golden locks. A twinkle of a knowing smile crossed her face as she walked to the nearest bed and sat down. “Sorry I interrupted your fun.”

Gwen felt like a heel. “I’m sorry you had to witness it at all,” she apologized, considering herself fortunate that Syd didn’t know the true reason for her guilt.

“Don’t be.” Her friend said. “There’s no reason why one of us shouldn’t enjoy this trip.”

“I wasn’t expecting it to be that involved when you got back.”

“Oh, really?” Sydney’s eyebrow lifted in curiosity.

“Yes, really. Why does everyone think I plan these things?” Gwen strolled across the carpeted floor, keeping her unease in check.

“Could it be because you are drop-dead gorgeous, and men just expect these things?”

“Well, there’s one good thing.” Gwen held up the champagne bottle. “He left this.”

“Excellent.” Sydney rubbed her palms together, mimicking an evil villain.

They each took a paper cup from the kitchenette and poured their glasses to the brim.

“Let’s sit outside on the balcony.” Gwen walked towards the French doors.

“Even more excellent!” Sydney followed, holding up her cup.

After a few moments looking at the pool below, Sydney spoke, “I needed this.” She raised her glass in mock toast.

“Liquid courage?” Gwen asked

“No, silly.” Sydney waved her hand in the air and slurred her speech. “Girl-time. Men just complicate things.”

Gwen wasn’t sure what to say, so she blurted out what was on her mind. “Are we talking about Lance here?”

“Sometimes.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning...I should simply enjoy the moment of being, instead of putting all my hope into a love escapade.”

“I hope you didn’t have another Miami in mind?” Gwen spoke, wondering if she’d misinterpreted her friend’s intentions.

“I didn’t plan anything, but if it had happened that would be okay too. I really just wanted to have some sex.”

“Why, how long has it been?” Gwen admitted being curious.

“Miami.”

Gwen swallowed her drink to keep from choking, “Sydney, that was twelve months ago.”

“I know.”

Gwen was thoroughly dumfounded. A whole year without being intimate with the man you loved! Did Sydney love Lance? She had to know. “What do you love about him?”

“Lance?”

“Yes, Lance. Who else?” Gwen thought it odd Sydney didn’t immediately know who she was talking about.

“I like how he encourages my dreams.”

“I didn’t ask what you liked; I asked what you loved.”

“Same thing.”

“No, it’s not.” Gwen took her time before speaking. “He doesn’t love you.” She felt a bit guilty for saying so, but her need for the truth quelled her remorse.

“You don’t know that, Gwen.” Sydney’s fingers clutched her cup.

“He doesn’t. If he did, he would be here. He would find a way.” Another lie, but she needed to know Sydney’s mindset.

“He was busy,” Syd replied without inflection

“Syd, take a reality pill. When was the last time you saw him?”

“Six months ago.”

“Don’t you think if it was real, you two would make time for each other?” Gwen felt sure she was right about this. Nothing would keep her away from her true love for six months.

“We do.” Syd stared at her feet as if they were suddenly more fascinating than the topic at hand.

“No, you don’t. You both do what’s convenient.” Gwen knew this was true. Lance and Sydney never traveled to see one another on the holidays or any other occasion.

“I don’t know why you’re so concerned.”

“I’m concerned,” Gwen wasn’t sure how to proceed, she couldn’t reveal the truth, “because men fairly drool over you, and you’ve committed to merely settling.”

“I’m not settling,” Sydney said defensively.

“What are you doing then?”

“I’m living my life! If I want advice on how to live it, I have a whole family to tell me. I don’t need you telling me, too.” Sydney stood and turned to walk away.

“I didn’t mean to upset you.” Gwen stopped Sydney, embracing her so she couldn’t leave.

“I’m not upset, just tired and frustrated.” Sydney wriggled out of the embrace to lay on her bed, clearly exhausted.

Gwen never should have conducted this experiment. It opened wounds for her friend, whose family already disapproved of her relationship with Lance. Risking her friendship was not worth any man ... even one as devastatingly handsome as Lance Lott.

* * * *

Lance drank the last of the brown liquor and stared into his empty glass. He’d thought to surprise Sydney, to make amends with her for canceling, but that plan was certainly in the toilet. One glimpse of Gwen and he forgot all about Sydney.

He wasn’t supposed to want his girlfriend’s friend, but he did. It was bad enough that he found himself thinking about Gwen constantly, but then to come here and act on those fantasies... He clenched his jaw.

He’d hungered for Gwen since their first time together. The incredible feel of her lips wrapped around his cock and her breasts against his thighs were burned into his memory.

It had been over a year! Threesomes were supposed to be every man’s fantasy. No one ever talked about the sleepless nights filled with erotic dreams of the third girl.

“Another one, sir?” the bartender asked.

“No, thanks. I have to catch a flight home.”