Extra Dirty Page 18

  * * * *

  “And whose cat was it?” David asked.

  Almost a week had passed since Jesse’s visit to Brooklyn. He’d taken Cam’s suggestion and brought his friends to Ember, minus Riley, who’d gone to Munich on business. They were sitting at a VIP table while he told them about the DUMBO loft, and David’s eyes gleamed with mirth as he waited for an answer about the origin of the mystery cat. Will and Malcolm were still laughing, along with Kyle, who’d already heard the tale. Carter simply stared at Jesse, one eyebrow cocked high, and the corners of his mouth turned up.

  “No one knows.” Jesse looked around at his friends. “Best anyone could tell, it climbed in an open window. Cam and his roommates asked around and hung up flyers, but so far, nothing.”

  “Well, it sounds like you had fun, at any rate,” Malcolm observed.

  Jesse nodded. “Oh, I did. Despite the redundant hipster vibe.”

  He’d found DUMBO a blast, actually. He’d mixed drinks while Cam’s roommates entertained him with stories, and they’d patiently corrected him the few times he got their names muddled. Louise had suggested Jesse judge the noodle-slurping contest, a privilege he’d accepted in an effort to keep his clothes clean. Naturally, he’d checked out each of the roommates as well. They were all very appealing in their own way, particularly the girl called Bernice, who’d flirted back just as hard. But, with Cam around, Jesse’d had no trouble behaving himself, and Cam had pounced on him after the roommates went out to a neighborhood bar.

  He’d practically shimmied up Jesse’s body, and they’d hardly managed to peel off each other’s clothes before they fell laughing into Cam’s bed. Their laughter had devolved into moans as Jesse had tortured Cam, using his mouth and fingers and cock to repeatedly bring Cam to the edge, only to back off before he could reach his peak. Both of them were panting, sweaty wrecks by the time Cam started begging, and Jesse thought it would be a long time before he forgot the way Cam had sounded when he came.

  “What happened with the cat?”

  Jesse snapped back to the present at Malcolm’s question. “I took her home with me because Kevin is allergic to cats.”

  Malcolm nodded. “Kevin is one of the roommates?”

  “Yes,” Jesse replied. “I’m the one who found the cat, so I offered to keep her at home until we find the owner.”

  “Wait a second.” Kyle frowned. “I had dinner at your place on Wednesday and didn’t see a cat.”

  “That’s because it’s now at my place,” Carter told him. He narrowed his eyes at Jesse. “Someone decided to come by with their lost cat on Tuesday, a night I had Sadie and Dylan because my ex had a late meeting. The goddamned cat was riding on Jesse’s shoulder for crying out loud. You can imagine what happened next.”

  Malcolm’s laughter made his eyes crinkle at the corners. “You adopted a cat, clearly.”

  “So it would seem. She made herself at home on my shoulder about five minutes in.” Carter’s wan smile sent guilt coursing through Jesse.

  “I didn’t know Sadie and Dylan would be there,” he explained. “Carter and Ri had them over the weekend, and I figured it was safe!”

  “Ding dong, you were wrong,” Carter chided. “Anyway, the kids played with her for the rest of the night, and Sadie was in love by the time Kate picked them up. Jesse travels too much to own a pet, so I promised we’d foster the kitty until her owners are found.”

  “This assumes her owners will be found at all, darlin’,” Kyle replied. He patted Carter’s arm over the table. “What’s Ri say about it?”

  “Nothing polite at the moment. He’s pissed at me for quasi-adopting a cat without checking with him first, especially since he’s out of town until tomorrow.” Carter groaned. “But given Miss Zebra doesn’t require walking, and Jes had already bought all her supplies, I’m sure Ri will get over it once he meets her.”

  Jesse couldn’t hold back his grin. “Miss Zebra?”

  “That’s the name she’s been given by Lady Sadie.” This time, Carter’s eyes warmed. “You’re lucky I love you, Jes, because, otherwise, I would cheerfully wring that pretty neck of yours.”

  “You have a way with people, Mr. Murtagh.”

  Everyone turned to look at Cam, who’d appeared out of nowhere and now stood smiling at the end of their table. He met Jesse’s gaze over the others’ greetings.

  “Hey, Red! I was telling the guys about the cat I found. I don’t suppose you’ve heard from any of your neighbors about her?”

  Cam winced. “No. I will absolutely let you know if I do, though.”

  Carter raised a hand. “You can tell me, too,” he said. “The kitty is staying at my place for the time being.”

  “Oh.” Cam looked from Carter to Jesse. “I didn’t know she’d moved again.”

  “It’s a long story and all my fault, as usual,” Jesse told him. He gestured to the empty seat across the table from him and beside Carter. “Sit down and we can tell you all about it.”

  Cam shook his head. “I’m on in five, but I’ll send one of the waitresses over with a round for you guys. What’ll it be?”

  Carter waved him off with a smile. “Nothing for me, thanks. More than a drink or two fucks with the medication I take,” he said when Cam appeared about to protest. “I’m sure the rest of these degenerates will be happy to take you up on your offer.”

  Cam collected orders from the table. He’d gone almost silent again after the Brooklyn weekend, leaving messages largely unanswered unless they had to do with the cat now known as Miss Zebra. Whether Cam had been busy or decided he’d distance himself again, Jesse didn’t know. He knew one thing, though—the hot-and-cold behavior didn’t sit well with him.

  “What about you, Jes?” Cam asked, snagging his attention again.

  “I’ll take a Redhead in Bed.” Jesse stared at Cam until Cam rolled his eyes. “Kyle can help the bartenders with the recipe if necessary—”

  “I’m sure they’ll manage,” Cam replied, his tone droll. He turned to go. “Adriana is working your area tonight, and she’s a nice girl, so please behave when she comes by.”

  A chorus of low laughter rang out after Cam moved on, and Jesse found Carter watching him with raised brows.

  “What was that?”

  Jesse shrugged. “Cam being Cam.”

  “And are things with Cam being Cam okay?”

  “Depends on the week, I guess. Most of the time, we have a lot of fun.”

  “What about the rest of the time?” David asked.

  “Turns out he’s moody and kind of shuts down. Said he needs distance to make sure I don’t hurt his feelings. Whatever that means.” Jesse ran his fingers over his lips. “Not that I plan to, either, but he does what he wants.”

  “Have you told him about your non-plan to hurt his feelings?” Carter asked.

  The sympathetic expression in his friend’s big eyes made something in Jesse rebel. He’d gambled bringing his friends here with Cam in a mood. Now he was going to have to fucking talk about it, and he had no desire to do that.

  “Yes, I have,” he replied and willed himself not to get defensive. “Doesn’t stop Cam from giving me the silent treatment if he feels like it.”

  “You sound put out,” Will observed.

  “I despise it,” Jesse agreed. “I don’t know what I’m doing to piss him off in the first place, and, frankly, I don’t like walking on eggshells around my friends. It sucks.”

  “I see.” Will smiled. “So, you and Cam are friends?”

  “Err, yes.” Jesse made a face at him. “Why wouldn’t we be?”

  “Well, I always assumed your friendships with Carter and Kyle were an exception and not the rule, but then I met Astrid and realized you truly enjoy making friends with the people you fuck.”

  Jesse stared, mystified by Will’s words. “Yes, Will, I suppose I do. Don’t you?”

  “Sure, but I only sleep with one person at a time,” Will replied. Jesse immediately bristled, and Will held up a hand. �
��That is in no way a slam against you.”

  “Okay. What is it then?”

  “My way of saying you are the shittiest libertine ever. You’ve got this reputation as the guy leaving a trail of broken hearts all over Manhattan, but I know you well enough now to see that’s bullshit.” Will cocked his head. “I know you’re a decent person. Oddly enough, I think the people you share your bed with would say the same, too.”

  “Maybe not all those people,” Jesse demurred. It was true that not everyone appreciated his unconventional approach to sex.

  “I’d wager there’d be more than you’d find with any regular Joe who says he’s looking for true love.”

  “Well, for God’s sake, keep your voice down.” Jesse sniffed. “It’s bad enough you know, never mind blabbing that big mouth of yours all over the city.”

  Will smirked and the others laughed. Carter rested his foot over Jesse’s, providing him with a simple, grounding touch, and Jesse smiled. He’d made the same gesture to Carter many times, and his heart hurt in a wonderful way at the seeming role reversal.

  The light in the club changed then, shifting darker and tingeing with red and purple. At the same time, the tempo of the beats pulsing through Ember’s speakers changed, too, the bass going deeper and dirtier. It curled in Jesse’s gut like a living thing. A dull roar went up from the crowd, and when he glanced at his friends, they were watching the DJ booth. Cam’s set had started.

  Jesse caught Carter’s eye. “You wanna dance, handsome?”

  “Oh, God.” Carter grimaced. “Six-foot-five is too tall for dancing—you know this.”

  “I know it’s all in your head,” Jesse replied. “You dance just fine.”

  Kyle reached over and tapped Carter’s arm again. “Yeah, c’mon, big man. Time to shake your ass.” Kyle stopped speaking when an attractive, dark-haired waitress appeared with a tray of drinks.

  “Hello, boys,” she said with a grin. “Cam told me you’re friends of his, so I won’t bore you with the usual spiel about accepting drinks with his compliments and yadda-yadda-yadda.”

  “Thank you, Adriana.” Jesse flashed her a smile and pulled out his wallet.

  Adriana’s expression warmed at his use of her name. “All right, I’ve got a Sidecar for the politician and a Last Word for the professor.”

  She turned to David and Will, who rubbed his hands together in anticipation. Next, she set a rocks glass filled with an intensely green cocktail in front of Malcolm.

  “Uncle Jalapeño for the cutie with the bright eyes,” she said, “and a Maine Maple Lemonade for the corporate guy.”

  Carter looked at the tall glass garnished with lemon with furrowed brows.

  “It’s my go-to when I’m on duty and can’t have booze,” Adriana explained. “They’re totally delicious.”

  She turned to Jesse and Kyle then, and her eyes shone with mischief. “Last but not least, something for the playboy and his partner in crime.” The drink she placed between them had been mixed in what Jesse guessed was a mini fish bowl. The vessel held at least twenty ounces and was filled with a beautiful red cocktail and garnished with lime slices.

  He raised a brow at Adriana. “And this is?”

  “A Redhead in Bed,” Adriana said with a grin, then popped two straws into the bowl. “To share.”

  Jesse met Kyle’s eye and the two exchanged a smile over the others’ amused laughter. He tipped Adriana but didn’t bother telling her the order she’d delivered was slightly wrong. Kyle had requested a French 75. It seemed unlikely Cam had made a mistake, however. He’d obviously been careful with the order and given Adriana a few details about everyone at the table.

  No, it appeared Cam had purposely ignored Kyle’s drink request in favor of sending Jesse and him a message. And Jesse very much looked forward to following it up.

  * * * *

  After Cam’s set wrapped, he reappeared to join the larger group, and his mood seemed much improved. They ordered another round of drinks and danced some more until Carter, Malcolm, Will and David called it a night. Jesse took Kyle and Cam back to his place for a nightcap, where Kyle mixed up a round of mint juleps in an effort to exploit Cam’s newfound appreciation for dark liquors.

  Cam eyed the half-empty highball glass in his hand with a pensive expression. “Do either of you ever wonder what might have happened if you’d talked Carter into a threesome?”

  Jesse went still at Cam’s question. He knew without checking that Kyle had done the same.

  Kyle lowered the Boston shaker he’d been agitating and set it down. “No,” he replied, his tone wary. “I’m sure we’d have had a hell of a time, but we understood why he didn’t want that from us.”

  “I feel the same,” Jesse said. He raised a brow at Cam. “Where are you going with this?”

  Cam shrugged. He stepped up and threaded his arms around Jesse’s neck. Jesse looped an arm around his waist.

  “I watched you both dancing with Carter tonight,” Cam said. “And so did everyone else in the club. You were unbelievably erotic together. I mean, you even kept things clean for the most part, but the three of you caught every eye in the place.” He licked his lips. “It got to the point I wanted to change places with Carter. To feel what he did with the both of you.”

  Jesse smiled. He’d noticed Cam watching him dance with Kyle and Carter. Jesse had kept Carter out on the floor for that very reason. “You don’t have to change places with anyone, Cam. You’re here with us now, and you can do whatever you want.”

  After a loaded pause, Cam nodded. He held a hand out, and Kyle stepped closer, his eyes locked on Cam’s. Cam brought the hand up and traced Kyle’s cheekbone with his thumb before he leaned in to kiss him. The first touch of their lips was gentle, but the kiss deepened in a flash, and Kyle’s eyes fluttered closed. A low noise rumbled through his chest and that sound made Jesse’s cock pay attention.

  Cam’s grip on Jesse’s waist tightened. He watched Cam and Kyle, heat racing under his skin. His breath caught when Cam broke away from Kyle and seized Jesse’s mouth with his own. Jesse opened eagerly. He stretched one hand toward Kyle and pulled Cam in tight with the other. His skin prickled at the brush of Kyle’s along his jaw. He knew Kyle was licking his way along Cam’s neck when Cam moaned into Jesse’s mouth.

  Kyle curled an arm around Jesse, and the fire burning inside him leaped higher. He tilted his head back and shivered as two hard, eager bodies boxed him in against the counter. Kyle thrust his tongue into Cam’s mouth again.

  “Oh, fuck.” Jesse’s cock jerked. Cam broke the kiss and turned to look at him, his eyes ablaze. "You okay with this, Cam?"

  “Hell, yes,” Cam bit out. “I’m done wanting to know what it feels like to be with both of you.”

  “Good man.” Kyle chuckled. He reached up and ran a hand over Cam’s hair before he looked to Jesse. “You okay with this, babe? Because I really am.”

  “Mm-hm.” Jesse leaned in and pressed a kiss against Kyle’s lips. “So much more than okay.”

  The three stayed close as they headed for the bedroom. Jesse fell back to allow Cam to lead the way, but Cam slung his arms around Jesse’s and Kyle’s waists. Once they were by the bed, Jesse opened his arms and Cam stepped into the embrace while Kyle pressed in close on Cam’s other side. They took turns exchanging kisses and pulled at each other’s clothes, their breaths growing ragged.

  When they were nude, Jesse yanked back again to breathe and watch. The hickeys on his chest were fading, but he suspected they’d all have a few before the night ended. Cam turned his head and kissed Kyle, and the sight sent a bolt of lust straight to Jesse’s balls. Jesus fuck, watching Cam kiss another man made him feel like he’d implode.

  Kyle wrenched his lips free. He bent and mouthed at Cam’s neck, his stare locked on to Jesse’s. Cam lolled his head against Kyle’s shoulder, his eyes closed and his expression almost desperate. Blindly, he pulled at Jesse’s hip with one hand and made a strangled noise as Jesse lowered a hand and palm
ed him.

  “Jes,” he whined.

  Jesse dropped his arms and scooped Cam up against him, the globes of Cam’s ass hot against his palms. He deposited Cam onto the bed, but Cam’s back had hardly hit the mattress before Kyle’s arms were around Jesse. Kyle kissed him deep and slow. He dug his fingers into Jesse’s skin and ground their erections together until Jesse’s bones seemed to melt.

  “Baby,” he moaned against Kyle’s mouth.

  Cam let out a low curse. “Oh, my God, you two.”

  Kyle turned Jesse loose, and they climbed onto the bed with Cam. Jesse’s body buzzed. He surrendered to the two pairs of hands that manhandled him and quickly found himself sitting on his heels with Cam behind him, his chest pressed to Jesse’s back. Kyle settled in between Jesse’s spread knees, his big palms grasping Jesse’s thighs.

  Cam kissed the nape of Jesse’s neck, then brought his mouth to his ear. “What do you want, Jes?”

  Jesse’s chest tightened painfully. “Need you in me.” His words ran together in his haste, but Cam understood. Jesse was bursting with the urge to touch and suck and come. With the urge to be filled.

  A haze of need settled over him. Kyle scooted backward, freeing up the space in front of Jesse, and together, he and Cam guided Jesse forward onto his hands and knees. Jesse hung his head low and bit his lip in an effort to get hold of himself while Kyle leaned over the bed and opened the nightstand drawer.

  Jesse closed his eyes when the bottle of lube clicked open, and his breath wavered at the touch of a cool, slick finger along the crease of his ass. Cam pushed the finger inside him, and the strength ran out of Jesse’s arms in a rush, leaving him to drop his forehead down onto his folded hands. A hand rubbed circles into his back, and he moaned under the soothing touch that provided a direct counterpoint to the stretching burn in his ass.

  “C’mere, darlin’,” Kyle murmured. He lay back against the pillows and guided Jesse down beside him until he lay on his stomach and half on top of Kyle. Jesse held on to his friend, his grip tight.

  Kyle kissed him, swallowing Jesse’s noises while Cam worked him open. Jesse rutted helplessly against Kyle’s thigh until Cam withdrew his fingers, and he wrenched his mouth free with a grunt.