~ ~ Beatrix ~ ~

"Shit." A picture frame clattered to the floor.

"Urgh..." I peeled my eyes open, rolling onto my back.

"Fuck, sorry, did I wake you? I was trying to be quiet, but I tripped and bumped into your drawers," said the man, trying to sneak out on me.

I lifted my head.  "No," yawning, "Always wake around five-ish." I rubbed my eyes to see a delicious sight. Finn top-less and his blue faded jeans hanging open. "You skipping out without even a goodbye?"  I pretended to pout.

"What—Christ no!" He scooped up his t-shirt and came toward the bed, perching himself on the edge. 

Jesus, even at this hour the man looked yummier than my favourite latte and morning bagel.  I could swallow him whole.

Finn smirked.  "You need to quit looking like you want to eat me."

I sighed melodramatically. "Then shift that edible arse from my bed, before I drag you back in and persuade into performing some pretty depraved sex acts." I lowered my eyes, shamelessly eating up his fine half-naked form.

Finn licked across his bottom lip.  The lip I wanted to suck on.  His eyes looked positively dangerous.  "Fuck. Don't tempt me because I need no persuasion where you're concerned." His gaze sharpened.  "And I want to know every depraved and immoral thought that goes through your head and feed them."

"Are you sure you want to dip inside my head, Finn?"  I tapped my temple.  "No shortage of mental porn in here."

He growled, leaning in, trailing his fingertip along my bare shoulder, up and around the back of my head fetching us closer. The touch set fire to an already kindling flame.  "You have a willing slave, right here," he whispered, pressing his lips to mine.

The tip of his tongue teased mine as fresh mint tingled my tastebuds.  Thank god, I'd only brushed mine two hours ago... Shit, was that all the sleep we'd had... two hours?   Fuck, it might take an extra layer or makeup to hide the evidence of an all-night fuck-fest.

He edged back, groaning.  "Hate that I have to shoot off."  He wavered a moment before standing. "When can I see you next?"

"We have training tomorrow morning, then..."  I didn't want to arrange anything until I'd squared some time with Cam.  And until I had a handle of all three of us seeing each other, whether that be separate or together, then I would need to split my time.

"You seeing Cam tonight?" he asked with no accusation in his tone as he pulled his-t-shirt over his head, stealing my fine view of his glorious bare chest.

"I'm not sure."  My brother Seb had finally returned my messages and agreed to meet up.  I had provisionally pencilled him in.  "Might have something on later."   I pushed my sheet off, neglecting, or maybe not, that I was totally naked beneath the cover.

"Fuck me, Trix, are you trying to kill me?"  his eyes ate me up.

I shook my head innocently.  "Oops, silly me." I didn't cover up.  "At least you won't forget what I look like." I teased.

"Believe me, I'm leaving here with a hard-on and the image of you riding my cock last night." He grinned.  "I doubt either will shift today."

He offered his hand out and pulled me up to wrap his arms around me. My nakedness pressed into his hard body,  his erection strained against his jeans.

I sighed... if only we had more time.

"I'll probably see Cam tomorrow night if he's free."

Finn kissed the cure of my neck. "Trust me, he'll make sure he's free."

Threading my fingers through his hair. "You okay with that?" Finn's finger traced down my spine, eliciting a shiver.

Edging back.  "Yeah, I'm good with that. I want you in my life, Trix.  And if that means sharing with my best friend, I'll take it."  He looked thoughtful for a moment.  "I liked waking up with you."

I was still surprised I'd asked him to stay but wasn't ready to dissect it... yet.

He grumbled.  "I really need to head out, or I'll be late."   Reluctantly pulling away from me, he fastened his jeans searching the floor. "There's one." He retrieved one boot and then the other. "I'll message you later, yeah?"

"Ah-hu."  He opened the door to jump back.  "Fuckin' hell, Ivy."

"Hey handsome."  She held in her hand two mugs of coffee.

"Awe, you shouldn't have," said Finn.

"I didn't sunshine. These are for me and my girl. So shift that sexy ass out my way, I'm coming through."

Finn dramatically hit his chest "Ouch, that hurts." Stepping to the side to allow her in.

"Yeah, Well I'll do a lot more than hurt you if I fend off one more noise complaint."  Her eyebrows arched.  "You owe me, stud."

Finn twisted his head toward me.  A look of satisfaction and smugness danced across his face. "I don't think I can take all the credit."

Ivy laughed.  "Go. Get outta here."  Walking toward me. "I can't deal with you eye-fucking Trix over my morning coffee."

Finn winked and headed out. "Later, ladies."

Nipping to the bathroom, returning, I found Ivy seated on my bed, feet up, sipping from her mug.  She passed me my coffee. "How bad was it?" My fingers curled around my mug. "And weren't you at Estelle's?"

"I was."

I cringed. "You were joking about the noise complaint?"

Ivy laughed.   "Yeah, but we're gonna need to look into some serious soundproofing if you're keeping him."

Keeping him?  "I think it's a little too early—"

She interrupted, "Trix, stop kidding yourself.  You let no one spend the night." Sipping her coffee. "That's huge."

I still couldn't believe I'd asked him to stay.  "Yeah, I don't know what came over me."

"Apparently Finn.... She tipped her head, raising a finger, pointing.  "And apparently all over the bed too."

I pulled a face. "I'll strip the bed when you shift."

"No rush."  She snuggled into the pillow pressed against her back.

"Well," sipping lukewarm coffee.  "I need to get my arse in gear." I threw my legs over the side and pushed up.  "You heading in with me?"

"I'll see you there."  She slurped.  "I uploaded everything on your calendar.  You have a busy day ahead."  She rested her cup on her lap.  "Do you want me to grab you a latte and bagel on my way?"

"Hmm, god, yes, please."  Today was going to be a crazy day.

"Want anything for tonight?" she asked.

Walking toward my dresser to pick up my phone.  "Hold that thought." Seb had finally messaged me.  "Looks like Seb agreed to meet later."  I scanned the message.  "He can spare me an hour."  How nice of him... one hour.

I had an idea. "Do you want to meet me there later?"

"Gee, that's nice of him." She rolled her eyes.  "I got the impression he didn't like me."  Her top lip curled.  "He kept calling me Vee."

My brother could be an arsehole. 

"Fine-what time?"

I grinned. "Meeting him at seven thirty.  Meet me just after eight, we can grab some food?"

"I'll be there."

~ ~

Arriving at the office.  No one else was in.  Heading to the kitchen, I got the coffee machine working.

"You read my mind."  I jumped, turning.

"You scared me, Cam.  How long have you been standing there?"

"Only a minute.  I was admiring the view."

Jesus, he looked intense, stood in the doorway. The space between us heated.

Not a moment later, the distance evaporated as his mouth captured mine in a passionate kiss.  His knee nudged my legs apart, settling himself between them.  Fingers curled into my hips and the stirring of his grown erection sent an instant flush of heat, forcing my toes to curl in my shoes.

I couldn't help but push my hips up, practically grinding myself on him through our clothes.

He groaned into my mouth. Pressing me into the countertop behind me.

"You feel me?" he teased.

Oh boy, did I feel him.  "Everywhere."

His kiss burned across my lips. Damn, could the man kiss, flaring my pulse, kicking my libido into overdrive.

"Fuck, I want you, Bea."

His tone was soft and velvety.  Irresistible. Sending a tingle along my nerve ends and If I was the fuel, he was the match. My vagina was practically gushing, tripping the light fantastic.  Damn, I should have brought spare underwear.  If this was a prequel to how my mornings would start from now on, then I would need more than one standby.

Fucking hell.  What was I thinking?  My body barely recovered from Finn's all-night attention and here I was about to throw all my fucks out the window and drag Cam to my office and lock the door!

Fuck it.  I willed him not to stop banding my arms around his shoulders, holding him tight.

"Christ," he mumbled, "I hoped you would get in early."

I swallowed a breath. "You came in early just to see me?"

"Ah-hu... I need this... more of you."  His mouth swooped down. I barely managed another breath. His hard body, urgent and demanding.

This kiss was dangerous. I could lose my mind, forget logic and reasonable convictions, to hell with my full calendar.

Breaking apart, snatching a breath, our gazes caught. Cam looked sated as a slow smile began in one corner and spread across his lips like oil to a flame.  It was rare to see Cam smile like this, not his usual half smile, which don't get me wrong, was sexy as hell.  But this smile, a full smile, it altered his entire face. When he smiled like this, he was jaw-dropping gorgeous.

"Have lunch with me?"  Christ, I wanted him for lunch.  But today I was snowed under with work.  "Sorry, crammed full.  Back-to-back meetings."

The muscles in his jaw twitched. "Can I see you later, tonight?"

Fuck.  "Sorry, I have plans..." My face fell. If it had been anyone else but my brother, I would have cancelled.

Tension rose in his eyes, pushing his shoulders back an inch. A myriad of expressions crossed his face. "Are you seeing Finn again?"  There was no masking his wounded tone.

"No!"  I met his challenging stare.  "But if I was—would you have a problem with it?"  His Adam's apple shifted.  "My terms were simple, Cam."

He studied me as I held my tongue.   It appeared some things hadn't changed.  Cam was a thinker, often reminding me of a chess player.  He would deliberate his next move carefully, choosing his words to ensure the best outcome. It made it difficult and sometimes frustrating to argue with him.

"You made it clear."  His eyes dropped. "This is new for me, Bea. Sex between people is one thing.  Sharing a relationship is something entirely different."

I knew they'd shared partners sexually, but sex required zero emotional input. It was just fucking. Plain and Simple.  In-out.  Heart intact.

I softened my voice.  "I'm not seeing Finn tonight.  And if you're free tomorrow, I want to see you."

I thought it wise not to mention I was meeting Sebastian tonight.  They hadn't spoken since I'd left for Canada.  It shocked me that Seb cut Cam from his life.  They had been close, best friends from the first day of school.

When Cam and I began dating, there were times I thought Seb was jealous of our relationship. And when we lost dad, I became a burden for him and our relationship was fraught with arguments over the house and money.  In the end, I agreed to sell it, just to keep him happy.  At the time I'd planned to move in with Cam, but shit happened and I ended up in Canada, hiding.

"Yes." His smile returned.   "I'll cook. Do you still love pasta?"

I nodded.  "Yes, but it depends..."

"On what?" he asked.

I cocked my head. "Are you going to cook wearing a cute chef's apron and hat?"  His grip on my hip tightened.  "... and nothing else."  If you never ask, you never receive—that was my motto.

"Naked?" His top lip curled. "You'd want me to cook for you—naked?"

"Hell, yeah."

He laughed. "That can be arranged."

"It saves time, I hate waiting for my dessert."

"Oh, is that so?"  He teased his erection into the seam of my thigh. Leaning down, he kissed me softly, teasing my lips open.  His hands shifted around to my arse, splaying his fingers, pulling me toward him, he squeezed.

The lift door chimed.  Detangling, a safe distance was inserted. I straightened my clothing and Cam fixed his tie.

"Do I look like I've just been kissed, stupid?"  I lowered my voice. Shit, Cam had my lipstick smudged across his lips. "Quick, your lips!" I said, panicked.

He wiped the back of a hand across his mouth, leaving a cheeky smile behind. "I don't mind you looking kissed stupid."

"I do!" Cam's face fell.  "No one can know about this, us... yet."

He nodded in understanding of my apprehension of others' knowing.  Not that I cared what people thought, but here, right now, being new in post, it was important that staff only saw one side of me—my professional side.  It was crucial to my success.

And if Sean caught wind of me seeing Cam, all hell would rain down on me.

"I can be discreet."  He promised.

In walked Thom, looking me up, and down, not even trying to be subtle.

Cam breathed heavily through his nose.  "Morning Thom. Did you want something?" Cam gritted his teeth.

"Morning!" He smirked. "Pissed the bed, mate?" His question was aimed at Cam.

There was something about Thom. Yes, he was handsome, played on his Harry Styles looks and I'd noticed the girls in the office panting when he so much as glanced in their direction.  But for me, there was something about him that made my skin itch.

"Or are you trying to sweet-talk the new boss here?" he winked at me.

"Don't be an arse Thom," said Cam.

Wow, one couldn't miss the friction between these two.

"To thine own self be true." Thom retorted.  "And last time, I checked, the kitchen is open to all staff, Cam."

What a dickhead.  Time to leave. "Play nice boys, coffee machines all yours."

I left Cam with Thom, but felt his eyes burning into my arse.

Yep, mental note: bring spare underwear!

~ ~

I arrived at the wine bar at seven-forty.  I'd already messaged my brother, informing him I was running late.  The workday had gone on longer than planned.  Ending employees' contracts had been stressful.  And the last person had sobbed for forty-five minutes. In the end, I'd cracked and agreed they could stay on a reduced salary until they found something else.

She had been so grateful; it took another twenty minutes of her crying, thanking me. I hoped to Christ I didn't have to do that again soon.  I had no problem terminating employees who were arseholes, but when it was through no fault of their own, it was horrid.

I spotted Seb and waved.

He was dressed in a navy-blue suit.  To look at us, no one would think we were related.  Seb had dark hair to my blonde.  Green eyes to my blue.  But he was good-looking for sure, and quite a few eyes followed his movements as he stood to greet me.

"Sorry I'm late."

We stood awkwardly.  The last time I'd seen him was two years ago. I'd popped back for a visit.  "You look great."  I stepped closer and dove in for a hug.  He stiffened on contact, then eased into my embrace and wrapped his arms around me.

"You look good too, Bea."  He pulled away and straightened his jacket.  "What do you want to drink?" he asked.

"Glass of white wine, please."

He ordered drinks, and we sat down.

"So... new job?"  he asked.

"Yeah, heading up the London Office, still finding my feet."

"You've done what you set out to do."

I took a sip of my wine.  "Not quite."  I shrugged. "Are you still at the same place?"  Seb was a graphic designer.

"Yeah, but now I'm team leader, not that it means shit, really."

"Sounds great, I'm happy for you."  This was all very polite.  Sat here like strangers.  I was sure we would talk about the weather next.  "Do—"  My phone vibrated. "Sorry."  I lifted it from my bag.  It was Ivy.

"It's Ivy.  You remember her, right?"

He didn't look happy.  "Yeah, from what I recall—loud, in your face American loud."

"Ivy is many things, amazing for one. But she's Canadian."  I put my phone away.  "She wouldn't thank you for comparing her to an American."

Seb rolled his eyes, picking up his bottled beer, taking a drink.

"She's meeting me here."

He looked at his watch.

"Look Seb,  I know this is awkward, but I want us to get to know one another, especially now I'm living back in London."

"We know each other.  You're my sister Bea. What else do I need to know?"

Well, wasn't that a verbal slap!  "Seb, we've hardly spoken for the past four years and when I came to visit, you barely had time for me."

He put his bottle down. "I apologised for forgetting to book annual leave. I told you I mixed up the dates."

I didn't want an argument. "I know and I'm not trying to guilt you."  It required a change of subject.  "Tell me. Are you dating or in a relationship?"

"Yeah. Kind of."

I could work with this. "And tell me about them?"

"It's still early days. I don't want to jinx it."

He was brushing me off.  What the fuck was his problem?

"Are you seeing anyone?" he asked.

"Kind of."  I threw his words back at him and debated if I should tell him about Cam.  Oh, to hell with it.  "I've seen Cam."

His face dropped.  "He's bad news Bea. You need to stay away from him. He cheated on you."

"I don't actually know what happened.  But I never expected you to end your friendship—he was your best friend Seb." His posture stiffened.  "I appreciate you thought you were looking out for me, keeping your promise to dad."

"Hey, I'm here!"  Ivy interrupted, throwing her coat on a chair and dropping her bag on the table.    "Have I missed much?"

"No, just catching up." More like getting blood out of a stone.

Seb looked at his watch.  "I need to leave."

There were ten minutes left of my hour.  "Have a drink with us—stay."

He quickly knocked back the last of his bottled beer and stood.  "No, I really need to get off."

"When can I see you again?"  I had an idea.  "You could come round to ours and I'll cook." His eyes drifted to the door and then back to me.

"Yeah, sure.  I'll call you."  He pulled out his phone, distracted.

I rose to my feet.  I would at least hug him before he left.  But he stepped back.  "Remember what I said, Bea.  Stay away from him.  You can't trust him." He barely glanced at Ivy.

"Okay, bye then."  I watched him leave.

"Don't let the door hit your butt on the way out," called out Ivy. "He's still a barrel of laughs, I see."

"Hmm."  I didn't have a clue what his problem was.

"Who was he talking about?"

"Cam." I replied absently.

"Wait up—The guy doesn't bother with you during the holidays or your birthday—but has the audacity to warn you off someone?" Her whole face frowned.  "Don't hate on me, Trix. I don't like your brother.  It's hard to believe you're related."

"I don't think you have to worry about seeing much of him.  I don't think he likes me."

"Well, that makes him an even bigger asshole."  She grinned.  "Anyway, enough of him, lets get drinks and order food. I'm starving."

I nodded. "Sure."  Ivy disappeared off to the bar, and I thought about what Cam was hiding.  Perhaps when it was all in the open, then maybe he and Seb could be friends again.  And if I fixed their friendship, perhaps my brother would work on ours....perhaps.