~ ~ Josh ~ ~

Scrubbing my knuckle in my eye-socket, I yawned. Time to get up.

I flung off my covers and through bleary eyes noted it had just hit six-thirty. Sitting upright, stretching out, I glanced down at my morning wood and I swore it groaned at me.

I'd not touched it, well technically I had, but without conscious thought. Last night, half-in, half-out of sleep my hand had instinctively wrapped itself around it thinking about Ivy... Alex.

And Christ, my balls were now feeling so goddamn heavy, full, used to be emptied daily, and if it hadn't been for Ivy's text startling me fully awake reminding me she owned my dick then I would have crossed that imaginary finish line. 

I'll admit, as much as it was confusing and frustrating for my dick. I grinned like a lunatic knowing that she was thinking about me... keeping me in check, reminding me she held all the control.

And I fucking loved it.

Getting my arse off the bed, I headed to the bathroom, noticing Alex's door was closed. Half-hour later, showered and ready for my first cup of coffee, Alex's door was still shut.  Admittedly, it surprised me.  Alex never slept in and my feet moved to hover outside his door. 

No movement inside. 

Come to think of it, I'd not heard him come home last night.

I knocked.

Nothing.

Opening his door, my head jerked back. His bed was untouched and an uncomfortable feeling took a day trip round my guts.

Was he still at Ivy's—spent the night?

And didn't that twist up more of a storm, igniting a queasy feeling. She hadn't asked me to spend the night. Did she like him more than me? Would she decide he was worth pursuing something more meaningful with? And what, I got shoved aside like a toy she was already bored with?

My stomach churned.

And Alex. Would things change between us if Ivy wanted him and not me?

Fuck. Why the hell had I let my head wander there? It was too damn early for a mind-fuck of that magnitude.

No.  Repeating her words in my head, she wanted us both.  I puffed out and went back in my bedroom to drag on some joggers.  Snatching my phone, I hoped to find a message from Ivy or Alex. 

Nothing. Diddly-squat.

And that weird feeling wasn't shifting—not even a little as I headed downstairs now fucking grumpy and pissed off with both of them, although rationally I was knew I was acting crazy. There were lots of reasons he might have stayed over.

Yeah? Name one?  My subconscious taunted.

07:30 and I was already stressing the fuck out. And I was supposed to see her tonight. Or would she cancel, make up some excuse?

And the sickening feeling turned to dread, and my heart lurched into my throat.

Today was going to be torture.

Another hour later and I was sitting like some loser in the kitchen, on my third coffee, thinking up all kinds of shit. I hadn't heard the front door open when I looked up to find the Alex. He was leaning against the door frame, hair messy, arms crossed over the broad expanse of his chest, wearing the same clothes he had on yesterday. 

"Morning," he said, his lips lifted into a smile as he pushed off the door and strutted in. Actually strutted like a fucking peacock. "I was st-standing there for a minute and y-you didn't even see me. Y-you okay?"

"Sorry, miles away," I grumbled.

Alex headed straight to the refrigerator and pulled the OJ carton, shutting the door and not bothering with a glass sat at the table opposite me, unscrewing the lid, he drank half of it without taking a breath.

"Fuck, Alex. Use a glass."  I knew I was being petulant. "We both have to drink from the carton, yeah?" It actually didn't bother me him swilling from the carton, but the longer I watched his throat bob, guzzling more down, the more irrationally pissed off I got.

He lowered the carton, gasping a breath, swiping the back of his hand across his mouth. "What's cr-crawled up y-your arse?" He raised his eyebrow, a stern glare igniting in his eyes.

I raked my hand through my unruly hair. "Nothin' Just didn't sleep great." I gritted my teeth. "You could have let me know you weren't coming home. I was worried." I wasn't, because after that message from Ivy. I'd fallen asleep, out like a light even with a pissed off throbbing dick.

Guilt shifted across his features. "S-s-shit, sorry, man. I didn't think."

I lifted my hand, now feeling shitty for making him feel shitty. I was a walking contradiction today. "It's okay. You stayed with Ivy?"

He nodded so fucking excitedly, his smile wicked, and held absolutely no apology now.

I felt sick again.

"Yea, s-s-she asked me to s-stop over."  

Fucking great.  I was hoping he was gonna say he fell asleep by accident because when Alex was sleeping he was dead to the world. And for a second, I really thought I would vomit, and I barely kept down my coffee, pushing the mug away. Even the smell was making me feel like I wanted to hurl. "Good night?" I barely got the question out.

"Y-yea, it was, but then..." he tailed off, fixing the lid back on the OJ carton and twisting it tight.

"Then, what?" I sat up a little straighter.

Leaning back in his chair, he took a deep breath. "Nessy called." His eyes flicked over my head and I knew where his head was at.

"Everything okay—Nessy okay?" Nessy and Alex shared the same mum. His mum married her dad not long after Alex's father had died in an accident. Step-daddy was a bonafide arse-hole and still turned up here now and then, walking round Alex's house like he owned the place, even though his mum had kicked his arse out years ago after becoming the cliché of having an affair with his secretary.

Alex nodded, much slower this time. "I t-t-told Ivy about what happened. With her and my m-m-mum."

Oh, oooh. I was floored. Alex never talked about it, and I'd stopped trying to get him to open up.

Something just like bitterness stirred in my chest. Why had he trusted Ivy? Especially since she'd drilled it into us both that this thing between us wasn't a relationship. Temporary.

...But then I remembered her face softening and the affection in her touch when I'd told her about my family. Alex had gone through much worse than I'd experienced, and no doubt she would have comforted him. And I suspected Ivy might try to act like she was immune to feelings, but under that facade I sensed there was a hell-of-a lot of sweetness and compassion going on.

Which made her even more perfect in my eyes and I hoped when she knew me better she'd want me to stick around.

Guilt now gnarled my guts and I wanted to punch myself for getting so wound up with jealousy... I should be happy that Alex opened up, but the jealously was still there all the same.

And then my mind just had to go there.  Had they had sex last night?

I bit my lip, wanting to ask but not wanting to know at the same time. But didn't my dick express its interest at the idea of watching them fuck.  Perking right up in my joggers and not wearing boxers, made it really fucking obvious.

Ugh. It was becoming increasingly hard to navigate around this mind-fuck. Best thing to do was not to think about it.

Yeah, easier said than done and my brain wouldn't switch off. ...Alex's lips, Alex's thighs, his strong hands, flashes of his body from the gym yesterday played out. Yet with every replay came the interruption of Ivy, her sucking my dick. Sucking Alex's dick. Asking me to suck Alex off.

Fuck—how the hell had my mind gone there?

I shook the images away. But my erection wasn't going anywhere.

Alex pulled out his phone and was scrolling, letting me study him.  His eyes looked unguarded, hopeful. Something I'd not seen in ages.

And something else that should make me feel better was the fact he was relaxed.  The tension between us had gone. Not like yesterday when we'd got back from the gym and I was freaking out if he'd figured out I'd watched him wank off, not to mention the ungodly images that went through my head. 

I wondered if he'd said anything to Ivy?  And my mind doubled back to thinking about what they did on their date.  Ivy had seen right through me. Seen what no one else had. Had she done the same with Alex? Did he have any kinks? Was he like me?

For Ivy to be interested, she had to have seen something, right? Used her Jedi mind powers on him? 

But wouldn't I have noticed if he was like me? I took a second to look at him. Really look at him and I tried to picture him on his knees, looking up at Ivy.

And why did that make me feel shit? Was it the fact of knowing that if he and I were alike then we wouldn't fit together that way? Because Ivy had opened my eyes to accepting what I wanted in a relationship. Giving up control had lived up to everything I'd hoped it would be... and more.

There was no going back for me.

"Josh. D-d-did you hear me?"

I blinked. "What—sorry. I missed that?" 

"W-w-will you come me this weekend? Visit Nessy?"

Relief tugged on my chest. Things hadn't changed between us... yet. "Sure. Count me in." I smiled.

"Thanks, I appreciate it." 

And he just had to give me one of his genuine heart-stopping smiles.  "You know I'll always be here for you? Right?"

His eyes searched my face as though he was looking for the lie. But then he nodded and pushed up from his chair. "Gonna nip out to the bakery for some pastries before I have a call with Finn?" He checked his pockets, pulling out his wallet. "You want the usual?"

"Sure. That'd be nice."

Yeah, for now things were the same.  

But for how long?  the voice whispered.

~ ~

Ivy opened the door, smiling, a slight tilt to the corner of those seductively full lips, her deep brown eyes focused squarely on me. I tilted my head slightly, trying to read the intent in her gaze.

Whilst she blatantly checked me out, I took the same liberty.

And wow.

She had this whole warrior-esque vibe in a black leather halter and matching leather shorts. Her hair was a riot of curls just like the first night I'd spotted her at the launch. And her make-up was darker, smoky, with hot cherry red lips.

Fucking stunning and the worries and jealously I'd been stuck with all day eased away, replaced by excitement of tonight. 

"Tonight couldn't come quick enough," she said a little breathlessly, her eyes dancing over me again.

And holy hell, an all powerful torrent of desire spiked my bloodstream as something bright and hot ignited deep in my groin.

Ivy stepped back to allow me in and I almost tripped over my goddamn feet, eager to get this show on the road.

What a fucking tool.

"Wow, trippy, careful. When I want you face down on my floor, you'll know about it," she sassed with one eyebrow arched, reaching for my t-shirt, fisting the material, pulling me toward as my hands gravitated to his hips.

I couldn't speak, so I just nodded my head. Christ, I must have looked like a total idiot.

Bodies pressed together I gazed down, and she rose, the laughter faded from her eyes to be replaced with a different warmth. Her hand ran up my arm around the back of my neck, pulling me down she brushed her lips over mine. Her kiss wasn't passive, but it wasn't aggressive either. I met every stroke of her tongue with one of my own and no doubt she felt my cock pressed between us.

She broke away and closed the door and those five-inch sexy as fuck heels of hers walked in front of me as I followed her. It didn't take long for my eyes to follow her legs up to her arse. Not only curvy, but the kind of J-Lo bubble butt a man wanted to grip with his hands.

Would she allow me to touch her? I fucking hoped so.

Flipping around to face me. "A drink and a quick chat before we head to a room I've booked downstairs." She wasn't asking, using a tone that said I had no choice. "Beer?"

"Just water, thanks." I wanted a clear head.

"Sit. I'll be right back." I'd barely got comfortable when she was handing me a glass of water and flicking off her shoes and bringing her legs up to tuck underneath her.

"Before we go over tonight." She paused thoughtfully. "I want you to tell me what was going on with you and Alex yesterday. The weird vibe I picked up when I dropped by."

Oh. She hadn't forgotten. Heat rose in my cheeks. Where the hell did I start?

Hey Ivy, I watched my BFF wank off and wanted to lick his cum off the tiled wall?

"Josh," her tone softened. "Anything you say won't go any further."

I had a feeling she would know if I lied. And would it be so bad for her to know the truth?  Or a little of it? I lifted my drink and took a sip to ease my dry mouth. "Yesterday," I started. "Alex and I went to the gym."

Ivy's posture relaxed, and mine did instinctively.

"Afterward, in the showers I—" my eyes dropped. "I was checking him out and got an erection."

She didn't flinch or say anything. Christ, I sounded like a fucking pervert, but my dick was now really straining against my already tight jeans. Continuing. "And then Alex caught a mole or something and was bleeding and totally forgetting about my erection, I faced him with only concern for him—"

"Okay," she prompted when I stopped talking.

My voice sounded strangled. "I noticed him checking out my dick—or I think he was. Or he wasn't." I rambled. "But then he was hard. An erection." I clarified.

"And what happened?"

Was that excitement I heard in her question?

"I got the hell out of there but realised I'd left my shower gear back there and when I headed back in, Alex's back was facing me and he was jacking off."

Her eyebrows lifted with a slight, knowing smile.

Mouth bone dry, I sipped more water. "I don't think he knew I was there, but then it was just weird between us for the rest of the day."

"Was it still weird this morning?" she asked.

I shook my head. "No. He seemed happy. Really happy and relaxed."

She nodded slowly. "And you said you've never explored a relationship outside of being best-friends?"

"No."

"Was it the first time you looked at him differently?" She ran her finger around the rim of her glass.

"Yes." Liar.

Her lips pressed together, eyes more curious. She didn't believe me and I remembered her Jedi mind powers, her mojo. Was she using it on me now?

"Remember what I said about honesty, Josh?"

Fuck. The force was definitely with her.

I sighed. "It's happened before." I confessed. "I was about fifteen when I noticed him in a way I shouldn't." And spent an entire month wanking off to the image of him half naked. Touching him. Kissing him. "Said nothing, as I didn't want to freak him out."

Her tongue swiped across her full bottom lip. "But Alex has never shown any interest?" she asked, adding, "apart from yesterday."

"He's not into guys, Ivy." Yeah, I'd caught him watching gay porn, but I just put it down to curiosity. Sure, every guy did that at some point and it didn't make him gay or even bi curious, although it didn't stop my wishful thinking.

"Maybe I just read too much into it yesterday." Flinging my hand wide. "For all I know, he might have some blood kink and that's what got him hard." I blew out a breath.

Ivy's head cocked to the side. "Maybe not." She shrugged, but before I could ask what she meant, she changed direction. "Anyway, thank you for being honest, Josh." She narrowed her eyes in a teasing way. "You don't have to be put on my naughty list now."

"What a naughty list like Santa's?"

The cruel little smirk curving her lips promised all sorts of erotic torments. "No Josh. Santa only comes once a year. And I like to come way more than that!"

I cracked a smile, hoping I'd get to come sooner than Christmas.

"Now, anything else you want to tell me?" she asked lightheartedly.

Should I tell her I was jealous about her and Alex? No. I would keep that to myself. It was my problem, not theirs, and Ivy had been upfront from the start.

"Good." She took my glass and put hers and mine on the table, turning back toward me. "So, tell me, Baby-boy." Baby-boy. "Have you touched my dick since we last played?"

I didn't know why the pet name, baby-boy made me feel so damn good. "No Ivy."

"Brilliant! You deserve a reward!"

Yeeesss!

Ivy stood up, smiling. "Stand up," she commanded.

I was up on my feet. She walked away from me and plucked something I couldn't see from the shelf. Returning to me she held it out. It was a key card.

"Are you ready to submit to me tonight?"

Damn straight. "Yes Ivy." She reached up and slipped her hand around my neck, easing me down. She brushed her lips against mine as her other hand outlined my very needy dick, cupping it, and then squeezing just a fraction.

"You're going to head downstairs and strip off and fold your clothes neatly. Then go into the bathroom and you will find a douche kit. I want you to use it."

A douche kit? And now my dick was fighting for a way out.

"Understand?"

"Yes, Ivy."

She pulled away, easing some breathing space between us. "Once done. I want you to wait in position in front of the table." She held up a finger. "Do not look under the cloth on the table." Her tone left little for questioning.

"Yes, Ivy."

"I'm going to change and will meet you down there."

My body was humming in anticipation.

"You have fifteen minutes. Any longer and we will have to start the scene with a punishment. And we don't want that."

The fire behind those chocolate browns told me she would like that, and I could barely cut back my smile. "No. Ivy."

"Go on then, Baby-boy. Clocks a ticking." she tapped the imaginary watch on her wrist.

I didn't hang around, hoping tonight she would allow me to come as I wasn't sure my balls could handle another day.

~ ~ ~

A/N:  Just a heads up.  Being end of month next week, most likely will need to skip a week, so don't be surprised if you don't see an update.  Which means next update:  7 December.