Page 38

Amber

I skim over the mugs until my eyes lock on a new one with the text Bear and a matching image beside it. I grab the mug with a huge grin, warmth spreading from my chest to my core.

As I pour myself a cup of coffee, Teddy runs with a cute little toy in his mouth. I’ve never seen it before. He waits for me to pick it up, slowly releasing his teeth as I bend and grab it. Funny enough, it’s another bear.

A purple bear.

Bradley’s name is written all over it.

That adorable goofball.

He always knows how to make me smile.

“Come on, Teddy, let’s write some words today.” I place my mug on the table by the window and settle down before I put him over my lap.

The photographs that decorate the wall in the shape of a hexagon glint with different colors when I briefly glimpse at them. Only when I’m tilting my head up to take a good look do I notice that they have been replaced with the photos that were taken on our trip to Staten Island.

It’s us dancing in the parking lot.

The ferry boat.

Me in my yellow dress.

Teddy rolling on the grass.

The three of us eat ice cream against the ocean backdrop.

And another one of us on the roof.

I squeeze Teddy to my chest, needing to hold on to something while my heart swells.

They have been so busy this week, running errands and working nonstop. I took night shifts for the chance to write during the day. The appetite to get more words out grew after we returned. I can’t keep my fingers off the keyboard, any chance I get, I steal the laptop and fill in more blank pages.

I even snatched it one time when Ronnie was about to take it. I let him finger-torture me afterward so win-win.

Inhaling deeply, I let my mind dictate the rhythm in which my fingers move.

The day that I met you I let my shit go. I let my guard down. I felt that a hand strangled me, and maybe it was mine all along. Trying to find yourself or your worth is an endless journey.

I learned it with you.

Like a freight train on its journey, I was led to a new track and who knew I would be crossing state lines to get back home?

What is home?

It’s here and there.

It’s you and our families.

It was so easy to get lost in our fantasy but it seeped into reality more times than we could count and turned our world upside down. It doesn’t matter which side I wake up on, one of you is already there, keeping me warm.

Staten Island will always be at arm’s length but I finally found a place where I belong.

Everyone comes from somewhere, a story is written on our backs and reflected in our eyes. And one day, down the road, when our paths cross, we will write a new story together.

We all needed to take a break to get a new perspective on what mattered to us and where we wanted to go from now on.

I’m still figuring it out but… I’m at peace.

My fingers halt over the keyboard as I take a deep breath. Tears fill my eyes when I read the last words.

I finally have someone who calls and text me every hour of the day to see how I’m doing. Double that.

We offered our broken hearts to each other and healed wounds we didn’t know existed. I’m still replaying everything and picking them up as we go.

This past year I had moments when I felt nothing. It scared me and brought me to tears, and I still didn’t know what I was feeling or if I even felt anything at all. Were they empty tears? Was it frustration? It was a dark place to be in, especially all alone.

When I rode from my apartment, royally pissed, heading toward a door I’d never been to before while a door closed behind me, I didn’t know I was already on my way to the next chapter of my life.

You.

Funny enough, I almost hit Ronnie, bumped into Bradley, and snatched his cigarette. But the most important thing here is that it almost happened .

My most chaotic day has led me to happiness.

I’m happy.

Truly.

I’m still anxious about certain things but that’s okay because I finally accept it. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. I don’t want to exhaust myself about what is to come and worry about things that are out of my control when I can live right here, in the present. I spent so much time overthinking that I forgot to put myself first, above my endless thoughts.

In a short period, you reminded me how strong, capable, and fierce I really am. You will always have a special place in my heart because when I found you, I found myself.

A knock on the door startles me. I push to stand and put Teddy on the floor. He strides beside me, waiting when I peek through the peephole.

“It’s your favorite neighbor,” Piper chants and I chuckle as I unlock the door. Her tight brownish curls bounce around her neck as she bends to lift a package on my doorstep and hands it to me. “It was here. It has your name on it.”

“Thank you,” I take it from her outstretched hands. I didn’t order anything because I’m broke as hell. “Do you want to come in for a bit? I’ll make us hot cocoa.”

“Sure, I’ll just text my Mom I’m here.”

I place the package on the kitchen island and grab two new mugs from the cabinet. “Do you want some whipped cream on top?”

“Yes please.” She replies sweetly and I can hear the joy in her undertone. She’s a great kid. Reminds me a lot of my sister.

Thank goodness we have an uncapped one Bradley got yesterday. I close the fridge and spray this sweet goodie on our cocoa mugs—Dad used to do this for me all the time—star gazing on the roof with a comforting mug.

“There you go,” I slide it toward her, taking a seat myself.

She sips and smiles with a creamy mustache.

“Suits you. How’s mine?” I do the same and laugh with her when I come back up, nose covered in it too. Teddy barks, sitting squarely beside my stool.

“You like it too?” I pet his head as I bring us two napkins from the holder next to the coffee machine and hop back on. “How’s your project going?”

“I’m working on it, getting ideas in case my teacher decides to give me a second chance.”

“You’re in good hands, Bradley will stop at nothing to get it for you. He knows how to persuade people, trust me.” I grab the package and open the note attached to it.

For you Bear to stay warm! We hope you enjoy it. PS. Apparently, in the summer we’re both merciless regarding the A/C. So, we’re gonna have to have a lot of sex.

Oh god. I stuff it inside my pocket and clear my voice.

“What is it?” Piper asks, eyes twinkling with curiosity.

I hope there is nothing inappropriate here.

I subtly shake the package, guzzle half the cocoa mug, and tear it while Piper laughs and cleans my mouth with a napkin.

It looks like fabric and my thundering heartbeats slow down a little. Phew. Although we’re still not out of the woods yet.

A fluffy texture of purple… I unfold it and soon find out it’s the most adorable bear-onesie.

“Aww, that’s so cute.” Piper presses her hands to her chest and jerks her shoulders up sweetly. “That will look so good for movie night.”

I pull up our group chat.

Amber

Can you come home?

Ronnie

On our way.

Bradley adds two motorcycle emojis and I know they will ride like menaces to society to get here.

My perky breasts are exposed, and my nipples are pebbled. My legs cross the bath horizontally, dangling off the rim. Music is playing softly from my phone that rests on the wooden stool next to the sink and Harley leans against it too.

Five minutes later I hear two distinctive sets of footsteps thudding through the apartment, “Little Bear, we’re home.” Bradley’s husky voice comes from the other side of the door before he twists the handle and walks inside.

A smile spreads across my lips. Heart thumping in my chest as each footstep falls nearer.

Ronnie crouches down behind me and wraps his hand around my throat—all my senses go haywire. “Did we beat our record?” The squeeze is pleasurable, gentle yet firm, caressing yet dominating.

I hum, letting him bask in the feel of the vibrations.

“You know what I like.” He removes his fingers one by one as he rises back up and disrobes his clothes.

“Harley! You’re here too girl.” Bradley unfastens the belt of his jeans and drags the zipper down. “Is this the day I get to see what you’re capable of?”

Nah, I’ll edge you a little longer with that one.

“Get your sweet ass in here,” I order. My gaze dances between their bodies on each side of me, memorizing the deep cuts that make me lick my dry lips. The light hairs—different in color—that lead to their hard cocks. My skin flushes as I gulp. They sink into the bath, raising the water level by a few inches. “No sex today.”

“Is that a suggestion?” Ronnie’s brows knit together in question.

“Or a command?” Bradley continues and I swing my head left and right meeting their confused expressions.

“More like a challenge,” I clarify, chuckling as I watch their hard features soften. “Were you worried?”

Ronnie brings his hand to caress my thigh. “I thought we did something wrong.”

“No,” I rest my hand on his. “I got your gift and just wanted to see you, be with you, and do nothing.” I mirror his affectionate smile—so contagious that I instantly feel ten times lighter.

Bradley palms my left breast. “Did you like it?”

“I love it.” I put my other hand on him, basking in the heat we create as he fondles my breast.

A tickling sensation bursts in my center and I moan softly beneath their touch, clenching my eyes shut. “Mmm.”

”I have a suggestion.“ Bradley elaborates, “We should do a monthly check-in.”

“With each other you mean?”

“Yeah. It can be anywhere with ice cream or a nice bath. We should tell each other how we feel. Good, bad, all of it.”

“I like it,” I reply. “Like we did on our trip.”

“I’m in.” Ronnie slips his fingers farther down to my pounding clit. “What is the meaning behind your lightning tattoo?” He asks.

“Lightning never strikes the same place twice.” I chuckle as I lift my hand and let drops of water fall back inside. “It makes me feel powerful and symbolizes that I will overcome any challenge.”

“I have a feeling this will lead to sex,” Bradley notes, rubbing a finger over my aching nipple.

“Let’s keep it a secret for now,” Ronnie whispers against my cheek, pressing his lips to my heated skin.

“So… Ronnie, why did you want this room as an extension when you could’ve had any room you’d like?” I attempt to distract myself.

He moans and I squirm as goosebumps rise on my skin. “I wanted somewhere to relax after a long day at work and it’s the first thing that came to mind. Where my partner and I could enjoy each other or...” he sticks his tongue out and licks the shell of my ear. “Enjoy it apart.”

Once again my body is under a spell.

I nibble on my bottom lip.

Their broad shoulders cage me between them, forcing me to stay in place. The waters slouch around us. My lids grow heavy.

“Can we work on our intimacy and connection as a trio? I want to try all those eye contact and touch exercises without sex. I mean it might lead to sex, but it’s not my ulterior motive. Okay, that’s a lie.”

We chuckle in unison.

“Hi.” Bradley starts again with a sheepish smile that I’ve never seen on his face before.

“You’re cute when you start rambling.” I giggle, resisting the urge to grab him, kiss the hell out of him, and bounce on his cock.

“I’m pacing myself,” Ronnie stares at him with fierce determination, “Because all I want to do is grab you by the neck and kiss your fucking mouth into the afterlife.”

Aww . I melt. That is the most romantic thing in the whole world.

“Bear,” Ronnie nudges my chin up with two fingers, “That was meant for you too.”

“We can try some of those exercises right now,” Bradley suggests. “Press your back to Ronnie and lift your legs a little until you meet me in the middle, throw them over mine.”

We follow his instructions until we’re pressed together, nothing separates us. I rest my head over Bradley’s shoulder.

“Now what?” I ask.

“Now we hug for a while without saying a word.”

Their touch is warm and comforting.

I feel their strong heartbeats.

I hear their soft breaths.

I inhale their familiar scent into my lungs as I relax in their hold.

None of us knows what it’s like to date two people at the same time. Despite all the passion and fireworks flying around, there is so much more we need to figure out, together.

As a unit.

I’m excited for what is to come. For once, I’m not anxious about it or think ahead, I’m allowing myself to blossom.

I’m present like I said I would be.

I’m a new version of myself.

The best one so far.

“I don’t want to break this cozy cocoon we created but I just need you to know that my cock is throbbing. I can’t control it.”

“Oh, I know.” The sharp tone of my voice earns me two nips at the side of my neck from them both. “I was trying to ignore it but thank you for notifying us. We’ll take care of it in a few.” Their teeth sink deeper into my sensitive skin, sweetly bruising those two spots. I wince at the pain but fall for its pleasure. They suck it and I moan, they lick it and I moan harder.

“I thought we couldn’t…” Bradley gasps as he pulls a little to take a breath.

“I said no sex.”

“Oh, so there’s a loophole.” He dives back in, grazing his teeth over the mark.

“Are you edging us so you could be fucked hard before we go to sleep?” Ronnie pulls this time to whisper into my ear.

“That’s not a bad idea,” I smile wickedly.

“You know we will give you what you want, all you need to do is ask.”

“Yeah, but sometimes forcing you to do it is fun, and the thrill that comes right after.”

“Ohh, we got ourselves a little brat,” Bradley remarks playfully, trailing my shoulders with wet kisses.

“I love brats,” Ronnie’s stubble grazes my cheek and his smirk pops when I look up at him, then he peppers my other shoulder with kisses.

“No sex, you said it.” Bradley tips his head back and picks himself up and out of the bath. “I’ll follow your rules.”

“Since when do you follow the rules?” I cock my head to the side.

“I listen to yours.”

I puff inwardly. So annoying but at the same time heartwarming.

I feel Ronnie’s body detaching from mine, puncturing this tantalizing bubble we created, and leaving the bath too.

“Please don’t go.” My soul has come to life and my body is more alive than ever. “I’m so aroused that my body shivers with need.”

I keep my thighs clamped together as more tingles ensue.

“We’re honoring your request. I think it’s a good one.” They are edging me on purpose right now to prove a point. We’ll see about that when I grab the wand and make myself come in front of them.

“I’ll eat you in the morning, Little Bear, but first, you acquired a lesson.” Ronnie winks as he walks out of the door, naked, and hard as a rock.

You two are not going to last till then.

My pout slowly turns into a wicked smile.

There’s a new brat in town.

I get out of the bath, grab Harley, and pace the house naked straight to Ronnie’s room.

Still wet. Everywhere.

I hop on the bed making a little wet stamp on the sheets and place the wand over my clit as they search for towels.

My moans soon follow as my oversensitive clit already tingles with pleasant sensations. My eyes snap as soon as I reach a climax, the desire in their eyes makes it the sweetest revenge. I sink my teeth into my bottom lip as the orgasm slowly fades but I can’t quite take the wand away as more aftershocks ensue.

“Give it to me,” Bradley yanks the wand out of my hold.

They flip me on all fours, pour lube on my back hole, and plunge two fingers inside. “I love when you’re being bratty,” Bradley says and smacks my wet ass—it’s slippery and makes the slap much more noticeable. “Back shots are my favorite, let’s play a little game.” He presses the head of the wand to my clit as Ronnie removes his fingers and I feel the head of his cock brush my hole. They start slow, giving me just a few inches of Ronnie’s cock but make sure to slap me a few more times with each thrust.

As my walls clench around him, he withdraws and switches places.

“Take it, you little fuck toy, take it until you cream,” Bradley says as he penetrates me next and thrusts thoroughly, still pressing the wand and making my clit vibrate with pleasurable sensations.

Ronnie drags his tongue all the way up my spine, goosebumps follow before he settles behind me one more time and rubs his cock to Bradley’s erection as he withdraws.

They pump them together in their hands and groan, squeezing them tightly.

“Spit on it,” Ronnie commands, and Bradley does as he says.

Ronnie slams his cock into me again and my body quivers as my clit becomes a little numb due to the intense sensation, but on the fucking edge nonetheless.

They ram me harder, increasing their speed as I moan louder and shudder uncontrollably.

“Ahh,” I scream.

Every rough inch leaves me before it slams against the perfect spot. Again and again, until I spasm and come hard around Ronnie’s cock while Bradley paints my ass cheeks with his cum.

We all gasp and inhale big chunks of air into our lungs.

“Never make promises you can’t keep, Little Bear.” Ronnie comes around to kiss my cheek. “Sweet dreams.”

With a blissful smile, I blink into dreamland.