Page 94 of Thorn Kiss
Fuck it.
I liked June. I liked Dallas. I’d been trying to decide what the hell I wanted to do about it, and this was a solution.
Not only would being with them help me work through my hang ups from dating Justin, I’d be able to push myself to try something new. And once it was over . . .
I’d leave. They’d stay.
Slowly, I nodded. “I’d like that. I was in a relationship for eight years where I was never wanted the way I should have been. There’s so many different kinks I’ve always wanted to try and explore. And well, I’ve been suppressing my bisexuality for so long because of Justin, I . . .” I knew this was right for me. “My answer is yes.”
June’s shoulders relaxed as she exhaled. I was tempted to lean over and give her hand a squeeze.
The two of us looked at Dallas, whose expression was soft and thoughtful. He ran his fingers through his beard, the same beard that had rubbed against my thighs earlier.
“I don’t know, June,” he whispered. “We’ve known each other for a long time.”
“Wedon’t have to do anything,” she rushed out.
I felt the pang of rejection in her words, even though they weren’t aimed at me.
“We could just be with Madi separately. With no jealousy or sticky feelings, you know?”
His eyes darkened as he held her gaze. “I didn’t mean that?—”
“We don’t need to be together.” Her tone was defensive and sharp. “I mean I guess we could do things with her together, but you don’t have to touch me if you’re?—”
“June, I want to touch you too.” His nostrils flared. “My answer is yes. I want to do this.”
“Okay, but I’m just saying that we don’t have to?—”
“Maybe the two of you should talk,” I interrupted. “Maybe without me? And if this doesn’t work for either of you, that’s okay. As long as you’re both okay with me enjoying my time with both of you.”
“I’d like to talk,” Dallas murmured. His gaze flicked up to June. “We need to talk through other parts of this too. We can’t keep avoiding the elephant in the room.”
June reminded me of a fawn on a highway, her eyes wide and muscles frozen.
I was torn between getting up and leaving the room and taking a bite of my chicken. But, Iwantedthem to work this out.
“How about this,” I said, slowly standing up. “The two of you are going to have a date night.”
“What?” June sputtered. “No, I wasn’t trying to?—”
“Listen, you both need to work this out,” I said. “I know you’re not trying to steal my date. And I think it would be beneficial for theproposalif you had some time together. Right?”
Dallas rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m also sorry. I didn’t mean for things to feel so tense.”
“We can forget about the proposal?—”
“No,” Dallas and I said together.
“I don’t want to forget about it,” I said. “I want this. I want both of you. But there’s something here between the two of you that you should work out, and I don’t want to stand in the way. If you pack me up some leftovers for the hotel and promise to text me an update, I will feel completely content.”
June and Dallas stared at each other until she finally looked up at me.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
I moved around the table until I was standing behind her chair and leaned over, wrapping my arms around her shoulders. I could almost feel how fast her heart was beating. I held her until she let out a soft breath and leaned back, relaxing into me.
“Okay,” she said. “We’ll do that. And I’ll text you. I’m sure Dallas will too.”
