The Perfect Balance Page 7

  Miranda pulled into the parking lot for Chase’s building. The white balconies for each unit’s private terrace glinted in the sunshine. Miranda loved sitting out on the wide terrace at sunset. Chase had placed a couple of comfortable chaise lounges out there, and sometimes she and the boys sat outside drinking a glass of wine and looking down at the river rolling around the bend directly outside Chase’s building.

  She shut off the engine and climbed out. Axel waited patiently at the door, but was well-trained enough not to jump out until Miranda had hold of his leash. Thankfully dogs were allowed in Chase’s building because there was no way Miranda would have left Axel in the car.

  She pulled open the lobby doors and followed Axel inside. Chase’s building didn’t really have a lobby, just a foyer. The elevators were directly in front of them, and she pushed the button to go up. The doors opened right away, so Miranda didn’t have a chance to rethink her impulsive decision.

  It was a short ride up to the sixth floor, and when they exited the elevator, Chase’s door stood in front of them. She took a deep breath and knocked.

  “Just a second!”

  Chase’s voice echoed from inside. It seemed that part one of the gamble had paid off. Now she had to determine if she and Axel were welcome in Chase’s home without notice. The door swung open, and Chase stood in the opening. His eyes lit up, and Miranda felt her chest relax with the breath she’d held until that moment.

  “This is a surprise!”

  “We were in the neighbourhood?”

  Chase pulled the door back and gestured for them to come inside. Axel entered as though he were the pasha of the palace. Miranda timidly followed, pulled in his wake. Chase’s arm came around her waist to steady her, and Miranda dropped Axel’s leash when Chase’s lips touched hers in greeting.

  “Want to try that again, honey?”

  “Yes.” She tilted her head up for another kiss. Chase’s smile lit the room, and Miranda could have sworn that the light could still be seen behind her eyelids as they closed when Chase’s head lowered for another kiss.

  “I believe I found something that belongs to you, princess.”

  Miranda pulled back from Chase’s mouth and turned to find Vic holding Axel’s leash. Axel sat dutifully beside Vic, leaning his head against Vic’s leg, searching for a scratch. Vic granted her best friend’s request with a smile.

  She backed out of Chase’s arms and faced Vic. Closing the distance between them, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a sensual greeting of his own. She heard Axel’s leash hit Chase’s parquet floor, and Vic’s arms gathered her tightly against his firm body. Where Chase’s greeting had been sweet and tender, Vic’s sent an inferno racing beneath her skin. She arched up against him and tightened her arms around his neck. Vic’s tongue thrust inside her mouth. The slick muscle licked and teased her hard palate then massaged Miranda’s tongue and encouraged it to respond. She could have happily continued as they were, but was brought back to her senses when Axel barked beside them.

  Miranda sensed Chase come up behind them. He rested his chin on top of her head. “I was taking Axel to the park, and thought I’d come by and see if you were home.”

  “Are you asking us out on a date, princess?”

  “Maybe.”

  Vic gave her a little squeeze around the waist and Chase’s hands massaged her shoulders. The combination of their touches was heaven.

  “Well what gentlemen would we be do deny our lady her wish? Let us get some shoes on, and we’ll head out,” Chase said.

  Miranda looked up at Vic. “What about you being on call?”

  Vic shrugged. “I have my phone if the hospital needs to get a hold of me. I’ll take my car, and if we go to The Common or The Fens then I’ll be only minutes away if they need me. Chase can ride with you and Axel.”

  “I don’t want to make things complicated. I just thought…”

  Vic rubbed his nose against Miranda’s. “I’m glad you came over. Now let’s go have some fun in the sun.”

  * * * *

  Miranda lay in the grass laughing at Chase and Axel as they played a game of tug of war with Axel’s rope. Every time Chase threw the rope, Axel would fetch it as he was supposed to and bring it back, but he hadn’t yet mastered the art of releasing it so Chase could throw it again. Personally she thought Axel enjoyed the little game. His antics certainly seemed to indicate he knew Chase would run after him in their little game of keep away. Vic collapsed next to her, panting.

  “That dog is wickedly fast. Are you sure he’s not part greyhound?”

  “Yep.” She smiled and relaxed onto her back to watch the clouds float lazily across the late afternoon sky. “He has fun with the two of you, and you play right into his little games.”

  Vic rolled and came up over Miranda. His hand smoothed back the strands of hair that had escaped Miranda’s knot with their exertions. She stared into his eyes, somewhere between the colour of the clouds and the sky above them. His head blocked the sun and the dark strands of his hair had a halo surrounding them from the backlight.

  “You are so beautiful, princess. Your cheeks are flushed and your neck and chest glisten with exuberance. I love how brightly your brown eyes shine with happiness. I love knowing that spending time with us put that happiness in them.”

  She smiled. “I am happy. Thank you for coming out with us today. It’s nice to spend a day off having fun…with you. I could get used to this.”

  “So could I.” Vic looked over at Chase and Axel. “I think we all could.”

  Vic’s hand settled on Miranda’s stomach. His fingers inched their way beneath the thin spaghetti strap tank top she wore. She tried to shrink away from the touch. Not because she didn’t want it, but because she was self conscious about the extra padding around her middle. Normally she’d never wear clothes that were so skimpy in public. Unfortunately, her normal looser fitting T-shirts and baggie cargo shorts were in the laundry.

  “Shh. It’s okay princess. Nothing more than this. I simply want to feel your soft skin.”

  “Too soft.”

  Vic shook his head. “Perfect. I love your curves. Someday I hope you’ll let us feel them press against us from head to toe. I want to feel your nipples tighten within my lips, and dig into my chest. I want to find out how your round, luscious ass cushions my hips as I thrust deep inside you.”

  “Inside me where?”

  Vic smiled. “Hmm. There are lots of possibilities. I could shove my cock inside your tight little pussy.” He groaned and slid up alongside Miranda, so their bodies touched. “Or I could take that sweet virgin ass, while Chase drives himself into your dripping wet cunt. Maybe one of us would fuck your mouth, while the other licks your pussy?”

  “Or maybe you could make love to Chase, while he makes love to me?”

  Vic’s hand settled in the curve of Miranda’s waist, and his hips ground against her side. “That is a distinct possibility. There are all kinds of positions we can try. And our hope is that we have a lifetime to spend exhausting the options.”

  Chase dropped to the blanket, breathing heavily. “Tag, you’re it.”

  Vic growled, and Miranda snickered.

  “What?” Chase asked then turned his head to look at them. His eyes roamed from Vic’s hand beneath Miranda’s shirt to the way their bodies touched. “What are the two of you up to?”

  Vic leant over and kissed Chase softly on the lips. “We were discussing all the various ways the three of us can make love.”

  Chase’s eyes widened and Miranda saw the bright azure orbs deepen to an almost navy colour. He rolled onto his side, so that Miranda lay on her back between the two men. Right as Chase moved, Axel came bounding up and started jumping over and between their legs. They all received doggie kisses from a very happy puppy and three sets of groans and exclamations filled the air around them.

  Miranda sat and held Axel’s collar, trying to get him to sit still for more than a nanosecond. They heard a
ring and Vic cursed, digging through his pockets till he pulled out his cell phone.

  “It’s the hospital.”

  Vic took the call while Miranda set out a bowl of water for Axel. Chase’s hand rubbed Miranda’s back and she leant in to his side.

  Vic shut the phone. “I have to go. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay, love. Miranda and I will head back to my place. When you’re done come on back. Maybe we’ll all watch a movie tonight or something?”

  Vic braced his weight on his hands and leant over Miranda to kiss Chase. “Love you.” He moved his head and captured Miranda’s lips. “Love you too.”

  She sat stunned and watched as Vic jogged back towards where they’d parked. He’d said he loved her. It was the first time the words had been said. A few weeks ago they’d said they were falling, and so had she for that matter, but now the actual words had been unleashed. Vic had run away before Miranda had a chance to respond, and now she sat there with Chase who gazed at her intently. The obvious question lingered in his eyes. If only she had the guts to answer it.

  * * * *

  Miranda paced her apartment with Axel at her heels. She spun around when she reached the end of the entry hall and nearly stumbled over him.

  Miranda squatted down and rubbed the back of Axel’s ears. “I’m sorry, boy. You probably think I’ve gone off the deep end.” Axel pressed his cold nose against her cheek, and Miranda gave him a big hug. “Love you too.” She sat back on her heels. “Now what are we supposed to do about those two men? Do you like Vic and Chase?”

  Axel walked away and Miranda followed him with his eyes. She started to laugh when he picked up his braided rope from the basket of toys in the corner of her living area, and brought it back to her. It was the same rope Vic and Chase had tossed all over The Fens Park last weekend.

  “Is that supposed to be a yes? I don’t speak boxer. Maybe we should call Calleigh or Jenna. No Calleigh would be better. She’s more level headed, Jenna would just tell me to get my groove on then worry about the consequences later.”

  She hadn’t made a call such as this in a long time. She scurried over to her sofa and picked up her cell phone. You’d think she could remember the phone number, since she only had four in her contact list. Calleigh’s, the hospital, Vic and Chase. Her mom had stopped speaking to her when Miranda filed for divorce from Drew, her Dad did whatever her mom told him to, and Miranda didn’t have any siblings. She’d lost touch with her friends from before Drew’s time, and it would be really awkward to call them up out of the blue for the first time in over four years and ask for boy advice. Miranda flipped open her phone and scrolled through her contact list. When Calleigh’s name was highlighted Miranda selected the call button on the keypad. She nibbled on the skin of her thumb while waiting for the call to connect.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi, it’s Miranda.”

  “Hey! What’s up?”

  Miranda heard a clanging sound in the background. Maybe Calleigh was making some lunch. Her new friend was always nibbling on something as it got closer to the twins’ arrival date.

  “I was wondering if I could get some advice.”

  “Sure, although you should know that I’m not a great all-knowing wizard.”

  Miranda smiled. Calleigh had a weird but fun sense of humour. She always knew how to make Miranda’s day a bit lighter.

  “Dang. Do you know his number because this is a bit complicated?”

  “I’m sorry he’s in a meeting right now. Can I take a message and have him call you back? Perhaps I can help you? I’ve been trained as his apprentice.”

  “Oh good. I have a problem with a man. Well, two men actually.”

  “Ah, it’s a good thing I asked. The great wizard doesn’t do relationship questions. He mainly deals with end of the world and ‘what’s my purpose in life?’ queries.”

  Miranda tucked her legs up on the sofa. Axel tried to join her but she snapped her fingers and pointed towards his giant pillow bed. If the sofa had belonged to her, Miranda wouldn’t have cared but since the studio came furnished, she couldn’t take the risk of losing her security deposit.

  “So you know those stories you mentioned that would make Jenna go into cardiac arrest?”

  Calleigh giggled. “Yes.”

  She took and deep breath and let it out slowly. “Did any of them possibly involve a three-way?”

  “Yeah. Kevin and I were a bit adventurous in college. We invited a third to our bed on occasion.”

  Miranda’s fingers went numb and she dropped the phone. It clattered on the wood floor and she scrambled to pick it up, only to send it sailing across the room with her foot.

  “Hold on, Calleigh!”

  She dashed across the small space and scooped up the little rectangular device. Axel looked at her as if he was trying to figure out if this was a new game.

  “Sorry, I dropped the phone.” Calleigh’s laughter rang through the ear piece as Miranda walked back towards the sofa. “So glad my near heart attack causes you such humour,” she said, smiling.

  “I’m sorry, but I got this image of your mouth dropping open and your eyes bugging out of your head in a very cartoonish fashion. So back to the topic at hand. Yes, I’ve participated in a ménage. Our third was always another man, so if you’re about to ask for tips on how to pleasure another woman, I’m afraid I can’t give you any firsthand knowledge. Other than what we both knows feels good on ourselves.”

  “Umm. It’s probably best to table that for another discussion. I think my brain would short circuit if we broached that topic right now.”

  “Suit yourself. So why are you asking about ménage? Morbid curiosity or do you have an ulterior motive?”

  “I’ve been approached by two men, who shall remain nameless, to join them.”

  “In bed as a one-off or have they asked you to be a part of a permanent relationship?”

  “I think the latter,” she said while going back to nibbling on pad of her thumb.

  “Well, with Kevin and I it was always about the sex. Our thirds never expected to become a part of what we had, so I can only give you advice about the physical side of things.”

  “That’s fine. Physical is good. Is it worth it? Does it actually feel good?”

  “Oh my God yes. Don’t get me wrong—sex with Kevin is nice, great even, but when we brought another man into our bed, it was like taking sex to a whole another level. Two pairs of lips, four hands rubbing and kissing and damn, now you’ve got me horny.”

  “What about two of the other things?”

  “What, their cocks?”

  Miranda squeaked into the phone.

  “You’ll be filled like never before, and if they know how to use them, then you’ll fly higher than you can even imagine. Then again if we’re talking about Dr. Pruitte and Dr. Burns, you realise that one of them might make love to the other, while you get to enjoy the attentions of one man.”

  “How did you—”

  “Please. I’m surprised the electricity arcing between you and Dr. Pruitte in the OR hasn’t made all the equipment go haywire.”

  “If I go through with this, do you think Chase, Vic and I having a personal relationship will cause a problem with administration?”

  Calleigh snorted. “Doctors and nurses getting it on in the on-call room is a time-honoured tradition.”

  Miranda knew if she went through with this, it would be more than an affair. She didn’t have it in her to sleep with a man, and not want the whole enchilada. Adding another man into the picture only made the situation bigger. If she found the strength within her to do this, to trust them as they said they trusted her, there would have to be some sort of agreement that the three of them would really make a go of things all together. How that would work exactly, Miranda had no idea.

  “What about the whole two plus one aspect?”

  There was the sound of crunching on the other end of the line. Was Calleigh eating some chips? A snack wasn’t a bad idea.
Miranda couldn’t do chips, they go straight to her hips, but a few baby carrots or maybe an apple sounded good. She climbed off the sofa and went to the kitchen.

  “It’s really none of their business. Neither Dr. Pruitte nor Dr. Burns are your direct supervisors. You happen to live in one of the most liberal cities, so it’s not as if the three of you will get stoned walking down the street.”

  She opened the refrigerator door and peeked inside. No carrots, but there were a couple of celery stalks. She took them out and placed them on the counter to cut up. As Calleigh continued to talk about why a relationship with Chase and Vic was feasible, Miranda’s mind wandered as she picked up the large kitchen knife and set to chopping up her afternoon snack. She knew her perception of sex was probably skewed, so she’d have to take Calleigh’s advice, and take a leap of faith that the physical side of things would be pleasurable. Everything else that went into making a relationship would have to be taken one day at a time.

  Miranda carried her treat back into the living area. She didn’t have a table, so all her meals were eaten on the couch. She looked up when Axel didn’t approach for a sniff and found him sound asleep, laying on his back with his legs splayed wide open. “Thanks. I feel a bit better. So have you heard from Kevin recently?”

  “I got an email last week. We were talking about names for the boys. He said things are pretty hairy where he is right now, so they might be in and out of communication blackouts. Did you know that this weekend is our three year wedding anniversary?”

  “No, congratulations.”

  “Thanks. Did you also know that in the past thirty-six months, my husband has been gone for twenty six of them? I don’t think I realised how hard this would be when Kevin said he wanted to sign up for the reserves. I supported him, I still do, but this isn’t the easiest thing to handle. At least I have my parents and his mom. They’ve all been great about checking up on me.”

  “Do you get scared, knowing the kind of dangers he deals with over there?”