Chapter Four

Alpine Responsibility Code

Rule #4—Know your own limits…


Kane was going mad.

They left Dara snoozing while they unpacked and organized the cabin. Jack did his usual bit of magic getting supper going before burying his nose in her camouflaged book. Other than the occasional grunt and snort of laughter from him, the room grew quiet. Too quiet. The fire crackled, the soft and peaceful sound nowhere near enough to drown out the taunting voices rising in Kane’s brain. He busied himself, hauling his portable speakers in from the truck. Even the steady pulse of his favourite songs failed to lighten his increasingly dark mood.

All mention of what they’d done with Dara seemed strictly off limits until he couldn’t stand it any longer. Supper was nearly ready, and they’d have to wake her soon. Kane gave the spaghetti sauce one final stir before plopping down on the couch opposite Jack.

“I thought we were going to wait. We were going to let Dara know both of us were interested in her after this trip was over.” Jack raised his brows but kept reading the fake classic. Bloody bastard. “You caved damn fast.”

Jack put the book aside and leaned back in his chair. “Considering the ménage was Dara’s idea, I don’t think I caved. I went along with her offer, like any gentleman would.”

Right. “Like you weren’t instantly all over her when she offered.”

“Yeah, well, I claim temporary insanity. I’d have to be a saint to not act when offered what I’ve been craving for years. What I didn’t expect, or want, is you in the picture. Still, I stand by what I said. If she’s looking for kink, it’s going to be with us and not some asses off the street. Doesn’t that make sense?”

“Yes, but this totally changes everything.”

Jack sighed. “I’m trying not to think too hard about that. It’s true, when this holiday is over, we’ll have to figure out what the hell is the next step.” Jack rose and peeked down the hall. “We need to wake her in a minute. Funny how she can sleep through anything.”

Kane grumbled with frustration. “We’re really going to give her a ménage?”

His friend pivoted on the spot and examined him closely. “What’s the matter? What aren’t you saying? I thought what happened earlier proved you were good with this. In spite of claiming I caved fast, I didn’t see you turning down the sex.”

The gaping pit in Kane’s belly grew to monstrous proportions. He struggled to articulate the discomfort that had started in the back bedroom.

Ah, fuck it, this was his best friend. If he couldn’t be straight-up honest with Jack, he was in deeper shit than he thought.

“Sex with Dara is not the problem, but have you ever been involved in a real ménage before? Because an hour ago, that was me having sex with her, then you having sex with her. Kind of like glorified porn where it’s live action and we know the performers.”

A sharp laugh burst from Jack. “I doubt Dara would appreciate being considered a porn star, but what’s your point?”

Damn it. Having to spell it out made his worries seem more and more stupid. “Forget it. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“Don’t be an asshole, Kane. We’ve got three days ahead to handle being insanely intimate, having sex with our best friend who we both want for much more than a fling. Things are going to be fucked up enough without you having some deep, dark secret hanging over our heads. Now spill.”

“That’s the issue. The insanely intimate part. I’m not into guys.”

Jack choked. “What the hell are you taking about?”

“You don’t turn me on. I’m not into the slash shit I hear about, okay? I mean, there’s nothing wrong with it, but it’s not my thing.” As soon as Kane let the words burst out, Jack relaxed, a bit of a smirk crossing his face.

Jesus, is that all? We’ve been friends since grade school. I’ve seen you naked more often than anyone I know and I’ve never once hit on you. Relax. I’m completely heterosexual, and so are you.”

“Just wanted to make sure, because—I have read a few of those books…” The confession stuck in his throat. Jack held back his laughter and Kane didn’t know if he should thank him for it, or punch him.

“You’ve read erotic romance?”

Kane sighed. “On my phone. There was a reading program included with my latest upgrade and I started downloading freebies off the web. One was this really hot book and…”

“And it was one of Dara’s naughty type. Oh the hidden depths of your soul. Shit, I wonder what other revelations I’m going to discover this weekend? Dara’s reading smut behind a fake cover, you’re not sending a million text messages but getting into kink. All of a sudden my reading habits seem so pedestrian.”

“Don’t be an ass.”

“Don’t be an idiot.” Jack stepped around him to drain the noodles. “You know I’m not into guys. Dara’s the only one I want, and since what she wants right now is a ménage, I can handle your ham and eggs on the bed. She can enjoy them, because I’m not going to.”

Kane sat heavily in his chair, relief spreading slowly through his limbs. His fears didn’t disappear completely, but at least Jack knew his discomfort. That should make it easier, shouldn’t it? “Okay.”

A hearty guffaw bounced back. “You’re so damn amusing.”

He gave Jack the finger. “Screw off. I wasn’t the one staring at your dick earlier.”

Jack paused in opening the kitchen cabinets. “No, but maybe you should try it.”

“Shut the fuck up.” Kane whirled a throw cushion at Jack, who deflected it easily and fixed Kane in place with a penetrating stare.

“I’m serious. Usually when I’m watching that kind of action, and it’s my cock in the woman, my mind has already gone numb. It was a serious turn-on being able to appreciate sex without my balls dictating what my brain registered.”

Kane dropped his head into his hands and groaned loudly. “I don’t need this. You’re making my brain crazy.”

The room quieted for a moment before Jack spoke, all trace of teasing gone from his voice. “Kane. This is uncharted territory for all of us. If we’re going to make sure Dara’s comfortable with everything we do over the next couple days, you’re going to have to buy in one hundred percent. Don’t go borrowing trouble. You might discover you enjoy watching Dara and me have sex. Pleasure is pleasure, no matter what the twist. I promise I won’t touch you if that’s going to make it better—”

“It will—”

“Shut. Up.” Jack leaned back on the kitchen counter, his arms folded in front of him. “You need to open your mind. Sex isn’t all about missionary position and blowjobs.”

“I’ve never had any complaints in the bedroom.”

“I’m sure you haven’t. Neither have I, but I doubt what we’re doing is carbon copy.”

Oh man, there was a huge understatement. “Damn right. I put on my headphones as soon as I know you’ve got a woman in your room. I’ve never been into voyeurism.”

Jack flashed his deadly smile. “Looks like you and Dara are both in for an education, aren’t you?”

What the hell have I gotten myself into? Kane dragged a hand through his hair and let out a deep breath. “Fine. So for the rest of it, how are we going to do this?”

“Keep it fun, keep it light. Everything we do is intended to make Dara’s fantasy a reality. We’ve got a ton of skiing to do every day with the evenings wide open for play. I don’t think we need an agenda beyond that.”

The book lay on the table between them and Kane gestured toward it as he rose to his feet. “You enjoying that?”

“Just speed-reading for now. Looks like it’s got all the classic moves, although remember how Dara responded to being restrained? The book’s got a little more along that line.”

“Damn. Fine, I’m okay with that, although it’s not my typical bedroom ploy.”

“I can handle it.” A fairly smug expression crossed Jack’s face.

Kane stared at him. “No shit? Really?”

Jack wiggled his brows. “You should leave your headphones off a little more often.”

“Arghhh…” The images racing through his brain did nothing to ease the ache in his groin. Just thinking about Dara soft and submissive under him made him hard. Maybe he wasn’t being completely truthful to Jack about what he liked in the bedroom, but he’d never gotten into ropes and shit.

His friend laughed. “I think you should read chapter seven. I’m pretty sure you could get into what’s in there better.” Jack slapped him on the shoulder and the weight lifted a little more. “I’ll put the rest of dinner together. You go get Sleeping Beauty up and bring her here. The night is still young, and I think we should enjoy every minute of it.”

Kane strolled slowly toward the bedroom, his good humour returning rapidly. What the hell had he been worried about? Jack was his best friend and Dara his constant sidekick for the past four years. Heck, she’d sat with him when he got blood work done. She’d helped clean his bedroom. If that hadn’t scared her away, and she still wanted this with him and Jack, he could suck up his concerns.

He stood in the doorway for a second, loving how she lay spread-eagle over the entire mattress. She was an admitted bed hog. When they shared a tent, they usually pinned her between them to stop her from stealing all the available space. He sat slowly on the edge of the bed, not wanting to frighten her. She rolled toward him and stretched lazily.

“Umm, something smells fabulous.” Her blonde hair had escaped the pigtails completely and lay unruly on the pillow. The soft tresses framed her face, and he couldn’t resist leaning over and pressing a kiss to her lips.

She latched on, her arms holding him close. When she let his lips go, she moved to tenderly cup his face in her hands.

“You ready for dinner?” Kane kissed her nose and pulled her upright with him.

“Very ready. I can’t believe I slept again. I’m not narcoleptic or something, am I?”

He laughed. “No, you’ve been working full-time and you’re on a holiday. It’s fine to let go and take it easy. Besides…” He stood her on her feet and thrilled as he smoothed his hands over her soft skin once more. “We worked you over pretty hard. We want you to have enough strength for the rest of the holiday.”

She flushed. “Oh, don’t worry. I’ll be up for the double-black-diamond runs first thing tomorrow morning. Give me a second to get dressed and…”

Dara looked around pointedly and he swore. He’d been so distracted by his conversation with Jack, he’d left her bag in the main room. “Shit—I’ll go grab your clothes for you.”

She lifted her chin. “Either that or you strip as well. I’m not into being the only one naked in the room.”

Her arms were crossed and there was the most adorable pout on her face. Kane paused for a minute. He remembered Jack’s comment that she might like to be controlled. Maybe…he could make her fantasy continue.

Kane slipped back to the living room. Jack gave him a questioning look, but he simply headed to the couch and dug into Dara’s bag. Hallelujah. Matching bra and panties in the top pocket. He pulled them out and a slim makeup bag followed, snagged on the bra strap. With a quick grab, he caught it before it could fall to the floor. He turned to replace it when the shape of the object inside made him pause.

Holy shit.

Jack came to his side. “Kane? Are you going through Dara’s bag? That’s dangerous. Women have killed for less—”

Kane held the now-open cosmetic bag and let the dildo show. The anatomically correct, life-sized cock made of some sort of purple-and-yellow-striped rubbery material. It was all he could do to not drop the thing back in her bag and race away.

“Fuck—I wonder if it glows in the dark.” Jack took the bag from him and peered intently at the thing.

“There’s a whole side to our girl I’d never dreamed of,” Kane muttered.

Dara’s voice rang from the back room. “You going to China to buy me new clothes, or what?”

Kane snatched up the frilly underthings he’d found and turned to go.

“Hey, aren’t you taking her bag with you?” Jack waved the fake cock in his hand and suddenly it was funny as shit. Kane shook his head as he laughed out loud, walking back to the bedroom. Jack called after him with an evil tone in his voice. “Your funeral.”

Dara sat on the bed, the top sheet pulled across her body like a shield. “What the hell took you so long? I’m starving.”

“You could have come out and joined us.” Kane passed over the dainty bits of lace and she took them, hand extended as if she expected more. “That’s enough. You won’t be naked, and it’s not cold. Jack’s got the fireplace going.”

She opened her mouth to protest. He was sure something rude about his mental capacity was ready to fly when she surprised him. She stood and let the blanket fall, her pale skin shining under the soft light from the bedside lamp.

His mouth watered.

Her full breasts stared him in the eye as she passed back her bra. “Maybe you should help me put this on.”

She pivoted on the spot, her tight buttocks shifting slightly. He responded like a moth to a flame. One step brought him close enough to cup her ass cheek as he leaned against her warm skin.

“You’re full of tricks, aren’t you?” The scent of her perfume filled his brain and all thoughts of leaving the room vanished.

“Only if you want to play.”

He smoothed his hands over the crests of her hipbones, drifting upward an inch at a time until he cupped her breasts. Kane drew in a deep breath, his nose buried in her hair, the tight peaks of her nipples stabbing his palms. He nibbled on her neck and earlobe, massaged her breasts and her heartbeat accelerated under his caress.

Her stomach growled, long and loud, and they both laughed.

“How sexy.” Kane pressed a final kiss to her neck then fastened her bra, helping her settle the straps on her shoulders. He leaned her forward, gritting his teeth as her ass pressed against his groin. Ignoring the contact as best he could, he repositioned her breasts in the bra cups before guiding her upright.

Dara laughed. “Oh my God, Kane, I’ve never met a guy who knew how to do that.”

“I love cleavage, and you’ve got the build for it.” He knelt at her feet and held the panties for her. She braced herself on his shoulder, fingers firm against his muscles as she stepped in. He slipped the tiny piece of fabric up her legs, arranging the thin straps over the smooth rise of her hips. “You know I’ve got four sisters. Nothing was sacred when I was growing up. The things those girls talked about when I was around would have scarred a lesser man.”

He rose and held out his hand to her.

She hesitated. “Kane…”

It wasn’t something he would force, but he didn’t think she’d want to skip even a single experience they offered. “If you want me to grab your clothes, I will. Think about this first—are you really uncomfortable or just turned on? You are simply beautiful, and I’d love to enjoy looking at you throughout dinner. It’s your choice. It’s all your choice, all weekend. But I think you should trust me.”

She licked her lips and his cock reacted, pressing hard against his jeans. Dara slowly lowered her hand into his and together they walked to the dining room.

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