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They mingled for an hour, Adam and Ben going their way and she hers. Kari found herself
seeking Ben out. No matter who she spoke with, her gaze returned to him. Everyone at the party
would think he was happy-go-lucky, but Kari had seen into his soul. He was a master at hiding
things much like her. She could pretend to be the happiest person in the world, but on the
inside there was still a lot of pain.
Do you wanna blow this party? Adam had worked his way over to her. He told her he d
grown tired of mingling with Ben. I hate these work functions.
I do too. I m beat. It s been quite the day.
That s an understatement. Listen he took her hand and looked pointedly at her don t
make any decisions in haste. I want you to really think about it, but don t make a decision based
on guilt. Ben is a strong person. Yes, he s been hurt, but if this isn t for you, we ll get through it
together.
Biting her lower lip, she fought back the tears that threatened. She d cried enough today,
more than she had in a very long time. She would not cry in front of her boss or coworkers.
59 Amber Skyze
I won t, Adam. Believe me, I want to scream, I ll do it, I ll do it. But I know it s the
wrong way to go about this. I need time. Getting involved with a bisexual couple, possibly
marrying one of them and carrying a child, was not something one decided in a few hours.
Ben joined them shortly after. I m ready if you are. We ve made our appearances.
More than anything, Kari wanted to run for the boat. Her clothes were disheveled, and her
hair had to be the same. Did people know she had been off having glorious sex with Ben and
Adam? No one seemed to be paying special attention. That was a plus.
I m ready to be home in my bed. With Pepper cuddled at my head. Pepper would bring
her peace. Besides, I have a lot to think about, right?
Adam winced. We should say our good-byes to Mr. Carlton.
She shook her head. It s better if we sneak out when he s not around. This way he won t
know how long we stayed.
She s right, Ben. Let him believe you were here longer than you were. He might not take
too kindly to you leaving after an hour.
Okay, okay. You guys win. We ll slowly make our way to the dock.
Looking like three conspirators, they nonchalantly made their way to the boat, boarded,
and drove off into the expansive waters. Kari settled in her position at the back of the boat. Adam
didn t sit with her and offer her words of advice. This time he sat next to Ben. They exchanged a
few smiles, and Adam blew him a kiss.
They really were very happy together. Her mind began to contemplate all they offered.
They were asking her to join their happiness and become a family. They wanted to take her into
their fold and love her. Most people would jump at the chance to be involved in that way, but
Kari wasn t most people. She knew what happened when people got too happy it was ripped
away.
* * *
A week later, Kari lay in bed petting Pepper s soft fur. He purred his contentment, then
rolled over, looking for her to rub his belly. When she ignored his pleas, he reached out a paw
and ever so slightly put his claws on her. He wouldn t hurt her, but he made it known she wasn t
following his process. He demanded a belly rub.
Adrift 60
Kari gave in to him, and he returned to purring.
Her mood all week had been as foul as the weather. The rain and dreariness brought pain
and stiffness to her leg. She d used the cane more times than she liked to this week. Today was
the first sunny day. She prayed the pain would ease.
Her mind wandered to the past week. Ben and Adam had left her at her car when they
returned to the dock. Both had kissed her on the cheek. They d invited her to spend the night at
their house, but she d declined. The whole day had been overwhelming. She d needed space and
time to digest all that had occurred.
At work, she d avoided Ben.
They stopped calling after two days. At first Kari feared they d given up, but when Ben
tried to corner her at work, she knew better. He wasn t looking for an answer, but he d wanted
her to come to their place for a cookout and whatever happens after that, as he d put it.
I don t know what to do, Pepper. Her body ached to be touched by them. She craved
their mouths and hands on her. She wanted to be filled with their fullness.
Bored, Pepper rolled over and sauntered off. Obviously Kari wasn t living up to his
expectations. She glanced at the alarm clock on the nightstand. It was nearly noon. Ben had told
her they d be cooking around two. He told her she didn t need to bring anything but her bathing
suit and an overnight bag if she wanted to spend the night. In a follow-up e-mail, he d
informed her they had a spare bedroom where she could sleep if she didn t feel comfortable
sharing a bed with them, but that they d love to have her nestled between them.
Her libido soared into overdrive thinking about his words. She had come home and used
her vibrator to ease the ache. It hadn t worked. Having Adam and Ben made her trusty pink
friend seem, well& lifeless.
The rotating beads left her empty, where two weeks ago she d been breathless. It couldn t
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