Red Zone: Boys of Fall Read online

  So why wasn’t he happier about that than he was?

  Then he realized why.

  “Let’s draw a line in the sand here, Sadie,” Joel said, his mind hung up on one word. “We don’t have to call it a relationship, but there is going to be some level of commitment.”

  She frowned until he explained. “No other guys but us.”

  “Oh.” Her face brightened before she gave him a duh look. “I’m going to be sleeping with the two of you. Where the hell do you think I’d get the energy to look for more? I’m slightly promiscuous. Not a total slut.”

  Joel couldn’t help but laugh. She was completely adorable. And like Oakley, uninhibited. Joel sometimes wondered if that was what drew him to them. He did tend to take his responsibilities too seriously. He never sang country songs loudly and off-key as he drove through town with the windows down like Oakley did. He didn’t have tattoos or a motorcycle that he drove way too fast down the country lanes like Sadie did.

  He didn’t leave Quinn after high school because he didn’t want to leave his mother alone. Instead, he’d taken a job at Coach’s ranch to help his mom get by. Even now, he paid her rent because he didn’t want her to keep scrimping every month to get by. She’d worked three jobs when he was growing up to support them, to keep food on the table and clothes on his back. And while she’d never said college was out of the question, never asked him to stay in Quinn, he had because he felt like he owed it to her.

  Oakley wrapped his arm around her shoulder, dragging her close enough that he could kiss her on the forehead. “We don’t mind you being a slut with us.”

  “Thanks for the permission.” She lifted her face for a less platonic kiss than the one he’d just planted on her brow, and Oakley obliged.

  Joel looked around the bar. They’d locked the door after the last customers left. The place didn’t have any windows, more warehouse than classy pub.

  Suddenly Joel recalled all the endings he had written to their interrupted evening. He stepped behind Sadie, lifting the hem of her shirt. She and Oakley broke apart as Joel pulled her favorite Sex Pistols tee over her head.

  Oakley wasted no time reaching out to cup her breasts. She had a bra on tonight, one that pushed her breasts up and out.

  God, everything was sexy on her. Or off her.

  Joel turned her to face him, reaching for the button on her jeans.

  “In a hurry?” She clearly meant her question as a joke, but there was no way she could hide the need for speed on her face.

  Joel nodded. “Yeah. I didn’t get to see you come the other night. I’m going to correct that oversight right now.”

  Sadie’s hands met his, helping him drag her tight blue jeans down. The panties went with the denim, and he was treated to his first unobstructed view of her pussy. He wasted no time touching her. She was wet, hot, so ready for them.

  “Go bend over that table, Sadie.”

  She kicked off her shoes and the jeans, and then walked over to the table closest to the dance floor. He and Oakley followed.

  Joel shook his head when she glanced over her shoulder at him. “Don’t worry about where we are. Bend over. Now.”

  Sadie let a groan escape. It was laced with hunger. So was Oakley’s.

  Joel tried to ignore it. Oakley had never pulled any punches with him. He’d moved into the bunkhouse and confessed to being bisexual the very first night they met. Joel had admitted to his straightness, and they’d lived in platonic best friendship ever since. What they were embarking on with Sadie felt like it was blurring the lines for Oakley.

  He shoved that thought away, which wasn’t a very hard task when his gaze landed on Sadie’s beautiful, colorful ass.

  Oakley beat him to the table, his fingers stroking the bright butterfly adorning Sadie’s left cheek. She started slightly at this touch, and then grinned at Oakley. “Remind me to tell you the story about that tat sometime.”

  Oakley bent down and stroked his tongue along it, provoking a shiver from Sadie. “I’ll do that.”

  Joel watched, trying to keep a grip on himself. He’d wanted Sadie for so many years. To have her here, ready and waiting for him…and for Oakley.

  He sucked in a breath and dug deep for some control.

  Joel stepped closer and lightly tapped the inside of her ankle. “Open your legs, darlin’.” He noticed his southern accent seemed to grow thicker at moments like this.

  Sadie moved into position without hesitation. She had such a powerful spirit that it amazed him when she offered herself to him—to them—like this. With absolute trust.

  She’d chosen a small, circular, two-seater table to lean over. While her elbows rested on the flat surface, her upper chest and head cleared the other side. Oakley moved around to stand in front of her, his eyebrows lifting in appreciation at the view.

  “God, you’ve got gorgeous tits, Sadie.”

  She laughed lightly. “Such a sweet talker, Oak.”

  His friend didn’t seem to catch her joke. Instead, he added, “The way your bra pushes them up like that. I could bury my face between those and live there forever.”

  “I wouldn’t mind.” Her voice was husky, flirty, sexy.

  Joel couldn’t hold back. He stepped directly behind her and ran the front placket of his jeans across her ass, and then he knelt. He caught the sweet scent of her arousal, his mouth watering for a taste. He ran his tongue along her slit.

  She gasped and jerked. “Ohmigod.”

  Joel lifted his gaze, catching Oakley’s. His friend was standing stock-still, watching him. While the look was hot, Joel needed to put some space between them. This was pushing them too close together.

  Oakley must have read the uncertainty in his face, because he glanced down and ran his hand through Sadie’s dark-red hair. Sadie wasted no time reaching out. She unfastened Oakley’s jeans and tugged out his cock.

  Joel forced himself to look away, to focus on Sadie. On making her come. On making tonight so fucking good for her, she’d never want to let them go.

  Them.

  Him.

  Fuck.

  This train was going to hit a final station…somewhere down the line. It was inevitable.

  Joel forced himself to return to the present.

  Enjoy the moment.

  He pressed his tongue into her opening, soaking up her groan of desire. Joel pushed in and out, trying to ignore it when Sadie’s cries became muffled. He recognized the sounds. She was sucking Oakley’s dick.

  Joel closed his eyes, pressing her clit with his tongue. He felt her go up on her toes as even more arousal gushed from her. She was so wet. So ready to be fucked.

  “God, Sadie.” Oakley’s deep, guttural cry was more than Joel could take.

  Joel stood, though he kept his eyes averted. He focused on Sadie’s gorgeous ass, the gentle rocking motion of her body on the table as she worked to bring Oakley to climax with her mouth. He unzipped his pants and reached into his back pocket for his wallet. He pulled out his cock and covered it with a condom. Through it all, he was careful not to look up, refusing to watch Sadie suck on Oakley. He was terrified of what—of how—that sight might make him feel.

  Joel placed the head of his cock at her opening. All self-restraint abandoned him as he slowly slid inside and she let out a quiet cry of relief. He understood the feeling. She was hot and tight and perfect.

  Then he couldn’t resist it any longer. He wanted to see, needed to see, Sadie’s mouth on Oakley.

  “Jesus,” he murmured, pressing in to the hilt, his cock growing thicker when Sadie released Oakley’s cock with a pop.

  She still held his friend in her hand as she turned to look at Joel over her shoulder. All he could see was Sadie’s pretty, flushed face and Oakley’s hard dick. He couldn’t move, couldn’t take his eyes away from them.

  He had no idea what Sadie saw in his face, but he prayed it wasn’t the panic that was currently coursing through him.

  There was no way he could do this again. N
o way.

  Everything was getting mixed up in his head. He wanted Sadie. He would always want Sadie.

  So why did it feel like he wanted Oakley too?

  “Come here,” Sadie whispered.

  Joel wanted to say no. Leaning over her would bring him too fucking close. But it didn’t matter. Sadie asked for something and he couldn’t refuse.

  He leaned over her body, his elbows resting next to hers as his chest covered her back. He had at least half a foot on her, so the position allowed him to turn his head, to place a soft kiss on her cheek.

  She smiled. “Stay there.”

  Sadie was pretty good at issuing commands herself. Joel remained motionless, spellbound as she turned her face back to Oakley, her lips parting to take him inside once more.

  Joel was mere inches away from them. He could see her saliva coating his dick as his friend pushed in and out. Her hand was wrapped around the base of Oakley’s cock, stroking in rhythm with her lips, her tongue. Oakley’s right hand rested on the back of Sadie’s head as he used his grip there to slowly…Jesus…so slowly…fuck her pretty mouth.

  Joel was still inside Sadie, and after several minutes, he realized he was moving in time with Oakley’s cock in her mouth. It was a gentle thrust that mimicked their blowjob.

  “So fucking hot,” Oakley said, his movements picking up speed as he lost some of his careful precision. His friend was on the verge of coming.

  Sadie felt it too. Joel saw her grip on Oakley’s cock tighten.

  Both he and Sadie were surprised when Oakley pulled out at the last minute.

  “Lift her up, Joel.” Oakley’s hand pumped his own dick, keeping the orgasm there, but banked.

  Joel didn’t need any more instruction. He knew exactly what Oakley wanted. Joel rose from the table, careful to keep his cock tucked deep inside her. Then he reached for Sadie’s shoulders and tugged her upwards, the action thrusting her breasts out.

  Sadie’s pussy clenched on Joel’s cock. God, she loved this.

  “Pull my hair,” she demanded. Joel moved his hand to her long tresses and gripped tight, holding her up that way instead.

  Oakley reached out and pulled one breast, and then the other, over the cups of her bra, taking care to pinch each nipple as he did so. His right hand still furiously pumped his cock.

  And then Oakley jerked, a deep moan accompanying it as he erupted, jet after jet of come covering Sadie’s chest.

  Joel had stopped moving, too enthralled by what he was seeing. His hand was fisted in Sadie’s hair, holding her up, though Oakley’s climax had waned.

  Oakley was the first to break the stillness. He pulled a nearby chair over and sank down onto it, his gaze glued to Sadie’s breasts.

  “Jesus, Sade,” Oakley murmured.

  Sadie shook her head slightly, reminding Joel to release her.

  “I know,” she whispered to Oakley.

  She was breathing heavily, her face more red than pink as she glanced at Joel over her shoulder. They were both slick with sweat. “Joel.”

  He didn’t need to hear more. He understood. Joel jerked his head toward Oakley. “Put your hands against that table to hold it steady, Oak.” He placed a soft kiss on Sadie’s shoulder. “This isn’t going to be gentle, darlin’.”

  She gave him a hungry grin. “Good.”

  Joel stood straighter as he gripped her hips. He didn’t bother to start slow. He couldn’t. He felt the need to fuck her. Hard. He’d never been this aroused, never wanted anyone so much.

  Oakley’s hands rested against the opposite side of the table, pushing the wood to keep them from sliding the damn thing across the floor. Joel was a bit worried about the thing collapsing, but not even that fear could stop him now.

  He plowed deeper, as Sadie met him thrust for thrust. She reared back and he shoved against her, both of them grunting, cursing, demanding more. Her sexual appetite was the perfect match. He’d never found a woman capable of handling his heavy-handed commands, his rough claiming. No one…until her.

  The women he’d dated had expected a gentleman. So he’d been one. Sadie appeared to be just fine with the real Joel.

  Then he closed his eyes when they landed on Oakley. What did that mean about his feelings toward Oakley? He shut that thought down. God help him if this was the real Joel because if it was…he was in trouble.

  They moved even faster and Joel was vaguely aware of Oakley standing, leaning his hips against the table. Then Joel heard him. Heard Oakley speaking.

  “Jesus. Yeah. Fuck yeah. You guys are so fucking hot. Harder. Go harder, Joel.”

  Joel responded to Oakley’s voice, found himself turned on by it. Sadie’s hands reached out for Oakley, her fingers digging into his hips as she sought purchase, stability.

  “I can’t…I’m…” Her words came out in gasps, her inner muscles clamped down on his cock so tightly, it almost hurt.

  “Take him deep, Sade. Jesus. You’re incredible.”

  She came with a scream and Joel was only one heartbeat behind her, his vision going gray as his balls squeezed, then exploded.

  “Holy God,” Joel yelled. His hands landed on the surface of the table, looking for something to hold him upright as he came so hard he saw stars behind his closed eyes.

  For several minutes, Joel simply stood there, listening to the sound of his own breathing. Sadie didn’t move. He wondered if she’d fallen asleep. He’d check, but he didn’t have the strength to lift his eyelids.

  Finally, a hundred years later, he forced himself to move.

  The first thing he saw was Oakley. He expected to see his wild, uninhibited friend sitting there with a goofy, too pleased, told you so grin on his face. What Joel had not anticipated was the serious, almost dangerous expression painting Oakley’s features.

  Oakley was staring at him with an intensity that shook Joel to the core. He’d seen that look before on the faces of women he’d taken to bed.

  Oakley wanted him. And his friend wasn’t even trying to hide it.

  Joel broke the connection first, scowling as he looked away.

  Sadie lifted up on her elbows slowly as Joel withdrew. He offered a hand to help her stand.

  Oakley moved as well, walking to the bar to grab a handful of napkins. He returned and carefully cleaned Sadie up.

  Then Joel pulled her into his embrace.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, suddenly afraid he’d hurt her.

  “I…I think so.”

  Joel cupped her cheek and tilted her face up so he could look at her. Her eyes were clouded with the same confusion, the same overwhelming bewilderment he felt.

  “I didn’t realize it would be so…” She struggled for a word.

  Oakley supplied it. “Intense. I’ve never done anything like that.”

  She looked at Oakley. “I just didn’t know.”

  Oakley leaned forward in the chair, resting his forearms on his thighs. “And now we do. So what’s next?”

  His friend had directed the question at Sadie, but Joel knew it was his answer Oakley was waiting for. Oakley expected him to call a halt to it all, to say it was wrong, that it wouldn’t work.

  And that was exactly what Joel should say. They’d played with fire, thinking it would be a lark. They had all gotten burned.

  Problem was, Joel wanted to burn some more. He wouldn’t mind being consumed in it, turned to ash.

  “We keep going,” Joel said. If he weren’t so exhausted, so wrung out, he would have laughed at Sadie and Oakley’s matching looks of surprise.

  Then Sadie nodded. “Oh hell yeah. I want more.”

  Oakley still didn’t smile. “Are you sure?” This time he didn’t pretend he was asking Sadie. His eyes were locked firmly on Joel’s.

  Joel gave him one, almost imperceptible nod. “Yeah. I’m sure.”

  Chapter Three

  “Thanks for helping me plan all of this, Sadie, but I could have met you at the bar. You didn’t have to drive all the way out here.” Lorelie put do
wn the pen she was using to take notes.

  Sadie shrugged. “It’s not like you live a hundred miles out of town. Besides I didn’t mind. It was a good day to take my bike out for a spin.”

  “I swear I’d get my own motorcycle if I didn’t think it would give my dad another heart attack.”

  “I could see you riding a hog,” Sadie teased.

  “I’m starting to get excited about this party. I mean it’s been a ton of work, but I think it’ll be worth it. My dad is going to love it.”

  Sadie agreed. Quinn High School’s current football team was undefeated, and everyone was already starting to talk about the state championship. The Titans hadn’t brought home that trophy since Joel’s class thirteen years earlier. The locals—Sadie’s dad included—were foaming at the mouths for another win.

  Sadie would never understand how seemingly normal grown men could lose their ever-lovin’ minds over teenage boys tossing a football around. But the fact remained, Titan football was all anyone in town could talk about these days.

  Since Coach’s heart attack, a lot of the older guys, players on that last state-winning team, had come back to help Lorelie and her dad keep the ranch going while her dad recuperated. It spoke volumes about what Coach Carr meant to the guys, how they’d dropped everything to come back.

  To commemorate the winning season and Coach’s recovery, and with the old team in town, the school had decided to do something special this year for Homecoming. During halftime of the game, they planned to introduce the players from that first state championship team and then honor Coach for all his years of service to the school as football coach.

  Lorelie had decided to throw a big-ass party after the game to celebrate, and as a way of thanking the guys for all they’d done by coming home to help them. Sadie had volunteered her expertise in setting up the open bar for the night. She and Lorelie hammered out the details on how many kegs to order, how many cases of wine, and whether or not to include liquor. Sadie was going to man the bar at the party, and Oakley and Joel had both promised to help her.

  Sadie glanced out the window absentmindedly. “I’m looking forward to hearing Wade play. Always loved his music.” Newlywed Wade had enjoyed a successful music career in Nashville before coming back home to settle down with Charlene in Quinn. He’d agreed to perform at the party.