Sharing Rose Page 10

‘Where are you taking me?’ she said.

  ‘What are you afraid of?’ said Jacob.

  Rose shrugged, then Alex smiled.

  ‘We don’t want you to leave,’ said Alex. ‘Today was always going to be a surprise, there's a place near here we want to show you. Something special. If you want to come with us, great. If not, we’re still going to go.’

  Rose looked from Alex to Jacob and back again. It was as though all had been forgiven or forgotten. Rose realised in that moment that the two men were stronger friends than she had given them credit for. They weren't going to let her get between them. They hadn't for the last ten years and one night wasn't going to change that. That's part of what she loved about them, they were strong. They had a bond that was unbreakable. They were such different characters but they complimented each other and came out better for it.

  She loved them so hard it hurt, but they loved each other too, in a different way and she wanted so much to be a part of it.

  She would stay, where else would she ever want to be?

  She nodded, took a deep and unsteady breath, and started walking again, catching up to them and walking beside them as they continued up the track.

  Soon they arrived at the edge of a large forest that seemed to nestle and scale up the side of a vast and steep rock face.

  Alex produced his GPS tracker and began to use it to find their route, pointing through dense foliage and thick clumps of trees. At times they had to clamber across roots and small rivers, helping each other as they went. Passing their bags to one another and jumping, catching and laughing. They were enjoying each other's company again, as they always did. It came so easily to them all.

  It reminded Rose of all the times they had spent exploring the woods outside the old village, playing on rope swings, climbing trees, building dens.

  As they kept moving, Rose became aware of a noise which sounded like television static getting closer and closer, and then all of sudden Alex stepped out into a pool of sunshine.

  As she followed, Jacob now behind her, she found they had worked their way into a small lagoon, fed by the most beautiful waterfall that Rose had ever seen.

  The fall itself appeared to be tunnelling straight out of the cliff face, from a cave just below a line of trees which had sprouted atop the massive overhanging bulkhead of cliff before them. A huge gouge in the face of the rock had created a natural shelter behind the water itself, and a rocky beach had formed over most likely thousands of years of erosion from the splashing water.

  The lagoon itself was a mixture of turquoise and teal, darkening in shade as the pool deepened towards the centre.

  But the most striking thing of all was the stunning rainbow which shimmered in the air in front of them, suspended in the fine cooling mist that hung and drifted on the wind.

  It was the most beautiful sight that Rose had ever seen and she stood staring up and around in childhood wonder at the breathtaking landscape that surrounded them.

  It was paradise.

  Alex was the first to move, taking hold of her hand, much to her surprise, and pulling her with him along the rocks toward the small beach beneath the fall. High up, where the ground was almost level he dropped his rucksack and began to strip off.

  ‘Come on,’ he said to the others. ‘Last one in buys the beers.’

  Rose laughed but Jacob was already racing to undress.

  She suddenly felt competitive and she pulled her fleece top up and over her head then sat down to hurriedly remove her shoes and then to her surprise and shock, she realised that Alex was stripping down completely.

  He was going to skinny dip.

  She stopped, her mouth wide as he whipped off his boxer shorts revealing his toned behind and then ran down to the rock suspended ten foot above the water, followed seconds later by an equally naked Jacob.

  ‘You lose, Rose!’ shouted Alex as he dived headfirst into the clear blue pool of fresh, stunning water.

  She sat there as Jacob leapt in after his friend, her mouth still open wide, her sock half way off her foot, completely frozen.

  What the hell were they doing?

  She didn't know what to do. Should she strip down too? Should she be a prude and just strip to her knickers and bra? Should she just stay clothed and watch, like some sort of lovelorn perv?

  Alex resurfaced and swam backward slowly, looking at her.

  ‘Oi,’ he said. ‘Stop gawping and get naked.’

  That rather settled it then.

  Not entirely reluctantly she stripped down as both men watched. As she reached her underwear she began to feel self conscious and called out to them both.

  ‘Turn around then,’ she shouted.

  ‘Not a chance,’ came the reply from Alex.

  She grinned, and shook her head in mock despair.

  ‘Fine,’ she said.

  She unclipped her bra and let her breasts fall loose as Alex let out a wolf whistle of approval. She sneered at him, wrinkling her nose and then turned and slipped her knickers down over her bottom as Jacob began to clap.

  Now she walked towards them, swinging her hips with a little more sway than usual, until she reached the raised rock where Alex had leapt in from.

  Both men were looking up at her now, with wide grins on their faces, as she peered down at them in the nude.

  She took a step back, held her breath, and dived, sliding under the water with such grace and precision that Alex felt the need to applaud.

  As she emerged, she ran her hand through her wet hair and smiled, wringing it out into a tight ponytail which she tied up into a rough bun as she tread gently in the water.

  The two men began to swim away from her now, heading towards the spot where the waterfall came crashing into the lagoon.

  Rose dipped beneath the surface and swam after them. The cool water felt incredible against her naked skin, and the sheer electric excitement of skinny dipping with her two favourite men was making her feel giddy. It was liberating and cathartic, as though after a decade of being reserved and restrained they were discarding their armour and being open and honest with each other.

  As she reached the two of them, she found Jacob treading water and smiling whilst Alex floated on his back. They were about fifteen feet from the spray of the fall, a fine mist floating gently over them and around them all.

  ‘Thank you for this,’ said Rose. ‘Not just this I mean, but everything.’

  ‘It wouldn't have been the same without you.’

  ‘Yeah,’ laughed Alex. ‘I wouldn't have fucked you in a tent for starters, mate.’

  Jacob laughed quietly and turned around to look up at the waterfall.

  ‘It's beautiful isn't it?’ he said.

  Rose followed his gaze.

  ‘Like something out of a movie,’ said Alex.

  ‘I am going to miss you, Rose,’ said Jacob, suddenly.

  Rose blushed as Jacob turned back to look at her. She realised it was the first time he'd really looked at her since last night, and now he was gazing at her with kindness and love.

  Rose wanted to swim over and hug him, but she knew she couldn't.

  Then she stopped herself.

  For years she had thought this way, wanting something but holding herself back from having it. What was stopping her? Nothing. She had nothing to lose anymore.

  She floated closer to him, until she was inches from his chest and then reached up and put her arms around his neck, and her head on his shoulder, holding her naked body tight against his under the water.

  Alex watched, smiling.

  ‘Do I get a naked hug if I say I’m going to miss you too?’

  Rose, wrapped up and soaking wet in Jacob’s big arms, smiled and turned to look at him.

  ‘Come here,’ she said.

  ‘What, and get poked by Jacob’s raging boner? I'll wait,’ laughed Alex, continuing to paddle in the shallow water.

  Rose just smiled and beckoned him to come closer and after a little hesitation he did, grinning an
d then swimming forward toward them both.

  As he drew near, Rose unhooked her arms from Jacob and looped them over Alex’s neck and then rested her head against his chest. She sensed movement behind her and then Jacob’s body pressed against her back and he wrapped his arms around them both, in a huge bear hug.

  She could feel the touch of Alex’s manhood on her thigh and Jacob’s against her ass and without holding back, she giggled.

  ‘What’s so funny?’ said Alex. ‘Is Jacob’s cock really tiny?’

  Rose shook her head.

  ‘I just always wanted this,’ said Rose. ‘To be held by you both.’

  She smiled and then looked up at them in turn.

  ‘That all?’ said Alex.

  ‘No, I wanted you to fuck me senseless too.’ As she said it, she could have sworn that Jacob’s cock twinged against her.

  Alex pushed away, smiling and Jacob pulled back too, wading backwards in the water.

  ‘Come on,’ said Alex. ‘Let's go swim through the fall.’

  As Rose watched them swim away, she felt a great wave of sadness wash over her.

  This was so perfect. She never wanted it to end.

  But it had to end, and it wasn't going to be the fairytale she had dreamed of for so many years.

  One thing she was proud of, was being honest with them at last. After so many years of holding back, she was finally being truthful.

  There was a small part of her that hoped being direct might make a difference, but she knew what they were doing. They were doing what they always had, they were bringing balance back. They couldn't bear to see her sad, lonely, or upset so they were cheering her up, making her happy, forgetting about what had happened, glossing over and making her feel loved and accepted and good again. Being candid wouldn't change anything.

  But she didn't deserve it, she couldn't keep letting them do this, for her own sake and theirs.

  Today though, she thought.

  Maybe, let's just have today.

  She could give herself that. Then she would go, and leave them for good.

  Move on with her life and let them move on with theirs.

  One more day of this.

  One more day of bliss and fantasy, and love and joy.

  It couldn't hurt.

  *

  CHAPTER SIX

  THEY HAD RETURNED to camp as the sun was going down, damp, happy and full of laughter. As they arrived at their tent, Alex had sat down on the rocky outcrop that looked out over the mountains and forests and rivers below and Jacob had settled down on the logs that they had manoeuvred around their little fire pit.

  But Rose didn't want that, she wanted them close to her tonight.

  Today’s taste of paradise had made her feel pure, as though the lagoon had cleansed her and helped her to forgive herself a little.

  They had spent so many years together, and so much of that time had been wasted by not being upfront and honest. Rose wished she could go back and just tell them both how she’d felt. She knew in her heart there was no way they would’ve understood, but she wouldn't have spent so much time wondering. Perhaps telling them how she felt would've opened up a whole new host of issues which would've plagued her thoughts for these last few years. There was little point dwelling on it, but she still knew that if she had the opportunity to do it all again, she would do it differently. She would be honest and unflinching. Rejection was far better than what they'd put each other through.

  She thought back to their prom night, and how she'd felt before that evening, and how she felt right now. When they'd asked her to go to prom with them, Rose had become so excited that she hadn't slept for nearly two days. The idea of being escorted by the pair of them had been exactly what she'd been hoping for, and dreaming of. In some way she knew they both liked her, but she also knew that neither one would do anything about it, but she could hope. The night they asked, she had lain awake, dreaming up all sorts of different scenarios in which the two of them would have her. One after the other in the back of the limo, both at the same time in the bedroom of someone's after party, in a field by starlight, fumbling and sweet.

  Her mother had taken her dress shopping the following week and choosing the right one had felt like one of the hardest decisions she had ever had to make. Eventually she had opted for a long, figure hugging, red silk and lace dress, low cut with an open back. It was not the sort of dress that left much to the imagination.

  Her father had dropped her off at Alex’s house and after an emotional farewell, he had handed her over to their care.

  As soon as the boys saw her, she knew she had made the right choice.

  Somehow, Jacob and Alex appeared to have aged three or four years overnight. They were waiting for her, standing up straight, arms behind their backs and smiling as she climbed out of the front seat and stood up, letting her dress fall down to her ankles.

  The effect was immediate and obvious.

  Alex had stuttered as he’d greeted her, and Jacob had gone bright red.

  That night, after the prom had finished, they had sat in a field with their bottle of vodka, close enough to touch, an electricity between the three of them that was so intense, Rose only had to think briefly about it and she would become instantly aroused.

  She wanted that again.

  To feel that energy and for it to be her lasting memory of the three, all together.

  If it was to be her last night with them, then they would be close.

  Close enough to touch.

  ‘Come and lay down with me,’ said Rose. ‘Please.’

  The night air was warm, despite the clear skies, and the stars were shining like a blanket of twinkling fairy lights. There was no light pollution here, just darkness and starlight.

  Rose sat down on the grassy incline and lay back, gazing upwards. As her eyes adjusted she realised that she could just about make out a river of light in the sky, and she realised as it became clearer, that it was the Milky Way.

  Jacob was the first to join her, always the more rational of the two. He lay beside her, not close but not far away either.

  She sensed that Alex was looking over toward them. He wasn't moving, but that was okay. She didn't want to push it. If this was to be the last night she would ever see them, it wasn't worth creating more upset. She’d done enough damage already.

  But to her surprise, a moment later, he came and joined them too, laying down on the opposite side from Jacob, and a little closer.

  She could feel the warmth of his body radiating off of him. She wanted so desperately to be held by them both, but now she knew that could never happen. She'd been foolish to think it might.

  Still…

  Laying there, hands clasped together between her breasts, she began to quietly cry.

  Today had been beautiful.

  More beautiful and more wonderful than she could ever have hoped and it was a perfect and fitting end to their friendship.

  Something caught her eye.

  She gasped as a shooting star sped across the night sky in front of them, and she pointed up.

  As quickly as it appeared it was gone. She smiled as it faded away.

  She made a wish.

  Perhaps tonight could be the start of a wonderful new chapter in their lives? She couldn't help but feel hopeful.

  She didn't know, all she knew was that she was here, now, between her two closest friends and that she felt as though she was home.

  ‘This morning, all I wanted to do was go home,’ she said. ‘But then I realised what that feeling was, the one I felt when I read your email. You two are my home. When I read it, I knew, but I couldn't articulate it. I wanted to come home. It didn't matter where you were in the world. When we’re all together, we’re home. That's why I love you and I always will.’

  No one spoke, none of them moved. Just the sound of the world, as it took a breath.

  Alex reached across and took her hand in his, laying it down by her side and brushing her thumb with his own. The
sensation sent tingles up her arm.

  Then to her surprise, Jacob did the same and shifted a little closer.

  They were now both near enough that she could smell their woody scent. She breathed in deeply through her nose but it was punctuated by gentle shuddering sobs.

  Alex leant up next to her, looking deeply into her eyes and then he reached out with his free hand and wiped a single tear away from her cheek.

  As her eyes shed another, his face came into focus and she frowned. He was looking at her differently, not with the usual cheeky mischief look.

  No.

  She had seen this look once before, last night.

  Lust.

  But this time it wasn’t fading, it was burning like fire.

  She suddenly found she could barely breath. She looked over at Jacob, and found him closer to her than before, and he too had that same look in his eyes.

  She opened her mouth to speak but found she had no words to say, instead her whole body felt like it was filling with excitement and adrenaline, although she couldn’t quite believe it. As though her skin might burst with ecstasy and delight, but she also felt exposed and vulnerable. Like the helpless prey of two ravenous predators, circling her before the kill.

  She lay still, her body tingling with arousal, unsure what was about to happen.

  Not knowing if she was ready for this.

  Or even if this was this.

  And then Alex let go of her fingers, and placed his hand flat down beside her head.

  She looked nervously along the rippling muscles of his arm and back up to his face.

  Then he leaned down, placed his other hand on her waist, and kissed her.

  Holy shit.

  This was different to last night. His kiss was long, slow and tender, but with a little force.

  His lips were both soft and rough in places, and she swept her tongue across them as her hand found his arm.

  Then there was another sensation, one so intense, it made her writhe and squirm with pleasure and moan out loud, her inhibition lost.

  Jacob was kissing her neck.

  She didn’t really understand how she knew it, but she could feel how much he loved her. It was compassionate and kind, not rough or urgent. Like his whole persona, his kiss was slow, and smooth, and incredibly intense.