In the Moment: Part Two

  In The Moment:

  Part Two

  Rachael Orman

  Editing by Adrian J. Smith

  Cover Design by Phycel Designs

  In The Moment: Part Two

  Copyright 2015 by Rachael Orman

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the author.

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  In The Moment: Part Two is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental

  Chapter One

  Adam

  It had been days since I heard from Ace. I was getting tired of just being a booty call. He’d refused to fuck me for months, and then once I finally got him back, he stopped talking and that’s all I became to him. While I was intensely attracted to the man and our sex life was explosive. I was almost thirty and that was too old to continue to be a plaything. The thing between Ace and I had been dragging on for months. When we were together, I felt like no one else existed.

  However, I wanted someone I could spend time with outside the bedroom. Someone that wanted to talk, not just fuck. I also very much so got the vibe he was afraid of being outed to his bike club. Sure, some of them probably were homophobic, but that was all the more reason for him to find a different club that was more accepting of the man he was instead of hiding it.

  I’d known I was gay since I was little. As I grew up and hit my teens, I realized I wasn’t gay but bisexual. I found men as attractive as women. Thankfully my parents were very accepting of my “quirks” as they called it then. They wanted me to be free to express who I was and who I was attracted to. Not that I shared who I was with many people. I only hung out with and dated people I met outside of school. I’d witnessed how harsh some people were to openly gay students, and I chose to keep that part of my life away from the close minded people. When I was pressured about not dating, I said I would rather focus on academics. People could make fun of me for being a nerd, that was much easier to handle.

  Sadly, not everyone grew up with an understanding family. Ace hadn’t from what little he’d let me know about his formative years. He was always very closed off when it came to his past. Hell, even his present was a limited subject. When I was lucky to get him to talk, he mentioned he’d been jumped in high school for being gay. No one cared that he was also attracted to women. The numerous broken bones and hateful words had made him into the man he was. All it did was make him close himself from the world.

  No matter how many times I tried to get him to open up and have a heart to heart with me, he was never willing to let me get too deep, know too much. We were both bisexuals, which wasn’t any easier than being gay. It confused more people than not. They didn’t understand how it was possible to find both genders equally as alluring. I know at one point I even had someone accuse me of not being able to make up my mind, like I was only allowed to be attracted to one or the other.

  When Ace had asked me to start meeting up with him at the same bar all the time, I noticed he had a thing for the bartender. He wouldn’t admit it the few times I’d brought it up to him. That was until something had shifted, and I felt like he was replacing me with her. Not that he’d said anything. No, he’d just ignore me for days only to call me up for a quickie then vanish again.

  Finally, I had enough of it and went to meet the woman face to face. She was beautiful up close and friendly even though she was busy. I doubted she knew I was the one on my knees with Ace’s dick in my mouth not so long ago, but I wasn’t going to tell her. I just wanted to meet her.

  That had been the last time since I’d heard from Ace — the night I met his bartender. I didn’t know exactly what was going on with them, but it was time to spice things up. If he thought I would keep letting him drag me along while he banged someone else and ignored me, then he had another thing coming.

  I pulled on a pair of my favorite, faded jeans along with a tight shirt that showed off how thick my arms had gotten. I’d been taking all my frustration with Ace out at the gym, and it was really packing on the muscle. While I’d rather not be frustrated, I didn’t mind the ripped look I was getting. Ace didn’t seem to notice, but the women did, and I hoped that the female bartender would as well.

  Pulling on my leather boots, I grabbed my shit and headed to the bar. As soon as I sat at the counter, I saw her. She was at the other end helping another customer, but it didn’t take her long to make her way to me. As soon as she looked into my face, she smiled.

  “You again! What can I get you?” she obviously remembered me, or at least was good at pretending.

  “Bottle of beer. Lady’s choice,” I said. I wasn’t there for the booze. I was there for conversation and possibly a little seduction.

  She winked at me and slid an uncapped bottle my way on a napkin in second. Just as I had the first time I met her, I gave her a hefty tip. It was a quick way to gain a little extra attention from someone used to serving customers all night.

  “What was your name again?” she asked with a smile.

  “Adam. What was yours? You ran off before I could catch it last time.”

  “Alicia.”

  “I was hoping you’d be here again tonight. It was so busy on Friday.” I took a swig of my beer.

  “Well, it must be your lucky night then because Tuesday’s are normally my night off, but someone called in sick and I drew the short straw. So, it is pure luck I happen to be here. Excuse me.” She slapped a hand on the counter before walking away to someone that was waving at her.

  I watched as she quickly filled a few orders and checked on a few customers before she returned to where I was.

  “No matter what day of the week it is, it’s never empty here. Someone is always needing a drink. Although I must admit, I’m curious what brings you in.” She rested her hands on her hips emphasizing how perfect and curved her body was.

  “Just needing a drink to relax after a long day at work,” I lied. Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s were my days off from working as a butcher. She didn’t need to know that though.

  “Don’t you have a girlfriend at home waiting for you? Or a wife?”

  “Nope. No girlfriend or boyfriend. How about you?” I winked at her, and she laughed loudly.

  “Hm. Not necessarily a boyfriend. Had a prospective one recently, didn’t really work out though. I prefer to be alone anyway. Much easier that way.” She shrugged.

  Did people really believe that line? Prefer to be alone. It might be easier, but it was also nice to have someone waiting for you call or text. Someone who was happy to see you. At least that’s how I felt.

  “Well, his loss for sure. Any man or woman would be lucky to land such a catch.” I leaned forward on my elbows. “Not that I know much about you except you are drop dead gorgeous and a hard worker.”

  “Speaking of…” She walked away to help other customers. It took her longer than it had before. I was starting to think I’d scared her off, but she eventually made her way back to me. “Sorry. Well, at least you realize there is more to a relationship than looks. Too many of the men that stroll in here seem to think that’s all it takes to be a good date.
And thank you, but I don’t date customers. It makes it complicated when things go south.”

  “Maybe it wouldn’t go south,” I said before taking a long drink of my beer.

  “It always goes south. Always.” She frowned and tapped her fingers on the counter for a moment before stepping back a bit. “Anyway, I have to get back to making sure everyone has everything. It was nice talking to you.”

  “You too.” I watched as she walked away. She was a tough one to get close to especially when working, I suppose. Somehow Ace had managed to do it, though, and I was determined to do the same.

  Chapter 2

  Alicia

  When quitting time rolled around, I happily clocked out and left. I was exhausted. It was supposed to be my day off so I hadn’t gone to sleep when I got home; instead I’d cleaned and gotten my laundry started. When the manager had called and asked me to cover, I tried to get some sleep, but it evaded me much like it had for the last few days. Ever since Ace had thrown the outrageous suggestion of having a threesome at me. Not just any threesome, but one with another man. I knew he liked men that way; I was more shocked by the idea of having two men at once. They wouldn’t be focused on me, but each other as well and that scared me.

  He had shown up at my apartment numerous times. Thankfully, I hadn’t given him my number so I didn’t have to worry about him blowing my phone up. I’d barely let him sleep with me and already he was wanting me to let someone join us. When I’d pushed him to tell me, I’d thought it was some kinky act. Boy, had I been surprised. I’d run from my house, yanking on whatever clothes I found along the way. When I’d returned two hours later, the apartment was blessedly empty.

  Ace must have just stepped out though because he was knocking on the door not even ten minutes after I locked it. I’d gone and jumped in the shower so I could drown out the banging on the door and demands that I let him in. When I got out, he was gone. I stayed in until I had to go to work and was afraid of an awkward confrontation happening when I made my way to my car or heaven forbid at work. Oddly, he only showed up during the day when he knew I’d be home, knocking on the door or even my bedroom window because he knew I’d be sleeping. Each time he’d leave me his number, asking me to call him. I didn’t.

  Ace

  Sitting across the parking lot from Alicia’s place, it took nearly all the willpower I had to not jump on her as soon as she stepped from her apartment or when she was at work. That wasn’t how I wanted to talk to her. I wanted her to break down and chose to speak to me instead of making her do it.

  If only I had a way of getting her phone number so I could message her instead of being a creepy stalker every chance I got. Well, really I only watched her on occasion either leaving for work or when she was arriving at the bar.

  Although, I’d nearly fallen out of my chair when I’d spotted Adam flirting with her at the bar. I had been badly neglecting our relationship as I focused on Alicia, but seeing her smile and wink at him gave me other ideas I hadn’t thought about before. Honestly, I hadn’t thought she’d freak out so badly about the idea of being with two men at the same time. I figured it was most women’s fantasy, but I had figured I’d wait a few days or weeks before springing it on her. She pushed, I gave, and it blew up in my face. What we had was just starting, and I refused to let it be over that quickly.

  Alicia was confusing. She worked at a bar slinging drinks all night to hairy, gross men. I’d watched as she flirted with the younger, good looking ones, yet she hadn’t slept with anyone in a while. She couldn’t lie about that one either. What I couldn’t figure out is what about me made her give in, which was almost as important as figuring out exactly what part of my proposal scared her. Well, besides the fact that she didn’t let me tell her everything before she took off. Jumping to some unknown conclusion that wasn’t the truth could be all that stood in my way. I’d never know until she talked to me.

  Standing outside the bar, I pulled my phone out and dialed Adam. He answered on the first ring.

  “I’m not in the mood tonight, Ace,” he said without giving me a chance to say anything.

  “Who said I wanted any?” I rebutted.

  “You always want ass. However, if, like you claim, that’s not what the call is for, what do you want? You can’t go a week without calling me and expect me to be excited to hear from you. The last time I saw you, I was ignored until you fucked me and then you went back to your so-called friends. I’m tired of being the dirty little secret.”

  Sighing, I ran a hand over my head. “Look, I’m sorry. I will make it up to you, I promise. In fact, why don’t you come over to my place tonight? Just you and me. All night.”

  “I already told you I didn’t want sex.” Even though he denied it, I could hear his resolve weakening from the tone of his voice.

  “We don’t have to do anything if you don’t want. I just want to talk and not have to worry about any overhearing ears. If you happen to spend the night, so be it.” My cock grew hard at the idea of having him in my bed all night, naked.

  “Fine. I’ll be there in ten.” Adam hung up before I could respond.

  Yep, I’d have to do some ass kissing to get back on his good side… and learn to juggle two budding relationships better. I wasn’t willing to pick one over the other. There had to be a way to make it work. Obviously the attraction was mutual all the way around. At least, I thought it was. Alicia wasn’t exactly an open book, but I think if the two of us went at her at the same time, we’d get to the woman hiding under the tough exterior.

  Returning home, I ran around picking up shit that had gotten stacked up everywhere. I knew Adam wouldn’t expect a clean place, but hell, I got lazy sometimes and didn’t always make it to the trashcan when I should.

  The doorbell rang letting me know he had arrived. I quickly ran my hands through my hair making sure it wasn’t too messed up.

  “Hi,” Adam smiled, tucking his hands into his jeans.

  “Come in,” I said, opening the door wider. As he passed me, I had the urge to push him against the wooden surface and kiss him, but I didn’t. Instead of touching him, I crossed my arms to make sure I kept my hands to myself. I wasn’t used to having to hold myself back, but I was going to do my best since I told him I would. If he gave me any inclination he wanted more, it was on. Until then, I would have to behave. Locking the door, I turned to face Adam. “Would you like a drink?”

  “Sure. Whatever you have in a bottle.” Adam flopped down onto my couch and reached for the remote. He’d been over numerous times before when I’d been testing him to see how committed he was or if he was only looking for another hook up. Since our first time had been a one-night stand, I needed to know if he wanted more. Then Alicia came into the picture, and I knew if I could get a woman like her interested in me, I’d need to have another man who was stable enough to secure her. Someone she wouldn’t run from… like she had. Not that she knew; she’d never let me tell her anything about Adam.

  Deep down, I knew I was crazy to try to make two new relationships work. One was hard enough, but add in another person and it was practically impossible. Tell it to my brain. It refused to take no as an answer. Just making it work was the issue. After seeing Adam and Alicia together, I knew if I could get him on board, things would be so much easier. Why I’d never thought of it before, I don’t know, but it seemed the most obvious approach since watching them.

  Handing Adam a bottle of beer, I sat on the opposite end of the couch with my own. He’d found a program that was interesting enough, but I reached over and hit mute. I waited until he looked at me before starting.

  “I know I’ve been all over the place for a while, but I didn’t mean to be that way. I was really trying to work on something on the side as a sort of surprise. However, I have come to the conclusion, that it might actually be better to have you on board and there to help secure things so to speak.” I took a deep swallow of my beer, watching him at the same time.

  “Oh yeah? And what would th
at be? Does it have something to do with a little bartender?” Adam nailed it.

  I coughed, choking on the beer.

  “What? You think I’m stupid enough to not see you staring at the one with a nice rack and long brown hair at your favorite bar? Really? I’m not blind, and you are an idiot if you think everyone else doesn’t know as well.”

  “I don’t give a fuck who knows…” I started, but he cut me off.

  “That’s right. You only care if someone sees you with me. Your butt buddy, right?” Adam set his beer on the table and stood in a huff.

  “I didn’t say that. Never said that.” I followed, blocking his way.

  “You don’t have to say anything, Ace. It’s all about actions. You never invite me over to your table when the other bikers are there. Hell, you don’t even talk to me until we are alone if any of them are around. Yeah, that’s not hiding it. You even made sure it looked like you’d been fucking that blonde the last time we were together then didn’t return my calls for a week.”

  “It’s no one else’s business. That’s all it is. I don’t think the fact that I’m bi is something anyone but my partners need to know.” I huffed out a frustrated breath. “I don’t want you to feel I’m ashamed of you. That’s not it at all. I didn’t get raised where being gay was accepted. I got my ass handed to me many times because I got caught looking at a guy. Changing the way I am isn’t as simple as you make it sound.”

  “I just want you to understand where I’m coming from.” Adam groaned and collapsed back on the couch. I followed again.

  “Give me time. This thing we have is still new for me. I’ve never fucked someone then gone back to just talking then back to fucking after a couple months. Anyone. Let alone a guy. Then in flounced this woman who knocks me on my ass faster than any other woman I’ve ever met. She hot and sexy and damn, she might fight me the whole time, but when I get my hands on her, she is everything and more. Until I went and fucked it up.” I shook my head and scooted closer to him. Lacing our fingers together, I looked at him. “I want you to help me seduce her. I don’t know her story, but she is more than interested. Getting her to admit it is the challenge. I think the two of us could find everything both of us have ever wanted. Think about it.”