Forgiven (The Power of Three Love Series Book 4) Read online

  “Yes, you can send him back. Thank you, Emily.”

  Staying behind my desk, I watched as the door opened, and the same angry face from yesterday appeared in front of me, yet his expression had softened. “Mr. Calypso.” His pitch was controlled.

  “Please, call me Jack,” I insisted. I pointed at the chairs in front of my desk. “Have a seat, please.”

  I didn’t know Bodhi Chambers from Adam, but his features were strained. After almost sixteen years as a lawyer and six years in the military, I knew a strained and uncomfortable expression when I saw one.

  “Thanks for seeing me. I had to come in person to express my apologies for yesterday.” He averted his eyes to the carpet on the floor. “To say I’m embarrassed by my actions would be an understatement.” I nodded but didn’t respond. I felt the man had more to say, and my unneeded words would only delay it.

  “I knew this day was coming. Clara dating again, that is.” His voice quivered, and his words were laced with humility and pain. “But seeing it yesterday was not what I expected. I’ve made no qualms that I’ve wanted her back since our divorce. But I was the one who screwed up, and it’s time I let Clara find her happiness.”

  I shook my head again, but his timbre made it apparent that he still wasn’t done.

  “Look.” His gaze found my own. “I’m not sure how much you know about Clara and me, but I know about your past relationship in a committed triad. I’m not saying this as a threat.” I stared at him because if it hadn’t been for the sincerity in his tone, I would have taken it as a threat.

  “Shit,” he began again, “after all I’ve done to Clara, she deserves a chance to be with someone who’d treasure her, so I’m not trying to get in the way.” I’d learned to read people, and I sensed his honesty. “But if I were you, I’d come clean with her. I’d tell her the truth from the beginning. I was a pussy.” His pause was just long enough to clear his throat. “It’s time we both moved on. Clara forgave me years ago. As for yesterday, I know she’s pissed, and she should be. But if you plan on being in her life, then I will be, too, since we share a child. I hope you can forgive me.”

  With his long sigh, he was done, so I leaned back in my chair and steepled my fingers together. “Mr. Chambers, I respect you for coming by today. It takes a big man to admit a mistake. As far as my sexuality goes, I planned to tell Clara about that along with losing my leg, which led to years of self-loathing on my part. I respect the fuck out of you for not going to Clara with this.” When he moved his eyes away, it told me he had wanted to, but he didn’t and it was all that mattered. “And as far as you and I go, you’ve won my respect. But just a little bit of advice from a man who made a colossal mistake by walking away from two people I loved so much. I spent three years mad at myself. Now, I have a clean slate. You do, too. Maybe what lies before you is even better than what you had before.” It was easy to say these words because the hell I endured when I let Dane and Cami go had led me to Clara.

  His shoulders slumped. My words had hurt him even though they weren’t meant to. “All I’m saying is there might be something better on the other side for you.”

  He stood, extending his hand to me. “Thanks, Jack.” I reached my hand out for him, and when we shook, the same electricity I had the first night with Clara surged through my body with Bodhi’s touch. Shit and fuck were just a few words that came to my mind since it was clouded with this virtual stranger’s touch. And when he smiled and turned, taking his leave, my eyes followed his ass. It was a fucking fine ass, too.

  My thoughts weren’t far from Clara as I made my way home and got ready for my night with her. When she’d texted me, she asked me to bring a bag over, stating she wanted to recreate some animalistic sex. It made me chuckle. I was positive we’d always be using that phrase as long as there was an us. I wanted an us.

  Even though my mind was on Clara, Bodhi hadn’t strayed far as I thought about the connection we’d shared earlier. It was a complication I hadn’t expected. I kept telling myself it was only because I knew we both loved the company of a man. If I hadn’t known this little fact about him, I never would have entertained the idea. My mind was playing games with me—it was the only explanation. But then another thought hit me. Had Bodhi felt the same electricity with our touch?

  With all the thoughts haunting me, my text alert pinged, and I smiled at the message.

  Clara: You’re a good man, Jack Calypso.

  Her text came out of left field, and my reply addressed this.

  Me: Really? How?

  Clara: I’m still seething at my ex-husband, but he told me about your meeting of the minds, and I have to say—you’re a good man for seeing him and more so, forgiving him.

  Her compliment made me smile.

  Me: I was thinking. I have reservations tonight at eight, but could we chat for a little bit before we leave? I promise it’s not a play to get you in bed before our first official date.

  Her reply was quick and caused me to smirk.

  Clara: Damnit, I was sort of hoping it would. But yeah, I’ll open a bottle of wine to breathe.

  This girl and her love for wine cracked me up. Everything about her had this effect on me.

  Me: What time do you have to leave in the morning to get Declan?

  Clara: Oh, we can spend the whole morning together. Declan is being dropped off at the apartment at one p.m. by Bodhi.

  I stared at the last word on her text, and, fuck, as soon as I tried to forget his name, his touch, and his smile, it was back in the forefront of my mind.

  Her apartment building was swanky and ritzy with a doorman to boot. After I gave him my name, he rang her, and I was given access to the elevator. Now, this was some fucking awesome security. Somehow, the sexy little number had captivated my heart and my thoughts so much, so knowing she was safe in this sometimes scary city satisfied my protective nature.

  Once on the seventeenth floor, I made my way to the apartment number the doorman gave me. After one knock, it was pulled open. My pulse quickened, and I almost stopped breathing. In a black cocktail dress with legs for fucking days and overflowing cleavage, she pulled me into her apartment, pushed me up against the wall, and devoured my mouth before I knew it.

  “Whoa, woman. Believe it or not, I’m an alpha male when it comes to getting what I want.” Her stance relaxed, and her return smirk silently told me to have my way with her.

  I pushed her against the other wall, and my hand found its way up her dress to a surprise—no underwear. “Well, look at you, my naughty, foxy little thing. I love this greeting, but next time, I do the pushing. Got me?” I brought her chin to mine.

  “Sir, yes, Sir.”

  “You’d give me the power, the control?” This idea had my erection poking against her stomach, and a whimper from her lips had me pushing her hands over her head.

  “I never have before, but with you, it makes sense. It’s always been a fantasy of mine.” There was a hoarseness in her answer. “And it makes me wet. It makes me want to strip and let you have your way with me—on the table, on the floor, against the windows.”

  This woman, what the fuck had I gotten myself into? But I wanted to get into so much more trouble with her. She had just triggered me, and I didn’t think I could walk away. Fuck the talk, it could come later. The light switch had been turned on, and the electricity sparked from both of us. “I thought we’d talk first?” This was her only chance to tell me that fucking her tight cunt was a no-go. Through all of her suggestions, my cock remembered how perfect she felt when her pussy contracted around me.

  “Talk is overrated anyway. I’ve given you a gift. Me any way you fucking want?”

  “Any way?” My mind was not being ran by the head on my shoulders.

  “Yeah, have me any way you want, counselor. This time, I won’t make you chase me.”

  “Shit, woman. I hate to take you out of your sexy little number.”

  Her little smirk had me ready to push her on the floor. “Permissi
on to strip for you, Sir?”

  Role play already? Sign me up. “Permission granted, my pet.”

  Her dress pooled to the floor, and she stood completely naked in her three-inch heels. “Where would you like me, Sir?”

  Standing in front of her, I walked around her body, playing into this fantasy. “So beautiful, my pet. I think I like the idea of entering you from behind. Maybe we can find something I can bend you over on.” Tapping my chin, I asked, “Any suggestions, my pet?”

  “From behind you say, Sir? Do you want my pussy or ass?” My entire system was on overdrive. She was offering her ass to me. Was this woman for real?

  “I want to wait on your ass because I need to have my fill of your pussy again.”

  She moved her eyes down out of respect. This was the best role play ever. Fuck, I didn’t think I’d ever done anything like this.

  “Baby, I’m going to fuck you so good, you won’t want another dick ever.”

  “Permission to speak, Sir?” Her tone was meek, and my already raging erection was straining to be freed.

  “Yes, my pet, speak.” My fingers touched the bottom of her chin, and I tipped her eyesight to my own.

  “It’s safe to say I won’t. Your cock is very fine. Everything about you is fine.”

  I hadn’t showed her my prosthetic yet, and I wasn’t planning to, not until our heart to heart. And if this was all I’d ever give her, after I told her about my sexuality, then this would be her fantasy coming to life.

  “Where should I fuck your pussy until I have you screaming my name so loud, your neighbors will hear what a naughty girl you are?”

  A flush overtook her face. “Sir, if it pleases you, my couch is a great height for what you want to do to me. Thank you, Sir, my pussy will thank you later, too.”

  “Lead the way, my pet.” She walked meekly to the living room and to the views of Chicago, but the only view I’d care to see was more of my naked little minx.

  “Tell me what you want, my pet. Say red if I do anything you don’t want, or I will spank this beauty of an ass.” I was afraid I’d taken this too far, but her reply was music to my ears.

  “Sir, anything that pleases you, my Sir.”

  Placing her in front of me, I pushed her over her large sectional couch. Unleashing my beast, I unzipped my pants and rubbed the tip of my cock against her pussy. “Oh, foxy, you’re so wet for me. Do you want my tongue or my cock?”

  “Your cock, Sir. My pussy is calling for your cock, Sir.” Her reply was barely out of her mouth when the first thrust entered her, and we both voiced our pleasure with moans and mewls.

  “Speak, my pet. Tell me how you feel.”

  “Sir, I don’t have the words. It’s magic. You and I—we make magic together. I need more. I want more from you.” Her reply was breathy.

  Giving more support with my left hand to make up for my prosthetic, I wrapped my right arm around her tiny body, pebbling her nipple. “Pain or pleasure, my pet?”

  “Both, Sir, both.” Pinching it harder, I pushed my cock as far as I could, and with her pussy clenching around me, I came. I stilled, remembering in our haste to be with each other, I’d forgotten something important.

  Pulling out, I leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “You pleased your master, pet.” I twirled her around, the expression on my face stopping her.

  “Fuck, Jack, that was the best sex ever. What’s wrong?” Her hand connected with my cheek.

  “It was the best, foxy, but I forgot a condom. Shit, I’m so sorry. I’m clean, I promise.” I didn’t want to tell her she didn’t need to worry about me getting her pregnant, but I’d wait on that.

  “Oh, it’s okay, babe, I haven’t had sex in three years, and I’m on the pill for my periods.” She laughed. “You probably didn’t want all this information, but I needed to tell you why I was on the pill if I wasn’t having sex.”

  A loud chuckle left my mouth, and I pulled her tight to me. “It’s been three years for me, too, and I’m clean, I promise.”

  “I’ve known you for four days, Mr. Calypso, and somehow, I know in my heart I can trust you.” Her words wounded me because I had not planned to sleep with her until I shared the truth.

  “Fuck, I hope you feel the same way after we talk.” Her smile faded, and her lips thinned.

  “Unless you’re married, I don’t think anything will change my opinion about you.” She was still naked in my arms. “I have an idea. Now that I’m minus all my clothes and thoroughly fucked, would you be offended if we ordered in?”

  “Foxy, you just read my mind.” There was nothing more I wanted than a night of uninterrupted time with Clara Ashley.

  Leaving my shirt untucked, I buttoned my pants and buckled my belt while Clara retreated to her bedroom to clean up. I stood behind her couch where we’d just had some amazing sex, looking at the beginning of nightfall for the city of Chicago. Her apartment was ritzy, matching the outside of the complex. Her bedroom was to the right from her den, and a large wall separated her living space from the kitchen. Being a little parched, I walked through the kitchen into an informal dining space and a large peninsula island separating the area. I opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water.

  An open door behind the kitchen led around to the foyer I’d entered just thirty minutes ago. Taking the hallway back to the living space, I passed what had to be Declan’s room. His door was cracked opened, and I saw a large dinosaur painted on the far wall, a huge bookshelf, and several bins I assumed held toys.

  Around the corner behind the den was another room, and the door was open all the way. Her home was spacious, decorated with a stylish country feel. I couldn’t wait to see where this night would go, so moving around the couch, I threw my body back on it.

  “That was …” Clara’s voice trailed off a little as she settled near me with wine in her hands after covering up with an offensive robe. It wasn’t the robe itself that had been offensive, but the fact she covered her perfect canvas of a body with something.

  I was still in just my slacks and my untucked shirt since I hadn’t gotten naked like she had. A wine bottle and two glasses were on the coffee table in her living room. After pouring it, she handed me my wine and cuddled in close to me, having not finished her sentence.

  “So you were saying, foxy?” I asked.

  “Yeah, that was amazing. Being dominated had always been my fantasy of sorts, but I never felt comfortable expressing what I wanted until tonight. Something about you makes me so open to do anything.”

  I tipped my head to one side, considering the past twenty minutes. “Question for you, foxy?”

  I settled up close to the end of the couch, but she closed the distance between us.

  “Go for it.” She took a little sip of her wine, waiting for me.

  “Role-playing like that, how did you know some of the terms? If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you lived the life.”

  A hysterical cackle caused her to spit her wine out of her mouth. “Now that was funny. I have a book in one of my series where the man was a dominant, and I had to do some research. It was odd since the book takes place in the early 1930s, but it was a fun book to write.” She wiggled one eyebrow higher than the other. “And you, what’s your excuse?”

  “Mine is a little similar. I’d been reading this amazing story and tried to get my girlfriend to read it. I knew she’d love it. It was a mystery, but she’d been on this kick of romance books. We made a deal for her to read my suggestion if I read hers. It happened to be a book about a man who opened a sex club. I was privy to many scenes I hadn’t expected, but I had to hand it to the author. It was an amazing book and well written.”

  “Jack Calypso, you’re full of surprises.” Taking another sip of her wine, she continued, “So what is it you wanted to talk about? I guess it was irresponsible not to use a condom, but I swear I’m safe. I’ll get tested to show you.”

  I smirked at her words, though my heart rate was beating a mile a minute at
what I was about to share. “I was going to offer the same thing to you, too. But let’s table that for now.”

  Her laughter was louder than I’d expected at my more sterile words of tabling the topic. “What did I say?” I asked.

  “You’re speech is so formal. I guess it comes from being a lawyer and such, but it makes me laugh. Though, I’ll tell you, your formal declarations add to your sexiness.” Her hand finds its way to my chest. “And you’re sexy as fuck.”

  Taking a sip of her wine, I follow up, doing the same to get through this conversation. “So tell me, counselor, what are we going to chat about?” she asked playfully.

  Rubbing my forehead with my hand, I took in a large intake of air, only to exhale. “I need to be honest with you about my past relationships.”

  She shrugged her shoulders as if this was going to be something minor. “I don’t know why you’re so nervous about it. We all have a past.”

  “Yeah, but my past will sort of collide with a past that hurt you.” Her eyebrows knitted together in a V, and her lips pursed together, shutting with a tight line.

  “Um, I’m not sure what you mean.” Her reply was so innocent, and I hoped I wasn’t about to hurt her like her ex had. Fuck, I couldn’t even say his name in my head.

  “I know that your ex-husband cheated on you and hid his bisexuality.” She nodded, not surprised I’d know this about them. “I had no idea at the time when we first met, but I’m not sure I would have done anything differently…”

  “I don’t get what this has to do with us.” She was so innocent, still not understanding what I was about to tell her.

  “My last relationship was with a man and woman, similar to what Elliot, Daimen, and Arden have. It was a committed triad, and I loved both the man and woman very much. I left because I feared I wouldn’t be everything they needed with having lost my leg, but all they ever wanted was me.”