Two Loves for Alex Read Free

It was Cheryl Carson, her best friend and the one person who actually knew what she’d been doing this past week. She had kept Cheryl informed via emails and text messages over the week she’d been with the guys, but she’d kept her comments more to what was happening rather than the whirl of emotion accompanying it. She’d told Cheryl she was finally living her dream but she’d kept it vague, not willing to subject herself to Cheryl’s inevitable criticism and cavalier dismissal of the lifestyle.
    “Hey, Cheryl.”
    “Were you sleeping?”
    “Yeah. What time is it?”
    “It’s after ten. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”
    “That’s okay. I was going to call you.”
    “You came home yesterday?”
    “Yeah. Just to pack. I’m going back. They want me to move in with them.”
    “No way ! Oh my god !” Cheryl’s voice rose at least an octave.
    “What are you freaking out about?”
    “Oh gee, I don’t know. Let’s see. Maybe the fact you’re moving in with two gay guys you barely know to live as a sex slave in their S&M dungeon. Uh, no biggie. I don’t know what my problem is.”
    “It’s nothing like that. First of all, they aren’t gay, they’re bi. Second of all, they don’t have a dungeon, just some really hot equipment in their playroom. For your information I have my own bedroom with a four-poster bed and a beautiful view of the grounds. My submission to them is totally consensual. I want it. I’m not being forced or anything like that. You know this is something I’ve always wanted to explore.”
    “Explore is one thing. Moving in after a week is another. I mean, come on, Alex, no offense but you’re not getting any younger. Why aren’t you looking for a guy? A single straight guy who will love you and want to marry you? What the hell are you letting yourself in for? What kind of fantasyland are you living in to think this can possibly work out in the long term?”
    “You don’t understand. Liam and Daniel are two of most exciting, sexy men I’ve ever met. They offer something I’ve dreamed about and yearned for ever since I knew I was a sexual being.” Alex sighed. She’d tried to explain the sensual nuance of erotic submission to her friend before, but Cheryl persisted in thinking it was all just kinky play—black leather, whips and chains.
    She tried again. “When I’m with them I feel this kind of serenity. A calmness. At the same time I feel more alive than I ever have before. I feel vitalized. Like the world was in two dimensions before and now it’s in three. Or like those movies where it’s in black and white and suddenly switches to color.
    “When they asked me to stay, I knew it was the right move for me. Maybe not for a lifetime but for as long as they’ll have me. It’s what I want, Cheryl. It’s what I need.”
    Cheryl was quiet a moment. Finally she said, “So what about the small detail that they’re in love with each other and not you?”
    Damn Cheryl with her uncanny ability to cut straight to the chase. Alex tried to keep her voice light and even managed to force a laugh. “What’s love got to do with it?”

Chapter 2
    Daniel found himself looking at the clock every three minutes or so. It was going on eight and still no sign of the girl. Liam had left the hour before for the train station, calmly kissing Daniel goodbye. Neither of them had mentioned her name that morning though they might as well have screamed it, so much was she on their minds—at least she was on Daniel’s mind.
    He’d had been watching for her since he’d awoken at six. When Liam left at seven, there was still no sign of Alex. Could it be after some time for considered reflection she had decided there was no way she wanted to submit to them both, forever relegated as she was to the status of sub and not lover?
    He could hardly blame her. After all, she was well aware of the loving, committed relationship between Liam and himself. She couldn’t hope to compete with