The party was in full swing. Although the buffet table had been laden with food at the beginning, it was now almost empty. And Tanya was hungry.
Why hadn't she and Tyler arrived earlier? They'd talked about going to dinner, but had decided not to on the basis that there'd be food at the party. But they'd sidetracked each other in the hotel room, and now they were too late to get anything to eat.
"You look hot!"
Tanya turned toward the voice and smiled. "Hello, Max. Thank you."
"You're very welcome." Max looked around. "Where's your man?"
"He's gone to the bathroom. He'll be right back."
"If I were him, I wouldn't leave such a beautiful woman alone."
"He'll be right back," Tanya repeated.
Max took something out of his pocket and popped it into his mouth. "Mmm. Delicious. Almost as much as you."
Tanya laughed. "And how would you know whether I'm delicious?"
"I can tell just by looking at you."
"What are you eating?"
"Black licorice jelly beans." He took the bag out of his pocket. "I love these things."
"So do I," Tanya said. "Can I have a few?" Candy wasn't exactly nutritious, but it might keep her stomach from growling for a little while.
"I don't know." Max grinned. "What do I get?"
"What do you want?"
Max leaned closer and said softly in her ear, "A long, sweet kiss."
"I might be able to do that."
"Won't your man mind?"
"I don't know. Maybe not, if you let him watch."
An arm slipped around Tanya's waist. Tanya jumped, then smiled as Tyler kissed her cheek. "Did I miss anything?" he asked.
"You missed your woman asking for jelly beans," Max said.
"Hungry, Tanya?" Tyler said. "I told you we should have eaten before we came to the party."
"You did eat," Tanya teased. "And he has black licorice jelly beans. My favorite."
"Oh, really?" Tyler nuzzled her neck. "I thought I was your favorite snack."
"Okay, jelly beans are my second favorite."
"And you can have some, after you ask your man's permission," Max said.
"Permission for what?" Tyler asked.
Tanya blushed. "Um... Max said I could have some jelly beans if I kiss him."
"And what did you say?"
"That I thought maybe you wouldn't mind as long as you got to watch." Tanya held her breath. She and Tyler had talked about him watching her with another man, but they generally only mentioned it to turn each other on. How would he react now that it might be a reality, even if it was only going to stop with a kiss?
"Watch my sexy woman kiss another man?" Tyler considered it. "I suppose I could tolerate that, especially if it earns you jelly beans."
"Are you serious?" Tanya asked.
"If you are."
Was she? Could she actually kiss another man in front of her boyfriend? She knew Max wasn't looking for a peck on the cheek, or even a peck on the lips. He wanted a real kiss. If it wasn't for Tyler, Tanya would have been more than happy to kiss Max the way he wanted. He was tall, slim, and attractive; mocha-brown skin, curly black hair, deep brown eyes. Tanya had always had a thing for men with dark skin, though she'd never dated one. Kissing Max would be far from a chore. But she was worried about how Tyler would react, even though he'd given his okay.
"Let's go out to the parking lot," Max suggested. "Maybe you'd rather not have an audience."
"Good idea." Tyler took Tanya's hand. "Come on, honey. Let's go get you those jelly beans."
Tanya allowed Tyler to lead her to the parking lot. Max walked beside them, close enough that Tanya could feel his body heat, but he kept a slight space between them. It was both a relief and a disappointment that he wasn't close enough to touch.
"I'm parked in the far corner," Max said. "That should be far enough that people won't spy on us. Though I couldn't blame them if they did, such a hot lady going to the parking lot alone with two men."
"So I can get some candy," Tanya said.
"Uh huh. I'll make sure you get something really sweet."
Tyler squeezed Tanya's hands. "It's all in fun. And you don't have to go through with it. Though I know you when you get hungry; you'll do just about anything to get something to eat."
"Yeah, right."
Max led them to his car, a BMW that he had parked so no one could park close beside him. Tanya could understand why; the car looked brand new. "Hot car," she said.
"Thanks. Just got it." Max took her free hand and pulled her beside his car. Tyler let go of her. "All right, baby. Let's see if you really want these jelly beans."
"Go ahead, Tanya." Tyler's voice betrayed his excitement. "It's okay."