MIA
I’d never actually had a date on New Year’s Eve before. Tonight, I had three.
The midnight blue dress was their Christmas gift—delicate lace sleeves and fitted bodice flowing into a short but not indecent skirt.
At four o’clock, it was time for my first date. I stepped from the bedroom of Aaron’s condo into the living room, noting that something smelled incredible.
Then I spotted Cody by the grand piano, and all thoughts of food vanished.
He was in a tux.
He stood still, his blue eyes sweeping over me with an intensity that made every inch of my skin flush.
I meant to say hi. Instead, “Wow” came out.
A smile crossed his lips as he held out his hand. “You look fucking amazing.”
“I was about to say the same about you.” My heart did that fluttering thing it always did around Cody—like being near him made everything more vivid. Even dressed up like this, there was something gentle about him that made me want to get closer.
“Are we staying in?”
“I had it all planned out.” He paused, his gaze dropping to my lips. “Had.”
“Had?”
“Now I want to pick you up and carry you back into the bedroom.”
Heat flushed through me, but then I spotted the tray of delicate appetizers arranged like tiny works of art.
“You made those? For me?”
“Yes.” The way he said it warmed me. He’d cooked for me several times now, and as much as I would have loved to spend our time in bed, I was touched he’d gone to this trouble.
He sighed when he saw where my attention had gone, then moved to the table. A champagne cork popped, and he poured golden liquid into two flutes.
When I reached for mine, he pulled it back—not to keep it from me, but to make me come closer. I stepped in front of him, and his mouth descended on mine in a searing kiss before he finally handed me the champagne.
We clinked glasses, our eyes inches apart.
“If I’m going to drink on each of these dates, I won’t even know my name by the end of the night.”
“We’ll take care of you,” he said, and I loved the way he said we. It was like the three of them had taken a crash course on how to work together to treat me like a princess.
“These were wonderful,” I said. Though bite-sized, each one was even better than the last. I reached out and stroked his cheek. “You could take the culinary world by storm.”
“I think I’ll stick to music.”
“Good. Because you’re really talented, and that’s a beautiful piano.”
“You guessed the next part of our date.”
He took my hand and led me to the bench, settling beside me, this time on my left, unlike in the practice room. The music rack sat empty—no sheet music in sight. He saw my questioning gaze and tapped his temple.
“The music is up here.” He looked bashful for a moment. “Are you ready to hear your song?”
“My what?”
“I call it ‘Mia’s Theme.’ My New Year’s gift to you.”
Warmth flooded my body. There had been people in my life who were supposed to care for me but couldn’t even remember my birthday. And Cody had written me a song.
“I love it.”
He smiled softly. “You haven’t heard it yet.”
“Doesn’t matter. I still love it. But I would like to hear it.”
“Let’s start at the end.” He lifted my right hand, kissed the back of it, and positioned my index finger on a key marked with a tiny heart sticker. “That’s the very last note. We’re playing a duet.”
I leaned over and kissed his cheek, then settled in to wait.
Piano music wrapped around me like silk—tender, haunting notes that made my chest tight. I kept shifting between watching his hands fly across the keys and studying the intensity on his face—the way he and the music became one. And right now, I felt like I was part of that music too.
This was Cody at his most expressive, pouring his heart into every note. The quiet, thoughtful man who loved me was laying his soul bare, and I was overwhelmed by the depth of what I heard.
The beautiful phrases played on until the notes grew slower, more deliberate.
“Get ready,” he said softly.
A dramatic pause. Then his left hand hit a low note, building a climbing pattern until he reached a note a few below mine.
I pressed my key, and the sound rang out in perfect harmony.
I held it until the music faded, then turned to him. “That was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. Thank you.”
“You’re crying,” he said, staring at my face with a gentle smile.
“What do you expect? A man I love just played me something he created.”
“I managed not to cry,” he said, though his voice held more emotion than I’d ever heard. “I love you, too.”
He slipped his arm around my waist, and I leaned against his shoulder, still dazed by the beauty of what he’d shared.
“Can I get a recording of that?”
“Sure.”
“I want to listen to it every day.”
“I’d like that.”
I lifted my head to find his mouth waiting, his lips soft and thorough as he kissed me slowly. I wanted to climb onto his lap, wrap myself around him, and never let him go.
When he pulled back, I made a small sound of protest.
“I wish I could spend the night making you moan.”
“We will afterward, right?”
“Yes. But not now.” He stood and held out his hand. “The limo will be here soon.”
“Limo?”
“Don’t tell Aaron I spoiled the surprise.” He smiled down at me, but then his brow wrinkled. “You’ve got… your makeup…” He trailed off, pointing toward my face.
Oops. Crying and mascara didn’t go well together. “Do I look like a raccoon?” I asked as I headed back to the bedroom.
When he didn’t answer, I stopped to face him.
“Actually, you look really hot.” He sounded so surprised that I had to laugh. “Guess I’ve discovered a new kink.”
* * *
The limo pulled up in front of the building. I clutched Cody’s arm in excitement—I didn’t want to leave him, but I was eager to see Aaron too.
The door opened, and Aaron climbed out, his appreciative gaze raking over me from head to toe, and I was glad I’d had time to fix my makeup.
“You two look good together. Sure you don’t want to come?” he said to Cody. “My grandparents won’t mind another person at their dinner.”
I grinned. “But they might mind if I show up with two boyfriends—and they don’t even know about Diego yet.”
Cody smirked, his hand sliding down my back. “Maybe they’d think I’m his boyfriend instead of yours.”
I laughed. “The two of you would make a cute couple.”
Aaron rolled his eyes. “We could stand here joking, or we could go act like adults.” Then he grinned. “Or at least eat with adults, since we rarely act like them.”
For a moment, both men were holding me, and I didn’t want to let go. But eventually I released Cody’s fingers.
“Make sure she has fun,” Cody said, his tone carrying just enough edge to make Aaron chuckle.
“It’s our date now,” Aaron said as we settled into the limo. I finally pulled my attention away from where Cody still stood in front of the building.
Focusing on Aaron, I slid my hand into his. He was wearing a fitted and likely very expensive black suit. He wore a crisp white dress shirt, but it was open at the throat without a tie.
The thirty-minute drive wound through increasingly wooded terrain until we reached a sprawling mansion with spectacular views. I’d guessed that Aaron’s grandparents’ home would be luxurious, but it was on a whole other level.
Inside, twenty or so people filled the massive living room. There were appetizers laid out on trays, but they weren’t as good as Cody’s, and I waited to eat again until dinner, where I found myself seated between Aaron and his grandmother, with his grandfather across from us. It should have felt intimidating, but they were remarkably easy to talk to.
“So, Mia,” his grandmother said with a kind smile, “Aaron tells us you make documentaries.”
Aaron almost choked on his wine, but I answered his grandmother warmly, explaining that no, they weren’t documentaries, but I was trying to create videos that helped people. As I answered, I felt something I’d never experienced—genuine interest from older adults who had no obligation to care about me.
“I like living with them,” I said when his grandfather asked about the house full of students. “It finally feels like I belong somewhere.”
His grandmother’s expression softened. “I’m glad, dear. We know better than anyone that family isn’t always who you’re born to—it’s who you choose to be with.”
The words hit me hard. I looked around the table at faces that could have been strangers but felt like family. “I admire how you’ve brought all these people together. I always wondered what it would be like to have grandparents.”
Aaron’s grandfather winked. “We could adopt you. We’ve already taken in half the foster kids in the county.”
“Deal,” I said, grinning, before Aaron’s sister Katie chimed in with a laugh.
“I’d love to have you as a sister, but then you’d be Aaron’s sister too, and that means no more dating him.”
“She knows what she’s talking about,” Aaron said. “She’s a judge, after all.”
I put my hand on his arm. “I’ve gone without grandparents this long, I think I can go a bit longer.”
The table erupted in laughter, and my nerves melted away. Aaron’s family was pretty damn wonderful, which made sense because he was amazing, too.
Back in the limo, I leaned against Aaron, his arm around my shoulders, my leg draped over his.
“Thank you for sharing that with me.”
“I got lucky when they took me in. And lucky again when I met you.” He kissed the side of my face, and when I turned for more, he pulled back with a wicked gleam. “But no more kissing until you’re naked.”
“What?” I shrieked, glancing at the partition separating us from the driver.
“Just mostly naked. You need to change for Diego’s date.” His hand slid along my thigh, squeezing reassuringly.
“Change into what?” I hadn’t brought any other clothes.
“Haven’t you figured out by now that we plan ahead?” He reached behind him, producing a garment bag. “Here.”
After making him promise the driver couldn’t see or hear us, I let him unzip my dress. I wiggled out of it, leaving me in black lace lingerie and heels, feeling deliciously exposed.
From the garment bag emerged a little black cocktail dress—with an emphasis on little.
“Where exactly is Diego taking me? Because this isn’t much clothing.”
“You’ll see soon enough.” His eyes raked over me as I slipped into the dress. “You looked beautiful before. Now you look beautiful and really fucking sexy.”
I ran a finger down his chest and then slid it under his waistband. “How much longer is this drive?”
He laughed. “We’re on a schedule. When you have three boyfriends, you need strict timetables.”
Reluctantly, I let go of his pants.
He grinned at the expression on my face. “I know one thing we can do that you might like.” He tugged me into the open space in the middle of the limo and pressed a button. A panel slid aside in the roof, and cool night air rushed in. Then he used the intercom to ask the driver to go slowly.
He pulled me up, so our upper bodies were out of the sunroof. Stars spread overhead, and trees stretched out on either side. No other cars were on the road, and it felt like we were the only two people in the world.
Aaron took off his suit jacket and slung it over my shoulders as he stood behind me. “You look like a goddess with your hair flowing in the wind.”
“My hair’s going to be a complete mess by the time we get to Diego.”
“Do you really think he’ll care if you show up with windswept hair?”
Probably not. Somehow, I’d found three men who thought I was beautiful no matter what.
“Besides, bedhead always looks hot on you,” he said into my ear.
The way he was holding me from behind reminded me of something, and I told him about Diego and me doing the Titanic pose during the scavenger hunt.
“Let’s try it,” he said.
I giggled. “This isn’t the bow of the ship.” But I stretched my arms out to either side, and Aaron pressed closer against my back.
“Like this?” he asked.
A whimper escaped my throat. “Yes, except Diego didn’t wrap his arms around my breasts.”
“I bet he wanted to,” Aaron said, and he buried his face against my neck, his lips hot and insistent on my skin. His hands skimmed my sides, and I melted back against him, feeling reckless and free under the star-filled sky.
I moaned as his hands squeezed my hips possessively, but my moan turned into a squeal as his fingers roamed lower, easing up the skirt of my dress and squeezing my ass.
“Someone will see,” I hissed, but he probably also noticed the way my back arched, and my head fell back against his shoulder.
“Who?” He nuzzled my neck again. “There’s no one out here.”
“Yes, but…” That was all I got out, because Aaron nudged my foot to the side with his, and then his hand slid down my panties.
His finger dipped into me, and I yelped, grabbing tighter to the edge of the sunroof. “You’re soaked,” he whispered in my ear.
All I could focus on was the way his finger slid in and out of me. Was he really going to finger me to an orgasm while we were standing up in a limo?
But the answer to that turned out to be no, because he ducked down, pulling his head back into the car. “Hold on,” he said.
My thighs clenched, regretting the loss of contact, but then he shifted around so that he was in front of me. I looked down to see the top of his head as he slung my right thigh over his shoulder.
Oh my god. He wasn’t going to finger me in a limo… he was going to make me come a different way. He pulled my panties aside. The warm air that caressed my heated skin was in direct contrast to the cold air hitting my upper body.
I clutched at the roof of the limo as he began licking along my slit, making his tongue wide and flat as he went back and forth.
There was no way I was going to last long like this. It was just too brazen, too raw and primal to be driving through the forest with one of my lovers eating me out. His tongue was hot and insistent, lapping at me with long, slow strokes that sent shivers down my spine.
Aaron’s hands gripped my thighs, holding me steady as he feasted on me. His tongue swirled around my clit, teasing and tantalizing before diving lower, tasting my desire. My legs started to tremble as he expertly brought me closer to the edge.
His tongue returned to my clit, flicking and circling with precision. He slipped two fingers inside me, curling them just right, hitting that spot that made my vision blur. I gasped, my body tensing as pleasure coiled tight within me.
“Aaron,” I panted, my voice a mix of desperation and delight. The limo seemed to fade away, the world narrowing down to the exquisite sensations he was drawing from my body.
He hummed against me, the vibration sending me over the edge. My orgasm crashed over me like a tidal wave, my body shuddering as pleasure ripped through me. I cried out, my fingers scrambling for purchase on the roof of the limo as I rode the waves of ecstasy.
Aaron didn’t stop, his tongue and fingers continuing to work me through my orgasm, drawing out every last shudder and gasp. When I finally collapsed back into the limo, boneless and spent, he gently guided me back to the seat where we’d been at the start.
He sat next to me, grinning as he licked his fingers clean. “I figured that’d make our date pretty damn memorable.”
He was very, very correct.
* * *
The limo pulled up in front of a nightclub alive with flashing lights and thundering bass. There he was—Diego, standing off to the side like he owned the place.
He looked unbelievably sexy in a slate-gray button-down, open at the neck, with sleeves rolled to his forearms, and tight black slacks showing off his strong legs. His dark eyes found mine instantly, and that slow, devastating smile spread across his face—the one that used to make my stomach flip with anxiety but now just made me melt.
When the driver opened my door, I took one more look at Aaron before climbing out. Then Diego was at my side, sliding his arm around me, tucking me in close to his body. With easy confidence, he steered me past the entire line and the bouncer, who nodded us through.
“How did you—”
He leaned down, lips brushing my ear. “I’ve got my ways.”
Inside, Diego guided me to a small booth, his hand skimming my waist as he turned me gently.
“Lift your hair.”
I gathered it off my neck. He slipped Aaron’s jacket from my shoulders and pressed his lips against the sensitive curve where my neck met my shoulder. A delicious shiver ran down my spine.
“Diego…”
He smiled and tugged me toward the dance floor.
The crowd swallowed us, but I felt utterly safe in Diego’s arms. He pulled me close, moving with smooth confidence that made following him feel as natural as breathing. His hips pressed into mine, his thigh slid between my legs, and I followed without thinking, trusting him completely.
There was nothing even close to the feeling of dancing with Diego. He moved with such confidence that he made me feel like I knew all the steps. And holy crap, his hard body felt good pressed against me. Heat rushed through me as I clung to him.
“Having a good time?” he asked, grinning down at me with a gleam in his eyes.
“The best,” I said, meaning it completely. It was hard to believe I’d spent a solid month being uncomfortable in Diego’s presence. I sure as hell wasn’t uncomfortable now.
But that’s when it happened. A guy stumbled against me, his unwelcome hand on my hip. “Hey, gorgeous, ditch this guy and dance with me.”
Diego stepped between us smoothly, his arm coming around me. “She’s with me.” His voice was calm but carried absolute certainty.
The guy looked like he was going to object, but Diego pressed his hips against mine, guiding me back into a sensual dance. After a moment, the man disappeared back into the crowd.
“You okay?” Diego asked, his dark eyes studying my face.
I nodded, my heart racing—not from fear, but from how completely protected I felt. “More than okay.”
The music kept pounding, but as much fun as I was having, the energy was starting to feel overwhelming. And something else was nagging at me.
“Want to get some air?” Diego asked, reading me perfectly.
I nodded gratefully.
My ears rang as we stepped out onto the sidewalk. There were still a lot of people around, but it wasn’t as loud as the nightclub.
Diego checked his phone. “I asked Aaron to send the limo back. It’ll be here in ten.”
He put his arm around me as we walked away from the chaos. The river was ahead of us, and Diego drew me to the right, where there was a sidewalk and a railing. We followed the river walkway until we found a quiet spot, leaning against the railing.
A glowing bank clock read 11:54. My stomach clenched.
“Something wrong?” Diego asked.
“I’m fine,” I said unconvincingly.
He moved closer, hands settling on my hips. “I can keep you warm if you’re cold.”
I managed a smile, placing my palm on his chest. “It’s just… it’s New Year’s Eve. It’s almost midnight.” The words came out smaller than I had intended.
Understanding dawned in his eyes. “You wanted to be with all of us for that.”
“I hadn’t really thought it through. I’ve enjoyed each date, but…”
“Hey, I get it. The four of us are still figuring this out.” He cupped my face gently. “But I’m honored I get to kiss you at midnight.”
“Me too,” I said, meaning it.
Diego frowned with genuine concern. “But it’s not the same as kissing them too,” he said with a sigh. “I could find you two random strangers to kiss if that would help.” His weak joke was clearly an attempt to make me feel better.
“Very funny,” I said, though it wasn’t.
He scanned the area. “How about that dude over there?”
“Stop.” I tried to keep the frustration out of my voice. “I’m not kissing anyone here except you.”
“Are you sure about that?” a familiar voice came from my right.
My head whipped around. “Aaron!”
“Two out of three ain’t bad,” came another voice from my left.
“Cody!” I reached for him. “You guys planned this!”
“Like we could stay away for our first New Year’s Eve with you,” Aaron said, emphasizing first in a way that made my heart swell.
“Fifteen seconds,” Cody announced.
“You cut it close,” Diego said, grinning as he made space for the others.
Then we heard it—a cheer from down the street and the loud boom of fireworks overhead. I reached for Aaron, cupping the back of his neck, pulling him close. I gulped in air right before our lips met, his mouth firm on mine. It was intense but quick. Then I pulled away and sank my fingers into Diego’s short, silky hair as he leaned in.
It was midnight, and I’d already kissed two of the men I loved. Somehow it felt as if this magical moment would last until I’d kissed them all—as long as I didn’t stop for air.
“Take a breath, Mia,” Cody said, his eyes gleaming as I turned to him.
But I shook my head and wrapped my arms around his neck. His kiss was scorchingly hot and made me feel faint. Or maybe that was the lack of oxygen.
Cody pulled away, and I gasped as all three pressed close around me.
“One of your New Year’s resolutions should be to breathe more,” Aaron said.
“Or to kiss us more,” Diego countered.
“I like that resolution better.” I smiled into Diego’s dark eyes as I clasped hands with Cody and Aaron.
Longer, more lingering kisses could come later. We had all night together, and then a new year to explore the relationship we were building. This family we were becoming.
Each of them touched some part of me as we walked along in the moonlight. I couldn’t imagine a better way to ring in the new year.
(c) Stephanie Brother 2025
