Room Enough For Three

Nicole’s sheets stick to her thighs, still damp from the flood next door. Olive’s phone buzzes—Alex Coal’s flight landed early. One hour later the mattress is half taken by two bodies that can’t stay apart. Nicole lies rigid on the left edge, eyes squeezed shut, while fingers creep under the duvet. A low chuckle from Alex. Olive answers with a wet kiss that turns into fingers stroking slower, deeper, right beside Nicole’s hip. Blankets shift. Heat blooms. Nicole hears everything: breath catching, soft squelch of skin, the tiny gasps Olive makes when Alex rubs her right. She rolls away once, twice, then slams her palm on the mattress. "For fuck’s sake, you two." Alex laughs low, wicked. "So join," she says, and Olive’s hand, slick and trembling, finds Nicole’s wrist and tugs.