15. Xander

15

Xander

Bjorn lets me into the house and I kiss him briefly on the cheek, then sweep past him into the kitchen. “I need wine.” Kaino is already sitting at the breakfast bar so I drop into the seat next to them, giving their arm a gentle squeeze. “Hello.”

“Hello.” Their eyebrows are raised and they’re fighting a smirk, and it’s almost annoying how attractive they are. “Tough day?”

“I’ve been grading exams for hours and I’m not even done yet. But I wasn’t about to give up a chance to enjoy Bjorn’s cooking, or your company.” I wink at Kaino and turn a pleading look to Bjorn. “Wine?”

“Of course.” He slides an arm around my waist and presses a chaste but no less wonderful kiss to my lips. It makes my whole body tingly, and I feel a lot of my tension ease. “I’m glad you took time away from grading. You need a break.”

I lean into him, letting him support my weight for a few moments. Bjorn is so solid. So, there . And he makes me feel cared for. “Did I mention I need wine?”

Kaino laughs and shakes their head. “Do you want me to get it?”

Bjorn kisses my temple again and waves Kaino off, heading for the wine fridge. “I have it. You two are here to relax and keep me company while I cook.”

Kaino swirls their wine, leaning back into their seat. “I’m happy to help if you need it.”

Before I’m forced to volunteer too, Bjorn saves me. “Thanks. I think I have it, though. Paella isn’t difficult or time consuming. It’s just not one of those dishes you throw together, stick in the oven, and walk away from. But we can chat and drink wine while I cook.”

Bjorn pours me a glass of alvarinho , then places it and the open bottle in front of me on the breakfast bar before walking into the pantry to gather ingredients. When he comes back out Kaino snorts and I follow their gaze, inhaling my mouthful of wine. It takes several moments and a few deep breaths before I clear my lungs. Glaring daggers at Bjorn, I gesture to the apron he’s now wearing. “Seriously? Warn a person next time.”

“What?” He looks down and grins. “You don’t like it?” The navy blue apron has the graphic of a man holding up his potholder-covered hands. The text reads, “Always use protection.”

Kaino raises one eyebrow. “A bit on the nose, isn’t it?”

He shrugs unapologetically. “I’m a hopeful romantic. What can I say?” He sets his ingredients on the counter and takes a sip of his wine, eyeing us over the rim before carefully setting the glass down and clearing his throat. “So, I’m kind of dying over here.”

I give him a very, very thorough once over. “You don’t look like you’re dying.”

There must be enough innuendo in my tone because Kaino nudges me before indulging Bjorn. “Why are you dying?”

“How are you not? I mean—“He glances between us. “Seriously. Don’t you want to talk about this?” He makes a circle as he points to each of us. “What this is?”

I snort and catch Kaino’s eye. “You owe me a twenty.”

They chuckle softly, their emerald gaze drifting over me in a way I’m not sure I’ve seen from them. And I like it very much. “I’ll give it to you later.”

That makes me laugh. “Oh will you? Promises, promises.” They flip me off, but they’re smiling.

“Okay, that. You two flirting, the glances. Does that mean we’re definitely doing this? You have no concerns? Nothing to talk about? Someone tell me something!”

Kaino waves a lazy hand at me. “You can go first.”

I swirl my wine slowly. “God forbid we interrupt whatever it is you’re doing over there.” I pause for effect. “Oh, right. That would be nothing.”

“Quiet, brat.” Their voice is gruff but full of affection. “I’m enjoying my wine.” As if to prove their point, they lift their glass and take a sip.

“Fine.” I turn my attention to Bjorn. “When Kaino and I had our date...” I glance back to them. “Was it a date? Did we decide that?”

“We can call it a date.”

“Okay. So on our date, and when the three of us were at the cafe, we talked a bit about our mutual attraction. And seriously, what’s not to be attracted to? I mean, look at you both.” I wave my hand in Kaino and Bjorn’s general directions. “Deliciousness.”

Kaino snorts. “I think you mean snacc.”

I narrow my eyes at them. “I know what I mean. Bjorn’s a delicious golden retriever.”

“Newfoundland.”

Now it’s my turn to snort. “Oh, that’s right.”

Bjorn’s mouth quirks up in a grin, enjoying our antics. “What are you two talking about?”

I take another sip of wine and wink at him. “We’ve decided you’re like a Newfoundland. A big, burly, sweet caretaker. Massively affectionate.”

Kaino nods in agreement. “You’re the nanny.”

Bjorn chuckles. “As accurate as that is, I’d much rather be a snacc, thanks.”

Chuckling, I tilt my head in a way I hope is charming. “Does that make you a hot Mary Poppins?”

Bjorn’s stare is intense. “You’re implying Mary Poppins wasn’t already hot. I have a very developed competency kink. Trust me. She was HOT.” His gaze darts between Kaino and me. “Now, can we get back to the concerns part of the conversation?”

Kaino groans more dramatically than I’ve ever heard from them. “Fine. Xander’s butchering this.”

I gasp and press a hand to my sternum. “I am not!”

“You are.”

Bjorn clears his throat. “We’re meandering all over the place and not getting to the real part of the discussion.” He pulls more ingredients out of the fridge and sets them on the counter. “C’mon. It’s too important not to cover.”

“Why don’t you tell us what you’re thinking, Bjorn?” Kaino sounds utterly composed, and I find that horribly annoying since I’m obviously not.

“Well, it’s more of a suggestion that might address Xander’s concern from the other night.” Kaino nods, encouraging him to go on. “Doc, you talked about not wanting to feel left out. Well, we each have interests we love. Some of them overlap, like investigating new restaurants and going to shows and museums. And some don’t. I think we should try to do the things that all three of us enjoy when we’re all free. Then we can work in the other activities when one of us is busy or not interested.”

“It’s actually a fantastic suggestion. That would keep me from feeling left out. And as you both have so readily indicated, I’m the needy one of us.”

“Most affectionate.” Bjorn winks, and I raise my glass to him, liking the sound of that much better.

“But…” I hesitate to mention my concern, not wanting to throw a wrench into things. Though, as Kaino has stressed before, not talking about it isn’t going to help. “What about intimacy? Especially when one of us isn’t around or isn’t interested? Do we all have to wait?” Thankfully, I keep my tone curious rather than petulant.

Bjorn glances from me to Kaino, shrugging. “What do you think?”

Kaino considers. “This is probably my only area of concern. If you’re asking whether I’ll be upset if the two of you are sexually intimate without me, the answer is no. I won’t feel threatened or left out. In fact, it will probably alleviate pressure to participate if I’m not in the mood. But please don’t assume I’m not interested if I am around. I might be, and having the choice would be nice.“ They smirk at me. “As Xander so helpfully points out, I find pleasure in the pleasure of others. If I’m not in the mood to participate, I might enjoy watching.”

Bjorn considers that. “I think I’d be okay if you and Xander had sexy times without me. I might want to hear about it after, though.” He waggles his eyebrows. “But I don’t think I’d be jealous.”

I roll my eyes, sure he’s overstating his reaction. He might not be incredibly bothered, but I think he’d mind a little bit. Then again, that might be me projecting. “Well, I’m not going to say I wouldn’t be jealous if you and Kaino got all spicy without me, but I honestly don’t know. I’ve never been in this situation. But we all know I have a jealous streak.”

Bjorn laughs and winks. “We could always make it up to you.”

That isn’t as comforting as he wants it to be. But the reality is, I don’t know how I’ll react. “I can try not to be jealous, and I promise to talk about it, if it happens. That’s the best I can do.”

Bjorn nods his approval. “That seems reasonable.”

Kaino’s dark brows draw down in concern. “What will we tell people?”

And there’s another issue I don’t really want to think about. Bjorn frowns. “What do you mean?”

“What do we tell people about our relationship? It doesn’t matter to me. I don’t have any family or a job that will judge. But Xander, you have parents to tell. And with your tenure application under review, I know you want to be careful with the university. Bjorn, your siblings might care.”

Bjorn shakes his head and grins. “Nope. My family isn’t going to blink an eye. They might actually celebrate that I have other people to focus on. They’ll be excited that I’ll butt out of their lives.”

They both look at me. “I’m not planning to tell the university anything unless it becomes necessary.” I don’t know what would constitute being necessary, but I suppose I’ll know it when it happens. “Until then, it’s none of their business. We’re also getting a bit ahead of ourselves. This might not work out. I really hope it does, but who knows?”

Bjorn drags his fingers through his beard. “That’s fair.” We’re all quiet for a moment while we absorb that truth. “Anything else we need to cover?”

“We haven’t discussed Kaino being a dom.”

There’s sputtering laughter from Bjorn and grumbling from Kaino’s general direction. “That is not what I said.”

I point at them and wag my finger. “You’re not denying it.”

“I do recall saying if you didn’t behave, I’d spank you.”

I shrug. “And I said I don’t think I’d be into that. But you promised to pamper me if I did behave.” That makes them laugh.

“Someone care to explain?” Bjorn looks utterly confused but also slightly amused.

I take another sip of wine. “Kaino really is a dom.”

Bjorn glances over at them. “Really? I know you said you weren’t when we were at the cafe.”

They sigh in exasperation. “I’m not a dom. I’m a rope top. There’s a difference.” They say it with such vehemence that I giggle. That earns me a stern look. “Xander.”

“What? I can’t help it. Your tone is very bossy. One might even say domineering .”

Bjorn chuckles. “You do have the command voice down pat.”

Kaino sighs like they’re the most put-upon person ever. “Still not a dom.”

I make sad eyes at them and pout. “You promised.”

“You said you’d behave.” They raise an eyebrow at me, and I want to lick it. Who knew I had an eyebrow kink? On second thought, it’s probably a sass kink.

Bjorn mock-glares at me. “Someone tell me what you’re talking about.”

I sigh. “You know how sometimes I get…”

As I search for the word, Kaino supplies one. “Bratty.”

“I do indeed.” Bjorn grins at me.

Pouting slightly, I fiddle with my wine glass. “Kaino said I’d be rewarded if I’m good for them.”

Several emotions cross Bjorn’s face, but before he can say a word, Kaino interjects. “I asked why you act out and what the end goal is. You didn’t think it was to be punished, which is what many brats want.”

I shake my head. “I don’t want punishment, or humiliation.”

Kaino watches me intently. “Then tell me what you do want.”

A shiver of excitement races down my spine. “That. I want that. The way you’re looking at me right now, like I’m fascinating. And edible. And like you want to devour me.” My already half-hard cock thickens. “I want attention. Affection.”

Kaino nods. “Reassurance. Praise.”

The moment they say praise, my breath hitches. “Yes.”

Bjorn crosses the kitchen and slips his arms around me. “We can give you that.” He looks at Kaino. “Right?”

Kaino nods, a smirk appearing on their face. “If I’m not mistaken, it might be the common denominator for the three of us. We’re all looking for those things in our own ways.”

Bjorn’s voice is firm, his tone final. “Then we’ll give it to each other, and everyone else be damned.”