Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

Dean Aavik

Waking up to the smell of fresh coffee and Joshua in my arms…

Gael was missing.

I furrowed my brow and squeezed Joshua to me. Where was the boy? Oh—the coffee. He must be downstairs already. I yawned, not ready to open my eyes just yet, and I stretched out a bit. Then I buried my face against Joshua’s neck and kissed his warm skin.

He let out a sleepy hum, and I stroked his hip, my cock nestled perfectly against his ass.

Later.

I wanted to see what my peach was up to.

Something clanked downstairs, like a pot against glass, and it was followed by a whispered, “Oh crap.”

I smiled to myself and, much like yesterday, felt excited for a new day to begin. Although, I did not look forward to today’s task of putting Gael in the proverbial line of fire. But since Tuesday hadn’t resulted in any Caleb sightings, today, Thursday, was step two. Gael was going to return to campus, despite that he was officially no longer my student.

Careful not to wake up Joshua, I eased away from the mattress the three of us had shared for three nights now and searched through my bag for an outfit. I’d have to go home today at some point to fetch more clothes. Maybe after class.

Joshua and Gael had made loose plans to stay till the end of the week, and I wasn’t even going to try to fight it—if they wanted me to stick around.

After putting on a pair of boxer briefs and gathering the clothes I’d wear today, I headed downstairs and found Gael humming to himself—and shaking his pajama-clad bottom—by the stovetop. He looked over his shoulder, presumably hearing the steps creaking.

“Good morning, Master Dean.” He beamed at me. “Breakfast is almost ready.”

I was so royally screwed.

“Good morning, sweetheart. I’ll be right back.” I ducked into the tiny bathroom under the stairs and made quick work of relieving myself, freshening up, getting dressed, and taking my insulin.

The more time I spent with Gael and Joshua, the clearer those images became. The ones Gael had shoved into my skull. I could just imagine how wonderful it would feel to show them around Verdun on a crisp fall day when the trees burned red and orange and the worst of the tourist season was over. That part of France was stunning in the fall. Perhaps we’d road-trip to Normandy and Mont Saint-Michel after…

I’d been to all those places Gael dreamed about, though I’d never shared them with anyone. I’d been there for work, whether I was writing a book, meeting up with colleagues for a seminar, or I was part of an interview for a documentary. I’d sat in cafés on my own or with another professor or two.

Just as easily, I could picture springtime hiking in the Shenandoah—Joshua could get his adrenaline fix somewhere before he joined Gael and me at a picnic table. Hell, sign me up for a sugar sand beach too. I could watch Joshua try to teach Gael to surf while I sat comfortably in a beach chair with a book and a colorful drink.

Unfortunately, I could also foresee restaurant dates where a server asked, “And what would your son like?”

My chest tightened uncomfortably.

What the fuck was I doing?

I didn’t belong in this fantasy.

I did my best to push down the sharp twinge of grief and left the bathroom as I tucked my shirt into my pants.

The sound of a wolf whistle made me snap my gaze to Gael, and I was met by his goofy grin.

“That’s so hot,” he said.

What, my clothes? Regular black slacks and a light-blue button-down.

I accepted the ego boost and kissed the top of his head. “I prefer a half-naked bruised little peach, but thank you, pet.”

He didn’t appear nervous about today, but maybe it would come later.

“I prefer the scratch marks on your back,” he replied, blushing a little.

I chuckled and dipped down as he tilted his face up, and I kissed him quickly—only to change my mind. I wanted more. I cupped his face in my hands and deepened the kiss, getting a taste of orange juice and something sweet, maybe strawberries. It wasn’t the bacon sizzling on the stove anyway.

Gael shuddered and locked his arms around my neck, and he had to stand on his toes.

Fuck, he was delectable. Such a perfect blend of goofy sweet and ambitiously subservient. Joshua may have taken control of most of the cooking, but breakfast was now Gael’s territory, and he went all out.

More hunger surged within me, and I reached down to pick him up. I had to. With his legs wrapped around me, I walked him over to the kitchen counter and sat him down on an empty spot. I couldn’t fucking stop kissing him. Or take my hands off him. My fingers belonged right here, digging into the soft flesh of his sides or his sexy little ass—

He whimpered and moaned, the sound going straight to my cock, and I fucking ached for all of him.

“What—” Goddamn. I stopped and had to catch my breath, and I tried to fight the words tumbling out. Tried and failed. “What will you do when someone mistakes me for your father?”

He blinked, the fog of lust clearing slowly. “What?”

I swallowed against the dryness in my throat, my heart pounding a bit faster. “If we walk hand in hand down the street, or we’re in a restaurant about to have dinner together, and someone thinks you’re my son or something like that.”

I remembered Joshua telling me once that his hair had started turning gray unusually early—in high school, I believed—but it sure as hell wasn’t grayer than mine was today. His was still mostly black. Mine was mostly silver. Same with my chest hair that Gael evidently liked to run his fingertips through.

Gael searched my eyes, his brows knitting together. “Well. I guess you need to dye your hair and get Botox because Daddy and I really care about such things.”

That little—

“These handsome laugh lines right here…” He traced a finger at the corner of my eye and down to my mouth. “They got to go.”

Brat.

“And right after,” he continued happily, “you can drive me to get liposuction.”

Hey, now.

I narrowed my eyes.

“Yeah, sounds stupid, doesn’t it?” He narrowed his eyes right back at me. “Why would I care about what a server thinks about us? I spent the past five years worrying, and it cost me most of my happiness.”

I deflated like a balloon right then and there.

“Have a seat on the couch, please, Sir,” he murmured. “I want to get you your breakfast before the bacon burns.”

I nodded with a dip of my chin and inched back.

Despite the discomfort that kept a fist formed around my chest, what he’d said meant the world to me. Deep down, I knew I had surrendered—maybe I’d done that before the first night here. Because all the things that had followed were already treasured memories. No matter if we’d been playing together or I’d sat on the couch with my laptop while Gael read and Joshua cooked. Joshua had run plenty of errands too, which I was sure revolved around Caleb, but I hadn’t pressed for information.

I’d let this fantasy bubble swallow me whole.

“For being in hiding with you, I feel awfully exposed,” I admitted.

“That’s funny because I thought the same thing the other day, Sir.”

Yes, well. I preferred it when the sub was exposed, not me.

Hmpf.

I sat down on the couch and grabbed my iPad from the coffee table, just wanting to make sure I had enough battery. Out here, I didn’t have a newspaper to collect from my mailbox, so the online version would have to do.

A moment later, Gael came over with a tray for me. Coffee, eggs and bacon, brown toast, and a small bowl of blueberries and sliced strawberries. It was turkey bacon, something that sent me in two different directions. It sure wasn’t as delicious as real bacon, but it was a testament to how much Gael already cared. Without going to extremes like Macklin sometimes did.

“Enjoy, Master Dean.”

Just Master is fine, dear.

“Thank you, little peach.” I hadn’t been prepared at breakfast yesterday. Today, I was. “I think I found a way to show my appreciation,” I said, pointing to his phone on the table. “Check your email.”

I’d sent him a PDF of the script—well, my part of it—for a documentary I was participating in this year. I’d found out Gael was passionate about Cold War documentaries and articles, so this was right up my alley. The Cold War was my true area of expertise.

Much like yesterday, Gael squirmed his way between my legs so he could sit on the floor, and it had the same impact on me today. Joshua had suggested it at first, knowing I liked my sub at my feet. And yet, it felt entirely new with Gael. Different, more meaningful.

I took a sip of my coffee as he opened the PDF, the title right there, to which he scrolled quickly through the first few pages.

“Oh my gosh.” He peered up at me with wide eyes. “Is this for the documentary where you’ll be talking about the K-129?”

I smiled and inclined my head.

“And I can read it before anyone else?” he pressed.

I chuckled. “Well, outside the production crew. Yes.”

“Holy crapamoly! Okay, you eat. I read. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Now, shush.”

I exhaled a laugh—and allowed myself to be shushed just this one time.

He was too adorable. He got comfortable right there on the floor and hugged my leg, resting his chin on my knee while he read. It filled me with a sense of serene peace I’d never experienced before.

It was a wonderful moment. I kept my plate close so I wouldn’t get crumbs all over him, and I had my iPad resting on my thigh. Every now and then, in between bites, I combed my fingers through his hair and—

I frowned when I heard Joshua’s phone go off upstairs. It wasn’t his alarm signal—it was too early for that anyway. Someone was calling him.

His gruff voice followed. “Santiago.” A few seconds of silence came next. “Are you kiddin’ me? How the fuck do I interpret that?”

Gael cocked his head and looked up at me, visibly confused.

So was I.

“All right,” Joshua replied. “Yeah. I’ll go talk to Dean and Gael. Thanks for calling me, buddy. We’ll talk soon.”

Gael and I exchanged another glance, and then we waited. I turned off my iPad and set my plate on the table to the sound of Joshua cursing and yawning. Then he trudged down the steps wearing nothing but a pair of jeans, indescribably sexy, which led me to believe we weren’t in a rush.

“What was that about?” I asked.

Joshua rubbed the sleep from his eyes and shook his head. “I don’t fuckin’ know, but I don’t think it’s over. Caleb returned his rental at the airport an hour ago, and then he bought a plane ticket to San Francisco on his credit card.”

I furrowed my brow, and my mind started spinning. If the douchebag had been following us, perhaps he’d noticed a change in our patterns…?

We still didn’t know where Caleb had been staying during his weeks in the DC area, but we did know the car he’d been driving. Thanks to outside help from someone River and Reese knew, we’d found out it was a silver Hyundai Accent. An older model.

“This is his MO, Daddy,” Gael said carefully. “He quits when he grows bored, never when I ask him to. Then he starts up again a couple months later.”

I flicked a glance at Joshua as he poured himself coffee. He wasn’t satisfied one bit, and I was inclined to side with him, simply because I’d been involved this time. It was a first. Caleb had sent a letter to me. According to Gael, that’d never happened before. And he’d come all the way here. He’d spent weeks on the East Coast. Simply to go home like that? No, I didn’t buy it.

Joshua frowned into his mug and poured milk into his coffee. “I guess we’ll see what happens. I’m gonna call a friend in the Bay Area and see if he can confirm Caleb’s arrival when the plane lands.”

He didn’t have to spell it out further for me. He was going to keep watching Caleb.

“And if he’s there?” Gael asked. “What’re we gonna do? Is Master Dean going home today? Am I? Am I going back to work? I took the week off, but I guess I could—”

“Slow down, baby—I just woke up.” Joshua sent the boy a wink to lighten the mood. “For my peace of mind, I’d like it if you stayed with me for a few days. At least till I get a sense of Caleb’s next move. If he really does go back home, it’ll be easier to track his movements. He goes to work, we know where he lives, and so on.”

I thought that was a good idea. Gael shouldn’t be alone yet.

“But what about Master Dean, Daddy?” The boy actually pouted. First at Joshua, then up at me. “Can’t you come with us to Daddy’s house?”

Goddamn.

I looked to Joshua for help, which…well, that was stupid.

“I’m pouting internally,” he said and took a sip of his coffee.

I…

Wait, why was I fighting this? I’d already lost the war. It was just my dumbass default mode to argue. God, I was a fool sometimes.

I suppressed a sigh at myself and stroked Gael’s cheek. “I’d be happy to.”

* * *

With Caleb presumably out of DC, Gael opted to go with Joshua to pick up paint and wallpaper for a weekend of working around the house. I caught a ride into town with River, who was heading in to pick up Shay anyway. Their boy had spent the night at his aunt’s place—where his younger brothers lived, I learned.

Once I’d been dropped off at home, I proceeded with my day as usual, with the exception that I was itching for what came after work. Class was no longer the highlight of my day. The two hours after class, when students could come talk to me in my office, I was ticking things off my to-do list so that I would have less to worry about for the weekend. I crossed all my Ts and dotted every I, until I could finally walk home and pack a new bag.

Valentine’s Day tomorrow. What a bizarre notion that I actually had plans. Plans that I was going to hijack. I couldn’t say I particularly cared for the date in general, but I did care about making things clear for Joshua and Gael.

I sent Joshua a message while I waited for my steamer to warm up. How my suits sometimes managed to get wrinkled in my closet was a mystery.

I’d like to be in charge of our date tomorrow. Is that all right with you?

He responded quickly.

Hell, baby. Are we hosting a funeral for your resolve? Of course it’s all right.

I laughed under my breath.

That’s one way to look at it. I’ll make dinner reservations. And Gael can get ready to wear a vibrating egg. See you soon.

Now to find a good restaurant that wasn’t fully booked. I may have to call in a favor or two…

Such as my troublemaking brother-in-law.

* * *

A couple hours later, I parked next to Joshua’s truck. I grabbed my bag and two suits from the back seat, and that was around the same time Gael stumbled out onto the porch with paint dotting his tee and sweatpants.

“You’re finally here, Sir! We’re painting the living room!”

Dark blue, I presumed.

“Just put me to work.” I smiled and headed up the path to the porch.

“Daddy can do that,” he snickered. “How was class?”

“Still empty without you there.” I had something better to look forward to now, though. Endless hours of cuddling with this boy and discussing all the things we were so passionate about. I unbuttoned my coat and climbed up the steps. “Give me a kiss.”

He grinned and tilted his head up, and I growled playfully and kissed him soundly.

To think, this boy would be mine. He actually wanted me, laugh lines and grays and all.

We found Joshua waiting for us in the doorway, and Gael rushed back inside with a skip in his step.

Joshua was leaning against the doorframe, his posture casual, but the look in his eyes revealed something else. Arms folded over his chest, equal parts severe and welcoming. This doorstep was more than a doorstep.

“He’s gotten attached to you, Dean.”

“It’s mutual.”

He already knew that, though, and it didn’t matter. I recognized a protective Daddy when I saw one. He wanted to know if a part of me was still on the fence.

“Are you in or out?”

He couldn’t wait for my bold gesture tomorrow at our date? Hmpf.

“I’m in.” I leaned in and kissed his jaw. “Balls-deep in.”

He snorted and fought a smile.

I didn’t fight mine. I kissed him closer to his lips. “You successfully pulled my head out of my ass, darling. Was that what you wanted to hear?”

“Maybe.” Some of the tension left him, and he slipped two fingers between a couple buttons in my shirt. “I keep telling myself we’re just gonna try, but I really fucking want this.”

“So we’ll succeed instead.” Because I wanted this too. I needed it. Terrifying as it was, I was ready to fight. I was ready to risk getting hurt beyond measure.

He let out a breath and nodded minutely, and I covered his mouth with mine in a slow kiss.

“You and me,” I murmured, “and our little peach.”

He grinned, at last, and cupped the back of my neck. “Now we’re talkin’.”

* * *

The following evening, I got to take my two dates out to dinner in town. Underneath our suits, we all had paint that hadn’t come off in the shower, and I liked it. Every dot of dark blue—and green for Joshua’s bedroom—was a reminder that I suddenly had a social calendar. I was part of something bigger that filled me with joy and terror.

I had something to lose.

“I’ve decided something,” Gael announced in the line.

We had two parties in front of us that were also waiting for their table.

“What’s that, little one?” Joshua asked.

Gael tugged at his tie. “I do not like ties.”

I chuckled.

So did Joshua, and he helped Gael remove it. “I told you, didn’t I?”

“But I wanted to try,” the boy huffed. “Dean looks so delicious in his.”

Well, maybe one tie was enough on our little bunch. Joshua rocked a beautiful vest with his dress pants instead, and Gael had suspenders I found adorable on him. We looked sharp together, in our own ways.

Once Joshua had pocketed Gael’s tie, the boy pulled out his phone and said he was going to make a poll on the online forum.

“About ties?” I asked.

He nodded, busy typing.

Joshua and I exchanged an amused glance. If Gael asked about ties, I knew what Doms would reply. Ties were wonderful tools.

I grabbed Joshua’s hand and threaded our fingers together.

“His post will get hijacked,” he said under his breath.

I kept my grin to myself and peered ahead of us. It was cold out, but the host’s area in the restaurant was too full; the line went down the stoop and out on the sidewalk.

Perhaps I could leave my lurker mode online and actually contribute. The past couple of days, Gael had begun posting outside the history group, resulting in comments from fellow goofballs. Slowly but surely, our boy was taking steps out of the shadow of loneliness, and it made me weirdly proud. I’d never been part of such a journey before.

Just yesterday after dinner, he’d shouted out in triumph that he had a brat date planned with Kit, Noa, and Corey. A bout of nervousness had followed, though he’d shaken it off fairly quickly. He’d also exchanged a few private messages with Cam, which made me even happier. Gael truly wanted to explore domestic servitude with me.

I’d given him homework this morning for tonight. I wanted a list of chores he would like for us to set up a protocol for.

“There. Sent.” Gael pocketed his phone again. “Gosh, I’m so hungry now.”

Yeah, so was I. I’d taken my insulin in the car, so it wouldn’t surprise me if my monitor started beeping soon. I’d thought we’d be seated sooner.

“Good thing I’m prepared.” Joshua retrieved a couple candies from his jacket pocket, and he handed one to Gael and the other to me. I received a pointed look too, and I didn’t have to ask what it was about. He was keeping track. In a few days, he’d become well attuned to when I needed to eat.

I didn’t turn down the opportunity to get a sweet. They were my favorite too, Werther’s soft toffee with chocolate filling. Which…

I chewed on the candy and eyed Joshua. “Have you been talking to Walker?”

Aside from my drunken ramble about all the shit that was wrong in my life those years ago when I’d met Joshua, I’d been tight-lipped about my condition. Maybe a handful of people in Mclean knew I had diabetes, and as far as I knew, only my brother walked around with the same type of candy in case I needed a quick fix.

“It’s possible.” He smiled faintly and adjusted my tie. “He messaged me after I submitted our names to the Academy event. He and Macklin are attending too.”

Why would he message Joshua and not me?

“He seems to think you need a Daddy sometimes,” he said, smirking.

Never mind, I got my answer.

Gael found that funny.

“Hmpf.” I looked away from both of them and—thank fuck. I spotted Macklin next to the host just as he glanced my way, and his eyes flashed with surprise. Then he quickly gestured for us to approach. “I believe it’s our turn.”

I ushered Joshua and Gael past the other two couples, and we finally got to set foot inside the restaurant, where it was significantly warmer.

“Macklin—I’m surprised to see you’re working tonight,” I said.

“My date begins in—” He checked his watch. “Twenty minutes! I’m out of here in five.” He flashed a quick grin before grabbing three menus from the desk. “I’m sorry, by the way. I thought you were already seated, Sir. Come on, I’ll show you your table.” Before I could respond, he inched closer to the host and pointed at the computer screen. “You can cross off the Aaviks.”

“Yes, sir,” the young man replied.

It was certainly busy here tonight, and I caught a glimpse of three intimate, packed dining areas on the ground floor before we began climbing the creaking steps to the second floor. Gael rushed ahead.

“Hi, Macklin.” Aw, his shyness made a sweet return for the moment.

“Hey, you. Are we finally gonna see you more often?” Macklin was a natural at making people feel welcome.

“Yeah, I’m done hiding,” Gael responded sheepishly.

“Good.” Macklin sent him a grin as they reached the landing. “I saw you joined the Domestic Servitude group online. Archie and I are hosting a pasta-making class here next week—let me know if you want me to add your name to the list.”

“Oh, I would love to!” Gael turned back to Joshua and me, and the hope and joy in the boy’s eyes were just too beautiful for words. “May I go, please?”

Joshua and I exchanged a brief look. The answer was obvious; we were just both reveling in his submission.

“You absolutely may,” I answered.

“Thank you!” Gael returned his attention to Macklin, who led the way to another dining area down the hall. On this floor, it was most evident that the building had once been residential. The rooms were smaller, some only fitting three or four tables. “Um, how much is the class, Sir—wait, do I call you Sir?”

I chuckled under my breath.

Macklin’s smile turned wolfish. “I’d like that very much. The class is thirty bucks, and you get to bring home a big meal to your Owners.”

Owners.

How I loved the sound of that.

“That’s awesome. I’ll Venmo you—”

“You’ll do no such thing, Gael,” I said firmly, my protest drowning out Joshua’s. “I will handle that.”

“We will handle that,” Joshua corrected.

If the matter was domestic servitude, surely I could call dibs on whatever class or get-together Gael wanted to participate in. I wouldn’t budge on that.

“You’re both fucking adorable,” Macklin said, gesturing to the entrance of one of the dining areas.

“So are you, pet,” Joshua replied as he walked through with Gael. “It’s gonna be fun witnessing you as a Top.”

Had they discussed playtime?

“Dean clearly needs to see it—he doesn’t believe I am a Top,” Macklin laughed.

I shrugged and walked into the room as well, and it had a romantic atmosphere. Dim lighting, only four tables. Perfect.

As for Macklin… Of course I knew he was a switch, but I was used to seeing the slave side of him. He worshipped the ground my brother walked on, and though it was very much mutual, there was no question who was the Dominant.

While Joshua and Gael got seated at the only available table, Macklin put a hand on my arm and halted me in the doorway.

He smiled up at me. “Just wanted to say I’m happy for you, Sir. And don’t screw this up.”

He had to get that last bit in there.

I dipped down and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, boy. I’ll do my best. Go home to Walker.”

“Will do, Sir. Your server will be right with you.” He handed me the menus. “Also, he’s so damn cute.” He nodded at Gael. “Do you think he’d be interested in playing with Franklin and Jack too?”

Oh hell. There’s an idea. I’d have to talk to Joshua and Gael. I’d have to think about it for myself as well. I wasn’t sure I was ready to share my men with Franklin and Jack. I’d only played with them once before; Franklin was a man closer to my age, who ran a very successful business by day and stripped down to be Jack’s whore by night. Jack was significantly younger but successful in his own right—and incredibly sharp and wicked.

I glanced over at Joshua and Gael.

“There’s time for that later, Sir,” Macklin reminded me. “Think about it.”

I inclined my head.

“We can talk after the weekend,” I said.

“Sounds good. Have a great date, Sir.”

“You too, troublemaker.” I made my way over to the table and shrugged out of my coat. Just in time for my monitor to send a damn alert to my phone. All right, all right, I was going to eat. I sat down across from them and met Joshua’s pointed look. “We’ll get bread and drinks anytime now. No need to worry.”

I turned off the signal on my phone and checked the food box in the app. There.

When Macklin said the server would be “right with you,” he meant it. We didn’t even have time for small talk before a young woman arrived with a bread basket and a pitcher of ice water.

* * *

Halfway through an amazing dinner, Joshua leaned in and whispered something in Gael’s ear. Whatever it was, it made him blush. He nodded once, then pushed out his chair and said he’d be right back.

I lifted my brows at Joshua.

He smirked. “You requested a vibrating egg. I delivered.”

Well, hell. This would be fun. I’d admittedly forgotten about it.

He handed over a small remote control to me. “It has a ten-foot reach and makes all kinds of prostate promises. He doesn’t know you’ll be in charge.”

I chuckled and eyed the remote. “Wonderful.” Four buttons, three for the different intensity levels of the vibrations and one off button. “I think this will be a perfect accessory for our next conversation.”

“Oh yeah?”

I nodded and placed the remote in my pocket, making sure I could feel the buttons from the outside. “I want him to lose my name in the Master title. I’d also like a firm grasp of our boundaries before we set playtime dates with others. I find that I’m unusually possessive of what we’ve just started, and I don’t want anything unsaid.”

The interest and affection lit a spark in Joshua’s eyes. Or, it was the candlelight. “Considering my latest fetish is you being possessive, let’s start right now. What kind of boundaries would you like?”

It would do me no good to speak in permanent terms about what I felt right now, so I phrased myself carefully as I cut another piece of my steak. “I think the one rule I’d like to implement long-term is us staying together for group-play events. Other than that, I understand limits might change over time. I…” I paused and chewed, hesitating momentarily to bring up openness, but in the end—I’d said it myself. Nothing left unsaid. “I’m not sure I will respond well to complete openness. I’m all for events, big or small, where we’re more flexible, but I’ll need time to adjust if you and Gael wish to seek out other partners for relationships.”

The topic caused a knot of unease in my stomach, proving my point. I’d definitely need to mentally prepare myself.

Joshua reached across the table and covered my hand with his. “We’re not interested in that sort of openness, cariño. We want you—the three of us. Nobody else. The rest is for playtime only, and we’re on the same page there too. We’ll stick together.”

No amount of relief could drown out the doubts born from my history. I’d struggled so much with relationships, not to mention attachments, that it was hard to reconcile how I suddenly wanted to close us in. I’d wanted the opposite in the past. I’d always had one foot out the door.

“Gael is very young, though,” I pointed out. “He might change his mind.”

Joshua lifted a shoulder in half a shrug. “Then we’ll deal with that together, no? Neither of us can predict the future.”

Sadly true. But Colt and Lucas seemed to have managed well with Kit. Their boy had wanted to explore just a bit outside their closed triad, and they’d found something they all wanted in an exclusive playtime arrangement with Greer’s poly family. I might have a chat with Greer and Colt, hear what they had to say on the matter. They faced the same issue, for lack of a better word, where their partners were significantly younger. Kit, Corey, and Gael were all around the same age.

I might talk to Lucian as well. He was in a similar situation.

“Fair enough,” I conceded. “Just be patient with me.”

“We’ll all be patient.” He squeezed my hand. “It’s new to us too.”

I’d remind myself of that often.

I did allow myself some relief in knowing we had the same desires, if only for the moment. Group play wouldn’t be forced upon anybody; we all had that kink. And we all seemed to be protective of our new triad as well.

“That Caleb better not mess with what we have,” I said. “I can only imagine Gael thinking his baggage will be too much for us, or something equally stupid.”

Joshua laughed softly. “He’s already mentioned it, but I gave him a stern talkin’-to.”

“Good.” I shook my head and gathered more steak and potatoes on my fork. “Nothing new on that front, I take it?”

It was Joshua’s turn to shake his head, and he went back to his salmon dish. “Just that he’s returning to his old routines—swiftly too. His social media presence has exploded since yesterday, and a few hours ago, he made a post complaining about working this weekend. It’s a fuckin’ ruse, if you ask me. He’s up to something.”

Yeah, Caleb’s behavior was one big red flag altogether.

“Do you think he knows you’re watching?” I asked.

He nodded. “Yup.”

In other words, Caleb might attack from another angle next time.

Thank goodness Gael was no longer my student. He had another class, and Joshua and I could cooperate to keep an eye on the boy before and after. If he didn’t quit that one as well. He’d told me he was disappointed that the professor seemed disinterested, something I knew for a fact. Professor Hallberg was a dud. A master at sending reading material and using TAs to do his dirty work. If he could avoid going to class, he did. He preferred online classes, even more so if he didn’t have to be present at all.

I lifted my gaze as I spotted someone in the doorway, and I kept my smile at bay. Game on, dear boy. Gael shuffled back to his seat, his cheeks still a bit flushed, and I ate as if I had no remote-controlled agenda.

“You’re right on time, sweetheart.” Joshua helped the boy tuck in his napkin again. “Dean was just telling me he wanted to talk to you about D/s titles.”

“Oh?” Gael looked at me. It was clear he was struggling to split his focus.

Who could blame him? I was struggling too. Part of me wanted to wrap up our dinner and take this back to my place, where I could strip him naked. Actually, make it Joshua’s house.

That was another first for me, I supposed. I usually enjoyed going to restaurants and everything that came with wining and dining, but I had to admit, staying in appealed to me more now. Where Joshua could walk around barefoot and shirtless, and Gael could run free in his pajamas. His boyish personality made me react more than I’d anticipated.

“If you’re ready, of course,” I said. “Until then—”

“I’m ready, Sir,” Gael blurted out. “I’m very ready.”

I grinned, more pleased than I could express. “Then drop my name and just call me Master.” I kept my voice low so that the other guests didn’t hear.

“Yes, Master.” His shyness made another return, and it was sweeter than sugar to behold. “I, um—” He stopped and turned to Joshua. “May I sit next to Master for a moment?”

“Of course, baby. Let’s make that a rule,” he replied. “Unless you’re on some sort of restriction or we give you a task, you come and go between us whenever you like.”

That was a good rule.

We helped him shift his place setting over to my side of the table, and Gael made his way around to sit next to me. He grinned up at me and hugged my arm.

“I just wanted to say I’m happy.”

Fuck, he was going straight for my heart, this one.

“If you’re half as happy as I am, you’re about to explode.” I kissed the side of his head, unable to explain the rush of emotions going on inside me. For every second that passed, I became more convinced that a dinner date in a restaurant had been a bad idea. We should be sitting on Joshua’s comfortable couch and watching Band of Brothers and eating pizza.

Those old fears of mine were wreaking havoc too. I guessed, if anything, they were a testament to how much I cared—so early on, to boot.

“I propose we order dessert to-go later,” I said. “We shouldn’t leave General alone at Joshua’s place for too long.”

They both saw through me, and I was fine with that. Let them know I was keen on returning to our bubble.

As I took another bite of food, I brushed my fingers over the buttons on the remote, and I pressed the middle one for level two. Gael immediately stiffened in his seat, and he stopped speaking mid-sentence, something about giving General a baby brother.

“I’ve always liked cats,” I mentioned. “They’re peaceful creatures.”

Joshua snorted softly. “In your experience, maybe. My parents had two cats throughout most of my childhood, and I still have scars. Cats made me a dog person.”

“But you like General,” Gael protested, all while squirming.

“Because he’s gotta be on Xanax or something,” Joshua teased. “Are you all right, boy?”

“Yes, Sir.” The boy’s blush said otherwise. “He’s not on Xanax. He’s just old.”

“Then maybe a baby brother would be perfect,” I said. “He can rub off his calm behavior on the little one.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking!” Gael lit up in triumph.

So I diverted his attention and gestured at Joshua, and I said, “But before we discuss kittens, your Daddy and I wanted to talk to you about playtime.” And I pressed the third button.

Gael sucked in a breath and gripped his knife and fork tightly.

“Oh yeah, we did,” Joshua chuckled. “Something about boundaries, right?”

“For group play,” I confirmed. “Macklin and Walker are interested in setting something up for us.” I slid Joshua a look. “Macklin has expressed his wish to see Walker and me take you.”

Joshua smirked wolfishly. “Macklin tried to get bossy with me once. Didn’t work so great for him.”

“So he wants to sic my brother and me on you now,” I laughed.

“I so wanna watch that,” Gael confessed.

“You’ll do more than watch, my little peach.” I put an arm around him and squeezed him to me, and I kissed his temple and spoke for only him to hear. “You’d blush your adorable face off if you heard what Macklin suggested we do with you.”

He turned to me, eyes wide, and it seemed he didn’t need the details for the blush to become more pronounced. He couldn’t sit still either. He kept squirming, and his breathing had become a little labored.

“They wanna play with me also?” he asked.

I furrowed my brow. “Well, of course they do. In fact…” I had to address Joshua here as well. “Macklin was wondering if you’re interested in including Franklin and Jack. I told him we’d think about it. With some boundaries included, I won’t mind. I’ve played with Franklin before, and I’ve spoken quite a bit with Jack on the forum.”

Before the holidays, we’d made loose plans to meet up sometime. Jack had a voyeur in him, and he’d noticed my chemistry with Franklin.

To be fair, most Tops had good chemistry with Franklin because he wanted everything with everyone in the heat of the moment.

“I don’t know them,” Joshua said. “They’re new, right?”

I inclined my head. “Tate and Kingsley recruited Franklin a few months ago, I heard. And Jack is Franklin’s ex-wife’s nephew. He also went to high school with Macklin.”

Joshua lifted his brows and chuckled. “Sounds like a Jerry Springer episode.”

“Franklin is very funny online,” Gael chimed in with. “He and Noa banter a lot.”

I did remember that.

Joshua shrugged slightly and smiled. “I’m game. The more the merrier—but that’s me. As long as we get to those boundaries because I’ll want them too.” He grabbed his beer, then thought of something. “Why don’t we ask KC and Noa if they’re interested? It might be nice for Gael to have a fellow Little there.”

“As long as Noa doesn’t rub off on Gael too much,” I half joked. “That boy is…well, you know. You’ve been with him.” It just hit me. He and another Top from their previous community had shared a casual arrangement with Noa and Cameron.

“There are ways to silence him,” Joshua replied, amused. He shifted his gaze to an increasingly uncomfortable Gael. But uncomfortable in a good way. The vibrations were getting to him. “It’s up to you, querido. This would be your first group-play event, so maybe we should go slower. Just play with Macklin and Walker first and see—”

“Or we go big,” Gael said and gripped the edges of his seat.

Hmm. I decided to turn the vibrator off completely. I didn’t want his decision to come from the desperation he felt right now.

A breath gusted out of him as the toy was switched off, and he swallowed hard.

Joshua flicked me a glance. “Did you turn it off?”

I nodded.

That gave me Gael’s attention. “You have the remote, Sir?”

“Right here.” I patted my pocket. “I figured it was best to dial it back a notch so you can make an informed decision.”

He flushed. “My decision is very, very informed.”

Joshua and I exchanged a grin.

We remembered what it was like at that age, didn’t we? When fantasies had to be explored right then and there, when patience was a foreign concept, when we lived like there was no tomorrow.

“How’s this,” Joshua proposed to Gael, “we can absolutely go big, but we’ll tighten the leash a bit until you’re more comfortable at the event. For instance, we’ll keep you close to us.”

That seemed to sober the boy up. “You won’t keep me close the whole time?”

Did he want that? I secretly wanted that, but I also wanted a long-term relationship with him, which meant I had to let him explore the kinks he’d fantasized about for so long. There was no missing the fact that group play was at the top of his list.

Joshua smiled patiently. “This is why we discuss boundaries. You tell us what you want. Selfishly, I want to keep you in my pocket all day long.”

Well said. “I admit, I want that too,” I said.

That earned us a cute, crooked grin from Gael. “That’s the thing—for as much as I want to throw myself in a pile of sexy bodies, what I need is you two right there with me. I want there to be stuff only you’re allowed to do.”

Oh, I was certainly paying extra attention now.

“Go on.” Joshua nodded.

Gael squirmed a little and fidgeted with the edges of his napkin. “Like, maybe…only you can come in me?”

I cleared my throat and lifted a brow at Joshua. Good thing the boy had said it, because I’d sort of taken that for granted—perhaps foolishly so.

“Done,” Joshua said. “Only Master and Daddy can come in your tight little bottom.”

I had to interject here. “For the record, it’s the only place we’ll be coming.” Joshua and I weren’t new to these parties, and I was familiar with the preferences he’d dreamed of having with the partners he’d never had. He wanted strings attached and boundaries that felt like freedom, exactly the same as me. No matter how soon it was, I’d grown ridiculously fond of Gael—and Joshua, of course—and now…the thought of carelessly avoiding restrictions unsettled me. “We have no interest in reaching any finish lines with others.”

“Well, there’s his mouth too,” Joshua added with a smirk. “His adorable face, his tummy, his whole body.”

Naturally.

“Gosh—” Gael turned to me and hugged my bicep, including pressing his face against it. “Are we really talking about this in a restaurant?”

I laughed softly and kissed the top of his head. Nobody could hear us.

“Sweetheart,” Joshua coaxed. “This is Dean and me, though. You’re young and itching to go wild—and we’ll respect your wishes if you wanna go further.”

I inclined my head in agreement—and kept my personal desires to myself. I was sure Joshua shared them too. But this wasn’t about us, and if we wanted to keep Gael for years to come, we couldn’t go cavemen on his ass.

He pressed his face against my arm for another few seconds, perhaps gathering his thoughts, before he tilted his head toward Joshua a bit more and rested his cheek against me.

“Okay, I’ll be super honest,” he said quietly. “I want to go nuts and have fun—if they wanna have fun with me—but I think it might be too intimate to get off with another Top. Does that make sense? Like, I’ve been talking to Kit a lot, and he says he’s having so much fun with Corey, ’cause they’re Littles together—and their Daddies like to watch. So…I don’t know—maybe I’d like to try to have that kind of fun with another Little or sub sometime? Just not a Top. I only want to go that far with you two.”

We truly needed to get home already, because I wanted to express just how much I loved what he’d said.

The glint of relief in Joshua’s eyes told me he and I were once again on the same page.

They may be the boring technicalities of BDSM—to discuss who got to come where and when—but each rule made up a framework in which we thrived and nobody was harmed. Pain within a comfort zone, suffering within a structure that brought pleasure, chaos inside a bubble of safety.

The three of us talked about this yet-to-be-planned group-play event while we finished our dinner, and Joshua and I realized we didn’t have to hold back as much as we’d perhaps feared. Or been resigned to, rather. But of course, talk was easy, and Gael was inexperienced. We had to be prepared for his mind to change down the road.

For now, though, we were in full agreement. Within the confines of a group event, we could let go of our inhibitions—kissing, oral, fucking, using toys, and so on, all okay. Same with, as per Macklin’s request, coming on others. But Joshua and I controlled and owned Gael’s orgasms, as he owned ours, with the exception for Littles. If Gael bonded with Noa—or Macklin, whom we deemed safe for other reasons—our boy could go further as long as we were there to enjoy the show.

We also covered safety, and I made a mental note to ask Walker to let Macklin plan the event. He’d done it so many times before, and he was meticulous about protection. For one, he demanded STI screenings so that we could go unprotected for oral and still be safe.

“But we’ll use condoms for sex,” Joshua finished.

“Even between the three of us?” Gael asked.

That damn puppy-dog look.

“No, we have our own rules, of course.” I dipped down and kissed his pout away until he was smiling. “Now—how about dessert to go and getting the hell out of here?”

I brushed a finger over the remote control and found the second button just as Gael opened his mouth to respond.

“Guh.”

I interpreted that as a yes.