Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

S ilas spent most of the morning in his studio, as he had for the last week. Inspiration was riding him hard, and his new pieces were full of passion, love, and beauty. Abstract as was his wont, they nonetheless spoke of the men in his life—his Bran and his boy Jamie. Just thinking of them made him smile and he put a cloth over his current work in progress and washed his hands. He needed to see them, or at least Jamie; he wasn’t sure if Bran was home yet.

He looked down at himself and pulled off his shirt, tossing it in the washer. He’d grab a new shirt in a second, but first, he headed for Jamie’s office to see if their boy could take a bit of a break from writing. Ever since he’d been fired, Jamie had thrown himself into his writing.

The door was ajar, and he knocked softly before sticking his head around it. “Hey.”

Jamie looked up with a smile. “Silas. Hey.”

Oh, their boy looked good. Happy. Healthy.

“I’m taking a break—have you got time to join me?”

“I do. The words are not flowing, and I could totally take a break.”

“No? Bad words,” he teased, opening his arm in invitation.

“Uh-huh. Terrible words.” Jamie winked at him, grinned.

He wrapped Jamie in a hug and kissed him, softly but thoroughly. “You wanna grab a drink and go sit on the swing chair out back? It looks like a lovely day.”

“Sure. Sure, that sounds like heaven. I love your garden.”

“Our garden,” he corrected. This was Jamie’s home too now.

“Right. Our garden.” Jamie hugged him tight. “I love it here, with you. I mean, it’s you and Bran…”

He hugged Jamie right back. “I know. And we love you being here with us, too. We all belong together because we’re a family, right?”

“Yes.” There wasn’t any hesitation or worry there. None. And that made his heart happy.

They went to the kitchen, and he grabbed a couple of glasses, then the lemonade from the fridge. Once he’d poured them out, he passed one to Jamie and they headed out to the back deck.

They had a lovely swing out there, and they settled, relaxing together.

“So aside from today’s naughty words, how’s it going? Are you settling into being a full-time writer?”

“I’m trying, It’s harder than I thought, being disciplined with butt in chair.”

“Oh yeah? You thought the biggest problem was not having enough time, eh?” He got that. If the inspiration wasn’t flowing through him, it was far harder to sculpt.

“Yeah. It’s just a new routine, that’s all. I need to settle into it.”

“Well, if we can do anything to help…” That’s what he and Bran were here for. To love and help their boy.

“I don’t even know what to ask for…”

“No? Is there anything you need? Anything you want that you’re not getting? Should we stock double stuff Oreos? Do you want it to be Taco Tuesday every Tuesday? Do we need to have horror movie nights?”

Jamie shrugged and shook his head. “I’m sure I’m fine. I just need to be focused.”

“Well right now, we can focus on each other.” He gave Jamie a quick kiss before taking a sip of his lemonade. It was lovely and tart.

“That sounds like more fun than deciding what happens next in my book…”

“Yeah, I think so too. Even more fun than following the shape my current sculpture wants to take. Speaking of horror films—do you like them?”

“Yeah, if I’m not alone. I like snuggling and hiding my face.”

He leaned in and whispered, “Me, too.”

“Yeah? Does Bran too?” Jamie smiled at him, those pretty eyes twinkling.

“He thinks they’re silly. But it makes him an excellent person to snuggle into and hide your face against because he isn’t spooked.”

“We’ll have to try, then. Us. Popcorn. Blankets.” Jamie’s smile tickled him to death.

“It’s a date. What kind of a popcorn man are you?” It was an important question.

Jamie winked at him. “Is yes an okay answer? I love it all.”

“Oh yeah? With or without butter or flavored toppings or caramel or whatever?” Because there was a huge variety to be had. Huge.

“Seriously, I’m just a fan of popcorn. I love it all. Chocolate drizzled, movie theater, just plain old with salt…”

“Awesome. I think we’ll get along just fine when it comes to movie nights. I’m not quite as open, but there is lots that I like. And if it’s butter and salt, please put a lot on. We should do a movie night tonight. We can plan a snacky supper and popcorn and have everything set up for Bran when he comes home. What do you think?”

Jamie nodded eagerly, lifting his head for a kiss. “If you think he’d like it.”

He gave Jamie that kiss he was begging, lips lingering even if he was keeping it soft so he didn’t start anything. Yet. “We’re planning it for him so he’s going to love it. What flavors of popcorn should we do and what movies should we plan? Actually, the movie choice should come first ’cause that might affect our popcorn choices. Once we’ve decided we can go to the mall if we need to. They’ve got a Kernels and a snacks shop.”

“We could do scary or we could do explosions?” He loved the excitement on Jamie’s face.

“They both sound fantastic—pick one!” He could so get behind Jamie’s eagerness for this.

“Well, what do you want? What do you like best?”

“I love explosions,” he admitted. “Especially if there’s a hot guy running around half-naked saving the day.”

“That works for me, hmm? I like the idea of hot guys and cheering. We can choose something off the streaming, right?”

“Yes. We have all the services. So what popcorn goes best with explosions and action heroes?” He had a mind to go with something sweet and salty.

“Uh… kettle corn?”

“Are you reading my mind?” He laughed and hugged Jamie close. “I was just thinking we would need something both sweet and salty. I love a good kettle corn. And I have a recipe—we can make it ourselves. You wanna?”

“You know how? For real? I thought you had to buy it. Seriously.”

“There was a link to a recipe a while ago and I bookmarked it.” He rubbed his hands together. And if they screwed it up, there was always Instacart. “Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?”

“Sure. Totally. I’m in. I think it sounds like a blast!”

“Cool. It’s a plan. We’ll start around four. We don’t have to rush away from our swinging.”

“Oh, that’s even better. I’m loving the swinging.”

He squeezed Jamie tight. “Me, too. Swinging with my boy. This could become a thing.”

“It’s a great way to spend an afternoon.” Jamie’s head came to rest on his shoulder.

“It is.” And they could just enjoy each other’s company, they could talk, whatever they felt like. “Oh! There’s a Daddies and Boys get-together on Friday afternoon. The three of us have been invited to join.”

“I—I don’t… do you think… am I?—”

He squeezed Jamie’s hand. “Okay. Just breathe. In… and out… and in… and out… That’s better. You know a lot of the guys, and this is just a friendly get-together at a coffee house.”

“Not the same one? What if they don’t like me? What if I don’t fit in?”

Silas thought part of Jamie’s problem was, what if he did?

“Not the same one. We told them what happened, and they all immediately agreed to boycott the place. And you know they already like you—they’ve been nothing but friendly to you while you were working there, weren’t they?”

“No. No, they were always great customers. I loved when you all came in. It was great.”

“Well, there you go. Now you get to be a customer yourself.” He hugged Jamie close. “You’re going to love hanging out with the boys. They are fun and nice and so supportive.”

“I’m afraid I’ll feel out of place.”

“What’s the worse that happens?” Nobody was going to be mean to Jamie. In fact, he was pretty sure the boys would welcome him in with open arms.

“I’ll have to hang out with you…” Jamie winked at him, obviously playing.

He chuckled. “I know that’s such a hardship. But seriously, I don’t think anyone is going to make you feel like you don’t belong. These are good people.”

“Yeah. I’ll be with you?—”

“With your daddies.” He wasn’t going to let Jamie avoid this. “And so will the other boys. It will be fun, and if it isn’t, you can spank me afterwards.” He gave his boy a wink.

“Ha! I think Bran would be put out by that.” Jamie did offer him a laugh, though.

“You might be right about that. It’s going to be fine, though. You might even have fun.”

“Maybe. I’m looking forward to tonight.”

“Oh, me too! We’ll have to find something with a suitable amount of explosions and great abs.”

“Six-packs galore!”

“Indeed, galore.” He slid his hand to Jamie’s belly, rubbing the slender abs. Their boy had a lovely body, not super muscular, just enough.

He was a fine, sweet boy, just enough to make his mouth dry.

“Mmm… you make me want.” He wanted to do all sorts of things with Jamie.

“Do you? Like right now?” Jamie’s fingers dragged on his thigh.

He caught his lower lip between his teeth, his eyelids drooping. “Like right now.”

“Are we allowed to do this? Like in the garden?”

“We have a very high privacy fence. Nobody can see. You’ve never made love in the sunshine, have you?” The kiss of the sun on skin while making love was delicious.

“No. No, that wasn’t a thing for me. I was private and passing for straight.”

“Right. It couldn’t have been fun—hiding who you were like that.” He’d never been in the closet. But then he was an artist, the rules were different.

“No. No, it made me feel like there was something wrong with me.”

“You know there’s nothing wrong with you, right? I am willing to remind you of that every single day.”

“I’m willing to hear it. Every day.”

“Then it’s on my list of things to do daily. There is nothing wrong with you, Jamie. You are wonderful and adorable and sexy and just what Bran and I want.” He pressed a kiss to Jamie’s lips.

His boy hummed, melting against him with a sigh.

He wrapped his arms around Jamie, letting their lips linger together. Then he pressed his tongue to Jamie’s lips, begging entrance. Those sweet lips opened to him, and he pushed in, sweeping through Jamie’s mouth.

Jamie opened easily, that moan sweet as sugar.

Maybe a little afternoon delight was something they both needed. He tugged Jamie over so his boy was lying against him, one hand going to Jamie’s ass to hold on.

“Mmm… You’re so warm.”

“That’s the sunshine, boy.” He kissed each of Jamie’s cheeks, then his lips again. “You taste good.”

“I do? Are you sure?” Jamie winked at him. “Want to taste again?”

“I definitely want to taste again. No, I need to taste again.” He put his hand behind Jamie’s head and brought their mouths back together.

Jamie held on tight, and the eagerness made him a little dizzy with pleasure.

Groaning, he spread Jamie’s legs, one on either side of his, and let one finger slide along the back seam of Jamie’s jeans.

Jamie groaned for him, eyes crossing.

“You want me, boy?” He sure wanted Jamie. He wanted to be buried inside the tight heat, Jamie riding him like a fiend.

“Always,” Jamie confessed. “I want you every day.”

“Let’s take this upstairs.” It was one thing to rub off out here on the porch, but for what he wanted to do, they needed a bed.

Jamie nodded and smiled at him.

He helped Jamie stand, then stood himself and took Jamie’s hand to lead his boy upstairs. “In the old days, they would call this afternoon delight.”

“Oh, that sounds like a treat, like something delicious.”

He grinned. “Doesn’t it? And that’s just what this is, isn’t it?” He kept them moving up the stairs, heading for the bedroom.

Jamie chuckled softly. “Uh-huh. Delicious.”

“Mmmhmm.” He let his hand slide down, cupping Jamie’s ass and squeezing. “Absolutely delicious.”

Jamie pushed into his touch, humming deep in his chest.

God, he was in love. As soon as they got to the bedroom, he pushed Jamie up against the wall and took a kiss.

“I—Please. You make me dizzy…”

“I know the feeling.” He slid his mouth along Jamie’s jaw and down to his throat, then he let his teeth drag over Jamie’s skin.

“Can… can I be in love with you both?” Jamie whispered.

“That’s the idea, boy. You, me, and Bran, and all kinds of three-way love. I know your heart’s big enough to do it.”

“I do. I love you. I—Bran won’t be hurt if we make love together, will he?”

“He won’t be, but if you’re worried about it, we could call him and let him know.” He didn’t want Jamie’s experience to be less because he was worried about hurting Bran.

“Do you mind? Can we?”

“Absolutely! And of course I don’t mind. Talking to Bran is one of my favorite things.” In fact, it was sweet that Jamie wanted to make sure it would be okay with Bran. He grabbed his phone out of his pocket and hit the button for Bran, then put the phone on speaker.

“Hey, babe. You all right?”

“Hey, love, I’m great. You’re on speaker with me and Jamie.”

“Baby boy? Are you all right?”

“I’m in love with you. Both of you.”

“Oh, baby, your daddies love you too. So very much.”

Silas nodded at Bran’s words and added, “We so do.”

“We were going to make love, but I didn’t want to hurt your feelings…”

“That is so sweet. Thank you so much for thinking of my feelings. You go ahead and make love, and I’m going to have the biggest smile on my face the rest of the afternoon as I think about the two of you.”

Silas chuckled. “You’ll be so revved up by the time you get home…”

“I will be! So, take a nap after your orgasms, because I’m jumping you both.”

“We have plans tonight.” Jamie grinned at Silas. “Fun plans.”

He grinned right back. “A fun afternoon and a fun night. We have a good life.” Then he blew a kiss at his phone. “Love you, Bran. We’ll be ready for you when you get home.”

“I love you both. Have fun. Know I’ll be thinking of you.”

“Bye.” He ended the call and gave Jamie a warm smile. “Feeling better about the two of us making love without Bran being here?”

“I am. Sorry, I just don’t want to hurt anyone, you know?” Jamie came right back into his arms and held on tight.

He wrapped Jamie up in a hug. “No need to apologize. I love that you were concerned that no one get hurt. That’s a testament to your loving heart. You care for both your daddies.”

“I—Kiss me?”

Eventually, Jamie was going to be able to admit he had daddies. Silas had faith.

He brought their lips together, kissing Jamie again, letting it start out slowly. They had the entire afternoon to enjoy each other, so while they wanted, they could take their time and make it last.