Chapter Ten | Skylar

"Hey, slow down." I rolled my work stool across the room over to an empty space on one of the lab tables. Chad never called me at work. Never. So far, the only words out of his mouth were, "I'm so sorry." The rest was him hyperventilating and muttering fuck repeatedly.

"Chad, take a deep breath and tell me what's going on."

"I don't know what came over me."

"What did you do?"

"Skylar, I'm not even sure it meant anything." He exhaled hard. "Fuck, I think it did."

"I'm tired of playing guessing games, Chad. Why did you phone me at work?"

"I kissed Owen." The words came out in a rush.

Well, if that wasn't an interesting development, I didn't know what one was. I thought Chad was going to take more encouragement to consider Owen as an intimate partner.

"Did he kiss you back?"

"With a vengeance. Then shoved me away and took off."

"This happened at work?"

"He barged in to berate me after last night's deal. I wasn't on his level of professionalism. He had a lot to say about it, but his cheeks do this amazing thing when he's mad. They absolutely bloom with colour. He looks adorable when he's upset. Skylar, I'm so sorry. I couldn't stop myself."

I chuckled. That same colour flushed Owen's cheeks when he was aroused.

"Calm down. I'm not upset. "

"You're not?"

"Walk me through what you've been feeling when it comes to Owen."

Chad sighed. "I think he's hot. I've felt that way since the first day I met him. I assumed my attraction would lessen as your relationship with him progressed. He's yours, not mine."

"Is that everything?"

"Only that it won't happen again. I promise."

"Why not?" It was time for us to have this conversation. I wanted Chad to develop his own romantic relationship with Owen. I wanted to see them together.

"I'm lost. You want me to kiss him again?"

"I want you to do more than that. I think you two would be good for one another."

"Wait … slow down. You want Owen and me to get into a relationship?"

"I'd have to check with Owen first. Find out if he's interested in you or if it was a momentary moment of madness because he was riled up."

"Honestly, Skylar it didn't feel like the latter. He pulled me to him something fierce. Grabbed my hair so hard I thought he'd yank some out. The kiss was a full-on attack from both of us."

"Angry?"

"Angry and hot. It messed with my head."

"Do you want me to talk to him?"

"Maybe?"

"I'd like if we could share him if that's what you want."

"I'm not sure what I want."

"Can you see yourself developing something more with him?"

Chad grunted. "I might, but it feels strange. He's your boyfriend."

"He could be yours too. "

"Fuck … this is crazy."

I had something I needed to confirm with him. "I'm planning on seeing Owen tonight on my way home from the airport. I have a question I need to ask you."

"You have the green light from me, Skylar, even though my kissing him confuses everything. I hope it didn't mess things up for you. I know how much you like him."

"Owen and I will have lots to talk about tonight. Intimacy may not be appropriate."

"If it is … enjoy him. You deserve the world."

"I love you so much, Chad. You haven't messed anything up. I'm confident of that." Owen might be confused by what happened with him and Chad, but he wouldn't back away from me because of it. I knew Owen well enough to know that. He wanted our relationship to succeed.

"I love you too. Looking forward to seeing you tonight."

I blew out a long breath as I ended the call. A grin spread across my face. My husband was interested in the same man as me. I couldn't have predicted how that would unfold.

Not a single nudge from me. Chad had arrived there on his own. The attraction was completely organic. Maybe that's why he teased Owen so much. He liked seeing that colour in Owen's cheeks.

I shook my head.

Wonders never cease.

I went back to work. I'd need to be at the airport at 5 pm for my flight at 7:15. I had a direct flight, but it would still be a late night. I didn't like that those few hours were all I could carve out for Owen. He deserved so much more. I wanted to give him so much more.

From the Toronto airport, while I waited, I called Owen.

"Oh my god, Skylar … I'm so sorry." He'd guessed correctly that Chad had already told me about the kiss they'd shared today .

"There's no need to apologize. You felt a draw to Chad. I'll never be upset with you for following your instincts. We can talk more later. I want to see you tonight."

"Are you sure?"

"Am I sure I want to see you? Yes."

"You're not even a little bit disappointed?"

"I have feelings about it but I'm not going to share them with you over the phone. I'll see you around 10. My flight is a little later than usual."

"As long as I get to see you, I don't care what time it is."

"Okay, bunny. I'll see you in a few hours."

I smiled when I heard him suck in a breath. The nickname for him had come to me last night. Owen was shy and skittish, but with a little attention, he'd become cuddly and trusting. And I suspected that once unleashed, he'd want to fuck like a bunny.

"I'll be waiting for you," he said.

I took a chance and sent him a heart emoji once we ended the call. I imagined the skin beneath those incredible freckles of his would be flushing beautifully upon seeing it.

I was tired when I pulled into Owen's driveway. I lifted a paper bag off my passenger seat. I'd gone to an art store and after speaking to a store clerk, I'd bought Owen some coloured chalk.

His brow was dipped when he opened the door. No smile. He hadn't believed my assurances that I wasn't upset. It was clear in his expression.

"You're confused," I said as I entered his house.

"I need to talk this through."

"I'll tend to my coat and boots. Meet me in the living room." I watched the sway of Owen's hips as he walked away from me. His ass wasn't as round as Chad's, but it was equally enticing.

But I was getting ahead of myself .

I took my time as I removed my boots and coat. Owen needed a moment to adjust to the fact I was in his house. I entered the living room and took a chair across from him.

I could soothe him later. We needed to stay focused. Touching one another would impede our conversation. And this was an important one. So much would be decided.

I started with the obvious.

"I want to visit you every Thursday night."

Owen sat up straighter. "I'd love that."

"Okay, with that out of the way, I want to talk about your kiss with Chad."

Owen slumped back down; his shoulders curved. He looked at his hands resting on his lap. "I'm so sorry. The kiss came out of nowhere."

"Did it? Or had you been thinking about it for a while?"

He sighed. "There were times I wasn't sure if I wanted to thrash him or kiss him."

I chuckled. "That doesn't surprise me. Chad can be a handful."

Owen looked up at me, his brow creased. "You're not upset?"

"Far from it." I smiled at him. How to approach this. "It pleases me."

"I don't understand."

"Like I told Chad today, I think you two would be good for one another."

"What did he have to say to that?'

"He accepted I might be on to something."

His entire face changed. Wrinkled forehead and dipped eyebrows. He didn't believe me, or it upset him. I wasn't sure how to read his expression.

"Let me get this right. Annoying Chad is interested in having something with me?"

"He might be. The question is, are you interested? "

Owen closed his eyes and his breathing became shallow. "And you'd be all right with it."

"I'd welcome it. I want to see you two together."

"Fuck." Owen stared at me. "This is not the direction I saw my love life going."

"You have objections."

He shook his head. "Surprisingly … no. But can I hold off on doing anything with Chad? I'm too confused still. I'm not sure it's what I want." He exhaled. "Right now, I just want you."

I lifted my chin. There was a look in his eyes.

Hunger.

I slipped my skirt up my thighs, exposing them. His eyes widened and he licked his lips. An intense shiver ran up my spine as my cock responded.

"Come here." I patted my thigh.

It thrilled me to watch Owen rise, come to me, and drop onto his knees at my feet. I ran my fingers through his hair as he looked up at me, his eyes filled with expectation and obedience.

I drew my skirt up further until my booty-short-covered cock was visible to Owen.

"Do you want this?" I brushed my fingers up and down my lengthening shaft.

"Yes," Owen moaned.

"Take it out."

Owen's hands were trembling as he pulled down my underwear and freed my hardening cock. He leaned forward and ran his nose along it, inhaling, then rested his head on my thigh, and immersed himself in my scent. He'd needed this. I was glad I hadn't misread the situation.

He was waiting for me.

"You can lick it. "

I closed my eyes as Owen dragged his tongue along my length.

"That's it … that's so good." I clutched a handful of his hair and squeezed. He groaned against my skin. He liked me handling him roughly. That pleased me immensely.

"Lift me carefully with your fingers and suck on my cockhead."

He did as I asked.

Fuck, that's good.

His mouth and technique were different than Chad's, exhilarating me. I moved my hand and clung to the back of his head. "All of it now."

I shifted down in my seat, fully relaxing as he sucked my cock into his mouth. I guided him with my hand. He was so responsive, slurping and bobbing. I held his head to keep him from moving when my dick was at the back of his throat. He held steady. No gagging.

So beautiful.

I released him to suck in a deep breath, then set him back to work. I widened the stance of my legs, reclined my head on the back of the chair, and shut my eyes.

His mouth was glorious.

So talented.

I rode the escalation for a few minutes, then put my hand on his shoulder and looked at him.

"Stop."

He glanced up at me and released my dick. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, bunny." I stroked his cheek. "You were perfect." I indicated he should rise back to his feet. "Open your pants for me. I want to taste your magnificent cock."

"Oh," he whispered. He chewed on his bottom lip as he did as I requested. The delicacy he presented was firm and long and had a slight bend at the end. I shifted forward in my seat .

I cupped his balls and held his shaft steady with one hand.

I moaned as I took him into my mouth. This was my very first taste of this incredible man. I stroked my cock as I applied a level of suction that produced the most amazing sounds from him.

He placed his hands on my shoulders and rocked his hips.

I clutched his waist to stop him. Tonight was about me directing him. I wanted to determine how receptive he was to trusting me to make him feel good.

I worked him over until he was trembling.

"Fuck," Owen muttered. His hands tightened on my shoulders. His fingers dug in.

Glorious.

Pulse after pulse of his cum shot against the back of my throat. I swallowed but kept up the suction, wanting it all. He'd had a very short trigger time. We'd need to work on that.

I sat back in my chair and licked my lips.

My cock was tight and needed attention. "Back on your knees for me."

Owen dropped fast, held my shaft, and employed a technique obtained from many years of sucking dick. It wasn't long until I shot hard into him, binding us.

He didn't release me until I was fully soft, his head back on my thigh. I carded my fingers through his hair which caused him to hum. "You did so good, bunny."

We sat like that for quite a while, me stroking his hair, him breathing against my thigh. He nuzzled me and looked up at me, anxiety distorting his features, his eyes pleading.

"I care for you, Owen." It seemed he needed me to remind him of that. "I'm not going anywhere, I promise. This isn't over now that we've been intimate. That's not my end game."

Owen had years of men treating him as a means to get off and nothing more. I'd thought his trust in me ran deeper than what he was exhibiting .

"I want more with you, Owen. That's the truth."

"But how? You have Chad."

"Let me figure that out. What I need you to do is enjoy the time we have together."

"I don't want to ruin things."

"What gives you the idea you're ruining things? Have I made you feel that way?"

Owen shook his head. "No. You've been perfect."

I relaxed the tightness that had formed in my chest. I had two men who turned to me for guidance. It was a lot of responsibility. I'd never forgive myself if I screwed up.

I patted his shoulder. "I'd love to stay like this all night, but it's late. I need to get home."

"Okay." Owen shifted, rose to his feet, and tucked his spent cock away. Mine was easy to slip back behind the thin material of Chad's favourite underwear on me. I'd inadvertently worn them tonight. It wasn't like me to slip up. My desire for Owen had my mind buzzing.

I joined Owen and held him. He clung to me and buried his face against my neck.

"You're overwhelmed," I said and shifted him. "Let's lay down for a few minutes."

I took a place reclining on his couch, and he folded into my arms. I kissed the side of his head. "Tell me what you're feeling. Please don't hold back. You can share anything with me."

"It was more emotional than I thought it would be."

"What we shared tonight meant something."

"We've been building toward this for so long. You weren't just another random guy. I haven't been in that situation for a very long time."

"How did it make you feel?"

Owen tipped his head to look at me. "Cherished. "

"Good. Because you are cherished. If the day comes you don't feel that way anymore, you need to tell me. I want you to always feel good around me."

Owen snuggled back against me. "You do make me feel good." He gripped my shoulder. "But you should get going. Chad will no doubt be waiting up for you."

"He will be."

Owen climbed off me. "Thank you for staying a few minutes longer."

"No need to thank me. I needed it too."

At his front entry, I pulled him into a hug. Before I released him and headed out into the night, I gave him his gift of coloured chalk. He had tears in his eyes when he ushered me out the door.

I sat there in his driveway, wanting to go back in and comfort him some more.

Fuck.

I was losing my grip to keep from sliding toward him too fast. Tonight had amplified how special Owen was. And how much I needed him in my life.

When Chad pulled open our front door, my heart lightened. He was wearing a pair of sexy running shorts commando and nothing else. His nipples puckered as the cold air from outside drifted past them. I loved this man. He knew how to pull me out of my thoughts.

He hauled me into the house and shut the door, ran his hands up my chest, and stripped my coat off, letting it fall to the floor. He licked his lips as his gaze focused on my mouth.

Stepping even closer, Chad ran his nose across my lips. It tickled but I held still and let him explore. He hummed as he ran his tongue across them then tucked his face against my neck.

He burrowed against me and sucked on my earlobe then returned to my mouth .

"I can smell him on you."

I smiled. "Yeah?"

"You sucked him off, didn't you?"

"I did."

"Was it good? Does he have a nice cock?" He swayed his hips and pressed his hard shaft against my thigh. His shorts would be damp.

"We had a nice time."

Chad groaned and ran his tongue across my bottom lip. "Is that all you're going to give me?"

"No." I gripped the back of his neck and pulled him to me, opening my mouth to capture his needy one and give him everything he was hinting at. His tongue slipped past my lips and caressed every surface, seeking. He must have found the sensation he was looking for because he melted against me, groaning, gasping, and grinding. I worked his shorts off his hips.

"Turn and face the door," I said after extracting myself from his quest for remnants of Owen. He shimmied his shorts down to his ankles by shaking and twerking his lush ass.

Jeezus this man.

I pinned him to the front door and found his hole with my fingers. They slipped right in. I laughed. "I didn't know my husband was available pre-lubed."

"I've practically been pumping it in there, waiting for you to come home."

I growled in his ear, freed my cock, and slid into him. I fucked his ass hard and fast, his stiff cock trapped against the cold metal door. I grunted and improved my angle.

Chad stretched his arms to either side and rode me like I was the only man in his life who could make him feel this way. I gripped his hips and slammed hard and high.

"I want to cum," Chad whined once we were both straining to continue .

"I'd be offended if you didn't." I kissed the centre of his damp back. "Go ahead."

His channel tightened around my cock, and he hollered, convulsing. His entire body quivered as he painted the door. He set me off and I joined him in tonight's homecoming ecstasy.

Coming off my high, I laughed as I panted against his sweaty shoulder.

"Is it all right if I brush my teeth and shower now?"

My grandma's kitchen felt like coming home. I'd spent so many hours here as a child. At no time had she redecorated. The style of the late '90s was prevalent throughout her house. Lots of forest green and dark plum. I took a seat at the wooden table where I'd done hours of homework.

"How's Chad?" she asked.

"He's well. Spending a lot of time trying to increase his sales."

"Low sales aren't bringing him down, are they?"

I smiled. "No, grandma, like I said … your favourite boy is fine."

Grandma tsked and smacked my arm. "I don't have favourites."

I chuckled. "Right."

"How about you? Has work been going well?"

"We've had a couple of breakthroughs. Nothing earth-shattering, though."

"Someday."

I shrugged. "Maybe."

"With you leading that lab, there's no telling what you'll find a cure for."

"Not looking for cures. More into condition management … but you know this already."

"Is your dad still treating you like you're ten? "

"I think he's advanced to treating me like I'm twelve."

Grandma snickered. "Progress."

I cleared my throat. "Grandma, there's something I need your advice on."

"Of course, dear." She sat across from me and folded her hands, ready to listen. She'd always done that. Given me her full attention when I wanted to speak to her. I had succeeded in doing the same both at work and at home. I prided myself on my listening skills.

"I think I may have taken on too much relationship-wise."

Her brow furrowed. "Are things not good between you and Chad?"

"Things couldn't be better. I'm not entirely talking about him."

Grandma sat back. "Then I'm confused."

"I've started seeing someone. A new man."

She crossed her arms. "You're cheating on Chad?"

I reached for her wrist and was delicate with my touch. "No, Grandma, I'm not cheating on Chad. He knows about the man. His name is Owen and he and I have been talking for months."

"You want two men?"

"These two men … yes."

"Hm. I suppose I'm not entirely surprised. You have such a loving way about you." And that was my grandma. Swift to support me. Always. "How is it going to work?"

"I'm not sure yet."

"Are the dynamics the same as you and Chad? Does this Owen crave guidance and care?"

"He does."

She reached forward and patted my cheek. "You're such a nurturer. I'm proud of you."

"I have you to thank for that." I held her hand. "There's a complication which has me wondering if I've taken on too much. Everything is proceeding faster than I had anticipated. I need to know how best to support my two men without messing everything up."

"What's the complication? Aside from the obvious racing back and forth between them."

"They kissed. Chad and Owen. There's something there between them."

"And that's not what you want?"

"No, it is. I want them to form a relationship of their own."

"Will you be included in this relationship? Is that where you want to see this go?"

"All three of us together? Yes, that's what I want."

"Okay. Before you go there … because you are not there, you need to think this through. You care for both men, but not equally. You are in love with your husband, and he must be your priority. Does your attraction to Owen run any risk of hurting your relationship with Chad?"

That stripped it right back. Was I being greedy? Was I going to hurt Chad?

Was I endangering both Chad's and Owen's feelings?

I needed to clarify things with my husband. I rose from the table. "I need to call Chad." He wouldn't be expecting a call from me. I hoped I caught him when he had a moment to talk.

I called up his profile in favourites on my phone and pressed call.

"Is everything all right?" His immediate response to my call. "Is Grandma okay?"

"She's well. Missing you, of course."

"Give her a kiss for me." I'd told Chad I was coming to visit her today when I spoke to him last night. I tried to make it out to her house for dinner at least once a week.

"I need to check in with you, Chad."

"About what? "

"Owen."

"Oh. What did you need to check?"

"That you're completely comfortable with me seeing him."

"You want to know if I mind that my husband has a boyfriend?"

"That's what I mean … yes. Even though I haven't proposed that to Owen yet."

"Skylar, I'm not sure how many ways I can say this to you. I love that you have Owen." He laughed. "Kinda takes the pressure off me. Maybe he can collect your drycleaning."

Imagining Chad and Owen sharing household duties in a shared home sent shivers through me. But that's not why I'd called. "In no universe would I ever want to hurt you."

"I know. Believe me … I know. Our love is built to last. I want you to enjoy him."

"You're sure?"

"I would say something if I wasn't completely on board."

The vice my grandma's words of concern had placed on my heart, released.

"I love you."

"And there's more than enough of that love to go around, believe me. You embody love, Skylar. I've never met a man with a heart as big as yours. You don't need to worry about me. I trust you to always give me everything I need. And I'm here for you too. Remember that."

A tear raced down my cheek.

I'd be lost without this man in my life.

His assurance of our love emboldened me. My confidence came flooding back. I could be what my two men needed. I had it in me to love them both.