Chapter Four | Skylar

It was good to be home. The flight from Toronto had taken longer than usual. My connecting flight had been delayed in Calgary. I'd tucked myself into a corner seat of the first-class lounge, nursing a scotch, listening to music on my headphones, and reading an eBook on my phone.

It was late last night when I pulled up at the house. Chad had waited up for me and joined me in the shower. I'd fucked him against the cool glass wall.

I looked down at my phone and sighed. I'd opened a door by asking Owen about sexual experimentation. The question had been burning in my mind. I shouldn't have asked it. I usually had more control over myself than that. Owen was shaking my foundation.

It was my fault he'd felt encouraged to flirt with me on New Year's Eve. My fault I'd met him there and flirted back. That hadn't been in my plan to blur the lines of what I was offering him.

I'd spoken to Chad directly after it happened. Apologized that I hadn't given him a heads up, even though I'd determined ahead of time Owen might go there.

My husband had been great about it. Given me a pass to chase that thrill if the flirting continued. Now, even though it was Friday, I wasn't sure I should contact Owen. He was in my head more than he should be. I was happily married. I wasn't sure what was happening with Owen .

I groaned. I'd made Owen a promise that I would text every Friday at 6 pm, even though it was a night I'd prefer to be devoting to Chad. Owen and I would need to talk about that.

Moth to flame … I texted him.

Me: Are you free to talk?

Owen: For you? Always.

My heart pattered. I needed to redirect.

Me: How's your week been?

Owen: Busy. In a good way. Sold two houses.

Me: Wow. Congratulations.

Owen: Thank you. Don't usually sell much in January.

Me: Yeah, Chad's been dry this month.

I cringed slightly. I hadn't meant to mention Chad. This wasn't about him. Even though, my conversations with Owen benefited him. I'd become more attentive to my husband. Not out of guilt for flirting with another man but because doing so created a reminder of how much I cherished Chad. Owen made me think about my own life and how blessed I was to have someone as incredible as Chad at my side. We were walking through life with our hands linked.

Owen: I know. He's not on the sales board. How was your week?

Me: Same as usual. Which reminds me. Can we switch our nights to Tuesday at the same time? I'm in Toronto on my own during the week. I want to be able to focus on you .

Owen: Sure. That works. You haven't told me about your work. Why Toronto?

Me: I grew up in Toronto. Went to university in the UK. Had my PhD in pharmaceutical sciences and microbiology and immunology by the time I was twenty-one. I wanted to go home and work in Canada. Toronto is where the pharmaceutical corporation my dad works for is located. It's the best place for me to be. I can do the most good there. We develop life-changing medications.

Owen: Wow. When did you start university?

Me: At 14.

Owen: Freaky smart and you're driven.

Me: You could call it driven. More like obsessive when it comes to pursuits.

Owen: You go after what you want.

I cleared my throat. This was happening. I couldn't fight it.

Me: With a vengeance once I make the decision.

Owen: Have you decided yet?

I knew exactly what he was referring to.

Me: Getting there. I've spent many nights thinking about it.

I couldn't be any clearer that I was considering changing the relationship Owen and I had been cultivating into something intimate. He didn't appear to have any objections.

We needed to have a conversation before this went any further.

Me: Chad and I have an open relationship .

Owen: Figured. You don't seem like the type who would cheat.

Me: I talk to him about everything first. Share my motivation and desires with him before I act. It's how we keep our relationship healthy. He's given me all green lights for where you and I are at.

Owen: That makes me feel better. How much time do you spend at home with him?

Me: I fly in on Thursday night and out on Sunday afternoon.

It took a while for Owen to answer. He was certainly right to pause. I wouldn't have much time for him if we progressed to being in the same room together.

Owen: Okay.

Owen: Don't you get lonely?

I smiled. Owen felt like steering the conversation tonight and I was going to let him. Truth was, Chad and I video-called every night. He kept me company for hours before bed.

Might as well tell the truth.

Me: My husband keeps me busy online.

Me: And to be honest, I'm not much of a people person. I don't generally fit into society. I've always been searching for my place in the world. I found that in the lab. I don't need to interact with many people. I can concentrate on my work. The trick is not to bring it home with me.

Owen: You don't want to impact your time with Chad.

More honesty. Owen needed to know where I stood.

Me: He's the love of my life.

Owen: And yet you're talking to me .

Me: You're special.

Owen: I don't feel special.

Me: You don't see what I see.

I hovered my thumbs over the keyboard.

Me: Why don't you think you're capable of having a healthy relationship?

Owen: I've never had one.

Me: What do you think you're looking for in a relationship?

Owen: The whole package and not just because my parents want it for me.

Me: Paint it for me.

Owen: An adoring husband who is my soul mate. Two-point-five thriving kids. A beautiful home. A crazy dog that keeps us all laughing. Like I said. The whole package.

Me: What if that's not what you really want?

Owen: What do you mean?

Me: You're flirting with me. I can't offer you that.

Owen: Okay. Question. What is it we're doing?

Me: I haven't decided yet.

Owen: It's your decision?

Me: Do you want it to be your decision?

Owen took a moment .

Owen: No.

Me: Think about what you might really want until we speak again. I need to go. Chad is making dinner. He likes encouragement when he's cooking.

Owen: Talk on Tuesday?

Me: Yes. Have a good night.

That conversation had swerved heavier into the lane of intimacy. I wanted him. I confirmed I might be looking for more from him and explained how it would work with Chad.

I arrived in the kitchen to what looked like an explosion of pots and bowls. Chad was making lentil Bolognese over creamy polenta. One of my favourites.

I took a seat on a stool at the island. He'd poured me a glass of cabernet sauvignon and set it on the counter. The smile on my face made it difficult to take a sip as I watched him.

"Smells great," I said.

Chad turned away from the stove, his expression one of pure joy. I loved to see him in high spirits. As usual, when I came home, the house was spotless. Chad had picked up my drycleaning, ready for me to wear for the weekend. Grocery shopping done. The drinks fridge stocked.

When we'd bought our first home together, Chad had expressed a need to take care of everything. He wanted me to relax when I was home. We had sat down together and gone over what that would entail. He'd wanted to know what I expected from him. Not going to lie, the wording of that request sent a tingle to my cock. Turns out, I liked to be in charge.

In addition to maintaining our home, my husband thrived when his schedule included his personal habits. I'd added his daily runs and workouts to the calendar we had set up for him, and knowing he needed it, I'd also set a time each day for him to meditate .

Every weeknight on the nights I wasn't home, from 7 pm to 9 pm his time, we would video call. After that, he would shower and head to bed. Those two hours were our time to reconnect and share words of love. Sometimes, I'd have Chad jerk off for me if I felt he needed it.

Or play with his ass if his ache for me was deep.

"Did you have a good conversation with Owen?" Chad dipped a spoon into the pot, scooped, and tasted the sauce. He seemed satisfied with it.

"We did. We talked about your and my open relationship and what that looks like."

Chad leaned his ass against the counter and raised his eyebrows. "That's a step forward."

"Maybe. I haven't decided yet."

"We've never been in a situation where one of us might take on a boyfriend."

"What do you need to know from me?"

"How serious are you about Owen?"

"I like him. His vulnerability fills a need in me."

"That's it?"

"For now, yes. I'll discuss it with you if that changes."

Chad nodded. "I know I can trust you."

I lifted my glass. "So, what's your plan to get your sales back up?"

Chad wrinkled his nose. "I have a few ideas up my sleeve."

I listened intently as Chad outlined what his plans were. I was endlessly thrilled by how passionate he was about his job. He was living a fulfilling life, but I wished I could give him more of myself. In the past, lab work had been my comfort zone. I'd foregone family life to maintain it. Not giving Chad my all was a constant source of regret. He deserved so much more from me .

"Are you making any new friends at work?" I asked as Chad began dishing up the food.

"Acquaintances. People I can go out for a beer with after work. Nothing more."

"Anyone you could see yourself closer to if you worked at it?"

Chad shrugged. "Maybe."

"Will you try for me? I'd feel better if you had a friend to hang out with when I'm not here."

He set my plate in front of me. "It certainly won't be Owen." He waited for me to start before he went back to the counter beside the stove to retrieve his plate. He always served me first.

"Are you still hassling him?" I asked.

"He's fun to tease." Chad sat beside me.

"And this teasing is separate from me texting and flirting with him."

"I have my own relationship with Owen apart from you."

"Would you consider easing up on him?"

"That would make you biased in his favour. So, no. He's entertaining me."

I rolled my eyes and huffed out a laugh. "Fair enough." I put my arm around his immense shoulders and hugged him to me. I gripped his neck and kissed his temple. "This meal is amazing. You should open your own vegan restaurant."

"Not in the plans. I only like cooking for you."

"Then, I'm one lucky guy."

Chad grinned at me. "You have no idea how lucky you are."

I took in the mischievous glint in his eyes. "What have you done?"

"Remember that butt plug I showed you online?"

I raised my eyebrows. "That huge one? You bought that for me?" I released his shoulders and shifted him forward so I could see his ass. I placed my hand on it. "Do you have it in?" I searched his sweatpants with my fingers until I felt the firm silicone that kept the plug in place.

"For the past two hours."

I shivered and my cock lifted, hardening, trapped by my pink booty shorts. His hole would be gaping by the time we finished dinner and Chad cleaned up.

Chad squirmed beside me as I took my time finishing dinner. By his own design, he had to wait even longer. The kitchen needed to be spotless before he would leave it.

Not that he made it out of the kitchen.

After he put the last cleaned pot away, I pressed him against the island counter until he lay his chest flat on it. I yanked his grey sweatpants down without any preamble and squatted behind him as I carefully slipped the plug from his ass. As anticipated, his hole was popping open and swollen.

I wasn't gentle as I drilled my cock into him.

I wrapped my hand around Chad's throat and lifted his head away from the counter. His shirt was damp with sweat as I pressed my lips to his shoulder.

"Who loves you?" I murmured against the material.

"You do." Chad's voice sounded strained due to the pressure on his throat from my hand.

I gripped his hip and thrust faster. "You're my forever love, burly bear."

"Forever," Chad grunted and held his ass firmly in place. A low wail escaped his lips as he shuddered. Knowing he shot his load on the cabinets pulled me over the edge.

I filled him, then as my body slowed, I used my feet to assist Chad in stepping out of his sweats. I'd make him walk around without pants for a few minutes and let my cum drip down his thighs. Any drips on our tile floors would require him to kneel and lick them up.

A shudder of ecstasy rolled through me .

Goddamn, the thought of that subservience made me hard.

I leaned back in my seat and closed my eyes as the plane took off. After years of flying, being in a plane still made me uncomfortable. The elbow of my fellow traveller nudged me. Which was a feat considering I was flying first class. The point being extra leg and arm room.

"You a nervous flyer?"

I opened my eyes to an attractive, rugged face. I straightened my slouch from where I had attempted to become one with my seat. "Never seem to get used to it."

"Don't fly much?"

I chuffed out a laugh. "Twice a week. You'd think I'd be better at it."

"My ex-girlfriend hated flying. Doesn't bother me at all."

"You're lucky."

He pointed at my thighs. "That a kilt? Are you Scottish?"

"More likely Irish, but I love wearing a heavy wool skirt in winter."

My new friend grunted. "I like it. I'd never be brave enough." His gaze wandered over the rest of me and ended at my face. I pushed my glasses up the bridge of my nose to break his stare.

I held out my hand. "I'm Skylar."

His beefy warm hand gripped mine. "Dylan."

"Is Toronto home or are you visiting?"

"I have to settle my aunt's estate."

I frowned. "I'm so sorry. Were you close?"

"Didn't even know she existed. My dad never talked about having a sister."

"That must have been a bit shocking."

"Threw me, that's for sure."

"Do you have other family who can help you? "

"We don't talk."

"I'm sorry. My husband's family is like that. He's only in contact with his one brother."

"You're married?"

I smiled at him. "Hence the husband."

"You seem too young to be married."

A little core of warmth spread through my gut. No homophobic remarks or shock about my sexuality. Just surprised by the fact I was married. "I was twenty-four. Didn't want to lose him."

"I'm still looking." He pointed at himself. "Thirty-three."

"What are you looking for?" I couldn't help myself.

"Not sure."

"Well, at least you're honest about that. Leaves you open to try new things."

Dylan's gaze held mine. "Yeah, I'd be into that. Trying new things."

I shifted in my seat, so I was facing him. That was a definite flirtation. My trip to Toronto was about to become much more interesting. "Are you sure you know what you're suggesting?"

He moved his hand to my thigh. "Wouldn't be the first time I found myself on my knees."

Well, that settled that. Dylan knew what he was asking for. Having my dick sucked hadn't been on this afternoon's agenda but the man I was sharing space with had that straight vibe about him. One of my favourite flavours of man. That quality was what had attracted me to Chad.

"You're built like a linebacker. The on-flight washroom cubicle is out of the question."

"We'll be in the terminal in four hours. I'm in no rush to get to my rental car. "

I felt a strange tug in my gut. It felt like hesitation. That wasn't like me. Here was a gorgeous guy who wanted to suck me off. I should be jumping at it.

"I'm going to close my eyes for the rest of the flight," I said to Dylan, brushing him off.

Dylan snapped his hand away from my thigh. "Yeah … sure."

I needed time to think. My life revolved around Chad and my work. Now, I'd introduced Owen to my world. I turned up the music on my headphones, reclined my seat, and closed my eyes.

I had immersed myself in a new reality. I had two men who needed me. One who had my heart. The other who had my interest. They deserved my full attention.

I snuck a glance at Dylan. He had his eyes shut. Whatever I did with him would be fleeting. Momentary gratification. I crossed my arms and cozied up against the wall of the plane, soothed by the rumble. Confirmation the engines were indeed functioning.

My men were more important to me than a casual hookup. My hesitation turned into a full stop. I'd talk through the reasons for my decision to resist with Chad later tonight.

When we landed, Dylan was up and out of his seat before it was our turn to disembark. I didn't see him in the terminal. He'd got the message which meant Chad and I had a lot to discuss.

My dad was pacing in his office when I arrived. That was a bad sign. It wasn't often I received a call from him while working in the lab, demanding I make my way upstairs to see him.

"What have I done now?" I asked as I closed his door behind me .

He stopped pacing. "When I offered you this position, I assumed I was taking on a full-time employee. Not someone who thinks every Friday is a holiday."

"We've been through this. I work four days in the lab and one at home. You agreed."

"I thought it would be temporary."

"It's been like this for over three years. Why the sudden concern over it?"

"I'm getting flack from above. The word favoritism is being bandied about in upper management. You're one of our best research scientists. They want more from you."

I put my hands on my hips. "They're not getting more from me."

"Have Chad move to Toronto. There's plenty of real estate here to keep him busy."

Absolutely not.

"Chad doesn't want to move here. He's fallen in love with the ocean. I'm not pulling him away from it." I walked toward him. "You know he's the most important thing in my life."

"More than your research work."

I shook my head. "You don't get it. Chad is my world. His happiness comes first."

And last night, while on our video call, he'd gotten rock hard as I told him about my near encounter with Dylan. I'd led him through what I would have done with the man if I had decided to indulge. Chad had barely pulled his shorts down for me to see before he coated his fingers.

Happy.

I strived for it.

Afterward, I told him why I stopped myself from having an entertaining liaison with Dylan. How the men in my life were more important to me than some random hookup.

It had been a bumpy conversation after my use of the word men , meaning him and Owen, but we'd got through it. Chad understood that I felt as though Owen needed me. That his emotions mattered to me. But that Chad was my rock. We'd both caught a case of happy tears after that.

At 9 pm, it had been difficult to say goodnight.

"The board is not impressed," my dad said.

I flung my arms out to both sides. "Then tell them to fire me."

"You know they won't do that. You make them too much money."

"Then why are we talking about this?"

"I said I would speak to you."

"Okay. Now you have." I motioned toward the door. "Can I go? I have work to do."

My dad grunted and I took that as affirmation I was free to go. When I arrived back at the lab, I took a minute to calm down. What would my dad think if he knew about Owen? That I was endeavouring to spread myself even thinner. Was I getting in over my head?

I imagined Chad and Owen sitting together, touching, sharing a drink, and laughing. They were on the big couch in our family room. Flames in the fireplace were illuminating the space.

That there … that's what I wanted.