Chapter Sixteen

I stared at Vihaal for a long moment, unashamed of my nudity, knowing that this man had taken me in hand in the best of ways, when I hadn't even known that was what I'd craved.

"Yes, Vihaal," I said, giving myself up to him.

I wanted him close. I wanted to feel those rough and skilled hands on my body. I'd waited years and years for this kind of attention and I was greedy for it.

Vihaal smiled. It lit up his face like he was a kid with an ice cream cone. I figured I was the ice cream cone.

With one movement he pushed his undershorts down and off, tossing them into the hamper. I was transfixed and caught up in the newness of the experience. Of looking at another man in this hungry and appreciative way. Of allowing myself to do it.

He was half-hard. My mouth went dry as I looked at him. His cock was thick enough, ruddy and leaned slightly to the right as it swelled, which it did now. I'd never really noticed men's cocks before, and even now, what Vihaal's and Gideon's cocks looked like—their size, girth, and attitude—was irrelevant. It was the men they were attached to. My only interest lay in how they indicated arousal, and the skill with which they were used to give pleasure.

"It's always done that," Vihaal muttered, opening the glass shower door and stepping in as I made room. "Gideon calls it the Jolly Roger."

I snorted a laugh and Vihaal's eyes sparked with amusement.

"He calls your dick the Jolly Roger?"

Vihaal grinned. "Sometimes."

He wrapped his arms around my waist and pressed his dry body against my wet one. "It's got that pirate angle. Makes me feel like a right scoundrel ," he said, in a perfect Cockney accent.

I grinned and offered my palm full of body wash to Vihaal, even as it slid through my fingers.

"Oops," I said.

"I'm exercising a great deal of restraint," Vihaal said, gazing at me as hot water cascaded over us. "But I can see that you're definitely not straight ."

He gestured to my now full erection.

I looked down at myself. "I've come to terms with it."

"Mmm. I'd love to come to terms with that ," Vihaal murmured.

He hooked a finger under my chin and turned my face so he could kiss me. It was tender and greedy at the same time. He took his time, and when he pulled back finally, it was like I'd woken from a dream.

"I've been waiting to kiss you that way," he said.

"Really?"

"Well, yes. A real, non-performative, kiss. Without an audience." He gazed at me with such affection and warmth, I almost felt guilty. He was another man's husband.

"Um, so how does this work, exactly?" I asked, gazing into Vihaal's blue-green eyes.

He smiled again. "Well, I get some body wash, and I use it to—"

"Cute," I said, kissing him softly on the cheek. "I mean, how does this thing with you, and Gideon, and me, work? How do I know what's allowed and what's not allowed? Or what's polite and what's rude? I feel like I've been thrown into a game I've never played and handed…the ball."

We both grinned at my double entendre.

Vihaal gave me a look as he reached around me and pumped some body wash into his hand. Then he slid his palm up my chest, over my collarbone, and cupped the top of my throat, forcing my chin up. I stared at the top of the shower stall, wondering what was going on in his head.

He kissed the lobe of my ear and licked a line along my jaw.

"Don't worry so much. We'll let you know if you're stepping on anyone's toes."

"Okay," I said. "I don't want to interfere with what the two of you have."

"Oh, Angel. You already have, but in the very best of ways," he said, smoothing his hand down my throat and rubbing the body wash over my chest in slow, sensual, circles. "You enhance our relationship, you know."

"Even when it's just the two of us? Like now?"

"Yes."

"Okay," I said. "And Gideon won't be jealous?"

Vihaal laughed. "I doubt it. And if he is, he'll tell me. And we'll figure out some new guidelines. Communication is the basis of everything we do together, Angel. The kinky stuff. The unconventional relationship. Really, everything. So, please do speak up, like this, if you need clarification, or you have emotions you want to express. We need to be open and transparent if this is going to work."

"I'll do my very best."

"Oh, I know you will. You're a very good boy, Angel," he murmured, smoothing the body wash over my shoulders and down my arms.

"Fuck. Why does it feel so good when you say that? And so fucking hot?"

"I think you've been waiting for that kind of validation for a very long time. You seem to have slid right into the kinky side of our relationship without a problem."

He grinned against my neck and pressed his lips just below my ear, his breath a warm puff against my wet skin.

"You like me to take over."

"Yes."

"You like to be told what to do."

"Yes."

"You like to please me."

I sighed. "Yes. Fuck yes," I said, turning my face toward him.

He caught my lips with his and kissed me like he had all the time in the world. My heart, that vulnerable organ that I'd guarded so fiercely for most of my life, thumped in my chest and loosened, drumming to the beat of Vihaal's.

When he released me, I closed my eyes as he spread more body wash over my chest and belly. My hands lay on his forearms as he washed me all over, even in the most intimate places, and I let him, my desire rising.

I caught his face between my hands, and guided his mouth to mine, surprised at how malleable he was. Not always the stern Dom, Vihaal relaxed under my kiss and let me explore him, responding to my gentle probing that soon became hunger and a rampant need. Then he matched me, kissing me back hard, breaths hastening, slippery limbs colliding.

"God," I gasped, eating at his lips as if they were the sweetest candy. I wasn't surprised when Vihaal took my wrist and forced my arm behind my back. In fact, it only made me harder.

"Turn around."

I obeyed without question, my cock so hard it throbbed in time with my beating heart. He let go.

Vihaal went to his knees and I gasped with the shock of it. His broad hands traveled down my back, his thumbs slipping between my cheeks and spreading me as he nuzzled between them.

"Fuck," I gasped. "Fuck, fuck, fuck."

"Anyone ever eat your ass before?"

"No. Fuck. No," I stuttered.

"You poor baby," he said, then his tongue was on me.

I splayed my hands against the tiles and rested my forehead on them, gasping and groaning as Vihaal— Vihaal!— used his entire fucking face to eat me out. I never thought it would feel as good and as dirty as it did. I almost protested, because it made me feel so damn vulnerable, but then his tongue was working its magic and I was lost to the intensity of the pleasure.

"Oh my God," I groaned.

Vihaal chuckled then hummed, and the vibrations added to the bliss of it.

"Vihaal. Fucking Jesus ."

He transformed me into a writhing, gasping mess, with water dripping down my face and fluid dripping down my cock. Then he pulled off, gasping, and told me to turn around again.

As soon as I faced him, he grabbed my cock and went to town. My back started to slip so I splayed my arms out on the wet tiles, trying to stay upright. I gazed down at him through the curtain of water and tried to breathe.

"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!" I yelled as I came, overtaken by him again. This man had my fucking number.

My shouts echoed off the walls of the shower as Vihaal swallowed everything and pulled off finally with a very satisfied smirk.

"There we go," he muttered, wiping his lips.

I gaped at him as he stood, my arms still spread on the cold tile, my body trying to recover from…everything.

He came close and kissed me on the mouth, hard, then drew back. And there was stern, Dom Vihaal once again.

"Now dry off, get dressed, and go downstairs."

I didn't answer right away. I was still trying to herd a few brain cells. I breathed and swallowed. Then I nodded weakly.

"Yes, Vihaal."

When Vihaal joined Gideon and I downstairs, he told Gideon—with my permission—about our little détente in the en suite.

"I was hoping that would happen," Gideon admitted, grinning. "Angel, don't look so surprised. Vihaal and I share everything. Even you."

I blinked. "I feel like I'm in some kind of alternate universe."

Vihaal shrugged. "You mean, one where people are honest with each other and don't try to take away another person's agency?"

"Yeah. That one."

"I'm the first to admit that poly relationships won't work for everyone. And I honestly don't know if this thing with you will be a success or not. But I have very good feelings about it," he said, with candor.

"Yeah. Me too," I said.

"Me three," Gideon agreed. "Now, let's pick out a movie."

* * * *

We slept together in the big bed. This time, I went in the middle, and was surprised to wake up with my arm thrown over Vihaal. I carefully extricated myself before noticing that Gideon wasn't in bed with us.

"He went to work," Vihaal mumbled, reaching behind him, finding my arm, and bringing it back to where it had been before, tugging me closer.

I smiled and cuddled against him, closing my eyes and drifting off again.

* * * *

"I didn't think he worked weekends."

"He doesn't usually. It's only a six-hour shift. Not so bad."

We were down in the kitchen, drinking coffee, and Vihaal was regarding me thoughtfully.

Does he want to feed me again? I put down my coffee and gazed at him expectantly.

"I want to take you car shopping."

"You want to take me car shopping."

"Sorry. Let me rephrase that. I would be happy to join you while we look at a few options. You need a way to get around. As much as I enjoy driving you places, you need your own car, Angel."

I blushed. "Yeah. You're right. And I'd love your help."

"Money isn't an issue?"

"Well, I mean, I have enough for a car payment, as long as it's reasonable."

"What's reasonable?"

"Like…something around four hundred a month. Maybe five?"

"All right. And what else are you looking for in a car?"

I had to think about that for a minute. "Well, reliability most of all. I don't really care about looks."

Vihaal scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. The car he drives says a lot about the man driving it."

"You think?"

He gave me a look. Maybe it was time for an upgrade in that department.

"I've got some ideas," Vihaal said. "Car shopping is something I enjoy, so I'm quite willing to help."

"Sure. You're probably a much better negotiator than I am. You can use your whole Dom vibe."

He smiled. "I have a Dom vibe?"

I gave him a look. "Of course you have a Dom vibe. Everyone can see it and you fucking know it."

Vihaal seemed inordinately pleased with my remark and I was glad to have said it.

We ended up going to three different dealerships and looking at a variety of cars. I finally chose a Hyundai Sonata, blue, from the lot. It looked sporty and slick. I'd never had such a sexy car.

Vihaal did all the negotiating and got me an amazing deal. This was not a surprise.

I signed off on the paperwork, gave my banking details and arranged to pick it up in two days. I was oddly thrilled about it. I didn't normally get excited about cars—they were a pricey necessity—and the entire process of negotiating a good deal and making sure you didn't get taken advantage of was a pain in the ass. This had been a dream.

"Thank you, V," I said as we left.

"Of course. I'm so glad you accepted my help."

"My instincts were right. You killed it."

"Thank you. It was highly entertaining, especially when he tried to trick me into getting an enhanced service plan, when the regular one covered everything you'll need." He clapped his hands together. "Now. We need some lunch, and then I'm going to take you to see my store. I'm in the mood for a fast-food burger. What do you say?"

"Hell, I'm always in the mood for a fast food."

We ended up at A&W and, since Vihaal didn't want to risk staining the leather seats in his Audi, we ate inside. It seemed strange for Vihaal to be in a fast-food joint, especially because he had worn his business suit to look intimidating and professional at the dealerships. I had to fight my amused smile as he ordered us two Cheddar Bacon Uncle Burgers and fries.

By the time we got to a table, I couldn't help the laughter bursting out of me.

"What?" Vihaal asked, the beginning of a smile on his face.

"Nothing. I've never seen you acting so ordinary."

"I don't understand the ridiculous names they give these burgers," he said, starting to unwrap his. "But they are fucking delicious."

He got a few looks because, yeah, he had a Dom vibe, and he looked incredibly hot. It didn't seem to matter what he was doing or where he was, Vihaal had this calm competence and sense of power that made people give him automatic respect.

When we got back in the car, before he started driving, Vihaal looked at his phone and started tapping.

"Gideon's home," he said. "I'm just letting him know where we're going."

"Sure."

Once Vihaal had pocketed his phone and started the car, I got a text from Gideon.

You got a car!

Yep. Vihaal is an ace negotiator.

Lol. Good at negotiating me out of my pants. Everyone's scared of him. What color?

Metallic blue.

When do you pick it up?

Monday.

Cool cool. Have fun at Tarnish. Watch out for Dominic. He's a dick.

Ok

Vihaal's blind when it comes to that guy. I think he's a creep.

Okay. See you later.

Are you coming back here?

Maybe? I don't have a car yet, and my laptop's at your place.

Maybe you should just move in. laughing/smiling emoji.

I didn't know whether it was a joke or if he was making a dig at my presumption. My thumb hovered over the keys as another message popped up.

It was a joke. Kind of. I love it when you're with us.

My heart fucking melted again. What were these two men doing to me? I was turning into a marshmallow.

Same, same. Smiley face.

Vihaal's antique store was near Main Street, on a little side avenue. He parked in the lot behind the historic Victorian house with Tarnish in bold brass letters over the door.

"This is it?" I asked.

"This is it," Vihaal said, as we rounded the corner to the front fa?ade. "What do you think?"

"It's pretty."

"Yes. I was lucky to secure the space for the price I did. Of course, rent's gone up over the years, but it's still reasonable."

I followed Vihaal up the steps and inside, as the clanging of a bell on the door announced our arrival.

A young woman with shoulder-length blue hair looked up. "Vihaal! Hey!"

"Alice," Vihaal said. "How are you?"

"Ah, can't complain. And who is this?" she asked, gazing at me with curious and twinkling eyes. She had a silver ring in the center of her lower lip that sparkled under the fluorescent lights.

"This is Angel Barnett," he said, putting his arm around me. He leaned in to speak softly to Alice. "He's a new acquisition."

Both Alice and I gaped at Vihaal.

"For the…store?" Alice asked, assuming I was a new staff member.

Vihaal smiled. "No, no. For me. And Gideon. A new romantic partner."

Alice blinked slowly. "Oh, my. Well, that's fantastic. Ever the overachiever."

"Well." He shrugged.

She came out from behind the desk and offered me her hand. "Mr. Barnett. I'm Alice Henderson, Assistant Manager."

"Wonderful to meet you. So, this is Tarnish," I said, looking around.

"How are things going, Alice?"

"Great! I mean, I think? Dominic doesn't tell me anything. We've been busy lately, though. Of course, it's dead when you come for a visit." She laughed. "But I swear, we've been hopping."

"Good. I'm glad to hear it. Is Dominic in today?"

"Yeah, he's in the back," Alice said, her expression somewhat less exuberant.

The bell jangled and two customers came in, talking together and laughing.

"I'll let you deal with them," Vihaal said, "we won't be long. Come on, Angel. I want you to meet my manager."