Chapter Three

I had no idea what to wear.

Sure, it was afternoon tea, but I wasn't a fifty-year-old woman. I decided on a pair of dark-wash jeans, and a navy-blue button-down shirt, tucked in—more formal—with the top two buttons undone. I grabbed the leather choker that I wore to the clubs off my dresser, and fastened it around my neck.

I might as well look pretty.

I moisturized my face and put some gel in my hair, feeling like someone waking up to a new world. Getting ready to visit Vihaal and Gideon was a completely different experience from heading out to try to meet women. I felt so much more vulnerable, and at a loss as to what might impress them. And I wanted to make an impression.

I knew what women liked, but I had no idea how to make myself attractive for two men. As I gazed at my face in the mirror, seeing the faint freckles that spanned my pale nose and cheeks, and the reddish hair that curled in a neglected shag around my ears, I wondered what they saw in me to draw them in. I was nowhere near as hot as they were. My eyes were a boring brown color and I'd never been able to grow a respectable beard.

And I had so many questions. Did they romance other men frequently? Did they have an open relationship? Did they have other men over all the time to share their bedroom or their playroom? Wait, Vihaal had said they didn't have a ‘dungeon' in their home, and that was why they used the Bordello frequently. Did they take other men there, or just each other?

Fuck, I was getting ahead of myself. It was entirely possible that I would only be offered a cup of tea and some teeny tiny sandwiches.

My car made troublesome sounds the entire way to their place. I had an irrational attachment to my silver Honda Civic. It had been with me a long time, but maybe it was a good idea to move on.

I turned left onto Cameron Avenue from Riverdale, then took an immediate right onto Bellwood. The picturesque street spanned out under what would be lots of tree cover in the summer but at present were bare branches and snowy bushes. Number fifty-seven was a charming three-story Victorian-style home about three quarters of the way down, with red brick walls and a porch with white railings and a balcony directly above it. There was space on the street to park nearby. I noticed a small red Mazda in the drive.

My car made a rattle and a sigh as I turned it off with the manual ignition and I prayed it might still have a few weeks left. Like I'd said, it had been a stressful and busy few years, and I hadn't maintained it properly.

I sat there for a moment, taking in the view out the windshield. Old Ottawa South was a beautiful but pricey area to live and I wondered how rich Vihaal actually was. Sebastian had implied that he had family money, and I knew he owned the antique store, which he had other people managing. They could obviously afford to live here.

I took a deep breath and got out of my car. Maybe I could pretend that nothing had changed, and we were only good friends who enjoyed hanging out together in a socially approved way. But what the hell was the fun of that? If my parents had taught me anything, it was to take some risks and find out what you really wanted. Now that I had some breathing room, maybe it was time I took that advice.

Gideon answered the door wearing tiny cut-off jean shorts and a mesh crop top, and holding a black feather duster. If there had still been any question that I might be a little bit gay, it left me in a spike of desire as I gazed at him, noticing the curves of muscle in his thighs and calves and the slight pooch of his belly under the see-through shirt. I couldn't help staring at him, in blatant desire and with some confusion, since it was quite chilly out here.

"Angel!"

Gideon's expression went from delighted to concerned and he looked down at himself, as if only now remembering his outfit.

"Oh, shit, sorry." He rolled his eyes. "V's punishing me and he made me wear this and I'm supposed to dust the tchotchkes. Actually, I'm just wandering around bending over and reaching up and driving him mad with desire."

He crossed his arms over his chest and gave me a proud look, as if challenging me to criticize.

"Punishing you?"

"Yeah." He grinned. He waved the feather duster and rolled his eyes. "We have this thing… Never mind. Come in, come in!"

He backed up and beckoned me in.

As I stepped inside the small entryway, Vihaal's voice echoed from another room.

"Gideon, when you're done welcoming our guest you can stop pretending to dust."

"Cool! Thanks, man. It's exhausting pleasing you," Gideon shouted in a bright, happy tone. "Here, just put your coat on one of these hooks and your boots in the tray. Ooh, you look hot! Did you do something to your hair?"

I shrugged, then cleared my throat. "What? No, this is the way I always look."

"Oh, it's the choker. That's super sexy. Did you make yourself extra pretty for us?"

I laughed but it sounded totally fake. "What? No!"

He narrowed his eyes at me. "It was a joke, but okay." He gazed at me with contemplation. "Huh."

"What?" I asked, knowing I should just keep my mouth shut.

"You seem different. Nervous, for some reason. Why are you nervous, Angel? We're just having tea."

I did the fake laugh again. It sounded only slightly more authentic. "Don't be ridiculous. It's only that my car sounds like it's dying."

"Oh, damn."

I went through as Gideon led me past a stairway directly ahead and into a cozy living room, where Vihaal stood by the picturesque bay window. As if a fog had lifted, I saw him with the new awareness of my feelings and could not deny that I was very much drawn to this imposing, compelling man who had more charisma in his little finger than most of the women I'd dated.

I also couldn't deny that my dick had moved and swelled in response to the alluring presence of not one, but two, captivating men.

Settle down , I told it silently. I needed time to get used to the idea of the three of us possibly being more than just friends .

"Angel," Vihaal said, smiling. His hands were in his pockets, his gaze quickly running over me. "My, don't you look nice."

Those words hit me in a place I'd not expected.

"Thanks. I…made an effort," I admitted, blushing. Why did this man make me feel so off center, but in an entirely agreeable and welcome way?

At that information, Vihaal's eyebrows shot up and his smile broadened.

"I'm going to change," Gideon said. "Don't worry. Vihaal won't bite. At least, not unless you give him permission." He threw Vihaal a look. " Be. Nice ."

Then he was gone.

I looked about the room, trying not to be obvious about stealing glances at Vihaal, even though my gaze was drawn to him. Each time I did look at him, he was watching me with the same kind of predatory calm that a lion would use to assess an antelope. It was unnerving, but also arousing, since I was pretty sure he wouldn't pounce and kill. But he might be contemplating a different kind of attack and that thought was, honestly, thrilling.

The living room was a lovely space, with what looked like an original oak floor, painted brown trim, and white plastered walls. I'd been here before, but it all seemed more relevant now. There was a whole wall of bookcases, filled with books that overflowed the shelves, and with small artistic items scattered in front and in between—probably what Gideon was supposed to have dusted.

For the first time I noticed a dark wood secretaire against the wall with an open notebook upon it, and some other antique pieces like the coffee table and a side table that looked very expensive. They had probably come from Vihaal's antique store.

I looked closer at the rug on the floor.

"It's Turkish," Vihaal said, in a neutral tone that didn't indicate any kind of show-offy vibes. "You seem more…present today."

"I noticed it before. It's very soft. Is it from the store?"

"Well, it never made it to the store. I saw it before it was tagged and immediately had it delivered."

"It's beautiful."

"Yes, well, I like beautiful things," he said, staring at me in a way that made my balls pull up tight and my cock thicken.

"Oh?" I said, flushing. "You said you had some work for me?"

"Oh no. Don't try to distract me. I want to know what you told Sebastian."

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

"Ha ha ha, what do you mean?"

Vihaal leveled a gaze at me and my bravado shriveled. He reached for his phone and showed me the screen. The text I'd sent was on there.

Did you talk to Sebastian? He wasn't supposed to say anything…

"Explain this."

It sounded like an order, because he didn't say ‘please'.

"Oh, I, uh, nothing…" I said, feeling very brave for defying him.

I laughed again, but it sounded like a choke. Then I did choke on a bit of spit I'd inhaled. I held up my hand and leaned forward, coughing uncontrollably.

"Sorry…" I rasped. "Spit…down my wind…pipe."

I gasped, sucking in air when I could.

Vihaal stepped forward and took my elbow, then helped me to the antique settee.

"Goodness," Vihaal murmured. "Are you all right?"

Fuck no. I wasn't. I had to come clean. I hated being deceptive to people I cared about. And it was becoming obvious to me that I did care about Gideon and Vihaal.

"Sebastian—" I began, then had another coughing fit just as Gideon returned, wearing more appropriate clothing.

"God, what is happening? Is he dying?"

"Please get Angel a glass of water, Gideon. He's simply choking on secrets. Secrets that he's about to tell us. Isn't that right, Angel?"

God, he was good.

I nodded. "Water. Please."

Gideon dashed away to the kitchen and returned with a tumbler of water as Vihaal and I had a stare down. It wasn't aggressive per se, but there was a challenge in his blue-eyed gaze.

I took the glass from Gideon and tipped it to my lips, sipping a bit of water.

"If it helps," Vihaal said, "I'm pretty sure I know what you're hiding."

His gaze landed on my groin, where, despite the coughing fit, my dick was still filling out my pants.

"Or…not hiding very well," he continued.

"What?" Gideon said. His gaze followed Vihaal's, then he was blushing.

"Oh!" He glanced at Vihaal, then back at me. "Huh."

"Fine. Okay." I took a deep breath. "I told Sebastian and Jacob that I…that I didn't know…if I was…y'know…"

"I'm afraid you'll have to spell it out."

"Straight. I don't know if I'm straight. I'm probably a little bit…" My gaze tracked down Vihaal's body, then returned to his. "…gay. Well, bi. Or pan. Fuck, I don't know. Just not as straight as I thought I was."

I glanced at Gideon in his tempting outfit.

Vihaal crossed his arms and gazed at me. "And what prompted you to do that? I'm very curious to know."

I'll bet you are. Speaking of bets…

"Hold on. When I told him, he said that the molly boys and you and Gideon had bets going about it."

"Well. You can't blame us for speculating."

"Can't I?" I said, raising my chin. I wasn't mad about it, but I did take offense to people using something so personal for entertainment.

He grinned. "Well, I suppose you can. But now I want to know who won."

Oh damn. "Who won…the bet? What were the exact terms?"

"Gideon bet that you were bi or pan," Vihaal said.

"And Vihaal said you were as straight as they come," Gideon stated.

"Although I might have only said that to be contrary," Vihaal said, stepping closer. "And because I never thought we could be so lucky."

"Fine. Well, I guess you win," I said to Gideon.

"Yes! I knew it!" He threw Vihaal a victorious look, then turned a contrite one on me. "Oh, shit, sorry." He laughed, and how could I be mad?

"It's fine," I said, shrugging, but my heartbeat was out of control. "I seem to be the last to find out."

"That's the way it works sometimes. Congratulations," he said, regarding me with a look that made my cock harder.

"There's more."

"There usually is."

"I told Sebastian that it almost seemed like the two of you were trying to…seduce me."

"Well, well, well," Vihaal murmured, looking me up and down. "You did pick up on that."

"Are you fucking kidding me right now?" I asked.

Vihaal laughed from deep in his chest. "No, not at all. We've been desperate to get your attention. And it's worked."

"Finally," Gideon grouched, rolling his eyes and coming closer. "We've been trying so hard!"

"For fuck's sake! Why didn't you say something?"

"Like what?" Vihaal asked. "Should we have propositioned you at dinner?"

"Well, I don't know. You could have said that you were…hoping for more than a friendship."

"But if you were straight, that might have sent you running for the hills. And we didn't want to risk it," Gideon explained. "We wanted to make friends with you because you're a cool person."

"But you're a very attractive man, Angel. You must know that. You can't have had too much trouble pulling at the local bars," Vihaal said. "Women, I mean."

"Well, no. But that whole scene is getting a bit…old," I said, gazing at Vihaal, then glancing at Gideon. My gaze tracked down the younger man's body then over to Vihaal's. "And boring. You know."

Vihaal smiled in such a smug way I was surprised he didn't reach out and undo the fly of my jeans. "Well, I don't know, to be honest, but I'm very glad to hear it."

Vihaal wrapped his hand around my bicep, then tugged me forward.

It felt awkward for a split second, but he smelled amazing and his stature and solidity made me feel strangely subdued. We were almost the same height, but that was where the similarity ended. I didn't struggle, even when I realized that I could feel exactly how much he was enjoying our proximity.

"Angel. We would be happy to help you figure out exactly what you want."

"More than happy," Gideon murmured, watching us like it was the most thrilling episode of a new reality show.

Vihaal held me for a moment, gazing at me with an incendiary look. Then he let go and stepped back.

I reached out and grabbed his wrist, pulling him back to me, and our mouths came together as my world exploded.

He responded to my amateurish attempts at kissing him. I knew I was overthinking it, and probably making a mess of it, but I didn't care.

"Fuck," Gideon whispered. "Jesus."

My body was combusting, and I would have given him whatever he'd wanted.

I was breathless and aching with need when Vihaal finally ended it, carefully drawing back as I tried to stay with him. But he gave me a stern look and shook his head once, which was enough.

"Sorry," I murmured, dazed. I touched my lips with my fingers, still feeling the electricity of our connection. "I'm sorry."

"For fuck's sake, don't apologize."

I laughed. "Too desperate?"

Vihaal continued to regard me with an intense expression. "Oh no. I enjoy desperation, as a matter of fact. Very much."

Gideon rolled his eyes. "Well, there you go. You've had a taste of the Dommiest Dom this side of the US border," he said. "There's no point resisting."

"Yeah. I think you're right," I said, feeling dazed.

"I don't mean to break up this little"—Gideon waved his hand—"exploration. But. I made sandwiches. And I really want to use my tiered stand."

"Of course, Deo," Vihaal said, still gazing at me. "And anyway, I'm famished."

He licked his lips and a thrill of desire coursed through me at the memory of that kiss and at the way he looked like he could eat me for afternoon tea.

The silver tiered platter was a thing of beauty and Gideon wielded it like it was The One Ring. He placed it gingerly on the coffee table and stepped back, smiling with pride. Sweet triangle sandwiches with the crusts cut off were piled high on every tier. He'd arranged them to make an attractive design and I was loath to ruin it.

"Help yourselves. There's egg salad, tuna salad, cucumber and cream cheese, and ham."

"Gideon, I'm impressed," I said. "You must have spent the whole morning making them."

"Oh, no, it's nothing. They're fun to make. And I wanted to try a new tuna salad recipe. The egg salad is my own that I've been perfecting. And I think I might have nailed it this time."

I sat down on the settee and took a plate, then took one of each and arranged them in a circle.

"He did a wonderful job, didn't he? My little Deo likes to play housewife on occasion, and I certainly don't mind," Vihaal said, taking a plate of his own. He put three of the tiny sandwiches on his plate, then resumed his seat.

"Well, it's nice to be fancy once in a while," Gideon said. "Oh, shit! The tea!"

He hurried back to the kitchen.

I tried a bite of the egg salad. Flavor burst in my mouth. I tasted something spicy and something sweet, and the texture of the egg was just right. It was delicious.

"Wow," I commented.

"Good, aren't they?" Vihaal said with a smile. He was looking at me in a way that made me feel self-conscious. "You've really surprised me today, Angel."

I swallowed the bite of sandwich I'd taken. "You think you're surprised," I said, smiling at the unexpected turn my life had taken.