Raising the Bar

Chapter Six

Dylan walked through the crowded craft show, still not sure how they’d talked him in to attending. Freddy seemed to touch everything in the small booths set up from one end of the convention center to the other. With over a hundred vendors selling homemade wares and holiday crafts, it was like a Martha Stewart nightmare.

“You seem to be having fun.” He frowned at Harper, who was currently stuffing his face full of candied almonds.

“Man, I love these things.” He held one out to Dylan.

Dylan sighed and took the thing, not wanting to admit it did taste good. “Though I hate to assign gender roles, a craft show isn’t something I would have imagined you’d enjoy.”

Harper grinned. “I love when you get all shrinky.”

“I know you’re saying that to annoy me.”

“Yup.”

Dylan punched him in the arm.

“Ow.”

“So why are we here again?” He saw Freddy squeal over a long knit scarf and groaned. The woman had eclectic tastes, but that aquamarine would bring out the blue in her eyes.

“Because we want to spend more time with Freddy, and we both need to get some Christmas shopping done before everything in this friggin’ town is gone.” Harper looked to Freddy’s right. “Oh hey. My mom would like that.”

He left to fiddle with a Pashmina that Dylan conceded would look very nice on his own mother’s shoulders. With a groan over the fact that he’d been roped into shopping at a piddling craft show by Freddy and Harper, he reluctantly purchased the thing’s twin. Then he bought some earrings for Hailey and Sydney, a hand-carved wooden game for Gage, and a Green Bay Packers ornament for Derrick.

An hour and a half later, they sat at one of the tables eating panini and drinking eggnog. An odd combination, but he’d fallen into the holiday spirit against his will. He stared at Harper’s and Freddy’s grinning faces, knowing he had it coming. “What?”

Freddy blinked innocently. “I’m just happy to see a bigger sucker than me at these things. I can’t believe you bought more than me.”

“Me too,” Harper had to add. “I mean, I know you’ve got two brothers and your mom, but that’s a lot of presents, Dylan.”

“So what? You wanted me to get into the spirit. Well, I’m here.”

Freddy gripped his hand under the table. “Don’t worry, Doc. I think you’re too adorable for words.”

He glared at Harper. “Great, now you’ve got her calling me ‘Doc’ too.” He squeezed her hand, missing it when she let go.

Harper shrugged and finished his sandwich. “You going to eat that?”

The guy consumed enough for three people. Then again, with all the energy they’d expended the night before, he’d earned it.

“What’s that smirk for?” Harper asked, suspicious.

“Nothing. Here, have it. You earned it.”

“Boy, did he.” Freddy fanned herself, and her blond bangs waved over her face. She hadn’t spiked her hair after the shower they’d all shared that morning, and the flutter of that silky bob softened her face.

He and she smiled at Harper, who colored.

“Did you see that, Doc?” She smirked. “Studly blushed.”

“Keep it up and I’ll start calling you ‘Smurfette’. You got that?” Harper growled.

Dylan laughed, unable to keep his joy to himself. God, he’d had the best time today. Most likely still riding an endorphin rush from last night and earlier that morning. A holdover from the incredible pleasure he’d experienced. But he didn’t want to let it go, and he was loath to verbally label this new dynamic. So he smiled and asked what he’d been thinking since they’d left the club earlier that morning. “What’s next?”

More shopping, some decorations they had to deliver to Freddy’s brother’s house while he was out of town, and an evening of wine and dinner at Dylan’s place. He felt pride in showing off his condo, as well as a need to see his new lovers in his home. To his satisfaction, Harper and Freddy looked good sitting on his furniture, at his table, in his kitchen.

Harper could barely boil water, but Freddy was an accomplished cook. So while she and Dylan worked together on dinner, Harper set the table and cleaned up after they ate.

Their unusual unit worked perfectly. Until they had to leave.

Monday had come knocking on Sunday’s door, and they all had work the next day. Freddy apparently did more than bartend. She was part owner in the club and did a lot of behind-the-scenes administration that demanded her constant presence there. Harper had more projects—as well as Natalie—to satisfy, and Dylan had patients to see starting at eight in the morning.

“Hey, Doc, so what’s next?” Harper asked as they all stood by the door. “For the record, we’re now an item.”

Freddy blinked up at him. “That’s nice.”

She didn’t seem pleased, though. Before Dylan could say anything, Harper took her chin in his huge hand. “By we, Smurfette, I mean the three of us. No sex outside of our little threesome.”

Her breathy “oh” explained a lot. As did her joyous grin. “Sounds good to me.”

“Doc?” Harper asked.

The pair looked at him, and he could no more deny them than he could deny breathing. “Yeah yeah. Okay. No sex except with you two,” he grumbled but couldn’t help smiling.

Harper’s eyes narrowed, but he nodded. The big lug had caught what Dylan couldn’t bring himself to say. A threesome in theory was a lovely thing. In bed, in practice, it was a dream come true. But a public life of polyamory was not only unaccepted in most social circumstances, but difficult, not to mention it was illegal to marry more than one person at a time. Though why Dylan would leap so far ahead of himself he didn’t know.

Or did he? As he said goodbye to his new lovers with kisses and hugs, and shut the door behind them, he conceded that today had been better than any date he’d ever had. He’d had fun. Real enjoyment doing something he normally would never have done. He’d attended a craft show, for God’s sake. And he’d bought handmade presents.

He didn’t try to stifle a sigh as he locked up then made his way into his bedroom. After plugging his phone into its charger, he undressed and put on his pajamas, a striped designer silk that usually relaxed him. Except, as he shifted in the soft clothing, he remembered hands and lips over his body, and he grew aroused. A quick trip to the bathroom and cold water to his face didn’t help any.

Damn it all, he missed Harper and Freddy. Not just Harper. Not just Freddy. But the pair of them, together. With him.

Loneliness descended as he lay in bed. Sleep refused to come.

Then the phone buzzed. He glanced at the clock. It hadn’t even hit ten o’clock on a Sunday night and Dr. Warren lay in bed feeling sorry for himself. How pathetic. He reached for his phone to see if perhaps one of his patients had called to cancel an appointment for tomorrow. God willing, it would be his eight o’clock.

But the text he read made him smile. Relief filled him and he found himself wondering what he’d bring to Harper’s house for dinner tomorrow night. The wine Freddy liked, or the beer Harper preferred?

By the end of the week, Dylan figured he and his new lovers had spent just about every free, waking moment together. A difficult but not impossible thing, considering their schedules. Dinner at Harper’s, then Freddy’s home. Lunch together with Harper or Freddy when they could manage it. Sometimes he met with them both, and at other times separately. But though they never said it out loud, he thought they all preferred to be together.

It was odd, how connected he felt to the pair of them, and he constantly wondered if he somehow thought to compensate for his mother’s new relationship. Was he clinging to Harper and Freddy because he missed having his mother to himself? But he liked being with both of them. Not one or the other. Why then had he deliberately not spoken of his new relationship to Derrick or Gage when he’d seen them on Wednesday?

He frowned as he straightened up his office. Linda Barry often liked to lie down on his couch for her sessions, though most of his clients preferred to sit across from him at his desk and talk. Personally he thought it suited Linda’s propensity for drama, as she often felt the need to weep and insisted he use a notebook to record all of her “childhood trauma”, which mostly boiled down to jealousy over her sister’s new husband.

Just as he’d finished returning his office to the pristine condition it had been in before Linda’s visit, the phone buzzed.

He pressed a button. “Yes?”

The secretary answered. “Dr. Warren, there’s a Dr. Kincaid here to see you. He’s not on the schedule, but your next appointment isn’t until six.”

Dylan checked the time and inwardly groaned. He had two hours to kill. “That’s fine, Melissa. Send him in, please.”

James entered a few moments later and looked around. “Nice. I’ve been in here before, but it’s been a while.” He grinned. “If you worked in our space, your office would be even bigger. And you could paint it if you wanted.”

Dylan shook his head. “Subtle.” He waved to a chair across from the desk. “Have a seat.”

“Thanks.” James sat and stared at him. He didn’t speak.

Dylan refused to play mind games. He only had a few more hours before he’d agreed to meet his friends at the club. Freddy had some time off and she’d wanted to try something new with them. He couldn’t wait.

Caging the smile wanting to burst, he raised a brow at his mother’s boyfriend. He’d been working on not reacting to the man’s new title and what it might or might not represent. He had only to accept that James was indeed Barbara’s significant other. Easier said than done.

He cleared his throat. “James?”

“You seem different. More relaxed. That’s good.” James steepled his fingers under his chin as he studied Dylan.

Normally this would have irritated Dylan to no end. Now he only wanted to get James out of his office so he could prepare for his next patient. The last one of the day. “I’m sure you’re not here to analyze me. You want to know my answer about the business?”

“Yes and no.”

“I’d like to partner with you and Mom. I’ll have a few terms I’d like you to accept, but nothing major. And I’ll need some time to give notice here, maybe start in the spring?”

“That would be fine. I know your mother is beyond thrilled to have you join us.”

“And you?” Just how did James feel about him? Maybe Barbara had forced the decision on him.

“I’m more than happy to have you with us. But it would be easier for us all if you’d come clean about how you’re really feeling.” A pause. “About your mom and me, I mean.”

“Do we really need to have this discussion right now?” Dylan made a show of checking his watch. “I have a patient coming in, and I need to review his folder.”

“I think this is something you’ve been avoiding. For good reason, but it’s causing your mother distress.”

Dylan frowned. “‘For good reason’? Don’t try to psychoanalyze me, James. Just say what you want to say.” And get out went unsaid. Not the healthiest relationship to have with his new business partner, but Dylan had enough on his plate. He was really looking forward to later tonight. He didn’t want James to ruin it.

“Let’s be frank. I’ve been in love with your mother for years, but she never got over your father. I understand that. Hell, I loved him like a brother. Andrew was a special man.”

A lump grew in Dylan’s throat. He remembered his father, a man in the prime of his life. He’d always made Barbara laugh, even after she’d scolded him for leaving his shoes out or not putting his dirty clothes away. And he always had time for his sons, even the one who didn’t fit into what society wanted of him. “Yes, he was special. But he’s gone.”

“He’s dead, yes, but never gone.” James looked him in the eye. “I love your mother, Dylan. That’s the God’s honest truth. And she loves me. It’s hurting her that you’re avoiding the issue.”

“And what issue is that?” Dylan answered coldly. “You and my mother are dating. She’s a grown woman who doesn’t answer to her sons.”

“Yes. Her sons. Gage and Derrick are happy for us. They’ve expressed their pleasure with the situation, to the extent they gave us their blessing.” His eyes narrowed. “But you haven’t talked to your mother in a week and a half. This from the man who eats with her on Saturday mornings and makes it a habit to call and leave messages just to say hello?”

“I’m not tied to my mother’s apron strings, James. She’s got you now, so she doesn’t need me interfering in her life.” She doesn’t need me anymore.

James’s expression softened. “She misses you. Sure, she and I bounce ideas off each other at work and spend our evenings together, but you have a way of cutting through her bullshit. Say what you like, but she’s a lot like you. The woman has control issues.”

Dylan snorted. “Please. I’ve heard and seen you in action for years. You and she were made for each other.” Realizing what he’d said, he amended, “At work, you two fit. In a personal context, that’s not for me to say.”

“Oh?” James asked softly. “Why don’t you just admit how you feel? You don’t like us dating.”

“Dating? Is that what you call it?”

“I’d marry her tomorrow if she’d let me,” James said bluntly.

Dylan felt as if he’d been dealt a heavy blow. “Marriage?”

“Yes. That’s what two people who love each other often aspire to.” James stood. “I know I’ll never be your father. I don’t want to be. No one could ever take the place of Andrew Warren. But you and I have been friends for a long time, Dylan. I don’t understand why you can’t at least talk to me about how you feel.”

Dylan feared he’d say something he couldn’t take back, that he’d ruin his relationship with his mother, such as it was, and he wasn’t even sure what he felt. “James, all I want is my mother’s happiness.”

“Really? Then talk to her.” James shook his head. “I realize that no amount of time can ever totally erase the hurt of losing a loved one. But life goes on. Your brothers have found love. So has your mother. And maybe it’s time you did too. Maybe that would make this easier to handle.”

“What? That I go out and get laid so it’ll be okay for you to bang my mother?” Oh hell. That anger. That’s what he’d been worried about losing—his temper.

James blinked at him in shock. But Barbara’s voice was loud and clear when she answered from the doorway, “I cannot believe you’d say that to James.”

He groaned. Typical. His brothers cursed a blue streak, but she only ever heard Dylan swearing. The woman always managed to catch him with his foot in his mouth. But this time, she’d really nailed him. “Oh—hello, Mom.”

She crossed the room to stand next to James, her eyes frigid. “Do you really think all James and I have between us is sex?”

He inwardly cringed. He’d never admit it to his brothers, because he was a therapist after all, but hearing his mother mention s-e-x with James in the room made him nauseous. “I couldn’t say.” He sounded stiff, even to his own ears.

“James and I are in love. I’m sorry if that bothers you to hear.” She had tears in her eyes but never let a drop fall. “It’s been nearly eleven years without your father in my life. And I’ve missed him every single day.”

“Mom, I know.” God, if she cried, he’d lose it. “I want you to be happy.”

“No, I don’t think you do,” she said softly. “I’ve dated men since your father died. But no one stuck. James waited, and he supported me in ways I wasn’t aware of then.” She turned to smile at him. “Ways I’m only beginning to understand now. We love each other.” She turned back to Dylan. “I need to know. Do you accept us being together or not? It won’t make a difference to how I feel about him, but it will affect how you and I deal with one another. Son, I love you, but I won’t let you run my life.”

So, she’d choose her new lover over her son. Dylan clenched his jaw, trying to ignore the pain. He’d known this day would come, when his mother would no longer need him and break away. And though it had been long in coming, and he thought he’d reached the age where he could put aside petty needs of his own and support her wholeheartedly, he still couldn’t handle his feelings on the matter.

So he lied. “I only want what’s best for you, Mom. Of course, this feels sudden to me, and it’s hard to accept only because it feels so new. But I’m happy for you and James.” He included them both in the untruth. “It’s your life, after all. I’m a grown man. I can handle you being married to someone else. Dad passed years ago. He’d want you to be happy.” They were all the right words he should have said when she had first admitted her relationship with James. He wanted to mean it, every word, but a small part of himself—the hurt little boy deep inside—felt as if she’d chosen James over him.

It made little sense. The therapist inside him knew that. Yet he still couldn’t come to grips with his mother moving on and leaving him behind. Fuck. Gage had done it. Even his twin had started to pull away, spending all his time with Sydney and not Dylan. The family rarely had Saturday breakfasts at their mother’s anymore, and if they did, his brothers’ women inevitably showed. Dylan loved them, but things were so different now.

Barbara’s smile nearly undid him. “Oh, honey. I knew you just needed time to adapt. You’re not the best when it comes to dealing with change.”

An understatement, which made it so odd that he’d handled being with Harper and Freddy with ease.

She continued, “I’m so glad you said that. You don’t know how important it is that we have your approval.”

He shrugged and forced himself to sound nonchalant. “You’re a grown woman. Of course you should date whomever you see fit.”

James frowned, but Barbara smiled. “We’re talking about more than dating. Marriage, Dylan. I’ve wasted so many years already.”

“No, Barb. Not wasted. You had to give it time.” James stood and put an arm around her shoulder. He kissed her on the cheek, then turned to Dylan. “We haven’t told the others yet. We wanted you to be the first to know.”

“Marriage?” Dylan repeated like a parrot. James had mentioned it before, but his mother had confirmed it. The hurt he was experiencing became a numbness in his heart.

“Yes.” His mother nodded. “James and I want to travel, to do and see all the things we’ve wanted but never made the time to experience. If there’s anything I’ve taught you, Dylan, it’s to make the most of what you have, because you never know when it might be gone.”

Marriage. He cleared his throat. “I’m happy for you then. Congratulations.” He rounded the desk to hug his mother and shake James’s hand, not liking the man’s intense scrutiny.

He didn’t let go of the handshake until James did.

When James pulled back, he released a weary sigh. “I was worried, I’ll admit. I know how close you and your mother are. But our marriage won’t change that, Dylan.” James slapped him on the back. “I mean, hell. We’ve already been together for years at the office. Just not as a couple. Right, Barb?”

She kissed him on the cheek. “Right. Now, Dylan, I don’t want you avoiding us anymore. We’ll see you tomorrow morning for breakfast. Maybe you’ll bring a date?” she prodded.

“Maybe,” he said absently, trying to make sense of this new reality.

“Oh good.” Barbara leaned forward to buss his cheek. “Derrick said he’s going to ask Sydney to marry him on Christmas Eve. I think he’s planning a June wedding. And with Gage’s wedding in another two months, James and I need to figure out when to plan our own nuptials. We don’t want to get in the way of the boys.”

“Derrick too, huh?” Derrick, Gage, his mother. All of them. Gone.

“We’d like you to be involved,” Barbara said. “James was wondering if—”

James interrupted, “We’ve hit you with a lot today. And you have a patient coming soon. We’ll talk more later. Breakfast tomorrow, right, Dylan?”

“Right. Sure.” Dylan’s jaw hurt from so much smiling. “I’ll see you two lovebirds then.”

Barbara laughed. “That’s my boy.”

James tugged her by the hand, waved, and left with her, shutting the door behind them.

Dylan sank into his chair. He wished to hell he could talk to his mother about his strange feelings. Or better yet, confer with James. But what he might have done in the past didn’t make sense now, in this new Barbara-James stage of his life. His brothers wouldn’t understand his resentments. Hell, he wasn’t sure why he had them.

Derrick thought Dylan was being an ass, but he hadn’t yet mentioned that to Gage. If he had, the little snot would have been by to bug the crap out of him. Since Gage and Hailey were so lovey-dovey all the time, the pair liked to think of themselves as amateur cupids. Hell, they’d even talked about setting up Hailey’s single friends.

He rubbed his temples and wondered what Freddy might say about all this. Women normally had better intuition and sense when it came to relationships. Then again, Harper had a pretty tight relationship with his own family. Maybe he could help Dylan resolve his issues about his mother.

It was enough to make a grown therapist want to lie down on his own couch.

While Harper and Freddy waited for Dylan to arrive, they sat together, talking in the dungeon Freddy had specifically chosen for their play tonight.

Damn if Harper didn’t like her better every time they met. Stupid guy that he was, he couldn’t keep his mouth shut about it either. “I really like you, Freddy.”

She sat on the large bed next to him and gripped his hand. “I like you too.”

“No. I mean, I really like you.” He paused and took a chance. “I think I’m falling in love with you.”

She just stared at him.

He sighed. Always acting too soon, he knew. But hell, he had little patience. “I’ve had a thing for you for months.”

“So you’ve said.” She sounded subdued.

“But it was more than that I liked the look of you. You’re sexy, smart and funny. You make me laugh. I wanted to ask you out long before, but the timing just sucked. I got busy or you weren’t around. And then we finally got together, and it was more than I’d hoped it would be.” Harper brought her hand to his lips. “I want to be with you all the time. You and me…and Dylan.”

She blew out a breath. “Oh, Harper.”

Here it comes. The “It’s not you, it’s me” speech. All the reasons why we can’t be together.

“I feel the same about you and Dylan.”

“You do?”

She grinned. “Don’t look so stunned. Geez, why wouldn’t I like you two? You, Harper Reynolds, are one of the most popular guys at the club. Everyone wants to do you.”

“You’re so sweet,” he drawled, loving the way she flushed. Jesus, she wanted him too. He wanted to jump up and down with joy.

“I wanted you the minute I saw you. You’re sexy, handsome and a nice guy who’s not so nice in bed. I like you. You’re fun, and you’re not judgmental.” She swallowed hard. “I like sex with two men at the same time. I’ve had a steady relationship with more than one guy before. I’ve had sex with a woman. I’ve also done a lot of kinky things, and I want to do more.”

“Did I say I think I’m falling in love? No. I’m definitely in love.” He kissed her until they both panted for breath.

“Oh wow. I love when you get so hard for me.” She reached down and grabbed him through his jeans, and he hissed with pleasure. “But there’s so much more to how I feel about you than loving the killer sex. You found Dylan, and he’s a part of this. We fit. I can’t explain it. But I feel it. And it scares the shit out of me.”

He laughed. “Me too. Does that make me less of a man to admit that?”

She cupped his cheek, and a wave of tenderness filled him. “No. It makes you human.” She rubbed her hand over his chin. “My last boyfriend and I parted as friends. He bored me. The guys before him were too selfish, and we had problems making it work. Mike wanted Tim, but Tim wanted me. And then they both wanted me to choose one over the other all the time. It was crazy, and I couldn’t take it. So I ended that too.”

“My last girlfriend complained I was too pushy in bed. Apparently she only liked me to be rough with her girlfriend in the room, watching.”

“Oh, your own odd threesome.” She winked. “How adventurous.” And that was part of what he loved about Freddy. She accepted him, even encouraged him to share.

“Yeah. And the guys I palled around with after her were casual. I was horny, and they came through. But I always used a condom. Always.” He cleared his throat. “With you and Dylan, I just want to come inside you, bareback. I want that trust, all that pleasure. But I’m worried.”

“Why?”

“You and I are a lot alike. Dylan’s not. He’s more reserved.”

“I noticed that. He’s new to the lifestyle.” She frowned.

“I’m not sure he realizes it’s a lifestyle. He’s a pretty well-known doctor. What if this hurts his career? What if his family wigs out?” He frowned at her. “Will yours?”

She shrugged. “My dad is a jerk who wouldn’t accept me if I were the first female president. My mom and brother just want me to be happy. They met Mike and Tim. I admit my brother was shaken, but he didn’t make them feel unwelcome. And they know I work at a kinky club. They don’t care.”

“Nice. My parents are okay with it. I mean, the bi part of my life. I never thought about a permanent threesome. I know this seems sudden. But I just…know.”

She stared at him. “Really? I mean, I feel the same way. But will Dylan?”

“I hope to hell he does. Thing is, with our doc, we need to lead him gently. We can’t ask him, because he’ll think it to death. We have to lure him in and just keep him. So he has no choice.”

Her frown turned into a smile. “Slick. I like it. We seduce him, we love him. Then we keep him. Think we can do it?”

“Honey, between your pussy and my cock, how can we lose?”

She died laughing. “God, you’re hopeless. I was hoping you’d say something about my adorable eyes or loveable nature. That between the two of us and our strong wills, we’d have him eating out of the palms of our hands.”

“That works too. But Dylan’s a guy. Sex works wonders. Trust me.”

She kissed him again. “I do. But promise me we’ll take things slow. Dylan’s going to need to work up to our level.”

“I know.” He sighed. “I’m ready for forever right now, but our doc will need some gentling first.”

“That and a few orgasms. I think he needs to lose some of that control, don’t you?”

He grinned. “Now you’re talking.”

When Tony told Dylan where to go, he thought he’d been mistaken. Freddy wanted him to meet her in the dungeon downstairs? Admittedly curious, he jogged down the stairs, needing—no, desperate—to forget about his turbulent emotions and make love to his partners again.

Partners. With an S. He wondered how his family would feel if he showed up in the morning with both Harper and Freddy and announced that he planned to live the rest of his life as a prominent member in a threesome.

Then again, knowing his mother’s tolerance for any and all things different, she’d probably cheer him on with glowing pompoms while his brothers thanked him for giving them more fodder to fuck with him for the rest of his life.

He sighed. Not that he’d throw Harper and Freddy under the bus to get back at his mother, but the idea held appeal. It still bothered him that Barbara and James really did suit, which made his attitude about the whole matter even more wrong and juvenile.

He grimaced and knocked on the door.

“Enter.”

He felt better just hearing Freddy’s cheery voice. Opening the door, he entered a dimly lit room. Before he could get his bearings, he found himself hugged from behind, Harper’s scent enveloping him.

The click of the door closing and locking behind him sounded overloud in the otherwise silent room.

“You’re late,” Freddy said. But this Freddy wasn’t the same woman he’d fucked just yesterday. The petite bombshell had been replaced by a siren wearing black patent-leather, thigh-high boots, a corset exposing her pussy and breasts, and dark black makeup that gave her a goth-gone-sexy look. All of it gave him the hard-on from hell. Just like the one mashed against his ass.

“She’s Mistress tonight,” Harper murmured in his ear and nipped it. “And I’m Master, or Sir. Got it?”

“Oh shit. You two want to play.” Dylan started laughing, needing the relief the fantasy would give. “Why the hell not?”

Harper sighed. “Discipline is coming your way, boy.” He stripped Dylan out of his clothes while ordering him to keep his gaze fixed on Freddy—Mistress. And fixate he did. God, her tits were so firm—not large, but plump enough that he couldn’t wait to get his mouth over her rosy nipples. He wanted to cup her breasts and feast, to forget his troubles as he indulged in the sexy woman who wanted him. Because she did, and her lust and affection, no matter how light it might be, mattered.

They had so much in common. Despite his more conservative attire and her tattoos and piercing, they liked much of the same things. They hated country music, liked art and the theater, and especially liked watching Harper get off. He’d actually met her brother at the annual Halloween party thrown downtown, and he liked the guy.

Dylan didn’t mind her working at the club, because he believed her when she said she’d taken a chance on him and Harper. She really didn’t fuck around where she worked, and he could more than appreciate that. To say Harper had a thing for her was stating the obvious. But acknowledging he felt the same fascination—and, dare he say, affection—surprised him.

Harper finished stripping him naked with minimal fuss and turned Dylan around.

“Jesus.” Dylan stared at his lover’s chiseled perfection. Harper wore nothing but a pair of black leather chaps, exposing his flushed erection and that incredible set of abs.

Harper led him to a set of chains dangling from the ceiling in the corner of the room. On closer inspection, he saw chains on the floor as well. And his stiff dick grew even harder.

Harper reached around to grip him, and Dylan moaned and sagged against him.

“That’s good, boy. You’re hard. But you’re not there yet.” He dragged Dylan to the chains, and Dylan found it hard to breathe.

He, Harper and Freddy had talked about bondage, a kink he’d always wanted to try. They seemed to like it well enough. After a detailed and lengthy discussion with the pair, he’d assumed they’d one day experiment together. But to know this would be the night… His excitement made it hard to do anything but breathe.

Harper took advantage of his bemusement and proceeded to cuff him by the wrists and ankles while Freddy watched. Then Harper adjusted the slack, so that Dylan stood like a human X, his arms taut but not too tight.

“Move your hands and legs. Try to wiggle free,” Freddy ordered.

He did so and got slapped on the ass for it. “Shit.” He glared at Harper over his shoulder.

“You’re given an order, first you answer, ‘Yes, Mistress’ or ‘Yes, Sir’. Got it?”

“Yes, Sir.” Dylan clenched his ass, trying to ward off the sting, while at the same time embracing it. Oh hell, he liked it. He’d found his secret kink.

“Well?” Freddy frowned at him, and he wanted to kiss her. She was hot.

Another slap across his other buttock.

Fuck. “Yes, Mistress.” He pulled at the chains and found he couldn’t move. Damn if he wasn’t totally turned on. His feet were spread wide, his arms as well. He was helpless, at the mercy of two masters dressed in Dom gear. Man, he wanted to photograph this moment and never forget it. “Shouldn’t I have a safe word?”

“How about shrink?” Harper answered with a laugh.

“Dick.” He was loving this.

“I think our boy needs some instruction, Mistress.” Harper stroked his ass with a calloused hand. “I remember what you told us before, boy.” Harper turned to Freddy. “Perhaps the crop, Mistress?”

She nodded. “I agree.” She bent over to rummage in the chest at the foot of the bed, and Dylan groaned. She wasn’t wearing anything covering her ass, and he stared at her lovely cheeks, no doubt pushed back at him to taunt him.

“Ah, I found it.” She stood with what looked like a riding crop in her hand. Then she crossed to him and stroked the felt tip over his cock.

It felt like soft fingers trailing over his shaft, and he tried to increase the friction by arching into it.

She ran it over him, under him, and across his sac, and he swore as she flicked the soft fabric tip over his belly. God, he wanted to come. He needed it.

“I think our boy needs to be filled, Master Harper.”

“Yes, Mistress,” Dylan agreed readily.

She lightly slapped the crop over his dick and he nearly spilled. “I was talking to your master.”

“Yes, Mistress,” he said on a groan.

And then Harper was there, prodding his ass cheeks apart and slicking a good bit of lube over him. In him.

“Please, Harper. Master Harper,” he hurried to correct himself. “God, I need you.” You, not this. A slip of the tongue? No, just the truth.

Harper didn’t answer, but he did push something thick inside Dylan’s ass. He gripped Dylan’s waist and grunted as he continued to wedge a thick cock inside Dylan’s passage. At their angle, it was uncomfortable, and yet it felt amazing with Freddy watching and stroking Dylan’s dick with that crop.

He panted with desire as Harper filled him up and then started fucking him in earnest.

“He’s full. Needing to release, hmm, boy?” Freddy asked, her voice husky and her eyes bright with desire as she watched him.

“Yes, Mistress. God, I fucking need you,” he moaned and closed his eyes.

She smacked his cock and he swore. “Watch me, boy. Don’t close your eyes.”

Harper continued to pound into him, and then Freddy leaned closer and licked Dylan’s belly. He clamped down on Harper, unable to help himself.

Harper groaned. “Do that again.”

Not sure if Harper had spoken to Freddy or himself, Dylan answered, “Yes, Sir,” and clenched him again.

Freddy continued to lick, and she moved down. And down. Until her clever tongue slid over his cock and she took him inside her mouth.

“Please, Mistress. Fuck, I’m going to come. Oh yeah.” He swore if she hadn’t ordered him to watch her, his eyes would have rolled up into his head. He tugged on the chains at his wrists and ankles, but he couldn’t move, and that powerlessness aroused him unbearably.

He was at their mercy. Their hungry, carnal mercy.

She pulled away from him and nuzzled his groin, rubbing her cheek against him. “Shall I suck you some more, boy? Shall I let you come down my throat?”

Harper’s hands gripped his waist hard enough to bruise, and he stopped thrusting. “Answer her.”

“Yes, Mistress. Yes, Sir. Let me come, please.”

“That was pretty, boy. Or should I say, slave?” Freddy put her mouth around his cock before he could answer, and he jerked forward just as Harper pushed him.

Before Dylan could breathe, a huge rush of ecstasy tore through him, and he cried out as he came down her throat.

Harper continued to pump furiously while Dylan’s orgasm owned him.

And then Harper jerked and swore and left a mess inside Dylan, one that started trickling out his ass and down his thigh as Harper thrust in and out again. No condom.

Dylan clenched harder and moaned, “Yes, inside me. Oh God.”

Harper grunted and finally withdrew. He left, only to return to join Freddy in front of Dylan. He had a rag and was cleaning his dick, that big, naked stalk of flesh still half-hard and pearling at the tip. Pushing Freddy to her hands and knees, he knelt behind her and donned a condom.

“She’s mine,” Harper growled, and with a slow, deliberate pace, he slid inside her. “Watch as I fuck her pussy. She’s all mine, boy.” He worked Freddy over while she touched herself, and Dylan watched them without blinking, thoroughly turned on as his lovers fucked while wearing those sexy getups. His own personal fantasy played out in front of him.

When Harper came again, Freddy came with him. Both cried out and shook, and Dylan wanted nothing more than to join them, hard once more.

They left to clean up and returned still in costume. They smiled and laughed with one another, but when they rejoined him, they no longer looked amused.

“You need discipline, boy, don’t you think?” Harper asked.

“Yes, Sir.”

“And you need us to instill it, don’t you?” Freddy asked softly.

Not just anyone could make him feel this way. Even if he’d been sexually starved enough to consider letting someone else chain him up, he’d have balked at that “yes Sir, no Sir” crap. Dylan didn’t kowtow to anyone. At least, no one apart from Harper and Freddy. With these two, Dylan’s heart filled and stayed full.

“Yeah, I do. I need you. Both of you.” More than he could say.

Freddy must have seen what she needed to, because she nodded to Harper, and he released Dylan from his chains.

Then they led Dylan to the bed.

“Ah, don’t I get to clean up?” he asked, aware of Harper’s seed dripping down his legs. He should have felt alarmed or even messy, but instead he felt claimed. A sense of belonging to these two special people, at a confusing time in his life when nothing else seemed to make sense.

“No,” Harper and Freddy answered at the same time and nudged him toward the bed. He fell into it gratefully and waited for them to join him. Harper leaned over him, looked him over, then nodded. Freddy did the same. Then they crept into bed with him and started petting him.

To his surprise, his lids grew heavy, and the drain of the day took its toll. “I’m not a damn dog.”

Freddy laughed. “No, you’re not, are you? Though I wouldn’t mind you in a collar.”

Harper groaned. “Oh man. I was just starting to settle down. You’ve got me hard again. The doc in a collar. A dream come true.”

Dylan grinned and closed his eyes, comforted and at peace.

Some time later, he felt pure pleasure between his legs. A firm mouth sucked him deep, and he knew Harper sat between his legs and pleasured him. Freddy ran kisses over his face and settled on his mouth. And while Harper took him to new heights of desire, Freddy eased the lonely hollow in his chest, caressing and caring without words.

He moaned his climax and soon after drifted into sleep again, aware of warm bodies caging him once more.

Freddy sighed and stared down at the men she’d come to love, impossible as it was to believe. Harper was everything she’d once thought and more. Giving, caring, arousing. Watching him take Dylan had been an experience in pleasure. He was so selfless, so thoughtful.

He held Dylan tight, as if, like her, he feared losing their doc, as she now thought of him. Dylan had seemed tense when he’d entered the room, as if the weight of the world sat on his shoulders. She knew he came from a tight-knit family, and that lately he’d been having some problems with them. But that was all he’d say, and like Harper, she understood some of what he must be going through.

When Brian had moved away years ago, she’d been devastated. He was her best friend, her confidant. And the one person who truly knew what emotional hell her father had put her through growing up. Their mother still, unfathomably, loved the judge. Why? Freddy and Brian couldn’t say. Oh, their father was handsome, but he was so cold. So bitter and domineering. An asshole of the first order, a man more in to himself and his social status than his family.

With Brian Senior, appearances always came first. No doubt he’d love Dylan and despise Harper. Dylan had class, money, looks and an academic mindset. Harper worked with his hands in a blue-collar world. No matter that he had a college degree and had risen swiftly through the ranks to become the city planner’s right-hand man. Or that he’d owned and sold his own construction companies not once, but twice, and made a tidy profit both times. All Brian Senior would see was what the public noted. And God forbid anyone realize Freddy loved two men.

She still couldn’t get over that. In love with Harper, she could see. She’d known him for a long time, and the sex between them put everything into perspective. He didn’t judge. He knew about her and liked what he knew. No, loved what he knew. With Dylan, however, she was taking a huge chance.

He was new to the world of the misunderstood. Although him being open about his bisexuality gave her high hopes, having more than one partner was still a big deal. Not many would accept it. Hell, could he accept it? She still worried that he considered her a plaything. With Harper he seemed to have started a real relationship. Although they all got on so well together, she knew tough times remained ahead. But how to deal with them when Dylan still hadn’t opened up about how he felt?

And why should he? The rational side of her mind cautioned that she and Harper had moved too fast, too soon. They barely knew Dylan. But they did know him. His wants and dreams, how he loved his family. He hated to lose at anything, so allowing them the ability to control him tonight had been a big deal.

The next step in hers and Harper’s courtship would be to introduce him to their families. But wasn’t that rushing it? For that matter, would Dylan ever show them off to his family? And what about the problems he was having with his mother? Would he tell her about them? Harper had mentioned Dylan was going through some stuff, but Dylan hadn’t said boo about it.

She sighed and stared at the bedside clock, wishing she could get to sleep.

It seemed as though her wish had come true just as Dylan shook her awake.

“Hmm?”

He kissed her, then kissed Harper. “I have to go. Family crap. But I’ll be back soon. I’ll call you.” He left before she could think to detain him.

She tried to dodge the hands reaching for her and instead was mashed against a strong chest. “Harper?” Oh man, morning breath. She closed her mouth.

“Don’t move,” Harper murmured in a drowsy voice. “Yeah, just spread wide.” He moved her completely on top of him and angled her over his thick cock, then pulled her down.

Dewy soft, she accepted him all the way in. The slow, steady coupling increased in pace as Harper rocked her hips over him. She sat up and looked down at deep, dark eyes filled with love.

“That’s it, baby. Ride me. Oh yeah. Just like that.” He continued to glide in and out as she moved, until she slammed herself over him, needing more. His thumb found her clit, and he rubbed her into an explosive orgasm, joining her soon after.

When she caught her breath again, it was to the realization that he’d come in her without a condom for the first time.

“Fuck. Your pussy is golden.” He groaned and shifted, and she still felt him thick and full inside her. “Oh damn. I’m sorry, baby. I came in you, didn’t I?”

She just stared at him. “You don’t sound sorry.”

His naughty grin warmed her. “I’m not. Not at all. I like being inside you without barriers.”

“Me too.”

“But I should have asked.” He paused. “Any chance I just made a little Harper?”

She swore he sounded hopeful. “Sorry, no. I’m on birth control.”

“Too bad. I’ll have to try harder next time. I know I can get through if I fuck you hard enough.”

She snickered and leaned over him, listening to his racing heart. The thought of having a baby with Harper or Dylan gave her warm fuzzies, another sign she knew she had it bad for both men. Then she said what he hadn’t. “He left us.”

“To go to his family.” Harper blew out a breath and stroked her hair. “Remember. He’s new to this. We have to take it slow.”

“I hate slow.”

“Slow sucks.”

“Sucks ass.”

He paused. “I wish you’d suck ass.”

She pulled one of his chest hairs and grinned at his wince. “Back at ya.” Except her joke had her flat on her back in no time. She shrieked. “I didn’t mean now, you Neanderthal.”

He laughed. “Well, you should have said so.” He pushed a lock of her hair from her eyes. “How about we get cleaned up and go back to my place? You can cook me something. I’m starving.”

“Men,” she grumbled, feeling better about life, even if it felt like Dylan had deserted them. “When will you people learn to cook for yourselves?”

They showered, cleaned up the place and left the dungeon behind. The weather had turned nice, and though cool, the sunny sky invited love and laughter. A sense that all things were possible if one believed it badly enough.

Freddy promised to cook Harper a great big breakfast of pancakes and bacon, leading the lamb back to the slaughter. Or rather, to her brother’s house to introduce him. The last time they’d been by to drop off decorations, Brian hadn’t been home. He’d be home this morning.

“Oh man. Freddy, you could have warned me.” Harper ran a hand through his sandy hair, and she liked that he looked like he needed a cut and hadn’t shaved. Harper wore mean like a shadow, even if he was a great big teddy bear. So it was no surprise that when she introduced him to Brian, Brian seemed skeptical.

“Seriously? You’re not one of the bouncers at the club, are you?” Brian stood in the doorway of his house and studied the two of them. “The last time she introduced me to her new ‘boyfriend’ he wasn’t real. Just a big dude that smiled a lot and tried to act like he could handle her. I’m still not sure if the Mohawk and piercings were real or just an affectation.”

“Jeff, right?” Harper shook his head. “Freddy. Really.”

“Well, Brian was riding my ass about having a boyfriend, and Jeff owed me money.”

Harper cringed. “That’s even worse. You had to pay him?”

“See what I mean? She’s cute but pathetic. Come on in,” Brian invited.

Freddy grinned. It was a sign Brian might actually like Harper—he’d let him inside.

While Harper bragged about the breakfast Freddy had promised him, Brian made subtle hints about her cooking for him too. Then somehow the two of them started talking about mutual acquaintances, and Freddy made a huge platter of pancakes, bacon and a pot of coffee.

Brian dug into his food with gusto. “The Warrens. Yeah, I know them. Derrick lives down the street. He’s a funny guy. Has a thing going on with the woman who sold me this house. I met Dylan once. Maybe. It’s hard to tell them apart, you know? The younger brother, Gage, is pretty decent too.”

As they made small talk, Freddy soaked up information about Dylan like a sponge, and she thought Harper was as well.

When the men had finished the last bite of pancakes, Brian leaned back and sighed. “That was amazing. Thanks, sis. So, Harper. Tell me, does Dylan know you two are planning to adopt him?”

Harper and Freddy froze.

“Brian, it’s not like that,” she tried, and her brother groaned.

“Oh man. You two have the dopiest expressions on your faces. All those questions about Dylan Warren. I’m not stupid. Now I have to deal with another weird ménage thing involving my little sister. Ew. Please. Shoot me now.”

Harper’s frown turned into a large grin. “You know, I like your brother.” He winked at her. “Too bad he’s not single. Or is he?” he put enough innuendo in is to have her brother reeling and sputtering.

Harper cracked up laughing.

“Oh, relax, Brian. Us pervs don’t have room for more than three people in bed. And you couldn’t pay me to even think about you naked. Ugh.”

“Please. I just ate,” Harper begged and wiped at his eyes. “Brother and sister love has its place, but never in the bedroom. Now, Brian, how about you run down everything you know about the Warrens again. Because your sister and I need to be well prepared to hunt our scared psychiatrist down. Consider it Freddy’s early Christmas present.”

Brian glanced from her to Harper. “So you’re really keeping this one, eh? Why haven’t I heard his name before?”

“Because I don’t tell you everything. I’ve known Harper for a year. Now be nice or I’ll sic him on you. And notice, Harper’s huge.”

“I’ve been told I’m a Neanderthal,” Harper added.

“So I see. Fine. I’ll share what little I know.” Brian paused. “But I could get you more info…for a small trade.”

“What’s that?” she asked.

“A favor for a favor. Just remember, when I call you on it, you have to do it.”

Harper pursed his lips. “I don’t know. As I recall, Dylan got himself in trouble promising that very thing.”

But Freddy wanted Dylan, and she’d use any means necessary, fair or foul. Besides, just what could Brian ask that would be so hard to fulfill? “Done.”

Harper groaned. “Oh man. Somehow I just know you’re going to regret that.”