by Kenzi Bond
“If you remember, I claimed you publicly first. I love the way you’ve included me with your friends and family. Mal and I made our decisions months ago. We’re not backing away now because of a couple of reporters.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Jason Steele heading their way. Cold gray eyes took in the way Dean had his arms wrapped around Drake. While Drake wasn’t easily intimidated, he had to fight the urge to step away from Dean. In one look, the man seemed to dismiss him as unimportant. Drake squared his shoulders and prepared to stand his ground.
“Hello, Detective,” Drake said as Jason drew up behind Dean.
Dean spun around and threw himself at the , kissing him on the cheek. The action caused the frown to slip and a small smile to pull at the corner of his mouth.
Noticing them, Beau rushed over and threw his arms around Jason also.
“Jason, you came! Where’s Kaden? You remember my boyfriend, Drake,” Dean said.
“And my boyfriend, Malcolm?” Beau added.
Seeing the menacing look Jason gave, the two men huffed out in annoyance. “Hey, bulldog, stop it with the mean face. You will be polite, or you can just walk away,” Dean warned.
Jason ran a hand over his face. He stared at Drake and Malcolm before turning his attention on the boys. “Do you even know what you’re doing?”
“One hundred percent. Whatever you are going to say, we’ve heard it already. Nothing you say will change our minds. Think you can you accept that?”
Jason gave a smirk. “On one condition. You let Kaden do his thing.”
Dean’s whole demeanor changed. “No way in hell. Not gonna happen.”
Jason opened his mouth to respond, but Kaden appeared, wrapping his arms around Jason from behind.
“Don’t worry, boys. I’ve got him. I’ll distract him while you run for the hills,” the blond man said.
The twins still glared up at Jason, noticeably upset.
“Let me guess. He said he would have me do a background search on your men. Did anyone here really think I hadn’t already done a full search? And before you go and get all bent out of shape and start yelling, I didn’t show anyone the results. Seriously, it’s nothing new. I have files on everyone in my life, you know that.” He bounced on his feet, his eyes darting around the room. “I mean, no one asked me, but I could, so I did. I only do it because I care. You like me caring about you, don’t you?” he asked with a wink. “Besides, Jason will punish me later for not sharing what I knew, but it will be worth it. I love coming to these events. Is Jackson here yet? I haven’t seen him in ages.”
Even though the man barely breathed between sentences and jumped from one topic to another, the twins and Jason clearly followed the conversation.
Jason took the blond into his arms. “You’re certifiable. It’s a good thing I love you,” he said before turning back to the group.
“Drake, Malcolm, you met my husband before, but it was quite intense that day. This is Kaden. I warn you, he may look harmless, but he’s not. He could be your best friend or your worst enemy. Just remember that if you ever hurt our boys here.”
Kaden held his hand out. “Hi, guys. Don’t listen to Jason. I wouldn’t hurt a fly. Oh, that’s not a good example, is it? That’s what Norman Bates said at the end of Psycho. Well, um, I promise not to freeze your assets or destroy your businesses. Totally professional, I promise. By the way,” he said, suddenly switching topics, “your laundry supplier is ripping you off. I’ll give you the details later, along with a better distributor. They’re not only cheaper, but they have a high green energy rating. Your alcohol supplier, on the other hand, is doing you a solid, but he’s sleeping with your head of security. Is that a conflict of interest?” He didn’t wait for a response. Waving his hand dismissively, he continued. “Doesn’t matter. Ronny is an honest, hardworking employee. It might be time to give her a raise, though.”
“What—that—um…what?” Drake spluttered.
As Kaden spoke, the steely determination eased from Jason’s body until he was grinning like lovesick a fool. “Have you been told today?” he said, staring at Kaden.
Kaden grinned. “Actually, about five minutes ago, but I don’t mind hearing it again.”
“I love you. I should have known you would be all over this,” he said, indicating Drake and Malcolm. “How long have you known, anyway?”
Kaden gave him a guarded look. “Um, not long, really. To be honest, I honestly thought they would have made their move on the twins at least six months ago.”
Jason ran his hand through his thick hair. “Each and every gray hair is your fault. You know that, don’t you?” He didn’t let Kaden answer before asking, “So no red flags? Nothing I need to know?”
“Nope, I would have come to you if I had concerns. I didn’t need to, though, because they want the best for the twins. Isn’t that right?” Kaden asked Malcolm and Drake.
Drake stared in utter confusion. Dean patted his hand. “Don’t worry, I’ll explain everything. Just nod and say, ‘Yes, Kaden.’”
Drake looked at Malcolm and saw a similar look of confusion. Together they looked at Kaden. “Yes, Kaden,” they said politely.
Kaden laughed, then tapped Jason on the arm. “Oh, Jason, I see Lincoln over there, let’s say hello. Wouldn’t it be funny if he impersonated me again? Could you imagine two of me in the room?”
“Hell no,” Jason muttered. “One of you is enough. Are you going to tell me what research you’ve been doing for him?”
Kaden pretended to zip his lips. “Nope, it’s a secret. Come on, I have so much to tell him.” He walked off, tugging Jason behind him without saying goodbye.
“Well, that’s Kaden. He can be quite manic at times, but he has the kindest soul,” Beau said. Looking at his watch, he nodded to his brother. “It’s time. Was Drake okay with joining the interviews?”
Dean smiled widely. “Totally, let’s go. I can’t wait to see the looks on the reporters’ faces.”
23
Malcolm
E
ntering the designated press room, Malcolm admitted to himself that he hadn’t known what he was getting into. This wasn’t a few journalists. It was more like a presidential briefing, with over twenty reporters seated, waiting for the boys to walk up on stage to speak. The stage area was a raised platform with a single mic stand.
“You good?” Beau asked, looking up at him with concern. His large, dark eyes gave nothing away. Was Beau having second thoughts, or was he merely worried about Malcolm? “Just say the word and I’ll halt everything. You’re too important to me to screw it up on the first night.”
Malcolm pulled Beau against his chest. Running his fingers through the silky strands of Beau’s hair, he exhaled. “I might not have your experience in front of the camera, but I promise I won’t run. I’m here for you. You don’t need to do this alone anymore.”
The way Beau beamed at him let him know he had made the right decision.
The twins walked on stage, and an assistant passed the mic to Beau.
“Good evening. Thank you for joining us for our birthday celebrations. It’s wonderful to see you all here. Did you receive the press release and additional information regarding tonight’s event?”
He smiled when the reporters nodded. “Wonderful; it’s always helpful when things run according to schedule. Before we begin, I am sure you are eager to know about the two men standing to the left of the stage.” As the murmur of agreement around the room rose, Beau chuckled. “Don’t worry, we won’t keep you waiting. We would like to introduce you to Malcolm and Drake Tallon.” He held his hand out for Malcolm. “This is my boyfriend, Malcolm.”
Malcolm took Beau’s hand in his and stepped forward beside him. He noticed the surprise on the faces of some reporters, while others barely contained their excitement on hearing the news.
Dean took Drake’s hand in his. “And this is his brother and my boyfriend, Drake. We’ve known each other for years, but we didn�
��t start dating until very recently. Yes, they are much older than us, but it is what it is.” He paused and looked at Beau before continuing. “The floor is open for questions. Usual drill, hands up to ask a question. We will try to get around to everyone.”
Dean pointed to a professional-looking woman who appeared to be in her late fifties. “Lily, good to see you tonight. You can be first.”
“Good evening, Dean. Can I surmise you were referring to these men when you appeared on Ally Tonight?”
Beau and Dean responded as one. “Yes.”
“To clarify, you mentioned this is new. Were you not in a relationship at the time of the interview?”
“No. Beau and I were interested. Look at them, Lily—who wouldn’t be interested? But given our age difference, we mutually agreed to wait until we turned twenty-one,” Dean replied.
“I can’t tell you how hard it was for us.” Beau winked at Lily, who gave a small chuckle and blushed.
Beau pointed to a much older man. There was no smile on his face, but he wasn’t glaring, either. “Hey, Ben, hit me with your best shot.”
“Thank you, Beau. This question is for the Tallon brothers. Are you the owners of the Tallon Connections?”
Malcolm looked up sharply at the next question. He knew the boys were always in the news. He just hadn’t anticipated just how soon his and Drake’s lives would be under a microscope.
Beau gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “You don’t have to speak to them if you don’t want. You can go back to the other room, and I will find you after,” he whispered.
The warm look Beau was giving him helped. He smiled. “I’m good.”
Drake was looking anxiously at him, so he decided it was up to him to respond. “Yes, Tallon Connections belongs to us. We also own Club Neon and Severus.”
The reporter was nodding, as if he already knew the answer. “Beau and Dean, you mentioned you’ve known Drake and Malcolm for years. Where did you meet? Was it the BDSM club Severus?”
“No, Beau and I have never been to Severus. We met when we went to collect a friend from Club Neon.” Beau paused, and Dean continued.
“We were quickly escorted off the property since we were underage at the time. We reconnected recently and quickly realized there was a mutual interest.” He pointed to a younger man with curly ginger hair. “Jake, you had a question?”
“For the readers who are going to ask about the connection between the four of you, can you elaborate on your relationship a little more?”
Malcolm saw red. He knew what the reporter was asking, and he wanted to shove his notepad down his throat. And these were the accepted reporters. Beau put his arm around his back to calm him down.
“Since there is so much speculation around our personal lives, we’ll spell it out. I am dating Malcolm, and Dean is dating Drake. We don’t swap partners, and we are not in a poly relationship. Aside from being older, our relationship is what you see. Two couples dating. End of story,” Beau responded calmly.
Dean stared at the reporters. “This will be the only time that we will answer questions of this nature. While we appreciate your readers have an interest in our personal lives, as you know, we draw the line at the usual speculation made about us.”
Lily put her hand up. “Malcolm and Drake, how do you feel dating someone so much younger—”
Malcolm didn’t let her finish. “Are they?”
Lily looked confused. “I’m sorry?”
“I don’t consider Beau and Dean to be too young. You’ve been following them for years. They’ve survived a childhood neither of us could imagine. They didn’t give up. Instead, they created a foundation to protect other innocent children. They have overcome being abducted, treated as commodities by the press, and had enough fake news about them to fill a library. Yes, in some ways they are young, but in other areas they aren’t. We aren’t the first to be in a relationship with a wide age gap.” Malcolm looked around the room, catching each and every eye directly.
Beau and Dean looked at him with admiration. Not sure what to say next, he glanced over at Drake.
Drake pulled Dean closer to his side. “While I don’t feel it’s any of your business who the boys date, I will say that relationships come in all shapes and sizes. Ours is based on mutual understanding and affection. Malcolm and I admire the young men they have become, and while this is early for us, we would be fools to walk away from them. That’s all I have to say.”
While Beau and Dean continued to answer questions, Drake continually surveyed the room, watching the reactions on the reporters’ faces. Most of them were smiling as the twins spoke. Malcolm’s gaze fell on the reporter with the red hair. He wasn’t looking at Beau or Dean. He was glaring at Malcolm. Realizing he had been caught, the reporter looked away, flustered. Malcolm made a mental note to speak to Drake about the guy later.
By the time the interview drew to a close, Malcolm was mentally exhausted. They had posed for pictures and answered countless questions. He couldn’t understand how patient the boys were.
Beau tugged on his hand, leading him away from the reporters. They entered a small area that appeared to be an empty dressing room. It wasn’t until he heard the door lock that Malcolm noticed Dean and Drake were not with them.
“I’m so hot for you right now. Do you have any idea what it did to me, having you beside me just then?” Beau didn’t wait for a response. He launched himself at Malcolm, his mouth settling on his.
Running his hands down Beau’s back, Malcolm cupped his ass and lifted. Instinctively, Beau wrapped his legs around Malcolm’s waist. The passion coursing through Malcolm’s veins grew to an inferno of need. His senses were filled with the smell and taste of Beau. Grabbing Beau’s hair in a tight fist, Malcolm held him still and stared at his glazed eyes. “Fuck, the things you do to me.”
Beau licked his lips and groaned. “Yes… Need you.” He squirmed against Malcolm, their cocks rubbing together in a delicious friction. He shuddered at the contact.
Malcolm was quickly losing all control of his actions. His body fought to take what Beau was offering, while his heart wanted so much more. “Not here. Our first time together will be in my bed, where I can keep you as long as I want.”
Beau let out a mewl of disappointment.
“Don’t worry, baby, I’m not going to leave you hanging.” Malcolm dropped Beau onto a chair and unzipped his slacks. “I’ve got to taste you.”
Beau’s eyes rolled back in his head, his back arching as Malcolm wrapped his tongue around the head of his cock. “Please, please, oh Mal…”
The flavor of Beau’s precum hit his tongue, and he groaned at the taste. Beau’s cock was perfect—long, thin, and uncut. Malcolm took the full length deep to the back of his throat, watching the effect it had on Beau. He was intoxicated by the sounds Beau was making. He sucked harder, running his tongue along the shaft.
Beau’s scream was the only warning Malcolm had before his mouth was filled with cum. His own cock throbbed for his own release. The taste of cum still on his tongue, he reached up and pulled Beau in for a deep and thorough kiss. Beau moaned.
“Let me,” Beau said as he reached to undo Malcolm’s zipper.
Malcolm grabbed his hand, holding it still. “Not here. If I give in here, we won’t leave the room ’til morning.” He laughed at the pout Beau gave him and adjusted himself as he stood. “What time can we leave?” he asked Beau.
Beau looked at his bare wrist, pretending to read the time. “Oh look, it’s time to go already. Damn, that was fast.”
Malcolm couldn’t hide his joy. “Well, we better say our goodbyes, then. Will you come back to my home?” he asked.
“What about Dean? I want to, I really do. But what if Dean needs me? I’m sure your brother would never harm him, but we look out for each other.”
“You don’t have to worry, baby. Drake and I share a home. Dean will be on the other side of the house if either of you needs the other.”
Beau’s eyes g
rew wide. “Really? You don’t mind?”
Malcolm kissed Beau gently. “Drake and I have always been close. There were times when we lived apart, but we always preferred each other’s company. We pooled our finances and bought a home. We don’t plan to separate you from each other. We only dream that you make room for us in your world.”
Beau’s eyes widened with realization and happiness.
“That’s right, honey. You can come home with me and not have to give up your brother.”
The look on Beau’s face said it all. “Mal, take me home.”
Malcolm kissed Beau again. There was no hesitation at how fast things were progressing. There was no going back for any of them.
24
Dean
O
n the dance floor, Dean rested his head against Drake’s firm chest in complete happiness. He didn’t know how long they had been dancing together as he swayed under Drake’s guiding hands, the music flowing through his body. He wasn’t even worried that he didn’t know where Beau was, trusting that Malcolm would take care of him. Listening to Drake’s heartbeat, he sighed aloud, letting the feeling of love settle in his soul. The words hadn’t been said, but Drake’s actions tonight had shown what their future would be like. The vibration of his phone had him pausing midstep. Looking apologetically at Drake, he reached into his pocket. He knew it would be Beau. He smiled as he read the message.
Did you know our men live together?
Time to leave.
Come outside, limo’s waiting.
Suddenly, he wasn’t so relaxed. Heat and excitement raced through his body as he glanced up at Drake. “You and Mal live together?”
Drake nodded. “Yep, same home. I take it you like that idea?” he asked as Dean smile grew.
“Very much so. Apparently, it’s time to go. They’re waiting outside.” Dean groaned at the lust on Drake’s face, need, desire, and heat all on display as Drake leaned down and kissed his neck. Awareness tingled across his skin before Drake moved to the shell of his ear.