“Hmm... okay.” Jensen looked around to make sure no one else was nearby. “So, what’s the story?”
“Huh?”
“Trish and Cyra? You? Come on. I know you’re not that dense.”
“We’re trying to find our way together,” Stern said. “It’s why we asked if she could move in.”
“I’d thought it was just forming a crew. So, spill. Have you?”
Stern exhaled slowly. “Jensen, if I had, I wouldn’t tell you.”
“What? Why not?”
“Because it’s not my place. They would have equal say in telling people our business.”
Jensen rolled his eyes. “That’s so lame.”
Stern shrugged, leaving Jensen behind. He knew Jensen had just been trying to do the male-bonding thing, but that topic always rubbed him the wrong way. Some things should be kept between the people who engaged in those acts. I would’ve been more than willing to talk dungeons, weapons, or anything else...
“Sorry for the delay,” Stern said, entering the suite.
“You have enough time for a quick bath,” Trish said, “so get going.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Stern said, responding to the tone of her voice out of reflex.
Trish arched an eyebrow. “Oh? Is that how it is?”
“Mom could be strict as hell,” Stern replied. “And no, I don’t think my proclivities run that way.”
“But you don’t know for sure,” Trish said with a smirk.
Stern thought about it, then shook his head. “No. Now I’ll go get that bath.” Cyra was puzzled about the conversation, but Stern wasn’t going to try explaining it. He grabbed his things and left.
As Stern shut the door, he heard Cyra start asking, “Can you explain what you two—?”
Stern’s lips pursed as he considered Trish’s question. I really don’t know... Considering my family, it really could go either way.
~*~*~
“That was good,” Stern sighed happily.
“Cyra’s the best cook in the house,” Trish said. “I was only helping her.”
“Thank you,” Cyra smiled. “Having all the seasonings and fresh food makes it much easier to make a good meal.”
“It really does,” Stern agreed. “You do a great job. I think you’ll only get better, too.”
Cyra blushed slightly. “I’ll do my best.”
“I’ll get started on these dishes,” Stern said.
“Nope,” Trish said, getting up and taking his hand. “You’re coming with me. Cyra already agreed to handle the dishes tonight.”
“Huh?” Stern asked as Trish led him away from the table.
“See you in the morning,” Cyra said, watching them go.
Stern realized what she meant when Trish shut his door behind them. “Oh...”
“You’re good with me sleeping in here tonight, aren’t you?” Trish asked from behind him.
“Uh... y-yeah,” Stern stuttered slightly, his mouth going dry.
“We really will be sleeping,” Trish giggled. “Well, in a bit, anyway. Cyra and I talked it over when we came home. We agreed that it’s best if I sleep in here tonight and see if she’s really okay with that. Also, I want to do what I failed to do this morning... but only if you’re okay with it, too.”
Stern turned around, meeting her eyes in the darkening room. “I’m not going to say no, Trish. Are you sure, though?”
Trish’s lips twisted into a wicked smile. “Yes. Now, to be fair to Cyra, we aren’t going to do everything.”
Stern nodded mutely. The memory of his one attempt at sex came crashing back to him.
“Something wrong?” Trish asked, having been advancing on him.
“Just remembering the one time I tried anything before,” Stern said, exhaling slowly as he felt her emotions. “It won’t be the same this time.”
“Not at all. I find you attractive. I’m sure that was unpleasant for you.”
“To put it mildly.”
“Why don’t we start with something different?” Trish asked, sitting on the bed. “Come join me.” She patted the bed.
Stern did so— his palms felt sweaty, his mouth dry, and his breathing was uneven. “Wow, I’m nervous as hell.”
Trish giggled. “Glad to know I have an effect on you.”
“You do,” Stern said, taking a seat next to her. “You always did. I was tempted to go back to your shop after clearing the first dungeon to see if you were serious.”
“You didn’t, though.”
“I was afraid,” Stern admitted. “I used the idea of having to advance quickly to lie to myself about it. I was afraid you’d laugh and kick me out or that it’d end like the other…”
“I wouldn’t have kicked you out, and it wouldn’t have been like what you experienced before. However, we probably wouldn’t be here now, and honestly, I prefer this.”
Stern swallowed against the lump in his throat. Her emotions were high, and he could easily feel the happiness, lust, and a touch of fear. “Why are you afraid?” he asked.
“Because I want to make tonight special for you. You and Cyra deserve so much love, and I want to give it to you both… I’m also afraid that I’ll make a mistake and this won’t work.”
“I think we all have that fear.”
“We do, if you do. Cyra and I already talked about it.”
“We don’t have to force things,” Stern said slowly. “If we do more than kiss and cuddle, I’ll call it a bonus.”
Trish laughed lightly. “Oh, I want more than just that.” She stood up abruptly and turned to face him as the dying sunlight fled. A second later, the sound of a striker came just before the lantern in his room light. “Now,” Trish said, “we should get ready for bed.”
Stern sat there motionless as Trish began to strip. His hands shook a little as she shed clothing piece by piece. His throat might have been dry before, but now, it was a desert. Trish’s pale skin gleamed in the lantern light. Freckles dotted her body along with her scars. The only clothing she left on were her panties.
“I’ll err on the side of caution tonight and keep these on,” Trish said, touching the waistband. “Can’t accidentally go too far with them on.”
Stern nodded dumbly as he drank in the sight of her.
“I see that you like me,” Trish snickered, her eyes dropping to his waist. “Why don’t you join me? It’s silly for me to be the only one who’s practically naked.”
Stern jerked upright and stripped off his clothing. Trish went past him to the bed, pulled down the blanket, then slipped onto the sheet to watch him. Stern’s face burned as he exposed himself to her.
Trish murmured appreciatively when he took his shirt off, showing her his abs. “Oh, you do have hard, lean muscles.”
When he lost his pants, he was acutely aware of his straining flesh barely being held back by his underwear. Trish patted the bed and he went to lie beside her. Her lips found his and she pushed him onto his back, taking control of the situation. Stern moaned into the kiss as her smooth, hot flesh pressed into him.
Kissing led to hands exploring each other. The lust in the room built and built, and Stern lost himself in it. When Trish’s hand touched his straining flesh, he gasped and his whole body bucked in her hand. Trish took his hand and guided it to what she wanted. She moaned when his hand began to explore her in return.
After a few minutes, both of them shuddered, finding release within seconds of each other. As they lie there panting, Stern was finally able to think as the lust ebbed.
“Better?” Trish asked, kissing his chest.
“No wonder my parents were always doing similar...” Stern laughed. “My whole body is tingling.”
“Good,” Trish murmured. “Let me get something to clean up with.”
She grabbed a scrap of cloth and wiped herself, then him, down before climbing back into bed with him. He had slid to the wall and held her as she draped a leg over his, snuggling into his side.
“Trish?”
“Hmm?”
“Will you tell me about your scars?” He felt her flinch and a spike of embarrassment. “I wanted to kiss them all. I find them attractive.”
“You do?” Trish asked, surprised.
“They show you for the warrior you are. I find that sexy.”
Trish giggled and kissed his chest. “Maybe next time? I feel kind of sleepy right now. And if you start kissing them, I’ll want more.”
Stern yawned, suddenly tired himself. “Hmm... Okay.”
After a few seconds, Trish sighed, rolled out of bed, and snuffed out the lantern. Climbing back into bed, she snuggled right up to him again.
“Trish? Thank you. I… that was amazing.”
“I’m glad,” Trish murmured. “And Stern, it gets better. Just wait.”
Stern nodded. He placed his arm around her shoulder as she used his for a pillow. “I will. I hope Cyra’s okay in the morning.”
“Me, too,” Trish said.
Both of them worried and hoped as they fell asleep.
~*~*~
Trish woke up first— it was pitch black outside. She had shifted in her sleep at some point. Her head was pressed to Stern’s side and she could hear the slow, steady beat of his heart. She exhaled slowly, thinking about the relationship. With a smile, she kissed his chest.
“Hmm?” Stern murmured as he blinked himself awake. “Trish?”
“Right here, lover,” Trish said, kissing his chest again. “How about we get up and cook breakfast for her?”
“Yes. That sounds good.”
“But first...” Trish shifted up and kissed him.
Soft lips found his and Stern felt the love that radiated from her and his own love for her. It was a warmth that grew in his chest. His arms went around her reflexively, but he didn’t push. It was a long, lingering kiss that eventually came to an end.
“Good morning, indeed,” Trish giggled. “If you keep poking that at me in fun, I might take it seriously.”
Stern snorted, then laughed. “You’re terrible and... I love you.” The last three words came after a pause.
“Weird, isn’t it?” Trish asked softly. “I mean, I was interested before, but it wasn’t love. Now... it is, for you and her. The heart is a strange thing.”
“‘Follow your heart,’” Stern murmured. “Mom always says that, and I think she’s right.”
“I hope to meet her eventually,” Trish said softly, wondering if she was going too far.
“If we stay together, you will,” Stern said. “If you shift like that again, I’m going to have real trouble.”
Trish snickered and got out of bed. “Not this morning. This morning, we make breakfast and make sure Cyra’s okay.”
“Yeah. You going to wake her like you did me?”
“Yes,” Trish said as she got dressed in the near-total darkness. “Come on.”
Stern watched her get dressed, and the sliver of moonlight coming in was enough for him to see her. “Eggs and sausages?” Stern asked as he swung his legs out of bed.
“We all enjoy it,” Trish said.
“Okay. I’ll get it started. You can go wake her up.”
“Sounds good.”
Stern went to the pantry and collected the items he needed before going to the stove. As he started getting ready, Trish slipped into Cyra’s room and, a second later, Pawly came out.
“How are you, fur-face?”
Pawly meowed and rubbed against his legs.
“Give me a minute to get this started and then I’ll give you some love.”
Stern had the sausages cooking and was just standing up from petting Pawly when he heard a now-familiar sound coming from Cyra’s room. His ears burned, but he smiled and focused on the food.
He was plating their breakfast when Trish and Cyra came out of her room. “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” Cyra said hesitantly. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Stern said, giving her a large smile. “That should be my question, though.”
Cyra walked to him, then hugged him hard. Stern was caught off-guard, and her emotions were a tangled mess.
“Hey, it’s okay...” Stern murmured. He wanted to hold her, but she’d pinned his arms to his side.
Cyra looked up at him. “I was a little jealous that she was with you. If… I wanted…”
“I’d say yes,” Stern said softly, meeting her green-eyed gaze, “but only when you are ready. Please don’t rush, Cyra. I want you to be fully happy and okay with everything.”
Cyra sniffled, her emotions flaring high. “You’re too good for me.”
“And I love you, too,” Stern said. He bent his head, but that was only enough to kiss the top of her head. “Trish loves you, too.” He flickered two fingers at Trish.
Trish came up behind Cyra and hugged her. “He’s right, Cyra. When you’re ready, you and I will go further, and in time, you’ll be able to do what you want with Stern.”
“You’re fine with me taking her away from you?” Cyra asked Stern, watching his face.
“Taking her away?” Stern chuckled. “We’re both loving her. You aren’t taking her away any more than she’s taking me from you. Can I have my arms?”
Cyra let go of him and started to apologize.
Stern put his arms around her so his hands rested on Trish’s back. “Shh... See? You’re loved by us both. None of us is taking from the others. We’re going slow with you because you’ve been hurt. Just because it isn’t visible doesn’t make it any less painful to you.”
Cyra sobbed and held him tighter.
“The good thing about a multiple-partner relationship is that you have multiple people to love you and help you get past things,” Stern said. “When you’re ready, I’ll welcome you with a smile, but I don’t want you to hurt yourself by pushing too fast.”
“He’s right,” Trish murmured, kissing Cyra’s ear.
“How did I get so lucky?” Cyra sniffled as she held him, and was held by them both in turn.
“I ask myself that every day now,” Stern said.
“I thought it was just me,” Trish added with a laugh.
Cyra laughed, sniffling. “Thank you. I’m good, now.”
Trish let her go, but Stern just leaned back a little to look down at Cyra. “Are you okay? With her and me?”
Cyra nodded. “Yes, because I believe you when you say you’ll be ready for me. Just… next time… will you come kiss me awake?”
Stern’s eyebrows shot up, but he smiled broadly. “Yes, but only kisses until you’re ready.”
Cyra blushed red and squirmed in his arms. “Okay... and when I’m ready?”
“I’ll gladly do more, eagerly and willing the entire time.”
Cyra’s face burned hot and she slammed into him again, squeezing him tight. “Okay.”
Chapter Forty-six
The last three days went by with little difficulty. Cyra improved with the crossbow, hitting her targets more often than not. The mock dungeons gave them a good variety of monsters and terrain, so they were feeling good about working together as a crew.
Trish woke Stern on those mornings, though she didn’t stay in his room again like the first time. Stern wondered why, but hadn’t pressed her on it— he was sure it had to do with Cyra. As it was, the mornings had been a little more than kissing, leaving them both happy and wanting more.
~*~*~
With the last mock dungeon completed, the three of them grinned. Pawly bumped into Stern and he patted her side. Both Cyra and Trish joined in, making Pawly purr contentedly. When the dungeon faded, they all looked at Velina, who was wearing a smile.
“Thank you, again,” Stern told Velina.
“We appreciate it,” Trish said.
“A great deal,” Cyra added.
“I’m glad to help. You three have a solid base now. Oops, sorry,” she chuckled, seeing Pawly looking at her. “You four have a solid base now.”
Pawly chuffed, moving over to bump her head int
o Velina’s gut.
Velina laughed and rubbed Pawly’s ears. “You’re very helpful to them. I’m sorry I didn’t include you to start with.”
“We arranged for dinner at Goddess’ Delight,” Stern said. “You and your grandfather are invited.”
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