by T. M. Smith
“My parents invited us to their house for Thanksgiving,” Rory told them out of the blue.
“But I wanted to cook this year. It’s our first Thanksgiving, and I thought we could have Connie and Claire over.” Shannon tried not to sound disappointed, but he was. He looked over at Rand. The man shook his head once, the movement crisp and quick. At least the two of them were in agreement.
Reaching across the table, Rory patted his hand. “Shan, I said they invited. I didn’t say we were going.”
“I like that idea, Shan. Thanksgiving here with the girls—let’s do that.” Rand threw his two cents in.
Rory shrugged. “Fine by me. Virginia is fucking cold in November.”
Shannon and Rand had been introduced to Rory’s parents over Skype while he was still in the hospital. Clifford and Arleen Landers were the second marriage for each of them, finding one another later in life. Rory’s mother had assumed she couldn’t have children, so the Landerses were stunned when they learned Arleen was expecting at the age of forty-eight. Rory described them as old and set in their ways, which rang true—both pushing eighty, traveling was not their forte. Shannon thought eccentric was a more apt description. He was anxious to meet the Landerses, eventually, but spending their first Thanksgiving and Christmas together in Texas in the home they were creating, the three of them, was more important to Shannon than he could put into words.
“Here you go.” Rand poured the last of the wine into his glass before pushing his chair back, standing, and going over to put the bottle in the recycling bin. Shannon moved to get up, his intention was to clear the table and start the dishes, but Rory stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.
“Sit, enjoy your wine and the music. I got this.” Rory kissed him before grabbing his plate. Shannon leaned back in his chair, sipping the delicious Pinot while watching his men and listening to the deep, bluesy tones of Janis Joplin floating in the air. This is what life was all about, a series of moments strung together to make memories, to create lasting impressions. Whatever the future held for them, this was just the beginning, and they had a lifetime of memories to create.
Chapter Thirty Three
Rand Christmas 2016
Hoisting the large Douglas fir the three of them had picked out at a tree farm in Plano earlier in the day, Rand carefully carried the tree up the stairs and into the loft apartment. “Where do you want it, Shan?”
“Over in that corner where I’ve put down the tree skirt. Do you see?” Shannon zipped past him, going to stand in the middle of the red material someone had vomited glitter all over.
Chuckling and shaking his head, Rand watched Shannon spin in a circle atop the garish, velvet thing. Pleasing the young man was as easy as loving him and boy, did he love Shannon Dupree. It had surprised him how seamlessly they went from Shannon and Rory, and Rand…to Shannon, Rory, and Rand. Just a few months in, and he couldn’t imagine his life without the two men that now held his heart.
In the weeks following the shooting and the three of them deciding to pursue a relationship, he and Rory had basically moved into Shannon’s studio apartment, but nothing was official. At least, not yet.…That was about to change. Confident in his decision to love both men, Rand packed up his apartment and rented a storage unit to hold all his furniture and the boxes of stuff he’d collected over the years. His plan was to use the money he’d been paying on rent for an apartment he was never in to help Shannon complete the remodel of the other side of the studio that sat empty and bare. The space was more than enough for the three of them, and it was where they’d fallen in love, all of them—the place where their life together had begun. Conversations were had—discussions of rules and expectations, taking things slow. Rand snorted. Slow, my ass. He’d followed Rory up the stairs to the loft the day he’d been released from the hospital and never looked back.
Speaking of the devil, he heard Rory shuffling into the room behind him, unable to turn around and properly greet him with the nine-foot-tall plant he was carrying. Thank God, the studio apartment had vaulted ceilings. “Is he going to be doing his impersonation of the Energizer Bunny on crack all week?” Rory asked, dropping the three boxes he’d carried into the room onto the floor. “ ’Cause I can shoot out the window and toss the tree to the curb, literally.”
Rand snorted again, kicking the tree stand over to where Shannon stood bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet, wearing an ear-splitting grin on his face. Obviously he hadn’t heard Rory’s threat. “Pop the legs out and hold the ends, so I can settle the tree.”
Once the tree was secured in the stand, Rand took a step back and admired the monstrosity. “It really is a beauty.” Shannon squealed and clapped his hands. Looking over his shoulder, Rand pursed his lips to stop from laughing out loud. Shan had snatched the top box and set it on the coffee table, tossing the lid onto the couch. Rory rolled his eyes, swatting away the flurry of tissue paper circling the air as Shannon started unwrapping the ornaments for the tree.
After the tree was decorated and dinner had been devoured—Rory made an out-of-this-world chicken chili that he and Shannon couldn’t get enough of—they settled on the couch to watch a movie and cuddle. He’d never considered himself the cuddling type, but with the perky blond and the cranky agent, Rand felt most at peace when they were in his arms. “So, I have something I want to talk to you guys about.” He flipped off the TV when Casablanca ended.
He turned to face Shannon and Rory, sitting on the coffee table, reaching for their hands. It was an unspoken agreement: when Rand sat on the table, the two younger men knew it was important, and whatever he was going to say should be taken seriously. “I cleaned out my apartment and turned in the keys. All my stuff that’s not here is in storage. I want to put my money into the studio, our home, and our future.”
Shannon’s smile was brilliant. “Rand, sweetie, I couldn’t agree more.” Leaning forward, Shannon met him halfway and they shared a quick kiss.
“So, I guess now would be a good time to tell you both that I’ve been talking to Frank, Taylor, and Caleb about gutting the vacant side of the loft and getting it ready to remodel.” Rory waggled his eyebrows.
“Always trying to one-up me, Agent.” Growling playfully, Rand grabbed a fistful of Rory’s shirt and jerked him closer, capturing his mouth with a deep, possessive kiss. It was just one of many things Rand loved about the two men that warmed his bed. Rory liked it hard and rough sometimes, but Shannon was far too precious and vulnerable after the hand life had dealt their youngest partner early on. He and Rory both cherished him, his youthful vibrancy and the softness he brought to their triad. And Rand learned something about himself as they were exploring the ins and outs of their commitment. He actually craved the soft, gentleness he washed Shannon’s body with when they made love. The way each of them loved might be different, but it was no less honest or pure; it was the glue that held them together.
A throat clearing broke through the cloud of lust he and Rory found themselves in with just one kiss. “I have something for you guys as well. I was going to wait until Christmas morning but since you two are sharing…” Shannon stood and ran into the bedroom, reappearing a few seconds later with two identical boxes in his hands. They were small, square boxes wrapped in shiny red paper with red bows on top. “Here you go.” Shannon handed him one, then Rory, and neither of them hesitated, tearing the bows off and opening their gifts. Each box held a platinum cuff bracelet, a symbol etched in the middle.
“It’s a trinity knot.” Shannon rolled up his shirt sleeve to show a third bracelet on his wrist. He slid it off and turned it around, pointing to the words etched into the metal.
“Ever thine, ever mine, ever ours.” Rand read the words out loud. Shannon beamed, motioning for him and Rory to put them on before sliding his own back onto his wrist.
“Sweetie, I love it.” This time the kiss was longer, deeper, and more enthusiastic.
“Me too, babe.” Rory scooted closer, wrapping an arm aroun
d each of them.
Sliding off the table, Rand kneeled on the floor in front of Shannon, their lips still sealed, blindly searching for Rory so he could pull him in. Tongues swirling and mating, teeth nipping, Rand divested his lovers of their clothing before standing and unbuckling his pants. Watching Shannon tweak Rory’s nipples while Rory fisted his cock was a thing of fucking beauty. Rand ran his fingers along the length of his shaft, swiping his thumb over the pearl of pre-come beading in his slit. His hiss was involuntary and caught the attention of his men, both looking up at him through glassy eyes, their lips swollen and perfectly pinked. One corner of Shannon’s mouth lifted as he reached over and knocked his hand away, wrapping his long, nimble fingers around Rand’s cock.
Rory grabbed his jeans and pulled them the rest of the way down Rand’s legs, coaxing until he lifted one foot, then the other so that Rory could remove them. Standing, Rory ran his hands up Rand’s legs along the way, continuing to tickle his flesh with fingers, tweaking his nipples, before leaning up for a searing kiss. Rand groaned into Rory’s mouth when he felt Shannon’s warm tongue circle the head of his cock. “I’ve got an idea.” Rory stepped back, pulling Shannon to his feet as well, much to his dismay. “Rand, baby, sit down.” Rory nodded toward the couch and he did as requested. “Shan, sweetie, I want you on your hands and knees on the couch, sucking his dick while I take you from behind.”
Shannon visibly shuddered. Rand saw it and was jealous that Rory got to feel it. Nothing was a bigger turn-on than having their young lover tremble in his arms. Well, that and listening to Rory beg and curse while he did his damned best to fuck the wiry agent into the mattress, wall, floor, or counter top. Basically, any flat surface he could find when the need arose. Shan also got off on dirty talk; he loved listening to him and Rory explain in great detail exactly what they planned to do to him. Hell, there were times Rand could remember fondly when Shannon had come within seconds of one of them entering him, so riled up from just words, tongues, and fingers. “Is that what you want, Shan? You want Rory to fuck you nice and slow…deep, penetrating strokes while I fill your mouth with my fat cock?” He teased Shannon first with words, and then with his body, spreading his legs wide.
“Oh God, yesssssssssss.” Shannon moaned, climbing onto the couch between his legs and knocking Rand’s hand that was wrapped around his dick away again. “Mine.” He growled, swallowing his length with one pass.
“Easy, you don’t want me to come before Rory’s inside you.” Rand gripped the back of the couch, fighting for control, unwilling to spill himself just yet. He wanted to watch Shannon’s eyes roll back in his head as Rory drove into him, see the look of sheer ecstasy on each man’s face as they pleasured each other. Since their first sexual experience together, the three of them, all those months ago when Rand sat and watched the two of them fucking, it had become a ritual for them. It was different, and it kept things interesting for them.
As predicted, it didn’t take Shannon long to come all over his leg once Rory was inside him, falling onto Rand exhausted, sweaty, and spent. “You guys…didn’t…come.” Shannon panted, pulling air into his lungs.
Rory grabbed a couple of Kleenex, handing a few to Rand and using the rest to wipe the mess from Shannon’s spent cock and stomach. Once he had Shannon’s attention, Rory whispered for them to switch places. Leaning over him, Rory licked the tip of Rand’s nose, then the seam of his lips. “My turn, cowboy.” His smile was seductive.
“As you wish.” Rand stood and flipped Rory around so he was on his hands and knees, Rory’s ass in his face. Licking a path from Rory’s balls to his lower back, Rand smiled when Rory shouted and bucked against him. Shannon sat up, fully recovered now, wiping the hair off Rory’s forehead and kissing him softly. The two of them were like yin and yang. Rand was about to pound the shit out of Rory’s tight hole, leaving him sore and smiling about it for days. Shannon would make love to Rory’s mouth with his tongue and pepper him with soft caresses, and the agent would relish every second of it.
A lot of prep wasn’t needed, especially since they’d made the decision to forgo condoms, none of them wanting any barriers between them. Just a press of two fingers into Rory’s channel to coat his tunnel with lube before Rand slid all the way inside him bare, loving the sensations and the feel of Rory wrapped around him. He knew Rory loved the burn, the feel of his muscles acclimating to Rand’s girth; he’d said as much more than once. He set up a punishing pace quickly, slamming into Rory thrust after thrust while Shannon kept his filthy mouth occupied. Still, curses and moans were music to his ears. “Harder, Rand, more, fuck me like you mean it!” Rory shouted.
Wrapping one arm around his waist, the other around his neck, Rand sat back and pulled Rory up with him, pounding into him again and again. Rory’s breathing was labored, chest heaving as he continued to beg for more. The sound of flesh slapping flesh was loud, blending flawlessly with Rory’s curses and groans. Bruises and bite marks would color Rory’s skin for days, and he’d likely walk with a limp as hard as Rand was fucking him, but he couldn’t stop, couldn’t hold back, not with Rory. Skin flushed from exertion, the man used his strong legs to lift his body then drop back down onto Rand’s thick, hard shaft. Rory’s body sang every damn time Rand got his hands on him, and he loved it.
Body rigid and trembling, his moans and curses rattling the glass windows, Rory cried out and shot his seed all over Shannon, the couch and his belly, his muscles squeezing Rand’s cock painfully as he rode out his own orgasm that left him dizzy and seeing stars.
They sat there for a few moments, trying to catch their breaths, the apartment still and quiet until Shannon spoke. “I swear, I will never get tired of watching the two of you. It’s like watching two gladiators fuck—it’s amazing.” Rand snorted, sitting back on his heels and smacking Rory on the ass.
“Classy, Davis. Real classy,” Rory teased him.
When they managed to find their way to the bed after cleaning up the couch and themselves, Shannon rattled on about plans for the remodel and opening up the other side of the loft so that they could expand their home. He and Rory shared a look in the near darkness of the bedroom, smiling at the blond between them excitedly talking about swatches and curtains. These were the moments that created lasting memories that he, Shannon, and Rory could cherish.
Eventually, Shannon talked himself to sleep, his soft snores pushing out breaths that caressed Rand’s skin. Rarely quiet and never still, Shannon was always on the go, his body still moving even while he slept. And then there was Rory—the man slept like a log. Seriously, whatever position he was in when he lost consciousness was the one he’d still be in when he woke up. Their differences were like night and day, and Rand wouldn’t have it any other way.
Chapter Thirty Four
Shannon 2017
Ringing in the New Year at Frank and Taylor’s place brought back memories of the previous year. Watching the people he loved and thought of as family dancing, celebrating and enjoying one another’s company made him feel all warm and fuzzy inside. So much had happened over the past year that it seemed like ten had gone by. Caleb and Justine were expecting their first baby in just a few weeks, a little girl, Charlotte Emily Knight. Taylor had broken down when they first told him the name they’d chosen—happy tears, of course.
“You’ll have six months to teach her how to walk, so she can be the flower girl at our wedding, Knight,” Frank said jokingly. Taylor assured the soon-to-be father that it would be fine if little Charlotte had to be carried and pointed out that it might be better if she were ring bearer. They were getting married on the beach at the cottage—the place where the seed of their love had been planted, nourished, and finally bloomed.
Rand’s little sister, Claire, and Rory’s partner, Connie, had moved in together over the holidays, their relationship still going strong. Love was in the air, apparently. The strangest change in their lives was Mannie Tullor moving into the apartment with Blair. The young agent assured them all
that they were just friends, that Mannie was taking over half the lease and the bedroom that used to be Rory’s. Shannon wasn’t fooled though; he saw the way Blair looked at Mannie, equal parts fascination and fear. “I didn’t realize he was bi—he’d only ever mentioned one long-term relationship with a woman.” Rory shrugged the night Blair and Mannie shared their new status as roommates when the five of them met for dinner.
Life did have its ups and downs, though. Taylor’s birth father had been killed during a riot at the prison he was incarcerated at in Huntsville, Texas. And though there was no love lost there, it still affected Taylor, so Shannon had left the studio in his lead instructor’s capable hands and spent the weekend with Taylor, shoving Frank out the door of their townhouse, telling him to go demolish things with Rory and Rand at the loft. When he got home Sunday evening, Shannon was pleasantly surprised to see all the hardwood flooring had been laid.
“Earth to Shannon. Have you heard a word I’ve said?” Taylor snapped his fingers. “Tink? Hello?”
Sitting up straight he blinked. “Yes, of course…no.”
His best friend laughed, shaking his head. “I asked what you, Thing One, and Thing Two are doing for Valentine’s Day.” For Christmas, Taylor and Frank had given Rory and Rand T-shirts with Thing One and Thing Two printed on them, the white circles with letters very eye-catching against the candy-apple red material. Rand wasn’t very amused—seeing that the one in his gift bag read Thing Two. Shannon thought it was quite hilarious, especially when Rory slipped his on over the shirt he was wearing, trying to goad Rand into putting his on as well, joking with their detective, calling him the runner-up. Sex between the two of them had been hot enough to melt steel that night after their guests left, and Shannon loved every second of it. Sometimes he thought Rory pissed Rand off or riled him up on purpose, knowing he’d be manhandled in the end.