by Ella Frank
“Oui,” Julien said. “He did save me.”
“Wow,” Robbie said, flopping back in his seat. “That’s amazing, and insane.”
“It was kind of crazy,” Julien agreed, and settled back into the crook formed by Priest’s arm. Priest eyed him, and Julien knew he was thinking about everything that had come after, but now wasn’t the time to revisit that.
Priest offered a small smile. “He was trouble from the second I laid eyes on him.”
Julien slicked his tongue across his lower lip. “Seems we have a thing for trouble,” he said, and then they both turned their eyes back to Robbie.
“I’m not trouble,” Robbie said, and then a soft yawn had him covering his mouth, the night obviously catching up with him.
“You are all kinds of trouble, Robert Bianchi.” Priest got to his feet and walked around the coffee table. “Would you like us to drive you home?”
Robbie’s eyes found Julien’s, and when he offered a lazy smile to the young man, Robbie looked back up to Priest. “But we haven’t talked yet. You know, about…” He gestured to Julien with his hand, and then to Priest, who took it in his and tugged on it, urging Robbie to his feet.
Once he was there, Priest put his index finger under Robbie’s chin and asked again, “Would you like us to drive you home?”
Julien saw Robbie’s Adam’s apple bob as he stared at Priest, and then he heard Robbie whisper, “No.”
Julien got to his feet and walked around the coffee table behind Robbie. He ran his fingers down his arm to his hand. “Then come with me.”
As Robbie turned toward him, Priest said behind them, “I’ll be in in a minute.”
Julien nodded to his husband, and as he led Robbie around the couch and toward their room, he heard Priest stacking the plates and taking them to the kitchen, and thought, not for the first time, that he couldn’t have picked a better car to steal eight years earlier.
PRIEST CLEARED AWAY the coffee table to give himself a few minutes alone to relax his brain and body. Tonight had been eye-opening in ways he hadn’t expected, including this past hour or so. Sitting in his and Julien’s condo talking with Robbie had felt so natural, so comfortable, that he’d almost forgotten why Robbie was there in the first place, and that only confirmed what they’d thought all along—Robbie was exactly who they’d been looking for.
From the restaurant, to sharing a meal and a story, to now, when he’d stood between them and said he wanted to stay the night, it had all felt so right, and Priest had to remind himself that no, Robbie wasn’t all in yet. And no, Priest wasn’t allowed to take—not yet.
But seeing Robbie down on his knees for Julien, and then later when he ate his meal—Priest took in a deep breath and leaned up against the fridge, then let it out—that had been something to behold.
Priest could feel Julien’s desire for this union to happen almost as strongly as he could sense his own, and he understood why. The two of them housed so many dark places inside themselves, secrets and pain that they shared only with each other, and Robbie was such a burst of sunshine in comparison. He was young, radiant, and exuded the warmth Julien craved, and the need of guidance and direction that Priest wanted to give. But it was a lot to ask—they were a lot to accept, even without all the baggage that came with them—and Priest knew they had to tread carefully here.
He hit start on the dishwasher then headed across to the bedroom, where Julien had switched on his bedside lamp and stood at the end of their bed with Robbie.
Priest watched the two for a moment as Julien ran a finger down Robbie’s cheek, and when Robbie angled his head toward the touch, Priest wondered what the young man was thinking.
Priest had never been one to need the comfort of another’s embrace, having learned from an early age how to survive on his own even after going to live with his grandmother, whereas Julien was the exact opposite. He’d had the kind of childhood fairy tales were written about—until one night, eight years ago.
Priest pushed the thought aside for now and walked into the bedroom, and when he stopped behind Robbie, he jolted at the new presence now at his back.
“Shh…” Julien whispered into the quiet room. “Nothing is going to happen tonight but sleep.”
“Okay,” Robbie said, looking at Julien, and Priest inhaled and caught the delicious scent of Robbie’s shampoo and soap.
“Lift your arms for me, Robert,” Priest said, and Robbie automatically raised them above his head.
Priest fingered the sides of his cream sweater and then tugged it up and off his body, and when Robbie was free of it, his arms moved back down to his sides and Julien said, “Pants on or…”
“Off,” Robbie whispered, and Priest trailed his fingers around to the button and flicked it open.
Julien’s hands joined Priest’s then, and Robbie, surprisingly, leaned back against Priest and moaned.
“God,” Robbie said. “I can’t believe this is really happening.”
Julien shoved the pants off his hips, leaving Robbie standing in his briefs, and Priest said by his ear, “Go with Julien.”
Julien held his hand out to Robbie, and as he led him around to his side of the bed, he flicked back the covers and Robbie climbed onto the mattress under the sheets, his eyes fastened on Julien, who was now stripping down.
Priest watched also as Julien removed every stitch of clothing, and when his shirt came off, Robbie’s hips shifted up under the sheets, and Priest knew his hands were in his briefs—and he didn’t blame Robbie in the slightest.
“You like his tattoos,” Priest said.
Robbie turned his head on the pillow to look over at Priest, as Julien wandered off into the bathroom.
Robbie laughed and nodded. “Yeah. Especially the Amorè. That’s my language. Plus, they look even hotter in person than they do online.”
Yes, they do, Priest thought. “Maybe if you ask him nicely, he’ll let you lick them one day.”
When Robbie bit his bottom lip and his hand moved under the sheet, Priest took his own shirt off, and Robbie’s eyes widened.
After Priest tossed it on the floor, he reached for the button of his pants, and Robbie said, “Okay, your suits do not even hint at all those muscles under them.”
Julien walked out of the bathroom, not in the least bit bothered by his nudity, and gave Priest a leisurely once-over. “Impressive, isn’t he?”
“Uh…” As Robbie tried to locate his tongue, Julien climbed into bed, and when that hand under the sheet started to move again, Priest decided it would be best to leave his briefs on.
He walked around to his side of the California king, and when he pulled the covers back and climbed in on the other side of Robbie, Julien switched off the lamp.
“Oh shit,” Robbie said.
Priest let out a low chuckle as he settled in and pulled the covers up. “Sleep, Robert, you’re tired.”
“But—”
“Robert?” Priest interrupted.
“Yes?”
“Close your eyes, roll over, and sleep.”
“But you’re both, like, right there, and Julien… He’s completely naked.”
Julien’s sensual laugh filled the room, and Priest slid a hand under his pillow and said, “Then I suggest you don’t turn your back on him. Good night, Robert.”
“Bonne nuit, princesse.”
Robbie shifted until his back was facing Priest, which made him smile into the dark—because who ever thought that Robbie would trust him when lying down in a bed—and then Robbie softly said, “Good night.”
Not ten minutes later, the soft sounds of those in deep slumber met Priest’s ears, and he felt his breathing calm as he waited for sleep to claim him, even though he knew the peace it brought wouldn’t last long.
Chapter Thirteen
CONFESSION
While I’m sure meditation and yoga are good relaxation methods, I’m thinking there are much better ways to greet the mornings, and Priest just put his finger on it.
In stunning clarity, last night came back to Robbie in vivid detail. It had been, without a doubt, one of the best dates he’d ever been on, and as Robbie burrowed his face into the luxurious pillow, he shifted to his right and opened his eyes.
There, lying on his stomach, was a sleeping Julien, and if Robbie thought the man was gorgeous awake, sleeping, he was simply stunning. His lashes were thick and long, resting softly against his high cheekbones, and those wide, full lips made Robbie’s cock come to full attention. Julien’s back was smooth and beautifully defined even when relaxed, and Robbie saw the intricate swirl of ink covering Julien’s shoulder and had to fight back that urge to lick it. He greedily took in every inch of that magnificent body, and then raised a hand to touch him, but a sound from behind had Robbie looking guiltily over his shoulder.
There, standing with one shoulder up against the doorjamb to the en suite, was Priest, dressed for work in dress pants, shirt, and a tie.
“You can touch him,” Priest said, and when his eyes roamed down Robbie’s back and landed on his ass, Robbie became hyperaware of just how exposed he was. Not as exposed as Julien, but…
He went to reach for the sheets, to tug them over himself, and Priest pushed off the jamb and walked to the end of the bed.
“Why are you hiding?” Priest said. “You have a beautiful body.”
“I know,” Robbie said, and when he realized how defensive he sounded, he bit down on his lip and looked away.
“Robert?”
Robbie raised his eyes to Priest’s, and as he did, he caught sight of the enormous erection outlined in Priest’s dress pants.
“Roll to your back. Let me look at you for a minute.”
Robbie gulped in a big breath and slid his eyes to the sleeping Julien. Why, he wasn’t sure. Did he feel like he should have the other man’s permission to display himself to his husband? How ridiculous—of course he had his permission; they’d all slept in the same bed the night before.
“He must be tired,” Priest said. “He’s usually up doing his meditation and yoga at this time.”
“Yoga?” Robbie said, and looked at the gloriously naked man beside him.
“Mhmm. He’s quite something to watch. So disciplined with his body. Every muscle. Every pose. It’s very”—Priest looked at his husband—“erotic to watch. I recommend it.”
Robbie nodded, knowing he would just about sell his soul to see that.
“So are you.” Priest’s voice sent a jolt of awareness straight down Robbie’s spine. “Something to watch, that is.”
Robbie sucked his lower lip behind his top teeth.
“Roll onto your back, Robert.”
Oh, hell. Am I really going to—
“Robert?”
Then, before he could remind himself of all the reasons why this might not be the smartest idea, Robbie rolled onto his back.
PRIEST HAD WONDERED what Robbie’s mood would be when he woke this morning. Would he be as agreeable as he’d been after dinner? Or would he be back on the defensive?
Last night had been a breakthrough. A truce of sorts, a waving of the white flag, and now, as Priest stood at the end of his bed and looked down at the two lying in it, the desire he had for the both of them returned tenfold.
Julien was fast asleep as he lay sprawled amongst the white sheets of the bed, and beside him, wide-eyed and awake, was the spectacular Mr. Bianchi.
Robbie had just shifted to his back, per Priest’s instruction, and with his hair all mussed and the scrap of pink fabric no longer doing shit to cover his morning erection, Priest was hard-pressed not to grab Robbie’s ankle, yank him down the bed, and rip them off with his teeth.
“Put your hands behind your head,” Priest said, and when Robbie slowly raised his arms, bent his elbows, and slipped his palms under the pillow, Priest felt a surge of arousal lick through his veins like wildfire.
Against all odds, Robbie was complying, and it was intoxicating.
“I want to think about you like this today,” Priest said.
Robbie swallowed and thrust his hips up off the bed, his body clearly seeking what his eyes kept straying to below Priest’s waist.
“Hard, wanting, and waiting in my bed with Julien.”
“Fuck,” Robbie said, and spread his legs a little wider, as though the word were more invitation than an exclamation.
“If you come back here a third time,” Priest said, “we will make you ours. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”
Robbie slowly nodded, his lips now shiny and red from his teeth making Priest want to taste them, and then Priest lowered his eyes to the wet head of his cock where it was peeking out of his briefs.
“Enjoy your morning with Julien. You were an absolute delight last night.” When he raised his eyes up to Robbie’s, Priest saw a shocked but pleased glint to them. “Have a good day, Robert. I know I will.”
Priest headed to the bureau and grabbed his wallet, watch, and suit jacket, and once he had everything in order, he heard, “Priest?”
He couldn’t ever recall Robbie saying his name before, and the sound of it, breathless and slightly tentative, had him looking over at him where Robbie remained spread out amongst the sheets.
“Yes?”
“You scare me,” Robbie said, his eyes devoid of any flash of subterfuge. “You told me not to lie to you, and you asked me what scares me about being with you two.” Robbie licked his lips. “It’s you.”
Priest didn’t think beyond sending a message from his brain to his legs to move, and in the next second, he had a hand wrapped around Robbie’s ankle and was yanking him down the mattress.
When Robbie’s bare legs were hanging over the edge and he was struggling to get his elbows up under himself, Priest took hold of his arm and hauled him up to his feet.
As Robbie let out an excited gasp, Priest wound an arm around his trim waist. That was when he heard the rustle of covers and knew that Julien had just woken, and likely rolled over to see what all the commotion was about. Priest, however, only had eyes for the one who was now clutching the lapels of his jacket. He could feel the outline of Robbie’s cock pressing up against his, and when Priest thrust a leg between Robbie’s, he moaned and jacked his hips forward.
“Ahh… God,” Robbie said, his eyes shutting as Priest rubbed himself along every naked inch of the man that he could reach. He knew he was going to have to change after this, Robbie’s pre-cum no doubt leaving a mess on his dress pants. But it would be worth it.
Priest sucked on one of his fingers and then smoothed his hand down under the elastic waist of the skimpy material covering Robbie’s ass, and when he cupped a handful of creamy skin, Priest pulled him close, a feral sound of desire rumbling out of him.
“Is that why you fight me so hard?” Priest asked by Robbie’s ear, and before he answered, Priest reminded him, “The truth, Robert.”
“Yes,” Robbie said. “I think so.”
“Why? I would never hurt you.” Priest paused and then added, “Unless you wanted me to.”
Robbie shivered in his arms, and Priest nipped at his ear.
“Why are you scared, Robert?”
Robbie was writhing against his leg now, his hips moving like he had a cock inside him, and Priest flirted his finger up and down the crack of his ass.
“Because of this,” Robbie said, his breath catching. “Because after last year, after a bad breakup, I promised myself I’d never let someone have control over me. I’d never change who I am again.”
And there it is. Finally. The truth.
Priest grazed his lips along Robbie’s jaw and said, “Let me tell you something important. Whoeve
r it was before us, whoever made you feel like you had to be someone else—”
“I—”
“—that’s his loss. You are bright and vibrant, and Julien and I are drawn to everything about you. There is a vast difference between wanting someone’s trust so that you can give them all that they need, and wanting someone to change to become the things that you need.”
Robbie bit his lip, his eyes widening.
“We don’t want to change you to suit us, Robert. We want you because of who you already are.”
Priest’s finger found Robbie’s tight little pucker then, and he gently pressed the pad of it against him, drawing a shaky “ahh” from Robbie.
“What else?” Priest said. “I know that’s not it, and since you’re feeling honest this morning…”
Robbie’s breathing was fast now. In and out. In and out. The scent of his arousal filled Priest’s nostrils.
“You two are married,” Robbie said. “It makes me feel…awkward. I don’t know what I’m allowed to do. What I’m allowed to say, and to who.”
Priest rubbed Robbie’s hole until his eyes squeezed shut and he shot up onto his toes, trying to get closer.
“If you come back here,” Priest said, “if you decide to be ours, you’re allowed to do and say whatever you like. Unless, of course, we tell you otherwise because we have specific plans in mind.” When Robbie’s body vibrated against his, Priest finally slipped a finger inside him, making Robbie curse. “What are you not allowed to do? Anyone else, if you are sharing our bed.”
Robbie’s head tipped back as his hips rocked forward, and Priest loved the blossoming of color in his cheeks as Robbie got closer to the edge.
“We’ve been looking for someone who fits us,” Priest said, and then trailed his tongue up Robbie’s neck. “Someone to balance us out when things get too heavy. We want that to be you, princess.”
“Oh fuck.” Robbie’s hands clenched around Priest’s jacket, and as Priest found and massaged his finger over Robbie’s prostate, he searched out the eyes he could feel like a spotlight on them.