by Ella Frank
“I love you too.”
“I know,” Julien said. “And I think it’s time he knew too. Don’t you?”
Priest reached across the car to take Julien’s hand in his as they came to a stop at a light. “It’s time to let go and just fall, isn’t it?”
Julien squeezed his fingers and nodded. “It is. Of our hearts and our heads, mon amour. He knows my secrets. He knows yours too. There’s really no doubt anymore that he wants both.”
“I agree.”
Julien’s heart filled with joy at the thought of finally telling Robbie what they were feeling, and seeing if he was on the same page.
“Bien. It’s time he knows without a doubt where we stand. I don’t know how we’re going to make it permanent, but—”
“We can worry about that later,” Priest said as the light changed and he pressed his foot to the gas. “What’s important is that we’re on the same page before we talk to him. And we are, aren’t we?”
The love Julien had right then for the man beside him, and the man they were going to be seeing soon, was something he knew he’d never be able to deny. “We are. I want to know how he feels, Joel. If he feels the same way we do. I also want to see that smile of his daily. I was miserable when it was gone.”
“I know what you mean,” Priest said, as he pulled into a side street and found a parking spot. As he turned the engine off, he leaned over and brushed a kiss across Julien’s lips. “How about we go inside, find our princess, and make him smile again?”
Julien hooked his hand around Priest’s neck and deepened the kiss, knowing without a doubt that what was about to happen here tonight would most certainly make their princesse smile. “Oui. Let’s go and find him.”
AS ELLIOT PULLED his car up to the curb, Robbie peered out the window at the unfamiliar bar, and then looked back at his friend with a skeptical expression.
Priest had been pretty damn secretive about all of this, not telling Robbie where he was going, giving the directions to Elliot on when and where to drop Robbie off once they were done with their makeovers. All Robbie knew was that he was meeting Julien and Priest here—wherever here was.
“Are you sure you got this right, El? I thought we’d been to most of the bars in town.”
Elliot flashed a grin and nodded. “We have. And I’m not sure how we missed this one, but yep, this is the place. And right on time, too. Thank God. Your Priest isn’t exactly someone I’d like to keep waiting.”
Robbie thought of the man he’d once believed was intimidating and gruff, and a grin hit his lips. “Nah, his bark is much worse than his bite, trust me.”
“Why do I get the feeling you wouldn’t much care if his bite was just as bad?”
“Because you know me better than anyone else.”
“Yeah, and I wouldn’t let you get out of this car if I thought you were heading into some seedy bar where you might be accosted by strange men. Well, at least, I wouldn’t now, since you’re dating and in a relationship.”
Robbie shoved Elliot in the arm, laughing. “Uh, thanks. But seriously, this place is legit, right?”
“Totally legit. I even looked it up.”
“And didn’t tell me? What kind of best friend are you?”
“The kind you are going to love so much more because I brought you here tonight. Now go.”
Robbie eyed his friend one last time. “El, you really are the best, you know that? Thanks for looking out for me, tonight and last week.”
“Anytime, Bianchi. But I think one of your dates for the night just spotted us.”
Robbie turned in his seat to see Julien had just stepped out the front door of the bar and was looking in the direction of Elliot’s car.
“By the way, did I mention that I hate you for that?” Elliot said, but Robbie wasn’t paying any attention to him. He was too busy drinking in the sight of Julien as he stood off to the side of the main door. He had on a grey fleck peacoat over a slightly darker cardigan, tight brown trousers, and just…wow.
“You did, but feel free to tell me again. I’ll never grow tired of hearing it.”
“Get out of my car before I kick your smug ass.”
Robbie laughed, and then pulled his eyes away from Julien long enough so he could lean over and kiss Elliot’s cheek. “Thanks for making me beautiful for Thursday night.”
“Oh, please, like you needed much. At least you didn’t ask for the peroxide and fake tattoos like you used to.”
“Hey, don’t be poking fun. You forget—I remember your year with the beard.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever, Bianchi. You better get going, because I have to say if you don’t, I just might race you over there.” Elliot’s eyes drifted past Robbie’s shoulder back toward Julien.
“Don’t you dare,” Robbie said, and then shoved open the door and got out. “I’ll see you Thursday.”
“You better believe it,” Elliot said. “There’s no way in hell I’m missing the chance to eat out JULIEN.” When Robbie glared at him, Elliot chuckled. “My bad, eat out at JULIEN.”
“Don’t even, El. You know I’m a dirty fighter when I wanna be.”
“Yeah, I do. Have a good night, Bianchi,” Elliot called, and Robbie had a feeling that maybe he would. He felt more relaxed than he had in days.
Julien had his hands stuffed in the pockets of his coat, but when Robbie stopped in front of him, he leaned in to kiss him on either cheek. “Bonsoir, princesse.”
Unable to resist Julien’s tempting mouth, Robbie pressed a kiss to his lips. “Bonsoir.”
“Hmm, I’ve missed that.”
“My kisses? Of course you did. I mean, who wouldn’t? They’re pretty spectacular.”
Julien grinned. “Oui, they are. But I was referring to your smile and your French.” He pulled open the front door for Robbie. “It’s nice to see both back again. I assume your afternoon with Elliot and Felicity was a good one?”
Robbie nodded as he stepped inside and unwound his scarf. “It was. We did mani/pedis, he colored Felicity’s hair, and we ate way too much chocolate. It was a great way to spend my day off.”
“I’m glad,” Julien said, and then reached up to brush his fingers across Robbie’s hair. “I see he cut your hair, too.”
“Oh, yeah. El always does my hair, and it needed a trim.”
“I like it,” Julien said. “I can see your eyes better now.”
Robbie batted his lashes, and when Julien laughed, Robbie scanned the dimly lit interior of the bar and wondered how Priest had found it. It clearly wasn’t one of the more popular bars downtown, and it was kind of…old, judging by the decor. But maybe that was the appeal? They were somewhere no one would ever think to look for them.
Along one side of the establishment ran a long, beat-up bar where a busy bartender was making drinks for the surprising amount of people seated there for a Tuesday night. Around the rest of the perimeter were booths full of customers jammed into the cracked and scuffed faux-leather seats that had seen better days, and as Julien led them farther inside, Robbie spotted a bunch of tables all facing a—
Wait, is that a stage? What the hell?
Were they at some kind of comedy club or something? Maybe Priest thought this would be a good way to make them all laugh again. But that didn’t really seem like Priest.
Speaking of… “Where’s Priest? Did he get held up?”
Julien ushered Robbie through the tables and toward the front, where there was an empty booth. “Non, not held up, per se.”
Robbie frowned as he slid into the seat, putting his coat and scarf down beside him, and then held a hand out to Julien for his. Robbie then patted the seat beside him, but Julien shook his head. “You’re not going to sit down?”
Julien looked over his shoulder toward the bar. “Wouldn’t you like a drink?”
“Oh, yeah, I would. Thank you. How about a cosmo?”
Julien kissed the corner of Robbie’s mouth. “You got it, princesse. Don’t go anywhere.”
Robbie blinked and felt a lump get caught in his throat at the expression he saw in his Frenchman’s eyes. It was one he’d seen before. One full of pleasure. But tonight, there was also something…more, and suddenly Robbie felt shy. “Umm…I won’t. But Julien, what is this place? A comedy club?”
Julien chuckled as he straightened and shook his head. “Non. Although…”
Robbie waited for Julien to say more, but instead he gave a sexy wink and then headed off toward the bar.
What the…? Okay, Robbie thought, as he continued to look at the people milling about. They were all laughing and smiling with one another as they talked and drank amongst themselves, and it seemed the place—whatever it was—was quite the hotspot. Maybe he’d have to come back here with Elliot one night if things continued going well.
Robbie turned in his seat to see if he could spot Julien or Priest heading back to him, but when neither were visible from his vantage point, he turned back around and faced the stage, and that was when it happened.
The familiar drumbeat intro to “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now”—one of Robbie’s all-time favorite songs—began to blare out of the speakers, and the crowd began to whoop and whistle as Robbie’s eyes widened and his heart began to thump at a staccato rhythm.
No, Robbie thought, and physically spun in his seat to search out Julien. When there was again no sign of him, and the lights started flashing bright pinks and purples, Robbie shook his head. No way. This can’t be— This has to be a coincidence.
But when a large spotlight beamed across the bar to the stage, Priest was standing there dressed in black from head to toe, holding a microphone, and Robbie’s eyes almost fell out of his head.
Oh.
My.
God.
Robbie’s hand flew up to cover his mouth, which was now hanging open, and all he could think was that he must be hallucinating, because there was no way that Priest was about to—
But then he did.
Priest brought the mic up to his mouth and began to sing the iconic eighties song—badly. A shocked gasp left Robbie, and he didn’t know if he wanted to laugh or cry, because this? This was insane and absolutely wonderful all at once.
As the crowd at the bar helped Priest out, he kept those serious eyes on Robbie as he walked in his direction, singing as though he did this every day. Robbie’s hands started to shake as Priest got closer, and when he walked down the stairs, Julien stepped out from the wings and joined him and began to sing the second half of the duet.
Robbie sat stunned and speechless. It wasn’t every day two of the sexiest men on the planet serenaded you in a crowded bar with a classic that was just this side of ridiculous.
He couldn’t stop the grin from hitting his lips, nor the tears he swiped away from his laughing eyes, as they sang their way over to him. When they finally reached the side of the booth, Priest ran his fingers down Robbie’s jaw and leaned in to kiss him lightly on the lips.
“Oh my God,” Robbie said, his eyes blurring from sheer happiness. “You’ve both gone mad…”
Julien held his hand out to Robbie, and when Priest did also, Robbie laughed with glee as he was pulled to his feet alongside them. Julien then angled his mic toward Robbie and said, “We might have, princesse. But love will make you do crazy things, oui?”
Robbie beamed at Julien and nodded, and then happily leaned into the microphone, aiming the biggest, goofiest grin at Priest as he belted out the chorus.
Priest’s eyes twinkled, and Robbie’s entire body flushed with pleasure as he thought, Let them say we’re crazy is right, because he didn’t care what anyone thought about them. He loved these two men, and it had never been more obvious that they loved him back.
Nothing was gonna stop them now.
AFTER THE SONG was over, the three of them didn’t stay long. Priest gladly handed his mic off to the bartender, and before he could ask Robbie and Julien what they wanted to drink, Robbie was touching his arm and saying, “Can we maybe, um, get out of here?”
Priest nodded, knowing he would’ve given Robbie just about anything he asked for. But when they all stepped outside and Robbie slipped his hands into his pockets instead of taking theirs, Priest had to wonder if their grand gesture was a little too late.
They walked to the Range Rover in silence. Priest opened the front door for Julien, and once he was inside and the door was shut, Priest looked over the roof to see Robbie watching them with an expression Priest hadn’t thought he’d ever see again.
His lips were slightly curved, his cheeks flushed, and when Priest walked around the back of the SUV, Robbie tracked his every move, as though he were afraid Priest was about to up and disappear.
When he reached Robbie’s side of the vehicle, Priest leaned by him and pulled open the door, and after Robbie climbed inside, Priest came around to the driver’s seat and buckled in.
That was when Robbie sat forward between their seats and said, “So…you two must really love me to sing Starship in public like that, huh?”
It was the first thing Robbie had said since they’d left the bar, and as his voice floated in the air between them all, Priest’s lips quirked at the sides at the same time Julien chuckled.
Priest turned his head toward Robbie. “Maybe a little.”
A delighted smile curved Robbie’s mouth, and he leaned forward and pressed a kiss first to Priest’s lips and then Julien’s. “Or…maybe a lot?”
The spark they’d so desperately missed reappeared in Robbie’s blue eyes, and Julien said, “Maybe you’ll have to wait and see.”
Robbie let out a pleased sound in the back of his throat as he sat back in his seat in complete silence the rest of the way home.
Chapter Thirteen
CONFESSION
Sometimes it takes time to realize you love someone, and sometimes it happens in an instant.
AS THE THREE of them stepped onto the condo’s floor, Priest watched Robbie and Julien as they walked hand in hand down the hallway.
Julien had just whispered something in Robbie’s ear, and when he giggled and rested his head on Julien’s shoulder, Priest’s heart ached at the picture they made. Side by side they were the same height, but where Julien was broad and toned, Robbie was long and lean, giving them a completely different physical appearance.
When they reached the door, Julien got his keys out. Robbie looked at Priest and said, “Bringing up the rear?”
Priest chuckled. “Actually, I was admiring the view and thinking what a lucky man I am.”
When the door was unlocked, Julien pushed it open and Priest walked up to hold it for his men. As Julien stepped inside, he held his hand out for Robbie, who took it, but was still staring at Priest with a kind of wonder in his eyes until Priest winked at him.
“Damn,” Robbie said as a blush hit his cheeks, and then he quickly turned away, shaking his head, as Julien led him inside.
Priest made sure to lock up as they went, but didn’t bother with any lights. They all knew where they were headed, and the only things they needed to get them there were their legs. None of them spoke, nor did they linger in the living room or kitchen. It was as though they were of one mind, and that mind was to get behind the closed door of their bedroom, where they could reconnect.
When they entered the room, Priest went straight for the lights, knowing he wanted all the senses to be involved tonight. But most of all, he wanted to watch Robbie as Priest and Julien showed him what it was like to be truly loved by them.
Julien and Robbie had kicked off their shoes, and as Julien tossed his cardigan and shirt to the floor, revealing that exquisite body, Robbie went to do the same.
“Uh uh, non, princesse,” Julien said. “Tonight we are going to serve you. Tu comprends?”
Robbie’s breath caught, but he dropped his hand away and nodded. “Yes, I understand.”
“Good,” Priest said, as he walked around the bed and came up behind Robbie. “For now, you just stand right there and watch while w
e get ready for you.”
Robbie let out a breathless laugh. “You don’t have to tell me twice.”
“We’re so glad to hear that,” Priest said, then pressed a kiss to Robbie’s cheek and stepped around him to walk over to Julien. Priest hooked his finger behind the waist of Julien’s pants and pulled him in a step. “Let’s get these off you.”
“S’il te plaît,” Julien said, and Priest lowered his head and put his lips to the side of Julien’s neck, making a rumble escape his throat.
“Shit,” Robbie said, and reached down to massage the bulge inside his jeans. Priest flicked open the button of Julien’s pants. As he unzipped them, Priest kissed his way up to Julien’s ear and then flicked the lobe with his tongue.
“Mmm,” Julien said as Priest slipped a hand inside Julien’s pants and briefs to wrap his fingers around the erection there. “Dieu, Joel …”
Priest raised his head and scraped his teeth along Julien’s jaw as he gave him several slow pulls, then he aimed his eyes at Robbie, who was chewing on his bottom lip as he watched the two of them and rubbed his very obvious hard-on.
“Want to see more?” Priest asked.
Robbie eagerly nodded. “Yes.”
Priest chuckled, and then kissed Julien’s cheek. “You’re hard as a rock. You feel amazing.”
The look Julien aimed at him then was all sex. Lazy, scorching, roll-around-in-the-sheets sex, and Priest couldn’t wait to get between those sheets and tear them up.
“You make me feel amazing,” Julien said, and then aimed that same look at Robbie. It was clear the impact was just as powerful. “Both of you do.”
Robbie swallowed but said nothing, as Priest removed his hand from inside Julien’s pants and tugged them over his hips. As he went further and further south, Priest crouched, and when he got to Julien’s ankles, Julien stepped out of his clothing and stood gloriously naked for Robbie and Priest to look at—and Christ, he was a sight.