Equinox (Augarten Book 1)

by Charlie Godwyne

The bottled green tea with honey was a bit too sweet for my liking. I was spoiled by the bitter richness of Florian's beverages.

  Solomon set the plastic bottle down at his side and wrung his hands in his lap. "Gabriel…"

  I simply did not know what to do with a shy Solomon. I had no experience with this beast, and it left me adrift. "What's up?"

  He met my eyes. "Can I kiss you?"

  My heart leapt to my throat. He was serious.

  "Sure." I breathed, trying and failing to summon some of Florian's bravado. "Get over here."

  I cleared the bottles and sandwich wrappers from between us, gathering them carefully together so they wouldn't blow into the river with a gust of wind. When I looked up, Solomon had scooted closer, close enough to touch me, and when he did so, he sent a bolt of energy skittering across my skin, making me jump.

  Solomon barked a laugh under his breath. "Easy. It's just me."

  "I'm not scared," I said, rushing to set the record straight. "I just didn’t know you touching me could feel like this." I'd touched him so many times platonically during our prayers…it had never felt this way.

  He wrapped an arm around my hips and cuddled me close. "Is this okay?"

  I thought the butterflies in my stomach were going to somehow escape, and I would burst into a thousand pieces. "Yes. Kiss me, Solomon."

  I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, suddenly feeling too big, too tall, my limbs too long, too—

  Solomon pulled my chin down with his thumb and forefinger and kissed me.

  I gasped and squeaked. Solomon's lips were chapped but warm, and he kissed me like this was the only kiss he would ever get with me, and he had to prove himself now.

  Whimpering, I tried to pull back on reflex, overwhelmed by sensation, but Solomon gripped me tight, holding me close so I couldn't escape. Florian's kisses were soothing to my spirit, as if I could feel the gentle acceptance of a man who had been so thoroughly shattered in the past, that now he gave himself to me freely, without fearing that he could be any more hurt than he already had. With Solomon, though, his passion poured into me, and before my mind and heart could get a handle on what he felt and what was happening, my body started to react in response. As if on instinct, my body knew this man who was kissing me wanted to have sex, and I would go along with it.

  When Solomon finally broke for air, I gasped for breath and my words tumbled out of me. "Florian should be here."

  Solomon looked up at me with pain and betrayal written all over his face.

  "Not in place of you," I corrected. "With you. He should be here with us."

  He loosened his grip on me, sliding his hands down to my shoulders and turning away, shaking his head. "Gabriel, what I feel, this is for you…Florian has gone out of his way to be gracious toward me, but this is all so new, it's just too much."

  I nodded in understanding and took a moment to put my thoughts together so I could make myself clear to him. "I have enough room in my heart for both of you, but I can't date you separately like this. I want to enjoy kissing you, but instead I'm worried whether Florian was putting on a brave face when we left. I would feel the same if your positions were reversed, if I had been dating you when Florian confessed. I want you both here, so I know that neither of you is off somewhere hurting."

  Maybe we could get to a point where we felt secure enough in everything that I could be away with just one of them and not worry constantly, but we would have to work to get there. As it stood now, Solomon had just given me his first kiss, and I had been thinking about another man. That wasn't fair to either of them.

  Solomon drew the backs of his knuckles down my jaw. "You're kind."

  I thought of a way to lighten things up. "I'm also really turned on."

  He jolted in surprise, glanced at my crotch and then back up at me. "From just one kiss?"

  I laughed. "Yes. Hot damn, Solomon—you're a good kisser. We've been friends for so long, I had no idea I would react like this. Do you want to get laid?"

  He swallowed, panic in his eyes. "I'm a virgin."

  "That's fine," I reassured him, squeezing his thigh. "Why don't we stick to simpler things this time: hand-job, blow-job territory. Does that sound good?"

  He regarded me in awe before finally nodding. "Let's do that."

  I stroked the pad of my thumb over the fabric of his trousers, neutrally rubbing his knee, just wanting to touch him. "Can we go back to Florian's place? Solomon, I'm in love with him…he has to be part of this."

  He read the emotions on my face, his gaze pained but open. "How would that even work?"

  "We're gay men," I said with pride. "We'll figure something out."

  "But Gabriel, I don't have feelings for Florian."

  "That's okay," I insisted. "I'm sure Florian is okay with that. We know you're demi. But I can't live two separate lives. I want you both."

  He raked his fingers through his hair. "Okay."

  "Florian will listen, I swear."

  He let out a long breath and nodded. "I know."

  A starling rustled in the branches overhead, distracting us from our heavy conversation.

  Solomon turned back to me with resolve. "Can I kiss you again first?"

  What I actually wanted was to sprint home and get naked, but I could not refuse him. "Yes."

  He shrugged his coat off and spread it out on the ground beside us. We lay down, and he kissed me senseless, until I was writhing beneath him, begging for release. When he finally let up, we both had to pace around the patch of trees for a bit to calm down enough to be presentable in public. Then we booked it out of there and back into the second district.

  I pulled up by a small apothecary just off the canal. "I'm going to stop in and buy some things. Any requests?"

  Solomon scanned the shop and shook his head.

  I came out with a small paper bag a few minutes later. "Okay. We're ready."

  This time, Solomon slipped his hand in mine. I looked out at the Danube to hide my goofy grin.

  We made it to the Schöner Himmel in record time. Florian had the main lights out. Solomon knocked on the door, and when Florian jumped up from behind the counter, I held the bag up as if that would explain it. He came around and opened the door with some consternation.

  Solomon and I stepped inside. Florian locked the door behind us. "Are you already done with your date? The night's still young, you two."

  I handed Florian the bag and pulled Solomon against my side. "We were making out at the canal, and Solomon decided he wanted to lose his virginity, but we wanted you there. How about you nail me while I suck Solomon off?"

  Florian's mouth fell open as Solomon stiffened beside me. A moment of silence, then Florian whacked the button that started the automatic window shutters going down.

  Florian regarded Solomon. "Are you okay with this?"

  Solomon bit his bottom lip, then nodded. "Gabriel wanted you here. I don't want to come between you two."

  "You won't," he said. "And there doesn't have to be contact between us. I know you're in love with Gabriel, and you're demi. It doesn't mean this can't work. Just speak up if something goes wrong, okay?"

  "Thank you," said Solomon softly.

  He checked the bag and then led the way upstairs. On the way to the bedroom, we stopped by the side bath and each of us washed our hands.

  Into the bedroom and I started stripping, giving them a show while Florian remained clothed, which I knew was a thing he liked. Solomon watched me, so nervous he looked terrified. As naked as the day I had shown up in Augarten, I flopped on the bed. "I'm ready."

  Florian playfully slapped my calf. "Turn over, you. Solomon, why don't you stay back here by me until we get going. I can teach you what we do."

  Solomon cleared his throat. "Okay."

  I propped up on my knees, my ass in the air and torso relaxing against the bed. Florian smoothed his hand over one of my cheeks, gently telling me to stay still. He rustled around in the bag and I heard the familiar silicone snap
. "Standard procedure: towels, condoms, and more lube than you think you'll ever need. I wear medical gloves for prepping him, because I run a food and beverage service business, and I'm paranoid."

  Solomon's voice came out strangled. "I understand."

  "Ready, Gabriel?"

  "Ready."

  The plastic cap of the lube popped open, and I schooled my breath in anticipation. "He's going to need more prep than usual because it's been a while. The trick is to let him help you by bearing down and pushing back against you."

  Florian's thumb pushed into my hole, and I shuddered and groaned, leaning back and bearing down as instructed. Florian shoved his thumb in several times, then withdrew and suddenly two of his fingers were in, scissoring with an urgency that sent electricity racing across my nerve endings. Ragged breaths behind me…that Florian was in such a hurry meant I was in for a wild ride. I fisted the sheets in anticipation.

  "Gabriel, you and I already have a system in place, but let's review it for Solomon. No means no, stop means stop, wait means wait. Green is go, red is stop, and yellow is I'm overwhelmed and please slow down and check in with me. Right, Gabriel?"

  I let out an unintelligible groan. His fingers were going to make me come before we even got started.

  Florian chuckled. "Repeat them back, please."

  I struggled to surface from the waves of pleasure and find words again. "No is no, stop is stop, red and yellow are traffic lights, and please hurry or I'm going to finish right here."

  His hand withdrew, and I listened to the rustling of clothes falling to the floor, then the sound of Florian ripping open the condom wrapper.

  "Solomon…" I reached out. "Come here."

  A bronze god sat on the bed in front of me, and I pushed onto my hands. Solomon was flushed rosy on his cheeks and down his neck to his chest that was sprinkled with black chest hair.

  "Heavens, Solomon. You're beautiful."

  He smiled and those sky-blue eyes gleamed in excitement. "So are you."

  "I'm going to feel lonely back here while you two make out," Florian said softly. "Ready, Gabriel? You're so hot tonight, I didn't even have to stroke myself to be able suit up."

  I let out a throaty breath. "Ready."

  Solomon slid down the pillows until he was partway under me. I leaned forward and kissed him. Unlike at the canal, our kiss was scorching hot instead of tender, but then Florian breeched me and I groaned against his mouth, all other thoughts running away.

  Solomon broke the kiss and whispered, "Get down there."

  My eyes flew wide at his commanding tone. Whoa.

  He scooted up against the pillows so I could reach him. I looked up into his hooded eyes. He nodded at me to go ahead.

  Solomon's cock was absolutely gorgeous. I carefully slid the foreskin back into a bed of black curls to reveal a swollen brown-red dick, dripping and eager. Florian spread my cheeks wider and pushed all the way in. I bit back a squeal. This was racing me straight to my limits. No way was I going to survive with this much stimulation, even though I hadn't even touched myself yet.

  Starting at the base, I flattened my tongue and slid it along the underside of his dick, all the way to his tip.

  Solomon hissed. "I'm not going to last. This is my first time. I'll never last."

  "Drag it out, Gabriel," said Florian. "Solomon's a virgin, and I'm just getting started with you."

  Trembling from head to toe, I wrapped my lips around the crown of his cock and slathered my tongue over the tip, delving into his slit.

  Solomon bucked his hips with a heady gasp, and I had to grab him to keep him from jamming into the back of my throat. With one hand gently cupping his balls and the other steadying his base, I sucked him in as far down as I could go, swirling my tongue the whole way.

  Still spreading my cheeks, Florian grabbed my hips. "I'm not waiting anymore. Watching you two is so insanely hot."

  He pulled out and rammed back in, and I groaned around Solomon's cock, which sent a shiver through him.

  "Is this enough lube, Gabriel?"

  I pulled off. "Yes. Keep going."

  "Okay, honey."

  I swallowed Solomon down again as Florian gripped me hard and pounded my ass, his balls smacking against me. I knew I should slow down, but I sucked Solomon's gorgeous, leaking cock with fervor, desperate to taste him, each and every one of his gasps spurring me on as Florian drove into me. Solomon carded his fingers into my hair and gently guided me up and down, coaxing me, even though I did not need any encouragement. His balls tightened in my hands.

  "Gabriel, I'm going to come…"

  His cock spasmed and I pumped once, twice, and then with a lurch he emptied himself into my mouth. I lapped up, swallowing and reveling at how different he tasted from Florian, more salty than sweet.

  Solomon's eyes had rolled back in his head, and it took him a long second to come down. "Dear God, I saw stars."

  Florian swore under his breath. "Heavens above, Solomon, you're gorgeous when you come."

  I pulled off and dragged the back of my hand across my mouth. "I second that."

  Solomon slid down and pulled me in for a long kiss, but soon, Florian was rutting into me so hard we couldn't kiss without bumping noses, so I tore away and hugged him close. Solomon wrapped his arms around my shoulders, locking me in.

  Florian smacked one of my ass cheeks with a loud pop. I yipped and jerked around to look at him. Florian's entire chest and stomach were flushed, his pink nipples sharp buds. His head fell back in pleasure. "Yes, gods, tighten around me just like that. Do you want that again?"

  "Yes," I breathed.

  Florian bit his bottom lip, and I longed to taste it, longed to feel his weight pressing me into the mattress. His eyes screwed shut, and he pulled his hand back and smacked my other cheek, hard. I gasped and squeezed around him. Florian's mouth fell open, his face tilted toward the sky.

  "Just like that, baby. I bet I could make you come just from spanking you."

  I groaned as a shudder rolled through me. Then gentle hands turned me back around, and I faced Solomon as he said, "Look at me. I want to watch while he does this to you."

  My breath stilled, and once again, this beautiful man surprised me.

  Solomon scanned my face, his jaw set, eyes wild with lust, as Florian spanked and surged into me, fucking me out of my mind. The sensations got to be too much, and I closed my eyes, giving myself over to the feelings crashing through me. Solomon stroked my cheeks, smoothing his thumbs across my eyebrows while I struggled to reconcile how sweet he was being to me while Florian completely dominated my ass.

  Then Solomon pulled me in close and whispered in my ear. "It'll be me doing this to you next time." I gasped and pulled back to look him in the eyes, a dozen questions on my lips, but he silenced me with just one look, running a thumb across my bottom lip. "I won't settle for anything less. If Florian wants you first, then you'll just have to bear me second."

  I almost came right then. "Solomon…"

  His eyes went hard. "Touch yourself."

  "Wait," Florian gasped. "I'm so close. Make him tighten up."

  Florian gripped my hips and slammed into me so hard I knew there would be marks later. Pleasure coiled in my core and my neglected cock threatened to burst. Florian spanked me one, two more times, and all I could do was pant and take it. Then Solomon pinched my nipples, and I jolted and cried out in surprise. Florian grunted and thrust past my muscle spasms trying to keep him out, then stilled with a shudder and emptied into me. Needing contact, I kissed Solomon sweetly, savoring his lips, the warm pressure of his tongue, wishing I could kiss Florian too.

  Florian sighed with pleasure. "Thanks."

  Solomon broke off the kiss. "Now touch yourself, Gabriel."

  I nodded and reached down, peeled my foreskin back and stroked my cock. Florian was still hard inside of me, and as he slowly pulled out, the burn added to my pleasure. He finally pulled all the way out and chucked the condom in the trash, then he was back b
ehind me, smoothing gentle circles on my ass. "I might have gotten carried away."

  "No," I sighed breathlessly as I stroked myself. "It was so good. Please let me come."

  Florian cupped my balls, fondling them, then pulled down, and the pinch of pain mixed with pleasure did me in.

  "Please, please—"

  "You can do the honors, Solomon."

  Solomon cupped my face, forcing me to look at him. "Come for me, Gabriel."

  With a strangled cry, I came all over the sheets, so hard I saw the stars he had talked about.

  I opened my eyes again to find Solomon staring at me in wonder. "I love you."

  My heart thundered in my chest and tears stung my eyes. This was all too much. "I love you, too."

  Then Florian was there, helping me to sit up and pressing his chest against my back, rocking me gently and kissing the side of my neck. "I love you, Gabriel."

  I shut my eyes. "I love you so, Florian."

  I felt Florian drag his hand down my thigh, and Solomon took Florian's hand, them both holding each other tight while they held me.

  I covered their hands with mine. "I love you both."

  After a heavy moment of silence, Solomon whispered. "We know."

  In my dreams that night, sleeping between the two of them, I wandered through Augarten, feeling completely at home. "I am in love, Augarten. Can we make peace? Is there something I can do to make up for what you have lost?"

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Two days later, back at my apartment in Augarten, Ian paced in front of me. "Recite the planes again."

  I inhaled deeply, channeling energy from the earth through my feet and on up. I recited the planes until my hands were lifted over my head and I stared at the ceiling.

  Ian scoffed. "You're distracted."

  I huffed and sat on the bed. "I'm sorry. My body feels terrible." Indeed, I hurt all over, like a stuffed animal being ripped apart at the joints. Instead, I knew I should feel awesome from having earth-shattering sex.

  Ian placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

  A thought I had long pondered came pouring out of my mouth. "Who was I to you before?"

  "My annoying human," he immediately replied.