Belonging: Book Two in The Everett Gaming Series

by Drew Sera

  “Yes, but I think it’s safe to say that you and I haven’t been her Doms for a month. You and I have been very controlled and somewhat restrained. You, especially.” I reminded him. Anthony is a very intense Dom. Sydney hasn’t seen that side of Anthony and I in full swing yet. Our lives were about to drastically change but I knew it’d be for the better.

  “We know about what to avoid with her, Col. We can take her to heights she never knew existed.”

  I nodded and thought quickly. How could I not want to be a part of this? I knew I loved her and I knew that he loved her.

  “She’s our missing piece, Anth. Everything you and I need is in Sydney. Our need to dominate, our ability to give and heal. She will fulfill everything you and I need. And her heart is big enough for both of us.”

  “Now we can knock off this negotiating scenes shit for her. Fucking tore me in two watching Evan with her.”

  “I know, Anth. I didn’t care for it either.”

  We just needed to figure out a few details and then talk to Sydney. We already knew that Sydney cared for both of us, so it was a matter of her feeling okay and comfortable with both of us. I’d do my damnedest to make sure she was comfortable without a shadow of a doubt.

  “How long have you known that I loved her?” I asked him cautiously only to get a hard, short laugh.

  “Before you knew. That day in the courtyard at work when she dropped her Kink magazine. I knew then. And I think it’s growing by the day.”

  The patio door opened and Sydney came in with her journal. She had red eyes and looked upset. I stood and she walked right into my arms and wrapped her arms tightly around me.

  “Hit a rough spot, baby?”

  “Yes, Sir. I don’t want to write anymore today.”

  “Okay, baby. No more today. Let’s enjoy the day. It’s Thanksgiving.”

  I glanced over at Anthony. He was sitting on the edge of his seat leaning forward rubbing on her lower back with one hand while the other held rested on her chapped side. I had so much to be thankful for. I knew Anthony and I hadn’t worked through all of the details yet and fifteen minutes ago, I thought I’d be facing an empty house soon. But I wanted to talk to her about the V.

  “Anth,” I started to say and he looked up at me and nodded. He knew I was trying to get a feeling for if he wanted to have this conversation now. “Baby, Anthony and I want to talk to you about something important.”

  Her face fell even more than it already was. She looked afraid of the upcoming talk but she nodded and followed up with a “yes, Sir.”

  When she said that, I realized that she’d still be calling me “Sir.” Elation ran through my body and I led her by her hand to the great room with Anthony following. We sat down on the couch with Sydney between us. Anthony and I each took hold of her hands. I frowned though when I felt her quivering.

  “Baby, why are you shaking?” I asked her but didn’t get an answer right away so I tried a little more force. “Eyes.” It worked like a charm. And just like Anthony was talking about a short time ago, I felt my insides shift when I saw her pupils dilate. I couldn’t help but smile. “Why are you shaking, baby?”

  “I know what’s coming.”

  I looked over at Anthony and noticed he was frowning. What on earth did she think was coming?

  “Tell us what you think we want to talk to you about, baby.” I brushed some hair behind her ear.

  “That my time is up and it’s time for me to go back to my own place. That you’re tired of working with me and putting your lives on hold. I’m not worth the trouble.” Tears were now running down her face and Anthony and I caught them. “I just don’t want to go yet. I’ll miss you guys.” She tried wiping her tears away quickly but Anthony and I wouldn’t let go of her hands. I leaned my forehead against hers and looked into her blue eyes. Oh, Sydney. This girl is something else. She wanted to stay.

  “Do you remember what you said to me that afternoon in the hospital about wanting me to work with you?”

  “To help me be better so I could find a good Dom.”

  “Anthony and I worked with you quite a bit. And during that time, you caught the attention and hearts of a few Doms. You’re probably not even aware of it, but I think we found you two very good candidates.”

  The crease reappeared on her forehead and her eyes were moving back and forth like she was trying to think of who they might be. We introduced her to a handful from Irons. We decided to let her suffer a tad.

  “You both like them? Do you think I can make either of them happy?”

  “Oh yeah, they’re good guys and I know you’ll make them happy,” I told her.

  “Is there one you’re leaning on more than the other?” Sydney asked and Anthony jumped in.

  “No. They’re both perfect for you. What do you think though about twenty-four, seven with both of them?” He asked her. Her eyes dilated and she drug her bottom lip into her mouth.

  “Is it Evan and Will?”

  “No, it’s not Evan and Will. Baby, Will is a sadist,” I told her and kissed her forehead while she tried to guess who the guys were. All the color drained from her face and she looked up at me with a worried expression.

  “Do they know about my marks? And that I don’t sleep very well? Or that I flinch when giving oral sex and am not very good at it? Or…” Anthony cut her off before she got carried away.

  “They know about it all, sunshine. They’re going to take good care of you.”

  “How…” Sydney looked back and forth between us as she was trying to piece it together. “How do they know about it all? Did you tell them?” She asked us.

  “They know.” I looked deep into her blue eyes and was going to let her off the hook. “One of them held you in his arms on the way to the hospital last month,” I told her and saw it all start to make sense. Her blue eyes started to clear up and a smile appeared.

  “The other one has wanted nothing but happiness for you ever since he found out you were submissive,” Anthony added which made me smile uncontrollably.

  The smile on her face was indescribable and the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen. Her eyes twinkled with happiness and my heart felt like it was going to explode. She was happy.

  “I wanted it to be you guys so badly.” She let the tears fall from her eyes and Anthony and I kissed them away. “How does this work?”

  In the BDSM lifestyle, there are so many non-vanilla or unconventional types of relationships and in Sydney’s limited experience she had little idea of how some worked. V relationships weren’t so out of the norm to Anthony and I. We had seen our share of them over the years with friends from Irons and the community. Sydney just needed it explained. We had been living somewhat like a V already, but Anthony and I were just Doms helping her rather than being her Doms. Two totally different roles.

  “In our lifestyle, a relationship like the one Anthony and I want to have with you is called a V, like the letter. Anthony and I are the “legs,” of the V while you are the “hinge,” or the point where the legs connect. You are what holds us together. We will continue to play and be together as we have been but it’ll be a more intense, loving and exclusive relationship.”

  Anthony laughed and caused Sydney to smile and blush.

  “Did Colin’s technical jargon lose you, sunshine?”

  “No, I think I followed it. It sounds wonderful.”

  “Colin and I will take care of you and see to it that all of your needs are met. All of your needs, Sydney. You are our priority.”

  “Baby, Anthony and I don’t have it all figured out yet but we will. Once he and I discuss how we want things to go, we’ll sit down with you and the three of us will talk and negotiate. Just understand that Anthony and I are both equally your Doms.”

  “What do you think, sunshine?”

  “We can actually live like that?” Anthony and I both nodded while she smiled. I could tell she had lots of questions and I wanted to encourage her to ask.

  “Baby, An
thony and I will go slow. You’re not done healing physically and you’re not used to him and I as your Doms. Yet. We don’t want to overwhelm you and we want you to ask us anything. Use your notebook if you’re too shy or embarrassed to ask and we’ll go over things at night. The three of us will sit and talk, just like you and Anthony did each night.”

  “There is one thing, Sydney, that Colin and I can’t bend on. We are both Dominants. Aside from being the air that we breathe, you will also be our submissive. You’ve already been with us in a submissive role, so there won’t be many surprises for you. Just like the night I brought you to the party, I’m still me and Colin is still Colin.”

  “Anthony and I will change up any training we feel fit. But instead of generalities, we’ll work with you on our own desires and expectations. You’ll be cared for and will never go without. But above all, you will be loved.”

  “Say something, sunshine.”

  “I don’t even know what to say. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I’d find a Dom. A real one or a good one. And now I’ve got you two? Two Irons Masters. This is unbelievable. I won’t make you angry, I promise.”

  Anthony and I looked at each other. It still boils my blood that she thinks she was the one at fault with that fucking asshole Howard. But Anthony and I will get to the bottom of that soon enough. She was eager to get info on our requirements and expectations, but we told her that we were going to go slow and not rush anything. A real, consensual D/s relationship was going to be enough of a change from what she had with Howard. All we had been doing was some general things. We were now embarking down the road of a twenty-four seven, V, Dom/sub/Dom relationship with Anthony and my tweaking. That will be quite a change as well; but it will be good. Anthony and I were going to make sure of it.

  We sat quietly for a few minutes and let it sink in some more. She was smiling and nodding her head. Anthony and I both hugged her and kissed her. We spoke more about the living situation. We were going to help her move anything she wanted from her apartment this weekend. I wanted that fucked up part of her life over with and behind her.

  The three of us spent the afternoon together on the couch watching some football. I pulled my phone out and sent Matt a text. I was bursting at the seams to tell him.

  CE: How’s the turkey coming?

  MR: Just fine. Mom and Gina kicked me out of the kitchen.

  CE: I’ve got some good news. Sydney, Anthony and I are going to go down the V route.

  I was so happy when I sent the text that I couldn’t help but smile. It was an amazing feeling and my mind was racing with things I wanted to talk about with Anthony regarding the finer details. I sat on the couch and watched Anthony stroking Sydney’s abdomen when the house phone rang. I knew it would be Matt.

  “Congrats, Col!”

  “Thanks, man.” I got up from the couch and walked down the hall to my office while I listened to Matt go on about how he was hoping for the best between the three of us but that he really didn’t know how it’d end up.

  “I’m really happy for you guys. You two are perfect for her and will bring happiness to her life. And you’ll feed that kinky bone in her carefully. You two know what you’re doing and what to watch out for with her. And you and Anthony deserve to be happy. She’ll make you both happy. It’ll be fine, Col.”

  “I know it will. There’s a lot that still needs to be worked out but Anthony and I will take care of it.”

  “Hey, while I have you on the phone, I wanted to let you know that I talked to my parents this morning about Sydney. I kept it as brief as possible but they still had questions. I told them she was staying with you for a while but that Anthony was helping out.”

  “Okay, thank you. What about your brothers?”

  “They’re playing golf. I’ll talk to them before tonight also. Don’t worry, Col. It’ll be okay.”

  I hung up with Matt and checked my watch. We still had a few hours before we were expected at Matt’s. I sat back in my chair and thought about how my life has changed so much just in twenty-four hours. I still need to talk to them about Paul and Irons. I just didn’t want to bring anyone down today. If we go to Irons tomorrow, maybe I’ll see if Blake will let me watch the security footage.

  I pulled my desk drawer open and took out a picture of my brother, Matt and I in our baseball uniforms when we were eight. The following fall, Jeff was gone. Sometimes I think about what he might have done with his life. If he’d be married with kids or whatever. I try not to dwell on it though. It does no one any good. I put the picture in my wallet because I was going to show it to Matt and his mom tonight.

  The three of us began getting ready for dinner around 5:30 since we had to be to Matt’s at 6:00. I just finished changing into my black sweater and came downstairs to see if they were ready. I headed into the bathroom where their voices were coming from.

  Anthony was dressed in jeans and a blue button shirt; but Sydney was in jeans and a bra and was whimpering. Anthony was trying to calm her while he looked at a spot on her back. They both looked over at me when I asked if everything was okay. Anthony motioned me over and pointed to a set of cuts that had been healing and were dried out.

  “While you were in Macau, a few of these caught on the sheets and pulled the scab off. While she took a nap with me on the couch this afternoon, it pulled a few more off.”

  Anthony looked like it was actually causing him pain. And then I understood. She hurts; he and I hurt. It reminded me of Matt and Gina. Anthony was relieved that I was there to help. And I would.

  I went over to the drawer where we had been keeping some medical supplies for Sydney and pulled out a medicated pad and a few bandages. I took another look at her back and saw how a few cuts had the scab still partially on. Anthony was afraid to hurt her. I got a washcloth damp with lukewarm water and handed it to him. I moved in front of Sydney, sat on the counter and took hold of her hands.

  “Eyes, baby.” My balls ached when her eyes shot up to mine. “Baby, be still so Anthony can clean up your back and get a few bandages on. No big deal, honey. I know it stings some, but you’re healing. Things like this will happen.” I kissed her forehead and kept looking in her eyes while Anthony took care of her back.

  “There, sunshine. All better.”

  Anthony bent and kissed her back and we helped her into her shirt. She wore a light blue sweater and nervously asked if we were sure it was okay. I knew there was a self-confidence issue that Anthony and I were going to have to work on with her.

  “Baby, you look lovely. Your sweater is soft and hugs your beautiful body. Why would you worry about it?” I stood behind her with my arms wrapped around her waist and I followed her eyes down to her collarbones that were slightly visible. They were still bruised but getting better. My heart broke for her. She didn’t want anyone to see them. Anthony leaned against the bathroom counter and tilted her chin so she’d look up at him.

  “They don’t dictate your life anymore. You are among friends and family now, Sydney. You’re beautiful. Now, let’s go enjoy our evening.” He winked at her and bent to kiss her. She of course blushed and then I claimed my kiss.

  I helped Sydney into her light jacket and swore to myself. “We need to go shopping, baby. You need some things.”

  “I’m okay, Sir. I have plenty.”

  This girl, I swear. She barely had anything warm and if it weren’t for Anthony, she’d still have old and worn out clothes. The only good clothes she had were the ones Anthony picked up for her, yet she thought she was fine. She needed a winter coat. Granted it’s Las Vegas, but I don’t want her cold and I’ll be dammed if our fragile kitten goes without anything. Ever.

  Even though Matt’s home was maybe 150 yards away, we still took my BMW. It was cold out and probably would be late by the time we left. I was looking forward to seeing Matt’s parents and introducing Sydney to them. On our short drive, we told Sydney that Matt’s parents are not aware of the lifestyle that Matt, Anthony and I lead. She caught
on right away and said she wouldn’t call us “Sir” while at Matt’s tonight. On our way up to the door, I reached down and put her hand in Anthony’s. It was a statement that I wanted both of them to understand. Around Matt’s family, Anthony is her man. I didn’t want her to be without some physical contact tonight.

  Matt opened the door and began taking our jackets once we got inside. He clasped Anthony and I on our shoulders and congratulated us both quietly. He went over to Sydney and wrapped an arm around her lightly and gave her a squeeze.

  “Sydney, they’re going to take such good care of you. I’m so happy for you, sweetheart.”

  “Thank you, Sir…er, Matt…er, Mr. Reid, I mean, Dr. Reid. Um, thanks.”

  Sydney looked down as Matt, Anthony and I shared a quiet laugh. Anthony pulled her into his arms and he kissed the top of her head.

  “Matt works just fine, Sydney. Come on, my mom is dying to see you guys.”

  We followed Matt to the kitchen and he announced our arrival. His mom quickly set a pan down and scurried over while Gina hollered out her greeting.

  “Hi Gloria!” I said and opened my arms for her hug. She was my mom when I lost my family. Matt’s family was welcoming and I knew they’d adore Sydney.

  “Oh, Colin. You look good. Really good, dear.” She wrapped me in a hug and then went to Anthony. I wondered if my body language was giving away how excited and thrilled I was about Sydney. I couldn’t let that on.

  “Anthony, let me look at you.” She held him at an arm’s length and I knew she could tell something was different with him. He was happy and in love. Matt’s mom loved Anthony to pieces. She knew he didn’t have any family and as she welcomed me, she always welcomed him. She often referred to him as her “lost boy.” Many times, Matt and I had conversations about Anthony and his fucked up childhood when Matt’s parents were around. Of course, that was before we really knew exactly how fucked up his childhood was. Matt’s dad would have a field day with the information Matt and I discovered this past weekend. Arthur and Gloria are good-hearted people and welcomed Anthony and I into their family unconditionally. They had done so with Gina and they would with Sydney.