Love of Liberty

by Lila Rose

  We had settled into a cosy routine. Work, followed by my place to eat and sleep. Then on weekends it was spent either hanging out with just the three of us or with my sister, her men, and sometimes April. There were a lot of laughs and fun times. Especially when Liam and I beat Chance and Dane’s arse in cricket one day we’d gone on a picnic with them. Of course I didn’t gloat about how awesome our team was by winning five points above them. Well, not too much. Chance and Dane just had to ignore my cheering for an hour or so.

  Glancing next to me, I watched Liam on the other side of Liberty in the movie theatre take our woman’s hand in his. She leaned into him while she ate popcorn with her free hand.

  Seeing them, watching them like I had been for the last month had my chest puffing out in pride. They were mine.

  My love for Liberty was fucking bright, but alongside it, I had found another.

  Liam.

  Shit, my mind was consumed with the two of them.

  I knew this was it. They were it

  Being with both was how my life was supposed to be. It was impossible to believe anything else when all I could think of was them. I was with a man. I had fallen for a man. Hell, I’d lost count of the times I’d had Liam do things to me, things I naïvely thought would totally weird me out, but they never had, because it was Liam.

  The happiness that lit me up by being with them was sparked by Liberty. She was the initial catalyst, the bright light that had guided us. It was her full heart, her commitment to both of us that eased my soul.

  Life was good.

  And I wanted it to stay that way.

  Once the movie ended, we walked out of the theatre talking about the movie. Horror wasn’t something I liked to watch. In fact, I’d probably be up later that night crying in a corner. At least the two who’d forced me into watching it had offered to help take my mind of it by doing anything I wanted. I could think of a few things already. Then I found myself wishing I was already in my new place. Not only was it closer to their work, but I also wanted to get my new king-size bed set up and tested out.

  “So where are we going to dinner again?” Liberty asked.

  “I booked in to the restaurant down the street,” Liam replied, and then he looked everywhere but at us.

  “Spill it,” Liberty demanded, her hands settling on her hips.

  “Did I forget to mention that my parents are in town and will be at dinner?”

  Liberty’s steps faltered. I had to catch her before she went arse over.

  “We’re meeting your parents?” she asked in a whisper.

  Liam grinned. “Yes.”

  Reaching out with a fist, I punched him in the arm. He glared, but I ignored him and threw my hands up and said, “You didn’t think we’d want to know this ahead of time?”

  “So you both can freak out? No.” He shook his head and then started walking again. I took a frozen Liberty’s hand in mine and dragged her along behind Liam.

  “Maybe it’s best if it’s just you and Liberty? Not everyone is welcoming to a situation like this. Chance’s parents only agreed to get over it because they didn’t want to lose his money, and Dane’s uncle just didn’t give a shit. He only wants happiness for his nephew, like my Dad. And we all know Libby’s grandma is just crazy—”

  “Hey,” Liberty snapped with a smack of her hand to my chest.

  “Sorry, babe.” I winked, and then went on, “But not everyone will understand us.” Liam kept walking. I grabbed his arm and spun him to face us. “Liam, you can’t force this on them and just expect them to go with it. Maybe a private setting would be better than a public one?”

  Liam never spoke much of his parents. We knew the basic details about where they’d met, when they’d married and at what age they’d had him. All the normal stuff partners were supposed to know when first dating, but what we didn’t know was whether the three of us together would upset them in any way.

  “Don’t worry. It’ll be fine, and we’re here anyway, so why not go in?”

  “I could catch a cab home, meet you both there, and you and Liberty can go in. Greet them, test some things about by mentioning me.”

  “Me?” Liberty cried. “Parents don’t like me.” I looked at her with my brows raised. “Your father doesn’t count. I’ve known him too long, and besides, I was just Jade’s best friend before we got together. But other people don’t like me. I swear too much, I say what I think, and I know I will stuff this up and somehow, they’ll fucking hate me. What happens if they do and then, shit, I don’t know, ban you from seeing us, Liam?”

  Liam chuckled, shaking his head. “They wouldn’t ban me. Besides, I’m thirty-five years old. They have no deciding factor in what I choose to do with my life.”

  “Babe, you’ll be fine.” Leaning in, I gave her a quick kiss. “I’ll see you both at home.” Turning, I nearly made my escape when a hand latched onto my arm.

  Shifting back around, I looked to Liam holding my arm and then up to see his eyes full of humour. “You’re not going anywhere. You’re both being silly about it all. Just come in and meet them.”

  “Jesus, am I even dressed okay?” Liberty asked, glancing down to her long skirt and tee, then back up to Liam, who smiled and nodded, then myself.

  “You look amazing to me,” I said, taking her hand again in mine. If we were doing this, meeting our partner’s parents—Fuck, I think I’m going to be sick—then I needed her support, and I knew from her trembling hand she was feeling the same.

  We were both terrified they wouldn’t accept this, us, and then the night would turn to shit.

  “Ready?” Liam asked.

  “No,” I replied with a glare.

  “Not at all,” Liberty said with a frown.

  Liam laughed, then turned and walked up the front steps to the restaurant. Opening the door, he held it as I entered with Liberty behind me. I had to grab her hand a little tighter to get her through the door. She was ready to bolt. Just like I was. However, I wouldn’t leave Liam standing there like a fool on his own. Hell, we were in everything together. It was the three of us now.

  Liam spoke to the maître d’ and then followed him while I tailed Liam with Liberty trailing through the tables and chairs behind me.

  “Mum,” Liam said. I peeked around his wide shoulders to see an older African woman sitting at the table on her own. She stood and came around to hug Liam.

  Had his father not showed?

  Shit. Had Liam already mentioned to his parents he was with a woman and a man, and his father couldn’t face him because of it?

  That just pissed me off.

  All parents should support their child.

  “Your father an—”

  “I see, at the bar.” Liam waved while I relaxed at knowing his dad was there. I went to look, to see if his father was a big man who would beat me up for being with his son, but my attention was averted back to Liam when his hand came to the small of my back. “Mum, this is Damien and Liberty. Damien and Liberty, this is my mum, Amara.”

  “Hi,” Liberty squeaked.

  “Nice to meet you.” I smiled, even though my stomach was in knots.

  Her grin was bright and wide. “It’s amazing to meet you both. Liam has told us so much.”

  He had?

  First, she hugged a stiff Liberty and then myself. “I can’t thank you both enough for making my son so happy.”

  We had?

  She knew?

  What the fuck?

  A throat cleared. I jumped, so did Liberty. “Yes, we haven’t seen Liam smile like he does now in a long time,” a voice came from behind us. A man stepped around and held his hand out to me. I took it and shook. He then greeted Liberty with a kiss to her cheek.

  “Don’t mind them. They were nervous about tonight,” Liam teased. He held out a chair for Liberty to sit down. Once she did, he sat one side of her, while I sat the other. Liam’s dad, a white man, which I didn’t expect, sat next to Liam and then his mum.

  “Dad, this i
s Liberty and Damien. This is my dad, Scott.”

  “Did I miss the introductions?” My mouth dropped open when another man, who had so many of Liam’s features, sat at Amara’s other side. “Hi, I’m Evan, Liam’s father.”

  “You… ah… um.” I shook my head to restart my brain while Liam and his parents laughed.

  “Liam, you didn’t tell them?” Scott asked.

  “I thought I’d keep it a surprise.”

  “You’re evil, son,” Amara stated. She rolled her eyes and meeting Liberty’s gaze, she added, “You have to keep a good eye on your two men.”

  Liberty managed a nod, still as stunned as I was.

  Liam placed his arm around her shoulders and said to his parents, “Don’t worry, she does. And as soon as she’s come out of her state of shock, she’ll be swearing and cursing me like always.”

  Liberty punched him in the stomach.

  Rubbing a hand over my face, I said, “Okay, this is really strange, yet it explains a lot about Liam.” He winked at me. “Anyway, it’s great to meet you all.”

  I understood why Liam would have wanted a three-way relationship, especially since it seemed to have worked out well for his parents.

  Eventually, as the drinks arrived and the night went on, we all relaxed and enjoyed the night. Liam’s parents were amazing people. They explained it took a while for people close to them to understand their relationship. The ones who stayed in their life after learning about it were the ones who cared for them. Any others weren’t worth keeping around anyway.

  People would always talk behind our backs. No doubt they would judge, but as long as we were happy with who we were and what we had, then nothing else should matter.

  I knew there would be some trials through life, but I also knew we could get through them.

  It was what people did when they were in love.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Liam

  It had been just a little over two months since we’d starting dating. Two goddamn, happy months. The best I’d ever had in my life in fact. Even after shocking them with my parents, they soon forgave me. If anything, it helped bring us closer. When they saw the possibility and the potential for a real, happy future, it seemed to cement all our feelings.

  What I knew, was that being with the two of them each and every day brought me more happiness.

  My phone ringing jolted me out from my thoughts. “Liam Michaels,” I answered without looking at the caller ID.

  “Make sure Liberty’s in a good mood when you both get home.”

  I smiled. Home.

  Damien had started, for the last few weeks, calling his place home for the three of us, and fuck it, I was going to sound like a girl, but every time he did, my stomach dipped in pleasure. I’d taken to bringing some spare clothes to Damien’s, so I didn’t have to rush off every morning. Though, some days, because of morning meetings, I did have to leave early, which left Damien and Liberty alone. Not that it bothered me. It didn’t and it never would. I liked watching them together, and I liked the times when Liberty was out so Damien and I could sit around talking randomly, getting to know one another even better, and especially when it ended in the bedroom. I also loved the times Damien was out, and I’d have Liberty to myself. She was amazing. I’d lost count of the times I found myself touching her, kissing her, and holding her. Each day I fell for our woman so much more, and my feelings for Damien grew stronger.

  Leaning back in my chair, I questioned, “Can I ask why and how you want me to do that?”

  “You know how we’re moving into the new place this weekend?”

  I laughed. “I know how you’re moving into your new house this weekend because I’m the fool helping you shift things.”

  He sighed. “I can see I’m going to have to talk to you now and Liberty tonight.”

  “What do we need to talk about?”

  “I’m asking Liberty tonight to get rid of her place and finally move her into the house. I want you there too. It’s big enough for the three of us.”

  I froze.

  Yes, he was already calling it home for the three of us, but I didn’t think he actually saw it as our home.

  “Liam?” he called.

  Clearing my throat, I asked, “You’re asking us to move in with you?”

  “Well, yeah. I don’t see a problem with it. You’re both at my place every night anyway.” He seemed confused on why I wouldn’t be all over the idea.

  “Damien, we’re still getting used to all this.”

  “Liam, we can do that living in the same house.”

  “I don’t—”

  “Tell me something.” He interrupted.

  “What?”

  “How long have you been in love with Liberty?”

  “You already know this. Years.”

  “And I’ve been in love with her for at least a year as well, even before she jumped me when helping my sister out.”

  “I thought you’d both hated each other back then?” They’d told me about how much they had disliked each other before Liberty had distracted him so Jade could steal his BB gun to save her men, who typically hadn’t needed saving.

  “I gave her shit to get her attention. I love the fire inside of her.”

  “I don’t blame you there.” I also loved her fire. She would do anything for anyone she cared for, and if it took force, like jumping Damien that day, she would do it. Hell, I’d been on the receiving end of her fury over small things about the business. I had to fight from smiling each time she gave me attitude.

  Luckily enough, since being with both Damien and me, her fire had died a little. I put it down to all the action she was getting from the both of us. We were taming her in a way. I wasn’t naïve though. Once we were out of the honeymoon phase and she started back up over one of us leaving the toilet seat up or our dirty clothes everywhere, I expected it to return full strength. Still, I couldn’t help but look forward to it. I was sure angry sex would be wild.

  “Still, we’re new at this,” I said.

  “You’re worried it’s only a phase?” he asked.

  “All relationships are at the start, but—”

  “Liam, you’re pissing me off right now,” he bit out.

  Snorting, I asked, “How?”

  “I’m not running, neither is Liberty, and yes I know it’s new, but we’re in this for life. My Dad knows, most of my co-workers know. Yes, we’re going to have fights and yes, we’re going to piss each other off, but I couldn’t imagine my life now without either of you in it. Life is supposed to be cherished. It’s too short not to do so. You never know what can happen. It may be fast for you and me, but I want you to live with us, and I know, once I’ve convinced Liberty, she’ll want it also. Besides, I’ve already got the humongous-size bed being delivered tomorrow.” When I didn’t laugh, he called my name.

  He was right. Before Liberty and Damien opened their arms to me, I was going through the motions each day, but I was never happy. Not until them.

  “Okay,” I whispered into the phone.

  “Okay? As in you’ll move in with us?”

  “Yes.”

  “Fuck yeah. Best fucking news. Now make sure Liberty’s happy before she gets home. You got that late meeting, right?”

  With a chuckle, I said, “Yes, which I have to leave shortly for so you’re on your own with making sure Liberty stays happy, and you’ll need to work extra hard since she’s already gone to do some of her community service.” I had managed to pull some strings and find her a job where she may just not cause any harm to another or teach anyone a new swear word each day. I hoped. She was serving her time at a local salvation store. So far, she seemed to like it, unless it was on a day someone pissed her off.

  “Arse.”

  “You seem to like my arse.” I grinned.

  “Shit, now I’m hard thinking of your arse.” I closed my eyes as my cock jerked behind my pants. Thankfully, Damien went on, “Fine, I’ll make sure our woman is happy before I
tell her she’s moving in permanently.”

  “Good, see you tonight.”

  “Later, snookums.”

  “Damien,” I clipped.

  “So it’s a no to snookums as well?” He sighed. “I’ll think of something to call you,” he said before hanging up. He’d been trying for the last week to find an appropriate pet name to call me. I told him Liam was fine because everything he tried was goddamn stupid.

  Walking into the house, I found it eerily quiet. Had Damien pissed Liberty off somehow and she’d killed him? She was due for her period and was always worse when it came to that time. I soon discovered why it was quiet when I entered the kitchen. A naked Damien had Liberty spread out on the table, also naked. He was just slipping his cock inside of her as he stared down at her body. Her sigh of pleasure sounded around the room, which told me he was fully embedded in her.

  Damien lifted his head and caught my gaze. He grinned. “She said yes to moving in.”

  All thoughts fled when Liberty’s hooded and heated gaze came to me. She smiled, her hand moving out my way.

  Dropping my briefcase to the floor, I started at my tie as I walked forward. Then my shirt was off next, and finally, as I reached the side of the table, I had my pants undone.

  Bending, I told Liberty as Damien fucked her, “This is good news.”

  She panted, nodded and said, “Even better knowing the three of us will be there.”

  “Yeah?”

  “God, yes,” she got out before I kissed her. She moaned into my mouth before I kissed down her neck, which she arched and whimpered. Kissing her chest and breasts, I watched her nipples pebble. She shivered, a needy gasp escaping her and when I reached her ticklish stomach, she giggled. Still I kept going.

  Damien slowed his pace as he watched me glide my tongue over her waxed mound. Once there, dipping it in to touch and tease her clit, my tongue then snaked out to lick his shaft.