Finally, we all slow, collapsing in a sweaty heat together. When Bowen pulls out, I flinch from the sudden emptiness but still cling to Thorne. Eventually, his softened cock slides out too, and I almost want to cry. The emotion bursting in my chest is overwhelming in the very best way.
I scoot off Hawthorne slightly but feel Bowen’s lips on my shoulder.
“I love you both so much,” he whispers. “So fucking much. How is this my life?”
Hawthorne chuckles. “I ask myself that every day.”
After a few minutes, they both roll over, smiling down at me. “You sure know how to wake a guy up,” Thorne says, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
“I aim to please. Feel free to one-up me anytime.”
Hawthorne grins, winking at Bowen. “Challenge accepted.”
I’m not sure my life could get any fucking better than this. I collapse in bed after a steamy shower with my men. Men. Plural. Who saw that coming? I sure the fuck didn’t, but now I can’t imagine not having them.
After several minutes, I force myself out of bed, throw on some shorts, and head to the living room to check my email. I pretty much ignored it all weekend so I could focus on getting moved in. I worried it would feel cramped, but we manage to make it all work. A new house is definitely on the radar though.
Scrolling through emails and enjoying a second cup of coffee, I hammer out a few responses to the same questions I always get, but then one catches my eye. I scan it quickly. Hmm. One of my clients wants to offer me an in-house position in Australia. I chuckle, reading the details of the offer. It’s very generous, but there are three things I can’t get in down under that I already have here—freedom with my time, Bowen, and Thorne. I’ll respond in a day or two just so they know I gave it some thought, but write out a quick thank you, I’ll consider it reply.
Once I’m done with that, I can thankfully go back to sleep, knowing I’ll have to be up late tonight monitoring the server update for one of my Asian clients.
After my nap, I spend the rest of the day unpacking boxes and doing my best to find places for all my shit. It’s a good thing I’m kind of a minimalist when it comes to owning material possessions, book collection aside. Once I’m satisfied, I shower and get ready to meet Thorne and Bow at the gym.
An hour later, I enter the gym, heading straight to the rock climbing walls, knowing that’s where they plan to meet me. Lucky for me, I see them before they see me, so I can catch the warm affection between them as Thorne has Bowen backed against the wall, carding his fingers through his hair. Bowen is gazing at Thorne like he would rearrange the planets if he wanted him too. That’s love. Pure and simple. A sense of pride fills me that I had a hand in making this happen for them. The happiness pouring off them makes my heart flutter. Knowing they love me too makes my knees a little weak.
Bowen sees me first, waving in my direction. I’m enveloped in their thick, muscled arms and kissed by sweet, soft lips.
“Kind of feel like skipping the workout and luring you two handsome men into the showers with me.”
Thorne snorts a laugh. “Can confirm it’s a good time.”
“I believe I was offered a show,” Bowen says. “You two grunting and vying for top position on this wall.”
I laugh, stealing another kiss. I give zero fucks what the people around us think. Any time I can kiss these two, I will. “Can’t let you down. What do you say, Thorne? First one to the top gets to eat Bow’s ass?”
“You’re fucking on.”
Thorne and I get harnessed as Bowen sets his watch to time our climb. I already know how competitive Thorne is, but so am I, so this should be fun.
“Go!” Bowen says.
Hawthorne starts first, easily scaling the beginning portion, but I know how much more challenging this wall is about to get. I work my way up, trying to focus on my grasps, but with Bowen cheering us on and Hawthorne’s competitive gleam in his eye, it isn’t long before I push myself to catch up with him.
I reach him shortly after, pausing to give my burning muscles a second or two of relief. Hawthorne takes a moment to rest too.
“I forgot how hard this wall is.”
Nodding, I chuckle. “Yep.” I glance down at Bowen, watching us like a proud soccer dad. “You could always quit if it’s too much,” I taunt.
“Ha. Nice try. I’ve got this. Do you need a longer break?”
“Pssh. I’m fine.”
With that bit of teasing over, the two of us grunt and push our way to the top. I reach it seconds after Thorne, but I offer my hand in a high five.
“Congrats. Well done.”
“You know how to push me, man. I appreciate it.”
“Back at ya. What do you say we head down and attack that gorgeous man waiting for us?”
“I’m in.”
Once we’re down, Bowen congratulates us with butt smacks and the promise of more later. Good enough for me.
“You know, we could always work on our cardio at home,” Thorne says. “I believe I’ve got dibs on Bow’s ass. Bet we could burn some serious calories. Unless you both would rather pound it out on the treadmill.”
Bowen glances at me before a gorgeous smile graces his face. “I’d rather you both pound it out on me.”
“You won’t hear me argue.”
* * *
HAWTHORNE
I climb out of bed for some water, stumbling my way to the kitchen. When I glance at the clock, I smile. Ever since sleeping with both of my men, I hardly ever struggle with insomnia. It’s six in the morning, another successful night.
It’s only been a few days since Aldis officially moved in, but it honestly feels like he’s always been here. His things seamlessly blend with ours. It feels good. I walk out to the living room, guided by the bright-blue light of Aldis’s screensaver on his open laptop. I know he was up a few hours ago working.
I walk over to shut the lid, but when I bump it, it wakes up, filling the screen with his email. I don’t mean to pry, but there’s one in bold, highlighted red that catches my eye.
JOB OFFER IN AUSTRALIA
I read it a second time, torn between clicking on it and respecting his privacy. Fortunately for me, he’s got the preview window open, so it’s not hard for me to arrow up a couple of times. I read it over, an extensive email detailing salary and benefits, from a company across the world from us. The salary almost makes me choke. We make decent money, but it’s nothing like this.
Then my eyes focus on Aldis’s reply. Oh fuck. He’s considering it? If he left, it would break Bowen’s heart. Fuck. It would break mine too.
“What are you doing?”
I jump, twisting around to the sound of Bowen’s voice. “Uh, nothing, babe. Go back to bed.”
“Are you reading his emails?”
“No. I mean, yeah, but I didn’t mean to. I was just closing his laptop.”
“Then why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?”
My thoughts battle between protecting him or preparing him for what might come. I know him, though, and he’s not gonna let it go. Fuck.
“I saw something I wish I hadn’t.”
Bowen nods, crossing his arms over his chest. “Please don’t tell me he’s seeing someone else.”