More by Sloan Parker (best ebook reader for chromebook .txt) 📕

“Okay, Luke, what are your rules regarding sex?” Richard asked. “What would you agree to? What do you want to avoid in terms of the three of us?”

All of it. But that answer didn't sit right with me. Not any longer.

I'd never set the rules for anything more than one night of sexual play. My mind filled with all the things I should mention. What I would do. What I wouldn't do. But it all seemed unnecessary. A conversation of strangers. They were beginning to feel like anything but. “Condoms all the way around for sex and blowjobs— even if you want to have tests done or whatever— until I say differently.”

“Sounds good,” Richard said. “Trusting what we say about not playing around isn't easy to take on faith. For any of us. If this works out, I'd like us to get tested, but I'll agree to condoms until the last person says they go.”

Matthew grabbed his soda and plucked away at the label again.

Richard eyed the younger man. “Matthew?”

“I, uh... I blow guys all the time without a condom, but I... I've never agreed to sex without one. I'm not sure I'll know when to go that far. I don't really know you. I'm ah... I'm afraid I'll take a risk when I shouldn't.”

“You won't. You'll either know we've been tested and that you trust us, or if you aren't sure, we'll still be using the rubbers. Plain and simple.”

Matthew ripped off a section of the soda's label and sat back in his seat, folding the jagged piece until it would fold no more.

I continued. “I'm not into the D/s or S&M lifestyle. Some bondage— as you know— but that's it. I'm not into the power or pain thing.”

“What you've said fits my tastes.” Richard ate the last bites of his dinner. “I want equal partners.”

Partners? Were he and I having the same conversation? I rushed to say the rest before I changed my mind and walked out of his house. “As for anything else, we're all used to the club scene, discussing sex openly. If one of us has something in mind, he asks.”

Richard set his fork down. “At least I know you will. You'll probably describe where you want our hands, mouths, and cocks each time we fuck.”

I laughed. “Probably.”

Richard gestured to Matthew. “Your turn.”

Matthew unfolded and refolded the plastic label as he talked. “I agree with what Luke said. I've done some of the BDSM stuff, and it wasn't for me. I shouldn't have tried it. I knew it wouldn't work out, but I liked the guy. I don't care to be tied up. I get frustrated, and I don't like feeling restrained. I like to touch, to move. And the pain stuff... it hurt, like a lot, and I wasn't in the mindset to enjoy it, so... well, it sucked all the way around. When he finally stopped hitting me and fucked me, I couldn't even come.”

Someone had hurt him instead of taking him to places he could enjoy. I glanced at Richard. The skin of his forehead was puckered together in a series of vertical lines.

Matthew wasn't paying attention to either of us. “I should've used the safe word, but I sorta freaked. That was my fault, not his.” He set the scrap of label on the table and dropped his hands to his lap. “I know I asked at the club, but I don't like it when people drink alcohol around me. If we're hanging out and you two wanna have a drink together, I can get lost.”

Richard leaned in like he wanted to ask the younger man why he had an issue with alcohol.

Matthew looked away from him.

Richard settled back in his chair. “You got it, kid.”

“That's fine with me,” I said.

Matthew bit at the edge of a thumbnail. I figured he was done talking.

Richard watched him and made no move to speak or eat. The faint hint of a smile formed on his lips. He was waiting. For what?

Matthew lowered his hand. “I guess I have one other thing that might come up. Not really about sex, but sometimes... a lot of the time... when I'm laughing, I— hell, I giggle. It's annoying. And it drives most guys nuts.”

Laughter bubbled up. I tapped the side of a fist to my mouth to stop it. “You giggle? I hadn't noticed.”

Matthew whipped his head in my direction. His brow furrowed and he nodded. So goddamn serious.

I kept laughing.

Matthew's gaze swung back to Richard.

“I like your laugh,” Richard said. “If I found it the least bit annoying, I wouldn't have invited you here.”

Matthew slapped a hand to his forehead. “Oh, God. You already heard it.”

I laughed harder. Tears threatened at the corners of my eyes.

Richard nodded. “The first night.”

Matthew smacked his forehead again. “Oh God.”

I reached for his arm and lowered it to the table. “There is nothing wrong with your laugh.”

“He's right,” Richard said. “We wouldn't have dragged you up the stairs that second night if you bothered us in any way.” I was glad he was there. I had no idea how to reassure.

Matthew shook his head and smiled. Despite our words, he held back on the laugh.

I wanted to bury my face in his neck and hear him laugh while I nipped at his skin. But if I started there, I wouldn't be able to stop. I cleared my throat. “As I've said, this isn't my thing. For whatever reason, I can't seem to give you up yet. But dating, a relationship... ” I shook my head several times. “That isn't something I do. I keep telling myself I can always walk away.”

“Of course you can,” Richard said. “Any of us can. If you want out, all you have to do is say so. That's how dating works, Luke.”

“Shut up.”

That time Matthew laughed.

The rest of the dinner passed with little conversation. We'd already talked more than I imagined most guys did on a first date. But it seemed to be