Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 100301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Aidan gave a simple nod. “I’d be happy to.”
“Thank you.”
It was late, I didn’t even know what time, when there was a sound from the front of the house. David walked in, and the residual tightness in my chest eased. He was a mess, his button-up shirt half-open, his hair mussed in a way David didn’t usually allow it, as though his hand had run through it too many times. It was wet, though, and I figured he’d showered as he always did after work. His eyes were pained, red. He’d been crying.
“Daddy?” I asked, feeling uncertain but needing.
“Come here, kitten.” His voice was rough, hoarse. I went to him, and his arms wrapped around me. He breathed me in, a drop of wetness sliding from his face onto my neck. He was trembling.
“Is he…?”
Daddy sniffed, pulled away. “He’s stable and in the ICU.” He took my hand, his body still trembling as we joined the others. “I apologize if I worried you guys.” His voice sounded off, like he was unsure and rattled. David was always so put together, so steady, that it made worry claw at my heart.
“We’re fine,” Ian replied. “Are you okay?”
David didn’t answer, just grabbed Ian’s hand with his other one and pulled him in. Ian held him, held us, the three of us a unit—Ian and me holding up David, who’d held us up so many times before.
When we separated, Aidan said, “David,” with command in his voice.
“Yes, Sir?” David replied, and I gasped. Yes, I’d heard David call the man at the store Sir, but that had been different. I’d never heard him say it to Aidan, and while before it sounded out of respect, tonight it was vulnerable. David’s eyes fell closed, and he looked down. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”
Maybe he hadn’t, but it was obvious he needed.
My gaze found Ian, whose own was firmly on David. I turned to Aidan. His eyes were locked on Finley’s, this silent conversation going on between them, and Finley nodded. Aidan was asking permission, I realized, which tangled all sorts of wires in my head. Aidan was Finley’s Sir. Their power exchange was more intense than any I’d ever seen, but for this, Aidan was asking him because they were together, monogamous.
My thoughts and feelings twisted up in a tangle of confusion. I wanted David to have what he needed, but he was so vulnerable, so fragile and raw, that I felt selfish for not wanting to share that with anyone outside the three of us.
Tears blurred my eyes. I tried to fight them off, but they trickled down my face.
“It’s okay, pet,” Aidan said to David, and damned if that wasn’t a mindfuck to hear. “We’ll get you taken care of.” He turned to Ian. “David needs you right now. If I’m not mistaken, Jordan does too. I can do it. I can even make it work without sex. That doesn’t have to be involved, but—”
“I’ll do it.” Ian’s voice was firm, strong. “They’re mine. I want to take care of them.”
“Good man,” Aidan said just as David’s gaze shot to Ian. “Just let him give control to you. Follow your instincts. You know them both, so trust that and trust yourself. They’ll give you the signs you need if you follow them, but no impact unless you use your hands, okay? Open-handed, no closed fist, ass only until you have more experience. Aftercare is a must. Call me if you need me.” Ian nodded, and Aidan added, “I trust you, pet. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t leave. You love them. Channel that.”
The rest of us were silent. I didn’t think we could work through what was happening. Aidan squeezed Ian’s shoulder in support, then told Finley, “Come.”
“Yes, Sir.”
When the door closed behind them, Daddy asked Ian, “Are you sure? I don’t ever want to push you. I know you like to follow my lead when—”
“On your knees,” Ian cut David off, and my Daddy immediately knelt.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
David
Today had been the hardest day I could remember in…hell, I didn’t know how long. Tony had surgery and would likely need another one.
I’d only left the hospital when I’d been basically forced out, but so far he was stable. He’d known I was there. He’d gone in and out of being alert and oriented and altered LOC. Once he’d given me a broken grin and muttered, “Not…how…wanted…to…surprise…you…”
So that was why he was there and I hadn’t known. I knew he was looking for a job, but him being in LA without me knowing was a shock.
I’d wanted to be there for him, needed to be there for my friend, but as the night went on, my need for Ian and Jordan had snapped and crackled until it nearly took me over, too powerful to control. I’d been about to call them and tell them I’d changed my mind, that I needed them there with me, when I’d been told it was better if I left for a while.