Page 74 of All Tied Up

Sebastian had a thoughtful look on his face, like he was working through something. “How much do you know about polyamory?” he finally asked.

“Um… not much? I think I had friends who were poly in college. I don’t think it lasted.”

Sebastian nodded. “That happens. There’s a lot of pressure from society to be monogamous.”

“But you two still seem to be poly and it seems to be working for you.”

“Not quite. Or… there are a lot of types of ethical non-monogamy. Right now, we have a pretty closed monogamous relationship where we sometimes invite in a third person for short scenes. That’s been working for us pretty well. But one of the things that Jamie told me, before we even started dating, was that he’s innately polyamorous. Not as a lifestyle, but as an identity.” Sebastian watched Neil like he was waiting for a reaction.

It was a lot of information all at once, but Neil thought he grasped the important parts. “You mean like being straight or gay? Like he was just born polyamorous?”

“Yeah,” Sebastian agreed. “Exactly like that. He’s happier with multiple partners, and I don’t think I’d really seen or remembered that until I was watching him with you.”

Neil’s chest warmed, though he knew this was still about Jamie, not himself. Just because Jamie wanted multiple partners, didn’t mean both of them were thinking about him for that special role.

“And are you? Polyamorous, that is?”

Sebastian winced, a sign that pretty much guaranteed he was thinking about Henri. But by the time he answered, he seemed comfortable again. “I think the label that best describes me is polyflexible. I’d be happy with just my Dragonfly, and I’m also comfortable with other configurations.”

Every time Neil heard that nickname, he felt envious of Jamie for having such a wonderful Daddy. And now it was doubled. Jamie had a Daddy who loved him so much that he wanted him to find other partners to make him happy.

Was there even a chance of Neil filling that role? Was that why Sebastian was bringing it up? And what did “other configurations” mean? That Neil could date Jamie but not Sebastian?

Neil had an instant response to that option. Everything about it sounded wrong. Maybe it was just because he wanted a Daddy but… No. The two of them were a unit. If there were ever a chance of… something else? Well, he was pretty sure he wouldn’t want either one of them without the other. Which was a silly thing to think after knowing two people for less than two days.

“Neil?” Sebastian asked quietly, drawing his attention back.

“Sorry. I must have tuned out.”

Sebastian shook his head. “I’ve been doing that a lot, too. So much on my mind.” Sebastian seemed to decide something though, swinging the conversation around. “You know, you’re right. If you want to order something, I know Jamie and I would appreciate it. We have to stay here or in the lobby until we’re off the clock at ten, but it would be really nice to eat a meal I didn’t have to cook.”

“Great.” Neil still felt like he had gotten in over his head, but this was simple. Ordering food was something he could do, and hopefully make both of them happy. “Is there anywhere around here that’s a favorite for you guys?”

“Yeah. Here are the menus.” Sebastian sat at his desk, rooting around in a drawer until he pulled out a thin stack. “Not a ton of choices out here, but there are things we enjoy from all of them.”

It only took Neil a moment to choose the Thai place. It was the priciest of the lot, and also seemed the least like something that Sebastian would make at home. “Is this good?”

“Oh! Jamie will be so excited about that. I mean, I enjoy it too, but it’s Jamie’s favorite.” He rattled off both of their orders.

Neil picked a few other things that looked good, adding on a selection of entrees, some appetizers, and a green papaya salad. He liked knowing that he would put a smile on Jamie’s face.

When he got off the phone, Sebastian had turned back to the computer, tension showing around his eyes.

“Can I help with anything?” Neil asked.

Sebastian looked up. “Oh, uh… not really. I’m putting in some orders for next week. Nothing as exciting as the budget, if you could call that exciting.”

“I could, actually.” Neil wasn’t kidding. “So, uh, should I go?” That was the implied message. They were already going to have dinner soon and then the scene tonight that Neil couldn’t stop thinking about. He didn’t need to be greedy.

“Not if you’d like to stay. I like having you around.” Sebastian captured his wrist, tugging him gently closer.

“I, uh, like that, too.” Inside, his heart was singing.

Sebastian looked Neil up and down, an appreciative glint in his eye. “I recall you telling me that you wanted to try kneeling at my feet.”

Neil sucked in a gasp. Yes. He wanted this. He really wanted this. “Um, now, Sir?” He looked at the open doorway and then over at the desk. The space underneath was both wide and deep. He should be completely invisible to anyone in the lobby.

“Right now, baby boy. Take the back cushion off that chair and put it on the floor here. It’ll fit just perfectly.”