Page 10 of Love Unlimited

While he was rinsing things to toss in the dishwasher, Zhong stepped up behind him, enveloping him in a loose hug, his muscular arms like a trap around him. Ah, that was lovely, but in such a different way. Holding Lena was passion and intensity and such fierce love. Zhong was quiet strength and warm comfort.

One of the best things about game night bringing them all together was getting more time with Zhong. Dustin hadn’t realized how much he’d missed just having him around.

Dustin raised his damp hands to sign while Zhong looked over his shoulder. Thank you for coming over tonight.

Zhong squeezed him, then awkwardly signed in front of Dustin’s body. I loved it. I suppose it’s kind of late, though. And you want time with Lena. It sounded like Zhong didn’t want to go yet.

Dustin didn’t want him to go either. Stay. Your room’s all ready, and you said that Ash keeps clothes in their car all the time.

Zhong’s chin rested heavy on Dustin’s shoulder. What was he thinking about? Schedules? Logistics? Or was it his own relationship with Dustin?

Dustin had let Zhong slip away when he got too focused on his last relationships, convinced that he’d always be there. But now he was trying to do better. Especially when the four of them fit so well together and Zhong’s emerging interest in kink added a surprising element to the dynamic.

So Dustin was working hard to let Zhong know that he was wanted and not just let him drift away. Also, selfishly, he wanted him back home.

Not that Zhong would ever replace Lena. She had a very different role in Dustin’s life. But Zhong was important, too. He was pretty sure that both Lena and Ash understood and accepted that.

OK, Zhong finally signed. He pulled back and started loading the silverware in the dishwasher.

Phew. Dustin didn’t realize how relieved he’d been to hear that. Zhong hadn’t slept over since Dustin had started seeing Lena. Honestly, he hadn’t slept over much since he moved out when Dustin’s ex had moved in, and that was years ago. Now Dustin kind of wished he’d freshened up the bedroom. Let me know if you need anything. You know where your old laptop is if you want to work from here tomorrow.

Zhong rolled his eyes. I know where everything is.

I could have moved some stuff! Hypothetically. He probably hadn’t, though he wasn’t really keeping track.

Zhong hip-checked him as he grabbed the dirty glasses. Go get your girl. I think she’s getting into trouble.

Dustin snorted. He was certain she was. He just hadn’t realized that Zhong noticed it, too. When he cared about something he could be surprisingly observant, but if it didn’t seem relevant he’d tune it out. For the past fifteen years, anything relating to sex or dating usually fell under that category.

Zhong had been noticing a hell of a lot more since he’d gotten together with Ash.

It looked like things were pretty well cleaned up in the kitchen, so Dustin wandered back to the living room. Oh, yes. His girl was getting into plenty of trouble. She was running one finger down Ash’s arm, slowly and seductively, while Ash watched with wide, startled eyes. Dustin felt his pulse race, lust pooling low in his belly.

Should he take this further? With both of them?

Maybe he would sometime, but not right now. Not when they hadn’t talked first. And especially not when Zhong had just agreed to stay the night for the first time in ages.

A lot of this was confusing, but he knew for certain that he didn’t want Zhong feeling left out, and that his best friend would want Ash with him tonight.

But that didn’t mean that Dustin couldn’t have a little fun.

He came up behind Lena and put a heavy hand on her shoulder, spinning her to face him.

I can’t let you out of my sight for a minute, can I? he signed, projecting his exasperation. He was Daddy now, but he was giving her an opening to decide how to play it.

Daddy, we were just talking! She stomped her foot.

He raised an eyebrow. So Danger Girl was going for defiant and difficult tonight. His blood raced south. She was magnificent when she was like this: gorgeous, disobedient, and absolutely begging him to take her in hand.

Tell your friend goodnight, he signed curtly.

Daddy! she exclaimed again in outrage. He loved it when she called him that, and it had been happening more and more recently.

Now.

Grudgingly, she turned to Ash, who appeared to be enthralled behind that mask of innocence. They understood exactly what was happening.

Goodnight, she signed, barely moving her arms for the usually-broad sign.