Page 113 of Love Unlimited

He rolled over and snuggled his back into Daddy’s chest, adjusting the hard pillow under his head. He was still a little sleepy. He and Zhong had stayed awake until Dustin and Ash arrived after midnight, and then it had taken a while to get everyone settled in. The night before, he’d slept poorly too, not quite brave enough to crawl into Zhong’s bed although he was certain he would have been welcome.

He wasn’t sure what he was waiting for, since he’d fallen asleep watching the sure breaths rise and fall in Zhong’s defined chest and wishing he could come a bit closer.

But this morning all four of them were back together, just as they should be. They’d attend the wedding this morning and afternoon, and go camping tonight.

He knew that Zhong and Ash each had their own anxieties around the wedding, but he felt like he was far enough on the periphery as the brother’s-best-friend’s-partner that he could just be there to enjoy the experience and support everyone as well as he could.

Ash rolled over in their bed and two bright eyes met his from across the gap between the beds.

Good morning, Landon signed languidly.

Ash giggled. We’re having a slumber party.

Landon grinned. He felt an outpouring of something tender and warm, but at the same time so strong that it felt like it was burning a hole through him. Love? Was that even possible?

It had been difficult to admit his love for Dustin, even after the man claimed him, breaking him down and putting him back together in a way that he never even let himself hope for. Dustin had been relentless, pursuing him when he was at his worst and loving him when he thought he was unlovable. Dustin had worked for Landon’s love, but Landon had worked just as hard to let him in.

With Ash, it seemed almost too easy. Deceptively easy.

Ash was sexy and gorgeous with their sleep-tousled hair, clad in one of Zhong’s t-shirts that was so big it slipped down to show off one of their creamy shoulders. Landon’s desire for them had been steadily growing since he found out they were interested in him, too. But Ash said they wanted a relationship and Landon still wasn’t sure where that stood. Flirting was easy, but that other stuff took a lot to admit.

He only knew that everything about Ash made life sweeter, like the taste of summer berries on his tongue.

Ash slid from their bed with an exaggerated tiptoe. Landon thought they might head to the bathroom, but instead they pulled up the corner of his blanket. Their slender limbs twined around him and their knees bumped into his as they wriggled into the narrow space.

Landon’s heart raced, and it felt like bubbles of light were floating inside him.

Probably it wasn’t anything special. Everyone loved Ash. They were so easy to love.

His old fears still haunted them. What if it wasn’t love? What if Ash wasn’t going to stay? Or perhaps they didn’t feel as strongly as he did. After all, they already had Zhong, and he knew they had feelings for Dustin.

Ash’s eyes sparkled with mischief as they grinned at Landon, oblivious to his thoughts. It would feel so right just to kiss them right now. Just to flip them over onto the mattress and ravish those sweet, pink lips. Or even nibble along their slender neck and taste their soft skin.

Ash licked their bottom lip, and Landon wondered if this was the moment that everything had been leading up to. He’d been thinking of them for so long, and they were pressed so close to him, lighting up every nerve along his front, while Daddy was still wrapped around his back.

Ash freed one arm, probably intended to sign something. A request? Permission? Or something dirty?

Then suddenly, Ash was falling, arms scrabbling to stay on the mattress. Heart pounding in his chest, Landon reached out to grab them. Ash’s legs were flailing, which made it harder to hold on. He was certain they would both end up on the floor.

There was an instant of terror, and then Dustin’s arm tightened around his waist, drawing them both back to safety.

Once Ash was secure on the bed again—mostly on top of Landon’s body—they started giggling.

Dustin gave them a disgruntled expression, but it slowly melted into a fond smile. When the two of them were stable, he released his grip to sign. What are you doing?

Ash answered first with one free hand, since Landon’s arms were still holding them tight. Having a slumber party? Their eyes were wide and virtuous.

Dustin threw back his head in laughter, the movement rippling through his body and shaking them both. I think you were being naughty, he told Ash, not quite managing to look stern.

Sorry if I kicked you, Daddy Dustin. Are you going to punish me? Ash asked, innocence personified.

Something smoldered in Dustin’s gaze and Ash wriggled against Landon. Ash’s leg had slotted between his, and he clutched them tighter without thinking, rocking up against them. He could feel a moan rising unbidden from his chest.

Would Daddy do it? Was this the time?

Daddy tucked a curl of Ash’s dark hair behind their ear, though it immediately flopped forward again. That wasn’t the agreement.

Ash huffed. That’s a dumb agreement then.