Page 132 of Love Unlimited

They rolled onto their back and grinned up at him, feeling boneless and happy. They could tell he felt it, too.

The three of them broke apart a little, still sweaty and panting, but shifting enough to include Daddy in their space.

Dustin propped himself up on one elbow, chest still near to Lena’s back. Was that all right for you?

It was beautiful. Daddy signed sincerely. I think I would like to do that pinwheel thing with you, he told Ash. You loved it.

Ash wanted to feel aroused again, but all they could feel was deliriously, sleepily happy. Please. Whenever you want to. Any other thoughts?

Daddy shook his head. Just that I love you. All of you. He met Lena’s eyes, and then Dustin’s, taking the time to wordlessly express that to each of them.

Did you take a lot of notes? Dustin asked fondly.

Yeah. The spanking and the crop wasn’t as bad as I thought. I liked watching all of you so happy together.

Lena reached a single hand toward his shoulder. We liked having you here. Thank you for staying. There was an aching sincerity to her words, a special sense of connection that was just for the two of them.

Zhong held up a handful of tall white flowers and he laid one across Lena’s chest. It looked like lace gleaming in the firelight.

Her eyes grew big and round and her hand drifted up to pet the flat cluster of tiny blossoms.

It was such an exquisitely Daddy gift, a beautiful plant for a beautiful girl. Something he could give her that didn’t involve anything he was uncomfortable with and was perfect for the moment.

Do you know what I was just thinking about? he asked.

Ash couldn’t wait to find out. With Daddy, it could be literally anything, but it would be thoughtful and important.

There’s this phrase that people say at weddings. It translates literally to “flower blossom with the moon coming in full circle.”

What does it mean? Lena asked, her hand drifting back to her gift when she was done.

Zhong laughed and gave her another one of the flowers. It doesn’t translate well. A full moon represents a feeling of completeness and wholeness. The flowers blossoming are beauty growing and expanding. There’s also an element of time and eternity, as there always is with circles. So as a wish, it might be something like “may your relationship grow in beauty and completion forever.”

He gave Ash a flower too, then gave one to Dustin. Ash brushed theirs against their cheek, the tiny white dots both soft and scratchy against their skin, just like lace.

Dustin ran his thumb around the circular edge of his flower, then rested it on Lena’s side. That’s a lovely wish. Are we too sweaty and gooey for you to come over here for snuggles?

Nope. I was thinking of getting the baby wipes, but Ash promised me sweet and sticky. I knew what I was getting into.

Everyone laughed as Daddy melted into Ash’s back, cupping their whole body against his. Daddy was still fully dressed, the soft cotton of his t-shirt warm where Ash’s skin was starting to cool.

Now everything was perfect.

Look at the stars, Lena told them.

There were a thousand of them stretching across the sky. And the moon, high and pale and round, promising eternity or whatever Daddy had poetically explained. They’d have to ask him again in the morning. Maybe paint it into a picture.

Ash never wanted this moment to end.

Chapter 22

Dustin

Dustin woke to the sound of birds chirping and the dappled light of the forest on the roof of the tent. He was suddenly too warm, but after kicking off his blankets he still wasn’t ready to get up. His head rested on Zhong’s firm shoulder, with nothing separating Zhong’s heated skin from his chest. Landon and Ash were sprawled across the other mattress in an adorable tangle of blankets and limbs.

By unspoken agreement, they’d slept in a different arrangement on the two air mattresses each night and unzipped all the sleeping bags. He’d curled up around Zhong the first evening, laughing at Ash and Lena’s antics as they tickled each other and squirmed before finally settling down to sleep, arms entwined. Zhong had tossed Lena a pacifier, and watching her press it to Ash’s lips was something he’d remember always.

The second evening he’d been entranced to watch Zhong brush Landon’s hair, braid it, and then pull him down gently into his arms. Ash had jumped into bed with Dustin, covering him with playful kisses before curling up to be his little spoon.