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PROLOGUE

“Alright, fellas, it’s time for you to go anywhere but here,” the bartender calls out.

I glance around what is apparently the empty all-inclusive resort bar where Joey, Patrick, and I are wrapping up our game of pool.

“Well, shit. Can’t believe it’s already two a.m.,” Joey murmurs.

I nod in agreement. “Apparently, time also flies when you’re sober.”

“Probably why we’re the only ones still out,” Patrick confirms, and I chuckle, thinking about the rest of our friends currently passed out in their hotel rooms.

The three of us are on a trip together for the first time, celebrating our mutual friend Tara’s birthday with a big group. Even though Joey and Patrick are married, we’ve been close for years, and they never make me feel like the odd one out.

They moved into my building in New York City a few years ago, and at first, I hadn’t realized they were a couple. I’d see Patrick with his constant smirk, striking green eyes, and permanent tan, coming home looking hot as hell in dirty work clothes clinging to his obscene muscles. Now I know he’s a structural iron and steel worker who spends most of his time doing manual labor outdoors, and fuck me does his physique benefit. Other times, I’d see an equally sexy man with curly dark hair and warm brown eyes that almost looked gold in the right light. He was always dressed in a suit that did nothing to hide his wide shoulders and athletic build. They’re both bigger men than me, exactly my type, and it was impossible not to imagine myself with each of them.

Then, I found out they were married, and for half a second, I was disappointed that dating either one was off the table. But my daydreams quickly morphed into being sandwiched between them. Who wouldn’t fantasize about both holes being filled by the hot gay couple across the hall?

Even knowing they were married, I couldn’t help but flirt with them. I did it when they were together to gauge their comfort level with my admittedly over-the-top advances, and they didn’t seem to mind, joking around with me easily in a way that made it clear we all shared a similar sense of humor. Flirting with them lacked all of the pressure that would normally accompany my more serious attempts to hook up, which made it so much more fun. I definitely didn’t hold back suggesting that the three of us could have a great time together if they were ever looking for a third.

My flirty, forward exchanges actually led us to become friends. Now, we hang out a couple of nights a week, at a bar, at their place or mine, watching sports, Drag Race, reality TV, anything really. Maybe spending so much time with a couple should be awkward, but they’ve never made me feel like I’m encroaching on their time together.

“Alright, let’s head back,” Patrick suggests as he starts to head for the exit with Joey and me close behind.

It’s a short walk across the quiet courtyard of our hotel. When we get inside and off the elevator on our floor, I turn to leave them with one of my signature parting lines. “Today was fun, let me know if you’re ever looking for a third.”

Normally, we would all chuckle as we waved goodbye, but something tonight has me pausing. It’s one of the first lines I said to them after finding out they were a couple, and they got a kick out of it, so the repeated suggestion has never felt out of place. But it’s been a couple of years now, and lately I have wondered if I was imagining their typical amusement shifting into something else.

Am I crazy to think it might be curiosity? Interest?

Right now, they aren’t laughing. They aren’t even smirking. They’re both silent, and my heart rate is picking up as I study the shift in their reaction. Could they actually be considering it?

Despite my flirty comments, I do fully respect and admire their relationship. My goal has never been to come between them. If they ever told me my comments made them uncomfortable, I’d never bring it up again. But they never have, and now they’re looking at each other intensely, locked in a silent conversation the way only a couple who’s been together for years can.

Patrick raises a brow, and slowly, Joey nods.

Holy shit.

Does this mean what I think it means? Are they taking my offer seriously? Are they interested in hooking up with me?

Joey, the slightly more serious of the two, turns to face me. “We’ve been talking a lot about this, actually. We don’t want you to think this is a spur-of-the-moment thing. Leading up to this trip, we thought if you asked—since we’re on vacation and out of our normal routine—we could let you know.”

He echoes my words back to me in the same teasing tone I always use. Except, they aren’t joking. I lock eyes with Patrick, who’s wearing his signature confident, sexy smirk, and he nods. The confirmation has my dick thickening, and there’s no hiding my arousal in these thin shorts if they look.

I need to be completely positive, though. I don’t want to be a fool and throw myself at them if they’re only trying to be funny. Even though this would be an uncharacteristically cruel joke for people I’ve never once known to be mean. So, before I make any move toward them, I ask, “What are you saying?”

Patrick speaks up this time, a challenging smile now on his chiseled face as he leans toward me. “We’re letting you know we’re looking for a third. What do you say? What happens on vacation stays here, kind of thing?”

I’m giddy that this is happening, but I’m not naive. Once we do this, I know there’s no do-over, so I clarify one last time. “You’re sure? Obviously, I want this—holy fuck do I want this—but I don’t want to come between your relationship or ruin our friendship.”

“You won’t,” Joey assures me, stepping closer to me now, too. His big body leans over mine.

They’re sure. They planned this.

I’m so fucking happy right now.

I smirk, no longer trying to hide my enthusiasm. “Well, then, I only have one more question… Your room or mine?”

“Ours,” Patrick decides, mirroring my excited expression. “Come on.”