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Gio sighed heavily, and a knot of worry tightened in Lucien’s stomach. Had they gone too far? Overstepped? They were supposed to be giving Gio some space to think, but all Lucien wanted to do was wrap both him and Calder up in his arms.
Thankfully, the tiniest hint of a smile peeked out on Gio’s perfect lips. “There will be no more dumping water on people’s heads. And there will be no setting them on fire.”
“Is this negotiable?” Lucien inquired.
“No.”
“Are we talking for tonight, or is this forever?” Calder asked.
Gio looked as if he were trying to glare at Calder, but the man was too cute. “Are you planning to douse many people in the future?”
“Only those people who deserve it.” Calder paused, and then added softly, “Or if I’m bored.”
Wiley’s loud cackle reminded Lucien that they were walking down a sidewalk on a busy street and not alone. The young artist was walking ahead of them, hand in hand with Baer, but he twisted around to grin wickedly at Gio. “You so have your hands full with these two.”
For the first time since seeing Dave and Lee, Gio smiled a bit easier. “True, but I’m starting to feel like I might also be in safe hands.”
Chapter Seventeen
Calder lay in the bed with Lucien plastered to his back. Lucien’s breathing was still too fast for him to be asleep. The big guy was wrapping him, nice and cozy, that beautiful cock nestled against Calder’s ass. It would be so easy to roll over and slide his hands all over his body. To wrap his fingers around that dick.
But not without Gio.
His cock might be screaming for attention, but his heart was still weeping for their mate on the other bed.
Gio rolled over to face Calder, his eyes glittering in the faint light coming in through a slit in the curtains.
They stared at each other and Gio sighed. “I want to be in that bed with you two.”
Calder’s heart leaped. “Then come.” He held his arm up to welcome him into their snuggle pile.
“Wait.” Lucien propped himself up on one arm, his other hand rubbing Calder’s stomach. “If you come into this bed, you’re saying you’re willing to give us a chance.”
Seconds ticked by in strained silence before Gio finally nodded. “I think I am.”
“What about not wanting another poly relationship?” Lucien asked, his breath brushing over the nape of Calder’s neck. “Were those two men at the restaurant your exes?”
“Yes.” Gio’s voice was soft. “They’re the reason I’m so scared.”
Calder’s stomach clenched. He nearly climbed out of the bed and into Gio’s, but he didn’t want to leave the safety of Lucien’s arms. “You’re scared?”
“Terrified.” Gio gave a strangled laugh and cleared his throat before trying to speak again. “I was in love with them. We were together almost four years. And then suddenly, they decided they wanted to be a couple instead of a throuple.”
“What?” Lucien barked. His arm tightened about Calder. The Fire Weaver was probably considering ways to burn everything they owned.
Gio covered his face with both hands, scrubbed for a second, and dropped them with a bounce on the bed. “To this day, I’m still not sure what happened. I thought everything was fine. We lived together. Vacationed together. Planned all our time together.” He shrugged. “Sometimes I had to work some longer hours to help with the family business, but they never seemed to mind. I guess they decided they were happier without me.” He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. “I was busy planning a future with them, while they were busy making plans without me.” He twisted his hands in his lap, looking down at them.
“Where did you meet them?” Calder asked.
“I was in college. Dave and Lee had been dating months before I was added.” He shook his head gain. “I was so fucking blindsided by them dumping me.”
Lucien loosened his hold, seeming less ready to set people on fire. “How long has it been?”
“A year. I’m over them now. Tonight was just an unexpected surprise.”
“I’m sorry,” Calder whispered. “Sorry they hurt you and sorry you had to see them tonight.”
“Thanks,” Gio replied, his voice little more than a rough whisper. “When Grey said we were soul mates, all that old pain swept back in. What if it happens again? What if I pour everything into another relationship only to be told you both are better off without me? Pathetic, I know.”
Calder nearly jerked out of Lucien’s arms. Every muscle in his body stiffened, and he balled his hands into fists. “There is nothing pathetic about not wanting to get hurt or wanting to be loved by people you love.”
“We want you, Gio,” Lucien added in a firm voice. “We want a chance for a future with you.”
