“I’m breathing.” The big ones were infuriating. These were just maddening. “I wasn’t being an asshole, Sir.”
He was just being…him.
“No, of course not.” The second clamp went on pulling his focus, which was equally as maddening. Isaac gave the little chain between his clamps a light tug. “You’re mine.”
His belly went tight, and he swore he got heavier in his chair, gravity that was named Isaac tugging at his attention.
“Mm. Better.” Isaac sat again and picked up his tea. “So. Did you have something to say, boy? And before you answer, ‘nope’ is inappropriate.”
“No, Sir.” He didn’t have anything to say at all, but he was going to watch his Master for a hot minute.
“Much better.” Isaac leaned back in his chair. “Isn’t he pretty, Alain?”
“Yes, M’sieur. Beautiful.” Alain admired him, the gaze open and happy. “The most beautiful golden man.”
“Kitten.” Neil loved them both. So much.
Isaac took a deep breath and slid a hand along his own thigh where the outline of his prick was starting to make an appearance under his fly. “Mhm. As long as I’ve known him.”
His first instinct was to argue, but more than the argument, than the ridiculous pushing that didn’t matter—because it didn’t matter if he felt golden, he knew his Master and his boy both believed it—he needed to know Isaac could take him where he needed to be. So he didn’t say a word.
“Why don’t you deal with the dishes, Alain, while Neil relaxes a bit more.” Isaac leaned forward and rested a finger on the little chain, adding pressure.
“Yes, Sir. My pleasure.” Alain kissed his cheek, Isaac’s. “I love y’all.”
Isaac’s gaze was fixed on his. The pressure eased up on the chain but landed against his cock instead. “He’s a good boy, that kitten. And so are you. Hot, too.”
“He is good.” Neil wasn’t feeling particularly hot, if he was honest. Was he feeling good? He wasn’t sure, but he wasn’t feeling like an asshole either.
Isaac chuckled and rubbed him slowly, exploring, watching. “Just waiting for our kitten to finish his chores.”
“Just waiting, Sir?” He didn’t quite follow, but he found he didn’t care. He was caught by the soft, random touches, the heat of that hand.
“Mhm. Before we move somewhere more comfortable. To see what we can get up to for dessert.”
“I don’t know if—” He cut his eyes to Alain. This wasn’t the sort of thing he was going to discuss in front of his sub. Isaac knew that.
“Hm.” Isaac stood, getting hold of his chair. “Come meet us in the bedroom when you’re done in here, Alain?”
“Yes, Sir. Sirs.” Alain shook his head. “Both.”
“Good boy.” Isaac rolled him out of the kitchen, toward the bedroom and closed the door behind them.
“Sorry, Master, but you know…” He wanted to seem, if not invincible, then solid.
“I understand.” Isaac rolled him over and sat on the bench at the end of their bed. “Tell me.”
“I haven’t had a hard-on since the shooting. I haven’t tried to, but… I haven’t. I’m tired.”
“I respect that. But you’re also a man, a lover, a sub, and a human being. You need to start trying to re-engage.” Isaac tugged gently on his chain again. “And you love this fucking thing.”
“I did. I do. And this is scary as hell, the idea that it won’t work.” He tried to chuckle, because it was true. He loved sex. He loved scenes. He loved the three of them in bed, exploring.
“Anxiety doesn’t make it better. Try to focus on what you want, what usually turns you on, and let’s see what happens. Don’t worry about performance. Alain and I have been waiting for you to come home. Intimacy has many definitions.” Isaac kissed him, fingers gliding over his cock again.
“Y’all didn’t have to wait.” But he loved the respect, the honor, and the love in those words. “Thank you.”
“We did though. We discussed it, and we agreed it didn’t feel right. This—all of it—is our journey together.”