Limitless Love: A Polyamorous Charity Anthology

7. Rowan

Gary slapped his ass when the words left Rowan’s lips, and he chuckled. “What? It’s true.” He met Lev’s stunned gaze. “We are perfect together.”

Lev’s mouth curved, and Rowan was treated to his gorgeous smile, something he loved to see. Rowan collapsed to the bed when Gary released him, and he manoeuvred himself fully onto the bed—be it the wrong way, but never mind. Lev faced him, and Rowan grabbed his hand, resting them between them.

“You okay?” he asked, searching Lev’s expression for anything that might give away how he was feeling.

“I’m more than okay. That was…” He exhaled and shook his head. “Amazing.”

“We have so much we can show you,” Rowan said, but before he could give examples, Gary said, “Rowan, baby steps.”

Lev frowned, opened his mouth and closed it again before saying, “I don’t think I need baby steps, Gary.”

Everyone froze, and Bryan settled onto the bed behind Lev, putting his hand on his hip. “Can you talk to us, sweetheart? Tell us how you’re feeling?”

Gary settled behind Rowan, and Rowan reached behind him to grasp his hand, hoping Lev’s words were what they wanted to hear. He’d been extremely forward earlier that evening when he’d told Lev how much they wanted him and Bryan, but he didn’t regret it. Gary had cautioned him on giving too much of himself away since they’d begun a relationship years prior, but he couldn’t help it, especially when it came to his best friends. He wanted everything. With them. But he tried not to push too much because it had to be Lev’s decision at the end of the day. Lev and Bryan’s decision.

Lev was quiet for a moment, and Rowan’s nerves were on edge. Lev glanced at Bryan. “It was amazing, but…”

Rowan’s throat closed, and he shut his eyes, not wanting to see Lev’s face when he told them he couldn’t do it.

“I think I need a few more times before I can decide,” Lev finished, and Rowan’s eyes snapped open, taking in Lev’s cheeky grin.

Rowan’s heart pounded, and he let the brat get away with making him think he’d reconsidered—for now. Payback was a bitch. Instead, he grabbed Lev’s face and kissed him. He slid his tongue inside, tasting every inch of his mouth before he had to let go so they could breathe.

“I think he’s happy about that,” Bryan said.

Rowan glanced at him, his hazel eyes sparkling, and he reached up to grasp his nape and pulled him in for a kiss, too. Their tongues tangled but in an unhurried way, and Bryan gripped his chin, moving him where he wanted him. When they pulled back, Rowan grinned, and Bryan chuckled.

“Gary, your turn,” Rowan said, peering over his shoulder at his husband. Gary’s hand rested on his own nape, a sure sign of feeling overwhelmed. It took a lot for Gary to lose his emotional balance, but Rowan knew when it came to Bryan and Lev, he wanted them as much as Rowan did, and for there to be even the slightest chance of this being more than a few nights, Gary’s feelings would overwhelm him.

Rowan reached for him, but Lev climbed over Rowan and into Gary’s lap, cupping his face, and Rowan didn’t take it personally. Instead, he waited to see what Lev would do.

“Gary?” Lev said, and Gary met his gaze. Tears trembled on his eyelashes, and it wouldn’t take much for them to fall; crying was something he rarely did. “Do you want to know a secret?” Lev whispered. Gary nodded once. “I don’t need to decide because I’d already decided when you and Rowan first touched me. I’d always thought of Bryan as my home, but that has changed slightly. He’s my foundation.” Lev glanced at Bryan and smiled. “He’s what keeps me from sinking into the mud.” He looked back at Gary. “You and Rowan are the walls and roof, and our feelings for each other are the furniture. They can be rearranged, but they’re still there. And yes, they can be broken, but they can also be fixed.”

The tears lost their battle and dripped down Gary’s cheeks, and Rowan’s own did the same. Bryan gripped Rowan’s hand, seemingly as overwhelmed as they all were.

Lev looked at them all, one after the other. “I want this. It feels right. It feels like home. And I’m not letting go of it.”

Gary crushed him in his arms, burying his face into Lev’s neck, and Lev held him. Bryan tugged Rowan into his arms so they could both see Lev and Gary, but they let them have the moment. They had much to discuss, and it would be a learning curve while their emotions found a new normal, but they could do it. They would do it.

It was far too early to say it, but Rowan had always been in love with the three of them. He had never felt like he’d settled for Gary because their relationship and feelings were as solid as they could be. But his best friends had worked their way into his heart beside his husband, and he doubted they would ever leave.

Gary lifted his wet gaze to Rowan and Bryan and reached out a hand. They all scooted closer until everyone touched everyone else.

“I have no idea how I deserved to be this lucky, but I will make sure you feel as lucky as I do every single day we have together,” Rowan said.

They settled into silence, letting the moment wash over them before someone’s stomach grumbled.

“Well, that wasn’t me, so who was it?” Rowan said.

Gary laughed, and Lev lifted his hand. “Me.”

“You ate loads of pizza! How can you be hungry?”

Bryan snorted. “Don’t you know him by now? He’s always hungry despite his small stature.”

Rowan groaned and untangled himself. “Fine. I’ll grab some snacks.” He lifted his dressing gown from the back of the bedroom door, slipping his arms into it and securing the belt. “Any preferences?”

“Hmm, something brown with white spots and a nice warm filling?” Lev asked.

Rowan frowned, having no idea what they had that could be described as that. “That’s rather specific. Do you have a name for it? I suppose I could get dressed and go to the shop.”

The three of them started laughing, and Rowan raised his eyebrows and put his hands on his hips. “What are you laughing at?”

“Its name,” Lev laughed again, “is Rowan.” He waved a hand in his direction.

Rowan blinked. “What?” Then he looked down and realised Lev was talking about his dressing gown, which was brown with white spots. “Okay, haha. I suppose I’m the warm filling then.”

Lev nodded, still chuckling, and Rowan couldn’t help it. He raced back to the bed and jumped into the mix. “Your wish is my command.”

Lev shrieked as Rowan’s fingertips found his ticklish spots. “No! I’ve changed…my mind!” he shouted between laughs. “A sandwich is fine!”

Rowan paused for a second and pointed at Bryan and Gary. “He wants a sandwich. You know what that means.”

Joining in on the fun, both Gary and Bryan settled on either side of Lev, holding him down while Rowan found every ticklish spot he had. Then, once they were all exhausted and panting, he stopped and grinned down at his best friend and lover.

“Still hungry?”

“Yes,” Lev said, grabbing Rowan’s dressing gown and pulling him down into a kiss that made his head spin.

If that was what their lives were going to be like from then on, Rowan would never want for anything.