Limitless Love: A Polyamorous Charity Anthology

11. Rowan

Sitting with his husband and best friends in a restaurant wasn’t unusual, but there was an underlying meaning behind the seating arrangements. But what was it? Rowan didn’t mind either way and, instead, focused on the conversation, which was as easy as it had always been. From what Rowan had experienced, nothing seemed to have changed since their decision to try a quad relationship.

After the waitress delivered their starters, Bryan asked, “So, I’d like to broach the subject of the rules for us.”

Lev choked on his soup, covering his mouth with his napkin while he got himself under control. Rowan grinned. “I think you shocked him.”

Bryan glanced across at Lev. “I always do.” He winked, and Lev’s cheeks darkened.

“I’ll go first,” Gary said. “I’m open to any mixes when it comes to being together. I don’t mind if two or all three of you want to go off and have a date or have sex,” Lev choked again, “or just chat without me.”

“And I second that,” Rowan said, reaching out and squeezing Gary’s thigh. “We’ve already spoken between ourselves about it, but we’re happy to work with whatever you’d prefer.”

Bryan glanced at Lev and raised his eyebrows. “Sweetheart?”

Lev put his spoon down, wiped his mouth with his napkin and sat back, staring at his bowl, his eyes darting around. There was something so cute about him when he was thinking, but Rowan knew what he was going to say. After all, when Lev had called him earlier after leaving Bryan and Gary downstairs, he’d called because he thought they wanted more and wasn’t sure how to say yes without checking with Rowan first. Which was why Rowan had told him to put him on a video call and sneak down the stairs.

“I’m happy with that, too. I’d like to not have to worry about what is and isn’t okay when someone isn’t around. I don’t want it to feel like we’re cheating.”

“We’re definitely not,” Bryan said, slipping an arm around Lev’s shoulder. “And I feel the same.” He smiled. “Which brings me to my next question. How do you feel about splitting up this date into sections so we can see the dynamic between two of us, and then later this evening, swap again?”

Rowan had to hand it to him; he was a genius. First, he got them to Tennants, which was an amazing place and also had a bar area where you could go for drinks separate from the restaurant side. And then, he suggested they divide their date. It would be the perfect way to keep them in their little bubble of a date but give them the time to get to know the other sides of their quad without feeling like they were, as Lev put it, cheating. It was genius.

“I love the idea,” Rowan said.

Everyone agreed, and Lev showed no uncertainty, which was a positive. They finished their main dish and desserts while talking about anything and everything except what was going to happen. And when Rowan put his fork down, being the last to finish his chocolate cheesecake, there was no uneasiness at all.

“Who’s going with who first?” Lev asked.

“You pick,” Bryan said.

Lev licked his lips. “Gary.”

Bryan nodded and grinned at Rowan. “Looks like it’s you and me, Ro.”

Rowan’s stomach swooped. Being on the receiving end of Bryan’s smile was as deadly as having Lev or Gary grin at him. He was done for. They were his, and that was it.

“Bring it on.”

Bryan requested the bill and insisted on paying for them, and then they moved into the bar area. They ordered a drink each, which Gary paid for, and split off into their couples, heading a few chairs away from each other but still within eyesight should they need anything.

Rowan dropped onto the comfortable leather sofa and exhaled.

“Everything okay?” Bryan asked.

Rowan rolled his head towards him and smiled. “Perfect.” He sat upright again. “I guess I’ve been concerned that Lev will change his mind. I won’t ever begrudge him that, but it’s hard.”

Bryan scooted closer and slid his arm along the back of the sofa behind Rowan’s neck. “I think we all need to try to forget about that and just go full steam ahead. I’ve known Lev a long time, and I don’t have any fears that he’s going to change his mind. Not now. He might be unsure about how things work, which is why I’m trying to do these things for him, but he’s all in. As am I,” he murmured, leaning closer.

Rowan smiled and lifted his chin, meeting his chaste kiss. “Thanks. I’ll get over it.”

Bryan cupped his cheek. “No, if you’re worried, say so. We need to communicate, remember? What’s the first rule of poly relationships?”

“Communication.”

“Well, I was going to say sex, but…”

They laughed, and Rowan listed to the side, resting his head on Bryan’s shoulder. “This was a great idea of yours,” he said, sipping his beer. “Especially as we’re supposed to be celebrating your new job.” He poked Bryan in the side. “Congrats, by the way.”

Bryan smiled. “Thanks. Being here with you all is all I need to celebrate.”

“Aww, so sweet.”

The arm Bryan had around his shoulders tightened, and his hand gripped Rowan’s jaw and lifted. “Gary warned me about your sass. He said it was ten times worse when you were in a relationship. I guess he wasn’t wrong.”

Rowan shrugged and rubbed his hand on his thigh. “Is that a problem?”

Bryan didn’t answer. Instead, he kissed him, soft and slow, deep and explorative, and Rowan’s head spun. It was so different from Gary’s kiss but felt so right all the same. When Bryan pulled back, Rowan tried to follow.

“How has work been?” Bryan asked, and it took Rowan several seconds to bring his brain back online.

“Busy.”

They chatted about anything that came up, leisurely kissed between, watched Gary and Lev interact, and kissed some more. Rowan was becoming addicted to Bryan’s kisses as much as he was already addicted to Gary’s. Hopefully, when they swapped, he’d get Lev’s mouth, too.

After an hour, Bryan asked if he wanted another drink, and Rowan agreed, so they headed to the bar. Gary and Lev joined them shortly after.

“My treat, this time!” Rowan said as Lev opened his mouth. Lev frowned.

“Hey, I was going to say that.”

“You get the next one.” Rowan blew him a kiss.

“I think it’s time for swapsies,” Gary said, and Rowan grinned.

“Ooh, I get you, darling,” Rowan said, using a bad American accent and tucking Lev under his arm.

Bryan stared at them. “I’m not sure if I like my plan any longer,” he muttered.

Gary sighed. “I did tell you. Once they got together, there would be hell to pay.”

Lev frowned. “We don’t have to?—”

“They’re teasing, Lev. They know I’m going to corrupt you. Bring you over to the dark side.” Lev laughed, his tension evaporating, which was what Rowan wanted. “Come on. Let’s snuggle.”

Lev didn’t deny him the snuggle comment, so when they found a corner sofa, they dropped into it, and Rowan rested his head on Lev’s shoulder.

“How are you really doing, Lev?”

Lev didn’t answer right away, and Rowan loved that about him. Some people were willing to give immediate platitudes when they thought they were needed, but having someone actually consider their answer was so sexy.

“I’m doing great. I’m loving this. I’m going to be exhausted and hungover tomorrow, but I love spending time with you—all of us together and separately. We can keep doing this, right?”

“Without a doubt. Date nights galore, if you think about it. Four of us, four date nights a month at least. Perfection!” Lev laughed and kissed Rowan’s head. Rowan lifted his head. “You missed.” He tapped his lips, and Lev smiled.

His best friend leaned forward and captured Rowan’s mouth in a soul-searing kiss. His was a softer exploration but no less mind-blowing, and Rowan gave as good as he received.

“How can kisses be so consuming yet all different?” Lev panted when he pulled back.

“Did I miss you kissing Gary?”

Lev’s cheeks flushed. “Um, maybe?”

Rowan cupped Lev’s cheek. “Remember, we’re all together now. It’s fine. No jealousy. I love that you kissed him. I just wished I’d seen it. Must’ve been when your husband had his tongue down my throat.”

Lev hissed and pressed his hand against his cock. “Please don’t put visuals into my head like that. I’m barely hanging on as it is.”

Rowan pressed another kiss to his lips. “Oh, poor baby. We’ll have to do something about that later.”

Lev closed his eyes, and if Rowan wasn’t mistaken, he stopped breathing. A few seconds later, a whoosh of air left Lev, and he glared at Rowan. “You’re mean.”

Rowan grinned. “I’m perfect.”

Lev smiled. “That you are.”