Chapter Fourteen
HASHTAG LAY on the lounger, staring up at the ink-black night sky strewn with stars. “Makes you feel so insignificant, doesn’t it? All that vastness, and here we are, tiny little ants crawling over the skin of a giant blue-green marble floating in space.”
“How many beers have you had tonight?” Roadkill’s voice brimmed with amusement.
“Just the one.” He’d wanted to keep a cool head, because fuck , there was such a lot to consider.
Eve spoke softly off to his left. “One day and everything changes.”
That was the opening Hashtag had been waiting for.
“Let’s get closer to the fire pit.” The air had a definite chill. He got up and headed down the stone steps that led to the patio chairs. Behind them, the house was quiet; everyone else had gone to bed.
Which is where I should be at this hour.
Roadkill chuckled. Now you’re talking.
He caught Eve’s giggle as she joined him.
“We haven’t stopped talking since the two of you walked through the front door,” Roadkill reminded them as he strolled over to the fire pit. The flames lit up his face, reflecting in his glasses.
“Both out loud and inside our heads,” Eve added, holding out her hands to warm them. “That mental lockbox Horvan and Dellan told us about…. Have either of you tried it yet? I mean, have you tried to hide your thoughts?”
“Not yet,” Hashtag admitted. “Maybe tomorrow when I’m not so tired. And we still need to talk. This is important.”
Eve studied him. “Yeah, I can feel that. What’s on your mind?”
Hashtag stared into the orange-yellow flames. “There’s a reason a lot of military guys stay single. Well, two, actually. Having a partner can be a distraction, and bad guys can see that as a weakness to be exploited.” He grimaced. “Saul, Vic, and Crank learned that the hard way.” He glanced at Eve, then Roadkill. “But we have a totally new situation. What happens when we’re on a mission? How am I gonna concentrate when I’m worrying about you two? Because losing either of you is gonna have consequences. You’re more than partners.” He swallowed. “I asked Dellan what happens when someone loses a mate. His answer wasn’t helpful. He said he didn’t have a clue. Then he added he hoped he never gets to find out.”
“Now wait a minute.” Roadkill stared at him. “Did you ever worry about me before when we went on missions? And tell the truth.”
Hashtag didn’t have to think about it. “No, I didn’t.”
“And why not?”
“Because I know you can take care of yourself,” he admitted.
“Exactly.” Roadkill’s smile was as warm as the firelight that danced on his skin. “Nothing’s changed. Well, except for one thing. When we go out on missions, we’ve got radios, mics….” His eyes gleamed. “We don’t need any of those. And that means we’ll be aware of each other. If something happens to one of you, I’ll know about it in a heartbeat, which also means I can respond faster.”
Eve nodded. “What he said. You’re both good at what you do. You wouldn’t have gotten this far if you weren’t.” She smiled. “Well, so am I, and I happen to think we make a pretty formidable team.”
Hashtag smiled too. “You and Roadkill are rocking the pretty part, at any rate.”
Roadkill shuffled his chair closer to Hashtag’s. “So I’m pretty? You have noticed me, then?”
He chuckled. “Course I have.”
“So that means we can hit the sack now?”
Eve snickered. “What he said.”
Hashtag threw his hands up in the air. “Look, I’m trying to do the right thing, okay? We just found out we share a profound connection. That doesn’t give us carte blanche to jump on each other’s bones.” He gazed at them. “I want to get to know you guys.”
Eve got out of her chair, walked over to him, and crouched in front of him, the firelight providing her with a golden aura as it backlit her hair. “I love that you’re trying to do things the right way, to be a gentleman. And if it was any other time, and you two were any other people, I’d say sure, let’s take the slow path. But let’s be honest. Thanks to this connection, we already know each other far more intimately than couples who’ve been together decades.”
“But you have this overwhelming feeling that time isn’t ours to do with as we please,” Roadkill interjected. “I feel it too.”
Eve nodded. “Yes. I can’t help it. I know you said you’d give me space, privacy… but what if that’s not what I want?” She sat back on her haunches, and Hashtag’s nostrils filled with the scent of her, the essence of her that turned him inside out, upside down, back to front. “Question. Have you both had a ton of relationships?”
Roadkill snorted. “Yeah, right. The lifestyle precludes that.”
“Same here.” Hashtag shrugged. “You get used to taking what you can get.”
Eve tilted her head to one side. “Not exactly satisfying, is it? I know how you feel. And I’m tired of meaningless sexual encounters designed to merely scratch an itch. I want something real .” She stood, moving between their chairs, and took their hands in hers. “And something tells me I’ll have that—with you. So sure, if you really want, I’ll find a room of my own. Just be prepared for the consequences. Both of you.”
Roadkill blinked. “Hey. I was going to suggest we all share one room, so don’t lump me in with him.” He turned his head to give Hashtag a beseeching glance unlike any other he’d given in all the ten plus years Hashtag had known him. “Quit being so noble and do what your heart is telling you to do.”
Hashtag knew exactly what his heart wanted. Maybe he’s right. Then Eve’s words registered. “Be prepared for the consequences, you said. What consequences?”
Eve stared at him, and the silence that fell pressed in against him.
When he felt a hand on his cock, he glanced down to find—
Nothing.
But I can feel it. Soft, warm fingers stroked his length.
“Feels good, doesn’t it?” Eve murmured.
“How… how are you doing this?”
“I’m imagining how it feels to stroke your dick.” She grinned. “Actually, it feels damn good. So go to your own bed by all means. But you’re going to know exactly what I’m thinking about all night long until it has the desired effect. And that’s both of you in my bed. Me in your arms.” She expelled a breath, and the invisible hand was gone. “I’ve just found my mates, and I want them to hold me, caress me, kiss me. If you want to wait to make love, okay. I can deal. But I really don’t think you want that, do you?”
Hashtag knew when he was fighting a losing battle—one he didn’t want to win in the first place. “No, I don’t.”
“Then let’s stop talking and go upstairs so we can get to know each other a whole lot better.”
“As soon as we get the practicalities out of the way,” Roadkill said in a decisive tone. “Not knowing how it works with shifters, but do we need condoms?”
“I’m good to go.” She glanced at him. “Besides, do you have any?”
Roadkill shook his head.
“And I don’t either,” Hashtag added.
Eve peered at them. “Have either of you fucked bareback before? I’m asking because if you get as many physicals as I do, you know if you’re good to go too.”
Heat rolled over Hashtag in a slow tide, and his hole tightened at the thought of Roadkill’s shaft sliding bare into him, nothing between them.
Holy fuck.
Roadkill grinned. “I don’t think we need to continue this conversation, do you?”
“Hell no.” Hashtag stood up, Roadkill with him, and still holding hands, Eve led them toward the house.
It was cool inside as they climbed the stairs. Hashtag’s heart was pounding, but he knew Roadkill’s was hammering too. Eve tightened her grip on their hands.
“Don’t be scared,” she whispered. “You’ve shared plenty of experiences in the past. Well, this is a new experience, and if my instincts are correct, it’s going to feel amazing.” She paused at the top step. “Whose room are we going to?”
“Mine,” Roadkill told her. “It’s got more space, not to mention a bigger bed than Hashtag’s.” He pointed to the door. “That’s it.” He led the way, opened it, and went inside.
“I think this is what happens next,” Hashtag said as he lifted her into his arms and carried her across the threshold.
Eve pressed her cheek to his. “And this is where I tell you that a gorilla can lift something that weighs two thousand kilos, which is over ten times their body weight and equivalent to about thirty humans.”
He chuckled. “Then you get to carry both of us in next time.”
AS SOON as the door closed, Roadkill’s imagination went into overdrive.
I think Christmas just came early.
Eve chuckled as Hashtag lowered her onto the bed. “As long as neither of you do.” She cocked her head. “Or is this something I should know about? Is a stiff breeze all it takes to pull your trigger?” Her eyes were bright.
Roadkill laughed. “I’m all about the stamina, baby. And right now, stiff is the perfect description.” He watched as she unclipped her hair, letting it fall in long dark bronze waves that framed her face and tumbled onto her shoulders. He loved her leanness, her toned muscles, the set of her jaw.
Hell, he loved every bit of her.
Fuck, you’re beautiful.
Eve smiled. “You’re easy on the eyes too. But I’m curious.” She pointed to Hashtag. “What do you think of our mate over there?”
He stared at Hashtag, drinking in the sight of the man he knew so well—his strong jawline, the clear blue eyes that sparkled when he laughed, the permanent five o’clock shadow because Hashtag hated shaving every day, the spiky haircut he hadn’t changed in years. Roadkill already knew by heart what lay beneath Hashtag’s jeans and tight tee. He’d seen it enough in the shower.
He smiled. “Hashtag? He’s as hot as you are.” He chuckled. “It’s like standing in front of a buffet and not knowing where to start.”
“I think I know.” Eve gestured to him and Hashtag. “So you two have never—”
“Never,” Hashtag blurted.
“Not even a threesome where you shared a woman—or a man?”
“Not even that.”
“And you’ve been buddies for how long?”
“Ten years, give or take,” Roadkill told her.
Eve nodded. “So you’ve fought together, shared quarters. I’m going to guess you’ve both had a few women in your time.” She glanced at Hashtag. “And by the sound of it, you’ve had a few guys too.”
Roadkill jerked his head in Hashtag’s direction. “Wait—what? You’re bi?”
Eve blinked. “You didn’t know, did you?” She peered at Roadkill. “Have you ever been with a guy?”
“Uh-uh.”
Hashtag gaped at him. “Then what was all that stuff you came out with downstairs? Was that just bravado? Because you sure sounded like you knew what you were talking about.”
Roadkill shrugged. “So I’ve looked at your ass. Hey, I like asses. But I’ve never stuck my dick in one.” He flushed. “Well, in a guy’s, at any rate.”
Eve snorted. “I shouldn’t think it’s all that different from a woman’s.” Then she smiled. “Okay, that settles it.” She shuffled back toward the headboard and leaned against the mound of pillows. “This first time is all about you boys.”
Roadkill blinked. “What?”
“And where do you fit in that scenario?” Hashtag demanded. “Because after that trick with your hand on my cock, we all know you want this as much as we do.”
“Oh, don’t you worry about me. We’ll get around to that soon enough. And now I know Roadkill’s into anal?” She grinned. “Taking both of you at the same time went to the top of my bucket list.”
Oh dear Lord . Roadkill’s shaft was like steel.
“But not tonight,” Eve added with a smile. “This time is all about you two, connecting in a whole new way. And as for me? I get a front row seat.”
“You’re gonna sit there and watch ?” Roadkill couldn’t keep his incredulity out of his voice.
Eve gave him a sweet smile. “Think of me more as a… facilitator.” She pointed to Hashtag. “Now kiss him, and make it good enough to curl his toes.”
“Are you always this demanding?” Roadkill asked with a grin.
“Honey, you have no idea. But judging from what I heard downstairs, you’d give me a run for my money.” She paused. “Now make him yours.”
Roadkill smiled. “Yes, ma’am.” He crooked his finger. “Come here.”
Hashtag stood in front of him, and Roadkill didn’t hesitate. He cupped Hashtag’s nape and pulled him in for a no-holds-barred kiss, going deep, loving the groans that escaped him.
“Oh Gods, he likes that,” Eve gasped. “More.”
Roadkill had no intention of stopping there. He kissed Hashtag roughly, his hands all over those wide shoulders, the broad back, the narrow waist, loving the feel of hard flesh beneath his fingertips. He slid his hands lower to squeeze that firm ass.
Roadkill leaned in. “You want me in there, don’t you?”
“Yes.” The word was almost a moan.
He arched his eyebrows. “Forgotten already?”
Hashtag blinked. “Yes… sir.”
Roadkill grinned. “That’s better.” He molded his body against Hashtag’s, feeling hardness that was easily the equal of his. He rocked against Hashtag’s erection, loving the soft noises that only added to the need pouring from him.
He took a step back, severing their connection. “Undress me. Everything comes off.”
Hashtag’s fingers trembled as he removed Roadkill’s clothing, especially when he got down to his briefs, where his cock strained against the black cotton, the head already poking above the waistband. Hashtag’s light touch on his dick only served to ramp up Roadkill’s desire.
“Take ’em off,” he instructed.
Hashtag slowly lowered the briefs, revealing Roadkill’s erection an inch at a time until at last it sprang free, pointing to the ceiling.
“Wow.” Eve’s voice sounded awed, and Roadkill felt way taller than his five feet and seven inches. “Talk about packing.”
Hashtag grasped the hem of his own tee, and Roadkill frowned. “Did I say you could?”
The tremors that rippled through Hashtag sent a clear message.
Holy fuck, he’s really digging this.
Roadkill spread his feet apart. “On your knees. Suck it.” He caught the hitch in Eve’s breathing, but his hearing only confirmed the thoughts that filled her head.
If this is what it’s going to be like every time….
I know! The delight in Eve’s voice lit him up inside. Then Roadkill groaned when Hashtag gave the head of his cock a hard suck.
“No hands,” he instructed. “Just your mouth.” He cupped Hashtag’s head and gave a leisurely thrust before going deeper.
So thick. So fucking long. Hashtag’s eyes were huge as he swallowed more and more of Roadkill’s shaft.
Roadkill smiled. “Good boy. That’s it, take it.” He pulled free and smacked the head of his dick a couple of times against Hashtag’s cheek before sliding it once more between his lips. “Take your cock out. Show me how hard this gets you.”
Hashtag fumbled with the zipper, shoving his jeans over his hips, his shaft bobbing up. Roadkill loved how it curved to the left, precum descending from the slit in a glistening trickle.
This is amazing. I feel everything that you do. Watching you adds to it all. Even her thoughts had a breathless quality to them.
“ Now you can get undressed,” Roadkill told him.
Hashtag’s grin was a thing of beauty. “Yes, sir.” He stood and discarded his clothing in the blink of an eye, his erection evidence of his arousal. Roadkill took a moment to admire the deep vee that led from above Hashtag’s hips to his pubic hair, the flatness of his belly, the smooth skin in direct contrast to his stubble-covered jaw.
He drew Hashtag to him, unable to ignore the siren call of that mouth, desperate to taste those lips again.
“Get his hole ready,” Eve instructed.
Roadkill grinned. “There’s lube in the nightstand drawer.”
Eve chuckled. “Uh-uh. Don’t prep him with your fingers. Use your mouth.”
What the—
“I… I….”
“You’ve never done that?” Eve laughed. “So you’re okay sticking your dick in a hole, but not your tongue?” She cocked her head. “You ever had your ass eaten?” He shook his head, and she chuckled. “The thought turns you on, though, right? That much I can tell.”
Roadkill couldn’t hide a damn thing from her, and he knew it.
Eve gave him a triumphant smile. “In that case… eat his ass. Jump to it, baby.”
Then he realized Hashtag was already on the bed on his hands and knees, back arched, ass tilted, his knees wide.
Roadkill snorted. “Oh, so you like that idea too, huh?”
Hashtag twisted to glance at him over his shoulder. “Yes, sir.” He raised his chin, and Eve kissed him. She gazed along his body, smiling.
“Still enjoying the view?” Roadkill asked.
“I’ll enjoy it even more when I see your face buried in his crack.”
Roadkill shook his head. “You’re one bossy woman.”
“And you wouldn’t have me any other way.”
Ain’t that the truth?
Roadkill stood behind Hashtag, pulled his cheeks apart, and gave a cautious lick over his pucker.
“More,” Eve said before claiming Hashtag’s mouth in another heated kiss.
Roadkill swept over Hashtag’s hole with a flat tongue, his hand on Hashtag’s dick, tugging it as he licked and sucked.
Eve’s eyes widened, and she stroked Hashtag’s hair. “Holy hell, you like that, don’t you?” Then she chuckled. “Scrap that—you both do.”
It was one hell of a revelation for Roadkill too.
Hashtag moaned, and Roadkill grinned. “Let’s see if he likes this.” He brought the flat of his hand down smack on Hashtag’s ass, and there was no mistaking his reaction. Another moan fell from Hashtag’s lips, but the groan of pleasure that filled Roadkill’s head was even louder. Precum was still dripping onto the comforter in a steady trickle.
He’s ready.
I was ready at first lick, Hashtag groused.
“Flip over and scoot up the bed a little,” Roadkill instructed. Hashtag rolled onto his back, and Eve hooked her arms under his pits to hoist him toward the headboard until his head was in her lap. She bent over to kiss him while Roadkill grabbed the lube and slicked up.
Eve’s right. I know there were no surprises on your last physical . Roadkill grinned. I saw the results, remember? Just like you saw mine. And it’s been months since—
“For fuck’s sake, hurry up and put it in me,” Hashtag cried out.
Roadkill climbed onto the bed, knelt at Hashtag’s ass, and eased into his body, unwilling to rush. He wanted to savor this, to burn the moment into his memory. Our first time.
Hashtag’s gaze met his, and he nodded, mouth open.
Roadkill bit his lip. “So tight,” he murmured.
“So deep,” Hashtag murmured back.
“I can go deeper,” Roadkill said with a grin.
Hashtag’s eyes flashed. “Do it.” Roadkill filled him to the hilt, and Hashtag’s eyes rolled back. “Aw fuck.” Eve stroked his chest and stomach while Roadkill settled into a steady rhythm, hips rolling as he moved in and out, at times withdrawing completely, then spearing his dick deep into Hashtag’s body.
Eve’s hand was on Roadkill’s thigh. How does it compare to fucking with a condom?
He laughed. No comparison. This is awesome. It’s feels as if…. He struggled to find a suitable analogy. It’s like I’m swimming in you, and it’s warm, and comforting, and…. Roadkill bent down and kissed him. I love it .
Hashtag’s hand was on his neck, his gaze fixed on Roadkill’s eyes. I love it too.
Eve leaned over, grasped Hashtag’s ankles, and pulled them toward her, rolling his ass up off the bed. Roadkill leaned forward, his lips meeting Eve’s in a slow kiss while he picked up the pace, driving his shaft all the way home, relishing the noises that poured from Hashtag’s mouth, the sensations that assaulted Roadkill, leaving him in no doubt as to how much Hashtag was loving every fucking minute.
He wrapped his hand around Hashtag’s cock and worked it in time with his thrusts, hips bucking now, not languid but impassioned, not fluid but frantic, his own orgasm within sight.
“How do you feel?” he demanded as he fucked Hashtag with deep strokes.
“Full,” he moaned.
Roadkill withdrew, his gaze locked on Hashtag’s face. “Whose hole is this?”
“Yours.”
He froze, the head of his dick pressing against Hashtag’s hole. “What?”
“Yours, sir .”
He smiled. “Better.” Then he hooked his arms under Hashtag’s knees and fucked him hard and fast while Eve tugged on his cock, the pair of them working together to push Hashtag over the edge. Roadkill’s harsh breath mingled with theirs, and then they were there, Hashtag’s come coating Eve’s hand as Roadkill pulsed into him, his head bowed.
“Kiss me?”
Roadkill couldn’t ignore the entreaty in Hashtag’s voice, and he took Hashtag’s mouth in a fierce, primal kiss. A second later, Eve’s lips met theirs, and they shared a different kind of kiss, one that filled Roadkill with a quiet joy.
It was a weird moment. He withdrew from Hashtag’s warm body, yet he was left feeling empty. As he sat back, he caught his breath at the sight of his own spunk trickling from Hashtag’s body, his hole contracting as he pushed it out.
That is the hottest thing I have ever seen.
A sight Roadkill wanted to witness again. And again. And again.
Hashtag snorted. If you think I’m letting you back in there tonight, think again. We’re talking recovery time here.
“Oh my God.” Eve laughed out loud. “If you’d told me a week ago I could have this much fun without even taking my clothes off, I’d have said you were nuts.”
“So imagine how good it’s going to be when you do.” Hashtag expelled a long breath. “Just give me time to get my breath back.”
Eve traced the line of his spent dick with her finger. “It’s not your breath I’m interested in.” Then she scooped up some of his come and tasted it.
“Feed me some of that,” Roadkill asked her.
Eve swiped her fingers across Hashtag’s belly, then held them to Roadkill’s lips. He sucked on them, his dick twitching when he caught the soft moan that escaped her.
Hashtag chuckled. “You two are gonna kill me, aren’t you?”
Roadkill let out a happy sigh. He’d assumed his life would take a predictable course, and in one day all his assumptions had shattered into a million tiny fragments.
Ready to be molded into an entirely new life that promised to be way better than anything he could have imagined.