Chapter Nine
CIARAN
Ciaran woke up early and headed to the living room to find Geoff stoking the fire. It sprang to life and lit the shadows on the wall with a dazzling display.
“Morning,” Ciaran said. “That fire feels so nice.”
“It’s the best part of the morning,” Geoff said. “Aside from Teddy’s breakfast.”
Geoff stood and stretched. “How did you sleep?”
“Like a baby,” Ciaran said. “That bed is so comfortable.”
“Breakfast is ready, guys,” Teddy called from the kitchen.
“Let’s not keep him waiting,” Geoff said.
They entered the kitchen to see a stack of pancakes, eggs, toast, jam, butter, coffee, and hash browns spread across the table. Ciaran and Geoff sat across from one another at the table.
“Help yourselves,” Teddy said.
The three men filled their plates and ate, with Ciaran savoring every bite. It’d been years since he’d had meals as great as Teddy’s. He needed to learn to make some of this food. While there was time in the mornings, he simply didn’t have the drive to learn.
They’d all cleared their plates, and Teddy grabbed their dishes and the leftovers.
“Ready to work off this meal?” Geoff asked, patting his belly.
“I’m ready when you are,” Ciaran said.
“You guys enjoy your walk. I’m going to clean up here and probably read.”
Geoff stood and kissed Teddy. “See you later, sweetie.”
“Bye, hon.”
Ciaran smiled at the exchange. Sixteen years, and the spark was still there. Seeing a happy gay couple was amazing. He went to his room and bundled up in his winter coat and beanie before meeting Geoff at the front door.
“The trails are beautiful in the winter,” Geoff said.
“I can’t wait.”
They put on boots and headed outside, where he followed Geoff down the stairs and around the side of the cabin. The cool morning air filled his lungs.
“This is the trail I like to take.” Geoff pointed to an opening between some bushes. “It goes around the property and will bring us to the other side of the cabin. Easy to follow, and I can’t get lost.” He laughed.
“Lead the way,” Ciaran said.
Ciaran followed Geoff into the patch of pine trees and, for the first time in years, Ciaran appreciated the distance from the city.
No traffic, no commotion, no need for earplugs.
Just the sound of nature: birds singing, and the wind rushing through the trees.
He closed his eyes and took everything in.
“You like this?” Geoff asked.
“I do,” Ciaran said. “Every time I visit my family, I get this sensation. I don’t know what draws me back to San Francisco anymore.”
He loved nature. His clients found the outdoor pictures he took breathtaking, but he didn’t get out enough to take as many as he wanted.
“Maybe you should think about leaving,” he said. “Move to a place you love and that brings you peace.”
Geoff was right. Ciaran didn’t like the bustle of the city, and for the life of him, he couldn’t remember why he moved there.
“I’ve thought about it.”
“Well, let’s see more of this wonderful landscape.”
Geoff pointed out the different plants and trees they passed. He was smiling, and he radiated excitement.
“You know a lot about nature,” Ciaran said. They’d stopped on a rock halfway through the trail to take a break.
“I love it,” Geoff said. “I feel at home out here. I take walks a few times a week to get out of the house and enjoy it.”
“I need to bring my camera next time,” he said. “I could get some great shots out here.”
“We can come anytime you want.”
Ciaran looked over at Geoff. He was beaming. The man loved talking about this, and Ciaran could relate. He probably looked like that when he discussed web designs or pictures he’d taken.
“Why doesn’t Teddy go with you?” Ciaran asked.
Damn it. That’s none of my business.
“Teddy isn’t much of a hiker,” he said. “He likes to stay home and read, cook, or work on the business.”
“He never comes with you?”
“He will if I ask,” Geoff protested. “But I don’t want him to do something he doesn’t enjoy.”
“I understand.”
“It’s good to have someone to walk with.” He smiled at Ciaran. “To talk to. Someone who has a similar passion.”
“I’m glad I could keep you company.” He smiled back. “I’ll be here a while, so we can take more walks.”
They stood and stretched before continuing their walk.
“So, you two have been together for sixteen years,” Ciaran said.
“Yup. Since we were teenagers.”
“I couldn’t imagine what it’s like being with only one person that long.”
“I haven’t only been with him,” Geoff said, but he didn’t turn around.
“Wait,” Ciaran stopped. “You were with someone before Teddy?”
“No.” Geoff turned around, a grin on his face. “Not something we advertise, but Teddy and I do play with other men once in a while.”
“Oh.” That was all he could muster. “So, you’re in an open relationship.”
“Kinda,” he said. “Sit down, and I’ll explain.”
They found another set of rocks and sat.
“Teddy and I do not play without each other. We will invite a third person, whom we trust, to play with. We’ll rent a hotel room for a night and have fun. The next day, we go our separate ways.”
“Why don’t you invite them to your house?”
“Our home is our space, and we want to keep it as a place for just us in that regard. Having friends over, or even having you stay, doesn’t disrupt that.”
“I’ve never met a couple like you,” Ciaran said. “The couples I know are open, and they both play around. I’ve only known one monogamous couple.”
“We didn’t do it for a long time,” Geoff said. “It was only within the last five years. It takes a lot of honesty, trust, and connection. I’d never want him to have sex without me, and I know he feels the same.”
“What kind of guys are you two into?”
“Guys like us,” Geoff pointed between them. “We’re bears and we love bears.”
A thought pulled at his mind. Did they think of having sex with him? Did they find him attractive?
Geoff just smiled.
“We’re not shy about our lives,” he said. “We don’t promote it, but with certain people, like you, we’re open about it. So, if you have questions, feel free to ask.”
“Thanks.”
They finished the trail and headed into the cabin. It’d been years since Ciaran had walked that much, and it showed.
“I think I’m going to read before lunch,” Ciaran said.
“Go for it,” Geoff said. “We’ll call you for lunch.”
“Great.”
Ciaran made his way down the hall, saying hi to Teddy as he came out of his room.
“How was the walk?” Teddy asked.
“It was great, but exhausting. So, I’m going to relax and read.”
“Enjoy.”
Ciaran lay on his bed in his underwear.
Geoff mentioned they played. Would they want to play with him?
They didn’t play at home, but maybe he could come back through and meet them somewhere.
He closed his eyes and imagined them both naked.
It’d be a new experience to have sex with two large men.
He wanted to try, but Geoff said they didn’t play at home or with guests.
I’ll contact them after I’m out of the area. Maybe they’ll want to play with me then.