Chapter Eleven
TEDDY
Teddy rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Geoff lay in bed, snoring away. He watched him for a few minutes. His blond hair messy from tossing and turning. Teddy kissed him on the forehead and headed to the kitchen, easing the door closed.
Ciaran sat in a chair he’d pulled close to the fire and was reading.
“You’re up early,” Teddy said.
“I couldn’t sleep and thought I’d relax with some reading.”
“Would you like to help me in the kitchen?”
“Really?”
“Yeah. You said you didn’t know how to cook much, so why not learn while you’re here?”
“I’d love to. Thank you.”
“Of course.” Teddy led him into the kitchen and showed him where they kept all the ingredients, pots, pans, silverware, and how their gas stove worked.
“We only have electric stoves where I’m at,” Ciaran said.
“Gas can be tricky, but I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it.”
“So, what’s first?”
Teddy looked at his watch, noting that Geoff would be up in twenty minutes. “We get breakfast ready.”
Teddy directed Ciaran to all the ingredients they were going to need and placed them in specific places he’d set aside. His kitchen was a well-organized space, and everything needed to be in its place for him to run it properly.
Ciaran followed his directions to a tee.
Teddy reached for a wooden spoon and found his hand on top of Ciaran’s. Warmth ran up his arm. A feeling he couldn’t describe. Not like Geoff’s touch, but not the touch of a friend.
“Sorry.” Teddy pulled away.
“No problem.” Ciaran handed him the spoon.
They continued to prepare breakfast. They touched twice more, and the same feeling sprang into Teddy.
What is going on?
“Okay, let’s get the pancake batter ready,” Teddy said.
He guided Ciaran through the order of the ingredients so they’d get the best batter.
“Perfect. Now, use a fork with the pancake mix. It’ll help break up the clumps,” Teddy instructed Ciaran.
“Well, two men cooking breakfast for me? What more could I ask for?” Geoff said.
“Morning, honey,” Teddy said. He wiped his hands on his apron and gave Geoff a hug and kiss. “I’m showing Ciaran how to cook more things.”
“We’re having pancakes, scrambled eggs, baked beans, toast with butter and jam, and juice,” Ciaran said.
“Sounds wonderful,” Geoff said. “I can’t wait.”
“Why don’t you leave breakfast to us, and you go relax?” Teddy kissed him.
“I’ll be waiting,” Geoff said.
Teddy held onto Ciaran’s hand to help him flip the pancakes at the right time. The tingle persisted. He couldn’t explain it. It was a connection he’d never felt with anyone other than Geoff.
What’s happening?
“This came out great,” Teddy said.
“It’s all thanks to you. I don’t think I could make half this stuff.”
“Well, now you know,” Teddy smiled.
Ciaran set the table while Teddy brought out all the food. “Breakfast is ready.”
Geoff joined them, and they filled their plates.
“This is fantastic,” Geoff said. “These pancakes are so buttery.”
“That was Ciaran’s idea,” Teddy said. “He wanted a little extra butter in the batter. Turns out, it works. I’m adding that to my recipe.”
He glanced over to see Ciaran blushing.
“I’ll help clean up,” Ciaran said when they’d all finished.
“Are you sure?” Teddy asked.
“Yup. I helped make breakfast—and create the mess—so I’ll help clean it.”
“Then I’ll head into the living room and finish reading.”
Teddy and Ciaran carried plates into the kitchen to clean.
“So,” Teddy started. He wanted to bring up the talk Geoff had with Ciaran, but didn’t know how to start.
“Yeah?”
“Geoff told me he talked with you about our lifestyle.”
“That you two sometimes play with a third? Yeah, he told me.”
“I just wanted you to know that we don’t pressure people who stay here. We don’t play with guests because we like to keep our personal and professional lives separate. I just wanted to make sure you didn’t think we invited you to stay so we could have sex.”
He watched Ciaran for a reaction. They liked him. After cooking with Ciaran, he understood the connection Geoff felt. This would get complicated if they played with him.
“I didn’t feel pressured,” Ciaran said. “He explained everything to me, and I understand.”
“I just wanted to make sure you felt comfortable here with us,” Teddy said.
“Of course.”
“Most of our guests don’t stay in our house down the hall from us,” Teddy laughed.
“Don’t worry,” Ciaran said. “I don’t think you two are going to ambush me in my room and have your way with me.”
“Good.”
“I have a question, though.”
“Shoot,” Teddy said.
“Would I be someone you would normally play with?”
Teddy watched him. It appeared to be a loaded question. “I’ll be honest,” Teddy said. “You’re the type of guy we look for when we want to play. We like bears like us.”
“Ah,” Ciaran said. “But…what about me specifically?” His face reddened.
He is fucking adorable.
“Ciaran,” Teddy paused. “We both find you attractive. If you weren’t staying with us, we might. That’s the best answer I can give.”
“Thank you for being honest.”
“You’re welcome.”
When they finished cleaning up, the three men decided to soak in the hot tub.
“You get changed and we’ll meet you out there,” Teddy said.
When Ciaran was out of the living room, Teddy sat next to Geoff on the couch. “I see what you mean.” He kissed him on the cheek. “There is something about him.”
“I know, and I can’t put my finger on it,” Geoff said.
“He asked me point-blank if he was someone we’d play with.”
“What did you tell him?”
“The truth,” Teddy said. “That he was someone we would play with under normal circumstances.”
“What about these circumstances?”
“I wouldn’t say no.”
“I wouldn’t either.” Geoff let out a breath. “Do you want to play with him?”
“I do,” Teddy said. “He’s cute, sweet, and exactly our type.”
“Do you want to ask him?”
“I think we should let things progress slowly. We can talk more and decide. I don’t want to make him or us uncomfortable. We’re in new territory here.”
“That sounds reasonable.”
They changed and found Ciaran standing next to the hot tub, bottled water in hand.
The three men stepped into the tub and sank in. Geoff and Teddy sat on one side, with Ciaran on the other.
“I need one of these,” Ciaran said.
“Then get one,” Teddy said.
Ciaran laughed. “I live in a one-bedroom apartment. I don’t have room for a hot tub.”
“That is a dilemma,” Geoff said. “Guess you have to move.”
“That may be the only way,” Ciaran laughed.
Teddy placed his hand on Geoff’s thigh and rubbed it. He ran his fingers through the floating hairs as he scratched Geoff’s skin.
He looked over to see Geoff smiling. He mouthed, I love you.
I love you, too.
“Ciaran, would it bother you if I took my shorts off? We usually soak naked, but wanted to be respectful to you,” Teddy said.
“Nah, go ahead.”
Teddy stripped off his shorts and tossed them on the side of the hot tub.
Geoff eyed him with a grin. “I think I’ll take mine off, too.” Geoff did the same.
“You’re more than welcome to take yours off,” Teddy said. He gave Ciaran a sly grin.
“If you insist,” Ciaran smiled.
He took his shorts off and put them on the side.
You are so bad, Geoff mouthed.
Teddy just gave him a smile.
They soaked until Teddy’s alarm indicated they needed to get out, and then they all slipped their shorts back on and dried off.
“I’m going to grab a nap if you guys don’t mind,” Ciaran said as they walked into the house.
“It’s your vacation,” Teddy said. “Enjoy it.”
Geoff and Teddy went to their room to get ready. When they were dressed, Teddy cuddled up to Geoff on the couch, watching the fire crackle. Geoff ran his fingers through Teddy’s hair and scratched his beard.
“You are a naughty bear,” Geoff said.
“We have to start somewhere.”
“You’re right.”
Teddy lay in Geoff’s arms. Geoff was half a foot taller than him, and he felt safe and warm in his arms.
“I think having Ciaran here was a good idea,” Geoff said. “He’s been a wonderful guest, and you made the right decision inviting him.”
“Are you saying that because you want to get him naked?” Teddy laughed.
Geoff smacked his shoulder. “You know that’s not why,” he laughed. “Besides, you already got him naked.”
“I’m kidding,” Teddy said.
Geoff kissed the top of his head. It was clear they wanted Ciaran. He had everything they liked, and more. So much more.