Chapter 18
Riley took his time answering the door, unsure if he wanted it to be Gideon or Dawson. Gideon had at least confirmed with him. Dawson hadn’t responded to him in almost three days. Riley wanted to give him space, but at the same time, he wanted to drag him back here by his hair so they could work this out together. He cared about Dawson, about them both. This couldn’t be the straw that broke the camel’s back, not when Riley had fallen so deep.
He lived with Sadie. Where had he stayed the last two nights? Riley needed to know, the worry churning in his gut.
He opened the door and immediately regretted it. Neither of his men. Something much worse, in fact.
“Quinn.”
Quinn didn’t wait for an invitation, pushing past him and into the apartment without a word.
Riley steeled himself, fingers wrapped around the edge of his door. If he left and never came back, would that help him avoid this conversation? Likely not. He closed it and turned to his uninvited guest. Sebastian must have said something. His patience had to run out sooner or later. It was Riley’s fault for dragging it out. It seemed all their secrets were coming to light this week. He wasn’t in the mood to deal with any of this right now. He had bigger concerns.
“Save it,” he said abruptly before Quinn could get going.
Quinn deflated. “It’s true, then. I thought Sebastian was making a poor joke when he told me.”
Riley needed a drink for this. Multiple, in fact.
“You slept with one of your detectives, Riley.”
“Yes, I was there,” he replied dryly. He pulled out two whiskey glasses in case Quinn planned to stay awhile.
“Just your dick, or did your brain take that walk off the plank too?”
He didn’t pretend not to understand what Quinn was asking. “All of me.” No use denying it. He’d been completely in control of himself when he’d put his hands on Gideon. On both of them.
“I thought you’d gotten over him years ago.”
“This had nothing to do with my prior feelings for him.” A half-truth. Riley had always been aware of Gideon, even when he tried not to be. He always pushed it aside because he wouldn’t be controlled by his baser emotions. Because Gideon had been taken by a woman that Riley admired. Had a family he had no intention of even attempting to destroy. Gideon had been a devoted husband and was still a devoted dad, and while that had made Riley’s feelings deepen uncomfortably, it had always meant a clear off-limits.
Gideon had all but fallen into his lap, had kissed him, and he’d gotten a glimpse of exactly what he’d been missing out on all these years. How could he have said no to that? Especially when, together, they’d found a third person who fit so perfectly against them, with them.
“Trying to convince me or you?”
Riley poured the drinks and held one out for Quinn, who shook his head. Riley shrugged and downed them both. Couldn’t hurt at this point.
“You’re still sleeping with him, aren’t you? It wasn’t something to put it to rest.”
Quinn always saw too much. Not always the right thing, but he saw, nonetheless. Riley had warned Sebastian years ago that Quinn wouldn’t sit idly by while he was lied to, that he would know something was wrong. Even young and idealistically naive Quinn had been too smart for his own good and not nearly smart enough.
Riley didn’t even have to answer the question. He wouldn’t sleep with one of his detectives to scratch an itch.
“For fuck’s sake, Riley, why?” Quinn asked, dropping heavily onto Riley’s couch. He rubbed his forehead. “Seb said there was another guy? The three of you, together?”
“Sebastian has a big mouth.”
“For years, the problem was that he didn’t,” Quinn said. Riley searched the tone for some hint of acid and didn’t find any. Whatever issues they’d had in the past, they were truly purged. It was cathartic, in a lot of ways. Their friendship felt better without secrets between them.
A strange similarity to the situation with Sadie and Dawson. A recent secret, but being in the open would allow them to work through it.
If only Dawson would deign to answer his phone so that Riley at least knew his whereabouts and his status.
“What happens when you get found out?”
“We work it out then.”
“You and I both know it won’t work that way. You’ll be fired. Gideon will get fired. Your dad can’t shield you from that fallout.”
“And I wouldn’t ask him to,” Riley said stiffly.
“I consider Gideon a good friend, and I think he’s one hell of a guy, and in any other circumstances I’d be over the moon for you, Riley. He’s a great match for you, and he’ll never let you get away with only giving parts of yourself. But he’s not just some guy you met. This could end your career. In fact, it will . You’ve worked so damn hard to get where you are. You’re only thirty, and you’re in command of an entire homicide squad. Not many can boast that.”
“I’m aware of my position.” Quinn said all of that like he didn’t know it. That he hadn’t agonised over it, turned it over in his mind. In the end, none of it mattered when it meant Gideon slept in his bed every night.
“Is this really worth that risk?” Quinn asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Yes.” Unequivocally. Nothing could convince him otherwise. It wasn’t just about getting the chance to have what he’d dreamed about for years. He’d learned things about Gideon that he’d never thought he would. He owned parts of Riley’s soul, the same way Dawson did. The three of them were creating something he wanted to hold tight.
No career could be more important than that. If it came to it, he would land on his feet. They all would. And they would still have each other.
Riley had never been a sentimental person, but in this, he would stand strong.
Quinn’s gaze held judgement but also understanding, and a warmth built from years of friendship and years of being partners and having each other’s backs. Riley trusted him with his life and with this secret. “If this is what you want, you know I support you. I still can’t help but worry you’re making a mistake. It’s not that I don’t understand risking everything for a person. Or persons. It’s just… You’re risking so much for this, Riley.” He sighed. “You can’t be making out with him at the office anymore, alright? Or fucking him if you have. I can’t cover for you if you’re caught red-handed with your hands down his pants or his mouth on your dick.” He frowned. “Whose desk were you at when you were pulling Gideon’s pants down? It better not have been mine.”
Riley would kill Sebastian. Slowly. Or get an entire crate of coffee and force him to watch it burn. Some expensive, good stuff. Or tip it down the drain. Or burn it with scalding-hot water and make him drink it. Riley would think of a sufficient punishment.
A sharp knock at the door halted their conversation. Riley might have been grateful for that except that chances were, Gideon stood on the other side. That should really liven up the place.
“Who is that?”
“When I can see through doors, I’ll let you know.”
“Don’t lie to me. You know who it is.”
Riley wished he hadn’t finished his drinks quite so quickly. He already needed another one.
Another knock and a muffled curse. Riley froze. Not Gideon. Dawson . He’d come.
“Aren’t you going to answer it?”
“I’m thinking about it.” Leaning towards no if he were being honest. Was Dawson here to end it? Riley couldn’t blame him even if he didn’t want that.
He hesitated with his hand over the doorknob.
“Riley?”
For fuck’s sake, he wasn’t a coward. Whatever Dawson had to say, he’d deal with it.
He yanked open the door, lips pursed. “Dawson,” he said. It helped mask the rapid thumping of his heart. He checked his lover over. Other than looking tired—like he hadn’t slept well— and his wrinkled clothes, he seemed unharmed. He had a bag slung over his shoulder. An overnight bag. It eased something inside Riley. Why would he bring that if he weren’t planning to stay the night? One more goodbye fuck didn’t seem like Dawson’s style.
“I might be offended by the look on your face, considering you invited me here,” Dawson said, glaring. “Still haven’t worked out how to be nice, have you?”
“I’m not the one who ignored you like a child for three days.”
“I told you I needed space.”
“A simple ‘I’m still alive’ would have sufficed.”
“Fucking hell, I hate you.”
Riley pulled Dawson to him, into an open-mouthed kiss. He took control, turning Dawson’s head right where he wanted him. He dragged the man inside without letting go, shoving him against the door as it slammed closed. He needed to re-stake his claim, force sounds out of him that only he and Gideon could. Show him with more than words that he belonged here, with them.
His bag slid to the floor with a thud , and Riley kicked it away so he could get closer.
He froze at the sound of a polite cough.
Quinn.
Fuck . The second that Dawson’s mouth had touched his, he’d completely forgotten about his visitor.
He lifted his mouth from Dawson, who swayed a little, eyes glazed over. Looking thoroughly debauched, he was a fucking walking wet dream. Riley wanted to keep going, take off all his clothes, and lay him out over his bed. Kiss every inch of him and make him scream. He’d never had anyone in his own bed before him and Gideon, had never invited anyone here. It was personal, and he didn’t do personal.
The memory of their skin against his sheets and their heads on his pillows made him glad he never had. The privilege belonged to them alone.
He ran his thumb over Dawson’s bottom lip, taking his time to acknowledge the second man in the room. “Dawson, this is Quinn, one of my detectives.”
“And old friend,” Quinn added. “He likes to conveniently forget that when he’s doing his bossing routine. I saw him puke his guts up at the academy once after too many laps around the oval during PT.”
“I was eighteen, and they made us run for hours.”
“I could have gone without the musketeer routine,” Quinn agreed.
Riley could have as well. The number of punishments they went through because of some punk that hadn’t even made it all the way through would haunt Riley forever.
Dawson’s brown gaze held an easy-to-decipher question. Quinn being his detective wouldn’t answer it, since Gideon held the same title.
“ Just my detective,” Riley said, settling a hand on the small of Dawson’s back. “And old friend,” he tacked on at the end so Quinn didn’t chuck a fit again. He could get dramatic, and Riley didn’t want to deal with that right now.
“Don’t worry,” Quinn said, a smile playing on his lips. “He’s a pain in my ass but not that kind. There’s only one man that would ever tempt Riley to break the rules. I imagine you know him?”
Breaking the rules seemed to be the theme around here.
“Yeah, I might have met him once or twice,” Dawson replied. “I think I’ve seen him naked too.”
“I have heard that rumour.”
For fuck’s sake. Riley rubbed his forehead. “For someone who’s in a relationship with four men, I don’t think you have a right to throw stones in here.”
“Are you planning on adding some more and evening the score?” Quinn asked in amusement.
“No,” Dawson said, a growl in his tone.
Riley’s gut clenched at the possessive sound. Christ, no . He could not be getting turned on by blatant caveman behaviour. He’d never appreciated past partners thinking they had any claim on him. It’s why he kept anything to one night only. Anymore, and they got ideas that Riley wanted nothing to do with.
Dawson exhibiting the same thing had the opposite effect. Quinn needed to get the fuck out so that Riley could fuck him and have his cries of pleasure echo off the walls.
“How did you get up here?” Riley asked, trying to get the conversation to move in a different direction. He hadn’t buzzed Dawson in, and he didn’t have a key. If he asked for one, Riley would give it to him. He couldn’t ignore that things had gotten that far.
“Nice old lady let me in. You’d be surprised what actually smiling for once in your life gets you.”
Riley ignored the noise Quinn made. He’d made enough of a nuisance of himself.
“Go and put your bag near the bed.” Riley resigned himself to having Quinn watch this disaster unfold right before his very eyes.
Quinn didn’t say a word as Dawson moved across the small space, dropping the bag next to the bedside table and sitting on it, revealing a familiarity with the space that Quinn would pick up in a second.
The next knock at his door, seconds later, had Riley questioning the security of the building. Were they just letting everyone in? Between tonight and last year, when someone had managed to get in and attempt to kidnap him, he wondered if he needed to move. Find somewhere with electric fences. Barbed wire and a minefield. Maybe even a mounted gun and a safe room.
“Are you planning on staying, or do you have somewhere to be?” Riley muttered to Quinn.
“I don’t have anything pressing right now.”
Riley regretted all their years of friendship immensely. He should have pushed him into the Parramatta River that one time he’d had the opportunity ten years ago, when they’d been chasing a drug-addled idiot heading right for the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Could have saved himself so much grief.
“How did you get up here?” Riley asked Gideon immediately.
“Hello to you too.”
“Did you talk to Pam?” Dawson asked from his position on the bed. He’d removed his shoes while Riley had his back turned and sat cross-legged now.
“Who is Pam?” Riley asked, exasperated by the conversation.
“The lady who let me in,” Dawson said. “I can’t believe you don’t even know your neighbour’s names; where are your manners?”
They were well and truly gone at this particular moment. “There’s no reason to suggest she lives next door. If they live in other apartments, they’re not my neighbours, are they?”
“Your semantics get me so hot.”
Quinn snorted out a laugh.
“I flashed my badge,” Gideon admitted. “The buzzer things are weird.”
“The ‘buzzer things’ are so I don’t get uninvited and unwelcome guests. You’ve used it before, so you can’t claim you don’t know how to.”
“Someone wasn’t at the door last time to show my badge to,” Gideon said with a wide smile. “The door doesn’t respond to my commands, unfortunately.”
Riley closed his eyes and counted to five before opening the door wider so Gideon could come in. He slammed it shut in a supremely satisfying way.
Riley had no desire to alleviate the awkward silence as Quinn and Gideon sized each other up.
“I see you’re doing some overtime with the boss.”
Riley pinched the bridge of his nose. If he left them here and went somewhere else, would they notice?
“It pays pretty good,” Gideon said, grinning.
“I bet. Why couldn’t you two find hookups at a club or something?”
“How boring would that be?” Gideon asked. “It’s so much more convenient to pick up at work.”
“Is it?” Riley drawled.
“I found you, didn’t I?”
“Touché.”
Gideon slid into his arms, and Riley kissed the top of his head, nestled under his chin, before he could think twice. It didn’t matter anyway. Quinn knew; it’s not like they were outing themselves.
Quinn’s eyes warmed, and Riley knew there wouldn’t be any more lectures coming from that front. “I should go,” he said reluctantly. “Will said something about movie night, and I’d hate to miss getting a good seat.” He glanced between the three of them. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“I don’t,” Riley admitted. A terrifying truth.
Quinn patted his shoulder on his way past. “Come out and have dinner with us soon,” he said. “Nice to meet you, Dawson.”
“Yeah, you too.”
The silence left in Quinn’s wake felt even more awkward than the first one.
“Is this where you break up with us?” Riley asked as the silence continued. He didn’t think so, considering the bag, but he’d rather they get it out in the open.
Dawson let out a breath. He unfolded his legs and dropped them to the floor. He leaned back on the bed, bracing himself with his hands. His T-shirt rode up a little, revealing an expanse of skin and the trail of hair that led down. “No, it’s not. I don’t want to do that. I just needed time to think, to not feel like so much of a piece of shit.”
“And how did that work for you?” Riley hoped that it had helped. Didn’t want him to feel bad when he’d done nothing wrong. Sadie had no claim on either of them. She could accept it, or not. That didn’t change how much Riley wanted Dawson in his life.
“Not well.”
“What are you doing here, then?”
“I can’t stay away from you. I want to fix things with Sadie, and I’m going to. Maybe it’s wrong, but I’m not willing to sacrifice us to do it.”
“And how are you going to do it?” Riley asked. Did he have a plan, or was he merely putting on a brave face and hoping for the best?
“I don’t know yet.”
Gideon flicked on the kettle. “I think this calls for hot chocolate,” he said. They’d spoken at length about the situation while Dawson had been MIA, and they were no closer to finding a solution.
Even if Riley chose to speak to Sadie, it wouldn’t undo the trust that had been broken between the two friends. It irked Riley that he couldn’t do damage control there. That he couldn’t control what happened next.
“Does that come with alcohol?” Dawson joked.
Gideon eyed the two glasses by the sink. “I think Riley started the party without us.”
“Quinn has a way of making me need to drink,” Riley said. No need to mention that he’d had them both.
Gideon nodded in understanding.
Riley stood between Dawson’s legs and tipped his chin up with a finger. “Are you alright?” he asked gently. He thumbed the dark circles under Dawson’s eyes. He hadn’t been sleeping. Riley had to admit that he and Gideon were having the same issue. They all slept better together.
“I’ve known Sadie since we were kids. We lived down the street from each other, and she used to climb the fence into our backyard. We’ve been friends ever since. Now she hates my guts and won’t even talk to me, and I can’t even blame her for it. She didn’t do anything wrong. Me, on the other hand…”
Riley pinched Dawson’s thumb between two fingers. “Are we a mistake?”
“What? No!”
“Then how can you have done something wrong?”
“I’m not sure that logic works here, but I appreciate that you’re trying.”
Riley kissed him slowly, cradling his face. He pushed Dawson down onto the bed, following him. He rolled Dawson’s top up, sliding underneath to his warm skin before lifting it up and over his head.
Their eyes met, a moment of perfect clarity, and then they were kissing again. Slow slides and gentle strokes of their tongues. Steady, calming. Connection.
The bed shifted, and then a warmth pressed against Riley’s back, arms circling him. Gideon undid his buttons until his shirt opened and slid off his shoulders.
He kissed the back of Riley’s neck, and Riley rolled his head into it, hips moving together. When he turned his head, Gideon met him halfway. He tasted like hot chocolate, warming Riley as he tasted deeply.
“Take off your clothes,” Riley whispered. He sat back, resting his hips on Dawson’s thighs.
Even in his haste, Gideon folded every piece of clothing he took off, putting them neatly on the bedside table, like he knew what would please Riley and wanted to do it for that reason alone.
Gideon gave him a tentative smile, and Riley crooked his finger, more than pleased. He knelt on the bed and shuffled forward until he was in reach. Riley dragged him closer, their lips brushing. “Good boy,” he whispered. “Now take off Dawson’s clothes. Slowly. Make it good for me.”
Gideon’s shuddered inhale fed Riley, satisfaction a visceral touch inside him.
He made himself comfortable at the end of the bed, leaning against the headboard, and pulled his cock out. It was the perfect position to observe them while he fisted himself.
Gideon went for Dawson’s socks first, sliding them over Dawson’s ankles and kissing his exposed skin. He placed them neatly on top of his own clothes, and Riley appreciated the diligence. The anticipation of waiting for his prize to be revealed piece by piece made everything so much sweeter.
Gideon caressed up Dawson’s thighs before moving to his belt. He took care to undo it completely, sliding it out of the loops. He tugged the jeans off next, leaving Dawson in his dark-green briefs, a wet spot where he leaked pre-cum already.
“You’re killing me,” Dawson said in a strained voice. He hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his briefs to remove them himself.
“Don’t.”
Dawson groaned and gripped the covers instead, twisting them between his fingers.
Riley ran his knuckles down Gideon’s back, delighting in the shiver that his touch caused. “You’re doing beautifully,” he praised. “Keep going. If Dawson can’t behave himself, I’ll tie him up and make him watch as I fuck you.”
“Yeah, because that’s a deterrent,” Dawson said thickly.
“I’ll blindfold you so that you can only hear as I make him beg,” Riley promised. It would be both ecstasy and torture for Dawson, and Riley would enjoy every second of it. Whether Dawson behaved or not, Riley would get what he wanted.
“Oh my God, why am I in love with you?”
They all froze. Riley’s heart clenched.
Dawson swallowed. “I didn’t—I meant—I didn’t mean to—” He closed his eyes and relaxed against the bed. “ Fuck ,” he whispered.
Riley’s gaze briefly found Gideon’s, both lost for words.
He palmed Dawson’s throat, thumb pushing up under his chin. “Open your eyes, Dawson.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Do it anyway.”
Dark-brown eyes met his, wary and unsure.
“The truth. Is that what you meant to say?” Riley asked.
“Not… quite like that,” Dawson said weakly.
“But you meant it?”
Dawson’s lips trembled, and he took his time answering. Riley could be patient; the importance of the answer meant that he would wait for as long as he needed to.
“Yes. For… for—” Dawson swallowed again, gaze darting between them. “Both of you. I can’t separate that.” He mouthed at Riley’s shoulders, fingers digging into the curve where shoulder met arm. “I should, I should , but even if it could fix things, I couldn’t.”
Riley kissed him, unsure if he wanted to hear more or not. These men had gotten under his skin, entered his blood stream, and he had no way of getting them out. To know that Dawson loved him deepened that further.
Gideon didn’t return the sentiment, and neither did Riley. He didn’t know if he could, and he needed more time to think. It didn’t mean that Dawson’s feelings weren’t a gift. They meant something. And Riley wouldn’t let him take it back, not now.
He removed Dawson’s underwear with more haste than he’d asked of Gideon, uncaring now of taking his time. The need to have Dawson naked and splayed open was too strong to ignore.
Gideon kissed his shoulder and pressed a condom and tube of slick into his hand. Riley settled himself on Dawson’s hips and slid the condom on, lubing himself up before tossing it back to Gideon. “Get on your back next to him, get your fingers nice and wet, and slide them into your ass for me.”
Gideon glanced down at the lube in his palm.
Riley massaged around Dawson’s hole, a cursory touch just to spread the wetness around enough for him to slide in. He would feel every inch of Riley’s cock, forcing its way inside, burning with it and begging for more. “Now, Gideon,” he ordered harshly. “Or are you the one that will be sitting this out?”
Gideon trembled, tongue slipping out to wet his bottom lip. His thigh pressed against Dawson’s shoulder as he got comfortable. He wasted no time lubing up his fingers and shoving them inside himself. He bit his lip and threw back his head, exposing his throat. If Riley were closer, he’d take a taste of that expanse of skin.
Riley slid into Dawson, a tight fit from minimal lube and no prep. Dawson’s answering guttural groan came from deep in his chest. He twisted on the sheets, squirming, and the movement only helped Riley get deeper.
“Okay?” Riley asked. He went slow, giving Dawson time to adjust. He’d still be feeling it, his muscles squeezing around Riley’s cock.
Dawson nodded. “Yes. Don’t stop.”
Perfect answer.
Riley watched Gideon fingering himself with three digits disappearing into his wet hole as he set up a light pace. He eased himself in and out of Dawson until the edge of pain left his face completely, replaced with nothing but intense arousal.
Riley turned Dawson’s head in Gideon’s direction with a hand on his cheek. “Look at him fucking himself while I fuck you. See how much he needs something more? How much he wants us to fuck him instead?”
Dawson’s hole clenched around him, lips opening with a sharp exhale. Gideon’s eyes met Dawson’s, and his fingers moved more frantically.
Yeah, he needed some more. More fingers. A cock. Anything. Gideon’s hunger lingered in the air between them all, a physical presence that demanded feeding.
“Get up and straddle his chest, facing me,” Riley ordered, wanting him closer.
When Gideon got himself into position, Riley loosely held his neck, keeping him in place. “Dawson is going to finger fuck you until you’re sloppy and aching, and then you’re going to sit on his cock. And you’re not going to make a sound, are you?”
Gideon’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “N-no?”
Not good enough. “A firmer answer, Gideon.”
“No.”
“Good boy.” He kissed Gideon deeply, rewarding him. “If you weren’t already stuffed full with lube, I’d have made you sit on his face while I fucked him.”
Gideon moaned, lips clinging. “Nex-next time?”
“If you’re good for me,” Riley promised. He wouldn’t miss the opportunity to try all of the positions with them. So many ways to make them both come.
Riley fucked harder into Dawson as three of Dawson’s fingers moved inside Gideon. Gideon arched his back, rotating his hips on them, arms moving to twine around Riley’s shoulders to keep steady as he fucking himself eagerly.
Riley kissed him, tongue mimicking the movement of their hips. “Are you ready to sit on his dick, baby?”
“ Please .”
Dawson’s hips bucked as if in answer. It drove Riley deeper inside him, and Riley changed his angle so he could hit that perfect spot.
Riley stroked Dawson’s cock and picked up the spare condom beside them. He held it up to Gideon. “Well, put it on.”
Gideon kissed him hungrily instead, leaving them both dizzy with it. Riley barely waited for Gideon to get Dawson ready before he lifted him by the hips and sat him on Dawson’s cock.
Gideon easily took him in after being so thoroughly finger fucked. He cried out, clinging and arching his back. He immediately bounced himself, like he couldn’t stand to be still for one single second. So beautifully needy for them.
Riley grasped his nape and kissed him, just as greedy for them. He fisted Gideon’s cock, stroking harshly, fast and heavy and with the focused intent of driving him out of his mind.
“Think you can take us both?” Riley asked roughly.
Gideon’s entire body trembled, and Riley took that as a resounding yes. “Turn around.”
Gideon flipped over, somehow managing to keep Dawson deep inside himself as he presented his ass to Riley. He leaned forward enough to get his mouth on Dawson’s, and Riley got momentarily distracted, watching them lose themselves in each other. It was the sexiest image he’d ever had the pleasure of looking at.
He slid two fingers around Dawson’s cock, reaching deep into Gideon’s tight ass. His two men moaned simultaneously. Fucking hell, he needed to hear more of that.
He should take his time. Stretch Gideon more. Make them beg for him. Edge them until they cursed his name. He couldn’t wait that long. He lined himself up and pushed, easing in next to Dawson. The incredible pressure almost had him coming prematurely.
“Oh, fuck ,” Gideon breathed. “Yes. Yes. More. Fuckfuckfuckfuck .”
Riley couldn’t resist that kind of invitation. He gripped Gideon’s shoulder and forced himself the rest of the way in. Dawson groaned and lifted his knees, giving himself leverage to fuck up into Gideon and Riley more room to move as well. Then they were both fucking hard into Gideon’s pulsing hole, not giving him a moment of reprieve.
Gideon buried his head in Dawson’s shoulder, whimpering and babbling and begging them to stop, to never stop, to fuck him harder. All music to Riley’s ears and guiding him closer to orgasm with no help of holding it back.
A bead of sweat ran down Riley’s back as he fucked harder, reaching for it. Dawson’s dick throbbed next to his, his own thrusts erratic now. Riley knew the look on Dawson’s face, knew it intimately. Had learned every emotion, every twist. It wouldn’t take much now to push Dawson over the edge.
“Touch yourself, Gideon,” Riley ground out. “Come with us.” He reached around and did it himself before Gideon had a chance. He pulled Gideon’s body back, getting even deeper.
Dawson came first, pulsing against Riley’s cock. Gideon spilled over his hand and Dawson’s chest next. Riley followed them, groaning loudly as he fucked so hard his own bones felt like they were being shifted. He kept going until the tremors eased and then thrust a few more times before he stilled.
Gideon collapsed against Dawson, breathing heavily, their sweaty skin sliding against each other. Riley carefully eased himself out of Gideon, and Dawson slipped out at the same time. Gideon relaxed against him, curling half over and beside him.
Riley took off both their condoms, tying them and putting them in the rubbish before returning. They were both filthy and in need of a shower. Riley had always insisted his bed partners showered immediately after they finished. He didn’t want any of them left on each other. A mark of possessiveness he had no desire for.
Riley didn’t want that now. He wanted Gideon and Dawson to stay like this, covered in all of them, wrapped around each other and sharing fluid and space. Even better if they hadn’t used condoms. He would talk to them about it later because he wanted to see them covered in each other’s cum. They were perfect. Riley had no intention of ever kicking them out of his bed or his life.
He slid onto the bed on the other side of Dawson, bracketing him in. He kissed his temple. “We’re here for you, Dawson. Whatever you need.” If that meant not being here, then Riley would give him what he needed even if it hurt.
“I’m sorry about not replying to your messages,” Dawson said, turning his head to the side to face Riley, so close their breath mingled. “I’m… not very good at relationships and making the right decisions.”
“Where were you?” Riley couldn’t care less about the messages. There would be times that Riley would get busy and not respond. He did it to his family a lot—his brothers amused themselves in their group chat, and eventually their mother would send one of them to check that he still lived. He only wanted to make sure that Dawson had been somewhere safe. “Don’t tell me you slept in your car.” Uncomfortable at best, unsafe at worst. Riley would have given him the keys to his apartment and gone to sleep at one of his brothers’ before he let Dawson sleep the night in his car.
“Weirdly enough, I actually have friends and family here in Sydney. More than just Sadie.”
“Where did you stay?” Who did you stay with?
“I crashed with a friend. They said I can stay as long as I want. I don’t want to go to my parents and make them worry. Or drag them into this mess. Sadie doesn’t deserve to be painted as the bad guy, when she’s the furthest thing from it.” He twisted back to stare at the ceiling, looking younger than his twenty-seven years. Lost.
“You can’t avoid Sadie forever,” Gideon said gently. “I don’t think that’s how either of you want your friendship to end.”
“She’s not answering her phone. She’s not there when I go by the house. I won’t drag our friends or family into it, and honestly, even if I could get her to stop and listen to me for two seconds, I don’t know what to say to her.”
Riley tried to separate the person Dawson spoke of and the woman who wanted to call him brother, and he couldn’t. Impossible to ignore that they were one and the same. To ignore her importance to Dawson. Or that Dawson had become someone important to him. If he wanted one, he would have to accept the other.
How could he do that? He didn’t consider her family. He had a family.
Riley didn’t know his next step or how to figure it out, and that sat uncomfortably in his gut. He’d never been this unsure about what path to take.
He only knew that he had to make it better, had to give Dawson back what he’d lost. He wanted to make Dawson happy, whatever it took.
Even if that meant facing a past that he’d put behind him a long time ago.