Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 133213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 666(@200wpm)___ 533(@250wpm)___ 444(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 666(@200wpm)___ 533(@250wpm)___ 444(@300wpm)
Tristan seemed to consider what to say next. “We’re not friends, Aidan. We’re not lovers, either, but I think it’s closer to that than some bro friendship where we watch sports and bitch about our girlfriends. That’s never been what we have. We don’t like to talk about it, but we love each other, too. We’re probably never going to get physical, but we’re still more than friends. Not really brothers. Something more, and we always have been. Zach is a friend. That’s all. I’m not looking to replace you. There is no replacement for you. If you leave, that spot you fill inside me will be empty forever.”
Aidan stared for a moment, shocked. “I thought we didn’t talk about this.”
Tristan shrugged. “You get shot at as much as I’ve been lately, your masculine ego suddenly doesn’t seem so fragile. I don’t care if people think we’re fucking each other. Honestly, if we were wired that way, I would in a heartbeat. If Carys thinks it would be sexy, I say we go for it.”
It had always been the only real awkwardness between them. They didn’t talk sex unless it was about Carys. They pretended there wasn’t a spark between them. It never had to go anywhere. It could be something they contained. Or something they decided to explore. “I don’t care what anyone thinks either.”
A brow rose over Tristan’s eyes. “And yet when I call you my sub…”
Aidan pointed his partner’s way. “You’ve never called me that before, asshole. It was a shock. I’m sorry I fought back a little when you walked back in after years and tried to take control. It’s a dick move.”
“But you are my sub,” Tristan insisted. “And you know it deep down. We fell into our positions naturally when we were kids, and they hold up to this day whether we publicly acknowledge them or not. Which is precisely why it was such a dick move to leave you both on your own. I haven’t said this plainly enough, A. I’m sorry. I thought I was protecting you but what I was doing was marginalizing you. I was treating you and Carys like possessions I wanted to protect, not like partners I trust and love and need.”
It was a lot of emotional growth from where he’d been the night before. “What did your dad do to you?”
Tristan’s lips curled up in genuine amusement. “Trapped me in plastic wrap. It was a whole thing. Not earth friendly when you think about it though. But, more importantly, my family made it clear I hurt them more by pulling away than I would have bringing them into my problems. It’s the same for the two most important people in my life. I am sorry.”
The words were a balm to his wounds. “All right. I meant what I said though. If you fuck up again, I have to pick her.”
Tristan stood and reached out a hand. “I know. And I won’t. I promise. We get through this and I’m out. I’ll hand it all over to someone else and I’ll come home.”
It was everything Aidan wanted. He reached for Tris’s hand and pulled him in for a hug. “We have to work on her. She’s got a wall up.”
Tris wrapped his arms around him. “The good news is I know how to take a wall down.”
Aidan hoped he did.
Chapter Nine
Carys stepped out of the locker room, expecting Aidan to be standing there. He seemed to always know when she was ready. Or perhaps he simply changed quickly and waited for her so she never walked around the dungeon alone.
They’d spent no time in this club as a threesome. Aidan had been her only Master here. The Hideout had started in the house Tristan’s parents had bought for him after college. It had housed Cooper and Aidan as well. They’d taken the large garage to make a play space for them.
Of course her first club had been Julian Lodge’s fabulous, luxurious place. The three of them had gone through training there. It was beautiful, but she’d always preferred The Hideout.
Because it was theirs. Because she’d helped install the lockers in the locker rooms and had helped design the lounge. The founding members hadn’t simply put precious cash up. They had sweat equity in this place. It wasn’t perfect, but it reflected where they were in their lives.
“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” a deep voice asked.
Of course it was also weird because her brother was here. A lot. Lucas was deeply invested in the lifestyle. Carys used it for stress relief and as a way to connect with her men, but sometimes she thought D/s was the only thing Lucas took seriously besides his career. Sex for Lucas was casual, but dominance was a serious thing.
She was glad she’d chosen a fairly modest corset and miniskirt. Modest for the club. Her brother wore a set of black leathers that proved there was one other thing Lucas Taggart was invested in. Working out. “Do I know what I’m doing when it comes to taking down a possibly evil doctor? Or do I know what I’m doing playing with Tristan and Aidan tonight?”