A sexy chuckle rumbled from Cooper. His eyes shone bright with happiness. Tito had to take a breath. He had done the math. Not only did Tito have eleven years on Cooper, but he also had a lifetime of experiences older than his new friend. They lived under the same roof. Cooper was like a little brother to Tito’s boss. There was so much wrong with the hunger the tiny blond mischief maker stirred in Tito.
Tito sat back and tried to get his fascination under control. “Are you getting excited about Ibiza?”
Cooper nodded. “I’m a lot more excited about joining the guys on their second honeymoon than I am about standing in front of a huge crowd as a groomsman.” Cooper swiped his hands on his jeans. “I’m not good at things like that.”
“Everyone will be too busy looking at the grooms to worry about us. Plus, I’ll be right there with you, keeping you safe.”
With his guard down, Cooper looked even younger than his eighteen years. Tito wanted to protect him. Cooper stared openly at Tito with no coyness whatsoever. “You’ll be keeping Hudson safe, not me.”
“I won’t be the only bodyguard there. Plus, I’m an amazing multitasker.”
Cooper’s gaze never wavered from Tito’s. His foot brushed Tito’s beneath the table. Tito couldn’t be certain he hadn’t been the one who touched Cooper. Cooper’s expression turned innocently heated—like he played with a fire he didn’t understand. “Who’s assigned to keeping you safe from me?”
Tito had pulled Hudson from a lot of sticky situations over the years. Now it was his turn and Tito didn’t know what to do. He also wasn’t so sure he wanted to be saved. There were worse ways he could ruin his life than with a beautiful street angel. Tito could think of at least a dozen. The only thing Tito couldn’t think about was saying no. He was in a world of trouble.
“Do you think we should tell them we can see them?”
At Jinx’s question, Hudson laughed. With Rocky lying on the couch, Jinx was sprawled across Rocky’s chest while Hudson sat beneath Rocky’s knees. They were snuggled as close as possible while still being comfortable. Hudson stroked Jinx’s ass. “I would say something, but then again, they would know we were here if they looked away from each other.”
“They should fuck and get it over with,” Rocky said, sounding half asleep.
“We can hear you,” Tito barked from across the room.
Rocky didn’t back down. “Good. You should fuck and get it over with. You two are clogging the air with your lust.”
Tito stood and headed for the kitchen without looking back.
Hudson went back to stroking Jinx’s ass. “You ran him off.”
Rocky blew out a raspberry. “Pussy.”
Jinx chuckled. “I see you waited until he left the room to say that.”
“Fuck yeah, I did. He’s almost ten years younger than me and does nothing except work out. I’m not trying to get my ass kicked tonight. Plus, I’m comfortable.”
Hudson scoffed. “I wouldn’t let him kick your ass. It’s too sexy for that.”
Cooper moved from the table to the floor at Hudson’s feet. “Are you three excited for tomorrow?”
“Thrilled,” Jinx answered first.
“Yep,” Hudson and Rocky said at the same time.
Cooper smiled. “You three are so adorable. Everyone’s going to take your pictures. You’ll be in every magazine. I’m so proud to be standing with you. You’re helping other throuples be more open. That’s a good thing.”
It was a good thing. Hudson hadn’t really thought of that aspect. He just wanted to promise his life to his men. It wasn’t about anyone else.
“You’re very good at changing the subject,” Rocky said, dragging Hudson’s mind back to their earlier topic.
Cooper’s smile fell. “Please stop. He doesn’t look at me that way. No one does. I’m everyone’s little brother, and... just don’t, okay?”
Rocky reached out and took Cooper’s hand. “I’m just messing with you, buddy. Or more to the point, I’m messing with Tito. We’re glad you’re living here. I wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable living with us.”
Cooper nodded. “I know. It’s just that you three have each other and Tito feels like the first real friend I’ve had in a long time. I don’t want him to start avoiding me.”
“They can’t run me off that easily,” Tito said, appearing in the doorway with a drink in each hand.
Hudson smacked Jinx’s ass. He recognized their cue. “Let’s head to bed. We have a big day tomorrow. It looks like the kids plan to stay up late.”
Jinx climbed from Rocky’s body and kissed Cooper’s cheek. After everyone said their good nights and left Tito and Cooper alone, Rocky, Jinx, and Hudson headed for the bedroom they now shared. They went through their nightly paces and climbed into bed together, the way they did every night. Hudson thrived on the routine. He was healthier than he had been in years and it was completely due to Rocky and Jinx’s love. Despite all his progress, Hudson still didn’t sleep well. His excitement made things worse. Tomorrow, the whole world would watch them commit to one another and it felt so real.
“Are you okay?”
It was as if Rocky had some sixth sense. He always knew when Hudson had the most trouble sleeping. Hudson smiled into the dark. “Are you? I keep thinking about how you didn’t want to be a husband. Come tomorrow, you’ll be as good as one. Not to mention, my lawyers are tying our lives together every bit as legally as a marriage. A part of me keeps worrying you’ll back out.”
“He’s not backing out,” Jinx whispered into the dark, as if there was anyone left to disturb.
Rocky snuggled closer, squashing Jinx in between them. “Damn right. I want this. You two are my whole world. I’m ready for all the legal entanglements you can throw my way. This is forever.”
A smile tugged at Hudson’s lips. His eyelids grew heavy. It was crazy to him how one reassurance from Rocky could make all his troubles disappear. His eyes slipped closed. “I love you both more than the moon.” The words sounded thick with sleep, even to his ears. Hudson was pretty sure Rocky and Jinx returned his words, but the warmth of Jinx against his body had Hudson’s mind drifting away. He used to be so torn between being happy and being real. The only person he trusted for years was Tito. Hudson didn’t completely understand what choice he had made that had been so right. All he knew was his house was filled with love now. Peace. Happiness. Maybe he was still a bit of mess, but wasn’t everyone? At least he wasn’t alone. Rocky and Jinx would never let him be alone. Hudson couldn’t wait to grow old with his best friends. He couldn’t wait to tell the rest of the world to suck his dick. Hudson had chosen happiness. He had chosen to live.
Keep an eye out for the next Candied Crush, Beautifully Guarded.
Please consider leaving a review at the retailer where you purchased this book. Reviews really help with a book’s visibility, which allows me to continue writing more stories. Thank you, Charity.
About the Author
Charity Parkerson is an award-winning and multi-published author with several companies. Born with no filter from her brain to her mouth, she decided to take this odd quirk and insert it in her characters.
*Eight-time Readers' Favorite Award Winner
*2015 Passionate Plume Award Finalist
*2013 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner
*2012 ARRA Finalist for Favorite Paranormal Romance
*Five-time winner of The Mistress of the Darkpath
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