by Kenzi Bond
“Absolutely perfect,” Drake responded.
They watched in amusement as Dean and Beau ran around the room, still holding hands. The boys disappeared into the bedroom and didn’t return.
As they entered the room, the first thing they noticed was Beau and Dean lying on the king-size canopy bed. Beau had his arms around Dean, who seemed overwhelmed.
Drake rushed over to sit behind Dean. “Is something wrong? We can change anything you don’t like.”
Dean let out a choked laugh. “I’m so happy. This is the most amazing thing anyone has ever done for us. You really do understand.” He pointed to a framed painting on the wall. “That looks like our cabin at home.”
The boys had told Drake and Malcolm about the cabin in one of their emails. They had even sent a cute picture of the boys waving through the window of the cabin. Using the photos for inspiration, they had commissioned the painting.
Beau was smiling at Malcolm as if he had hung the moon and stars in the sky. “You don’t mind if we want to spend time together. You’ve given us this magnificent bed that looks like it belongs in a fairy tale.” Beau leapt from the bed and threw himself at Malcolm.
Malcolm reached for Beau’s hand. “I would prefer you were in my bed, but Drake and I know you will want to spend time with each other sometimes. We’re okay with that. This area is yours.”
Beau looked around the room again before leaping up and wrapping his legs around Malcolm’s waist.
Malcolm loved the feel of Beau’s lips under his. It was profound, the impact Beau had on him. Breaking off the kiss, he stared at Beau’s dazed eyes. Heading back toward their wing of the house, he called back over his shoulder, “See you guys in the morning.”
26
Dean
A
fter his brother left the room, Dean couldn’t stop looking at Drake. One of the first things he had noticed about Drake was the kindness in his eyes. If eyes were the windows to the soul, Drake had one of the kindest souls there was. As Dean lost himself in the warm amber staring at him, he felt blanketed in love. Drake and his brother had given them this space to call their own. Aside from immediate family, no one had bothered to take the time to understand the relationship he had with Beau.
As love filled him, he felt an overwhelming need to show Drake how he felt. They hadn’t gone further than giving each other hand jobs earlier, since Drake said he wanted Dean to take his time. His cock filled as he thought about taking the next step.
“What are you thinking about that put that look on your sweet face?” Drake asked, a smile tilting up the corner of his mouth.
Dean gulped. “I want you. Right here, right now. You want me to be sure? I’ve been sure for years. Please, Drake, make love to me.”
Drake raised a trembling hand and cupped Dean’s face. “I’m an idiot. Why I held off, how I held off, I’ll never know. You know how I love reading gay romance novels? Well, my favorite is shifter romances because they always have fated mates, two souls that belong together. That’s how I feel about you. You’re my fated mate, Dean. I know it.”
Dean’s eyes teared at the words. They were fated. No other would ever make him feel the all-consuming love he felt for Drake.
There was no hurry as they explored each other with lips and hands. Sounds of pleasure filled the room as clothes were discarded. Dean ran his palm along Drake’s beard. Dean liked the way the beard added to the shape of Drake’s square jaw. Expecting the hair to be coarse, Dean was surprised at how soft it was as he ran his palm along Drake’s jawline. Looking down at Drake’s chest hair, Dean wondered if it was just as soft. He ran his cheek over the fine pelt, enjoying the sensation.
His cheek brushed against a hard nipple, which drew a groan out of Drake. “Yeah, love. Lick it.”
Dean tentatively stuck his tongue out and licked the bud, the thrill urging him on as Drake moaned. Feeling empowered, he took the hardened nub between his lips and gave a small bite before licking to soothe the sting.
“Oh, fuck me, yeah. That’s it, love,” Drake encouraged hoarsely.
Enjoying the bounty before him, Dean explored Drake’s firm body, only pausing as Drake leaned over to the drawer of the bedside table, taking out a bottle of lube and a condom.
“We’ll start slowly,” he assured Dean. Covering his fingers with lube, he lightly ran his fingers around Dean’s rim, gently adding pressure.
Dean closed his eyes at the unusual sensation. At twenty-one, he had some experience with sex toys, but this was different. This was Drake. The warm fingers, so different from the texture of the toys, pushed past his rim, stretching Dean open. It was too much, yet not enough. “Oh…” he murmured in wonder.
“You’re so beautiful right now. You like my fingers in you, don’t you?” Drake rasped.
Dean forced his eyes to open. “Yes, but not as much as I would like you in me,” he managed to reply.
Drake ravished his mouth with a kiss as he moved over Dean and positioned himself. “Relax, love. Bear down as I enter you. I promise it will help.”
Dean tried to do what Drake said. Silently counting to five, he blew out a breath and relaxed his body. The feel of Drake pushing inside was better than he could ever imagine. There was a little pain, but his body opened until Drake was as deep as he could be. The feeling of fullness was almost too much to take.
The warm eyes looking at him bled to fiery gold. “You good, love?”
Dean nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah, feels so good.”
With each thrust, Dean screamed his encouragement. Drake angled his body and hit Dean’s prostate. Just like that, his body flew to a higher level. Instinctively, he wrapped his legs and arms around Drake, holding on, unable to do anything but enjoy the friction of the warm body against his own. Suddenly, he was there. The electricity in his body pooled in his swelling cock. His cum splattered between them, some landing high on Dean’s chest. Drake’s tongue reached out and licked the treat. It was the hottest thing Dean had ever seen. He felt his cock give another pulse at the sight.
With a satisfying roar, Drake exploded inside Dean. His hole was so sensitive he could feel each and every throb.
He expected Drake to collapse on him, but at the last minute, Drake rolled over, pulling Dean on top. Dean listened to the racing heart under his ear as he rested his head on Drake’s chest.
“Soul mates,” Dean murmured before drifting off to sleep.
Drake
Drake had never been so consumed by love while having sex. What he felt for Dean was so overpowering, so perfect, he knew they were destined to be together. He hadn’t been joking when he’d told Dean he thought they were soul mates. Before Dean, he had yearned for someone who would complete him in every way. It wasn’t just Dean’s beauty. It was the way Dean looked at him like he, too, felt the deep-seated rightness between them.
Gently lifting Dean in his arms, he walked back to their side of their home. Dean nuzzled his nose in Drake’s chest but didn’t wake. As Drake settled him on the bed, Dean reached for his hand. “Where you goin’?” he slurred, barely awake.
He placed a kiss on Dean’s forehead. “Just getting a cloth to clean us up. Go back to sleep.”
Turning the light on in the bathroom, Drake glanced at the mirror and laughed. High on one cheek was a splash of Dean’s cum. For a small guy, he had a lot of power behind his orgasm.
He cleaned himself up, then walked back into the room. Dean was curled on his side, asleep, a serene smile on his face. Totally enchanted by Dean’s face, he reached out with one finger and ran it along the full bottom lip. “I love you.”
Dean’s smile stretched. “Love you, too. Now come to bed.”
He quickly cleaned Dean’s body with the cloth, becoming aroused by the simple task. He returned it to the bathroom and rushed back to the bed, taking Dean in his arms.
He thought Dean was still asleep until he spoke. “Beau and I, we’ve never been together like that. I know people accuse us of incest, but we
’ve only ever kissed, and that was before Jackson rescued us.”
“Love, I’ve never thought there was anything like that between you. What’s brought this up now?”
Dean took an audible breath. “There was lube in the bedroom you created for us.”
Rolling over, Drake locked eyes on Dean’s face. “There’s lube in every room of the house. Mal and I thought that with two sexy young men around all the time, it would be sensible to be prepared.”
Dean’s cheeks heated. “Sorry, I was just thinking…”
Drake drew Dean against his side. He couldn’t look at him when he spoke. “I think it’s time I tell you about Mal and I. Why we understand the connection between you both. Mal and I are a year apart, and as kids we were so similar that most people thought we were twins. Mom worked two jobs to make sure we had everything we needed. We had no relatives and never knew who our dad was. Mom couldn’t afford a babysitter, so most of the time, we were home alone. It was always just us. Sometimes, it would be dark before Mom made it home, so we took care of each other. It didn’t matter if we were hungry or scared, as long as we had each other, we were okay.” He looked briefly at Dean, noticing the concern on his face.
“It wasn’t all bad. We had fun together. We did what we wanted when we wanted. What kid wouldn’t want that freedom? Anyway, one night, Mom was late getting home. At first, we didn’t worry. Her boss often got her to do extra hours if it was busy. We didn’t have a phone, so it wasn’t like she could call us. The later it got, the more I freaked out. Mal pretended everything was alright, but I could see he was just as worried.”
Drake’s voice trembled as he spoke. The memories didn’t hurt as much as they once did, but it was still hard to talk about.
“Mal and I climbed into bed together—we often slept in the same bed. As we held on to each other throughout the night, we knew something was wrong. Mom… She never made it home.” Drake paused. Even after all these years, he could still feel the horror that came next. “She fell asleep driving home, ran off the road, and hit a tree. She was dead instantly.” Drake forced the words through his tight throat.
He could feel Dean’s tears on his chest. “Mal promised me we would always be together, but with no family to look after us, they sent us into foster care. Separate foster homes.” Drake paused and swiped at the tears on his face. “It was a full year before we managed to speak to each other again. The loss of my mother was hard enough, but having Mal taken from me was too much. I started to self-harm. When I wasn’t cutting myself, I was fighting with the others in the home. I stopped eating and refused to speak. I felt so lost and alone without Mal. Finally, a social worker stepped in and arranged for me to have a visit with Mal. I was so angry with him—he’d broken his promise. It didn’t matter that he was only a year older than me and hurting just as much. I attacked him with my fists, and he took it until we were both sobbing in each other’s arms. He made another promise. He said it didn’t matter where they sent us, he would always find me. He kept his word. We ran away from every home, always finding each other at a prearranged spot. Finally, we were both placed together in a group home until we aged out of the system. I still have scars on my thigh, but they’re faded now and hidden by my leg hair.” He ran his fingers through Dean’s hair, calming himself by the repetitive rhythm. He concentrated on the soft strands, pulling himself together.
“We’ve been together ever since. There is no one who has ever come between us. Boyfriends throughout the years were jealous of our relationship. One even accused us of being too close for brothers. I think that’s why we were so drawn to you and Beau. We understand because we’ve lived it. It’s our dream that living together in this home, we will never have to give up on the special bond we have for each other, and neither do you.”
Dean’s arms tightened. “I’m so sorry for what you went through. I can’t imagine what I would have done if I had been separated from Beau. Maybe we were always meant to find each other and create a family. Thank you for sharing your story. I love you so much.”
He kissed Dean on the top of his head. “I love you, too. I don’t think anyone could understand our relationship as much as you and Beau could. Now get some sleep. Tomorrow, Mal and I will show you around the property. We want this to be your home.”
As Dean drifted off to sleep, Drake thanked whoever was watching over them for bringing the four of them together.
27
Malcolm
H
alf-asleep, Malcolm stretched his hand out, searching for Beau. When he encountered the crisp sheets beside him, he was disappointed. Thoughts of the previous night seeped through, and he smiled.
“So you’re finally awake. Don’t tell me I wore you out.” Beau’s chirpy voice reached him from the doorway. “I’ve made you a cup of coffee. Everyone’s up; we’re just waiting on you, sleepyhead.”
Mal’s smile grew wider. “You didn’t wear me out. We’re just getting started. Come here, darling,” he said, sitting up in the bed. The sheets pooled in his lap, exposing his chest. He felt heat pull his stomach muscles tight as Beau’s eyes caressed his body.
Walking across the room, he put the cup of coffee on the bedside table and leaned in for a kiss. The sweet touch of lips consumed him with passion, and Mal felt the shift on the bed as Beau climbed over his body, straddling him.
“The things I want to do to you,” Beau growled, biting into his bottom lip. The sound caused a shiver that lit all his nerve endings on fire.
Beau’s ass pushed down, rubbing Mal’s erection. He reached for Beau’s waist, planning to increase the friction, only to have Beau escape his grasp.
“But not now!” Beau said, leaping up. “Drake said you have surprises for us, but he won’t share without you. So get your butt out of bed, mister.”
“Oh, that’s mean. Work me up and leave me hanging,” Mal said as he leapt from the bed, almost tripping on the tangled sheets. “You better run, darling, because I’m coming for you.”
He laughed as Beau sprinted from the room. Picking up the coffee, he inhaled the aroma from the precious brew.
He must have taken too long enjoying the coffee because Beau appeared again. “Come on, Mal. Less drinking, more walking!”
“I’m an old man, remember? I have to take my time.”
“Don’t try to pull the age card—there was nothing old about you last night. Now move it, buster,” Beau said. He was standing in the doorway with his hands resting on his slender hips.
Mal was tempted to tease him further but gave in when he thought of the present Drake and Mal had for their boys. “Okay, I’m coming.” He let out a deep sigh of contentment as he followed Beau’s pert ass down the hallway. If this was what his life was going to be like from now on, he was one lucky man.
He spotted his brother first, head thrown back in laughter. The sight did something to him. Drake had always dreamed of a “happily ever after” for them. He often spoke of true love and destiny. Mal hadn’t believed in fairy tales, nor had he wanted love for himself. He wanted his brother to be happy, but he never again wanted to experience the pain he felt when he had lost his mother and, for a while, his brother at such a young age. And then the twins had come into their lives.
Spotting him, Drake smiled. “About time.” He looked at the twins. “Go sit on the sofa. We’ll be right there.”
He grinned as the boys hurried from the room, hand in hand. Folding his arms, he cocked a hip against the counter and beamed with joy.
“You good?” Mal asked, even though he could see the contentment on Drake’s face.
Drake smiled. “Couldn’t be better, Mal. He’s perfect. We have something special here. I told him about our past. He needed to understand why we fit. I hope that’s okay.”
“I planned on telling Beau today. I don’t want any secrets between us.” He approached his brother. “We’re going to get our happily ever after, aren’t we?”
“And you said there was no such thing. I know yo
u worry that our happiness will be taken away, but at some point, we need to stop living in the past and look to the future. And our future is out there waiting for their surprise.”
Mal cupped Drake’s neck, pulling him forward until their foreheads touched. “You don’t think this is too fast?”
Drake chuckled deeply. “Seriously? I nearly died waiting for them. I know what I want. How about you? Second thoughts?”
“They only agreed to move in last night, but you’re right. No more waiting.” Releasing his brother, he looked around the kitchen. “Where’d you hide them?”
“On top of the fridge. Lucky for us, the boys were too short to see the box when I hid it this morning.”
Malcolm effortlessly reached for the blue velvet box. “Let’s do this.”
They entered the living room to find the boys whispering to each other. Seeing Mal and Drake, they flushed bright red. Hmm, seemed like they were sharing details. Malcolm didn’t mind. He loved seeing the blush on those delicate cheeks.
Sitting opposite them, he held the box in his lap. It felt warm in his hands. He ran his fingers lightly over the lid. “Years ago, you asked us to collar you. We told you then we didn’t want submissives, and we didn’t want to collar you. That didn’t mean we didn’t want you,” he added when he noticed the careful look on the twins’ faces. “While this isn’t a collar, the symbol still has meaning. You belong to us.”
He opened the box, revealing two identical gold rings. The contemporary bands had polished, beveled edges with solitaire diamonds set flush in the soft matte finish. He ran his finger over the inside engraving. Forever Yours.
He heard the boys gasp as he took one of the rings and passed the other to Drake. Together they dropped to one knee. Taking a deep breath, he spoke the words that had been on his mind constantly since he’d stopped fighting his feelings. “You mean the world to us. Together, we’re a family. Will you marry us?”
