“Jax?”
“Who else?”
“He came out at the diner,” he said and threw Zier a grin that quickly faded. “His family forced him into it.”
“I heard they disowned him. Did he finally tell you that?”
“He told me this morning,” Kel admitted and shook his head, drawing his lips into a thin line.
“Maybe they always planned to,” he said. “I was talking to Steve, Base Bridger’s boyfriend, at school this morning and he said Base told him they never planned to allow Jaxon to do anything but win the election so they could take over the town without bloodshed.”
Kel leaned against a tree trunk and the fragrant scent of the flowering caesa tree surrounded him. The pale green and white flowers bloomed from fall into late winter. “What’d the constitution look like? Do you know?” He casually brushed Zier’s hand. Last night had made him feel even closer to his lover, and he wanted nothing more than to openly acknowledge his feelings for Zier as well, but Jaxon might not be ready.
“The constitution and bill of rights is stellar,” Zier said. “Steve said it’s better than Brad’s. He saw Brad’s thanks to Base. He also said he’d support Jaxon although the rest of the family won’t. He’s too liberal. He wants women on the council, and he wants to give them equal opportunity to get custody of their children or at least joint custody. He wants to change the education system, but he’s allowing room for those with different beliefs. So, those like Jarvis can still educate their children separately while having access to the same funds for education as everyone else.”
“Sounds like he’s giving everyone what they want,” Kel said without surprise. He’d never seen any part of the draft because Jaxon had insisted it be kept secret until he finished.
“He’s perfectly blended Barrian and human law and rights.”
“I knew he would,” Kel said proudly. “He’s smart.”
“And that might be what gets a kill order on him by his own elders,” Zier said. “Steve said Base told him the Bridgers feel betrayed. They think he’ll order them to release Marcy.”
“He doesn’t know they have her,” Kel said. “I don’t plan to tell him.” Marcy was Dade’s female mate’s sister. She’d conspired with Beets to kill Dade’s mate as well as others. As per Barrian law Dade was going to execute her after she gave birth the child she was carrying. She was only alive because the child’s grandfather, Sed Bridger wanted it. He had no problems with that. She’d betrayed her family for money and hatred of Barrian ways.
“Anyway, things might get nasty around here after the election,” Zier told him shifting so his shoulder brushed Kel’s. “You know that Jaxon is a subspecies of Barrians called FieroKin. Lightning Kin.”
He gave his friend a shocked stare. “I didn’t.”
“The ones with a boat load of power never made it past twenty-two, but I think the reason is they were genetically unstable. Their power killed them and those around them when they went critical.”
“I don’t understand.”
“They release fire energy as well as electricity and static. When they go critical it’s because they’d built up so much energy, like the magma chamber of a volcano, that they just blow. They could kill anyone within a five-mile radius.”
Jaxon could really kill him and everyone at this orchard. His family had to be made aware of this so they could decide whether Jaxon could live here. He wouldn’t risk his brothers’ lives or their mates.
“See, they mated, and the ones that, say, were a 2.5 to a three out of five never went critical. They survived, mated with their own kind, and produced offspring.”
“Mated?”
“They mated, and I think they mated because it allowed them to stabilize,” Zier said. “I was reading over an old text after I left last night. No one knew why they were what they were since electricity wasn’t a big thing on the planet. There were only about a thousand of them in existence. Small numbers were encouraged to leave their clans and go mate with others to breed the genetic anomaly out of their bloodlines. Plus a lot of them were Southern and bisexual.”
“Those old fuckers wanted to breed out a love for men.”
“Probably since gay wasn’t popular among Southerners. They just tolerated it as long as the man kept it out of sight,” Zier agreed. “So last night I think Jaxon mated you. They were known to take two mates or have a mate and a lover.”
“That probably added to the stability,” Kel said, studying Zier. “The ones who died—did they mate?”
“No, they never had a chance to.”
“You’re hoping you’re the other stabilizing force in Jax’s life,” Kel said without accusation. He saw the hope in his friend’s eyes, but felt it inside himself. He’d fallen for Zier first, but Jaxon had stolen his heart.
He shrugged. “You know how I feel about him. I’ve always hated that I let you beat me to him. Hell, I even contemplated telling him about us, so he’d dump your ass.”
Kel cocked a brow at him and grunted. “Let’s take things slow, see how he responds to you.”
“His power didn’t hurt me, Kel. It felt good on me like it did on you. I could see what his touch did to you.”
“I saw what it did to you too, Zier, that’s why I said we’d take things slow.”
“His family probably doesn’t think he can go critical, but he can, Kel.” Zier sighed. “I’m not telling you this so you can let me around him.”
“I know that,” he said quietly. He knew Zier would back off if he asked him too. He was a good friend and Zier’s love for him was expansive and forgiving. It was more than he’d deserved, but he wasn’t going to keep treating him like another warm body.
He looked at Kel. “You know I love you, right? This isn’t about me trying to get to Jax and steal him from you.”
He nodded and met his lover’s stare. “I never deserved it.”
“You’re a good guy,” Zier murmured. “I hope you realize you have two men who love you, and accept that you’re our center. Without you, me and Jaxon won’t be complete.”
Kel shook his head and looked away. He pushed a hand into his jeans pocket. “I love you both too, and I’m going to try to be the man you see. I know I have so much to lose if I fuck up.”
“Kel, it’s not about what you have to lose, it’s about what you have to gain by accepting responsibility for our hearts.”
He nodded swallowing convulsively. “I’m taking him out for ice cream after dinner, want to come?”
“I want to come to dinner,” Zier said.
“Not tonight.” His tone was territorial.
Zier held up his hands in a placating gesture. “Fine.”
“Meet us at the ice cream parlor at eight.”
* * * *
Jaxon stepped out of his office at five with a smile. He was looking forward to his date with Kel even though they’d decided to eat at the Commons, another casual restaurant in town that served a mix of ethnic cuisine. He knew this was a big step, but so was his plan to release parts of the constitution for an early look. He wanted the voters to see what they were voting on and have a chance to mull it over.
The council had agreed and was putting it up on their website tonight. The newspaper was also printing a special edition that would release tonight. That should get him their votes since he had no intention of doing anything other than enforcing those articles as law.
“Hello, Jaxon,” Jarvis greeted him as they met at the front door of the building.
“Jarvis,” he said tightly the light going out of his mood.
“I saw the sheriff here today,” he said. “What did he want?”
“That was personal.”
“He wanted to talk to you about Tom’s death, maybe?” His tone had chilled by the last word.
“I didn’t know Tom,” he said blandly. “I had no reason to kill him.”
“Maybe you killed him because he knew what a lair you are.” He sneered. “I’ve seen the rewrites. I know th
ey’re lies just like I know you’ve been running out to that queer club. I bet that’s why you killed Daniel. He saw you there.”
“So what if he did?” Jaxon demanded as he tilted his chin up. “What’s it to you? Jealous because you aren’t getting any lately?”
“You cock-sucking bastard.” He drew back and punched Jaxon in the jaw and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt.
Jaxon sent out a wave of electricity that met Jarvis’s fingers through Jaxon’s shirt. He jerked back with a growl.
“What did you do to me, you freak!”
“Back off,” Jaxon snarled and shoved Jarvis. “Stay out of my face.”
The security guard gave Jaxon a cold stare as he walked to the door. “I’m not putting you in office to turn this town into a freaking cesspool.”
“Then, don’t vote,” Jaxon retorted distantly. “It’s your right, exercise it.” He strode out the door. He couldn’t undo what had happened this morning or what would happen this evening when he went out with his man as a couple. He’d rather lose that damned election than keep pretending to be something he wasn’t.
* * * *
At 7:15, Jaxon walked into the Commons with Kel. The hostess met them with a cool stare that sliced right through him, and Jaxon’s palms dampened. This was an indication of just how bad the evening was going to be.
“Table for two,” Kel told Miranda Beets, the daughter of the dead councilman, Beets.
The twenty-one-year-old glared at him. “Certainly. Ladies.”
Jaxon’s ears heated and he bit the inside of his cheek.
“Don’t be a bitch, little girl,” Kel said blandly. “No one’s treating you like a pariah even though your father was a snake with blood on his hands.”
“Not the blood of anyone who mattered,” she retorted. “Too bad he didn’t take care of the sheriff or your family but your day is coming.”
Kel started to speak but right then the door opened behind them and he turned to see the six-foot Simon Granite, part owner of Breakers, striding toward them. Simon’s tanned face creased in a smile.
“Hello, boys,” he said. “Miranda, was just getting ready to show you to a table I presume?”
“She was,” Kel agreed cordially. “How are you Si?” He stuck his hand out to the older man. Simon was sixty but didn’t look a day over thirty as per his Barrian genetics. One of his parents was a pure-blood.
“Good.” Simon shook his hand and gave Jaxon a nod. “Jaxon.”
“Hello, Simon.”
“I saw the constitution and bill of rights sneak peak just now,” he said and grinned. “Like what I saw. Is the rest that good?”
“Certainly is,” Jaxon told him proudly. “Miranda there might decide to run for council next term or join the women’s auxiliary I’ll put in place if I’m elected. “I want women’s input on how to make this town as much a woman’s world as a man’s.”
Miranda snorted. “I’m not voting for you, queer.”
“Miranda,” Simon rebuked coldly. “Do you want your job?”
“I need it since they stole my dad’s store from us,” she snapped at him. “We can’t afford to leave this freaking town yet.”
“Then, remember you’re a lady, and act with decorum.”
She scowled at him. “Yes, sir.” Her tone held a distinct hint of mocking.
“Well, you have my vote,” Simon said. “And I think pretty much everyone in this town will be pleased with what they see. They’ll be willing to put aside their differences and work with you.”
“I hope so,” Jaxon said ignoring Miranda’s cold glare. He could feel it on him. It was icy as a glacier and making his electricity prickly enough to charge the air.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the changes,” Simon said and the rest of his words were drowned out as he struggled to control his urge to shock the girl.
Kel’s hand closed around his and Jaxon settled a little. “We’ll talk to you later, Si,” Kel said and turned his gaze on Miranda who gave him a militant stare before showing them to a table.
The warm colors of fall surrounded them in the quaint restaurant. Stares followed them to their table, and a few rude comments drifted to their ears, but Kel put an arm around Jaxon and tucked him close to his side even as electricity itched to shoot from him.
“Should we even eat here?” Jaxon asked. “They’ll probably spit in our water and fuck with our food.”
“Simon’s cooking our meal himself,” Kel said. “Didn’t you hear him?”
“No.” He pushed out a sigh. “I’m just so tense. My electricity keeps trying to get out and shock the piss out of anyone looking at us wrong.”
Kel frowned. “Is your power escalating?”
He nodded. “Fast.”
“You have good control though.”
He rolled his eyes. “I’m surprised Zier isn’t joining us. He dropped some books off at the law office for me today.”
“Really? I didn’t know he was doing that,” he murmured and Jaxon saw anger flash in his eyes.
“Kel, don’t lie to me. How long were you two lovers?”
“Off and on for three years,” he answered quietly. “We were more off than on when I started seeing you.”
“And sleeping with Bria.”
Kel leaned toward him. “I fucked a lot of people, so what?” he asked, irritated. “You were the only one, other than Zier that really meant anything to me.”
“Does he still mean something to you?”
“Yes,” Kel answered.
“How interested in me is he? He looks like he’d be all over me if we broke up.”
“He would. He’s not interested in just a passing thing. That’s what we were talking about at the club. He wanted me to talk to you about the three of us getting involved romantically. I told him I would.”
“Then, why did you tell me all he wanted was a ménage?” he demanded, confusion clouding his mind.
“I didn’t want you to feel pressured into anything,” Kel answered.
“You didn’t want to have to admit you want us both,” Jaxon said softly. He didn’t look away even as realization dawned. Kel’s feelings for Zier had been what had kept him from committing. If he got involved with one exclusively, he risked hurting the other.
Zier’s feelings for Kel explained why the two were together so much of the time.
He could feel like an outsider. The two men were close no matter how reluctant Kel was to admit. He could be hurt. He’d seen that flash of something real and deep in Kel’s eyes just now as he said Zier’s name. However, he was just pensive. He knew he had a decision to make. A waiter appeared with their drinks and gave them each a smile. “Simon said he’d have your first course up soon.”
“Thanks, Wray,” Kel said. Wray was an ordinary looking young male that Simon regularly played with at the club. He was usually wearing a collar when they saw him.
Wray gave them a nod moved to a table where a man was waving him over.
Jaxon took a sip of his wine. When Kel remained silent, he reached across the table and put a hand on his. “Baby?”
Kel met his gaze. “Yes?”
“I don’t know if I can fall in love with him, and you didn’t give me any reason to doubt your feelings for me last night.”
“You don’t have to worry about that, sweets,” Kel murmured.
He thought he would eventually. Zier continued to be in Kel’s life. Temptation could be a nasty thing for two people with emotion and history between them.
“I love you, Kel,” Jaxon murmured. “But I’d understand if you wanted to leave me and be with him. I’d be pissed and hurt, but I wouldn’t get in the way.”
“I’m not going to leave you, but I’d like you to consider having a relationship with him too.” He lifted Jaxon’s hand and brushed a kiss over his knuckles as he held his gaze.
“I’ll think about it,” Jaxon answered quietly. He would think long and hard about it because the three of them were tied together emot
ionally. He didn’t want to get hurt and didn’t want that for Zier.
Kel smiled softly. “You won’t, but I did invite him to join us for dessert at the ice cream parlor.”
Jaxon shrugged. “Okay.”
Chapter Fifteen
Dinner was pleasant despite the prying eyes and by the time they entered the ice cream parlor, Jaxon was more relaxed than he’d been in weeks. He’d always been afraid someone would guess that Kel was more than a friend.
Kel spied Zier at a table at the side of the parlor next to a window and he led Jaxon over. Zier smiled first at Kel and then Jaxon.
“Hey guys,” Zier said. He lifted his hand as if to touch Kel but rubbed the back of his neck instead.
“I’ll get ice cream,” Kel said. “Be right back.”
Jaxon sat down across the table from Zier. His gorgeous eyes zeroed in on him, making Jaxon’s skin warm.
“Damn you’re gorgeous, Jax,” he said softly. “Kel will probably kick my ass for saying it.”
Jaxon smiled. “Why would he? He knows it’s true.”
Zier chuckled. “Yeah. Didn’t mean to just show up with the books today.”
“It’s okay.” He rubbed his hands together on his lap. “Look, I know you and Kel are lovers.”
“Yeah, but that’s not—he’s not going to cheat on you.”
“I know.”
“Yeah, you mated him, so you know he’s locked and tied to you. He’s not going to touch me or anyone else unless you approve of it.”
“Good,” he answered flippantly. “I read that thing in the book about mating. I figured you’d told Kel trying to get him away from me, but I guess it’s a little more complicated than that.”
“I want both of you, and I think Kel wants you and me.”
“I agree with that,” Jaxon said. “But he is mine, Zier.”
“I know that,” he said evenly. “Can’t we just try to work this out?”
“How?” he asked with a frown.
“There’s only one way to do that,” he said. “You, me, and him.”
“Here we go.” Kel set two containers of ice cream on the table along with an envelope of cookies. He sat down next to Jax.
Passion's Fire [Alien Passions 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour ManLove) Page 10
