by Livia Grant
Jax could see her struggling to answer, so he answered for her. "Emma is going alone, aren't you honey?"
She looked nervous. Like she was waiting for him to get angry.
Chase was angry, "I thought we were past this shit. I told you I loved you, God dammit."
Emma crossed to their lover and smiled as she stroked the sexy scruff on his cheek as she answered, "And it means the world to me. It really does, Chase. But I still need to go alone, at least this first time. I owe that much to my parents. They need to hear the truth from me first. Let them get used to the idea before they meet you."
"But..."
She cut him off. "Please. Trust me. I need to do this on my own."
She didn't wait for the men to answer. She just picked up the rest of the toiletries she'd need and headed down the stairs to the shared bathroom on the second floor, leaving the men alone.
Chapter 15
Emma had been gone almost two hours when the doorbell rang. The men had been conveniently avoiding talking about the heavy things happening by battling each other in Halo 3. Chase jumped up to look out the small window.
"There's a sedan I've never seen in the driveway."
The loud clumping of heavy feet rushing up the wooden stairs to the attic could be heard over the video game. Jaxson grabbed the remote to flick off the power just as the pounding on the bedroom door started.
The men looked at each other nervously, suspecting who might be on the other side of the thankfully thick door. Jaxson moved quietly towards the door, hoping to get it locked before whoever was on the other side burst in to find the naked men.
"Jaxson Davidson and Chase Cartwright, I know you're in there. This is Emma's father. Open up."
The men's "fuck" was in unison.
It must have carried behind the door because Mr. Fischer's response was to pound louder. "My sentiments exactly. Now open this door."
Jaxson looked around the space they'd been holed up in for the last few weeks and knew without a doubt he'd be dead within minutes if he let Emma's father inside. It was one big sex playroom. Restraints, dildos, vibrators, and punishment devices of all shapes and sizes covered most open spaces. The messed bed still bore the sticky remains of multiple orgasms.
Jaxson made it to the door just in time to hold it closed as the elder Fischer started to open it.
"Hello, Mr. Fischer. This is Jaxson. We'll be happy to talk with you. We'll meet you downstairs in five minutes."
"No, we'll talk here. Now."
Chase looked worried and started to frantically try to pick up the most racy of sex toys just in case Emma's father made it past Jaxson.
Jaxson held his ground. "No, sir. I insist. We'll talk in the kitchen."
"You listen to me, young man. I love my daughter very much and I'm coming in there this instant."
Chase froze, turning to stare at Jaxson with panicked eyes. Jaxson met his heated stare as he replied, "And I love your daughter too, and that's why I insist that you not come in here now. Trust me, sir. We are best to talk downstairs."
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Chase's victorious grin at Jaxson's declaration of love warmed him.
Emma's father cursed, "God damn it. Fine. You have five minutes."
Jaxson waited until he heard the retreating steps before letting go of the door. Chase was still grinning from ear to ear, his arms crossed across his bare chest, the jutting cock Jaxson loved so much swinging between his legs.
"What the hell are you smiling at? He's pissed!" Jaxson questioned.
If possible, Chase's grin grew. "I knew it. You love us."
Jaxson chuckled as he reached for a pair of jeans thrown over the back of the desk chair. "I said I loved Emma. I didn't say shit about you."
Chase knew him well. "Uh-huh. Right." Damned if he still stood there, staring at Jaxson. They'd been best friends for years, so it felt odd to feel uncomfortable with Chase, but he was in new territory and they both knew it.
"Shut up, will you? This is serious."
Chase took a tentative step forward, moving in Jaxson's direction slowly. "Yes, it is serious. It isn't every day the man I'm in love with admits he loves me back."
Jaxson stood frozen, waiting until his lover entered his personal space. The men closed the final inches between them, their mouths crushing together as Jaxson weaved his fingers through Chase's long hair, holding his head stationary as he plundered his mouth with a probing tongue. He felt Chase melting against his body like the submissive that he was.
Jaxson moved his left hand down to grip Chase's thickening cock, dragging a tortured moan from his lover. When Jax pulled out of the kiss, their labored breathing filled the room. "You need to put this bad boy back to sleep until later. I don't think we need him for what's coming next."
Chase's "Yes, sir," was perfect and had Jaxson's own cock filling.
It took all of their willpower to separate and dress respectably for the important meeting ahead.
Five minutes later the men stepped into the large kitchen. Emma's father stood at the window looking out on the backyard, his arms crossed defensively. He didn't turn to greet them when they entered.
Their housemate, Richard, sat at the kitchen table, eyes wide, looking as if he had a front row seat to the best show in town.
"Richard, can you please leave us alone for a few minutes? We have some private topics to discuss."
The gay man who was infatuated with his houseguests protested, "But, I want to stay."
Jaxson enlisted his best Dom voice to urge Richard's compliance. "Richard. Now. Leave."
The student's eyes widened before he uttered a quick, "Yes, sir," and scurried off.
Only once the three men were alone did Emma's dad turn. They stood off, silently sizing each other up before her dad broke the silence. "I see you're a man used to calling the shots. That explains how my little girl fell under your spell. I couldn't believe she'd be swayed by money and fame alone."
Of all of the words the man could have uttered, these were not going to get them off to a good start. "I resent that. Emma has never asked us for a thing. Nothing. Do you know how rare that is in my life?"
"That doesn't surprise me. She's young. Impressionable. A good girl."
"Yes. But don't forget intelligent. Beautiful. Honorable." He saw her father's surprise at his praise. "You did a great job of raising her, but..." Jaxson paused, weighting every word carefully. "But she's not a girl any more. She's a woman."
Apparently those were not the right words, as her father's face only got redder. "Don't talk to me about her being a woman. You've corrupted her. What exactly are your intentions with my daughter? She's talking nonsense of quitting school and following you half way around the world."
Jaxson had to fight down his joy at hearing that Emma was seriously considering going with them when they left soon. A glance sideways showed a beaming Chase, happy with the news that Emma would be going with them to London. Obviously her father's gaze followed Jaxson's as he turned to Chase too for the first time. "And what's your story? Are you some type of puppy dog following him around too? Why are you here watching Jaxson take advantage of my daughter? I'd think you'd have your own woman to corrupt."
The glow on Chase's face extinguished in a defeated rush. Jaxson saw the pain in his lover's eyes as Chase internalized that Emma had only told her parents about her relationship with Jaxson... not Chase. Tears glistened in Chase's adorable brown eyes and Jaxson felt his pain. Without thinking of the implications, he closed the distance between them and leaned in close to whisper in Chase's ear. "You were right. I love you too."
The men's light kiss had just begun when the back door slammed open and an out of breath Emma barged in, an attractive middle-aged woman fast on her heels.
"Daddy! I can't believe you did that! We had to walk all the way from the diner." Emma's eyes scanned the room, falling on her lovers, a look of relief at finding them still alive and in one piece.
Her father fi
lled the awkward silence by telling his wife what she'd missed. "There is something really fishy going on here. I don't want you mixed up in this, Emma."
"Dad, it's too late for that. I'm already all in."
"But you don't understand. They kissed each other!" The older man was scandalized.
Emma reached out to pat his arm, trying to calm him. "Yes, Dad. I know. That's what happens with people who are in love."
Jaxson was surprised to see relief on the elder's face. "So what are you? Just a diversion to hide their gay relationship?"
Jaxson held his breath, waiting to see how Emma would respond and relieved when she crossed the distance to stand between her lovers. Jaxson and Chase each stepped closer, wrapping an arm around Emma's waist to link them together.
"No, Dad. I'm not a distraction. I'm the glue that holds us all together."
Jaxson couldn't have described her role in their relationship better. He and Chase had been together for years, but it was only with Emma that their friendship had transformed to love.
Her father was still confused. "I don't understand. Which one is your boyfriend?"
"Daddy, please. Sit down."
"No."
Mrs. Fischer piped in. "Robert, Emma's right. You should sit." When he glanced her way with doubt, she added a stern, "Sit. Now."
Her husband moved on autopilot to pull out a chair from around the kitchen table and slide into it, a look of confused defeat on his face.
Within seconds, Emma's mother approached the threesome, first hugging her daughter before pulling Chase into a big hug. When she turned towards Jaxson, their eyes met and he saw her approval shining back at him. He hadn't expected her to take him in her arms too, hugging him tightly. A foreign homesickness for his own mother invaded and he realized it would be good to at least see her the following week, even if it meant putting up with his father.
When the hug ended she stayed close, addressing Jaxson directly, her hands on his chest. "My husband did me a favor when he stormed out of the diner. Emma finally opened up on the walk here and told me everything."
Jaxson's face must have betrayed some of the panic he felt at the thought of Mrs. Fischer knowing everything because she quickly stammered "Well almost everything.... Enough anyway..." clearly flustered.
Jaxson turned his mega-watt smile on her, relief at her acceptance sinking in.
Emma questioned her parent, "Wait. You're not mad mom?
The women turned to each other. "Mad? My goodness, no. I'm happy for you. All of you. All I want is for my baby to be happy and right now, it's easy to see these men are making that happen. I want you to travel... to see the world. Live your life. There is more than enough time to settle down and figure out the long term plan later." She paused, glancing back at Jaxson and Chase before finishing. "But, if you do anything to purposefully hurt my little girl... I'll hunt you down and castrate you. Understand?"
Jaxson didn't doubt her for one minute and loved that Emma's mother would go to the mat to protect her daughter, something his own mother had refused to do when confronted with her husband's will.
"You have my word, ma'am. That will never be necessary."
"That's good. And stop this ma'am stuff. I'm Linda."
"Linda? What the hell are you saying?" Emma's dad was still not up to speed.
"I'm saying these men make my daughter happy and that's the best present a mom can ask for."
"But, you don't understand. They're just using her to cover up their own relationship as a couple."
Jaxson jumped in to clarify. "But sir, you don't understand. I'm not with Chase. I'm with Chase and Emma. Together. There is no couple."
It took several long seconds for Mr. Fischer to finally work out what they were trying to say. As understanding dawned, he looked away from his daughter in confusion.
Jaxson couldn't really blame him. The relationship they had formed was the kind normally hidden behind closed doors, never to be discussed. With the men's high profile, the minute they stopped hiding out in an off-campus house in Madison, Wisconsin, they would put Emma at risk for public scrutiny and scorn.
The last thing he wanted to do was change her mind, but he just had to know. "So you really decided to come with us?" He heard the vulnerability in his voice.
Chase had gone to her again and was hugging her as she answered them. "I kept thinking about how sad I was when I got home from France without you. I regretted not staying in touch. My heart hurt when I thought I'd never see you again. If I'm honest, I'm still scared shitless I'm going to get hurt when you come to your senses and realize you settled for me when you could have any woman in the world, but I will never forgive myself if I don't give us a shot. I mean... you came for me. You took a month off for me. You stood up to Roberta for me. The least I can do is see what happens, right?"
He had to be careful, but he couldn't let it pass. "Emma. What have I told you about putting yourself down? That sounded a bit like you were still thinking you were somehow less deserving than others." He raised his eyebrow to get his point across, while his back was to her father. The rosy blush to her cheeks assured him she got his message loud and clear.
"I didn't mean... At least I didn't call myself fat this time. I just meant..."
Chase was hugging her, trying to help. "I think you should stop while you’re ahead, sweetheart."
Emma's father sat at the kitchen table, silently taking it all in. He was no longer flushed. In fact, he looked pale as if he were in shock. The rest of the occupants of the room seemed oblivious to his distress. Jax wasn't sure it was a good idea, but he moved to the table, taking the seat across the table from the older man. He didn't register Jaxson immediately, too lost in his own thoughts.
Jaxson extended the olive branch first. "I know this is coming as a surprise, sir. I don't entirely blame you for your concerns. I can only try to reassure you that I really do have Emma's best interest at heart."
Gone was the man's anger. It took her father a long minute to reply as he processed his shock at the news of his daughter’s unconventional relationship. By the time he spoke softly, what remained was loving concern. "What will happen to her when this doesn't work out after all?"
Jax knew that was a fair question. "I'm going to do all I can to make sure that Chase and I never hurt Emma, but no matter what happens in the long run, she will never want for anything the rest of her life."
"How can you promise that? She is giving up on her education."
"No, sir. She already has her undergrad degree and I will encourage her to get her masters online. She'll be able to keep up with her education from anywhere on the globe."
"And how are her mother and I going to be able to see her? She used to visit every few weeks. Having her in France last year almost killed me. She's our only child." He looked so sad. "I'm going to miss her."
It was Emma that answered him, moving to sit next to her father. "Daddy, I may not be able to visit as often, but I'm sure I'll be able to fly home, right Jax?" She looked at him expectantly with hope in her eyes.
"Of course you can, Em. In fact, your parents can fly to visit you too. We'd love to have them come see the world with us."
He saw the tears threatening in her eyes at his generous offer. The funny thing was, he knew these were good people. He'd spent the bulk of his life surrounded by fakes and wannabes. He was still getting used to the fact that good people like the Fischers existed in the world. He genuinely looked forward to spending more time with them.
It was Mrs. Fischer who eased the awkward silence that had fallen over the kitchen. "Well I think we've stayed long enough. Let's get heading home, Robert. We need to stop and pick up some groceries. I'm hoping to see all three of you on Sunday."
Emma looked shocked. "But, Mom. You still want us all to come? I mean, Grandma will be there. And what if Mrs. Spinner spies on us from next door? I'm not good at lying and well...."
Linda walked back to talk directly to her daughter. "Listen to me, Emma. Fi
rst, I'm not asking you or even wanting you to lie." She paused, collecting her thoughts. "Let me ask you a question. Do you really want this relationship to work with these men? I mean really work?"
"You know I do."
"So if you can't be proud of it with the people who love you most in the world, how exactly do you expect to go public? They are not truck drivers or schoolteachers. They are famous models. There will be no hiding you from their fans for long. Don't you think your grandmother would rather you tell her in person than read about it in a tabloid or see it on the six o'clock news?"
Emma glanced nervously around the room, taking the temperature of all of the occupants... the people who truly did love her the most in the world.
"Okay, fine. You're right. We'll be there."
Once it was decided, Emma wasn't the only nervous one in the room. One look at Chase and Jaxson knew the men wouldn't be sleeping well, worried about what lay ahead of them on Sunday. They'd laid low long enough. It was time they took their relationship public.
Chapter 16
Their Journey as a Trio
Shopping/Buy:
Haircut & Highlights
Mani-Pedi
Tanning salon
New wardrobe
Make-up/Make-over
Bathing suit and wrap
Brazilian wax
Suitcase
"What the hell are you doing up at four in the morning, baby?" Emma almost jumped out of her skin as Jaxson's deep voice broke her concentration. His long fingers squeezed her tense shoulders, eliciting a surprised squeak. His gentle massaging motion did wonders towards relieving the growing tension that had been swirling like a tornado inside her.
"I couldn't sleep. I have too much on my mind. Ah... not quite so hard. That hurts."
"It hurts because you're wound tight. Let me work some of the kinks out."
Emma closed her eyes and let her chin drop to her chest as she tried to relax under Jaxson's ministrations. The pen she'd been holding too tightly slipped from her fingers as his technique moved to a light karate chop action across the taut muscle connecting her head and shoulders. The room was dark save the small lamp on the desk in front of her, illuminating the loose-leaf paper containing a brain-dump of all things panicking her at the moment.
