Bonds of Desire

by Lynda Aicher

  He usually left the savior stuff to Deklan. But then, what was Seth doing with Tyler in his guest bed? The pull to Tyler was just as strong as the one to Allie—and just as wrong. His dual attraction to both sexes had never been an issue for him and thankfully, Dek and Jake never cared either. Their exposure to the BDSM world in their teens had broadened all of their tolerance levels. Still, he’d never felt this strongly about two people, let alone at the same time.

  Seth lifted his head, prepared to leave. There was no way he could contemplate that and it was past time he started on his to-do list. He froze midrise when he found Tyler watching him, his blue eyes bright against his pale skin. The effects of the painkillers were no longer evident in his intent inspection or silent judgment.

  That word again. What was the other man thinking?

  Seth lowered back into the chair and let a soft smile warm his face. “How are you feeling?”

  Tyler took a long time to answer, all of his thoughts concealed behind a blank mask. Again, he was completely still, as if movement of any kind would break the safety he currently held. Finally he wet his lips and said, “Fine.”

  The smile dropped from Seth’s face, his stomach curled around the simple answer. In his experience, that was a stock word meaning fucking far from okay. “Yeah, right.” He scanned the man’s back, the anger at his abuser returning. “Do you need more pain pills?”

  “No. Not yet.”

  “Water? I imagine your throat’s dry as hell from the meds.”

  Tyler searched him again. “Sure.”

  Seth grabbed the glass on the bedside table and refilled it in the attached bath. He sat on the edge of the bed and held out the glass so Tyler could reach the straw without having to disturb his back.

  Tyler looked down, his lashes lowered over his eyes. The second of distress might have been missed by most people, but Seth caught it. The brief internal struggle between resisting and complying was over in a blink. Tyler raised his head and took a few long pulls on the straw before easing away. “Thank you,” he murmured.

  Seth set the glass aside but stayed seated on the bed. They needed to talk about a whole load of crap, but for now he needed to be assured that Tyler wasn’t going to run the first chance he got.

  “It’s going to be a while before you can move freely.” Seth watched for Tyler’s reaction, collecting intel, because he was positive the man wasn’t going to tell him shit.

  Tyler grunted, the sarcasm clear in the low sound. “You think?”

  Seth didn’t react. “You can stay here until you’re ready to leave. No expectations or pressure. You’re free to walk out whenever you want.” Seth stared at him. “But you have people here who want to help. You don’t have to deal with this on your own.”

  “What?” Tyler sneered, the disdain layering over the earlier sarcasm. “You looking for a free fuck?”

  “No.” Seth kept his voice even. “If I wanted to fuck you, I’d go about it very differently.”

  Tyler snorted. “Like you’d really pay for my ass.” He turned his head away.

  Yeah. Seth wasn’t having that. He walked to the other side of the bed and lay down on his stomach. He bunched a pillow under his chest and head until he mimicked Tyler’s position. The floral scent of fabric softener invaded his nose, the smell abrupt, not subtle and soft like Allie’s.

  The other man watched him once again, logging everything while showing nothing. “Newsflash,” Tyler said. “My ass is out of commission. You ain’t gettin anything here.”

  “Defensive much?” Not that Seth blamed him. Sometimes the only way to survive was to punch first.

  Tyler clamped his lips closed, the skin drawing tight across his cheekbones. The muscles along his shoulders tightened visibly, his arms bracing as if he was preparing to thrust away or throw a punch.

  Following a hunch, Seth slowly reached out his hand, maintaining eye contact. His movement was controlled, nonthreatening. Tyler stared back, his eyes widening when Seth settled his palm around the base of Tyler’s neck. His skin was warm against the chill of Seth’s fingers.

  Tyler’s eyes closed instantly at the contact, a wave of conflict crossed his features before the tension drained from him. His shoulders sagged, the rigid hold of his brow lifted to ease away the lines across his forehead.

  Another damaged soul. Seth understood so much about this man even though they’d never shared histories. Words weren’t always required to know someone. Every so often, it was possible to find a person you just knew intuitively, as if he or she were already a part of you.

  Why did it have to be this man? Now? When there was so much to overcome and very little chance of anything coming of it?

  “I’ll never harm you, Tyler,” Seth vowed softly, meaning every word.

  Tyler opened his eyes. There was weariness in them. A caution learned and earned from years of experience. “How do I know that?”

  “You just do. Or you wouldn’t be here.”

  “Words mean nothing.”

  “Yet you’re here.” Seth rubbed his thumb over the soft bristles of hair at the base of Tyler’s skull, a slow pass of soothing comfort for both of them. “Which means there’s some part of you that trusts what I say.”

  “I shouldn’t.”

  “Probably. Yet if things were different, I would cherish everything you gave me.”

  A soft gasp rang through the room to shatter the moment. Tyler tensed, the muscles bunching tight beneath Seth’s palm. It was unfortunate that he’d never know if Tyler’s reaction was due to Allie’s entrance or his words.

  Seth glanced over Tyler’s shoulder. Allie stood framed in the doorway, backlit by the light from the main room. Her face was in shadow, but the stiff hold of her body said enough. He didn’t have the energy to stress about it.

  “Morning, Allie,” he mumbled, keeping his hand on Tyler and his eyes on her. “Been up long?”

  She shook her head and took a step back. “I didn’t mean to intrude.”

  “You’re not intruding.” He lowered his tone, wanting to see her reaction. “Come here.” Would she comply or bulk?

  Something warm and sultry eased through him when she stepped into the room, almost as if she wasn’t aware of it. He glanced to Tyler. A crooked smile crossed his lips, a look of knowing in the man’s eyes. There was a glint there that caught Seth’s breath, a gleam that held something besides hurt and challenge.

  Longing. But for who or what?

  Shapely, toned legs were displayed beneath the hem of the T-shirt Allie wore. The improvised nightshirt reach to midthigh. She stopped at the end of the bed, a vision of rumpled morning and tussled awakenings. She covered a yawn, crossing her arms over her chest when she finished. The action did little to hide her breasts beneath the thin cotton. Seth was certain his black shirt had never looked that good on him.

  “Do you make moves on everyone who stays at your place?” She arched a brow, her gaze landing on Seth’s hand where it rested on Tyler’s neck.

  Seth smiled. “Usually the moves are made before the sleepover.”

  She glanced down, a piece of lint suddenly needing her attention. She plucked it off and flicked it away. “Don’t manipulate us.”

  His smile dropped and he started to flip to his side. Tyler moved in a flash, his firm grip on Seth’s wrist, keeping his hand in place.

  “Don’t go.” The whispered plea was so low that Tyler’s lips barely moved. The need conveyed in his reflexive action reached out to entice every dominant urge within Seth.

  “I won’t,” he promised. There was no way it had been easy for Tyler to say those words. The pressure on his wrist eased, but Tyler still held on. Seth looked to Allie, who watched the exchange with narrowed eyes. “I’m not manipulating anyone.”

  “Is that true, Tyler?”

  The other man finally turned his head to study Allie with the same intensity he’d grilled Seth with earlier. “I can hold my own.”

  “Right.” Her sigh spoke volumes
more than her single word. Shaking her head, she moved to Tyler’s side of the bed and sat on the edge, one leg bent beneath her. Tyler was immobile once again. Completely still except for the sway of the mattress from Allie’s weight. “Me too.”

  The deep chuckle that burst from Tyler startled Seth. Even Allie snapped back, surprise on her face. “I’ve noticed,” Tyler said.

  “Thanks. I think.” Allie gave a soft smile, glancing over Tyler’s back. “How’s the pain?”

  “Fine.”

  The stock answer had Allie shaking her head again. “And I bet you have a bridge to sell me if you think I’m that gullible. I’ll stop at the pharmacist today and get your prescriptions filled. There’s still a painkiller left if you need it now.” The doctor had sent home a dose to hold Tyler over until the drugstores opened.

  “I’m good,” he insisted. He released his hold on Seth’s wrist, relaxing incrementally but moving no more than to tuck his hand back under his pillow.

  “Are you?” Seth asked. The swap of biting words with this gentle complacency had him on edge.

  Tyler contemplated Seth before the corner of his mouth curled up. “No. But the drugs are worse than the pain.”

  “How?” Allie tugged the hem of the T-shirt down, stretching the material over her bent knee until it was pulled tight and hid the teasing curve of her breasts. Her gaze landed on Seth’s hand, his grip on Tyler’s neck seeming to hold her attention. Her innocent question made it clear that she’d never been in a place of vulnerability. Must be nice.

  “No one will harm you here,” Seth assured Tyler, ignoring Allie’s question but shooting her a hard glare. “I promise.”

  “W-what?” she sputtered. “Are you implying that I would hurt him?” Her mouth opened in disbelief. “I don’t believe this.” She ran her hands through her hair. Her jaw worked like she was chewing on her next words. “Look. I promised Tyler I’d help him. And I won’t go back on that, no matter how much you—” she pointed at Seth, determination flashing in her eyes, “—keep trying to chase me away.”

  “I’m not trying to chase you away.”

  “Then what was that kiss about last night?” Her triumphant smirk was accompanied by the thump of her arms crossing over her chest. She arched her brow at Seth.

  He didn’t look at Tyler, wouldn’t give her the point by looking away. But Tyler hadn’t tensed at her words. His muscles were still lax under Seth’s palm. “Just a kiss. One you liked, if your reaction was honest.” It was his turn to raise a brow.

  “Then what’s all this about?” She waved her hand at the two of them lying on the bed.

  He did glance at Tyler then. The smile lighting his face was surprising enough to make Seth pause. The mischief danced in the other man’s eyes to banish the haggard cut of life’s trials. In its place remained a stunningly beautiful man who eyed him with a calculation that left Seth speechless. He cleared his throat so he could answer Allie. “Comfort? Kindness? Either of those familiar to you?”

  She laughed. Her soft chuckle eased over them and sent shivers down Seth’s back. She dropped her defensive pose to stare at her lap and fiddle distractedly with the hem of the shirt. “I don’t get it. I’m obviously way out of my element here. I don’t know what to think, let alone how to fight.”

  Tyler turned his head to look at Allie. The soft rustle of the pillow sounded loud in the quiet room. “Why are you fighting?”

  She huffed out a puff of air. “I don’t know. I don’t...” She closed her eyes.

  With aching slowness, Tyler eased his arm out from under the pillow to rest his palm on Allie’s knee. She flinched at the touch. Her eyes jerked open, but she didn’t look up.

  “Don’t fight. It doesn’t help. Don’t give up, but don’t fight.”

  She glanced down Tyler’s arm, her lashes lifting to stare at the man between them. “Then what should I do?”

  Seth was held spellbound by the exchange. The power shift was so quick and subtle that even he didn’t know how it’d happened. But it was beautiful and it gave him hope. The small warmth bloomed within him without his consent.

  “Stay,” Tyler answered.

  Her gaze skated over Tyler’s head to land on Seth. “Do you want me to?” She was still speaking to Tyler, but the question was posed to both of them.

  “Yes.”

  Seth remained quiet, letting the other man control the moment. But he watched Allie, her chocolate eyes appearing both contemplative and rebellious. There were layers upon layers of distrust to peel back before anyone would ever get to the core of who Allie was. It was so clear now that the flirty, aggressive persona she’d displayed in their previous meetings had been nothing more than a perfected shield to keep her safe, much like her defensive lawyer one. He should have seen that, but maybe he hadn’t wanted to dig that deep before now.

  “If you leave, so do I,” Tyler finally said.

  Her eyes snapped back to him. “Of course. You’re welcomed to stay at my place. I understand.”

  “No.” Tyler twisted his head in a slow shake. “If you won’t stay here, then I’m going home.”

  Allie pushed to rise, but Tyler increased the pressure on her knee to keep her from leaving. She glared at his hand. “The no-manipulation policy applies to you, too,” she said tightly, her nostrils flaring slightly with each breath.

  “Never,” Tyler agreed. Seth stroked his thumb over the base of Tyler’s neck. The ripple effect of Tyler repeating the motion over Allie’s knee wasn’t lost on Seth. “Free will, always. You can walk out the door anytime you want.”

  Seth’s assessment of Tyler notched higher and he had to work to withhold the smile that dared to break free.

  “Not if you’re going to follow. You know I can’t let you go home. Not like this.” She waved her hand over Tyler’s back.

  “Would you leave if I told you I’d stay here anyway?”

  She stared hard and long at Tyler before she lifted her gaze to give Seth the same penetrating look. “No,” she finally answered.

  “Lay down, Allie.” Tyler lifted his arm, his command hung between them.

  She turned her head away. The anticipation blended with the mystery of the next move until Seth was fighting to hold still. The undercurrents were fucking amazing. What he couldn’t accomplish, what he’d thought was virtually impossible without hours of time and patience, Tyler was doing with a masterful ease.

  Maybe that was what had drawn Seth to him to begin with. The man played the submissive often enough. Played being the key word. But it was clear that there was a dominant streak in Tyler that wouldn’t let him bow to just anyone.

  The dynamics were both magnificent and dangerous. He should end it now. Get off the bed and let Allie run. But he didn’t. He was frozen in place, compelled by this other side of Tyler as Allie. His instincts told him the next move would define their relationship moving forward.

  The three of them.

  Chapter Seven

  Tyler held his arm aloft, the effort causing a flash of nails to dig across his back. It only meshed with the inferno that blazed from his shoulders to his thighs, nothing he couldn’t ignore.

  Allie’s head was turned away from them, shoulders stiff and spine straight, but she hadn’t bolted. Not yet. The lawyer was fighting a battle that only she could decide. He got that. He had many scars from his own personal clashes.

  His throat was raw and parched again, and not from the meds. The room was distinctly silent, yet his heart beat loud and demanding in his head. Partly from the headache that gripped his skull in a tight hold, but mostly from wanting this too much.

  There was something within him that needed Allie to lie down. To submit, even if she didn’t completely comprehend what her actions would mean. Would she follow her desires or her rules?

  She was a beautiful woman who would be amazing if she ever let go. Did she even know how?

  It was dangerous and stupid, this game he was playing. He shouldn’t be here. But he was. And so were
both of his insistent saviors.

  “Allie?” he said into the lengthening silence, his voice as firm and gentle as the Dom behind him. The slow, consistent strokes of Master Seth’s thumb back and forth against his neck a silent encouragement.

  Tyler had no illusions; Seth held the power. And for some fucked-up reason, Tyler wanted that. It soothed him, actually. He didn’t want to fight it. Not now. Not here. An ease had settled through him with the simple placement of the Dom’s hand on his neck. Authoritative without being demeaning. Comforting, not subjugating.

  It’d been subtle and perfect.

  Allie turned back around and studied them, her brow lowered in a way that seemed almost natural to her. Then, with big exaggeration, she rolled her eyes up and huffed out a breath. “Fine. If it’ll make you happy. It’s not like lying in bed with two hot men is a hardship.”

  Tyler smiled. The squeeze on his neck was another sign of approval that smoothed through him. And damn, did that feel good.

  He worked to keep the satisfaction from showing as Allie stretched out on the mattress, copying their pose by lying on her stomach. She wiggled around a bit, tugged the shirt hem down before swiping an extra pillow off the floor to tuck it under her head.

  When she’d settled, giving one last puff of breath to blow a stray hair out of her face, Tyler chuckled. He lowered his arm, using the opportunity to brush a few more hairs away. Her skin was soft, her curls surprisingly silky, not coarse like he’d imagined. “What happened to the dignified lawyer?”

  She smiled, the humor lightening her eyes to a weak shade of coffee. “I stuffed her in the closet. I have three older brothers. I know how to play with the boys.” She winked, her personality flip as disarming as a kick to his gut.

  Seth’s soft grunt only made her smile widen. The other man lifted up, and her gaze shifted to look at him over Tyler’s head. “Do you? And what do you play, Allie?”

  Her smile faltered, the light in her eyes dimming. “That is not your business. But I’ll note your interest.”