Unknown (Hooked Book 3) (18 page)

Logan gave his chest a pat in a ridiculous attempt at slowing his racing heart. “Damn, you can move quietly when you want.”

A flush appeared high on Ryan’s cheeks as his gaze slid down Logan’s body. “I was stalking my prey.”

Logan’s mouth went dry. He popped the button on his jeans, more than willing to give Ryan a show. “You could watch,” Logan said, letting the words hang between them as he slid his zipper down, and set his rapidly swelling cock free. “Or, you could join me.” He stroked his erection, hoping to tempt Ryan.

“Take the rest of your clothes off,” Ryan demanded, sounding sexy and horny.

Logan did as told while Ryan held up the doorframe with his shoulder and watched. The strip tease worked on Logan as well. He couldn’t stop stroking his cock, trying to ease the building pressure. Ryan’s gaze was too hot— too demanding. “Get in the shower,” Ryan said. His voice deepening.

Logan stepped into the shower. He could feel Ryan’s gaze on his skin.

“Don’t stop fisting that sexy dick,” Ryan ordered as he pulled his shirt up and over his head. Logan’s stomach muscles tightened at the sight of Ryan’s six-pack. It was something Logan had never been able to achieve, but he found it sexy as hell. Six packs made his dick leak.

Logan palmed his cock as Ryan stripped. The man had an amazing body. It definitely rivaled Malik’s. “How did I get so lucky?” Logan asked before he realized he would. It was a legitimate question. He’d been pressed between two of the hottest bodies he’d ever seen. They twisted him, fucked him, and sucked him. His tongue had traced their lines and his body had tasted their strength. They’d made an addict of Logan.

“Luck has nothing to do with us,” Ryan said as he closed the distance between them. “It’s a connection that runs too deep for explanations. It’s chemistry and science with a little magic mixed in.” Ryan’s overheated skin collided with Logan’s and Logan’s back hit the cool shower wall. The warring temperatures sent a chill through Logan’s body. Their erections bumped. A gasp left Logan’s lips. “It’s love,” Ryan said, staring down at Logan and stealing his breath. “I’m sorry.”

Confusion crowded Logan’s brain. “Why?”

“Maybe I should’ve waited until we were with Malik to say the words.”

A smile tugged at Logan’s lips. “He already knows. Do you honestly think he’d ever settle for less from anyone?”

Ryan’s serious expression didn’t budge. “I love you, Logan.”

Logan realized then how important this moment was for Ryan. Chances were good the man hadn’t said the words since his husband died. “I love you too.”

Ryan’s hands slid down Logan’s back until he reached Logan’s ass. He hauled Logan closer, grinding their cocks together. Reaching between their bodies, Logan palmed both their dicks and stroked. He watched as Ryan’s gaze hooded and lips parted.

“Tell me how you want it,” Logan said, making his own demands as he slid his free hand between Ryan’s legs, and toyed with his asshole. “I could drop to my knees right now,” Logan taunted as he slipped one finger in Ryan’s ass. Ryan panted but didn’t answer. “With your cheeks spread wide, I could tongue this sexy asshole until you begged me to give you release. Or I could roll your balls between my lips while I slip my hand inside your ass, if that’s what you want, but you have to say the words.” Logan slid a second and third finger inside Ryan, letting the man know he was serious. “If none of this appeals to you, I could grab a toy from the bedroom and you could ride it while I ride you. I can already feel your fat dick stretching me—”

In a move so fast Logan almost missed how it happened, Logan found himself bent over and grabbing the edge the tub, holding on for dear life as Ryan’s cock slammed into his ass. Logan cried out at the intrusion. He fucking loved it and Ryan knew it. Logan loved it hard and bruising. If he didn’t limp away, they weren’t doing it right. His own dirty talk had Logan on edge. Three strokes in, his cum coated his chest as well as the tub. Ryan didn’t let up. He rode Logan’s ass until Logan was near to begging. When the tsunami passed, and the water streamed down their bodies, Ryan gently held Logan against his chest, washing his skin. Logan kept his eyes closed, enjoying the way Ryan touched him.

“You and Malik mean everything to me,” Ryan said. His voice came out low enough Logan could barely hear. “It’ll kill me if either of you decide to kick me out of your life. I know you’ll be fine without me, but I need you to know, I’ll never be the same without you.”

Hot tears pressed at the backs of Logan’s eyes. “Am I failing you?” Logan could hear the pain in his voice but he couldn’t control it.

Ryan snagged Logan’s chin and tilted his head up, forcing Logan to meet his gaze. “Why would you even say that? It’s not possible for you to fail me.”

Instead of answering, Logan turned the tables. “How could you think we’d kick you out of our lives? Do you think this has ever happened to us before? You’re different, Ryan. You’re unique to us and losing you isn’t an option. Do you think I’m not frightened? I’m scare shitless all the damn time. You don’t need us.” Logan paused to swallow. “You don’t need me.”

“Yes, I do.”

Logan ignored Ryan’s argument. The floodgates were officially open. “When I see other men smile at you, I think, that guy could marry Ryan. He won’t have that with us. That guy wouldn’t make Ryan feel like he can’t hold his hand or tell his friends they’re together, but you feel that way with us. You have nothing to lose by leaving us.”

Ryan’s temper snapped. His palm slapped the tile beside Logan’s head. The sound echoed off the shower walls. “I have everything to lose,” Ryan yelled, shocking Logan was his fury. His hand shook as it moved from the wall to Logan’s face. That small show of weakness said more than Ryan’s words. “You make me feel anything but ashamed, Logan. You make me feel everything.” He touched his lips to Logan’s, stealing Logan’s breath. Their kiss was sweet and filled with promise. When Ryan pulled away, he looked turned on again. His expression had Logan quivering with anticipation. “Come on,” Ryan said, grabbing the body wash. “Let’s get you cleaned up. When we get to Vegas, Malik and I will get you dirty again. I promise.”

With a vow like that hanging between them, Logan couldn’t get washed up fast enough.

Chapter 11

“You lied to me when you said y’all are just friends.”

Ryan’s shoulders fell at that accusation rolling from Sam’s tongue and flashing in his eyes. It had taken Sam two weeks before speaking up. Malik had been waiting on the other shoe to drop for every second of it since he’d spotted the man in the parking lot of Jimmy’s. He set his weights aside. Sam wouldn’t appreciate Ryan splitting his attention with anything else for this conversation. He’d known this was coming. That didn’t make it any easier. He liked Sam. Of course, the man now stood with his feet braced apart and hands on his hips, looking ready to fight, but still. Ryan liked him. He tried infusing some humor in his voice when he answered.

“Yeah, well, I lied to myself first, and let’s be honest. Which is a worse offense?”

“I’m going with me,” Sam said without missing a beat. “Because I tried warning you. It’s okay to lie to yourself if you’re just blind. But, in this case, you had a friend backing you up.”

Ryan turned his face away, hiding his smile. This was such a ridiculous argument. He didn’t stop. “But I wasn’t blind—only lying to myself. By the time I stopped, it was too late. Plus, it was way too late by the time your warning came, so really, how can you be mad?” Another thought occurred to him and left his lips before Sam had time to answer. “Why do you care anyhow? None of this affects you in any way.”

“Because Malik is my friend.”

Ryan winced. “Ouch.”

The growl leaving Sam’s lips was epic. “So are you and so is Logan,” Sam amended, taking some of the sting from his claim. “I don’t want to see any of you get hurt. Malik and Logan splitting was bad—like really, really bad. I don’t want to see it happen again, or watch you fall into some kind of crazy depression when you realize you can’t have it all, because they’re married.” By the time Sam finished his lecture, he was near to roaring in Ryan’s face.

“I’m glad they’re married,” Ryan said. Sam’s face screwed up in confusion. Ryan held his hand up, staving off any further comments on things that weren’t Sam’s business. “I know you’re only doing this because you care, and I love you for it, but you’re worrying over nothing. Seeing Malik and Logan together, it makes my whole day brighter. When they smile at each other or kiss, it always hits me in the chest. In a good way,” he added before Sam could pounce on his statement. “I need them to be happy and in love.”

Sam’s face didn’t clear. If anything, he looked more confused than before. “None of what you just said makes any sense to me. Why would you want to live like this? How could you want to be with anyone who loves someone else?”

“Because I love them,” Ryan said with a shrug. A sad smile pulled at the corners of Ryan’s mouth. He hated this. It wasn’t fair that he’d found happiness again after so long of living in misery, and now he had to defend it. “You don’t have to like it or accept it. This isn’t about you.”

Hurt flashed in Sam’s eyes, making Ryan feel like shit. “You’re my friend, Ryan. However you choose to live your life, I’ll still be here. I just want you to be happy.”

A large figure appeared at the corner of Ryan’s vision. He knew without looking it was Malik. The heavy weight sitting on his chest disappeared. Giddiness overcame him. By the time he turned his head, and caught Malik’s eye, Ryan was near to dancing in place. Malik was dressed to spar. He was already tightening his boxing gloves as he made his way toward Ryan. Malik glanced up, catching Ryan watching. The smile lighting his face made everything worthwhile.

“Hey, babe. You ready to get some practice in?”

He hadn’t intended on any such thing today, but he wasn’t missing it. Ryan grabbed the weights he’d set on the floor at Sam’s appearance and put them back where they went.

“Let’s go,” he said, waving Malik ahead of him. Sam eyed them as they passed. His expression unreadable. A wave of sadness washed over Ryan. What would he do if no one ever accepted this?

*

Malik teased. He also sneaked in a kiss and stole a few blatant touches when no one was watching. No matter what he did, Ryan’s happiness didn’t last long. His eyes would light and it would fade. The tightness in Malik’s chest screamed for him to fix whatever was happening inside Ryan’s head.

He was by no means an MMA fighter nor would he ever be, but he’d watched Ryan enough to pick up a few moves. Malik watched for his opening. Ryan’s mood shifted once more, taking a downhill spike. He dropped his guard. Malik spotted his opening. Without a second thought, he swept Ryan’s legs from beneath him, catching the man off guard. Ryan went down. Before he had time to recover, Malik fell to his knees beside him.

“That’s cheating,” Ryan argued, but he was smiling.

Malik tsked. “Not according to you, it’s not.” The light was back in Ryan’s eyes. Not for the first time, Malik wished they were alone. “You’re smiling,” Malik said, pointing out the obvious. “You should keep it up.”

Ryan winked. “If we were alone, things would definitely be up.” He started to sit. Malik pushed him back down.

“Nope. We’re staying like this until you tell me what’s going on with you?”

Ryan’s eyes skirted away. “Nothing.

“Are we lying to each other now, babe?” Even Malik heard the hurt in his voice. He couldn’t stop it from happening. Malik opened his mouth, intent on saying more. Ryan cut him off.

“I’m not good at hiding my feelings.”

Malik sat down on the mat beside Ryan. He had not seen that one coming. “Are you hiding something from me?”

Ryan’s smile returned. His eyes flashed with wickedness. “I couldn’t even if I wanted to. That’s not what I meant. I don’t like hiding how I feel about you.”

Confusion reigned. Malik was at a complete loss. “Why would you have to? That’s not what Logan and I want. We hoped you planned to be part of our lives—not some dirty secret.”

Unfortunately, Malik’s assurances didn’t appear to ease Ryan’s mind. His mouth flattened into a line. As Malik looked on, Ryan shrugged. “Sam—”

Everything cleared. “Likes to fix everyone,” Malik said, cutting Ryan off. The relief written on Ryan’s face had Malik trying to make everything better. “The things is—we’re not broken. He means well, but at the end of the day, he doesn’t know us. Not really.” Pride swelled in Malik’s chest and he couldn’t stop. “He doesn’t see how you put everything on the line to make us happy, no matter the cost to yourself. There’s no way he can understand how I feel when I see you look at Logan, and it’s obvious you go through all the same psychotic emotions I do. In those moments, I’m not crazy or alone. Sam doesn’t see the way Logan lights up when you tease him. Ryan,” Malik said, needing the man’s full attention.

Ryan licked his lips, taunting Malik’s body. Malik refused to stop holding the man’s gaze as Ryan responded. “Yeah.”

“I love you. He doesn’t know us. If you hide, it’ll break my heart.”

Ryan visibly swallowed. “Same.”

“Good,” Malik said, pulling Ryan to his feet. “We’re in agreement. No secrets. I’m proud. Logan is ecstatic. Fuck what everyone else thinks. Logan and you are the reasons I get up in the morning and go to bed at night. I’m not worrying over anyone else in those moments, and neither should you.”