Oliver walked around to the driver’s side after giving Bryce a tempting, teasing look. Troy gave his boy a tight grin. “In the truck, kitten. I’ll be right there.”
Oliver had a knowing grin, but nodded and climbed in the driver’s seat. Waiting not-so-patiently, he fiddled with things on the dashboard and watched the two men intently. Bryce wasn’t sure what Troy was going to say, but he was relieved he didn’t have long to wait because he didn’t think his stomach could handle it.
Troy turned away from the truck. “You want to do this, right?”
Was he asking about the food or something else? “Dinner or—”
“Everything.” Troy leaned back against the truck looking cool and collected, but Bryce could see the stress around his eyes and in the set of his lips. “If you only want to be friends, we need to know that up front. I’m going to be honest, we’re already more invested in this than you are, I think, and—”
“No, you’re not.” Bryce wasn’t sure what would happen, but he didn’t want Troy feeling unwanted or like Bryce wasn’t emotionally invested in the two men. Because he was. As crazy as it sounded, even to him, that one night changed everything. “I want to be here, and if we’re being honest, I’m not sure how I feel about everything, but you’re not the only one who feels something.”
It wasn’t much, and it definitely wasn’t romantic, but it satisfied Troy. His no-nonsense attitude and guarded exterior made Bryce sense that he’d rather have the truth laid out than anything flowery and dramatic. Oliver, on the other hand, would probably love something romantic. He glanced over at the man in the car, head cocked, looking like he was trying to read their lips.
Bryce got a big grin from Oliver, but he seemed more worried than he had when they were in the office. “If you make him wait any longer he’s going to pop.”
Troy grinned, nodding. “My kitten is very curious.”
“So, Little Italy, or did you guys have another restaurant in mind?” Standing in the parking lot was awkward. He wanted to get back to the more relaxed atmosphere that they’d had before. Sitting down eating seemed like the best way to get there.
“That’s fine.” Troy’s expression turned guarded again. “We need to talk about things before this gets too far.”
His insides felt like they were at war with each other. The firm way Troy was looking at him was making it hard to think. His internal sub wanted one thing and the Dom another. Bryce slid his hands in his pocket to keep from fidgeting and nodded. “I agree. What topics did you have in mind?”
Something flashed through Troy’s eyes, but Bryce couldn’t catch it. “You need to understand what Oliver and I want, and we all need to talk about expectations in a scene and in general. I want to make sure we’re all on the same page.”
“Understandable. And after dinner?”
“We’ll see what comes up at dinner, then we’ll go from there. If you’d like, you can come over to our house for a drink afterward.” Troy seemed to be waiting for Bryce to pull away and make an excuse not to go, but while he knew he probably should, he didn’t want to.
“Sounds good.” He glanced over and gave Oliver a wink to help keep him from worrying. “I’ll follow you over to the restaurant.”
“All right.”
Bryce watched as Troy turned and headed for the passenger side. Walking over to his vehicle, a sedan that looked small when compared to the truck, he got in and turned on the car. He knew Troy was concerned for Oliver, and he couldn’t blame him. Bryce wasn’t sure how long they’d been together or what their story was, but he knew he’d be worried if the situation were reversed.
He just didn’t know what he would say.
He wasn’t even sure what he wanted. Maybe that wasn’t quite true. He could see some of it, but he wasn’t sure it was realistic or the best idea. He knew long-term BDSM relationships could work. His own parents were proof of that. It was when you added in a Dom and a sub to the mix that made it more confusing.
Would they accept that as an answer?
I like the idea of this, but I’m not sure it can workwasn’t the most eloquent response. It was honest, though. That had to count for something.
He hoped for the drive over to magically take longer, but it seemed even shorter than usual. He still hadn’t worked out what to say by the time he’d pulled in and parked beside their truck. Excitement poured from Oliver, making Bryce smile. Even knowing the little brat would try to manipulate him into getting what he wanted didn’t dampen his grin.
Kittenwas right.
Opening the car door, he got out and walked over to his dates. Not that he would call it that. Not yet, at least. “I’m starving.”
“Me too.” Troy didn’t look like he was talking about food.
Oliver laughed and smirked. “I’malwayshungry.”
Oliver didn’t seem to be talking about food, either.
Bryce shook his head. “Come on, you two. Behave.”
They both gave him little smirks. Oliver’s a bit naughtier and Troy’s a bit more reserved, but still very similar. If they could get through dinner without drawing undue attention to themselves, he was going to count it a win. He wouldn’t bet on it, though.
