“I think you need to go fix this, don’t you?” She stretched up to kiss his cheek. “Go on. You shouldn’t leave this. I bet they’re worried.”
He gave her a hug. “Thanks. Love you, Mom.”
“Go on. You can’t butter me up until you have your men so I can meet them. Go on, or I’ll sic your brothers on you.” She gave him a deceptively innocent smile. He couldn’t help but think about how much Oliver would be able to learn from her.
He headed out to his car, grateful that people didn’t stop him to ask questions. Bryce wasn’t sure what he would have even said. Telling everyone he was going to Oliver and Troy’s house to grovel didn’t sound like something he needed to share—even if it was the truth.
The drive over didn’t take nearly long enough. He’d thought the words would come to him on the drive over, but they hadn’t. He hadn’t even called them yesterday. They’d talked so often he couldn’t remember a whole day going by recently where he hadn’t at least talked to them on the phone.
What were they thinking?
Words and emotions were turning in his head as he walked up to the door. The countdown in his brain only had seconds left before he had to figure it out, and suddenly even those precious few were gone.
Oliver opened the door.
He was quiet, but Bryce didn’t feel unwelcome, just sorry that he’d upset Oliver. “Hi, kitten.”
Bryce watched as Oliver relaxed, finally giving him a smile. “You know you’re in trouble, right?”
Now that he knew Oliver wasn’t mad, he gave him a dramatic sigh, cuddling close and dropping his voice to a whisper. “Can’t you save me from him? I’m sure you know just what to do. I’ll make it worth your while.”
Oliver giggled, shaking his head. “I can’t give away my secrets. You’ll have to learn them on your own.”
“Will I get a spanking for being an idiot?” That didn’t actually sound too bad. However, he didn’t think it would be that easy.
Oliver leaned into Bryce’s embrace. “No, worse, he’s going to—”
“Make you talk it out.” Troy’s voice came from the doorway where he leaned against the frame, crossing his arms. “Upstairs, you two.”
Bryce gave Oliver a quick glance. “We’re going to get tied to the bed again, aren’t we?”
“Yup.” Oliver nodded, starting to head inside to follow directions. “And I know that look. He might have you tied up for a long time.”
Bryce didn’t understand the look on Oliver’s face. He was missing something. “As a punishment?”
“No.” Oliver’s look turned tender as he walked up the stairs. “Until you understand we’re keeping you.”
Bryce fought back a smile. He didn’t want them to think he found their reactions humorous, but it was adorable and made him warm inside.They were going to keep him.He wasn’t sure he deserved them. All he’d done was question what he and they wanted. He still wasn’t sure he’d made any progress, either.
Sandwiched between Oliver and Troy, Bryce walked up the stairs, thoughts swirling. When it came out, would it really matter to the insureds in his office? He believed Oliver and Troy when they said they wanted a long-term relationship with him, but could they really make it work? Would he be able to sort out the dominant and submissive parts of himself that didn’t always agree on who was in charge? He had more questions than answers, but he knew one thing.
He was where he needed to be.
“Strip down. You can leave your briefs on if you want, but everything else goes. Then climb up.” Troy stood in the doorway and watched Bryce and Oliver. His expression was still guarded, but Bryce saw a warmth in his eyes that made him feel steadier.
Taking off his clothes, Bryce let everything fall into a pile and got up on the bed. He didn’t bother keeping on anything. He didn’t want any barriers between them and he didn’t need to hide from them. Curling up into the pillows, he watched as Oliver joined him on the bed. They stuck out their feet and gave each other a grin.
As silly as it might have looked, Bryce liked the symbolism. He knew it was Troy’s way of making sure Bryce understood how serious they were about communication, but it made him feel like part of their family. The idea that they wanted him enough to tie him down shouldn’t have pleased him as much as it did. They might have been mad at him, but they still…wanted him…needed him…loved him.
Maybe.
Maybe he was overthinking it again.
When Oliver and Bryce were stretched out and patiently waiting, Troy calmly walked over to the bed and tied them down. The cuff would have been easy to remove, but Bryce liked how it felt. Secure.
Troy gave them both a long look. “Are you cold? Do either of you want a blanket?” He was calm and serious, but the heated glance he gave both men let Bryce know he wasn’t unaffected.
Oliver shook his head. “You’re like a big heater. I think we’ll be fine.”
