Unknown (Hooked Book 3) (11 page)

He moved to their side, all smiles and sexy looks. His eyes were a dark blue that Logan had rarely seen, and he sported the lean muscles of a fighter. Logan mentally compared him to Ryan. They matched in height and build. The knowledge had Logan biting back questions. He’d never considered that Jimmy might be an MMA fighter too, but that would explain why Ryan seemed to know more about Jimmy than Logan did.

Jimmy held his hand out for Malik. “Hey, man. I haven’t seen you around in an age. I catch glimpses of your man, here and there, but all silence on your front.”

Malik shrugged as Jimmy shook hands with Ryan and Logan. “I’ve been around, keeping busy.”

“Yep. Yep,” Jimmy repeated, making Logan wonder if he’d been drinking. Since everything inside Jimmy’s smelled of strong liquor, it was hard to tell.

“Look,” Malik said, leaning on the bar. “With Ryan’s help, I won a huge match tonight.”

“That’s awesome, man,” Jimmy said, interrupting.

Malik didn’t let the man’s praise stop him. “And I’m feeling like a party, but also sort of lazy.”

“I feel ya. Been there many a time,” Jimmy continued, talking over the top of Malik.

Obviously, this was something Malik was used to, because he didn’t let it slow him. “Anyhow, I was wondering if I could buy a few bottles from you—to go, so we could take this party back to the house, and not have to stop at the liquor store.”

Jimmy looked around, as if checking to see if anyone was listening, before motioning them to other end of the bar. “Come on back to my office, and we’ll talk.”

Logan stood, prepared to follow Malik. Ryan didn’t budge. Neither did Malik. The men eyed each other for a moment before Malik broke. “Everyone’s waiting on you, dude. Get a move on.”

With a sigh, Ryan stood and headed back toward Jimmy’s office. As they hit their destination, Logan caught sight of Jimmy, bagging up two bottles of Smirnoff, two bottles of Jack, and a bottle of
Jäger. His hair fell in his face, and Jimmy took a band from his wrist, quickly pulling his hair into a bun, before going back to his chore. If it was as Ryan said, and Jimmy was a heavy drinker, it wasn’t showing in the man’s looks. Holy fuck. If anything, he was hotter than the last time Logan had seen him.

Jimmy passed the bags over to Malik. “My gift to you, for winning. Just don’t tell anyone where you got it, and head out the back. This is a drink-by-the-glass establishment.”

“Shit, Jimmy. You don’t have to do all this. I don’t mind paying.”

Jimmy waved off Malik’s words. “Nope. You never know when I might call upon your kindness one day. Congrats on your match, for real. I know you’ve been working hard to win the world.” Jimmy’s eyes skirted over Ryan before landing on Logan. He didn’t say anything, but Logan felt as if the man saw too much. Logan’s gaze hit his toes. Ryan shifted, placing his body between them, and blocking Jimmy from sight. Logan released the breath he hadn’t known he’d been holding. Maybe it was just his imagination or his guilt over not going to Malik’s match, getting the best of him, but sometimes he felt the accusing eyes upon him, judging him for leaving his husband.

A few more words passed between Malik and Jimmy. Logan had stopped listening. Malik turned and focused on Ryan. “You’re following me out, right? Or does Logan need to ride with you to make sure you don’t sneak away?”

Ryan held up his hands in surrender. “I swear, I’m right behind you.”

“We’re trusting you here. I don’t actually know where you live, but I have full faith in my ability to find out if you bail.”

Ryan laughed. His gaze followed Logan as Logan moved to Malik’s side. Logan felt it more than saw it happen.

“Lead the way,” Ryan said, motioning toward the door.

Jimmy said his goodbyes, and Logan fell in step behind Malik on the way out. For no reason whatsoever, with the man he loved more than life in front of him, and Ryan following at his back, Logan felt as if he was headed into some unknown territory that would change his life forever.

Chapter 7

The drive from Jimmy’s to Malik’s only took about fifteen minutes. It was long enough. Those compilations of seconds were plenty for Ryan to relive every moment of his time with Logan. The things they’d said… fuck. He hadn’t intended any of it. The lighting had been too low. They’d sat too close. Logan smelled like heaven. Not to mention, the man had a way with words. It wasn’t what he’d said but how he’d said it. Ryan could almost feel the biting kisses, the carpet tearing at his skin, and the burn of an unshaven jaw only from listening to Logan speak. Before he’d known it would happen, Ryan was offering Logan everything. He completely understood why Malik had been driven near to insanity at the loss. Losing Logan—what a nightmare it must’ve been.

No matter the lectures he gave himself, or the thousand ways Ryan cursed himself an idiot, once they were seated on Malik’s couch with a few tiny inches separating them, Ryan was right back to full-blown infatuation. Adding to the clawing need to touch Logan was the dude’s inhuman ability to hold his liquor. Jesus. He’d already had more vodka than Ryan could take and he was still speaking clearly. Even Ryan didn’t understand why it was so goddamn sexy, but it was.

Malik ended up being the one Ryan couldn’t tear his gaze from. His happiness over winning and Logan moving home, it was contagious. Ryan itched to hug him and absorb some of the high. Something about Malik always made Ryan want to taunt and tease him mercilessly. Seeing him frustrated was almost as addicting as seeing him smile.

“I guess it’s your lucky night,” Ryan said with a mock sigh. “If your match had lasted a round longer, I would’ve had Logan talked out of his clothes.”

Logan snorted but didn’t argue.

Malik’s happiness couldn’t be dampened, and alcohol obviously brought out his naughty side. He whipped his shirt over his head, revealing his huge chest. On his knees in front of Logan, Malik flexed. “You wouldn’t give this up, would you, baby?”

Logan blew Malik a kiss. “Not for all the dick in the world.”

They were both ridiculous. Ryan tossed back the Jack in his glass, swallowing it in one gulp. Malik immediately refilled it. “I wasn’t trying to steal him,” Ryan admitted before chugging the second glass. “Just borrow him,” Ryan added, sucking in a breath to kill the burn.

Malik eyed Ryan with a heavy dose of humor in his gaze as he refilled Ryan’s glass. “You’d never want to give him up.”

Logan chuckled, sounding embarrassed.

They ignored him. Ryan continued holding Malik’s gaze. “I would’ve left you a text, so you could’ve joined us after your fight.” It had to be the alcohol talking. There was no other excuse for why Ryan continued openly flirting with both men. In truth, he felt safe—like even if they took him seriously, they wouldn’t get upset.

“You could have,” Malik agreed. He focused on Logan, leaving Ryan staring at his profile in shock. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” Logan said as he ran his palm along Malik’s jaw.

“I’m walking on a cloud tonight.”

At Malik’s confession, Logan beamed. “I see that. You won. I’m so proud of you.”

Malik shook his head. “It’s because you’re coming home.”

Ryan watched the exchange with a lump in his throat. Love was everything. Without it, there was nothing. He knew. Malik kissed Logan’s hand before turning his attention Ryan’s way. “And you, goddamn, Ryan. Why are you such a fantastic person?”

Ryan had no clue why Malik thought such a thing. “I’m not, really.”

Logan huffed. “Please. You’re freaking amazing. First, you offered to train Malik, even though I’m sure it cut into things you’d needed for yourself. Then you sent me flowers, hoping to make him jealous, and help us get back together.”

“He sent you flowers?” Malik didn’t look angry, merely confused. “I don’t remember seeing those.”

Logan rubbed Malik’s forearm that was resting across Logan’s knees. “They were on my desk when you came by to ask me to dinner.”

Malik’s features cleared. “Oh yeah, the roses. That was nice. Roses aren’t cheap.”

Ryan couldn’t stop looking back and forth between the pair. They were the oddest and most wonderful people he’d ever met. They believed in each other, in spite of everything they’d done to one another, like no one he’d ever met.

 Logan fanned his face. “It’s hot in here. What’s the air set on?”

At Logan’s question, Malik almost choked on his drink. “It’s all the damn liquor you’ve got running through you. It’s freezing in here.”

They looked at Ryan for a tiebreaker. He shrugged. “It feels fine to me.”

The way Malik rolled his eyes let Ryan know he had his number. He didn’t want to get involved. Malik waved Logan toward an open doorway on their right. Since Ryan could see a king-sized bed from his vantage point, he assumed it was their bedroom. “You still have clothes here. Go find some shorts.”

Logan shifted to his feet and headed for the bedroom. As he went, he pulled his shirt up and over his head. Ryan tore his gaze away. It felt wrong to eye the man’s half-nude body. Malik chuckled, pulling Ryan’s focus his way. Humor shone in Malik’s eyes.

“He’s right,” Malik said, nodding in Logan’s direction. “You are a wonderful person.”

Ryan couldn’t listen to Malik’s praise in the face of wanting Logan. He wasn’t a good person. Nice people didn’t stare at their friend’s husband with longing. Ryan waved at the bottles of liquor lining the table. “I think Jimmy expected your party to be bigger than the three of us.”

Malik made a non-committal sound. “Jimmy never does anything in half measures.” Logan reappeared wearing nothing more than a pair of shorts. Ryan’s knees transformed into the most interesting objects on the planet.

“Look at this,” Logan said, crossing the room. “Me, alone with the two sexiest men on the planet. How did that happen?”

“Like follows like, babe,” Malik said as Logan reclaimed his seat at Ryan’s side.

Their outrageousness fed his own, making Ryan realize it was time for him to leave. The alcohol in his blood had him ready to say anything. “Since this isn’t turning into the huge orgy I’d hoped for—I guess I’d better head home.”

Malik pulled a face. “This isn’t an orgy.”

Ryan scooted closer Logan. “I know I’ve just said as much.”

A line appeared between Malik’s brows. “No. There’re only three of us. That doesn’t count as an orgy.”

Against his will, Ryan rolled his eyes. “What the fuck ever—a triad, a threesome, a three-way, whatever you want to call it. Since it’s not happening, I’m ready for bed.” He leaned into Logan, snaking his arm over the man’s shoulders and tucking him against his side. “This is your last chance. You could have me.” Ryan gave Logan his best puppy dog eyes. “All of me.”

Malik crawled over and shoved his arm between them as he encircled Logan’s waist and tugged him forward. “You’re not going anywhere. Are you, babe?”

“Nope,” Logan said, sounding happy and making Ryan smile.

Malik touched his lips to Logan’s. Ryan couldn’t look away. He knew he should. Something about the couple brought the voyeur out in him. Even as their tongues entwined, Ryan stared—enthralled. They were beautiful. Malik and Logan gave him hope for a brighter world. Still, he couldn’t do this all night. Discomfort sneaked in.

“This has been real, but I’m not much on being the third wheel. It’s time y’all celebrated alone.”

Ryan moved to stand.

Malik snagged his arm, stopping him. “Oh, hell no. You’ve been drinking. You’re not going anywhere.”

Ryan shrugged. “I don’t live that far from here. Don’t worry over me.”

“Nu-uh. Not happening,” Malik argued. “We don’t play that game.”

Logan nodded along, obviously intent on standing behind his husband. Ryan’s gaze moved between the pair. By the set of their jaws, Ryan knew he wasn’t getting out of there with them watching.

“Fine. I’ll sleep on the couch. Don’t feel you have to entertain me. Go. Get to bed. Hump like bunnies. Think of me,” he added, giving Logan his most hopeful look.

“Nope,” Logan said, shifting to his feet. “We have your number. The second we turn our backs you’ll be out the door. Let’s go,” he said, trying to pull Ryan to his feet. Ryan didn’t move.

“Go where?”

Malik grabbed his other arm, joining the struggle to pull Ryan from the couch. “To bed, idiot. Where else would we be headed?”

“Um,” Ryan said, his mind going blank.

Ryan and Malik wore identical exasperated grins. Their eyes were laughing at Ryan’s confusion.

Allowing himself to be towed along, Ryan dragged his feet on the way to the bedroom. He tried not to think too much. That shit always got him in trouble. When he stood at the foot of the bed, his arms limp at his sides, Logan and Malik turned down the comforter while arguing over whose sheets they’d use once Logan moved back home. Ryan heard about every other word. He felt stupid. There was no other way he could describe the way his brain absolutely ceased to function. With each man positioned on their preferred side of the bed, Malik and Logan watched Ryan with expectant eyes.

“What?” Yes. He was that brilliant. Ryan had no idea what they wanted. Alcohol and confusion combined to cripple him.

Logan rolled his eyes. Funny how even that was sexy as hell. “Hop in, babe. You get the middle.”