Unknown (Hooked Book 3) (12 page)

Eyeing them with suspicion, Ryan set one knee on the mattress and climbed on. He settled onto his back, in the middle of the bed, and stared at the ceiling. His stomach muscles were tense enough to snap as he waited to see what happened next. Logan snuggled in beside him while Malik switched off the lights, plunging them into darkness. The bed dipped next to Ryan. Butterflies stirred in Ryan’s stomach until he thought he’d be sick. Logan rolled into his side. Ryan didn’t hesitate to hold him. Malik shifted on his other side until both Logan and Malik had their heads resting on Ryan’s shoulders and their linked fingers rested on Ryan’s stomach. He wondered if the pair could feel the way he shook as Ryan’s eyes slowly adjusted to the dark.

A warmth began in the center of Ryan’s chest. In all Ryan’s life, he’d never had a stranger experience, and that was saying a lot.

“So…” Ryan said, trying to break the tension. “We’re sleeping.”

Logan’s shoulders shook with barely suppressed laughter.

“You’re an insufferable ass,” Malik said, apropos to nothing. “But you’re
our
ass, and we’re not letting anything bad happen to you.”

“So…” Ryan said again, incapable of letting it go. “This is what? A safety sandwich?”

The shaking increased on Logan’s side of the bed.

Malik held onto his practical side. “If you choose to call it that, then, yeah.”

“So… Are we going to make out or what?”

A snort accompanied Logan’s shaking.

“
Hmmm
,” Logan said, sounding thoughtful. “What do you think, Malik? I didn’t get my goodnight kiss.”

The bed shifted again. As if they’d choreographed it, Logan and Malik pressed their lips to Ryan’s cheeks and made smooching sounds. Ryan huffed in his annoyance. At the sound, Logan stretched past Ryan’s face. Malik met him halfway. Their lips met. Another exasperated sound escaped Ryan before he could call it back. Malik shifted even closer, leaning over Ryan. His arm snaked out, snagging the back of Logan’s head, and deepening their kiss. Ryan seriously considered pushing his way out from beneath them and going home. This time, he wouldn’t let anyone stop him. As the thought passed through his head, Malik and Logan moved lower, and Ryan was part of their kiss. Even he couldn’t say exactly how it happened. One second, he was uncomfortable as fuck. The next, he was in the middle of something amazing.

In his life, he’d witnessed three-way kisses before. They’d always looked more awkward than enjoyable to him. But as it happened, Ryan’s opinion was forever changed. It was the hottest thing he’d ever experienced. He was moved. Their love was a beacon of hope. It washed over Ryan, changing his thoughts on a thousand ideas he’d had on life. Two tongues entwined with his. There was no fight for supremacy or greediness in their kiss. It was sweet and delicious. He found himself gripping the back of each man’s head, attempting to cling to the moment. He’d been empty for so long. Since Chad had died, he hadn’t tasted love. Now, it coated his tongue and permeated his pores, filling him with a hope he hadn’t known in years.

Malik pulled away, bringing an end to the encounter. “Are you good to stay now, or will you be peppering us with questions all night?”

They settled back down into his arms. Ryan had to clear his throat to answer. “Um. Yeah. I’m good.”

“Good,” Logan said.

Ryan wanted to see his face with something akin to desperation. He wished he knew if they were affected at all because they’d blown him away.

Logan’s knee pinned Ryan’s to the bed. He swallowed and stared at the ceiling. These men would never be his. Their love couldn’t be touched, but for a short moment, they’d shared it with Ryan. He was moved beyond words. He swore then, to any entity still listening to him or that he hadn’t alienated with his hate, the men in his arms would be his friends for life. For a second, in the dark, they’d given Chad back to him. There were no words.

*

Logan woke to a raging headache and a strange heat beside him. He knew without opening his eyes, it wasn’t Malik. The person he held onto like a body pillow was too lean to be his husband. Memories of the night before crept in before Logan peeked one eye open. The sunlight pouring into the room didn’t assault his senses as terribly as he feared, giving him the freedom to take in his predicament. Malik was the one holding his hand, so there was that. Lifting his head slightly, hoping not wake anyone, Logan searched Malik out with his gaze. He found his husband staring at him from across Ryan’s body. He smiled when he caught Logan’s eye. Logan nodded toward the bathroom. Malik dipped his chin, letting Logan know he understood Logan’s silent demand. After letting go of Malik’s hand, Logan eased from the bed. He kept one eye locked on Ryan’s face, trying not to wake him. When the man didn’t stir, Logan released a pent up breath and headed for the bathroom. He been too drunk the night before to think about brushing his teeth before bed. Logan fucking hated that. He nearly sighed in relief once he had a mouth full of cool mint coating his taste buds.

Malik slipped into the room behind him and locked the door. His lips brushed Logan’s shoulder on his way to the toilet. Logan quickly finished up so Malik could take his place.

As Malik brushed his teeth, Logan stood behind him, eating up the sight of his husband’s gorgeous backside. Before he could stop himself, Logan pressed his lips to the center of Malik’s spine. It wasn’t enough. His tongue shot out, stroking the bumps along the man’s spine and moving lower. His hands skimmed Malik’s sides as he went. He never got enough of this man. His hands moved of their own accord, dropping to Malik’s ass. He had to shape it, memorize the sensation of it overflowing his palms. Malik held onto the sink as if it was the only thing keeping him upright. The sight made Logan’s chest heavy with pride. He loved the brief seconds Malik allowed him to be in control, seducing him.

As always, it didn’t last. Malik turned in his arms, taking charge. In the blink of an eye, Logan found himself perched on the edge of the bathroom counter, clinging to Malik’s shoulders for support as Malik ravaged his mouth. Another memory of the night before slipped through Logan’s lust-filled haze. A third tongue had joined theirs, shocking Logan with its heat. Logan’s stomach muscles tensed. He’d kissed friends before in the past, with both parties knowing it meant nothing. Sometimes friends, who loved each other intensely as only friends, still did weird things like that. No one got hurt. Logan wasn’t a hundred percent sure that counted in this case. They hadn’t known Ryan long.

As if Malik read his mind, he pulled away and set his forehead against Logan’s. They stared into each other’s eyes—connected as only they could be. When Malik spoke, he whispered, as if he feared Ryan might hear them through the door. “I think Ryan is really hurting. Not that I have anything to go on, but he’s been acting weird and angry.”

Logan nodded. “He said his soulmate died,” Logan said, matching Malik’s tone.

Malik’s eyes looked sad. “That’s awful. If anything ever happened to you.” He shook his head before capturing Logan’s lips once more. “I’d go with you,” Malik swore between kisses. Logan understood the sentiment. He didn’t want to be the one left behind.

“I was so stupid,” Logan said, hearing the pain in his voice as he spoke against Malik’s lips. “Eight months of us are gone, because I’m so, so stupid.” Even Logan didn’t understand why the full ramifications of that just now fell on his shoulders, but there it was, crushing him. No matter how many years they had together, there would always be those missing months he couldn’t have back. Malik tugged at Logan’s clothes, somehow stripping him while not letting him fall. With Logan nude, Malik jerked open the drawer beside him and dug around until he came out with a bottle of lube. He kept his gaze locked on the task of oiling up Logan’s ass as he responded.

“We both failed each other.” He tossed the bottle aside, snagged Logan’s hips and positioning his cock at Logan’s asshole, before meeting Logan’s gaze once more. “It won’t happen again,” Malik promised as he pushed his way inside Logan.

Logan sucked in a deep breath, taking all of Malik. His dick leaked on his stomach as it danced with delight. “I love you,” Logan breathed as Malik pulled away, before rocking into him again.

“You’re my greatest love,” Malik agreed, while nipping at Logan’s bottom lip. Logan tugged at his cock, seeking release as Malik claimed his ass. He gave himself over to the pleasure, letting go of every mistake. They’d never spend another night apart, and that’s all that mattered. A blinding orgasm seemed like the perfect way to celebrate.

Chapter 8

July…

In spite of the crowd, Ryan couldn’t hear a thing except the roar of his blood pounding in his ears. He concentrated on his breathing. In. Out. Block. Kick. His opponent matched him in every way. They were the same size and height. This match could go either way. Everything slowed as the dark-haired man sprang. Ryan countered the move, escaping at the last second. Damn. He’d been holding his breath again. In. Out. Leg sweep. His opponent went down. Ryan fell on top of him before he could roll to his feet. The close quarters’ battle left him winded, but Ryan didn’t relent. This was his home turf. He refused to lose in the same gym where he worked out every day. The dude landed a lucky blow to Ryan’s ribs. That shit would leave a bruise. Still, Ryan didn’t let go. Wrapping his legs around the guy’s body, Ryan held on and twisted, pulling up on his chin without mercy. No matter how hard the man fought against him, Ryan refused to let go. He held on as if his life depended upon it. His reputation certainly did. The guy’s fingers extended, and his palm smacked the mat, tapping out.

Ryan’s arms fell limp at his sides. They burned as if he’d been working out for days. Blood rushed back to his limbs. He struggled for every breath. Using the last of his energy, Ryan rolled to his knees before pushing to his feet. The sound of the cheering crowd finally penetrated his tunnel vision, assaulting his senses as the referee raised Ryan’s arm in victory. He turned in a circle, taking in the packed bodies surrounding the octagon. As if it was meant to be, his gaze landed on a man who stood almost a foot taller than everyone else. He was smiling. Happiness slammed into Ryan. His victory felt complete.

Once set free, Ryan rushed through pulling on his workout pants over his shorts and tossing a shirt over his head. With his bag in hand, he headed out, searching the crowd with his gaze as he went. With Sam and Malik, standing shoulder to shoulder, they were easy to spot. Ryan automatically searched for Logan. His breathing didn’t slow until he spotted him at Malik’s side. They were smiling. Ryan couldn’t reach them fast enough. At least three men tried stopping him to shake his hand. He barely registered their congratulations. In all truth, he wasn’t entirely sure he wasn’t rude as fuck to everyone who stood between him and reaching Malik and Logan. There was a sickness inside him. It grew every day. Ryan intentionally never looked too closely at it. Being happy—that shit meant everything. He wouldn’t easily part with the thing keeping him that way.

“That was badass,” Malik said, yelling to be heard over the cheering crowd.

Ryan couldn’t stop smiling as he clasped hands with Malik.

Logan leaned in for a hug. “What he said,” Logan said, squeezing Ryan and warming his chest. “Plus, it was super-hot,” Logan added for Ryan’s ears alone.

For the first time in years. Ryan fought back a blush. Each week, he did what he did. It was small time fighting, paying a few bills, but no one ever praised him. Not really. MMA had come into his life when he’d needed a release for all the pent up anger he didn’t know how to deal with. Now, it was in his blood. He didn’t need praise, but Logan and Malik’s meant more than it should.

“Great job, as always,” Sam said, chiming in.

Ryan flashed him a quick grin. “Thanks guys. I can’t believe you’re here. Well,” he said, feeling the need to amend his thoughts. “Sam works here, so I’m used to seeing him, but wow. I’m not sure I’ve ever had so much support at a match.”

Sam motioned toward the workout area outside the fight room. “Let’s duck out of here, so we don’t have to keep screaming over everyone.”

As they took Sam’s suggestion, Ryan kept glancing over, taking in the sight of Malik and Logan. He still couldn’t believe they were there. The second they could speak without yelling, Ryan said as much. “When I saw y’all last night, neither of you said anything about coming tonight. You’re both off for the night. Why aren’t you out enjoying something special together—like dinner and a movie?”

“We are enjoying something special together,” Malik argued. “Do you not want us here?”

Malik’s claim of being there as something special caused Ryan’s stomach muscles to tighten with a hunger he didn’t want to name. His mouth went dry.

“I’ve never been to an MMA match before. That was fun.” Logan was smiling as if he meant every word.

“We host fights here once a month,” Sam said, oblivious to Ryan’s internal war. “You should force Malik to bring you more often.”

Malik pulled Logan against his side and kissed his temple. “Force me, baby. You know I like it when you twist my arm.”

A bark of laughter escaped Ryan, but Sam was the first to comment. “It does my heart good to see the two of you like this again. The universe has been out of balance.”

A blush rose high on Logan’s cheeks, fascinating Ryan. He loved it. Every time Logan blushed, the memory of his face as Malik went down on him, rose to life in Ryan’s mind.