Chapter One 

Stuffed mushrooms were a pain in the ass. They smelled weird when they were cooking. They either went wet or dry when they sat. No matter what Troy did, they sucked. 

They sucked, and Carter loved them with the fiery burning passion of a thousand suns, so Troy made them. 

He made them for Carter’s birthday. For Geoff’s birthday. For Carter and Geoff’s anniversary. Now he was making them for New Year’s Eve. 

Again. 

It must be love. 

“Is the dishwasher done yet, honey?” Geoff came swooping into the kitchen and dragged a hand across Troy’s ass as he walked by. “Carter wants me to put the bar glasses out. He’s micromanaging. Consider yourself warned.” 

“Can’t you go suck him off or something?” he whispered, meeting Geoff’s eyes with a wink, making sure neither Carter nor Saul could hear. 

“Right? He won’t sit still. Saul is on it. He’s trying to tempt Carter into the hot tub.” That might work, get the Doms out of their hair. It wasn’t like either of them was really helping. 

Well, Saul had set the tables up and helped move the furniture around. And Carter…must have done something useful. 

“Oh, it is done, yay.” Geoff opened the dishwasher and started pulling out all the glassware and dishes they’d thrown in. A lot of that stuff sat from party to party, so it needed a refresh. “Do I smell mushrooms?” 

“You do. You know how Carter loves them.” He’d made Geoff his cheese ball and Saul sausage balls. He had Lit’l Smokies, pinwheels, French onion dip, queso. They were going to have a great party. 

“What are you going to wear?” He should have known that question was coming. Geoff had probably had his outfit picked out for a month. “You have Saul now. You’ll have to come out and play and be social instead of hiding in the kitchen this year, you know.” 

“When did we make that rule?” He not only had Master Saul, but Carter and Geoff as well. 

“Did you miss that meeting? It’s a rule.” Geoff closed the dishwasher. “You need to look like you’re going to a party, lover. End of subject. I want to see you dress up.” 

“I have jeans and a clean T-shirt?” He knew teasing was going to rile Geoff up, but it was probably worth it. 

Geoff clucked at him and shook his head. “Is that all you brought? I can’t believe Saul would allow that. Ugh.” Such a disgusted sound. Pretty damn funny. 

“My ugly Christmas sweater?” He grinned across the kitchen. 

Geoff’s eyes went wide. “Troy Finch! You are in deep trouble.” Geoff marched over and got right in his face, but his lover wasn’t angry, Geoff was flirting. “Naughty. I’m going to tell Saul. Unless you can convince me not to.” 

“No. No, anything but that!” He laughed softly, rubbing their noses together. “I could distract you.” 

It was Geoff’s fingers, tracing his ink, the tattoo artist knowing every single inch of him—that was distracting. 

“Boys.” Saul’s tone was indulgent but firm. “No distractions. Geoff, please take the bar glasses out before that little vein by Carter’s temple explodes? I’ve convinced him to start up the hot tub, but I promised I’d make sure you took care of that for him.” 

“Yes, sir. And thank you, sir.” Geoff winked at Troy and pulled a tray out of a cabinet to load up with glasses. 

“My pleasure, boy. You were right; he needs to relax.” Saul stepped right into the space Geoff had just left, keeping Troy pinned with the counter at his back and took a kiss. “Smells good. You’re working hard.” 

“Cooking is, apparently, my thing.” Cooking, yoga, and loving on people. It was a thing. 

“Carter says you and Geoff usually do all the cooking for New Year’s on your own. But in a couple of hours—” Saul hooked a finger in his belt and tugged on it. “—we’re going to take a shower and then you’re going to put on those jeans I like your ass in.” 

“Am I?” God, he loved this—playing, laughing, teasing. “Not the baggy ones?” 

“Save those for Carter.” Saul grinned and gave him one of those heavy kisses—the ones that made sure he knew who he belonged to. “See you after my soak, boy.” Saul grabbed a couple of bottles of water on the way out of the kitchen. 

“Love you, Master.” Turd. Leaving him to cook. He laughed softly, at himself, at the universe. 

“Okay, Saul gave me a smug little peck on the way out to the deck. What’s his deal? And what’s so funny?” Geoff came back from the living room with an empty tray and put it back where it came from. 

“Oh, he was leaving to soak while I slave away.” He winked and kissed Geoff’s cheek. “I was just happy.” 

“Rubbing it in, huh? We don’t want those two in our hair anyway, honey.” Geoff peeked into the oven. “Did I tell you that Saul and I talked about your ink? The one to match the rest of us?” 

Troy was the last of the four of them to get the circular tattoo of the four elements that Geoff had originally created for Carter. The one that represented their foursome. Carter’s was on his arm, Saul’s on his chest, and Geoff’s on his thigh. But Troy was covered in ink, nearly every inch, head-to-toe except a couple of private places. 

“He says your ass is out. He says only his marks get to go there.” 

“Oh. Oh, I just assumed—” Where else would it go? Maybe his master just wanted him to… he wasn’t sure. Weird. His ass was the best space. 

“He suggested right here.” Geoff touched the side of his neck below his ear. 

“Everyone would be able to see it, admire it.” He didn’t mind that idea at all. It would burn like a stone-cold bitch, but he’d survived that. A lot. 

“Sounds like a Saul move to me. I told him it would hurt. He kind of shrugged at me.” Geoff grinned at him. “He knows what he wants, huh?” 

“He does.” Troy knew what he wanted, and that was his Master, his lovers, his friends. Suddenly, he had been moved from right outside the circle where everyone was to smack dab in the center of it. 

“You think we’ll do a scene soon? I mean a real one, all four of us? I asked Carter, and he said he and Saul… would discuss it.” Geoff did a fair impression of Carter on that last bit. 

“I think so, yeah.” Saul had been talking about it—talking hard, to be honest. Saul seemed to think that he was a prude, somehow, which he really wasn’t. Of course, he liked the attention, the careful encouragement, the petting, so he soaked it in. 

“I’d love to feel his arm. I wonder how different it would be than Carter’s. Is that weird? Do you think about those things too?” Geoff was keeping busy while they talked, finding serving dishes and clearing room in the fridge for the food he was making. 

He didn’t know how to answer that. Had he fantasized over the last twenty years? Sure. Had he eventually stopped because it didn’t matter, since they were never going to want him like he wanted them? Absolutely. And then that brought up the certainty that without Saul, they wouldn’t want him now, and that was more than he wanted to worry about. “I do.” 

“Oh. What’s the matter, honey?” Geoff came right to him and rested a hand on his chest. “Does it worry you?” 

“No. I trust all y’all.” That wasn’t an issue, not at all. 

Geoff smiled that sunny smile for him. It was good that his lover didn’t seem at all anxious despite the company and the party coming. Geoff had seemed more relaxed lately in general. “Good. We trust you too.” He got a quick kiss. “You’d better check the oven.” 

“I’m on it. Are you going to soak with them?” He didn’t have time, not if he was going to make things perfect. 

“No, I’m helping you. I’m not leaving you to this insanity by yourself. You just tell me what you need me to do.” 

“How long ’til folks start showing up?” 

“We have…” Geoff looked at the clock over the sink. “Three hours. And Masters are going to want to get cleaned up. I know how Carter is before these things. He’ll want me to get him dressed.” 

That made him smile. “Maybe you should dress them both. Make sure Master Saul is all glossy.” 

He pulled out the mushrooms so they could cool and grabbed the puff pastry from the fridge. 

“As if he’d allow that. I’ve seen how he’s watching you today.” Geoff’s tone was suggestive. 

“You think?” Troy let himself feel that—the pride, the pleasure. “I’m used to hanging out in the kitchen for this party, you know.” 

“Not this party. Not anymore. We’ll all help; it will be fine. I’m looking forward to having you out there, showing you off a little.” Geoff drew a finger down his chest. “You’re mine too, now, you know.” 

“I do. I think, in a lot of ways, I was yours first.” His nipples went hard so fast his rings jumped. 

Geoff’s cheeks blushed dark, but the look on his lover’s face was so serious. “I think so too. I think… if we look at it the way we maybe should have all along, that we’ve had this for a long time. I just… couldn’t…” Geoff shrugged and leaned in close, pressing him against the refrigerator. “I can now.” 

He arched hard into Geoff’s lean strength, eyes going wide from the sudden cold at his back. Fuck, he loved them—all of them. 

Geoff took his hands, pinned them gently above his head and kissed him like he was loved back. It was hot, sure; everything about Geoff had a little sex brewing under it, but it was more too. Kind and honest. Giving more than Geoff took, even while clearly asking for his submission. 

That he could give, and he moaned, the sound buzzing in their kiss. His body responded eagerly, his belly and balls going tight. 

“Is anything gonna to burn while you blow me?” Geoff whispered against his lips. 

He groaned softly, his eyelids going so droopy as a rush of need hit him. “Everything’s out. We’re safe.” 

Geoff let his hands go, took another quick kiss before pressing down heavily on one shoulder. He had a little room but not much, so he had to slide down with his back braced against the chilly stainless steel fridge. “God, Troy. Look at you.” 

“Want you. Please, Geoff, I need you.” He nuzzled Geoff’s cock through his soft pants, open-mouthed. Geoff smelled so good—soap and musk and mint and him. 

“What are you two doing?” Carter’s voice was a deep, husky rumble. 

Geoff’s fingers tangled in his hair, keeping him right where he was. He couldn’t see his lover’s face, but Geoff’s tone was playful. “Nothing.” 

“Nothing?” 

He opened his mouth and exhaled against Geoff’s balls. 

“Troy is—oh. God.” Geoff rocked into him and back again. “Polishing my zipper, Sir.” 

He groaned softly and pressed his lips against the base of Geoff’s cock. He needed skin. He wanted that heavy cock. 

“Did you get Master Saul’s permission, boy?” Carter’s fingers were suddenly at Geoff’s fly, slowly lowering the zipper. 

“N…no, Sir.” Geoff tugged on his hair. 

Carter caught Geoff’s length in one hand as he freed it. “Naughty boys.” 

“Please, Sir.” 

“You want this, Troy?” 

“Yes, Master Carter. I need y’all.” He could suck them both, in fact. Together. 

“And to think, all I wanted was a beer.” Carter tapped his lips with Geoff’s prick, and when he opened up, Carter leaned into Geoff hips, pushing Geoff inside. 

Geoff gasped. “Troy! Sir!” 

Carter growled. “Don’t play around, boy. Make him come.” 

Troy could do that. In fact, he could more than do it. He was good at it. He wrapped his lips around the base of Geoff’s prick, swallowing over and over as he lashed the shaft with his tongue. 

Geoff wasn’t quiet—ever, but especially now. His lover shouted his name, and he heard at least a handful of curse words between the wild groans. Carter was talking low, and he knew it had to be filthy. The two of them had Geoff gulping air and standing on trembling legs in the blink of an eye. 

“Can’t—oh, fuck. Troy! Gonna…” 

“That’s eight, boy.” Carter’s voice was stern and rock steady. 

“Motherfucker.” 

“Nine.” 

Troy grabbed Geoff’s ass and pulled him in hard. Shut up, lover, or your ass will be on fire. 

Carter caught Geoff as his lover’s knees gave out. Geoff didn’t shut up, but what did come out as Geoff shot hot liquid down Troy’s throat was so unintelligible his Master wouldn’t be able to fault him for it. 

Troy groaned softly, easing up to give his lover all the pleasure, all the aftershocks he could. 

“Good boys. So good.” Carter’s voice was like a caress now, pouring down over him. Warm fingers curled under his chin, coaxing him to stand up. “Come and kiss me, boy.” 

He moaned softly, drawn to Carter. They all made him feel drunk with their attention. 

Carter’s kiss was intense, focused on him even as he held Geoff close, and Carter hummed to him as the kiss ended. “Mmm. You taste like my other boy.” 

“Your boy is amazing.” He licked his lips, tasting Carter and Geoff together. 

Carter cupped his chin and caught his eyes. “Now, go on out to your Master and tell him what you and Geoff were up to when I walked in. Explain that I am going to take a minute with Geoff, and I’ll be out with his beer shortly. Grab a coat; it’s cold out there.” 

“Yes, Sir.” He wasn’t worried. Master Saul would understand. He had faith. 

He slipped on his house shoes and a hoodie, then popped out on the snowy deck. “Master?” 

Saul picked his head up from where he’d been relaxing, lying back in the hot tub. It was damn cold out, but his Master had a damp little curl stuck to his forehead. “Boy? Is everything all right?” 

“Yes, Sir. Master Carter asked me to tell you I gave Geoff a blow job, and that he was bringing your beer soon.” God, his Master was beautiful. Genuinely beautiful. He was fucking lucky. 

“Ooh. Naughty. A blow job without permission? That’s living dangerously.” Saul grinned at him. “The two of them were wound up like tops. I’m sure Geoff feels much better now.” 

“Yes, Master.” He wrapped his arms around himself. Jesus, it was bitter out here. “Do you need anything but your beer?” 

Saul sat up. “You’re freezing, boy. Grab my robe from the warmer.” 

“I’m fine. I’ll head in.” He didn’t want to steal his Master’s warmth. “You’ll need it more than me.” 

Saul laughed. “It’s for me, boy. I’m taking you back inside.” 

“Oh!” His cheeks went bright red and hot. “Lord, Master, I’m sorry.” He hurried to grab Saul’s robe. 

He got Saul wrapped up and into shoes, and they hurried back together, both of them giggling by the time they got inside the house. 

“Okay, it’s cold as fuck when you’re not in that tub. Jesus.” Saul’s teeth were chattering. 

Carter clucked at them from the couch where he was sitting with a magazine and Geoff was bare-assed and draped over the arm. “Honestly, Saul.” 

“What can I do, Master?” What do you need? God, Geoff was pretty. 

Saul looked at Carter. “Don’t be such a grump, Old Man. Am I right, Troy?” Saul tugged him in and kissed him. “You should probably finish up in the kitchen, boy, so we can get our shower.” 

“If you weren’t a Dom, I’d take you over my knee, too, kid.” 

“I’m all set up, Master. It’s just assembling now.” He wrapped around his Master, offering his warmth and protecting Saul’s perfect ass. 

Carter snorted and shot him a look. “You’re not safe, boy.” 

“No, Sir.” He wasn’t worried. Saul had him. 

“Mmm. No. Not safe at all.” Saul laughed and blew Carter a kiss. “Come on, boy. These two look busy.” 

Saul led him up the stairs to the bedroom with its enormous bed for four. It was still technically Carter and Geoff’s room because he and Saul had their own place closer to downtown, but more and more, Saul had been suggesting they sleep here. They would definitely be staying tonight, and as tomorrow was a holiday and the diner was closed, he suspected they’d be staying tomorrow night too. 

As he followed his Master, he felt the world getting farther away, the constant noise and worries sliding from his consciousness and slipping away, leaving his focus on his heartbeat, his Master. 

“Undress and start the shower, please.” Saul picked up their duffel and tossed it on the bed. 

“Yes, Master.” He stripped off his filthy T-shirt as he kicked off his house shoes. “You never did get your beer.” 

Troy skinned out of his pants and briefs before starting the water running. 

“It’s all good. It was meant more as a distraction for Master Carter, and then he never actually got into the hot tub with me. I think he and Geoff are both happier right where they are.” Saul’s fingers brushed his sides and his Master kissed him between the shoulders. “We have more time this way.” 

He hummed, his happiness too big to hold in. Saul didn’t want his silence anyway. “That’s happy-making right there, Master.” 

“Mhm. I think so too.” Saul reached out and tested the water temp. “So tell me about this party. Carter hasn’t said much about what to expect.” 

“Everyone comes—there’s food, drink, music, dancing. The lights stay low. At midnight, there’s kissing. Sometimes people disappear into the shadows to make love.” This would be his first time, too, in a bunch of ways. 

Saul pulled him into the shower, under the spray, and smoothed the hot water through his hair. “Sounds like a perfect evening. Will you dance with me?” 

“I will. I haven’t danced in a long time, but I’d love to.” He arched under the spray, Saul’s hands fascinating him, making him want to just follow them wherever they led. 

“Me neither. It’ll be fun.” Saul started working shampoo into his hair. “What did you used to do at midnight? Did you kiss anyone?” 

“No, Sir. I spend this party in the kitchen.” He wasn’t whining. He hid at midnight because it hurt, to know that he was alone, that Arnie was gone, and he was just…a short-order cook. 

“Spent. You may have spent this party in the kitchen before, but not this year.” Saul rinsed the soap out of his hair, and Troy watched the suds splash onto that smooth chest and slide down over his Master’s navel. “This year, you’re with us. With me. We’re going to eat and drink and dance. And you’re going to have a line of people who love you to kiss at midnight.” 

“Yes, Sir.” He let the satisfaction show in his face and his voice. “I’m excited. I want to—I want to feel all the good parts.” 

“So many good parts.” Saul slid wet hands over his abs, through his curls at the base of his cock and lower to cradle his heavy balls in one hand. “It’s not midnight, but I’m going to kiss you anyway.” 

His eyes rolled, that pressure perfect, and he forced himself to focus, to relax and breathe. 

“Geoff got you a little wound up, did he, boy?” He didn’t get a chance to answer. Instead, he got that kiss, Saul’s other hand hooking tight behind his neck and holding him still. His Master’s tongue pressed past his lips and slid along his own, momentarily cutting off his air. One of his hands found Saul’s sweet ass, the firm cheek fitting in his palm perfectly. 

Saul wasn’t jealous, but his Master sure got fired up when Troy was with Geoff or Carter. He actually thought it was kind of a turn-on for Saul, getting to take him back, remind him who his Master was. It revved Saul up a little. Maybe more than a little. 

Saul broke off the kiss and looked at him, eyes bright and focused, fingers stroking him firmly. “Let’s get that edge off before the party, baby.” 

“Master.” Fuck, that felt so good. Saul knew every inch of his body, knew that he liked a firm touch, a lot of play at the tip. It was better than touching himself, because Saul always took him farther than he could take himself. 

Master or no, Saul slipped to his knees and took his ass in both hands, moving him slightly out of the flow so the water rained down his back. Saul took the head of his cock in, teasing his slit with a hungry tongue. 

Troy spread, his eyes rolling as he arched up, his hips rocking the barest bit. He could see stars like this, his world tightening to the places where his skin met Saul’s. 

“Mmm.” Saul let him move and took him in deeper, flat tongue rubbing up and down his shaft. Those hands kept a good grip on his ass, fingers sinking even more into muscle. 

He clenched and relaxed, the pressure of Saul’s fingers pushed him that much deeper. Troy groaned and spread a little wider, knowing that he had to look like a slut, and not caring a bit. 

Saul’s hands shifted and spread his cheeks so Saul’s fingers could find his entrance. They slid easily in the stream of water over his hole and beyond it, where Saul nudged and shifted his piercings. 

“God yes.” He braced himself, moving between mouth and hands, his eyes rolled back into his head. Luckiest bastard ever. 

That little bit of encouragement must have been what Saul had been waiting for. Saul hummed around him, angled just so, and was suddenly bottomless, letting him slide in as far as he could. A breath later, those fingers pushed right inside him, until he could feel Saul’s knuckles. 

“Master! Love!” His own need shocked the hell out of him, his voice echoing on the tiles. 

Saul swallowed and the hand holding his ass cheek let go and reached up to twist the fuck out of one stiff nipple. The sudden pain sent a searing shock straight to his balls. 

“Fuck!” he roared, shooting right down Saul’s throat. His balls ached with the power of his orgasm, and he shuddered with his need. 

Saul stayed right with him, meeting his energy at first and then gently coming down with him. Saul covered him with kisses and spoke softly, using words like beautiful, loved, treasured, and… “So fucking hot, baby.” 

Saul stood close, kissing along the line of his jaw. “Love you.” 

“Love you. God, you make me happy.” He leaned their foreheads together, not working terribly hard to gather his thoughts. “Wow.” 

Saul leaned back, fingers gliding over his skin. “Good. I want you to be happy and feeling good. You sound pretty damn good.” Saul took a light kiss. 

“Do you need me?” He never knew. Saul always surprised him. It kept him young and focused. 

“Always, but I think I want to keep my edge until after midnight.” Saul switched with him, ducking under the spray. 

He grabbed the soap and washed his Master, enjoying the slide of his hands over Saul’s skin. His Master obviously enjoyed all the attention, too, offering him appreciative hums and soft sighs. Saul was half-hard; he could easily tease that happy cock to fullness if his Master wanted him to. Keeping an edge for later probably meant some kind of late-night scene. 

Geoff was angling for that, too, he thought. The four of them together. So… new. 

“Towels please, boy.” Saul rinsed clean and shut the water off. “If you have any worries about tonight, you should tell me.” 

“What?” Did he look worried? Was he acting weird? 

He grabbed a towel and handed it over before getting one of his own. 

“It was just a question, boy.” Saul took the towel and started drying off, bare feet leaving wet prints on the bathmat. “You said you’re usually in the kitchen, I just wanted to make sure.” 

“It’s going to be weird, not feeling sad and alone. Is that strange? I won’t miss it. It’s just new.” And that made him sound like a loser, a little bit. 

Saul wrapped the towel around narrow hips. “Twenty years of habit is hard to break, I bet. And new can be scary. We’ll figure it out together. Moment by moment.” Saul took Troy’s towel and wrapped it around his hips for him. “Remember what Carter always says? Just be honest.” 

“Yes, Master. Honest I can do.” He thought so anyway. Sometimes, he hid his thoughts, but that was to protect all of them. 

He got a quick kiss on the cheek. “Good boy. I think I left my razor in the—” 

Saul opened the door to the bedroom, and Carter looked up from the book he was reading. Geoff was kneeling quietly by the bed, about as still as Troy had ever seen him. 

“It’s about time. Some of us need showers too.” Carter grinned at them and put the book down. “Did you use all the hot water?” 

“Every drop, boss.” Troy had to tease back, had to. 

“Butthead. You ought to beat him.” Carter winked at Saul. “I have a hairbrush and my phone. I’ll videotape it.” 

Saul snorted. “I’d rather have a video of you and Geoff in the shower.” 

“I’d do it, Sir,” Geoff said quietly from the floor. 

There was a second of stunned silence as Carter and Saul stared at each other. Troy could almost hear the whole conversation they were having with just that look. But Carter cracked up finally, and they all started to laugh like twelve-year-olds. 

“Y’all are giant dorks. Hell, all of us are.” Troy rolled his eyes and fetched Saul his razor. “Go make yourselves all pretty.” 

“Look who’s giving out orders.” His Master didn’t seem to care one bit. Saul plucked the razor from his fingers and headed back to the bathroom. 

“You ready for a party, boy?” Carter rested a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. In the last hour, every one of his men had touched him with love. 

“I am. I’m looking forward to it.” He leaned into the touch. “I made the mushrooms you love, boss.” 

“I could smell them. Thank you, boy. Doc will appreciate it too. If you’re very good, I’ll let you feed me one later.” 

He blinked at Carter, feeling his cheeks start to burn. “I’d like that.” 

Everything Carter and Geoff did made him just a little high, and he needed Saul to ground him, make things real. 

Carter gave him just the slightest hint of a knowing smile. “Good boy.” 

“Baby-faced and good as new.” Saul interrupted, coming out of the bathroom. His Master’s voice seemed loud in his ears. 

“It’s about damn time. Come on, boy.” Carter gestured to Geoff, who hopped to his feet. 

“Yes, Sir.” Geoff followed Carter, shooting Troy a wink on the way by. 

“You ready to dress me, boy?” Saul walked past him, in a totally different gear, and sat on the bed. “I brought leather.” 

“Yes, Master. God yes.”