Infinite Ties (All That Remains #3) (10 page)

“What do you expect when we’re trapped for
hours with a beautiful woman?” Airen exclaims, lifting me off my feet as if I
weigh nothing. My legs lock around his waist while his hands slide under my ass,
supporting me as he steals my breath with a long, passionate kiss. Oh, Jon
wants so badly to spit some hateful remark, but he doesn’t dare when everyone
is watching Airen’s uncharacteristic display of affection with a smile.

“Joseph, do you want to help me gather
some firewood before it gets dark?” Troy asks, as we divide up to take care of
a few chores. Troy obviously wants a moment alone with Joseph, and despite the
guarded expression on Airen’s face, Joseph agrees and accompanies him into the
woods.

“Don’t be like that, Air. Troy’s just
looking for closure, that’s all. Let’s get the chairs and grill set up,” I
suggest.

“I’m going to pull some fresh fish out of
the stream for dinner.” He squeezes my hand before leaving me and Gary to set
up.

“How are you doing, Abs?” Gary asks.

“Fine, I miss the kids a little.”

“Already? You’re a glutton for punishment,
girl.” He dumps a bag of charcoal into the grill.

“Give me an hour and a drink, and I’ll
probably feel differently.”

“It can’t be easy having your ex tagging
along.” His dark eyes are full of sympathy.

“And Joseph’s and Airen’s,” I mumble.

“Airen’s?”

“Nic and Airen were…friends in college.”

His thick eyebrows climb his forehead.
“Oh.”

“Yeah. The chances of any of them showing
up at my front door were slim. All of them in the same week? It’s astronomical.
I feel like I’m tiptoeing through a cactus patch rigged with dynamite.”

His deep melodic laugh makes me smile.
“It’s a race between Airen and Joseph to see who is going to strike the match.
Joseph glares every time Jon speaks to you, and Airen couldn’t have made his
jealousy any clearer a moment ago if he shouted it through a bullhorn.”

I unfold the last chair and flop into it.
“That obvious huh?”

“I can’t say I blame Joseph. I’m not
trying to pile on, but I don’t trust Jon a goddamn bit. He’s up to something.”
Crossing his large arms across his chest, he leans against the camper and
regards me closely.

“You have good instincts. You can’t trust
him, especially if he goes with you to rescue those people. Don’t count on him
to watch your back. The only life he cares about is his own.”

Gary sighs. “What do you think he wants?”

“To cause me as much trouble as possible.”

“I can take care of him for you. No one
has to know, Abby. I can get rid of him tonight. Permanently, if that’s what
you need to feel safe. Eric’s willing as well.”

What have I done to deserve the loyalty
and care of these wonderful guys? Gary barely knows me and he’s willing to
fight for me, even kill for me. “Thank you.” I hug him. “Really, I appreciate it,
but I’m not prepared to do anything quite so drastic…yet, anyway.” No matter
how desperate I am to keep the tales of my former life from destroying my
relationship, I can’t have someone killed in cold blood.

“Well, keep it in mind. We all have your
back.”

“How are things going with Emma?” I ask,
returning to my seat.

“Good. It’s still new, you know, but I
like her. She’s a little high maintenance.”

“Yeah, but she has tits till Tuesday, so
that should help you overlook a few flaws.”

Straight teeth, as white as piano keys
flash when he laughs. “It doesn’t hurt.”

Troy and Joseph are sitting on a bench in
the playground, talking and laughing, when Airen and the others return from the
stream an hour later. They’ve mended things between them, and the effect on Joseph
is unmistakable. A heavy weight has been lifted from his conscience and he’s
almost giddy with relief.

Unfortunately, that isn’t what Airen sees.
His eyes darken and narrow, tracking them closely as they laugh together and
walk toward us. Gary grins at me, and shakes his head when Airen approaches Nic
and asks for help cleaning and cooking the fish. His game is obvious, at least
to us, and it only escalates as the night wears on. Nic and Airen play chess,
and spend hours reminiscing about their college days. Loudly. He’s being an
ass. Joseph had one conversation with Troy, and Airen’s getting even by
ignoring him for Nic.

Airen’s immature antics are getting under
Joseph’s skin, but he does his best to conceal it. “Swing with me,” I suggest,
perching on Joseph’s knee in an attempt to distract him.

“You’ve had a few drinks. Do you promise
you won’t throw up on me?” A grin touches the corners of his mouth.

“Shut the hell up. I’m sober as a nun.”

“With the mouth of a sailor.” Hands
clasped, we walk to the playground. It’s dark, but the moon is full and the
stars are bright, illuminating our path. “Sit on my lap,” he insists, when I
move to take the swing beside his. Facing him, I grab the chains, hoist myself
up and slide my legs over his hips, straddling his lap. I scoot as close to him
as possible before settling down. Why does this feel so much more dangerous
than it did when I was a kid?

“Don’t go too high.”

He chuckles. “Trust me, ladybug. Just
don’t let go of the chains.” We take turns pumping our legs until we get enough
momentum. I forgot how much fun this is. Cool night air rushes by, lifting my
hair and plastering my shirt to my body. Joseph is soft and warm against me. My
face hurts from grinning so hard. “There’s that beautiful smile. I haven’t seen
enough of it lately,” he says, running a fingertip across my lower lip.

His lips find mine in a mid air kiss as we
soar, weightless, our feet in the stars. It’s one of those rare moments I know
I’ll never forget. When, for a few seconds, there’s nothing but pleasure, and
the joy of connecting deeply with another human being. A moment when all of the
weight suddenly lifts, and everything in this huge empty world seems right,
perfect, alive.

“We’re going to be all right,” I whisper,
certain for no good reason whatsoever.

Bright green eyes twinkle in the
moonlight. “Of course we are, sweetheart.”

* * * *

It’s late when everyone splits up to go to
bed. Joseph heads inside while Airen dumps sand on the bonfire. They’ve barely
spoken all night.

“Are you finished punishing Joseph for
talking to Troy?”

“Don’t start with me tonight, Abigail.”

“I’m not starting anything. I’m asking you
to let it go and come to bed.”

He relaxes when I slide my arms around his
waist and press my face against his back. “Okay.”

Joseph sits on the edge of the bed in his
boxers, and doesn’t even look up when we walk in. “I thought maybe you were
spending the night with Nic.” Goddamn it, Joseph.

“He had other plans. Maybe if you take
Troy into the woods again for a few hours.”

Joseph’s face hardens. “We just needed to
talk! To apologize for how we left things! I left him for you, you idiot! Why
are you worried about him now?”

Airen jerks off his shoes and socks. “I’m
not worried about a fucking thing! You sure didn’t like seeing Troy with Nic,
though, did you? Why do you care who he’s fucking if you’re happy with us?”

“I don’t care.” Joseph frowns up at him.

“Bullshit. You don’t want Troy with
anybody else, but I notice it didn’t keep you from eye fucking Nic.”

Joseph’s face and ears glow red, and he
leaps to his feet. “Christ, Airen! Make up your mind! Am I trying to fuck Nic
or Troy? You’re jealous of both of them! You don’t want to see anyone with your
ex either.” Joseph’s use of the word ‘either’ makes me blanch. He’s essentially
admitting that seeing Troy with Nic bothers him.

“I’m not jealous of a goddamn thing,”
Airen snaps. He slams a glass on the table and pours a shot of whiskey. “Nic
was a friend, that’s all. Not an ex.”

“Friends don’t blow each other!” Joseph
shouts. Shit. I don’t know what to do. I want to break this up, but maybe they
need to have it out and clear the air. I’m sure the others are getting an
earful. Our little camper isn’t exactly soundproof.

“It was one time.” Airen sighs and runs
his hands through his hair. “Is that what bothers you? My history with Nic?” Joseph
doesn’t respond, only turns to face the wall with a huff. Airen’s voice is low
and soft when he speaks again. “It didn’t mean anything, Joey. I told you about
him a long time ago.”

“Yeah, but you didn’t say he was so…”

“So what? Go on. Finish your sentence,” he
dares.

Cornered, Joseph shakes his head. So gorgeous,
that’s what he wanted to say. It’s burning him up, knowing Airen was intimate
with a man as attractive as Nic. I know how he feels, how the insecurity gnaws
at you, making you feel like you don’t measure up. It’s hard to think about the
beautiful women Airen’s had before me.

Airen throws back another shot and glares
at him. “I told you we worked together modeling. What the fuck did you expect
him to look like? You’re pissed that Troy moved on, but it doesn’t stop you
from drooling over your replacement.”

Joseph winces at the word replacement, but
glares back at him, keeping eye contact. “Fuck you. You’re upset over Troy’s
return, but not because of me. Because he’s fucking your pretty boy.”

Why can’t Airen hear the pain in his
voice? He’s hurt and jealous. They both are. Airen doesn’t want Joseph to care
who Troy dates. Joseph doesn’t like that Airen had another man before him,
especially someone as beautiful as Nic. It has nothing to do with either of
them wanting someone else because they don’t.

“Goddamn it!” Airen shouts. “Just admit
you don’t like seeing Troy with him!”

“Fine! Maybe watching your ex with my ex
fucked me up, but you’re no better. Admit you don’t like seeing Nic with Troy.”
Joseph crosses his arms. They stand inches apart, scowling at one another.
Airen’s hair is wild, and Joseph’s face is fire engine red. Sweat coats their
bodies. I can almost taste the testosterone in the air.

“No, you asshole. I don’t give a shit
about Nic! I hate it that Troy’s had you!” Joseph stumbles as Airen shoves him
against the wall. “I hate that you’re attracted to Nic! To anyone! When you’re
the only man I see!” Joseph gasps, and his jaw falls open in surprise. Airen
pins him to the wall and slams their mouths together in a kiss that’s equal parts
anger, dominance, and greed. “I think you need a reminder of who you belong
to,” he growls, grinding against him. Joseph tugs Airen’s shorts down while
Airen strips him of his boxers. A scorching look passes between them before
they attack one another.

Fuck me, but this is the hottest thing
I’ve ever seen. I curl up on the couch, out of the way, and watch my two
passionate men resolve their anger the best way they know how. Low, agonized
moans and sharp, biting cries fill the room. Rough hands grope and pinch and
squeeze. They’re all brawling tongues, clashing teeth, and sweaty limbs. Biting
and cursing, they battle for dominance, consumed with their desire.

“Fuck!” Joseph shouts when Airen pins his
hips to the bed and wastes no time swallowing him to the root. Joseph’s hands
fist in his midnight hair while he gasps for breath, overcome at the onslaught.
Airen squeezes his ass, digging his fingers in hard enough to bruise. “Goddamn
it, Airen!” he shouts as Airen’s dark head bobs between his legs, working him
ruthlessly with his mouth, making him come in less than a minute.

Airen’s lips are at Joseph’s ear before he
can recover. “Mine, Joey. Mine to take whenever I want. And I want you now.”
His kiss on Joseph’s swollen lips is gentle, lingering, and affectionate. He
runs his lips down Joseph’s neck and takes his time licking and caressing the
sensitive skin.

“Yes,” Joseph whispers. Airen will bend me
over and fuck me with little to no warning, but I notice he always gets
permission first when it’s Joseph.

Airen grasps his hips and rolls him onto
his stomach, all signs of aggression gone. Soft words fall from his lips while
he kisses his nape and nibbles at his ear. He reaches into his duffel bag for a
bottle of lube and coats his fingers before sliding them between Joseph’s
cheeks. His fingers dip and stroke, plunge and circle, stretching and preparing
while Joseph groans and writhes beneath him. I can feel his torment. I’ve been
a victim of those talented fingers.

“I’m going to come if you keep that up.”

“Not yet.” Joseph groans as Airen delivers
a sound slap to his ass. Slipping his arm around Joseph’s waist, he pulls him
up on his knees. “Are you ready?”

“Yes, hurry the fuck up.”

Airen chuckles and eases into him inch by
inch, letting him acclimate to his size. This is still difficult for me to
watch. Though Joseph swears it doesn’t hurt, and it’s obvious he loves it, I
still cringe remembering the agony I felt when Jon took me that way. Airen’s
brow is furrowed in concentration as he tries to restrain himself from fucking
him senseless, but he doesn’t begin to move until Joseph rocks against him.