Baked: A Hammer Novel

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Author: Sean Michael

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Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or the publisher.

Baked TOP SHELF An imprint of Torquere Press Publishers PO Box 2545 Round Rock, TX 78680

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Copyright 2010 by Sean Michael Cover illustration by S. Squires Published with permission ISBN:978-1-61040-027-5 www.torquerepress.com All rights reserved, which includes the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever except as provided by the U.S. Copyright Law. For information address Torquere Press. Inc., PO Box 2545, Round Rock, TX 78680. First Torquere Press Printing: August 2010 Printed in the USA Baked By Sean Michael

Chapter One

Bean walked into the Hammer, nodding at the bouncer at the door. They all knew he was Bake's brother and had a standing guest pass.

It was Friday night and the place was jumping. Bean was looking for his twin, though, so he just waved to the people he knew and kept going until he saw Bake sitting at the bar, tossing back peanuts.

Bake saw him coming and gave him a lazy grin. "Hey, baby brother."

He stuck his tongue out at Bake. "We'retwins ."

Bake shrugged. "I was born first."

Bean rolled his eyes. "Did you get me a beer at least?"

Bake nodded to the bartender, who handed over a large glass with a good head on it.

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"Cool." Bake owed him dinner on a little wager they'd made over last night's game. It figured his twin would drag him here to pay up. Not that he minded that much; it was fun to watch. As long as no one started bleeding.

He took a sip of his beer and looked around the club; there was usually a show on Friday nights. It was slowly filling, but there wasn't anyone on stage yet, just the usual suspects -- people drinking and laughing and milling around. "You meeting anyone later?"

Bake was a Top with a capital T, and he liked playing with the bottom boys.

Bake shook his head. "Nah. I mean, if I hook up with someone, cool, but I don't have anything planned."

"We could go out. Go dancing."

Bake grinned at him. "We could dance here."

"Bake, you got a minute?" The deep, husky voice hit Bean square between the shoulders before he could answer, the sound pure, perfect sex. Bean bit his lip but couldn't stop the moan; he hoped the sound of the club would cover it up.

Bake smiled over his shoulder. "Sure, Clay. How're you doing, man?"

Bean glanced back as casually as he could.

Broad, solid, and so fine, a clean-cut, square-jawed man stood there, bright blue eyes flashing. "I have a couple of problems that I need help with."

Bean stopped all pretence of casual, turning around to lean back against Bake's bulk and juststare .

Bake chuckled. "Yeah? I bet I know their names, too."

"Yes. The little fuckers wrecked my truck, man. I've been back for what? Five months? Six? I can't do this shit. I'm going to kill them both."

"Oh, now, that would be a waste of pretty." Bake laughed.

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"What are we talking about?" Bean finally found his voice.

"My irritating, aggravating, nasty, undisciplined, asshole twin brothers." Those eyes landed on him, burning like lasers. "Excuse my French."

Bean wasn't the fluttering type, but God damn, this man was worth fluttering over. He smiled. "It's excused."

He got a short, sharp nod. "Bake, man. I need you. You've been hunting them for a year; I know you want your chance to wear their asses out. I'll give them to you for as long as you want them." Clay waved his hand, showing two bound, struggling, gagged men who didn't look anything like their brother, being watched by a big, bald leatherdaddy.

Bean's jaw dropped.

Bake, on the other hand, was laughing and rubbing his hands together. "Clay, my man. I owe you a steak. Let's go have supper. All five of us. I owe my brother here supper as well."

"Works for me." Clay held one hand out to him. "Clay Gimble."

Bean put his hand in Clay's, which just swallowed his up. "Bean Ebony." He looked over at Bake and gave his brother an evil smile. "Bake's younger brother."

Clay's hand pressed his, and electricity shot up his arm. "Pleased."

He swallowed hard and smiled. "Yeah."

He couldhear Bake rolling his eyes, and he brought his heel down hard on Bake's foot.

Clay chuckled. "Steak?" Clay was speaking to Bake, but looking at him.

"Yeah, I like steak a lot. And if it's on Bake, it tastes even better."

Bake swatted the back of his head, and he stuck his tongue out at his twin.

Clay chuckled. "I'd offer to drive, but Frick and Frack left me with my work truck."

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"We can eat here," Bake broke in. "It'll make keeping Frick and Frack bound and gagged easier."

"Those aren't really their names, are they?" Bean couldn't help but ask.

"No. No. Devin and Darius."

He grinned. "Is there an A and B?"

"Andrea and Beryl. Then Elizabeth, Freddy, and Ginny."

Bean laughed. "That's great!" He smiled up at Clay, flirting about as hard as he could.

Bake's hand came down on his shoulder. "Come on. Let's go sit. I want to admire those naughty boys from close up." And no doubt make sure the big, bald leatherdaddy didn't get there first.

"I swear to God, Bake, man. You let the little fuckers say one word, and I'm leaving."

"No, no. I'm happy to have them just sit and look pretty." Bake stood up and headed toward the twins. "Show Clay to my usual table," he threw the words over his shoulder at Bean.

Clay chuckled. "Bossy old man." One arm wrapped around his waist. "Come on, lead the way."

"He is." Bean couldn't help but notice how well he fit, tucked up against Clay's body. "He's also got a great table every second Friday night." He led Clay over to the table fairly near the stage.

"Are you a member here?"

There were things going on onstage, but Bean didn't care anymore what they were. "No, I'm just here on Bake's card. The food is good and the scenery is..." He grinned. "Interesting." Not as interesting as Clay, though.

"Ah. I put in the tile here -- Oliver and Xavier gave me a membership."

"So you're one of those bossy tops, then." There was no way this man was a bottom. No way. Bean hoped.

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"No. I'm a man who likes to fuck, likes to have a good time, and likes the friends he's made. I'm not... interested in the oh-beat-me-now crowd."

Bean laughed, extremely happy with Clay's answer. "Cool."

They sat, but Bean wasn't interested in the menu. He wasn't interested in wondering why Bake hadn't come over yet. His entire focus was on the stud sitting next to him.

Clay didn't crowd him or puff up; the man sat solidly, read the menu. "What do you do for a living, Bean -- is your real name Bean?"

"Might as well be. I'm James and Bake is Jacob, but my mom always called us her little baked beans. I guess we were pretty small when we were born, and the nicknames must have suited us better than the real names she gave us." He laughed a little. "It stuck and so I'm Bean and he's Bake and always have been. As for work -- I'm in landscaping with Bake." They had a little company. He did the designing, the paperwork, and the gardening. Bake did the majority of the heavy lifting.

"Yeah? Cool. I like a man who can work with his hands."

"What about you?" Bean found he wanted to know every little thing about Clay.

"I'm getting back into tile work. I took a break, did a tour in the service."

"Yeah? How long?"

"Five years."

"Oh, man. That's rough. How long have you been back?"

"About three months. Long enough to be glad to be out."

Bake waltzed over to the table, Clay's brothers in tow, still bound and gagged.

"You two can kneel, and if you're good I just might let you have some dessert."

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"You'd better not be talking to us." Bean winked at Clay.

Bake snorted. "As if."

Clay chuckled, not even looking at the two bound men who wriggled and grunted through the huge ball gags.

Bean was barely aware of moving closer to Clay; he wanted to get to know the man, not watch Bake play with his new toys.

Clay looked at him, right at him. "You okay, Bean?"

"Yeah, I do believe I am." He gave Clay his best smile, touched the man's arm.

"I have to tell you before we go any farther, pretty man. I'm not looking to play games."

"Thank God for that." The problem with being the -- slighter -- twin brother of a big, bad-ass Top was that people just assumed you were in the lifestyle, too.

"Good deal." Clay relaxed back, then looked at Bake. "I appreciate you taking over my little problem for me."

Bake grinned wolfishly. "I'll be sure to come up with a good way for you to pay me back."

"I have zero doubt." Clay's lips tightened, eyes landing on the twins. "My truck. Little fucks."

Bean eyed the twins; Bake had tied him up plenty of times when they'd been growing up, playing cowboys and Indians. This was something else completely.

"So what did they do?" he asked Clay.

"I asked them to clean up the house, since they both had the day off. Then I get a call at my job from the sheriff; they took my pickup on a joyride and wrapped it around a tree. They could have been hurt."

"That's a pretty stupid stunt."

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"Yes." Clay shook his head. "They know better."

The two bound men were glaring -- well, one was glaring, shooting daggers. The other one looked ashamed, at least a little.

"Don't you worry, Clay. They're mine now." Bake rubbed his hands together, giving the twins a speculative look.

Clay nodded. "They are. They need a firm hand."

One twin snorted, chin lifted. The other one sat there and vibrated, eyes wide.

"They'll have one." Bake reached out and stroked the non-snorter with gentle fingers. The other one got his ass popped.

Bean shook his head. "Do you think we're going to be able to order anytime soon?" He was far more interested in Clay than in Bake and his two new playthings.

"It's busy in here tonight." Clay's eyes met his. "And about to get a little wild. I'd suggest going somewhere else, but the waiter's on the way."

"I'd go anywhere you'd like." They hadn't actually ordered yet, had they? So it wasn't like they'd be charged or putting anyone out or anything. Bake would never miss them. And even if he did, well, Bean wasn't put on this earth for his twin's entertainment, no matter if Bake thought he was or not.

"I wouldn't mind a burger and a milkshake and then giving you a good, hard fuck, honestly." Clay hadn't been teasing; the man was straightforward.

The words went straight to his cock, his whole body going tight. Bean nodded. Fuck, yes. "Please."

"Come on, then. Bake's busy."

Bean nodded, kicking his brother under the table before standing. Bake glared over at him and Bean waved. "See you later, B."

One of Bake's eyebrows went up, but Bean ignored him.

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"Call me if you need me, man." Clay shot a look at the twins as he spoke.

"I won't. Be nice to my baby brother."

Bean rolled his eyes. "Let's get out of here, Clay."

"I'm with you." Clay's hand landed on the small of his back, warm and solid. Which might have been just as well, because that voice and the touch were conspiring to melt his spine.

"I'm in the black truck." No 'do you want to meet me somewhere?' or 'would you like to drive?'

Bean liked the take-charge attitude. "Work truck?" he asked.

"Yeah. There's ceramic dust everywhere, but I threw a couple of towels in."

"A little dirt never hurt anyone, huh?"

"Nope. Chuck's Burgers work for you?"

"Oh, I love their fries." He'd have guessed the right black truck anywhere, as it had a good layer of the dust on it.

"Yeah. Good burgers, too." Clay walked him up to the truck. "One thing, Bean."

Clay spun him around and planted a kiss on him, tongue pushing into his lips, one hand on his hip, the other on the back of his head. Bean did the only thing he could think of -- he wrapped his arms around Clay and opened wide.

The kiss was deep and hard, taking no prisoners but making sure he was well-tasted. He felt it right down to his toes, too, which curled inside his shoes. His fingers dug in, his head spinning. Clay hummed, dragged him closer, and proceeded to kiss him until the entire fucking world disappeared. He couldn't breathe, he couldn't think, and he didn't care. Little, needy noises were pouring out of him and into Clay's mouth.

When Clay backed off, he held Bean steady until the world stopped spinning. When Bean had some of his wits back, he smiled up at Clay, the man still making up most of his world. "I like your one thing."

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"Needed to make sure we had chemistry, hmm?"

"I knew that the minute you opened your mouth." That shiver hadn't been for Bake, that was for sure.

"Good." Clay opened the truck door for him.

He brushed Clay's arm as he went past the man and climbed in. One of those big hands squeezed his ass as he went. Bean was all but purring; Bean did love a man who knew what he wanted and wasn't afraid to take it.

They headed toward Chuck's, rock music low on the radio. Clay parked the truck under a street light, looked over at him. "Hungry?"

He stared right back. "Starving." And not just for food.

"Yeah." That smile burned him, deep.

He licked his lips, and he swore he could still taste Clay on them.

"Tell me about you, man?" Clay asked as they headed in. The place was busy, crowded. "How do you feel about take-out?"

"I think take-out leaves a whole lot of possibilities open." He grinned, please as hell that Clay seemed as eager as he was to get the eating part over with. "What did you want to know?"

Those eyes met his again, straightforward as fuck. "Everything."

That one word started something warm in his belly. "I'll start with the alarm clock in the morning, then, and stop me when you get bored. I hate getting up in the morning -- I much prefer snuggling and burying myself, especially if I'm with someone -- but once I'm up, I'm pretty much awake. I like Lucky Charms for breakfast, but only if Bake hasn't eaten all the marshmallow bits out of it already."

"I'm a big eggs and bacon man, myself, although I get up early, work out, then come back for food."

"I'd love to watch you work out." He reached over and slid his hand up and down Clay's muscled arm. Seeing all those muscles at work had to be a thing of joy.

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"I have a room for it at my house. Nothing fancy. So, after cereal?"

Bean took a moment to imagine waking up from a big, warm bed and going to watch Clay work out. It was a nice little fantasy. There were still a few people in front of them, and he already knew what he wanted, so he went on.

"Me and Bake meet in the office and figure out our day. Some days we don't coincide at all, but as often as not we do, and we make sure we're on the same page, so we go to the sites together. He can drive me nuts, but on the whole he's a good guy." Bean figured time from time you'd wind up snarking at anyone you worked with closely, not just if it was your twin.

"Are you two lovers?"

"Me and Bake?" He started to laugh. "I'm sorry; I'm not laughing at you but at the idea of the two of us..." Still chuckling, he shook his head. "Oh, we did some experimenting -- he was the first boy I kissed, and we jacked off together and stuff. But no. I love him to death, but so not like that."

"Good. I'm not interested in groups." He loved how sure Clay was, about everything.

"No, I don't share well." He didn't play, he didn't share, he wasn't interested in boinking his brother. He was, however, very sure about how much Clay turned him on.

"Me, either." Clay looked right into him. "I love having sex, though. I'm a big fucking fan."

"Yes, please." He touched Clay's chest, just rested his hand on it for a moment. "I do believe I'm going to be a big fan of having it with you."

"I sure hope so. Burger and chocolate shake?"

"And fries, please."

"You got it." Clay ordered for them, paid, and when he opened his mouth to complain, the man winked. "You buy breakfast."

Bean's smile was big enough he could feel the strain on his cheeks. "It's a deal."

"So, love your job? Hate it? Just do it?"

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"I love it. I love that we're our own bosses, and I love that it's not just all manual labor. I create most of the garden designs. I could do without the accounting side, but Bake's a disaster at that kind of thing and I've got a knack for it."

Clay nodded. "I enjoy tilework. It's got a rhythm to it."

"Cool. You do any of that fancy-assed shit I see in some of the big houses?" Their bag of food was handed over, and they headed back out to the truck. Bean couldn't hide the fact that he was bouncing along eagerly.

"That and commercial are pretty much all I do."

"Cool. I bet we've got clients that overlap."

Clay opened the door for him, and he made sure to rub against the man as he climbed in as a thank you. Clay chuckled, patted his ass.

"I'm going to enjoy our evening, Bean."

He met Clay's eyes, smiled warmly. "Me, too."

So very much.

Chapter Two

Fucker.

Darius glared at the tall asshole that Clay had stuck them with. He wriggled, tried to grab Dev's fingers. He knew Dev; the silly butthead would be feeling guilty already. He wasn't, though. They hadn't meant to wreck the truck. He'd wanted to drive, and Devin had gotten there first.

The big guy turned from where he'd been watching Clay and the other one leave and then looked right at him, grinning. "You boys don't remember me, do you?"

Darius didn't look; he focused on Dev, on grabbing his twin's fingers.

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"I've been trying to get on your radar since that show you did last year with that visiting Master Flogger." Bake laughed. "Sounds like masturbator, doesn't it?"

Devin chuckled, nodded, and Darius frowned.Don't be nice, Devvy!

"I know you're Devin and Darius, but I don't know which is which."

If you took the fucking gag out, you asshole, I'd tell you, he thought. The ball gag was stretching his lips, making them dry.

"I guess I'll find out later, hmm?" The man raised a hand and got the waiter's attention. "I'd like a steak, please."

His stomach snarled at the idea of steak. As soon as they got out of this, he was going to kill Clay. Dead.

The jerk looked over at them. "And fries enough for three, please."

"Yes, Master." The server smiled at him, nodded.

Then his attention turned back to him and Devvy. "You boys think you can behave if I take the gags out?"

They both nodded as one. At least one of them was lying.

The big asshole got up and moved to them. The man was a stud, there was no denying that. He was more stacked than Clay, his leather pants hugging every curve.

"If you get too mouthy, I'll put them back in."

His came out first, and he grunted, licked his lips.

"Dry?" Before he could answer, the man grabbed his beer, took a mouthful, and then brought their lips together.

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Oh. Oh. It was electric, and he arched, his bound body jerking as their lips touched. A hand slid along his spine as the beer drizzled into his mouth. He stared into those eyes, drinking from the guy's lips.

When his mouth was empty, the man slid his tongue into Darius' mouth, exploring quickly but thoroughly. Darius moaned, only remembering he was mad after the guy pulled away.

The man stroked his cheek and then moved to Devvy. "You now." The gag was gently removed.

"Please..." He heard Dev's whimper.

"Don't worry, pretty. I won't leave you hanging." The guy took another mouthful of beer and pressed their lips together. Dev shivered, looking almost tiny next to this guy. A hand slid through Dev's hair, the touch clearly gentle, affectionate.

That let Darius relax. Dev was... delicate somehow.

The guy finished feeding Dev the mouthful and then stepped back, sat down again, smiling at both of them. "So. I'm Bake."

"Really?" He blinked. "Bake? As in an oven?"

Piercing green eyes shot over to him, pinned him where he was. "As in baked beans. Which one are you?"

"It won't matter. No one tells us apart. Not even Clay."

"I'm not no one. Or Clay. You are?"

He thought about lying, but he knew Devvy was too scared to play. "Darius."

"Making you Devin. Nice to meet you both. Now." Bake nodded at him. "Safeword?"

"Lobster."

Devvy leaned toward him and their fingers touched, twined together.

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"And you, Devin? What's your safeword?"

Darius felt Dev's soft, hitching sigh. "Etch-a-Sketch."

"Oh, I like it." Bake chuckled. "I bet the two of you like playing games, hmm? Using each other's safewords, pretending to be each other?"

"No one can tell us apart."

"He's a twin, too, Dare. He knows."

"That's right. I know. I can already see the differences. You might not like it, Darius, but I see you. I do." Bake's eyes looked right into him.

He shook his head, his fingers holding Dev's tight. "I... You. Clay can't just give us away."

"No, he doesn't own you. He was pretty pissed, though. I think you'd be better off sticking with my company for awhile. Besides, I thought the two of you liked playing?"

"We do."

"My shoulders hurt, Dare." Dev sighed, stretched.

Bake shook his head. "Don't tell him, Devin. He can't help you -- he's in the same state as you."

Dev looked at Bake, then leaned into him with a frown, nudging him. He sighed, rolled his eyes. Drama queen.

Bake chuckled and leaned forward, taking Devin's chin, making his twin look at the man. "You need something, you talk to me."

"I." Dev's fingers gripped his.

"Don't you scare him." The growl was immediate and undeniable. His Dev. HIS.

"Shh. Shh. I know you, Darius. You're the older one, hmm?" Bake patted his cheek and then cupped

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Devvy's. "Talk to me, Devin."

"My shoulders hurt." Dev shook a little. "It's been a long day."

Bake frowned and stood, moving around to undo Dev's bindings. "How long have you been bound?"

"Clay came and got us from the police department at three thirty. He yelled and we yelled. So after all that."

Darius nodded. "Things were getting intense."

Bake got Dev undone and began massaging his shoulders, arms, and back. "Did the EMTs see you?"

Dev nodded. "Just some bruises tomorrow, they said..." Those fingers twined fully with his, holding on.

Bake grunted and began undoing him as well. "What did they say you should do?"

He looked at his twin, winked. "Beat our evil older brother with a hammer."

Devvy chuckled.

He got a swat on the ass. A hard swat.

"Hey!" Oh, fuck. That stung. So good.

Bake did it again. "You want to tell me what they really said?"

"N...no." No, he wanted more attention.

"Dare!"

Bake laughed and swatted his ass twice more. "You don't tell me, I'm going to pull down your jeans, put you over my knee, and give you the spanking of your life."

Dev cried out. "They said to take anti-inflammatories!"

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"Jesus, Devvy! Don't be such a pussy!"

Dev glared at him. "I'm trying to save your ass, you prick."

"I don't think he wants his ass saved, sweet boy."

Bake sat on the chair and nodded at him. "Go ahead, Darius. Take down the jeans and over my lap."

Oh. Oh, fuck. Yeah... He scrambled up, worked his jeans open, and shoved them down, eager and horny and ready.

"Dare, this is abar !"

"Prude. I need this." He draped himself over Bake's lap, wiggled a little bit.

"Come sit by me, Devin." Bake didn't do anything until Dare felt Dev move to sit in the chair beside Bake. Then one big hand rubbed his ass. "Poor baby, hasn't had anyone give him what he needs in too long." Then the spanking began.

The burn started immediately, but it wasn't punishing or brutal. This was a steady, warming, perfect series of blows that were exactly what he needed.

"Give me a kiss, Devin." The blows never stopped.

"You're spanking Dare." God, that was hot, how nervous Devvy got.

"I can spank him and kiss you at the same time."

Darius leaned harder, his cock starting to fill. Oh. Oh, that hand was... Heavy. Hard. Hot. All good H words.

"Come on, sweet boy. Kiss me." The hits became just a little harder.

"Dev. Devvy, do it." Oh, fuck, that was good.

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Dev did what he said. Mostly.

Bake's rhythm faltered slightly, the sound of him and Dev kissing somehow loud. Then the rhythm picked up again.

"Dev..." He reached out, stroked Devvy's side.

Bake stopped hitting his ass, rubbing it instead. "Had enough yet, boy?"

He nodded. He could take more, a lot more, but he was tired and he could feel Dev's tension.

"Cool. We'll have a chance to really test your ass and your mettle later. Right now I want to feed you both some fries and kisses."

Bake's big hands helped him stand, pulled up his jeans, careful enough that they didn't rake his ass. Darius settled next to Dev, hands moving on his twin's body immediately, touching and relaxing.

The waiter arrived with a big bowl of fries, as well as Bake's plate of steak. "Thanks." Bake gave the waiter a nod and then the man's sharp, green eyes turned back to them. "So. Hungry?"

"Are you hungry, love?" He leaned up, kissed Dev's ear, whispering, "Does he kiss good?"

Devvy moaned, nodded once.

"Sexy minxes. I bet you lead every top you've had on a merry chase." Bake chuckled and picked up a fry, offered it over to Dev.

Dev opened up and Darius licked the shell of his twin's ear. Bake's fingers lingered on Dev's lips, sliding in and out between them.

"I can smell you, Devvy..."

Dev shifted on the chair, cried out a little.

Bake gave him a grin. "You're the pushy one, aren't you?"

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"How did you guess?"

Bake snorted. "It's not a guess."

"Sure, it is. You don't know us." Yet. Dare drew Dev into his lap, holding on tight.

"Oh, I think I have a few insights into who you are. Just that right there," Bake nodded at him and Dev, "tells me plenty."

Dev leaned into him, face against his neck, resting. "He's had a long day."

"He follows you well, hmm?" Bake chuckled. "I was thinking of taking you both into one of the back rooms, but maybe I should just take you home."

One French fry was offered to him and he opened eagerly. Bake's fingers lingered on his lips, both salty and lightly greasy from the fry. He leaned forward, sucked on Bake's fingertips.Take us home. Bake groaned, his green eyes going dark, and Dare swore he could smell the man.

"Here. Feed yourself and your brother while I finish up my steak. Don't linger."

He nodded, taking a long kiss from Dev before feeding his brother a French fry.

"You both look beat, so we'll wait for tomorrow for discussion of a few rules." Bake made the pronouncement and then began to devour his steak like the man was starving.

"Rules? Is this... is this going to be longer than tonight, Dare?"

"We'll have to see, Dev. If he likes us. If we like him."

"I like you both. I already know that. But we don't do anything non-consensual. I play safe. I play hard, but it's safe. Lobster and Etch-a-Sketch. I won't forget."

He looked over at Bake. "We're not the same, not in what we like. I won't let you hurt him." They needed to be clear.

"You're not paying attention, I've already proven I see you both, I can tell you apart, tell you're different.

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And I've already given you both something of what you need, even if that's different. So you aren't paying attention. But Dev is. Dev knows I see you both."

Dev smiled. "Dare's attention is split, hmm? Between you and me."

Bake chuckled and nodded. "It is."

Darius rumbled at Dev. "You're supposed to be on my side!"

Devvy blinked at him. "I am!"

Bake nodded. "He is. But, Darius, I'm not the enemy here. We're not adversaries -- if we're going to do this, we'll be partners, lovers. We'll be making love, not war."

He looked over at Bake, not sure how to take that. "All three of us, right?"

Devin nodded. "He's a twin. He knows."

"Me and Bean don't have anything sexual between us, but he is a part of me. I know, Darius. I know you're different, even if no one else sees it. And I know that, different as you are, you're still a set."

"Cool." He leaned forward, fed Devin another French fry. "I feel sorry for Bean. Clay's a dork."

Devin chuckled, nodded.

Bake leaned in. "So's Bean." He winked.

Dare laughed, reached forward, and stroked Bake's lips. "Then they'll go make dorky love."

"Dare! Ew!" They all three started laughing together, the sound weirdly harmonious.

Bake made short work of the steak, feeding them each a couple of pieces while he was at it, and then the man stood, holding out both hands. "Come on, boys. Let's go home."

Devin looked at him, and he nodded. Yeah.

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Yeah, let's go.

Chapter Three

They pulled up to his house -- the bungalow was small, but his and in a good part of town, and Clay'd managed to fix all the damage his brothers had done while he was in service. Mostly.

"Nice," Bean murmured, but the long, skinny drink of water wasn't looking at the house.

"It's mine, private. Come on in." He liked the look of Bean, liked the hunger that was pouring off the man.

Bean followed him eagerly. "Private is good. Very good."

His walk was bordered by plants, the front door facing away from the street. "You live with Bake?"

"I do. We inherited our parent's place." Bean's attention was on him, not the house. "You live with your brothers?"

"Yep. I almost made them go when I got home and found out they'd wrecked my house. It's pricey, though." Little shits.

"Wow, they sound like a handful." Bean touched his arm. "You need a break from them."

"They just... feed off each other." He grinned at Bean, winked. "Like leeches." He got the door open and got them moving inside.

"Eww." Bean laughed, face bright.

Clay led Bean in. It wasn't much, but it was clean and it was his and he liked it here.

Bean looked around. "Oh, it suits you -- neat, tidy, sparse, but there's character here."

"Thanks." He eased Bean down onto the couch, knowing how comfortable and cushy the worn leather

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was.

Bean groaned. "Oh, damn. I might just be in love."

"I hear that." He sat beside Bean, sighed happily. "Welcome home."

Bean chuckled and leaned against him. "You mean to your home, hmm?"

"Mmmhmm." He handed over one of the milkshakes, and draped his arm over Bean.

Bean snuggled right in, taking a long drink of his shake, his throat working. Clay reached out, fingers touching the man's Adam's apple as it moved. Hot. Bean whimpered softly, head tilting back farther.

"Jesus, someone hasn't been giving you what you need, honey." He could eat this man up. He leaned forward, let his lips touch the curve of Bean's ear. "How long's it been?"

Bean groaned for him. "Over a year."

"Won't be after tonight." That was a promise. He drew Bean up, onto his lap, fingers working the tight jeans open.

"Fuck, yes." Bean jerked and pushed against him, mouth opening, pressing against his lips.

His hand pushed into Bean's briefs as his tongue fucked that hot mouth. No reason not to take the edge off.

"Fuck, yes!" Bean bucked, pushing up into his hand.

He chuckled, hand moving faster, not teasing a bit. "That's right. Come on, honey. I got you."

"You so do." Bean danced on his lap, eyes meeting his. The green was intense, full of need.

"Gonna fuck you through the mattress, make you feel so good."

"Please." Bean's mouth closed against his again.

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He rubbed the ball of his thumb over the slit of Bean's cock, spreading the wetness around. Bean's hands landed on his shoulders, fingers digging in as Bean cried out.

Poor hungry man. He focused on the kisses, focused on demanding Bean's orgasm. He could feel the tension building in Bean's body, the bucking without rhythm, only need. Clay slipped his other hand around, pushed it in the back of Bean's jeans and tapped that hidden little hole.

"Clay!" Bean cried out, his eyes going wide as heat spread up over Clay's hand.

"Mmm." Better. Much fucking better.

Bean panted, nodded, and leaned against him. "Yeah. God."

He kept his hand moving, smoothing the spunk into Bean's prick. "Now you can relax a little. Eat."

"What about you?" Bean's hands slid down over his chest.

He spread his legs, making an offer. "I could use some assistance."

"You like blow jobs?" Bean's fingers worked at the button on his jeans.

"Is there a man on earth who doesn't?"

Bean laughed, those green eyes sparkling, shining at him. Then the man wriggled down between his legs.

He let Bean open him up, fish his heavy, thick prick out. He was hard, the tip swollen and wet from getting Bean off. Bean's moan was heady, gratifying. Then the man began to work, tongue flicking out to taste the head and then the glans. Clay leaned back, letting Bean explore. He didn't need to push; he wasn't desperate, just horny.

Bean took his sweet time, exploring Clay thoroughly before taking the head between his lips and sucking. Clay let his hips roll up, push nice and easy into Bean's lips, spread them a little. Opening wider, Bean took him in. The suction increased slowly, Bean's tongue slapping at his cock.

"That's it. Harder, honey." He liked to feel it, liked a fierce suction.

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The suction immediately got harder, Bean's head slowly moving up and down on his cock. He could see the tight lips sliding on his flesh, leaving it wet and shiny as Bean pulled up.

"Fuck, yeah. That's it. You've got a good mouth, honey. Don't stop."

Bean hummed, an almost peaceful look on his face. Soft touches stroked over Clay's thighs, his stomach. The man knew how to use that mouth, how to make Clay hot, about to fly.

Bobbing faster, Bean sped the pace, licking eagerly at him. He let his head fall back and he just humped, fucking Bean's mouth. Bean let him, taking him deep, then pulling back so he couldn't get in very far, and then lowering back down so his thrusts hit the back of Bean's throat.

"Fuck..." Oh, shit, yes.

Bean hummed or something and the sound vibrated around his cock. He bucked up, thrusting good and hard as he fought to get to the finish line. One of Bean's hands pushed into his jeans, finding his balls.

That was all he needed; he shot hard, filling Bean's lips. Bean swallowed him down, only a little escaping from the corner of Bean's mouth.

Clay stroked one hand through Bean's hair, petting. "Good."

Bean licked his lips. "It sure was." He leaned down and took a long, slow kiss. Man tasted good.

Bean moaned into his mouth. "That was amazing."

"That was round one."

Bean's slow smile was beautiful. "So when do we start round two?"

"Soon as the food's gone."

"I just had a great appetizer."

He grinned. "Just wait until we get to dessert."

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Chapter Four

Bake escorted the pretty twins to his brand-new red Mustang. Finally, he had someone to show off in the car. In fact, he'd been waiting on these two for a year. He opened the passenger door for them. "My chariot."

The two pretty birds oohed and aahed over his car, Darius making sure Devin got the front seat, got settled. God, they were the sexiest things he'd ever seen. Maybe the neediest, too.

He jumped into the driver's seat. "Ready?"

Devin nodded. "It's a beautiful car, honestly."

"Thanks, baby." He reached out and squeezed Devin's knee, then started the car and pulled out.

"Are you a mechanic?"

He chuckled. "No, not really. I'm a landscaper. Trees, grass, flowers, and shit."

Devin grinned and clapped. "I'm a florist. I know, typical, huh? But I like it."

"Hey, that's awesome." He glanced in the rear-view mirror at Darius. "What about you?"

"I work at a restaurant."

"He's a pastry chef. He's sort of brilliant, and one day he's going to own a place of his own!"

"Oh-ho. I might have to actually invest in groceries if there's going to be somebody who can cook in the house."

"Oh, Dare is like magic."

Darius reached up, whapped his brother. "Dork."

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"Well, you are. I love your risotto."

"You'll have to cook for me, Darius. Let me judge for myself."

"I can do that, sure. I have Mondays off."

"Cool." He headed for home, knowing they'd have it to themselves. Even if Bean's plans with Clay fell through, he'd be quiet when he got home.

The lights were off, the house quiet when he pulled into the garage.

"Come on. Come see my bed. Come see how we fit."

The boys slipped out together, watched him. They were stunning together, little and sharp, lean and dark. He let them in. The place wasn't a pig sty, but it wasn't spotless, either. Real people lived here.

"Living room, kitchen to the right there. There's a work-out room in the basement. And the bedrooms are down this hall here."

"It's big."

He wasn't sure which one had spoken.

"It was my parents'." He led them right into his room, the huge bed taking up the bulk of the space.

"What are you into?" That was Darius. For sure. He was the headstrong one, the talker, the leader of the two. The caretaker.

Bake hadn't been blowing smoke up their asses when he'd said he would be able to tell them apart.

"All sorts of stuff. Spanking, whipping, pushing boundaries." He turned to Devin as he continued, "Bondage, focused lovemaking, plugs, cock rings. I'm not into permanent damage or humiliation."

Devin reached for Darius' hand and Darius took it. "You want to play, Devvy?"

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Devin nodded. "It's a little unnerving, being with someone new."

Darius chuckled. "I'm right here. I've got you."

"You've had a hard day, so I was thinking something nice and easy tonight. Darius has already had his spanking; we could make love." He reached out and stroked Devin's lips. "You could suck me."

Devin's lips parted, sweet and hungry. "I like to do that, way more than Dare."

"Yeah? What else do you like, sweet boy?" It was a good description for Devin, while the other twin was more spicy. He flicked his eyes to Darius; so alike, they were still quite different. He knew all about that.

Devin smiled. "I like touching. I like ropes a lot. Dare doesn't, though. Dare gets mad and screams. Me, I love being held still and close."

Bake chuckled. "Touching and stillness. It suits you." He turned to Dare. "And you, my spicy one? Stillness upsets you. What do you like? Aside from pushing as hard as you can?" Binding would make an excellent punishment for Dare, and he had a hunch Dare would be the one needing punishment more often.

"I like fucking. I like to fight everything. I have to do it."

Two men who knew themselves. Bake approved. And two sides of a coin; he'd never get bored with these two. He started to strip. "Undress each other for me."

Darius turned to Devin with a smile, leaning in to kiss his twin thoroughly as the button-down shirt was opened. Groaning, Bake made short work of his own clothes so he could settle on the bed, back propped up by his pillows as he watched. The boys obviously enjoyed each other, but they weren't so focused that he felt forgotten. They both made sure that he got to see, got a show.

He hummed happily, his hand sliding down over his chest. He tweaked both nipples and then aimed for his cock. Each boy had a nipple pierced, both were shaved clean and half-erect. He wrapped his hand around his own prick, more than half-hard already, and began to stroke lazily. He let a moan out so the boys knew he was watching, knew he liked what he saw.

Darius ended up behind Devin, one hand wrapped around his brother's cock, pretty eyes focused on Bake.

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He shook his head. "I said undress, not fool around." Not that it wasn't a great show, but he wanted Devin's mouth and Darius' touches.

"We're undressed." Darius winked at him, smiled. The look wasn't vicious or even pushing, more playful and eager.

"And very nicely so at that." He jerked his head. "Come on into bed. I want Devin's mouth and your hands."

They pounced on him suddenly with much laughter and warm skin. Two mouths were on his chest, two hands on his cock.

He tilted Devin's head, bending to take a kiss from the sweet mouth. Devin was all submission -- open and soft, sweet and yielding. He swept his tongue through Devin's mouth, tasting and licking his way through the warmth and welcome. Devin moaned and pressed closer, even as a hot, hungry mouth wrapped around his cock.

He blinked. He hadn't expected to have Darius' mouth on his cock. The man was sucking him like a dream, though, and he didn't complain, just spread his legs wider. The mouth around his cock was demanding, hungry, the suction fierce.

"Save some for Devin."

Those warm eyes sparkled for him. "I'll go rescue him. He must like you. He doesn't do that much."

"I'm not complaining, sweet boy, but I thought you wanted it, too." His voice had gone all rough with need. It felt fucking amazing.

"I love it. I love the feel of a cock in my mouth."

"Slut." Darius teased, fingers tickling Devin.

"Am not!"

"Uh-huh."

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Bake laughed. "And whose mouth was it around my cock? Hmm?" He stroked one cheek and then the other.

"That would be my slut brother," Devin chuckled. "My baby slut brother."

One of Bake's eyebrows went up. "You're older? I'd pegged you as the second twin."

"Everybody does, but it's not true. I'm forty-five seconds older." At his look, Devin shrugged. "C-section."

"Forty-five seconds behind and trying to catch up ever since, hmm?" He stroked both their cheeks again. "You can both have my cock," he offered.

Darius drew Devin down, and the twins kissed over the tip of his cock, tongues fighting for a second before Darius took control of the kiss, his prick trapped between.

"Fuck!" His hips jerked a little, pushing against their mouths.

Darius wrapped one hand around Devin's head and, from the cry around his cock, one around Devin's prick.

"No coming, boys. I have a few plans." Only a million and one.

Two sets of the prettiest eyes he'd ever seen looked up at him. He gave them his best wolfish grin. Hey, he hadn't said no touching each other, just no coming.

Devin's mouth dropped over his cock, taking it in. God, he felt that deep in his balls. His toes curled and he reached down to touch them both. Where Darius' mouth had been fierce, Devin's was pure heaven, heat and pleasure and softness. Bake's eyelids drooped, but he made his eyes stay partly open so he could see, so he could watch them.

Darius was touching him, but the hungry mouth was on Devin's neck. He didn't complain -- he wanted to see them together. As long as they didn't make each other come. He could feel Devin moaning around his cock, the sound starting to get a bit desperate.

"Darius. Stop. Come up here."

Devin groaned in protest, and Darius looked up at him, the expression sweet and confused.

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"I want your touch and your kisses. And you're going to make Devin come if you keep touching him instead of me."

Darius climbed up his body, lean and heated against him, cock hard as a brand. He groaned and took the man's mouth. Not sweet at all, this kiss threatened to set him on fire, made him twist and push deeper into Devin's mouth.

He sucked on Darius' tongue, pulling hard. Darius cried out, tried to take control of the kiss. He put his hand behind Darius' head and tilted it, not letting Darius take over. So much heat, so much need, and Darius was feeding it to him.

His hips jerked, pushing his cock into Devin's mouth as he fucked Darius' with his tongue. Those pretty eyes were fastened on him, watching him. He looked right back, taking both mouths.

Bake was going to keep them. He was keeping them and making them his. "Mine." He growled the word into Darius' mouth, his hips snapping now.

"Maybe." Tease.

"No, both of you. Mine." He bit at Darius' lower lip.

Devin swallowed hard around his cock and Darius bucked, moaning. "M...m...maybe."

"No! Mine!" He called it out, slamming against Darius one last time as he came.

Devin moaned, one hand reaching down for his brother.

"Come up here, sweet boy. Let me jack you off together."

Within seconds he had a double armful of boy, needy and hot. He wrapped his hands around their cocks, testing the weight and size of them. "Kiss me, boys."

Hard, ready -- they pushed against him, surrounding him with sweet-smelling, heated male. Their tongues played in his mouth and each other's and he joined in the hard, needy kisses. Those hands were everywhere, touching him, touching each other. He pulled with hard, quick strokes, working on getting them off.

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One of them cried out, the other one groaned, but both arched, bodies reaching for him.

"Come on. Let me smell you."

Heat sprayed against him, first from Devin, then Darius came a couple of strokes later.

He breathed in deeply, rubbing the come into their skin. "You smell so good."

Sweet boys. Sweet, cuddly boys.

Darius nuzzled his jaw, Devin offered him a kiss.

"Let's sleep, boys. Today's been a very long day, and tomorrow we can start out fresh."

"I..." Darius frowned, but Devin smiled, shook his head.

"You're off tomorrow, love."

"Oh." Darius blinked and crashed, sound asleep in mere seconds.

Devin's chuckle rang out. "He works too hard."

"We'll have to see what we can do about that, hmm?"

Dev nodded, kissed the corner of his mouth.

"I'll tell you a secret. I'm very glad you boys crashed that truck."

"Are you? We were so bored, and Clay was being so snotty."

"You won't be bored with me, boy."

"Boy?" Dev looked up at him, licked his lips. "Oh, Dare is going to growl at that."

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"So let him growl."

Dev nodded. "You, too."

"You like that?" He growled deep in his chest for Dev.

Dev moaned, rubbing against him. "I do."

"Oh, you are a sweet one." He took Dev's mouth, tongue slipping in.

Dev opened again, wrapping around him, still so needy. He slid his hand down along Dev's spine and cupped the sweet ass.

"What do you like to be called?" Dev's tongue traced his lips.

"Sir during scenes, Sir or Bake at other times."

"What do you consider a scene?"

"Oh, good question. Because it's not going to be every time we have sex -- although I should warn you, I'm a bossy lover even if I'm not playing master."

"So is Dare, sometimes. Although it's more like... tense."

"Tense? That doesn't sound right for love-making."

Devin shrugged, looked uncomfortable. "He's a good lover. He's just really strung out."

"I'll have to see what I can do to change that, hmm?" He ran a hand along Devin's spine. "I like how protective you are of each other, but you'll need to speak for yourselves with me. I need to know what's coming from each of you."

"I'm pretty good at that."

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"Yeah? And is Darius good at letting you speak for yourself?"

Devin's head tilted. "Oh, yes. I have to say that I'm more likely to speak for him. He gets puffy for me." He got a quick grin. "I'm the chatty one."

"Puffy." He chuckled. "I might be in touch with that."

"Mmm. Puffiness."

"Bean is my baby brother -- my baby twin brother. I know you know how that goes."

"I do. Dare tries to protect me, but I'd kill anyone that broke his heart."

"I'm not going to break your hearts, either of you. I may break you both down, though. Turn you inside out."

"That sounds a little scary."

"You play, though, right? I mean, I've seen you do scenes with some badass tops."

"I do. I play hard." Dev's chin lifted. "No one's broken me down, though. Dare won't let you."

"You don't want to find out what's really inside you? You don't want to be free?"

Those beautiful eyes flashed. "God, yes."

"Good. I just want to know that I can push, that if we do this, I'm getting you both all in. I'm not good at holding back when I go after something. You safeword, and I stop. Immediately. I play safe. But I'm gonna push. It's just who I am." He met the pretty eyes; he was serious about this.

"I understand. I like to play. So does Dare. We'll figure it out."

"Sounds good." Bake grinned and aimed a nod at Darius. "So does he always conk out after sex?"

Dev reached out, petted Darius' jaw. "These days, yes. He's so tired he can't bear it."

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"We'll have to see what we can do about that. And are you always this chatty?"

"Yes. Yes, I love to talk to people." Eager, happy man. Those fingers never stopped petting him, exploring him.

Chuckling, he took a soft kiss, his own fingers gentle on the right side of Devin's face, where the bruises were.

Devin moaned softly, cock sliding on his thigh. Darius frowned, reached out, patted his twin. "Shh, Devvy. You're okay."

Bake's chuckles turned to laughter. "Of course he is; I've got him, which you know is okay, or you wouldn't be asleep."

Darius' eyes popped open, bloodshot and exhausted. They stared at him for a long second, then closed again.

"That's right, pretty boy. You sleep."

Devin nodded, face worried.

"Hey, Dev, relax. You're not the only one looking out for him anymore, okay?"

"No? You just met us. You... you think you'll want us again?"

"Dev, honey, I've been hunting your asses since last year. Iknow I'll want you again."

That smile made his heart melt. "Cool."

He licked at Dev's lips and then took the sweet mouth, his fingers squeezing around one pert buttock.

Dev moaned, hips arching back into his touch.

"You needing again, sweet boy?" He was more than willing to give Dev a little extra attention.

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"Please. Please, I ache."

"We can't have that." He wrapped his hands around Devin's head and kissed the boy thoroughly. The sweet twin moaned, licking at his lips. He rubbed their legs together, sliding one of his between Devin's. Devin groaned and pressed down against him.

He kneaded the full buttocks, squeezing them, holding them in his palms. Devin arched for him, pushed back into the touch. He found one pretty nipple -- the ringed one -- and played with the flesh, then the metal.

"Mmm." Dev smiled, relaxed back, and let him play.

He nibbled at Dev's jaw as he tugged and twisted and teased the pierced nipple. Dev hummed and wiggled, but there wasn't a huge response. He'd bet anything Darius had incredibly sensitive nipples.

Exploring further, he stroked his fingers lightly over Dev's skin, moving toward the closest pit. One of the most fun things about a new lover was exploring their body, finding the hot spots, the not so hot ones, the places that drove them wild. Bake had two bodies to explore; he was a lucky, lucky man. Dev started chuckling as he got closer to the soft, dark hairs under the lean arm. Grinning, Bake swept his touch down, following Dev's ribs.

"Tickles..." Devin's chuckles became laughter.

He rolled them away from Darius, tickling in earnest now. Dev tried to muffle the laughter against his throat, shoulders shaking. Laughing himself, he slid his fingers to Dev's middle, less tickling now and more searching again for sweet spots. There was one right above Dev's hip, the spot marked by a tiny hickey. He rubbed the little mark, feeling the increased heat just there. That earned him a small cry, bucking hips.

"Nice." He slid his hand to the other side to see if it was just as sensitive. Almost. Not quite, but there was sensitivity there. Bending, he flicked his tongue across the mark on the right side, his fingers playing with Dev's stomach.

"That... Dare bites me there. It... it's so hot."

"I hope he doesn't mind sharing." He scraped his teeth over Dev's skin.

"Oh!" Dev reached down for his head, hips moving quickly.

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He loved the reaction, so he did it again.

"Sir. Bake. I. Oh, wow."

"A very hot spot, I see." He looked up at Dev, grinning.

"Yeah. Yeah, Dare says he wants a tattoo there." Dev's eyes twinkled. "But then no one could touch it while it healed."

"And that would be a shame." He stroked his fingers across the spot, his tongue flicking out to touch the tip of Dev's cock.

"Y...yes. Yes."

He rubbed his cheek against Dev's cock, nuzzling it like a cat as he continued to tease the sweet spot. Dev's cock began to leak, the scent strong, heady. Bake took a taste, groaning happily. His own prick had grown hard again, so he rose up, sliding them together.

"Do you like to fuck?"

"I do. A lot." He grinned at Dev. "Is that an invitation?"

The sweet boy nodded. "It's been a while. Me and Dare -- we don't do that together."

"No?" He gave Dev a quick kiss. "Then I can help you out, babe."

"Oh, excellent. Such a helpful guy."

Bake laughed. "I'm no saint. You're a hot number I've been lusting after for a long time."

"Uh-huh. An angel," Dev teased, laughing softly.

"That's me. The angel of fucking."

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He could listen to Devin laugh for a long time.

Bake reached up to his side table, pulling out the lube. Dev's lips brushed over his ribs, his chest. Groaning, he pushed his nipple toward Dev's mouth. Those hungry lips wrapped around his flesh, the tug sudden, sharp, fierce.

He jerked against Dev, groaning and nodding. "Yeah, babe. Fuck."

Dev nodded, teeth sharp on his nipple. He groaned; they might not be pierced, but they were pretty fucking sensitive.

"You like that." Dev bit again, teeth tugging at his skin.

"I do." He scraped his finger against that spot on Dev's hip, wanting to give as good as he was getting. Dev's teeth stung his nipple. "Fuck!" He jerked, finger pushing hard into Dev's hip.

Dev arched, hips bucking up against him. "Now. Now. Please."

"Need to get you ready," he murmured, opening the slick.

Darius slept like the dead, curled around a pillow. Bake pressed the fingers of one hand into Dev; with the fingers of his other hand, he stroked Dare's cheek. Pretty twins. Lovely boys. He was going to make them his.

He turned back to Devin, smiling at the man as he worked the tight heat around his fingers open. Dev smiled back, focused and easy, watching him.

"How do you like it?"

"Feels good."

"Yeah, you do." He pushed his fingers in deep, looking for Dev's happy spot.

"Please..." Dev helped, shifting in tiny increments until he gasped.

"Yeah, that's it." Bake laughed again and started banging his fingertips against that spot.

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Dev nodded, moaned deep. "Yes."

"That's gonna be my cock in a minute."

"Promise?"

"I swear to God, sweet boy. Gonna fuck you good and hard." He pegged Dev's gland again. "Give you what you need."

"Oh. Oh, please." He watched Dev arch, the long body bowing beautifully.

He grabbed a condom, slipping it on as he settled between Dev's legs. Dev grabbed his knees, tugged and spread. He did love it when a sub meant it when they said they liked being fucked. He rubbed the tip of his cock against that sweet little hole. That had Dev arching, pushing up against his prick.

"Needy boy. So sexy." He pushed in, slow and steady.

"Yeah. Yeah, I... Oh, God. You fill me up."

"Uh-huh. And you're good and tight." So fucking good and tight.

"Move. Move, please."

"You got it, baby." He started to pull out, moving slowly, letting Dev feel every inch.

"Oh..." The look on Devin's face was pure bliss.

He kept moving, kept watching that pretty face. Devin's hips rolled up, the motion easy, happy. He reached for Devin's cock, wrapping it in one fist and letting the motions from his hips push the heat along his palm.

"Oh. Oh. Please." Dev jerked, groaning softly, hips pumping up toward his touch, then slamming down onto his cock.

"Yeah." It was good, being with someone who loved fucking as much as he did. His hips moved with

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happy abandon..

"More. More." Dev looked overjoyed, so happy.

"I've got what you want, Dev." He did, in spades, and he was intent on giving it to Dev until the beautiful man gave it up.

"Yes." That laughter filled Dev up and bubbled out.

His laughter met Dev's and they fucked and laughed together, pleasure and joy mixing, becoming one. They found a solid rhythm, then everything started moving, faster and faster.

"That's it, baby." Fuck, it was great.

"Uh-huh. Close. Close."

"Anything, Dev. Come on."

Devin jerked, driving harder, cock swelling.

"That's it." He rubbed his thumb across the tip of Devin's cock.

Heat sprayed over his fingers, wet and thick and smelling of sex.

"Yeah." He grunted the word out and nodded, hips working hard to bring himself off now that Dev had come.

Dev's body gripped his, working his prick.

"Fuck!" Bake jerked a few more times and came hard.

Dev moaned, drawing him down into a soft, lazy kiss. The man's lips were soft and warm and a little bit wet, and Dev tasted of heat and man and good sex. He patted Dev's hip, a little warning that he'd be coming out. If it wasn't for the condom, he'd have stayed in.

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Dev nodded, body relaxing for him, letting him ease out. He groaned in disappointment as that tight heat let him go.

Then he got rid of the condom and settled between the two boys. "This okay?"

"Mmmhmm." Devin cuddled against him, cheek on his shoulder. "I have to work in the morning, but Dare doesn't."

"You need the alarm on, honey?"

"No. I'll wake up on my own." He got a sweet, slow kiss. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Hopefully it's the start of a beautiful relationship." He could get behind that, as well as the twins.

Dev nodded. "Yes, Bake. I hope so."

"Me, too."

He snuggled Dev up close, and patted the sleeping Dare.

He was hoping hard.

Chapter Five

Bean ate happily, his whole body thrumming and awake and eager. He was halfway in love with Clay already. The man had an amazing touch. Had blown Bean's fucking mind with just his hand. He ate the last fry and licked the salt from his fingers.

Clay was drinking his shake, legs spread and sprawled, body relaxed. The man was like an embarrassment of riches. Bean's eyes kept roaming over him, had been all through their burgers and fries. He might have moaned.

"You like what you see?" Clay leaned back, flexed, and the lean belly shifted for him.

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"Guh." Fuck him raw, had that noise really come from him? Could he possibly be drooling? "I do."

"Good. Wanna go fuck? I want your ass in the worst way."

"Yes, please." He so very much did. Clay's straightforwardness was refreshing, cool.

Clay stood up, gathered the trash and dumped it, then made sure the doors were locked. "Bedroom's at the end of the hall."

"Cool." He gave Clay another long, admiring look and then sauntered down the hall.

"Yeah." Huge hands landed on his ass, squeezing his buns good and firmly. He slowed down so he could push back into that touch. Clay was really tactile, and he was getting off on it. "Mmm. Very nice." Those fingers squeezed again.

He leaned back into Clay. He hadn't met a lot of men who were tall enough to support him all the way. Clay was.

Clay's hands slid around to his hips and held on. "Nice ass."

"I'm glad you like it. I think you should inspect it closely -- make sure you really do like it." He was flirting like crazy and it felt good.

"Oh, I'll inspect it. You have my word."

"Excellent." He leaned harder against Clay, letting the man lead him the rest of the way to his bedroom.

Clay's fingers traced his hips, curled over his cock.

"Fuck." He jerked, rubbed into those touches. When they finally got naked, he was just going to die.

"That's the plan."

His laughter was just a bit shaky, skipping a beat as his breath stopped from another touch. He sort of glanced around as Clay took him into the bedroom, but mostly he was looking to the bed. That made it easy, because the bed was huge, wide, and the most prominent thing in the room.

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"I like your bed." He looked up, met Clay's eyes. "A lot."

"Good. Get naked and let's test it out." Clay stripped his shirt off.

Bean licked his lips, admiring Clay's strength, the little pink nipples. The jeans came next, that amazing prick pushing out to say hi. Bean groaned, his belly going tight. He took a half breath, reaching out.

"Uh-uh. Naked. Come on, babe. Skin."

"Huh? Oh. Yeah." He grinned and shook his head to clear it. "You distracted me." Clay made him stupid, a little.

"More." Clay's hand wrapped around his cock, showing off.

He nodded and grabbed the bottom of his T-shirt, pulling it off quickly so he didn't miss a second.

"Mmm. Pretty. More." Clay was close to just grunts and clicks.

Bean's hands were almost shaking as he undid his top button and pulled down the zipper. Clay sat on the edge of the bed, eyes watching every move he made. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been the center of someone's attention like this. It was heady, arousing; his cock was harder than nails.

"Jeans, now. It's time to get busy."

"Uh-huh. God, you are amazing." He tugged his jeans down, toeing off his shoes before pushing them right off.

One big hand reached out, stroked his cock once from base to tip. Shuddering, he groaned and pushed toward Clay. He wanted more.

Clay tugged and twisted and they landed on the mattress facing each other, skin slapping together. He pressed close, head tilting as he went in for a kiss. They fit together damn well, Clay's length an easy match for his. Their cocks slid and rubbed, so hot and good.

"I want to fuck you, want to watch you ride me."

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"Yes. Yes, please. Anything." Fuck, he wanted that, wanted to feel Clay's fat prick inside him.

"Everything. We're gonna fuck so good."

He nodded, pressing up into another kiss as his hands roamed over Clay's work-hard muscles. Clay didn't tease at all; those hands mapped him, dragged over his body like they needed to learn every inch. Moaning and groaning, he rocked into each touch, his prick gliding along Clay's skin as he did.

Clay wrapped his fingers around his nutsac, tugging just a little. He spread his legs, his breath catching.

"Mmm. You like that?"

"Yes." He hissed the word out, hands wrapping around Clay's shoulders. "Amazing hands. Amazing."

"You should feel my prick."

"Bring it on, stud."

Clay's laughter made him grin, and then the big body rolled against him as Clay reached for a drawer. He got a full body rub as lube and rubbers were pulled out. He arched up, rubbing back, wanting to drive Clay wild for him.

"Mmm. Good. That's good." The heavy thighs parted, giving him more friction.

Running his hands down to Clay's ass, he held on tight, pulling the man closer.

"Don't you come, now. I want in."

"You took care of me earlier. I can wait." Especially when he wanted the same thing.

"Good." That was a satisfied sound.

"Come on, then, Clay. Make me scream."

Clay grunted softly, then rolled over on his back, handed him the lube. "Get yourself ready?"

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"Oh, fuck." He squeezed the tube in his hand, licking his lips.

"Indeed." Clay's fingers trailed over his body, the touch light.

His hands were shaking the tiniest bit as he popped the cap on the lube.

"Easy. Easy. We got time."

"I want you badly." He knew he could admit it to Clay -- the man wouldn't use it against him, or at least not in a bad way.

"This doesn't have to be a one-off. We've got time." Clay's fingers surrounded his balls, tugged so gently.

"I know. I'm just eager." He laughed a little shakily and put his mouth on Clay's to make himself shut up.

Clay's kiss let him know he wasn't alone, though. That tongue pushed into his mouth, fucking his lips over and over. He lost himself in the kisses for awhile, until his cock began dripping.

Then he sat back and slicked up his fingers. Clay took the lube from him, starting gloving up that gorgeous cock. He watched Clay's fingers on the big prick as he pushed his own into his ass. He didn't finesse it -- it wasn't his own fingers he wanted.

"Fuck, you're a firecracker. Don't take too long. I need in."

He popped his fingers out. "I'm ready."

"Me, too." That heavy cock was stroked once, shown off.

He licked his lips. "Gonna feel so good inside me."

"Gonna feel so good around me."

Laughing, he straddled Clay's hips. "In. Around. It's all good."

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"Hell, yeah." Clay's hand landed on his hips, helped him move into place.

He reached back and wrapped his hand around Clay's cock, got the head right where it needed to go. "Okay."

Clay pushed up, easy as pie, just barely breaching his entrance. His back arched, his whole body going tight in anticipation, in need. "Oh fuck." He had to find a breath.

"Uh-huh." One of Clay's hands slid along his belly.

His muscles tightened more beneath the touch and then fluttered and loosened, making him groan, making him rock back and take more in.

"Tight. Fuck." Clay held on, hands not forcing him, just letting him balance.

"Been awhile." Too long. But he was getting some now, wasn't he? Groaning again, he rocked back, taking more in.

"As slow as you need it. I've got you."

"I want it all night long, Clay."

Those pretty eyes met his, sure and strong. "It's a deal."

Somehow, he believed the man.

He kept rocking, kept taking a little bit more of that thick cock each time he pushed back. God, he felt full; it was awesome. Clay's hands kept moving, distracting him, helping him relax. He was soon moving into the touches, impaling himself more and more as he followed those amazing hands. Clay filled him up; hell, he thought he could feel Clay's cock in his throat when he swallowed. It took time, but eventually he had Clay all the way inside him and he started to ride.

"Jesus, babe. You feel good." Clay started to push up, fill him.

"I do." He so fucking did.

Clay kept the rhythm steady, sure, pushing up into him repeatedly. Bean rode the thrusts, brought his

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body down to meet each one as he watched Clay's face.

"There you go. There you go. Fucking ride me."

"Uh-huh." He did, hips starting to roll. He could feel every drag of Clay's cock inside him.

Clay kept him moving, kept him jerking down, then sliding up. He finally dropped his hands to Clay's chest, using the leverage to ride harder, faster.

"Mmm. There. That's right. Come on."

"Touch me," he begged. He wanted that hand around his prick, he wanted to be filled and surrounded by Clay.

Clay didn't answer; the man just jacked him fast and hard. Crying out, he moved between hand and ass, the sensations building so quickly that he was soon flying.

"So fucking hot..." Clay grunted, thumb pushing over the tip of his cock.

"Fuck!" He jerked, squeezing tight around Clay's cock as he came.

"There you go. There you go." Clay touched him through his orgasm, fingers driving him mad.

He shuddered and shivered, the pleasure chasing itself up and down his spine.

"Good man. Good man." He could hear Clay gritting his teeth. Bean started squeezing his ass around Clay's cock again and again. "Oh. Oh, fuck." Those hands went tight.

"Yeah, come on, stud. Give it to me."

Clay started slamming into him, fucking him hard.

"Oh, fuck!" He met Clay's thrusts, squeezing hard, making it as good as he could.

"Yes. Yes. Oh, babe..." Clay looked so fucking hot. So hot.

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He was going to stay fucking hard if Clay didn't come soon.

"You wanna try for a three-fer?"

He laughed and nodded. "I sure as fuck do."

"Excellent." Those hips kept moving, punching into him.

Fuck, Clay was magnificent, and Bean could already feel his body beginning to tighten again. He let the sensations roll over him.

"How come I didn't get to meet you before today, pretty boy?"

"Maybe you weren't ready," he teased.

"Maybe not. Maybe I was in the Army overseas." Clay's words were rougher now.

"Uh-huh. Good thing I waited for you, huh?"

"Fuck, yeah." Clay rocked up, rubbing his sweet spot.

Bean groaned, the pleasure rushing through him. God, he felt like he was going to fly forever.

"There. Right there." Clay's shoulders left the mattress, body moving faster.

"Yes! Yes!" He repeated the word over and over again as Clay spread him wide. His knees slipped on the sheets, his hands sliding on Clay's skin. They were both slick with sweat, the smell of sex filling the air.

"Soon." Clay's hands wrapped around his cock, pumping hard.

"Fuck!" He could go with soon. Even if it was number three. Clay was a keeper.

He moved wildly, chasing the orgasm and then catching it suddenly. Clay grunted, head slamming back, throat working. He squeezed down tight on Clay's cock as he came, his shout filling the room. Clay

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moaned, face slack as he came, driving into him. Bean's only complaint was that he couldn't feel Clay's spunk filling him up.

Clay leaned back onto the mattress, hands sliding down his thighs. Bean smiled, feeling amazing as he followed, resting against Clay's chest.

"Mmm. Good." The man sounded satisfied as hell.

Bean smiled and kissed the skin under his cheek. "Yeah."

"Stay the night?"

"Yes." He didn't hesitate for an instant.

"Good." Neither did Clay.

***

Clay stretched, curled his toes, and inhaled. Mmm. He'd slept in. It was… what? Seven a.m.? Maybe seven fifteen?

He sniffed. Sniffed again. Dude. Bacon. Man, he knew the kids wouldn't be up. Well, Dev and Dare wouldn't becooking .

Clay sat up.

Tall and skinny, Bean slid into the room, wearing nothing more than a pair of briefs and a smile. "Oh, you're up. Cool."

"Hey, babe. Smelled the bacon." He reached out, hooked out hand around Bean's waist, and dragged him in.

Bean tumbled happily onto him, body too thin to drop down hard. "Ah, bacon, the magic alarm clock. It's in the oven, keeping warm."

"Mmm. Cool. That means there's time for a nice morning fuck, hmm?"

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"Oh, shit yes." Bean gave him a happy grin and brought their mouths together.

He rolled over on top of Bean, settling them together nice and hard. Bean's arms wrapped around his shoulders, the man giving it up to him just like that.

"Mmm. Morning." He grabbed one long leg, hooked it over his hip.

Bean's heel dug into his ass, a low groan pushing between his lips. "Best way ever to start it."

"Yeah." He took Bean's mouth, tongue fucking the soft, pretty lips.

Bean was an enthusiastic lover, hips bucking, pushing up to meet his. He wanted in again, but he knew Bean might be sore, so he let his hand drag down Bean's back, just to touch. Bean whimpered for him, pushing eagerly into his touch. He could see the pleasure in Bean's eyes, the need. How could no one have snapped this man up yet?

"Mmm." He let one finger press into Bean, not harsh, just touching. Gasping for him, Bean spread his legs, offering him everything. "Not sore?" He pushed deeper, searching for Bean's gland.

"Can feel you but-- Oh!" Bean jerked, first away and then onto his finger.

"But?" He pushed again, finding that spot and stroking hard.

Bean cried out again, tongue coming out to lick his lips. "G...good."

"Yes. Yeah, babe. Good." Cute little son of a bitch.

"More." Cute and demanding.

"You got it." One finger became two.

Bean's eyes rolled back in his head, his mouth opening on a soft, needy moan. Jesus, that was hot. Fine.

"Gonna do me again?"

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"If you think you're up to it."

"Yeah. I wanna feel you all day long."

"I can arrange that." He reached for lube, rubber.

"Somehow I knew you could." Bean's hands slid across his chest and over his shoulders, the pretty green eyes nothing but admiring.

"There's nothing like being balls deep in a wanting man."

"Unless it's having a hard cock balls deep inside." Bean grinned, legs spreading even wider for him.

"Slut." He grinned down, stole a hard, happy kiss. Bean didn't deny it. He gloved himself up, shifted into place. "Ready?"

"Fuck yes." Bean grabbed his knees, rolling up his hips and offering that little hole to him.

Clay chuckled and lined up, pushed in, his toes curling with the pleasure. Bean's body squeezed tight around him, pulled him in.

"Fuck, yeah." He pushed in deep, hips stilling, letting Bean feel him.

As soon as he was seated, Bean's legs slid around his sides, ankles locking together behind his back. He rubbed, rocking his hips in tiny little circles.

"God." Bean clung to him, panting.

He kept hitting that little button, over and over and over. Bean bucked and jerked beneath him, little sounds coming out of him. Clay grinned, focusing on staying right where he was. Fuck, this was fun. A sheen of sweat made Bean's skin shine, and the man's pretty eyes began to glaze over.

"There. There you go. Fucking feel me."

"Do. Do. Clay. God." It was like once the words started, the dam was opened up and Bean couldn't stop. Swear words, his name, pleas: they all poured out of Bean.

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Clay grinned, licked the words off Bean's lips. Hot fucker.

"Gotta. Need. Oh, please." Bean moaned, fingers digging into his shoulders.

"Come on." He could fuck Bean to another orgasm.

All it took was his words and Bean tightened up around him, squeezing hard as spunk shot up over their chests.

"Mmm." His eyelids got heavy and he started moving, humping into Bean's tightness.

"Shit, gonna keep me hard." The words were nearly sobbed, Bean clinging to him, still moving with him.

"'S the goal." He kept moving, let his entire body focus on the rock and ride of it. Bean was like a fucking furnace around him, setting him on fire.

"You're something else," Bean told him before bringing their mouths together, tongue sliding on his lips.

He sure as shit was. He was having a ball.

Bean fucked his mouth with an eager tongue, finding the same rhythm his own hips were setting. He pushed harder, driving them a little higher, needing more friction on his cock. Bean's body bore down on him, heels digging hard into his ass.

"Fuck yes. Come on." He kept pushing, his entire fucking body on fire.

One of Bean's hands slid between them, knuckles rubbing against his right nipple. Clay arched, so fucking close he could scream with it.

"Fuck. Could see that look on your face all day." Bean shuddered and the walls around his cock squeezed even tighter.

"Bean." He grunted the word, shot.

"Oh, fuck." A little bit more spunk spread between them from Bean's cock as the man tightened even

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more around his cock, his orgasm going on and on.

Oh, fuck yeah. Yeah. Just what he needed.

Bean stayed wrapped around him, holding on and panting. "Mmm... Fuck, Clay."

"No. Fuck Bean."

Bean blinked, and then a grin split across his face and he half-snorted, half-laughed. Clay patted Bean's ass, then pulled out, dumped the rubber. Bean stayed on the bed, sprawled out like a tall, beanpole slut, smile on his face. Clay relaxed, hand on Bean's hip. Such a fine fuck.

"Damn, man. You are a real stud."

"And you make bacon. I approve."

"Everything goes with bacon." Bean's head turned, eyes twinkling at him. "Especially studs."

Chapter Six

Dev woke up, stretched, then cried out as something in his chest screamed.

"Devvy?" Dare sat up, immediately wide awake.

"Ow."

Someone between them grunted and pushed up onto his elbows. "What's wrong?" Bake asked.

"Sore."

"Where?" Dare demanded.

He frowned at Dare. "Ribs."

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Bake grunted again and sat up. "From the accident, huh?" One big hand slid down his back, moving gently.

"Uh-huh. I have to go to work."

Bake frowned. "Wait, wait. Bean's got some stinky shit that's good on aches. We should probably wrap it, too." Then Bake's gaze swung over to Dare. "What about you? Anything making itself known this morning?"

"I don't know." Dare was still waking up.

"You're off, right?" Bake waited for Dare's nod before turning back to Dev. "When are you supposed to go in to work?"

"The store opens at nine." Dev sighed.

Bake rubbed his face. "Are you sure you're up to it, honey?"

"I don't know." He looked at Dare. "What would you do?"

Dare shrugged. "Go to work. You want me to go in for you? No one'd know."

He thought about it. They needed the money, but Dare only got one day off a week...

Bake grunted. Bake growled. "You don't have sick days you can take?"

"I work retail, man."

Dare kissed his nose. "I'll go in for you. You rest."

He beamed at his twin. Dare loved him best. "You rock."

"Yeah, lazy ass."

"You're not hurt, Dare?" Bake's hands moved over Dare's body, square and large and solid.

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"I'll be cool." Dare's eyes closed, the barest wince hidden away. "God, your hands feel good."

"So does your skin." Bake leaned in and kissed the side of Dare's mouth. It was the sexiest thing Dev had seen in a long time. "You have time for a quickie before I drop you off at the shop?"

"Mmmhmm. More."

Bake smiled at him, blew him a kiss, and then turned back to Dare, kissing his twin hard. He could see some bruises on Dare's skin, but his twin never moved away from the touch. Bake's fingers found Dare's right nipple, flicking at the piercing and then pinching the flesh. Dare moaned, legs spreading eagerly.

"Sexy little pain-slut," muttered Bake.

Dev could almost feel the hunger, the need in the connection between them.

Bake pushed Dare back down onto the bed, the kiss going even harder.

"Don't hurt him..." He barely gave the words voice. He knew Dare needed.

One of Bake's hands reached back, slid gently across his belly. Dev shifted closer, just a little bit. He didn't know how Bake did it, but the hand on him stayed gentle, while the other worked Dare harder, giving his twin what he needed.

He watched, trying to decide if he was getting hard watching this.

Bake got a hold of Dare's cock, tugging it, hand flying.

"More." Dare cried out into Bake's lips.

Bake's thumb pressed into the tip of Dare's cock and his knees spread Dare's legs. "Lube," Bake growled out, sparing him a quick grin.

He chuckled, carefully shifted to find the tube.

Bake met his eyes again. "You up to prepping us?"

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"Sure. I just don't want to sit up too far." He loved touching Dare, and he thought he'd love touching Bake.

"Do it, then. Carefully." Bake had a smile for him and then was kissing Dare again, hands moving, working to make his twin jerk and moan.

He got his fingers slick, pushed into Dare, stretching his brother. He heard the rumble from Bake, found the man watching his fingers.

Dev was so careful, gentle, and Dare groaned. "More..."

Bake swiped his fingers over the top of the tube of lube and then two fingers pushed in with his.

Dev gasped and Dare grunted, arched. "Yes!"

Bake moved his fingers deeper, pushing Dare hard.

"Fuck. Fuck, yeah." Dare's lips were open, entire body jerking and moving on their fingers.

"Condom," growled Bake.

He nodded, his fingers slipping away. Bake added another of his and Dare cried out, the sound harsh but happy.

"Fuck, you'd be a dream to fist."

"Fuck. Fuck." Dare starting moving faster, a dull flush climbing up his brother's belly.

"We'll put it on the to-do list. You got that condom ready, Dev? Your brother needs like a fucking dream."

"I do." It always unnerved him a little to see Dare so wild. Dare was always so good to him, so easy.

He put the condom onto Bake, the glove barely snapping around the base of the thick cock before Bake

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was shoving into Dare. No finesse, no gentleness, Bake just plowed into Dare's ass.

"Yes..." Dare's face was pure joy, lost in the whole thing.

Bake grabbed Dev around the neck and tugged him in for a kiss, tongue pushing between his lips just like his cock pushed into Dare.

Oh. Oh, yum. Dev opened up, sucked on Bake's tongue. He could hear Dare moaning and grunting every time Bake pushed into him, felt Bake's breath huff into his mouth at the same time.

Dare's fingers wrapped around Dev's cock, stroking him off, and he cried out.

"Nice." Bake's eyes were on his, even as the sound of Bake and Dare's bodies coming together got louder.

"Uh-huh. G...good hands."

"He's got a good ass, too." Bake winked, and then turned full on to Dare, concentrating on giving his twin just what Dare needed.

Dare's fingers tightened, thumb working the tip of Dev's cock.

Bake's hand wrapped around Dare's prick, and the three of them stroked and bucked and fucked together like a circle of pleasure.

"All together."

"Yeah," Dare moaned.

Dev nodded. "Okay. Yeah."

"Good boys. Such fucking good boys." Bake was pounding into Dare now, their skin slapping loudly together.

Dare's fingers touched Dev, just right, and he bucked and jerked.

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"Now!" Bake didn't shout or roar, but there was a definite note of command in his voice.

Dev came hard, mouth opening and closing, over and over. Dare's shout and Bake's low groan came together, and the room suddenly smelled strongly of sex.

He sighed, leaned down into the sheets. "Good."

"I like to send my boys out well fucked." Bake stroked Dare's cheek and then pulled out and got rid of the condom.

Dare grinned, then sighed. "Gonna hit the shower. You on from what?"

"Nine to six." God, he felt guilty.

"'Kay." Dare hopped up, headed for Bake's bathroom.

"Does he do that a lot?" Bake asked, relaxing back onto the mattress.

"Do what?"

"Pretend to be you."

"Sure. All the time. Don't you and Bean?"

"Nobody'd mistake me for that skinny pole." Bake gave him a wink, patted his arm.

He grinned, knew his cheeks were red. "Dare takes good care of me. I get tired."

Bake drew him close. "Is there something wrong with you?"

"I've been to doctors. There's nothing. Dare says I need more exercise. I think he has the energy for four twins."

Hand rubbing up and down his back, Bake chuckled. "So he's stolen your energy?"

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"Yep. He works all the time." His eyelids got heavy.

A soft kiss dropped onto his forehead. "You should ask for some of it back."

"Yeah. Sometimes I think Dare'd like that."

Bake patted his arm. "Sleep for now, sweet boy. I'll get you something for those ribs later."

"'Kay." He grinned, melting into the sheets.

So good to him.

So good.

***

He was tired. He worked 'til nine at Dev's job, then just crashed at his friend Sammy's house because he had to be at work at four a.m. Now it was five thirty in the afternoon, and Dare was finishing up the last of the day's pastries. Tired. So fucking tired.

He grabbed his phone, called home.

"Clay."

"Hey. It's Dare. I can come home, right?"

"Thought you two were staying somewhere else?"

"Dev hasn't come home?" God. God, he was too tired to deal with them.

"Nope. You need me to pick you up?"

"No. No, that's cool. I'm crashing at a friend's." Sammy was cool. Sammy'd let him stay one more night. He hung up and looked at his phone; he didn't know if he even had Bake's cell number.

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"...back there."

"Thanks, Trevor!" Dev's voice got louder as he came through the door into the walk-in. "There you are!"

"Devvy. I was just about to call you."

"Oh, yeah? You found the number again between last night and now?"

"Huh?"

"We waited up for you last night. You never showed, you never called." Devvy pouted at him.

"I didn't get off work 'til the shop closed, and I had to be here at four. Don't pout. I'm tired."

"Come on, then. Bake's waiting. He's gonna feed us."

"'Kay." He nodded, gave Dev a smile. "Feeling better?"

"Yeah. Bake's taken real good care of me. Massage, stinky salve that made my ribs stop hurting, kisses..." Dev winked and looped their arms together.

"Lucky, lucky." He tried not to be bitchy about it, too, but it was hard.

Devvy laughed. "He's got plenty of what you like, too, Dare."

"Right now I just need a shower, sweets, and possibly a beer."

"You'll have to ask Bake."

They went out into the night, Bake waiting in a big truck with the logo for his landscaping business on the side. The man grinned when he saw them coming.

Dare waved, smiled. "Hey, man."

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"Hey, Darius." Bake's hand landed on the back of his neck, pulling him in for a solid kiss as Dev climbed in next to him.

He moaned, opened right up. Oh. Wow. Masterful, strong, Bake's kiss took possession of his mouth and made him like it. The man tasted like something earthy and good. Devvy's hands were on his shoulders, rubbing him.

He was actually breathless when Bake broke the kiss. "You need food. Then I can feed your soul."

"Uh-huh." He blinked into Bake's eyes. Wow.

"Yep. Dinner at The Steakerie. I want to spoil you both."

"No shit?" He looked at his jeans, his T-shirt. "You're sure?"

"I'm sure." Bake glanced at him, grinned. "We stopped on the way over and Dev grabbed a shirt for you."

"Cool. Thanks, Devvy."

"Anytime. Mike really made you work 'til closing yesterday?"

"No, he made you." He winked.

Bake chuckled. "One day that's going to get the two of you into trouble."

"No way. We're good at it."

The man's eyes cut from the road to him. "I know who's who."

"We could fool you."

Bake shook his head. "You could try."

He chuckled. "Not tonight. I'm not even sure which twin I am."

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"You're the one whose turn it is to get pampered, fucked into goo."

"Oh." He grinned, pleased, and let himself lean a little bit. "Thank you."

"You deserve it."

Bake found a spot in the little lot reserved for The Steakerie's customers, and Dev passed over his shirt.

"Thanks, Devvy." He squeezed his brother's fingers. "You feeling okay?"

"Good. It's been a good two days. I'm sorry you had to work so late. You have to be back at the restaurant in the morning?"

He nodded. "I have another day off in five days, I think, maybe ten. Lester's on vacation and wedding season's coming up."

"You got plans for the extra money on your paycheck?" Bake asked, eyes on his body as he changed into the shirt Devvy'd brought.

"I don't know. I think we'll need to look at getting an apartment, probably. Clay's still mad."

"Well, you can stay with me 'til you know what's going on."

"Yeah? That's a nice offer." He smiled at Bake. "I'll be honest; I might take you up on it, at least for Devvy. I can crash close to the restaurant anytime I have to."

"The invitation is open for both of you." Bake stroked his cheek. "I understand being a twin."

"You do." He leaned into the touch, swaying a little bit.

Bake indulged him, touching a moment longer, and then Dev's stomach growled and Bake laughed, the sound deep and mellow. "We'd better go eat."

"Yes. We wouldn't want Dare to turn into a bear." Dev winked at him, laughed.

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Bake put his head back and laughed. "Come on, boys. I want to feed you steak, fries, salad, and the best tiramisu in town."

"No way. Mine's the best."

"Is that an offer to cook for me?" Bake climbed out and hit the lock as he and Devvy climbed out.

"Absolutely." Cooking for someone was love.

Bake looked pleased at his answer, and the man put a hand on the small of his back and one on Dev, leading them both into the restaurant. He knew the hostess, got a quick hug from her before they were led to their table.

"I guess the restaurant world is a small one."

"Yeah. We move from place to place a lot, all of us. Burn out."

"You looking to own your own place?" Bake seemed genuinely interested, not like he was just making conversation.

"A formal restaurant? No. No. I want to do specialty cakes, one day, or maybe a sandwich shop." One day.

"Oh, yeah? Like that guy on TV?"

"I guess? I like to make the fun ones -- birthdays and babies and stuff, but I do the flowers and piping, too."

"Cool."

Their waitress came by for their drink orders and Bake indicated he should go first. "I'd like a Sam Adams and a big glass of water, please."

"Same, please," put in Dev.

"Make it three." Bake gave her a wink.

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"You three are easy."

Darius chuckled. "That's the rumor."

"We start out that way -- just wait until we order our food."

Devvy nodded. "We're fierce."

"Fierce?" That tickled Darius.

The waitress laughed and headed toward the bar, and Bake grinned. "Fierce? I'm not sure that's the first word that comes to my mind."

Devvy chuckled and bared his teeth. "Me and Dare, we're fierce."

Bake smiled at Dev, looking into his eyes. "Excellent. I like ferocity."

The waitress returned with their drinks before he could answer and took their food order, which turned out to be as easy as the drinks. They all wanted steak and fries with the house salad.

"Now, where were we?" Bake asked after she'd gone again. Bake's gaze turned to him, the man smiling, seeming to make promises without a single word. He found himself caught, held in those eyes. Bake didn't seem to be inclined to look away, and he could feel the intensity building. His heart started beating harder, faster, and his cock filled. The corner of Bake's mouth quirked, satisfaction darkening the man's eyes. His cheeks went red hot, burning.

Bake sat back, licking his lips and looking like the cat that got the canary, like the cock of the block. He looked away, eyes meeting Devvy's. Dev smiled, touched his nose, his chin.

"Beautiful boys." The words were quiet, absolutely sincere.

His lips parted, and Devvy moaned.

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"Dial it back, boys. Our food is on its way."

Dev nodded and he sighed, smiled, leaned in close.

The waitress put their plates down in front of them, and once she'd gone, Bake nodded at them. "Better eat up -- you'll need your strength."

"Smells good." He did love a nice, aged strip.

"Should do. It's the best in the city." Bake put his napkin in his lap and grabbed his knife and fork, eagerly digging in.

He ate happily, and Dev did, too. He was starving somehow, and the steak was perfectly cooked. The conversation was light, Bake teasing him and Dev, talking about sports and landscaping and how that was a world away from the florist's shop.

He thought he dozed a little between mains and coffee, but he wasn't sure. Not really. It was all peaceful, comfortable. Easy.

Bake sat back with a satisfied sigh. "That was good. What's coming will be even better, and that's a promise."

Devin chuckled. "He makes good promises, Dare."

"I follow through on them, too, don't I, sweet boy?" Bake's fingers slid over Devvy's cheek, the touch sensual and possessive at once.

"Mmmhmm." Dev kissed Bake's fingers, and Dare fought down the urge to be a little bitchy about it. He wouldn't fucking know. He'd been working. Two jobs.

Bake handed the waitress his credit card and then turned those eyes on him. "Your turn tonight, boy."

He shivered, trying hard not to be a needy ass. "Yeah? Promise?"

"I do, I promise." Bake's foot slid along his leg.

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His eyelids got all heavy and he scooted closer, legs parting. Fuck.

Bake licked his lips, and that foot climbed higher. "What do you want, boy?"

"I want to not have to think anymore tonight."

Bake gave him a slow, sexy smile. "I can arrange that."

"Yeah?" He needed it.

"Yeah." Bake looked down toward the front of the restaurant. "As soon as I've paid for dinner, your ass is mine."

"Promises, promises."

"It is." Bake was all confidence. It was hot. Damn it.

The waitress brought the credit card slip and Bake signed it. "Okay, boys. Let's get Dare home and make him forget his own name."

"Are you sure I'm not Devvy?"

That made Dev crack up.

Bake smiled at him. "I'm sure."

They stood up, headed for the door. Bake's hand settled in the small of his back, hot, solid. Dare let himself lean back against it, push back. Bake hummed, not loudly, but enough that he could hear it, like a sexy little moan. His toes curled. So good. So hot. So hot that the air outside seemed cold as they went out the door, Bake's hand burning where it rested.

His cock filled, swelling, aching in his jeans.

It wasn't his imagination that Bake sped them to the man's truck. Then Bake turned to him. "I can smell you."

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He lifted his chin. "Is that good?"

"Very good. Can't wait to get you naked for the full effect."

Bake pressed the fob on his keychain to unlock the doors of his truck. Devvy opened the passenger side door, and they both climbed in. He was between Devvy and Bake again, his twin moving in close so he was sandwiched between them. It was cozy. Warm. Sensual.

Bake got them on the road, and then one big hand landed on his thigh. Dare leaned a little bit, breathed, and relaxed. They drove to Bake's place, the radio playing in the background. Dare let his eyes drop closed, let himself rest.

When the truck stopped, the engine turning off, Bake's hand squeezed his thigh. "Come on, boys. Time to make Dare forget his name."

"I probably need to shower, huh? Don't want you thinking I stink."

"We could all use a shower. I have a big one." Bake winked at him.

"Cool." They all slipped out and he took Dev's hand. "Hey."

Devvy's squeezed his fingers. "Hey."

Bake led them into the house and down the hall into the bathroom. The man hadn't been lying. The bathroom was big, the shower was bigger -- certainly big enough for the three of them.

Devvy started stripping him down, fingers sure and warm on his skin. Bake stripped himself, watching them as Devvy got him naked. God, those eyes. They were like a touch. His cock started lifting, filling again.

"Look at you. So sexy." Bake nodded at Dev. "Start the shower when you're done."

"Yes, Sir."

Dare looked at Devvy, arched an eyebrow, but didn't say anything. Sir, huh?

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"Good, boy." Bake reached out and slid a hand along Devvy's back, making his twin shiver.

"Are you a good boy, Devvy?" he teased, leaning down to bite Dev's bottom lip.

"Better than you."

"Don't worry, Dare. I like bad boys, too."

"Dare's not bad. He's just tired." Dev always stood up for him.

Bake chuckled. "I meant bad in the best way possible, Dev. Come on, get the shower started so I can fuck him up against the tile under the hot water."

He groaned, and Devvy chuckled and nodded. "Yes, Sir."

Bake stepped up to him while Dev got the shower going. His face was tilted, Bake taking his mouth. He cried out, that tongue fucking his lips. One big hand landed on his ass, squeezed. Dare took a step closer, his hard cock nudging Bake's belly.

"Hello, there," murmured Bake, fingers of his free hand wrapping around Dare and tugging.

"Hey. Hey, missed you." It was true, too.

"I've got you now. Gonna make you remember me from the inside this time."

Dare moaned, cried out. So excited.

Bake pushed him into the shower, Devvy following and closing the glass door behind them. They were enclosed in a wet, steamy, hot cave, the water crashing down on them.

"Oh..." That felt like heaven. Pure heaven.

His ass and cock were held in Bake's hands, the man squeezing and stroking, making everything seem bigger. Dare rocked back and forth, slow and steady. Bake was tall and broad and strong. And hot. Like wow. He reached up, hands curling around Bake's shoulders.

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"Mmm. I believe I made you a promise."

"Uh-huh." He wasn't sure what he was agreeing to.

"Dev. Lube."

"Yes, Sir." That sounded so weird from Devvy.

It made Bake all but purr, though, the man's kisses getting harder. Dare opened up, tongue fucking Bake's lips. The hand on his ass shifted, fingers sliding to his crack. He spread, thighs parting as he made his offer.

The tip of Bake's finger pushed in. "I'm going to have Dev prep you. With his tongue."

His eyes rolled back in his head, and he whimpered. "Oh, God."

Bake shifted, putting his own back against the wall and then tugging Dare up against him. "Spread 'em for your twin."

He grunted, leaned hard, letting Bake hold him as he spread. Dev stood behind him, lips soft against his spine.

"On your knees, Devvy. But take your time. We're going to love your brother into bonelessness."

"Yes. Love you, Dare..." The touch of the hot tongue made him flutter.

His brother's cheek rubbed against his ass in reply. Then Bake's hands slid down, fingers spreading his cheeks apart. That made him step forward, step into Bake.

"I have you." Bake smiled as Devvy's tongue slid down his crack and into his hole.

His eyes rolled, and he arched, heart beating faster. Devvy's tongue pushed in deeper, thrusting. "I. Dev. Dev. Please." That was a little crazy-making.

"Open him up good, Dev." Bake's voice rumbled in his chest.

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His hips were jerking, rolling, hunger filling him.

"Just a bit more, Dev. I don't want him coming until I'm inside him."

"I... Oh, fuck. So hot."

"Okay. Enough." Bake's hands left his ass as that growl went through him. "Condom, Dev."

Devvy licked again and Dare arched, feet slipping on the tub.

"I said condom," Bake growled again.

Fuck. Fuck, that was hot. He whimpered and took Dev's lips, fucking them with his tongue, tasting himself there.

Dev opened up to him and Bake growled, tugging them apart. "Soon as I'm gloved up."

"Devvy. Devvy,please ."

"Sorry. Sorry. I just..."

"Got distracted." Bake chuckled. "Patience, Dare, we'll get there."

"I need."

"I know." Bake looked at Devvy. "Come on, now. Don't make your twin wait."

"I won't. I'm sorry." Dev rolled the condom over Bake's prick, smoothed it down.

"We know you weren't doing it on purpose, sweet boy. Just excited."

Bake kissed Dev short and hard, and then turned Dare so he was against the wall. "Ready?"

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"Please." He just wanted to feel.

Stepping up behind him, Bake slid the covered prick along his crack, letting it come to rest against his hole.

"Please. I need." So much.

"I know." With that, Bake pushed into him. That thick, hard cock spread him open so wide.

He cried out, head falling back, throat working. Bake's mouth dropped down onto his neck where it met his shoulder, sucking as the man's cock kept pushing in until it was completely seated. His body shuddered, shook around that thick prick.

"God, you feel good." Bake began to thrust, pulling almost all the way out before pushing in again.

"Yes." He felt fantastic.

"Sexy boy." Bake's hips moved faster, harder.

"More." He could be demanding, damn it.

"That's for me to say." Bake jerked into him.

"More, please." Demanding with a side of asking.

"I like that," murmured Bake, thrust coming with more force now.

"Oh..." He scrabbled at the tiles, soaring.

Bake chuckled, the sound low and sexy and vibrating along his back where Bake was pressed against him.

"So good. In me. Harder."

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Bake smacked his ass. Hard. "You'll get what you get, pushy boy."

"Oh. Oh, fuck. Yes." He needed. He wanted. So good.

Bake started tugging almost all the way out, smacking his ass, and then pushing in hard again. He twisted, his body not sure what to do.

Growling, Bake pushed him up against the tile. "I've got you."

That made every inch of his body go on high alert.

"Gonna make you feel so fucking good."

"Bake..." He was so into that plan.

"You can call me 'Sir.'" Bake growled and thrust harder, reaming him good.

"Fuck." He nodded, his entire body shuddering. "Yes, Sir." Hot. So hot.

"That's right." Bake's fingers dug into his skin as the man pulled him back into each thrust, the rhythm solid, sure.

"Oh. Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck, I need. So fucking bad." Words were just pouring out of him, over and over and over.

"Got me. I know what you need, Dare. I so fucking do."

"Please." He was flying, happy. Hungry.

Bake's hand wrapped around his cock, stroking him hard.

"Yes. Thank you. Yes. Fuck, I want this. So bad."

Bake just grunted, hand and cock working to blow his mind. He drove himself toward orgasm, bucking between hands and cock. Bake helped, moving harder, moving faster. The thick cock drove into him.

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"Good. Good. Yes." He babbled, his entire body on fire.

"Show me." Fuck, that commanding growl was something else.

He jerked, slammed back on that heavy cock and shot.

"Yes! So good, Dare. Such a good boy." Bake kept pushing into him, kept stroking his cock, pulling out more pleasure. God. It seemed to go on and on. His cock stayed hard, his eyes rolling back in his head.

"Nice. You want to take your twin, Dare? Wanna plow into that sweet heat?"

"Devvy..." Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck.

"Yeah. You can take him while I finish up in your mouth." Bake's hand slowed on his cock, thumb playing with his slit.

He squeezed his ass around Bake in response, making Bake feel.

The man groaned for him and pushed in a little deeper, pinging his gland. Fuck yes. Yeah. Yeah. He squeezed again. Bake kept pushing in, movements slow and deliberate. He closed his eyes, focusing on Bake's pleasure, Bake's cock. Bake's mouth wrapped around the skin at the top of his spine, sucking.

"Sir." He squeezed again. And again. And again.

Bake growled and began thrusting into him again, pounding him but good.

"Fuck, yeah." He rode the heavy cock like a wild thing.

"Get a ring," Bake growled. "Put a ring on him, Dev."

"Oh. Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck." He kept moving, trying to beat Devvy.

Bake suddenly growled and grabbed his hips, pulling him back against the strong body, holding him still.

"Sir!" Oh, no fair!

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"I told him to put it on you, and that's what he's going to do."

"No fair." He said it this time.

"You've already come once." Bake nipped at his shoulder. "I'm going to torture you now and then let you come later, and it's going to be amazing because you've been held back."

He nodded, smiled. "Torture always sounds so awful in the movies."

"That's because the movies don't know torture the way we do." Bake laughed and licked the water from his skin. "This is the best kind of torture, I promise."

"I believe you."

Dev carefully snapped the ring on him, which made him jerk and gasp.

Bake looked down at him over his shoulder, and one hand came around to slide over the ring, over his cock. "Fuck, that's sexy."

Dare spread, rocked up into that touch. Bake grabbed hold of his cock and squeezed, then rubbed two fingers across the tip again and again.

"Oh. Oh." He pushed up, eyes crossing a little.

"The pair of you are sensual buggers, aren't you?" Bake pressed against his slit.

"Stings. Stings so fuckinggood ."

"Fuck, Dare. Fisting, sounding, spanking. You're a real live wire, aren't you?"

He sobbed, nodded. "Please. Please, I've needed."

"I'll give you everything you need, boy."

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Oh, God. Oh, God. This one was a keeper.

Devvy groaned, hands on him, on Bake.

"Wash him, Dev. And then we'll take him to bed."

Bake thrust inside him again, and then that thick cock slid out of him.

He moaned, suddenly empty. "No..."

"Shh, shh." Something hard and unyielding pushed against his hole.

"What?" Oh. Oh, fuck. Please. More.

"I won't leave you empty, boy. I know you need to be filled, fucked." The plug kept pushing, working into him.

"Yes..." His thighs spread, his ass rolled back.

"Nice." Bake twisted the plug, played with his ass with it.

He fucking wanted more. Now. Bake suddenly started slamming the plug into him, reaming his ass with it and pegging his gland. Words started pouring out of him, pleas and praises and shit. Devvy started fluttering a little.

"Touch him, Dev. Pinch his titties and tug on his balls."

"He... He's a little wild..."

Dare was going to kill Dev.

"Do it." Bake ordered, voice hard, sure.

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"Devvy..."

The motion of the plug never slowed and Dare was so fuckinghappy .

"Come on, Dev. I know what he needs. Fucking pinch and tug. Do it. Now."

"Okay. Okay." Dev's first tug was too easy, but the next Dare felt.

"Good, boy. Don't stop." Bake didn't stop, either. If anything, the hard plug was pushed in harder, faster.

"Please. Oh, fuck. So good."

"Harder, Devvy. Lean in and bite."

"I don't want to hurt him."

"I need you, Dev. Please."

"You're giving him what he needs, Dev. Do as you're told. That's how this works. Dare knows how to safeword."

"I do. I need. Fuck." When Dev's teeth found his skin, he cried out, so fucking happy.

"There! That's it. Beautiful boys."

Bake's hand found his balls, tugging on them even as the man kept playing that plug into his ass. He cried out, so perfectly needy and happy that he was soaring.

"He's got to be leaking -- taste him, Dev."

Bake's voice was rough, like sandpaper on his skin.

"Yes. Yes." Devvy sounded so hungry.

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"That's it, boy. Suck on the tip like it's the best fucking lollipop ever."

"Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck." Dare leaned his head back, the water beating on him.

Bake twisted the plug and his pierced nipple at the same time. He cried out, balls trying to draw up.

"Enough." The plug was suddenly still, settled inside him. "We'll continue this in bed."

He sobbed, body working the plug.

Bake squeezed his ass. "Don't worry, Dare. I'm not nearly done with you yet."

"Gonna go crazy." Thank God.

Chuckling, Bake spanked his ass. "Turn off the water, Devvy."

"Got it." Devvy turned the water off, then kissed him, hard.

"Pretty boys."

Bake spanked him again and tugged them both out of the shower, shoving a towel at each of them.

Dev was flushed, hard, smiling at him. "You okay?"

He nodded. "Uh-huh."

"Of course he is. He's getting what he wants. What he needs."

"Yes."

Devin's mouth went tight, and Dare reached out. "What about you, Devvy? You getting what you need?"

Bake tilted his head, grinned. "Did I just spend two whole days giving you exactly what you needed, Dev?"

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Devvy had the good grace to look ashamed. "Yes. I just... I worry about him."

Bake patted Dev's cheek. "You don't need to worry; we're going to take good care of him together."

He bumped Dev gently. "Drama queen."

Devvy chuckled, hand on his forehead.

Bake laughed, the sound deep and good. "Come on, boys. The bed's a-waiting."

Dev reached for him, started tugging. "Come on. Gotta listen to the boss."

"That's right. You tell him, Dev. Gotta listen to the boss."

"I'm listening! I have a giant plug making walking... ginger."

Bake laughed and slapped his ass, jostling the plug. "You love ginger."

"He does!" Devvy laughed. "He makes the best gingerbread ever!"

That made them all crack up, the three of them tumbling onto the bed.

Bake got a hold of himself first and started arranging them on the bed. "Dare, on your back. I promised you Dev's ass and my cock and you will have them both."

The man grinned evilly and handed Devvy a half-used tube. "Get yourself ready for us, sweet boy. We want a good show."

Devvy moaned, and Dare's fingers slid on his own bound cock. "You're so pretty, Dev."

"You both are. Come on, pretty boy. Dance on your fingers for us."

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Devvy blushed, but started riding his own fingers, pushing three in deep.

"Fuck." Bake growled, one hand teasing at Dare's nipples. "Look at that." Bake pinched his right tit, hard, then tugged on the piercing. "You looking, Dare?"

"Y...yes! Yes, so hot, Devvy. So pretty.."

"Could watch it all night." Bake chuckled. "Well, I'm sure I'd want to get a hand or cock in there before too long, but it's sexy as hell to watch."

Dev blushed, smiled, then moved faster. Bake leaned forward and slid a finger in with Dev's. Dev stilled, moaned low.

Bake's finger wriggled inside Dev, making him moan again. "Sexy boy. You ready to ride yet?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I want, huh?"

Dare reached for Dev, his twin settling easily in his arms. They didn't do this; he didn't fuck Dev. It was different with someone telling them to do it, though. He had to admit, he wanted it.

"Yes, let me see you kiss first. You're so fucking pretty together."

"Love you, Dare." Dev offered his lips and Dare took them, humming happily.

Bake groaned, the sound of flesh on flesh sudden in the room. Fuck. The man was beating off while watching them. Dev whimpered, one knee pressing between his thighs, nudging the thick plug. Yes. Fuck, yes. Devvy.

"Such good instincts, Dev. You know just what your brother needs, even when it scares you, don't you?" Bake's hand pushed between them, jacked his prick a few times. "Come ride him now."

"Yes. Yes, Sir. Dare. Need you so much."

Bake got him on his back, knees up, moved Dev into place over him. "Down, sweet boy. Take him in."

He helped Dev move, fingers sliding over the lean, long body. When Dev slid down on him, Bake

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pushed until Dev's ass had him in all the way to the ring. Oh, fuck. Why had they never done this before? How had Bake known this would be so good for them?

"Oh. Oh, fuck. So tight. So tight, Devvy..." He could feel Dev rippling all around him.

Bake growled, the sound happy, and he reached out, tweaked nipple piercing and then Devvy's. He felt how Dev felt that.

"Ride him, Dev." Bake spanked Dev's ass, making his twin move, bounce on him.

"No spanking." Dev's ass was like a fist around him.

Bake growled at him. "I'll spank who I want."

Dev shook his head. "Spank Dare."

A soft chuckle sounded. "His ass is against the mattress, sweet boy. Don't worry, I won't leave you rosy, just a little slap here and there." Bake kissed Dev, gave him another light smack.

Dev leaned in, tongue lapping at Bake's lips.

"Mmm... sweet boy. A little faster, up and down now." Bake gave him a wicked grin. "We want to make Dare absolutely crazy."

"We do?" Dev groaned. "He's gonna sleep really good tonight."

"Uh-huh. That's the point." Bake helped Dev find a rhythm, up and down, squeeze, up and down, squeeze.

Dare stopped doing anything but moan, feel, breathe.

"You want my cock now, Dare?" Bake straddled his shoulders, that thick cock tapping at his lips.

"Yes." He wanted to be taken. Hard.

"Good." Bake shifted, pushed forward, and that thick prick spread his lips.

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He swallowed, opening up and taking it in. Bake seemed to know what he wanted, what he needed, and the man pushed the thick prick in deep, letting him have it all. All the while, Devvy bounced on his prick -- up and down and up and down. They took him together, Bake's cock filling his throat over and over as Devvy's ass swallowed him up. He cried out again and again, the sound vibrating in his chest.

"Oh, fuck. Dare. That's... fucking good." Bake's voice was rough, cock splitting Dare's lips faster and faster.

Bake tasted like pure sex -- all need and male and salt. And big enough to fucking stretch his lips wide as he pushed in over and over. He tightened at the base on each push in.

"Fuck. Yes. Good, boy. Fucking good boy."

That made his toes curl.

"Gonna make me come, boy."

Wasn't that the point?

"You want it in your mouth, Dare? You want me to come down your throat?"

That was really more Devvy's thing, but he didn't mind swallowing. How could he, with his cock being held in perfect heat?

"Or you want it on your face? Is that what you like, boy? You want my spunk all over your face?"

Those thrusts kept coming, even as Bake growled the words out at him. He groaned, pulling harder, demanding Bake's orgasm.

"Fuck! That's it, boy!" Bake slammed into him, and then spunk was flowing down his throat.

He swallowed, hips bucking up into Dev.

"You too, Dev." Bake kept fucking his mouth, the movements gentler now. "Come for your twin."

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He heard Devvy moan, knew Dev was jacking off but good.

"Give it up, Dev." That commanding voice just growled the words out, sexy as fuck.

He thought he could smell Dev come, but Dare wasn't one hundred percent sure. Bake surrounded him.

"Good, boy." Bake's thrusts eased, and he slowly pulled out his cock.

A solid hand patted his cheek. "Gonna sandwich you between us, boy. Make sure you know we have you, even when we're sleeping."

Dare sobbed softly, and he leaned into the touch. Bake waved at Devvy, who slowly came off his cock.

"So pretty," murmured Bake, before sighing and settling down on his right side.

He was still hard, still plugged, but he was so fucking tired.

Devvy came and curled up on his other side, and Bake patted his belly. "Don't you worry, Dare. I'll finish you off after you've slept. It's going to be so good."

"Mmm." He couldn't even answer; he just blinked.

Bake kissed him, tongue sweeping through his mouth, and then demanded, "Sleep."

"Uh-huh..."

Boom.

He was gone.

Chapter Seven

Bake woke up around five a.m., two beautiful twins in his bed. A pair of subs. He was a fucking lucky

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man. One soft, one hard; he knew just how to give each one what they wanted. He slid his hand over Dare's chest and tweaked the tempting little unadorned nipple.

Dare's eyes popped open. "Fuck. Fuck, what time is it? Do I have to go in?"

"Shh, I've got you, boy. Just gonna make you feel good."

Poor, overworked man.

"Yeah? Okay. Okay, fuck. Sorry." Darius blinked at him.

"Shh." He found Darius' mouth with his own, kissing the words right out of his mouth.

This man needed three or four days off in a row. He needed to be tied to the bed and made to feel and to hurt and to come and come and come.

Bake knew he was just the man to do it, too.

Darius moaned into his kiss, licking his lips. He licked right back, taking control of the kiss and rolling over Darius, pressing him into the mattress. Darius spread and rocked up toward him, sweet, needy man. Bake ran a hand down from shoulder to hip, fingertips sliding on hot, smooth skin. He saw Dare's eyes slide to the clock, check the time.

"Hey." He growled and grabbed Dare's chin. "Let me worry about what time it is -- I want your focus right here."

"Sorry. Sorry, it's habit."

"You're not alone right now, though. I've got your back." Bake didn't let Darius say anything else; he just took the man's mouth.

Dare opened to him, moaned low. So pretty. The man was so pretty. He found Dare's pierced nipple and teased it for a moment before tweaking. The tiny bit of flesh went hard, and he moaned into Dare's mouth. He pinched it again, then rubbed his thumb over it. Then he repeated the movements. Dare's hands wrapped around his shoulders, tugged him closer. Groaning, he rubbed against Dare's naked body, their cocks bumping.

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Dare was warm and yielding, but nowhere near as passive as Dev. No, Dare begged to be pushed, loved it. Bake liked the challenge, knew he was going to get a challenge -- both physically and mentally -- with Dare.

He pushed down with his hips and attacked the other nipple. Dare's soft, happy cry made him smile. He fucked Dare's mouth a little harder, his tongue pushing in and out of the hot mouth as his fingers searched out hot spots. Dare let him in and in, sounds filling his lips.

He found a spot just under the man's rib that made him grunt, and another on the belly that had him moaning. Bake played them both, loving all the noises. Dare started shifting, bucking up underneath him. He licked his way along Dare's jaw, leaving the occasional stinging bite.

"Sir." The single word burned him a little.

Growling, he bit at Dare's neck. Dare's chin lifted, hips snapping. "You're a pretty stud, aren't you, Dare?"

"You're the stud."

He let the compliment puff him up. "I try, Dare." He winked.

Dare leaned up, kissed him slowly.

He tangled his tongue with Dare's, thoroughly enjoying the kisses. Dare moaned and shuddered, wrapping around him and holding on.

"Beautiful, needy boy." He licked Dare's earlobe. "You want a whipping, boy?" He bit at the same earlobe after the words.

"Oh. Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck. Need."

"That's what I thought." He licked from Dare's earlobe down to his neck, picking up the salt.

Dare was desperate for someone to let him be the sub, let him lose control.

"Not now. Not when you have to go to work in a few hours. But tonight. When you're home. I'm gonna do you so good."

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"I don't even have a few hours. Have to be in soon."

"Then let me love you and send you on your way, okay? And tonight, your ass is mine." Poor man was hugely overworked and desperately in need.

"Please." There was a barely-controlled want in that voice.

"What time do you get off?" He waited a beat. "From work."

"Six. Twelve-hour shift today."

"Shit, boy, you work too hard."

"Tell me about it." Dare sort of smiled. "I get a day off in five more, though. I hope."

"Five more days before you have a day off?" Bake shook his head and swooped in for another kiss. Dare opened up, kissed him hard, diving into him.

He reached over to the bedside table as they kissed, finding a condom and the battered tube of lube. He'd pull that plug out, fuck Dare hard, just a taste of what was coming tonight. Sure the supplies were where he needed them, he spread Dare's legs with his knees, pushing them apart and reaching down to that sweet, plugged ass. Dare was working the plug, ass squeezing the rubber.

"Needy boy." That need called to him, made him want to do exactly what Dare needed him to.

Dare nodded, and Dev blinked awake, looking still ninety percent asleep. "Dare?"

"He's fine, Dev. I'm taking care of his pretty little ass." He found the base of the plug and twisted it.

Dare cried out, bucked, and rode the plug.

"Gonna be my cock in a minute, Dare."

"Please. Yes. Please."

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He didn't tease any more, just pulled that plug out as he gloved up his cock. Dare moaned softly as that sweet ass was emptied. The games he could play... The things he could do.

For now, he simply pushed into that empty hole, feeling Dare's body clutch at him. He'd never met anyone who needed to be fucked so much. He sank all the way in and then began to pound, hard and fast, giving it to Dare as good as he knew how. Dare took him and took him and took him.

He found the man's cock and released it from its binding, wrapping his hand around it. He tugged just as hard as he thrust into the man.

"So good. Sir. Please. Please." There were tears on Dare's cheeks.

"Yeah, got you. Come on. Come on." He pounded into Dare like there was no tomorrow, his grip on the man's cock brutal, his pace fast and hard.

Dare jerked, clenched around him, and shot, hard, breath sobbing out of him.

Groaning, Bake came, too, the tight squeezing around his cock more than he could withstand. "Yeah." He rested their foreheads together once he'd stilled, panting.

"Morning." Dare's lips brushed his.

He chuckled and nodded. "Morning."

"I have to get a shower. Thanks for the wake-up call."

He nodded, slid out and patted Dare's hip, met the man's eyes. "Tonight when you're done, I'll have the time to give you what you really need."

Dare kissed the corner of his mouth. "Have a good day, huh?"

He ran his hand through Dare's hair. "I will. You, too."

"I will." With that, Dare hopped up and headed out; Dev curled in close to his side.

Bake took a look at the clock and shook his head. The man definitely was burning the candle at both

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ends and not getting his needs taken care of. Bake could fix that, at least.

Dev hummed, fingers petting his belly, easing him back into sleep. He distantly heard the beep of a taxi, heard the front door close.

In twelve hours that ass was his.

Chapter Eight

Clay had stopped by Darius' restaurant and dropped off a few boxes of their stuff and a cheap little hatchback so they could get back and forth to work. Darius looked like hammered shit, and God knew what Devin looked like.

Still, he forced himself not to worry about it too much. And he forced himself not to call Bake, either. The boys would figure it out. And he had dinner plans.

His phone rang, the number identifying Bean. Speaking of his dinner plans... He flipped the phone open. "'Lo?"

"Hey, Clay. It's Bean. How's it going?"

"Hungry. How're you?"

"I've just finished work. I'm a mess, though, need a shower before I'm fit for dinner."

"That sounds fun." He grinned. He could handle wet, slick Bean.

"Is that an invitation to get clean in your bathroom?" Bean's voice had dropped to something a little above a whisper.

"Hell, yes. Consider it a permanent invite."

"Be careful, Clay -- I just might take you up on that."

He chuckled. "How far away from the house are you?"

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"I'm at a place out on Roseview. Bake dropped me off to do the job."

"You want a lift?"

"Only if you don't mind. I wasn't hint-- Oh, who am I kidding, I was hinting. If I have to wait for Bake to come get me, I might be another hour, easy. I'd love it if you could come get me."

He chuckled, nodded. "I can be there in fifteen, maybe ten." He liked a guy who knew his hints.

"That'd be awesome. Thanks, man." Bean rattled off the address. "I'll be the guy covered in dirt."

"I'll be the dude in the pickup." He clicked his phone shut and headed off, whistling idly. Maybe instead of going out, they could grill or something.

Traffic wasn't too bad, heading out. It was going to be a bitch in a half hour, but by then they should be going in the opposite direction.

Bean was sitting on the grass at the end of the front yard of a beautifully landscaped home, lunch box next to him. He stood when he saw Clay's pick-up, smile just beaming from him.

Clay waved, pulled over. "Hey, man. I found you."

"You did." Grinning, Bean slid into the passenger seat, looking for all the world like a man who wanted a kiss.

He resisted, heading out into traffic again. No sense anyone getting their butts kicked.

Bean's hand snuck over to rest on his thigh. "This okay?"

"Mmm. Yeah. Good day?"

"It was. I like working out in the sunshine." Bean's tanned face was covered in dirt, and he looked tired but happy.

"I hear you." He loved working with his hands, making things.

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Bean nodded and the hand on his thigh squeezed. "How about you -- how was your day?"

"Not bad. Got a little car for the twins so they could manage work."

"Oh, that's sweet of you. So you forgave them, huh?"

"No, but they need their jobs." He winked.

"Ah, self-preservation, huh?" Bean laughed. "That's great."

"They're not evil, just... trouble."

"Uh-huh. Bake'll take care of 'em for you."

"I think that is a perfect answer." He let himself look over at Bean. "I have someone to take care of right here."

"I do like the way you think, Clay."

"Man, I think we should go fuck like bunnies and then go find a burger joint and have some beer."

"You say the sweetest things."

"I'm a charmer, man, swear to God."

"You are. Maybe not a candlelight and swanky meals kind of charmer, but some of us like the fuck like bunnies and beer guys better than the frou-frou ones."

"It's a thing, you know?" He reached over, patted Bean's leg, the dust puffing up and making him smile.

"Yeah. And I have a thing for your thing." Bean gave him a lazy, happy grin.

"My thing has a thing for your ass, hot stuff."

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Bean whooped and banged his hands on the roof of the cab. "We've got it made, then."

"Yep. We have a plan. Hot water. Hot ass. Cold beer." He put on his blinker and turned right on Alameda.

Bean literally bounced in his seat. "Fan-fucking-tastic! I haven't had a good fuck since--" Bean cackled. "This morning."

"Dude, that'shours !" He hadn't laughed so much in days.

"I know! Forever, right?"

"Eons." God, this was fun.

"I don't know how I've managed all day without my dick falling off."

"Anticipation. It's a perfect cure for that."

Bean chuckled and spread his legs where he sat. "Well, if blood flow is good for it, then I'm in business." He rubbed himself through his jeans.

"Save that for me. I want to you come around my cock."

"Oh, fuck, yes. Whatever you want, Clay."

He grinned. He'd already been very, very clear about what he wanted, really. Hot water, hot sex. With Bean. Bean was nearly vibrating by the time he pulled the pickup into his driveway.

"Let's go, man. There's a shower with our names on it."

"You got my name engraved on your shower? I'm touched, man."

He snorted and swatted Bean's ass but good. Grinning, Bean stuck his ass out and wiggled it. That made him pinch and squeeze before he unlocked the door.

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Bean jumped and laughed and pressed close, following him in. "God, you make me fucking giddy."

"That's good. Fucking is good. Giddy is good, so long as you get hard." He winked, goosed Bean again.

"Get? I'm way beyond 'get hard.'" Bean closed the door behind him and turned to push up against his thigh, proving that yes, indeed, he was very hard.

"Hey. Welcome back." Clay slid his hand behind Bean's head, tilted it back, and took a hard, long kiss.

Bean opened right up for him, tongue touching his, arms sliding around his waist, easy as pie. They settled right together, and Clay fucked Bean's lips lazily, priming the pump, so to speak. Bean's hips started to move with the same rhythm as his tongue, rubbing up all over him. Clay nodded, hands on Bean's hips, directing the man. Sweet, needy moans fed into his mouth, Bean so fucking sensual.

It worked for him. He liked a man that liked sex.

"Can I come, Clay?"

"Over and over and over, but once tonight, I want you to come on my cock." He'd let Bean decide whether he'd get it up again.

"Oh, fuck, yes. I'll get it up again, Clay, I swear. For that cock? I'll get it up as often as you need me to."

"Fucking A." He leaned back into the kisses, focusing on those swollen lips.

Bean kept rubbing, wild and eager in his arms. Hungry little fucker. He bit and nibbled, hips pushing them together.

"Gonna," moaned Bean. "Oh, fuck. Gonna."'

He sucked Bean's bottom lip in, biting it, just a little bit. Bean cried out, body jerking in his arms. He could fucking smell the man's come.

"Mmm. Shower." He started muscling Bean toward the bathroom.

"Yeah, 'cause some of us are sticky and gross. Not to mention dirty."

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"Yep." He could have a nice grin over that.

Bean started stripping as soon as they got to the bathroom. Clay did the same, turning on the water to heat.

"Look at you, man. You make me all hard again."

He flexed, showing off a little bit. He knew he looked good. Moaning, Bean reached out to trace his pecs, squeeze his biceps.

"Pretty man." He let his belly ripple.

"Me? I'm just a skinny old beanpole. Now you? You're a stud."

"Mmm. You've got a tight ass." He grabbed said ass and squeezed. Hard.

Bean groaned for him, pushed into his hand. "It's all yours."

"Excellent." He grabbed a rubber, muscled them into the water, pressed Bean up against the tile. "My turn."

"Oh, fuck, yes." Bean spread his legs.

The conditioner made a perfectly reasonable lube, and he slicked his fingers up, pushing two in deep.

"Yes. Yes." Bean pushed back, taking his fingers and wordlessly begging for more.

"Hot man." He opened Bean up, moving that tight little hole.

"Hot for you, Clay. Want you inside me."

"Soon." He worked a little harder. "You ready?"

"Fuck yes. Can't you tell?" Bean's ass pushed back toward him.

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He swatted that tight ass again, then gloved up, slicking his prick.

Whimpering, Bean pushed back demandingly. "Come on. Come on."

He lined up and pushed in, spreading Bean without hesitation. Bean pushed back into his invasion, ass clamping down tight around him. He bit out a tight curse, then rolled forward, insisting that Bean take him in. Bean relaxed his muscles long enough for him to go deep, and then tightened around him again.

"Fuck, yeah." He pulled out slowly, then slammed in again.

"Faster."

"Mmmhmm." He grunted, started fucking hard and quick, driving them both higher.

Bean worked with him, pushing back into every thrust and making the best noises.

"Hot man." He set his teeth against Bean's shoulder.

"Fucking burning, man. For you."

"Good." He leaned in, humping hard. "Thought about you all day."

"Ditto."

Bean leaned back, cheek rubbing against his. He leaned harder and brought their lips together, kissing deep. Bean opened right up to him, ass and mouth, his for the taking. Fuck, this man was hot. So hot. And fine. And wild. It was like Bean hadn't just come. Clay grunted and slammed in harder, eyelids heavy, heart slamming in his chest.

"Fuck! Fuck." Bean whimpered, groaned.

"Uh-huh. Exactly."

Bean's laugh was free and wild, filling the air. Fuck, this man was an addiction. His cock ached, his balls were heavy.

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"Can I come? Please? I wanna. I need to."

"Over and over and over." He bit Bean's earlobe, jacked that pretty cock.

"Oh, fuck!" Bean cried out for him, body jerking between his hand and his cock.

"Good. Come on. I want to fucking feel you coming on my prick." Those muscles were going crazy.

"Yes. Oh, fuck. Clay!" As Bean shouted his name, the man came, ass going unbelievably tight around his cock.

He panted through Bean's orgasm, then started slamming, driving himself higher and higher. Bean wasn't selfish, the man humping back and bearing down on his cock, making it good.

"Fuck, babe. So good..."

"Uh-huh. Uh-huh." Bean was panting hard, movements slowing as Bean pushed back into his thrusts.

He grunted and pushed deep, shooting so hard he couldn't bear it. Bean collapsed against the wall, chest heaving.

"Better." He rested hard, pressing them both against the tile.

The water beat down around them, keeping them warm as they caught their breath. He let his fingers run up and down along Bean's abs, feeling each and every ridge.

Moaning softly, Bean leaned his head back on Clay's shoulder. "Feels good, man."

"Yeah. Yeah, babe." He nuzzled the curve of Bean's shoulder. "You hungry?"

"Yeah, starving actually." Bean chuckled. "And for food this time."

"No shit." He slid out, patted Bean's ass, and dealt with the condom.

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Bean pushed under the water, soaped up and rinsed quickly. "You said something about burgers?"

"I did. We could do them here. Meat's in the fridge."

"You got some onions and mushrooms? I can make the patties for you." Reaching out, Bean soaped him up, hands and fingers touching him everywhere.

"Works for me. There's chips and beer, too." Hell, he even had good cheese.

"And beer. Let's not forget the beer." Bean turned off the shower and got out, grabbing a towel and starting to dry him off like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"I never forget the beer." He pulled Bean close, took one more hard-hard kiss.

Bean opened up to him, smooth as butter. Their bodies slid together, the towel rough between them.

He swept his hands down over Bean, cupped the fine ass, squeezed it. "Come on. Clothes. Food."

"Yes, Master." Bean gave him a wink and high-tailed it out of the bathroom.

Clay snorted and winged the balled-up towel at Bean's head.

Bean managed to duck, but then he came to a halt. "Shit. Clothes." He laughed.

"No, no. You just got out of the dirty clothes." He dug out a pair of soft shorts.

"Mmm, I love the idea of getting into your pants."

"You'll look good in them." And he'd have easy access.

Bean took them from him, fingers sliding along his.

He grabbed a pair of shorts for himself, tossed over a T-shirt. "For later, if you get chilly."

"Thanks." Grinning at him, Bean slid on the shorts and tucked the T-shirt into the waistband, leaving the

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long, lean torso bare.

He gave Bean the once-over. Pretty. Very. There was a faint blush on Bean's cheek, but the man showed off for him a bit, letting him see. Nice. He approved. "Come on, babe. I'm gonna waste away."

Bean nodded and leaned against him, clearly wanting a kiss. Greedy, hungry man.

He gave it, tongue fucking Bean's lips for a second before he backed off. "Food."

"Yeah, yeah. Sorry." Bean didn't look it, though, eyes bright and glittering with happiness.

"Uh-huh."

Real sorry, both of them.

***

Bean admired Clay as the man worked the grill, turning burgers expertly. They were getting just enough char on them to be delicious without going to the point where they'd taste like burned meat. Fucking A.

He'd whipped them up with a little chopped onions and mushrooms mixed into the meat and that, along with the barbeque sauce Clay was slathering them with as they cooked, was going to make them the tastiest burgers ever.

Bean whistled as he tossed together a salad using lettuce and bits and pieces of vegetables that Clay had in the fridge. They worked as well together in the kitchen as they did in the bedroom; they made a good team. Hell, he hadn't felt this comfortable with anyone outside of Bake in... well, ever.

He brought the salad and a couple more beers outside and put them on the picnic table already set for two, and then settled in one of the deck chairs, where he had a great view of Clay.

"Looking good," he noted, meaning the burgers and the man, both.

"Thanks, babe." Those broad shoulders flexed, waist tapering down into a teeny tiny ass.

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God, he could sit here and drool all fucking night long and the rest of the week, too. He laughed, having a sudden image of him telling Bake he couldn't come into work because he was too busy drooling.

"Share the joke?" The buns went on the grill, boom boom.

"Oh, it's silly. I was just thinking I should tell Bake I'm not going to make it to work the rest of the week, so I can stay here and admire your amazing body."

"Oh, he'd be here in a second, cussing me."

"I think you mean cussing me." Bean laughed. "He can't do the business accounts to save his life."

"No? I'm in touch. I hate that part."

"Yeah? You need someone to look at your books? I'm pretty handy with that part. I mean, I like getting out there and getting my hands dirty and all, but the numbers are where I get my groove on."

"Yeah? I could contract that out for you, if you're interested in a little work." Buns and burgers landed on the plates.

"Sure. That'd be great. And these look amazing." He grabbed the mustard and pickles, put some on his burger.

"Thanks." Clay loaded up and then grabbed some salad.

He watched the man eat for a moment and then dug into his own. Oh, God, that was good. Like whoa good. "We do good work together," he managed around a mouthful of burger.

"We do. I hope we get to work together more."

"Now that I know your secret about the accounts, I'm betting we will."

"I'd want to spend time anyway."

He reached out with his foot, sliding it up along Clay's leg. "You're good for my ego, Clay." The man made him feel like a million bucks.

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"You're good in my bed, babe."

Bean nodded. "Feels like I belong there, man." Like he was made for the man, for getting fucked into next week.

"Good." So serious. Clay looked like he meant it.

Bean's stomach got all fluttery, and suddenly the food lost its flavor; his entire focus was on Clay. Clay reached out, fingers brushing his bottom lip. His tongue slid out to touch the tips of them.

"Mmm. Burger okay?"

"Burger? Oh! Yeah." He grinned sheepishly and waved the hand holding his burger. "Yeah, it's really good."

"It is. Never did the mushroom thing before."

"I have a few tricks up my sleeve." He grinned. "You get tired of plain old hamburgers after about the eight-hundredth night in a row."

"Oh, I have to add in pizza and tacos."

"Spaghetti for a little Italian variation."

"Yep. Simple stuff. Darius cooks if I need fancy."

"Must be cool having a cook in the family."

"It can be." Clay grinned over. "It can also be irritating as fuck."

Bean just laughed. "Still haven't forgiven them, huh?"

"Oh, it's not that. You should see a chef eating at someone else's restaurant. It's like hell."

"Yeah? He get all compare-y and shit?"

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Clay snorted. "You have no idea."

"No, I don't. I mean, I've seen them around, and Bake's been drooling after them for ages, but I'd never met 'em before the other day."

"They're trouble, but they're decent people. Darius is one of the hardest-working people you'll ever meet, and Dev has a good sense of humor. They just get bored, more than anything. And there's two of them, so they set each other up."

"They egg each other on, huh? I wouldn't knowanything about that." He gave Clay a wink.

"No, no, I bet you wouldn't." Clay chuckled and dug back into his burger.

They finished their meal in silence, but Bean hardly tasted it anymore. His focus just wasn't on the food; he couldn't help being taken by Clay. The man really did it for him.

"You want to go watch a movie, babe? Explore the couch?"

"Whatever you want, Clay. That sounds mighty fine." Somehow, he thought exploring the couch would end up exploring each other, but he could so live with that.

He helped Clay clear the table, bringing everything inside and making quick work of washing the dishes. They did work well together, and bumped shoulders and hips as they moved around the kitchen.

"There's ice cream, if you want."

"Yeah? Depends on what flavor." Not that he was terribly picky.

"I have rocky road and butter pecan."

"Oh, yes, please."

"Which one?"

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"Oh, I have to choose?" He pouted.

Clay hooted at him. "Scoop of each. I got it."

"Mmm. I'm feeling kind of spoiled. I like it." He could get used to it.

"You can take a turn next." Clay grabbed two big bowls and an ice cream scoop.

"At spoiling you? Be my pleasure. What exactly did you have in mind?"

"Mmm. Blow jobs. Hand jobs. Riding my cock 'til I scream?"

His heart skipped a beat, and Bean couldn't stop his moan. "If that's spoiling you, then oh, yes, I can do it."

"I have fabulous ideas." Huge piles of ice cream were scooped out.

"And an amazing ice cream scoop." He leaned against Clay's back, laid his head against one shoulder.

"Yep. I may have a little sweet tooth..."

"Really? How come you're in such good shape, then?" He took advantage of the subject to slide his hand along Clay's naked torso.

"Hours and hours of weight lifting."

"Oh, God, I bet that's fun to watch." He could just imagine all these muscles working hard, sweat dripping down along Clay's skin. He groaned.

"That's what the basement's for right now." Clay grinned.

He chuckled and took one of the bowls from Clay, following as they moved to the living room. "Well, I definitely want a front row seat to that show."

"Tomorrow morning work for you?" Was that an offer to spend the night again?

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"It does." Bean licked his lips. "More than."

"Cool." Clay grabbed him up by the waist again, dragged him into a hard kiss.

Bean opened right up, ready to forget about his ice cream and movies and everything else in favor of making out with Clay. God, the man was so sexy, so strong. Of course, Clay backed off, drew him into the living room and sat him down. Trying not to pout, 'cause it was stupid to pout when you had ice cream, he dug in. His eyes stayed on the man, though, admiring.

Clay took a spoonful of ice cream, moaning over the bite, eyes crossing. Bean grinned. God, the man was something else. He was definitely smitten. In a way he'd never been before. He took a spoonful of butter pecan, licking the cold stuff off the spoon. It surprised him when Clay leaned over and licked his lips clean. He gasped softly, his mouth opening for Clay.

The kiss was slow and lazy, Clay lapping his lips. Fuck, he was already addicted to the way the man made him feel.

They ate their ice cream, sharing drugging kisses in between bites. By the time they were done, he was harder than he'd ever been, his balls aching.

"Good ice cream." Clay was flushed, breathing hard.

"Best I've ever had."

"Cool." Clay put the bowls on the coffee table, then slowly and deliberately pushed him back onto the sofa, muscled body covering his.

Bean reached up and looped his fingers around Clay's neck, holding on.

"Hey." God, that solid body felt good.

"Hey." He smiled, legs sliding to wrap around Clay's waist. "And I thought the ice cream was good. This blows it out of the water."

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"Mmmhmm." Clay leaned down against him, hips moving lazily.

He pushed back against Clay, wanting more. He could get off on how Clay looked at him, how one kiss became another and another and another. He'd never felt like this and it was fucking sweet, intoxicating. Moaning, he gave himself up to Clay, ready to let the man do anything to him. Anything.

Clay didn't push it -- the kisses didn't get wilder or harder, they just kept coming and coming. Bean thought, just maybe, he'd drown in them. He couldn't think of a better way to go.

His hands were sliding up and down Clay's back, loving the sensation of warm skin against his palms. When he found a hot spot, Clay moaned for him, pushed down into him a little harder. He'd go back to those spots over and over, and sometimes slip his hands down to Clay's ass and just hold on.

"You're fucking addictive, babe." The words were soft, followed by little biting kisses.

"Back at you," he managed between gasps.

"Are we basking?"

"I thought this was foreplay."

"Either way works."

Bean nodded. "Long as we're at it together, yeah?"

"Excellent." His lips were taken again, cutting off the conversation.

That worked for him; he liked what Clay was saying with his body just fine.

Chapter Nine

Tired.

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Tired tired tired.

Dare'd had one hell of a day, though. He'd busted through the pastries, made chef proud.

Trevor, the maitre d', poked his head around the door. "Dare, man. There's this guy out here. Says he wants to talk to you."

"Huh? Okay." He brushed his hands off on his apron and headed out, curious.

Bake was leaning against the bar, looking like a fucking stud.

"Bake." He smiled; he couldn't not.

Bake grinned, straightening and coming right over. "It's six, man. You ready?"

"Is it? Already? Yeah. Yeah, I was just prepping for tomorrow."

"Well, come on, then. It's time to forget all about tomorrow and focus on the now."

He took a step forward. "It is?" Please.

"Yep." Bake closed the distance between them and slung an arm around his shoulders. "I'm taking you home."

His eyes closed and he nodded. "Yes. Hey."

"Hey." Bake growled out the word and walked him toward the front door. "I have plans made. You can sleep in the truck on the way home."

"Okay. I like plans." He liked Bake.

"Excellent." They were soon out the door, and once they were around the corner, Bake turned him, took his mouth.

Oh. Oh, wow. The world hiccupped a little bit, and his heart raced. Bake's hand was solid at the back of his head, tilting it slightly so that Bake's tongue could plunder. The man's kisses were like storming a

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hill, intent on taking no prisoners. His cock got so hard so fast it hurt, and he groaned with the delicious pain.

Bake finally broke the kiss, growling a little. "Much as I'd like nothing better than to take your sweet ass up against the wall right here, I'd rather not get interrupted by the cops, either. We'll continue this at home."

Dare nodded, swaying, dazed. Wow.

Bake's arm went back around his shoulders, steadying him as he was led to the big, dusty truck parked at the end of the alley.

"You hungry for food at all?"

"No." That wasn't what he needed right now. After, he'd be ravenous.

"Cool. Just wanna make sure you don't pass out from hunger in the middle of things." Bake gave him a wink and opened the truck door for him.

"I won't." He had stamina.

"Good." Bake started the truck and pulled out into traffic. "Dev's waiting at home." He was given a wolfish look. "He's plugged, cock bound, and when I get back, I'll tie him up. That way he can watch."

"Oh..." He nodded, moaned a little. "I bet he fought you on the plug."

"Maybe a little." Bake laughed. "He's a sweet little sub, though."

"He is. He looked better this morning, too. Better rested."

"You don't, though. You need a keeper."

He snorted. "Right."

Bake gave him a glance. "No?"

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Dare smiled. "I'm pretty hard -- I'm more of the part-time guy, pay-wise. I work eighty hours a week. There's not much to keep." And he was tired and feeling more than a little sorry for himself.

"Why do you work so many hours?"

"Because that's what happens." Pastry chefs were easy to find, easy to replace, so he had to work hard. Not only that, Devvy ended up taking a lot of time off, and Dare pulled his shifts or worked extra to make up for it. It was expensive to live out here.

"Hence, you needing a keeper so it doesn't keep happening."

He chuckled, unsure of what to say, really. It was a nice thought, kind of, to let someone else take care of the hard parts. Clay, of course, would pop him in the back of the head and tell him to grow the fuck up.

"No? You don't get tired of always being the guy who comes through?" Bake's eyes dragged over him again. "I could take care of you. I'm good at it."

"Please, don't ask. Dev would freak and I'd want to say yes so bad."

"What's wrong with saying yes? And why would Dev freak? He likes me. A lot." Bake pulled up in front of his house, turned off the engine, but didn't make any attempt to get out yet.

"Devvy... I don't know. He's complicated." He wasn't going to badmouth his twin or anything, but Dev would call it quits. Dev always did. The rough stuff scared him.

"Twins always are." Bake sounded like he knew a little bit of what Dare was talking about.

"Yeah." That made him smile. "That is true."

"I've got something I want you to do tonight." Bake met his eyes.

"Okay."

"Your brother's had a day of getting loved on. He'll be trussed up, plugged, and there's no reason for him to do anything but relax and watch. Tonight is yours. I'm gonna focus on you and you're gonna focus on me and you're not going to worry about Devin."

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Dare moaned, his entire body shivering, suddenly wired and awake. "Okay." God, please.

"I mean it, Dare."

"Okay. Okay, I'll try, real hard."

"I want better than try." Bake pulled him in and gave him another hard kiss like the one in the alley behind the restaurant.

His cock throbbed and he crawled across the seat, wanting to climb into Bake. One hand grabbed his ass and squeezed tight, the kiss going harder, deeper. He pushed closer, hips rolling, pure need riding him. He wanted, so much.

Bake tugged his head back by the hair, stared into his eyes. "Sixty seconds, Dare. That's how long you have to get into the house and get naked."

"Sixty..." Oh, fuck. He was going to come from pure joy.

One eyebrow went up. "Fifty-nine. Fifty-eight."

"Okay. Okay..." He scrambled, fingers fumbling on the door handle.

Bake helped, leaning past him to get it open for him. Pinching his ass.

"Thank... thank you. Is the door unlocked?"

"Yep. Bedroom's right down the hall where you left it. You've got to move now, though." Bake pinched his ass again.

"Moving." He ran through the yard, a little clumsy because he was so hard.

The door was unlocked and he remembered where the bedroom was. Now all he needed was to get naked. He heard the front door open as he got to the bedroom where Devvy was lying on the bed, eyes going wide when they saw him.

"Devvy." He smiled at his brother, tugged off his shoes and socks. "Hey."

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"Hey. Where's Bake?"

"Coming." Pants. Shirt. God, he was hard. "Good day?"

"Mmmhmm." Devvy stretched, looked like the cat that got the cream.

"I hope everyone in the bedroom's already naked," Bake's voice came from down the hall.

His boxers went down and he did a little victory dance, which cracked Devvy up.

"Mmm, look at that ass move." Bake came right up behind him, one hand on his belly, the other on his thigh as the big, also naked, body pressed up against his back.

"Bake." Warm. The man was warm.

"I've got you now, Dare." Bake pointed at Dev. "You lie there and stay quiet -- just watch. And you," Bake bit his earlobe. "I want you bent over my lap for a good, hard spanking."

Oh, fuck. Yes. "Yes, Sir. Please."

He wasn't ashamed to ask for it, to admit that he liked it. A lot.

"Good." Bake grabbed his hair and tugged his head back, mouth descending on his again. Fuck, he could get used to these kisses.

He could feel his lips bruising, swelling, the pressure of the kiss making his knees weak. Bake dragged him over to the bed, the kiss never ending, never breaking. He went willingly, easily. He wanted Bake to make the world go away.

The kiss finally ended, then Bake sat and tugged him down. He draped himself over the strong thighs, wiggling eagerly. He loved being heated, touched.

"Let's just..." Bake shifted him a little so his cock was between the man's thighs. "There. You can come if you need to, but I'll be putting a ring on it later."

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"Yes, Sir." He kissed Bake's calf and let himself wallow in anticipation.

"Good boy. I'm starting." It was all the warning he got before Bake's hand flew, landing on his ass with a good, hard smack.

Followed up by a second, and a third, Bake landed his swats with heat and precision.

His muscles tensed. The immediate, undeniable reaction was to fight it, but Dare forced himself to breathe, pant through the sting, and hold on. "Thank you, Sir."

"You're very welcome, Dare. You've got a beautiful ass -- it's a joy to spank." Bake found a rhythm, laying the hits down one after the other.

He groaned and his hips started moving, driving against those thighs, nice and steady. Burning. Fuck, he loved that, the growing heat. Bake knew just how to build it, too, covering his whole ass so it took longer, was slow and steady.

He floated with it, soared a little, the whole burn perfect, rich. Then Bake's hand hit the crease where his ass met thigh and things went sharp, his relaxation shattered. "Oh."

Bake chuckled. "Yeah, that got your attention, boy."

"I was focused!" he argued.

The laughter got louder, but it didn't feel mean. "Semantics, beautiful."

"Uh-huh." He took advantage of the little break and stretched.

Bake started back up again. "You go a nice rosy color, Dare."

"Good. It feels good, Sir."

"Good. That's good." And so were the swats Bake continued to give him. The man moved now, from the tops of his thighs to his lower back and all points in between, that burn coming back stronger than ever.

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The higher swats were easier to breathe through; the low ones made him shiver and jerk. Bake must have picked up on it, because he started concentrating his hits lower.

"I. I don't..." He groaned, fighting the urge to cry out. "I can't, not like that."

Burned. Fuck. Fuck.

"Take it, Dare. It's what you need."

"Burns." Oh, fuck. It was so big.

"Yeah. Enjoy it, boy."

The next swats were even hotter. He pushed forward, hands reaching for the bed. The next couple of swats saw Bake's little fingers pushing into his crack, just touching his hole. That made him tense, his legs kicking. The threat of a slap there was maddening. Without warning, Bake slipped a finger inside him, pushing it deep. He arched, the sudden pressure and scrape making him come, shoot spunk over Bake's thighs.

"Fuck, smell that. So good."

Behind them, Devvy moaned.

Dare slumped down, head spinning a little bit. "Wow."

Bake rubbed his ass, intensifying the burn. "You needed that." It wasn't a question.

"Yes. Yes, thank you." He needed to fly.

"Good boy." Bake pulled him up and kissed him again. He could get addicted to these full-out, no-holds-barred kisses. They made him a little dizzy, made him melt and lose track of time. When Bake's mouth finally let his go, he was lying on his back, the sheet cool beneath his ass.

"I'm going to bind your brother and then it's all you, baby."

"Please." He traced Bake's mouth with his fingers.

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Bake turned slightly, taking his fingers into the hot mouth, biting the tips. His eyelids got all heavy, a soft moan leaving him.

"Give me five -- get your breath back." Bake winked, kissed one fingertip, and moved over to the other side of the bed.

Dare didn't watch. He closed his eyes and breathed, nice and slow. He could hear Devvy, though. "Is he okay?"

"Are you okay, Devvy?" Bake asked, voice soft, gentle.

"I am. Is Dare? Spanking is loud."

"I'm fine."

"He's good, sweet boy. Your brother is more than capable of safewording if he needs to. He also likes it rougher than you do, and you have to let him have that." He heard Bake kiss Devvy. "Be good, sweet boy."

"Devvy's always good."

Bake chuckled. "Oh, I think he has the sweet brat down pat." Another noisy kiss was bestowed on Dev, and then Bake moved back over to him.

He chuckled, trying to decide if it would be incredibly needy to ask what he was.

"And now for you." Bake grinned, grabbing a leather cock ring and slowly wrapping it around his cock and balls. His cock slowly filled, the leather so dark against his skin. "There we go." Bake's hand wrapped around his flesh, encouraging the growth.

"Bake." His toes curled and he drew his legs up.

"Sexy, sexy boy." Bake leaned in, mouth pushing against his.

Oh. Okay. He dove into the kiss, melting. That hand kept at him until he was good and hard, then it slid down and cupped his balls, tugged on them none too gently. His belly went tight, but he didn't pull away.

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Bake didn't hurt; the touches were simply rough, solid, undeniable.

"What are your rules? Do you do rules?"

"Call me Sir or Master during scenes and safeword when you need to. Those are my rules."

"Okay. I can do that." Hell, Dev would safeword for him long before he needed to.

"Good boy." Bake met his eyes. "Hands on the headboard."

He nodded, hands wrapping around the brass rails.

"I want you to hold on as if you were tied there."

"Yes, Sir." He wanted to ask what would happen if he didn't.

"Good." Bake leaned over and opened the drawer in the bedside table, took something out. "I went out at lunch and got this, just for you."

It was a tiny flogger, black with maybe a dozen strands. The whole thing wasn't more than half a foot long.

"It's so little..." It was lovely.

"Small but mighty. You won't be disappointed." Bake dragged the leather up and down over his chest.

"There are a lot of things that are small and powerful."

"There are. Take a couple of deep breaths and I'll start, warm all your skin."

He took two deep breaths, anticipation making him tremble.

Bake laid the first strike across his breastbone, the tails of the little flogger stinging, but only a little. The second one let him take a deep, deep breath, relax a bit more. Bake kept the strikes fairly light, moving them all over his body. More than anything, they were sensitizing his skin from his hands, wrapped around the headboard, down to his toes. His nipples and his groin were left alone.

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Dare's eyes closed and he let himself just feel for a little while, tingle. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the strikes became harder, the strikes to his hips and his belly stinging. His breath came faster, random little gasps.

"Lovely," murmured Bake, voice low, rough.

The next strike landed one of the little strands of leather across his right nipple, making the piercing jerk. His eyes flew open and he arched, hands opening and closing around the bars. Bake moaned for him, and the next hit flicked across his other nipple, then another quickly after it. His body twisted, arms trying to protect his sensitive titties.

Bake growled. "This is what you need."

He couldn't answer, couldn't quite breathe. Bake's lips wrapped around his unadorned nipple, hot and wet, tongue flicking, soothing the sting.

"Oh. Oh." His eyes closed and he let himself relax.

Bake let his nipple go, flicked the piercing in the other one, and then wrapped hot lips around it, too.

He took a shaky breath, chest working like they were bellows.

"How long since someone's really pushed you, boy?" The words were accompanied by more gentle strikes with the little flogger across his chest, moving down to his stomach.

He shook his head. Devvy would safeword. He knew it. Devvy always did.

Growling a little, Bake flicked the tails, very gently, over his cock. Dare moaned low, body shuddering with sensation.

"Spread your thighs for me." The words came with another swat of tails over his cock, a little harder this time, enough to sting.

He spread, even though his lizard brain was insisting that it was a terrible idea.

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"Good boy." Bake's hand wrapped around his cock and stroked a few times. Then the man moved the flogger, swung it back and forth between his inner thighs. The tails stung and trailed, some hitting harder, some more softly.

His balls drew up, and his belly felt like a rock. "Oh. Oh." The next brush of leather landed on his balls, on the skin behind them. Not hard, but fuck, right there. "Fuck..."

He heard Devvy gasp, shift on the bed.

"Remember what I said," Bake growled, meeting his eyes. "This is for you."

He nodded, tears forming in his eyes. "I didn't safeword. I don't. He does. I need, so much."

Bake nodded. "And I'll give you what I need." Bake turned to his twin. "Is this too much for you to watch? I could carry you into Bean's room, let you stay there while we do this."

Dare didn't look at Dev. He wouldn't.

"No, please don't make me go. I'd worry about him."

"Then you need to be quiet." Bake wasn't looking at Dev either, was looking into his eyes. "No safewordingfor Dare."

"But..."

Dare never looked away from Bake. "Please Master. Please."

"Yes, Dare, I'll give you what you need." Bake finally broke eye contact to look over at his twin. "And I mean it, Dev. You do not safeword because you think Dare should. He isn't you, his tolerances are different. I took care of you yesterday and today, now let me do the same for your brother without interruption. Don't be selfish."

"I love him. I'm trying, so hard."

"Try harder than you've ever tried before." With that, Bake turned back to him. "Now. Where were we?"

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He found Bake a smile. "You were driving me crazy and I was flying."

"Oh, yes. Let's get back there, shall we?" Bake leaned in, giving him a hard, breath-stealing kiss. It was like that was the man's signal he was about to get started.

Dare's body understood that, though, responded eagerly and totally, his focus on Bake's will.

"Such a good, needy boy." Bake licked his lips and backed away enough to started to flick the little flogger across his thighs. The tops first, and then the insides of them, from knees to hips.

His toes curled, his heart pounding hard.

"Spread wider." Bake's voice was barely more than a growl. He gulped in air, his legs spreading the tiniest bit wider. "Wider." The word came with a hard swat that just barely breezed by his balls.

"Fuck!" He tried to make his legs move, forcing them a little farther apart. They felt heavy, frozen.

The flick came again.

"I'm trying." He fought to catch his breath.

Warm hands slid over his thighs, Bake massaging the main muscle and then slipping to rub his inner thighs. "You just need to relax enough to let the muscles work."

The touch made him moan and nod, his legs easing apart with the help.

"Mmm... there you go. That's perfect." Bake's fingers continued to touch and massage; his inner thighs, his balls, and the skin behind them all got worked over by hand.

"Sir." He could relax again, breathe, the intensity easing.

"I've got you, Dare. You put your faith in me and let me take you where you need to go."

Those warm, strong fingers disappeared and Bake swatted him with the flogger again, warming the insides of his thighs, making them sting and then sting a little harder. He breathed through it this time, breathing in time with the blows.

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"Good job. That's it." Bake's growled-out murmurs were a nice counterpoint to the sound of the little leather tails hitting his skin.

He soaked in the praise, the pleasure and heat building inside him. Every now and then, one of the tails would hit one of his balls or the skin behind, the zing strong, undeniable, but not more than he could take. Then the tail hit his hole and he curled up, surprised, shocked.

"Oh, I got you -- pushed you."

He stared, panting a little. "St...startled me."

"Mmm." Bake looked pleased, and he stroked Dare's cheek with his free hand. "Good."

The flogger moved to his cock next, the touches not enough to sting, but he could feel the promise of it there. His breaths started to feel like sobs, the tension ratcheting up inside him, higher and higher. Two hard hits came down, one on either side of his cock, neither hitting it, just his hips.

He cried out -- he had to, it was so big.

"Dare..." He heard Devvy's whisper.

"He's fine," growled Bake. "Let him be. Let him fly."

"Please..." He arched, every inch of his skin awake.

The next swat landed on his cock again, the leather tails dragging.

"I. I. Master." Oh, fuck.

"That's right." One hit landed on his belly, the other over his right nipple again.

He twisted again, trying to get away or closer or something. Bake kept working him, flicking him from shoulders to thighs. Dare was close to losing it, pulling away, pushing closer.

"So fucking hot, boy."

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He nodded, almost desperately. Yes. Hot. So hot. So good.

Two fingers pushed into his ass, slick and solid, spreading him open.

"Oh. Oh, please. Please." He bore down, riding the touch.

"Gonna fuck you. Gonna feel the heat of your body around my cock and against me. All that blood near the surface."

"Oh, fuck. Fuck. Master. Sir. Harder, please."

Bake's fingers pushed deep, finding his gland and nailing it. He arched, feet scrabbling on the bed. Then Bake's fingers disappeared, the man's cock pressing against him. Dare's eyes opened wide, and he looked at Bake, wanting to know he wasn't alone.

"Feel me." Bake held his eyes as that hard cock pushed into his body.

"I do. I do. You're so big." So hard.

"Filling you up good, boy." Bake did, pushing in and in.

"Yes." He nodded, legs wrapped around Bake's body.

Bake sank all the way in, and then began to push, to thrust into him again and again. Dare flew, body tight, and all he wanted was more. Bake gave it to him, fucking him hard and fast, hand sliding over his skin, making it sting.

"What do you want?" How could he make Bake happy?

"Let me make you fly." Bake growled and pushed harder, fingers working the welts he hadn't even realized the flogger had left behind.

The words made him sob. He needed.

Bake's mouth closed over his, tongue thrusting in time with the cock that pounded into him over and over and over. Bake's hands were on his arms, holding him down, stretching him out.

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"So fucking hot. Good." The thrusts came harder, faster, Bake driving into him, pushing him higher.

"Yes. Yes. Good." He gasped, his cock aching. All he needed was one touch to his prick and he'd come. Bake wasn't giving it to him, though.

"Could do this all fucking night long."

"You... you'd get a cramp." He smiled, winked.

Bake give him a wicked grin. "No matter what, I'll take care of you, boy."

The words settled inside him, and he groaned, body squeezing tight.

Moaning, Bake increased the strength of his thrusts and nodded. "Works both ways, doesn't it?"

"Yes. Yes, I'll be good to you. We both will."

"Already are." Bake bent, mouth wrapping around his left nipple.

One of his hands brushed through Bake's hair, caressing the man, thanking him for the touch. Bake bit and then soothed, and then repeated it, pushing more sensation on him.

"Master..." He started moving faster, riding Bake's cock.

Bake's growl vibrated around his nipple. "Pushy." It didn't sound like a complaint. Or an order to stop.

"So good." He was soaring.

"Yeah. Good." Bake groaned and shifted, hitting his gland.

Each thrust had him grunting, groaning.

"I'm gonna take off the ring," Bake muttered. "Let you come."

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"Please." And also thank you.

"I should make you beg for it." Bake gave him a wink, hand sliding down to circle his cock.

"I can beg. I'm easy." He needed.

"You don't need to be easy." Bake leaned in to growl in his ear. "I like a challenge."

Then the ring popped open. "Not until I say so."

Oh. Oh, fuck. "Yes..." He'd try.

"Good boy." There was a wealth of satisfaction in Bake's voice.

The thrusts picked up in strength again, Bake just going for it, pounding into him like a madman. His hands had given up the bed rails, were clinging to Bake, all Dare's focus on not shooting.

Bake watched him, eyes not leaving his. The man was reading him, making him wait until he just couldn't-- "Come. Now."

His abs hurt, they went so tight, and for a second, he thought he wouldn't be able to shoot, but Bake swatted his hip, cock slamming against his gland, and he did.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Bake kept banging against it, and then he froze, filling the condom.

Dare groaned, breath wheezing from him. Bake slipped out, dealt with the condom, and then lay between him and Dev, tugging him close. He curled in, sobbing softly, suddenly so tired he couldn't breathe.

"It's okay, Dare. I have you."

He nodded, clinging, trusting in Bake's strength.

"Relax, rest, sleep."

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"Mmmhmm. Thank you, Sir."

"It was my pleasure." Bake kissed his forehead, and then shifted slightly, tugging Devvy into his other side.

"Now both you of you go to sleep."

He reached out, found Dev's fingers and held on.

Sleep.

He could do that.

Chapter Ten

Bake woke up in the middle of a twin sandwich.

At some point in the night he'd undone Devvy's bindings and pulled the covers up over them, so he was warm, almost too warm, with two lithe bodies draped all over him, their hands on each other. It was sexy as hell.

He yawned, got his hands up over his head in a stretch, and hoped he didn't wake Dev and Dare up. Dare and Dev both stretched with him, lean bodies moving in concert. Fuck, he could get used to this, he really could.

Dare's eyes looked bruised, the man was so tired. Clearly, Dare needed a keeper. Bake was definitely applying for that position.

Dev's eyes popped open, looked at Dare, at him. "He's late for work." The words were a tiny whisper.

"No fucking way."

"We need to wake him up." Dev sighed. "He goes in at five, usually."

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"But what time does he have to be there?" It was five-thirty. Dare needed another ten hours of sleep, easy.

"Six. He's on the clock from six to six."

"Christ on a crutch. I can get him to work for six." He turned and kissed Dare's forehead. "Come on, Cinderella. Time to get back to the grindstone."

Dare's eyes popped open, bloodshot and exhausted. "Fuck. Fuck. Okay. Okay."

The man stumbled from the bed, banging into the wall hard, before making the bathroom door. "Dev. Call me a fucking cab. You working today?"

"I have off 'til tomorrow. They never give me enough hours."

"Call. Clay's dropped a junker off for me at the restaurant, so I have a ride."

Bake heard the sound of water, saw Dare slap himself awake. He growled and got up, headed for the shower and Dare. "I'll drive you."

"You don't have to. I'm good." Dare looked like a dead man; the bags under those eyes were big enough for a family on a twelve-day trip.

"Hey, who's the top here, huh? I'll drive you."

"'Kay." Dare washed quickly, then slipped out, muttering "ten more days" under his breath.

"That's when you get a break, huh?" That was just fucking wrong. The man only had one day off a week to start with, and he was pulling shifts for everyone else on that one day.

"Uh-huh." Those poor eyes. He realized, suddenly, that Dare hadn't eaten. Not last night. Not this morning.

Bean had some of those protein bars in one of the cupboards, so he'd make sure the man had something to eat. "Something's gonna give, Dare, and it's going to be you if you're not careful."

"I'll be okay. Take care of Dev, huh?"

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Devin was up, now, frowning over Dare, shaking out the man's clean uniform. "I don't need taking care of. I'm feeling better every day. You work too hard."

"What happens if you phone in sick?" Bake asked, about ready to knock the man out and drag him back to bed.

"I don't know. I don't call in."

"You could, Dare. He could." Dev was almost vibrating. "You lookawful ."

"He's right, you do. You're calling in today."

"I don't call in." Dare was beginning to shiver, so exhausted he couldn't hold his head up.

"I could do it for you." Dev pushed right up in Dare's arms. "I'm scared, Dare. You're so tired. You're not all here, and there are flames and knives in a kitchen."

"Call in or have Dev call in. Either way, you're staying here, letting the two of us pamper you." Bake put on his most serious face. "That's an order."

Dare stared at him, tears gathering. "Really?"

"Absolutely." He caught Dare as his knees buckled, soft sobs sounding.

"I'll call. I'll tell them two days, Bake? Please?" Devin's voice was worried, on the verge of strident.

"Yeah. Do it." He hauled Dare into his arms, carrying the man back into the bedroom.

"I'm sorry. I'm just..." Dare gasped for air.

"Exhausted. Running on fumes. About to get two days of love and food and sleep." He took Dare to the bed, hands sliding over the man's body. "I told you you needed a keeper." He tested Dare's limbs, carefully tracing and feeling up every inch.

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"Mmmhmm." The tears were slowing, Dare relaxing for him. "I don't call in sick."

"You need to start. Especially if you're working ten, fourteen days in a row. That's not right."

"It's a tough field."

"I know about working hard, Dare. I've built my landscaping business from the ground up. Me and Bean, anyway. Even at the start, we had Mondays off." You couldn't work every day for months on end. Not without burning out. "How long have you been working like this? Months? Years?"

"It's done." Devin came in, snuggling in next to Dare. "Two days, no working."

"I haven't been doing it long."

Dev snorted. "Five years."

"Fucking hell!" Bake shook his head. That was insane. "You're heading for a collapse, boy."

"No. I'll make it." Dare's eyes wouldn't even open.

He kissed one eyelid. "Sleep. We'll wake you in time to play." Like maybe tomorrow evening.

"'Kay. Sorry."

Dev shook his head, chewed his bottom lip. "He looks so tired."

"That's because he is. We'll make sure he sleeps, though, okay? He'll sleep and eat and play and then he can go back to work feeling better." He gave Dev a sympathetic look. "No more letting him take shifts for you, though."

"I don't try to. I just... I get so tired."

"How come?" These two needed to see a fucking doctor.

Devin shrugged. "I've been to see doctors, shrinks. I'm not sad. I'm not crazy."

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"How long has it been going on?"

"Since we moved from Dallas. Six years ago?"

"Allergies?" Shit, the two of them needed to take better care of themselves, of each other.

"Allergies can't make you tired; they make you sneeze."

"So that means you haven't been tested? Because they can, too. Food allergies can affect your body, leave you tired and shit." Bake's mom had been allergic to dairy. Not enough to make her break out or throw up or anything, but enough that it put a strain on her body, made her tired all the time, forgetful, out of it.

"No. No, I haven't. I mean, I don't have hives or anything." Devin pushed into his arms, hands exploring him. "Last night was hard. I wanted to stop you."

He returned the touches -- both boys were so sensual, one of the things they had in common. "I'm glad you didn't. Dare needs things that you don't. You have to trust me to know what he needs, and most of all you have to trust him to use his safeword if he's being pushed too hard."

"I know. I just... It's scary." Dev kissed his collarbone.

"You did well yesterday, though. It should get easier every time, yeah?"

"I hope so. You smell good, Sir." Those lovely eyes smiled up at him. "Can I suck you, please?"

"Absofuckinglutely." He wasn't going to say no to that. "You're into that, huh? Having a cock in that pretty mouth of yours?" Beautiful, oral boy.

"I do. I love how it feels, knowing somebody like that."

"I can't imagine anyone turning you down." He stroked his thumb across Dev's lips and then took a kiss.

"I don't ask many people." Dev smiled at him, lips parting eagerly for him.

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"I'm glad you asked me, sweet boy." He tasted Dev's mouth, tongue sweeping through it before ending the kiss. His prick was hard and eager, ready to be sucked.

Dev slipped down, lips on his belly, heading south.

He groaned, sliding a hand through Dev's hair. "Pretty boy."

Dev smiled at him, the gentle sub blossoming at the praise. They were both starved for care, attention, and they both were eager, sensual lovers. He'd bet it was the twin thing that had kept them alone with each other instead of snapped up by someone. Of course, he'd been trying for a year before he got his chance.

They were all here now, though. Here and he was keeping them. Both.

He wrapped one hand around Dare's wrist, the other staying in Dev's hair, stroking and loving on the man. Dev's lips were soft, hungry, the pressure perfect around his cock. "Don't stop, sweet boy. Don't stop. Don't stop."

Those warm, happy eyes smiled up at him, Dev's head beginning to bob. He tried to hold those eyes, but it felt so damn good. His hips started moving, pushing up between Dev's lips.

He watched as his prick spread them, coming out slick and wet. "So fucking pretty." He fucking loved how Dev blushed, fluttered. "Gonna come for you, sweet boy. Gonna come in your mouth."

The suction increased, Dev's moans vibrating his cock. He jerked a few times, pushing his cock deep before coming hard. Dev took him in, sucked him dry, hands sliding up and down his thighs.

He petted Dev's hair, groaning happily. "Good, Dev. God."

That tongue cleaned him, adored him. The look on the lean face was happy, relaxed. Bean kept the connection there, making sure he continued to touch Dev, to let the man know he was right there with him.

He'd fallen in lust with these two the first time he'd seen them, and the past year had only grown that lust. Now that he had them in his bed, though? Now he knew he was probably in big time trouble.

Chapter Eleven

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Dare was still asleep. Not moving. Not shifting. Sleeping. Like a dead person. It was fucking creepy. Dev reached out, intending to just... jostle him a little bit.

A low growl sounded and Bake's hand grabbed his, pulled it back. "Let him sleep, boy."

Dev blinked up. "He's just sleeping."

"Yes. And he needs that sleep. No waking him."

"But..." He didn't like this -- Dare sleeping so long.

"But what?" Bake frowned. "Your brother is exhausted. So exhausted that he let us call him in sick for two days so he could catch up with his sleep. What but is there?"

Dev pulled away, stung. "He never sleeps like this!" Never. Something was wrong.

"He never gets a chance to, does he?"

He pouted, whacked Bake on the arm. "He wants to work hard."

Bake grabbed his hands and drew them up over his head, holding both his wrists in one big hand. "He still needs to take care of himself. He needs someone to make him stop now and then and do exactly that."

Dev's heart started beating a little faster, his eyes on his hands in Bake's. "Let me go."

"Oh, I don't think so, sweet boy. You need a distraction in the worst way."

"I..." He couldn't quite breathe.

"Yes, you." Bake leaned in and licked a line from the corner of his mouth to his ear. A rough cheek rubbed against his jaw.

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"L...let me..." He didn't like stuff like Dare did, but...

Bake's hand continued to hold him; Bake's lips continued to touch him. Warm and soft, they nuzzled and explored his neck, his shoulder.

"Oh..." He lifted his chin and offered Bake more.

Bake took it, lips closing over skin and gentle suction pulling up his blood. He could feel the marks as Bake made them. His worry about Dare floated away, his focus on Bake, on that mouth. Everything was soft and gentle, with the occasional sharper nip. But every hurt was soothed away by Bake's tongue. He started swaying, moving toward Bake, rubbing against him.

"You're such a sensuous boy."

"Do you like it?"

"I love it. It makes you fascinating and infinitely interesting."

Oh. Fascinating. He loved feeling like he was fascinating.

Bake smiled and nibbled on his lower lip. The man's free hand was exploring his spine, fingers working slowly over it. Bake spent hours touching him, caressing him, letting him feel. It was like he was being fed one sensation after another. Bake walked him out of the bedroom, slowly, carefully leading him away from his sleeping twin.

"Have you ever been laid out over a kitchen table?"

"I don't think so, no."

"You will be after today. I'm going to lay you out and make you a feast."

"A feast? Me?" He chuckled, still moving. He wasn't really... feast-y.

"I'm going to eat you all up."

"Like the big, bad wolf?"

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Bake grinned. "Only with less teeth."

"I love your smile." It was so confident, so sure, and every day he stayed here with Bake, he felt stronger.

"Thank you, boy. I'm growing fond of yours as well. Yeah, that one right there."

Devin stepped closer, stopping them as he brought their lips together. Groaning, Bake opened up and deepened the kiss. His arms were stretched back, arching him into Bake's body. He could feel the heat of Bake's cock against his belly, hot, hard, velvet. It seemed like Bake wanted both of them, liked them, was hungry for them. Both.

"Sweet, sexy boy," murmured Bake, backing him up into the kitchen. It was bright and full of light.

"Are you hungry?" He could make toast, eggs.

"Yes. For you." Bake cleared the kitchen table with a single sweep of his arms.

"Bake!" He couldn't help his laughter. The man was crazy.

"Trust me -- you didn't want the salt shaker digging into your ass."

That made the laughter worse, and he nodded, giggles pouring from him. Bake was grinning to beat the band, and the man carefully bent him back over the table. The edge dug into his butt, so he lifted his legs. Making a pleased noise, Bake wrapped Dev's legs around Bake's waist.

"Mmm... You're so warm." He pressed down, his balls cradled against Bake's abs.

"And you're pale and soft and so pretty." Bake's hands began to run over his skin, touching him all over again, heating him back up.

The table started warming under his back, his body relaxing, stretching out under the attention. Bake's lips wrapped around his right nipple, the suction good, tongue playing with the little piercing.

"Mmm..." He stretched farther, wiggling a little bit.

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Bake's teeth nipped at his flesh, stilling him, and then the suction started up again. His breath started speeding, just the littlest bit.

"Sexy boy." Bake placed a trail of wet kisses all the way over to his other nipple.

"Your mouth..." He'd never met anyone this hungry, not even Dare.

"Your body," countered Bake, teeth teasing the tip of his nipple, the little bit of flesh so hard and aching.

His breath huffed out of him. "I don't think I like that." His nipple ached.

Bake's hand captured his cock. "This says different."

"I... I... I'm not like Dare."

"Sweet boy, it's just a little sting -- nothing wrong with liking that, and I have no plans to put you in clamps or anything like that."

"Oh." He nodded, offered Bake a smile. It was something, for someone to understand that they were different.

Bake smiled down at him. "You don't want me to hit you, and Dare wants me to hit him, huh? You gotta let me give you each what you want, need." The tip of Bake's tongue flicked back and forth across the tip of his nipple.

"Yes... And we want to, too." They weren't mean, him or Dare.

"I know. We've had a lovely start."

"We have." He reached up, fingers sliding over Bake's shoulders.

Bake turned his head and kissed Dev's hand. Oh. Oh, so sweet. He couldn't help his smile. Then Bake nibbled, but not hard, just enough to make him laugh.

"Tease." He stroked Bake's face, petted him.

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Bake nuzzled into his touch, murmuring softly. He felt so loved, so safe. Warm. Happy.

"Gonna have you for breakfast, and then I'll feed you."

"Anything. I just want to be with you."

Bake smiled down at him. "Thank you, Dev."

Bake just made him want to wriggle. Bending, Bake took Dev's mouth, began thrusting his tongue in and out. That was what he wanted -- the kisses, the heat, the happiness and passion. He just wanted Dare to wake up and have it, too.

Bake broke the kiss and pressed two fingers against his lips. "Suck for me, boy."

He nodded, lips taking the digits easily, pulling the fingers.

"I'm going to have to go back to my room for a glove." He nodded, tongue flicking the thick fingers.

Bake pushed two fingers deep, and then slid them away and moved them to his hole. He spread wide and tilted his hips up, making the offer. All three fingers pushed in slowly, stretching him wide.

"O...oh..." His eyes rolled and his hands scrabbled on the table. Big. So big.

"So tight, boy. Gonna feel so good around my cock."

Dev panted hard, his ass squeezing in the same rhythm. Fuck, he wanted. Needed.

"We should all get tested. Then I could do you without the condom."

"You want to? With us? Like, only us?"

"Yeah. Only you and only Dare. It probably feels fast, but I've been hunting the pair of you for over a year."

"So long?"

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"Yeah. And I'm not used to being overlooked, sweet boy." Bake's fingers pushed deep, hitting his gland.

"Bake!" His head bumped against the table hard enough he saw stars. Those fingers hit his gland again, sending sparks up through his body. "Please... please, I want you." It was so big.

"Let me go get the condom." Bake's fingers slipped out of him and the man kissed him hard. "I'll be right back."

"Uh-huh." He started stroking his cock, keeping it hard.

Bake pointed at him. "No coming."

"'Kay." He kept jacking.

Chuckling, Bake headed down the hall.

Dev kept his hand moving, nice and steady and slow like he liked it.

Bake's moan warned him the man had come back. Leaning against the kitchen counter, Bake watched him. "Such a sexy boy."

"I want you, bad."

"Me, too." Bake held up the little condom package and a half-used tube of lube. "Got everything we need now."

Dev nodded. "Dare still sleeping?"

"Yep. Sleeping the sleep of the exhausted. He's fine, okay? He needs that more than to be fucked right now." Bake moved closer, opening the condom package and smoothing the latex over his hard, thick prick.

Dev just needed to be fucked, really. He'd slept plenty. Bake's fingers pushed back into him, slick this time. His hole jerked, tightened a little, sliding on Bake's touch.

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"Love how tight you are."

"You fill me up."

"Yeah, just wait until it's my cock." Bake's fingers popped out of him, the hot, blunt end of his cock pressing against Dev's hole.

"I. I. Uh-huh." He pressed down, rocking himself onto that cock.

"Fuck, yeah. That's it, Dev. Take what you want." Bake moved in a little more, but other than that let him fuck himself up on the cock.

He licked his lips, panting, hips rolling as he took Bake in.

"Fuck. You're tight and hot and it's so fucking good."

"I like how... how you talk, how you say things." God, he was a dork.

Bake grinned down at him, though, looking pleased at the words. A quick nudge of his hips and Bake's cock pressed deeper. He shifted until the long cock pegged his gland, made him gasp.

"God, just look at you -- fucking yourself on my cock."

Oh, God. Oh, God. He moved faster. Harder.

"That's it." Bake's hands went under his ass, encouraged his movements. "Fucking A." Dev thought it was much more 'fucking him.' Then one of Bake's hands wrapped around his cock, again letting his own movements jack himself.

"Bake..." He could feel that from his balls to his toes.

"Come on, beautiful boy, don't stop now."

"No. No, I won't stop. I won't..." So good. It felt so good.

"Good." Bake thrust as he pushed down onto the hard cock, and it hit his gland, hard.

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His eyes flew open, his heart pounding. "Fuck!" The obscenity just pushed out of him.

"We found the magic spot, huh?"

"Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Please." Again.

"Let's keep hitting it, then." Bake smiled down at him, hips snapping to meet each of his movements.

"You... You're really good at that."

"It takes two, boy. You're good at it yourself." Bake's voice had this growl to it; he'd heard it the last time they'd fucked.

"Three." They were three.

Grinning, Bake nodded and banged his gland again. His shoulders rolled up off the table. One of Bake's hands landed on his back and kept him curled up. Bake brought their mouths together, adding a kiss to the mix. Oh. Oh, he was going to shoot. He felt it all over his body, all through him.

"Need to come, boy?" Bake's hand had stopped stroking his cock and was instead just holding him tight.

His groaned filled the air. "Oh, fuck..."

Bake laughed, the sound happy, and husky as hell. "Is that a yes?" He had a feeling he wasn't going to be given permission to come until he'd answered to Bake's satisfaction.

"Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Ache." Like whoa.

"Then you'd better come for me."

Bake went back to thrusting into him and jacking him off, the sensations wrapping together. It didn't take long at all before he was shooting, cock throbbing, ass milking Bake's cock. Bake growled and then shouted, and he swore he could feel the man filling the condom.

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Oh, good. And also, wow.

Bake spread kisses over his face, soft and warm.

"Bake..." He moaned, so happy, so settled.

"Good morning, sweet boy."

"Good morning, Sir. Good morning."

"Very good, I think."

Dev couldn't answer, as his mouth was full of Bake's tongue, but he had to agree.

Chapter Twelve

Dare dreamed and dreamed, only waking up when his bladder insisted he couldn't wait another second, so he slid out of bed and tried to remember where he was, where the bathroom was.

"You're awake!" Dev bounced up from the bed and wrapped him in a tight hug.

"Uh-huh. Toilet."

"It's just down the hall on the right. Come on."

He nodded, stumbled along behind Dev, blinking really slowly.

"You okay?" Dev pushed open a door, revealing the head.

"Uh-huh." He just needed to... Oh. Better.

"You've been sleeping forever."

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"Sorry." He did his business, washed up. "You okay?"

"Just a little freaked out about you. You never sleep that much. Bake said you needed it, but..." Dev pushed in close.

"Shh. I'm cool. Just been a long few, huh?" He was fucking pooped.

"You sure?" Devvy cupped his face, looking into his eyes.

"You look good." He leaned in, nuzzled Devvy.

Devvy beamed at him. "Bake's been amazing."

"Well, there. No worries, huh?"

"Aside from you turning into the incredible zombie, no worries."

"Stop it, Dev. I told you -- he just needed to catch up on some much-needed sleep. He's fine." Bake smiled at him and leaned in for a kiss, gave his ass a smart rap. "You hungry?"

"Starving. You want me to make something?"

Devvy nodded, but before he could open his mouth, Bake was answering. "No, Dev and I will cook -you're on a sick day."

Dare blinked, and Dev got a pursed, pinched look on his face. "I don't cook. I clean up."

"Then I'll cook." Bake grabbed Dev and put him under one arm, sliding the other across Dare's shoulders and walked them down the hall.

He leaned in, fingers on Bake's belly. "Sorry I slept all day. I just... wow."

Bake chuckled, ripped belly moving under his fingers. "That was kind of the point."

"Yeah." Still, it wigged everyone out a little.

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"So what do you want for supper?" Bake grinned. "I have to tell you, my specialty is macaroni and cheese or Bake's Special Burgers. Fair warning, if you choose something else, it won't be as good."

"Macaroni," he said.

"Burgers!" That was Dev.

"Macaroni and burgers it is. I do a mean mojito, too. You boys can relax with a cocktail while I build you a feast."

"I should get dressed." He was sort of vastly naked.

"I've got aprons for everyone." Bake escorted them both over to the kitchen table and then tossed an apron at him and Dev before putting one on himself.

Dev looked. "This is almost worse than naked..."

"Trust me, boy, you'd rather look a little odd than have any cooking damage hit the goods. Am I right, Dare, or am I right?"

"Absolutely. No goods damage." He grinned, then they all cracked up.

Bake made them all cocktails and then started working on supper. "I am hoping you'll do our next meal, Dare. I can't wait to try your food."

"Sure. What are you into?" He could make mostly anything.

"Oh, I'll eat whatever you put in front of me. Unless it has eggplant in it -- that shit is nasty."

He chuckled. That sounded like a challenge. Bake grinned, moving easily around the kitchen, which soon started smelling like dinner.

"Are you sure you don't want help?" He wasn't spectacularly good at sitting still.

"Are you disparaging my cooking without even tasting it?"

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"No! No. I just... Sitting, huh?"

"Relax, man, I was just kidding." Bake ruffled his hair as the man passed by him.

The touch made him smile, and Dev shook his head. "Spoiled brat."

Dare snorted. "That's me."

"Ri-ight." Bake snorted, too.

That made Dare chuckle, grin. Bake gave him a smile and another cocktail.

"Are you trying to get me tipsy? I have work in the morning."

Devvy shook his head. "I got you two days off."

He blinked, a little stunned. "Two?"

"That's right. A day to sleep and a day to play." Bake looked like the cat who got the canary.

"I. But... Two days." Wow. He couldn't help his grin.

"I promise you'll be grinning even harder this time tomorrow." Bake waggled his eyebrows.

That made him chuckle, Dev kicking him under the table. He pulled back a little, looked over. "You cool?"

"Yeah. Just... you're being a little weird, Darius. You should be pissed, worried at least. I mean, it's your job."

The warm happiness that had been building eased back. "Maybe I should call Chef, talk to him."

Bake growled. "What the fuck is up with the two of you?"

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He blinked, and Devvy stared at Bake in shock. "What do you mean?"

"I mean the two of you are feeding some weird vibe off each other. Dev's not happy if you're sleeping, if you're not worried about your job -- what's up with that?"

"I'm not, either!" Dev scowled. "I just... He's being a little odd, is all."

Dare forced himself not to sigh, patted Dev's leg. Not yet. He wasn't ready for drama yet. "Sorry, Dev. Bake, it smells great."

"Thanks." Bake shook his head and clearly was ready to follow his lead and let it drop. For now. "Won't be long now. So, what are we going to do after we eat? Movie? Game? Mattress hockey?"

"Who gets to be the puck?"

"That'd be you, Dare. I'm the slapshot." Bake offered a wink.

He chuckled; he couldn't help it. "That makes Devvy the goalie?"

"Just what I was thinking."

Devin shook his head, made a goal with his fingers. "Shoot!"

They all cracked up.

Bake dished up their food and set it on the table, sitting next to him. "It's not fancy, but it's good, if I do say so myself."

"It smells good." He wasn't proud, and he loved the whole comfort food idea.

Bake picked up his burger and started munching on it. Devvy started on the burger while he focused on the mac and cheese. God, that was good. There wasn't a whole lot of talking while they ate, Bake looking as hungry as he felt. He finished his pasta, stole bites of Dev's while Dev ate half his burger.

Bake nodded at their plates. "Bean always finishes up my vegetables for me."

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He and Dev nodded together, knocked their shoulders together. "It's an old habit."

"Did your parents used to dress you the same?"

"No. There are eight of us. We wore hand-me-downs, mostly, especially for play clothes."

Devvy laughed, nodded. "We were hard on clothes."

"Eight! I didn't' realize there was more than just the three of you."

Dare nodded. "Andrea, Beryl, Clay, us, Elizabeth, Freddy, and Ginny."

"Shit, that's a lot of people."

Devvy snorted. "You know it. There's a reason Clay went into the Army."

Bake went to the fridge and pulled some ice cream out of the freezer, dished them all up some. "And I thought this place would feel crowded with four of us. Guess it won't for you two."

"Where is your brother? We haven't seen him?"

"That's a very good question. I saw him yesterday -- dropped him off at a job, but he left a message that he'd arranged his own way back." Bake growled a little and pulled out his cell phone. He growled some more after making a short call and put it back in his pocket. "Fucking voice mail. Again."

Dev frowned. "That's a little scary..."

Dare nodded, agreeing with his brother. "You think we should see if Clay's seen him?"

"Yeah. I do." Bake passed over his cell phone. "I'd know if he was hurt, though."

Devvy smiled. "Well, duh."

Dare just dialed Clay, waiting for his brother to answer.

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"Hey, Bake. 'Sup?"

"It's not Bake, Clay."

"Dare? Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah, Bake's trying to find Bean. Have you seen him?"

Clay chuckled. "Yeah. His phone's out of juice. He's here. Happy. No worries."

Dare grinned at Bake. "He's with Clay."

Bake rolled his eyes. "He could have called to let me know. Asshole."

"Dare, ask Bake if he wants to talk to Bean."

"You want to talk to him?"

"I just want to know when the hell I'm going to see his sorry ass back home."

"When's he coming home, Clay?"

Clay laughed, and suddenly Bean was on the phone with him. "I suppose I need to come home for a change of clothes. Maybe tomorrow after work."

"Here." He passed the phone over to Bake, leaned against Dev. "Hey."

Dev leaned back. "Hey. Sorry about earlier, huh?"

He nodded. "Change is hard."

"You're staying over thereagain ?" Bake growled into the phone. "Yeah, well, call next time you're going camping somewhere else."

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Dev chuckled. "Looks like Clay snagged someone."

Dare nodded. "Clay likes Bean. I could tell." The man had actually been pleasant to him the other day. Almost.

Bake hung up, shaking his head. "Looks like Bean's in lust."

"So are you. It makes sense."

One of Bake's eyebrows went up. "I've been after the two of you for a year. Besides, I didn't run away from home like he just did."

He looked at Dev, who looked back. Grinned.

"What?"

Devvy winked, and Dareknew what he was thinking. Jealous twins.

"I was worried, okay? I'm allowed."

"Uh-huh." Dare nodded.

"Absolutely." Dev nodded, too.

"Worried," Dare added.

"We get it."

"Yep."

Devvy was just about to crack up.

"What are you insinuating? Me and Bean, we're not together like that, you know."

"We didn't say."

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"Anything."

They were really good at this.

Bake snorted. "Ri-ight."

They nodded together.

Bake chuckled. "I love him very much, but we never did the sex thing together, not really. Strange, when you think of it -- I find the idea of the two of you togethervery hot."

"We figure it's about three in ten that have done it. Way less that keep on."

"How do you figure that? Did you take a poll?"

"Just experience." Dev said.

Dare was in total agreement. "And lots of Internet research."

"Experience?" Bake leaned in, eyes hot. "You guys go around getting it on with other twins?"

"We have, sure." Dare petted Devvy's back. "We've done scenes with another pair, but Dev didn't like it." It had been too hard core, too loud, too weird.

Bake's expression gentled. "Not your scene, huh, sweet boy?"

Devvy shook his head. "It was scary."

"It was kinda like porn, more than scary. Joyless." He hadn't gotten off on it.

"Sounds sucky. Not like what we do."

He took Devvy's hand, squeezed it. "What we do is hot, huh?"

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"I'll second that." Bake grinned, nodded toward the hall. "How about we ditch the aprons and go prove it?"

Devvy nodded. "We haven't had a lot of time -- to make love together."

Bake tilted his head. "To each other?"

Dare chuckled. "The three of us together."

"Oh! Right. We'll definitely have to fix that. Come on." Bake took his hand and Devvy's, leading them back to the bedroom.

Dare felt amazing -- rested and horny, a little bruised, warm. Happy.

Bake's hand-holding turned into an arm around each of their waists, the man's rumbling chuckles making him sound happy, too. He leaned a little, enjoying Bake's solid presence. Bake kissed the top of his head and the top of Dev's.

The last of the sunshine was coming in the window, lighting up the bedroom.

"Mmm." He stretched, enjoying the sun.

Bake's fingers slid over his belly. "You're a very sexy pair."

He looked at Devvy, winked. "Are we?"

"Absolutely." Dev's cackle filled the air, tickled.

Bake grabbed him close and kissed him hard, tongue pushing into his mouth, body solid against him. It surprised him enough that he gasped, hands gripping Bake's shoulders. Groaning into the kiss, Bake leaned him back, a solid arm keeping him from falling.

Dev pushed up against his side, cuddling in, and he wrapped his hand around one hip, drawing them closer. Bake broke the kiss to turn to Dev, giving his twin an equally passionate buss. Dare took the opportunity to start licking and nibbling -- first Bake's jaw, then Dev's collarbone.

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"Hungry," murmured Bake, laughing softly.

"I feel good."

Dev nodded. "Me, too. More, Dare."

"I feel good, too. Come on, bed."

Bake hustled them the last few feet, pushing them down to bounce. They bumped together, then started laughing, both of them reaching for Bake. Bake joined them on the bed, pressing him into the mattress and kissing Dev. He wriggled around, letting his entire body rub against Bake's.

Bake's hand slid down to grab his ass, squeezing it tight. He nodded, pushing back into the touch. Bake's mouth found his shoulder, sucked and bit at his skin. Then it was Dev's turn again, Bake loving on them both. His lips wrapped around Bake's nipple, teeth teasing a little bit. Groaning, Bake pressed down against him, cock hot against his belly. Oh, yeah. Someone liked that.

"Don't stop," growled Bake.

He bit down, tugged on the tiny little nub.

"Fuck!" Bake jerked and began to hump, grinding into him as Bake kissed Dev.

Dare kept biting and sucking, knowing how crazy-making that was, how fucking intense. Bake was into it, moving hard and fast. He could hear the kisses Bake shared with Devvy, eager and wet. He switched nipples, working the hot, wet one he'd just left with his thumb and forefinger. Two of Bake's fingers found his nipple and started working it, playing with the piercing in it.

Dare bit down a little in surprise. Hot. So hot. Grunting, Bake pinched, mirroring what he was doing with his teeth. Oh. Oh, yeah. He bit again. Bake responded by pinching again, the best tit for tat ever. Devvy was starting to rub off on him, Dare could feel it, hear it.

"Quick and hard this time," muttered Bake. "Then long and slow."

He nodded, pulling harder on Bake's nipples. He heard his twin's happy agreement. Growling, Bake moved harder against him, faster, the rub and tug so good. It was like a shock hit him, making him hot, making him ache.

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"Come on, boys. Show me what you've got. Together."

Dare nipped Bake's skin as Bake's fingers pinched him, hard.

"Now," growled Bake, the rhythm of his hips faltering.

Now. God. Now... Dare followed right along, jerking and rubbing as he shot.

"Yes!" Bake's shout filled the room as more heat spread among them.

He heard Devvy's little moan, felt the way his brother shuddered. Bake collapsed onto him, onto Devvy, letting them feel his weight. Dare wrapped his arms around Bake, squeezed. He could feel Bake's smile against his shoulder. Devvy sighed softly, stretched and settled.

"My boys," murmured Bake. "My sweet and spicy boys."

"Like chicken," he said.

"Only less crispy."

"And with less pineapple."

Devvy cracked up. "And no cherries."

Bake started to laugh. "You're nuts. The pair of you."

He shook his head. "No nuts in sweet and sour..."

Devin snorted. "He said sweet and spicy!"

"I did. My sweet and spicy twins. You might have to invent a dish."

"Oh, that would be fun, Dare! You could make something just ours!"

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Dare chuckled. "I could. Something with shrimp and beef, maybe."

"Neither of you are shrimps." Bake grabbed both their cocks, pumped a couple times.

"Wh...what are the big shrimps called, Dare?"

He grinned. "Prawns."

Bake laughed and gave him a squeeze. "Long as we cook the food and not these."

He moaned a little, so sensitive, and his hips rolled.

"Feels good, huh?"

"Uh-huh." Good. Big. Heady. Pick one.

Bake moved to sit up at the head of the bed, dragging him and Devvy up to either side. He looked at Bake, and he could see that Devvy was doing the same thing.

Bake smiled at them both. "Happy, boys?"

He turned a little and snuggled in and Dev scooted down to rest one cheek on Bake's pec. "Uh-huh."

"Good. I am, too."

He reached over, flicked one little nipple that was already starting to bruise. "Excellent."

Chapter Thirteen

Bean snorted and passed Clay's phone back to him. "God, you'd think he was my mother." He couldn't believe Bake calling him on the carpet like that.

"He just worries, huh?" Clay didn't look too worried.

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"Yeah, yeah. But it's not like he's not back home screwing your brothers into oblivion."

"Ew. Dude.Dude !" Clay waved his hands in a panicky motion.

Bean started laughing.

"Don't you laugh at me!" Clay chuckled, though, and tackled him, pushed him down onto the sofa and started tickling his ribs.

He rocked and bucked, trying to get some tickling in of his own. God, this was better than being annoyed at his twin any day,

He'd been flying through the last few days -- good food, good company, and enough sex to make him sore and happy. Clay was like a solid little dream. He stopped tickling and started touching, arching into Clay's fingers.

"Mmm. Better." Clay lowered himself down and took a kiss, tongue pushing between his lips.

Bean opened up for the man, inviting Clay in deeper. Fuck, this man was something else, something special.

The kiss didn't deepen, but Clay didn't move away, either. "So, you gotta go back home, huh?"

He slid his hands along Clay's back. "Nope. He doesn't own me. And he's definitely not my mother."

"Oh, good. We have movies to watch." One hand mapped his back.

"I like watching movies with you." He liked doing everything with Clay.

"Yeah, we do damn good together." Clay leaned in and this kiss was gentler. "Cute little fuck."

"I'm not little!" He was fucking tall. Okay, not as tall as Clay, but still. "And bugs are cute."

"Bugs are... buggy. Puppies are cute."

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Puppies. Chuckling, he licked Clay from jaw to cheek.

Clay snorted, goosed him playfully. "You like the beach, man?"

"Shit, yeah. I surf a little. You?"

"I want to learn to. I got a couple days coming to me. There's a little beach house about three hours up the coast."

He stilled, a happy feeling beginning to build in his belly. "You asking me to go on vacation with you?"

"Yeah. We'd have fun, you and me, huh?"

"In the water, on the sand. In the beach house." He grinned and gave Clay a quick kiss. "I'm in. When are we going?" The joy of working for themselves was that he could take time off whenever he wanted. About time he started to take advantage of that.

"You want to head out day after tomorrow? We could go 'til Sunday night."

"Yeah, yeah, I do." He grinned, wrapping his arms around Clay's neck. "It'll be awesome."

"It's a decent place -- real simple, but there's a grill, a fridge, a bed."

"That sounds perfect to me, Clay. Just perfect." He could get fucking used to this. He so could.

"Cool. We could get a couple of steaks, some burger meat, some chips. Just do it simple."

"Yeah, yeah. Sounds good." He was already sold.

"Cool. You got two boards or do I need to rent one?"

"Bake's got one he never uses. You can borrow it."

Clay grinned. "Excellent. So, Bruce Willis or Sam Jackson?"

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"Are we inviting one of them to join us?"

His hip was playfully swatted. "For the movie, babe."

God, he loved the way Clay grinned. No one had ever been so fucking easy.

"Then I pick Sam Jackson." He shifted, getting more comfortable beneath Clay's body.

"Mmm.The Negotiator it is." Clay grabbed the remote, hit the disc changer, then play.

Bean wrapped a leg around Clay, happy to stay right as they were to watch the movie.

"I might have to keep you, babe. You make a great body pillow."

"Yeah? That's okay, because you make a great blanket."

Clay's laugh made him grin. Dude. They were going on vacation. Together. He hadn't ever been on vacation with anyone before. Not since he and Bake had been little.

Clay's hand slid over his side, the rhythm slow, easy, lazy. He watched the movie, pressing the occasional kiss on Clay's cheek, shoulder. Eventually, Clay dozed off, fingers curled in the small of his back. Bean thought maybe he could stay right here forever.

He thought that maybe, maybe, Clay would let him.

***

His phone rang while he was up on a roof and he grabbed it, sitting back on his heels while the sun beat down on him. "Yeah?"

"Hey." He could hear the smile in Bean's voice.

"Hey, babe. How's your day going?" He set his nail gun down, grabbed his water bottle.

"Okay. I was planting bulbs at the Patterson's, out in the sun, and I got to thinking about you."

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"Yeah? I'm doing tile over on the west side. Bulbs, huh?" Bean was a glorious dork.

"Uh-huh. We're putting in a huge garden -- they want flowers year 'round. I bet it's a nice day for roofing. You know what else it's a nice day for?"

"Hmm? Hot dogs and baseball?"

Bean laughed. "Yeah, that, too."

He chuckled and wiped his face. "What time you getting off?"

"I imagine that depends on you."

"Hmm? I'll be done around four, at the latest."

"So we'll be getting off around five then?" Bean sounded like he was trying not to laugh.

His brain caught on about half a second before his cock did. "Jackass. I'll pick you up at four fifteen?"

"Yeah, that sounds perfect."

"Text me the address, babe, and I'll pick you up." It was scary really, how easy it was to fold Bean into his life.

"Will do." Bean's voice dropped. "I'll be the one with the hard on."

He chuckled, shifted on the shingles. "I'll be able to find you, then. I got radar."

"Mmm. Bean hard on radar. I think I like the sound of that." He could hear the laughter in Bean's words.

"Go dig in the dirt, babe. I got two squares left. Don't forget to send me where you are."

"I'll do it as soon as I hang up, swear." Bean made kissy noises into the phone.

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"Butthead." He snorted and hung up. Little ass.

Still, he was smiling, wasn't he? And looking forward to this evening a whole lot.

Hell, he thought maybe he'd have the roofing done by three thirty, even. Chapter Fourteen

"Hey, Bake, Clay's picking me up from the Petersons and feeding me. Don't know if I'll be home before morning. Oh, and I'm taking a few days off starting Friday. Going surfing with Clay. See ya, bro."

Bake played the message yet again, his jaw clenching harder with each replay. He hadn't seen his twin for days other than briefly on the job or picking up clothes here at the house. "God damn it!"

Devin looked over at him, eyes curious. "What's up?"

"Bean is not only back at your brother's, again, he's off on fucking vacation with him this weekend."

"Oh. Is that bad?"

"Yeah, actually, it is. It's like ever since the two of them hooked up, Bean's forgotten he's got family." Bean washis twin, damn it.

"Oh." Devvy nodded. "You want me to call Clay?"

"I can call the fucker myself. I don't want to talk to him, though." He couldn't be nice.

Devin's face turned frowning. "Why's Clay a fucker? Is he hurting your brother?"

"He's monopolizing him."

"Oh. I. Are you monopolizing me?"

"Hey, he kicked the two of you out -- it's totally different."

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"Huh. Okay." Dev nodded, put his book aside. "I'm gonna walk down and meet Dare. He found someone to fix the car Clay gave him."

"I can drive you."

"If you want to. You don't have to."

"Of course I want to. The two of you make me happy."

Dev's eyes met him. "And what if Clay makes Bean happy?"

His lips tightened, "I don't mind him making Bean happy, Dev."

"I'm not trying to make you mad."

"I'm not mad at you, sweet boy. I couldn't be."

Dev came to him, pushed into his arms, face lifted for a kiss. "How can I help?"

"You do just by being you." He held Dev close, giving the sweet boy the kiss he was begging for.

Dev opened eagerly, tongue sliding against his, tempting him to let go of his bad mood. Groaning, he deepened the kiss, his hands finding Dev's ass. That pretty little ass pressed right into his hands, hips rocking nice and slow.

"Thought you wanted to go see your brother?" He rocked, too, meeting Devvy's motions.

"Uh-huh..." Dev kissed him again and again.

Such a tempting, sweet, stunning boy. Groaning, he bent Dev back over his arms. Dev tasted like candy, the hot mouth addictive as he licked and sucked and tasted. It made him forget all about Bean for the moment, his focus all on Dev. Dev made that easy, cuddling in and rubbing against him, holding him close.

"You make me feel good."

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"Good. I want to make you feel good."

"You do. Make me happy." He gave Dev a wink and dragged their groins together. "Horny."

"Better than pissed off, hmm?"

He chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, a lot better."

"Good." Dev wiggled, kissed him again.

"I expect you to follow up on that, you know." Bake rubbed his ass, squeezed it.

"Mmm. On what?" His jaw was licked, nibbled.

"This promise." He ground their cocks together through their jeans.

"I will. I'm not a tease, no matter what people say."

His eyes narrowed. "Who says you're a tease?"

Dev's cheeks heated. "Lots of people. It doesn't matter. Kiss me."

"Of course it matters. I don't want people talking about you like that."

"You're so good to us."

"You're good back, huh?"

Devin nodded, bit his bottom lip.

He leaned in, then used his own teeth to tug the sweet flesh away from Dev's teeth. "What's wrong, sweet boy?"

"I'm just being superstitious."

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He raised an eyebrow.

"You're like... everything Dare and I want, and you like us. Both of us." The words were said like they made some kind of sense.

"I do. I like you both a lot. Together, apart, you're just what I want. So what's the problem?"

"Nothing. You're perfect for us."

He beamed at Dev, took another kiss. Dev's arms wrapped around his neck, holding tight. He moved Dev, pushing the man up against the wall.

"Oh. Please." Dev nodded, happy and eager against his belly.

Laughing, he took Dev's mouth, grinding their bodies together. Every hour they spent together, Dev seemed more awake, more aware, more alive and present. He was encouraging every second of it. He rubbed and rubbed, dragging their cocks along each other. Dev pushed back, moaning into his parted lips.

He pulled at Dev's pants, opening them and dragging them along Dev's hips. Hard and wet-tipped, his lover was eager for him, needy.

"Nice." He wrapped his hand around Dev's prick, stroked it.

"It... I need you."

"You have me, sweet boy." He undid his own pants, pushed them down to let his prick out.

When their cocks rubbed together, they both moaned, their hips jerking like they'd been shocked. He wrapped them together, hand working both pricks. Dev helped, driving against him, ass rubbing against the wall. He took the man's mouth again, devouring Dev with lips and teeth and tongue. Dev's nails dug into his shoulders, and they both gasped.

"Fuck." He slammed Dev hard against the wall, hand working double time on their cocks.

His sweet boy jerked and shuddered, a long cry sounding as heat sprayed over his cock.

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"Yes. Fuck." Electricity shot up his spine and he squeezed harder, his own cock shooting come.

"Oh. Oh, wow. Yum." Dev blinked at him, a silly grin on the dear face.

He chuckled and kissed Dev's smile. Happiness tasted good on the man.

"Mmm. Feel better?"

"How could I not? I still think your brother should stop holding Bean hostage, but I've got you and Dare to keep me from going over there and showing him exactly what I think."

"What do you think?"

"I think that Bean's not his twin."

"But..." Dev shook his head. "I'm sorry, Bake. I don't understand."

"How would you feel if I had Dare over, picked him up from work, brought him home for long enough to change his clothes. Dragged him off on vacation after just meeting him?" Dev was a twin, he should understand.

"Well, Dare isn't drag-able, not really, and we've had separate lovers, just not very often."

"Not like this, though, eh?" It seemed to be all-consuming, and he was pretty sure he didn't like it.

"Not usually. Usually, Dare's like that about his work. Clay's a good guy, though, and if they're making a good thing together..."

"I know, I know. I just..." He shrugged. It was like there was an itch or something beneath his skin that he couldn't scratch. "Hey, he ditched the two of you, didn't he?"

"Well... we wrecked his truck, set his kitchen on fire, got him in trouble with our mom, and broke the water heater, all in the same week." Dev actually looked ashamed.

"You did not!"

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"Yeah, we sorta did. I mean, I mainly did, but Dare helped."

"That's pretty damn impressive."

"Yeah. I can get... bored." Dev was like a kid with that ADHD thing, except tired.

"I think I can keep you busy and not bored." He gave Dev a wink.

"More than. I've been here a week and I feel sogood ."

"That makes me very, very happy. I think Dare does too, yeah?"

"I think so. He's smiling more."

"Good. The man needs more chances to smile. To sleep, to play. He works too hard." Bake still thought the two of them needed a keeper, someone to make sure Dev kept feeling good and Dare didn't work himself to death. He still believed he was the man for the job.

"He does. He does everything too much, and I never do anything enough."

"You need to find a balance."

Dev chuckled, pulled off his T-shirt, and started cleaning them up. "Well, we sort of do have one, huh?"

"You need to be balanced between you, boy. Unless you meant me."

"You can be the pivot point."

"Then you need to not be tired all the time, and Dare needs to not work himself into a grave." He gave Dev a wink. "I'm a very bossy pivot point."

He did love Dev's laugh -- full and hearty and almost boisterous.

"Come on, you. Let's go find Dare and see what all this new car of yours needs."

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"Knowing Clay, not a whole lot." Dev actually looked a little ashamed. "He's a little grumpy, but he's a kick-ass big brother."

"He's also twin brother stealing." He felt a little better about things now, though.

"Nah, he's just falling in love, maybe."

"What? With my Bean? You think so?"

"Why not?" Dev got a dreamy, happy look on his face. "Wouldn't that be neat?"

He smiled -- how could he not, looking at Dev? "You think so, huh?"

"Sure! Clay needs somebody to love on. He had to not -- the whole time he was in the service, overseas." Dev sighed, shook his head. "He doesn't talk about that whole time, not much."

"Not surprising, I guess. He's okay, though, right?"

"Yeah. Yeah, he has nightmares sometimes, but not a lot."

Bake frowned. He wanted Bean to be safe.

Dev goosed him. "By sometimes, I mean three times in the six months, man.Dare has way worse than that."

"Dare has nightmares?" He led Dev out to his car.

"God, yes. Like whoa."

"How often? What kind?"

"Why? They're nightmares." Dev slid in, let him close the door.

He went around and got into the driver's seat. "Maybe we can help him stop having them."

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"That would be cool." Dev stretched. "I need to tell them I'm ready to come back to work full time, I think."

"Yeah? That's great." And would take the pressure off Dare, let the poor, overworked man rest.

"Yeah. I feel better than I have in eons."

"I'm good for you."

Devin nodded, no hesitation at all. "I think so, yes."

He beamed and got them on the road. "I do, too. Now, where is it I'm going?"

"I'm supposed to meet Dare at the restaurant."

"Okay, then." He headed the truck in that direction.

Dev pulled his phone out, texting away.

"You telling him we're on our way?"

"Yeah. He's in a mood."

"Bad mood?"

"Uh-huh." Damn, Dev could text fast.

"How come?"

"Uh..." Beep beep beep. "He got reamed for missing two days. He's got to pull doubles for the next week."

Bake growled. "That's not right. The man's been working without any days off for ages. I'm going to report his boss."

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"You can't do that! He'll be so mad at you!" There was an utterly shocked sound in Dev's voice.

"He's being taken advantage of. Hell, he's being worked to death." Bake growled, irate.

"Yeah, but it's a tough field."

How many times had Dare told Dev that?

Bake snorted. "I have no problem with him working hard, but overworking or getting reamed for taking much-needed time off? That's not right, Dev."

"There are a hundred people wanting Dare's job. Maybe three hundred."

"Yeah, but I bet he keeps it for more than just being a warm body filling it."

"Yeah. Still, this makes him a little bitchy..."

Bake laughed hard at that. Bitchy? His fiery little pain slut? No... "He needs me. He needs us."

"He does. We need him. It's cool."

"We need him to not be killing himself with work, either." He pulled into the parking lot, Dare standing by a little white Dodge Omni.

"That'll get you around," he called as he climbed out of the truck.

"It's not fancy, but it works, and Clay signed over the title." Dare looked pinched, agitated. "Clay wants to know if we want to come over for pizza and beer."

Bake tried not to look anything but neutral. "Do you want to? Or do you want to go home and let me take you out of your day?"

"I want to go home." Dare sighed. "But Bean really seemed like he wanted you to go."

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"He did?" Well, that perked him up a little. "Tell you what, call him back and tell him we'll be there in a couple hours. Then I'll tan your ass so you can't think of anything else while you're sitting, and that'll put us all in the mood for having pizza with Clay and Bean."

Dare nodded, cheeks pinking. Eager, horny boy.

"Come on. You can follow me home."

"You want to ride with me, Devvy?"

Dev nodded. "Sure. You can tell me about your day, huh?" Dev kissed Bake's cheek, winked. "I'll try to get him in a better mood."

Bake gave them a smile. "Don't you worry about that; I'm going to spank his ass until he thinks it's the best day ever."

"You two are weird."

He chuckled at Dev. "We just speak the same language."

"Uh-huh. The language of weird." Devvy ducked as Dare winged some pastry at him. The pastry went flying over the top of Dev's head and landed smack in the middle of Bake's chest.

Bake looked down at the pastry and then back up at Dare and Dev. "You'd better tell Clay we'll be there closer to eight than to seven."

"I..." Dare's eyes went wide as Dev cracked up.

"No more throwing food." He pointed a finger at Dare, winked, and climbed into his truck.

He heard his boys laughing as they got into their car. His phone rang as he got settled, Bean's name coming up. "Well, hey there, stranger."

"Hey, you; are you coming?"

"Yeah, yeah. For around eight, okay? Dare had a day and we're going to work it out. So you're going away with him, huh?"

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"Uh-huh. I... He's special, Bake. Like Mr. Right sort of special."

Oh fuck. Wow. It was like Bean's words hit him in the stomach. Hard.

It wasn't that he'd thought Bean and he would never find anyone to be with. It just... Bean was his. His twin.

"So you're happy?"

"Aren't you? I saw Darius. He gushed about you."

He grinned. "He gushed? About me? Cool. Of course I'm happy. I'm not forgetting I have a twin, though."

Bean snorted. "Like I could forget you. You're... our blood is the same, brother."

"It is. I haven't hardly seen you in ages, though. You're with him all the time."

"Hey, you could come work with me instead of taking over jobs."

"What's that supposed to mean? You know the more jobs we have going, the better we're doing."

"Well, then. Quit complaining. You're getting two boys. I've got mine." Bean was laughing at him.

"Fuck off. Just don't forget you've got family, too."

"I can't. You're mine, Bake."

"Yeah, and you're mine. From womb to tomb."

"Lovers can't change that." He could hear Bean's smile.

"No, nobody can. Okay, I'll try to be nice to this guy of yours who kickedhis brothers out. We'll be by sometime after eight, okay? Dare needs... well, he needs."

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"Perv." Bean was cackling.

"Like you're not."

"Fuck, I'm as innocent as the fallen snow."

He snorted. "Ri-ight." He started laughing.

"Yep. Innocent. Pure. Virginal, damn it."

"Virginal!" He cackled at that one. "You forget -- I know Clay."

"He's pretty damned fabulous, brother. He turns me inside out."

"Yeah? You do sound happy." Almost fucking giddy, really.

"I will be, as soon as we have food and I get a hug."

"Okay, B. I'll see you in a couple hours."

"I'll be here. See you."

"Yeah. See ya."

He pulled into the driveway, parking behind his boys. They were getting out, growling at each other.

"What's wrong now?" he asked as he climbed out of the truck.

"Dare's an asshole."

"I said I was sorry. I'm just touchy. Really, Devvy. I didn't mean to piss you off."

"Why's he an asshole?"

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"Personally, I think he was born that way."

Dare sighed, shook his head, and tossed the keys to Dev. "Here. It can be your car, okay? I just need a quick shower. I stink."

"You're arguing over whose car it is?" Bake growled at them. "It belongs to both of you."

"No. He was saying that he had to work longer hours, so he needed it."

Dare didn't answer, just ducked his head, hunched his shoulders.

"Yeah, well, he kind of does, Dev."

"He can have it. Let me in the house." Dare waved at the door.

"You can talk about the car later. For now, someone needs his ass smacked, but good."

"Just let me in the house. I need a shower."

"You don't need to get short with me." He opened the door, letting them both in.

Dare seemed to shrink even further. "I'm sorry. I'm just going to get clean."

"No, I don't think so." He grabbed Dare's arm and pulled him into the house. Then he took the man's mouth, showing Dare exactly who was boss.

Dare made a soft squeaking sound, eyes searching his. He stared right into them. He was right here and he knew what Dare needed. The tired, pretty eyes filled with tears, but those lips opened. He pushed his tongue right in, taking Dare's taste.

Poor boy. Someone needed him. He pushed Dare up against the very same wall he'd had Dev up against not all that long ago.

"I don't..." Yes. Yes, Dare did.

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He ignored the protest, pushing Dare against the wall and rubbing against him. His needy boy moaned, cock beginning to fill, to brush against him. Yeah, that's what Dare needed right now, right this minute -someone to shut him up and love on him.

He heard Dev sigh, then his other boy pushed against them both. He wrapped an arm around Dev, approving.

"Sorry, Dare. God, I hate that they make you cry." Dev pushed into the kiss, too, licking at Dare's lips.

Bake growled at the thought of someone making one of his boys cry, and he tried to suck on both their tongues at the same time. Fire and ice, his boys. Four hands landed on him, clung to him. He wrapped an arm around each of them, holding on, keeping them close.

He was beginning to get them, just the slightest bit. His Dare -- the blustery pain slut -- was the truly submissive one, the one that would back down, back away. He smiled and grabbed Devin. He'd never be surprised Dev was the older brother again. Dev was used to getting his way, as passively as he demanded it.

He was getting used to doing things with three, too: the kissing, the touching, the needing. He pushed them both against the wall, rubbing up against them, making them want. Dare was hard as steel, crying out into his lips, jerking as Dev touched him.

"Sweet, needy boy. You can come now, and then again when I spank you."

"I want to suck him. I want to." Dev sounded like, maybe, he needed to.

"I'd like to watch that. Come on." He grabbed his boys and hauled them into the living room, near the couch. Dare and Dev came easy: beautiful, needy men.

They worked on him first, stripping him down eagerly.

"Mmm..." Bake grabbed his cock and started stroking. "Now each other."

His boys kissed, whispering into each other's lips.

He licked his own lips. "Beautiful boys. Gonna put a good show on for me."

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Dev nodded, tugging Dare's T-shirt out of the dark work pants that were dusted with God knew what. Bake tugged on his cock, enjoying every second of them. Dare was crying out, hips rolling, fucking the air.

"He needs, Dev. Hurry."

Dev hit his knees, tugged Dare's pants down a second before that mouth crashed down over Dare's cock.

"Yes." Bake hissed and squeezed his cock, watching Dev's face, mouth around that cock, and watching Dare's face, too.

"Fuck. Fuck, Dev. Oh, please..." Dare's head fell back, long throat working.

"That's it, sweet boy, you suck Dare's cock. You suck it good."

Dev's hands were running up and down Dare's legs, head bobbing, slurping around Dare's prick. Those noises went straight to Bake's balls. He groaned and met Dare's eyes, grinned.

"So good. So good, Devvy. Please don't stop."

"Mmm. Don't stop, Dev. He needs it. Needs you."

"Need..." Dare cried out, head slamming back as Dev's fingers disappeared behind the man's balls.

So fucking pretty. Bake fisted himself faster. It was only a few seconds longer before Dare was coming, screaming out his name.

"Yes! Yes!" Bake let his pleasure at that carry him over, and spunk sprayed up over his hand.

Devvy's head bobbed slower, the caresses becoming more gentle. His own hand matched the movements, just letting the sensations fade slowly.

Dare reached down, petted Dev's head, so gently. "Love."

"That was lovely, boys. Really."

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Dare swayed, rocking back and forth. "I need to bathe."

He laughed and nodded at Dev. "You need to satisfy your twin now."

Dev grinned, kissed Dare's belly. "I came already. I'm actually cool."

"Oh ho! I like that." Sweet, beautiful boy.

"It's true." Dev chuckled, tongue teasing the tip of Dare's cock.

"Then it's time for a shower, a spanking, and then off to visit our pervy brothers."

"Clay isn't pervy." He loved Dare's smile.

"No? He's withBean ."

"Yeah, and there's going to be lots of pizza and bear." Devvy chuckled, stood, and leaned on his twin. "I know Clay. Lots of pizza."

"He have a thing for pizza I should know about?"

"Clay missed pizza," Dare explained.

"Ah. What kind?"

"Any. All." Dev said.

Dare nodded. "Mostly meat."

"Mmm, meat." He winked at the twins. "Okay. Let's go get wet."

Dare cheered and Dev laughed.

His twins.

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His.

Life was fucking good.

Chapter Fifteen

"Babe, did you see where the fuck I put my wallet?" Clay grabbed a pair of shorts and dried his hair with his towel. He knew he'd put his wallet and keys and watch down somewhere on the whole 'get Bean's fine ass into the bedroom to fuck before ordering pizza' walk.

"Um... I was kind of paying more attention to where you were putting your prick." Bean came out of the bathroom, wearing a towel around his middle and a smile.

"Yeah, yeah." He grabbed Bean, kissed the man good and hard. "I need my wallet and phone to procure us supper."

Bean chuckled, arms looping around his neck, and glanced toward the bed. "Yeah, they're supposed to be here in about ten minutes. I should probably find clothes."

"Is your brother late or early?" He rubbed a little, back and forth.

"He's more unpredictable, but I'm guessing with your brothers to keep him distracted..." Bean grinned and pushed his towel off.

"Excellent." His hand wrapped around Bean's prick, stroked slow and easy. He could drive Bean crazy in ten minutes. Bean groaned, head dropping back. "Such a horny motherfucker." He leaned in, nibbled on Bean's neck.

"It's your fault." Bean pushed the hard prick through his hand.

"Mmm. Good. You feel fucking amazing, babe." Clay moved his hand faster, licking a little, searching for a spot to leave a mark.

"You feel incredible. Don't stop?"

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"I must not have done you right earlier, for you to need so bad now." He kept it up, kept touching and petting and feeling.

"No, no. You just make me want by breathing."

Clay grinned, found his spot, and started sucking up a mark, biting and licking and tasting. Bean's knees went out from under him, the long body leaning into him as a low, needy sound filled the air.

"Mine." Clay whispered the word, the thought surprising him a little bit.

Shuddering, Bean pressed harder against him. He focused on sucking, pulling the blood to the surface under his lips.

"Fuck. Clay." Bean whimpered and humped his hand.

"Mmm." Come on, babe. Give it up, hot little fucker.

Like Bean could hear him, the man jerked, spunk fountaining up over his hand. He hummed, relaxed his grip. Hell, yeah.

Bean leaned hard against him, panting softly. "Oh, God, Clay. You fucking do it for me."

He petted Bean, grinning. "Good to know."

Laughing softly, Bean just pressed close and then groaned as the front door opened and closed.

"Get your pants on, babe. I still need to find my wallet." He winked and called out. "Grab yourselves a beer, guys. I'm hunting my wallet."

Bean started laughing. "It's not in my pants."

"Nope. But it's got to be somewhere. Get yourself cleaned up, babe."

"Yes, sir." Bean gave him a wink and stuck out his tongue.

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He wiped off his hands, grabbed a T-shirt, and swatted Bean's ass before heading out and running smack dab into... "Dev?"

His brother shook his head. "Dare. Your shit is by the front door."

"Excellent. Thanks, brother."

"You can't tell them apart?" Bake asked, coming up behind Dare, looking like a bigger, more muscled Bean.

"God, no. No one can. I don't think they can."

Bake looked smug. "I can."

"Yeah? Good for you, buddy!" He clapped Bake on the shoulder, headed for the front door.

"So where'smy twin?" Bake followed him.

"Just getting out of the shower." He winked back. "I promise he's in good hands." Really good hands.

"I don't want to know what your hands are doing to my twin." Bake smiled as Dev came out of the kitchen with three beers.

"That's fair." He winked at Devin, smiled. "You look great, baby brother."

"Thanks, Clay! Dare found your wallet." Dev kissed his cheek.

"Hey, guys. Bake." Bean came into the living room, looking easy in his skin and sexy as hell in tight jeans and a T-shirt. The mark Clay'd just made was bold as you please on the long neck.

Bake grunted. "You fall and hurt yourself?"

Bean blinked. "Huh?"

Dare and Dev started giggling, little shits.

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"What kind of pizza you like, Bake?"

"Meat -- pepperoni, ham, bacon, hamburger."

Bean grinned. "Man loves his meat."

"Must be genetic." He swatted Bean's ass playfully. "I'll go order."

Bean laughed and wriggled in his direction, while Bake made gagging noises.

Dev snorted. "Clay got la-ai-aid."

He flipped Dev off.

Bake chuckled, and Bean leaned in and kissed his twin's cheek. "You're looking good, Bake."

Clay grinned, nodded, then hit three on speed dial and made his regular order, times four. Bean came and lounged near him, looking lazy and happy and sexy as all fuck.

He draped his arm around Bean, grinned. "So, how're you guys doing?"

Bake put an arm around Dev and the other around Dare. "We're great."

"Car work out okay?" He'd had a mechanic check it over, but he never knew with the boys.

Dare nodded and Dev bounced.

"It was good of you," Bake noted.

He shrugged. "The boys have to work." Buttheads.

"Clay's a good man." Bean smiled at him, eyes shining, happy.

"You're in love," Dev said.

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Dare snorted and nodded. "Your opinion doesn't count."

Bean bristled next to Clay.

Clay leaned over, kissed Bean's temple. "What Frick and Frack mean is that you're biased, babe." In love? Clay could deal with that shit.

"Ah, I see. Of course, I've only been biased for a short while. Frick and Frack have had an entire lifetime to build biases."

Bake chuckled. "Their names are Dev and Dare."

"I thought their names were Devin and Darius." Bean sassed Bake right back.

"I like Tweedledee and Tweedledum, personally." One of the boys flipped him off -- he wasn't sure which one, not really.

"Which one's dee and which one's dum?" Bean asked.

This time it was Bake who flipped his brother off. Then they all cracked up, the whole house ringing with laughter. That was better. They were all family, damn it. This shouldn't be weird.

Bean poked him. "When's the food coming, I'm starving."

"Should be here in ten."

Dare popped up. "We brought chips and dip, if you want them."

"Oh, yes, please. I haven't eaten since lunch and that was along time ago."

Bake growled a little. "You didn't pack yourself a snack, B? You know you can't go that long without food."

Clay smiled at Dare. "Thanks, brother." Then he turned his attention on Bean. "You got blood sugar issues, babe?"

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Bean shook his head, but Bake growled. "You do, too. He goes too long without food, he gets stupid. It's because he's so fucking thin."

"Shut up, Bake. I'm fine."

Clay looked at his lover. "Well, then. Snacks it is. We have a brother who's diabetic."

Devin nodded. "And a sister -- she doesn't take shots, though."

"I'm not diabetic," Bean protested.

"No, you're hypo... hypa something. You need to eat regular," Bake groused at Bean.

"Cool. Me too." Clay winked. "Not that I have blood sugar things, but I do like my snacks. It's good for the metabolism, too."

"There you go. Good for the metabolism." Bean stuck his tongue out at Bake, who just laughed.

Darius brought in a bowl of chips and a big thing of dip and they all fell on the food, scarfing it down.

Bean sat back and rubbed his belly when the chip bowl was empty. "Looks like I'm not the only one hunting food."

"God, no. It's late to eat." Clay grinned. "I got that newAvatar movie. You want me to put it on?"

"Yes!" Bean and Bake answered together.

The doorbell rang and he tossed the movie over to Bean. "Here you go, babe. Darius, get plates?

"Sure, Clay."

There was a shit-load of pizzas in the delivery boy's arms, and Bake muscled up next to him. "Let me help you get that, Clay."

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"Thanks, man." He grinned. "Glad you came, buddy. Bean's been wanting to hang, and you know how it is when things are so new."

Bake snorted. "Bean's been busy with you, but I appreciate the invite tonight."

"Yeah, like the Wonder Twins aren't keeping you hopping." He knew better; those two were trouble.

"They've been awesome." Bake grabbed the pizzas, carrying them into the living room, where Bean had the movie cued up.

"I'm glad. Devin looks amazing." He grinned at his brothers, who were curled up on the floor, chatting with Bean.

"They both need some TLC, some time to be taken care of." Bake grinned wolfishly. "And I'm just the man for the job."

"Good deal." They plunked the pizzas down and the twins passed out paper plates.

They were soon settled, Bean tucked in next to him, eating pizza and watching the movie. It was easy, relaxing, all of them jabbering, oohing and aahing, just goofing off. Best of all, Dare brought in a cheesecake they'd brought over to finish things off. Bean fed him forkfuls, offering them one at a time with smiles and giggles.

Dare and Devin were curled next to Bake, both sound asleep, leaning into each other. Bake's fingers trailed over their shoulders, giving attention equally without really seeming to realize it. It made Clay tickled, to know the boys were with a good man, where they wanted to be.

Bean's hand snuck across his belly, rubbing his abs. He hummed and leaned, dragging the covers over them. Bean cuddled in close, hand moving to rest on his thigh.

His eyes met Bake's and he winked, happy as a man could be with clothes on. Bake chuckled and winked back and went back to watching the movie.

Yep, they were all set.

Chapter Sixteen

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Devin leaned against the doorframe, breathing hard, queasy and shaking. God, he felt like shit. God knew what he had caught, but he thought it might kill him. He'd made it home in a taxi, but he couldn't quite make it inside. Not yet.

Bake's truck rumbled up into the driveway, the man jumping out. "Dev? Is that you, sweet boy?"

"Uh-huh." He nodded, swallowed hard.

"What're you do-- Dev! What's wrong?" Bake's arm went around his shoulders, tugging him into the hot, strong body.

"Don't feel so good."

"No, I can see that. Come on, let's get you into bed, yeah?"

Bake took a few steps, and when he had trouble keeping up, Bake picked him right up and carried him down the hall. He curled in, Bake's heat perfect, strength solid.

Bake frowned down at him. "Damn it, Dev, you're really sick. You need the hospital?"

"No. No, I want Dare."

"He's not home from work yet, boy. You know he works 'til six most days."

"I want Dare." He needed his twin.

"He'll be home soon." Bake put him in the bed, started stripping him down. He groaned, arm thrown over his eyes. He was sweaty, uncomfortable. Bake got him down to skin, wiping away the sweat with his T-shirt. "How about a shower, huh?"

"Uh-huh." He started shuddering, shaking.

Bake picked him up again, headed for the bathroom. "If this doesn't work, I'm taking you to the hospital."

"No hospitals." No. He didn't have the money.

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"We'll see. You get better and it won't be an issue."

He nodded, eyes closing as he held on. "When's Dare coming home?"

"In an hour, boy. In the meantime you have me." Bake turned the shower on and put him in it.

"You feel good. I'm glad you're here. I just... I want you both."

"Of course you do. And your twin'll be here soon."

"Okay. I'd been feeling so good..."

"I know. What happened?" Bake stripped off and joined him and they let the water run over them.

"I went to work. I had lunch. I came home. Just like yesterday."

"You were fine yesterday."

"Uh-huh." Maybe he was just lazy.

"And you were really good the days before that. Your days off." Bake frowned, hands moving over him.

"Uh-huh." He shivered, head just pounding.

Bake made the water hotter. The water felt good, Bake felt good, and all the stress seemed to ease back a little bit.

"Maybe you're allergic to work." Bake soaped him up, rinsed him off.

"I'm not lazy!"

Bake chuckled. "Just teasing, sweet boy."

"I know, but I'm not. I'mnot lazy!" He was just tired, and Mike, the manager, was being so patient with

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him.

"I know that." Bake stroked him. "You know, though, maybe something at work is affecting you."

"The flowers? You're around plants all day."

"Yeah, we both are. You've got exotic stuff at the flower shop, though, don't you? Maybe one of them is affecting you. I mean, you were fine on your days off. In fact you got better and better every day."

He shook his head. That didn't make sense, did it? "Doesn't make sense." "Why not? You were fine after a few days off and then you went to work and now you look like death warmed over."

He rested his head on Bake's shoulder, cried.

"Sweet boy, don't cry." Bake held him and stroked him. "We're going to get to the bottom of this, I promise."

"Swear? For real?" He held on tight.

"For real, Dev. Your health is very important."

"You believe me?" No one but Dare ever believed in him. Dare did, though. Dare cared.

"Of course I believe you -- I have eyes, I can see you're sick."

He nodded, leaned hard. "Can we go snuggle?"

"Dev? Devvy? You didn't answer your phone. I was worried and I sped home. I..." Dare's face appeared in the bathtub, pale and worried. "You are sick. I knew it."

Bake nodded. "He is. It's where he works. It's making him sick." Bake turned off the water.

"The florist's shop?" Dare's eyes narrowed. "It's that creepy bastard. He's doing something to you."

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"He is not. You're unnaturally suspicious of him." Dare always had been.

Bake began to dry him off. "Creepy bastard? What are you talking about, Dare?"

"I don't like that mean fucker Dev works for. I never have."

Devin rolled his eyes. "Only because he can't tell us apart."

"I'm the only one who can, and Dare doesn't hate everyone. There's got to be a reason."

"Dare's just being silly about it."

Dare shook his head. "I don't think so. Do you want soup? I can make soup?"

"I want to hear more about this creepy bastard you think is making Dev sick!" Bake said before he could answer.

"I want soup!" Dev shook his head at Dare. Dare was weird about Mike. He always had been.

"You can talk and make soup at the same time, right?" Bake wrapped the towel around his waist and then put one arm around him and one around Dare, leading them out of the bathroom.

Dare headed into the kitchen and Dev tried to change the subject. "How was your day, Dare?"

"Okay. Just a long day. You know." Darius pulled out chicken, carrots, celery.

"Tell me about this creepy bastard, damn it." Bake was like a dog with a bone.

"I don't like how he looks at Dev, or me, when he thinks I'm Dev. Like he's... hungry."

"I think it's about time that I picked Dev up, then. Let people see this ismy sweet boy." Bake kissed him. "You think he'd hurt Dev?"

"I think it wouldn't surprise me."

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Devin glared. "Stop it, Dare. You're jealous and you don't like him, but it's my job!"

"Relax, sweet boy. He's just worried about you, and you can't deny that something at work is making you sick."

"But... It's my job. He just is weird."

"Sure, it's your job, but if you're allergic to one of the fertilizers or something, then you have to find a new job."

He shook his head. "Then I'd be allergic to you, you work with that even more than I do."

"Something in the building? Some exotic flower?"

"I don't know! Do we have to talk about it?"

Dare sighed. "You could just quit. I'll take more hours."

Bake shook his head. "That's not fair, either, but we can look for another job for Dev so hecan quit."

"Ilike my job." Kind of.

"Then we need to find out what it is that's making you sick!" Definitely a dog with a bone.

Dev dropped his head in his hands. "I'm tired."

"I know, boy. I'm going to take you to bed until Dare's soup is ready."

"Okay." He lifted up his arms, begging for Bake.

Bake picked him up and carried him off down the hall. "I've got you, boy."

"Thank you. My head hurts."

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"It'll be nice and quiet and gentle in the bedroom."

"Promise?"

"I promise, sweet boy. You just need someone to take care of you."

He wrapped his arms around Bake's neck, close to tears, so exhausted. Bake laid him down on the bed and came down with him, the big body warm and sheltering him. Bake felt good, smelled good, and he found himself dozing.

Soft kisses woke him up, the smell of chicken soup strong on the air. "Dare brought you soup, sweet boy."

"I put an apple crisp in the oven, too."

He grinned at Dare, touched his twin's wrist. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. I'm going to shower and stuff."

Bake pulled Dare down and gave him a hard, thorough kiss. "Good job, Dare. Don't be too long -- we could share crisp and ice cream together when Dev's finished his soup."

"You need supper, too." Dare caressed Bake's cheek. "You want a sandwich and soup, Sir?"

Bake nuzzled Dare's hand. "I'll be good with just the soup. It smells amazing."

"Okay, I'll grab you a bowl."

"Thanks, boy." Bake rubbed Dare's ass.

Devvy sat up, digging into the soup with a soft moan. Dare's soup was magical. Magical.

Bake grinned at him. "Now I can't wait for my own."

"It's great. Spicy, warm -- perfect."

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"You look better already."

"I feel better. Tired, but better."

Dare brought in Bake's soup, some toast. "Here you go. I'll be back."

"Thank you, Dare. Enjoy your shower." Bake waved his spoon at Dare's retreating back and then dug in. The man made a little moany sound around his first mouthful.

"See? Magic." He heard the water start, heard Dare's distant groan a few minutes later. He'd bet that Dare was jacking off.

"It is magic. Sounds like my shower is magic, too."

Dev grinned, blushed, but didn't give Dare away. "He likes being clean."

Bake tilted his head and stroked Dev's cheek. "What aren't you telling me, sweet boy?"

"Hmm?" He couldn't help cuddling into the touch. It was so good.

"What's the blush about?" Bake asked.

"I just. Darereally likes the water. He's in there, touching. I know he is. He even..." His voice lowered to a whisper. "He even had a nozzle once, like a dildo, that hooked up to the shower."

"Oh, I have to find one of those. I'll also have to make a rule or two about the shower and what can be done in there."

Another soft moan sounded, and Dev giggled, head ducking. "Must have been a long day at work, huh?"

"I think they all are for Dare. For you, too, if you feel like this at the end of it."

"Well, Dare works long, long days." Dare was the hardest-working person he knew.

"He's a bit of a workaholic." Bake gave him a wink.

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"Darius? No way."

A long, low cry sounded, and they both chuckled.

"Finish up your soup," Bake ordered, dipping his spoon back into his bowl.

"Uh-huh. You gonna make Dare eat, too?"

"Does he need encouraging?"

"Sometimes. He's around food all the time."

"Just like you don't like getting flowers so much, I bet."

"I love flowers, but... yeah. Yeah, you're right."

"Chocolates it is." Bake winked at him.

Dare came in, bouncing and bebopping away.

"Mmm, you look delicious, too." Bake held a hand out to Dare. "Have you eaten any of this wonderful soup?"

Dare came closer, humming happily. "I'm good."

Bake slid his hand down Dare's arm, clasped his hand. "Will you eat apple crisp with us, at least?"

"Mmmhmm." Dare smiled, leaned down for a kiss, then kissed Dev, lips soft and warm. "Feeling better, Devvy?"

"He just needed to be home with his lovers." Bake grinned easily at him.

"Home is good." Dare licked his bottom lip.

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Dev chuckled. "Ass."

"My spicy and sweet boys. Home is home now that you're both here, yeah?"

They both smiled, nodded.

"Should we save apple crisp for after, or as a sweet entree to making love?"

"I need to go check it." Dare hurried off, just like that.

Bake frowned. "What was that?"

"The apple crisp. Dare doesn't want it to burn."

"And that's it?"

"Uh-huh. You mentioned the..."

Dare came in, a steaming dessert in oven-mitted hands, ice cream under one arm. "Ta da!"

Bake chuckled. "Smell that cinnamon."

"You two want it in here or..."

"Bed." Bake grabbed the pillows and settled them against the headboard before shifting to sit. "The sheets need to be changed anyway."

"It's hot. Be careful."

Hot and cinnamon-y and just luscious. His Dare was so damned talented.

Bake grunted and nodded. "Fuck. This is amazing."

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Dare beamed and blushed.

"You are very talented. You shouldn't have to work like a dog for someone else." Bake dished himself up a healthy second serving.

Dare nibbled and he nibbled, the apples wet and hot and the crispy part sweet and buttery and rich.

"You know, watching the two of you eat is almost as good as this." Bake leaned in and licked a bit of sugar from the corner of Dare's mouth. "So what else do you make that's this awesome?"

Dev chuckled. "His cinnamon bread. Or no, the strawberry cake. Or the cream cakes. Oh, wait. Cheesecake."

Dare started laughing.

"A wide variety of desserts, then, eh?" Bake's eyebrows drew together. "Do you do bread? Other soups?"

"I'm a pastry chef, Bake. I make every kind of bread. And you tell me what soup you like."

"Any kind of soup? Cream of leek?"

"Sure. Tomato, celery, tortilla, gazpacho. Whatever."

"You should open a little breakfast and lunch place, then. Soon as word of mouth got out, you'd do a great deal of business, I'm sure."

"I can't do that. I'm not smart enough."

Bake snorted. "Bullshit. Besides, it's not like you'd have to do it alone. Just think -- Dev could run the front of the house, he'd be away from the florist's shop and creepy Mike."

"Maybe one day, huh? Wouldn't that be fun?"

Dev chuckled at Dare, nodded.

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"We'll get Bean to run numbers, if we can tear him away from your brother long enough."

Dare looked a little misty, honestly. "It's just cool that you like my stuff that much."

"I do. It's awesome." Bake rubbed Dare's arm.

Devin chuckled, nodded. "It is. So awesome."

"I'll definitely talk to Bean; he'll get some numbers together for us."

"You don't have to hurry or anything. I can't afford anything like that yet. One day."

Dev nodded. In that, Dare was right. They were still working out living arrangements, right?

"We'll see." Bake put the plates on the floor next to the bed and tugged Dare down, so the three of them were curled up together.

Dare kissed his neck, then kissed Bake. "Hey."

"Mmm. Hey. Now that we're all together and fed, I think we should say hello properly."

"We didn't say hello?" Dev was fairly sure there'd been a hello.

"Notproperly ." Bake winked and leaned in to kiss him.

He cuddled in, kissing Bake back with a happy little moan. The kiss ended softly, and Bake drew Dare down into a kiss of his own. Dare smiled, wiggling against Bake, happy, playful. Laughing, Bake deepened the kiss, hands landing on Dare's ass, squeezing.

Dev leaned on the mattress, watching lazily, one hand stroking his own belly. He could hear Bake beginning to growl, fingers digging into Dare's flesh.

He shook his head. "So mean to him."

Bake broke off the kiss to laugh and wink at him. "Dev, sweet boy, he loves it."

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"It just... I don't get it."

Dare groaned.

"You don't have to, boy. Dare gets it. Dare wants it -- Dareneeds it."

He shook his head but refused to get all tense about it. "Good thing we have you, then, huh?"

"It is. I know what you both need, what you both want." Bake looked smug. "I can tell you apart."

"We haven't tried to fool you yet." They were exceptional at it.

"You'll never need the things that Dare wants, though. And he'll never want the same things you do."

He met Bake's eyes, moved closer, a little fascinated. "What do I want?"

Bake's fingers slid along his hairline and down his cheek, gentle, almost not there. "Holding, binding, sweet and quiet. You want to be loved deep, but easy. You want to be touched in every part of you."

Dev nodded, fascinated. "And Dare?"

"Hmm... Dare likes a firm hand. Spanking and hard fucking, kisses that steal his breath. He needs to know that he'sseen and he needs to be taken out of himself." Bake gave him a stern look. "He needs to be able to let go."

He looked at Dare, winked, grinned. "Weirdo."

Dare looked at him, then started laughing.

Bake chuckled and tweaked his nose. "It's all well and good to tease, sweet boy, but every now and then Dare needs to know that you support him. No matter what."

"I love him. He knows."

"He needs to know he can let go, Devin. He needs to know you're strong enough to let him."

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"I..." He sighed. "I worry. It's a little scary, but he doesn't look upset when you do it."

"He loves it, Dev. And he's perfectly capable of safewording. You have to trust me, and most importantly, you have to trust him."

"He is pretty when he needs."

"Mmm... he so very much is."

Dare snorted. "Heis right here."

Dev flipped Dare off. "He already got to come."

Bake threw his head back and laughed. God, Bake was hot. Really hot. Like whoa hot.

He looked at Dare, who nodded once, and together they pounced on their lover, pushing Bake into the mattress.

Theirs.

Bake's arms came around them, holding on as they kissed.

This was what the deal was, and Dev thought they were going to have to hold on with all four hands. Chapter Seventeen

Bean had meant to be great company on the drive from Clay's to the place they were staying at on the beach, he really had. But the sun was shining into the cab, making him sleepy, and it had been a long, hard couple of days putting in new landscaping at the old Wilkerson Estate, and he'd simply passed out, head on the back of the seat. He'd probably even been snoring up a storm.

He woke up as Clay pulled in front of the place, a sweet-looking cottage a couple hundred yards from the beach.

Stretching, his eyes went automatically to the water. "Oh, look at the waves. I checked with the weather thingie -- should be great for surfing in the morning." If you liked five a.m. -- maybe it was a good thing

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he'd napped.

"Good deal." Clay grinned at him. "Good nap?"

"Yeah, sorry, man. I didn't mean to flake out on you." He dropped his hand to Clay's shoulder and squeezed. "Thanks for the invite."

Clay leaned in, kissed him long and slow, tongue fucking his lips like the man had no other plans for, oh, eternity. Bean could so handle that. Who needed the cottage? They'd just stay right here and make out until they were dried-out husks. Worked for him.

He wrapped his arms around Clay's neck. Clay licked his lips, then, just as he thought the kiss would ease back, it deepened again. Whimpering, Bean tried to press up against Clay, the position awkward, but still sexy as fuck.

Finally, Clay leaned back, their lips separating with an audible pop. "Inside."

"Yes, boss." He gave Clay a wink and then hurried out of the truck, slamming the door behind him as he made for the cottage.

Clay grabbed the cooler and two bags of food, then locked the truck.

"Oh, I suppose I should bring in our bags, huh?" Clay had him all a–fucking-flutter.

"We'll get them later. Key's under the plant there."

"Cool." He bent and felt around for the key.

He felt Clay's knee, nudging his ass. He glanced back and wriggled for the man. Fuck, but Clay just made him happy and horny and good right down to his toes.

"Want to fuck you. Been thinking about it. Hurry up."

"Gah. You say stuff like that and then expect me to be able to do anything but spread my legs and beg for it?" He did manage to find the fucking key, though, his fingers wrapping around it.

"I want you to ride me. I want to watch your sweet hole take my prick down to the root."

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"Fuck. Fuck." He jerked and stood, shifting back to grind his ass against Clay's cock.

"Open the door, babe. I want you." That muscled body vibrated against him.

It took three tries, but he finally managed to get the fucking door open. He nearly let out a whoop when he got it.

Clay muscled him in and he got the chance to look at the little place -- nothing fancy: couch, TV, table, kitchenette -- while the food got dropped off on the counter. "Nice, man." More than good enough for them.

Clay grunted, then started moving him into the tiny bedroom. He knew how Clay felt, his whole body eager and hyperaware of Clay.

"Bathroom. Cottage. Now, bed." Ah, his caveman.

He was laughing as their lips met, but it cut off into a groan as the heat of Clay's body pressed close. Clay was hard as a rock, prick fat, pressing against his thigh. He rubbed against his lover, groaning. Clay dug in one pocket, coming up with a tube of tube. Whimpering, Bean backed off enough to start pulling his clothes off.

"Hot, babe." Clay's voice was rough, raw.

"For you!" No one had ever done it for him like Clay did. Naked, he turned to climb on the bed, hands and knees, legs slightly spread.

"Gonna get you ready, then you'll ride." Clay's hand landed on his ass, slapping once, sharply.

He jerked and then pushed back, looking for more. "Whatever you want, Clay." Anything. Anything at all.

"You. I want you."

Oh, God. Look at those eyes. He held that gaze as he looked over his shoulder; he wanted Clay so fucking badly. It was an ache in the pit of his stomach, in his balls, a need he couldn't control.

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"I want you today." Two fingers pushed in, deep. "Tomorrow." They started fucking him. "And the next day, the day after."

"Fuck, yes!" He dropped his head between his shoulders and began rocking back, riding those fingers.

"Good." Clay sounded satisfied as fuck, pushing into his ass, fucking him.

"Gonna make me come," he warned. Not that he couldn't still ride if he did, but he felt like he should tell Clay.

"Wait for me. Want to feel it around my cock when you do."

"Better let me ride now, then." He knew he wasn't going to be able to hold back with Clay's fingers pegging his gland like that.

"Mmmhmm." Still, his gland was pegged twice more, good and hard, before the fingers slipped away.

He threw himself on the bed, one hand going to his cock, the other pinching a nipple. "How do you want me?"

Clay stripped down, then dragged a rubber over the fat, pretty cock before spreading out on the mattress. "C'mere and ride."

"Yes, Sir!" He straddled Clay's body and reached back to grab that amazing cock. Clay's eyes rolled when he grabbed the man's shaft, rubbed the head over his hole. "Gonna ride you all night long." He lowered enough that just the head spread him wide.

"What if that's not long enough?"

"Then you're going to need more lube." He sank down, taking Clay all the way in.

Clay's laugh was a little husky, a little wild, but Bean didn't care. All he focused on was the burn, the stretch all around him. "Full." It was damn good.

"Mmm." Clay watched him, eyes heavy-lidded, dragging on him. Like a fucking touch.

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He set his hands on Clay's chest, wriggling a little.

"Gonna keep you." Clay's hands landed on his hips.

"Gonna let you." He started to ride, moving up and down in long, slow motions.

"Yeah?" Clay didn't look like he was teasing at all.

"Uh-huh." He wasn't joking himself. If Clay never let go, it'd be too soon.

"Okay. It's a deal." Those strong arms started moving him, dragging him down onto that fat, fine prick, harder and harder.

"Oh, fuck, yes." He arched, moaning every time he came down.

Clay grunted, those hips beginning to slam up into him over and over. He tried to say something, tried to be coherent, but he was beyond that now.

"Fuck. Fuck, babe." Clay grabbed him and suddenly he was spinning, pushed onto his back while Clay pounded into him. They slapped together, the sound wild, sharp.

He got one leg up and around Clay's waist, pushed up into each thrust as best he could. It was so fucking good.

"Gonna."

Shit, he wasn't sure how they hadn't already. "Yes! Now! Now!" He fucking needed to come. Now.

Clay crashed into him, cock buried to the root as a low roar filled the cabin. His own come flew out of his cock, shooting up his chest as the pleasure ran up and down his spine.

Clay landed on him with a thud, pressing him down into the mattress. Heavy. Damn. He'd take it, though, at least for a little while. Panting, he slid his arms around Clay's body.

"Happy vacation, babe."

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"I love how it's starting out."

Clay chuckled. "Mmmhmm. Me, too."

"Love it better if you shifted a bit."

His butt was given a hard pinch. "Are you saying I'm heavy?"

"Shit, yes."

Clay snorted and rolled off him, thumping to the mattress before the hard laughter started. Bean laughed with him, snuggling into the long body.

"So, steaks, then a wander?" Clay's eyes were already closed, though, even with the suggestion.

"Nap, steaks, and wander?" He could so stay curled up right here and breathe Clay in.

"Mmm..." Clay's big hand slid over his body.

"Yeah. Love -- this. Love this a lot." He shut his mouth, curling harder into Clay.

"Yeah, babe." Clay's eyes met his. "It's not just this. It's you. Us."

"Yeah." He cupped Clay's cheek, kept looking in those eyes. "Yeah."

"Good." The smile he got warmed him to his toes.

God, his grin felt cheesy, huge. Didn't matter, though; it showed Clay just how he felt.

"Nap. Then we'll eat." Clay kissed him, sweet and slow.

He sucked on Clay's tongue for a moment, rubbed noses with the man, and cuddled right back in.

He was so fucking in love it wasn't funny. The best part was he wasn't alone.

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***

There was something insane and wonderful about being in the ocean at dawn.

They'd gotten up, make some coffee, and headed out with their boards. He sucked, but he was learning, and God knew it wasn't any harder than any other weird-assed thing he'd tried in the service. Just wetter.

Bean was having a blast, the lean body balancing on the board and moving beautifully as Bean rode the waves. Jesus, the tall fucker was hot. Bean shot him a wide grin, gave him a thumbs up and put his head back and whooped out loud. He chuckled, and that was enough to topple him over, send him crashing into the water again.

Bean was there to steady his board for him when he finally got himself back up above the waves. "That was a good one!"

"It was." Damn, this was hard work.

"You ready to go out again or you need a break?"

"I can try again, sure." He wasn't a weenie.

"Cool!" Bean lay down on his board, started swimming it back out into the surf.

Damn, the man was in fine shape. Clay followed suit, arms burning as he headed out.

"There's a big one coming," Bean shouted back.

"Goodie." He chuckled, braced himself.

Bean laughed, popping up into a crouch on his board. Clay tried to follow along and managed, almost gracefully. Bean was right; the wave they were riding was the biggest he'd tried yet, and he could hear the man hooting and hollering and having a blast. He was shaky, but he was managing, he was doing it.

"You got it, Clay! Woooo!"

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He wanted to laugh, but he was afraid that would blow it for him.

Bean shot past him, board moving with the wave like Bean was going to take off and actually fly.

Clay went down, bobbing right back up to the surface. In his head he could hear 'Wipeout' from the old song.

The waves pushed them right to the shore, and Bean tackled him. "You were awesome!"

"Yeah? Not totally sucky?"

"No, you were great!" Bean hugged him tight.

"Thanks, babe." He squeezed Bean, smiled. "That's some good damn exercise."

"Yeah. Hungry-making, too. I could eat a fucking horse."

"No shit there. You want to drive into town for a big breakfast?" There was a little dive that did pancakes and shit.

"Sounds good. We probably ought to get changed first, huh?"

"You know it. I just cleaned the interior of my truck." He winked, swatted Bean's butt gently.

Bean laughed, the sound carefree and happy. "I wouldn't want to mess up your truck, man."

"You're a good man." They dropped the boards off, rinsed their feet, and headed in.

"Takes one to know one." Bean bumped hips with him,

That made him unexpectedly proud, made him beam a little, like a dork.

"Look at you. Vacation suits you." Bean grinned at him.

"What? Getting up at the crack of dawn and getting soaked?"

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"I was going to go with spending all this time with me..."

He dragged Bean into the bathroom, heading for the shower. "You know it, man. You, me, sand, surf, no pressure."

"Just the right kind of pressure, huh?" Bean wrapped around him.

"You are." He was stupid for this man.

Bean nodded. "You, too, man." Then Bean laughed a little and pressed even closer. "Best morning ever."

"It'll be better with pancakes." They got stripped down, got in the shower, and Clay settled them both together again.

"Everything's better with pancakes." Bean rubbed happily against him.

"Mmmhmm." He grabbed the soap, started touching, washing. Bean moved eagerly into his touches, body dancing under the spray. "Pretty, babe." He nibbled Bean's lips, grinning.

Bean chuckled. "I don't think anyone else has ever called me pretty before."

"No one else has wanted you like I do." He was pretty sure of that.

"No, no one ever has. You make me feel like the fucking center of the earth."

"Good." That was what he wanted to hear.

"You're good for my soul." It sounded cheesy as hell, but he could see in Bean's eyes that the man meant it.

"I hope so." As stupid as he was for Bean, it was worthwhile.

"We're a pair of saps." Bean grinned, not seeming at all concerned about that.

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"We're two guys stupid in love."

"Yeah." Bean pushed their lips together.

He let himself kiss for a little while, knowing they didn't have anywhere they had to be. Bean rubbed them together as they kissed, the long prick hard and hot between their bodies. Bean's prick fit perfectly in his hand, the tip hotter than the water.

"Oh, fuck, Clay. Yeah." Bean nodded, eyes going to slits.

"Mmm. You deserve a reward for being a patient teacher." He started stroking, base to tip.

"Uh-huh. Yes, I do." Bean's hips started moving with him, sliding the hot prick along his palm.

Slow and easy, he jacked that pretty cock, up and down, over and over.

"Yes. Oh, please. Clay. Fuck." Bean's movements became jerky.

"Come on, babe. Shoot for me." He could watch that forever.

"Fuck!" Bean cried out, eyes rolling up into his head as heat splashed up over his hand.

"Mmm." He supported Bean with one arm, eased the motions of his hand, slowed it down.

"Guh..." Bean's head lolled against him. "Shit. You melted me."

"You prob'ly needed it."

Bean laughed. "Uh-huh. Hot and cold running orgasms."

"Cold running orgasms..." His nose wrinkled. That didn't sound so great.

"You want one, man?" Bean began to drop down.

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"Is there a man on earth that would say no?"

"I don't know. I just care what you say." Bean nipped at the base of his cock, lips warm and teasing.

"Yes. I say fuck, yes." Surely that was clear enough.

"Good. I'd hate to have had to bite you." Bean grinned up at him, teeth flashing close to his cock.

"Watch it..." He snorted, but his cock jerked away.

Chuckling, Bean wrapped those hot lips around his prick.

"Fuck, yes. Damn, your mouth."

Bean didn't tease; the man went right to business, sucking hard. It didn't take long at all. His body knew exactly what to do, and he bucked, driving into that heat. Hands found his ass, encouraging each motion as Bean hummed around his cock, the vibrations making him crazy. He arched, humping for a few, restless times before he shot, knees shaking.

Bean swallowed him down, hand sliding on his ass, the backs of his thighs.

"Damn, babe. You rock my world." In the best possible way.

"Yeah? Well the feeling is absolutely mutual. Especially if there really are pancakes."

"Pancakes. Bacon. Coffee." All of the good stuff.

"That's it. I'm definitely in love."

"Good."

And it was.

All of it.

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Chapter Eighteen

Bake pulled into the driveway with a sigh, more than ready to have some one-on-one time with Dev. He'd have been happy to have one on two time with both his boys, but Dare would be working 'til at least six again tonight, so for now it would be Dev alone.

He's spent the day listening to Bean sing Clay's praises, listening to Bean go on and on about how great his vacation had been. It'd left him growly and feeling a little out of touch with his twin. It made him want to lose himself in his sweet and spicy boys.

He parked next to the little car Clay'd given the boys, frowning. Dare was supposed to take the car because he worked the long hours. Either he was already home, or Dev had batted those pretty little lashes of his again.

"Hello!" he called out as he went in.

"Hey." Dev leaned against the doorframe, eyes shadowed and bruised.

"Sweet boy! You look like hell." And that was no exaggeration.

"I don't feel so good. Dare let me have the car. Someone's bringing him home tonight."

He shook his head. "Come on. Shower. Something at that place is making you sick, Dev. It has to be."

Dev was fine in the mornings, even better when he had a few days off, but whenever he got back from work, he was sick as a dog. That didn't just happen.

"I showered already. Dare said he'll bring you home supper."

"Have you eaten?" He put his arm around Dev's shoulders, pulled his boy in close.

"I did at lunch." Dev cuddled in, hands wrapping around his waist.

"You want me to warm up some soup or make you a sandwich?" He was no Dare, but he could put together an edible sandwich.

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"No. No, Dare will bring me something. He always does."

"Then let's go to bed and watch a movie or something, hmm?"

"Oh, that sounds heavenly." Dev followed him easily, then helped him strip off his work clothes.

"I think you should have your work tested. Get someone from the EPA in or something, this is serious."

"Can you do that?"

"If there's a health risk? I don't see why not!" If there was asbestos or some mold or something in the air, it needed to be dealt with.

"It just seems weird, but maybe I should." Dev got them both in the bed, snuggled up to him.

"Not maybe. Definitely. Something where you work is making you sick. Whether you're allergic to one of the exotics or a fertilizer or something in the building itself, this can't go on." He wouldn't let it.

"I have to work. I've started putting applications around."

"I know you do, sweet boy. I never suggested that you didn't. But it needs to be somewhere else."

Dev nodded, cheek on his shoulder. "Yeah. Yeah."

"Are you feeling better at all?" He stroked Dev's head, his shoulders and back.

"Mmmhmm. I was really sick earlier, but I'm just tired now."

"See? You start feeling better when you get away from that place. I think you should quit now."

"I can't just quit, Bake. I can't. That's totally unfair."

"But that place is making you sick -- that's not fair, either!" Sometimes you had to be selfish, and if your health was at stake, that was the time.

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"I'll talk to Dare, see what he thinks."

"He doesn't want you to be sick, either." Bake was sure of that. They'd figure out the money. It wasn't like he was asking his boys to pay rent.

"No." Dev smiled. "No, Dare is so happy that I'm getting better. He's a good man."

"You're both good men. I have a plan or two up my sleeve to make you both happy in your work." Now that Bean was back from vacation, he had his twin crunching some numbers. A sweet little place of their own was just what his boys needed.

"I just don't want to be unhappy, Bake."

"I know, sweet boy. I think we can find you something that lets you work, be happy, and not be sick." He pressed a kiss to Dev's forehead. Dev was warm but not feverish, not really, and his sweet boy hummed happily for him. "You're feeling better by the moment, aren't you?"

"I am." Dev smiled up at him, offered him that sweet mouth.

It proved he was right -- something at Dev's work was making the man sick.

He pressed their lips together. The kiss was soft, gentle, but lingering. He deepened it, tongue slipping into Dev's mouth. Devin sucked his tongue, the pressure rhythmic, easy. He pressed close, rubbing easily against all that sweet skin.

"Mmm. Bake. Love."

Oh. Love. He drew back to look into the beautiful eyes, and then smiled. Yes, love.

Leaning in again, he took Dev's mouth, passion flaring. His sweet boy opened up, tongue slipping out to taste him. He sucked on that tongue, his own sliding against it, Dev's fingers tangled in his hair, petting him, holding him close.

"Make me need, sweet boy." Like nothing ever. There was just something about Dev and Dare that blew everyone else out of the water; hell, forget out of the water, they blew everything else off the planet.

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"Good. Good, you make me happy, makeus happy."

He beamed down at Dev. "You're sure Dare thinks the same?"

"Of course I do. He's my twin."

Bake chuckled and nodded. He could understand that. Even if his own twin was acting like a besotted twelve-year old.

Dev licked at his lips, the touch hot, gentle.

"My boys, yeah? Both of you."

"Yes, Bake. Yes, please. Love me?"

"Always, sweet boy." He pressed a kiss, and then another on Dev, tasting him.

Sweet, tart, his Dev was edible, and he was drawn into one kiss after another. His hands roamed, traveling over the warm, smooth skin. Dev's hands were enough to make him shudder, fingers on his nipples, on the metal in his right one, on his belly, circling the tip of his cock. Groaning and growling, he worked hard to blow Dev's mind.

Devin, though, seemed focused, hands working his body, making him twist with pleasure.

"Sweet boy," he murmured again, entranced by the touches, by the way their need fed off each other.

"I just want to make us happy." Dev licked down along his belly. "Please, I want to suck you."

"Yes. Yes, please." God, he loved that, the eagerness.

"Oh, God. Thank you. Thank you. I love it, the feel of your cock in my mouth."

"I love it, too." He laughed huskily; he couldn't imagine a man who wouldn't.

Dev hummed, lapping and licking the tip of his prick, nuzzling him.

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"God, you're so good at that." He was maybe going to have brains leaking out his ears when Dev was done.

"Thank you. I enjoy it." The entire head was explored, nibbled and lapped and licked.

Bake ran his hands over Dev's head, stroking his boy's hair. The sensations rushing through him settled happily in his balls. Devin made him ache, and soon he found himself moving, moaning, begging to get into those lips. He kept grabbing Devin's head and letting it go, torn between leading Dev and letting him do what he wanted.

Finally -- finally -- Dev took him in, sucking him down to the root, the pull and tug amazing.

"Yes! Fuck!" So good. His head was going to pop right off any second now.

Dev's head started bobbing, taking him in and in and in. His eyes wanted to shut, but he kept them open, watching, the expression on Dev's face almost as good as... well, okay, not almost as good as the actual sucking, but it did add to his pleasure. So fucking hot. So pretty. All his.

He started thrusting, hips pushing his cock deeper into Dev's mouth over and over. Dev's fingers wrapped around his hips, tugging him in and in and in while that amazing mouth swallowed. He finally shot, crying out as his own hands wrapped around Dev's head.

That sweet man took him, took all of him, then the suction gentled. Groaning, he petted Dev's head and relaxed back into the mattress.

"Look at you two, all lazy in the bed." Dare's voice slipped across the room.

Bake chuckled and looked over to his other boy with a warm smile. "It's almost perfect -- and what's missing is here now."

"I brought food -- quiche and tomato bisque." Dare looked tired, but happy to be home.

"I'm going to get fat." Bake made himself sit up and held out his arms for Dare.

"You work hard." Dare stepped forward, then stopped. "I stink from work."

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"Then come to bed and we'll make you stink of us."

Dare smiled for him, came to him. "Hey. How's it going?"

"Better now." And not just because Dare was home -- Dev was clearly feeling much better for an hour or two away from the florist's.

He placed a hard kiss on Dare's lips, knowing his spicy boy preferred it. Dare opened easily, lips parting eagerly for him. This kiss was harder than the ones he shared with Dev, and he could taste the difference in his spicy boy's mouth. Everything about his boys was different, except that they loved him, wanted him.

His hands slid over Dare's skin, finding the smooth skin, the light muscles beneath it. Dare shivered for him, arched into him like a big cat. God, it was sexy, how different they were, despite being twins and looking alike. Dev's hands slid in soft patterns over his back, even as Dare pressed and pushed against his chest.

Moaning, he held Dare's head in place as he plunged his tongue in deeper. He could feel the need building in Dare, the man's cock filling against him. "Let's get you naked." The words growled out of him, showing his need.

"You don't want to eat first?" Dare stripped off his top.

"Good as your food is, it's got nothing onyou ." Bake started opening Dare's jeans.

Dare grinned, and that long prick pushed out toward him.

"Mmm. Needy boy." It was just how he liked them.

"I can't help it. It's been days."

Dev chuckled. "Maybe two days."

"Long enough." Bake could appreciate two days feeling like forever.

Dare nodded, smiled at him. "You understand."

"Uh-huh. Feel the same way." He wrapped one hand around Dare's cock, the other cupping the man's

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balls.

Dare's eyes rolled. "Sir." Then Dare pushed into his touch. Someone wanted him.

His cock, so wonderfully sated by Dev's mouth, surged to life again. These two were going to keep him young, busy. Incredibly satisfied. He knew, he'd always known, they were the ones for him.

He intended to keep them, too. Both of them.

Permanently.

Chapter Nineteen

"Dare?" Devvy's voice was soft, the whisper worried.

"Yeah, Devvy?" He cracked an eye open, looked over Bake at his twin.

"I want to give notice at the shop."

Dare nodded. "Okay, Dev. Okay, we can find you something else." Bake had been good, not charging them rent, and Darius thought the man wanted them to stay. Like, stay-stay.

"Yeah, but..."

Oh, lord. Dare tried not to sigh. He knew what Dev wanted. Devin didn't like confrontation, not unless it was with him, of course.

"When do you have to be there tomorrow?" He could go in now, get the pastries done, hit the florist's, quit, then be back at the restaurant.

Bake grunted, eyes opening. They both stopped, silent. Bake turned and frowned. "It's late, isn't it? Why're you awake?"

"It's late." And he wasn't going to worry Bake with all this weirdness.

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"Go back to sleep, love." Good. Dev was with him.

"You could help me get sleepy again." Bake grinned, waggled his eyebrows.

Dev snorted, slipped underneath the covers, and tugged him under, too. He went, met Dev's eyes. "Will you do it?"

He nodded.

"You could both do it," Bake suggested, legs spreading for them, offering the vulnerable cock and balls to them.

Dare squeezed Dev's hand. His brother knew what he meant. They'd let Bake come, sleep, and then he'd go take care of all the... nastiness of quitting.

That Mike dude was weird news.

Bake's hands slid down, petting his head, Dev's.

Dev went up, then he went down. They had a plan.

***

Headache. He had a headache. So bad. The room was spinning and the smell of rotting flowers was so gross. Dare tried to open his eyes wide, to focus, but he couldn't. Everything was moving. What the hell...

"I told you, Devin. I explained. You're a special man, a special boy, and you're not doing yourself any favors by spending all your time away."

Devin.

He wasn't Devin.

Was he?

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Wait.

"Gonna puke..." Everything was moving.

"No. No, sweet baby. You're going to go to sleep. You're going to sleep and come home to stay. Finally."

That fucker was coming at him with a needle, Dare could see it and he tried to hit Mike, but his hands were caught behind his back, his legs cuffed to a... a wheelchair.

Oh, God. Oh, God.

"Devvy..."

"That's right. You're my Devin, and I'm going to keep you."

The needle pushed into his arm and heat flooded him. But he wasn't Dev. Hewasn't . "Darius."

"No. No, leave your nasty little brother out of it. This is just about you and me. Forever."

Forever.

Blackness crept around the outside of his eyes, getting bigger and bigger and bigger.

Devvy.

Devvy, run away.

He's a bad, bad man. Chapter Twenty

Bake parked the truck in the driveway and headed in. He'd forgotten to pack his lunch this morning, so he was back to have it at home. Whistling, he made his way in, coming up short when he saw Dev.

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"Sweet boy? What are you doing home in the middle of the day?"

Dev looked up at him, cheeks streaked with tears. "Something's wrong with Dare."

"What? Where is he?" He headed for the bedroom, expecting to find Dare sick in bed.

"I don't know."

Devin didn't follow him, but he heard the soft sobs.

Confirming that the bedroom was in fact empty, he went back to the living room. "Dev?" He wrapped his sweet, weeping boy in his arms.

"I... I did... He. We. Oh, God..."

"Okay. Hush now. Take a breath. And then another. Now tell me what happened."

Devin looked at him, horrified. "I... I..." A printed piece of paper was shoved over at him, dated only about twenty minutes ago.

"Darius, I have decided to leave town with my new lover. We are very happy. I haven't known how to tell you, but I can't hide it anymore. I will call in a few months. Take care. Devin."

Bake frowned, a chill going through him. "But you're Devin." He'd always said he could tell them apart, and damn it, this was his sweet boy right in front of him. Besides, the letter made no sense. "What the hell is this?"

"I got it on our e-mail. From my work account. Dare went in for me today, to quit. He said he'd go into his job super-early, spend about an hour dealing with Mike, then go back to work."

"Someone's taken him." It was the only thing that made sense. "That man you work for -- creepy Mike." Who else would have access to Dev's work account?

"Dare didn't go back to work. And no one's at the shop. It's all dark."

"Do you know where Mike lives?" He grabbed his cell phone out of his pocket.

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"No. No. I. I. Dare..." Dev was just frantic.

He grabbed his sweet boy up and held Dev's face between his hands. "Devin. Stop that. You're not helping him by doing this."

Those huge eyes were panicked. "Bake. Is he going to hurt Dare?"

"Of course not." Bake didn't let an ounce of his own worry show in the words. God knew what this freak was going to do with Dare. Especially if he found out that Dare wasn't Devin. "Are you sure you don't know where he lives?"

"I don't. I need to call Clay."

"And the cops." Bake hit the autodial for Clay. He'd programmed it in when he'd realized it would likely be the quickest way to reach Bean most evenings.

It took a few rings, then. "'Lo?"

"It's Bake. We need your help."

"Okay. Where?"

He closed his eyes, the immediate willingness to come a huge relief. "I don't know. We think Dev's boss at the florist has him. Dev got this weird e-mail from his work account. It was addressed to Dare, saying Dev was leaving with his new lover, that he'd be in touch in a couple months. Only Dev is right here with me." He slid his arm around his sweet boy's shoulders and pulled Dev in against his body.

"Huh? Who's missing?"

He took a deep breath. "Sorry. Dare is missing. He went in to work today for Dev -- you know how nobody but me can tell them apart -- and now Dare's gone, the shop is closed up tight, and there's this weird e-mail that's supposed to be from Dev." He needed to call the cops next.

"Dude, that's weird. You call the cops. I'll grab Bean and we'll be there in ten minutes. You tell Devin his brother said to keep his shit together and do NOT call Mom."

He nodded. Yeah, that sounded good. "I'm on it."

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He hit the off button and turned to give Dev a tight hug. "Clay said you had to keep your shit together and you are not to call your mother, 'kay? I'm going to call the cops and we're going to get him back, I promise you."

"But... the family needs to know."

Right, because what they needed was a half million panicked family members. "No. Clay's right. We can talk to your mother when we have something to tell her."

He gave Dev a stern look, then pulled the sweet boy in close again as he dialed 911.

He couldn't believe this was happening. He'd only just gotten Dev and Dare -- there was no way he was letting anyone take either of his boys away. No way at all.

***

Devvy looked at the piece of paper, folded it, folded it again. He'd sent his brother into hell. What had he done? Dare was going to hate him. Hate him.

"Devin, I swear to God, if you don't fucking buck up and get your shit together, I'm going to feed you to Mother." Clay's voice made him look up, blink.

"Fuck you, asshole."

Clay nodded. "Prob'ly. So, where the fuck is Dare?"

"I don't know. I... I asked him to go in for me today, to quit. He never liked Mike anyway, so he wouldn't be hurting anyone's feelings or anything. He said he would, no problem. Then I got the stupid e-mail."

"Mike thinking Dev was quitting made him do something to him." Bake's arm came around his shoulders and squeezed.

"This that Mike bastard that Dare hated so much?"

Dev nodded. "He didn't trust him."

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Clay sighed. "You should listen to him sometimes. He's wicked sensitive about people. So, let's go get Dare."

"Where?" Bake asked. "The cops won't help until he's been gone for twenty-four hours. They think the e-mail was a prank."

"Well, the dude signed your paychecks, right?"

Dev blinked. Sometimes he forgot that Clay was smart.

Bake nudged him. "You got any of those here?"

"Yeah. Yeah, my last one. Just a sec."

He ran into the bedroom, nodding at Bake's brother on the way. He did have it, and Clay was right. Panicking was doing no one any good.

Bake followed him in and stopped him a moment, arms wrapping around him. "We're going to get our spicy boy back."

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry; it should have been me."

"Hush now. It shouldn't have been either of you." Bake kissed him, stealing his breath and pushing away all his thoughts for a moment.

"I didn't fucking want to make Mike feel bad about me leaving. I was being a coward, and now Dare's paying. It sucks, Bake. What if... What if Mike kills him? Rapes him? Hurts him?"

"Hush. Don't think like that. We're going to find him and he's going to be just fine, okay? Now come on. Find that paycheck."

"Bake? I called Marcus, and they've got a private detective in the group -- Frank something. He's going to run this Mike's information with some police friends."

Clay appeared in the bedroom door, holding a phone. "You have that stub?"

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"Stop pressuring me!" Dev closed his eyes, the panic huge. "He's hurting Dare. I know it." He felt it.

Bake's hand wrapped around his wrist and squeezed tight. "Focus, sweet boy. Focus here on me, on what you can do to help Dare."

"It's in the drawer where you let us put our underwear!" They were still mostly in suitcases, but Bake had emptied a few drawers for them. He ran to grab the check. "Mike Mattheson."

"Mike Mattheson. Got it." Clay walked off, jabbering away.

"I'll do an Internet search, see what I find." That was Bean, nodding at them and heading into the room that they'd never even been in.

"Good man, thanks, bro." Bake grabbed a gym bag and tossed some of Dare's underwear into it. "Okay. Let's get a bag together of things he might need."

"Need? Where?" He grabbed Dare's iPod. Dare loved music.

"When we find him. Clean clothes, right? The iPod is good. How about a snack?"

"I'll make some peanut butter on crackers. He says it's plebeian, but his favorite." He stopped, took a deep breath. "When we find Mike, I'm going to kill him for hurting my brother."

"No, I'll kill him."

Bean looked into the room. "Nobody's killing anyone. We'll send the motherfucker to jail and let him play hide the soap."

"Actually, I'm the big brother. I get to decide. I have an address, and Frank and Marcus are meeting us there in ten. Let's go."

"I'm taking my truck and Dev." Bake put a possessive arm around him, grabbing the bag and heading them out.

"Bean, you want to stay here, babe? It might get ugly." That was Clay, looking at Bean like the man was the center of the earth. It was adorable.

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"Nuh-uh. I'm coming with you."

"Okay, come on, move that pretty ass."

Bean gave Bake a look and then followed along after Clay.

Dev shook his head. Those two were in love. He'd be happy for them as soon as they got Dare back.

"You move your pretty ass, too, sweet boy. We need to go get our lover." Bake held him close, leading him to the truck.

"Hurry. Hurry, I need to see him."

Bake made sure he was buckled in and then they had to wait for Clay and Bean to pull out before they could follow. "He'll be all right, Dev."

He didn't know about that; he didn't know about that at all.

Chapter Twenty-One

By the time they got to Mike the kidnapping asshole's place, Bake was ready to go flying in and tear the man to pieces. Or, better yet, he was going to pull off Mike's package, barbeque it over the grill, and feed it to the man.

He liked that idea. He liked it a lot.

Maybe Dare could fricassee it or do something equally fancy. Rocky Mountain Oysters à la Mike. Yeah.

He pulled in across from the address, Frank, the private detective, and Marcus, a friend and long-time member of the club were already there, damn it. He had a feeling those two were going to nix his little picnic idea.

The house was on the outskirts of town, the yard overgrown and full of trash. Seemed weird for a florist,

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really. The house was on the ramshackle side, two story and some vague color that might have been blue once. Jesus.

Frank walked up, face serious. "I heard screaming. I've called the cops. I'm going in. Y'all stay out here."

"Screaming?" He undid his seatbelt and surged out of the truck. "I'm coming with you."

Frank didn't answer. The man ran for the door, banging hard. "Mike Mattheson! Open the door!"

The only answer was a long, gasping scream.

"Out of the way!" growled Bake, running at the door to break it down.

Frank didn't get out of the way, though. They hit the door together, with Clay and Marcus on their heels. The fucking thing gave under the weight of the four of them, and he and Frank went stumbling in.

The house was fucking creepy -- there had to be thousands of pictures of his twins. Some of Dev, some of Dare, scattered everywhere.

The scream came again, and Frank headed for the stairs, a gun appearing out of nowhere in the man's hand.

Bake followed, taking the stairs two at a time. "Fuck. Fuck."

"Devin. You and Bean stay down here with me." That was Clay, solid as hell.

He nodded. His sweet boy would be safe. Now to get his spicy boy out of the clutches of serial fucking killer Mike.

Frank was up the stairs faster than he could be, slamming through an interior door. "No. No fucking way. You get off him, you bastard."

Bake could hear sobbing. He went running in, not giving a fuck that he didn't have a gun. He was going to kill the prick. He went in, stopping short at the sight of his lover, bound and bruised, naked and spread, with a naked man kneeling between his legs, fingers slammed into his boy's body. Oh, fuck no. No way.

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With a roar, he jumped on the asshole's back, yanking him away and pushing him to the ground.

"Bake! Bake, man. Ease up. I got cuffs."

This Mike asshole... God knew what he'd done to Dare, what he'd been doing to Dev. He wasn't going to ease up for anyone. He pulled his arm back and slammed his fist into the asshole's face.

The fucker grunted, then laughed. "He's mine now. Mine. You'll never get him back."

"Fuck you!" He hit the man in the face again, then went for the ribs.

Frank grabbed his shoulder, and Marcus grabbed the fucker, pulling him to his feet. Frank held him as he fought, struggled to get to fucking Mike again.

"Get him in the other room. Geoff will be here in a second. I hear the sirens."

"Motherfucker! I'll kill you!" He kept struggling, but fucking Frank wasstrong .

"Get him the fuck out of here, Marcus! So we can get this boy up!"

Oh, God. His boy. His Dare.

He let Marcus have the fucking asshole and turned to Dare. "Boy."

Dare had been beaten, face and head bruised and bloody, eyes moving randomly.

Oh, fuck him raw. He sat next to Dare and carefully pulled his boy up against him. "I have you now. He can't hurt you."

"No! NO! NO!" Dare was shouting, fighting him, kicking and screaming. "DARE! I'M DARE!"

"Darius!" He barely had a chance to blink before Dev was hurtling in and shoving him away. "Dare. Dare, it's me. It's me. I have you."

"Devvy. Oh, God. Oh, God. Run. RUN. RUN!"

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Frank was on the phone. "Get us a fucking ambulance over here. Now."

Bake wrapped his arms around both of them. "You're safe, Dare. So is Dev. You're both safe."

"Devvy... Run away. There's a monster. There's a monster in the flowers. Run away."

Devin shook his head. "No, Dare. I'm not leaving you alone."

"It's okay, Dare. We have you now, and the monster has been killed. Neither of you ever have to go back to the flower shop. Do you understand? Dare? You're safe. Dev's safe." He would tell Dare over and over if it's what his boy needed to hear.

"Devvy... There's a monster..." Dare started shaking, sobbing softly.

"No, Dare. No. You don't have to protect me. I'm here. I'm going to keep you safe. I promise."

"The EMTs are here, guys. You need to move and the police need to talk to you, Devin." Frank's voice was oddly gentle.

"I'm not leaving him." Dev sounded fierce. "Never again."

Bake put his hand on Dev's shoulder. "I'm here with him, sweet boy. I'll make sure nothing bad happens to him. You're strong enough to go talk to the police while the EMTs take care of him. I know you are."

Devin's gaze was vicious, fierce. "You don't let them hurt him, do you hear me? You don't let them leave him alone. I trust you, but just you."

He met that gaze head on. "I have him, Devin. I won't let them hurt him, and I won't leave him. Not for anything."

"Okay. Okay." Devin turned to Frank. "Come on. Let's go. I want that fucker locked up. Now." He'd never heard his sweet boy sound so hard.

All it took was one look back at Dare, though, and he got it. He wanted to kill someone. No, he wanted to kill the animal who'd done this, and then he wanted to tear this whole fucking place down with his bare

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hands.

He grabbed Dare's hands just as the EMTs moved in. "I've got you, Dare. You're safe."

"Devvy. Run. Run away. There's monsters. There's monsters that bite you and I'm Dare and..." His boy started shaking, convulsing, and the EMTs shoved him out of the way.

"Come on. Come on, man. Stay with us, now."

He kept talking, giving Dare his voice to hold onto. "Come on, Dare. Devvy's safe. You're both safe. Come back, boy."

They loaded Dare onto a stretcher. "Does anyone know what the man gave him?"

Gave him. It all dropped into place. Devvy wasn't allergic to anything at the florist's. "No, but that asshole's been drugging his brother for weeks, maybe longer. He'd come home tired, pale, shaky, exhausted."

"He should get a doctor to check him out, make sure he hasn't been poisoned." They took Dare downstairs, and when Clay saw him, the man snarled, cheeks flushing a dark red.

Bake nodded. "I know. The line to beat that animal to a pulp starts right behind me."

"Jesus... did he... I mean." Clay's fists clenched and Bake could hear the seams on the man's shirt start to give. "Where is he?"

"He'd better be on his way to fucking jail. Dev's talking to the cops. You stay here until he's done and then bring him to the hospital, all right?" He wasn't leaving Dare alone, not even to make sure Dev got to the hospital okay -- he'd made a promise.

"You got it. Bean? You following Bake or staying here?"

"Stay until Clay comes, but follow him in my truck." He tossed his keys at his twin and then turned his attention back to Dare. They'd made it to the ambulance, and he wasn't going to let anyone keep him from climbing in and parking his ass next to his boy.

"Devvy. Devvy, there's monsters..." Dare's eyes were open again, but the man wasn't focusing on anything, wasn't seeing him.

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"Dare. Darius. It's Bake. Focus, boy. Dev is safe. The monster is gone. Do you hear me?" He looked at the EMT. "I'm coming with you."

"Come on in. They'll need his medical information at the hospital. Poor guy."

Bake growled softly. "His older brother will be following as soon as his twin's finished with the cops. Clay will have all that information." And he needed to get it. In fact, they needed to get to a lawyer when all this was done and make sure he and the twins had rights with each other when it came to things like hospitals.

"Okay."

Dare started crying again -- deep, terrified sobs that wracked the lean body.

It broke his fucking heart. He climbed into the ambulance and grabbed hold of Dare's hand, stroked the poor, beautiful cheek.

"Please... I'm Dare."

"I know you are. You're my spicy boy."

"There's a scary monster. Watch out. He wants to eat us."

"The police have him now, boy. You're safe. You hear me, Dare? Safe."

Bloodshot eyes rolled, trying to focus on him.

"That's right, spicy boy. It's Bake. It's your Sir. I've got you. You're safe now. Dev, too."

"There's a monster, Bake. He hurt me."

"What did he do to you, boy?" He kept tight hold of Dare's hand.

"He hurt me, but I'm not Dev. I'm not."

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"No, spicy boy, you are not Dev."

Dare's eyes closed. "I want to go home."

"Hospital first. Dev will meet us there."

"No. No, Devvy needs to run away. Run far away."

"Dev is safe. He's with Clay and Bean. He's safe."

"Clay... Clay won't cook for him..." Dare's words were fading in and out, making less and less sense, but it didn't matter. They were at the hospital, and the EMTs were whisking him away.

Bake pushed in with Dare as far as he could, but he was stopped before the double doors to the emergency room patient area.

"I'm sorry, sir. Patients only. You'll have to wait in here at admissions.."

Jesus fucking Christ. "Will someone tell me how he is?"

"Of course. Please have a seat, and we'll come out and get some information from you."

He growled and started pacing.

Bean burst through the doors. "Clay sent me on. How is he?"

"I don't fucking know. They went through these doors and they wouldn't fucking let me go with him. That's my boy in there, Bean."

Bean's hand slipped in his. "He'll be okay, brother. He will."

"He has to be, Bean. I'm not losing my boys."

"No. No, you won't." Bean sighed. "Whathappened , Bake?"

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"That son of a bitch Dev was working for was drugging him, and when Dare went in to quit for him, the guy went psycho killer and kidnapped him."

"Fucking weird. Why'd Dare go?"

"Dev didn't want to upset Mike."

Shit, they might not have realized Dev was gone until it was too late if Dare hadn't been the one to go in.

"Ah." Bean nodded like that made perfect sense.

Bake started pacing again. "I promised Dev I'd stay with him."

"Dev was screaming his head off at the guy when I left."

"Clay was with him, right?"

"Yeah. Clay. Marcus. Frank. The cops." Bean sighed, sat. "Are you going to put them in my room or turn it into a hobby room?"

"You moving in with him? It's that serious?"

"Yeah. Yeah." Bean smiled at him. "And they're moving in with you."

He nodded. "They are. And they won't be staying in your room." He smiled back, and for just a second everything felt normal.

"I love you, brother." Bean met his eyes, and he could feel his twin, with him, in him. Loving him.

"Me, too, Bean." He wrapped Bean in a hug, getting one in return. It made him stronger, having his twin on his side.

"He'll be okay. He'll have you and me, Devin and Clay. We'll help."

He nodded jerkily, gave Bean a last hug, and looked at the doors where they'd taken Dare. "Don't

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suppose you'll run interference for me so I can go find him."

"Anytime, brother. Anytime at--"

Before he could finish, Devin burst through the doors. "Where is he?"

Bake caught his sweet boy in his arms. "The doctors have him."

"That motherfucker hurt him!"

"I know." He held Dev tight. "I know."

"Was he making sense? Did he tell you what happened?"

"He was in and out of it, Dev. Bean was just about to distract the nurse so I could slip in and find him. Let's go together."

Dev nodded and marched up to the intake window. "I'm Devin Gimble. Take me to my brother. Now."

"I'm sorry, sir. You'll have to wait here until the doctors are finished."

Dev's fist slammed on the counter. "I need to see him. Please. He's my brother."

"I'm sorry, sir, but yelling isn't going to help."

Bake wrapped his arm around Dev's shoulders and tugged him back, nodding to Bean, who took Dev's spot at the window.

"Come on, we'll just slip in as soon as Bean's got her attention."

"Okay. I need to see him."

"That's what we're going to do." He kept an eye on Bean and the nurse, casually walking them around to the doors. As soon as the nurse was absorbed in whatever bull Bean was spinning, he grabbed Dev's hand and pushed in through the doors.

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Devin moved quickly, heading down the hallway like he knew where Dare was. It seemed he was right, because the curtain Dev slipped behind held Dare, the man quiet, still, bandaged, IV lines coming out of both arms.

"Shit." Dare looked worse, somehow, against the pristine sheets and with all the lines going into him. Bake went around to the other side so they could each hold a hand, so they could surround him.

"Dare? Dare, can you hear me?"

The heart rate monitor's beeping sped up.

"He heard you, Dev! We're here, Dare."

"Dare, I'm so sorry. I'm right here and you're safe. I'm not leaving you. I'm going to stay right here, I swear."

"It's not your fault, Dev. You didn't know this would happen. None of us did." Hell, if they'd known, they'd have taken the fucker down as soon as they'd figured it out, and none of this would have happened.

"No. No, I didn't know. You're so brave, Dare. You protected me from the monster, and I'm going to protect you from now on. Forever. I promise."

"How about we all protect each other, hmm?" He looked across at Dev, meeting the man's eyes. "You're my boys, and I will never let something like this happen again."

"You promise?"

"I swear it." No matter what it took, he was protecting his boys.

Dev nodded, forehead resting on Dare's shoulder. "I'm so sorry you got hurt. I love you."

"He loves you, too, Dev. More than anything. Don't forget that." Bake stroked Dev's hair and then Dare's. His boys were together again, and they were both going to be okay. He had to believe that.

"What are you two doing in here?" Bake looked up, meeting Chris Wicker's eyes. Oh, God. The nurse was not only a friend, but a member of The Hammer. "Hey, Bake."

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"He needs us, Chris. Don't kick us out." He held out his hand to shake Chris'.

"You'll have to be quiet, okay? How's he doing?" The nurse came over, shaking his hand and then checking vitals.

"You tell us. His heart beat went up when he heard Dev's voice, but he hasn't said anything or opened his eyes. Did the doctors figure out what he was dosed with?"

"Ketamine. A number of small doses, via injection, with a large dose of oral pills at the end. We've pumped his stomach."

"Isn't that what vets give horses?" He wasn't even sure what he was asking anymore, he was just seeing red.

"Yeah. It causes hard-core hallucinations, serious shit. He was about half an hour away from OD-ing."

"Fuck!" It made him even more angry, that that animal. That he. That. Bake settled for growling.

"We're going to want to keep him for a few days. He has a broken cheekbone, a broken nose, and one eye is scratched up. They did a rape kit for the police."

He made a noise in the back of his throat. "And what was the result?" He managed to get the words out around his clenched teeth.

"I'm sorry, it'll be a few days before the police release the information. I did it, though. There was mild swelling and evidence of lubrication, but no bruising, no tearing. I'm hoping that you got there before, Bake."

He nodded. "Thanks, man." He thought he had. That asshole had his fingers inside Dare, but he was praying that was the worst of it, that Dare hadn't been penetrated by that monster's prick. He wanted to hurt something, badly. Preferably Mike fucking Mattheson.

Devin was whispering to Dare, soft and low, fingers holding on tight.

Bake let Devin be, figuring he needed to do this, and leaned against the wall. They all needed to get moved into a room where he could sit and Dev could curl up on the bed with Dare.

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"Is there anything I can get you two? I have other patients to check on."

"Do you know when they're going to move him? We'd probably be more comfortable in a room."

"It'll be late tonight before a room opens up."

"You sure we can't take him home with us?" Get Dare into the big bed, where he belonged, surround him with their love.

Chris sighed, leaned close. "Call Doc, hmm? He'll be able to help more than me."

"Of course! I don't know why I didn't think of that myself." He gave Chris a hug. "Thanks, man. I'm glad family was here when we got in."

"Anytime, man. Remember, cell phones outside."

He grumbled but nodded. With any luck, Clay'd already thought of calling Doc and he wouldn't have to leave his boys.

Sure enough, within half an hour, a familiar face appeared, Doc grabbing Dare's chart. "So, boys. He's still sleeping?"

"Yeah. Thanks for coming, man. We appreciate it."

"It's what I'm here for. His vitals look strong. I want him here overnight, though. We don't know if there's any brain damage -- from the drugs or the blow to the head. And I need to know about that eye -- whether he can see out of it."

Devin whimpered, pressing closer to Dare.

Bake growled a little and reached to squeeze Dev's shoulder. "He's going to be fine, boy."

"Is he? Brain damage? This isDare !"

"There isn't going to be any brain damage." Because neither of them could bear it if there was. So there just wasn't going to be any. Period.

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Doc opened his mouth and Bake glared. No. They needed to believe and to bring Dare back.

Doc shook his head but didn't say anything, and Bake squeezed Dev's shoulder again. Dare moaned, eyes fluttering, hands shifting on the sheets.

"Did you see that? Look, Dev. He's in there."

"Dare. Dare, please. You need to wake up."

"That's it. Talk to him, boy, convince him to come back to us."

"Guys, when he wakes up, he may still be hallucinating."

Bake looked at Doc and sighed. "Okay. We'll keep that in mind. And pray it doesn't happen."

"Okay. I'm going to see if I can't find him a room now. You two be quiet in here."

"We will. Quiet as mice."

He nodded his thanks to Doc and then turned back to his boys. His life.

Chapter Twenty-Two

They were in a room, finally. Dare had woken up a couple of times, babbled, then gone back to sleep. It was driving Dev crazy. He wasn't going to sleep, though. He wasn't ever going to sleep again. He sat at the side of the bed, holding Dare's hand.

"Lie down with him," Bake suggested, hands landing on his shoulders.

"I don't want to scare him." He wasn't going to rest.

"Since when is you lying down with him scary? Come on." Bake helped him stretch out carefully on the bed.

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"Wake up, Dare. I don't want to sleep ever again. I just want to talk to you."

"You can't give up sleep altogether, Dev." Bake's hands moved to his shoulders to rub.

"I can, too." His head hurt so bad.

Fingers digging into his muscles, Bake shook his head. "You don't have to do that."

His eyelids got heavy. "I'm never sleeping again. I'm protecting Dare."

"I'm right here, boy. I'll protect you both while you sleep together." Bake dropped a kiss on the top of his head.

"Not sleeping. Not ever." He petted Dare's belly.

"He wakes up and you're half dead from exhaustion and he'll be pissed."

"But he'll be awake."

Bake's touch was maddening, relaxing him bone deep.

"Put your head down and go to sleep, Dare. I swear to God, if you don't wake up the second he does, I will wake you." Bake kept massaging him, easing him.

"I don't want to sleep..." He yawned, wrapped one hand around Dare's middle.

Bake snorted, but those hands kept working on him.

"Dare. Dare, you gotta wake up. I need you. I'm going to take care..." He yawned, blinked hard. "...care of you."

"Of course you are. But he needs to get that crap out of his system. He needs to get well. Sleep while he does, because you'll need your energy to take care of him." Bake voice was low, sweet.

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"I love you." He was talking to both of them.

Bake's lips slid over his temple. "I love you, too, sweet boy."

"I want him all better." His eyes filled with tears.

"I know. He will be. We just have to give him time." Soft kisses landed on his head.

"Promise?"

"I promise, boy. You hear me? I promise."

He nodded.

He nodded and he believed.

Chapter Twenty-Three

"Monsters!"

Jesus, Darius was screaming again. It was Clay's turn to sit with the twins, let Bake shower, sleep, eat something. It was going on the third day, and the doctors were beginning to worry. He'd called home, let everyone know, but none of them could afford to fly out (thank God), and Mom trusted him to take care.

"Monsters!"

"Jesus, Dare. Shut up. There aren't any monsters."

There was a growl from the doorway, Bake coming in. "I want to know when these damn hallucinations are going to stop."

"You and me both. Dev's starting to look like a ghost. And Dare's..." The man had lost his mind.

"Hush now. They're both going to be fine." Bake had been saying that and saying that. He wasn't sure if

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the man really believed it anymore or if he did honestly think he could make it that way by sheer fucking will.

Dare's eyes popped open. "Clay? Clay?"

"Yeah, Darius. You in there?"

"Oh, God. You have to help me. There's somebody that wants to hurt Devvy."

Dev's eyes opened. "Dare?"

Bake stepped up to them, putting a hand on each of their shoulders. "Boys. It's okay. You're together and you're both safe. The monster is in jail, Dare. He can't touch either of you."

Darius blinked, frowned. "Bake? Bake, what's going on?"

"Hey, Dare." Bake smiled down at a suddenly much more coherent seeming Darius. "You remember going in to quit for Dev?"

Darius frowned, shook his head. "My head hurts."

"Yeah, he gave you stuff. He thought he had Dev." Bake stroked Dare's head, the big guy looking worried and gentle.

"I. There are monsters in the flowers. Monsters to bite Devvy."

"We got the monsters, Dare. You and Dev are safe, I swear it."

Clay stepped forward, met Darius' eyes. "Brother, you gotta breathe, man. You're in the hospital, huh? That fucker drugged you and made you see shit."

"You're okay now, Dare. Both of you." Bake squeezed Dare's shoulder.

Dare looked at Bake's hand, took a shaky breath. "I'm not Dev."

"I know. You're Dare. I can tell my boys apart."

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"Yeah? Even now? He thought..." Dare started crying, freaking out, and Clay just couldn't deal anymore.

He backed off. "I'm going to talk to Bean, man. Update him."

"Go, man." Bake was already gathering Dare close. "Always, spicy boy. I will always be able to tell you apart."

Clay hit the door, heading for the waiting room, the elevator. Bean was dealing with work shit, keeping real life afloat. Clay got outside, dialed, wanting to hear his lover's voice.

"'Lo?"

"He made sense for a couple of sentences."

"Oh, Clay, that's great." He could hear the caring in Bean's voice.

"Yeah. Hopefully, it'll just get better." He was ready to be home.

"I sure hope so. This has been so hard on everybody." Bean's voice lowered. "I miss you so much."

"I hear you. You tell Bake you were moving in with me, babe?"

"Yeah, yeah, I did. It's all kosher. I just didn't want to go get my stuff in the middle of this crap, you know?"

"Yeah, that would be weird." He leaned back against the wall. "I'm going to have to go get some work done this afternoon, then I might go for a long run, if Dare's stable."

"You want some company?" Bean sounded eager.

"God, yes." More than anything.

"Cool. Pick me up at Bake's place at six?"

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"Yeah, babe." He smiled. "I'll call if shit goes weird."

"I hope it doesn't. I could really use some you time."

Clay nodded. "I hear you. I just want to... shit, I'd be happy to fucking hold you on the motherfucking couch."

"That sounds like heaven. We could watch a movie, fall asleep in each other's arms. Wake up and fuck six ways to Sunday."

"Please, God." The raw need in his voice embarrassed him.

"Yeah. It's been too damn long."

He swallowed hard, nodded. "Yeah, babe."

"I want you to take me to bed and fuck me senseless."

"Okay. I'm on it." He grinned, thumping his cock a little to encourage it to be good.

"Yeah? I don't suppose there's time for a quickie..."

"Nope. But I want you at home tonight. For hours."

Bean moaned for him, the sound wanton and hungry as fuck. "Yes. Please. God. I'm going to have to hide out from the McDermotts for a couple minutes if I don't want to embarrass myself."

"I'll pick you up at six. Be ready for me."

"Oh, fuck. Yes, I will be. All of me."

"Yeah. Be good, babe. Work hard."

He didn't wait for Bean's goodbye; he just clicked off and headed back into the hospital. It was time for Dare to get better, damn it. He had a life to live.

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***

Bean was almost vibrating. He'd gotten the good news from Clay and then Bake -- oh, Dare hadn't made a sudden full recovery, but he'd been awake and coherent for a short while. That was a good thing.

An even better thing was that Clay was coming to get him, and he was all ready for his man. Like completely ready. For anything. All he needed now was Clay himself.

That familiar truck pulled up, Clay smiling over at him.

It made him so happy he laughed as he climbed into the passenger seat. He leaned over, not even thinking about buckling up yet. "Hey, lover."

"Hey, babe." Clay's hand wrapped around the back of his head and dragged him closer.

He opened his mouth wide as their lips met, inviting Clay in. Clay kissed him like the world was coming to an end, like there was magic happening. He wasn't a hundred percent sure about the magic, but there was definitely something happening in his pants.

Clay pulled back, breathing hard. "Home, now."

"Yes, please. God." He made himself slide back to the other side of the cab and put on his seat belt. "Fast. But don't get stopped for speeding."

"I'm on it. I want you." Clay was already growling.

Jesus fuck, his cock was trying to break out of his jeans, pushing hard against his zipper. Clay didn't talk to him, just drove, eyes on the road. Bean could smell heat. He tried not to make it harder on Clay, but he couldn't stop the occasional whimper or moan.

They pulled into the driveway, and Clay got out of the truck, heading for the house. He climbed out, nearly tripping, slammed the truck door, and ran after the man, not an easy feat given how hard he was. Clay got the keys out, the door open.

Bean all but barreled the man into the house and slammed the door shut behind him. Fuck, he wanted.

"Get your clothes off, babe. Once I start touching, you're mine."

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He'd never stripped so fast in his life. He almost had cloth burn from getting his clothes off so fast. Clay was as hungry -- boots, jeans, shirt, hat -- they all went flying. When he and Clay came together, it was all hot flesh and eager kisses, their teeth clicking together. Clay gathered him up, held him close, gave him all that muscled body to rub on.

"Fuck," he muttered into Clay's mouth. "Fuck."

"You ready?"

"Fuck, yes. For anything you want." He'd slicked himself up good, wanting so badly.

"Fuck, babe. What did I do to deserve you?" Clay turned him, pressed him against the wall, and lined up, cockhead nudging his hole.

He spread a little wider and pushed back. "Don't know, don't care, just fuck me." Please.

"Forever." Jesus. Jesus, that sounded like a promise. Almost as big of a promise as that cock felt like, pressing into his body.

"Yes. Fuck." He pushed back eagerly, Clay's cock the most perfect thing ever.

Clay didn't say anything else; that fat prick just slammed inside him, working him hard.

"Fuck. Yes. Please." He just kept throwing out words, moaning and groaning.

Clay buried his face in Bean's throat, the breath hot, damp where it pushed on his skin. It was just what he wanted, just what he needed after days with barely even seeing Clay. Clay pistoned inside him, slamming in and out, in and out. It feltso fucking good.

Bean wrapped his hand around his cock, jacking in time to Clay's thrusts.

"Mine." Clay grunted, bit his throat.

"Yours. All fucking yours." God, he wanted to come.

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"Come on my cock, babe. Then we'll find a bed and do it again. And again. Gonna make your ass sing."

"Fuck yes!" He shouted, his cock jerking hard in his hand as he came all over Clay's wall.

Clay grunted, forehead on his neck. "Gonna. Babe..."

He bore down, wanting to make it as good as he could for Clay. Clay froze, and Bean swore he could feel the condom filling, his lover crying out against his skin.

Groaning, he collapsed against the wall. "Fuck, Clay. It's good to see you."

"Fuck, yeah. Gonna see more of you."

"Uh-huh. Soon as we can get my stuff moved in..."

"Not tonight."

"No, tonight we're busy." Clay'd promised his ass would sing.

"Yes. Tonight we're going to fuck."

He laughed and nodded, forehead leaning against the wall. "Yes, please."

Clay gathered him up, held him close. "Fucking A."

He wrapped his arms around Clay's neck and nodded. "Yeah." Chapter Twenty-Four

They were everywhere. Monsters in the flowers. Monsters under the cars. Monsters under the bed and in the closet. Dare ran from them, stumbling through hallways, trying to figure out where he was. Over and over, they whispered Dev's name, and he wanted to scream at them, tell them he wasn't Devvy. He wasn't. But every time his mouth opened, guilt pummeled him.

"When you're better, I'm going to take the two of you to one of those spa deals, and we're going to have a Jacuzzi and massages and all sorts of pampering, and I'm going to pound your ass into the mattress,

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remind you that you're my spicy boy." The voice pushed through the monsters.

He frowned, looking around. He knew that voice. That was safety. "Can you see me? Can you help me?"

"Dare? I'm right here, spicy boy. You're safe now."

"You saw the monsters?" He took a deep breath, shook himself a little. "Am I dreaming?"

"You were drugged. That man drugged you. There was a monster, but he's gone now."

He opened his eyes. "Can I have some orange juice? I'm so thirsty."

Bake beamed at him. "Of course you can."

"Thank you." His head ached, but it was better, being awake. "Where's Devvy?"

Another smile, and Bake nodded his head. "Look to your right."

There was Dev, curled up next to him.

"Dev."

Dev's eyes popped open. "Dare." Those hands found his cheek. "How are you?"

"My head hurts. You look tired."

"You've been out of it for awhile," Bake told him, squeezing his hand.

"He didn't hurt you, though." The monster hadn't hurt Devvy.

Devvy sighed. "They took my blood. He'd been drugging me. You saved my life."

"You did good, Dare." Bake sounded so proud of him.

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"I just..." He didn't want to think about it. "What happened?"

"You went in to quit for Devvy, and Mike pumped you full of drugs, kidnapped you. He tried to make us believe Dev was running away with him, but given Dev was at home..." Bake shook his head. "If you hadn't gone in, we wouldn't have figured it out in time. You saved Devin."

"He..." Dare shook his head. "My head hurts."

"You're dehydrated and probably hungry. You've been out of it for days. I'll call the nurse, see what she can do for you."

"Can I go home?" Nurse? No, he couldn't afford this.

"We'd love that, wouldn't we, Dev?"

Devvy nodded. "Now, Bake?"

Bake looked at him and at Dev. "If you can stand, I'll take you home."

"Okay." He took Dev's hands, squeezed them. "Scoot off the bed. I want to go home."

Devvy nodded. "You be careful. You haven't eaten in a long time. Watch the IV deal."

"We'll need to take that out," Bake noted.

"You can't do that!" Dev sounded scandalized. "You're not a doctor!"

"So we're going to walk out of here with the IV still in him?"

Dare rolled his eyes, grabbed the needle, and yanked it out. Oh. Ow. And also, dude. Blood. Lots of blood.

"Shit." Bake grabbed his arm and pushed a couple of tissues against it.

Dev stood up, eyes huge, cheeks pale. "Dare. Dare. I. Should I push the button?"

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"Not if you want to go." Bake grabbed Dev with his free hand. "It's all right, sweet boy. Let's sit a minute, let the bleeding stop, and see if Dare can make it to his feet so we can go home. If he can't, we'll call the nurse and tell her I accidentally caught it on my watch and it got pulled out."

"Should... clothes?" Dev's eyes were huge.

Dare nodded. "I need clothes, Devvy."

"We've got extras for me and Dev to change into." Bake grabbed a sports bag and pulled out a pair of jeans and a T-shirt.

He nodded, the room swinging a little bit. "Take me home."

Bake nodded. "You're standing, that's good enough for me." Bake helped him into the jeans, tugging them up and taking care of the zip and button.

"Can you just leave? Can you? Dare, this is crazy."

"Home." He was sure.

"It's what we've wanted since we got here, isn't it, Dev?" Bake kissed Devvy softly. "Let's get our man home. I'll handle the hospital when they call to bitch us out."

"They'll call to get their money. Let's go. Hurry." Although he wasn't sure he could hurry.

Bake's arm came around his waist, supporting him. Dev came around to his other side. "Come on, boys. Before the nurses cotton on."

Dare nodded. Hurry. Before the monsters came. Hurry.

They walked down the hall toward a bank of elevators, no one seeming to notice them. Maybe he was invisible. Maybe he was really dead and no one knew. The elevator doors opened, Clay coming out, his eyes going wide.

"Hold the elevator, man." Bake waved at Clay and hurried them along.

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Clay nodded, holding the elevator door, staring.

"The boys need to go home," Bake murmured as they stepped into the elevator, the doors closing behind them.

"You snuck out of the hospital? I'm proud. My truck's close." Clay looked so proud of them.

"Excellent. Mine's on the other side of the damn grounds." Bake tugged him closer. "Lean as much as you need to."

"Home. I just..." God, his head hurt.

"Fifteen minutes, boy. Clay, you got a bottle of water in that truck of yours?"

"You know it. Lemonade, too. Is he gonna be okay, man?"

"He needs water, food, and to be fucking home. Hell, Dev's been trying to get him home since we got here."

They got to Clay's truck and Bake bundled him into the back, Dev on one side of him, Bake climbing in on the other as Clay slid behind the wheel. A bottle of water appeared in front of him.

"You want me to take you to your truck or straight home? Me and Bean can get your vehicle back, if you want."

"Yeah. Just get us home, man." Bake helped him drink some of the water. "We're gonna get you home where you belong."

"Home." He was fading again, leaning hard against Bake, his fingers twining with Devvy's.

"Ten minutes, Dare." Bake was warm and solid. There.

"Okay. You promise he won't be there?"

"I swear. He's in jail."

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He closed his eyes, shivered. Devin's hands slid over his arm, petting him, and Dare could feel his brother's worry.

The truck was moving, but Bake was still there, holding onto him. Exhaustion was trying to get him again, trying to suck him down into darkness, into worry. Dev and Bake's hands were on him, though, relaxing and comforting as their warmth seeped into him.

"I... Did someone call the restaurant? Did I miss my shift?"

"It's all taken care of, Dare. Your boss understands you can't go in."

"Okay. I'll go tomorrow."

Bake snorted but didn't say anything, just patted his arm. His eyes closed. Tired. He was so tired.

"You should have something to eat when we get home, Dare. You want some soup? I think we have some chicken noodle in the freezer."

"I'm not hungry. Just some juice."

"Chicken broth is good for you."

He didn't answer. He wasn't hungry. He was just tired.

The motion of the truck nearly had him asleep when it finally stopped and Bake murmured, "We're here."

He nodded. "Okay. Okay." His arms and legs felt so heavy.

"We don't have any nurses to impress -- I'll carry you in." Bake's arms wrapped around him.

"Love." He rested his head on Bake's shoulder, trusting.

Bake squeezed him. "Yeah, I love you, too, spicy boy."

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"I'm not Dev. You can tell us apart."

"Of course I can. I see you both, hmm? You and Dev aren't the same person."

"No. No, we're not." He shuddered. He was never pretending to be Devin again.

"Dev, pull down the covers and then strip. He needs skin on skin." Bake placed him gently down on the bed, the mattress so comfortable compared to the hospital bed. He sobbed softly, hiding his face in the pillows.

Hands slid over him, pulling the T-shirt and the jeans off his body, and then he was sandwiched in between Dev and Bake, their bodies supporting him. Then Bake pulled his little barbell off the nightstand and there was a quick, short sharp pain as it was slid back into his right nipple. They must have taken it off at the hospital; he hadn't even noticed.

"It's okay," Bake murmured, soothing his nipple. "You're home now."

"I'm sorry." He was. So sorry.

"Shh. Not your fault. Besides, you saved Dev's life. I don't think you need to be sorry for that."

"I... I can't. I need to..." He was beginning to shake, shudder. Where had Clay gone?

"We've got you, Dare." Bake held him close, Dev snuggled into him on the other side, hands clutching at him. "What do you need?"

"I want to go home." He was crying for real, now, sobbing hard because he was safe and he could.

"You're home, spicy boy. I brought you home. Here with me and Devvy. It's okay. It's okay." Bake rocked him.

"Dare, don't cry. Please, don't cry." Dev was holding him, squeezing him.

He needed to cry.

"Shh. Shh. It's okay, boys. It's okay. Let it out. Both of you can. I have you. I have you both."

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Dev wrapped around him, face on his neck. "I was scared, Dare. I freaked out. I won't ever again. I promise."

"You were brave, Dev. You knew right away something was wrong, and you told me." Bake kissed him, Dev, touched them both.

"You came for me. Devvy. Devvy, did he hurt you?" Suddenly, Dare needed to know.

"No, he didn't touch Dev. Thanks to you."

"He hurt me." Dare shivered. "He hurt me."

"I know." Bake growled, kisses spreading over his face. "He's never going to do it again, though."

"He hit me. He... I... I want some juice." The kisses made him feel better.

"Clay! Juice, man." Bake bellowed out the order and then went back to gently kissing.

He heard Devvy chuckle. "Clay's gonna growl."

"Let him growl. Dare needs us."

"Here's some juice. I'm gonna grab Bean and rescue your truck." The bottle and a plastic cup landed on the bedside table.

"Thanks, Clay. We appreciate it." Bake's warmth disappeared for half a second and then was back.

A straw was pressed between his lips and he drank greedily. So good. When he was done drinking, they curled up around him, held him close and safe and warm.

"We have you," murmured Bake. "We have you."

"You can sleep, Dare. I'll be right here." That was his Devvy, cradling him, petting him.

"That's right. You're safe."

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The covers were drawn up and they were all snuggled together.

"Home."

Home.

Hopefully the monsters wouldn't find him.

***

They were going to get in trouble. In trouble. In so much trouble. Dev held onto Dare, watching. Still, it was good to see his twin home, in bed. Sleeping.

"They can't put us in jail for breaking him out of the hospital, can they, Bake?"

"Nope." Bake smiled at him and stroked his cheek. "It's not a prison, sweet boy."

He kissed Bake's palm. "I think he looks better."

"He does. He was almost coherent, too." Bake kissed his nose. "And he's home, hmm?"

"Yes." He met Bake's eyes. "I feel so bad. So fucking bad about this. How could I have not known?"

"Because Mike was a wolf in sheep's clothing. And you thought you were sick, you couldn't have known he was poisoning you."

"I let him do this to Dare." God, he was sorry.

"Hey, hey. None of that. This isn't your fault, Dev. It's not your fault, or Dare's, or anyone's except that motherfucker's."

"Yeah, but it could have been just me."

"And then you'd be dead." Bake growled at him. "How would that be better?"

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"Don't bitch at me. I got my brother hurt." What if it had been Bake and Bean?

"I will bitch at you if it's what you need! You stop this business of 'it's all my fault' and start with the 'yay, he's alive and he's going to be okay.'"

"He is, isn't he? He'll come back like new."

"He will. And I've got good news for him, for you both, really." Bake looked like that cat who'd caught the canary.

One of his eyebrows rose. "What?" He wasn't sure what good was coming from 'you've been drugged, you both lost your jobs, you have a shitload of medical bills.'

"I've had Bean running numbers and checking out small business ventures and stuff. I do believe you'll both have jobs you enjoy and decent hours to boot."

"What? I... I lost my job."

"Which is one reason why it works so well that I've got something in mind for you." Bake grinned and didn't say more.

"You're not making sense, and I'm too tired to try to understand you." He cuddled back down with Dare.

"I want to tell you both together, really."

"Okay. When Dare's better."

"Yeah. Don't you worry. I'll take care of you both."

"You don't have to. I'm going to take care of him from now on..." He buried his face in Dare's neck.

"Boy, it's my privilege to take care of the two of you. And my pleasure." Bake's hand was warm on his back.

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Dev turned to Bake, pressing close. "Hold me a minute?"

"I'll hold you forever, sweet boy."

"Thank you." He settled, eyes closing. "I'm so tired, Bake. Not like before, this is tired in my heart."

"It's hard when something like this happens. We all need some time to heal, hmm?"

He nodded. "I bet you wish you'd never met us."

"What? No! Don't say that, Dev. Don't even think it. You're my boys, and I can't imagine not having you."

"We're trouble." And he was sleepy.

Bake chuckled. "I'd say you weren't, but it looks like that wouldn't be true. Maybe trouble's just what I need in my life."

"Maybe." He kissed Bake's collarbone. "I hope so."

Bake tilted his head and looked into his eyes. "Now, listen. Trouble or no, you and Dare are who I want. You're who I love, and I'm not walking away from that just because of a little -- or even a lot -- of trouble."

"We love you, too. You know that, right?"

With a smile that reached his eyes, Bake nodded and pulled him close. "I know, sweet boy. Makes it all worth it, you know?" Bake's lips pressed against his.

He kissed Bake back, settled in those strong arms, then let himself trust, let himself sleep. Dare would need him soon.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Bake made breakfast -- scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. Nothing fancy, but it was edible. He brought it into the bedroom, putting it on the bedside table before opening the blinds wide. "Rise and shine, boys!"

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Dare groaned and pulled the covers up over both of them. Four days home and the boys were hiding. Still.

"It's breakfast time." He grabbed the covers and tugged them back down.

Dev smiled at him, but Dare turned over, hid his face.

Bake shook his head. Damn it. Bake knew this had been traumatic for Dare, but Dare was supposed to be the strong one, and they needed him to be strong now.

"Dev and I can feed you if you want." He sat and picked Dare up, pulled his spicy boy into his lap.

"Not hungry." Dare shook his head, frowned.

Dev grabbed a piece of toast. "I am. I'm starving."

"Is my foodthat bad?" he teased. If only that was the problem.

"Just tired, Bake. Don't worry."

Devin's eyes met his. Devin was worried.

He smiled softly at Dev. "You've been tired for days. It's time to be awake for awhile with me and Dev. It's safe." He grabbed a piece of bacon and held it beneath Dare's nose. "Doesn't that smell good?" Who could resist fried pork fat?

Dare pushed his hand away. "Maybe later. Dev's hungry."

"So are you -- I can hear your stomach screaming at me. It's saying 'feed me,' and I'm worried if I don't, you'll eat me and Dev in our sleep."

"I'm not a monster." The words were muttered, almost whispered.

"Oh, Dare. Of course you aren't! I was teasing." He held Dare close and rocked him. "I just want you to eat something."

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"I'm not hungry. Let Dev eat." Dare clung to him, moving with him.

"What can I tempt you with, my spicy boy? A muffin? A pancake? A waffle? How about a sausage?" He put a little suggestive leer into the last word.

Dev giggled for him, the sound soft, sweet. Dare's belly growled furiously.

He reached out with a hand to stroked Dev's arm and then he kissed the top of Dare's nose. "You're hungry and you have to eat."

Dare shook his head, chin set stubbornly.

"Don't make me spank you," he growled.

"I'll make you something else, Dare..." His Dev was beginning to panic already.

He wrapped his hand around Dev's wrist and squeezed gently, meeting his sweet boy's eyes. Dev's eyes searched his, looking for something -- reassurance, calm -- whatever it was, Dev found it, nodding at him and settling down with a plate of food, eating hungrily.

"Are you going to eat?" he asked Dare, giving the man one last chance. Maybe, though, what Dare needed first was to have his soul fed. Maybe Dare craved the threatened spanking more than he did the offered food.

"I need to rest, Bake. I'm not hungry. Just let me sleep."

"Spanking it is."

"Bake, no." Dare pulled away. "Leave me alone."

"That's not an option, boy. You aren't going to hide away from me."

"Leave me alone! Devvy! Tell him to leave me alone!"

"Don't you make him worry over you. You know your safeword." He flipped Dare over his lap.

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"Devvy!"

Devin looked at him, eyes wide. "It's okay? He's okay?"

"He's fine, sweet boy. He knows his safeword. He'll use it if he's not okay. You know that, Dev. You know it." He held Dev's eyes for a long moment and then began to spank Dare.

"Let me go!" Dare started kicking, hollering, fists beating on the sheets.

"I can't do that, boy. I need you. Dev needs you." He punctuated the words with swats to Dare's ass.

"Devvy! Help me!"

Dev sighed, moved to kneel at the side of the bed, look at Dare. "I can't. Bake can, though. Bake's here for both of us. You're not me. You need different things than me."

"Yes." Bake nodded. Dev finally got it, finally understood. And Dare needed him to, Dare needed this. He kept spanking Dare, even as his hand began to ache.

"I hate you both." Dare sobbed. "So much."

Bake shook his head and met Dev's eyes. They both knew the truth.

Dev rolled his eyes, winked. "He can't hate anyone. It's not in his nature. He's just festering inside."

"My smart boy," he murmured, letting his pride in Dev show. "Let it out, Dare. We're strong enough for you." He'd found a rhythm with the spanking now, his hand landing again and again.

Dare screamed, the sound startling him enough that his blows faltered. "He hurt me!"

Bake nodded. "He did. He was a terrible man."

"He thought I was Dev. I'm not! I'm not the same!"

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"No. You're not the same at all. I know my boys. I can tell you from Dev. Every. Single. Time. I know who you are."

"Please... Stop." The sobs came now, raw and harsh.

Bake could see Devin beginning to panic. "As soon as you've let all the poison out." He put love and reassurance into the words, into his eyes as he looked at Dev.

"Please." Dare reached for Dev and Devin went to him, holding on tight.

Bake kept spanking, kept pushing.

Dare's safeword sounded, soft and hurt and broken.

He stopped, panting, his hand aching, and he dragged both boys into his arms, rocking with them. "I have you. I have you, Dare, and you, Dev, and I have you."

"I hate him. He hurt me so bad."

"I know. I wish it hadn't happened."

"Me, too." That was Devin. "I didn't know."

"None of us did. I would take your place, Dare. I would. In a second."

"But we don't have to, right? It's over?" Devin stared at him.

"Of course it's over. That monster is in jail, and he's never going to hurt either of you again."

Dare wrapped around him, held him tight. He patted Dare's back, gently stroked the abused ass. Dare didn't move, rested hard against him, heartbeat slowing. Bean kept touching, kept murmuring softly, letting Dare know that he was okay, it was safe, and he was home.

Soft snores sounded soon, and Dev looked at him, eyebrow arching. "He still didn't eat."

Bake grunted, nodded. "We'll let him have a couple more hours and then he eats."

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"Okay." Dev grabbed the bacon and toast, made a quick sandwich out of it, and handed it to him.

"Thanks." He took a bite and spoke around the mouthful. "So what're his favorites? What can we tempt him with?" Or force feed, as the case might be.

"Dare? Dare loves greasy pepperoni pizza best."

"Then in a couple of hours, we'll order pepperoni pizza from his favorite place and we'll wake him up and we'll make him eat." He smiled at Dev. "We're not going to let him hide away anymore."

Dev leaned in, kissed his nose. "I hope you're more stubborn than he is."

"I can be pretty damn stubborn, boy." Even if Dev had the ability to melt him.

"Good." Dev stretched. "I need a shower, Bake. I stink."

"You want some company, or you want me to stay with sleeping beauty, here?"

Devin gave him a soft, lovely smile. "I think that he was alone for a long time, Bake. I think, for a few days, he needs to have people right there."

He cupped Dev's cheek and then leaned in and kissed that pretty smile. "Then I'll stay with him."

"I'll be right back."

"Take your time. Enjoy the water." He gave Dev another kiss before settling down, Dare in his arms.

Dare sighed, shivered. "Watch for the monsters."

"There are no more monsters, boy. We scared them all away."

His boy cuddled closer but nodded, still asleep.

Bake chuckled softly. "You see? He'll be all right. We all will be. Go get clean."

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"Okay, love." Devin chuckled, pretty little butt bouncing on the way out the door.

Mmm. That was a fine ass there. A part of him really wished he was following it and taking a 'shower' with Dev. There wouldn't be much cleaning going on if he did, that was for sure. Dare needed him, though, far more than he or Dev needed to get off.

He kissed the top of his spicy boy's head. "You need to come back to us, boy. Show me again how you're the strong one."

Dare's hand stroked over his belly. "I was so scared, Bake. I thought he was going to kill me."

He almost froze, surprised that Dare was awake, but he managed not to. "I was scared that was going to happen, too."

"He touched me. He bit me. He was awful."

"I wanted to rip him to pieces." Bake growled. "They didn't let me."

"I couldn't. I was too lost. Stupid, I know."

"Not stupid. Dare, he'd drugged you -- you nearly died, he'd drugged you so badly."

"I... I told him." Dare looked so ashamed.

"Told him what?" He couldn't imagine what Dare could have said to look like that about.

"That I wasn't Devin."

He squeezed Dare tight. "Too bad he didn't believe you -- maybe he would have let you go."

"Don't you understand? I betrayed him. I told that asshole I wasn't Dev."

"He was going to kill you!"

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"I know." Dare looked devastated. "And I wouldn't want to let him hurt Dev. I promise."

"I know that, boy. And so does Dev. The two of you need to stop blaming yourselves here and start living again, putting it behind you."

"But I told him. I gave Dev up."

"No, you told him you weren't Dev. Dev was safely here with me, not on his own with an animal like you were. Dev was safe, no matter who that asshole thought you were."

"I was scared."

"I don't blame you. He was a terrifying man." And Dare'd called it from the start, calling the man creepy. His smart, strong boy.

Dare settled back in, eyes closing again.

"You have to eat soon. We're cheating and getting your favorite."

"Pizza?" He heard Dare's stomach rumble again.

"Yeah, nice and greasy. Pepperoni."

"That's cheating."

"Yep, told you. You don't eat, I'll cheat even more to get you to change your mind."

"I'm not hungry, though."

Bake snorted. "Tell that to your stomach."

Dare smiled, sighed. "Just hold me a little more."

"I'm never letting go."

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"You promise? For real?"

"For real, Dare. I love you."

Dare's eyes searched his, slowly filling up with tears, and his boy nodded. "Love, huh? Me, too."

He smiled down at Dare. "You and Dev, you fill my heart."

"Good, because we're not going anywhere." Dev scooted onto the bed, snuggling close, still damp and shivering. "We're home, now, Bake. Right here."

Putting an arm around Dev, he nodded. "We are. All of us."

His boys leaned into him, and Dare drew the blankets up around them. "All of us."

"Yes. All of us."

Chapter Twenty-Six

"Dare, there's pizza."

He groaned, stretched in the water. "I'm taking a shower, Devvy. We can't afford to keep ordering pizza."

They had medical bills now. Neither one of them had a job.

"We should make our own." Bake walked into the bathroom and poked his head around the curtain. "You're going to turn into a prune."

"I'm dirty." He needed to scrub off.

Bake shook his head and started to strip. "Come on, Dev. We're going to clean Dare once and for all."

"He can't get any cleaner, Bake."

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"Maybe, with our help, he'll feel cleaner."

"I'm right here!" Assholes. He needed to shower.

Chuckling, Bake climbed into the shower with him and grabbed the soap. "So you are."

"No one needs to talk about me like I'm not here."

"No, I'm sorry." Bake gave him a kiss and then started soaping him up. "I'm going to wash you and Dev's going to help and that's going to make you clean. Scrubbing your skin off is not necessary."

He leaned close, lips near Bake's ear. "I do have to. I'm dirty." He couldn't shake it.

"No, you're not. And scrubbing until you're raw isn't going to help." Bake touched his head. "Because it's all up here."

"I'm not crazy." He stepped closer. "I'm not."

"I didn't say that, spicy boy." Bake kept washing him, very thoroughly, soapy fingers working their way into every nook and cranny.

His skin started to ache, to tingle. To burn.

"My touch is the only one you need to feel, the only one you need to remember." Bake looked him in the eye. "The only one that matters. Mine and Dev's. He's going to rinse you."

He opened his mouth to argue, then Bake's finger slid down his crease toward his hole. "He touched me."

"I'm gonna erase that touch." Soapy, slick, Bake's finger slid up and down, rubbing past his hole over and over.

"What if you can't? What if he's always there?"

"You're not going to let him be. Dev and I are going to help with that, but you could banish him all on

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your own. I know you're not going to let him win."

He shivered, hid his face in Bake's throat.

"I'm going inside you now, Dare. This isme . Bake. Your lover. My fingers."

"Your boy." He was going to cry again. He was so fucking tired of crying.

"That's right. You're my spicy boy. My Dare." One of Bake's fingers slipped right into him, pushing deep.

One of his legs slid up along Bake's thigh, Dev's hand right there, helping him spread.

"That's right, spicy boy. Let me in." Bake kissed across his face.

He chased the kisses, tears spilling. "I don't want to cry anymore."

"Then don't." Bake's lips finally settled on his as another finger joined the first inside him.

Bake's kiss heated him, core deep, and Dev's fingers kept sliding on his skin, distracting him. Fingers spreading, Bake stretched him before pushing in hard and pegging that spot inside him. He jerked, hips rolling, the pleasure, the shock surprising him.

Bake's eyes were on him, warm and full of love, heat. His cock started to fill, and his breath came faster, a little edge of panic hitting him.

"I have you," Bake murmured, teeth sharp on his lips.

"I'm scared. I'm scared, Sir."

"I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you."

He decided to trust in that, in Bake's strength. "Me or Devvy."

"That's right. You or Devvy. You're my boys. Mine." Bake growled as he said the last word.

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"Swear it. Forever."

"For fucking ever, Dare. You're mine. Both of you. No one gets to touch you, ever. Just me." The fingers inside him hit his gland again.

He cried out; this time it was pure need. "More, Sir, please."

Another finger spread him, Bake pushing three in now and stretching him wide.

"Yes..." He whimpered, arched into the touch, and he heard Dev moan.

"Bed. It's slick here, Bake. Love."

"Bed works. Dev. Turn off the water."

As soon as Dev had obeyed, Bake dragged them both out, not even bothering with toweling off.

Dev pulled the comforters off, dragged the sheets back. Bake pushed him down onto the bed and climbed between his legs. Dev handed over the lube and Bake slicked his fingers up, pushed them back in. Bake's eyes never left his.

"Yours..." His knees drew up, his belly went tight.

"You are. Every inch." Bake stretched and played, the three fingers spreading him open and nudging his gland.

Dev added more lube, humming as he did.

"Another finger." Bake's words were followed up by a fourth finger pushing into him, stretching him so wide.

"I... Sir?" So full.

"It's okay, Dare. You have to let him in." Dev didn't sound scared.

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"I have you, my spicy boy. Can you feel me?" The fingers inside him wiggled, stretched, pushed and pulled and opened him up.

"I haven't... I..." He could feel Dev's lips on his belly, on his chest, his throat.

"Haven't what?" Bake's fingers didn't stop moving inside him.

"Had so much. Inside me."

"No? Only me, then. Good." In and out, Bake worked those fingers.

"On...only. Only you." His eyes closed, his lips parted.

"Yes. Mine. This is mine." Bake's fingers disappeared. "More lube, Dev."

"Yes, Bake. He looks like he's almost... somewhere else."

"He's here with us. We're making him ours again." Bake's fingers pressed against his hole again.

His body shuddered, his hole beginning to stretch, ache.

"You can feel me, can't you, spicy boy? Feel my hand slowly moving into you, taking you."

"Y...yes. Yes. Fuck. I... I don't know..."

"It'll fit, Dare, because I fit. I'm a part of you." Bake kept pushing, hand stretching him so wide.

"Of us." Dev was right there, petting him, hand helping his thighs spread.

"That's right, of both of you." Wider and wider, Bake's hand spread his hole, pushed its way in.

"Please..." He moaned, twisting on the bed.

"So pretty. Dare. Dare, I want to see you like this, over and over." Devvy sounded so hungry.

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"Mmm. He does look amazing with my hand in him, doesn't he?" With those words, Bake's hand got past the widest part and was suddenly right in him.

His body squeezed and he arched, flying, deep sounds pouring out of him. Devvy moaned and heat wrapped around his cock, the pressure insane.

"That's it, sweet boy, suck him." Bake's fingers closed slowly into a fist inside him and thenmoved .

His eyes flew open, his world spinning. Please. Please. Love.

Bake leaned over him, eyes staring down into his own. "Let us bring you pleasure, Dare. Come for us. Fill Dev's mouth.'

"Love." So much. Both of them. The tip of his cock slipped into Dev's throat and he shot.

"Oh, fuck, yes." Bake's growl covered him, held him as the pleasure rushed through him.

His cock never flagged, it just throbbed, swelled, ached. Bake's hand stayed inside him, knuckles sliding over his gland.

"Sir. Sir. Sir." He sang the word, so fucking happy, so full.

"Mmm. yes, my boy. My spicy boy."

"Yes." Dare reached down, touched Devin's soft hair. "Love."

Bake watched Dev nuzzle into the touch. "I love you, Dare. I love you both."

He gasped, nodded. "Love. Love. Home. I'm home with you."

"Yes!" The word was fierce and glad, the way Bake said it. "Home with us and you are ours. Mine." That hand was impossible to refute or ignore.

"Your own. Me and Devvy. Fuck, I need. Ineed , Sir."

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"I know you do, Dare. And I've got what you need. I can give it to you, I can give you both what you need." Bake's hand moved, fist pushing deeper, pulling back, deep, back.

"Yes. Yes. Oh, fuck. So full. Love you so much. Please." He was losing it, so caught in the pleasure that he couldn't do anything else.

"Spicy boy. Mine. All of you." His gland was nudged, played, worked by Bake's fist. Bake's fucking fist.

He heard Devvy moan, then the pressure around his cock got better, harder, perfect.

"I can feel that," murmured Bake. "I can feel every single move you make, every breath."

A deep cry pushed out of him, ripped out of him.

"Yes!" The speed of Bake's movements inside him increased, sending him ever higher.

The world shattered and Dare stopped thinking. All he knew was his cock, his ass, pleasure, pressure. Bake kept pushing him, demanding everything from him.

He may have come, he wasn't sure. He didn't care. He just was.

Bake and Dev were making the best noises, the sounds filling his ears.

For the first time in days, Dare could breathe.

***

Dev watched Dare sleep; this time the sleep was deep, hard, restful, he hoped. Dare wasn't dreaming, wasn't moving, was just sleeping, curled into Bake's arms. Dev thought he'd just do this until the end of time -- watch them sleep.

One of Bake's eyes opened, then the other, their lover smiling at him. "You okay?"

"Uh-huh. Shh. Sleep."

Bake chuckled. "What about you?"

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"I'm just..." Standing guard. "...watching."

"You know it's safe here, right? No one's going to hurt you or Dare."

He shrugged. "I know." Still, he worried. He'd let Dare get hurt.

"You want to talk about it, sweet boy?" Bake's fingers slid along his cheek, warm and gentle.

"I..." He looked at Bake, suddenly shaken. "I'm so sorry, Bake. I'm so sorry."

"What?" Bake frowned and gently extricated himself from around Dare, moving to wrap him in those strong arms. "Shh. Shh. What's the matter?"

"I'm so sorry he got taken. I didn't want him to be hurt. That's not why I asked him to go."

"Of course it isn't, Dev. And he knows that."

"I just... I was lazy." He was an asshole. He'd let his brother -- his twin -- go in his place.

"You were not!" Bake squeezed him tight. "That man was drugging you -- making you sick."

"And I let him drug Dare."

"No. You didn'tlet him do anything. He did it. He was a monster, and you are not responsible for his actions."

"I feel so guilty," he whispered, confessing softly.

"Oh, sweet boy. Dare would hate that, you know."

He nodded, trying to take a deep breath.

"You and Dare are both sitting here feeling guilty about each other. You should both pack it in."

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"I think Dare has. He's sleeping. Not dreaming."

"Good. So now it's your turn."

He sighed. "I'm trying. I really am."

"I just want you to be happy. So does Dare, hmm?"

"I know. I know." His cheek rested against Bake's shoulder. "Do you think everything's going to be okay?"

"Look at him." Bake nodded at Dare. "He's sleeping hard; he's going to be just fine. And so are you."

"I hope so. I'm ready for Dare to start cooking for us again." He was so tired of pizza.

Bake's stomach growled and he nodded. "Me, too. Me, too."

"In the morning, guys. It's late." Dare's hand tugged at his wrist. "Sleeping."

Bake chuckled. "There you go, sweet boy. He told you."

Dev shook his head, laughing softly. "He's so pushy. That's why I was born first. He pushed me out."

Bake laughed hard and hugged him close. He took a deep, deep breath, let Bake ease him down into the sheets and blankets. Bake cuddled him and Dare together, the three of them fitting together like pieces of the same puzzle.

"Love you, Devvy. Sir." Dare sighed, and the sound was happy. "Waffles in the morning. Promise."

"Sounds perfect." Bake kissed them both.

He nodded. "Hold me 'til I fall asleep?"

"I'll hold you both forever."

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"Okay." He could live with that.

Dare's hand curled around his hip, warm and sure. "Shh. Love you, Devvy. Syrup. In the morning. I promise."

He chuckled. "Love you, Dare. Night."

"Night, my sweet and spicy boys. Tomorrow I'll tell you about how waffles are going to make you rich."

He frowned, lips parting to ask what Bake meant, but by the time he figured out what to say, he was already asleep.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Bean hummed as he put his last bag of shit into the back of Clay's truck. There wasn't a whole lot to move, really -- Clay had the basics, furniture and all, and Bake and his boys had a use for all their stuff, so it was just clothes and his computer and carpentry shit that was sort of a hobby. For when getting his brains fucked out by Clay no longer took up all their spare time.

He figured that day wasn't going to come anytime soon, but the tools might as well collect dust at his and Clay's place. Bean stopped for a minute just to grin at that thought.

He tossed the garbage bag full of his underwear and socks into the truck and, still humming, went back in. They'd promised Bake and the boys pizza and beer at the other end.

"That it, babe?" One of Clay's arms hooked around his neck, drew him in for a hard, sharp kiss.

He pressed against Clay's body and let himself just feel the kiss, ignoring everything else around them.

"Mmm." Clay stole his breath, stole his good sense, then eased him back down. "You ready to go home?"

"Fuck, yes. I love my brother, but he isn't you." There was no contest there. None at all, twins or not.

"Good thing you don't have to choose, babe. I just want to be your lover, not your brother."

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No. No, after watching Clay handle the huge, long-distance family that was the Gimble clan over the last two weeks, Bean knew his lover had enough siblings.

"Lover all the way, babe. Speaking of brothers, I suppose we have to feed ours, huh?"

"Yes, so that they'll leave."

That made him laugh. Clay tickled him, on many levels.

Dev and Dare were helping Bake unload the car back at Clay's house. His house.

"Take me home, Clay."

"You got it." Clay patted his butt, then got into the truck, whistling away.

Chuckling happily, Bean climbed up into the passenger seat, his hand finding Clay's thigh as they got moving. Clay started singing along with the radio, the sound sweet, low. Rich. Bean just sat for the whole drive and took it all in. He was so fucking happy it almost hurt.

They pulled into the driveway, and Clay killed the engine. "Home sweet home."

"My home. No. Our home." He leaned over to beg a kiss from Clay.

Clay gave it easily, tongue pushing into his lips easy as pie. It was only the knowledge that his twin was inside that kept him from throwing himself across Clay's lap and begging for a good, hard fucking.

Clay's eyes were on him, laser-focused. "Want you."

"After we feed the troops, huh? Did you order the pizza yet?"

"I left cash with Dare." Clay rolled his shoulders, nodded. "Let's get this last load in."

"You do think of everything, don't you?" He gave Clay a quick kiss and climbed out to grab his stuff.

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Bake and the twins came out to help. Dare and Dev looked better already, both focused on getting their little breakfast and lunch place up and running. Bake said the boys were working together beautifully, and Bean was working on the books for them, helping out.

The boys hadn't wanted to take 'charity' from him and Bake, but they'd assured Dare and Dev that this was an investment. According to the research he'd done, if the place did half as well as they were hoping, they'd get their money back, and hell, he'd tasted Dare's food -- the man would keep customers coming back, no doubt. It was a win-win situation for all of them.

He watched Clay's ass move as the man carried in a box of crap. Besides, Bake and the boys deserved to be as happy as he and Clay were, right?

Bake nudged his shoulder on the way. "Is this it, bro?"

"Oh, yeah. I'm in this all the way." He grinned at his twin, knowing damn well Bake had meant the last of his stuff. Didn't matter, the answer was true either way.

Bake rolled his eyes, but his twin looked happy for him, glad.

The twins were chattering at Clay, who was nodding and smiling and not listening a bit, Bean could tell. He chuckled and shoved the last bag into the bedroom. He could deal with unpacking later. After everyone had gone and Clay had fucked him through the mattress a time or two.

There was a six-pack of beer waiting and they all popped one, Clay flopping down on the sofa. "Thanks for your help, guys."

Bake grinned. "Just making room for my boys." He winked at Dare and Dev.

Bean flung a cushion at his own twin.

"We're going to make your room into a game room, we think." Either Darius or Devin smiled; the other one nodded.

Bean chuckled. "I take it we're not talking Parcheesi."

Clay groaned. "No. No way. I don't want to hear about those two getting it on, man."

Bake tossed the pillow at Clay. "They're hot."

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"No, no! No turning my man off!" Bean didn't want that.

"They're turkeys." Clay tossed the pillow back and the twins cracked up.

"If they're turkeys, then they're hot turkeys," Bake insisted.

Bean couldn't help himself; he started laughing, too.

"Gobble gobble gobble." The twins starting flapping their arms, and the room seemed to just explode with the sheer happiness of it.

The doorbell rang, and Bean was sure they were going to scare the pizza boy right away.

"I'll get it." One of the twins hopped up and headed for the door, and Bean leaned into Clay, the muscled arm draped around him.

Fuck, he was happy.

And so was Bake, which made it even better.

He met his twin's eyes and he got a smile. A real, relaxed smile. Home. They were all home.

All of them.

Finally.

end

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Page 260

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