Spaceport: Come Together
Mary Winter

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Copyright ©2009 Mary Winter

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ISBN: 978-1-60521-217-3
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Editor: Katriena Knights
Cover Artist: Kassie Thrace

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Spaceport: Come Together

Mary Winter

With the worst of his rehabilitation behind him, TriZ star Tomak, along with his lovers Zaiden and Ioanne, has some hard decisions to make. In bed, their chemistry is perfect. Out of it, Tomak’s tired of being treated like an invalid. Zaiden struggles to resist the lure of the TriZ league, and Ioanne knows that in order to keep her lovers exactly where they belong -- with her -- teaching them to come together may be the only chance they have.

Chapter One

The weight clanked back into place. Tomak Trucco wiped beads of sweat from his brow, his spiky hair damp. He looked up into the face of his lover, Zaiden Riccie. Zaiden’s dark brown curls fell over his forehead and concern filled his brown eyes. Tomak frowned.

“You okay?” Zaiden asked. He handed Tomak a white towel.

Tomak mopped his forehead, battling down the frustration raging inside him. “I’m fine. I’m not an invalid.” He ignored the pains in his thighs, muscles worked to exhaustion on the leg press machine. Just a few months ago, he’d pressed at least fifty pounds more. Damn Styng addiction. Getting through withdrawal had left him weak, and with a hovering lover.

“You sure.” Zaiden leaned against the machine, eyeing the door. “We could head back --”

“I said I’m fine,” Tomak ground past clenched teeth. He rose, hating the slight bobble in his step as he moved to the free weights. He grabbed two twenty-pound weights from the rack, ignoring Zaiden’s look of concern. Lying down, he started to work his chest muscles.

“You don’t look fine.” Zaiden sat on the ab bench next to him and offered a bottle of water. “You look like you’re about to fall over.”

The weights clanked to the ground. The sound echoed in the empty gym. Tomak sat up so fast his head spun. “Will you leave me the hell alone?” he bellowed. “I’m trying to get back up to strength here.” Only a week ago he’d been curled into the fetal position, sweating and yelling his way through the last of the detox process. Styng bit hard and kept on biting well after the last hit. “I can do this. I don’t need you hovering around, offering me a towel or a water bottle like a fucking first year recruit.”

Zaiden recoiled from the words. “I just…” He sighed and stared at the bottle he held. “I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”

Tomak barked mocking laughter. “Hurt myself? Like dosing myself with illegal performance enhancing drugs wasn’t hurting myself?” He sighed and dragged his fingers through his hair. Truth was, he needed Zaiden. Right now his lovers, Zaiden and Ioanne, were the only people keeping him sane. If he hadn’t had them… he refused to think about what would have happened if he’d been in some sort of clinic and left to his own devices.

I probably wouldn’t have detoxed at all. Deke’s ultimatum be damned.

Zaiden stared at him like a hurt puppy dog. He stood and shrugged his shoulders. “Fine. I’ll go. But if you get sick again and have to clean up your own puke, or better yet lay in it, just remember you’re the one who sent me away.”

Tomak reached for Zaiden, cursing his shaking hand. His stomach rolled traitorously at the mention of getting sick. “Shit. Don’t go.” He cupped his face in his hands and sighed, willing the nausea to subside. “I just…” He balled his hands into fists and pounded them on the bench. “Do you know how frustrating this is? I used to work with weights twice, even three times these. I get winded running for twenty minutes. That’s barely a single quarter in a game. I haven’t been in a zero-G room for weeks. And I bet when I do get back there, I’ll flop around like a first year recruit.”

Zaiden rested his hand on Tomak’s shoulder. “Do you know what it’s like for Ioanne and I to watch you? I want to pick up those weights for you so bad. I can’t. You have to do this yourself, and all I can do is be here for you, because it’s what I can do.” He set the bottle on the bench. “Drink.”

With a sigh, Tomak uncapped the bottle and took a long drink. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Thank you. I’m being an ass. You should have walked out half an hour ago.”

“I should have, but if you’re an ass then I’m a stubborn ass, because I’m not leaving.” He pressed a quick kiss to Tomak’s sweaty cheek. “Why don’t you give me three reps of fifteen with those and we’ll call it a day?”

Tomak picked up the weights, then lay back down. He started the first rep, noticing Zaiden hovering nearby. He wished for privacy he wouldn’t receive. His arms shook. His muscles ached with exertion. Last season he’d been the league MVP -- now he wouldn’t even make the cut at rookie try-outs. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

He grunted his way through the first fifteen, taking only a very short break before the next. Deke had called again last night. His old manager was still hounding him for a chance to return to the team. Apparently each ultimatum of “last time I’ll ever talk to you” faded away with each losing game. He couldn’t play TriZ the way he was now. A combination between Earth basketball and volleyball in zero gravity, with four teams on the field at any given time, TriZ demanded the utmost physical and mental stamina. Players frequently received injuries, some of them life threatening. The fast pace and rough playing style entertained fans. On the field, he’d be pitied at best and seriously wounded at worst.

The last rep threatened to kill him. His pectoral muscles pulled, tiny sparks where neurons fired haphazardly. Braced against the floor, his legs wobbled. Sweat poured from him.

Zaiden remained silent.

Tomak dropped the weights to the floor next to the bench and closed his eyes, sucking in great gulps of air. The doors to the workout area swooshed open, announcing the arrival of someone else. “Let’s get out of here,” he croaked, half-afraid he wouldn’t have the energy to get back to Ioanne’s living quarters. He should have taken her up on the offer to bring workout equipment into the meditation area, but no, he had to be stubborn and insist on walking to the gym. Too late now to change that decision, though Ioanne probably would still gladly make the changes.

He sat, waiting a moment before standing. While he’d been recovering, Zaiden had put the weights away. Together, the two men walked, though Tomak shuffled, from the workout area. And although Tomak didn’t lean on Zaiden, he wanted to. Oh, how he wanted to.

Zaiden stayed just long enough to make sure Tomak wouldn’t drown himself in the shower, then left, saying he had business.

Tomak stepped into the meditation room and stared at the pillows and cushions on the floor. Ioanne sat nude in a meditative pose. In spite of the punishment he’d given himself in the gym, seeing her renewed his energy. His cock hardened. His breath quickened, and thinking about her strong, slender fingers all over his body propelled him forward. He knelt by the cushions.

“Ready for me?” Tomak picked up a blue bottle and removed the stopper. He sniffed the oil, redolent with the scent of dark woods and spices. “Very nice.”

“Thank you.” Ioanne opened her eyes and stretched her arms above her head. The motion lifted her breasts, her hard nipples pointing right at him. “Why don’t you get comfortable? You’re probably sore after your workout.”

“Sore doesn’t begin to describe it.” Tomak settled himself with a sigh, determined to put Zaiden’s hovering behavior out of his mind, at least for a moment. His lover meant well. The caring nature that made him an excellent physical therapist translated into their relationship. Tomak could no more fault Zaiden than he could himself. Zaiden wouldn’t act like this if I hadn’t gotten hooked on Styng.

Ioanne knelt beside the cushions, sitting on her feet. She picked up the bottle and poured some of the massage oil into her palm. “This has herbs and oils in it to soothe your muscles.” She flattened her palms on his shoulders and stroked the length of his back.

“Mmm. That feels heavenly.” Tomak closed his eyes. He sighed, relaxing his muscles with each long, sweeping stroke of Ioanne’s hands. Beneath her ministrations, his worry about Zaiden faded. With time, Tomak knew he’d grow stronger, and hopefully within that same time Zaiden would relax. At least, Tomak hoped.

“Relax,” Ioanne said. “Your muscles are like rocks.”

A witty comeback tumbled to his lips, held back by the truth in Ioanne’s words. Sure, some parts of his body were supposed to be hard, and they were. His shoulder and neck muscles, however, needed to loosen up.

“It’s Zaiden, isn’t it?” Ioanne continued as if Tomak had spoken. “I know. Trust me, I know how he can be. Give him time. Let him see that you’re coming back.” She kneaded the taut globes of his buttocks before straddling him to work on his shoulders.

Her supple thighs framed his hips, her pussy pressed against his lower back. If he turned over… Tomak grinned. Not yet. The heel of her hand found a particularly tight muscle beneath his shoulder blade. He groaned as she worked her fingertips against it.

“Feel good?”

“Yeah, real good,” Tomak agreed. He closed his eyes on a blissful sigh, the spicy scent surrounding him. Ioanne’s slight weight on his back only added to the massage.

Ioanne moved her attention to the back of his neck. “Good.” Bending forward, she pressed a kiss to the base of his neck. “Because I want you to feel good.”

Tomak smiled against the pillow. Not to fault his lover, but after dealing with Zaiden in the gym, Ioanne’s gentle ministrations hit the spot, literally and figuratively. He shifted, easing his aching cock.

Her lips pressed soft kisses down his spine, working toward the middle of his back. He stifled a groan at the tiny flicks of her tongue. Reaching out, his hand encountered the blanket and not her silky-smooth thigh. Tomak fisted his hand in the fabric. “Need… to… touch…”

Ioanne’s husky chuckle went straight to his cock and squeezed. “Not yet. Relax.” Bending forward, she drew the pad of his earlobe into her mouth and sucked.

Tomak groaned. Slowly, finger by finger, he released the blanket to reach behind him. Finally he found her arm and rubbed his thumb over the skin of her inner elbow. The angle hurt, stretched the muscles in his shoulder, bruised from too much work on the weight machines. Tomak shoved the pain from his mind just as he did when he played. The objective, then as now, was to score. From the way Ioanne wriggled against him, he’d be doing just that.

She kissed the sensitive place behind his ear, nipping and sucking her way down his neck. At the fleshy pad of his shoulder, she scraped him with her teeth, the pleasure-pain making his cock twitch.

That was enough. With a grin he flipped beneath her, toppling her from him. She started to protest, her mouth open in a pretty oval. Grabbing her hips, Tomak hauled her across him and kissed her. His tongue delved into her open mouth. He slid one thigh between her legs, bending his knee to rub it against her pussy. Slick wetness coated his skin. He pinned one of her legs between his, not letting her move to straddle him. Her hips bucked against him, her tongue stroking along his. Tiny little moans erupted from her throat.

He lifted her, dipping his head to capture the tip of one nipple in his mouth. He flattened his tongue against it. The tight bead hardened even more. So hot, so good, and just what he needed to put this afternoon’s events in the weight room out of his mind. Tomak nudged her thighs open with his, shifting so he eased his hips between them. His cock brushed against the inside of her thigh, just that contact enough to tighten his balls.

Bringing him here was the best thing Zaiden had ever done. He swirled his tongue around Ioanne’s nipple, the knowledge of how good she was to him, for him, driving him to pleasure her.

Ioanne arched her back, pressing her breasts against Tomak’s mouth. The tension he’d come into the room with had faded the moment she’d touched his back. Flutters of pleasure coursed through her body, threatening to shove her thoughts aside. She gave into it. The time to think could come later.

She shifted her hips in an attempt to slide the tip of his cock along her slick labia. The delicate friction sent a keening moan tumbling from her lips. Against her skin, Tomak groaned. His big hands spanned her waist, holding her in position for his hungry mouth.

Slight tremors betrayed the weakness in his muscles. Ioanne shifted her weight, trying to flip onto her back. Tomak’s hands held her fast.

He released her nipple, licking the tight bud. “Let me.” A subtle shift of their positions had him sinking into her until he seated himself fully inside.

Ioanne’s breath caught. Closing her eyes, she groaned. She flexed her inner muscles, holding him tight. His shaft hit a sensitive place high and deep inside her.

A low groan rumbled from his chest.

For long moments, she hovered there, impaled on him. And then, he began to move.

Ioanne let Tomak take the lead. She sensed the need inside him to direct their lovemaking. Leaning forward, she reached for his hands. She tangled their fingers, pressing down against him for leverage. Her hips shifted, sliding off of him until just the tip of his cock hovered inside her. She gave a quick, downward thrust and impaled herself on his shaft.

She focused on the movement, on the perfect way their bodies fit together. In spite of everything he’d gone through, Tomak exhibited strength, balancing her, holding her. His muscles beneath her moved quick and sure, no trace of the weakness that came from battling his addiction.

Moving slowly and deliberately, Ioanne kept her thoughts centered. Each movement was a promise, a benediction to the love she shared with Tomak. And Zaiden. She sank onto him. Tiny mewling cries erupted from her throat.

Tomak squeezed her fingers, then released her hand to reach between her legs. He stroked her clit, the tiny brushes in tune with each thrust.

Ioanne closed her eyes. Emotion rolled through her. Her body tightened, the need for release sending her higher and higher. She whimpered with the power. Each thrust sent her closer to the edge, until she tumbled into oblivion with a keening cry. Shudders pummeled through her body. Her breath caught, held, until she came back down on ragged breaths.

Tomak grinned. He stilled, his body still hard inside hers. Flipping her, he nestled her on the blanket, somehow managing to stay between her legs. The sudden change in position drove him deeper, and Ioanne lifted her heels to press into his buttocks. With him above her, all cares about his strength faded away. He covered her, sheltering her against his warmth. His powerful thrusts filled her, and she found each one carrying her higher and higher.

Ioanne curled her fingers into his back. Lifting herself, she kissed him, thrusting her tongue into his mouth to possess him the way he did her. Twined together as close as two people can be, she made love to him. Each thrust joined them together, body and soul. The hours spent meditating bound them, created harmony that nothing could break. With a cry, she came, the pleasure coursing through her body so hard and so fast she could do nothing but cling to him.

Above her, Tomak stiffened. A low, possessive growl erupted from his throat. He thrust into her, every muscle in his body going rigid. Hot splashes of his seed filled her, triggering tiny orgasms until he tumbled to the side and pulled her in his arms.

Tomak slid one hand beneath her shoulders, the other reaching up to stroke her short, vibrant red hair. His warm breath caressed her cheek.

Ioanne snuggled against his chest, basking in his warmth. She rubbed her palm over his chest. After what he’d gone through, what they’d endured in the name of his addiction, finally, she saw the old Tomak again. A soft smile curved the corners of her lips. A sense of contentment the likes of which she hadn’t felt in a long time filled her. Relaxed from their lovemaking, she allowed her eyelids to drift close. Just for a little while. Just long enough to savor this moment.

The door slid open.

Ioanne cracked open an eye, aware that in the moments when she’d rested Tomak must have fallen asleep. Poor guy. First the workout in the gym, then the workout here, and she hadn’t even completed her massage. A puff of air caressed her naked body. She shivered, her nipples tightening in the cool air.

“Zaiden?” She shifted enough to see her other lover standing in the door, his dark hair tousled and sweaty as if he’d run several miles at the gym. Shorts rode low on his hips. A towel hung over his shoulder, white against his tanned skin.

He stopped and stared at them.

“Zaiden?” Ioanne called a little louder. “We missed you.”

He grunted and turned on his heel, heading down the hallway.

The silence, and his abrupt departure, hit Ioanne like a freight train. She sighed. Extracting herself from beneath Tomak’s arm wasn’t easy; however, she accomplished it without waking him. Ignoring her robe, she made sure the massage oil had been capped tightly, then hurried down the hall. By the time she reached the door to Zaiden and Tomak’s original room, it’d been closed. The sound of water running hinted about Zaiden’s whereabouts.

Ioanne’s hand hovered in front of the control panel. Go in there, naked and sweaty from Tomak, and make love to Zaiden or wait and pounce on him later. She drew her lower lip between her teeth and nibbled on it. Balance and moderation. The two by-words of her sacred order pulled at her, dragging her back to her own room, Zaiden’s torn expression haunting her the entire way.

Chapter Two

Zaiden raked his fingers through his hair and released a pent-up sigh. He sat on the edge of the bed, struggling to fight the sting of seeing Ioanne and Tomak making love. Moments before, he’d received a message from a prestigious health firm telling him in spite of his substantial resume, they didn’t need his help. Zaiden swallowed hard and took a deep breath. Seeing his two lovers together hurt more than it should. Rubbing his eyes with the heels of his hands, he shook his head.

Damn, my head is fucked up. He opened his eyes and sighed. For the last few weeks he’d focused on Tomak, to the detriment of himself. Tomak’s calling him on the carpet about his hovering barely touched the tip of the iceberg. He grinned. Yeah, Tomak had every right to call him names. Rolling his shoulders, he stretched. The beep of the communication unit interrupted his introspection.

Zaiden grabbed the remote off the nightstand and hit the answer button, leaving the screen off. “Hello,” he called.

“Zaiden. Glad I caught you.” Deke’s unmistakable voice filtered through the speakers.

Zaiden activated the video. “Deke. This is a surprise.” Zaiden sat on the end of the bed, his hands clasped around the remote control. Elbows resting on his thighs, he leaned forward and discreetly hit the lock on the door. “You want to talk to Tomak?”

“You. I think we both agree that it would be best for Tomak not to return to his team. It’s a sad loss, but don’t worry. We spun it right. Retiring at the prime, not wanting to linger like some players…” Deke’s voice trailed off. “No, I wanted to talk to you.”

The cavalier way Deke spoke about Tomak’s quasi-self-imposed retirement grated against Zaiden’s nerves. He worked his jaw, fighting the urge to clench it. Deke had no idea the things Tomak had gone through. Probably couldn’t even comprehend the pain Styng caused, and as long as it kept him in fat bonus checks probably didn’t care.

“What about?” Zaiden glanced toward the door. In his mind, the image of Tomak and Ioanne snuggled together burned. He ached to be a part of that tender moment.

“The team needs you. We need you. Come on back. You’ll receive a nice compensation package and will have supervision over the training team.” Deke held out his soft, flabby hands, palms up. “What do you think?”

“How much?” Zaiden schooled his expression. Beyond the door, the two people he cared for the most waited for him. Maybe not directly, and they might not even know it. But they waited for him. To join them in their bed and in their lives. Deke had no inkling of that kind of emotion, not when the only thing driving him was greed.

Deke named a figure easily twice what he had been making before coming to Spaceport Adana.

Zaiden sucked in a harsh breath. With that kind of money he and Tomak wouldn’t have to worry about anything. Then again, with Tomak’s past earnings from the TriZ League, he never had such concerns. “I see.”

“Think about it. Don’t think I’ll call again.” A light blinked on Deke’s desk, announcing another call. “That’s the owners. What should I tell them?”

“No.” The instant the word left Zaiden’s lips relief flooded him. “Thank you, but no. My place is here.”

“You’re making a hell of a mistake.” The light blinked again, most insistent this time. “Your loss.” Deke disconnected the call.

Zaiden locked the receiver, not wanting Deke to try and call back. He knew the manager. Though he said it was his last call, well, he’d said that before. And when things got too rough or pressures mounted, he called.

Zaiden rose to his feet. Unlocking the door, he stepped into the hall and listened. From behind Ioanne’s closed door he heard soft music. Continuing toward the meditation room, he strained to hear Tomak. At the entrance, he stopped.

Tomak sat on a tangle of blankets near the center of the room. Hands resting loosely on his thighs, body in the lotus position, eyes closed, he meditated. Zaiden smiled, drinking in the sight of his lover’s bare chest. Strong, corded muscles ran the length of his thighs and calves. Though resting, his arm muscles testified to the hard work in the gym and on the TriZ court. His half-hard cock nestled amongst blond curls.

Zaiden’s body responded, cock swelling, a delicious arousal coursing through his veins. Just the sight of his lover had him hard and ready. Deke’s offer rang in the back of Zaiden’s mind. Tomak had turned away far more lucrative offers to stay true to his heart. And right now, his heart lay with Ioanne. As did Zaiden’s.

“Hey.” Tomak opened his eyes and smiled at the sight of his lover. “Want to join me? There’s blanket enough for two.”

“I saw,” Zaiden replied. “Didn’t want to interrupt you and Ioanne.”

Tomak had the grace to drop his gaze to some invisible point on the floor. “Yeah, I think her massage got waylaid.” He shrugged. “Well, she’s gone, so there’s definitely room for two now.”

Tomak’s easy words propelled Zaiden across the floor. So different from the angry and defiant lover in the gym, and Zaiden welcomed the change. He dropped his clothes on his way to the cushions.

Naked, he sat on the blankets next to Tomak and found his lover reaching for his hand. Zaiden stared at their twined fingers.

“Just meditation,” Tomak offered. “We can worry about our dicks later.” He glanced at Zaiden’s lap.

Zaiden’s shaft leapt at the words, making a genuine smile spring to his lips. “Just meditation,” he agreed. And as he closed his eyes, he knew that Ioanne and Tomak were right. This was the perfect way to get his head in order.

A few hours later, Zaiden sat at the table with his partners. The blend of steamed vegetables and rich legumes smelled heavenly. Zaiden pushed his food around the plate. Meditating with Tomak had settled his mind somewhat, but now, faced with the prospect of revealing Deke’s call, he stumbled.

Watching the two of them reminded him that he’d made the right decision. A no brainer really. It made no sense that declining the agent’s offer tore him up inside. None whatsoever. Zaiden ate a bite of food, the flavors bursting on his tongue. Compared to the bland, protein-heavy food at the team’s training camps, Ioanne cooked pure ambrosia.

Afternoons like these had been rare enough while Tomak worked through the worst of his detox that Zaiden had learned to savor them. Not today. He stared at his food, his appetite gone.

“Deke called,” he blurted.

Tomak rested his silverware on his plate. “What did he want?” Barely concealed venom filled his voice.

Even Ioanne stilled. She stared at the two men. “I thought he was out of our lives.”

“Me, too.” Zaiden reached for Ioanne. His best friend’s slender body vibrated like a reed in a turbulent pond. Zaiden weighed his words, not wanting to worry her. Tension etched lines around her lips and eyes. Pain, hurt, fear that he’d go away again, swam in her eyes. “He offered me a job, but I turned him down.”

“That bastard!” Tomak slammed his fist on the table hard enough to make the place settings jump. “Just couldn’t leave well enough alone, could he?” He shoved his chair back, violently scraping the legs against the floor.

Zaiden reached for his lover, too late as Tomak pulled out of reach. “I turned him down!” Zaiden squeezed Ioanne’s fingers. “I turned him down, for us.”

“He’ll be back. That bastard is like a little terrier with a big bone. I know… I know…” Tomak waved his hand in the air. “He told you he’d never call again. That this was his final offer.” He paced behind the table. In his bare feet, his footfalls slapped against the linoleum. He stopped and crossed his arms over his chest. “I know how Deke works. It isn’t pretty.”

The vehemence in Tomak’s words stung. During the tirade, Ioanne inched her chair closer to his until she sat next to him, and Zaiden silently begged both of them to understand. “I told him no,” he insisted. To think that his lover accused him of not knowing how Deke worked… it was unfathomable. “I worked with the team, remember? I know how he works. They’re all like that. You think I didn’t take calls from agents and team managers trying to get me to remove a player from the DL? When millions of credits are on the line, those guys will do anything. I guarantee you the only person looking after the players’ health was me, and maybe, if I was lucky, the player.” He squeezed Ioanne’s hand.

“Yeah, but…” Tomak’s words faded on an incoherent growl. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed over his chest.

“Zaiden made the decision. He got the call. He told Deke no.” Ioanne’s soft words cut through Tomak’s anger.

Tomak sighed, the fight draining out of him. “And the next time?”

“I’ll tell him no then, too. I just watched you go through hell, Tomak. I’m not going back to the very place that put you there. What kind of man do you think I am?” He pulled Ioanne’s hand to his lips and brushed a kiss across the backs of her knuckles. Even if Tomak didn’t, she stood by him, and that counted for a lot.

“I just wish he’d leave us alone.”

“If you want, we can probably make that happen. Though I guarantee you, even if we pay for it, the instant word gets out you filed legal action on your former agent, the tabloids are going to be buzzing.”

For the first time since the conversation started, Tomak grinned. “Yeah and that would burn those bridges good.”

“Burning bridges is never a good idea, no matter how big the asshole they lead to,” Zaiden said.

Tomak chuckled. “You have a good point. So how much did he offer you?”

Zaiden told him the figure and watched as Tomak’s eyes widened.

“For a trainer? No offense, buddy, but that’s crazy!” Tomak shook his head. “But then again, I think we both can vouch for how good you are.”

Zaiden ignored the innuendo for now.

“So what are you thinking about doing since you won’t be returning to the league?” Ioanne asked.

Zaiden thought for a moment. They’d talked about maybe working with athletes just like Tomak who needed help with their addictions. Right now, delving into the details didn’t appeal. He shrugged. “We’ve gone through so much recently. I thought maybe I’d enjoy things. Then make some decisions. The league has left both of us well off, so it’s not like we have to worry.”

Tomak sat back down. The tense set of his shoulders eased. “Yeah, we really don’t have to worry. It pays being the MVP.” His expression softened. “It’s the least that they can do.” He reached for Zaiden, capturing his fingers. Ioanne took Tomak’s hand, and the three of them sat there, fingers clasped.

Their entwined hands reminded him of Tomak’s earlier promise. “I think you owe me something,” Zaiden told his lover.

Tomak arched an eyebrow.

“Yeah, from earlier. Meditate first, sex later. Time to pay up.” Zaiden turned to Ioanne. “Want to make him give it up for us?”

Beneath the fabric of her thin robe, Ioanne’s nipples tightened. “Yeah. The question is, which one of us is he going to fuck?”

Hearing the carnal word emerge from Ioanne’s lips hardened Zaiden’s cock. “He promised me. But maybe, if we’re lucky, he can take both of us.”

Ioanne rose from the table, releasing the men’s hands. Zaiden followed, ignoring the plates and mostly-eaten dinner left on the table. Walking behind Ioanne, Zaiden let the sway of her hips, the promise of her hot, wet pussy sliding around his cock, draw him into the meditation room. Sometime before dinner, she must have cleaned up, because now, several large cushions created a space large enough for the three of them.

Zaiden smiled. In dealing with Tomak’s addiction, they hadn’t fixed sleeping arrangements, and neither bed was really large enough for the three of them. Ioanne had promised them she’d move into their larger room soon.

Tomak walked just behind his shoulder, his presence warm and vital. He rested one hand on Zaiden’s shoulder. “This looks nice.” His deep voice rumbled in Zaiden’s ear.

Zaiden nodded, his cock hardening with the potential offered by that comfortable pile of blankets and pillows. Standing there in the middle, Ioanne untied the sash on her robe and let her clothing fall to the floor. She gracefully sat in lotus position, her hands resting on her thighs.

Zaiden’s erection hardened painfully. Though she sat nearly halfway across the room, the pink lips of her pussy were clearly visible. Her hard nipples pointed at him, the little buds ready to be kissed.

“I don’t think we’re meditating tonight.” Tomak strode forward, losing clothing as he went. Naked, he sat down next to Ioanne, assuming the same position. He held one hand aloft, beckoning Zaiden closer.

Zaiden swallowed hard. The desire in his blood pounded a furious beat, his cock so hard the merest brush of his fingers as he shed his pants was painful. He stripped, then crossed the space to his lovers. He knelt, glancing from Ioanne’s wet labia to Tomak’s stiff rod. “No, I don’t think we are, either.”

He leaned forward, bracing his weight on his hands, his shoulders hovering over Ioanne’s legs. Presenting his ass to Tomak, Zaiden blew tiny puffs of air across Ioanne’s damp sex. He licked his lips, already able to taste the salty sweetness of her musk.

“What do you think?” Shifting his weight onto one arm, he brushed his fingers across her nipples.

Ioanne’s quickly indrawn breath was all the answer he needed. Rising toward her, he pushed her back onto the pillows, his face moving unerringly toward her breasts. He licked and kissed her. Drawing the tight bead of her nipple into his mouth, he captured her wrists and drew them above her head.

Tomak moved behind him.

Zaiden spread his legs. Lifting his ass into the air, he gave Tomak access to his cock and balls. Wrapping his lips around her nipple, he drew it into his mouth. Her tiny cries inflamed him. The way she rolled her hips beneath his, her slim thighs gripping him, the press of her heels against his calves and buttocks… his cock throbbed with the need to slide into her slick channel. His Ioanne. Always his.

Tomak reached beneath Zaiden’s hips to stroke the length of his shaft.

Zaiden groaned around the nipple in his mouth. If his lover kept touching him like that, they weren’t going to make it. He grazed Ioanne’s nipple with his teeth. Trailing his lips down, over her stomach, he savored the smooth texture of her skin, the honey-succulent taste of her.

He nuzzled her stomach. Zaiden dipped his tongue into the hollow of her navel, then lower, to the tip of the trimmed strip of hair at the junction of her thighs. He snaked his tongue along her labia, gathering her juices to taste them. The plump bud of her clit called to him, reminded him of his own hard and aching cock resting in Tomak’s palm. Zaiden released her hands. He gripped her thighs, spreading her wide for his lips and tongue.

Zaiden grabbed her hips. Knowing Tomak would go with him, he twisted, sliding Ioanne down over his mouth.

By his knees, Tomak laughed.

Zaiden muffled his response against Ioanne’s slick folds. Delving between them, he flicked his tongue against her clit. She shivered, the tremors going all the way down to her toes, pressed against his sides. He loved her with his mouth. Her tiny cries fired his blood, bound them together. Her hands found his, drew them up to her breasts, clutched onto him as if he were her lifeline.

Ioanne tipped her head back. A sobbing cry emerged from her throat. Her sweet juices drenched his lip, his chin, and she came. Tiny ripples turned into tight waves of pleasure. She pressed her cunt to his mouth, making him eat her, drink her, breathe her.

Tomak slid his mouth down the length of Zaiden’s cock.

A hoarse shout tore itself from his throat. Damn, having his lover suck him nearly set him off. His hips bucked, and Zaiden struggled to keep his cool. When he came, he wanted to be buried balls-deep inside Ioanne.

She pushed off of him to lay with her head propped on his chest, watching Tomak lick and fondle his dick. Her soft smile curved against his stomach; her fingers trailed down over his abs to toy with the dark hair at the root of his shaft. Watching her, knowing Tomak was there between his legs, filled him with a contentment that he’d never known before. Her slim fingers joined Tomak’s, circling his base and squeezing gently.

Zaiden kept his hips still and splayed one hand on Ioanne’s back. For too long he’d directed things -- Tomak’s recovery, bringing them to Ioanne -- and lying back to savor the moment held its appeal. Tomak tightened his throat muscles against the head of Zaiden’s cock. Closing his eyes, Zaiden groaned. Like before, before the Styng, before they came to Adana… this was what they had had together. And now, between them, was Ioanne.

He drew a deep breath and somehow managed to wriggle free. Moving over Ioanne, Zaiden settled himself between her thighs. His cock nudged her folds, and he stared down into her eyes. His Ioanne. She’d stood by him. She’d followed him. And when he brought Tomak to her doorstep, she accepted him and loved them both. Right now, the turmoil deep inside eased, and he sank into her body.

Chapter Three

Tomak waited until Zaiden rested fully inside Ioanne. Her tiny feet pressed into Zaiden’s ass, her hands clamped onto his shoulders as if he were the only anchor in her world. Tomak’s heart twisted. He’d found a bottle of lube discreetly tucked beneath the blankets, and poured a generous amount between the cleft of Zaiden’s buttocks.

A single finger spread the slippery liquid from the dimples at the base of Zaiden’s spine all the way down to the backside of his balls. He reached for the lightly furred sac, fondling them in the palm of his hand. A low groan rumbled through Zaiden’s chest.

“Tomak, don’t,” he growled.

Tomak stilled his hand. His dick pounded, and Tomak slid his slippery fingers down his own length. His breath caught, thoughts of the heat to be found deep inside Zaiden’s body propelling him forward. The head of his cock slid against Zaiden’s puckered opening. Tomak’s nostrils flared. Nothing, not even winning MVP and the Galactic TriZ tournament, compared to this moment.

Fingers curled around his lover’s hip, Tomak gave a shallow thrust. The head of his cock slid inside, his balls tightening at the hot furnace of his lover’s body. Too many days, too many weeks since he’d done this. The tremors and sickness that ravaged his body had fled, and this, his cock sliding inch by inch into Zaiden, proved more than anything that he was whole and healthy. He could do this. He could be a part of this relationship.

As he filled his lover, Tomak looked over Zaiden’s shoulder at Ioanne. She lay beneath them, their weight no doubt pinning her to the blankets. Her lips parted, her eyes closed, her panting breaths forced her breasts to rise and plump against Zaiden’s chest. “Oh, God,” Tomak moaned. His balls slapped against Zaiden’s, and the other man thrust even deeper into Ioanne.

Like one being, they moved. The subtle slide of skin against skin formed a delicious dance of three people coming together as one. Tomak tried, and failed, to absorb the importance of what they were doing. Because then, Zaiden pushed back, impaling himself on Tomak’s cock, and shuddered.

Tomak’s muscles strained. Thighs and calves bore the brunt of his weight, all his restraint caught up in not pressing forward to pin his lover to the floor. Not when Ioanne was beneath him, her toes curling against Tomak’s ribs, her hands brushing against his shoulders and abs when she clutched at his lover. The wet sounds of sex filled the room, a rhythmic counterpoint to their mingling cries. Spices from dinner faded from the air beneath the musky odors of sex.

“Zaiden,” Ioanne cried out. She tightened her hold, her fingers leaving tiny furrows on Zaiden’s back.

Tomak kissed them, drawing his tongue along the red furrows.

With a long, shuddering groan, Zaiden joined Ioanne in release. They trembled together, their cries joining into one joyous shout of completion. Tomak struggled to hold on. Just a few strokes more. But then Zaiden tightened his muscles. Tomak’s balls tightened. Pressure built, and one more dive into the depths of Zaiden’s body made him come. The rush of his seed pouring into his lover triggered more than his orgasms. He held himself still, savoring the moment of close connection with Zaiden. Then slowly, he pulled away to lie on the blankets.

Zaiden curled up between them, drawing Ioanne against his chest.

Tomak turned to curl against his lover’s back, his hand splayed across Ioanne’s buttocks.

We do this so well. If only we didn’t have to worry about anything other than sex. A smile flirted around the edges of Tomak’s lips. It’d work out. With the sweat cooling on his skin, his worry about Zaiden talking to Deke, about how things would end up now that he was well on his way to kicking Styng… he thought too much. For a jock, anyway. Maybe it was time he stopped playing that role.

Contentment settled over him as he lay with his lover. No one spoke, though he figured none of them needed to, either. Just enjoy the moment. Don’t think. And maybe tomorrow, he could come up with a plan. Because he couldn’t lie around and be Tomak, the former TriZ player and Styng addict, forever. He needed a job, and a way to build a life with the two people he loved.

* * *

Sweat rolled down Tomak’s torso and soaked into the waistband of his gym shorts. He hefted the barbell above his chest, bench-pressing at least as much weight as he had prior to his addiction. Muscles protested. Every cell in his body screamed for him to let up the punishing pace. He held the weight one more second, then set it back down with little more than a chink of barbell against metal support.

“How’s that?” He reached for a bottle of water and swigged down half of it, wiping his face with a towel. “Not bad, huh?”

Zaiden grunted.

At least he’s not hovering over me. “Wanna spar?” Tomak rose from the bench, the towel slung over his shoulder, the bottle of water held loosely in his other hand. They had the gym to themselves thanks to some credits and careful scheduling. Tomak bounced on the balls of his feet. “It’ll be like old times.”

Zaiden grunted again.

“Knock it the fuck off.” Tomak brushed past Zaiden, heading toward the mats.

Zaiden’s hand whipped out and grabbed his arm. “Knock what the fuck off?” Anger lent a hard edge to his voice.

Now we’re getting somewhere. Finding a weak spot in my white knight’s shining armor. “Being broody. I’m back, baby.” He kept his tone as light as his feet. If he closed his eyes, he could imagine the whoosh of the vacuum tubes as the gravity eased to a fraction of its usual force and the clamor of a starting claxon. He stared pointedly at the hand holding his arm.

“You’re back,” Zaiden grunted. “Now what?” He shook his head and pulled away.

This time, Tomak grabbed his lover. He pulled him back hard enough to make Zaiden stumble against him. “What do you mean, now what? Now we can get back to living.” He slid his free hand around the back of Zaiden’s head and drew his lover’s lips down to his own. He kissed Zaiden, hot and hungry, his tongue delving into Zaiden’s open mouth.

Zaiden pulled back. “You wanna spar?” Something shuttered Zaiden’s expression. He drew away from his lover, both physically and emotionally.

Tomak nodded. He jerked his thumb toward the mats. “Let’s go.” He stalked over to the mats, holding the door open for Zaiden. Setting his bottle of water on a shelf, he draped his towel over the corner. The door closed behind them. The room sealed. Tomak’s fingers hovered over the switch, ready to decrease the gravity. “Wanna play?”

For the first time, Zaiden smiled. “Yeah, you say you’re back. Let’s see what you got.”

Tomak flipped the switch. The gravity dampers whirred to life, everything in the room suddenly becoming lighter. Tomak bounded to the center of the mats, the familiar rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins. No nets divided this court into quarters. No teams filled the space, just him and Zaiden.

Tomak jumped, easily bounding to touch the top of the fifteen-foot ceiling, brushing against the mats secured there, before landing easily on his feet. Large strides took him to the shelf where gear waited. He tossed headgear and gloves to Zaiden, then donned a royal blue set that matched his gym shorts. Not that he figured he’d need the protection. Even before Tomak’s addiction Zaiden had pulled his blows.

He waited a moment, watching Zaiden stand stiffly in the center of the mats. There’d been a time when Zaiden welcomed their sparring, when he’d been the partner his lover needed. A few hours of pounding on each other always took the stress away. Tomak curled his fingers into his gloves, yearning for that again.

Zaiden moved to the center of the mats and lifted his hands.

Tomak waited. The calm, determined look in Zaiden’s eyes appeared more resigned than ready. Moving into position, he lifted his fists. “You first.”

Zaiden swung. The edge of the glove brushed past his jaw. Tomak watched him recapture his balance. He stalked forward, a determined glint in his eye. He punched again.

Tomak ducked, finally getting a sense that Zaiden was actually going to spar with him, not just humor him with half-assed punches. Automatically, he returned the blow, catching Zaiden square in the chest. The force shoved him backwards, sending him tumbling to rest against the fall wall.

For a moment, Zaiden sat stunned.

Bolting forward, Tomak hurried toward him. “I’m sor --”

Zaiden’s right hook caught Tomak on the chin. He followed it with an uppercut that sent Tomak flailing backwards.

Yeah! Forgetting that it was his lover, Tomak retaliated. Solid body blows forced air from Zaiden’s lungs. The lowered gravity sent them careening into a wall, the mats cushioning the blows. Back and forth they went until droplets of sweat clung to their bodies, not quite falling, not quite floating. The reduced gravity made every blow a physics lesson in force and reactions.

Tomak loved it. For the first time in a long time, adrenaline coursed through his veins. His finely honed muscles responded to every movement, his zero-G balance returning with a vengeance. He drew a deep breath, evading another blow from Zaiden.

Come on, man. Hit me. Tomak mentally dared his lover to follow through, to prove to both of them that Tomak’s addiction hadn’t made him weak. He grinned as Zaiden clipped him in the jaw, sending him spinning backwards.

Pain blossomed along his chin. Tomak laughed. Spreading his arms wide to catch as much drag as possible, he bounced into the mats along the wall and slid to the ground. He sat there. Drawing his legs up to his chest, he laughed. His head pounded. His muscles ached. Still, Tomak laughed, delighted to even be here sparring at all.

“What’s so funny?” Zaiden called. He stood halfway down the court, his hands on his hips. “Stand up. Come on.”

Tomak watched him, wondering if his lover was even aware of the fact that he was treating Tomak as an equal. He rose to his feet, a bit shakier than he expected. He stood there, palms braced on his thighs, and drew a deep breath.

“You okay?” Worry crept into Zaiden’s voice.

“Does this look like I’m okay?” At the muttered question, Tomak rose and barreled down the court. He ran, each stride pushing him farther, faster. He jumped up into the air and planted both feet in the center of Zaiden’s chest. His lover gave an “oomph” and shot backwards.

Emboldened by his lover’s reaction, Tomak followed him, pinning him in the corner. Tomak braced his hands on the mats, wishing just for a moment that this was a regulation TriZ court with its handles near the ceiling for the goaltenders. He swung his hips into Zaiden, hooking one calf around his lover’s lean legs.

“Do I feel okay to you?” He rubbed his erection against Zaiden.

“I think you might need some attention.” They both removed their gloves, and Zaiden slid his hand between them and dipped beneath the waistband of Tomak’s shorts. The tips of his fingers brushed across the base of Tomak’s hard cock.

Tomak groaned.

“Definitely feels like there’s something here that needs checking out.” Zaiden hooked his thumbs into the waistband of Tomak’s shorts and shoved them down.

Tomak’s cock sprang free. A tiny drop of pre-come hovered on the tip.

Zaiden captured it on his fingers and drew the pearlescent bead to his lips. He licked them and made a delicious noise.

Tomak found slender handholds and used them to secure himself. Zaiden slipped lower, grabbing Tomak’s hips to steady himself. Dipping his head, he wrapped his lips around the tip of Tomak’s cock. A low moan rumbled through his throat, vibrating against Tomak’s shaft.

Curling his fingers, Tomak struggled to keep his position. His fingers slipped. He grunted, determined not to fall.

Zaiden took him deep. The warm, wet suction of his mouth tightened Tomak’s balls. The muscles in Tomak’s arms shook from the strain of trying to hang onto the wall. “I’m going to fall.” His fingers slipped. He muttered a curse, trying to keep his hold.

His fingers fell free. Tomak tumbled from the wall, Zaiden’s mouth sliding from his cock with an audible pop. Knowing the mats would catch him, he spread his arms and legs like in free-fall, wanting to remain on his back. He landed with a soft thud, opening his eyes just long enough to see Zaiden tumbling after him. The other man landed with a soft thud. He sat up, rubbing his knee where he’d slammed it into the mats.

“Guess you weren’t kidding when you said that you were healed.” Zaiden pointed to his jaw. “You give me a bruise?”

Tomak pulled off his gym shorts and tossed them behind him on the mat. He kept his shoes and socks on -- they weren’t in the way. He crawled over to his lover, noticing the red marks where his blows had landed. Reaching beneath Zaiden’s chin, Tomak flipped the latch on his headgear. He shoved Zaiden’s headgear off his head and ran his fingers through his lover’s sweaty dark curls. Thankfully, it just protected his ears and chin, leaving mouths free for other things.

He brushed a kiss across Zaiden’s chin, then lower to his shoulder and chest. A dark bruise marred the perfect skin of Zaiden’s abs, and Tomak kissed that one, too. “Yeah, you’re going to bruise. I think I got carried away.”

Tomak slid his hands beneath the waistband of Zaiden’s shorts, a feeling of possessiveness washing over him. His trainer. His lover. Leaning forward, he closed the space between them and captured Zaiden’s lips. Tomak thrust his tongue inside, his cock sliding against Zaiden’s sweat-slickened skin.

Zaiden thrust against him, the low gravity making them bounce into the air in time with the motion. Low groans and husky moans echoed in the chamber. Their raspy breathing mingled with the sounds of the air vents, creating a white noise that cocooned them in sensual pleasure.

Somehow, Zaiden’s shorts ended up tossed to the side. Tomak bent Zaiden’s legs, the low gravity making it easy for him to slide underneath his lover. Using his precum, Tomak rubbed the head of his cock against Zaiden’s back entrance.

“Do it.”

“Still think I need coddling?” Tomak punctuated his words with a tiny thrust.

“No,” Zaiden panted.

“Still think you need to protect me?” Tomak inched his cock deeper into Zaiden.

“No.”

Tomak tormented him with short, shallow strokes.

Zaiden reached for him, finally managing to curl his fingers around Tomak’s arms to try and hold them together. Tomak grinned, and with a quick push from his leg, he disconnected them long enough to flatten Zaiden to the mats. Tomak paused for a moment, savoring the moment when he’d slide his cock into his lover once more. A subtle shift of his hips, and he buried himself balls-deep.

This time, Tomak gave no mercy. Let Zaiden wonder if he was up to it. Let his lover think that he needed more time to recuperate. Each pounding thrust reinforced the truth that Tomak was back, and better than ever. He nipped the back of Zaiden’s neck, the animalistic urge to claim his mate coursing through him.

With a cry, Tomak gave himself over to his release. He poured his seed into his lover, a long, low groan accompanying his orgasm. Tiny twitches hit his muscles. His body stiffened, and only the low gravity kept him from crushing Zaiden.

A moment later Zaiden came. He bucked his hips, nearly throwing Tomak from him. Reaching out, he curled his fingers against the mats. To think that he could bring his lover to such a release sent a flush of pride through Tomak. His arousal quickened, and he rolled away, lest he take Zaiden for a second round. Not that it wouldn’t be nice, but their time in the gym grew short. He’d hate to have someone walk in on them. No matter how his professional career imploded, Tomak had worked to keep Zaiden out of the papparazi’s limelight.

Tomak rolled to his side. He fished around, finally grabbing his shorts and pulling them on. He tossed a towel to Zaiden. “We probably should be heading back.”

Zaiden wiped his hand across his forehead and groaned. “Man, you killed me.”

Tomak laughed. “Guess that means you don’t think I’m weak, huh?”

“Never thought that. Never.” Zaiden pulled on his shorts, wiped off the mats, and followed his lover out of the gym.

* * *

The patter of water against the shower stall drowned out the beep of the communications unit. Sitting on the bed, Zaiden cast a glance toward the bathroom where his lover showered, then hit the answer button, not liking the implications.

Deke sat at a desk, his hair disheveled, his tie loose. “Zaiden. Glad I got you.”

“What do you want?” Zaiden reached for the off button. Just like Tomak had said, the bastard had called again.

“You need to take my offer. The team needs you.”

Zaiden listened to be sure the water was still running. “Tomak needs me more. You can’t offer me anything that would make me leave him.”

“Triple what I offered you, and Tomak can come back to the team. No Styng. The league has outlawed it now, or they will. I’ll make them. You have to come back. The owners are killing me.” A wild light filled Deke’s eyes. “Think about it?”

The water stopped.

Zaiden frowned. “Yeah. I got to go.” He hit the button, not liking the way his stomach churned. The agent had to let them go once and for all.

Chapter Four

After Deke’s phone call, Zaiden went out to the botanical gardens, planning to wander among the flowers and lose himself in his thoughts. Spending nearly an hour failed to offer the solace he’d wanted. By the time he returned to the living quarters he shared with his lovers, he knew he needed their help. He found them sprawled on a pile of blankets and pillows in the meditation room, still clothed.

“Hey, glad you’re back. We wanted to talk to you about something.” Tomak gestured him over to their nest.

“I did, too.” Zaiden settled himself across from them, snatching one of the pillows to rest against. “You first.”

“The unit next door has come up for sale, and Ioanne and I have checked into it. We can create some passageways between the two places and there’s plenty of room for a huge bedroom for the three of us.” Tomak pointed to the wall on the opposite end of the room from their kitchen and living areas.

Zaiden followed where he pointed, trying to remember what had been next door. “Wasn’t that a clinic of some sort?”

“A mental health clinic. I’d like to make it the Trucco Addiction Center. Ioanne and I have talked. I want us to work together, and I want to help people with addictions. I want you to join us. You can help with the physical therapy aspects, because having a healthy body is just as important as having a healthy mind. You game?”

Zaiden sucked in a harsh breath. Tomak’s news was so at odds with his that frankly, Zaiden had no idea what to think. It’d be nice, and for a moment, he allowed himself to dream of the three of them working together. Deke had offered money and little else. Between his work and Tomak’s, no one lacked for credits. Working together, doing something like this and helping people… that’s why he had gone into his field to begin with.

Because my father had been a physician who couldn’t heal himself. Zaiden stilled, the synchronicity of Tomak’s offer striking. The athlete knew his goals. They’d spent hours in each other’s arms, talking about their future. How Zaiden longed to help people the way his father had, and how Tomak wanted to really help young TriZ stars the way elders had him. The opportunity Tomak presented would fulfill both their dreams. Sure made Deke’s offer look half-assed at best.

“So what did you want to say?” Tomak asked.

Looking at his lovers, Zaiden realized that he’d never really had any questions about what he was going to do; he just thought he had. He shook his head. “Nothing important. Just wanted to tell you that you were right. Deke called again. Offered me three times his last offer.”

Tomak whistled.

“What did you tell him?” Ioanne asked.

“I told him I’d think about it, just to get him to go away. After listening to you guys, I’m going with my first answer. No. And hell no. I like what you guys are offering. So what’s the plan?”

“Nothing yet. Tomak wanted to talk to you, and I need to talk to the agent. She’s the one who got me this place, and I’d chatted with her over the years at possibly expanding. I think she knew I couldn’t stay a small temple forever.” She smiled warmly at Tomak. “His offer happened to work well.”

“Dare I ask what they want for it? And can I see the space?”

Ioanne named a staggering figure. “But it has two separate wards with ten rooms each, plus plenty of space for common areas, and since it used to be a high-class medical office, there’s a physical therapy room already built in. Apparently this guy bought his own planet or something crazy, so he didn’t need this extravagant space.”

“But we do,” Tomak countered.

The dreams spun to life in his imagination -- watching him with patients, Tomak dealing with others who also faced the pain of addiction. “The Trucco Addiction Center, huh?” He smiled. “If I do this, I want to go in halfway. Split it right down the middle.”

“You want your name on the door?” Tomak arched an eyebrow. Reaching behind him, he tossed a pillow at Zaiden.

“Yeah, is that a problem?” Zaiden caught the pillow easily and flashed back to the afternoon’s sparring.

“I don’t know. Does my name still get to go first?”

Zaiden laughed, though the question stung. Oh, it was silly to fight like this over something as trivial as a name on the door. Tomak knew how Zaiden wanted his own practice. Working with the team was one thing… working on his own something completely different.

“What if I want my name first?” Ioanne’s question cut through Zaiden’s thoughts. “Look guys, I don’t think we should argue about anyone’s name on the door until we figure out what we’re going to do.”

“I thought we’d figured it out.” Tomak furrowed his brow. “We didn’t?”

She shook her head. “I think we need to work together. I’m the spiritual counselor here, and if you’re doing this, I’ll be helping. My center will be helping. Before we make any permanent decisions, I think we should use our energies to merge and become of one purpose. We need to use a path of meditation and spiritual discipline to orgasm together. Then we’ll be joined, body, heart, and soul. Then, we can make the important decisions we need to make.”

Zaiden’s cock hardened swiftly at her words. “I’m for that.”

“Yeah,” Tomak’s gruff voice betrayed his arousal. “Shouldn’t be hard at all.”

Ioanne rose to her feet long enough to shed her robe. “Want to make a bet on it?”

“Sure.” Zaiden stood and kicked off his clothes. “What’s the prize?”

“Loser gets his name last on the new building.”

Zaiden stuck out his hand and invited Ioanne to shake. “You’re on!”

* * *

Ioanne shook Zaiden’s hand, then turned to Tomak. His thoughtful expression contrasted with the exuberance Zaiden had shown. She offered her hand. “You want to shake on it, too?”

Tomak shrugged. “Why not?” He shook her hand, sliding his fingers along her palms. “It might be fun.”

Tomak’s cavalier attitude put a smile on Ioanne’s face. The men hadn’t been here two months yet. The meditations they’d done barely scratched the surface. If the guys thought they’d be able to easily conquer this, then they were in for a big surprise. At least with them, and her, the surprise would be most definitely big and pleasant.

Zaiden leaned in close to Tomak and whispered in his ear. “I don’t like the way she’s smiling.”

“Me, neither. But you can’t deny that whatever she has in mind will be fun.” Zaiden traced his finger over the leg of Tomak’s gym shorts. “But you’re overdressed.” He trailed his finger to the waistband and tugged on it.

Tomak stood and removed his shorts. “So what did you have in mind?”

Ioanne watched Tomak strip, ignoring the wave of arousal that hardened her nipples. Her sex grew wet. Her clit plumped and heat washed through her. She swallowed hard, drawing on her deep well of self-control to keep from fucking the guys right there. They had to do this and work through the discord that still existed between them. She sensed it in the way the men sat just far enough apart so they wouldn’t touch without effort. Zaiden glanced at Tomak, occasionally checking his response, and Tomak did the same. The guys weren’t as comfortable with each other as they had been when they’d arrived.

“I want to watch you guys masturbate. By working together you can time your strokes and pace your release.” Saying the words ratcheted up her own arousal. Breathing deeply, she ignored her body’s demands.

“Now?” Tomak shifted away from Zaiden.

That subtle move, more than anything, told her how much they needed this. Chatting with Tomak, she knew they’d made love -- okay, it sounded more like a quick fucking -- earlier in the day. She had no doubts her MVP could get it up for another round. “Why not?”

Tomak answered by wrapping his fingers around his cock. He stroked, feather-light touches that had the shaft growing.

“You, too,” she directed Zaiden. With the guys, she tried to keep her directions cool and impersonal. She’d done this before, though never participated quite as intimately, directing her clients through this kind of therapy. Mostly couples, a few triads, and all of it had been done behind closed doors. Rising to her feet, she went to a small shelf in the corner and grabbed a bottle of lube. She set it between the men, loving the way both of them reached up to fondle her breasts. She straightened, letting their fingers slide from her flesh, then resumed her seat on the pillows across from them.

“Thanks.” Zaiden paused in his stroking to grab the bottle. He drizzled some of the liquid into his hand, then passed the bottle to Tomak. When he curled his fingers around his cock, he gave a low groan.

Ioanne shuddered. Moisture flooded her labia. She reached for the blanket, curling her fingers into the soft, woven fabric to keep from touching herself. Wriggling, she worked to ease the pressure building inside her. Her nipples hardened into tiny peaks. Her breathing grew ragged.

Focus. Her training hammered at her, reminding her that she should be still and quiet like a pool of water. She focused on her breathing. The place at the center of her being, where she needed to rest and wait, eluded her. Instead, her attention focused on the men’s fingers glistening with the lubricant they used and the plump, ripe heads of their cocks.

“Breathe,” she said, mostly to remind herself. “Slow it down.”

“You think we can do that?” Though he questioned their abilities, Zaiden’s fingers slowed.

“Good. Easy.” She found control in leading the session, knowing this was what some of her audio files did for the other couples she worked with. And maybe that would have been a better solution, one that kept her from sitting here with a throbbing clit, wondering if she could touch herself to see how wet and needy the guys made her. In fact, maybe she shouldn’t be sitting here at all. Except then, she couldn’t watch to see if the guys did, indeed, come at the same time. Like most couples, she figured they’d blur a few facts about their first attempts at simultaneous orgasm.

She leaned forward, intending to touch each man’s arm. She straightened, knowing once she did that, it would be too easy to have them touch her, bring her to orgasm, and the hell with meditation and working together. To think that I once meditated nude and not once thought about sex. Of course that wasn’t with Tomak or Zaiden. Watching them reminded her of why she’d broken off from her order. Celibacy so didn’t become her.

“I could come anytime,” Tomak growled. “What are you waiting for?”

Ioanne smiled. “A sign.” She moved between them with the realization that what transpired here was as much about denying herself as it was finding balance between them. She forced the guys to stop, to make room for her between them, though they sat shoulder-to-shoulder with her facing behind them. She reached between their legs and palmed their balls. Curling her fingers around the base of the sac, she tugged gently on each of them. “Now, you may continue.”

Tomak groaned. His heat threatened to burn her palm. Each stroke of his fingers had his hand bumping against hers, setting off answering twinges inside her body. Zaiden mirrored Tomak’s movements, and she used it to monitor their tempo.

For long moments she sat in silence, concentrating on the men’s rhythms as they stroked their cocks. After several pumps of their fists, she started squeezing one man’s shaft when the other’s hand touched her hands. Their motions differed. She focused on those differences, seeing in them the men she loved.

Zaiden took his time, the slide of his hand slower along the length of his rod. He moved purposefully, the way he’d approach a medical problem, methodically. His breathing deepened, growing more relaxed with every stroke. Her body tuned in to his. She tightened her inner muscles with each long, slow slide of his fingers as if his cock were delving into her body.

“Slower, Tomak,” she whispered.

“Tell Zaiden to speed up.” Tomak snarled the words, though his fingers paused at the base of his cock.

Ioanne stared at where his fingers touched hers. Tiny zings of sensation wove through her hand and settled in her womb. With her thumb, she brushed against the edge of his hand. “I want you both to come at the same time.” Just repeating the words heightened her arousal. She licked her lips and wondered if she’d last as long as the men. She had to.

“What if I want to come now and then make love to you?” Tomak chuckled.

“That’s not what we’re working on.” She released her fingers with a teasing grin. “I’m sure you don’t want Zaiden to wait.”

“Yeah,” Zaiden growled from her other side.

Tomak caught Ioanne’s wrist, drawing her fingers back to his cock. He smoothed his fingers over the bone of her wrist, sliding them up her arm, then back again. His feather-light strokes kindled something deep inside her. Focusing on the men and not her own needs kept her from giving into her own desire.

“Let’s try this again.” She struggled to think of the men the way she would her clients.

Tomak stroked, his fingers once more touching hers. The rhythm remained slower this time, more in tune to Zaiden’s.

“Good,” Ioanne crooned. The empty altar mocked her with her lack of preparation. She sniffed the air, missing the crisp scent of incense. Instead of soft music or soothing sounds from a wilderness planet, the sound of the men’s breathing filled the room. Though the trappings didn’t make the difference, the effort did, and she missed not being able to complete things according to her teachings. Except getting up and changing the ambiance now would break their connection and she didn’t want to do that.

Her fingers tightened on the steely length of Zaiden’s cock. He worked closer to Tomak’s rhythm now, his fingers missing her squeeze by half a second or less. Still too much distance for them to come together. She grinned, thinking of many hours, or days, of practice here. And the guys thought it would be so easy…

* * *

Zaiden admitted that while he didn’t mind jacking off with Tomak, the thought of Ioanne directing them like this took some of the edge off his arousal. He tensed his jaw every time her delicate fingers tightened around his cock. Tiny groans slid past his clenched teeth and tight lips. He focused. Sweat beaded on his forehead. A drop slid down his spine to delve between his buttocks. Never before had he paid so damn much attention to the simple act of getting off.

Tomak sitting beside him, doing the same thing, only made him ache more. His lovers. The allure of the bet wore off easily. His name on the door, first or last, mattered little at the moment. Not with Ioanne naked beside him and Tomak on the other side of her. He increased his tempo a fraction, just enough that her fingers stopped squeezing his cock.

Her slim digits still circled his base, just as she did with Tomak. Glancing over at her, he stared at her closed eyes, her lashes fanned against her cheeks. Her parted lips looked so damn inviting, he wished he could slip his cock between them and have her suck him to completion. He shuddered.

Her fingers squeezed him.

This was silly. This was hot as hell. Swallowing hard, he stayed in the moment, nothing but the slide of his slick fingers along his length and the drops of precum spilling from his tip. His balls tightened. Pressure built, hard and heavy at the base of his spine. His hips jerked in tiny, involuntary movements, and he ground harder into his hand.

Ioanne, her fingers, the room, all of it faded away beneath the rhythm of his fingers and the way he hovered on the edge of release.

Tomak came. He groaned, that long, shuddering sound that Zaiden knew all too well, that heralded Tomak’s orgasm.

Ioanne gasped. The soft sound drove Zaiden over the edge, and he doubled over, coming hard and fast. His seed spurted from the end of his cock, covering his fingers and trickling over his legs. Waves of release pounded through him, made him wish he were in her tight pussy, because he’d bury himself so deep he’d never come out. His fingers tightened around his shaft, bracing for the aftershocks rippling through his body. With a gasping breath, he opened his eyes.

Tomak sat next to her drawing in gulps of air. Ioanne’s hands rested on their thighs. When she’d stopped touching him, Zaiden couldn’t say. She stared ahead like a statue.

They hadn’t come at the same time. And he’d lost. Zaiden closed his eyes and let his chin drop to his chest. Though it was a silly bet, a sense of failure washed through him. Though he’d been her friend and her confidant once, eventually he’d left Adana. He’d let her down. And tonight, she feared that ultimately he’d let her down once more.

Chapter Five

Ioanne used long, deep breaths to steady her raging emotions. Her wet pussy tormented her with the need to have one of the men, or both of them, buried deep inside her. She sensed Zaiden’s withdrawal. For all the men’s taunting, this mock-competition meant something to them. She knew it did to her.

She squeezed their thighs, wanting so desperately to draw the three of them together again. She stood long enough to take one step in front of them, and then sat down again. The men’s gazes dropped to her pussy, and she sat in lotus position, knowing her glistening pink folds tempted them.

“Now I want you to work together to bring me to orgasm,” she said. Keeping her voice instructor-smooth took most of her self-control.

“Work together?” Tomak glanced at Zaiden and smiled. “Any particular way you want us to do that?”

Ioanne shook her head. “Whatever you guys want to do. The trick is that neither one of you should do more than the other to bring me to orgasm. So you have to work together and in unison.” She stretched out her legs. With the two men’s different personalities, having them join forces to pleasure her might prove to be interesting. Tomak’s forcefulness clashed with Zaiden’s more thoughtful approach. Her pussy tingled just thinking about the two men applying their talents to her.

She leaned back, reaching out to find a pillow and slide it beneath her head. Lying there, her hands loose at her sides, she stared at the ceiling. Deep breathing carried her into a semi-meditative state. Staying there proved to be difficult. Neither man had moved, leaving her waiting to find out exactly what they’d do. Her breathing grew harsh. She closed her eyes. The mandala designs on the ceiling failed to soothe her the way they had in the past.

Tomak touched her left foot. She jumped, a squeak bursting from her lips. His husky chuckles filled her with warmth and slid over her like a caress. She gasped. His fingers curved around her foot, pressing into her arch. He massaged with soft, short strokes, working from the center of her foot toward her toes.

She moaned, a soft pleading noise that had Zaiden taking her other foot in his hands. Together, the men massaged her, their fingers working closer to her ankle, then over her calf muscles. She relaxed into their touches.

With her eyes closed, she couldn’t see how they were moving, whether they conferred with each other, or simply moved as they wished. Either way, she warmed to the prospect that this might work. One of the guys -- she suspected it might be Tomak -- brushed the sensitive place on the inside of her knee. His long fingers stroked the erogenous zone, playing it like a ball in a tournament.

Her toes curled against his arm.

“She likes this, doesn’t she?” Tomak’s fingers traced a sensual path up her leg to barely brush against her sex.

“Yeah. Bet she likes this more.”

Aha! Now the competitive nature of her men came out. Tomak kissed the top of her knee, flicking his tongue across her skin. He nuzzled her, covering her thighs in tiny kisses.

Ioanne squirmed. Pressure built deep inside. The men held her thighs apart, keeping her from squeezing them together.

“I think we’re getting to her.” Warm puffs of Tomak’s breath caressed her pussy.

Ioanne whimpered. Two fingers slid along her labia, one on each side, swirling into the moisture and finding her engorged clitoris. The sudden shock of pleasure pulled a quick gasp from her. Her hips bucked involuntarily. When these guys set their minds to something, they didn’t hold back. She panted.

Energy surrounded the three of them. Though the men removed their fingers from her labia and crawled up her body, their touch lingered. Warm mouths surrounded her nipples and sucked.

Automatically, she cupped the backs of their heads, her fingers sliding through Zaiden’s dark brown curls. Tomak’s spiky blond hair suited her better, poking up from between her fingers. She smiled, toying with his hair while he sucked her nipples. Focusing on the activity let her hold back her arousal, let her make the men work for her release.

Zaiden caressed her sides. The fluttering motions of his fingers focused her attention on him. And when he tangled his fingers with hers, she let him lift her arm above her head. Arching her back beneath him, she offered him her breast and her body. Small cries wrung from her throat, filling the air around them. Zaiden’s arousal pulsed against her thigh.

She moved against him. The mission she’d given the men haunted her and kept her from taking her sexual satisfaction. She chafed against the restraint. On her other side, Tomak licked and sucked her nipple. With his hand he plumped up her flesh, then stroked her sides. The back and forth movement soothed her where Zaiden’s forcefulness aroused her.

Like yin and yang, the two worked in counterpoint. Where one built up her desire, the other channeled it into something different, until she felt like waves pulled between the shore and the sea. Though not what she imagined when she’d issued the challenge -- she’d thought about a rocket to the moon with both guys sending her there -- the back and forth created a depth of emotion that rocked her world.

She tightened her fingers in their hair, tugging their heads up until she turned to kiss first one, then the other. Tongues and mouths combined into a sloppy three-way kiss that had her spreading her legs and trying to get someone between them.

The men shifted maddeningly away from her. “Let us pleasure you.” Tomak skimmed his hand down her side. “You wanted this.”

“Yes,” she whispered. Her hips lifted, seeing the touch of Tomak’s fingers. They caressed her hip, found and delved into the indent of her navel, then lower, to brush the top of her mons. His hand rested there, fingers barely touching her. Then a second hand joined him -- Zaiden -- and together, bit by bit, the men dipped over her neatly trimmed fur and caressed her labia.

She moaned. Her wetness coated her clit and labia, made the men’s fingers slide through it. The gliding motion only heightened her arousal. And tightening her muscles, she wished they’d slide their fingers into her and take her home.

* * *

Tomak had no idea how much this meant to him until he rimmed Ioanne’s channel with his finger. Her wetness encouraged him. His dick throbbed, hard again at the thought of diving into her sweet pussy. Next to him, Zaiden brushed his thumb across her clit. Each touch sent shivers through her body.

The Trucco-Riccie-Sidi Addiction Center. The words had a nice ring to them. Tomak couldn’t imagine trying to achieve his dream without his lovers, either of them. Except, putting Ioanne’s name last seemed wrong, and there was this silly bet that they’d made and he’d won. He slipped his finger in to the first knuckle, feeling her walls tighten around him.

Zaiden grinned at him. His finger joined Tomak’s at her entrance, sliding in beside. Together, they worked deeper, penetrating her, and he marveled at their unison. Their thumbs brushed against her clit, the swollen bud responding to their touches. Her tiny cries urged him onward, the whimpering moans surrounding him. His balls tightened.

He rocked forward, pressing his hips into the blankets to keep from taking Ioanne right there and the hell with her plan that they both get her off. He sensed Zaiden thinking the same things, for the man kissed the line where her thigh met her body.

“I want to taste her,” Zaiden said.

Tomak eased back. Though probably not in line with her plans, he stretched out beside her. His fingers lazily played with her breasts. Zaiden moved between her legs.

His lover’s dark head disappearing between Ioanne’s thighs was probably the most erotic thing he’d ever seen. His curls mingled with her neatly trimmed red hair, the moans he made as he slurped at her pussy music to Tomak’s ears. Though it wasn’t he who pleasured her, Tomak tasted her on his lips.

“The TRS Addiction Center.” Tomak kissed her cheek. “Therapy. Recovery. Spirituality. That way we don’t have to worry about names.” Pride filled him when he thought about his plan, so carefully executed.

Zaiden paused and looked over Ioanne’s body. “I like it.” He dipped his mouth back to her pussy.

“I do, too,” Ioanne panted. She flattened her palm over his chest, trailing her fingers down as low as they could go. Her eyelids lowered, and she looked at him from beneath her lashes. “I like what you’re doing to me.” She sat up just enough to cup his cheek and trail her fingers down over the stubble. Her thumb caressed his lower lip. “Except I think Zaiden is doing all the work.” She lay back down, pulling Tomak down beside her.

He rolled against her, his cock pressing against her leg. Zaiden slid his hand over Tomak’s leg, up to his hip, and he rolled a bit to allow Zaiden to stroke his shaft. Ah, yeah, now this was what he’d imagined, Zaiden pleasing them both.

“Both of you need to pleasure me,” Ioanne insisted.

Even without touching her, watching Zaiden perform oral sex had Tomak harder than a rock. He pressed a quick kiss to her lips. Sliding down her body, he not-so-gently pushed Zaiden out of the way. “Let me.”

Zaiden laughed. “I don’t think so. She said together.” Ioanne’s juices glinted on his lips, and Tomak couldn’t resist. He leaned over her and kissed his lover, tasting her on his mouth.

Zaiden opened his mouth beneath Tomak’s assault. Tomak lost himself in the feel of Zaiden’s tongue stroking along his, of the other man’s lips, firm and supple.

Ioanne cleared her throat.

Reluctantly, Tomak pulled away and made room for Zaiden. Unspoken communication passed between them as each man reached for her. Tomak slid his fingers along her labia, focusing as much on Ioanne as on Zaiden, and together, the two of them slipped inside. In unison, they moved, penetrating her shallowly and then deeper. They fucked her with their fingers, each stroke bringing the three of them closer together.

The beautiful sight of his lover dancing on the ends of their fingers, each stroke taking her higher, stole Tomak’s breath. Love filled his gaze, a depth of understanding and closeness that eclipsed words.

“Let’s make her come,” he said, half in challenge, half in promise.

“Yeah,” Zaiden agreed.

Pulling out, they let their fingers rest just inside her. They thrust forward again, their thumbs finding the hood of her clitoris and rubbing it.

Ioanne screamed. Sweat covered her skin in a fine sheen that made her sparkle like a goddess. Mouth open, eyes closed, she gave herself over to the release. Contractions rippled through her body, her vaginal muscles tightening around his and Zaiden’s fingers. Beneath their touch, she fluttered. She drew breath, only to cry out again, as more aftershocks hit her. She clutched at the blanket, fingers grasping for anything to keep her anchored.

Fucking beautiful. Slowly, not wanting to lose the connection with her, Tomak pulled out his fingers. His cock ached, balls so full and tight he feared a single breath would make him come. He breathed deeply, drawing on her training while he watched her come down from the powerful release.

Next to him, Zaiden did the same thing. A large drop of precum leaked from the head of his cock, and Tomak glanced down at his own shaft, noticing the same thing. Symmetry. Union. All those things Ioanne had wanted, and they’d given it to her.

Tomak smiled.

At last, Ioanne’s breathing returned to normal. Her cries no longer echoed in the room, and Tomak found he missed them. Not for long, for she sat up, glanced at their cocks, and smiled.

“I think you two found union.”

“Yeah, we did,” Tomak admitted.

“Ready to try it together?” She stood and offered her hands to both of the men.

“Hell, yeah.” Tomak rose and took her left hand, Zaiden her right. And together, the three of them went into the bedroom.

Ioanne led them to the bedroom Tomak still shared with Zaiden. She rested her hands on the guys’ lower backs, propelling them into the room. His heart pounded. The ache in his cock dimmed in comparison. The woman and man he loved accompanied him, his dreams held in their hands and hearts. The space next door was only a fraction of what he wanted. No matter the center’s name, he believed that he could change TriZ, and pro sports. Even as a young rookie, Deke had called him an idealistic fool. Probably now, more than ever, he felt like that crazy young newcomer to the TriZ scene, not quite sure of his potential and certain he could reach the stars.

Stopping in the center of the room, Ioanne turned to him. Reaching behind her, she drew Zaiden flush with them, and he reached out for Tomak. The guys twined arms, Ioanne between them, and resting his forehead against Ioanne’s Tomak basked in the glow of their affection. Her hands circled his hips, her fingers tracing patterns along his taut flanks. Against her stomach, his cock pulsed.

Zaiden caressed his cheek. Looking over her shoulder, Tomak found himself staring into Zaiden’s brown eyes. The well of love he found there shook him to his core. Then Ioanne’s small hands flattened on his ass, reaching between his legs to find the sensitive place at the back of his balls. Tomak spread his legs. He rocked his hips against her, the soft puffs of her breath against his collarbone as erotic as the touch of her fingers.

Zaiden leaned forward. He gave Tomak a hungry, open-mouthed kiss. Zaiden’s tongue delved into Tomak’s mouth, and he responded in kind. He reached for Zaiden, cupping his cheek. Smoothing his fingers over stubbled skin reminded him of the days when it was just the two of them. He stroked his tongue along Zaiden’s, listening to Ioanne moan between them, as no doubt Zaiden’s cock pressed against her back. His other hand slid down to her hip and thigh, fingers tracing the bottom of her buttocks. She squirmed in his arms.

They parted for air, and Tomak tugged them both to the bed. They fell in a tangle of limbs, Tomak ending up on the bottom. Zaiden pinned down Tomak’s legs, his head resting against one thigh. Ioanne sprawled across his chest, crawling up to his mouth to give him a quick, hard kiss.

Zaiden found Tomak’s cock. The warm wetness of his mouth and heavy lips surrounded Tomak, and he groaned in the back of his throat. Then, Ioanne was there, swallowing his aroused cry. Fingers went everywhere, one minute stroking his chest, or her back, then sliding along Zaiden’s arms or the nape of his neck.

They writhed on the bed, Zaiden taking Tomak’s cock deep and preventing him from moving.

Ioanne pulled her mouth away to nibble along the corded column of his neck. He wrapped his arms around her, using his strength to try and flip out from beneath the two and take some measure of control back. The muscles in his arms bunched, his abs flexing.

Zaiden released his cock. “You’re not going anywhere.” He chuckled. “Not until we’re done with you.”

Tomak gasped. A heated shiver ran down his spine.

With mouth and fingers Zaiden returned to Tomak’s cock, sliding his hands along the shaft to circle the base while he savored the head like a big lollipop. He licked it, rolling it around with his tongue.

Ioanne laved one of his nipples. He bucked beneath her, zings of arousal going from chest to groin and back again in an infinite feedback loop fueled by Ioanne’s and Zaiden’s mouths. Beneath their ministrations, he struggled against the powerful need to come building in his balls. They tightened against his body. His stomach churned, everything centering on his rock-hard cock.

Zaiden pulled away.

Tomak growled. He sat up, dislodging Ioanne, and reached for Zaiden. “Finish it!” The order rang through the bedroom.

“We have to come together, remember?” Zaiden teased. He backed away, going to Ioanne, and clutching her hips to draw her down to him. He nestled his head between her thighs. “Mmm, I could lick you all night.”

Tomak flopped back down on the bed, wishing someone, anyone, would put him out of his sexual misery. With the two of them still holding him down, he could do nothing but watch. Lost in her own pleasure, Ioanne ceased kissing him.

Thankfully, she rolled, putting her breasts within reach. Her head rested on his stomach, and easily, Tomak cupped one rounded globe in his hand. His other stroked her red hair, letting the short strands fall through his fingers and back again. Her nipple pressed into his palm. He sighed, his attention focused on her and not his pounding dick. “If you want me to hold off, sweetheart, then you guys better hurry up.”

“I’m taking my time.” Zaiden must have licked her, because Ioanne gave a breathy cry. “This is pure heaven.”

“Then at least let me have a taste.” A hint of the easy banter they had filled his voice.

“Okay.” She turned to her side, positioning her wet pussy right next to Tomak’s face. Not needing to be told twice, he dipped his head to her pussy. One lick along her wet labia had him groaning in the back of his throat. Her exquisite taste burst along his tongue like the sweetest ambrosia. He lapped at her, finding the swollen pearl nestled in her folds and sucking on it like a miniature cock.

On the other end of the bed, Zaiden moved, taking Tomak’s cock once more, and Ioanne turned her talents to his lover. The three of them moved, a sensuous triangle designed for only one purpose -- simultaneous orgasm.

Chapter Six

Zaiden closed his eyes as Tomak’s cock bumped the back of his throat. Relaxing his muscles, he took his lover deeper. He reached between Tomak’s legs to fondle his balls, the familiar motions of fellatio lulling him into an arousal-fueled haze.

Ioanne sprawled between them, her pussy next to Tomak’s head, her lips on Zaiden’s cock. Her teeth grazed the underside of his head and he groaned. Focus on the orgasm. Zaiden reminded himself of Ioanne’s mission, though the jerky movements of Tomak’s hips announced how close to release he was. Both of them, really, for the warm, wet heat of Ioanne’s mouth was driving him over the edge.

He tightened his lips around the base of Tomak’s shaft. Between the three of them, they set up a steady rhythm, one that he let Ioanne set. Her mouth and hands worked him -- she couldn’t quite take him all the way yet. He used each pull and suck to mirror his actions to his lover. The give and take of sexual pleasure radiated around the triangle.

Zaiden thrust into Ioanne’s mouth, mindful of not hurting her. His arousal built to make his cock painfully hard. Releasing Tomak’s shaft long enough to take a deep breath, he stared at his lover’s honed, athletic body for a long moment. Tanned skin, light blond whorls of hair on his chest, soft tufts since it’d been a while since Tomak had been shaved smooth. Zaiden’s mouth went dry. No matter what they called the clinic, Zaiden knew he wanted a piece of it.

He ignored his own need to come.

Zaiden, you think too much. The mental slap directed him back to the most important thing at the moment -- sucking Tomak’s cock. He toyed with the head, tonguing the slit to taste the precum leaking from the tip. Then wrapped his lips around it, finding the sensitive bundle of nerves just behind. He tongued it, listening to Tomak’s groans, muffled by the act of licking Ioanne.

Slowly, stopping to shut off those damn annoying voices in his head, he lost himself in the moment once more. His hips moved, pumping into Ioanne’s mouth.

She pulled away, then reached for both men. “I need you inside me.” She turned to Tomak, trailing her fingers down his chest to circle his cock. “And I want you in my pussy.” She knelt, thighs spread, and pulled Tomak to her. They kissed, a mating of mouths and tongues that left Zaiden feeling completely and totally left out.

He moved to her back. Drawing moisture from her pussy, he circled the puckered bud of her anus. He pressed on it with his thumb, gaining entrance before retreating once again. In Tomak’s arms, Ioanne whimpered.

Zaiden grabbed her hip. That, the fact his lovers were in each other’s arms, grated on him. Coming last, now this… he penetrated her with his thumb, adding his forefinger to stretch her for his larger invasion. He leaned forward and nuzzled her neck.

Ioanne tilted her head, allowing him access. The simple gesture warmed his heart, made him think that there might be hope yet. He removed his fingers, replacing them with the head of his cock.

“Yes,” Ioanne whispered.

Zaiden thrust forward. A moment of pressure, then relaxing as Ioanne allowed him in. Her submission hit him, stirring up emotions long and dear. A single thrust, slow, careful, and he entered her.

A moment later Tomak guided his cock to her pussy. He glanced over her shoulder at Zaiden, and waiting for the right moment, slid home. Between them, Ioanne groaned. Tomak stilled to allow her to adjust to both of them. Only a thin membrane separated their cocks. For Zaiden, being inside her, and this close to Tomak, felt far more intimate than anything they’d ever done before. Surely, they could come at the same time like this.

Both men withdrew.

“You first.” Tomak reached around Ioanne and grabbed Zaiden’s hip, pulling him closer. “After all, I have plenty here to keep me occupied.” He leaned back and cupped the back of Ioanne’s head, drawing her mouth down for a hard, thorough kiss.

Zaiden thrust forward. As he pulled out, Tomak penetrated her, and the two of them set up a back and forth rhythm. Zaiden found himself lost in the motion, in the feel of slick skin and heat surrounding him. The soft sounds of grunts and moans filled the air, as did the sweaty slap of skin against skin.

“I’m going to come,” Ioanne rasped. “Please.” Her word dissolved into a soft cry that wrapped around Zaiden’s balls and squeezed.

Tomak groaned. He shuddered, his fingers tightening on Zaiden’s hip. The first ripples of her orgasm started high and deep inside Ioanne, transitioning through her body. She tightened her muscles around them, trapping Tomak in the white-hot vise of her body. He stiffened, his balls perilously tight. Oh, damn, just a little longer and he, too, would join them in release.

Tomak went rigid. He kissed Ioanne with a hard, bruising kiss while he spilled himself into her. He swallowed her cries, her orgasm washing over both of them still buried deep inside.

Zaiden thrust once more. No! It was happening again. He gave a final cry and came, shooting his come deep inside her. Too late. Ioanne and Tomak slumped together, Tomak’s strength holding them both up. Zaiden squeezed his eyes closed, his orgasm still shooting aftershocks throughout his body. Somehow, Ioanne pulled away, and with Tomak, the two of them fell to the mattress.

Zaiden slumped beside them. He rested his arm against her hip, feeling her draw closer to the athlete. His softening cock rested against his thigh. One stinking moment. That had been all he needed. He rolled away, his arm flung over his head. The challenge had been issued, and once again, he’d been out of synch.

* * *

Zaiden leaned on the railing on the observatory deck overlooking some of the hydroponic gardens. The lush beauty below him rendered his own plight in stark ugliness. After making love with Ioanne and Tomak, he’d withdrawn, and really, he had no one to blame but himself. Tomak had spoken about his dreams, talking about the center they’d decided to name the TRS Center. Still, every time Tomak voiced his plans, it seemed the physical therapy element grew smaller and smaller.

Part of being a mind-body center means that there has to be a body in there somewhere. Tomak pinched the bridge of his nose. Deke had called again. Shaking his head, he breathed deeply the cloying fragrance of a nearby flowering bush. It clouded his senses the same way Deke’s offer clouded his life.

He shook his head. Soft footfalls sounded behind him, and he turned to see Ioanne. She wore a flowing, molten gray robe that brushed against the floor, the sleeves hanging past her hands. Her short, spiky red hair gave her a halo effect, and Zaiden thought she looked like an angel as she strode toward him.

“Thought I’d find you here.” She paused and looked out over the gardens. “Still your favorite place?”

“Yeah,” Zaiden said, though he looked at the woman beside him instead of the gorgeous scenery. Frankly, by her side, no matter where that might be, was his favorite place to be.

Ioanne touched his arm, then stepped in closer to wrap her arm around his waist. “You’re not going to leave on me again, are you?”

Her soft question caught him off-guard. He looked down at her, the bonds of love constricting around his heart. “I don’t want to,” he replied honestly.

She rested her head against his arm. “Then don’t. I lost you once, and what happened was my doing, not yours. But I don’t want to be in that position again.”

“If I go you’ll still have Tomak,” he said softly. The urge to pull away, to put some distance between them, tugged at him. He resisted it, wanting to savor having her in his arms for as long as possible. He turned and drew her close to him.

“Don’t say that.” Tears choked her voice, and she pressed her face to his chest. “I’m sorry I ever made that stupid challenge. I thought --” She drew a shuddering breath.

He soothed her with caresses along the length of her back. “It wasn’t stupid. And I don’t want to go.”

“Then don’t.”

Zaiden laughed self-mockingly. “I wish it were that easy.”

“Deke called again, didn’t he?” Ioanne ground out the words. “That bastard! He needs to leave us alone. Can’t he see that we’re just fine without him? We wouldn’t be fine without you.”

Maybe that’s what was driving Deke. Zaiden didn’t know and could only guess at the agent’s provocation. Money propelled his every decision, wanting more of it, needing more of it. Zaiden harbored no doubts. If his return to the team wouldn’t make them shitloads of credits, Deke would never make the offer.

“I wouldn’t be fine without you.” He cupped the back of her head and held her slim frame. “I love you, Ioanne. And I love Tomak.”

She fisted her one hand in his chest and thumped him with the other.

“Hey! What was that for?” He caressed her cheek.

“Because I love you. And Tomak does, too. Can’t you see? If you leave it would tear us apart. We can’t have TRS without the R.” She shook her head. “Don’t let Deke’s offer get to you. He can’t offer you what we can.”

“I know. But it’s hard to resist. I know Tomak is safe here. He’s got his center and he has you. He won’t go back to the league or to the Styng. I don’t have to worry about him anymore.” Zaiden tightened his hold on Ioanne, not wanting to let her go. Not yet.

“If you go we’ll worry about you.” Ioanne wriggled out of his hold. “I know this is tough. But did you ever stop to think that the reason why you came last was because you were so focused on us? You selflessly give. You brought Tomak here, even when it would have been easier on you if he’d gone to some celeb clinic on a resort world. You didn’t. You came here.” She reached up and brushed her fingers through his hair. “Have you ever thought that you need someone to take care of you?”

Zaiden stilled. “No.”

Ioanne smiled. “Well, maybe you do. It’s been three days. Have you even spoken with Tomak about what he’s planning?”

A sinking feeling filled Zaiden’s stomach. “No.” He frowned. He’d been an ass, one focused on the happenings in his own head instead of reaching out to others.

“Maybe you should. You have no idea what he’s thought about in regards to the physical therapy department, and he needs an expert’s input.” Ioanne’s soft words chided him.

“So why didn’t he ask me?” Zaiden turned away to stare across the greenery once more.

“Why didn’t you ask him? Maybe he thought you needed some time alone.” She shrugged. “I don’t know. I am telling you that perhaps it’s time for both of you to come together and talk about what you want. I think you’ll find your ideas aren’t so different after all.”

Zaiden nodded and backed away from the rail. Ioanne spoke sense. Then again, she usually did. Turning toward the exit, he offered her his hand. “All right.”

Ioanne took it, giving him a light squeeze. “Good.” He allowed her to lead him toward the door and their lover. And somehow, he wondered if he really had a decision to make after all. He hoped not, because like Ioanne, it’d tear him up inside to leave. He just had to realize that for himself.

* * *

Tomak glanced at the door for the sixth time in as many seconds. He stood, then sat, never quite content to remain in one place. Deep inside, worry nagged at him. More than an hour had passed since Ioanne had gone out after Zaiden, and they hadn’t come back yet. He sat on a thick blanket, wearing a pair of loose pants, and tried to meditate as Ioanne had taught him. The serenity that usually came failed.

This was his fault. Oh, no one had said anything, and his lovers had been more than gracious with their bodies, time, and hearts. He knew. Somewhere around the vicinity of his gut reactions, where he knew just how to tip the ball into the goal or dive past a defender, he knew he’d pushed Zaiden too far. Tomak shook his head and rose to his feet. He paced the perimeter of the room, its windowless state trapping him like an animal in a cage.

He stretched.

The door slid open.

Tomak turned, not quite sure what he’d find. To see Ioanne standing next to Zaiden made his knees weaken, and he forced himself to stay upright. They’d come home. He breathed a sigh of relief and crossed the meditation room.

“I found him.” Ioanne met him and touched his arm. “I think it’s time for you to tell him everything you’ve been telling me about our new center.” She seated herself on the blanket then patted the spaces next to her.

Tomak waited for Zaiden to move. His lover hesitated, standing in the doorway. Though he wore a comfortable pair of lounging pants and a loose shirt in the same style as Ioanne’s robe, haunted brown eyes stared back at Tomak. He glanced at the blanket, and Tomak wondered if he was working up the courage to go sit. Finally, he crossed the room, and found a seat next to Ioanne. Tomak followed suit.

He reached across the space and stroked Zaiden’s thigh. “I’m glad you’re here. There’s some things I want to work out with the new center, and I need your advice.”

The wary look ebbed from Zaiden’s eyes. He glanced at Ioanne; something unspoken passed between them. For once, Tomak sat on the outside of their intimate relationship. He doubted either one of them would tell him what had happened or where Zaiden had gone. For the first time, he sensed he might be losing Zaiden.

No! He refused to let that happen. After battling the Styng addiction and dealing with all the crap the TriZ league and Deke had put them through, he’d be damned if something like this pulled them apart. Of course, it’d help if he knew what “this” actually might be.

“Okay,” Zaiden said. The single syllable sounded as if he were agreeing to more than just wanting to listen to Tomak’s ideas. Once again, something passed between Zaiden and Ioanne.

“I think you’ll like it,” she offered.

He rested his hands on his thighs, not reaching for Tomak.

Tomak pulled his hand away. “I wanted to talk to you about the physical therapy aspect of the center. I think we need more than just physical therapy. I’m thinking it would be good to have a whole fitness routine for those who choose to stay with us.” Once he started talking about his plans, they rolled from his tongue. Everything he’d thought of, from the different types of equipment, to maybe even offering conditioning for TriZ players in an environment that wouldn’t be conducive to Styng use, spilled from him.

The more Tomak spoke, the more animated he became. Zaiden listened, nodding and murmuring at all the important places. For Ioanne most of this was a repeat of everything they’d talked about before. She’d integrate the spiritual component into the center, working during and after rehabilitation to keep the athletes drug-free.

“Do you think there’s enough interest in the TriZ league for something like this? No offense, Tomak, but you didn’t seek treatment until Deke insisted.” Zaiden paused for a moment, thoughtful. “I like what you said. I want to be a part. I’m just wondering if we’re going to have enough to keep us afloat.”

Tomak arched an eyebrow at his lover. “You’ve been in the league. You know what I faced.”

“Yeah,” Zaiden admitted. “And this does have implications beyond TriZ.”

“Yep,” Tomak agreed. “I guess what I want to know is, are you with me?”

“Yeah,” Zaiden said, not even missing a beat. “I am. Ioanne gave me some things to think about.” He sighed. “Deke called again.”

“That bastard!”

“It’s okay.” This time, Zaiden reached out for him and they clasped hands. “It really is. I don’t want what he offers, not if it means leaving you behind. I thought… hell, who cares what I thought? I was stupid and I was selfish. I love the idea of the clinic that you’ve told me about. When do we sign and get papers?”

“About a week for everything to be drawn up,” Ioanne said. “We don’t have to worry about the financial aspect of it, but it takes time to get all the appropriate deals in place.” She reached out, her hand covering both of theirs.

“Probably about three months to get set up by the time we buy equipment and get everything in place. That will be pushing it, but the new season starts soon, and I want us to be ready. I’m planning on calling Coach, just to tell him what we’re doing and offer our clinic as a safe place if anyone needs help.” At long last things seemed to be coming together. Whatever demons Zaiden had faced appeared to have fled. He had his clinic, his dreams, and his lovers. Though Ioanne’s challenge still hung over them, Tomak felt they were a lot closer to achieving their goals than before.

“Good. I have a few contacts, too. I think by the time we open we won’t be hurting for business. In fact --” Zaiden smiled. “-- I think we’d better enjoy this time while we have it.”

Chapter Seven

Zaiden crawled over Tomak when the communications device rang. He hit audio only. “Hello.” Behind him, Ioanne turned and fumbled for a blanket. He heard rustling and felt the caress of cloth against his naked skin as someone covered him.

“Zaiden. Glad to catch you. I wanted to talk to you about my proposal,” Deke said in a faux-cheerful voice.

Behind Zaiden, Tomak growled.

Zaiden glanced over his shoulder. “Video on?” he mouthed.

Tomak shook his head, as did Ioanne. This would be an audio only conversation.

“I thought we’d spoken enough. I’m not interested.” Tomak crawled to the end of the bed where he sat, the blanket draped over his hips. “In fact, stop calling here. We’re not interested. Ever.” He glanced behind him. Tomak gave him a thumbs up.

“You have to be.” A real pleading note, one Zaiden had never heard before, entered into Deke’s voice. “I can’t go back to the owners and tell them that they’ve lost you too.”

“Not my problem.” Zaiden struggled to maintain a veneer of professionalism. “I am not coming back to the league. Goodbye.” He reached to terminate the call.

“Wait! Wait!” Deke yelled. “Don’t go yet. What about Tomak? Shit, man, this is all screwed up. If we lose him and you, the owners are going to kill me. You’re a hot property even if you don’t know it.”

“You suck it up and take one for the team,” Tomak snarled. “You’re the one who told me I needed to be better than the top guys and to do whatever it took. Sure, you might not have jabbed the needle in my ass to pump me full of Styng, but you sure didn’t look away, either. You pocketed those checks and took your share.”

“Hey, no need to be that way. We could work something out.”

Tomak shook his head. Zaiden admired his partner’s courage and conviction. “No. We can’t. You tell the owners that you lost me. In fact, I’ll tell them. I was thinking about scheduling a meeting with them, anyway.” Tomak flashed a grin. “I don’t need you.” Tomak gave Zaiden an “I’ll explain later” look.

“But -- I -- You don’t --” Deke sputtered.

“You don’t understand.” Zaiden grabbed control of the conversation. “We’re done. I tendered my resignation a couple of days ago.”

Tomak’s eyes widened.

“You’re throwing away a good thing. I won’t call again.”

Zaiden barked harsh laughter. “You always say that, but this time it’s true. I’ll have your ID blocked by Station communications. You won’t call again.”

“Go away, Deke. Tell the owners that you fucked up. Take responsibility. Be a man.” Tomak ended the call and turned to Zaiden. “Is that true? Did you resign?”

“I did.” He glanced at Ioanne, inviting her into the conversation. She was as much a part of this as Tomak. “I thought about things. I like what you have planned, and I want to be a part of it. I don’t care if my name is first, last, or not on the door at all. What we have here is good. It’s important, and I can help a lot of people.”

“I’m glad.” Ioanne glanced between them. “I guess that’s it then, right? You’re staying and our clinic is a go?”

She sounded so hopeful Zaiden wrapped his arm around her and pulled her against his chest. He hugged her, letting his hands roam over her back. Nestled against him, her small frame vibrated with warmth and love. Lowering his head, he nuzzled her neck. He peppered small kisses across her flesh. “Yeah, that’s it. I don’t think anything will get me away from you now.”

“Or me.” Tomak moved alongside them and put an arm around each one of them. He kissed first Zaiden’s cheek, then Ioanne’s.

“I love you,” Zaiden said. “Both of you. I can’t wait for us to get started on the new center.”

“Me neither. Zaiden,” Tomak said. “You know I love you. I have for a long time, and you stood by me when others turned away. Even the person I thought would help me nurture my career walked away from me. You didn’t. Instead, you brought me to someone who can help me. Now, I’m off the Styng and about to embark on an exciting new venture.” Tomak leaned forward and lipped the fleshy pad of Zaiden’s earlobe.

Ioanne kissed both men. “And I got both of you. I’ve loved Zaiden for a long time, even when he didn’t know that I loved him. Tomak, we may have not known each other very long, but I love you, too. We’re going to open the clinic and help so many people. I couldn’t have done that without you.”

Zaiden kissed his dear friend, sliding his tongue along the seam of her lips. She opened beneath him, cupping her hand on the nape of his neck to draw him closer. Together, they lay back on the bed with Tomak right beside them. Their kiss deepened, became a mating of mouths and tongues. Their legs tangled.

Zaiden’s cock pressed against Ioanne’s stomach. Her softness cradled him, made him think of sinking into her heat and finding his release between her sweet thighs. Along his back, Tomak pressed open-mouthed kisses the length of Zaiden’s spine. He arched into the oral caresses.

The need to taste Ioanne, to worship her with his mouth, had him kissing her shoulders. The slope of each breast drew his attention, as did the tight buds of her nipples. He drew first one, then another, into his mouth, rolling them around on the tip of his tongue. Beneath him, she arched, offering him her breasts. The tiny moans tumbling from her lips urged him onward, and down.

Tomak stayed with him as he slid down her stomach and nestled himself between her thighs. Spreading his hands beneath her legs, he opened her to his ministrations. Her honeyed labia glistened with her juices, her clit engorged and poking out from beneath its hood. For him. Zaiden drew a sharp breath, the full extent of Ioanne’s love and need for him very apparent. Words were one thing, actions something totally different.

Zaiden lowered his head to her just as Tomak reached the base of his spine. His lips halted, poised, fingers reaching beneath Zaiden’s hips for his cock. Zaiden licked her.

Ioanne’s piercing cry filled the room, and in that moment, Zaiden knew exactly how this would end. He licked her again, swirling his tongue around her clit, and lifted his ass in the air.

Tomak moaned with appreciation.

Spreading his legs, Zaiden made room for Tomak. The warm caress of his lover’s breath on his balls made Zaiden’s head spin. He snaked his tongue into Ioanne, loving the way her channel tightened around his slight invasion. If he’d known she was this beautiful, this responsive all those years ago… he cursed his stupidity. Except he was here now, and loving her, and making up for all the jackass things he’d done. He flexed his fingers against her ass.

Zaiden licked the length of her pussy, pausing at the top to toy with her clit, before starting the process all over again. Drawing her labia into his mouth he suckled. The need to love her drove him.

Tomak must have flipped over because his lips surrounded the head of Zaiden’s cock. Zaiden paused. He drew a rough breath. If Tomak kept that up, Zaiden knew he’d come, and that wouldn’t fit in with Ioanne’s plans at all. He grinned.

Crawling up Ioanne’s body, Zaiden paused to anoint each rib, each inch of skin with an open-mouthed kiss. His tongue swirled around her nipples, drawing one fat bud into his mouth to suckle before turning his attention to the other. He settled the head of his cock at her entrance and made his way to her mouth. A long, hard kiss sealed the union they’d made in words, and now in flesh. Dipping his tongue into her mouth, he inched his cock into her. Each tiny thrust had her moaning, writhing beneath him. Her fingers grabbed his buttocks and pulled him into her.

“More,” she whispered when the need for air parted them. “I need you deep inside me.”

Zaiden shuddered. At last his cock rested fully inside her. He savored the moment, her sheath tight around him. Behind him, Tomak moved. A cool brush of lube against his anus had Zaiden groaning. Tomak’s fingers brushed against the puckered ring of muscles, inching his way inside.

Remaining still had to be one of the hardest things Zaiden had ever done. Still, he waited between his two lovers, exactly where he wanted to be.

“You ready?” Tomak whispered against the nape of his neck. His cock replaced his fingers, the broad head working to slowly breach his entrance.

“Yeah,” Zaiden groaned. He shuddered and drove his cock deeper into Ioanne.

She shuddered beneath him, her hips bucking to meet his. Tomak filled him, and he rocked back and forth between them.

Pure bliss. Zaiden closed his eyes as he drowned in sensation. The velvet glove of Ioanne’s pussy milked him, her fingers stroking along his sides and slipping between his back and Tomak’s chest to tease. His lover thrust into him, fixing the angle to make sure his cock brushed Zaiden’s prostate on each stroke. Now this was what Ioanne was speaking about. Zaiden relished the close contact, the love surrounding him. He rode the waves, each thrust a counterpoint to the other.

And then he sensed it, the tightening in Ioanne’s channel, the way Tomak’s strokes grew rougher. His balls tightened, drawing close to the pressure building deep inside him. You focus on others too much. Ioanne’s words echoed in his mind. Determined to take his own pleasure, he plunged forward once more. Ioanne gave a breathy, heady cry. Her pussy tightened, rippled, as her orgasm hit her.

Zaiden followed her into bliss. A hoarse cry ripped from his throat, his body rigid and trembling as he spilled himself into her. Behind him, Tomak hit his peak, his seed rushing forward to fill Zaiden. The three of them locked together, each lost in orgasm, and yet connected to the others.

Tiny pulses fluttered along Ioanne’s pussy. Still buried deep inside, Zaiden relished them, his cock hardening once more. Not wanting to crush her, he reached behind him to playfully tap Tomak’s hip, and the two men tumbled to their sides, still locked together.

Tomak wrapped his legs around Zaiden, determined not to leave. With his own cock still hard, Zaiden caressed Ioanne’s sweaty skin. The three of them, finally, had come together.

He smiled.

Nothing but the sounds of their harsh breathing and the air circulation system filled the room. Light caresses and touches communicated far more than words ever could. For once, Zaiden had it all, and he had his lovers to thank. Tomak for standing by him and Ioanne for talking some sense into him.

* * *

Tomak rested his head against Zaiden’s back. He flicked out his tongue to taste a salty droplet from Zaiden’s skin. The sheer completeness filling his veins couldn’t compare to Styng. Not by a long shot. It’d be like comparing a hooker from Blowjob Row with the finest courtesan, and Tomak knew he had something even better than that -- two people who loved him.

He listened to Ioanne’s sleepy murmurs, then her slow and steady breathing as she drifted off to sleep. He’d come a long way from the drug-fueled TriZ player who had showed up on Ioanne’s doorstep. Now he had a purpose and two people who loved him. Things couldn’t get any better.

Unless, next time, he got to be the one in the middle.

Mary Winter

Mary commutes between her dream home near the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri, and her current residence in Iowa. She lives with a menagerie of animals including an opinionated horse and a cat who was a dog in a past life. When not writing spicy tales of erotic romance, she enjoys writing science fiction and fantasy, spending time with her horse, and enjoying the outdoors. Lucky for her, her partner (hero) shares these same passions, and usually both of them can be found in their respective dens writing.

You can contact Mary at mary@marywinter.com or visit her site at www.marywinter.com.