(Mark's POV - Fri. 7 November 2014)

It's slightly after 5:30am when I wake up – way before the alarm I had set on my phone – and although I had only four hours of sleep, I feel fully rested. I cautiously disentangle from Shannon's grip, drop a light peck on his shoulder and quietly get out of bed. My boy grunts a little and I can't help a smile when he grabs my pillow to hug it. He can be so adorable... especially when he sleeps!

After a quick stop by the restroom, I get ready and head out for a session at the gym. As usual, it's rather empty at this time of day so I can enjoy as many machines as I want. While on the rower, my thoughts stray back to the beautiful angel I left in my bed and the weird impressions I had last night when I picked him up from the club.

I believe he really loves his new job at the Black Diamond, and as long as he is happy, I am happy too. It's true that I was a bit upset when he broke the news on Tuesday, but it's mostly because I wasn't expected this, and I got caught off-guard. I resented Aaron for not warning me in advance of this little change in Shannon's contract, and it earned us a tense conversation while Alex waited in the corridor. Nothing bad, though. We discussed it again in the evening when I picked up Shan after his shift, and as it's often the case with Aaron, we just blew our respective reproaches in each other's face and it was all over.

I told him he could have mentioned this to me beforehand because he definitely knew I wouldn't really like seeing Shannon work at the Black Diamond. And he struck back with rightful arguments, proving me that Shannon was less at risk there than at the Black Moon where customers are more numerous, more prone to flirt and don't necessarily know anything about the collar's significance. I still can't help worrying about Shannon, but at the end of the day, all that matters is that he is happy in his job.

And I think he is! Except that when I picked him up last night, I found him a little off. Oh, he did try to dodge my questions, blabbering on and on about another great shift, the twins getting fucked on stage and many other gossips he heard in the Subs' room. He also mentioned he had a good time over lunchtime with Alex and that they enjoyed a nice walk in a park. They have apparently planned to meet again today to do some shopping for Alex. It makes me think that I should transfer some money to Shan's bank account and talk him into offering the young man outfits for the club. I already paid for his membership and I think he would accept clothes more easily if the present came from Shannon instead of me.

Shannon also tried to shoot me with tons of questions regarding my day of work and my progress between the new chef's training or the works at the brasserie. That little minx actually succeeded as by the time we were ready to go to bed, he said he had a terrible headache and needed to sleep.

Yes, right...

It was almost 1am and I didn't want to push him too far, but I can't help wondering if everything went really well at work or if something happened, because his blabbering did sound weird. Come to think about it, Alex also acted eerily yesterday. He looked nervous. The boy has made huge progress over the past two weeks and he did another perfect shift last night, but there was some sort of stiffness in his posture and whenever I got closer to him, the tension would only grow while his voice sounded strained. Maybe he was just a bit tired, I don't know.

Anyway, I'm not going to let paranoia rule my life, so I'd rather let these matters rest for now.

Unfortunately, my stupid brain drags my thoughts to my parents and it's no less stressful topic. Their doctor advised my father to make some exams and see a specialist, but it took some convincing for the old mule to accept! He will see a cardiologist next week, though, which is good news since Mom finds him more and more tired and his breathlessness is not getting any better. When I visit them in December, I will have a serious conversation with my father and talk some sense into him. I hate that my mother worries so much for him, so I want to convince him to retire.

I wish I could go sooner, but my schedule is so busy at the moment, I just don't see how I could free at least two days to fly to New Jersey.

The renovation works have started at the Wine & Cheese Bar II and should last for another two or three weeks according to the foreman. They had to replace the entire electrical installations, but there is also a lot of plumbing to do, and the decoration should take at least a full week. Since I keep going back and forth between the brasseries and Le Marais, days are flying by and there were quite a few I couldn't even drive Shannon to work. As much as I don't like him to take the bus, I haven't had much of a choice so far. At least, things are going well with Richard, the new chef, so this is one worry less. Hopefully, things will soon slow down a bit... until I start my new project in Boston.

Shannon is still fast asleep – in the same position as when I left him – when I return home, so I quietly head to the bathroom and relax under a long thirty-minute shower. When I walk back into the bedroom, my cute Babe is stirring in bed, lying on his back, and when he begins to push the comforter with his feet, I am granted with the beautiful sight of his slim chest and even the tip of his erection. Tightening the towel around my waist, I go to lie over his body and start kissing his neck.

"Ngh... Let me sleep..." Mr. Grumpy groans, trying to push me away.

"Is that so?" I murmur, shifting to straddle him.

I grab his wrists and quickly restrain them in the leather bracelets that are conveniently hanging from the headboard, ignoring his moans of protest.

"Ngh Mark... I need the toilets..." he whines, tugging on the restraints.

"Good to know, Babe. It'll only make your orgasm stronger..."

In a swift move, I completely remove the comforter and as I part his legs and settle between them, I take in his gorgeous nakedness. I love how lean he has become and although he never puts too much effort in physical exercising, he has developed cute little abs. His balls are tight already and his manhood fully erected.

"You're such a perv gawking at my crotch..." he comments in a smug tone.

"You'd better wipe that smirk off your face, or I'm going to torture you for hours, Pet..."

And with that, I lean over, firmly pinning his thighs to the mattress, and immediately swallow him whole, provoking a long moan of pleasure to erupt from his mouth. Shannon's dick is fairly thick but it's average in length, about six inches long I would say, so taking him inside my mouth is no problem at all as it doesn't even trigger my gag reflex. Our eyes never break contact while my lips run up and down his shaft, my tongue swirling around its girth and teasing the most sensitive areas of his manhood.

The fever in his eyes and his delicious moans have my own erection leak heavily, and after a long while, it even gets a little painful, but I don't care. This morning is all about my Babe's pleasure, not mine. Because he deserves it. Because I love him. Because I hate the confusing emotions I've felt recently. All I want is to show him how much love I have for him and I just do that. I apply myself to give him the best head I can, relishing in his pleas to let him come.

"Please... Master... I need..."

The longer it lasts, the more intense his orgasm will be, so I alternate between a fast pace of bobbing and slower moves, and I also sometimes let go of his cock to suck on his balls and kiss his groin.

"Count sixty seconds in your head, Babe, and you may come."

As I return to work on his very hard shaft, I also start a count down from sixty in my head, but it seems like Shannon's seconds are shorter than mine. I've only reached twelve when the first stream of semen hits the back my throat, followed by several others. His body is shivering from the intensity of his climax and I swear all the neighbors of the building must have heard his screams.

While he recovers from his high through cute little moans of satisfaction, I free his wrists from the restraints and shower his face with light kisses.

"Damn... That was... blissful..." he sighs.

"Glad to hear so, Babe. Hurry up to the restroom, now..." I say, playfully pushing on his lower belly.

"Ugh, stop..." he whines, reaching for my own manhood. "I can take care of you, first..."

"Just go to the toilets before you wet the bed!"

***

In the end, I decided to put on a show for my boy and jacked off in front of him while we were having breakfast. Sadly, I couldn't make it last too long as I was expected at 9:30 at Le Marais for a meeting with Matt and Richard to debrief on the chef's first week. Then I spent the entire noon shift in the kitchen supervising the staff – and mostly Richard – without interfering to see how things go and I must admit, the guy didn't disappoint.

Richard is very professional in the way he handles his team, providing very good advice and guidance, and at the same time, participating in the preparation of ingredients and helping a lot during the rush. I am really satisfied with this recruit! Little plus: my gaydar tells me that we bat for the same team; not that I really care, but it should avoid homophobic issues like I had with Sanchez.

Part of my afternoon was spent in my office then, as I needed to catch up on paperwork and various administrative tasks. I'm glad that the former chef has decided to follow some sort of training regarding ethics and team managing. I wouldn't take him back in my restaurants after what happened, but I won't ruin his career if his future employer calls me for some feedback. I would still let them know that the guy might need a bit of surveillance in the beginning, but that he's willing and motivated to become a better person. At least, I'm proud that I tried my best to lead him in a better direction.

Just as I walk out of my office at 4pm, I almost collide into Alex who has just arrived to take his evening shift. Before I left home this morning, I told Shannon about my idea to subtly offer clothes to Alex, and of course, he loved it and immediately agreed. I don't know yet how it worked out, but I'm pleased to see that Alex is wearing a new coat which looks much warmer than the old one he had. I'm just surprised that he is not carrying shopping bags, but maybe he had time to drop them at his place before he went to work.

"Good afternoon, Alex! How are you?" I ask warmly enough, yet trying to keep a neutral tone as other staff members might arrive too.

"Good afternoon, Sir... I'm good, thanks..." he replies nervously, averting his eyes to the locker room at the end of the corridor.

The boy looks very tense again and I wish I could invite him into my office to press him with questions, but unfortunately, two other cook helpers arrive at that moment, and after some quick and polite greetings, Alex takes the opportunity to follow them to the changing room. I can't help worrying a bit about this sudden uneasiness, but Alex knows he can reach out to me at any time if he needs help.

Perhaps his first official night at the Black Diamond tomorrow evening is making him anxious? This is actually going to be interesting, I think, because Alex is such a natural Sub! His knowledge about the lifestyle and the fact that he bonded with Shannon and Liam have clearly helped in his training. All the same, I was amazed by how fast it went, and so was Aaron. My friend groused a bit on Tuesday when I told him to go and test Alex right away – Aaron is so firm on ethics and usual processes!! – but he had to see for himself, and that, he did.

There was no denying that Alex was ready, I honestly didn't see what I could teach him more about fundamentals. Alex's submission is just innate: his attitudes, his grace, the huge respect in the way he speaks, his blushes. He will mostly have to work on his self-consciousness, I believe. I tried to reassure him about his blatant arousal during the test, but it didn't prevent him from flushing and it was so cute. It reminds me that he looked rather well-endowed down there for such a frail man...

What the fuck, Mark!! Can you get your mind out of the gutter!? Haven't you been feeling guilty enough this week regarding your emotions?

Yeah... no need to remind me...

As I reach my car, I will all my naughty thoughts away and focus on what I have to do then. I first go to check the progress on the renovation works in the new brasserie and before I head to the other Wine & Cheese Bar, I quickly send a text to all my friends and ask who will be at the Black Diamond tonight. I have decided to spend the evening there for two reasons. One is that I need some bonding time with the guys and another is that the stalker in me wants to see how my boy does at work.

Too bad Joshua isn't available tonight since he is taking Liam away on a romantic weekend, but I'll still get to spend the evening with Aaron and Camden, so while I am at the brasserie for a follow-up meeting with the manager, I also buy a selection of sub sandwiches and a few pastries for dinner, then I'm on my way to the Black Diamond.

And it does feel good indeed to be around my friends! Aaron is his usual playful and pervy self, telling us about the recent Dom trainings he performed and a naughty scene he caught on the video surveillance in the Subs' room this week. Of course, he couldn't help but join the fun... Camden sounds a bit frustrated because fall is striking with so many patients affected by painful joints and stiff muscles that he has been too busy and unable to go to the club as often as he wished. He still managed to play a very intense scene with Mathis – one of the masochistic Subs – in his playroom on Wednesday though and that bastard gets a huge boner just from telling us how he deliciously tortured the Sub.

"I should fix you an appointment at my practice, Mark. You look tense and I could unravel a few of these knots...," Camden says as he returns from the restroom, stopping to stand behind me and massage the trapeze muscles of my back.

"I'm not tense!" I lie.

Yet, I can't really deny all this stiffness in my back and my neck, and I truly enjoy Cam's thumbs kneading these painful knots.

"Yeah, right..." Aaron grunts, rolling his eyes. "Are you stressed?"

Once Cam has returned to his chair, I remind them about how stressfully busy I have been recently with the restaurants, but issues will soon be sorted out professionally speaking. I also mention my father's health problems and the guys consequently ask a lot of questions. They have always been quite close to my parents, seeking comfort from their kindness and support when we were kids, so they also worry a bit and promise to call my mother for an update in the coming week.

"Now, how are your boys doing?" Camden then asks, making me choke on the bite of chocolate éclair I was eating.

"My boys?"

"Come on, Mark! Alex is already yours!" Aaron teases with a chuckle.

"He's not mine!" I argue. "All the Subs we train don't become ours!"

"But we usually don't pay membership fees of the Subs we train..." Camden smirks, causing me to glare at Aaron.

"You just couldn't keep your trap shut, could you?" I groan, and that jerk only bursts out laughing. "I just happen to know that his financial situation is not the best, and he wouldn't have been able to pay for it!" I explain as I return my attention to Cam.

This is only half the truth here, I must admit. Alex may not have been able to pay for a full-year fee, but he wouldn't have been the first one and Aaron offers other options through monthly settlements for members who can't afford to pay the expensive annual fee. The other part of the truth is that I have grown too attached to the young man and somehow, I feel responsible for him. Which has been a source of guilt recently... Damn Shannon for seeping ideas in my head!

"Just stop lying to yourself, Mark," Aaron snorts. "I've seen you around Alex and the way you deeply care for him is more than obvious!"

"Obvious?"

"I should make you watch the footage video of Alex's training..." Aaron chuckles. "You should have seen yourself! The fondness in your eyes when you look at him is so deep, Mark. I'm sure even Shannon noticed!"

Now that sucks! Have I been that conspicuous?

Shit! I need to get a grip on myself! I can't afford to let my affection for Alex show. I'm fully aware of how I care for him – way too much if you ask me – but I hate myself for not controlling my emotions better, especially if Shannon can see it. This has already earned me to make prudent amends when I made love to him on Tuesday!

Come on, Mark... Remember the conversation you had with him last Saturday night! He was the one to suggest a threesome with Alex! He even mentioned something about permanent three-way relationships!

True, he did, but he was about to fall asleep and certainly not fully aware of what he was saying!

"Sorry for being so blunt, Mark..." Aaron apologizes after a minute of silence. "My intention wasn't to be mean, and Shannon doesn't seem to mind at all..."

"You should just offer a contract to Alex too!" Camden smirks.

"What the heck? Are you crazy, Cam? I already have a contract with Shannon! And I love him!" I growl. "You know that he's much more than a Sub to me..."

"And it's a problem because...? You could just have both!" he huffs back dryly, rolling his eyes.

"I think the oils you use for your massages have caused brain damage in your head," I snap at him.

"I concur with Cam. You could have both, Mark. If I know a Dominant who could perfectly handle two Subs simultaneously, that would be you," Aaron says, raising a hand to shut me up. "Financially speaking, you're safe, and the boys both have jobs anyway. Your apartment is big enough for three people. And you're such a horn dog that you could fulfill two Subs' needs without a problem, and don't even try to deny this! I'm sure you're restraining yourself with Shannon!"

That's it. My friends have gone completely nuts! I have to be dreaming...

"Bullshit..."

This is the only word that comes to my mind after hearing them.

"Bullshit my ass!" Cam retorts. "You could have threesomes 24/7! You've always loved those, and from what I gathered, Shannon does too..."

"This is just nonsense. Besides, where do you get the idea that Alex would like this? And I doubt Shannon would like to share me on a permanent basis!"

"I'm sure Shannon would!" Aaron exclaims. "Perhaps I should have a conversation with him..."

"Don't you dare, Ron!" I shout threateningly, rising to my feet to clear up the table.

"I'm just teasing you, Mark, but you should consider it..."

"Just shut the fuck up. Let's go now, it's almost 8!"

Talk about a relaxing evening with friends!

After a quick stop by our playrooms to change into our club outfit, the three of us walk into the Black Diamond, just a few minutes after it opened. Dominants and Submissives are slowly arriving and various groups form either on the dancefloor, in the lounge area or at the bar. Shannon is already serving a bunch of Subs, preparing cocktails with a playful smile, but as I see his lips moving, the group of guys bursts out laughing and I can only guess he must have cracked some sort of joke of his.

As we settle on our favorite couch, I see Shannon move to a Dominant I recognize as Master Gideon – another Sadist of the club – and my boy's expression completely changes as he approaches the man. His features take the respectful sternness befitted in the situation, and I'm proud of the nod of approval that the Dominant gives him once he has gotten his drink.

Shannon and his colleagues get very busy as more people arrive and I have been here for at least half an hour when he suddenly looks in our direction and notices my presence here. The expression of surprise on his face is priceless, excitement and agitation soon taking over, but a brief scowl from me is enough of a message for him to calm down and focus on his work. Of course, it starts again when I go to the bar and order three alcohol-free cocktails a bit later. Seeing him in these cute little white shorts does nothing to help my horniness and I wish I could take him right here and right now. Fuck him senseless on the bar. However, my boy is on duty and I will have to wait until we get home to get some release, so after a few words of praise and encouragement, I return to my friends and leave Shannon to work.

During the rest of the evening, I keep peeking at my love who seems to be doing really good, while I'm talking with Aaron and Camden. I don't really pay any attention to the first show and throughout the second one, my mind happens to drift back to the conversation we had over dinner.

I really hate that my affection for Alex has been so palpable and visible to Aaron – or anyone else for that matter. I can't deny the growing feelings I have for the boy and this has led to a lot of guilt over the past week. As much as I have tried to bury these emotions, they have kept gnawing at my mind and unfortunately, this is not something I can control.

Why can't things be simple? Why can't I just ignore all this?

This is so confusing because the truth is that it doesn't make me love Shannon any less. If it were the case, things would be simple: I would just have to break my contract with him; it would mean that he was just not my special someone. But if anything, my love for him only increases every day, and I'm just lost within a turmoil of emotions that I don't understand.

Like Aaron mentioned earlier, I'm afraid Shannon has noticed my attraction to Alex. It hit me last Tuesday already while I was confessing my own possessiveness and as a wave of guilt washed over me, I tried my best to convey all the love I have for him while we made love, somehow apologizing for the disloyal thoughts I'd had.

How is it possible to feel so many things for two men at the same time? How can I possibly urge to take care of Alex as much as I do with Shannon? How could I even manage of two Subs at the same time?

You could have both, Mark. If I know a Dominant who could perfectly handle two Subs simultaneously, that would be you.

Aaron is completely wrong. I would never be able to handle two Submissives. Of course, the day that Ed spent with us was fun and I clearly enjoyed it – much more than the threesome we had with Eric – but it was only a one-time thing. Making this a permanent relationship is a whole different story and I'm not even sure Shannon would appreciate to share his Dominant with another Submissive on a daily basis, even if he joked about it.

Besides, I just can't imagine how much strain it would get me in! Alex sure is much quieter than Shannon, and his submission is so deep that it wouldn't require that much effort to dominate him, but you never know. The quietest are not necessarily the easiest. And I just can't imagine what kind of rules I would have to set if I had two Subs!

Anyway, this is not something I can consider, so I end up sweeping these thoughts toward the back of my head. After the last show, I stay for a while longer with Camden and Aaron until they decide to go and hunt a few preys to finish the night in their playrooms. Shannon's shift will soon end anyway, so I return to my private room to change back into my clothes and decide to wait for him outside by the car.

"What the hell is this?" I exclaim when I see him walk out shortly after midnight, carrying half a dozen of shopping bags.

"That's some of Alex's shopping!" he replies cheerfully as he puts them on the backseat of the SUV.

"Okay, but why do you have them?" I ask as we settle inside the car.

"Well..." Shan trails off, suddenly a bit more nervous. "I was thinking... Since Alex is going to the club with us tomorrow... perhaps he could come to our place for lunch... and then we can spend the afternoon together and he'll have to try his new clothes... you know... if we need to make adjustments..."

"Because he couldn't try them at the store?" I ask with a frown, but I don't get any answer there. "I guess you already offered him to come anyway?" I sigh.

"I wouldn't dare, Master... He doesn't need my permission to..." he replies with a mischievous smile.

"And you called me a perv this morning?" I huff back at him. "It doesn't answer my question!"

"I might have... Can he come home tomorrow? Pretty please..." he pleads in a small voice, biting his lower lip.

This boy is really going to be the death of me, but how could I ever refuse anything to such cuteness.

"Okay, fine!" I chuckle, shaking my head at his beaming smile.

I guess I'm in for another day with the two boys at home, but the only question that bugs my mind is: how is it going to help my resolve to chase the cute blonde from my head?

* * *

"I'll be in my office, Boys. I need to get some work done, so I'll see you later," I say as I rise off the table.

"Okay! We'll take care of the cleaning, Master," Shannon replies very respectfully.

This is not very Shannon-like, but I decide not to dwell on this or the fact that he and Alex have been eerily quiet over lunch. I was expecting a lot of blabbering and over-excited chitchatting, but they remained rather silent, only answering questions when I asked any. My paranoia is telling me that something is brewing, but my reason says they were just trying to be on their best behavior.

Once in my study, I free my mind of all these thoughts and focus on the tasks at hand, which include verifying several accounting files and replying to pending emails. I have drowned into work for about three hours when a light knock echoes on the door.

"Come in!"

The door opens and Shannon walks in, tugging on the hand of an extremely nervous Alex.

What the fuck is going on again?

I swear these two look like they are about to confess a mistake and expecting a severe punishment. If I wasn't already so stressed with everything going on at the moment, I would burst out laughing at their piteous and miserable expressions, or when Alex tries to push Shannon further in while Shannon is trying to bring Alex upfront. Their embarrassment is actually so funny that I recline into my armchair and patiently wait for their mumbles to stop.

"Can we talk to you?" Shannon eventually says sheepishly, still tugging on Alex's arm to keep him closer to him.

Why do I have a feeling that the situation won't be funny for much longer?

"Sure. Let's go to the living room," I reply, rising to my feet and leading the way to the couches.

Here, I am only trusting my guts and preparing an escape with a safe place to lock myself in if I end up needing some quietness to grab a hold of myself. The boys take a seat on a settee across from me and apparently start another low-toned argument on who should speak first.

"Why don't you just spill the beans, Boys? What the hell have you done?" I ask before I lose patience.

"We haven't done anything wrong!" they both exclaim in perfect harmony.

Please God, help me to keep my serious and not laugh!!

"Or not yet... Shan, speak up!" I order.

Said boy sighs and throws a dark look at the other one who cowers a bit in front of my deep tone.

"Err... I have... I mean, we have... a request for you..." he stutters, blushing deeply.

"A request? Well, go ahead then, I'm all ears!" I encourage him.

Both boys exchange a wary look and I'm getting scared about the whole situation. What the fuck can put them in so much stress? Holy shit! Don't tell me they're going to ask for a threesome scene tonight!!

"Okay, okay!! I'll tell him!" Shannon grumbles to Alex whose red face could be used to fry eggs right now. "Please promise you won't get angry...?" he then mumbles for my attention.

"Shannon, you've never seen me angry yet, but it might happen to if you don't get to the point in the next seconds. Now please just say what you have to say!" I order with exasperation.

"Alex and I would like you to accept him as your Submissive. I mean, in addition to me of course because we want you to keep me as well. You know... You could have us both as your Submissives," he eventually blurts out so fast that it takes a couple of seconds before his words make their way to my brain.

My heart skips a few beats here.

This is a conspiration. This has to be a joke. A stupid coincidence after the conversation I had with my friends last night.

For a brief second, I curse Aaron. I hope that jerk was only joking when he said he'd speak to Shannon, but then I remember they haven't been in direct contact since then. Anyway, I'm sure he wouldn't do anything like this behind my back.

So this means that these two little minxes in front of me have plotted this on their own and everything suddenly becomes very clear. I bet this started on Thursday when they had lunch together, which would explain Alex's nervousness over the past two days, as well as Shannon's weird attitude since Thursday evening. Not mentioning their quietness earlier at lunch. If I didn't have more self-control, I'd drag them to the playroom and use my collection of paddles and floggers on their cute little asses!

The two creeps are warily looking at me now, expecting an answer while gnawing their lips and squeezing each other's hands. But what the fuck am I supposed to answer? Do they even realize what they just asked? Do they grasp the extent of what it would mean? This is not a decision I can make on the spot without further thinking! I hate the way all colors are fleeing from their cheeks right now, but I need to ponder on this. Leaning forward, I rest my elbows on my knees and as my hands join palm to palm, my chin settles in the crease between my thumbs and index fingers.

"Who came up with this idea?" I ask calmly.

"I plead guilty..." Shannon squeals after several seconds of silence.

"Me too..." Alex quickly adds.

"I... It's... We just... I mean... Well..." Shannon stutters.

"Can you be a bit more specific? Coherent sentences would help..." I interrupt him.

"It's all my fault..." he confesses. "I brought Alex to realize he had feelings for us... because I realized that I had feelings for him too. I mean... I love him for different reasons than the ones I love you for, but I know they're equal in strength. And..."

"And?" I encourage him when nothing more comes up.

"And I think you love him too..." he says in a barely audible voice, but his words clearly reach my ears.

Right now, I owe a lot to Aaron and Camden. If we hadn't had that conversation yesterday evening, if they hadn't somehow prepared me for the present situation, I would have probably lost it and kicked them out right away. Or maybe not, because I do have a lot of self-control. Still, having realized the emotions I have been through over the past week helps a lot here, even if I have denied them.

"Please say something, Master..." Shannon croaks.

Alex is on the verge of sobbing and tears are also pooling in Shannon's eyes, but I can only exhale a long sigh and close my eyes for a few seconds.

"How long have you been scheming this?" I ask.

Seriously, Mark? What the fuck do we care!? You already know the answer anyway!

"Tuesday night..." Shan replies. "The idea began to form in my head before that, but I really started planning Tuesday night after... you know... before I fell asleep..."

Of course. Of fucking course. I clearly remember that conversation we had after I confessed my possessiveness and fucked him senseless against the wall, devoured by my own guilt at that moment. That's when he mentioned the threesome.

"Don't you think you should have told me in the first place?"

"I couldn't... I needed to make sure of Alex's feelings too first..."

"And what about my feelings, Shannon?"

"I know your feelings! I know you love me! And I know you love Alex too!" he screams angrily.

"That's no reason for plotting behind my back!" I shout even louder.

Shannon cowers on the settee and Alex curls up, trying to hide behind him.

Get a fucking grip, Mark! You're scaring them!

"Sorry I shouted, Boys," I apologize before I stand up and start pacing between the two couches for a couple of minutes, then return to stand in front of them. "Since you guys are so smart, I assume you must have discussed how this would work out? I'd really like to hear your view on how such a relationship would work..."

The softness of my voice allows them to relax a bit, though it might be because I haven't clearly rejected their idea.

"Not really, Sir..." Alex's shy voice eventually speaks up. "But we're ready to comply with any rule you may dictate and we promise to be the best Submissives you've ever had... We'll just make it work..."

"Whatever you decide will suit us, Master," Shannon adds. "All we want is for the three of us to live together, share the same bed with you at night, and we'll abide by your rules for the rest. Even if you decide to use only one of us in certain scenes or whatever..."

"We won't be jealous of one another and we'll respect all your decisions..." Alex continues.

"And we're sure you'll be amazing at handling us... Please don't be angry and accept... Master."

"If you're not sure, we don't have to make this permanent, but we could go for a two-week trial..." Alex suggests as an after-thought.

"No way! Are you crazy!?" Shannon whisper-growls, elbowing his partner in crime in the ribs.

I don't know what to think. On the one hand, there's a bit of anger and pain. It's as if Shannon told me that I'm not enough for him after all – or maybe too much for him – which is why he wants to add a permanent third-party into our couple. And yet... the little tad of anger I feel mostly springs from the fact that he plotted behind my back. But if I'm honest to myself, I'm relieved above anything else, because deep down, I think I want this too. However, I still need some time on my own to sort my thoughts out. I know that I did think about it myself not so long ago, but when it becomes a reality, there's a huge difference.

"I cannot make such an important decision without thinking it over," I say, my heart aching at the sadness filling their expressions. "I'm not rejecting your offer, but give me a bit of time. Now go get ready. It's time to go to the club."

In order to ease some of the tension, I turn on the radio in the car, but apart from a few sighs and throat-clearings, the ride is silent. Once at the Black Diamond, I send the boys to the Subs' room where they'll have dinner with their friends, and I barge into Aaron's office.

"Fuck! I'm sorry!" I exclaim when I notice the Sub kneeling between his legs.

Aaron is comfortably settled on the couch and his manhood is filling the young man's mouth.

"I would normally tell you to get the fuck out, but your expression tells me something's wrong...," Aaron grunts before he stops the Sub and softly cups his face. "I'm truly sorry to interrupt this lesson, Gordon, but we'll have to resume this later if you don't mind."

"Forget it, Aaron, we can talk later..." I interfere, feeling bad for the poor guy.

"That's fine, Mark. I'm actually quite eager to make amends later and I might reward you with a blissful orgasm, Gordon. Would you like to spend the end of the evening with me?"

"Yes, please, Master Aaron!" the cute boy replies eagerly.

"We have a deal then. Go prep in the Subs' room and meet me at the Diamond at 9. We'll watch the shows together and we'll end the night in my playroom..." Aaron whispers with a voice full of promises.

"Who's that boy?" I ask once the Sub has left and after Aaron has tucked his junk back into his pants. "I don't think I ever saw him before..."

"He's one of the recent recruits, though he's been a member for nearly two months now. Poor boy has a very low gag reflex limit and deep-throating scares him to no end. He came to tell me about it two weeks ago, so I've been training him. He's not there yet, but he's getting better," Aaron explains as I take a seat beside him.

"I didn't want to kick him out, though... Sorry about that..."

"Don't worry, Mark, I know I'll make up to him tenfold tonight, and I really don't like that expression on your face. Is your father okay?"

"Yeah, nothing new on that side..."

"Good. Now spill the beans!"

There wouldn't be any point backing off now, so I end up telling him what happened this afternoon with the boys plotting behind my back. I don't leave any detail aside, including Shannon and Alex's embarrassment and how funny they were before they confessed their plans. If I was expecting compassion or surprise from my friend, I was completely mistaken! That idiot just burst out laughing and it takes him a long minute before he calms down.

"Holy fuck! I wish I'd been there to see that!!!" he chuckles. "Okay, now what's the problem exactly? I guess you must have accepted..."

"Fuck no!!! I can't make such a decision like this, Aaron! I need time to think about it! I don't even know how I could make this work!"

"You're such a dumbass..." he snorts. "The question is not how can I make this work, Mark. The question is do I really want this? At the end of the day, if that's what the three of you really want, you'll just make it work. One way or the other. And by you, I mean you, Mark," he says, pointing his finger at me. "The Dominant in you will lead this three-way relationship, and I have faith in you to make things work out just fine. You'll be perfect!"

"Come on, Aaron! I've never done that before! How can I do this!?"

"Patience, authority, strictness, honesty. It's as simple as that. Establish clear rules in accordance to what you really want and make sure the boys abide by it. They said they'd comply with orders, so it shouldn't be that difficult..."

"All the same... I'm not sure such a relationship can work on a long-term basis," I state with much doubt in my voice.

"Bullshit. Like I told you yesterday, I've seen the fondness in your eyes when you look at these two boys. If there's love between the three of you, I don't see why it wouldn't work. Once you've accepted that it's possible to love two people at the same time and if you manage to write down rules the boys will have to obey, it's not different from a regular relationship between a Dom and a Sub. Besides, it wouldn't be the first polyamorous affair I see..."

"Me neither but none of these relationships lasted for very long!"

"I'm talking about guys I met when I was in Los Angeles..." Aaron trails off, nostalgia filling his eyes as memories of his mentor Ivan must be flooding his head. "Remember I told you about Connor who was a close friend of Ivan's... He was a Sub in a three-way relationship with two Doms. One is a Master Dom at the Hell Fire now by the way, and as far as I know, they're still together. Then there was another couple like this, with one Dom and two Subs. I didn't get to know them very well because they moved to Canada a few months after I joined the lifestyle. Funnily enough, I just heard from them just a few days ago when Marcus and Sam visited, and guess what? They're still together after more than ten years... If there's love, it can only work, Mark. I can't tell for Shannon and Alex, but I know you love them both."

"It sounds so complicated, though..."

"Then make it simple! The situation is not that complex! Like I said, as long as you establish rules and treat them equally, there shouldn't be any problems."

"And these guys you mentioned... They do live together, right?"

"Of course! They live together, share the same bed, and they do everything together. I believe they each have their own room when there are little fights and they need to let the steam off. Both threesomes follow strict rules and have organized chores according to their respective likings. Just take the time to make things clear in your mind, Mark, and it'll work."

I only hum doubtfully in answer because my mind is just too confused at the moment. I'll have to take some time on my own to sort things out, and only then will I be able to make a decision.

The rest of the evening occurs in some sort of daze for me as thoughts and ideas keep flooding my head. While we feed on pizzas, Aaron tells me a bit more about Daniel and Matt, these two Doms in LA who are in a three-way relationship with Connor since they're the ones he knows the best, and I must admit that with a bit of organization, I could make this work. However, when Shannon and Alex meet us at our usual spot, I lock myself in a bubble of oblivion and even if this is not very nice of me, I let them both kneel on the floor – one on each side of me – and watch the show from there.

It's barely midnight when we get back home and while a quiet Alex goes straight to the first guestroom after a shy good night, an upset Shannon is trying to argue my decision to make him sleep in the other guestroom.

"Please, Master... I don't want to sleep alone..." he begs in a low voice, tears pooling in his eyes.

I'm only an inch from yielding, but I can't let that happen. As much as it hurts me, I need to follow Aaron's advice to be a little stricter. I'm the Dominant in this relationship and though I have a lot of self-control, I really need this time by myself. However, I don't want a repeat of that evening he felt rejected and left, so I need to make him understand that it's only temporary.

"Enough, Babe," I scold him firmly, shutting his blabbering. "I need the night on my own to sort things out and I promise everything will be alright tomorrow. It's only for tonight. I love you so much, I just don't want to fuck this up. Now please be a good boy and go to sleep in the guestroom. I'll see you tomorrow."

With a light peck on his lips, I gently usher him inside the room where he only ever spent one night – and it was with me – and after a few more reassuring words, I step out and shut the door. I can understand his disappointment, but it doesn't mean my night will be better either.

And indeed, I spend the night tossing and turning. I have gotten used to Shannon's presence beside me. Without him, the bed feels empty and cold, I miss the warmth of his body clung to mine, but the weirdest part is that I wish I had two bodies snuggled against my sides. This bed was custom-made so that it's about two-queen-sized-bed wide: the three of us would definitely fit in there.

I must have dozed off at some point but it's not even 6am when I awake on Sunday. All this brooding on my own hasn't led me anywhere, but I know what I need the most. I swiftly get out of bed and minutes later, I am in the corridor in my running gear. My heart summersaults in my chest when I decide to check in on Shannon and find his bed empty but instead of panicking, I take a few steps back and open the door of the other guestroom. Only to discover the sweetest sight ever.

Both Shannon and Alex are fast asleep, the first one spooning the latter. They must have forgotten to turn down the heater last night and the comforter has been discarded on the floor, allowing me to see Shannon's arms wound around Alex's waist. Fuck! This is so cute that my heart is melting!

It's no time to coo though, so I pull myself from this mesmerizing sight and quietly shut their door before I head out of the apartment. Once in the Millenium Park, I let all the thoughts and images I have kept aside swamp my head. In the beginning, it's quite confusing as some of them come in contradiction to others, but I still decide to let them all in so that I can get a better view of the situation.

Various memories of the past two weeks emerge, and these include souvenirs of Shannon and Alex mingling together, emotions I have felt and denied, moments I spent with Shannon and Alex separately, conversations I had with Aaron, Camden, Alex, Shannon. The boys' arguments keep rehearsing in my head, but I also think about these triads Aaron told me about and how they are still standing after many years.

I quickly come to the right conclusion, though. This is what I want, like Aaron said. I can no longer ignore that my heart has enough space for both Alex and Shannon, and I want this to last forever. This has nothing to do with the wonderful day Shannon and I spent with Ed. There are feelings here, very intense feelings, and I'm sure they will only grow. My love for Shannon is more than obvious and I don't think I need to prove it further, although I'll never stop telling him again and again. My love for Alex remains to be proved, but it's here, deep within me, because I must admit I have been falling for this little ball of cuteness over the past two weeks, and I will tell him, again and again.

As for what they feel toward each other, I will only have to trust their words. Yet, I don't need much more evidence. I have seen them together and now that everything is clear, I can only realize that their mutual attraction and love does exist. I have never seen Shannon look at any other Sub – or even Liam – with such fondness and he sincerely cares for Alex. And the way Alex opened up to Shan in so little time, the way he seems to feed and drink on Shan's bubbly personality are perceptible signs too. I think that we are going to complete each other's needs in different ways and in the end, Alex is like the puzzle piece we were missing to form a whole.

As I keep running along the alleys of the park, our future as a three-way relationship slowly draws before my eyes. Like Aaron said, I need to lead the way, but this is not a game here, this is serious and there is no way I'm going to fuck this up. As minutes pass, I'm getting to define roles and rules to make this work. The boys said they were ready to accept just anything, but it's not only about me and the three of us will have to be entirely comfortable within the relationship. Equality, fairness, care, love and affection will all be important, but in the end, our everyday life should be quite easy to manage.

As far as sex is concerned, well, I guess it should be very pleasurable. Multiple-partner sex has been a part of my life for so long that I can't wait to enjoy this on a daily basis. Or almost. I still need to discuss this with the boys, but I imagine that all our scenes won't always happen as threesomes. I have the stamina of a sex-addict – and I think I have somehow tired Shannon a bit recently – so I should be able to fulfill all their needs, but either Alex or Shan could be free to drop out any day should they be sore or just too tired.

Another question is: what about their own interaction? Since they love each other, they might also want to play together, and I must admit, it's going to be super-hot to watch them do naughty things. But what kind of limits should I put here? I guess I should let them make out or even have sex as long as they ask for my permission... I might even let Shannon top Alex occasionally since he likes it so much...

After two hours running, I'm glad to see that it was what I needed to make things clear in my head and when the boys wake up, I will be ready with the answer they have been waiting for. All this still requires a bit more thinking, some adjustments and compromises as well, but I now know that this is going to work.

Published on 25 May 2016

Quick note about one of the threesomes mentioned by Aaron (Two Doms / One Sub): you will meet them in Aaron's first book, but if you'd like to know more about them, note that seasaltstories  is going to write a trilogy on them. I'll add more about this later once we have had time to discuss this together in more details – my fault here since I've stopped working on Aaron's story to focus on the rewriting of I Was Shooting For The Moon, I Hit Two Stars...), but you can already add her book into your library ;)