(Alex's POV - Sat. 13 December 2014)

"Shan!!! You're making me feel dizzy pacing back and forth like you're doing..." I sigh from the couch, wishing I could help him calm down. "I need a cuddle..."

Mark is finally coming back today and as much as we're both eager to see him again, we express it differently. While I'm trying to relax, comfortably seated in the couch, Shannon has been pacing like a lion in a cage, ruminating thoughts and occasionally grumbling inconsistent sentences.

This week has been so long and painful that yesterday, I was ready to pack up and waste my paycheck on a round trip to New Jersey – even if for only a day – if Mark was to stay any longer with his parents. I would have definitely done this if he hadn't called on Friday morning and informed us of his return on Saturday. Despite our little kinky online-sex episode last Wednesday, I just could no longer bear with his absence and Shannon was about to suffocate from my over-clinginess.

Or maybe not. He did say how much he loves it, but I was afraid he might get tired of being the sole recipient for my whole affection, endless cuddles and overbearing kisses. I know I can be a tad bit overwhelming at times, and in this respect, I'm glad I can usually share my overload of tenderness between Mark and Shannon.

The first part of this week was one of the most difficult periods I had to face ever since the first few weeks after my parents' death. It might sound extreme, but it's just the truth and I can't change who I am deep down. What I am experiencing with Mark and Shannon is the strongest thing I ever have. After losing my parents and nearly two years of full solitude, I have tremendous affection to spare; I need to let it out. I know that my emotions are enhanced tenfold by the lifestyle, but I am willingly letting myself drown into it.

This relationship has completely exalted my libido, turning me into some sort of sex-addict, so with Mark missing, things became a little complicated for me. Since he had left, I had lost sleep and some of my appetite, yielding an inevitable exhaustion and I hadn't realized it affected me so much. The little online scene we played on Wednesday helped a bit, allowing me to quiet my horniness and recover a flaccid member. It didn't last long, but I handled the situation better after that.

I also realized that Mark was right on his guiding skills and how important communication is. I should have trusted him with my issues because it's in his domineering personality to help us and solve our problems. Like he said, there are always solutions for everything. I should have opened up to him earlier and I am not looking forward to the upcoming lecture and punishment he's going to inflict on us. Shannon and I have gotten his point, but we'd rather he waits until tomorrow for the discipline so as not to ruin our reunion.

Right now, all I want is for Shan and I to be tightly held in his strong embrace, to relish in his delicious scent, to taste his plump lips and his sweet tongue, to work our mouths around his shaft, and to feel his thickness stretch my hole and hit my soft spot.

"Alex... Alex...? Aleeeeeex!!!"

Ugh! Why does Shannon have to bring me back down to Earth!? I was so well on my cotton cloud!

"Yes?"

"Didn't you hear what I just said!?" he grouses, stomping his foot on the floor.

"No, sorry... What was it?"

"Why the heck doesn't he reply to my messages!? It says he read my texts, but he just won't answer!" he rambles on.

"Shan, how would I know!? He's probably busy retrieving his luggage or finding a cab!" I exclaim as he starts pacing around the coffee table again. "Or maybe he's pissed from all the spamming..."

"Nah, he's not, that wouldn't be a reason for not replying. If he was upset, he'd have sent me a text to shut up..." Shan grumbles.

"Well, I do hope he's not mad, because I don't want an angry Mark coming home after nearly a week away!"

Shannon goes on pacing around the coffee table and I wouldn't be surprised to see tracks forming on the wooden floor in the long run. However, the sound of keys unlocking the entrance door suddenly echoes, and as both Shan and I startle, two things happen simultaneously.

I jump off the couch in a rush, ready to squeal our long-awaited man's name, and Shannon picks up speed to also run to Mark, calling him aloud, but as a result of our eagerness, we both collide and fall with all our weight on the low wooden table. Poor piece of furniture doesn't resist our combined heaviness and breaks in its center. As Shan's forehead hits mine with a sonorous thud, we both growl from the dull pain, trying to sit up from the mess of entangled limbs and wood.

"Fuck!" Mark yells as he hurries to our side, a worried expression covering his face. "Are you Boys alright? Any broken bones? Do you hurt anywhere?" he asks, inspecting our bodies.

"No, I'm okay..." we both reply in unison, fighting a fit of laughter. "Only our foreheads crashed... I'm sorry, Alex..." Shannon adds, lightly brushing my face with the back of his hand.

"Not your fault, Muffin... we just scrambled up too fast..."

Mark helps us up and as it hits us that he's finally back, we throw ourselves into his arms, reveling into the powerfulness of his chest and his strong arms that wrap around our frailer bodies. The hug soon turns into passionate kisses that Mark alternates between us, beginning with soft pecks, and moving on to more intense touches. God! It feels so good to feel his warmth again, to taste his domineering tongue, and breathe in his intoxicating scent.

"Were you two fighting?" Mark asks when he breaks our embrace, just as my little guy was showing off its happiness.

"No, of course not!" I squeak. "We just came into collision when we heard the door and crashed on the tab... Oh my God... We completely destroyed the table..."

"So sorry, Mark..." Shan also apologizes. "We'll buy a new one..."

"It's okay, Boys, don't worry about the table. I'm glad you didn't hurt yourselves. Dang! It feels so good to see you, I've missed you so much!" Mark says warmly, pulling us back into his hold and against his chest.

As Shan and I lock eyes, we can't help grinning at each other, eventually feeling complete again. With his hands at the nape of our necks, Mark resumes our kissing and slowly pushes us along the corridor until we reach the master bedroom. Once he has removed our tee-shirts and dropped them on the floor, he playfully thrusts us on the bed, making us giggle like idiots. As lust fills his eyes, our sexy man starts putting on a show for us, taking his shoes and socks off, then his turtleneck, his jeans, and his shirt, only keeping his tented boxer briefs.

Shan and I are now lying across the bed, side by side, and Mark joins us, placing one knee between each set of legs before he bends over, dipping the mattress on each side of us.

"Time to rediscover the delicious taste of your skin, Boys..." he says greedily between our heads.

With this, our man begins to kiss and lick every single inch of our faces, from our foreheads to our temples, our noses, cheeks, lips, jawline, earlobes, leaving a burning trail on our skin wherever his lips or tongue make contact.

"Mmm... So good..."

Mark continues his exploration with our torsos, running his lips along our collarbones, titillating our nipples and bellybuttons while Shan and I hold hands between our bodies, which allows our other hand to caress him wherever we can. After a few minutes, Mark moves to straddle my knees, and with lustful eyes, he slips his fingers beneath the waistband of my briefs and pulls them down, revealing my raging hard-on.

"I've missed this part too..." he purrs, caressing my inner thighs and reaching for my groin.

This part has missed you too... Master...

Biting my lips, I watch his hand wrap around my cock, but before I know it, his mouth swallows my whole length and only Shannon's tongue manages to muffle the whimpers of pleasure I utter from Mark's fingers penetrating my hole. The brushing against my prostate makes me see stars and it's only a couple of minutes before I explode in his mouth.

Dang!! I didn't even feel it coming so fast!!

As I try to escape Shan's mouth to apologize, other lips attack mine and a salty tongue invades my wet cavern, swirling with mine powerfully.

"Sorry..." I whine when Mark breaks our kiss.

"Shh... It's okay, Baby. You Boys don't need permission to come today..." he replies with his huskiest voice.

Our lover then provides the same favor to Shannon who tries to hold his orgasm a bit longer while I ravage his mouth, but Mark soon gets to swallow his second load of cream of the day, that he also shares with a dizzy Shan. Between the hotness I've just witnessed and all the kisses Mark sheds while we cuddle, I'm not surprised to be hard again, but I think our Master deserves his own release first.

"Our turn to..." I begin to say, slightly shifting with an obvious purpose to reach for his swollen crotch.

"Not yet, Baby..." he interrupts me. "And not this way. I want to make love to you both at the same time. Babe, lie down in the middle of the bed and rest your back against two pillows, then bend your knees up."

Once Shannon is set in the right position, Mark slips another pillow beneath his backside, providing the best angle for a deep penetration.

"Baby, go and sit on Shan's lower belly, and straddle his legs facing me."

As I do as I'm told, Mark pulls on Shan's erection, making it linger at the cleft of my ass. As much as I try not to weigh too much on my fellow Sub, he wraps his arms around my torso and pulls me against his chest, giving a better access to Mark to my hole, especially as he spreads his knees further apart.

"I want to see both these holes, so shift a tad bit to your right, Baby..." Mark smirks.

While I comply with his request, Mark stands off the bed to remove his boxer briefs, revealing his fully-erected and very dripping monster. Kneeling in front of us, he smears lube at the crack of our asses and using both his hands, he spreads the substance and starts scissoring us both at the same time. After a whole week of abstinence, our Master takes his sweet time to stretch our holes, but he also enjoys edging us, teasing our prostates and making us moan loudly.

"I believe you're good to go, Boys..." he says huskily after a long moment, leaning over us to claim our mouths again and holding his weight on his forearms.

I can feel Mark move to the left while he nibbles on my lips, so Shan's gasp comes as no surprise and I can totally imagine our Master slipping inside his hot cavern. Giving him time to adjust to his girth, Mark switches to Shan's mouth in an effort to distract him from the somewhat uncomfortable sensation provoked by the penetration. Successfully so, I should say since he starts rocking his hips when Shan's whimpers get loudly needy.

Soon enough, I get to feel the tip of his cock at my entrance, and the slight sting that ensues quickly disappears as he grazes his teeth along my jawline, fulfilling my urges to feel him deep inside of me. I was craving for this completeness so much that my hole swallows his rod quite easily and when he begins to thrust in and out, brushing against my soft spot, I can't help raising my hips to feel him even deeper. Damn!! This is so good!

Mark then keeps alternating between Shan's hole and mine, sometimes pounding only once, sometimes giving us several thrusts, all the time holding us in his arms and kissing us in turns. Our groans and moans only grow louder and louder, and when Shan reaches for my erection to stroke it, I return him the favor, slipping a hand between our legs and Mark's chest to jack him off.

It seems like Mark enjoys this as he suddenly stops moving and props himself up on his hands to watch us, still buried deep inside of me, and as Shan reaches his climax, my own juices spurt all over my chest, my hole clenching around Mark's girth hurling him to his own release.

"Fuck! It feels so good..." Mark sighs as he pulls out of me and rolls us to lie on each side of him.

"Agreed..." Shan whispers sleepily and all I can do is concur through a humming sound.

While we cuddle in silence for a moment, I just relish in the musky scent of our man, my head rested over his chest in front of Shan's.

"How were you able to last for so long?" Shan mumbles after a few minutes. "Did you jerk off on the plane or what?" he then adds in a cocky tone, making Mark chuckle.

"Nope, I didn't. It's just years of experience as a Dominant, Babe."

"Yeah, right..."

"Can I ask a question, Master?" I whisper shyly, my curiosity piqued by something I've always wondered but never broached before.

"Sure..."

"How many Subs... did you have before us?"

"Does it matter?" Mark answers, softly caressing my back.

"Not really, I'm just curious. Is it a secret?" I retort playfully, leaning up to grin at him and soon joined by Shannon.

"No, it's no secret, Baby..." Mark chuckles. "I had a few Subs under contracts before you two, generally for three to six months though one of them lasted for almost a year. Seven months, to be more precise. And in between them, I played with one-evening Subs too, but I couldn't tell you how many."

"Like Master Camden and Master Aaron do?" Shan perks in.

"Like most of us do, Doms and Subs."

"Why aren't they with long-term Subs? I mean, Master Aaron and Master Camden..." I ask.

"Err... That's just not their thing," he answers with a sigh. "Some people just don't want to get involved into long relationships, or they just haven't found their soulmate. It all depends on what you're seeking."

"So, when was the last time you had a long-term Sub?" I continue.

"About a year before I met Shannon."

"A year!?" I exclaim. "Why did you wait for so long between the last one and Shannon?"

"Jeez! Is this the Spanish inquisition?" he grunts, but I hold my ground and stare at him for an answer. "I was getting tired of the... system, I believe. However long they lasted, these contracts were not leading me anywhere, so I took a break because at the end of the day, I wanted more. More love. I wanted to find someone I could build my future with."

"And you found me!!!" Shan squeals. "And then Pumpkin!!"

"Yes, I found you both, and I'm so happy about it!" Mark replies, smiling warmly.

"Me too..." I add, blushing deeply. "So... for a year, you basically used one-evening Subs..."

"I don't really like the word use," Mark groans. "But, yes, Babe, you can say that. It was always consensual, though. I just didn't want to bother with pointless relationships or give useless hope to Subs who didn't match my expectations. At least they knew it was only for one-night fun."

"Not sure I would have liked changing partners every night..." I mumble thoughtfully.

"Sex with different partners is fun when there's no feeling, Pumpkin..." Shan reasons.

"Sex is good, period!" Mark agrees. "A man needs release, sometimes... Don't you think so, now that you've tasted the wild thing?" he then adds, smirking at me and reaching for my swelling shaft.

"Ngh... Yes, I agree..."

"As are public scenes..." Shan adds, reaching over for my lips.

"Look at that naughty little exhibitionist..." Mark smirks.

"We only did it once and it was fun! We should try again with Alex this time!" Shannon cheers, making me tense a bit.

"We will when Alex is ready," Mark replies, staring meaningfully at me.

"I'm not sure I'm ready yet..." I mumble, blushing deeply.

I know that most of the members perform public scenes occasionally. Though it's not mandatory per se, Master Aaron strongly encourages it since this is also what makes the shows at the club, and unless Doms or Subs state it as a hard limit, everyone eventually gets to participate into a scene on stage. However, weirdly enough, as much as I don't mind getting naughty in public on the couch, doing it on the dais, with all eyes on me, still makes me a bit uncomfortable.

"There's no hurry, Baby, and you'll get used to the idea with time. But it can wait..." Mark reassures me, returning his attention to my hardening member.

This puts an end to our conversation and marks the beginning of another round of sex. Mark first makes love to me and while I recover from my high, he goes for another session with Shannon. That man has such stamina, I just don't know where he gets it from! I'm just dead beat after this!

I would have loved to go to the club, but instead, we decide to stay home and enjoy a nice and cuddly evening together. Mark teaches me to cook what he calls gratin dauphinois, a French specialty made of thin slices of potatoes cooked in the oven with milk, cream and nutmeg, and cheese-topped. Shan even helps and then we talk a lot about Mark's parents throughout our dinner.

They happen to be very eager to meet us now and Mark reassures us, saying that they have perfectly accepted the triangle relationship he's in. Now they are expecting us to visit them for Christmas, which is in less than two weeks, but as much as they sound like very open-minded people, it still scares me a little. They may be kind and very supportive, however our situation is still quite peculiar, and it worries me. What if they don't like me? What if they show preferences?

Well, for now I'm trying to push these thoughts at the back of my head and rejoice in a perfect and very sexy evening with my men. After a couple more rounds of sex – this time, in the playroom – Mark calls it a night and we all fall fast asleep, with Shannon and I snuggled against Mark's sides.

This is my first peaceful night in a week, feeling complete again, and in the morning, when I wake up to a clingy Shannon spooning me and an invisible Mark, I feel totally rested. There's a note on the bedside table and as I reach for the piece of paper, I read that Mark has gone for his morning run – which doesn't augur anything good since that's his favorite activity when he needs to think – and that he should be back by 10am. One more half hour, then...

"What time is it, Pumpkin?" Shannon grumbles sleepily, rubbing his face at the nape of my neck.

"Almost half past nine," I reply with a sigh. "Mark went out and said he'll be back around ten," I then inform him with a sullen voice, shoving the paper in his face behind me. "Can we rewind to yesterday morning?"

"Why would you want to do that?" he asks, shifting to rest on his elbow and making me roll on my back.

"Well... first because yesterday afternoon was... blissful!" I answer with a grin.

"Wait till you get up and feel your sore ass..."

"Ugh, that's another reason to go back in time!" I exclaim, giggling at his frowning brows.

"What else?"

"And today's not going to be so much fun, I'm afraid... We've got to work tonight and then... we'll probably get the promised lecture..."

"Mark may have forgotten about it!" the ever-positive and cheerful Shan replies.

"You wish! That's probably why he went running," I remind him.

"He always runs, Alex, stop worrying!" Shannon retorts, rolling his eyes. "And just in case... why don't we go and prepare breakfast before he returns? A fed man is in a better mood!"

"Now that's a good idea!" I cheer, pushing him after a peck on his lips and jumping off the bed.

I can't help wincing as I hurry to the bathroom for my morning routine, feeling the side-effects of Mark's pounding from yesterday. Shannon is no better, but despite the slight discomfort, we shower in record time and quickly dress up in sweatpants before we rush to the kitchen and start preparing breakfast. Just a few minutes after 10, we are displaying the fried bacon, eggs, toasts and coffee on the island counter when Mark arrives.

"Morning!!!!" we cheer simultaneously, earning a squint from our sweaty Mark.

"Morning, Boys..." he replies suspiciously, clearly trying to suppress tremors of laughter as he pecks our lips. "Smells good in here... Did you really think filling my stomach would make me forget about certain mistakes?"

The light tone of his voice at least prevents me from feeling too bad, but when he walks around the counter and settles across from us, I can tell his features still hold some seriousness.

"Sighing won't help, Boys. You're so predictable... and you're still going to get it!"

"At least we tried..." Shan grumbles gloomily, reaching for my hand for support.

Breakfast occurs in a relatively comfortable silence, another of Mark's machinations to make us ponder on what we should expect, and once he has cleared his plate, we watch him get off his stool and walk off to the corridor.

"I'll let you finish and clear the table while I take a shower, then I'll meet you in the living room and we'll talk," he says as he walks away.

Shannon and I remain pretty quiet during the rest of our breakfast and while we clean up the kitchen, just exchanging a few whispers and hugs, and fifteen minutes later, we go and wait for Mark in the living room. He joins us soon after, his dark hair still wet from the shower and dressed in black jeans and a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves. Such sexiness shouldn't be allowed!

"Right! Let's get this over with!" he says sternly as he takes a seat on the couch across from us.

His expression is quite serious, but there's no real anger, it seems, so it reassures me a bit. Even if the discussion won't be a pleasant one, it shouldn't yield too many painful consequences.

"I'm going to make this quick, Boys, since we've already discussed it over the phone earlier this week," Mark begins, his deep voice echoing in the room, which sends shivers down my spine. "I just want to drill the message into your skulls and by way of consequence, remind you of an important rule it seems you forgot. Communication. One of my duties as your Dominant is to look after your well-being and help you whenever you need me, but if you don't communicate with me, there's not much I can do and that's extremely annoying."

He pauses for a few seconds, his eyes boring into us with all their meaningful intensity, and I can feel Shannon shudder beside me.

"Whether it's you, Alex, having issues with your hyper libido, or you, Shannon, noticing Alex's discomfort and not telling me, you have to confide in me. I'm just so upset that you can't seem to understand that, Boys!" he adds more firmly, irritation clear in his voice.

"We really thought you already had enough on your pl..." I try to say, but I'm quickly interrupted.

"This is not your role to decide how much I can deal with, Alex!" Mark growls, immediately putting me off. "I'm strong enough to handle my own issues and yours, otherwise, I wouldn't be a Dom. Otherwise, I wouldn't have signed up with two Subs! Of course, you guys are much more than Submissives to me, I mean... I truly love you deeply, but as far as our BDSM relationship is concerned, it only deepens my responsibilities and you have to let me manage that part. I don't want our unity to fuck up. And no matter what happens, I need to make sure that you're safe and well, so please, stop hiding things from me, even when I'm not around to see, because I'll only worry more."

"We'll be better next time..." Shannon mumbles.

"You'd better. Can you just try and think of all the consequences your lack of communication held? I don't mind spending hours taking care of you, that's not a problem, but wasting my time worrying is a different story. Besides, it means involving other people I can trust and also using their precious time. I had to call Aaron because I could only trust him to provide me with an objective view on the situation. I had to reach out to Matt as well, to have him send you back home and find someone to replace you. See what I mean? All in all, there was nothing disastrous, but your lack of communication only complicated everything and I can't accept that. I can't promise that I'll always have solutions for everything, but I swear I'll never stop trying my best to help you. Do you understand?"

"Yes, we do..." both Shannon and I answer at the same time as we realize the extent of our mistakes.

"Good boys."

"Are you going to punish us?" I add with a strangled voice.

"Are there reasons I shouldn't?" Mark replies, cocking an eyebrow.

"Because we got the message alright this time...?" Shan offers.

"Yes, we learned our lesson and we'll never do that mistake again," I also claim. "I'll try to trust you more in the future... In the end, it was mostly my fault as I should have spoken with Shannon too. I'm truly sorry for all the consequences it had... and that you had to worry. But I've understood now."

"I hadn't realized Alex was feeling so bad, but I should have spoken to you indeed. I promise I'll be more careful too..." Shan concludes.

Mark remains silent for a long moment after this, just staring at us, and both Shannon and I end up lowering our heads, patiently waiting for our Master to make a decision.

"I already spent a lot of time pondering on this while I was running this morning, and when I got back home, I was determined to punish you, to drill the lesson, but..." Mark trails off and there he is, facing two pairs of hopeful eyes. "I guess you've apprehended the deep meaning of our conversation and you look repentant, so I'll trust this conversation will be enough and that nothing like this will ever happen again."

"Thank you, Master!" we both reply in unison and with relief.

"However, you'll have to make up to the other people involved," he retorts sternly. "Babe, you'll work two more hours at the club on a day Aaron will choose to cover what you missed on Tuesday, and Baby, you'll also have to speak with Richard and Matt to make up for the two days you stayed home. Is this clear?"

"Yes, Master."

Mark then shifts on the couch to lean forward and rests his elbows over his knees, looking at us threateningly.

"Now, let me warn you," he says in his most serious tone, making us shiver, "if anything like this ever happens again, I swear I won't be as gentle as I am today, and the punishment will be one you'll remember for the rest of your lives, understood?"

"Yes, Master..."

"Good boys. Now come give me a kiss!"

Well, he doesn't need to tell us twice! Both Shannon and I rush to his sides, and now that we're supposedly forgiven, we can relish in hugs and kisses.

"Go get dressed, Boys, and when you're ready, we'll go Christmas shopping. I need to find something for my parents..."

Darn it! I had completely forgotten about that! What am I going to get them? I don't even know them! What do you offer to your in-laws for Christmas when it's the first time you meet them?

"Something wrong, Alex?" Mark asks when he notices my wary expression.

"Err... Would you help me find something for your parents? I mean... I have no clue what I could get them..." I ask worryingly, and Shannon seems to concur with me.

"You guys don't need to buy anything. Your sole presence and seeing how much I love you will be the best gift they'll ever get," Mark reassures us warmly, pulling us to his chest. "Besides, we've never been a family to celebrate Christmas with huge presents. It's more about enjoying a nice dinner together, so don't worry about this."

"Sounds good... It's like a real Christmas in a happy family..." Shan comments thoughtfully.

"Wasn't it the case with your parents, Muffin?" I ask him hesitantly.

"Well..." he begins, lowering his eyes and grunting. "I guess Christmas celebrations were quite normal when I was a little kid, but as I grew older and became more difficult, my parents also changed into more embittered people and there were always fights. After I met Liam, I always made sure to spend the 25th with his family and it seems like it never bothered my parents..." he explains bitterly and both Mark and I reach for him for a group hug.

"Now you have a real family, Babe, one that loves you, and I'm certain my parents will be happy to count you in," Mark says. "Both of you, Boys... We'll have a wonderful Christmas."

On my side, I have almost forgotten what a happy Christmas is seeing what my life has been for the past two years and a half, and yet, it used to be a nice family celebration for me as well. My parents weren't wealthy, so presents were quite simple, but as in Mark's family, Christmas mostly meant enjoying a nice moment together over a good meal that I always cooked with my mother. Just being together was enough, and that's what I realized after they died.

After I lost them, things were never the same again. For the first Christmas, I was alone at my aunt's and since I was such a burden to her, she decided to go on a trip with her lover – without me, obviously. Then for the following one, I was on my own again, though this time in my tiny apartment and it was my decision. It doesn't mean it was anymore joyful, though, since I was alone. I remember spending the day wrapped in my comforter and crying over my late parents.

Although I'm a bit anxious to meet Mark's parents, I take solace in the fact that I will spend the next Christmas with normal people, normal meaning that these people apparently enjoy being with each other. Just a happy family.

* * *

The following week, things get back to normal for our throuple. I do two extra noon shifts at the restaurant to make up for my absence, which is a bit more tiring but at least, I won't lose any money on my paycheck. I offered to do more Sunday evening shifts, but Mark firmly refused, saying he'd rather keep these occasional one-on-one moments while Shan works.

Speaking of the little devil, he does two extra hours on Thursday, which breeds a lot of ranting later that night since Aaron apparently had him clean the entire stockroom and that's obviously not Shan's favorite chore. Mark is extremely busy and sadly, we don't get to see him much on our free time. After a full week of absence and although he kept in touch with the managers while he was in New Jersey, there's a lot he needs to catch up on and he spends most of his days running between all his establishments to make sure his business is doing well.

It doesn't prevent him from also working out on a daily basis and he even manages to drag us to the gym on Monday morning and for a run at the park on Wednesday. He also speaks a lot with his parents over the phone. We're all glad to hear that his father is getting better every day, but we'll all be completely relieved once he has undergone the surgery and gotten his pacemaker.

With all the crazy activity and the fact that Shannon and I work late at night, you'd think that Mark falls dead asleep at night... No way! It seems like our man also wants to catch up in the sex department after his week of abstinence, and there's not a day without a little scene in the playroom or lovemaking. He's just insatiable!

Not that I would complain...

On Friday noon, since Mark is once again busy working, Shannon and I meet Liam at Potbelly, a restaurant nearby his office. Although we called each other over the last couple of weeks, it's been a while since we last had lunch together and since we didn't go to the club last weekend, there's still a lot to tell each other and I always enjoy the moments we spend together. Liam is such a great guy. It's funny how quiet he can be next to his longtime friend, a bit secretive too, I think. Today, he rambles on how busy he has been between school and his job at Joshua's company. The business never stops blooming and there have been plenty of new important contracts that might yield a few business trips for him with his Director – and Joshua of course!

"So you guys are going to meet Mark's parents?" Liam asks after we have told him about our plans for Christmas.

"Yes! Mark already booked flights and we're leaving on Tuesday!" Shan exclaims, bouncing on his chair. "This is going to be great, they sound like adorable people!"

"From what I heard, yes, they are," Liam replies. "Josh has told me about them and he's been talking to Mark's mother quite often recently. I'm sure you'll have a great time."

"Are you still visiting Joshua's mother?" I ask warily.

Liam wasn't specifically enthusiastic when he told us they were going to spend Christmas with her a few days ago. Joshua's relationship with his mother seems to be quite complicated and tense, so Liam is afraid things might turn wrong.

"Yeah," he sighs. "I just hope it won't end up in a bloodbath. Josh has decided to give her a last chance and see if she can get over the fact that he's gay if she sees how happy he is, but honestly, I'm doubtful. Never mind, if it doesn't go well, we'll just take a flight to LA and visit my parents!" he then adds more cheerfully. "By the way, have you found what you guys wanted to buy for Mark?"

"Yes! We'll go get it after lunch!" Shannon cheers, grinning at me. "It's ready at last!"

"We should wait till Monday..." I grumble teasingly. "You'd be less tempted to give it to him before Christmas... or slip..."

"Come on, Pumpkin! Have a little faith in me! I swear I'll control myself! We already discussed this and we agreed that you'd be the one hiding the package at home, so I won't even know where it is!"

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean you'll hold your tongue!"

"You usually don't mind me not holding my tongue, Pumpkin..." he purrs in a low voice and squinting at me.

"The heck! Just shut up!" I squeal, quickly peering around us but thankfully, only Liam got to hear Shan's whisper, which makes him burst out laughing. "Make sure you keep quiet and..."

"It's you who'll have to keep quiet next time I don't hold my tongue..." Shan insists.

"Ugh... You're such a perv! Anyway, we've put enough effort to take measures on him and to order it behind his back, so don't spoil the surprise!"

"I haven't messed up since we began to sort this out, so you could give me a little more credit!" he replies with an adorable pout.

"True... and I do give you credit... except for the three or four time it almost slipped past your mouth!" I tease him, pecking his lips. "If I hadn't been there, Mark would already know what his Christmas present is!" I add on second thought, earning a scoff from Shannon.

The weather is freezing cold but sunny and since we still have time before our respective shifts start, we decide to walk to Madison Street after Liam has gone back to work, instead of taking the bus, and I just love how Shan keeps me warm with his left arm around my shoulder and his right hand holding mine. Our errand goes pretty fast, the ring band having been engraved exactly as we requested. Just beautiful!

Hopefully Mark won't hold a grudge against us for spending money on a Christmas present for him when he specifically asked us not to buy him anything, but in the worst case, our punishment shouldn't be terrible should he decide for one. It'll still be worth it anyway as this ring will be our way to show him our gratitude and also to mark him as ours, in the same way he claimed us as his with collars.

And then it's time to meet Mark at the restaurant, at least for Shannon so that he drives him to the club. We part ways a little before we reach Le Marais and while Shannon uses the main entrance, I go through the side door to avoid suspicions. Earlier this week, Mark broached that topic again, asking if I felt ready to reveal our relationship at work, but I'm not. He says that this masquerade is getting a bit annoying and that he would love to show off his second boyfriend, because he's proud of me and wouldn't care about what people may think.

I'm tired of always having to pay attention to what I'm saying, Alex... What if I slip with a See you tonight!? Besides, it'd be easier and I could drop you off before I drive Shan to the Black Diamond. And pick you up in front of the restaurant instead of a street away from here.

So many good reasons that I can understand, but I'm just not ready. I'm not ashamed of my peculiar relationship with two men, this is not the problem. The issue is that one of them is my big boss and considering how my career has evolved within the restaurant over the past two months, I don't want my colleagues to think that I got promoted in return of sexual favors or whatever. Matt, the general manager, already knows and that's more than enough.

Mark left before we woke up this morning and although I'm now craving for a kiss and a hug, I just utter a Good afternoon, Mr. Murray! as I pass in front of his office with a colleague of mine, earning a discreet scowl from the boss since I don't stop by, and immediately rush to the locker room at the end of the corridor. Once I have changed into my cooking white overall, I quietly head to the kitchen, noticing that Mark's door is now closed, so he must have left to drive Shannon to the club.

Richard, the new chef, has completely reorganized workspaces and roles since he joined. In an attempt to avoid boredom and to develop our skills, we now take turns between the various workshops. For instance, I'm taking care of side dishes this week, and the next one, I'll be working on meat and fishes, then on starters, and lastly desserts. I think it's a great idea and I don't mind switching weekly.

After an hour chopping vegetables, the double doors suddenly open and even though they are behind my back, I can tell Mark must have walked in because all the loud talking immediately ceases, turning into smaller whispers.

"Good afternoon, everyone!" his deep voice echoes in the huge room, sending shivers down my spine and causing bubbles of excitement to burst in my lower region.

Like he often does in the afternoon, Mark spends a while speaking with Richard before he starts a round among all the workspaces to check everybody's work and provide us with more advice when it's necessary. He also does small talk, taking interest into what his employees may need to report or just vent. When my turn comes, I get to feel his warmth seeping through my body as he stands very close to me – way too close for my taste and wishful discretion! He remains silent, though, and watches me work for a few minutes before he grabs an eggplant and begins to chop it at the speed of light.

"I wish I could do this so fast..." I mumble, impressed by his skills.

"Practice makes perfect, Alex, just be patient," he replies cheerfully as Cassandra passes in front of us with a smile. "I need your set of keys..." he then adds in a whisper once my colleague has returned to her workstation. "I forgot mine this morning and I need to stop home later. Are they in your coat or in your bag?"

Crap! I wouldn't mind him searching my stuff, but my keys are in my bag and I don't want him to look in there because he'd see the package from the jewelry, and that would mean endless questions. Why the hell did he have to forget his keys today of all days!?

"Not sure... I'll... I'll go get them for you..." I blurt out and without waiting for his answer, I start for the doors.

"Something wrong, Alex?" Richard calls as I pass in front of him.

Ugh! Just my luck! As I turn around to face him, I can see that he is eyeing me in a way he never did before, from head to toe, and unfortunately, I can also feel Mark staring at us.

"No... I just need the restrooms..." I stutter.

"Oh, go ahead then!" he replies with a grin and I quickly step out the kitchen.

In the staff room, I wash my hands then open my locker to check my backpack for my keys, but two strong hands grip my hips before one of them moves further to my lower abdomen, making me startle and drop my bag on the floor. With my heart racing in my chest, I spin around, only to find a smirking Mark who pins me against a locker before his tongue begins to ravish my mouth, muffling my moans of protest.

"Mark... Mark... Someone might..." I try to say as he nibbles on my lips.

"No one's going to come here, Baby... and I wanted to give you a proper good morning kiss, even if it's almost the evening..." he replies with his husky voice.

"But what if..."

"Then they'll just know..." he chuckles as he slightly pulls back, his expression turning into a more serious one. "At least Richard would stop ogling you like he just did. Is that new?"

"I don't want people here to know, I told you already!" I grumble before the second part of his sentence sinks in. "What? What did you just say?"

"About Richard?" he asks with a frown. "Didn't you notice how he just eyed you up and down?"

"Hmm... not really..." I lie.

"I'll fix you an appointment with an ophthalmologist then, you might need glasses!" he replies bitterly. "Because he just openly checked you up and down and I don't like this too much."

"I'm sure plenty of men ogle Shan at the Diamond while he works and you don't complain..." I offer in a lighter tone.

"Thanks for adding salt to my wounds, Alex... but that's different anyway. At the Diamond, people know he belongs to me, and I doubt Richard knows what this means..." he argues, slipping a finger beneath my necklace and gently pulling on it.

"Fine, fine, you're right, I'll be cautious," I concede. "Now do you really need my keys or was it just a lame scheme to drag me here for a kiss?" I ask cheekily, picking my bag from the floor.

"I really need them, please," Mark chuckles, shaking his head.

I carefully fish my keys from my backpack, trying to keep the white jewelry box hidden from him, and hand him what he needs.

"Thanks! I'll leave them at the reception desk unless... I could pick you up and we could drive to the club together?"

"It's Friday and I'm not sure what time I'll finish tonight... So I'll just take the bus..."

"Taxi, if it's after 11pm..." he reminds me firmly. "And don't roll your eyes or I might spank you here..."

"Ugh, thank you, but no thank you!"

"Alright, I'll see you tonight then, Baby," he chuckles, leaning down to peck my lips one last time before he walks out.

The rest of the evening goes uneventful and rather smoothly despite numerous customers. Considering I spent like ten minutes in the locker room with Mark, I shorten my break and keep working hard. Now that Mark mentioned it, I notice that Richard sometimes throws weird glances, which makes me a bit uncomfortable, but I decide to ignore him.

As I thought, we all finish rather late and it's past midnight when I eventually get home. I barely have time to hide the white package in the bedroom we never use, before I hear the entrance door open again. Crap! I haven't even switched on the lights in the living room where I would normally have been waiting for them!

"What are you doing in the dark, Baby?" Mark asks suspiciously as I walk into the dark corridor.

Seems like I forgot to switch on the corridor too...

"Oh, hmm... I just arrived and dropped my bag here... I was about to go and take a shower..."

Mark's response is a deeper frown that makes me blush lightly, but I hurry to his side for a kiss and a hug before I reach out to Shannon, hoping it'll distract Mark from his suspicions.

Damn! I have been talking Shan into being careful and here I am the one who almost messes up!

Published on 5 June 2016