Page 71 of The Science of Attraction

“Well, it should have,” Zach shot back. “Anyway, consider it my gift to you for all the times you had my back. I want you to be happy, Jules, and I’ll take a night for a start.”

I couldn’t hide my sappy grin. “Yeah, okay. Now get going before I feel the urge to tell you I love you.”

His eyes glistened. “I love you too.” He turned to get into the car, but I grabbed his arm.

“Hang on, what about the puppy?”

Zach snorted. “That was more of an excuse to visit, than anything else. The litter is still a month away. I’ll let you know when I get a look. In the meantime—” He grinned mischievously. “— we’ll see you next Friday.Bothof you.”

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

Liam

ConsideringLuke and Zach hadn’t lived in their cottage long, the place was warm and welcoming and it fit the two men down to a T. A fire raged in the hearth along with another in the fire pit outside, and I hadn’t been in the place half a minute when a beer was shoved into my hand.

Six queer men all in the same space. It was a lot, especially after my time at Lane Station, and I relaxed in a way I hadn’t felt I could for the previous month. The four men’s warm inclusion of me into their ranks, and their obvious curiosity about Jules’ and my relationship was... nice. And normal. And... nice.

When Jules had told me that Holden and Gil knew about us, along with Ten and Brent, I’d been surprised at how okay he seemed with the whole idea. He’d mentioned it during our flight over Lane Station, and his calmness only added to my confusion, along with the fact he didn’t let go of my hand the entire time. That last bit clearly amused Ten, who wore a grin from ear to ear every time he caught us. Jules’ calm acceptance also raised the eternal question of what exactly he and I thought weweredoing, because we sure as hell weren’t just fucking.

While dinner was prepped, Holden and Gil whisked me away for a tour of the station, instructing Jules to stay and catch up with Zach and Luke—code for Gil and Holden getting me alone so they could interrogate me.

Which they did.

In the nicest possible way, while still leaving me under no illusion about what they would do to me if I hurt their precious friend. It was pretty cute. And kind of terrifying. I’d barely got my head around the fact Jules and I were doing anything at all together, let alone that I warranted the official talk from the friends.

Jules had warned me to expect a ton of ribbing and the guys didn’t disappoint. But it was all good-natured and it wasn’t hard to see the close bond they shared. I was even a little jealous. I had friends back in Dunedin, sure, but my closest mate had moved to Perth a few years before, and with my job frequently taking me out of the city for lengthy periods, it was hard to keep those bonds fresh.

Gil had shared with me his plans to dedicate a couple of guest cottages to a kind of wellness retreat whose costs would be subsidised by the luxury tourism side of the station, making them more affordable. And people needing Zach’s assistance with dog training could also be catered for, along with others who needed Gil’s skills as a psychologist. He was also in discussion with a local massage therapist and a hiking guide.

The concept was exciting, but I was also impressed with both of their business acumen. They were taking their time to get it right, with Holden working on ways to involve Gil’s clients in basic station life as part of the therapy. The whole conversation reinforced the notion growing in my head that in some strange way, I fitted in here.

When we arrived back at the cottage, Jules looked pretty much like I figuredIdid—grilled to within an inch of his life. I’d barely stepped in the door when he grabbed my hand and pulled me back out onto the veranda and proceeded to kiss me like he hadn’t seen me for months. I loved it, along with far too much of the man actually doing it considering I’d only known him a month.

“I’m so sorry,” he apologised, brushing my hair out of my eyes. “How bad were they?”

“It was fine,” I reassured him. “I just have to be nice to you if I don’t want my balls fed to Holden’s stud Angus bull while they’re still attached. A terrifying thought if I let myself dwell on it too much.”

“Oh god,” he moaned. “I’m gonna kill him.”

I laughed and grabbed his arm before he could follow through. “Forget it. Besides—” I lifted up on my toes and pressed our lips together. “—I have zero intention of being anything other than very,verynice to you.” I palmed his dick through his jeans and squeezed. “So, I figure I’m safe.”

His eyes rolled back in his head and he thrust into my hand, adding in a strangled voice, “The kennel shed out back should be friend-free if we hurry.”

“No time for that.” Zach waggled his brows at us through the window.

“Fuck me,” Jules groaned under his breath.

“I heard that.” Zach smirked. “But Gil needs a hand on the barbecue and your name was volunteered.”

“Go on.” I gave Jules a shove toward the front door and then slapped his butt on the way. “We have all night.”

He grumbled over his shoulder, “If there’s anything left of my nerves after the Gordon Ramsey of the Mackenzie is done using me as his bitch.”

I laughed and gave him another shove.

I headed inside to join the others and took a seat at the table with Holden. We chatted with Luke and Zach as they danced around each other in the well-stocked kitchen like they’d been doing it all their lives, making dinner and barely able to keep their hands off each other. Gil and Jules popped in and out as they barbecued, and I’d caught Gil grinning at his ex-husband’s antics on more than one occasion. Holden too, clearly happy to see Zach, his best friend and ex-friend-with-benefits, settled and in love.

The weirdness factor was certainly right up there, two couples, each the exes of the other with chequered and interlaced histories, but somehow, they made it work. It was certainly refreshing, and more power to them.

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