Page 248 of Better When Shared
“Your turn,” I said to Kiaan, who seemed frozen in place, staring at Ryker’s chest, which was still covered by his Denver Fire Department t-shirt.
Kiaan swallowed hard, then reached for the hem of Ryker’s shirt, tugging it upward with less grace but equal intent. Ryker raised his arms, allowing Kiaan to pull the shirt over his head, revealing the chiseled planes of his torso.
“Holy fuck,” Kiaan muttered, the words barely audible.
I couldn’t help but agree with the sentiment. Ryker’s body was a testament to his profession—broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist, defined pecs and abs that spoke of function rather than vanity. A dusting of blonde hair covered his chest, trailing down to disappear beneath the waistband of his jeans.
“Now touch each other,” I said, my voice husky with arousal. “Start with hands on shoulders, then explore. Slowly.”
They obeyed, Ryker’s large hands settling on Kiaan’s shoulders with gentle confidence, while Kiaan’s touch was more hesitant, his fingers skimming Ryker’s skin.
“It’s okay to really touch him,” I encouraged. “He won’t break.”
Something in Kiaan’s expression shifted, determination replacing uncertainty. His hands settled on Ryker’s shoulders, then slid down to trace the contours of his chest, fingers brushing over his nipples in a way that made Ryker’s breath catch.
“That’s it,” I murmured, circling them again, taking in the sight from every angle. “Ryker, show him how you like to be touched.”
Ryker guided one of Kiaan’s hands to his side, pressing it more firmly against his ribs, then dragging it slowly down to his hip. The touch left a faint trail of pink in its wake, Kiaan’s fingernails lightly scoring the skin.
“Now you,” I said to Ryker. “Touch him how you think he wants to be touched.”
Ryker’s hands moved with surprising confidence, one sliding up to cup the back of Kiaan’s neck, the other tracing patterns on his chest, circling a nipple without quite touching it. Kiaan’s eyes fluttered closed, his lips parting slightly as Ryker’s thumb finally brushed over the sensitive bud.
“Fuck,” Kiaan breathed, the word half curse, half prayer.
The sight of them together, touching and being touched, learning each other’s bodies under my direction, was the most erotic thing I’d ever witnessed. Heat pulsed between my legs, my own arousal building with each passing moment.
“One more thing,” I said, my voice barely steady. “I want you to kiss each other. Really kiss. Like you mean it.”
Their eyes met, a silent communication passing between them. Then Ryker’s hand tightened on the back of Kiaan’s neck, drawing him forward as they both leaned in. The first brush of their lips was tentative, exploring. The second was anything but.
Kiaan made a small, desperate sound as Ryker deepened the kiss, his hand fisting in Ryker’s hair, pulling him closer. Their bodies pressed together, chest to chest, skin to skin, as the kiss grew hungrier, more demanding. I could see the moment Ryker’s tongue slipped past Kiaan’s lips, the way Kiaan’s body went momentarily rigid before melting against him.
I watched, transfixed, as they lost themselves in each other, all hesitation forgotten. Ryker’s hand slid down Kiaan’s back to grab his ass, pulling their hips flush together. Kiaan groaned into Ryker’s mouth, his own hands roaming everywhere he could reach, as if he couldn’t get enough.
When they broke apart, both were breathing hard, lips swollen, pupils blown wide with desire. They turned to look at me in unison, and the naked want in their eyes nearly brought me to my knees.
“Good boys,” I whispered, meaning it more than I’d ever meant anything. “Such good boys for me. How do you feel, Ryker?”
Ryker grinned. “I’m so into him. Obviously. I mean, you see how gorgeous he is. And he’s… Kiaan.”
Kiaan was staring at the floor, looking anywhere but at us, and I cupped his chin and forced his gaze up to mine. “And Kitten, what about you?”
He looked flustered. “I don’t know… it felt nice. He’s a good kisser, and I like knowing it turns you on. And… I like it when he calls me gorgeous.” The last came out in a fast breath, eyesdarting towards Ryker. “I think he called me that when we first met on the seaplane.”
“Fuck yeah, I did,” Ryker said with a bold grin.
“Good,” I murmured, leaning down to give Kiaan, then Ryker, a quick kiss.
The fear that had been my constant companion since they’d arrived—the fear of hurting them, of destroying our friendship—began to dissolve, replaced by something warmer, more hopeful. This could work. We could figure this out together, the three of us, building something new and beautiful from the foundation of friendship we already shared.
I held out my hands to them, and they each took one, rising to their feet. “Come to bed,” I said softly. “Both of you.”
Chapter 10
Kiaan
Ryker’s footsteps were heavy behind me as I followed Skylar toward her bedroom. My heart hammered against my ribs so hard I was certain they could both hear it.
