Page 38 of Lover
When he’d initially purchased the property for his dream dance studio, Shannon had only set up part of the loft apartment since it was just him at the time. With the addition of Rory and Rand, the other half of the space was desperately needed, so they weren’t always on top of each other. They decided to carry over certain features from the original design, hardwood floors and thick wood beams covering the high, vaulted ceilings, as well as leaving the exposed brick walls. The other side of the loft was now a large master bedroom with a special-ordered, extended king-sized bed that sat underneath two windows. Each man had their own dresser, the three of them lined up along one wall next to the bathroom door that had a Jacuzzi tub and separate shower. The other portion of space they’d opened up was split between a walk-in closet large enough for three wardrobes—make that four; Shannon was a clothes whore that also purchased shoes he loved in every color they were sold in—and an office space that Rory and Rand shared. The bedroom on the other side of the space was now a guest room, and the other rooms stayed the same.
“Actually,” Shannon lifted his bottle of beer in the air, “it’s ready. But I haven’t told my guys yet—it’s part of their V-Day surprise.”
Taylor lifted his bottle as well, and they toasted. “Way to go, Shan. Just let Frankie and me know the date for the soiree, and we’re there.”
***
On the way home fromthe restaurant, he came up with a fun, romantic idea for how to let Rory and Rand know that the home they shared was done and pulled into the Kroger parking lot. Every year Shannon would drive past the store with the ginormous tent outside full of flowers and candies for inexperienced or ignorant spouses that waited till the last minute to shop, swearing he’d never step foot inside. It was just as bad as he’d imagined—insane, actually. Grown men fighting over flower bouquets and Dove chocolates was so not attractive. Choices were slim, but in the far back corner he stumbled upon an odd assortment of lilies and chose three. White and pink Stargazers, white and purple cappuccino and an exquisite orange and purple bloom; the label told him they were Asiatic lilies. Grabbing some foliage and a large, round vase, he went back to the front of the tent to check out. Christ almighty, he damn near shit his pants when the cashier told him it would be ninety-three dollars, but his babies were worth it.
***
Pot roast in the ovenkeeping warm, chocolate covered strawberries in the fridge along with two bottles of bubbly, Shannon made a path from the front door to their new bedroom with tea light candles. Filling the vase with water in the bathroom, he cut the plastic sleeve to pull out the flowers and greenery and fiddled with them until they were an assortment of color and beauty. Setting the vase on top of the middle dresser, he stood back and glanced around. There were candles spread randomly throughout the room so that the space glowed in the moonlight. Shannon smiled, happy with his display of affection, grabbing the comforter to fold it across the foot of the bed.
“Damn, now that’s a sight for sore eyes.” Shannon screeched, jumping ten feet in the air.
“Fucking hell, Rand, do not sneak up on me like that!” he hollered, cheeks reddening. Turning, he saw the two men he loved standing in the doorway of their brand-spanking-new bedroom, their silhouettes stark and contrasting. Rand was tall, broad, and loud while Rory was smaller, lithe, and lean. Their joined hands swayed slightly in the space between them, and the vision hit Shannon hard. Emotions washed over him—he felt pure, unadulterated joy. A sudden rush of adrenaline left him weak in the knees as he stumbled backward, the bed breaking his fall. Both men were across the open space quickly, Rory beside him Rand on his knees in front of him.
“Hey, you okay? What’s wrong?” Rory touched his forehead. “You’re not warm.”
Rand’s big hands held his face, eyes filled with concern as his gaze took in every inch of Shannon’s body. “He’s a little pale, Ro. Have you eaten today, Shan?”
“No, I’m okay. It’s...” Exhaling a shaky breath, Shannon fought to regain his composure. “It’s just, seeing you two standing there holding hands in the doorway....I think the reality of all this, us three, is kind of intimidating.” Deep down, there was a small piece of his soul forever damaged by his time with Bruce. “Will I ever truly be able to let go of the past, of him and what he did to me?”
Rand stood, pulling him to his feet as he did, his lips on Shannon’s before he could speak. Rory’s arms wrapped around him and he kissed a path across the back of his neck. They were bookends holding him up, supporting him and loving him. Finally, in the arms of the two men he loved, Shannon realized that it wasn’t his past that defined him or dictated who he should be. This, every moment, every heartbeat, every touch, caress and kiss the three of them shared was a light bright enough to keep the demons of the past locked away. Forever? Probably not, but it was a damn good start.
Chapter Thirty Five
Rory
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Pedal to the floor, Rand flew down I35 with the windows in the Honda rolled down, Shannon singing “Youth” by Troye Sivan at the top of his lungs. His eyes met Rand’s in the rearview mirror and he winked, both of them smiling. Shannon’s feet were on the dashboard as he bounced in his seat, body moving to the beat of the song. Rory had never been the outdoorsy type, so when Frank and Taylor first brought up the idea of camping at Lake Ray Roberts, he’d politely declined. When Rand growled at him and accused him of being antisocial, he drew a line in the sand. No way, no how was he spending the weekend in a tent in the great outdoors. No running water, no Internet or cable, and no AC did not sound like his idea of fun.
“Please, Ro,” Shannon begged. Batting eyelashes and pouty lips were hard to say no to. “Connie and Claire are coming too. Pretty please, it’ll be fun.”
Sauntering across the living room, Rand took a seat beside them, waggling his eyebrows. “You know you want to have hot, sweaty, animal sex in the woods under the moonlight.”
Rory snorted at that visual. “Yeah, right.”
“Made ya laugh.” Rand kissed him. That he did.
Following the directions on the GPS, Rand paid the entry fee to the campground they were staying at and followed the winding roads until they saw Taylor and Frank’s truck in the parking area. Shannon shot Taylor a text to let him know they were there before hopping out of the car. “It’s so beautiful out here. The fresh air will do us all some good.”
Walking around to the back of the car, he waved at Connie when she pulled into the parking spot beside them. Claire climbed over Con, hollering at her brother, squealing with delight when her girlfriend smacked her on the ass. Rory could hear Samson, the golden retriever Frank gave Taylor for Valentine’s day, barking as he shot down the hill with his masters on his tail. Between the seven of them, they were able to carry everything from both vehicles to the campsite in one trip. Looking out over the water, the sun cascading along the wave, Rory had to admit it was beautiful and serene.
“Hey, Ro, come give me a hand with the tent.” Rand motioned him over. Once their accommodations for the weekend were securely staked to the ground, Rand pulled him behind a tree and mauled his mouth, whispering sweet nothings in his ear. “Jesus, I cannot wait for everyone to go to bed tonight. I’m going to drag you and Shan into the woods and take my time, fucking you both up against a tree.”
“Why wait?” Shannon wrapped his arms around Rand, his fingers digging into Rory’s hips.
It was hard to say which one of them shouted the loudest when Connie cleared her throat. “Is there anywhere on God’s green earth the three of youwon’tfuck like bunnies?”
“Make some noise next time, Gonzales. Give a man a heart attack.” Rand stomped off.
“Hell’s bells, Con, I think I pissed my pants.” Shannon followed Rand, elbowing the grinning woman as he passed by.
“Bitch,” Rory growled playfully.
Throwing an arm over his shoulder, she laughed. “You love me, and you know it.”
