Tucked into Tank’s warm embrace, bent into an uncomfortable position and with a hole that was at the same time numb and hypersensitive, Clover still rode his high, watching Drake’s handsome features twist as he drilled into him time and time again. His long, damp hair stuck to the sweaty face, but all Clover could focus on were his eyes—black yet hot as two burning coals—overflowing with the lust that was so obvious in the hard, hurried fucking.
When Drake came too, shivering as he buried his face into the crook of Clover’s neck, the heat exploding inside Clover felt like a reward for satisfying this man, who’d been through so much and lived to be here with Clover.
“So, so pretty when you come,” Clover whispered into Drake’s ear with a grin, so elated he could float on air.
Tank detached the cuffs in two lazy moves, and guided Clover’s legs down, which was true mercy because Clover’s muscles barely held the weight of his own limbs. He lay on top of Tank, but once his hands were free, he hugged Drake, who’d collapsed on top of him like a wounded predator still trying to hold its prey.
The haze of afterglow was thick, but Clover still noticed Tank stroking Drake’s arm. The unusual intimacy of the gesture made it impossible to look away, and Clover found himself choking up when he realized he’d never once seen anyone else touching Drake. Not in an affectionate way, nor in a friendly pat on the back, bros-being-bros kind of way.
And in a yet more unimaginable development, Drake who at first stiffened, searched for Tank’s hand and entwined their fingers.
Drake tightened his other arm around Clover, hugging him while his groin remained firmly pressed to Clover’s ass. “That felt... incredible,” he said, lifting his head to meet Clover’s gaze, but his hand remained locked with Tank’s, as if this encounter between the three of them had torn down a barrier he’d been struggling with since forever.
Maybe… with Clover as the glue between them, they’d find it easier to express the feelings they had for each other.
Oh no.
It hit Clover so hard he opened his eyes wide and stared at the ceiling. Had he confessed love? For who even? For both of them? Could there be anything more embarrassing than doing such a thing with two dicks up his ass?
But maybe… it was fine? The guys had probably been too busy to pay attention anyway.
Tank rolled over, and they all moved to lie together as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Tank and Drake’s arms embraced Clover, but they also didn’t stray from touching one another, and while this was such a new development, seeing them so comfortable with each other brought Clover joy instead of insecurity. He was proud to give them that closeness, not only accept their adoration and protection.
Tank hummed. “So, that thing you said, boy...”
“Yeah,” Drake nuzzled the back of Clover’s head. “Who were you confessing your love to?”
Clover groaned and hid his face in Tank’s neck, but they wouldn’t give it a rest.
“Probably our dicks. Dirty boy.”
Embarrassment was still there, but the teasing made Clover snap. “Both of you, okay? It was an intense moment!”
Tank’s chest rumbled with laughter, but he stroked Clover’s hair. “Just messing with you.”
Clover hugged him, feeling so much more vulnerable than he had during the sex. “It’s true though. I love you,” he whispered. “If it’s stupid, I don’t care.”
Drake embraced him from behind, as freely as never before. “It’s not stupid. You feel what you feel. I… I’m falling for you fast.” He kissed Clover’s shoulder where Tank had sewn in the tracker. “So be careful tomorrow.”
Clover was too choked up to speak, so he nodded instead. He’d risk his life to keep what they’d built together. Not just for himself, not just because he wanted to put an end to some crazy people chasing after him, but because he understood others cared for him and the thought of causing them pain with his disappearance was unbearable.
He would do his part of the job. He would be the bait.
Chapter 19 – Boar
Boar shouldn’t have had breakfast, because it now sat heavily on his stomach. His gaze kept straying to Clover, who sat next to him in the Subaru, pale eyes focused on the narrow road, on the passing trees and cars. Throughout the journey, they’d both been so silent Boar had been compelled to fill the eerie atmosphere with music, but that didn’t help the sense of doom clutching at his throat.
He was competent at his job, and while danger was a fact of his life, and he didn’t think about it much, the fact that Clover was about to be in a position that put him at risk—bait to eliminate the threat to his life forever—was stirring up feelings Boar didn’t know how to deal with.