One in Between: Those Other Books #2.5 Read online

  One in Between

  Those Other Books

  Roe Horvat

  Beaten Track

  www.beatentrackpublishing.com

  One in Between

  First published 2019 by Beaten Track Publishing

  Copyright © 2019 Roe Horvat

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent publisher.

  The moral right of the author has been asserted.

  ISBN: 978 1 78645 339 6

  Cover design by Roe Horvat

  Beaten Track Publishing,

  Burscough, Lancashire.

  www.beatentrackpublishing.com

  It’s been more than a year since Adam first stayed over in Christoffer’s home. Their home. In the safety of Christoffer’s love, Adam has gained strength and confidence. So when Christoffer’s friend Tyler crosses the line, flirting outrageously and forcing his shameless self onto them—even into Adam’s dreams—Adam can easily handle him. To Christoffer’s great amusement, Tyler’s mind gets blown.

  One in Between features characters from Those Other Books. It explores the development of Adam and Christoffer’s sexual relationship.

  Warning: Gay erotic short story; contains explicit scenes and sexual encounters between more than two partners. For adult readers only.

  Contents

  1

  2

  3

  4

  About the Author

  By the Author

  Beaten Track Publishing

  1

  Catching Tyler’s intense gaze across the room, Adam fidgeted. He looked away and reached for Christoffer, who automatically laced their fingers together, ready to be Adam’s anchor at all times.

  Adam took a sip from his drink and tried to relax. There were way too many people in their house already, even though it was still early, and Tyler’s eyes were burning into the side of his head.

  The man had upped his game during the past few weeks. Innuendos, long lingering kisses on the cheek, raised eyebrows… No wonder Adam felt unsettled. The dreams he’d been having only became more graphic. He’d talked to Christoffer about it; they had no secrets. Last night, when they’d made love, Christoffer had told Adam to imagine those things. He’d spoken about what he’d do to turn Adam’s fantasies into reality, whispering dirty, dark, and oh-so-delicious words into Adam’s ear while he held him down and fucked him hard…

  Your body is mine. I decide what to do with it. And when he’s balls-deep in your ass, I’ll gag you with my cock and fuck your mouth. You’d like that, sweetheart? Would you come like that? I want to tie you down and tell him to suck your cock while I fuck you. Deep, like this. Imagine a hot mouth on your cock when I’m inside you. You’ll love that. You’ll come so hard, sweet boy…

  Adam’s cock stirred in his jeans. He shifted from foot to foot and drank some more, trying to calm himself. It was not a good idea to think about last night in a room full of people.

  The problem was, he felt like Tyler must know. The way he sometimes looked at Adam, searching, penetrating—what if he could somehow sense all of Adam’s weak spots? On the other hand, wasn’t it the whole point for Tyler to know? Their dark-haired, arrogant friend had been flirting with them outrageously for months now and had made sure they knew he was available for all kinds of adventures, as if he’d been waiting for an invitation. But Adam had joked it away every single time, while Christoffer smiled and changed the subject.

  Adam sighed. What was he afraid of? Why was he hesitating? His man wanted it. Christoffer got off on imagining the total control he’d have over Adam if they let another man into their bed. It was one of Adam’s deepest desires as well; if they did it, Adam would give himself to Christoffer in the ultimate way: Christoffer would choose who would touch his boy and when. In Adam’s mind, it was the total submission he craved, the most he could offer, the farthest he could go. He wouldn’t need reason, he wouldn’t need any conscious thought. He would dissolve in lust and float, like a cloud of pure sensation. His own nirvana.

  But reality is rarely similar to one’s dreams, is it?

  Maybe shame held him back. It wouldn’t be the first time. His past might come back and chase him. Remember last time? What if you’ll feel expendable? Unloved? However, the evil voices he heard in his head were always quiet when his man was close. With Christoffer, he was protected. Even from himself.

  Now, Christoffer let go of his hand and caught him around his shoulders, leaning closer. Deep in conversation with Liam, Christoffer still sensed when Adam needed him and pressed a kiss into his hair.

  Marcus joined their little group. “You’re boring Adam to death. Stop working. It’s his birthday!”

  Adam smiled at his boss. He didn’t mind Christoffer talking shop with Liam. Sometimes it was interesting. Sometimes, like today, it gave him an opportunity to drift and be alone with his thoughts even though he stood in the middle of a crowded room.

  “My apologies,” Liam said. “We’re done. No more construction.”

  “God, no! Keep the business coming,” Adam protested. “C is insufferable when he has nothing to do. The sauna is finished. He’ll start rebuilding the entire house unless you keep him occupied. And I like our home as it is.”

  “I only want to add to the lower porch to extend the patio. Maybe an outdoor kitchen,” Christoffer said.

  “Don’t you dare. You barely ever cook in the indoor one. Liam, help me. Next time the troupe is on tour for a couple of weeks, he’ll build a heliport on the roof.”

  Christoffer laughed and Liam joined him. Marcus’s smile was vague as he looked around. He seemed distracted. His eyes flitted to the left before he focused on his feet. Is he blushing?

  A pair of hands grabbed Adam’s upper arm, tugging him away from Christoffer and Marcus, breaking his train of thought.

  “Hi, birthday boy!” Luke shouted in his ear, and Adam winced.

  “Jesus! You’ll give me a heart attack.”

  “Hi guys! C, can I borrow him?” Luke asked, winking. He was already striding across the room, dragging Adam with him.

  “Sure,” Christoffer called after them. “Adam, look after Luke so he won’t end up smashed like last time. No puking on the lawn!”

  “Not gonna happen!” Luke shouted back. “I’m driving home. Painfully sober tonight!”

  Christoffer gave them a thumbs-up.

  “C’mon, we have a surprise for you!” Luke said as he led Adam toward the patio door and outside. The sun had just set, and the sky was darkening. Adam jumped at the sudden blast of music. The entire dance troupe ran at him with such a speed he wanted to hide, but he accepted the hugs and kisses, feeling equally happy and freaked out.

  Then Kevin lit a match, and Adam covered his eyes. The giant bowl of what seemed to be mojito was covered with sparkles. It shone as if the whole patio table had exploded.

  “Party!” Luke yelled, initiating a cacophony of catcalls and whistles. “All those straws are for you. I want a photo of that brain freeze.”

  “You’re insane!” Adam said, his voice rising in pitch as the cheers all around him made his heart race.

  “I know!” Luke laughed. “Happy birthday!”

  ***

  Between the pool house and the main house, the patio floor narrowed and turned a corner before it ended with a couple of low stairs leading ont
o the gravel behind the garage. Back there, in a little pocket of darkness, they managed to steal one moment alone. They kissed, and Adam tasted a hint of gin and rosemary on Christoffer’s tongue: his favorite drink. Christoffer squeezed Adam’s ass cheeks and hummed in that sexy, rumbling way of his. Adam smiled against his man’s lips.

  “I’m still thinking of yesterday,” Christoffer said. “You were loud. I love when you’re loud.”

  “Mmm-hmm.” Adam sucked on Christoffer’s earlobe and rubbed his hard cock against Christoffer’s thigh.

  “Tomorrow, we’ll sleep until lunch.” A low growl accompanied Christoffer’s words. “And then I want you to fuck me. Slow. I want to feel you. It’s been a long time.”

  “You need me, baby?” Adam whispered.

  “Yes. Badly.”

  Adam rarely topped. But those times he did were always special. When their dynamics changed, his man making himself more vulnerable, Adam experienced their love in a different way. It wasn’t the usual trance-like, out-of-control euphoria. Instead, he felt deep respect and a caring, gentle kind of passion, stable and honest. They were equals. He could trust himself and see their future in clear lines.

  “I’d make love to you right now,” he said. “But you invited thirty people into our house.”

  “And you’re not happy about it?”

  “I am. I’m very happy. Thank you.”

  “Good.”

  The second kiss was longer, deeper. A promise.

  A squeak of a shoe on a wooden plank made Adam break the kiss and turn toward the patio. A familiar figure stood leaning against the wall, his face hidden in the shadow.

  “Tyler!” Christoffer snapped. “Go the fuck away.”

  “What? You have guests. One would assume, since you’re dry-humping outside with a bunch of people running around, you’re after some company. It would be really rude otherwise.” Tyler let his voice climb higher at the end of his short speech, his tone laughing. Then he turned around and walked away.

  Adam pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to sort out his emotions. Annoyance won.

  “I’m going to talk to him,” Christoffer said, but Adam squeezed his bicep to stop him.

  “No. I’ll deal with him.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I’m sure. I can manage your horny, inappropriate friend just fine.”

  Christoffer laughed. “Of course you can.”

  Adam caught up with Tyler in a few seconds. “Can we have a word?”

  Tyler swiveled on his feet in a mockery of a dance move, making Adam roll his eyes. “I’d love to,” he replied, grinning. He gestured toward the empty pool house, away from the crowded patio and living room.

  Adam didn’t bother closing the door behind them. He intended to be short and to the point.

  “Back off,” he said.

  Tyler lifted his eyebrows, his arrogant smirk in place.

  “Yes, we might eventually want to fuck you,” Adam continued, “but the constant nagging is getting on my nerves.”

  Tyler took a step back as if slapped. “What?” His eyes widened comically. “You would?”

  Adam braced his hands on his hips and inhaled deeply. Shit. “You had no idea?” What a stupid mistake. But it was out there now. Instead of freaking out, Adam allowed himself to be mildly entertained by the way Tyler’s mouth opened and shut a couple of times.

  “No. I was just joking. Mostly,” Tyler finally said. He grabbed his neck, rubbing it aggressively and staring as if he’d seen a magic trick he couldn’t figure out.

  “Okay. Good. Then back off. It’s not funny.”

  Tyler recovered quickly, though. “You want to fuck me.”

  “Might. Eventually. Those were the key words. And also, what I said about backing off? That’s what you’re supposed to remember.”

  Tyler shrugged, his happy, shit-eating grin back in place. “I am hopelessly into you. You know that, right? I see C smell your hair, and I’m hard. It’s ridiculous. You two have this whole death-do-us-part thing going on, and it’s incredibly hot. You just blew my mind, man. I thought there was no chance. I mean, I’d offer a kidney just to watch C fuck you.”

  “That is so sad, Ty. And C is right. You really are an asshole.”

  “Hey, only let me watch. One time.” Tyler was still grinning like a fool. Adam would have to be much more explicit for Tyler to understand he was serious.

  “Stop thinking with your dick for one fucking second and listen to me.” Wow. Adam was proud of himself for saying that. Only six months ago, Tyler intimidated him into silence. Adam owed his confidence entirely to his man’s love. Which was his whole point. “What I managed to find with Christoffer—it’s a matter of survival for me. He loves me, I know. But for me, he’s my entire world. Without him, I don’t exist. I know it sounds unhealthy, and I’m still working on that part. Anyway, I’m not risking that for a few hours of fun. We’ll tell you when we’re ready—if we’re ever ready. Understand?”

  A little stunned, Tyler nodded.

  “You can joke and flirt, I don’t mind,” Adam said. “But you can’t fucking sneak up on us when we think we’re alone.”

  “I apologize. I was over the line.” Tyler’s features were calm and serious.

  “Thanks. That’s it.”

  “I’m sorry I made you uncomfortable.” Tyler stepped closer and slowly lifted his arm to caress Adam’s cheek with his fingers. Something in the man’s eyes told Adam not to avoid the touch. Tyler seemed honest, and a little sad. “I envy him, you know.” He smiled guiltily. “You really are a treasure.”

  Adam didn’t know what to say to that.

  “We’re good?” Tyler asked.

  “Yeah.” Adam turned toward the door. “Beer? Or cucumber gin cooler?”

  “Gin cooler. C rarely drinks anything else, but now he says he has a new recipe. I want to know what the fuss is about.”

  “You’re in for a treat,” Adam said with a smile.

  ***

  He must have left his phone in the pool house. Nowhere else came to mind. He’d already looked all over the kitchen and the living room, even between the sofa cushions.

  “Want me to ring you?” Christoffer called from the kitchen corner where he stood with Tyler, rinsing the empty beer bottles and putting them into a crate.

  “No,” Adam replied. “It must be in the pool house.”

  Most of the guests had already left, but Nathan and Kevin were still there, as well as a couple of Tyler’s friends from the agency he’d worked for these past few weeks. Liam stood by the door, leaning on the wall in the hallway, staring at his phone. He must have been waiting for Marcus, who was nowhere in sight.

  Adam had always avoided the tall, older man. Not that he disliked Liam; quite the opposite. There was something magnetic about him. He had a looming presence, penetrating, dark eyes, and a deep, melodic voice. Simply by being in the room, he commanded respect. His silver hair long and thick, tied in a knot at his nape, his wide shoulders in a dark, snug suit jacket, white shirt unbuttoned revealing an intricate leather necklace, thick frowning eyebrows, and prominent nose… The man gave an impression of a fantasy mage. Altogether too intense. Dangerous. Adam looked away.

  He slipped through the half-open glass door and tiptoed over the patio. The wooden planks grew damp with the evening mist and chilled Adam’s socked feet. The garden was unusually quiet after the ruckus of the party, and Adam was so focused on his quest, searching the patio chairs in the dark, he almost didn’t notice the two silhouettes at the other side of the lawn, leaning against the outside wall of the pool house, their murmuring voices too low to be distinguishable. Is that Marcus? But who’s the other man?

  Then someone must have put on the overhead lights in the living room because the two figures became illuminated, and Adam froze, taken aback.

  Luke leaned with his back to the glass wall, his chin raised high, eyes shut, face pinched.

  In front of him stood Marcus. His head was bent
, and he rested his forehead against the base of Luke’s throat. He clutched Luke’s arms in a tight grip.

  Adam’s mind immediately snapped back to Liam, waiting for Marcus in the hallway.

  Shit.

  He took a careful step back, grateful the men hadn’t noticed him. He didn’t want to get tangled in what seemed a great mess. Marcus wouldn’t cheat on Liam with Luke. That couldn’t be!

  Marcus lifted his head and looked up at Luke, who wiped at his face in an exhausted gesture. He met Marcus’s eyes briefly, placed a chaste kiss on Marcus’s forehead and pushed him away. He walked swiftly around the other side of the pool house, probably to his car, which was parked farther down the road.

  Marcus slumped against the glass wall of the pool house, staring after Luke. Then his head lolled, and maybe he cooled his forehead on the glass, because he stayed there, facing the wall, unmoving. Overwhelming sadness. As a dancer, Adam could read body language better than any words.

  He shouldn’t have watched. His socks on the wood didn’t make a sound as he left the patio through the open door back into the house.

  “Did you find it?” Christoffer asked as soon as Adam entered the house.

  “No. I’ll look later. I’m tired.”

  Christoffer stared at him in confusion.

  Adam went to the kitchen and fixed himself a glass of water. He really was tired. It was almost two, and he was looking forward to curling in Christoffer’s arms in their bed, the house empty and quiet. He liked these parties, but he loved having his man to himself.

  “You okay?” Christoffer asked, joining him in the kitchen corner.

  “Yeah. I’m fine. I’ll tell you later.”

  Christoffer kissed his temple. He looked worried.

  “It’s not about me,” Adam whispered.

  “Okay,” the big man relented and turned to say goodbye to Tyler, who was putting on his worn black leather jacket.

  Marcus appeared from the patio, closing the glass door behind him. At that moment, Kevin chose to speak up.

  “Luke messaged—he’s waiting in the car.”