Niall gave me a look that said I hadn’t fooled him, but Mom liked Julian enough to worry about him so it was a good distraction. He shook his head, smiling as she gave him a concerned look. “It was fascinating. Just as much work as I remembered, but because it was you, it had a different feel to it.”

  “So you’d be willing to do it again?” I was glad to see him nod because I was nowhere near done. “Thank you. I can’t wait to see how it will turn out.”

  Turning to Niall, I smiled and something must have looked wicked because he made a show of putting his glass down. Rolling my eyes, I laughed. “I was just going to talk about when you’d be willing to pose for me.”

  He still looked suspicious, but there was a spark that made me think he was glad that I’d asked. “I would be glad to, but Julian made it look entirely too easy so I know it has to be incredibly difficult.”

  Julian seemed like he couldn’t decide if he was pleased or not, but he apparently felt the need to encourage Niall. “You’re going to be great. You honestly just have to follow directions, stay still, and glare when he tells you to look sexy.”

  Niall looked like he wasn’t sure he could glare on command, but my giggle had him glaring at me which was so perfect, Mom just laughed.

  I couldn’t help grinning. “Yes. That’s perfect.”

  It really was. Frustration. Desire. Nervousness, maybe…

  “Does anyone remember where my notepad is?” What did I do with my paper?

  I would’ve gone searching for it, but before I could stand up, all three cleared their throats at the same time. “Fine.”

  I’d make notes later.

  I needed to remember to keep my stuff closer, too, especially if he was going to give me looks like that.

  Julian’s eyes sparkled like the sub in him completely agreed with what he knew I’d been thinking, but since the Dom side seemed to be more in control, I kept my seat.

  Before I could think of a safe topic, Niall tried one. “The chicken is wonderful, Alexandra, thank you for dinner.”

  She smiled, gesturing with her fork toward the stuffed chicken breast on her plate. He was right. The cheese and herbs it was stuffed with made it incredible. Maybe someday I’d learn to cook it.

  “Thank you.” She gave me a teasing frown. “Just be forewarned. This one can set water on fire.”

  “It was once.” Who knew that water eventually evaporated if you left the pot boiling long enough? “And honestly. If they’re drawn to me for my domestic skills, I’ve done something terribly wrong.”

  Julian was nearly giggling like a kid, but Niall looked more thoughtful as he smiled. “First, no, your domestic skills are not high on my list of why I like you. Second, and please let me know if this is too personal, but has it always been like this between you…I mean, the easy way of teasing and talking about relationships and the lifestyle?”

  I’d been expecting that question sooner or later, and so had Mom, judging by her casual shrug. “When Keegan was younger, I just explained that I did consulting work and helped people set up new businesses. Clubs aren’t all I do, so it wasn’t lying.”

  Both men nodded, and even Julian looked like he’d never asked about this part of her life before.

  “I always explained any questions he had, but it was mostly typical kid ones, stuff that he’d heard from the kids at school.” She grinned like she was remembering some of the crazy things I’d asked. “But when he got into middle school and we started to understand that art wasn’t just something he was good at but that it was who he was, things changed.”

  I laughed. “It changed because I was a nosy fucker.”

  That sent laughter around the table, and Mom nodded. “Yeah, homeschooling.”

  I grinned and took over the story from there. “By the end of middle school I was homeschooled because I had additional art classes that just couldn’t work around a traditional school schedule. But that meant I was home on my own more and I got curious. Needless to say, I decided to see if I could help with her business because I was so smart, right?”

  They laughed again, and I had to join in. I’d been so confident that I could make her plans better. Well, I had…once I’d gotten over the surprise.

  “I had questions.” Their grins said they knew that was one hell of an understatement. “She was good about answering them all and that just led to more questions about other stuff I’d heard of but had never asked about. Because really, who asks their mom what a flogger is?”

  I grinned as they groaned. “One of the kids at school kept going through his dad’s porn and coming back with all kinds of interesting facts.”

  Mom laughed. “You were so let down when you found out what it was.”

  “I was expecting something much cooler.” I rolled my eyes as she laughed. “But that just helped us continue the same honesty she’d always had about sex before. My questions just got more interesting until I realized I was a sub and then we had more talks.”

  “What he’s not saying is that I had to find out he was gay and a bottom by the interesting packages that started arriving.” She looked over at me, still frustrated.

  “Hey, it was my money and I thought the rest was pretty self-evident.” I shrugged. “Not my fault you weren’t paying enough attention.”

  She huffed as the guys chuckled again.

  “Now, I know a bit about Julian, but Niall, how did you get involved with the lifestyle?” Her question was probably meant to be easy, but we both noticed when Niall stiffened slightly.

  I knew she was thinking about changing the subject but he started talking like he hadn’t reacted at all. “Dance clubs and places like that in college opened my eyes, but it wasn’t until some friends explained what they were into that I realized how much was out there. I learned as much as I could and then went on from there after I found someone to show me the ropes.”

  He let out a chuckle that was genuine, but I could still feel stress in it. “Literally, he showed me how to do ropes.”

  That got a chuckle from everyone, but there was something in his eyes that I knew Mom wouldn’t be able to let go. “I imagine it was a bit like falling down a rabbit hole at first.”

  Niall smiled, looking a bit more relaxed. “Yes, but it helped fill in the blanks about things I didn’t understand about myself. I’m guessing most new people to the lifestyle feel that way sooner or later.”

  I’d been around the nosy woman long enough to know she wasn’t satisfied yet.

  “Yes, a lot of the people I work with explain it that way. Missing pieces that finally come together once they understand who they are and what makes them feel whole. It’s amazing how much happier people are when they figure themselves out.” She could’ve gone on for hours, it was her soapbox issue, honestly, but she subtly changed the angle of her questions.

  “Who helped you to figure out the lifestyle?” She smiled like the question was totally innocent. “There weren’t many Doms on the East Coast at that point who were doing a lot of training.”

  Niall seemed to be doing his best to look relaxed, but even Julian was watching him out of the corner of his eye like he knew something was up. “Yeah, most people back then knew enough to please their current partner or to play in an orgy, but people who knew what they were doing were hard to find.”

  He laughed, a bit more genuine that time. “Ah, the old days before the internet actually put everything you could need at the tips of your fingers.”

  Mom laughed too. “Yes, it wasn’t as easy to navigate as it is now.”

  I just couldn’t imagine, but I wasn’t going to point out how old they were by mentioning that.

  “I worked with a man named Master Dalton for a while.” There was a flash of stress in Niall’s eyes and something similar was mirrored in Mom’s eyes.

  What had I missed?

  Julian was wondering the same thing too, though, so I was glad it wasn’t just me who was in the dark.

  Mom nodded, still looking like nothing was weird. “I met him a few times.”

  Yep, everything was still off-kilter judging by the way Niall’s hand tightened on his fork. “From what I understand, he’s not in the area anymore.”

  There was a long pause before Mom shrugged. “Yes, from what I heard, he’s in jail.”

  Shit.

  Niall froze completely for a few seconds before he started moving again, cutting into his food. “Oh, really?”

  “Yes.” They were both responding so blandly, I knew whatever happened hadn’t been good. Mom took a sip of her water before continuing like everything was perfectly normal. “It was kept quiet because a few of his victims were local celebrities and more than a few were politicians.”

  Which made sense…but what had the guy done?

  Victims?

  The most logical leap said it had something to do with him being an asshole masking himself as a Dom and taking advantage of people…but what did that say about his relationship with Niall?

  “I never heard about it, so they must’ve kept it quiet.” Niall’s response didn’t answer any of my questions.

  “They had enough evidence with a few of his victims that they didn’t need to go wider to get more.” She shrugged. “I’m not sure I agree with that part, but from what I understand, the police were worried it would turn into a witch hunt and the victims would end up being dragged through the mud too.”

  Not an unrealistic fear.

  Niall seemed to think so too. “I can understand that. Especially if the people he…well, if the people involved were already high profile.”

  Mom sighed, looking conflicted. “Yes, it’s logical, but I’ve always worried there were a lot of his victims out there who never got help and might not have realized how…troubled the man was.”

  Troubled?

  What the fuck?

  “I’m sure if anyone felt they were…if they felt there was trouble, they would’ve gotten help.” That didn’t give me any insight either, but Niall seemed to be done with the topic because he changed gears again. “Now, I think I need to hear more about this first shipment of toys our mischievous boy acquired.”

  Happy to be his distraction since it really didn’t seem to be the time to ask nosy questions, I giggled and did an admirable job of performing like the sweet sub he needed. “The internet is a fabulous place when you’re a teenage boy.”

  Laughter echoed in the kitchen and Mom was back to sighing and rolling her eyes. “You just looked at me like I was an idiot when I asked you if there was something you wanted to tell me.”

  “Because it really should’ve been obvious. I mean, I nearly sparkled, I was so gay.” I grinned as she huffed. “Yes, it’s good not to make assumptions, but I mean, is it really making assumptions when all I was drawing was naked men and everything I owned was rainbow?”

  I think a few assumptions would’ve been warranted in that case…especially since I hadn’t realized there was a closet I was supposed to have come out of.

  She waved her hand as the guys laughed. “You’re an artist. You went through that whole phase where all you wore was camo as a child and I didn’t assume you wanted to be a soldier.”

  No, I’d wanted to be able to blend into my surroundings so I could watch people.

  Not creepily, but people were so interesting when they thought no one was looking. The first paintings I’d done that were noticed widely had been from that idea. Primarily because no one had been comfortable showing the nudes that I’d done until I was over eighteen.

  I waved her off and shook my head. “I was very cute in camo.”

  More laughter ensued and I was glad that the mood had lightened, but as I caught Julian’s gaze, I knew we were both still thinking about what Niall and Mom had said…and what they hadn’t.

  What had happened with the man who’d claimed to be a Dom, and had Niall truly walked away unscathed?

  Chapter 14

  Julian

  Dinner had been…illuminating.

  Unfortunately, it’d also given me more questions and I wasn’t sure it would ever be the right time to ask everything that was running through my head.

  Thankfully, Keegan was in full distraction mode.

  Shifting, he straddled Niall’s lap and wiggled his ass against his Master’s cock. “I can’t decide if I need to get chairs so we have someplace beside my bed to sit down or if this is perfect and chairs would be a distraction.”

  Niall chuckled, wrapping his arms around Keegan’s hips so he could squeeze his ass. “Chairs will be a necessity if you want us here while you work and if you expect us to get anything done.”

  Rolling his hips, Keegan moaned quietly as he rubbed his cock against Niall. “But the bed is perfect.”

  Reaching up, I stroked my hand over his chest and pinched one nipple. “I agree. But I’m going to need a comfortable place to sit while you sketch Niall.”

  That had both of them turning to me. Keegan’s eyes lit up like that was a wonderful idea, but Niall looked more thoughtful. “You want to be there?”

  He wasn’t just asking about the sketching part…but I wasn’t sure what else he was curious about, so I kept my answer simple. “Yes.”

  Maybe too simple.

  He kept staring at me like he was waiting for something else, but guessing would just get us into trouble again.

  Keegan finally giggled. “God, you two are terrible at talking.”

  He shook his head like we were misbehaving children. “Clearly, we now know why I was put on this earth…sexy art and to keep you two from killing each other.”

  That was quite possible.

  “We’re not arguing.” I didn’t want either of them to think I was pissed or frustrated.

  “But you’re not really communicating either.” Keegan looked between us and got this very teacher-looking expression on his face. “Niall? Julian thinks you’re just as hot as I do and he likes being with all of us together, so of course he’s going to want to see you looking all sexy and alpha for me in the sketches.”

  Then our boy turned to me.

  “Julian.” He got a stern look that was cute and sexy at the same time. “Niall needs to know we’re all safe when we do something and he was probably assuming that was why you wanted to be there too.”

  “That’s stupid. I know he’d never hurt you. I just want to watch.” I knew I should’ve said that better when Keegan narrowed his gaze at me and Niall stiffened.

  Shit.

  Had to fix it.

  “He’s hot and he knows it. I shouldn’t have to pander to his ego.” Okay, still asshole mode but Keegan rolled his eyes as Niall huffed.

  He wasn’t pissed anymore, though, so I thought that was an improvement.

  “Niall, stop pouting.” Keegan wagged a finger at him like he was some kind of stern kindergarten teacher. “Assume good intentions.”

  As I laughed, our bossy little sub turned to me. “And stop making him angry when you’re feeling vulnerable.”

  Uh. He was going right for a gut shot with that one.

  “Brat.”

  My response had him fighting to keep up the stern look, but he just wanted to giggle so it wasn’t working. “I think you need to kiss and make up. I want to see my two sexy Doms being nice, please.”

  So that was his goal?

  Manipulative little brat.

  But talking usually got me in trouble, so I stayed quiet and did the broody Dom thing. Unfortunately, instead of using it as an opportunity to be the Dom in our odd relationship, Niall just looked at Keegan too.

  God, he was no help.

  Keegan sighed. “This is like sitcom level bad, guys.”

  Niall didn’t get it at all. “What?”

  He honestly looked like he thought Keegan was speaking Greek.

  That just got another sigh from our drama queen. “Julian is feeling uncomfortable and he’s trying not to make things worse.”

  How did he seem so distracted but see so much?

  Fucking artists.

  “He is?” Niall’s gaze stayed glued to Keegan. “He can stand up for himself. I’m not supposed to be an asshole and constantly take over.”

  Great.

  Now he learned that lesson.

  “When he’s in Dom mode, that’s right.” Keegan rocked back and forth like he was leading Niall to the answer. “When he’s not in Dom mode, what do you think he would like?”

  The whole thing was too awkward for me to keep watching, so I shifted and looked up at the ceiling. As Niall thought quietly, I tried to decide if there were smudges on the ceiling or if it was shadows. Knowing Keegan, he’d probably gotten distracted and had thrown an eraser or something up there.

  “If someone was not in a dominant frame of mind, they might need someone else to take control of the situation to feel safe.” Niall went quiet for a moment. “He doesn’t see me like that, though. My taking control makes him angry.”

  Keegan leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss. “’Cause you were doing it all the time and not just when he needed it.”

  “I can’t turn it off as easily as he seems to think I can.” The words seemed almost painful for Niall to say. “Subs need to be protected, but he just…I honestly don’t understand switching back and forth.”

  What the fuck had happened to him?

  There was nothing familiar in his logic.

  “We’re not going to make you guess.” Keegan kissed him again. “I’ll tell you when he’s not feeling like Master Julian and he just wants to be Julian with you. Then you’ll know he wants you to make the decisions. Once we get some practice and he sees you can go back and forth with him, then I think he’ll start to tell you too.”

  God, this sounded all kinds of fucked up.

  And I was including myself in that.

  “That would be helpful.” His tone was too sincere for it to be just some asshole comment, but I couldn’t understand any of it.

  Thankfully, Keegan seemed to be able to grasp it, so I let our boy continue to steer the conversation.

  “I’m glad, Master Niall.” Keegan snuggled closer to Niall, kissing his neck before reaching out to stroke my chest. “Will you kiss him now and show me how my sexy men make up? You’re so hot together.”

 

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