Slow was killing Troy, he groaned and scrubbed his hands over his face. He loved Win, part of him always had, but giving Win what he wanted was battering at his control. Evenings spent with Win and Bella, nights sleeping in Win’s bed and hot and heavy make-out sessions. It was more than he dreamed of in ten years and he couldn’t deny the glimmer of fear still existing in Win’s gorgeous eyes. Three weeks of taking it slow, so he reminded himself he would be Win’s first male partner.

Jumping into the unknown couldn’t be easy. Troy hadn’t found a man he’d been comfortable with until he was nearly twenty. In the end, he’d learned the mistake it had been. The few men he’d dated were never right, and the sex had left him empty and wanting more. Just touching and kissing Win left him more satisfied, although still aching.

“You don’t have that healthy glow of plentiful sex,” Miller whispered in his ear. The small man jumped over the back of the couch to curl up against Troy’s side.

“Why is it you’re always sex-obsessed?”

“I’m not. I would be if a certain sexy Silver Fox would pounce on me,” Miller purred, and the implication disturbed him.

“Leave my dad out of this.” His friend needed to find a new obsession, but it had been years, and nothing changed.

“You’re no fun. Win has finally given in after years of unrequited lusting and given me hope that a certain hot daddy will confess his undying lust for me.”

“Miller, you are never going to sleep with my dad.”

“I didn’t say anything about sleeping, my dear Troy.”

“I hate you with a loathing that knows no limits.”

“No, you don’t, you absolutely adore me. What’s the news on dating the man of your dreams and playing the happy little family?”

“He wants to take things slow, and I get it, but it’s killing me.”

“Win doesn’t seem like the slow type. What’s the deal?”

“I don’t know. I think he’s trying to not repeat the past or make me feel like some one-off.”

“Which is a good thing, right? You’re one of those happily ever after guys, with that cute white picket fence, kids and a dog lounging in front of the fire—all Norman Rockwell and shit.”

“You don’t have to look and sound so disgusted.”

“I’m not. I’m jealous as all get out, but it’ll never work for me. It’s better if I pretend you commitment-minded people are deluded.”

Troy slipped his arm around Miller and cuddled him close. Miller rarely let anyone close, very few people other than Brent and him made it into Miller’s life. “What’s with the cuddle session on my couch?” They both looked over their shoulders to find Brent lounging in the doorway. Brent scrubbed his hands over the salt and pepper stubble that was slowly growing back in. The weight gain and new healthy glow had gone a long way to ease Troy’s lingering fears.

“He’s avoiding me since he’s got the new boyfriend, I have to steal my best friend for time.”

“Speaking of my son’s boyfriend, why is he calling my phone and not yours?” Before Brent finished the question, he was reaching for his cell, finding it off and the battery dead.

“Shit, is he okay?”

“Yes, he’s fine, just said to call him when your phone charged. He seems to think you forgot to plug it in.”

“Yeah, yeah, he always plugs it in when I forget.”

“Use mine.” Troy caught the phone Brent tossed him. “Come on, Miller, I made dinner.”

“Real food,” Miller shrieked and launched from the couch.

His friend only ate take out unless Brent cooked for him. Troy turned in time to find his friend plastered to his dad’s side.

“Grope my ass one more time, and I spank yours,” Brent growled.

“You say that likes it’s a threat,” Miller purred, and Troy shuddered.

“Is there anything you won’t turn sexual?” Brent asked without an ounce of discomfort.

“Maybe.”

Their voices faded, and Troy quickly searched for Win’s number in his dad’s contacts. As soon as the call connected, Win’s amused voice caused him to smile.

“Let your phone die again?”

“Don’t sound so smug.” He couldn’t contain his happiness at hearing Win’s voice. Sometimes he still felt like that teenage boy with a crush on the older man.

“Bella was wondering when you were coming over.”

“Only Bella was wondering?”

“Of course not, um, but she didn’t really ask for you.”

His brow furrowed and he frowned. “Then who did she ask for?”

“Daddy,” Win barely whispered it.

“What?” His question was a mere squeak.

“I didn’t know what to say. I kinda freaked, this wasn’t a conversation—”

The panic in Win’s voice was clear, and as much as he was on the edge of a freak out himself, he needed to calm his man down. “Easy, easy, baby, deep calming breaths, in and out, in and—” A growl cut him off. “Why are you growling at me? I’m trying to help.”

“I know, but my mind went to the gutter.”

Troy chuckled.

“It’s not funny.”

“I know, I’m sorry,” Troy apologized.

“You’re still laughing. This isn’t the time.”

“I personally think it’s past time.”

“I wasn’t talking about that. The humor is misplaced. What am I supposed to tell her? She thinks we’re…” Win hesitated.

“Together? Aren’t we?” He held his breath and waited for Win’s answer, terrified that what the other man was about to say would gut him.

“Of course, but…” Win didn’t sound like himself.

“But what, Win?” Troy prodded.

“What happens when you grow tired of me?”

The questions made all amusement disappear because it wasn’t so much the words that caused him to pause, it was the certainty that he would grow tired of Win. He didn’t have any intention of doing that.

“I’ll be there in twenty minutes, hold that thought.” He disconnected the call without waiting for Win’s protest and jumped up from the couch. Exiting the living room, he cast a glance towards the kitchen, he thought about saying bye, but instead, he set his dad’s phone on the table. He picked up his keys and walked out the front door.

This thing between Win and him wasn’t going to last if the older man didn’t believe Troy was there for the long haul. Doubts and indecision had to go because he knew what he wanted, and that was Win. It was long past time for Win to know exactly how he felt. He opened the door of his car and slid inside to make the short trip across town to claim his man.

Fifteen minutes later, he took the steps to Win’s apartment two at a time, and the door opened. He smiled realizing Win had watched for him. Reaching up, he twined his arms around Win’s neck and took the other man’s mouth in a hard possessive kiss. The time for uncertainty and what-ifs were no longer. He pulled back and smiled. “Hi.”

“Hi.” Win held him tight seemingly attempting to squeeze every bit of oxygen from his lungs. Troy had no intention of going anywhere, and he was going to do everything to prove it to the insecure man in his arms.

“Where’s our girl?” he asked.

“I just set her down with a snack while I decided what to make for dinner.”

“Come on, baby, let’s have a talk.” He wiggled out of Win’s embrace and grabbed his hand to tug the bigger man behind him.

“Talk about what?”

“What it means to Bella to have two daddies.” He entered the kitchen still dragging Win behind him, and he smiled as a huge smile blossomed on a beautiful heart-shaped face. “Hey, Bella, how’s my girl?” Troy asked and released Win’s hand to scoop the little girl into his arms.

“Troy, you spend the night again?”

“Yes, could I stay away from my two favorite people?”

“No, you love us.”

“Yes, I do.” Troy didn’t look at Win when he said it hoping that the older man wouldn’t freak out. He sat down with Bella straddling his thighs, and he smoothed her soft hair back from her face. “Dad said you asked for me.”

“I asked for Daddy. Dad got mad.”

“No, your dad didn’t get mad, baby girl, because you didn’t do anything wrong. Why did you ask for Daddy?”

“You love me like Dad. You read me stories. You braid my hair”—she leaned in close—“Dad doesn’t do it right.” Troy couldn’t help his laugh, and he took her face in his hands. “Devon at daycare has two Mommies.”

“Oh, do you know what that means?”

“Devon says they’re married like Mommies and Daddies.”

Troy never thought he’d have a conversation like this with a four-year-old. He really didn’t know how much she’d understand. Clifton was progressive for a larger town, but bigots still existed. The possibility of kids bullying Bella broke his heart. “Your dad and I aren’t married.”

“You love me, and we’re family.”

“Of course we love you. And yes, we’re a family.”

Chair legs scraping across the linoleum pulled his attention away from Bella to find Win sitting down close by them. Troy wanted that family more than anything, something in his gut told him that they weren’t at the declaring their feelings stage. He didn’t even know if he could call them dating. Although, Troy typically stayed most nights at Win’s, yet he didn’t know exactly where or if their relationship was going anywhere. He was a worrier by nature, and he’d wring his hands over problems real or perceived for hours.

“Baby girl, I really wasn’t mad, just surprised.”

“Are you my daddies?” She looked at them both with teary eyes.

Troy remained silent; this wasn’t a question he could answer. Win had to make the decision, and Troy knew what he wanted it to be because truthfully, the other answer would break his heart.

“Is that what you want?” Win asked his daughter.

Troy held his breath, his heart pounding so loudly and fast his head became light.

The softly spoken answer caused joy to bloom white hot in his chest.

“Then yes,” Win answered, and an ear-splitting squeal broke the tense moment.

Skinny arms wrapped around their necks. With the joy came a bit of uncertainty, yes, Win told her she had two fathers, but nothing else was decided. Another waiting commenced, and his patience was wearing thin. Win’s large, calloused hand stroked his back and the other man’s arm wrapped around his waist hugging him close to his side. Troy knew this was the start of the conversation and more decisions needed to be made. It wasn’t a conversation he was looking forward to having.