Gryff set his coffee mug down and contemplated the woman who leaned her hip against the counter, arms crossed under her breasts, a spatula in hand, and some eggs frying on the stove.

She wore another one of his T-shirts. This one fell mid-thigh, her smooth legs bare, her painted toes wiggling on the tile floor. Her hair appeared wild but sexy as it fell around her shoulders and down her back.

She stared back at him with a slight curve to her lips.

Her wearing his shirts had become a habit when she stayed over. One he didn’t want her to break since he never would have thought a woman could look so good in a man’s T-shirt.

But she could pull it off. Especially since her pebbled nipples pressed against the worn cotton.

“Do you think he’s awake yet?” she asked.

Gryff tilted his head and listened. He heard nothing but the sound of butter and eggs sizzling in the frying pan.

Gryff answered, “No. If the smell of the bacon in the oven hasn’t woken his ass up yet, he may not wake up any time soon.”

“Yeah, bacon is his downfall.”

“That’s why I keep five packs in the freezer now. The man can pack away his pork.”

She chuckled at the double entendre, then said, “We could always spend the night at my condo. We don’t always have to be here, you know.”

“I like you guys here.”

“We like to be here, too.” She smiled. “Obviously.”

He moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest, and pressing his lips into her hair. “I like you wearing my shirts.”

“They’re comfy.”

“It’s sexy.”

She twisted her head enough to peek up at him over her shoulder. “Really?”

“You can’t feel how sexy I think it is?” he whispered in her ear.

“Hmm. I just thought you were excited about the bacon.” She sighed softly when he brushed this thumbs over her nipples. “We don’t want breakfast to burn.”

“Rayne, I need to discuss something with you.”

“I’m curious about something, too.”

“What?”

“Trey calls me ‘baby.’ Why don’t you?”

Gryff blinked. “Do you want me to?”

“It’d be nice if you… Never mind, Boss.”

“So, you want me to give you a special nickname. From my lips to your ears.” Gryff grabbed her hair, pulling her head back to drop a big, fat, sloppy kiss on her lips. “Doll.”

She elbowed his stomach gently. “No.”

He nuzzled the hair by her ear and breathed, “Lover.”

She giggled. “No.”

“Sweetie.”

“No!”

“Mommy.”

“Ugh!”

“Oh yeah. That’s my favorite. You know you want me to call you Mommy.”

“Don’t you dare!” she cried out and pulled away from him to flip the eggs over and turn the burner off.

“Oh, yes, Mommy.”

“Gryff, that’s just—”

He burst out laughing and moved away to grab his coffee, taking a healthy swig. “Don’t worry, I won’t be calling you Mommy in bed. Or anywhere else, for that matter.”

“I’m deeply relieved. Could you imagine you calling me that in one of our meetings at the firm?”

“I just wonder if someone would have the balls to question me on it.”

“Dani would.”

“Probably.” He leaned back against the kitchen island. “But seriously, I need to discuss something with you.”

“The eggs will get cold.”

“I know. Sorry. I don’t want to put it off any longer.”

Her eyebrows knitted and her expression became cautious. “What?”

“I know you haven’t been an associate at the firm very long. But you’re my best.”

“Then why haven’t I moved up to being a senior associate yet?”

Damn. “Rayne, you haven’t even been with me—” He shook his head. “My firm for a year yet.”

“Is that one of your requirements?”

“You know it is.” This had been explained to her during the hiring process. She was just busting his balls.

He hoped.

“Okay,” she answered and shrugged.

“But, I have something I want to propose.”

Both her expression and her body stilled.

Maybe it was the wrong word to use, but it wasn’t far off the mark.

“I want to make you a partner.”

“What?” she whispered, her eyes getting wide.

“I want to make you a partner,” he repeated, more firmly.

“You don’t have any partners.”

“If anyone knows that, it’s me.” He laughed awkwardly. Suddenly, this discussion wasn’t going as smoothly as he’d planned. Not that he had given a lot of thought on how to approach Rayne with the idea. He had decided he wanted to make Rayne partner for a variety of reasons. But, he hadn’t expected her to be…shocked.

“Boss, I mean… I’m flattered. But, won’t it look a bit odd if suddenly the newest associate, not to mention the youngest, who isn’t even a senior associate yet, is offered a partnership?”

“It’s my firm, my decision.”

She made a noise. “I’m well aware of that. Don’t you think everyone will say it’s because I’m sleeping with the boss?”

“They know your record.”

“They aren’t going to care. My record might make me a senior associate, then maybe down the road a partner. And I’d need a buy-in. I—” She blew out a breath and shook her head. “I don’t think I can afford a buy-in.”

“Rayne—”

“No, Gryff. Don’t you dare say I don’t have to buy in.”

“I wasn’t going to say that.”

“We would split the profits, the bills, the headaches… I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”

“It’s a commitment, that’s for sure. But speaking of commitments—”

“Gryff,” she whispered, a pained look on her face.

“For fuck’s sake, let me get it out first before you make a judgement about what I’m going to say.”

She blinked. “Sorry.”

He sucked in a breath, staring at her pink polished toes. “I hear your concerns about making partner. I have a solution to that problem.”

“What?”

He leveled his gaze at her. “You could...” Marry me. “We could...” Get married. He swallowed hard. Fuck. “I want you to...”

“What? What, Gryff? What are you trying to say?”

He braced himself for what he was about to say. “Marry me, Rayne.”

Her eyes widened. “What?”

“If you become my wife, then it won’t matter what they say.”

“What?” she repeated, looking a bit dazed.

He straightened. Not surprisingly she was in shock. He felt a little shocky, too. He just proposed to someone he had known less than six months, offered to make her a partner in a business he worked long and hard to make the best, and only…only just started an intimate relationship with a couple of months ago. And even with that, it was an unconventional one, since it wasn’t only the two of them.

He was someone who, once he knew what he wanted, went after it. And he wanted Rayne by his side. As a partner in business, a partner in life.

“Are you aware of what you’re asking… offering… I… uh…”

“Yes, I’m pretty aware of what I’m proposing.” He certainly was well aware of it. He wasn’t taking it lightly, either.

“You want her for your wife?”

Ah, fuck. Gryff closed his eyes and groaned softly. This was not how he wanted Trey to find out.

He turned toward the entrance to the kitchen to see Trey standing there only wearing a pair of long, loose shorts. Every muscle in his body appeared tight. His jaw clenched. His fingers curled into his palms. His mouth nothing but an angry slash.

“Trey,” he said softly, now regretting bringing this up to Rayne before Trey knew his intention.

He meant to talk to him about it.

Sure he did.

He didn’t mean to ask her this morning, either. Something switched in his brain as he watched her putt around his kitchen making them breakfast in his T-shirt.

When something looked right, felt right, it was right.

He hadn’t meant to blindside Trey, to hurt him. Though, the other man was seeing it much differently.

He stalked into the kitchen and came toe to toe with Gryff, who stood his ground, even though he felt the anger emanating from Trey’s body.

“What the fuck, Gryff? Am I going to be frozen out of this relationship? Am I going to be reduced to a side piece?” He laughed bitterly. “Damn, maybe even not that.”

Trey slammed both his palms into Gryff’s chest before stepping over to Rayne. He pointed a finger in her face, his own face a mask of fury. “You marry him, I walk.”

“Trey,” Gryff said softly, trying to keep his own anger at bay. Watching him get in Rayne’s face didn’t help.

He understood the hurt, the pain he felt. He would have felt betrayed, too.

“No, Gryff. That’s some underhanded bullshit right there. Wait. Maybe you want me to walk. Maybe that’s what this is all about. You want her for yourself. Fuck! I’m such a stupid ass. I should’ve seen it coming.”

“I didn’t mean to cut you out.”

“Right. So, you two have a nice little ceremony, have someone marry you while this fool,” he jabbed his thumb into his chest, “sits in the audience and watches? Cheers you on? Throws bird seed at the end? While you two shove wedding cake into each other’s mouths, I should be lucky to catch the crumbs? Fuck that. Fuck that, Gryff. And fuck you.”

He spun on his heel and took two strides before stopping and shooting Rayne a look. “And fuck you, too, if you say yes.”

Then he rushed out of the kitchen, leaving them both in stunned silence for a moment.

Finally, Rayne gave Gryff a wide-eyed look. “Shit.”

He agreed. Shit is right.

* * *

Trey’s head felt like it was about to blow off of his neck. Totally explode like a rocket into space.

He threw his duffel bag on the bed, pulled out a clean pair of jeans, socks, and a T-shirt, then shoved some dirty clothes back in.

Fuck this place. Fuck Gryff. And fuck the fuckery that he heard downstairs.

He fucking proposed to Rayne. Fucking proposed to her.

Trey stiffened when he heard Gryff’s heavy footsteps approaching. Without turning around, he said, “You fucking want to marry her.” He did his best to keep the tremor out of his voice, but he failed.

“Trey,” Gryff said softly.

That was all he said. He had no excuses. No explanations. He probably didn’t know what to say.

Trey took a shaky breath and shoved his clothes deeper into the bag so he could zip it shut.

He wanted to punch the guy. He really did. But he didn’t need to get into more legal trouble. Not that Gryff would call the cops. If Trey popped him one, Gryff should acknowledge he deserved it. Because he did.

Instead, Trey sliced him with his words, wanting him to feel the same pain he felt. The same heartache. “You know, we fuck when you’re not around. Did you know that? Did Rayne ever tell you? You won’t mind your wife fucking another man?”

Silence greeted him for a moment, then he heard Gryff move closer. Close enough he could feel the other man’s body heat. “I’m not trying to cut you out, Trey. I meant to include you in this decision.”

“See? Decision. The correct word would have been discussion. Not decision.”

He tried to wipe the hurt off of his face before he turned toward Gryff. “I’m not your bitch, Gryff. Just because you fuck me doesn’t make me your bitch. I’m still a man. A man who plays football, for fuck’s sake. You can’t get more masculine than that. Just because I let you take me doesn’t make you the man and me not. It doesn’t work that way in my world. We need to be equal. And not just you and me, but Rayne, too. But you wanting to make her your wife leaves me feeling unequal, unwanted and undeserving. Is that what you wanted? Because if so, you’ve succeeded.”

Gryff blew out a breath and curled his fingers around Trey’s arm. He looked at the darker hand touching him and yanked his arm from the man’s grasp.

“No. You don’t get to touch me right now. Maybe not ever.”

“I want to make her partner, T.”

“T? Now, you want to give me a pet name? T? You are something else.”

“Sit down.”

Trey’s brows shot up his face. “Sit down? You’re giving me an order right now?”

“Please, T, sit down.”

“There you go with that T shit again.” Trey shook his head, his heart thumping rapidly in his chest. Panic set in, he could feel it seeping into his skin, his thoughts, his voice. He was going to find himself on his own once again. Not wanted. A burden.

What the fuck.

“If you don’t want me, your sister does.”

Gryff’s spine stiffened. “My sister?”

“Yeah, Gia’s been texting me non-stop.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

“Your sister wants to hook up with me.”

“You call her, Trey, and I will pound you into the ground. And I’m not talking about my dick in your ass, either. Stay away from my sister. Now sit down and take a breath.”

“You know what gets me? You think you’re the leader of this relationship. That you can dictate what Rayne and I both do, say, feel, whatever. We didn’t tap you on the shoulder and tell you you’re in charge.”

He watched Gryff’s body lift, rise, his shoulders straighten. “Trey. Last time I’m telling you. Sit the fuck down and give me a chance to talk to you.”

“The talking should have been done before you proposed to Rayne.”

“I know. I didn’t plan it like that, it just happened.”

“Oh, right. Whoops. ‘Will you marry me?’” Trey moved to the bed and sat down, crossing his arms over his chest, watching through narrowed eyes as Gryff began to pace in front of him, scrubbing a hand over his hair. “You know men can get married now, but you didn’t ask me. You know why?”

Gryff’s step hesitated when his back was to Trey.

Trey didn’t wait for an answer. “Because I’m not good enough to marry, right? I’m not good enough for you.”

“We’ve had this discussion before.”

“Yes, and I thought things had changed. That you no longer considered me a spot on your spotless reputation. Especially now that the charges were dropped.”

“Of your latest arrest.”

Trey sucked in a breath. “Yes, of my latest arrest. Thanks for clarifying that. You’re right, it wasn’t the only one. So, either you don’t want to be with someone with a spotty past or you’re afraid I won’t be able to stay out of trouble in the future. Which one is it? Or is it both? Be honest.”

“Neither.”

Trey laughed bitterly and shook his head. “Bullshit. I said to be honest.”

Gryff stopped in front of him and met his gaze. There was something in the other man’s eyes he couldn’t pinpoint. Not anger, not sadness. He wasn’t sure what it was.

“I’m being honest. Neither. Do I want you to keep your nose clean? Yes. Do I think Rayne and I can help you do that? Yes. But…”

“But?”

Gryff’s Adam’s apple bobbed when he swallowed hard. “You’re cleared of your charges, you’re back on the roster.”

“So?”

“So…” Gryff’s chest rose and fell as he inhaled sharply. “So, you’ll go do your thing. Get back to training, to throwing a football, go back to what you do best.”

“Still not seeing what the problem is? Or what this has to do with you proposing to Rayne. Or why you no longer want me.”

Gryff scrubbed his palms over his face and let out a low moan. “I never said I don’t want you, T. Okay, in the beginning when I was fighting it. But since then, never. Rayne wants you, I want you. But you'll be gone.”

“Gone?”

“Back to the team.”

“Okay?”

“You need to concentrate on your career.”

Trey shook his head, confused. “There are plenty of players who are married or in committed relationships.”

“Yes, but—”

“But nothing. You think because I’m in a relationship with two people instead of one, that my playing will suffer?”

“You want to make it to the Super Bowl.”

“Of course. And you think you will hold me back from that? Damn. You’re not all that, Gryff.” When Gryff gave him a frown, Trey held up a palm. “Okay, yes, you are all that, but not to the point where I can’t throw a damn football and can’t throw it well. Your dick in my ass does not affect my throwing arm.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.”

“Well, isn’t that what you’re saying?”

“I don’t know what I’m trying to say. Maybe I’m just confused. My instinct as a man is to marry Rayne, make her a life partner. Keep her by my side. Normal. You? You’re not…”

“A woman.”

“Definitely not.”

“Not partner material.”

“I’m not saying that. But my instinct is different with you.”

“You just want to have sex with me, but nothing else.”

“No.”

“Then what?”

Gryff blew out a loud breath. “I’m not sure how to handle all of this.”

“You like to be in control and suddenly your life has spun out of control. You don’t know how to right your world. So, you proposed to Rayne to bring some normality back into your life. Into your abnormal relationship. I’m starting to understand.”

“I’m glad someone is.”

“But you still want to marry Rayne.”

“Yes.”

“Do you still want me in your life? Yours and Rayne’s?”

“Yes. Fuck yes. Yes! Damn it.”

“Okay. So, again, what’s the problem?”

“I don’t know how to make it…” Gryff’s voice drifted off.

“Neat.”

Gryff dropped to his knees at Trey’s feet with his hands on Trey’s thighs and looked up. “Yes. Neat. I’m afraid because this is so messy, that it will screw up your chances at being the best football player you can be.”

“It’s not messy for me, Gryff, that’s the thing. It’s only messy in your head. Not mine.”

Gryff’s lips flattened.

“I’d be perfectly happy if all of us eventually moved in together. None of us need a wedding band to be a part of each other’s life.”

“You mean you’d want for us all to live together?” Gryff asked, almost as if surprised at the suggestion.

“Well, wouldn’t you expect Rayne to move in if she agreed to marry you? You’d live together. Then there would be me. Do you just expect me to come over every once in a while? Get your rocks off, then I go home afterward and let you and Rayne get on with your married life? Or are you expecting me to become bored being in a relationship and drift away eventually? Go on to my next fling.”

“What do you want, T?”

“What do I want? Ah, fuck.” He sucked in a deep breath in preparation of laying it all out. “I want you to call me T. I want you to fuck me whenever and wherever you want to. I want you to eventually let me top you.” He lifted a hand before Gryff could argue that point. “No rush. I can wait. I want to fall asleep every night with you and Rayne. I want to kiss you both goodbye every morning as you head to the office and I head in for practice. I want to come home late from practice or home from an away game and know you kept dinner warm for me. Jesus.” Trey’s breath hitched as reality hit him. “I guess I want domestic bliss. Trey Holloway wants to be tied down. And not in the kinky way. Though, that would be nice once in a while, too.”

“You want to be tied down,” Gryff repeated, sounding amused.

“And tied up. Don’t forget that part.”

Gryff’s eyes crinkled at the corners and his lips twitched. “You have to promise me something.”

“Keep my nose clean. You’ve beat that into me already.”

“No. Well, yes, that, too.”

“Then what?”

“Get that Super Bowl ring.”

Trey smiled and nodded. He was all over that promise. He not only wanted it, he could taste it. This would be his year. Especially with two people who he cared about and who cared about him at his back.