C onnor’s fingers worked the guitar as if he were caressing a lover. His voice, like warm caramel, curled around them and created an intimate little bubble where it wasn’t hard to imagine that he was singing just to him and Katy. Swaying to Connor’s voice, Levi held Katy close on the dancefloor of the pub. It overlooked the river, a giant Bali hut with a bar at one end and a stage at the other. High tables surrounded this area, the picnic tables spread further out on the grassy slope went almost all the way down to the water. A breeze wafted through, the smell of rain in the air. Dim lighting in the gardens created shadows in the high palms, and the small spotlight on Connor had everyone’s focus on him.
Levi closed his eyes and ran his fingers through Katy’s long silky hair. She smelled of vanilla and chocolate, his favourite scent. Her warm skin was baby soft against his palm and her curves tempted him. He wanted to lay her down and make love to her right there on the stage next to Connor.
“This is my last song for the night. It’s a smooth one so grab the hand of your guy or girl and love ‘em.” Connor smiled and began strumming the opening chords for Sam Smith and John Legend’s “Lay Me Down.” Looking directly at them, Connor sang about missing a lover and being heartbroken. Part way through, he paused and reached out for Katy, pulling her up on stage with him. Levi let her go, but when Connor motioned for him to get up too, Levi smiled. Hardly missing a breath, Connor kept singing and shifted his gaze to Levi. His heart stuttered. Is he singing to me too? It’s a love song. Part of him hoped so. But mates didn’t sing each other love songs, did they? Confusion reigned supreme in his head, so Levi just let it go. It was easier not to think about it, easier to just live in the moment.
When Connor finished singing, he leaned in and kissed Katy softly on her lips. Seeing it was like a shot of lust-fuelled adrenaline straight to his bloodstream. He struggled to breathe through the instant haze of desire filling every pore in his body. Instead of pulling away, Con reached out, his firm touch on Levi’s shoulder drawing him in. In Connor’s embrace, Levi held him just as tight, the other man’s breath tickling Levi’s throat. He’d never had the urge to before, but he did then—he desperately wanted to kiss Connor. He wanted to haul the other man against his body and crush their lips together, to taste him, to caress him. Goddamn it, I can’t do this. What am I thinking? What the hell would Katy think if I did that? I can’t hurt her like that. Con kissing her is different—it’s hot, but she’d probably think that he and Connor making out was a total turnoff.
Connor pulled into the drive and lifted Katy into his arms. Drunk, she’d fallen asleep curled around Levi in the back seat. He was going to hurt the next day—his head, his gut—Levi groaned already feeling it. He watched Katy wrap her arms around Con’s neck, resting her head against his shoulder still asleep. Before he fell asleep himself, he dragged his arse from the back of the car and staggered after his friend. Levi fumbled the keys when he tried to open the front door; he was distracted. Katy had nuzzled her face into the crook of Connor’s neck and was licking and kissing him there, sucking on the sensitive skin above his collarbone. He should have been jealous, annoyed that his girlfriend was kissing another man—logically he knew that—but he was glued to the sight of his best friend’s eyes rolling back in his head. The gravelly moan that rumbled out of Con was doing things to Levi he didn’t want to admit. His cock straining against the zipper of his jeans, salivating over the beautiful woman in his best friend’s arms. Levi had to get Katy naked. Knowing she was the one making Connor moan like a man desperate for release had every possessive instinct rearing its head in him. But in the opposite way to what logic would have dictated he should react—he wasn’t jealous, wasn’t wanting her to stop. He wanted her to keep going, to give Connor what he needed. How screwed up is that?
By the time Levi stumbled into the bedroom, Con had already laid Katy down and taken off her four-inch heels. Still wearing her dark, low-cut skinny jeans and a silver top that was all tiny straps and low-cut necklines, she was stunning—all curvy and luscious. Levi licked his lips. Burying himself inside her until she was blissed out sounded perfect right about then.
Katy lifted her arm and covered her face blocking the light spilling in from the hall, rubbing her legs together as she did.
“What’s up, sugar?” Levi asked. “You feeling okay?”
“No,” she whined. “I’m fucking horny. I need you inside me, Lee. Con, tell him—he needs to.”
“You heard the lady, Lee. Hope you’re up for it.” Connor turned away, and Levi reached out but let his hand fall away before he could grasp onto his friend. Instinct screamed at him to draw him close, to comfort him, to tell him… what? He wasn’t sure. He’d seen something in Con’s eyes—a momentary flash, but it was definitely there. Vulnerability? Loneliness? He wasn’t sure.
Katy’s frustrated growl made him laugh. “I can’t get my damn pants off. My fingers aren’t working anymore.”
“I’ll give you guys some privacy. Night.” Con flashed a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes, before leaving the room and closing the door behind him.
Torn between checking on his friend and looking after his girl, Levi stood there hesitating. His decision was made for him when Katy sat up and reached out for him, tugging him onto the bed.
“Levi,” she breathed before she kissed him. Her lips soft against his, her tongue tracing the seam of his lips had him moaning. “Stay with me.”
She needed him, and he’d never leave her hanging. Levi tugged the straps of Katy’s top down, exposing her breasts to his hungry gaze. “Need you, Katy. Need to taste you now.” He bent and captured her tight nipple in his mouth, tugging on the tender flesh with his teeth, making her cry out.
“Oh fuck, babe, yes,” she hissed. “Please.” Her begging sent a shiver through him. Levi moaned and ripped open the button fly of his jeans, palming his cock before tugging down her jeans. Burying his face in her pussy, he licked and nipped her sensitive skin. Her spicy-sweetness met his tongue, and he lapped it up, never getting enough of her taste. Levi lanced two fingers into her pussy and curled them, massaging Katy’s G spot while he worked her clit between his lips. Over and over he thrust into her, working her up until she shuddered and went rigid, moaning her release as her inner muscles clenched around his digits. Levi knew exactly what it was like to have those muscles tensing around his shaft, pulling him into orgasm too. He couldn’t wait anymore, couldn’t stand the gap—although minimal—between their bodies. He crawled up and held himself over her, kissing her hard, their tongues tangling together as he ground against her.
Using her toes to push down his unbuttoned jeans, she ground out, “Fuck me, Lee. Hard and fast.”
He loved her reactions, was addicted to the little sighs she made when he was hitting just the right spot, got off on seeing her eyes roll back into her head as he slid into her wet heat. Thrusting slowly, he prolonged his entry, teasing and tempting her with glimpses of what she’d asked for until he was eventually buried to the hilt. When Levi’s balls were pressed up against her tight little arse, her legs wrapped tight around his hips, he withdrew and slammed back in, taking her in exactly the way she’d begged him. Kissing her, nipping her bottom lip, then soothing it with licks of his tongue as their lips melded together, Levi took her to the edge again, riding a fine line to hold off his own orgasm. The unstoppable tingle at the bottom of his spine had started. Levi clutched the sheets in an iron-fisted grip, desperately trying to hold off until Katy came again. Flutters in her pussy, quivers that quickly morphed into tight squeezes of her muscles around his cock, and her silent scream had Levi tumbling after her, coming so hard he saw stars behind his closed eyelids.
Connor lay on the living room couch drinking his first coffee of the morning when the message from the pub owner came in. He had to read it a few times before he believed it—he’d gotten the gig. Four nights a week, three different locations. He’d be making more than enough to support himself, even if he was renting a place on his own. He couldn’t wipe the smile off his face. That was until the unmistakeable jingle of Katy’s alarm on her phone sounded, followed shortly afterwards by Levi’s phone ringing. He glanced at where they sat on the kitchen bench and winced. He didn’t want to wake them up, especially with the killer hangover they’d probably both have.
He scrubbed a hand over his face and sighed. At least they’d had a few more hours sleep than him. After the ruckus the two of them made the night before, he guessed they’d passed out. But Connor had no hope of sleeping. Listening to the gasps and moans coming from the bedroom next door had him fisting the sheets to physically keep him connected to the bed; otherwise, he’d have been through their door in a shot, rolling around naked with them. Finally unable to resist it anymore, he’d given into temptation to relieve the iron rod tenting his boxer shorts. But jacking off hadn’t taken the edge off. Instead, having his hand on his cock while letting his mind conjure up pictures to match Levi and Katy’s gasps and moans had Connor imagining exactly what it would be like to be between them. He tugged on the piercing at the base of his balls before letting his fingers drift lower to rub his hole, while he worked the other lubed up hand over his aching dick.
His inevitable orgasm had barrelled towards him in record time when he’d lifted his legs and pressed a finger inside the tight pucker of his arse. He’d never had a cock up there—not a real one anyway. Connor’s last hookup had begged him to try it. He’d always been curious, had heard about the magic bundle of nerves that could shoot a man into orbit. She’d found it, and he’d come so hard, he’d passed out. The memory of the fullness, the stretch and burn were almost enough. He’d breached himself with two of his fingers, pumping in and out while he’d gripped his dick. The overload of sensations pushed him past the edge, the tingle at the base of his spine gathering momentum quickly and spreading outward until Connor shot his load. Breathing hard, his fingers still stretching his ass, the cum cooling on his chest and chin, Connor had let his eyes drift closed. God, he’d wished, wished so hard, but it was absolutely pointless. And didn’t that knowledge suck.
On the fourth ring of Levi’s phone, he gave in, answering it. “G’day, Levi’s phone. Connor speaking.”
“Hey, Connor, I’m DJ. I work with Levi. Is he there?”
“He’s, ah… in the bathroom.” Connor winced. He hoped that was the right answer to give DJ, rather than he’s already left.
“He’s supposed to be coming in this morning to train with the Titans, but the director is having a fit because he’s not here yet. Can you get him to call me urgently? I need to know when he’ll be arriving so I can fend him off.”
“No worries. I’ll give him the hurry up and get him to call.” Fuck. He disabled the alarm on Katy’s phone while he was in the kitchen, and scratched the two-day old growth on his face, grimacing at the thought of their hangovers. I need a plan. When he remembered Katy’s fix for a headache—Lush—he grinned. She loved the place, would come home with bags full of bath bombs and soaps. He ran the water, dropping in one of her favourite bombs before pouring another couple of mugs of coffee, setting one on the tray straddling the bath and taking the other with him.
Connor knocked on the door and opened it a crack. All he could hear was deep breathing. He tiptoed into the room and, without looking at them, set the coffee down next to Levi. How the hell do I wake them without looking at them? Man up, Connor. He stole a glance and stopped in his tracks. Both were completely naked, the sheet discarded at the bottom of the bed. Levi lay on his back, his legs spread open while Katy was wrapped around him. Fuck me. Perfect—that was the only way to describe them. Levi didn’t have an ounce of fat on him—which Connor already knew—but he’d underestimated the beauty of the other man’s physique. Levi could have been one of the models in those Greek statues, and the morning wood he sported was nothing short of impressive. Connor licked his lips, wishing he could get his hands, his mouth, on the other man.
Connor’s gaze moved to Katy, and he took in her curves, the swell of her breast pressed against Levi’s chest, the flare of her hips and the contour of her arse. Right down to her cute purple sparkly-painted toes, she was perfect. He wanted her with a fierceness that hadn’t dampened during the years they’d been apart. Connor knew he was staring, but he couldn’t help it. Hell, he couldn’t do anything else.
“Gorgeous, isn’t he?” Katy rasped in a sexy morning voice. Connor nodded before he even knew what he was doing. There was no use trying to hide the tenting of his loose track pants from her, so he pushed on.
“How ya feelin’, Cupcake?”
“Like shit. My head’s gonna explode.”
“Your alarm was going off. Something about Australian Bride flashed up.”
“Fuck.” Katy closed her eyes and groaned.
“I’ve run a bath, and there’s coffee in the bathroom already.”
“You’re a lifesaver, thank you.” Holding her head as she sat up, Katy moved to the edge of the bed. He looked away, giving her a little privacy, but his eyes were drawn to the man before him. The little voice in his head—the one chanting “you don’t like dudes”—was getting drowned out by the reality of his body’s almost visceral reaction to both Katy and Levi. Pushing it aside, he shook his head.
“Lee, mate, you’ve gotta get up. You’ve gotta go to work.” He didn’t budge, didn’t even flinch when Connor called out to him. He reached down to shake him awake, but the other man’s warm skin under his palm, firm muscles relaxed against his touch, had Connor sliding his hand down his chest. Touching him in a way he’d never been able to do before, Connor yearned for the chance to show him—both of them, really—what was in his heart. He ran his fingertips over the sprinkling of chest hair to his abs, feeling the ridges of his six-pack as he moved. He shook Levi and repeated himself, his voice an almost unrecognizable rasp. Lee stirred and moaned, covering his eyes with his arm. Connor watched every muscle in his upper body shift as Levi moved, and Connor’s gut clenched with want.
“Why do I feel like shit?”
“Hangover, man, and you need to go to work. DJ called, said something about training with the Titans.”
“You’re shitting me. That’s today?”
“Sorry, mate, you’ve gotta get there now.” Connor picked up the mug and held it out to his friend. “Here, I brought coffee.”
“Ta.” Levi sat up and clutched his head. “I feel like crap. And why’s the room spinning?” He moaned. “I’m gonna puke.”
“I’ll help you up when you’re ready.” Levi downed half his coffee and swung his legs off the bed, swaying as he did. “You gonna be okay for work?”
Levi grunted his response and held out his hand for Connor to pull him up. Slinging the other man’s arm over his shoulder, Connor guided him into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Stumbling forward, Levi stuck his head under the water.
“I think I’m gonna pass out.” Levi swayed in the shower, his skin turning pallid. It had Connor moving, stripping off his track pants and stepping in the cubicle with his friend. He pushed him gently against the tiles to steady Levi and directed the spray onto him, wetting his hair before shampooing it up. The strands were silky under his touch, the shorter parts on the back and sides softer than he’d imagined. Connor kept his movements quick, trying not to let himself enjoy the contact with his best friend too much. He’d gone from jealousy to longing in what seemed like a heartbeat, but in reality, it’d been a long time coming. Connor was man enough to admit to himself that his sexuality wasn’t as straight as he’d once thought it to be. It wasn’t like anything would ever come of it though. As long as he kept reminding himself of that fact, he’d be fine.
“How’re you doin’ now?” Connor asked, keeping his voice low.
“Really? You’re standing starkers in a shower with me, washing my hair because I drank too much. I only had like three JD and Cokes. I shouldn’t be that wrecked.”
“When was the last time you drank anything? I bet you haven’t touched a single drink in years—at least since you’ve been on the show.” Connor shook his head and huffed out a laugh. “No wonder you feel like shit.”
Levi groaned and held his stomach, flattening his palm against his six-pack.
“Don’t worry, we’ll get some food in you and you’ll be right.”
Levi shook his head. “No food.”
Connor put down the shower gel he’d just picked up. “Bud, you can’t train with a professional footy team without eating anything. Bacon and eggs’ll do ya good.”
Levi moaned, what little colour he had in his face, draining fast. “Why does it have to be today? God, I don’t wanna go in.”
Connor smiled. The poor guy was miserable, but it was totally self-inflicted. He didn’t have that much sympathy. “Think you can wash yourself?” Levi nodded, and Connor handed him the gel. Squirting some on his hands, and rubbing it over his belly, Levi paused and leaned back against the glass again, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.
“Breathe through it, mate. You’ll be right.” Connor took the body wash from Levi and ran his hands over Levi’s shoulders, soaping him up. Slicked up muscle glided under his palms. Smooth, warm skin against his own had Connor biting his lip to hold in a moan. Levi had his eyes closed, his head leaning back against the tiled wall. Connor was grateful for it. He was hard, but he didn’t want to be. There was no hiding it or denying it. How would he explain himself if Levi saw? The dude was not only straight but totally in a relationship. And there Connor was, naked in the shower with him, hard as a freaking telegraph pole and washing him. He looked away, unable to meet Levi’s gaze if he opened his eyes.
He tried desperately to ignore the body of the man in front of him, but his gaze kept snapping back to Levi’s hard planes, warm golden skin, and blond hair. He drank in the sight before him, knowing he’d never again be in that position. Lower still and Connor’s hands stuttered. Levi was hard too, his cock thick, rivulets of water dancing along his skin. Connor sucked in a sharp breath and washed down to Levi’s waist, forcing himself to keep going, or maybe he was making himself stop.
Levi’s words broke him out of his spell. “I’m okay, mate. Don’t worry. I won’t ask you to wash my junk.” He huffed out a laugh that sounded as uncomfortable as he probably felt standing naked in the shower with his friend.
Connor cleared his throat and handed him the gel, stepping back and out of the shower. He didn’t know whether to be disappointed or relieved. Either way, he was grateful that both of them were in the same predicament—at least his friend wouldn’t call him a perv if they were both walking around with boners. Connor shook his head as he towelled off. He needed to get laid—being unintentionally celibate sucked donkey dick. He needed to hook up with a nice girl somewhere that he could enjoy the hell out of so that his ridiculous infatuation with his best mate and his girl would disappear. I know it will… I think. Maybe.
He made a quick exit after that, wrapping the towel around his waist as he left Levi’s bedroom and knocked on the other bathroom door to check on Katy. “Cupcake, how’re you doin’?”
“I’m hungry and late. Think you can be a prince and make some toast for me?”
“Yeah, no problems.” He paused. “Hey, what can I make for Lee? He’s pretty green.”
“Weet-bix, full cream milk and a banana cut up on it. It’ll be the only thing he can keep down.”
Connor grimaced. How could that possibly cure Levi’s hangover? But Katy knew him best, so he’d do it.
Katy rushed out, still buttoning up a pristine white chef’s jacket as he placed the Vegemite toast on the bench for her. She didn’t normally wear much make-up, but this time she was done up like she had been for their double date over the weekend. Seeing his surprise, she kissed him on the cheek, squeezed his arse and grinned. “Thanks, boo. This photo shoot’s important. Australian Bride is doing a two-page spread on the shop—photos of my work and everything. I dunno whether they’ll want me in any of them, but figure I’d be better off looking a little prepared.”
He smiled. “You look gorgeous. You’ll knock ‘em dead.”
Looking at her watch, she swore under her breath. “I gotta go.”
“I want details when you get home.” Leaning in, Connor stole another kiss on her soft cheek.
“Good luck, sugar. Love you,” Levi called from the doorway.
“You too, babe.” Katy broke away from Connor and moved into Levi’s arms. He turned away, trying not to watch as they kissed goodbye, but was unable to stop himself. Seriously, he was a masochist. Watching Levi pull her into his arms and nuzzle their noses together, his lips lingering against hers was a new kind of torture. Sweet and sensual, it was exactly how Connor wanted to kiss her, kiss both of them.
The door clicked closed, and Connor realized he was staring at the sizzling bacon in the pan, without actually seeing anything. Shaking himself out of his funk, he flipped it and went back to staring.
“Dude, you rock. Thanks,” Levi spoke from behind him, his voice muffled by the food he was shovelling in. “Whatcha doin’ today?”
“Got a few bits and pieces I need to take care of. Nothing much, but I’ll be busy most of the day.”
“Hey, you were great last night. I don’t think I’ve seen a guy on an acoustic guitar get people dancing before.”
“You and Katy were the only ones most of the night, and you were slow dancing. Doesn’t exactly count as rocking the crowd, but Tracey must’ve liked it. I got the gig.”
“That’s awesome.” Levi clapped him on the back, his hand lingering and squeezing his shoulder. He stood much closer than he normally did and Connor’s eyes slid closed, a craving for the other man coursing through him. Levi’s murmured words sent a prickle of awareness through him. “Told you you’re good. Don’t talk yourself out of it.”
“Thanks, man.” Connor’s voice was husky, raw from all the feels ripping him apart.
Dropping his hand, Levi stepped back and Connor could breathe again. “Can I ask you a personal question?” When Connor nodded, he continued. “Did your Prince Albert—that’s your piercing, yeah?—did it hurt?”
“Not as much as you’d think. The other ones were worse—not pain wise, but they took longer to heal.”
“I’ve thought about nipple rings but, you know—work.” He shrugged.
Connor turned to face him, his brows knitted in confusion. Levi held himself back so much because of his damn job—tattoos, piercings, bike—anything he wanted to express himself with was a no-go. “Do they have your balls in a vice? Why are they so uppity about what you can and can’t do?”
“I’ve got a morals clause in my contract. If I so much as think about doing the wrong thing, they’ll fire me. None of the stuff I want is worth my job.”
He nodded, finally understanding. “That sucks.”
“A bit, but it’s a trade-off.” Looking at his watch, he groaned. “I’m late. Gotta go.” Grinning at Connor, Levi’s face transformed, and Con’s breath caught. Levi’s radiant smile had his heart stuttering. “See you tonight, honey.” Connor lunged for him as Levi snatched a piece of crispy bacon from the pan and bit down on it. Laughing, Lee winked at him and jogged out the door, Connor grumbling good naturedly under his breath.
Connor was still wiping his hands on the rag he kept in the back pocket of his coveralls as he walked to the shop for lunch. Sweat beaded on his brow and ran down between his shoulder blades. He’d unbuttoned the coveralls and wore the arms tied around his waist. He hoped no one minded him not wearing a shirt, but it was as hot as the devil’s arse crack walking down the street. He was picking up the orders for everyone—it was the least he could do to say thank you to his father’s old partner when he was using their tools, their time and their space to rebuild Levi’s bike. It still wasn’t even close to being finished, but at least he’d started it. He’d sent the fuel tank away to be primed for painting, and some other parts were still on order, but there was plenty of wiring and reassembly of engine parts that he could do in the meantime. He didn’t notice Miranda until she stepped directly in his path. “Hi, gorgeous. How are you?”
“Hey, Miranda. I’m good. How’re you?”
“Great now that I’ve seen you. You have plans tonight? I’m stopping to get a drink before I go home. Maybe you could join me. Or you could come over for a nightcap.” She smiled sweetly at him, but he wasn’t fooled. Connor unsuccessfully tried to bite back his laughter. Underneath the sweet exterior, she had the mind of a vixen. Maybe she was exactly who he needed to spend time with rather than fixating on his impossible-to-get best friends. Seeing his hesitation, she added, “Or we could hang at Levi’s party tomorrow?”
“That’d work better. I’ve been in the workshop all day so I probably won’t be great company tonight, but tomorrow night’s great.”
“Fine,” she sighed, rolling her eyes but grinning at him. “Pick me up tomorrow night.”
“Will do.” Connor smiled but stepped back when she went to kiss him. “I’m all sweaty and greasy. You don’t want to get dirty.”