“You’re tickling me,” he grumbled playfully at the sleepy man.
Monty’s hair was a mess, one side stuck up. He had sheet creases on one cheek, yet he was too cute for words with the sulky pout. “I wasn’t.”
Monty rolled off the bed, scratching his tiny ass. One that bounced when he walked into the bathroom, distracting Rue.
His morning wood took notice, and Rue found himself in a predicament. Should he go after Monty? They hadn’t had sex without Kendrick’s presence in one form or another since the first time he’d come here in the middle of the night. It was like an unwritten rule that sat between all three of them. That’s what it felt like to Rue.
“I was just breathin’,” Monty called from the bathroom before the sound of the shower starting.
It struck Rue that he was laughing when Monty’s head popped out of the bathroom and he gave him a mock glare before disappearing once more.
Rue blushed self-consciously as he eyed the open door. It was all so normal. Relationship normal.
His unease turned to panic, and he shot out of the bed like his ass was on fire, hunting up his clothes to dress and head home.
What the ever-loving fuck was he doing? “I’ll catch you at work,” he called into the bathroom, keys in hand. He was heading out the door before Monty even replied.
All the way home, he kicked himself for acting like a dick. Like that asshole who was a commitment phobic and didn’t have the decency to hang around. Seeing it was early, he thought he’d be able to slip into the house undetected and shower before anyone noticed he’d not been home. Only the universe had other ideas as he came through the front door, face to face with Jupiter.
His nose wrinkled, and he laughed so hard his body shook. “And another bites the dust!”
The panic he’d felt at Monty’s reared right back up.
“What are you talkin’ ‘bout!” he asked stupidly. Clearly, he had lost all sensibility, engaging in this conversation with Jupiter when he’d not even had a coffee to get his brain firing.
“First Taylin, then Booker, followed by Silas. Now, the mighty Rue has joined the PA shagfest.” A light shone in Jupiter’s eyes that made Rue wary, and with good cause when Jupiter continued, “Only little brother likes to crowd his bed with extra meat. How’s that workin’ for you with Kendrick back in Bayfield?”
Rue was at a loss on how to answer. Fright quickly drove him to glance around, making sure no one else was within earshot. “None of your damn business,” he spluttered indignantly.
Jupiter’s slim shoulders shrugged as he came forward and patted Rue’s arm. “If you ever want any pointers, then you knowwhere I am. But I suggest you pack a bag to avoid the creeping in and acting shady.”
“Pointers from you, how would that work when you’re all about fucking and pissing off before anyone gets attached cause you’re too fucking scared of relationships?” It was temper that had him saying what was in his head. Jupiter blanched and Rue regretted it immediately, knowing he was just deflecting from his own lack.
“Touché, little brother. But I’m not the only one scared of relationships. You, at least, have a chance of getting what you want. Don’t squander it.”
The distress coming from Jupiter made it hard to know how to answer. Sadness dripped from the words, like someone had turned on the tap and drenched them both, leaving an icy chill in its wake. Then he was gone, out the door, closing it quietly behind him.
“Fuck it all!” Rue ground out, feeling like shit.
“He’s more sensitive than all of you.” Popi’s quiet voice made Rue jerk around to the stairs and groan under his breath, wondering how much of the conversation he’d overheard.
His expression wasn’t one of disgust, but that didn’t mean Popi hadn’t heard what they were talking about.
“He’s…” Words failed Rue because, like all the adopted brothers, they all had secrets. Secrets they didn’t share. Jupiter never spoke about his past.
Popi came towards him, wrapping his arms around his waist, hugging hard. The effortless affection, Rue had learned, could still make him tremble. Popi was so small next to Rue, so he was careful when he hugged him back, needing it like oxygen to soothe the pain in his chest. This man was his savior, and Rue never forgot that.
It took several seconds for two things to sink in past the morning chaos: he smelled of Monty, and sex.
Why me!
He dropped his arms, hinting that it was time to let go, so he could escape.
Only, Popi didn’t let go. Instead, he looked up at him and smiled in a way that said the questions were coming. “So, what time do you call this getting home?”
“Popi!” he groaned, unable to look away from the inquisitive stare. It had always been this way. The man was the best inquisitor Rue had ever met, and professionals had trained him not to spill secrets. It was all in those love-filled eyes, they slayed Rue’s heart.
“What? Shouldn’t you take some clothes to Monty’s, so you don’t have to sneak back in the house in the morning to shower for work?”
