Seth’s fingers jerked a little in his hand, almost like he suddenly couldn’t touch him because of what Leaf had just said. It didn’t sit right with Dev.
“I blow you once and you think you can say whatever you want in front of your husband, when you should know better than that, Leaf.” Dev looked at Leaf, carefully keeping his expression and tone of voice in check so that he didn’t sound too severe. “There’s a time and place for everything, including my reward, but this isn’t it. I’m not here to make Seth uncomfortable.”
Leaf looked at him with something like mild embarrassment mixed with amusement and pride, even. “Well, aren’t I positively scolded,” he murmured.
Seth squeezed Dev’s fingers. “He forgets sometimes,” he said quietly. “I just… I’m not a prude. Hell, you know that based on what we talked about when you were at our place.” He was obviously referring to the whole slightly kinky stuff he liked, which Dev found kind of cute.
“No, you aren’t, and I’m sorry,” Leaf said, reaching out to cover their hands with his.
Dev could understand. They were all new at this, everything was exciting, and Leaf seemed more sensual than most guys Dev had ever been with. Dev didn’t think with his cock—at least Dev didn’t see it that way—but he liked sex, and he was very much into both Seth and Leaf.
“So, what are you guys going to do with the rest of your day?” Dev changed the subject, withdrew his hand, and bit into the chocolate chip muffin with a happy moan.
“Grading and dogs,” Seth said, sighing. “What we do most days, really.”
“Aww, at least I have more work to do.”
“How’s the project going?” Leaf asked, and Dev could tell he was genuinely interested.
“It’s getting there. So far we’re on schedule and everything.” He grimaced. “Although you should never say that sort of thing—might jinx it.”
A surprisingly delicate shudder traveled through Leaf’s body, and Seth snorted.
“What?” Dev looked from one to the other.
“He’s a bit superstitious like that too.” Seth pointed at Leaf.
“Hey! It’s not superstition as much as it’s covering your bases. Why set yourself up for failure, and all that.” Again, it seemed like Seth and Leaf had discussed this many times before, and Dev smiled.
It definitely wasn’t one of the things he’d thought he’d find within a poly relationship with a couple who had been together for a long time, but he liked it. Some might be jealous of these things, but for Dev, they showed ease and comfort, and settled in some way he couldn’t explain.
They fell into more easy banter while finishing the treats and cleaning up the trash after.
“All right, I think I need to get to work,” Dev said finally, as much as he didn’t want to.
“Reward another time?” Leaf murmured into his ear when they hugged goodbye.
“Yeah, definitely.”
Seth took Leaf’s place and pressed a kiss to Dev’s lips. “We should have our own date night soon, honey. Had one with this one and we missed you.”
“I know. We’ll try to figure out a time, okay?” Dev kissed Seth again and rolled his eyes when a possessive hand that was not Seth’s landed on his ass.
“Let’s go before you molest him,” Seth told Leaf, who gave Dev a quick kiss before following Seth out the door.
Dev went to begin his workday in surprisingly good spirits. Usually after pulling an all-nighter, he was groggy most of the evening. Today that didn’t seem the case. His schedule might flip into a series of all-nighters, sure, and those became easier after a while, but not like this.
Even Angel noticed the difference in him when he came home with some takeout. Dev explained something about sleeping well into the afternoon and the miracle of caffeine, but he was pretty sure his brother suspected something. He’d have to tell Angel eventually, just not quite yet.
Chapter Eight
SETH CHUCKLEDas he walked through the house to the backyard, where Leaf was training the dogs. They didn’t really need it, but keeping them sharp was always good and, for a harebrained thing like Missy, vital.
“What are you laughing about?” Leaf asked, smiling from where he was tossing a ball to Missy as a reward.
“Oh, Dev just texted me something funny. It’s a long story,” Seth said, and decided not to comment on the fond look on Leaf’s face.
“Want to do a few rounds of hide and seek? One for each pup?” Leaf asked, getting up from the crouch he’d been in.
