Phoenix swirled the melted butter into the creamy potatoes then lifted a bite for me. Mashed potatoes were my comfort food, but they took on a whole new energy when fed to me.
Then he and Atlas waited, no fuss, while Everest gave me the bite of meat. I could already tell that I was in love with all three of them. Step one of my plan was working out spectacularly, except that my other interests were taking priority over food.
“I hate to cut this short, because this is absolutely delicious and I haven’t even tried the peas, but”—I nodded toward the spanking bench—“I’d really like to give that a try.”
They talked over each other, and I did my best to hear each question.
“All right, any special requests?” Atlas asked.
“Do you have a preference for order?” Phoenix added.
And Everest, “How many people can touch you at one time?”
I reached my hands to the center of the table, wiggling my fingers to get them to join me. When we were all holding hands, and my world tipped completely off its axis in the best way, I said, “You don’t have to worry about all touching me at once. When Atlas stood close behind me and Phoenix at the bonfire, I didn’t want more space… I needed Everest to come closer. If I get overwhelmed, I promise I’ll let you know.”
“And you have your safe word, the stoplight system,” Atlas reminded.
Everest asked, “What do you say, if you need us to immediately stop everything?”
The color system was weird to me, but I understood how it was necessary with certain dynamics, and if needed, I would definitely use it. “Red.”
“Good. And what does yellow mean?” Phoenix asked.
“We need to take a break and check in.”
“And if you’re good to go?”
“Green.”
“Where are you right now?” Atlas asked.
“I’m as green as these peas on the plate. I know that would have been a tricky one for you to feed me.” What the heck? Nerves were making me silly.
Phoenix stabbed a few peas with his fork. “We can make anything work.”
I accepted the bite and chewed them quickly.
“Are these your favorite foods?” Everest asked.
“Steak and potatoes rank pretty high for me.” I hesitated, but I couldn’t lie and say I didn’t know how peas ended up on the menu. I might as well come clean.
“I’ve been trying to come up with what to call you, as a group. I tried different acronyms with the first letters of your names, but none of them work. PEA was the funniest one, so I had to include them in dinner.”
Everest seemed to consider the possibilities. “Thank goodness, you didn’t choose APE.”
Atlas stood and circled the table until he was standing behind me. “I get a sense that you’re stalling. What’s your color?”
I didn’t mean to hesitate but the heat of his body engulfed me from behind. “Green.”
His thick hands rested on my shoulders. “And if I want to move you to the spanking bench?”
This was really happening. I took a few deep breaths.
“Stay with me, babygirl. What color are you if we move to the bench?”
“Green… Daddy.” My voice was practically breathless but I managed a smile before adding the nickname.
He rubbed my shoulders and stroked my hair while his brothers stood, readying to move on to the next part of our adventure.
