“Oh.” Arden’s soft exclamation drew their attention. “You’re here!” He shifted to sit up crosslegged, and sent a conspiratorial smile Beckett’s way.
Beckett snorted a laugh as he finished drawing the curtains and went over to join Arden by the fire.
“Your plan to lure me here, was it?” Jack asked as he strolled down the length of the room. Beckett flung himself into one of the chairs that were set across from each other either side of the hearth, lounging comfortably.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Arden said, beaming up at him. His large eyes glittered in the dancing firelight, bright and happy.
Jack didn’t stop until he was practically on top of Arden. He reached down and gently lifted Arden’s face to his. His cheeks were warm from the fire. Under Jack’s regard and touch his skin heated further, until it felt like hot silk against his palms. His lashes fluttered and he looked away.
He looked to Beckett.
Good, Jack thought fiercely. That was good.
Arden’s gaze bounced back to Jack’s, and he slowly moved to his knees. Another quick check at Beckett, who nodded at him, and Arden placed his hands on Jack’s thighs, sliding them up as he stretched to a high kneel. “Kiss me hello,” he said, and scowled when it came out as a questioning warble rather than the teasing demand Jack suspected he’d intended.
Bending down, holding Arden in place, Jack dusted his mouth with a soft kiss. He went back for another, and when he lifted away, their lips clung.
Jack traced a thumb under Arden’s eye, following the delicate shape of it. Arden did his very best to return Jack’s hungry stare but it was a matter of mere seconds before his lashes fluttered and he glanced away.
Jack didn’t mind. He continued to stroke the sweet face tipped up to his, rosy in the firelight.
The hands on Jack’s thighs turned into little claws, fingers digging in. A shadow fell over Arden’s face.
Beckett.
He stood behind Arden, sandwiching him between them.
A position Arden would find himself in many, many times in the future.
Beckett slid his hands under Arden’s arms and lifted him to his feet.
Dark eyes watched Jack over Arden’s head as Beckett slid an arm around Arden’s waist and tightened. He slipped a hand up to collar Arden’s throat firmly.
Arden lifted up onto his toes.
“Kiss him properly,” Beckett said.
“I did,” Arden said with a hint of indignation. His protest turned into an undignified squawk when Beckett’s big hand covered Arden’s mouth as he nipped at Arden’s ear and said. “Shh. Not talking to you.”
Arden batted at his forearm and when that didn’t help, he pinched the back of Beckett’s wrist.
Jack grinned when Arden immediately mumbled something that sounded like “Sorry, sorry,” and rubbed the spot he’d pinched.
Beckett grinned back at him. He moved his hand from Arden’s mouth to his chin, and tipped it up for Jack.
Arden’s lips parted and his breathing picked up.
“Hush,” Beckett murmured, resting a cheek to the top of Arden’s head. “It’s all right.”
“I know,” Arden said. “Iknow, I—oh. Mmm.”
Jack ducked down and kissed him.
He didn’t keep it light and sweet. He didn’t show Arden the depth of his hunger and need either, of course. He’d only been here in the room with them a few minutes. He didn’t want to pounce on him like an animal the moment he walked through the door.
But he drew back the shadows just a little, licking Arden’s pretty mouth open and taking possession with one deep glide.
It was a good thing that Beckett was there. Arden almost fell over.
