Page 28 of Hacker Beloved

Antonio pulled Kat closer to his body, his arm encircling her waist, and leaned in planting a tender kiss on her lips. As they pulled back, their eyes locked and they exchanged a look I couldn't decipher.

Antonio then turned his attention to Paolo. "We've arranged a suite for you on this floor. It's just us up here, and the tech team in Ft Lauderdale will be monitoring the area," he said, ensuring Paolo that the security measures were in place.

With their plans for the night settled, Kat and Antonio made their way toward the door, Paolo following closely behind. The camaraderie and trust within the group were palpable.

As everyone left the patio, a sense of unease washed over me, leaving me feeling uncertain and overwhelmed. Asher sensed my internal turmoil as he approached me and pulled me into a deep, comforting kiss. In that moment, his presence provided solace and a respite from the chaos that swirled within me.

When we pulled back from the kiss, CJ leaned casually against the door frame that led back into the hotel suite, his expression understanding. "Let's take this inside," he suggested, his voice gentle. "It's starting to get chilly out here."

Asher guided me over to the couch, and CJ joined us, handing each of us a glass of wine. The atmosphere in the room became more relaxed, the dim lighting casting a soothing ambiance.

CJ broke the silence, addressing the weighty matters we had discussed earlier. "Do you want to discuss the meeting we had?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern. "I understand that learning about your parents' deaths and the impending retrieval of the safety deposit box can be overwhelming. It's a lot to process, and we need to be prepared for any potential dangers that may arise."

Asher's protective instincts kicked in, evident in his grumbled response. "I don't like the idea of you heading into danger," he admitted, his voice laced with worry. "Maybe we find a double and keep you outside."

Taking a sip of wine, I contemplated his words, my mind whirling with a jumble of emotions and possibilities. The weight of the upcoming mission pressed upon me. “I’m doing this, but I don’t want to talk about my parents or the impending danger tomorrow. Can I just have a night with you two?”

The exchange between Asher and CJ took a surprising turn, leaving me slightly bewildered. Asher tilted my chin, ensuring our eyes met, while CJ held my hand firmly in his grasp.

Asher began, his touch simultaneously grounding and comforting. "Before we go any further, we need to talk about our expectations," he whispered. "Are you looking for just one night with CJ and me, and nothing more?"

Confusion welled up within me as I processed Asher's question. I hadn't considered the possibility of a deeper connection between the three of us. The thought of fitting into their established relationship, especially considering they lived in Florida. The geographical distance between us, felt daunting.

CJ ’s grip on my hand tightening as he interjected. "These are important conversations to have," he reassured me, his voice filled with sincerity. "We need to explore what you want and what feels right for all of us. It's not about displacing or forcing anyone to make drastic life changes. It will also help set up everyone’s expectations if you don’t want us more than one night—we’ll know where you stand."

“I like you guys. But I’ve never done anything like this before.”

CJ continued. "Let's say you decide to stay in Raleigh, and we pursue a relationship. Asher has a private jet, and we could easily spend time together, either with frequent visits or even consider a possible relocation. We can work things out, step by step."

"But you both have your lives and careers there," I countered, uncertain about how I would fit into their existing dynamic.

CJ smiled gently, squeezing my hand reassuringly. "Technically, I work mostly behind the computer," he explained. "I have flexibility and can spend more time up here with you than Asher. It's not an insurmountable obstacle."

Asher's firmness interrupted CJ's statement. "That's not happening," he declared. “We will both go visit her.”

“You also could come spend time with us since you can bring your equipment to Florida.” CJ paused. “But I want you to think about the fact you will be with two men. Neither of us will shy away from kissing you in public or both of us holding your hand at the same time. There are people in the world who will comment.”

“Let them,” I replied. “I’m worried I could fall deeply for you both and would always worry about being on the outside.”

As the conversation delved deeper into the intricacies of our potential relationship, Asher's words resonated with a sense of wisdom. "Keeping communication open is crucial," he affirmed, his gaze filled with sincerity. “Doubts might creep into all our minds, but as long as we maintain open lines of communication, we can work through them together."

"I tend to let my thoughts wonder a little too much at night and they can turn dark," I admitted, my voice tinged with vulnerability. "I have to get better at communicating my feelings, but I’ve never had a relationship like that…it will take time to adjust.”

CJ pulled my hand up to his mouth and kissed it. “I’m a night owl and dark thoughts flood my mind at night. So, instead of us keeping them to ourselves we talk them out."

Only two days and I’m mapping out a future with these two men. “Do you think this all is a little fast?”

CJ let out a soft chuckle, his eyes gleaming with affection. "The Ross men have a tendency to find someone they like and hold on tight," he mused, his gaze shifting between Asher and me. "I met Asher when his brother Alex hired White Hat Security to assist with a hack. Ten minutes after the introduction Asher pulled me into his office and never let me go home."

"He's lying. I let him collect his clothing and his computer," he retorted, a playful smirk dancing across his lips. The banter between them underscored the deep connection they shared and the comfort they found in each other's presence.

The question of intimacy surfaced, and I voiced my confusion. "So, are we only intimate when we're all together? I'm not quite sure how this works," I admitted, my brows furrowing.

Asher tilted his head, considering my question. "There will be times when it's just me and Asher on a date. Other times when it's just you and one of us, and some when we're all together," he explained. "We won't keep track of who did what with whom. Instead, we'll let things happen organically. If someone ever feels left out, it's important that we address it immediately."

Taking a sip of my wine, I contemplated the depth of our conversation. "This is quite a profound discussion considering we haven't even been on a date together," I remarked, a hint of amusement lacing my words.

Asher's expression grew serious as he paused for a moment. "Oh, we will take you out," he assured me. "But before we get there, there's one more important aspect of this relationship we need to discuss." He glanced at CJ, a subtle exchange passing between them. "BDSM is a significant part of our sex life. Are you open to exploring it? CJ mentioned that you have some familiarity with it."

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