Page 28 of Simply Perfection
The entire table laughed at that comment. If Clay was annoying Logan, the man had a tendency to hit the mute button on his cochlear implant processors and ignore his lover. Of course, this drove Clay insane, but Logan only did it in good fun.If Clay caught on to Logan’s antics, he would then share Logan’s secrets with whoever stood nearby. Since Logan could also read lips, the gag inevitably came to a quick end. Matt knew firsthand that the pair never pulled either stunt during a real argument.
“So, Trevor, you work with Logan at the crime lab?” Rick asked.
“Yes, I’m the audio and video guy. I started at the lab as a tech when I was twenty-two and took over the chief analyst position about a year before Logan joined the team. I also get to process electronic hardware for active cases. I can’t tell you how many pulverized cell phones, waterlogged flash drives and seemingly deceased computers I’ve resurrected.”
“Brilliant. So ye git ter play wi’ all kind av techie gadgets?”
Trevor smiled. “I have toys that would make Steve Jobs turn over in his grave with envy.”
“Really,” Rick said, using his best Ace Ventura impression.
“Oh lord, don’t get those two started,” Ethan whispered, sitting next to Trevor.
“Why? What do the two of you do?”
“We’re both in the video game industry. Conor is a software engineer, and I’m a game designer.”
“Do you have the Xbox X console? I want one so bad! The graphics look amazing, and I’ve heard the play experience is out of this world. What’s your favorite game? I’m dying to try out the new Call of Duty.”
“Of course we have an Xbox. You’re welcome to come play it sometime. We don’t have Call of Duty, but I can probably get a copy from one of the other designers.”
Trevor’s mouth dropped open. “Oh! I didn’t mean … I wasn’t trying to imply … I get excited and my mouth runs away, sorry.”
Matt put his arm around Trevor’s shoulder and pulled him close. He placed a kiss on Trevor’s temple. He placed his lips against Trevor’s ear, “There’s nothing to apologize for,bello.Rick and Conor are good men. Their home is frequently a gathering place for everyone here.”
Trevor shrugged and looked at Matt. “Nevertheless, that was rude. I apologize.”
“There’s no need, Trevor,” Rick said. “Our home is always open to friends and their partners. Hell, the place is a zoo anyway with three kids running and crawling around. What are a couple more animals?”
Conor nodded right as his cell rang, and he stepped away to take the call. Matt saw Conor smile and say a few words. Two of them were distinctly ‘love you’. Conor came back to the table but did not sit down. He placed his hand on the back of Rick’s head. Rick leaned back against the touch then glanced up.
“That wus Calleigh. De boys are up from their nap, so playtime is over,càran.”
Rick stood and waved to everyone. “That’s our cue. Trevor, it was nice to meet you. Niall, I’m sorry we didn’t have time to talk, but we will remedy that soon.”
Niall nodded, his silent presence making him anything but invisible. Niall’s bearing was one of silent strength. Some men spoke simply to be heard, some men didn’t speak for fear of being listened to, and some men used words to change the lives of those around them. Niall was in the latter group. He didn’t speak often, but when he did, Matt was always taken to another place. Every one of Niall’s words was carefully chosen with respect to their meaning and impact. He could be light-hearted or serious, sensual or silly, but always present one hundred percent of the time. Matt had never experienced somebody like Niall, and every day he learned a little more about the man who claimed to be his soulmate.
Trevor, on the other hand, was a little more confusing. Fiercely independent, occasionally socially awkward, and friendly but reserved. Most of the time his demeanor was quiet and ratherintrospective unless, apparently, he got excited or aroused, then you couldn’t stop the flood of words from escaping.
Yet Matt had witnessed more than once already that when Trevor let go of his tight control for even a moment, and morphed into a twenty-eight year old outgoing man, as soon as the action was recognized, Trevor’s presence immediately shriveled into a shadow of what he was with profuse apologies. Matt had to wonder if this behavior somehow went back to Trevor’s childhood—a little boy walking on eggshells around parents too caught up in their own drama and diseases to recognize the effect on their child. There was still a lot to learn about Trevor, but Matt was looking forward to the lessons.
Matt, Trevor, Niall, Ryan, and Ethan finished their late lunches. His two friends seemed to hit it off with his two lovers, and the atmosphere was comfortable, which made Matt exceedingly happy. He watched Trevor’s smile slowly creep back and heard Niall’s soft chuckle from time to time. Niall’s hand landed on Matt’s thigh beneath the table, the touch burning Matt through his track pants. Trevor had turned and was in a heated discussion with Ethan about classic movies—apparently Trevor was an enthusiast—his back against Matt’s arm. Matt opened up and let Trevor relax against him, wrapping his arm around Trevor’s waist and letting his fingers rub up and down Trevor’s stomach.
The combination of Trevor in his arms and Niall’s touch on his leg was causing Matt’s libido to kick into high gear. He wanted to feel the naked flesh of both these men again. He wanted to taste their skin and smell their arousal. His hand slipped beneath the wooden surface to cover Niall’s. With a few adjustments, and Niall’s hand covered Matt’s hardening cock arching across his hip. Matt almost let a groan escape when Niall squeezed and used the heel of his palm to rub the head. Trevor must have feltMatt tense because he tilted his head back, nearly upside down, to see what he and Niall were up to.
“E, I think it’s time to leave the lovebirds alone. I haven’t heard a word out of Matt for going on five minutes, and that has to be a record. Judging by the beads of sweat on his upper lip, I’d say Matt’s getting a bit hot under the collar—or possibly, pants.”
Ethan leaned forward and looked at Matt down the table. “Yes, I see what you mean. Flushed cheeks, dilated pupils. Oh, and lookie there—an erratic pulse throbbing in his neck. You’re right, Ry, either he’s about to throw his men on the table and ravish them or have a heart attack.” He looked over at his husband. “Do you think we should make our excuses or call 911?”
“I vote for ravishment,” Trevor said.
“I second,” Niall added.
Matt looked at Ethan and Ryan, both with smug expressions on their faces. “You heard them.”
Ryan stood and tossed some dollar bills onto the table. “Might I suggest you at least find somewhere a bit more private before your baser needs take control? I’m sure the patrons of this fine establishment wouldn’t mind seeing three stunning men writhing on the tables in ecstasy, but the health department might take issue.”
Matt looked down at Trevor, hanging upside down across his chest, and over at Niall next to him. “My place is only five minutes from here.”
