Page 52 of Forgotten Promise

“This is probably a mistake,” Kailani said, her gaze flipping from John to Benjamin and then back.

Of course it was. She thought everything involving him or his family was a mistake. Benjamin shoved back from the table. “If you’ll excuse me.”

He was going to lock himself in the bedroom on this floor. And if they decided to fuck on the table, he’d go take a shower so he didn’t have to hear anything because it would kill him to—

John grabbed his shoulder, whirling him around and pushing him up against the closest wall.

Benjamin’s back hit, his breath whooshing out. Then he was breathless for a different reason as John leaned in, pinning him in place, before sealing their lips together.

The kiss tasted like hops and desire.

Benjamin let out a low moan of need and wrapped his arms desperately around him. He could feel John’s hard cock against his thigh and knew John could feel his in turn.

A hand brushed Benjamin’s, tugging it until he released his hold on John.

Benjamin lifted his head, looking to the side, where Kailani stood, her hands around his wrist.

“I was trying to get you to let me in,” she said softly.

Benjamin looked between the two of them, silently asking if they were really doing this. Kailani’s brow creased, and Benjamin could feel the desire-fueled moment of insanity passing.

John, still with his side pressed against Benjamin’s chest, wrapped an arm around her, yanking her forward so she fell against their chests.

John cupped the back of each of their heads. He leaned down and kissed Kailani; this time it was hard and fast, and this close to them, Benjamin could hear the small, quiet, needy sound Kailani made. Then John’s lips were on his, and as he’d seen with Kailani, this kiss was quick. A demand.

Benjamin let his eyes close, actively suppressing his urge to take control of the situation. He trusted John. Trusted him enough to lead them through this. God knew he had a bad track record when it came to Kailani…maybe when it came to relationships in general.

Pressure on the back of his head made him lean down, yet it was still a surprise when his lips touched Kailani’s. This was both familiar and foreign. Their kiss was tentative at first, a decade of animosity lingering between them. But he wanted this, wanted to taste her.

Benjamin cupped her head, his hand on top of John’s, and claimed her mouth.

Kailani nipped his tongue, and he sucked her lower lip into his mouth and bit it.

“Enough.” John’s quiet command broke them apart.

Benjamin lifted his head, panting. Kailani had a faint frown line between her brows.

John shifted his grip to their shoulders and dragged them both across the room, through the door to the downstairs bedroom. The bed was wide, the comforter a pristine white. Pillows were piled high and deep against the leather-wrapped headboard.

John put a hand on Benjamin’s chest and pushed, shoving him back toward the bed. “Strip.”

Benjamin stopped, looking from the bed to John to Kailani. John was whispering something in Kailani’s ear. She rose on tiptoe to whisper her own response. Benjamin debated walking out, walking away. It would be the smart move.

But dammit, he wanted this. Wanted them. Since their fight after the binding ceremony, he’d been sure he’d never share a bed, let alone a life, with them.

And maybe that was why this was okay, why this would work. Because there was no real future for them. There was a good chance Kailani would be the acting Grand Master, and if so, she would dissolve their trinity.

So this might be it. His one chance to experience something he thought he never would. Something he was afraid to admit he wanted even now, as he began to unbutton his shirt.

John and Kailani finished their whispered conversation, and then John turned her to face the bed. Standing behind her, he pulled her thin jacket off her shoulders, then stripped her of the long tunic top she wore under it.

The key she wore on a chain around her neck glinted, but Benjamin’s attention was drawn to her breasts, the black bra a contrast against her pale skin. John yanked down her leggings, revealing skin shades darker than her upper body. That summer they spent together, she’d worn bikinis for the aesthetic only. When swimming, she wore a long-sleeved rash-guard or swim top, and based on her tan, she still did that. Somehow the fact that he knew this about her, that he knew her, even after all this time, made it easier for Benjamin to toe off his shoes, then unfasten and drop his pants.

“Benjamin, get on the bed, in the middle, and lean back against the pillows.”

He stripped off his socks but left his boxer briefs on. His cock was tenting the front, perilously close to poking out, but he adjusted the fabric as he got into position, stacking pillows so his back was supported while he sprawled in a semi-reclined position.

“On the bed. I want you to kiss him,” John commanded.

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