Laid Bare - Lauren Dane [62]
Ben laughed. “What? You think you’re the only guy who gets off on kink? Seattle is a kinky town . . . or so I hear. Certainly seems that way when I’m out and about.” He paused before continuing. “My ex Caroline and I had a triad, a relationship with another man, for nearly four years. I’m pretty sure I’m a poly kind of guy.”
Todd just stared at Ben, dumbfounded. Erin had known his best friend better than he had.
“I can’t believe you never said.”
“That what? I’m bi and lived in a threesome? You lived in Boston and until you came back here you seemed very straightlaced about sexuality, so I didn’t think it was something you’d want to know.”
Todd wondered what that tug low in his gut meant, but then only felt shame that he’d not been open enough for a friend to come to. “I’m sorry, Ben. Sorry you didn’t feel safe enough to come to me or to be open around me. I don’t care that you’re bi. I don’t care that you’re kinky. God knows I’m not one to judge; I get off when I bite my girlfriend and when I think about watching her have sex with other people.” He shrugged. “I only care that you’re happy. What happened? With Caroline, I mean.”
Ben grinned. “She got a transfer to Austin and I stayed here. I loved her and Greg, our third, but we all sort of went our separate ways. It was time to end it, I suppose. As for you, you kinky bastard, who’d have guessed? If you ever . . . Well if you’re ever looking for a third, let me know.” Ben blushed a bit and suddenly the front of Todd’s jeans seemed a lot tighter.
“Really? I mean, if she was up for it, you’d . . .” Todd sent a questioning glance at Ben.
“Would I love the chance to see Erin naked? To see her nipple rings and hear her gasp around the cock in her mouth?” Ben raised a brow in his direction. “To quote the kids these days: duh.” He hesitated but then continued. “Uh, if you were interested in more, I’d be good with that, too.”
A flush worked through him at the image of Ben’s mouth on him.
“Okay. I’ll think about it.” He cleared his throat.
19
Erin had settled herself into the big overstuffed chair in a corner of the living room and was strumming the guitar, breaking to scribble something down occasionally, when the workday finished and Todd came back upstairs with Ben.
She stopped when she noticed them both smiling.
“Hey, you two.” She moved to put her guitar down and Ben put a hand on her arm.
“Wait. Will you play something?”
She blushed.
“Please? I love your voice.”
“I’d love that, too.” Todd sat across from her and Ben joined him.
She licked her lips and pulled the guitar back to her lap, dropping her legs to the floor. “Any requests? Covers? Sometimes playing my own stuff is odd.” She shrugged and Todd realized a lot of the stuff she sang on the Mud Bay CDs was about Adele and then about losing her.
Ben moved forward and touched her leg. “Yeah, I get that. How about ‘Untouchable Face’? I love your cover of that one.”
She smiled and started to play and Todd loved the magic she made. The song was sad but playful and her body language changed when she got to the title punch line.
When she finished, he and Ben both clapped and she laughed, putting the guitar in the case.
“Thanks. Stop now! I’m better on the bass, not singing, but I do love that one.”
“You write using a guitar, though? Not a bass?” Ben asked and then looked shy. “Sorry, I don’t want you to feel like I’m nosy. I just love your music.”
Erin leaned out to drop a kiss on his cheek. “Nothing to apologize for. Really, I’m flattered you’d actually care.”
“Good. I do care. I find the whole process fascinating.” Ben stood, clearing his throat. “I’m grabbing a beer. You want one? That is, if I’m welcome for dinner. I do smell something really good.”
Erin laughed and a rush of love poured through Todd for her. For Ben too. How fortunate was he to have such people in his life?
“Of course you’re welcome. I