The Bohemians (6 page)

“I hope you do.” Topaz chuckled, nuzzled into the touch. “You feel so good.”

Quince nodded. “Yeah, you, too.”

They shared a long, slow kiss, almond eyes shining at him. “Hungry, Gemini?”

“I just came twice, but yeah, I still am. You’re something else, Topaz.”

“Mm... Quincy. Kiss me.”

“Yes, Topaz.”

He took his lover’s mouth, kissing Topaz deeply, feeling the need try to crawl back up his spine, his cock twitching. Topaz purred and cuddled, hands moving over his body, stroking, massaging.

He touched back, taking pleasure in the caresses for their own sake.

A series of soft mewls sounded, a trio of kittens slowly crawling along the bed and Topaz giggled. “The babies are curious.”

He laughed, Topaz’s laughter contagious. “They’re yours?” he asked.

“No, they’re Moira’s babies, but I feed them and love them and Moira’s been with me for eight years.” Topaz pointed to the tortoiseshell beauty perched on a basket.Quince laughed harder. “I knew they weren’t your babies, Topaz.”

Topaz blinked up at him for a second and then started giggling, holding onto him, laughter mixed with his own.He brought their mouths together, tasting the joy on Topaz’s lips.

Oh, God, the man was addictive. So joyous. So free. He was doomed.

Chapter Eight

A feast was laid out on the table, hummus and tabouleh and pitas and spreads and three different kinds of fresh bread. Not to mention strawberries, melons, pineapple and cherries, avocado soaking in lemon juice and mushrooms floating in malted vinegar.

Leo had outdone himself in choosing and he had arranged it all to absolute perfection on the table. To make up for the lateness of the hour it was laid out at.

They had invited Topaz and Quincy to breakfast and it was well after noon before they were ready to serve their guests.

Stephan shot a heated look at Leo. Of course if their guests didn’t hurry, he was going to spread the apple butter all over his lover and race the ants in licking it off.

Leo lifted a strawberry and rubbed it against his lips. “I love you. Should we call them?”

He hummed, opening his lips around the berry and sucking on it before biting into the succulent flesh. “I don’t know, Leo, would you have wanted to be called while we were in the shower?” He grinned wickedly. “Or in the bedroom. Or the kitchen. Or the hall.”

His lover chuckled, shook his head, long black hair flying. “No, I suppose not. Well, not unless they were asking to join us, yes?”

“Oh yes!” He felt his cock stir at that. “We can always use more joy, can we not, my Leo?”

“Always, love.”

Leo offered him a sweet, long kiss, only stopping when Topaz’s laughter sounded. “So hungry, loves?”

Stephan beamed up at his lover before turning and holding his hands out to Topaz and Quincy. “And wouldn’t you be, if you had such a fine man to hunger for?” Oh, Sunshine looked happy, sated and hungry at the same time. Their boy was in love. Quincy was a little harder to read, but Stephan hoped the light flush meant that the new man in Topaz’s life was as smitten as Topaz himself. “In fact, my dears, we were debating whether or not to send a search party for you when we got... well... distracted.” He laughed, leaning back against Leo. “Again.”Topaz took his hands, kissing his knuckles. “Sweet insatiable Daisy.”

Leo chuckled. “Indeed. Our hungry flower. Good morning, Quincy.”

“G...good morning.” Quincy gave them a rather bemused smile.

“Come and sit,” Stephan invited, eager to put the man at ease. “Topaz has come, I hope, to look upon what is ours as his, and Leo and I would be pleased if you would do so as well, isn’t that right, lover?”

“Yes. Come and eat and tell us whether the kittens approved of you.” Leo winked, pulling out a chair.

Quincy chuckled. “Actually, I think they did. They didn’t seem to mind my petting.”

“Moira let them come right up into the bed. He’s a keeper, Daisy. Oooh! Mushrooms!” Topaz snatched one, moaning at the flavor.

Stephan laughed with delight and happiness. “Oh, Sunshine, you’re a treasure. You make sure you hold on tight to this one, Quincy -- your life with never be dull again.”

Topaz beamed at him, leaning over for a gentle kiss. “You’re too good to me, Daisy.”

He slid his tongue along Topaz’s lower lip, tasting something new there -- slightly bitter, it could only be Quincy. The kiss was short, easy and then Topaz moved into Quincy’s arms, lifting his face for another kiss.

Quincy hesitated a moment, looking from him and back to Sunshine again. Oh dear.

“You okay, Gemini love?” Topaz’s voice was soft, pretty eyes looking up.

Quincy glanced back at him again and he tried to give the man a reassuring smile, sliding his hand into Leo’s. They were no threat to this man, though he was one to them; he would really hate to lose their Sunshine. Really, really very much.

“I just... yeah. I’m fine.” Quincy gave Topaz a quick, almost chaste kiss.

Leo drew Stephan into a warm embrace, lips brushing near his ear. “Should we leave them alone, love? Should we say something? Our Topaz... he’ll never get jealousy.””I don’t know.” He looked up into his lover’s beautiful eyes, worried. He didn’t want to lose their Sunshine, but he didn’t want to come between Topaz and Quincy either, not with the way their lover’s eyes lingered on the man.

He glanced back over, Quincy looking awkward and not nearly as blissful as he had moments ago.

Sighing Stephan gave Leo another kiss. “We deal with it here and now, lover. Flowers can’t grow if they’re choked by weeds.”

Leo nodded, trusting him implicitly as always. “Come and sit, boys. Let’s eat and talk.”

They sat and Stephan watched them fill their plates, utterly unable to eat himself. He waited, as a polite host should, until they’d had a bite or two before broaching the subject. He didn’t know if there was a right way or a wrong way to do it, so he just came out with it. “Quincy, has Topaz explained our relationship to you?”

Quincy froze.

Topaz slid one hand over Quincy’s, petting. “’s okay, Gemini. No stress, love.”

Leo’s hand was on Stephan’s thigh, warm and wide. Solid. Comforting.

“But have you told him, Sunshine?”

“He said you guys used to be lovers,” Quincy put in, arm going around Topaz’ shoulders.

“Used to be?” His heart fell as he turned his attention to Topaz, squeezing Leo’s hand tight.

“No, Gemini. I said we were lovers and that Stephan and Leo were soul mates, a pair that loves me. Partners.” Topaz looked up at Quincy, stroking his jaw. “A pair like us.”

Leo’s thumb stroked his hand, a soft, pained sound rumbling. Their Sunshine always believed the best, always trusted.

“Yeah, but now that we’re together...” Quincy looked over at him and Leo and then back at Topaz a frown growing on the pretty face. “You’re still gonna be fucking them, too?”

Topaz paled, light just fading from their Sunshine. “I...”Those almond eyes swung toward Leo, begging for help and Leo’s rumble increased. “We’ll support you whatever you two decide, you know that, T.”

“You’ll support... whatever we... Jesus, what am I cramping your orgy style or something?” Quincy pulled away from Topaz. “So I’m special, am I? Or just one of how many?”

“You are special! I don’t sleep around! I never have! Never.” Topaz’s eyes filled with tears, their Sunshine’s hurt as evident as his joy always was. “I’ve been with Ku and Daisy for years while I looked for you.”

Stephan whimpered, wanting to stop this, to take it back and not have brought it up.

“And you’re going to keep being with them, aren’t you? Aren’t I enough? You told me...” Quincy swallowed his words looking miserable. The man stood. “I’m sorry. I think I’ve made a mistake.”

“Please.” The single word was shattered, Topaz shrinking in his chair.

“I have to go,” said Quincy, voice rough, eyes bright with tears.

Or maybe that was just the tears in his own eyes. Stephan could not have held back from going to their Sunshine for anything and he didn’t even try, moving around the table to take Topaz in his arms.

Leo stood, voice rough. “Please, Quincy. Stay. He loves you. Please just stay and we’ll talk. Or if that won’t work, then you and Topaz talk.”

“No, I think I’ve heard enough talk, thank you very much. I think I’m just going to go now. God, I can’t believe I was such an idiot.”

Stephan rocked Topaz, tears slipping down his cheeks as he shared his friend’s pain. He didn’t watch as Quincy left.

Eventually Topaz’s tears dried and their Sunshine pulled away, hollow-eyed and empty. “I’m going to bed, lovelies. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Oh, Sunshine, lover, are you sure? You don’t have to be alone.” He looked up to Leo, begging his lover for help, wanting Leo to fix it.

“Come to our bed, pretty lover.” Leo bent down and lifted Topaz up, cradling their Sunshine in huge arms. “You can hide with us and not from us.”

Topaz sobbed and nodded, curling into Leo’s chest. “Bring the berries, lover, and the aspirin, he’ll need it.”Stephan nodded, wiping at his cheeks, though new tears took the place of old ones. He gathered the berries and the aspirin and the twelve-grain bread that Topaz liked so much along with the orange juice and then followed after them.

He was so mad at himself. Why had he insisted on bringing it up? It was all his fault their Sunshine was hurting so badly.

“Stop it, Stephan.” Leo’s voice was low, sure. “Better now than later. You know our Topaz. It would have come up. He shares his heart, he always has. Come and I’ll hold you. Hold you both.”

Stephan set his burdens down on the side table and crawled onto the king sized bed he shared with his Leo, curling up against his lover’s broad chest, reaching out to pet Topaz.

Topaz moved into his arms. “I’m a fool, aren’t I, Daisy?”

“Oh, no, Sunshine, not a fool, never a fool.” He stroked Topaz’ cheek. “A dreamer, yeah?”

“A dreamer.” Miserable eyes met his. “I dreamed of him.”

“Maybe Quincy wasn’t the one.”

“No, Daisy. Maybe Quincy doesn’t want me, but he’s the one.”

“Oh, Sunshine, he wants you, that’s his problem.” Stephan looked up at his lover. “Tell him, Leo.”

Leo’s melted chocolate eyes met Topaz’s. “Little bit, he wants you. He wants you to himself.”

“To himself?” Topaz shook his head. “Why?”

“Because... Because he doesn’t want to share.”

“He isn’t like us, Sunshine. He doesn’t understand how love shared is love increased. So many people in this world don’t.” He leaned forward, kissing Topaz gently. “Maybe he just needs some time.”

“Maybe. My head hurts. I love you.” Topaz closed his eyes, slumping against Leo. “I’m sorry.”

His Leo stroked Topaz’s hair. “So are we, little bit. It’s going to be okay. We’re here. We’re right here.”

“Anything you want, lover.” Stephan pressed another kiss on Topaz. “Anything, you know that.”

Topaz nodded. “I know. I do.”

Leo closed his eyes, relaxing against the pillows. “Good.”

Stephan nuzzled against his Leo, stroking Topaz’s back, wishing he could make Quincy be different, could make him love the way Topaz needed to be loved.

Chapter Ten

Topaz walked toward the grocery from the Loft, list in hand. Bread, milk, mushrooms.

Chocolate.

Hazelnuts.

His eyes caught the ice cream store stand.

No ice cream.

His eyes filled with tears. Three weeks. Three weeks and it still ached.

Someone bumped into him, knocking his list from his hand.

“Sorry!” Warm hands steadied him and then moved quickly away. “Topaz?”

He met Quincy’s eyes quickly and nodded, bending to fetch his list. “Hello, Gem... Quincy. How are you?” He couldn’t meet those pretty eyes again, not without crying.”I miss you.” Quincy’s voice was husky.

Topaz nodded, swallowing hard. “I miss you, too. I can’t stop dreaming about you.”

Quincy’s hand touched his arm again and then slid away. “I want... can we go somewhere and talk?”

“Okay. Sure. Uh... the coffeehouse?” He folded his note and stuck it away. “It’s quiet.” Oh, God. Oh. Oh.

“All right.” Quincy’s hand came back, stroking his arm before taking his elbow and guiding him down the street.Topaz followed quietly. Leo and Stephan had been so good to him, making sure he didn’t hermit away in his nest. Feeding him. Loving him. Trying to ease the pain.

Never once calling him a fool.

They made their way to the coffeehouse in silence, though Topaz could feel the weight of those eyes on him for most of the trip.

They ordered a latte and a green tea, taking their drinks to an isolated table in the corner, Topaz settling in the corner. He almost laughed -- the second time they’d been together over a restaurant table and they’d fallen in love and broken up between.