You Can See Me (24 page)

Pres sat at the head of the long dining room table with Ric and Blair on either side of him. He had to admit he felt like a king. His men were so smart and sexy, he felt like they could conquer the world—okay, well, maybe that was taking it a little far, but he knew life with these men would be wonderful and filled with love.

The conversation at the table bounced from Blair’s new job as executive chef at the new five-star restaurant attached to the monstrosity of a hotel on the oceanfront, to Pres’s new ventures, and finally to Ric’s exciting job as an ER trauma surgeon.

Pres didn’t miss the fact that Ric avoided several questions and exchanged an undecipherable look with his mentor, Dr. Brown, when talking about his job.

When conversations got lighter and more jokes began to fly, Ric went into stories of Pres and Blair’s frequent comedy acts in the kitchen. Ric really had the table laughing on how bad Blair would pout when Pres was always right while they cooked. He told them about their cook-offs and that Blair officially had dishpan hands now that he’d lost so many times. They all knew that Blair was just out of the academy and Pres had ten years of professional cooking on him, but it didn’t stop the ribbing. When Blair pouted at the table, his mom smothered him with kisses, only making everyone laugh harder.

“Well now you know who the dramatic one is in this relationship,” Pres joked, and reached over to pinch Blair’s red cheeks. Even Blair had to laugh at that one, because he was indeed dramatic.

Pres’s mom spoke up. “All jokes aside, dear, this meal is fantastic. You’ve obviously trained well, and it has shown here tonight in this magnificent dinner. I would love to have you come over and cook with me sometimes, just like I do with Prescott.”

Blair was stunned but smiled broadly and told Pres’s mom that he’d love that as well.

Pres winked at his mom. Coming together like this was the best idea they could’ve had. Now neither man had to ever question what role they had in the relationship… They were all equal.

It was going on eight thirty, and the staff had begun cleaning up in the kitchen. The dinner table broke off into individual conversations as they sipped on after-dinner drinks. Ric was talking with Dr. Brown and his partner about modern science, Pres’s parents were talking with Blair’s parents about getting together for Christmas, and Janice and her date laughed with Scott and his wife about the adventures of being new parents.

Pres was beyond elated. He patted Josey’s head and fed him little scraps of beef Wellington from his plate.

Pres heard Dr. Brown ask Ric to talk with him out on the balcony in private before he had to leave. Ric agreed. He picked up his drink and leaned over to kiss Pres on the cheek and threw a wink to Blair before leaving the table.

Ric looked over the balcony at the hustle and bustle going on down on the street below. Their building was on a major artery in the city, and there was always something to look at when he came out here. He slowly raised his eyes to study his mentor and saw Dr. Brown’s knowing eyes were already focused on him.

“You want to talk to me about my termination from the hospital, don’t you?” Ric asked, lowering his head.

“Of course. I figured you hadn’t told your boyfriends since they were talking about your job in the present tense,” Dr. Brown said.

Ric snorted a laugh at the word “boyfriends” and that it was just used by his mentor. “Knew I wouldn’t get one past you, sir,” he confessed.

“Have you ever?” Dr. Brown said and turned to face Ric, so he did the same.

“No, sir. I haven’t. I would never try either, for that matter.”

Dr. Brown smiled. “I thought of going to the board and giving them a good piece of my mind regarding their decision and threatening them with a few of my resources that I have at my disposal.” He stopped and rubbed his neatly trimmed, graying beard. “Then I thought of something even better.”

“And what might that be?” Ric asked, intrigued.

“Well, I figured that their loss is my gain. I’m going to be opening a practice here in the Virginia Beach area and am looking for a partner to take on. I have three practices and no one I trust to help me run them. I have a great staff of doctors and managers that keep things running smoothly, but I’d like a partner so that I could focus on a new clinical trial I’ve got coming up at the beginning of the year.”

Ric was in complete shock at what he was being offered. Dr. Clark Brown was famous all over the world for his breakthrough science on offsetting first-stage Alzheimer’s disease. The man had single-handedly designed a practice to combine MRI techniques with EEG signals to simultaneously record and monitor blood flow and electrical activity in the brain. The man was an absolute genius, and he’d just asked Ric to partner with him—not work with, but partner with.

“Clark, I don’t know what the hell to say.” Ric gaped at him.

“I was hoping you’d say yes, son,” he laughed. “Now, I know your termination is still fresh, but you can imagine that I’d been considering this for a while. That’s why I didn’t hesitate to come and help your partner when he got hurt. I’ve always respected you as a physician and as a man. Of all the doctors and so-called hotshot surgeons I’ve worked with, none of them were more humble to work with than you. You were in it for the science, not the recognition, and I’ve always admired that. I need someone to run my offices while I work on this new study.

“You will have a full staff that you will hire and more stable hours that you can be home, too. You will still be able to perform surgeries and delegate them, if need be. Most importantly, son, you’ll never again have to worry about your personal life interfering with you practicing medicine. If any member of your staff shows distaste in your lifestyle…fire them.” Dr. Brown stepped back from the railing and stuck both hands in his pockets. “So what do you say, Rickson? How does Brown and Edwards, PLC, sound to you?” he smirked.

“Sounds damn good to me, Clark. I accept.” Ric laughed and shook Dr. Brown’s extended hand. “You know what? I’m sorry, but I have to do this.” Ric rushed in and grabbed Dr. Brown in a bone-crushing hug. His large biceps gripped the man so hard that he had to suck in a large breath after Ric released him. Dr. Brown laughed hard and told Ric that it was all right, he understood.

“We’ll get together for a business lunch next week with our lawyers and iron out some details. How’s that sound?”

“That sounds more than fine. I look forward to it. Now I can tell Pres and Blair what’s going on. I couldn’t tell them I was fired,” Ric said, feeling frustrated.

“Let me give you a little advice, son. If you want what you have to last, you have to be honest and forthcoming with your men. They’re sharp and intelligent, and they’d probably understand just about anything you dished out. A relationship takes work, and you, my dear boy, have two relationships. It’s going to take a lot of dedication, communication, and, more than anything, honesty.”

“What about love?” Ric smiled.

“Well, it’s obvious to anyone that love overflows with abundance between the three of you.” He smiled back. “I’ve been with my partner for fifteen years, and we have seen our storms too, my friend, but honesty will get you through them all. Always tell your guys the truth.”

“Thank you, Clark. I always take what you say to heart, and always will. Anytime you’ve talked, I’ve listened, and you’ve never steered me wrong.”

“I’m looking forward to a long, prosperous working relationship with you, Dr. Edwards.”

“Likewise, Dr. Brown.”

Dr. Brown turned and looked back at the party through the glass patio doors. It had thinned out, most of the company having already left. Ric saw only Pres’s parents and Dr. Brown’s partner talking in the foyer. When he looked at Dr. Brown, he gave a slight nod of his head.

“Well, I’m going to let you get back to your guys,” Dr. Brown said and then looked around inconspicuously. He stepped in closer to Ric and whispered to him. What for, Ric didn’t know. They were out there alone. “You are one lucky son of a gun to have not one but two fine men like that, Dr. Edwards. I think I’m gonna take Jacob home now. Your little three-way kiss earlier had him feeling pretty anxious. I think I’m going to reap the rewards from that tonight.” He slapped Ric on the shoulder and walked inside.

Ric could only shake his head and laugh at Dr. Brown’s admittance of being turned on by them. He was looking forward to their new partnership already. While the last of their company said their good-byes, Ric stayed out on the balcony thinking about how much his life had changed in the last year.

Ric was gazing up at the starry night when he heard the sliding glass door open. Pres’s calm tone floated to him over the brisk air.

“Everyone’s gone home, and they told me to tell you good night since you and Dr. Brown were in deep conversation.” Pres wrapped his arms around Ric’s waist and puffed warm air against his neck as he spoke. “We’ve all made some type of plans to meet up soon. Scott, his wife, and Janice want to get together for dinner and dancing in a couple weeks. Of course, Blair agreed to that right away. Tomorrow, my mom and Blair’s mom are going to lunch and then shopping at that new flea market that opened last month in downtown. And get this, honey. Blair’s dad has season tickets to the Redskins home games, and he’s taking my dad next time they play at home. I’ve never seen my dad that excited.” He turned Ric around to look at him, looking confused by his silence. “You okay, honey? What were you out here talking about for so long? You don’t have to tell me if it’s private,” Pres hurriedly admitted.

Ric laid a soft kiss on Pres’s perfect lips. He moaned and pulled Pres in closer, needing more body heat. “Nothing will ever be private between us. I will always tell you the truth,” Ric said. “Where’s Blair?”

“He’s paying the kitchen staff. He should be done now. Let’s go inside. It’s chilly out here.” Pres turned and went inside.

Blair locked up the condo and trudged back into the den looking exhausted. Pres and Ric sat side by side on the large couch and waited for him to remove his vest and shoes. He came over and sat on Ric’s lap and curled up his legs to rest over Pres’s.

“Why’s everyone looking so serious?” he asked over a yawn.

“’Cause Ric has something serious to tell us,” Pres answered.

Ric felt Blair stiffen in his arms, and he immediately pulled him to his chest and rubbed his back. “Calm down, baby boy. It’s really good news.”

“Oh. Sorry,” Blair replied sheepishly.

Ric explained everything to his men, from his termination to Dr. Brown’s miraculous offer to partner with him. When he was done, they were all grinning from ear to ear.

“Holy shit! You’re going to be a neurosurgeon?” Blair gaped at him.

Ric laughed. They still had so much to learn about each other. “Yes, baby. I have an MD, but I also have an MBBS, which is a bachelor of surgery in neurology. Neurosurgeon was the position I held at my previous job before I was blackballed for being gay, and so I took the first thing readily available at Chesapeake General, which was trauma surgeon. I always liked working with Dr. Brown, and I know this is going to be really good for me…for us.”

“I’m so proud of you. That’s really awesome,” Pres said and kissed him on the mouth.

“Oh my God, I’m fucking the hottest chef in the world and a neurosurgeon. Damn, it doesn’t get any better,” Blair said, moving his legs to fully straddle Ric’s lap.

“You are hopeless.” Pres laughed.

“But you love me.” Blair winked while grinding his rising cock into Ric’s stomach.

“I most certainly do.” Pres rose up and cupped the back of Blair’s neck to pull him in for a hard kiss. “I want this sexy ass tonight,” he hissed in his face, and it made Blair shudder. Blair let Pres control his mouth as he massaged Ric’s chest and continued to work his hips. Ric let his head fall back on the couch.

“Fuck, baby. So fucking hot,” Ric groaned as he worked to free Blair’s cock.

“Let’s take this to the bedroom,” Pres ordered.

Pres was moving fast across the hardwood floor. Ric threw Blair over his shoulder and slapped his ass hard as he fireman-carried him into the room.

“Put his hot ass in the middle of the bed, honey,” Pres told Ric while he made quick work of his clothes.

Ric tossed Blair onto the bed, making him release a shocked yelp.

“Oh God, Strawberry. I need you so bad. Need you to claim me,” Blair whined and pressed his hands onto his aching cock.

“I’m gonna give you my dick, honey, but not until you fucking beg for it,” Pres commanded. He turned around and walked his bare-naked ass into the bathroom without even a backward glance.

Damn, Pres was a sight to behold when he turned on his domineering side. Ric’s cock was large and weeping as he circled the bed, watching Blair writhe and twist in the sheets as if the want and need for Pres’s cock was too painful to take.

Ric quickly removed his clothes, dimmed the lights, and got on the bed with Blair. Blair’s half-lidded eyes popped open, and Ric was instantly attacked by Blair’s mouth. He licked and sucked his chest, his nipples, his throat, everywhere and anywhere all at the same time. Ric interlaced his fingers behind his head and let Blair have his way. He felt Blair bury his nose in his armpit and inhale deeply.

“Love the way you smell, darlin’.” Blair spoke in his roughed honey drawl, and it made Ric growl with need. He put his hands around Blair’s thin frame and slapped both palms down on his ass, making him jerk.

“Augh, yeah, baby. More,” Blair keened.

Ric buried his tongue in Blair’s mouth, stealing his moans and curses. He spread his legs wide, letting Blair settle in between them, and slapped his ass again, pulling him in hard against his cock and thrusting his pelvis up into him.

“Yes, Bear. That’s it. I want it fuckin’ rough tonight,” Blair said while meeting Ric’s thrusts.

“You’re going to get it rough,” Pres whispered.

Ric and Blair both stilled their hips and turned to look at Pres. He stood at the foot of their bed, his head bowed slightly, sapphire-blue eyes staring at them provocatively through long, dark lashes. He must’ve splashed water on his face because his bare torso had small rivulets of water, and it made Ric want to lick off every damn drop. Pres’s dark hair was spiky and wild. His diamond earrings were still in his ears, and it made him look like a delicious bad boy…the one you didn’t bring home to Mom. The overhead lights cast a warm, celestial glow across Pres’s evenly tanned skin. His dick was fully erect, and a large dollop of pre-come was forming on his slit. Pres took two fingers, swiped the large, pearly bead off his blushing cock head, and oh so slowly brought it up to his still-kiss-swollen lips. He stuck the two fingers in his mouth, moaning at the taste of himself, and used his other hand to pinch his nipple, making his chest jerk at the self-inflicted sensation.

Pres let out a throaty groan and left his nipples alone. He brought his hand down to gently graze his dick before giving it a couple of torturously slow pulls. Pres’s cock looked painfully hard, and his balls hung low with seed. With his fingers still in his mouth, he let his head fall back while his tight fist squeezed more natural lubricant from his slit. Ric and Blair were perfectly still watching this Greek god put on the most erotic show they’d ever witnessed.

“Fuckin’ Christ, Pres,” Ric growled, his voice so raw with passion he barely recognized it.

“Pres,” Blair mewled.

“Look at me, Blair.” Pres ran his hand down his cut abs. “You want this?” Pres pulled hard on his cock.

“Yes!” Blair practically shouted.

Pres gave the most devilishly seductive grin ever and simply replied, “Beg.”

“Fuck,” Ric whispered into the dim room and watched Blair get to his knees and crawl to the end of the bed and kneel in front of Pres.

Hell, Blair hadn’t been fucked by Pres yet, but Ric sure as hell had, and if Pres told him to beg for his cock, he’d beg like a bitch in heat. Ric didn’t want to blink, in fear he’d miss even a millisecond of Pres’s show.