Page 122 of Love Unlimited

Watching the two of them together was one of the most glorious things he’d ever seen. Dustin stroked his hands down Ash’s cheeks, cupping their angular face. Then he kissed them, slow and deep, endlessly, until they were gripping his shoulders and pressing up against him.

Zhong couldn’t look away. He rubbed his hand over the part of his chest that just kept glowing warmer as Ash’s body melted backward, letting Dustin own the kiss.

This was everything that Zhong wanted for Ash, and watching it was beautiful. Especially now that he was part of it. He didn’t want Ash to think that they had to ask him every time they wanted a kiss, but for this first time it meant a lot to him. While Ash and Dustin had their own relationship, this was also Ash’s way of making the kiss into Zhong’s gift, his way of taking care of his love. Both of his loves.

When they broke apart, panting, Ash circled around the fire.

Lena sat up. You don’t have to say anything to me. It’s OK.

Zhong rubbed her back, silently conveying support. Even now, she was worried about rejection.

Ash knelt at her feet in the grass, looking up at her with searching eyes. Lena, I have had a crush on you for years. I would look at you and want to stand close to you, to touch you and soak up some of your radiance. But I never thought I would get the chance. And now that I can, I think I’m still in awe. I didn’t want to try a poly relationship again, but you’re the one who made it worthwhile. I know that you think you’re difficult to be around, but you bring everything to life and you’re the best big sister ever. I love you.

Lena was still sitting like a statue, frozen at Zhong’s side. You really mean that?

Absolutely. We’re going to be the brattiest brats together, and Daddy Dustin is going to punish us and then Daddy will give us snuggles.

Lena laughed, the ice cracking open. I would like that. Is it OK if I don’t say it back yet, though?

Yet. She’d said yet. That was almost the same thing.

Ash nodded happily. Yep. But you have to let me love you anyway. They put on a scowl, looking more playful than serious with their jaw jutting out.

OK. I guess if I can’t avoid it… she teased, the stress starting to flow from her muscles.

Daddy? Ash asked. Can I kiss Lena, too?

You may, if Lena wants a kiss.

Lena looked around, visually checking in with Dustin who gave her a single approving nod. Ash batted their eyes like some heroine in a B movie, giving a little levity to the situation.

But when Lena kissed them, she was fiery, grasping their hair and pulling them up so fast that Ash’s neck bent back to take the strain even as their body rose. Ash’s fingers clawed into Lena’s thighs, their eyes closed in ecstasy.

Zhong was still holding Lena with one arm, and he could feel her muscles straining against him, her lungs gasping for each breath as she devoured Ash’s mouth while holding them in place. Ash looked positively lost, their body twisting upward to seek more contact than they could receive.

Zhong had almost forgotten until just now that Lena was a switch, but he could see it all. He had no idea how that dynamic would play out, but all he needed to see was Ash trembling and needy to know it would work for all of them.

When they finally broke apart, Ash looked dazed. They brought a hand slowly up to their lips. That was even better than I imagined. And believe me, I imagined it a lot.

That got Lena to smile, and she stroked a hand through Ash’s curls, soothing the place she’d just gripped. I imagined it too, she admitted with soft eyes.

That wasn’t exactly a secret, but maybe her feelings about it were. Lena often seemed like the boldest among them, but he’d learned that for anything emotional, she was the most hesitant. Ash, for all their playfulness, had always been their natural leader.

She turned to Zhong, then. I think we already had our talk, right?

He chuckled. We did, but there was one important thing I didn’t tell you.

She blinked up at him, while Ash rose from their knees to sit on her other side.

Zhong drew her hand to his chest, placing it over his heart. He could feel her warmth through his shirt, and he hoped she could feel his heartbeat. Did you know that for a long time, I would see Dustin and get this warm feeling right here? I didn’t know what it meant though. I didn’t want sex but every time I saw him, I would feel warm and tingly, like I just wanted to be closer to him. When I started to feel the same thing for Ash, I was surprised. Dustin had to explain to me that it was a crush. But with you… I knew exactly what it was the first time I felt it.

Lena rubbed her hand over his chest, eyes wide. You feel that for me, too?

I have for a while now. I even told Dustin and Ash, but I wasn’t sure if you were ready to hear it. So you don’t have to say it back, but I love you just as much as I love the two of them. Every time I see you my chest feels warm.

She collapsed into his arms, but then peeked up at him. Can I kiss you, too?

As long as you’re alright with it being only a kiss. I think you’re beautiful and I like being close to you, but that will never become a sexual desire.