Page 2 of Pretty ’n Peak

“Hello, Austin.” Neil’s voice was deep, matching the impression Austin had of a wide, barrel chest. But there was a soft-spoken quality to his words.

“Nice to meet you,” he returned. He could already imagine the delight the couple would take over a new, quiet boy. It sounded like he would balance out Jamie’s feisty nature. The two of them had a rough break-up with a third a handful of years ago, but he knew that Jamie especially identified as poly and wanted more than just one person in his life. “You’re lucky to have found these two,” he added.

“I know,” came that soft, deep voice again. “I feel it every day.”

“We feel it too, boy,” Sebastian responded just as earnestly, following it with a blur of movement and the wet sound of lips pressing together.

Austin looked away, though he could imagine it just as well. This was an intimate, private moment that he hadn’t been meant to share.

Something painful burned behind his sternum, like a hot coal was lodged there. He wasn’t even looking for another relationship, really, but to hear that outpouring of devotion made him feel… uncomfortable? Bitter?

Not that he wanted to join them. They were friends who were good for a fun time. But to have someone whose voice went velvety with adoration when they spoke to him…

But then he thought about the logistics of it.

Presumably, if he stuck around, he could find a sub and offer him a scene. He was flexible enough in his skills and interests that it likely shouldn’t be too hard to find a playmate. Get someone out there to cry out under his whip, to whimper as he made them fly…

The whole idea sounded exhausting.

His eyes were drawn back automatically when he heard Sebastian’s rich chuckle, followed by a slap. It looked like Jamie was stretched out over his Daddy’s lap, ass high in the air, so he could kiss his other boyfriend as well. “Sit down, brat,” came Sebastian’s growling voice.

“Yes, Daddy,” Jamie agreed sweetly… before arranging himself on Sebastian’s lap.

The trio laughed, and Austin could practically feel the love and arousal pouring off the three of them.

A few years ago, he probably would have teased them, making gagging noises at their mushy displays of affection, but forgetting it a moment later.

Now he was… well, he wasn’t sure what he was. His irritation felt like it was edged with envy, though another relationship was the last thing he wanted.

“So, where’s Cam?” Jamie asked.

Austin winced. He’d assumed that everyone had heard. He definitely knew that Cam had been coming back here to play. Practically every week, it sounded like. Austin was the one who had stayed away.

But Jamie and Sebastian—and now apparently Neil—didn’t get into the city much. They lived outside Portland in a fancy bed-and-breakfast they ran near Mount Hood. Austin mostly knew about it because he and Cam had attended a play party there once. Cam had dressed in a…

He cut off the thought. “We broke up.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Sebastian said simply. “How are you doing?”

“Oh, fine.” He waved it away. “It was almost a year ago.” It shouldn’t matter.

“There are better boys out there for you anyway,” Jamie said fiercely.

That brought a faint smile to his lips. Jamie was supportive and loyal, even if it was undeserved.

Austin was the one who’d let Cam down. He was always the one who worked too many hours, coming home too exhausted to be the Dom his boy needed.

He was the one who’d lost interest in scenes, begging off or going through the motions.

Maybe he just wasn’t Dom material any more. It seemed like something for young guys. Guys with lots of energy.

He didn’t have that energy any more.

“So, any big plans tonight?” Jamie asked. Then, without waiting for an answer, he charged ahead. “Ooh! Milo just walked in the door. He’d love to be under your whip.”

Austin shook his head. Milo was a nice guy. An accountant, if he remembered correctly, and a pain slut. “Not in the mood tonight.”

“Kato, maybe?”