“Thanks, Frankie—and thank Jimmy again for us,” I said, then sat on the bed.

  As soon as he’d left the room, Alex was on me—kissing me. I just lay back.

  “What’s wrong, babe?” Alex said, looking concerned. “You don’t really think it was just a kid spying on us, do you?”

  “No, I don’t. My gut tells me differently.”

  “Then go with your gut, detective.”

  I reached up for Alex and pulled him down to me. We rolled around on the bed a bit before lying in each other’s arms. The bed and pillows were comfortable. Alex looked my way, and I ran my fingers through his long, wavy hair.

  “What do you think of Frankie and Jimmy?” I said.

  “I like them, and it really is kind of funny how I feel close to them, because of sharing that whole Shelby experience. Jimmy is skinny, but I can see what you found so attractive. He has a bubble butt most guys can only dream about having—and you’ve had it… if you know what I mean.” He smiled naughtily.

  I laughed. “Do you really think I’m that shallow, to go with a guy just because he has a great ass? He’s a nice guy too, and helped me out of a slump. In a way, he prepared me to meet you.”

  “Well, then I’m grateful to him.”

  Alex laughed, and I smiled before I spoke. “What’s so funny?”

  “If we go in the hot tub with Jimmy tonight, I’ll be able to get a look at what, or rather who you had before you met me.”

  I laughed loudly. “I give you my permission to take a good long look, or looks at him, but as you said, anything sexual between me and Jimmy is in the past. Of course, if you get to look at Jimmy, then—”

  “I know, you get to peek at Frankie’s goods. Are you that curious to see him naked?”

  “Curious is the right word, Alex. As a gay man, I’m interested in other men’s bodies. But that doesn’t mean I’m interesting in doing anything with other men. Don’t you think Frankie’s exceptionally handsome?”

  “In a typical, handsome man kind of way. Don’t get me wrong, physically, he’s someone that could be a model as you said, but… hold on a minute… you think he’s better looking than you, and you’re trying to compare and see how you measure up.” He laughed, tickled my stomach, and kissed me. “Don’t you realize how handsome you are, Layton? There’s no part of your face and body that I don’t find beautiful.”

  He lowered himself on the bed, took my flip-flops off, and kissed the top of one foot, then the other.

  “From the bottom of your feet, Layton.”

  He kissed my lower legs, then my knees.

  “To your sexy knees.”

  He unbuttoned my shorts, pulled off my shirt and kissed my abs.

  “God, that’s a tight six-pack stomach. Every inch of you turns me on, Layton.”

  I pulled him up and we began kissing, then I stopped.

  “As good as this feels, and as much as I appreciate the sentiment, Alex… love of my life, who brings out the romantic talk in me and makes me a fool. I am way too stuffed to do anything more than hug right now, but hold on to that idea for later. It’s probably better if we try to rest, maybe even nap while we can. I have a feeling, once we start on this case, there won’t be any downtime for us.”

  “You’re right. I just want you to know that, to me you’re ten times better looking than Frankie, Jimmy, or any other man I’ve ever known. And as a photographer, I’ve seen some good-looking guys. I love the rugged angles of your face. They make you look so manly, and those bright blue eyes of yours just make me melt.”

  I kissed him again. It was nice to know that he found me as attractive as I found him.

  “Layton, do we need rules for tonight, or for our relationship?”

  “I thought, despite not having rings, that we were all for monogamy and forever. If you’re thinking tonight’s gonna turn into some sort of orgy… that’s not gonna happen. Frankie and I like to joke a lot, but I’m sure neither one of us is into sharing, nor swapping. But if you’re interested… I guess I’ll just follow your lead.” I couldn’t keep a straight face, and started laughing at my last comment, which was intended as a joke.

  Alex looked at me with an angry face, then turned away. I got nervous until I turned him back my way and saw he was grinning.

  “Fool,” Alex said. “There’s no one else for me, but you.”

  “Ditto,” I said.

  We talked some more, then snuggled together until we fell asleep.

  * * * *

  When we woke up, the apartment was still empty, so we took time to organize our bags in the guestroom. Afterward, I held Alex’s hand and we walked out to the terrace, sat in the two lounge chairs, and looked up at the stars. The hot tub was calling my name; so I got up, walked to it, and looked at the controls.

  “Hello, everybody,” Jimmy said, walking in with Frankie by his side. “I thought I’d fix us a snack of some large ravioli, and I brought some of that dessert I saved for us to share with our favorite detective.”

  “Yum,” I said. “How’s about putting that food on hold for now? The drive here left me a bit achy, and I wouldn’t mind using the hot tub.”

  “Well then, let me get the tub started,” Frankie said.

  “You don’t mind if we join you guys, do you?” Jimmy said. “I always enjoy using the hot tub after work—it really does help soothe the sore muscles.”

  “Why would we mind?” I said.

  “OK, then let me get you two some towels,” Jimmy said.

  “I’ll go with you,” Alex said.

  I went back to our room to change and invited Frankie along to show him something.

  “Now, that is real art,” Frankie said, looking at the photo Alex had taken of me.

  “I thought so too when I first saw it, and not just because it’s a portrait of me,” I said.

  “That guy really loves you, Layton. It shows in this picture he took of you. Do you think he would do a photo of Jimmy and me… that is if you don’t mind?”

  “You’ll have to ask Alex about the photo. Frankie, there’s no need for us to be so shy around one another, is there?”

  “No, but Jimmy was trying to make sure I wouldn’t be jealous, because of you two having had your little romp.”

  “You and I know how things stand,” I said. “I told Alex he didn’t need to worry about a wild orgy tonight, because you and I didn’t like to share.”

  “That’s for certain,” Frankie said. “Did you two talk about the rules too?”

  I laughed, and Frankie laughed with me.

  “I’m allowed to fulfill my curiosity and take a look at you here and there, but no touching, which is fine by me,” Frankie said.

  “Men’s bodies are beautiful, and we are gay, so we’re always gonna look,” I said. “To be honest, I’ve been curious too. I’m only human.”

  “I’ll let you undress, and see you outside, stud.” He playfully slapped my ass, and we both laughed again.

  “Get the hell out of here, wild man,” I said with a smile.

  He left, and Alex walked in with two blue towels. I walked up to him, wrapped my arms around his waist, and kissed him.

  “Were you guys making fun of us and talking about the rules?” Alex said.

  “Yes, we were,” I said. “We’re all just nervous, because these relationships are so new. You and me, Frankie and Jimmy—the four of us are friends. It’ll all be cool. Haven’t you ever been skinny-dipping with your buds, Alex?”

  “I never had any buds. So this is all new to me.

  “Just stick with me, kid,” I said. “It’ll be fine.”

  “I know,” he said, and kissed me.

  * * * *

  When we went back out to the terrace, Frankie and Jimmy were already there with towels wrapped around their waists like Alex and me.

  Frankie was taking a drink from the bottled water he was holding when he turned to us.

  “If either of you are thirsty, there are some bottles of water next to the hot tub. Layton, if I wasn’t such a self-assured man, I’d be nervous seeing you standing there in just a towel.”

  He walked over and gave me a friendly pat on the back.

  “I’ve figured you two out, you know,” Jimmy said. “At first, I was worried about someone getting jealous and stuff, but really it’s a pissing contest between our two guys here, Alex. It has been since day one.”

  “What do you mean?” Alex said.

  “Let’s get in the hot tub while our two alpha males here finish sniffing around one another,” Jimmy said, as he walked to the nearest chair and threw his towel over the back of it.

  I watched Alex follow his lead, and they both walked to the hot tub naked. Jimmy was the first one in, and he gave Alex a hand getting in. I tried to listen to their conversation without them noticing.

  “Like I was saying, Alex, our two alpha males probably didn’t even give us a look when we threw our towels off,” Jimmy said loud enough for us to hear. “They’re too busy sizing each other up.”

  “That would not be true,” Frankie said. “My eyes are always on that perfect ass of yours, my love. And Layton’s eyes were on Alex’s as well.”

  He put his arm around my shoulder, turned us around, so we were huddled with our backs to Alex and Jimmy, and spoke again, but in a whisper loud enough for only me to hear.

  “I think we’ve both done well, my friend. Alex is absolutely beautiful, and you and I both seem to have settled down with the same type. Two slender, smooth-bodied men.”

  “I agree with your assessment,” I said, in a whisper. “And Jimmy looks better than ever, he still has the perfect ass.”

  “Of course, but Alex has a refined beauty that is slightly more rare.”

  “It’s surprising he got with an old scruffy guy like me,” I said, then smiled.

  “That’s enough whispering over there—we might start to get jealous,” Jimmy said.

  “No need to get jealous,” Alex said, loud enough for us to hear. “They’re probably talking about how well they did, getting us.”

  “You always did know me well, Alex,” I said, turning to face him.

  “They were probably comparing us,” Jimmy said.

  “Maybe we should compare them and get this alpha thing out of the way,” Alex said. “Let’s see now… they’re both very masculine. Frankie’s a little taller than Layton, but Layton’s a little broader in the shoulders.”

  “Frankie’s got a tighter build, lean muscle and a naturally tan Italian body with no hair on his chest,” Jimmy said. “Layton’s got a slightly beefier, but rock solid build. He has more mass, but all of it muscle. And he has just the right amount of hair on his chest and legs, and it’s blond to match the hair on his head.”

  “What are we… pieces of meat?” Frankie said.

  “Of course we are,” I said. “I know my place, and I’m happy to be just a piece of meat when I need to be.” I saluted our men in the hot tub, then dropped my towel, marched forward, and turned around.

  “You are a wild man, Layton, but I have never been one to be outshined,” Frankie said, walking forward and throwing his towel over his shoulder as he turned around.

  I turned to look at Frankie. Damn! The guy wasn’t only taller than me, his dangle was longer too.

  “Don’t worry, babe, it might be longer, but yours is thicker,” Alex said.

  “What the fuck are we doing?” I said, putting an arm around Frankie’s shoulder. “We really have been engaged in a pissing contest since we first met.”

  “Why don’t we just call it a draw, then?” Frankie said.

  “Agreed,” I said, stretching my hand out toward him.

  Instead, he leaned forward, took my face firmly in hand, and kissed both my cheeks before planting a hard, but closed mouth kiss on my lips.

  “Now, hug it out,” Alex said.

  We hugged.

  “I told you Frankie’s ass was more square and Layton’s more round,” Alex said to Jimmy.

  “You, bastards,” I said, before looking at Frankie and running toward the hot tub.

  He’d followed, and soon the both of us were in the water with our loved ones in our arms.

  “So, how do you two like living here in Mt Ore?” I said, once I’d gotten comfortable.

  I was leaning back with my feet up on the seat across from me next to Jimmy enjoying the jets in the small of my back. My arm was around Alex holding him close; and Frankie was across from me with his arms around Jimmy, his feet up next to me.

  “I like it much better than Shelby,” Jimmy said. “People are nicer and more accepting here, so far.”

  “It’s a bigger town, and we’re close to more metropolitan areas,” Frankie said. “I also like the tea room here; they serve great scones and sandwiches.”

  I perked up when I heard that. “Mmm, I love tea, the first time I had a full tea was when my general’s wife took the boys and me to the Dorchester in London for high tea. Her way of saying thanks for our service. We’ll definitely have to stop by here for tea, after this case is over.”

  “You’re welcome to stay with us again,” Frankie said.

  “Thanks, and we appreciate the offer, but Alex and I were both intrigued by that old waterfront hotel at the end of the street.”

  “It does look neat, doesn’t it,” Jimmy said. “We haven’t checked it out yet.”

  “We’d still love to spend time with both of you again, and maybe play tourist, if you guys get any free time from the restaurant,” I said.

  “We will make time,” Frankie said.

  “Alex, you’ve been quiet,” Jimmy said. “You OK.”

  “Yeah, I’m just taking this all in. It’s nice—I know we’re naked and all, but it feels so normal and nice.”

  “It seems like I’m always naked around other naked people,” I said. “But that’s the military way, and growing up as a farm boy, I used to skinny-dip at the pond all the time with other kids.”

  “I’m just Italian, I have no body modesty issues,” Frankie said.

  “But Alex, you take naked photographs of people, don’t you,” Jimmy said. “Plus, we’re about the same age, and most folks our age aren’t shy about these things. And your sisters did naked yoga and… oh, I see now.”

  “See what?” I said.

  “I was never allowed to have friends growing up,” Alex said. “Remember, I was being kept for the cult only. I didn’t have normal interactions with people, and even when I traveled, my sister was always with me.”

  “Yeah, but you had boyfriends,” I said. “There were others before me.”

  “But, Layton,” Jimmy said. “He was probably not allowed quiet moments like this with friends. Alex wouldn’t have been allowed to associate with people who weren’t very prim and very proper.”

  “Oh, OK, I get it,” I said. “It’s not as if I’ve ever had a lot of like-minded friends myself. I have an old military friend who’s out, and that’s about it. My ex and I didn’t know any other gay couples.”

  “It’s no big deal,” Frankie said. “Enjoy it, Alex, because the four of us will be lifelong friends. And I know these things.”

  “He does,” I said. “He knew that he and Jimmy would be together when he first met him.”

  Frankie laughed. “Yes, maybe I was a little forward telling you to enjoy your time with Jimmy, because he’d be mine afterward and forever.”

  Jimmy laughed, then kissed Frankie.

  “Did he really say it like that?” Alex said.

  “Even more bluntly, if I remember right,” I said.

  “I’m getting hungry, how’s about I heat up those big ravioli?” Jimmy said.

  He stood up to get out and Frankie kissed his stomach. I couldn’t help but look at his ass as he leaned over.

  “I’ll give you a hand,” Alex said, following behind him.

  As soon as they’d gone inside, I felt Frankie’s foot on my crotch in response to the look I’d given Jimmy.

  “You can’t blame a guy for looking at Jimmy’s ass, c’mon.” His foot was putting pressure on my crotch. “You get to sleep with him, the rest of us can only look.”

  Frankie lifted his foot and put his feet on the outer edge of the hot tub right by my face. I turned and kissed the tops of both feet in a joking manner. “Am I forgiven, friend?” I said.

  “Nothing to forgive, but damn—you do have a thing for feet, Layton.”

  “It’s my thing. Shit, Frankie, I have to admit I’m envious. I never could get lean like you.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Layton. You need more confidence. You’re a hot guy; I think being with Alex has made you doubt yourself.”

  “I guess all the shit with my ex is still in the back of my mind. I blew it with him, and I don’t want to blow it with Alex.”

  “You won’t. As you have seen, I have a gift for knowing these things, and you two are like Jimmy and me—the real thing. You need to find your confidence to deal with what’s coming with these zombies and green-eyed statues.”

  -7-

  The Power of Three

  If I’d been alone, I would’ve licked my fingers clean after eating the ravioli Jimmy made for us.

  “Layton, I forgot to mention that you’re supposed to leave the Jaguar here,” Jimmy said. “I’ve got the paperwork concerning the car on the kitchen counter.”

  “I’ll get it,” Frankie said.

  “Will you miss driving it?” Jimmy said.

  “Not really,” I said. “I will miss the reliable air conditioning, though. I think you always liked the Jag more than I did.”

  “I can’t deny I liked it,” Jimmy said.

  “No worries, my love,” Frankie said. “When the restaurant is a huge success, you can buy one.”

  “It’s a nice thought, but a Jag’s impractical for us and expensive,” Jimmy said. “And Layton, the organization paid for the air to be fixed in your truck. Leticia said since you’ll be using it on a case, you need it to be in top working order. Frankie, being Frankie, paid to have it detailed.”

 

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