“We want you to live with us,” Liberty said with such serene calm that Sean had to fight the urge to accept the invitation without question.
“What? Why? For how long?”
Mason looked at Sean. “For as long as it works out.”
“Forever.” Liberty said, both answering at the same time. Sean felt like he was watching a tennis match. Rather than look to each other for clarity, Mase arched his brow and looked at him. Sean understood the message he was sending. He walked away thirteen years ago and that underlined the fact that he was still odd man out. Good. Sean needed to know Mase was looking out for Liberty before all else.
“Sean, we understand that this isn’t a traditional arrangement—”
“You got that right,” he said, interrupting Liberty.
Mase leaned forward. “Look, we discussed this and feel that you should stay. Not as our guest, but as part of our family. If you don’t want to then we’ll understand.”
He couldn’t even wrap his brain around whether he wanted to or not. It was all too strange to comprehend, easier to focus on the two of them acting nuttier than bat shit. “You guys are married,” he said, stating the obvious.
“Yes, and as husband and wife we have decided this is something we both want.”
At Mase’s words Sean turned to Liberty and eyed her suspiciously. “You want this?”
“If it will make Mason happy—”
“Will it make you happy?”
Her lips stilled. She thought for a moment. “Yes. Having you here would make me happy.”
“What about my job?”
“You could find work here,” Mase said.
“What…I don’t even know how something like this would work. Where would we sleep?”
“We discussed that. The house has three bedrooms. Each of us will have our own private space. Liberty has the third floor and our room. You have the guestroom.”
“I think we should all sleep in the master bedroom, but if we need space there are always other options,” Liberty added as if she were simply saying she planned on making a chocolate cake instead of vanilla.
Sean shook his head. This would never work. Visions of each of them walking away, a little older, a little wiser, and a little more broken filled his mind and the predictable guilt of such an end choked him, stifling any impetuous desire to actually attempt what they were suggesting.
“Look,” Mase said, but Sean had heard enough.
He stood. “I think you both are nuts.”
“Why? Because we aren’t afraid to ask for what we want? What’ll make us happy?” Liberty said.
“You have no idea what you’re asking.”
“We know perfectly well what we’re asking,” Mase said.
He narrowed his eyes at the both of them. “You’re welcoming another man into your marriage! People don’t do that for good reason. It won’t work. The novelty will wear off and after a while you’ll wonder why another man keeps fucking your wife!”
Mason looked at Liberty. She winced at Sean’s crude words, but he didn’t regret what he said. They needed to understand the reality of what they were asking.
“I’ve told Liberty everything about our past. There’ll be no secrets or lies between us. That means the three of us. If that isn’t a commitment you can make than the entire arrangement is off. But being that we’re being truthful with one another, I can honestly say I will no more wonder why you’re fucking my wife than she’ll wonder why I’m fucking you.”
Sean glared at him with challenge. “That isn’t how it works and you know it.”
“That’s how it worked this morning.”
“That was different. If you’re talking long term, you know I need more than that. I’m not a bottom.”
“I know what you need,” Mase said with equal challenge.
“And what about Liberty? Have you told her why I’m single after all this time?”
“I’ve explained that you have specific likes when it comes to women.”
Sean turned to Liberty. She fidgeted under his stare. Pink crested her cheeks. He waited for her to look to Mason for assurance and was glad when she did not. He was unnerving her, he could tell, but she held his gaze. “I won’t tolerate hesitation on your part because you require another man’s approval or permission. I won’t be second rate to another.”
“Of course not, Sean.”
“I’m demanding, Liberty, more than I have already showed you.”
“Agreed.”
Sean shifted his weight. He wanted to say yes, but was reluctant to trust that this was what they both wanted. Sometimes people asked for dumb shit and then realized they were fucked when it was too late to go back.
He turned to Mase. “I’m clean. I had a physical three months ago and haven’t been with anyone, aside from you two, since. I’m not wearing rubbers.”
Mase slowly smiled and leaned back. He knew he was getting what he wanted. Stupid fuck. Sean still couldn’t fathom why he would ask for this. He wanted to show him how asinine this entire idea was. “Of course not. The three of us will be in a monogamous, committed, consensual relationship. I see no need for condoms.”