Protecting His Subs Read online

  Abigail felt uneasy. Jackson was telling her everything she wanted to hear, but how much of it was true?

  Giving the benefit of the doubt was something Abigail didn’t give very easily to people. It wasn’t that people had lied to her in the past, or had hurt her, but she was wary of a person’s word. She had watched several of her friends, who were bigger girls, get hurt by the men they had dated. One girl swore off men altogether.

  “I want to believe you…” she began.

  Jackson finished for her. “But, you don’t want to be hurt. I understand that.”

  If he wanted the truth, she needed to give it to him. “I’m really not looking for fun and games at this point in my life. I don’t want an affair.”

  “Neither am I. I haven’t had a sexual relationship in a year and a half. I want more than the hookup every few days. I want a home I can come home to, with the same woman, or more, there every day.” He spoke with such conviction that it was touching.

  Wait! What! What had he said? Subs? The same woman, or more? What the hell?! “What do you mean, subs?” she demanded as she moved her face away from his hand. She felt the loss once she had done it.

  * * * *

  Tinker had been kneeling quietly where Jackson had silently instructed him. When Abigail was storming down the hall, Tinker started after her, but Jackson had held up his hand to stop him. Tinker had lowered his head as he stopped, and Jackson knew the man was a sub.

  Giving the electrician a nod of his head, Jackson stared him down until Tinker sank to his knees. He moved into the proper pose for a sub, and Jackson felt as if he had found his third. Having a man and a woman sub was something he had always wanted since he got into the lifestyle, but finding two people who got along was going to be difficult. It was possible he had found what his heart desired.

  Now, sitting next to Abigail, Jackson felt at ease even though she was giving him the typical argument that larger women gave a man. His cock felt like a steel rod trying to escape his jeans.

  He was wondering how long it was going to be before she realized what he had said about subs. Now, she was defensive again, pulling away from him. Her body was taut, and the stubborn set of her jaw told him she was upset.

  “I’m bisexual, Abigail,” he admitted. “I like men and women. When I saw you coming down those stairs at the club, my heart flipped in my chest and I knew I was in love. The same thing happened when I walked in here with Felix. I saw Tinker, and something came over me. I want both of you, Abigail. You have already latched onto my heart.”

  “You don’t know me.” She wasn’t going to make this easy.

  Jackson shifted on the couch so that his right leg was bent and separating them. His arm was still on the back of the couch. He eyed the bottle of beer that was on the coffee table. “Can I get a beer, please?”

  Just to prove a point, he looked at Tinker. He found the man with his head still bowed. Jackson cleared his throat.

  Tinker rose and disappeared into the kitchen, returning with a green bottle and a can of soda which he set in front of Abigail. The bottle was handed to Jackson.

  Abigail’s brows rose when Jackson was given the beer second, or at least that’s what Jackson thought. “I am a Dom, Abigail. I don’t identify as a Master because I don’t want slaves. I want submissives in the bedroom, or to play with at home or in the club, not to be kowtowed to every minute.”

  He went on before Abigail could interrupt him. “I don’t want to tell you what to wear, how to do your hair, or how to clean the house. I want you to be the person you are, but I want to show you the submissive side I know is inside you. Tinker is already that submissive I’m looking for. However, I want you, too.”

  Jackson could practically see the wheels turning in her head as her teeth nibbled on her bottom lip. He had noticed her performing the same nervous tic when they were at the club. She had been thinking about how they were going to get him out of there without having to bring the gurney downstairs and then back up with him in it.

  The more she played with her lips, the more he wanted to gather her in his arms and nibble on them himself. Or better yet, he knew of something she could do with that mouth to keep it busy.

  Oh, he was in trouble.

  Crystal-blue eyes slid over to look at Tinker, who had returned to kneeling, but this time, next to the fireplace. She had the most beautiful eyes, so pale and wide, as if she was taking in everything all the time.

  “What about Tinker?” she asked as she looked back at Jackson.

  Tinker cocked his head in curiosity at the question, leading Jackson to ask his own. “What about Tinker? I’ve already told you I’m interested in both of you. Do you not want him?”

  A slight giggle escaped her. “He’s gay!” she exclaimed humorously. “He doesn’t want to be in a relationship with me!”

  Jackson looked over at Tinker, who was gaping at Abigail, and then turned his attention back at her. Interesting. He had to ask, “What gave you that idea, Abigail?”

  “He…I…”

  She was cute when she was flustered. Her head swiveled from looking at him, then to Tinker, and back.

  Looking over at Tinker, Jackson’s brow rose. If they weren’t in a relationship, then what was going on between them?

  “First off,” Jackson began, “what is your real name?”

  “John, Sir. John Jameson.” Tinker’s voice revealed his nervousness.

  “Which do you prefer?”

  “Tinker is fine, Sir. I’ve lived with it for half my life.” Tinker seemed proud of his nickname.

  “All right. Tinker it is. Now, would you like to tell me why you aren’t interested in Abigail?”

  Abigail was turning that lovely shade of pink Jackson liked on her. She turned her attention on Tinker and left it there, as if she wanted to hear his explanation as much as Jackson did.

  “It was my fault, Sir. When I first met Abigail, I really liked her. I thought there was an interest from her there also, but, unfortunately, my boyfriend at the time came up and gave me a kiss. I never explained to Abi that I liked boys and girls, and let her assume I was gay.”

  “Do you like her?” Jackson asked point-blank.

  A wide smile appeared on the man’s face. “I think I fell in love with her the moment I met her,” he admitted. With his dark hair high and tight, Tinker looked more like a military man than Jackson did.

  Abigail gasped at the admission. How could she not see what was in front of her for the past three years?

  She stood quickly and moved over to the sliding glass door that led to what looked like her balcony.

  The snow was whirling around haphazardly in the strong wind that was blowing. Darkness was beginning to lay its blanket across the city as the day was turning into night. Lights from the street behind her apartment cast a glow that outlined Abigail’s body.

  The sweater she wore was loose on her body, but he could see the silhouette of her luscious body underneath. Her sweatpants were loose also, unlike the slacks she had to wear as part of her uniform, but he could imagine what she looked like without them on.

  A glance over at Tinker had Jackson nearly blushing. Tinker was looking directly at Jackson’s crotch, his mouth hanging open. Jackson couldn’t be certain, but he thought he saw a bit of drool at the corner the man’s mouth.

  As if a calmness had settled upon her, Abigail turned around and walked back to stand next to Tinker, who graciously licked his lips as he looked up at her. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked. However, she didn’t give him enough time to answer. “You’ve had so much time.”

  “I wanted to, believe me, Abi. When I saw the sparkle disappear from your eyes after Damon kissed me, I couldn’t find the words to say. Afterward, you were always so friendly but that sparkle never came back. I thought if I wanted to have you in my life, I’d be your best friend.”

  She continued to look down at her friend. From the angle she stood, Jackson could see that her nipples were erect and expect
ing attention. Jackson knew at that point that Abigail had never lost her feelings for Tinker.

  “I don’t understand why you couldn’t have been honest with me.”

  Tinker stood. He placed his hands on her elbows as he looked down at her. “I have been a conundrum all my life. My parents could accept that I was gay, but not bi. They said that a person could only love one sex or the other. The women I’ve gone out with in the past never stuck around once I would reveal that I liked men also. I didn’t want that to happen with you.”

  Abigail smiled. “I don’t judge people by their preferences, Tinker, and you of all people should know that. I have told you the most personal things about myself, and the most important thing that you should have told me, you kept buried.”

  “I hope that’s not going to be an issue,” he said quickly as he looked over at Jackson.

  She looked at Jackson also. Her face showed her confusion, and Jackson didn’t blame her. He had come in here and blatantly told her he wanted a relationship with her. They hadn’t gotten to know each other like most people did. No dating, just jumped right in.

  Idiot!

  Of course, he had never been so enamored by a woman before, or, for that matter, a man.

  “I just wish you had told me sooner,” she said as she let a small smile cross her lips. “But it better not happen again.”

  Tinker nodded as he smiled. He and Abigail turned to Jackson, expectation written on their faces.

  Chapter Three

  The look on Abigail’s face at his admission tore Tinker’s heart apart. There was no way he wanted to hurt her, but it had been for the best. Now, as she stood next to him, he wanted to throw his arms around her and show her what she meant to him. However, there was the elephant in the room. Well, Jackson Malone.

  The man was the hottest man he had seen in ages. The man was still wearing a jacket, but Tinker could tell he was built. His arms were taking up any extra space in the arms of the garment, and his chest was massive. If he was this stacked, what did he look like without clothes on? That the man was a Dom on top of what he looked like was a bonus.

  Jackson was looking at both as if he could eat them up. Tinker watched as the man rose and took the couple of steps to stand before them.

  Standing only a couple of inches taller than him, Jackson seemed to dwarf Tinker. The man’s muscular body gave not just width but height to his body. Tinker swallowed hard as Jackson’s eyes moved between him and Abigail.

  A brief thought filled Tinker with panic. He knew that lying to a Dom could get a person into trouble, and he feared that since he hadn’t told Abigail the truth, now he wondered if that would lead to Jackson not wanting him anymore.

  He watched as Jackson leaned in and placed his lips upon Abigail’s. A thrill coursed through Tinker as he watched his best friend being kissed by Jackson. A bit of jealousy ran through him also. He had wanted to kiss her for three years, and even though she had gone on dates before, he never had to see her kiss any of the men.

  Abigail had hesitated when Jackson had begun the kiss, but now, she was kissing him back. Their lips were moving together, while soft moans emanated from her. Those noises she made were speaking directly to his cock. He had to hope he wasn’t going to have to go home with a hard-on.

  The kissing went on for about a minute longer before Jackson pulled his lips away from Abigail’s. Before he knew what was happening, Jackson grasped the front of Tinker’s work shirt and pulled him toward him. Jackson’s lips were on his before he had time to think.

  Soft lips covered his, and without any play, Jackson’s tongue swept across his, demanding entrance. Tinker opened to him and felt the invasion of his tongue. Their tongues slid across each other, swirling, pushing, pulling. He didn’t want to be a pushover, at least not this early in the game, so he gave as good as he got.

  Disappointment reigned when Jackson pulled out of the kiss. However, when Tinker opened his eyes, which he didn’t realize he had closed, he saw the same passion and lust in Jackson’s eyes that he held for Abigail. Perhaps this was going to work out.

  Jackson released Tinker’s shirt as he stood and looked at both him and Abigail.

  Licking his lips, Jackson took a step back. “I didn’t mean to be pushy about this,” he began. “I think we should take some time to get to know each other. Have I scared you off yet?”

  Tinker glanced down at Abigail who had a blush on her that he had never seen before. Her lips were swollen, looking like she had been well kissed. He knew how he felt, so he wouldn’t be surprised if she felt the same way.

  “I can only speak for myself, Sir, but I am willing to give this a go.” He knew in his heart that he wanted Jackson Malone and Abigail Winters. “Abigail, what about you?”

  The hesitation that filled the air was strong. Looking at Jackson, Tinker found that worry creased his brow. He hoped that Jackson hadn’t blown it also.

  She drew in a deep breath as she seemed to contemplate what was happening. When she raised her chin, she looked at him first before looking at Jackson. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I’m willing to give it a try. However, if there is anything either one of you needs to get off your chest, now would be the best time.”

  “Why would there be anything wrong with you, baby girl?” Jackson asked, his brow raised.

  * * * *

  That term, baby girl, and the way Jackson had said it, swirled through Abigail’s body, reaching down to her cunt where she had to press her thighs further together because more cream was leaking from her. She almost forgot there was a question on the table.

  She looked up at Jackson. “Because these things only happen in romance books.”

  Jackson stepped up to her and raised his hands to her face. He held her cheeks, holding her gaze. “These things don’t just happen in books, Abigail. There are poly families everywhere. They just don’t bring attention to themselves in public.” When she opened her mouth to say something, he continued. “And I’m not talking about poly as in the polygamists in Utah where the man has multiple wives. These are families that either live together, or perhaps apart for whatever reason they wish. We make our own lives. We live our own lives. We decide how we are going to be a family. I want us to see what happens between us, and then we can go on from there.”

  There was no way Abigail could deny that her body wanted what Jackson was describing. She had wanted Tinker from the moment she had seen him, but she apparently had jumped to a conclusion that kept them sexually separated from the beginning of their friendship. Her heart was what she had to question.

  Yes, she had been dreaming about Jackson every night since she had met him. He had made love to her in every normal way possible. Once she began reading the erotic novels, she began fantasizing about kinky things he could do to her. Her subconscious wanted what Jackson Malone could give her.

  What was she going to do?

  “Like the books you’ve been reading?” Tinker asked, his voice breathy.

  “And what books would those be?” Jackson asked, never looking away from Abigail.

  “She just informed me before you came in that she’s been reading erotic romance,” her friend responded.

  A wicked smile appeared on Jackson’s face. Abigail could have sworn she saw horns on the top of his head. “Oh, really? Ménage? BDSM? Stuff like that?” he asked, his voice gravelly.

  “Tattletale,” she whispered. The words were said flatly. She couldn’t put any conviction behind them because she truly wanted what Jackson was offering.

  “Don’t be upset with Tinker, baby girl. He apparently wants you involved in the lifestyle. And, apparently, he has secrets of his own.” Jackson released Abigail’s face and moved to capture Tinker’s face in the same manner. “You’ve been involved in BDSM, haven’t you, boy?”

  Tinker didn’t miss a beat. “Yes, Sir. It’s been about three and a half years since my last encounter.”

  “Did you like it?” Jackson’s voice was now drippin
g with excitement.

  “Yes, Sir. Very much.” Tinker was nearly as excited.

  “I knew you were a sub by the way you were looking at me when I came in. That’s why I wanted you in a submissive pose. I wanted to see if what I sensed was correct. You have pleased me greatly, Tinker.” Jackson removed his left hand from Tinker’s face and placed it on Abigail’s. “Do you see how much Tinker enjoys BDSM? I can give you that same pleasure, and excitement, Abigail. Will you give it a try? Give us a try?”

  Still having reservations, she nodded.

  “Talk to him, Abi. You have to verbalize. Remember, communication is the most important thing in the lifestyle.” Tinker spoke to her, but Abigail could see out of her peripheral vision, he never took his gaze off Jackson.

  Jackson’s face softened as he waited for her answer. She could see that he really did have feelings for her. Otherwise, he would have already left, or been angry because she wasn’t responding the way he wanted.

  Again, she nodded, but also said, “I want to try.”

  He leaned in and captured her mouth with his. He sighed when she opened to him before he looked for entrance. Their tongues tangled together briefly before he pulled out of the kiss. She watched as he turned his head and did the same with Tinker. When he ended his kiss with Tinker, Jackson looked at both.

  “Now, since you have both been interested, I want you both to kiss.”

  Jackson’s words found those butterflies within her again, sending them dive-bombing. Three years had passed since her initial feelings for Tinker had begun. Oh, there had been fantasies with Tinker also, but she had to put them off because of his supposed sexual choices.

  Abigail turned and looked up at Tinker. A smile was on the man’s face as he turned and looked down at her. “Finally,” he whispered before he leaned in quickly and covered her lips with his. His hands came up to each side of her neck, and he held firm, as if she was going to flee.

  As with Jackson, Abigail opened to Tinker and slid her tongue across his lips. He opened to her and their tongues played together, slashing, sliding, and dueling. They were kissing as if they were two lovers who hadn’t seen each other in ages.