Chapter 16. The Weekend Getaway (Part 2)

Hello, all!

As promised, this is the next chapter! The story started to progress on the direction I had in mind when I started 'Against the Wall'. I am not sure it will be everyone's cup of tea, but I do hope some of you will enjoy reading it. Do let me know what you think about it if you have time!

I also want to give my thanks for those who shared their thoughts about the previous chapter with me: Capricorn989, finderlov, Ninetampax, Davien Rosa, Spiritphoenix92, Minak0003, and everyone who sent their review anonymously. Thanks for the ideas and inspirations. Whenever possible, I'll try to incorporate it. :)

The next chapter is coming soon. In the meantime, happy reading!

Disclaimer: VF belongs to YA. Lemons. Grammatical error.

"Oh, I didn't know that you're here, Tao!" I called with a grin as I entered the hot spring with Asami, only to found Tao sitting inside the steaming water. His eyes closed as he rested his head and left arm against the dark stony edge of the pool. It was past midnight that we had thought everybody else were already in bed, dreaming.

With a lightning speed, Tao opened his eyes and whirled around to face us, his hands quickly moved to the front of his body. I was guessing that he tried to cover his most private part below the water level. He didn't realise that Asami and I couldn't even see much with the cloud of white mist that almost entirely hid the surface of the water. That shy act was a sharp contrast to his big body that I wanted to laugh. To me, he was still such a kid. A huge one, but still cute. I wondered whether other people saw the same thing when they saw him.

"I-uh, I-" he stammered, clearly not expecting our appearance. Then, he cleared his throat to pull himself together and tried again, "I am sorry, Asami-sama. I didn't know that you are planning to come here. Let me grab my towel and I'll take my leave."

The fact that he only look at and apologised to Asami made me wanting to tease him more. "Awww, why do you act as if we caught you red-handed, Tao?"

I gave him an evil grin before continuing, "Or did you actually do something you shouldn't do before we arrive?"

Honestly, I was expecting him to promptly deny my accusation. I didn't even seriously think that he did anything wrong. Tao always looked so cool and collected, I couldn't even imagine him behaving in an improper way. But Tao's face turned red so quickly that he could never blame it on the steaming hot water that he was in.

Sooo, he did something naughty down there. What, did he masturbate? Was that why he didn't even notice our entrance, too busy imagining one of his beautiful lover rubbing their body against his in this hot pool?

I tried to school my expression before my laughter escaped my big mouth. The way he looked so embarrassed now reminded me of a toddler who was caught with his hand inside that cookie jar that he shouldn't have touched. It was so adorable, I felt like pinching his cheeks.

"Stop teasing him, Akihito," Asami scolded me lightly from where he stood behind me. Ignoring my scowl for stopping me from making fun of Tao a little bit more, he took off his towel and started to step into the hot water.

"Stay," he told Tao. "You don't have to leave. It's a shared area."

Tao was clearly uncomfortable with the situation. The man looked like he preferred to cut his own arms than spending another second with us. Well, I could sympathise. Who would want to enjoy the hot spring with their boss? Like, seriously. I'd like to meet any employee out there who could feel relax being naked together in a pool with their supervisor. Because I certainly wouldn't.

But, we were the ones who were intruding. I felt bad if Tao needed to cut his hot-spring time short just because we appeared unannounced. I wanted everyone to enjoy this family trip, but with the sudden appearance of the Takamiyas, it had become more impossible to achieve with every passing hour.

With a big genuine smile this time, I told him, "Ryu is right. Sorry, I didn't mean to tease you so much. Please stay! The more, the merrier. There's room for a dozen more people here, there's no reason to leave just because we come. I promise we will stay away from you. You won't even notice we are here! Cross my heart!"

Tao made a face that plainly expressed his utter disbelief and disapproval of the idea. He opened his mouth —I was guessing that he would give us an excuse that could save himself from the awkward situation—

Not that I would blame him.

—when Asami cut him sternly, "Stay."

And a single word was all it took for Tao to stop behaving like a kid who was trying to ditch an unwanted chores. Turning into a good soldier in front of his commander, Tao obediently straightened his posture, turned around, linked his arms behind him, and locked his gaze at the far view of the glimmering city down the hill, purposely keeping us away from his direct line of sight so that he wouldn't seem to hover over us. This was a bodyguard looking after his boss and not the same man who was relaxing in a hot spring just a few minutes ago.

I cursed Asami inwardly. Why couldn't he see that his presence as the boss had made Tao uncomfortable. We could go instead, but I was sure it would still made the man uneasy for making his boss to leave. Asami should have let Tao go. At least, that way, Tao could continue with whatever it was he'd been doing in the privacy of his own room.

Since there was't much I could do now to save the situation, I took off my own towel and dipped myself into the steaming water. It was a little too hot. I stilled myself for another minute or two before my body began to adjust itself to the unusual temperature. But once I was used to it, it felt like heaven. I let out a contented sigh. This was exactly what I needed after the long, emotional day.

"I love your happy moan," Asami suddenly said from right behind me.

I didn't even notice the man had moved. I could feel his broad chest against my back. It felt sturdy and strong, a masculine body with nothing soft about it. His muscular arms surrounded me, keeping me in place. Not that I wanted to run away. There was no other place I'd rather be than right here, in this exact spot, perfectly safe and secure within Asami's warm embrace.

Desire rushed to my nether region before I could even think to stop it. I wanted to rub my body against his. I turned my head, trying to catch his lips—

—and that was when I remembered Tao was there with us.

The man was metres away, not anywhere near. Even if I was reaching out my arm, it was still impossible to touch him. Tao kept most of his back towards us and made himself so still and silent that it was easy to forget that he was there. He couldn't see us, of course. But knowing that he could very clearly hear us, I blushed.

"I didn't moan, you bastard," I pushed Asami away instead, trying to maintain whatever modesty I still had.

My husband just looked at me with a knowing smirk. He always liked a few audience, knowing that it would embarrass me. Once he even admitted that it gave him a high to show me off during our most private moments. "It reminds me that you are mine and mine alone," he had told me in a rare moment of pillow talk. Perhaps it was part of his control-freak nature; he just wanted to stake his claim in everything.

Occasionally, I'd indulged him. Since the first time I had accompanied him for a meeting with the Morettis, I had even joined him in another one or two business meetings at The Collar, wearing outfits that would make me question my own sanity after that. But knowing it gave him pleasure and pride, I felt that there was no harm fulfilling his fantasy every once in a blue moon.

Tonight, however, knowing that Tao would be the onlooker, I just didn't feel like playing along. It just didn't seem right to me. It wasn't exactly because he was my best friend. But in my mind, I just couldn't see him as the 30 years old man that he was now. For me, he was still that same boy whom I had made friend with a long time ago. And making someone so young watching us during this private moment just felt so wrong in so many levels.

I made my way into the seating area at the edge of the pool. "Let's just enjoy the hot spring," I mumbled, trying not to put Tao and us in a more awkward situation. Besides, it was equally nice to sit inside the steaming water. I leaned my back against the wall of the pool as Asami sat beside me.

"Tao," Asami called out in a lazy drawl as he rested his right arm against the stony edge of the pool behind my shoulders, instinctively claiming his territory like an animal.

The man flinched as if Asami had put a gun against his back instead of simply calling his name, but he kept his position away from us. The muscles on his back rippled as he tried to still himself. It was covered by a tattoo that he got many years back. A colourful image of a huge dragon curling to protect a light-brown pearl was displayed in all its majestic glory, starting from his neck all the way to his lower back.

"Do you need anything, Asami-sama?" Tao answered dutifully, not giving us even a peek.

"Come, boy, sit with us," Asami replied, still oblivious to the fact that no one on earth would want to sit naked in a hot spring with their boss. Sometimes, despite his shrewd intelligence, my husband could be so dense, I wanted to smack the back of his head.

There was a heavy pause before Tao responded carefully, as if he was double-checking every single word to ensure it was polite enough for his boss' ears, "It's fine, Sir. It will be rude for me to intrude into your personal family time. Please enjoy yourself. I will be here if you need anything."

It was a respectful answer, and yet, I felt irritated that he made it as if he wasn't a part of Asami's family. If the twins were here with us, they would have wrestled Asami in a childish attempt to drown him a long time ago. Wasn't it normal for family members to enjoy a hot bath together, especially since we were all of the same gender? Why would it be different for Tao?

My voice might have sounded harsher than I intended it to be when I asked, "Are you saying you are not part of the family, Tao? Can't we have a family time with you too?"

I had tried to hide the hurt and accusation in my question, but I clearly had failed because Tao spun around before I could even finish my sentence. "That wasn't what I meant, Akihito!" he said quickly.

He realised then that he was now staring openly at us and he started stammering again, "I- I just meant-"

I gave him an apologetic smile. "Come, please," I said gently this time. "Sit with us. You are a family too and it made me sad for you to stand so far away as if we are strangers to you. I know Asami is, in a way, your boss. But don't let him bully you. You come here to join us in a family trip, as a family, Tao, not as his subordinate. So, don't be so nervous about sitting here with him. Don't think of him as your boss for now, ok?"

Of course, instead of being chagrined for not noticing Tao's distress earlier, Asami bursted laughing instead. The nerve of the bastard. I felt pity for all his employees if this was how oblivious he behaved around them.

"Oh, so I am the one who is bullying him and making him nervous. Really, Akihito?"

I elbowed his waist in annoyance, but it felt like pushing a rock. I wasn't even sure the bastard felt it. "Of course it is you! Who else is here? Can't you see how much your presence is making him uncomfortable? How can a man relax if his boss is naked by his side telling him to do this and that. Seriously, you can be so dense, sometimes. Tone down that bossy attitude a little, will you?"

Still chuckling, he kissed my temple, "Oh, Akihito. I didn't realise that sitting naked next to me in a hot spring is what makes the man so uncomfortable. Of course, it's me who is making him nervous like that. Who else can it be? Silly me. There can't possibly be any other explanation, can there?"

Something in his teasing tone made me think that Asami didn't fully believe me. But what could I expect from a man who wasn't used to live like a regular people? His ability to empathise with others was almost zero.

Tao looked like he was about to be tortured. Trying to comfort him, I took his hand in mine and dragged him to sit by my other side. Begrudgingly, as if he was navigating a field full of land mines, the man sat at the edge of the seating area. His body was taut and rigid like he would bolt at any second.

"There, there," I patted his thigh below the water surface. "I promise I will kick his ass if he keeps ordering you around. Just try to chill and relax, ya?"

Tao jumped at my touch, but then he gave me a weak smile and nodded. Slowly, he leaned his back against the pool wall and closed his eyes, looking at least a little more relax with every passing second.

Determined to make him more comfortable, I began, "By the way, I have always wanted to ask you this for years."

I could sense Tao's body tensed, but he didn't move or open his eyes, so I continued, "Why do you chose a brown pearl for your tattoo? A white pearl will be more common, won't it? I just found it unusual so it makes me curious."

Tao opened his eyes and stared at me. A calculating look on his face. I could hear Asami's snort at my other side. It sounded suspiciously like the bastard was suppressing a chuckle. I just ignored my husband. Tattoo was personal and permanent so I was sure that every choice of shape and color had meanings behind it.

"It's not brown, Akihito," Tao answered simply. "It's hazel."

As if it explained everything. I frowned. That didn't answer my question at all.

"Okay, but why the dragon is protecting a hazel pearl then? Isn't hazel more commonly used to refer to an eye colour?"

I gasped at the realisation.

"Oh. my. god!"

The two men were staring at me expectantly, holding their breath, as if they were waiting for me to reveal the latest technology that could save mankind from extinction.

"Is that not a pearl but a hazel eye?! Have I been mistaken all this time? But why the dragon is protecting a hazel eye? Like, why just an eye? Are you trying to scare people off? Isn't that too gory even for you, Tao? No, no, sorry, Tao, I can't think of it as an eye. I will just keep pretending it is a brown pearl, instead."

I couldn't understand why Tao looked relieved. But what felt more confusing to me was when Asami shook his head slightly, muttering in frustration, "I can't fucking believe this."

"Believe what?" I asked, annoyed because it seemed to me like he knew something I didn't. I felt left out, like that kid who got picked last for a game.

Asami rested his head back against the edge of the pool. He explained with a tone that made me think of someone who was trying to keep their patience in check while talking to a toddler, "Let's say the dragon is him."

I nodded in agreement, "Okay, I think that much is obvious. I am not stupid. Fei Long means flying dragon. And since Tao is his son, so he is also a dragon."

"And you yourself said that the dragon is protecting the hazel pearl. Honestly, I don't care you want to call it a pearl, an eye, a ball, a box, or whatever it is. It's hazel, Akihito. That's the key. So, by the deduction of logic, he wants to protect…"

Asami trailed off, like he was hoping I would somehow get the answer if he stopped the explanation there. But for the love of all Gods, I had no idea what conclusion he was hoping me to get! How could I know what Tao wanted to protect? And what did a hazel pearl even mean as a metaphor?

"Asami-sama," Tao said softly, there was a pleading tone in his voice that I had never heard before.

Feeling pressured to come up with an answer that everyone but me seemed to know, I offered uncertainly, "Uhhh, something brown…or hazel…or gold? Hazel or brown can substitute gold, right? Isn't gold means money? Oh, can it be a coin? Wealth?"

Holding his hands up in the universal sign of giving up, Asami yelled in exasperation, "Geez! Dealing with Takamiya is easier than this. You are hopeless, Akihito."

It was Tao who was chuckling this time. For the first time tonight, the tension had left us. Everyone was much more relax and the banter between us became light and easy. It really made me happy to be here, just enjoying the hot spring and chatting with these two men, both of whom I loved and cared so much.

"Hey," I protested half-heartedly. "If you actually know it then why don't you just tell me, asshole?!"

My husband just scowled at me. "Oh, for God's sake, Akihito, if you are so curious, why don't you ask my young protege over there to explain it plainly to you? Maybe he has more patience than me."

Tao looked stunned at the casual declaration. Asami might be more open-minded than most Asian men his age, but he still wasn't one who would express his feeling so openly with words. He was still pretty much a man of actions. I had never heard him telling any of our children that he was proud of them. He simply showed it with a pat on the shoulder or on the back of their neck. So, him claiming Tao as his protege was something huge.

I smiled at Tao, like I was sharing some profound secret, "He is always so proud of you, you know. He always told me what a great businessman you are or how your talent will bring you far in life. He can talk about you so much, sometimes I wonder whether I need to feel jealous."

Tao smiled too, a genuine one this time. "And I am thankful for everything you have done for me, Asami-sama. I know I am not your blood, but I am grateful that you have treated me like your own since you took me in. Whatever I achieve, I owe it all to you and you alone. For that, I will always be indebted to you."

There was a affectionate gleam in Asami's golden eyes as he listened to what Tao said. I have never seen him looking so proud like this other than at his own children. But I guess, to Asami, Tao was already like his own son. Even my children had treated Tao like their real brother.

Tao looked straight at Asami now as he suddenly made an oath, "I swear on my father's honour that I will never do anything against your will, Asami-sama."

It was like there was a deeper meaning in that promise, something that I wasn't privy of. There was intensity in the way the two alpha men were looking at each other. Like Tao hoped to ask Asami's approval for something I had no idea about. Like Asami wanted to gauge how much he could trust Tao's vow. Trapped between the two of them, I wasn't sure what to do. I felt like I was stuck in the middle, waiting for a imminent fight between two dangerous predators.

"Uhhh.." I muttered uncertainly. "…what's going on?"

The easygoing atmosphere had completely evaporated into thin air. The silence that followed my question felt deafening. Then, Asami stood slowly, pulling me up with him. Tao did the same on my other side.

"So you will be fine with it if that's my will, huh?" Asami sounded as if he was calculating his next move.

"Guys," I tried to placate the two beasts. "I don't know what you are talking about, but I am sure we can discuss about it calmly like two adults. Right?"

Tao ignored me, keeping his attention on Asami instead. It was almost like I wasn't even there right in front of him.

Then, when I thought I would choke from all that tension, Asami laughed. "Oh, I feel nostalgic. Don't this situation remind you of the old time, Akihito?"

"W-what? Old time? What the fuck do you even mean, Ryu?!"

He nuzzled my neck lovingly, the desire was thick in his voice as he drawled, "You know, our threesome in the onsen a long time ago. My cock was buried deep within you as you sucked-"

I instinctively closed Tao's ears with both of my hands as if he was an underage who wasn't allowed yet to hear anything about sexual intimacy. "Ryu, you idiot! What nonsense are you talking about in front of him! He is just a kid!"

Instead of stepping away to give me space, though, Asami just pushed my back so that I was plastered against Tao, my chest against the younger man in front of me. Asami bent to whisper at my ear, sounding amused, "A kid? Does the body in front of you feel like a kid, Akihito?"

And that was when I began to notice Tao's hard body pressed against mine. Tao didn't say anything. He was looking down at me as if he was in a trance. Over the years, Tao had grown a head taller than me. But never before our height difference had felt so evident. Until now. Suddenly, I felt so self-conscious, nervous, and shy. All of which I had never experienced around Tao. I quickly took my hands away from his face, pushing back against Asami to put some distance between Tao and I. But Asami stood his ground to keep me trapped between him and Tao.

"Ryu, what are you-" I started to complain, but he shushed me.

Taking my hands in his, Asami placed my palms on Tao's chest. I could feel Tao's heart beating beneath the muscular chest. The speed of his heart beat was ridiculously fast considering the man was standing so still, not moving even a finger as Asami guided my hands to explore his body as if it was a work of art.

In a way, it was truly a work of art. This was a body of someone who clearly put time and effort to sculpt them. Everything was in such perfect proportion, it looked unreal. His muscles were rock solid under my fingertips. His broad shoulders displayed his strength, offering anyone whom he would love in the future a sturdy place to lean on when life got tough. He had a 6-packs that many men could only dream of. And below water, I suddenly felt a hard rod poking into my stomach. It felt huge and it might have scared me if only I didn't notice another equally hard cock which navigated its way to enter my opening. The last intrusion felt more immediate so I chose to move forward toward Tao, clinging to him as if he was my life jacket.

For Tao's credit, he didn't take advantage of the situation. He held my body to prevent me from falling, but other than that, he didn't do anything else. Asami, on the other hand, didn't have the same patience. My husband pulled my hips back, arching my body, to get a better angle to penetrate me. Asami's fingers moved steadily, forcing entry into my tight channel, preparing it for a bigger invasion that would soon follow. His digits started to brush against my prostate rapidly, turning my legs into jelly. I moaned and squirming, trying to control my body reaction but it was a futile attempt. I wouldn't even be able to keep my body from falling into the water if it wasn't for Asami's arms around my waist and Tao's hands holding my upper body up. Between the two alpha males, I couldn't even try to escape.

"Is this ok, Akihito?" Tao rasped, his voice barely audible.

I looked up at him. When had he grown up? Why hadn't I noticed it? Because Asami was right. This wasn't a body of a kid. This was a full grown man, with a strength that can overpower me within a few seconds. I could feel the vigour hidden within his body in the way he held me up carefully, like he was afraid he would accidentally hurt me.

And his black eyes. God, how could I miss the desire hidden in those eyes? Tao was looking at me with so much lust as if I was the most delicious meal that he had ever seen after years of fasting. Like he wanted to devour me, with all my flesh, blood, and soul.

Recognising the realisation dawning in my eyes, he swallowed. "Your hazel eyes," he said softly. "I always think they are beautiful."

A hazel pearl. A dragon protecting a hazel pearl. An eye.

Asami took that moment to pulled me from Tao's embrace. He manoeuvred my body to lean against his, his arms holding my thighs, lifting me into a perfect angle for him to impale me in a single thrust. I arched my body and screamed, more from surprise than from pain.

When my voice finally stopped echoing, Asami drawled, "So, you finally got it, huh? Took you long enough. Tell me, Akihito, who will want to sit naked in the hot sprint beside the person they love but can't have? How do you even expect him to hide his erection? And you still dare to say it's my fault?"

My best friend. How could I not realise his feelings toward me? There was sorrow in Tao's eyes as he watched me and Asami. Sorrow and fear. He already thought that I would reject him right here right now. That I would break his heart into pieces.

Would I?

"Lucky for my protege, he has done so well for me that I always have a soft spot towards him. But, it's only if you want him to join us, Akihito," Asami's whisper next to my ear sounded like a temptation from the devil himself. It was seductive and heavy with wicked promises. And it triggered sinful imagery in my head that had never been there before.

Truth to be told, if I decided to go with this, it wouldn't be my first threesome with Asami. We'd had one with Fei Long a long time go. So, it wasn't like I was against Asami's offer of a ménage à trois. Compared to Fei Long, I truly cared for Tao and looking back, I did love Tao in our own way. Not as a lover, perhaps. But definitely a little more than a simple best friend.

Asami stilled his movement, giving me time to make my decision. I knew he would respect my choice. If I refused, he wouldn't think twice to kick Tao out of here. But if I accepted…

My throat felt dry.

Did I even want this? Did he even want this?

I reached out to caress Tao's face. He was so handsome, with his sharp jaw and high cheekbone. His eyes stared at me with the intensity of a man waiting for his fate. As I explored his face, he held his breath. He didn't even move a finger, as if he was afraid any sudden movement would scare me away.

"I can't give you the relationship that you might have in mind," I told him honestly. Tao had to understand that. "I am Asami's first and foremost. I'd die without him. But that doesn't mean I don't have space in my heart to love you too. Is that ok?"

He nodded so fast like he was terrified I might change my mind. "I know, Akihito. Whatever you can give me is more than enough," he whispered, his voice dripping with something that sounded very close to gratitude. All for a mere promise to be the third wheel in my own relationship. Was I a bad person to admit that I actually want this?

But I didn't have much time to dwell in it. Asami's voice sounded impatient as he growled at Tao, "If we're all in agreement, what are you still waiting for, boy? Move your ass."

I wanted to smack his thigh to remind him to tone down his bossy attitude but Asami started to thrusted into my body earnestly. His cock was so hard it felt like my body was split in two. He was more aroused than he normally was. Apparently, the idea of sharing a little part of me with his young protege was like an aphrodisiac that made him act like a dog in heat. Who knew that the selfish bastard not only could share, but would even enjoy it?

"Nghh," I moaned with every jab of his hips. He kept hitting that pleasure spot deep within me, sending me into frenzy. "Ryu, aghhhh."

To my surprise, Tao was a gentle lover. He explored my body in a way that made me feel that he'd like to worship me if he could. It was flattering and embarrassing at the same time. He nibbled on my lips a little, seeking permission, before conquering my mouth with a possessive kiss, one that made me gasping for air. His hands roamed my body like he wanted to remember every nook and cranny.

With a single confident move, he joined our cocks together and started pumping. The way he quickly made me squeal like a little boy reminded me that Tao wasn't an inexperienced lover. In fact, Tao had a list of exes longer than I could even remember. This was clearly a man who knew how to pleasure his lovers and was generous about it. There was no hesitancy in the way he touched me, no wasted movement. Everything was done with the purpose to sensually stimulate my body to its limit.

Through the thick haze of my burning desire, I noticed that Asami and Tao didn't even touch each other. No stolen kiss or caress between them as they pushed our bodies to move together in a harmony beyond what human beings were capable of. They didn't even look at each other much, aside from the discreet nod every now and then to let the other know that everything was all good. These two alpha males weren't interested in each other. I was their only common interest. A shared passion that made the two proud men to agree in pushing aside their egos and joining forces as partners. It somehow touched my heart in a way I had never felt before.

"God, you are so tight, Akihito. So. Warm. So. Fucking. Good." Asami grunted from behind me, punctuating every word with a quick stab deep into my body. His breaths had started to race. "You squeezed my cock like you don't want to let me go. Do you like it that much?"

I wanted to nod, but clearly, my brain had melt into liquid. I had a sensation overload. My legs clinging weakly around Tao's waist as Asami pounded into me. All I could do was sobbing, tears streaking down my cheeks as I whimpered for their mercy.

Tao laughed. He kept a brutal pace stroking our cocks together. Purring like the cat that got the cream, he bragged, "I think we gave Akihito more than he can chew, Asami-sama."

There was a satisfied look in his eyes, a smug arrogance even, and I was sure that I would see the same sentiment mirrored by the golden eyes hidden behind me. These men knew what they were doing to me. Like sharks smelling blood, they instinctively sensed how to drive me into madness. And they revelled in the fact that they could turn me into this sensual creature created from pure lust. For them, it was an obsession and I loved every second of it.

I wanted to turned towards my husband. To tell him how I belonged to him and him alone. To tell Tao that I love him in its own way. But, trying to stay lucid was already a struggle. Between Asami's dick in my ass and Tao's cock against mine, I felt like I had died. Oh, yes, surely I had died and gone to heaven. I didn't know what I had done right in my past life, but I thanked whatever Gods out there for bringing these two men my way.

Noticing that I was close, Tao grabbed my chin. For a second, I thought he was going to kiss me, but he turned my face toward my husband and a familiar tongue suddenly touched my lips, forcing entry. The kiss tasted just like Asami, a combination of his favourite cigarette, a hint of whiskey, and a reminder of home. It grounded me.

Tao buried his face in my neck. Nuzzling the sensitive skin below my ear, he whispered huskily, "Come for him, Akihito."

For Asami. Not even for Tao, moreover for anyone else.

Just like that, I came. I screamed but there was no sound coming out of my mouth. Then, I could feel their hot cum filling me, covering me, drowning me, overwhelming me, as they both came, one after another, wave after wave, all within minutes after me.

And everything went black.

"I was wrong about you," the hoarse voice that came from the dark made Tao quickly reached for his gun. The Glock felt like an old trusted friend in his hands.

He had just came out from the hot spring area, planning to bring back some cold water as he left Akihito resting in the embrace of Asami-sama. But after finally getting a taste of what he could only dream of for the last two decades, his mind was still floating in the fantasy land. He had completely missed the other presence lurking by the entrance door. Cursing himself for not being more careful, he told himself to stay focused. After all, at the moment, he was the only defence between this unknown threat and the two most important people in his life behind the door.

Tanaka Haruo stepped out from the dark corner the crazy bastard had hidden in.

"Lower your gun," he said with a cold smirk. "I am not here to kill you. If I am, you'd be dead already when you were out there rubbing your dick against that whore's. Geez, he was so noisy during sex, I am surprised he didn't wake the entire inn. No wonder none of you noticed me watching the free show from here. It was not bad, I have to say. Kinda turn me on. Although me myself, I prefer my partner enduring their pain in silent. It allows me to stay sharp, you know? No noise, no distraction. But don't you think he is a little plain? I don't understand why the two of you are so crazy about him. Well, Asami was an old man. Still good looking, I have to admit, but surely his stamina is not the same anymore so, I guess, he needs to take what he can get. But why you? Maybe I need to try him out one day. I'd love to see what that whore looks like when he cries from pain and not from-"

Tao's body moved before he could even think twice. Tanaka avoided the pistol-whip, and the high kick that followed, but he couldn't steer clear fast enough from Tao's upper hook. The man nearly fell backward but he quickly fixed his standing and steadied himself. The next time he blinked, he was staring at the barrel of Tao's gun.

"It is 'Asami-san' to you, you sick peeping tom. And if you dare to insult Asami-sama or Asami-san one more time, I will take it as a threat, and treaty between our groups or not, I will chop your body myself," he said calmly, his breath steady as if he hadn't moved at all.

Tanaka frowned. For once, there was a curious glint in that dead black eyes. So the man could still feel something after all. "You truly respect Asami-sama," he said, a hint of astonishment in his voice. "Like, for real? Why?"

Tao replied with a disinterested tone, "Why do I need to explain myself to you? I don't even care what you think about me."

But the other man ignored Tao as if he was in a trance. "You are not even his blood but he sounded so proud of you. What did he call you just now? His protege? What a liar. Do you really think he is sharing his lover with you out of affection? Everyone knows Asami-sama doesn't share. You are just his dog. Collared, leashed and caged. He is training you to perform tricks so he throws you some of his leftovers, pretending it's a treat, and here you are, readily wagging your tail for him. Stop acting all high and mighty, Liu Tao. You are nothing to that man. Let's see how long his favour for you will last. Mark my word, once you have outrun your usefulness, you better wish he will be merciful enough to give you a quick death. Oh, how I hope I can be there to see the regret in your eyes when that happens."

And with that parting monologue, Tanaka left the room, leaving Tao questioning the blissful contentment he had felt not so long ago.