Eric led an oddly quiet Belle toward his room on the second floor. Tate followed. Kell said he'd gather extra bedding and meet them back in the bedroom. Still she didn't speak up. Either she'd meant what she'd said literally and they were in for a hard night, or she was being a coward. He hoped they had some ibuprofen in the house for the inevitable backache he would have tomorrow. Nothing would relieve the ache in his cock. He doubted he would get a minute's sleep knowing Belle was so close and he couldn't have her.
When he led Belle into the bedroom, Tate prowled in as well, frowning with all the happiness of a thundercloud.
Eric put a hand on his best friend's chest, stopping him. "Don't look at me like I took your favorite toy away."
"You totally did. I didn't even get to play with it."
Sometimes he was far too literal. "What has Kellan been trying to teach us?"
Tate sighed. They'd been going to BDSM clubs with Kell for years, but had only recently gotten serious about topping when they realized Belle would likely be submissive in the bedroom. What they'd learned since was about far more than what flogger to use. Instead, Kellan had tried to teach them the value of communication.
"Damn it. Why can't we just fuck?" Tate put a hand up. "Don't say anything. I know the answer. If she wants sex, she needs to ask for it."
Kellan came in and dropped an armful of bedding on the floor, then slapped Tate on the back. "Ah, he learns."
"He learns that he's likely going to remain horny and lonely. Sometimes, D/s sucks." Tate grumbled. "Vanilla guys just get to fall on the woman they want and enjoy her."
"You'll be fine," Eric assured, then turned to Kellan. "But you realize we'll have to listen to him complain about his penis all day tomorrow."
Kell snorted. "Probably so, but it wouldn't be the first time."
"It will be the loudest," Tate promised. "Belle, baby … just tell them what you mean and put me out of my misery."
"Don't push her if she's not ready," Kellan growled. "I'll sleep in front of the door. She'll feel better that way."
"No, she won't." Belle protested, looking frustrated. "I want you with us, Kellan, for however long we have. And I think it's embarrassing and slightly mean that you're going to make me admit what I want out loud. It would be easier if you would just toss me on the bed and attack me."
Eric's heart skipped a beat because there was no way to mistake those words. He stepped forward and crowded her, his cock coming to attention the minute he realized tonight might not end in sleep after all.
"Belle, I want you," Eric murmured. "I'm not going to lie about it or prevaricate. So I'm going to put all my cards on the table. I want everything you have to give me. I want to share you with Tate and Kellan. I want to top you. I want to be one of your Masters. If you can't admit what you want, then it would be best if we just watched over you tonight."
Kellan slid his fingers over the delicate slope of her jaw. "We really will wait for you to be comfortable and ready. We won't repeat our mistakes. We took things much too fast. We didn't talk."
"I think I talked too much," Belle said. "I wish I hadn't said anything at all."
Eric forced her to look into his eyes. She needed to understand a few truths. "You should be very happy you did. We would have known the minute one of us got inside you, and there would have been hell to pay for keeping that secret from us. We could have hurt you Belle."
"I've heard it's going to hurt no matter what," she argued.
She was just begging for a spanking. Previously, she'd only taken Kellan's discipline, but Eric itched to take her over his knee, too.
"It's time to explain how this is going to work. Then you can decide whether you want to proceed."
He heard Tate groan, but then the big fucker was already out of his clothes. Stripping in record time around Belle seemed to be one of his new talents.
Belle turned, stopping to stare at Tate and his massive cock. Eric decided to make it a teaching moment.
"Do you see how eager he is? If we don't properly prepare you, that monster will tear you up."
Tate frowned and palmed his cock. "It's not a monster. That's totally rude. And it's going to be so sweet to you, Belle. Sorry. I thought we were getting to the good stuff. Should I get dressed again?"
Kellan sighed and sat on the small chaise across from the bed. "Don't bother. Belle, I'm here to help. You understand I can't commit the way they can. I would like to offer my services as a Dom to help them introduce you to the lifestyle. I think you'll find comfort and pleasure in it. Will you allow me to assist?"