"Let's bring her down slowly."

Owen smiled and nodded.

Was she supposed to believe they'd just jacked each other off all over her belly for her benefit?

Kellen's strong fingers played over the flesh on one side of her body, while Owen worked the other. They started by massaging their combined fluids into her skin. She'd watched them, trembling, wondering what part she had really played in the act that was obviously something more between them and less about her. She wasn't sure how she felt about being included in something like this. Oh, sure, she'd had an amazing sexual experience, but if the two of them were attracted to each other, why bother bringing a woman into the mix at all?

"I didn't realize you two were lovers when I agreed to this," Lindsey said as Kellen released one of her legs and slowly unwound the rope from around her thigh. He paused and looked at her as if she was a raving lunatic.

"What do you mean?"

"You and Owen. You obviously have a thing for each other."

Both men laughed. "It's not like that," Owen said. "It's part of Kelly's ritual."

It's Kellen's way of taking advantage of you, Lindsey thought. She winced as her left leg was slowly extended and Kellen's deft fingers began to massage its length. She hadn't realized that an uncomfortable ache had built in her hips until both legs were straightened and both men were kneading her muscles until she began to relax.

"It's cool,” Lindsey said. “Watching you get each other off was hot and all. I just wasn't expecting it."

Kellen didn't comment, but Owen seemed a bit disturbed. His handsome face twisted in confusion and he glanced up at Kellen. "When did we start touching each other in the ritual? We didn’t used to do that."

Kellen grinned. "A few months ago. It feels better that way, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, but she's right. It's kind of gay."

Kellen laughed. "What are you talking about? We both know we're not sexually attracted to each other," Kellen said. When Owen was looking the other way he sneaked a glance at him as if he wondered if Owen was buying it.

"You do know how to get me off hard," Owen said. "I completely forget where I am and lose track of what's going on. It's almost like really intense masturbation, since I have a cock in my hand. It's just not my own."

Lindsey chuckled. The guy was so cute. No wonder Kellen manipulated him into being his unsuspecting toy.

"I don't think I can find my connection without you anymore, Owen." Kellen stared at him reflectively and Owen grinned.

"Don't worry," Owen said. "I'll help you out until you find your perfect woman."

Kellen's smile was genuine this time. None of that usual wickedness in him backed it. "Thanks."

"I'll be your perfect woman," Lindsey offered.

"You were great Lindsey," Owen said, "but he has this crazy idea that he’ll know his soul mate the instant he meets her. Ridiculous idea, huh?"

“Kind of romantic,” Lindsey said.

"You're not supposed to share that with people, remember?" Kellen said.

They were unwinding the ropes around her torso now. Every inch of her body was massaged as they released her bounds one at a time.

Owen shrugged. "She's seen you stroke your best friend's cock until he came so hard he saw stars. I don't think much of what you share with her at this point is going to phase her."

"You came that hard, did you?" Kellen said, his lips twisted in that wicked grin of his again.

"Can't help it. You have strong hands."

"Kellen came way harder than you did, Owen,” Lindsey said. “I think he bruised my belly with the force behind his load."

Owen chuckled. "I did my best to help him get off."

“We rushed it a bit,” Kellen commented. “You were over-excited.” He caressed Lindsey’s breasts gently as they were freed from their bounds. “Which got me overexcited. I’m not sure if she was completely satisfied.”

She couldn’t lie, even if it did mean she might have more in store for her. “I was more than satisfied. And it feels absolutely amazing to be touched like this after having been confined,” she said quietly. She liked it almost as much as the mind blowing orgasm she was still relishing.

“You’ll sleep very well,” Kellen promised.

“I am sleepy now,” she admitted.

She felt the weariness to her very bones.

And despite her best intentions, her eyes drifted closed.

Kellen continued to unwind ropes and massage flesh long after Lindsey had fallen asleep. He could feel Owen’s troubled gaze on him, but he pretended he was still working through his ritual. When had it become a way to be closer to his best friend? And why were the best orgasms of his life always at Owen’s hand? He wasn’t attracted to Owen. He didn’t get aroused when he was around him or anything. It had to be a completely tactile response of his body. Nothing emotional behind it. Should he tell Owen that or just keep those thoughts to himself?

“I want some hot chocolate,” Owen said. “Can you finish this on your own?”

Kellen forced himself to look up at Owen. He hoped his smile didn’t appear as forced as it felt. “Yeah, I’m fine. Almost finished. Unless you want to retrieve her anal plug for me.”

Owen grinned and Kellen took an unlabored breath. He hadn’t realized how constricted his chest had become until Owen’s easy smile had lifted some of the emotional burden.

“Sounds like a job for Adam,” Owen said. “He’s the one who loves ass.”

Kellen really didn’t want to make things weird between himself and Owen. So what if his orgasms were less intense when he finished himself at his own hand. Kellen had to stop encouraging Owen to touch him. Had to stop touching Owen in return. That’s all there was too it.

“You can call Adam in here if you want,” Kellen said.

Owen shook his head. “You aren’t attracted to me. Are you?”

Leave it to Owen to throw it all out there in the open. Kellen shook his head. “No. I honestly never think of you in a sexual capacity.”

Owen released a deep breath. “Thank God. I don’t think of you that way either. Why then… Why do we both get off so hard that way? I come so hard when you jerk me off.”

“Strong hands?”

“I guess,” Owen said and nodded. “The other guys don’t know about this, do they?”

“Not unless you told them.”

“I can keep a secret if you can.”

“Yeah, but can she?”

They both paused in their massage to gaze down at the sleeping girl. She looked so innocent in sleep. So exhausted. Kellen felt a renewed stirring in his groin. One he absolutely did not feel when he thought of Owen. It was a relief, yet he felt a little weird about it. Kellen would have probably felt less weird about getting off at his best friend’s hand if he were attracted to him. At least then it would make sense.

He just couldn’t bring himself to let a woman get him off. Not yet. He should probably move on with his life. Find someone to love. Sara would have wanted that for him. She’d told him as much the last time they’d made love. The last time he’d made love, period.

“You’re thinking about her again,” Owen said.

Kellen swallowed the lump in his throat and returned his attention to massaging Lindsey’s hand. She sighed in her sleep and his heart warmed. He wished he could love someone like her. He wished he could love anyone. Six years was long enough to grieve for Sara. It was much longer than the time he’d had with her.

“I think she’ll always be there,” Kellen said. “Sara.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s why you can’t bring yourself to, you know.” Owen’s eyes flicked towards Lindsey’s shaven mound. “Dam the beaver with your stick.”