Stuck in the Middle (MxMxM)?

Chapter 36 - Adjusting

It didn't make sense for him to only now feel self-conscious, but he couldn't stop thinking about last night and what it potentially meant.

The sun was high in the sky, and Ryder laid down on one of the benches to sunbathe.

"We should leave soon. You'll start to smell like the creek otherwise." Kendric warned.

Ryder got an idea and sat up. "I still gotta dry off before I get into the car, right?"

"I suppose." Kendric sat beside him. "Let me know when you're ready to go."

The man had unknowingly fallen into Ryder's trap, and he scooched closer. Kendric noticed a little too late before Ryder leaned his head against his shoulder.

"Comfortable?" Kendric asked lightly.

"I was expecting you to tell me to back off." Ryder pouted.

"Why?"

"Cuz I smell like dirty creek water."

A hand wrapped around his shoulder, bringing him in close. "It's still you though. So I don't mind."

Now Ryder's little prank had backfired, and he felt his face burn red.

"What's the matter?" Kendric teased. "I thought this was what you wanted?"

Ryder sputtered. Then he just looked up with a pout.

While Kendric laughed over his debacle, he stared at the man's upturned lips.

Should he go for it? No. Yes? Was it okay? Was he allowed?

If all three of them were dating, then it should be okay, right?

Cautiously he leaned up and just barely brushed his lips against Kendric's, causing the man to freeze as his eyes locked onto Ryder's. They stared at each other, waiting to see what the other would do next, and then Ryder pushed forward, sealing their kiss gently.

Kendric cautiously kissed him back, tightening the arm around Ryder's shoulders and holding him even closer.

The kiss was just as wonderful as Ryder had imagined it'd be. He closed his eyes, taking in the man's scent and warmth. His heart thumped louder, and he could almost hear ringing in his ears.

He found himself humming contently, pressing harder against the man, but then Kendric let go and put a hand on his chest. "Are you okay with this?"

'Uh, yeah? I'm the one who started it! ' "Yeah." Ryder nodded.

"Are you sure? I don't want you to think you have to do this."

Ryder was shaking his head. "No, it's not that. I wanted to try and make some progress." he flopped his head down onto Kendric's lap, taking in as much sun as possible and feeling rather comfortable. "You and Adan have been together before. So you have a better connection than I have with either of you. At least, it feels like you do."

"Are you jealous?"

"Kind of. I think so. I know it's my fault. I said I didn't want to do anything, and now I do. So it's confusing."

"Just take it slow. You don't have to force yourself to do anything."

"But what about things like...Intimacy?" He thought about last night. "I know out of three men, one of us is going to want to get frisky."

"We know self-control."

"But still. I don't want to be the killjoy of the group."

"Are...Are you saying you want to...?"