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Chapter Six

As much as he wanted to keep Zeno with him, once they’d shared a shower Liam reluctantly allowed his lover to return to his room to dress. In that way they could both be ready to leave as soon as they’d eaten breakfast. I’ll take Zeno to my apartment first, and then out to the yacht. We can take a couple of days and go sailing, get to know one another better.

In time, Liam hoped that Zeno would grow to love him, but for the time being, he’d settle for being the Dom that Zeno always dreamed of having, showing in actions what he didn’t feel he could as yet say in words. I don’t want him to feel overwhelmed or pressured.

Dressed in leather pants and a plain white t-shirt, Liam started down the stairs. Spotting Zeno, Liam was about to call out to him when he froze in place, his lover’s name dying on his lips.

Adam appeared from one of the rooms, and on seeing him, Zeno ran into his arms. The way Adam kissed the top of his head and held him to his chest suggested a relationship that went beyond one of mere friendship.

A mix of anger and jealousy welled up in Liam and a single word, like a mantra, sounded in Liam’s mind: mine, mine, mine.

Before either Adam or Zeno could say a word, Liam grasped Zeno’s arm and pulled him into his own arms.

“You said you wanted to be mine. Have you forgotten me so soon?”

“I did. I do.” Zeno’s eyes were wide, but he didn’t struggle or try to break free of Liam’s hold. Instead he seemed to press closer, and confusion added to the potent combination of emotions swirling around Liam.

“I can assure you, Liam, Zeno doesn’t want that kind of relationship with me any more than I with him.” Adam remained where he was, but his arms were folded and his expression grim. “But I swear, if you hurt him, I’ll break you.”

“No.” Zeno looked over his shoulder, shaking his head. “He wouldn’t. I trust him. I love him.”

The fire of anger and jealousy burning inside Liam was dowsed instantly, and he stared at Zeno.

“Love? Me?”

“I know you’ll think it’s too soon, and that I’m just a stupid kid, but I know how I feel. I’d just told Adam, and I was thanking him for bringing us together.”

Liam looked over Zeno’s shoulder at Adam. His friend’s expression hadn’t changed.

“I may enjoy a more … shall we say risqué lifestyle than some. But I wouldn’t bed my own nephew.”

“Nephew?” Liam suddenly felt as if his world had taken a tilt to the side. “You never … he never…” Liam shook his head, unsure what it was he wanted to say.

“Let’s go into my office, and I’ll explain.” Adam turned and headed back along the hallway.

Liam kept a tight hold of Zeno’s hand, pleased that his lover gripped him back with equal strength.

Once inside his office, Adam perched on the end of his desk and regarded Liam steadily, and Liam sighed heavily, shame replacing all the other emotions that seemed to have drained away as quickly as they’d surged.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.” Liam turned his head to look at Zeno, almost afraid to look, but his lover’s gaze was full of love and trust.

“You were jealous.” Adam spoke, his voice now softer. “And since I’m partly to blame, I can’t be angry with your outburst. Zeno is the son of my oldest sister. Like you, Liam, I made my fortune. Unlike you, I still have a family, but one that didn’t want to know me once they knew I was gay. I was an unexpected child. My parents had long-since thought their family complete. I left home at the first chance I got, and I never looked back.”

“Then, how did you and Zeno get to know about one another?” Liam asked, and Adam laughed softly.

“One of those quirks of fate. I saw him with you, and he bore such an uncanny resemblance to my older brother, I introduced myself to him. With a little digging, I quickly established he was my nephew, but knew nothing about me. My family conveniently pretended I’d never existed. I was there when his previous Dom abused him. I think I mentioned I dealt with him. Then I saw you both at a couple of functions.” Adam suddenly bust into loud guffaws, and Liam glanced at Zeno, who shook his head, looking equally confused.

“What’s so funny?” Liam asked as Adam got himself back under control, but still chuckled as he regarded them.

“The pair of you. I sat and watched you. When the one wasn’t looking, the other was all but drooling. Personally, I just wanted to bang your heads together, toss you both in my dungeon, and leave you to work it out. My husband, however, has a romantic streak, and thought I could introduce you at the party. Neither of you would know the other, because of the masks, so no embarrassment, and we could see if the sparks I’d seen finally burst into flames. If not, then I could toss you into my dungeon.”

“I just wanted to let Adam know we were going to see if things worked out.” Zeno squeezed Liam’s hand. “I couldn’t have asked for more.”

“You said you loved me.” Liam met Zeno’s gaze. “Do you?”

“Yes. I have for some time. You weren’t a hard man to love. But since I had another side to my personality, you were my boss, and a very rich man, there were several reasons for me not trying to make you notice me.”

“I noticed you anyway. But with my other side, and being your boss, I didn’t want you to feel pressured.”