Page 85 of Release

Chapter Nineteen

When Declan arrives less than an hour later, I have George drinking glass of gin number three, and he’s three sheets to the wind. I’ve changed out of what I was wearing and put on one of George’s old T-shirts, which is large on me. He’s wearing sleeping shorts and nothing else, and is currently sitting up in bed where I left him watchingArcher.

I meet Declan down in the foyer and take the food from him. “We’re going to eat in bed tonight. Please go grab paper towels and bottles of water from the kitchen.”

“Are we all…okay?” he asks.

I kiss him again. “I’ll explain up there. I still need Alpha Declan for a few more minutes, though.”

He sadly sighs but nods before walking down the hall.

I head upstairs with the food. George sits up when he sees me. “Is Declan here?”

I smirk. “No, George. Food just magically appeared downstairs.”

He starts to get up but wobbles, and I hold out an arm to block his way. “Back in bed, Governor. You’re too tanked to take the stairs. Just sit your ass down.”

He scowls. “You got me drunk.”

“Duh. Just be thankful it wasn’t Malört.”

He shudders. “Can I safeword forthat?”

“Other than harm, yes, I will allow you safeword for Malört.”

I’m looking at George when Declan appears in the doorway. George has been watching for him, and the way George’s face lights up settles the matter for me.

Thisisthe right choice. The two goobers love me and each other.

Alpha Declan’s in the house, though. He sets the overnight bag down by the closet and toes off his sneakers while I come take the water and roll of paper towels from him.

George stands. A little wobbly, but I’ll allow it.

Declan notices and scowls as he meets my gaze.

I’m standing behind George, where he can’t see me with his attention on Dec, and I make the international sign for drunk as a skunk. Dec’s gaze flicks from me back to George.

“I’m sorry,” George says to him. “I love you. I didn’t mean to hurt you. Of course this is your home, and of course I’m your Sir. If you still want that, I mean. If you still want me.”

At my waist, I hold up one finger to Dec and he immediately groks what I want him to do. This is one of the things I love about the two of us, that we have all these little codes between us.

Declan takes a deep breath and stands there, his head down and hands in his back pockets, like he’s thinking about it.

Except I know his attention’s onme, waiting for his cue.

After a moment, I barely nod, and I see the tension flow out of Declan. He sweeps in to hug George. “I love you, too, Sir.”

I let them have a moment before I clear my throat. “Dinner first. And I’ll bring Declan up to speed. George, you need food in your stomach, and gin doesn’t count as food.”

We settle in to eat while I tell Declan the plan.

When I finish, Declan slowly nods. “What about this weekend, and this coming week?”

“After dinner, if you two want to fool around, fine. But I’m exhausted. Maybe tomorrow I’ll feel like participating. We’ll see. This coming week, we’ll play it by ear. I might spend some nights here but if I don’t, please give me that space.”

“You won’t shut me out again?” Declan pointedly asks.

“No, sweetie. I won’t shut you out. Not spending a night with you two isn’t shutting you out. And I might never be comfortable watching George go hard and heavy on you.”