PART TEN

Michael swept Liz backwards within his arms, and she felt his gentle hands, large but sure, enclose her tiny abdomen, as he pulled her flush against his body. He pressed hard against the soft flesh of her backside, as she stared up into Max’s desperate amber eyes.

Max moved closer, cupping her face within his palms. "Liz, love," he murmured gently. "Now it’s your turn."

"What do you mean," she managed to breathe, as Max closed the gap between them, pushing against her front—definitely fully aroused himself. Now she was sandwiched between the two of them, Michael pressing hard just behind, claiming her with his hands, even as Max stared down so longingly at her. She couldn’t help but feel they were dueling for her in a certain way, despite how she caught them glancing at one another with rabid desire of their own.

Michael’s wet fingers snaked up her sides, over her ribs, until they met the soft curves of her breasts. He kneaded the full flesh within his hands, even as Max’s mouth met her own, his tongue snaking between her lips, and it released an explosion of heat and energy so powerful, that she staggered slightly. Her foot slipped on the slick shower floor, until Michael steadied her again with his strong arms, kissing her behind the ear.

"I’ve got you," he soothed, his fingers tracing the outline of her nipples seductively. "Just lean into me." And then Michael moved one hand between her chest and Max’s, and slowly stroked the muscled planes of Max’s chest, while he lovingly stroked her breast with his other hand. Max moaned softly into her mouth, breaking the kiss as he rested his forehead against hers. He covered Michael’s hand where he was cupping her breast with his own, so now both of them held her together—and Max stroked Michael’s hand lightly, as they fondled her breast lovingly…one hand forged of two.

Liz definitely felt Max’s hardness, throbbing right against her stomach…she yearned for him to move between her legs, wanted to take him inside of herself.

"Liz," Max begged quietly. "Oh, my love." He bent his knees slightly, lowering himself so that he could ease between her thighs, and she felt him slide against her wetness, as he clasped her waist within his hands. And as he did so, she felt Michael’s hands tighten possessively around her hips, her waist, wandering with a certain amount of desperation as he pressed his lips against her neck.

"You’re mine," Michael breathed, his voice catching. "You’re his…you’re ours. We love you, Liz."

"Oh," She cried softly, as Max moved slickly between her legs, and she threaded her hands through his wet hair, leaning her head back against Michael’s chest. Max deepened their kiss, as he rocked his hips softly against hers—and she felt Michael answer with his own subtle thrusts from behind. She closed her eyes, arching her neck against Michael, who stroked her now damp hair. Their bodies were all so wet and slick against one another, and the feeling of being nestled tightly between them both made her dizzy.

Especially the way she felt their alien energy banking strongly, to the point that her skin was feverish beneath the warm water. She moaned softly into Max’s mouth, stroking his damp tresses--and was startled when her fingers suddenly grazed against Michael’s—who had also begun desperately threading his hand through Max’s hair.

Max slipped out from between her legs, standing tall over her again and cupped her face gently within his hands. She stared up into his brown eyes, and saw how hooded they were with desire for her…and for Michael.

"Liz," he murmured, stepping a bit away from her, as he reached for the bar of soap. "I want to show you how I feel." His eyes never left her, until he faced her again and began lovingly slicking her arms, her neck…every part of her with the slippery bar of soap. She sucked in a tight breath, because somehow such a simple gesture seemed like utter worship. Especially when she saw Michael reach just behind them for a bottle of shampoo, opening it and pouring a small amount of the liquid into his palm.

Michael moved from behind her, and led her into the full stream of water, so that her hair became instantly doused, as he worked the water all through her long, thick tresses.

"Your hair is…" Michael hesitated, searching for the right word. Liz tipped her chin up, meeting his warm brown eyes, as they darted around the small shower.

"Exquisite," Max offered with a helpful smile, as he spread soap low on her thighs, slicking the place between, then her hips.

"Yeah," Michael gulped, blinking a moment. He’d lost all coherent thought, the two of them had aroused him that strongly. "That’s…one word," he managed to reply.

Max laughed throatily. "Michael," he breathed, returning the bar of soap to its holder. "You’ve never been at a loss for words."

"I’ve never shared a shower with the two sexiest people on the planet, Maxwell," he explained in slight impatience, wishing that he could truly verbalize what they both did to him. How strongly they affected him on every level. Words simply felt too inadequate.

Liz giggled giddily, as Michael began shampooing her long hair. He didn’t have a clue how to possibly work the lather through so much hair, so he just kept tracing his fingers through it, massaging. He loved the feel of its wet thickness within his hands.

"Thanks," Max smiled, his eyes meeting Michael’s flirtatiously. "I’d have to agree with that assessment about both of you."

"My…hair, Michael?" Liz whispered, as Max stepped closer toward her again, leaning in to kiss her. "You were saying?"

"I’ve never touched anything like it in my life." There, he’d managed a fairly coherent assessment. And it drives me insane, how long and full it is…you both drive me wild with need, he thought.

"Oh," Liz purred softly, and he simply had to kiss her neck. He leaned forward over her small shoulder, low, pressing soft kisses along her throat, his forehead grazing Max’s face where he’d leaned in to kiss her. He was surprised when Max suddenly broke his kiss with Liz, and captured his own lips heatedly, kissing Michael just over Liz’s shoulder. A soft cry escaped Michael’s throat at the intimate contact with Max—and the fact that their lips were so close to Liz’s simply drove him mad with desire. They were all just joining without boundary, perhaps more so than the night before when things had been more tentative.

Michael deepened the kiss with Max, reaching soapy fingers into his hair. Michael’s breathing had become wild and ragged, and his chest rose unevenly against Liz’s back. Michael broke the kiss with Max, turning down toward Liz’s mouth again, and this time they kissed desperately, their desire spiraling even more crazily. She turned slowly toward him, and Michael slipped his hands hungrily around her waist. He wasn’t holding back, not like last night. He’d meant everything he’d said at the Crashdown earlier—he’d fallen in love with her, and hard.

It terrified him, as he drew her tiny form up against his large one. He nearly towered over her, and her little ribs felt like delicate porcelain beneath his large hands. It was uncanny how his desire for them both simply bled together, without boundary or measure.

Michael had no doubt that the two people who stood with him in the shower, were quite simply, the loves of his life. He had to get this right.

Michael broke the kiss, breathing heavily as he stared down into Liz’s large chocolate eyes. Her hair was soapy, and he needed to finish his job, but Michael was too transfixed by her large, black eyes.

"And your eyes," he sighed quietly, guiding her back under the steady stream of water. She threw her head back, exposing her creamy neck deliciously. Michael observed that Max didn’t miss that moment, and lowered his mouth against her throbbing pulse.

"Weave a spell over me," Michael finished, running his hand down the length of her hair, working the soap out under the water. "Your eyes and Max’s, both," he amended breathlessly.

"Max’s eyes are amazing," Liz agreed, her eyes shut as the water coursed over her hair, and Michael felt a sharp pang of jealousy. "But Michael, you have the softest, gentlest eyes I think I’ve ever seen." He smiled in deep satisfaction, and felt his cock ache even more with desire. "I don’t think I could say whose eyes are more beautiful to me, in fact."

Max leaned up and met Michael’s gaze over Liz’s head, he smiled seductively as he smoothed out Liz’s hair with him, their fingers twining together briefly against the top of her head. I love you, Max mouthed, before breaking the contact again.

Liz’s eyes fluttered open and she caught how Max stared at Michael, and couldn’t believe the emotions she saw flaring in his amber eyes. Naked hunger, longing, love…and she had a sudden idea.

"It’s time," she offered huskily, turning to glance between the two of them.

"For what exactly?" Max asked, his voice rumbling with seductive laughter.

Max moved closer toward her, so that she was nearly enclosed between both Michael and himself, the warm water pelting them steadily. Yet her only awareness was of how Max and Michael had obviously wanted one another before she’d arrived, how they’d been wrapped into the most elegant of lines, so fluid and without interruption. As much as they wanted her in this, as keenly as Michael held her against his warm body, suddenly all she wanted was to see them together, to allow them to finish what they’d begun without her.

"What do you have in mind?" Max questioned again, staring down into her eyes, his amber gaze flashing with so much energy, that Liz could only gasp slightly as she stared up into his lovely depths.

"What do I have in mind?" She repeated dazedly, softly stroking Max’s bangs off of his forehead. "To pair you with your lover, Max," she explained quietly. "You’ve made love to me and to him…but tonight seems to be your turn. And you both want it, I know."

Liz felt Michael’s hands tighten sharply around her waist, even as his cock leapt against her backside. She leaned her head back against his chest again, and he gasped softly as Max’s eyes flitted frantically between Liz’s and his own.

"Max," She whispered quietly. "It’s okay." She saw him gulp unsteadily, as Michael reached a soft hand to his face, cupping it. Max stared for a moment, and then leaned slowly toward them. Liz thought he was leaning in to kiss her, and then she felt Michael lean forward, and they kissed slowly over her. Michael’s arms slipped around her, as he clasped Max by the waist.

"Michael," Max groaned. "I…I know its what I want…"

"Yes," Liz agreed. "It’s what you were about to do when I arrived."

"Tell me," Michael urged, cupping Max’s cheek with his free hand. "Maxwell, just say what you want."

"I n-need…" Max’s eyes fluttered closed, as he licked his lips. "What we talked about earlier." Max’s face flushed sharply as he wrestled for the words, and somehow Liz found that incredibly charming. That he would still feel shy about being intimate with Michael after everything the three of them had already shared.

"Say it," Michael urged again, his voice husky.

"For you to make love to me," Max whispered.

"Yes," Michael encouraged him, their lips meeting softly over her shoulder again, and Liz felt their hands entwine against her side. Yet she also sensed their desire for her, even though in this moment that seemed eclipsed by their need for one another.

Truthfully, she’d interrupted some important culmination between the two of them, and they still heaved and ached for one another, that much was apparent. And none of that stole anything from the three of them—that they were allowing her in the most sacred moments of desire between them, only caused her to feel more entwined with them. She knew she was observing something ancient, as they agreed to this final ritual of binding themselves to one another.

Michael traced his fingers lightly across her cheek. "Sweet Liz," he murmured almost imperceptibly. "You know how much I want you…." He pressed frantic kisses against the nape of her neck, and she heard him draw in an uneven breath. Max blinked rapidly, sweeping her wet hair out of her eyes. "I love you," Max assured her softly.

"I know," Liz agreed with a gentle smile, staring up into Max’s eyes as he pressed his hips against her. "But it was Michael you were about to make love with when I showed up."

"But, Liz," Max argued. "I don’t want you to feel that we’re…"

"Shh…" she interrupted. "You were about to make love, both of you…and you know what?" she asked softly, her voice teasing them.

"What?" Max gulped quietly.

"I want to watch," she whispered on a breath. "More than I want anything else from both of you, all I want is to watch you two make love in the deepest, and most beautiful way."

"Oh, God," Michael gasped behind her. "That…sounds…undeniable."

"Because it is," she finished, gazing over her shoulder at him, her eyes widening. "You know how I feel about you, Michael."

"Yes,’ he gulped.

"And I know how you feel about me…and him."

"Yes," he agreed again, tracing his fingers over her tiny shoulders. She was so delicate and graceful, and how was it possible that she was encouraging this between them…something that would naturally exclude her? Her long, silky hair tickled his chest, and her gentle curves drove him wild—yet she was right. It was Maxwell he wanted tonight, at least at first because somehow they needed to seal themselves permanently to one another. They were the only missing piece in this beautiful triangle…and then they would all absolutely become one.

And suddenly she was only lost right between them, as their lips crushed desperately together, as their hands began exploring each other’s bodies with an urgent hunger. Liz felt hands graze her hips, her skin, her face…as Max and Michael began devouring one another. She could only whimper. But she didn’t want to move, not one bit—she loved feeling invisible for just those brief moments, because she understood.

Max Evans ended and Michael Guerin began, but neither was sure where that boundary was, any more than she’d ever known where she and Max might divide. And perhaps it was even more intense for them because they were so much alike…alien, masculine, beautiful. Same. And when they began on this odyssey of lovemaking, there was hardly any differentiation.

But they both adored her in equal measure. She felt it, all the way to the heart of her soul…no regrets, no doubts.

They were one, and one with her. All three were a seamless, effortless thread of one another…three had already become one, and Liz shivered imagining this very final union, this one last sealing of themselves. What would it mean to them all, when Michael truly made Max his own lover? Liz shivered again, as she gazed up at how their lips grazed so heatedly over her shoulder, knew that something magic was about to lock finally into place, some piece they all needed.

*****

Liz settled on the far edge of the bed, as she watched Michael lower himself onto Max, propping himself on his elbows as he stared softly into Max’s eyes. Michael cupped Max’s face within his palm, pressing a loving kiss against his lips. They were so beautiful together, like a renaissance sculpture—all line and motion and fluidity. Beautiful. Liz drew in a sharp breath, curling her knees up against her chest in a tight ball as she observed them.

They’d all agreed she would watch like this, and yet now she felt like an intruder, as Michael settled so gently between Max’s legs, as Max opened to him, his knees raising around Michael’s hips. Both men were her lovers, yet…somehow it was strange watching them bind themselves in this way.

Strange yet undeniably arousing, as Michael lowered himself between Max’s thighs, pressing his knees further up around him. Liz gasped quietly as Michael grasped around in the covers, and she knew exactly what he sought. He never lifted his eyes from Max’s, just kept staring down at him, as his fingers fumbled awkwardly through the bedspread. Liz saw the small tube of lubricant just beyond his grasp, and pressed it into his palm.

Michael showered loving, lingering kisses against Max’s lips, as he opened the small tube. Max reached up to his cheek, and cupped it, so vulnerable, and stroked his face with unbelievable gentleness. Michael allowed the cool liquid to spill within his palm, then reached down between their bodies. First, he spread the slippery gel low on Max, slicking it in a smooth motion over his hardness, then further back and Max gasped, a soft sighing sound that electrified Michael’s whole body. He allowed his slick fingers to coat the rest of Max’s intimate places, as they wandered further behind him—ending as he thrust a finger softly within him, smoothing the cool gel at the same time.

Max gasped in a rapid series of breaths, whispering Michael’s name repeatedly. Max fumbled awkwardly, taking the small tube from Michael as he stared up into his eyes. Max squirted a bit of the cool liquid into his palm, then reached between their bodies, slicking it over Michael’s hard cock, thoroughly coating him, and yet never breaking their eye contact.

"Liz?" Max whispered hoarsely as he finished, his eyes casting around for her in the dark.

"I’m here, Max." She encouraged, and watched his head jerk to the side, where it lay nestled deeply in the pillow. Their eyes met desperately, as Michael nestled more firmly on top of him and Liz knew what Max’s eyes transmitted. He was beyond desperate for Michael—yet he wanted her to know that he loved her with an unending love. That’s what she saw flicker in his amber depths in that moment, before he turned all of his attention to Michael, before he allowed himself to traverse an important barrier.

"Liz," he choked again, as Michael pressed against his opening, as he stared up at Michael, lost in his arms now.

"I’m here, sweetheart," she breathed beside them. "Right here." She leaned closer, sweeping his damp locks off of his forehead. "Don’t be afraid."

"No," Max gulped. "I’m not."

"Ready?" Michael asked, his voice catching a bit.

"Yes," Max breathed huskily. "You seem…ready, too."

"Oh, very much so," Michael purred, kissing him slowly, his lips trailing along his jaw line, down onto his neck. Michael liked the slightly rough feel of his skin, the way light stubble brushed his own cheek.

Michael pushed gently against Max’s opening, and felt his heart stop within him. It seemed this was all happening so quickly. He felt Max’s erection press hard against his abdomen, and something about the feel of it against him in just that spot drove him crazy with desire…made him all the more aware that they were truly lovers now.

And then he eased in as gently as he could and felt Max tighten around him, beautiful…that was the only word he kept hearing in his mind as he lost himself to the thrumming of his body. To Max. He fell deeper in that single moment than he’d ever imagined he could. Ah, beautiful…beautiful…beautiful.

Max gasped, staring up at him helplessly as his hands clung to Michael’s neck. "Michael—oh…oh." He started rocking within Max softly and Michael couldn’t believe how the gentle motion caused his cock to ache. He couldn’t last long, not staring down at this gorgeous man, whose long lashes fanned downward and whose face looked so radiant. Because of him. Because of what he was doing to his body.

"Michael," Max barely managed to gasp. "This…you…are…amazing."

Michael kissed Max slowly on the mouth, all wetness and heat, matching the gentle thrust of his hips with his tongue--and felt Max so tight around him that he thought he might explode any moment. He felt Max’s fingers dig into his shoulder, as he grasped at him desperately, his fingers slippery against Michael’s sweaty skin.

"Oh, yes…yes, oh," Max could only gasp, as Michael moved slowly inside of him. "Oh…Michael." Michael smiled softly, and pressed a slow kiss against Max’s lips, as his hips continued their subtle rhythm.

Beautiful, Max thought. Liz couldn’t do this. Anymore than he could make love to Michael as he would Liz…each experience between the three of them was unique-- and this moment was a gift, magic.

"Oh, God," Max cried, closing his eyes tightly as Michael began quickening his gentle pace within him. Pounding insistently, like his heart…and as he bucked up against Michael instinctively, he realized that he’d never be the same, that he belonged to Michael now in some deeper way.

That Michael was possessing him.

His fingers wove frantically through the hair at Michael’s nape and he whimpered as Michael began pumping within him more insistently. Michael stilled a bit, leaning up to see him, and Max saw worry etched across his features.

"No…no, don’t stop…wonderful." Max could hardly speak, but he saw the slow, satisfied smile form on Michael’s face as he leaned downward, pressing gentle kisses against his lips, his cheek.

"You’re beautiful, Maxwell," he whispered softly against his ear, running his fingers through his damp hair. "Always so very beautiful."

Max arched up against him at the words, moaning softly as Michael kissed his neck, because he had never felt anything like this in his life.

He belonged to Michael now…as Liz to him…as Michael would always belong to him…and as Liz would forever be joined with Michael.

Three were one, no longer one and one and one…just three having melded so perfectly into one. Max could only moan, lifting his hips, as Michael pushed in and out of him with the softest of rhythms. It had been so different when he’d given this to Michael—that had been lovely, sexy, and this just felt so erotic and vulnerable.

Yet filled him with more desire than he could have dreamed. Took him someplace he’d never been.

He did feel utterly taken and swept into Michael’s heart…his alien energy wrapping around him over and over and over. And on the periphery, was his awareness of Liz, just watching, sighing…breathing as Michael took him as his lover. Branded him forever differently…

Michael was instantly addicted to this, from the moment he pushed inside Max’s tight opening. Like with Liz, yet something virgin and unknown. Sexy as hell, yet terrifying.

Max’s hips were so small and delicate, his abdomen so flat, it made Michael feel awkward and fumbling. How was it that both his lovers were the most lithe and gentle things? Max was so like Liz, just graceful and thin…small even, and he was so awkward and large. And he felt just as he had with Liz the other night, as he pumped a steady rhythm inside Max’s tight walls, clasping his hip within his hand. God, Max was so gentle and lovely, yet all male…there was nothing less than utterly masculine about his thin frame. Just smaller and more graceful than he was, Michael thought, as Max threaded his hands roughly in Michael’s damp hair, urging Michael further with his palms against his back, scraping his fingers along his backbone…crying so softly into his ear.

All but begging him to finish, "Michael…yes….oh, yes…yes," he cried, and Michael could feel exactly how aroused he was, because Max’s cock pressed sharply against Michael’s abdomen. He slid his hand between their two slick bodies, and rubbed Max a few times, which elicited a helpless cry from Max’s lips. Michael pumped a little faster, just easing in and out, and stared down as Max’s eyes fluttered closed, his mouth falling open with quick pants.

Max felt dizzy, even lying there with his head on the pillow and his eyes closed. Michael’s masculine energy had begun doing something more than slightly intense within his body, along his skin…and his lovemaking had become something very spiritual in the process. He could hardly think at all, and he’d begun seeing a quick succession of images in his mind. They moved so rapidly that he could hardly focus on any one in particular, though he saw Liz repeatedly, looking absolutely radiant. Like a shuffling card deck, she kept resurfacing.

Liz was watching….oh, Liz….Max suddenly needed her as much as he needed the place Michael was leading him toward. She had to be part of this, because it was crucial somehow. Max’s eyes flew open and wandered wildly, seeking Liz in the darkness, and found her curled on her side in the tiniest of balls, watching as she licked her lips.

"Love?" He cried arching upward against Michael. Oh, God, he was so close to the edge. So undeniably close.

"I’m here…right here."

"C-cl—oser," Max begged, bucking slightly against Michael. "Liz, sweetheart…I n-need you closer." He could hardly speak at all, the intensity of the moment was so upon him, but suddenly the most important thing was for Liz to lie beside him as he and Michael found their completion.

Max felt her move across the sheets and nestle on her side against their sweat-slicked bodies, and she stroked Max’s damp hair lightly beneath her fingertips. Max threw his head back at her touch, crying out softly as he swept her hand tightly within his, and slipped it along with his own around Michael’s neck.

Michael kissed her gently on the forehead, then returned his mouth to Max’s, devouring it as they pushed out toward the edge of their desire together. Max felt Liz lean in a bit more, pressing her breasts against his side, her small hips grazing his and Michael’s where they were joined, rocking together.

And that was the precise moment when it happened.

Something opened between the three of them, and there was almost a rushing sound within the room…Max’s chest began to burn even as he felt his groin tighten hotly. And he felt Michael’s soul softly brush his, and then felt Liz right in there with them both.

Max’s eyes flew open and he saw Michael staring down at him, wide-eyed, and then both their gazes snapped to Liz where she lay nestled on her side. Max saw tears pool within Liz’s eyes, as she tightened her clasp on his hand where it rested against Michael’s neck.

"Wh-what is happening?" Michael managed to stammer, and Max felt tears brim within his own eyes, as there was a sharp tightening within his chest, precisely where it had begun burning so intensely. The fiery sensation radiated suddenly beyond his chest, shooting like ungrounded electric current through Max’s entire body, fanning the flames of his desire. And Michael obviously felt it too, since he sped his rhythm wildly inside of him in response.

And then as Michael exploded inside him with a muffled cry, causing Max’s body to shudder as he found his own release, the humming sound intensified and there was a nearly audible click within all three of their spirits.

They cried out in ecstatic unison at the sensation, Michael and Max pulling Liz as close into their arms as they could in that instant. Their bodies thrummed, and they were all aware that they had just locked together somehow…had been utterly sealed as soul mates for life.