1 Just a polyamorous girl in a modern world

Sunlight filtered through the gap in the light canceling curtains, falling directly on Ava's face. She could no longer sleep through it. She turned to her side and stretched gently; her partners were still asleep on either side of her.

'Well, that was one hell of a way to celebrate 30! I don't want this weekend to end,' Ava thought as she burrowed deeper into the blankets. 'This birthday is going to be hard to top.'

At that moment, one strong arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her back against a strong, muscular body, while a stubbly face gently nuzzled at her neck. This movement prompted the body in front of her to turn and face her, edging closer with a sweet cuddle and kiss.

Being cuddled between Max and Haru was absolute heaven. It was hard to believe that she had only met and fallen in love with them one year ago, finding a dynamic that finally felt right for her. They were like puzzle pieces clicking into place.

...

Before Ava came into their lives, Max and Haru had been stuck in a vicious cycle of dramatic breakups and passionate makeups. Despite having dated both men and women in the past, Haru and Max found an addictive, passionate connection with each other. Though they loved each other deeply, their arguments tended to escalate out of control, leaving deep emotional wounds. Yet, despite all of that, they could not bring themselves to walk away from each other.

After one particularly intense breakup and makeup cycle, both men felt burnt out. It was at this point that they decided to open their relationship to dating other people. This was how Ava came into their lives.

Haru and Max had both been on several dates with other people, but neither felt real chemistry with any of the other people they met. Everyone else seemed dull in comparison. However, one evening when Max was running late to a date with Haru because of work, Haru decided to grab a drink at a bar he stumbled upon while he waited.

As Haru sipped on his Manhattan at the bar, he scrolled through his phone to pass the time. The bar was decorated like a 1920's speakeasy, and its entrance was somewhat out of the way. Patrons here either knew exactly where they were going, or blindly stumbled upon it like Haru. The bar filled up with people as the workday ended, and soon enough, the seat next to Haru became occupied too. As he finished his first drink, he texted Max.

H: ETA?

M: Sorry babe, still wrapping up. Might need another hour

Haru flagged down the bartender and ordered another drink.

"I'll have a Manhattan too," said a clear, musical voice of a stunning woman, as she sat down next to Haru.

"Are you both on the same tab?" asked the bartender.

"No, no, I just thought I'd chime in while you're over here," she replied with a cheeky smile.

"You can put it on my tab," Haru said with a wink and a smile. There was an immediate spark of chemistry.

"Okay then, next round is on me," she smiled warmly, "my name's Ava. What's your name?"

"Haru. Nice to meet you, Ava."

Their conversation flowed freely and easily, and quickly became flirtatious. They seemed to share many common interests, and a similar sly sense of humor. Time flew by, they found themselves accidentally touching more and more frequently as they leaned in close to talk.

At some point, Haru moved to whisper something in Ava's ear, pausing to find himself tucking a lock of her silky hair behind her ear, and grazing his lips against her cheek. The proximity of his mouth to her face, the feeling of his warm breath on her neck, made Ava flush as her pulse raced. They were both a little buzzed, with their inhibitions down.

Their lips were mere centimeters away, and the attraction that had been building throughout their conversation now flared into a moment of exquisite tension. Everyone else faded into the background as their lips drew closer, unable to resist the gravitational pull of their attraction.

Ava lowered her lashes and tilted her head, pausing in anticipation. She turned her face toward Haru, their breaths commingling as they exhaled. Haru slid his fingers into her hair and gently cupped the side of her head beneath her ear. Their lips almost made contact, when suddenly, Haru pulled away. They heard a voice calling, "Haru! Babe!"

A gorgeous man sidled up and put his arm around Haru, giving him a deep kiss as a greeting. Ava quickly turned her face away from the sight, reeling from shock and embarrassment. Her silky hair provided a convenient curtain as she grabbed her drink to take a sip.

Max spotted Haru at the bar as soon as he walked in, saw the two of them nearly kiss, and intentionally interrupted them. It was partially fueled by jealousy, and partially by petty irritation. He thought to himself—was this punishment for being late for their date? Maybe not, Haru and this woman seemed completely oblivious to everyone and everything. He didn't even notice me walking in. After several years together, they were generally hyper aware of each other's presence.

Tonight, Max and Haru were supposed to focus on each other and enjoy a date. Granted, Max was nearly two hours late, but that did not change the slight bitterness he felt about arriving in time to see Haru flirting with someone else. Max had decided to greet Haru with kiss to flaunt their relationship and because he was feeling territorial, but as Max properly turned his attention toward this rival for Haru's attention, he was taken aback. He felt electrified by the intense spark of attraction he felt toward this stranger as soon as they made eye contact. The only other time he had ever felt this way toward someone he just met, was when he first met Haru.

Suddenly, who was the rival for whom became unclear.

Ava had to force herself to look the gorgeous man next to Haru in the eye, overcoming the intense internal cringe she was experiencing. He was shockingly attractive. Both men were exceptionally attractive individually, but standing next to each other, their looks complemented each other so well that they somehow looked even better.

Haru was lean and elegant, with the chiseled features of a Hollywood heartthrob. His straight brows framed soulful, doe eyes, and his face looked beautifully cold and unapproachable unless he smiled. His smile transformed his face with playful mischief, making him look youthful, warm, and magnetic. In contrast, Max was muscular with a masculine beauty. His eyelashes were so thick that people often thought he wore eyeliner, and his perfectly groomed beard highlighted the perfect angles of his face. He looked sultry, with his pouty lips and dazzling smile, oozing sex appeal from angle.

"I'm Max, Haru's boyfriend. What's your name?" Max asked Ava with a smirk.

"Hi, I'm Ava," she replied awkwardly, "I'm…"

"Ava's new in town," Haru interjected. "She was sweet enough to keep me company while I was waiting for you, and the conversation was so good I didn't even notice the time."

"Right. Look, I'm sorry, I almost kissed your boyfriend. I didn't know he was in a relationship, or that he has a boyfriend. Haru, it was nice to meet you, I enjoyed our conversation. I hope you guys have a nice evening." Ava's straightforward personality asserted itself. As she collected her things and paid for her tab, Haru and Max gave each other a look.

Ava stood up to leave, but Max was standing in the way, and seemed to have no intention of moving. She gave him a polite smile as she tried to squeeze past him, but Haru gently grabbed her sleeve and asked, "Do you want to join us for dinner?"

Trying to suppress her surprise, Ava looked from Haru to Max. Max met her gaze and gave her a slow, sly appraisal while stating, "Yeah, you should join us for dinner. I'd love to know what kind of conversation kept Haru away from his phone for so long."

After trying to turn down their invitation, Ava found herself unable to resist the overwhelming charisma from two gorgeous, insistent men. So, she stuck around for dinner.

That dinner confirmed the chemistry between the three of them. The mood became playful as they opened a second bottle of wine, and by the end of the meal, all three of them could feel the undeniable chemistry and attraction between the three of them.

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