“Just the way they are?"

I blushed.

“Well I really did Like waking up with you in my arms - I loved the emotional intimacy - and then of course getting laid every morning. But I genuinely don't mean for that to become a requirement or anything."

Sam blushed as well.

“I rather enjoyed those mornings, too.”

We shared a smile, and Sam averted her eyes for a minute. But after taking a deep breath, she asked one more time, "You really DON'T want me to become your affectionately devoted girlfriend?”

“I want to know what YOU want. Now I think your head wants one thing and your heart wants something else. Now maybe there will be a day when the two will resolve themselves, but can you honestly tell me that today is that day?"

Sam hesitated, clearly conflicted. But eventually she pursed her lips and looked down.

“I'm sorry."

“Don't apologize."

“I sincerely thought you wanted me to be your girlfriend but were just pretending not to for my sake, and I thought I owed it to you to give you a fair shot. Even now I'm still feeling guilty about it."

I shook my head.

“Don't feel guilty. Don't you realize I'm one lucky sonofabitch? I'm living the perfect life right now being ‘the BTC's boyfriend’. I've got Neevie Mondays, Alice Tuesdays, Sam and Zofi

Wednesdays, Belle and Mari Thursdays, the whole group orgy Fridays, a variety of dates on Saturdays, and then Belle and Sam Sundays. I've spent a lot of time having emotionally intimate conversations with

Belle. After some weird months, Alice has really become my best friend again now that we finally got past all the sex stuff and she's far less biased about romance than Belle is. And I have you... living in my house... I love you, and I need you in my life, and there's a special quality about you that drives me insane. Aphrodite's pussy has made me prematurely ejaculate twice now just because you're so amazing."

Sam blushed and preened a little.

“I get all of my physical and emotional needs taken care of collectively by the group," I continued.

“I get more pussy and ass than any one human male deserves. So please don't feel guilty about keeping things status quo."

Sam scrutinized me and pursed her Lips. Eyes tight, she muttered, “Now

I'm wondering if you're only rejecting a seriously committed relationship because you don't think I'm good enough."

I buried my face in my hands, “Oh good LORD I wish I could relieve you of this crippling self-doubt thing. You are fucking AMAZING and I would be LUCKY to be in a seriously committed relationship with you. I would

LOVE to date Aphrodite, alright?"

Sam looked skeptical for a moment, but she seemed to accept my answer

“Maybe someday you and I will be ready for that next step. Not now. For now, I think it's best that I continue to be the BTC's boyfriend, not yours. I love you, but I also love all the girls. I want you ALL to happy. Making you happy... making you feel safe... and really, being obedient for you for these past few years have been my life's purpose, collectively. I will do everything in my power to make the BTC happy, at least for as long as we stay together."

Sam exhaled slowly.