Two Men and a Lady

by Cricket Starr, Lynn LaFleur, Michele R. Bardsley

  Through her fuzziness he heard them argue back and forth. Finally she heard, “Ti, To, Te” followed by “Ax chops hammer.”

  She faded out for a moment and when she opened her eyes again, the man holding her had changed to having blond hair surrounding a narrow face. Jackon carried her out of the bar, Gehon walking behind, grumbling under his breath, “I had her first.”

  Two gorgeous men to guard her on the way to her ship—how delightful! The darkness outside made her sleepy and she snuggled deeper into Jackon’s arms. He really did smell delicious…not that Gehon didn’t smell fabulous as well.

  Truth was, both of these men were just too delectable for words. Too bad she wouldn’t be able to spend more time with them. The last thing she noted was when they turned into the spaceport, then she didn’t notice anything more.

  * * * * *

  Lija woke to softness and warmth, not the stiff plastic seat of her microshuttle. She must have made it back home after all. Either that or it had been a dream, her encounter with the men in the Lost Time Lounge.

  And what an incredible dream it had been. She’d dreamed she’d headed out in her microshuttle for one last chance to be herself, and met the two most wonderful men, each of whom wanted to be her husband. They were hunky alien warriors, with bulging muscles and bulging pants, and the funniest way of solving disputes with a children’s game.

  She stretched her arms. Daddy would never believe this story—even if she could tell him about it.

  Her side itched, and Lija tried to scratch it, only to find that she couldn’t move her arm lower than her shoulder. Startled full awake, Lija opened her eyes to see the bare metal walls of a spaceship cabin and a bunk beneath her, a bunk to which she’d been tied by the arms and legs.

  Lija didn’t recognize the bunk or the cabin, but did the soft sound of the propulsion engines. She was on a ship, a freighter from the engine sounds, and somewhere out in space.

  Space be damned. She’d been kidnapped!

  Chapter Two

  Jackon looked nervously at the video image of their “guest”, now awake and struggling with her bonds. She didn’t look nearly as cute as she had last night when he’d placed her on the bed, all rumpled, cuddly, and smelling so inviting. It had been all he could do to not join her under the blanket…the same blanket she’d just tossed to the floor. “Do you think she’s angry, Gehon?”

  Gehon turned up the sound to hear better the indelicate curses coming from their true’s delicate lips. “I think she’s very angry.”

  Jackon chewed on his lower lip. “Maybe we shouldn’t have tied her down.”

  “We didn’t want her falling out of the bunk when we took off, or leaving the cabin, and there wasn’t a lock on the door. We had to secure her.”

  Lija managed to get one of her wrists to her mouth and was gnawing on the strap around it. Jackon watched her efforts and worried. “That’s plastisteel rope. She could break a tooth doing that. We should do something.”

  Nodding, his partner checked their position in space, switching the controls to automatic. “The ship’s secure for now, I guess we better get in there and explain.”

  Freed from her bonds and sitting up on the bunk, Lija listened to them but obviously did not like their explanation. She glared at them, every delectable ounce of her trembling with fury. “You abducted me, warriors. I’ll see you punished for this.”

  “We didn’t want to bring you without your permission, but you weren’t in any condition to give it last night,” Gehon told her.

  “I don’t understand how I could have gotten so drunk on three mugs of ale.”

  Jackon squirmed. Time to come clean about that at least. “Well, that last pitcher wasn’t ale, sweetling. We’d moved to Aldean brandy. The taste isn’t that different but it’s a little stronger.”

  She froze in place, eyes wide with shock. “You switched my drink to brandy without telling me?”

  “Not at all. I’m sure we told you.” Desperate, Jackon glanced over at Gehon. “We did tell her, didn’t we?”

  “I thought you mentioned it. I know we discussed it. The ale was a little weak and we were wanting something stronger.”

  Jackon snapped his fingers. “Oh, it might have been when she was using the sanitary.”

  Gehon nodded. “That was it. We did discuss it, but you were in the sanitary.”

  Lija was livid with fury. “So you switched drinks, got me drunk, then hauled me onto your ship and took off with me. Where is my microshuttle?”

  He shrugged. “Back at the spaceport. You fell asleep before telling us which one it was.”

  “I passed out, you mean!”

  Their true looked close to attacking them, and Jackon decided that it had been a good thing that they’d searched her while she was unconscious and removed the hidden weapons in her clothing. He’d hated to get stuck with one of the deadly looking knives they’d found.

  There was far more to their little true than met the eye. Not that that would keep him away from her, or Gehon either. Zelion men were used to their women being fighters.

  Maybe he could diffuse the situation. “You were adorably tipsy,” Jackon told her. “It was delightful carrying you to the ship.” He tried a friendly smile that she didn’t return. In fact, if her glare could kill, Jackon would be incinerated.

  Gehon held up his hands. “You were somewhat the better—that is, the worse—for drink. We couldn’t very well leave you there. When we got back to the ship we had an urgent request to deliver some cargo to Brasia. That’s why we took off instead of waiting for you to sober up.”

  Jackon broke in. “Please, Lady Lija. Listen to us. We don’t intend any harm to you.”

  “Nothing other than kidnapping, rape…”

  “That’s enough of that!”

  To Jackon’s surprise, Gehon’s temper flared. He stared as his buddy’s face reddened to a shade he’d only seen once before, when a client had tried to stiff them after a delivery. Unsuccessfully, he remembered. A well-thrust energy sword had disabused the man from not paying them what they were due.

  But still, for Gehon to speak that way to a woman? Never would he have predicted that. Having their true so close was making them behave abnormally.

  “You are not kidnapped, nor will there be any rape,” Gehon told her. “You’re a guest on our ship while we discuss matrimony with you.”

  Her jaw dropped. “Discuss matrimony?” She looked at both of them in disbelief. “You frelling space-cadets really think I’m going to marry one of you?”

  That hurt. “We only want to discuss it with you,” Jackon told her. “There’s no reason to start calling us names.”

  “You get me drunk…”

  “We joined you in a few drinks,” Jackon told her firmly.

  “…kidnapped me…”

  “…invited you to stay on our ship,” Gehon added.

  “…tied me to a bunk…”

  “…secured you against falling out during takeoff,” Jackon finished.

  “…and now you expect me to marry you? You’re right, you aren’t the space cadets—I’d be one if I listened to you!”

  Gehon folded his arms and leaned toward her, causing Lija to move back on the bed. Even Jackon had to admit that his friend was impressive when he did that.

  “How would you like to have a husband who would worship the ground you walk on, who would always be there for you, and who would never betray you? That’s what Zelion men are like for their trues.”

  She rolled her eyes and muttered. “Oh, really.”

  “Yes really. Anything that happens will be your choice. All we ask is the chance to show you how good it can be.”

  Staring at the tall redheaded man, Lija couldn’t help but see the honesty in his face. Gehon really did believe that he and his buddy would be the best choices for a husband for her. Given her alternatives to date, she had to admit he had a point. Either man, Gehon or Jackon, would be better than the choice her father had come up with for
her.

  Too bad Prince Brentan wasn’t one of these men. But he wasn’t and that was that.

  On the other hand, she’d been looking for a last fling, a sexual adventure and here she was, abducted right into one. Even if her father found out about it, she could always claim coercion. Which it was—almost.

  The situation was practically perfect. They were even going to Brasia where Axona had an embassy. Once she’d gotten to their destination, she’d have no trouble getting away from them. All she’d have to do is give her name to the authorities and she’d be free.

  Lija’s anger faded into sexual interest. Why not let these guys show her a good time? The worst that would happen would be that she’d enjoy herself.

  That wouldn’t be so bad, would it?

  “So what you’re asking is to make love to me? Both of you.” She shook her head. “I’ve got to warn you, I’ve been told I’m difficult to please during sex.”

  Blond Jackon grinned at her, oozing sexiness. “Oh I think we can meet any challenge you come up with. No woman has ever left my bed unsatisfied.”

  “Nor mine,” redheaded Gehon answered, eyes narrowing at his rival. The two glared at each other, and Lija was reminded of a pair of bull-deer she’d once seen on Axona, vying for the same female.

  Axonian bull-deer were relentless in their pursuit of a doe and Lija could see how these men had more than rampant sexuality in common with them. Just being around them for the next few days would be torture unless she got some sort of satisfaction, soon.

  Would it be a mistake to let them make love to her? She’d had lovers in the past who’d had a real problem taking no for an answer once they’d heard yes. Sure, Gehon had assured her that neither he nor Jackon would force her to be their mate, but how often had a man told her one thing then done the complete opposite? If she chose one of them now, she could have a real problem getting rid of him when the time came.

  On the other hand…suppose she didn’t choose one of them? Suppose she bedded both of them and played one off the other? That could solve any number of problems. She’d get laid, something she was beginning to want very badly, they’d be kept busy trying to win her favor, and when the time came to say goodbye, she’d simply tell them she couldn’t possibly choose between them. She was current with her anticonception shots, so there wasn’t any way she’d get pregnant. They were certainly healthy…

  Lija glanced over at the two men watching her intently, waiting for her decision. Yep, very healthy. Both were so yummy…how could she decide which to marry, even if she could marry one of them? Which she couldn’t.

  But bed them both? Sure, why not. It was a perfect plan and no time like the present to get started.

  She folded her hands on her thighs, rubbing them beneath the fabric of her spacer pants. Both men’s eyes widened and their breathing picked up. Lija had to resist smiling at their obvious interest.

  “Maybe you’re right.” Lija moved her hands to the gap between her legs, massaging the upper muscles as if she had a cramp. Sharp intakes of breaths told her the guys had noticed. She glanced up at their now-straining crotches and could barely resist a gasp of her own. These two were fueled and ready for takeoff.

  “You’ve both told me how talented you are in bed. I was thinking I’d give each of you a chance to show me just how good you are.”

  The guys glanced at each other and then at her. Two pairs of eyes, brown and blue, stared at her.

  “Is there any harm in my bedding both of you?” she asked.

  “No, not exactly.” Gehon hesitated. “But no man wants to share his woman.”

  Just as she expected. This would work out fine. Once they realized she couldn’t choose between them, they’d be happy to let her go. Lija was almost disappointed as to how easy it was going to be.

  “It will be like a competition,” Jackon broke in eagerly. “A loving competition.” He nudged Gehon with a grin. “You’ve always said that you were better than I was.”

  Hostility radiated off the red-haired man. “I am better. Quality more than makes up for quantity.”

  “Well then, now you can prove it. We’ll both bed her and she will pick the one she likes best.” He licked his sensuous lips as he returned to stare at her. Lija grew warm under his passionate gaze. “Winner gets to marry you.”

  That wouldn’t happen. There would be no “winner”, she’d see to that. “It will be my choice, correct?”

  Both Gehon and Jackon nodded.

  “Very well. How long until we get to Brasia?”

  “About four days.”

  “So, that should give us plenty of time. Everything should be settled by the time we reach their space.”

  She gave each man a long look-over. Jackon perched on the edge of the single chair in the cabin while Gehon leaned against the wall. For all the nonchalance in their stances they looked ready to pounce.

  “Now there is only one question,” she said deliberately, knowing the reaction they would have. “Who goes first?”

  Hostility radiated off the men and they glared at each other. Their fists slowly came up. “Ti, To…”

  “NO!” Shouting and jumping up on the bed, Lija jerked their attention back to her. She gave them her best glare and they sheepishly dropped their fists to their sides. “Not this time. MY choice, remember?”

  After exchanging uneasy glances, both men nodded. “Yes, Lady Lija,” they said, one after the other.

  Buoyed by her first success at seizing control, Lija leaned back, considering her options. She had to pick one of them to make love to her…but which one? Eyeing each of the gorgeous men in front of her, she couldn’t help but wonder how she’d fallen into this fate.

  All she’d been looking for was a quick last grab at sexual freedom with a man of her choice. Instead she’d hit the jackpot and gotten two.

  Which one should she choose to go first? Space be damned, the inside of her pants dampened under their gazes, both men watching her with predatory need. How was she ever going to pick one of them?

  Another old children’s rhyme came to her. Okay, it was silly, but given these guys and their penchant for games, maybe it was appropriate.

  She closed her eyes, letting a mental finger do the picking for her. Eiani, meani, mickey, moe. When she opened them, she was looking at Jackon.

  “You,” she said. “You go first.”

  Gehon frowned, but he nodded slowly, acknowledging her choice. “Very well. Jackon can have today. I’ll get tomorrow. We’ll see about the rest of the time.”

  Lija’s eyes followed him, but he didn’t meet her gaze as he turned to leave the room. “I’ll be on the bridge,” he mumbled as he slipped through the door.

  With an unaccustomed pang of regret, she watched him leave.

  Once the door slid shut, Jackon leaned over her, eagerness in his stance. “So, let’s get started.” His gaze raked her body up and down. “What do you want to do first?”

  Delighted as she was with his enthusiasm, Lija couldn’t ignore the other demands of her body any longer. Her stomach grumbled, reminding her of how long it had been since her last real meal. Lunch the day before, she realized.

  She put one hand on his arm. “Before we do anything, do you suppose I could get something to eat?”

  “Of course!” Jackon pulled her onto her feet and toward him. “I’ll take you to the galley and you can choose anything your heart desires for breakfast. Sweet rolls, convi buns, cocoabean cake. Juices from any fruit you can name. We have real Earth coffee and Zelion tea. Anything you want I can get you. Just one thing first.”

  “Oh, what’s that?”

  “This.” He lowered his face opened his mouth over hers, claiming a kiss. It was warm, hard, and everything she could have expected, plus a great deal more. Many men had kissed her before, but not this way. Not possessively, not like she was the only woman in the world for him.

  Jackon was claiming her, with his kiss, with his hard body that he pressed tight against her. He want
ed her, and he wanted her to know it. He was telling her with his kiss that she was his, for now, for always—if that was her choice. If it wasn’t then he’d be alone forever.

  Lija broke away from him, leaning back to stare into his face, so wanting, so intense. He breathed heavily, only slightly less than her. As they stared at each other, their breathing synchronized, combining. Becoming one.

  He smiled. “You feel it, don’t you? The joining. That’s what there is between true mates. We become one.”

  Shaking, Lija pulled away from him. This was the last thing she needed, to find herself bound to one of these men. It wasn’t like she could take one to be her husband. She’d have to be very careful.

  “But there are two of you,” she reminded him. That was her edge, that they wouldn’t be able to convince her to choose between them.

  Jackon’s smile faded. “True, Gehon says he feels as I feel.” A look of almost pain crossed his face. “I would be sorry if that is so. I know you are my mate. It would be…difficult if you are also his.”

  Some of his good humor returned. “But we need not talk of that now. For today and tonight, you are mine to court and love. First we shall see to your breakfast, and then to my quarters.” He kissed her hand. “My bed is large and very soft…not that I expect you’ll be wanting to sleep much. Come.”

  Wondering just what she’d gotten herself in for, Lija followed him from the room.

  Chapter Three

  Breakfast was everything Jackon had promised. Lija ate the last of her fruit roll, washing it down with Zelion tea. Excellent tea, best she’d ever had. The Zelions were noted for their tea, grown in the high mountains of their rugged world.

  They were known for their warriors, too, fighting men without compare. Persuading or hiring Zelion men to fight had won more than one war. They were said to be impossible to defeat in battle.

  Lija glanced over at Jackon, drinking his own tea, keeping watch on her. He was a prime specimen of a Zelion man, and she began to wonder if she might need to rethink her strategy.

  He’d as much as told her that Zelion men were also known to be undefeatable in love as well.