Twice Bitten

by Kris Norris

  Mathius’ mouth turned down slightly as he stared at her. “You seem…distracted. Is there something we can help you with?”

  Ripley tried to focus on his words, but every time he talked, all she could think about was how soft his lips looked, and how exquisite they’d feel against her skin. She closed her eyes, wondering what the hell was wrong with her, when a hand brushed across her cheek.

  She jumped, opening her eyes and sinking back against the cushions. Gabe drew his hand back, shifting his gaze to his brother before looking at her, the beginnings of a frown etched on his face.

  “Are you certain you’re okay?” Gabe nodded at her. “Perhaps you hit your head harder than we thought?”

  Her head. That had to be it. The reason she couldn’t think past the warm, wet feeling growing between her legs. She raised her hand and felt the back of her hair, wincing when she grazed across a large lump. “I’m sure it’s nothing. I’m usually not that clumsy. I suppose I wasn’t expecting to see—”

  The images shuffled again, interrupting her train of thought. She took a shaky breath and pointed to the door, ignoring the slight ringing in her ears. “Did you see them?”

  Gabe furrowed his brow as he shook his head, sparing a glance at his brother. Mathias looked back at the door before settling on her face, his eyes full of uncertainty.

  “See what?” Mathias motioned towards the doorway. “The lights were out and we were asleep on the couch when you surprised us.”

  “Those…things!”

  She uncurled her body and pushed to her feet, swaying slightly as she stumbled over to her purse and turned to face them, nearly crashing into Gabe’s chest. She managed to crush the scream that tightened her throat as his cool skin grazed her cheek, making the room spin more. Gabe cupped her elbow, easing back slightly. Damn. How did such a large man move so quickly? She hadn’t even heard him shuffle across the carpet.

  She attempted a soothing breath, but it sounded more like a wheezing gasp. She pointed to the couch, noticing how comfortable Mathias looked sitting on the edge. “I walked in and turned around and there was a guy lying on the couch.” She waved her hand when Mathias looked as if he were going to tell her it was him. “I know. But if you were there, what grabbed at me? And who shut the door?” Ripley looked up at Gabe, searching his eyes for any kind of clue.

  He merely forced a smile, still holding her arm. “I’m afraid I closed the door. I thought you might be a thief.”

  “But your face…”

  He raised an eyebrow. “What about my face?”

  “It’s just I thought it was…” God she sounded as if she’d lost her mind. “It must have been the lighting.”

  Gabe gave her body a long, slow sweep, looking as if he agreed with her. “Perhaps we should just move on to what do you think grabbed you?”

  She broke his gaze, knowing she’d only confirm his suspicions if she admitted she’d seen a creature straight out of a horror movie. “I…I can’t remember, exactly. But it had fangs, and it seemed to just appear out of thin air.”

  “You mean like a vampire?”

  Oh God. As soon as he said the word her cheeks flushed with heat. It was one thing to imagine they existed, but quite another to hear him say it out loud. She closed her eyes, feeling the room dip again as she tried to make sense of her memories, secretly wishing a hole would just swallow her.

  “Easy, Ripley.” Gabe’s hands cupped her shoulders. “I think you’re still suffering from hitting your head so hard on the desk.”

  He picked her up, cradling her body against his chest as he walked back to the couch. She clutched at him, not sure whether to run screaming from the room, or beg him to tighten his embrace. For some reason, she felt safe in his arms, as if she’d known him all her life. Strange desires coiled in her stomach, and she couldn’t help but wonder if her unusual encounter was part of a greater destiny.

  “It is.”

  Ripley’s gaze whipped to his face. “What did you say?”

  “I said, let’s sit.”

  He turned at the edge of the couch and lowered them both down, her body still tight against his. She tensed for a moment, not sure how she’d gone from seeing monsters, to curled in a man’s lap, before looking up at Gabe. His eyes bored into hers, and she felt as if he could read her every thought.

  She sighed and relaxed into his arms, telling herself she’d just rest for a moment before she searched for the files and headed home. She smiled, finally sensing some of the tension waning, when she felt a strong tug on her boot. She looked towards the end of the couch, her breath hitching at the devious gleam flickering in Mathias’ eyes.

  “Here.” He winked at her. “Why don’t you let us help you relax for a bit. Give you a chance to make sense of things.”

  Her next breath stalled as he slowly removed her boot and tossed it on the floor. Then his hands pressed against the arch of her foot, and all hopes of breathing ever again ceased. A moan built in her chest as he swirled his thumbs along the sole of her foot, massaging away every bit of stress, before moving up her calf, using his palms to ease the tightness in her muscles. She knew she should tell him to stop, or at least pull her leg away, but when her gaze met his, all thoughts vanished. Instead, her mind filled with images of the two men loving her. Seeing their twin tongues trace a path along her skin, their hands roving her body. The way they’d counter each other’s caress, using the contrast between soft and hard to drive her to the point of madness.

  Ripley shook back to reality as Mathias pulled off her other boot and began rubbing that foot. She looked at each man, suddenly realising how easy it’d be to fall into an encounter with them, and panicked. She scrambled to her feet, ignoring the worried glances they flashed her and backed away, clutching her chest. Fear swamped her and she felt the room sway slightly. What the hell was wrong with her? She didn’t even know these men, yet she wanted nothing more than to rip off their clothes and sink her teeth into their taut flesh.

  Mathias stood up, moving slightly towards her. “Ripley. Are you okay? Weren’t you enjoying yourself?”

  She shook her head, edging towards the desk, fighting the instinct to fall into their arms. “Yes, and that’s the problem. I don’t even know you.” The words clogged her throat, as if her body was rebelling against her. “I don’t understand what’s going on. I only came here to grab some files. I never intended to…”

  What could she say? That she hadn’t intended on having sex with the two of them. How crazy did that sound?

  Gabe joined his brother. “So you work for Sirus?”

  “Yes…no…” She cursed, forcing in a deep breath. “I used to work for him, a few years ago. Sirus and my father go way back, and I took the job as a favour to him. But it wasn’t what I’d hoped it’d be.”

  “You mean you didn’t like the other aspects of Sirus’ business.” Gabe took a small step towards her. “The rooms he has upstairs.”

  Arousal flooded her system at the mention of the very rooms she’d been fantasising about on the walk over. How was it he knew exactly what to say to get the strongest reaction from her? She snagged her bottom lip as he took another step, his large figure blocking out the view behind him. She thought about matching the step back, but couldn’t seem to get her feet to listen.

  “It’s not the sex rooms I had a problem with. It was his involvement with other more…questionable people that made me leave. I suppose I didn’t want to end up an example for his education.”

  Gage cocked an eyebrow at her. “Yet you kept your set of keys.”

  Ripley sighed. “I have a problem saying no.”

  Gabriel’s mouth widened into a broad smile. “A trait I find appealing.”

  He moved to the side as Mathias flanked to her left.

  “So why the sudden retreat?” He waved his hand between him and Mathias. “Do we make you nervous?”

  “Nervous?” She cringed when a shrill giggle bubbled free. “You make me feel a lot of things that just don�
��t seem natural.”

  Mathias crowded her towards the desk. “Who’s to say they’re unnatural? Do you really need to define yourself by someone else’s conventions?”

  “No, it’s just…”

  Her voice rasped into a low moan, when Mathias stepped closer, brushing his bare chest against her. She raised her hands, intent on shoving him back, when her fingers brushed across his muscular frame, sending a jolt of desire stinging through her. She thought she saw a flash of blue light fill the room, before her head cleared, and the light faded.

  “Careful, brother.” Gabe placed his hand on Mathias’ chest. “We can’t afford to have that damn thing pulsing out our location every few minutes.”

  Ripley looked over to Gabe, certain she was completely losing her mind. She had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. To make matters worse, it felt as if her attraction had just doubled. Heat flared inside her, begging her to seek their touch. An image of her braced across the desk, Gabe at her feet, Mathias curled around her back, filled her senses, and she couldn’t crush the soft moan that broke from her chest.

  The boys seemed to take the sound as a symbol of hope, and edged closer, surrounding her with their combined scent. It was dark and cool, the way the earth smelt at night just after a rainstorm. She tried not to inhale, but the dangerous aroma wove through her, increasing her need to taste their skin.

  Gabe grazed a single finger along her arm. “So you’re not opposed to Sirus’ pleasure rooms. Have you ever played in one?”

  She could only shake her head, all too aware of Mathias’ breath across her shoulder. He nuzzled her left ear, lightly licking the shell.

  “But I sense that perhaps you wanted to.” Gabe drew her chin towards him with the tip of his finger. “Which room fascinated you the most?”

  She closed her eyes, not sure she could face the desire shadowed in his, when his voice caressed the nape of her neck.

  “Shall I guess?”

  She shivered as his tongue traced an identical path on her other ear. It was hotter than she’d imagined, and she felt her reservations fading. She’d never trusted anyone to fulfil her fantasies, yet these men connected with her on a level she’d never considered. One that both scared and thrilled her.

  “We’d never hurt you.” Mathias’ voice whispered across her skin.

  Goose bumps erupted in its wake. She forced her eyes open, praying she’d have the strength to keep them at arm’s length, but aware she’d already lost the will to fight. She pressed her lips into a thin line, darting her gaze between them.

  “I’m sorry, I…” She tried to find the words to explain, wondering why the thought of leaving them made her chest tighten. “I don’t even know you. I…” A wave of nausea crested her throat, threatening to empty her stomach. She braced one hand against the desk and prayed for divine intervention.

  Trust your heart and the rest will follow.

  Ripley drew a harsh breath, as she stared at Gabe, hoping he’d heard the ghostly female voice that had wavered in her head, only to curse at the strange expression he gave her. Gabe looked over at his brother, before finding her eyes again.

  He sighed, his large shoulders drooping slightly. “I realise this feels strange to you. And it’s obvious you’re not one to jump into bed with a man, let alone two.”

  He flashed her a smile that made her knees tremble and her stomach flutter.

  “But there are some things that come down to a leap of faith. We’re prepared to jump, if you will.”

  She took a deep breath, searching for clarity. There was something in his eyes that made it feel right. She smiled back, trying to hide the way her hands shook as she reached up and traced the strong curve of his jaw, loving how the muscle in his temple jumped at the simple contact.

  “I’ve never…” She skimmed her gaze between the two men. It’s not as if she was a virgin, but she had a feeling her ‘vanilla sex’ wasn’t going to prepare her for what they had in mind.

  Mathias eased closer, threading his hand through her hair. “So we’ll take it slow.”

  Gabe leant in, his warm breath mixing with hers as his lips hovered an inch from her mouth. “How about we make a deal. If by sunset, you still want to walk away, we’ll just make sure you’re safe, then we’ll leave. No questions. No explanations.” He paused, easing impossibly closer. “But I’m hoping you’ll find that your faith hasn’t been misplaced.”

  Ripley felt another pulse move through her, dissolving the last of her inhibitions. What possible harm could come from a day of hot sex?

  She let the thought soothe her nerves as she smiled at both men. “Sunset it is.”

  Chapter Three

  The playful smile on Ripley’s face tightened Gabe’s chest until he was thankful he didn’t need to breathe. Raw emotion shuddered through him, and he grabbed the edge of the desk to stop his knees from buckling. She was lovelier than any woman he’d ever laid eyes on, and the innocent way she darted her gaze between him and Mathias, only made her more appealing.

  The soft caress of her fingers across his chest caught him by surprise. He clenched his hand, cursing when the desk cracked beneath his grip. Ripley jumped and looked down, confusion clouding her pretty eyes. Gabe nodded at Mathias, mentally urging the man to move behind her. Gabe had a nagging feeling she was still too unnerved by the prospect of vampires to trust either of them before they’d proven themselves. And if she didn’t offer her trust, they’d be powerless to protect her.

  Ripley’s low moan gained his attention, easing some of the tension bunching his shoulders. Mathias knelt on the desk with his chest pressed against her back as his hands massaged their way under her sweater. Gabe stepped forward, lifting Ripley onto the desk and parting her thighs around his. He smiled as her lips opened into a perfect O shape as her head fell back against Mathias’ chest, her auburn hair a deep contrast to the pale white of his brother’s skin.

  Gabe drank in the scene, cataloguing every twitch and hushed murmur that escaped her luscious lips, knowing her voice would shatter the silence before they were done. Her eyelids fluttered as Mathias stopped beneath the sensuous swell of her breasts, his fingers moving frantically near the centre. Gabe chuckled when his brother cursed in his head, muttering something about a hideous contraption encasing her flesh, before the man groaned as the clasp gave way.

  Gabe raised his hands, stopping Mathias from moving higher as Gabe held Ripley’s stare, the vivid green in her eyes nothing more than a narrow ring beyond a pool of black. He eased closer, brushing his lips across hers. They were warm and slightly wet, as if she’d licked them in anticipation. His cock jumped against his stomach, but he held back, needing to know this was truly her wish.

  “Are you certain? While Mathias and I would never force anything upon you, I’m not sure we’ll be able to stop once your sweet cream coats our tongues.”

  Ripley’s eyes dilated further, as her mouth opened on a soft moan. He watched her swallow thickly, her breath coming in heavy pants. She nodded, licking her lips as if her throat was too dry for her to speak.

  Gabe pressed closer, wedging her legs wider as he dropped a soft kiss on one corner of her mouth. He could tell by the way her gaze darted between his face and his groin, she was nervous. “I’d like to hear your answer, so there’s no chance for a misunderstanding later.” He nuzzled his lips next to one ear, his voice lowering to a rough whisper. “Would you like us to make your desires come true? Re-enact those displays you watched in the doubles room?”

  She hissed out a breath as he nipped at her lobe, before drawing back so he could see the reaction in her eyes. She glanced at Mathias over her shoulder, flashing him a stunning smile before swinging her gaze back to Gabe. Her lips parted slightly, her head tilting to the side when Mathias trailed his tongue along the sleek muscle threading along her shoulder.

  “Yes.”

  The single word sounded loud in the still air, though she’d barely whispered it. Gabe nodded, hovering closer, unable
to resist a fleeting taste of her lips with his tongue. A burst of cherry flavour filled his mouth, tearing a gravelly rasp from his chest. He narrowed his eyes, questioning her with a simple raise of his eyebrow.

  “Lip balm.” She swiped her tongue across her bottom lip. “Cherry.”

  Gabe growled, taking her mouth in his, determined to get a better taste. The fruity tang reached his senses first, slowly replaced by a deeper essence that was all Ripley. He sighed into the kiss, wanting to stay locked in the embrace, but aware that Mathias had other ideas. Gabe pulled back, loving the way her lips stayed slightly parted, as if she longed for his return. He smiled at her huff of protest, tracing the pad of his finger along her full lower lip before following the expanse of skin down her throat and across her chest, brushing Mathias’ hands. He felt his brother’s fingers tremble beneath the fabric, obviously eager to caress the soft flesh he’d freed from her bra.

  Gabe caught Mathias’ gaze, motioning towards the bottom of her shirt. Mathias smiled, keeping his hands still as Gabe fisted the hem of the sweater and dragged it up, slowing unveiling Ripley’s smooth skin. Anticipation rumbled through his core, making his fangs twitch with need. It’d been months since he and Mathias had tasted human blood, and there was no denying the incessant throb that filled his head, threatening to take control. He could feel her blood pumping just below the surface, the slight flutter of her vein finally visible as her shirt crested her head. His gaze landed on the sensuous spot, the small vibration calling to the beast inside him. He clenched his jaw, holding the creature back, soothing it with the image of Ripley’s lush body spread out before them. The vampire part of him growled, but stayed back, keeping its presence known, but allowing him to maintain control.

  Gabe swept his gaze down her skin until he stopped at where his brother held the parted clasps of her bra in his hands, loving the way her increased breath made her breasts rise sharply towards him. He dipped down, nodding at Mathias, watching as the man peeled the fabric back, releasing Ripley’s pale mounds to the cool air.