Radnor and Sednar were alone in the room with Roxanne. Her face was still pale, but she seemed to be breathing with no problem. Radnor couldn’t even contemplate the idea that she might not wake up.
Unable to wait, he bent down and laid his hand on her shoulder, lightly shaking it.
“Roxanne?”
“What are you doing?” Sednar asked. “Darrina just got her settled.” Radnor ignored his brother, raising his voice slightly. “Wake up, Roxanne.” She mumbled and her eyelids fluttered open and then closed again. “Go away. I’m sleeping.” She turned over onto her side and snuggled beneath the covers.
He started to shake her again. Sednar placed his hand on Radnor’s arm stopping him. “She woke and talked. That’s enough for now. Sleep will help her heal. When she wakes, we will sort all this out.” Sednar’s features hardened. “Tell me everything.”
Knowing he owed his brother that much, Radnor motioned toward the table. He turned his chair so he could keep an eye on Roxanne as she slept. Sednar sat and poured two goblets of ale, handing one of them to Radnor.
“It all started when I decided to examine the progress of the new stable.” Michael Talbot’s head was throbbing. He opened his eyes and then closed them again. It was too bright. He felt like he had a hell of a hangover, but he hadn’t been drinking. The last thing he remembered was going after that faithless bitch of a wife. He didn’t care what the courts said. Roxanne was still his wife. Until he decided he didn’t want her anymore.
He forced his eyes open and looked around. “What the fuck?” He pushed himself into a seated position. He certainly wasn’t in Roxanne’s apartment any longer. He was in the middle of some godforsaken forest. What had that bitch done to him?
He struggled to remember. He’d dragged her back to her small sofa, planning to avail himself of his husbandly rights. There’d been a flash of light so bright it had momentarily blinded him. Then he’d been thrown back and felt himself fall.
Then…nothing.
Standing, he surveyed his surroundings. He couldn’t stay here. He had no idea how far he was from civilization. Roxanne must have done something to him. Had she somehow managed to drug him? That had to be it. Nothing else made sense. She’d pay for that.
A heavy pounding came from off to his left. He turned just in time to see two large horses break into the meadow. Each horse was carrying a man dressed in nothing but leather—pants, boots and vest. They circled him, their eyes narrowed.
Michael’s heart thudded, but he showed no fear. He’d met this kind in prison and recognized kindred spirits. The corner of his mouth turned up in a sneer. “Where the hell am I?”
They brought their horses to a stop and stared down at him. They both had long hair to their waist, but one had thin braids on either side of his face. The one with the braids drew a long sword from a scabbard at his waist. He extended the weapon until the tip touched Michael’s face, breaking the skin. A bead of blood rolled down Michael’s cheek. He didn’t move. Didn’t flinch.
“Who are you?” the stranger asked. “And why are you on our land?”
“Name’s Michael Talbot. I don’t know how the hell I got here, but I’m looking for my wife.”
The man eased his weapon back. “You have a woman?” Michael sensed the stranger’s interest and nodded. “I need to find her.” The stranger sat back in his saddle. “Why should we help you? What will you give us if we help you?”
“What do you want?” Michael had a feeling he knew what they wanted. He’d seen the gleam in the stranger’s eye when he’d mentioned a woman.
The second stranger nudged his horse forward. “Is the woman pretty?”
“I wouldn’t bother with her if she wasn’t,” Michael retorted.
“We want her.” The first stranger sheathed his weapon but that in no way made him any less dangerous.
Michael shrugged. He was almost finished with her anyway. Serve her right if he left her with these two. She’d be begging to come back to him in no time. Only he wouldn’t take her. Not after these two had their dicks in her. “When I’m done with her, she’s all yours.”
The stranger smiled. Michael could see the cruelty in it. Roxanne was going to get what was coming to her one way or another. Maybe leaving her with these bastards would show her just how good she’d had it with him.
The stranger glanced at the other man with him. They were obviously related in some way. Probably brothers.
“I told you my name. Who the fuck are you?”
The man with the thin braids smiled his cruel smile again. “I am Agmar of the House of Luther. This is my brother Ivan.”
Strange names, but then again, these weren’t exactly normal-looking guys. If they weren’t riding horses, Michael would have pegged them as part of a biker gang. Maybe they were. Maybe they had a place to crash near here and kept horses.
“Where am I?” He hated not knowing, not being in full control of the situation. But that was about to change. Michael knew what these men wanted now and he was a master at manipulating people to get what he wanted. It was only a matter of dangling what they desired before them. And right now, they desired Roxanne.
“You are in Javara.” It was the second man who answered him. He turned his horse around and offered Michael his hand. It was either swing up on the horse or walk.
Riding was better than walking any day.
“Never heard of it. How close is that to Los Angeles?”
Chapter Six
Roxanne felt warm and cozy. She snuggled beneath the covers and sighed. She’d had the strangest dreams last night. Everything from a nightmare that Michael had found her to another one featuring her warriors from the tapestry.
Her warriors.
When had she started thinking of them in that way? Not that it mattered. It was perfectly normal for her to want them in her dreams. They made her feel safe and very desirable.
The covers shifted beside her. She jerked and tried to move, only to find herself trapped by a large, muscled arm thrown across her waist. A low rumble came from behind her. “You’re safe, Roxanne. Sleep.”
Her eyelids popped open. Impossible. She was wide-awake now. Or was she? She blinked as a large man came into view. His eyes were closed and his lips were parted slightly. She recognized him. Sednar. Radnor’s brother. He lay on his back, one arm thrown above his head, naked from the waist up. She had no idea if he was naked below that because a blanket covered him.
As if sensing her gaze, his eyes opened and a sleepy smile covered his face. “Good morning, little one. How are you feeling?” His voice was deep and slightly raspy.
Seductive. It sent a shiver down her spine.
Behind her, Radnor shifted. There was no mistaking the fact that he was naked. She could feel his cock hard and hot against her lower back. Against her lower back! She was naked. Almost naked. She was still wearing her underwear, but she might as well be wearing nothing. How the heck had that happened? And what had they done to her?
She bolted upright in bed. The covers fell to her waist. She grabbed them and yanked them to her chin. “I’m still dreaming.”
A rumble, much like a growl, came from her left. She swiveled around and watched Radnor as he sat up and shoved his long hair away from his face. The scowl on his face and the scar under his right cheekbone made him look deadly and dangerous and incredibly sexy.
She had to stop thinking about sex all the time. For a woman who’d been celibate for a long time with no problem, she was suddenly thinking about sex constantly. It had to be their fault. Maybe it was pheromones. Whatever it was, it was disconcerting to say the least.
“You are not dreaming, Roxanne.” Radnor reached out and pried one of her hands away from her death grip on the covers. He brought it to his face and pressed it against his hard square jaw. The stubble on his face was rough against her palm. The warmth of his skin soaked into her hand.
Not to be left out, Sednar cupped her chin in his large hand. “We are very real, Roxan
ne.” He brushed his thumb lazily over her bottom lip.
“I don’t understand.” This couldn’t be real. Could it? She couldn’t explain away what was happening by saying it was a dream any longer. That logic didn’t hold up.
She’d slept. Yet when she awakened, she was still here, not in her apartment.
Radnor sighed, his fingers tightening around hers before he turned her hand and pressed a kiss in the center of her palm. “It’s as I told you, Roxanne. You are in Javara.
The tapestry brought you here as a prospective bride for Sednar and myself.” Everything he’d told her from the day before came back in a rush. Competition.
They wanted to compete, sexually, for her favor. Her nipples tightened, brushing against the cover she had clutched to her chest.
“I…” She just didn’t know what to say. She should be horrified by the mere thought of sharing a bed and her body with two men. Yet with Radnor and Sednar it didn’t seem appalling at it. It seemed…appealing. Desirable.
Roxanne brought her knees to her chest and buried her face against them. She was totally confused. The mattress shifted and large, steady hands lifted her, depositing her in a strong lap. She brought her head up so fast, she hit Sednar’s chin. She was shocked, and slightly dismayed, at having him reach for her instead of Radnor.
Sednar swore beneath his breath and then chuckled. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.” He stroked his large hand over her spine, reminding her that she was all but naked.
“What happened to my clothes?” She glared at Radnor, vaguely hurt by his withdrawal. His expression was remote, totally unreadable.
He shrugged. “You fainted. We removed your clothing so your injuries could be tended.”
That made sense, she supposed. At least they’d left her underwear in place. “Thank you.” She owed them that much for taking care of her. It was strange to think of them touching her, removing her clothing, seeing her naked when she wasn’t aware. It made her feel vulnerable.
“Your well-being is our first concern.” Sednar’s low voice rumbled in her ear. “Your pleasure is our second.” He slid one hand around to her stomach, coming to rest just beneath the curve of her breast. “Let us pleasure you.” Her gaze shot to him and then to Radnor. He was watching her carefully. Waiting for her decision. It came to her then in a blinding flash that it was entirely up to her.
Both men would withdraw immediately if she protested.
A sense of wonder filled her. They spoke the truth. They only wanted her pleasure.
Michael would never have asked. He would have taken what he wanted whether she objected or not. Her feelings had always been irrelevant. But not here. Not with these men.
“I don’t know.” God, she sounded stupid. The crotch of her panties was damp. Her brain might not have figured things out yet, but her body certain had. It was making its demands known in the most obvious ways.
“It is your choice, Roxanne.” She loved the way Radnor said her name. It made it sound exotic. “But why wouldn’t you let us pleasure you?” She sensed his question was genuine. “It’s not done where I come from,” she blurted out. She could feel the heat on her cheeks and knew she was blushing. “I mean, women don’t sleep with two men at once. I suppose some do, but I never have.” Sednar rested his chin on the top of her head and began to gently rub it back and forth. “It is not only done here, it is the norm. We would be remiss if we did not please you sexually. How can you decide whether or not you want to stay here with us or return to your own world if we don’t show you just how happy we can make you?” When they put it like that, it sounded so reasonable. So normal. “Other women from my world have done this?”
“Yes.” Radnor brushed a lock of hair away from her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. That tiny caress made her heart beat faster and her inner muscles clench with anticipation. “If there was more time, we could take you to meet them. Christina and Kathryn of the House of Garen and Jane from the House of Bakra were all brought here by the tapestry. All chose to stay.”
“Wow.” She couldn’t believe it was as easy as all that. “They had no doubts, no hesitation?”
“I did not say that, Roxanne,” Radnor continued. “It is a difficult decision to take a leap of faith and leave behind all you know. But the tapestry only brings women who have the strength to start a new life here. It is not always easy, but the benefits are many.”
“Regardless,” Sednar added. “Go or stay. Let us touch you, taste you.” He lowered his head and his lips caressed the side of her neck. Her toes tingled and curled. It felt strange to be so aroused by two men. Did that make her fickle?
“Do not overthink this.” Radnor trailed his fingers down her jaw and over her throat. He stopped when he reached the top of the blanket still tucked around her. “You can stop us at any time.” He tugged at the covering and she let her fingers relax. The blanket slithered downward, catching on her nipples for a brief second before falling to her waist.
Roxanne sucked in a deep breath as Radnor stared at her breasts. “Beautiful,” he assured her as he circled one puckered nipple with his forefinger. “So pink. So perfect.
Let me taste it.”
She could no longer delude herself. This wasn’t a dream. This was reality. If she did this, she’d be changed forever. She had a feeling Radnor and Sednar would imprint themselves on her body, her mind and her soul in a way no one else ever had. She should be frightened of them. They were both huge men, strong men. But she could stop them with one small word. No. That was all it would take. That knowledge made her relax. Made her feel safe.
They weren’t like Michael. Not in the slightest. All he’d ever cared about was his own pleasure. She’d always figured it was a good night when he didn’t hurt her overly much. The bottom line was she wanted them. The thought of having four hands on her body, stroking her, of having two tongues licking and sucking her breasts and between her thighs, made her hot.
Whether she went home or stayed, she’d always regret it if she didn’t take this opportunity to explore her sexuality. With Radnor and Sednar she felt as though she could throw off the horrors of the past and embrace every aspect of herself. Sexually, she’d buried herself for the past year. Longer if she included her time with Michael. It was time to release that part of her, to bring it back to life.
It all came down to trust.
Sednar’s cock was throbbing against her side, yet he did nothing more than place tender kisses on the nape of her neck. Every muscle in Radnor’s chest was delineated as he sat there waiting. Tension rolled off him in waves, yet all he did was circle her nipple with his finger.
Did she trust them?
Yes. They’d had every opportunity to do as they pleased with her. She was in a strange world, totally at their mercy, yet they’d shown her nothing but respect and kindness.
Roxanne shifted off Sednar’s lap. Radnor’s hand fell back to his side as she knelt on the bed in front of them. Naked except for her underwear, she looked from one brother to the other. Both their expressions were filled with lust and longing. Sednar’s eyes narrowed, but he made no move to touch her. Radnor watched, looking stoic and proud.
She reached for the waistband of her panties, took a deep breath and shoved them down her thighs. It was awkward, but she managed to get them past her knees and off.
She tossed them over the side of the bed.
The only sound in the room came from their heavy breathing and the light whistling of the wind through the window. Her breasts seemed to swell beneath their regard. She felt wanton and sexy. A sense of feminine power rose from deep within her.
She wanted these men. Wanted whatever they wanted to give her. Wanted to take and give in return.
She smiled at them and gave her answer.
“Yes.”
Radnor was surprised he hadn’t already spilled his seed on the covers. His balls were tight and heavy and his cock was swollen so hard it would only take a stroke or two until he exploded. And it might n
ot even take that.
Roxanne knelt on the bed before them, looking shy and determined. Pride surged through him. He could only imagine the courage it took to accept two men in her bed after being abused by her ex-husband. He was determined to make certain she didn’t regret her choice.
He glanced at his brother to give him a warning look, but Sednar was too busy staring at Roxanne to pay him any attention. “Whatever you want,” he told her again, making sure his brother heard the command beneath it. This wasn’t about them. It was about Roxanne and earning her trust.
“Touch me,” Sednar encouraged. “Touch us.” He kicked the covers away, leaving both men naked for her perusal.
Her eyes widened and her lips parted on a small gasp. Radnor swallowed a groan when Roxanne licked her bottom lip before pulling it between her teeth. He wanted that tongue on various parts of his body. He curled his hands into fists to keep from reaching out to her.
It seemed forever before she finally stretched out her hand and placed it on his leg.
His cock jolted and liquid seeped from the tip. He held his breath, hoping, praying she’d continue.
She glanced at him from under thick, dark lashes. Her gray eyes were soft and sensual, like the morning mist. She slowly moved her hand up his leg, over his knee and across his thigh.
When she lifted her hand away, he almost howled with displeasure. She reached out and touched Sednar, letting her hand trail over his leg. The skin on Radnor’s leg tingled and he swore he could still feel her touch against his flesh.
“Higher,” Sednar whispered.
She hesitated but did as he asked. Sednar’s eyes closed, his expression was one of pure bliss as Roxanne skimmed her fingers over his swollen cock.
Radnor’s shaft pulsed and pounded, more liquid seeping from the tip. If she kept this up, he’d come before she had a chance to stroke him, before he had a chance to learn what pleased her.
Embroidered Fantasies t-5 Page 7
