by Aubrey Ross
“The only thing I have to celebrate is the fact that you stopped being an asshole.”
His chuckle was warm and accepting. “This isn’t your celebration, it’s ours.”
That was the last thing she’d expected to hear. “Yours, as in you and Victor? What do you have to celebrate?”
Victor set the ice bucket on a nearby table and turned the full intensity of his gaze on her. “You’ll see.”
She didn’t like the sound of that.
He held out his hand, and anxiety lodged in her throat. Why were they here together? She could deal with Victor’s intensity by thinking of Seth’s smile, and Victor’s dark appeal helped her resist Seth’s gentle persuasion. But she wasn’t sure her senses could withstand the temptation of their combined seduction.
Seth handed the gym bag to Victor and raised her hand to his mouth, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. His lips were warm, his fingers long and strong. “Why don’t you have a seat on the sofa, unless you’d be more comfortable in bed.”
If they needed a bed for whatever they had planned, they were going to be disappointed. Her one and only concern right now had to be X2.
Without releasing her hand, Seth led her to the sofa. Even in jeans and a cotton shirt, he exuded wealth and privilege. Humans were drawn to the elegance of Elves, and Seth was a prime example of why they were so fascinating.
She hadn’t expected to see either of them until the following day, so she’d shed her work clothes and washed her face. The pull-on shorts and oversized T-shirt she wore now were by no means flattering. Perhaps seeing her au naturale would help them reconsider their respective desire to court her.
A distinct pop snapped her attention back to Victor. He was pouring champagne into two crystal flutes, but she couldn’t imagine where he’d gotten them, unless they’d been in the gym bag. Which led her back to her unanswered question. “What’s in the bag?”
“You’ll see.” He handed her one glass and gave the other to Seth. Seth took a sip of the bubbling wine while he looked around the suite. Victor’s gaze remained fixed on her. “Seth and I have been investigating the creature. We each accessed different sources yet came to the same conclusion.”
“Have you learned what that thing was, or what it wanted with me?” Rather than the artificial compulsion tainting the intimacies she’d shared with Victor, the reverse had proven to be true. When she thought about that night, Victor’s unexpected tenderness remained foremost in her memory.
“My older brother had a similar encounter while he was in Scotland with Monique. We suspect it was the same being.”
Victor’s reply didn’t answer her question. Was he being intentionally evasive or was he trying to protect her from something unpleasant. “Were they as helpless against the damn thing as I was?” He sat on one side of her and Seth sat on the other. She felt surrounded, protected, yet restless. They both claimed to want her as their mate, so why were they suddenly so chummy?
“Obviously they weren’t able to destroy it, or you would have been spared the encounter,” Victor continued. “They were able to learn one important fact. It’s less able to deal with the combined power of a soul-bonded couple.”
She tried to stand, but they restrained her, each of them catching one of her shoulders. “I see where this is going and I won’t be frightened into bonding with one of you.”
“You’ve made your desire quite clear,” Seth said. “You don’t want a mate, yet we can’t leave you unprotected. We each care for you deeply and refuse to be deterred by your stubbornness.”
“That left us with one last option,” Victor concluded.
Seth set his champagne aside and the men stood, positioning themselves directly in front of her. What did Victor mean? If they weren’t here to seduce her then…
Victor worked the buttons on the front of Seth’s shirt, revealing his lean chest and tightly muscled abdomen. Seth kicked off his shoes while Victor moved on to Seth’s jeans. Soon the prince stood before her naked, and Tess forgot to breathe.
Many long, lonely nights she’d imagined Seth holding her, touching her, initiating her into the pleasures of the flesh. All those girlish fantasies did nothing to prepare her for the reality of Seth’s nudity. Victor snapped the thong binding Seth’s hair, and the shimmering mass swished free, brushing sleekly muscled flesh and flawless skin.
Her breath escaped in a sigh, and her fingers tingled, desperate to explore each curve and angle of his amazing body. She crossed her legs and clenched her fists. Was this some sort of game? Did they expect her to lose control and… But they weren’t even looking at her. They stared at each other as if they were alone in the room.
Seth undressed Victor slowly, teasing her with his patience and the possessive slide of his fingers. Victor took Seth’s hand and guided it to his erection. Lust throbbed through Tess. She wanted to touch him. No, she wanted to touch them! She pictured herself naked, standing between them, stroking one hard cock with each hand.
“How do you trigger animus inaction?” Victor’s voice was deep and passion roughened, his lids drooping over his eyes.
Panic jarred her to full alert. He couldn’t mean it! If Seth formed the bond with Victor, it rendered her choice moot. Unless… Understanding cut through her lust addled brain. They expected her to be so overcome with desire that she’d bond with both of them! She wasn’t sure she wanted one mate, why in the world would she want two?
Using anger to calm her hunger, she settled back against the cushions, determined to enjoy the show.
Victor kicked his pants aside and paused, angling his naked body toward her as he reached for Seth. The contrast between them accented the magnetism of each, light to dark, long hair to short, noble defender to savage predator.
And they were about to fuck!
She watched Victor’s hand move closer to Seth’s neck. His fingers curved around Seth’s nape, and the prince shivered. She understood the conflict raging through Seth. Victor was fierce and intimidating, yet so damn desirable. Victor drew Seth toward him and Seth moved both hands to Victor’s shoulders.
Their lips touched, parted, then touched again. Tess wasn’t sure how bonding worked with vampires, but each new intimacy would strengthen the link for Seth. They exchanged breath, and the connection formed. She caught a glimpse of their dueling tongues as their mouths repositioned, and her heart gave a rebellious leap. Let them fuck each other’s brains out. It didn’t matter to her. But the hollow ache inside her expanded, deepening until she could barely sit still.
Victor wrapped his arm around Seth’s waist and aligned their lower bodies, pressing, rubbing, cock against cock. Seth groaned and angled his head, taking the kiss deeper.
She couldn’t watch this! It was too evocative, too confusing.
Keeping her movements slow and smooth, she tried to sneak past them.
Victor blocked the bedroom door, a lazy smile parting his lips. “What’s the matter, sweetheart? Never watched before?”
“Voyeurism has never appealed to me.”
“You’re welcome to join in at any time,” Victor countered.
“Our mutual affection for you led to this situation.” Seth ambled toward them, cock bobbing with each step. “The least you can do is give us a little encouragement.”
She nodded toward his erection. “You’re doing just fine on your own.”
“I told you she’d be difficult.” Before she could guess his intention, Victor picked her up, and shoved the bedroom door wide with his foot. “Grab the bag,” he directed Seth then strode into the darkened room.
“Put me down!” She wiggled and shoved against Victor’s chest, but he hardly seemed to notice. “You’re using the danger to manipulate me.”
“True.”
The admission was so unexpected she went still in his arms. “True? You’re not even going to try and justify it?”
“We’re racing the sun.” He nipped her chin then sat her on the side of the bed. “I know you love to argue, but I
don’t have time to indulge you right now.”
Seth set the gym bag on the foot of the bed and said, “The creature has given us reason to push you harder than we’d intended to push. Still, it doesn’t change the reality of what’s going on. We both believe you’re our mate.”
“The only way we can both be right is if we are also mates.” Victor shot a hungry glance at Seth. “There’s no need for us to pressure you until we determine whether or not our suspicions are true.”
“How do you make this determination, and why should I believe what you decide?”
“Seth needs to taste my cum,” Victor told her. “And I’m going to form a temporary blood bond so there will be no uncertainty for any of us. You’ll feel what we feel and know what we know.”
Chapter Six
They pounced before Tess could over think Victor’s explanation. Victor pulled her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her, trapping her arms against her sides. Seth dragged her shorts and panties off as she kicked and twisted, then they worked together to rid her of her T-shirt. Each provocative slide of her skin against his incited Victor’s hunger.
“We were going to book a dungeon, but Vasco assured us this suite was equipped with everything we’d need to tame a reluctant mate,” Victor whispered the taunt in her ear as he guided her around to the foot of the bed.
Her laugh was harsh and humorless. “Multiple partners isn’t twisted enough? You want to play BDSM games, too?”
Much to Victor’s delight, Seth stepped in to defend him. “None of this is a game, Tess. The danger is real. Our feelings are real. And our needs are real. You can’t accept that you’re our mate until you understand exactly what that means.”
Victor held her against him, her back pressed against his front. Seth pointed a remote control at the ceiling and triggered a discreet panel. The compartment opened and wrist cuffs lowered on sturdy cables.
Tess trembled in his arms. Victor inhaled deeply, analyzing her scent. The acrid bite of fear was undeniable, but arousal was just as strong. “This is overwhelming. I understand that, but you’re stronger than you realize.”
“I’m stronger than you realize.” Her shoulders straightened and her chin rose. “I’ll allow a temporary bond, but neither of you will force me into anything permanent.”
She raised her arms and Seth secured her wrists. Victor stepped back, fascinated by her surrender. Stubborn and feisty, yet trusting and submissive, she made his blood sizzle and his fangs ache.
Seth used the remote to open compartments in the footboard. After a slight hesitation, Tess spread her legs, and Seth restrained her ankles. Open and accessible, her body was entirely at their mercy. The significance tore through Victor, stoking the fire in his blood and intensifying his hunger.
He wanted to fuck her pussy while Seth stuffed her ass. They’d fill her so full she’d scream with the pleasure and never want it to stop.
Seth grasped his chin and turned his head away from Tess. “It can’t just be about her. This can’t be a true joining unless we’re mates.”
Acknowledging the reminder with a stiff nod, Victor grabbed Seth by the hair and thrust his fangs into the Elf’s throat. Seth yelped, struggling for a moment before surrendering to Victor’s bite. Victor drank slowly, forcing down the pleasure so he could analyze each sensation.
Seth lowered his mental shields and allowed Victor into his mind. They touched, flowing through each other as Victor formed a temporary link.
Now Tess, Seth prompted. Bring her into the link.
Victor withdrew from Seth’s flesh, savoring his unique taste as he crossed to Tess. Her eyes widened with each step he took, her fingers clenching into tight little fists. “In all the years you’ve worked for vampires, you’ve never allowed one to bite you?”
“Never even been tempted.” She licked her lips and her nipples hardened. She was certainly tempted now.
“I won’t hurt you.”
“I wouldn’t have opened the door if I didn’t believe that.”
He pushed his fingers into her hair and tilted her head to the side. Her pulse echoed in his ears, and his cock. This would be so much better if he were inside her.
Soon, Seth whispered in his mind. Give her time, and she’ll surrender completely. It must be her decision.
Unable to resist the temptation a moment longer, Victor penetrated her flesh with his fangs. She tensed then shuddered, a low moan escaping her throat. Her evocative taste rolled across his tongue, combining with Seth’s.
Her being was warm and welcoming as he pushed into her mind. Seth was there with him, weaving her into their link with inherent skill.
I can feel both of you. She sounded a bit muddled.
That’s the idea, Seth assured her. No lies, no manipulation, just brutal honesty.
But mind control is a vampire’s stock-in-trade. How can I be certain what I feel is real?
You have access to my mind and feelings, Victor explained. When a vampire takes control of someone, it’s a one-way connection.
Withdrawing his fangs took every ounce of Victor’s self-control. He wanted more, so much more. More of her blood, more of her body, more of everything.
He looked at Seth, hoping to stabilize his blazing hunger. The prince stared at Tess with such longing it only compounded Victor’s need. If they didn’t move this thing forward, they were both going to go up in flames.
“Even if we’re not mates,” Seth began in a breathless tone, “I say we still --”
“No,” Tess cut in. “You’re too competitive. If this can’t be a true joining, I won’t bond with either of you.”
Victor narrowed his gaze on Seth’s flushed face as Tess’s ultimatum rang through his brain. All or nothing. Make it work or else. He wanted to laugh. Who was manipulating the situation now?
Even if they didn’t feel the primal connection when they fucked, maybe they could convince her they did.
I can hear you, Tess reminded him and Victor offered a sheepish grin.
Seth placed his hand on Victor’s shoulder, drawing his attention away from Tess. “Stand close enough to touch her while I go down on you. I don’t want her to lose interest.”
Victor’s dominant nature surged, and he wrapped Seth’s hair around his hand, fulfilling one of his fantasies. “You can top her, pretty boy, but don’t even think about trying to control me.”
Seth glared into Victor’s eyes. Reality narrowed, and time paused. He could sense Tess silently watching the battle of wills unfold. His heart thudded wildly in his chest. No one had ever dared to challenge him like this. He was a royal prince. Lovers tripped over themselves as they tried to please him.
His head began to throb, Victor’s hold on his hair remaining constant. Tess would submit to them both, but must he submit to Victor? Heat cascaded through his body at the thought. Victor was stronger and older. Seth searched his heart and realized this felt right.
“Yes, sir.” The words didn’t come easily, but they passed his lips and Victor’s grip loosened.
“On your knees.” The imperious snap in Victor’s tone sent another wave of lust crashing over him. “You will pleasure me with your mouth and one hand, while you pleasure our mate with the other.”
If Victor wanted to deprive himself of her softness, let him. Seth had no objection. He sank to his knees in front of Victor and fisted the vampire’s cock. He slipped his other hand between Tess’s thighs, delighted to find her folds slick with cream, more than ready for his touch.
Rather than stand in silent stillness, as Seth had imagined, Victor caressed her breasts and kissed her mouth. Seth circled the tip of Victor’s cock with his tongue, unable to watch what Victor was doing if he sucked him in earnest.
“You seem distracted.” Victor held the back of Seth’s head and drove his shaft into his mouth. “Don’t forget why you’re on your knees.”
Hot and thick, Victor’s cock felt amazing against his tongue. He sucked and licked, savoring each gasp and moan he dra
gged from the vampire’s throat.
Seth pushed two fingers into Tess’s core. Her body clenched, snug and hot around his fingers. Her pleasure rippled across their link, alive with pulsating energy. Finding her clit with his thumb, he circled the bud while her inner muscles caressed his fingers.
“Don’t let her come,” Victor warned. “Concentrate on what you’re doing.”
That’s right. This wasn’t just a blowjob. He was assessing a possible mate.
Unwilling to deprive himself of her heat, Seth left his fingers inside her and focused on Victor. He gently caressed the vampire’s balls with his free hand while he sucked and licked his shaft. The salty sharp taste of precum spread across his tongue. He tightened his lips around the flared head and sucked with ruthless focus.
Victor released his hair, framing his face between his hands instead. He fucked his mouth with fast, smooth jabs, bumping the back of his throat. Seth tilted his head, taking Victor deeper. The vampire’s cries echoed his thrusts as he drove himself toward completion.
Reluctantly withdrawing his fingers from Tess’s cunt, Seth grabbed Victor’s hips and restrained his last few thrusts. If Victor spilled down his throat, his taste would be lost. Seth needed to roll it across his tongue like wine, absorb and savor his essence.
Victor came with a muffled growl, his seed thoroughly coating Seth’s tongue. Seth closed his eyes and waited for his body to react. Pleasure burst behind his eyes, spiraling down through his body, and shooting along his shaft. He groaned, unable to stop his spontaneous climax. His cock twitched and jerked as streams of cum jetted into the air.
Possessive hunger surged through the tingling aftershocks of his release. He sucked on Victor’s cock, enjoying every last drop. Within seconds he was hard again, ready for more.
Mine. The word burst from Seth’s mind as his mouth stubbornly drew.
Victor growled and pushed him back, dragging his cock out of Seth’s eager mouth. “You appear to have your answer. Now I will have mine.”
Echoing the feral growl, Seth turned to Tess. He pressed his face against the apex of her thighs and pushed his cum-covered tongue between her folds. Her delicate tissue absorbed the fluid and she came with a startled cry.
