Strands of Love

by N. J. Walters

  Heavy hands fell on her shoulders and she looked up at him. Darian frowned. “Would that be so bad?”

  Would that be so bad? She couldn’t believe he was asking her such a thing. “You’re telling me you’d be happy about an unplanned pregnancy?” No single guy who’d just had hot sex with a virtually unknown woman would be happy about that.

  Darian smiled and nodded. “You would look beautiful carrying my child.”

  Sam was totally taken aback. This was getting just a little too strange for her, but she couldn’t suppress the flash of pleasure she got at the idea of a blond-haired boy or maybe even a dark-haired girl like herself. A family. It was what she wanted most in the world.

  She needed some time alone. “Bathroom?” she asked again.

  Darian rose and offered her his hand. She thought about grabbing her clothes and tugging them on, but that would require more energy than she had. The day had been long and she was suddenly very tired again. The sexual sparks between them had held it at bay for a while, but it was back with a vengeance.

  “This way.”

  She took a step and stumbled, and he scooped her into his arms, carrying her to the corner of the room where a door was set into the wall. He opened it and carried her inside. It was a fairly large room with a deep wooden tub, but there were no taps. He set her down in front of a wooden cabinet with a wooden basin on top of it. The basin was filled with water. Again, there were no taps.

  Darian stood next to her, arms crossed across his massive chest. His cock was still semi-erect and it didn’t look as though it would take much effort on her part to have him fully aroused again. Her body responded but she ignored it. She’d already done something stupid. No reason to compound it.

  “You can wait outside.” No way was she washing with him watching her.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely.”

  He sighed, kissed the top of her head and went to the door. “When you are ready, we will talk.”

  She waited until he was gone before searching for the toilet, but the only thing she could find was a stone bench with a seat in the far corner. She opened the lid and discovered it seemed to open up into some kind of drain system. Rudimentary plumbing for sure, but beggars couldn’t be choosers.

  When she was done, she padded back to the vanity, grabbed the washcloth that sat next to the bowl and began to clean herself up. There was also a small bar of soap that had a woodsy scent to it that reminded her of Darian. It didn’t lather as well as her soap at home, but it certainly did the job.

  Thankfully, the water was warm. Not hot, but not cold either. What she really wanted was a hot bath, but there didn’t seem to be any way to pipe water into the tub.

  Sam washed away the evidence of their lovemaking along with the dust and grime of the day. She knew her hair had to be a complete mess, but there was no mirror in the room either. She ran her hands over her hair, groaned and undid her braid, setting the covered elastic on the edge of the vanity. There was no brush, but there was a comb. She used it, ruthlessly yanking it through the tangles. She thought about braiding it again, but decided not to. Once they’d talked, she planned on getting some much-needed sleep.

  Was it only this morning she’d had her meeting with Karen at the bank? Seemed like a lifetime ago.

  She tossed the washcloth back into the bowl and took a deep breath, knowing she couldn’t hide in here all night even if she wanted to. A large robe hung on a peg by the door and she pulled it on. It dragged on the floor and would almost wrap around her twice. Had to be Darian’s. She tightened the belt and left the bathroom behind.

  Darian waited impatiently for Sam to join him. The only thing that kept him from checking on her was that he could hear her moving around in the other room. He’d never had a woman in his room before and he liked the feeling. He’d added more wood to the hearth, not wanting Sam to get cold. If the heat he’d felt today was any indication, her world was much warmer.

  When the door finally opened, he strode toward it. Sam stepped into the room, her long, black hair falling around her shoulders like a curtain. She was wearing his robe. A jolt of sheer possessiveness shot through him. Sam belonged here with him, with Jace, a part of their lives.

  He held out his hand and was thrilled when she took it. Outwardly, he kept his expression calm, not wanting to overwhelm her. “Food arrived while you were bathing.” Actually, he’d found it covered and waiting in the hallway. The staff had known better than to knock on the closed door, knowing full well what they’d be doing. His mother had probably told everyone in Hunter Keep by now that Sam was a potential tapestry bride, and all who lived here would do everything in their power to see that she wanted to stay. And that included leaving her alone with him.

  She shook her head. “I’m not really hungry now. Maybe later.”

  He worried about her not eating, but didn’t push. He led her toward the bed and motioned her to climb in, slightly surprised when she did so without argument. “You are tired.” It wasn’t a question, but she answered him anyway.

  “It’s been a long, crazy day.”

  He nodded. “Rest. I will be here when you wake.”

  Sam nestled her head against his pillow, but jolted upward when he climbed in beside her. “What are you doing?”

  “Resting with you.” He pulled her into his arms and loved the way she settled against his chest with a little sigh.”

  “Will you let me go home?” Her softly spoken question almost broke his heart.

  “It is not up to me or to Jace.” He wasn’t certain she believed him, but he wanted her to. “The tapestry will return for you in a little over two days.” He rubbed a hand over her head and toyed with her hair. It was soft and lovely. “I wish you would consider staying with me. With us.”

  “You’d really share me with your brother?”

  He knew she didn’t understand their world and customs, didn’t really believe they were telling the truth. “Yes. It’s expected here. It’s all we know.” He tightened his arms around her. “I would do anything to keep you.”

  She said nothing, but he felt the fine shiver of tension that gripped her. She said nothing else, so he let things be for now. There would be more time for talk tomorrow. Better, there would be time to really show her his world.

  Eventually, she relaxed in his embrace. He knew the moment she fell asleep. Darian shifted his grip so he could look at her face. She was quite lovely. He wanted to memorize every curve, every line so he’d remember it forever. Because he couldn’t quite shake the fear that Sam was going to go home.

  He turned onto his side, tucking her body against his. She fit there as though she’d been made for him. As Darian stared into the fading firelight, he wondered where Jace was.

  Chapter Six

  Sam wasn’t quite sure what woke her, but when she opened her eyes it was dark. She blinked several times and eventually her eyes adjusted so she could make out some of the shapes in the room. Nothing looked familiar.

  Reality came slamming back at her with the force of a freight train. She’d been taken from her home by two gorgeous men, men who thought they came from another world. Sure, she’d seen a tapestry floating in midair, but that was simply the wind blowing debris around her yard. Had to be. Right? Because the alternative was too mind-blowing for her to even consider.

  The fire had died down in the hearth, but she could still see the faint glow of the embers. All was quiet, except for the heavy breathing of the man sleeping peacefully next to her.

  She swallowed down the lump of rising panic in her throat. She was safe. She certainly hadn’t been harmed. If anything, they were going out of their way to make her feel welcome.

  That was all fine and good, but she had to get home. She had crops in the field and a loan payment she had to figure out how to come up with. As tempting as it was to stay curled up in bed next to Darian, she had to move. Maybe she could find a telephone and call Tim to let him know she was okay.

&nbs
p; Of course, the lack of plumbing facilities didn’t exactly give her hope of finding a phone that actually worked.

  Moving slowly, she slid out from under Darian’s arm. He grunted in his sleep, but didn’t wake. Sam eased her legs over the side of the bed. Thankfully, she was still wearing the robe she’d found in the bathroom. The belt had come untied, so she quickly tightened it. She’d need a candle or lantern if she was going to wander around the castle. If she was remembering correctly, there was one on the table by the fireplace.

  The stone floor was cold beneath her feet and she shivered. She’d taken one step when a deep, male voice spoke. “Going somewhere?”

  Sam shrieked and jumped about a foot in the air. Heart racing, she faced the corner of the room where the voice had come from. The sound of her scream hadn’t even died when a naked Darian stood in front of her, a large sword gleaming in his hand. Where had he gotten the weapon? She certainly didn’t remember seeing it in bed with them.

  Darian lowered his sword and sighed. “Should have known it was you.” He stored the sword back in a sheath built into the side of the bed before turning to her. “Are you all right, Samantha?”

  She noted he was using her full name instead of the shortened version and wondered why. Her heart was still racing, but it no longer felt as though it was going to pop out of her chest. “Yeah, I’m okay.”

  Movement from the dark corner caught her eye and then the darkness seemed to release Jace. There wasn’t much light coming in through the two thin windows, but it was enough for her to know it was him.

  “Where were you going?” Jace repeated.

  No way was she going to admit she’d planned on searching for a phone. She wasn’t stupid. “If you must know, the bathroom.” She started off in that direction, figuring a minute or two to herself couldn’t hurt. Why was Jace here?

  She’d barely rounded the end of the bed when she stubbed her toe on the corner of the trunk that sat there. She’d forgotten about it. “Ouch.” She grabbed her toe and hopped around on one foot, swallowing the curse words she really wanted to say.

  Large arms plucked her off her feet. “Are you hurt?” Darian asked. “Stoke the fire,” he commanded his brother. Darian carried her to one of the two chairs flanking the hearth and seconds later light filled the room. Jace added wood to the embers as they flared into flames.

  Sam blinked. It was disconcerting to have two large men kneeling at her feet. One of them was naked and the other was fully dressed. A candle flared and was placed on the table, adding more light to the room.

  Darian lifted her injured foot, holding it to the light. “You didn’t break the skin.” The robe slipped open, exposing her entire leg. She clutched the material tight, making sure she didn’t show more skin than she wanted to.

  Now that the moment was passed, she was feeling foolish. She pulled her foot from Darian’s grasp, or at least tried to. He wasn’t letting it go. “I only stubbed my toe. It barely hurts at all anymore.”

  She pulled her foot away again and this time he released her. “Ah, I think I’ll just go to the bathroom now.” Sam stood, grabbed the candle and fled to the other room as fast as her dignity allowed.

  Two sets of pale-blue eyes watched her. She could feel their gazes on her. As she shut the door behind her, she wondered once again why Jace was here. He’d been standing in the shadows watching them sleep. It was kinda creepy and sad at the same time.

  Sam set the candle down on the wooden vanity and used the facilities before washing up with the now-cold water in the basin. What was she going to do? She couldn’t stay in the bathroom all night. Although sleeping in the round tub sounded a lot better than returning to face her two handsome kidnappers.

  Jace watched Sam walk to the bathroom, frowning when he noticed she was limping slightly. “She’s favoring her foot.”

  Darian nodded. “It is not broken, only bruised.” His brother faced him. “Why didn’t you join us in bed?”

  Tension invaded Jace’s entire body. His cock was thick and heavy after watching Sam sleep in his brother’s arms. He hadn’t been there long, having worked until late before retiring to his own room to bathe and sleep. But sleep had evaded him so he’d come to Darian’s room, knowing he’d find them both here. He’d noted the covered trays still filled with food sitting on the table.

  “Why didn’t Sam eat?”

  Darian sighed and raked his fingers through his hair. “She was too tired.” He paused for a moment. “After.”

  A muscle quivered beneath Jace’s left eye and his jaw tightened. “You didn’t feed her first.” Jace was angry that his brother had already taken Sam. He found her clothes scattered around the room and the fact she’d been wearing Darian’s robe had confirmed his suspicions. Darian had seen Sam naked, stroked her soft skin, tasted her sweet cream and felt her pussy clench around his cock.

  It could have been him. But stubborn pride had kept him away. That and his promise he wouldn’t force himself on her. How had Darian gotten past her guardedness so quickly? He wanted to hate his brother, but didn’t. He envied him instead even as he was glad his brother had found a way to entice Sam into his bed. If one of them could bind her physically to him through sex, maybe she might be willing to stay.

  “I gave my pledge to her.” Darian’s low confession sounded like a shout. Jace’s chest actually hurt.

  “And?” he asked.

  Darian shook his head. “She did not accept.” He stared back at the door Sam had gone through a few minutes before. “I’m not sure she believed I was in earnest.”

  Some of the tension bled from Jace. There was still a chance for him to claim Sam. As soon as he thought it, he felt disloyal to his brother. If Darian had claimed her, he would be happy for him, for all of them.

  “You called her Samantha?” Jace liked the name. It was feminine, yet strong.

  “When she met Mother, she called herself that name, but she says that everyone calls her Sam.” Darian’s patience was obviously at an end because he stalked over the door to the bathing chamber and knocked. “Sam?”

  The door slowly opened and she stood there, candle in hand. Her black hair flowed around her shoulders and she looked small enveloped in Darian’s oversized robe. It practically swallowed her whole. Her toes curled into the stone and Jace knew her feet were probably cold.

  She sidled by Darian and came back to the fire, setting the candle carefully on the table. Standing on the fur rug, she faced them both. “So what happens now?”

  Jace could sense her nervousness, see it in the way she twisted the belt of the robe between her hands. He knew he should leave, allow her to be at ease, but he could not.

  “I told you I would not force myself on you.” Jace walked toward her, not stopping until he was standing right in front of her. She didn’t back away, but tilted back her head to look at him.

  Pride and longing filled him. He cupped the back of her head in his large hand, leaned down and kissed her. Her lips parted on a surprised gasp and he took advantage, sliding his tongue into her mouth. He groaned when he got his first taste of Sam, no Samantha. He liked that name much better. He lost himself in her sweet warmth, almost yelling his triumph when he felt her fingers digging into his shoulders.

  He eased back and stared into her dark eyes, easily reading her arousal and confusion. “Invite me to your bed,” he commanded. He needed her to want him, to offer him what she’d shared with his brother. “Samantha.” He whispered her name, stroking the sides of her face with his thumbs. “Give yourself to me.”

  A deep shudder went through Sam. She felt as though a wildcat, a golden lion or maybe a tiger, was stalking her. Dangerous and deadly, yet enticing as hell. Jace was weaving a sensual spell around her that was almost too tempting to ignore. But she’d slept with Darian. She couldn’t turn around and do the same with Jace.

  She glanced at Darian, a very naked and aroused Darian, looking for something—anger, reassurance. Some idea how he was feeling. He simply smiled at
her. “It is your choice, Sam. We both want you. We told you that.” Darian came to stand beside her and nodded toward his brother. “It is your choice.”

  “But it’s wrong,” she blurted out. Really, what kind of woman was she to want two men?

  It was Jace who answered her. “In Javara it is normal for a woman to have two men in her bed, sometimes three. There is nothing wrong or shameful in that.” He slipped his hands inside the neck of the robe. The fabric parted, exposing the tops of her breasts. “Let me touch you.” His fingers danced over the mounds, sliding slower until he was almost touching her nipples. “Pleasure you.” His lips brushed against her forehead. “Taste you.”

  Sam couldn’t think, couldn’t reason. Not with two, hot sexy men staring at her with unrestrained lust gleaming in their eyes. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, something to remember when she was back on the farm, toiling away alone under the hot sun.

  A pang of regret and loneliness almost brought her to her knees, but she stiffened them. She was a Calloway and would not falter now that her decision was made. “You’ll let me go home?” For some unknown reason, she trusted them to keep their word. Some might call her crazy, and maybe they were right, but that didn’t change the way she felt.

  Both men stiffened. Darian appeared sad and Jace angry.

  Way to kill the mood.

  “Yes, we will let you go when the tapestry returns.” Jace pushed the plackets of the robe wide, exposing her breasts to both their views. “But if you are going to leave, I plan on making the most of the time I have with you.”

  Her breasts felt heavy and swollen and she couldn’t suppress a moan of pleasure when Jace cupped them in his hands, tracing the puckered nipples with his thumbs. “So lovely.”

  Another pair of strong arms came around her from behind. Darian untied the belt to the robe before easing it from her body. The heat from the men and the fire drove back the night chill and it wasn’t long until she felt hot.