Strands of Love

by N. J. Walters

  He worked the towel lower, over her torso and her stomach, caressing more than he was actually drying her. Not that she seemed to mind. Her body swayed closer and he almost shouted his pleasure. She’d allowed Darian to touch her yesterday. Now it was his turn.

  Jace dropped to his knees in front of her, ignoring the ache in his balls and the throbbing in his cock. “Open your legs for me.”

  Sam hesitated for a moment before doing as he asked. He ran the cloth up and down her thighs, moving closer to her pussy with each stroke. She was already damp, but he didn’t know if it was because of the bathwater or if she was aroused or both.

  Determined to discover the truth, he nuzzled her curly pubic hair before delving deeper into her slick folds. She moaned and dug her fingers into his shoulders for balance. He loved the slight sting from her short nails where they dug in just past the edge of his leather vest.

  “Jace.” Her name fell from her lips like a lover’s caress and he shuddered with growing need. He wanted to fuck her. Desperately wanted to slide his cock into her pussy. She’d be so tight around him and would milk his cock until he came, just as she’d done last evening.

  Jace used his iron will to clamp down on his lust and push it aside. He wanted to pleasure Sam, feed her and show her around his home. He wanted her to truly understand what kind of life she would have if she stayed at Hunter Keep.

  Using his thumbs, he pushed her slick folds of her pussy wide, determined to make her come.

  Sam hung onto Jace’s shoulders, knowing if she let go she’d end up in a heap on the cold stone floor. She gazed down on his broad, leather-clad shoulders. His blond hair fell over his back and shoulders and stroked her thighs in a sensual caress every time he moved.

  Jace was aroused. There was no hiding the large bulge in the front of his pants, but he didn’t seem to be in any hurry to fuck her. She was naked and obviously willing.

  His tongue lapped and sucked at her pussy and she threw back her head and cried out. Oh God, was she ever willing. There was something about Jace and his brother that pushed all her sexual buttons.

  Wherever he touched her, he left her skin feeling hot and sensitive and aroused. It was almost frightening how easily she responded to him, but it was mesmerizing too. Her earlier awkwardness and shyness vanished the moment he’d touched her to be replaced by an intense longing for something she didn’t want to put a name to.

  Instead of wanting things she couldn’t have, she concentrated on enjoying what she did have—Jace on his knees in front of her with his face buried between her thighs.

  His tongue circled her clit before he captured it between his lips and sucked. Sam cried out his name and burrowed her fingers into his hair, pulling him closer. No way did she want him to stop now, not when she was on the verge of an orgasm.

  Strong, thick fingers trailed up her inner thighs before delving between them. Sam knew what was coming and could hardly wait. He pushed one inside her sheath and withdrew it. She gasped and tugged on his hair. “More,” she demanded.

  This time two fingers filled her, pushing deep before withdrawing. Her entire focus was centered on what was happening between her legs. Never in her life had reaching orgasm seemed so vitally important.

  “Jace.” She didn’t know what to say, how to convey what she needed.

  It didn’t matter. He understood. He worked a third finger inside her and sucked hard on her clit. A series of mini explosions seemed to detonate within her, setting off a major one. Her entire body shook and she cried out his name as she came. Her inner muscles clamped down hard on his fingers. He curled them inward and found a spot that triggered another round of spasms.

  Sam fell forward but she didn’t fall. Strong arms caught her and held her while she rode out the most amazing climax. A heavy heartbeat drummed against her ear and a thick cock pressed against her side. Yet all Jace did was rub his hand over her back and arm as he held her.

  She swallowed back the lump in her throat and willed the tears back. She had no idea why she was so emotional. It was just sex and she’d had sex before. Granted, none quite this intense, but still.

  Problem was it felt like much more than just sex. Sam was starting to have feelings for Jace and his brother. How could she not? In spite of everything, they treated her better than any men ever had, which was a sad commentary on her life.

  Determined not to be sad and to enjoy the moment, Sam turned her face into his chest and kissed it. She could return the favor and bring Jace some pleasure. But the moment she slid her hand toward his dick, he stood and placed her on her feet.

  Bewildered by his actions, she looked at him and cocked one eyebrow, silently questioning him.

  “This is all about you, Sam. Or should I call you Samantha?”

  She shook her head. “Sam is fine.” She hesitated before asking the obvious question. “Don’t you want me?” George had always been trying to change her, encouraging her to wear the occasional dress and makeup. Even though she thought it hadn’t, it had obviously left her with some insecurities.

  He grabbed her hand and placed it over his erection. Even though the leather of his pants she could feel his cock throbbing with need.

  Jace removed her hand and carefully hooked a strand of damp hair behind her ear. It was only then she wondered what she must look like. Probably a slightly drowned rat. She hadn’t even combed her hair and it was still mostly wet.

  “This time is about you, about your pleasure.” Her stomach chose that moment to growl and embarrass her. Jace grinned. It was so quick she almost missed it and it made him seem younger and much more approachable than usual. “And it is time to feed you.

  “You still have almost two days here and I plan to make the most of them.”

  Sam didn’t know if that was a promise or a threat. Before she could decide, Jace retrieved the towel and wrapped it around her.

  “When you dry off there are clean clothes on the trunk in the bedroom. I’ll be waiting in the hallway and when you’re done I’ll escort you down to break your fast.”

  He spun on his heel and stalked from the room, closing the door behind him. Sam sagged against the wall and took a deep breath. Her toes were curled, her skin tingled and her breasts felt swollen and tender. Not to mention the throbbing aftershocks still echoing between her thighs.

  Her stomach growled again and there was no ignoring it. She grabbed the wet cloth from the tub and gently washed between her thighs. When she was done, she found the comb and untangled her hair, quickly braiding it. Thankfully, the elastic was still sitting on the edge of the vanity where she’d left it last night, and she used it to secure her hair. Taking a deep breath, she left the bathroom and entered the bedroom.

  True to his word, Jace wasn’t there and there was a bundle of clothing on the trunk. Excitement and hunger warred inside her as she hurried to get dressed and join Jace.

  Chapter Eight

  The clothes Sam was wearing were really comfortable. She’d feared the clothing Jace had left her might include a dress much like the one Edwina had been wearing when she’d met the older woman. Really not her style.

  Instead, she’d found a pair of leather pants, which she cinched tight to keep them from slipping over her hips, a pair of boots that fit rather well and a long-sleeved tunic that fell to just below her hips. What she wasn’t wearing were panties or a bra, both of which had been missing from the room along with the rest of her clothing.

  As promised, Jace had been waiting in the hallway for her. He’d taken her hand and led her downstairs to the large room she’d seen yesterday. A long table sat at one end with some plates and bowls of food. She’d thought he’d join her. Instead, he’d left her with his mother, which was a little awkward considering she’d had sex with both the woman’s sons.

  “Have you had enough, dear?” Edwina asked. Like yesterday, the older woman was wearing an ankle-length dress, this one a bright yellow. The cloth appeared to be somewhere between a cotton and a linen and was emb
roidered with tiny flowers around the neck and cuffs.

  “Yes, thank you.” Sam pushed aside the bowl of porridge she’d just finished. Her stomach was nicely full. She’d had the porridge, two slices of thick grainy bread and several slabs of a mild yellow cheese that was absolutely delicious. And she’d washed the works of it down with a mellow apple cider, the taste of which reminded her of Jace’s earlier kiss.

  Edwina picked up her wooden mug, taking a sip of tea before placing it back on the table in front of her. “I know all this must seem strange to you,” she began.

  Sam hesitated, not wanting to be impolite to the older woman, but there was no getting around the fact that she was somewhere she didn’t want to be. Great sex aside, she had a life. Might not seem like much of one to some folks, but it was hers. “I really want to call home and check in with my friend.” Tim would be worried sick considering she was supposed to have shown up for dinner last night with him and Mary.

  Her cell phone had disappeared along with her clothes, something she was definitely going to ask Jace about when she saw him again. He’d disappeared so quickly she hadn’t had time to question him about it.

  Edwina appeared concerned, wringing the poor mug between her hands. “I’m not sure what you mean by calling home.”

  Sam studied the older woman. It didn’t seem as though she was lying. “You know, use the telephone.” She held her hand to her ear and curled the middle three fingers inward before motioning with her pinkie and thumb like she was using the phone.

  Edwina sighed and stood. “Come, let me show you something.”

  Sam dropped her hand and pushed out of her chair. Fine with her. She obviously wasn’t going to get a straight answer from their mother. It was time to find and confront Darian and Jace again.

  “This way.” Edwina led the way out the front door of the castle, pausing on the wide stone steps. “Look around you. Everywhere you look is Javara. This is not your world, child. You must come to some acceptance of that fact. Denying it will not change it.”

  “Look,” Sam began. “I honestly think you believe what you’re saying, but I can’t.”

  “Then how do you explain your being here?”

  “I can’t.” She wasn’t about to mention her theories about being drugged. Strangely enough, she didn’t want to upset the older woman who was not responsible for her sons’ actions.

  Edwina sighed and shook her head and Sam knew she’d disappointed the other woman. “If you’re looking for Jace and Darian, you’ll find them in the training ring this time of day.” She pointed beyond the stables. “Look around if you like. None will stop you.”

  Sam nodded and started down the stairs, suddenly gripped with the need to see both brothers. She was halfway down when Edwina called out to her.

  “Samantha.”

  Sam paused and turned.

  Edwina squared her shoulders and met Sam’s gaze. “Be careful with my sons. You hold their hearts and their futures in your hands.” With that, Edwina turned and went back inside.

  Her words shook Sam to her core. Edwina was mistaken. No way was she in any way responsible for either man’s heart. They’d had sex. That’s all it was. Three consenting adults engaging in some sexual fantasies, nothing more.

  She ignored the way her breakfast curdled in her belly and the pang of regret in her heart as she hurried toward the stables. The familiar whinny of horses teased her ears as she passed. She had a quick peek and promised herself she’d check out the equine inhabitants a little later. Sam missed having horses on the farm.

  There were several men working just outside the building and they nodded at her as she hurried by. She nodded back, but didn’t stop. She did, however, feel their gazes on her. Her spine tingled and it was an uncomfortable sensation.

  She turned the corner of the stables and slammed to a halt like she’d hit an invisible wall. Both Jace and Darian were naked from the waist up, except for those wrist- and armbands they wore. Both were wielding extremely large, and what appeared to be extremely sharp swords.

  Darian’s weapon cut through the air, heading toward Jace’s heart. All the blood drained from her face and she felt lightheaded as Jace countered at the last second. The two blades struck and one slid along the other, leaving a shower of sparks.

  “Almost got you, old man,” Darian taunted.

  “Old man, my ass. I’m only letting you think you have a chance to beat me. Wouldn’t want you to become too discouraged,” Jace fired back.

  Sam leaned against the corner of the stable and watched as the two fought. These were no recreational warriors. The blades were an extension of their arms, cutting and hacking through the air, always being struck aside at the very last second before either of them could lose a major body part. She was afraid to speak, afraid to distract them. And she was utterly mesmerized by the display of swordsmanship.

  Sam took a deep breath and forced her gaze away from the Hunter brothers. There were a few other people around, mostly men, although she did see the occasional woman. In the distance she could see more people working in the fields and tending animals.

  What she didn’t see were power lines or telephone towers. Come to think of it, there weren’t any electric lights or even outlets in the castle. It was all like something from several hundred years ago.

  She swallowed hard and looked back toward Darian and Jace. Sweat shone on their broad chests and shoulders as they continued their deadly dance. She thought about the weapons they had—knives and swords. She thought about the tapestry she’d seen yesterday morning floating in midair in spite of the dead heat.

  Oh God. It was true.

  All of it was true.

  She really was in another place, another planet or dimension. She wasn’t quite sure which. Another world was probably the best place to put it. Javara. They’d all told her as much but she hadn’t really believed it. But this place, these people. It was too much of an elaborate setup to be anything but real.

  There was no way they could have taken her somewhere else so quickly, not somewhere like this without leaving the country. And, really, why would the Hunter brothers turn up in the middle of nowhere Texas and kidnap a penniless farmer? It didn’t make any sense. There was nothing in it for them—certainly not money.

  Feeling slightly nauseated, Sam slid down the side of the barn until she was sitting in the dirt. She lowered her head and sucked in a deep breath. She really was in another world.

  Worry hit her hard. Would she ever see her farm, her home again?

  “Sam?”

  It was only when she heard her name she realized the clang of metal had ceased. She looked up to see both men staring down at her with concern in their eyes. They really were in earnest when they said they wanted her to stay here and marry one of them.

  Sam thought of the pledge Darian had already given her, offering himself, his life and his brother’s, offering her love and devotion. But he couldn’t love her. Neither of them could. They didn’t really know them any more than she knew them.

  Her breathing was getting faster and it was getting harder to take in enough air. Her vision dimmed.

  She was plucked off the ground and into a strong pair of arms. Neither man seemed to notice her size and weight and carried her around as though she weighed next to nothing. She knew without looking that it was Jace who held her. Amazing how quickly she’d come to know each man’s touch.

  Darian stood beside his brother. “Breathe, Sam. Take a slow, deep breath.” His voice was low and soothing. She wished she could tell him she wasn’t losing her mind, just coming to accept what should be totally unbelievable.

  She followed his instructions as best she could and was grateful when her vision cleared.

  “Bring her inside,” Darian ordered, but she shook her head.

  “No. Outside.” She always did better outside than in. She was afraid if they took her inside the castle walls might close around her. “This is real,” she managed to get out. “All of it.”


  Jace’s arms stiffened around her. “You finally believe.”

  She nodded, not sure what else to say. It was all too strange, like something out of a book or movie. Not the kind of thing that happened to an ordinary woman like her.

  Darian took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “The tapestry brought you here for a reason, Sam. The magic only brings a woman who has the potential to thrive here. It’s up to you if you stay or go.” His expression darkened. “There is only one chance. Three days and you must choose. There is no changing your mind once it is done, so be very sure.”

  In three days—no make that two days if the time counted from when she’d first found them on her land—she’d go back to her farm and they’d remain here. She’d never see them again. Her heart ached and she trembled. She had to go back. She didn’t belong in this world where the people lived like something out of a medieval tale, except for the whole “sharing her bed with two men” deal. She really didn’t think a ménage à trois had been commonplace back in Medieval England, but who really knew.

  “I need to walk.” When she had something on her mind it always helped her to walk. Back when they’d still owned horses, she’d ridden.

  Jace set her down, but she felt his reluctance, the way his arms tightened briefly before he released her. “We will go with you.”

  She didn’t argue with him. She didn’t know this world and what potential dangers lurked beyond the walls of the castle. Sure as she was standing here, they didn’t train with those lethal swords for nothing. She nodded. “Okay.”

  Darian touched her arm and nodded his head off to the right. “If we go this way, you can see the fields. There is a lake just beyond.”

  The farmer in her was curious to see what they were growing. “Lead on.”

  With Jace on one side of her and Darian on the other, the three of them headed toward the lush fields and the men working them.

  Both men fell in beside her as they walked. She sensed their awareness, the way they scanned their environment constantly monitoring it for danger. That was something ingrained in them, totally natural, like breathing.