by Tamsin Baker
In my book, the town was cursed.
“If we could help you, Ella, we would,” Cassius said.
I sent him a wan smile. “Sure. If you could wave your magic wand, find a buyer for the farm, get me to a city and cure my mother, I’d take you up on that offer, but so far it’s proven to be impossible.” My frown pulled my brow. “It seems simple enough. Stupid, even. But it’s been one thing after another. Something always happens to keep us there.”
“We know how you feel. More than you think we do.” Davon leveled a look at me. One that said he knew all too well that he did know something about how trapped I was.
“That’s why, when this storm finally passes. I’ll have to go.” I glanced at all three. Davon, his shirt parted to reveal a stunning physique, Cassius, whose normal easy smile was missing and Xander, his body as stiff and unyielding as ever.
I didn’t want to leave them. Hated to think I may never see them again after this, but I had no choice. If I could be a carefree woman, someone in charge of my own destiny, then I’d most probably stay and explore that strange connection between all of us, as unorthodox as it was.
But I wasn’t.
I could never.
Again, I was blocked.
I sighed and rested my forehead on my knees. Why was life always so unfair?
Gentle fingers swept along my neck, brushing my hair from my face. I looked up to see Cassius studying me. “Don’t be sad, Ella. We’ll find a way.”
“That’s very kind of you, but my circumstances have nothing to do with you. They’re my problems. Not yours. I’ll find a way.” I kept my tone determined, as though I might actually believe myself.
“You’d be surprised how everyone’s problems weave together. And now, you do have people to rely on. Us. We’re going to help you, Ella.” As Cassius spoke, I fell into his caramel eyes. I wanted to believe him, but life had taught me to be a realist.
I smiled though. I knew he’d spoken from the heart and I also knew I wasn’t going to put them in the path of the Holy Trinity. It was best they stayed out of the way. People didn’t need enemies like them. I squeezed his hand. “Thank you, Cassius. That’s nice of you to say.”
“I don’t think she believes us, Cassius,” Davon said. His voice was deeper, tainted with something that made my core clench in awareness.
“I don’t believe she does either, Davon. Maybe we should show her exactly how serious we are.” Cassius’ gaze dropped to my mouth. My lips tingled as though he’d physically touched them.
My whole body shivered as heat scoured my skin. I barely breathed, my entire attention was riveted. I knew what was going to happen. Cassius stilled, a predator watching prey. Waiting for me to decide one way or the other.
But the storm could be clear tomorrow. And I would leave. And if I left, I wouldn’t know what it might be like. Just for one night.
To know.
To feel desire.
To give in to a deep, dark fantasy I’d never knew I had.
I licked dry lips, straightening my back. My breasts pushed against the material of the t-shirt they’d supplied me with, my nipples so sensitive that I felt every thread rubbing against my skin. “And just how serious are you?”
The ends of Cassius’ lips curved sightly. “As serious as anyone can get.”
Without preamble, he captured the back of my head in a firm grip and held me in place as he kissed me so hard it stole my breath away.
Chapter Twenty One
His heated mouth conquered mine, his lips moving with a single-minded purpose that picked me up and swept me along. Heat flamed my insides. Powerful desire erupted within me, and I kissed him back as hard as he kissed me.
I’d never reacted like this to any man before. Never became so fully entangled in a passion so powerful it made my body ache with the need to be touched. Held.
Devoured.
My hands circled on his shoulders. I arched my back so that my breasts rubbed against his chest in an attempt to relieve the ache, but it only heightened my arousal. Cassius moved, capturing my shoulders and leaning me backward to lay beneath him. A hand brushed my arm as Davon turned on his side, allowing both of us more room on the bed.
I thought I’d be embarrassed about kissing Cassius in front of Davon and Xander, but I wasn’t embarrassed at all. Knowing they watched made the blood rush through my veins, my skin prickling with awareness of their attention. Knowing I was the center of it fueled the fire that raged within me.
The air became heavy, the ambience changing to one darker, needier, more earthy. My body throbbed and I parted my thighs, allowing Cassius to lie over me and nestle his hips between my legs.
His erection pushed against my clit. He tilted his hips and rubbed his shaft there. A flurry of tingles surged through me at the intimate contact. The next time he rubbed against me, I followed his movements, increasing the friction.
“I’m under a spell with you, Ella.” Cassius breathed heavily. He pressed his forehead against mine for a moment before moving down my body. He kneeled between my legs. His fingers slipped beneath the waistband of my track pants. His nails slightly scraped my skin and piqued all of my senses.
Slowly. Slowly, he drew the elastic over my hips and pulled them off my legs. I had nothing on underneath. The cool air drifted over my heated skin. Self-conscious, I pressed my knees together. He palmed my thighs, the slight pressure stilling me. “Don’t hide yourself from us, Ella. You are beautiful beyond belief.” His fingers massaged my flesh and I relaxed into his touch.
“To all of us.” Davon stroked my cheek and leaned to kiss me. It was a brief kiss, and yet it wasn’t rushed. His fingertips skimmed my arm to rest at the hem of my t-shirt. He bunched the material and I allowed him to lift the garment off and away.
I eyed them. “What about you?” My entire focus was on my nakedness while they remained fully clothed.
Cassius’ fingers dipped along the inner seam of my thighs. “This is about you, Ella. You deserve to feel good.”
“You do too,” I said.
Davon chuckled, “Oh, this makes us feel very good. Believe me.”
I looked to Xander, who stood still at the fireplace. He’d thrust his hands into his pants pockets, while his heated gaze seared my skin. Even though Cassius and Davon touched me, there was still something missing. Him. The force behind us all.
The moment stilled and time seemed to pause. A war raged behind his eyes. I had no idea what passed through his mind, but I knew when he’d reached his decision. “Let them tend to you, Ella.”
I reached for him, my hand closing around air. “Xander…”
I wanted him. I wanted them all. This strange connection between us all was too strong to be denied. If he didn’t come over here, there would always be a part of me that would remain unfulfilled.
“You don’t know what you ask, Ella.” His voice was as strained as every trembling muscle in his body. “Make sure she is fulfilled.”
With that, he strode from the room, the door clicking gently behind him. I came up on my elbows, my arousal cooling as soon as Xander had left the room. “Why did he leave?”
“Sometimes Xander needs to…control himself,” Davon said.
“If he felt it’s better that he left, then we need to let him go. When the time is right, he’ll come to us,” Cassius said.
“Xander is not one to be denied,” Davon said. “He will return when he feels he is capable.”
“And now the only one that is being denied is you, beautiful Ella,” Cassius said.
“Yes, she is being denied. I think we should do something about that, don’t you, Cassius?”
“Oh, I very much think we should do something about that. Lay back, Ella and let us make you feel good. We like doing that,” Cassius said.
“We like it very much.” Davon rose on his elbow, caught my chin between his fingers, turned my head and kissed me, taking my mouth with absolute mastery. I had the fleeting thought I was missing something
very, very important, but between Davon’s lips and Cassius’ clever fingers, the thought flew from my mind.
Davon massaged my breast, at the same time taking me back down to lie on the bed. He lay me back gently. Cassius’ fingers became more insistent and I allowed him to part my thighs.
Cassius’ fingers circled closer to my heat, my entire body prickling with anticipation as they whispered over my folds, then finally his thumb circled my clit. Sensation crashed through me and I jerked.
“I think she likes that, Cassius. Do that again,” Davon said, his lips swollen and gleaming with our kiss.
“I think I can do better than that,” Cassius said.
The bed moved as Cassius settled between my thighs and then his hot mouth was on my clit. He kissed me there, licking my tender nub before devouring it in his mouth. I gasped as liquid heat sparked inside me.
Davon held a breast and then moved to take the turgid peak into his mouth. My back arched with the sensation of two hot mouths on my flesh. Davon’s tongue swirled about my nipple before he flattened his tongue and lapped. His other hand went to my other breast, where he massaged my sensitive flesh.
Cassius slid a finger inside me while he worked my clit with his mouth. His finger slid in and out, in time with his lashing tongue.
Two mouths. Four hands. It was too much. My body rose, soaring towards a peak. My breath sawed in and out of my body.
Cassius inserted two fingers, stretching me. I groaned with the deeper penetration, tossing my head back, eyes clenched shut. There was a scrape at my breast, fleetingly sharp before liquid heat erupted through my body.
“Come for us, Ella.” Cassius’ rough voice was a command I couldn’t deny.
Cassius hooked his fingers, finding that sensitive part inside me that pushed me right over the edge. Every muscle in my body tensed. Air locked in my lungs. I arched my back as a powerful orgasm erupted through me and I was lost to the golden heights of one of the most glorious climaxes of my life.
I came back into my mind and body, panting as though I’d run a mile. I guess multiple orgasms could do that to a girl. As I sunk down from the blissful heights, the full gravity of the situation hit me.
What the hell had I done?
Chapter Twenty Two
Every cell in my body tensed. I blinked at Cassius, still between my parted thighs and Davon’s lips still hovering over my breast. I attempted to move but Davon’s steely arm wrapped about my middle, pinning me to the spot.
I thought I’d be okay with this. I thought it would be fine, that I could explore a newfound sexuality, but in the cold light of day, I realized just how slutty I’d actually been. Thank goodness Xander had the forethought to leave, no doubt disgusted with me.
“I…have to go.” I looked anywhere, except at their faces. The orgasms had definitely cleared my head. Please, God, I didn’t want to see their faces. But Davon held me in place. There was nowhere I could hide.
“Ella, what’s the matter?”
“I…”
Maybe the villagers were right. Maybe they’d seen something in me that I hadn’t recognized in myself. I was a godless heathen. A slut, for certain. I didn’t understand these feelings rolling through me, only sure that they must be wrong.
I was a slut. Mom was sick. Untold things were probably happening to her and I was here sexing it up with not one, but two men. It would have been three if Xander hadn’t had the strength to leave. I felt dirty and horrified by my actions.
“Ella, calm down.” I glanced at Cassius. His lips were dewy with my release. I quickly glanced back down again.
“Gary was right,” I muttered. He’d been right all along. Why didn’t I just give in and let him do what I’d freely given just now. At least Mom would be better and the farm wouldn’t be at risk. It had been so easy for me with Davon and Cassius. What the hell was wrong with me?
“What do you mean, Gary was right? Ella, tell us what’s wrong.” Davon sat, pulling me into his lap.
I let him, knowing he was bigger and stronger than I’d ever be. He pulled me to him easily, stronger than I’d thought he’d be. I sat with my back straight, feeling every inch of my naked body against his smooth, warm skin. How could I explain what was going through my head when I could hardly say it out loud.
I could only hope that in the morning the storm would clear and I’d be able to leave them in peace. They’d never have to see me again.
“It…it’s nothing. I…would like to be alone.” I didn’t want them to have to feel as though they should stay. They were nice guys, they didn’t deserve a woman who did what I’d just done.
Davon’s arms tightened a little, “I’m not going to let you go, Ella. Not until you tell us what’s obviously going through your mind.”
Cassius spread his palm on my leg, his touch calming and at the same time stirring another instant rise of arousal.
“There’s something wrong with me. I would never have… I’ve never done…I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”
“Uncomfortable!” Davon exploded.
“Ella, we thank you for the gift you’ve just shared,” Cassius said.
It took me a moment for my brain to catch up with what he said. “Gift?” I couldn’t seem to break through the confusion of my mind, positive I hadn’t heard him right.
Davon cursed under his breath. “They’ve sure done a number on you.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” I said.
“Ella, what we just shared – we thank you. It was as beautiful as you are. There’s no need to be like this. We adore you.” Cassius stroked my cheek with a gentle touch.
This was so confusing. I’d never been so attracted to any man, let alone men, in my life. Never acted on any desire I might have had at all. Always held myself in check.
Besides, I was mortified I was behaving like this. It wasn’t making sense. “What’s happening to me?” I whispered.
Davon ran his fingers through my hair, leaning his cheek against the top of my head, “Ella, it’s the…”
“Not now, Davon. It’s not time. We need to wait for Xander,’ Cassius said gently.
“Why?”
“We will tell you, Ella. Just not now,” Cassius said
A whole lot of new questions rose in my mind. I really didn’t understand what was going on. I hardly recognized myself. It was as though being here, even in this short amount of time, was changing me.
“What you feel for us, Ella. We feel the same way about you. If we, in any way, have made you feel less than wanted – desired – then we haven’t done our job properly. This is all normal for us. You are a gift we’ve waited a very long time for,” Davon said.
“It’s that town. Look how they’ve made her feel. It’s a disgrace,” Cassius said.
“The seed was planted a long, long time ago. It has merely grown,” Davon said.
“But with that seed came a miracle,” Cassius said.
I scoffed, “I’m no miracle.”
Davon kissed me, followed by Cassius. “You are a miracle to us. You’ll soon see, but now I think you need your rest. You’re clearly exhausted and still recovering from your injuries. Come and lie back down. Let us take care of you tonight.”
I let Davon lay me back down, bringing his safe arms around me and spooning me from behind. Cassius lay on the other side, one hand on my hip, the other arm bent to rest his head.
“You not…regretting this?” I almost said regretting me, but I caught myself at the last second.
“My only regret is that you didn’t land on our doorstep sooner,” Davon said, his breath brushing my ear.
“Much sooner,” Cassius said, before capturing my mouth with a languid kiss. I didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed when he ended the kiss and closed his eyes, his hand still firmly splayed over my hip.
I lay between them and even as sleep claimed me, I still doubted. They’d said some nice words. Made me feel as though they’d wanted this as much as I had.
I still did, if I were honest.
My body had no trouble thinking it wanted their attentions again. It was my mind that was another thing. I had no real reason to doubt then, beyond the very quick timeframe I’d known them and my inability to resist them.
It felt so right, Davon on one side of me and Cassius on the other. Yet there was a space that still needed to be filled. Xander.
But why did I even feel that way? How did it start? It wasn’t like me and yet it was. This undeniable yearning within me was nonsensical, and at the same time, gave purpose. Without fulfilling whatever this was, my life would remain unsatisfied.
The logical part of me. The part that had risen every day and filled it with untold chores from sun up to sun down recognized this was borderline psycho, or that finally the stress of my life was catching up with me.
The other part. The most ignored part. The part I slammed down beneath a steel door and purposefully ignored. The part that yearned for so much more… Well, that part had finally escaped and was standing up and demanding attention. What this was, I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to contain it again.
How could I, now knowing exactly what I was going to be missing out on.
There was one more question, even more poignant than the crowd of them stacking unanswered in my mind.
How was it going to end?
Chapter Twenty Three
I woke alone.
I was tempted to be disappointed that I wasn’t still curled around a warm body, but I forced myself not to be. I had no right to be disappointed about anything, because nothing more was going to happen.
Last night was not going to happen again.
I shoved aside the blanket, still naked. It seemed to be the way of things around here. I tugged the sheet from the bed and wrapped it around me, then padded to the closed curtains, ignoring the combined scent of Cassius, Davon and myself mixed in the threads. Erotic images flashed through my mind and I forcefully shoved them aside, not wanting to dwell.
