by Maya Banks
He pulled back the chair beside him and then eased her down, making sure she was comfortable. As soon as everyone settled into their chairs, fatigue and reaction hit her like a ton of bricks.
She stared down at the delicious-looking food and wondered if she had the energy to get through the meal.
“Talia.”
She yanked her head up and stared down at Garon. Now he scared her. Not in an I-think-he’s-going-to-kill-me way, but he was…huge. She had yet to see him smile or look anything but focused and somewhat fierce-looking. This was a man she’d never want to piss off in any way.
“Come here,” he said.
She glanced hesitantly at Xander. Was he okay with this? Xander had said that orders would come through him, but he was sitting right next to her, so why would Garon have told her to come to him?
Still, she had no desire to anger Garon. Or Xander and since Xander returned her gaze very calmly, she assumed he meant for her to obey Garon.
God, but this whole thing was giving her a monster headache. Her nerves were shot and she hadn’t even been here a full day yet.
She pushed back from her chair and unsteadily rose to her feet. Fatigue beat at her temples and her shoulders sagged as she walked the few steps to where Garon sat.
He reached for her hand and then sighed when she tensed. Then he simply pulled her onto his lap and tucked her legs between his so she sat sideways, leaning against the muscled wall of his chest and shoulder.
Just when she thought she couldn’t be surprised by anything else, he forked a bite of the fish and held it to her lips.
“Eat,” he said, still holding the fork to her mouth.
She parted her lips and he carefully fed her the bite.
One corner of his mouth tilted upward at her obvious befuddlement. It wasn’t as if she could hide her complete what-the-hell look.
“You looked as though you were about to fall over,” he said simply. “And I’m sure you’re hungry. Lean against me. Make yourself comfortable while I feed you.”
“But what about you?” she protested.
That lip twitched again and his eyes gleamed. “I don’t think missing a meal is going to hurt me. Now stop talking and eat. The only way you’re going to figure out that we aren’t going to rape and murder you is for you to spend time with us and build trust.”
She had nothing to say to that because it was the truth.
He not only forked bite after bite into her mouth but, at the same time, he rubbed her back with his free hand, stroking up and down in a soothing, comforting motion that had her sagging against him.
After a while he delved his fingers into her hair and then underneath it to massage her nape. It was sheer bliss.
For a man of his size and intimidation factor, he was surprisingly tender. His touch was gentle, even more so than Nico’s had been.
When she peeked from the corner of her eye to the other occupants of the table, she realized what they were doing. The meeting earlier. Nico coming to get her for dinner. Garon feeding her. Xander’s own familiarity with her. The kiss. The touches.
They were taming her much like they would a wild animal. They were getting her used to their touch, their demands. Acclimating her to the environment she’d been pulled into.
They didn’t want her to fear them, and they were going to great lengths to build trust.
Some of the tension that had been building the entire day fled. She relaxed and let go of the jumble of questions crowding her mind. If she tried to look at the whole picture, it overwhelmed her. She had no clue how it could ever work. So instead she focused on just one thing. How it felt to sit in Garon’s arms while he fed and pampered her.
That one was pretty easy to answer. He may be big and menacing, but he treated her like a precious piece of glass that may break if he breathed too hard on her.
His hand felt wonderful on her back and at her nape and the food was delicious, maybe even more so because of the intimacy of the act of him feeding her.
When she’d had enough, she sighed her contentment and leaned her head against his shoulder. He continued his conversation with the other men, almost as if she weren’t there on his lap.
Wickersham brought in another plate and Garon ate a portion of fish while holding her against his body. She tried to focus on what was being said, but her mind was tired and it was hard to follow the conversation.
When she stifled a yawn, Garon only pulled her in closer to his body until her forehead rested against his neck. She closed her eyes, no longer able or willing to fight the urge to give in to her exhaustion.
She stirred against him just enough that she could snuggle farther into his warmth. She felt his lips brush across her forehead and she sighed at the pleasurable sensation of his kiss. Maybe…Maybe he wasn’t so scary after all.
Chapter 6
Xander watched as Talia settled into sleep against Garon’s burly frame. The big man held her as gently as he would the most fragile piece of fine art. He smiled to himself. Talia was responding well—far better than he’d anticipated.
The others were already devoted to her. It was evident in the way they looked at her. How they handled her and how gently they spoke.
Firm but gentle.
It had been his directive. He wanted Talia to know her boundaries. To know whom she belonged to and whom she obeyed. But he wanted to guide her with a gentle hand and tender touch.
The idea of causing her pain made him grit his teeth. He hated that she’d come all this way fully expecting him to demonstrate his mastery through pain and discipline or that he’d collar her or put even one mark on her beautiful skin with a whip or a flogger.
He was shaking his head before he could control the motion. Sebastien arched an eyebrow in his direction.
“Problem, Z?”
Xander’s lips tightened. “I was just lamenting the fact that from the inception of our contract, she’s assumed that she would be subjected to all manner of pain and discipline and God only knows what else.”
Nico scowled. “I hope you’ve fully dissuaded her of that notion. Hell, we don’t go around whipping women or punishing them for some supposed infraction.”
Xander sighed. “There are those who think a submissive relationship automatically means bondage, spanking, absolute control. Hell, even slavery.”
“Now you’re just starting to piss me off,” Garon growled.
Even as he spoke, he smoothed Talia’s hair and shifted so he could hold her more securely. She never stirred and her eyelashes remained resting on her cheeks.
Sebastien shrugged. “People are into it. Whatever does it for them, I guess. Some women enjoy that sort of thing. Some men like it.”
“Can you imagine, even for a moment, doing anything that would cause her pain or suffering?” Nico demanded. “Look at her, Bastien. She’s curled up against Garon even though he probably scares her shitless. She trusts us, even if she doesn’t fully grasp that. Can you imagine what would happen if we hit her?”
Nico sounded so appalled and horrified that Xander winced.
“Now wait just a damn minute,” Sebastien snapped. “I was merely pointing out that some people were into that sort of thing and more power to them. If they like it, if it’s consensual, then I don’t have a problem with it. I did not say that I had any such intention toward Talia. Hell, it would be like kicking a puppy.”
Xander smiled again.
“And what the hell are you so smug about?” Sebastien demanded, looking at Xander.
“Just that the three of you have already done precisely as I imagined you would upon meeting Talia. You’re already protective of her. She already has your loyalty.”
Garon shot him a sharp glance. “Isn’t that what you wanted?”
Xander nodded. “Indeed. But just because it’s what I want doesn’t mean that she would arouse that instinct within you. Tell me something, Garon. If I had told you nothing at all, would your reaction to Talia be any different? Or would you st
Garon glanced down at Talia, his brow wrinkled in concentration. Then he looked back up at Xander, his lips set into a determined line. “No. Hell no, it wouldn’t. Your damn orders don’t have anything at all to do with what happens when I look at her.”
Xander looked questioningly at Nico and Sebastien. Nico curled his lip in Xander’s direction, a clear indication that he thought the answer should be obvious. Sebastien shrugged, but Xander saw the way his gaze tracked sideways to Talia, how he looked as though he wanted to be the one holding her.
“She needs rest,” Xander said. “She’s clearly exhausted and it’s also obvious that this entire situation has put an enormous amount of stress on her. I want us to alleviate that stress as soon as possible. I won’t have her terrified of me when I make love to her the first time.”
“I’ll take her up,” Garon said in a low voice.
“Leave her dressed. I’ll take care of it,” Xander said as Garon rose.
Garon nodded and walked slowly out of the dining room, Talia’s long hair trailing over his arm as he carried her away.
Xander remained a moment, staring across the table at Nico and Sebastien.
“Tomorrow…” He toyed idly with his wineglass, swirled the small amount of liquid before setting it back on the table again. “Tomorrow her training will begin.”
Sebastien cocked one eyebrow. “You don’t think you’re rushing things a bit? You seemed concerned about frightening her and now you want to throw her to the wolves the second day she’s here?”
Nico frowned. “What part of her training are you referring to? Are we talking simple obedience or are we talking sex?”
“Both,” Xander said bluntly. “I think as long as we continue to treat her gently and with patience but also with a firm hand, she’ll respond quicker. We can’t send mixed signals and go soft. If we strike the right balance, there’ll be no need to worry that we’ll frighten her.”
“As long as part of this training is how to suck cock, I’m all for it,” Sebastien said.
“Shut the fuck up,” Nico snapped.
Sebastien threw him a dark look. “Don’t get all choir boy on me now, Nico. You can’t tell me that you aren’t dying to get those exquisite lips wrapped around your cock. She has a mouth to die for.”
Xander wouldn’t chasten Sebastien for being Sebastien. It’s who he was. Irreverent. Blunt. But he was solid and loyal to his bones. And he could hardly fault Sebastien for fantasizing about Talia’s mouth when Xander had been tempted to put her between his knees ever since she’d arrived.
“Perhaps you can instruct her on the finer points,” Xander drawled.
“Hell yeah,” Sebastien breathed out.
Xander rose from his seat. “I’m going up. I’ll see you both at breakfast. I intend for us to spend the entire day with Talia. The more time she spends in our presence, the faster she’ll be at ease with us.”
Nico nodded and Xander turned to stride away. He walked up the stairs but never passed Garon. When he walked into his suite, there was still no sign of the other man.
The door to his bedroom was slightly ajar and Xander pushed in, his gaze taking in the scene before him.
Garon was carefully tucking Talia into Xander’s bed. She was still fully clothed, or rather still wrapped in the sarong and the spaghetti-strap top.
Talia murmured something in her sleep and Garon smoothed a hand through her hair, murmuring something back. Evidently it soothed whatever worry she may have had because she snuggled deeper into the pillow and settled. Her soft even breathing filled the room.
Garon stared down at her a moment longer and then backed off the bed. When he turned, he came face-to-face with Xander. Garon dipped his head in acknowledgment.
“She’s all yours, Highness.”
“I’ll see you at breakfast,” Xander said, repeating the good night he’d given the others.
When Garon was gone, Xander undressed, stripping down to nothing. There was still Talia’s clothing to deal with. As long as she slept in his bed, she’d never have the barrier of clothing between them.
If he knew anything about himself and the three men he trusted so implicitly, in a matter of days, Talia would never wear a damn thing twenty-four hours a day.
They’d want her naked so they’d have unfettered access to her body and when they weren’t making love to her, they’d want to look at her and know she was theirs. Their woman. Their possession.
Xander smiled as he turned her carefully over and she murmured a sleepy protest. He untied the sarong and left it for the time being. He then slid the straps of her top down her bare armsand simply peeled the shirt down over her hips until it tangled with the material of the sarong.
He rolled her forward onto her side and pulled the clothing away, tossing it onto the floor. Then he rolled her back so he could look down at her soft curves and the beauty of her skin.
She was magnificent.
It pained him not to touch her. He wanted to explore her body. Give her the pleasure he knew he could provide. But she was tired. She wasn’t even aware of his presence and it seemed wrong—a violation—to do anything more than ensure her comfort so she could sleep well this night.
With a resigned sigh, he crawled into bed and picked up the remote to douse the lights. Maybe he was getting soft, the very thing he’d just warned the others about.
He’d told them they had to be firm but gentle. Let her know right away what their expectations were and what the boundaries were.
With any other woman, at any other time in his life, he would have taken without guilt. He would even now be sliding his fingers through the dark curls between her legs and savoring the essence of her femininity.
And yet here he was, holding back because above all things, he wanted her trust. He wanted her faith. He wanted her to believe that he would take absolute care of her and that he would cherish her as he’d promised.
If that meant taking his time and exerting patience he had little to none of, then that’s what he’d do.
He set the remote aside and then reached for her, pulling her flush against his body.
Tomorrow would be soon enough to introduce her to what he and his men expected of her.
Chapter 7
Talia awoke to sunlight streaming through the window, warming the bed and her skin. She pushed upward to her elbow, the sheet falling down her body to gather at her hip, so she could take in the breathtaking view of the ocean below.
The windows were cracked, allowing a breeze through. She could smell the salt in the air and hear the rush of waves as they lapped at the shore.
It was then she realized she was wearing nothing and that she was in Xander’s bed. Her last memory was of falling asleep in Garon’s arms the night before and yet she was here, nude.
She turned, half expecting to see Xander there, but the bed was empty though the pillow still had the indention of his head. She cocked her head, listening for any sound within the suite to signal she wasn’t alone.
She glanced automatically to the grandfather clock across the room and breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn’t terribly late. Though Xander hadn’t given her any instructions on when she was to rise, she would have felt bad to have slept the morning away. It was only eight. If she hurried, she could be showered and dressed and downstairs in half an hour.
She shoved aside the sheets and threw her legs over the edge of the bed. She felt calmer today. Not as nervous and edgy as she had yesterday. But then she’d traveled a long distance and then had to deal with the overwhelming presence of not one man, but four.
She was halfway to the bathroom when the bedroom door opened. She froze, caught completely naked with nothing but her hands to cover her most vulnerable spots.
Sebastien stood there gazing at her, his expression unreadable. Then he leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms over his chest.
His silence bothered her. It made her twitchy, like she’d done something wrong, only she couldn’t imagine what. Of all the men, he seemed to be the most…infuriating? Maybe not infuriating since she didn’t really know any of them that well yet. But he seemed more mocking. Or maybe he was amused by her. Regardless, none of the descriptors made her feet at ease with him.
“Is there something you wanted?” she asked calmly.
She wouldn’t let him know how much he intimidated her. Not even Garon with his hulking size made her feel as insignificant as Sebastien.
He chuckled and pushed off the doorframe. “I believe Xander was explicit in that one of us would come to you in the mornings with what to wear.”
She frowned. “Well, yes, he was, but there wasn’t anyone here when I woke up. For that matter, I’m not even sure what time he wants me to be up or if he cares. But I at least thought I could take a shower while waiting for my wardrobe advisor.”
He laughed again. “You don’t like me much, do you, Talia?”
She cocked her head to the side and narrowed her eyes. “I haven’t decided yet.”
He gave her a slow grin. “That’s fine. Because it’ll be my cock you’re sucking later. You don’t have to like me for me to enjoy it.”
She reared back, her mouth dropping open at his bluntness. Then she snapped her lips shut and glared at him. “Why are you purposely trying to bait me? Do you want me frightened of you?”
The others seemed to want just the opposite, but she hadn’t yet figured Sebastien out.
“Frightened? No, that serves little purpose. I won’t hurt you, Talia. I’m just not as soft as the others. While they aren’t into putting marks on your pretty behind, I find I wouldn’t mind having you over my knee one little bit.”
“You wouldn’t,” she whispered.
“Don’t knock it unless you’ve tried it,” he drawled.
Her fingers curled into tight balls. “I don’t like pain. I hate it.”
“It’s a moot point. I’d get my ass kicked if I tried to redden that delectable bottom of yours. Now, we’ve wasted enough time. Xander is waiting below for you to join us for breakfast. I’ll wash you and then take you downstairs.”
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