“Sure why not?” Luca said before disappearing into the bathroom. I sat down on the edge of the bed and Alex sat with me.
“Are you the little brother?” I asked him, hoping he knew what I meant by that. Alex smiled wide and chuckled softly.
“When I need to be, for his benefit mostly…honestly. I don’t mind it, I have my fighters and I have my family. Soon I think I’ll have you too. Whether or not I have to share you with him…doesn’t really matter.” I looked at him with a quirked eyebrow and he leaned towards me and brushed his nose against my neck. “Because I’ll still have you.” He kissed me on the jaw and I had a rush of chills from both his touch and his words.
“We haven’t known each other that long you know…” I said softly.
“To dragons it doesn’t matter. When we feel a connection that’s that. The bond is difficult to break. Especially when bolstered by sharing young,” Luca said, appearing by the bed silently.
“Oh…” I breathed, warmth spreading through my chest and everywhere else.
“I told you that we are a loyal people,” he smirked at me.
“Then I hope Lia’s alright…?”
Luca laughed though he had a bit of a dangerous glint to his eye.
“Your bath is ready,” he said, flashing me a toothy grin.
I thanked him and went to go take my bath. It was just right and I had to wonder how much practice Luca had in drawing baths. I couldn’t believe they both had feelings for me…well neither really came right out and said it. But what they did say is pretty hard to misinterpret right?
When I got out of the bathroom I found Luca reclining in bed, shirtless and Alex was standing in front of the TV mounted on the wall across from the bed.
“I found only one decent DVD here,” he said and held up my dad’s copy of Fight Club.
“Sorry, we haven’t really updated the movies in a while,” I chuckled.
“Where are you going?” Luca asked me, I was wrapped in a towel and going to go pull on some pajamas in the closet.
“To put some clothes on?” I said slowly.
“Remember you woke up sweating this morning?” Alex asked me with a quirked brow and a smirk. I glanced at Luca who patted the empty space next to him. I pressed my lips together in an attempt not to laugh.
“Yep there’s no arguing with this one,” Alex came and scooped me up, bringing me to bed with them. Luca easily pulled the towel from around me and I made a grab for the blankets with a small squeal.
“We’re your blankets,” he said in a playful tone and pressed a kiss just below my ear. A thrill ran down my spine as I was very ticklish and when I inched away from Luca I came into contact with Alex’s chest. I was really very naked and exposed to the both of them, but I felt safe and oddly comfortable. Even with my baby bump boobs that had swelled two sizes too big over the last couple months.
“Ah…” I tried to fill the sudden quiet that filled the room with a practically tangible sexual tension. I felt Alex’s erection against my lower back and bottom, heat was pouring off of both him and Luca. Luca’s gaze lazily slid down to my breasts and my nipples hardened under the scrutiny. A low groan escaped his throat and he scooted closer to me before taking both heavy breasts in his palms and kneading them. His mouth gently nibbling one while he pinched the other between his thumb and forefinger. I jerked with the sudden intense sensation that bolted to my core, spreading warmth through me.
Alex trailed kisses up along my shoulder, to my neck where he sucked on the sensitive skin. His hands slid down to my waist and in between my thighs, nudging them open. I moaned when his fingers brushed my already slick folds. I was only breaths away from a climax that I knew would be way too intense. My core clenched tight in need and anticipation and I let out a small whimper. Alex circled his finger around my clitoris and my entire body shuddered with the pleasure of it.
Everything quickly culminated into a height of pleasure that left me unfocused and out of breath. All the muscles in my belly seemed to clench and I cried out with the intensity of the climax. Luca gently pushed me onto my back and kissed me softly. I felt the bed jostle a bit and then Alex’s bare chest pressed against my side. His bare sex was also pressed against my thigh. I reached down to grip him in my hand and he growled, his hips pushing up into my hand.
“Luca!” I gasped when I felt his lips on those of my sex. He hugged my thighs and ran his tongue along my folds. Alex’s hand cupped my neck and I turned to kiss him. He drank in my moans and whimpers until I was twitching and spasming with another orgasm. Both Luca and Alex got up on their knees and I tried to focus my glazed over vision on them.
“What are you guys…” They were actually playing rock, paper, scissors. “Are you playing…” Alex glanced at me with a grin and I couldn’t help but laugh as they played the last round and Alex practically shoved Luca out of the way. He laughed good naturedly and laid down behind me so that he was half curled around me, his head in the perfect position for kissing. Alex knelt in between my legs and trailed kisses down along my happy trail. He pressed a kiss against my cleft and then wrapped my legs around his hips as he positioned the head of his sex at my opening.
He slowly slid into me and we both groaned at the luxurious sensations coursing through us. Alex quickly settled into a pace that left me breathless and unable to do much else but moan. Luca caressed me and kissed me intermittently. His gaze hardly ever left my face and whenever our eyes would meet I felt such an intimate connection with him that it was hard to describe. But soon I couldn’t help focusing on Alex. I was close to another orgasm and wondered briefly how many times I could climax in one night. Each one seemed even more intense than the one before it. I reached for Alex who lowered a bit of his weight onto me, just enough so that I could wrap my arms around him. He thrust into me until we both were falling apart at the seams.
I barely registered when it was Luca’s turn to slide into me, but soon had to hold onto him tight as he drove me to yet another unfathomable height. Tears sprang to my eyes as I spiraled into another climax that left me utterly spent and immobile. I could hardly keep my eyes open as they both took care of me, cleaning me up and tucking me into bed in between them. I fell into a deep sleep feeling completely secure against them both.
*****
The next two weeks were spent on air with Luca and Alex. They barely ever left my side and made sure I was always taken care of. Spoiling me really. I got used to the idea of living in the territory and dreaded the ever nearing date of when I’d have to go back to Seattle. Even if it was just to quit my job and pack up my house...
It was only a few days until I had to go back and I woke up to the smell of something sweet cooking and the feel of soft kisses on my belly. When I opened my eyes I saw Alex rubbing my ever growing stomach.
“I got bigger…” I said with a sleepy alarm. Alex chuckled and kissed my stomach again.
“No we didn’t impregnate you further,” he said and I chuckled.
“What is Luca making for breakfast?” I asked.
“Sticky buns…” Alex murmured. I hummed in anticipation, those sticky buns smelled great.
“Can you carry me to the bathroom please?” I asked. Alex stretched up to give me a kiss and he actually got up and grabbed my robe, put it on for me, then carried me to the bathroom so I could freshen up a bit.
“Luca’s suggested that we stay indoors all day,” Alex grinned and waggled his eyebrows.
“That’s alright with me…” I giggled when Alex pressed a flurry of kisses against my neck. He scooped me into his arms and then brought me out to the kitchen, where Luca was indeed making breakfast in nothing but a loose pair of jeans.
“Good morning,” he smiled at me and walked over with a spatula to give me a sound kiss. He then bent down and kissed my belly before returning to the scrambled eggs. Charles and King were already fed and lounging near the stove, watching Luca cook. I took a seat at the table with Alex and pulled at his t-shirt, it was just as tight
the ones Luca wore. I was sad that he was practically dressed instead of shirtless. But then again what did I really have to complain about after the time we’ve all been spending together? Luca just turned off the stove and took the tray of sticky buns from the oven when there was a firm knock on the front door. Alex was up and out within a second. I didn’t even see who it was. Luca took his time in walking over to the front door and stepping out. He closed the door behind him and again I didn’t get to see who it was.
I got up and migrated to the sticky buns. Alex and Luca stepped inside just as I was about to take a bite and they had tense expressions on their faces.
“What’s up?” I asked curiously.
“One of our scouts is back with news of the southern clans. They’ve sent a few wings our way. The scout doesn’t know what for so we can only take that as aggression,” Alex was all business and Luca simply looked pissed.
“You’re not to move from this cabin today Chloe,” Luca said in a no nonsense tone.
“Alright I won’t,” I promised.
“I’ll send a few of our own to protect the cabin, we’ll come back when we know things are safe,” Alex said. I nodded and rubbed my stomach a bit nervously. Luca walked over to me and kissed the top of my head before he kissed my lips.
“Don’t be worried,” he murmured. I walked with him back to the door and Alex rubbed my belly before they left. Once they were gone I sighed, feeling a little empty. When constantly in their company and being spoiled by them it was very easy to get really attached. Though it wasn’t like I was opposed to it, I loved both of them more than I was ready to realize. I fixed myself a proper plate of sticky buns and eggs, but again as I was about to take a bite I was interrupted by my cell phone ringing. I realized as I grabbed it from the bedroom that I hadn’t used it since I went to the cabin.
“Dad?” I answered as soon as I saw it was him calling.
“Hey Chloe guess what, I’m surprising you with a visit to the cabin,” he said and my eyes popped. I floundered a little bit before speaking.
“Uh…where are you right now?” I asked him.
“I’m actually pulling onto the turn off right now,” he said and I cursed silently.
“Oh okay…well let me get dressed and I’ll meet you outside,” I said. I hung up and glanced down at my stomach. It was very obvious that I was pregnant I was nearly twelve weeks. I hurried to pull on some jeans and one of my flannel shirts. Soon I’d have to buy maternity clothes. I took several breaths when I heard my dad’s characteristic knock on the door.
“Hey dad…” I answered with a nervous smile. He took one look at my stomach and then back up at my face with a blank expression.
“I knew we needed to talk,” he sighed and stepped inside past me. My dad and I hardly looked alike apart from our eyes. He was a handsome guy for his age, with salt and pepper hair, and his strong stance and sturdy physique.
“I just didn’t know how to tell you…” I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose.
“That you’re pregnant Chloe? Come on, you can tell me anything remember? Or don’t you?” I hated hurting him, and I could hear it in his voice even though I still faced the door. I made sure to lock it before joining him at the kitchen table. He helped himself to a sticky bun and I fought the urge to smile. My dad was always going to be himself, even if he was upset.
“I knew you were dealing with something when you asked to use the cabin and I figured I’d give you time. But then I had a dream about you last night. That you were a…well you were flying. I just figured I waited long enough and I had to make sure everything was alright with you,” he looked at me expectantly and I took a deep breath. I made sure to at least take a bite of Luca’s delicious sticky bun before launching into my explanation.
“You don’t have to explain right away. How about we eat and then take a walk around the pond?”
I bit my lip, wondering what Luca and Alex would say if they found out that I left the cabin. But the pond was just right behind the house, what could happen? We ate in relative silence, sharing small talk. Dad told me how Nancy was doing and his business. He owned a successful online company selling rare car parts for old antique models. He was popular among car collectors, antique auctions and showcases.
After breakfast and after everything was cleaned up we went out back to the pond.
“So…do you want to start with…I don’t know, the father perhaps?” I took a deep breath and shook my head slowly.
“That’s complicated…”
“Is it?” he asked and I took another breath. “You aren’t…I don’t know, ‘shacking up’ with anyone here?” he asked and my jaw dropped a little.
“Dad.” He chuckled and gave a small shrug. “How’d you even know that?” I asked, he just shrugged and gave me an expectant nod.
“Well I—”
“Excuse me,” I was cut off by a deep male voice. My dad touched my arm and stepped in front of me almost. Three shifters had emerged from the trees lining the pond. I knew they had to be because they resembled football players and had heat roiling off of them in waves, as if they’d just shifted back to their regular forms. I recognized that well enough after witnessing both Luca and Alex shift several times. I wondered if they were the security Alex promised.
“Did Alex send you?” I asked curiously, slightly peeking around my dad’s shoulder.
“The commander, we are looking for him. But mistakenly tracked his scent here,” the man standing point spoke and spared a brief glance to my dad.
“Well he’s most likely at the community center…you should know that,” I said slowly.
“Yes we will continue on there, but can I ask something of you first?” I nodded slightly.
“Your clan leader, has he united the north for reasons of aggression against other smaller clans in the south?” I glanced at my dad then, who was still simply standing in front of me. No wide eyes or glancing back and forth in shock. I found that a bit strange, but of course didn’t comment on it.
“He united the north in hopes of uniting the race. Not against other…clans,” I said hoping whoever he was caught my drift. He stared at me a long while and inclined his head.
“I apologize for our stumbling in…” With that they turned around and disappeared back through the trees.
*****
“What was that about?” My dad turned around and quirked an eyebrow at me.
“‘What was that about?’” I asked incredulously. “Shouldn’t you be more concerned?” I got hit with a wave of dizziness and cursed myself for eating those cold eggs. Dad held onto my elbow and led me to the nearest tree just in time for me to upchuck my breakfast.
“Let’s get you back inside,” he said after the heaving stopped. It took another moment or two for the dizziness to subside. I felt better though once I had a clean mouth and some saltines and ginger ale.
“Dad…I. The father of my twins is a dragon shifter,” I just came out and said it while I made myself comfortable on the couch. My dad stared at me incredulously, silent for several excruciatingly long moments.
“How is that possible?” he said, more to himself than anything. Another stretch of silence and then there was a knock on the door. I stared at it for a moment. I wondered who it could be before looking out of the front window. I recognized Doctor West standing there with a manila envelope and seeming a bit antsy.
“Doctor West?” I answered the door and invited him inside quickly.
“Chloe, sorry for the random house call. I did try your cell, but you didn’t answer and these results could not wait,” he spoke with a thinly veiled excitement and I figured that was better than getting a morose doctor at my doorstep.
“Who is this Chloe?” My dad stepped forward with his hand extended towards Doc West.
“Oh this is Doctor West dad he administered a paternity test for us…and Doc West this is my father, Aldrich.” I introduced them and glanced down at the manila folder.
“Aldrich?”
Doctor West spoke as if he knew dad from somewhere and started to laugh. “This is perfect. Chloe why don’t you sit down?” Doc West led me to the couch and I sat down cautiously.
“So what are the results? You’re killing me here,” I said with a nervous chuckle.
“Well would you like happy news or shocking first?”
“Just get it out, just get it out,” I said quickly.
“Well you are having two healthy boys…” he started and I gasped in excitement.
“Really! Oh they’ll be so happy…” I said and my dad looked at me with raised brows.
“They?”
“Also we were all correct. Some of the fetal cells found in your blood had DNA from Alex and others had DNA from Luca. Your twins are as fraternal as it gets,” he said with a soft chuckle. I simply stared at him, wide eyed and with an unhinged jaw. “While you’re speechless there is also another bit of information I discovered…” West glanced at my dad then who held a hand up and turned his gaze to me. His almost deep amethyst colored eyes clouded over and turned violet in shade.
“Chloe I’m a dragon shifter…from this clan,” he said frankly and I simply blinked at him.
“What?”
“I left the territory a long, long time ago…when I met your mother and we planned to have a life in Seattle. Then you were born and everything changed, I felt I couldn’t go back with you. That you wouldn’t be accepted…so I stayed in Seattle.”
“Did she…did she die because I was a half breed?” I asked him, worrying about my own upcoming delivery more than the hurt I felt for him keeping that from me. It compounded the shock I was still feeling about all the news Doctor West brought, and frankly the worry I had for whatever Alex and Luca were dealing with regarding the southern wings.
“No she didn’t. She caught an infection after you were born and didn’t recover from it,” he said truthfully.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were a shifter dad?”
“How could I? I just wanted you to have a normal life and…what are the odds that you’d end up having twins by…two different dragon shifters,” he said slowly. The strange circumstances of my pregnancy finally dawning on him.
The Crime of Protection Page 105
