To Nikolai’s surprise Silas had toned down his clothing. Where he used to wear over-the-top fashion, he now dressed all in black in a hand-tailored suit. The material and the fact it wasn’t machine-made showed his expensive taste, but he no longer resembled the caricature he’d often been as a younger Vampire.
“Nikolai, what a surprise. You haven’t been back in ages.” Silas walked over, his hands stretched out in welcome. “How long has it been?” Nikolai suppressed his disgust and shook the other Vampire’s hand. “Close to a century. How are you, old friend?”
Silas’ beady brown eyes moved over Galen and Brooke. He didn’t respond to Brooke’s presence. He had to have a live feed at the transport station and knew of their arrival before Nikolai contacted him.
“I am just fine. Who have you brought me here?”
“May I introduce my lifemate Galen?”
“Your lifemate?” The other Vampire pretended surprise. “I hadn’t known you played for the other team, Niko.”
Nikolai shrugged. “I play for all teams.”
Silas chuckled. “So I see. Who’s the beauty at the back?” Nikolai didn’t turn around. His instructions to Brooke had been clear. She was supposed to behave submissive and stay behind both Galen and himself. “A project we’re working on,” was his only response.
Silas’ brows shot up. “I find myself intrigued.” His gaze narrowed on Brooke’s neck where Nikolai’s bite was only halfway hidden behind the small collar. “You appear to play a dangerous game, old friend.”
Nikolai prayed Brooke would understand his dismissive manner was an act. He shrugged and sank into one of the chairs before Silas’ desk. “Galen, how about you and Brooke go out and admire the gardens? Silas’ landscaping is a masterpiece.” 113
Galen leaned down and kissed Nikolai before taking Brooke’s hand. “With pleasure. I’ll leave you to catch up.”
Silas called the butler and instructed him to look after Galen and Brooke.
Once they were alone, he poured two glasses of blood and sat in the oversized chair behind his desk. “What in Jade’s name has turned Nikolai, the defender of the universe, into a Vampire openly drinking from a human? As soon as one of the others sees it, they’ll rat you out to the Council.”
Nikolai shrugged. “If she wasn’t with us, she’d be in solitary confinement in a High Sec prison. Believe me, no human will cry over our treatment of her, but I’m still gathering intel. As long as she’s useful I don’t want her to know we seduced her for a purpose. Human females tend to be emotional.”
Silas leaned forward. “My curiosity has been piqued. What kind of information is she holding back from you and how? A powerful Vampire like you should be able to read her like an open data port.”
Nikolai took a sip of blood and ignored the jab. “I can’t say too much, it’s an open investigation. Though the bloody Council can go fuck itself,” he muttered the last under his breath, but loud enough the other Vampire heard. “She has an unusual shield, which is why I’ve begun to drink from her. The established connection gets me closer to breaking her shield.”
“Is she this captain who was the only survivor after a freak explosion on a merchant vessel?”
Nikolai changed the subject. “What have you been up to these last few decades, Silas? Still working on expanding your trade routes?” A satisfied smile played around Silas’ lips as he followed Nikolai’s direction and talked about himself.
Nikolai continued the small talk for another thirty minutes or so before he stood.
“I’m sorry to cut this short, but I have to go back to work.” He let anger and frustration shimmer in his eyes.
Silas rose too. “How about you come back tonight? I’m having a small gathering, just a few friends. Bring your lifemate and your project. It’ll give you a few hours to be surrounded by likeminded people and away from your problems.”
“Gladly.” He turned to the door. “By the way, have you heard from Miguel Calatrave? He disappeared off the face of the galaxy, no word, no life sign and he hasn’t been to any of his usual hangouts. None of my sources have been able to track him. You have your fingers in so many pies. Any ideas?”
He turned in time to see malicious gloating flash through Silas’ eyes. “Really? And I always thought your sources were infallible.”
Nikolai wanted to frown, but kept his face expressionless. He’d only mentioned the Spaniard to play to Silas’ superiority complex, but the delight displayed by the other Vampire worried him.
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“You’ll be glad to know I indeed have been in contact with Calatrave. We’re in a highly satisfying business connection.”
Jade, the Spaniard is part of this? Calatrave had a brain like a computer, an IQ far beyond the average and was a master strategist. If he was a leading member of this trafficking ring, they were in even deeper shit than Nikolai thought.
But that would be a problem for another day.
Nikolai smiled. “I’m glad. Please give him my regards the next time you see him.” Silas nodded. They exchanged meaningless pleasantries and met Galen and Brooke at the main entrance. “Did you enjoy the gardens?”
“They were as beautiful as you’ve described them,” Galen replied and kissed Nikolai. Brooke stuck to her role and remained silent behind them.
“I’m glad.” He shook Silas’ hand. “I will see you tonight.”
“Indeed.”
The butler opened the door and guided them to their waiting HoverTrans. When Nikolai looked back, satisfaction practically poured off Silas’ body.
The other Vampire had accepted their story.
* * * * *
On the trip home Galen stayed in character and described the grounds in excruciating detail, in case the HoverTrans carried a recording device.
Brooke’s thoughts whirled through her mind like a never-ending vortex. Seeing the bastard had made her want to jump across the ridiculous desk and stake him through the heart.
But gathering information was more important than her revenge. The whole enterprise needed to be stopped.
Her stomach rolled. There had been something in Silas’ eyes that had shivers racing down her back. Nikolai might think he’d be fine, but she wasn’t as certain.
Then there was the distance the men had put up. Since their return to the house, Nikolai hadn’t even touched her hand. Instead he’d walked out of the room, saying he needed to update his team leader Darius and check their security. The dark worry they’d lied and were in fact using her would not go away.
Galen sat next to her on the sofa. He cupped her nape and caressed the sensitive skin. The heat of his touch raced through her like lava. Her nipples hardened and she grew wet.
“What are you worried about?” he asked.
Brooke leaned into the caress. His touch raised her heart rate and had butterflies dancing in her stomach. Not that his presence alone didn’t do those things, but the tenderness ratcheted everything up a notch. “I’m worried Nikolai is not taking the danger seriously enough. I have a bad feeling.”
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Galen studied her face.
Brooke bit her lip, hoping he wouldn’t see through her.
He leaned close and soothed that same lip with his tongue. “If you’re worried, we will have to make sure he considers every move before he makes it.” She released a breath she hadn’t realized she’d held. Brooke kissed him, sliding her tongue into his mouth.
The kiss deepened and he moved one hand across her cheek, along her sensitive neck, to circle the hard peak of a nipple.
Brooke wanted this, no, needed this. The encounter with Silas had shaken her more than she’d anticipated. Having Galen close would go a long way to make her feel better.
Galen chuckled against her neck, tickling her.
“What’s so funny?” She smiled.
“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I can feel your desire, your need for me and it’s making me lau
gh. I love the idea that you want me.” She kissed him. “I do.” The excitement of the moment made breathing difficult.
He cupped one breast, teasing the nipple, while the other hand smoothed along her spine to her ass. He cupped the full cheek and tugged her onto his lap. “I’m glad,” he whispered against her lips.
Brooke smiled some more. She couldn’t remember a man who simultaneously made her smile and so excited, she felt as if her heart would jump out of her chest. Her whole body burned, but at the same time she was relaxed on the inside. Like something she’d held clenched tight for years had finally come undone.
He undid the buttons down her back. When ordering the dress via computer, Brooke had also spent credits on pretty underwear she knew her men would appreciate.
As her top fell to her waist, Galen groaned. He framed her chest with both hands and gaped at the light-purple bra. It was satin and smooth, giving her ample chest a bit of a lift, presenting her breasts as if on a silver platter.
And Galen looked ravenous.
“I can’t wait to see the rest.” He leaned forward and tugged on the little black satin bow between her breasts. “I love this bow.”
“There are more,” she whispered huskily.
His head fell forward and he moaned.
Brooke felt her smile stretch across the whole of her face. She’d never played like this, driving her partner to distraction through sexy lingerie. She hadn’t realized it could be fun as well as making her drip.
“You want to see?” She climbed off his lap.
Galen relaxed, opening his trousers to relieve the pressure. “Jade, yes, I want to see.”
“Then get naked.”
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Galen’s brows shot up, but he voiced no argument. Instead he jumped up and tore his clothes off.
Brooke wanted to rub her throbbing clit when Galen stroked up and down his big cock. He was pure sex, sweat gleaming on his toned body. She wanted to lick him from head to toe.
And maybe she would. But first she wanted to play some more.
Her gorgeous dress was still fastened around her waist, her breasts clad in her bra.
She swallowed once and then pushed any thoughts about making an ass of herself by taking her clothes off in front of him aside.
“I can’t wait.”
Brooke’s pussy gushed. She stroked her hands up her legs, slowly, so he could imagine her skin beneath the dress. Once at her hips, she continued up the sides of her torso until she reached her breasts.
Galen groaned and tightened the grip around his engorged dick. A drop escaped at the top. Brooke wanted to lick it off, but she wanted to continue her torture more.
Her hands wandered to the front of her body, up her stomach. She captured her breasts and molded them against her, tugging at the peaks through the cloth.
Galen thrust into his fingers.
Brooke played with the strap of her bra, as if she was going to pull it down and reveal her bounty. His eyes were glued to her hands, but she kept herself covered.
Instead, she moved to the side of her waist, making sure her breasts thrust forward, close to his face. She tugged at the short zipper and her dress slid down her legs, leaving her in bra and matching underwear.
He clenched his fingers around the base of his penis and groaned as if she’d set him on fire.
Brooke stepped out of the dress and turned in a circle. “Can you see the bows?” Sweat stood on his upper lip. Galen swallowed. “Holy Jade, I can.” The bows decorated the front and the back. Her underwear was in the shape of bikini briefs. Thongs might look sexy, but in Brooke’s experience it wasn’t much fun wearing butt-floss. If her men disagreed, they’d either have to get used to it or prove her differently.
“Come here,” Galen panted.
Brooke stepped between his legs. That drop on the tip of the mushroom head was too much for her. She leaned forward and flicked her tongue across it.
Galen hissed. He plunged his hands in her hair and pulled her head up until their eyes met. “If you continue along this road there won’t be much fun left for you.” Brooke smirked and climbed on his lap until her knees were next to his hips. Her panty-clad pussy slid back and forth against his hard cock. She closed her eyes. This was too good to rush.
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Galen’s hands moved up until he cupped her breasts. When he tweaked her nipples, Brooke moaned. That little nip went straight to the clit she rubbed against his dick. “More,” she groaned.
Galen followed her order. But he kept caressing her on top of the bra. Brooke wanted his touch on her skin, but could barely catch her breath, let alone have enough spare to speak.
In the end she scrambled to undo the clasps at the back. When they became entangled in the gentle lace covering, she wanted to just tear it open, but Galen’s hands covered hers and stopped her.
“I want to see you wear this again,” he murmured and kissed her neck as he untangled the hooks and slid off her bra. He grasped her breasts and rubbed his thumbs across her tight peaks.
Brooke’s head fell back and her eyelids closed. “Harder,” she groaned. He followed the instructions, but took his sweet time doing so. When he leaned forward and laved one tight nipple, shivers ran down Brooke’s spine. It felt so good.
Then he sucked the whole tip of her breast into the hot cavern of his mouth and she was one step away from flying into the abyss.
“More,” she gasped.
Instead, he moved over to the until-now neglected tip and gave it the same treatment. So close, Brooke was oh-so close. The gusset of her panties was drenched.
Galen kept his mouth occupied with her breasts and tugged at the waistband of her underwear. To get it off she would have to rise up and stop rubbing her clit against his dick. Not an option right now.
“Can you make more of these?”
For a moment Brooke wasn’t sure what he meant. When she understood he was one step away from tearing them off, she laughed. “As many as we need.” He kissed her hard. “We’ll need a lot.”
With that he tore the thin fabric off her. Brooke moaned when the heat of his cock hit the dampness of her pussy. She kept moving and he had to grab her ass to make her stop. She held still while he steadied his member.
Brooke exhaled and threw her head back as she slowly sank down the hot, hard length. As always, his width kept her on the edge between pleasure and pain. He kissed his way from one breast to the other, sometimes sucking only on the nipple, sometimes on whole tip of her breast.
She began to move. They both groaned.
“As much as I enjoy watching, can anybody join?” Nikolai’s voice sounded from the door.
Brooke looked at him. She’d known he was there since he’d entered the room. His watching had driven her even higher. “Not everybody can join, but you are always welcome.”
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He stepped up and kissed first her and then Galen. “Are you sure?” he asked, his eyes serious.
Brooke nodded. He smiled and pulled a small bottle out of his pocket. She laughed.
“You’re a regular space scout.”
“Always prepared.” He grinned. Nikolai held her head for a deep kiss.
Feeling her tongue tangle with his while Galen sucked her nipple had goose bumps running up and down her body. Both, together, were unbelievable.
Nikolai stepped behind her and gently played with Galen’s balls. He threw his head back, moaned and grew even bigger inside her.
Nikolai’s fingers wandered along Galen’s cock. Brooke felt them every time she moved down. Then he slowly followed her sensitive perineum until he reached her entrance. For a moment Brooke froze, but Galen’s kiss returned her to the here and now.
Nikolai stroked his lubed-up fingers around her entrance. “Press out,” he demanded and Brooke followed orders. One of his big fingers pressed inside her. She couldn’t decide if his penetration was pleasure or pain. When he began to move his fingers,
pulling nearly out and then going back in, every nerve ending in her passage stood at attention.
And she still struggled to decide.
Nikolai attempted to press two fingers inside her back door and pain became the dominant factor, but her pussy grew wetter. “It hurts.” Nikolai ignored her, only telling her, “Press out, Brooke, I’m coming in.” Brooke tried to move away from the pain but both men held on to her. She was just about to protest, when Galen moved his hand between them and played with her throbbing clit. Brooke couldn’t keep her body still, only the men’s strength kept her on the sofa. Her clit became more and more sensitive and the play took her attention away from the pain.
Nikolai had two fingers inside her, massaging and caressing her back channel, balancing Brooke once again on the edge.
She needed to orgasm so badly and was so close, but neither man seemed prepared to push her over the edge. “Fuck me, for Jade’s sake, fuck me!”
“Are you sure?” Nikolai growled.
“Yes!” Brooke screamed, but she closed her eyes and nearly strangled Galen with her arms around his neck. He understood and returned the hug.
She felt more lube and then Nikolai’s hard length pressing against her. His two fingers had been no match to his dick, but Brooke was so close the added pain was welcome.
Anything to push her over into the abyss.
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She clenched her fingers around Galen’s shoulders and tried to breathe, but neither man was what could be described as small. They gave her a moment before they started to move in tandem. One moved in and the other moved out, then the other way around.
Her hard nipples rubbed against Galen’s sweat-soaked chest. She felt Nikolai’s small nubs rubbing against her back.
Her body grew accustomed and the men increased their tempo. Now Brooke clung to Galen’s shoulders to keep from floating away. Her body was awash with violent sensations, too many, coming too fast to process.
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