by Aubrey Ross
Bending her knees, she hooked her calves over his, shamelessly rubbing herself against him. He caught her lower lip between his teeth and growled. The sting sent a tingle spiraling down her spine. She went still beneath him and he released her lip.
“You don’t have permission to move and you don’t have permission to come. Do you understand me?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, Sir,” he prompted.
“Yes, Sir.” She was surprised by how natural the title sounded as she stared into his passion-bright eyes.
“Where are the restraints you used in the last picture?”
Her heart leapt in an odd combination of fear and excitement. “I wasn’t there when Anne took the pictures.”
“Do you have handcuffs at least?” She shook her head and his gaze narrowed. “Have you ever been restrained?” After an awkward pause, she shook her head again. “And you think you’re ready to fuck me?” His arrogance irritated her. She tried to tug her hands free from his grasp, but he wouldn’t let go. “You started this, sweetheart. Are you ready to admit you’re in over your head?”
“I’m willing to learn whatever you’re ready to teach me—Sir,” she added with sarcastic emphasis.
“Use that tone again and I’ll gag you. I won’t tolerate insolence. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Sir.” A bit of the tension left his expression, so she asked, “May I rephrase the statement, please?”
“You may.”
“I might be inexperienced, but I’m honestly willing to learn.”
He released her hands and rocked back onto his knees, lifting his chest off her upper body. “Raise your hands above your head and keep them there. Lock your fingers together if you can’t resist the temptation to touch me.”
“I thought we were going to touch each other.”
“That was your suggestion, not mine. Now no more talking unless I ask you a question.”
She moved her hands above her head and grasped her wrists. Anticipation made her breath hitch. He loomed over her, dark and dangerous, yet undeniably sexy. His gaze moved over her breasts with ravenous intent. She had never felt more beautiful or more desirable. Her knees framed his lean hips as he knelt between her thighs.
Year after lonely year she’d tried to imagine what making love with Leos would be like. Her fantasies hadn’t begun to match the intensity of her feelings and the night was still unfolding.
What I need is only half of the picture. His words echoed through her mind. She fantasized about Daniel too, but she’d never imagined them together. Was she really ready to love a Dichotomy?
He cupped her breast and bent to suck while his other hand explored. She wasn’t allowed to touch him or talk. She licked her lips and closed her eyes, concentrating on the feel of his lips and his fingers, and the pounding of her heart. Moving from one breast to the other, he nibbled and nipped, sucked and licked, until her nipples were pebble hard and tingling.
His hands swept down her sides and she opened her eyes. Would he fuck her now, despite his good intentions? Her inner muscles clenched, anticipating the fullness of his cock. God, she’d never ached this badly and he was still half dressed!
As if in response to her silent objection, he unbuckled his pants and lowered the zipper. Rather than take them off, he bunched the material around his knees. The result was more intimidating somehow. His sex rose from the juncture of his thighs, starkly masculine, fully erect and ready to conquer.
“Is this what you want?” He stroked the thick shaft as a bead of pre-come formed on the tip. He smoothed the liquid over his flesh, his eyelids drooping with the pleasure. His other hand moved between her legs, two fingers tracing her feminine slit. “Very nice.” His fingers mirrored the slow slide of his fist, deft and featherlight.
She wanted to thrust against his hand and impale herself on his gentle fingers. Her pussy felt swollen and her clit tingled, desperate for attention.
He leaned closer and continued the merciless teasing with the tip of his cock. Up and down, he slid against her without entering her throbbing passage. She gritted her teeth, refusing to beg, knowing it would make no difference. She’d brought this on herself.
Her abdomen quivered. How long would he punish her for… His fingers slid deep inside her and the question disintegrated.
“This isn’t punishment,” he whispered. “There will be no question in your mind if I decide to punish you.”
She didn’t know if he’d read her mind or her expression. His thumb circled her clit and nothing else mattered. Pleasure gathered low in her belly as if commanded by the swirl of his thumb. She squeezed his fingers, shaking helplessly as spasm after spasm rippled through her.
The euphoric haze had just begun to fade when he gripped his shaft and brought himself to a quick, shuddering climax. She watched the milky liquid arc toward her belly and pleasure echoed through her pussy.
With his fingers still deep inside her, he rubbed his seed into her skin. His scent surrounded her, primal, sexual, an undeniable claim. His gaze grew fierce and possessive.
“Are you frightened yet, little girl?”
“Do you want me to be?”
He withdrew his fingers and licked them clean before he responded. “Things would be a hell of a lot easier if you were.”
Chapter Three
Four hours of sleep did little to ease Nicole’s confusion. Leos had left shortly after their sexual bout on the studio floor. She wasn’t even sure if she considered the incident a success or a failure in her quest to win his heart. She’d certainly broken through his emotional reserve, but was she happy with the emotions released by her persistence?
She outlined the structure of “Mischief” and did her best not to think about Leos. She didn’t think about the brilliant flash of his dark eyes or the enticing flex of his biceps as he held himself above her. She refused to consider the pain she sensed driving his refusal or her instantaneous response to his aggression.
Anne arrived at nine with the images she’d shot the day before. Several hours passed as Nicole began arranging them according to the outline.
“Did Leos enjoy your conversation?” Anne’s expression was serene, but the amusement in her tone gave her away.
“Yes and no.” Nicole offered no more information as she paged through the thumbnails on her computer screen. “Let me see the 35mm shots again. There were several with a woman pulling a man along by the front of his shirt.”
“Do you want his angry face or after he broke out laughing?”
“Wasn’t there one in between? The beginning of a smirk would be perfect.”
“You suggest and I supply.” Anne handed her a picture.
“Yes. This is wonderful. Did they sign the release?”
“Of course. I dragged Bill along and he collected signatures while I photographed half of San Francisco.”
“I owe him a steak dinner.”
Anne chuckled. “He already enjoyed his reward.”
Nicole smiled without turning from the computer screen. “I won’t ask.”
“And you won’t tell either, apparently. Can I have a little more elaboration? Which part is yes and which is no? You’re killing me.”
Nicole swiveled in her chair and faced Anne. “It’s complicated. Our families go way back.”
“And?”
“When my father died the Burtons agreed to protect me. Leos is now the head of the family and he takes the vow very seriously.”
“What does this have to do with becoming your lover? Are you in danger if you have sex with him?”
“It could never be a casual affair between us. He would have to be willing to make a serious commitment before our relationship turned physical.”
“That’s ridiculous. This is the twenty-first century not… Why are you blushing?” Anne stared at her thoughtfully. “Did things turn physical last night?”
“You could say that.”
“How far did things go?”
Nicole turn
ed back to the computer screen. “Like I said, it’s complicated.”
“But he wants you, doesn’t he? He responded to your prompting?”
“His desire isn’t the problem.” How could she make Anne understand when she couldn’t explain the biological aspect to Leos’s hesitation? There was a lot she wouldn’t be able to explain to other humans. Nicole sighed. Leos was right. This would be harder than she’d imagined. The doorbell rang, interrupting her musings. “I’m expecting a package. Could you go sign for it?”
“No problem.” Anne hopped down from her stool and headed for the stairs.
Nicole heard a male voice respond to Anne’s greeting, but she couldn’t make out the muffled exchange.
“Was this the package you were expecting?” Anne asked as she reentered the studio.
Turning around, Nicole saw the tall, blond man standing beside Anne. His blue eyes shone with affection and curiosity. “Daniel.” Her heart fluttered and heat suffused her face as she returned his smile. “I didn’t realize you’d stayed in the city.”
“That’s not much of a welcome. Are you still angry about the opening?”
“It’s water under the bridge.” She stood and crossed the studio, needing to be near him. “What brings you by?” How much had Leos allowed Daniel to see as he transitioned out of sleep state? Memory transfer was inevitable, but Leos had mastered a level of control few ever achieved.
Daniel glanced at Anne meaningfully. “I was hoping to steal you away for a bit.” His phone rang and he groaned when he saw the display. “I need to take this.”
Anne rushed to her side as he stepped into the stairwell. “He’s one of the Burtons too, isn’t he? If Leos continues to be an ass, go after this one.”
Your friends will think you’re involved with two men because you won’t be able to tell them the truth. If she wanted to mate with a Dichotomy she needed to accept everything that would mean.
“Call me greedy,” she said with a smile. “I want them both.”
Anne’s eyes widened and she raised her hand to her chest. “Are you serious? Do they… Oh my God!”
Nicole let challenge shape her smile. “I told you it was complicated.”
“You’re just yanking my chain, aren’t you?”
She didn’t respond to the question. Instead she said, “You did an exceptional job yesterday. Why don’t you take the afternoon off?”
“Fine. I can tell when I’m not wanted.” She grabbed her purse off the floor by Nicole’s desk and swung it onto her shoulder. “Have fun.”
Daniel emerged from the stairway a few minutes after Anne departed. “Sorry about that.” He crossed the studio with loose-limbed grace, his stride gently rolling. “I wanted to make sure we aren’t interrupted.”
At first glance Daniel appeared opposite from Leos. His golden hair and bright blue eyes were a striking contrast to his brother’s dark good looks. Yet the shape of their noses and the firm angle of their jaws were identical.
She let her gaze sweep his tall form from head to toe before she asked, “What did you have in mind?”
“Let’s go for a walk.”
“All right.” She followed him down the stairs then slipped into her bedroom to grab a pair of sandals before they descended to street level. “Did you drive down from Napa or sleep in the apartment?” Privacy was crucial for a Dichotomy. If they were trapped in the open at dusk or dawn, their secret would be revealed to the world. So the Burtons kept an apartment in the heart of downtown.
“I’ve been at the apartment, but sleep wasn’t involved.” He stepped closer, his sky-blue gaze intent on her face. “What happened last night?”
“What did Leos tell you?”
“Nothing. He was in one of his moods.”
She hesitated, conflict tearing at her heart. The nocturnal half of a Dichotomy was dominant. It was the dominant half’s responsibility to instigate a soul bond. She had no idea how they resolved differences, but she knew they couldn’t move forward until Leos accepted her.
“Did you sense anything when you transitioned?” She grabbed her keys off the hallstand and slipped them into the pocket of her sundress.
“I sensed Leos guarding his thoughts. And if the effort it took to keep the images shielded is any indication, they were seriously evocative images.”
After she locked the front door, Daniel took her hand and led her across the street. Alamo Square was a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Sunlight warmed the grass and created a leisurely environment for their afternoon stroll. A cool breeze rustled the leaves and sent clouds floating across the hazy sky.
His grip on her hand loosened, but instead of letting go, he entwined their fingers and kissed the top of her knuckles. “I can be just as stubborn as Leos. Now tell me what happened last night.”
“What do you think happened?” She gazed off into the distance, avoiding his perceptive stare.
“If he’d initiated a soul bond, I’d be able to feel it. But I haven’t seen him that rattled in years.” After a long pause he asked, “Did he frighten you?”
She couldn’t help but smile. “Not for lack of trying.”
“Then you are receptive to our suit?”
“Receptive to your suit?” She chuckled. “That sounds rather Victorian. You’re not that old.”
He stopped walking and curled his fingers around her chin, raising her face until she looked into his eyes. “I’ve felt old for so long, I barely remember what it’s like to feel alive.”
“That’s all I was trying to do last night, shake things up a bit.”
“Leos was definitely…shaken.” He led her off the footpath and into the shade of a massive weeping willow. “Tell me what happened.” It was no longer a request but a directive. Leaning against the tree trunk, he pulled her into a loose embrace. His hands rested on her hips and her skirt covered his legs, their lower bodies barely touching.
“I asked for his input on my new project. Can I help it if the subject is sexy games people use to deepen or reawaken intimacy?”
“What sort of games?”
She ran her hands up his chest and pressed against him as she looked into his eyes. “Can’t you guess?”
“This isn’t a game, Nicole. We can’t just be lovers. Your bloodline is compatible with ours. If we have unprotected sex it will bind you to us. Condoms can slow the process down, but any exchange of fluids can trigger the bond.”
“I understand what will happen if we make love.”
“And you’re prepared to enter our world?”
“I’m already part of your world. I can’t imagine me with anyone else. Even when you married Denise and I knew we couldn’t be together, I couldn’t stop loving you.”
His gaze grew dark and smoky and he took her face between his hands. “Is this what you told Leos?”
“Not in so many words.”
“Did he push you away or try and scare you off?”
“Mostly the latter, but he was pretty insistent that he wasn’t interested in becoming my mate.”
He brushed his lips over hers and whispered, “He’s full of shit. We’re more than interested, always have been.”
She let the possibility soothe her and embolden her. “What makes you so sure?”
“No matter how hard he tries, he can’t hide his feelings from me.” His lips settled over hers, the kiss soft and patient. “You were seventeen when the council suggested we marry Denise. We were attracted to you even then, but it wasn’t enough of a reason to refuse the match.”
“I understand why you got married, but it’s been six years since the fire. If you have feelings for me, why didn’t either of you act on them?”
“Being the mate of a Dichotomy can be dangerous. Discovery by humans is always a risk and many covet our abilities.”
“I’m not afraid of getting hurt. I think you’re worth the risk.”
“So did Denise.” He paused while she absorbed the significance of the simple statement. “We
were determined to keep you safe, even if that meant suppressing our feelings for you.”
“Well, that concept became moot last night. The cat’s out of the bag.”
“Show me.”
His arms tightened around her back, while his mouth moved with greater insistency. She felt him sink into her mind and tried to relax, to allow the joining. A telepathic link would protect her and allow them to communicate on a level more elemental than words. Focusing on the night before, she showed him what Leos had done and her response to his sensual demands.
Excitement vibrated through the meld, speeding her pulse and igniting her senses. She rubbed her breasts against his chest and tilted her head, fitting her mouth more firmly to his. Her tongue curled around his as she straddled his leg and ground against his thigh.
With a ragged groan, he pushed her away. “Unless you’re willing to have sex in a public park, we better slow down.” She looked around and he laughed. “Are you considering it?”
“Maybe if it were dark.” She shivered, missing the heat of his hard body. “I do live right across the street.”
He took her hand and rushed her back across the park. She was laughing and breathless by the time they reached her front door. They stepped into the hallway and he slammed the door, pushing her up against the wall.
His mouth covered hers again, devouring and urgent. She wrapped her arms around his neck and rubbed against his chest. He dragged her skirt to her waist, bunching the material with one hand while the other wandered beneath. His fingers pushed between her thighs, slipping inside her panties to stroke her cream-soaked folds.
“So soft, so damn hot,” he muttered against her lips. “Did he let you come or have you been simmering all night?”
“All I have to do is think about you and I get wet.” She was unashamed of her desire. Moving her feet apart, she made room for his questing fingers. He traced her slit, sliding back and forth, around her opening then around her clit. Clutching his shoulders, she closed her eyes, lost in the gathering storm. She rocked her hips and tilted her pelvis, bringing his fingers inside her just a bit.
