by Honor James
“He’s also not a workaholic,” Torben put in as he nibbled on a piece of bacon. “He’s dedicated and he gets the job done as it should be no matter the time involved, just as we all do. But he has it all figured out in the balancing act of life. Probably better than me and Mahon ever will.”
“Yes, I did notice you were both very much on edge. I know he’s not a total workaholic but you have to admit he’s pretty close to it. I love that man but sometimes he tends to work far too much and it bugs me. A great deal.”
“He’s got a smidge of a Type A personality, but we do too,” Mahon said with a shrug. “It goes with the territory. Besides, if you told him to slow down you know he would, Goldie. He’d do it kicking and screaming but he would do it. Plus, even with you guys gone so long, he’s been keeping track of all the progress much to the more than slight irritation of our police friends.”
“Oh I knew that he would. However, I honestly think it had to have killed him to take those weeks off. The man was constantly trying to think out everything and anything that could have been done. Yeah, I really think it will be best if we just simply let him work till his heart's content. When I need a break, I will tell you all. Promise.”
“You sure?” Mahon asked, looking at her intently. When she nodded, he shrugged, “All right. But if you change your mind, any time at all, say the word. If all else fails we’ll truss him up like a turkey, it’s both fun and a challenge.”
Torben coughed suddenly, pounding on his chest. “Fuck, we haven’t done that to him since college,” he chuckled when he had his breath back.
Goldie laughed, “Oh hell. I so can’t wait to see you guys do that and then see just what he does in retribution because we know he will have his payback.” Oh, her Arkadios would pay them back too, and she would just sit back and laugh her ass off.
Both men flinched and shifted uncomfortably. “Yeah, maybe we shouldn’t,” Mahon said. “The last time we did I couldn’t walk for a week. And I’m pretty sure you still have the scar from when he decked you. He doesn’t take very well to being tied up, some serious trust issues with us I think.”
“Yeah, I don't want you guys fighting at all. I want peace and harmony in our home. Now then, we should all get cleaned up and get into the office, so we can help Ark and hopefully, get home with a full staff still intact.”
“That would be a pleasant change,” Torben snorted. “Somehow though, by the time we get there, I have a feeling the massacre will be over with. All we’ll be dealing with will be the aftermath of whatever he’s done. He’s got a hell of a head start on us and the fact he’s homicidal...” he trailed off.
“Don’t worry, we will deal with it. Somehow and someway. Now then.” She grinned up at him. “So let's get there so we can get our happy asses heading off anything that we can.”
“Finish your breakfast. We already know we’re too far behind him, so why waste a damn fine meal. Good job by the way, Mahon,” Torben said.
“I didn’t do much, Ark had it all ready mostly when I went down. All I had to do really was get the coffee and Goldie’s juice, load up the tray, and bring it up here. After rescuing the pans from the stove when he went barreling through.”
“The food is actually really good; however, the fact of the matter is I really and truly am not all that hungry.” She found a reason to get out of breakfast and was more than willing to take it. “So how about you guys finish while I go and finish getting ready. Deal?”
They both nodded slowly but she caught the concern in their eyes. “You sure you’re okay?” Mahon asked, giving her a hand off the bed. Which he held onto as he stared into her eyes. “We didn’t hurt you did we?” he asked pulling her in a little closer, his voice lowering slightly.
“No honey, you didn’t hurt me,” Goldie told him and hugged him closer. “I just am not hungry,” she admitted. “I know it's weird, I am usually always hungry. I think we should just get to work, don’t you?”
“We’re off.”
If we go in they’ll put us to work,” Torben said in an almost, but not quite, whine.
“He has a point, we did take the week off to be with you. They aren’t expecting us back in for a good long while,” he said softly. “Well, at least another six and a half days. So if we go in we’re going to have a good lot of hassle to deal with.”
“Well then, you guys drive me there and I will take charge. They wouldn’t dare to try to put me to work. I’m the one who ensures they get paid when they get paid,” she said with a grin. “So yep, it’s totally all good.”
“She has a point,” Mahon looked to Torben. Poor guy looked like he didn’t want to cave but finally did with a huff and a nod. Chuckling, Mahon looked up at her. “Go and clean up, we’ll head out in a little bit,” he said, pressing a kiss to her chin.
“Thank you,” Goldie told them both before kissing them again. She then took off for the shower. As much as she wanted to call out for them to join her, she knew it would be a bad idea and they would never leave. Besides, her thighs and pussy ached right now from their lovemaking and she needed a small break. Walking out of the bathroom, she looked at her guys and smiled. “You guys got ready too. Good thinking.” Moving to Mahon, she wrapped her arm around his middle and gave a squeeze. “Five minutes and I will be ready.” She just needed to get dressed and run a brush through her hair. “Go, I will be right down.”
Nodding, they each gave her a kiss before moving toward the door. They paused to snag keys and wallets before slipping out. Torben came right back though with a grin. Whistling, he wandered to the closet and grabbed his leather jacket. “Hurry up, we plan on grabbing coffee before we hit the office, just in case.”
“Oh coffee.” They said the magic word. Walking out right along with them, she smirked, “Are you guys taking separate cars? If so, why?” That was the question. “Because if you drive separately, I won’t be able to snuggle up between the two of you and instead I will have to make the choice on who to ride with and that will make me pout.”
“I’m the only one with a vehicle here currently,” Torben told her. “Mahon’s is in the shop and his bike is at the office. It was raining last night so he begged a ride. I was feeling mildly generous and let him come back with me.”
“And since Ark took his truck to the office, we only have one way in until Torben gets his bike off the blocks in the garage,” Mahon commented. He moved for the front door and grabbed his jacket.
“Ah, well then it seems as if I am riding with you guys. I really think we need to get your bikes back soon too. I really and truly love riding on the back.”
“So, why again, exactly I mean, do you not like to drive?” Mahon asked as they headed toward Torben’s truck.
“Because she’s a menace to society while on the road,” Torben said with a grin. Popping the locks, he got in behind the wheel. “She’s too busy cussing out the rest of the world to pay attention to where she’s going. And, now this may just be a rumor but I did hear she breaks out in hives.”
“True on all counts. I totally hate driving because I can’t control everyone around me. All I know is I get panic attacks and hives when and if I try to drive. I do believe from now on I will simply deal with having you guys taking care of me and driving me around.”
“It’s a damned good thing we love you like we do,” Mahon said, boosting her into the truck cab. Following her when she was in, he shut the door. “Otherwise we might think you were using us for more than our dashing good looks and studly bodies.”
She laughed at him and shook her head. “Yeah, it’s a very good thing you love me like you do, and I love you like I do because it means we are now and always tied together.”
“Damn straight,” Mahon grinned as they pulled away from the house.
Epilogue
Eight weeks later...
“I don’t know why you’re so nervous, Goldie. You’ve been through the big wedding already, this should be easy for you.” Arkadios was leaning against the doorwa
y and grinning at her as she fussed.
Their wedding had been small, sort of, with friends and family there. The white dress, minister, Ark in a tuxedo, and the guys as groomsmen. They’d had the big party and all that, but now it was time for a civil service for her to marry Torben and Mahon. Off the books of course, but it would be in her heart and that’s all that mattered. But once again, the entire family was there and would be watching. No friends this time, no one who wasn’t aware about her bears and their living arrangements.
He moved up behind her and caught her hands in his, turning her around. “Slow, deep breath, darling,” he smiled down at her. “You’ve been through all of this, Goldie, and this time you only have family to deal with. I’ll be right there with you the entire time. Walking you out and then I’ll be standing there with my pom-poms cheering you on.”
Goldie smiled and nodded. She moved so she could wrap her arms around his waist and pulled him close. “That sounds good to me.” She looked up at him once more. “You will stay with me, the whole time, right?” At least before, she had Mahon on one side and Torben on the other. “I’m happy though, so very happy,” she told him honestly, smiling as she spoke. “I can’t believe how happy I am to be perfectly honest.” She had absolutely everything she could possibly want. She had three men that would love her forever, no matter what.
Chuckling he wrapped his arms around her and gave her a hug. “I will be with you the entire time until we get up there. Then I will stand aside, watch and wait, for one of those fuckers to hit the turf. Assholes,” he grumbled. Apparently, Torben and Mahon had been relentless in teasing Ark before the wedding. A bunch of nasty what-if scenarios all in the hope of having him fainting at the altar. Thankfully, it hadn’t worked though, he'd only looked a little wobbly a time or two.
“Good. I am glad you are going to be with me every single second.” She took a deep breath, smoothed her hand down her gown, and grinned, “The gown is truly beautiful though isn’t it?” she asked quietly. “They did a great job in picking it out didn’t they?”
“They did at that,” he tipped his head to take her in. Lifting her hand, he spun her around slowly. “It’s amazing what those two can manage to accomplish with enough incentive,” he chuckled. A quick look at his watch and then he leaned in to kiss her. “You have three more minutes to fuss and then we need to get going.”
“I’m ready.” She had just needed the small talk down. “Are you sure they are there waiting for me? They aren’t going to leave me alone at the altar?” Honestly, that was her fear. Sad but true. She was terrified they would change their minds and not want the permanence of the civil ceremony that would join them all.
“They were up there not a minute ago playing rock-paper-scissors to see who stood on which side of you. Last I heard, they were up to sixteen out of thirty,” he said softly with a grin. He moved to the doorway and peeked out. “Yup, they are still going. I think the minister may end up having to call it though. Either that or he’ll pop each one upside the head.”
Laughter spilled from her lips. “Oh God, that’s perfect,” she teased with a smile. "Maybe you should tell them exactly what you want them to do and when you want them to do it. Maybe you need to be their voice of reason?”
“Oh I will, later, right now this is just too damned fun,” he chuckled. Turning back, he checked his watch and looked her way. “You ready?” he asked, holding out his hand to her. Right on, cue the music outside changed, one minute warning.
Goldie smiled at that and shook her head. “Oh my goodness this is going to be fun.” She looked up at Arkadios and smiled. “You get to tell them we are pregnant,” she teased. “After. Maybe. I think we should get through with this first, don’t you?”
“Oh hell yeah, if I tell them before then it might be the reason they end up going tits over teakettle,” he chuckled. Tucking her hand in the crook of his arm, he squeezed her fingers lightly. “Love you, Goldie,” he said softly, reaching out to brush a strand of hair away. “You ready for stage two of this?” he asked quietly.
“I’m totally ready,” she said with a grin. “I’m ready to have my happily ever after with you, babe. I need that with you. We are going to be good together, all four of us. No matter what else happens. We deserve our forever happiness,” she teased him and gave him one more squeeze. “I love you too, Arkadios. Now, let’s get me married to those two shall we?”
“After all, we’ve been through of late, we do at that.” Leaning over, he kissed her lips, “I love you,” he whispered. The wedding march chose that moment to start playing. It was also their cue to get moving toward the other two. He drew back and smiled, “You are so beautiful.”
Goldie smiled her gaze radiant as she walked down the aisle toward her other two loves. God she loved those men, she loved them so very much. When they got to the front of the aisle and she looked at them, she knew life was finally right. Taking a deep breath, she moved in closer. This was where she needed to be—where she had always needed to be—living her only favorite fairy tale.
The End
Books by Honor James
Published with JK Publishing, Inc.
Knights of Ares
Team: Alpha
Team: Echo – Coming Soon!
Naughty Fairy Tales
Goldie and Her Bears
The Huntsman – Coming Soon
Published with Siren-Bookstrand
The Paranormal Protection Agency Collection
Their Unexpected Mate
Their Mating Illusion
Their Improbable Mating
Their Mating Rituals
Their Unusual Mating
The King’s Mate
His Angelic Mate
The Dark King’s Mate
The Wraith’s Mate
The Rogue Hunter’s Mate
Their Mating Triad
The Lords of the Expanse Collection
Bonds of Blood
Trained in Blood
The Royal Wolves Collection
To The Edge and Back
Into the Fire
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Excerpt from Ares
God of Old Book One
by Edlyn Reynolds
“How long has it been since you’ve been here?” his brother asked.
“Too long to admit,” he said, watching the group of students following their teacher and a guide around the temple.
“If you look over here class you can see what some scholars believe to be the remains of a sacrificial table.” The instructor was pointing to a section of the rubble that had been partially cleared. The area was cordoned off by ropes to keep people from stepping on things they shouldn’t.
Apollo shot him a look then grinned, “Did you ever actually have any sacrifices from the people?”
He shrugged. “Maybe. It’s hard to remember but I don’t think so.” The instructor, the guide and the students couldn’t hear them. They were cloaked between realms. Not really there and yet, there. “My worshippers were all about war, blood and death of their enemies. Not so much with the virginal sacrifices. I won’t say it never happened, because that could well be a lie, but honestly not ringing any bells for me.”
Apollo gave a laugh as they both walked closer to the group. “I must admit, brother,” he tipped his head. “I’m ever so glad today’s fashions are not like they were a mere hundred years past.” He reached out and slid a finger over one girl’s bared belly. She gave a small shiver, not surprising, many humans were sensitive to things they couldn’t see or hear but existed.
“That’s because you’re a man-slut, Apollo,” Ares said.
“Come
now, brother.” He gave a huge grin and gestured to the group. “Are you going to tell me you are not enjoying the titillating display of feminine flesh?”
“That would be a lie, brother, and I must say, that it is a bit old. Too many women believe they need to show all to gain affections. There are so few these days who know a hint is sometimes so much more intriguing than the full monty.”
“Oh, excellent movie reference, brother. I didn’t know you had it in you,” Apollo gave a laugh. “I will agree to disagree with you there though. I much prefer to see the wares before I purchase. I need to know just what I am getting.”
“Man-slut,” Ares coughed into his fist.
“Jealous much?” his brother gave a snort. “Really, brother of mine, you should do something about your apparent lack of female companionship. You’re becoming rather... Well, I hate to say this, but you really need to get laid. You’re much too uptight these days, brother.”
Ares threw him the finger, but his attention was on the instructor again.
“This is one of many statues of the God of War, or Ares, as you may better know him. There appear to be a few versions, most denoting a youthful appearance. He was often denoted as naked, wearing nothing but a helm and carrying a sword and shield, or a spear. He was also denoted as being fully armored. Some believe these statues,” the man gestured to the one before them, “were replacements for the originals. That when the Romans invaded and held Greece, they replaced them with ones created more in the appearance of their God, Mar, Ares’ Roman counterpart.”
The instructor turned to face the group. “There are also some scholars that believe this was not the original location for the temple. They believe the Romans actually moved it from its original place to this spot. There are markings on some stones that may give this theory some validity. There is also the fact archaeologists uncovered sites where bases for such temples were found, but no ruins.”
