Finora stared at Trystan, the wild Arcadian mountain man, from his long, grizzled grey hair to his muscled legs. She couldn’t help herself. The tattoo down the left side of his face made him look so fierce, but all she could recall was the hot desire in his eyes and the feel of those strong arms around her, holding her close. She wasn’t the only one staring at the way his broad shoulders filled out his shirt. Catching herself at it made her frown. Ridiculous to feel possessive over a stranger. She had no claim on him.
“Acorn whiskey’s rare,” Jan stated. “Hard t’ find, an’ too rich for the common purse.”
“Soon we should be able t’ afford it. Cap’n’s lookin’ for ’nother ship,” Giles clarified. “We’ll be sailin’ ’gain in a few weeks.”
Finora’s gaze slid to Trystan, who stared at the memorial wall, at all the names of those lost to Cilaniestra. “What is it?”
“’Tis lucky I am t’ no’ be listed there. Thanks t’ him.” He saluted Storm with his cup.
“Lighthaven Water Dogs. Mari breeds and trains them,” Finora told him. “They’ve gained a reputation all over Rhattany.”
Braeca also stared at the wall. “My da’s on that wall.”
“Aye, lass.” Trystan’s face softened. “I’m sorra for yer loss.”
Oh, he was dangerous…
“Is your da gone, too?”
“No’ t’ me knowledge. But I’ve been gone from home for some months now.”
“But ye’re old!” Braeca indicated his grey hair. “He must be ancient.”
“Braeca!” Finora’s cheeks heated.
Trystan laughed. “Well, I’m no’ as old as all that. Simply went grey early. They told me it makes me look wise.” He assumed a solemn expression that made the children giggle.
Finora again sensed a holding back. Trystan shot her a sharp glance but said naught further.
“Time to go home,” Finora said. “I don’t want to be climbing in the dark.” She stood, picked up the wrapped packet of scones and inclined her head to Giles and Jan. “Good night.” The children headed for the door, shadowed by the two canids. Finora followed with Trystan and Ealga bringing up the rear. She tried in vain to ignore his gaze. The back of her neck prickled with awareness.
She stopped at Mari’s. Storm’s dam sprawled against Mari’s makeshift stand but lumbered to her feet at their approach. She looked to be near her time—swollen like a great furry whale. “I need a kira of frill and a half of red.” Finora reached down to rub the dog’s ears.
Mari weighed out the two seaweeds. “Pups should be here next week,” she said to the Ioain and Braeca. “You two will have to come see them.”
Ioain stared at his shoes. Finora paid Mari and tucked the wrapped packages under her arm. They continued up the cliffside path. The children sang a counting rhyme Mistress Greta had taught Braeca. Finora and Trystan followed in silence.
“Finora!”
Bree’s call stopped her in her tracks. “What’s wrong?”
“Naught’s wrong,” the mermaid replied. “We’ve been scavenging the ship and I found something your new friend might wish to see.”
Trystan placed a hand against her back. “What is it?”
She turned around. “Bree’s found something she wants you to see. We’d best go down to the shore.” She shivered. That luring, elusive shore…
When there’s a tiger—and a lion—on your tail, there’s no escape…
Theirs to Capture
© 2009 Shelli Stevens
Delilah is strong, independent—and a princess on the run. Her father, King of the Falcon kingdom, wants to unite her with Pierce, Prince of the Tiger kingdom, and Jason, Prince of the Lions. Never can she imagine giving herself to one man if there is no love—let alone two! So she flees her home in hopes of avoiding the union.
Delilah may be dead-set against the plan, but Jason and Pierce have no doubts. She is the one they want to complete their triad, to be their mate. She alone has the power to form the bond that will, in turn, join all their kingdoms in peace.
They’re prepared to use every means of pleasure to convince her they are all destined to be together. But first they have to catch her…
Warning: This book is hot! Hot! Hot! Threesomes, m/m, and capture fantasies, oh my!
Enjoy the following excerpt for Theirs to Capture:
Her head shook from side to side, the panic in her eyes increasing. “I won’t do it. I won’t, Pierce.”
“Yes, Delilah, you will.” He slid his hand up the back of her neck, holding her head still as his mouth descended onto hers.
Her lips remained tightly pressed together, refusing to open to his tongue. With a soft laugh, he nipped lightly at her bottom lip. Her gasp of surprise gave him the opportunity to slip inside the forbidden cavern of her mouth.
Her hands slammed against his chest, attempting to push him away, but they were no more effective than if she had been using her wings. Instead, the touch of her soft hands inflamed him further. His cock throbbed, lengthened and pressed into her belly.
He sought her tongue, teasing it with soft gentle flicks, before curling his own around it and sucking gently. It only took a moment to realize she’d stopped pushing against him, and instead those delicate hands now explored his chest openly.
Lifting his head just a bit, he murmured a throaty, “Yes. Touch me, Delilah.” Then he claimed her mouth again.
Her hands moved downward on him. Down his chest, to his abdomen. The breath locked in his chest. Lower, just a little lower.
She hesitated only a moment before her fingers slipped those last few inches. His cock twitched against the edge of her hand and when she finally wrapped her fingers around his flesh, he about came in a heartbeat.
Until she squeezed. Tightly.
Pierce froze, his knees locking as pain signals rushed toward his brain.
“Delilah,” he choked out. “That’s a bit hard.”
“So I noticed.” She smirked. “I asked you to release me, Pierce. Now back off or I’ll break it in half.”
“I’m not sure that’s possible, little one.” But he took a step backward, his only thought for the moment that she needed to release her death grip on his cock.
Her fingers unwrapped from around him and, just as fast, she slammed her palms against his chest, pushing him backward.
Pierce stumbled, trying to regain his footing and reach for her at the same time. She spun, ready to take flight.
Relief poured through him as she was swiftly grabbed by Jason, who’d come up silently behind them.
“Jason!” She retreated, obviously startled, and bumped right back into Pierce.
Pierce drew in a deep breath, grabbing her hips to hold her immobile. He willed himself to control the anger that now burned in his gut. She’d threatened to break his cock in half like it was a damn sausage at a festival.
“This time, Delilah, you’ve gone too far.” Jason shook his head, his eyes suspiciously bloodshot. “I do believe we will have to agree upon some form of punishment to bestow upon you.”
Punishment. Pierce slid one hand down to the rounded curve of her ass and squeezed the soft flesh. Now that sounded like a lovely idea.
Delilah whimpered, and though he couldn’t see her face, he could well envision her wide eyes and the realization that she’d gotten herself in too deep.
Pulling his hand back, he swung it forward again to connect sharply with one round cheek.
“Oh!” Her shrill cry echoed in the woods, sending birds scattering up into the trees.
Delilah arched away from Pierce’s hand, but with Jason so close in front of her, the movement forced her body flush against him.
Pierce stepped forward again, so she was sandwiched between both their bodies. Jason closed his hands over Pierce’s hips, trapping her between them.
The result was an image so close to what they’d experience once they all joined together. It was so intimate and erotic that it startled him. Heat radiated between the
ir bodies as a sizzling undercurrent heightened all of Pierce’s senses.
His gaze locked with Jason’s and he saw the same awareness in the other prince’s eyes.
“You feel it, little one,” Pierce whispered against her ear. “Don’t you?”
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Lions' Pride Page 29
