Soulbound

by Archer Kay Leah

  For a moment, he forgot how to breathe.

  Mayr parted from Arieve with a sly smile. "Where should we start?" He tugged the laces along her side, undoing her corset.

  Arieve clasped his hands. "Show me what you enjoy," she said, "with him. Show me how you touch. I want to know how you are together, what I'm going to be part of." She kissed Mayr's fingers. "I'll be here when you're ready, but for right now, go love your man."

  Her gentle push sent Mayr towards Tash. Joy shone in Mayr's eyes while satisfaction beamed in Arieve's. With a nod, Tash thanked her for the kindness.

  That gratitude fell into shambles, destroyed as Mayr's mouth claimed his. The kiss devoured his will, its neediness demanding a depth Tash sorely wanted to give, even if his lips had to fall off to achieve it. Thoughts of Arieve were lost to the deluge of taste and sound and touch. He sank in the blackness behind his closed eyes, falling mindlessly into blessed familiarity. His body responded to Mayr's every move, greedy for more attention, afraid that one day the attention would run out.

  Tash fumbled with Mayr's belt and shirt, the buckle and laces slipping in his fingers. When he finally tore them off and threw them at the door, growling in annoyance, Mayr laughed.

  "Guess I should've attended dinner naked, hmm?" Mayr tossed Tash's veil to the floor. He made fast work of Tash's first two robes, despite the kisses Tash stole from him, each one harder than the last.

  "Naked always works for me," Tash said, breathless as he backed towards the door, taking Mayr with him. A tug on the tie at Mayr's waist loosened his pants, the lowered fabric revealing dark curls and the base of his strained shaft. Tash slid his hand inside to rub drops of pre-release over the head of Mayr's cock, his fingertips slipping beneath the fleshy cover until Mayr groaned. "That's when I know you're mine—when you scream my name loud enough for the world to hear."

  Mayr snarled and yanked Tash's last robe over his head. Before the robe touched the floor, Mayr shoved him against the door. A dull pain shot through Tash. The door rattled with the force.

  "They'd better hear it," Mayr said, the words a low rumble in his throat, "because I'm making damn sure everyone knows you're mine." He slapped both hands to the door, trapping Tash between his arms. "No one's going to mess with us."

  Tash's pants were forced down his hips quicker than he could agree, his naked body rammed against the door. A knee slipped between his legs. Fingers gripped his cock, quick to caress the tip. Mayr's lips came down hard on his neck, his teeth scraping and bruising.

  One hand around Mayr's throat, Tash pulled him closer, needing to break beneath him. Desperation guided his other hand as he jerked down Mayr's pants, determined to feel every bit of Mayr trembling in his grasp. Skin slid over skin, hot and hard, their cocks grinding together. Tash moaned, muffled only when Mayr kissed him and clutched the back of Tash's thighs, keeping him in place.

  "This needs to go," Mayr muttered, kicking at the fabric pooled around his ankles. In swift movements, he wrenched off his boots and pants then tossed them at the wall behind Tash.

  Tash's boots and pants were next. Mayr removed them slowly, murmuring his approval between kisses as his lips trailed down the insides of Tash's scarred thighs. The boots thumped against the wall and fell onto the pile of Mayr's clothes. Between them, the only clothing left was Tash's bracers—and they would remain until Tash could trust Arieve's reaction, assuming he ever could.

  Mayr slid up Tash, his hands gliding over Tash's hips and ribs. "I don't think I've worshipped you enough today."

  Tash wrapped his arms around Mayr's neck, prepared for the oncoming wave of seduction. He glimpsed the bed. "You're my favourite…"

  The words died in his throat. His blood surged straight to his groin.

  "Mayr," Tash whispered. "Arieve."

  "What about…?" Mayr peered over his shoulder. His body stilled.

  Arieve stood on her knees on the bed, legs parted slightly. Gone were the corset and gown, discarded on the floor beside the chest. In their stead was delicate lace the colour of spiced cream on her darker skin. Her thin bodice hid nothing, following her every curve as though it were painted on. The lace clung to her shoulders and dipped low in the front, held closed over her full breasts by a single pink ribbon. The rest of the bodice hung open, its loose folds framing her stomach and hips. The short lace skirt to her thighs barely covered the darkness beneath.

  "Don't let me interrupt you," Arieve said, drawing her hand between her breasts. "It's been a beautiful show."

  Mayr's lips moved, but he said nothing. Flushed, he glanced at Tash and back to Arieve.

  "I know," Tash agreed. There was no ignoring her, not when a single look left his insides yearning for release.

  How am I going to last the night between them? Tash turned Mayr around and urged him towards the bed. For all he knew, he would lose control or find himself spent before they were done. He could not let either scenario come to pass, not until both Arieve and Mayr were sated and their shared emotions anchored.

  "I won't bite unless you want me to." Arieve held out her hand. "Your bed, your choice. Tell me what you want and I'll do it."

  Mayr clutched her hand to his chest. Silent, he raked his fingers through her hair and tilted her head back. "Just be you," he said, cradling her neck in his hand. "I fell in love with you just the way you are. I can't stand the thought of losing that." He glided his other hand along her jaw. "Whatever you need, however you want it."

  Arieve's lips took to Mayr's, and Tash stifled a groan. His grip on Mayr's hip tightened until tension forced him to relax. Their soft kiss set a fire inside him, consuming everything with bittersweet torture. He pressed harder into Mayr, the needy ache in his cock finding no relief against Mayr's side.

  The moment Arieve led Mayr's hand to the warmth between her legs, Mayr shivered and moaned, his muscles flexing in Tash's grasp. Arieve's pleas for more harmonized with the wet sound of Mayr's fingers slipping into her. She rocked on the bed, thrusting deeper into Mayr's hand while she lavished his neck with kisses.

  Where she left off, Tash continued. He trailed kisses along Mayr's taut skin, around his neck and over his shoulder, down the tattoos on his shoulder blades. Sweeping Mayr's hair aside, he licked Mayr's shoulder and sucked hard to leave a mark. With one hand flattened over Mayr's stomach and the other around his hip, Tash rode the rhythm set by Mayr and Arieve.

  A groan and whispered "Yes," were his rewards, accompanied by Mayr arching back into him.

  Arieve's mouth traveled over Mayr in a path of kisses down his chest, followed by bites up his ribs to his nipples. Over Mayr's shoulder, she cast Tash a mischievous glance.

  Before Tash could interpret her meaning, Arieve withdrew Mayr's slicked fingers from her and sucked them clean, eliciting more than Mayr's gasp. Dark, primal need roiled in Tash. Its heat spiraled through him, hungry to play with her, while desire bombarded him with an entire list of things they could try. Images clouded his wanton thoughts as she sat on the edge of the bed and urged Mayr closer. Her lips resumed their quest down Mayr's stomach and over Tash's fingers, their tenderness welcoming his skin to hers.

  When her tongue slipped under Tash's fingers, drawing them into her mouth, he moaned and pressed his forehead to Mayr's neck. Her low laugh vibrated through him, her teeth raking his fingertips. She sucked him back until he touched the rigidness of her throat then pushed him out only to repeat the motions.

  At last she released him. His fingers chilled in the air as another smile brightened her eyes. "May I?" Arieve asked, coaxing Tash's moist fingers down Mayr's strained cock.

  Mayr's breath hitched at the contact. He wrapped one arm around Tash's neck and pulled him in for a hard kiss. In a searing burst of tangled emotions, Mayr's request for permission surged through Tash from lips to heart.

  "Yes," Tash replied, gripping Mayr's chin. He wanted to see the spark in Mayr's eyes when Arieve took him in.

  The slide of Arieve's mouth down Mayr's cock almost undid Mayr compl
etely, his waning control betrayed by the glimmer of ecstasy in his glance. Eyes wide, body tense, Mayr gasped and moaned. He writhed in Tash's hold, his arm tight around Tash's neck. His lips claimed Tash's, desperate and harsh, searching for relief. His other hand twined in Arieve's hair, gently urging her to take him further. She obliged, sucking and licking and teasing, her fingers stroking him in time.

  More than once, she looked up at Tash with the flushed head of Mayr's cock presented on her tongue. Tash groaned curses into Mayr's shoulder and kissed his frustration into Mayr's neck. His whole body trembled. He wanted to kneel beside Arieve and bring Mayr to climax as much as he wanted to feel Arieve's mouth on him, exploring his own sensitive crevices.

  He chose the better option.

  After a parting kiss to Mayr's lips, Tash shuffled towards the end of the bed and crawled up the sheets to kneel behind Arieve. He slid one hand along the inside of her thigh, his thumb grazing her folds on the way down. She shivered and released Mayr, her breath sharp and loud. As Tash drew his hands up her legs, over her hips, and around her back, Arieve swallowed Mayr once more. Lace stroked Tash like a constant whisper. Curled around her, he felt everything: the rise and fall of her shallow breaths, the heat of her flushed body, the circling of her hips while she rutted against the sheets. In his arms, she alternated between relaxed and tense, eagerly accepting his touch.

  Not to leave her wanting, he teased her neck and shoulders with kisses, inhaling her sweet fragrance. His fingertips roved over her with purpose, caressing her hardened nipples, then tugging on the ribbon between them. The bodice fell open as the straps slid down her shoulders. She moaned and shrugged the lace off, lips still around Mayr's cock. Laughing quietly, Tash tossed the bodice to the floor, pleased to find Mayr watching.

  Tash glided one hand over Arieve's shoulder and stopped, his gaze locked on Mayr's. It was his turn to ask for permission, to seek Mayr's approval as he often did. Betrothed or not, one hasty choice could ruin what they had.

  In silent reply, Mayr covered Tash's hand with his own and interlaced their fingers. A smile graced Mayr's lips before he groaned and clutched Arieve's head. He favoured his bottom lip as his hips rocked faster. Time was short: Tash needed to stall Mayr's impending climax.

  Tash held Arieve tight and kissed a path down her arm. Hands cupped beneath her breasts, he pinched and rubbed her nipples, alternating rough touch with feather-light caress. She squirmed, responding to him with shivers and gasps. Without hesitation, he slid his hand between her legs. He teased her mercilessly, capturing her swollen clit and soaking his fingers in the milky rush of her release.

  Arieve cried out and pulled off of Mayr. The back of her head slammed into Tash's shoulder. She whimpered and spread her legs while he stroked her, his touch sliding over her moist folds. He slipped one finger into her with ease, joined by a second.

  "Yes." Arieve nuzzled his cheek, panting and riding his fingers. "Please, yes. Don't stop. Don't…" As her voice trailed, he squeezed her clit. Her whimper became a whine.

  "You're ready, both of you," Tash whispered. He tugged on her skirt. "If you want him, now is the time. Give him everything."

  With his help, she wiggled out of the garment and kicked the sheets down the bed. Arieve took his hand as she lay back against the pillows. "I'm ready if you are," she murmured, reaching for Mayr.

  Mayr was on the bed by the time she finished. "We all are," he answered. Their mouths crashed together as he lowered his body to hers, aligning himself between her legs and pushing. They both groaned while he slid into her and rolled his hips. The scent of sex filled the air, wet sounds echoing the pace of Mayr thrusts. Arieve cried out and yanked Mayr's head back by his hair. Her other hand clung to Tash's arm, her nails digging into his bracer.

  From where he kneeled, Tash caressed Arieve, his fingers creeping across her waist to where her body met Mayr's. Both of them mewled at his touch, but pressed against his hand as he drew back slowly.

  Far from finished, he faced Mayr and bent forward. His lips caught Mayr's hip in an upstroke and followed him down. Nipping and kissing, Tash worked his way up Mayr's hipbone, one hand massaging the inside of Arieve's thigh. Along the expanse of Mayr's ribs, he sucked on the thin skin, biting once. Mayr shuddered and leaned away from Arieve, grunting before he curled his arm around Tash's neck and guided him back until they both were upright. Arieve followed the movement, her hips angled to keep Mayr inside. Lost in the heated kiss Mayr tore from him, Tash heard Arieve's murmured encouragement.

  He returned that encouragement the instant Mayr's mouth left his: cupping Arieve with one hand, Tash teased Mayr's cock and toyed with Arieve's damp curls. She struggled with words, breathless while his touch flitted over her stretched opening. Once he spread the folds around her swollen clit with his fingers and thumb, she was his, right where he wanted her. Splayed as wide as her body allowed, with Mayr still inside, she was completely vulnerable, choking on the fight to stay in control.

  Sucking her clit between his teeth, Tash stole every bit of control she had left.

  Arieve screamed, bucking into his mouth and slamming down on Mayr's cock. In a battle for mercy, Tash wrenched surrender with every lick, focused on her rocking and Mayr's thrusts.

  Neither of them lasted long. Arieve's cry sounded first. Moments later, Mayr yelled for Tash to stop. The release of both graced Tash's tongue, their musky, salty come seeping from Arieve in a heady rush. As Mayr pulled out, the warmth gushed and pooled. The familiar taste of Mayr mixed with Arieve's scent overpowered Tash's other senses.

  A strong hand jerked him back by the jaws.

  "Come here," Mayr commanded hoarsely. He took Tash's mouth with a forceful kiss and licked release from Tash's lips. "We're not done until you come." With his thumb, Mayr rubbed pre-release over the flared crown of Tash's cock, his grip rough as he tugged and twisted. Tortuous pleasure shot through Tash, need threatening to crush him. "Don't think I didn't notice what you did. Don't care how considerate you are. You're in this too."

  "Let me in you and we'll call it even." Tash grabbed Mayr's shoulders and rolled with him. Straddling Mayr's hips, Tash pinned him to the other side of the bed.

  Mayr snatched a vial from the bedside table. "It had damn well be hard but whatever. I don't care." He poured oil into his hand and Tash's, then stopped the vial and fumbled in his attempts to put it back on the table. "Do it," he demanded, slathering oil over Tash's cock.

  Tash snorted as he kneeled between Mayr's raised knees. "As if you command me." He rubbed the oil over Mayr's entrance. "I think this is going—" Tash drove two fingers into Mayr "—to your head."

  Hips lifting, Mayr threw his head back and gripped the black pillow beneath his neck. "No, this is definitely going to yours."

  Tash pushed in another finger. Mayr cursed, his back bowed with the flick of Tash's wrist. After three sharp thrusts, he withdrew his fingers and teased Mayr's opening with his leaking cock, taking pleasure in the exasperated glare it earned.

  He slammed into Mayr without warning, killing that glare with pride.

  Mayr hollered and pitched the pillow over Tash's head. Beside them, Arieve laughed quietly.

  Propped up on locked arms, his hands on either side of Mayr's head, Tash sank deeper. Mayr rose to meet him, his crossed legs climbing up Tash's back, knees drawn close to his chest. The shimmer of love that glazed Mayr's eyes lured Tash in for a soulful kiss. He was lucky to be privy to the roots of Mayr's being, keeper of his secrets, and a witness to the rawness of his spirit. In that moment, he felt as if he held Mayr's heart in his hands, freshly ripped from his chest for Tash to keep safe.

  A caress trailed down Tash's back, jolting him from his thoughts. A kiss brushed the back of his hand, an unspoken reminder that Arieve was not competition or someone to fear. They wanted the same thing.

  Tash thrust into Mayr until need teetered on the brink. His insides burned, ready to burst, and his skin felt too tight, rubbing in all the right ways until it was wron
g. In the precarious moments before release slammed through him, he withdrew and sat back on his heels. He grabbed Arieve's hands, pulled her into his lap, and slid into her, catching her as she arched back and took him to the hilt. She whimpered and clutched him tight, riding him gently, his cock buried in her wet heat.

  His climax came with a blast of darkness and a rumbling cry. Arms wrapped around him, safeguarding him while he surrendered. On his way down, he realized Mayr held him and Arieve both.

  "You all right?" Arieve asked.

  Tash swallowed, at a loss for words. "Yes. You?"

  She shifted, releasing a trail of come down his thighs. "Absolutely." Arieve kissed him softly, her mouth slow to leave his before she leaned back to kiss Mayr. "Now what?"

  "Now I rest my ass and everything else you two attacked." Mayr stuck out his tongue as he lay back and interlaced his fingers behind his head. "Only fair."

  Arieve laughed. "Since when?" She withdrew from Tash to lie beside Mayr on his right side, close to the edge of the bed.

  "Since I somehow ended up in the middle," Mayr answered, glaring at Tash.

  "Don't expect an apology," Tash said, stretched out along Mayr's left side. "I'm not sorry."

  Mayr protested noisily and gestured to their bodies. "See what I mean? Look at this!"

  "Oh, stop your whinging." Arieve slapped Mayr's shoulder then kissed it. "Otherwise we might play without you."

  "Not fair." Mayr pouted. "What happened to 'your bed, your choice?' I happen to come with the bed, thanks."

  Arieve buried her face in his shoulder and laughed, the mattress quivering with her. "That's just too easy. Please tell me the after-sex jokes get better." She peered hopefully at Tash.

  Tash shook his head. "There's plenty more, and they're worse."

  "Hey, still lying here!" Mayr gave Tash a light shove. "And you like my bad jokes. You do me harder every time. Get over yourself, you stubborn, lovemaking… whatever you are." His lips met Tash's in a tender kiss, stealing what little breath he had regained.