by Becca Van
“I would like to introduce our bond mate, Jessamine Flanagan,” Hakon stated.
The cheers and whistles which followed his statement were deafening. Hakon began again once the men quieted, and Jess listened intently.
“We were lucky enough to find her on the space transport that was in trouble. We have decided to stop our pirating for a few months. I know many of you are still without bond mates and that some of you have been lucky enough to meet them on our raids for cargo, and for that, I am sorry. But if we keep raiding, the Earth people will not travel, and then none of you will find your mates. My brothers and I have decreed to wait four months before we will allow raiding to begin again. By then the stratosphere messages advising of our raiding will have ceased. I am sorry to give you this bad news. I know how hard it is to not have a bond mate, as do my brothers. But in the long run, we will have more females to meet and the chance to woo them into our hearts and beds. Now it is time for celebration. Bring the feasting food, and let the celebrations begin.”
Jess watched as young men, boys really, brought in platter after platter of strange-looking food. The tables were ladened with it. She had never seen so much food in her life, but then she had never seen so many men in one room either. She was conscious of the stares in her direction and began to squirm and fidget. She wrung her fingers together, her body beginning to shake. She had never been a confident person, and to be up in front of the staring Norland men and her traveling companions from Earth was rather disconcerting.
“Breathe, Jess. Take deep breaths and let them out slowly,” Hakon said, placing a hand on her back between her shoulders.
Jess wriggled in her seat, trying to dislodge Hakon’s comforting touch. She didn’t want to be comforted. She didn’t want to eat. She didn’t even want to be here up in front of everyone. She wanted to be with the others. Her breath rasped out of her constricted throat, and her skin was covered in a sheen of perspiration. Her heart was jumping and pounding rapidly in her chest. Maybe she was dying. She felt as if she was having a heart attack. Then two more hands were on her body. Dagr had placed his hand on her thigh, and Loki had reached over to take her hand in his.
The panic began to recede. Her breathing slowed, as did her heartbeat, and her body began to relax. She felt too languid now. She was in danger of falling asleep. Her eyelids were heavy, her muscles lax. Loki gave her a smile and withdrew his hand. Jess felt the sleepiness leaving her. She was on her feet before they could stop her.
“What did you do to me?” Jess asked suspiciously.
“Sit down,” Dagr said, taking her hand in his and tugging her back into her seat. “We were only trying to calm your panic, and we succeeded. Why would that bother you?”
“Why? Why? What else have you been doing to control me? How is that even possible?”
“We are empathic, Jessamine. And we have the skills to calm hysterical women,” Hakon told her.
“Do you mean to tell me your powers, whatever they are, only work on women? That’s not fair,” Jess wailed.
“That’s not what I said. You are making a spectacle of yourself, Jess. Now, if you have any questions, we will answer them, but do not yell them at us. You would do well to learn to have a bit of respect for your bond mates,” Dagr stated firmly.
“Well, excuse me. Of course I’m going to be happy with the men who brought me to a strange planet, claiming I am their mate,” Jess said petulantly. “What’s empathic mean?”
“Being an empath means we can feel everything you are feeling. We have the ability to calm you if we deem it necessary,” Hakon replied.
“You can feel everything? You mean when I’m scared, you feel it?” Jess asked incredulously.
“Yes,” Loki answered, leaning toward her so she could hear him. “We also feel when you are aroused.”
“Shit,” Jess screeched, standing again, and then struggled against the men’s hands when she was pulled back down to her seat.
“You cannot escape what you feel for us, little one, so don’t even bother trying,” Hakon said with a gentle smile.
Jess felt tears of frustration prick the back of her eyes. What the hell had she gotten herself into? All she ever wanted was to have one decent vacation. Look where that had gotten her. She blinked rapidly, determined not to let her tears fall. She sat with her head lowered, her eyes on the white, brocaded tablecloth. At least you’re alive, Jess. Oh God. What am I going to do? How can I want them to touch me and love me when I don’t even know them?
Jess flinched when Dagr reached for her plate, and she watched with dismay as he began to load it with food. There was no way in hell she was going to eat it. She had no idea if it was even safe to eat. Her stomach growled loud enough for Hakon and Dagr to hear, because they turned to her and gave her a smile. She felt her cheeks heat and knew they were tinged red with embarrassment. She looked down at the plate Dagr placed in front of her, studying the food. The smells were tantalizing her nostrils as she inhaled. Her mouth began to salivate, her body preparing to consume the fuel it needed. Jess gave a mental shrug. If she was going to keep them at arm’s length, she would need to keep her strength up.
She picked up the shiny prong-like utensil, obviously their imitation of a fork, and stabbed a purple rose-looking piece. She lifted it to her nose, sniffed delicately, and placed the small morsel in her mouth. Ambrosia. That was the only word which came to mind. She sniffed at the next morsel as she chewed, only vaguely aware of the moans she made as she ate. She placed piece after piece of food in her mouth, totally oblivious to her surroundings. She ate until she was satisfied—only a quarter of the food gone from her plate—placed the fork on her plate, wiped her mouth with the napkin, and sat back, totally sated.
Jess lifted her eyes to see the three Sigmund brothers staring at her. She shifted in her seat, uncomfortable with the attention, raised her chin, gave each of them a glare, and said, “What?”
She sighed when none of them answered her. They just gave her smiles and shrugs then concentrated on their own food.
Chapter Four
Jess followed behind Loki as he led the way back through the long corridors, Hakon and Dagr on either side of her. The feasting had gone on for hours and Jess was so tired, she knew she would fall asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. But what she wanted most of all was to have a shower. She felt grungy, and she would kill for a change of clothes. She lifted her arm and sniffed. She wasn’t too bad, but she definitely needed to clean up.
She stopped when Loki came to a halt outside a pair of large, ornate double doors. The pattern of runes on the door was so beautiful she couldn’t prevent herself from moving closer and reaching out to trace the indentations. She looked so far up and got a crick in her neck to see Loki smiling down at her.
“Did you do this, too?” Jess asked.
“No, I did not. These were done by the ancient elders long passed from this realm,” Loki replied.
Jess reached out and took Loki’s hand in hers. “You do beautiful work, Loki. The statue in the garden is exquisite. I am beyond words on how to describe how it made me feel, to see it, and know you were the one to create such beauty.”
“Thank you, Jessamine. I am pleased you like it,” Loki said, his smile lighting up his face.
Jess moved back as Loki opened the doors to the bedchamber and bowed low, sweeping his arm out, indicating she should enter. Jess stepped through the door and walked over to the other side of the room, to stand staring out at the garden through the open doors. She knew the three brothers were in the room with her, but was determined to ignore them. Little good that did her.
“Jessamine, please come. We will show you where we have clothes waiting for you,” Dagr said from close behind her. “We know you wish to bathe and change clothing.”
Jess turned and stumbled when her nose connected with Dagr’s chest. She would have fallen and was grateful when he reached out to steady her. Dagr slid his hand down her forearms and took both her hands in his.
He led her over to a wall on the left side of the huge bed then pushed a clear button, and Jess gasped as the whole wall slid away to reveal a large closet. The closet was full of clothes. There was row upon row of men’s clothing, and a quarter of the space was filled with an array of brightly colored cloth.
“This is your clothing,” Dagr stated with a sweep of his hand. “You may choose anything you wish to wear. The rest, of course, is ours.”
“Yours? This is your room? You share a room, a bed? Gross,” Jess said in shock, and then lightning struck. “I am to share a room and a bed with you?”
“Yes. You are, little Jess. You are our bond mate, and we have need to have you at our side. We do not want to be separated from you. We will not touch you unless you wish it,” Hakon said in a gentle voice. “Choose what you wish to wear and we will show you the bathing room. We know you have already found the commode room. If you had investigated further, like we thought you would, you could have bathed and changed clothing before now and felt more comfortable. I do not wish you to feel anything but happy with us.”
“Well, excuse me. My brain has been fried from finding myself in this predicament. I’m on a strange planet. You would be hesitant if you found yourself in my position,” Jess stated sarcastically. “No, maybe you wouldn’t.”
“Choose,” Hakon breathed into Jess’s ear.
Jess didn’t bother looking through the clothes. She just grabbed at a gold piece of cloth and hugged it to her chest. She didn’t want to study the outfit. She didn’t want them to think she cared what covered her body and how she looked, by taking her time over choosing. She didn’t want them to think she was trying to please them by what she chose to wear. Dagr reached out and took the material from her, turned, and headed across to the other side of the room.
“Follow me,” Dagr threw over his shoulder.
Jess sighed with resignation and followed. She watched as he pushed another clear button and the wall receded, seeming to slide within itself. The room revealed was an oasis of paradise. There were many colorful plants around the steamy room, emitting floral scents. She found a large shower cubicle tucked away in the corner of the room and wondered why the bathroom was so elaborate and just outside of the shower was a large bench big enough to seat five people.
Jess turned to see Dagr place the gold material she had chosen onto a high platform near the bench and then turn toward her. “Remove your clothes.”
“What? You want me to get naked and watch while I bathe?”
“We want to be able to take care of you, Jessamine. We wish to help you bathe. You are our mate. You have nothing to be embarrassed about,” Hakon breathed in her ear.
Jess jumped and spun around since she hadn’t been aware of Hakon’s presence. She was nervous about revealing her body to these three men. She knew she wasn’t built like the other women of her planet who had had their DNA changed. The three brothers all moved like great cats, light and silent on their large feet.
“But I can do it myself,” Jess replied nervously and took a step away from Hakon. “I am quite capable of washing without any help.”
“Jessamine, you have no need to be ashamed of your body. You are perfect. You were made for us,” Loki said, his heated stare traveling the length of her body.
“Um,” Jess squeaked as her back slammed into another warm, hard, immovable object. She tilted her head back to see Dagr standing over her, his front plastered to her back, and he had a feral smile on his face.
Jess didn’t think. She leaned against Dagr, her body softening with need. She sobbed with surprise when she was lifted from her feet. She was panting with arousal by the time Dagr had her back to the outside wall of the shower cubicle. He clasped her wrists in one large hand, pulled them up above her head, and wrapped a muscular arm around her waist. She wanted their touch on her body, but she was nervous about them seeing her naked with all her flaws exposed.
“You have nothing to fear from us, little one. Why do you do this to yourself? Why do you torture yourself with needless worry? I can feel your anxiety. Have we not told you time and again, you are safe with us?” Hakon asked as he moved toward her.
“Well, you can tell me as many times as you like, but I don’t know you. Shit, how can you expect me to trust you? How can you make me feel the way I do? I have never wanted the touch of one man before, let alone three.”
“I don’t like it when you use profanities. It is most unbecoming of your station,” Hakon stated, taking the last couple of steps, then reached for her.
Jess gasped as Hakon took the material of her shirt between his two hands and ripped it from top to bottom. She looked up and swallowed loudly when she saw the carnal heat in his eyes as he stared at her lace-covered breasts. She couldn’t believe he had just ripped her top. Her pussy leaked more cream at such a dominant display.
“You will not use profanities anymore. You are our mate and as such have a position to uphold. We are the rulers of this southern realm of Norland, and as such, this makes you a leader as well. If I catch such filth coming out of your mouth again, you will be punished,” Hakon warned then ripped her bra from her chest.
In moments, Jess stood before them totally naked except for her boots. She saw Loki bend down and felt him removing her boots. She tried to stay still for him, but she couldn’t stop herself from wriggling with need. She heard him chuckle, and he held her ankle in his hand, not seeming to notice her movements.
“You are exquisite, mate. You were made to accept our bodies, yet you are still so lush and delicate. We will not need to be so gentle with you,” Dagr whispered from above her, still restraining her hands and arms.
Jess couldn’t contain the shiver working up her spine as Dagr’s hot, moist breath caressed her ear. She accidentally stood on his toe and shuddered and squirmed some more when he chuckled, which only seemed to make him laugh harder. Dagr lowered her arms to her sides and wrapped an enormous arm around her waist, effectively pinning her arms against her body and maneuvered between her and the shower wall. He used his free hand to lift her head so she was looking at Hakon and Loki. It seemed they had been waiting for her, because once her eyes were on them, they began to disrobe.
Their muscles rippling as they both removed their black leather vests made her breathing increase. They were so hot, so sexy, and so buff, Jess couldn’t help but respond to the sight. Her clit began to throb, her pussy clenched, and her nipples puckered. They dropped their vests heedlessly to the floor and moved their hands to the fastenings on their pants. They moved in synchronized rhythm, which made Jess burn hotter, causing her to squeeze her thighs together to try and relieve the ache. She was so aroused her thighs were coated with her own juices.
“I can feel your arousal, baby. If you would only trust us, we could give you so much pleasure,” Dagr whispered.
Jess wanted him and his brothers to touch her, but she couldn’t find her voice. Her eyes were riveted to the hard, muscular bodies in front of her. Their hands made quick work of the fastenings on their pants, and she gasped with awe and apprehension as their pants dropped to their ankles. They were huge. Their hard cocks stood straight out from their bodies, too thick and heavy to stand up straight. She followed the hair from their groins up the trails on their lower abdomens, where it spread out over their pecs. Her eyes snapped lower when the two men grasped their massive appendages and began to stroke themselves. They ran the palms of their hands along the length of their hard shafts to the tip and back to the base again. They did this over and over, until pearls of clear fluid beaded out of the small slits in their cocks. Jess licked her dry lips, her eyes following their hands, not wanting to miss a beat. They were so sexy, standing there before her, so confident and proud.
Jess held her breath as Hakon moved toward her, his hand still stroking his cock. Her breath was coming in fast pants now, and she could do nothing to stop it. She let her eyes wander up his body, over his lower belly, his chest and shoulders, until her eyes met his. They pinne
d her where she stood, his glittering with unappeased arousal as he stared down into her gaze. Jess began to see stars and took a gasping breath of air, only just then realizing she’d been holding her breath. She watched, entranced, as he leaned toward her slowly, his lips coming closer and closer. She whimpered, only vaguely aware the noise had come from her, and licked her lips again.
And then his lips were on hers. Jess had never felt anything like it. Her lips were tingling as Hakon slid his flesh over hers. He was gentle, which surprised her. She expected him to be more forceful, more dominant. When she felt his tongue against her mouth, Jess could do nothing less than obey his command. She opened up to him, mewled in the back of her throat as his masculine flavor exploded on her taste buds, and craved more of his taste. She hissed into his mouth as her naked body came into contact with his, and couldn’t help but rub her aching breasts, her peaked nipples, over the hair on his belly and his warm skin. She was drowning in his touch, his taste, and knew she would never be able to get enough.
Jess whimpered when she felt Hakon’s hard cock pulsing against her stomach as he thrust his hips into her body. She wiggled around until his turgid flesh was trapped between them and moaned into his mouth again as his hard rod slid back and forth against her skin. She twirled her tongue around his, and he retreated and thrust again, the crown of his cock now massaging her throbbing clit. How he had managed that feat since there was so much difference in their height, she had no idea. She felt Dagr remove his arm from around her waist, releasing her arms from their restraining prison, and then both his hands were at her waist, and he was lifting her up into Hakon’s arms. She wrapped her arms around Hakon’s neck, clinging to him as she wrapped her legs around his waist.
She was on fire and needed to relieve the wanton ache of her pussy. She wriggled around until she felt Hakon’s stomach touching against her clit. She slid her hips up and down, massaging her clit on his warm flesh, her breath sobbing out of her lungs as she pulled her mouth away from his. She gulped in air, threw her head back, and screamed out her release. Her body shook as her pussy clenched and released, her juices flowing freely over Hakon’s stomach. When the last shudder subsided, she found herself wrapped around him, clinging to him, and buried her face against his neck. What the hell did I just do? Oh God. They weren’t going to let her keep her distance now, not after what she had just done.
