by Shayla Black
“I will,” Brenna vowed. “Thank you for being so sensitive.”
“That’s Saint Cam. While we’re being all honest with our feelings and shit,” Thorn began, “I have a request too. You’re naked,” he said to Brenna. “Whenever and wherever I want you, you’re naked and ready. Is that clear?”
Her heart jumped, and Brenna felt her breath tremble accordingly. Cameron didn’t miss a single thing, with his gaze wrapped all over her. Was he looking for her acceptance? Her weaknesses? He studied her so intently… Wondering how a grown woman could make it to twenty-six years old without so much as a single contraction of her womb, no doubt. God, what a wretchedly embarrassing feeling.
“I’m not a bimbo who will pretend to come to preserve your precious ego. Do not treat me like a piece of ass. I won’t be one for you or anyone.”
Thorn hesitated then looked her over thoroughly. The man had eyes. No doubt, he was seeing the tears on her face, the vulnerability in her expression she knew was there and couldn’t hide.
“Okay,” he said, his voice surprisingly gentle. “But I want you naked.”
“Fine,” she relented.
“It’s settled,” Cameron cut in. “Brenna, you’ll be naked or mostly so. Thorn will not behave like an asshole. At least beyond what’s natural and can’t be helped.”
“Funny.” Thorn rolled his eyes.
“Now what?” Brenna asked breathlessly.
Her heart was beating…beating. Was she really going to do this? In a word, yes. She had no reason not to, other than the fact they were relative strangers. But they were also attractive, knew about her problem and didn’t think she was a freak—a huge plus. She knew from their occupations and the instinct in her gut that they wouldn’t hurt her. And they had aroused her more than any other men in her life. Honestly, if she wanted to figure out the key to having a normal sex life, it just wasn’t going to get much better than this.
“I have an idea, if you’ll give it a chance,” Cam said.
She shrugged. “I don’t have any ideas of my own.”
“I have to be honest. Whatever happens, we need information about Curtis by sunrise. I can’t let all those victims and their families down. I just can’t.”
And she supposed Thorn had ponied up a pretty penny to get Curtis out of jail. No doubt, he wanted it back.
“Of course.” She took a deep breath and tried to shoot them a chipper smile.
Inside, she felt anything but. What if this, like everything else, failed? She’d tried every technique, sex toy, fantasy, erotic book. She’d even gone to Dallas and hired an “escort” once. Nothing. If all that stuff designed for good sex had failed, why would a detective and a bail bondsman succeed?
“Whatever is running through your head, stop now,” Cameron advised, his tone a gentle command. “You’re sabotaging yourself before we’ve even started.”
He was right. She had to put all the worries about being defective and the doubts about this plan out of her mind. She couldn’t dwell on tomorrow. Right now was much more crucial.
“What’s your idea?”
“Thorn will arouse you—at my direction. I’ll be watching to see what pleases you, what makes you tense. What makes you melt with pleasure and what makes you freeze. I’ll adjust him accordingly.”
“Dude,” Thorn directed at Cam, who looked braced for an argument. Instead, the bounty hunter clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s a sweet idea. I get all the fun, and you merely get to think about it.” He turned to her, and Brenna found herself falling into blue eyes that were suddenly and surprisingly alive. “All the women call him ‘patient’ and ‘perceptive.’ If anyone will figure out how to make this work, it’s Cam.”
Thorn’s little speech, odd as it was, worked. It wasn’t a stretch to see Cam as patient and perceptive. Maybe with his thoughts on the task and Thorn’s fingers—or whatever else—doing the walking, that miraculous big “O” would finally happen for her.
“O-okay.”
“Good. Thorn, kiss her. Like you mean it. Like you never want to stop.”
“That’s not hard. I didn’t want to stop earlier.”
Brenna blushed as Thorn stalked toward the bed and lowered himself on the opposite side. He crawled across the mattress, then over her, forcing her back against the cool sheet. He hovered above her like a conquering predator, ruthless smile and all.
He both scared and excited her. She’d never known that feeling before Thorn, but she already knew the achy, panicky feeling wasn’t going to be conducive to relaxation and sexual satisfaction.
“Wait,” she breathed.
Above her, Thorn’s smile fell. How many times had she seen confusion or disappointment on a man’s face? Too many, and to know she might only be repeating the pattern… Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.
“What is it?” Cameron asked.
She faced him with fresh tears in her eyes. “This isn’t going to work. Never mind. I’ll tell you what I know about Curtis. It’s very little and I doubt it will help but—”
“Why do you think this won’t work?”
Sighing, Brenna stared at Cameron, hyperaware of Thorn braced over her. “Did you hear me? I’ll tell you what I know.”
“I know you will. But I won’t just abandon you. You’re willing to give us something we need. We’re willing to give you the same.”
They wouldn’t abandon her. Or rather Cameron wouldn’t. But a glance at Thorn’s face said he was on Cam’s bandwagon. The smile was gone, replaced by…concern? Not exactly. Pity? Maybe, and that shamed her. But still, his face said something else she couldn’t pinpoint.
“Yeah,” he murmured. “I might bitch and moan about the fact we’re not fucking yet, but I’m not going to just leave you like this. You’re stuck with me, Brenna.”
So Thorn did know her name…
But why were they being so insistent about helping her? “Guys, I’m not a good lay.”
“Let us be the judge. You tell me what was stopping you before Thorn kissed you and we’ll deal with it.”
Brenna closed her eyes. Here she wanted to change her life, but she was too afraid. She was going to have to choose. Doing the same old things was going to get her the same old results. Ignoring it, masturbating, buying sex toys, living a fantasy life—none of that was going to get her where she wanted to go.
Maybe brutal honesty would.
She swallowed. “Thorn, the way you smiled at me just before you were going to kiss me. It was like a…pirate.”
Total confusion crossed his chiseled face. “Pirate? Like…grrr, mateys?”
“I’m saying it wrong. I felt like something you wanted to plunder purely for your own pleasure, not like something that meant anything to you. I don’t expect to mean anything to you after an hour, it’s just…I can’t relax if I’m feeling like I’ll be used and left.”
“We’re not leaving,” Cameron assured.
Thorn sat back on his haunches. “Too strong, huh? I guess I only know about the type of female who likes to put out and get cock in return. We never have expectations between us. I’m not sure how else to act.”
Brenna sat up, never taking her eyes off Thorn. That was the most he’d ever said to her—and the most honest. And it had pained him to say it.
“You never stay past morning?”
He scoffed. “I never stay until morning. But if that’s what you need, I will.”
“Because you feel sorry for me?” Oh god, if he did, someone open a huge hole in the floor and let her crawl inside.
“I do but that’s not why. The last hour or so have proved to me that you’re not Lawton’s fuck. He couldn’t catch a woman this…real. Hell, I never have.” Thorn heaved a sigh. “As you said earlier, you’re not a bimbo. And I’m so out of my league. I’ll leave you to Cameron.”
Thorn rose to leave the bed. Brenna reached out and curled her hand around his biceps. It was like cradling living, breathing stone in her palm. Cameron grabbed hi
s wrist.
“Stay,” they both said.
“I’m not suited to this kind of gig. She wants something emotional, man. You know that’s not me,” he said to Cameron.
Cam shrugged. “So it will be a first for all of us. Brenna is going to have an orgasm and you’re going to get in touch with your sensitive side.”
“You’re assuming I have one.”
“Underneath all that badass? I think you do.”
“I won’t think you’re less macho if I see it,” Brenna promised.
“What’s your first in all this?” Thorn asked Cameron.
“I’ve never watched people have sex or had anyone watch me have it.”
“It can be one hell of a kick.” Thorn flashed him a grin.
“Figures you’d know. I can’t have that experience if you leave.”
“You’re going to pin this shit on me?”
“Yep.” Cam nodded.
“You know that’s unfair.”
Cam shrugged. “It doesn’t change a damn thing.”
“Fuck,” Thorn whispered. “This is getting awfully touchy-feely.”
Cameron slanted him a calculating glance. “You really going to walk away from the chance to be with Brenna? Look at her.”
Three words, and she was acutely self-conscious of her nudity under the golden glow of the lamp. Both men turned their gazes to her, and she felt their stares crawl up her legs, caress her belly, linger on her breasts. She got wet all over again, even as she brought her hands and knees up to cover herself.
Without exchanging a word, Thorn grabbed her wrist and leg on one side of her body. Cameron took hold of the other.
“No hiding,” Cam whispered. “Please.”
“You said naked and available,” Thorn reminded. “If I’m going to endure Dr. Phil Frankenstein here,” he nodded at Cam, “throw me a bone.”
She had given him her word. But this was all just so weird.
“Let’s start with a kiss,” the detective suggested. “Nothing big, no pressure. You like to kiss?”
“I love it,” she admitted.
“Good. If you don’t want more after that, we’ll talk about it,”
“But it wasn’t working when Thorn tried. I froze up.”
“All I have for my effort is blue balls,” Thorn groused.
“Do you want me to try?” Cam offered.
“Why the hell not, Boy Scout? Show me how it’s done.”
She shot Thorn a glare then turned to Cameron. “Please.”
Leaning closer, Cam scooted beside her. Caressing her face, he tucked her silky hair behind her ear. “Stop me if you need.”
Brenna nodded, until Cameron took hold of the back of her neck. Gently, but she felt his fingers there all the same. A zip and sizzle made their way across her skin, down her spine.
“You’re shaking,” he whispered.
“You get to me,” she admitted.
“That’s what I like to hear.”
Slowly, Cameron leaned in. Brenna hesitated, then began to meet him. He watched her all the way with those expressive eyes. His chiseled cheekbones looked exotic rather than harsh. And his mouth…tender and capable of granting the sweetest pleasure.
In that moment, she yearned for everything else possible from him.
Finally, his lips brushed hers, a barely-there thing, but electric just the same. She felt the impact of his gentleness in every corner of her body. Then he eased away.
Brenna pursued, crushing her mouth against his. On her neck, his fingers tightened. He slanted his head again, finding the perfect angle until their lips fit together naturally, as if they were made that way, halves of the same whole. She sighed, and he pressed to her, tangling her top lip between his then shifting to the bottom. Another brush of lips, followed by a lingering kiss on her jaw, her neck, and she moaned.
He moved in for the kill then, urging her willing lips apart with his own. Plunging deep inside, he took her by storm. The male tang of him tantalized her tongue. The sensual dance of their mouths mesmerized her. Deep and seemingly endless, the kiss intoxicated. Brenna wanted to melt against him and beg him to do it forever.
Cameron pulled back, and with a last soft press of lips, disengaged. “What you had in mind?”
God, she still felt drunk off him. Her lashes fluttered open, and she touched a hand to her tingling lips. “Yes.”
“Fuck, that was hot,” Thorn whispered. “You didn’t do anything but kiss her.”
Shaking his head, he slanted a glance at the bounty hunter. “A kiss isn’t always a prelude to getting down and dirty. Sometimes, it just…is, all on its own.”
He’d said that perfectly. Brenna sighed and sidled up to Cameron. Maybe she could persuade him to do it again.
“Holy shit. I never tried that route. I thought it was just for chick flicks and Hallmark cards.”
Thorn hesitated, looked between Cameron and her, then settled on her face. Her mouth. Their gazes connected with a bam, like an earthquake rattled through her. She wasn’t sure she liked or trusted him. What was it about him that kept her responding?
“I wanna kiss you again.”
Brenna knew just from the way he said the words that there’d be no more modern pirate chasing his booty call.
Suddenly, she was intensely curious to see what Thorn was like under all that macho bluster. “Okay.”
Cameron’s hand had settled gently behind her neck, acting as both support and guide. Thorn thrust his fingers into her hair until he cradled the crown in his palm. Instead of sitting beside her and meeting her face to face, he rose up over her, tilted her head back, raising her lips up to his. His other hand cupped her jaw. And still, he never took his eyes off her.
Thorn hesitated, thumb caressing her cheek. “I want to do this right.”
“You’re doing good so far,” she assured, anticipation making her voice high and thin.
He bent down, leaned in, keeping her stare as he drew closer…closer. Finally, he closed his eyes, then touched his lips to hers. Soft. There, but not dominating like before.
For a long moment, he didn’t move, didn’t seek to deepen the kiss. Didn’t do anything.
Except begin to shake.
She felt the tremor against her lips first. Tentatively, Brenna touched his shoulder. He shook there too. His abs rippled under her fingers, as well. Raising her hand from his shoulder to his back, she realized he was trembling all over.
Brenna moved to retreat, but Thorn fisted his hand in her hair and plunged into her mouth. But it wasn’t cocky authority she tasted in his kiss this time. It was desperation.
It shocked her from head to toe. She gripped him tighter and opened to him. Immediately, she tasted need. He needed her?
At the moment, the reasons why didn’t matter.
She rose up on her knees and met his reckless onslaught. Thorn grabbed her tighter in greedy acceptance, pulling her body against his. Though Brenna hadn’t thought it possible, he deepened the kiss. Fast, a whirl of taste and touch, he swept through her mouth. Desire, heavy and warm, flashed in her belly. The ache Cameron had kindled to life swelled into a full-fledged burn.
Clutching him, Brenna moaned.
Beside them, Cameron rose, closed in, touched her arm. Was he concerned for her?
Or aroused by the sight of them?
If he noticed Cameron, Thorn ignored him, lowering the hand at her jaw to her shoulder, then down to cover her breast. His touch was firm but not harsh, and his fingers on her skin created electric tingles that shimmied through her body, awakening nerves she hadn’t known she possessed.
Again, his mouth claimed hers, one hot stroke of his tongue after another, and Brenna fell into the taste of him, the heat of his touch. It was a delicious drowning, and it might kill her. Right now, she didn’t care—as long as Thorn kept heaping the sensations on her.
And still, she felt Cameron’s hand, now on her shoulder, acutely, burning her skin with the heat of his palms. The longer he lingered
, the more she swore she could feel his desire.
Between the two of them, she was on fire.
Then Thorn took her nipple between his thumb and forefinger—and pinched.
“Ouch!” She pulled away from Thorn with an accusing stare.
“What the…?” He looked her over, his laser-blue gaze zeroing in on her breasts. “Oh, hell. You’re sore. I forgot.”
“You can’t just pinch her,” Cameron pointed out. “Don’t squeeze her like your fingers are a pair of pliers.”
“I didn’t,” Thorn defended. “That was you, and she’s been sore ever since.”
“Really?” Cameron turned to her.
Brenna nodded. “I’m fine. Just a little sensitive.”
“I’m sorry,” Cameron murmured. “I had to know about you and Curtis…”
He didn’t finish the sentence but palmed her breast, caressing her nipple with a gentle thumb. Already hard, her nipple now stood up straight for him. His touch burned clear to her belly…and lower.
Thorn moaned, still kneeling inches from her, his hand wrapped around her neck, the other at her hip, anchoring her close to him. And, with burning hot eyes, he was watching Cameron touch her, soothing her with a slow, repentant caress.
With an audible swallow, Thorn demanded, “Kiss it and make it better.”
Cameron’s eyes flashed up to Thorn. Neither said anything for long moments. Did she want them both touching her at the same time? Would they?
God knew she’d never been more aroused in her life than she was now. Even the thought of having both men’s hands on her was broiling her insides.
Something passed between the men, a look. An understanding?
Then Cameron turned his dark stare to her. It was a question, a silent one. He wouldn’t proceed without some sign from her.
And somehow Brenna knew that speaking now would shatter the fragile situation. One wrong word or move, and someone would leave. Besides, what could she say that her body couldn’t say for her?
Brenna arched into Cameron’s hand and closed her eyes.
A moment later, warm lips pressed to the side of her breast. A soft brush of lips, a caress. Then he pursed his lips around her nipple. His soft tongue stroked her a moment later. And her head spun with amazing sensation. Desire flared hot in her belly, streaking fire through her, then centered lower, under her clit. She was burning up from the inside and she loved it. A moan slipped past her lips.
