by Tara Rose
When she finished, she could tell Garrett and Javier were trying not to laugh. “What’s so damn funny? Everything I said is true.”
Garrett moved closer and pulled her into his arms. “Sweetheart, I know you’re upset. I would be, too. Both of us understand that. But none of that is going to happen.” He pulled away to look into her eyes. “Our great-grandfathers had children, our grandfathers had children, and our fathers had children. This generation will carry on as well, no matter what Zaire tells us.”
“But to come this close and then have all your hopes dashed. This has never happened before.”
“Yes, it has,” said Javier. “I’ve read Shona’s diary. There are stories about others trying to lift the curse. People who were convinced they knew what they were doing, too, just like Zaire. This won’t be the first disappointment for our families.”
“And no one is going to write your name in a book,” said Garrett.
“Zaire will tell everyone this story,” she said. “They’ll all know it was my fault.”
The two exchanged a glance she couldn’t interpret.
“Renata,” said Javier, “come on. Let’s take a ride. I think we all could use some fresh air and a long walk. It will help clear our heads.”
She knew they were right. On some level, everything they said made sense. And Javier had a good point. This weekend had started out with more changes than any of them had been prepared for. Fresh air would do her some good.
* * * *
It was a bit cool walking along the beach with Garrett and Javier, but very relaxing. They talked about work, caught up on local gossip, and then the conversation turned to the curse again. This time, Renata didn’t feel as certain that the entire island would end in ruins because of this. The sea air did help organize her thoughts, but she knew she’d never be able to simply blow this off like Garrett and Javier appeared to be doing.
She spent the night with them again, and Monday morning when Javier drove her home before the sun had risen, she kissed him like she never would again. “I can’t help wishing I lived with you two. Is that crazy to be thinking such a thing already?”
“Not at all. We’ve already discussed it.”
“What?”
“I know. It’s nuts. I agree. But this weekend felt like years to me, not merely days.”
“And even with everything that Graham, Leta, and Nando told us, you two still want to try this?”
He actually looked hurt, and Renata wasn’t sure what to make of that. “Did you think we were just going to fuck you and then say, ‘Hey, thanks for the weekend. See you around’?”
She shook her head, not sure how to respond.
“We aren’t like that. We never were.”
“I know. I remember.”
“We’re committed to giving this a try, and that means we want you with us all the time.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’ve had a few shocks in the past couple of days, although that isn’t an excuse.”
He pulled her close and held her. “I’m sorry, too. I didn’t mean to jump down your throat like that. I know this hasn’t been easy for you. It hasn’t been for any of us. But I mean what I say here. Garrett and I are going to stand by you. We’ve each waited a long time to be with you again, and we’re not going to let you get away a second time.”
Her heart fluttered at his words, and she lifted her face to stare into his eyes. “I feel the same way about both of you.”
“All right, then. It’s settled. No more talk about us not wanting to be with you.” He kissed her, and then he asked her if she wanted to ride to work with them as soon as she was ready.
“I’d love to.”
“Great. Is an hour and a half enough time?”
“Yes. I’ll be ready.” As Renata got ready for work, she thought about everything that had happened since Friday afternoon. Her entire life had changed in more than one way. But they were good changes. Or at least, Javier and Garrett were. She still wasn’t sure how this whole curse thing would turn out, but one thing was certain. Both men were not about to let anything happen to her, and they wouldn’t stand for anyone ruining her name, either.
Was it really this easy? All she’d had to do was go somewhere outside of work with both men. To realize they still held such strong feelings for her had been enough of a surprise. But the sex…and the play…she’d never expected that, or so soon. Renata hugged herself and twirled around, shouting her joy to the universe.
Everything would be all right. It had to be. The two men she’d never stopped thinking about or wishing she hadn’t left behind were back in her life, and they weren’t going to give her up. Nothing could hurt her now. Not even that blasted curse.
Chapter Eleven
The week passed by in a blur for Renata. The guys drove her to and from work each day, and when Javier could get away, they ate lunch together. On days he couldn’t, Garrett and Renata took their lunch to his office so they could at least see him for a few moments.
She moved into Javier’s house on Wednesday, and the guys discussed what she should do with her condo. She didn’t want to give them the impression she wasn’t as committed to this as they were, but felt she had to remind them that she’d only been back a couple of months. She’d signed a lease for a year, and the best option she could think of was to find someone to sublet it to.
Garrett reminded her that his aunt Carlee was a realtor and promised to talk to her and get her advice. Things were moving fast, but Renata was so caught up in being with them that she relaxed and went with the flow. It was easier than getting herself all worked up over things that might never happen, like she’d done about the curse.
She heard through the grapevine at work that Zaire had arrived Sunday evening on the island and was staying in the apartment above Phyllis’s shop with Phyllis and Petra. He’d already met with Alaina, and she’d received permission from the Durantes and Raleighs who owned clues to allow Zaire to examine all of them in person. He even had Shona’s diary.
Javier told them that everyone was being secretive about the whole thing. They were all tiptoeing around the sales department, whispering each time Alaina was within earshot. Finally, she and Mark had called a meeting and asked everyone to stop acting so weird. She’d told them that all the clues and the diary were safe, and that as soon as Zaire had anything to tell them, he would let Petra know. Petra would call her, and then they’d decide how best to get the word out to everyone else.
That news had made it easier for Renata to relax. She’d had visions of Zaire walking up and down the streets downtown with a bell, calling for her to come and throw herself on a funeral pyre in the center of town. She didn’t share those images with Garrett or Javier. She hadn’t wanted to worry them anymore than she’d done Sunday night.
Each night, they both made love to her but told her they were going to hold off on play until Friday. They were planning something special, and as many times as she begged them to give her just a hint or two, they refused. She’d fallen into this routine with them so easily that it felt as though she’d always been with them. All the years in Alabama faded away as if she’d never been off the island.
When Friday finally came, she knew they were going to Garrett’s house because she’d been told he had a dungeon in his basement. She hadn’t seen it yet and was just as excited about finally seeing a real dungeon as she was about whatever they had planned for her.
Garrett’s house wasn’t as high up as Javier’s, but it still commanded a gorgeous view of the town. After giving her a quick tour, they led her to the lower level and paused outside a door that would be more appropriate inside a medieval castle than a home built in the 1960s. She couldn’t wait to see what the inside of this dungeon looked like.
“Okay,” said Garrett, “here’s how this will work tonight. Once we’re inside there, we’re going to ask you to address us each as ‘Sir’ for the scene. I know we told you we should earn a title, but we want you to e
xperience this with all the trimmings. Are you comfortable doing that? Calling us by a title?”
Renata nearly came at the images racing through her head. “Oh, yes. Yes, Sir.”
“Good girl. Your safewords apply, of course, and we’re giving you a third one. Use green to let us know you like what we’re doing and everything is okay.”
“All right. I mean, yes, Sir.”
“Good girl,” said Javier. “Since you haven’t had any impact play all week, we’re going to do that tonight, in addition to some other things we’d like you to experience. There is a bathroom in there, and we have plenty of water as well as food. This is going to be long and intense, so it’s very important you keep letting us know if you need something.”
“I understand, Sir.”
Garrett used an actual skeleton key to unlock the door, and when it opened, the sound reminded her of a metal door in an old horror movie. If he was going for effect here, it had worked. “Once you’re inside this room, we want you on your knees. You may look at us, but you may not speak unless it’s to clarify something we asked you to do, or to safeword. Do you understand?”
His entire aura changed, just like that. Shivers ran down her spine at the dominance in his voice and in his eyes. Usually Javier looked and sounded like that, but to hear it from Garrett and to see that total alpha look on his face was enough to make her dizzy with need. “Yes, Sir. I understand.”
He reached in and flipped a light switch, then walked across the threshold. Javier followed, and then he motioned her inside. She crossed into the room, and her jaw dropped open. Then she remembered they wanted her kneeling, so she dropped to her knees, but her head swiveled back and forth like she was watching a tennis match. There was no way to take it all in.
Lights that had been designed to resemble lit torches dotted the walls. The ceiling was intricate, like the stamped kind found in some Victorian homes, but it was also black, so the actual design was difficult to make out. The room was carpeted except for the areas around the bondage equipment, where the flooring was parquet.
One entire wall had so many paddles, floggers, and other impact toys hanging from hooks that she couldn’t process it. Next to the hooks, an armoire was open with shelves of more toys, plus candles, lube, and condoms. There was an actual cage at one end of the room, benches lining three walls, and more equipment in the center.
But the piece that caught her eye was a bondage wheel, complete with cuffs for wrists and ankles, and a large pad in the center. She glanced up at Javier, who gave her such a molten look she swore her panties melted off. “That’s quite a contraption, isn’t it?”
She nodded. “Yes, Sir.”
He cut his gaze toward Garrett and raised his brows in a question.
“Sure,” said Garrett. “Why not? I hadn’t planned on starting there, but that will work.”
“Oh God…” As soon as she said it, she clamped a hand over her mouth. They’d told her not to speak except to clarify something or to safeword. “I’m sorry. That was two things, right off the bat.”
Both men laughed and Javier ruffled her hair. “It’s all right,” he said. “You answered my question so that one doesn’t count. And the ‘Oh God’ was more of a moan, and those are certainly allowed.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
Where had this overwhelming need to please them come from? She didn’t know, but she loved it. It made her feel like a real sub, and she hoped that in turn would make this night more fun for them.
Garrett held out his hands. “On your feet, subbie. And get ready for the ride of your life.”
How could she do anything but melt when he said something like that? She took his hands and rose, then followed him toward the wheel. Up close, she noticed how thin the metal looked, but obviously it had been made to support the weight of a person, so it must be safe. Did they sell this at Phoebe’s Playthings? She knew their product line but couldn’t even think right now.
Javier brought over a stepstool and placed it near the wheel, then let his gaze travel up and down her body. Renata trembled at the look in his eyes. “You’ll need to be naked.”
“Yes, Sir,” she whispered. She shed her clothes and shoes, which Garrett took and placed on a shelf against the wall, and then she stood waiting while both men gawked at her from head to toe.
“You really are stunning,” said Garrett.
“Truly beautiful,” said Javier. He held out his hand, and she took it then climbed on top of the stool. “We’ve got you. You won’t fall.”
Garrett turned the wheel so that it was flat, and then he told her to climb on. She hesitated for a second, but finally crawled on top of it. It was locked in place so it didn’t move, but she was a few feet off the ground and felt unsteady.
“It’s all right,” said Javier. “You’re safe.”
Renata lay against the large pad, and then the guys strapped her torso down.
“What color are you?” asked Garret.
“Green, Sir.” She’d be fine until they tilted it. They asked her to slip her feet into the cuffs near her ankles, and once she did, they secured them. Her feet touched pads at the bottom, and that made her feel a little better. At least she wouldn’t be totally suspended when this thing was upright. Then they asked her to raise her arms overhead and spread them. Once she did that, they fitted the wrist cuffs on her, and then they checked all the straps again.
“We’ll keep it flat for a bit,” said Javier, “and tilt it gradually.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
But when Garrett held up a blindfold, Renata almost safeworded. He must have seen the reservation in her eyes, because he asked her if she was all right. “Yes, Sir. Just a bit worried whether I’ll become dizzy when you move this thing.”
“We won’t let that happen. This is why your safewords will be very important tonight.”
“Okay. I mean, yes, Sir. I’m ready for the blindfold.”
As soon as he slipped it on and tied it, she felt her muscles relax, just as they had last Friday night. Had it really only been a week since they’d played at Javier’s house? How was that possible? She felt as though she’d been with both men for years. Then again, it wasn’t as if they were strangers. She literally had known them both her entire life.
She heard the click of a lighter and frowned. Then she heard one of them walk across the room and listened to footfalls on the stairs. “You’re not alone,” said Javier. “Garrett will be right back. We won’t ever leave you alone like this. You’re safe, Renata.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
When Garrett returned, Javier asked if she was ready.
“I think so, Sir.”
“Not good enough.”
“I’m sorry. I’m ready, Sir.”
“There’s no need to apologize. Hearing you verbally consent is for your safety, and that’s why we need to know you agree to what we’re asking or saying.”
“I understand. Thank you, Sir.” They would protect her with their lives. She realized that now. Hadn’t that been exactly what they’d meant when they’d told her they wouldn’t let anything happen to her with respect to the curse?
Renata took several deep breaths as tears threatened. She wasn’t afraid or uncomfortable. Rather, she was overwhelmed at the care they’d shown her, and the way they’d already claimed her as their own. It was what she’d wanted all those years ago, and she’d never stopped wanting it. Now, it was real.
She was here, in this amazing dungeon, strapped to a bondage wheel and blindfolded. She had no idea what they were about to do, but it didn’t matter. She knew she’d love it, because she loved Garrett and Javier. That thought struck her like a blast of fresh air. She loved them both. She always had, and all this time, she’d never stopped feeling that way.
Chapter Twelve
The next sensation Renata felt was ice, directly on her left nipple. She yelped and tried to move away, but the straps held her firmly in place. One of them brushed the ice cube all over her brea
st, then up her neck and back down to her navel.
“Hang on a second.” That was Javier, in that sultry, sexy voice that made her pussy wet.
When something warm landed on her breast, this time she didn’t yelp or try to get away. They followed that with ice, and then dripped the wax all over her breasts and abdomen, always following it with ice. They varied the pattern so she never knew where it would land next, and the combination was intriguing and exquisite.
It was just uncomfortable enough to send endorphins rushing through her with each pass of the ice or shock of the hot wax on her skin. She smiled and moaned as the sweet fog she’d experienced last Friday began to descend. “Now I know why I heard a lighter.”
“Excuse me?” Garrett’s voice was full of incredulity.
That snapped her out of the floating feeling in a heartbeat. “Oh, shit. I mean, oh, shit, Sir. I’m sorry. I did it again.”
She heard a chuckle and knew she was in big trouble.
“The only question now,” said Garrett, “is how to best punish her.”
She didn’t say anything, which she hoped was the right thing to do.
“I have an idea,” said Javier. Renata swallowed hard at the tone in his voice. It was devious, but still super sexy. “But after we finish with this.”
She waited for him to tell her what his idea was, but he didn’t. What a damn tease! And now she couldn’t ask because it wasn’t a clarifying question or a safeword. She swore she could feel them eyeing each other, totally aware of what Javier had just done in leaving his thought hanging there. And of course they knew she’d want to hear it but couldn’t see their faces right now to give her a clue. Sadists!
They moved down to her legs and pussy with the wax, still following it with the ice cubes, and now it was getting serious. Renata was so ready to come it was ridiculous. She’d never imagined having candle wax and ice cubes on her body would be so arousing. When they told her they were finished, her skin felt tight and toasty warm, as if she were next to a roaring fire.
