by Tara Rose
If they came here in the summer, maybe they’d take her into the town as well? She’d never been to a human town, but the Jargonians seemed very comfortable here, among them.
She glanced around at the rest of the lobby. Comfortable-looking sofas and chairs were placed at inviting angles, and the fabrics mirrored the exterior colors of pale pink, forest green, and maroon. The lighting was bright enough to see what needed to be seen, but soft enough to give the room, despite its size, a homey feeling. She wanted to grab a book and curl up in one of the chairs.
“What do you think?” Micah’s voice was soft in her ear, sending shivers up and down her spine. She had an image of lying naked on a bed with him and Stephen while that voice washed over her. Would that ever happen? Would she ever know what it felt like to be kissed, let alone make love with a man?
“I love it. I wish it was just us here, without all the others.” She almost clamped a hand over her mouth. What had possessed her to say such a thing? “I meant you and Stephen. I meant…” She swallowed hard as identical grins full of lust and mischief spread over their faces, and she had to bite back a moan.
“We know what you meant,” said Micah. “And we wish that, too. Maybe we can find a way to make that happen? What do you say?”
She glanced from one to the other. It was the boldest thing they’d ever asked her, but it wasn’t the first time she’d seen that look in their eyes, directed toward her. Still, she hardly knew what to say right now. They weren’t playing a game with her. At least, she didn’t think they were. She nodded. “Okay. Yes.”
Breathing was suddenly difficult. She had spent three months lusting after these two and having no clue what to do about it. But now, she felt as though she were on a slippery slope and about to plunge into an abyss. She should be afraid but she wasn’t. Her entire body tingled, and it was difficult not to touch either of them. She wanted to brush her hands along the muscles in their arms, visible through their sleeves.
“All set. We’re on the top floor.” The spell was broken at the sound of Drake’s voice. Valerie, Stephen, and Micah followed Abby, Drake, and Emme to the bank of elevators. When they squeezed in with the other people waiting to ascend, she could have sworn that Micah and Stephen navigated their way toward standing on either side of her in the back of the car.
Abby was directly in front of her, between Drake and Emme. As the car started to move, Emme began to make small talk about the town. Valerie didn’t even hear the words. She was too busy trying to interpret the quick smile that Emme had given her just before she engaged Abby and Drake in conversation. Had she distracted Abby on purpose? Was that what the smile had meant?
Valerie was acutely aware of Stephen’s body on her right and Micah’s on her left, in a way she hadn’t been while riding in the SUV on the way to Passion Peak. For one thing, both men were pressed up against her this time. Their combined scents filled her head, making her dizzy with need. She could feel their arm muscles through their shirts. What would it be like to have those strong arms wrapped around her? She desperately wanted to know.
The doors opened on the second floor and a few people exited, but there still wasn’t much room to move. As the car began to ascend again, Valerie drew in a sharp breath as a hand rested on her right ass cheek. There was no one behind her, and no one standing to the right of Stephen. He was pressed against the wall. It had to be his hand. She swallowed hard and dared to risk a glance at his face. When he winked, she nearly moaned out loud.
They locked gazes and didn’t break eye contact until the door opened on the third floor, and that was only because as people shifted around inside the car, Abby glanced over her shoulder toward Valerie. Stephen removed his hand from her ass but not before he gave her cheek the tiniest squeeze. She dropped her gaze to the floor because she was ready to scream with happiness.
They’d each touched her before, but only in a nonsexual way. This was different. Coupled with what Micah had asked while they were still in the lobby, this was deliberate, concentrated, and obvious. Valerie couldn’t wait to get off this elevator and see how their suite was set up. She was going to make this happen, no matter what she had to do.
By the time the car finally stopped on the sixth floor, they were the only ones in it. She followed the others, with Stephen and Micah still flanking her. Their suite was at the end of the corridor, tucked into a corner. Once inside, she walked to the center of the room and admired the lush furnishings and window coverings. Everything looked far more expensive than anything Valerie had ever seen. As her gaze swept over the room, she realized all the bedrooms were at one end.
“This way,” said Drake. “There’s a kitchen through here, and a spare bathroom. Emme and I stayed in this very suite once before, when Micah and Stephen were much younger. Do you two remember it? Your brothers were with us as well.”
“I think so,” said Micah. His gaze drifted toward Valerie and she smiled. Her entire body was tingling now. How close would his and Stephen’s bedrooms be to her own? How big was this suite?
“All the bedrooms are back here,” said Drake. “If it’s all right with everyone, Emme and I will take this first one since it has its own bathroom.” They came to a second bedroom that was a bit smaller, but just as well-appointed. “Abby, we thought you might like this room. It connects to a bathroom that you can share with Valerie, if that’s all right.”
“Of course,” said Abby, brushing past them to walk into the other bedroom that connected to hers through the bathroom. “Valerie, this is so pretty. You’ll feel like royalty all weekend.” Valerie placed her suitcase next to the bed while her gaze swept around the beautiful room, but she was distracted by Drake’s voice. He was out in the hallway, and had said something about Stephen and Micah’s room. Valerie wanted to see where it was, so she went back into the hallway and followed them to the last bedroom.
“I hope you two don’t mind sharing a room,” said Emme. “We thought since this was the largest of them and it has its own bathroom as well, that it would make the most sense for you two to share it.”
“We don’t mind at all,” said Stephen, at the same time as Micah said almost the exact same thing. “But I get the bed closest to the window.”
Micah tossed his bag onto the other bed. “You can have it.”
“Are you boys sure?” asked Abby, narrowing her eyes. “Valerie and I can share a room for one weekend.”
“Too late,” said Stephen, lying on the bed and placing his hands behind his head. “This bed is too comfortable. I’m not giving it up.”
“Our sons share so much at home that it’s no inconvenience at all,” said Emme, placing an arm around Abby’s shoulder. “Why don’t I help you put away your things, and we’ll leave the young people to do the same, all right?”
Was it possible that Drake and Emme would help her get together with their sons? But how, when Abby was right here with them? Still, her room was right next to theirs, and Abby was a sound sleeper. Valerie turned to leave the room, but stopped when she caught the smiles on both Stephen’s and Micah’s faces as they watched her. She returned it, unsure what to say.
“Should be a fun weekend,” said Micah. The lust and mischief in his gaze was unmistakable.
Stephen sat up and gave her an identical look. “Looks like we’re right next door to you, Valerie. If you should need anything in the middle of the night, just tap on the wall.”
Valerie laughed. “You might think it’s a mouse.”
Stephen shook his head. “Nope. I’ll know it’s you.”
“Better yet,” said Micah, “just come in and wake us up.” When he winked, she could do nothing but stare at each of them in turn. She felt rooted to the spot. She only moved when she heard Abby’s voice, calling to her to come and put her things away as they had to leave for the ceremony in less than hour. This was either going to be the most exciting weekend of her life, or the most frustrating.
Chapter Three
Valerie had no trouble kee
ping up while the group trekked up the side of Passion Peak in the snow, but Abby did. She hung back with Abby, hoping she wouldn’t tell her that they simply couldn’t make it and both would have to return to the hotel. As the others began to pull ahead, Valerie glanced up to watch Stephen and Micah shuffle back down the slope to join them. She would have kissed them both if she wasn’t absolutely certain Abby would become upset.
“The snow is deep,” said Micah. “Even with snowshoes this is rough going.”
“They should have held the ceremony at the hotel.” Abby looked more angry than winded, and Valerie tried very hard not to feel resentment toward her. “Making thirty people climb this mountain for the three of them is just silly.”
“But their whole village will be there, Abby.” Stephen took her arm, and Valerie assumed it was to assist her in the climb. “Either way, a group is going up and down this hillside today.”
“We can rig up a sled for the climb down if that would be easier,” said Micah.
“Nonsense,” said Abby, shaking off Stephen’s arm. “It seems flatter on this part.”
Stephen and Micah exchanged a look that Valerie couldn’t interpret. Micah kept close to Abby as they climbed a bit faster now. Stephen hung back a bit, and when he looked like he wanted to say something, Valerie slowed her pace and gave him what she hoped was an encouraging smile. “That was nice of you. To try and help her, I mean.”
He shrugged. “Anyone would do the same.”
“No, they wouldn’t.” She glanced at the rest of the group. The closest ones were at least three hundred yards ahead of them.
He smiled at her. “Don’t worry. They won’t start the ceremony without us.”
“Oh, that’s good to know. I’m so excited about this.” Her gaze fell on his gloved hands, swinging at his sides as he walked. “We should have shifted. This climb would have been easy and quick, then, even for Abby.”
His gaze raked over her, and then he grinned in a way that made her pussy wet all over again. “But we’d have had to carry our clothes. And then you’d see all your neighbors and friends naked as we hurried to dress again.”
Valerie laughed as the image rose in her mind, but she had to bite back her words. The urge to tell him she wouldn’t mind seeing him and Micah naked was so strong. His sideways glance sent her pulse racing, and the cold snow suddenly didn’t seem as biting as it had a few seconds ago.
“Then again, the thought of seeing you without clothes isn’t exactly laughable.”
Oh stars. What should she say? “Is that why you touched my butt in the elevator?”
“Oh, you noticed that?” There was no hint of embarrassment or regret in either his tone or his expression.
Valerie glanced at her snowshoes, surprised not to find the snow melted beneath her feet. “Yes, I noticed.” As if she could have helped it.
“Ass, Valerie. Not butt. You can say the word. Ask me again but this time use ‘ass’ instead of ‘butt.’”
That voice…she couldn’t disobey it. Even though she blushed as she repeated the question. “All right…is that why you touched my ass in the elevator?”
The way his eyes burned with desire was worth the embarrassment she felt. “Yes, that’s exactly why I did it.”
She glanced ahead where Micah appeared to be deep in conversation with Abby. Just in case, though, she lowered her voice a notch. “So, if the idea of seeing me without clothes isn’t laughable, what is it?”
Stephen stopped walking so she did as well. He gave her a droll look, but it wasn’t condescending, and for that Valerie was grateful. “Don’t you think it’s about time we stopped dancing around this?”
She swallowed hard and nodded. It was definitely time. It had been for weeks.
“Micah and I want to get to know you better. Much better. It’s time you had a serious talk with Abby about being allowed to live your life.” He cut his gaze up the hill for a brief second. “Do you want us to speak with her? Maybe that would help?”
“I don’t know. She…” She didn’t want to tell him that Abby disapproved of the way the entire Jargonian family lived.
“It’s okay,” he said quietly. “We know what she thinks of us. That’s why perhaps if we sit down and have a serious talk with her, she might realize we’re not out to ruin your honor or lead you into a life of depravity.”
“Thank you.” She didn’t know what else to say. She was stunned. This was the most intimate conversation she’d had with either of them. They started walking again, at a brisk pace now to catch up with the group.
“We should have spoken to her before. I don’t know why we didn’t.”
“I should be able to talk to her. I should be able to tell her what I want. She gave me a home, but I’m not a child.”
“No, you’re not. But please don’t beat yourself up over this. It’s not like you have a lot of experience. You’re merely being polite and respectful toward her, and we both admire that about you.”
Valerie smiled so wide that her cheeks hurt. “Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. I’m only telling you what Micah and I have observed. You’d no sooner do or say anything to hurt Abby than you’d cut off a paw.”
“That’s true.” But hearing someone acknowledge it was wonderful. As they caught up to Abby and Micah, Valerie was still smiling. At last her months of fantasies were going to come true. And instead of having to approach Abby on her own, or outright defy her, Stephen and Micah were going to intervene for her. This had just become the happiest day of her life.
* * * *
Saffron looked even more exotic than Valerie remembered, and it hadn’t been more than a week since she’d seen her. Was this what being in love did to a girl? Her dark hair was pulled back on one side with an elaborate comb that looked to be made of abalone, and she had on a stunning yellow dress that hung to the floor. She wore no jewelry other than the hair comb, until she knelt in front of Nevada and Landon, pledging to love, honor, and obey them as their mate and submissive for the rest of her life.
Once they’d pledged their love and protection to her as both her Doms and mates, they placed a beaded necklace made of jade and emeralds around Saffron’s neck. It was the most beautiful thing Valerie had ever seen, and it fit her as though it had been made specifically for her. Valerie leaned close to Micah on her right and asked if it had been.
“Yes, Nevada made it.”
“I didn’t realize they were in the same lifestyle as you and Stephen.”
“They’re learning to be.”
“Are all submissives collared?” Valerie glanced at Emme, who wore a stunning collar made of chain mail and diamonds. Valerie had never seen her without it. Emme was Drake’s submissive as well as his mate.
Micah shook his head. “Not necessarily.”
“Would you collar one?”
He smiled, and her heart did that weird fluttery thing it usually did whenever he or Stephen looked into her eyes. “For you, Stephen and I would choose something black or deep red, and we’d take into account your preference for wearing feathers.”
How did they know she liked to wear feathers? Most of her jewelry featured them. Had they really been watching her that closely all this time and she’d never realized it? “Why don’t you two have subs or mates?” It was the most direct question she’d ever asked of either of them. Valerie thought it must have been the fresh air and the vigorous climb that made her so confident right now. Either that or her earlier conversation with Stephen had done so.
“That’s a long story.” He held out his arm and she curled her hand around it without hesitation. His skin was warm, even through the fabric of his shirt. “And one which I think Stephen and I need to tell you in private.”
Stephen offered his arm as well, and they joined the line of people waiting to congratulate Saffron, Landon, and Nevada. The two seemed to be going out of their way today to flank her, and she had to stifle a giggle. She’d enjoy being flanked by them, naked and in bed. Bu
t for now, this would do nicely. As they waited, she glanced around the room. Abby was near the back of the line speaking to some people from their village, and for once she wasn’t paying attention to Valerie, Stephen, and Micah.
Would her mother have been that way if she’d lived? Would Valerie still be in her own village if her mother hadn’t been killed? She shuddered at the thought. The image of her dream early that morning came back to her, and she clung tighter to their arms. At moments like this, she was still a frightened child who wanted her mother back and was afraid of her father. Would she stop thinking about her parents one day?
Would that question matter if her father was in the Jargonian village right now, waiting to take her back to New Mexico when they returned from this weekend? What if she had the chance to be alone with Micah and Stephen this weekend and then had to return home? It would crush her. She’d have wasted three months watching them from a distance and trying to get up the nerve to talk to them for longer than five minutes all for nothing.
“It’s so good to see you again.” Valerie let go of Stephen’s and Micah’s arms so that she could hug Saffron. “You look so beautiful.”
“It’s good to see you, too. And I love that color on you.”
“Thank you.” Valerie glanced at Nevada and Landon. “Congratulations to all of you.”
Stephen and Micah engaged Nevada and Landon in small talk while Valerie turned her attention back to Saffron. She couldn’t help but feel jealous. She wanted what Saffron had, but right now, she had serious doubts that she’d ever have the chance to do more than flirt with Stephen and Micah, or get a cheap thrill from them grinning at her or sneaking a feel on an elevator. How could the same day be filled with such joy and pain at the same time? “May I touch your collar?”
“Of course.”
“It’s exquisite.” Valerie delicately fingered the bead work while Saffron explained that Nevada and Landon had both designed and made it. Valerie was tired of living her life through others, or glancing out windows in the middle of the night when awoken from a dream. She wanted to experience life. She wanted to be kissed and have sex. She wanted to be draped over the spanking bench or tied to the leather cross in Micah and Stephen’s dungeon, and flogged.
