Phantoms' Pleasure

by Brynn Paulin

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  Total-e-bound

  www.total-e-bound.com

  Copyright ©2008 by Brynn Paulin

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  NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.

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  CONTENTS

  Circle of Three

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Total-E-Bound Publishing

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  A Total-E-Bound Publication

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  www.total-e-bound.com

  Phantoms’ Pleasure

  ISBN #978-1-906811-18-1

  ©Copyright Brynn Paulin 2008

  Cover Art by Lyn Taylor ©Copyright October 2008

  Edited by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

  Total-E-Bound Publishing

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author's imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing.

  Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

  The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

  Published in 2008 by Total-E-Bound Publishing 1 The Corner, Faldingworth Road, Spridlington, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, LN8 2DE, UK.

  Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has been rated Total-e-burning.

  Circle of Three

  PHANTOMS’ PLEASURE

  Brynn Paulin

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Dedication

  To Chris. Thanks for holding my hand when I wobble.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter One

  This wasn't exactly her thing. Things actually. Costumes, Halloween parties or ménage. Jahzlyn Monroe looked around her cousin's large backyard. The party was in full-swing as everyone took advantage of next week's holiday and got in touch with their inner child. An array of costumes surrounded her and laughter competed with the crash of Lake Michigan's waves just beyond the yard and a wide expanse of beach. The night was unseasonably warm and the couples had opted to revel outdoors. Well, not couples. Trios. A few dozen trios.

  Looking around the wide expanse, decorated with cornstalks and intricately carved pumpkins, Jahz felt ill-at-ease. She drew her light-weight black cape around her and covertly watched the interactions while trying not to be an obvious voyeur. She wasn't quite sure if it was that she didn't like the idea of a ménage, or if it intrigued her far too much for her comfort, or if she just felt like a complete oddball in this group.

  It was the second two reasons, she supposed. There was no way she could call her feeling dislike.

  Admittedly, she wasn't the only singlet. There were a few others wandering around who weren't in matched groups. Across the yard, two men dressed in black with black masks caught her attention. Black curling hair fell over the top edges of both their masks and their clothes concealed well-built bodies. Obviously, they were waiting for their woman to get there. They couldn't be single—of course, maybe they were together. That could happen.

  Both their gazes swung in her direction, and she smiled benignly, embarrassed to be caught staring. Nonchalantly, she shifted her gaze away, pretending she was actually surveying the crowd and not ogling them.

  Her belly gave a little flip when she realised a few moments later that they were still watching her while they talked without diverting their gazes from her. Were they interested in her? She shifted her eyes away again, even though her attention remained firmly on the pair.

  Her glance landed on three people in the midst an embrace. One man kissed the woman's shoulder while the other kissed her lips.

  A sharp intake of breath accompanied a clench in Jahz's womb. Goose bumps lifted on her arms, and she was quite sure it wasn't from the light breeze coming off the placid lake but from the idea of having two men love her at once. Her cousin Tamera sure seemed to like it. She and her two husbands seemed to have an idyllic, loving and damned hot marriage. All the women here appeared to have two men each who cared for them as if they were the most precious beings on the planet.

  "Having fun?"

  Jahz looked up at the woman, dressed as a medieval serving wench, who sidled up to her side. “Hey, Tam. Oh yeah, it's great. You guys did a wonderful job on the decorations.” She lifted the glass of brandy she'd been cradling in one hand. “Great drinks."

  Tam frowned. “You're bored."

  "No! I'm just ... I feel like a third wheel,” she confided, then looked around her. “Or should I say fourth wheel. I appreciate you inviting me—"

  "You are staying with me."

  "I know. It's nice of you and Brian and Kai to let me stay here while I get my life in order."

  Tam made a sound in her throat. “Let's not go there again. You're family and my best friend. I want you to stay. It still pisses me off that that asshole ex-husband of yours...” She dropped off as three of the partiers passed them.

  Jahz smiled at the trio dressed as two sheiks and their harem girl—she wouldn't mind being a harem girl. She mentally smacked herself. What was she thinking? “You were saying?” she prompted once the three were out of earshot.

  "Well, you know what I mean,” Tam replied. “He's a jerk. I feel bad that I introduced you."

  "Yeah, I know,” Jahz responded. It wasn't Tam's fault the man had been able to hide his true self behind suave charm. But Jahz had soon learned. She'd changed her entire life to avoid him—moving to different shifts at the hospital where she'd worked as a nurse in the maternity ward, changing all her daily patterns so their paths wouldn't cross, looking for a job at a different hospital. She hadn't escaped soon enough. She'd had to move across country and come home after her husband—ex-husband—had decided to throw around his weight as a high-ranking and respected doctor. He'd gotten her fired.

  Just as well she supposed. She didn't want to see the man who'd used her as a punching bag until she'd gotten the courage to leave him. He didn't accept their divorce or the restraining order against him.

  Jahz shivered again, this time because of the perilous situation she'd been in. If not for the life she'd built in LA while she and her ex, Payton, had lived there, she'd have packed up and come home as soon as she'd left him.

  She shoved a strand of her long brown hair behind her ear. This was hardly home since most of her family lived several hours away, but Tam had wanted her to come here. Jahz wondered if it was a mistake. Polyamorous relationships weren't really her thing although what she was seeing intrigued her as it had more and more over the past week that she'd been here.

  "It's not as strange as it seems,” Tam chuckled.

  "I wasn't thinking that."

  "What were you thinking?"
/>
  Jahz felt heat rushing up her neck but the cape of her vampiress costume probably obscured it. “I'm ... intrigued."

  "Really? I should introduce you to—"

  "Hey, wench, we're in need of ... servicing,” a deep voice growled, as a hand appeared on Tam's shoulder.

  "Kai!” Tam admonished then sighed as Brian kissed her neck.

  "How are our babies?” he asked.

  "Shhh ... fine,” Tam murmured.

  "What's this?” Jahz asked looking at the slight swell of Tam's belly. She hadn't imagined...

  Kai slid his arm around his wife's waist while Brian circled her from the other side. “We're pregnant,” Kai confided.

  "All of us,” Brian added.

  "We weren't telling anyone yet,” Tam said, with a quelling look to her husbands. “Cranston is on the front edge of the fertility research that will enable a woman like me to have a baby with both her husbands ... at the same time. I'm still in a dicey period. In two more weeks, my doctor feels we'll be safe to start feeling comfortable."

  "Oh my God, Tam! Congrats,” Jahz exclaimed in a hushed voice, conscious her cousin wanted it to be a secret.

  "Well, fuck,” Kai said to her surprise.

  "What?” Brian asked.

  "Andy. How the hell did he get in here?"

  Jahz followed Kai's gaze and saw the man she knew from back home. She grimaced, knowing his story. He'd insisted Tam was his betrothed and had caused quite a bit of problems for her cousin. Another jerk. The water in her hometown must be toxic to men. Both Andy and Payton were from there.

  "Let's stay calm,” Tam advised.

  "You know the only reason I didn't take him apart last time we saw him was out of respect for your parents,” Kai growled. “They didn't need their new sons-in-law starting a brawl in their house."

  "I'll go call Sheriff West and ask him to come over,” Brian offered. He looked at Kai. “Stay with her."

  "You know I will."

  Jahz suspected the two didn't trust Andy as far as they could throw him. And with their wife pregnant, they'd be doubly vigilant. She shoved her drink into Kai's hand. “I'll go talk to him."

  Before any of the three could stop her, she started across the yard. She had plenty of experience dealing with unwanted visitors in the maternity ward. It wasn't all flowers and baby booties. Occasionally, someone arrived who might upset the mother and Jahz had often been charged with their removal. She'd divert Andy before he caused her cousin any stress.

  "Andy,” she said through her teeth, as she grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the front yard and out of the sight of the partiers.

  "Long time no see,” he said, pulling his arm from her grasp and turning on her. “I hear you spent all Pay's money then dumped him so you could whore around. You always were a bitch."

  Her insides seemed to turn to lead. Her clenched fingers were as cold as if she'd been coated in ice. “He told you that?” she asked in disbelief. After all the pain her ex had dealt, now he followed her home with lies.

  "Yeah he told me all about it. Quite a line of men you've had. Since you like cock so much, how ‘bout some of mine. I've always wanted to fuck you, but you belonged to my main man, Pay.” He jerked his head towards the kerb. “My car's right over there. Nice big backseat. And if someone happens by, maybe they'll wanna join. You know that's what they do around here."

  "You're a jerk,” she replied, hoping the police officer Brian had gone to call would show up soon. “Tam doesn't want you here. You should just go."

  "Okay,” he grabbed her hand and pulled her towards his car.

  "Let go of me!” she yelled at the same time a deep voice demanded, “Let go of her."

  Her gaze flew in the direction of the voice. The men who'd caught her attention in the backyard stood only a few feet away.

  "Now,” the other one asserted, underlining his partner's demand as they advanced. Before Andy could blink, the men had her away. One held her against his chest, his woodsy scent filling each of her breaths while the other man stepped between Andy and her. She looked over her shoulder in time to see Andy's punch fly, be deflected, then returned. He went sailing onto the ground with an audible thump.

  "Are you okay?” the man who'd put Andy down for the count asked.

  She nodded as a police cruiser pulled in front of the house. Minutes later, they'd all given their statements and Andy was led away. She realised belatedly that the men who'd rescued her still had their arms around her, much like Kai and Brian had held Tam earlier. Self-consciously, she pulled her cape around her and stepped out of their casual embrace. Just standing that close to them had heated her skin and made her soft in places she didn't want to think about. And damp. Her chest rose and fell as she fought back her arousal.

  She looked around the small group. Tam and her husbands had come hustling around the house just as Sheriff West had arrived. No one had removed their masks and everyone seemed to know everyone else. Jahz found herself at a supreme disadvantage.

  "Are you sure you're okay?” Tam asked, just as Jahz was about to ask names.

  "Yes, these two recued me just as Andy was getting out of hand.” She looked at the black-dressed pair. “Thank you."

  "You didn't make much of an effort with your costumes,” Tam criticised Jahz's rescuers. “What are you supposed to be?"

  Brian coughed, obviously covering a laugh. “Excuse her. Pregnancy hormones have made her really crabby."

  "Who else are you going to tell?” his wife demanded. “You're so sleeping on the couch.” She turned her glare on Kai.

  "I didn't say anything,” he defended with raised hands.

  Jahz pressed her lips together to hide her smile at the exchange. She knew Tam well enough to know she wasn't upset with her men at all and Jahz had a feeling it would be one happy threesome in their bed that night.

  A stab of jealousy swept through her, but she pushed it aside as she glanced at the other men from the corner of her eye. What would it be like to be loved like her cousin was? She sucked in a frustrated breath. She needed to stop this.

  Tam turned back to the pair dressed in black. “What are you?” she repeated.

  "We're dark phantoms,” one of them laughed. “We swoop in under the cover of the night."

  "Saving the day and whisking away the fair maiden,” the other said.

  Jahz yelped as she was suddenly swept over a solid, wide shoulder, while everyone else chuckled. “Tam! Help!” She smacked the back of the man. “Let me down!"

  Her cousin stepped forward, following as Jahz was slowly carried away. Tam kissed her on the cheek. “You're perfectly safe,” she whispered in Jahz's ear. “You were interested. There's no better pair to explore with. Relax and have fun.” She paused and tilted her head. “Do you want them to let you go?"

  Did she? Or did she want to see what this could be all about with two men who'd already proved themselves dashing rescuers. Tam trusted them...

  She looked at the man following along with them. “Nothing I don't want?"

  He smiled, displaying straight white teeth in stark contrast with his clothing and mask. “Nothing. We promise.” He poked his partner. “We promise,” he prompted.

  "Ow! Damn it, Chay. I thought that was a given. Yes, of course I promise that.” He turned back to the trio they'd left behind. “Congrats Coz! Congrats Tam and Brian!” Then he turned back the direction they'd been heading, leaving Jahz to stare helplessly back at her family.

  Okay, the taller one was named Chay. This one carrying her was Kai's cousin, Garrett—he was damned strong and the play of his muscles beneath her body turned her on at a level she'd never imagined. His hand smoothed up her thigh and she realised the short black skirt she wore as part of her vampiress costume must have been pulled upward by her position. Cool, autumn air licked at the bottom of her ass and she wondered exactly how much of it was visible to anyone who cared to look. A lot, she concluded as his hand crept higher on her leg. And her thong didn't hide much. His fi
ngers slipped inside, moving even closer to her pussy. Just another inch and he'd find out how hot she was...

  He turned his face towards her hip. “Yes?” he asked, his voice a low rumble.

  Oh God, yes. She'd needed to be touched since they'd captured her attention and given her quivers from across the backyard. Her forehead pressed to his back. She nodded, her face rubbing against his silk shirt. The warm muscle beneath heated her cheek.

  Slowly, he moved his palm upward until the edge of his hand pressed to her burning sex. His thumb traced the lower crease of her ass, following the narrow strip of cloth covering her until he reached her pussy. Over and over he followed the same path, sending tremors through her and slick arousal from her. He had to know. He had to feel it. If she shook much more, she'd fall.

  Anticipation of what might happen made her feel wanton. She'd never done anything like this. Despite Andy's accusation that she was ‘after cock’ the only one she'd ever had was Payton's and that hadn't been particularly good. And now, going off with two men who were essentially strangers. She'd always had a fantasy of being with a stranger—someone who'd treat her well and fuck her until she was lost in an oblivion of rapture with no ties. What a shock to have two such men!

  They weren't quite strangers, but she didn't know them either. And since she planned to leave Cranston in a few days, she'd probably never see them again.

  Take the adventure, Jahz. Make a few good memories to replace the bad.

  It dawned on her through her fuzzy thoughts that they were heading to the house next door to Tam's—where Kai's cousin, Garrett, lived with his best friend, Chay. Well, duh.

  Chay opened the front door and they all entered.

  Garrett stopped teasing her as soon as the door closed. Aggressively, he pushed aside her soaked panties and two fingers plunged into her pulsating folds. She cried out, her body lifting with the pleasure. Chay adjusted her so that her hands were braced on his shoulders. His lips covered hers while Garrett continued to finger-fuck her. Chay's tongue pushed against hers as he absorbed her cries and explored her mouth. She tasted the wine he'd had at the party with a slight taste of mint and man. He cupped the back of her head, threading his hand into her hair and better angling her for his kiss. There was no denying his domination as he devoured her.