by Milly Taiden
Gunnar groaned. “This is so not the pillow talk I was hoping for. C’mon you two. We just had amazing sex and got this threesome off the ground. What is the Earth phrase? We have lift off? Let’s table this for now and spend the next couple of days getting to know each other…inside and out and everywhere in between.” He said gliding his hand up Henley’s thigh.
She pushed his hand aside. “That might work with some other girl, Gunnar. But this girl is a fighter. I want in on this and if you two want in on this again,” her hand went to her nether regions, “then we need to talk. I can’t consider being part of a threesome or forever triad if I’m simply your little woman.”
“Well,” Damen said teasing. “You are pretty small.”
She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, said no one on Earth, ever. Maybe compared to you two tree trunks, but that’s not what I mean and you know it.”
“I do, but if something happened to you I’d never…we’d never forgive ourselves,” he replied.
Gunnar nodded. “Damen’s right. We can’t risk it.”
“Well then. I stowed away once, I can stow away again. And if there’s no place for me to sneak into, then I’ll track you. I can do that you know. I was a private investigator back on earth. I have skills.” She sniffed. “It’s your choice. Either I go with you with your full knowledge so you can do whatever protective possessive thing you shifters do, or I come on the sneak.”
Gunnar slipped his fingers up her thighs to her belly. “Looks like our girl likes to do things the hard way.”
Damen chuckled cupping her breast. “Okay, Hen. You win. But in exchange we get to show you how we play hard, over and over again.”
She sighed as his mouth took her nipple while Gunnar’s hand slid to her still throbbing sex. “If you must,” she murmured.
13
Henley woke alone. Bright sun streamed in from the large windows and she blinked. For a girl who got almost no sleep, she felt amazing. Energy coursed through her body despite her sore bits. Well used. She giggled to herself at the words. Every woman in the universe should wake up once in her life feeling that satisfied.
Rolling over, she squished both pillows on either side of her head to her face and inhaled. Damen and Gunnar. God, their combined scent could make her come. Especially with the naughty images running through her head, and for once in her life, they weren’t fantasies.
She bounded out of bed and headed for the bathroom. Her stomach growled demandingly, warring with the need to find the guys and pinch herself that this was really real.
Turning on the shower spray, the water warmed immediately. Rose scented and the perfect temperature. She rummaged through the bathroom closet for toiletries and a towel and then stepped into the spray. Warm jets eased sore muscles and she soaped up a soft cloth to wash her more tenders bits. Wash rinse repeat was next for her long hair and she turned off the shower, stepping out onto the mat.
She dried quickly, squeezing as much water from her hair as she could before brushing the thick dark mass into her signature high ponytail. Padding naked from the bath, she grabbed her pack for her makeup but then decided against it. Gunnar said something about a hot spring, and Damen had already teased about seeing her with raccoon eyes.
Voices outside the window caught her attention, and she walked over, peeking out from behind the sheers. Damen and Gunnar were outside. Movement in her window caught Damen’s attention and he shielded his eyes to look up. A softball sized snowball whizzed from behind hitting him square in the back and he whirled around.
“You’re a dead man, brother bear!”
She grinned at their laughter and rushed to get dressed.
“Good morning, my lady,” the same young girl from the day before greeted her with a smile. “There’s plenty for breakfast in the morning room.” She pointed to a large arched doorway across the expansive foyer.
The lodge itself was rustic and beautiful with high dark-beamed ceilings and stonework. The main staircase was wide and curved with a thick carpet runner in the center in a deep crimson.
Henley stepped off the bottom stair and gave the girl a soft smile before heading in search of food. Her stomach growled again, and delicious aromas coming through the doorway had her picking up her pace.
She stopped inside the breakfast room door and took in the floor to ceiling windows that over looked an impressive vista. This part of the chalet was built on the edge of the ridge, so the windows made it seem as though you hung off the edge of a cliff.
A long polished table sat at the center of the room, and behind it was an extra-long sideboard piled with food. Hot chafing dishing steamed with eggs and meats while deep tureens bubbled with porridge thick with sausage and cream.
Henley grabbed a plate and walked the impressive choices before filling her dish. She sat at one end of the table alone, taking pains to eat slowly despite being starved.
Damen walked in and she looked up from her breakfast and smiled, pressing her lips together at the heat flushing her cheeks at the teasing look on his face.
“Don’t look at me like that or everyone will know what we did last night,” she whispered as he took a seat beside her.
He lifted her hand and kissed it, letting his smirk spread across her knuckles. “Everyone already does. Get used to it. Part of being royalty in a small clan. Can’t poop without everyone knowing what color it was.”
“Ugh, Damen. I’m trying to eat.” She made a face, but couldn’t help the grin tugging at her lips.
He kissed her quickly and then got up from the table. “Eat up. We’ve got to get moving.”
“Why? Where are we going?”
He lifted one finger and then rushed out, coming back almost as fast carrying a pair of fur and oiled skin boots, a fur lined coat and what looked to be snowshoes. He put them on a chair and nodded. “For you,” he said. “A gift from me and Gunnar to our girl.”
She laughed, wiping her mouth. “Am I joining the Olympics or is this some kind of mountain man test to see if I can stand roughing it?”
“Where we’re headed isn’t an easy trek, but so worth the effort. We’re taking you springing,” he said.
Breaking off a piece of soft sweet bread peppered with dried fruit and citrus, she chewed looking at him. “I hope that’s not some sort of shifter style ski jump thing, because it sounds sweaty, and I’m not dressed for sweaty.”
“It’s not, and you look beautiful. This is a surprise, so finish eating. Gunnar is waiting for us in the stables.”
“The stables?” she questioned.
He nodded. “He’s getting our mounts packed.”
“Mounts? As in horses?”
Damen grinned. “Not exactly. You’ll see.”
Henley sat back surprised as he motioned for her to follow, taking the snowshoe thingies with him. She finished the last of her juice and wiped her mouth before pushing back from the table. Smoothing the crimson tunic trimmed with black fur, she glanced at her reflection is the mirrored wall behind the food. The color was perfect for her, and the outfit was comfortable and flattering. She smiled to herself, confidence brimming.
She grabbed the coat and boots, and hurried after Damen. They walked through the expansive lobby and down a flight of stairs toward the back. The air chilled as they descended until she shivered, slipping the coat over her shoulders.
“Does it ever warm up around here?” she asked.
He nodded. “In summer. When the sands boil around the capital and it’s too hot to move, the weather at the Summit is gorgeous. It doesn’t last long, maybe a month and a half. Two if we’re lucky.”
“Great,” she grumbled. “Cold and wet, all day, all the time.”
He laughed as they reached the bottom landing. “It’s not that bad, Hen. There’s bright sunshine most days. That is when it’s not storming. Think of all the fun we can have in front of the fire.”
“Naked on a bearskin rug?” she raised an eyebrow.
He rolled his eyes. “God no! But nak
ed on a bear, definitely!” Damen winked and moved to open a heavy door. He pushed it wide and motioned for Henley to go first.
She walked through and then stopped. “Holy shit! Are those llamas?”
Gunnar looked up from strapping on the last saddle. “Alpacas, actually.” He fastened the last buckle and then was in front of her with two long strides. “Good morning,” he said, leaning in to brush his lips over hers. “Sleep well?”
She shoved his shoulder back and the pushed past him to stare at the funny long-necked beasts. “We’re riding on llamas. You do realize these things spit, right? Or at least they do in the Earth version.”
Gunnar moved past her to pick up the reins on the first beast. “Same animal, actually. I had a few dozen brought in from Earth on a transport once we modernized. They were Naz Voda’s idea.” He frowned for a moment.
“Probably got them when Maddox had the latest Arabian steeds brought in for us from Earth,” Damen added. “The two of them. Naz Voda and Maddox. Fucking pair of treasonous snakes.”
Henley shook her head. “It’s a bitch, but I trust you two, Vander and Jag will dole out whatever’s necessary once you get to the bottom of it.” She looked around the stables. “Speaking of Jag, where is he? I haven’t seen him since I watched him race off with two wolves last evening.”
“He’s not back yet. Being a prince of the realm, it’s not often Jag gets a chance to race the moons just for the hell of it. He won’t be back until Vander sends the transport to take us to the southern steppes on the outskirts of the Tempera jungle.”
She looked at them both. “We’re really not going to hike?”
Gunnar and Damen exchanged a look, and then Gunnar shook his head. “It’s too dangerous with the northern rogues. Since you insisted on coming, we need to minimize the risks.”
“He’s right,” Damen nodded. “Even if the Hatun don’t know we’re coming, the rogues are always looking for ways to make easy money. You’re a royal envoy and tantamount to being part of the royal family, not to mention possibly our mate.” He winked. “Hint, hint.”
“That’s right, so no hiking or exploring on your own. This means no taking matters into your own hands, however capable,” Gunnar continued. “The Kasaval have an edge since their xenos transforms into an immense ancient lion. We’re polar bears. Not the same kind of fire power in the jungle as on the mountain.”
She cocked her head. “Where I come from, there are only a handful of animals listed as man-eaters, ones who will hunt and attack humans even when not provoked. Polar bears are on that list.” She smirked. “Looking at you two, my guess is you’re as deadly as the Kasaval lion regardless of the climate.”
Damen moved behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. “When it comes to protecting you? Deadly doesn’t even begin to cover it.”
“Okay, enough doom and gloom. Today is all about showing you the perks of mountain life,” Gunnar said, patting the Alpaca’s saddle. “Mount up. We’re burning daylight.”
14
“These llamas are surprisingly even keeled,” Henley said, squirming in her saddle. “I wish I could say the same for my butt.”
Damen laughed. “I don’t think your ass is sore from the saddle, love. I think that honor goes to Gunnar.”
“Hey, could have been you just as easily, dude. In fact, it will be next time, so shut up. Henley’s ass is magic,” Gunner huffed.
Henley burst out laughing. “I appreciate the compliment, but my magic ass is having a hard time right now, so stop.” She looked at the craggy, snow covered path and winced. “Talk about something else. Take my mind off the bump and grind killing my backside.”
“Girl, if it’s a bump and grind you want, we can certainly deliver a kind that will definitely take your mind off things,” Damen joked.
“Damen, no. Tell me more about this Naz Voda. Do you really think he was in cahoots with Maddox? Sharan Dul was behind Maddox’s poisoning, so maybe it was his cronies that took out your guy.”
Gunnar shrugged. “This morning I sent men to look for evidence on where Naz was headed. I want to know for sure if he’s dead.”
“True.” Damen nodded. “We made the mistake of assuming Bors was dead after he abducted Ivy, but he wasn’t and got to Riley next. Jag took him out, though. Ripped the poor bastard to shreds.”
Henley wiggled in her saddle. “Hey, you long-necked fur ball. Quit it!”
“What?” Gunnar asked, urging his mount closer.
She swiped at the animal’s flank. “This snow beast keeps chewing on my boot and it tickles, not to mention it keeps untying the laces.” She unclasped her foot from the stirrup, and reached for the crisscrossed ties. “Stupid spitball factory!”
With Henley partially bent, tying her boot, the alpaca charged. Running at top speed with Henley bouncing in her saddle, she held on for dear life. She wrapped her arms around the beast’s neck, and screamed for Damen.
Gunnar raced up the trail, each reaching for the runaway reins. He gripped the bolting llama’s harness and pulled it to a stop. Damen slowed as well, jumping off his mount to let Henley slid from hers to his arms.
“You okay?” he asked, chuckling as he cradled her against his chest.
“It’s not funny. That phlegm ball could’ve killed me,” she sniffed.
Grinning, Gunnar held both sets of reins in his big hand. “Don’t blame the beast, love. You took your foot out of the stirrup and that signaled him to run.”
“Still, I’m riding with one of you on the way back. That camel wannabe can fall off a cliff for all I care.” She sniffed again.
Gunnar laughed. “Lucky for us, our surprise is on the other side of that short rise.” He took the reins from Damen and tied the three alpacas to a tree on the side of the trail.
The three walked the rest of the way up the slope. At the dip at the top, there was a small opening in the rock face. Henley looked at the two guys, angling her head. “Is that it? That’s the surprise?”
“Nope,” Gunnar replied. “Your surprise is on the other side.”
He went first, holding his hand out for Henley to help her up into the narrow entrance. Water dripped on the rock walls inside, and the narrow passage opened after about ten feet to a large cavern. The walls were damp and moss covered, and gorgeous purple and yellow flowers grew in clusters from cracks in the rock. It was like springtime inside, and she grinned.
“This is gorgeous,” she said, looking around. “How, though? It’s ice cold outside. Is the mountain volcanic?”
Damen shook his head. “Not exactly, but there is a natural heat source that gives off just enough warmth and humidity for this to blossom year round.” He smiled. “Want to see?”
She took his hand and he led her down a carved path that wound in a wide spiral with wildflowers and succulents growing out of crevices along the edges. At the base, the path ended at a natural crater that looked almost volcanic in nature and inside was water that shimmered pink with steamy smoke curling from the surface.
Gunnar came up beside them and slipped an arm around Henley’s waist. “Surprise,” he murmured.
“This is the hot spring we told you about last night. Pretty cool, huh.” Damen nodded.
“You know what’s even better?” Stripping out of his clothes, Gunnar left them in a pile on the side where a carved bench was hewn into the rock and then dove into the pink depths. He came up, flipping his blond hair to the side. “This!”
Damen did the same, cannonballing into the water so he splashed Henley, soaking her clothes.
She sputtered, jumping back. “Not cool, Damen! I’m dripping!”
He swam to the edge of the spring and grinned. “That’s the whole idea, love. We want you dripping and wet and sexy as hell, so lay your clothes on the bench and get your sweet ass in here with us.”
“I’m going to freeze on the way back,” she mumbled, and he laughed splashing her again.
After undressing, Henley turned, and staring him down, walk
ed to the edge and did a backflip straight into the water. She surfaced with a grin. “Eighth grade swim team. Boys and Girls Club of America.”
He laughed, swimming toward her to scoop her up in his arms. She circled her legs around his waist, leaning back so her full breasts bobbed in the water as her dark hair floated around her like a dark cloud.
Gunnar swam to them and lifted her shoulders to rest on his chest, his hands cupping her breasts in the water. “C’mon, luscious. There’s a built-in bench along the edge.” Gunnar let go and she unwrapped her legs from Damen, and the three swam together to the side.
Both met her eyes with a hungry gaze. The carved bench was wide, much wider than she expected when Damen lifted her to it easily. “You don’t know how the thought of you occupies my brain, Henley. I’ve never wanted anyone like this. I want to more than fuck you, beautiful.” He kissed her lips, a tender, soft heart clenching kiss.
Gunnar moved to flank her opposite thigh and he leaned in to nip her ear, letting his tongue trace the soft tender flesh. “I’ve had your ass, and now I want your hot wet pussy so fucking bad, I can’t see straight.”
She couldn’t breathe for the want of both men. Gunnar and Damen pulled her back into the water, and Damen hopped up to the bench. He moved his knees apart, just enough for Henley to slip between them. The water barely covered the stone, and his erect cock jutted straight up as he leaned back on the soft moss.
For all her fire, she was putty in their hands, and she didn’t argue when Damen fisted her hair. “You have the sexiest mouth, love. I want to watch my dick disappear between your luscious lips.” He gently pushed her face toward his cock.
She smirked, sparing a glance for him as her tongue darted forward to lick his swollen head. His dark eyes flashed with red and he groaned, his lids closing for a moment. Gunner moved in behind her, his hands on her waist as she bent to taste more of Damen.
