by Mari Carr
Gunner grinned and nodded. “Our Deni’s a thinker. One of these days, I’m hoping she’ll start sharing some of those deep thoughts out loud instead of disappearing into her head.”
Deni pulled her shirt back down. Price scowled and made a deep sound of disapproval. “Wrong way.”
“Why do you want me to take my clothes off?” Deni didn’t have problems following orders if the reasons why they were issued were explained to her.
“Gunner’s going to take your outfit and hide it.”
Price’s answer confused her even more. “Why would he do that?”
“You can’t leave the hotel room if you’re naked. Given your attempt to escape this morning, this seems the easiest way to ensure your compliance. Plus, it provides some eye candy for Gunner and me.”
Deni was mortified. “You don’t seriously expect me to walk around this hotel room completely nude all day, do you?”
Price reached for her T-shirt and stripped it over her head with ease. “Yes. I do.”
Gunner had moved forward during their conversation and was kneeling behind where she sat on the bed. He made quick work of her bra and added it to the pile.
Topless, Deni covered her breasts with one hand while trying to fend off her lovers with the other.
Gunner grasped her and wrapped his arms around her, preventing her from using her hands. When Price reached for the button on her jeans, she kicked out, her last-ditch attempt.
Price sidestepped her kick easily, then pinned her legs to the side of the bed with his. Once he’d unfastened her pants, Gunner lifted her slightly to allow Price to tug them and her panties off. The entire disrobing had taken less than a minute.
She was completely outnumbered. “I think it’s only fair that you two take off your clothes too.”
Gunner chuckled. “No. We’re not trying to escape.”
She twisted, trying to break his hold. “What if I get cold?”
“We’ll crank up the heat.” Gunner released her, but her freedom was short-lived. Price leaned forward. Deni resisted the urge to back away from his angry face.
Last night, he’d been kind, even sweet in his own way. Today she was facing the man she’d met in her lab. He was irritated, scowling, looking far too serious.
Before she could move, a knock sounded on the door in the living suite.
“That will be breakfast. Price and I ordered room service. I’ll get it.” Gunner stood, gathered her clothing and started to leave her room. He stopped at the doorway. “Unless you’d prefer to sign for it, Deni.”
She smirked at his joke and he laughed, mercifully shutting the door behind him. Standing naked in front of Gunner and Price was one thing. She didn’t intend to offer a peep show to every hotel employee as well.
She released a slow breath and then glanced up. Price hadn’t moved. Maybe she should have signed for the food. That task would have been simpler than facing Price.
While Gunner had taken her attempt to leave in stride, Price was genuinely furious.
“I’m sorry.” She wasn’t sure what else to say. She hated it when people were mad at her.
Price sat on the bed next to her. “Do you understand the purpose of the Trinity Masters?”
Deni nodded. “Of course I do. The vision is that there’s power in three. By forming triads, the Grand Master hopes to build strong relationships that will lead to the success of our country and humankind. The Trinity Masters have been instrumental in influencing the continued development of technology, education, the military and medicine.”
“That’s right.” Price took her hand. “You’re special, Denise.”
She frowned. She’d heard that line too often in her lifetime. Sometimes it was a compliment. Most of the time it wasn’t. She rolled her eyes. “Great.”
He tightened his grip, squeezing her fingers in a way she assumed was meant to soothe her. “I don’t mean that as an insult.”
“I’m sure you don’t, but I’m pretty sick of hearing it just the same.” She mimicked her younger self. “Why can’t I go to third grade with my friends?” Then she adopted her mother’s voice. “Because you’re special, Deni. Why can’t I go to summer camp instead of taking a college class? Because you’re special.”
Deni threw her hands up, flopping back on the mattress. “I’m fucking sick of being special. I just want to be normal.”
Price lay down next to her and rested his hand on her bare stomach. Just like that, Deni went from pissed off to turned on. She never would have pegged herself as a sexual creature, but Price and Gunner had certainly ignited something inside her, and she didn’t see it burning out any time soon.
“There’s no one in the entire world who’s normal, Denise. We’re all just our own brand of unique.”
“So why do you think I’m special?”
“It’s never apparent why the Grand Master partners people up immediately, but he does have a plan.”
Deni hadn’t had time to consider why the Grand Master had thrust Gunner and Price into her life. All she knew was she was glad he had. “What do you think his plan is for us?”
Price lifted one shoulder. “I’m not sure where Gunner fits in, but I think my role is to protect you.”
Deni didn’t think that sounded like much of a power match. “That seems flimsy.”
He turned to face her, his upper body propped up by his elbow. “Not really. I genuinely believe you’re going to make a difference in the world with your research. Tell me about the studies you do. What’s your long-term goal?”
“To find a cure for neurological disorders. Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS. We’re still a long way away from that, but I really believe that we’ll get there.”
He nodded. “And the way there is through stem-cell research?”
“Yes, as well as through epigenetics.”
Price lifted his shoulder. “I’ve never heard of that.”
“Epigenetics is a fairly new and potentially invaluable field of research that looks at genes as being switches. Meaning they can be turned on and off by both environmental and chemical signals. Epigenetic gene control is a likely culprit for the causes of both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The human genome was sequenced in 2003, but the human epigenome is an even larger feat. Even so, it holds huge promise.”
“And people are against that?”
Deni sighed. “There are some people who are against the use of human embryos in stem-cell research. Period. Then there are some pro-lifers who think we should only use adult stem cells. It all lies with when a person sees life beginning. At fertilization? Gastrulation? With the first organ derived from morphogenesis? The first twitch of a newly active cardiac cell?”
Price shook his head. “When did we stop speaking English?”
Deni laughed. “Basically what people fail to realize is that adult stem cells are only pluripotent. That means they can only differentiate into some but not all types of tissues. Researchers need totipotent cells, ones that can become any other cell in the body through chemical signaling. IPSC have their benefit, but they’re expensive and hard to come by.”
“IPSC?”
“Induced pluripotent stem cells.”
“Where do the human embryos come from?”
“Lots of places, but mainly from in vitro clinics. They’re embryos that have been stored too long or that are slated to be destroyed anyway.”
Price ran his hand through her hair. “That sounds harmless enough.”
Deni hadn’t been touched much in her life and never like this. It made her feel hot and fuzzy and dizzy all at the same time. She cleared her throat and forced herself to pay attention to the conversation at hand.
“Let’s face it, Price. There are a million different aspects of my research that have been debated endlessly. Lots of people are of the opinion that once a cell or tissue leaves your body, it isn’t yours anymore. Look at Henrietta Lacks. She unknowingly gave up her cells in 1951 and they’ve been dividing her ever since. Her c
ells have played a role in the cure for polio as well as establishing legal laws regarding the ethical treatment of prisoners. Hell, they’ve even been to the moon and back to study the effects of anti-gravity on cell division.”
Price sighed. “So basically this is just yet another area where religion and science clash.”
Deni nodded. “In a nutshell, I guess.”
“And these threats against you are likely to remain as long as you continue your research?”
Deni closed her eyes wearily. “I don’t think what’s happening to me is normal. There are a lot of scientists in the same field who don’t come home to destroyed apartments and bombs.”
Price cupped her jaw, turned her toward him. She opened her eyes, touched by the concern written on his face.
“You’ve ticked off a dangerous person. My job is to protect. I sometimes wondered if I hadn’t been partnered up in a triad because I didn’t bring enough to the table.”
“Don’t be silly.”
He grinned. “You’re mine, Denise. You’re brilliant, talented and passionate. I’m going to keep you safe so that you can finish your work. Save the world.”
She laughed. “Wow. No pressure there.”
He kissed her.
“Must be nice to know your place in this relationship.”
Price and Deni sat up at the sound of Gunner’s voice. It was apparent he’d been standing in the doorway, listening. “Meanwhile, I don’t have a clue why I’m here.”
“Comic relief?” Price suggested.
Deni giggled and stood. “If I promise not to leave, can I at least get a T-shirt?”
Gunner and Price said, “No,” in unison.
“Come on. Breakfast is getting cold.” Gunner took Deni’s hand and led her to the table where they’d eaten dinner last night. They each claimed the same seats, falling into comfortable patterns.
Would it always be this simple?
Deni suspected not. There were still too many bridges to cross. “What do we tell people about us?”
Price paused in the middle of buttering a croissant. “It’s imperative that we keep the true nature of our relationship a secret.”
Deni took a sip of orange juice. “I know. So how do we explain the three of us living together in your house?”
Gunner leaned back. “I’m still not sure I can get the transfer to Boston. It may just be the two of you for a while.”
“You’ll get the transfer.”
“How do you know so much about the inner workings of the Trinity Masters, Price? This is the third time you’ve alluded to knowing something more than Deni and I.”
“The Trinity Masters isn’t run by one man.”
Deni put down her fork. “It isn’t? I thought the Grand Master held all the power.”
Price shook his head. “Ultimately, all decisions are made by the Grand Master, but there is a triumvirate standing behind him. Three members who support him, offer counsel, handle day-to-day issues that may arise.”
“You’re one of those three?” Gunner asked.
Price nodded.
“But you didn’t know about us, about the ceremony,” Deni said.
“I suspect the Grand Master knew I would be resistant to this particular match. I would have fought him on it because I didn’t understand the reasons behind it.”
It was the first time Deni felt as if she shared a common trait with her self-assured, powerhouse lover. Neither of them could easily accept commands without also being offered reasons.
“So you know who the Grand Master is.” Gunner’s curiosity was almost palpable. Deni didn’t share it. It had never bothered her not to know the man’s identity.
Price grinned. “Is it the CIA or the FBI who coined the line, I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you?”
Gunner snorted. “I think it actually came from some damn spy movie.”
“My mother will never believe that you and I are a couple, Price.” Deni tried to steer their conversation back to important matters.
Price covered his heart with his hand, pretending to be wounded. “What? She never pictured her little girl with a billionaire playboy?”
Deni laughed. “Afraid not.” She glanced at Gunner. “But she would believe I was dating you. You’re the only person who’s ever really stuck around, been a friend.”
Gunner shook his head. “I’m always surprised when you say that. You’re gorgeous and funny enough that it’s not completely impossible to overlook your nerd tendencies.”
Deni tore a crust off her bread and lobbed it at Gunner’s head. “Jerk,” she teased.
“So you and Gunner will be the couple, and eventually you should get married to solidify the union.”
“What about you?” Gunner asked.
“I have more money than God. I think that entitles me to be a bit eccentric. I’ll take a sudden interest in stem-cell research, become very good friends with one of the field’s top scientists and her boyfriend. I’ll build Denise a lab on my property with a connecting house for the two of you. My staff is well trained and trustworthy. We’ll make this work.”
Deni was amazed by Price’s quick response. She’d never met anyone so self-assured, so confident.
“Sounds like a plan,” Gunner said.
She studied his face, wondering if he was truly okay with Price’s proposal. Gunner seemed to take everything in stride, accepting their new fate so easily. She wished she could roll with the punches as well as he did. Instead, she felt like she was struggling to keep up.
“Can I borrow your phone?” she asked Gunner.
Gunner handed his cell over without question. Deni dialed the number to her lab, certain Curtis would be there and wondering where the hell she was. Sure enough, he answered on the second ring.
She took a few minutes assuring Curtis she wasn’t dying. Poor man couldn’t think of any other reason for her absence. Once she calmed him down regarding her health, she gave him detailed instructions on what she needed him to do over the course of the next two days. With any luck, she’d convince her so-called captors to release her by then.
“Thanks, Curtis. See you in a few days.” She clicked the phone off and returned it to Gunner.
“Feel better?” Gunner asked.
She nodded.
Gunner laid his phone on the table. “I’m surprised you didn’t try to give him some coded message that would alert him you were being held against your will.”
“How do you know I didn’t? Maybe all that science-speak was nonsense and only Curtis is smart enough to figure it out. I bet he’s on the phone with the police as we speak.”
Gunner laughed. “Police? Yeah. I’m not worried.”
“Finished eating?” Price asked, putting down his fork.
She nodded, and it occurred to her she’d eaten the entire meal in the nude while Gunner and Price were fully dressed. Where had her shyness gone? Why did this suddenly not feel so strange?
Price glanced at Gunner and then back at her. “Good. I think it’s time we deal with your punishment.”
She frowned. “I thought losing my clothes was the punishment.”
Gunner grinned. “Nope. That was just a perk for us.”
She started to stand, wondering if she could make it to her bedroom without being caught. Of course, considering the fact Gunner had managed to unlock her locked door, she wasn’t sure what good running would do.
Price rose and pressed her back into her seat, his hands remaining firmly planted on her shoulders. “Don’t move unless we tell you to.”
Deni bit her lip, aware of the arousal Price’s command had provoked. Her nipples tightened, her pussy grew damp.
Price dragged her chair away from the table, twisting it until she was facing the rest of the room, completely exposed.
Gunner moved to stand in front of her. “Put your feet around the legs of the chair.”
She complied without asking why. Something told her the only answers she was going to get in the next h
our or four would be presented physically rather than verbally.
Gunner reached into his back pocket and Deni gasped when he produced a pair of handcuffs. He handed them to Price who pulled her wrists behind her back and snapped them into place.
Within seconds, they had her open and restrained. Deni’s heart raced. Excitement tinged with the tiniest bit of fear coursed through her. She couldn’t wait to see what they’d do next.
Gunner knelt in front of her and softly caressed her knees as he looked up at her. “Sore?”
She shook her head. He didn’t seem to buy her answer, so she added, “Not really.”
He nodded. “Scared?”
She grinned, shaking her head again. “Of you? No.”
She thought he’d laugh, but instead his face grew more serious. “You should be.”
His words caught her unaware until she recognized something in his face she’d never noticed before. Given her previous inexperience, she wondered if it had always been there, but she hadn’t known what it was.
Gunner was looking at her with a hunger that took her breath away. “Oh.”
“I can’t always promise you easy, Deni. I want you too much.”
She blinked rapidly and then realized Price’s hands were still on her shoulders, his fingers tightening. Last night this had all seemed so much simpler. They were kind, careful with her.
Now, in the bright light of day, she could see all too well what she’d signed on for. Life with two powerful, dominant, physical men. Could she handle that?
She closed her eyes. The best way to find an answer was to experiment. “Show me,” she whispered.
Her request unlocked the floodgates as four large, strong hands took over. Gunner pushed her legs farther apart, digging his fingers into the globes of her ass to drag her closer to the chair’s edge. Then he bent his head and thrust his tongue inside her sex.
Deni groaned, her head falling back. The sensation of Gunner’s mouth on her pussy, nipping at her clit, stroking her, would have been overwhelming enough, but he wasn’t the only man in the room.
Price leaned over, kissing her upside down. It would have felt whimsical, almost fun, if Price’s hands weren’t upping the ante. He cupped her breasts, squeezing the flesh firmly before moving in for the kill. He took her nipples between his fingers, pinching lightly at first and then adding more pressure.
