“You sold me!” she cried out. “You got rid of me with a bounty hit thing.”
“Please,” Zadal begged. He looked sick with anguish. “Please believe that I never, ever paid to have you taken. I would never… sell you to a sex slave auction.”
Lindsey slumped a shoulder against the wall and sniffled. “How? Tell me how and I don’t want to look at this.” She waved Baruk’s data pad.
“It was Zumei.” Baruk’s hands gripped her shoulders and pulled her back against his chest. His arms slid around her waist as he nuzzled her neck. “Zumei tricked Zadal into signing papers. The open bounty went out and was picked up. When you were kidnapped, Zumei added the enticement to sell you and made back half the money he spent placing the bounty.”
Zadal cupped her chin, drawing her face up. Melted caramel. His brown eyes met hers. With a studied descent, his head lowered and he kissed her. Gentle lips pressed to her own. Then he brushed at the lone tear rolling down her face. “You have to believe us, Lindsey.”
Could she trust him? Remembering their Triad marriage cast doubts on the fears she’d developed once she discovered her kidnapping had been planned.
“Zumei did all of this?”
Zadal flinched. “He did.”
It was hard to comprehend. The weeks of running. The heartbreak she’d experienced when she thought her husbands wanted her dead. “I need a minute.”
Zadal paled and Lindsey bit back her instinctive apology for the hurt he didn’t seek to hide. Baruk turned her around to face him. His thumb brushed her bottom lip and Lindsey trembled. “Take the time, wife, but never doubt you are wanted. Desired. We couldn’t have found a more treasured wife for our Triad.”
Lindsey could only nod due to the size of the lump in her throat. The thickness spread, keeping her from responding. With a deep exhale, he released her and after a final look, he and Zadal left her alone with Smiki in Baruk’s office.
The Chamele wasted no time. “You are…what did you once call me? A fool.”
Lindsey blinked back tears. “I’m scared.”
He stormed to her side and raised her hand holding the data pad. “Then look at what he gave you and make your decision. I don’t care for soft feelings.”
Lindsey snorted.
“But I believe they had no part of what happened to you.”
Lindsey’s fingers clenched on the data pad. “Alright.”
Baruk had the settings marked and Lindsey read through the file. Smiki came over to read over her shoulder. “Pfft. I can’t understand it.”
“It’s in the Garulaxan language.” She swallowed. “There’s the details about Zumei placing the bounty and a report from the authorities to say I was abducted.”
“There!” Smiki crowed. “They wouldn’t have filed a report if they paid to have you taken.”
Lindsey devoured the information. The messages and demands to the Jutaks were included. Her mouth grew dry when she came to the part about her death and a whimper escaped. “They thought I was dead.”
“What?!” Smiki turned to her with an appalled gaze.
Lindsey closed her eyes to absorb this new detail. “They thought I was dead.”
“Then why’d they have everyone after us?”
She opened her eyes to see Smiki’s lips turn down and twist with disgruntlement. “It looks like they wanted proof. Torkel and Faye were able to confirm the body they found wasn’t mine.”
Lindsey sighed and her heart softened further when she noted the reward for details leading to her safe return, not her capture. “We had it all wrong, Smiki,” she mumbled.
The Chamele smoothed a hand over his head then planted them on his hips. “What are you going to do?”
Lindsey turned from her friend, excitement and mounting relief lifting her. She yanked the door open only to come to a stop at the sight of Baruk and Zadal standing there. Zadal was closest and Lindsey ran toward him.
“I believe you.” With a muffled moan, Lindsey stretched her arms up and tugged Zadal’s head down for a kiss.
***
Zadal fought the urge to cry as he held Lindsey and kissed her back with mounting passion. He’d given up hope. The day Baruk came to him with news of Lindsey’s supposed death, his world had come to an abrupt stop. Regrets played havoc with his thoughts as he recounted all the missed opportunities he’d had to tell Lindsey of his feelings.
“Does this mean you’re staying?” the Chamele, Lindsey’s unlikely friend, asked.
She fell into Zadal’s arms laughing. He shared a look with Baruk over her shoulder and his spouse partner beamed.
Chapter 35
“We didn’t get it right.” Soft kisses to her shoulder. “We made mistakes.”
Careful fingers pushed her dress to her hips and removed her panties. Lindsey writhed beneath their joint touch.
Zadal darted a quick kiss to the side of her mouth since he stood behind her. “I love you, Lindsey Laars-Gatar.”
This was his third time saying it but Lindsey would never tire of hearing it. “I love you too, Zadal.”
He carefully lined her up at the bottom of the bed, arms stretched forward as she crouched on all four. Baruk knelt on the bed in front of her, his rigid flesh bobbing before her. Zadal’s tight clasp on her wrists kept her from reaching out to touch either of them.
“Say you forgive me.” Zadal’s arousal teased her entrance from behind, his chest nestled along her back.
“There’s nothing to forgive. Please, give it to me.” Lindsey arched and struggled in his hold, Baruk’s glistening erection taunting her.
“Love you,” Zadal murmured and then the thick intrusion seared over her wet tissue as he slammed home. The hard length filled her greedy passage. Each slick glide as Zadal rocked into her lit her core with flashes of fire. She burned. Burned with her growing need for him.
“Zadal. Make it stop.”
“You’re wet and tight,” he moaned against her ear.
Baruk’s knees bent as he scooted closer and her head lowered to tongue him desperately. His fingers pulled the skin of his shaft taut, revealing the glistening head. Lindsey’s mouth widened as she tried to swallow him whole but only managed a portion of his flexing erection.
Baruk groaned, his other hand digging into her hair and tugged at the strands. Pain and lightning pleasure. Lindsey swallowed as Zadal pumped into her, the rhythm driving her toward a speedy climax.
“Take both of us. Love us.” Baruk panted, hips rocking.
Love them? Didn’t he understand? They owned her heart. Lindsey pushed her hips back begging for more from Zadal and sucked Baruk harder. She wanted to come, needed to come but not until she took them with her.
“I. Love. You. Lindsey.” Each word rasped from Baruk’s throat.
Pleasure exploded. White lights flashed over her vision.
Both men groaned, bodies shaking as they fell to the bed beside her. Lindsey smiled. From the brochures she’d read this was how a Triad should be. Smiling, she relaxed against them as Baruk shifted to pull her close, chest to chest and Zadal nestled up to her back.
“When are you going to tell us?” Baruk asked.
Lindsey froze. “Tell you what?”
From behind, Zadal framed her stomach with his broad palm. “You carry our child. Torkel said they found you because of a doctor’s information.”
They were in for a surprise. “Actually children is more apt. I’m carrying three.”
Baruk reacted first by lunging up in the bed and Lindsey rolled on the bed. “Three? That’s not possible. No one has multiples.”
Lindsey snickered, pushing up to sit. “Triplets aren’t common on Earth but they’re not unheard of either.”
Zadal sat up and eased Lindsey onto his lap. “Faye shared a bit about your experience together but she doesn’t know what happened to you after Alonson’s team rescued her.”
Her humor dimmed. “I’m not sure who got me out of there but I owe him. These miners wanted to take me back t
o service all of them. Then I ended up with Smiki and he really did take good care of me.”
Baruk twirled a lock of her hair. “We believe you.”
“With the babies, don’t you care about who’s…” she lowered her voice to a whisper. “the father?”
Both laughed and Lindsey flushed. Zadal smoothed back the hair clinging to her cheeks. “We signed away our right to genetic knowledge.”
She curled into his lap, enjoying both their touches. “You did? When?”
Baruk merely shook his head and smiled. “It was part of the marriage contract and is a very standard clause. Triads have children all the time and they are loved by all their parents just as we will love our children.”
Lindsey thought the concept amazing. “I love you guys,”
***
2 days later
This was the last breakfast she’d share with Smiki. Today the Chamele announced his satisfaction with her situation and his desire to leave.
“We’d like to offer Smiki compensation as our thanks for caring for you.” Baruk laid his utensils down after finishing his meal.
Lindsey reached across the dining table and squeezed Smiki’s hand. “He doesn’t want money. We’re friends.”
Smiki interrupted from his seat. “Yes. Yes, I do want money, thanks.
Baruk’s mouth twitched. “We set aside a reasonable amount for his care of you.”
“How reasonable?” Smiki asked.
Baruk shook his head. “In addition, as a good will gesture Zadal and I worked on an extensive pardon. The chip wipes clean twenty-six of his thirty charges. The Jutaks were not pleased about him staying here while we waited for approval.”
Zadal handed over a small black chip and Smiki snatched it up. “My thanks.”
“We couldn’t do anything about the last four.” Baruk’s brow creased. “You’ve made some powerful people very angry.”
Smiki laughed, unconcerned. “With only four charges to my name I could go a lot of places without worry about being arrested on sight.”
The reality of his leaving saddened Lindsey. “At least promise to come back for the birth. I’m naming one of the girls after you.”
“Girls?” His skin darkened to lavender and his expression became squeamish.
Lindsey beamed. “Baruk had a doctor here. I’m having all girls.”
“You want to name our daughter Smiki?” Zadal’s displeasure was evident.
“No, Z. I’m naming her Camille because not all of them are bad.”
“I don’t like Z,” he started, “but hearing you call me that when I thought you lost to us forever is enough for me to give you your way.”
“I think my work here is done,” Smiki announced, coming to his feet. Baruk chuckled and her friend continued. “Being your friend, Lindsey, is the shit.”
Epilogue
“Have you seen Lindsey?” Baruk asked.
“She said she wanted to go into the gardens. Have you checked?” Even as he posed the question, Zadal was on his feet.
Baruk hurried to the outside gardens with Zadal on his heels. Past the stone walkway, pass the bench seat, they both searched.
Quack.
Quack. Quack.
Zadal tensed beside him as four fully grown paxals came running from the woods. Baruk slammed to a halt, fear overriding all else. “Lindsey!”
His spry wife raced from the trees and the paxals surrounded her.
“Daphne? Jolie? Look at all of you. You’ve grown up.” She rubbed a scaled head and smiled at Baruk with no idea of his terror. “They’re like baby T-rex’s now.”
He didn’t know what a T-rex was but the dangerous creatures hopped around his wife, nudging her with their large triangular heads. “Lindsey. Very carefully walk towards Zadal and me.”
“Did you see my ducks?” Blonde hair floated about her shoulders and blue eyes shone brightly. Today’s dress did nothing to hide her advancing pregnancy.
“Ducks?” Baruk’s gaze shifted to the deadly paxals. “Please come away from them.”
The paxals formed a tighter loop, keeping Lindsey in the midst of their circle.
Quack. Quack, quack.
“Enough,” Lindsey hushed the paxals with a stern look. “Guys, this is Jolie. She’s feisty. To my left is Daphne, a real softie.”
One of the paxals crouched on its hind legs, red slitted eyes never leaving Baruk.
“Aww, I think Courtney likes you Baruk.”
He shivered, hoping she didn’t mean in terms of a meal.
“And for spit and giggles this is Little Lindsey. These are the baby ducks I told you about.” She pointed to the last of the pod.
“Baby ducks,” Zadal murmured. “Does she have any idea?”
Fear crawled up Baruk spine. “Lindsey, why don’t you leave the…ducks for later.”
She turned from the paxals and faced him at last. Her eyes darted around. “What is it, Baruk?”
She came closer but not close enough. The moment she moved the paxals shifted with her, staying in line with every step she took.
Quack. Honk. Quack.
Lindsey frowned. “I don’t know what’s gotten into them. Do you think they’ve forgotten me?”
Zadal cursed beside him. Then in a move Baruk was sure he’d see in his nightmares to come, Lindsey shoved at the one she’d named Daphne, missing the snapping jaws. “Stop that, girls.”
She turned back to Baruk and pleaded. “Can we take them to the house? Keep them in a penned area. I worry about them alone out here.”
“Ah, no. They like the trees.” He lied, not wanting the voracious hunters any closer to his property.
The paxals glanced from Lindsey then the woods before taking off at a fast lope towards the tree line.
“Later, girls,” Lindsey waved.
“Do you think she knows those paxals are all male?”
“Shut up, Zadal!”
Author’s Note
This was my first ménage book and hats off to all ménage authors because it is NOT easy. Writing never is but when you add in delicate pieces that stray from what is seen as the traditional it adds another juggling act. Lots of legs, arms and body parts to keep track of. LOL.
It’s also a balance to give each hero a piece of the heroine’s heart and to show how she can love two awesome guys. If nothing else, I hope Lindsey’s feelings for her husbands came across and vice-versa. Lindsey is one of those characters that it’s hard not to like. She made friendships where you least expected it, starting with Faye who she meets for a few minutes and ending with a known criminal, Smiki. I did love Smiki, bad/good guy and all.
I think Lindsey’s story is a great addition to the series so here’s hoping readers agree.
(Rubbing hands together) It’s onward to the next A World Beyond book. I’ve been tempted to write Jaron. Maybe V’hor or Bane. I want to dive into the Team 3 guys so bad!!
BUT. I’ve got tons of notes on my scary Jutak, Kyele, who is my next full-length novel in this series. We just won’t get to see him until 2016 because I’m working on another anthology with MK Eidem and JA Hornbuckle. That book will be out this holiday season (November) and is titled Bound by Heat. Each story will feature dragons in some fashion. Scroll, turn, swipe and all that good stuff to get a peek.
For exclusive excerpts, cover reveals and other updates, sign up for my newsletter at www.michellehowardwrites.com. If you just want to hang out or look at hot pictures of guys, stop by and like my FB author FAN page. I try to post and reply to everyone who pops over.
Happy Reading,
Michelle
Bound by Heat coming November 2015
Rylin’s Fire (excerpt)
A dragon shifter novel
Chapter 1
It was time.
Rylin strode down the long hall of the royal palace, the sound of his boots ringing against the stone floor. Mounted portraits of past Kings held prominence along the walls, revitalizing him despite the reason for his presence today.
Spine straight, Rylin continued. Rows of men, fellow warriors, marched with him until they reached the throne room. The tone and atmosphere shifted as soon as he crossed the threshold.
Grief hung in the air, increasing as more entered the room behind him. With a heavy heart, Rylin mirrored the males around him and removed his shirt to bare his torso. He wadded the material into a ball on the floor and dropped to one knee before the massive chair on the dais. Their King sat upright, hands gripping the rounded ends of the arms.
Lines of strain and weariness marked a face once filled with happiness and grace. Grooves marred the sleek waves of amber streaked, brown hair. A body made fit by war dwarfed the elaborate chair with its carved scrollwork and heavy jeweled embellishments. Gold, glittering eyes surveyed the people amassed in the throne room, pausing when they reached Ry. The King nodded his head in recognition then shifted to eye the others entering.
Soon the hall overflowed with males and females, though most of the women crowded to the far right of the room. Ry remained poised on his bent knee as he searched the crowd, scanning for a familiar face. He froze when his gaze landed on Mikal, one of his best friends and fellow warriors. For years, they served together under the King’s army. Beside him, Mikal’s lira, Sana, cradled their new baby but months old.
Sana smiled at Mikal and leaned up to kiss her blond mate’s cheek. Ry flinched, unable to look away from the couple. Sana had once smiled at him in that special way, lips curled, eyes shining as if her world centered on him.
Of course, that all changed when he failed to create a child with her. Month after month, Sana’s ire increased until she requested their mate bond be severed. It had hurt Rylin’s pride for his lira to announce her decision to leave him. He might have forgiven her if she hadn’t deliberately chased another, a fellow warrior Rylin called friend, and rubbed Ry’s face in their successful mating.
Since she’d bonded with Mikal, Rylin went out of his way to avoid her, though it proved difficult when she insisted on attending warrior affairs and gatherings where she knew he’d be present. Fortunately, his friendship with Mikal endured aside from the initial discomfort.
Lindsey's Rescue: A World Beyond Book 3 Page 22
