A Trick of the Moon

by Melinda Barron

  Do I remind you of an overweight shipwrecked man wearing a blue shirt?”

  “No, you're the boss, the captain, the skipper.” Dario shrugged, then cocked his head just a little. “So we're off the clock, does that mean we're getting paid hourly, or are we salaried workers? I'm just asking because, after this gig ends, I'll have to fill out paperwork for unemployment benefits.”

  “Kiss my fanny,” Maura said, her words tinged with humor. Then, as if realizing what she'd said, her eyes widened and she grabbed the plates. “I made A Trick of the Moon

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  flan last night. Do you want some now, or should we wait until after the movie starts?”

  “I'm voting for Bond,” Declan said, and Dario nodded in agreement. They both ignored her suggestion about dessert. “Lots of action and other things to titillate us.”

  “You are so bad,” Maura replied. “It's a good thing for both of you it's after-hours.”

  She pointed to the living room. “There's a TV in there, although Dad's is not exactly state-of-the-art. He didn't even have a satellite dish until I came out here, and I'm afraid I never got a converter for the DTV thing, so it probably is not even getting a signal, since we only have one receiver and that's on my TV.

  The only DVD player in the house is hooked up to the digital TV in my bedroom, which is mounted on the wall. The only problem is there's only one place to sit in there.”

  “King or queen?” Declan stood and picked up a few of the serving dishes they'd used. He put them down, then took the plate of leftovers and headed over to where the dogs still sat waiting. He divided the contents between two bowls, and the dogs wagged their tails, then started to eat. Dario decided he was trying to be discreet without saying to Maura, Being on the bed is fine with me.

  “It's a queen-size bed.”

  “As long as you're in the middle, we'll be fine,” Dario said, standing and taking the empty plates from her. “I hope you got lots of pillows.”

  “Definitely.” Declan's agreement followed Dario as he went into the kitchen, then put the plates on the counter. Dario could hear their soft voices as they discussed something, but he wasn't exactly sure what it was. He thought it best to give them a little time alone. Then they'd watch a bit of the movie, and he'd excuse himself to try and relieve some of the tension that was building in his balls. Declan could take it from there. After all, they'd already be in her bed. It would be the perfect opportunity for his friend to make a move 40

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  that could satisfy the both of them, even if it did leave Dario with nothing but his hand.

  * * * * *

  Maura wondered about her sanity. She'd told herself there would be no sex involved in this visit, yet here she was about to go to bed with two men. Not really go to bed with them, she supposed, just lie in bed. There was a difference, right? Yes, there was. But then why had she turned out all the lights and lit the candles that sat atop her dresser? It was to provide low lighting, she told herself, so they would feel like they were in a movie theater. If she told herself that enough, she might actually believe it. She thought about blowing out the candles and turning on the lamps on her nightstands.

  But she liked the candles and the glow they gave off. If one of them mentioned them, she would blow them out. Until then, they stayed.

  She picked up a pillow and tossed it to the bottom of the bed. It would be better to lie down with their heads toward the bottom; that way she could look at the event as a big slumber party, instead of them being in a position to sleep or to…

  “Don't go there, Maura; don't go there.”

  “Where?” Declan tossed another pillow next to the one she'd just thrown.

  “I brought the ones from my room. I think Dario's bringing his too.”

  Maura gave him a bright smile and nodded. He frowned and she tried to keep her smile plastered on her face.

  “Are you okay with this? We could sit on the floor. Or if you're tired, we'll let you go to sleep.”

  She laughed softly. “If you sat on the floor, it would be like sitting in the first row of a movie theater. Plus, it's not even nine o'clock. I may be a country girl now, but I'm not one of the 'early to bed, early to rise' type of girls. If I went to bed now, I'd be up at four a.m. Besides, since Dad went to Albuquerque, I A Trick of the Moon

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  spend most evenings by myself. I'm thrilled to have something to do, even if it is a movie I've seen before.”

  “Stick around after the main feature and there might be a floor show.”

  Dario put his pillows on the growing pile, then sat down on the bed and bounced. “Nice. Not too soft, not too firm. As Goldilocks would say, 'It's just right.'”

  “It's my bed from home. All my other stuff is in storage, well, except for the TV and DVD collection.”

  There was an awkward silence, and then Declan asked, “Where's the remote?”

  “On the nightstand.” She walked to the top of the bed, then watched as Dario stretched out on his stomach. His long, lean body sank into the mattress, and he bunched up the pillows, using them to keep his head lifted.

  Her gaze raked over his back, loitering on his firm butt. Damn, but that was fine.

  Neither of them had mentioned the candles or complained about the lighting, so she decided it was okay the way it was.

  “You getting in?” The humor in Declan's voice made her stomach clench.

  He'd noticed her staring.

  “Of course.” It almost seemed as if she were getting into the bed for the first time. She waddled to the middle, then leaned forward. Dario took that moment to look over his shoulder, and the shifting of the mattress made her lose her balance. She started to fall, gasping when Declan's hands clasped her hips. He was right behind her now, almost as if he were going to take her from behind.

  Her clit twitched at the contact, and she gasped again. Declan's hands tightened on her hips, and Dario's hand went to her waist, cupping her gently.

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  Oh crap, this was a bad idea. Her body loved their touch, though, and she felt her nipples tighten against her tight shirt. She glanced at Dario, who was staring at her chest, his eyes widening in appreciation.

  This was definitely not a good idea.

  “Careful,” Declan said, lowering her gently. She came down on Dario's hand. He wiggled his finger, then pulled away at the same time Declan's hands left her hips. She felt strangely alone now, even though they were both there.

  Maybe if she asked again, they would touch her. Or she could fall again and they would catch her.

  “Bit clumsy,” she said, trying to laugh. “Who wants the remote?”

  “A woman offering a man a remote?” Declan stretched out next to her, pressing close. She was sandwiched between the two of them, and if she'd been a piece of cheese between two slices of bread, she thought she would melt from the heat she felt. Her hand sizzled from where Declan touched her as he grabbed the piece of plastic she clutched. “Don't mind if I do, even if it is a bit naive on your part. You know what they say about men and remotes.”

  “I changed my mind.” She stretched out her arm for it, but he held it out of reach.

  “Too late.” He pushed buttons at random, a frown marring his masculine features when nothing happened. “This says Power, but the TV's still off.

  What's the deal?”

  “Give it to me and I'll show you.” She tried, and once again failed, to grab it.

  “Children, please.” Dario offered his hand. “Give it to the man who just spent more than a year undercover with not much more than a satellite dish to satisfy his boredom.”

  Declan snorted, then handed him the remote. “Knock yourself out.”

  Within a few minutes Dario had turned on the TV and started the DVD. As the video played through the warnings and moved to the main menu, Maura A Trick of the Moon

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  studied Dario. What was it like, she wondered, to spend all
that time away from family and friends, trying to catch the bad guys who made money off drugs?

  How exactly did one go about being undercover and not give themselves away?

  She'd just opened her mouth to ask when he turned to her.

  “I know what you want to ask, but just like a good spy, if I told you what it was like, I'd have to kill you.” He'd leaned close to her, his breath hot on her cheek. She'd turned onto her side and moved back just a little, butting into Declan. Dario scooted closer, and her body, already aroused from the proximity of two strong men, heated up even more.

  The familiar strains of music from the film filled the room, and Maura laughed nervously. “You're on my side of the bed.”

  “Your side is in the middle, remember? Besides, possession is nine-tenths of the law, as they say. Right now I possess this part. Right, Deck?”

  “Right, Dario.” Declan's voice was husky in her ear. She could feel the hard length of him pressed against her backside. The fact he had a hard-on sent waves of need through her. She wanted to look down and see if Dario was in the same state, but she couldn't tear her gaze away from his face, which bore a devilishly sexy smile at the moment. This is a bad idea. Just remember that before you do anything you'll regret later.

  “I'm a lawyer, remember? I can find my way around the possession argument. Now scoot over and let's watch the movie.” Before I forget myself and attack you both.

  “Spoilsport.” Dario moved, and Maura couldn't decide if it made her happy or frustrated. She didn't move away from Declan, though, and when he ran a finger down her thigh, she inhaled sharply.

  “Hey, remember that possession thing?” Declan's voice was deeper than she'd ever heard it. “Not that I'm complaining, but if you really want to watch the movie, you need to move too, or else we'll be in a little bit of trouble here.”

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  “If you two want me to step out, I'll go.” Dario winked at her. “It's not as if I haven't seen this one, a lot.”

  She rolled back over and focused on the screen. “Sex was not included in our employment contract.”

  “We're off the clock,” Declan said, nudging her with his thigh. “Which means you're not the boss. I thought we'd covered that earlier in the night.”

  “I'm amending the contract to include off hours, because this is my home and—”

  “Ahem.” Dario waved his hands. “Do you mind? I hate people who talk through the movie. If you don't stop, I'm going to call the usher.”

  Maura and Declan laughed, the sound seeming to link them together.

  “Shows how long it's been since you've been to a theater,” Maura said. “There are no ushers anymore.”

  “Good thing I have a gun, then,” Dario said, narrowing his eyes just a bit.

  “Now behave, you two, or I'll pull it out.”

  “Is it loaded, or are you just making empty threats?” Maura tried not to laugh at her question, but Declan's chuckle of appreciation widened her grin.

  “It's always loaded,” Dario replied. “If you need me to prove it, I can.”

  “Enough.” Declan clapped his hands together to get their attention. “Let's watch the movie.” The room grew quiet, and they watched Bond interact with various women, spies, and superiors. After Bond had bedded his second woman of the film, Maura cleared her throat.

  “How many women did you leave in your wake, Dario?” He didn't look at her, and she turned to Declan, who also continued to watch the film. “Am I asking an 'I'd have to kill you' question?”

  For a moment she thought Dario wouldn't answer. And then he moved his shoulders just enough to make it look like a shrug. “This is fiction, remember?

  In real life I didn't take a different woman to my bed every night. I knew the A Trick of the Moon

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  dangers in doing that and usually just had a visit with Rosy Palm and her five sisters.”

  Maura blushed a little at the idea of Dario stroking his own cock. The image made her already warm pussy burn hotter, and she wiggled her hips a little, bumping against both her bedmates. She needed to change the subject, smooth it out just a little. “Yes, I guess you're right. Most men can't seduce woman after woman, satisfying one after another. And Bond only does it because a writer makes him—”

  “Are you questioning my ability to make a woman melt in my arms?”

  “No, Dario, that's not what I meant.” She turned a little, her eyes widening at the predatory look on his face. He glanced behind her at Declan, then fastened his gaze on her lips. She opened her mouth to try and dig herself out of the hole she was in.

  He claimed her lips so fast that she felt as if her heart had stopped beating. Behind her, Declan pressed himself against her, holding her tight as Dario plundered her mouth, his tongue searching out every space he could, spreading pleasure through her in wave after wave of pulsing power.

  “That might seduce a woman or two, don't you think?” Dario said as he finally released her.

  Oh yes, she thought it would. Her body felt as if she were floating on clouds. Her fingers tingled, and her nipples throbbed with the desire to be released and sucked, and since there were two of them, it could mean one for each hard bud. “I didn't mean—”

  “I can do that too, you know.” Declan put his hands on her chin, turning her head. He kissed her, and years of unrequited passion flooded through her, riding the wave of pleasure Dario had just started. Her body pulsed as Declan's tongue lapped at her and Dario's hands stroked her stomach, not touching her breasts or dipping lower to where her pussy clenched with need.

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  This was definitely not what she had expected from watching a simple movie.

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  Chapter Five

  “You know what I love about women who look like women, Deck?” Dario's hands were still exploring her stomach, his touch soft while Declan continued to nibble on her lower lip. Sensations roared through her body, but she wasn't quite sure how to react. Should she touch them or just continue to let them explore her?

  Declan's tongue played against her teeth before he pulled back gently.

  “What do you love about them, Dario?” As soon as the words were out, he claimed her lips again, deepening the kiss. It was as perfect as she'd always dreamed it would be, and she wanted to lose herself in it, to savor every moment so that after he was gone she could remember it, call it up, and make it feel as if it were happening right then, right there.

  “So soft, so beautiful, and so wonderfully female.” Dario lowered his lips to her stomach, kissing it through the fabric of her T-shirt. Maura gasped as Declan, who had started to place quick, soft kisses around her mouth and cheeks, murmured his agreement. Or she thought that's what he was doing.

  Frankly she didn't care, as long as he didn't stop kissing her.

  Dario's hands were under her shirt now, his touch almost like a tickle as he caressed her skin. “Look at her. Her breasts are moving up and down so quickly, calling attention to them, letting us know she likes it. They're so beautiful. Makes me hard.”

  “You're right; she's so beautiful. She always has been.” Declan's voice was low and throaty. “I've been hard all night. Actually, I've been that way since I first saw you today, Maura.”

  Her mouth dropped open in astonishment.

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  “I've been hard since you called. Just the idea of seeing you again made me that way.”

  “Why…” She swallowed hard, then groaned as Dario's lips touched her belly button, his tongue tracking the small hole. Oh Lord, that felt fantastic.

  She shivered, then gazed into Declan's eyes again. “Why didn't you tell me you felt this way before now?”

  “Because I'm a big ol' chicken,” Declan said. “I was afraid of losing you, in any way.”

  Dario's lips left her stomach, and he sat back on his knees, looking down at them. �
�I guess I should go, leave you two alone for a while.”

  “No.” Maura and Declan said the word at the same time; then Maura glanced up at Declan, who was stroking her cheek.

  “We want you to stay.” Her gaze never left Declan's face. “Don't we?”

  “Yes.” Declan kissed her again. “Let's strum her body, Dario, and make her sing.”

  Dario sat back again and peeled his shirt from his body, then threw the material onto the floor. He and Declan exchanged a look before Declan mirrored his movements until they were both wearing nothing but jeans.

  She reached for her shirt, but they batted her hands away at the same time, each of them gripping the fabric and lifting it slowly up her body.

  “Let us,” Declan said, his words producing shivers up her spine.

  “No, I'll do it.” She sat up and reached for the shirt again. Dario grabbed her hands as Declan grasped the shirt.

  “You may be the boss in the field, but in the bedroom we're in charge, skipper.” His words shocked her a little, and she looked at Declan, whose slight nod let her know he agreed with Dario. This was something she hadn't expected, and she wasn't quite sure how to flow with it. She'd never just lain there before, and since she had two guys to play with now, she wanted to do exactly that.

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  “But—”

  “Hush,” Declan said, leaning over and outlining her lower lip with his tongue. He pulled her shirt up, and she lifted her shoulders and head for him to pull it over. Dario let go of her hands, and the shirt came free. Declan tossed it over her shoulder, then traced his hand gently down her shoulder and over her breast. Dario's hand mirrored his movement on her other side, and Maura arched up into their touch, closing her eyes and savoring the feel of their strong hands.