War of Hearts

by Julia Sykes

  He kept walking, his movements stiff but determined.

  “Daddy, please. I need you.”

  He froze, and I tensed.

  “It’s okay, angel.” I tried to sound soothing. “Marco can’t stay.” I made that sharper, letting Marco know he wasn’t welcome.

  “No!” she insisted. “I need you. Both of you. Please stay, Marco.”

  My arm firmed around her. “He doesn’t deserve to be here.”

  Marco turned to face her. His eyes were tight with anguish, but his distress did little to melt my icy rage.

  “He’s right,” Marco said. “I don’t deserve you. I’m sorry.”

  “Of course you do,” she said. “We’re supposed to be together. All of us.”

  “You don’t know what he did,” I ground out.

  “Whatever it is, I don’t care,” she declared. She reached for Marco, her fingers straining toward him, beseeching. “I love you, Marco. Please, don’t go.”

  All the air left my chest, but before ugly jealousy could rise, she turned her sapphire eyes on me.

  “And I love you, Joseph. I love both of you. I need both of you.” She looked back at Marco. “Please, Daddy. Don’t go.”

  He groaned and closed the distance between them, unable to resist her allure when she admitted her need for him. He knelt by the bed and took her hand in both of his, holding her carefully.

  “I can’t be with you, babygirl,” he forced out. “You’re supposed to be with Joseph. I’m not good for you.”

  “I’ve told you before, but I guess you forgot,” she said, her voice gaining a little strength. “You deserve to be loved, Marco. And I love you, just the way you are. No matter what.”

  His eyes were dark with pain and longing. “But I kidnapped you. I brought you here, and now you’re in danger.”

  “I was in danger before you took me. That’s why you brought me here, isn’t it? And when the danger has passed, we can go back to Cambridge. All of us.”

  My heart squeezed. Ashlyn had created a pretty little fantasy in her mind. It was past time I gave her the truth about her future.

  “We might never be able to go back, angel,” I said quietly. “You weren’t under threat at Harvard. Not after I left. But Marco took you anyway. And I chose to keep you. Now, you might not ever be able to go back. And it’s our fault.”

  Our fault. Not just Marco’s. Because I’d done this to her, too. From the moment I’d first met her, I’d wanted her. I’d tried to stay away, but eventually, I broke down. Selfishly, I started a relationship with her, even though I knew it was dangerous for her to associate with me. Just because I’d tried to leave her behind in Cambridge, that didn’t absolve me.

  “I never should have come near you,” I admitted, my strain matching Marco’s. We were both at fault, and now Ashlyn’s life would never be the same. “You might never get to go back. You might never be able to have the life you wanted.”

  “That wasn’t the life I wanted,” she said firmly. “You helped me see that. I made choices to meet other people’s expectations of me. That’s not how I want to live my life. I want to make my own choices. I want to be with the two of you. Don’t you want to be with me?” She softened on the last, suddenly uncertain.

  “Of course we want to be with you, princess,” Marco said. “But we shouldn’t—”

  “Don’t tell me what I should and shouldn’t do,” she said with sudden ferocity. “I get to make my own choices from now on, and I choose you and Joseph. We can figure the rest out later. I love you. Both of you.”

  I love you. I’d waited so long to hear those words fall from her perfect lips.

  “I’ve always loved you, Ashlyn,” I admitted. I’d known she was mine from the moment I laid eyes on her. My complicated life had kept me at a distance from her, but now, I couldn’t hold back any longer.

  “I love you, too, babygirl,” Marco said with the weight of an oath.

  She smiled and sank back into the pillows. “Good. Now, get in bed and cuddle with us. We can put on Parks and Recreation, if you want,” she offered, knowing Marco preferred sitcoms.

  He gave her a lopsided grin. “You have to eat your dinner first, princess. Then, we can cuddle all you want.”

  My best friend was back; the self-destructive, miserable man he’d become over the last few days was gone. I was happy to see that man go.

  “Marco,” I said his name solemnly, calling his attention to me. “I’m sorry for punching you. I owe you one.”

  Now that we’d earned Ashlyn’s forgiveness and love, I couldn’t hate Marco. I couldn’t regret my choices or his actions, because they’d brought Ashlyn into our lives.

  “No one’s punching anyone,” she interjected firmly.

  Marco chuckled. “Okay, princess. Whatever you say.”

  Ashlyn might do as we told her, but we’d do anything for her. She was ours, but we belonged to her.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Ashlyn

  I loved my men, and they loved me. They’d made that clear over the last week, both of them doting on me as I recovered my full strength. Neither of them had left my side for more than a few minutes since we’d confessed our feelings for one another. Both Marco and Joseph had ignored their fathers’ calls. I knew my men were expected to help look for the people responsible for poisoning me, but they cared more about seeing to my needs than serving their fathers.

  Good. It was past time we all started living for ourselves instead of bowing to pressure from our parents. After all, I hadn’t been the target of the poisoning. If someone was out to get Joseph’s father, that was his business.

  I let out a happy little hum as I sank into the warm bath. Ever since we’d all admitted our love for one another, Marco had been more attentive than ever. He took his responsibilities for my wellbeing very seriously. Between Joseph’s constant affection and Marco’s daily pampering, I felt like the luckiest woman in the world.

  “It’s not too hot is it, babygirl?” Marco asked as the water level rose higher, fluffy bubbles covering my abdomen.

  “It’s perfect.”

  I smiled up at him where he knelt beside the tub. At first, I’d thought it was odd that he didn’t want to get in the massive bath with me. But I’d quickly realized that he wanted to take care of me. This was more than sensual play for him. It was an essential part of who he was. He needed this from me: my trust, my love.

  He returned my smile and reached for the showerhead that was attached to the faucet. He’d never done that before. Usually, he massaged my shoulders and washed my hair while I languished in the warm water. This time, he’d piled my hair on top of my head in a bun, keeping it from getting wet.

  When the bath was only half-full, he turned the knob so the water sprayed from the showerhead. He directed the spray away from my body while he squirted body wash onto a pink loofa.

  He brushed the soapy loofa over my shoulders, applying light pressure at my nape as he rubbed in soothing little circles. My eyes slid closed, and I reveled in the feel of Marco caressing my body.

  He continued to gently scrub my skin, making his way down my chest to tease around my breasts. Despite the warmth of the bath, my nipples pebbled, aching for attention. The loofa brushed over the tight peaks, and I arched forward with a gasp.

  His low chuckle rumbled through me, the pleasure in the sound making warmth flood my chest.

  Then, the heated spray from the showerhead hit my breasts, and my head tipped back on a moan.

  Marco kept the water directed at my chest, stimulating my nipples while he worked his way lower with the loofa. It dipped below the waterline, and he rubbed it over my swollen pussy. I let my thighs fall open, welcoming him to wash me in this erotic way.

  My eyes flew open when he pushed the loofa back farther, stimulating my sensitive asshole. At the same time, he brought the showerhead down so the spray landed directly on my clit.

  My fingers scrabbled at the edges of the tub, searching for something to hold o
nto as I cried out at the shock of pleasure.

  Marco laughed again, the sound rich with satisfaction. “Let’s get you nice and clean for Joseph, princess.”

  My lashes fluttered as ecstasy pulsed through me, and I struggled to focus on him. “What?” I asked faintly.

  “Joseph and I discussed it, and we decided you’re ready. For both of us.”

  The thought of both of them penetrating me at the same time sent a fresh wave of lust rolling through my body, and I moaned. They hadn’t touched me sexually while I’d been recovering, but prior to that, they’d worked to prepare my body to take Joseph’s cock in my ass.

  I squirmed in the water, and Marco took the showerhead away from my clit.

  “No!” I gasped, grabbing for it. I’d been close to orgasm, and he’d denied me.

  “Greedy girl,” he laughed. “We have to wait for Joseph.”

  He rubbed the loofa over my asshole again, giving me just enough stimulation to make me crave more.

  “You’re being mean.” I pouted.

  He kissed my forehead. “You’re going to come so hard for Daddy and Joseph. No orgasms before we’re both inside you.”

  Mercifully, he took the loofa away and rinsed the soap off my torso with the warm spray. I tried to relax against the tub, but he’d gotten me worked up, and now my muscles were tight with sensual need.

  “Come on, babygirl. Joseph’s waiting for us.”

  He helped me out of the tub and dried me off with a fluffy white towel. The soft material rubbed over my peaked nipples and swollen pussy, but Marco didn’t linger to give me more pleasure; he gave me just enough to keep me hot and needy.

  When I was dry, he didn’t give me anything to wear. He removed the pins from my hair, releasing the bun so my dark locks fell loose around my shoulders. He took my hand in his and opened the bathroom door, leading me into the bedroom.

  Joseph sat up from where he’d been lounging against the headboard. He wore only a pair of low-slung gray sweatpants, leaving his powerful torso on display. As he moved toward me, his muscles rippled and flexed. My mouth watered, and my sex grew damp as my need grew more intense. Marco had just dried me off, but my thighs were slick with arousal already.

  He stopped when he reached me, curling two fingers beneath my chin to lift my face to his.

  “Did Marco get you ready for me, angel?”

  I blushed, but I didn’t look away. “Yes, Sir.” It already felt natural to address him with respect when we were playing kinky games.

  His eyes sparked with pleasure, and he leaned in to take my lips in a slow, reverent kiss.

  Marco’s heat receded slightly, and I heard his clothes falling to the floor. When Joseph released me from his kiss, I turned so I could admire Marco. He was even more solidly built than Joseph. The strength that had once intimidated me now made my heart flutter and my core heat. I licked my lips as I took my time to admire his ripped abs, his corded thighs, his heavy, hard cock.

  Joseph took my hand and pressed it against his own erection, and I realized he’d stripped as well. We were all naked together, bare for each other.

  I didn’t think I’d ever get enough of this, enough of them.

  And they were studying me with the same mix of hunger and wonder.

  “Do you feel how much we want you, angel?” Joseph asked roughly as I closed my hand around his shaft and stroked him.

  Marco took my other hand and wrapped it around his cock, so I was holding both of them. A sense of feminine power rolled over me, intoxicating me. They might be in control, but they were mine. This arousal was for me, and me alone.

  Marco’s growl mingled with Joseph’s low groan when I pressed my thumbs against the undersides of their dicks, teasing just beneath their cockheads.

  The both caught my wrists at the same time, pulling my hands away. Marco landed a swift swat against my ass. Stinging heat bloomed on my skin before sinking deeper into my flesh.

  “Naughty,” he reprimanded. He glanced up at Joseph. “Our girl thinks she can tease us. I think you should punish her this time.”

  “I’d be happy to. I haven’t had a reason to spank her in a while. She’s been so good for us.” His tone lilted with wicked pleasure. Marco might discipline me when I’d been naughty, but Joseph got a different, darker pleasure out of making my bottom red.

  Marco kept his hold on my wrist and led me over to the bed. He left me standing at the edge while he settled down on his back, leaning against the pillows.

  “Make her ride my cock, Joseph. I want to feel her pussy squeezing me while you spank her.”

  Joseph’s hands closed around my waist, guiding me up onto the bed. He settled me on my knees so I straddled Marco’s hips.

  Marco fisted his cock, directing it to my slick opening. Joseph pushed me down slowly, lowering me onto Marco. Pleasure sizzled through me as he slowly stretched me. I tried to move faster, but Joseph controlled the achingly slow pace, allowing me to feel each inch of Marco penetrating me.

  When he was finally in to the hilt, Marco’s hand closed around my nape, pulling me toward him for a fierce kiss. My hands pressed into the pillow on either side of his head as I sought to balance my body weight.

  I gasped into his mouth when Joseph’s hand cracked across my ass cheeks, one and then the other. My pussy fluttered around Marco, and he snarled against me. The sound of his lust vibrated into my mouth before making its way deeper into my body, reaching my core.

  Marco tore his lips from mine. “Don’t do that again,” he warned Joseph. “She likes it too much, and I won’t be able to hold back. I want to fuck her together.”

  “Are you sorry for teasing us?” Joseph asked me in his deepest, darkest tone.

  “Yes, Sir,” I whispered, completely overwhelmed by them. My body quivered in anticipation of being fucked by both of them. I craved and feared it. I knew they wouldn’t hurt me, but wasn’t certain I could handle the intensity of being filled simultaneously.

  Joseph didn’t give me time to worry. He reached over onto the nightstand and pumped lube into his hand before sliding it over his cock. Then, he positioned himself behind me on the bed. Marco gripped my stinging ass cheeks in both hands, spreading me wide and offering me to Joseph.

  My arms shook, barely able to balance my body over Marco’s. I stared down at him, captured in his deep, dark stare.

  “Are you ready, babygirl?” he murmured, achingly gentle despite his unforgiving grip on my bottom.

  “Yes, Daddy.” I was nervous, but I was ready. I wanted both my men to claim me.

  Marco throbbed inside me, and Joseph pressed against my asshole. I tensed on instinct, and Marco’s fingers firmed on my bottom.

  “Open up, princess. Let Joseph in.”

  I took a breath and tried to relax. My entire body trembled with sensual tension, but I pushed back toward Joseph, inviting him in. The pressure against my tight hole increased, his thick cockhead breeching my ring of muscles. He was much bigger than the last plug I’d taken, and a burning sensation accompanied the slow penetration.

  I whined and tried to wiggle away, but Marco kept me locked in place.

  “You’re okay, babygirl. We’ve got you.”

  Joseph reached around me and strummed my clit, the hit of pleasure helping me relax. His cockhead slipped past my tight ring, and some of the unbearable pressure eased. My head dropped forward onto Marco’s chest, and I panted against him, little whimpers leaving me with each exhale.

  He finally released my bottom so he could stroke my back.

  “You’re doing so well,” he praised. “Such a good girl.”

  Joseph continued to push forward, stretching me slowly. “That’s it, angel,” he coaxed. “You can take us.”

  I squirmed between them, completely overwhelmed as they filled me. There was nowhere for me to go, no escape from their unyielding bodies. All I could do was soften and submit. As Marco continued to stroke me and Joseph teased my clit, I took deep breaths and tried to accommodate
them.

  I felt Joseph enter me fully, and both men paused, remaining completely still within me. We were all breathing hard; my men panting with the effort of holding back, and I sucked in deep breaths to try to keep myself centered. I felt like I could shatter into a million pieces if the tension in my body broke. Their firm hands were the only things holding me together, tethering me to sanity.

  Then Joseph moved, and my eyes rolled back in my head as pleasure washed over me. He slowly pulled out, his thick cock dragging almost all the way free before he slid back in. Without realizing, I bit into Marco’s shoulder, muffling my desperate whine. He hissed in a breath, but his hand closed around the back of my head, inviting me to cling onto him with my teeth.

  Joseph gripped my waist, urging me to move against Marco. With the first shift of my hips, Marco’s cockhead hit my g-spot, and my muscles convulsed at the surge of bliss. Both men cursed, and Joseph’s movements became faster, rougher. Marco rocked his hips up into me, driving deeper.

  I cried out against Marco’s neck, tasting the salt of his skin on my lips. We were all covered in a thin sheen of sweat, our bodies sliding together as our rhythm became wilder, more primal. We fucked with wild abandon, each of us clawing our way toward the peak. My gasps and moans mingled with their grunts and growls, and they started to take me more harshly. My body stretched and opened to accommodate them. There was no more discomfort; just an overwhelming sense of fullness and a burning need.

  I shattered first, throwing my head back on a long wail as my pussy and ass contracted around them. Ecstasy ripped through me with ruthless force, lighting up my entire body with transcendent bliss. The world went white as lighting burst across my vision. When it began to clear, I looked down into Marco’s eyes. They were black with lust, strained with his own need. I wanted him to come undone. I wanted his cum inside me. I wanted both of them to mark me.

  Riding out the aftershocks of my pleasure, I clenched my muscles around them. Joseph cursed, and I felt his hot seed emptying deep inside me. His fingers curled into my hips as he held me fast, pumping into me for a few more brutal strokes.