by Tl Reeve
This was amazing. Indescribable. She could only feel the drag of his dick along the walls of her sex. The way his fingers worked her clit with each thrust. She could drown on the sensations. Bell wrapped her legs around his waist, allowing him to slip deeper inside of her. She cried out, and behind them, the groan from Jackson turned her on even more. She watched in rapt fascination as he continued to work his shaft. His motions became jerky at best.
“Bell,” Chris grunted and pushed deep.
Her eyes went wide, her mouth fell open. Everything locked in her body and when he retreated, the bomb detonated inside of her. Her climax shot through her while his thrusts became erratic. He growled and snarled.
“Fuck…fuck…too good. Can’t hold it.”
He pounded into her while he nuzzled her neck. “You’re mine, Bell. Mine and Jackson’s.” He bit down on the juncture of her neck and ground his pelvis against hers.
She pulsed around him again as the piercing pain of his bite morphed into pleasure. The mini-orgasm sparked along her skin seconds before she marked her mate. Bell clung to him. She’d never experienced anything quite so intense before in her life. When he finally pulled from her, she was a limp noodle.
“So fucking hot.” Jackson climbed over to her. His erection was dark red, almost purple. “Yes, it hurts. I ache so badly for you, but for this to work, I have to give you the kiss of the dragon.”
She stared up at him confused. “What?”
“It’s part of our mating rituals. We’re fire breathers. The fire lives within us, and to complete the mating, you have to be protected against it. Or else, poof, ashes.” He ran his palm over her stomach. “I won’t mate you without this one step.”
She gave him a nervous nod. “Sure. What do you need me to do?”
“Not a thing, blondie.” He glanced over his shoulder at Christoph. “You might want to give us some room.”
The air around them shifted, and the scent of brimstone grew thicker by the second. Electricity snapped along her arms, raising the hair there. Her lioness prowled inside her, wanting out. She kept the feline at bay. The image of Jackson shimmered and grew until he filled the room. Leather-like wings stretched while claws dug into the floor. His beautiful black scales covered his massive body, changing him from the boy she knew to the beast who lurked below the surface.
Claw-tipped hands lowered to the bed, trapping her between his arms. If he thought to scare her, he didn’t. In fact, she marveled at his transformation. She stared up into the flickering flames glowing in his eyes. There was her mate. Cupping his snout, she rubbed the scaly skin and made a soothing sound. Then, with a gentleness she didn’t realize he had in this form, he lifted her in his arms. They rose to the top of his room and landed on a ledge she didn’t even know existed. The moon shone down on him, and he gazed into her eyes, his fierce features softening seconds before he lowered his head.
Instinct took over for her the minute she saw the wisps of smoke breathed from him, she inhaled. Fire raced through her while the cloud of smoke grew bigger. The longer he allowed the dragon’s kiss, the more she inhaled his heat. It singed her. Changed her in the most basic of ways. Some of it she couldn’t grasp, but she didn’t stop the flow. She placed her hands on either side of his snout. The burning ache shot through her, settling over her heart. She whimpered then cried out when he pulled away. The orange glow on her chest scared her, but when he lowered her to his bed and shifted, she noticed the same glow on his cheek.
She didn’t know how long it hurt like hell, but it passed quickly, and something new settled within her. She ached for him. Needed to bind her soul to him. When he came near, she saw the red teardrops at the top of his cheek, just below his eye. She glanced down and found the same marking on her skin. “How?”
“Only a true mate receives the tears of a dragon. You and Christoph are my true mates. I will carry both of your marks forever.” He climbed up onto the bed. Grabbing the foil wrapper off the ledge above their head, he then opened the packet. “Can you take me, blondie?”
A tear escaped the corner of her eye. “Of course.” She swiped at the wetness. “This is a little….”
“Amazing.” Christoph joined them. “Why don’t I have the mark?”
“I’d have to give you the kiss, too,” he replied. “Are you ready for it? Ready for what it can mean for our relationship? If you are, we will discuss this after I complete my mating with Bell.”
Christoph seemed to mull over his proposition. “Yes. I want it. If we are all meant to be together, I will take it.”
“What a fucking thing to say.” Jackson positioned himself at her entrance and groaned as he filled her.
Her eyes rolled up, and she moaned. She feared it might be painful, but, instead, all she felt pleasure. Such unbiased love and devotion from both men, but the mark seemingly connected her to Jackson more. He held himself still then lowered his head to kiss her. Their tongues touched and retreated as he began to move. The rush of having him inside of her in all ways destroyed her in the best ways possible. They had a direct line to each other.
Christoph joined them, teasing her with each glide of his fingers. He lapped at her mark, sending shards of bliss through her. Both men overwhelmed her, but she took it. She hung onto him, meeting him stroke for stroke. He gazed down at her, locking them in this tandem-sexual thing. She didn’t have a name for it, only it had been erotic and different and amazing and everything she could have ever wanted and more. She’d cherish this always. Protect it and, like Hayden, never reveal anything that happened. She respected this moment between all three of them.
“Bell,” he groaned. “Give it to me. I’m too far gone.”
Christoph fit his hand between them and rubbed her clit. She cried out, arching to Jackson, her whole body tensed.
“Need to….” She wrapped her arm around his neck and pulled him down to her. She nuzzled his neck, and inhaled the aroma of brimstone and her mouth watered.
“Do it, kitten. Mark our mate,” Christoph growled.
She bit down on the juncture of his neck and shoulder. She shattered. Her orgasm ripped through her, causing bright flashes of light to filter across her vision as she licked his mark. Above her, Jackson stilled and roared. His grip on her tightened to the point of pain while they rode out their releases. Glorious. She sagged in his arms, completely spent by their mating and unable to form a cognitive thought.
Her chest glowed and the teardrop warmed. “What?”
Jackson grinned. “Our mating is blessed.” He kissed her before pulling from her.
“Whoa.”
Christoph looked positively wanton. She understood it. He needed this. “It’s amazing.”
“It feels amazing, too.” Jackson strode to the bed after disposing of the condom. “Are you ready, mate?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
Again, the air grew heavy. So did the smell of brimstone. When the dragon stood before them, Christoph crossed to him then climbed into his arms. From this position, Bell could watch everything play out.
He landed on the perch, and a few seconds later, she saw the mist and Christoph accept it. It had been beautiful and incredible. Arousing, too. The complementary moans from both of her mates accompanied the bright-orange glow on Christoph’s chest. Hers tingled, too, and, like Jackson, she carried two tears on her skin. She placed her hand over her heart and finally understood what it meant to be fully mated.
Chapter Nine
After Christoph had taken the dragon’s kiss from Jackson, they all fell into Jackson’s massive bed, wrapped in each other’s arms, and slept. She’d had no clue sex could be so exhausting. Of course, it might have something to do with having two earth-shattering orgasms, one right after another. A girl could really get used to it.
Faint light filtered through the massive windows of the room. A mix of pale yellows, purples, and dark blues filled the sky, pushing away the starry night. She didn’t want to get up,
but she knew they had to. They still had way too much to resolve before they could have their happy ever after like Hayden and Nico.
The warmth radiating off the large male bodies on either side of her didn’t help with wanting to get out of bed, though. It made her even more lethargic. At least, during the winter, she’d be set.
“What are you thinking about?” Christoph’s husky voice sent a shiver down her spine. He lay in front of her, their bodies pressed tightly together. The way they were positioned, both men touched in the most intimate of ways, and she wondered for a second if either of them worried, or, worse, hated it.
“That I won’t freeze in winter between the two of you.”
“Hope not. If you do, I’m failing at my job.” Jackson’s equally deep voice had her sex grow achy with need.
“Feel that?” Christoph asked while shifting his hips, pushing his length between her legs.
“What, the shiver or the fact that she’s soaking us?” Jackson mimicked Christoph, pushing deeper between her legs. Her nipples tightened, and her clit pulsed with need.
“Both.” The aroused lion leaned down to capture her lips. It was a hard, demanding kiss that had her rolling her hips, effectively caressing both of their dicks.
“I know we’d all love to continue, but there are more pressing issues we need to resolve,” Jackson whispered, nuzzling her hair.
“He’s right.” Regret laced Christoph’s words when he broke the kiss—a kiss which left her panting and needy. “We need to talk to your dad and find out if they have a timeframe yet on Aislinn.”
“We need to find you more pledges,” Jackson rumbled behind her. He captured her chin between his fingers and turned her head to take her lips in a searing kiss.
She moaned into Jackson’s embrace as Christoph slipped from between her legs and moved off the bed.
“Later,” Jackson promised. He rubbed his thumb over the mark he’d left on her earlier.
“That’s if we can sneak her away from her dad. He’s going to take one look at her and know.” Christoph pulled on his jeans.
“I’ll shower.”
“Won’t help. Your scent is changing.”
“All of our scents are changing.” Jackson slipped from the bed and followed Christoph’s lead.
“He won’t say anything.”
Christoph snorted, and Jackson gave a hollow laugh.
“Okay, he’ll say something, but he won’t be mad.”
“Not at you, kitten.” Christoph pulled on his shirt.
“Why? He knows we’re mates.”
“Because he’s a dad, and he’ll know you had sex with both of us, and his daughter isn’t a virgin anymore.” Christoph shrugged. “His mind is going to run a shit ton of scenarios on how it went down. And none of them is good for us.”
“And how do you know this exactly?” She took the discarded underwear Jackson held out to her.
“Because we’re guys, blondie.”
Christoph nodded at Jackson’s response.
“And that’s how we’ll be if we ever have any daughters.” Christoph handed her the clothes he picked up off the floor.
They were being ridiculous; her father would be fine. He knew it would happen. “Where is the bathroom?”
“Through the door. You’ll find a full-sized bathroom. When you’re done, there are steps to the left of the bathroom which will lead you to the kitchen. We’ll meet you down there.”
“Okay.” What she wouldn’t give to soak in the massive tub for an hour or two. Her muscles would thank her for it, but she didn’t have time. After finding a washcloth and a set of towels, she quickly showered. Once she dried off, she got dressed. Bell braided her hair to keep the wet ends off her shoulders then headed to the kitchen where Christoph and Jackson joined her.
“If you’re ready, we can go. Your dad’s waiting for us at your house.” Christoph jiggled his truck keys in his right hand.
“Oh! I forgot to tell you. Guess who came to see me the other day?” When neither man answered, she continued. “Victor Lorenz.”
“About?” Jackson quirked a brow.
“He has a great idea. I’ve been mulling it over, and I think I’m going to take him up on it.”
At least it had seemed like a great idea, till just a couple of hours ago, when they’d mated. Would Christoph or Jackson have any issues with her house being co-op since they’d mated? If the shoe was on the other foot, she’d be less than pleased, maybe.
“Well, what is it, blondie? Don’t leave us hanging.”
“Ah, well.” Her gaze darted between her mates, unsure of herself once again. “Victor suggested a co-op house. He feels he can find the remaining pledges for us. All I must do is come up with the two thousand dollar fee. Which we’re going to do with fund-raising.”
“No, you’re not. I’ll give you the money,” Jackson declared.
“No. It’s my sorority’s responsibility.” Jackson’s willingness to fund it had to mean he must not hate the idea...right?
“It’s not up for argument, Bell. You’ve had enough stress to deal with this semester. It’s Christoph and my job to make sure our mate is happy and healthy.”
“I’m not sure.” Her gaze darted to Christoph who hadn’t said a single word at this point.
“Take the money, kitten. Jackson is right. It’s our job.”
Jackson reached out, capturing her chin and pulling her attention from Christoph’s to his. “I have enough money to keep us all happy and healthy for several life times. Let me do it.”
“Ok. I’ll pay you back. Every cent.”
Jackson shrugged. “Not concerned about the money.”
“I promise.”
“I don’t care about the money, Bell.” He grabbed her shoulders. “What I care about is alleviating some of the pressure you’ve been under.”
“Thank you.” She smiled.
“Your smile makes it all worth it.” Jackson leaned down and brushed a kiss over her lips. Unable to help herself, she wrapped her arms around him and pulled herself closer to his strong, warm body.
“You guys get started again and we aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Rapier’s already texted me twice, wondering where the fuck—his words—we are,” Christoph teased.
Jackson broke the kiss.
“Neither of you said anything about the house being co-op.”
“Should we have?” Christoph laced his fingers with hers as they stepped out of the house.
Obviously, they trusted her way more than she trusted them. No. She trusted them, but, thanks to Laney, she doubted herself, which made her trust seem flimsy and threadbare at best, which filled her with shame. Of everyone she could trust, her mates had been first and foremost. She bore their marks. They wore hers. She needed to stop giving Laney and her gang of goons, power over her.
“Mates are forever, blondie. You know this.”
“I do.” She sighed. “If the roles were reversed, I’m not sure how I’d react. I think I’m overthinking it. I should look at it from a pride and pack standpoint. Instead of a co-op.”
Jackson chuckled. “Sometimes, the human world can also mess with your pack mentality. Things are simple for us. We understand boundaries.”
Well, some did. Laney, on the other hand, not so much.
“You have a reason to mistrust. In a short amount of time, everything has changed. It’s a learning experience for all three of us, but we’ve got a hell of a long time to figure it out,” Christoph added.
“Forever and ever.” Jackson reached over her and pulled Christoph to a stop.
When their mouths met, their deep moans turned her insides to mush. Every inch of her tingled to life, and she wished they didn’t have to go home and speak with her dad. Her priority lay with her mates, and making sure they were taken care of. Unfortunately, she couldn’t shirk her duties, either, nor could Christoph let Aislinn down.
“I hate to break you tw
o apart, but Christoph’s pants are vibrating. Bet it’s my dad,” she teased.
Christoph reached for his phone the second Jackson broke the kiss off. “She’s right. Better not piss off the alpha lion any more than he’s going to be.” He scanned his phone, sent a message then deposited it in his pocket. “We should calm ourselves.”
“Sure.” Jackson winced, adjusting himself. “I’m completely calm.”
“I’ll explain it as boys being boys,” she joked, giving them a playful wink.
“It won’t make a damn bit of difference to him, kitten. He’ll still smell it.” He leaned down and nuzzled her neck. “I’m okay with it, Bell. The whole package and what it means. So, stop worrying.”
“Are you a mind reader?”
“Nope. Your facial expressions give you away every time.”
“I must work on perfecting my neutral expressions, then.”
“Please don’t. It’s part of your charm,” Jackson stated. “Let’s go before your dad sends his whole crew here to bring you home.”
Chapter Ten
Bell walked through the door to her home and glanced around the living room. Joy sat on the couch while Shelly paced by the stairs. The girl nibbled on her thumbnail while pivoting and continuing the current path she’d been on. Her hair unkempt, her clothes messy. Some of it, yes, was her, but there’d been more. She crossed to her, almost forgetting Christoph and Jackson followed.
“Shelly?”
The girl glanced up. “Oh hey, you’re home…with your mates.”
“What’s going on?”
The unicorn’s gaze jumped between them then drifted up the stairs. “Well....”
White canvas shoes appeared at the top of the stairs. “Finally. We have a problem.” Hayden, with Nico hot on her heels, appeared a few seconds later, while she continued to the landing. “We need to talk.”
A knot formed in the pit of her stomach. Talk? She hadn’t even been gone for twenty-four hours yet. “Sure.”
“I’ll make coffee.” Christoph kissed her forehead.
