by Tina Donahue
Netta cupped his sac.
Heath’s legs went watery. “We shouldn’t—mustn’t…”
They directed him to his bed. He fell backward onto it. The frame creaked and the sheet puffed up.
On their knees, they pulled off his breeches and tossed them aside. Netta tongued his shaft, Aimee lapped his balls, their mouths wet, hot, loving.
Pleasure exploded in too many places. He writhed and gasped. If possible, he would have jumped out of his skin. “Bloody hell, you’re killing me.”
They stopped instantly.
“This hurts you?” Aimee stroked his inner thigh.
Even his teeth tingled. “Of course not. It’s bloody wonderful. I—it’s too much. We shouldn’t. We can’t.”
“Only the priest tells us this is wrong.” Netta made a dismissive sound. “We listen to the goddess, not him.” She took Heath’s cock into her mouth clear to its root, her nose pressed to his hairy groin.
Even the most wanton doxy hadn’t relished his sex as Netta did. Feelings he didn’t know existed rammed into him with cyclone force and threatened to tear him apart from longing he couldn’t resist.
Fool that he was, he clamped her head to keep her at the shameless task.
Aimee tongued his left testicle, eased it past her silken lips, and suckled gently.
He twisted the sheet, needing it as an anchor. New emotions emerged. Excitement, euphoria, tenderness, raw lust, boundless need. He’d never get enough of these two.
They worked as a team, trapping him each time he squirmed, arousing his sex with their mouths as their cunts would.
Their tongues were unbelievably hot and supple, skin softer than a baby chick.
Relief sped close. He shoved it back, not wanting this to end. When it did, he’d have to face reality. Escaping. Leaving. Possibly dying.
If Royce guessed what happened in here, he’d tell Tristan. Nothing good could come of that. Even if the goddess and Diana turned a blind eye, Heath could hardly live openly with two women. When they became pregnant, matters would only grow worse.
The only reasonable alternative was to stop this and leave.
Aimee stroked the furrow between his cheeks.
Netta licked the area behind his crown, his most sensitive spot.
He surrendered, helpless against their charms, trapped by need, affection, and an end to loneliness. What all men coveted and any sane god should want for His children.
Heath soared, unmoored from the earth, adrift in delight. Either the world spun or he did. Impossible to tell which.
His seed spurted into Netta’s mouth. Proof he was a bloody beast. He strained to move back to spare her.
She pressed against his thigh. Aimee did too. They each lapped and swallowed his offering and licked him clean.
Panting, he sprawled on his bed and hoped for death. What a glorious last moment this would be, after which his actions would send him straight to Hell. If such a place existed. Never a pious man, he’d always reasoned no eternal torment could be worse than the daily struggle to survive.
Aimee crawled on his right side, Netta his left. Both beamed.
Nothing could match the joy their happiness gave him, the comfort and serenity they provided. He fought a yawn and strained to keep his eyes open. “Proud of yourselves, are you?”
“Oui.” Aimee lifted her chin coquettishly. “We pleased you greatly and made you smile.”
Heath touched his mouth. He was grinning. He dropped his hand. The bloody thing proved too heavy to keep up.
Netta kissed his knuckles and rested his palm on her nipple. The tip and halo tightened instantly. “Do you need to rest now?”
Not if it meant missing a moment with them. Her plush breasts invigorated him more than prolonged sleep and a hearty meal. Aimee’s tender kisses on his cheek and neck stirred the animal within. “No.”
He pushed up.
Both grabbed his arms.
Heath shook loose, left the bed, and faced them. “Spread your legs.”
Relief filled their eyes, replaced by naked sin. Precisely how women should be with a man who wanted them.
Indulging in this could cost him everything, possibly them too. Caution warned him to dress and leave. Intolerable need wouldn’t allow retreat until he had no other choice. Their skin glowed with good health, the color richer and far lovelier than a pale English lass. He’d never seen warmer eyes or shinier hair. They had no rivals.
The soft folds between their legs glistened with moisture and plumped with need. The deep pink shade matched their rosy cheeks.
Heath wished there were two of him so he could enjoy Aimee and Netta simultaneously. He nearly laughed at the notion but didn’t, not wanting either to think he made light of this moment or them. However, he couldn’t make a wrong move that would lead them to believe he preferred one over the other.
Aimee propped herself on her elbows. “Why are you waiting?”
“And doing nothing?” Netta lifted her eyebrows.
“I’m not sure what…that is… Who wants to go first?”
Aimee fell back and giggled. Netta did too.
He didn’t blame them. His question sounded foolish.
Netta’s color deepened. “Choose Aimee.”
“Not me, you. Choose Netta.”
“What say I pick both?” A way had just come to him, his solution quite brilliant.
He settled between Netta’s legs, his mouth on her cunt.
She gasped and pushed into him, offering herself.
No man could ask for better. He reveled in her taste, a faint salty flavor and clean skin. Ambrosia to a lonely mariner.
Not wanting to overlook Aimee, he stroked her nub.
She moaned and scooted closer.
Netta wiggled, demanding his attention.
Heath gave it willingly.
* * * *
Enveloped in Heath’s passion and regard, Netta forgot her imperfection. She was whole again, pretty, desired, cherished.
His breaths warmed her. His unrestrained sounds spoke of his delight. He suckled her sensitive flesh.
Delight rolled through her in waves, each stronger than the last. She yielded fully. He’d never harm her.
An odd ache settled between her legs. Not painful. Maddening. It edged close, teased, and urged her to rub herself there.
She reached down.
Heath pushed her hand away gently and held her wrist.
Trapped, she had no choice except to submit and endure. She wanted nothing else. For him, she’d be a slave to his passion. He worshipped her flesh even though it wasn’t white, and understood her feelings like no other Englishman had.
She hurt as he did, bled the same, needed comfort, acceptance, respect.
He stroked her thumb.
The small intimacy opened her heart even more to him and stoked her craving. Her sex became glutted, heavy with desire, needy of an end to this. She hadn’t any idea what the finish might be. After the pirates, no man had touched her. Not even an islander.
She hadn’t wanted anyone until she’d seen Heath.
He released her hand, explored the separation between her cheeks, and touched her tightest opening.
Her breath caught. Unruly heat and feelings she’d never experienced swirled within, crashed into each other, and pulled her with them.
The pleasure proved greater than she could endure yet not enough. She longed for it to never end.
Another surge hit, too strong for her to battle against. Deep within her sheath, something beat strong and steady, and sapped her remaining strength. Her legs drooped outward. Lifting her lids proved impossible. Heat flowed from her belly to her breasts, legs to her toes, covering her like a warm fog.
Heath kissed her thigh.
Aimee thrashed and moaned.
He tended her, but also stroked Netta’s sex, their pleasure not done.
She melted into his touch.
* * * *
Heath’s hand on Aimee was one thing. But his mouth…
No wonder Netta had shouted loud enough to scare away the insects and birds.
Aimee wasn’t certain she could be any quieter. The warmth he generated with one lick and suckle outdid the largest fire or brightest sun. Dazzled, she grew greedy and possessive, wanting him between her legs without end.
Netta made a pleased sound.
Heath flicked his tongue on Aimee’s nub. Her excitement intensified. Proof he could take care of her and Netta at the same time.
A more magnificent man had never lived. He couldn’t leave. Today bound him and them to each other for all time.
Even if Aimee couldn’t give him children, Netta would. She and Aimee would pour their love into him and the babes. Their family would be strong, impossible for any invaders to defeat. He only had to give love a chance.
She clutched his hair lest he try to get away too soon.
He pressed closer and eased his finger into her channel. His size, touch, and passion trapped her.
Aimee surrendered to his dominance that safeguarded and treasured.
Joy bubbled up. The tension between her legs sharpened, burst, and billowed free.
She trembled like a newborn. There wasn’t enough air to satisfy her lungs. She gripped the sheet, Netta’s hand, Heath’s shoulder. None proved able to keep her or his house from dipping and swaying.
Heath leaned up. “You all right?”
She could scarcely speak. “The heat. The spinning. Already they go away.” That wasn’t right. “I want them back. I want more.”
Netta sat up. “So do I.”
She and Aimee pulled Heath onto the bed.
He toppled between them. The mattress shook.
Netta spoke to Aimee. “You first.”
“No, you.”
“Merci.” Netta straddled him and grabbed his shaft.
He twisted and swore.
Netta tried to ride him. “Keep still.”
“I will not. Stop that.”
She froze. “Why?”
He lifted her from him and scrambled off the bed. “Never do that again, do you understand?”
Aimee couldn’t hide her surprise. “You never want us to love you as a woman does a man? Do the English do so differently? Will you show us? We can learn.”
His face turned red. He grabbed his breeches.
Aimee rolled off the mattress and yanked the clothing from him.
“Damnation. Give those to me.”
She pressed them to her, stepped back, and hit the table. The bowls and plates rattled. “Why do you want them?”
“To get dressed. There won’t be any lovemaking.”
Netta pulled her legs to her chest. “With me. I can leave and you—”
“With neither of you.” He pointed at Netta. “Before you say anything else, this has nothing to do with your hand. I want you for who you are now. Aimee too. However, I can’t risk either of you having a child with me. I won’t be here. Who’ll take care of the babe, see to its welfare? A child growing up without a father’s guidance and protection wouldn’t be right.”
But him leaving was? She and Netta had shared their laughter, love, and hope with Heath and he still wanted to flee. When they’d asked Diana how to change his mind, she had no answer. Already, Diana knew the situation was hopeless.
Aimee fought tears. “Netta would have to worry about having your babes, not me. After what the pirates did, I may never have infants.”
She threw his breeches at him and grabbed her cloth.
Chapter 6
Heath had never felt as helpless, stupid, or cruel. He didn’t want to consider what Aimee meant about the pirates. If he’d had the power, he would have torn those beasts apart.
Not that he had any reason to consider himself honorable. He could have let her and Netta down gently. Instead, he’d presented his argument as he would to another man. Hard sense. No emotion involved.
Aimee’s narrow shoulders trembled. Netta swiped her cloth and embraced her sister, both clinging to the other. He didn’t doubt they’d done so repeatedly during the awful times they’d faced.
They padded to the doorway.
“Hold on there.” He spoke as mildly as he could but did block the entrance so they couldn’t leave. Not like this. Every time he and they met, he left them bereft or in tears. “Please. Won’t you have some water or the lovely food you brought?”
They kept their faces turned away.
He had no idea how to reason with one woman, much less two. “Sit on the mattress. I’ll bring you whatever you want.”
“Why?” Netta held Aimee tightly. “You wanted us out of your home and your life, but now you ask us to stay. You make no sense.”
“I won’t argue with you. I’ve been awful. I’ve upset you and Aimee. I didn’t mean to or to bring back the frightful events you’d endured.”
Offense flashed in Netta’s dark eyes. “You want us to stay because you pity us.”
“No. Never. I hate the men who hurt you both. I’ve never known braver women. You survived their savagery. A man might have turned murderous after being used so cruelly and struck out at those around him even though they had nothing to do with his mistreatment. You and Aimee are gentle and kind. No man could ever be as worthy as you.”
Aimee lifted her face. Tears streaked her cheeks.
Heath cursed himself for the unkind words he’d said. If he’d had any sense, he would have bitten off his tongue before making a sound. “Forgive me for adding to your distress.” He enfolded her in his arms. Netta too.
They didn’t fight him. Perhaps they should have. He didn’t know any longer but couldn’t cause them more pain. “You should sit and have some water. I’ll bring it to you.”
He settled them on the mattress and filled the one cup he owned. His hands shook so much water sloshed over the container. He crouched near their legs and offered the drink.
Netta gave it to Aimee. She took a small sip and let Netta have the rest.
If they hadn’t been this devoted to each other, neither might have survived the pirates.
Too much emotion simmered within him. Sorrow battled with outrage. Sadness for them and the islanders fought hatred for his kind. “Whatever the pirates did to you, I want you to know shame isn’t yours to bear. It belongs to the animals who dared come to your land and harmed your people. They had no bloody right.”
Aimee fingered away tears. “They changed everything.”
“I know.”
Netta bristled. “How? It happened to us not you. They treated our people worse than animals.” She hugged Aimee. “To them, we had no feelings. No right to be afraid, to scream or fight when they hurt us.”
“I’m sorry.”
“That changes nothing.”
Aimee touched Netta’s arm. “Heath means no harm. He wants our pain to go away.”
“I won’t say anything.” He lifted his hands. “Speak if you want, I’ll hear every word. If you’d rather be quiet, I’ll accept that.”
“You have to know.” Aimee lowered her face. “I want you to know.”
“Then I’ll listen.”
“Do you mind?” She pressed Netta’s ravaged hand to her cheek.
Netta shook her head.
Aimee drew in a ragged breath. “One night we went to sleep in the world we knew and loved. The next morning, pirates swarmed the isle, no different than bugs that destroy crops and leave nothing. Our parents died first then our grandparents, aunts, and uncles.”
Tears dripped from her chin. “They killed anyone who was too old to work or brave enough to fight. No islander’s blade cou
ld win against the pirates’ pistols. They rounded us up as everyone’s fathers had the animals. They even built pens. Girls in one. Boys in the other. The pirate capitaine had a white woman. She made certain no girls escaped. The boys went to work at once, carrying water, gathering food. No matter how small they were, they had to toil like men, hour after hour from the moment the sun rose in the sky until it sank back into the water. With the girls…” She turned into Netta and hid her face.
Netta stroked Aimee’s hair. “Do you want me to tell him the rest?”
Aimee nodded.
Color drained from Netta’s cheeks. “The pirates moved into the houses that belonged to our chief and the men who ruled with him. They were dead by then, their bodies outside the entrances, throats cut, bellies slit open and exposed to the birds. So many creatures fed on them. The sounds were awful.” She shivered.
Heath didn’t know what to say or how to comfort. To hear more would sicken him, a grown man. She and Aimee had been girls when the pirates forced them to brave atrocity upon atrocity. He hadn’t the right to turn away or beg them to spare him.
No one had shown them mercy.
Netta wiped her nose. “The pirates took the oldest girls into the houses first. Their screams and pleas seemed to go on for hours. Men laughed. Then horrible silence. We thought the girls had died like our parents and the others.”
Aimee grabbed Netta’s hand. “When they finally came out we were glad until we saw them. Bruises covered their arms and legs. Some had eyes that turned black. They stared at nothing. They looked like one who’s seen the dead or a bad spirit, something too evil to imagine. They curled on the ground away from us. The capitaine’s woman told them to get used to what happened. They had no choice. The men came back for new girls. They returned as the others had, bruised and haunted. At last, the pirates took us.”
Netta held Aimee’s hand to her heart. “The capitaine and his crew fought over who would take us first. We were the only ones on the isle who looked so much alike and had shared a mother’s belly. One man argued for this turn. Capitaine shot him. He fell dead at our feet. The others held up their hands and spoke the English. The words meant nothing to us. Capitaine knew our language. He said he would have us first then we would go to his men. That made no sense. Have us how? Go to his men why? Were we to cook and clean for him and them? Gather food? Collect water?”
