It didn’t take her long to slip into the lingerie and stockings. She stepped into the J. Mendel silk jacquard dress in an eclipse color with a beaded sheer yoke and long sleeves. The bustier bodice was snug around her chest. Reaching for the hidden zipper, she couldn’t move it past her mid back. Grumbling, she stepped into the high-heeled sandals, crouched down, and secured the ankle straps. She placed a few necessary items in the Prada jeweled clutch.
After a check in the mirror, she left the bedroom and walked down to the waiting males. When she turned the last corner on the landing, she stopped when the fashionable guardians stepped into her view.
“Wow! You’re gorgeous, Katie-cat,” Isaac said while Etienne smiled.
The view was as impressive from her side. They’d both chosen refined vested suits. Isaac chose a charcoal multistripe suit and brightened it with a light-blue dress shirt and a blue-and-purple paisley silk tie. It matched his lighthearted personality. In a subdued tone, Etienne wore an ebony slim-fitted suit, a plain white shirt, and a black herringbone silk tie.
“Gentlemen, I’m impressed.” She stepped over and received a kiss from each male. She straightened Isaac’s tie with a gentle fix. She tugged on Etienne’s jacket. With a swivel of her body, she turned to present her current problem. “Could one of you zip me?”
“With pleasure, my lady,” Etienne said as he moved his fingers down her back, touching the line of her spine, before he found the hidden zipper and pulled the tab to the top. He fixed the covering. Sliding his fingers into a pocket, he opened his palm to reveal the exquisite dangle earrings.
The earrings were created from large Mikimoto black pearls and several bezel-set white diamonds. She noticed the earrings matched the comb he presented earlier.
“Oh, Etienne, they’re majestic and sumptuous.”
“May I put them in place?”
She nodded and held still, her hairstyle revealing her lobes. She watched Isaac take one earring, and together the men placed the posts in the holes and secured them. When they finished, she set them swinging. Eager to see, she moved to the nearest mirror and checked them out.
“Oh, I adore them, so refined. Where did you get them?”
“The set belonged to my grandmother. They match a drop necklace, but it wouldn’t go with your dress. This also belonged to my grandmother, but I thought you might wish to wear it tonight.” Etienne picked up a decadent ebony velvet-and-silk evening wrap. He opened and placed it around her shoulders. “The nights are getting colder with the approaching autumn.”
“I didn’t want to pull on my horrible cloak. This is perfect.” Kate smoothed her hands over the heavy burnt-pattern velvet.
“Shall we leave?” Isaac stepped forward and held out his elbow.
Etienne moved to her other side with the same offer.
Sliding her hands around both elbows, Kate stood between the fashionable, virile males. This would be the best evening of her entire life.
* * * *
After arriving at the restaurant and being shown to a table by the maître d’, Emile, they enjoyed several delicious rounds of appetizers, dinner, and a decadent choice different shooter desserts. Throughout their time, Etienne encouraged them to discuss their backgrounds, options, and choices. He mentioned what he could about the dark mysterious times of his time away from the valley. Other members of the clan ventured over to speak with them, acknowledge the courtship, and encourage them.
They met many clan members, but all were thankful her father and his protectors didn’t appear. None of them wanted the confrontation this night, even with the support of the clan.
When it was time to pay the bill, Etienne pulled out a card to hand over to their waiter, Thomas, but he didn’t lay down a leather billet.
“Your meals are paid for by the Alpha as part of your courtship acceptance. He said to enjoy the rest of your evening,” Thomas said and waved to a table in the far corner.
Etienne looked over to the corner and nodded to acknowledge the Alpha. “Thank you, Thomas.” He pulled out his wallet and replaced the card, but pulled out a generous tip for their waiter.
“The Alpha handled everything.”
Etienne waved a hand. “Please, the least we could do.”
“Thank you, sir, I appreciate it.” Thomas gathered the last of the plates and left them alone.
“Shall we go?” Isaac asked.
“Hmm. I’m full. You may have to roll me out,” Kate said with a soft chuckle.
The males joined in her warm laugh. They rose from their seats, and this time Etienne stepped to her chair, pulled, and assisted her to her feet. He let Isaac place the wrap around her shoulders. With their hands resting on her lower back, they escorted her out of the restaurant to wait for their car at the valet.
Something warm and fast brushed by Etienne’s cheek. He heard the thunk on the bulletproof glass. It was followed by several more precise shots, but he was already in action. Moving, he threw his arms around Isaac and Kate and forced them back through the doors.
“What the fuck!” Isaac pulled a gun from his back to protect Kate.
Alex and several guardians poured into the lobby at the sound of the shots.
“What is going on out here?” Alex demanded.
Etienne placed his fingers to his cheek to check for injury.
“Are you hurt again?” Kate took hold of Etienne’s cheek. “Oh, my sweet Goddess.”
“It grazed me. I felt the heat of it and moved,” Etienne said. “Sniper shots again, Alpha, from the forest.”
“Son of a bitch! Dark Goddess, what is happening within my territory?” Alex cursed several times. He waved a hand at several guardians. “Shift and investigate. Find the SOB. I want him alive, damaged is fine, but he better be singing like a trapped mouse.”
Five guardians stripped and shifted. Another guardian opened the door to let the cats out.
The valet pulled Etienne’s SUV to the front doors and got out with caution. He raced inside and held out the key fob. “I’m so sorry, sir—”
“No, no, you could have been in the path. You’re fine,” Etienne said as he handed a tip to the young male and took the fob.
“Micah, take the key, drive them back to Etienne’s place. I want you, Wyatt, and David on patrol until I get to the bottom of this mess,” Alex said to another male.
Etienne turned to look at Alex. “Sir, I don’t think this warrants a patrol.”
“I disagree. They’re outside your house until I know what’s going on. I’m tired of this shit happening.” Alex waved to the young male. “Micah. Wyatt. Get them out of here. Contact Gage, tell him to send David.”
A slender golden-haired male dressed in a pale silver suit with a dark shirt stepped out of the crowd. “Hey, Isaac. A pleasure to meet you, sir. I’m Micah Sheenan.”
Etienne nodded to the young guardian.
“You can trust him,” Alex said as he patted Micah’s shoulder. “Please. I want you three home and safe. I’ll take care of this damn sniper. Wyatt, where are you?”
“Sorry, sir, held up in the crowd,” a larger ebony-haired man said as he straightened his dark olive pinstripe suit. He yanked down the knot of the olive-and-teal-striped tie and undid the top button of the cream shirt. He held out his hand and shook Isaac’s when he stuck out his to greet the other guardian. “Hey, short stuff, causing trouble again?”
“Not this time, buddy. Wyatt Laurent, I would like you to meet my mate, Etienne de la Fontaine, and our chosen, Ekaterina Brankovich. Etienne, Kate, this big hulk is sometimes my patrol partner,” Isaac introduced.
“Yeah, I keep his goofy ass under control, when I can manage,” Wyatt said.
“Nice to meet you. Are you a transfer?” Etienne asked after they shook hands.
“I’m from the Mountain View Clan in Colorado. The young whippersnapper Micah followed me here.” Wyatt slapped a heavy hand on the slender guardian, knocking him a few steps forward.
“I couldn’t let my mentor and t
rainer leave without me,” Micah said and rubbed his shoulder.
“They’re good guardians. We can trust them with our lives and Kate’s protection,” Isaac said.
“Sorry, I’ve been away and don’t know everyone. I’m cautious when it comes to being under fire and on guard,” Etienne said and dropped the fob in Micah’s hand.
“We’re all the same and understand your concern. I need you three to get in the back, the lady in the middle. Micah and I will handle the front.”
“Right. Daniel, the door,” Alex said to the guardian standing there. “We'll go on my count.”
Etienne holstered his gun as Wyatt drew two Glocks from his back holster. He stepped forward, pulled a quiet Kate behind him, and felt Isaac finish the row. At Alex’s count, the door opened and Micah rushed out, hit the fob, and opened the door as he headed around to the driver’s side. Etienne followed, sliding across the backseat with Kate and Isaac. Behind them, Wyatt slammed their door, got inside as Micah hit the “push start” button, put the SUV in gear, and drove away.
Etienne wrapped an arm around Kate’s trembling shoulders and met Isaac’s arm, which came from the other side, and they cuddled Kate between them. He turned and pressed a kiss to her temple.
“I’m sorry, Katie-cat, I know you don’t need this terror on top of the stress of finding your sister,” he whispered.
“Don’t want either of you hurt again. Nor do I want anything to happen to my brothers,” she said, her fingers clenching his jacket, wrinkling the lapel with her grip.
“We’re not hurt. Everyone’s aware of the threat and we’ll handle it.”
“I still don’t like it.”
“No one does,” Etienne said.
“This may not be…” Isaac sighed and dropped his head back.
“Funny man silent? Never thought I’d see this,” Wyatt said. “Talk to us.”
“This is happening because someone is after you, Etienne, you, not Katie, not me, and not part of the clan's issues with the rogues. It's due to something you did before coming here,” Isaac said, turning to stare at Etienne.
“What?” Etienne lifted an eyebrow. “How do you know this?”
“Paul.” Isaac nodded to him. “Check the text messages on your phone. We had a good conversation the night of the first shooting.”
Pulling his eyebrows together in confusion, Etienne tugged the phone from the inner jacket pocket. He swiped his thumb over the screen and went to the messages. He spent the rest of the drive reading the history.
“We’re at the house,” Wyatt said into his phone. “I see David out front. Copy.” He turned to Micah. “Pull into the garage.” He hit the button to raise the door.
“Got it.” Micah looked around as he pulled into the driveway and straight inside. He turned off the engine, but didn’t release the locks until the door closed. “Okay. Wyatt, check the interior.”
“I know, youngster,” Wyatt said as he stepped out, entered the door, and disappeared.
“Etienne, please,” Kate whispered.
“Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?” Etienne asked, his tone low and tight as he slipped the phone back in the pocket.
“You’re healing and I didn’t want to add more stress. Paul said not to bother you at the time. He didn’t have all the details,” Isaac said.
“Such a mess.” Etienne leaned his head back, his expression grim.
“We’ll figure it out. Together.” Isaac reached across Kate and took hold of Etienne’s hand. “Together with the clan, we’ll get through this.”
Kate added her hand to the hold. “Safe and alive.”
Chapter 18
Switching her grip on his hand, Kate lifted her gaze to Etienne. He winked at her and tugged her after him as he headed to the stairs.
“Isaac, let’s give our lady a quiet and sensual evening. I think we should play lady’s maids, assist her with a warm bubble bath, and show her what we mean by having an orgasm,” he said as he walked up the stairs.
Kate squeaked a bit in her surprise and stumbled a little in the heels, and her fingers tightened her grip. She wasn’t expecting this tonight.
“I’m in full agreement. Let’s get moving,” Isaac said as he raced up after him. He scooped her off her feet before she could stop him.
“Isaac! I can walk,” she said, laughing at his antics as her hands rested on his shoulders.
“Why walk when you have adoring slaves to carry you everywhere?”
She snuggled her head against his broad chest. She adored the silkiness of his suit and how it stretched across his shoulders. Glancing ahead of her, she admired how Etienne’s suit hugged across his broad back and those athletic buns.
Inside the bedroom, Isaac let her down on the heels, sliding her body against his. When she stood between them, Etienne removed the elegant hair clip and jewelry, placing everything back in their protective casings. He returned to her back, moved her hands to Isaac’s forearms. He kissed her nape.
“We’ll handle everything, dearest. Just feel and enjoy,” he said.
“Taking charge of me,” she said, glancing over her shoulder at him.
“Yes. Do you like?”
“Very much since no one ever cared for me before,” she said, her gaze lowered.
“Never lower your gaze to us. You’re our equal, our center, and our heart,” Etienne said, lifting her chin with a curled finger.
Isaac leaned in and kissed her temple. “Believe his words, sweet kitty.”
When she met their gazes once more, Etienne found the hidden zipper of her dress and tugged it down to reveal her honey cream skin, the band of her bra, and at last the T-strap of her thong. He placed his hands on her shoulders and pushed the sheer fabric down with Isaac’s help. Together, they slid the dress off her arms and hands.
Isaac crouched down to help lower the dress to the floor and assist her in stepping out of it. He held the dress to Etienne, who took it and found a hanger to place it on. Staying in his position, he curled one hand down her calf, unbuckled the strap on her shoes, and helped remove the elegant shoe. He slid his hands to remove her other shoe in the same sensual process.
Stepping back to his partners, Etienne traced his fingers down her back. While she took in a deep breath at the sensations, she felt his fingers search for the hook clasps along one thigh. She watched him slide the outside button and released the hold on the stocking. Licking her lips, Kate returned her attention on Isaac, who moved his fingers around the upper band of the stocking. He dipped his fingers inside the soft sheer fabric and pushed the first stocking down her slender leg. Repeating the procedure with her other stocking, Isaac moved the shoes and stockings off to the side.
Rising back to his full height, Isaac kissed her lips. “I’ll start your bath.” He leaned over to meet Etienne’s lips in a lingering kiss. He turned and left them to finish undressing.
Kate leaned back against Etienne, feeling strangely sensual and decadent standing only in her lingerie while he remained fully dressed, having removed his jacket, vest, tie, and shoes downstairs. He remained in those sharp trousers and that crisp white shirt. He removed the cufflinks and rolled the sleeves to his forearms.
She moved her hands to smooth them down his forearms, feeling the light hair which dusted his skin. She lifted her bare foot to press it against his shin.
“What are you feeling?” he whispered in her ear, the warm puffs of breath wafting across her sensitive skin.
“Decadent and sensual in your arms,” she said.
“This is how we see you all the time.” He nuzzled her neck and kissed the spot behind one ear.
She let out a gasp of delight when his fingers released the clasp of the garter belt on her lower back. His touch trailed down her lower spine, coming close to the thong. She pulled in her lower lip and whimpered when his fingers curled around the edge and tugged on it. His other hand peeled away the belt and tossed it aside.
“Is the thong damp with your moisture? Did your p
ussy soak the silk?” Etienne nibbled on her earlobe as he wove a sensual delight with his words and touch on her lower body, a touch no other male had dared to come near upon her skin.
“Yes,” she whispered, her voice breaking with her need.
“I can smell your arousal here. I can’t wait to taste you,” he said.
“Taste?”
“Kiss you.” He traced his fingers in a weaving line between her breasts and down the slope of her belly, before cupping the wet seam between her legs. “Here.” He squeezed, pressing his fingers up against her pussy.
She moaned at his intimate touch. It was something she’d read about in those romances, but didn’t think it happened in reality. She never heard it when the other females whispered about a lover they met in the darkness.
“Bath’s ready,” Isaac said as he leaned out the bedroom door.
Kate noticed he’d stripped down to his trousers while inside the room. She whimpered at the sight of all the golden skin and muscles on display across his athletic chest.
“Come, sweet desert rose, time for a soothing bath,” Etienne said before he dipped and scooped her in his arms.
Winding her arms around his neck, she leaned against his shoulder.
“Oh, I see. You don’t complain when he carries you, but you whine when I pick you up. Uh huh. I see,” Isaac said in a teasing tone as he stood in the door.
“You told me to stop complaining earlier,” she said as a reminder about his earlier words.
Isaac opened his mouth and let it shut closed as the memory clicked. “Well…damn.”
“Let us pass,” Etienne said.
“Nope. Not moving without the toll.”
“Toll?”
“A kiss from our lady,” Isaac said. He placed on hand on Etienne’s arm, wrapped the other into her updo, and brushed his lips against her soft ones. He opened and deepened their kiss in a simple, sensual move.
Kate almost leaned and fell out of Etienne’s arms and into Isaac’s embrace as the kiss deepened and she asked for more. Sweet Goddess, these males are wonderful kissers!
Dark Moon Dance [Fire Jaguars 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 12
