All traces of pleasure disappeared as a dark scowl replaced his smile. With her still in his arms, he gained the top of the stairs and strode down the long corridor until he reached a wide wooden door. Pushing the door wide with his shoulder, he carried her inside.
Christina swiped at the tear on her face and sniffed. She was making a complete idiot of herself. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she looked around the room to distract herself from her chaotic thoughts.
It was obviously a bedroom as a gigantic bed took up a large amount of the space. Rich forest green velvet bed-curtains had been pushed back to reveal a cozy sleeping area piled high with pillows and fur coverings. The sun shone through a stained-glass window that was situated over a built-in bench seat, the colors dancing across the walls. A fireplace sat directly across from the end of the bed but was cold and empty at the moment. A small table and several chairs flanked it.
Jarek lowered her until she was seated on a padded trunk that sat at the end of the bed. He came down on one knee in front of her and clasped her cold hands in his much larger and warmer ones. She stared stubbornly down at his hands, unwilling to face him.
“I have offended you.” Christina shook her head in denial. He hadn’t done anything she hadn’t allowed. Jarek ignored her denial. “To me you are a treasure. One I would protect with my life.”
That brought her head up in a hurry. Every muscle in his body was tense and his eyes were deadly serious. “Why?”
He released his hold on her and rubbed his hands over his face in obvious frustration before sighing softly and returning his gaze to her. “The tapestry has brought you here. You are destined to be mine.”
“Or your brother’s,” Mara’s soft voice corrected.
“Or Marc’s,” he conceded. “That is your choice.” He framed her face with his hands, his touch incredibly gentle. “That you chose to give yourself to me is a gift that has gladdened my heart and given me hope.”
Another tear slipped down her cheek. Jarek brought his lips to her face and licked away the drop of water. He came to his feet in one swift motion, turned and strode from the room, his hands clenched by his sides.
Whatever else might confuse her in this strange world, Christina would no longer doubt that Jarek respected her. His sincerity was too real. It was reflected in his every word and action. It just hadn’t occurred to her that their having sex on horseback was a matter of choice. Yet, she knew that it had been. Not a bad choice either, she reflected.
“It is just the beginning, child.” Mara was lowering herself to the seat next to Christina.
It was time to learn all she could about her present situation and she sensed that this woman would tell her everything, honestly and completely. Sticking out her hand she offered the woman a tentative smile. “I’m Christina Beaumont.”
Reaching out her gnarled hand, Mara clasped her hand in an amazingly tight grip. “I am Mara. And you, child, are the fulfillment of a prophecy.”
She laughed in spite of herself. “I’m afraid there’s been a mistake. What I am is a slightly overweight secretary for a large corporation.”
Mara threw back her head and let out a cackle of delight. Christina found herself laughing right along with the other woman. Totally exhausted and out of sorts, she laughed until she started to cry again.
Handing her a handkerchief, Mara waited for her to compose herself before continuing. “That is who you were, child. I do not understand what all your words mean, but it does not matter. The important thing is that the tapestry has brought you here.”
Christina clutched the small scrap of fabric between her fingers, wringing it tight. “All I did was buy a beautiful tapestry that I saw in the window of a curious little shop.”
Mara nodded sagely. “That tapestry is magic, created by a sorceress long since passed onto other realms. There was a dark period in our history over five hundred years ago, filled with famine, crime and much evil. It is said that the plight of the people saddened her, so she made the tapestry to help them. It offered hope in a time of darkness and its appearance in every generation continues to offer the promise of prosperity and happiness to the house that receives its gift. Its purpose is to draw back mates for the men of the land of Javara since women here are in such short supply.”
Christina was appalled even as she was fascinated by the legend. “You mean that piece of fabric plucks ordinary women out of their lives and brings them here to be sex slaves for these men.”
“No. Not sex slaves.” Mara’s shout was so loud that Christina jumped. “Honored wives.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” Even though it was her life that had been totally disrupted, she felt the need to soothe the older woman.
Mara patted her hand. “No, I should not be so quick to blame you for what you think. This is all so new to you. And Jarek did not help matters, I think.”
She ignored the reference to Jarek. “But I still don’t understand. Why me?”
“Because you are not as ordinary as you think.” Mara eyed her sternly and Christina felt herself sitting a little straighter under her watchful gaze. “The tapestry travels across time and space, seeking women who have no family and no life in their time.”
“In other words, it looks for losers.” She had almost bought into the legend, wanting to feel special. Instead, it seems she was chosen because she was even more pitiful than even she had thought.
Mara heaved a sigh. “Stubborn yes, but not a loser. The tapestry attracts women who are lost in their own time, but have the potential to thrive here. No one will miss you in your world, but here you are priceless and your leaving would bring much sorrow to our House.”
She latched onto the one piece of information that seemed most important. “What do you mean, if I leave?”
Mara pursed her lips tight, refusing to speak. But Christina desperately needed to hear everything. “Please tell me?” She pleaded with the older woman.
“The House of Garen is a prosperous one. The lords here have always been hard, but fair, and are beloved by all. Warriors with no equal, they are also brilliant landowners. We have sheep, horses, and cattle here. We farm the lands and fish the rivers. We weave cloth, make soaps and perfumes and trade for what we need.”
Christina nodded, wanting the history lesson finished so Mara would explain to her how she might get back to her own time.
“There is only one girl child born for every three males. To keep the men from fighting and killing one another, women long ago decided on a solution.”
When she paused, Christina prompted her. “And?”
“And the solution is a simple one. The brothers of a family compete for the attention of one woman. The woman chooses the one she wishes to marry.”
“That sounds simple enough…” But Mara was already shaking her head at Christina.
“The men must each be allowed to mate with the woman, not only so she knows which one she prefers, but also to make sure she is compatible with all of them.” Mara’s eyes twinkled and she got a secret grin on her face. “One night a week, the husband must share his wife with his brother. He can leave them alone or the brother can join them in their bed. It is up to the couple.”
Visions of both Jarek and Marc in bed with her, flitted across her brain. Marc’s dark brown hair teased one of her nipples as he sucked and licked at the other one. Jarek’s head was buried between her thighs, licking and sucking her swollen clit while his fingers slid in and out of her pussy. “Omigod,” she gasped. If she didn’t get those pictures out of her head she was going to come right here and now.
Mara laughed again. “I see you understand. Every man here wants to be a husband, as he not only gets the most nights with his wife, but also, only the husband can claim the children. All children are his, no matter which brother might have given them to the woman. The competition is fierce and all boys learn how best to pleasure a woman as part of his education.”
She knew her mouth was wide open
, but this was really too much to take in. Jarek certainly knew how to pleasure a woman. She could certainly attest to that. But now her nimble mind was wondering just what Marc could do.
“But what if there are more than two brothers?” Christina’s head was spinning at the thought. What if Jarek and Marc had brothers?
Mara shook her head and smiled. “If there are not more than three brothers in a family, then they pair off and each set of brothers looks for a bride. There are never more than three men for one woman. But you don’t have to worry about that. Jarek and Marc are the only brothers for this house.”
Her mouth was dry as she swallowed. “But what about my leaving here?”
“I had hoped you would forget that part.” Mara jumped up and began pacing across the stone floor, her agitation plain.
“I don’t mean to upset you, but I have to know.” She reached out and grabbed Mara’s arm, halting her in her tracks.
“In three days, the tapestry will appear and if you wish to go home you must cover yourself with it and wish yourself there.” Mara loomed over Christina almost threateningly. “But be very sure, because there is no coming back.”
Scrambling from the seat, she backed away from the other woman. “I…I understand.”
Mara shook her head sadly. “I do not think that you do. You already have Jarek’s heart and Marc’s is sure to follow.” She went to the door, but turned back. “You will never find better men in any other place or time, but the choice is ultimately yours. Think hard on your lonely life and weigh it against all you could have here.”
Her harsh expression softened slightly. “Do not over-think the situation. For now lie down and rest a while. When you wake is time enough for food and a bath. Sleep is the best thing you can do for yourself now. You will feel better when you awaken.”
The door closed behind her and fatigue washed over Christina. She was more exhausted than she’d ever been in her entire life and the large bed beside her was so very inviting. The cover was made of fur and it was soft against her hand as she pulled it back. The smell of lavender wafted up from the sheets, luring her forward.
Not giving herself time to change her mind, she whipped the soiled gown from her body and crawled into the nest of pillows and furs. Her entire body sank into its comfort. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and then another. Drifting off to sleep, she promised herself she’d deal with the situation as soon as she was rested.
Chapter Six
Christina shivered as a light breeze wafted over her breasts, making her nipples pucker. She didn’t want to wake up. She’d been having such a wonderful dream. Her body felt like it was floating on a soft cloud, totally relaxed as a soft feather stroked her skin, making her tingle everywhere.
She curled her toes into the mattress as the feathery sensation skittered across her stomach and up her torso, towards her breasts. Arching her back, she thrust her chest upwards, wanting that same exquisite touch there.
Her legs moved restlessly against the sheets. Heat pooled between her thighs and she clamped them tight together to help ease the ache. A low laugh reached her ears as the softness brushed her nipples.
A moan caught deep in her throat and she blinked her eyes open. Marc was sitting next to her on the side of the bed, the sensual gleam in his brown eyes making them look even darker. His upper body was bare, except for the wide bronze bands that wrapped around his wrists and upper arms. The muscles of his chest and arms rippled with every movement he made. A light dusting of hair bisected his chest and disappeared into the waistband of his leather pants, which had a huge bulge in the front of them.
Dazed, she glanced down to discover that the furs were no longer covering her. She was sprawled totally naked and exposed to him. As she watched, he gripped a strand of his long, dark brown hair in his hand and trailed it over one of her breasts and then the other.
“Beautiful.” Leaning forward, he stroked his tongue across one of her swollen nipples. The roughness of it made her gasp for breath. “Like a ripe raspberry, ready to be plucked and eaten.” The image made her moan. Smiling, he blew lightly, making the moist bud pucker even tighter.
“Let me pleasure you.” His voice was little more than a whisper caressing her skin.
She meant to say no. To try and gain some control of the situation. But what came out of her mouth was a breathy, “Yes.” Who was she kidding, after all? She wanted this, wanted him.
Marc murmured his approval as he lapped at her nipple once again. Cupping her other breast in his large hand, he stroked a circle around one of her areolas with his thumb. His hair trailed over her stomach in a sensual caress and she sucked in her breath.
She sifted her fingers through his hair, tugging him closer. Wanting more. Needing more. Her pussy lips were slick and with each lap of his tongue she could feel more of her juices sliding out of her body.
“I can smell your arousal.” Marc’s hand stroked down over her torso until his hand hovered just above her pubic hair.
Her hips moved upward, seeking his touch. As she moved, her cream flowed freely, seeping between the cheeks of her ass and to the sheets below her.
Christina had never felt this needy in her life. What was it about this place and these men that aroused her so damn much? She’d never considered herself a very sexual person before, but now she felt sensual and alive and very much a woman.
She undulated her hips and his fingers tangled lightly in her curls. “Touch me.” Never had she asked a man to do such a thing before, but somehow it seemed right with this man.
Raising his head from her breast, he nuzzled her cheek with his. The faint shadow of stubble on his jaw abraded her skin, sending tentacles of pleasure through her body. His firm lips sprinkled kisses across her forehead and nose before coming to rest on her mouth. “My pleasure.” Marc stroked his tongue across her lips as he slipped his fingers through the curls between her thighs.
Christina felt both her lips and her legs part, inviting him to taste and touch all of her. As if he had all the time in the world, Marc traced the wet folds of her pussy with his fingers. She spread her thighs wider, inviting his touch. A pleased rumble vibrated in his chest, resembling the purr of a large jungle cat.
It was amazing to Christina that any man wanted her. In her normal life, men ignored her or treated her like a buddy. Sure, she got some crude remarks about the size of her breasts, but they were usually followed by some crack about her weight. More than once she’d been told that she’d be really pretty if she just took off about thirty pounds and did something with her hair. But first Jarek, and now Marc, treated her like she was the most beautiful and arousing woman in the world. And darned if she wasn’t starting to feel that way.
It was heady stuff and Christina was determined to enjoy it for the time she was here. Somehow in this world, having sex with both Jarek and Marc seemed right. In fact, it was expected. What would seem shocking at home seemed normal here.
Marc’s tongue explored every crevice of her mouth before withdrawing to lick at her lips. Her tongue followed his, touching it and trying to lure it back inside. She could feel Marc’s smile as he kissed the corner of her mouth.
His finger lightly brushed her swollen clit as he started to withdraw his hand. Her thighs clamped shut, trapping his hand between them. “I want to see your pussy.” One of his fingers tapped her clit softly and her legs relaxed as her hips arched up. Marc withdrew his hand immediately. “I want to spread your wet lips wide and touch and taste all of you.”
Words were beyond Christina, so she just nodded. Marc stood next to the bed and shucked his leather pants. His cock sprang forward, swollen, red and hungry. Christina could only stare and marvel at the sheer size of him. Seeing how broad and long it was, she shivered at the mere thought of having all of him buried in her pussy. Instinctively, her legs fell open.
Marc licked his lips, his golden-brown eyes looking slightly feral as he crawled between her thighs. Once again she was reminded of a jungle c
at on the prowl, he moved with such fluid motion. Placing a hand on the inside of both knees, he slid his hands up her legs, pushing them wider as he went.
“Woman, I am going to eat you up until you beg for mercy.”
Christina almost came right then and there. Rivers of pleasure raced through her body, flowing from her breasts to her pussy. His voice, a low sexy rumble, made all the hair on her body stand on end in anticipation.
She sucked in a breath as he lowered his mouth to her wet folds. His tongue rasped up one side of her sex and down the other. Christina tilted her head back and moaned. God, this was amazing.
Marc blew lightly on her heated flesh, making her shiver. A tempest was raging inside her and she knew it wouldn’t take much for her to explode. As if he knew, Marc slipped two of his fingers inside her pussy at the same moment he wrapped his lips around her clit and sucked.
Christina came totally unglued, shrieking as the powerful convulsions rocked her. Marc kept sucking and her orgasm went on for what seemed like forever until she was laughing and crying and begging him to stop.
“No more.” She tugged at his head, trying to dislodge him. But he ignored her and kept sucking and licking her clit, but his motions got softer and gentler. Finally, she gave up trying to move him and allowed her hands to flop back by her sides.
Marc withdrew his fingers and licked his lips as he sat back, satisfaction written all over his face. And even though she’d just had the most amazing climax, she felt desire brewing low in her belly once again.
Slipping his hands beneath her, he gripped her ass and raised her hips up. Crowding closer, he positioned the head of his cock at the opening of her slit. Rotating his hips, he nudged the broad tip just inside and stopped. Christina arched her hips towards him, wanting to take all of him inside her.
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