He chuckled and shook his head. “I think you’re almost asleep on your feet. Two of the house servants are coming to take over and I’ll have the morning meal then return to watch them until you and the Senate Leaders are up.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” He nudged her toward the door.
Lindsey tugged at tiny toes and rubbed the blonde fuzz on their heads before seeking her own bed for rest.
It was the shouting that woke her later. Lindsey stretched in her bed and yawned.
“You risked your life for nothing!”
“I should have known I’d get no thanks.”
Baruk and Zadal were arguing outside her bedroom door. Lindsey threw on a robe and hurried into the hall. Both stood glaring at one another. Shirtless and hair mussed, Zadal had his fists clenched, shooting daggers at Baruk.
Her dark-haired husband wore a tailored high collared jacket and matching pants in black. Behind him, his first and second assistants hovered. Lindsey dismissed them with a head jerk. Kimsha and Mala scurried off.
Lindsey folded her arms over her chest and tapped her foot until they noticed her presence. Brown and blue eyes widened. She pointed a finger before either could approach. “Last night was the scariest outside of my being sold as a sex slave and going on the run. Today, I want to enjoy the fact my husbands are still alive but instead, I woke to you fighting.”
Remorse glimmered in Baruk’s gaze and Zadal had the grace to look sheepish. Baruk eased over to her and drew her into his embrace. Lindsey dropped her arms and held him tight. All of the fear and worry from the night before rolled through her. “I’m sorry, wife.”
“I was scared,” she said on a sniffle. “I don’t want to lose either of you.”
Zadal came up behind her, his chest a firm weight against her back. “If Baruk had not been stubborn, you would have at least had one husband survive.”
Lindsey stiffened and broke away to face Zadal. “Are you serious?”
What was on his mind lately? Did he not realize how important he was?
Shrugging, Zadal wiped a hand down his face. “I’m only saying that—”
“I’m more important,” Baruk finished for him.
Zadal glared and sensing another shouting match, Lindsey held up a hand. “What do you mean?”
Zadal’s jaw locked. Baruk had no qualms about answering. “Zadal is mad that I didn’t leave him. He continues to doubt his place in this Triad.”
Lindsey’s heart lurched. She touched Zadal’s chest. “Is that true?”
“Baruk is the more worthy husband in this relationship, Lindsey.”
“I love you. Both of you. Equally. I would not have been okay if you hadn’t come out of that mine alive, Zadal. I can’t believe you thought otherwise.” For effect, she deliberately squeezed a few tears out.
Zadal paled. His mouth opened and closed then he awkwardly patted her back. “I’m sorry. Don’t cry.”
She added a sob and covered her face with both hands. Zadal pulled her into a hug. Over his shoulder, Baruk quirked a brow. Lindsey winked.
“I want to be close to you. I need to feel my husbands are alive.”
“Whatever you want, Lindsey.” Zadal lifted her and carried her into her bedroom.
When he gently lowered her to the tousled sheets, Lindsey curled her fingers toward Baruk. He stopped beside her bed and opened the buttons of his jacket. She shivered as more and more of his chest was bared with each twist of his fingers. Zadal simply tugged at the loose fitting pants and stepped out of them. His eager cock twitched once free. The throbbing length bumped his thigh as he climbed onto the bed to join her.
Lindsey reached out and smoothed her hand in a firm stroke up and down the rigid shaft. Flushed a vibrant red, the head thrust passed the folds. Moisture filled her mouth as Zadal kneeled next to her while she pumped her fist over his cock.
Zadal gazed down at her, a bemused expression on his face. “I never tire of watching you touch me.”
Lindsey trembled, her thighs spreading of their own accord as Baruk came into the bed on the opposite end. She settled on her back, her hand continuing its even pace while she relished being surrounded on both sides by her husbands. Everything would be perfect if only Zadal would accept that she loved him as deeply as she loved Baruk.
Baruk threaded his fingers in her hair, turning her face toward him. Up close, the strain in his eyes was clear. His lips traced over her cheek, her nose then hovered at her temple. His words were whisper light when he spoke. “You’re exactly what he needs.”
She wanted to respond, to ask him how he knew what thoughts ran through her head. Baruk took the option away when his mouth landed on hers with fierce intensity. Her lips parted and his tongue swept inside. She loosened her hold on Zadal’s cock and rolled on her side, partially facing Baruk. Zadal eased down behind her, his body a warm presence.
Shivers rolled down her spine. His breath stirred the hair at the back of her neck. His tongue teased the sensitive curve as Baruk cupped her breasts and squeezed. Lindsey tried to gasp and he deepened the kiss until she was spinning out of control. Zadal slid his palm over her butt, caressed her hip then glided around her inner thigh. Lindsey lifted her leg to rest around Baruk.
He groaned and ended the kiss. Lips moist, he said, “Relax. Let us take care of you like you take care of us.”
Lindsey could only nod. She was wet and growing wetter by the second. Zadal’s questing hand covered her mound, his fingers parting her folds with ease. She moaned and rocked against Baruk. His gaze smoldered as he lowered it and pinched her nipples. The arc of pain had Lindsey tensing then the swell of pleasure followed. She spread her leg higher up Baruk’s waist in an effort to get closer.
Zadal mouthed the curve of her shoulder, nipping kisses and soft licks of his tongue. Lindsey wanted more and twisted her neck to the side for more. His lips moved and she sensed his smile as he rubbed between her legs, fingers finding the swollen bump between her slit. Lindsey jerked and Zadal’s chuckle rasped against her flesh. “Responsive to every touch.”
She was overloaded. With Baruk fondling her breasts in rhythmic pumps and flicking her nipples, it was hard to concentrate. Add in Zadal’s working hand in her most intimate place and she was close to coming.
“Front or back?” Baruk asked.
Lindsey frowned, wondering what he meant.
“I think I want to sink into her wet heat and drown in her pleasure.”
Zadal. He was talking to Zadal. With practiced moves, they switched places. Zadal rested on his back and eased Lindsey atop him. She bent her knees and straddled her fair-haired husband. Baruk shifted behind her, his hands on her butt as he grasped tight. She planted her hands by the pillow and arched as he came in close, hard cock nestled between her cheeks.
“I think we’re all in the mood for something fast and hard,” Zadal murmured as he looked up at her.
She was soaked and quivering on the edge of climax. Each time she had both of them in bed with her, Lindsey’s body craved the release only they could give.
“Lift up,” Baruk coached, his hands supporting her.
Zadal fisted his cock and prodded her entrance. Gasping, Lindsey slid down slowly. Inch by inch, he parted her depths until she was seated on his hips again.
“Move,” Baruk instructed again, rocking her hips the way he wanted.
Lindsey knew this. Knew this all too well and eagerly pushed forward then back, taking Zadal’s cock in slow measured strokes. Baruk groaned and pressed his chest to her back. His hands smoothed over her backside as he parted her butt cheeks. Pressure at her rear opening had Lindsey leaning forward. She pressed her face close to Zadal, his lids half closed as he kissed her.
“Let him in, Lindsey.”
Wet trickled between her thighs. The tip pierced her hole as Baruk worked his way inside. She knew the moment he was all the way in by the mutual groan they released and the full sensation zinging bursts of pleasure up her spine. Frant
ic, Lindsey rose up and down on Zadal’s shaft. Each stroke sending Baruk in and out at her rear.
It wasn’t long before they were moaning and muttering under their breath. Zadal gripped her hair and wrapped the strands about his fingers. Tingles rolled across her scalp and Lindsey’s throat locked. Rough and coarse, she reacted to his powerful touch.
“Beautiful. Beautiful and tight.” Baruk continued to encourage her to move faster with his hands about her hips.
Her internal muscles clamped down. The dual penetration pinching with bites of pain but her clit swelling with bolts of pleasure.
“I’m going to come,” she warned in a breathless gasp.
Zadal yanked her close, breasts smashed against his chest. Strain visible on his face, he thrust up into her harder. “Now. Come now, Lindsey.”
Lindsey cried out, her fingers curling into the sheets as she tossed her head. Zadal’s hold on her hair meant she felt the tugs on the roots with each twist. Rolling like a storm about to crash through the heavens, she screamed as her climax hit.
Baruk grunted behind her, pounding into her. His breath puffed against her shoulder until he arched up and growled his release.
“Lindsey!” Zadal roared. His seed spurted inside of her as Lindsey collapsed onto his chest.
Heart pounding and sucking air into her lungs, Lindsey said, “You’re important, Zadal.”
He stiffened beneath her, hands loosening their grip to caress her cheek.
Chapter 7
Zadal didn’t knock as he entered Baruk’s home office. For once, his spouse partner was alone and his assistant wasn’t with him. Baruk glanced up and waved his hand to close his holo-screens. He leaned back in his seat and folded his hands together.
The smug look was enough. Zadal slammed the door behind him. “Your mother contacted me.”
Baruk smirked. “Did she?”
Zadal pushed back his anger. “She wanted to thank me for assisting at the mine.”
“She’s kind that way.”
Sofia Laars was indeed kind. Zadal wasn’t used to that from a maternal figure. His own mother hadn’t wanted him and made sure he knew it every day of his existence.
“You put her up to it,” Zadal accused, regaining his annoyance.
Baruk dropped his hands to his lap. “Please tell me what I have put my mother up to?”
Zadal hesitated, doubt causing him to waver. “She has gifted me two companies from the Laars family holdings.”
At his announcement, Baruk lost his composure and started to laugh. It wasn’t the polite laugh he used at political functions they attended together. It was rich and full. Zadal rolled his eyes and dropped into one of the chairs in front of Baruk’s desk.
“What am I to do?” he asked.
Baruk understood Zadal struggled sometimes with his new found wealth. He had plenty on his own but nothing compared to Baruk’s family who was one of the richest on Garulax.
“Did you refuse?” Baruk wiped tears from his eyes when he had his mirth under control.
“Of course not! She’s also informed me that her next creation will be the Zadal.” Baruk’s mother was dainty and polite. As a gifted and noted botanist on their world, it would have been an insult to deny her.
“A plant and more businesses. Whatever will you do?”
Zadal should have known he wouldn’t get any sympathy. He slouched in the chair, wondering how he could recoup the footing he felt like he’d lost.
The door opened behind him and Zadal knew without turning who was coming in. He turned and watched their wife come in with a baby in each arm. Graeme followed behind with the third. Graeme eyed Lindsey and she nodded toward Zadal. Before he could speak, he had an armful of his precious daughter and the door closed behind Graeme.
Lindsey crossed to the desk but Baruk was already on his feet, hands eager to accept the daughter she gave him. Zadal checked the embroidered C on the tiny top. He held Camille. She punched a tiny fist in the air.
Lindsey marched back toward Zadal, rocking the baby in her arms. “Enough is enough.”
He frowned at the severity of her tone. “What is wrong?”
Maybe the babies were tiring her out.
“Baruk told me you wanted him to leave you.”
The mine. This was about the accident at the mine last week. “Leaving would have been the smart thing to do.”
“I would have lost a husband!” her voice got louder, startling Camille.
Zadal shifted her to his shoulder, his palm secure on her back. It had taken him a while to get comfortable handling them but now he did it with ease. “You would have still had Baruk.”
She glared. “What about the girls? Don’t you care that they wouldn’t have had you in their lives?”
Zadal flinched. His family meant everything to him. He’d never had one and appreciated them all the more because of that. “Baruk—”
“It’s not about Baruk,” she cut in. “We are a family. All of us. You’re as important as any member.”
Zadal swallowed, meeting Baruk’s gaze. His spouse partner left him alone to defend himself against Lindsey’s ire. Zadal rose. “That’s not true.”
“I love you.” She came closer and leaned into his side, the baby held securely in her arm. “I need you to believe that.”
He did. Sometimes. At others, he wondered how he could have been this lucky. He worried she’d regret her choice to have him in her Triad.
“You’re not just a spouse partner, Zadal. You’re my friend. And you’re family.”
Zadal’s head jerked up at Baruk’s words. They’d grown close. They got along. After Lindsey’s disappearance, they’d admitted their feelings for her but neither of them had delved into the relationship between them.
“You consider me family?” Zadal asked.
Baruk snorted. “Why else would I carry your heavy ass out of that mine?”
“Baruk!” Lindsey turned her glare on him.
Zadal laughed. He looped his free arm about Lindsey’s waist and kissed her long and deep. “Thank you.”
For loving him and for a strange Earth woman making him a part of her Triad. Because of Lindsey, he had a family.
Author’s Note
Catching up with this trio was fun. I always wanted to know more about Lindsey, Baruk and Zadal. How did they get along after she returned home? In Kyele’s Passion, we get a glimpse of her with her husbands and the kids but it was such a teaser and didn’t tell me enough about how they’d managed. I’ve also received email requests about more ménages or more Lindsey. I still say writing ménages are hard. LOL.
Hopefully, this will satisfy some of the curiosity about these three. For Lindsey’s full story, it can be found in Lindsey’s Rescue.
Want a sneak peak at Bane’s book? Turn, swipe and all that good stuff for an exclusive look at the next A World Beyond novel.
Happy Reading,
Michelle H.
Bane’s Heart-excerpt
Coming February 2020
Bane listened to the medics, the words they said...and the ones left unspoken. He kept his face blank, not giving away any sign of the growing panic. Week after week, he’d been here. The research center was known for its advanced work on cybernetic enhancements and computronics.
After a mission took a turn sideways, Bane had received necessary cybernetic implants in both of his legs. It was tech deemed outdated and faulty but a desperate resort for him due to the severe nature of his injuries. The team medic, Dr. Maku, had been quite clear when they spoke before Bane’s surgery.
“More advanced techniques have been in place but none of them would work with an individual who has sustained your level of nerve impact or in your position.”
Cybernetic implants required a chip in his brain and his legs which after therapy and rehab would enable him to control their movement seamlessly. Newer technology required complete replacement of the damaged nerves and had a seventy-eight percent success rate.
Complete r
eplacement would also end his career in the military with the Jutak warriors because those successful patients reported sporadic spasms that had yet to be controlled without extensive medication.
Bane glanced down at his stretched out limbs beneath the pale blue sheet he’d tossed over his lap. This had been his only option and even now it was a failure.
“Do you understand what we have explained, Jutak Hardusho?”
Bane sighed and slumped back against the pillows of the bed he’d already spent more time in then he cared to track. “Yes. I’m fucked.”
The head medic, Tao flinched, his smile strained. “That is not how I would say it but there is no medical reason we can find for why your computronics aren’t syncing in order for you to walk again.”
Turning his head to the side, Bane stared at the wall and ignored the rest of what the three medics added. After a moment of silence they eventually left, closing the door quietly behind them. Bane clenched his fist on his lap, fighting back the need to roar his denial of his circumstances.
It took longer than he wanted to regain control. Taking a deep breath, he grasped the portable comm next to him and contacted a number he’d know in his sleep.
“Hunter’s on his way. Estimated arrival three days,” Jaron stated without a greeting.
A small smile curled Bane’s lips. Forget what medics said. His teammates and friends were the ones Bane counted on. They’d never let him down and they wouldn’t now.
Books by Michelle
Warlords
* Honor Bound (Warlord Series 1)
* The Overlord’s Heir (Warlord Series 2)
* A King’s Revenge (Warlord Series 3)
* Rise of the Shadow Warriors (Warlord Series 4)
* A Warlord’s Heart (Warlord Series 5)
* Unexpected Bride (Warlord Series 6)
* Unleashing a Warrior (Books 1-3 Warlord Series)
Alpha Squad
* Project Genesis (Alpha Squad)
Harmony
* No Reason to Run (A Harmony Novel)
Stolen Moments (A World Beyond Book 8) Page 13
