“You didn’t have to do it. Sometimes people are afraid of talking to Maddy once they know about her illness,” Tess admitted.
Others often didn’t understand. Her mother wasn’t dangerous because of her mental illness. It also wasn’t contagious. These two things were something that was misrepresented a lot about serious mental illnesses.
“I really did go meet a nice old lady with schizophrenia when I was done talking with your Mom. We watched Frozen together and she told me that they used to ship ice by sleigh, just like at the beginning of the movie, where she lived in Europe to keep things cold when she was a child. They would put hay and other insulators on it to keep it from melting as long as possible.”
Bastion told her the story with gentle amusement. He sounded like he had enjoyed his visit and nothing indicated he had been afraid or prejudiced.
“That’s cool. I used to do monthly meetings that were really just a get-together for families living with mental illnesses that are lifelong. They were fun and I got to meet a lot of interesting people,” Tess said.
She’d done it without her mother because they had been living apart, but Tess wanted to learn more about mental illness so that she could be there for her mother when it counted.
Now was that time. The guys were right. They needed to come up with a plan that didn’t involve Tess running away from her problems.
“Mr. Stewart, are you and the young lady unharmed?”
“She’s fine, Ms. Gladstone. There were some ruffians at the gate, as I’m sure you saw. We’ve made sure to call security and they’ll deal with them. I would like to take Tess into the jet to get cleaned up. Can we delay takeoff another twenty minutes?”
“Certainly, Mr. Stewart. Would you prefer I called for a physician or relay the request for additional help to Mr. Jacobson?” Ms. Gladstone asked.
“No need. Isn’t that right, Tess?” War asked, letting her down on her feet.
Tess turned around to face an older woman with heavily freckled skin that was a bit looser from age around her sparkling, green eyes and her mouth.
Ms. Gladstone softened her frown into a worried smile aimed at Tess. It was the kind that a grandmother might wear watching her grandchildren get into a bit of mischief but not wanting to stop their play. Bright red hair with obvious curls, or at least waves, was pulled back into a neat bun close at the nape of her neck. There was a black-lace netting holding any strands of hair from getting loose.
“Are you okay to wash up before we leave, or would you rather I call for a medic to check you over, Miss Tess?” Ms. Gladstone asked.
“Uh, Tess is fine. And I’m fine, too,” Tess answered, losing her articulate response as she came face-to-face with War’s wealth over Ms. Gladstone’s shoulder. “Are we really going to fly in that jet?”
“Yes, Tess. We’re ready to go. Can I show you to the suite and washroom while the gentlemen take care of your luggage and any last-minute details?”
“I would like that,” Tess answered, giving War a glance.
He nodded. “We’ll get a pair of pants and socks from your luggage. Do you have another pair of shoes?”
“Boots,” Tess answered.
“Those are going to be rather warm for the island, but we can find you spare sandals once there.” War gave her a little push on the small of her back. “Go on. Ms. Gladstone doesn’t bite.”
“Only my spoon to your bottom and don’t think I’m too old to do it if you’ve mistreated this young lady. I saw you shouldering her like a bag of potatoes. She has been sick on her pants from an upset stomach. What do you think all that rough treatment is gonna do to her belly?” Ms. Gladstone chastised.
She reached over and gave War’s closest ear a good yank.
“I thought your mom yanked your ears?” Tess teased.
“All the womenfolk rub off on each other,” War admitted, squirming and ducking away before Ms. Gladstone could get the other ear. “Don’t be getting any ideas from her. She’s old enough to be cheeky and get away with it.”
“Horseradish,” Ms. Gladstone said. “You’re never too old or too young to be cheeky. Let’s leave this lot worrying about what we’re plotting in the washroom. Men always think us ladies are up to no good in washrooms. It’s why we go in pairs, right?” Ms. Gladstone said with a wink.
Tess laughed. The tension spilled from her with each burst of silly amusement.
“World domination, boys,” Tess said, following Ms. Gladstone up the jet’s metal stairs.
Inside wasn’t what Tess had been expecting. There were seats but they looked big and comfortable. The seatbelts were tucked discreetly to the sides. There were two big-screen televisions and the aisle leading down to the back of the plane was closed off by a sliding door, hiding whatever was behind it.
No curtains, not even on the windows. They must have plastic covers that slid down to block the light. Tess remembered from the one previous time she went on a plane that the windows had to be opened to the light outside when landing and taking off.
They headed all the way to the back and that closed door.
“The washroom is to the right,” Ms. Gladstone said as she slid the aisle door open with a soft snick of a latch opening first. “There are face cloths and towels, as well as toiletries. The second drawer has face powders and the essentials if you have any need. You’re quite the beauty even without makeup.”
Tess blushed. “I threw up on Kade’s feet. I think the guys only care if I change out of my stinky clothes and brush my teeth with something minty, so I don’t scare them off with my impression of a drunk frat girl the morning after.”
Ms. Gladstone stepped aside and let Tess go ahead, not following her in the room that had a huge white couch that looked like it could unfold into a bed.
“You won’t fool me, Tess. Those boys are very protective of you. I think you mean the world to them right now. Honestly, they don’t care if you come out looking a bit messy. You’ve been through an ordeal. If there’s anything you need, please just push the call button. It’s the gold-coloured one in the bathroom by the light switch.”
The washroom was nothing like the one Tess remembered using on the plane in economy previously. That one had been a narrow closet. The sink here was a polished ceramic bowl with chrome handles for both hot and cold water.
She brushed first. After vomiting earlier, that task took the highest priority.
Getting out of her dirty clothes was next. Tess quickly chucked her shoes off and then slid down her jeans. Her legs probably weren’t dirty as it had been more of a light splatter that had gotten her. She still wet a face cloth with warm water and washed down her legs, squirting a bit of soap on the cloth that smelled like clean lemon.
After going through one cloth for her legs, she wet a new one, as hot as she could handle it, squeezing only lightly to wring the excess water out. She leaned back over the countertop and put the hot cloth over her face.
It was heavenly. She breathed in warm, moist air and pictured herself in a steaming shower. Thoughts of her wild night with Kade and Keir teased her mind. She forced herself to focus on the more urgent concerns.
The guys promised to talk.
That meant she was probably going to have to open up more in return. Her relaxation was ruined thinking about what she should say to them.
How could she apologize for all the bullshit she had spouted off at them in front of her father?
She wasn’t any better than their bullies at that moment, hurting the guys by throwing those hurtful things she had found out in their faces. Bullies thrived on perceived vulnerabilities, real or not.
Sticks and Stones.
“Tess-girl, are you indecent?” War called out.
She grabbed the cloth off of her face. “Uh, kind of? I’m in my panties and t-shirt. I left my jacket on the bed.”
“That’s more than a bathing suit would cover. Can I come in? I have new jeans for you, cute pink socks, and boots.”
“Sure. C
ome in. Thanks for bringing them,” Tess said, walking over to the sliding door separating the bathroom from the bedroom.
War slid it open first, all of her change of clothing in one armful. He gave her a slow perusal, not being subtle about it.
“What do you think? Ready for a swim?” Tess teased, giving him a twirl.
Her panties were boring white, school-girl regulation. She hadn’t raided her sexy panty drawer when going on the run with the kids.
“The twins said you were a tease last night,” War answered. “You know the jet can’t idle here forever. We don’t have time to play.”
“Aren’t you dressed for easy action?” Tess rejoined, pushing War’s buttons further. “I heard it’s traditional to go commando under a Scotsman’s kilt.”
Going regimental!
She looked, after delivering that taunt, right where she was teasing him. He was striding towards her after tossing her clothes on the countertop, so she couldn’t quite tell if he was tenting his kilt.
“Would you like to find out?” War asked, meeting her verbal thrust with his own.
Her shocked eyes shot up to his dark, hungry gaze. He was focused on her with such intensity it made her shiver.
“I thought you said we were in a rush?” Tess questioned, backing up a few steps.
War caught her by the hips and lifted her up to the counter. He fit himself between her thighs. His big hands slid up her sides, cupping her under her arms, thumbs an inch from her nipples.
Instantly, she felt them get sensitive, nubs he could probably see and possibly feel through her thin bra and t-shirt. Each breath she took rubbed and pushed them against the material constraining her breasts as her chest shifted.
“I said you could cop a feel, not get your pussy filled while Bastion watches me break his rules right in front of him,” War whispered, bending his head down to place a soft kiss on her forehead.
She turned her head once War lifted his lips to see Bastion taking up all of the space in the small bathroom doorway.
He had a wicked grin on his lips. Making sure she was watching, he slowly cupped himself where he was sporting a noticeable tent.
“Go on, Kitten. Just a pet or two. You can take his measure while I put your pretty, pink socks on your feet.”
She should tell them no, especially Bastion. He was so arrogant that he deserved a set down.
If only War wasn't such a devil of temptation. War knew exactly what she was thinking, this being the first time that she saw him in a kilt.
It probably wasn't all that novel for girls to wonder. There are enough books and television shows with hot Scottish men as the stars.
A curious kitten could at least die happy knowing the answer.
“Okay,” Tess said quickly before she could change her mind. “Bastion gets the socks and War shows me if he’s a handful...or two?”
War tipped her chin up to face him. “I want a kiss before you get all the way to third base with me.”
He didn't wait for her answer. Firm lips pressed down on hers.
She opened, letting his thumb on her chin guide her jaw gently down. He tasted of something sweet, a nice blend against the minty flavour leftover from her quick brush earlier. His tongue was in her mouth, taking over the kiss, giving it to her and then taking back what he wanted from her mouth. She let him suck on her tongue, nip her lips, and tempt her to flick her own tongue against his.
Bastion’s hands were warm as he worked one of her feet into a sock. He didn’t waste time, efficiently yanking it up.
She pulled back from the kiss.
“War, hurry,” she begged.
Bastion got around to her other foot. She tried to wiggle it out of his grip.
War laughed and kissed her demands against his lips again, but his hand reached for one of hers. He guided her to his hard, shirted belly and then lower.
The kilt material was sturdy and softer than she would have imagined. They went down and down, War bending both of them over, lips still adjoined, reaching until warm skin greeted her fingertips. Then he went back up.
Bastion had finished with his task. He didn't interrupt them, choosing instead to grab a fistful of her hair as she bent down. He kept hold of her while they slowly rose again, fist tightening as she moaned against War’s kiss.
“He’s more than a handful from what the rumours say, Kitten,” Bastion whispered into her ear, adding a nip.
Oh, she would say the rumours had it about right.
“Give it a stroke,” Bastion ordered.
War released her hand to let her wrap her fingers around him as best she could manage. It was an awkward position and he was hiding a sizeable erection that was getting harder by the second under the heavy kilt.
War knuckled the countertop on either side of her as she broke from their kiss and looked down.
“You’re such a bastard, Bastion. You know we haven’t the time to finish,” War spat out.
She stroked her hand up and down.
“Consider this next time before you shoulder me again, Luce. Payback is a bitch.”
War shuddered in her grip. “Just as long as you know you’re taunting the devil,” he ground out. “And are willing to pay for your sins eventually.”
Tess thought about Bastion’s similar warning regarding War on his video. She released War and looked back up at his eyes.
“I didn’t mean what I said about you in front of my father, you know.”
“Please do not mention that man to me when you have your hand on my dick,” War said, backing off from her with a groan.
She hopped off the countertop, grabbed her jeans, and started slipping them on. She wasn’t doing anything wrong, but War’s admonishment made her blush. Her father had nearly caught her getting fingered by Bastion.
“I’m just saying I want more than once with you, Warrick. And I don’t think you’re stupid. I even forgive you for hiding the fact that you’re rich as fuck. Honestly, it wasn’t any of my business and we barely knew each other. You have your image issues and I have mine. It’s normal for teenagers to be conscious of how others perceive us.”
“Well, Miss Tess, is that a piece of wisdom you’re repeating or advice?” Bastion asked.
She figured her blush was starting to subside, so she looked back up, buttoning her jeans up casually like it wasn’t a new experience. Her previous boyfriend liked her to get undressed quickly and he never stayed long enough to see her dress.
“Shut up, Bastion. She said she wants me to stick around. I’m pretty sure she also said she wanted to let me give her multiple orgasms. I like her and I’m going to keep her. Don’t mess it up since this is a package deal.”
“Is it though? Are you still dating all of us?” Bastion asked.
She wouldn’t have caught the vulnerability in that question if she hadn’t looked back down, seeing the fist Bastion clenched and quickly released. She looked him in his eyes before answering.
“Yeah. All of you stuck together with me despite how I screwed everything up. I want back in the Phoenix club if you will accept me.”
Bastion bit his lower lip as if pondering it, then delivered a devastating grin. It almost distracted from the swollen, black eye he was sporting. The combination looked more devilish than War at the moment.
Dark Prince.
Be still her stupid heart.
Disney had no idea the kind of hero she preferred.
“Grab your boots,” Bastion told her. “We’re kidnapping you to a deserted isle to have our wicked way with you where there’s no one to hear your screams. Gonna make you ours, Kitten.”
Bastion pulled her in for a hard, short kiss on the mouth, adding a slap to her ass when he released her. It barely stung over her jeans.
“I thought it was an armed escort, not a kidnapping?” Tess retorted. “And War’s dad is there, so you better behave. I’ll tell Ruby on you.”
Bastion choked on whatever response he was about to give her. War elbowed him to ensur
e it stayed muffled.
“My Da’s really very nice. He happens to be on the island for some business. Showing some clients a nice weekend. They expect a bit of show and dance, which is why I’m wearing a kilt. Da looks pure Scotsman anyway but with my mixed ethnicity, the kilt can look a bit strange. Not what others expect until they hear my accent.”
“I really like your kilt. You can wear it whenever you want. Your accent is nice, too,” Tess admitted. She grabbed his shirt and pulled herself up to whisper in his ear. “Your sexiest body part is still your brain. I love how you flex your mind to power through all those physics problems. I get a little hot in class, imagining you talking through an answer at the front in that accent.”
Bastion peeled Tess off of War. “Seats. Now.”
“Yes, sir,” she mocked. She ducked his response, grabbed her boots, and sashayed out of the bathroom.
“Fuck, am I glad she likes good spanking foreplay,” Bastion swore as she exited.
That sounded like a damn promise.
6
Keir
Crash Takeoff
“We were going to send another reliever in,” Keir greeted Tess as she walked through the sliding door entrance from the back of the jet.
She looked a little flushed, but no worse for what she had just been through. She was carrying her boots instead of wearing them and she seemed to be in a hurry to get seated.
“Send someone in at the end of the ninth? He wouldn’t even have time to warm up and play with us,” Tess teased back, shooting Keir a smile. “Bastion says we're on a tight schedule and we’re already behind.”
“Come, get strapped in. Ms. Gladstone has some food and drinks prepared for us once we’re at altitude,” Kade said.
He patted the seat next to him, of course.
“Tess is sitting beside me,” Keir jumped in. “Come on. I saved you a window seat.”
Tess gave Kade an apologetic look.
“I really want the window seat. It’s only the second time I’ve flown and the first time was economy and I was in the aisle.”
Duplicity (Victory Lap Book 2) Page 9
