Weakened Mountains (Artemis University Book 4)

by Erin R Flynn

  Hudson growled and a few moments later I was over his shoulder being carried out of the garage. “Where am I going?”

  “Straight to sleeping on the floor,” I warned him.

  “In his defense you blew off a date with us and we had to hear about it from others that you went off with four men to have fun with instead,” Darby muttered as he led the way. “We know you’re not like that with your guards, Marshall, or Sean, but you know the rumor mill at school. It was not a nice way to find out.”

  Well fuck, that was sort of what I was dealing with about the situation with Craftsman and now I’d caused one. “Sorry. It wasn’t just the date thing. I’m having trouble dealing.”

  “We know, so we gave you time to do what you needed but now it’s our time,” Hudson said with a huff. “I like this house. It’s you. You and Mel. A home.”

  “Thanks, yeah, it’s the first real one I’ve had,” I mumbled, touched he could see that and said it. “So how is this date working now that the whole plan changed?”

  “You tell us what you want,” Hudson answered.

  Well, that was oddly nonspecific and didn’t give me a lot to go off of. Once we were in my room, he set me on my feet, both of them staring at me after they set down their bags. I moved my hands to my hips and stared back, feeling a bit bratty after getting carried off even if I did inadvertently hurt them.

  “Her telepathy’s off,” Darby surmised.

  “Open up to us,” Hudson murmured, leaning down until his forehead was touching mine. “Let us in. I know it’s hard for you to tell people what you want, what you need. It’s hard for me too. Show us and let us decide.”

  “Like what?”

  “Whatever you want tonight, Princess,” he pushed. “Just show us. Don’t think. Feel what you need, how we can help, and show us. It was so nice last time, right?”

  Yeah, it was. I couldn’t hold back the shiver and I found myself flipping on my telepathy. They were quiet—even in their thoughts—waiting for me but I wasn’t sure what to do. “Can I be spoiled?”

  “Yes,” they said together.

  I nodded and let them see, projecting images of exactly what I wanted. I wanted sweet and then play and sweet again before falling asleep in their arms.

  “Is that what you want, Princess?” Hudson asked, his voice a bit breathy.

  “Yeah, yeah, I do,” I panted, turned on as well. “More than anything.”

  “I didn’t just watch,” Darby murmured. “But we didn’t have sex either, is that…”

  “Um, not yet.” I got flustered at how horrible that sounded and accidentally showed them how I’d been looking into positions and videos that could have us together and not his fangs by my neck. I didn’t know how long until I could get back there, but I thought that a better step.

  “You would do that for me, agra?” he breathed, pulling me away from Hudson and lowering his forehead to mine. “You would make love with me even as you worked on trusting me?”

  “I do trust you,” I promised. “You’re just—we hit a snag and we both need to get past it. You’re not mad I can’t just give you normal?”

  “You give me everything and I was the one who messed up.” He kissed my forehead. “I’m blessed you give me any chance. Please don’t feel guilty I’m not getting sex or as much as Hudson. You’re including me and that’s more than I deserve so soon. Yes, I’m in. Absolutely I want that too.”

  “Me too,” Hudson confirmed as he moved behind me and kissed my neck. “You told me what you want and now you’re going to trust me to give it to you, aren’t you, Princess?” He chuckled when I shivered. “I’m going to direct, and we’ll see what I allow your boyfriend to do to your luscious body that’s mine tonight.”

  “That’s a bit more submissive than…” Darby didn’t seem to know how to finish that sentence.

  “It’s not,” Hudson countered. “She’s giving me my marching orders and then the chance to give her what she needs. It’s a game of control where she’s the dominant and I’m following her path, directing her plan to her vision if I do it right.”

  “And it’s hot,” I moaned. “Plus, he has a hard time vocalizing what he wants so now he will, using the map he’ll plot to get us to the destination. It’s fun.” I opened my eyes and met Darby’s curious gaze. “And I want to with you too. I want to do something else with you.”

  He swallowed loudly. “I saw that. Your first time?”

  “If you want.”

  “I want,” he promised.

  “I already got it,” I admitted, feeling a bit shy. “I wanted to do it with my boyfriend and got it.”

  “Thank you, agra.”

  “I’m still fucking directing even if you get to be the first guy to use a toy on her,” Hudson grumbled, swooping me up in his arms. He headed towards the bathroom letting out a chuff that sounded more dragon than man.

  “You’re spoiled.”

  “I am and I like that you spoil me,” he confirmed as he set me on my feet. “Get her undressed.” He started the water to my kickass shower as Darby did as he said.

  I couldn’t even joke that my feelings were hurt they thought I needed a shower as I stunk like a mechanic’s shop and grease among other things. When the water was ready Hudson moved me under it and for a few moments they simply watched me.

  Then they joined me. They gave me the fantasy for sure. It was nothing but sweet touches and kisses as they washed me. I wanted to be spoiled, both of them not able to get enough of me.

  “Touch your boyfriend, Princess,” Hudson murmured. “Touch him while I lick you.”

  I moaned as he knelt behind me. I grabbed Darby’s cock and stroked it as we kissed and my dragon ate my pussy.

  “I never thought I could share a woman but you’re not just any woman, agra,” Darby panted after we both orgasmed.

  No, I was his love, his beloved… As that was what “agra” meant. I’d looked it up and while I hadn’t busted him, I knew it was more than just any pet name one gave a girlfriend.

  “And you’re my prickly vampire I wouldn’t trade for anyone,” I murmured against his lips. “I love making you come, Darby.”

  “I love your hands on me,” he moaned as I ran them up his body.

  “Taste your girlfriend,” Hudson demanded as he stood, lifting me in his arms as he did. I yelped in shock as he spread me wide for Darby. “And know I tasted her first.”

  “Possessive much?” I growled.

  “Getting over my shit he hurt you even if it was completely understandable, happens to lots of vampires, and lots of other reasons,” Hudson muttered. “River wanted to eat him. This was the compromise.”

  “He warned me,” Darby added. “I accepted. I should be punished. It affected more than us.”

  Only because I was involved with more than one man. I didn’t even know where to start on that and apparently they’d decided for me so fine, fine, the idiots could make life harder.

  Any arguments I had went out the window as Darby dropped to his knees and gave me what I wanted. Then he stood and they went back to spoiling me, their lips and hands everywhere… Darby’s lips never going near my neck and his hands not touching my wrists. It hurt my heart we had to do it that way but for now. Only for now.

  Fuck, I hoped it was only for now.

  “Worship her breasts while I wash her hair. Stroke him some more while I do, my princess,” Hudson said. “Doesn’t she have the best breasts?”

  “Aye, sensitive and perky,” Darby praised as his hands cupped mine while I touched him. “Full and soft but firm and delicious. These are the best tits I’ve ever seen in me life.”

  “Your Irish is coming out,” I moaned, loving when his accent got thicker… Like his dick.

  “Aye, I’m gonna talk Irish all night to you, agra. My agra. I can’t wait to play with your wet little cunt and get my fill of these tits as I love all on you. Ya deadly, agra, and sometimes I’m so locked on you, I don’t care about me hangover.”

&n
bsp; I kissed him, seconds from fucking orgasming just from his accent and sexy Irish much less his talented fingers taunting my nipples. Add to that the scalp massage Hudson was giving me and I was in heaven.

  He came before Hudson started rinsing the shampoo and it made me realize how much Darby had needed my attention as well. I mean, it made sense, but still, we were both… Yeah, upset.

  When we were done in the shower—all of us clean and my mane even conditioned—Darby carried me to the bed. None of us cared we were soaking wet and ready for more fun.

  “Straddle him,” Hudson ordered as he moved behind me. “Rub your pussy on his cock as I fuck you. I’m going to fuck your girlfriend on you, Darby. You good with that?”

  “Oh yeah, make her scream, mate,” Darby groaned.

  “Put your hands on her breasts and don’t move them from there. Tamsin, show me your nape.”

  “Not until I ache,” I teased him, biting back a smirk when he growled.

  “Move your hands to his shoulders for leverage. Now I’m going to really give it to you.”

  Good. I loved waving the red flag in front of Hudson. I did as he said but made sure to flip my wet hair behind me so it was plastered all over my back and completely covering my nape.

  He chuffed and slammed into me so hard that I fell forward, Darby’s hands the only thing that kept me from totally losing balance. It put my body in a better position to please his but my forearms were over his shoulders really. He didn’t seem to mind but his eyes did go wide when he saw how rough Hudson was with me.

  “Show me your nape,” Hudson bit out.

  “No, make me orgasm and ache,” I moaned. “Earn it, my dragon.”

  “Punish her. Pinch her nipples hard,” Hudson told Darby.

  He gave me a look to confirm and I nodded, kissing him when he did it. I enjoyed every second of what they gave me. I finished so hard spots filled my vision.

  Twice.

  Hudson climaxed and I realized Darby had as well from my body moving against his. Nice.

  My dragon pulled me up onto my knees. “Show me your nape, Princess.” He practically purred when I gathered my hair and held it up to show him my nape. He kissed it and every inch of my neck he could reach. “Where is this toy you want him to use?”

  “The nightstand, top drawer,” I panted, still recovering.

  “Get it, Darby. Use it on her while I take your girlfriend again. Then we’re going to give her sweet.”

  “This might need to be sweet,” I admitted. “I’m really tired and just—too much going on.”

  “We can make this sweet,” Darby agreed. “Slow and deep while I overload you with pleasure.”

  And that was what they did. Hudson wrapped his arms around me with his hands cupping my breasts as his hips hit my ass each thrust. Darby put on the textured vibrator that went over his finger and teased my clit until I lost count of how many orgasms I had.

  “Stroke your dick for her and wish you were inside of her,” Hudson directed him.

  “I do wish for that, but I’m more than willing to wait until you’re ready, agra,” Darby promised. “Come for us again.”

  I did, my eyes fluttering closed and it was hard to get them back open. The three of us finished together and then I was done and done.

  “Tamsin, did he hurt you?” Darby worried, sounding far away. “You were too rough with her.”

  “No, we’ve played way rougher than this and multiple times,” Hudson argued. “She loves it. Do a healing rune. It’s got to be stress.”

  “She seems drained,” Darby muttered as I felt his finger drawing on my skin.

  I gasped as the healing rune helped and then groaned. “I’m an idiot. Crystals. In my room.”

  “Oh shit,” Darby growled. “Where, agra? How many?”

  I couldn’t think math right then, but I told him they were in the tote next to the closet. “I brought half up here so I didn’t do too many down in the garage.”

  “And then we came up here,” Hudson growled. “Fuck. Okay, you need fuel and now. You get the containers we brought and I’ll get her cleaned up.”

  “Sorry, forgot,” I mumbled, sounding exhausted on several levels to myself.

  “It’s fine,” Hudson murmured as he pulled out of me. “I’m just glad you knew what it was because Darby looked ready to kill me I injured you.”

  “I enjoyed it.”

  “Me too,” he promised. He had me cleaned up and in my robe he found in the closet as Darby came back with the to-go containers they’d arrived with. Luckily, they’d brought a bunch of desserts, but I had a feeling it wasn’t enough.

  “I told Zack,” Darby admitted. “There’s still power in the portal. What are you in the mood for? Whatever’s fast and full of calories?”

  “McDonald’s,” I moaned. “Fries. Big Mac. All day breakfast. Bacon, egg, and cheese McGriddle. Chicken nuggets. Anything with bacon. More fries.”

  “And no caffeine, onions, or spicy, I got it,” he promised. He leaned in and kissed my cheek. “That was everything. Thank you for letting me be a part of it. Next time we won’t drain you.” He cleared his throat and gave me a nervous look, his glasses back on. “I get to be involved next time too, yeah?”

  “Oh yeah,” I snickered, giving him a wink. “That was awesome.”

  “Glad we agree.” He threw back on his clothes and nodded towards Hudson’s clothes as if saying to do the same. “Bring her down to the kitchen just in case. The guards are going to want to see her.”

  “Got it.”

  “No one can know what she did,” Zack told Darby several minutes later as Hudson carried me down. “They won’t hear it hurt her, only she was able to do that many crystals in one night and abuse her to do it.”

  “I know. Hudson does as well. I’ll take it to my grave.”

  Great, so much for a fun, stress-free night.

  Fuck.

  16

  Hudson stayed the night but not the whole weekend, since people watched everything he did. He and Darby seemed as excited at what I invented as the wolves were, which was nice they were so supportive.

  And we all laughed when we did the snowball test, the guys dying when I was sending ice chunks at Sean. The barrier worked but it was a bit hard to drive a bike after the chunks broke all over the driveway.

  “We’ll have to do some more testing, but I think it’s a viable product that will be in demand,” Zack said when we took a break for lunch.

  “It could be a nice future,” I agreed, smiling at him when he gave me a curious look. “Once we find your mate and it’s time to start having a real life I could see you and Ray with a shop that does custom work and offers magical upgrades. Or does a whole fleet of them for royal dragon guards or whoever you think needs them. Only the good guys.”

  “Yeah, only the good guys,” he agreed, shaking his head at me. “Geiger said you would restore our faith but you’re too much, Tamsin. This is a goldmine and you’d just hand it over.”

  I gestured around my mansion. “What do I need it for, mate? I need help staying alive and if we manage that, I hope we all have better futures. It sounds nice.”

  “It does sound nice. Still, to give us this and let our fairy mates make crystals for—”

  “Oh, right, they probably could too,” I muttered. “I thought I’d just stockpile you with crystals if you bought the raw ones. Duh. Yeah, that would be easier.”

  He leaned over and kissed my hair. “You’re even more awesome if you planned to help us with the business like that. I can’t even get over you, girl.”

  “I have my moments.”

  It was a nice weekend and I hated to go back to campus Sunday night… Especially when Glen was waiting for me in the shadows outside of the dorm.

  “What are you, Tamsin? What are you that you need special guards that are ridiculously strong lone wolves?” he demanded.

  “Targeted.”

  “What?”

  “I’m targeted, Glen,” I sighed.
“That’s what I am that makes me need guards. The rest doesn’t matter.”

  “No, I think it’s something—”

  “Mate, you’re spiraling,” I cut in, wanting the topic changed but noting how he looked. “You’re so busy trying to keep control you’re not being a good leader.”

  “What do you know about it? You don’t listen to anyone,” he snapped.

  I raised an eyebrow at him. “And yet I listen to them. That’s the point you’re missing here. They’re here for me. They’re not trying to steal your gig. They don’t want to be Alpha. You’re so focused on keeping your power and controlling the pack, you’re missing the assists that are here for now. They’re older and more powerful than you.

  “Why aren’t you learning from them? Listening to their advice? I am. A good leader knows they don’t know everything, Glen. It’s why we’ve butted heads before. You’re not god. You’re not a dictator. You’re not even Alpha of a large pack of families like its own town. You’re boss of the guards. Cool. That’s awesome, but that’s all it is and if you don’t get a reality check, you’ll be out.”

  “Is that a threat?” he snarled.

  “No, it’s reality,” I snapped. “I know lone wolves well, having been one for years even if I’m not a wolf.” I probably shouldn’t have said that, but a mature Alpha like Glen would know I wasn’t a wolf shifter anyways. “And the one thing I know is that if you push us, we push back. They don’t want to take over but if you keep pushing them there won’t be another option in their eyes as you will become the problem.”

  “Everything was fine until you got here,” he accused.

  “No, it wasn’t.” I didn’t want to out Marshall or Sean, but they weren’t the only ones who I’d heard bitch about Glen. I tapped my head to say I’d heard a lot. “My showing up might have exacerbated or highlighted the situation and what was wrong, but it was already there. The situation wasn’t good, but people thought it was only them or tolerable, but they were reaching that line on their own.”

  “So what do you want me to do? Give up the pack? Quit?”

  “No, listen to your wolves, Glen. You’re deaf to suggestion. That’s not a boss, that’s a douche. If it were me? I’d let Zack and Ray audit all your procedures just like the council people are the school. They’re doing it to be nosy and bitches, but do it for real to see where you can improve. You’re boss of security of one of the best universities of the world, Glen. Deserve that or you don’t deserve the job.”