by Lynn Tyler
“Mmm,” he purred. “I am, too. You look almost edible. I could just lick you all over. Is there cream for me?”
A rush of moisture pooled in her pussy at the thought of his tongue swirling around between her legs, pushing up into her folds and flicking over her clit. “Lots of cream for you.” She practically whimpered when he licked his lips.
“Tell me, lira, what is your favorite thing to eat?” he asked.
“You want me to pick just one thing?” she teased. Both he and Thantos had been doing this a lot in the past three days, asking her little things about her likes and dislikes. In return, they’d told her about themselves and had treated her to glimpses of what life might be like between them.
Well, they’d also given her an eyeful of what their private life might be like, too. Especially when they’d made love to each other in front of the vidscreen, both of them moaning her name when they’d come. Neither of them had been fully satisfied either, but still, the sight had been burned into her dreams for the past few nights.
“Well,” he drawled, leaning close to his screen, “what would your ideal meal be?”
She thought for a few seconds before answering. “With you guys? I would go for something bite sized, something we could eat together. You know, feed each other. Like strawberries or small brownies. Maybe something creamy I could…lick off your fingers.”
Kerek’s rich laugh came through the speakers, and she shivered. “I’m going to forward you a book I just finished. I think you’ll enjoy it. It’s a suspense. I’ve had it translated into English for you.”
Her heart melted a little with Kerek’s change of subject. They’d been chatting about the little things that all new couples chatted about, and she and Kerek had been surprised to find out they had very similar taste in books.
“Thanks. I can’t wait to read it.”
Kerek fussed for a few minutes until her screen beeped again, indicating that something had downloaded. “You’re most welcome. You should be able to download it onto your e-reader.”
She smiled and glanced at the file, quickly scanning the book blurb. It did sound good, like something she would have picked out herself. And it gave her an idea. “I have something for you, too. Can you access my computer?”
“I can.” Kerek fiddled with something else before looking back up at her. “Done.”
“Download the second show I recorded. It’s a movie of one of our most famous fictional heroes, Sherlock Holmes. And the fifth show is one I recorded with Thantos in mind. It’s a history of an ancient people here on Earth. I think it’s right up Thantos’s alley.”
Kerek smiled. “I’ve uploaded both of them, thanks. It does sound like something Thantos would like.”
The ache in her chest had eased a little, something she now understood would only totally go away when she was with both of her men. Suddenly, Kerek frowned. “What’s wrong” she asked, a little panicked. Had something happened to Thantos? Why couldn’t she sense what was wrong?
“I can’t feel you anymore,” he answered sadly.
She focused on her body and misted up a little. The burning need to be filled by one or both of her men was gone. She searched frantically for a connection with either Kerek or Thantos, even a tiny one, but there was nothing. “What happened?” she whispered.
“Our bond is broken. You’re finally free, lira. Your body and your mind are your own again.”
She searched her mind again, looking for anything, anything at all, that still connected her to the two men and still didn’t find anything.
It had been what she’d been hoping for when she’d left the ship, the ability to truly separate her feelings and emotions from the feelings her bond with the men may have caused her to have.
But if this was what she’d been waiting for, why did she feel so miserable?
* * * *
Thantos jerked as he felt the last of his bond with Kim melt away. He managed to stay on topic though, not even stumbling over his words at all. The portable vidscreen beeped quietly from its perch on the podium, and he discreetly flipped it on, knowing it would be Kerek checking up on him. He didn’t address Kerek directly but continued to give his lecture, knowing that Kerek would hear and feel his disappointment but also that he was all right.
He finished up his lecture, smiling at the females who paused to ask a few questions before they left. The questions were the standard ones, easy to answer without actually thinking.
Finally the lecture hall was empty except for his contingent of bodyguards. “Talan, how are you this fine evening?”
Kerek smiled, although it didn’t reach his eyes. “A little sad, but you already know that. I’m just hailing to see how you’re doing.”
He heaved a sigh and started to pack up his handouts while he spoke to his mate. “Sad, too. You felt it, right? Do you think Kim knows?”
Kerek pressed his lips together. “Yes, I felt our bond with Kim dissolve. And I was speaking to Kim when it happened. I think the best thing to do is to back off right now.”
“No.” The word came out of his mouth without even a conscious thought. It was the first time he’d ever disagreed with Kerek so strongly.
Kerek quirked an eyebrow but said nothing. Thantos relaxed slightly when he felt Kerek’s curiosity but no anger. He was clearly waiting for Thantos to continue though.
Clearing his throat, Thantos chose his words carefully, taking the time to gather his thoughts and really examine his emotions before speaking. “I know our bond is broken, but I don’t feel any differently. At all. In fact, my love for Kim is even stronger than before. Maybe it’s because I know it’s genuine, but whatever the case, I can’t just walk away. We said we’d fight for her, and I’m ready to wage a war to make her see how good it could be between the three of us.”
Kerek’s expression melted, and Thantos could feel his mate’s hope beginning to blossom in him. “I agree wholeheartedly, talan. Listen, I was talking to Kim earlier today about her favorite meal.”
Thantos’s lips stretched in a wide smile as he listened to Kerek’s plan to sweep Kim off her feet.
“Are you sure you want to come down on the shuttle, Kerek? I mean, I know how much you suffer.”
“Yes, I’m sure. I’ve spoken to Dr. Tabar, and he will give me a sedative so that I sleep right through the whole flight. He says that he will send the antidote so that you can wake me as soon as I land. Then we can put our plan in action.”
Thantos gaped at him. “But…you don’t like to be vulnerable when we’re not in our quarters.”
Kerek sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “I still don’t like the idea, but I trust the pilot, and you’ll be there as soon as I land. And I really don’t want to wait for three hours to recover from motion sickness before we go to Kim.”
Made sense to him. “Okay, Kerek. I’ll meet your shuttle and administer the antidote. I’m going to go shopping for our dinner ingredients while I wait.”
He signed off with Kerek and rubbed his hands together. Kim might not decide that she wanted to be with them, but they were not giving her up without a fight.
By the time he was finished shopping and he’d prepared with his own hands the little finger foods Kim had described to Kerek, Kerek’s shuttle was due any minute. He had just enough time to get to the landing pad with his guards.
The drive was quick, and he was waiting for the shuttle with minutes to spare. The landing seemed to be quite rough, and Thantos prayed to the gods that whatever Dr. Tabar had given Kerek, it had worked perfectly.
The shuttle door opened with a hiss, and the pilot jumped out. “Ambassador,” he said with a smile and a chest thump.
“Lieutenant,” he responded, nodding to acknowledge the greeting.
Thantos waited until the pilot had walked past him before sprinting up to the open hatch and launching himself up through it. He rushed to the back of the shuttle, searching frantically for his mate. He already knew that Kerek wasn’t feeling any physica
l sensations of motion sickness in his drugged sleep. Their bond was as physical as it was emotional. But the question that weighed on his mind was how Kerek would fare once he regained consciousness. His poor mate had a tendency to react poorly to drugs.
There he was, strapped into an upright position, head drooping as he slept. Thantos flipped the armrest up and felt around. He extracted a syringe and all but tossed it over his shoulder when he realized it was the space sickness antidote. Finally he pulled out a clear bag that held another syringe and a note. He quickly read through the instructions Dr. Tabar had provided and administered the antidote.
Kerek groaned as he came around, head lolling forward until it rested on Thantos’s shoulder. Thantos let his fingers play with the ends of Kerek’s long hair, knowing Kerek loved the slight pulling on his scalp.
The shuttle was quiet, almost oppressively so, as Kerek’s body worked on waking him up. Thankfully the only thing Thantos picked up on was a deep confusion and no physical reactions to either the shuttle trip or the drugs.
“Talan?” Kerek said thickly. A shock of concern for Thantos was transmitted through his bond with Kerek, and Kerek tried to sit up.
Running his hands up and down Kerek’s legs soothingly, Thantos crooned in his mate’s ear. “Shh, my love. Just let the antidote work its way through your system for a few minutes. We’re alone in the shuttle, and my guards are waiting outside. Everything is safe and secure.”
“Mmm,” Kerek answered. Arms came around Thantos’s middle and held him gently, with none of the regular strength he’d come to associate with Kerek’s embraces. It seemed the drug really knocked Kerek out but, quite frankly, if it helped his mate cope more comfortably with shuttle travel, Thantos would kiss the doctor’s knuckles in appreciation.
“You will do no such thing,” Kerek muttered as he struggled to sit up fully, having heard the thought in Thantos’s head. “The only people you will be kissing are me and Kim, if she decides to be with us.”
Oh, growly, possessive Kerek was back. That was a good sign. “Don’t worry, talan. I was just grateful that the doctor was able to help you.”
Kerek stretched his arms over his head, and Thantos admired the heavy muscles rippling under his tight uniform shirt. He let his hand drift over those ridges, caressing and petting and letting Kerek preen under his attention. “Did you get everything for our dinner?” Kerek asked as he flexed his abs.
“Yep,” he answered, letting his fingers march up Kerek’s body to feather over his nipples, which were clearly visible through the tight shirt. He tweaked each one lightly before speaking again. “I even made everything up so it’s all ready for us.”
Kerek jerked at the attention Thantos was paying to his nipples, and Thantos smiled as he nuzzled into Kerek’s throat. Those little nipples of Kerek’s had always been a hot spot, one he’d discovered back when they’d first mated. It was delightful to be able to just lounge here and play.
Of course, it helped that the physical sensations of the pleasure he was giving to Kerek was transmitted to him through their bond.
And Thantos’s nipples were just as sensitive as Kerek’s.
In fact, if he didn’t stop torturing the both of them soon with his nipple play, he was going to end up coming in his pants.
Kerek pulled his hands off his chest, pressing soft kisses into the palms. “Save that for later, talan, when I can tie you up in our bed and put those little clamps that you like on your nipples. Then we’ll play for hours before I let you come.”
Thantos shivered and grinned. “I’m looking forward to it, Kerek. And I’m also looking forward to the time when we can be with Kim, too.”
Kerek stroked his hair, and Thantos let himself lean into his touch. “You’re pretty confident that Kim will be joining us, even though our bond is broken.”
Thantos nodded and began working on Kerek’s seat restraints. “Yes,” he said as he helped Kerek slip the straps off his shoulders. “I don’t actually think our bond is broken, either. I think if it was actually broken, it would have taken longer than three days for the discomfort to ease. I think that our bond has gone dormant until we’re together again. You know, as a fail-safe action?”
Kerek stood up, his knees cracking and back popping as he unfolded himself from the crunched position he’d been sitting in. “That’s an interesting theory, love. And you’re probably right. I mean, look at what happened when Sathon’s bond broke. Mind you, Hema was killed, but still. It took him years to recover. I’m not sure he is fully recovered.”
Thantos pushed to his feet and took Kerek’s hand, leading him to the shuttle hatch, which was still half-open. “Let’s talk about good things, okay? Romantic things.”
Kerek nodded and nudged his way in front so he could assess the situation and make sure Thantos was safe. Thantos grinned, pleased that Kerek didn’t seem to be suffering from any side effects from either the journey or the drugs.
He waited patiently while Kerek descended to the ground and scouted things out despite the fact that his bodyguards were hanging around. “Come on down, talan,” Kerek finally called.
Thantos eased his way down to the ground. He could feel Kerek’s desire to help him down, but his mate refrained. While their society had come a long way, strength and independence was still highly valued, and Kerek would never do anything to cause anyone to question Thantos’s authority. “Thank you.” He sent the words mentally to Kerek through their bond, letting his mate feel his appreciation.
Kerek smiled in return and touched his wrist briefly. Thantos’s skin burned with the memory of his mate’s fingers. “Let’s go see Kim, yeah?”
Thantos nodded, pleased they were on the same page. “Yeah.”
Chapter 14
The knocking at the door startled Kim, and she bounced a little in her chair before jumping to her feet. “Who’s there?” she called as she rushed to the door.
“It’s us.”
Kerek’s low voice caused goose bumps to ripple along her arms, and she squashed the urge to squeal like a little girl. She worked the locks on the door, sliding the chain off with trembling fingers and flinging the door open. She drank in the sight of her two lovers, a little disconcerted that she couldn’t feel their emotions or hear their thoughts. “What are you guys doing here?”
Thantos smiled at her and held up an old-fashioned picnic basket. “We’ve missed you, so we thought we’d bring you dinner.”
She moved back to let them in and turned to Kerek. “You came down here for me?” They had told her they wouldn’t give her up without a fight, and the fact that Kerek had braved his severe motion sickness to see her proved that to her.
The man in question picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles, making her giggle and blush. “Are you feeling okay? You don’t seem to be sick or anything.”
This time he turned her arm over and kissed the palm of her hand. “Dr. Tabar gave me a new sedative he’s been working on. I slept through the whole trip and felt no worse for wear when I woke up. Not that it mattered. I would have come to see you regardless. I just didn’t need the three hours to recover.”
Kerek raised her arm and spun her around as if they were ballroom dancing, delivering her neatly into Thantos’s arms. He took the hand Kerek had abandoned and flipped it over to feather his lips against the inside of her wrist.
Her blood heated at the intimate gesture, the touch causing her pussy to moisten and swell. She moaned and pressed closer, trying to align her body with his.
Thantos’s lips worked their way up her arm, lingering at the inside of her elbow before moving along to suck at her neck. Her eyes fluttered closed, and he kissed her eyelids once before pulling away with a sigh. She almost cried with disappointment but stepped back as well.
“Oh, lira, don’t look so sad,” Thantos said, cupping her cheek with one hand and stroking his thumb along her jaw. “We just don’t want to risk triggering our bond again until we get to know each other.”
She w
asn’t quite sure how to take that statement. “You guys are happy our bond is broken?”
Thantos pressed another kiss to the inside of her wrist and led her to the tiny living room. “No, we’re hot happy at all, lira, but we respect your opinions. And quite frankly, if you decide to be with us as our mate, we’d rather you had no doubts down the line. If you need time to be sure of where your heart is, time is what we’ll give you.”
The living room had been transformed, the furniture pushed to the walls and her couch cushions piled in the middle of the floor. So this was where Kerek had disappeared to. A series of dishes were set up on the coffee table. “Thantos made us dinner,” Kerek said as he went about putting together a plate, filling it with all her favorite foods. “Come…sit and talk with us while we eat.”
She sat down on one of the cushions and accepted the plate from Kerek, who immediately went about fixing another plate, which was handed off to Thantos. Thantos set the plate aside for a moment, reaching for her vidscreen and tapping a few icons until a low, soothing music filled the room. Kerek fiddled with the dimmer switch and lowered the light as well so that they were in an intimate, romantic cocoon.
Kerek finally settled on the cushion next to Thantos and plucked a cube of cheese from Thantos’s plate, holding it to his mate’s lips until Thantos opened his mouth and accepted the bite. “So, tell us about your work?” Kerek asked as Thantos chewed. “Surely your efforts with the rebellion don’t support you financially.” He popped a glossy green grape into his own mouth and looked at her expectantly, like he was truly interested in hearing what she had to say.
She lifted one of the tiny slivers of chicken to her mouth and moaned when the flavor burst on her tongue. “I’m a history professor at the university,” she said once she’d swallowed.
Thantos smiled at her as he brought a bright-red strawberry to Kerek’s mouth, slipping it between his lips. “I figured you would hold a position of authority. You are far too much of a leader to simply let someone else tell you what to do. Do you have a particular focus?”