What Remains: Wasteland

by Kris Norris

  “I just want to talk.”

  “There’s nothing to talk about, and honestly, I’m not in the mood to listen. So please. Leave.”

  “We can’t sort this out if you won’t let me talk.”

  She glared at him, a flash of anger flickering in her eyes. “You don’t want to sort anything out. You want to tell me what’s best for me and have me thank you for helping me see the light. I won’t do it. If you even think I might then you don’t know me at all.”

  “Believe me, I know exactly how damn stubborn you are.” He kicked at the floor. “In fact, it’s one of the traits I love the most about you.”

  Her chin quivered, but she didn’t falter. “Then you’ll respect my privacy and please leave.”

  “Afraid I can’t do that.” He held his hands palm up when she scowled at him. “I’m not here to fight, but if you need to kick my ass again in order to hear what I have to say, then let’s get on with it.”

  She mumbled under her breath, turning her head away.

  He paused, taking the time to look at her. Only this time he didn’t just see the woman he’d given his heart to. He saw the warrior in her. All the times she’d taken point, preventing them from walking into an ambush. Or how she’d pulled Billy’s ass out of a burning Hummer, despite the steady barrage of bullets that had nearly killed them both. Though he suspected he’d always had feelings for her, long before he’d ever acknowledged them, he’d never questioned her status before. Never thought twice that she’d have his and Hunter’s back. He moved forward, taking the spot beside her on the mattress. Though she’d gone quiet the moment he’d walked in, he knew it was only for show.

  He shuffled closer but refrained from touching her. “I’m sorry.”

  Her back stiffened, and she spared him a quick glance but didn’t speak.

  He sighed. “Guess I deserve the silent treatment. I’m just not used to it.” He glanced away, adding, “Usually we can’t get you to shut up.”

  She slapped his shoulder. “Bastard.”

  “As long as I’m your bastard.” He stared at his lap. “I wish I could look you in the eyes and tell you that being your lover hasn’t clouded my judgment. That knowing you’re going to be out there, facing those things doesn’t scare me more than anything else I’ve ever faced. But I can’t.”

  “Never seemed to bother you before.”

  “The hell it didn’t. But you’re right in the sense…it wasn’t this bad. I love you, Emersyn. That changes things.” He placed a finger over her lips, preventing her from speaking. “I know. It’s not fair, and yeah, Hunter and Kace have more than enlightened me. I just thought that maybe you’d want to stop. That being with us would be enough.”

  Her mouth curled up at one side. “It’s not a matter of being enough, Rhys. Unless Kace or some hotshot genius like him finds a cure…a real one that turns people back…the threat is always going to be out there. Hell, a dozen people died inside the compound because we didn’t see the changes in Billy. Or maybe we just chose not to, but I do know there isn’t a place that’s truly safe. And would you rather have a partner that waited to be rescued, or one that could rescue you right back?”

  He grazed his fingers along her jaw. “You know I wouldn’t change you, darling. It’s just not easy for us big brawny types to let go of our protective instincts.”

  She kissed his palm. “I’m not asking you to give them up. I’m touched you, Kace and Hunter want to keep me safe. I’d be more worried if you didn’t. I’m just asking you to allow me the same privilege.”

  “You’re determined to make my life as difficult as possible, aren’t you?”

  “Looks that way.”

  He nodded, glancing at her again. “You done kicking my ass yet, or should I remain on high alert?”

  “I think I’m done.” She poked him in the chest. “Unless you pull this Neanderthal shit again. Then all bets are off.”

  “Fair enough. Nice moves by the way. How long have you been training with Kace?”

  She shrugged. “About two hours. You know he did more than just train, right?”

  “The man is full of surprises. And I’ll do my best not to piss you off again.” He drew her face to his, brushing his lips over her mouth. “Can I kiss you now without fear of you trying to kill me?”

  “Shut up.”

  Rhys smiled as their lips met. He’d expected Emersyn’s kiss to be forceful, but she eased her mouth against his, gently tasting his lips. The tenderness stole his heart, and he slid his hand along her jaw, cupping the back of her head as he dipped his tongue inside, slowly tangling it with hers. He restrained his need, wanting to show her how much she meant to him. That he didn’t have to dominate her to make love.

  Emersyn traced his lips when they finally parted, giving him a genuine smile. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” He leaned in, nipping at her lip. “Does this mean we can have makeup sex?”

  She laughed. “As long as you’re up to sharing.” She motioned to the door. “There’s no way you came alone.”

  “Damn, but you don’t miss a thing, do you?”

  “I just know you guys far better than you might want to believe.” She reached out and grabbed his cock through his pants. “Is this a yes?”

  “Always. I just hope you got some rest last night because I have a feeling this reckoning might take half the night.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Kace peeked around the corner, praying he wouldn’t see the two wrestling on the floor, Rhys’ head snagged between her legs in one of the new locks he’d shown her. He and Hunter had given Rhys a few minutes head start, realizing his brother wanted a chance to face Emersyn alone, heal the wound the man felt he’d caused. Though in retrospect, Kace knew they’d all wanted Em to give it up. To know she was safe, even though the notion was purely romantic. Emersyn was far from the preverbal damsel in distress.

  The couple was on the back mattress, their heads bent close, their arms wrapped around each other. They seemed content just holding one another, the soft whisper of their combined breath carrying across the room. Kace nudged Hunter, nodding back toward the lab. While their encounters had been largely together, Kace knew that certain circumstances called for fewer partners. And he had a feeling this might be one of those situations. Hunter slapped him on the shoulder, turning to go when a throat cleared from inside the room.

  “It’s all right, gentlemen, I’m too tired to fight right now.”

  Kace glanced toward Em, noting the contented smile on her face. He took a step forward, leaning on the wall as Hunter moved in beside him. “Does that mean we’ve got a truce, or will you resume your ass kicking once you’ve rested?”

  Emersyn laughed. “Truce…until you boys do something else that requires a more physical approach.”

  Kace shrugged. “Can’t argue with that. But we thought maybe you two would like some time alone. To go over the terms of the surrender, of course.”

  Rhys chuckled. “No one surrendered, and I think Em made it pretty damn clear that she needs all of us.”

  Hunter shuffled closer. “I think she’s been making that clear since the start. But that doesn’t mean you two don’t need some time. Alone.”

  Em gave Rhys a squeeze then stood, moving over to them. “What I need is for the men I love to make love to me. Rhys knows how much I love him, as I hope both of you do. I realize it won’t be all four of us all the time but…” She placed a palm on each of their faces. “I sure could use that right now.”

  Kace kissed her hand. “Wouldn’t be right to let the lady down, Hunter.”

  Hunter shook his head. “No it wouldn’t.”

  Emersyn smiled, allowing them to remove her clothes, returning the favor once she was naked. She moved to each man, tiptoeing up and giving them a kiss before following Rhys back to the mattresses. Kace slipped his arms around her waist before she could go to her knees and pulled her back against his chest.

  He leaned in, brushing his mout
h along the shell of her ear. “Not yet, baby. I have a feeling we still need to show you how sorry we are. And this is the perfect position to do just that.”

  Kace lifted one hand, cupping her breast, holding it in offering to Hunter, while his other slid over her hip to her mound, his fingers gently splaying her pussy lips apart. Both men growled and moved in, taking their positions. Hunter dropped a kiss on Em’s mouth before lowering his head and teasing her nipple with the tip of her tongue. Em inhaled, pushing back on Kace’s chest as her head fell into the crook of his shoulder, one hand reaching around to fist his cock.

  He tsked in her ear. “Naughty girl. Let’s see if you can still concentrate on pleasing me when Rhys puts his mouth on you.”

  She spared him a quick glance before Rhys smoothed his hands along her skin, dropping to his knees in front of her and burying his head between her thighs. Em cried out, squeezing Kace’s shaft as if she needed it to anchor herself. He clenched his jaw, not sure how she managed to move her hand from base to tip with Rhys lapping at her sex while Hunter suckled her breasts, but he wasn’t going to complain.

  He flicked her hair back with his chin, nipping and licking her neck and shoulder, tasting the salty perfection of her skin, knowing he’d never love another woman like her. Never feel this connected, this complete, without her.

  Emersyn writhed in his arms, her grip on his cock faltering as her breathing sped up. There was no teasing this time. No gentle build up. Their desire thickened the air, and Kace knew this was about more than just sex. They wanted to show Emersyn they believed in her. That her needs were as important as theirs.

  Rhys hummed. “Damn, you taste so fucking good. No wonder Hunter and Kace are so greedy.”

  Kace snorted. “Can’t help it if you’re a slow learner, bro.”

  “Well, consider that situation rectified, because I plan to lick her pussy so much she’ll have an imprint of my tongue on her cleft.”

  “You boys know I’m right here…”

  Her voice keened into a groan, and Kace could only guess that his brother had taken his seduction to a higher level. Kace glanced over Em’s shoulder, almost creaming her ass at the sight before him. Hunter latched onto one nipple while his right hand teased the other side. Rhys sucking her clit, his hand moving in a steady rhythm between her legs. She was teetering on the edge, and Kace loved it.

  Kace growled, biting her muscle. “God, you’re so hot. I love watching you fight the sensations. But it can’t last, baby. Rhys is too good, isn’t he? Licking your clit, fingering your pussy. You can’t keep it at bay for long, can you? But this is just the beginning. Once you come we’ll start all over. Is that what you want? All of us…together?”

  Em screamed his name, thrashing her head along his shoulder. He held firm, loving the way she tried to deny what excited her most.

  “I asked you a question, Emersyn. Do you want to have all of us, together?”

  She clenched her jaw, fisting his cock again as she gazed at him. “Yes, for god’s sake, yes. Just please. Please make me come.”

  Kace chuckled. “If it’s what you want, baby.”

  Em glanced at him, looking as if she might just as soon go another round in the ring with him when her eyes rolled back and she screamed. Kace felt her shatter, her body convulsing in his arms. Rhys moaned, the wet sounds of his fingers in her pussy blending with her voice.

  Kace held on, wanting her to know he wasn’t about to let her go. “I’ve got you. Just let it take you. I won’t let you fall.”

  Her entire body stiffened then relaxed, his arms the only force holding her up. He smiled against her hair, waiting until her breathing had eased slightly before slowly taking them to the floor. Rhys knelt in front of her, his mouth glistening with her release, the usual tension in his face gone. The man reached for her, holding her close as he drew her to his chest, claiming her mouth in a kiss that should have set the girl’s hair on fire.

  Em moved willingly with him, straddling his thighs as he reclined on the mattress, her body looking small atop his. Kace motioned to Hunter, slipping to the side as the other man took his place behind Em, his hands caressing her back. She arched around his hands, baring her neck, moaning in pleasure as the two men touched and licked, their hands covering her body.

  Kace watched them interact, knowing he could join in, but satisfied just to observe. There was something inherently sexy about seeing Emersyn in the throes of passion, aware it’d be him making her scream the next time. The thought made him smile. She was truly incredible.

  Rhys grabbed her hips, and Kace knew the moment the man thrust inside her. Emersyn’s eyes closed on a hiss of pleasure as her head lulled backward. Hunter snugged his chest to her back, holding her steady, allowing the other man to move beneath them.

  Kace snagged the lube from the small table next to him and shifted over to Hunter, holding the tube out for him. Hunter grinned, releasing one hand to accept Kace’s offering. The man nodded at Em.

  Kace leaned forward, kissing Emersyn, tracing every contour of her mouth, savoring the unique flavor of her. She returned the kiss, pulling him back to her when he moved away. He chuckled, allowing her to control this one, granting her complete access. She hummed in his mouth, her head tilting back again when they finally parted. He glanced at Hunter, cursing as the man flexed his hips behind her. Shit. Knowing the other man was deep inside her ass made Kace’s cock swell to the point of pain, and he feared just watching was going to make him come.

  Em speared her fingers through his hair, drawing his attention. Her eyes were wild, the skin over her cheeks flush and taut. She looked incredible.

  She tugged him closer, her breath breezing over his face. “Need. You.”

  “I’m right here, baby.”

  “No, I mean…oh, god. Yes. Right there.”

  He grinned. She was too caught up in what the other men were doing to form even a single coherent sentence.

  He nipped at her lip. “I’ll give you what you need when you need it. Trust me.”

  A mixture of love and irritation flashed in her eyes, but it passed when Hunter slammed into her from behind, drawing a keening wail from her. Kace stayed close, kissing her neck and shoulders, massaging her abdomen as the other men worked her higher, their combined grunts like a symphony of pleasure.

  Emersyn chanted their names, shuddering with every stroke the men made until she stiffened in Kace’s arms, her grip in his hair tightening.

  Rhys groaned beneath her. “Fuck. Em. I can feel you coming, darling.”

  Hunter bowed his head, brushing it against her back. “Too damn tight. I can’t…”

  The man cursed then picked up his pace, hips pumping, mouth pulled tight. Emersyn grunted with every stroke, her voice raw. Hungry. Hell, if Kace hadn’t been holding her, he would have sworn they were killing her. But every arch of her back, every luscious moan told him everything he needed to know.

  Hunter growled, clenching around her hips as he stiffened, his eyes rolling closed. Her name passed his lips as a benediction, his groin grinding into her ass. Em clawed at Rhys chest, leaving tiny scratches, but Rhys just smoothed his hands along her spine, whispering soothing words. She drew in a few quick breaths then collapsed onto the man, sweat beading her skin, a deep flush covering her body. Hunter bent over her, kissing her back and shoulders, muttering words Kace couldn’t make out. It wasn’t until Hunter pried his eyes open that he seemed to be in control.

  He blew out a weary breath. “Damn, Em. You’re amazing, sweetheart. God, I love you.”

  She managed to glance back at him, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. “Love you, too.”

  He kissed her spine and eased out, her whispered groan of disappointment more than obvious. She turned her head, looking at Kace, eyes pleading, body trembling.

  He leaned in, placing his mouth next to her ear. “Easy, baby. I’m here.”

  She didn’t speak, just closed her eyes, her muscles easing as he took his place behind her, caressing
the smooth skin of her ass. Hunter slipped him the lube, lying beside Em and holding the hand she offered him. Kace drew a long line of gel down his shaft, rubbing it around before placing his hands on her cheeks and gently splaying them apart. He nudged her hole with the head of his cock, testing to see if she still wanted him to take her this way.

  She moaned and levered back slightly. He read her intentions and thrust forward, slipping through the tight muscles and hilting himself inside her ass. Her channel clenched around him, and he had to pant to keep from pounding into her.

  He rubbed her skin, slowly pulling out before sliding back in. “Jesus, Em. You’re so damn tight with Rhys already inside you. I swear I can feel every twitch he makes. No wonder Hunter couldn’t control himself. Not sure I’ll last long, either.”

  “Then for the love of god just make love to me.”

  Her voice was hoarse, thick with sexual tension. Though he’d witnessed her come more than once, it was obvious she needed one final push to go completely over the edge. And he wasn’t about to stop until he’d done just that.

  Kace gave her ass a light whack, noting her reaction. He’d have to remember to have them surprise her one night with a good old-fashioned spanking. “All right. Hold on to Rhys, baby, because we’re about to blow your mind.”

  Rhys moved first, pulling out then thrusting back in. Kace waited until the man stopped before dragging his cock slowly through her channel, pausing with it clenched at the opening before pushing in again. Sweet pressure built along his shaft, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to hold off too long.

  Rhys thrust again, not waiting as long between strokes. Kace tried to counter him, but after a dozen passes, the other man seemed to unhinge, claiming Em with reckless abandon. Kace gritted his teeth, following Rhys’ actions, no longer thrusting in sequence. Em writhed beneath him, calling their names, begging for them to go harder. Faster. He grunted against the steady rush of pleasure pulsing through his sac, threatening to end the session with every brush of her flesh against his. A tingling sensation shot down his spine just as Rhys jerked against Em, shouting her name as he emptied inside her.