by Ivy Barrett
He kissed her gently, soothing her with tenderness. It always surprised her when Sintar was gentle. It seemed almost contrary to his nature. Their mouths pressed and slid, tongues curling around each other. He grasped her hips, lifting her slightly and positioning her body over his cock. She waited for him to thrust inside, to fill her with one brutal stroke. That’s how he usually took her, possessive and demanding. Tonight, he caressed her back and butt, lightly teasing her folds with the tip of his cock. He seemed almost playful.
His hands returned to her hips and he pressed her downward. The smooth head of his cock parted her folds and effortlessly found her entrance. She sank as he urged her down, filling her by degrees. When half of his length was inside her, he stopped and lay back across the bed, pulling her down with him.
Her body shifted and she closed her eyes. Now her ass was in the air, easily accessible to Tarlon. Sintar squeezed her hips, his tongue still sliding in her mouth. Then he reached farther back and pulled her ass cheeks apart, offering her other opening to his brother.
Tarlon moved closer, touching her gently with just his fingertips. He traced a path from her tailbone to her anus, his fingers slippery. Lube, she realized. She felt more cool gel slide over her skin and then one of his fingers carefully worked inside her. Her body opened for him with little resistance, the muscles trained by his earlier possession.
“Just relax, love,” Tarlon coaxed. “Let me touch you.”
But he wasn’t just touching her. He was sliding his finger in and out of her ass, mimicking the motion his cock would soon be making in the same tight channel. She shivered and Sintar drove deeper, capturing her attention.
“He said relax.”
So she went limp against him and surrendered to the inevitable. This was going to happen. She wanted it to happen, so she needed to stop being such a worrier.
Tarlon hadn’t really hurt her the first time. She’d been shocked and overwhelmed, but there had been no real pain.
Soon one finger became two and he moved with more conviction. “Much better.” His fingers spread, stretching her, preparing her.
Sintar pulled her closer, not stopping until his entire length was buried deep inside her. Then Tarlon drew his fingers out and positioned his cock in one smooth motion.
“Breathe,” he coached and pushed past her entrance when she inhaled. She quickly exhaled, but he kept right on coming, driving deeper and deeper into her reluctant body. No, her mind was still a bit reluctant, but her body was fine with this.
Tarlon groaned loudly when his groin pressed against her ass cheeks. “She’s so fucking tight.”
Sintar drew nearly out, easing the pressure a bit. “Better?”
Tarlon laughed. “I wasn’t complaining, you moron.”
“You still with us?” Sintar tugged lightly on her hair until she raised her head.
“I think so.” The fullness was extreme, but not painful. “Can you please move?”
“Gladly,” they said in unison.
They filled her with opposite strokes to begin with, one pulling out as the other pushed in. It gave her time to adjust to the fullness and for her arousal to rebuild. Sintar slipped his hand between their bodies and gently caressed her clit, helping her catch up to their demanding need.
She pushed against his chest, levering her torso off him. Her breasts swayed with each rocking thrust. Sintar watched her closely, his intense gaze never leaving her face. Tarlon caressed her breasts as he moved in her ass. She was surrounded by them and filled with them. There was simply no escape. Not that she wanted to escape.
Little by little her inhibitions melted away. They both touched her with aching tenderness as they joined with her together. Exhilarated by the emotions surging inside her, she closed her eyes and concentrated on the slide of their shafts in and out of her body.
“Together,” Sintar called and the motion changed. They drove inward at the same time and pulled out the same way. She was filled to bursting one moment and horribly empty the next. She wanted them, needed them to complete her. The message had never been clearer.
She sobbed, collapsing against Sintar’s chest as they continued their movements in unison. She let go, surrendering her will along with her body and the blissful tranquility spread through her again. She floated, at peace with the universe, her life in balance for the first time since her childhood.
Vaguely she realized they were moving faster, fucking her with more urgency. She remained quiet and still, savoring their frenzy without absorbing the harsh emotions. Sintar cried out, arching up into her as his cock jerked. She registered the warmth of his release half a second before Tarlon did the same thing. He grasped her hips as shudder after shudder escaped him and he pumped his seed into her ass.
She didn’t move, was so perfectly content that all she could do was smile.
No one spoke. Sintar flung his forearm over his eyes as he panted softly. Tarlon carefully separated his body from hers but left her impaled on Sintar. Then Tarlon stroked her back, his touch almost apologetic.
“Are you all right?”
She laughed. “Why do you two keep asking me that? Do I look that fragile?”
“Humans are all fragile. We are honestly afraid we’ll hurt you if we aren’t careful,” Sintar explained without moving his arm.
“That’s insulting.” She sat up and poked him in the ribs. He jerked and his cock bucked inside her. “Look at me.” Slowly he moved his arm and opened his eyes. “I’m stronger than I look. I don’t want either of you to hold back. Either we’re all in or this will never work.”
“Seemed to work pretty damn well just now,” he pointed out with a smug smile.
She punched him in the chest and climbed off, but as soon as his cock pulled free from her pussy, warm cum trickled onto her inner thighs. “Delightful.” She scooted off the bed and headed for the bathroom, more than ready for a few minutes alone.
She turned on the shower and turned back around to find both her mates crowding the doorway. She should have realized they wouldn’t let her retreat.
“Talk to us,” Tarlon prompted. “You seem agitated.”
“You didn’t hurt me, if that’s what you’re worried about. I enjoyed everything you did.”
“But,” he persisted.
“Something strange keeps happening to me. I’m not sure if it’s normal.”
“Nothing about this is normal, according to most humans,” Sintar pointed out as they moved fully into the bathroom.
“I know but this is different. A sort of trance comes over me right before, or even as I come.”
Sintar smiled, then yawned, scratching the side of his head. “It’s perfectly normal. Many humans call it subspace. I’m thrilled we’ve been able to take you there.”
“But it makes me feel…”
Tarlon turned off the shower and pulled her into his arms. “It makes you feel what?”
“Numb. I don’t want to suppress my feelings like I did before. I never want to be that isolated again.”
“This is different, or you’re not in subspace,” Sintar insisted. “Did you just feel numb, not peaceful or euphoric?”
“No.” She smiled, remembering the blissfulness. “There were definitely those things too.”
Tarlon tilted her chin, bringing her gaze to his. “You’re in control of your body, even when we dominate you. If you don’t like the feeling, then don’t go there. Stay focused on the present. Maybe try keeping your eyes open or—”
“I get it. I get it. I’m worrying about nothing.”
Sintar pulled her out of Tarlon’s embrace and into his. “Your concerns are not foolish. Don’t berate yourself. All of this is new to you and it has all happened incredibly fast.” He kissed her softly, then searched her gaze. “Did you enjoy subspace or is it too similar to the numbness from before?”
“No, you’re right, it’s different. I was just worried that the pleasant feelings would fade too and all I would feel was the…” She raised
both hands helplessly. “It’s really hard to explain.”
“Then don’t try. If you enjoy it, allow it to happen. If you don’t, I won’t push you that hard again.”
A guilty blush crept across her cheeks. “I like it when you push me.”
He chuckled and nipped her chin. “I know you do. Now, are you ready to tell us your decision? You seemed certain about a certain question while we fucked.”
She liked to think of it as making love, but she was no longer offended by the other word. “I have decided to accept your claim.” It felt so good to say it out loud.
They both whooped happily, making her laugh, then they each kissed her to celebrate the promise.
“However,” she stressed, “I’m exhausted tonight.”
Sintar chuckled. “You’re overestimating our stamina, darling. I didn’t mean tonight. We can wait as long as you need us to wait.”
“If your answer remains the same,” Tarlon clarified.
“It will and I’m really close to ready. I just need a few more days.”
They each kissed her one final time, then let her enjoy a long, steamy shower.
* * *
“Anything yet?”
Tarlon pulled his hands out of the control matrix and turned his chair around to face Sintar. They’d set up a workstation in one corner of the main living space so either of them could complete simple tasks without leaving the house. Tarlon used it more than Sintar. Few of Sintar’s tasks were simple.
“Absolutely nothing.” Tarlon shook his head in frustration. “It’s been four days since we planted the combots. I honestly thought it would be over by now.”
“It will happen. You just need to be patient.”
Tarlon stood and stretched out his back. “There’s another area of my life that falls in the hurry up and wait category.” He glanced toward the kitchen. Nikki was tidying up after the midday meal. Sintar had lingered with her at the table while Tarlon cleared his comm-queue and updated the chancellor. A wicked smile curved his lips. “You said you don’t have anything pressing this afternoon. Should we ask her if she’s finished torturing us?”
To Tarlon’s utter astonishment, Sintar shook his head. “It has to be her decision.”
“She already agreed to accept our claim. What is she waiting for?”
Sintar chuckled, seemingly unconcerned that their mate was stringing them along. “She has been open and giving, obedient and passionate. This is incredibly hard for her, but it will happen. I refuse to rush her in any way.”
Tarlon grumbled under his breath and turned back around. “Go away. You’re no help at all.”
Sintar headed to the school while Tarlon continued catching up. Documentation had always been his least favorite part of any job. He found it tedious and tiresome. Besides, he’d much rather be spending time with their mate sharing pleasure or just making her laugh.
She came up behind him a few minutes later and started rubbing his shoulders and neck. He groaned and closed his eyes. “Keep doing that and I’ll never finish.”
“Maybe that’s the idea.”
His cock hardened in an instant as her soft voice washed over him. He spun his chair around and pulled her between his legs, his hands on her soft butt. He squeezed the nicely rounded cheeks and smiled at her. “We have yet to fuck in the utility room. I’ve heard human females are partial to something called the spin cycle.”
She laughed and buried her hands in his hair. “Tried it once and wasn’t impressed. I found it cold and uncomfortable. We could—”
The emergency interrupt alarm sounded and he muttered, “Hold that thought,” and turned back around. Chancellor Savator’s image appeared on the corner of the desk, looking angry and rattled, a highly unusual combination. Savator was frequently angry, but nothing rattled him.
“All hell just broke loose in El Paso. The rebel minister is Kniark Zapt.”
“How was he identified?”
“Long story. LeAuntiez is on his way to you with Narrn. He’ll give you a complete update. Both Zapt and the human doctor are in the wind.”
“Damn.”
“And then some. Interrogate Narrn. We’ll reassess based on the information you extract from him.”
Tarlon nodded stiffly. “Understood.”
Without further comment, the chancellor ended the comm.
Nikki moved up behind him again and rested her hands on his shoulders. “Why do you look like he just kicked you in the gut? Isn’t this good news?”
“It could be progress if Narrn is in the mood to share, but that’s highly unlikely.” He turned to the side so he could stand without knocking Nikki over. “Which means I’ll have to probe his mind.”
Her eyes widened and she took an automatic step back, just the reaction he was hoping to avoid. “You can read minds? Are all Ventori telepathic?”
“Telepathy is the ability to communicate mind to mind. What I’m able to do is a combination of clairvoyance and empathy. And the answer to your question is no. My abilities are rare and I hate using them in this way.”
“Then why did you agree to it?” Her voice was soft and nonjudgmental, but the question still stung.
“Did it sound like I had a choice?” He took a deep breath, not wanting to take out his frustration on Nikki. “The most exasperating thing is Savator’s pet is infinitely more qualified to do this than me, but LeAuntiez refuses to use his abilities as a weapon.”
“So make him talk without resorting to a mind probe. Humans do it all the time.”
“I’ll try, believe me, I’ll try. But my reluctance is well known. Narrn will likely believe his secrets are safe from me.”
Silence fell and Tarlon braced for the inevitable questions. He’d deceived her, failed to reveal something she had every right to know. She was angry, that much was obvious. But her disappointment and hurt were unexpected.
“Don’t you trust me?” she finally said after the silence grew unbearable. “I’ve trusted you and Sintar with everything. Why would you keep this from me?”
“I never tell anyone at first,” he admitted, not proud of the fact. “It makes people uncomfortable, and you had enough to deal with without throwing this into the mix.”
“I’m not sure I agree, but I understand the rationale.” Her tone was clipped, brittle, but unshed tears shimmered in her eyes. “What about later, after we’d become closer?”
He heaved a heavy sigh. Anger would have been so much easier to deal with than this. “You were afraid of me after I used penetration to punish you. I couldn’t give you one more reason to fear me. I’m sorry. Profoundly sorry.”
Her lips pressed and then curved into a sly smile. “Clearly you deserve discipline for a change. I’ll confer with Sintar and let you know what form your punishment will take.”
Astonished by her reaction, all he could do was nod.
* * *
LeAuntiez arrived a short time later and took Narrn into the conference room Tarlon had prepared for the interrogation. The walls were still decorated with motivational posters and humorous, yet thought-provoking cartoons. Tarlon found the setting ironic.
“I told you this is a waste of time,” Narrn snarled as LeAuntiez pushed him down onto the sturdy chair which was now bolted to the floor at one end of the table. LeAuntiez unfastened the wrist restraints from each other and attached them to the loops now secured to the arms of the chair.
“He’s all yours.” LeAuntiez swept his arm toward the indigent prisoner then left the room.
Ignoring the distracting surge of resentment, Tarlon focused on Narrn. “They hung you out to dry. Why are you still protecting them?” He didn’t know that for a fact. LeAuntiez hadn’t even bothered with a quick rundown of the facts. Still, it was easy to guess what had taken place. Someone or something had tipped off Savator so Narrn’s boss and his business partner fled to safety—without warning Narrn. What else did Tarlon need to know?
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Narrn glared,
but he licked his lips and his hands clutched the arms of the chair as if he expected it to buck.
“Why don’t I tell you what I know and you can see if any of it sounds familiar.” He meandered around the oblong table, absently running his fingers along the backs of the chairs. “We’re not sure how it happened, but either you or Roberta Nunez discovered that human females without the Rh protein in their blood are able to carry Ventori offspring.”
A bit of the fight in Narrn’s eyes faded away. Still, he didn’t make a sound.
“What’s Roberta’s connection to Asesino de tormenta?”
Narrn scoffed. “No one bothered to find out his real name?”
“She’s played you for a fool,” Tarlon countered. “Why don’t you enlighten me?”
For a long time Narrn just stared at Tarlon. He no longer looked angry, but his other emotions were carefully concealed. “His name is Roberto Javier Miguel Nunez. Roberta was named after her father.”
Damn. How had they missed something so obvious? The high command had been focused on Narrn, thinking Roberta was more or less his apprentice. “And the rest?” he prompted. “When and how did she make contact with Minister Zapt?”
Narrn’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped.
What the fuck? How could he have been unaware of Zapt’s involvement? Tarlon chuckled. “Looks like we both missed something obvious.”
“Nothing about it was obvious,” he snapped, scooting as far forward as his restraints allowed. “I knew Roberta was ambitious, but I had no idea she was this ruthless. I suspected that she was working with someone with authority, anything she wanted was suddenly supplied. A minister? Good gods, how did she manage that?”
Tarlon just hung back and let the revelation unwind Narrn’s defiance. There was no way he’d need to probe his mind. Roberta’s betrayal would be all the motivation Narrn needed to sing like a bird. Tarlon allowed himself to relax just a little.
“That bitch!” Narrn shook his head and Tarlon fought back a smile. Here it came. “I discovered the Rh connection. She just happened to be there.”
“So what was she hoping to accomplish? Why did her father kidnap the potential mates? Ventori Defenders have no wealth. How were the humans going to benefit from our desperate need for mates?” Tarlon pulled out a chair on Narrn’s end of the table and sat. His defiance would likely return, but Tarlon wanted to keep him calm as long as possible.