Very Much Alive td-1

by Dana Marie Bell

  "Y'know, you've got two. Can I have one? Because it's no fair hoarding the hotties."

  Jordan smirked at Jamie over the rim of her mug. “What do you think Travis would have to say about that?"

  Jamie turned beet red. “Absolutely nothing, since he doesn't know I exist outside of Hi, this is Guardian Investigations. How may we help you? ” It was her best, perkiest receptionists’ voice, the one that grated on Jordan's nerves until her third cup of coffee. “What do you think he's going to say when he finds out you've been shot? Hmm?"

  Jordan leaned in and whispered, ignoring the twinge of pain in her shoulder. “I've already emailed him."

  Jamie nodded, some of the flush receding from her cheeks. “Good. He needs to know, so we can fuss over you.” She jumped. “All of us. I mean, all of us. Jeff, too. You know how he likes to fuss."

  Jordan bit her lip. Jamie's crush on their boss never failed to lift her day. Too bad Travis had never shown any interest in her. The two of them would be smokin’ hot together. “I can't lay claim to either Demon Boy or Archangel."

  She thought she heard a muffled bullshit from the kitchen, but she wasn't certain. Could have been Logan sneezing. She shrugged and dismissed it.

  One of Jamie's bright red brows rose into her hair. “Really? Because it looked to me like you and Mr.'s DB and AA are having a nice, cosy live-in. Complete with rumpled bedhead and delivered coffee."

  "Line of duty. They feel guilty.” Or, that's what she kept telling herself, anyway. “They're worried that the person who shot at them will go after me, and they have better security in their home than I do in mine.”

  Which was the truth. A brain-dead monkey could probably break into her inexpensive apartment with ease.

  Another muffled sound came from the kitchen. Huh. Who knew? Gods sneeze. Logan needs to get his allergies checked. She ignored the little voice that told her that what she'd heard had not been a sneeze.

  "Really,” Jamie drawled. She perked up, smiling that sunny smile that had landed her the receptionists’

  job at Guardian. “Y'know, with Travis away on vacation, I bet he wouldn't mind if you stayed at his place. The security there is top-notch."

  She opened her mouth to answer when a hand landed on her good shoulder. “She's perfectly happy right here."

  Jamie glared up at Logan. “She's capable of speech, ape."

  Jordan nearly snorted coffee through her nose trying not to laugh.

  Before she could regain her composure Kir stepped out of the bedroom. His cheeks were flushed, his hair hanging wet around his shoulders. He'd put on a muscle shirt, blue to match his eyes, and one of his sinfully tight pairs of jeans. His big feet were bare, braced squarely on the maple floor. A breezy smile graced his face. “I'm starving. Anybody want donuts?"

  Logan stared down at Jordan's sleeping form. He still couldn't get over the fact that she'd bled for him.

  Not even Sigyn, who'd claimed to love him and left him when he'd fallen for Kir, had ever bled for him.

  And Kir couldn't bleed for him, though he'd thrown himself in front of Logan more than once in their long lives.

  He never wanted her life endangered ever again. The very thought sent twin snakes of fear down his spine, and was the reason he'd barely slept in the last eight days.

  His eyes narrowed as the blade cut into the palm of his hand. Blood bonding with Odin had given the god the power to shift his shape; maybe bonding with Jordan would give her the fast healing Logan enjoyed.

  He cut her palm quickly, ignoring her hiss of pain as he slapped their hands together. He closed his eyes and focused on their joined wounds.

  "What the hell?"

  Jordan's sleepy, angry voice couldn't drown out the pounding of their hearts in his ears. He willed the blood to mingle, hers to him and his to her, each flowing into the other's veins.

  Her gasp echoed his as their blood merged for all time.

  "Ow, dickhead! What did you do that for?"

  He opened his eyes and turned her hand over, eagerly checking to see if the wound had started closing.

  It hadn't. Fuck. So much for research. His own wound was slowly closing before his eyes. “Shit."

  "Wow. How are you doing that?"

  "Logan?"

  Logan turned to see Kir peering over his shoulder at their bloody hands. “It didn't work."

  "What didn't work?” Jordan was looking back and forth between them, obviously confused.

  "I was trying to speed up your healing."

  She looked down at the bloody cut on her hand. “You're right. It didn't work."

  "I'll get the medical kit.” Kir headed into the bathroom.

  "I'm sorry.” Logan brushed his clean hand through her hair. “I was really hoping this would fix things."

  Her face softened. “You meant well. I think."

  He sighed. “When I became Odin's blood brother, he gained my ability to shift shape. I gained his immortality. I was hoping the bond would grant you my ability to heal quickly."

  "Would that work on a human?"

  He smiled. “You're not human, remember?"

  " Half human, then.” She looked down again at her hand, concerned. “If I didn't get healing, what did I get?"

  He shrugged. As far as he was concerned she was welcome to all of his powers. “We'll have to wait and see."

  Kir returned with the first-aid kit. “Give me your hand.” He checked her cut, cleansing it with a washcloth. “It looks clean, and I don't think you need stitches.” He bandaged it quickly, pressing a kiss to her knuckles when he was done. “All better."

  "Thanks, Mom."

  His expression turned wicked. Logan knew that look, and felt his cock harden in his jeans. It was the look Kir used when he was in the mood to play.

  "Any other boo-boos you'd like me to kiss?"

  Logan grinned as Kir waggled his eyebrows outrageously.

  As Jordan giggled, he leaned over and brushed his lips over Kir's. Time to see if she can handle the three of us together. “I have a boo-boo you can kiss."

  "Ugh. Get a room, guys. Some of us are trying to sleep."

  He looked down to see embarrassment written all over her bright red face. She'd screwed her eyes shut tightly, but the curve of her lips let him know she was amused. No disgust; that's good. And is that...?

  Yes! Ah, the sight of an aroused woman. Her nipples were perky, pushing up against the fabric of her top.

  "Tell you what. I'll kiss your boo-boo and Kir can kiss mine."

  When her eyes popped open his lips were already on hers. He stroked his tongue against her closed lips, silently asking her to let him in. Please, let me in. He was dying for a taste of her.

  Kir's mouth began a slow exploration of his neck, his hands pulling the shirt from Logan's jeans. He lifted from the kiss long enough for Kir to finish pulling the shirt from his body.

  "Guys?"

  "Hmm?” Logan leaned down and licked a line from her neck to her chin. Her shiver filled him with the need to see what else he could do to make her quiver like that.

  Kir's fingers reached around Logan and began tugging on Jordan's shirt buttons.

  Good idea. Logan began helping him, ignoring Jordan's feeble attempts to bat their hands away.

  "Guys!"

  "What?"

  Kir sounded as distracted as he was. They were both busy staring at Jordan's exposed breasts. They gave identical happy sighs. Mmm ... no bra. Rosy, hard nipples were exposed to their delighted gazes.

  "No."

  Logan blinked. No?

  "No?” Kir sounded shocked.

  " No."

  Logan stared at Kir. “She said no."

  "Shit.” Kir looked back down at Jordan. “Why?"

  "What do you mean, why?” She pulled her shirt closed, holding the pieces together with one hand.

  Logan's frown was fierce. “We want you. You want us. We plan on keeping you. I blood bonded you .

  So, yeah. Why no?"

  "Mor
e importantly, why yes?” Jordan stared at both of them, her brows drawn down in a frown.

  It was Logan's turn to be shocked. “Why yes ?” Hadn't they done everything in their power to show her how they felt over the last week? Just dealing with her pint-sized, psychopathic sister should have gotten them brownie points galore!

  She sighed. “You two are a couple. You've been together for so long I can't even begin to imagine it.

  Why on earth would you bring someone else into your bed? Unless you do this kind of thing all the time?” Her frown had become ferocious. Logan could easily read the jealousy she was trying to hide.

  Apparently they hadn't proven to her how they felt. “No!"

  "Uh-uh. Don't be absurd.” Kir sat up, looking offended. “I haven't slept with anyone other than Logan since that day at the Thing!"

  "Ditto. Other than trading ‘Logan’ for ‘Kir', that is."

  Her jaw worked as the jealousy was replaced by confusion. “Then why would you put me into bed with you two?"

  Logan and Kir looked at each other and grinned. “Because we want you."

  "Because we need you."

  Kir moved to her left side and stretched out next to her. “Because we have to have you."

  Logan lay down on her right and grinned. “Because we love you."

  She gasped. “That's not possible. We've only known each other, what? Two days?"

  "More like a week."

  She glared up at him. “Barring the time I was unconscious. Or drugged."

  "Damn. One of the reasons we fell in love with you was your stunning rendition of Volare ."

  Logan snickered. “Kir!"

  Kir winked at him, then turned back to Jordan. “Haven't you ever heard of love at first sight?"

  "Yes, I have, but both of you at the same time? Aren't the odds of that just a smidge on the high side of impossible, despite my stunning singing voice?” She held her hand up, thumb and forefinger a millimeter apart.

  Logan snorted. “You're funny, you're brave, and you're beautiful. You're smart. You believed us when no one else did."

  "Look, flame-boy, it's kinda hard to ignore the Incredible Igniting Man, ya know?"

  The South Philly twang was back in her voice. He was coming to love that accent. He felt that wicked grin cross his face as he nestled in closer to her. “Why, thank you, ma'am.” He let his hand rest on her stomach and flexed his fingers experimentally. “What else would you like to see me ignite?"

  She rolled her eyes and turned to Kir. “Seriously. How do you put up with him?"

  "He's really, really good in bed.” He had to give Kir credit for saying it with such a straight face. That was one he never would have been able to pull off.

  She looked up at the ceiling. “Great. I'm stuck between Perv and Pervier."

  Logan held up a hand. “I get to be Pervier."

  Kir laughed. “No argument here."

  Jordan rolled her eyes and gritted her teeth as the idiots on either side of her laughed at their own cleverness. Men . “Guys!"

  "Yes?"

  "Hmm?"

  She sighed. “Look, I have no idea what you're thinking, but stop thinking it ."

  "No."

  "Uh-uh. Sorry.” Kir's hand moved to cup her breast. He ignored her squawk of protest as his thumb stroked her nipple through her shirt. “There isn't man alive who'd have a woman like you in his bed and not be thinking it."

  "Unless he was gay,” Logan added, gently prying her fingers off her shirt.

  "True.” Kir moved his hand long enough for Logan to pull her shirt open again. Goofy grins crossed both their faces as her breasts were exposed.

  Damn, Logan's skin is so warm. She licked her lips, trying to focus her thoughts again on why this was a bad idea. She would have batted at him but Logan still had hold of her hand. “You're gods. Go do something, I dunno. Godly. And hands off, buster!"

  "Sorry, I'm more of a hands-on kinda guy."

  Jordan stared at Kir as Logan snickered next to her. She was starting to sense that Kir wasn't nearly as innocent as he tried to let on. “Why am I getting the feeling you're more the instigator?"

  Kir gasped, doing his best to look innocent and failing miserably. The fact that his hand was still stroking her breast didn't help. “Me?"

  "Yes, you! And you! Knock it off!"

  Jordan turned to glare at Logan as he reached down and licked one bared nipple. She had the feeling that it lacked some impact when she gasped with pleasure.

  "I'm sorry, but it was staring right at me. I had to do something about it."

  She stared at him. “That was bad."

  "I know."

  "Humble doesn't work on you any more than innocent does."

  "Give a guy points for trying?"

  She twitched when a wet tongue licked her left nipple. “Kir!"

  "Hmm?"

  "Did you hear me say knock it off?"

  "You said it to him, not me."

  "Argh!"

  "I think she's getting irritated."

  Logan stared down at her thoughtfully. “No, see there? Her lips twitched."

  "You're right. I think she likes us."

  "I think so, too."

  "I think you two are certifiable.” She was trying desperately not to laugh.

  "You think we're cute. Admit it.” Kir was batting his lashes at her again. She had to bite her lip to keep the laugh in her throat.

  "No!"

  Logan tsk'd. “She said no again."

  "Yeah, she did."

  "What do you think she's saying no to?” Logan was inching his way down her body. She had the feeling that, unless she got a handle on things, her pants were going the way of the dodo.

  "Guys! Hello! Been shot here! See? Owie!” She pointed to her arm in the sling. She blinked, realizing that her hand was free and she hadn't really tried to stop either of them from what they were doing.

  "And we're offering to kiss your boo-boos but you keep saying that ‘N’ word."

  "The one that ends in ‘O'?” Kir's hand was still gently kneading her breast.

  "Yup, that's the one.” Logan's clever fingers were undoing her jeans.

  Kir leaned over her with a leer. “Give up. Resistance is futile."

  Logan's fingers stopped moving. He raised his eyebrow at Kir through the fall of his hair. “Didn't we agree there would be no more Borg in bed?"

  "Oh, right. Sorry. Carry on."

  These two are nuts! Incredibly sexy and hunk-a-licious, but nuts. “Oh, God."

  "Yes?” They chorused.

  "Get me out of here."

  "Get you out of these? Sure!"

  Logan's hands were incredibly gentle as he removed her pants and panties.

  "I notice you're not really fighting.” She looked up into Kir's suddenly serious face. “But if you really want us to stop, just say so."

  Logan lay down next to her again and propped his head on his hand. “We do love you, you know.” His other hand caressed her bared stomach again. His touch was soft and soothing. “We want you comfortable with us.” His smile turned into a leer. “Of course, we'd like you hot for us, too."

  The identical looks of hope on their faces melted her heart. “Guys..."

  "Yes?"

  "Hmm?"

  Panic fluttered briefly in her heart. I'm not ready for this yet. It's too damn soon. “Give me time?” Time to figure out what's really going on, and whether or not I want to be a part of it. “Please. I'm not saying no, I'm saying wait. This ... this isn't something I take lightly."

  Logan looked at Kir over her naked body and smiled. “I can live with that."

  "So can I.” Kir leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

  They lay down next to her, Logan being extra careful of her wounded right shoulder. His erection pressed against her right hip, while Kir's pressed against her left. A wicked, sleepy grin crossed his lips.

  “G'night, John-boy."

  Two groans were quickly followed by a dark
chuckle.

  Oh, man. What the hell am I doing?

  She'd just turned down sex with two of the most gorgeous men she'd ever met, but was still sleeping naked with them.

  Jamie was going to have her committed.

  Chapter Six

  Kir leaned back against the base of the chaise lounge, his head resting against Logan's knee, and sighed contentedly. Jordan's head was resting in his lap, her gaze riveted to the plasma TV and the movie playing on it. Bless you, Netflix. Picking up Bed of Roses had been a stroke of genius. The female lead was just getting the idea that, perhaps, kicking Christian Slater out of her life had been the worst mistake she'd ever made. He was hoping Jordan's quick mind would pick up on the hint he was trying to give her.

  Jordan frowned, and clicked the pause button. “I don't get it."

  Logan leaned down and offered her another bite of s'more. “What don't you get, sweetheart?"

  She swallowed before answering. Kir had the strongest urge to lean down and lick that little bit of chocolate that had escaped and was now decorating the corner of her mouth. “He does everything, and I mean everything , right, but she runs him off because she's afraid of being hurt.” She shook her head, confusion all over her features. “I mean, how often do you find the perfect guy? And then to just send him away?"

  Kir grunted. He'd already found the perfect guy, but he could kind of understand where what's-her-face was coming from. He picked up the box and read the actress's name: Mary Stuart Masterson. “Fear does weird things to some people."

  "She fixes this, right? I mean, does he take her back?"

  Kir took a bite of the s'more Logan held down for him and let his lover answer. “Wouldn't that be spoiling the movie?"

  "But I want to know.” She pouted up at them.

  "Then watch.” Kir shook his head sadly. “Are you one of those people?"

  " Those people?"

  "The ones who read the back of the book before they ever begin it."

  She frowned. “There's nothing wrong with a little foreknowledge."

  "If you say so.” He grinned as Logan dropped the last bite of s'more into her mouth when she opened it to protest. “Do you want to watch the rest of the movie?"