Jude cleared the table, and Jonas went straight to the den for a drink. He expected a lecture from Jude, but instead his brother joined him. They sat on opposite sides of the coffee table with tumblers of scotch in front of them.
Jude didn't say much, and Jonas allowed himself to relax. He only came back because Jude wouldn't leave without him. Tomorrow he'd be gone again.
But it was hard to see his son, knowing he had to give him up. It was just as hard to give up Max. He loved them both. Jude did, too. At least he could be sure his son would have a good life.
"I'm glad you're not letting this triad nonsense come between you and your wife."
"I'm not sure it's nonsense," Jude replied slowly.
"You can't be serious. I can see you love her." When he didn't get a response, Jonas took a big swallow from his glass. "You're crazy."
"If you had said that a week ago, I'd have agreed, but I've been doing a lot of thinking since you told me about the twins. I have strong feelings about how they should be raised. I don't want them separated."
"Great. Then that's settled." Relief flooded Jonas. He stood up.
"Sit down. I'm not done yet."
Jonas let out an exasperated sigh and sat.
"I believe they're a gift from a higher power. A sign to bring us together. We shouldn't need a road map to point us in the right direction, but we Outlaws are hardheaded."
"You're buying into Sable's folklore because you feel guilty. Don't. Sam is better off with you."
"Guilt has nothing to do with it. I only want what's best for those boys. And for us. There's more to it than the babies. Sable is right. There's something connecting the three of us. Fate won't let you run away from this one, Jonas. Whether you admit it or not, you belong here with us."
"You're wrong, Jude. Give it up. I'm leaving tomorrow. I'll stay in Philly until your house is done. Maybe I'll come back when you and Sable move out. Maybe not. Either way it doesn't matter. Philly isn't that far. Uncle Jonas can come and visit." He stood and picked up the bottle. Frowned when he saw it was empty. "I'm going to bed."
Jude gave him a disgusted look. "At least think about this. Sleep on it."
"Good night, Jude." He had to get away. Talking about this drove him nuts. If he listened to Jude long enough he might start believing him.
Sleep eluded him. He kept thinking about Sam, hearing his baby giggles and smelling his sweet baby powder scent. Another drink. That's what he needed. He went downstairs to look for a bottle of scotch.
Chapter Twenty-Three
"You don't need that, Jonas."
"Fuck." He jerked upright. He never even heard Sable creep up behind him. "Are you sure you're not part cat?" He turned to face her. "What are you doing sneaking around in the middle of the night?"
"I heard you get up." Her eyes went right to the erection tenting his boxers.
Damn her. The way she looked at him only made him hotter and harder. Annoyed, he scowled at her. It was 2 a.m. for Christ's sake. Did a man have to dress to come downstairs in his own house? "Go back to your husband's bed, Sable."
"Jude knows where I am. Just come and sit with me for a few minutes. Please."
He meant to say no, but he found himself following her. His eyes were drawn to the leather chair. He remembered sitting there, Sable impaled on his cock and grinding on him. Her moans ringing in his ears. He shook it off and sat on the couch. Big mistake. She sat next to him, and her scent attracted him like a bee to honey.
"Jude told me you're leaving tomorrow."
"That's right. You can have the house to yourselves."
"It's your house, too, Jonas."
"I have business in the city that will tie me up for awhile. It works out perfectly." He worked it out perfectly. For them. Not for him.
"Things are far from perfect."
"You and Jude will work it out." He started to rise. "I need to get some sleep. Busy day tomorrow."
Sable put a hand on his thigh, and he froze. "We need you here."
He knew she cared about him although for the life of him, he couldn't figure out why. It had to be because of the kids. Or Jude. He'd be fooling himself if he thought for one second she really loved him like she loved his twin.
Ah, Jonas, my boy. There's your problem in a nutshell. You're jealous. You want her to have the same feelings for you as she does for her husband, and after the way you treated her, you know that's not happening.
"Sable, we've been over this. I can't be part of this sick arrangement you're suggesting." He wanted to move, but he couldn't. Her touch anchored him to the chair. "It would never work."
Raw anguish glittered in her golden eyes. It killed him to hurt her, but her pain couldn't compare to his. When he left, she'd still have Jude and the babies. He'd be alone.
All the time he spent in the city without her he felt lost. Not a day had gone by that he didn't think about her. He'd missed her with a profound need that bordered on obsession. He couldn't make love with Nicole if he wanted to. He couldn't get it up for her. No such problem tonight. He wanted to fuck Sable so bad he could taste it. Christ, he was a sick bastard, a complete shit. He'd fallen for his brother's wife.
"We can make it work. Don't leave, Jonas," she whispered. "I need you here."
"Isn't one husband enough for you? Do you have to fuck over Jude again?" As soon as he said it, he regretted it. Her face crumpled, and she turned deathly white. Isn't that what he wanted? For her to finally hate him so much she'd push him away and save him the trouble.
"Jude understands. He knows I would never intentionally hurt him." She shook her head sadly. "It kills me to see you hurting, Jonas. I can't bear it."
Jonas felt like he was drowning and he needed a lifeline. He grabbed onto Sable and pulled her in. She didn't resist. She wrapped her arms around him, and her hot tears scalded his bare chest. "I'm so sorry, Sable. I didn't mean it. I don't know what I'm saying half the time."
She looked up at him, her face wet and flushed. "I love you, Jonas."
His heart stopped beating, and he knew he was lost. The magic words hung in the air between them, and he knew they were true. It didn't matter how he knew. He just did. Suddenly everything was clear. They were right. This is where he belonged. But he was afraid he'd burned too many bridges. Jonas took her head between his hands and looked into her amber eyes. "I'm not good enough for you, Sable. You deserve better."
"I've done bad things, Jonas. But I've been given a second chance, and so have you. Don't throw it all away."
He took her lips in a gentle kiss. With a soft sigh, she opened up to him, and he slipped his tongue inside her mouth. Nothing had ever tasted so good. He never wanted to stop, but he needed to tell her something. "I love you, Sable." Her smile made his world light up. "But I don't know if I'd be any good at this."
"Do you want to try?" Hope glittered in her eyes.
"Yes." It was true. He didn't want to lose her, to lose any of them.
"Then come with me." She stood and took his hand.
He knew where they were going, and he followed her up the stairs to the room she shared with his brother.
A small lamp illuminated the room. Jude reclined against the headboard.
A chill ran down his spine. "Where are the twins?"
"Sleeping in the room next door." Sable pointed to a video baby monitor.
He stared at the image of the two sleeping babies and thought his heart would bust. He didn't have to leave them.
Sable squeezed his hand. "You'll see them soon. They'll be hungry before long." She drew him to the bed.
He stared at Jude. "Are you okay with this?"
"I am. Are you, Jonas?"
"It's not like we haven't done it before," Jonas said, in an attempt to lighten the mood.
"This is different.”
"I know. I'm sorry," he said. "I don't mean to be flippant. I'm out of my element here."
"Join the crowd." Jude flashed an ironic smile.
"I will."
"Sable loves you, Jonas."
"I know." He turned to Sable, took her hand, and smiled. "I love her, too."
Jude let out a breath. "Good. Because you said some harsh things and I don't want her hurt again."
"I talk a lot of crap to cover up my real feelings. Especially when I drink too much. You don't have to worry about that anymore." He lifted Sable's hand to his mouth and kissed her palm. "I was lovesick and homesick and most of all sick of myself. Thanks to you, I finally came to my senses. Everything I ever wanted is here, and I almost threw it all away."
"And the drinking?" Jude pressed him.
"That's over and done with, Jude. I promise I won't touch a drop. I don't want my boys to grow up with a drunk for a father." Jonas looked up and shook his head. "I mean, my boy."
"You were right the first time. They're our boys, just like Sable is our wife. I might have a piece of paper that says we're married, but in our hearts and in the eyes of Sable's Gods, we're co-husbands and co-fathers."
"Do you really believe we can make this work?" Jonas asked. "It's nontraditional. People will condemn us."
"We'll tell who we want and the hell with everyone else." Jude's eyes burned.
Sable took Jude's hand so they were all connected. "We're not alone. Malcolm and Karin support us one hundred percent."
Jude chuckled. "I never expected to be buddies with Malcolm Connor. Not in this lifetime."
Jonas felt at peace for the first time in a long time. "So we share everything, in good times and bad."
"Exactly," Jude replied. "The name of the game is caring, commitment, and communication."
Sable turned first to Jude, then to Jonas. "I love you, and I love you, and I take you both as my mates."
"And I love you and take you as my mate." Jude brushed a gentle kiss across her lips.
"I don't deserve you, Sable, but I want you more than anything. I love you and take you as my mate." A quick kiss wasn't enough for Jonas. The touch of her lips was too delicious. His tongue moved over hers as he familiarized himself with her taste. Slowly the pressure of lips increased, and she clung to him, returning his kiss with reckless abandon. They broke for a breath of air, and he rested his forehead against hers.
"Gods, Jonas. I've wanted your kisses for so long." She looked radiant and unbelievably beautiful. "You make me so happy."
"I've been a fool. I'll make up for it, I promise."
"We've all made mistakes, but from this minute forward, we start fresh." She traced his jaw with her fingers. "I want you, Jonas." She twisted her head to look at Jude. "I want both of you."
The men slipped off their boxers. Jude helped her take off her sweatshirt while Jonas pulled off her sweatpants. Heat built between them, surrounded them, and drew them closer together.
Jonas looked over her shoulder at Jude. He nodded back.
* * * *
Thank you, Kweo. This is what she'd been waiting for, love and acceptance.
Jude brushed her hair back and smiled tenderly. He urged her to lie down, and he placed a pillow under her head. He rained soft little kisses on her eyes and the tip of her nose before pressing his warm, sweet lips on her. She opened her mouth, and his tongue swept inside, searching for hers. The pressure of his lips increased, and she gave herself over to the hunger they shared.
Jude broke their kiss first and dropped his head to nuzzle her breasts. His tongue teased one sensitive nipple while he attended the other with his fingers. He sucked gently, then harder with her encouragement.
Jonas massaged first one foot, then the other. He kissed each toe and sent tingles coursing up her leg to her pussy. When he kissed her calf and the inside of her thigh, her breaths became quick and shallow in anticipation. Her cream flowed as she imagined his warm, wet tongue on her aching pussy.
"Please, Jonas. I can't wait," she begged him.
Jonas’s clever fingers teased her wet folds. He parted her labia with his thumbs and licked her from bottom to top.
"Baby, I love the way you taste."
"More, Jonas."
His tongue worked magic, and wicked sensations coursed through her body while she gripped the bedsheets. He feasted on her and when he sucked on her ultra-sensitive clit, she went over the edge.
They both held her until her shudders quieted.
She looked at Jonas for a heartbeat. They were drawn to each other like magnets. He pulled her against his chest, and their lips met in a white-hot kiss full of intimacy and passion. She held on to his head and pulled him closer with her leg. His kiss was everything she thought it would be and more. She couldn't get enough. Her thoughts fragmented at his deep, sweet exploration of her mouth.
She reached for Jonas's cock and wrapped her fingers around him.
He groaned into her mouth. "Do you want me inside you, Sable?"
"Gods, yes." She'd been denied him so long. Tonight she wanted everything.
"Ride me, sweetheart."
She straddled his hips and positioned his cock at her entrance. Then she sank down on him, impaling herself. They both groaned at the contact.
Jude took a bottle of lubricant from the nightstand, poured some in his hand, and worked it over his cock. Sable watched him with mounting excitement. Jude's substantial erection pulsed in his hand like a living thing as he oiled it to prepare for her rear entry.
Jude came up behind her, and she bent over Jonas with her butt high. He stroked the curve of her ass and then rubbed more of the cool lube between her cheeks. Jude set his hands on her hips and pulled her a little closer so he could position himself to enter her.
Sable hissed as he slowly pushed past the ring of tight muscle. He murmured encouragement and words of praise as he worked himself deeper. With Jude buried deep in her ass and Jonas in her pussy, their cocks separated by only a thin wall of tissue, she felt as if they were one. A surge of passion flooded her body and, shocked, she realized it wasn't just her own. The hunger and emotions coming from her men flowed through her body until they all blended into an intimacy she'd never experienced before.
Both men murmured in husky tones. "Are you okay?"
Tonight would change everything between them. She wanted to reassure them that she was okay with their mutual possession and everything it represented. "Yes, more than okay. I love you both."
Jude murmured to Jonas over her back. "She's ours."
She looked down at Jonas. The hunger in his eyes reflected hers.
Jude started moving behind her. She felt the pressure of his pelvis each time he thrust into her. He timed his rhythm to Jonas's, keeping it slow and easy. They moved in tandem, and she trembled, caught between her men in ecstatic pleasure.
Jonas slid his hands up her body and cupped her swollen breasts, heavy with milk. "You are so beautiful. I love you."
Her womb tightened and heated up like a furnace. "I love you so much, Jonas." She bent to kiss him.
Jude gripped her hips and kissed her back. He whispered words of love against her skin. She quivered with pleasure and called his name.
The musky scent of sex hung in the air. Their thrusts and parries grew faster, harder. She squirmed and writhed between them.
Jonas stiffened, and she knew he was close. He pulled her head down, and at the moment of his release, he sank his teeth in her neck and gave up control.
The pleasure of his bite started the ripples that signaled her climax. She felt the pressure of Jude's thrust, and all rational thought fled as he pulled her head back and bit her at the moment of his release.
They collapsed in a sated heap until the sound of crying babies made them bolt upright. Sable laughed as the men flew out of bed and ran for their sons. Jonas returned with Max in his arms. Jude handed her Sam.
Max screamed for dear life, and Jonas looked terror-struck. "What do I do with him?"
"Give him here, Jonas." Sable chuckled.
"You're kidding, right. Two at a time?"
She raised a brow. "You and your brother don't have a problem with it."
He grinned sheepishly and handed off the wailing baby.
She positioned them in front of her with their legs making an X across her lap. They each latched on to a breast and quieted immediately.
Jonas looked at her adoringly. "You're amazing."
The men flanked her, both tickling little toes and annoying the infants until they kicked out in frustration.
She looked from one to the other. This was her favorite time, when she had her little family around her. Come what may, they were together, and all was right in her world.
THE END
http://galestanley.net/
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gale always loved to read, especially fairy tales where marvelous things happened and a girl could grow up to be anything she wanted. She dreamed of being a writer and creating her own magical stories, but real life got in the way, and she put those dreams aside. When she heard the wakeup call, she took the plunge and escaped from cubicle hell. Now she has the best job in the world. She can be anything she wants and she doesn’t mind living vicariously through the smokin’ hot alphas and strong heroines she loves to write about.
Also by Gale Stanley
Siren Classic: Black Wolf Gorge 1: Call of the Wilds
Available at
BOOKSTRAND.COM
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Stanley, Gale - Mating Call [Black Wolf Gorge 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 20