by Leah Brooke
Lifting his gaze to Alastair’s, Ian grinned. “If we can’t now, we’ll learn.” Tilting his head back, he smiled down at her, wiping a tear from her cheek with his thumb. “You and I have a lot of practicing to do.”
Serena blinked, turning to Alastair, as if for confirmation.
Smiling faintly, Alastair nodded. “He’s serious. I guess he’s going to want to go to some of the parties with you. That should be interesting.” Jealous that she still looked at Alastair first for support, Ian eased her head back onto his shoulder again. “Hey, I might even take you shopping.”
Throwing his head back, Alastair laughed, the tension easing from his features. “I’d like to listen in on that.”
“So, it’s okay?”
Ian kissed her hair again, noting that, as the adrenaline wore off, she’d begun to slur and had trouble keeping her eyes open. “It’s more than okay. Whatever it is, baby, we’ll work it out.”
“What if you can’t block me?”
Stretching out beside her, Alastair closed his eyes. “If you can block us out like you did at DuBois’s, I’m sure we can block you. Now, go to sleep.”
Ian smiled at the picture his brother and Serena made.
Alastair had stayed at the hospital with her the night before, and Ian knew from experience that he hadn’t gotten any sleep.
Kissing Serena’s temple, he rolled from the bed and covered her with the light blanket. “You two go to sleep. Call out if you need anything.”
Pausing at the door, he turned back, smiling to see that both of them had already fallen asleep.
His smile fell when Serena moved slightly and winced.
It would take time for her to recover from her injuries. During that time, he’d do whatever he could to make up for not trusting her and making her think things would be over between them if she could read his thoughts.
Having her in his head would make him uncomfortable, but losing her wasn’t an option.
She was already in his heart.
* * * *
Serena woke to find a strange man hovering over her, his eyes narrowed in concentration as he took her blood pressure.
“It’s all right, baby.” Ian eased his weight onto the bed on the other side of her, taking her hand in his. “You met Steve before. He’s just here to check you over.”
Disconcerted, she looked around for Alastair, realizing belatedly that Ian would have made sure his brother had gone before admitting the handsome doctor.
Still groggy, she latched onto Ian’s hand and turned to look at the doctor. “Hello, Steve. Thanks for agreeing to take care of me. I couldn’t wait to get out of the hospital.”
With a kind smile, Steve looked around the large bedroom. “Well, I’m sure it’s a lot more comfortable here.” He glanced at Ian. “Is Wyn taking good care of you?”
“The best.”
Steve removed the blood pressure cuff with a grin. “Your blood pressure went up a little when you saw him, and I’d bet that his went up as well. Let me sit you up so I can take a look at your shoulder and back.”
“I’ve got her.” Ian wrapped an arm around her and eased her into a sitting position, his chest an inviting place to rest her head.
Unable to resist temptation, she slumped against him. “I have to get up to lift my nightgown.”
Ian kissed her hair. “Hold on to me for a second, baby.” His hands moved lightly against her neck, the sound of ripping material and cool air on her back making her smile.
“You owe me another nightgown.”
“I’ll buy you hundreds of them. Just be still, baby. Steve wants to change your bandages.”
Steve’s fingers were gentle as he removed the bandage on her back and exchanged it for a new one. “You sure were lucky.”
“Yeah, well, we’re not going into all that right now. Can you get to her shoulder?” Ian’s voice held a hint of warning, one her brain was too frazzled to make sense of.
“Yes. You’re healing well, Serena. You’ll be back to painting again before you know it. You’re giving her the antibiotics?”
“Of course.” Ian urged her to lean more heavily against him, an arm around her from the front holding her up as she rested her head on his shoulder. His other hand moved over her lower back in a tender caress that relaxed her sore muscles and made it harder to stay awake.
“Don’t skimp on her pain medicine. She’s going to be sore for a while.”
“She doesn’t like to take it. It makes her groggy.”
“Better groggy than in pain. Just for a few more days and then we can begin weaning her off of it. Being in pain will just tighten her muscles and make her hurt even more.” Steve paused. “What the hell did you ever do to deserve a woman like her? I’ve looked for years for someone so sweet. You’re just lucky you found her first.”
She must have dozed because, the next thing she knew, Ian was easing her to her back again. “Am I done?”
Ian’s chuckle was strained. “You’re done for now, baby. Go back to sleep.”
“Don’t want to sleep alone.”
“That’s something you’ll never have to worry about again.”
Epilogue
Propped on the sofa in the family room, Serena smiled to herself as if, by some unspoken agreement, Rip went outside to patrol the grounds and Zeus came in to take his place at her side.
Shaking his head, Ian smiled indulgently as he placed several more logs in the fireplace. “They don’t want to leave your side.” Straightening, he narrowed his eyes and met Zeus’ cool, steady look. “I think he’s pissed at us for letting Serena get hurt.”
Serena hid a smile, turning her head to stroke Zeus’ thick fur. “They’re upset that I got hurt, but they blame both of you for keeping them away from me.”
Dropping onto the sofa beside her, Alastair lifted her and pulled her onto his lap. “I don’t blame them. I wouldn’t want anyone keeping me away from you, either.” Sliding a hand under her cotton nightgown, he caressed her thigh. “It’s been a long six weeks. Do you feel a little better after your massage?”
Dropping her head on his shoulder, she smiled. “I feel wonderful. I’m getting dressed tomorrow, though. I’m tired of living in my nightgowns.”
“Your nightgowns are more comfortable. There’s no need to get dressed until you’re ready to go out.”
“I’d like to go out tomorrow. I need to get some more paint supplies, and, no, I don’t want to order them. I want to go to the shop myself.”
Ian turned and straightened, his eyes sharp on hers. “I don’t know. You’re still sore and a little pale. Maybe we should call Steve again.”
“You two fuss too much. I’m fine. I was just a little sore. I haven’t painted for a while, and I think I overdid it. I got stiff, but it’s nothing that hasn’t happened before.” Her shoulder had been too sore to paint, and she’d been itching to get back to it. “I had fun, though, and I have to get ready for my next showing.”
“And you’re behind because of us.” Ian came around the large coffee table and sat on the edge, reaching out to caress her arm and shoulder. “Steve said that your muscles are going to be sore for a while, and that massage should help.”
“She was tight, and her muscles were in knots.” Alastair cuddled her closer. “Steve said that she healed fast. He was more worried about her lung than anything.”
“Okay. That’s enough.” Serena pushed herself from Alastair’s lap and stepped over Zeus before turning to face them again. “You two have been incredible, but it’s time to stop treating me like I’m on death’s door. I’m fine. I promise. Stop blaming yourself for me getting shot, and stop calling Steve every time I ache a little. He’s going to start ignoring your phone calls.”
Ian snorted. “I doubt it. He’s half in love with you already.”
“You’re being ridiculous. He likes me, but what he loves is annoying you. You both glare at him every time he comes over to give me a check-up.” Frowning, Serena pursed her lips. �
��He doesn’t even have a clue that there are two of you, but he does notice the differences in you.”
Ian blinked. “The differences in us. We act no differently when he’s around.”
Laughing softly, Serena eyed both of them. “You think you don’t, but you’re very different, something that only someone who knows you well would notice.” Shrugging, she moved to look out the window into the backyard, listening to the dogs barking at the front of the house. “Jonathan noticed changes and is kicking himself for not suspecting the truth earlier.” Turning to Ian, she frowned again, still blaming herself for Jonathan learning that Ian and Alastair were twins. “I hope you don’t regret letting Jonathan in on your little secret.”
Ian shook his head. “Nothing would have kept me away from you that day. At the time, I didn’t give a damn who knew.”
“And now?” She watched Ian’s eyes for any sign of regret, her breath catching at the surge of love in his intimate smile.
“I’d do it again in a minute.”
“You blame yourself, but it was my fault.” Jumping to his feet, Alastair sent Zeus scrambling to get out of his way. “You got shot taking two bullets meant for me.”
“How do you know that? Maybe Jean Paul—”
“DuBois was aiming for Alastair. He admitted as much to Jonathan.” Ian stood, pacing the room like a caged tiger. “The security system was turned off for Jonathan. I’m going to have to do something about having something in place even when the system’s off or if someone manages to bypass it. Both of you could have died.”
Smoothing her hands up Alastair’s chest, she smiled up at him. “I feel pretty safe. I sleep between the two of you each night. Nothing could make me feel safer than that.” Laying her head on Alastair’s chest, she grinned at Ian, hoping to tease him out of his dark mood. “You just want an excuse to buy more toys.”
Ian moved closer, taking her hand in his and turning her toward him. “I came too close to losing both of you.” Sliding a hand down her hair, something both men did all the time, he pulled her closer. “I love you a hell of a lot more than I thought I did. Hell, I didn’t think it was possible to love you this much.”
Serena blinked, wondering if any other man would proclaim his love while looking so miserable. “You don’t sound too happy about it.”
Dropping to the sofa, he pulled her onto his lap and began caressing her shoulder in a slow massage that had her slumping against him. “I’m scared to let you out of my sight.”
Alastair sat next to them, but instead of putting her feet on his lap the way she’d expected, he slid his hands up her hips, watching her face as he slid her panties from her. “You okay?”
Serena smiled and reached for him, sexual awareness making her restless. “I’m great. I’ve missed making love.”
Even though they hadn’t made love in weeks, the intimacy between them had grown stronger.
Alastair smiled and kissed her thigh. “You’re going to have to miss it a little longer. You’re not ready to be taken, but there’s no reason that you can’t have pleasure.”
Ian slid his hand under her soft gown to cup her breast, bending to brush his lips over hers as he ran his thumb back and forth over her nipple. “I’ll hold you real still so you don’t hurt yourself. Just lie back and enjoy it.”
Serena’s breath caught at the first touch of Alastair’s tongue to her clit. “You don’t have to do this. We can—oh God—wait until—oh!”
Ian’s mouth covered hers, his firm lips forcing her mouth open. Slipping his tongue past her lips, he tangled it with hers in a deep kiss that made her head spin.
Used to Alastair’s teasing her when he used his mouth on her, Serena wasn’t prepared for the onslaught to her senses when he held her firmly in place and focused his attention on her clit with a ruthlessness that staggered her.
Ian swallowed her moans, his attention to her nipples and Alastair’s to her clit making it impossible to remain still.
Each time Ian’s fingers tightened on her nipples, the answering surge of sensation arrowed straight to her clit, the sensitive bundle of nerves feeling hotter and more swollen with every flick of Alastair’s tongue.
Her body stiffened, the tingling heat spreading through her drawing moan after moan from her as she tried to arch into their caresses.
They didn’t toy with her as they usually did but drove her relentlessly toward the edge, holding her firmly to keep her from moving.
Lifting his head, Ian stared down at her, his hooded gaze searching. “That’s it. No, baby. You can’t move. Yes. Let it take you.”
Alastair’s hands firmed on her thighs a second before her orgasm hit her.
Sliding his tongue through her slit, he gave her clit just enough attention to keep her orgasm rolling through her, long sizzling waves of it that held her in their grip for what seemed like forever.
“Alastair! Oh God. Ian.”
“No. No moving.” Ian ran a hand over her breast, bending to touch his lips to her nipple before covering them again. “That’s it. Just lie still.”
Lifting his head, Alastair smiled at her. “It’s been too long since I heard those cries of pleasure.” After kissing each of her thighs, he covered her again, sitting up and settling her legs across his lap with an indulgent smile. “Too long. You feel okay?”
Curled against Ian, she smiled and let her eyes flutter closed. “I feel wonderful.” Opening her eyes again, she eyed each of them. “But how about you? It’s not fair that I—”
Ian blinked. “What are we, sixteen? Sex isn’t the issue, baby. Pleasure isn’t the issue.”
Alastair ran his fingers back and forth over her toes as if intrigued by them. “No. It’s not. It’s love. It’s knowing that you’re ours.”
Ian lifted her hand to his lip, kissing her fingers. “And safe. You know, we never expected to fall in love.”
“And certainly not with the same woman.”
Reaching up, she slid her fingers into Ian’s long hair, playing with the ends. “And what happens when I accidentally get into your head?”
“We’ll deal with whatever comes. Come on. Let’s get you to bed. You’ll need your energy for shopping with Ian tomorrow.” Lifting her into his arms, Alastair grinned. “I thought our lives were pretty interesting, but since you came along, darling, life has become extremely unpredictable.”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she looked into his eyes and smiled.
Naked, Alastair carried her into the darkened bedroom, his eyes glittering with emotion in the faint light. “No one will ever take you away from me. I won’t allow it.”
“Nor will I.” Ian approached from her other side, equally naked, and equally aroused. “I’ll kill anyone who tries.”
Lowering her to the bed, Alastair followed, bracing his weight on his elbows and using his powerful thighs to spread hers. “You believe that, don’t you? You believe that we’ll protect you?”
The sheets felt cool beneath her own naked body, but she knew that, in no time at all, there would be nothing but heat. “Of course, darling. I don’t want to talk about it anymore.” Wrapping her legs around his thighs, she rocked her hips, need for him always simmering just below the surface. “Can’t you think of anything better to talk about?”
His grin, a flash of white, was all she saw before his lips brushed over hers. “Oh, darling, I think I can come up with a subject far more interesting.”
Pausing next to the bed, Alastair frowned. “Is something wrong, darling? You got this funny look in your eyes. Am I hurting you?”
“Not at all.” Pressing her face against his neck, she smiled. “I was just thinking about what you said.”
Ian pulled the covers back and got into bed, cuddling closer to her as soon as Alastair lowered her to the mattress. “About life being unpredictable since meeting you?”
“Hmm.” Turning toward him, she ran a hand down his chest, smiling when his eyes narrowed. “I think I can help you with that.”
&n
bsp; Ian laughed softly. “If anyone can, baby, it’s you.”
Cuddling against her back, Alastair slid a hand down her arm, lacing her fingers with his. “You had another premonition, didn’t you? What did you see?”
Ian’s eyes narrowed. “You promised to tell us.”
With another smile, she settled into a more comfortable position. “Well, the three of us were naked…”
Ian sat up, glancing at Alastair. “And?”
Warm, replete, and safely settled between her lovers, Serena smiled again and closed her eyes. “You’re going to have to trust me on this. Sometimes it’s better to be surprised.”
Settling behind her, Alastair pressed a hand to her belly, his lips warm on her ear. “As long as we’re together.”
Laying her hand over his, she opened her eyes to stare into Ian’s, smiling again to find him watching her closely with sharp eyes. “Oh, we’re definitely together.”
Alastair sighed and pulled her closer. “That’s all that matters.”
“It wouldn’t matter if she saw us apart.” Ian’s eyes narrowed, giving him the look of an arrogant lion. “We’ll make our own destiny.”
THE END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
When Leah’s not writing, she’s dreaming up new stories or spending time with the ones she loves.
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