by Lia Davis
“You’re back.” Grant entered the bedroom and went to his closet to retrieve his pajama bottoms. “I’d say I didn’t hear you come in but we would both know that’s not true. I thought you’d come to Cassie’s room when you returned home.”
“I had to make a few calls.”
“For work?”
“Yes and I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“You wouldn’t have been a disruption.”
“Considering I can smell her all over you I beg to differ.”
“What the hell do you want from me?” Grant yelled.
“Nothing.”
Grant glared at Max before heading into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.
“Lovely.” Max slipped into his sweatpants and t-shirt. Turning down the comforter, he waited for Grant to calm down and come back into the room. Max was a patient man, but Grant was a stubborn one especially when angry.
Thirty minutes later, Grant emerged, fresh from the shower. “I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to be.” This was a confusing time for both of them. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t yell at me, but I understand you’re frustrated. Most vampires can just go with it when they find their human. You’re conflicted and I’m sorry about that.”
“Why are you sorry?” Grant crossed his arms over his broad, bare chest. “You’ve been nothing but supportive.”
“I’m trying to be.”
“Then why did you leave tonight?”
“I needed to investigate the vagrants over in that ally. I can’t have them hurting anyone on my watch.” Max could have sent someone else to deal with it, but he wanted to give Grant some space. “I thought it would be best if I left for a bit.”
“I didn’t sleep with her.”
“I would know if you had.”
“And I know that you feel something for her. Just admit it so we can figure out how to deal with this whole situation.”
“I’m attracted to her,” Max said. “She’s a beautiful woman.”
“And?” Grant pressed.
“And nothing.” Max sat on the edge of the bed, trying to push any thoughts of Cassie out of his mind, but he couldn’t deny that when he was with her it was familiar. When he touched her he had experienced the sensation before. A century ago to be exact. “I want you to pursue this. I need you to trust your instincts and go with it.”
Grant needed to experience everything Max had when he discovered Grant. There was nothing better than a vampire falling for his human. Those memories would stay with him for as long as he survived his immortality. Although without Grant there would be no reason for Max to exist. He had already suffered the abandonment of his own creator. He had lived a lonely and unfulfilled life until Grant came into his world.
“My instincts are telling me you are withholding something from me.” Grant stood in front of Max. “I can’t keep doing this with you. Cassie has been here one day and I’m drained.” Grant placed his hand on Max’s shoulder. “I don’t care if she’s my human. That doesn’t change anything between us. You’re right, I can’t control what’s happening with her. The more time I spend with her the more attached I become.”
An ache formed in Max’s chest. In all of his years in existence he’d never heard of a vampire falling for two humans. If a vamp was lucky they found their true companion and lived happily ever after. Nothing should come between them and penetrate a bond that was meant to last forever. Maybe Grant wasn’t his soulmate. Perhaps Max had planted the idea in both of their heads throughout the years because he had wanted more than anything for it to be true. Now Grant had found his real companion in a beautiful, vibrant human woman and Max was trying to interfere by lusting after her. Grant had been too good to him and there was no way he would screw this up for him.
“Max?” Grant shouted. “Are you even listening to me?”
“Yes, of course I am.” He had faded out, lost in his own thoughts, but this argument was getting old. “Are you ready for bed?”
“Am I ready for bed?” Grant paced the room, irritated by Max’s question. “You can’t be serious. You think we’re just going to make love and forget this problem.”
“We don’t have to make love.”
Grant stopped moving, standing completely still, he growled at Max. “Are you intentionally trying to hurt me?”
“No.” That was the last thing Max wanted to do. “I don’t want to fight with you at all.”
“Then don’t.” Grant moved toward him again. “Let’s go to her room and tell her what we want. We can be honest and open. My way works better than yours.”
Before Max could answer the patter of quiet footsteps graced the hall. “It looks like she’s coming to us.”
“Good.” Grant nodded. “You always say to trust you, but now you’re going to have to trust me.”
“Why are you being so insistent when it comes to this subject?” Max asked.
“Because I know I’m right.” Grant turned in the direction of the door just as Cassie appeared.
“I don’t want you to fight.” She stood in the doorway, her hair tussled and her face flush from sleep. Her voice was soft, apprehensive.
Max inhaled a sharp, unnecessary breath at the sight of her.
“Not because of me,” she said. “Please.”
“Cassie.” Grant ran his fingers through his hair as he took her in, lingering a few moments before looking away. “We didn’t mean to wake you.”
“I should leave here,” she said in an uncertain voice. “I’m causing too much trouble. I’ve been in too many houses to know when there’s a problem. When I don’t belong.”
“Fix this,” Grant pleaded so only Max could hear. “I don’t want her to go.”
This girl was observant. If she left their problems would be solved. They could go back to their normal life. But the life he shared with Grant would be forever changed because of a fleeting moment with a human. Max didn’t want her to go either.
“You don’t have to go,” Max said because he wouldn’t allow Grant to suffer. “This is my issue, not yours.”
“There shouldn’t be an issue.” Cassie hesitantly took a step inside their bedroom. “I mean, it’s not Grant’s fault that he... we...”
The flush in her face darkened, heating her blood, making her scent strong. Too strong for Max to handle.
“Get her out of here,” Max spoke only to Grant. “I haven’t fed.”
“No, I won’t let you hurt her.” Grant continued their private conversation as Cassie observed, but couldn’t hear what they were saying. “Let’s settle this right now. You want her just as much as I do.”
“It doesn’t make it right.” Max gritted his teeth.
“Stop talking so I can’t hear you,” she demanded, placing her fist on her slender hip.
A feisty one.
Grant smiled.
“Sorry.” Grant took her hand, leading her further into their bedroom. “It’s an old habit.”
What was he doing? This was their sanctuary. The few times they had taken someone home they always used a spare bedroom. No one, except for their housekeeper, had ever entered their room.
“Max and I are not fighting,” Grant said as he pulled her close to him. “We’re having a difference of opinion.”
“Because of me,” she said.
“No.” Max couldn’t take his gaze away from her. Why was it so easy for Grant to touch her? He hadn’t fed either. Where was his control coming from? “I’m sorry if I made you feel unwelcome in our home. That was never my intention. Whatever is happening here between you and Grant, well, it’s all very new for us. You can only come between us if I allow it. That’s what I’m trying to tell Grant. I’ll accept whatever relationship the two of you choose to have. Although choice has nothing to do with what is occurring.” His fingers twitched when he thought about stroking her skin, touching every inch of her flesh, claiming her. Lord, please stop these thoughts.
“What Maxim is failing t
o tell you is that he is drawn to you as well.” Grant guided Cassie to stand between the two men. Her back was to Grant and her wide, curious eyes trying to look anywhere but into Max’s impatient gaze. “That’s why we’re arguing. Not because of what you and I shared in your bedroom.”
Cassie raised her gaze, staring directly into Max’s eyes and whispered, “Is that true?”
“Yes.” He broke contact with her and stared at Grant, speaking for only him. “I’m drawn to her. I want her just as much as you do.” Saying the words had a freeing affect. “When I touched her in the study I felt a jolt. The only other time I felt that was...”
“With me,” Grant finished for him.
Max nodded.
“Why can’t you just embrace this?” Grant asked as he wrapped his arms around Cassie’s waist, nestling his lips against her hair.
“Hmm...” she moaned when Grant kissed her neck.
Max showed his fangs as he watched his lover kiss another, but Grant continued to indulge in her, lifting the hem of her tank top, he caressed the creamy skin of her flat stomach. With each of her short breaths her chest rose as her nipples hardened in response to Grant’s exploration.
“Cassie,” he whispered. “I want you, but not without Max.” He slid his hands higher, cupping her breasts. “Do you understand?”
“Yes,” she breathed out.
When Max stepped forward, Cassie looked at him. Her eyes filled with lust, but he sensed her fear. He retracted his fangs, resisting the urge to touch her. “You’re frightened by me.”
She swallowed hard.
“What is it?” Grant removed his hands from under her shirt and rested them on her hips. “Maxim won’t hurt you.”
“I’m not afraid of you,” she said as she held Max’s stare. She was a bold one.
He could have looked away, but she would be more honest if he kept her gaze.
“I’ve never been with... I don’t have much experience.”
“Are you...” Grant tried to be polite. “Have you ever?”
“I’m not a virgin,” she said. “But two men. That’s new for me.”
Relief washed over Max when he realized she wasn’t afraid of him. Balling his hand at his side, to remind himself not to touch her, he said, “It’s not for everyone.”
“I’m not saying it isn’t for me.” She leaned her head against Grant’s shoulder. “I know you’ve been torn over what’s happening here, and maybe I’m more at ease with Grant because he’s been open with me, but I’m attracted to both of you. That scares me.”
“Don’t be scared.” Grant kissed her neck. “We’re going to take very good care of you.”
“Like I said, I don’t have a whole lot of experience when it comes to sex.”
When Max’s cock twitched as he thought of the possibilities, Grant gave him a scolding look. Max ignored him.
“Not to mention the fact that I’ve never been with a vampire, much less two at the same time.” She placed her hand over her eyes. “Why am I telling you all of this?”
“Don’t be embarrassed,” Grant said. “Humans have a way of opening up to our kind. We have a strange influence over you.”
“Oh, well that’s embarrassing in itself, isn’t it?” She looked down at the floor. “I’m not saying I don’t want to be with you both, but you might be disappointed with me.”
“Somehow I doubt that,” Grant said.
“It’s too soon for this conversation.” Max motioned to the sitting room off their bedroom. “Perhaps we should get to know Cassie a bit more.”
“Everything there is to know about me is probably in the papers you took from the auction house,” she said. “I’m not very mysterious. Not like the two of you.”
Cassie looked between Grant and Maxim. They were speaking to one another but she couldn’t hear them.
“I can tell when you’re speaking to one another,” Cassie informed them. “I can read it in your facial expressions and sometimes Grant gestures with his hands.”
“It’s interesting that you can tell at all.” Max motioned toward the sitting room just off the bedroom. “You’re very observant.”
Grant led her to the chaise lounge as Max turned on the gas fireplace. Grant sat down, leaning against the back of the chair he extended his hand for her. She craved the closeness of him. She’d fallen asleep in his arms once already that evening. When she awoke she was in her bed alone and had heard the arguing coming from their room.
“You left me.” She cuddled next to him, recalling she had fallen asleep on the couch. “You put me to bed.”
“I stayed with you after you fell asleep, but I thought you’d be more comfortable in your bed.” Grant watched as Max tended to the fireplace. When he finished, he took a seat on the sofa across from them. “Why are you all the way over there?” Grant asked. “We’re never that far apart.”
“I’m not but three feet from you,” Max replied.
“It’s three feet too far.” Grant held out his hand. “Sit with us.”
Max didn’t move, but Cassie wanted him close too. The thought of being with two men intrigued her, but Max was right, she’d have to go slow, and let them lead the way.
“Please,” she said. “I’d like for you to sit with us.”
“How can I resist such a request?” Max got up and sat on the edge of the chair, taking Grant’s hand and giving it a squeeze. The tension between them had decreased, putting her at ease and reinforcing her sense of belonging.
“I told Grant I like being here,” she said. “I feel at home and that’s new for me.”
“I’m glad that Grant intercepted you on that auction block.” When he smiled, his prominent jaw softened. He was definitely the alpha of the pair, but Max had a gentle side and Grant seemed to pull it out of him. “I’m sorry that you had fallen on such hard times that you ended up there, but you’ll see that it will be beneficial for you.”
“It’s only been a day,” Grant said. “But have you given any thought to what you might like to do?”
“I have a few applications in at some restaurants. Now that I don’t have to worry about finding a place to sleep I can focus on getting a job.” She snuggled deeper into Grant’s chest. “Maybe I can go check out those places and see if they have any openings.”
When Max looked at Grant she sensed the displeasure on his face.
“You’re doing it again,” she said. “What is it that you need to say that you can’t say in front of me?”
“Sorry.” Grant stroked her hair. “We’ll try not to.”
“You don’t have to work in a restaurant,” Max said. “The purpose of going to the auction house was to better yourself. We’ll provide anything you need.”
“You weren’t at the auction house to find a companion,” she reminded him. “Technically you owe me nothing and what’s wrong with being a waitress?”
“Nothing,” Grant assured her. “What Max means is, perhaps you’d like to further your education. Have you thought about college?”
“Umm, no.” School wasn’t her thing. She’d never been very good at it. “Surviving has been my priority the past five years.”
“My point,” Max said. “Now you don’t have to worry about anything. We’ll take care of your needs so you can focus on figuring out what you’d like to do with yourself. The fall semester is underway, but we could look into some on line courses or decide if you’d like to attend classes in January. We’ll have to start the application process, but I’m sure I can get your records.”
“No.” When she sat up, Grant moved with her. “I can’t go to college.”
Max studied her face, neither one saying a word, not even to the other in their secret way. The silence unsettled her.
“Education isn’t really my thing.” She shrugged. “I’m not that good at it.”
“College is a different experience from high school,” Grant said. “Or so I’ve read. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in school. You might like college.�
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“An Oxford student and his professor probably liked college.” She t really wanted to change the subject. “Can I think of something else to do?”
“You’ll have more options with a higher education,” Max told her. “I think you should consider it.”
“I can’t go to college because I don’t have a high school diploma.” What would her new academic-type friends think about that? “You never wanted to take a human home from an auction and now you’re stuck with a high school dropout who can’t even get a job at the local bar.”
“That’s not how we see you,” Max said. “We may not have intended to take a human into our home, but now that you’re here we are totally committed to helping you. That’s the point of the auction. You provide us with companionship and we’ll provide you with whatever you need.”
“You don’t really need companionship,” she reminded him. “You guys were doing fine without me.”
“That may have been true two days ago.” Grant leaned back against the chair, taking her with him. “But now that you’re here things have changed.”
“I agree.” Max nodded. “I’m not going to lie, I’m still apprehensive about how this will all play out–”
“Max?” Grant’s muscles tensed beneath her.
“We have to be honest for this to work,” Max said. “Our life is new to Cassie. We’re not used to having someone else in the house. Her needs come first.” Max gave Grant a pointed look before looking back to Cassie. He wasn’t just in control in the bedroom. Cassie quickly learned Max was in charge of everything. “We have many resources and endless funds. You should take advantage of that. I was a professor in another life.” He smiled at Grant. “A pretty good one.”