“Give me five minutes.” Joelle went into the bathroom and tried to formulate a plan. This was what she’d come here for, after all, but how was she going to apologize to Cristian if she spent the night with Blade? It shouldn’t wait until morning, but she couldn’t very well drop off a note for one man while she was with the other, could she? Yes, she could. It was the right thing to do. Blade would simply have to deal with it.
She walked back into the sitting room, smiling. “I hope you don’t mind a little detour. I need to drop something off at the front desk.”
“No problem.”
When they got to the front desk, Joelle placed the note on the counter then addressed the young man whose nametag said John. “I need an envelope for this, and I need it given only to the man to whom I’ll address it.”
John reached under the counter and pulled out an envelope. Joelle placed the note in it, took an ink pen with a chain attached to the end from a brass stand on the counter, and wrote Cristian’s name across it.
“Can you assure me he alone will read this?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She watched while he placed it one of the cubbyholes where they put mail and messages. The owners’ slots all had little doors with combination locks on them, and their names in brass plates on the doors. After he closed and locked the door to Cristian’s cubbyhole, Joelle turned toward Blade and linked her arm in his. “Now I’m ready for dinner.”
He led her to the second floor then down a series of hallways and finally to a door that opened to the outside. They were on a patio decorated with wicker furniture and fresh flowers in vases set in wrought iron plant stands. Flagstones lined the patio and walkway leading out into a courtyard, surrounded by a tall brick wall.
“It’s beautiful.” Joelle twirled in a slow circle so she wouldn’t miss anything.
“And very private.”
Two staff came outside, pushing a cart loaded with silver serving dishes. They set two place settings on the table then opened a bottle of wine.
“Thanks,” said Blade. “Give us about an hour then come back to clear.”
After they left, Blade pulled out Joelle’s chair for her. She took a seat, smiling at him. “This is very romantic, Blade.”
He chuckled. “That’s what I was going for.” He took a seat across from her and folded his hands under his chin. “You’re not too cold out here, are you?”
She shook her head. Sunshine and rising temperatures had warmed the day, so the snow from the night before had already melted. The evening air was cool, but she didn’t mind.
“So, are you going to tell me what that secret note to Cristian was all about?”
“Were you watching over my shoulder?”
He didn’t even try to hide his grin. “Yes.”
“I felt I owed him an apology.”
Blade poured them each a glass of wine. “For what?”
“For something I said to him this afternoon.”
“You were with Cristian this afternoon?” Blade tasted the wine. “Mmm. That’s wonderful. I hope you like it.”
Joelle took a sip. “It’s delicious. And yes, I was with Cristian this afternoon. He showed me the billiards room.”
“Oh? What did you think of it?”
“It’s going to be amazing when it’s finished.”
He lifted the lid off a tureen and the aroma of oysters filled the space between them. “This is one of our specialties.”
“Oh, goodness. I haven’t had oysters in a dog’s age.” They were beyond delicious. Joelle ate five of them while Blade watched with a smile on his face.
“I love to see you enjoying the food here.”
“Aren’t you going to eat any?”
He sucked one in and made soft noises in the back of his throat. Joelle squirmed in her seat. The man was so sexy and the sounds of pleasure he made only enhanced the image. She was still sore from her romp with Cristian earlier, but it didn’t seem to matter. All she could think about was getting under the sheets with Blade.
“I hope you’ll like the salad I chose.” He removed the top off another serving dish and picked up salad tongs to place some baby spinach leaves, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, feta cheese, walnuts, and raisins on her plate. “The dressing is a vinaigrette.”
Joelle tasted the salad. “It’s wonderful. Thank you for this, Blade.”
“My pleasure.”
Joelle felt like a glutton compared to him. She finished her salad before he’d taken no more than a few bites of his. Had he eaten this little at dinner? Now that she thought about it, she wasn’t sure she’d noticed him or Cristian eat very much the night before. How did they find the strength to make love for hours without eating?
“And now for the entrée.” Blade made a show of removing the top off the next tureen. The aroma of roasted chicken, sage, and peppers wafted toward her nose. Joelle inhaled deeply.
“I’m very impressed,” she said, cutting into her chicken breast.
“Then my mission has been fulfilled.” Blade raised his glass then drained it.
“Do you go to this much trouble for all your guests, Blade?”
He gave her a smoldering look. “Only the ones who excite me to the point where I can’t think of anything else.”
Joelle chewed another mouthful of food while she studied his face for any hint of bullshit. There was none. Did men like this exist outside this resort? It didn’t seem possible. Then again, they did this all the time. It was part of the seduction. If Blade were just an ordinary Joe out there in the real world, he most likely wouldn’t act this way.
“Blade, did you ever want to do anything else with your life?”
He looked momentarily confused. “What do you mean?”
“I mean all this.” She put down her fork and waved her hand in a semicircle. “Did you ever want to do something else besides help run this resort?”
A shadow crossed his face, but it was gone so quickly Joelle thought she might have imagined it. A chill passed over her body, and she rubbed her forearms.
“That’s difficult to answer.” He filled their wineglasses again. “I wasn’t given much of a choice when it came to running this resort. We built it, and we’re committed to keeping it open.”
“When was it built?”
“We broke ground in 1919 and opened it in 1921.”
Cristian had said “we” as well when talking about planning the second set of horse trails for over two decades. Joelle found it endearing that both men aligned themselves so closely with the rest of their family that they didn’t make distinctions between the generations.
“Who came up with the unique concept behind this resort? I know you’ve said your family owned the land, but whose idea was it to build this place?”
“It was a collective decision.”
“But who actually thought about offering such unique…services?”
Blade grinned and lifted her glass, handing it to her. “Drink more wine, Joelle. It clears your head.”
She laughed. “You really don’t like to talk about your family, do you?”
“I guess there isn’t much to say.”
She put down her wine glass and caressed his forearm. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“That you had a rough childhood.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Why else would you be so reluctant to talk about your family?”
“Lots of reasons, Joelle.”
“Well, you both must feel that way. Cristian looked like he’d just committed the ultimate sin when I started to question him about the second set of horse trails he told me you’ve been planning for over two decades.”
The smile disappeared from Blade’s face. “How did that subject come up?”
“We walked around Pine Lake before he showed me the billiards room.”
Was Blade jealous of her time spent with Cristian? Surely they’d run across this situation with other guests. Was there was some kin
d of code of honor one or the other had broken? She recalled the way they’d faced off like rivals at dinner the night before. Had she unwittingly caused a problem by sleeping with both of them? But surely they would have said something when she’d suggested the idea of the threesome. Or perhaps not. They hadn’t exactly protested, so if an unwritten rule had been broken, they could hardly fault her for that.
“You spent the entire afternoon with him then.” A muscle twitched in Blade’s jaw, and this time there was no pretending that she imagined the emotion in his eyes.
“Blade, have I done something wrong?”
He shook his head. “Absolutely not.”
Joelle leaned forward and took his hands. “Then why are you jealous and angry? I don’t want to cause a problem between you and Cristian. I really enjoy spending time with both of you, but if it’s not something I should be doing, please tell me now.”
“Tell me why you felt you owed him an apology. I’m having trouble imagining you doing anything to upset someone.”
“It almost sounds like you’re trying to protect me from him.”
“He can be a bit immature.”
Joelle couldn’t argue with that, but she found Cristian’s boyish charm endearing. He hadn’t mistreated her this afternoon. But telling Blade why she apologized meant she’d also have to tell him she’d made love to Cristian, and Joelle found she was reluctant to do so. She didn’t want to ruin this romantic dinner, but he obviously wasn’t going to let this go.
“We made love, and he didn’t use a rubber. And when I realized that and started to ask about it, he told me he couldn’t get me pregnant. He said none of you could.”
Blade visibly swallowed. “I see.”
“I didn’t realize you all had been fixed. I lashed out at him about it because…I don’t know why. I don’t understand my reaction, and that’s why I felt I owed him an apology. My anger at him wasn’t justified.”
Joelle had been about to tell him what Cristian had said about Scott and that her guilt was part of the reason she’d lashed out. But if she did that, she’d also have to admit she hadn’t said anything to Cristian when Scott’s name came up, and she wasn’t ready for that conversation.
Guilt washed over her. She could ride this out for two weeks and never mention Scott’s name, hoping it wouldn’t matter in the end, but she knew she’d leave feeling horrible for not having said something.
The corners of Blade’s mouth turned up. “He told you we’d all had vasectomies?”
“Well, no, not in so many words. What he said was that none of you would take a chance like that, so I put two and two together.”
“And what was this reaction you felt was unjustified?”
Joelle felt the blush on her cheeks and was grateful for the soft lighting. “I told him that was sick and twisted. But if none of you can get a woman pregnant, why did you tell me you used them last night so Cristian wouldn’t feel like an oddball?”
“Joelle”—he lowered his voice—“would you have reacted any differently this morning if I’d told you the same thing Cristian said to you this afternoon?”
“No. I guess not.”
“Although I’m still not sure you owe him an apology for saying it was sick and twisted.”
“I feel I do.”
“You’re a kind person, Joelle.” He reached across the table and stroked her cheek. His touch sent a jolt of electricity through her limbs, and her pussy grew wet.
“I’m having so much fun, Blade. Thank you again.”
“That’s what we’re here for.”
They stared into each other’s eyes for long moments. The air became warm and felt charged, as though a storm were coming. Joelle glanced at the sky, but it was clear. When she locked gazes with Blade again, his eyes had darkened to the point they looked like deep sapphire pools. They glowed with a light all their own, and Joelle was overcome with an urge to dive in. She knew if she did she’d find everything she’d been searching for.
The guilt over her outburst that afternoon disappeared as Blade touched her face again. She sighed and covered his hand with her own. “Do you want dessert?” he asked softly.
“Only if the dessert is you.”
Chapter Nine
Blade rose from the table and took Joelle by the hand. He walked out onto the grass then pulled her into his arms. She breathed in his scent, wondering if they were going to make love outside. She’d never done that before. How many windows faced this courtyard? She glanced around, but all she saw was the brick wall.
“No one can see us,” he said, stroking her hair. “This wall is ten feet tall, and we built it here on purpose because none of the windows face it. But if you’d be more comfortable inside, we can go to my suite.”
She smiled. “No. I want to stay out here.”
Blade kissed her tenderly, which only increased her arousal. He gently stroked her hair and back, sending shivers up and down her spine. Joelle clung to his shoulders and pushed her tongue deeper inside his mouth, but Blade continued to take his time. It drove her mad with need.
His hands moved from her back to her ass, massaging it, while Joelle moaned and writhed against his body. She tangled her fingers in his hair then ran her hands over his back and ass. When he started to lift her skirt, a noise from the patio distracted them both.
Blade released her mouth, and Joelle bit back a laugh as one of the staff members stooped to pick up the lid of the serving dish he’d dropped. How long had they been standing there? The servers both glanced down at the table as they began to pile the serving dishes and plates onto the cart.
“Leave the wine and glasses,” said Blade. His hand hadn’t moved from the bottom of Joelle’s skirt. As soon as the staff wheeled the cart back indoors, Joelle released her laugh.
“They were watching us,” said Blade.
“Oh, I don’t care. It’s not as if we were naked.”
“Not yet.” He slid his hand under her skirt, and when he reached her ass cheeks, he pulled back in surprise. “Joelle Albright, where is your underwear?”
“Oops. I guess I forgot to put it on.”
Blade laughed and pulled her into arms, giving her a bear hug. “You are without a doubt the sexiest, most exciting woman I have ever met.”
“And you are an incredibly enticing man.” She grabbed his ass. “Now, where were we?”
“Right here.” Blade kissed her roughly. Desire coursed through Joelle like water bursting from a broken dam. She groaned into his open mouth as he slapped her ass cheeks and ran a finger down the crack to her soaking-wet slit.
She pressed into the bulge at the front of his pants, desperate to have his cock inside her. He teased her clit with his fingers then pulled off her dress in one fluid motion. Before Joelle could catch her breath, he’d unhooked her bra and flung it onto the grass.
“That has to be a record,” she said.
“For what?” He was already unbuttoning his shirt.
“For me getting naked.”
He practically tore off his shirt and undershirt. “Perhaps you should stop wearing underwear altogether?”
Joelle smiled as she imagined the look on her coworkers’ faces if she walked into work without a bra. Blade reached for the zipper on his pants, and Joelle moved closer. “Let me do that.”
She unzipped his pants, and as she slid them down his thighs, she admired the deep-blue boxers. “Very nice, Blade. The color matches your eyes.”
“That’s why I wore them.”
He stepped out his pants, and she grabbed his dick through the boxers. “I guess I should have worn green panties then.”
Blade groaned. “No. You’re sexier without them.”
Joelle stroked his cock through the silky fabric. Breathing was difficult. She was so aroused she swore she’d be able to come without him touching her again.
“Joelle…please.” Blade gripped her wrist. “That feels so fucking good.”
“What do you want me to do with it, Blade?”
she whispered, increasing her speed.
“Oh, please…”
“Tell me what you want, Blade.” The power she held over him excited her to the point of pain. Her pussy was so wet the juices trickled onto her thighs. Her clit throbbed and her nipples tingled.
Blade looked into her eyes with a gaze so molten she swore her brain was going to melt. “Suck me. Please.”
“As you wish.” Joelle pulled off his boxers and dropped to her knees. The grass was soft and cool, and Blade’s dick was hot and musky. Joelle wasted no time taking it into her mouth, licking up and down the shaft. She played with his balls while she alternatively sucked and licked him.
Blade buried his fingers in her hair and groaned out loud. His arousal fueled her own, and she pressed her thighs together to massage her clit.
“I need to be inside you.” Blade pulled out of her mouth and knelt in front of her, pushed her back against the grass, and lifted her legs over his shoulders. The look in his eyes was animalistic and raw. Joelle cried out as he plunged inside her pussy.
Each thrust pulled on her clit, and it didn’t take long before a blinding orgasm overtook her. She clung to his arms and pushed into him, wanting more. He grabbed her breasts and massaged them as he fucked her. Joelle could hardly believe she wasn’t too sore after last night, this morning, and this afternoon. Who were these men that they could arouse her this much and fuck her silly without intense pain? How would she ever be able to leave this place?
Blade pulled out and turned her over so she was flat on the ground. He massaged her ass cheeks then smacked them, one at a time. “Wish I had my paddle.”
“Use your imagination, Blade.” The moment the words were out of her mouth, Joelle wondered why the hell she’d just said that. She turned her head to watch him stroll toward the table.
“They took everything but the damn wine glasses and bottle.”
“You told them to.”
He turned and gave her a droll look. “You just earned extra swats, Miss Smart Mouth.”
Joelle giggled. “Not if you can’t find anything to swat me with.”
“I can always use my hands, Joelle.”
Her Wanton Ways [Notorious Nephilim 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 7