by DJ Michaels
“Ooooh.”
He rubbed a finger on the inside of her pussy lips. “Shall I stop?”
If he hadn’t given her that supercilious smile, if he hadn’t smirked at her in all his imagined superiority, she might never have managed to get the word out. But he was being an ass and she needed to start as she meant to go on.
She had to swallow twice before she trusted her voice. “Yes, I want you to stop.”
The look of shock and dismay on his face was priceless and worth the ache of her unappeased body. With a sniff worthy of a haughty princess, Chelsea found the cloth and began washing herself.
Her satisfaction lasted right up until noticed Tarkan following every movement of her hands on her body. Good god, if he turned out to be a voyeur on top of everything else she was never going to have any control over him.
“Do you like looking?” The question popped out before she had the sense to think about it.
“I prefer touching. But I discovered today that looking can be good too, if you’re watching the right people.”
Her abdomen clenched at the low pitch of arousal in his voice. “And Ari and I are the right people?”
“For me, yes.”
She thought about that for a moment, about the way he and Ari interacted with each other while they were having sex. They didn’t seem loverlike but they didn’t seem too worried about touching each other either. “Are you and Ari lovers?”
He moved closer, pressing his back against the wall of the bath so he was kitty-corner to her. “A sexual relationship between two men is considered aberrant by most people, counterproductive to the health and well-being of our society. Ari and I love and trust each other because we are brothers in everything but bloodline. We have different parents but we grew up here in the Den, both our fathers were Enforcers. We have shared or stood witness to every major event in each other’s lives, up to and including the day Benmonth and Annlyss came to claim us. There is nothing we don’t know about each other and nothing we won’t do for each other. But until today we never touched in anything other than friendship.”
Chelsea let her legs float out a little, allowing them to tangle with Tarkan’s. “Is that why you wanted Ari to join in a threesome? Did you want more from him than brotherhood?”
“No, not initially.” Tarkan lowered his eyes and Chelsea thought she detected a flush of embarrassment on his cheeks. “When I first came up with the idea of getting a woman of my own, I wasn’t thinking about anything but the fact that I wanted a family. I didn’t really consider you and what you wanted.”
He flicked his eyes back up. “Sorry.” And down they went again. “I hadn’t thought out Ari’s role either. I knew bringing him in was my best chance of keeping you but I only had a vague notion of how that might work. Until we got naked in my room, I didn’t realize how good it would be with the three of us working together. I didn’t know I’d feel as connected to him as I did to you, that him being there would turn me on.”
He untangled their feet and slid forward, scooping Chelsea onto his lap to wrap his big arms around her tightly. “What happened in that room was so much more than I expected. It was so much better than I’d ever dreamed.” He planted a soft kiss on the top of her head. “But it also complicated matters in ways I’m not sure how to navigate yet.”
Chelsea gave up trying to pretend she didn’t crave his touch and leaned into him, letting all his hard strength seep into her soul. “Why is it complicated?”
He cupped her face, lifting her away so he could look into her eyes. “You need to keep this to yourself. I’m telling you so you’ll understand but if you ever use it against him or to manipulate him, I’ll have Annlyss carry you out of the den and drop you from the sky.”
Wow, that was some threat when she was sitting naked in his lap. She ticked off “overprotective” as one of Tarkan’s traits. “I won’t say anything, I promise.”
“All right.” He tucked her back against his chest as if he hadn’t just threatened to turn her into a human pancake. “Ari’s mother signed a standard five-year mating contract with Ari’s father. Usually when a child in born within those five years, the mother extends the contract until the child is older or—as in the case of my mother—they make a life-long commitment to their family.”
Chelsea tried to picture Ari as a sweet-faced innocent little boy. And totally failed. “How old was he when his mother left?”
“Three. Too young for her to be gone but old enough to remember her leaving.”
Now she had a picture of that boy in her head and she wished she didn’t.
“Ari and I were the same age, so we played together in the crèche and became fast friends. My mother adored him, and she tried to be a softer influence in his life.”
“And Ari’s father? What was he like?”
“He was as good as he could be. He ensured Ari was cared for but he was a captain, same as Ari is now. That involves a lot of extra work and responsibility. It can bring additional dangers to those faced by a regular Enforcer.”
Chelsea closed her eyes. She knew what was coming next. “He died, didn’t he?”
“Yes, he got caught in a Brightstar raid. Part of a captain’s duty is to marshal and direct the Enforcers when they’re in battle. The Brightstar soldiers know this and the captains are always their prime targets. Ari was thirteen when his father died.”
“What happened to him? Who looked after him?”
“We did. My parents took him in, obtained legal guardianship and he became my brother by law not just by choice.”
“He was lucky to have you.”
“As we were lucky to have him.”
Chelsea lay quiet for a while, warm and safe in Tarkan’s arms. Ari’s emotional withdrawal and speedy departure made far more sense now and she was surprisingly relieved to know his actions had little to do with her or how he felt about their new relationship. Or did it?
She peered up at Tarkan. “He’s going to try to run from us, isn’t he?”
“Only if we let him, love. Only if we let him.”
Chapter Fourteen
Tarkan discovered that helping a woman dress was almost as fun as helping her undress. All the ties, laces and layers gave him all kinds of opportunities to touch and tease. Chelsea spent half the time play-slapping his hands away but she didn’t mind as much as she pretended to. Despite his frequent side trips, they both managed to be dressed and presentable by the time their first visitors arrived.
He’d drawn the floor-to-ceiling drapes against the early darkness that often accompanied a large storm. Glass fixtures around the room glowed to life, chasing away the shadows and leaving the room bathed in soft, clear light.
“I thought electricity didn’t work here,” Chelsea said.
“It doesn’t.” He drew her over to one of the globes and removed its cover. “When you put a certain crystal next to a certain kind of moss, it gives of light. Only the alchemists know the right combinations but the result is a bright, clean light source.”
“It doesn’t run out or need renewing?”
“Nope.”
“Wow.”
Tarkan could see the delight in her eyes. He was happy and somewhat relieved that she found things to approve of in his home. The townsfolk preferred fire for their light and heat source but the interior of the den remained at a constant temperature summer or winter. The Enforcers didn’t have the same need for fire as the people who lived in town.
An impatient hammering sounded at the door and with a reassuring nod to Chelsea he ushered in four of his and Ari’s closest friends. The Enforcers entered the room and arrayed themselves in front of Chelsea with varying degrees of interest and curiosity. Although in Jax’s case the overriding emotion seemed to be worry.
“What have you done?” The Den Commander was always one to get right to the point but Tarkan had become very good at ignoring him unless they were in the air or under fire.
Ignoring Jax’s question, Tarkan made the
introductions. “Chelsea McMullin, I’d like you to officially meet our Den Commander Jaxmyre Randovar and his den-mate Kaelum Sentrellovere. And this is Captain Devonelle Sharmanchere and his den-mate Ryderich Myrinmahr. They are going to act as witnesses for us. Jax, Kae, Dev and Rye, I’d like you to meet Chelsea, the woman who has just agreed to be Ari’s and my mate.”
Kaelum snorted. “Guess that answers the ‘what have you done’ question.”
Jax paced forward and stopped a bare arm’s length from Chelsea. Tarkan was about to move in beside her when Jax held up his hand. “Hold. I want to talk to Chelsea without you hovering all over her.”
Tarkan folded his arms but kept his feet where they were. “I don’t have to hover all over her. And neither do you. Take a step back and give her some space.”
Jax turned his head ever so slightly, so all Tarkan could see was one evil eye. “No.” He turned back to Chelsea and Tarkan shifted his weight to the balls of his feet. He was loyal to the core but if Jax so much as laid a hand on his woman, Tarkan would beat him to a pulp and invite Benmonth to dance in the entrails.
“Chelsea.” Jax’s voice was pitched to reassure and he tilted his head so he didn’t loom quite so much. “Do you understand the commitment you’re making?”
“Yes.” Chelsea stood in front of Jax, cool and controlled despite the fact that she had to crane her neck to look him in the eye. Tarkan’s surge of pride did a lot to ease his temper.
Jax leaned forward a little. “Why don’t you tell me about your situation, in your own words, and what you understand your commitments to be.”
Tarkan’s chest swelled when his woman put her hands on her hips and drew herself up. “I have freely committed myself to a relationship with Tarkan and Ari. I have agreed to sign a contract with them which ensures mutual exclusivity. As my husbands or whatever you want to call them, they will see to my care and protection, as I will see to theirs as much as I’m able.”
Jax’s posture eased and he took a step away from her. “You realize there’s no going back if you contract with an Enforcer. No councilor or land holder will look at you, and if this relationship fails you will have very little recourse.”
“Meaning I’ll be good for nothing but a brothel.”
“Yes. We call them bower houses.”
Chelsea folded her arms under her perfect breasts and gave Jax a look of complete apathy. “So noted.”
Tarkan didn’t bother trying to hide his grin. His mate was fucking perfect. “Come here, love.”
With a final glare at Jax, Chelsea stalked across the room and right into Tarkan’s waiting arms.
Jax shook his head, threw himself onto the couch and crossed his legs at the ankles. “You are going to stir up a dragon-storm of monumental proportions.”
Tarkan shrugged. “Probably.” Like he gave a flying fuck. As long as he had Ari and Chelsea standing with him, he didn’t really care how hard he had to fight.
He repeated that sentiment to himself a short time later when Ari arrived, dragging a disheveled, clearly terrified proctor into the living room. Ari threw a bulging satchel on the dining table and gave the trembling little man a shake. “Get to it. The faster you do your job, the faster I can get you home and out of the storm.”
Lovely. This was going to go so well, it only needed Ari to lose his temper and the evening would be complete. Tarkan’s den-mate looked anything but calm as he stalked across the floor, yanked Tarkan from his seat by Chelsea’s side and dragged him to the far corner of the room.
“Are they with us?” Ari asked, nodding in the general direction of the other Enforcers.
“Yes. Once Jax was sure Chelsea was a fully informed and willing participant he gave us the nod.”
Ari grunted. “Bet he had some dire predictions, though.”
“Of course.”
Jax was a great leader and he held himself to a standard so high nobody could touch him. But when he was with his close friends, those he truly trusted, he allowed those guards to come down far enough to bitch and moan like a normal person. Tarkan privately thought it didn’t happen often enough. Nobody could stay wound so tight for so long and not eventually break.
Finally the proctor had his papers in order, his writing implements lined up and as he tugged on his already neat coat. The fussy little despot drew his brows down in an expression he no doubt considered intimidating, clearly showing his disapproval of the situation. Tarkan figured it might an intimidating stance by town standards but the proctor was standing in a room full of men who rode dragons for a living. When it came to scary, the blacks had the market cornered.
The proctor put his hands behind his back, tilted his chin and made a pronouncement that risked death or dismemberment. “I have deep reservations about this contract. I was bought here against my will and I don’t care how many witnesses you have, you can’t make that woman yours just because you want to.” He puffed himself up until he strained the buttons on his coat. “In fact, you can take me back to Sapphire township right now. This contract is not going to happen.”
Chapter Fifteen
Tarkan had to admire the man’s pluck, if not his common sense. He must have spent all his preparation time marshaling his arguments, convincing himself that it was a good idea to defy two Enforcers, their four friends, a determined woman and six battle dragons.
Ari took two steps forward. “Do you have a death wish? I can certainly accommodate you but not until after the mating contract is signed and witnessed.”
Tarkan hurried forward, inserting himself between Ari and the soon-to-be-dead idiot in front of him. “If you weren’t prepared to supply, witness and register the contract, why did you come?”
The throat clearing behind him didn’t bode well.
The proctor braced himself, shoulders back. “I’m here because that Enforcer,” he pointed at Ari, quite unnecessarily under the circumstances, “threatened my person and my family. He dragged me onto a beast so hostile it tried to bite me before I even got in the saddle. To top off his insanity he flew right into the teeth of an ion storm.” The proctor’s voice had become louder and more strident with each word. His face flushed an unhealthy shade of red and the veins in his neck stood out under the strain. “I’m here,” now he was shouting, “because that lumbering dolt wouldn’t allow to me say no!”
Tarkan looked over his shoulder at Ari. “Kidnapping? You don’t think we’re going to have enough challenges?”
Ari glared at him. “I’m a lumbering dolt, what do you expect?”
Tarkan turned back to face the proctor. “Perhaps you should know what to expect before you decided to tangle with an Enforcer. Ari knows exactly who you are, where you work, where you live and whether or not you have children. You can expect swift and brutal retribution if our mating contract is questioned, altered or inconveniently lost or damaged. I am making myself clear, Proctor?”
The gutless worm turned to Jax. “Den Commander, surely you don’t condone this behavior?”
Jax shrugged. “I’ve interviewed the lady and I’m satisfied she’s willing. That’s enough for me.”
Then the proctor, who was barely taller than Chelsea, crossed his arms and planted his feet. “No. I absolutely refuse to be a part of this travesty.”
Ari almost got past Tarkan. His den-mate launched himself at the proctor and Tarkan flung himself at Ari in reflex more than judgment. Ari dragged him forward, his stride barely slowing but then the other Enforcers snapped into action. Dev and Rye slammed into Ari, halting his momentum and not being too careful about damaging Tarkan in the process.
Amid the grunting and wrestling Tarkan took a hit to his ribs, which were going to bruise. Dev almost took his eye out in an attempt to get Ari in a headlock and the only thing that saved them from total disgrace was Jax’s sharp whistle. Even Ari’s temper fell to the years of battle training and that very distinctive attention-getter.
“Gentlemen, if you please.” Jax gestured to Chelsea. “The lady in question
would like some clarification from the proctor.”
Dev and Rye eased off but when Tarkan felt Ari go still and rigid in his arms he held on. He softened his hold, made it more comfort than restraint but he didn’t let go. This was the moment when Ari thought all his losses were coming full circle and Tarkan could feel the brace of defeat in every line of Ari’s body. But he didn’t know Chelsea, Ari didn’t see her for who she really was. So as his den-mate prepared himself for heartbreak, Tarkan glued his eyes to their woman and waited for her make the proctor wish he’d never opened his stupid mouth.
Chelsea was pissed off. There was enough testosterone in the room to choke a bull, that little paper-pusher needed a kick in the ass. And to add insult to injury, in all the male posturing nobody had bothered to ask her for her input. And she was the freaking lynchpin in this whole fiasco.
Okay to be fair, Jax had given her a thirty-second consult but the rest of them were so happy beating their chests it made her want to smack their heads together.
She took a deep breath, reminded herself she made her own decisions and then glided forward like she owned the room.
“Proctor, I understand you must have concerns.” She softened her voice and tried to channel a bit of Marilyn. “You have a position of authority to uphold and we respect that, despite the unconventional nature of your transport here.” She offered him a shy smile and hoped she wasn’t laying it too thick. The proctor smiled back, relaxing a little as he stepped forward.
“I’m sure you are completely blameless in this, my lady. You should be more careful of the company you keep.”
She took a small step to the side, firmly placing herself between the proctor and two very angry Enforcers who were scuffling for freedom clear across the room. She heaved a sigh. It seemed she wasn’t going to have the time to flutter him into submission. She’d have to go hard-ass, Chelsea style.