by Jana Leigh
Cat spoke up and said, "So, Frederica, what did you do in Milliken?"
"Call me Fredi. I was a chef, I owned the Melting Pot in town."
"No way! We went there before we left to move here. That was an awesome place! I have told Tripp and Orfeo how I wish we had something like that here,” Cat exclaimed.
Fredi smiled at her—she could see they were going to be fast friends. "I left it in the capable hands of my foster parents. I must admit to being sad at not being able to run it anymore. I miss it."
"Well, worry not, you will just have to cook for us here!” Cat said laughing.
"Maybe give those of us who need it some lessons,” Jax said with a grimace. "I burn water."
"I would be happy to do so anytime,” Fredi answered.
"After we let them settle in, darling,” Orfeo said as he smiled at Cat.
They all ate breakfast while they spoke about the compound and the men discussed security updates with each other. Then Orfeo, Brin, and Dante had to leave to take a conference call. Tripp and Cat decided to have a small conference together alone after a lot of giggling on Cat's part as they walked out.
Bane stood. "Shall we go back to the villa?"
The three of them walked back to the villa and sat in the living room. Fredi was a bundle of nerves sitting with the two men. She could feel the heat coming off their bodies as they sat on either side of her. She knew there was a lot to do to settle in and begin setting up the Senate, but she was more concerned about the two men with her right now. Every time she was with them, she felt jittery and she didn't know what to say.
Bane stood and began to pace the room. He didn't say anything for a few moments and then he spoke, "I have to go in to the office later this afternoon and settle a few things so that I may take some time away."
Marshall said, "Do you need any help?" He would make the effort to get to know Bane, this needed to work if they were going to be a triad.
“I just need to set my second in charge and go over a few things. We have had a few disturbances from the pixies and the trolls are not settling in as well as we had hoped. So sure, anything you can do to help." Bane saw that Marshall was willing to try and he was more than happy to do his part in this relationship. The three needed to come to terms with each other.
Fredi couldn't believe all of the magical creatures that had settled here. There was to be a big meeting in a couple of days with representatives from each group. Orfeo wanted to hear grievances and settle disputes before something more dramatic happened.
“Fredi, the girls said they would come over and talk in a few. We will be back later,” Bane said and looked at her expectantly. Fredi nodded and smiled.
“I will be waiting,” she whispered and the men left quickly, before both of them took action. Damn, this was going to be tuff. She wanted her mates but knew they had a few things to work out first. Men, she would give them time. She just hoped it didn't take them to long to figure things out.
Chapter Seven
Fredi watched her men set the table as she finished with the preparation of their dinner. The men had been spending their days together while she spent hers getting to know the women. Her men talked about the security measures being set up and how the plans were coming together to find the rest of the Senate. But they never let her in on what they discussed or did to start the bond that seemed to be growing between the two men.
She'd silently watched them interact with each other for days now, close to a week. Fredi noticed the change in them. They were more relaxed around each other. She felt a small hurt that they didn't share what was so blatantly taking effect with their friendship and how they seemed to come to terms with the fact they were to be together but she didn't really care. The goal was for them to find a common ground and they seemed to have found it. Who was she to argue with that? Frankly, she just wished they would move with it, she wanted to mate. She was ready and the pull to them was strong. What the hell were her men waiting for?
Every day this week she had done her hair and made sure she dressed more and more provocative. They were still being nice, when all she wanted was to be thrown down, and taken, shit, she was going to get all hot and bothered again. Thinking of those hands on her body, damn.
Bane laughed and Marshall frowned at him. She realized she had missed what had been said between them. "Well, dinner is ready. Hope you are hungry." She smiled at them. What she wanted to say was, "Hope you're hungry because I am starving for both of you."
"Awe, sweetness, another perfect meal," Marshall said, taking the platter from her hands. He brushed his fingers over hers and she felt the tingle. Assholes are trying to kill her.
"Yes, sweetheart, smells lovely," Bane replied and pulled the chair out for her to sit. As she sat, he leaned down and kissed the top of her head. Bastard, she thought and shifted a little in her seat, she could feel the wetness, there was no way they could not scent her arousal.
Great, just great, a shifter and a vampire, both with extraordinary senses but do you think they could tell she was burning up inside with want? Oh no, kissing her, the touches they placed on her as they walked by, or the hot goodnight kisses each gave her, but nothing more as they left her at the bedroom door every night. She was beginning to think she was going to have to take matters into her own hands if they didn't make a move soon.
The three talked through dinner and the men helped her clean up the kitchen then headed into the living room to watch a movie. They settled in, enjoying the movie and just being together. Time flew by and before she knew it, both men stood, yawned, and stretched. They had put in yet another long day. Fredi took that to mean they were tired and ready to hit the bed early so she walked out, headed toward the bedroom, the men followed. Damn, finally, maybe tonight was to be the night.
They all stopped in front of the door to where she had been sleeping—alone. Marshall stepped up first, pulled her to him, kissed the breath right out of her lungs, and stepped back. She barely recovered when Bane latched on her, covered her mouth with his lips, and took what he wanted. Her mind spun. Yes, yes, finally tonight. Bane released her and stepped back.
"Goodnight, baby," both men said in unison as they turned and walked to their rooms.
Fredi stood and watched as they entered their rooms. The doors closed, leaving her standing in the hallway. She opened her own door and walked in shaking her head, thinking, if it wouldn't end the Senate before they even got it off the ground, I would kill them both in their sleep. Assholes, getting me hot and bothered then they walk away. As she prepared for bed, alone again, she wondered would everyone really blame her for the fall of the Senate and the New Council if she did kill them. She fell asleep with a smile on her face.
***
Fredi woke the next morning and as she was coming down the hall, she heard voices out on the patio off the kitchen. She poured herself a cup of coffee and then went in that direction. She saw her two men, Marshall and Bane, sitting at the small table on the back patio sharing a cup of coffee.
“Hey,” Fredi said slowly.
They seemed to be more at ease with each day they were together. She leaned against the doorway to look at the two of them. They were each drool worthy in their own right. How could she have gotten so lucky as to have two mates? These two in particular. She looked down at her old t-shirt and pajama pants she had on and decided to turn around and get dressed, when Marshall spoke.
"Good morning, sweetness. Care to join us?” Marshall said without turning around.
Cats and their senses drove her nuts. You couldn't sneak up on one, their senses were so enhanced, they knew you were coming from a mile away. She stepped out onto the patio as Bane rose and pulled out a chair for her. She smiled her thanks and sat down between the two men.
"How did you sleep?” Bane asked, his eyes slowly drifting over her.
"Fine, thanks,” she answered and glanced at Marshall, who was also watching her.
"Orfeo expects us over at the main house fo
r breakfast in an hour. They have heard some news and he wanted us all together before he explained. By the way, Tripp is making cat and dog jokes so be prepared, something about payback,” Bane told them, and Marshall groaned and put his head in his hands. "What, is there a problem?”
Marshall stood and smiled. “Since I was young we have been playing jokes on each other, so one morning I wake up to find my car gone, Tripp had left a ransom note and shit. Our mother made me promise not to do anything, but you know the gift I gave him from our mom, the cookies? Well I kinda opened them on the plane and took a bite out of each one of them.”
“Nice,” Bane nodded. “But no worries, I have plenty of imagination for the two of us.
Fredi shook her head and finished her coffee while she listened to the two men she knew she was falling in love with plan for Tripp's take down. Over the last week, they had wooed her. She was charmed with the way Marshall brought her flowers every single night before she went to bed. And she loved how Bane brought her new foods to prepare with all of the ingredients and explained where they came from.
She cooked for them, and they never pressured her. It was amazing, as if they were actually dating, but they already knew the end. She was ready to mate them, she just had to tell them that, with the hope they felt the same way. When Fredi went to bed, each night it was as if a fire was burning in her, wanting them, and knowing they were just down the hall. Especially after the kiss they would give her and then walk away to their rooms.
Bane had moved in the first night, and Marshall and he took bedrooms down the hall, making sure she felt their protection. One of the good things about having a previous Head Enforcer, and a Clan Second as mates, they made sure she kept up on her self-defense training. Jax and Cat joined her every day at their mates’ insistence, and it had turned into a fun time to spend with the girls.
That was the other thing. Cat and Jax made her feel like they were sisters with her. They talked about the men, and rolled their eyes when they went all growly and protective on them. At least she finally felt like she had somewhere she belonged. It had been so long since she had felt something like this. Fredi never realized how lonely she was until she felt the camaraderie with these women. The only thing she was missing was her sister. Finding Jo and then leaving so quickly sucked.
She only just found her sister and they'd had such a short time together. Fredi hoped that soon they would be able to see each other in person, because although the daily Skype meetings were fun, especially when Cami and the girls were there, they were still not enough. Shaking off her thoughts, Fredi looked at her men.
Damn, they were hot, she could feel her pussy tingle at the thought of allowing them to share her. Cami and Cloe had gone into great detail about the process of mating two men, when they found out she was going to be in a triad. The dreams she was having had to be better in live color. Feeling a blush come over her face, she looked at her men.
"Okay. I guess I had better go get ready for breakfast.” Fredi's nerves were jumping, sitting there between the two men. She needed to get out of there and fast. She was so tempted to jump one or both of them and have crazy monkey sex right there on the little table. Instead she got up, took her cup into the kitchen, and rinsed it out. As she turned to go to her room, she bumped right into Marshall's chest.
"Are you sure you are okay? You seem off this morning,” he said in that low, sexy voice.
"I'm fine, must be from the late night. That movie last night scared the crap out of me. I have no idea who would think of a tongue coming out of a phone, and then dreams being reality, Nightmare was the right title for that movie,” she said and leaned her head back to look him in the eye.
He laughed. "Please, you were laughing at that, give me a break. What is going on in there?” he asked as he reached a hand up to point to her temple.
"Nothing," she said and tried to step around him. He blocked her way and caged her in by putting both hands on either side of her on the counter behind her.
"Hmm... already lying to your mate?” Marshall leaned down to nuzzle her neck. "You know that you can be punished for that.” His warm breath tickled her ear and neck and she moaned at the sensation.
He started to kiss her neck and then pulled her into his arms and turned so he was leaning against the counter. She felt Bane come up from behind and run his hands down her arms. She shivered at what was the first contact with both her mates at the same time. Marshall leaned back and then fused his lips with hers. She immediately felt on fire, her whole being burning with wanting both of them…naked…in her bed.
Bane brushed her hair to one side and began to run his lips down her neck. She felt the graze of his incisors on her skin and she moaned into Marshall's mouth. Their tongues dueled while Bane's hands ran around from behind and grazed over her t-shirt covered nipples that were erect and waiting for his attention.
Marshall's hand snaked down and around to run his hand over her ass. He molded and pressed her against his hardened cock and she moaned again. Feeling their hands all over her body had her going up in flames. She was burning and needed relief.
"Please.” She gasped when Marshall let her up for air. Marshall spun her toward Bane, who lifted her up onto the island and laid her down with her legs dangling off. Then he was stripping her of her pajama pants as Marshall was pulling her t-shirt up and off.
Bane slipped her panties off as well and then ran his hand down her stomach and over her thigh. She wiggled around trying to get him to touch her where she needed him. He slid his hand to cover her mound and then slipped a finger down into her lips. She was dripping wet from their attention.
Marshall was moving her arms above her head as he leaned down to look in her eyes. She saw his eyes grow dark as he scanned her body. Then he leaned down and drew one of her nipples into his mouth, flicking it with his tongue. She cried out from the sensation.
Bane chose that moment to lean down and run his tongue over her bundle of nerves at her core as he eased his finger inside of her. She opened her legs further and silently begged him to continue. She felt his incisors lengthen and graze the side of her nub as he continued to eat at her.
Both men were driving her wild with wanting. She could hear her own cries and moans as they pleasured her body. Then she was flying, sparks bursting behind her closed eyelids. She cried out as she came over and over. As she was coming down, she felt their soothing hands on her as they redressed her, and then Marshall was lifting her up to a sitting position. He kissed her tenderly on the lips and then stepped to the side.
Bane stepped in between her legs and placed both of his hands on either side of her face. He looked deep into her eyes and slowly leaned forward to kiss her gently upon her lips. She felt the slide of his tongue against her lips and opened for him. As he invaded her mouth, she could taste herself on his tongue. Their combined tastes had her wanting him to take her there on the island.
He stepped back and she saw both men adjust themselves and then Bane helped her down to stand. She prayed her legs would hold her after that explosive orgasm and they did. She then looked from one to the other.
"Um...I...ah...I'd better go get ready or we're going to be late.” She fled from the room to her own and then jumped in the shower.
***
Bane and Marshall looked at each other as they tried to control their breathing. They had spoken that morning before Fredi had woken up and made a plan, the mating heat was riding both of them, and they decided to take it to the next level. So far this week they had only given her chaise kisses, then heated ones when they left her at her bedroom door, they held her hand, getting her used to their touch. They had both observed enough triads to understand the dynamics that that type of relationship entailed. They had spent time together getting used to one another and then gradually they would begin to spend time separately with Fredi. First, they needed to mate her though.
They had also discussed the Senate and the dangers inherent to being a member of it. Bane upda
ted Marshall on the security at the compound and showed him a layout of where all the buildings were located and their purposes during the week when Marshall worked with him.
As their breathing calmed, they grinned at one another. "I told you she can burn you up," Marshall said.
“Shit, I need another fucking cold shower,” Bane muttered and walked from the room intending on cooling down before meeting the Senate.
Chapter Eight
Diavolo knew about the new arrivals to the compound. He knew that in order to get to Orfeo he was going to have to strike. Beginning with the new arrivals.
He had spoken to Roarke and found out that this new arrival, Frederica, was Oliver's daughter. Oliver was the former Alpha of the Old Council that was still based in Europe. Now Orfeo was trying to set up a Senate here in Italy. This was unacceptable. On that, Diavolo and Roarke were in agreement.
Frederica was said to be very special. It was unknown what she could do, although it was known that she was a wolf and therefore inferior, according to Diavolo. She had to be eliminated—that, of course, was a given.
He looked out the window, he needed to plan something big, something that would make them sit up and take notice. He wanted to make them increase their security. He had a plan and it included catching them completely off guard.
He had sent his spies into the compound to watch their movements so he could plan a strike and soon. Letting Orfeo and his so-called mates achieve any more power wasn't going to happen.
However, making them think they were oh so safe, and then taking Cat was brilliant. They would never suspect it. His people were getting a small villa ready for him inside. Once he accomplished killing Frederica then he could move on with his plan. The only thing Diavolo needed to make sure of was what the hell her powers were. If it was something that would help them in the future, he was not above kidnapping the bitch and using her for entertainment until he got to the main course.