“That was what he was there to do.” Dante shook his head. “If you’re out of his sight, he can’t protect you.”
“There was no need. There are other people back there. If anything happened or someone came in, they’d let me know.” She drummed her fingers on the table. Why did he have to agree with Cael?
“Maybe, but with you, we’re not dealing in should be. He and anyone else we send there with you are meant to act as a barrier between anyone and anything that might hurt you. When you leave the room, he goes, as well. So if you want to go back and forth between the kitchen and the storefront, someone will be accompanying you.” Dante leaned forward, but he remained relaxed.
“You know this is going to take some rearranging on the part of all my workers to make this work. If I’m back in the back, I’ll be majorly in the way with a shadow following me around.” Her shoulders dropped, and she closed her eyes. If it wouldn’t cause even more difficulty, she’d give serious consideration to staying away from the building. But she couldn’t do that, not without hiring at least one more full-time employee, and even then they’d have to be trained. How long is this situation going to last? Will it be worth hiring a short-term, full-time employee?
“We know this isn’t easy for you. It’s going to take some rearranging and compromises for all of us. We’ll do, it though, because you need to be happy the same as we have to keep you safe.” Dante reached over and trailed his fingers over her knuckles.
“I know you’re trying to make sure I’m safe. It’s one of the reasons I’m not more upset about it.” She exhaled and lowered her gaze.
“We expect it to be hard. Close observation is never easy. The watching will get on your nerves, and you’re just as likely to annoy your guards with demands for more freedom.” Dante nodded. “Now, let’s eat. We can talk about this more later, but at this point, I’m sure the discussion isn’t doing anything but making you nervous.”
Conversation flowed, but it was light and not about anything stressful. Slowly, her muscles relaxed and the knot in her stomach loosened. When they finished their meal, Dante ordered dessert to go.
“Let’s go home. We’ll have the cake later.” Dante smiled as they waited for the waitress to return with both the cake and Dante’s card.
Once the waitress brought the dessert, they strolled out to the car. Cael wrapped his arm around her. The heat drew her. She leaned into him when they stopped beside the car.
“I loved being out with you, but now, I’m anticipating some private time for all of us.” Thane moved in behind her. His breath feathered through her hair before he dropped a kiss on her shoulder.
“I enjoyed the night, too.” Moriah tilted her head to the side.
“The night is far from over, sunshine.” Dante cupped her cheek.
The doors unlocked on the car. Cael opened it and ushered her in. He went around and slipped into the backseat with her. His palm molded around her thigh. The heat emanating from that sparked an answering flare.
Chapter Ten
What was that?
Warmth rose, pushing her desire, but heat flowed to her palms. She stiffened. The lessons included mentions of heat and fire, but nothing had been said of why or how to control it yet. So hot. She clutched her hands together. Could she hurt them with it?
“What’s wrong, Moriah?” Cael’s hand tightened on her thigh. “I can scent that you’re upset.”
“Um, heat is rising in me, and I don’t mean desire.” She flexed her hands and then tightened them into fists again. Well, not just desire. She didn’t want to release any flames in their car.
“The fire within you is answering the building hunger.” Cael patted her thigh.
“I don’t want to burn you.” She ached to put her hand over his, but she wouldn’t hurt him.
“Sunshine, we’re of fire like you. You can’t hurt me, any of us with the fire within you.” Cael clasped her hand in his. “It’s natural.”
“I’m sure you wouldn’t want your car singed, because I haven’t learned anything about control.” Moriah kept her hands away from the fabric of the car. She’d rather buy a few new clothes than reupholster their backseat.
“Accidents will happen when you’re training. It’s one of the reasons every Gargoyle who has contact with adolescent Gargoyles carries fire extinguishers in easily accessible areas of our vehicles. It wouldn’t be the first time this car has been scorched.” Dante pulled into their driveway.
“I’d rather not be the next to do it.” She drew in a deep breath. Her muscles loosened, and she relaxed against the cushions as the vehicle slowed.
“I did it when I was young.” Thane turned and hooked his arm over the back of the passenger seat. “It’s almost like a rite of passage.”
Something relaxed in her at the admission. She leaned forward and grasped his fingers. If he wasn’t all the way in the front, she’d ease closer to him. But it would only be a few moments before she could. Dante pulled the car into the garage.
Once the car stopped, Cael opened the door and stepped out. He reached back in and held out his hand. Slightly work-roughened pads scraped against her hand. What caused those? He’d been doing office work today.
“Do you do some type of wood crafting as a hobby?” She slid across the seat and out of the car. She peered at him through her lashes.
“No, why do you ask?” Cael tilted his head and frowned.
“Because of the rough patches on your hand. I know that comes from some type of labor, but you work on a computer. I thought maybe you had a hands-on hobby.” She winced. Maybe she should have waited to find out about this.
“Oh, I do have a hands-on hobby, but most of those calluses come from helping with installation of systems at job sites.” He squeezed her hand.
“I thought you were an executive.” She leaned into him. He had been doing a lot of stuff on the computer today.
“I am, but I’m an involved executive as is Dante.” Cael slipped his arm around her. “You normally get involved in the baking, and you’re the owner.”
“Yeah, but my operation is small and it’s a bakery.” She had no choice sometimes but to get her hands into the mix.
“Maybe we’re not small, but we do get involved. I think I might go crazy if I didn’t occasionally step away from the office side of the job.” Dante’s door closed with a solid thunk.
“Did you know that when you started, or did you have to learn it after being stuck in an office for too long?” She relaxed in Cael’s arm and let him guide her to the door into the house.
“I started out doing the work, and I’ve never stopped. But the balance did take a little adjustment.” Dante followed them into the house and Thane came in after him, locking the door behind him.
“Earlier you said the night wasn’t over. Do you have more plans?” She licked her lips. Hopefully, he didn’t see her intense interest. A little bit of mystery would be great. The attraction to them crashed over her like a wave, sweeping her feet from under her. They didn’t need to realize that from the start.
Cael urged her through the kitchen, dining room, and into the living room. Where were Dante and Thane? She glanced back.
“I definitely do. Why don’t you come over here, and I’ll tell you all about them?” Dante held out his hand.
Cael’s palm trailed over her hip as he released her. She strolled over to him and stopped right in front of him. Dante’s hands clasped her hips. He leaned down. His warm cheek brushed against hers. Hot breath feathered through her hair. She shivered. He nuzzled the strands out of the way.
“I’m going to take you to our room and see what you look like underneath all of those clothes. Sitting across the table from you, I wanted to carry you out of the restaurant.” Dante’s palm molded over the full swell of her buttocks. “Does that interest you?”
She swept her hand over his chest. “Yes, that interests me very much.”
He lifted her and spun. Butterflies danced through her stomach at th
e sudden movement. She clutched at his shoulders. One of his firm muscular arms pressed against her back, holding her tightly.
“I’ve got you.” His lips brushed over her cheek.
She relaxed against him and brushed her thumb back and forth over his neck. He stopped at the end of the bed and lowered her.
“I’m going to peel you out of your clothes, sunshine. While I’m at it, I’m going to take a few detours and learn this sweet body. Now, stand still.” His hands skimmed over her hips and glided upward.
He tugged at her shirt, pulling it from her skirt. She smiled. It would have been easier to take her skirt off, but he didn’t seem to have a problem.
He flicked open the first button and the second. Warmth seeped into her as his fingers trailed over her chest and dipped into the valley between her breasts. A pulsing ache beat through her. If only he’d slide his hand in her shirt to cup her breast, but he pulled back and returned to the buttons.
He freed the last of the fastenings and pushed it wide, revealing the green bra she’d worn tonight. Luckily, she’d grabbed some of her nice underwear when she packed.
“Such pretty wrapping, but it’s the gorgeous body underneath that interests me. Let me get this out of the way. I’m pretty sure that at some point I’ll have to replace some of this lace and silk, but tonight, I’ll take it off carefully.” Dante’s gaze locked on her breasts.
The intense interest in his eyes enflamed her. Her breasts swelled, and the material of the bra grew tighter than normal. She wriggled, eager for him to remove it and begin touching.
He reached around her and flicked open the catch. When the tension released, she sighed. He tugged the fabric away and let it fall. Both of his hands cupped beneath the mounds. His thumbs flicked over the nipple. Sharp spears shot through her. She moaned.
He glanced up. A wide smile curved his lips. He dragged both thumbs across the tips again. She shivered. The sensation pooled low in her gut, growing with every touch.
“I’m glad you like that. I certainly enjoy doing it to you.” Dante leaned in and brushed his lips back and forth over her shoulder.
“Oh, yes. Where are the others?” She glanced around. She hadn’t expected them to disappear.
“They’ll be here in a few moments. They’ll help me tease and excite you. More than two hands on you at once.” Dante nibbled his way across her chest and to the peak of one nipple. His mouth opened over the tight nub. Warmth surrounded the nipple.
A rich, spicy scent rose from him. She wanted to lean closer and savor that scent, but she couldn’t. His hands kept her in position.
He sucked on them and scraped his teeth over the nub. Stinging prickles flickered over her skin. She gasped, pressing into the touch. His soft hair brushed against her palm as she cupped the back of his head. The longer strands curled around her fingers. When he lifted away from her, she groaned. He couldn’t leave her now.
He lifted her. “Wrap your legs around me.”
She wrapped her legs around his waist. He curved one arm around her, his arm easily taking her weight. He urged her to lean back. Her stomach lurched. Would he be able to hold her for a while like that?
Taking a deep breath, she did. His arm held her in position. Breath feathered over her nipple. His lips closed over the peak, and he plucked at it.
A warm body pressed against her back, and hands clasped just below her ribs. She sighed. Thane or Cael. Teeth scraped over her neck.
“Hey, sunshine, do you like this?” Thane kissed her ear.
“Yes. Where’s Cael?” She reached back to him.
“Right here.” Cael nuzzled her shoulder.
When Dante sucked hard on her nipple, she rocked her hips. Spikes of pleasure shot straight to her core with each drawing pull. He groaned, and his arm tightened around her.
She swept her tongue over her lips. The ache within her built, and moisture gathered between her thighs. She tightened her legs, needing something extra. She couldn’t find it, and frustration pushed the feelings higher.
“Bed, now.” Dante scraped his teeth over her nipple.
Thane moved away. Cael drew his hand down her arm. She shivered.
Dante put her on the edge of the bed. When he stepped back, she clung to him. He started to unbutton the shirt, but one hung and he ripped it off. She gasped. Maybe the desire was a little more intense than he showed. His hands next went to his pants. He opened the button and drew down the zipper. As he stripped the pants down his leg, he took his underwear with them.
“You make me crazy.” He gripped her hip and pulled her hips to the edge of the bed. “I need you ready for me.”
“I am ready.” She grabbed his hand and drew it between them.
His fingers traced over the plump lower lips and pushed between them. He traced circles around her clit, but didn’t touch it. She lifted against his hand, trying to get that extra bit of friction against the sensitive bundle of nerves.
A warm mouth closed over her nipple. Cael’s blond head bent over her. He sucked. Spears darted straight through her. She arched upward.
“I’ve been waiting for this.” Dante curled his finger, flicking the tissue.
She moaned and tried to tighten her legs, but his hips kept her spread. He drew his fingers down to her entrance. She strained against him. He slipped two fingers into her pussy. Her muscles clenched, and she gripped the blanket. Fuck. It had better be soon.
Thane’s mouth pressed to hers. She hummed and kissed him back. Fire pulsed through her body with blistering intensity.
“Your heat is calling to me. I need to feel it wrapping around me, the flames licking my skin with every touch.” He pulled his fingers free and stepped closer.
Thane and Cael pulled away. She whimpered. Damn, if only they’d all keep touching her, she’d go right over the edge.
Her hands drifted over his chest. Heat radiated from him, drawing her. He leaned closer and slowly joined their bodies. She gasped and trembled as his cock filled her.
He rocked into her. She lifted against him. A biting pang rushed through her. More. He spread nipping kisses across her chest. Stinging tingles followed the trail of his teeth.
She trembled. “Harder. I want you.”
He drove his hips forward. She moaned. Her inner muscles clenched. Something inside tightened and pulled. She arched upward, striving desperately to break the tension thrumming through her body. He reached between them and stroked her clit. She gasped, and her body bowed as pleasure ripped through her. He pumped into her. His hand moved and slipped under her, drawing her up against him. His hips ground against her, and he came on a harsh growl. His teeth sank into her shoulder.
She held on to him. Her head rested against his chest. She drew in slow breaths, trying to calm her racing heart.
“Don’t go to sleep, sunshine. Cael and Thane are waiting for you, and they’re hungry.” Dante skimmed his hand down her back.
Chapter Eleven
Something niggled at her. A nervous shiver rolled over her body. She shook it off. Cael and Thane waited. Their bodies were just as hot as Dante’s, and the attraction between them flared just as strong. She turned her head. Cael waited next to the bed. Thane stood on the other side. Damn, they moved quietly. Not one step had whispered over the carpet.
Cael climbed onto the bed and drew her up until her head rested on the pillows. She brushed her fingers through the silky strands. Thane eased up on her other side.
“We’re going to make you see that you fit with us and that this is where you should be. We belong together.” Cael cupped her face and kissed her.
His tongue brushed against hers, enticing a response. She curled her arm around his shoulders. Oh, yes, more kisses. She responded, tangling her tongue with his. A hand brushed over her stomach. She hummed, lost in the kiss. Was that Cael’s hand swirling over her belly?
A soft, warm puff of air blew across her nipple. Yes, a little bit of that. Another moist puff caused the bud to tighten. She moaned.
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“Mmm, someone likes something.” Cael’s mouth moved over her jaw. “I have to see what has you making all of those interesting sounds.”
Cael’s head lifted away. She glanced down. Thane leaned over her and lapped at the tight peak. The air locked in her throat.
“Hmm, looks delicious. I think he needs some help.” Cael bent and lapped at the other peak. “Maybe you need to tell us what you like more.”
“That sounds like a wonderful idea. If we know what makes her hot faster, we can know what to do when we want to tease her and what to do when we want to take her up quickly.” Thane cupped her breast and swirled his tongue around it.
“Soft first.” Cael swirled his tongue in slow circles.
What does he mean soft first? Curiosity curled through her. Before a word escaped, two mouths closed over the tip of her breasts. Warmth and moisture surrounded the flesh. Shards of desire slashed from that contact down through her core. She gasped. Everything flew out of her head.
They sucked. So softly, skittering thrills pulsed with the light tugs, and the tendrils fluttered straight to her clit. She gripped Thane’s hair and held him close.
The bed shifted. Warm hands slid over her thighs. She lifted her head. Dante crawled up the bed, and heat burned in his eyes. Desire whirled, growing. He was watching. She wriggled.
“The slow definitely heated her up, but I don’t hear any moans. I’d like to hear a few moans.” Dante drew his hands over her thighs. “Maybe try something different.”
Cael’s mouth lifted from her breast. “That’s a good idea. I’d like to hear it, too. Hard and give her something to think about.”
Something to think about? She glanced down at him.
Cael’s head lowered back to her breast. Her heartbeat kicked into a faster pace. What does he intend to do? What do they plan? Every touch amped up her desire.
Two tongues swirled around her nipples. She gasped. Teeth scraped and nipped. She clutched at Cael’s shoulder. Stings spiked through her. Her nails dug into the skin as her muscles tightened. A thrill lanced straight to her core. She wriggled. Shivers rippled over her body.
Finding Their Flame [Stone Passions 2] Page 11