“I’m sorry. I’ll stay,” she said. “But I’m done with tests. No more. The results say I’m sick. We know that already.”
Gavin glanced at Lucas and Saul before he turned his attention back to her. “Deal. No more tests. What would you like to do today?”
“I might go to see Emily at the café. Have a cup of coffee and one of her chocolate brownies. She and Saber are heading off on their holiday tomorrow. I’d like to say goodbye and wish them a happy holiday.”
“In that case, I’m buying,” Saul said. “I have a yearning for some of Emily’s chocolate brownies myself.”
The day passed quickly enough, yet surrounded by people she’d never seemed so alone. They ended up having dinner with the Mitchells and around nine she drooped, so tired she could scarcely stay upright in her chair.
“I think that’s our cue to leave,” Charlie said. “Leticia needs to sleep.”
“She can sleep here,” Emily said.
Beside her, Gavin stirred, placing his hand on her shoulder. “No, we’d prefer to sleep in our own bed. Besides, you’re off early tomorrow. You don’t need us underfoot.”
The warmth from his touch seeped into her body and glowed in her face, although his words might have had something to do with her high color.
“I prefer sleeping in my own bed.” Emily’s lips twitched a fraction, belying her somber expression.
“That’s because you share it with me. I’m sure Leticia finds her bed very comfortable.” Saber didn’t even attempt to hide his amusement, bringing another rush of heat to Leticia’s face. The teasing brought normality, and she loved them for it.
“Thanks for dinner, Emily,” Charlie said.
Leticia yawned, wavering on her feet when she stood. Damn, she shouldn’t feel this exhausted, not after the three-hour nap she’d had during the afternoon. Gavin slipped his arm around her waist and her breath eased out. Part of her wanted to unleash her tongue and tell him she could walk on her own. These men coddled her, sometimes too much, even though they meant to help. The sad truth was she didn’t think she could make it on her own tonight. She’d done nothing except sit and sleep, which shouldn’t leave her with achy limbs and a heavy weight pressing on her entire body.
“We’ll drop by in the morning.” Lucas stood to brush a kiss on her temple. “Stay strong,” he murmured, and Leticia knew he’d somehow picked up on her thoughts again.
The drive home to Gavin’s house passed in a blur. Charlie carried her into the bedroom. He dropped her onto the bed and stepped back to switch on the bedside lamp.
“I don’t need any help to undress.” Leticia pushed upright and kicked off her shoes. Gavin entered the bedroom and came to a halt right by Charlie. They both watched her, two silent men with baldheads and intent eyes. “Are you coming to bed now?”
The two men stared at each other and she could see their silent communication. They wanted sex. It was as clear to her as it was to them.
“Nah, we might watch some television first,” Gavin said.
Leticia’s temper flashed. “If you’re going to make love, why don’t you just tell me?” She yanked off her blouse and unfastened her bra, tossing them aside. Her jeans and panties landed on the pile and breathing hard, frustration burrowing through the pit of her stomach, she ripped back the covers and naked, slid between the sheets. “Please, don’t exclude me. Make love here where I can see. I’m too tired to participate but let me watch you. You’ve made me love you both.” Her voice caught, and she had to push out the words. “Don’t close me out now.”
“You got it, babe,” Charlie said, bending over to brush a kiss over her temple. She wanted to turn her head and sink into his kiss. Her body wouldn’t obey the command, so she lay there with her eyes closed, panting to breathe past the series of aches that clutched her body like a lover.
Gavin sat on the bed beside her. “Are you okay?”
“Tired,” she lied. No way did she want to tell Gavin of this new development—the extreme physical and mental tiredness and the aching in her joints. “You guys didn’t let me sleep much the night before.”
“That’s true,” Charlie agreed. “You go to sleep now. We’ll both be back soon. We won’t leave you alone.”
Leticia heard their footsteps when the two retreated. She didn’t stir, kept her breathing easy when she wanted to weep at the surge of pain. The aches intensified, pulsing in irregular waves. A groan squeezed past her clenched lips. For an instant she considered calling Gavin but didn’t. She’d meant what she said earlier about rejecting more tests. She curled her knees up to her chest, and that eased the pain. Damn, she was so tired, so exhausted.
Soft voices woke her, and it took a while for her brain to kick into gear. Her eyelids fluttered, her eyes adjusting to the dark room. Gavin and Charlie had come to bed while she slept. They lay on their sides, facing each other. Charlie’s hand stroked down Gavin’s back, dislodging the sheet screening him from her sight. They kissed and her breath caught. She heard their soft laughter and wished she could see their faces. As if they read her mind, Charlie rolled, pushing Gavin onto his back.
The smile curving Gavin’s lips made her heart beat faster. Sexiness blazed from them like an attitude, the pair gorgeous together. Charlie kissed Gavin again, the suction of lips loud and playful. She caught a flash of tongue and a tinge of arousal swept to the pit of her stomach.
“You look good together,” she murmured.
“You’re awake,” Charlie said. “Do you want to join us?”
“Not this time.” She didn’t think she could move if she tried. After flexing her biceps, she realized the pain had faded to a manageable level. Good. She didn’t want to worry either of them. Preferable to remember them like this—full of laughter and sexy teasing. Love.
Gavin grinned at her, a wide, honest reaction that reached all the way to his eyes and made the corners crinkle. Laugh wrinkles suited a man, made him attractive and magnetic. “Guess we’d better give you something to watch then.”
“I’ll probably fall asleep.” A pity she wouldn’t be around long enough to get wrinkly. The idea sounded more attractive now that she’d run out of time.
Charlie snorted. “Did you just insult us? I think we should be offended, but I’m too mellow to argue the point.”
“I need more practice if you’re not sure.” She spoiled the comeback with a jaw-cracking yawn.
“You’re exhausted.” Gavin frowned and pulled out his professional doctor mantle while he scrutinized her.
“So I’ll sleep,” she said. “Don’t worry. I’m a big girl. I can tell you if I hurt or ask for help if I need it.” How she maintained her glare, she wasn’t sure, but to her relief, Gavin backed down. He reached out to stroke a finger across her cheek. His touch slipped over her skin, soft as a feather yet packing a powerful punch of emotions. Regrets. She had a few, wasting so much time. “Don’t let me stop you. Really, I’m happy to watch. Please.”
Charlie peeled back the coverings on their side of the bed so she could see their naked bodies without difficulty while making sure she’d remain warm. Another small courtesy. The two men spoiled her, making her feel like a storybook princess, wanted and loved. Special. Charlie kissed her lips, a gentle kiss that devoured and made promises. When he pulled back, her heart raced.
“I see the attraction in watching,” Gavin said in a husky voice. “I want what she had.”
“My pleasure.” Charlie turned back to Gavin, a blaze of love and pure joy sparkling in his eyes. He looked at her in the same way so Leticia knew what the smoldering gaze did. She heard Gavin’s sharp exhalation, saw the flush of desire high on his cheekbones before Charlie’s back blocked her view. Then Charlie rolled on top of Gavin, pressing him into the mattress, and she could see again. When their lips touched, her breath hitched, pressure building low between her legs. Charlie cupped Gavin’s jaw, the slide of palm over cheekbone and lower face creating a whispery rasp.
Leticia swallowed, shifted her
legs and had to bite her bottom lip to halt the groan of pain. She froze, held her breath, waiting for the sharp muscle-stabbing needles to cease.
Damn, what was wrong with her? A cautious breath later the pain receded, leaving her body coated with perspiration. Okay. So maybe she wouldn’t move again until necessary.
A low masculine moan snared her attention, and she held on to the noise, focusing on Charlie and Gavin, every sound, every move they made while they loved each other. The stroke of a hand over a biceps. The grunt of pleasure when Charlie grazed the cords of Gavin’s neck with his teeth. The scent of their bodies as they heated into arousal. It was a ballet, excitement running like music through her head while the two men touched, the pace surging then slowing. Her body hummed, nipples pulling taut and brushing the cotton sheet with each inhalation. And when Charlie kissed Gavin’s nipples, biting and scraping his teeth over them, sucking them, it was almost as if he did it to her.
A jolt of pleasure shot to her core and moisture coated her folds, yet when she tried to move, warning twinges zapped up and down her spine. Okay. Best she keep still. Frustration bled through, her nails digging into her palms.
Concentrate on Charlie and Gavin.
Breathe. Focus.
She watched Charlie move down Gavin’s body, kissing, nibbling, licking the residual sting away to leave his mark. They whispered to each other, loving words that should’ve isolated her. But somehow watching brought her closer and made her just a little envious. This was better than sleeping in a separate bedroom. There was plenty of time for that later.
“Enough with the teasing. Suck my cock,” Gavin ordered.
Charlie’s chuckle filled the air. “But I’m having too much fun.” He punctuated his words with another kiss, sucking on Gavin’s hip until the blood rushed to the surface. When he pulled back, Leticia saw his grin of satisfaction and echoed it.
“Sucking my cock will be fun. I promise,” Gavin purred.
Charlie moved closer to Gavin’s cock, brushing his cheek against Gavin’s shaft. “Fun for you.”
“Then fuck me already.” His words were a plea. Leticia saw a tremble work through him, the way his hips thrust upward in silent appeal. She held her breath, intent on watching them both. How long would Charlie draw out the pleasure? How far would he push Gavin?
“Soon,” Charlie promised. “Very soon.” His tongue glided across one taut ball before he opened his mouth, taking it inside. Gavin reached for his cock, getting in one sly stroke before Charlie knocked his hand away. He lifted his head to smirk. “Do you want me to handcuff you? Then you’d really know sensual torture.”
Leticia thought about restraints, being at the total mercy of her lovers. It would’ve been nice. Well, maybe nice wasn’t quite the right word.
“You’d do it, wouldn’t you?”
“Yep,” Charlie said. “I have a set of handcuffs in the other room. Another day.”
“And I could torture you, see how you like it.”
“Not a problem. I know I’d enjoy anything you dish out to me.” Charlie spoke between licks, and Leticia sensed the warm mist of air over her folds. She gasped, a quick intake of air that drew the men’s scents deep into her lungs. Heat emanated from their bodies, warming her, dragging her into the building passion.
She watched Charlie stroke his tongue from the base to the tip of his cock, lapping at the crown before enclosing him in the heat of his mouth. His lips slid down the shaft, taking more of Gavin’s cock, and it was the hottest thing she’d ever seen. She couldn’t take her eyes off the moistened flesh vanishing into Charlie’s mouth. Gavin started to shake, and she understood why. She’d experienced Charlie’s talent. Hot and wet. The tension inside crackled as she imagined his stabbing tongue, the scrape of his beard on her inner thighs.
“Fuck, Charlie. I’m gonna come if you keep that up. There’s lube over there.”
Charlie lifted his head, humor digging into his lean cheeks. “Still trying to order me around.”
Leticia swallowed. “I think you should get the lube for Gavin.”
“Ah, so she didn’t fall asleep,” Charlie teased, turning his head to grin at her.
“And she agrees with me.” Gavin arched upward, grinding his cock against Charlie’s hip. He groaned, his dark lashes lush semi-circles beneath his eyes. Primitive hunger strained on his face as he writhed against his lover.
“Damn, that is so hot.” Charlie reached for the lube. With fumbling fingers, he popped the lid and squeezed the liquid into the palm of his hand. Seconds later, he circled Gavin’s rosette and pushed a finger inside. Leticia’s face flushed at the raw, male desire on Gavin’s face, the concentration on Charlie’s.
“No more, Charlie. I don’t need slow. Please fuck me now.”
The two men exchanged a glance so hot Leticia quivered with the firestorm in the air.
Charlie palmed his own cock, using the last of the lube and pushed inside Gavin. His muscles rippled as he thrust, working into Gavin, invading him. The expression on Gavin’s face riveted her attention—the passion, the love. His stark male lips were firm, a hint of color shading his cheekbones.
“Charlie,” Gavin whispered, watching his lover with a blaze of passion in his expression. “Bite me, Charlie.”
The marking site on her shoulder tingled the second Gavin made the soft demand. Charlie leaned over Gavin, clasping him and obscuring her view. The sounds of their loving kept her connected. She’d never considered watching others having sex as something enjoyable. She knew better now. It was…consuming and exhilarating.
Charlie increased the pace of his strokes, the slap of flesh loud, almost brutal. Charlie wasn’t as careful as he was with her. A guttural moan drew her attention back to the action. Sweat coated Charlie’s shoulders, his buttocks flexing with each frantic stroke. He nuzzled Gavin’s jaw, peppering it with kisses, gradually working down to the marking spot. Gavin arched beneath him, bucking and moaning again.
Leticia bit back the whimper building in her throat, her torso hot and shivery. Who knew she’d be such a voyeur?
The two men writhed together. Kissed. Gavin shouted, his entire body stiffening beneath Charlie.
“Damn, that is so hot. I love you, Gavin,” Charlie said, and he bit down on the marking site, his big body convulsing as he climaxed. The pair stilled, clutching each other tight and murmuring lovers’ words.
When Charlie lifted his head, she caught the gleam of his teeth in the faint light and smelled the coppery scent of blood. A soft cry broke from her, attracting their attention.
“I thought you were asleep, babe,” Charlie said.
“No.” Her heart pounded so hard, her chest burned with the frenzy of motion. She couldn’t tear her gaze from his lips.
“Gavin, you okay?” Charlie pulled free of his lover and strummed a finger over the mark. “Damn, it’s bleeding.”
“Clean it up for me in a sec,” Gavin said.
“I can do it now.” Charlie bent to lap his tongue over the bite mark. Gavin groaned, clutching Charlie’s shoulders. “It’s stopped bleeding. It must be handy healing so fast.”
“Feline genes have their uses,” Gavin said.
“One day soon you and Leticia have to show me your cat forms. Isn’t there somewhere private we can go where you can shift?”
“We can run on the Mitchells’ land. Saul and Lucas might like to run with us. How does that sound, Leticia?”
“It sounds great,” she said, although her agreement held no conviction. A shift hurt at the best of times, the reforming of bones and muscles not a pleasant sensation. The way she hurt now, she didn’t want to attempt one, even though a shift to feline had helped her health in the past. When the time came, she’d make an excuse to set their minds at ease.
“Good. It’s a date.” Gavin climbed off the bed and padded to the bathroom.
“I was gonna grab something to clean up with,” Charlie said.
“Stay there,” Gavin said, a light coming on in th
e passage. Seconds later Leticia heard water running.
“Do I get a goodnight kiss?” she asked.
“Anytime, babe.” Charlie leaned over and she caught the scent of Gavin’s blood on his breath. Normally that would have repulsed her, but right now, the coppery aroma pushed at her feline. Her canines pushed through her gums along with a groan. Charlie’s lips settled over hers, their breaths mingling. The kiss went straight to hot and heavy, their tongues exploring and twining together.
She wound her hands around his neck, ignoring the twinges of shooting pain darting in a crazy pinball motion to her fingers. Instead, she focused on his mouth, his hands, the building passion and the taste of both Charlie and Gavin. When they came up for air, both were breathing hard. Leticia’s gaze dropped to Charlie’s mark. She leaned over and sank her teeth into his shoulder without a second thought, ignoring his jolt of surprise. Then he held her close, pressing her head to his shoulder. The heavy weight of his hand on her back brought her back to reality. She rasped her tongue over the mark and cleaned away the blood.
“Sorry. I don’t know why I did that. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, babe. I love you too. I’m glad you’re with us both.”
“Hey, what’s this? The minute my back is turned you two are at it,” Gavin teased.
Charlie pulled away and stood. He accepted the cloth from Gavin and cleaned himself. He grinned at them both. “I’m irresistible. What can I say? Some of us have it and some of us don’t.”
“You bit him?” Gavin asked, eyes narrowing.
“He said I didn’t hurt him. I didn’t mean to do it. I guess watching you both turned me on more than I realized.”
“He’s bleeding. You can’t keep biting him, Leticia. Charlie doesn’t heal as speedily as we do.”
My Second Chance Page 17