by Celia Kyle
God, I must be exhausted. She was reading into Shon’s every move and taking way too much pleasure in his touch. Heat rose in her cheeks and her nipples hardened while need pulsed between her legs. Her body prepared for him, for his possession.
Except this wasn’t her. She didn’t trip over herself for a guy. She didn’t let sexy shifters turn her head. She definitely didn’t crave their touch more than her next breath.
There was only one excuse. Her reactions had to be due to her long day and no one would tell her different. Right.
Amy squared her shoulders and stared down every woman who dared look directly at her. Each smiled adoringly up at their beloved prince, but if he wasn’t looking in their direction, they all shot her murderous glares. As if she’d pounced on Shon the moment he looked in her direction. Well, she hadn’t. Mainly because she was too tired.
“Ladies!” Shon’s voice rose above the crowd’s murmurs, and he didn’t speak again until they quieted. “This is Dr. Sullivan. She’s here to care for your queen, and I expect you to treat her as the honored guest she is.”
Who would put an “honored guest” in a harem? Amy held back a snort and reminded herself she’d be better equipped to demand different quarters after a solid night’s sleep. Assuming she made it through the night alive, of course. Shifter bitches—no matter the species—were… bitches. They didn’t take invasion of their territory well.
“But you’ll be staying tonight, right?” one girl whimpered.
Shon shook his head. “Not tonight, I’m afraid. Now take good care of the doctor, please. Dalia, will you show Dr. Sullivan to her room?”
A stunning woman stepped forward on legs so long they made Amy dizzy. She appeared older than most of the harem, but she couldn’t be more than in her mid-thirties. Her wavy black hair swayed as she nodded to the prince and then offered Amy a bright smile.
Shon pulled the door open, but then paused to glance over his shoulder. His molten gaze penetrated her to her very core, and she found herself holding her breath, waiting for him to speak. She waited for him to tell her all the things she wanted to hear. To throw her over his shoulder and carry her back to his chambers, where they’d make love all night.
Instead, he threw her a wink and disappeared into the labyrinth the panther shifters called the palace.
A hostile silence fell across the room, the women’s growing anger suffusing the air. Amy gripped the handle of her medical bag until her knuckles turned white, watching and waiting to see how the harem would react. She didn’t dare loosen her grip in case the crazed women attacked her. The bag was heavy and while it wouldn’t do much against a shifter, it might give her a chance to escape the ferocious women.
“This way, Dr. Sullivan.” Dalia smiled wide in welcome. Unfortunately, she was the only one who decided to be pleasant.
With Dalia’s words, the other women slowly drifted away, slumping back onto their previous couches and pillows. They all appeared tranquil now, relaxing back into place and utterly ignoring her and Dalia. Still, Amy kept one eye out for sneak attacks as she joined the other woman.
“Please, call me Amy.”
Dalia nodded in the manner of a well-trained servant. “As you wish.” She gripped Amy’s elbow and led her away from the entrance. “The rest of your baggage was delivered some time ago. Will you be requiring a bath and a meal?”
Amy’s stomach growled loudly in response, drawing another smile from her escort.
“You’ve had a long journey,” Dalia tugged aside a curtain to reveal a cozy sleeping nook. Jewel-toned blue, purple and crimson pillows in all shapes and sizes covered the wide bed. Red silk sheets peeked out from under a golden velvet cover, and the entire area was enshrouded by white gauze curtains. Layer upon layer formed a nearly opaque barrier but it wouldn’t take much for her home away from home to be revealed.
A bed had never looked so inviting—harem or not—and Amy was sorely tempted to flop face-first into the pillows and forget the world. Except her grumbling tummy wouldn’t let her forget she was also starving. And—ick—grimy.
“Very long,” she sighed, and set her bag on top of her other luggage at the foot of the bed. “A bath would feel divine right about now.”
Dalia nodded and then guided her back through the curtains and down a hall to a room filled with several bubbling springs. Each pool was lined with delicate, intricately placed tiles and tiny mirrors that reflected sparkling light into the water. Steam hung in the air, enveloping Amy in comforting warmth. Dalia nodded toward a buffet of soaps and lotions before pointing out the towels and robes hanging on the far wall. Everything Amy needed to pamper herself.
“Your dinner will be waiting for you when you’re finished,” Dalia murmured the words before leaving her blissfully alone.
Dinner. Her stomach grumbled again, urging her to get her butt moving. Clean and then eat and then sleep. Though another thought wiggled its way forward. One that focused on food with a hint of history. As in, women were known to poison other members of the harem for one perceived slight or another.
“I should probably get a food taster.”
Of course, none of them might bother with poison. They’d just slit her throat with one of those deadly panther claws in the middle of the night. No murder weapon to dispose.
Amy slipped into the hot water and sighed as the warmth banished some of the aches that’d plagued her all day. She wouldn’t worry about death or dismemberment. She was too busy letting the heat do its job, allowing it to ease the tension from sore muscles and aching joints. Breathing in the thick, hot air, she allowed her mind to wander, thinking of her patient, the king, and finally, his brothers.
Of course, they had a harem. Of course.
And if she were actually one of the harem girls… A shudder wiggled down her spine, curving around her hips, and her center grew heavy and aching with desire.
Amy understood why the women had been so eager for the twins to visit. Tahvo and Shon were so sexy that any woman with eyes would sit up and take notice.
But it was more than that. Shon’s devotion to his family was sexy as hell. That dedication wasn’t quite as tangible as his long, muscular thighs, bulging biceps or other bulging bits, but just as enticing.
Glancing around to make sure she was still alone, Amy settled deeper into the bath and allowed herself to think of Shon again—the way he’d looked after he’d shifted. She could practically feel the warmth of his tanned skin under her fingers. The light dusting of hair on his chest felt soft yet strong, just like him. The stubble along the hard line of his jaw rasped against her cheek as he moved to kiss her.
Breathing out another sigh, her hand drifted between her thighs, teasing the sensitive skin there as she imagined his tongue exploring her throbbing need for him. A man as experienced as Shon would know how to please her, would know exactly how to trace her swollen clit until she screamed out for more.
Then, there was Tahvo. Tahvo who could silence her cries with his own crushing kiss while Shon continued his ministrations. Tahvo would hold her from behind, his hard cock pressed against the seam of her ass while he kissed the back of her neck and cupped the tender swell of her breasts.
Frantically, she rolled her fingers over her aching bud, closing her eyes tighter to better envision the brothers stoking her every desire. Never before had she imagined having two men at once. With her busy schedule, she’d always counted herself lucky to find one man. Then again, she’d never felt this way before. Never felt this pull toward two men with the same degree of lust and thirst and greed.
The more she envisioned the scene, the more she ached for them both. She worked herself, imagining Tahvo behind her, teasing her tight entrance. Gently at first, then slipping a finger inside her, readying her until she relaxed enough to take his cock. Moaning, she threw her head back, thinking of Shon, his tongue stroking her in every delicious way he could while Tahvo finally gripped her ass in those firm, strong hands and guided himself between her cheek
s.
And then, when she was sure she couldn’t take anything else, Shon would get on his knees, crushing those firm, masculine lips to hers as he thrust into her pussy. They would hold her tightly, taking everything she had as she sank into the ocean of their need, filled to the brim and beyond the point of bliss.
Amy groaned, imagining their fingers entwining with hers, warm and sure and strong. Feeling the hard muscle of their chests as they rocked into her on either side until their worlds exploded into infinity.
“Oh God.” Her walls tightened, and she wished it was Shon’s rigid cock inside her as he fucked her into oblivion. She worked herself faster, loving every spasm of pleasure as it rolled through her body and finally settled into a slow, simmering flame.
Partners or not, that was the strongest, most powerful orgasm of her life, and no matter how far-fetched the fantasy, she was grateful for the moment of release. Amy chuckled softly as her body relaxed fully.
“Well, that’s one way to relieve some tension.”
Chapter 4
Tahvo slapped his brother’s hand as he reached across the table for a croissant. Breakfast had only been served seconds before and already Shon acted like he hadn’t eaten in weeks.
“What the hell!” Shon demanded.
“Wait for Aziz,” Tahvo reprimanded him.
Zafar nodded from the head of the table, but thankfully their waiting was short-lived. Behind him, a stocky older man with cropped grey hair and a distinguished beard to match strolled into the room, his customary five newspapers tucked under his arm.
“Good morning, Your Highness,” Aziz greeted the king first and then the princes. As was proper.
Tahvo smiled back, gesturing for their brother’s most trusted advisor to take his usual seat at the right hand of the king. As Aziz took his place, Shon wasted no time in snatching a croissant while reaching for the porcelain dish filled with fig jam. Tahvo rolled his eyes before turning his attention to the older advisor.
“The doctor arrived,” Tahvo informed him, though he imagined Aziz was aware of all that happened in the palace.
Zafar snorted as he picked apart his croissant. “For all the good she’s done.”
“Is there something wrong with her?” Aziz asked, bushy grey eyebrows raised.
“Other than the fact she’s an insubordinate human we spent a fortune to fly here?” Zafar threw a hunk of pastry on his plate, disgust marring the king’s features. “I don’t understand why we couldn’t have one of our own kind to care for Nabila. Dr. Hadad, for example. Why did I let you all talk me into bringing a human into our home?”
Zafar sneered the word “human,” and Tahvo found his beast bristling with his brother’s attitude.
“Dr. Hadad has had two opportunities to help Nabila and he failed,” Aziz said diplomatically. “And let’s not forget the work Tahvo put in finding the best doctor available. Despite her genetics, Dr. Sullivan is that doctor.”
“It certainly doesn’t show,” Zafar grumbled, sipping his café with a scowl.
“You’re letting your prejudice get the best of you, Zafar,” Aziz spoke quietly, patting the king’s hand, just as he’d done since they were all children. “I know you want Nabila to have the very best care. Is that not so?”
“Of course!” Zafar snapped, almost like a petulant schoolboy.
Aziz didn’t appear to take offense. They all understood the pressure riding on their king’s shoulders. Not only was he distressed over Nabila and the baby, but he also had a kingdom to run. Zafar had to literally herd cats all day long.
“You don’t believe Tahvo, one of the most meticulous researchers I’ve ever known, made a mistake, do you?”
Zafar glanced at Tahvo and then down at his destroyed breakfast. Shoving the plate away, he sighed in defeat. “Of course not. I simply don’t trust humans, no matter how highly recommended. But I shall do my best to be civil.”
“Good.” Aziz thumped the stack papers in front of him and then glanced from Tahvo to Shon. “Unfortunately, the rest of what we have to discuss is slightly more delicate. You will excuse us if we leave breakfast a little early this morning?”
Tahvo nodded and Shon glanced up from where he was hovering over his food enough to give them a thumbs up.
“Excellent,” Aziz smiled. “Ever the understanding brothers.”
“Is that what they are?” Zafar chuckled.
His chair scraped the wooden floor as he followed Aziz from the room. When they were alone again, Tahvo took a bite of his croissant and briefly considered flicking a piece of Zafar’s shredded pastry in Shon’s direction.
“Come up for air now and then,” Tahvo chided.
Shon smirked and then wiped his face with his napkin. “Sorry. Extra hungry this morning.”
“So I see.”
“Aziz is right. You chose well in Amy.”
“Thank you, brother.” Tahvo dipped his head in appreciation, though he couldn’t help wondering why Shon felt comfortable enough to use the doctor’s first name. A question for another time. That decision was reinforced as Shon’s expression grew serious, a frown tipping his lips down.
* * *
“If Nabila were to…” Shon floundered for a moment, clearly trying to find a delicate word for an indelicate topic, but there was no need. Tahvo knew what his brother had difficulty putting into words.
If Nabila were to die, Zafar would be destroyed.
Quietly, Tahvo set down his café. “If anyone can save them, it’s Dr. Sullivan. She has saved many against the most difficult odds.”
“I’m impressed with Amy,” Shon continued, leaning back in his chair and smiling in a way that made Tahvo uncomfortable for a reason he couldn’t immediately identify. “I tried to impress upon her how close to death she was when she kicked Zafar out of the room, but she did not seem to care. She only worried for Nabila.”
Tahvo nodded. “As it should be.”
“She sure has a mouth on her though, doesn’t she?” Shon grinned and Tahvo noticed something more lingering in his brother’s eyes.
Tahvo smiled, recalling how she had imperiously ordered them all out of the royal suite. He’d never met a woman quite like her. So confident, so beautiful, so…American. He reached for the jam, but his brother’s next words stayed his hand.
“I certainly wouldn’t mind having that mouth on me.”
Tahvo was careful not to meet Shon’s eye as he grasped the jam and slapped it on his pastry. The familiar competitive feeling stirred in his chest, the one that often pinned brother against brother. The mere thought of Dr. Sullivan’s—Amy’s—mouth on Shon had his inner beast releasing a rumbling growl.
The sudden surge of jealousy was ridiculous, really. He’d barely spent any time with the woman, much less a single moment alone with her. That hadn’t stopped him from noticing her full, firm breasts or the lush curve of her hips, or the way blonde curls bounced freely, despite her attempt to tame the golden strands. The simple memory of her glaring at them yesterday was enough to make blood surge to his groin, and he hadn’t seen her since she evicted them.
“It must be nice,” Shon said, jerking Tahvo from his mildly erotic thoughts.
Crossing one leg over the other to dull the ache, Tahvo took a bite of his food, chewing carefully before finally resting his gaze on his brother again. “Excuse me?”
“It must be nice. Zafar and Nabila. Their epic love story. It’s the stuff of legends. He’s the most powerful man in the kingdom with an entire harem of beautiful women to keep him company and yet… He’s loved his wife so intensely and for so long, he’s never even stepped across the threshold.”
Another moment of silence passed between them as Tahvo thought of Zafar’s devotion to his wife—his mate. He’d often wondered what that connection might feel like and if he’d experience the deep love they shared. He’d tried every woman in the kingdom, and many beyond Adikar’s borders. None of them ever tempted him to return, much less spend the eternity with them.
<
br /> “Amy isn’t like them,” Shon said.
“Who?”
“The harem girls. Amy isn’t like any of them.”
“Of course not. She’s educated.”
“And headstrong,” Shon chuckled.
“And dedicated,” Tahvo replied.
“And sassy.”
“And beautiful.”
A dim gleam of understanding seemed to light behind Shon’s eyes. Tahvo had said too much—Shon knew he was interested. To cover his gaffe, he shrugged and added, “It’s nice to be around a woman whose sole purpose in life isn’t to ensnare a prince, I suppose.”
“I’m not sure about that part. Still, you have to admire her self-control. Who could resist me?”
Tahvo rolled his eyes at his brother’s grin.
“That reminds me,” Shon said. “How long has it been since you visited the harem? The ladies seemed awfully lonely last night.”
Tahvo thought hard, tilting his head to the side, but nothing came. “I honestly can’t remember. I kept leaving feeling…dissatisfied. I simply stopped going.”
Shon nodded sagely. “Same here.”
Tahvo barked out a laugh. “So how do you know the ladies were lonely last night? Hypocrite!”
“No, no. I only escorted Amy there. The women were all over me, begging me to stay or to send you to them.”
Tahvo spit out a mouthful of café. “What! You took her to the harem? Have you lost what little sense you possessed?”
“What?” Shon frowned. “Zafar instructed—”
“Zafar hates humans and most likely wanted to humiliate her. The last place a woman like her belongs is in the harem!”
Shon grimaced, obviously realizing how insulting it must have been for the doctor to be relegated to the harem—to be surrounded by women meant for pleasure and nothing more. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could utter another lame excuse, a guard rushed in.