Brides of the Kindred Volume One

by Evangeline Anderson

  All because of one simple, innocent hug.

  She has no idea what she does to me—how she affects me, he thought as he put the engine through its warm-up sequence. For a moment he allowed himself to relive the sweet sensation of Lauren’s full breasts flush against his chest. He’d been able to feel her nipples, tight and ripe, rubbing against him through the thin material of his shirt. All her warm curves pressed against him as she came so willingly into his arms…it was almost as though she wanted to touch him. As though she wanted to be close to him despite what he was.

  She wouldn’t be so eager if she knew how I felt. The things I need, Xairn thought grimly. He didn’t want the desires inside him. Didn’t want to be like the rest of his race…like his sadistic father. Closing his eyes briefly, he remembered the many perversions he’d seen the AllFather perform. He’d savaged them—the unwilling females he took to satiate his monstrous appetites. I’d rather die than hurt Lauren that way, Xairn told himself fiercely.

  No, he decided as the ship rose above the skyline of O’ah and nosed toward the splicing district, he would never do that to her. Never use her that way. In fact, it would be better if he never touched her again. Gathering her into his arms had been stupid and impulsive, especially considering even such brief contact made his body react so strongly.

  From now on he would have to keep his distance—it wasn’t safe to be near her again.

  Chapter Eight

  “What’s troubling you, my lady?” Lock’s voice was soft as he washed Kat’s back.

  “I’ve sensed it too.” Deep kissed her and squeezed the sponge he was holding so that warm water ran down over her bare breasts. “Tell us what’s wrong, little Kat.”

  The three of them were in the huge bathing pool in their bathroom, enjoying a relaxing soak after the stress of Sophie’s wedding. And there had been considerably more stress than Kat had expected.

  “It’s Lauren,” she admitted with a sigh. “I really liked her—really felt for her. And now I’m worried.”

  “I would say you have cause to be.” Deep frowned. “If what Nadiah saw was accurate she could be in trouble.”

  “But that’s the thing.” Kat sat up a little straighter, splashing water. “Do you think it was?”

  “Sylvan seemed to believe in her power,” Lock pointed out. “Apparently it’s a rare but recognized phenomenon on Tranq Prime. A manifestation of the goddess in a few chosen females.”

  “But couldn’t she be wrong?” Kat pleaded. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to believe Nadiah had some kind of psychic ability—it was just that she didn’t want Lauren to be in danger.

  “I don’t know,” Lock murmured.

  “Well, she did think that Detective Rast was a Kindred,” Kat pointed out, feeling a spark of hope.

  “Yes, but you can’t blame her for that,” Deep objected. “Lock and I thought the same thing. He looks Kindred.”

  “He does,” Lock agreed. “And it’s not just the truegreen eyes. It’s his build, his bearing—”

  “Though he doesn’t treat females with the respect they deserve,” Lock pointed out, frowning.

  “Not exactly,” Deep agreed. “Although I got the feeling he wasn’t upset at Nadiah so much as at the application of her gift, which he claims not to believe in.”

  “But that’s the thing,” Kat said, feeling frustrated. “Can we believe that she’s accurate? Oh, I wish we had some way to check on Lauren but I know the Maw Cluster is way too far away for us to do a joining.”

  Deep looked thoughtful. “Ordinarily I’d say you were right about that, Kat. But there might be a way.”

  “Really? There might?” Kat asked excitedly.

  Deep’s voice was grave when he nodded. “Yes, but I don’t think you’re going to like it.”

  “What do you mean?” Kat frowned.

  “Well, as you know, sexual energy generates the power that we use to propel ourselves as seeker, finder, and focus into the astral plane,” Deep said. “The higher the tension between the three of us, the more energy is generated.”

  Kat smiled. “Of course. But I thought we generated more than enough energy. Hell, we could probably light up Yankee Stadium for a year if we could bottle what we put out.”

  “Be that as it may, it won’t be enough to reach the Maw Cluster,” Lock said softly from behind her. “Not unless we try something new. Something guaranteed to boost our output.”

  Kat frowned warily. “What exactly are we talking about here?”

  “Something we haven’t tried before.” Deep looked into her eyes. “I think you know what I’m talking about, little Kat—double penetration.”

  Kat’s mouth was suddenly almost too dry to talk. “I…” She cleared her throat. “What do you mean? We always do that. Every time the three of us make love when you and Lock fuse together to, you know, enter me.”

  She could feel herself blushing as she spoke the words but she couldn’t seem to help it. No matter how often she made love with her two new mates, she still felt a little shy about what the three of them did together. Deep and Lock might consider it perfectly normal to share a woman but it still counted as kinky in her book.

  “That’s not what I mean and I think you know it,” Deep said gently. “When Lock and I fuse our shafts together, we enter your pussy. But we’ve never tried filling both your pussy and your back passage at the same time.”

  “You mean one in front and one…” Kat cleared her throat again. “In back?” Her voice ended in a squeak.

  “Deep and I would like to make love to you that way, my lady,” Lock murmured in her ear. “While we enjoy fusing our shafts to enter you as one, we also crave the sensations of filling you individually.”

  “You…you do?” Kat swallowed.

  “Does that bother you?” Deep asked softly. “Do you not want to be touched here?”

  Kat felt his finger brush lightly between her cheeks, caressing her rosebud as he spoke. She gasped and jumped, splashing water out of the bathing pool all over the bathroom floor.

  “Kat, are you all right?” Deep’s concern washed over her. At the same time Lock said, “My lady?” And she felt his tenderness and affection as well.

  “Fine, I’m fine,” she said, backing away from the two of them. “I just…I think I’ve had enough time in the bath.” She climbed out of the bathing pool quickly and wrapped herself in a long crimson bathing robe. It had been specially developed by the Kindred to instantly absorb water so it dried her immediately. Trying to look as though nothing was wrong, Kat swept out of the bathroom and curled up in the middle of the huge, three-person bed.

  She heard the low murmur of voices and knew if she ‘tuned in’ to her guys, she would probably be able to catch some of what they were saying or thinking but she didn’t want to. Instead she closed her eyes and burrowed her head into one of the big fluffy pillows. Maybe if they thought she was asleep…

  “My lady, what’s wrong?” Lock’s question let her know her sleep ruse wasn’t working.

  “Nothing.” Sighing, she sat up. “I told you, I’m fine.”

  “We can’t help but know when you’re lying, you know,” Deep said, sitting down on one side of her as Lock took the other side. “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing really. I just…” Kat grabbed a pillow and hugged it to her chest. “I’m just not a big fan of…that kind of sex. That’s all.”

  “You know the bonding fruit will help you stretch to accommodate us, don’t you?” Lock asked.

  “She knows.” Deep frowned. “But I’m guessing our Kat’s objection goes deeper than that.”

  Kat sighed. “I guess I might as well tell you or you’ll never leave me alone.”

  “I think you need to tell us,” Deep said, his voice unexpectedly gentle. “So no, we won’t leave you alone until you do.”

  “Fine.” She squeezed the pillow harder and looked down at the bed. “It’s not a big deal really. Just that I let…let a guy try that once, back there, and i
t really hurt.”

  “And?” Deep’s voice said he knew there was more to it than that.

  Damn him. Kat flashed him an unfriendly look and he stared back, one black eyebrow raised. “And he was really into the moment and he didn’t…” She swallowed hard, not wanting to remember. “He didn’t stop when I asked him to. It just…wasn’t a very good experience, okay?”

  “He hurt you?” Lock’s voice was raw—filled with the pain Kat didn’t want to express.

  “Yes,” she said tightly. “And ever since then I’m not…I don’t really want to go there. Or let anyone else go there, if you know what I mean.”

  “We know,” Deep murmured.

  “I don’t understand,” Lock said, shaking his head. “I thought…during our joining to find Sophia, when you let us all the way into your memories…I don’t see how you could have concealed such a source of pain, my lady.”

  “She was able to conceal it from us because she’s been concealing it from herself,” Deep rumbled. “Isn’t that right, Kat?”

  Kat gave a short nod. “It’s not a happy memory, okay?”

  “Of course not.” Lock stroked her shoulder soothingly.

  “Perhaps you’d feel better if the bastard who hurt you was brought to justice,” Deep growled.

  Kat sighed. “No, I wouldn’t. He wasn’t a bad guy—it was just that we were both kind of drunk. He apologized afterwards.” Not that I could ever stand to date him again. Not after that, she thought with a shiver, remembering the painful experience of being pinned to the bed and invaded.

  She’d cried and begged but Devon had never seemed to hear her. Or if he had, he hadn’t wanted to stop. Afterwards, seeing her swollen eyes and tear-streaked cheeks, he appeared to feel terrible about what he’d done. But Kat could never really trust him after that. They broke up a few days later and she’d never seen him again. And tried never to think of him. Until tonight…

  We would never hurt you that way, she heard Lock send through their mental link.

  Never, Deep echoed. He slid an arm around her shoulders. Come here. If you have to cry, Lock and I want to hold you.

  She sniffed and realized that hot tears were rolling down her cheeks. Four muscular arms surrounded her and drew her down on the bed. Kat knew she was safe, sheltered by their love for her. It flowed over and around her, comforting, soothing, whispering that she was cared for, needed, loved. Telling her that she would never be hurt in such a way again.

  For a long time Kat let herself drift. Cradled between Deep and Lock she closed her eyes and tried to let go of the past. What Devon had done was painful and humiliating but it was over. It was time to let it go.

  Finally she felt strong enough to speak. I’m sorry, she whispered at last, through their link. I didn’t realize until now how much it upset me. I spent so many years trying to forget.

  Of course you did—anyone would try to forget a memory so painful, Lock assured her.

  Well, maybe forgetting isn’t the answer. Sniffing, Kat wiped her eyes and sat up. “Maybe it’s time I got over it.”

  “And how do you propose to do that?” Deep asked, as he and Lock sat up as well.

  “By…by trying it again.” Kat took a deep breath. “By letting the two of you make love to me there…that way. The way you want to.”

  “We don’t want to do anything that will hurt you, my lady,” Lock protested, stroking her hair.

  “Lock’s right. We’re perfectly happy to make love to you in our regular way for the rest of our lives,” Deep said.

  Kat lifted her chin. “But that won’t help us find Lauren, will it?”

  “Kat, look at me.” Deep tilted her chin so that they were eye to eye. His coal black eyes were burning. “If we do this,” he murmured, “It should be for you—not anyone else. We can try and find Lauren if you want, but the main focus should be on healing your wounds.”

  Kat tried to laugh. “You mean sexual healing?”

  “In a manner of speaking.” Deep nodded.

  “It is possible, you know. Especially when three people are as closely connected as we are,” Lock said, kissing her shoulder. “We just need to take things very slowly.”

  “We need to show you that it can be pleasurable to be penetrated here,” Deep murmured, his large hand caressing her buttocks through the crimson robe. “That you can enjoy it instead of fearing it.”

  Kat bit her lip. “You…you really think that’s possible?”

  Deep nodded and Lock said, “Yes, my lady. Very possible.”

  “But it has to be about you,” Deep said, looking into her eyes again. “No one else, sweetheart. And you have to be sure…very sure you want to do it.”

  Kat’s heart was pounding a mile a minute but she knew she wanted this. After all the years that had passed since her experience with Devon, she wanted to finally get over the pain—to exorcise the bad and hurtful memory. And, she had to admit, she wanted to give her men something they’d been craving. To open herself to them and let them in completely in a way she hadn’t before.

  No more secrets, she whispered to both of them through their link. No more lies. I want the three of us to be one. I want to do this.

  Lying through the mental link was next to impossible and she could feel Deep and Lock registering her sincerity. They know I mean it, that I really want this, she thought. No matter how much it scares me.

  Yes, we know, Deep assured her softly. But there’s no need to be frightened, sweetheart. Just relax and let Lock and I give you pleasure.

  Though Kat was more than willing to try it, she still didn’t see how she could get pleasure from being filled there.

  Because we won’t be filling you—not to start with, Lock told her soothingly.

  You’re not? Then what—? Before she could finish asking the question, the light twin answered it by licking a long, slow trail from her ankle to her knee.

  Take off your robe, little Kat, Deep murmured in her head. Take off your robe and allow Lock to taste you.

  You mean to taste me…there? Kat looked at them uncertainly.

  Of course, my lady. Lock smiled up at her, his warm brown eyes filled with love and lust. We need to put you at your ease by giving you pleasure before we attempt penetration. What better way than to tease open your sweet little rosebud with my tongue?

  I don’t know… Kat crossed her legs uneasily.

  What’s wrong? Deep asked, stroking her cheek. You have no problem with allowing us to taste your pussy. Why should this be any different?

  Kat felt her cheeks getting hot. Because it seems…I don’t know…dirty.

  My lady, we just finished bathing, Lock reminded her gently. You are not dirty. You’re warm and sweet and soft and I want very much to taste you.

  Really? Kat turned to look at him. Even there?

  Especially there, Deep assured her. And to make it easier, I’ll hold you while Lock goes down on you. You know I won’t let you come to any harm, don’t you? I would die first.

  As would I, Lock murmured, kissing her knee gently. Please, my lady. Open yourself for me. I want so much to taste you.

  The outpouring of love, lust, and tenderness from the two of them was so strong it almost threatened to drown her—but in a good way. All right, Kat whispered. Sitting up, she shrugged out of the robe and threw it to the far side of the bed. As long as we take it slowly. And as long as we use our energy to try and find Lauren.

  Agreed, Deep murmured and she felt Lock’s acceptance as well.

  All right then. Kat took a deep breath and looked at both of them. Let’s get started.

  Very well, let’s start with something familiar. Come here and sit between my legs, Deep instructed.

  Kat did as he said, leaning back against him, enjoying the warmth of his bare, muscular chest against her back.

  Very good, Deep instructed softly. Now allow Lock to open your thighs.

  It wasn’t easy, but Kat obeyed again. She watched as Lock parted her thighs and spread them wide,
baring the mound of her sex, decorated with a neatly trimmed nest of auburn curls. Despite her earlier fear, her pussy was already beginning to feel wet and swollen with desire. This was one of her favorite things to do—to lean back against Deep and hear him whisper hot, dirty fantasies in her ear while Lock lapped her open cunt.

  It was so incredibly arousing to be surrounded by the two of them, to feel their love and lust for her rising as they pleasured her. Unlike many human males, the Kindred reveled in going down. In fact, Deep and Lock had both told her that spreading her open and tasting her pussy was one of their favorite sexual acts. Kat enjoyed tasting them as well, but they didn’t often let her because they preferred to be the pleasure givers.

  Start with her pussy, Brother, Deep instructed his twin. Lick our little Kat long and slow. Tease her clit and put your tongue deep in her sweet little cunt..

  With pleasure. Looking up to meet her eyes, Lock spread her swollen pussy lips wide to reveal her slippery pink folds. Then, starting at the bottom of her slit, he dragged his tongue upwards as though Kat was his favorite flavor of lollypop.

  Kat’s breath caught in her throat as he bathed her clit with his hot tongue and then swirled the tip of it around the little bud, tracing magical patterns over her wet flesh. God, would she ever get used to this? Ever get used to lying in one brother’s arms while the other went down on her? It still seemed kinky and a little bit forbidden. But what Deep and Lock wanted to do to her was much more forbidden than this.

  As if reading her thoughts, Lock nuzzled downward and began licking the narrow, sensitive margin of skin between the bottom of her slit and her rosebud.

  Kat gasped at the sudden sensation. And yes, though it felt strange to be licked there, it didn’t hurt or feel wrong exactly. In fact, it was beginning to feel very good, especially since Deep had reached around in front of her and was tugging gently at her nipples.