by Leah Brooke
For the first time in his life, he wanted that intimacy, the kind of intimacy that had nothing to do with sex and everything to do with getting to know a woman all the way to her core.
Looking down at Serena now, he knew he’d never be satisfied until he made her his, and knew everything about her.
He wanted her in his life.
The relief of not having to be on guard with her the way he’d always had to with other women allowed him to relax with her and be more himself.
He hadn’t even realized the full extent of it until now.
Her flip remark, though, made him more than a little nervous.
Pushing back her hair, he found himself drowning in her deep violet eyes. Something was very wrong.
“Are you all right?”
Serena’s distant smile made him want to shake her. “Of course. Get up. You weigh a ton.”
Alastair bit back a groan when she wiggled under him. “Ian and I are six feet five inches tall and you’re probably five foot one and maybe a hundred pounds. I don’t weigh a ton. I’m just right for my height. You’re just little. Now, stop trying to avoid the question. You’ve had sex once in your life so you obviously don’t take this kind of thing lightly. Why are you trying to act like you do?”
Serena’s short laugh grated on his nerves. “I just had sex with a virtual stranger. It was fun and I enjoyed it. I’m not making anything more of it than that and I’m surprised you are. I guess it would be considered kinky even, because Ian watched us. I’ll bet a lot of women don’t get to do that. Now, let me up.”
She turned to smile at Ian. “I guess you’ll want a turn, too. Can it wait? I’m a little tired.”
Ian smiled coldly. “I think I can restrain myself. I want your full attention when I take you.”
You can be damned sure she won’t have this attitude after I take her. She’ll be lucky if she can walk.
Alastair slid a glance at his brother. Shut up. Why don’t you give us a few minutes alone? Why the hell did you come in here anyway?
Felt her arousal and it was driving me crazy. We’re in this together, Alastair. Don’t forget that, but I guess we each need time alone with her. Don’t be long. I want to hold her.
Breathing a sigh of relief when the bed shifted and his brother left the room, Alastair withdrew from Serena’s slick pussy to lie on his side next to her.
Keeping an arm around her waist to prevent her from jumping out of bed, he leaned over her.
“So sex is fun for you, huh? Let me know when you want to have fun again. I’ll be glad to accommodate you.”
He kept his features schooled, but couldn’t entirely keep the anger from his tone. Pleased that she winced and looked away, he released her and rolled from the bed, pausing when she called out to him.
“Alastair, don’t pretend that it was something more to you. You told me yourself that you and your brother have reputations as playboys. I’m sure sex is nothing more to either one of you than a little bit of fun, maybe even a weapon you use to get women to talk. Don’t try to pretend it was different this time. I’m inexperienced, but not that naïve.”
Alastair’s mind spun as he watched her bend to retrieve her clothes and go into his bathroom, unable to look away from her sleek, curved form as she walked away from him. He wanted to take a bite out of that delectable ass.
It irritated him more than he’d like to admit that she never looked back as she went into the bathroom, not even when she closed the door behind her.
If she thought he would let her brush him aside so easily, she had a lot to learn about him.
Clenching his fists at his side, he smiled coldly.
And planned.
No matter what it took, Serena would be his.
Chapter Six
Armed with a book from their extensive library, Serena went out to the deck, determined to avoid both men long enough to get her thoughts together. In a house the size of theirs, she’d thought it would be easy, but Ian sought her out almost immediately.
While in the bathroom getting dressed, she’d been shocked to realize that having Ian in bed while she’d had sex with Alastair hadn’t embarrassed her or made her feel uncomfortable in any way.
It felt almost natural.
Now, though, she couldn’t face him.
Dropping into the chaise closest to hers, he put his feet up and folded his hands over his flat stomach. “You okay?”
“Fine.”
Feeling his stare, she kept her face in her book, unable to read a word of it.
Even now, she couldn’t believe what she’d done. Her only excuse was that she’d never felt anything remotely like it and her lust and curiosity had made her decision for her.
When the silence lengthened, Serena turned a page, having no idea how long it had been since she’d turned the last one.
“How long are you going to pretend to be reading that book?”
Serena clenched her jaw, turning her head slightly to glance at him, her face burning. “What do you want? If it’s sex, I’m not in the mood.”
He moved so fast, she barely had time to blink before he ripped the book out of her hands and tossed it aside. Gripping her upper arms, he lifted her to her toes, his eyes hooded and shooting gold sparks.
“Lady, I could get you in the mood to be fucked in two minutes flat.”
He set her back down, dropping her into her seat with more gentleness than she’d expected.
“Anthony Carello called a few minutes ago. He says his wife is very upset about your abduction and wants to make sure you’re all right.” He shrugged. “Personally, I don’t think Elise cares about anyone but herself, but I invited them over for a drink. He wants to play, we’ll play. I want to see what he has to say.”
She came to her feet, fighting the urge to rub her arms where they still tingled from his touch, and moved to the table to pick up the book he’d tossed there.
Glancing up at him through her lashes, she fought the stab of jealousy that knotted her stomach. Lowering her gaze again, she stared down at the book. “You sound like you know my cousin.”
When he didn’t answer, she looked up to find him watching her intently, and turned away, holding the book to her chest. “Have you slept with her?”
The thought of it made her want to throw up.
She moved to the edge of the deck, looking out at the yard, holding her breath as she waited expectantly for his answer.
Ian moved up behind her, wrapping his hands around her waist. “I’m a little more selective in my bed partners. Alastair called one of those fancy boutiques and is having some things delivered in your size. He said you needed something dressier and sexier than the things you bought today. We’re not going out so you don’t have to worry about that. I told Carello I didn’t feel safe meeting him anywhere, and would only meet him if he came here. Alone. I don’t want you overwhelmed by the noise you have to deal with in crowds.”
Serena spun in his arms, shocked at the brush of her sensitized nipples against his chest.
“Do you think that’s safe? Are you scared of meeting him?”
Ian shrugged, sliding his hands a little higher, his thumbs lightly caressing the underside of her breasts. “No. Let’s just say I don’t see the need to take any unnecessary risks with you.”
She fought to remain stiff in his arms, fisting her hands at her sides to resist reaching out to touch him.
“I appreciate that.” Frowning, she looked up at him. “Are you sure it has nothing to do with wanting to see if I can read his thoughts since we’ll be alone together?”
Ian smiled. “Smart and beautiful.” His gaze ran over her body as if remembering how she’d looked naked.
“The sooner we can get him locked away, the sooner you’ll be safe. He’s not going to stop coming after you.”
Serena sidestepped, missing his touch immediately, and a little surprised that he released her. Putting some distance between them, she placed the book on the table and went bac
k to her seat, curling her feet under her.
“What about you?”
Ian turned, watching her intently, and leaned back against the railing. “What about me?”
Serena shrugged, smiling as the dogs came up the steps and started toward her. “He’s going to be mad at you for kidnapping me and he’s going to think that you know something. If he knows you’re after him—”
Ian smiled, shaking his head at the dogs’ obvious happiness at her attention. “But he doesn’t. My brother and I have spent a long time developing this cover. We’re rich playboys who know all the right people. We’re invited to all the best parties and are seen in all the right places. According to the world, there’s only one of us, the one they all know as Wyn, but if they need to know a first name, it’s Alastair’s. We don’t work, except at dabbling at investments. We play. He’ll think I saw a beautiful woman and wanted to take her home and fuck her.”
His grin broadened. “That’s the world we’ve created, Serena, and that’s all he’ll see.”
Cocking his head, he gestured toward the dogs. “How is it that you can play with them and pet them like that, and they don’t bite your hand off? They really are trained guard dogs.”
Serena giggled as the three dogs vied for her attention, and took the time to pet each one. “Animals just seem to like me. I just let them know that I’m no threat to them, something that seems to work on dogs, but not hardheaded males. What are the dogs’ names?”
Ian squatted and snapped his fingers, smiling when all three dogs turned, pausing to look back at Serena before rushing toward him. He made a gesture with his hand, and to Serena’s fascination, all three dogs dropped to sit directly in front of him, each eyeing him expectantly.
With a smile, he reached out to the one at his right, scratching him behind the ears.
The dog seemed to love it, lifting his head into Ian’s hand, his tail wagging.
Ian grinned, a flash of white that made her pulse trip, and glanced at her. “This is Zeus. He has a little more black on his face than the other two. He’s smart as hell and is the best at anticipating trouble. He’s usually the first to sound the alarm.”
With a short laugh, he released Zeus, patting the German Shepherd’s head. “Go to Serena.”
Zeus came to her without hesitation, his tongue hanging out as he nudged her hand with his head in an unabashed bid for her attention.
Laughing, she petted him, finding the act of running her hand over his coat soothing.
Lifting her gaze to Ian’s, she found him watching her, his eyes indulgent and possessive.
Warm.
She felt his warm gaze even several feet away. It held her in its grip, the connection between them unmistakable.
It lasted only a few seconds, but when he smiled and reached out for the dog waiting patiently to his left, she still felt it.
A shared amusement. A shared delight in something as insignificant as petting the dogs somehow managed to reinforce the growing emotions between them.
Giving his attention to the other dog, he kept glancing at her. “This is King. He’s just as fierce as Zeus, but he’s a little more subtle. He’s great at sneaking up on people, and he’s the best tracker of the three of them. He can sniff out anything, can’t you, boy?”
Touched, and a little surprised at Ian’s genuine affection for the dogs, Serena laughed softly, trying to ward off Zeus’s attempts to lick her face. “I thought they were guard dogs. They’re just babies.”
Ian’s smile fell. “Don’t ever make the mistake of thinking that. They love attention, and love to play, but they’re always on duty.”
Pausing, he eyed her steadily. “So, you communicate with them somehow.”
Serena pursed her lips, having no idea how to answer him. “Yes and no. I guess. I don’t really know. I’ve never communicated with anyone mentally before. If I want the dogs to come to me, they come to me. They know I’m no threat—unlike some people.”
Ian shook his head, his expression sober as he patted King. “Baby, you’re the most dangerous threat I’ve ever faced.”
He smiled at her gasp of outrage, his smile falling as King walked away from him and made his way toward her.
With a sigh of amused resignation, he gestured toward the remaining German Shepherd. “This is Rip.”
Petting both Zeus and King, Serena blinked. “Did you say Rip?”
Grinning, he reached for the largest of the three dogs, laughing when he rolled to his back.
“Yep.” Ian rubbed Rip’s stomach, something Rip seemed to enjoy immensely.
Surprised that the German Shepherd had exposed his belly so easily, Serena sat forward, enjoying watching Ian in such a playful mood.
“Okay. Why Rip?”
When Rip started to get to his feet, Ian placed a hand on his belly. “Stay.” Waiting until the dog settled, Ian rubbed his belly again. “Good boy.”
Coming to his feet, he snapped his fingers, making a motion that sent Rip racing out into the yard.
“We named him Rip for a couple of reasons. First, as a puppy, he liked to rip everything he could to shreds—an annoying habit that became even more annoying when he started training. Whenever he was ordered to attack, instead of just biting, he wouldn’t be happy until he’d ripped something apart.”
The patio door slid open from behind her, followed by an amused voice.
“Now, it basically stands for Rest in Peace because if Rip gets a hold on someone, it’s all over.”
Serena turned to see Alastair coming out onto the deck with a glass of iced tea in each hand.
“But, isn’t rolling to their back a docile position for a dog?”
Ian nodded once. “It is, and one we have to put Rip in often to remind him who’s boss. Occasionally, we still have to physically put him on his back, but not as often. He’s a hell of a guard dog, and surprisingly, the most playful.”
Impressed, Serena sat back into a more comfortable position. “You can really handle them that way?”
Ian frowned, glancing at her. “I wouldn’t have them if I couldn’t handle them. Although they seem playful right now, they’re weapons, Serena, every bit as dangerous as our guns.”
Serena shook her head, watching the dogs as they raced across the yard. “This life you’ve built for yourself—isn’t it lonely?”
Raising a brow at that, Ian smiled slightly. “As opposed to yours?”
Serena took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Touché.” Glancing at Alastair, she smiled. “Are you sure Anthony Carello believes your playboy image?”
“He has no reason not to.”
“So, he thinks all you do is flutter from party to party.” She waved a hand, gesturing toward the back of the house before taking the glass Alastair offered. “So who does all this really belong to? The government can’t pay you all that much.”
Ian grinned. “They don’t pay us enough to keep Alastair in designer clothing. That’s only part of what we do. We also recover stolen property either for rewards from the owners, or from insurance companies. We do a few odds and ends here and there.”
Serena could only imagine what kind of odds and ends men like Ian and Alastair could get into, but didn’t ask, not sure she wanted to know.
Alastair laughed softly. “There’s nothing wrong with looking your best, and you seem to have no complaints when you have something to wear to all these parties besides jeans.” He eyed his brother’s jeans and T-shirt meaningfully.
Reluctantly impressed, Serena sat back and sipped her tea, enjoying the view. Ian looked magnificent in his jeans and cotton shirt, all hard muscle and barely banked sexuality, his eyes glittering with erotic intent. Letting her gaze move over Alastair, she took in his casual black trousers with their razor-sharp crease, and short-sleeved shirt that did nothing to mask his blatant masculinity, and wondered how anyone could believe them lazy and frivolous.
“And no one knows?”
Ian inclined his head, moving back
to the table. “That’s right, and we plan to keep it that way. Having you here would help our cover, and keep us from having to get a date we have to ditch at these functions. Another set of eyes and ears, and if you can rein in those powers, more. We could also do shows for you, invite the right people, and not only make you famous, but get the people there that we need to watch.”
Depressed now, Serena sipped her tea again and looked out over the huge expanse of lawn. “It seems you’ve got it all tied up in a nice little bow. What if I don’t want to go along with that? What if I want to go home?”
Alastair set his own glass of tea aside and lowered himself into the chair he’d pulled next to hers.
“Why would you want to do that? You could have a life here. We could work on exercises to help you with your powers, and if that fails, we could hold on to you when you go out so that you could actually be among people. It worked at the mall. You could have showings, and you wouldn’t be stuck in a place where you couldn’t interact with anyone else.”
Reaching out, he touched her arm, his hot hand warming her skin. “You’re remarkably easy to be around, well, in some ways.”
He blew out a breath, a muscle working in his jaw. “I can relax around you in ways I can’t relax around anyone else.”
He looked a little surprised at his admission, and both he and Ian appeared thoughtful.
Serena couldn’t help but notice the absence of any mention of a relationship with her, or any feelings either one of them had for her. Looking away, she shrugged, saying nothing, startled when Alastair lifted his hand from her arm and touched her leg.
Running his hand over her knee, he searched her features.
“How did you go to school? Didn’t you get to play with other children?”
Serena smiled faintly at the bittersweet memories of that time in her life.
“My abilities weren’t as strong then. I just knew things, but the images and voices have gotten louder and unfortunately, more uncontrollable over the years.”
Alastair patted her knee. “We’ll help you hone them. After what I’ve seen so far, I’d love to see what you’re capable of doing when you can focus.”