Star-Crossed Miracles

by Avery Gale

  There was another woman hovering in the dark fringes of his memory. This one had beautiful long dark hair and a camera, and she’d helped him escape from the jungle camp. Sometimes, late at night, her face faded in and out of his memory as he tried to remember what he’d said to her. Whatever it had been, the woman who’d unlocked the chain had been angry when he’d mentioned it later, insisting he’d been delusional, and no one else had helped them down the mountain. But the dark-haired beauty with the sparkling blue eyes still appeared in dreams along with the blonde angel.

  Rubbing his forehead in agitation, Karl opened the door into the room and staggered at the realization he’d just remembered his name. His name was Karl. Karl Tyson. He blanked his expression when the man standing by the door frowned at him. Karl instinctively knew he couldn’t let his hosts know his memory was slowly beginning to return.

  Chapter Eight

  Mia stood rooted in place, mesmerized by what she was seeing. She’d lost all track of time, watching the scene play out in front of her—she could have been standing here for hours for all she knew. Even the smallest glimpses were new wonders to explore, and she suddenly felt cheated by all her erotic romances. She’d believed the authors who had told her what it would be like, but this was so much… more.

  The woman tied naked to the St. Andrew’s cross was quivering, and Mia could hear her gasps each time the flogger fell. The skin over her upper back and ass was quickly morphing from flushed pink to a deep, blood red. Even at this distance, Mia could see the raised lines of welts, and the Dom periodically stopped to run his fingers over the marks. She couldn’t see the man’s face, but he was a sculpted work of art from the back, his muscles flexing beneath tanned skin shimmering with the sheen of perspiration. He’d pulled the black shirt off as they’d approached the stage. Even though he had yet to turn towards her, there was a niggling thought in the back of her mind… something about the fluidity of his movements seemed vaguely familiar.

  The Dom wielding the leather strips was so focused on his submissive, he seemed oblivious to his growing audience. Even though she wondered if his face was a beautiful as his body, Mia couldn’t take her eyes off his confident movements. Everything about him screamed dominance, and Mia knew instinctively this was a man completely enthralled with the woman in his care.

  The woman whispered something Mia couldn’t hear, but the Dom’s reaction was immediate. He tossed the flogger aside and moved close enough to speak against her ear. Whatever he said sent a visible shiver through her entire being. Mia had never considered herself a voyeur but watching this couple’s interaction was the most erotic thing she’d ever seen.

  Intense focus radiated from the man whose black leather pants were so tight they looked like they’d been painted on as he pressed his bare chest against the woman’s heated back. The soft leather molded to his body in a way that was probably illegal in many parts of the world. Holy fucking hell. His black leather boots looked well worn, telling her he spent plenty of time in this role. His arm snaked around the submissive’s body, and Mia heard her soft pleading cry. A quick hand signal proceeded a click that sounded like a speaker being turned on, and the woman’s panting cries filled the room.

  “Master, please. I can’t hold it back… Too good… Too much.” What would it be like to feel a man’s hands on her naked body? Petting, punishing, and proving himself worthy of her trust. How vulnerable would she feel being stripped and displayed for all to see? Was she capable of that level of submission? Mia’s thoughts were spiraling out of control, and she swayed on her feet. Strong arms encircled her before her mind registered how precariously close she was to her knees folding out from under her.

  “I’ve got you, baby.”

  Brock’s simple words were enough to calm the emotional roller coaster she’d worried was going to drop her in an embarrassed heap. Mia hadn’t been prepared for her vicarious response to the scene—the surge of adrenaline hyped her—but the circumstances didn’t provide an outlet for the energy that followed. She continued to watch the scene, but Brock’s embrace grounded her, and she suddenly felt safe despite her obvious vulnerability.

  “Tell us what you see, Kodak. Use that photographer’s eye that’s made you so well known to describe it.” Tucker’s voice was deep and resonate, pulling her a little further back into the here and now. Mia appreciated him giving her something concrete to focus on.

  “The first thing I noticed was the intensity of his concentration. Nothing seems to escape his attention. His focus on her seems unshakable.” She didn’t mention there was something familiar about him. It seemed crass to speak so personally about a man while being held by another.

  Brock’s fingers closed over her peaked nipples and gave them a sharp pinch. “Stop editing. We don’t want you to tell us what you think we want to hear, we want the unvarnished truth. All of it.”

  “It isn’t your responsibility to figure out what we want to hear. We’ll never leave you wondering what we expect, sweet cheeks. And we’ll reward honesty. Now, tell us what you saw that almost sent you ass over tea kettle.”

  *

  Standing to the side watching Mia’s reaction to the flogging scene was the very definition of hot. Tucker wished he’d been close enough to hear the soft intakes of breath—the rapid rise of her chest with each fall of the flogger told him she was completely in the moment. Damn, he wanted to hear the subtle moans he sensed were vibrating from deep in her chest. Mia had a sensual streak a mile wide and soul-deep, but Tucker would bet everything he owned she wasn’t only new to the lifestyle, but sexually inexperienced as well.

  When the three of them entered the room, CeCe had already been secured to the cross, and Cam had kept his back turned to the audience the entire time. Tucker didn’t think Mia had made the connection between the Dom she was salivating over and the man she’d met earlier. He’d suppressed a groan when he realized Mia’s gaze was glued to Cam rather than CeCe. In his experience, only the most natural submissives focused on the Dominant when watching a scene. Pleasing others was so deeply ingrained in their psyche, they zeroed in on the most dominant person in the scene. It’ll be interesting to see how she reacts when she realizes the man she’s been drooling over is her new friend’s husband.

  Even with a few feet separating them, Tucker could tell Mia’s mind was getting in the way of her ability to connect with the way her body was responding to the scene. Tucker was grateful Brock had been close enough to catch her when she leaned precariously to one side. Brock raised a brow at Tucker, letting him know she’d almost dropped like a stone—that was something they’d need to watch closely.

  Brock whispered words of reassurance, and Tucker saw her cheeks flush with what looked too much like embarrassment for his comfort. Hesitance and insecurity had no place in BDSM and not something he or Brock would allow. Stepping close enough he could feel the heat emanating from her, it was time to re-center her mind. Telling her to use her photographer’s eye to describe what she was seeing seemed to give her some much-needed direction. Tucker kept his voice pitched so there was no doubt his words were a command, and he knew she’d sensed the difference. Her respiration stuttered, and her pupils dilated—yes, he’d hit the mark.

  Her honest, but edited answers would have earned her a punishment if she belonged to them. For the first time, Tucker wished they weren’t simply role-playing. Evidently, his brother was equally frustrated with her answer; he’d administered a quick admonishment that elicited a gasp from Mia and the air around them was suddenly filled with the musky scent of her arousal. Just fucking great, like my cock needs any more reason to engorge against the zipper of these pants. At this rate, I’ll never be rid of the metal imprint.

  Refocusing his attention on Mia, Tucker explained they expected her to not only be honest with them, but it was vital that she was honest with herself as well. Editing her answers proved she hadn’t accepted herself in the way they’d demand. In Tucker’s view, one of his most important jobs as
a Dom was helping the submissive in his care reach her full potential. If she felt the need to hold back her deepest feelings, neither of them was going to succeed.

  *

  “It’s not your responsibility to figure out what we want to hear. We’ll never leave you wondering what we expect, sweet cheeks and we’ll reward honesty. Now, tell us what you saw that almost sent you ass over tea kettle.”

  By the time she finished answering, Tucker was leisurely running his fingers through the soaked folds of her pussy. He’d stepped closer, blocking the view of the young Dom on their right who was far more interested in Mia than he was in the woman on her knees with her lips locked around the guys flagging erection. The tears in the little sub’s eyes said she hadn’t missed her Dom’s inattention either. That jackass will probably be leaving the cruise alone.

  Smiling down at Mia, he softened his tone, “Good girl. Now, while we watch the rest of the scene, we’re going to play a bit, but you’d best pay attention to the stage because we may well quiz you later.” Tucker’s voice held just enough of a teasing tone, he saw the corners of Mia’s mouth turn up slightly before Brock gave her nipples another quick pinch.

  “And remember, baby, you’re not allowed to come until given permission. Stealing an orgasm is a serious offense, and we’d be forced to punish you.” Brock paused as if weighing his words carefully when Tucker was certain the evil bastard knew exactly what he planned to say. Fucking drama queen. “Although I have to say, seeing you bent over grasping your dainty ankles baring that luscious ass right here in the middle of the room does hold a tremendous amount of appeal.”

  Brock’s threat didn’t fool Tucker. They’d already discussed that tonight was only about making sure Mia connected their touch with pleasure. One of them would make certain she was given the command to come before she spiraled out of control, but they would need to be on their toes since it was likely Cam had one hell of a finale planned.

  The clanking of chains drew Mia’s attention back to the stage, and Tucker grinned when her eyes widened in surprise at the cross’s new position. CeCe was now laying almost flat on her stomach, her mouth and pussy the perfect height for what her Masters had planned. When a very naked and unquestionably aroused Carl Phillips stepped out of the shadows, recognition lit Mia’s eyes, making her blush so deeply, Tucker could feel the heat radiating from her.

  Cam’s voice filled the room as he spoke to the woman spread out for everyone’s viewing pleasure.

  “Your pretty pussy is as ripe as a Georgia peach, Love. Everyone in the room is getting a good look at how much my naughty sub likes a good flogging. Now, pleasure your other Master with that wickedly talented mouth of yours, but don’t make him come. Remember, all his tangy cum needs to shoot into your pussy if we’re all going to be parents again.”

  “Their daughter is Cam’s biological child,” Brock whispered against Mia’s ear, “but they’ve all decided this child should belong to Carl. Although I assure you, both men will consider the children their own.”

  “Aww. That’s so sweet. I can’t believe I didn’t recognize them, so much for my photographer’s eye.”

  Tucker knew her body was coming down from the arousal she’d felt earlier, but he wasn’t sure if it was the conversation or her realization she’d been crushing on CeCe’s husband. Mia didn’t strike him as the type of woman who poached on her friends’ men, but he’d been wrong before. Shaking off the melancholy threatening to steamroll him, Tucker yanked himself back to the present. Feathering his fingers through her slick folds, he leaned close to her ear.

  “Your pussy is so slick, sweet cheeks. Did you enjoy the flogging?” She didn’t answer immediately, but Tucker wouldn’t punish her because he could see the glaze moving over her eyes as she watched Carl fuck CeCe’s sweet mouth. When the other man’s head fell back, and he groaned in pleasure loud enough to be heard across the room, Cam called for him to move to her pussy.

  “Fuck her while I fuck you.” Cam was already fisting his cock with lube. Learning Cameron Barnes had opened his relationship to a permanent third had been surprising enough because Cam was known for being a possessive bastard where CeCe was concerned. Learning there was a sexual relationship between the two men had left Tucker speechless. Discovering the two men had a shared history explained a lot, and Tucker knew Carl wasn’t submissive to anyone but Cam. Tucker smiled to himself; he wasn’t homophobic, he simply hadn’t seen this twist in their story coming.

  Carl pushed between the swollen petals of CeCe’s pussy until he was balls deep, then went stock still.

  “Fucking perfect, baby. You are scalding me. So fucking hot and tight.”

  The other man’s words sent a rush of cream over Tucker’s fingers, and he grinned at Brock over Mia’s shoulder. Their little sub was a voyeur—good to know, and definitely valuable information they could use to their advantage.

  Watching the trio on the stage, Tucker watched as Carl widened his stance and bent over CeCe, making room for Cam to step in behind him. They didn’t have a clear view now, but it was easy to imagine what was happening by the groans of pleasure bouncing off every surface in the room.

  Mia closed her eyes and relaxed back into Brock’s embrace, exhibiting a level of comfort Tucker hoped she would eventually find with him as well. As if sensing his hesitance, her eyes fluttered open and instead of focusing on the scene, she locked her eyes on his and smiled.

  “Thank you.” The sincerity in her eyes made his heart melt despite his confusion about what she was thanking him for. “You’ve been so patient with me, your touch gentle but still igniting a fire in me that’s been eye-opening, and I’m looking forward to learning more.” Her voice had dropped so no one outside of their small circle could hear the words which would have easily given away the fact they hadn’t spent any time together.

  Their cover made accommodation for Mia being somewhat familiar with the lifestyle, but the three of them were supposed to have been together for only a few weeks. They’d be able to explain away some unfamiliarity, but they certainly needed to appear more comfortable with one another than they felt. So far, Tucker had been impressed with Mia’s performance. She hadn’t flinched when they’d touched her intimately, and he didn’t know many women who could pull that off. But he also knew the real test was going to come when they played for the first time in one of the public areas tomorrow.

  At Brock’s nod, Tucker withdrew his fingers from her soaking sex and made a show of licking the sweet syrup from them.

  “As always, you are sweet enough to make a man lose his mind for wanting to feast on you. I could spend hours licking your slick sex. Let’s go, I want to see how your bare skin looks under the stars, Kodak.” It was humbling to realize the words he’d spoken weren’t about playing a part—they’d been spoken from the heart.

  As they led her from the room, Tucker chuckled at CeCe’s scream and the moans of both Cam and Carl as they found their own release. Mia stumbled in response, but he and Brock caught her between them easily.

  “Easy, sweet cheeks. It’s hot as hell knowing how affected you are watching the three of them.”

  Holding Mia tucked close against his side was no hardship. As petite as she was, it surprised him how perfectly she fit between them. The smug look on Brock’s face made Tucker want to punch him, the arrogant bastard. Dammit, Tuck was going to have to be careful or his brother was going to push him into something he’d sworn he didn’t want. The last thing he needed was to get his heart battered by a woman who would eventually return to Columbia. Shaking his head, Tucker reaffirmed his resolve to play but not get attached. You can test drive without buying, you know.

  Chapter Nine

  Koi leaned his hip against the kitchen counter as he studied the pensive woman across the room. Dr. Tally Tyson stood in front of the window, staring out into the moonlit backyard, but it was clear she wasn’t seeing the vista laid out before her. She was lost in thought, oblivious to the way the rays of soft light danced
over the snow-covered mountain peaks in the distance. He loved the view, and he knew if he lost her, he’d never see it the same way again. Having her to himself this past year had been a gift he hadn’t done anything to deserve, but he hadn’t had the strength to walk away. Hell, most of the time it had been a toss-up who’d needed the other one more.

  Years of covert work had left its mark on him. He was emotionally distant and scarred. Before Tally, the only person he’d been able to fully trust was his sister, and for most of his career, he’d been forced to stay away from her as much as possible to ensure her safety. Knowing Kodi was now safely in the care of Taz and Nate Ledek eased some of the terror that had been his constant companion when he thought about how vulnerable she was.

  Kodi loved with her whole heart and trusted everyone she met until they proved themselves unworthy—even then, she was too quick to forgive and forget, in his view. He would always be her big brother and probably wouldn’t ever be able to fully relinquish the need to protect her, but it was getting easier to stand aside and let her husbands care for her.

  Studying Tally’s profile, he frowned when he noted the dark smudges under her eyes, proof she wasn’t resting well. It frustrated him to think he’d slept like a fucking baby when she’d probably been lying awake wondering what the hell life was going to throw at her next. The packet of pictures she’d received had sent her reeling into a tailspin that seemed to be a recurring pattern lately. No one was surprised the pictures had upset her, but what the rest of the world didn’t know was how torn she’d been by the revelation her husband was still alive.