Makar closed his eyes and felt his muscles slowly begin to relax. Minutes later he felt Keely stir. Her palm landed on his chest, and her hand began to move slowly back and forth, fingers gliding effortlessly across his flesh. She whispered against his pebbled skin.
“Can the healing device fix my scars, or does it only work on new wounds?”
Nuzzling against her soft hair, Makar tried to comfort her. “Oh, sweetness. Those don’t matter to us. You couldn’t tell?”
“Oh, no. That’s not why I’m asking. It’s just that I tried to have them fixed once. A plastic surgeon said he could make them less noticeable, but could never get my chest to look completely normal. I was already fearful of going under the knife, and when he said my odds were low, I resigned myself to always living this way. I saw what that machine did and…well, my hope came back.”
Baruch lifted to his elbow and ran his palm across her shoulder. “The unit that we used wouldn’t be able to do that, but I’m sure Kallon is able to make something happen for you. He helped Lucien after he was beaten on Glaxon-8. When he was done, his skin was back to normal. We’ll take you to the clinic after the festival.”
Makar felt his gut flip. “Baruch, don’t give her hope where there may be none. Lucien’s injuries were still healing.” He felt her pat his chest.
“That’s okay, Makar. I understand. Nothing’s guaranteed in life. It’s just that I’m tired of these damn things defining my existence. It’d be nice not to have this constant reminder, or see the pity in people’s eyes when I try to wear a low neckline. I hate looking in the mirror because I know what I’ll find every single time. If there’s any chance, I’d like to know.”
Reaching down, he lifted her chin with his finger and stared into her hopeful eyes. “I’d hate to see you disappointed. Ignore them. If you pretend they don’t exist, then others will also.”
Keely palmed his cheek and her features softened. “That sounds so easy, and believe me I’ve tried that. It doesn’t work. Is this what you do with the scars left from your father’s passing? Is it easier to ignore them since they can’t be seen on your skin? No, I feel you tensing. Don’t shut down on me. That day in the forest when we spoke of your father, you closed up so quickly that I knew you had something you’ve been burying for a long time. You’re just as damaged as my chest.”
Unable to formulate words, Makar chose to remain quiet.
“Look at me, Makar. You got me to share my deepest fear. Explaining that wasn’t easy, and it hurt like hell, but I did it. It’s your turn now.”
Rolling to his back, Makar stared at the ceiling and sighed. “It’s stupid.”
Baruch immediately responded. “No. It’s not. I know the exact moment that still clings to you. It was when you entered the forest to bring your father back. You’ve never spoken of it, and I’ve not pushed even though I still remember the expression on your face when you returned alone. My heart bled for you that day, Makar. I’ve always believed that you feel guilt for not reaching him in time. You shouldn’t carry that burden. He wouldn’t have wanted that.”
Lifting, Makar scooted back and slumped against the headboard. Keely was right. He’d inadvertently cracked open her darkest secret. It was time for him to reveal his to Baruch.
“I did find him, and he was still alive. Barely.” He felt Keely’s palm land on his arm and took comfort from it.
“My father was the strongest male I’d ever met. The very second my mother passed, his eyes dulled and his ready smile disappeared forever. Every day, I would walk into his house to find him curled on her side of the bed. For close to three months, he lay there with her pillow gripped in his arms. Even though he’d wasted away to practically nothing, he’d managed to gather my mother’s favorite books and her hair comb before he escaped to the mountains. I found him sitting beside a spring. It must’ve had some significance to them, or that was as far as his broken body would take him. He was staring into the water and holding my mother’s things close to his chest.”
Makar swallowed hard and tried to keep from losing it. The memory remained excruciatingly vivid. Baruch’s hand landed on his shoulder, the firm grip helping him to maintain control.
“It took a few minutes before he realized I was there. I spent hours trying to convince him to accept the energy from our world. I could feel it crackling all around him, yet Insedivertus honored his wishes and stayed back. I cursed the gods for allowing this to happen. That’s when Father grabbed my hand and pulled it to his chest. He had the most peaceful expression on his face. He looked back to the stream, and I finally saw his smile again. He said, ‘Do not blame the gods, Makar. They have brought her back to me. Can you see her? She flows through the pristine water, her scent teases my nose, and she vibrates around my body. I hear her calling for me.’ He whispered her name and then he passed.”
Looking over, Makar’s eyes widened. Keely was fighting back tears, and Baruch looked dumbstruck. “Ah, gods! Look what I’ve done. Now I’ve planted this sad picture within your brain as well.”
Keely pushed up, swiveled, and threw her arms around his neck. He felt her fingers digging into his back.
“Oh, Makar. No! Don’t think that way. You placed something beautiful there. He loved your mother so much. It helps me to replace those left by my father.”
Clutching her, he closed his eyes and buried his face against her soft hair. He felt Baruch’s arms wrap them both, his voice sad.
“You can free your guilt now, Makar. Your father was happy and peaceful when he passed. Just because you tried to convince him to stay shouldn’t bring you pause.”
Makar shook his head. “No, that was never my issue. As soon as I witnessed his end, I understood his drive. I was grateful that I’d spent those last few moments with him. In truth, I felt wretched for not doing the same.”
Baruch and Keely leaned back, confusion moving across their faces. Baruch grabbed Makar’s forearm.
“Amici, are you saying that your guilt is from not joining Tianus?” His eyes widened. “Did you hold back because you thought I might not do the same?”
Adjusting until he faced them both, Makar shook his head. “No, that’s not it. I assure you. I felt like I betrayed our bond. If I had loved her as my father did my mother, then I should’ve felt the same overwhelming need to reconnect with her on the energy plane. But I wanted to live. The thought of you taking your life as my father had done ripped my heart to shreds. I wanted to continue living and having you there at every moment.”
Keely palmed his face and brushed away the tears he hadn’t realized had fallen.
“Makar. You need to set that aside. From what I understand, the Insedi handled their loss in a multitude of ways. Many turned to alcohol to squash the pain, some rallied and moved forward so their world would flourish again, and others chose to follow their loved one. This path through grief isn’t any different from what happens on Earth. For those that chose life, it doesn’t mean they loved their mate any less. Your father saw his survival imperative upon joining your mother. That was his decision. You saw yours as remaining and continuing the journey here with Baruch. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to live.”
Her features softened, and she caressed his cheek. “I’ve been there, Makar. I loved my mother and sister, but I lay on that floor and fought to live. I suffered the same survivor’s guilt you’ve endured. It took me years, but I finally realized that neither one of them would’ve wanted me to die.” She smiled, leaned forward, and gave him a tender kiss.
“If either of you had taken your life, I wouldn’t have met you. You gave me a wonderful gift today, and I’ll be forever grateful that both of you made the decision to stay alive.”
Makar leaned forward, clasped the back of her neck, and kissed her luscious, pouty lips. He reluctantly broke away. “Thank you, sweetness. Your words have freed the heaviness from my shoulders.”
Glancing up to Baruch, he needed no words. They were both overcome with love for this
precious female. Despite her own horrific events, her mind remained strong. She was the cog that would hold them together forever. All they needed now was for her to realize that she was worthy enough to be loved.
Pulling her down to the bed, Makar and Baruch adjusted her until she was smashed in between them again.
“Rest with us, Keely. We want to wake with you beside us.”
Soon, her body relaxed, and they enjoyed listening to the rhythmic sound of her breathing. Baruch’s husky voice drifted through his thoughts.
There’s one thing that we must keep in our minds, Makar.
What’s that?
Earnest McKinley. Never forget that name.
Makar’s growl mingled with his mates. There is no fear of that. It’s seared in my brain, much like her scars.
* * * *
Keely’s eyes flew open the second something warm and wet slid between her legs. She gasped when the sublime feeling happened again. Looking down, she was shocked to find Baruch’s wide shoulders situated between her thighs and his mouth firmly attached to her fully awake and throbbing pussy. Fire licked through her groin as his talented tongue swirled around her clit just before it slipped inside her channel and vibrated against what she figured was the elusive G-spot she’d read about.
Crying out, she grabbed the headboard and groaned when his gorgeous silver eyes flipped up to hers. She felt his fingers replace his mouth. His head rose, and he gave her a half-lifted smile. She lost her breath at the sight. Her skin pebbled when he spoke in his sensuous lilting accent.
“I could stay here forever. You have no idea how good you taste.” He slowly extended his tongue and began lapping at her clit, pressing harder each time she moaned and rolled her hips.
“Ah, you’re so good at this. Don’t stop.” When he sucked her hardened bud between his lips and repeatedly antagonized the tip, Keely tried to wiggle away from the intensity. Baruch growled, pressed his palm just above her fluttering, soaking wet pussy, and held her firmly in place. Relentless, he continued to suck and lick until her legs began to shake. Within seconds, she ignited.
Intense, throbbing waves of pleasure sizzled erotically around her plump bud, and unintelligible words spewed from her lips. They were silenced as soon as his mouth crashed over hers, and he surged inside her fiery, grasping pussy. He was thick and deliciously stretched her opening. She sucked in hard draws of air when he broke away from the hypnotic kiss. Hips slowly undulating as he worked to seat himself deep inside, Baruch’s velvety deep voice caressed her senses.
“Open your eyes, my foemina. Look at me. Yes. Ah, there. So beautiful. I love to watch you come. Umm, you’re gripping me so tightly. Put your legs around my waist. Good girl.”
Able to breathe again, Keely peeled her fingers from the headboard and latched on to his broad shoulders. Frowning, she lifted her head and noticed that they were alone on the bed. She startled when Baruch chuckled and nipped at her earlobe.
“I must be doing something wrong. It seems I’ve lost your attention.”
Blinking rapidly, she focused on his twinkling gray eyes. “Where’s Makar?” She swallowed hard. “Won’t he be mad?”
Baruch smiled and began increasing his strokes until he had her grunting and straining against his warm, slick body. Leaning in, he whispered against her neck.
“He’s in the shower and has been within my mind from the moment I tasted your sweet flesh. Don’t worry. There’s no jealousy between us. He’s taking care of himself as he experiences us together. Oh, yes. You like the thought of that, don’t you? I felt you flutter on my cock. Good…good…dig your heels into my ass. Umm, I cannot get enough of your luscious body. You devastate my senses. Makar’s close, and so am I. Ah, he’s stroking his shaft hard and imagining himself pounding into your sweet, tight pussy. He feels what I feel. All of it. Let us love you together.”
Reaching down, Keely clasped his waist, digging her fingers into his hard muscles while he steadily worked above her. Repeatedly, his hot steel shaft scraped along every sensitive nerve, overloading her senses and leaving her chanting his name in benediction. Within seconds, he had her clawing at his flesh as he expertly twisted his hips and repeatedly slid over her clit. Waves of fire moved through her groin, and she threw herself headlong into the madness, spewing strangled words and reveling in the sound of their flesh slapping together.
“There you are, my wanton creature. You’re gripping my dick so hard. That feels so fucking good. That’s it, that’s it. Free yourself. Let go, sweetness. Let go. Come with us.”
Baruch slammed tight inside her, undulated furiously, and threw her completely over the cliff. Muscles locking, a flash of light shot through her vision, and she bit into his chest muscle, catching herself before she broke skin. Her pussy fluttered violently at the sound of Baruch’s shout and the flood of warmth bathing her channel.
“Yes, yes, my foemina! Mark me as I fill you with my seed.”
Keely’s nails scraped down his back as Makar’s muffled cry sounded from the bathroom. Slamming her feet to the mattress, she rode Baruch’s hard cock until they both fell limp to the mattress. Keely enjoyed the heaviness of his body, moaning when he rose on shaking arms and rolled to the side—taking her with him.
Chests heaving in unison, she basked in the small kisses to her hair and forehead while he stroked her back. He began mumbling in his language and sent her pussy into spasms. Baruch grunted and rolled his hips against her until she felt him soften. He pulled her closer, refusing to separate their intimate connection.
Keely’s mind spun at how wonderful this felt. Never had she been lavished with so much attention. From the moment she’d asked them to take her, they’d been nothing but completely focused on her needs. She felt as if a thousand layers of her ugly past had been stripped away. It was disconcerting and overwhelmingly beautiful at the same time. So many new emotions were bombarding her senses she was unable to sort them. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm. She figured getting laid right and proper for the first time in her life would cause anyone to try to tack on other significance to it.
Keely was relieved the bed dipped and pulled her from the crazy thoughts. Lifting her head, she smiled at a beaming Makar peeking over Baruch’s thick shoulder. She realized he was fully dressed when he reached around and popped Baruch on the arm.
“Get up. My time to hold her now. Go take a shower.”
Baruch groaned, kissed her soundly on the lips as he eased out of channel, and then reluctantly rolled from the bed. Makar immediately scooped her up close and snuggled against her hair.
“Mmm, you smell good. Musky, sweaty female and violets. I’m never leaving.”
She snorted and mumbled against his chest, “You’re going to get dirty,” while hoping he’d hang on for a little while longer. Makar was such a calming force. Keely felt protected and content within his arms. She smiled when he squeezed her tightly and pulled her even closer.
“I don’t care. I’ll proudly wear your scent all day. I love you, Keely.”
Chapter 28
Keely felt her muscles tighten. Both of them had been telling her this every chance they got last night. How in the hell could they love me? It wasn’t unusual for people sharing harrowing experiences to feel very closely connected. But love? It’s too soon. Right? She had no choice but to look up when he lifted her chin with the edge of his finger. His honey-golden eyes seared into hers. Never wavering.
“You’re thinking too hard, Keely. We love you, and that’s not going to change. You’ll realize this eventually. We’ll not push you to tell us the same. Not until you’re ready.”
Unable to find a reasonable response that wouldn’t start a heated debate, Keely had never been happier to hear her belly growl.
Makar’s eyes widened, and he immediately went into action. “Ah, gods! We forgot to feed you last night. I’m so sorry. Tana sent food, but I’m sure it’s spoiled by now.” Pressing a kiss to her lips, he leaped from the bed and hurried to
the door. “I’ll bring us something fresh. By the time you’re out of the shower, I should be back.”
Keely sat up as soon as he disappeared around the corner. Unable to locate her shirt, she grabbed Baruch’s from the floor and pulled it over her head. She paused to breathe in his scent. Musky man and forest. Rubbing at her chest, she tried to keep her wayward thoughts in check, but failed. How in the hell could anyone resist them? Every thought or action they’d taken had been for her benefit. She’d never met anyone less selfish than these two adorable men. She felt wretched that they believed themselves in love with someone as broken as she was. They deserved a woman that was whole, not a shell that stayed glued together just by sheer willpower.
Her thoughts flew back to the tender treatment she’d received when she’d finally revealed her scars. Not once had they looked at her in disgust or pity. They were angry for her, and had shown her, without guile or ulterior motive, that she was beautiful to them. Keely rubbed her eyes to stave off the biting tears threatening to fall. They may have accepted the scars on the outside, but Keely knew she was far from healed on the inside. Why should I subject them to this? Wouldn’t I be the selfish one then?
All of her black thoughts disappeared the second Baruch burst from the bathroom in all his naked glory. He was so full of life she could practically feel the air vibrating with his energy. His hair was loose, making him look erotically wild. The moment his eyes landed on her, a wide, gap-toothed smile appeared and melted her heart. She couldn’t stop the chuckle that escaped her lips.
“You’re not shy one bit, are you?”
He finished scrubbing his hair, and his arms dropped to his sides. “Nope. I only wear clothes because they make me.” His unique silver eyes narrowed, and he moved closer. His voice slipped into the one he’d used by the elevator, and her skin instantly pebbled.
“Ah, my foemina. Are you wearing my shirt?” One side of his sensuous lips lifted into the sexiest smile she’d ever laid eyes on.
Fueled by Lust: Makar and Baruch (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 25