Double Down (The Drift Book 1)

by Susan Hayes

“Now you have someone who will worry. In fact, you have several someones. Why don’t you have a crew, anyway? I always meant to ask,” Luke asked.

  “After I left Vin, and my brother left to do his own thing, I thought about hiring someone else, but there was no one I trusted enough. I was an infant when my dad came and got me from my Pheran relatives, and they’ve never reached out to me. Dad and Royan were the only family I knew. I decided I was better off alone and well-armed than flying with someone I couldn’t depend on. Besides, no crew meant more money for me, and I needed every bit of scrip I could scrape together to keep flying, especially in the beginning. When dad died, he didn’t have a will, so I got everything because I was the oldest. I didn’t feel that was right, so I gave Royan half of what little there was. It left me with damned near nothing to pay off Dad’s debts with, but it seemed to be the only fair thing to do.”

  “Fair, but not easy.” Kit said.

  “No, not easy,” she said and shrugged. “Not everyone gets dealt a fair hand. We make do with what we’re given and move on. I have to say, lately things have been going really well for me.” Like having dinner with the two of you.

  Luke surprised her by reaching out and taking her hand. “Things have definitely been looking up for us, too.”

  Kit took her other hand and squeezed it. “Which is why we’re going to worry about you, little one. Not because we think you can’t take care of yourself. We know you can. We protect what matters to us, and you matter. Very much.”

  “I’m glad I matter to you. I mean—you matter to me too. Both of you do.” She held tight to their hands as she tried to calm the sudden storm of emotions churning inside her. Somewhere in the past few minutes, this had gone from a simple date to something more. She wasn’t sure where this was going, but as she sat between them, holding both their hands, she knew that wherever tonight led, she wasn’t going to let fear or doubt get in her way. Tonight, she was going to take a chance.

  “I don’t know about you, but right now, I think we should skip the rest of dinner and go straight to dessert,” Luke said, his fingers caressing her palm.

  She was about to agree when Kit cleared his throat and gave his brother an odd look.

  “I’m not feeling very patient right now,” Luke said out loud, despite the fact Kit hadn’t said anything.

  “Who said anything about being patient?” she asked.

  Luke pointed to Kit. “He did. Only you didn’t hear him because he was nagging me via our personal comm channel.”

  “You can talk to each other that way?”

  “We can. We have internal comms with each other, with our batch siblings, and we used to be able to link up with any other cyborg in our battle group, if they were within range,” Kit explained.

  “That’s incredible. You can’t still do that?” she asked.

  Luke shook his head. “We shut down the other channels when we left service. They’re still there, just…quiet.”

  Zura understood the need for quiet. She liked the solitude of her life sometimes. Tonight though, tonight she didn’t want to be alone. She had dreamed of being with them long enough already. It was time to seize the moment. “I know you think you need to be patient, Kit, but I’m with Luke. As amazing as this dinner has been, I think I’d rather skip to dessert. How does the three of us sharing the chocolates sound? Maybe while were all on that couch?” She nodded toward a large couch that took up most of the back wall.

  “We don’t want to rush you,” Kit said.

  “I’m not feeling rushed right now. Far from it. Besides, I think we’re past worrying about rushing into anything. I’ve known you two for a while. I like you. A lot. I’m here because I want to be. If I were worried about being alone with you, I’d hardly have agreed to have dinner in a room with a locking door.”

  “But we were trying to show you—” Kit broke off without finishing his sentence.

  “You don’t need to show me you’re good men. I already know that. You’ve done more for me already than any other man ever has. I’ve never been treated like this before. I feel spoiled, and I confess, I like it. That doesn’t mean you need to change who you are or how you act to please me. I like you both no matter what you’re wearing.” She stood up, determined to make something clear. She walked up to Kit first and gently loosened his tie before unbuttoning his shirt, too.

  “Better,” she declared.

  “In that case…” Luke muttered and snagged two fingers in his collar, tearing it open and sending several buttons flying.

  She crooked a finger at them and walked backward until she was standing by the sofa. Taking a seat, she sat back, kicked off her shoes, and grinned at them despite the fact it felt like her heart was in her throat. “So, dessert now?”

  “If dessert is what you want, then that’s what you shall have,” Luke said, already out of his chair and heading straight for her with desire gleaming in his dark eyes. He tore off his tie and dropped it on the floor along the way before undoing a few more buttons on his shirt.

  Kit rose and went to the door, making a show of double checking the lock. “Last chance to leave, little one.”

  She shook her head. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m right where I want to be.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Kit met Luke’s eyes as he claimed a seat on the couch on the other side of Zura, and his brother’s voice sounded inside his head. “She’s finally going to be ours.”

  “Have I mentioned how stunning you look in that dress?” Luke asked out loud as he leaned in and kissed Zura.

  “You did. I’m glad I went and got it this afternoon, or I would have been woefully underdressed for this evening’s date.”

  Kit scowled. “You went and got it? From your ship? When? Who went with you?”

  “Owen accompanied me. You two were busy, and I wanted to surprise you. Tonight was special, and I wanted to dress the part.”

  “You went with him? He’s the biggest playboy on the payroll!” Kit turned and hauled her across his lap. “Don’t go anywhere with him alone again.”

  “While Owen may be single, it would seem I’m not. Besides, he was a perfect gentleman. Unlike you, mister grabby hands. Why am I on your lap?”

  “You’re here because that seemed the best place for you after you told us that you were out and about with Owen.” He kissed her hard, his hands busy stroking over every soft curvy inch of her he could reach.

  “It’s a good thing I think it’s cute when you two get all grumpy and possessive,” she whispered, her fingers busy undoing more of the buttons of his shirt.

  “Just don’t tell anyone you think of us that way,” Luke said as he drew her legs across his lap.

  “I may have told Owen I thought you two were sweet the way you were so protective of me,” she confessed between kisses.

  “How long did he laugh? And let me be clear: We’re only sweet when it comes to you.”

  “I can live with that. As it happens, I only like grumpy, possessive men when it comes to the two of you, so I think we’re even.” Zura was finding it hard to think straight anymore. Both men had their hands on her, stroking and kissing her until she was half out of her mind.

  “You say the nicest things,” Luke crooned as he pulled out the box of chocolates and set it down on her legs. “Close your eyes. It’s time we fed you dessert.”

  A shiver of anticipation coursed through her. This was turning out to be so much hotter than any fantasy she’d ever had about what it would be like to be with the brothers.

  “I think we should make sure she doesn’t peek. Luke, take your shirt off. Our girl here needs a blindfold.”

  “No, I don’t,” she protested. No sight meant no control, and that wasn’t something she usually allowed.

  Kit’s lips brushed over hers. “Trust us, little one. You’re going to enjoy this.”

  His words were a sensual promise, an invitation to something she didn’t want to miss. Instead of arguing, she closed her eyes. It was time t
o follow her heart.

  She could feel Luke moving, and then something soft was being placed over her face. It was still warm from his body heat and carried a trace of his scent in the fabric. As it was fastened in place, her heart began to beat a little faster. She knew she was soaking wet already, her thighs sticky with the proof of how aroused she was after only a few kisses and caresses.

  “So how is this going to work?” she asked.

  “You relax, and for once in your life, let someone take care of you the way you deserve,” Kit whispered, nuzzling her ear so that his words were a soft buzz against her skin.

  “We’ve got you, gorgeous. And I’ve got something for you…open your mouth for me.”

  She parted her lips and caught a whiff of chocolate a split second before a morsel landed on her tongue. Sweet. Sinful. It melted away in mere seconds, leaving her wanting more.

  Again something brushed her lips, but this time it wasn’t candy. Luke leaned over her, slanting his mouth across hers as he slid a hand up her thigh, pushing her dress out of the way as he went.

  “You taste delicious,” Luke whispered before kissing her again.

  “That’s the chocolate,” she replied, moving her hands up his bare chest and neck until she could bury her fingers in his hair.

  “I don’t think it is,” Kit said. He swept her hair back from her neck and sucked on the skin of her throat.

  “More chocolate or more kisses?” Luke asked, his mouth still lightly touching hers.

  “Both,” she said. Not just both. Everything.

  “As you wish. Chocolate first.”

  This time, when he placed the candy in her mouth, she managed to capture his finger between her teeth before he could pull away. She stroked her tongue over his fingertip, sucking on it until she heard him groan. Only then did she release his finger with a pop.

  “You’re utterly wicked. And I’ll have you know you taste delicious even without the chocolate.” Kit ran his tongue across the pulse point below her ear as his hands cupped her breasts, his thumbs stroking over her nipples until they tightened into diamond-hard nubs.

  Luke whispered her name before kissing her again. This time, he let his tongue sweep into her mouth, savoring her sweet heat. Before the night was over, he wanted to taste every inch of her. She uttered a low moan as he moved his hand higher up the soft plane of her thigh. He didn’t stop until his fingers reached the slick lips of her bare pussy. She moaned again as he dipped a finger inside and circled her clit with a slow, deliberate touch.

  “You’re not wearing underwear. If I had known that, I would’ve been tempted to skip dinner completely. I want my dessert now, Zura. Can you guess what I want to eat?” Luke asked, his voice barely more than a deep rumble now.

  She tightened her fingers in his hair, pulling him in for another kiss as she arched her hips against his fingers.

  Kit chuckled and placed an open-mouthed kiss on her neck. “Is that what you want, little one?”

  “I know your medi-bots mean you’re clean, and so am I. So yes, I want this. All if it. Anything. Just don’t you dare stop.”

  Luke had never heard sweeter words in his life. He kissed her again and managed to ease himself out from beneath her legs. Once he was free, he turned and settled himself between her parted thighs, guiding her legs onto his shoulders.

  “Lift your hips,” Kit instructed Zura.

  She rose up enough for Kit to pull her dress up to her waist, and Luke took a moment to enjoy the view. Zura was lying in Kit’s lap, thighs parted, legs bare, and her skin flushed with her arousal.

  Kit cradled her in his arms, holding her like the precious treasure they knew her to be. She was achingly beautiful, and the stars seemed to be aligning to make her theirs.

  He kissed his way up her inner thigh until he was a mere inch from her pussy. The scent of her arousal flooded his senses, drawing him in until his mouth was on her slick flesh. She moaned, and the sweet sound of her pleasure pushed him beyond his breaking point. He needed this. He needed her, and he would not stop until he heard her scream his name.

  Zura was in sensual overload. With Kit’s strong hands toying with her breasts and Luke’s hot mouth working her clit, her attention bounced from one sensation to the next. She was dizzy with need within seconds, her body responding to their every touch. Weeks of illicit fantasies faded beside the reality of being with both of them, and Zura knew that whatever happened, she would never regret her decision to let them into her life.

  “I think this can come off now,” Kit murmured between kisses. He released one breast to tug at the blindfold, sliding it over her head with care.

  She looked down to see Luke stretched out between her legs, his big hands resting on her thighs. He seemed bigger like this, his body so muscular and solid he could have been carved in stone. He was too perfect to be hers—but he was. At that moment, Luke looked up. His blue eyes locked on hers, and she couldn’t look away. As she watched, he slid a finger inside her, then a second, fucking her with his fingers as he drew her clit into the depths of his mouth and lashed at it with the tip of his tongue.

  “I think he likes you watching him. Do you like what you see?” Kit asked, nuzzling her neck.

  “Yes. I’ve never watched—never wanted to. But this? Yes, I like it.”

  Her words seemed to spur Luke on, and he redoubled his efforts. It all became too much, and before she knew it, she was trembling on the verge of an orgasm. She came with a cry, her eyes closing as her head fell back, her hips rocking, and her inner walls pulsing around Luke’s thick fingers.

  “I think watching you come is my new favorite pastime,” Kit whispered in her ear as she struggled to catch her breath.

  “And I have a new favorite dessert,” Luke said as he eased himself from between her legs.

  “You…I…” She tried to speak, but her thoughts were still too scrambled to form words.

  “I rendered our girl speechless.” Luke looked utterly smug.

  “We did, you glory hog. Learn to share,” Kit replied.

  Zura laughed as her wits slowly returned. “I think you two share very well. If you were any better at it, I’m not sure I’d survive the experience.”

  Kit cradled her in his arms and knew there wasn’t a chance in hell he was letting her go anytime soon. All his good intentions had been blown to atoms the second he pulled her onto his lap. All that was left was a hunger that no food could satisfy.

  Luke wiped his mouth with the back of one hand and arched a brow in query. “Care to be shared some more? I should warn you, though. If you say yes, then you’re not going to get much sleep tonight.”

  “I already told you, I’m right where I want to be. That is unless you two want to go somewhere with a bed. Not my room, though. There is no way in hell all three of us would fit comfortably in there.”

  “Bed later. Right now, I have all I want right here. The only trouble I can see is that you’re wearing too many clothes. As much as I love seeing you in that dress, I want to see you out of it even more,” Kit said.

  Luke stood up and offered Zura his hand. “This would go faster if you actually let go of her, you know.”

  “How much do you like this dress, little one? Because I’m tempted to tear it off you if it means you’d stay on my lap,” Kit said as he tried to figure out a way to get what they all wanted without letting go of Zura.

  “If I stay here, you’re not going to get out of those clothes. I vote you let me stand up,” Zura was laughing as she took Luke’s hand and let him help her to her feet.

  Luke didn’t stop once he had her upright. He tugged her into his arms for another kiss, his hands already busy undoing the fastenings on the back of her dress. By the time Kit rid himself of his shirt, Zura was naked, her clothes lying on the floor at her feet. All she wore was the gold necklace with a battered gold ring hanging between her luscious breasts.

  Re’veth, she was breathtaking. He wanted to trace every delicate stripe on her skin and e
xplore every inch of her soft body. Unable to stay away, he found himself moving in behind her so that the soft curve of her ass was pressed against his thighs, and he could feel the satin heat of her skin against his bare chest. She moaned and reached behind her, gripping his thigh with one hand while she held onto Luke’s shoulder with the other.

  Zura was surrounded by strength and male heat. Every move any of them made produced a delicious friction that only added to the fire already burning inside her. Luke’s kisses were passionate and demanding, his hips rocking into hers with every stroke of his tongue. Kit moved in time with his brother until she was swaying between them in an erotic dance.

  “I need you, little one. Tell me you’re ready for us,” Kit whispered.

  “I’m ready. I’ve been dreaming about this for so long,” she confessed. Both men went still, and Luke groaned.

  “Why didn’t you say something?” he asked.

  “Because I had convinced myself it was better to be on my own. Because I didn’t want to risk our friendship. At first, I wasn’t even sure you thought of me that way. Most guys don’t. I’m used to it.”

  “Most guys are idiots, myself included. I admit I didn’t notice you at first, but I’ve been thinking about this since you came to stay with us, and I finally got to know you.” Kit kissed her brow in a tender gesture that touched her heart.

  “We’re here now. That’s all that matters,” she said, meaning every word.

  “Well said,” Kit murmured and nuzzled her neck.

  “Couch or table?” Luke asked, and it took her a moment to grasp what he was asking.

  “I vote for the couch. The table’s cold, hard, and covered in dishes at the moment,” she said.

  “Couch it is.” Luke palmed her breasts, teasing her aching nipples.

  “Follow Luke. He’ll show you where we want you,” Kit told her and moved away, freeing her to move.

  Luke went quiet for a moment and then grinned. “Oh yeah, that’s perfect.”

  “What’s perfect? Are you two talking to each other in your heads? That’s totally cheating!” Zura complained as she found herself being led around to the side of the couch.