Her muscles began to ache. Her calves began to burn. Sweat gathered between her breasts, on her temples and upper lip.
The steam radiator, minutes ago so welcome, now boiled her alive.
She trembled, struggling to maintain the pose. Standing still for longer than ten minutes was far more difficult than she had imagined. Yesterday Warren’s travel stories had catapulted her into a different world. Today he was too busy. She wanted to shake her limbs to stop the numbness from spreading, but she didn’t dare to interrupt his utter focus.
Sarah pushed through the discomfort by studying the men.
Warren was in his own world. In some ways he reminded her of her father, his focus and concentration on his work. But unlike her father Warren had the ability to pay attention when he was not in this state.
She realized he hadn’t added his alarm to his wrist today. There was no clock inside the studio and she’d lost all sense of time.
Before she could speak up and raise the issue Archer did.
“Break time.” He walked out of the shadows and pulled a black robe from the top of the sofa.
The magic of the moment collapsed around Sarah. The protection of being a model vanished. Embarrassment filled her cheeks. She studied her toes when she took the garment from him.
Warren growled when she moved.
Sarah flinched and held the fabric before her body.
Archer appeared beside her, resting his hand on her shoulder, his thumb rubbing across her tense muscles.
Her nipples tingled. The now-familiar tension that came with being in their presence spread across her.
She didn’t want to step away.
“Don’t worry. While he is like this there is no talking to him.” Archer turned her until her back was to him and began to massage her shoulders.
A blazing heat burned her insides to ashes. It was unbearable and at the same time the most amazing sensation she’d ever experienced.
She stepped forward and slipped into the robe. “Thank you.”
Sarah hungered for more of his touch, but if she wanted to survive she couldn’t allow it. She had to be strong.
Archer balled his fist, the memory of the softness of her skin burning in his brain. His cock was rock hard and the desire swirling through him nearly drove him to his knees. Watching her goddess body from the shadows had cost him.
His need to touch, to caress her luminous skin, had grown with every moment he’d watched.
When he finally laid hands on her he had to grit his teeth against the drive to pull her close. For a second she had leaned into him. But then the walls had shot up again and she’d pulled away.
Numerous times he’d now thought that Warren and he were breaking through, but something kept raising her defenses.
And he didn’t know how to remove this something.
“Time!” Warren barked. He’d risen from his position on the floor and now waved Sarah back to her spot.
She took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders before following Warren’s order. Gone were the jerky movements of before. Now she moved with grace, her beautiful breasts shifting beneath the silk with each step, her nipples clearly outlined against the fabric.
She stopped before Warren and with a tilt of her chin untied the belt and let the robe slide down her shoulders.
Sarah stood before them with nothing covering her.
She was gorgeous. But it wasn’t just her physical beauty that held him entranced. Her inner strength expressed by her stubborn jawline, her courage and the inferno burning inside her drew him close.
Archer stepped behind her and picked up the robe. She remained tense, but didn’t flinch when he caressed her nape. He exhaled and stepped away, leaving artist and model to their art.
Archer walked from the room.
He needed a moment. He also wanted to fetch water and a light snack for Sarah. Before today he had never assisted Warren with a model, but his lover had mentioned how exhausting and straining the work was. He checked his pocket watch. The first session had lasted close to thirty minutes.
He nodded to Jennings and the cook as he filled a tray with a pitcher of water, chilled by his cooling machine, as well as some fruit. He walked back, forcing himself to move with measured steps and not to hurry.
Archer strode into the studio, his gaze immediately drawn to Sarah.
She stood more naturally. He knew Warren probably wouldn’t use any sketches from the first two or three sessions, waiting until she was comfortable enough with the process to show the real her.
He set down the tray and moved to the small bathroom attached to the studio. He filled a bowl with hot water and collected a cloth and towel. He added those to the table holding the tray and sat on one of the stools. Her eyes met his. For a moment hers were filled with passion, confusion and worry. Archer wanted to hold her close and assure her that they would protect her, to tell her everything would be all right.
But that would be a lie.
Pulling her into their world of secrets and the need to hide parts of themselves was selfish. They still had the option to change their plan.
And Archer could not do so.
Whatever it took, Sarah was the one for them. She had settled in his soul and in his heart.
For the next twenty minutes he observed. The longer she stood, the more her walls crumbled. The firm chin, held high in defiance and fear, gradually lowered to a more natural position. When he saw the muscles in her legs shake, he rose. “Warren, time.”
His lover growled, but waved at Sarah.
Archer took the robe and held it ready for her to slip into it.
“Thank you.”
He nodded, wet the cloth and held it out to her. “It will help ease some of the kinks.”
For a moment she just looked at the cloth as if not quite sure what to do with it. Finally she took it and turned her back to him as she rubbed the cloth over her body.
He gritted his teeth. He wanted to do it for her.
Later.
Sarah handed back the cloth, a moist shimmer making her body glisten. He handed her the towel and she repeated the process.
She returned the towel, drew the robe closed and tied the belt. He took her hand and led her to the tray. Her hand twitched once, but remained in his clasp. He poured her a glass of water.
Sarah took it with a grateful smile.
“Have a seat.” He pointed at the stool.
Her brows shot up, but she tucked the edges of the robe between her legs and sat.
“Would you like some fruit?”
“Yes, please.” Her voice held a husky sensuality. She looked away, pink staining her cheeks.
Archer ignored it and cut an apple into bite-sized pieces.
She took the plate with a grateful smile and nodded when he raised the jug in question.
“There is a bathroom attached to the studio.” He pointed to a narrow door just as Warren pulled it open and washed his hands in the small sink.
Sarah nodded but looked slightly to the left of his face.
He poured another glass for Warren, stepped behind Sarah and put his hands on her upper back. She tensed. “Shh, don’t worry, this will help with the aching muscles.”
Sarah didn’t relax immediately, but she allowed him to massage her tense shoulders and neck. Slowly she leaned into his touch.
Warren joined them and gulped down his glass of water. He met Archer’s gaze and knelt before Sarah. “How are you holding up?”
“I am fine.”
Archer couldn’t see her expression, but tension invaded her body. He increased the pressure and she moaned. The sound blazed through him. The need burning in Warren’s eyes matched the explosion building inside him.
Careful, he mouthed at Warren. They didn’t want to scare her away now that she’d finally relaxed enough to allow their attentions.
Warren quirked his lips, took Sarah’s feet and rested them on his thigh. She made a sound as if to protest. Warren smiled
at her. “I can’t let him be the only knight in shining armor.” With careful moves he gently massaged the soles of her feet.
Archer rubbed his thumbs along the slender line of her neck and dug into the knots across her back. Her head dropped forward and Warren caught the empty glass before it fell to the floor.
Archer continued his massage while going to his knees behind her stool. He slid his hands down her spine and dug his fingers into her lower back. She moaned again and arched her spine.
He continued, mixing touches to alleviate the aches of standing still for that length of time and caresses intended to arouse. When he curved his palms around her waist and rubbed his thumbs across the top of her bum she flinched, pulled her feet out of Warren’s grasp and rose. “I believe it is time for the next round, is it not?”
Warren looked at him, but Archer didn’t know what had caused her withdrawal.
“Certainly, Sarah. We are making great progress today.” Warren took her hand and guided her back to her spot. He clasped his hands and rested them on the back of his head, arching his body. “Can you assume this position?”
Her eyes widened and color pinkened her cheeks. She swallowed.
Archer was just about to stop him when she nodded. Her hands shook when she untied the robe’s belt. Archer strode over and took it from her.
Sarah dug her teeth into her lower lip, nearly making him groan with the need to do that himself. Then she clasped her hands and took the provocative position.
Warren nodded and grabbed his paper.
Archer bit the inside of his cheek and sank back onto the stool. He had to adjust himself discreetly as his hard cock didn’t make sitting very easy.
How could Warren just stand there and paint?
Chapter Six
Every line, every smudged shadow was a battle. No matter how beautiful, erotic or tempting a model might be, Warren had no issue with pushing that aside and focusing on the art.
Not so with Sarah.
Where the artist wanted to capture the arch of her back, the curve of her breast, the tight peaks on paper, the man wanted to explore every inch of her glorious body with his hands and his lips.
He drew a couple of lines and smudged them with his finger.
Running his tongue along the same lines would be amazing.
He took a step and a half to the side until he had Sarah in more of a profile. Warren gripped the charcoal too tightly. It broke. With a growl he dropped the smaller piece and continued. He captured the slope of her back, curving into her round behind. Sarah had an arse that was just about perfect in every way.
He imagined her before him on her hands and knees, sucking Archer’s cock while Warren caressed her bottom, teasing her wet slit. He would nip her firm flesh with his teeth and introduce her to his palm, showing her how arousing a touch of pain could be.
The charcoal broke again. He threw the pieces on the floor and stomped over to his desk where more supplies waited. Warren picked up three more pieces and walked back to Sarah.
Confusion and a touch of apprehension clouded her eyes. He tried to send her a reassuring smile, but going by her and Archer’s response he was unsuccessful.
Warren exhaled and tried to push the part of him battling the artist out of his mind.
For now they needed the artist, the part of his personality that could reassure and entice Sarah as opposed to the Neanderthal who constantly wanted to drag her beneath him and drown in her sensuality.
No matter how hard, he would do it. Suppressing part of him would hurt in the beginning, but garner them more success in the long run.
He flipped to a fresh piece of paper and drew, for the first time since she’d dropped the robe, sinking into his artistic zone. His lines smoothed out, became more comprehensive and exact. The curve of her stomach, the sumptuous roundness of her arse and hips. The dark secret between her soft thighs. Her legs, full and lush, ending in her small feet.
Beautiful.
No matter from what angle, from what direction he attacked the drawing, Sarah had no bad side. She was perfect just the way she was.
Warren tore off the sheet and started a new one.
Her stubborn chin she always raised when she was pushed outside her area of comfort. Her slightly uptilted nose that was a little too short to match her high cheekbones. Her big blue eyes that hid so much. Her forehead, for once relaxed and without the slight frown she so often exhibited, and her luscious hair, so light it was nearly white in the infuriating bun. As soon as he could he would get her to release those strands.
Warren noticed her arms shake and her body beginning to sway. He wanted to continue his dive into her beauty, but she was reaching her breaking point.
He put his materials down just as Archer called, “Time.”
Sarah lowered her arms slowly and with a grimace.
Archer picked up the robe, but Warren held up a hand to stop him from covering her. A slight sheen of sweat covered her torso.
Archer had refreshed the bowl of water and Warren moistened a cloth. She froze when he made a move to wipe down her chest. He captured her hands and kissed them. “Let us take care of you. You have worked hard. This is the least we can do.”
He wasn’t sure if it was his words or her exhaustion, but she complied.
Archer set the robe on the back of the sofa and picked up the towel he’d brought out earlier, coming to a standstill behind Sarah.
Warren stepped up and gently wiped the warm cloth across her décolleté and neck. Much to his surprise she leaned into Archer and closed her eyes.
Warren gently continued his task by rubbing across her breasts—her nipples tightening—and her stomach. With each touch she leaned more heavily into Archer, who handed him the dry towel and gently massaged her shoulders.
Warren took the towel and dried her. Then he sank to his knees and wiped down her thighs. She instinctively widened her stance and he had to bite his tongue not to groan when he caught a glimpse of her swollen pussy.
He ignored the need charging through him and focused on her feet, lifting them one at a time, rolled down her stockings and wiped down her legs. Once he’d finished he set down cloth and towel. Archer’s blazing gaze met his. Warren nodded.
Archer slowly stroked his hand from her shoulder down her spine until his hand curved around her waist. He gently moved back up and caressed the outside of her breast.
Sarah tensed.
Both of them paused.
But her eyes remained closed.
Warren set one of her feet onto his thigh and kissed her knee. Her breathing grew uneven, but other than that she did not respond. He continued putting his lips against her skin, kissing his way up to her waist. He wanted nothing more than to dive between her thighs, cup her moist pussy in his hand, but he restrained himself.
Instead he kissed and nipped the tender flesh of her inner thigh and gently set the foot back down. A quick glance up showed him Archer had moved his other hand until his arm wrapped around her waist and his hand rested above her patch of curls. He was in the process of kissing his way up and down her neck.
Warren repeated his caresses on her other leg, leaving no inch untouched. His desire grew harder and harder to control as with each breath the scent of her arousal saturated his senses. He leaned back, his fingers stroking the backs of her knees, and watched as Archer carefully cupped the heavy weight of her breasts.
Both of them held their breath, expecting her to put an end to their exploration.
But she didn’t.
Instead she moaned softly and her head dropped back against Archer’s chest. Archer teased her tight nipples with his fingertips, hardening them even further.
Warren couldn’t stand it any longer and lifted one leg over his shoulder. He tried to be gentle and slow, but his need to taste the succulent flesh before him drove him to the edge. Her body softened into the new position.
He kissed her inner thighs, worked his way closer and closer to his goal. Finally his fin
gers brushed her beautiful pussy.
Sarah tensed.
He paused.
Archer murmured reassuring words against her neck and tweaked her hard nipples.
Another moan escaped her. Warren stroked his fingertips across the moist entrance. With care he rubbed his thumb over her clitoris, gently raising it to its full potential.
Her hands, up until now just hanging at her sides, balled into fists.
Warren repeated the caress, torn between delight and excitement that she allowed their touch and bone-deep fear that something was wrong. Not once had she looked at either of them. It was as if she’d removed herself from the situation, as if by not seeing them she could pretend nothing really happened.
He would not allow that.
If the three of them were to have a future, every one of them needed to make a conscious decision to be part of it.
He leaned forward and put his mouth on her, licking along her moist opening and curling around her tight clit.
Her eyes sprang open and the fire flaring inside them nearly burned him to a crisp. Contrary to his belief, she had been with them every step of the way.
Now he had to see how far she wanted to go.
Sarah had never felt like this before.
Archer’s warmth behind her, his strength holding her up. Warren’s gentle, yet so titillating touch before her.
When they’d stopped the session she had been mentally and physically exhausted. Far more than she had ever imagined from standing still. She’d been sweaty and sticky. When Warren had started to clean her she’d been relieved she didn’t have to do it herself.
Each touch was a caress, and the support and tantalizing feel of Archer at her back pushed her further and further down a path she had tried so hard to avoid.
Sarah looked down at Warren. Her leg inelegantly sprawled over his shoulder, her quim on display. Archer’s hands cupping her breasts and teasing her oh-so-sensitive nipples.
She knew one word from her and they would stop. As much as they threw her off balance, as much as they dominated her thoughts and feelings, she trusted them.
DangerbyDalliance Page 7