by Kaye Draper
Chapter 12
I licked my lips, suddenly nervous all over again. “So....” I said, lame and awkward as usual. “Are we all doing this or what?”
Angel laughed and sat forward, unfurling his long legs and dropping his cozy throw to the ground. “Oh, Sam. So smooth, as always.”
He pulled his long braid over one shoulder as he stood and picked up his tea, then arched a brow at Emerson and pointed at the chair Angel had just vacated. “Sit down and stop fussing, please.”
Emerson sighed and set the heating pad on the end table before doing as he was told. Once he was seated, Angel gave him a fond smile and a wink. “Good boy.” The ogre blushed so hard, I was surprised he didn’t start smoking.
Angel sipped his tea, then glanced between me and my other mates. “It seems you’ve both accepted the idea of me being intimate with Sam,” he said, not even looking the slightest bit uncomfortable. I shook my head, but he just kept talking. “But...does this mean you’d like to share in the more immediate sense?”
“Angel,” I groaned.
He just sipped his tea and gave me a look. “Sam.”
“Why are we talking?” I huffed as I got up and went to join Fin on the couch.
The siren paced over and perched on the padded arm of Emerson’s chair, his stupid, steaming tea mug still in his hand. “Because it’s always a good idea to establish ground rules before engaging in group sex, Sam.” He arched a brow at me in challenge. “Trust me. I had more sex in my first few weeks of employment at The Mushroom than you’ve probably had in your entire life. I know how these things go.”
I leaned my head on the back of the couch and closed my eyes. I’d gotten into some close scrapes in my time as a monster hunter, and this was going to be the thing that finally killed me? Embarrassment?
“Fine,” I muttered. “Let’s all talk about how to have group sex. Sounds great.”
Angel ignored me. “Does anyone have any hard limits? Things that they find distasteful that I should know about?”
I huffed a laugh. “I find this whole conversation ‘distasteful.’ Does that count?”
Fin laughed.
Emerson did the adult thing and tried to actually participate in the conversation, even though he sounded like it was killing him. “I don’t like...um, hurting people? Anything too rough. Or...being talked down to, you know?”
I opened my eyes at that. Of course Emerson wouldn’t like that kind of thing. His clan had probably beaten him up every fucking day as a kid. I met his eyes and gave him what I hoped was a comforting look. No one was going to make Emerson uncomfortable, ever. Not on my fucking watch.
Angel turned slightly on the arm of the chair and squeezed Emerson’s knee with his free hand. “Good. This is the kind of thing we need to know so everyone feels good about this.” He tilted his head and gave Emerson a sly smirk. “I know you like men,” he said, his smooth voice full of wickedness. “But how far are you willing to go with that?” He glanced at Fin and me curiously. “Do they fuck you? Would you want me to?”
Emerson made a little whimpering noise and his eyes darted around at all of us, then he looked down at his knees. Fin snorted. “I’m not into men,” the leprechaun said evenly. “Sorry, siren.”
Angel glanced at me, the question obvious, and Fin amended, “Sam’s different.”
The siren just nodded, like he’d fully expected that. He opened his mouth and Fin cut him off. “Oh, and don’t crack jokes about my dwarfism or try to turn that into some kind of fetish.”
I stared at Fin in dawning horror. Fuck. Someone had actually done that to him? Made him feel that way?
Angel waved away his concern. “I would never.”
At Fin’s suspicious look, I sat forward, finding myself in a truly Emerson kind of insight moment. “Angel doesn’t care what people look like,” I blurted, wanting to make Fin feel better. I didn’t really think about how I probably shouldn’t be explaining Angel in front of Angel.
I darted a look at the siren and he shrugged. “It’s true. Physical appearance isn’t what attracts me to people. It’s more their...energy? The light in them and the way they feel to me.” He pressed his lips together. “It’s difficult to explain.”
I had never put it into words before, or really given it conscious thought...but that was probably why I had never felt as self-conscious about my weird body around Angel as I did around other people. I huffed a silent laugh at a distant memory from when we were teenagers and Angel arched a brow at me.
“What’s so funny?” he demanded. “There is more to people than their physical appearance, you know.”
Fin rolled his eyes at that. “Says the guy who looks like fucking sex on a stick twenty-four seven.”
I waved my hand at them both. “No, stop. I just remembered the troll.” I was torn between laughter and tenderness at the memory.
Fin just gaped at us. “The troll.” He stared at Angel in horror. “Are you saying you fucked a troll?” the leprechaun said in shock.
Which was a perfectly normal reaction. Troll curs were honestly some of the ugliest beings I’d ever met. They tended to be lumpy, twisted, and misshapen, and their gray skin was somehow both abrasive and perpetually slimy.
Angel just shrugged. “I was a whore. I fucked a lot of different curs other people wouldn’t touch.
Fin looked like he thought we were both out of our minds when I gave Angel a fond smile.
“I was horrified at first,” I admitted. “I mean, we were both what? Barely eighteen at the time? But do you remember what you said?” I huffed at him when he frowned, clearly trying to remember that one instance out of all his wild experience. “You always seemed to think I was going to hate you when you started turning tricks,” I said, more of that fucking honesty crap pouring out of my damned mouth. “But I think that’s when I really stopped thinking of it as something strange.”
Angel’s expression softened and he lost some of his tension—as if he’d been carrying around the weight of my judgement for far too long. “I don’t remember what I said to you about the troll,” he finally said, looking lost.
I laughed. “You said other people might think it was weird, but you’d do it all over again—maybe even for free—just to make someone feel loved.”
His eyes widened, and a soft smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “I remember now. He was so kind. But he was scared that I’d hate the thought of touching him. Everyone thought him repulsive and he said...he told me he just wanted to know what it was like to have someone want to be with him, even if it was fake.”
I nodded. “And what did you tell him?”
Angel huffed a laugh. “That I never fake it when I make love to someone.”
It was completely and utterly true, too. I knew it in my soul. The prostitutes who worked at the Mushroom weren’t there under duress. Sure, they had varying levels of enthusiasm for their line of work. But Angel had always seemed different. He had told me dozens of stories about his customers over the years, and every time, there was something more than just sex for money. There was always some wound or insecurity or need that he saw in them and rushed in to fill. Maybe it was the siren in him. The fiend who fed on emotional and physical intimacy and connection. Or maybe it was just Angel. But it was...beautiful.
The siren swallowed hard, then he straightened and pretended I hadn’t just been looking right into his soul. “So,” he said to Fin. “No short jokes and no dicks in your face. And? Team play? Should I be careful never to touch you? How would you feel if we got too close while we pleasured Sam? Is that a problem?”
Fin rolled his eyes, a bright blush slowly creeping up his neck as he no doubt re-evaluated his opinions about the cool, aloof-looking siren. “In the moment?” He shrugged. “If it happens, it happens. I’m not gonna rip your dick off. Probably.”
Angel laughed.
Emerson finally got up enough courage to talk again, forcing his words out through his embarrassment. The poor guy hated it when
me and Fin made innuendos and sex jokes. I don’t know how he was surviving so much direct discussion about sex. It must be Angel’s influence. The degenerate.
“I...might like to try,” Em mumbled, still looking at his knees. “It...well, I tried it once. Letting someone....” He couldn’t quite get the rest of the words out, and it was the fucking cutest thing I’d ever seen. Right up until he finally finished what he was saying. “At The Magic Mushroom. I was younger and I guess I was desperate. I saved up for a long time to...um...buy someone. But it wasn’t...pleasant. He wasn’t... nice.”
I clenched my teeth and swallowed a growl at the thought of someone mistreating my big, sweet, Em. But before I could say anything, Angel spoke again. “Claude?” the siren said in a voice that was deceptively soft. “Pretty, but a bit too full of himself? Always smells of cloves?” At Emerson’s slight nod, Angel smiled. It wasn’t a nice smile. It was an expression I recognized well, and one I only rarely saw on Angel’s face. It was the expression of a predator with prey in its sights.
“I’ve always disliked the man,” he said coolly. “I often suspected he was cruel to some of his customers—even the ones who didn’t request that kind of service. But we kept him on because I never had proof, and because he always did a good job with the ones who wanted to be abused—customers no one else could handle.” He patted Emerson’s knee, his eyes flashing. “He won’t ever mistreat anyone again after I’m back to full strength, I promise.”
Angel’s eyes met mine and we shared a moment of perfect, crystal clear understanding. Claude would probably be parted from his dick after this. No one hurt what was ours in any way, even if it was negligence or a lack of care. It startled me how much the idea of sharing that responsibility felt...right. Instead of feeling all threatened and possessive, I felt...stronger. I didn’t have to protect my people alone anymore. The realization made me feel weightless and a little dizzy.
“It was a long time ago,” Emerson said with a shrug. “And I’ve been through worse. At least I asked for it that time. But...” he lifted his head to look at me, then at Angel, his expression nervous but full of that stunning warmth he always had. “Maybe it would be different, with you?”
Angel practically cooed at him. The sappy moron. “It will absolutely be different with me, sweetheart.”
I sighed. “So? Are we done with the chatting?”
Angel rolled his eyes and stood, setting aside his cup, then stretching, his whole perfect, lean body going long and taut before he collapsed in on himself. “In a rush, Sam?” he teased. “If anyone cares, I’ll try just about anything once. I don’t have gender preferences. Oh, and light BDSM is okay with me. A little spanking, a little tying people up.” He shrugged. “Not that it’s my ultimate kink, but a little variety is fun sometimes.” He winked at me.
I shook my head. “Just keep it up, and I’ll beat your ass, alright. But it won’t be in a way you’ll enjoy,” I threatened.
He just grinned.
I crossed my arms over my chest and narrowed my eyes at him. “Great. See what you’ve done with all your talking? You completely ruined the mood.”
He just smiled—a real smile this time, with none of his teasing and innuendo. “No,” he said with a glance around the room at the others. “I haven’t ruined anything. I’ve just made sure we all get to know each other better. To help us know how we’ll fit together.” His smile turned hesitant then, filled with a sort of tentative hope. “Because this isn’t just one wild orgy, bought and paid for and over when the sun comes up.” He shrugged helplessly. “We’re...going to be together forever. Your mates might not love me,” he said with a lift of his chin. “But respect seems like something to aim for. It’s a good place to start, right?”
I met his golden eyes and warmth bubbled up out of me like a fountain. “Okay,” I said in a calm voice as I stood. “I lied. The mood is just fine.”
Angel. Fucking Angel. With his beautiful body and his beautiful face, and his beautiful Godsdamned soul. I prowled toward him like a cat stalking prey. He just stared me down, one corner of his perfect lips twitching upward in a wry smirk. “Is it?”
I slipped my hand behind his head, tangling my fingers in his braid and pulling him to me, rough and desperate. Then I stopped, our lips not quite touching. “It is.”
I leaned in and pressed my lips gently to his, but didn’t do more, letting him come to me this time, opening to his sweet kiss and letting him take his time to do it right. All these weeks I’d been using him. Our encounters had been hot, but brutal. And I had refused to let either of us show even a hint of tenderness because I was so afraid that I wouldn’t be able to keep from bonding myself to him for life.
This time it was different.
His graceful hands gripped my hips as he nibbled at my lips, like he couldn’t get enough of the taste of my mouth on his. I understood completely. I could drown in his taste, his scent, the feel of his body pressed to mine, and yet it would never be enough.
I came up for air with a gasp, my whole body alive and wanting, just from a kiss.
Angel’s smile was full of promise, and it made my heart stutter in my chest.
I glanced to the side to see Emerson and Fin just standing there, looking hesitant. “Guys?”
Em looked down at Fin, then to me and shrugged, his green skin pink with embarrassment. “It’s just...you guys are so intense. I think we’re both afraid to come in between you now.”
Fin rolled his eyes, but didn’t disagree.
I growled at them. “Oh, don’t be stupid.”
Angel just kept smiling that soft, alluring smile, somehow looking so happy he could burst, and so sexy it wasn’t fair. “Emerson?” he said sweetly. “Are you going to kiss me now, or are you determined to just stand there and watch again?”
I glanced between them, noting the furious blush on Emerson’s face. Hell, his whole massive body was probably blushing. “What do you mean?” I demanded of Angel. “What did you do to him?”
Angel just winked at me. “I wouldn’t touch him. Not without your permission! But there was nothing keeping me from giving him a little show in the shower.”
I felt my own face heat up at the thought of Angel all wet and naked, stroking his long, thick cock while Emerson watched.
“You’re an evil, evil man,” I told the siren in a flat voice.
He licked his lips and grinned. “I try.”
Emerson finally got his feet unstuck from the floor and came us, sliding a hesitant glance my way. “You’re really okay with this, Sam?”
I nodded emphatically. “I’m really okay with it, Em. Believe me.”
Angel put a hand in the center of Emerson’s broad chest and went up on his tiptoes to whisper, “I think what Sam means is they think we’d be hot together, ogre.”
Emerson finally gave in and wrapped an arm around Angel’s trim waist, dipping his head for a sweet, lingering kiss that made my insides melt just to watch. But Emerson probably did deserve a break from all the pressure of putting on a show. I stooped and hauled Fin in for a kiss, rubbing my cheek against his plush red stubble and nibbling along his angular jaw. “There’s a big bed over there looking empty,” I said, slanting a glance at the big silk-covered nest that just screamed Angel.
Fin bit my lip, then pulled away, ambling toward the bed with a slow pace that was an outright lie. If he thought I didn’t notice the iron rod in his pocket, he was even dumber than I thought. I tackled him, lifting him up and tossing him on the bed before I jumped on him, growling playfully and biting every bit of bare skin I could reach.
He yelped and tangled a hand in my hair, yanking my head back so he could press a demanding kiss to my lips, devouring my mouth like he was starving. I laughed into the kiss, all the remaining tension in me unwinding. I’d had Fin and Emerson both in my bed last night. But for some reason this felt different. There was a sense of contentment growing inside me that I knew wasn’t human. This was all the fault of my damned cat genes.
>
The bed dipped beside us as a shirtless Emerson sat, pushed there by a disheveled-looking Angel with fire in his golden eyes. “Good boy,” the siren praised.
What the hell was that all about anyway? I stopped kissing Fin long enough to appreciate the flushed, adoring look on Emerson’s face. Holy shit. He liked being told he was good. How had I never noticed that? Then again, this was Angel we were talking about. He had lots of practice reading people’s inner desires. Of course Emerson wanted to be praised. He’d spent his whole life being told he wasn’t good enough—by his clan, by the humans and curs around him. I pushed myself up off Fin just long enough to reach up and drag a hand through Emerson’s thick black curls. “So good,” I breathed.
He shuddered under my touch and I grinned in delight. Oh, Gods. This was going to be so fun.
Angel leaned in to steal a kiss from me, stroking his long fingers through my hair and catching my bottom lip between his teeth before he pulled away. “He is,” he said with a sultry look toward Emerson. “We should show him how good he is while your leprechaun fills you up with his cock, Sam.”
I rolled, pulling Fin on top of me, thrusting my hips upward to grind my dick against Fin’s through our pants to show him how much I liked that idea. Fin chuckled and slipped his hands under my loose t-shirt, his eyes widening when he realized I wasn’t wearing my usual armor. His stroking hands found my tits and he squeezed, stroking his blunt thumbs over my hard nipples and making me hiss and thrust up under him again.
Fin crawled up to kiss me again, then rolled off, grudgingly and adorably letting Angel give him a hand off the tall bed. The siren didn’t make a big deal out of it, just steadied the shorter guy, then turned to caress Emerson’s cheek. I slipped off the bed and prowled over to hug Angel from behind as Fin started stripping. My hands glided up under the soft sweater the siren wore, dragging it up with one hand while the other stroked over his lean abs, putting on a show for our ogre. Angel obligingly lifted his arms so I could pull off his sweater. Then he turned in my arms and bent to press soft, lingering kisses along my jaw and down my neck, across my collar bones and lower, pulling the wide neck of my shirt off my shoulder so he could press his sharp teeth there, marking my skin in a way that made my shifter side very happy.