“Ooh, that’s good,” Hartley said, meeting Jonathan’s every thrust. He ground against her clit on every stroke, needing to feel her come again despite how many orgasms they’d wrung out of her already.
“You gonna come on our cocks, Hartley?” Jonathan asked. “Squeeze us both so hard until we’re filling you up, too?”
“Yes,” Hartley said, her voice full of strain. “I’m so close.”
“Come, baby,” Cruz said, her voice a raw scrape. “I’m right there. I can’t… Fuck. Fuck, I’m coming.” His hips jolted against them in a punctuated thrust.
And it set Hartley off next, making all three of them groan at the incredible pulsing tightness of her release. Jonathan was clenching his teeth and trying to hold on. But then Cruz lay his wrists right next to Jonathan’s hands and spoke words that spelled doom to the last of his restraint.
Nailing Jonathan with a stare from behind Hartley’s shoulder, Cruz said, “Hold my hands down and fuck us ’til you come.”
Jonathan didn’t hesitate, because the image was too hard to resist, let alone the reality of Cruz allowing him to do this. So he pinned his best friend’s big hands down against the bed, and let his hips swing in fast, punctuated thrusts made more urgent by the sensation spiraling down his spine—and shooting out through his cock. Jonathan came on shout that echoed off the walls. He thrust through the wrenching pulses, his orgasm going on and on until he sagged on top of Hartley—on top of them both.
On a moan, he kissed her. Her eager hands in his hair held him there, stealing his breath and his heart all over again.
Forcing himself to his knees on the bed, he helped ease Hartley off of Cruz, and then he pulled her so that she straddled his thighs and he could hold her in his arms. “Such a good, good girl, Hartley. I’m so damn proud of you.”
Cruz was right there with them, stroking her skin and pressing kisses against her back, her shoulder.
She turned her face so she could see them both. “That was the most intimate, soul-stirring thing I’ve ever done. Thank you for sharing it with me. I…” She swallowed hard.
“What, baby?” Cruz asked, kissing her cheek.
“I just…love you guys.” Suddenly, she was blinking fast and her eyes were bright and glassy. “So much.” She reached to put an arm around Cruz’s shoulders, too.
Which had his best friend speaking next. “I do, too. Jonathan, I think I’ve loved you most of my life, even if that love is so much stronger today,” Cruz said. “And Hartley, you’ve made me fall completely in love with you, even when I wasn’t sure I should. But I do love you, baby girl. I really fucking do.”
His friends kissed, and Jonathan’s heart swelled in his chest. Because this…this was everything he’d ever hoped he might find. Which was why his throat was tight when he spoke. “Thank fuck,” Jonathan managed, nearly overwhelmed with emotion as he pulled each of them in for a kiss of his own. “You two are everything to me. I love you, and I don’t want to be apart from you. I want us like this, always.”
Hartley burst into tears. “I…I don’t know why I’m crying,” she said, pressing a hand to her mouth. “I’m so happy.”
“Subspace,” Cruz said.
Jonathan nodded, satisfaction rolling through him. Because Hartley was more submissive than she even realized—capable of giving herself over, of surrendering, and therefore of opening herself up to the depth of emotion and sensation some submissives could experience. “We pushed her hard enough. Take her to the couch. I’ll get you a blanket and some water.”
Short minutes later, the three of them sat together on the couch, Hartley sitting in Cruz’s lap, her head against his shoulder while Jonathan rubbed her feet.
“Where do we go from here?” she asked drowsily.
And it was a brave damn question, because admitting love was one thing, but turning that love into a working relationship was something else altogether.
“We’ll figure it out together,” Cruz said.
Jonathan nodded. “That we will. Because I promise you, tonight is just the beginning.”
Epilogue
Cruz stood at the helm of the Far ’n Away and stared out at the wide blue horizon of the Chesapeake Bay. The view gave him hope, as if the whole future was wide open to him. To all of them. And it was. For the first time, he could really believe that.
His parents’ disapproval still hurt like hell, but something had happened that gave him hope that they could still yet come around. This morning, Hartley’s friend, Linda, the older lady who managed the marina office, had caught them at the docks before they’d set sail. She’d brought Hartley a birthday present—but the real gift had been that she’d teasingly asked Hartley what was going on between the three of them. And their Hartley—their brave, fearless girl—had told her that she was dating both him and Jonathan. Linda’s expression had been almost comically gobsmacked by the news, but she’d recovered beautifully, not only smiling at the men and chiding them to take care of Hartley in that grandmotherly way she had, but also hugging Hartley and jokingly asking to let her know if they had any much older brothers.
If Linda could accept them, maybe his parents could, too. Someday. In the meantime, he had the love of two incredible people. Both of whom, through their words and their actions, were slowly but surely chasing away every last one of his fears.
Today had been another great day. It was Hartley’s birthday, and all she’d asked for was to spend the day out on the water with her two favorite men. How much of a lucky fucker that Cruz was one of them? They’d cruised the bay, sailed past a few lighthouses, swam off the back of her boat, ate a delicious lunch under the autumn sky, and made love in the cabin they’d spent so much time repairing. It was damn near a perfect day.
“I guess we should head back soon,” Hartley said, sitting in the captain’s chair.
“There’s one thing we gotta do first,” Jonathan said, sitting on the bench seat beside her.
Hartley smiled, her cheeks pink from the sun, her hair windblown around her face. She was absolutely gorgeous. “Oh, yeah? What’s that?”
“Give me five minutes, then come down to the salon and see.” Jonathan waggled his eyebrows at both of them, then disappeared.
Hartley arched a brow at him, and Cruz shrugged. “He’s a devious motherfucker. I don’t know.”
Laughter spilled out of her. “Pot, meet kettle.”
Bracing his arms on either side of the chair, Cruz boxed her in. “That’s what you think, huh?”
“That’s what I know,” she said, her gaze all challenging.
Grinning, Cruz kissed her deeply, and it was a kiss filled with banked passion and deep emotion. Full of love, for him. “You know, I think you have thirty-one spanks coming your way sometime today.”
Heat flashed through her eyes. “Well that sounds—”
“Yo, birthday girl,” Jonathan called from inside. “Get your sexy ass in here.”
She chuckled. “Let’s go see this so-called deviousness.”
Laughing, Cruz followed her into the salon where they found the galley table covered with two little presents and a small chocolate cake with four lit candles atop it—three grouped together on one side, and a single one on the other. Cruz gave him a nod, because he had known about the cake—but not the extra gifts. He frowned. What was Jonathan up to now? They’d already given her presents this morning. Still laying in Hartley’s bed, they’d presented her with a membership to the club, one of his framed photographs of a bald eagle over the bay, and a charm bracelet with a sailboat, a masquerade mask, a heart, and three colorful birthstone crystals representing each of them.
“Aw, you guys. You didn’t need to do this.” Her smile was as bright as the sun. “But I’m glad you did.”
“Blow out the candles and make a wish,” Jonathan said, his voice a little…off? Cruz eyeballed him and threw him a what’s up expression. Jonathan gave a single shake of his head.
“Okay,” Hartley said. “Here goes.” For a lo
ng moment, she closed her eyes, and then she leaned down and blew them out. “And there are presents, too?”
Crossing his arms, Jonathan nodded. And Cruz almost would’ve sworn the guy was nervous.
Hartley grabbed the first little square box, and got the most comical expression on her face. “This one’s for you, Cruz.”
“Me?” He took it warily. Like he’d told her, devious motherfucker.
“And this one’s for me.” She clutched the matching box to her chest. “Let’s open them together. Ready?”
Eyeing Jonathan, he nodded. And then they were both tearing the ribbon and pulling off the lid. Hartley gasped. And Cruz’s jaw dropped. Because if he’d ever worried about them wanting him for the long-term, this box had totally allayed that fear.
On top was a set of shiny silver keys on an engraved silver dog-tag-style keychain. It read Far ’n Away II. “What does yours say?” Cruz asked Hartley.
“Far ’n Away I,” she said.
Jonathan pulled a matching set of keys from his pocket. “And mine says Far ’n Away III. They’re the keys—”
“—to your condo,” Cruz finished, recognizing the more beat-up keys on Jonathan’s new ring.
“Yeah.” Jonathan gave a fast nod. “I don’t want to be apart from either of you, so…I’m inviting you to move in with me. Both of you. But there’s more.” He nodded toward the boxes.
Overwhelmed by the gesture and everything it said about their future, Cruz pulled out a folded square of paper and set his box aside. He unfolded it as Hartley opened hers.
It was a real estate listing. For a nearby house on the water. A very private house judging by the acreage and the neighborhood. Jesus, when had Jonathan done all this?
“I’m hoping, if you’re both open to it, that my place would just be temporary. And that we could maybe find a house that we could all call home. I kinda fell in love with this one, but I’ll look at as many houses as you two like if it means we could find one where we could build a life.”
“A life together,” Hartley said, her voice tight with emotion. “Oh, Jonathan. This is beautiful.” She rushed into his arms.
And then the two of them looked to Cruz, who was clutching the key and the paper like they were lifelines. And he guessed maybe they were. “I worried you two wouldn’t want me forever. That eventually you’d want to pair off.”
“What?” Hartley exclaimed, her mouth falling open.
Whereas Jonathan’s expression turned to a dark storm. “What the fuck, Cruz?”
He held up a hand. “I worried about that back at the beginning. But this…” He shook his head as the words lodged in his throat. “This proves just how wrong I was.”
“Get over here,” Hartley said, holding open her arm. Drawing them together the way she always did. “You’re our family. We would never want to be without you.”
As he joined their embrace, Cruz nodded, and Jonathan’s hand cupped the back of his neck.
“I’m far and away happiest when I’m with you both,” Jonathan said.
“Aw, that’s why the keychains,” Hartley said. Jonathan nodded. “This is my very best birthday. And I would love to move in with you.”
“All I know is that I want to be wherever you both are,” Cruz managed.
“Then it’s settled,” Jonathan said, deep satisfaction rolling over a sexy, aroused expression.
“It’s settled,” Cruz agreed.
“Yes,” Hartley said, uttering that one word that had first brought them all together.
And together was right where they were going to stay. Because when you found people who accepted you for exactly who you were, you held on tight.
And you didn’t let go.
And none of them would. Not ever.
About the Blasphemy Series – An erotic romance series of standalones…
From the ruins of a church comes Baltimore’s most exclusive club
12 Masters. Infinite Fantasies.
Welcome to Blasphemy…
On His Knees
Getting on his knees makes him question everything…and want even more…
Another failed relationship has lawyer Jamie Fielding confronting the truth—he’ll never be satisfied with any woman until he admits what he needs…to submit and to be used—hard. When a friend invites him to the exclusive Blasphemy club, Jamie is stunned to find everything he ever wanted—in the fierce, ruthless hands of a man. Psychiatrist Alex McGarry will play with anyone who craves his rough brand of domination, but what he really wants is to settle down. Which makes the submissive male he meets at his club a bad idea—the man might be hot as hell but he’s also new to everything Alex has to offer. Except that doesn’t keep them from coming together again and again, sating every one of their darkest desires. Master Alex sets Jamie’s whole world on fire and makes him question everything—and that’s good. Because Alex won’t tolerate hiding what they have for long and he wants much more than just having Jamie on his knees…
Need more Masters?
Meet Master Alex in
ON HIS KNEES
About Laura Kaye
Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thirty books in contemporary and erotic romance and romantic suspense, including the Blasphemy, Hard Ink, and Raven Riders series. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. Laura also writes historical fiction as the NYT bestselling author, Laura Kamoie. She lives in Maryland with her husband and two daughters, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
Learn more at LauraKayeAuthor.com
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Their Runaway Bride
Vanessa Vale
Chapter One
Ann
“You will marry him.”
“I will not,” I replied.
My father stood, looming over me as I sat in one of the room’s very uncomfortable chairs. I looked at the floor, the carpet’s dark colors swirling as my eyes filled with tears. Taking a deep breath, I willed them away. My father had ruled my life, squeezed every bit of enjoyment from it until there was barely any left.
“I will not have Mr. Atherton thinking you are common. We are anything but.”
Yes, common. My father did not lower himself to be like everyone else. God forbid I stopped and petted a dog. A pedigree dog in first class. Thomas Geary did not stop to pet a dog. He did not stop to deign anyone with his miserable presence unless it was of value to him. Including me. I was just his daughter. I wasn’t a son—just a daughter who enjoyed petting dogs and helping the elderly woman on the stairs going to dinner. A daughter who refused to conform to his every wish.
“I am not common, Father. You’ve ensured that,” I countered. “But Mr. Atherton holds no appeal to me. I’ve told you that time and again.”
He walked over to me and I had to tilt my chin back to look at him. “He holds appeal to me and, more importantly, you hold appeal for him. Merging his railroad with my land holdings is crucial, Ann, and I will not have you ruining our arrangements.”
“So marriage to the man is part of the arrangement? What about love?”
Father laughed. “Love? This isn’t about love. This business venture, even this trip, it’s all about money.”
Shame made my cheeks heat, for I believed in love wholeheartedly, while he did not. He’d married my mother because of an arrangement, and there had been no love between them. I didn’t remember her, but I could not imagine any woman loving my father. She was just someone to produce an heir for him, and she hadn’t even done that right. She’d made me, a female, then died giving birth to Father’s true heir. The baby boy had died as well.
He’d been stuck with me ever since. Why he hadn’t remarried and found another woman to breed, I had no idea.
I stood up and lifted my chin, met the
same blue eyes as mine. I hoped that was the only thing we had in common. “I refuse.”
His eyes widened and the cords of his neck stood out. “You refuse?” He took a step toward me but I had nowhere to go, the chair pressing into my lower legs. “You will do exactly as I tell you.”
I shook my head, but my flare of defiance was weakening. “What happens if I don’t?”
He grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards him. His hold was unbreakable, his grip painful. I winced at the way he pressed against my bones. Tighter and tighter, until I gasped.
“This will happen, Ann.”
Wincing against the pain, I tried to tug my arm free, but he wouldn’t relent.
“Do not defy me.” He paused. “To ensure this arrangement is… complete, instead of waiting to dock, the ceremony will happen on this ship while you are much more docile.”
He let me go and I stumbled away from him, clutching my wrist in the palm of my other hand. “Tonight, Ann. The dress you wear to dinner will be your wedding dress.”
He opened the door.
“Father,” I said, ignoring the throb in my wrist and my tingling fingers.
He turned to face me.
“Don’t you wish to lock me in?”
He looked at me as if I were a simpleton. “On a ship? Where are you to go?”
Where was I to go? There was no escape. I had three hours, then I was going to be Mrs. Abel Atherton.
Chapter Two
Andrew
“I didn’t think there were others like us,” I said, glancing briefly at Robert, my closest friend and traveling companion, then to the men who were playing Poker with us. “I’ll take two.” I tossed down my worthless cards and was dealt the replacements—which, when I added them to my hand, weren’t any better.
“Others like you? You mean men who claim a woman together?” Whitmore Kane, a fancy English lord, sat relaxed in his chair, a cigar clamped between his fingers. For all of his fancy upbringing, he was now a soldier who’d abandoned his post along with the other three men who sat around the table with us. Abandoning your post was a dishonorable action in the military, one Robert and I could not tolerate, but these men had reasons. Serious and tenuous reasons. Kane, along with Ian, Brody and Mason, had all been stationed together as part of an English regiment in Mohamir, a small country near Egypt.
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