Night Shadows, page 3
part #3 of Night Series
Having already rolled on a condom, Alastair took her from Ian and sat back, positioning her over his cock. His gaze narrowed, steady on hers and glittering with possessiveness and love. “Oh, she knows where she belongs.”
Lifting his hips, he slowly lowered her, filling her with his cock with exquisite slowness. “Hmm. I’ve been waiting for this since you left this morning.”
Moving on him, she smiled and slid a hand through his overlong hair, slipping it from the leather band he’d secured it with. “You missed me.”
He slid his hands higher, over her waist and to her breasts and back again. “I always miss you when you’re away from me.”
“Liar.” She let him pull her down to his chest, smiling when he wrapped an arm around her waist to hold her to him while he continued to move his hips. “You probably got lost in stocks and—oh God—and figures and—”
Running his hands over her, Alastair smiled. “I was thinking about a figure all right.” He surged into her again and again. “One that I dream about.”
She stiffened as Ian moved in behind her, and at the same time, Alastair tightened his arm around her.
“Easy, baby.” Alastair buried his lips in her hair, one hand in the center of her back and the other on the back of her shoulder. “I know you get a little out of control when Ian and I take you together, but we’ve got you.”
She’d never known that passion like this existed before meeting them, and it still had the ability to shake her at times, especially when they took her together.
She trembled with the need for release, aroused as much by their playfulness as their touch.
Ian’s chest brushed her back just as a lubed finger teased her puckered opening. “She knows she’s safe with us. Don’t you, baby?”
Sucking in a breath at the cold, Serena tried to lift herself, her pussy clenching on Alastair’s cock as the need for friction became overwhelming. “Please hurry! I need to move. I need you to move.”
Ian’s lips brushed her other shoulder as he pressed his lubed finger past the tight ring of muscle and into her. “Oh, we’re going to move. Hold her still for me, Alastair.”
Serena wiggled helplessly, the friction of Alastair’s warm body against her nipples and clit intensifying her arousal. “Hurry up, damn you!”
“I’ve got her.” Pressing her face against his neck, Alastair ran his hand from her shoulder to her thigh. “She needs to come, don’t you, darling?”
Serena groaned when Ian withdrew his finger, pressing her feet against the outside of Alastair’s thighs.
Although she knew what to expect, the feel of a cock pressed against her puckered opening always stunned her. Sucking in a breath when he began to push into her, Serena gripped Alastair in desperation. “Ian!”
With a groan, he pushed harder, forcing the tight ring of muscle to give way for the head of his cock to enter her. “Christ, I love when you say my name like that.”
His lips touched the back of her shoulder. “You’re so fucking tight. Hot. Hold her, Alastair.”
Ian slid deeper, and as if by some silent communication, he and Alastair began to move.
With each slow thrust, Ian went deeper, his hands on her hips holding her firmly for his thrusts.
Serena didn’t even try to hold back her cries, the friction against her inner walls and the full, stretched sensation bombarding her senses with pleasure.
But it was their love for her and hers for them that made everything so intense.
It freed her in a way that allowed her to be herself in a world where she’d always felt the need to hide.
She belonged here.
With them.
Like this.
Pressing her hands into the bed on either side of Alastair’s head, she lifted slightly, only to have Alastair slide his hand into her hair and pull her down for his kiss.
“I can never get enough of you. Even when I’m inside you, I want more.”
His kiss, filled with passion and possessiveness, deepened, and as he explored her mouth, he swallowed her cries of pleasure.
Breaking off his kiss, he slid his hands to her shoulders and held her gaze, his golden eyes appearing to glow from within as he continued to rock his hips. “That’s it, darling. Let it go.”
“Oh God.” Serena threw her head back, the sensations of being filled in both openings stunning in their intensity.
She held on to Alastair to steady herself, both physically and emotionally.
Ian’s cock went deeper with every slow thrust, his groans of pleasure washing over her. “A little more. I don’t want this to end. She’s. Gonna. Clench. Ahh fuck! Hard.”
Pleasure exploded around the cocks filling her, the heat of it spreading and so overwhelming that she bowed, her entire body stiffening with the force of her orgasm.
They groaned, their cocks pulsing inside her as they both surged deep, sending another rush of rippling pleasure through her to layer over the first.
Breathing heavily, she slumped, confident that Alastair would catch her.
He did, as always, wrapping his arms around her just as Ian withdrew slightly and thrust shallowly again, his harsh curses making her smile. “Son of a fucking bitch. Jesus. Christ, woman, you’re going to be the death of me.”
Burying her face against Alastair’s neck, she closed her eyes. “Ditto.”
Chuckling, Alastair ran one hand over her thigh and the other over her back. “Real romantic.”
Running his hands over her ass, Ian slowly withdrew, making a sound in his throat when she moaned and shivered, involuntarily clenching on him again. “Easy, baby.” His lips touched her back, the ends of his hair as soft as the brushes against her skin. “I’ll start a bath for you.” He ran a hand over her ass. “I’m going to take a shower. You soak, and then I’ll wash you.”
She pressed her lips to Alastair’s neck, snuggling against him. “I can wash myself.”
With a hand at her back, Alastair sat up, holding her securely. “Go start her bath. I’ve got her.”
With a sigh, Serena wrapped her arms around Alastair’s neck, dropping her head against his shoulder. “No. I want a shower. I’m all sweaty, and I want to wash my hair.”
Wrapping a muscular arm around her, Alastair slid the other to her bottom and rose, carrying her into the adjoining bathroom. “Even better.”
The overlarge shower was big enough for all three of them to shower independently, but Ian and Alastair always felt the need to help her with her shower.
Reveling in the feel of Alastair’s hands lathering her hair, Serena closed her eyes with a smile. “You know that I’m perfectly capable of washing myself, don’t you?”
Ian ran her soaped loofah gently over her breasts. “Yeah, but it wouldn’t be as much fun.” He continued his way down her body, crouching in front of her to wash her legs and feet. Setting the loofah aside, he squirted a small amount of the body wash onto his hand. “Spread your legs, baby.”
Ian slid a hand between them, gently washing her slit. Bending close, he brushed his lips over hers, sliding his soapy fingers closer and closer to her bottom and making her stiffen. “Easy, baby. I’m just washing the lube off. I know you’re tender there. Want me to kiss it better?”
Serena giggled, sliding her hands to his shoulders. “Not a chance. That’s how I got into trouble in the first place.”
“Party pooper.”
Listening to their banter, Alastair turned her to rinse her hair, watching the soap bubbles slide down her body with a surge of satisfaction that she belonged to them.
After their shower, Alastair kept an eye on Serena, pleased that she seemed more relaxed than she’d been in days.
Watching her comb her hair, he wrapped his towel around his waist and closed in behind her, meeting her gaze in the mirror. “Do you want to go out for dinner?”
Smiling warmly, she shook her head. “Can we just stay in tonight?”
Returning her smile, he kissed her hair, looking forward to a night spent just relaxing with her. “Of course, daring. Do you want me to dry your hair for you?”
He reached for the blow dryer, smiling again when she handed him the brush she used and lowered herself to the bench they’d bought for her.
“Thank you.”
It was a ritual they both loved.
He had the chance to pamper her a little, and she seemed to relax while he did it.
She’d told him that it gave her a chance to just empty her mind, something that seemed to grow more difficult for her as her abilities grew.
Her growing abilities also seemed to upset Ian.
He turned on the blow dryer and glanced toward the bedroom to see that his brother had already dressed and left the room.
Serena wants to stay in tonight.
Good. I’ll start the barbeque.
You going to talk about it?
Nothing to talk about.
You think I can’t feel it. Do you think she can’t see it?
I know, Alastair. I’m sorry for that.
What happened today?
I tried to speak to Serena telepathically the way the two of you do.
Alastair knew that Ian still agonized over his inability to erect the barrier for Serena when she’d needed it most.
Yeah. So? He glanced at her in the mirror, pleased to see that she appeared even more relaxed.
Setting the brush aside, he used his hands, loving the feel of warm silk against his palm and delighting in the connection to her.
She wouldn’t do that with me.
Feeling his brother’s anguish, Alastair sighed. She’s scared.
I know that.
So are you.
It didn’t surprise him that Ian shut him out.
The thought that Serena would one day be able to read their thoughts as easily as she read everyone else’s was a fear they shared.
Alastair knew it was a possibility and struggled to come to terms with it.
It was one of the reasons he practiced so much with her, erecting the barrier that kept her safe from the onslaught that had kept her a hermit for years.
He’d learned to raise and lower the mental barrier to allow enough in for her to practice raising and lowering her own barrier.
Her confidence had grown steadily with her progress and enabled her to go out in public, but as she gained more confidence, her abilities seemed to grow and sharpen.
He liked to think that his and Ian’s love for Serena had given her the confidence she’d needed to grow and prided himself on expanding his own abilities to help her.
The irony of being able to successfully reinforce barriers between them in order to get closer to her wasn’t lost on him.
Nothing about their relationship with Serena was normal, but it proved more satisfying than he could have ever imagined.
Neither of them had ever expected to fall in love with a woman who could make them so vulnerable—and in ways they never could have anticipated.
Alastair understood his brother’s fears because he shared them.
They could live with her in their hearts, but living with her in their heads would be damned near impossible.
Losing her, though, would be even worse.
Chapter Three
After braiding her hair to keep it out of the way, Serena grabbed her sketchpad and pencils and made her way down the stairs.
Hearing Ian moving around in the kitchen, she started in that direction, entering the kitchen just in time to watch him disappear out the French doors to the patio. Continuing on to the family room, she smiled when Rip came through the open French doors to join her.
Patting him on the head, she sat on the sofa, curling her legs under her. “You’re going to eat steak tonight.”
Ian reappeared, heading back toward the kitchen. “I started a fire. There’s a chill in the air tonight.”
There certainly is.
He’d left the shower first and, by the time she came out, had already dressed and come downstairs.
Something bothered him, and she suspected that his feelings were still hurt because she’d refused to play his game earlier.
She dreaded a time when she might be able to get into his and Alastair’s thoughts, and carefully avoided situations with Ian that might lead to it.
Although she knew that Alastair also dreaded it, she felt more comfortable talking to him about it, and he believed her when she told him that she would let him know if it ever became possible.
Ian clearly didn’t believe her, and every conversation she had with him about it turned into an argument.
Forcing a smile, she glanced at the fire. “Thank you.”
He paused, turning to her. “You’re welcome. And Rip is not getting steak.” He disappeared into the kitchen and reappeared with a platter of steaks, giving Rip a meaningful stare as he headed out to the patio again.
Smiling, she opened her sketchpad and patted Rip’s head again. “Yes, you are. Will you sit for me? I want to sketch you.”
She looked up to the abstract painting over the fireplace, smiling again at the knowledge that Alastair and Ian would hang the painting of the dogs she intended to paint in its place.
Hearing Alastair move around the kitchen, she began to sketch, finding the sound of the bottle of wine being uncorked and the crackle of the fire soothing.
Ian came in and went to the kitchen, returning to lean against the doorway sipping from a bottle of beer. “Do you want beer or wine with your steak?”
“I think I’ll have a glass of wine with my sandwich.”
“We’re having steak. I just put the potatoes in the microwave.”
“You’re going to burn the steak. Mrs. Shea bought fresh cold cuts today, along with the baguette bread you like.” Serena praised Rip for sitting so still for her and continued to sketch him.
She would sketch King and Zeus separately and incorporate all three into her painting.
Ian moved to stand behind her, watching her sketch. “I’m not going to burn the damned steak.”
Serena inwardly smiled and continued to sketch.
Ian sipped his beer, and she could almost hear his mind working. “Is Rip smiling?”
“Maybe. He’s pretty content.”
“You can really read his mind?”
“It’s not difficult. Animals are pretty open. He’s enjoying the attention and…” Pausing, she turned to look up at him just as Alastair came into the room, carrying two glasses of wine. “Looking forward to his steak.”
Accepting one of the glasses, she took a sip and set her glass aside to go back to her sketch.
Alastair lowered himself to the sofa behind her, sipping his wine and watching her sketch take shape. “I’ve seen enough of your paintings to know how good you are, but it still surprises me every time. I haven’t seen very many of your sketches, though. You really are quite talented.” He bent to touch his lips to her shoulder, where her robe had slid lower. “You’re worth every dime they pay for your work.”
Ian chuckled. “I just can’t believe she can make Rip sit so still.”
Serena hid a smile. “I promised him steak.”
“I’m not going to burn the fucking steak.” Ian turned with another curse and strode out to the patio.
Alastair playfully tugged her braid. “Is he really going to burn the steak, or are you just messing with him?”
Giggling, Serena turned her head, dropping it against his shoulder. “He’s going to burn them.”
Touching his lips to her hair, he chuckled softly. “If you’re right, he’s not going to be happy about that.”
Serena sighed and lifted her head again. “No. He’s not.”
She turned to meet Ian’s gaze as he came back into the family room. “Steaks okay?”
His lips twitched. “The steaks are fine. I’m going to go check on the potatoes.”
Alastair rose. “I’ll go make our sandwiches. What would you like?”
“Surprise me.”
Shaking his head, Alastair laughed. “I’m starting to wonder if that’s even possible. I’ll be right back.”
Ian moved to stand behind her again. “These premonitions of yours pretty accurate?”
Serena didn’t look up from her sketch. “So far.”
“And do they often include us?”
Serena shrugged. “My dreams included both of you often before I met you.”
“And now they don’t?”
“I tell you when they do.”
“And now you’re having premonitions when you’re awake?”
“Yes.” Turning her head, she met his gaze. “I won’t lie to you. I see bits and pieces of things.” Shrugging, she went back to her sketch. “Sometimes it doesn’t even make sense. Usually, it’s just something small.”
“Like the fact that I’m going to burn the steaks.”
Serena smiled. “Like that.”
With a sigh, she set her sketch aside. “Ian, I know this upsets you, but I would never use anything I learned against you. I’m hoping it helps you. If I can see danger in advance, it could very well save your life.” Reaching out for his hand, she breathed a sigh of relief when he readily took it. “I would never hurt you. I love you. Because of that, I’m willing to leave whenever you want me to.”
His grip on her hand tightened as he moved closer, his eyes going flat and cold. “You’re not leaving. We’ll figure it out.”
“If you really believed that, you wouldn’t be so tied up in knots.”
“If you were me, how would you feel?”
Serena smiled sadly. “The same way. I understand you, Ian. I know how uncomfortable it would be to have someone in your head. I don’t know why my abilities are growing, but I’m doing my best to learn to control them.”
Alastair appeared with two plates of sandwiches. “I’d like to think it’s because of us. Because of us, you’re getting better at erecting your own barrier, and your confidence is growing.”
He dropped to the seat next to her again, setting her plate on the coffee table in front of her. “You’re not shutting yourself off anymore. I think those abilities were always there, but you weren’t strong enough to deal with them. That’s why they overwhelmed you.”
