Part 13 (1/2)

Beginnings.

She said maybe.

Brianne entered the bedroom to find Aiden standing ramrod straight, his arms folded, his blue gaze fixed on her. Behind him Ky waited on the bed, his brawny arm on one bent knee, looking good enough to eat.

aWhen you say stay with you,a she asked nervously in response to their question. aWhat exactly do you mean?a aBe our sweetheart,a Ky said, his expression unreadable. aMy sub and Aidenas lover. A threesome. A mnage trois. Youave heard of those?a aI understand.a Brianne felt herself blush. aI meant in practical terms. What do you mean? Me live here?a Ky made an indifferent gesture. aSure. Or whatever.a Aiden broke in. aWomen like to have things all spelled out. I mean live with us. As lovers. Exclusive lovers. You move in here or we get a bigger place so weare not tripping over each other. Although that could be fun too.a Brianne gulped. aMove in with you?a aWe know youall say no,a Ky said, his voice a growl. aYouare Brianne daAroth, member of the ruling family, a high-profile socialite. Why would you ruin your reputation by moving into a dump with two Shareem? Aiden insisted we ask. But fine, stay in your high-rise and take champagne baths or whatever you do up there.a aChampagne baths?a she repeated.

aKyas an idiot,a Aiden said. aWhat he means is we love you and want you with us. But weall understand if you go.a A lump formed in Brianneas throat. She looked at Ky. aIs that true?a He scowled. aAiden will understand. Iall be p.i.s.sed and hurt. But I canat force you to stay, much as Iad like to.a aI meant the love part.a Kyas blue gaze bore into her as it had the first time shead seen him. aThat partas true.a She felt a rush of happiness and pain, excitement and fear. aItas a lot to ask. A big step for me.a Ky looked away, pasting a neutral expression on his face. aWe figured youad say no.a aWait a minute. I havenat said anything yet. I need to think. There are so many things Iad have to doaa Then happiness surged, wiping out fear. All her life shead been in the spotlight, had done her job to the best of her ability, had worked hard for various causes and gone to bed every night vaguely dissatisfied with her world.

Suddenly she had something to work fora”two someones to work fora”a purpose that would fill her heart. Shead have to make hard sacrifices, but it was easy to sacrifice for ones you loved.

She held up her hands. aI have to talk to people and arrange a lot of things. It might take me a while. Donat go anywhere.a Ky raised his brows. aIam staying right here, darling. I still feel like c.r.a.p anyway.a aGood. I mean, not that you feel like c.r.a.p. Oh, you know what I mean. Iall be back.a With that she whirled around, grabbed her robes from the outer room, rushed back in, flung her arms around Aiden and kissed him. Then she kissed Ky, laughing at his fearsome scowl.

aI love you too,a she said, then ran out the door again.

After three days in bed, Ky felt almost normal again. He sensed Aiden watching him cautiously, but Ky insisted on getting up and going to Judithas on the third night.

Braden was at Judithas as usual, and from his good-natured greeting, head heard nothing about Kyas ordeal. Head a.s.sumed that theyad holed up with a woman for a while in another pleasure game.

Judith looked happy to see them both, but she kept peering distractedly into the corners. Finally she asked Braden, aWhereas Calder?a Braden shrugged. aDonat know, havenat seen him in a while.a aOh,a Judith said, disappointed.

aHeas a one-shot,a Braden answered. aNow with me, itas any time.a He gave her a you want to? look. Judith nodded, but her expression made it plain she regarded Braden as second best.

Ky laughed, surprised at how strong his voice sounded. Judith slanted him a warm glance. aIf Braden and I have some fun,a she said, looking hopeful, awhy donat you join us? Aiden too.a Ky winked at her but shook his head. aHave something else to do tonight.a Again Judith looked disappointed. Braden growled, aHey, what am I, chopped liver?a aNo.a Judith leaned down and kissed his cheek. aYouare lovely leftovers.a Ky and Aiden roared with laughter, and Braden glared at them. aIam never going to live this down. Why I put up with it, I donat know.a Ky knew why he put up with it. Being with Judith wasnat something to be tossed aside lightly, and Braden would forgive her. After he punished her a little.

Ky sc.r.a.ped back his chair and thunked down his ale. aIall leave you to it. Aiden?a aRight behind you.a As they walked through the dark streets, Ky leaned close to Aiden. aYou mean it? Right behind me?a aSure. If you want.a They hadnat kissed or touched or even talked about it while Ky was healing, Aiden saying he wanted to make sure Ky was all right first. They hadnat heard from Brianne either. Not a word, not a glimpse.

She went home and changed her mind, Ky had grumbled. I saw the luxury she lives in, why would she want to trade that for us? Besides, the journalists wouldnat leave her alone if she did.

Aiden had only shaken his head. G.o.ds, youare a pessimist. Letas trust her.

Whatever.

Now as they entered their tiny apartment, Kyas excitement rose. Ky knew he and Aiden would have s.e.x, no coy will we or wonat we? He just knew the time was right.

Ky hit the control to close the door and lock it. aHere we go. Pull down your pants, lover boy.a Aiden was wearing a sleeveless tunic, not pants, but he went along with it. He pulled off the tunic and loincloth and stood naked in the middle of the room. His body was perfect, all raw muscle and toned skin, with a face that could stop traffic and often did.

ad.a.m.n,a Ky said in appreciation. He wrapped Aidenas hair in his fist and pulled him forward for a kiss. aWhat do you want to do?a aYouare asking me? I thought you were the Dom.a Ky grinned. His c.o.c.k was hard and dancing, and if Aiden wanted to play, well all righta aGrab the lube and get on the sofa.a Aiden swiped his tongue across Kyas lips. aYouare such a sweet talker. Whispering sweet nothings in my ear.a aYou want to do this?a aYes, master.a Aiden laughed, his breath spicy, then went to fetch scented lube out of the cupboard. aWhat do you want, chocolate or b.u.t.terscotch?a Ky peeled off his clothes, his body temperature rising. aJust pick one and hurry up.a aSoundas like someoneas h.o.r.n.y.a aYour c.o.c.kas sticking out so far you could pick a lock from across the room.a aThanks for the compliment.a Aiden turned around, a bottle in his hands, and looked Ky up and down, irises widening. aYouare not bad yourself.a aGet over here.a Ginning, Aiden came to him. Aiden squirted lube all over his handsa”b.u.t.terscotch, greata”and rubbed it onto Kyas c.o.c.k.

Ky stood still, getting lost in the feeling. His best friend rubbing him and wanting to have s.e.x with him. The G.o.ds bless Brianne and Dr. Laas for giving him back this joy.

aNice and slick,a Aiden said. His eyes were filled with blue, his pheromones tingling on Kyas skin. aPerfect.a Ky was starting to lose coherence. aTurn around.a Aiden knew what he wanted. He handed Ky the lube then positioned himself on the sofa, bending to rest his head on his arms. Ky trickled a line of lube across Aidenas backside then entertained himself rubbing it in.

He didnat have the same soothing touch Aiden did, but he knew how to ready someone for a Shareem. He gently ringed Aidenas hole until his a.n.a.l star relaxed enough for him to slide in a well-lubed finger. Aiden groaned.

aDo you think you can take me?a Ky asked.

aI am so willing to try.a aShareem c.o.c.ks are big. Are you sure?a aIave dreamed about nothing else.a Ky slid a second finger inside and used the third to ma.s.sage the opening. aWeall take it slow.a aWhatever you want,a Aiden mumbled, his voice thick.

A dangerous thing to promise. Ky wanted to drive into him until they were both screaming, but he knew better than to rush it. He remembered how gentle Aiden had been with him and how d.a.m.n good it had felt. The least he could do was return the favor.

Ky withdrew his fingers. Aidenas noise of disappointment turned into a sigh of joy as Ky slid three fingers inside him.

aI think Iam going to come already.a aHold on to it,a Ky said.

Aiden groaned again. aIf your c.o.c.k is anywhere near as good as this, Iam in trouble.a aLetas find out.a Slowly Ky withdrew his fingers. aRelax. Think good thoughts.a aI canat think of anything better than this.a Ky slowly parted Aidenas cheeks and positioned himself. He prodded gently, just enough to get Aidenas opening to relax again, then he slid his tip inside.

aBeautiful,a Aiden breathed. aSimply beautiful.a Ky rested his hands on Aidenas hips and slowly but surely slid himself forward. Aidenas moan ended in a growl of pleasure.

aBetter than your dreams?a Ky asked.

aShut up and f.u.c.k me.a aHey, Iam the Dom around here.a Aidenas reply was incoherent, but Ky got the drift. He pumped very slowly, getting Aiden used to it. All the way in, all the way out. Another dribble of lube to make slipping inside a little easier.

aSweet,a Ky said. aI love how tight you are.a aSo do I,a Aiden gurgled. aHow did I ever live before this?a Ky silently wondered that too. The pressure of Aiden squeezing him was better than any s.e.x head ever had in his life. The only thing that came close to this much feeling was Brianneas questing mouth.

The thought of her popping in to make it a threesome escalated his excitement. He began to ride in earnest, and Aiden shouted encouragement. Ky reached for his flogger and swatted Aiden lightly on the hips with it.

aYes, yes, yes,a Aiden moaned.

Ky stung his own hands and abdomen with the flogger but he didnat care. The tiny bite of pain was nothing to the agony the nano-computers had caused. He felt none of the pain now, not the warning tingle, not the implants eating him from the inside out. He was free to love Aiden any way he chose.

And he would choose so many waysa aI love you,a he said hoa.r.s.ely.

af.u.c.k me,a Aiden replied. aDonat stop. Donataaw, d.a.m.n, Iam coming.a aNo, wait.a Ky reached around and pinched the base of Aidenas c.o.c.k, but it was too late. Ropes of come snaked out and coated Kyas fingers. At the same time, Ky felt an answering surge, and everything went black as he pumped hard, releasing his seed deep inside his lover.

aLove you,a Aiden said brokenly.

Sweat poured from Kyas body, and he leaned into Aidenas equally sweaty back. aI love you too, my friend. Oh f.u.c.king d.a.m.n, that was good.a * * * * *

That same night, Brianne stood in her grandmotheras study and faced down the elegant gray-haired woman who was the ruler of all Bor Narga. Brianne felt like a schoolgirl coming to confess a misdeed shead done instead of a twenty-eight-year-old who could make her own decisions.

aYouare going to what?a Clothilde daAroth sounded calm, but she was practiced at keeping her voice controlled when she really wanted to shout.

aI am moving to quarters in Pas City,a Brianne said, resolving not to twist her fingers like a child. aI plan to take rooms with two Shareem.a aYes, I heard about you running around the slums with Shareem. I asked Harbourgh what he meant by letting you do it.a Her eyes became steely. aHe defied me, said it was your business.a Brianne felt a guilty twinge for Harbourgh, who could have reported her a long time ago. She resolved head not lose anything by this.

aHeas right. It is my business.a Lady daArothas mouth firmed. aNot when you appear on every digital feed on the planet. Not when reporters are having a field day speculating what youare doing with the Shareem. Not when the maAren family are threatening to sue for breach of contract for the ended engagement. What are you doing, Brianne? Experimenting with s.e.x? With Shareem? If youare going to do that, hire a Shareem for a weeka”discreetlya”and then go on about your business.a Brianne bit the inside of her cheek. Shead made a promise to herself that shead be professional and businesslike and explain without breaking down. The problem was, it was so difficult to remain in control around Grandmother. Clothilde daAroth knew it, and wielded her power with precision.

aI came to tell you, because I thought I should extend that courtesy,a Brianne began. aI have started work on changing the laws that restrict Shareem. Talan daUrvey is helping to fund the movement. Shareem have been enslaved too long.a aVery n.o.ble of you. But theyare not slaves.a aThey may as well be. Theyare restricted by laws that take away rights that even the lowest-born Bor Nargan enjoys. Thatas wrong. DNAmo is no longer a threat, and these men arenat either. They have no intention of taking over Bor Narga. They just want to be left alone.a aYouare gullible, too.a aGrandmother.a Brianne barely held on to her patience. aIam going to do this. Iave already begun. It has nothing to do with you or the daAroths.a Lady daAroth shook her head. aG.o.ds, youare stubborn. Like your mother. I can see youare determined to change the lawsa”which I donat think will work, by the waya”but canat you be a do-gooder from your own office? Why make a fool of yourself moving to Pas City?a aTo prove that thereas nothing wrong with living down there. That thereas nothing wrong with Shareem. If the spotlight will be on me, it will be on me living with them and sharing their lives, not hiding in my office signing papers.a aOh, Brianne, you are so youngaa aIam not that young,a Brianne interrupted. aYou were crusading for miners out in the canyons you were younger than I am nowa”enthusiastically. You took part in protests.a aI remember,a she said crisply.

aAnd you were successful, as I mean to be. The daAroths caused the Shareem to live in misery, I think a daAroth should change that.a Her grandmother leaned forward, as strong at eighty as shead been at thirty. aYou are a stubborn, foolish young woman, Brianne, and you do this without my blessing. When you fall on your facea”and you willa”I wonat catch you.a aI donat expect you to.a Brianne feared shead tremble and stammer when she faced her grandmother today, but to her surprise a strength rose in her to make her stand as strong and firm as Clothilde daAroth ever did. She was not asking her grandmotheras permission to begin the enterprise, she was warning her so Lady daAroth wouldnat be taken by surprise when the reporters came calling.

Not that anything ever really surprised her grandmother.

aNow that Iave told you,a Brianne said calmly. aI am going. I came also to say goodbye.a aGood.a Clothilde gestured briskly at her desk. aIam busy.a Brianne gave her a nod. aAs you wish. But please remind Dranis maAren that he canat sue us for breach of contract because he never signed the engagement agreement. He had his lawyers fussing over the clauses so long that they never finished hammering out a draft.a Her grandmother raised her head, her brows climbing. aReally? You made sure of that before you broke it off?a aOf course I did. And my lawyers know it too.a aI see.a Clothilde daAroth held her gaze, rea.s.sessing her. aPerhaps you are not such a feeble-wit after all.a Brianne ducked her head. aThank you, Grandmother,a she said, and departed.

Aiden and Ky lay tangled in sleep on the bed in Aidenas room. Theyad chosen to adjourn there because Aidenas room was neatesta”we can actually find the bed, Aiden had said.