Embroidered Fantasies

Chapter Eleven

Roxanne stared at the closed door in dismay. She’d driven Sednar away. One minute he’d been toweling her off from her bath—and how strange was that—and the next he was angry, and if she wasn’t mistaken, hurt.

Sednar was wrong. They didn’t need her. Not really. She was a novelty, nothing more. Women were scarce here. They needed one and she just happened to fit the bill.

Which made her wonder if there was anything special about her or if any woman would do.

She couldn’t give up the only life she’d ever known on three days’ notice. Of course she couldn’t. She noticed with some surprise the idea wasn’t as unappealing as it had been when she first arrived.

What did she really have back home in California? An ex-husband who wanted to kill her, a job as a waitress at a diner and no real friends. What would she have if she stayed? Two men who made her feel special. What would she do here? She had no idea and that was part of the problem. Everything ran like clockwork in the keep. She supposed she could find something to do in the kitchen.

Her temples throbbed and she shivered. Now that the heat of the bath had dissipated, her skin was chilled. She looked around, not wanting to put on the skirt and tunic again. She spied a robe hung on a peg by the door. She padded over to it and lifted it down. It was much too large for her, but she didn’t care.

She dropped the towel and slid the garment on. It was huge and it smelled of Radnor—musky and slightly spicy. She wrapped the robe around herself and belted it tight. Shoving back the sleeves, she lifted the hem and headed to the bedroom.

Radnor rose from his seat at the table when she entered. “Where is Sednar?” His sharp gaze went to the door behind her.

“He left. Took the other exit.” She gestured back to the bathing chamber.

Radnor’s eyes narrowed. “What happened?” His muscles flexed and his hand went to the hilt of his sword, which was propped next to the table beside him.

Roxanne shrugged, not wanting to get into the whole thing. She didn’t know how she felt about what had happened. She’d been frightened when Sednar’s hands had fisted at his sides. She’d lived with an angry man for too long to mistake the signs.

Sednar had been angry. But he’d noticed her fear immediately and his entire demeanor had changed. He’d distanced himself from her, leaving her feeling slightly bereft, which didn’t make any sense at all. She was so confused. “We had a slight disagreement about something.”

That was another reason she didn’t dare stay. She’d had sex with both these men, but did she truly know them? She’d thought she’d known Michael before she married him, but he’d been putting on an act. If she stayed here and her opportunity to return home was lost, there was no way she could save herself. Here in this world, their word was law.

And she couldn’t discount the warning and the mutterings she’d heard today from the people who lived here. As much as she wanted to, they played on her mind and her fears.

But you slept with them, a voice in the back of her head reminded her. She trusted them on some deep level to have done that. There was no denying the connection she felt to both men. That in itself was confusing enough.

Radnor tugged out the chair next to him, pulling her from her musings. “No matter.

He will be back. Sit and eat.”

Keeping a grip on the hem of the robe, she sat. “I hope you don’t mind I borrowed your robe.”

He took his seat and shook his head. His golden eyes twinkled as they grazed the deep vee where the sides of the robe had parted slightly, showing a glimpse of cleavage. “It looks much better on you than it ever did on me. Feel free to borrow it anytime.”

Anytime. The word seemed to imply that she would be here to borrow it. But she was going home. Late tomorrow night if they were to be believed.

Her stomach growled, pulling her back to the here and now. Her plate was piled high with succulent fruit, thick wheat bread and slabs of delicate cheese. Radnor had been busy. “Thank you.” She motioned to the plate and began to eat.

“My pleasure,” he rumbled. He touched her arm gently before turning to his own plate.

Roxanne tried not to think about Sednar, about what he’d said, but it was impossible to put it out of her mind. Radnor was silent as they both ate their fill. When she couldn’t eat another bite, she shoved back her plate. “I’m done.” He sat back and nodded. “You did better than I’d hoped.” She laughed. “I’m glad you didn’t expect me to eat all of it.”

“I expect nothing of you, Roxanne, other than what you wish to give me.” His tone was serious and her smile faded. He was talking about much more than just food and they both knew it.

He stood and held out his hand. “Come. It is time for bed.” Radnor had no idea where Sednar had gone. He assumed their disagreement was over her staying or going. His brother lacked patience sometimes but in this case, Radnor understood. This was too important to them, to their future, not to try to advance their cause.

Talking obviously hadn’t worked and he wasn’t much of a diplomat in any case. He left that chore to his brother. He was a man of action. It was time to pull the ties between them even tighter. He’d do that in the only way he knew how—in bed.

Women might be scarce in Javara but all young men were taught the best ways to pleasure one. It was something every father took pride on teaching his sons. Even his own father, as cruel and violent as he’d been, had taught all of them. After all, the goal was to get a wife in order to get heirs for the land. That might have been his father’s goal. All Radnor wanted was Roxanne.

Roxanne took his hand, the sleeve of his robe bunching around their fingers. She was so much smaller than he, but there was a strength in her that drew him. She might not see herself that way, but he knew that in order to not only survive the abuse she had, but also to escape, she had to be strong.

He wanted to sweep her into his arms and carry her down onto the mattress. He didn’t. He walked slowly, allowing her to set the pace. It wasn’t easy. His body, indeed his soul, was crying out for him to claim her in the most basic way possible. To put his mark on her so that she would never forget him.

He closed his eyes and sucked in a breath. The thought of never seeing her again was almost too much to bear. How would he survive being cast back into the darkness after tasting such heaven?

Her fingers slid along his palm. She might as well have stroked them over his cock.

He was hard as steel and more than ready. But she wasn’t. She deserved to be wooed.

He wasn’t a gentle lover but, for her, he would try.

They stopped by the edge of the bed. The shutters on the windows were closed against the cool night breeze. The only illumination came from the fire crackling in the hearth and the two tapers on the table. Still, it was more than enough for Radnor to see her by.

The ends of her black hair were damp from her bath. Her skin was rosy and smelled fresh and clean. Roxanne’s gray eyes were smoky and soft. Her lips parted on a sigh as he slid his hands inside the opening of the robe. The fabric parted and he slipped it over her shoulders. It pooled at her waist, caught by the belt.

Her breasts were high and firm, beckoning him to touch them. He lifted his hands and cupped them, stroking his thumbs gently over her nipples. They puckered and she sucked in a breath.

“You’re so beautiful,” he told her. Radnor glanced at her face. There was a hunger in her eyes that spoke to him, lured him closer to her.

He reached for the belt and tugged the ends free. The robe slithered to the floor.

Forgotten. Radnor lost his breath. He’d seen her naked before, but she never failed to make his heart pound and his cock throb.

He reached between his legs and adjusted himself. It didn’t help. There just wasn’t enough room in his pants for him to be comfortable. She looked down at the large bulge and her lips curved up in a seductive smile.

“That doesn’t look comfortable.”

He shook his head. “It’s not.”

Roxanne sidled closer, her fingers plucking at the ties to his pants. It was ecstasy. It was torture. Her fingers brushed his hard length as she struggled to free him. His balls ached for release. He could have completed the task much more quickly himself. Yet, he didn’t move, allowing Roxanne to do with him as she would.

He watched her, etching every second into his memory. He still had no idea if she would stay or go when the tapestry came for her. He hoped she would stay, but he was realistic enough to admit that she would probably leave. She’d shown no signs she planned to do otherwise.

Resolve hardened deep within him. He would pleasure her so much tonight, she would have to consider staying. He grunted when the laces came apart and his cock sprang free from his pants. She captured his shaft in her soft hands, stroking from root to tip and back again.

His hips jerked toward her, encouraging her to touch him as she would. For several long minutes, he gave himself over to the sensual torture. Her fingers alternated between skating lightly over his cock to squeezing it tight. When she cupped his balls and rolled them gently, he thought he’d spill himself in her hands.

Radnor pulled away, scooped Roxanne into his arms and laid her in the center of his large bed. She looked so right lying there, as though she belonged. Her hair looked even darker, her eyes more mysterious and her skin glowed in the faint firelight. Her legs were slightly parted, allowing him a glimpse of her slick, pink folds.

He stripped his pants and boots off, tossing them aside. Then he removed his wrist and armbands, setting them onto the table beside the bed. He wanted nothing between them.

“Tell me you want this,” he commanded.

Roxanne swallowed, the muscles in her throat rippling. He waited, hard and hurting, by the bed. This had to be her choice. She nodded and her lips parted on the words he longed to hear. “I want this.”

Roxanne found it difficult to breathe as Radnor placed one knee on the bed and climbed in beside her. He was so large he blocked most of the light. She closed her eyes as the mattress depressed slightly, remembering the feel of his hard cock in her hands.

Like velvet over steel, his erection pulsed with life. Thick veins laced his shaft, pumping blood there to keep him erect. It was both frightening and beautiful to behold.

Not that she thought he’d hurt her. Even fully aroused, he’d waited until she’d agreed. But what if she hadn’t agreed, that pesky voice tormented. Would he have taken her anyway?

No. Deep in her heart, she didn’t think he would. All she’d have to do is say the word and he’d stop. Michael would never have given her wants or needs a second thought. He’d always taken what he wanted, never caring about her.

Strong hands cupped her face. “Roxanne? What worries you so?” She opened her eyes to see Radnor peering down on her, his expression one of concern. For her. “Nothing. Everything.” She was so confused about all the events of the past few days. Confused about her growing feelings for both Radnor and Sednar.

How was that even possible? Yet, she’d seen examples of this kind of arrangement at work here at Craddock Keep and everyone involved seemed satisfied with it.

Radnor rolled on top of her, resting his weight on his knees and forearms. His cock brushed against her stomach like a hot brand. Lowering his head, he brushed his nose against hers. His long hair fell around them, a curtain closing out the rest of the world.

He placed soft kisses on her forehead, her cheek, her nose and chin. There was no rush, no sense of urgency about him. He made her feel…cherished. That’s the only word she could think of.

He kissed his way down the line of her jaw and over to her ear. “Let me touch you.” The seductive whisper pushed the last of her doubts away.

She lifted her head, capturing his lips with hers, kissing him with every ounce of the volatile emotions churning within her. His tongue surged into her mouth, tasting and stroking every part of it until Roxanne could barely breathe. When he pulled away, they were both panting.

Then he smiled at her. It was a smile of promise, of passion.

Radnor kissed her again, this time more slowly, making a thorough job of it. He made it seem as though he’d be content to simply kiss her all night long, in spite of the hard press of his cock. She’d never been kissed like this before. He teased and tasted and savored her for long minutes.

She broke first, no longer satisfied with mere kisses. Her pussy ached and throbbed a primal rhythm, demanding to be filled. Her breasts felt swollen, the tips brushing against the hard planes of his chest with each breath she took.

Roxanne wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. She arched her hips upward, rubbing her swollen pussy against his shaft. Her moan and his groan entwined as he pulled away and stared at her.

His eyes were a blaze of golden fire as he leaned down to lick her collarbone. She writhed beneath him, wanting him closer. He was kneeling over her like some great beast ready to devour her whole. She couldn’t wait.

He growled low in his chest as he captured one puckered nipple between his lips and sucked. Heat washed over her. Through her. Her pussy pulsed harder.

Radnor shifted his attention to her other breast, licking and sucking before teasing the tip with his teeth. Her lungs heaved. She tried to catch her breath. Her body was damp with perspiration. He kissed a trail down her torso, pausing at her bellybutton to dip his tongue inside the small indentation. He nipped at her hipbones. She cried out his name.

The sound seemed to enflame him as he shoved her legs apart and settled between them, her thighs resting on his shoulders. She felt his hot breath on her swollen lips a moment before he stroked his tongue over her labia. Up one side and down the other.

Her hips jerked up to meet his mouth. A low whimper escaped her.

She licked her lips and gasped. “More.”

Radnor inserted two thick fingers into the opening of her channel. “Your cunt is so hot and tight.”

She twisted her hips, trying to make his fingers go deeper. She couldn’t talk. Could only feel.

He worked his fingers into her tight sheath, stretching her, touching all the sensitive spots inside her. His lips captured her clit and he lapped at the swollen bud with his tongue.

The world spun away from her. Roxanne felt her orgasm swamp her. She cried out, her hips pumping. Radnor kept working his fingers in and out of her channel, sucking and lapping at her clit. Cream coated his fingers. When the hot shivers coasting through her body finally subsided, Roxanne sank deep into the mattress, her heart pounding like a drum.

Radnor propped himself up between her thighs and smiled at her. His lips were damp with her cream. As she watched, he stuck his fingers in his mouth and licked her essence from them.

A sound off to the right startled her. Her gaze flew to a dark corner just inside the door. A shadow detached from the wall and Sednar walked toward them. She had no idea when he’d arrived, had been too caught up with what Radnor was doing to her to even notice.

Sednar was naked and fully aroused. Radnor watched her, a combination of lust and need blazing in his eyes. She knew what they wanted. She wanted it too. She patted the mattress next to her. Sednar sauntered over to the bed, his eyes never leaving her as he knelt next to her. She had no idea exactly what was coming next. But whatever it was, she wanted it.

Sednar thought his balls might burst as he’d watched Roxanne come. Hidden in the shadows, he’d stroked his swollen cock, letting her every moan and sigh seep into his skin. He’d felt a twinge of jealousy that it was Radnor who’d brought her to orgasm, who’d tasted her sweet cream.

He must have made a sound because Roxanne’s eyes had flown to him. He’d stepped from the darkness and wanted to howl with pleasure when she’d patted the mattress, inviting him to join them.

He knelt on the bed, glancing at his brother as he settled next to Roxanne. Radnor nodded and Sednar relaxed. They both wanted the same thing—for Roxanne to stay with them. Right now, their only goal was to bring her as much erotic pleasure as possible.

Roxanne circled his cock with her hand and stroked his hard length. He gritted his teeth. He was so primed and ready it wouldn’t take much for him to come. Not that he’d stop her. Never that. He wanted to feel every stroke of her soft hand.

What he really wanted was to bury his cock into her sweet cunt while Radnor took her from behind. But it was too soon to even suggest something like that. Roxanne was still new to the idea of sleeping with two men. Better to go slow and easy, to get her used to the idea. He shoved aside the thought that she might not be here long enough for that.

She was here now. That was all that mattered.

Sednar cupped the back of her head, threading his fingers through her silky locks.

“I want to feel your mouth on me.” He inched closer to her, being careful not to crowd her.

She licked her lips and Sednar swallowed a groan as his balls tightened. She had such a sweet mouth and tongue. He longed to watch his cock disappear into her mouth, to feel her tongue stroking him.

Radnor covered her breasts with his hands, kneading the perfect white mounds.

Roxanne moaned, her hips rotating slightly. “I want to fuck you,” he growled.

Her eyes widened as she looked at Radnor. He continued to tease her nipples, tugging gently on them with his thumbs and forefingers.

“I want to fuck you while you suck Sednar’s cock.” Radnor released her breasts and slid his hands down her torso and between her legs, spreading them wide.

Both men waited. This very special woman held their fate in her hands.

Roxanne’s brain was whirling with the erotic images the brothers’ words evoked.

She could easily imagine taking Sednar’s hard length into her mouth while Radnor buried his cock in her heated passage.

Every inch of her skin was sensitive. She felt alive and daring. She could do this.

Why not? It was acceptable in this world. They were all adults. Roxanne wanted to store up every memory, every moment of her time with these men. She feared she’d never feel the same way about any man back on her own world. She frowned at the thought.

Radnor stroked her pussy with the tip of his cock, probing softly at her entrance.

Thought fled, replaced by need. Right or wrong, she wanted this. Had to have it. These brothers had healed her wounded soul and she longed to give back to them in some way.

She opened her legs wider to encourage Radnor as she tugged gently on Sednar’s cock to get him to move closer.

Sednar supported her head and neck as he guided his shaft toward her mouth. She licked a pearly bead of fluid from the tip, letting her tongue trace the slit. Sednar groaned, his fingers tightening in her hair.

Feeling totally in control, she twirled her tongue around his cock head as if it were a lollipop. She sucked it into her mouth and then slowly released it, making a wet, slurping sound as she did.

Sednar gave a strangled laugh. “Tease.” The way he said the word and the way he looked at her told her he didn’t mind in the least.

Smiling, she opened her mouth and took him as deep as she could, running her tongue over the prominent veins on his shaft.

She moaned as Radnor stroked his fingers over her clit. A second later, he slid into her snug channel, stretching her with the width of his cock. She squirmed as he held himself still inside her, allowing her inner muscles to relax around him.

The vibration of her moan caused Sednar to groan as the sensation shot through his shaft. She realized then that they were all connected when they were like this, one feeding off the pleasure of the other. It felt amazing and somehow right.

Radnor began to move between her thighs, pulling his cock almost all the way out before driving deep again. He lifted her hips, wrapping his fingers around her waist as he fucked her, alternating long, deep strokes with short, hard ones.

Sednar thrust his hips forward. She wrapped her hand around the base of his cock to keep control over how far he went. She loved the salty, musky taste of him as she sucked his shaft into her mouth. She lapped at the underside with her tongue.

Occasionally, she teased the bulbous tip before taking him deep again.

The scent of sex permeated the air around them. The bed frame shifted, the headboard hitting the wall as Radnor’s thrusts became hard and fast. Short strokes that pushed her to the edge and then over it when he caressed her clit with his thumb.

Her pussy tightened around Radnor’s cock as she came. He continued to pump his hips as he came too, filling her with his seed.

The sounds of her cries vibrated around Sednar’s cock. She felt the ripple of his shaft as he came in her mouth. She swallowed, trying not to choke. Sednar eased back before she panicked, making it easier for her. She lapped at his cock, giving it one final caress before releasing him. He lowered her head back to the bed.

She groaned when Radnor eased from between her thighs. Although he’d come, he didn’t feel any smaller as he withdrew. She felt totally wasted, utterly complete and surprisingly content.

Radnor rolled out of bed and padded toward the bathing chamber. Roxanne admired the flex of his buttocks as he moved. He could make a fortune as a model in her world. His back muscles were perfectly sculpted, narrowing as they ran from his shoulders to his waist.

The more time she spent here, the less strange it seemed to have both brothers in bed with her. A trickle of fluid ran down her thigh and she stopped breathing. They hadn’t used protection. Her entire body stiffened. What if she got pregnant? This wasn’t a dream. This was reality. She’d had unprotected sex several times. If she did get pregnant, she wouldn’t even know whose baby it was.

“Are you all right?” Sednar leaned over her, concern on his face.

Was she all right? She wasn’t sure. Radnor returned at that moment, washcloth in hand. With no warning, he dipped it between her legs, cleaning away the remnants of both their orgasms. She was too stunned to be embarrassed. After all, they’d seen every part of her several times now. It seemed stupid to feel shy now. He tossed the cloth aside and then lifted her, tucking her under the covers before climbing in beside her.

Sednar slipped under the covers to join them. He hadn’t forgotten his question and prompted her again. “Roxanne?”

“I’m fine.” She kept her gaze averted. Both men were much too observant for her liking. What would she do if she were pregnant? The thought of holding a brown-haired, brown-eyed baby in her arms filled her with longing. She wouldn’t mind a child at all. Maybe a boy who’d grow up to be as big and strong as his father. Maybe a girl with golden brown eyes.

How could she deprive the child of its father? Maybe she wasn’t pregnant. Her thoughts were a whirlwind, each one more confusing than the last. What should she do? Should she mention her concerns?

No, there was no point. Both brothers had made it abundantly clear that they wanted her to stay. Whatever choice she made was up to her.

Exhaustion made her yawn. Radnor threw his arm around her and leaned close.

“Don’t worry so much. Everything will be fine.”

That was easy for him to say. He wasn’t the one faced with the almost impossible choice. What had been a clear-cut decision only yesterday morning was now a dilemma. Go or stay? She fell asleep to the argument raging in her mind.

Michael sat in the corner of the great room and observed the drunken melee taking place in the center. Shouts and curses rang out as flesh met flesh. The Luther brothers were lethal bastards. He was lucky he had something they wanted—Roxanne.

He lifted the tankard of sour ale to his mouth and sipped the bitter brew. He wondered what the faithless bitch was doing at this very moment. Was she spreading her legs for some other man?

His fingers tightened around the cup in his hand. His knuckles turned white and he forced himself to relax his grip. It didn’t matter what she did. She was his. He’d simply punish her for any infractions when he got her back.

The Luther brothers were a font of information. They had spies everywhere. One had returned earlier this evening with word that a woman fitting Roxanne’s description was at Craddock Keep. The Luthers seemed to have an ax to grind with these Craddocks, which was good for Michael. He hoped they all killed one another. As long as he got his hands around his sweet wife’s neck, he didn’t care.

The biggest problem facing him was how he was going to get back to his own time.

He still couldn’t quite believe he was in another time and place, but there was no denying the obvious. Roxanne had been responsible for bringing him here. She’d damn well get him home too.

Satisfied, he leaned against the wall and closed his eyes, shutting out the brutal sounds of the fight beyond. With a smile on his face, he daydreamed about the reunion with his faithless wife. He couldn’t wait.