Noble Blood

Chapter Three

Jaden stopped at the edge of the drive, suddenly uncertain of his welcome. He’d shut Moira and Duncan out of his life, shoved them out of his head with force at times. He wasn’t sure how they’d react to his sudden return, necessary though it was. He definitely wasn’t certain how Duncan would react when he found out Jaden had started working for Robin Goodfellow full time. How would his bond brother take Jaden’s defection from the family?

At the time it had looked like the only thing to do. He would be away from his biggest heartache yet still be able to keep Duncan and Moira safe. Keeping those two safe was more important to him than any White Court acceptance, any Black Court blandishments waved in his face. It was more important to him than his own life.

Not that he planned on laying that particular commodity on the table any time soon. He kind of liked his skin wrapped around his bones, thank you very much.

He studied the front of the brick mansion and smiled. Duncan had gone all out on the whole holiday thing. Lights were strung everywhere. He bet when night fell the house would be a beacon of cheer for anyone passing by.

“Jaden?”

Fuck. For the first time in eight weeks he allowed Duncan into his mind, but only so far. He couldn’t let Duncan in all the way or the man would figure out exactly why Jaden had stayed away. He couldn’t bring himself to face Duncan’s pity, or worse, his scorn. “Duncan.”

The relief and anger that washed through him staggered him in its intensity. “Get your ass up here.”

“Duncan—”

“NOW.”

That cold Malmayne temper of Duncan’s was roused. How bad were things going to get once Duncan realized that Jaden’s return was merely temporary? He figured the fireworks, once started, might actually be kind of fun. It would certainly provide him with even more of an excuse to leave when the task was done.

He got out of the car, careful to put a carefree expression on his face. He wanted Duncan to think he’d been out on the town, partying with and fucking anything that moved. He couldn’t allow Duncan to know the truth. Not yet, maybe not ever.

God, being noble sucked ass. Thank God Robin had gotten him a bite to eat before bundling him on the plane for Nebraska. Too bad he’d been unable to enjoy more than the bite. He could have used the relief sex would have brought, but the little redhead had reminded him too much of Moira. He’d eaten, but he hadn’t really enjoyed it. Robin had to be aware of that, damn him. He’d even offered to join Jaden in the big bed behind him, romping together just the three of them.

Jaden had said no. He never, ever wanted to witness Robin’s idea of “romping”. Robin’s grin had held way too many teeth for his comfort.

Hell, even after a hundred years Jaden couldn’t classify himself as a party animal. He was by no means celibate, but even during the seventies he’d kept it in his pants more often than not, only giving in when the hunger for sex and blood became more than he could bear.

Wouldn’t Duncan be shocked to find that out? His Lordship probably had him pegged as a regular man-whore.

The door was flung open by none other than Lord Malmayne himself. Jaden frowned. He looks like shit. “Hey Dunc—” That was as far as he got. The fist to his mouth knocked him down, shocking him. The trickle of blood at the corner of his lip told him more about Duncan’s rage than anything. It was the first time Duncan had ever bled him.

It was the first time anyone but another vampire had blooded him, actually. Shit. I’m impressed.

“Where the hell have you been?”

He blinked and sat up. Damn, Duncan had hit him hard. He kept forgetting how strong the Sidhe could be, especially one who’d been a warrior once. “Two’s company, or so I’ve heard.” He got gingerly to his feet, ignoring the glare Duncan shot him.

“Where were you?”

If anything, his flippant answer seemed to have pissed off his bond brother even more. “Here. There. Everywhere.” He leered at his friend. “Thinking about you and Moira’s underwear.” He waggled his brows, hoping for a laugh. A smile. Hell, just a little less hostility would be nice. No, wait, I want him hostile. Don’t I?

“I needed you here. Not off doing whatever the hell it was you were doing.”

“I had a fun time doing it, too.” He put his hands on his hips, desperate to brazen this one out. “What’s the matter with you, anyway? You shouldn’t have even noticed I was gone.” He batted his lashes at Duncan, who was aware that Jaden swung both ways. “Of course, if I’d noticed you missed me that much I would have been back sooner.” He ignored the dangerous narrowing of Duncan’s eyes. “Where’s your lovely wife, by the way?

“Inside. Now.” Duncan turned on his heel and actually stomped into the house.

Jaden blinked, stunned for the second time that day. Huh. The Bonding must be affecting him. He expected that fiery display of temper from his…Duncan’s little leprechaun, but never from Duncan himself. The man was always calm, cool and collected. More than once he’d saved Jaden’s ass by refusing to lose his legendary cool. Yet here he was, so pissed off he was stomping.

If the man wasn’t mated Jaden would have been flattered. As it was he wondered how long it would take him to wrap up this ugly assignment and knock the dust of the Malmayne household off his canvas sneakers.

“Are you coming in or are you going to stand there and roast all day?”

Jaden rolled his eyes and sauntered into the house. “Fuck. You’ve gotten cranky, old man.” Duncan’s response? A low growl that sent shivers down Jaden’s spine. He quickly thumped his cock, the pain stilling his newborn erection. “So much for connubial bliss.”

“Jaden. Shut the hell up.”

Jaden shut up. He followed Duncan into his study, watching the other man closely. He frowned. What the…? Were those silver hairs in among the gold? Fear skated down his spine. In all the time he’d known Duncan the Sidhe Lord had never changed, not by a hair. New clothes and haircuts came and went, but underneath it all was still the same Duncan Malmayne who had pulled his ass out of a dirty alleyway and given him a home. To see silver there after only two months was frightening. “Duncan?”

Blazing gray eyes met his across the desk. “Henri is pushing for the nullification of my marriage to Moira.”

Bingo. That had to be the beginning of why Robin had sent him here. “Henri likes to talk out of his sphincter. What else is new?” Like silver threads through gold? What the fuck?

“Well, his sphincter is pushing out even more shit. He wants you punished for the murder of Kaitlynn.”

His eyebrows shot up. “That was sanctioned.” In more ways than one, and he’d play that card if it came down to it. Even if the sanction was posthumous. Not even Glorianna would interfere with a sanctioned Blade assassination.

“Even so, the clan is beginning to get on my nerves. They want…hell, I’m not sure what they want. Leo punished for not abiding by the marriage contract and binding himself to Kaitlynn, Ruby for taking Leo away from Kaitlynn, me for not enforcing the contract once Dad was dead.” He rubbed his eyes wearily, the anger beginning to leech from his face. “They believe that Moira isn’t good enough to fulfill the contract.”

Jaden leaned back in his chair, balancing it on two legs. He tried to hide the white-hot flash of rage over the thought that anyone believed Moira wasn’t good enough. “Why are they so frigging eager to see this done the way they want it done?”

Duncan’s expression froze. “Good question.” He settled down behind his desk, becoming visibly less ruffled. “It’s not as if we can bring Kaitlynn back from the dead.”

“Well…”

“Don’t even go there, Jaden.”

He grinned. He’d sooner eat, well, Kaitlynn than bring that bitch back. “Wasn’t going to.”

“Good.” A brief smile crossed Duncan’s face. “Welcome home.”

Jaden hid his wince. “Yeah. About that.” Icy fury once more glazed Duncan’s gray eyes, but before he could say anything Jaden’s chair was yanked back, landing him on his back. “Ow.” He looked up to find a pair of perky tits and furious green eyes glaring down at him. He smiled, inexplicably happy to see her again. “Hello, Moira.”

“Where the hell have you been?”

He licked his lips, tasting his own blood. “Is there an echo in here? At least you didn’t punch me.”

One slender foot began to tap next to his head. “Don’t tempt me.”

He eyed that foot, knowing full well what she was capable of. She couldn’t really hurt him, but she could damn well try. “Sweetheart, would you like to put that away? It might go off, and then how bad would you feel?”

She rolled her eyes and bounced her way over to Duncan’s desk. She perched on the edge, her arms folded across her breasts. “I’m going to repeat myself one more time. Where have you been?”

He didn’t even bother getting up off the floor. Knowing Moira she’d probably just dump him on his ass again. He crossed his leg over his knee and settled his hands behind his head. He smirked up at her. “Recently? Vegas.”

“What were you doing there?”

He mock frowned and wagged his finger at her. “Hey. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”

She ground her teeth together. “Jaden.” Her shoulders slumped. “You know what? Never mind. Just shut the hell up.”

Jaden smiled and shut up. Hell, this might actually be fun.

Duncan watched Jaden, aware that, suddenly, he was…complete. It was a strange sensation, something he shouldn’t be feeling. He had his mate, her glorious hair glistening in the sun streaming through the windows, her eyes glittering down at his bond brother. So why wasn’t it enough for him? Why, only now, did he know true happiness?

He’d missed Jaden. Perhaps it had something to do with the blood bond the two of them shared. Even now Jaden kept the link restricted, kept Duncan mostly out of his mind, but not even that could dampen his pleasure at the other man’s presence.

“We were worried about you, Fangsalot.”

Jaden snorted, his shoulders shaking with laughter. “Fangsalot? You’ve been hanging out with Ruby, haven’t you?”

Moira kicked his shin. “It’s not funny. Duncan and I were worried sick.”

Duncan frowned at Moira. Admittedly, he had damn near worried himself sick but Jaden didn’t need to know that. The vampire was unreasonably protective of him, and if he found out Duncan had been unwell Jaden would be all over him.

“Oh. Sorry to hear that.”

Duncan blinked. The cool nonchalance in Jaden’s tone stunned him. Hurt settled deep inside him. “I’ll be fine.” He shifted in his seat. What had happened to Jaden in Vegas? He’d never been cold to Duncan before. Usually he clowned around him, trying to break through the calm façade Duncan normally wore. “We need to discuss a few things.”

“Yeah, like a bath for me and a meal. I’m starving.” Jaden got to his feet with exquisite grace. “Let me get settled in and then we’ll talk.”

Duncan was seriously beginning to worry. His best friend wasn’t acting like himself. Duncan prided himself on being able to read the young vampire, but today he couldn’t sense a thing. “Is everything all right?” Had Jaden been somehow hurt in Vegas? Damn it, he wished he knew what had happened out there!

“Yeah, everything’s fine. Don’t worry, old man. I just stink.”

A reluctant smile curled Duncan’s lips. Ever since that alley Jaden hated being dirty with a passion. He’d bathe twice a day whenever possible. “Fine. How about we meet here for a light dinner? Moira and I will fill you in on what’s been going on since you left for your…vacation.” He couldn’t keep the displeasure from his voice. “I’ll have Ian inform the kitchen of our needs.”

Jaden grinned, but something was missing. The spark that made Jaden so much fun to be around was gone, and in its place… Duncan couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but it echoed through him down to his bones.

There was nothing left to do but watch Jaden walk out of the room, leaving behind him one very confused, hurt and angry Sidhe Lord.

Duncan narrowed his eyes. Something was very wrong with Jaden. His bond brother was still trying to shut him out. And Duncan was going to find out why.

Moira watched Jaden leave the room. She could just feel the ragged edges of his emotions. The vampire was hurting just as much as she and Duncan were.

Three’s a crowd, eh? Hmph. She crossed her arms over her breasts and thought about the conversation she’d overheard between the two men. Jaden had left to give them time to complete their mating bond, but instead of doing just that Duncan had held off, pining for Jaden.

Yup. A tribond. If she’d had any doubt before, just seeing Duncan and Jaden in the same room removed it. It was like the dark cloud that had been hovering over her and her cranky Sidhe lord had lifted. She pictured Duncan and Jaden kissing and was surprised to find the thought didn’t bother her at all. In fact, it was a surprising turn-on, her entire body heating up at the vision of Duncan’s blond head meshed with Jaden’s dark.

“That was unexpected.”

She turned to her fine-looking Sidhe lord. His gaze was locked on the doorway, silver sparks dancing in their depths. Silver light danced around him, his powers leeching through his iron-willed control. Her eyebrows shot up in alarm.

This was the most animation she’d seen from her fiancé since the day he’d swept her into his limousine and ridden off with her into the sunset. “Duncan. We need to talk.”

“About?” Those silver-flecked eyes landed on her, full of intent.

Suddenly she could barely breathe. All of the pent-up need that had lain dormant in Jaden’s absence came surging to the fore. “Um. Jaden.”

His head tilted to the side. “No. I don’t think so.”

“What?” The expression on his face was almost frightening in its intensity. Whatever had held him back from Claiming her fully was gone now. Feral heat lit him from within. She had a good idea just what had set off this little display of lust.

Moira gulped. “Oh, hell.” Moira wasn’t a virgin, thank the Lady. From the look Duncan was giving her she had the feeling she was going to be very grateful for that fact in about two seconds.

The slow, sexy curl of his lips had her stomach doing flip-flops. The glazed, sleepy look in his eyes had her nerves screaming to run. “It’s time.”

A part of her wanted this, wanted the Claiming, the Vow and the Binding. She wanted what her parents had, what Leo had so recently found in Ruby.

But there was something Duncan needed to hear, for both their sakes. For all their sakes. She held out her hand, hoping to stave off the inevitable. “Wait. I need to tell you something.”

“You do?” He began stalking her around the desk, his movements languid, his expression amused. It was like, after two months of hiding, the man she’d met in the limo was back and horny as hell. Duncan turned the corner and she could see the bulge of his erection beneath the fly of his slacks.

Oh, glory. “I spoke with my mother.”

“How is Aileen?” Duncan’s gaze darted to the office door. He stepped over and locked it before continuing his pursuit of her.

“She knows what’s wrong with you.” With us, but I don’t have time to go into that now.

Duncan stopped, the heat in his eyes chilling. “Wrong with me?”

Uh-oh. Perhaps she could have phrased that better. “She knows why you haven’t felt the urge to complete the bond.”

“Why would that be?”

She took a deep breath. He was starting to edge toward snarky, which was better than depressed, she supposed. “I need you to trust me. Okay?”

“Of course. You’re my mate.”

“So is Jaden.”

Everything about him stilled, except the erection in his pants. That she saw pulse just once against the restraint of his zipper. “No.”

“My mother thinks the blood bond the two of you share masked the symptoms of the unfinished Claiming.” She walked toward him warily and placed a hand on his chest. “You have…no, we have been pining for our other mate.”

His jaw worked, his brow furrowed. “No. I would have known.”

“Not necessarily. The two of you were rarely apart for longer than a week or two. It’s been two months since you’ve been in contact, and now all of a sudden it’s like you’ve finally woken up. Think, Duncan! You haven’t been able to finish Claiming me because you never started Claiming Jaden.”

“That’s not possible. I would have known.”

“Duncan. Look at me.” Dazed silver eyes met hers. “Do you want me?”

“Gods, yes.”

“Did you before Jaden came back?”

His hands circled her upper arms, his expression full of regret. “Yes, but…”

“But you couldn’t bring yourself to make love to me. Half your heart was missing.”

“No.”

“Yes. Because half of mine has been missing, too.”

His expression completely blanked. “What?”

“I’m half Sidhe, remember? I know both you and Jaden are meant to be mine.”

His jaw dropped, but the tension in his body was slowly easing, changing into something else, something more accepting of what she was trying to tell him. “But, how? How could I have missed something like that?”

“The blood bond? Or perhaps it needed all three of us before you could feel it?”

He blinked rapidly. “Mate sickness. I was suffering from mate sickness this whole time?”

She nodded. “My mother went through the same thing when her family tried to force her into the marriage with you. She’d found her true bond and they’d been separated.” He stared at her and she grimaced. “Sorry, forgot for a moment you were there. Anyway, when I described what was happening to both of us she realized what was going on almost immediately. Since I haven’t left your side since you took me it had to be Jaden who was causing it.”

He shook his head. “That can’t be true.”

“Have you never had the urge to kiss him? To take him into your arms and make love to him?”

Duncan’s hands tightened on her arms before he abruptly turned from her. “Yes. Damn it, yes.”

She sighed. This was going easier than she’d first thought. “Once the true bond is completed with both of us you’ll never suffer like this again.”

He turned back to her, his expression full of determination. “He won’t agree to this.”

“He doesn’t like men that way?” Moira hid her own unease. Once she’d spoken to her mother she’d looked up some books. She’d read some romances where men and women made love to one another regardless of gender. Some she liked, some she didn’t, but the thought of watching Duncan’s golden head bent over Jaden’s dark body while she watched was anything but repugnant. She wriggled, the sudden need spiraling through her.

“Oh, he does. It’s just. Damn it. He’s so damn noble.” Duncan growled, his frustration obvious.

Moira laughed. “Of course he is. He’s a Malmayne.”

“He thinks he’s still a Blackthorn.” Duncan tapped his fingers on the desk with a worried frown. “And to him that makes all the difference.”

Akane pulled her car over a few miles from the Malmayne estate. “Nebraska.” She stepped out, her high-heeled Prada boot sinking into the dirt road. “Yee-haw.” She pulled the heavy wool coat closer around her and studied the rapidly darkening sky.

“Fine. Let’s see what we’ve got here.” She settled herself cross-legged on the cooling hood of her metallic blue Porsche Boxster and allowed her inner eye to open. The star in the center of her iris expand, letting her see things beyond the ken of mortal man. “Okay, Jaden. What the hell is going on?”

The first thing she saw made her squirm in embarrassment. “Oh, Robin. You so owe me for this.”

Jaden took his time in the shower, unsure why he was uneasy. He’d sensed something down in that office, something that left him on edge. Had he played it wrong? Maybe he shouldn’t have tried to be so cool. Duncan now suspected something was wrong, something more than what was happening in the Malmayne clan. He’d have to throw him a bone, give him something to sink that intellect into.

He dragged the washcloth down his body, pausing by his cock. The fucker had been rock hard since his first glimpse of Duncan. It had begun weeping the moment Moira appeared.

He sighed and began stroking, bringing up images of the two of them loving one another. Fucking one another. Slick bodies intertwined in a knot of hot, sweaty sex until you couldn’t tell where one ended and the other began. He imagined Moira’s head bowed back in a throaty moan, Duncan’s lips toying with the sensitive juncture of neck and shoulder. Right where Jaden’s kiss had once been.

Hell, he let his imagination go even further. What it would be like to have the taste of both of them on his tongue at the same time, that sparkling effervescence that was Duncan, the dark, earthy taste of Moira? His hand moved faster, his cock jerking in his hand. He could picture it, his cock buried deep inside Moira, her red gold hair fanned out beneath her, writhing in ecstasy. He could almost feel Duncan deep inside his body, taking him until he throbbed with the need to come. They’d surround him, love him, bring him to an ecstasy he’d never dared to dream of.

The knowledge that it would never happen almost threw him out of the fantasy. The day Duncan and Moira made love to him would be the day Robin himself fell in love.

Jaden snorted, almost laughing. Yeah. That’ll happen. He shook his head and returned to his fantasy because, damn it, that’s all he would ever have so he might as well enjoy it.

The arousal was becoming unbearable. Jaden. It has to be. If Duncan closed his eyes he could almost see the water running down Jaden’s naked body, dripping from his sculpted abs, teasing his rock hard nipples. He shuddered, the need pouring through him ten times more intense than what he’d felt in that limo alone with Moira.

Moira was right. Somehow, some way the three of them were mates, meant to bond together into a greater whole. Duncan would do everything in his power to make sure Jaden never left them again.

Moira had begun to pant. “What in the world?” She fell back against the edge of Duncan’s desk, her legs rubbing together with a soft shush shush of fabric.

“Jaden.” Duncan’s head tilted back, his nostrils flaring as he took a deep breath. His hand had moved to the front of his slacks, petting himself there. He was so hard he was leaking, leaving behind a wet patch on his boxers. He moaned, the feel of the cloth somehow intertwining with the feel of slick, soapy fingers. God, it was like Jaden was stroking Duncan rather than himself, the sensation ghostly yet intense.

“How?”

Duncan licked his lips. “Doesn’t matter. I need you.” His hands went to her shirt, ripping it open in a burst of buttons. Thank the gods, no bra. “Now.”

She opened her mouth to protest but wound up gasping instead. His mouth descended on her breast, his tongue laving her nipple. “Mother of mercy.” Her fingers clenched in his hair, tugging at him, holding him in place. “Yes, please. More.”

No patience, no time for niceties. He’d have to figure out a way to make it all up to her later. “Sorry, amoureaux. So sorry.” His fingers were on her jeans, tugging at the button, snagging on the zipper. He could feel Jaden’s fingers on his cock all the way upstairs, could tell the vampire was close to orgasm. He needed the three of them to come together, a compulsion he had no intention of denying.

Moira whimpered, the sound dragging a tortured groan out of him. He got her jeans down her legs, once again thanking the gods for her need to be barefoot no matter where she was. The jeans flew over his shoulder, her panties soon joining them.

She was so beautiful it made him want to weep.

He damn near whimpered himself when he stroked her pussy. She was sopping wet, ripe and ready for him. “Promise I’ll make it up to you.”

“What?” She sounded drugged. Her hands curled around his ass, tugging him closer. “God, what’s wrong with me?”

“You need to come.” He quickly freed himself from his slacks. Around him his power danced, silver lights filling the room like gleaming fireflies. “The Claiming, love.”

Deep green lights, faint and far less numerous, joined his silver. “Do it.” Her green eyes opened, changing to the lush green color of grass on a warm summer day. Her skin tone darkened, faint whorls appearing here and there as she dropped her human Seeming. Even the red gold of her hair deepened, turning the same color as deep red leaves in the fall. Her scent ripened, earthy and rich and fertile. Her ears were delicately pointed, her pupils oval, a throwback to her Sidhe blood. “Claim me, Sidhe, if you dare.”

The faintest hint of Irish in her voice was enough to drive him over the edge. He had meant to ease himself inside her, but it was too much to bear. Jaden was about to come, and he couldn’t do it alone.

How was he supposed to resist? Both Moira and Jaden needed, and Duncan would provide. He plunged within Moira, shuddering when she gasped in pain. “Moira?”

Her fingers clenched on his shoulders. “Need a minute.”

His forehead dropped to her shoulder as he fought himself for control. His erection throbbed within her tight sheath. Upstairs, Jaden’s hand faltered. Duncan could feel the vampire’s confusion. Jaden had no clue what was happening between them. Duncan nipped her neck, knowing he’d just kissed her where Jaden had, all unknowing, forged the beginnings of the fragile bond between the three of them. His fingers reached down and began to caress Moira’s clit, desperate to bring her back to them. They needed her to come with them. For them.

Duncan sighed in relief when Moira finally lifted against his hand, jarring his trapped erection. She moaned in his ear, her fingers kneading his ass, pulling him to her. He began to fuck her, desperate to bring his woman to orgasm. Jaden’s fingers began to move, pumping his cock in time with Duncan’s thrusts.

Was Jaden aware of what was going on, or did he think all of this was his own fevered fantasy? God, he hoped Jaden knew.

Duncan needed them both, and Jaden was just going to have to accept it.

Jaden’s fingers faltered at Moira’s soft cry of pain. He blinked, uncertain if that had been reality or fantasy. He was aware through their bond that Moira had been damn near untouched when Duncan Claimed her, but surely by now he’d completed the true bond?

Fucking had to be the best part of the true bond. Jaden couldn’t imagine having Moira to himself for two whole months and not sinking into that sweet, hot pussy of hers. Hell, he’d imagined it often enough that no other woman would do.

The image in his mind had changed, firmed up in some strange way. Moira was on the edge of Duncan’s desk, her hands tugging on Duncan’s still-clothed ass. His slacks were drooping off his waist, his hips thrusting as he began a slow rhythm in and out of his wife. Jaden matched Duncan’s thrusts, some of the urgency gone now as he watched the two of them making love. He pictured himself in the room with them, sitting in the chair, stroking himself while they fucked. Moira’s colors had deepened, her Seeming forgotten as her mate Claimed her. Deep green and silver sparks danced around the room, like moonlight through leaves, dappling their skin in erotic, exotic lights.

Duncan gasped, his head going back. Jaden could see the delicate points of his ears. The Sidhe had also dropped his Seeming, turning all silver and gold and absolutely glorious.

“Amoureaux.”

Jaden shuddered. Duncan had just called Moira love. Oh, and she was all that, sweet, soft, strong, hard, just like love should be.

It was close now, their orgasm. They needed Moira to come, to fill them up, to take the empty places they hadn’t even known were there and make them hers. Duncan’s thrusts became harder, working toward his own completion, his hand on Moira’s pussy making the leprechaun squirm under him.

Moira could feel something building within her, something intense. The feel of Duncan’s cock inside her body was more than she’d ever hoped for. She couldn’t believe he was finally Claiming her, finally taking the first steps toward making her his.

She could feel Jaden in the back of her mind. He watched them, was a part of them, just as it should be. His pain was her pain, his loneliness hers, and she took that, wrapped it up in her love for him and tried to fill the cracks in his soul.

She was almost shoved out of Jaden’s mind, the part of her that belonged to him left battered and bleeding. The slap of rejection nearly tumbled her out of her sexual haze. “Jaden?”

“No time. We’ll deal with him later.” Duncan’s eyes were screwed shut. His skin sparkled. His fingers twisted just right and she tumbled, she came, screaming in surprise and a pleasure so deep, so intense it robbed her of breath.

Jaden edged closer. He wanted to watch that hard cock shuttling in and out of Moira, wanted to see the ecstasy on both their faces when they came. He wanted to spill his seed on both of them, mark them, claim them in his own twisted way so they could never leave him, never hurt him again.

Something was wrong. Something didn’t make sense, but it was too late now. He tried to pull back, to distance himself from the fantasy but he was coming, pulsing into his hand, the orgasm so intense he saw stars.

Green and silver stars.

Duncan’s gasp was followed by a guttural moan as he pulsed deep inside her, giving her his seed, his Claim on her complete. “Moira.” He collapsed against her, his eyes tightly closed. His hand cradled the back of her head, bringing her mouth around to his. He kissed her softly. “Moira.”

He smiled. Moira’s affection peppered her touches, her kisses. It would deepen in time, with care and the attention he hadn’t been able to lavish on her before Jaden came home. As far as he and she were concerned, everything would be all right.

As for Jaden? Duncan’s eyes narrowed with stubborn intent. Well. He’d just have to make it all right.

Jaden panted, his eyes closed tight, his erection still in his fist. He could feel the water beating down on his back, the temperature turning cold. How long had he stood there, beating off, wishing he could be with Duncan and Moira?

Gods, he was so pathetic. He laughed, the sound filled with pain. He needed to wrap this fucking assignment up and get the hell out of fucking Nebraska. Maybe he’d head to New York next, visit some old haunts. Look up his Sire and finally pay the Black Court fucker back.

It was time to live his life on his own.