Threads of Destiny

Chapter Eleven

Marc watched as Tienan’s hands wrapped around Kathryn’s hips, lifting her and positioning the head of his cock against her opening. Tienan’s hard length slid into her supple body. Marc could practically feel it around his own erection. He knew what the other man was feeling, knew how Kathryn’s slick sheath would tighten and caress his cock.

He shifted as his shaft jerked in anticipation. A part of him wanted to rip Kathryn from Tienan’s grasp and ram his cock into her hot core. Another part of him was aroused by the sheer erotic picture she made as Tienan raised and lowered her over his cock. The heavy sac between Marc’s thighs tightened, a reminder of how much he wanted to be the one fucking her. He gripped the base of his cock in his hand and squeezed tightly.

Kathryn’s hair flowed like a curtain of fire down her back. Reaching out, he wrapped a strand around his hand, needing to touch her even as she rode another man to completion. A log in the fireplace snapped and light flared briefly before settling back to a slow, steady burn. That’s what he felt like—a slow, steady burn that could flare at any moment.

He wanted to warm himself against Kathryn’s fire, to absorb her heat into his body and share his with her. Her breathy moans and gasps mingled with the masculine sounds that Tienan made.

He wasn’t the only one enthralled. Logan was slowly pumping his hand up and down his cock, his eyes never leaving the couple in the throes of passion.

Marc shifted closer, slipping his hands around Kathryn and cupping her breasts.

She cried out as he lightly teased her nipples with his thumbs and forefingers. “Yes,” she moaned as Tienan worked her harder and faster.

Her back bowed as her climax hit her. Her slender neck arched back. With her eyes closed and her moist lips parted on a cry of ecstasy, she was the picture of erotic beauty.

He released her and simply watched. Marc knew that he’d never forget the way she looked at this moment. It was etched in his mind forever.

Tienan yelled his release, pumping a few more times before gathering Kathryn into his arms and hugging her tightly. A few moments later, he lifted her from him and laid her back on the mattress. Her legs splayed apart and Marc could see cum glistening on her thighs and pussy. Her eyes were still closed, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she sucked in one breath after another.

Tienan fell back against one of the thick bedposts and rested there, head bowed, lungs pumping.

Logan wasted no time and positioned himself between Kathryn’s spread legs.

Hooking his arms under her thighs, he lifted them toward him. Her eyes popped open and she moaned as Logan easily slid his cock into her.

Marc closed his eyes and concentrated on gaining control. He was close to coming but didn’t want to spill on the sheets. It was worse with his eyes shut. The sound of the furs and sheets swishing and crinkling with each thrust, the harsh breathing and the soft gasps and the cries of pleasure all combined to create an erotic song that just about drove him mad.

And the smells. Damn, the smell of sex—a deep, heavy musk—permeated the air around him. The scents of leather and sweat mingled with a lighter, flowery fragrance that beckoned and enticed.

Opening his eyes, he watched the couple beside him. Logan had planted his hands flat on the bed. The position opened Kathryn wide and allowed Logan all the control as he thrust into her, slowly at first, then faster, then slow once again. He varied the depth and speed of his thrusts, pushing Kathryn’s need higher and higher.

Her eyes were open but they appeared almost blind as her gaze seemed fixed on the passion building inside her. A low keening sound broke from her throat as Logan pumped his hips faster and harder, driving deep with each trust. Kathryn wrapped her hands around Logan’s arms, her fingernails pressing deep into his flesh.

Marc knew they were both close to coming.

Logan roared, hammering his hips against Kathryn. She screamed, tears seeping from the corners of her eyes. Marc wanted to comfort her but knew this was Logan’s time. Rolling from the bed, he hurried to the bathing room, all the while trying to ignore the heavy ache in his balls and the throbbing of his cock. One wrong move and he knew he’d explode.

But Kathryn needed tending after what she’d been through. Her body wasn’t used to such an erotic workout. Thankfully, there was some fairly warm water in a basin and he dipped a soft cloth into it, wringing most of the water from it as a low feminine moan drifted into the room.

Every muscle in his body jerked and tightened, demanding he do something, demanding he claim her. Grabbing a soft towel as well, he carried both items back into the bedroom.

Kathryn was sprawled across his bed, the only movement the rise and fall of her chest. Logan was flat on his back beside her, his forearm flung over his face. Tienan continued to watch from his post as the end of the bed, absently rubbing his bandaged shoulder.

The fire was starting to burn low but with the candles lit there was more than enough light for him to see her. Her slender limbs glistened with perspiration and a bead of sweat rolled down her forehead.

Starting between her thighs, he gently washed her swollen flesh. Her eyes flashed open at the first touch of the cloth. She watched as he washed her sex and thighs.

Folding the cloth, he used a clean side to wipe her arms and legs. He should have brought a basin of water with him instead of only a cloth but he wasn’t about to leave her to go get it.

The towel was clean, so he used that to wipe her face and neck. She sniffed and that was when he realized that she was crying. It wasn’t beads of sweat rolling down her temples but tears.

Tossing the towel and cloth to the floor, he gathered her in his arms and leaned against the massive headboard. Kathryn curled into him, wrapping her arms around his waist. He was struck by just how delicate and fragile she felt. For all her courage, she was a woman, and as such, she was to be cherished and protected at all costs.

“Rest, little one,” he murmured, wiping away a tear with the pad of his thumb.

“I’m not crying,” she insisted.

“I know,” he assured her, biting back a smile. His woman didn’t like to appear weak at all. He could have told her that all the tears in the world wouldn’t diminish her courage in his eyes.

She sniffed and wiped her face with the back of her hand before tilting her head to look at him. “What about you?”

Her words were slurred and he frowned as he noticed the dark circles under her eyes. “Don’t worry about me.” He brushed her temple with his hand, admiring the reddish glint of her fiery locks. “I’m fine.” Which was only partially true. His cock was a throbbing ache the likes of which he’d never felt before. But he would take care of that as soon as Kathryn fell asleep.

“No.” She pushed away from his chest. “I want you.”

“Kathryn,” he began but she cut him off.

“No.” She said again as she straddled his lap, bringing her hot pussy in contact with his straining cock. The heat burned him to his very core. He needed her but not at the expense of her health and wellbeing.

“You need to rest first.”

She arched against him, stroking his entire length with her sex. Breathing was almost impossible as heat raged through his body. His cock burned for her. Her breasts pressed against his chest, the tight nubs caressing him. He clenched his jaw, grasping for control. Sweat rolled down his back. His balls tightened.

“Take me,” her lips whispered against his. “I need to feel you inside me.” He saw the sincerity in her eyes and knew that she was telling him the truth. She needed him.

His control snapped.

Exhaustion swamped Kathryn. All she wanted to do was sleep. But she couldn’t.

Not yet. She’d reached sexual fulfillment with Tienan and Logan. Both experiences were incredible but there was still an emptiness inside her.

She loved Tienan and Logan but she wasn’t in love with them. She’d never known the difference until now. She loved Marc and she was in love with him. She couldn’t separate the emotions filling her with the sexual release she had found with Marc.

Their relationship was impossible. He needed to stay in his world and she needed to return to her own to try to right the wrongs her father and General Caruthers had done. Their paths were divergent, only crossing in this short moment of time.

She knew all that. Had tried to protect her heart. But it was no use.

She loved Marc with ever fiber of her being.

She was a woman of science, yet sense and logic had no place here. Marc was the love of her life, the man who was meant to be hers. She needed to make love with him, to have him fill her body as they both found completion. She needed the emotional connection between them to soothe her battered soul.

And she needed it now.

Rubbing her body against his, she teased and tempted him. “Take me,” her lips whispered against his. “I need to feel you inside me.” She knew he wanted her, could feel his erection throbbing against her pussy. The fact that he wanted to take care of her, was putting her wellbeing above his own needs, only made her love him more. She’d never known she could feel this way about a man.

She wanted to give him what he needed. To comfort him as he did her.

His eyes narrowed, their golden-brown hue deepening. She knew the moment his control snapped. Like a tiger unleashed, he surged forward with a growl, flipping her onto her stomach. “On your hands and knees.”

She felt his urge to claim her in front of the other two men who watched from the end of the bed. Kathryn settled on her hands and knees, parting her legs. Pushing her bottom toward him, she offered herself to him.

His hands were heavy on her hips but he was careful as he inserted the head of his cock into her opening. The muscles were swollen, her flesh sore, but she didn’t care. She wanted him.

One slow inch at a time, he pushed his way into her. Her pussy clenched and relaxed, accepting him. Making room for him.

She sighed when he was finally buried to the hilt. When he pulled back and pushed slowly forward, she moaned. His heavy sac brushed her clit with each thrust and the light caress was driving her wild.

Leaning forward, he captured her breasts in his hands and began to pump his hips.

They’d done this only last night but it felt different. As emotional as it had been before, this time was even more intense and raw. Need, tinged with an air of desperation, as if they were both aware that time grew short.

Kathryn met him stroke for stroke. Over and over he drove into her. Her sensitive inner muscles protested slightly, even as they squeezed him tightly. Squeezing her eyes closed, she shut out everything else, all her focus centered on the heavy pumping of Marc’s cock between her thighs.

The heat building inside her suddenly reached a flashpoint. Crying out his name, she came. Marc thrust into her several more times and then he yelled. She felt his cock jerking inside her and the hot flood of his seed as it filled her.

She didn’t want it to end but eventually the aftershocks subsided and Marc withdrew. Immediately, she felt cold and bereft and she shivered.

Marc gathered her close to his chest, neither of them speaking. Logan stretched out on her other side, pulling the heavy furs over them. Tienan was still leaning against one of the bedposts, his eyes closed.

Kathryn felt as if she should say something but words eluded her. Exhaustion hit with a finality that was inescapable. She felt herself drifting off to sleep, safe, at least for tonight, in the arms of her lover.

All through the night, Marc held Kathryn in his arms. He sensed the restlessness of the two men who shared the bed with them but he would not relinquish his hold on her. They might want and love Kathryn but she was the very breath in his body, his miracle, and he wasn’t about to lose her.

The night waned and morning dawned. Marc usually loved this time of day when most of the world was still sleeping but not today. He didn’t want the night to end.

When the sun rose, that meant it was Kathryn’s last day. The tapestry would come sometime tonight.

He snuggled her closer and she shifted, her hand drifting down his stomach and settling almost on top of his erection. He groaned as the tips of her fingers grazed his hard length. It was torture. It was heaven. He held still, not wanting to wake her.

Kathryn needed to rest and eat today. She’d been through so much in the past few days.

She constantly amazed him with her strength and resilience.

Her fingers twitched again, this time closing around his shaft. Her breathing changed. Quickened. The little imp was awake.

With a growl, he rolled until she was on her back, staring up at him with a soft smile. “Good morning.” Her voice was slightly raspy and it skittered over his flesh like a physical caress.

He peppered her forehead, her cheeks and her nose with kisses. “Good morning.” Her hand stroked the length of his cock. “You’re up early.” He snorted at her joke, pushing his hips forward, encouraging her to keep touching him. “I am.”

“Seems as if we’re both up early.” She batted her eyelashes at him and he was charmed by her playful mood. “Whatever shall we do?” He paused, pretending to think about it. “We could have breakfast or perhaps we could go for a walk.” Her lips pursed and she shook her head. “No?” He nuzzled her neck, nibbling on her delectable skin. “Do you have any ideas?”

“Hmmm,” she purred. “I’ve got all kinds of ideas.” She pushed at his chest, so he flipped over onto his back, pulling her on top of him.

The morning light was beginning to spill through the window, casting a warm glow on her satiny skin. Her hair fell over her back and shoulders, surrounding her in a fiery halo. Her plump breasts swayed as she moved over him, the tips puckered like ripe berries, waiting to be tasted. Capturing the mounds in his hands, he thumbed her nipples, loving the soft velvety skin that surrounded the hard nub.

Kathryn placed her hands on his chest and that simple touch went straight to his groin. He loved the feel of her fingers as she stroked over the bands of muscle on his torso. Her fingers combed through the wiry hair on his chest and played over his flat nipples. He groaned and she laughed, delighted with the response.

She straddled his hips and he could feel the moist heat of her pussy against him.

“Kathryn,” he growled as she started to slide down his body.

“No.” She shook her head, making her hair shimmer. “You’ve had your turn. I want to explore. To touch.”

Marc knew that both Tienan and Logan were awake and watching. Had been from the moment Kathryn had stirred. “You can do whatever you want but I’m not the only one who wants you to touch them.”

She seemed startled, her gaze shooting around her almost as if she’d forgotten they were here. That pleased Marc. He wanted to be the only man she thought about. But there was still one day left and until Kathryn chose, they were still in the running for her love and attention.

Kathryn felt different this morning—powerful, invigorated and alive. Last night, she’d needed the connection with the other men, needed the physical release. And they’d all given freely to her. This morning it was her turn to give to them.

This time in Javara was coming to an end. The tapestry would come today and she would go home. She was under no misconceptions about her future. She had to go back.

Didn’t she?

Of course she did. She shook off the sly voice that whispered that maybe she didn’t have to go back. That none of them did. They could stay here.

Yeah, look how good that turned out yesterday. Men fighting over her as if she were some prize to be awarded to the victor. Bloodshed and injury. No, she had to go back.

Her heart clenched at the thought of leaving Marc. She rubbed her chest, blinking back tears. Emotions threatened to overflow but she shoved them back. She had been incredibly emotional the past few days and she wasn’t quite sure why.

Well, that wasn’t entirely true. As a scientist, she could catalogue the reason why her emotions were so close to the surface. It was perfectly normal, considering all she’d been through. But it wasn’t like her. She’d learned to suppress her emotions. Anything less had been unacceptable to her father. Still, the thought of losing Marc was a physical pain. If she didn’t know it was physically impossible, she’d say that her heart was in danger of breaking.

“Kathryn?” She could hear the concern in Marc’s voice. Sense the other men waiting to see what she would say or do.

She wouldn’t think of what was to come. Not now. Now she wanted to give to the three men who’d given so freely of themselves last night.

She leaned forward until her lips were touching Marc’s. Her sex pressed solidly against his erection and her breasts rubbed against his firm, muscled chest. She loved how hard he was, how strong. Yet, he was always so gentle with her. The contrast made her head spin.

“I’ll be back,” she whispered before going up on her knees and turning toward Logan, who was waiting patiently beside them.

His blue eyes seemed darker than usual and his short hair stood up in spikes. For once, she sensed no impatience from him but instead an all-encompassing sadness. Like her, she sensed he knew that this was a time out of time. Today would change everything for all of them. But for now, they were here.

“Good morning.” She leaned into him, capturing his lips for a kiss. She sensed his surprise and pleasure and it made her smile.

His lips turned up at the corners as the simple kiss ended. “You look well rested, Kathryn.”

“I feel well rested, thanks to all of you.” Letting her hand stroke down his chest, she felt the muscles jump beneath her palm. “But I’m not sleepy any longer.” He rumbled like a big cat as she petted her way toward his cock, which was fully erect and straining upward, reaching for her touch. “That’s good.” She didn’t know if he meant it was good she wasn’t sleepy any longer or what she was doing to him felt good. She suspected the latter.

Her fingers closed around his erection and squeezed. Liquid seeped from the tip and suddenly she wanted to taste him. Lowering her head, she lapped at the head of his cock. He groaned her name as his fingers dug into her scalp, holding her tightly. She laughed and did it again, this time curling her tongue around the bulbous tip. He tasted salty and musky.

She liked it.

Opening her mouth, she took him in. He was long and thick and she’d only done this once before, so she wasn’t quite sure what to do. Following her instincts, she took him as deep as she could and then slid back to the tip, dragging her tongue over the sides as she did so.

Logan groaned and flexed his hips. “Your mouth is so hot. It feels so damn good.” Pleased, Kathryn quickened her pace. She jerked and Logan’s cock popped out of her mouth when she felt something stroke her pussy. Gasping, she looked behind her.

Marc’s golden eyes were ablaze with an inner fire that she couldn’t quite describe. Yes, there was lust but there was so much more.

“Don’t stop.” Logan tugged gently on her hair to bring her back to him.

Marc gave an almost imperceptible nod and Kathryn relaxed. She hadn’t even realized she’d been tense, as if waiting for Marc to give his okay. Which was crazy, really. They weren’t a couple or anything. They’d shared sex a few times but that was it.

Who was she kidding? Not herself. There was so much more between them than sex. They’d made love, or at least she had. Because there was no denying she loved Marc.

But right now, Logan was waiting. And she loved him too. Not in the same way as she did Marc but she needed to let him know how much she cared. How much she’d cared for years while he and Tienan had been all but prisoners to her father and the company.

She allowed Logan to pull her back to him. Putting all else aside, she focused her attention on pleasuring him. Wrapping her hand around the base of his shaft, she began to pump. Logan gave a moan of pleasure as she captured his cock head between her lips and began to suck and lick and stroke him with her tongue.

Behind her, Marc stroked her slick folds. She began to move her hips in tandem with his fingers. Cream slipped from her core as her need built. The taste and feel of Logan in her mouth and Marc’s fingers teasing her pussy was an erotic combination that was overwhelming.

Logan’s hips pumped harder and he drove his shaft deeper into her mouth with each thrust. She relaxed her throat, taking him as far as she could as she continued to squeeze and stroke the base. With her free hand, she gently cupped his testicles and rolled them between her fingers.

Marc slid one finger barely inside her opening, circling the rim. Kathryn moaned, the vibration running up and down the length of Logan’s shaft.

Logan gave a hoarse cry, his entire body stiffening. She could feel the tightening of his balls and the surge of semen rushing through his cock as he came. Hot, salty liquid streamed into her mouth and down her throat. She coughed once, almost choking but she managed to swallow.

Marc thrust two fingers deep and Kathryn came undone. Crying out, she came as Marc stroked in and out of her core. Cream gushed from her pussy, dampening his hand as he continued to pleasure her. Her vision dimmed and she blinked. Marc’s touch changed, becoming lighter, calming her as she tried to catch her breath.

Logan’s hands remained fisted in her hair, his breathing harsh and ragged as he pumped his hips several more times. She tightened her fingers automatically, wanting him to gain the most pleasure possible. Slowly, he untangled his fingers and stroked her hair back over her shoulder. “Thank you.”

She could sense the sadness in him and she knew that he understood that this was the last time they’d ever be together like this. When they returned home, things would be different. They’d be fighting for their very lives and there would be no time for relationships. Besides, her heart would be with Marc.

Kathryn nodded, releasing him and shifting her attention to Tienan, who was still propped up against the post at the end of the bed. How he’d slept like that, she had no idea. She expected that his shoulder was causing him some discomfort but she knew he’d never admit it. If she said anything about it, he’d only tell her that he’d slept in worse conditions. And she believed him. She had no idea about all the kinds of training the General had put him and Logan through but she knew it had been brutal and cruel, designed to break them as much as train them.

He looked relaxed and content. It was the first time she’d seem him like that.

Usually, he was guarded and in total control. Tienan stared at her for what seemed like forever. As uncertainty began to take hold, he opened his arms to her.

She crawled forward, falling against his chest. It wasn’t as wide as Marc’s but there was undeniable strength there. His lean build was deceptive. Tienan was more than capable of killing a man with his bare hands.

But when he touched her, he was nothing but gentle. Gripping her shoulders, he eased her back so that she sat on her haunches between his spread thighs. His fingers played lightly over her face before angling down her shoulders and across her collarbone. “So delicate, yet so strong,” he murmured as his fingers flowed between her breasts.

He rested his hand on her tummy and then sifted his fingers through her pubic hair, touching the sensitive flesh beyond. “So wet and hot and ready.” He met her gaze, his green eyes practically glowing. “Will you let me have you?” She knew what he wanted. Last night could be brushed aside as in the moment of passion. This morning was deliberate.

She sensed that Tienan needed this from her and she wanted to give it to him.

“Yes.”

Marc watched as Tienan lifted Kathryn easily and lowered her onto his waiting erection. He couldn’t look away as Tienan’s cock disappeared into Kathryn’s hot, tight pussy. Jealousy clawed at him but he shoved it away. This was what had to be. He wanted Kathryn to be sure when she chose.

But it was hard to watch his woman pleasure two other men.

Yet, there was a difference this morning. Sadness. Almost a finality, as if they all knew that this would never happen again. Marc felt it too. All his life he’d been a warrior. He’d faced death many times but this—this scared him to his very core. It felt almost as if Kathryn were saying goodbye to all of them.

Her hair flowed down her back, ending just above her heart-shaped ass. Tienan’s face was buried between her breasts as he licked and sucked the tip of one and then the other. Kathryn’s moan of pleasure swirled around him, pushing him over the edge.

Marc had to touch her.

Coming up on his knees, he moved into position behind her. He didn’t touch her, though. Not yet. As if sensing his presence, Tienan raised his head and glared at Marc before giving a sharp nod.

Marc placed his hands low on Kathryn’s hips and pressed his erection against her supple spine. The heat of her body flooded through his cock and his balls drew up tight.

Tienan positioned his grip above Marc’s and began to lift and lower Kathryn. Marc caught the rhythm and together the two men began to move her up and down.

Kathryn’s head fell back on Marc’s shoulder and he turned her head, capturing her lips. He kissed her long and hard, all but devouring her as Tienan continued to fuck her hard. Shifting his hands from her hips, Marc cupped her breasts high and offered them to the other man. He felt Tienan’s mouth brush Kathryn’s tight nipples, licking, sucking and tugging gently on them.

Marc’s cock was one huge ache as he pressed it against Kathryn’s back. He knew that he wouldn’t be able to hold out this time, knew he would spill his seed. But he didn’t care. Tienan might be the one inside the tight clasp of her pussy but Marc was the one kissing her soft lips.

She tore her mouth from his and screamed. Marc could feel the orgasm take her.

She stiffened and then her body began to quiver. Tienan thrust several more times and then yelled Kathryn’s name. Marc wrapped one arm around her waist as he felt his own need rising. Burying his face in the curve of her neck, he gave a muffled cry as he came all over her back. He pumped his hips, pressing his cock as tightly to her as he could.

When he was done, he slumped back, their bodies making a sucking sound as they parted. Kathryn laughed and then groaned.

Tienan lifted her off his softening erection and she slumped against him. “I’m a mess,” she grumbled. All three men laughed. Kathryn raised her head and glared at all three. “I want a bath and some food.”

Logan reached over and ruffled her hair. “I heard someone in the bathing chamber a few minutes ago. I imagine there’s a fresh tub of water.”

“Oh great.” Kathryn buried her face in her hands. “Now everyone will know what we were doing.”

Marc rolled off the mattress and reached over to tug Kathryn out of bed. “They already knew.” He held her hand until he was certain she was steady on her feet.

“That’s just great.” Taking several steps away, she propped her hands on her hips and glared at all of them but he could see the glint of humor in her eyes. “I’m taking a bath.” She paused for emphasis. “Alone. Then I’ll need some food.” Concern began to nag at Marc. They’d worked her body hard last night and again this morning. Plus, she hadn’t eaten last night. He wasn’t taking very good care of her.

“Hey.” While he’d been castigating himself, Kathryn had come up beside him. “I know what you’re thinking and you can stop it right now.”

“And what am I thinking?” He was surprised by the fervor in her voice.

“You’re thinking that maybe I pushed myself to much physically and that I need taking care of.” He cocked an eyebrow at her but didn’t deny it. She nodded decisively.

“I knew it.”

She poked her head around him so that she could see Tienan and Logan. “Tell him I can take care of myself.”

“She needs a keeper,” Tienan growled.

Logan rubbed his hand over his chin as if in thought but Marc could see the barely suppressed laughter on the other man’s face.

“Men,” Kathryn muttered, whirling around and stomping away. “I’m having a bath. I’ll eat when I’m ready.” They all watched as she strode off to the bathing chamber, completely unconcerned by her nudity.

As soon as she disappeared from sight, Marc turned to the other men. “I will take care of her.” It was a pledge and a promise. Tienan and Logan stared at him as if testing the depth of his word. He met their gazes unflinchingly.

“We need to talk.” Logan rolled from the bed and stretched.

Grabbing up his pants, Marc shoved them on. “We can bathe and talk down in the guest room. I expect Kathryn will be a while.”

The three men left the room, each of them casting a glance toward the door of the bathing chamber and the sound of water splashing.