Chapter Ten

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Over the next few days, Jaylin implemented his plan, playing with Dani’s curvaceous body, and with Malik’s head. It wasn’t a hardship for him by any means, touching her often, and making a point to do so in front of Malik whenever possible. He held her cuddled in his lap at nearly every meal, joined her in her bed, insisting they sleep skin to skin, and he made love to her with the door open.

All of this put his brother in a foul mood. Unquenched desire, or what they called blue balls both on Trilor and on Earth, easily doing that to a man.

With Dani, he kept laying the groundwork for establishing a future together. When he wasn’t taking his fill of her gorgeous body, or bringing her to heights of passion with his own, they talked. Of her hopes, dreams, and he learned of the harshness of her childhood, something harder for her to tell.

Her father was a cruel bastard—not physically so, but she spoke of growing up isolated, surrounded by servants, with few friends, and without love, something unheard of for a Trilorian child who had three doting parents.

It would be impossible to erase her past, but he and Malik would shower her with more affection than she’d ever imagined, if he could only get through to his stubborn twin.

His strategy seemed to be working, Malik’s frustration mounting and his unchecked desire growing by the day. He thought he would cave the night before when he came up to relieve him on the bridge. He’d brought Dani with him to keep him company, while he monitored the systems, scanned for nearby ships, and made several planned course changes ensuring anyone out there was kept guessing. Otherwise, there wasn’t much else to be done, space flight exceedingly dull for the most part. Dani made it anything but boring on this trip, however.

After he programmed in another set of coordinates, the last scheduled in his shift, he pulled her into his lap for more kisses and cuddles. Things quickly got heated. With her shyness ebbing as she grew more comfortable with him and with sex, her touches became bolder, even daring. Jaylin didn’t discourage her when she opened his pants and began to explore. Soon, she took a position between his spread thighs and swapped out stroking fingers for tentative licks with her tongue.

What she lacked in experience, she more than made up for with enthusiasm. Her small, soft hands and pretty, pink lips wrapped around his cock as she learned a new way to bring him pleasure, nearly made him end their spontaneous session long before either of them wanted to. Her innocent exploration had him so enthralled he lost track of time and didn’t immediately notice Malik’s presence.

He found him staring at Dani, his twin’s eyes locked on her mouth working him. After taking it in for a while, his gaze moved, traveling down to her round bottom clad in form-fitting tights. During their cuddling, Jaylin’s hands had gravitated to her curvy hips, his fingers slipping beneath the long hem of her tunic. It had migrated to her waist and remained there, bunched up. Now, with her backside pointing outward, covered by nothing more than clingy thin fabric, Malik couldn’t keep his eyes off it.

Jaylin divided his attention between Dani’s warm, wet, agile tongue and watching his brother, noting the tension in his body, how he shifted restlessly, his hand at his groin, adjusting the ache of his constrained cock. He wondered what his breaking point would be.

Malik swallowed, the muscles in his throat noticeably tense as he dragged his focus away from Dani. Then, without a word, he shot Jaylin an angry glare and whirled, ready to storm out, except the mental message his twin sent halted him mid-stride.

Her mouth is divine, so is sinking into her tight, unbelievably wet pussy. But she’s more than a beautiful woman and a mind-blowing fuck. She’s gentle-natured, giving, witty, cute as can be, and as eager to be loved as she is to give love in return. Though she’s shy, she’s responsive, and her fantasy—you saw it—is to be with us. Dani is our perfect third, Malik. Stop denying what is in front of your face.

He didn’t respond, instead, moving stiffly and silently to the ladder.

Don’t be a damn stubborn fool, Jaylin called after him. She’ll heal your shattered heart, brother, and burrow under your skin. Mark my words, because already, she’s worked both of those miracles on me.

***

The next morning, Jaylin stepped up his game.

Knowing his twin was a creature of habit, he woke Dani early and had teased her to a heightened state of arousal when it was time for Malik to leave his room for the kitchen to start breakfast.

His door stood crossways from the guest quarters, and if he glanced left when he exited, he’d have a direct view of where he sat naked on the edge of the bed with Dani sprawled in his lap. When he heard the swish of the door, Jaylin tugged on a taut nipple and slid two fingers into her silken heat. She moaned, as he knew she would, and Malik’s attention was caught. His eyes zoned in on his hands, holding beauty in his palms. The timing couldn’t have been better. He had her back to his front, her head resting against his shoulder, glorious mane of hair streaming across his chest, and thighs spread wide as they draped over his own.

Look at her, brother, what do you see? He projected his question into Malik’s head.

Pink lips, fair skin, fiery-red hair, and a stunning round, curvy figure.

Surprised he’d responded after not speaking to him even through their link since the day before, Jaylin couldn’t miss the glazed-over look on his face, like someone hypnotized or inebriated. Indeed, a man could easily get drunk on Dani, and that’s what he hoped would happen to his twin very soon.

Yes, and what do you feel when you take in the beauty before you?

Malik shook his head, though he didn’t look away or leave.

Jaylin pushed him further. I’ll tell you, you feel alive. Looking at her makes your heart beat faster. Your blood heats, expands, and races through your veins, thawing what has been frozen. The breath of desire stirs within your chest, and your cock, asleep these past five years surges back to life.

No.

Yes! he shot back. I know this because I feel it, too, every time I look at her, more so when I touch her.

I feel nothing. From the obvious hard-on tenting the front of his pants, his denial was unconvincing.

Liar. His response ricocheted in his head like a shot. Malik flinched, hearing it, too. Dani shifted restlessly, although her response he suspected was caused by his hands playing over her. I heard every thought, felt every feeling you denied. She’s the one, brother, trust me on this.

Mahlia...

Is gone. I miss her, too, but I swear, she wouldn’t have wanted this isolated, lonely existence for you. She’d want you to be happy, and to move on, with me, to have the family we are destined to build with Dani.

Almost as if she knew they were mind-speaking about her, Dani whimpered, her body trembling against his. When he looked at her, she was watching the man at the door.

“Malik,” she whispered. “What is it? You seem...tormented.” Concern made her voice husky as much as her desire.

Jaylin’s gaze traveled back to his brother, and sensing he teetered on the edge of indecision, he nudged him hard, hoping he’d fall on the side where he and Dani waited.

“He wants you, baby. And not being able to have you when you are so near is torment.”

She sat up, her head coming off his shoulder. The movement rubbed her soft bottom over his own hard, aching flesh, and he fought to contain a groan when it nestled between her thighs. Malik, who hadn’t taken his eyes off her, noticed, lost his own struggle, and let out the agonized sound for him.

“Is it true?” she asked in a quiet voice. “You want me?”

“Yes.” His one word reply came out raw, intense.

Still uncertain, she glanced at Jaylin, who nodded. “It’s okay, Dani. We are Trilorian. This is our way, but you must ask him to join us. It has to be what you want, above all else.”

Her head swung back, tilting to the side as she considered what to do next. With his cock wedged between, he felt the heat and wetness bathing her thighs, and knew her answer before she did. When Dani extended her hand to Malik, knowing his twin’s long self-denial neared an end, he almost came. His brother didn’t know the control he was exerting on his behalf.

But this pivotal moment, which he felt in his gut would be a turning point took priority. “You saw, as Jaylin did, my secret desire for you both.” Dani spoke softly, her flushed cheeks stained crimson with her admission, but it didn’t stop her. “You don’t have to wait any longer, Malik.”

He staggered forward a step as if unable to keep from it.

“Brave girl,” Jaylin groaned, his hand leaving her breast to bury in her hair. Tugging her head back, his mouth slid along the arching length of her throat. “And so fucking sweet,” he added with a growl.

Malik did as well, the sound of his surrender rumbling in his chest. In a few long strides, he stood before them.

“Taste her,” he urged. “When you do, you’ll understand what I’m telling you is true.” He hesitated, and Jaylin had had enough. “On your knees, now.”

He heard the hitch in Dani’s indrawn breath as Malik obeyed, and sank to the floor. Once there, his hungry gaze swept from her face, down her quivering breasts and belly, to her smooth, creamy thighs, which Jaylin spread so he could see her glistening clit and drenched entrance.

“Kiss her,” he ordered next, but his dark head was already descending.

***

Malik’s mouth covering hers wasn’t the soft, slow exploration she’d expected, rather a fiery possession filled with impatience. His tongue traced the seam of her lips until they opened, then swept inside, sending shivery spirals of desire racing through her body. It was enough to make her heart flip-flop and send every thought except “more” skittering out of her head. Add to the mix Jaylin’s hot tongue sliding up the side of her neck, while his hands glided over her thighs, stroked her hips, and moved up to her breasts to tease her nipples to aching hardness. As the myriad sensations set off a chain reaction of pleasure, Dani closed her eyes and surrendered to the sensory overload.

Desiring two men at once and letting them do these wicked things to her body was something she’d never dreamed would come true. And never did she believe she’d be so bold to ask for it. But with Jaylin’s encouragement, his easy acceptance of this as natural, and something he strongly desired, too, and the need gleaming in Malik’s golden gaze, she’d gone for it. And why the hell not? She only had a few more days before this idyllic escapade alone in space with two seriously hot men ended. And once back on Earth, she didn’t know what would happen.

She put everything from her mind as Malik raised his head and stared down at her. Dark, to Jaylin’s light, he was equally beautiful. Her tongue flicked out to catch the taste of him which still lingered. His gaze followed her movements, and with the ice broken, and no longer needing his captain’s commands to continue, he took control of the kiss, his tongue delving hungrily inside. Just as quickly it was gone, as he moved down her throat and beyond to her chest. He veered to the side, claiming a breast which Jaylin held in offering.

She cried out when he latched on to the crest, the incredible heat of his tongue lashing from inside while he sucked hard. Through half-open lids, she watched his dark head shift to the other breast, treating it to the same swirling suction.

Cool air claimed both sensitized peaks when his insistent mouth went away, on the move again, going lower. A riot of sensations swept over her all at once, her wet nipples tightened further, almost hurting, and the muscles in her belly rippled as his lips traversed it, opened on her navel, hot tongue circling briefly, then licked over the slight roundness of her tummy. When he reached his goal, he knelt between her legs almost reverently, the slightly rough rasp on his jaw abrading her tender skin sending drenching heat coursing to her center. Hands, four at once, moved over her, capturing her breasts, plucking at the hard peaks, curving around her inner thighs, and parting them.

Malik’s words fanned over heated skin, as he breathed out, “She’s soaked, Jay.”

“I know,” he growled. “I’m surrounded by her scent, and it’s all I can do not to toss her on the bed, spread her wide, and devour every creamy, delicious inch of her.”

“Sorry, but you’ll have to remove me bodily from this spot first,” he countered.

Before she could think, which was near impossible with these two big, powerful men focused on her, large hands at the back of both knees lifted her legs. She glanced down and saw golden eyes, molten with desire had homed in on her splayed sex. It was Malik’s hands holding her legs apart, the same ones who now draped them one at a time over his broad shoulders. With his mouth so near her center, his hot breath drifted over her even hotter flesh, and she trembled in anticipation of his next move.

“Stop!” came the growled command by her ear.

Malik’s face tipped up, his gaze travelling up her body to fixate over her shoulder. Following where he looked, Dani twisted her head until her eyes collided with Jaylin’s. He stared back at her as his hand slid down her front, two fingers sliding through her soaked slit to her entrance, and glided inside her.

On a quick rush of indrawn air, she somehow stifled the groan of pleasure his possessive motion aroused in her. It was as though he—no, they—had every right to play, command, and dominate her body. This notion roused her most of all. She’d asked for this two-on-one, and her willingness gave them rights they were ready to claim, both, at once. Her heart pounded and her back arched within their hold, ready for them to get on with it.

The fingers stretching and filling her stroked once, twice, pumped for a third time then left her. Her cry of disappointment was replaced by one of shock, as Jaylin’s fingertips, glistening wet with the proof of her desire rose to her mouth. Next, in a move so erotic she almost came on the spot, he ran the wet tips over her lips, painting them with her taste and scent.

He growled again, still scary, but not from dominant orders, rather, because the hungry look on his face said he intended to feast on her whole. Except he didn’t, not yet, instead saying to Malik, who watched with fervent desire on his face, “Your first taste of her we’ll savor together.”

Her heart pounded from the overpowering intensity of the moment, and, from the periphery of her vision, she saw Malik smile. His hands slid around her thighs, holding her in place as he bent toward her. Dani watched, unable to look away as his mouth opened over her achy, needful, pink flesh. She would have cried out the moment his tongue licked her clit, or when he began feasting hungrily if Jaylin hadn’t curled his hand beneath her chin and raised her face to indulge in a simultaneous searing kiss.

Her mind reeled, shocked by the taboo nature of two men making love to her at once. At the same time, her body screamed it was so very right—especially, when she went soaring at light speed toward a nerve-shattering climax.

***

Never had Malik had such sweetness. He wanted to gorge himself on her nectar until sated but also to slide his straining cock between her plump lips, and while her tongue licked and teased, spend himself down her throat. It had been so long, and Dani an exquisite temptation.

As usual, Jaylin, directed where they went next. We’ll come together. Stand up.

Malik rose without needing to be told twice, ripping open his trousers.

“Take him into your lovely mouth, pershada,” Jaylin urged as he lifted her by the waist.

Dazed with pleasure, she obeyed. Leaning forward, her tongue slipped out, wetting her already-glistening lips in invitation. Trembling with need, Malik guided himself into position while his twin took his place at the entrance between her thighs. Their eyes met, and as one, they joined with her.

He took care, which after so long shouldn’t have been possible. In consideration of her newness to all of this, he exerted the utmost control when he slid inside. Dani wouldn’t have slow, however, and sucked him deep, enveloping nearly half of his length as she eagerly closed around him.

When she eased back, circled the head slowly with the tip of her tongue without losing him then engulfed him again, drawing him in further, his body shook violently. But it was more than a physical response—although it was intense—this went beyond carnal. A calm settled over him, the same as he’d felt whenever he returned to Trilor, a sense of coming home. Despite his body’s yearning to plunge into her again and again until he came, this calmness, and rightness, was something he wanted to make last. His gaze fell to the lips around his cock, the lovely face angled to his, seeing trust there, and an overt desire to please him.

He hadn’t felt this way since...

Heavenly Creators, it’s true.

His head came up, and he connected with his brother, who stared intently back at him.

Jaylin smiled. I told you she was our third.

A conflagration of mixed-up emotions exploded in his mind, yet his body, too long in need, answered Dani’s call. His hands plunged into her hair as he glided farther along on her tongue. Once he saw she could take him, and did so greedily, he gave into his desire and fucked her mouth, at the same time Jaylin took her pussy.

Two masculine groans filled the room, along with Dani’s muffled cries. Their first joining, one so incredibly raw and intense, and with Malik too edgy to prolong it in any way, the three of them rose to a fast peak. Once there, they hung on the precipice for one glorious second then, as a triad, they convulsed and came—together.

He shuddered and spilled on Dani’s tongue, while she took every drop as her body tensed. Her eyes never left his, but went unfocused, her climax overcoming her. And Jaylin, not to be outdone, surged upward, planting deep, also finding his release.

“Never,” he whispered in awe. “Not even...” What he’d done struck him abruptly, and he pulled out, stepping back.

“Don’t,” Jaylin snapped, his bliss-filled expression of a moment ago, gone, replaced with stern authority and burgeoning anger.

Dani jumped, blinked at him, then glanced over her shoulder, confused. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry,” Malik murmured.

Her face angled sharply up to his. “Sorry?” she squeaked, growing pale.

He could see her shutting down, stiffening in regret. And by Jaylin’s response, his arms tightening protectively around her, he saw it, too.

“Stop being a damned fool,” he demanded.

Malik couldn’t keep the all-encompassing guilt from claiming him, however. “I must go—”

Jaylin cut him off, his anger booming inside his head. So help me, if you take another step I will beat you, if only to knock some fucking sense into your head.

“I don’t understand,” Dani whispered. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No!” Jaylin uttered harshly. To settle her, his hand came up to her jaw, his thumb stroking her cheek, while his other arm flexed and gripped her tighter.

His brother’s harshness wasn’t meant for her, but directed at him. Tears of uncertainty pooled in her eyes. When one spilled over, and another, sanity returned.

“No, Dani,” he uttered hoarsely, falling to his knees. His hands pushed Jaylin’s aside and he cupped her distressed face between his palms. “This took me by surprise, as much as you, and I reacted poorly. You did everything right—so right, sweetheart.” He watched the tension ease from her face, then looked up into silver eyes that were rapidly losing their intention for violence. “And Jaylin is correct, as usual. I’d be a damn fool to walk away from both of you.”

A series of beeps interrupted what else he may have said.

“Approaching spaceport,” the ship’s computer announced.

“Damn shitty timing,” his captain bit out.

He agreed, but his focus was solely on the woman in front of him. “Forgive me, Dani?”

“You had a mini freak-out,” she said with a tremulous smile. “It happens to everyone. There’s nothing to forgive.”

He glanced as his brother, a brow arched, wordlessly asking him the same.

“You reeled it in. I’m with Dani, nothing to forgive.” Silently, Jaylin added, just don’t do it again.

Malik nodded, and brushed his lips over the twin tracks of her tears, and gently touched his mouth to hers.

“Incoming communication. Requesting identification.”

Sighing over yet another interruption, he rested his forehead against hers, but said in a low tone to Jaylin. “Someone should go up top.”

“Because we’re stopping?” Dani asked.

He sat back, searching her face, relieved to see her distress had been replaced with curiosity. “We have to replenish the backup fuel we used with the cold shields when we evaded the pursuing ship.”

“Do they have more than fuel?” she inquired further.

Jaylin chuckled while he lifted her off him, and they all rose to their feet. “Yes, and you’re in for a treat if you like to shop. Would you like to get something else to wear?”

“Could I?” She looked between them, her features bright with anticipation.

Although still raw from the experience, Malik got caught up in her excitement and smiled.

“Of course, or I wouldn’t have mentioned it.” Grinning, Jaylin tapped her on the nose. “Malik will take you.”

“What?” The prospect of a shopping expedition with a female who had only a tunic and tights to her name seemed suddenly daunting.

It’s your penance for not listening to me and being a stubborn ass for almost a week, came Jaylin’s response in his mind. He clapped him hard on the shoulder. How you held out when I caved on day two, I’ll never know.

He sighed. “Get dressed, Dani. I will be honored to spoil you rotten.”

She laughed with delight, stood on her toes, and kissed the underside of his chin. Next, she gave Jaylin a hug and a kiss on his jaw. Then she whirled and dashed to the bathroom.

“New clothes!” she exclaimed. “No offense... Your facsimulator may do the job in a pinch, but purple on gray is getting old.”

When the door closed behind her, Malik stared at where she had been. Jaylin had moved to pick up his trousers.

“She is our third,” he murmured, as if he still couldn’t believe it.

“Yes, which I told you from day one.”

“Don’t rub it in.”

“I was ready to pummel it in, brother.”

He turned. “And don’t sound so smug. We have a problem.”

“What’s that? She’s happy. As you should be, after getting some for the first time in five years. You’d have had to lock me up.”

“Jay—”

“And I’m damned thrilled I don’t have to go shopping.” He grinned while buttoning his shirt. “I’ll gladly deal with the fuel.”

“You’re forgetting something.”

“What?”

“You’ve got her convinced I’m a cyborg.” His twin’s golden skin muted as his head came up. “Yeah, you’re in for a freeze out I think. I’ll enjoy watching you squirm your way out of this one.”

He closed his eyes when he uttered, “Fuck me.”

Malik found this ironic and chuckled. “That’s what you’ll be begging Dani to do when she finds out. While things are frigid in space, a bed with a pissed-off woman can reach absolute zero.”

“You’re hilarious, Mal. And don’t think you’re off the hook and will be cozying up while I can’t. You did nothing to dispel her misperception.”

The truth in his observation sobered him. To get in after so long without, only to be shut down for Jaylin’s stupid slip, the prospect was maddening. “Damn your asinine automaton comment.”

“Yeah, but your silences and sour faces did the convincing. Why didn’t you explain?”

“I thought it would be easier to keep her at arm’s length as a cyborg.”

“It seems we both might be frozen out.”

Malik’s emphatic, “Shit,” was uttered right as Dani walked back in.

“What’s wrong now?” she asked. “I’ve never heard you swear before.”

“Approaching destination,” the computerized voice announced.

“I’ll deal with docking the Renegade,” Jaylin announced. “You explain.”

“The hell I will,” he shot back.

“Explain what?” she inquired, looking back and forth between them.

Jaylin spoke over her head, addressing him when he replied, “Then we’ll both deal with it later.”

Brimming with impatience, Dani demanded to know, “Deal with what?”

His brother shook his head and grabbed her hand. “We don’t have time to get into it now. We need to dock.” He towed her toward the door. “And while Malik gets dressed and prepares for your shopping spree, you’ll come upstairs and strap in, just in case.”

“But you’ll explain this deal?”

“When you get back.”

“Okay,” she said more agreeably. “I’ll let you work while I stay quiet as a mouse.”

“No need, sweetness. This I could do in my sleep.”

You’re stalling, brother. Malik had to broadcast this to his departing back.

I know.

You must tell her, he insisted.

I will in the morning.

Why morning?

Jaylin stopped, glancing his way, seeming more determined than concerned over the outcome. Because I plan for the three of us to spend tonight in the captain’s bed.

Big enough to accommodate four, Malik had wondered why Jaylin hadn’t introduced Dani to it before now. While hers slept two comfortably, in his brother’s huge bed, they could spread out, roll around, get adventurous. His body stirred as he imagined the possibilities.

And that’s why I saved it until you got your head out of your ass.

He glared at his twin.

“Excuse me, but you’re doing the thing again,” Dani announced. “Is Malik programmed for silent communication mode or something?”

He stiffened, then his head snapped around, and he looked down at her, wanting to shout he wasn’t a damn cyborg. Except this was Jaylin’s hole to dig out of. He rolled his lips inward to keep silent. Dani’s essence still lingered, deliciously sweet, very much like the succulent pershada berries back home. His tension faded away as his twin’s unusual nickname for her suddenly made sense.

His cock hardened, ready for more of her, despite having spent himself minutes ago. Malik’s thoughts echoed Jaylin’s from earlier, although unlike his brother, his were groaned in his head. Fuck me!

“Arriving at destination in five minutes,” the computer announced. “Incoming communication requesting identification.”

“Let’s go,” Jaylin said while pulling her with him to the door.

“Can ‘later’ include an explanation of this weird head thing you two have going on ’cause it’s freaking me out.”

“Pershada, what happened to the quiet mouse?”

“We’re not on the bridge yet!”

He stopped and curled her into his chest. “Shall I make you hush in another way?”

“Arrival in four minutes. Prepare for impact.”

“Impact!” Dani echoed in alarm. “Shouldn’t you do something about that? Like now?”

“Yes, except you keep interrupting me.”

“Squeak, squeak,” she muttered, gesturing as if she’d locked her lips and tossed away the key. It didn’t work because she added, “Now, can you stop the Renegade from plowing into the spaceport, please?”

Malik chuckled. As Jaylin had claimed, she was cute as can be.

His brother grinned, too, but did so while crossing to the communication panel on the wall. He opened it, switched on the audio command, and gave his orders. “Slow to impulse speed. Provide ship identification and request docking slip coordinates.”

The computer immediately responded. “Initiating slow down. Request for docking coordinates sent.”

“You could have told me it was so simple,” Dani muttered, her brow wrinkled and her mouth in a pretty pout.

Jaylin bent and caught it in a hard, quick kiss, before he advised, “Or, you could trust your captain to know what he’s doing.”

“I could, and I do.”

His head jerked back in surprise. “Then why are you baiting rather than obeying me?”

She glanced at Malik and winked. “Because baiting you is more fun.”

Jaylin’s jaw dropped. “You’re teasing me, on purpose?”

“Absolutely. Like you do to me.”

Watching them and listening to their banter, he smiled. “In you, Dani, our captain may have met his match.”

Her soft laughter filled the room. His brother merely grunted as he moved to the door, their adorable redhead following behind because, with her hand in Jaylin’s bigger and stronger one, she had no other choice.

“After we dock, I think we’ll to discuss your teasing me further, perhaps with you draped over my knee.”

“What? Wait?” She dug in her heels, resisting, although not too aggressively. “I thought Malik carried out the discipline.”

Jaylin’s grin reappeared, wolfish in appearance, his tone husky with intent when he replied, “Who said anything about discipline?”

She blinked in surprise. “But we arrive in three minutes.”

“True, it doesn’t mean we have to disembark right away.”

He watched as she bit her lip, cheeks flushed, eyes bright, clearly torn between two tempting pleasures.  Next, she said in the most conflicted voice he’d ever heard, “But, Jaylin, there’s shopping to do.”

Their third was a delight, and Malik felt more lighthearted than he had in years. He laughed, not just a chuckle, rather, a full-throated, head-tossing, belly laugh that brought tears to his eyes. Jaylin gaped at him, obviously in shock after not hearing the sound from him in years. His dumbfounded expression made him laugh harder, until he bent double.

When this went on for a while, she became concerned. “Is he all right?”

Jaylin, who had recovered by now, gathered her into his arms and hugged her, lifting her off her feet as he buried his face in her hair. When he answered her question several moments later, his voice was gruff with emotion. “He’s going to be, Dani. Thanks to you.”