Chapter Fifteen

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“Jaylin! Daniella! Thank heaven! I thought I was too late. And considering my damn bad luck, it’s a miracle I wasn’t.”

As greetings went, it wasn’t the most eloquent, and far from polite, but Malik’s frazzled voice had never been more welcome or sounded so sweet. It took a moment to regain her equilibrium and longer for her eyes to focus, but in time to see him charging toward them, hair wild and sticking up all over his head as if he’d raked his fingers through it.

When Jaylin stepped out of the glass transport booth, his arms around her went slack, as others, longer and leaner, surrounded and cradled her.

“See to her. I’m getting us out of here.” Jaylin strode to the lift, his long legs eating up the distance in seconds. He passed by the half door and was up the ladder, gone in a blink.

Still hazy and weak, she clung to Malik’s shoulders, her fingers digging in. A sob escaped her, the reality of their narrow escape setting in.

“I’ve got you,” he murmured, moving in the opposite direction of the hall leading to her bedroom, and the bed she longed to curl up in and sleep for a week. Carrying her as easily as his brother, he took her straight to the small medical clinic and laid her on the exam table.

“I’m shook up, Malik, not hurt.”

“Humor me.”

Her clothes seemed to melt away then his insistent, yet gentle fingers examined every square inch of her. After he declared her uninjured—like she’d told him—he had her open her mouth and swiped a testing swab along the inside of her cheek. After sliding it into an electronic sleeve, he pushed a button on the end, and waited no more than three seconds before he looked at the display.

“You’re dehydrated,” he announced. “We’ll take care of that right away.”

Turning to the wall-mounted touch screen, he typed a moment. The room darkened, warm air began to blow, and a blue light mounted in the ceiling came on. Her skin tingled as though tiny fibers trailed over her everywhere at once. It felt odd, though not unpleasant. After a few moments, Malik removed what looked to Dani like a large wet towel from the bottom section of the metal cupboard. Though soaked, when he laid it over her, covering her from shoulders to mid-thigh, its warmth soothed her, so she didn’t complain.

“What does the blue light do?”

“It eliminates infectious organisms in the room, including those on your skin.”

“Wow. Earth doctors still use topical antiseptics. You’ve got some impressive new technology.”

“This isn’t new. It was developed and put into use on Trilor before I was born.”

“So long ago?” she teased, thinking to lighten the mood although he couldn’t have been too much older. He didn’t take offense, leaning over her with a gentle smile, his eyes more golden than brown—so handsome.

“So, what’s your plan of treatment for dehydration, doc?”

Arching his brow, his lips twitched in a hint of a smile. “First, an infusion of electrolytes then it’s off to bed for you.”

“I have no problem with that. When do we start?”

“We’re almost through.” He angled his chin to the towel draped over her.

Nearly dry, it had been dripping wet only moments ago. “Where did the liquid go?”

“It absorbed through your skin. You don’t use the R.I.D. in your world, I gather.”

“Uh...” she intoned, trying to decipher the acronym.

“Rapid instillation device,” he explained, talking quietly while he leaned a hip against the table’s edge, fingers stroking her mussed hair from her face, clearly waiting for his R.I.D. to work its magic.

“We don’t have anything like this. It’s amazing.”

“What do you use?”

“I.V.’s I guess, which require needles, tubes, and bags of fluids.”

He looked horrified. “Thank the Creators you have me to care for your health now.”

She looked up at him, his still-rumpled dark hair blue-tinged from the overhead light. His features, not as serious now, took on a softer appearance. She didn’t know whether to reach up and drag his face down for a kiss, or smack him for lying to her. After this latest ordeal, she had to decide what to do. She felt safe with him, and with Jaylin, but after their deception, could she trust them again?

Still holding his entrancing golden gaze, she saw it change, becoming dark and troubled, as if he knew what she was thinking. They both could read her too easily.

“What’s wrong?”

She sat up, needing to be alone, to think. With her latest trauma behind her, and the relief of Jaylin’s rescue and seeing them again fading, she had to decide what to do. They’d lied to her and hurt her, badly.

“Lay back, Dani, we’re not finished.” His hands came to her shoulders, holding her still. “What is it? Are you in pain?”

“Yes,” she snapped angrily, though it sounded more like a sob, and she didn’t want to cry. She tried to pull away, but he was too strong. “You lied to me.”

“Dani—”

“It was a cruel trick. I’d begun to have feelings for you, as a cyborg, and couldn’t understand them.”

“I’m sorry, we both are. I haven’t had feelings for a woman since our wife died.”

“You were married?”

“Yes, Mahlia died of an unexpected illness five years ago.”

No longer masking his feelings, she read the pain of his loss, after all this time. “I’m so sorry.”

He nodded, his brows knitted together. “I won’t lie, I was devastated, and swore I’d never love another woman. Then you came along and stirred up all sorts of emotions I didn’t want to feel. I was confused, Dani. Jaylin knew I was fighting your pull. Playing along like I was a cyborg was his way of taunting me, pushing my buttons, trying to wake me up—and it worked. I’m falling in love with you. We both are.”

“Why should I believe anything you say?” she whispered. She wanted to, yet couldn’t let herself.

“We need to talk, all three of us,” he said. “Once you’ve rested—”

“Good idea.” She swung her legs over the side. “If we’re done here. I’ll go do that now.”

“Wait,” he ordered. “Let me shut down the equipment and I’ll escort you.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” she told him coolly.

“I say it is. You had to be carried in here minutes ago. I won’t risk you falling. Now, do as I say and lie back down.”

By his tone, she knew he was serious, and bossy, like Jaylin when it suited him. He removed the now-dry towel and adjusted the lights. When the blue had faded and the regular lighting came back on, it illuminated the form of the man in the doorway. His casual stance, arms crossed over his chest and leaning with one broad shoulder against the door told her he hadn’t just arrived. And here she sat, naked again. She mimicked his position and folded her arms covering her breasts, suddenly uneasy in their presence.

His silvery gaze flicked to Malik. “Everything checks out?”

“Yes. Other than the bastards not feeding her or giving her water, and the bruises from the restraints.” His comment brought their attention back to her, both looking at her wrists. Following where they stared, she saw how her closed arm position pressed her full breasts together, plumping them up and creating a deep line of cleavage. She loosened them, but a nipple peeped out over one forearm.

“I’d like a robe, please,” she whispered.

“No need,” Malik said. “After I clean you up, you’re going to bed.”

“I can do it myself, so that won’t be necessary, either.”

“Again, Dani, I say it is.” His tone was softer, though no less firm. To Jaylin, he asked, “Are we on our way?”

“Yes, I laid in a course back to Earth.”

She almost choked on her gasp of surprise. “You’re taking me back?”

Not waiting for a response, she leapt off the table the next instant. When Malik attempted to steady her, she slapped his hands away and stormed to the door.

“Get out of my way,” she demanded, her palms flat against Jaylin’s chest, pushing when he didn’t comply. Except he didn’t budge an inch from the force of all her strength. “Move!” she hissed, angry tears filling her eyes.

“Dani...” His hands covered hers.

“Don’t touch me,” she cried, trying to snatch them back, but he held tight.

Arms encircled her waist from behind. “Sweetheart, don’t—”

“Stop telling me what to do,” she shrieked. Wrenching free of Jaylin’s hold, she spun on Malik, her fists connecting soundly with his chest. “Cyborg, my ass. I can’t believe I fell for your bullshit.” Her words came out broken by angry sobs.

Steel bands enveloped her, pinning her arms to her sides as Jaylin buried his face in the bend of her neck. “That is my doing, pershada.”

She jerked uselessly against his hold. “I didn’t hear him explaining away his lies in the days and nights we spent together.”

Malik’s big hands bracketed her face, tipping it up to his. “You’re right. I could have dispelled your misperception.”

“Call it what it is. You lied, both of you did.” She tried to pull away again, but it was a waste of energy. Stark naked, she was trapped between their tall, muscular bodies. “I can’t believe you’re taking me back to Earth, to him.”  Angry and hurt, she said in a ragged voice. “I won’t go. Take me to Nusapphra.”

“Sweetheart—”

“Now!”

“No, you’re our third, dammit,” Malik growled, his temper flaring. “And you’re not going anywhere without us.” 

This outburst was so unlike him, it sobered her enough for Jaylin’s whisper to penetrate. “I’m sorry, baby, but haven’t we made it clear you’re a part of us now? And it’s for a lifetime, so you’re going to have to find a way to forgive us.”

“Then why are we going to Earth? I don’t want to see my father, I mean, Daniel, ever again.”

“You don’t have to, Dani. Never again.” Malik’s voice had grown husky with something other than anger.

“If that’s true, then why take me back?” She directed her question at Jaylin, as she twisted to peer up at him.

“We have important unfinished business to attend to.” At her disgruntled look, he added, “It has nothing to do with your father, sweetness.  I promise.”

Taking in the unguarded look on his face, and his unwavering silver-eyed stare, she believed him. The tension seeped out of her tired muscles. She swayed against them, knees weak, as fatigue set in. Suddenly, bed sounded like an excellent idea.

As tired as she was, she didn’t miss the concerned look Jaylin shot over her head, one blond brow raised in question. She turned back just as Malik answered. “Crashing physically after all she’s been through is expected. Emotionally, she’s seems surprisingly stable.”

“Damn straight. I don’t like being lied to, or manipulated.”

“And we won’t do so again. That is our vow.” Firm in his conviction, he didn’t blink as he met Jaylin’s gaze. “Right, brother?”

“Absolutely. Honesty in a triad is essential.” The brush of his lips against her hair sent a tingle throughout her body. Except she wasn’t over her snit yet, and something Malik said needed explanation.

“Wait. You said I seemed stable. Was this in doubt? Did you think me otherwise?”

Jaylin caught her chin in his hand at the same time Malik’s swept up and down her back soothingly. “We both regret the deception, Dani, but that wasn’t what he was referring to.”

“I don’t understand.”

“What happened on the Elzorian ship would shake a seasoned soldier.  Something you are not.”

She glanced away. “I’d planned never to think of it.”

“How’s it working so far?”

“Well, considering you two have ticked me off royally, pretty good.”

“And when your anger has cooled?”

“I’d prefer not to talk about it.”

He bent close until his gorgeous eyes were only inches away. “I don’t think that’s wise, sweetness. Malik and I have been in the military, we’ve both been in battle, we know what you can expect to think and feel when the dust settles and you have time to reflect.”

She remembered the clatter of their guns hitting the floor and the loud thud of their fallen bodies, brought about by the dart thrown by her hand. A heaviness hit the center of her chest as she averted her gaze.

“Whenever you’re ready to talk,” he offered. “We’re here for you.”

“That’s anytime, Dani,” Malik murmured close to her ear. “Day, and especially at night, when memories tend to resurface.”

“Stop being so sweet and concerned when I’m mad at you.”

Fingers nudged up her chin, but no one said more until her lashes swept open. “We’re serious,” Jaylin uttered, unwavering in his regard.

“I know,” she whispered.

A long pause followed, until she broke the silence.

“Can we make a pact during future heart-to-hearts, I get to wear clothes?”

The tautness in Malik’s arms eased, and the skin around Jaylin’s eyes crinkled.

“Or, I could wear clothes and you two could be naked.”

He eased back, a grin touching his lips. “She’s being cute,” he observed, running his thumb the length of her jaw.

“When is she not cute?” Malik replied, pressing a kiss against the side of her head. “But I take cute as a positive sign forgiveness is forthcoming.”

“You’re not out of the woods yet,” she grumbled.

“Then we’ll have to work harder,” her light twin replied, touching his mouth lightly to hers. Like her, they knew she would fold under their combined efforts. The question was how long did she make them squirm?

“I think a hot shower is in order,” her dark twin suggested. “It will ease your sore muscles and help you relax. Followed by a massage.”

“Sounds nice. Is this also part of your healing treatment?”

“If it puts you in a forgiving mood, absolutely.”

“We’ll use the shower in my quarters. I’ll go gather what we need.” Jaylin captured her lips again, this time quick and fast. Leaving her in the circle of Malik’s arms, he moved toward the hall.

“He said we,” she said after a moment.

“Yes, I heard him.” He gathered her still stark-naked body closer.

“Are you both planning to join me?” She didn’t say so, but she hoped his answer was yes.

“Yes. You’ll find Trilorian twins are very attentive when it comes to their woman.”

“It better be a large stall to fit all three of us.”

“Remember the captain’s big bed? The shower is equally impressive.” He lifted her into his arms and followed in Jaylin’s direction.

“Is carrying me to and fro being attentive? Both of you tend to do that at every opportunity.”

“Do you mind?”

“No, although it’s rather disturbing when you are fully clothed and I’m naked. Don’t you have an exam gown, or a blanket, something for me to put on?”

“It makes no sense to examine someone with clothes on, so no, I don’t keep clothing in here,” he replied. “And if I did, you’d only have to remove it again to get in the shower. As for a blanket, also unnecessary. The ship maintains a constant seventy-two degrees by your planet’s measurement. You can walk around naked or sleep without covers, if need be.”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Having me run around bare.”

“We wouldn’t complain, no.” Amusement resonated in his voice.

“I notice you’re saying we, a lot. Do you two do everything together?”

“Not always, we are twins, but separate beings. However, when it comes to important things, like caring for our woman, we tend to do things together.”

She hadn’t noticed he entered Jaylin’s room and arrived at the bathroom door until he set her on her feet. Then, he took her hand and led her inside.

“What if I don’t want to take a group shower?”

“You will once you’re under the water with us,” Malik assured her, squeezing her fingers.

Jaylin was busy adjusting the water temperature, his golden skin bare, the muscles across his broad back bunching and rippling as he moved. Although she tried not to look, her gaze dropped to his butt, tight, lean, and sculpted atop thick corded thighs.

When Malik handed her off to him, he led her into the steamy, more than roomy-enough-for-three shower and steered her under the multi-head sprayers. At the perfect temperature, she let her head fall back so the water soaked her hair and ran down her body. Making it better, several nozzles sent out a warm mist from the sides. Closing her eyes, she relaxed while his fingers went to work, massaging shampoo into her hair.

The soft click of the door latch told her without looking Malik had joined them. She peeked, unable to resist, and took in the sight of water sluicing down his smooth, muscular chest as he picked up a sponge. Again, she tried to keep from it, but she followed the rivulets coursing down his body. Fully erect, his length extended toward her, as if reaching for her hand in invitation.

Damn. How was she supposed to make either of them squirm when they were using such underhanded tactics?

He squirted green gel on the sponge and began to wash her front, the light herbal fragrance of the soap filling the air. Breathing it in had a soothing effect, as did the sudsy hands gliding over her skin. Not since she was a small child had someone helped her bathe, and until now, she didn’t know what she’d been missing to have a man do it. Doubly wonderful when there were two. The scents, the warm spray, and twenty massaging fingers made for a dreamlike, sensual experience.

“Lean your head back,” Jaylin murmured. Starting at her forehead and working backward, he used a handheld sprayer to rinse it free of suds. “Conditioner?”

“Yes, please, or I’ll have tangles.”

“We can’t have that,” he replied, and by his serious tone, she knew he wasn’t teasing. He would know about working snags through long hair, since his thick mass was nearly the length of her own. Collecting a generous amount of a light, cream-colored substance from a wall dispenser, he began to work it through the wet strands.

She sighed, his fingers incredibly relaxing. Lost in sensation, she swayed slightly on her feet, until Malik began to wash her breasts. Avoiding intimate parts until now, a jolt of arousal swept through her. His touch changed her relaxed sigh into a gasp of delight. It also earned her a mouthful of water. Spitting and coughing, she grabbed his forearm, holding on. This pressed his hand more firmly against her breast.

“I didn’t mean to startle you, trilana. But the tanks aren’t unlimited, which is another reason we’ll share our showers when we can.”

She blinked away droplets of water, tipping her head back to meet Malik’s eyes well above her own. They’d become dark gold, the brown less prominent with his growing desire. She couldn’t look away as he palmed one breast from underneath, and washed it with the sudsy sponge. Without rinsing, he did the same to the other before he passed the sponge to Jaylin, who had finished her hair.

He twisted the wet skein with one hand and held it on top of her head while he washed her back. Malik, in the meantime, massaged her soap-slick breasts, paying close attention to the nipples which had peaked to hardness from all the attention.

Dani’s free hand grabbed his other arm, holding on while she arched her back, seeking more of his touch.

He arched a dark brow at her while grinning. “Didn’t I say you’d want this once you got in?”

“No one likes a smarty pants, Malik.”

He chuckled and, with the sprayer, rinsed her breasts, sending rivers of soap over her belly, her smooth mound, and down her legs.

“My turn,” Jaylin murmured. He took up the sprayer and rinsed her back, the spray stronger now, like hundreds of tiny massaging fingers. It felt good, but nowhere close to how Jaylin and Malik’s twenty felt when they moved lower.

“Spread your legs for us, Dani.”

She glanced down to find Malik gazing up at her, waiting for her to do as he asked. Jaylin’s hands on her hips, gliding down her outer thighs, told her he was taking the same position behind. She inched her feet apart.

“Wider, please,” he requested.

Not as patient, Jaylin slid his palms to the inside of her thighs and showed her precisely what they wanted. “Just like this,” he murmured.

They each took a leg and worked upward, kneading her muscles as they went. It felt beyond good. She became self-conscious when they ran out of leg and the backs of their fingers grazed her pussy. Shifting, she closed up tight, but this only trapped them between her legs.

“You can’t still be shy after all we’ve done, sweetness.” Jaylin’s lips grazed her lower back.

“I, uh, I’ve never...in the shower.”

“We know, Dani. This is another first we have the pleasure of introducing you to,” Malik said, his gold-brown eyes melting into hers. “Put your hands on my shoulders and hold on.”

“Why?”

He didn’t get time to answer before Jaylin, who slid his arm around her waist, raised her left leg and draped it down the length of Malik’s back.

Open for them now, soapy fingers over her bottom. A palm cupped one cheek while a thumb dipped into the cleft and parted the halves. Fingertips slid into the furrow, teasing over her rear opening.

They didn’t neglect her front either. Large soapy hands bathed her inner thighs, moving upward to glide through the folds made slick without the benefit of soap. If not for a supporting arm at her waist, she would have been on the floor, her legs shook so badly.

When two fingers entered her drenched center, another slid inside the tightness of her bottom, both at one time, it was too much. Her head fell back and she cried out, her words unintelligible, other than, “Oh, my freaking God!”

They didn’t let up, fingers and thumbs moving in and out, sometimes twisting at the same unhurried pace. Pressure built low in her belly when Malik leaned in and sipped her clit between his lips. Drawing out her sensual torture, Jaylin continued for several breathless moments, then added a second finger in back.

Both men working in tandem were her undoing.

Like a rocket, she shot to the summit and flew apart. A burst of white light exploded before her eyes, while her body convulsed in orgasm, each time with them better than the last.

Head spinning, the thud of her heart pounded in her ears. She was helpless and limp like a rag doll when Malik slid her leg from his shoulder.  His hands on her hips steadied her as he turned her around, her back to his chest. He lifted her by the waist, while Jaylin parted her thighs, moved in between them, and thrust up inside her still-rippling channel.

“Heaven,” he murmured, and wrapped her legs around his hips.

As she clung to his wet shoulders, the fingers of one hand twisting in the length of his hair, his hands curved beneath her ass. Molding a cheek in each palm, he supported her weight while fingers parted her from behind. Circling and dipping into her rear entrance, they spread soapy slickness wherever they touched. Then, the tip of Malik’s cock was there, pressing firmly.

Filled with Jaylin’s thick cock, taking another from behind would challenge her beyond the two fingers of moments ago, she tensed in apprehension.

Malik uttered an impassioned groan. “So tight... Relax, Dani.”

She whimpered, her arms gripping Jaylin’s neck while she arched her back, instinctively pulling away. Taking one of these big, powerful men was intimidating, both driving into her at once seemed impossible. But Malik wasn’t going anywhere, even when her tense inner muscles clamped down hard on the portion of his cock already embedded.

“Easy,” he hissed, his hands on her waist, holding her still. “Unclench your muscles and relax.”

“I can’t. You’re too big.”

“No, baby, we’re just right,” Jaylin insisted between kisses. “You’re our third, which means you were made to take us this way. Breathe in and out slowly, and concentrate on letting your muscles go slack. When you do, Malik will glide right on in.”

She shook her head. “It’s impossible.”

One of his hands left her bottom, coming up to cup her jaw, angling her face up to his. “Not only is it very possible, it’s happening. I’m embedded deep, and Malik is halfway there. Once you relax and allow us both inside, we’ll make what you felt earlier pale in comparison. Now, be our good girl and do as I say. In a few moments, when you’re screaming our names while coming for the second time, you’ll know I’m right.”

Arrogant, bossy, and dominant, Jaylin’s commanding voice and the steel in his silvery eyes gave her no choice except to comply, that and the fact she was sandwiched between two men.

“Would you stop if I asked?” she whispered.

“Of course, we’d never force you to do something you truly don’t want. We understand this is new. You’re feeling vulnerable, but you aren’t hurting. I can tell by the heat engulfing me, and how your wetness is drenching my cock. You want this, Dani.” He pressed closer, the graphic imagery of his words said in a soft whisper sent a wave of arousal rushing through her. “You’ve dreamed of it.”

“Relax and give into it,” Malik said against her ear. “Let us make your fantasy come true.”

Dragging in another deep breath, she took stock. Jaylin’s touch was gentle, his lips soft, the easy caress of his tongue playing over her own, and the fingers at her breast circling one taut nipple. Add to this Malik’s open mouth moving along her neck and shoulder. She was helpless against their dual assault on her senses. And, when she asked herself if she really wanted them to stop, she knew Jaylin was right—darn him. She didn’t. Lastly, after the mind-blowing climax they had given her, she wanted to please them both in equal measure.

She could do this, had dreamed of this.

Concentrating on unclenching her inner muscles and letting them slacken, lasted about two seconds before the multitude of other sensations inundating her at once couldn’t be ignored. Like the glide of their tongues on her wet skin, the way Jaylin’s chest hair abraded her nipples, and when Malik slid her wet hair off her back so he could lick along her spine.

He growled with pleasure when, as Jaylin predicted, she relaxed and he glided right in, up to the hilt.

“That’s it,” he uttered, his hot breath against her neck, sending shivers along her skin. “We’re both inside you now, and it’s incredible.”

Motionless beneath the warmth of the shower, their hearts pounding, limbs entwined, bodies melded as closely as three people could be. It came to her in that moment their pulses and breathing were also in sync. Lost in the moment, she closed her eyes, barely able to wrap her head around the intimacy she felt with them both.

“I didn’t know...” Dani breathed.

“I did, although stubbornly denied I could find it again,” Malik replied.

“I knew from the start, and from now on expect the two of you to listen to me, without questions.”

Her head came up, biting back a smile at Jaylin’s extraordinary arrogance. She couldn’t resist calling him on it. “I’m not sure this is the proper moment to gloat, Captain.”

“I keep telling you, sweetheart, you’re going to have to get used to it.” Her giggle made Malik hiss again, the involuntary movement squeezing him tight.

“Sorry,” she whispered.

Jaylin, who took no offense at their teasing, murmured against her lips, “If you two will stop goofing off, we can get on to the screaming, and paling-by-comparison part.”

To prove his point, he moved, easing out while Malik stayed home. All humor faded when Dani felt him glide along every nerve ending inside her. She thought nothing could ever feel as glorious, until he sank back inside, stretching and filling her once more. This time, while Jaylin drove home, Malik slid out, lighting up sensitized nerves along the way.

Her head fell back, her moans of pleasure rising in the steamy stall, when the action was repeated a moment later, in reverse. Jaylin’s mouth opened on her throat, as Malik nibbled on an earlobe, both keeping up their alternating in-and-out motion.

As the minutes passed and they kept at it, they merged their rhythms so they both moved into her at once. The fullness, the stretch, while they took ownership of every scintilla of available space, drove Dani to the brink. She hovered there, overwhelmed by sensation, and cried out, “Too much.”

“It’s never too much,” Malik declared low in her ear. “You need to accept it. It’s a lot, two men claiming you, but don’t fight it. It’s how we were meant to be.”

“I’ll come apart.”

“We want you to,” Jaylin insisted. “Surrender to us, and we’ll catch you.”

Still, she resisted.

“Hold her legs,” he said to his twin.

As second, Malik didn’t hesitate to comply with his first’s command. When he did, the hand on her bottom let go, and slid between them. Jaylin located her clit with his thumb.

Her moan turned into a whimper, and her eyes fluttered shut.

“No, trilana, look at me.”

Compelled to obey, she met the intensity of his gaze.

“Don’t deny who you are. Surrender,” he repeated.

“I can’t.”

“Yes, you can. Yield to us. You will not withhold what is ours to claim.”

She intended to shake her head, except Malik’s fist in her hair held her still. He wouldn’t allow her denial either.

“Submit to us, Dani,” he demanded in a soft stream of breath against her ear. “It’s destined to be.”

It took a split second, but clarity came to her. She wanted this, all of it, and, most of all, she wanted them. When she surrendered like they demanded, a feeling of freedom swept through her. She unclasped her hands from behind Jaylin’s neck, and moved one arm backward to snake up behind Malik’s head. Her fingers entangled in their hair, clinging to them both, as she answered at last. “I don’t want to withhold anything from you. Not ever again.”

Four strong masculine arms tightened around her. As one, they slid out and surged deep, only to repeat the motion, driving unceasingly into her body. Malik growled in her ear, nipping then using his tongue to ease away the sting of the bite. Jaylin’s lips sealed over hers, his tongue demanding, flicking against hers at the same pace his thumb worked her clit. Swept up by their passion and the intensity of their combined dominance, she trembled, unable to catch her breath.

“Feel the connection, Daniella. When we spend inside you and complete the claiming, it will be this way for the three of us from this point on, forever bonded in a sacred triad.”

“Yes,” both she and Malik answered together.

“Come with me, both of you, and seal our triad bond.”

With a jolt, she felt the connection he spoke of, like an electric current flowing between them. It sparked and sizzled, bonding them as one. Robbed of breath, she savored the tightness of their arms around her, the groans of pleasure intermingling with her own. Her two men thrust once more and stayed firmly planted, exploding together, filling her with the hot splash of their seed.

She thought she heard them groan, Our trilana. It sounded more like ragged whispers in her head, although couldn’t be sure in her sexual haze. When no one said anything for a long time as they all tried to recover, she assumed she was mistaken.

Energy spent and too drowsy to join in, Dani listened to their soft banter back and forth.

I’ll be damned if you weren’t right, brother.

You had doubts, Malik?

I did, after, but never again. She is perfect.

As I told you from day one.

Her head came up, sensing something wasn’t quite right. She looked first to her sated silver-eyed twin, next twisting to search eyes she knew would be liquid gold from spent passion.

Something’s wrong, she heard Malik say, his concern showing in his darkening expression and the lowering of his voice. The funny thing was, his mouth remained tipped down in a frown—unmoving.

Jaylin took her chin in his hand and angled her face to his, eyes searching. She’s flushed, but this is expected after what we shared.

No. It’s something else. Aloud Malik asked, “Is something hurting, sweetheart?”

“No, nothing like that.” She felt their tension ease. “Why can I sometimes hear you talking in my head, yet your lips don’t move? Not by so much as a twitch.”

They gazed at her briefly then at each other. For a moment, she thought she’d made a mistake, or hallucinated it, until Jaylin’s words sounded in her head.

It’s the connection.

Like before, his mouth didn’t move.

“You’re telepathic?” Stunned, her head whirled with a million questions at once. She settled on one for now. “But we connected before. Why can I hear your minds speaking this time and not then?”

Gazing down at her, Jaylin’s voice came into her head as clearly as if he were speaking aloud.  This is about more than sex, Dani. The other times, you didn’t trust us, not completely. You weren’t ready, and, frankly, neither was I. Now, with us all in acceptance and the claiming complete, we have formed an unbreakable bond.

“I felt electrified.”

As did I. His grin flashed briefly, accompanying his soundless response.  It’s a phenomenon of the first time. As the bond becomes stronger with time and each subsequent joining, you’ll feel it grow stronger, and we’ll share a greater intimacy.

“More intimate than this? I don’t think it’s possible.”

Jaylin and Malik glanced at one another and grinned.

“What?” she asked.

Jaylin didn’t mean physical intimacy, Dani, Malik explained, more of mind and spirit.

She flushed, better understanding their amusement. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

With a stronger bond, you should be able to mind-speak to us.

Really? That’s awesome.

Jaylin frowned, but when his gaze darted over her shoulder to his brother, it eased into a slow, sexy grin. You like the idea?

Yes! She looked between them, both relaxed and smiling, as they should be considering what they’d just done. So, this speaking in each other’s heads, it’s what you’ve been doing all this time?

Yes, and when a set of twins forms a triad, the gift is extended to their mate.

That is so cool.

As the water will be if we don’t get out soon.

Enjoying the interaction and intimacy too much for it to end, she protested, But I don’t want to, not yet.

We’ll do this again, often.

Her grin grew wide at Jaylin’s assurance. How often?

He chuckled. What did I say, Mal?

Yeah, yeah, you were right, as usual. How long are you going to rub it in?

About two weeks, which is how long both of you held out.

Malik’s arms flexed from behind, giving her a firm squeeze. He also whispered in her ear, “See? Damn annoying.”

“Nothing wrong with my ears, brother.”

She giggled, enjoying their teasing banter.

In this case, I’m damn glad he was annoying, and persistent, or we may have never gotten our reward.

She rolled her head on his shoulder until she could see his face. What do you mean?

After Mahlia passed, we lost faith. His dark brows gathered. The memories would always be with them both. Time might allow the rawness to fade, but Dani knew, because their first wife meant something to them, it would never fully go away.

I understand, Malik. You loved her. Maybe if you talk about her more, it will get easier. Please, feel free. I won’t mind.

He nuzzled his chin against her wet hair, breathing deep, before going on. Thank you, Dani, that’s sweet. Maybe someday. My point is we gave up hope for any kind of satisfying future. Jaylin battled back where I, as he said, got stuck. There is an old Trilorian proverb which says those who are lost may wander, but if they are determined and fight their way back to the light, they will be rewarded. I didn’t understand it until recently, when you entered our lives.

Jaylin buried his face in the bend of her neck, nuzzling and inhaling as Malik had. You are our reward.

And I have you to thank, brother, for having enough determination for the both of us.

Moved to tears by Malik’s sentiment, Dani swallowed hard and bit them back. You’re going to make me cry.

None of that, baby. We’re reconciled and bonded as a triad. This is a happy day.

Agreed, Malik said. And we have more cause to celebrate since our third is so special she’s already able to mind-speak.

I am? But I thought you said it took time?

Usually it does.

Excited, she twisted to beam up at him. Will you teach me?

Sure, lesson one, keep doing what you’ve been doing so easily for the past few minutes.

“What?” she asked aloud.

Chuckling, Jaylin laid a finger against her lips. Try again.

Try what again?

She started. His finger had kept her mouth from moving, and the words sounded in her head. Holy smokes! I did it.

You sure did. Malik chuckled.

Jaylin grinned. You’re a natural.

Her arms flexed around him, while her head tipped back and she kissed Malik’s cheek. So cool! she repeated against his wet skin.

Which reminds me... He reached over and waved a hand over the sensor, ending their shower.

Malik! I didn’t mean cool temperature, but cool impressive.

We’ll have to explore your special talent while conserving our water, Dani.

Talent. I like that. What else can we do?

Dry off and have you again, in a bed? he suggested, while easing from her body.

Works for me, brother. Jaylin’s hands on her bottom lifted her, so she slid up his chest. He pulled out, too, leaving her feeling empty without them.

At the shower door, he passed her off to his twin who stood waiting with a thick thirsty towel.

Jaylin grabbed one for himself, using it to dry her back.

Malik took the front, rubbing her skin to warm her and spending an inordinate amount of time on her breasts. The peaks were hard and achy before he moved down her belly and farther below. When he crouched to dry her legs, he placed a kiss on her mound, rosy and tingling from all the rubbing. There he lingered, with little licks and strokes at his leisure.

I get her pussy this time. Face to face, I want to watch her pretty green eyes lose focus, and feel those sweet whimpers against my lips when she comes. Like a kid calling dibs on his favorite toy, he projected this idea in her head. She would have rolled her eyes if she hadn’t been so relaxed from the attention.

Deal. Jaylin also stooped, his face level with her bottom, while his tongue busily lapped droplets of water from her cheeks. I’ve been dreaming of claiming her ass since I first saw it bare, round, and beautiful on the pirates’ ship.

Hello! You remember I can hear you now, don’t you?

Certainly, they answered together.

Don’t I get a say?

No. Yet again, their response, succinct and high-handedly arrogant, was simultaneous.

What if I’m not in the mood?

Jaylin’s mouth opened along the fullest part of her bottom cheek, and his teeth nipped lightly. We’ll get you in there, that’s what.

Malik’s response contained a bit more tact. There are two of us, sweetheart. You don’t ever have to worry about not being in the mood.

But you’ve worn me out; another round might kill me.

Impossible, Malik declared as he rose, pausing to swirl his tongue around each hard-tipped nipple. Great sex has never been fatal.

Tell that to all the old men who’ve keeled over when their ticker gave out.

Dani, Jaylin and I are in our prime. You’re a healthy twenty-five-year-old woman. And you’re a human female. I know you’ve got the ability to climax repeatedly, if your partners know what they’re doing. You can trust neither of us will ever disappoint.

He tossed the towel into the open receptacle which fed to the auto-wash—an awesome machine—which would have it fluffed, folded, and back on the shelf, ready for the next time one of them needed it.

To prove it, he continued, let’s use Jaylin’s big bed. After the cramped shower, I’m ready to spread you out and get adventurous. He strode to the door, tossing over his shoulder, Come on, you two. I’ve got five years of celibacy to make up for.

She twisted to find Jaylin staring after his brother in surprise. I thought you were the dominant one.

Head turned with a single brow arched in challenge, his hands slid around to her bare backside and squeezed. Is that really in question?

No. She shook her head as she thought it, making doubly sure the fact he was in charge wasn’t in doubt.

I’m glad we’re clear.

“Vitamins,” she murmured. “We need to lay in a supply.”

Warm and rich, his laughter wrapped around her as he scooped her up and made his way to the huge bed in the other room. When he reached the edge, he stopped and tossed her in the air. Landing with a bounce and what she felt certain was more than one lewd jiggle, she settled beside a reclined Malik, watching as Jaylin followed her in. He rolled her onto her side facing away from him, and curled up behind her. Then, like they hadn’t all come in spectacular fashion moments ago, they started up again.

Breathless from their kisses and the hands moving over her, she couldn’t help wondering if this hunger would be something they shared forever, too.

Malik’s voice echoed in her head while he sucked on a taut nipple. Jaylin rolled her to him enough to take the other. Trilorian males are known for their stamina. You, however, may need the R.I.D. occasionally to keep up with us.

Fuck me.

We heard you, Dani, Jaylin said in mind-speak as he gave her butt a smack. And are happy to oblige.

She shot him a glare over her shoulder. Does this thing have an off switch?

He gave her a wink, while his second answered. For a naughty girl who asks in order to hide things from her men, no, it doesn’t.

Seriously, you’ll hear everything?

He’s teasing, Dani. I agree, though, you’ll have to swear to only use the power for good, if you want to find out.

She grinned. I have ways of making you talk.

She moved her hands, one in front and back, seeking out Jaylin’s thickness, and Malik’s spectacular length. Intent on teasing them back to readiness, she was the one surprised upon finding them hard. Encircling one in each hand and squeezing them tight, she pumped both slowly, marveling over how they were up for another round so soon.

I think I’m in trouble with you two, aren’t I?

Not yet, but if you don’t wrap your lips around one of us soon, you will be.

Jaylin!

She’s too chatty, brother, Malik complained, though he was obviously amused, and very aroused. Can’t you control our woman?

I’m taking her ass, you’re in charge of her mouth this time.

With surprising agility for such large men, they moved onto their knees. Jaylin flipped her face down and, with his hands on her hips, lifted her so his brother to slide beneath. Malik’s hands spread her legs as she was lowered to straddle him, his cock gliding easily into her primed, very wet pussy. His arms came around her, one gliding up her back while the other went high, his fingers spearing into her hair and holding her still for his devouring kiss.

Behind her, Jaylin spread her cheeks, his tongue circling the tight hole he intended to take. He moved away a moment later. She bit her lip, anticipating the press of his broad shaft as it stretched her wider than she had been before.

Instead, she jumped when something cold and slippery hit her skin.

“Easy, sweetness, just a dab of slickness to ease the way.” His long fingers delved and gently twisted, warming it as he worked it inside her, the task made easier by Malik’s hands on her ass cheeks holding her spread wide. “You’re ready for me, baby,” he announced, a raspy urgency in his voice, “and I can’t wait a moment longer to be inside you.”

She couldn’t either, needing to the sense of oneness she’d felt with their earlier joining.

Though larger, when he pressed into her, she didn’t get the feeling of apprehension she expected, maybe because he had so thoroughly prepared the way, or perhaps, because of the anticipation of the fullness, the incredible stretch, and the overwhelming presence of having her two men inside her again. Her lips left Malik’s, parting on a low, throaty moan of pleasure.

Like in the shower, they moved within her as one, driving her to new heights, fingers teasing, tongues tasting, cocks relentless in their pumping. While Jaylin’s girth tested her limits, Malik’s length plumbed her to incredible depths until she felt each thrust low in her belly. As promised, they pushed her over the edge—three times before she lost count—and outpaced her with their stamina while she collapsed, spent from the mindless pleasure they gave her.