Chapter Seventeen

––––––––

The glider pulled up in front of a huge two-story house with six white columns gracing the façade, and a wide, welcoming front porch with appealing rockers. She could imagine her grandmother sitting there in the evening, watching the ducks and swans floating down the river at the edge of the lush front lawn.

As Malik helped her out of the vehicle, Jaylin exited the other side and rounded the back to join them. Her gaze was locked on the black lacquered front door. When it opened, a petite, white-haired old woman stepped out. She had tears in her eyes though her mouth tipped up in a huge grin.

“Daniella?” she asked.

“Grandmother Alltryp?”

Having moved to the top of the half flight of wide steps, she put her hands on her narrow hips and frowned down at the three of them. “I’ll have no formality, do you hear? It’s Nana Elise or Nana. I won’t answer to anything else.”

“Nana,” Dani whispered, moving forward.

Jaylin was at her side, but not to stop her. He bolted up the steps two at a time and caught her nana’s arm, assisting her as she started down the stairs to meet her.

“Your cane, ma’am,” a man called from behind her.

“I don’t have time for such nonsense when I haven’t seen my granddaughter in twenty-three years.”

“Do you have time for a fractured hip?”

Dani recognized the kind man who had driven her on Elzor what seemed like an eternity ago. “Blake?”

“Miss Dani, glad to see you again, especially hale and hearty. You’ve had a rough time of it since we last met.”

“That’s the understatement of the millennium.” Malik had come up alongside her, his hand resting low on her back.

“Blake works for me now, dear,” she explained when she stepped down from the last step. “Thank you, Jaylin.” She smiled up at him, while patting his forearm. “You are a big strong boy, aren’t you?”

His eyes widened, and Dani couldn’t help laughing at his startled expression. It changed quickly to a sob as the old woman turned green eyes upon her, identical to the ones she saw staring back at her from her mirror each morning. “Oh, Nana, it is you.”

“No crying, or I’ll start blubbering, too.” It was much too late for that, however, and they went into each other’s arms sobbing.

“Here we go,” Blake grumbled. “Once the waterworks start, there’s no shutting ‘em off.”

Pulling away, Dani wiped away her tears to no avail because more replaced them. Blake, who had walked down to join them, produced tissues.

Sniffling, Nana gazed up at Malik, patting him, too. “You aren’t as stout as your brother, but you’re very tall. Bend down, dear,” she tapped her finger to her cheek, “I’d need a ladder to come up to you.”

As thrown as Jaylin by her candidness, he still didn’t hesitate to lean down and kiss her nana’s wrinkled cheek.

“Now then,” she said, beaming. “I’ve looked forward to your visit and do hope you can stay for a few days, at least. Tonight, I have a quiet supper planned, so we can chat. And, my man of affairs will arrive with the papers in time for coffee and dessert.”

“What papers?”

“You’re of age now, dear. He’ll be transferring your trust fund over to you, and there’s the matter of my will.”

“Your will?”

“Yes, I’m disowning Daniel. You will be the heir to my estate, which includes a controlling interest in Alltryp Universal.”

“Father doesn’t own it outright?”

“No, it is an old family business. I just let him vote my shares.”

“He’ll be furious.”

“Pshaw, who cares? He doesn’t frighten me. He kept you away from me and treated you miserably from what I hear.” She gripped Dani’s hands. “I’m so sorry for what he put you through. I knew he was angry at Ella but still can’t believe he’d ever be so cruel to an innocent young girl. It’s like I don’t know him.”

“I’m not sure I want him to know I’m really his daughter. Let him think as he does and maybe he’ll leave us all be.”

“Inside, he knows, even if he won’t admit it. No one can look at you and deny you’re an Alltryp. Although, it’s entirely up to you, dear. I won’t say a word. If one day you decide to confront him, I’m sure your young men will keep you safe while it happens.”

“You can trust that we will,” Malik said with conviction.

“They are very protective,” Dani explained.

“Which is as it should be.” Smiling, she put her curly white head next to hers. “I have faith they will help to repair the damage Daniel has done.”

Their steadfast presence behind her gave her the confidence to reply. “The patch has already begun, Nana.”

“I’m so glad for that, Dani dear.”

“Can I ask...?” she began, but thought better of it. “Sorry, I’m asking so many questions, and we haven’t even made it inside.”

“Here or there doesn’t matter, does it? Ask away,” her grandmother encouraged with a gentle pat to her cheek.

“Why did you maintain the trust after you thought I had died?”

“Now that’s something I’ve asked myself often over the years. I considered starting a foundation in your name with the money, yet couldn’t bring myself to do it because—and this may sound silly—it was my only connection to you. Now I’m glad that my selfishness kept me from it.”

“I don’t think you’re either silly or selfish.” Dani bit her lip. A million credits was a large sum. She couldn’t imagine how much controlling interest would amount to. No matter her nana’s fearlessness, she didn’t feel the same. She worried about her father’s greed. He also had power and influence which could haunt her and, by extension, Jaylin and Malik. He’d shown time and again how vindictive he could be when crossed.

“There is something else.” Wisdom and insight gleamed in eyes so like her own. Traits she hoped she didn’t have to wait decades to gain.

“The trust is very generous, and I’m thankful for it, but I don’t need anything else. I’m worried about the will. Won’t father know if you change it?”

“Not until I’m dead. And I don’t plan on cocking up my toes for some time.”

“I pray not. I’ve just found you.”

“Oh, my dear. My regret is our reunion has come so late and as your new life is beginning. One which will take you so far away.”

“Come with us,” she blurted out, not knowing if it was possible, or if Jaylin and Malik would agree.

“And travel in space?” She shook her head vigorously, sending her glossy white curls bouncing. “This old bird intends to keep her feet planted on good old terra firma.” She waved her hand toward the driveway. “I won’t even get into one of those newfangled air gliders.”

“But, Nana, they’ve been around for almost a century.”

“As have I, Dani. I prefer my Cadillac, and, as long as the government maintains the road system, it’s how I’ll travel. Build a highway to Trilor, and I’m there.”

Dani gave her a watery smile. “I’ll miss you.”

“You can come back, sweetheart.”

She twisted to look at her men.

“Of course, you can,” Jaylin agreed, confirming what Malik had said. “Our business takes us this way often.”

I thought we’d go to your home on Trilor.

We will, briefly. To be official, we must register our triad formally with the state—in person. Afterward, we can go anywhere.

Really?

When children come along, we’ll want to settle down, Malik advised, but we have plenty of time to decide where later.

An image of twin boys, one blond, the other dark, popped in her head. Or a daughter with her, and her nana’s, green eyes. She liked either idea.

You mentioned wanting to travel. Jaylin cut into her thoughts of family. What better way than with us?

“On the Renegade?”

He laughed. “Yes, on our old bucket of bolts.”

“I’m missing something I think.”

At the bewildered expression on her grandmother’s face, Dani realized they’d been moving in and out of their link.

“I’m sorry. How rude of us.”

“What, dear? I’m confused. Please tell me I’m not going suddenly senile.”

“No.” She smiled. “I’m so new at this triad mind-speak thing, I sometimes don’t realize when I’m doing it.”

“Mind-speak?”

“Yes, Jaylin and Malik are telepathic. All Trilorian twins are. And when they take a third, she gets the ability, too.”

“How fascinating. Can you teach me?”

Malik fielded her question. “I’m sorry. For you to learn, we’d have to find you a set of twins, Mrs. Alltryp.”

“It’s Nana.” She whispered in an aside to Dani, “He’s the dark one, and the second, right?”

“Yes, he’s the younger brother, and his name is Malik,” she answered, delighted with the interaction.

“Ah, now I remember. It will take me a little while. They are both so handsome it’s rather distracting. As for twins for me, Malik, I’ll have to pass. I’m too old for courting and all that nonsense, but come inside and you can tell me more about it.” She took Blake’s proffered arm to climb the steps.

Dani smiled after her, bursting with happiness. Needing an outlet, she jumped to hug Malik’s neck, welcoming how he bent, assisting her in doing so, and how his arms clasped her tight to return the affection.

She did the same with Jaylin, squeezing him as hard, and growing warm inside when he kissed the top of her head.

“I’m so glad you’ve found her, Dani,” he said.

“I love her already.”

“It’s settled, then?” Malik asked. “We’ll have regular visits with Nana?”

“Yes, please.” She grinned, beaming.

As they flanked her, each taking a hand to follow the older couple into the house, her grandmother’s voice drifted down to them.

“I can’t wait to tell the women at the club my granddaughter has snagged not one, but two handsome men.”

“Won’t they be shocked?” Dani called up to her.

Elise Alltryp, having gained the top step, gazed down on them, her green eyes twinkling with mischief. “This is my book club, dear. Our staple is steamy romance, including a ménage on occasion. They’ll be titillated more than anything.”

Dani gasped, releasing their hands to cover her mouth. With a preference for contact, each man moved in close, Malik’s arm curling around her shoulders, while Jaylin slid his around her hips. Both chuckled as they urged her up the stairs.

“My nana reads steamy ménage,” she uttered in shocked disbelief.

“I’m old Daniella,” her voice called from the doorway. “Not dead.”

As she flushed hotly, her men, unable to contain their amusement at the feisty old woman, tossed back their heads and laughed.

***

While looking out the guest bedroom window later, instead of appreciating the moonlight glistening on the water, or the shadows of the weeping willows gracefully swaying in the breeze, or the coolness of the night air through the open window which made her nana’s lacy curtains flutter, she couldn’t stop worrying what her father was plotting next.

It had been a bittersweet, tear-filled reunion with her grandmother, but her stories and wit had also provided plenty of laughter. She’d been glad Jaylin and Malik were there to share it with her. Things had taken on a definite businesslike tone when Nana’s attorney—what she called her man of affairs—had arrived during dessert. Discussions of trusts, wills, codicils, and a head-spinning amount of financial and legal terms made her nervous, and turned her thoughts to what her father’s reaction would be. The fact he was out millions of credits in his deal with the Elzorians made her stomach know with fear; Daniel Alltryp wasn’t a gracious loser by any stretch of the imagination.

“Do you think my father will retaliate?” she asked in the quiet of the room.

“He can’t be pleased,” Jaylin acknowledged, “except what can he do? You’re legally an adult now. He’ll have to find another way to pad his bank account. Besides, he should be the one worried about retaliation.”

She stopped, picturing Jaylin on the Elzorian ship—deadly and determined. And Malik had blown a pirate ship to bits without remorse. The two of them against her father would be a formidable force, but she didn’t want war. “Perhaps we should go.”

“After our visit, Dani,” he asserted firmly. “We aren’t in the habit of running from trouble, and aren’t going to start now because of your father.”

“When he finds out about the will—and I’m certain he will no matter what Nana thinks—he’ll freak out.” She began pacing, moving back and forth at the foot of the bed while two sets of worried eyes followed her. “I don’t mean to seem ungrateful, but I don’t want it. I want to travel with you.”

“Your grandmother is spry for ninety,” Malik commented. “And under Blake’s watchful eye, she’s likely to live to one hundred, or more.”

“He watches her like a hawk,” Dani acknowledged without slowing. “It’s very sweet.”

“He’s like the son she should have had,” Jaylin put in. “Were you listening to your options, Dani. The attorney said if you don’t want it, when the time comes, you can sell your shares, or hire a CEO to run the company for you and sit back and rake in the profits.”

“I haven’t a clue how to run a huge company, and why do I need to rake in anything more than the million I have. My real worry is father will contest the will. He could drag it through the court system, and the media, making it ugly. I don’t want to think about those headlines.”

“We’ll help you figure it out. Right now, you need to rest. It’s been a long day.” Malik patted the space left for her in the middle of the wide mattress.

She gave it a skeptical glance. Though a king-size bed, the breadth of their shoulders would leave little room for her. She’d be wedged in between them, like the filling in a Trilorian sandwich. The idea held merit, except with her nerves on edge, she couldn’t think about lying still, let alone going to sleep.

“Come to bed, Dani. It’s late.” He added a hint of steel to his order when she didn’t immediately climb in.

She looked at the antique clock on the wall of her grandmother’s guest room. “It’s only nine o’clock.”

“He means we’re getting a late start making love to you, baby.” Leave it to Jaylin to be frank. At least he put it sweetly and hadn’t used the f-word. “Now strip off the robe and get over here.”

This made her stop. Mind-blowing sex would distract her and help her sleep. So why the hesitation? Deciding it an excellent plan, she shrugged off the cotton robe and let it fall at her feet. Beneath it, she wore a simple cotton sheath, borrowed from her nana. She almost laughed at the grimace of disgust on her light twin’s face.

“The hideous granny gown goes, too, and if you’re wearing panties under that shroud, Malik’s pleasure will be delayed because I’ll spank you myself.”

Amused golden-brown eyes met hers, the ends crinkled due to his broad smile. He winked and sent a thought to her head. Told you so.

Told her what? Jaylin asked, joining in through their link.

Your view on women’s undergarments.

A damn waste of time. As is this conversation. So quick she didn’t have time to move, he leaned forward with a long arm extended and grabbed her wrist. He yanked her forward so she landed on top of him. The next second the gown was whisked over her head and tossed to the floor. Jaylin’s hum of approval at finding only bare skin underneath reverberated in the room.

We’ll have to be quiet, Dani warned. Nana’s room is down the hall. In fact, maybe we should wait until we’re back on board the ship.

Not a chance, came his unequivocal response.

We’ll muffle any of your noises. Malik rolled toward them and spread kisses along her shoulder.

“Only my noises?”

“Mostly your screams when you come,” he whispered. “You’re a moaner, and tend to get loud.”

I like her moans. While Jaylin projected his opinion, he grinned.

Heat flooded her face until her cheeks felt scalded. Good grief, I had no idea. We definitely can’t do anything tonight.”

Wrong, we’re doing plenty, and probably more than once. He dragged her up his chest until her breasts dangled over him, then he sucked on a nipple, drawing hard.

“Jaylin!” His name came out in a prolonged moan.

Malik chuckled. See what I mean?

Please, stop.

The blond head at her breast did so, but only to angle up and pin her with an incredulous look. “Dani, the woman’s ninety, reads trashy novels, and is a mother. Do you think she’s forgotten people, especially newly bonded young people, have sex?”

To her, the s-e-x word rebounded off the walls when he said it out loud. She put her hand over his mouth.

If you embarrass me when I’ve just reunited with her, I swear Jaylin Sin-Naysir, I won’t have sex with you ever again.

He stared at her, deadpan. A heartbeat passed before he burst into laughter, Malik joining in.

What? You don’t think I can hold out?

We put a one-day halt on sex after our first full claiming and you were begging for more by that night.

I didn’t beg, Malik.

No, I believe your precise words to me were, ‘I was celibate for twenty-five years, which beats your puny five. I have more time to make up for than you, and I have no intention of waiting.’ But wait you did.

She glared at him. How did you remember that word for word? Are you sure you’re not a cyborg?

He growled, and sitting up, pulled her from his brother’s arms. At the last moment, he twisted her so she landed facedown across his lap. Then with loud cracks resounding like ancient gunshots in the room, his hand fell hard twice on each cheek.

“Malik,” she hissed, not feeling the swats as much as her embarrassment. “The sound of a spanking is worse than sex noises.”

He didn’t stop, more spanks and cracks following.

“Ouch! Stop!” she squealed at a decibel level grandmother would have to be deaf not to hear.

“I think you hit a nerve, Dani,” Jaylin observed, sounding amused and not the least bit concerned. “If you want him to stop, I think an apology is in order.”

“For what? Calling him a coldhearted machine? I rest my case.”

A flurry of rapid-fire swats, at least a dozen, probably more, rained down on her backside. At this point, she rethought her remark. It was a low blow, knowing Malik had disliked her thinking him a cyborg.

“I’m sorry, honey,” she cried, meaning it. “I know you’re not a machine, Malik. You’re very much a man. My man!”

The cacophony of spanks and her pleas ceased. It occurred to her the latter, in the heat of things, was louder than his hand colliding with her rear. She collapsed over his lap, wilted with relief, until he flipped her again, this time perching her stinging behind on his hard thigh.

“I am a man, Dani. One who isn’t afraid to take you over his knee for a bare-bottom spanking when needed. Though never, ever, will I do more. I love you too much. And don’t let big brother fool you, he is of the same bent.”

“You love me?”

He grunted, halfway between a growl and a laugh. “Is that all you got from my lecture?”

“No, I understand you’ll spank me if I’m bad, but I’m rarely bad, except recently when you or Jaylin tick me off. More important to me is the other part. You said you love me, is that the truth?” Her voice shook when she asked it again, hoping beyond hope despite the joys they found in their physical joining their hearts were engaged as well.

“Dani, sweetness...” No longer amused, Jaylin moved closer, his thumb wiping away the tears wetting her cheeks. She hadn’t noticed till now she’d been crying. “How could you doubt our love after what we’ve shared?”

She looked away. “I’m sorry. You haven’t said the words, so I wasn’t sure.”

“But we connected and sealed our triad,” Malik replied, sounding confused. “If love didn’t exist, our bond wouldn’t have formed.”

Her head came up, searching for the answer in first silver, and then golden eyes. “Truly?” she asked.

“Yes.”

She pushed at his shoulder, turning to do the same to Jaylin. “One of you might have mentioned it.”

“I’m sure we did,” he replied as he caught her hand.

“You didn’t; I would have remembered.”

“I thought we did, too,” Malik agreed, while frowning.

“We talked about sex, had incredible sex, and experienced a connection—the sizzling electrical thing—and a host of other sensations and feelings, but love never entered the picture.” Joyful, disbelieving, and angry all at once, she blew out a breath to steady herself in order to finish. “The reason I would remember is because no one has ever told me they loved me before.”

“Never?” Malik asked, a catch in his usually steady voice. “Oh, sweetheart, love was definitely in the picture.”

Overwhelmed by the flood of emotions, she crumpled against his chest. She didn’t stay there long, pulled from Malik’s arms by insistent hands a moment later. Looking up into Jaylin’s eyes, she saw love reflected there, and a flash of quicksilver anger a moment before he pulled her astride his lap and crushed her to him. “I could kill Daniel Alltryp for doing what he did, and for making you doubt your worth. You are loved, trilana. We’ll shout it from the mountaintops if that’s what it takes for you to believe it.”

A sob worked its way up from inside her chest at his impassioned words.

Malik moved against her, making it so she had a man at both her front and her back. Strong arms encircled her, holding her so tight she knew they’d never let her go. Liquid heat dampened her thighs as a thick cock pressed hard against her bottom, while another nudged insistently between her thighs.

Wanting to be closer and wishing she had the power to meld with them both, she lifted an arm and wrapped it around Jaylin’s shoulders, fingers twisting in his long hair to drag his face down to hers. She kissed him, whispering, “I love you, Jaylin.”

After a moment, she broke free of one set of lips and twisted her head to another. Her free arm snaked up, hand threading through short wavy hair. “I love you, too, Malik.”

While his tongue dove inside, Jaylin’s mouth found the pulse at her throat.

“You’ll hear the words every day, sweetness, so you don’t ever again have to wonder or guess.”

As they embraced, they alternated kisses and caresses, and increased the restless movement of their hips as their need soared. This went on for several long, wonderful moments, before Dani broke for air.

“We probably should stop before we can’t.”

“We declared our love, you said it for the first time too, and you want to stop?” Malik asked, sounding more shocked than before.

“You were the one who said I was a moaner.”

His gaze shot over her shoulder. “Brother, we need to get back to the Renegade soon. Once we’re on board, we can fuck her how we want, show her loudly who she belongs to, and how much she is loved without worrying about who might overhear.”

She blinked up at her dark mate in surprise, but asked Jaylin in an incredulous whisper, “Did he just say the f-word?”

“I do believe he did, pershada. Either you or I have corrupted him.”

You both have, Malik answered, coming across a bit frustrated. Now, can we get back to making love to our third? Further, can we limit comments to our mind link. I’d rather not test the theory that the sound of a threesome won’t give her ménage-savvy grandmother a heart attack. We can take turns keeping her quiet with our tongues and other things.

Are you taking charge? Jaylin asked him.

Damn straight.

Then I appoint you acting captain because your plan sounds like an excellent strategy to me.

I thought you might approve.

They both looked at Dani, brows raised, as if daring her to protest further.

Don’t look at me! I’m not arguing.

Malik rolled his eyes—replicating her frequent bad habit—while Jaylin grunted in disbelief.

What? she demanded of them both.

Baby, you’d argue with the Creators as they invited you in through heaven’s gates.

She giggled, finding that hilarious. But you love me, so it must be part of my charm.

She’s being cute again, Mal.

Can we get on with tongues and other things now, please? I rather like the idea.

Jaylin chuckled. Now she’s being cute and downright naughty. I don’t think you spanked her hard enough, brother.

I beg to differ. My bottom is still warm.

All the better, Malik said. We can dispense with the preliminaries and get right to the matter at hand. When she looked up at his pun, he winked. He also curved a hand around a taut cheek, and squeezed. You should do the honors this time, Jay.

With pleasure.

Not fair. What did I do?

She wants a list of her offenses, Mal.

Hmm, sassiness should top the list.

Her lower lip curved down in a pout. That’s not illegal.

And being cute, which always makes me hard, but its damn inconvenient now with a punishment impending.

Sorry, brother. I must disagree with you there. Getting us hard should always earn a reward. Being naughty and cute at the same time, now that should get double the spanks, Jaylin suggested.

Suspicious, she narrowed her eyes. “You’re teasing again, right?

“We are always serious when it comes to spanking,” Malik whispered in her ear. Jaylin, in particular.

But he said he didn’t punish.

No, I said I leave it to Malik most times. I didn’t mention it because he enjoys it so much.

I have to admit to the love of a good woman and a good spanking, so I have no trouble being the disciplinary twin.

Gee, thanks for the support.

Jaylin’s fingertips ran lightly over her bottom, drawing small circles on her skin. My specialty is a different kind of spanking altogether.

What does that mean?

He gave you a hint, Dani.

When? Wait. I must have missed it. Are you two using super twin code again?

Malik laughed. There is no such thing.

Oh, well... then please explain what the heck you’re talking about? My butt is on the line.

There’s the sass again, Jaylin pointed out.

Think back, Dani. He said with pleasure, Malik reminded her.

“I still don’t get it.”

“Ah, but you will,” Jaylin murmured.  His hand slid down to the lowermost curve of her cheek and palmed it. After giving it a good squeeze, he released her, except it was back in a blink, landing with a crisp swat. It stung, though not much, and he rubbed it away with an unhurried, sensual caress.

Her breath locked in her throat, body alive with sensation as she stared into his burning gaze.

You like that?

She inhaled shakily, parting her lips to answer, but another spank and slow caress made her forget what she had planned to say.

He grinned. I’m thinking that’s a yes. What if we up the ante and make this a group project?

Malik didn’t need further invitation. His hand, on her other cheek, swatted firmly, although nowhere near as hard as before. It warmed her skin, heating it further when he followed the spank with some very nice rubbing.

Jaylin gave her another firm swat, and yet another, before he turned her to face Malik who accepted her into his arms. He arranged her legs to straddle his hips before he lay back against the pillows, bringing her down on top of him. His lips took hers, his tongue caressing both thorough and deep, while others, open and warm, trailed down her spine and over her bottom.

Malik continued his drugging kisses, but his hand moved between them. His thumb found her clit while two of his fingers slid inside.

“Dear heavens,” she whispered.

Shh, baby, think it, don’t say it. Jaylin smacked twice more, then laved and licked her hot skin, soothing away any remaining sting.

After swatting the other side two times more with his free hand, instead of rubbing, this time Malik’s fingers curled beneath her bottom and slid her up his chest until he could catch a nipple between his teeth.

Holy mother of...

She couldn’t finish her thought because Jaylin, while still licking and moving his lips over her bottom, glided his fingers through her wetness, transferring her juices to the tight hole in back. After he’d made it slick, he settled the pad of his thumb over the tight pucker and pushed inside.

It sent her over the edge, her body shaking with the force of her release. But it wasn’t enough for her two diabolical dominants who prolonged it by swatting her behind and simultaneously pumping into both her front and rear holes—oh, the joy of four hands on her instead of two.

Malik moved to her other breast, and sucked the untouched nipple hard. Another orgasm hit on the crest of the other, or maybe it was one long sustained release. She didn’t know, nor did she care at this point, breathless from trying to keep from screaming with pleasure and waking the entire house.

As she began to come down, Jaylin rose to his knees and pulled her hips back, positioning her ass high in the air. Malik’s erection sprang up between them. It seemed only natural to encircle him with her hand. Squeezing and stroking wasn’t enough. He wanted more and pushed up in the bed.

His fingers slid into her hair. Take me into your mouth, Dani.

She didn’t need to be told, anticipating what he wanted and eager to do so. She engulfed him, which thankfully muffled her cries, as Jaylin plunged into her pussy from behind.

In minutes, while sucking greedily and being pumped into hard, she felt another orgasm building. With all her might, she fought it, wanting the two of them to catch up and go over the edge with her. Jaylin knew, however, and brought his hand down hard on her ass, not in the sensual swat of the moment before, but for real. The smarting smack sent her reeling, and she lost control just as Malik cried out his release, and he followed an instant later.

Licking and sucking more slowly, she didn’t stop altogether until his body relaxed. That’s when she collapsed on top of him, limp and shaky.  Although he had come, too, Jaylin continued to glide in and out, the unhurried thrusts, incredible.

His fingertips ran lightly over her upturned bottom while Malik used one hand to comb through her hair, moving the other in a slow caress down the length of her spine.

After several more minutes of gentle touches and relaxed pumping, Jaylin stopped, bent forward, forward, nuzzling his face into her hair. He kissed her tenderly on her shoulder, before he eased out.

Hands beneath her arms dragged her up and rolled her to her side. Face-to-face now, Malik licked along her lower lip, before plunging inside, while another long body stretched out behind her and molded against her back.

A second set of lips spread a line of kisses over the bend of her neck, and up the side. Brushing her hair back with his chin, he bared her ear and sucked on the lobe, something which always made her toes curl. As he did this, Jaylin mentally projected his question into the blissful moment. Now do you get it, pershada?

“Mmm...” Her hum of approval came out like a purr.

He chuckled. I take it you don’t have any more questions.

Only one.

What’s that, sweetheart? Malik’s words resonated in her head.

When can we do it again?

Curving into a smile, Jaylin’s lips tickled her ear. Soon, his hearty chuckle mingled with her feminine giggles, which ultimately coalesced with Malik’s low and equally amused laughter.

***

The sound drifted down the hall to the old woman in her bed. It pulled her from the gripping tale of adventure she was reading and made her smile, happy for her beloved granddaughter and the two men who so obviously loved her. Deciding it was late, and past time to call it a night, she set her book on the nightstand and switched off her light. In a shaft of moonlight, the cover gleamed emerald green, on it a beautiful redhead embraced her doting men, one blond, the other dark-haired. Both young and breathtakingly handsome, they looked at her as if she was the reward they waited what seemed like a lifetime to receive.