She hesitated, but they both knew she couldn’t challenge him. Back ramrod straight, she settled on the edge of the king-sized bed. Maximus watched her for a moment. In the next twenty-four hours, she’d be well and truly fucked on that mattress. In sleep, they’d sandwich her between them and wake her—the tiger’s roars coming from the vault jerked him back to reality.
“Release Gabriel from your enchantment.”
Her lips compressed into a line of unhappiness, but a second later, she said, “Done.”
“Are you lying to me?”
“I cannot lie.”
Right. He’d forgotten. Lying was one of the few exceptions to a siren’s excessive talents.
Maximus went to the vault’s door, unlocked it, and twisted the handle. Once opened, Gabriel prowled out in tiger form. White Bengal and large. Intimidating, but the siren notched her chin a little higher, mutiny blazing from her eyes. Defiant even when she was outplayed. Fuck him, that was hot.
Gabriel went straight to her and knocked her flat on her back. Chuffing, he leapt onto the bed and caught her throat between his teeth…purring. Ruined the aggression with the satisfied noise.
Maximus joined them and met her wide-eyed gaze. Maybe the aggressive move hadn’t been destroyed by Gabriel’s purring. He’d forgotten Sameya didn’t know the many sounds of his lover’s moods.
“He’s displeased with you.” Maximus climbed onto the bed beside her. And a lot turned on by her Hail Mary tactic. They both were.
Fingers clenched in the comforter, she said nothing. A few heartbeats later, she flinched. The wet rasping sounds told Maximus that Gabriel had begun to lick her flesh.
“Is he licking you?”
“Yes.” Not more than a whisper.
“I’ll remove your boots and pants so he can tongue you elsewhere.” The tiger’s purring rumbled loud and Sameya’s breathing stuttered.
“Can’t.”
“I’m in control, reaper. I can do anything I want.”
“No. My pants and boots won’t give for anyone but me.”
Interesting. Maximus still tugged against her footwear. When it remained in place, he slid his hands up her legs and cupped her pussy, rubbing. She gasped and tried to squirm away, but with the way Gabriel contained her she went nowhere.
“Release her Gabriel, so she can remove her clothing for you.” Golden eyes blinked at Maximus. “Do you want to lick her pussy or not?”
Two breaths puffed from the tiger’s nostrils. That was a yes.
“Remove your pants and boots, Sameya,” Maximus said as Gabriel laid a final lick to her throat and sat back on his haunches, his yellow eyes focused on their mate. In tiger form, she’d be his sole concentration.
Her hands shook as she sat up and ran her fingertip down the side of one boot. The movement opened up the odd material to the ankle. “Don’t make me beg.”
Ignoring her plea, he changed the subject. “What are these made of?” He retrieved the shoe from her and studied it. Sharp, but soft.
“Dragon scales.” The other foot ornament hit the floor. Maximus elevated an eyebrow, surprised to discover dragons still remained. Only in Atlantis. “Please don’t force me. I cannot bear enslavement.”
He scrutinized her. Tears shimmered in her eyes, turning their amethyst color into glittering orbs like the stone when it sparkled in light. “You’re only enslaved if you climax, right?”
A brief nod. He would’ve missed the movement if he hadn’t been watching her with such intensity.
She’d stalled on the removal of her clothing. Maximus allowed the transgression. “And only your mate can make you come, right?”
“Yes.”
“Do you believe either of us are your mate?”
Her bottom lip trembled and she rubbed her temples.
“You cannot lie,” he reminded, running his finger along the side of her knee.
“I—I believe it’s…possible.” Sameya met his gaze, hesitation turning them over bright. “I know enough about both your breeds to know you wouldn’t…at least the shifter wouldn’t”—she tilted her head toward Gabriel—“be able to tolerate forcing his mate into submission.”
Maximus arched an eyebrow. “Then you also know that often when a shifter finds his spouse, he often fucks her for the first time without the female’s consent.” The act of non-consent was heavy in the paranormal world. It was even more pronounced in the shifter race. He pinched her chin to force her to maintain eye contact. “Tigers like to dominate, but that doesn’t mean he’ll want to keep you enslaved.”
“And you?”