Taboo Kisses(74)

“They’ve been determined to win me over since I wouldn’t commit to them.” Sameya tapped a fingernail against the tabletop. “I enjoy their efforts, don’t want them to end.”

The other woman glanced over Sameya’s shoulder. “The orgasms are all they’re touted to be?”

“Better. So much better. Which one of them is behind me?”

“Both.” Maximus answered for her Empress, his fingers curling around the back of her neck.

Gabriel shifted into mankind, but just barely. His white Bengal remained imprinted over his human form. “Goddamn it, Sameya!” The feline snarled and flickered bright. “You fucking promised to keep us informed!”

Maybe they were a little more agitated than she’d anticipated. “I left a note.”

“A note!” He morphed back into the tiger and paced in front of her, tail swishing, fangs bared in an unceasing low-throated growl.

The grip on her neck tightened as the vampyr’s other hand threaded in her hair and tipped her head back to meet his furious green gaze. “You should’ve told us where you were going so we could’ve joined you. Fucking protected you.” He released her and crammed his fingers through his overlong hair. “Do you know how terrified we were when we discovered you gone?”

“Newsflash, Maximus. I want them to come for me. It’s the only way I can draw them out.”

Gabriel roared and tackled her and the chair to the floor in one easy leap. In the next breath, he had her neck between his jaws in a death-grip—well, what should’ve been the beginnings of a death-choke. While not in any real danger, it was effective at displaying his temper.

“Gabriel says no,” Maximus said, his tone too mild for Gabriel’s evident wrath. He stared her in the eyes, his vampyr on display.

“My goddess.” E’Neskha giggled, a high-pitched trill of awe. “I’d always heard shifters were easily agitated, and ruled by their emotions. Does he realize she could neutralize him with a single thought?”

“He knows.” The vampyr maintained his focus on Sameya. “Our stubborn mate needs to learn her place in our life.”

Her place? If he meant at the sidelines while they went head on into danger, then they both needed a reality check. “I know my place, vampyr, it’s as your equal. Damn sure not so much as half an inch behind either of you.” The tiger growled against her flesh. She wrapped her fingers around his ears and wrenched them until he chuffed. “The sooner you both realize I’ll never allow you to coddle and protect me, the better.” The cat remained in position, making puffing noises of disapproval, his whiskers tickling her. “Get over it, Gabriel. Just so you know, the next time you put your teeth on my neck either use them or be prepared for me to serenade you.”

A lick to her skin was his response. Gooseflesh paraded across her body.

“Don’t you dare distract me with your tongue.” His tongue was wicked good at distraction. Releasing her neck, he settled on top of her and licked the indentions his canines had created. “Shit, you’re heavy like this.” When he began to purr, while delivering small flicks of his tongue against her skin, she attempted a different tactic. “You want to fuck me ever again, you’ll get off me.”

That delivered the outcome she sought. He moved backward a fraction, enough that she could sit up, but not sufficient enough to sit up straight without bumping her head into his feline jaw. “Really? This is ridiculous. Your hovering is getting on my last fucking nerve.”

“Your life will never get boring with these two around,” E’Neskha said.

She can say that again.

Sameya rolled to her feet, and Gabriel morphed into man. Her Empress’ eyes widened, and only then did Sameya realize he hadn’t reappeared with his clothing on. Yeah, the tiger was well endowed, but thankfully her leader remained mute about the obvious.

Shifters and their lack of modesty. Sameya rolled her eyes.

She dusted the back of her pants off, not that there was ever a spot of dirt in the palace. “Now that we’ve settled our domestic dispute, can we get back to business?”

Maximus leveled a glare on E’Neskha and opened his mouth to speak, but Lucius presented himself instead. “I’d no idea the tiger at your side was your other mate, Sameya. I figured you’d done away with him. Your duplicity astounds me.”

Her Empress shot her a nervous glance. Sameya stiffened at the sight of E’Neskha’s brother. “Lucius….” The tiger at her side issued a low-throated growl when she identified the male. She clasped his wrist in her hand and shot a thread of serenade into him. “Sorry,” she muttered when she looked at him and his eyes widened at what she’d done. The only reason for the song was to keep Lucius from getting to him first, and he wouldn’t be able to override hers. Since she offered no commands to the song, Gabriel was free to act as he chose.