Their Virgin Princess (Masters of Ménage #4)(58)

She put her arms around Lan. How had she ever shunned them? She'd wanted them from the moment they had walked into her life. At one time, she'd been too afraid to take them. Here, fear was no longer a necessity. It wasn't even an option. Right here and now was heaven.

His lips parted hers, and Alea allowed his tongue to invade and seduce. He made her melt. Once, she'd been frightened of an embrace that pressed her breasts against his chest. Now she reveled in the sensations, their closeness. He clutched her hard in return. Every day, her men wrapped her up a little bit tighter, a little bit longer. Each moment, each embrace, slowly coaxing her trust.

When Landon released her, he laughed, the sound deep with joy. "I fucking love it here."

Then he disappeared under the surface. Cooper winked at her and disappeared, too.

And the game was on. She couldn't help the giggle that bubbled up inside her like champagne. She swam, the water flowing around her, caressing every inch of her skin. She felt in harmony with nature as she played with her men and worshipped the sun that gave life to them all. For the first time in years-maybe ever-she was brilliantly, vibrantly alive.

Finally, she made her way to the far end of the pool and pulled herself onto the grass. Smiling in contentment, she lay flat, the air and the sun caressing her skin. She watched birds fly overhead as if they didn't have a care in the world. 

"Are you tired?" Landon asked, now standing over her.

Somehow it felt right to be naked here with him, seeing every inch of his body glistening and wet. Alea propped herself up on her elbows. "No. I feel great."

Landon sank to his knees beside her as Cooper continued splashing in the pool. "Are you hungry, darlin'? If you are, I can find you some food. Just give me a minute."

He would do it. He would figure out a way to fish without a pole or just catch the little creatures with his hands. Or he would grab the turtles and make soup. Landon always found a way to fill her belly. But that wasn't what she wanted him to fill right now. "I'm not hungry. Or thirsty, before you ask." She took in a deep breath, paused … and let the rightness of the moment slide over her. "Landon, I want you."

He flushed, his skin going the sweetest pink. His cock immediately stood and saluted. "I want you, too, baby. Are you sure?"

Even swimming with them among nature had made her realize how much she longed to do everything that felt natural to her now. "I'm past ready."

Landon glanced over his shoulder, looking back to the pond as if looking for Cooper. "Uhm, well …  This isn't the way we planned it."

Of course they had a plan. But she was tired of following other peoples' plans. She got to her feet. Lan's hesitation suddenly made her feel her nudity. They'd spent so much time praising her beauty and telling her that they wanted her. Why was Lan hesitating now?

Those nasty voices from her nightmare in Colombia started circling in her head again, vultures eager to gnaw on her confidence. Still, she refused to jump to conclusions. Maybe Lan hesitated because Dane hadn't arrived yet?

"Why does this have to be planned? I want to be spontaneous. I want to enjoy being with you"

Lan sighed and looked up, like he was trying to gather his thoughts or his patience. "Are you really sure? I think we should talk about this."

She'd thought they would just fall on her the minute she said yes, that sex would be easy. Alea had mentally prepared herself not to freak out if she found herself underneath one of their big, hard bodies. They claimed to want her. They were together in paradise. So what was the problem?

At times, she'd behaved wretchedly to them. And they'd been so patient. She would bet these men didn't take crap off anyone, but they'd taken it from her. They claimed to be crazy about her, and she'd begun to believe it, but … Landon wasn't exactly jumping on her offer.

Alea wrapped her arms around her middle. "What is there to say?"

Lan hesitated, like he had something to confess that he'd rather keep to himself. Her heart twisted. Maybe it had nothing to do with a lack of desire for her.

But what else could it be?

She turned away to find the bra and panties she'd discarded earlier when she'd been sure this afternoon would be idyllic and perfect. "Never mind. Forget I said anything. I'll find my way back to the beach."

Landon grabbed her arm, and when she flinched and jerked away, he held up his hands. "Alea..."

She needed to get her clothes on and she needed to do it now. But Landon had scooped them up first and was holding them to his chest.

"I need my clothes, Landon. Could I have them, please?" She was fighting off that horrible panic that came from knowing just how foolish she looked.