Melinda rolled her eyes in the darkness and dug her fingers into Trace’s scalp. “Babe, let me go. Really. You need to get to work, and I need to stay here and remain celibate for the day.”
That plan was excellent. She could sleep late, catch her breath, take a long bath…
Trace’s arm held her tighter. He crawled closer, his mouth licking a path up her torso until he wrapped his lips around one tender nipple. The traitorous bud jumped to attention. If anything, the fact that her nipples were sore made them more sensitive. It seemed as if the chafing all over her body, but predominantly her breasts and pussy, from two sets of day-old beard growth, only exacerbated her awareness of her most sensitive parts and made her crave them more.
She moaned as Trace switched to her other breast to give it the same gentle attention. There was nothing rushed in his manner this morning.
She let her hands slide through his hair to grip his shoulders. Moisture pooled between her legs.
And then his mouth made a path up her neck until he met her lips. His kiss was full of promise—soft, reverent. Teasing. He cupped her head with both hands and tilted it to one side as he went in deeper, his tongue tangling with hers languidly.
She could smell his arousal. It matched her own. Hell, she could smell Keegan’s need at the same time.
When Trace broke the kiss, he set his forehead against hers. “You’re going to work with me, baby. You want to shower together? I’d be happy to wash you myself.” He grinned.
She stared into his eyes for several long moments. His demand hung between them, testing her. She wasn’t sure how to play this one. Which card to choose. She’d known them all of two days, most of that time spent in bed.
She’d spent the day at work with Keegan yesterday. In a way, it was only fair to give Trace equal time. However, it also set a precedent for her to allow either man to make such demands of her.
“I’m my own woman, you know.” She leaned back an inch, arching her chest forward.
“Of course you are, baby.”
“You can’t really order me around. It will drive a stake between us. I’ll grow to resent you. I thought I made that clear last night.”
Trace’s voice lowered as he responded, softly. He stroked her cheeks with his thumbs. “I know that too. And I’m sure you’ll find us loosening up over the days and weeks. For now, it’s more of a matter of greed.” His face flushed as he admitted his need. “Dominance aside, we just want to be with you. It killed me to spend the day without you yesterday. Don’t make me do it again.”
She hesitated. But he’d been honest and sincere. And if she told herself the truth, she didn’t want to spend the day without at least one of them either. “Okay. Just so we’re clear. I don’t want either of you thinking you’ve beaten some sort of submissive nature into me. It isn’t necessary.
“The mating is complete. I’m yours for life. You don’t have to push out your chests and roar to make it so. And I know you both crave the connection of our bodies, but take a deep breath and acknowledge in your minds how very mutual the attraction is.” She leaned around Trace to meet Keegan’s gaze at his back. “I’m yours. Through thick and thin. Even when you’re stubborn.” She winked.
Keegan’s grin let her know she’d made the correct word choice.
“You don’t have to prove anything. You don’t have to go all alpha male on me. If either of you wants me, all you need to do is ask. It will be granted if it’s in my power.”
Trace climbed off the bed without removing his hands from her face. He planted himself on the floor, easing her head up toward him until they stood face to face. His hands trailed down her back, and he gripped her ass.
Finally, he tipped his head back and inhaled long and deep. “God you smell so fucking fantastic. I love how your pussy drips down your legs. It makes my cock ache with need to feel the magnetic pull of your sex.”
Melinda set her cheek on his pecs and wrapped her arms around his middle, wiggling them under his elbows. And then she hugged him tight.
“Mine.”
“Yours, babe. Always.”
Suddenly Keegan was at her back, his hands on her hips, his lips on her shoulder. “And mine.”
“Yours,” she repeated.
They stood silent for a while, the verbal proclamation of their intent hanging in the air, calming their hearts, bonding them further.
“We need you, baby.” Trace’s voice was gravelly.
She lifted her face, setting her chin on his hard pecs. “I know. But that won’t change by mauling me again. And you’re late. You need to jump in the shower if you have any hope of making it to the station on time.”