Page 47 of Radiant Shadows

“I would’ve said ‘asshole,’ but go on,” I commented.

“Smartass,” he said through a chuckle. “I’m ready to be who you deserve, to stand up for you and defend you against the judgment of my peers. I don’t want you to be my dirty little secret. I want you to be my mate.”

I didn’t even realize how goofily wide my smile had grown until my cheeks began to ache.

“Okay, so you both want me, but…how is this going to work?” I looked between the two of them, these two gorgeous men who had both pledged their loyalty and affection to me, and the joy that filled my chest to bursting began to deflate and sour into agonized indecision. “Ican’tchoose.”

“We’re not asking you to,” Julian said. “Like I said, I think thethreeof us wound up together for a reason.”

I blinked hard. “Wait. You mean, the three of us,together? Liketogether, together?”

They exchanged glances, then nodded.

“While I’m not the biggest fan of the idea of sharing you, I don’t want to live without you,” Caesar said. “And Julian has become the most unlikely friend I ever thought I’d have. We’ve bonded ina way I never expected. I trust him to protect you when I can’t. And if I have to share you with someone else, I’m glad it’s him.”

They shared an intimate glance with each other and linked their free hands, and my eyes practically bugged out of my skull in surprise.Omigod, why is that so hot?!

“So, back to my original question.” Julian stepped even closer, making me back into the counter as he put his hands on my hips. He looked down at me with desire burning in his gaze and purred, “Is this what you want?”

He lowered his head to my neck, and I sucked in a breath of anticipation as his lips and tongue began to nibble at the flesh below my ear. My eyelids fluttered closed, and a warm, calloused hand combed into the back of my hair, turning my head to expose my neck even more. When heated lips met mine, I knew without opening my eyes that they were Caesar’s, his mossy scent filling my senses as I invited him into my hungry mouth.

This was unbelievable. Caesar and Julian,at the same time!I hadn’t really even dared to fantasize about such a thing, and it was actually happening. Caesar kissing my mouth while Julian kissed my neck. Caesar’s warm hands squeezing my breasts and ass while Julian’s pelvis pressed against mine, his rigid desire grinding into the apex of my thighs.

Was this real? Was I just having the most incredible dream ever and about to wake up to a sad reality?

Julian’s fangs pierced into my skin, and I hissed in pleasure-pain.

Ah, who fucking cares!If this was a dream, then I was going to enjoy every beautiful, sinful moment of it!

Chapter 17

Julian

I had tasted Shea’s blood before, but I still hadn’t been prepared for the explosion of decadent flavor that scintillated my tastebuds or the frenzy that the scent of her desire drove me into.

Her blood was liquid fire, euphoria in every drop, and I drank from her slowly, forcing myself to only sample while I satisfied my need for her in other ways. And this time, there was no holding back, no guilt halting me from proceeding to worship her. I was finally allowed to be obsessed with her and to give her every manner of pleasure she deserved.

And strangely, feeling her moans vibrate through her neck as she kissed Caesar, as he caressed her body, only intensified the desire I was grinding into her. Fuck, the heat between her legs felt so damn good, and I couldn’t wait any longer to plunge myself into it. After so many months of craving and denying and teasing myself with stolen moments, I needed this so badly that it hurt.

My nimble fingers swept up under her sweater dress, tickling her thighs as I reached up to find the top of her leggings. She whimpered at my teasing touch, and the sweet sound made me groan against her neck as my hard cock pressed against my pants with renewed urgency. But as desperately as I wanted her, I was determined to take my mind, to savor her in every possible way.

I hooked my fingers onto the top of the material and slowly pulled it down, pausing when I got them below her ass so I couldexplore the warm heaven between her legs. I slid my fingers over her sensitive folds, delighted beyond belief to find them so wet and warm.

The slow flow of her blood over my tongue paused suddenly, her heart skipping a beat as I ran my fingertip over her clit. I could feel the muscles in her neck constrict with a gasp of pleasure, encouraging me to coax more out of her.

I circled my fingers around her clit, pressing and caressing as if playing the piano, and eliciting the sweetest music from her mouth, even as it was trapped by Caesar’s kissing. And then I felt another pair of knuckles brush mine, and Shea gasped sharply as Caesar drove a finger into her opening.

We worked together to bring her to ruin, Caesar pumping her pussy while I toyed with her clit. Her body bucked between us as her pleasure intensified, translating through her blood and into me. I couldfeelwhat she felt, her blood telling me what she needed and when. I had never felt so connected to anyone as I did to her in this beautiful moment.

I continued to pet her the way I knew she needed, and when she reached the pinnacle of bliss, I knew exactly how to touch her to stretch out her pleasure, savoring every one of her delicious sensations until they slowly ebbed away.

Only then did I withdraw my teeth from her neck and bite my tongue to seal the wound. As addictive and intoxicating as she was, I couldn’t take much more from her, and I wanted her to have the full use of her strength for what was to come.

She gripped my chin with her blind and clumsy fingers, then pulled my face toward hers as she pulled away from Caesar’s hungry mouth. He kissed down her neck as she planted a breathy kiss on my lips.

“I need you inside me, Julian,” she panted, those maddening words making my cock throb against the fabric that confined it.

“Yes,” was all I could say.

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