Page 52 of Black Star

“Ranier.” Diamond smiled and reached toward him. Viktor looked his way and smiled -- actuallysmiled. Ranier crawled onto the bed as Viktor moved himself and Diamond away from the edge and closer to Ranier. Viktor rolled them to their sides. Ranier used some lubrigel on his manhood and positioned himself behind Diamond. Carefully probing with his cock, Ranier slid inside Diamond’s pussy with Viktor and held himself still so Diamond could adjust to the new sensation.

“Oh, my!” Diamond gasped. “Oh, yeah!”

Viktor’s groan echoed Diamond’s. Ranier knew how they felt. The sensations were almost overwhelming. He could feel Viktor’s steely erection mashed pleasantly against his own, and surrounding them both was Diamond’s silky cunt.

“It is too much, Diamond?” Ranier breathed the words. It was all he was capable of. So many emotions coursed through him he simply couldn’t process them all. His emotions needed an outlet, and sex was the easiest way to lose himself.

“No. I love the burn. It makes everything better. More intense.”

Ranier made eye contact with Viktor. There was surprise on his friend’s face. Surprise and concern.

“Not now, Viktor. I needthisnow.”

“Then take what you need.” Diamond turned her head to look at him.

Viktor reached out to Ranier and grasped his shoulder. “From both of us.”

Ranier almost sobbed. The only thing that kept him from it was the need to let Diamond and Viktor enjoy this with no worries. He didn’t know why theBlack Starhadn’t told Viktor what had happened, but it could wait a few more minutes.

Both men moved independently, and Ranier found the slide of Viktor’s cock against him just as stimulating as the grip of Diamond’s cunt around him. The residence cabin was filled with the music of their groans, grunts, and whimpers as they took their pleasure of one another. Ranier tried to drown himself in sensation, but the future was more uncertain now than ever.

The three of them continued to move, but Ranier could tell the other two were picking up on his mood. Ranier became more urgent in taking his need. He was ever conscious of not causing Diamond any more pain than was erotic for her, but he needed to take all he could. It was selfish, he knew, but he wanted to remember every sensation of this experience.

Finally, the pleasure became so great he could totally submerge himself. His urgency increased, and he felt Viktor’s cock swell slightly as the other man began his orgasm, as well.

Ranier shouted as if in pain, which he thought was accurate given the pain in his heart. He filled Diamond’s pussy with his seed and knew from the pulses in Viktor’s cock his friend had done the same. Diamond’s body tensed, and she threw her head back as she screamed. Her cunt spasmed around both their cocks, squeezing out every drop from them.

When it was over, Ranier dropped his head to Diamond’s shoulder and squeezed his eyes shut. His love for these two wonderful people was overpowering. The uncertainty yet to come was a dark cloud blotting out the sun and all warmth save where his body touched either Diamond or Viktor.

“Do you want to tell us what’s wrong?” Diamond’s rebuke was gentle, but he could tell she didn’t like him keeping anything from her, even for a short time.

“I just want to let everything be good for a few more moments.”

“That moment’s long past, Ranier.” Diamond’s voice was still gentle, but he knew she wouldn’t let him delay any longer.

“I’m surprised Viktor doesn’t already know. Didn’t the ship fill you in?”

“She’s trying to give me the time I need to get the Blood Burning under control again. Now --” He squinted his brows together. “-- she’s blocking me altogether.” He frowned. “That’s odd. Despite all my complaining when I couldn’t make a connection with her, she’s never truly shut me out.” He kissed Diamond and -- surprisingly -- Ranier’s fingers that rested on Diamond’s arm before pulling himself from Diamond and rising from the bed. He’d never thought of Viktor as showing affection this easily. Yes, Ranier accepted the fact that he loved Viktor. The man grew on him after a while. He couldn’t imagine Viktor not being in his life, but his feelings for him had never been tender. Mostly because Viktor had never seemed to need -- or want -- another person’s love. This was a pleasant surprise.

Diamond turned in his arms and kissed his chin. Ranier slipped out of her with her movement, and every part of the spell was broken. It was time to face reality. Ranier sighed and closed his arms around Diamond tightly.

“Tell me what’s happened, Ranier.” Viktor stepped back into the main room from the bathing room, a cloth in hand as he approached the bed. Ranier watched as he spread Diamond’s legs and cleansed her, then Ranier, before cleansing himself. Ranier had to shake his head. This was definitely a side of Viktor he’d never expected.

“Nadira has been captured from theSword Breaker.”

Diamond sucked in a breath and sat up. “The ship? His crew?” Diamond voiced her concern.

“Two injured, one seriously. It could have been worse.”

“There’s more.” Viktor’s expression was as severe and hard as ever. He was all business now. “I can see it in your eyes.”

Ranier sat up and scrubbed a hand through his hair. “Apparently there was more to the incarceration of the two people who now serve as the ships’ consciousnesses.”

“Nani and Darian,” Viktor clarified, his full attention on Ranier. “I figured there had to be, but that’s been the last thing on my mind for the last few weeks.”

“I don’t know all of it -- no one does except maybe Nani and Darian themselves, and they’re not telling -- but there’s a revolt in the Asalian Empire, and I dare say Vok’nair isn’t far behind.”

“What’s happened?” Viktor dressed in jerky motions, obviously readying himself to return to Command. “What does it have to do with Nadira?”

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