The heavy downpour of rain had lightened, the drops no longer beating against the windowpane like bullets. It came down in an easy stream, more relaxing. Lightning still flashed, but the rumbles of thunder sounded more distant. However, each time the thunder boomed louder, they held me a little tighter—kissed me deeper—as if to remind me I was safe.
I needed no reminder.
With them, I’d never felt safer.
Maddox shifted me farther up the rug and lowered himself between my legs, hooking his muscled arms under my raised thighs. I expected him to tease the life out of me like they’d been doing all night. But I was wrong. He took my cock into his mouth. And I… well, I nearly shot my load instantly. It had been too long since anyone had touched me like that. A warm palm was one thing. A hot mouth was completely different.
“That’s it,” Briar said, holding me against his chest. He pressed kisses into my hair as Maddox worked me with his mouth. “Lose yourself to pleasure.”
Maddox’s gaze flickered up to meet mine as he took me deeper, then slowly drew back. His lips glistened as they cushioned me, creating a perfect suction as they glided up and down my shaft. The fan of dark lashes hooded over his blue eyes, emanating arousal. Lust. But something tender too.
The physical sensations, the stimulation, was incredible… but so was being wedged between two men I’d come to care for in such a short amount of time. Having them touch and kiss me. It was an intimacy I hadn’t expected.
“Let me touch you,” I panted, hips quivering. A sheen of sweat covered my body. “Both of you.”
Maddox gave my cock another teasing lick before releasing it. I sat forward, took his face in both my hands, and kissed him hard on the mouth. He smiled against my lips.
I fumbled with his shirt, cursing the inventor of the tiny little clasps of his under armor that prevented me from reaching that delectable span of sun-kissed skin.
“Even your fingers are clumsy,” he rasped, grabbing my wrist in a gentle hold before helping me.
“Yet, he has us wrapped around them anyway.” Briar chuckled and kissed the area between my shoulder blades.
The captain’s eyes softened. “That he does.”
Finally, with his help, I managed to undo the clasps and tugged the wretched shirt off his broad shoulders and down his arms. Maddox took it the rest of the way off and tossed it aside, and then his mouth was crashing back to mine. But even as we kissed, I sensed Briar behind me—felt the brush of his fingertips down my spine.
They made me feel so cherished with every kiss and every caress. Each one felt so meaningful. Even the little jabs at my obvious gracefulness held an underlying affection.
I palmed Maddox’s bare chest, then stilled as my fingers passed over raised areas of his skin along his rib cage. I broke the kiss and looked down at the faint scars. Considering how the attack was only days ago, the wounds should’ve still been in the healing process. The magic elixirs had sped up the process, leaving nothing but scars behind.
“I’m all right,” Maddox whispered, bringing my hand to his mouth. He kissed my fingertips, his blue eyes soft. “Stop frowning.”
A lump wedged in my throat and restricted my airway, taking my words along with my oxygen. My eyes stung as I moved my fingers to the sharp line of his jaw, then lower to his Adam’s apple. “You’re not allowed to get hurt again.”
“Are you giving me orders now, Muffin Lord?” Affection thickened his deep voice. “I suppose I can let it slide this once.” He brought my face closer to his, his breath on my lips. “I feel as though nothing could keep me from you now.”
Briar kissed my upper back. “If the captain does find himself in peril again, know that I’ll be there to help him. If only to spare myself the sight of you upset.”
My feelings grew for them. Maddox, the protector, and Briar, the nurturer. Both of them made my heart beat faster.
“Enough of this.” Maddox touched the place between my eyebrows to smooth away the frown. He kissed me again, softer than before. “Now, take off the physician’s clothes.” He paused, and I felt his lips twitch. “If you’re able.”
“Jerk.” I exhaled a laugh, and he smirked.
Turning around, I planted my hands on Briar’s chest. He smiled and touched my jaw. A flush had crept up his neck, more noticeable against his pale skin. His shirt wasn’t nearly as difficult to remove. I popped open the buttons and slid it off him. His muscles were less defined than Maddox’s but no less attractive. Both body types appealed to me. More so due to the men they belonged to.
I grazed my teeth along Briar’s collarbone, loving his slight intake of air. Where Maddox smelled like warm spice and leather, Briar’s scent reminded me of springtime, like magnolia blossoms and morning dew. I couldn’t get enough of either of them.
As I found Briar’s left nipple and latched on, he sharply exhaled and shuddered beneath me. God. It was hot.
Maddox’s big hands came around my hips. I jolted as he smoothed a finger down my crack. He didn’t penetrate me at first. He spit and swirled it around before ever so slowly easing the tip of his thumb inside.
I groaned and pressed my face into Briar’s chest.
“He likes that,” Briar told Maddox, resting his hand on the back of my head. “Keep doing it.”
I flicked Briar’s nipple with my tongue as Maddox pushed his thumb a little deeper and circled it. More groans, both from me and Briar. The hard line of Briar’s erection pushed against mine as he rolled his hips.
