Page 16

M y eyes bulge as Darby is tossed over Arek’s shoulder and he storms off. Brady chuckles from where he sits next to me, among a room full of strangers. I’m still in shock at his declaration of being his mate.

“Are you okay?” Brady asks, placing a hand on my thigh, causing me to jump.

“It depends on your definition of okay,” I answer cryptically.

Brady plays on his phone for a few minutes before returning it to his pocket. He takes my hand in his, helping me to control biting my nails from anxiety. It’s a bad habit that I thought I had gotten rid of.

“Okay, everyone,” a guy calls out from the hallway. “Everyone is hea—” He stops speaking in the middle of the word before focusing his attention on me. Brady rises to his feet, blocking me from view.

“Tavan, is there a problem?” Brady asks, his voice dropping an octave in resonance.

“Brady, step aside so I can introduce myself to my mate,” Tavan, the doctor, says, and the room goes deadly quiet.

“We need some popcorn for this shit,” a female voice says, breaking the growing tension in the room.

“She is my mate,” Brady volleys to Tavan. Tavan steps around Brady as Brady looks over his shoulder to where I am sitting.

Words fail to form under the heavy gaze of these two gorgeous men.

Both men are tall—Brady is at least six feet four inches tall.

Tavan is at least two inches taller than Brady.

Tavan has a fit but slender build, whereas Brady, while also slender, has more muscle definition, to the point where the sleeves of his uniform shirt fit tightly around his biceps.

Resuming his seat, Brady retakes my hand, earning a glare from Tavan as he sits in the seat to my left.

Tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, he leans forward, sniffing me.

Stiffening, unsure what to do, my eyes move to the triplets.

Giving them an almost pleading “what do I do look” one of them has mercy on me, sort of.

“For fucks sake!” she exclaims, accompanied by an eye roll. “It’s inevitable, just say yes, and fuck their brains out. The rest will fall into place.” The other two women who make up the trio nod in affirmation before all three rise to their feet.

“It’s been fun, but I need some sleep,” she says around a jaw-cracking yawn.

With that, everyone leaves Tavan’s clinic one by one until only the three of us remain.

“What is your name, love?” Tavan asks, speaking softly as if trying to soothe a frightened animal.

“F-Fiora Valenhart,” I answer, stuttering slightly as nerves try to take hold.

“Can you tell us where you are from? Something about you?” Brady asks this time.

“You won’t want me,” I blurt, the weight of what happened at home weighing heavily on my shoulders.

“Don’t you think that’s for us to decide?” Tavan asks.

“Fine, but you asked for it.” I caution them, my tone taking a more antagonistic tone than intended. Rising to my feet, because there is no way I will be able to sit still during this story, both men reluctantly release their hold on me.

“I am from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. After I caught my boyfriend and ex-best friend in a compromising position, I applied and was accepted at Stanford, in California.” Telling the story of how I met Darby is the easy part, having glossed over the betrayal.

Worrying my hands together, I reach current events.

“A few days ago, I was helping my mom wrap some last-minute gifts. I stumbled upon my birth certificate and adoption papers.” Both men inhale sharply.

“Not sure what to do, I ran. Somehow, I ended up at Dylan’s, my ex’s, house.

Turns out I had arrived immediately after he proposed to Sally Jo.

She was flaunting her ring in my hand, boasting about what I lost. To me, I didn’t lose anything since he couldn’t be faithful.

But, I digress,” I mutter before continuing.

“I remember storming off…” My words trail off, and my hands begin to shake.

Tavan and Brady rise to their feet, but I hold my hand up to stop them.

They both sink back down into their seats, and I continue my story.

“The next thing I knew, Michael, my brother, was cradling me to his chest. The barn on the Montrose’s property, Dylan’s parents, was on fire.

Police, paramedics, and the fire department were all on scene.

Sally Jo was shrieking in the background that I tried to kill the two of them in a jealous rage,” I recommence, wanting to get my dirty laundry aired before I got my hopes up that these two men would want me.

“Michael is keeping my secret from my family, at my behest. It’s unfair of me to ask that of him, and hypocritical, since that is why I ended up in the barn in the first place,” I add, tears streaming down my cheeks as guilt swamps me.

“Darby had mentioned me coming to see her, if I had time, as she informed me she plans to move here. Needing to get out of Lancaster, I packed what I could, loaded my car, and here I am.” I finish my story, holding my arms out to the side.

Finally looking up to make eye contact with the guys, they share a look that has the hair on the back of my neck prickling.

“What are you studying in school?” Tavan asks, catching me off guard.

“Uhm, veterinary medicine, focusing on large animals,” I remark.

“There is room to add on to the building,” Tavan mentions, focusing on Brady.

“What about lobby space?” Brady volleys.

“Excuse me,” I say, as the two of them continue to make plans about my life, without my input. This process continues for several minutes as they map out the layout of the animal clinic, determine the location of the entrance, and decide on the ideal candidate for the receptionist position.

“Hey!” I yell, snapping my fingers in their direction. Both men startle at my outburst as I plant my hands on my hips. “How about asking me what I want to do?” They both look guilty of being called out like that.

“Right,” Brady says.

“Sorry,” Tavan adds.

Tavan and Brady stand, approaching me slowly. The pair of them tower over me, since I am at least a foot shorter than they are, at five feet two inches tall.

“Are you okay with this?” Tavan asks as Brady runs a hand down my spine, causing me to shiver.

Nodding my head several times, they share a look over my head.

“You two need to stop doing that,” I tell them. My words end on a squeal as they each crouch, placing one hand under each knee, while the other rests against my back, keeping me steady, lifting me off the ground.

Moving in tandem, they move through Tavan’s office to the back. Brady holds me steady as Tavan pulls a key from his pocket, unlocking the door. Once Brady breaches the threshold, Tavan locks the door, and we move upstairs.

The apartment is spacious, covering the entire second floor. Modern design and amenities decorate the space in neutral tones.

“Bedroom?” Brady asks, focusing my attention back on the men instead of the decor.

“Very end of the hallway,” Tavan answers.

Gently placing me in the center of the bed, Tavan is on my right with Brady on my left. Both men gaze at me reverently, as if memorizing every feature of my slight frame. I do my best not to fidget. Dylan and Sally Jo taunted me as far back as I can remember about my hourglass figure.

“You look like a pin-up model with all of your curves. I can’t wait to see you bare,” Brady says, causing heat to flush my cheeks.

“If we go too fast, or do something you aren’t comfortable with, you let us know,” Tavan adds, raising an eyebrow at Brady in challenge. Brady nods in agreement right before he begins peeling off his clothes.

My eyes widen in surprise as Tavan also begins to strip. I tuck my lips between my teeth as Darby’s statement from not too long ago pops into my head. “You need a good dicking!” Suddenly, my apprehension flies out the window.

Sitting up, I pull my sweater up over my head, grateful for the foresight of wearing a matching set of lacy undergarments. Tavan’s eyes flash red, fangs peeking out between his lips. Looking at Brady, his eyes flash amber, and his fangs also peek between his lips.

“Wha-what are you?” I ask, feeling slightly intimidated.

Tavan kneels on the bed, causing my body to jiggle as the mattress shifts beneath me.

“Vampire,” he says.

Turning my head to Brady as he assumes the same position as Tavan, his voice is gruff.

“Dragon.”

On my next breath, Tavan is nibbling on my neck as he unclasps my bra. The brush of his fangs causes me to shiver both in expectation and fear. Brady shifts to the foot of the bed and begins removing my shoes, socks, and pants, taking my panties too as he drags the fabric down my legs.

The way the two of them are looking at me makes me want to cover up the soft bits of my body. My insecurities are coming to life.

“You are stunning,” Brady growls as Tavan hums his agreement.

Tavan continues to lick, kiss, and nibble on my neck, drifting down to my chest while Brady starts at my ankles, slowly kissing his way up my legs to my core.

When Brady reaches my center he licks from the bottom up, sucking my clit hard.

My back bows off the bed, causing Tavan to wrap an arm around my waist, holding me in place.

“Shhh, easy now. Let us take care of you,” Tavan whispers.

They work together like a well-oiled machine, making me wonder how many times they have done this together in the past. How many other women have they shared? I must tense up or do something as they both stop and look down at me.

“What’s the matter, love?” Brady asks, using the same moniker Tavan used downstairs.

I bite my lower lip, afraid to voice what is going on in my head.

“This isn’t going to work if you don’t talk to us,” Tavan says in a serious tone.

Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, my eyes ping-pong between the pair. “I was wondering how many other women you have shared. The two of you are working my body so well together…” My voice trails off as Tavan smirks, and a smile spreads across Brady’s beautiful face.

“We haven’t,” Brady says, shrugging.

“You are our mate,” Tavan says, stating the obvious. “We can sense what you like and don’t like. I know that I like you feeling jealous.” He elicits a dirty look in his direction.

Brady uses action instead of speaking, sliding two fingers into my core while using his thumb to rub my clit. Tavan can’t be outdone, leaning forward and taking a nipple into his mouth. His fangs puncture my flesh, triggering an orgasm as I call out in pleasure.

“Fuck, that’s hot,” Brady boasts.

Our heavy breathing sets the backdrop to the squelching of his fingers sliding in and out of my body. My wetness runs down the inside of my thighs while Brady changes positions with Tavan. He pinches my nipples and sucks on my neck as Tavan settles himself between my legs.

“Are you ready, love?” Tavan says, his voice a lower octave than usual. His eyes are completely red, not a trace of the standard blue they are.

“Yeah,” I rasp.

Without warning, Tavan thrusts into me, and I call out at the sudden intrusion.

A groan of pleasure escapes Tavan’s throat as his hips begin to move.

Brady continues to play with my nipples, alternating between them.

It’s becoming difficult to differentiate between the two men as they blur into one.

Tavan is long and thick, and as he hammers away at my body, I can feel another orgasm quickly approaching.

“Are you going to come?” Brady rasps. “Will you squeeze tightly on Tavan’s cock, milking it and forcing him to come as well?”

Damn, the dirty talk is doing something to me.

Tavan leans forward, his chest brushing against the stiff peaks of my nipples with each thrust of his hips.

Nibbling on my neck, his fangs scrape against my skin just short of being painful.

An uncontrollable urge washes over me, and I feel compelled to do the same to him.

Tavan’s rhythm is becoming ragged and more urgent.

Without warning, his fangs pierce my flesh, and I bite him as well.

The coppery tang of blood fills my mouth, and I let out a groan right as my orgasm peaks: Tavan’s hips stutter, his movements slowing before he stills altogether. I release my jaw as embarrassment fills me.

“Look at me,” Brady orders, something in his tone leaves no room for argument.

Turning my head to face him, his eyes widen at whatever he sees.

“Holy shit!” he says breathily.

“What?” I ask in a panic-laden voice.

“Do you have your birth certificate and adoption papers with you?” Brady asks cryptically as Tavan pulls away from my body.

“Yeah,” I answer, drawing out the word.

“Good,” Brady says before assuming his spot between my legs. He fills me in one thrust, the combination of Tavan’s release and my own making it easy to slide inside me. Setting a punishing pace, it takes no time at all for another orgasm to start.

Brady leans forward, like Tavan did, this time on the other side of my neck. As he nibbles his way to where my neck and shoulder meet, the compulsion to do the same on him overwhelms me.

“Bite me, pretty girl,” Brady rasps, his thrusts increasing in tempo and strength.

Unable to help myself, I do as he ordered, biting into his flesh. His blood fills my mouth, slightly sweeter in taste than Tavan’s. Brady groans in approval as his fangs pierce my skin, both of our orgasms peaking simultaneously.

His hips slow as he comes down. Tavan gently grips my chin, turning my head to face him as his lips crash down against mine. Our tongues duel, and he moans, no doubt tasting Brady’s blood.

He pulls away, and Brady takes Tavan’s place. It feels wrong and right to have both of them. I startle when Tavan uses a washcloth to clean me up. Brady settles on one side of me, and when Tavan returns to the bedroom, he climbs in on the other side.

Now that my post-orgasmic bliss is wearing off, I turn to face Brady.

“Can you tell me why you asked about my birth certificate and adoption papers?” I ask as Tavan presses his front against my back, draping his arm across my waist.

“Because, sweet girl,” Brady says, running a light finger along my jawline, the ghost of a smile on his lips. “I believe you are a dragon shifter, like me.”

My eyes widen in shock, spots dance in my vision as I suddenly find it difficult to breathe. Both of their voices are muffled. It’s the last thing I remember before it all goes dark.