Page 24 of Taken by Moonlight

Alex stepped aside as Gabriel crossed in front of me, hesitated. “I need to make sure he didn’t hurt you, Peyton. Any part ofyou.”

He reached for my robe. I trusted them, and I was about to become Dante’s lover. Hisprize.

The robe fell to the floor in a whisper of satin, puddling at my feet. My body was far from perfect, with the extra pounds I carried, the curves and the thatch of hair at my groin. Most guys like naked women without any bodyhair.

Alex and Gabriel’s hot gaze swept up and down myfront.

“No time for a Brazilian,” I muttered, feeling self-conscious.

“I’ve never had a Brazilian in bed,” Alex said,frowning.

Gabriel punched his arm lightly. “She’s talking about a wax job, you nit, not thecountry.”

Alex punched Gabriel back. “I know, nit. I wasjoking.”

Their banter eased the tension in me and I smiled. Then they steppedforward.

Gabriel ran his hands over my body, his touch gentle and barely felt. It wasn’t sexual, but a small thrill went through me as I stood naked before him as Alexwatched.

At my left breast he stilled his hand, then swore under his breath. Gabriel rubbed a tiny spot near my hardeningnipple.

“There. He gother.”

Anger resonated in his voice, turning his normally cheerful tone dark and sinister. Ishivered.

Alex stepped forward, stared at my left breast. Gabriel stopped rubbing and jammed his hands into the pockets of his dinner jacket, swearingagain.

Alex touched my breast, his touch gentle as he rubbed circles on the tiny bruise Rodney hadleft.

“Does it hurt,Peyton?”

His voice came as a barewhisper.

Truth was, I barely feltit.

Then Alex’s thumb lightly grazed my nipple. He circled it, rubbing softly. I bit back a moan.ThatIfelt.

It feltgood.

Toogood.

Truth was, I was getting aroused from these two shifters inspecting me, touching me. Their concern touched me, but their touch left me edgy andwanting.

The thought bothered me. I was Dante’s for the night. Would the alpha get furious if he strode inside and found his two betas alone with the naked woman he’d spent half a million toclaim?

“I’m fine.” Thrusting out my hands, I stepped back. “Maybe you should leave before Dante getshere.”

A tiny frown puckered Alex’s forehead. “He asked us to stay with you,Peyton.”

“He asked us to make sure you’re ok and Rodney didn’t hurt you,” Gabrieladded.

Alex’s gaze darkened. “He asked us to get you to relax, and take care of yourneeds.”

Oh wow. I wondered where this wasgoing.

Barely had I thought about it when Alex bent his head and kissed the bruise Rodney had left. His tongue flicked out, licked the mark. Then he delivered small kisses across mybreast.

My nipples turn diamond hard. When Alex ran his tongue over my left nipple, I bit back a shockedgasp.