Page 10 of Tempting Her Dragons (Embracing The Bond #10)

Chapter Ten

Saphira

I sober up real quick when my mates remove their shoes and shirts. I almost swallow my tongue as they reveal their yummy chests. Their muscles aren’t massive but compact. Mav is covered in tattoos. King has a fierce dragon hugging his side, the wings wrapping around him. They are sexy as fuck.

The party was a success. They have been accepted. I’m so grateful.

I was shocked when I saw Mav crouched on the floor with that man. I had no idea he was even beside me and hated what he did. Violence shouldn’t be a turn-on, but with Mav doing the violence for me, I couldn’t help it. It makes me sick; the coyote had done it before, I could tell. I’ve dealt with enough abusers that I can see the signs and smell the deception in his scent.

The panthers came back after they dealt with him and thanked my mates for their quick actions.

I gulp as King crawls over me and lies down, and Mav lies on my other side. I asked for it, and now what do I do? My blood is still buzzing from the alcohol. I don’t want to make any decision before I’m sober. I invited them into my bed. Do they expect something to happen?

“Relax, Firefly,” King says softly. The nickname, as usual, makes me melt. “Just sleep.”

Grateful, I slide my legs under the covers. “You’re not getting under the blankets?”

“We’re good,” Mav grumbles.

“I don’t want you to get cold.” I glance at him, his gaze on the ceiling.

“We’ll be fine.”

“King.” I turn my head.“Firefly, don’t worry about us.”

I bite my lip and look down the bed, back to King and then Mav. “Really?” King turns on his side.

“Saph, we run hot,” he says. Yes, yes, they do.

I lay my arms beside my body. I roll my lips. I look out of the corner of my eye at King and then Mav. Their skin is inches away. The room is silent. My fingers pick at the bed. Maybe the blanket was a bad idea. My body is burning the alcohol fast, and I’m sweating.

They aren’t asleep. I wonder if they snore. I wonder if I snore.

Do they want to have sex? I’m not ready. My body is begging for it. I have a constant need in my stomach. My mind is stalling. Playing around is one thing, but committing to everything will take some time. I need to build up to it. I need to trust them fully first. They have to learn more about me. They’ve opened up, but I know there is so much more.

The tension is real.

No one is snoring. How do I break the tension? I can’t go to sleep like this. I close my eyes. Maybe if I count sheep. One, two, three, four… the sheep turn into bunnies, and I think of Sally. Shit. That leads to her comments about my mates. They are sexy. Their bodies are so close. They do run hot. I feel the heat coming off their arms. King is still facing me. I feel his eyes. It could be all in my head.

What to say? What to say?

“I never had a mom.” Fuck, my eyes pop open. I didn’t know I would say that.

“Firefly,” King whispers, and his sympathy urges me to keep going.

“Of course, I had a mom. She died.” I close my eyes again, but now feel both of their attention directed my way. “She died when I was two. My dad did, too. Hunters killed them. At the time, Bishop was with me, traveling with Micah. Laken was home with them when they came to kill our parents. Mom hid him under the house. He saw the men kill them.” I have never spoken to anyone about it. “I can’t imagine what he went through. I didn’t understand at the time; I was too young, and my memories hold nothing of our life then. Laken was afraid they would come back for all of us and convinced Micah to take us with him. Laken stayed behind, and I didn’t know until years later he was hunting the men who did it.

“I thought it was a grand adventure traveling around the world. I didn’t have to go to school or have a schedule. Micah was fun and didn’t give us rules. He took care of us for years.” I press my hands to my stomach. “Micah had a sister. She was the best thing in my world. Maddy was the mother I never had. I knew she wasn’t my real mom, and the facts of my first years weren’t hidden from me, but I didn’t dwell on it. I didn’t know her. I was sad she was gone. How could I miss someone I didn’t remember?

“Maddy,” I whisper. “She taught me all the ways to hurt a man. We would use Micah as a punching bag.” I laugh lightly. “Poor Micah. I had years with her, with her guidance and love for a girl without a mom. She was so beautiful. I didn’t care that she was a vampire. She taught me to get to know someone and take them at face value, regardless of their breed. As Bishop got older, he would leave, try to see Laken, and live his life. I don’t blame him for the need. I was much younger than him. He didn’t know how to take care of a little girl. Maddy did.” I swallow harshly.

“What happened to her?” Mav asks, and I look down as his hand covers mine.

“She died. She was murdered.” I blow out a breath as tears fill my eyes. “I don’t think I have dealt with her death. It gutted Micah. They were best friends. They lived together for so many years. They couldn’t remember their human years, so they clung to each other, the one real thing they had in life. He took off for days at a time. He always checked in, but he was lost in his head, hurting like I was.” I angrily brush my eyes. “I loved her desperately. How could another mother be taken from me? What was wrong with me? My brothers were dealing with their own demons. Laken was on a mission to kill. Bishop needed him to come back to us.”

“You needed someone to take care of you. Hear your heartbreak and grieve with you,” King says, brushing the tears from my cheeks with the pads of his fingers.

“We all dealt with the pain differently,” I say.

“You pushed it away,” Mav says.

“Yes. I couldn’t lose it. I had to be strong for them. Maddy taught me to be strong.”

“She wouldn’t want you to hurt, but I don’t think she would want you to deny your feelings,” King says.

“You’re right.” I tangle my fingers with Mav’s. “My brothers love me and have tried to talk to me about it, but I’ve pushed them away. I say I’m fine. They don’t want to upset me, so we don’t talk about it.”

“I think you need to,” Mav says. “Let them take your pain.”

“If not them,” King whispers. “Let us.”

“Give us your pain.” Mave squeezes his fingers. “We can handle it.”

“You don’t want it,” I deny.

“Yes, we do,” King says firmly. I turn to one brother and then the other and burst into tears. They move closer, their bodies brushing my shoulders.

“She died. She left me. I loved her as a mother. She showed me how to be soft yet have the strength to do the hard things. She didn’t judge my feelings. I was able to be whatever I wanted to be with her. I loved Micah and my brothers, but it wasn’t the same. I was pissed. I am pissed. Why her? Why take her from a girl without a mom? She left me with men who knew nothing about raising a girl.” The rage flows through my body. “How could I live without her?”

“She loved you,” King says.

“She did. She would have done anything for me and did. We would dress up, and she would take me out for a meal. She told me we could still be tough and dress in a skirt. Wear the makeup. Be sexy, but still kick ass. She treated me as an equal.” I smile. “She had a temper. Sometimes, she would get so mad. She would yell about the men she saw abusing others. She made sure I knew how I should be treated.”

“I wish we could have met her,” Mav says.

“Maddy would have loved you. She could appreciate a well-put-together man. She wasn’t lacking in attention, but she couldn’t have cared less. When she dressed up, she would tell me to never dress for a man. Dress for yourself. Make yourself feel pretty. That’s all that matters.”

“How did she die?” King asks.

“Micah didn’t want to hurt me with the details. It’s so hard to kill a vampire; I had to know. At first, I let it go. She was still gone. It haunted Micah. Years later, I demanded he tell me, and after, I wished I hadn’t insisted.” I bunch the covers in my fists. “She met a man, a human man. He gained her trust, and she was killed because she did. She didn’t think he knew she was a vampire; he did. She was cuffed to a bed, and his friends burst through the door. They killed her just because. I don’t understand how people can be so cruel. Micah searched for her and found the men. He tortured them for hours. I felt horrible for him. With his abilities, he saw their memories. He barely slept for years, and I wasn’t there. I went to visit Bishop.” I’m not ready to explain the circumstances of my capture during my visit.

“You grieved for Micah,” Mav says.

“I was wrapped up in his pain and ignored mine,” I whisper. “I envy you.” I look at them. “I know it’s horrible what you went through, but I can’t help being envious of your mom. Yet, I’m thankful you found her.”

“It’s normal,” King says.

“I’m a shit person for thinking it,” I disagree.

“You aren’t,” Mav says. “We know how lucky we are.”

“Maddy had a purpose in your life. She was there for you when you needed a mother figure. I’m so fucking sorry she was taken from you,” King says, pulling my hip, and I roll toward him. “Grieve her. Be sad. Be pissed. With us, you can be whatever you need to be.”

“Shit,” I whisper, my emotions overflowing again. I bury my face in his neck and sob.

“We’re here,” Mav says, his heat at my back.

I cry. I cry more than I ever have. For so many years, I shoved everything deep inside. I had to keep it together for Micah, Bishop, and Laken. I couldn’t let them see the agony inside. I miss Maddy. She left a hole in my heart that has remained empty. Nothing could fill it. The guys tried. How could they when I told them I was fine? I keep a wall up. The only thing getting across is the fun Saphira.

Kingston and Maverick hold me close. They don’t expect me to be perfect. They’ve seen the other side, and they’re still here. My heart begins to heal, the hole filling a bit.

They aren’t a replacement for Maddy. They may take over my whole heart.

I’m on fire. I try to move, but King and Mav are wrapped around me. I stop trying and stare at King, who’s facing me. My eyes are puffy. I don’t remember falling asleep. They held me tight as I cried, giving me permission to let all my emotions finally be free.

I slowly lift my hand and trace King’s face. He’s so handsome. I love having his eyes on me, but it’s nice to really look at him without the distraction of his passionate stare. I’ve never been with two men. The moment in the living room was just a taste; I couldn’t help wanting more. Humans find it odd to be with multiple people at once. Growing up as a shifter, it was a fact of our lives. We know it is a possibility. What is wrong with having more than one person to love?

“Morning,” King rumbles, and I freeze with my finger on his jaw.

“Hey,” I say, pulling away, my hand landing between us.

“You don’t have to stop,” he says.

“I’m sorry,” I say automatically.

“Why? You can touch me whenever you want.” He trails his knuckles down my cheek.

“Did you sleep well?” I ask, ignoring the effect of his touch.

“The best I ever have.” He drops his hand over mine. “How do you feel?”

“Good.” I realize it’s true. Something inside was released.

“Mav?” King asks, and I twist my head.

“Great,” he responds when I meet his eyes. “Morning, baby.”

“Morning,” I mumble. It’s getting harder to ignore how they affect my body.

“Firefly,” Kings says, and I turn back. “Do you want to play?”

“Play?” I ask weakly.

“I can feel your need,” he rumbles. “We can ease it.”

“How?”

“Are you beginning to trust us?” he asks.

“Yes.” I believe they wouldn’t do anything to hurt me.

“I want you to pick a word. Something that will stop everything if you say it. We won’t ignore it once said. You will control our actions,” King says.

“Any word?” My mind races and my insides get all mushy for their consideration.

“Yes. If you say stop, we will. We will never be mad at you. We’ll stop and talk about what scared you or gave you pause,” he explains.

“Collar,” I decide.

“Good. Say it, and we stop.” Mav pushes the blankets down to our feet. “Is there anything we could do that would make you uncomfortable?” King asks.

“You can’t put your hand around my neck,” I say, swallowing. “I don’t like it.” It’s a story for another day.

“Alright. We won’t,” King says. He looks over my head, silently communicating with Mav. “Anything else?”

“Not that I can think of.” I need their touch.

“We aren’t going to fuck you,” he says.

“No?” I ask, and Mav sits up.

“Not yet,” he clarifies. I start to turn my head when I feel Mav moving, but King puts his finger on my chin. “Keep your eyes on me. Mav is going to eat you.”

“He is?” I groan at the prospect.

“Yes.” His lips twitch. “You okay with that?”

“Yes,” I say quickly. Mentally, I’m smacking myself on the forehead. I sounded desperate.

“Firefly, don’t hold back your emotions,” King says. “We want all of them. There is no room for dishonesty between us.”

“I’ll try.” I’ve had to hide parts of myself; showing all emotions is difficult.

“That’s all I can ask.” King kisses me quick and deep as his brother slides off my underwear, and I’m lost in sensation. He breaks away and doesn’t move. “I love your mouth,” he says, and I can barely concentrate on his words. He glides his hand down my side, over my hip, to the inside of my leg, and grabs the back of my knee, pulling.

He holds my leg in the crook of his elbow, opening me wide. I shiver as the air hits me.

“Fucking beautiful,” Mav says. I feel his thighs against my back, and I look down to see his head by my ass. “Are you ready, baby?”

“Yes.” His tongue presses against my clit, and my palm slaps against King’s chest. “Shit,” I gasp.

“How does it feel?” King asks.

“So good,” I moan. Dragon shifters have a split-tongue. I have never met a dragon shifter outside my family and haven’t experienced a tongue like ours. I have been unable to master splitting it in my human form, but Mav has. Oh, boy has he.

“How does she taste, brother?”

“Like fire,” Mav says; the heat from his breath adds to my desire for more.

“Firefly, take your tits out of your bra,” King says, looking down. “My arm is full.” He pulls slightly on my leg, to emphasize his point. His other arm is crooked over my head, his fingers tangled in my hair.

I rush to follow his order, even though he phrased it like a suggestion. Everything he says is an order; he’s just polite about it.

Thankfully, the clasp is in the front, so it takes little effort to release. My breasts are heavy and begging for attention. Having them sucked is one of my favorite things a man can do. Having my mates doing it will be a very different experience.

“Gorgeous tits,” King says, lowering his head. “You like them sucked?”

“Yes, please.”

“So polite,” he whispers as he licks my nipple, looking up at me. I arch, wanting more.

“King.” I press my head into the pillow when he pulls it into his mouth, and Mav thrusts his finger inside me. So many stimulations. I’m a ball of need. “Please, Sir.” I bite my lip, and my eyes widen. “Oh, sorry.”

“Why? I told you, call us whatever you want,” King says before sucking hard.

It just slipped out. “You don’t mind?” He was so demanding; it felt right.

“What did I say?” he growls. “Say it again.”

“Sir,” I whimper, and he rewards me with a bite. Mav covers me, using his tongue, lips, and fingers. Everything is too much. This much pleasure is not normal.

“Your pussy is so swollen and wet,” Mav hisses.

“Sir,” I cry. Everything about them feels right—the way they treat me with respect but demand I give them my heart.

“I love it,” Mav says, and my eyes roll to the back of my head. “It seems she does, too. Her pussy clenches on my fingers every time.”

“Really?” King asks, licking around my nipple. “Say it again,” he demands.

“Sir,” I rasp. Yes, it feels so fucking right. “I need to come.”

“No,” King says.

“Yes,” I say.

“Wait,” he says.

“King,” I grit out. “Sir.”

“We want you to wait,” he says.

“Please,” I beg. The pressure is building to a level I didn’t think possible. I don’t think I can deny it. “I can’t,” I persist.

“You can,” King growls and takes my lips.

Kissing either of them is an experience. If he thinks it will calm me down, he’s mistaken. I could kiss them for hours and never tire of it.

Mav adds a finger, stretching me while he sucks on my clit. I break away, gasping for air and the strength to resist coming.

“Fucking beautiful,” King says, watching my face. “You’re doing so well, Firefly.”

“I—” I close my eyes on the edge.

“Eyes,” King commands, and I open them. “A little bit longer.” I let out a rush of breath, trying to hold on for my mates.

“Now,” Mav says.

“Come,” King orders, and I fall.

The orgasm rolls through me, a wave of ecstasy like I’ve never felt, going on and on. I cup the side of King’s neck, turning my head into my pillow to muffle my cries. I’m floating. I hear nothing but the beat of my heart. Most of my sexual experiences haven’t been pleasant. Their consideration and care carve them deeper within my heart. Shifters are naturally sexual, and we need the touch of the ones we love. It’s been challenging to find my need for it again.

“Firefly, you back with us?” King asks, stroking my hair.

“Yes,” I sigh, but the pillow is still smooshed on my face.

“Next time, don’t hide,” he chides, and I look up.

“What do you mean?” I know exactly what he means.

“We want all the noises,” he says, ignoring my lie. “We love hearing how we affect you.”

“I loved tasting you,” Mav says, and I roll to my back as he sits up. “We can read your emotions better if we hear your response.”

“I’m not used to it,” I say.

“We know.” Mav wipes his finger over his lips. “You have nothing to be ashamed about. Your pleasure gives us pleasure.” I look down and see how much he enjoyed it.

“What about—” My eyes widen as I motion with them.

“Don’t worry about us,” he says. “This was about you.”

“Are you sure?” I scrunch up my nose. It has to be painful. I notice King is hard as well.

“It’s natural,” King says. “You are beautiful. Of course, we will react to touching you and smelling your heat.” Fuck, I’m blushing again.

“We can wait until you are ready,” Mav says.

They are perfect.

Can I trust it?”