Sorcha
My heart stutteredat the sound of Bal’s voice, his tone dangerous. My gaze flew to his, my heart racing even harder at the crimson pulsing in his eyes.
Shane’s smug smile showed me he wasn’t surprised by Bal’s presence. Not like me. Of course he knew Bal was near. Shane’s senses would be even more astute than most supernaturals. My cheeks flamed. Had he seen me come on Shane’s fingers?
Shane gave a wicked grin. “I’m tasting Sor, just like she wanted me to.”
The Count’s garnet eyes found mine, and I froze at the predatory look in them. Gone was my anger at him for ghosting me. The stark truth was, I’d missed him. I’d missed going to the club with him and feeling him watch me from his ridiculous throne all night. I’d even missed his broody stares and the flash of crimson in his icy eyes as he studied my every move.
He looked magnificent with his elongated fangs and dark hair flowing over his shoulders and down the front of hisimpeccable suit jacket. He should look out of place in the middle of the Scottish tundra with the gleaming lochan in the background, but for some reason, he just fit. Perhaps it was his innate wildness. I didn’t know, but I did believe that he fit with me and Shane. I felt it in my soul.
Bal narrowed his eyes on Shane’s fingers, still holding onto his wrist. “Is that right, Sor? Do you want him to lick your juices off his fingers—or do you want me to?”
What? My eyes widened. Even as my body turned right back into an inferno at his words. Was he serious? How was I supposed to choose an answer to that question? I wanted them both to. My gaze flicked from Shane’s face to his glistening fingers, to Bal’s dark features.
“Answer him, little bird.”
Bal’s eyes darkened further. “Little bird?”
Shane smirked. “Yes, I can tell she’s getting ready to run from us. She’s like a little bird trying to decide if she’s mad enough or frightened enough to escape her cage.” His gaze seared mine. “Aren’t you?”
I swallowed. Shaking my head, guilt flushed my cheeks, especially when I noticed the muscle feathering in Bal’s jaw. “I-I didn’t, I wouldn’t…”
Shane smiled. “It’s okay, Sor, if you wanted to leave, we wouldn’t stop you. Just know that I don't want you to go. And even though he’s an arsehole sometimes, he doesn’t want you to leave either. Do you, Count?”
Bal’s nostrils flared at Shane’s obvious challenge. “My name is Balthazar—or Bal. And you well know it, fledgling. Use it.” He looked at me, his gaze softening very slightly. “And he’s right, I am an arsehole sometimes, because I don’t have a reason not to be, or I haven’t for a long, long time. I am not gentle or kind, and you should not expect that of me, but let me answer that question this way.”
My breath caught when he lowered his head, sweeping his long hair over one shoulder with his free hand and capturing Shane’s forefinger in his mouth. He sucked while holding my gaze, his tongue swirling around the thick digit. I was going to faint. I was sure of it. The vision of his lips sealing around Shane’s finger while his fangs peeked out from his upper lip was almost too much. His eyes closed, and he moaned, the sound turning me on all over again.
“Mm, you taste fucking divine. I have sipped from the source once, and I want to do that again. Your turn.” He licked his lips and moved Shane’s hand, his eyes pulsing with a light I’d never seen before.
Shane didn’t hesitate; he sucked on his other fingers, causing more moisture to leak from me. He offered his hand back to Balthazar, who remained standing over us, a prominent bulge in the front of his dress trousers as we remained kneeling. When they had finished sharing my taste from Shane’s hand, they both turned their attention fully on me.
The silence was heavy and crackling with energy. I was so flushed with desire that I didn’t know what to do. I wanted one of them to make a move and decide what would happen next, but they seemed to be waiting for me to speak, which was disconcerting. I lowered my gaze to Bal’s shiny black shoes. I’d never asked for sex in my life... I didn’t know how. My face burned with embarrassment.
“Sor? Look at me.”
I did. Of course. I was programmed to respond to instructions. Or was I? I knew I didn’t have to do anything these two told me to do. They wouldn’t hurt me if I said no or told them to stop. I trusted in my certainty of that.
“What do you want to happen between us?” Bal’s voice was steady but dripping with lust. “By us, I mean all three of us. Because I want you both. But I have to make sure you’re clear,I can’t do commitment or long-term promises. My life is too complicated for that. I want you, and I want him; that’s all I can offer, and that will not change.”
My gaze flicked to Shane. I noticed that Bal was only asking me and not Shane. How did he feel about this? Had they already discussed it?
“Words, Sor. This is your choice.” But the tremble in Shane’s deep voice and the straining erection in his jeans gave him away. “If you don’t want both, or even either of us, it’s okay. Nothing will change. I will still be your friend, and Bal your protector. You don’t have to fly away.”
My gaze flicked back to Bal. His face was unreadable, even though his eyes were burning with an intensity that sent goosebumps rushing over my skin. He’d been clear; no feelings. It might just be sex, but he’d chosen me when he could have anyone, including someone as powerful and gorgeous as Shane…
Shane’s tongue came out, and he licked his lips, his eyes flashing again. He was so impossibly sexy and wild; rough to Bal’s smooth. He was kind and sexy, and was the best friend I'd ever had. But I wanted more. He’d seemed as far out of my league as the enigmatic Count, yet for some inexplicable reason, they were both staring at me like I held the key to their happiness. It made me feel—alive.
In answer, I wrapped my small hand around Shane’s wrist and lifted it to my mouth, licking up his palm. I tasted myself, a faint, salty tang. “I want this. I want you both.”
Bal’s snarl should have frightened me. His usual controlled demeanour disappeared. The bones of his face changed, his fangs growing, white and dangerous as he grabbed us both by the hand and heaved us to our feet.
“Come here, both of you.” With an arm around our waists, he yanked us close. Shane grinned wildly, but before I could say a word, Bal lurched forward. He sped towards the castle, and I wasforced to cling to his neck as wind hit our bodies, my heart racing and my core throbbing with anticipation of what was about to happen.
16
Balthazar
