STORY EXCERPT

Needing to take her mind off the reunion and the purse fiasco, she studied him. Where Liam was the fairer of the two, Mason’s dark hair and equally dark eyes gave him a mysterious look. He was about three inches shorter than Liam but probably outweighed him by twenty pounds. By far, he was the more serious of the two.

Liam returned with her coffee, two glasses of water, and a bag of pretzels she’d stuffed in the back of one of the cabinets. She didn’t remember when she’d bought them, but she was pretty sure they were stale.

He waved his find. “Mind?”

“No. Help yourself.”

Her coffee was too hot to drink so she set it on the coffee table. Liam seemed to want to pick her brain, so she waited for their inevitable questions.

He took a seat next to Mason and leaned forward, his arms dangling over his thighs. His blond hair, while military-short on the side, had grown longer on top and flopped over his brow, accentuating his beautiful blue-green eyes. While his intense look shook her, it might have been his broad shoulders that affected her the most. They gave off a vibe of power and control, something she was sorely lacking in her life.

“We want to know how you’re doing.” He waved a hand. “Aside for the issue with the key loss.”

Was he implying it was her fault? Well, maybe it was, but she was convinced that when the janitor swept the floor after the event, he’d find it and turn it into the front desk at school. On Monday, she’d ask the receptionist. Too bad, she’d have a new lock by then.

“I’m good.” At least she was during the day. When she was with her students or celebrating happy hour with her friends, she was her old self. Only the night stole her life away.

“Tell us about the nightmares.”

She was stunned they knew. Ceci. That traitor. “I have bad dreams sometimes.”

“After your abduction, we didn’t want to press you on it, but I think it’s time you come clean with us.”

Did they think she was holding back some information? “I’ve told you all I know.”

“We’re speaking about your bad dreams.”

Was there something in the dream that could help them? Harrison Kaplan, the man who’d killed the mule and orchestrated her kidnapping, was already behind bars. What more did they need to know? She leaned back and stretched out her legs, her casual pose belying the turmoil in her gut. “I’ve told the therapist everything.”

Mason’s gaze never left her face. “How’s that working out for you?”

It was as if he knew. “I’m getting better.”

She tried to remember exactly how much she’d divulged to Ceci. Since Liam and Mason worked with her men, they probably shared everything.

“It’s just that you seem…distracted. More so of late. We want to help.”

You can’t help. No one can. Uh-oh. She sat up. “Is there something you aren’t telling me?”

Mason glanced at Liam then blew out a breath. “We both feel that keeping you in the dark will only add to your anxiety.”

She wiped her damp palms down her legs. “That’s an understatement.” Her heart was beating too fast, but she couldn’t make it slow.

“It’s just a rumor, mind you.”

“Tell me.” She needed to know what or who was out there.

“Harrison Kaplan seems to be extending his reach outside of jail.”

Her stomach revolted. “What does that mean—outside of the jail?” She hated that her voice shook.

Mason shrugged. “We’ve heard some talk that he partly blames you for his troubles, and that he might hire someone to do harm to those involved. That would include Gavin and Riley.”

And Brooke. And Ceci. That was outrageous. “Why come after me? That bastard blindfolded and bound me, then tossed me into the snow with no shoes and no coat. He wanted me to die.”

“We know, but because of Dylan and Riley, his helicopter pilot died and his other front man was shot during the ransom exchange. That wasn’t how he planned for it to go down.”

Her anger bubbled up. “That’s my fault how?”

Liam stabbed a hand through his hair, actually appearing uncomfortable. “It’s not, honey, but we want you to be aware that you need to take extra precaution now.”

Great. “Like I don’t have enough anxiety?” She jumped up and paced. With each step, her stomach ached and her throat started to close up. “Is this about the key? Because I lost it you think I need help?”

She hadn’t even noticed Liam move toward her until he’d wrapped his arms around her. “We’ll keep you safe.”

She slipped out of his embrace. “I can’t live in fear, never knowing when he’ll strike. I have to move on.” She kept harping on Ceci about doing just that and her friend had succeeded. Even Brooke seemed to have conquered her fear. She would, too.

Liam glanced over at Mason. “Moving on is good, but don’t be surprised if you see us drive by your house over the next couple of weeks to make sure you’re safe.”

That kind of protection she could take. “Thank you.”

Mason stood and shoved his hands in his pockets. “You want to get some sleep or do you need company?”

ADULT EXCERPT

This was insane. Sure Sarah had known these men for months, and yes, her best friend had vouched for them, but it was one thing to let them protect her and another to give them her heart.

You lost your heart to them two months ago.

Mason slipped off her panties and then widened her legs. She should be freaking out at the lack of control, but with Mason it seemed so right. Guilt swamped her though. What about Liam? Wasn’t he waiting for them to eat their sundaes together? He had to know what they were doing. Was he mad? Or did he understand?

When Mason opened her folds and swiped a tongue down the middle, the need for answers disappeared. She clamped down on his head and squeezed. “Yes.”

It had been close to a year since she’d been with a man, and she prayed she didn’t act too needy or touch him where he didn’t like.

“Oh, angel. I could drink your sweet honey for hours.”

That had to be bravado. “I’d like to see you try.”

He nabbed her clit in response and sparks shot off in every direction. Desire swamped her. Now she realized she was way out of her league. How had she even thought she might want to experience two men? That was plumb crazy. She’d have been a puddle of lustful goo if both Mason and Liam touched her at once.

Mason swirled a finger around her wet opening and the anticipation of him licking her caused pulses to trip up her spine.

Put it in.

While a finger would be small compared to his cock, she yearned for some friction.

“Do you like when I do this?” he asked.

Why was he tormenting her? From all her moans and grunts, he had to know. He just wanted her hear her beg. If she thought it would do some good, she might.

“I guess.”

The growl he gave forced her to swallow her smile.

He slipped two fingers into her hole and she nearly shot off the bed. “Is this more to your liking?”

Damn. She bucked her hips. “It’s getting better.” Surely, he could see through her lie.

He laughed and curled the two fingers, hitting her G-spot on the first try. The man was a master and she was such a novice. “Oh, God.” That outburst had been unplanned.

“So you’re not immune.” He leaned over and licked her clit so many times, she had to grit her teeth not to come.

She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d turned her on more than any other man alive. She wasn’t going to last much longer. “May I suck on your cock?”

“No.”

What? “That’s not fair.”

“What’s fair is me lasting long enough to impale you like you deserve. Given how nothing I do really affects you, I’ll have to fuck your pussy for a long time. It might take hours for you to reach your climax.”

It would take minutes, if not seconds, and he knew that. The man was insufferable. When he nabbed her clit between his teeth and gently tugged, she yelled his name.

Mason looked up and smiled. “Maybe I misjudged you.”

“Fuck you.” She then grinned.

“I thought for our first time, I’d do the honors.”

“Then hurry.”

The man laughed. Jerk. Mason crawled up her body, licked his way around her belly button, and captured one of her breasts with his large palm. His rough tongue sent shivers and heat through her veins, igniting her body.

Quicker than she believed possible, Mason sat on the bed and discarded his briefs. Her eyes probably bugged out.

She nodded to his huge erection. “I’m not so sure about that fitting.”

“Don’t worry, angel. I’ll get you nice and ready. By the time I fuck your tight cunt, it’ll slide right in.”

She laughed at his dirty words, which, she suspected, were meant to ease the tension. Giving him all of the control wasn’t right. Since he was sitting next to her, she drew her legs under her and sat on her heels.

Without asking if she could lick him this time, she cupped his balls, drew his cock to her mouth, and drove down on him. His girth stretched her mouth wide. Oh, my. Too bad the tip of his dick banged into the back of her throat before she’d even taken in half his length.

Mason clamped a hand on her shoulder and held on tight. “Jesus, Sarah.”

She loosened her lips a little. From the amount of pre-cum oozing out the top, she feared he might explode without her. If she’d come this far, she was damn well going to make sure she had the best sex in her life. And that meant he’d have to wait for her.

So lost in thought, she stroked his long shaft a bit too hard and his hand came down on top of hers.

“That’s enough, angel. I can’t wait any longer.”

Halleluiah!