Concessions
“No, please!” Toni almost fell from the couch’s arm, the nefarious glint in Mal’s ice-blue eyes convincing her that she was in real trouble. “I’m sure we can find a compromise.”
Toni knew when she was beaten. Smaller, slower, and apparently, only a human, she had no chance against the sinister giant that was Mal. Ezra might have brought her into the maelstrom, but in doing so, he’d probably saved her life. Mal appeared to have little interest in perpetuating that status quo of her life unless she agreed to his terms, which apparently meant not only fucking them both, but agreeing to submit.
Mal’s tongue licked at his lips. “I haven’t felt hunger like this for years, Toni, so make your choice. Do you want to fuck us and agree to be dominated or donate yourself to a higher species?”
Her jaw dropped open. Donate herself?
“Why don’t we tell Toni what you mean, Sir ?” Ezra spoke up behind her, lingering on the final word.
“ Sir ?” For all her woe, she couldn’t help but probe Ezra’s words. Mal had said Ezra was his submissive, but why would a specimen like him relinquish power to a self-professed predator?
“Mal is my Dom.” Ezra stepped toward her. “I submit to his will by choice, Toni.”
“Why?” Her gaze shifted back to the rapacious blond.
“Because I love him.” Ezra’s chuckle was soft. “We love each other.”
“Much though I want to dispute Ezra’s logic, he’s right.” Mal smiled.
One moment, Mal had vowed to kill her, and the next, he was proclaiming affection—she couldn’t keep up.
“But you said you were monsters.”
“Oh, we are.” Mal slid along the sofa until he was right beside her. There was no hiding from him, nor the knowing look in his gaze, and she shivered at his proximity. “But even monsters can love, little human.”
Balanced precariously on the edge of the couch, she strained to resist touching his encroaching body.
“Listen.” She tensed. “I don’t want to die.”
She’d told them that before, but she’d been hysterical then. Perching on the precipice of whatever was about to befall her, though, Toni was peculiarly calm. She was a woman of logic, and much though she didn’t want to concede, she would do whatever was necessary to survive. They’d said they understood love, so perhaps they could find pity for her plight.
“What do you want me to do, Mal?” She forced herself to look at him. If he was right about being able to sense her heartbeat, then he’d know she was fighting hard to steel her agitation. “I’ve never done this before.”
“Just do as he asks you.” Ezra’s hand squeezed her shoulder, and glancing around, she acknowledged she was abruptly sandwiched between their two imposing bodies.
“She asked me, lover.” Mal’s tone was dry. “So, let me answer.”
“Yes, please.” She forced out the words, cognizant of both their attentions spearing her. “Tell me.”
It would have been easier if she’d rejected the idea of fucking them entirely, but God damn her, she couldn’t. Ezra was an enigma—the dark savior who’d swept her from the snow, while Mal had a sharp ferocity that both terrified and enticed. They could have taken her by force, but the truth was, they’d never have to. She’d have assented to ride either of them if only the subject of her blood hadn’t been part of the deal.
“ Sir .” Leaning closer to her, Mal’s lips tugged upward. “That’s what you call me.”
A rush of energy surged along the length of her spine at the command. Toni had never referred to anyone that way before, and until that moment, she’d have sworn she never would, yet sitting there, the notion of deferring to Mal was simple. If Ezra could yield, then she could endure the subjugation. At least long enough to find a way out of the gray prison and back to her life.
“Okay.” She pulled in a breath. “Tell me, Sir .”
She cringed at the final word but was relieved to find it wasn’t as excruciating as she’d expected.
“Ezra’s right.” Mal’s hand rose slowly in her peripheral vision. She tensed, aware of its journey as one of his long fingers grazed her jaw. “All you need to do is obey me.”
Is that all?
Obedience to the monster who’d threatened to drain her of blood was no small request, but her racing heart knew she’d do it—for the potential pleasure, as well as the chance of survival.
“And then?” She barely had the courage to ask, but staring into Mal’s mesmerizing eyes, she had to know his response. “I comply, you guys fuck me, and then what?”
“I think you know the answer.” Mal grinned, revealing those protruding fangs that sought to puncture her.
“Please.” She gripped the couch beneath her as his fingertip slid along to her nape. His touch felt disturbingly good. Too good to be that of a killer. “Please, Sir. I need to hear it from you.”
The electricity firing between the three of them pounded in the pit of her chest as Mal finally relented with his reply.
“Then, little human, you live.”
That reassurance was all Mal was prepared to give her. Impatient and horny, he didn’t wait to see the realization settle in her widening eyes as he rose and swept her into his arms.
“Wait!” she yelped, beating his chest frantically as he stalked past Ezra. “I need more time. We’re still talking!”
“Enough talking.” He growled, turning into the darkened hallway and striding toward the bedroom he shared with Ezra. “It’s time to make good on your words.”
“But...” She strained to see over his shoulder when he carried her into the bedroom. “There’s something else I want to say, Sir!”
Mal paused and closed his eyes. Another thing he’d forgotten was how infernally irritating humans could be with their endless whining.
“What. Is. It?” Dropping her onto the enormous bed, his unimpressed stare drilled into her as she clambered to cover herself with the fur. Watching her pathetic display, Mal considered ripping the pelt from her entirely.
“Let’s hear her out, Sir.” Ezra closed the door behind him, smiling as he came to stand beside Mal. “This is all new for Toni.”
You’ll pay for this. Mal shot him the warning glare.
I know. Ezra’s expression gave little away about their private communication. I’ll do whatever you command.
“What is it, little human?” Placated by Ezra’s promise, Mal lowered to the bed beside her. “You have two minutes.”
Not that Mal had any way of measuring time, but then, she didn’t know that.
“I want to ask for something, Sir,” she panted as she peered between the two of them. “In exchange for my blood.”
“I offered you your life.” Mal snorted. Humans were so greedy, but at least she had addressed him correctly.
“And I’m grateful.” She rose to her knees. “But I’d like more.”
“What, Toni?” Ezra moved to the edge of the bed and reached for her. Mal watched with interest as she edged closer to his beau’s outstretched hand before grasping it with her delicate fingers. “If you’re making a request of our master then you need to be clear.”
It had been Ezra who’d brought the human into their bed, and no doubt, he would do whatever he could to smooth over the proceedings.
“A study.” For the first time since she’d woken, Toni relented her hold of the fur and allowed it to fall to her lap, revealing her pert and creamy breasts. Lust clawed at Mal’s groin, insisting he take in every inch of their shape and size. “I’d like the chance to study you both.”
“Study us?” Mal might have laughed at the preposterous idea were it not for the swell of his desire.
Ezra had started the fire as he’d ordered, but it wasn’t only the force of the flames elevating his temperature. It was Toni. After centuries of indulging only with men, Mal was eager to have what he’d been missing.
“Yes.” Her chest rose and fell as her focus slid from Ezra to Mal. “I’m a scientist, and I’ve never met a vampire before. That’s what I do. I study and research and learn…”
Unfastening his pants, Mal stretched out on the bed and rolled closer to her. “You think you can come in here and make demands on us?”
“I wouldn’t say, make demands , Sir.” Her nipples pebbled despite the rising warmth in the bedroom, and as she replied, Mal noticed how her gaze settled on his groin. “More like asking, really.”
“One step at a time, tiny human.” She was bold. Mal would give her that, and fortunately for Toni, he was in the mood to play. “Impress me in bed and share with us, and maybe then…” His head rose to meet Ezra’s shrewd smile. “Maybe then we can talk about more.”
“So, it’s a maybe?” She glanced around at Ezra as Mal drew her against his chest.
“Shhh.” Ezra placed his index finger to his lips. “Go to him now, Toni. Give yourself to Mal.”
Urging her toward him, Ezra tugged at the fur still draped over her thighs and discarded it to the floor behind him. Mal wrapped an arm around her cool skin, replacing the warmth of the pelt. They hadn’t managed to make her eat much, but he was sure the sex would heat her tempting body.
“Well?” Leaning on one elbow, Mal smiled at her obvious uncertainty. Her heart was beating so fast he was surprised she hadn’t lost consciousness, though he sensed the response was now thanks to her arousal rather than her anxiety alone. “Are you having second thoughts?”
“No, Sir.” Her smile was almost coy. “It’s just been a while since I…” She caught her lower lip between her teeth. “That’s all.”
“I promise not to bite…” Mal chuckled as his free hand slipped into her hair and held her steady. She was decidedly beautiful, and staring into her blue eyes, Mal was thankful for Ezra’s decision to deliver her to him. “Not yet, anyway.”
“Th-thank you.” Her reply was breathy. “I—”
Unwilling to hear any more, Mal pounced. Pinning her gently onto the soft covers, he stretched her arms over her head when his lips collided with hers. She stiffened at first but relaxed into the caress once she accepted his fangs wouldn’t hurt her and opened to allow his tongue to explore the wet warmth of her mouth. By the time he drew away, Toni was red-faced, and her pupils were large with passion.
“That was…” She shook her head with a smile. “Really something, Sir. You kiss like you own me.”
“Because I do.” His eyebrow cocked. “Ezra belongs to me, and while you’re here, so do you, little human.”
“That sounds better than it has any right to.” Her lips stretched into a grin.
“Mind if I join you both, Sir?” Ezra had stripped from his remaining clothing and climbed onto the bed beside her.
“Be my guest.” Mal signaled for him to go ahead as he made way for Ezra.
His cock hardened as he watched the creature he loved entangle with the human, her pale limbs wrapping around his sculpted middle. Running a fingertip along the musculature of Ezra’s back, Mal enjoyed the look of their entwining bodies.
“Wow.” Toni’s voice was filled with awe when Ezra rose over her, her eyes searching for Mal in the shadows of the room. “You’re both so…” Her voice trailed away as she stretched out on the covers.
“We know.” Mal threw her a wink. “You’re a lucky girl. Now, get on your knees.”
He pointed to a spot by the side of the bed and waited as she sat up and slid from the blankets. “We’ve tasted your pretty mouth. Now, let’s see how good you are at using it.”