Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
Wren
We watch more episodes of The Office, which is fun. I love it that they both like that show as much as I do.
After dinner, the three of us end up in the great room with the fire built high and snow still coming down outside the two big windows.
We’re now onto the second bottle of wine.
Sebastian is in his chair. Maxim is on the hearth stone.
And I’m on the rug between them, my back against Sebastian’s knees.
We chat about whether the Crossing is even open, which it isn’t. Margit texted me an hour ago to say the whole town is shut and to stay wherever you are, love, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, which from Margit could mean anything.
Then I bring up the subject of how much I love dogs.
I’ve always wanted a dog of my own but never was in any kind of stable living/working situation until possibly now.
I might as well prime them for this idea early.
If I want this life with them, which seems to be what I’ve decided, then they need to know I expect my future to be filled with not only children, but a dog too.
“What type of dogs do you like the most?” Sebastian questions.
“Well, I’m not a little dog person, at least not at this stage in my life. I’m interested in bigger, sporty dogs, the type that will go on long walks, play in the snow and keep out intruders.”
“What is your favorite breed?” Maxim asks.
“Well, I’ve always thought Labs were a great type of dog. Or a Border Collie. Maybe even a Boxer. Big but not too big, kinda athletic and not a full-on guard dog but still protective.”
Maxim nods in agreement. “I like those breeds too.”
Sebastian takes another sip of red wine. “Maxim said that if you are going to move in with us, you’ll need dogs to keep you company and to also keep you safe. I agree.”
I sit up straight. “Dogs. As in plural? Not just one, but two?”
Maxim shrugs. “If you think you can handle two big dogs on your own, even when we’re not home, then yes, do what you want. If you want one, do that. If you want two puppies to start with, do that too.”
A smile spreads across my face. “You two like dogs too Maxim? You’ve also been wanting a pet?”
“Well, I like dogs from a distance. I’ve never had a pet or had one growing up.”
“I am the same,” Sebastian agrees. “We never had dogs.”
“Do Krovenians dislike pets?”
“No, many Krovenians have pets, the same types that are common amongst humans. But maybe not as often?”
“It’s not as common,” Maxim agrees. “It’s just by chance neither of us have had pets before, but we both would like to try this out too, just as you do.”
“He’ll have names by morning,” Sebastian says.
“I have names now.”
“Of course you do.”
I’m warm from the wine and warmer from the two of them.
My body remembers this morning’s bed and this afternoon’s bookcase and I have to breathe through it.
These two are so devastatingly handsome.
They dress often in black and it looks good on them.
Two virile Krovenian soldiers want to marry me, start a family and have sex with me at the same time.
It’s been good, having this time with them together, as well as alone and separate.
And I feel like I’ve really, almost come to a final decision.
“Okay,” I say. “I need to say something, and I need you both to just let me talk this out.”
“Say it, Wren,” Maxim announces.
“I originally came out here upset with the two of you, for deserting me without a word. I came here for answers as to what was going on between the three of us. I’ve been here two days and…
I’ve kissed both of you and we’ve had long talks.
” I wave the glass at the whole house, the beams, the fire, the stone.
“And I’m not confused anymore or not scared.
I understand all of this and I want this.
Two husbands. Krovenia. Kids. The whole world knowing.
” I take a breath. “I’m not saying it because I’m snowed in.
I’m saying it because I’d drive into another storm to get here.
And I’m not the kind of person who says something like that twice. So.”
“You will not drive into another storm,” Maxim says.
“She might,” Sebastian responds back.
I roll my eyes.
Maxim crouches in front of me on the rug, so his eyes are level with mine. Silver in the firelight. I have a feeling I already know why he’s being so serious. This male is very serious and he’ll want to be thorough. “I originally asked you three questions,” he says.
I put down my wine glass. “I remember.”
“I am going to ask you again, to make sure you understand what you’re committing to.”
“Go ahead, I’m ready now. Bring it on.”
“First, do you think a human female can live with two of our species? One Krovenian, or ‘vampires’ as you like to call us, might be hard for a human to handle because of the Blood Calling but this would be two of us. Both of us would drink your blood during mating. Again, is that okay with you?”
“Yes. I fully understand and in fact I think it sounds sexy.”
He smirks. “Can you mate with us for life? This isn’t a dating situation.”
“The Blood Calling doesn’t allow for divorce,” Sebastian inserts. “This will be a physical bond that neither of us will be able to turn off for the rest of our lives. Do you think you can make that kind of life-long commitment to a Krovenian?”
“Yep. Bring it on. I love the idea that you two will also never cheat on me, so we’re even.”
“Okay, one last question. Can you live with the whole world knowing you have two husbands and they’re both Krovenian? This seems private now, and we won’t tell anyone in the media, but they will find out eventually and you will have less privacy and there will be judgement.”
“It’s okay.” I let out a breath. “I can handle this. In fact, I think most women will be jealous of me.”
“I have one question,” Sebastian declares.
I meet his gaze. “Yes?”
“Do you really want to be a mother? You will be pregnant instantly, with half Krovenian, half human children. Are you sure this is what you want?”
I squirm because heat rushes through my whole body.
“All I’ve ever had in the past was mediocre, protective sex,” I tell him.
“I always used birth control and insisted on condoms. But this time, the thought of the three of us having unprotected sex, with the focus being on starting a family with the both of you, sounds hotter than anything I’ve ever done before.
And yes, I am ready to start that phase of my life…
motherhood…especially now that I know I’ll have two husbands who are committed and financially stable.
This sounds like a good time to start a family. ”
Sebastian stands and soon his hands come down onto my shoulders from behind, and Maxim’s come up to my face, and I’m held between them.
“Then it’s now?” Sebastian questions, low, into my hair.
“Now is good,” I agree, loving the idea of the three of us making love in bed together sooner rather than later.
I’ve felt both of their cocks through tented pants and I’m so, so ready for the real deal.
I turn my head and look at Sebastian, then back at Maxim.
“I love you both. I wanted to be the one to say that first, to make sure you understand that I’m serious about this.
Now that I’ve spent this time alone with the two of you, I’m certain we are better together than apart.
I believe we can make this work in a way that will make all three of us happy. ”
Maxim kisses me first, because he’s in front of me.
Slow. All attention, the way he does everything. Sebastian’s hands stay on my shoulders and then slide down my arms, and I feel him decide to wait, and it’s the hottest thing I’ve ever felt, knowing they are taking turns with me.
Then Maxim turns me, gently, toward Sebastian. Sebastian kisses me from above, my head tipped back. Maxim’s hands are on my waist.
My wine glass goes over. Nobody cares.
Maxim is on his knees on the rug in front of us with his hands on my thighs, sliding up, his thumbs pressing into the inside seam of my jeans. Sebastian’s mouth is on the side of my neck, not biting, just there, breathing. It’s getting out of hand and I’m the one helping to make it that way.
And it’s Maxim who stops us, one hand flat on my sternum. “Not on the floor,” he says. “Not the first time.”
“Bed,” Sebastian agrees. And then he bends down and scoops me up into his arms as if I’m light as air.
I laugh, surprised this happened so quickly. One arm under my knees and one behind my back. I get an arm around his neck and hang on.
Maxim strides ahead of us and takes the stairs two at a time. Sebastian takes them the same, not even out of breath as he carries me upstairs. Before we’re at the top I can hear the bedroom hearth being built up.
Sebastian looks down at me, and the grin is gone. “Wren.”
“Hm.”
“I love you.” Then he stops on the landing, and he says it again, slower, looking right at me. “I love you. I’ve never said that to anyone who wasn’t my blood. I’m going to say it a lot. Get used to it.”
I can’t answer. I put my face in his neck and hold on.
The fireplace is already started. Maxim stands by the hearth with his shirt off and his hands at his sides, waiting for us.
Sebastian sets me on my feet on the rug in front of the fire.
Then they undress me together, and it’s reverent.
Four hands, and none of them rushing. Sebastian is behind me and Maxim in front.
The sweater comes up over my head. Sebastian’s mouth is on my bare shoulder before it’s all the way off.
Good thing I brought the matching set of my best underwear because it’s coming in handy right now.
Maxim’s thumbs go to the straps and he looks at me, a question, and I nod, and it’s gone.
Sebastian goes to his knees behind me and slides my jeans down, his hands on the backs of my thighs the whole way.
They even have me sit so they can take off my boots and socks.