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“I don’t know!” she snapped.

Silence.

Mara sighed. “I just know that my daydreams came to life only to turn into a nightmare. Now, I’ll just stick to my daydreams. Only maybe they’ll take a different form. Now --” she started down the hall to the door, “-- if you’ll kindly leave, I need to get ready for bed. I’m tired and --”

Any further explanation was cut short when Mikkarn pulled her into his arms and silenced her with his lips.

She struggled a little at first, but his mouth molded itself to hers with insistent gentleness. He coaxed a response, angling his head until he covered her lips at just the right position. She sighed, and he slipped his tongue inside, gently licking. She couldn’t help herself. Try as she might, she couldn’t fight the feelings that had been building for the past two years. Something deep inside her yearned to mean something to this man, even though her better judgment warned her against it. She wanted to be more than just a one-time fling. She wanted the daydream.

Funny thing was, she wasn’t so surehedidn’t want the exact same thing.

That thought brought her to her senses. She broke the kiss, but he used that opportunity to make his way down her neck. His hands caressed her back while his lips carefully sucked her face and chin. Chills ran down her spine, and her hands gripped his muscled shoulders. “Mikkarn. Please stop. I can’t…”

“Why?” Mikkarn didn’t break contact with her. “Because of what Kiril did?”

“Because of what you are. I’ve wanted you so long, I’m afraid what this will do to my heart.” She knew she was going to cry. She couldn’t help it.

“What do you think I am? Is it because of the women, or because I’m Gothe’maran and you’re human?” Mikkarn never stopped his pleasurable torment of her neck and collarbone.

“Because you have somanywomen,” she wailed. “I don’t want to be another notch on your headboard come morning! My feelings have nothing to do with you being a Gothe’maran man. They have everything to do with the fact that you’re just like everyhumanman I’ve ever met. Once you get what you want, you leave. I don’t think my heart could stand that, and I have no idea why!”

Mikkarn raised his head and looked her straight in the eye. “Mara.” His voice was just a breath, less than a whisper. “When I get through with you tonight, you’ll know just how special you are to me. And I promise, there will never be another woman in my heart other than you.”

Dropping his hand to the belt holding up her robe, Mikkarn tugged it free. Mara immediately pulled the lapels of her robe together. This was more embarrassing than being caught masturbating. She stumbled backward, moving farther down the hall, still clutching her robe to her body. This didn’tfeelright. Something was missing. Something very important. She only stopped when her back met the wall.

“Please leave now,” she said. “I want to be alone. I don’t want this.”

Mikkarn approached her carefully. “I don’t think that statement is entirely true, but I’ll respect your wishes.” He cupped her face gently and urged her to meet his eyes. “Next time, I’ll respect yourotherwishes.” He smiled. “You want me, and not just because you’re curious. Something about me touches something deep inside you…”

He stopped. Then he backed up, a strange expression on his face. Mara could have sworn she actually felt his discomfort.Impossible! “Unfortunately, I’m not the only one you crave.” Mikkarn’s smile was tight, as if the effort was solely for her benefit.

“What’s going on? How can youknowthat?” Mara was beginning to panic. This was all too weird. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear the two men could actually read her mind sometimes. The thought was not comforting.

Mikkarn shrugged and said simply, “Because you’re my soul’s mate. Kiril thinks you’re his soul’s mate as well. I guess this is something he and I will have to work out on our own.” Stepping close to her once again, he brushed his lips against hers gently. “We’ll talk later. In the meantime --” his grin was positively wicked, “-- keep your eyes open. You might see some interesting things.” He winked.

As he retreated down the hall to the front door, she screeched after him, “I donotlike to watch!”

?* * *

The house was eerily quiet when Mikkarn returned. He knew Kiril was there, knew Tamche was still there as well, but he didn’t hear a sound anywhere. Then the sharp staccato sound of flesh slapping flesh caught his attention. As he made his way up the stairs, the sound grew louder, accompanied by muffled cries and harsh groans. In the playroom, the sight he witnessed was… disturbing. Not because of the act itself, but because of the savage, angry expression on Kiril’s face.

Tamche was face down -- the ball gag he’d wished for earlier firmly in place -- but lying on one hip with her knees together. Her wrists were tied to the bedpost and she seemed stretched almost uncomfortably. Hell, no way she wasn’t actually in pain. It looked like her shoulders might dislocate if any more pressure was put on them.

On his knees behind her, Kiril had a bruising grip on her hip and thigh as he pounded ruthlessly into her ass. He was red-faced, the veins in his neck prominent as he strained for release. Over and over he thrust himself into her back opening, faster and faster as he growled and grunted loudly with each thrust. He slammed into her one last time with a fierce shout, and then pulled himself from her ass roughly, and shoved her away. Jumping up, he stalked across the room.

Mikkarn immediately moved to the bed and removed the restraints and the gag from Tamche. Gently rolling her over, he asked, “Are you all right?”

Tamche opened her eyes and gave him a weak smile. “All right? I’ve just had the best fuck of my entire life. What do you think?” She laughed softly as she stretched. “I think I’ll keep him.”

Mikkarn looked to Kiril, whose expression was just short of murderous. He glanced at Tamche before going to his friend. Tamche had spread her legs and she shuddered as she brushed her clit. She froze when her fingers ventured farther, to her ass.

“Kiril, you didn’t come. What happened?” She sounded as puzzled as Mikkarn suddenly was. Why had Kiril held back?

“What happened?” Her voice was very angry indeed.

Face still red, his whole body actually shaking -- most likely from anger -- Kiril looked directly at Mikkarn and pointed an accusing finger at him. “You fucked her, didn’t you?”

Before Mikkarn could respond, Tamche looked from one of them to the other and with eyebrows raised said, “Of course he’s fucked me. You were there.” Her tone was a bit condescending, but Mikkarn tried to focus on his friend. Something wasn’t right.

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