Page 16 of Master Vidar & Vali

“Lincoln, I think you should take a walk.”

I could see regret for lashing out in my friend’s eyes, but I also knew he would need time before he would cool down. He hadn’t slept either, and the combination of that with the stress, wasn’t going to help us.

Linc nodded and strode out of the room. A moment later, I heard the back door slam. Knowing him, he’d gone seeking refuge at the pond out back to clear his mind.

I held Zara against my chest until her breathing eased and her muscles relaxed. She felt good, my arms easily wrapping around her slim body. I could feel the dampness of her silent tears on my shirt, but we both ignored them as she calmed down.

Her breasts were crushed against my chest, her head turned and buried into the front of my shoulder. It took some time, but eventually, she took a deep shuttering breath and looked up at me.

“You know about my parents and still offered to help?”

“I didn’t when I first met you, but I was worried so Linc did a full background check.” I shrugged. “It’s what we do. Why didn’t you go to the police when you landed in the States instead of coming to me?”

“I don’t have the best history with them, and men like Mihal with money and connections, always have people in their pockets. I needed time and space to consider my next steps, and all I could think about was your offer to help.”

“Mihal Aziz isn’t just rich. We recently found out he’s connected through familial ties with the Albanian mob. I’m going to be honest and say I’m not sure if going to the police is the better option. Without proof of crimes or valuable information to trade, there is only so much they can do to protect you.”

“Damn it. I knew he was knee deep in illegal activities, just by the looks of the people at the PR dinners where he paraded mearound, but I never guessed he was actually deeply connected. Why are you and Lincoln willing to put yourselves in danger?”

I brushed a stray piece of hair off her face unwilling to step back from the embrace we were sharing,

“I should probably say something macho here like danger is my middle name, but the truth is we’d never abandon someone who needed our help. I knew something was wrong when I met you. Even when you turned down my offer, I worried that I hadn’t done enough to make sure you were all right.”

Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears and wonder. I could almost feel her heart racing as I held her close. No matter how tempting her soft swollen lips were, I should have resisted. But my self-control was shot. Even if it was wrong in that moment, I needed to know the taste of her mouth.

It was everything I could have hoped and more. Our lips molded together in a perfect symphony of passion. Her fingers gripped my shirt, pulling me closer and the small sounds of pleasure echoing up her throat encouraged me to not stop at a mere kiss.

With an act of will that was painful, I pulled back from the erotic dance our tongues were performing. The look in her eyes was no longer sad or hurt. She looked like a wild goddess ready to devour me. As tempting as that thought was, I stepped back, breaking all contact.

“Zara, we can’t do this.”

“Why not?” Her obvious anger made me smile.

I shook my head, not ready to share the real reason, so I offered something simpler. “You aren’t in the right headspace to make good decisions. Come on. I’ll show you to your room.” Keeping a firm arm around her shoulders, I helped her up the staircase and down the hall, giving her a brief tour on the way. “I’m right across the hall from you, if you need anything, and this room is Lincoln’s.”

“Is this your house?” she asked tentatively.

“No, but we stay here sometimes.” I opened the door to her spacious suite. “There is a robe on the back of the bathroom door and an assortment of clothing in the closet. I’m sure you can find something comfortable to sleep in.”

I turned to leave but her hands shot out and gripped my arm.

“Why can’t you stay? I’m a grown woman; right or wrong headspace, I have the right to make my own decisions.”

Something about her declaration sparked the Dominant side of my soul. I slowly stepped forward until she was backed against a wall. My body caged her without actually touching her. I leaned down until my lips were brushing against her earlobe.

“Informed consent is one of my unwavering tenets. Alcohol, exhaustion, or fear are just a few ways a person can be inhibited from making informed consent. The things I want to do to and with you require you to think long and clearly before even starting, because after just a small taste of you, I know I could never stop with a single night.”

“Lincoln and I are more than just friends, we’re partners. We may be with a woman alone, though that is rare but for anything more than a single evening we share.”

“You’re lovers?” Zara’s breathy question wasn’t judgmental, so I answered her.

“No. We are both only physically attracted to women, but our lives will never be separate. We both enjoy pushing a woman to heights that only having two men can achieve. We need someone strong enough not to be consumed by what we offer, but willing to place herself completely at our mercy. That is a decision you are not ready to make, and I won’t risk what could be for a single night of satisfaction.”

Before my willpower completely broke, I stepped away, and strode out the door without even looking back. As I closed the door I said, “Sweet dreams, Zara.”

Her muffled groan made me smile as I walked into my own suite, quickly stripping my clothes from my body as I headed to the shower. Lincoln would be back soon and would want to talk. Before he returned, I needed to get myself under control.

A smart man would have used cold water to beat back the fire, but with the sensation of Zara’s body so vivid in my mind, I knew release was my only option. The hot water enveloped me, easing the tension from my shoulders.

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