Page 105 of City of Secrets and Shadows
“And if I said I wanted to explore those possibilities?” I asked, my voice huskier than I’d intended. “Tonight?”
Septimus’s eyes darkened, and Marcus’s grip on my hand tightened fractionally.
“Then we would be honoured,” Marcus said softly.
Septimus said nothing, but his gaze dropped to my lips in a way that made my skin flush with heat.
I hesitated, my heart pounding against my ribs. The tension between us had shifted into something electric, dangerous, thrilling. I’d dreamed of both men, separately, for so long. Buttogether? The thought sent heat coursing through me, pooling low in my belly.
“I don’t know how this works,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
Septimus’s hand came up to cup my cheek, his calloused palm rough against my skin. “We’ll figure it out together.” His voice was a low rumble that I felt more than heard.
Marcus moved behind me, his chest pressing against my back as his hands settled on my hips. “We’ll stop anytime you want,” he murmured against my ear, his breath warm on my neck. “You set the pace.”
I closed my eyes, savouring the sensation of being caught between them, surrounded by their heat, their strength. When I opened them again, Septimus was watching me, his blue eyes dark with desire but also something deeper, more vulnerable.
“Are you sure?” I asked, searching his face. “Both of you?”
Marcus’s lips brushed the sensitive spot where my neck met my shoulder, sending shivers down my spine. “More sure than I’ve been about anything in a long time.”
Septimus simply stepped forward and kissed me, one hand gripping my waist while the other tangled in my hair, pulling me into a kiss that was all possession and need. His mouth was demanding, his tongue seeking entrance which I gladly granted.
Behind me, Marcus pressed against my back, his lips finding the sensitive skin where my neck met my shoulder. His hands slid around my waist, fingers splaying across my abdomen. The contrast between them was intoxicating — Septimus’s fierce intensity against Marcus’s measured restraint.
“We’ve thought about this,” Marcus murmured against my skin, his breath hot. “More than we should admit.”
Septimus broke our kiss, his eyes burning as they met mine. “Tell us what you want, Livia.”
“Everything,” I whispered, surprised by my own boldness. “I want everything.”
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Asound like a growl rumbled from Septimus’s chest as he claimed my mouth again. Marcus’s hands moved higher, cupping my breasts through the thin fabric of my stola. I arched into his touch, gasping against Septimus’s lips when Marcus’s thumbs brushed over my hardening nipples.
“Too many clothes,” Septimus muttered, his fingers already working at the clasps of my garment.
I shivered as cool air kissed my skin, the stola falling away. Marcus’s hands slid down my sides, helping guide the stola over my hips until I stood naked between them. He pressed against my back, his lips finding the sensitive spot where my neck met my shoulder.
“Beautiful,” he whispered, the word a warm caress against my flesh. “So perfect, Livia.”
Septimus stepped back, his dark eyes devouring me. Unlike Marcus’s gentle praise, his appreciation was a tangible hunger that made my knees weak. He reached out, tracing a calloused finger down the valley between my breasts.
I trembled between them, caught in their gaze like prey between two predators. Yet I’d never felt more powerful.
“Touch me,” I commanded, surprising myself with my boldness.
Septimus’s mouth curved into a wicked smile. “Oh, she gives orders now?” His large hand wrapped around my throat, not squeezing but asserting control. “Remember your place, Livia.”
Marcus’s gentle touch contrasted sharply as he caressed my lower back. “Don’t be cruel, Sep. Look how she responds to you.”
And I was responding, my body betraying me with slick heat between my thighs.
“Spread your legs for us,” he commanded, voice rough like gravel.
I obeyed, heart thundering against my ribs. Marcus’s hands slid around to cup my breasts from behind, his hardness evident against the small of my back.
“She’s already wet,” Septimus said with a smirk, his fingers finding the evidence of my arousal. “Dripping for us.”
