Page 64 of Stealing Mercury
Samantha came back to herself minutes later, renewed pleasure already coursing through her body. She didn’t bother to open her eyes, unable to find any reason to resist the delicious lassitude. Mercury’s hand played between her thighs, drawing lazy circles in her cream, touching everywhere but the now over-sensitive bud. Warm lips nuzzled at her belly, trailing kisses up to the lower curve of one breast.
A warm tongue trailed back to her belly button, circling it in a slow wet lick.
She stretched, arching her back and spreading her thighs wider, seeking more of the decadent sensations. Mercury responded, immediately giving her what she needed, stroking her clit with firm pressure. Her hips bucked in response to the agony of a gratification so intense it perched precariously on the border between pleasure and pain. She stroked her hand across the silken head at her belly. Her eyes fluttered open as she gasped with pleasure.
Mercury’s silver eyes met hers... but he was above her—not beneath her fingers.
Confusion, followed by shock, sent ice water through her veins. She fisted her fingers in the silken hair beneath her palm and jerked the unexpected second lover away from her. Lo came up with a snarl. Even in the dim light, she could see the flecks of red fire dancing in those night black eyes.
“Breathe, Samantha.” Mercury spoke in soothing tones as his hand gripped her thigh, where she’d jerked her knees together. “All is as it should be.”
“No. No, I’m pretty sure this is wrong.” She released Lo with a shove and struggled to sit up. “What in the stars is going on?”
With a sigh, Mercury let her go. “It’s all right. Lo would never hurt you. I told you he would join us tonight.”
Samantha vaguely recalled Mercury saying he’d join them later. She tried to think clearly. Whose hand had been between her legs? Aw hell, as if that was all that mattered. “Join us to sleep, not... this.” Her stomach sank as she remembered Owens’ words. They shared their females. But their actions had told a different story. Right up until she’d woken with both Mercury and Lo touching her.
Samantha wrapped her arms around her knees and pulled them to her chest for modesty’s sake. When she glanced around for clothes, there were none in sight. Lo had backed to the edge of the sleeping pallet like a dark shadow.
She turned her attention to Mercury. “Can you hand me my clothes?” Her voice shook.
Mercury edged closer and she scooted away instinctively. Underneath her confusion, a deep sense of betrayal lurked, waiting to swallow her up when she got safely dressed and far away from him.
“Let me hold you, Samantha. You’re trembling. Don’t be afraid.”
“I’m not afraid. It’s shock and the cold. Why, Mercury? Why would you do this?”
“This is our way. You’re my mate and Lo is my only unmated pack brother. He must seal the bond.”
Samantha decided to leave aside his claim that she was his mate. “I don’t get it. You share your women? Owens said that, but after being around you guys, I didn’t believe it.” Her stomach clenched, but she knew it was more nerves than disgust. Shouldn’t she be disgusted? No, she’d never been one to judge the practices of other cultures.
This time when Mercury edged closer, she held her ground. He pulled her into the shelter and warmth of his body and the heat of it eased her tremors.
He lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “We have few women. When we take one as mate, our unmated pack brothers vow to protect her. Sharing pleasure seals the bond. This is our way.”
“It isn’t my way, Mercury. You should’ve talked to me about this. Among my people having sex with someone else is being unfaithful. It’s disloyal.”
He frowned. “Our lives are different in many ways, my Samantha. For Arena Dogs, every day could be our last. We fight in the arena, often to the death. We must ensure our mates are protected if we die.”
She wrapped her hand around his wrist, needing the physical connection between them. “You’re not in the arena anymore.”
“We still face danger. Let me keep you safe, Samantha. Lo is the only brother I have left to offer you. You know he won’t harm you.”
Offer her? Like a gift? The idea was crazy, but in a weird way she understood what he meant and how important it was to him. The sincerity was plain on his face. This was normal for him. He didn’t understand why she resisted.
“Lo is my pack brother,” he said. “I wish you to bond with him. It wouldn’t be disloyal if it’s what I want.”
“It’s not whatshewants.” Lo’s voice startled her. Soft and mournful, it seeped out of the shadows. She’d never heard him like that. Lo was always angry, but not now. Her rejection hurt him.
“Lo, please understand this isn’t about you. It’s about me. The way I feel about Mercury.”
He shook his head, but he didn’t meet her eyes. “Mercury wants us to bond. This is not about him. It doesn’t matter. I pledge my protection for my pack brother’s mate.” Finally, he lifted his head, but it was Mercury he looked at. “I swear it. She set us free. I owe her my life. I won’t force the bond on her.”
In a flash of movement, he was on his feet and stalking away from them. Pain radiated in every movement.
Samantha turned to Mercury to find him watching Lo with sad eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause him pain.”
“I know.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “He’d been without hope for so long. He cares for you. That’s why this hurts him. Please, Samantha, go to him and ease his torment. His pain is my pain. I’d find only joy if you could ease my brother’s misery as you have mine.”
