Page 49 of Claimed (Powertools: The Shields 5)

Karolena licked the back of her spoon, then set it on the pretty plate with the thin gold edge, her taste buds and her heart singing. The past several hours had been such a welcome break, a relief from the stress that had been wringing her guts since the instant she’d seen Levin strolling along Middletown’s sidewalk.

For the evening, she’d been able to pretend that tomorrow might never come. That she and Legend and Tavish could stay there with only the sky above, no ceiling, forever. Their laughter and deep conversation, hopes and dreams for the future, plus praise for the exquisite meal, had filled the night air.

Not one of them had rushed, as if they each expected they’d have a lifetime to spend with each other. Of course, that might not be possible, even if they wished it was.

Legend picked up her plate along with his and Tavish’s and stacked them neatly on the rest. He put the silverware in a basket and moaned. “Who’s going to do all the dishes?”

“Well, it’s probably my job.” She shrugged one shoulder. “Besides, it’s the least I can do after you two and everyone else went to so much trouble for me.”

“We’ll always do our best for you,” he said quietly as he returned to her side.

Instead of reclaiming his seat, he held out his hand and helped her to her feet. He wrapped her in a hug that made her feel as secure as if Vladimir were on the moon instead of still part of their world. “All I ask is that you come back to me.”

“That’s one thing we can’t promise,” Tavish murmured as he came up behind her and kissed the nape of her neck. “But I tell you this: I will do everything in my power to protect Legend when we’re on a mission.”

“I’m glad we shared this tonight and talked things through. I never want to leave with things uneasy between us. Just in case…” Legend swayed a bit, cradling her, and Tavish followed along until they were nearly slow dancing in the flickering candlelight.

She thought about how someday, they could be used up, just like her mop. A tool for governments and all of humanity—even those who never knew Shields existed—that had served its purpose and been worn out. Or have a not-so-accident, like her mother’s.

There were things she’d never get to say to the woman who’d raised her. They’d been robbed of time they should have spent together.

Karolena would never let that happen to her again. “If this could be one of our last nights together, I don’t want to waste it.”

“The point of all this wasn’t to seduce you.” Legend brushed stray tendrils from her face.

“But if that’s a bonus…I’m not going to say no to testing out that bed over there.” Tavish kissed her shoulder, making her shiver.

Legend rubbed her arms. Did she have the guts to be as forthright as she’d demanded of them? To admit what she really craved in that moment? “If you truly trust me, both of you, then I want you to show me what it’s like when you make love to each other. While I watch.”

“Should I bend him over right here on this table for old times’ sake?” Tavish asked in her ear, letting her feel how hard he’d gotten at her request when he rubbed up against her ass.

Legend stiffened in front of her, but not in the same way. She understood immediately.

She called Tavish on his bad habits. “Absolutely not. I didn’t say anything about fucking. I want you to be as romantic with him as you were with me when you did all of this. He deserves that from you.” Karolena swept her arm around, gesturing at the flowers and lights and the fantasy they’d brought to life for her.

Legend sucked in a breath, holding it as Tavish digested her wish.

And when Tavish took one of their hands in each of his and walked backward toward the canopied bed, they went—very willingly—with him.

When they reached it, he drew the netting aside and revealed a carved wooden box on the center of the mattress.

“What’s that?” Legend asked.

“No idea. I thought you put it there.” Tavish picked it up.

The three of them watched as he opened it. There was a note on top that said,With love, for love. ~Your friends.

Inside, on a red velvet lining, was a bottle of lube, a pair of handcuffs, and some gadget that she assumed was a vibrator though she’d never seen the sort before.

Tavish beamed. “They really did think of everything, huh?”

He placed it carefully at the foot of the bed then turned back to Legend and Karolena. “Anyone need help getting out of these get ups?”

Karolena spun so her back was to him and nodded. “Will you untie me, please?”

“I might rather tie you up, but we can save that for another time.” His voice rasped in her ear as he released the knot at the back of her neck, causing the entire front of her dress to fall away.

Legend blew out a breath as he took in the sight of her standing before him in the moonlight. “You don’t mind being naked while we’re dressed?”

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