Page 31 of Claimed (Powertools: The Shields 5)

“Damn.” She panted as she rested her head on Tavish’s shoulder and studied them up close. “I can’t believe I lost so much time. I could have been doing this for an entire decade already. Actually enjoying myself and building something real and lasting. What a fucking waste.”

“I’m guilty too,” Tavish admitted both to them and himself. “I walled myself off after…”

“So we’ll start now. Together.” Legend’s tone was matter-of-fact. As if it only made sense. And somehow, although it had happened in a flash, it did.

Maybe all these years they’d simply been waiting for the right catalyst to trigger this explosion of passion blended with emotion. A cocktail so perfectly mixed, Tavish was already drunk off it and thirsty for far more than was wise.

Understandably, Karolena needed the most convincing. He couldn’t imagine how mind-boggling it was for her and how surreal it must seem. “Will we? Obviously, you guys sleep with more than one person. Does that mean you’ll see other women—or men—too?”

“Would you care if we did?” It was a purely theoretical question, but Tavish wondered if she was as invested as they already were.

“Yeah. I think so.” Karolena bit her lip, which Legend soothed with another lingering kiss.

“Don’t worry. That’s not how this works for us,” he promised her.

“It scarred me when Vladimir slept around on me and I didn’t even like that bastard.” Karolena closed her eyes briefly. “How fucked up is that?”

“Not at all. You have a right to expect your partners to respect whatever boundaries you set together. James and his spouses have polyamorous relationships with their friends in the Powertools crew. It works for them and that’s awesome.” Legend tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“But it’s equally important for you to be honest, mostly with yourself, about what it’s going to take to make you happy. All the trios here at Shields are committed threesomes.” Tavish hoped she approved. “Just because we like to share our women and indulge in some sword crossing while we’re at it doesn’t mean we’re incapable of being faithful.”

“We’re hoping to find the right person to fit with us and make us a unit.” Legend put it out there in the open. It was a dream they’d been too afraid would never come true to speak of it so plainly before. Not even to each other.

But it was starting to seem possible, so Tavish didn’t bother denying it.

“We’re nothing like your ex,” Legend insisted. “The difference is respect. We’re looking for someone to be ours, someone we can give ourselves to completely.”

Karolena nodded. “I don’t know if I’m that person, but as long as I know that’s your goal, I’m less afraid. Or maybe more in some sick way.”

“What’s that mean?” Tavish pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“I’m worried I could get really used to this—you two, the way you make me feel, safety, having choices, your friends, being spoiled, and especially this place. It’s fancy and full of people pursuing their passions. A life I’ve always fantasized about with none of the drawbacks of my previous one. A means of keeping some of those same privileges I had before but at a cost I am willing to pay. Now that I’ve seen what it could be like, I don’t want to lose it before I’ve ever really had it.”

“Then let’s make the most of every minute we have. In our line of work, that’s really the best you can hope for.” Tavish didn’t want her to have any misconceptions. The expected lifespan of an agent was far shorter than that of an average Joe. Workplace mishaps were usually more serious than a finger mashed in a stapler.

Karolena reached for her mostly forgotten glass and took a couple solid swigs. Then she nodded. The time for kissing had passed. All of them required something stronger.

“Is it okay to undress you this time?” Tavish ran his finger along the neckline of her T-shirt, dipping into the point of the V and tugging downward to display the upper swells of her pert breasts.

Karolena considered his request for a few heartbeats, which thumped in the base of his cock. “As long as you go first.”

That was not a problem. Hell, he loathed wearing clothes anyway.

Tavish stood so fast he nearly dumped her onto the rug. He’d already untied his boots, lost his shirt, and was in the process of unbuckling his kilt when Legend joined him in stripping without ceremony. He couldn’t help but admire the man as he stood naked in their dining room, sunlight pouring in across his bronzed skin. It wasn’t fair, really, that he looked like that when Tavish had to put on half a bottle of sunscreen every time he went outside with his legs exposed.

Karolena stared up at them from the beanbag, humming as she took in their display. Her gaze wandered from their sculpted chests to their erections.

“See something you want?” Tavish couldn’t help but tease her.

“Would it be okay if I touched you?” She stared at the floor, her cheeks turning pink.

“Let me guess, the douche-we’re-not-going-to-name-anymore wouldn’t let you have your way with him?” Tavish tried not to let his disdain for the man who’d done her so wrong seep through to Karolena in any way. She was obviously as unsure of her allure as he was of his ability to gauge a beautiful woman’s veracity.

“Good guess.” She aimed her attention out the window again as if their “balcony” really had a soothing effect. “He only ever wanted me to lie there, still, or maybe fight to escape, but certainly never to participate. He said it made me slutty.”

“He lied.” Legend growled. “Probably wouldn’t have been able to last more than five seconds if you had.”

“About that…” Karolena groaned, before peeking up at him again. “Is it normal? For people to do it this much, to want to do it more, and for it to take so long?”

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