Page 63 of More Than I Can Bear

“River…”

It was just my name, but there was so much in it. Need and desire, understanding and concern, but mostly a sweetness, one so intense it set my teeth on edge, right before she kissed me again.

Kaine’s directive was pushed to one side now, the emotion, the need that had been dammed up breaking free. I ground my girl into the kitchen bench with my ferocity. I needed her, now, all of her that I could have, gulping her down greedily, because only the gods knew how long I’d have her for. She moaned my name between kisses, her nails clawing at my back, rocking her hips harder and faster against me until…

The scent of sweet, sweet honey filled the air as she pulled back, panting rapidly and I experienced the very animal satisfaction of watching my mate come apart. Just a little orgasm, but it seemed to shake her, her whole body quivering until finally she fell still. I stroked her back through every wave, but then she met my eyes.

“You’re supposed to be perfect for me?” she asked.

“If I’m not now, I will be, I promise,” I replied.

“Then take me to bed and show me,” she said, the bear roaring his glee inside my skull. Then her eyes slid from mine to Kaine’s. “Both of you.”

Chapter32

Freya

Holy crap. I blinked as I felt the last vestige of pleasure wash through me, one that I’d earned simply through grinding on River in Kaine’s kitchen. It was something I’d had no idea was possible before now.

Making me wonder what else my body was capable of.

A small, sensible part of me screeched inside my head, wondering if I was rushing into something else too fast, but it was easy to brush aside. I knew now why bear shifters get shit on the down low because, damn, these guys were addictive. My legs wobbled when River set me on my feet.

“River, catch her,” Kaine directed, his voice so fucking imperious.

But River’s arms had already gone around me. I knew my brain was being flooded by endorphins and feel-good hormones, but right now I was sure. River would never allow me to fall. As I stared up at the man who thought he was fated to be with me, Kaine stepped forward.

“You sure you want both of us?” he asked.

There was something so confident, so competent about Kaine, and perhaps he would’ve hated that estimation of his personality, but I found it illuminating to see that hard shell crack just a little.

He wasn’t sure I’d say yes.

I caught the way his muscles locked down, holding himself back, those eyes searching my face, trying to anticipate my response.

And maybe he wouldn’t like mine.

“I don’t know what this is yet,” I said, smoothing a hand up River’s arms, both men watching me move. “But I’d like to find out. If you’re open to that—”

I didn’t get a chance to finish the sentence. Kaine swept forward and plucked me from River’s grip, carrying me in a bridal hold over to the nearby bedroom.

And that made sense in a way. When we entered the room, when River joined us, there was something in the air. Solemn, ritualistic, but fragile. I had always been sure I’d never be able to just hit it and quit it and I wasn’t going to get a chance now. Kaine laid me down on the bed reverently, stroking my hair, my face, my neck and I stretched to press into his caress, while River joined us on the bed. His hands went to the collar of his shirt, a question in his eyes, but I scrambled to answer it.

I got to my knees, smoothing my hands over the soft flannel shirt. It had a pettable plush feel, but I was willing to bet the man himself felt even better. As I eased one button open, then another, Kaine moved behind me. My hair was balled up in his fist and he placed a single burning kiss against the nape of my neck. My hips jerked backwards, the sensation feeling like it tugged at something deep inside me and his other hand clapped down on my side, tucking me in against his hard length.

“Unbutton River’s shirt, Freya,” he told me in a low husky voice. “He’s yours, all yours, so explore him.”

Part of me bridled at his directive, but mostly I loved it. It was as if Kaine was giving me permission to do exactly as I wanted. No, more than that. The fact he knew what I needed was what helped me feel more certain about my choices. So I stared up into River’s eyes, glorying in the fact he watched everything I did with rapt fascination. The flicking of one button, then another open, his breath coming faster when I slipped a hand into the gap I’d created. His chest was hot, hard, and moving faster and faster as I began to explore, until finally he had enough. He pulled his shirt open, buttons going pinging around the room, leaving what remained of the garment to hang from his shoulders.

“All yours,” Kaine reminded me.

It seemed somehow decadent, to run my hands over such perfect male flesh. River was so big, I couldn’t help but feel tiny by comparison. That didn’t happen often and I had to admit to myself that I liked the sensation, just as much as I liked what I was touching. River’s skin was like satin stretched over steel, with no give in him whatsoever. And all that power? It remained reined in, patiently allowing me to take the lead.

Right up until I found his weakness.

I traced the lines of those impressive muscles, discovered small scars that spoke of a history I was ignorant of, followed the sweep of the veins in his forearms up, up, until I found the small medallions of his nipples.

“Freya…” he gasped when I circled one, watching the skin start to crinkle in response. “Freya…” I traced the small bead, watching it grow tighter by the second. “Freya… fuck!” I tugged at the point, noting that his hips jerked in time, until he covered my hand with his and then shoved both down, with purpose. “I feel that right in my cock.” Our hands disappeared under his waistband, then closed around something very hot and very hard, throbbing in my grip. “And I’m so fucking close right now.”

---