Page 23 of Hidden Dragons

She would have been afraid of her newfound horniness, but her desire was limited to Robert and Bear alone. None of the other knights she had seen had roused any sort of response in her, though many of them were handsome and all were fit specimens of manhood. No, only Robert and Bear flipped her switch and made her want to have her way with them—or have them have their way with her.

Since both men, and their dragons, seemed to think that was perfectly all right, she couldn’t really question her response too much. Apparently this was as it should be for knights and their lady.

But was she really going to be their lady? The thought still managed to boggle her mind. She had made love with Bear not really acknowledging the idea that she might be able to live this dream of having them both in her life on a long-term basis. But now Robert seemed to want her. If she let him have her—and she was leaning heavily toward jumping his bones before too much more time had passed—then she might have to consider their proposition more seriously. Maybe this could work. Maybe she could be the woman for these two knights.

Only time would tell. But now she was more open to the possibility that this strange relationship might actually work. She’d seen other triads in the Lair now, and they had all seemed happy. Silla had even discussed her own mating with Isabelle and she thought she understood it all a little better now.

“Come with me, sweetheart, and let me take care of you,” Robert said, the teasing replaced by a caring smile that warmed her heart.

Almost without conscious thought, she found her feet moving toward him. He held out a hand and she took it. She let him lead her to a room opposite of the one she had lain with Bear in the night before. The room he chose was also a bedroom, but this one was clearly Robert’s. It held mementoes that fit his personality. Gear for Growloranth lay neatly piled in one corner and a polished metal mirror above a chest of drawers sat against another wall. The dominant piece of furniture, just like in Bear’s room, was the bed.

He led her to it and they both sat on the side of the wide expanse, side by side, tilted slightly toward each other. Robert kept hold of her hand.

“I know you and Bear were together. He’s had all the firsts with you so far and though I love him like a brother, right now I’ll admit, I’m jealous as hell.” Robert squeezed her fingers. “Will you let me take care of you, sweetheart? I promise we won’t do anything you aren’t ready for. I just want to touch you and kiss you, and hold you while I sleep. Will you indulge me?”

She was touched by his words. “There’s nothing to be jealous of, Robert.” She reached up and placed one palm against his cheek, enjoying the sensation of his beard stubble against her skin. “While I might not be up for everything, I promise I’ll let you know how far we can go. I’d like to lay with you, even if it’s just to cuddle,” she admitted. “I am sore, but maybe Silla’s medicine will help with that.” She lowered her hand from his face and held it out for the small package Silla had slipped to Robert earlier, but he refused to give it up.

“Oh, no, my dear. Lady Silla gave me explicit instructions. It will be my pleasure to act as your doctor in this instance.” He winked at her and she felt her cheeks heat. Did he really intend to doctor her injuriesthere?

“Now, my pretty patient,” Robert said, rising to his feet and motioning for her to rise as well. “I believe we should start by removing all your clothes.” His businesslike tone made her hesitate, then want to giggle after she saw the dancing merriment in his eyes. “Are you shy?” he asked with pretend concern. “Well then, we can’t have that. Perhaps it will make you less shy if we both removed our clothes. Then you wouldn’t be the only one naked.” His teasing made her blush grow deeper, but she was also excited by the idea of being naked with Robert. “How about I remove your dress while you work on my tunic?”

Emboldened by the dare in his gaze, she reached for the hem of his tunic and pulled slowly upward. He stood still, letting her do as she willed. Thankfully, he had rid himself of his sword belt and gauntlets earlier. There was no impediment to her pulling the well-worn fabric up over his head.

And then she got to look at the play of his muscles over his broad chest. He had magnificent shoulders and she found her hands drawn to them, caressing his skin, tracing the faint lines of scars that were a testament to the fact that he was a fighting man.

“Now your turn,” Robert said after a moment, his breathing a little faster than it had been before.

He reached down with both hands and gathered the fabric of her dress in his hands, lifting it upward an inch at a time. He moved closer, his hands moving from her sides a little more around her back. His fingers rubbed against her backside and when the hem reached his fingers, he held it with one hand while the other caressed her bare buttocks, rubbing and squeezing.

Then he lifted the dress higher and held the fabric at her back while his other hand rubbed upward, against her ribcage. His fingers teased the undersides of her breasts and she was glad she hadn’t had a chance to unpack her bags before he’d come in. She’d simply thrown her dress on after her bath and there were no under things to get in his way.

He held her gaze as his fingers grazed upward, over the peak of one breast. She gasped when he paused, his thumb and forefinger squeezing her nipple. Bear hadn’t done that. His touch had been gentler, less demanding, though just as exciting.

“Seems you like that,” Robert whispered, moving his hand to her other breast. “How about this?” He rubbed little circles around the tip of her breast, flicking the taut nipple with his fingertip.

Her knees almost gave out and he grinned. Then the dress whooshed up and over her head in one quick move. Before she could even miss him, he was back. Both hands covering her breasts now, squeezing and teasing the tips. He held her gaze as his head lowered and she nearly swooned when his mouth opened over her breast, licking, nipping and then sucking in a way that made her throw her head back and moan.

“Oh yes, you definitely like that.” She lifted her head and opened her eyes to find him grinning.

And then he bent, scooped her into his arms, and deposited her on the bed, coming down to rest at her side. He didn’t stop kissing her skin, paying special attention to her straining nipples, even as his hands lowered and spread her legs apart. His fingers rubbed delicate circles around the little nubbin at the apex of her thighs, causing her to squirm. She felt the soreness that hadn’t quite left her all day and it did temper her reactions a bit.

No way would she be able to take him inside her. Not with the residual pain that made her feel so raw inside. She wanted to, though. She wanted so much to feel his possession as she’d felt Bear’s last night. She wanted to know them both in the most intimate way possible.

Robert worked his way down her body and she nearly screamed when his tongue flicked over that little nub between her thighs. Then he was kissing herthere. It seemed impossible. Unlikely, at best, but he was doing it. Teaching her all new things about her body and what drove her wild.

He moved down on the bed, positioning himself between her spread thighs. He worked at her clit until she came hard against his face and while she was still reeling from the unexpected orgasm, he sat up between her thighs and spread them even wider, placing one of her knees over each of his.

He still wore his pants and he reached into the pocket, removing the small jar Silla had given him. He opened it and the pungent fragrance of rare herbs she recognized hit her. Oh, yes. That would numb the pain and begin the healing nicely. But was Robert really going to administer it? It certainly looked as if that was his plan.

If she wasn’t still enjoying a magnificent buzz from the intense pleasure he’d just given her, she might have objected. As it was, she let him do as he willed. She watched, her desire rising again—much to her surprise—as he dipped one long finger into the jar, coating his digit with the salve.

“Now just relax and let Doctor Robert make you all better,” he teased, lowering his finger to her core. “Be a good girl and later, I’ll give you a treat.”

She wanted to giggle at his words, but just then he slipped his finger into her sore passage. Almost immediately the soreness abated. Then other sensations began to take over. The feel of his long finger exploring her recesses, spreading relief and a bit of renewed excitement wherever he touched.

His thumb rose to tease her clit as his finger massaged her passage, spreading the lubrication of the salve and her own juices liberally. She wanted…more. Desire riding her, she wanted to feel him inside her, even if it wasn’t the wisest course of action.

“Robert… I want you…” she choked out.

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