Bitter Bite (12 page)

Alaric chose that moment to cup her left breast with his free
hand. When he twisted her nipple, she cried out and slid the rest of the way
down. A small, sharp pinch told her she’d torn something, but then the pain
faded and she just felt full. Full and desperate. Alaric’s thumb kept up its
unrelenting circling on her clit. Hannah was so hot she thought she might come
out of her skin. “More,” she begged, head falling back onto his shoulders.
“Please.”

Alaric chuckled into her skin. “How about this?”

She bit her lip hard enough to draw blood when Alaric released her
breast and moved his free hand between them. He fingered her anus and sparks of
pleasure shot up her spine. How could such a dirty thing feel so damn good?

“Mmm, yes. You like that, my dear. I like it too,” he said,
teasing the sensitive ring of muscle. When his finger slipped inside, Hannah
went rigid. “Still good?”

She nodded frantically. “Oh God.”

“I’m no god,” Alaric said, slipping his finger in and out of her.
She felt so full of both Gideon and Alaric, she thought she might crack open.

“You’re so wet, we don’t even need lubrication,” Alaric said.

“Please,” she begged, not quite sure what she wanted. “More.”

“Do you want Gideon to move?” Alaric asked, slipping another
finger in her hole. It burned, but she liked it. “You’ll feel so much you won’t
be able to move. We’ll have to do all the work for you.”

She nodded frantically. If she didn’t get more very soon, she was
going to scream and she didn’t know how to make what she wanted happen. Alaric
lifted himself up slightly, and then Gideon took over, hips thrusting up and
up. Hannah shuddered as he filled her body, tapping on her womb. The ache was still
there, but so was her need for release. She clenched muscles she didn’t know
she had. Gideon made a sound she’d never heard from him before, so she did it
again.

“Feel good?” Alaric asked, fucking her from behind with his
fingers. His mouth was hot against her neck.

She nodded, and then Gideon was sitting up, pushing into her even
harder. She wasn’t sure how he managed it with Alaric still tucked against her
back, but then again, she knew how strong he was. He rolled them over until
Alaric was underneath them. “Still okay?” Gideon asked, face taut.

“Yes, please, don’t stop,” she whispered, cradled between them.

Alaric chuckled and opened her legs with his hands, holding her
immobile. “Gideon will give you exactly what you desire,” he said softly. “And
so will I.”

His cock pushed against her spine and for a split second she
wondered what it would feel like to have them both inside her at the same time.
Then Gideon began to move, thrusting gently at first, then harder. Alaric kept
her from falling or moving, and Gideon kissed her as he fucked her.

“Hold on, sweet Hannah,” Alaric said, and then she felt his cock
nudge at her anus. She froze, gripping Gideon’s arms so tightly she worried
she’d hurt him. He slowed down, hazel eyes almost black with desire.

“It’s okay,” he said softly. “Relax. Let him in. You can do this.”

Fear shot through her and she tried to shake her head, but then
Alaric pushed forward, relentlessly stretching the tight ring of muscles. She
didn’t know how he managed it from his position—he had zero leverage.
But
he’s a vampire, and ridiculously strong.
All the nerves in her body burned.
It hurt. It felt good. She cried out, unable to control her voice.

“Good, isn’t it?” Alaric murmured, sliding inside. “Your sweet
body is hot as fire, my dear.”

She thrashed her head, completely overwhelmed. Gideon began to
fuck her again, pushing into her cunt with single-minded intensity.

“Christ!” he growled, breathing heavy. “I can fucking feel Alaric
in your body, Hannah.”

Alaric laughed, then groaned when Gideon moved harder. “I can feel
you too, Gideon.”

Hannah lost control and sank her nails into Gideon’s arms. She was
going to climax, and didn’t understand how this insanity could feel so amazing.
Blood welled up from where she scratched Gideon and ran down his skin. He
didn’t seem to notice.

Oh my God
, she thought.
What have I done?
She should be crying. The sight of Gideon’s blood
made her feel even more aroused. She wanted to bite him. She wanted to taste
his life on her tongue. Instead of freaking out, Gideon moaned. His prick
swelled so big he couldn’t fuck anymore. The three of them lay tangled up in
each other, frozen, until Alaric slid a hand up and wiped at the blood running
down Gideon’s skin. “Beautiful,” he said, smearing it over the tattoo on
Gideon’s arm.

Hannah’s orgasm abruptly crashed through her, like a hot wave
across her skin and down her spine. She shuddered, screaming as the pleasure
whipped at her body and mind like fire. It kept going and going. As if from a
long way off, she sensed her body thrashing around helplessly.

What’s happening to us?
Gideon pressed into her and another wave took her. She cried out.
Alaric moaned in her hair as his hips jerked against her ass. His cock felt
wonderful even as it stretched her beyond endurance. Hannah tried to hang on,
but impossibly, another climax pushed through her body. Gideon shuddered and
went still, his pubic bone shoved hard against her mound. She felt his cock
jump. Warmth spread inside her pussy.

“God,” he groaned, trembling. His emotions buffeted her: lust,
need, and affection.

Hannah dropped her head back as her mind struggled to absorb his
energy. Another small orgasm rolled through her, and then Alaric’s erection
pulsed as he came too. His emotions felt electric and sharp, but just as
delicious as Gideon’s. She went limp as he tightened his grip. There was no way
she was going anywhere, not with both men inside her.

I can let them hold
me
.
I don’t need to always be in control. Right?
The consort bond vibrated through her consciousness as the energy they’d created
together slowly subsided.

A long moment later, Gideon slowly withdrew. Alaric followed suit
and she winced, but the pain disappeared almost immediately. Gideon moved off
of her and she rolled with him, needing to be close. Her heart ached as the
full momentum of what she’d just chosen to do crashed through her. How could
she have let them both into her so deeply? She took a deep breath and let it
out, willing herself to be calm.
What’s done is done.

Alaric sighed and moved closer, tucking against her back as if he
belonged there. The consort bond seemed to have settled a bit, as if now that
they’d been physically intimate, their minds didn’t need to be so closely tied
together. That relieved her, frankly. She didn’t want them finding out about
her past.

“Sweet Hannah,” Alaric said, stroking her like one would soothe an
agitated child. “Relax. We’re here. You are safe.”

I’m happy he’s here
. She would have been upset if he’d left right after.
He made
everything work better than it would have if it had been you and Gideon alone.
She thought it would be weird to make love
with two men, especially after crushing on Gideon for so long, but it had been
good. More than good. She felt confused because she
didn’t
feel weird.

“Hey,” Gideon said softly. “Are you
okay?”

“Yeah.” She smiled, dismissing her
worries. Now was not the time to turn into a neurotic nitwit. She didn’t wan to
ruin what they’d just shared. “I’m fine.”

“You know I love you, Hannah.” Gideon brushed her hair back from
her face. His hazel eyes were serious.

She blinked.
Wait. What did
he just say?
“That’s impossible. No one falls in love that quickly.”

“Who said it happened quickly?” Gideon smiled and she blushed.
“I’ve always loved you, Hannah. Even when I wasn’t supposed to. Even when I was
your teacher and still working as a priest.” He made a sound deep in his
throat. “I must have confessed my yearning for you a hundred times, but
absolution never made my feelings go away. A thousand prayers couldn’t change
how I felt.”

Hannah bit her lip. “Is that why you left the priesthood?” She had
to know.

He shook his head. “That was part of it.” He glanced over her
shoulder at Alaric, and she saw heat in his gaze as he stared at the other man.
“I’m bisexual. The church told me my very existence is a sin, but no matter
what I did, I couldn’t deny who I was. Who I am.” He looked down at her again.
“I didn’t want to live like that anymore. No one should have to live like that.
Every day of my life was a lie, to myself and to the people I ministered. It
was tearing me up inside.” He took a deep breath. “And it’s immoral for my
religion to ask that of me.”

Wow. She’d known his departure from the church was complicated,
but she hadn’t realized quite how hard it had been for him. “I’ve had a thing
for you since forever,” she said, not sure what else to say.

“I know.” He grinned and tucked a strand of her hair behind her
ear. “You wouldn’t have let me make love to you if you hadn’t. I know it’s
weird for you, but you have to know I would never hurt you.” Gideon seemed to
understand everything she was feeling, from the love to the confusion. “It’s
going to be okay.” His eyes went to Alaric. “And I know you needed Alaric, too,
and believe me, I am very much okay with that. Relieved, actually.”

Hannah’s face went hot. “There’s something wrong with me, isn’t
there? Normal women don’t want two men. Don’t have sex with two men at once.”
She shifted as her muscles tightened. “They sure as hell don’t lose their virginity
like I just did.”

“If there is something wrong with you, there’s something wrong
with me, too. And there isn’t, Hannah. You’re perfect,” Gideon said
emphatically. “You should never feel ashamed of who you are and what you want.”
He paused, then added, “Who you love.”

Alaric kissed her shoulder. “No, there’s nothing wrong with you,
Hannah. The heart is not a small box into which only one thing must go. My
heart wanted you both, and no one was more surprised to discover that than I.”

Gideon leaned up and kissed Alaric, then pressed his lips to
Hannah’s temple. “My heart wants you and Alaric.”

Hannah sighed. “Yes, mine does too.” She felt wonderful — safe,
loved, and strangely okay with how she’d lost her innocence. She was still a
little uneasy, but she decided it was going to take some time to get used to
this.

It’s not every day a
girl commits to two men at the same time
. Maybe she and Gideon would’ve made it to this point on their own
eventually, but the addition of Alaric and his hidden enemies had pushed them
into a relationship almost from the moment she’d met the vampire.

And I know the real world is waiting outside Gideon’s door. What
if love isn’t enough to keep us all safe?

* * * *

Alaric watched Hannah’s face tense, then smooth out as she drifted
into sleep. He hated the knowledge that he’d have to leave her so soon.
But you will. She deserves to live, and for
that to happen, you need to eliminate Brosius and banish his demon. Otherwise,
they will hunt you and torture your consorts simply for sport.

“She’s so young,” Gideon said softly.

“You’ve loved her for a long time.” Alaric sensed his consort’s
mixed emotions.

Gideon nodded. “I’m too old for her. Too broken.” He sighed heavily.

Alaric had to smile. “I’m centuries older than both of you, my
dear. Years lose their meaning after a while. And Hannah has lived enough for
three lifetimes. She’s not a child.”

Gideon looked at him. “Why did you choose us?”

Alaric snorted. “There was no choosing involved. The consort bond
is instinctive. Think of it as sex pollen, if that makes you feel any better.”

“I don’t think so,” Gideon said. He reached out and touched
Alaric’s lips before the vampire could argue. “I don’t think this bond would’ve
happened if you hadn’t wanted it.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” He turned his head so
Gideon’s hand would fall away, but his consort cupped his jaw, trapping him.
Alaric stared at him. No one had dared touch him like this in centuries. “Careful,
priest. You know not what you play with.”

Gideon smiled. “You had no reason to choose a consort. In fact,
it’s probably more dangerous for you now than if you’d never met us. If we’re
hurt, so are you.” He paused. “Or at least, so you claim.” His lips twisted.
“And I’m not longer a priest. How many times do I have to tell you that? I have
no inherent divine protection, nor even faith to console me.”

Alaric’s heart, dormant for so long, ached at those words. “I’ve
offered you nothing but truth.”

Gideon sighed. “This vampire you’re hunting, he’s real?”

Alaric nodded. “Very real.”

“Why do you want him dead?” Gideon slid his hand down to Alaric’s
shoulder. “Perhaps if you stopped chasing him he would leave us alone.”

“If I stopped hunting him, he would merely hunt me. There has been
too much blood shed for peace between us. And, too, he likes killing. He would
very much enjoy watching me suffer.”