Destined for Two (15 page)

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Jorel stood outside Rhianna’s door, his hand hovering over the knob in indecision. She’d said she wanted time alone, but that was last night. This morning, he had a surprise for her while Keenas made all the arrangements for their trip. Their cousin, Baron Karn, would also be away, leaving Devlin to fend for himself at the castle.

It would only be the three of them. No guards, no staff, just he, Keenas, and Rhianna.

They wanted her to get to know them as men -- as her husbands. And they wanted to get to know her as their wife. They had to make her see they wanted her for more than just a queen. They wanted her as their partner, their life mate.

With a slight smile, he turned the knob and stuck his head inside. Her maid, Nicky, raised her head from making the bed to stare at him in question. “My lord,” she said with a small nod of welcome.

Jorel smiled slightly and came farther into the room, shutting the door quietly behind him. “Good morning, Nicky. Where is my wife?”

“She’s on the balcony eating breakfast.”

“Thank you.” He nodded toward the bed. “You can leave that for later. I would like a few moments alone with Rhianna.”

“Yes, sir,” she said with a curtsy, and left the room.

Jorel turned to the balcony doors and used his finger to open it so he could see her through the crack. She stood at the railing, a cup of tea between her palms, her gaze staring blindly toward the morning horizon. She wore a soft pink silk robe, her hair piled onto her head with a gold clip, and tendrils of ringlet curls swung in the breeze around her ears. She appeared troubled, and it tore at his heart.

“Good morning, little one,” he said softly and she jumped, turning to stare at him in surprise.

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“Jorel,” she said.

“Sleep well?” he asked as he came to stand next to her at the railing. Now that she was facing him, he could see the dark circles under her eyes.

“Not really,” she murmured, and then lifted the cup to her lips.

He brushed a stray curl from her cheek. “I have something for you.”

“What?” she asked warily.

“I think you’ll like it. Come, sit at the table and let me show you.” Licking her lips, she nodded and came to sit at the small outside table overlooking the lake. She placed her cup down with trembling fingers, then moved them to her lap. He wanted to comfort her and put her at ease, but at the same time he wanted to throw her across that table and bury his shaft into her sweet pussy again. His cock hardened beneath his pants as he stared at her full, pouty lips. Damn, he wanted to make love to her. Shoving that thought from his mind, he placed a small computer on the table before her and turned it on.

Rhia stared at the screen and the picture of her parents with mixed emotions. “What is this?” she asked.

“This is all the information I could find on your parents and grandparents. There is also information and pictures of Phelisine. All for you to look through at your leisure.”

“Really?” she asked, staring up at him in surprise.

This was certainly not what she’d expected. To be honest, she wasn’t sure what she’d expected. She stared up at him, the wind blowing his hair around his shoulders, his eyes sparkling with mischief and desire. She swallowed back a sudden wave of her own desire and fingered the picture of her parents.

“We have another surprise,” Jorel said, getting her attention.

“Another one?”

“Yes. Keenas and I are taking you on a trip.”

“Why?” she asked, confused.

“Why?” he repeated, his lips twitching in amusement. “Do we need a reason to take our wife on a trip?”

“Yes,” she replied. Leaning back in her chair, she crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her gaze. “I just got here.”

“Yes,” Jorel said, then stood straight, staring intently into her eyes and making her heart race wildly. “But here we have little time alone. Keenas and I want to get to know you and we want you to get to know us. No servants, no staff, no responsibilities. Just us.” She gaped at him in shock. They really wanted to do that?

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“If things had been done right, you would know us. And we would know you. But…” He shrugged. “We have to make concessions. Devlin will wait here for us to return, hopefully…a true family.”

“A true family,” she said, her eyes narrowing. “You mean you hope I’ll accept you and Keenas in my bed like a true wife.”

Jorel looked down at the table, and then raised his gaze back to hers. Hot sparks of lust shone from their depths, making her body tremble. They could get to her so easily, whether alone or as a pair; they could make her want them with a need that choked her.

“Yes, little one. I won’t lie. I do want you in my bed. I want you right now. But I also want more than just your body. I want your soul.” Her lips opened and closed silently. Could she give him that? Would he give her his in return? And Keenas. What about him? What did he want? And for that matter, what did she want? She was still so confused. Her body wanted both of them. Her body wanted her to cling to them, give in to their seduction, but her heart still fought against falling for them.

One corner of his lips lifted in a slight smile. “I’ll leave you to study the files.” He turned and left the balcony, but in reflex she jumped up and ran into the bedroom just as he reached the door. “Jorel,” she called out and he turned to look at her questioningly.

“Thank you.”

He stepped away from the door and her gaze wandered of its own accord along his powerful frame. She couldn’t stop herself from staring, from taking in every inch of his hard, delectable body. His hair was loose, and it gave him a roguish appearance. He exuded such sex appeal. Wetness pooled between her thighs and her breathing hitched as he slowly strolled toward her.

His fingers reached up to brush along her jawline and her flesh tingled where he touched. She couldn’t look away as his lips lowered to hers. Every part of her froze as she waited in anticipation for his mouth to claim hers, to quench the burning desire she had to feel from his lips.

“You’re welcome,” he whispered.

As he spoke his lips moved against hers, and his spicy scent filled her senses. She was losing her mind; she just knew it. Every part of her wanted him to kiss her and take her as he had yesterday. His cock had felt so good inside her. Just thinking about it now made her pussy clench with hunger for more of his thick heat, his gentle touch.

“Rhianna,” Jorel whispered against her mouth. “If you don’t want me, then push me away now.”

She raised her palms against his chest with the intent to shove him toward the door, but instead they remained immobile. The heat of his flesh seeped through the material and into her cold fingers. The beat of his heart tapped against her palms in a furious rhythm. Her own matched it, beating in time with his.

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“I can’t --” She sighed, then whimpered when his lips captured hers in a hot kiss she felt all the way to her toes.

His tongue delved, thrusting past her lips to explore and tease. She sagged against him, powerless to stop the need, the all-consuming need that made her weak. He tasted so good, like warm spice and tea, and she sucked at his tongue, desperate for more. He growled, deepening the kiss and his fingers dug into the flesh of her hip through her robe, crushing her to him. She could hardly breathe, could hardly think as he fucked her mouth with his tongue, dominated her in a way she didn’t even know she needed.

Finally, he broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers. His harsh, shallow breaths blew across her lips, and she inhaled his scent, licked his taste from her lips. Warm hands cupped her cheeks, his thumbs brushing softly across her skin.

“You have such a sweet mouth, little one,” he sighed. “As much as I want this, we don’t have time. Later, I promise,” he whispered, then placed a soft kiss on the tip of her nose.

Later?

He was just going to leave her like this? Closing her eyes, she took a deep, calming breath. She had to get herself under control. Just a few moments ago, she didn’t want this.

Now she did more than she ever imagined she could. How could they have this kind of effect on her? They could make her forget herself and make her want them with a need that engulfed her.

“We leave in an hour,” he added, then stepped away.

She weaved slightly and grabbed the bedpost close by to steady herself. “I, um…I don’t think you told me where we’re going.” God, she hated how weak she sounded, how breathless. But that’s how they made her feel. She’d never met anyone who could do that.

“It’s a surprise,” he said, and smiled before walking out the door, leaving her wet, horny, and so pissed at herself she wanted to scream.

* * * * *

Rhia stared in surprise out the window of the tiny ship as they flew low over Daego, heading to the lake. They’d made the trip in record time. Since the ship was so small, they’d been able to use the gate and cut the travel time by well over half. Below them, the small city looked alive with activity. Patrons decorated the streets for the upcoming Torvaline Festival. Rhia smiled. She’d almost forgotten about the festival. She and Devlin visited the Marcones almost every year at this time so she could attend the street party. She and Sidious’s wife, Mikayla, would always have a blast dancing in the street and eating everything in sight. Sidious had told them they wouldn’t be there this year, but they were more than welcome to use his house if they still wanted to come.

Is that where Keenas and Jorel were taking her? Had Sidious given them use of his house so they could take her to the party?

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“Are we going to attend the party?” she asked hopefully.

Keenas turned to stare at her in confusion, while Jorel continued to fly the ship low over the landscape. “What party?”

“It’s a street party they have every year. There’s dancing, food, drinks.”

“Sounds like fun,” Jorel said with a grin. “I’m game.”

“I don’t see why not,” Keenas said with a shrug. “Do you like to dance, Rhianna?”

“I love to dance. What about you?” she asked, genuinely curious.

His gaze sparked with lust and his full lips spread into one of the most sensual smiles she’d ever seen. Her stomach flipped wildly.

“I wouldn’t mind dancing with you, sweet.” Leaning closer, he whispered. “Our bodies grinding against one another sounds like a hell of a way to spend an evening. Wouldn’t you agree?”

The heat of a blush moved up her neck and her pussy leaked cream as she pictured that very image. “You’re incorrigible.”

Keenas’s deep laughter caught her by surprise and she shivered at the sexy rumble that shook his shoulders. He and Jorel were so different, and at the same time, so much alike.

Keenas carried a lot on his shoulders and, on the surface, it looked as though he did most of the work. But Rhia had stood back this morning and watched silently, realizing Jorel did more work than he let on. What surprised her the most was that Jorel seemed content to let Keenas have most of the credit. He seemed perfectly content to be the younger king, the jovial little brother.

Watching them this morning brief their staff and security on their plans, she noticed how well they treated their people. Keenas and Jorel knew their names, their families, and they listened to their staff. She respected them for that, and it only served to make her even more confused.

She’d spent the some time since the meeting going through the files and pictures Jorel had brought her. She’d learned a lot about Phelisine and Argonia, but the information on her parents had left her feeling depressed and lost. If only things had been different. If only she’d known them.

With a sigh, she turned her gaze back to the flat, green landscape. Short, umbrella-like trees dotted the surrounding land. The buildings were small, none over three stories, and painted the color of dirt. Flower boxes filled with colorful flowers hung beneath windows and along balcony railings. Even the streets themselves were lined with flower-filled pots.

No ships or motorized vehicles of any kind were allowed within the city limits. It kept the town quiet and peaceful. The town was so compact, everything you could ever need was within walking distance. Sidious and Mikayla’s house sat on the outskirts of the town, right on a lake the color of Earth’s Caribbean Sea.

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Warmed by the thermal caves within the planet’s core, the water was always bathwater warm. On cool mornings, steam rose from the lake to cover the ground in a layer of fog. She loved swimming on mornings like that.

She’d watched Sidious and Mikayla, and seen how happy they were with each other.

Deep down, she wanted exactly what they had. With a sideways glance, she studied Keenas and Jorel. Her husbands. Would she ever get used to calling them that? Did she want to?

She sighed heavily, the weight of her decision like bricks on her shoulders. She didn’t feel married. She’d never said the vows, never accepted their proposals. She’d never even heard them say they loved her. Sadness washed over her. This was so not what she thought her marriage would be like. This wasn’t what she wanted.

“Why so sad, sweet?” Keenas asked, his voice soft and low in her ear.

With a gentle swipe of his fingers, he pushed a stray curl from her brow. It was times like this she could actually believe they cared for her, that they wanted her for more than a treaty.

“I was just thinking,” she answered, her gaze straying to the Marcones’ lake house in the distance. She frowned. “Are we going to the Marcones’?”

“Yes. He has offered us use of his estate. The security he has in place allowed us to travel without our own security. If it were just Keenas and I it wouldn’t be an issue, but with you along, we can’t take any chances. We don’t want anything happening to you.”

“So it will really be just the three of us?” she asked. Even though they’d told her they would be alone, for some reason it hadn’t sunk in until that very moment.

“Yes, except for the butler and cook. Lord knows, I couldn’t find my way around a kitchen.”

Jorel snorted. “I’m not sure we’ve even been in one.”

“Never been in a kitchen?” Rhia gaped in shock.

“Never had a need to,” Keenas said with a shrug.

Rhia shook her head, and then turned to watch the ship descend to the ground. Flying low, they parked inside Sidious’s hangar, a huge building that sat a few yards from the main house. There was even an underground tunnel that ran from the hangar to a side entrance leading into the foyer.

Keenas’s lips gently touched the side of her neck, just below her ear, and a tingle of lust spread through her stomach. “You never told me what you were thinking about.”

“Did I not?” she whispered, trying to ignore the waves of pleasure settling in her core.

The sensual heat of his lips brushing across her flesh played havoc with her mind.

Goose bumps spread along her skin and she jerked away. Her eyes narrowed in warning, making him chuckle. She knew she didn’t scare him. He found her amusing. It was obvious with the way he smiled at her, his eyes twinkling with merriment. The sight wasn’t 102

something she had seen often on Keenas and, for a second, she sat motionless, unable to tear her gaze away from his laughing black eyes.

“Are you worried?” he asked.

“Worried about what? I think the two of you have already proven if you want me, there’s not a whole lot I can do about it and I usually end up begging for it,” she snarled, quickly losing patience with herself.

Keenas’s lips twitched slightly as though fighting a smile and Rhia tramped down the desire to smack him. “Why are we here?” she asked. “What is it exactly you hope to accomplish?”

“I thought Jorel explained it to you,” he said, a slight frown tugging at his brow.

“I want you to explain it.”

Jorel glanced toward Keenas with a raised brow, but turned his attention back to securing the ship within the vacant spot toward the back of the hangar. “Jorel and I want you to get to know us. Not as kings, but as your husbands.”

“Why?”

“Why?” he asked, surprise making his voice raise a pitch.

“Yes. Why?”

Keenas sighed, then pursed his lips in thought. “So you will be comfortable with us and want to stay.”

She raised an eyebrow, unsure she believed him. There was something more and she wanted him to admit it.

“All right,” he finally growled. “I don’t like the affection you give Armande.”

“Good going, Keenas,” Jorel murmured, then shut down the engines, filling the ship with an eerie quiet.

“Excuse me?” She gaped. “You’re jealous of Devlin?”

“I’m not jealous,” he snarled.

“Then what?” she asked, confused. What was he saying exactly?

“This is not the place to talk about this.” Keenas sighed.

“It’s not the place to talk about it or you don’t want to talk about it?” This time it was her turn to be amused.

“Ding, ding, ding,” Jorel sang, his voice shaking with uncontrolled laughter. “I believe you hit the nail on the head, little one. He doesn’t want to talk about it. You see…”

“Jorel,” Keenas snarled, “open the damn door and let us out.” Jorel threw his brother a sideways grin. “Yes, my king,” he drawled, then turned to wink at Rhia, making her heart skip a beat. Playfulness suited Jorel -- a little too much. But the moment had passed and it looked like this conversation would have to be reopened later.

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Once the doors opened, Rhia jumped out and smiled at the tall man standing at the entrance to the tunnel. His gray hair was pulled into a ponytail at his nape, and his dark gray eyes were still alert and sharp, despite his age. Ben had been with the family for years, since his early twenties. He’d been there when Damon Marcone was a bachelor, hopping from one willing bed to the next. He’d seen the family through triumphs and sorrows and had earned his place as one of Damon’s most trusted servants.

“Good afternoon, Mistress Rhia,” Ben said with a slight nod of his head.

She returned his smile with one of her own. “Afternoon, Ben.” Keenas and Jorel came to stand on either side of her and Ben nodded to them as well.

“Your Graces,” he said. “Lord Marcone has informed me of your arrival and the house is at your disposal. Mistress Rhia’s room is ready and dinner will be served whenever you desire.” Keenas nodded. “Thank you. I’ll leave the dinner arrangements to Rhianna.”

“At five, Ben. On the veranda if weather permits.” He nodded. “Weather should be clear the rest of the week. The party is tonight. Will you be attending?”

“Yes,” she said with a grin. “Whether my husbands go or not.” Her husbands tensed beside her, but said nothing as Ben’s lips twitched in amusement.

He turned to lead them down the tunnel. “I’ll come back for your luggage. Marta has snacks for you in the dining room. She remembered how traveling always made you hungry.” Her stomach growled at the mention of food and the heat of a blush moved up her cheeks. Keenas stared down at her with an amused expression, his gaze tender and simmering with heat. “Something to remember,” he murmured, then put his hand at the small of her back.

Jorel’s hand joined Keenas’s, and her flesh tingled at the light possessive touch of their fingers. Her mind jumped back to what Keenas had said earlier. Was he really jealous of Devlin? And why? Or was it just that he didn’t like a woman he considered his showing affection to any man who wasn’t a blood relative? The idea he might be jealous warmed her heart. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, she was attracted to them. Both of them.

They were so sexy -- Jorel with his adorable, devilish grin and Keenas with his intense, sultry stare. They had her in the palm of their hands and they knew it. Unfortunately, so did she. Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get to know them. Especially if she decided to stay on Argonia.

“So we’re your husbands now?” Jorel asked, his lips twitching adorably.

She stared up at him, confusion tightening her chest. “What?”

“You called us your husbands,” he said, then smiled down at her. “It’s nice to hear you actually say it.”

She turned her gaze back to the front, trying to remember exactly what she’d said. Had she said husbands? If she had, more than likely it had been for Ben’s benefit. Right?

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“Accept it,” Keenas whispered, his deep voice making her pussy clench and she jerked in surprise. “You’re starting to like the idea.”

“And you’re starting to get on my nerves,” she growled.

Keenas chuckled and she rolled her eyes, silently praying she would make it through the next four days with her sanity intact. She had a feeling her heart was already in tatters.

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