HerMatesEmbrace (3 page)

Chapter Three

Cami blinked, aware that she was dreaming, but she
couldn’t do anything to change what she was seeing. She looked down and saw
Colm and Linc. Colm kissed someone and his hand swept around and disappeared as
if he were lifting the woman. Linc ran his hands up a rounded thigh. Cami
frowned. Gods, she didn’t want to watch them make love to another woman. Colm
drew back and dipped down. She found herself staring at her own face.

She felt a tugging in her core. The next instant, she was
looking up at Colm. She blinked. Sensation pounded through her. Soft strokes of
calloused fingers across her nipples and warm lips moving over hers. Desire
thrummed through her with every beat of her heart. Slick moisture coated her
pussy and inner thighs. Her eyes widened as she felt a hand on her thigh. Her
eyes flew down her body. Linc’s hand eased over her thigh again and then
smoothed inward, tipping her thigh outward.

“I remember that look.” Colm laughed softly. His lips
brushed along her shoulder. “It’s almost the same as the first times we were
all together. You never seemed to expect another set of hands or lips touching
you.”

“It’s been a while since we’ve seen it, though. Is
something wrong,
nari
?” Linc’s hand cupped her cheek. He looked
concerned and his voice rumbled through her as though it was a rolling bolt of
thunder.

She swallowed hard and shook her head. They couldn’t be
calling her mate. This couldn’t be real. It couldn’t be the future. They didn’t
want a mate. Colm didn’t want a real mate. It had to be a dream, a simple
dream. Shock and disbelief did little to cool the hunger building inside her.
Even though she knew it was impossible, she wanted to touch them, hold them and
make them hers.

“Seems as if it’s something to me, but if you want to
pretend for a little while, we can try to go back to what we were doing before
you got startled.” Linc traced his finger over her upper lip.

Anything, she’d try anything to change the subject,
because she wasn’t going to try to explain this, even to a dream Linc and Colm.
“Just kiss me.”

“I love kissing you.” Colm nibbled his way along her jaw
and cheek to her lips.

She turned her head and fastened her mouth to his. Her
tongue slid against his. His big hand cupped the back of her head and gentled
the kiss. Hands drew up her outer thighs and spread them wide. She drew in a
breath and stiffened, but Colm didn’t release her.

“It’s just Linc,
nari
,” Colm whispered the words
against her lips.

He turned his head and looked at Linc. She didn’t have to
see his expression to know that he wondered what was wrong with her. Linc drew
his fingers over her clit. She gasped and a shiver ripped over her body. The
sweet, intense sensation rippled through her, spreading until she ached for
more of it.

“Do it again.” She met Linc’s eyes.

He smiled and deliberately trailed his fingers over the
glistening lips of her pussy. Just when she thought he’d flick across the hood
of her clit, Colm pressed her back against the mattress. Her eyes caught on the
expanse of broad chest so near to her and she couldn’t stop running her hands
across the warm flesh. She enjoyed the feel of his muscles beneath her fingers
for a time before letting them wander to the dark, flat nipples. She scraped
her nails across them before pinching one.

Colm captured her hands and smiled down at her with
wicked intent. “Maybe I’d like to play with you too.”

“Kiss me again.” She licked her lips as nervousness
fluttered through her. She tugged a little against his hold. Being trapped or
secured made her nervous.

He looked down at her and released one of her hands
before nuzzling her neck. “I’m going to kiss you my way.”

His mouth trailed over her shoulder. She wriggled at the
slight, tickling sensation. All of her senses seemed to heighten. She didn’t
know what he was going to do. Her skin tingled with each touch. His tongue
swirled across her shoulder and then he kissed his way down her chest.

Her fingers threaded into his hair. She wanted his mouth
on her breast. He blew a hot puff of air over the taut nipple. She shivered and
arched her back. His tongue flicked over the tip in a teasing little lash. She
tightened her hand on his hair, trying to get his mouth on that aching point.
He didn’t budge. A fingertip brushed her clit. Her hips bucked up in demand.

Linc’s hands pressed her thighs wider. He moved between
them and caught her eyes. “I’m going to get a taste of you.”

Her eyes widened, but before she could do more than draw
in a breath, his tongue swiped from her entrance up over her clit. Her hand
tightened in Colm’s hair and her body bowed as a slice of raw pleasure slammed
through her. Linc didn’t hesitate. His tongue swept across her clit again and
again.

Colm’s hand cupped her breast just as his mouth closed
over the peak of the other. The combined sensation washed over her and she
couldn’t think. Two fingers pushed into her pussy and began a slow counter to
the flick of Linc’s tongue. Her hips lifted into the stroke of his tongue and
fingers.

The slight scrape of Colm’s teeth over her nipple drew a
moan from her. Her head tossed from side to side as they drove her desire
higher. Two tongues swirled over her flesh. Linc’s tongue lashed her clit and
his fingers fucked into her. Colm’s teeth scraped across her nipple. The
sizzling heat tightened. Linc’s fingers stroked deep and he sucked her clit
into his mouth. She licked her lips. She couldn’t take much more. Her body
bowed as raw heat exploded within her.

Cami shook with the force of the orgasm. She rolled onto her
side and curled up a bit. The hard ground beneath her mat seemed even more
unforgiving as the pleasure slowly faded.

That had been so intense. She had felt the wet heat of their
mouths against her skin, felt the pressure of their fingers against her. So
real. As much as she hated the dreams where she was an observer, she’d rather
watch than be drawn into another dream similar to that one. Even now, she
couldn’t help wondering if that was a vision of the future. She didn’t need the
hope. She wiped at a tear. There wouldn’t ever be anything as good as that
between her and them.

The dreams only added to the problem. Part of her wanted
nothing more than to grab onto any slight chance of happiness. She had to
remember the facts. She had problems trusting men in power and those two ruled
a
Thent
, an entire clan of Santir. On top of that, they didn’t want a
mate, Colm especially. In the dreams, she’d heard him say he’d never take a
true mate. She didn’t know why, but after seeing him fuck so many other women
in those visions, she knew it was better they never know of the link between
them.

Chapter Four

Linc watched the
chatar
usher Cami to her room at the
inn where they’d stopped for the night. His eyes dropped to the enticing sway
of her hips even as he studied the two people. Vin kept up a steady flow of
talk. Most of it didn’t require any reply by her, but occasionally he’d ask her
a question or try to draw her out a little. Cami listened and for once seemed
almost comfortable around the other man. Vin really made an effort with her. He
sat with her and Avan whenever they stopped to eat. When they were traveling,
he stayed near her. That made Linc even more curious about her than ever. What
made her so important?

Not that he hadn’t been more than curious from the first.
The pull to get closer to her was enough on its own to get his attention. He’d
felt attraction to women before and he was attracted to her, but he felt drawn
to her. He wanted to know everything about her. Although she masked her scent
and kept her distance from them, he didn’t think that it was simply that
mystery. The feeling was too intense. He wanted her with them.

“Vin still trying to get her to talk?” Colm came up the
stairs behind him.

“Yes. Still not sure exactly what he’s trying to get her to
tell him or to see. I asked, but he didn’t tell me anything.” Linc frowned.
“He’s protective of her, though.”

“Maybe he’s trying to get her to see that we’re not the
false Ardin. You can tell by the look in her eyes that she doesn’t trust us.”
Colm’s hand flattened against his back, urging him down the inn’s hallway.

“If I’d gone through what she’s gone through, I’d probably
still be in the forest. I would have tried to kill them first. I don’t think
I’d ever be able to trust someone else having any power over me again. She’s
stronger than she thinks.” Linc exhaled heavily, but continued to their room
two doors down from Cami’s. Fully gaining her trust wasn’t going to be easy.
“But there’s something more to it.”

“Vin always has a reason. If it was important to the
Thent
,
he’d tell us.” Colm shrugged.

“If it was danger or could lead to danger, he would, but you
know him, he’s not the type to hint or give us clues if he thinks it something
we should already know or see. If he thinks it’s obvious, then we’re missing
something.” Linc shook his head and opened the door to their room.

It was very plain. Everything was brown from floor to the
walls and the furniture didn’t look as though it would take much activity. The
bed appeared in even worse condition than the rickety dresser. It rested at a
slight angle even without weight on it. The blanket spread across the mattress
appeared thin, but he’d seen worse.

“Something obvious that involves her and keeping her with
us.” Colm shook his head. “Maybe we’re supposed to help her learn to trust
Ardin or simply someone in authority.”

“I don’t think it’s anything that simple. I think that it
might be directly related to us. You’ve seen the way she’s acted. She’s relaxed
around some of the other men, but with us, she’s still wary.” Linc frowned as
he sat on the bed. It sagged and groaned, but didn’t collapse beneath him.

“She was beaten and cut by men who called themselves the
Ardin of her old
Thent
. That probably has more than a little to do with
it.” Colm shut the door and leaned against the wall next to it. He pulled the
leather tie from his black hair and tossed it onto the dresser.

Linc shook his head. Colm was trying to avoid thinking
deeper about this. Linc knew why, but he couldn’t let him hide from it. Colm
needed to begin to see the truth, because getting through to her wasn’t going
to be easy.

“That’s not the only reason. If it was, she’s seen enough of
our behavior to relax a little. She watches us, though, and keeps a careful
distance between us.” Linc met Colm’s golden eyes. “We both know she has things
she’s holding back from us.”

“She wants to keep her distance. She doesn’t want any ties
with a
Thent
. You know that.” Colm came away from the wall and paced
over to the bed, but the glare he slashed over at Linc spoke of his agitation
even more than the movement.

Linc could feel Colm’s frustration and knew it had to be
high. Their bond as
tierna
, bond brothers tied with magic and blood, was
extraordinarily strong, but only occasionally were they able to sense feelings
from each other. Most often, it was focused thoughts. When they did feel
something, it was sure to be intense.

“Colm, her behavior and Vin’s attention to her both point to
something different. She doesn’t want to be close to us and I’m certain that
it’s not only because we’re Ardin.” Linc scowled, but remained seated as his
remark had Colm swinging around to pace the length of the room again.

“You know the list of what she could be to us isn’t that
long. The question is, do we let her keep the secrets or work to strip them
away and reveal it? Are we prepared to face the truth?” Colm gave Linc a long,
hard look.

Linc knew that list and he knew exactly why Colm didn’t want
to give it much thought. She could be a mate to one of their men or someone
they knew and they were supposed to keep her safe. There was also the
possibility that she was their mate. As well as one or two others that were
much less likely to apply considering the circumstances and that Vin had said
nothing to hint that it would be something beyond what would be obvious.

“No, that isn’t the question. Regardless of what we do, she
won’t be able to keep those secrets for long. Maybe if it doesn’t take long,
she’d be able to make it through the time to bring these men to justice. Do you
really intend to let her walk away and disappear as you know she means to do?
It’s obvious she doesn’t want to be with a
Thent
. Who would? But that
fear isn’t going to resolve on its own.” Linc rose and paced over to the
rickety dresser the inn provided for its patrons.

It would probably break apart if he leaned against it. She’d
fight having her defenses stripped away and the truth revealed. Doing it could
destroy any trust she had in them. It wasn’t that damn easy and his bond
brother was part of the reason that it wasn’t simply about revealing her
secrets.

“You’re right. She wants to walk away from everything to do
with life in a
Thent
and especially anything to do with Ardin.” Colm
looked down at his boots. The muscles along his shoulders bunched, stretching
the white material of his shirt.

“Colm, I know you don’t want to lose a mate, but you’re more
likely to lose me than you are a female mate. She’ll have the haven we create
for her as protection. Anyone coming after her will have to go through our men
and us. I’ll be out there fighting right beside you.” Linc knew logic wasn’t
going to make him suddenly see that a mate could be a good thing. Colm had seen
firsthand the torment the loss of a mate could cause when it happened to his
brother. Colm’s brother had fallen apart at his mate’s death.

“I know that.” Colm’s voice roughened.

Linc knew Colm was trying to think everything out and come
up with the best solution for everyone. He was trying to work it out rationally
and that was last thing that Linc wanted. Colm needed to trust his instincts on
this, not his head.

“Colm, don’t shut down on me here.” Linc walked over and
grabbed Colm by the arms. With a sharp shake, he drew Colm’s focus back to him.
He knew it would get a reaction out of the other man and would prevent cold
logic from ruling.

“You’ve made your decision. Why are you making an issue of
this? You know I’ll go along with you on this.” Colm stalked over to the window
and looked out at the city beyond. Linc was fairly sure he didn’t see anything
though.

“Do you want to have to pay for every piece of furniture in
this room? Don’t give me that ‘I don’t care’ attitude. It’s your decision too
and I’m not going to make it for you so you can resent both me and her.” Linc
stalked over and stood beside him. “Do you think that would be good for any of
us? Not to mention the fact that she’s gone through enough without having to
deal with your foul moods and being treated as if she’s anything but what you
want.”

“So what do you suggest, Linc? We have to make a decision.
And she’ll have to deal with my foul moods regardless. Do you really think that
I can be nice the entire time she’s with us, even if it’s only a short time?
Someone’s going to make me angry.” Colm turned his head and narrowed his eyes
at Linc.

Linc ruefully acknowledged that that was true. While Colm
was even-tempered for the most part, when he did get angry, there was no hiding
it. She’d see it at some point.

“I suggest that we get to know her. We don’t have to decide
what we’re going to do about her just yet, but we watch and learn. You aren’t
the only one with issues here. She’s hiding, Colm, from everyone and
everything. She has scars that need to heal and I’m not talking about the marks
on her body.” Linc put a hand on Colm’s shoulder and tugged him around to face
him.

“And you have no problems of your own?” Colm brushed Linc’s
hand on his shoulder aside and took a step forward.

“Not with trusting or the mate bond.” Linc shrugged, but
Colm was right. They all had their own particular troubles. “But gaining her
trust isn’t going to be easy. It will probably be impossible if we don’t both
want it. So we take it slow with her.”

“Why is this so important to you?” Colm laced his fingers
into Linc’s hair and tugged lightly.

“Because if we’re right, she’s meant to be with us. You know
I’m possessive and the thought of my mate in another man’s arms makes me angry
enough to kill. Regardless of your feelings about true mates, how would you
feel if you saw the woman you suspected of being your mate in the arms of
someone other than me?” Linc watched as that penetrated Colm’s thoughts.

“She doesn’t want to be near anyone though.” Colm shook his
head. “She doesn’t trust anyone.”

“Eventually she’ll want to get close to someone if for no
other reason than sex. You know how highly sexual our kind is. Just let your
mind play out those images for a while and tell me how you feel about it.” Linc
felt his heartbeat increase and his muscles tightening simply from thinking
about it.

Colm’s eyes hardened and his jaw clenched. “Fuck, why did
you have to put that in my head? Now, I can practically see her and some other
man. It makes me want to rip the other man apart. And the only thing I really
know about her is that she
might
be my mate. It makes no sense.”

“Yes, it does. For all the trouble you have thinking about
mates up here.” Linc tapped his head. “There’s part of you that wouldn’t settle
for anything less. Why do you think you hadn’t picked one of the women from our
Thent
when they were willing and well-suited for the position
tempermentally? They’d fit perfectly with your plan, but you never even
broached the subject.”

“You knew I was looking at some of the women from our
Thent
as possible wives, but you never said anything.” Colm frowned and his hand
slid from Linc’s hair to cup the back of his neck. “I looked at them, but none
of them ever seemed right, even though I couldn’t find anything outwardly
wrong. You’re right. They would have suited the position.”

“They weren’t right because they weren’t your mate.” Linc
didn’t see the need to add any more to that. Colm had looked, but inside he’d
known that he wouldn’t find what he wanted in any of the women at their
Thent
.

“You think so. I couldn’t have just wanted something more
than what I’d found?” Colm shook his head. “Do you think that I wouldn’t find a
suitable woman ever?”

“I don’t know. Maybe you’d have found a woman to settle on,
but do you think she wouldn’t know that she was second best to you and me, just
as we would be to her.” Linc knew he wouldn’t be happy with that. He had a
feeling that Colm wouldn’t have been happy for long in spite of his doubts and
concerns over finding a true mate.

“Second best. Well, the woman would always have to wonder
and think about something such as that, because the bond with you is so solid.”
Colm leaned in and nipped at Linc’s lip.

Linc inhaled sharply at the stinging bite. The move sent a
sharp spike of hunger through him as well as a surge of aggression in return.
He moved forward and pushed Colm back against the wall. His lips crushed
against Colm’s in a hungry kiss.

Colm’s laugh rolled over his lips. Linc knew he’d just been
goaded, but it didn’t matter. Now that he had his hands on Colm, he wasn’t
letting go until they were hot, sweaty and sated. He gripped Colm’s shirt and
steered him around and to the bed.

They tumbled onto the slightly lumpy mattress and began
rolling and wrestling for dominance. Linc couldn’t keep the smile off his face.
He loved the struggle. Colm gave a heave and sent him sprawling onto his back
at the edge of the bed.

Colm didn’t waste any time. He lunged at him. Linc grabbed
Colm’s shirt and shoulder. He used the other man’s momentum to carry them both
to the floor and ended up on top of his bond brother. He smiled in satisfaction
as he pinned the man’s shoulders to the floor.

“This time is mine.” Linc began unbuttoning Colm’s shirt. He
wanted to see and feel everything.

“And next time is mine.” Colm growled. He threaded his hand
into Linc’s hair and kissed him hard. “Are we doing this on the floor?”

“Do you think the bed would survive much more?” Linc looked
at the bed.

“I think if it breaks, it will give some poor patron a
sturdier option and be well worth the cost of replacing it.” Colm glanced at
the bed beside them significantly. “Want to give it a try?”

Linc looked at the bed and then grinned. Colm was right. It
would be worth it for the pleasure and time together. Aside from that, it
survived their tussle, so there was hope. He rose from the floor, but he didn’t
take his eyes off Colm. He didn’t want to stop looking at him.