Two for Tamara (8 page)

* * * *

Tamara saw a bright orange glow, like a bonfire in the middle of the afternoon. Then she saw Rafe walking down the rocky hill. Her eyes flashed to the erect way he carried himself. She’d had so much fun playing with Vin but had missed Rafe. They were so much alike, yet so very different.

After they had tired of swimming, or at least she had tired of swimming, they’d left the water and toweled off. The things he did with his very talented tongue in the middle of the sea should be illegal. She bet he could stay under water for hours without coming up for air.

She giggled. The sound was so foreign to her own ears.

“What’s got that smile on your face?” Rafe stopped a few feet from where they sat.

Vin wrapped his arm around Tamara. “I was showing Tamara how good at underwater sports I was.”

Rafe raised a brow and said, “Did you now?”

Unable to gauge his reaction to Vin’s announcement, she leaned closer to Vin for protection. Rafe folded his arms over his chest. “I happen to be the undefeated champion at all things water related.”

Vin chuckled. “Bullshit, I think you’ve been hanging out with Malcolm too long. Both of you have overinflated egos.”

With a shrug, Rafe toed off his boots and dispersed with his clothes before Tamara could get a word in edgewise.

In fact, she wasn’t sure what she would’ve said. When he’d first arrived at their little spot with a cloud of darkness hovering over his head, she was sure he was going to tell her good-bye. She’d prepared for the pain.

She was still wondering what to say when a naked Rafe bent and scooped her up into his arms and carried her into the ocean.

“I’ll wait here and make sure I don’t need to save you. I’ve watched plenty of Baywatch. I even have the slow motion run down,” Vin said, leaning back on his elbows.

Tamara laughed. “He’s such a dork.”

Rafe’s dark eyes sparkled. “You’re beautiful.”

Her breath caught in her throat. God, how could these two men turn her inside out without even trying? Why couldn’t she have found them years ago?

A tear slipped free.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry. Am I being too rough?” His hand loosened.

“Don’t.” She wrapped her arms tighter around his neck. “Don’t let me go.”

“Never,” he said against her lips.

She met him kiss for kiss, her tongue rubbing against his, wanting to memorize his flavor, his difference for all time. Her blue fringe two-piece, that she loved, was no barrier against his questing finger. The top came off with little finesse, followed by the bottoms. She heard Vin yell “got it” but didn’t release Rafe’s mouth. She was starved for him.

Her legs wrapped around his waist and, still devouring his tongue, she slid down his extremely hard cock forgetting he was so incredibly large. But, oh it was so good to be connected with him. To feel him deeply rooted inside.

He stood, legs braced against the rushing waves as if they were nothing, his eyes squeezed tight. A moan escaped between their connected mouths. She wasn’t sure if it was him, or her, or both who made the carnal sound.

Time stood still for Tamara, and then Rafe slowly, carefully began to move. In and out, until slow and steady wasn’t enough, her inner muscles trembled along his shaft. She felt every ridge, every vein as he bottomed out inside her, making her shiver each time he withdrew. They came together, both climbing the precipice to orgasm, and in that moment they both opened up to Vin, shared with him what they were feeling.

She broke the kiss, and stared across the beach into Vin’s eyes and knew he too felt the connection, that he too was on the same precipice as she and Rafe. His own cock was in his hand as the final tremors of climax washed through all of them, and he too experienced the most amazing link yet.

“So, who’s the best at water sports?” Rafe wheezed.

Tamara looked at him in confusion and then laughed. She continued to laugh while he waded to shore with her still wrapped around his body. Before hitting the sand, he fell backward and dunked them both. She came up sputtering.

“Hey what was that for?”

Grinning, he said, “You never answered the question.” Then he planted a quick kiss on her lips.

She loved to see a playful Rafe. She took a moment to enjoy seeing him this way, to really take in all the facets that made him the man he was today. He was smart, strong, brave with a sense of honor, and loyal, but she never thought of him as playful.

She kissed him quickly. “I’d say it’s a tie. You both excel at watersports. But I’m starving.”

Still firmly seated on his cock, he walked her across the sand and past a grinning Vin. “Our woman is hungry. We must feed her if we plan to keep her.”

His words had her feeling a small pain of regret that she wouldn’t be around to keep them for long, but she pushed it to a corner of her mind and locked it down tight. For now, she’d enjoy her time with the two men who made her heart sing, and her body shudder with delight. Tomorrow, or next month, or whenever her time came would happen, and she’d deal with it when it did.

Shoving her hair out of her face she said, “You know you sounded kinda caveman-ish. I think I like that.”

Vin ran by with the towels draped over his shoulder. “Don’t encourage him. Imagine him in a loin cloth with a wooden stick dragging you around by the hair.”

Rafe nodded slowly. “I am totally down with that.”

Tamara shook her head. “Nope, cancel that.” She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him. He sat her down outside the cottage back door.

Vin, Rafe and Tamara all showered under the outdoor water feature, each man making her giggle as they attempted to wash certain areas of her.

Yeah, she wished life could go on like this forever. However, she didn’t believe in fairy tales and happily-ever-afters.

Vin stepped through the door first, breathing in the scents of the house before letting Tamara walk inside. Rafe had shared with him the presence of the man named Carl, and it sickened him the things he had done to countless women over the years. Vin couldn’t imagine what would’ve happened to their Fated had they not arrived when they did. Tamara’s sun-kissed skin rubbed against his as she brushed past him. And just like that, all thoughts of Carl fled his conscience.

He and Rafe wanted to complete the bonding. They’d both begun the preparations that would make it easier for her to take them at the same time. Vin had no doubt she would be consumed with so much pleasure, she’d be begging for them.

“You’re broadcasting there, my friend. You best be glad she isn’t connected to us just yet.”
Rafe chuckled.

“
Tell me you aren’t thinking the same thing?”
Vin stared at his best friend.

Rafe’s eyebrows rose.

It amazed Vin how much they resembled each other, yet how different they looked than the other Ravens.

“Are you guys hungry?” Tamara walked to the fridge.

Vin’s gaze zeroed in on the delectable ass of his woman as she bent over inside the fridge. Heat washed over his body, raced through his system, and left him panting for control. The second he caught sight of or even thought about Tamara, he was hard.

Good God, this woman and her effect on him should come with a warning label.

Tamara turned with her arms full of what looked like the fixings for BLTs. “What was that little sound for?”

He erased the distance separating them. He didn’t ask for permission or give her any warning before his lips covered hers. His tongue took full advantage of her gasp, determined to show her who owned her heart.

With one hand on the curve of her hip, he pulled her in closer to his body. His free hand moved to the back of her head to tangle in her wet hair as he pulled her head back. He plundered her lips, and licked over the full bottom, before sweeping inside again.

The hand on her hip moved down to cup her ass and squeezed.

He was two seconds from lifting Tamara onto the counter when her cell phone rang near their hips.

She was panting when her mouth pulled from his. “I’ve got to get that. That’s my mama’s special ringtone,” Tamara panted.

Rafe’s eyes darkened as they met Vin’s across the counter. Vin had completely forgotten about his best friend. Now looking into his eyes, Vin wondered if Rafe knew why Tamara’s mother was calling.

He stepped back to make room for Tamara to grab the phone. Neither he nor Rafe would pretend they couldn’t hear both sides of the conversation. They assumed Tamara would know they had exceptional hearing, among many other talents.

By the time she’d finished her call, Vin could hear her heart pounding a furious beat, and adrenaline laced with worry coursed through her. He sent out soothing waves, trying to calm her.

“I need to go home, now.” She dumped the food on the counter.

Vin nodded. “We will get you there.”

Rafe pulled her into his arms and held her shaking body against his.

This is what it means to be connected, Vin thought.

Without thinking, Vin had them all dried and dressed appropriately for Texas weather. Tamara gasped. “What the…?” Her voice was hoarse from unshed tears.

“You didn’t think we’d let you go alone?”

In a matter of seconds, the three of them materialized outside the cardiac unit. Tamara’s mom had apparently suffered a small heart attack, and from the way Vin’s woman was shaking, he worried she was next. “Calm down,
agape mou
.” He ran his hand soothingly down her back.

“We will wait out here for you,” Rafe promised, kissing her quickly on the lips. She flashed a small smile at them.

Her quick smile nearly broke his heart as she turned to go into the sterile-looking room with all the machines. Lowering themselves into chairs, Vin wanted to fix her mother, but it was strictly forbidden, unless they were bonded or certain circumstances. And didn’t that just suck this wasn’t one of those times? The Most High decided when it was a person’s time, and unless that time was interfered with by Hades or one of his minions, then the Ravens couldn’t do shit.

Vin ran his hand over his head, hating the impossible situation.

“This sucks, man.”

“I feel you, man.”

The irritation they both felt was clear in their voices.

Doctors and nurses walked by, heads doing a double take at Vin and Rafe as they sat with their heads kicked back against the wall, their feet crossed at the ankles, arms crossed over their chests.

Neither Vin nor Rafe smiled. People seemed to think if you were smiling, that meant you were open for a bit of convo. Vin was of the mind to tell them all to go kick rocks, but since Tamara’s mama was being taken care of, he figured it would be better to just scowl.

Rafe grunted.

“Screw you. I know I’m broadcasting.”

“You know the workings of your mind is truly effed up, right?”

This time it was Vin who snorted. “I rather think I have a very eclectic brain.”

“You keep thinking that, brother.” Rafe chuckled.

They both stood straight as Tamara walked out. “Hey, you two.”

She looked exhausted.

“How’s she doing?” Vin pulled her in for a hug.

“The doctor said she’s going to be fine, but she needs to take it easy.” Her voice sounded rough, like she’d been crying.

“What do you want to do?”

She blinked up at him and then looked over at Rafe. “I’m going to stay here with my mom. They’re bringing in a reclining chair for me.”

He and Rafe nodded. “One of us will stay here with you.”

Rafe held up a hand. “
Omorfia mou
, you can’t get rid of us that easily.” He pulled her out of Vin’s arms.

Even exhausted she was beautiful, her hair in a ponytail hanging down her back looking far too inviting.

“Come on. Let’s get you something to eat from the cafeteria, then you can come and sit with your mama again.” Vin held one of her hands. She followed him silently with Rafe on her other side. The large eating area they stepped into was cool and almost empty this time of day.

They went to the potato bar and loaded up their plates before heading to the cashier. Rafe moved in front of Tamara, paying for all three of their meals along with three large coffees. At the smell of the fresh brew their little woman’s nose had immediately flared, and her head had swung in the direction of the scent.

He shook his head, barely containing his chuckle when her gaze had narrowed on him. “I didn’t say a thing.”

“Coffee is a necessity. This is something you must understand. Got it?” Tamara stood with her hands on her hips.

All he understood was that she looked too damn sexy, and fierce. But he was smart enough to nod and agree.

“
Si
, you may live another day.” She smiled.

Yeah, thank the goddess he was smart. Tugging at the neckline of his shirt, Vin followed behind his Fated and Rafe to a table in the far corner where they could see outside.

After they finished eating their food, Tamara explained her mother’s condition. Vin was happy she wouldn’t need open heart surgery, and would be going home in a day or so. He wasn’t sure where they were going to be staying, just that they were doing it together, the three of them.

* * * *

There was a burning need in Rafe’s gut to complete the triad bond with Tamara. He knew once they were all connected they’d be sharing a part of themselves with her, and she’d become immortal like them. Is she ready for that? he wondered. He knew she wanted to tell her mama about them before she made that final leap, but he suspected mama Mejia already knew.

A commotion near the entryway drew their attention. Two men were walking toward where they sat near the door. Tamara tensed in her seat. Rafe was prepared to kill whoever the men were.

“Remi? Leon? When did you two get in town?” Her chair screeched as she jumped up to greet the two grown men.

Rafe and Vin stared at their woman being hugged by one then the other of the two newcomers. If he was to guess, he’d say they were her older brothers by the way they looked and the concern on their faces.