Between Feather and Fur (Gryphon Melds #1) (6 page)

When her mother became ill, Arial left college to become her full time caretaker. It was at the hospital where she met Carl, whose girlfriend died on the same day her mother passed. Grieving and venerable, he took her under his wing, and for the first few weeks was kind and caring. By then, it was too late, Carl took control, taking what was left of her money, over and over telling her no one but he would ever take care of her. She found herself trapped with him, believing his lies there was no way out.

“We love knowing you’re so much stronger now, and can kick our arse anytime you like. If we’re being dicks we expect you to tell us.” Steve chuckled.

“Today, tomorrow or fifty years from now, our love and respect for you will only ever grow stronger.” Ben’s words made her eyes widen.

‘Love and respect’
Fresh emotions assaulted her, swirling like a hurricane in her head.

“You can’t love me.” Her whisper was low and fierce. She clenched her hands, trying to stop them from trembling.

Because I’m not worth loving
. The words screamed in her head. Reject them, those feelings are false.

“Why can’t we? You wanted us to be open and honest, share secrets with you, sweetheart. Even if it’s no big secret we’re head over heels in love with you.” Ben placed his hand over her shaking ones.

“Little mermaid, from the first moment I saw you standing in front of the elevator, wide blue eyes and such red hair atop of your head, I took in your beautiful pale face and I fell in love with you. I knew you were the one for us.”

“I was so shocked when I first saw you sitting at the table, I was lost for words. We meant every word when we said we’ve been searching a long time for our special one,” Ben said.

“We don’t ever want to let you go. You’re smart, sexy, and have I mentioned how much I love your killer curves.” Steve stroked a finger over the side of her face. “I can’t wait to glide my hands over your soft skin.”

Hot tears blurred her vision while they spilled down her cheeks. The look of adoration on Ben and Steve’s faces made her heart brim and overflow with the same emotions.

“Is love a fact or a feeling?” The tremble in her voice made her wince. Arial realised she has never been in love, so didn’t know how she felt towards her men, other than misery if she lost either one of them.

Ben wiped her tears with the pad of his thumb. “Without a doubt, fact. From our head to our hearts. We know without a doubt, you belong with us.”

“Forever.” Steve added, scooping her from her chair and into his lap, hugging her tight and rocking her against his chest. “It’s okay; you don’t have to say anything. Just know you’ve got us wrapped around your little finger.”

“Yup, totally screwed and loving it.” Ben chuckled.

She wiped the tears away with her hand and a smile tipped up the corner of her lips. “Wrapped around my little finger?” She held up her free hand and wiggling her pinkie.

“Gods, we’ve created a monster.” Ben’s wide, sexy grin pushed back her sadness and negative feelings. This here, between her men was fact, they haven’t let her down yet…fact. She felt safe and protected…fact. Something the asshole never made her feel. Fact.

“Thank you.” She pulled forward throwing her arms around Ben. He hugged her tight.

“Now, little mermaid, as much as we love you, we’re also hungry men, and our parents are waiting, no doubt listening at the door.” Steve’s tone was filled with amusement.

“Oh, god, I didn’t’ mean to hold everyone up.” She tried to scramble off Steve’s lap, but he held her fast.

“Easy, everything’s fine and they don’t care.”

“You can come in now,” Ben called.

Serena and Payton almost tumbled into the dining room with bright smiles on their faces, followed by all four men. Arial’s face flushed lava red—the proud smiles on Ben and Steve’s parents eased her embarrassment. Her new family all took their seats and filled their plates with food. Comradery of a loving family abounded with jokes, stories and teasing. No one batted an eye as she remained on Steve’s lap, and Ben fed her from his plate throughout the meal.

Her world felt right, here between her two men, deep down she knew nothing could change this.

Chapter Six

She grew more radiant each day—smart, sassy and oh, so sexy, but, living in a constant state of hardness around her was killing him and Ben.

He sighed and glanced at the clock. So he would die of blue balls, but if this is the way he must go, then so be it.

Another glance of the clock showed him only a few seconds passed since his last glance.

This was Arial’s first outing without either him or Ben by her side. Their mothers took her shopping.

He was thrilled their mothers and Arial were getting on so well. They have been thick as thieves since their first dinner together. Payton and Serena collected her before lunch and promised to return her safe and sound in a few hours.

Good thing he trusted his mother and Ben’s, or he would be trailing along after them.

He leaned back in his chair with another glance at the clock, staring at it wasn’t going to make the fucking thing move any faster.

Steve made a mental note to pass more of this mundane running of their empire over to someone else, so they could have more time with their One. There were still a few roads to travel with her yet.

The most important one was yet to come, and with her growing confidence, it would be soon. Then, there really would be no secrets between them, and the first meld bonding of the three of them could finally take place.

His phone buzzed in his back pocket. He leaned forward whipping it out, frowning when seeing Dean’s number lighting up his screen.

“Hey, buddy.” He answered, hoping there was good news. Truth was; Dean rarely called unless something was going down.

“Arial’s asshole’s trying to find her. I just got wind he filed a missing person’s report, and then yesterday, the investigator I sent to track him reported he went to work, but didn’t come out. No doubt he slipped away sometime during the day.”

“Fuck, do you think he’s got wind she’s with us?”

‘I’d advise to go legal on this.’

Human law dictated neither he nor Ben could do anything, unless the asshole made a move, and with Arial’s abuse, non-physical it meant no lasting charges would stick to the scumbag.

But, because he filed a report, it meant Arial would have to check in at a police station and give an account of her whereabouts. No doubt, the asshole was trying to track her by pulling this stunt.

“There’s no way he could know. I’ll talk to a few contacts; talk her into making an official statement, soon. The courts can put an intervention order in place. He won’t be legally able to come within in two hundred meters of her without being arrested,” Dean said.

“Alright, I won’t take her down to any station, they can come here. Can you arrange someone to come on Monday?”

“It won’t be a problem, until then keep her safe. I don’t like the look of this, my gut tells me it could turn nasty if he ever got near her again.”

“We’ll protect her. Thanks buddy.” Steve ended the call.

The sound of doors opening and feminine chatter made Steve smile and his body throb painfully.

“It’s worth it buddy.” He glanced down at his aching cock. “She’s worth it.”

He leaned against the door frame watching as Arial put her bags on the end of the table. Her smile radiated as she laughed at something his mother said before her cheeks turned an alluring shade of pink.

It perked his interested. What were the women talking about? He pushed off the frame and walked into the room.

“Any clothes left in the shops for the rest of Melbourne’s women, mum?” He teased lightly.

“Oh, hush boy,” his mother scolded. “Girls time out is important.”

Arial turned and met his gaze and her blush deepened. Steve couldn’t resist, so he strode up, pulled Arial into his arms and claimed her lips in a brief kiss.

“Missed you, baby. Did you have fun?”

She beamed at him. “Yes, your mothers are wonderful and I missed you, too.”

“You’re a delight, dear, we had fun too, don’t forget our little chat.”

Her blush deepened, he couldn’t help his curiosity.

“What chat was this?”

“Something you’ll find out later.” His mother scolded lightly. “Until now, hush”

Properly chastised, he held up his hands in surrender, letting her move from his arms.

“I know when I’m outnumbered.”

“Sensible boy” His mother nodded.

The women giggled together and Steve shook his head. “I’ll be in the office if you need me, love.” He left the women to their devices, but still pondered what their one was up to, feeling Arial’s gaze on his back as he walked away.

* * * *

Arial buzzed around the kitchen with nervous excitement, her stomach fluttered with worry while she prepared her special meal, wanting everything to be perfect.

She knew it was time and after having a talk with the women, they were open about how it is to be made love to by two men.

Arial knew she was more than ready; craving their touch, she had been fearful of taking the next step. Through her counselling sessions, she knew the fear was a false feeling.

They would never hurt her. She wanted to do this, wanted them to make love to her. It made her blush knowing they would also want to take her arse.

“Now, I wonder what that blush is for?” Ben walked in making her jump in surprise. His ice melting smile made her lower stomach flutter.

“You scared me.”

“Because something naughty’s going through your mind, I can tell.” He moved in behind her, wrapping her in his arms, sweeping aside her hair to kiss her neck as he so often did when he came home.

“I...I...wasn’t.” Damn, it she couldn’t lie to them.

He chuckled softly, his lips moving against her skin. “Don’t worry, baby, you keep your secret.”

“I don’t want to.” She twisted in his arms. “I only want to make tonight special.”

Ben met her gaze with his dark eyebrow raised in curiosity. Pressed so tightly against his body, she felt his erection push into her lower belly.

He grinned, brushing back a strand of hair. “Beautiful, every night with you is special to us.”

She smiled going up on tiptoes, pressing her lips to his, kissing him with the flutter of love in her heart. He always knew the right thing to say to her, to make her heart soar.

Realisation hit, she didn’t need to hesitate, or always second guess herself around these men.

Why worry if dinner wasn’t perfect? No doubt, they would eat a mud pie if she baked it. They were so full of love for her; she wanted to give everything of herself back.

Ben groaned against her lips as she clung tighter to him. “Baby,” he pulled back, his eyes glazed over with desire.

“I wanted dinner to be perfect, but then I realised I want something even more than a perfect dinner.”

She giggled when both his eyebrows rose, with the question in his gorgeous, dark brown eyes.

“What’s that love?” his words half choked when she slid her body up a little, wrapping her arms around his neck, aligning their still clothed bodies, his hard cock brushing directly between her thighs.

Feeling bold, she nipped at his lips and he shuddered, his fingers curling into her hips, pulling her tighter.
I did this; I affect not one, but two men!
She half turned, spotting Steven standing in the door watching them, golden eyes gleaming with predatory hunger.

“I want my perfect men.”

“Please don’t tease sweetheart, I don’t think I could stand it.” Ben groaned, burying his face into her neck. His hot breath fanned across her skin before his tongue followed.

“I think I get what you and our mothers were so chatty about earlier today.” Steve crossed the floor and crowded in at her side. With utmost care, he pulled the pins from her messy bun and unwound her hair. It tumbled down over her shoulders. He slid his fingers through the strands before raising it to his nose and inhaling.

“How do you always smell so amazing?”

“You’ve both given me so much, and I want to give you the only real thing I have. I’m so...” She stopped herself.
Don’t apologise. That was the old me. I am a stronger, confident woman.
“...no more waiting, I want you both to make love to me.”

“Are you sure? There is no pressure, don’t feel obliged only because we’re horny. We’re men and we’ll get over it.” Ben and his tender heart.

“No, I want this, I really do. Yes, I’m nervous, I’ve never been with two men, but I want to. I really want a three person relationship, just like the relationship your parents have. It’s a beautiful thing.”

“As our lady wishes,” Steve nodded towards the stove. “Is there anything here that’s going to burn?” It took a moment for her brain to switch gears.

“Oh, just turn off the oven.”

Steve did so as Ben pulled away only to lift her up into his strong arms. “No way am I going to protest anything, in case you change your mind.”

“I’m not, Ben.” He carried into the bedroom.

Her heart pounded in her chest when Ben set her down; Steve climbed onto the bed and pulled her between them.

“Do you trust us, Arial?” Steve held her gaze; she saw his passion intermingled with his love for her.

“Do you trust us with your body? Trust us to give you only pleasure?” Ben pressed, snaking his arms around her, sliding them upwards to caress her breasts through the silky material of her camisole.

“This is the place where feelings can be trusted. Will you listen to those feelings beautiful?”

Steve knelt by her legs sliding up the fabric of her silky shirt. Ben pulled her arms up, and then assisted in removing the garment over her head before tossing it aside. Nimble fingers unhooked her bra and it too fluttered to the floor. She felt the swift undressing was another way to stop her brain from over thinking, and approved of the notion.

“You’ve such amazing skin, so soft and pink. We’ve been hungering for this for such a long time.”

Arial’s breast swelled under Ben’s skilled hands, her nipples strained as if begging for his touch.

Ben started to kiss her upper body, making her skin tingle; her skin heated under each press of his lips, she felt singed.

By the time Steve reached her waist, she found herself squirming, unable to keep still, her body responding to the building need inside her. Yes, they were right, and she placed her trust in their hands and the wonderful feelings of pleasure they created. It built into a steadily growing fire.

Keeping their slow, torturous pace, Arial fought back the urge to moan when in tandem, they began to suck and nip at her neck. A shudder slid up through her; her womb tightened, anticipation fluttering in her lower stomach.

The drum of her pulse sounded in her ears, her breathing accelerated as her heart rate sped up.

“You trust us, don’t you, Arial?” Steve persisted, his voice low and husky near her ear. His mouth resumed its previous position on her neck, not waiting for an answer.

Desire sizzled under the surface, every inch of her inflamed with the burn consuming her body.

They both suddenly moved away, making her whimper in disappointment.

Ben tweaked her hardened nipple, sending pleasure and pain swirling through her, leaving her teetering on an unfamiliar edge.

“Answer, Arial.” His command firm.

She gazed up, glancing between them and with a lick of her lips answered. “Yes,” surprised at the sound of her voice, throaty and low, revealing her need.

Steve swooped in claiming her lips. A burst, like a firecracker went off. He took his time, nipping at her lips, plunging in his tongue, stroking it across her tongue. Her pussy pulsed as if she felt the stroke of his tongue in a phantom caress through her slick folds.

Steve’s continued to devour her mouth and she slipped deeper under their sensual spell as they made short work of sliding down her skirt along with her panties leaving her completely exposed.