Radiance (20 page)

“You are one of two people in my life to make me
hunger
.  Who make me want to spend days feasting on every inch of you, taking you again and again until you literally can’t come anymore.” 

She moaned around him and Harper slid up to cup her breasts, flicking her taut nipples with his thumbs. 

“Watching Harper touch you draws my balls so tight.  The way he stares at me while you suck me, I fight not to come.” 

Gabriella’s hand slipped between his legs and cupped his sac with a sigh.  Withdrawing from her mouth, he put one foot on the bed beside Harper’s leg. 

Fisting his own cock, he told her, “Suck them, Brie.  Let me feel your mouth on me.” 

Without hesitation, she took them between her lips and sucked.  Her hand moved around to his ass, pulling him closer so she could access more of him. 

Elijah’s gaze lifted to Harper’s, knowing how much he wanted to join her.  “That feels incredible.  Take my cock.”  Releasing him with a pop, she immediately took as much of the length as she could. 

“Lay back on Harper’s shoulder, Brie.”  She did and Elijah followed her, fucking her mouth harder, deeper, inches from
his
mouth, making it water.  “That’s it, pretty girl.  Relax the muscles of your throat.”

She never looked away from Elijah’s face, never stopped touching him while her other smoothed frantically over the muscle of Harper’s thigh.  He could feel the way she trembled between them. 

“Hot, wet, beautiful Brie.  Do you want to come?”  A small whimper.  “Do you want to wait?”  She nodded.  “Would you like me to eat you to make you come?”  There was no mistaking her moan.  “I’d love for you to come for my mouth.” 

To Harper, he murmured, “Touch her.  Brie, hold it back.  Let it build.” 

His palm slid along the side of her neck while Harper moved his hands over her breasts and belly, down to her mound.  She gasped, pressed into him, and he was hypnotized by Elijah’s focus, by her responses.  He used the flat of his fingers to smooth the slick folds, to circle her clit. 

“Are you ready, Brie?” 

Shaking, moaning, she relaxed even further as he pressed deep and stilled.  She swallowed around him, struggled to take even more, and Harper slipped his fingers inside her as her eyes watered. 

“Take me.”  Elijah’s head dropped back on his shoulders, his body tightened, defining every muscle beautifully, and he growled as he released his control.  “
Yes.
” 

At the last moment, he pulled back and Harper watched with a sharp inhale as Elijah’s come splashed across Gabriella’s tongue and lower lip.  She closed her mouth, kept her hands on both of them as she turned her head to stare into Harper’s eyes.  She didn’t blink, didn’t push, didn’t lick away the drops on her lip.  Simply waited in silence. 

So Harper kissed her.

Elijah’s flavor exploded on his tongue.  It was a taste he knew well.  As he claimed Gabriella’s mouth roughly, holding her harder than he intended, he wondered at this new layer to sex he’d never experienced. 

It was something he’d never truly considered.  The possibilities made him hunger, made him ache, and frightened him to the core of who he was.

Gabriella Hernandez was a dangerous woman.

End-May 2015

After spending ten hours in the company of Elijah and Harper, the men departed for Australia. 

Physically, sexually, and emotionally exhausted, Brie slept for eighteen hours straight when they escorted her home and kissed her goodbye. 

She took the teasing of her friends in stride at brunch two days later by pointing out similar disappearances and recovery times she’d witnessed in their relationships. 

Tawny nodded sagely.  “Remember when Riya got back from her conference and the M’s wouldn’t let her out of the apartment for three
days
.  I thought we were going to have to have emergency personnel break down the door.” 

“Man, the
show
they’d have gotten,” the brunette sighed.

As they left the restaurant and parted ways, Tawny pulled her aside and took her for coffee.  Settling at a table away from the windows so the security who followed her everywhere wouldn’t freak out, Brie sipped and waited for questions. 

“Are things better?” 

Inhaling carefully, she considered her answer.  “The pleasure climbs.  I’m deeply in love with Elijah and the love I have for Harper has the potential to be just as strong.  The pain is going to be worse but I
believe
it will be worth it.  The memories without a doubt.” 

“You think it’ll end?  They’re
so
focused on you.” 

“I hope it doesn’t.” 
The hope would make it worse
.  “I wasn’t able to protect myself.  I don’t think I would have if I’d had the choice.  They speak to my personality, all sides of it, in ways I didn’t expect.” 

“It might work out.  Elijah…girl, he’s powerful.”

Sensing a story but feeling wrong about chasing the bait, Brie controlled the tears that desperately wanted to fall.  “He is but…he’s also a man of his word.  Promises were made long before I came into the picture.”  She shrugged one shoulder.  “It’s too late for me to pull back.  I have to see what happens and hope my love is enough in the end.  It would be nice to have a happily ever after to our story.” 

Tawny was quiet for a long time.  “You hope for it but…you don’t think there will be.” 

“No.  I don’t.” 

* * *

One month before the wedding, Natalia hosted a party at the penthouse to celebrate with friends and family outside her usual circle.  Brie and Riya finished last minute details as Hudson picked up his mother from her apartment and Natalia met hers at the airport. 

Brie watched as Camille Truing entered on Hudson’s arm.  She was
lovely
and it was visually stunning to see the petite light-featured woman standing beside her powerful, dark son. 

Their relationship filled her heart with hope.  Their life could have been very different had Hudson not
refused
to allow it.

Shortly after Camille’s arrival, Natalia’s mother entered to celebrate her daughter’s life and love. Watching as mother and daughter approached Hudson and Camille held Brie enthralled. 

He was formal with his future mother-in-law, taking her hand and kissing her cheek.  After a big smile, she hugged him tightly and he smiled softly as he returned it. 

Jane Roman held Camille’s hand in her own and they spoke softly for several minutes.  Tears were shed by both women and then they hugged for a long time. 

Sipping a glass of wine, Brie grinned. 

“Fascinating, right?”  Tawny stood at her side staring at the small group with wide eyes. 

“Like seeing a unicorn or something,” she answered truthfully.  “Have you met any of them before tonight?” 

Clearing her throat, the redhead hedged.  “No, I’ve never
officially
met but I know
of
them.” 

“One day, you’ll spill.” 

“You’re the third person to say that to me this week.”  She shrugged.  “You’re the only one who’s patient for me to do it.” 

Brie chuckled.  “I imagine.” 

She linked her arm through her friend’s and they clinked their glasses.  Tawny’s observations on people and situations could leave her gasping for breath. 

They visited with Marci, Fahad, and Nuri who’d taken their relationship to the next level in the prior months.  “The three of you are so dignified all the time.”  Shaking her head, Brie added, “I don’t know how you do it.  I’m such a spaz.” 

Marci chuckled.  “Nonsense.  You’re lovely, Gabriella.” 

She crossed her eyes.  “Total spaz.”  Looking at the cousins, she whispered, “The graphics prototype kind of makes me weep with happiness.” 

Fahad gave a slight bow.  “Your opinion means much to us.  We knew you’d be the right person to test it.” 

“I’ll write an essay filled with inappropriate adjectives for you.  Holy crap, the pen is so responsive, it feels like I’m truly drawing.”  Hand on her hip, she gestured at Tawny with her wineglass.  “This one tried to steal it when I let her play for a few minutes.” 

Laughing, Nuri said, “You’ll have one tomorrow.” 

Dramatically trembling her lower lip, Tawny sniffed loudly.  “That…yes, that.” 

“I’m going to excuse myself to talk to Max and Micah but it always makes me happy to see the two of you.” Marci winked and the threesome walked away.

Tawny went still and muttered, “Shit.  You’re about to be introduced to the moms.  I’m out so I don’t scare them.”  She made a rapid retreat as Hudson and Natalia escorted the older women to meet her. 

Camille hugged her hard. “Seeing you back on your feet makes me so happy.” 

“Thank you.  I’ve missed you.” 

Leaning back, the blonde touched her cheek.  “You’re missed by everyone but your sister keeps us up to date.  How
pretty
you look.”  After another hug, she stepped back to Hudson’s side.

Natalia announced, “Mother,
this
is Gabriella.” 

Jane took her hand and held it in silence for a long moment.  “You remind me of Hudson when he was a boy.” 

In absolute seriousness, Brie replied, “I take that as the
highest
compliment, ma’am.” 

“As you
should
.  I’ve heard so much about you from these two.”  A huge smile spread over her face.  “I hear it’s
your
influence that made them pull their heads out of their asses and get the fuck
on with it
already.” 

Brie burst out laughing.  “I should have known.  It’s a true pleasure to meet you.”

Natalia’s mother was a deceptively quiet woman who gave all outward appearances of being sedate and vintage.  It was clear to see where her daughter inherited her quick wit. 

After a few minutes chatting, Brie told her friends, “I beg you,
please
introduce them to Tawny.  I need that in my life.” 

Chuckling, Natalia and Hudson bent to kiss her cheeks and led their mothers away. 

This should be interesting.

Brie watched, holding her breath, as the foursome approached the redhead from behind.  Hudson saying her name in his stern way caused her to whirl with a movie scream and put her hands up in a classic boxing style. 

Then the silly bitch nodded earnestly and
curtsied
for Camille and Jane.  It was a
damn
good curtsy. 

Over his shoulder, Hudson winked at her and she grinned.

Few people would ever understand what a truly
fun
person he was and she was grateful to have the knowledge.

* * *

A warm arm circled Brie’s waist through the thin material of her gown at the same moment Elijah whispered, “You look incredible.  Good enough to eat and I happen to be
starving
.” 

He tugged her and she followed him without hesitation. 

In the small alcove behind the kitchen, Harper waited with tension surrounding him.

“Is that vibration for
me
or because you’ve found yourself in Hudson’s
lair
?” 

He laughed and it made her feel
wonderful
.  Elijah bodily lifted her, placing her between them against the wall.  They instantly leaned in, their forearms braced above her. 

Harper stroked the back of his hand along the strap of her dress, raking warm fingers over her skin.  “Gabriella.” 

She didn’t speak at first.  Everything inside her wanted to
touch
them and after a brief hesitation, she allowed herself to do so.

“I didn’t think you’d make it.” 

“We landed less than two hours ago and we’re flying out again tonight.  We wanted to surprise you.”  Elijah’s lips trailed along her shoulder.  “Are you surprised, Brie?” 

“Happily.”  Placing her palms on the center of their chests, she stroked up and over their shoulders beneath their jackets. 

A single fingertip traced the raw silk of their ties and she realized they were identical to the fabric of the gown she wore. 

Flicking her eyes up, Harper smiled.  “Natalia had them made when she ordered your dress.”

“She always thinks about little details,” she murmured.  “Thank you for the easel.  It’s beautiful, Harper.” 

“You’re welcome.” 

The day before, deliverymen arrived with a stunning art frame that featured built-in steps.  She’d be able to position enormous canvases and raise or lower them to reach the top.  It took up one wall of her studio and she’d already envisioned several pieces it would hold for her.

“You had it made for me.” 

He gave her a charming half-smile.  “I needed to buy you
something
and you apparently
abhor
Tiffany’s.” 

It made her laugh.  “I can use the easel daily.  Diamonds will only end up covered in paint.  It was thoughtful of you.” 

“You’re so fucking
refreshing
.”  He stroked his hand over her shoulder while Elijah rubbed his palm back and forth across her belly.  “Your recovery proceeds quickly now.  You need the flexibility to paint whatever inspires you.” 

“I’ve been painting a lot recently,” she told him.

“Anything in particular?”  Elijah nuzzled his face against hers and she sighed, her eyes drifting shut. 

“Mm hmm,” she murmured.  She smoothed over them, touching skin she wanted naked more than she wanted her next breath.  “How have you been?” 

Their hands stroked over her sides and they bent to plant open-mouth kisses on her neck. 

“Struggling away from you,” Elijah answered.

Brie nodded.  “Stay focused.  The thought of either of you distracted scares me.” 

“Harper keeps us busy.  Don’t worry, Brie.”

“I’m familiar with the routine of twenty-hour workdays.  I try to stay busy myself.  It helps.”

Harper lifted his head to say, “I barely get a fucking thing
done
, Gabriella.”  Against her ear, he growled, “My mind is
consumed
by thoughts of you.” 

Her response was shaky because it wasn’t something she expected Harper to admit.  “I’m sure that annoys you.” 

“Not as much as being perpetually hard.  That’s more than a little inconvenient when you’re meeting with dignitaries and shit.”  The image made her snicker.  “If I don’t have you soon, I’ll lose my fucking mind.”

Then Harper’s lips were on her and she held him tightly as he demolished all rational thought about where she was and why.  They massaged her skin through her dress and large palms cupped the cheeks of her ass.  She tried to hold back her moan and failed. 

“Do you think about us when we’re gone, Brie?”  She tried to nod and thought she might have succeeded.  “Do you touch yourself when you think about us?” 

“Yes.  I think I’m developing a problem.”  Both of them groaned.  “I’ve never been so desperate.  I need you.” 

Her nails dug into Elijah’s back under his jacket as his fingers slipped beneath the bodice of her gown.  A warm, strong hand cupped her breast and rolled her nipple between his finger and thumb.  She pressed into the touch, needing more. 

Harper obliged, gently gathering her hem in his hand until his palm rested directly on the skin of her thigh above her stockings.  A blunt fingertip traced the line of her garter, moving higher until he trailed it along the outline of her panties.  Nudging beneath the scrap of material, he rocked against her when he met the smooth, damp folds. 

“Fuck, you’re wet.”  He dragged his finger along the crease of her, dipping just the tip inside her pussy.  Her heart beat too hard.  “Hot enough to burn.  My cock throbs for you, Gabriella.” 

Her forehead rested on his shoulder, straining for air as she tried to withstand lust these two men never failed to inspire inside her.