Deceptive Changes: Kat LaMond Book 1 (31 page)

We ate our meal with light banter and easy conversational subjects.

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We finished and the waiter came up a few minutes later and took our plates.  He offered dessert and we took the offer. 

Todd had a slice of cheesecake with strawberries on it.  Erick had a chocolate torte.  Trace had a fruit torte.  Sven ordered what I ordered, a hazelnut torte.  We ate our dessert.  Sven pretended to eat but mainly just pushed small pieces around the plate.  I sighed.  “Stop doing that.  It’s so good.  You’re ruining it.”  He stopped moving pieces around. 

He leaned into me again and kissed my earlobe.  I shivered as his breath went into my ear.  I jerked my head back and chuckled.  “I have nothing to occupy my time, Katja.” 

I looked at him from inches away.  His blue eyes were even darker, like dark sapphire.  “We’ll be done in a few minutes.  Can’t you wait a minute or two?”  He sighed and went back to pushing pieces of torte around his plate. 

The waiter came over when we were finished and asked if we wanted anything else.  I shook my head.  Todd had other plans, however.  He ordered a bottle of expensive champagne. 

A few minutes later, the champagne arrived with crystal flutes.  The waiter poured our drinks and left.  I sipped the champagne and let out a pleased sigh.  It was delicious. 

“What’s the occasion, Todd?”

“There isn’t one, Kat.  I just felt like having champagne.  Also, I didn’t want to go home just yet.” 

I smiled.  A ridiculous thought went through me.  “We could always just rent a room.”  The restaurant was tied to a hotel. 

“We could,” he said, though he didn’t sound all that convinced.  He seemed to think on that while we sipped champagne. 

We finished the bottle and paid the bill, and left the restaurant. 

Instead of walking to the truck, Todd guided us to the elevators.  “I already reserved a room for us, Kat,” he whispered in my ear. 

I flushed.  “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“It’s so hard to surprise you.  You have all this money and you don’t even think about it.  Well, I have some money now and I decided to surprise you for a change.”  He kissed me hard and passionately while we waited for the elevator. 

The lift binged and we loaded in, even though I was loath to break the kiss with Todd.  Todd swiped a key card across the reader and the elevator took off.  It opened on the penthouse floor.  I was surprised.  I didn’t even think Todd thought about these things.

“How long have you had reservations?” 

He winked at me.  “For a little while.  I’m just glad you didn’t die.  I would’ve been pissed if I had to come here alone.”

“Good thing I’m alive then.  I wouldn’t want you to have to come here all by your lonesome.”  I looked around the penthouse.  It was beautiful.  The walls were in a faded gold fabric with electric candle lights in a chandelier.  We were standing in the foyer and looking into the living room.  The living room shared space with the dining area but was split up by the use of throw rugs.

“Yes, it’s a good thing you’re alive.”  Todd wrapped his arms around me and lifted me.  He kissed me lightly at first.  I ran my hands through his hair.  Gosh, I didn’t want the kiss to end.

He set me down and ran his hands along my back.  He let me go and pulled my hand and me to the couch.  “We should talk.” 

My heart squished in my chest.  “Talk?” I squeaked out. 

He chuckled.  “Not that kind of talk, Kat.  I mean.  Talk.”  I didn’t understand.  What was he driving at? 

“What do you mean, talk?  What kind of talk?  You say not that kind of talk.  Well, what kind then?”

“About us.” 

My heart fled into my stomach.  “Us?  What about us?  I thought we were fine.  Right?”  He nodded.  “Then what, Todd?  Stop with the cryptic.”

“It’s rather difficult to put into words without sounding weird.”  I frowned at him.  I was frowning a lot lately.  I hoped I didn’t get too many wrinkles from it. 

I shook my head at him.  “I don’t understand.”  He blew out a sigh and looked at Sven. 

Sven came up and sat beside me.  “Katja, Todd’s trying to…”  He paused.  This was weird.  They were all speechless. 

“Does this have to do with sex?”  I figured blatant questions should help roll things along. 

“It does.” 

I thought a moment.  “Are you trying to ask me something about sex?”  One way or the other we would find the words.  I suppose I was just going to have to keep asking questions until the right answer appeared.

“Yes and no.  We are asking you about sex, yes, but what we’re really getting at has to do with us, mainly,” Todd explained.

“Us.  As in not me?”  He nodded.  Okay, we were getting somewhere.  “Did you want to try something that might not involve me?”

“It would involve you…” He stopped.  “This is getting rather ridiculous,” he muttered.  I think he was talking to himself but I couldn’t be sure. 

“Well, twenty questions isn’t too bad.  At least it isn’t a hundred or something.” I chuckled, they didn’t.  Okay.  “You guys want to do something that involves me, sort of, but is mainly about you guys?”  They nodded.

Hmm, I wonder.  “You aren’t talking about, oh, I don’t know…” I stopped for a moment.  “Something where all five of us are
together
, are you?”  They nodded.  Okay, I figured out what they wanted, now I think I’ll pass out. 

“Are you okay, Kat?  You seem a bit pale.” 

I looked at Todd.  “Hmm?  I’m fine.”  My head was reeling from the images that flashed through my head but outside of that I was pretty good, I hoped.

I looked at each of them.  They seemed like this wasn’t a huge deal.  “Why would you suggest this?”  I truly wanted to know.  We barely scratched the surface earlier.

Todd spoke up.  “I’ve been around vampires who don’t have a preference either way.  It’s loosened me up a bit to alternative thinking.”

“Okay.  But why would this particular subject come up?”  I wanted to know why, if there even was a reason, for them to suggest something that was a bit out there. 

Todd sighed.  “I’ve spoken with Sven about this.  He’s brought in his own opinions and suggestions on…uh, sex.” 

I looked at Sven.  He smiled, showing his fangs.  I couldn’t help but smile back.  “And you all want to try something like that?”

They nodded.  I frowned.  “You do know that not everyone can fit inside me, right?” 

Todd rolled his eyes.  “Of course, Kat.”

“Just so we’re clear, that’s all.  You also know that at least two of you will be…um…” There was no way to put it nicely so I didn’t.  “You know that at least two of you will be fucked also, right?”  They nodded.  Hmm.  “And you’re okay with this?”

Trace spoke up.  “I’m not.  I’ve already voiced my opinions on the way my body is going to be used.” 

I frowned at his terminology.  “You aren’t being used, Trace.  If you don’t want to do this, you don’t have to.  I’m not pushing the issue at all.  I’m actually just trying to understand this change.”  He merely nodded.

Todd looked at my quizzically.  “What don’t you understand, Kat?” 

“I know you guys aren’t into men, as in other than those in this room.  I know this.  What I’m most concerned with is…are you doing this for me or for yourselves?”

“We’re doing this for you and for us, Katja,” Erick whispered. 

I looked at him.  “What do you think of all this?  Is this something that you’ve desired or even considered?”

“I don’t know what I desire anymore.  I used to think it was a monogamous relationship that I desired but now I see it’s more…fulfilling to be with the four of you.”

“How so?”  I was curious as to what Erick truly thought.  It was rare that he shared. 

“I find that even when I’ve spent myself in your lovely body I can still bring you enjoyment while others fill you.”  I blushed.  I should be used to Erick’s unique phrasing but I wasn’t.  The one thing I didn’t understand was what he was willing to do. 

“Since Trace will not be one of you that’s being fucked, um, won’t you be?”

“I probably will.”  He didn’t look ashamed or freaked out like I expected. 

“You’re okay with having someone inside you?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?  I have agreed to this arrangement from the beginning.  We’ve discussed potential positioning before and recently.”

“This won’t be theory.  This will be reality, Erick.” 

“I understand what it will be, Katja.  I have made my decision.”  Erick’s mouth twisted into a smile.  I sighed. 

Maybe I was trying to talk them out of it.  Maybe I didn’t want to try it.  I couldn’t really tell.  It was something outside of my realm of thoughts.  Maybe if we didn’t talk about it, it’d just happen.  I knew one thing, I was going to need a lot more liquor in me if we wanted to try this.

I stood up and walked into the kitchen.  I found the wet bar and grabbed seven little bottles of alcohol.  I brought them back to the couch and started opening them.  I took a bottle of Jack Daniels and drank it straight, all of it.  It wasn’t that big, so one swallow and the bottle was done.  I set the empty bottle on the coffee table and saw that the guys were staring at me.  “What?”

“What are you doing, Kat?” Todd asked.

I looked at Todd.  “I’m getting liquored up.”  I opened another bottle.  This time it was a bottle of gin.  I swallowed it and breathed a small amount of fire.  I wasn’t used to drinking as much as I was and drinking the alcohol straight hit me harder. 

“Kat, slow down.  If this makes you nervous or you don’t want to do it, I suggest you not drink so much alcohol and we’ll put this off for another day,” Todd cautioned. 

I opened a third bottle and held it in my hand.  “I want to try but I also don’t want to be too sober.  My mind may get in the way, if you know what I mean.”  Todd took the bottle from my hand and tossed it back.  I smiled at him and kissed his cheek.  “I guess you needed to liquor up, too.”  He smiled and placed the bottle on the table.  He grabbed a second one, or his second one, and opened the bottle.  He gave it to Erick and opened a third and handed it to Trace. 

Todd grabbed the other two.  He opened the bottles and handed one to me.  I offered mine to Sven but he shook his head.  “You guys are crazy,” was all he said. 

I tossed back the alcohol and set the bottle on the table.  My head felt slightly airy.  I didn’t dare stand up.  I figured I’d topple onto Sven or make an even bigger idiot out of myself and fall over my own feet. 

Todd put his bottle on the table and pulled me into his arms.  His breath wafted over me.  I breathed in the alcohol and stifled a cough as the sting bit into my throat.  He kissed me deeply and without regard for my mouth.  His teeth grazed my lips and tongue.  I ran my hands in his hair and pulled him closer to me.  I wanted inside him and I didn’t know how to do it.

I pushed tighter against him, craving his touch, his mouth on mine.  I pushed my tongue further into his mouth, tasting him, feeling the texture of his mouth.  I ran my hands down his chest and brushed the tops of his jeans. 

I dug my hands into the waist of his jeans and pulled.  He jerked against me but kept his mouth and arms on me.  I unsnapped his jeans and ran my hand inside.  I felt that he was hard and ready for me.  I played with him, trying to be calm, but my hands fought my control.  He moaned softly for me.

He pulled back and chuckled breathily.  He pulled my hand from his jeans.  I whimpered and struggled against him.  “I want you.  Now,” I choked out. 

“I know, Kat.  First, I want to do something to you.”  I didn’t want whatever he was planning, I wanted him inside me and I wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

I unbuttoned my suit jacket and tossed it.  I took off my blouse and threw it away.  Todd caught my hands before I could take my skirt off.  “Hold on, Kat.” He chuckled and pinned my arms behind my back.  I struggled for a moment and then went still.  Why wouldn’t he let me have him?  I needed.  I wanted to crawl inside him and he wouldn’t let me, damn it.

Sven wrapped his hands around my neck, his long, pale fingers rubbing gently.  I made small sounds as his hands slid further down to the tops of my breasts.  Todd kept my arms pinned behind me as Sven’s hands cupped my breasts and rubbed his thumbs across my nipples.  I moaned and tossed my head back. 

Erick bent down and kissed me gently.  I strained for him, for his touch.  I wanted to touch him.  I struggled against Todd but I couldn’t get my hands free.  Erick kissed me once more and then pulled back. 

Trace moved closer to Erick and bent down.  I thought he was going to kiss me but he didn’t.  He placed his mouth on the dippy part of my neck, where the collar bone dips down, and sucked on my flesh.  I whimpered as he bit gently on my neck.  I struggled harder against Todd but his grip was like a vise.  Trace pulled back and smiled.

“That’s not all, Kat,” he said. 

Sven’s hands ran up my body and disappeared.  I still had my head against his shoulder so I knew he hadn’t left.  Sven’s hands wrapped around my eyes.  I couldn’t see.  I struggled harder against Todd’s grip.  “Do you trust us, Kat?” Todd asked. What kind of question was that?