HerMatesEmbrace (18 page)

He led them to the room next door to the one he and Linc
shared, opened the door and then looked over at her. “Is this room good? Do you
have any objections to this bed?”

She looked at him for a moment before answering. Not even
bothering to glance into the bedroom, she shrugged. “No, I don’t have any
objections to this room. But why not just go to my room?”

“Because if you invite me in there, I want it to be your
choice and at a time we can both enjoy it. I don’t want you to be forced in any
way to do that.” Linc checked the room as he spoke. He opened the large
wardrobe and even looked under the bed.

She knew he didn’t understand her problem with the bed in
their room. That wasn’t something she was going to explain. Too many
revelations in that simple, short explanation. They might be beginning to
suspect exactly what she’d seen, but she didn’t want to confirm it. It was hard
enough to keep them at a distance, even when they were being deliberately
arrogant.

“Good.” He stayed as he was as she walked past him and then
followed her into the room and shut the door. “Why don’t you go ahead and get
some sleep? I’ll sit in the chair and wait for word of the search.”

She looked at the bed and then at him. She took a deep
breath and tried to think rationally. Not too long ago, she’d been ready to
kick and hit him. Dragging him into that bed was a bad idea. He already
believed she was his mate. She needed to keep her distance.

Thinking of that didn’t help her much. The pull to be with
him was strong and being in the same room with him when she was so tired wasn’t
helping. Even though she was drowsy, her body tingled with awareness. Desire
flared to a low burn simply from his presence. She wanted to sleep, but she
didn’t want him all the way across the room watching her. She wanted him beside
her. The attraction and draw to him surged through her. So strong, it was
almost a physical urge.

“We both know that there is no danger. The people searching
aren’t going to find anything. I know you’re as tired as I am. Why don’t you
lie beside me? You can keep your sword nearby as long as you don’t accidentally
cut me.” The words were out of her mouth almost before she realized what she
was going to say. Her hands twisted the blanket in her grip.

“Are you sure? You know what happened between us the last
few times we got close. I don’t think either of us is so tired that we’re going
to be able to ignore it.” He raised a brow and didn’t move from where he stood.

She took a deep breath and tossed the blanket onto the foot
of the bed just to get it out of her hands. Conflicting desires warred inside
her. She wanted him close and she needed to keep him at a distance. Fear of
change battled with the mate attraction.

Honesty forced her to admit that the current situation was
the one she’d always feared. It couldn’t become worse. Not anymore. They
already knew the truth. She couldn’t persuade them that they were wrong. The
thought of his arms around her and the feel of his body next to hers only made
doing the smart thing harder. Knowing that denying herself wouldn’t alter his
beliefs, she came to a decision. She wasn’t going to deny herself the pleasure
she knew he could offer.

“I’m sure. I want you beside me and what happens will
happen. It would probably happen anyway. I want to be near you.” She shrugged
and smiled slightly.

He nodded and she saw a slow smile curve his lips. “You’re
probably right. I’ve wanted to hold you since the moment I saw you near the
door. I don’t want you to regret this later. The only thing holding me back was
the fear of losing the trust you’ve given us.”

“I won’t regret it. I sometimes wish we could do things
differently at times, but this won’t be one of them.” She held out her hand in
invitation.

He nodded and started over to her. “I’ve thought that myself
over the last few days.”

He walked over to join her beside the bed and placed his
sword on a small chest within reach. Clasping her wrist, he drew it to his
chest. “I’m not certain exactly what you fear, but we’re not going to change
our minds. We’re men, not boys. We know what we want.”

“You knew what you wanted before.” She wanted to take the
words back the moment they slipped from her lips, but she couldn’t.

She saw him flinch a little and felt bad about throwing that
remark at him.

“We were searching, even Colm, although he wouldn’t have
been able to say exactly what he was looking for. He was trying to find
something special.” Linc shook his head. “At the time, we were satisfied with
what we had.”

She believed him. At least about his own way of looking at
it, and she wasn’t going to say anything more. She really didn’t want to get
into an argument with him about it. What she’d said wasn’t really fair. She was
coming to see that, although she wasn’t sure why she felt that way. It was
going to take time to go through everything that had been said and what she
felt to discover what had started the change of mind.

“Let’s lie down.” She tugged his hand and drew him onto the
bed. “I want to kiss you.”

“I’ll give you a kiss any time you want. All you have to do
is tell me.” He slid onto the mattress beside her and drew his fingers across
her shoulder.

“Give me a kiss now.” She took him at his word and she
enjoyed the opportunity to give him an order for a change.

He scooted closer and brushed his lips across hers. The
caress wasn’t tentative, but it was soft and patient. It drew her into
thrusting her tongue against his and nipping his lips. She needed to know he
hungered as much as she did. Her hand slipped around the back of his neck and
pulled him closer.

She seized control of the kiss, claiming his lips and
pushing him onto his back. Now that she had the opportunity, she indulged in
the urge to touch. Her hands spread across his bare chest savoring the warm
skin there. She scraped her nails over the wide, muscled plane and smiled as
the move drew a groan from him.

His hands fastened at her waist and pulled her over him. She
straddled him, but wished she’d thought to ask him to undress before she pulled
him into bed with her. The ridge of his cock pressed against her, but it wasn’t
enough. She wanted to feel his cock pushing deep inside her and the heat of his
body as they moved against each other.

His hands swept up her thighs, gathering her nightgown along
the way. He drew the fabric up revealing her stomach and higher until she
lifted her arms so he could pull it free. The moment he flung the gown away,
his hands went straight to her breasts. He lifted and squeezed the mounds.

She closed her eyes and enjoyed the firm touch of his
calloused fingers. Her hips jerked when his fingers plucked at her nipples. The
sensation streaked down her body. The fiery heat seemed connected to her clit
and the tightening feeling low in her stomach. Her thighs tightened around his
hips and she ground down against him.

She wanted to come, but she wanted his cock deep inside her
when she did. She needed to feel him thrusting into her and know that he’d find
as much satisfaction as she did. It was a struggle, but she had to force
something other than moans and pleas past her lips.

“Your pants.” Even though she ached to feel his cock inside
her, she couldn’t stay still. Her hips rocked forward, riding the ridge of his
shaft through his pants. The texture of the fabric against her sensitive clit
nearly had her eyes rolling up in the back of her head.

His hands clasped her hips and he guided her movements for a
moment before he grimaced and rolled them until her back pressed against the
mattress. “Give me a moment and we’ll get right back to this.”

He rolled off the bed and then tore at the laces on his
pants. She muffled a giggle as he muttered curses when the strings knotted. As
soon as the ties loosened, he pushed them down. Muscle rippled beneath the
light golden skin of his thighs. Her eyes locked on the thick length of his
cock. She wanted that.

He stripped out of those pants in the space of a breath. She
smiled as he left the pants where they fell and then crawled back onto the bed.
Licking her lips, she reached for him. His arm slid under her shoulders and he
pulled her close as his head lowered in a fierce kiss. The scrape of his teeth
over her lips sent a shot of hunger through her.

She didn’t want to resist, much less try to pull away from
the growing pleasure. The way he and Colm made her feel was amazing. She didn’t
even remember her scars when they were looking at her at times such as these.
All that mattered was the touch of their hands and the hunger that rose higher
with each breath.

When his lips brushed over her jaw, she groaned at the loss
of his lips on hers. Her hands clutched at his shoulders. Even though they were
pressed almost completely body to body, she wanted him closer. She wriggled and
strained against him.

His breath hissed through his lips as her nails sunk into
his skin. He turned her until her back pressed against the mattress and he
loomed over her. His hands shackled hers, the grip loose, but still holding her
as he drew her sharp fingernails away from his shoulders. He pressed her hands
down to the bed beside her head. She arched, pulling at her arms to free them.
She wanted to touch and stroke and make him crazy with desire.

His eyes bored into hers and she could see the tension in
his face now. He seemed to come to some decision and before she could work out
why he was suddenly serious, his mouth fastened over one of her nipples. His
teeth scraped and his tongue flicked driving her insane. He freed one of her
hands, but growled when she tried to lift it from the bed.

“Leave it there.” His voice rumbled against her skin as he
licked and nipped teasingly all around the swollen mound.

She shivered, willing to do anything for him as long as he
continued the delicious attention to her breast. He hummed in satisfaction when
her hand fell back to the bare mattress. The sound ricocheted straight to her
core. The muscles in her pussy tightened and moisture seeped onto her thighs.

“I want…” She didn’t finish her sentence as his hand trailed
downward from her breast.

Her breath hitched as his hand rubbed over her stomach
before moving down to cup her pussy. Her hips arched off the bed in demand. He
chuckled before drawing her nipple into his mouth. It felt almost too good.

He gave a long, slow lick over the stiff peak as he lifted
his head and their gazes locked. His eyes burned with hunger. He rose over her.
Looking down, she saw the hard shaft of his cock. Her breath caught and
anticipation drew her muscles taut.

She almost purred with satisfaction as he moved between her
thighs. Her inner muscles clenched in anticipation. That was what she needed.
She lifted her head and her lips pressed against his, pouring all of the hunger
and anticipation she could into the kiss. He responded with a fierce
possession.

Her fingers clenched against her palms and her nails dug
into palms. Even the slight sting of pain did nothing to dull the need writhing
and clawing inside her. As his shaft nudged at her entrance, her hips arched
off the bed, lifting against his and taking his shaft deep.

“I can’t get enough of touching you, Cami.” He nuzzled at
her neck, kissing her on the shoulder.

His lips trailed kisses up her throat and across her cheek.
His mouth crushed hers as he drove into her, pressing her back into the bed.
She moaned. He pushed the hand he still held down into the mattress, but she
couldn’t stay still. Her free hand clutched at him and stroked over his back.

He froze when he’d pushed as deep as he could. His teeth
clenched and his head went back. “One day, I’m going to sit you astride me and
suck and nibble on those gorgeous breasts until you scream.”

Oh Gods, the idea sent a bolt of pleasure straight through
her. She could see it and wanted it. Her hips rocked against him. She needed
him to move. Her body burned. The press of his chest against her breasts made
her ache for more. Her nails scraped over his back. He hissed and his hips
jerked.

It seemed to break his control. He growled and he withdrew,
only to thrust deep. She dug her nails into his back, holding on with that free
hand. Her body rose to meet his every stroke as the need built.

“More. Please, Linc.” She didn’t care that the words came
out on a breathy plea. Her body trembled, so close that the need to come was almost
painful.

Linc kissed her. His tongue drove deep as he thrust into
her. She groaned. Her body tightened even more. She strained against him,
rubbing her breasts against his chest in a desperate bid to take that last step
to pleasure. He nipped her lip. The sting threw her over the edge. She trembled
and screamed as the wave of pleasure slammed over her.

Linc continued thrusting into her. He groaned and stiffened
as he came. She held onto him as his weight came down on top of her. She
breathed in his scent, content to simply hold him for the moment. She knew that
it might not last if they allowed their hands to wander.

He withdrew and moved to her side. She wanted to grab him
and pull him back to her. When he curled an arm around her and pulled her next
to him, she relaxed and settled in with her head nestled next to his chest. She
needed a little nap.

Chapter Seventeen

Cami strolled down the hallway. She looked over her
shoulder. She had a feeling she should get out of sight, find some place to
hide and stay there for a while. Her skin tingled and she felt a little
lightheaded. Flashes of Colm and Linc’s faces filled her mind. She didn’t doubt
the sensation was some kind of premonition. She simply didn’t know what she was
supposed to do about it.

Running away was not an option. Hiding, well if there was
physical danger and she couldn’t escape or fight her way out, maybe. This
wasn’t physical. Colm and Linc wouldn’t hit her. She trusted them that much.
She sensed a turning point, but she wasn’t going to walk quietly into it.

The worst thing about this was that she didn’t even know
when it would happen. It could be today or days from now. How was she supposed
to plan or find a way to stop it if she didn’t know when it was going to
happen? That feeling told her nothing, much less what it would change.

Sometimes these feelings and images were more of a curse
than a blessing. Really, what kind of help were they if they didn’t give her
some kind of edge to control the chaos in her life? The help with Laed and Kynar
was great and all, but Linc and Colm were causing so much more trouble for her
than those two men right now. Other than this vague warning, the abilities
hadn’t been much help to her in that regard.

She decided to head up to her room. Maybe if she sat quietly,
closed her eyes and simply breathed, something more would come to her. It was a
takeoff of one of the techniques Colm and Linc had taught her to control her
power, but she hoped it would help get a little clarification here. She wasn’t
going to be pushing or trying to shove the ability back down as she did when
she practiced, but she didn’t think it could hurt.

Worrying as she moved around sure hadn’t helped. If she
wasn’t as attracted to those two men, finding more information wouldn’t be an
issue. She grimaced as she started up the steps. If she was going to think
about situations where it wouldn’t matter, she might as well go for the big
one. If those two men weren’t her mates, she wouldn’t care what was going to
happen. She’d have nothing to fear from them.

“Cami!” The shout came from the bottom of the stairs.

Cami winced. She had no problem recognizing that deep voice.
Colm.
Could he sound more demanding?
Looking over her shoulder, she
glanced down and saw him at the base of the staircase. One hand rested on his
hip and the other hung loosely at his side. His eyes narrowed into slits and he
looked tensed to chase, as if he expected her to run. That expression almost
had her sprinting up the steps. Maybe she should have found a place to hide
after all. She had a bad feeling about this.

“What?” She knew the word carried enough attitude to be
considered a challenge.

She saw the muscle along his jaw flex. He took a deep breath
and then held out his hand. That wasn’t good. He was too controlled and focused.
He had a clear goal in mind and that meant trouble.

“Come. We have somewhere to go.” He didn’t move, merely kept
his eyes on her.

“Where? Why?” She turned to face him, but didn’t budge as
she stared suspiciously down at him. No way was she going down the stairs. Once
she got close enough for him to grab, he wouldn’t need her cooperation.

“Get down here or I’ll come up and get you. You know you
obey your Ardin.” He growled.

“You’re not my Ardin. The last—” She stumbled back and her
heartbeat accelerated when he leaped up the stairs between them. His hand
closed around her arm before she could dart up the stairs.

He snarled down at her. She snarled back. It hadn’t been the
wisest thing she’d ever said, but it was almost automatic. He knew she wasn’t
ready to make any kind of commitment. She didn’t know why her saying that had
such an effect. It wasn’t the first time she’d told him that. She wondered what
had happened to draw this reaction.

This was the cause of the unease she’d felt. She had no
doubts, but she’d like to know what had set this in motion. He didn’t decide
this on a whim. Why did he want her to go with him and what was so important?

“Let go. If this doesn’t have anything to do with catching
Laed and Kynar, then I don’t have any interest.” She jerked on her arm, trying
to get him to release it.

“You know, I don’t really care if you’re interested or not.
We’ve given you space and you continue to try to push for more distance. This
is the end of it. Everyone will know what you are to us.” Colm leaned in, his
face so close she could feel his breath. His lips pulled back in a fierce,
determined snarl.

She kicked. Her boot smacked into his thigh, but he didn’t
even falter. If he kept this up, they were going to end up tumbling down the
stairs. It might not be a long fall, but still someone could get hurt. She sunk
her nails into his arms and twisted her body in an effort to get free.

“What happened? You were simply supposed to come get her.”
Linc’s voice broke into their struggle.

“She decided that she didn’t have to obey a simple order to
come with me because we’re not her Ardin.” Colm glared down at her.

The anger and frustration building in her sparked the magic
inside her. She didn’t stop trying to slip away from them, even though she knew
she was outmatched. If possible, she’d like to blast them down the staircase.
Her hands warmed. Wrenching herself to the side, she managed to pull Colm off
balance. His hold didn’t even loosen.

“What’s wrong, Cami?” Linc put his hand on her shoulder, his
hold effectively stilling her.

“This is going to change something.” She glared at him. It
galled her that all he had to do was use one hand to control her.

“Yes, it is, but it’s not the ultimate claim that we want.
All it will do is make sure that everyone knows exactly how we see you,” Linc
said calmly. “No more denials that you’re only here to catch the false Ardin or
that you have no claim on us.”

“What does it matter what I say? The way you’ve been acting
around me pretty much announces it.” She shook her head and glared at them. The
magic burned in her at a higher level than her anger now.

“And you deny it whenever you’re asked. The mixed messages
are going to cause problems.” Linc growled.

He hooked an arm around her waist and lifted her off her
feet. Fear had her free hand slapping onto his shoulder for balance. He drew in
a hissing breath. His eyes locked with hers. He looked concerned suddenly
instead of angry and determined.

“Grab her hand, Colm. It’s hot and you’d better switch your
grip to the other one before the anger makes her control slip.” Linc lowered
her to the step, ducked and hoisted her over his shoulder.

The silent coordination amazed her. As soon as Linc bent,
Colm released her so that the other man could easily lift her to his shoulder.
She smacked his back as she hung down his back. She only managed to do it once
before Colm grabbed her hands.

He drew in a hissing breath. “Stinging hot. Damn, I had no
clue. Her eyes aren’t even glowing yet.”

“I think it’s focused power and I’d guess she’s having some
pretty violent thoughts. Our little Lady is angry. She just doesn’t know how to
release it as a weapon yet. Luckily for her. I would have put her over my knee
if she managed to use it against us.” Linc growled and walked down the stairs.

Stretched out as she was with Colm holding her hands, she
couldn’t even twist around and bite him. Both men were out of reach and her
legs were anchored. They didn’t hesitate as they walked through the hallways of
the first floor. They obviously had planned before they came to get her, but
she still had no clue about where they were going.

They turned onto the main hall that led to the outer door,
but didn’t go that far. Linc opened a door. Only as they passed through it did
she realize it was one of the double doors to the gathering judgment room. She
drew in a startled breath. She hadn’t done anything to be brought before them
here. Her mind kicked in and she realized that if she’d been the one meant to
be judged that they wouldn’t have gone to get her themselves. What kind of game
were they playing?

Colm released her hands and circled around her. Cami felt
something pass through the air. She knew it was magic, but since it didn’t
settle over her, she had no idea what it was supposed to do. Looking around the
room, she didn’t see any change.

“What do you want that it’s so important that you can’t
accept the word ‘no’? I don’t want to take whatever step you’re ready to take.
You promised you wouldn’t take anything away from me.” Her hands landed on her
hips and she glared at them.

“We’re not going to take any of your tricks away from you.”
Linc’s voice rolled through the room, so calm that she had to look at him to
make sure it was the same person. He was still frowning at her and she could
see the tenseness of anger there.

“What are you going to do, then?”

Linc took a single step forward, but halted when Colm put
his hand on his arm. “Watch your tone, Cami.”

“Why should I? You’re going to do something that you think
is going to help claim me.” Her lips curled and she wanted to be able to use
the magic against them as Linc thought she would.

“We’re your Ardin. You will respect us.” Linc’s eyes
narrowed.

She had a feeling he was a breath or one unwise taunt away
from hauling her over his knee. He’d threatened something such as that before,
but right now he was closer than he’d ever been. The thought was a little
intimidating. She took a few deep breaths and tried to calm herself. They
obviously weren’t backing down.

“What are you going to do? What are you planning?” She managed
to keep the anger out of her words. A growing feeling of being cornered made
her angrier. The magic inside her rose even higher. She began pacing, but the
closed doors and the windowless room made the caged feeling even worse.

“We’re going to show people just what you are to us. The
only effect it will have on you is how they perceive your position.” Colm
stayed where he was in front of the chair.

“How do you expect to do that? There are those who haven’t
believed you with the way you’ve acted so far.” Her jaw ached. They kept
pushing and pushing as if they could wear down any resistance to their plans
through sheer determination.

Linc stepped back and waved his hand at the two chairs and
the tapestries behind them. Pillows had been placed on the floor in front of
the two chairs. Her eyes widened. She stopped abruptly and slowly shook her
head. Panic welled in her. There was nothing subtle about what they wanted to
do.

“You can’t make me sit there.” She took a step back. She
wanted to run out of the room. The only way they could have made a more blatant
claim was with the mating bite.

Colm laughed, supremely confident. The arrogant man didn’t
even tense to chase. She knew he’d seen and noted her taking a step back. Did
he expect her simply to walk over there and sit down docilely?

“You’ll sit where you belong. It’s time to stop denying what
you know. We’re not backing down. You will accept us. We haven’t taken away
your ability to hide your scent, but you will play this our way from this point
on. We know what you are to us and we’re not going to let you pretend anymore.”
Linc raised an eyebrow in open challenge.

“Accept you? How can I do that if you’re forcing me to do
something I’m not ready to do?” She threw up her hands and stalked the length
of the room again. She didn’t understand how they thought this was going to
change anything. It certainly wasn’t going to make her decide to stop using the
lotions and tea.

“Once you start actually taking the position that’s yours,
hopefully it will help you realize that you do belong with us,” Linc answered
bluntly. “Now get over here and sit down. We have work to do today.”

“No. If you’re going to do any judging, you’ll do it without
me. I won’t pretend to claim a position I’m not ready to take.” She folded her
arms across her chest and smiled.

They might say that they were going to make her do this, but
they’d made demands before. While they might not have completely backed down
from their wishes at that time, they’d stopped. Sometimes it had been because
of her magic and others it had been because she was too agitated. They’d given
her space when she needed it. She definitely needed it now.

“I don’t like that look in your eyes.” Colm tilted his head
and studied her as if he was trying to see inside her head.

She didn’t respond to that observation. It wouldn’t aid her
cause and she really wanted to get out of this room before they thought she was
agreeing to it. As if she didn’t already have enough trouble with some of the
women in this
Thent
. She didn’t mind the glares and dirty looks so much.
If she sat there while Colm and Linc passed judgment, it would get so much
worse. That was a claim more blatant than any they’d made before. They’d only
allow the woman they’d chosen to claim to sit there. It was a position meant
only for their mate.

“I’m tired and my magic’s doing strange things. The
emotional upheaval because of your demands isn’t helping.” She played on the
fact that they always seemed concerned about her magic. It wasn’t honest, but
she focused on getting out of this without more direct confrontation. That
would only make them more determined to keep her here. Running for the door
would do the same, although the urge to do that was strong.

“You’re handling your magic. Don’t think we haven’t begun to
recognize the signs when you’re distressed. Although the way you focused it
today is new. We’ll teach you ways to use that soon.” Colm shook his head and a
small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “That excuse isn’t going to
work. You are going to sit there.”