Radiance (18 page)

Brie chose a chair as far from the others as she could and lowered herself into it cautiously.  The toy was so stimulating without vibration that she debated sending Elijah a text. 

In the end, she knew it
wasn’t
a request. 

Moments later, she rested her head and worked to steady her breathing and avoid slipping from her seat. 

Rejecting food, drinks, or holding anything she might drop or spill on herself, she engaged with her friends to celebrate Natalia’s hustle into wedded bliss with her best friend. 

For an hour, she rode the waves of pleasure as they crashed over her and did her best to hide what was happening from the women closest to her.

After another orgasm, Tawny sat demurely in the chair beside her.  Resting her chin in her hand, she stared at Brie. 

“The first time Zach got me to stay over at their place, they put this nifty contraption in my pussy.  They made me promise to wear it, no matter what.” 

Brie could barely focus but she
tried
. 

“The boys traded the remote back and forth all day.  By evening, I wasn’t able to support my own bodyweight.  They arranged me like a doll all night and it was
awesome
.” 

Just then, the toy hit high vibration and Brie melted into the cushions as she struggled to speak. 

“Your tag team took things up a notch since they knew you’d be hanging out with friends.  I like their improvisation.”  She winked.  “I shudder to think what they’ll do to you once the doctors give the all clear.  Good luck!”

Giving her damp brow a smacking kiss, the redhead skipped across the room and whispered with Natalia. 

The blonde was still laughing as she approached.  “They’re so mean but you look like you’re feeling no pain, darling.”  Taking out her cell phone, she petted Brie’s head lovingly.  “Yes, you’ll have to come get her.  She’s toast.  Mission accomplished.” 

“Sorry.  So sorry,” Brie murmured. 

“Nonsense.  I
demand
you have them find one for Hudson.  Your face is priceless.” 

Through glazed eyes, she watched as Harper and Elijah walked through the door and made their way to her. 

With a slight bow, the bodyguard presented Natalia with a small wrapped box.  “Congratulations on your pending nuptials, Lady Roman.” 

Her happiness was obvious.  “The way to a woman’s heart is
not
through her stomach and I appreciate that you know that.”  Pausing, she asked, “Why do you call me Lady Roman?” 

“My ancestors were Swedish Vikings.  Many were rumored to be berserkers but I recognize nobility when I see it.”

Natalia smiled slowly.  “Thank you.” 

“Lady Winters will sound every bit as regal.”  He winked before crouching beside Brie.  “Hey, pretty girl.”  Smoothing a damp tendril of hair from her face, he said, “You look gorgeous in your pleasure.” 

“I feel high.” 

Harper brushed his lips over her temple.  “That speaks well of your future.  No drugs required.”  He scooped her into his arms and her head dropped back.  “Like a Victorian maiden.” 

“Help.  Now I’m just
having
them.  Don’t talk to me.  It makes me come harder.” 

Without saying goodbye to anyone and knowing every single one of them would understand, the men removed her from the club and into the back of the limo. 

“Tonight, we please you together, Brie.” 

Substantial effort helped her mutter, “Pleasing you pleases me, Elijah.  I’ve missed you both.” 

“Would you be willing to demonstrate how much you’ve missed us, Gabriella?” 

“Always.  As soon as I regain control of my muscles.  Also, my vision.  Possibly get a little of my brain cognition back.” 

They laughed and she soaked up the fact that she reclined in Harper’s arms.

They murmured to her while they drove to the building and Brie didn’t object when they carried her to Harper’s apartment and laid her on Elijah’s bed. 

As they stripped her clothes away, Elijah groaned.  “You’re
soaked
, Brie.  I could wring out your panties.” 

Untying the toy and removing it pushed her into another orgasm and Harper kissed her while she rode it. 

“Your tight ass is drenched with the fluids from your pussy, throbbing for something to fill it.”  Using her excessive wetness, Elijah smoothed his fingers around the pucker and pushed inside.  “Your entire body is
primed
, Brie.” 

“
Please…
I want it.”

“Soon enough.  Tonight, we play safely.  I admit I could hammer nails with the hardness of my dick.” 

“That sounds delicious,” she whispered.

He stroked in and out of her ass for several minutes.  “The thought of taking you in every hole, in every position, and watching you absorb pleasure as you have tonight will haunt me until I can have it.” 

“I’ve been haunted by similar thoughts for months.  I’m glad I’m not alone,” she replied.

Harper stretched out beside her, rubbed the flat of his palm over her clit, and slid his fingers into her pussy.

The resulting climax wracked her body tight, stole her ability to breathe, and shoved her into darkness.

* * *

Harper met Elijah’s eyes over Gabriella’s limp form.  “I’ve never seen
anyone
so receptive to pleasure.” 

“She’s incredible.  I wouldn’t lie to you.”  He planted a kiss on her belly, nuzzled her there, and stood.  “She runs on simple touch.  The simplicity fascinates me.  I’ll run her a tub.” 

He stared at the woman in his best friend’s bed.  Leaning over, he confirmed that the scent of oranges came from her curls. 

Raking his eyes down the length of her body, he took in the mixture of scars and soft, golden brown skin.  The scars marked her as a survivor. 

Much like Elijah.

Resting his head on the pillow beside her, he flattened his palm on her belly and felt the way her womb continued to spasm.  He couldn’t count the number of women who’d
faked
multiple orgasms in his history to feed his ego. 

They never realized it had the opposite effect.  It drove home their focus on cash and prizes rather than their desire to be with him because they wanted him as a man.

Gabriella’s entire body trembled with aftershocks from her orgasms.  He knew she was open, honest in her reactions. 

Her full breasts were real, the nipples a warm mocha that were taut with stimulation.  Her lashes were long and thick. 

It was her
mouth
that made him imagine every decadent act.  The color of her nipples, he imagined them wrapped around his cock more often than he’d ever admit. 

Harper didn’t remember ever really
examining
a woman’s body in such detail before, much less
appreciating
everything she had to offer.  It made sense that the first one was Gabriella.

Opening her eyes, he saw her confusion.  She turned her head on the pillow and smiled. 

The way it made him feel was alarming. 

“My entire body feels like I’m still on a morphine drip.  You guys are damned imaginative.” 

He grinned.  “Thanks.” 

“You’re a beautiful man, Harper.” 

“Ah, the similarities to Winters.” 

“No.  You’re a beautiful
man
.  I love Hudson for many reasons that have nothing to do with his physical appearance or the short time we had a sexual relationship.”  Her smile was gentle.  “I’d never mix you up.  You’re very different to me.” 

“Winters?” 

“He’s my best friend, my confidant, the man my best female friend loves, my protector whether I need him to be or not, and the kindest person I’ve ever known.” 

“Do you think about your time with him?” 

“Sometimes, a particular phrase or circumstance sparks a memory.  We don’t discuss it but I remember it fondly for bigger reasons than orgasms.” 

“What reasons?” 

“They saw me.  No one had ever
seen
me before I met them.  I was the girl everyone depended on to be sweet.  I worked hard to pretend I wasn’t lonely.  I let people mistreat me because I didn’t want to fight.  I was susceptible to the con because I thought I finally
mattered
to someone.” 

“I’m sure you matter to
many
people, Gabriella.” 

“No one of my own.”  Inhaling carefully, she turned her gaze to the ceiling.  “I was
less
in every way that seemed important to the people around me and I pretended I didn’t know that.” 

“They helped you.”

“They
showed
me I had value.  Even now, when I’m hurting, they don’t let me forget.” 

“What do I represent?”

“Possibilities.”  Her expression turned sad.  “I don’t expect you to love me, Harper.  I ask that you don’t deliberately
hurt
me.  I know the day will come for me to make a graceful exit and take the time I need to heal.”  She whispered, “When it’s over, I want to look back fondly on
our
moments as well.” 

Elijah rested a knee on the edge of the bed and crouched over Gabriella.  His palm slid along the back of her neck and he stared at her for a long moment.  “You
matter
to me, Brie.” 

Harper watched her fight not to cry.  She swallowed several times and inhaled deeply.  “Thank you, Elijah.” 

Watching a man you’d known all your life kiss the first woman he’d ever loved shouldn’t have made his heart pound hard in his chest. 

Knowing their love was the same, yet
different
, from the one you shared with him shouldn’t have filled him with hope, with the thought that
maybe this could work
. 

It shouldn’t have changed his mind about her presence
taking something
that belonged to him to the possibility that she could
add
an element they’d been missing all along. 

Their kiss inspired those rapid fire thoughts in his mind and he stared at Gabriella as if seeing her for the first time. 

Then she turned her head and murmured softly, “Kiss me, Harper.  Take what you need.  I give it freely.” 

As his lips met hers, he allowed himself to let her in and he feared when all was said and done, he would fall to her as Elijah had fallen. 

The thought was terrifying.

* * *

Elijah carried Brie into the bathroom and lowered her into the whirlpool tub.  She asked for pens and secured her hair before she reclined with a sigh, watching him undress. 

As he slipped beneath the water, he was surprised and pleased when Harper entered the bathroom. 

He sat on the edge of the tub with a smile.  “You’re a lovely woman, Gabriella.”

“Thank you.”  She asked him softly, “Aren’t you coming in?” 

“Alas, I’m not strong enough.” 

She sat up and slid her wet palm along his neck.  “You are.”  He started to speak and she said, “Harper. 
Undress
. 
Join us
.” 

A shiver worked its’ way up Elijah’s spine at the tone in her voice.  Silver eyes met hers in confusion but she remained still, watching him.  Then he stood and slowly took off his clothes. 

Only when he was sitting on her other side did she smile and raise herself up to kiss him.  She hugged him tightly, soft as a kitten again.  “You’re even better naked, as I expected.” 

Harper blinked the fog from his brain.  He stared at Elijah in silent accusation but he shook his head. 

He’d never discussed Harper’s nature with Brie.

Relaxing back against the tub, she closed her eyes.  “I feel like I’ve run a marathon.  My muscles are jumpy.” 

Riveted by her, Elijah asked, “How many did you have?” 

She laughed.  “I lost count at the club.  A lot.  More than I honestly thought was humanly possible.  Excellent little gadget.  Next time, I need to be home.  I must have looked like I was having
episodes
or something.” 

Taking her hand, Harper noted, “When we walked in, you looked like a puddle.  You’ve recovered nicely.” 

“Oh, there was a puddle,” she quipped.  “I can’t
imagine
what my friends think.  Snatched right off the sidewalk.  Show up looking and smelling like I’ve been on a three-day porn and masturbation bender.”  She shook her head. “You could’ve added
your
scents so I didn’t give off a sad spinster vibe.” 

“Noted.”  Elijah winked when she looked at him. 

Turning to Harper, she mentioned nonchalantly, “Elijah ate me until I forgot my name then painted me with his come.” 

Every muscle in Harper’s body visibly tightened and he started to reach for her before he stopped himself.  His nostrils flared with lust and need unlike anything Elijah had ever seen. 

Brie wasn’t done.  “He also tied me to my bed
so
carefully and fucked my mouth.  I didn’t lose a single drop.” 

Vibrating with tension, Harper started to get out of the tub.  “I’ll hurt you trying to fuck you if I stay.” 

“
Stop.
” 

Freezing with his arms braced on the edge to lift himself out, Elijah watched Harper trance out at the
command
in her voice.  He was familiar with the expression and the results. 

Brie’s ability to inspire it was brand new.

“I want to taste you, Harper.  I
want
it.”  She ran her palms over his chest and whispered, “I
know
you want me to suck you until you come down my throat.  You’re tense.  I can make that better. 
Give me what I want.
” 

Elijah was fucking spellbound.  “Brie.”  She glanced over her shoulder and smiled at him.  “Let’s get out of the tub.  It’s dangerous in here for you.” 

She nodded and held her hands out to Harper.  “Can you help me?  Falling would seriously suck.” 

Dragging air into his lungs, he pivoted and stood on the rug beside the tub.  He rubbed his hand through his hair and turned back to her. 

Rather than taking her hands, he lifted her out completely and set her on her feet.  Elijah followed and stood behind her.

“What are you
doing
, Gabriella?” 

“Blending two things you need that cause conflict.”

“Explain.” 

She held his face.  “I
see
you, Harper.  You’re a powerful man.  You love a willing, even
docile
, female to purge your very real stress.  On the other hand, you wouldn’t maintain a long term relationship with a man like Elijah if he didn’t provide something specific you needed.” 

He frowned.  “How do you know these things?” 

“I wouldn’t pry or break your trust by talking to anyone.  I told you once I’m pretty observant.  I also happen to be rather clever.” 

“I don’t
like
you knowing.” 

Trailing her hands over his shoulders, she kissed the skin over his heart.  “I’d never abuse your trust.  I know it will take time for you to believe that.” 

“What do you
want
?” 

“For you to
feel
free when you’re out of the public eye.  For you to smile more because you
feel
like smiling.” 

“You have to want more than that, Gabriella.” 

“Yes.  I also desperately want to touch you.” 

Harper wrapped his hand around her throat and held her firmly against Elijah’s chest.  “You
confuse
me.” 

Brie telegraphed no fear.  “I know.  I hope it lessens over time.”  Raising her hand, she placed it over Harper’s heart.  “Let me touch you, give to you.  I would
never
hurt you.” 

His fingers tightened.  “Elijah wouldn’t
let
you.” 

“I know.  He loves you and his loyalty is unshakeable but he’d
never
have to protect you from me, Harper.” 

They stared at one another and Elijah held his breath.  “I’ll break your neck
myself
if you’re lying, if you betray me.” 

“I wouldn’t.  I couldn’t.” 

“Why?” 

“You
know
why.” 

“Say it.  I
dare
you to say it.”  He stepped closer and Elijah poised himself to protect her.