Triple Infinity (26 page)

The door clicked closed behind them as Triaten stopped in the middle of Charlotte’s room. She kept moving, not wasting a moment as she stepped forward and buried her forehead into the smooth curve between the ridges of muscles on Triaten’s back. His soft shirt did n
othing to mask the heat emanating from him. Her hands slid around his waist, taking in his body as she moved them up his chest, landing on the front of his shoulders. She pulled her body into his back as she inhaled. Through her forehead, she could feel his skin pulsate in beat with his heart.

He spun on her
, and without hesitation, leaned down to brush his lips lightly on hers. Much too lightly. His hand dove deep into her hair, tilting her head back as he trailed his mouth along her jaw and down her neck. Still with the lightest touch. He paused when his breath reached her ear. “I want this slow, Char — but hell, you taste so good.”

“No one said this had to be slow, or soft Tri.” Her lips found his neck. “I have been imagin
ing this for months, and honestly, you’re going to drive me to pieces if you go any slower, or softer.”

He chuckled into her neck.

She pulled back from him, her eyes twinkling. “You said you wanted the old Charlotte back? Well, you know me better than anyone. How do you think I want this?”

The
lascivious
smile that curled Triaten’s lip shot electricity down Charlotte’s spine. His hand at the base of her neck took control, pulling her into him, his lips assaulting hers, his teeth pulling, teasing at her mouth. He tilted her head back, so he could trail the same path as earlier along her skin. Only this time, the ferocity with which he invaded her skin, made her desperately grip his neck and bicep, needing solid surfaces to hold her from falling.

Even
as Charlotte’s head tipped upward, her hips went forward, drawn to Triaten’s heat. A moan escaped her throat, and Triaten took the opportunity to straighten and pull his shirt over his head. Not a moment passed before his hands were back on Charlotte, wrapped around her hips. His thumbs leading the way, his hands moved up along her bare skin, pushing her silky shirt as he went. Inward at her waist. Outward at her rib cage. His hands paused at her breasts, sliding to her back to unclasp her bra, and then back forward to caress her nipples.

With an impatie
nt breath, he stopped himself, and ripped her shirt up in one quick motion. Her jeans and underwear disappeared under his fingers. There was no more time for clothes. He needed his hands back on her bare skin.

Charlotte moved in on his chest
, as his hands moved across her body. She started at the crux of his neck and chest, and at first touch under her mouth, a low groan rumbled against her lips. She circled his chest, moving across the ridges, the tight muscles that she knew coiled impressive power.

Her hands had been over this skin, these muscles
, thousands of times, but under her mouth, it was like she had never touched Triaten before. And it made her all the more hungry for his skin under her tongue.

It wasn’t until she was on her knees, circling the skin over his abs, that she bumped into his jeans, and the pulsating hardness underneath them. She had no idea how long she had been reveling in his body, but when she
threw her head back to look up at Triaten, it was obvious by his smirk it had been a while. And that he had enjoyed every moment.

“As fun as that was
, Char,” he leaned over and wrapped one arm around her naked waist, the other moving to the back of her neck. He lifted her up and set her on his hips. “I’m going to be dead if I’m not in you soon.”

She tightened her legs around his waist and looked down at him. “I was ready for that the second we walked in the door.” She descended on his mouth, parting his lips, and finding the heat, the soul she needed to feel under her.

Triaten carried her over to a waist-high round table, setting her down on the time-scarred wood. Her hands went down, ripping at his jeans, and then slipping over his backside as she sent them to the floor. He pulled her to the edge of the table, even as Charlotte’s legs wrapped back around his waist. Her head was buried in his neck.

“Charlotte, look at me.”

Lips swollen, cheeks flushed, Charlotte watched him, holding Triaten’s gaze with no hesitation. He entered her, filling her fully. Hands on her hips, he started slowly, watching her every movement, adjusting and elongating every moan he elicited from her.

Shuddering as the greedy pangs in her core pulled Triaten deeper into her body, she pushed hard against his hands, pulling at him with her legs, straining for speed. He held her steady, giving to her only in
increments what her body wrenched for.

Nails deep into Triaten’s wrists, Charlotte’s head flew back, eyes shut tight in un-quenched agony as her screams grew louder.

Finally, Triaten slid one hand behind her, palm at the base of her spine, hand cupping her curves as he sped up and let her body gyrate openly on his. His other hand ran up the front of her body, landing fully around the front of her neck, fingers along her jaw.

“Open your eyes, Char.” The demand was harsh and not making it through the flood of senses going on in her head.

His hand tightened on her neck. “Char. Open your eyes.”

Triaten’s voice made it through this time, and her eyes flew open.

“Who am I?”

“Tri.”

“Say it again.”

“Tri
— oh, god –” her head swung back, straining, and her eyes squeezed closed.

His hand slipped to the back of her neck, and he pulled her up, bringing her inches from his face. “Keep them open, Char. Look at me.”

Fluttering half-open, Char’s eyes were glazed as she tried to focus on Triaten.

“Who am I?”

“Tri.”

His hand tightened on the back of her head, deep in her hair, forcing her to not break sight
even as her body writhed under his. “Right here, Char. Right here.”

Her eyes widened a
s she focused on Triaten. Her nails were into his neck, desperate. “God yes, Tri, don’t stop. Triaten, please.”

At that, he leaned her back on the table, eyes not losing contact. Her leg
s held him tight, demanding, as he slammed into her. She wasn’t going to look away, and as he pushed her to the brink, it was all she could think, all she could say. “Tri.” Over and over.

Triaten exploded in her, the extra force catapulting her into convulsing climax, taking all words, all thought, from her body.
But her eyes stayed on Triaten’s.

Triaten collapsed
forward on her, but after a moment, he thought the better of it, and picked her up, still pulsating deep within her, and backed them onto the bed, Charlotte on top.

She barely noticed. She was still gasping for breath, body shuddering. Triaten trailed tiny circles up and down her spine. It took ten minutes for her breathing to slow to normal.

“Sorry about that.” His voice came out rough.

It took effort, but Charlotte managed to prop her chin onto his chest so she could look at him.
“Tri, I can barely move. Does the lump of me on top of you feel like it needs an apology?”

Triaten chuckled. “No, I have no doubt your body is satisfied. I’m talking about the end
— I didn’t mean that to be weird. I just had to be sure where you were.”

“It wasn’t.” She reached one of
her hands up, cupping his face. Her thumb caressed the dark whiskers on his cheek. “But Tri, believe me. I have been thinking of no one else. And honestly, since the plane ride home, I have had an extremely difficult time keeping my imagination off of this — lying naked on top of you.”

She pulled her body up even more as she made her point. “There is absolutely no room in my mind for anyone but you. No one. Alive or dead.”

Triaten smiled as he pushed a tendril of hair away from her eye. “That was kind-of the point.”

“It worked. But it also w
asn’t in question — you were the only thing in my mind.”

His hands went behi
nd her head and he pulled her down to him, kissing her hard. “Good. And since that time was more about me than you, I have some ground to make up.”

Charlotte buried her face into the warm crook of his neck
and groaned. “I don’t know that my body can take another round — especially if it’s all about me.”

Triaten’s hands danced down her backside, pressing into the limp muscles. “Then
you are out of practice, and it’s your turn to trust me.” He sat up, bringing Charlotte with him, his hands slipping into newly pulsating folds.

He
flipped their bodies, tossing her on the bed, and then taking a step away from the mattress. He stood above her, taking a moment to fully study her naked body, to plan, and a slow smile broke across his face.

“And believe me,
Char, it’s going to be worth it.”

The bitter north wind cut across the cheeks of the four of them. They were camped on their bellies at the crest of a crusty hill, grey sky above, all eyes trained on the building a quarter-mile away. It was a peculiar structure for the area, a typical one-story southwest adobe hut,
pink, plopped in the middle of the sienna-swirled hills of the Badlands. It had no windows, and a scrubby dirt road led to the door of the hut. There was one black suv parked in front.

“You sure that’s not his?” Aiden asked.

Triaten shook his head. “Couldn’t be. We were at least a half-hour closer to here, and there were two separate reports that came in that he was on the move. He couldn’t have gotten here before us.”

“Any clue wh
o’s in there?” Charlotte slid down on the hill and rolled to her back, her brow furrowed.

“No.” Triaten’s answer was clipped. He
knew they were here for answers; nonetheless, he didn’t like not having a guess as to who was in the structure.

Triaten felt Charlotte’s hand on the small of his back. He swallowed hard as he fought the urge to tell her to go. That he didn’t want her anywhere near whatever was going on in that hut. He stifled the words, as he knew she would only laugh at his request, and then come back with a calm ‘everything will be alright.’

Plus, he didn’t want a repeat of their conversation this morning. They had only been asleep for a few hours, after fully exhausting the initial explorations of what their bodies could actually do together — and hell, it was a lot — when the first call about Horace came in. His world had just irrevocably shifted after being with Charlotte, so his first thought when his cell rang was dread. Not dread for himself, but full-on, gut-wrenching fear that Charlotte was there and he might be bringing her into danger.

A
protectiveness that he hadn’t anticipated invaded. He had always respected Charlotte’s ability to handle herself. But after Africa — after he was so close to losing her and now to finally have her, body and soul — Triaten was having a hard time swallowing the fact that Charlotte may be threatened.

So when they were getting clothes on, he broached the subject of her staying back at the motel. He for
ced his voice casual as she dug through the piles of clothes for her undergarments. “You could just stay here in bed, you know.” He sidled up to her back as she stood up, his bare torso brushing onto her skin, as his lips went to her shoulders and his arms went around her.

“Hmmm, that doesn’t sound tempting unless you’re in it with me.” She spun in his arms to face him. “And not the reason I’m here. I’m here to be by your side, and you know that. So why are you suggesting it?”

Triaten shrugged to hide the fear in his gut. “I just don’t know what we’ll find with Horace. There’s no reason to bring you into what may be an odd situation.”

Her eyes narrowed at him. “You mean dangerous situation, don’t you?”

“Maybe.”

She immediately scoffed. “Don’t you even dare. Do you think I want you going into this? Do you not think I’m scared to death of what you’re walking into?
And do you really think I’m going to let you do it alone?”

“No. No. And no, unfortunately.”

“Yet, I’m not suggesting you stay in bed, am I? Because this is something that needs to happen.” She put her hands on either side of his face. “Whatever your father is up to, we’ll handle it. Fear of danger has never stopped either one of us, Tri. And it can’t start now.”

There was no telling Charlotte what to do
— there never had been. With a sigh designed to stuff down his anxiety over Charlotte’s safety, Triaten leaned down and kissed her hard. Then he lifted up, relenting. “Fine. But it’s killing me to leave this moment.”

Skye’s cough brought Triaten back to the present. He looked past Charlotte’s head to
see Skye lying on her stomach, watching the hut.

“Do any
Panthenites have see-through vision?” Skye asked dryly, to no one in particular. “That would sure be handy in a situation like this.”

Aiden glanced
over at his wife, his look giving Skye her answer, then shifted his eyes over her head to Triaten and Charlotte. “Forgive her. I have not been able to convince her that Marvel Comics didn’t invent the Panthenite race.”

Skye was non
plussed. “There are similarities. You have to admit.”

Silence. None of them could really argue the point.

Skye scooted down, holding steady her scabbard as she flipped onto her back, mirroring Charlotte. She rubbed her hands together, trying to warm the bare fingers sticking out of the fingerless gloves
.
“I know you guys are used to it, but I still don’t take discomfort without note like the rest of you. This is bitch-slapping cold out here.”

Eyes not leaving the building, Aiden reached behind him and lifted his black
soft-shell jacket up from his waist. “Warm them up in here.”

Skye slid her hands under his jacket and smiled to herself as he twitched when her ice cube fingers touched his skin.

“Speaking of powers, Charlotte, I’ve been wondering, can you heal cancer?” Skye asked, her voice neutral curiosity.

Surprised by the random question, Charlotte looked at Skye,
and then stole a glance over her head at Aiden. He gave her a no-idea shake of his head.

She looked back at Skye. “Yes and no. I have tried. But it hasn’t turned out very well. I can heal it away, and it works for a time, but then it regrows
— regrows in a much more vicious and aggressive way. The patients I have tried to help, I really only just made them suffer more. So I haven’t touched cancer in years. Why do you ask?”

“Oh. No reason. Just curious.” Skye’s voice was flat.

“There.” Triaten announced, and Charlotte and Skye flipped over onto their bellies and scooted up to look over the ridge.

A black M
ercedes came from the east down the road. As it neared, it became clear that it was Horace, and he was alone. The sedan came to a stop in front of the hut, and Horace got out. He tightened his overcoat as he walked around the car and into the building.

“We move.” Triaten’s voice had taken on a deadly tone.

“The plan?” Charlotte asked as they all got to their feet, adjusting scabbards and steel attached to their bodies.

“We go in, and get some answers. That’s the plan.”

Triaten ignored the worried look Charlotte shot to Aiden. He wasn’t going to discuss it. Instead, he started down the hillside, cutting down through the rock and sand with purpose. The other three followed.

Triaten paused at the door of the hut, ears trained to the inside. He could hear conversation, but the sound was muddled through the thick adobe walls. Charlotte, Aiden
, and Skye took formation behind him, sword ready in each of their hands. At the quick glance over his shoulder, each gave him a nod.

He kicked open the door
and the four rushed in, swords high. Halfway to his father, Triaten pulled up, shocked. He had only seen him once, but recognized immediately who his father sat across from at the lone table in the hut. Skye’s father, Evan.

Skye’s gasp behind him conf
irmed it was Evan. The gasp cut off just as Triaten felt Charlotte turn and line up her back to his. Her body was tense and poised for attack.

Both Evan and Horace stood from their seats. Horac
e was livid — his fists clenched and face turned a bright red.

Evan looked over at Horace, anger evident. “If this is a set-up, I would take a moment to look at where my men’s blades are right now.”

Horace’s eyes bore into Triaten, even as he addressed Evan. “It is no set-up. I came alone. This intrusion is as unwelcomed by me, as by you.”

“Triaten.” Charlotte’s voice behind him was alarmed.

Triaten glanced over his shoulder. On one side of the door, Aiden stood frozen, a Malefic holding a blade against his neck. Confusion flashed onto Triaten’s face. Aiden would not let anyone hold steel on him. Yet there he stood, still. Triaten knew Aiden would have no trouble taking down the Malefic that had him under sword.

It wasn’t until Triaten followed
the direction of Aiden’s eyes that he saw Skye. On the other side of the door, a Malefic, from behind, had her gripped tightly around her chest, her arms stuck in at her sides. He had a short blade pushing in on her chest, right at her heart. The Malefics had been flanking the doorway, and had easily picked off Skye as they came in — which had made it easy to pick off Aiden.

Although Aiden could easily kill the Malefic that had him under blade, he was too far away from Skye to get to her before the Malefic sunk the blade into her heart. They were all too far away. And Skye’s toes weren’t even touching the ground. She had no leverage to move.

Evan chuckled. “Okay, now that we all know what’s going to happen if anyone advances on me, I think it’s time to take my leave.” He turned to Horace and gave him a short nod. “I’m afraid this intrusion ends these discussions.”

“Before you exit, Evan,
I’d like to introduce you to Charlotte.” Horace motioned at Charlotte. “She’s the one I was telling you about.”

Evan stepped to the side of the room so he could see Charlotte, who was still behind Triaten. Triaten’s raised sword followed him.

Evan slipped a wool coat over his shoulders as he looked her over. “Interesting.” The word hissed out as his chin bobbed. He turned back to Horace and inclined his head. “Another time.”

Ho
race gave a curt nod.

Evan walked across the room, giving wide berth to Triat
en and Charlotte in the middle, both of their swords trained on him. He paused in front of Skye and her captor. He stared at her as he addressed her husband. “Aiden, you can join your friends in the middle of the room.”

Aiden didn’t move.

Annoyed, Evan shot him a look. “She won’t be harmed. Nor are we taking her. She’s just insurance for my safety to the car.”

Rage barely bridled, Aiden slowly pushed the blade away from his neck and took several steps into the room to join Charlotte and Triaten.

Satisfied, Evan turned back to Skye. “Daughter. Always a pleasure. I will see you again soon, I imagine.”

And then he
disappeared out the door.

His two Malefics followed, one quickly
scurrying to the driver’s side of the suv, the other, trailing last, walked backward to the suv, dragging Skye along with him, blade still on her heart. It wasn’t until he bumped into the vehicle that he loosened his grip on her, shoving her to the ground as he got into the suv. The vehicle tore away, kicking up red rock and sand into the air over Skye.

Aiden was to he
r instantly, both helping her to her feet and staring at the retreating vehicle. Skye grabbed his arm, and motioned to the hut through the dust cloud, effectively making the point that no, they weren’t going after Evan. They would have to save that for another time.

They walked back into the building, flanking Triaten. All four stood wide in the room, facing Horace.

Horace glared at all of them, no less livid, and not backing down from their accusing glares.

Triaten waited a moment in silence, then his sword clattered to the ground as he stormed across the
room, fist raised. The punch Triaten delivered crushed Horace’s jaw, and he flew back, the wooden chair he had been sitting on interrupting his fall.

Triaten stood, heaving, over his father.

Horace rubbed his jaw as he adjusted himself on the seat. He scowled up at Triaten. “I let that one happen, Triaten. Don’t make the mistake of thinking I’ll let it happen again.”

“What
are you doing here, Horace?” Triaten’s words were halting, seeping out in accusation. “What are you doing with the Malefics?”

Horace leaned on the table and got to his feet. His eyes reflected the same
murderous intent of his son’s. “You don’t know what you’ve interrupted, Triaten. Out of all my children. You were the chosen one. And now this? You dare question me? Question my motives? Unacceptable.”

Triaten repeated himself. “What are you doing with the Malefics?”

“Not Malefics. One Malefic.”

“Any is too many. From your own lips, father. Any is too many. And
out of any of them, Skye’s father? I defended you to Edmund. Don’t make me a fool.”

Horace waved his hand in dismissal. “You only need know my dealings with Evan are purely strategic. We are, unfortunately, like-minded on certain goals.”

“And those goals are?”

“We needed the
Malefic force that coordinated the attacks to have,” Horace shrugged, “some success in Africa.”

The fists that had
begun to relax at Triaten’s sides, re-tightened. “What?” He shook his head. “I hope to god that you don’t mean success at the price of thousands of lives.”

“You look at me like that? Question
me again? We saved most. A hundred-thousand. I did not allow the deaths lightly. Those thousands were a necessary sacrifice.”