Cinderella and the Lady (13 page)

Elle nibbled on her bottom lip. Kristina smiled over the gesture and flicked the abused lip. Elle’s tongue came out and wet the side of her finger. Something deep and elemental passed between them as they stared intently at one another. A shudder spread through her, and before she pushed Elle against the wall and kissed her, she skipped backward. Elle followed, and when Kristina placed her hands on Elle’s hips and turned them in a circle, Elle moved along with her.

Soon they were spinning and dancing. When Elle stumbled, she caught her, commenting on Elle’s shoes being the cause. Elle just shrugged and smiled.

Euphoria filled Kristina’s chest. For the first time the sadness and despair in Elle’s eyes had been replaced with true bliss.

Her heart drummed in her ears and her stomach twisted in anxiety. Simon chattered on, unaware of Mina’s plans for him. When she had talked to Noah a few days ago, at first he had been shocked and denied everything she admitted to seeing between them. But when she told him she didn’t want to blackmail him as he first alleged she would do, he listened to her idea about how he and Simon could be together, but as long as she was part of the equation. By the end of their talk, they had come up with what she thought was a sound plan and even shook hands on it.

Now she was worried it could all fall apart. What if Simon rejected the idea she proposed? She would be in a world of trouble then.

Simon touched her wrist, concern passing over his face, now free of the mask lying on the table next to hers.

“Mina, you seem preoccupied. Is something troubling you?”

She almost came undone by Simon’s kindness. She curled her fingers around his hand. Her heart beat faster and sweat slid down her back.

It was time to act. Starting now, there would be a point of no return. She suddenly stood, still clutching Simon. “I have something I must show you right this very minute. But in order to see it, you must come with me.”

“In my own home?”

She nodded. “There is someone here tonight you must talk to.”

He gave her a confused look but rose. “Lead the way then, Miss de Saltin.”

She hated how Simon had become impersonal by using her last name. He still had a friendly look to him, but his stance had become stiff and not as relaxed as he was a moment ago. She hung onto his arm, trying not to walk too fast toward their destination.

People called out Simon’s name, but instead of stopping and talking to them, he only greeted them as they passed. The strain attacking her body lessened. She wanted the entire world to know Simon had chosen her.

Upon reaching the main foyer, she directed Simon to the stairs that would take them up to the second level.

“Why are we going upstairs?”

She gave him a brave smile. “This person you must see is in your bedroom.”

“My bedroom?” Bewilderment flashed in Simon’s eyes. “Why would anyone be there?”

“The person there knows your bedroom very well. It’s Noah,” she said and backed away.

Simon grabbed her by the upper arm. People bustled past without giving them any notice, too involved in their own merrymaking to observe their altercation.

“Why would my tailor be alone in my bedroom of all places?” Simon’s voice sounded thin and high.

She gave his chest a pat. “I know about your
special
relationship with Noah.”

“I have no idea what you mean. Noah is my tailor and nothing more,” Simon hissed.

“I saw you two a few days ago against the side of his shop. You were on your knees and your face was in—”

She squeaked when Simon dug his fingers into her arm. His face had paled and sweat beaded his forehead and upper lip. She braced for Simon’s explosion, where he would deny everything and throw her out of his house.

He did neither and freed her. He lifted his fist up to his mouth and glanced from side to side. He cleared his throat and looked back at her, fear mounting in his eyes.

“What do you want from us…me? Are you planning on blackmailing…” Simon’s voice faded away and he stared up at the ceiling.

Mina hated seeing him in such pain. That wasn’t her plan at all. She gently took his hand in hers. Simon didn’t thrust her away to her amazement.

“I’m not doing this to be mean or spiteful. You probably can’t bear to be around me right now, but if you come upstairs with me to your room and listen to what I have to say, all your fears will be put to rest.” She swallowed and inhaled. “We shouldn’t keep Noah waiting.”

Simon nodded stiffly and raced up the stairs with Mina in tow. He didn’t stop when she lost her footing, but she made no complaints. Finally he came to a halt in front of a closed door and opened it.

Noah vaulted up from the window seat when they entered. She left Simon’s side and hurried over to Noah. He took both her hands in his and stared down at her fondly.

“Go to Simon. He’s shaken up,” she whispered.

He nodded and approached Simon, who stood with his arms at his side. Simon backed away when Noah touched him.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of. Mina has an idea that can solve all our problems,” Noah said with his hand stretched out in Simon’s direction.

Simon wiped his palms down his face. He sat down on a chair in front of the fireplace, bending forward with his arms on his knees and staring at the floor. “Can one of you explain to me what is going on?”

She stepped toward Simon, but Noah mouthed for her to stay put. She changed direction and perched on the bed.

Noah approached Simon and knelt at his side, planting a hand on Simon’s knee. Simon stared at Noah in silence.

Mina swung her legs back and forth, impatient for either man to start talking. When both continued to study one another, she sighed loudly. “We’ll be here all night at this rate.”

“All right.” Noah cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses that slid to the tip of his nose. He turned his hand over and wiggled his fingers at Simon. “Hold my hand, please.”

Simon crossed his arms, then uncrossed him. He muttered something under his breath and gave Mina a hesitant look before he placed his hand in Noah’s.

She smiled at the gesture, and regardless of what Noah preferred, joined the two and knelt down on the other side of Simon. She didn’t touch him like Noah did, afraid he would push her away.

“Explain to me how Mina can solve all our problems and why you’re not shaking in your boots afraid we could be discovered.” Simon gave Noah a wary glare.

Noah curled his fingers around Simon’s hand. “We were both careless that day. Mina spotted us from the water closet on the second floor. A few days later she came to me and admitted to what she had seen. I was in shock and panicked like you are now. But then she explained she didn’t want to snitch on us but rather…ahem, join us.”

“What in the world?” Simon’s eyes shot up toward his forehead.

Mina slapped her hands on her knees and rose, sitting on the arm of the chair. Simon shifted away from her and watched her with caution.

She folded her hands, pushing aside her hurt at Simon’s distance. “You might find this hard to believe, but I do have your and Noah’s best interests at heart. I…love you both. Noah is a dear friend and you’re the man I want to spend the rest of my life with as your wife. Now before you argue and demand me to leave and never speak to you again, I have a solution to your problem regarding your liaison with Noah. It’s obvious how much you care for one another. You belong together, but unfortunately you can’t be together the way you want to.” She paused and cleared her throat. “What if you married a woman who accepted your feelings for Noah? And what if she was willing to take part in that relationship, knowing the only way she could be intimate with you and have your children was accepting him as a part of the marriage?”

Simon shook his head. “You would marry me knowing I want Noah in a sexual nature? And you would be open to joining us when we’re intimate?”

She gave him a beaming smile, glad he understood. “Exactly.”

“This is madness, utter madness!” he shouted and sprang up from the chair.

Noah stood and grasped Simon by his arm. “Don’t jump to any conclusions yet. Hear her out.”

Simon jerked in Noah’s hold. He gave Mina what appeared to be a bleak look. “Go on.”

Noah nodded for her to continue, and he slid his arm up to cup Simon behind his neck.

“I never meant to spy on you like I did, but I looked out the window and there you two were. I wasn’t disgusted by what I saw, but the complete opposite. You’re both beautiful in the way you care for one another. I would like to be a third party in your lovemaking.” She tilted her head to the side.

Simon’s throat moved as he swallowed. He pinched the bridge of his nose. “What you’re asking for is abnormal. It’s just not done. And what I have with Noah is—”

“Is completely different from what we have together?” she said softly and drifted over to his side. “You never divulged to Noah how you came to check on me the next day after the Cranes’ party and you ended up kissing me.” She licked her lips as she remembered his unyielding embrace and the way his tongue tangled with hers in passion. “And I don’t think you told Noah your reaction to our kiss.” She stared straight at his crotch and smiled.

Simon winced and cupped Noah by the shoulders. “You must hate me. I meant to tell you but—”

“You don’t have to explain. Mina told me everything.” Noah gave Simon and understanding smile. “I did have a moment of jealousy, but it passed. Mina is correct. The way we care for one another is entirely different from your feelings for her. Why not allow her to join us? You need her as much as I need you.”

He gathered Simon in close and hugged him. Simon let out a loud shuddering sigh and wrapped his arms around Noah. Mina moved over to Simon and eased her cheek on his back.

“I want nothing more in this world but to be your wife. Why not see if I’m up to the task?” she asked, hoping beyond all hope he would say yes.

Simon twisted around, cradling Noah by the waist with one arm while he stared down at her in speculation. “You’ll have to spell it out for me, Miss de Saltin.”

She shifted until she stood in front of the man she loved. “You should see if we’re a good match. Even though you have an unconventional affection with Noah, I can see you’re interested in exploring other desires with me. I’m offering myself to you tonight, and all I expect in return is an offer of marriage.”

Simon glanced at Noah. “Is this what you want?”

Noah cupped Simon’s cheek. “If it is a way for us to be together. Then yes.” He brushed his mouth across Simon’s.

Simon’s eyes flickered and he groaned. Mina set her palm on his chest, eyeing the front of his breeches. His manhood strained the front of the material. She gave into temptation and cupped him.

Simon gasped and his head fell back on his shoulders. She circled her thumb over his engorged flesh and lifted up on her toes to kiss the middle of his throat. Noah’s arms came around them both.

“Let’s lie down together,” she whispered, and when Simon dropped his head down, she gave him a kiss. He didn’t respond at first, but then his hands hooked around her waist and his mouth moved roughly against her own. She moaned and squeezed him harder, causing him to cup her buttocks and bring her tight up against him.

She kept kissing Simon as she backed toward the bed. Noah followed them, rubbing his hands over Simon’s front and back. When the back of her knees met the mattress, she lay down, tugging Simon on top of her. He fisted her hair as his kiss grew more forceful.

She turned her face to the side, allowing Simon to kiss the side of her throat and down her chest. His hands cupped her breasts and she cried out his name in yearning.

A hand glided up her leg under her skirt and nudged aside the fabric. It was Noah, who sat on the bed next to her hip.

“Lift up your bottom so your dress doesn’t wrinkle when Simon takes you,” he suggested.

“Shouldn’t we undress?” she asked on a moan as Simon tugged down her bodice and chemise and latched onto a nipple. She was so happy she decided not to wear a corset and locked her legs around Simon’s waist. She rocked against him as he pleasured her breasts. She was incredibly damp below. Her inner cunny muscles throbbed, wanting to latch around something hard and thick.

Noah ran his hands over Simon’s head. Simon stopped his administrations on her chest and claimed Noah’s mouth in a kiss. She watched, incredibly aroused.

“Take me now before I expire!” she cried out dramatically, and the men broke off their kiss, both staring down at her in hunger.

“Give her what she wants, but be gentle. It’s her first ride,” Noah said and took off his coat and unbutton his shirt.

“It’s my first time as well,” Simon said and gave Mina a kiss.

She drifted her fingers across Simon’s face and blinked away the hot tears forming in her eyes. She bit down on his lip to stop from blurting out her love for him.

Their lips clung to one another until Simon sat back and unfastened his breeches, pushing them down low on his hips. His hands then came up under her dress and he didn’t bother to unlace her drawers, but ripped them apart. Keeping his eyes on her face the entire time, he lifted the hem of her dress until it pooled on her stomach, baring her mound to his gaze.

She flinched when he circled a finger along her slit. But then she spread her legs wider, wanting to be invaded. The sensation of his hands on her cunny was very pleasant and unlike her own touch.

“You’re drenched. Later, I will kiss you here,” Simon said, wonder in his voice. Using his thumbs, he spread apart her folds and dipped his cock against her center.

She cried out and fisted the coverlet under her hands. Lifting up, she met his mouth in an eager kiss.

“Ready?” he asked against her mouth, and when she nodded, he rocked his hips forward and slid inside her. She called out his name in shock. After a beat, he thrust in further. She felt the sharp tearing of her woman’s flesh and a burning sensation that was dulled down by Simon’s kisses across her face and his fingers plucking her nipples.

She remained still until she grew accustomed to his thickness. She locked eyes with Noah, who latched into Simon’s hips and rocked behind him, naked as the day he was born.

“Jesus, Noah, fuck me,” Simon grunted, pumping faster into Mina.

She dug her nails into the nape of Simon’s neck as she moved with him. Noah lurched and jerked with a hard thump against Simon’s back. His hand dipped down where Simon’s cock met the entrance of her mound and his fingers caressed where they joined.

She closed her eyes and opened her mouth in a wordless scream, tears falling down her cheeks as Simon huffed in her ear and continued invading her soul. Noah joined them with his talented hands and words of encouragement.