Cin's Secret [Club Libertine 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (3 page)

Some scantily clad men and women circulated with more champagne, and everyone raised a toast to the happy couple and Jake made the announcement that he and Lindy were getting married. Most people had expected the announcement and toasted happily. Everyone loved Jake. And they were learning to love Lindy. Jake was a widower, and they all saw just how happy Lindy made him, so even those who didn’t really know her yet loved her for loving him.

Connor stayed on the edges of the party. He knew he’d get his chance to congratulate the happy couple. In the meantime, he kept an eye on Cindy. She also kept her distance, mingling and chatting a bit, but mostly watching the action.

It wasn’t until close to midnight and the crowd had thinned out substantially that he saw her approach Lindy.

“Surprise!” Cindy walked over to her big sister. “Congratulations.” She hugged her sister tight. At first Lindy just stood there, stunned, and then she hugged her back fiercely.

“Oh my god. I can’t believe you are here. How
are
you here? I wanted to invite you, but I didn’t even know where to send the invitation.”

“I showed up on what used to be your doorstep, and Serena took pity on me and invited me to stay and swept me off to the ball.”

Lindy laughed. “That sounds like Serena. Does this mean you are back to stay?” she asked hesitantly. “And where were you? One day you were around, and then you were gone and no one seemed to know anything. I got your letter, so I knew you were okay, but it didn’t really tell me anything.” She looked her sister up and down. “You look terrible. How much weight have you lost? I always thought you were too thin before, but now…” Her voice trailed off, her tone worried. The old Cindy would have bitten her head off for any real or perceived criticism.

“Yes. I’m back. To stay. And one day, I’ll talk about the last three years. And yes, I am too thin and I am trying to gain some weight back, although tonight I was too nervous to eat. I wasn’t sure if you would want to see me here.”

Lindy swept her into another hug. “You are my sister. Who else would I want here? And who else will be my Maid of Honor?”

“Really? But…”

“No buts. I’m in love with the most amazing man in the world, and now my long lost sister is back to share my happiness. Let’s not look back. And speak of sharing my happiness, I want you to meet my fiancé Jake Hughes.”

Cindy looked up at Jake. He was the spitting image of that actor who played that werewolf on the television show about vampires. And he was at least as tall. Cindy estimated he was at least six foot five. Lindy was wearing heels and still shorter than him. But even more than the fact that they were fitting together height-wise, Cindy could see the happiness radiating from her sister.

“Nice to meet you, Jake. I’m Cindy, and if you hurt my sister, I’ll hunt you down and stab you through the heart.” She smiled her brightest smile at him.

Jake looked at her for a moment and roared with laughter.

“I like her, Lindy.”

“Me, too.” Cindy turned to see Connor approaching, a glass of champagne in his hand.

“I promised you a refill.”

Cindy turned to take the glass. She looked at Connor, puzzled, but before she could figure it out, another hot blond joined them. An identical blond as a matter of fact. It seemed like Connor had an identical twin. She could feel the desire rise inside her at the thought that popped into her mind of being sandwiched between the two of them, their hands roaming over her body. She shook her head to clear the idea from her mind, although she planned on revisiting it when she was alone in bed tonight.

She looked from one to the other. They were dressed identically, but something was off, and then it came to her.

“So, do you always trade identities, Connor?” she asked the latecomer.

“He’s Connor. I’m Liam.”

“I can’t be 100 percent certain of your names. Maybe you were calling yourself by his name earlier, but you”—she took the glass—”are not the man I was introduced to earlier.” She pointed to his brother. “He is.”

She looked from Connor to Liam, or maybe it was Liam to Connor, not quite understanding their dazed expressions.

“Forgive them,” interjected Lindy with a laugh. “You are the first person besides Jake here who can tell them apart. Even their parents were never sure.”

“Surely not. It’s pretty obvious which is which.”

“It’s obvious to me, too.” Jake shrugged. “Not to change the subject, but I will, how long do you plan on staying?” he asked.

“I’m planning on settling here for good. As I said, Serena’s offered me the spare bedroom. I’ve got a research job lined up starting Monday, and I’m going to try to do some writing. Eventually, I should be able to get my own place, but right now Serena’s spare room is just what I need.”

Just then, Zack and Serena joined the group. She smiled. “Speak of the devil.”

“We’re heading back to the city now. Did you need a ride?”

“I do, actually. Lindy, you finish up celebrating with your friends. You know where I’m staying. And I’ll be working from home, setting my own hours, so I’m free whenever you can fit me into your schedule. Give me a call and let me know what time is good for you.”

“How about lunch tomorrow? I’m working the last shift from two to nine. Maybe you can help me with some of the wedding planning. Jake thinks I can put together a wedding in less than a month. I’m so glad you are here. I really need you, sis.”

Cindy felt herself tear up.

“Thank you. I’d really love that. Now go home and get some sleep. You look exhausted.”

Cindy felt herself being led away, her feet moving reluctantly. She looked back at the little group. She waved to her sister, but then she saw Connor and Liam looking at her, staring intently. She felt a shiver go down her back. Those were the looks of men with a mission. They wanted her, and she felt an answering pull of desire deep in the pit of her stomach.

She didn’t come home to meet a man. Or men. She came home to reconnect with her sister and get her life back on track. It had been a long time since she had these types of feelings for a man. She’d never even considered being with two men at the same time, but now she just couldn’t get the pictures out of her mind, of herself sandwiched between them.

She could feel her panties dampening as she imagined what it would be like.

She tried to tear her thoughts away from the O’Hara twins as they walked through the foyer.

“So, Zack. Was you brother telling the truth? Can no one really tell them apart?”

“Pretty much. I kind of can, since I grew up with them, of course. But even Mom and Dad couldn’t always be sure. Pretty much the only non-family member who can easily tell them apart now is Jake. Even Duncan, Sean, and Mac sometimes have trouble.

“Don’t tell me you could tell them apart?” he exclaimed when he realized why she’d asked. “Seriously?”

“It’s really not that big a deal, is it?”

Zack laughed. “It is to them.”

“But there is one thing you have to know,” added Serena. “Zack, it’s only right that she know. She’s new here and doesn’t know about their lifestyle.”

“Are you sure?” asked Zack.

Cindy’s eyes narrowed. That didn’t sound good.

“You are right, of course,” concurred Zack. “Cindy, that club we mentioned the guys owning. It’s a BDSM club. They are all Doms. And the women you met are their subs. The men love them dearly, but they expect obedience and submission and they’ll paddle their asses if they disobey.”

“Even Lindy? I’ll kill him if he’s abusing her. Why on earth would she want to marry someone who would hurt her?”

“Zack. That was not what I was going to say. Why don’t you go and get the car while I do damage control.” Zack happily took off toward the garage, leaving the two women on the front steps.

“Relax, Cindy. There’s a lot you don’t understand, and Zack was an idiot. Technically he was right, but that’s not how you spring it on someone not familiar with the lifestyle.

“Think about it. Did your sister seem unhappy? Jake worships the ground she walks on. He just has a few kinks, and as it happens, Lindy shares them. Look at my sister. She’s living with two Doms, and I’ve never seen her so happy. Sure, her ass is sore sometimes, but she’s the most sexually fulfilled woman I know. And outside the bedroom, they support her career 100 percent. They are so proud of her successes as a lawyer.”

“She did seem happy. They all did.”

“Don’t go off half cocked. My sister will kill me and his brothers will kill Zack if you upset Lindy. She’s the sweetest woman I know. Don’t prejudge her relationship with Jake. They love each other, and he’d die for her. See for yourself before you make up your mind about them.

“Read up on the topic. Don’t be shocked when you talk to Lindy. Don’t judge. Ask her questions. Satisfy yourself that their relationship works for them. If you can’t do that, then I have to ask you to leave my home. I can’t let you stay if you are going to hurt your sister.”

Cindy choked up. “You are a good friend to my sister, Serena. No, I don’t understand how she could be with someone in the BDSM lifestyle, but she literally was glowing with happiness because of Jake. I promise you that I’ll be open-minded. I love my sister and want her to be happy above all. But if he’s taking advantage of her sweetness, I’ll make him regret it.”

“Fair enough. I’d do the same for my sister. And remember, Michelle has two men paddling her ass. Mac and Sean are hard-core Doms.” She paused. “Of course, she also has two men pleasing her in the bedroom. It’s a wonder she has the energy for work.

“And if you are seriously considering dating Connor and Liam, I have to tell you this. You have to understand that they share women just like Mac and Sean do, and just like Mac and Sean, they are Doms. What that means, I don’t know in detail because I’ve never been involved with them that way. They look at me as a little sister.” She paused, taking care with her next words.

“But I tell you that every uncollared sub who has ever come to the club has made a play for them. They have never led any of them on. They’ve played quite a bit. But they’ve never led anyone to believe it was more than sex.”

“Maybe that’s all I want?” Cindy declared, although her voice betrayed insecurity. She tried again to sound worldly. “Sex with two hot guys sounds pretty good, even if they might want to spank my ass.”

“Cindy, every Dom has different needs. Every sub has different desires. No two couples or ménages are exactly the same, but you have to understand their lifestyle. We are not just talking about a little spanking here.

“Whether you just decide to have a fling or if you end up with something more serious, don’t go into things thinking that this is a game to be played occasionally. This is how they live their lives. You are not going to get vanilla from them, ever.”

Serena sighed and looked at Cindy to see if her words were sinking in.

“Firstly, I’m not looking for a relationship right now and secondly, I’m not naive. My eyes are open. I’ve read books even if I don’t have any personal experience. I might be interested in a fling. Who wouldn’t be interested in two hot guys?”

“Two hot guys at your service!”

Cindy almost jumped out of her skin. She was so intent on her conversation with Serena that she hadn’t heard the twins approach. Crap. How much did they hear?

“Where’s Zack?” asked Serena. “I thought he was with you?”

“Getting the car.”

“Why don’t you go with him? We’ll take Cindy home.”

“But…”

Zack roared up.

“I can’t believe you made her sit in that little tiny backseat on the way here. She’ll be much more comfortable with us.”

Cindy was torn, but when Serena looked at her, Cindy gave her a smile and a nod.

“Okay. You’ve got the spare key. I’ll see you when I see you.” And then she was gone, and Cindy was standing on the steps with two very sexy and intense dominant men. She could feel their eyes boring into her as if seeing under her clothes.

“Say our names,” they demanded in unison.

“Connor.” She indicated the man on the right. “And Liam.”

Connor crowed with delight, reaching out to pull her into an embrace while a grousing Liam went off to get their truck.

“I won.”

“Won what?”

“First kiss.” And he pulled her close to him. She could feel his hard cock pressing against her lower torso and felt a stab of sheer lust pulsing through her. She didn’t wait for him to make a move. She reached up and pulled his head down to her, her mouth soft but intent. He didn’t let her take the lead for long. Soon his mouth hardened, opening, his tongue plundering her mouth, taking control of the kiss, as his arms tightened around her, sliding lower to cup her butt cheeks, pulling her even tighter to him, pressing against her in sensual promise.

A few moments later, Liam pulled up in the pickup truck, and Cindy found herself clinging to Connor as he carried her down the steps and over to the truck. Liam had the door open and waiting. Connor set her down, and Liam took her in his arms as his brother went around to the driver’s side.