DangerbyDalliance (13 page)

Warren kissed her. “Let me just grab a cloth so you can
freshen up. Then we can start the session. I will continue with charcoal.”

Grateful for Archer’s continued support, she only nodded as
Warren moved away. She turned and nestled into Archer’s arms. “It just keeps
getting better. If it is this good when you deflower me I won’t survive.”

Archer stiffened. He kissed her forehead. “There are still
many, many more avenues to explore before we cross that bridge.”

A cloud darkened her happiness.

He didn’t appear too excited by the thought of actually
sleeping with her. Uncertainty circled through her. The small and vulnerable
part of her deep inside that had loosened under their ministrations, the part
that longed for someone to stand at her side, flinched.

Maybe this was what they did. They introduced women to the
pleasure they could give her without growing emotionally attached. Sarah had no
idea what Archer and Warren would get from this. Could it be they were voyeurs,
more interested in watching each other pleasing her than in actually being
involved with her? She desperately tried to push it away, but a section of the
cloud remained immovable.

Sarah attempted to rub away the ache in her chest. She
wished for Beatrice, for her friend’s sound head and her father’s books. Those
would be helpful right now.

She could only wait and see. No matter how hard that would
be.

Warren’s whole body ached with unfulfilled need. His hard
cock throbbed with each step he took, chafing against the fabric of his
trousers. But his mind brimmed over with jubilation. Sarah had come to them,
had initiated touch.

And despite his lack of fulfillment it had been amazing, a
fantasy come true.

He quickly wet a cloth, grabbed a towel and headed back to
Archer and Sarah. As soon as he saw their faces he knew something was up. What
on earth had happened in the last three minutes?

He handed Archer the towel and turned to Sarah. “Here,
sweet, let’s get you feeling better.”

Some of the shadows in her eyes lifted. She cupped his cheek
and leaned in for a kiss. “Thank you.” She spread her arms and allowed him to
wash her. Archer followed in his wake with the dry towel.

Sarah crossed her arms over her chest. “Do you need me to do
anything different from before?”

He shook his head and guided her to her usual place to
stand.

“I will get us some water.” Archer walked out of the room.

“Sweet, did he say something that upset you?”

Her polite façade slid over her face. “No, why do you ask?”

He let it go for now. “He can be a bit intense. I just
wanted to ensure everything is fine.”

There was a hollow echo to her laughter. “He does tend to be
rather serious. But in this instance he didn’t say anything.”

“All right then.” Warren assembled his materials and pulled
more paper from one of the shelves. He inhaled. His heart rate increased and
excitement spread through every inch of his body. It wasn’t that different from
what he felt when touching Sarah. “Can you take the position?”

She raised her arms and crossed her hands behind her head. It
lacked her usual ease, but he’d learned over the last few days that it took her
a few tries to find her rhythm. He could work with that.

Or so he thought.

Unfortunately her troubles infected him. He struggled to
sink into the painting. They tried through three sessions, shorter than usual
because neither of them could find their rhythm.

Finally his frustration burst out of him. He strode to where
Sarah stood, clad in the silk robe, Archer beside her, and captured her face in
his hands. “Sarah, you are the most beautiful woman on this planet.” He nodded at
Archer. “The both of us are completely under your spell, entranced by your
intelligence, the way you think and see the world, your beauty—” He shook her
slightly. “Fuck, just by being you. Stop hiding.”

He captured her sweet lips in a deep, hard kiss. Her taste
exploded through his senses, as did the feel of her soft skin beneath his
palms.

Breathing became unimportant. All that mattered was that she
understood they did not look at her with judgment, but with feelings.

Minutes later he pulled back. Her eyes were glazed and her
lips swollen. He wanted to do it again, but deep inside him the artist clamored
to be released.

She cupped her hands over his. Her eyes had cleared, but
carried a softness he hadn’t seen before. “I will try.”

Sarah exhaled. For a moment he thought nothing had changed,
but then her body softened. She raised her arms and took the position. The arch
of her back, the tilt of her hips, the slight angling of her legs. All of it
drove home her beauty.

But beneath it all she still wasn’t giving him everything.

Warren wanted to tear out his hair. Instead he shoved his
frustration and impatience into a corner of his mind and picked up the
charcoal. “Let’s get started.”

Within moments he’d sank into the space where the only thing
that counted was the next line, the next decision on how and what to shade.

A loud, annoying noise dragged him away from deciding on how
to capture the change in her eyes. As expected the look of bright-eyed
innocence had started to fade. Instead awareness colored the endlessly blue
expanses.

“Warren!”

The sharp bark finally came through. Warren refocused on the
two people before him. “What?” He didn’t have time to dither. He needed to
continue.

“Sarah requires a break.”

Guilt warred with his drive. He dropped the charcoal and
shook his stiff fingers. “Of—” He cleared his throat. “Of course.”

Sarah lowered her arms with a grimace.

Warren checked his watch and realized he’d been at it for
nearly fifty minutes. “Why the fuck didn’t you stop me earlier?”

Her safety was Archer’s responsibility. And he’d failed.

“I told him not to interrupt you.” Sarah sounded more hoarse
than usual. Archer had his arms around her shaking limbs as he helped her to
the sofa. “You appeared to be doing very well. I didn’t want to stop you.”

Warren gaped. “That was just stupid.” He threw his hands in
the air. “This painting is going to take time. Tiring yourself out during the
first session will fuck up the rest of the sitting.”

“Warren, language. Stop being so incredibly rude.” Archer
knelt before Sarah and massaged her legs.

Warren rubbed his forehead and paced the length of the
studio. “Sorry, sweet. Archer, why the f—” He puffed up his cheeks and exhaled.
“Why on earth would you allow her to do this?”

Archer didn’t look at him, but continued to sooth Sarah’s
trembling limbs. “It’s not as if she gave me much choice. Was I supposed to
force her to stand down?”

“Yes.”

Sarah burst into laughter.

Warren frowned and looked at Archer, who rose to his feet.
His lover appeared as clueless as he felt.

She put her hand up, but struggled to speak because she was
laughing too hard. “I’m…I’m sorry…you just…you just remind me of Beatrice and
myself. We would tell each other off like that, expecting the other knew
exactly what we were talking about.” Her laughter turned into a wistful smile.
“You must have been friends for a long time.”

He looked at the floor. His heart ached. He wanted to tell
her that he and Archer were far more than friends, but the time had not yet
come. He hated that they lied to her, that they didn’t share what was such a
huge part of themselves.

Warren opened his mouth to tell her the truth, but yanked
the words back before they could break free. It was too risky. They—he wanted
to be sure when they told her the truth she was ready.

“Yes, we’ve been together for a long time.” Archer caught
his gaze, sharing his feelings without words.

Warren stepped beside Archer and gripped his shoulder. The
touch was innocent enough, but gave him the contact he needed. “I still don’t
want you standing longer than thirty minutes. Exhausting yourself is not going
to work in the long run.”

“All right. From now on I will pull you out of your deep
concentration and listen to your grumblings while Archer makes me feel better.”
Her smile widened.

Beside him Archer shook with suppressed laughter.

Warren rolled his eyes and smiled. “Cheeky.” He marched to a
narrow wardrobe in the far corner and dragged out a bundle of blankets. He
spread them across the center of the room, making a comfortable bed, cognizant
of Archer and Sarah watching him.

The fever burning in Archer’s dark eyes made Warren’s cock
twitch. He grabbed a number of cushions and threw them across the blankets.

Sarah’s brows rose. “What, no caveman animal furs?”

Archer took her hand and led her to the center of the bed.
“We don’t hunt for trophies. Furs should stay where they are unless meat and
survival are involved.”

She knelt on the blankets and reclined against the cushions.
“I agree.”

Archer made as if to lie beside her, but she stopped him.
“You are wearing too many clothes. Both of you.”

Warren shot a look at Archer and grinned. “I know one of us
is.” He pulled his already untucked shirt over his head and stood only in his
trousers. Archer’s and Sarah’s eyes widened. He pulled back his shoulders and
bathed in their appreciation. Archer’s a little less obvious than Sarah’s.
“You’re falling behind, mate.” He unbuttoned his trousers and stepped out of
them while Archer hadn’t even undone his waistcoat.

Warren laughed as he lay beside Sarah. “That’ll teach you
not to wear so many clothes.”

Archer grumbled and began work on his shirt.

“He’s just so beautiful,” Sarah said as Archer dragged the
cloth off his body.

“That he is, but not as gorgeous as you. We don’t have to
wait for him.”

She smiled and wrapped her arms around him when he leaned
over to kiss her. Warren rested his elbows either side of her. He pressed
against the softness of her breasts, her hard nipples digging into his chest.

He sank deeper into their kiss, his tongue rubbing against
hers, exploring her mouth in infinite detail. Her scent and taste filled him,
his cock growing harder. Archer appeared on her other side and petted Warren’s
back, safe in the knowledge she couldn’t see them.

At the same time Sarah thrust her hands into his hair and
played with the strands.

“Tighter,” he whispered against her lips. Her eyes widened,
but she followed his request.

Archer’s hand had reached his lower back and now cupped his
arse. Excitement flared through him when Sarah tugged that little bit harder and
Archer pinched him. Warren’s cock lengthened even more.

He released her lips slowly, coming back again and again.
With a growl he moved down to her neck and chest, sucking on the delightful
treat. Archer sucked on the other breast.

She whimpered.

Warren released her and worked his way down her body, gently
spread her legs and cupped her. Sarah moaned.

He settled between her legs, the scent of her arousal
pushing him on. Her ripe, pink lips, so moist and excited, just before him.

Archer moved his hand until his fingers spread her for him.

Warren cupped her gorgeous behind and licked the length of
her slit. Her hips jerked. He tongued her clit, freeing it from its protective
hood. “Lord, you taste delicious.” He looked up at Archer. He wanted to grab
his lover for a deep kiss and share the pleasure of her flavor, but they had to
hold back. It wasn’t yet time.

He balled his fists beside her hips and tasted her again.

Her hips twitched and her breathing grew irregular.
“Goodness, this is…this…is more…than I had ever imagined. In the books it
always sounded a little yucky.”

Archer laughed.

“I really want to read those books you keep mentioning. We
need to ensure we cover everything on your list.” Archer nibbled on the lush
curve of her stomach.

“Lie back and enjoy.” Warren teased her narrow opening with
the tip of his tongue.

“Stop.” They froze.

Warren looked up at Sarah. “What?” He prayed with everything
in him that they hadn’t pushed her too far and she was now calling a halt.

“I want—” She swallowed and wet her lips. “I want to—” She
dropped her head back to the floor and avoided their gazes.

“What, sweet?” Warren kissed the smooth skin of her stomach.

“Tell us. You can tell us anything.” Archer peppered her
hand with soft kisses.

“I want to do this to Archer while you do the same thing to
me.” Her words ran into each other because she said them so quickly.

Warren froze. Archer’s pupils had dilated and his whole body
was rock hard as if just hearing the words had driven him to the edge of his
control.

Warren tongued her clit. “That we can do. Nothing easier
than adding Archer into the equation.” He wasn’t sure if he could survive
watching her suck off his lover while he drove her to oblivion, but he would do
his very best.

Archer could barely breathe. The thought of Sarah sucking
his dick while Warren pleasured her contracted every single muscle in his
already oversensitized body.

Warren stared at him, his eyes filled with golden sparks. Archer
just wanted to lean down and kiss him, share the moment.

But they had to hide.

For a moment he wasn’t certain if he ever wanted to tell
her. At least that way they would never run the risk of losing her.

Warren climbed to his knees and tapped Sarah’s legs. “We’ll
have to change position if we want to fulfill your fantasy.”

Archer shook off his maudlin thoughts and lifted the woman
who in only a few days had become the center of his universe into his arms.
Warren lay back and held out his arms.

With care Archer settled Sarah astride Warren’s chest.

“Archer, you’re wearing far too many clothes if you want her
to suck you.”

Sweat stood on his forehead. He would kill Warren later, at
a time when his lover’s words didn’t make his cock so hard it hurt.

He stepped behind Warren’s head and slowly pulled open his
buttons. A slight sound escaped her parted lips and whipped across his body.
She didn’t take her eyes off him.

Archer wanted to draw things out, extend the pleasure of
anticipation, but his need was too desperate. He kicked off the last of his
clothes.

It was as if he’d waited for her touch for eons. And finally
he would have it. “Move up until your knees are beside his shoulders and your
pussy is just above his face.”

She flushed bright red.

Warren cupped her bottom. “Lord, hurry this up. You’re killing
me.”

Sarah appeared to get the drift—or maybe the famous books
helped. She settled into position above Warren, her hands on Archer’s thighs
for balance. With care she lifted one hand and curled it around Archer’s
pulsing member.

Her cool fingers nearly made his head explode. He wrapped
his hand around hers at the base of his rod. “Remember how you got used to
Warren yesterday, played with him?”

She wet her lower lip and nodded.

“I am too far gone to survive that. Chances are you put your
mouth on me and I will burst into a million pieces.”

She jolted and dug her nails into his thigh.

Warren’s growls and the sounds of him pleasing her forced
Archer to tighten his grip around Sarah’s hand. Afraid he would hurt her, he
pulled back and crossed his hands behind his head.

Her eyes had turned slumberous, her breathing uneven. She
rubbed her hand gently up and down his cock, her thumb trailing the thick vein
running the length. Her grip was just hard enough Archer knew he would not be
able to maintain his sanity for long.

But who wanted a working brain anyway?

His lids closed and his head dropped back. Unfortunately the
lack of sight only highlighted his other senses. The wet sounds of Warren
licking Sarah’s pussy. His growls. Her panting. The sensation of her soft hand
on his dick, her nails digging into his leg.

Then she touched him with her tongue.

Archer bellowed. Before he could stop himself he gripped her
hair. He forced his eyes open. The sight of her sweet tongue rubbing up and
down his length nearly drove him to his knees. His fingers grasped her soft
strands as he forced himself to remain upright.

With every too-fast breath he tried to remind himself that
she was an innocent. That she had no idea what she was doing and despite all
that did a phenomenal job at expunging his sanity. But when she sucked on the
tip of his member all bets were off.

He cupped her face and held her while thrusting into her
mouth. He just barely had enough control to not make her gag, but it was a
harsh battle. “Suck. Hard.”

Sarah did. Her cheeks hollowed. She experimented with her
tongue, flattening it, tapping against his member and teasing the sensitive
spot just below his head.

“Warren. Hurry. Up!”

His lover must have taken him at his word, because Sarah
groaned around his dick. The vibrations took him to the edge, but he
managed—just—to hang on long enough to pull out of the sweet heaven of her
mouth.

“I’m—” He panted. “I’m about to come. Unless you want my
come down your throat you better do what you did to Warren yesterday. There’s
enough spit to make it easy.”

She focused the slightest bit. He’d never seen her eyes so
blue before. She shook her head and sucked him back into her mouth.

For the next moments Archer no longer knew up or down, left
or right. Her touch, her tongue, the vibrations of her moans as Warren
pleasured her all drove him to the brink. His balls pulled up. Shivers spread
across his body.

He broke when Sarah pulled her hand off his thigh and cupped
his balls with a gentle hand. With a deep roar his climax rolled through him.

Only seconds later Sarah screamed around his pulsing cock.
She lost control over her limbs and streams of semen splattered over her face
and chest.

Archer awkwardly grabbed the arm of the sofa to keep himself
on his feet when she slumped against him. Her whole body shivered and sweat
made her skin shimmer.

Warren untangled himself from her. A deep smile curved his
lips, his chin and cheeks wet with her juices. He climbed to his feet and stood
beside Archer. With his free hand he grabbed his dick and with a few strokes
brought himself off, his come added to Archer’s over Sarah’s body.

For minutes the three of them just stood there propped
against each other like survivors of a catastrophe.

Archer breathed heavily. “Did anyone get the description of
this steam train that just flattened us? I’d very much like to meet it again.”

After a moment of silence both Warren and Sarah burst into
laughter.

Archer smiled, holding this moment close. He wanted more
like this. Many, many more. He watched Sarah. It all depended on her. He had to
have read her right.

No other outcome was acceptable.

Sarah could not keep herself upright and lay back on the
blanket. Warren settled beside her, pulling her close. Archer joined them on
her other side. She nuzzled Warren’s neck. He tasted salty. She took Archer’s
hand. “I am uncertain if I have the strength to get dressed and make my way
home.”

The men chuckled. Archer put their clasped hands against her
stomach. “Don’t worry. As soon as I have found my legs I will pour you a cup of
tea.”

“That would be lovely.” She really wanted that tea. “But how
are we going to avoid your staff seeing us in dishabille?” The thought should
have shocked and worried her, but she was too languid. Small shivers,
interspersed with sparks, traveled through her body, making clear thought
impossible.

“Easy, darling.” Archer kissed her neck. “We use the
automated waiter.”

“Sure.” Her lids were too heavy to keep them open. Despite
being sticky and sweaty she enjoyed her current situation. When he climbed to
his feet she forced her eyes open and followed Archer’s—nude
Archer’s—movements.

He walked to the wall and picked up one of those speaking
tubes she’d seen in other rooms. “Jennings, please send up a tea tray.”

“Certainly, sir.” Jennings’ voice echoed through the tube.

Archer set down the tube and flipped an ornamental lever
Sarah had thought was just there for decorative purposes. A hole opened up in
the wall. Moments later hissing started, followed by a low hum. An automated
dumbwaiter came into view.

Then an odd machine hummed to life. It had a flat and round
metal body with a silver tray that carried the tea service above. It then
extended thin metal legs long enough for it to step out of the wall cavity and
scuttled over until it stood beside Archer. He leaned over and poured the tea,
his muscles moving under the smooth skin of his back.

Deep inside her a throb of desire flashed through Sarah. She
struggled to an upright position and piled cushions behind her back when he
handed her the tea. “Thank you very much.”

He poured two more cups and sat beside Warren, his knee
touching his friend’s.

The tea revived her aching muscles and cleared her mind.
Archer and Warren sat across from her. She swallowed. They were an impressive
duo. She studied her cup. But was it that usual for two naked men to sit side
by side and not be the least bit…concerned for their masculinity?

Her exposure to men of their ilk had been limited, but they
had this energy between them she couldn’t place. A level of comfort that seemed
to go beyond friendship. Sarah told herself not to be silly, but the thought
settled in. Something constricted at her center. She rubbed her chest.

She finished her tea and set down her cup. “Where can I
freshen up?”

Warren pointed to the small washroom she’d seen them use.
“We would be more than happy to assist you with anything you need.”

She smiled, but didn’t meet his gaze. “I need to get back
home and I have the feeling that if you were to join me we would be here for a
considerable amount of time.” She rose and picked up her clothes, a slight
blush stealing over her cheeks. As much as she enjoyed their attention, walking
around stark naked when not posing was difficult.

When she threw them a quick glance desire burned in their
eyes. The tension in her shoulder blades eased and she tried to shove her
nagging doubts away. It only worked partially.

Sarah gave them a small smile and stepped into the washroom.
Fifteen minutes later she stepped back out fully dressed except for her shoes.

Archer and Warren had put on their trousers. Warren had left
off his shirt. He pulled her close for a deep kiss. “I like what I have so far.
The sketches are coming along nicely. I very much look forward to our next
session.” He kissed her again, making her heart race.

Archer took her hand and whirled her out of his friend’s
arms into his own. “Is everything all right?” He lifted one hand and kissed her
racing pulse. “We did not hold back.”

Her heart warmed at his concern and gentle touch. “It was
perfect.” Or as close to perfect as it could be without them taking that final
step.

That final step that for some reason they didn’t appear to
be looking forward to. Every time she tried to raise it they quickly redirected
the conversation.

He studied her as if he knew her dark thoughts.

Sarah distracted him with a kiss. After they pulled apart he
offered her his arm. With a final wave to Warren she left the room.

Outside Archer helped her into the coat Jennings had handed
him. “I will see you tomorrow,” he said very correctly.

She nodded and smiled. “Tomorrow.” Sarah turned to follow
Jennings to the side entrance. “Oh no, I forgot my purse.”

He chuckled. “Let me just get it.”

Archer smiled as he strode back to the sunroom. This had
been a highly fulfilling afternoon, on a physical as well as an emotional
level. Introducing Sarah to sex was arousing and satisfying and a lot of fun.

He picked up her little bag from the sofa and swung it by
the handle. In his happiness he swung it too hard and the worn clasp opened.
Something got stuck in the opening. Archer shook the bag, but the piece of
paper didn’t move.

He lifted the clasp and pulled it out. It was a £5 note. Why
on earth would she carry this much money around with her when she had to ask
him for help?

He studied the note. Something was off.

It was a fake.

He froze.

Why on earth would Sarah have a fake banknote in her purse?

He remembered the ink on her hands the day she came to him. “No!
Don’t be ridiculous.” His voice echoed through the empty room.

There had to be another reason. Her father built a machine
to combat fake banknotes. Maybe he gave it to her. But why would she carry it
around with her?

Archer shoved the note deeper into the bag. His scalp
prickled. He forced his doubts and suspicions out of his mind.

Sarah was an innocent. A young woman looking after her
father.

Exploring her sensuality with Warren and him.

There was no way she could be involved with the troubles
that plagued the city.

Footsteps echoed outside. He turned and stepped through the
door at the same time Sarah did. They bumped together. She laughed. Her genuine
delight and the way she nestled into him lit up the gloom that had descended on
him.

“What took you so long?”

“Nothing. I just got sidetracked by a memory.”

She raised a brow, her smile wide. “A memory?”

“Of you sucking my cock.”

She turned bright red, but didn’t look away. “It is a fond
memory of mine.”

He chuckled as he pulled her closer. “Here is the purse.”
For a second he thought of asking her about the fake note, but then the moment passed.

She settled it over her wrist. “I need to go.”

“I know.”

Neither of them made a move, just continued to look at each
other.

He kissed her. Her soft lips opened beneath his, her tongue
welcomed him. Archer sank into her and everything around him disappeared.

Finally, seconds, minutes or hours later he pulled back,
breaths labored and rock hard.

She sighed. “I really have to leave.”

“I know.” With regret he released her and offered her his
arm. She took it and he accompanied her to the side entrance. With one last
kiss she stepped out and climbed aboard his coach.

Archer stood in the doorway for some time after she had
disappeared, troubled. His heart didn’t want to think she was involved, but his
suspicious mind found everything a little too coincidental.

Had she played them? It was well-known in certain circles
that he had close contacts to Scotland Yard and was often involved in important
investigations. His information network covered the city in great detail. Was
she involved with the fraudulent money and now sought to build an intimate
relationship with them to protect herself?