The Royal Flush (Knights of the Darkness Chronicles(Book Three)) (47 page)

Xander politely shook Kysen’s hand as Darian introduced them. “It is a pleasure to meet you,” he said with a charming smile.

Kysen nodded with a polite smile. Darian watched him closely, making sure he kept his manners. He tossed him a glance.

“You’re watching me as if you’re waiting for me to act out in some way,” he said observing Darian’s tale-tell expression.

“Well, let us hope not,” Darian replied, smiling slyly.

Kysen rolled his eyes. “I’ve been on my best behavior this entire evening, simply for the sake of your friends.” He turned to Xander. “The pleasure is all mine. Darian tells me you have been to Africa.”

“Ah yes, I love everything about Africa.” Xander sat down beside Kysen. The two began to talk about the beauty of Africa and its rich culture.

Darian left the two men alone and sought out Xavier. He found him by the bar, drinking one of Tony’s concoctions. He walked over to him, kissing the nape of his neck.

Xavier chuckled as he turned around facing him. “Having fun?” he asked.

“Indeed I am. More than I expected,” Darian said as he looked around the ballroom.

“Natasha really outdid herself,” Xavier said as he gazed at her from across the room. He watched as she laughed at Sergio’s jokes. “Look at her, she’s glowing.”

Darian watched Natasha talking with the others and nodded. “She is... How lovely.”

The party continued for hours. Before the celebration died down, Darian managed to share a dance with both Kysen and Xavier while the others looked on. It was after three o’clock in the morning when the party began to thin out. Natasha’s parents were the first to leave. Kysen was next to depart the party, kissing Darian deeply before he left. Elise took her Pride home, but Devin stayed and he and John retreated to John’s bedroom. Xander and his Pack left, as did Warren and Matthew. The human servants began to clean up the aftermath of the celebration as the vampires went their separate ways.

Xavier snuck up behind Natasha, scooping her into his arms. She yelped and laughed as he began to kiss her gently on her neck. Darian walked past them towards the staircase. Xavier followed, carrying Natasha towards their bedroom. Once inside, he placed Natasha gently on her feet. She kissed him teasingly before pouncing on the bed, looking back at her two lovers.

“I have a surprise for the both of you,” she said smiling widely.

“Oh?” Darian’s eyebrows rose slightly. “And what may that be?”

“Sweethearts, I have been meaning to ask you both something.”

“You may ask us whatever you like,” Darian said as he sat down beside her on the bed.

“Well, what are your thoughts about children?” she asked tentatively as she bit her bottom lip.

Darian and Xavier reflected on her question exchanging looks of curiosity. “I believe that children are adorable, at times they can be downright little monsters but I find them to be exciting, enchanting even,” Xavier said.

Darian looked at Natasha; he hadn’t spoken which made her nervous.

“What about you, Darian?” she asked.

“Why do you ask me this?” he questioned.

Natasha felt her heart sink; this wasn’t the response she had hoped for.

“Well, because I love children and I want to have kids one day, hopefully one day real soon. I was hoping that you would want to have children, as well. I’ve thought about this long and hard, when I’m ready…” She paused then continued. “…When we are all ready, I want both you and Xavier to be the fathers.” She looked at both men, waiting for a response.

Xavier’s mouth dropped open, shocked… speechless.

Darian was also surprised, though he hid it well. “Are you sure? Are you sure you want to do this?” There was a hint of excitement and anticipation behind his semi-calm questions.

“Yes, I’m sure!” Natasha exclaimed, nodding enthusiastically.

“Then I want what you want, my love. The thought of having children crossed my mind many times during my earlier years. But as the centuries passed, I ceased to believe in such a possibility.” Darian took Natasha’s hands into his own. “I can’t tell you in words exactly what this means to me.” He leaned down kissing her hands, then her lips passionately.

Xavier was equally pleased and humbled by Natasha’s decision.

“I can’t believe it. Natasha, I am really at a loss for words.” He grinned widely as he sat down on the bed, leaning over, kissing her. “I love you so much.”

“I know this may sound very fairy-tale-ish, but I’m going to go on ahead and be cliché.” She looked at both of her men. “You two have made me extremely happy, I feel like a little princess and I’m not ashamed to say that I’ve got to be the luckiest woman in the world.”

“Well, you have two Princes of Darkness at your beck and call,” Xavier teased.

Natasha smirked. “‘Princes of Darkness?’ And I thought that
I
was being cliché.”

Xavier laughed.

“Who will the father be?” Darian asked.

Natasha turned to him. “I hope that you two will be all right with my decision.”

Xavier shrugged. “I have complete trust in you, Natasha.”

Darian nodded.

“I chose Matthew. He was so honored and excited. We discussed it while at Elise’s and a few more times after that. I made an appointment for him at the fertility clinic where they would keep his ‘donation’ on ice until I’m ready. We went there this afternoon,” Natasha said.

“Amazing,” Xavier commented.

“Are you sure you’re

”

Xavier grabbed Natasha hands, holding them lightly in his own. “Natasha, you have no idea how happy this makes us. Matthew is a wonderful choice.”

Darian smiled. “Xavier is right. I realize that I may be the cause of your apprehension because I haven’t
said much. You needn’t be worried. This is most certainly an extraordinary gift. One that pleases me more than you could ever imagine.”

“That makes me feel a lot better about my decision. I’m so excited.” She slid her hand away from Xavier and extended it towards Darian, fingers wiggling. He laughed as he took her hand, pulling her gently between himself and Xavier.

Xavier wrapped his arms around Natasha’s waist as he snuggled his face against the warm flesh of her neck.

“Everything about you is so sweet. From the scent of your skin to the generosity of your heart,” he whispered sensuously against her flesh, the vibrations of his voice tickling her erogenous zones.

Natasha blushed and giggled. “I feel fortunate to have two men in my life who love me for who I am. I don’t know if you realized how special a thing it is to have someone really love you for whom you are, let alone two people who share the same qualities. How could I not want to bring a child into this home,” she said with the utmost sincerity. “I even have the perfect names.”

“Oh really?” Darian asked. “What are they?”

“Well, if you two studs have no objections, I was thinking about Xavier Richard Alexander if it’s a boy. Named after his two wonderful fathers,” Natasha said.

“What if it’s a girl?” Darian asked.

“Annette Elise Alexander.”

“Beautiful, honorable names,” Darian agreed. “I see that you have thought this out very thoroughly.”

Xavier sighed playfully. “I don’t know if I agree with the surname.”

Natasha giggled. “Oh poor baby, you want your name added?”

Xavier nodded pushing out his bottom lip, feigning sadness.

“I’ll tell you what, we’ll hyphenate. Does that make my baby happy?”

Xavier nodded, smiling widely.

“Oh you’re carrying on badly,” Darian jested.

Xavier smiled. “I know.”

“You know, I was just thinking, If I have a boy, I think I’ll name him Matthew Xavier Richards-Alexander, how’s that?” Natasha asked, thinking about naming her son after his three fathers.

“I think that’s perfect,” Xavier said.

“Well, now I’m jealous. Why does Xavier get to have his first and last name included,” Darian teased.

“You know what, you two need to grow up,” Natasha said, laughing along with her two lovers.

Xavier looked at Natasha. “So have you decided when you want to have
our
child?”

“I want to have children within the next three or four years. I knew that I had to be certain about becoming a mother if I was going to present my decision to the two of you.”

“I love this woman,” Darian declared as the realization of the situation finally settled. He kissed Natasha deeply, pressing her closer to him in his embrace. Natasha laughed joyfully as she wrapped her arms around his neck. They kissed for several moments.

“I almost don’t know what to think or how to feel. I never would have thought that becoming a father would have ever been an option for me,” Xavier said wistfully. “Thank you.”

Natasha sat up on the bed, taking Xavier’s face into her hands as she gazed into his soft gray eyes. “I can’t think of two better fathers for my child... for our child.”

She leaned forward, kissing him full on the mouth. A few moments later, she ended the kiss, pulling away, her gaze shifting from one man to the other. “Darian... Xavier, I want this night to be a memorable one for us all. I want us to be together. I want to share this bed with the both of you before the sun rises.”

Darian’s forest green eyes studied her.

“Are you most certain this is what you want?” he asked, realizing that he had asked her this same question on more than one occasion.

Natasha never ceased to amaze him and that pleased him greatly. Xavier remained silent as he watched them.

Natasha nodded. “I’ve had plenty of time to think about this decision, as well. It’s a big leap, I know, but I wouldn’t have said anything if I didn’t feel in my heart that it’s the right decision. Tonight, I want us to be complete... whole.”

Darian nodded approvingly. He inched closer to her, his warm, soft hands caressing her face. He leaned closer kissing her, his tongue tentatively touching hers, stoking her inner fire. His hands pulled her closer to him, fingers finding the buttons of her shirt, unbuttoning each one. He brushed the fabric from her shoulders, leaning forward he trailed soft kisses along her exposed flesh. His lips traced over her skin up to the feminine curve of her neck where he sucked gently over her pulsating vein. Natasha moaned, reveling in the heat of Darian’s kisses.

Xavier rose from the bed, one knee anchored on the mattress for balance. He began to slowly undress. His fingers unbuttoning his shirt almost teasingly as his eyes stayed locked on his two lovers. Darian began tracing his fingertips over the surface of Natasha’s torso, making her body vibrate with sensation. A small gasped escaped her lips when his powerful fingertips began fondling her erect nipples softly, causing the tender flesh to tingle at his touch. Natasha could feel herself moisten; she could feel the fabric of her panties dampen with the heat of her carnal passions.

Darian inhaled deeply, his body quivered slightly. “Your scent is intoxicating, enticing.” His lips brushed Natasha’s ear. “We’re going to give you what you desire until you beg us to stop,” he whispered seductively.

Natasha was practically past all reason. She could feel her body’s temperature rising, she radiated heat. She had craved this night, dreamt about it, never in her life had she been this aroused. Darian covered her breasts with his strong hands, fingers working their magic. She was beginning to wonder if he could bring her to orgasm with just that alone. She didn’t doubt his skill, in the time she’d known Darian she had observed that he was a master in everything that he did. Her body shook violently as she cried out.

Darian pulled away, denying her the pinnacle of her desires. “Not yet, my love.” He dipped his tongue into the inner shell of her ear causing her to tremble with need.

Natasha struggled to calm down; she anxiously awaited their next move. Xavier was naked now as he crawled over to them. Darian sat back on his heels, allowing Xavier to position himself between them. Natasha was so nervous. She had never been in this sort of situation before, and this was all new to her. She had no idea what to do or what to expect. Xavier began to kiss her lips softly, teasingly, lightly brushing his lips to hers, but never giving her the full pleasure of his mouth.

Darian chuckled softly as he undressed, his fingers undoing the buttons and buckles of his clothing with ease. Soon he was naked and erect. He slid next to Xavier, his hand coming up under Xavier's chin, pulling him away from Natasha. Their tongues met in a passionate kiss. Natasha watched, transfixed by the sensuousness of their lovemaking.

When Darian released Xavier he looked at her.

“Lie down, relax... tonight is
your
night.” His tone was very loving and soothing.

Natasha nodded and leaned back against the pillows. She stretched her legs out as she gazed at her two lovers. Xavier began to remove her skirt, his strong hands taking hold of the waistband pulling the skirt down past her ankles, discarding it. She lay on the bed; her last article of clothing was a pair of black lace bikini-cut panties. Darian chuckled as he reached for the panties, a mischievous expression crept into his face and before Natasha could possibly fathom what he would do, he ripped the underwear from her body, completely tearing the delicate fabric. Natasha yelped in surprise, her eyes widened as she watched Darian hold the torn lacey panties to his nose, inhaling deeply. She gasped, feeling a mixture of excitement, lust and a hint of bashfulness. Still, she was unable to take her eyes off him.