The Three (10 page)

“And love?”

“Love helps,” Kael said.

“You’re very lucky to have found Elin,” Anna said. I can’t say that I’m not at least a little jealous. I’d give anything to feel that kind of pleasure just one time.

“She’s helped me a lot. I never knew that my body could be a source of joy before I met her. And I never knew that I could feel the things she makes me feel.”

“Hey, Kael?”

“Yeah?”

“It can really…feel good?” Anna blushed even as the question left her mouth.

Kael chuckled and eased a careful arm around Anna’s waist. The affectionate touch took her by surprise, but she leaned into Kael’s strength on instinct. “It can feel very good. If it’s someone you trust—someone you love—it can be just about the best thing in the world.”

Anna gazed at Kael through different eyes. The stoicism, the attitude, the distance, every aspect of the dark woman’s personality took on an entirely new spin. Anna was left with a deep sense of admiration, as well as a burgeoning attraction that she didn’t yet understand.

“How are you two doing?” Elin’s soft voice pulled their attention over their shoulders, to where she stood leaning against a tree with her arms folded over her chest.

“Damn, baby,” Kael drawled, “you’re too good at being sneaky. I’m sure glad you’re on my side.”

“You’re going to have to teach me your tricks,” Anna said. She hadn’t heard Elin’s approach, which should have unnerved her. Instead, it sent a deep rush of warmth through her body. She’s amazing. “I’ve never seen someone so light on her feet before.”

Kael released Anna and stood. “Well, I’ve always told her that her head is in the clouds.”

“Smart-ass,” Elin said. “Are you two ready for dinner?”

“Starving.” Anna allowed Kael to pull her to her feet.

“Perfect.” Elin stepped between them, taking Kael’s left hand and Anna’s right. “Then let’s sit down and have a nice family dinner.”

“Lead the way,” Anna said. I could get used to this.

Anna woke up disoriented, burrowed deep within her sleeping bag, and stared at a wood ceiling high overhead. Right. We’re in farmland now. The best part about farmland was the barns. Despite the hay smell, that was one of the most comfortable nights of sleep she’d had in a long time.

Turning her head, she confirmed that Kael and Elin’s double sleeping bag was empty. She looked past the dark canvas material and an abandoned sweatshirt to the door of the run-down barn. It was ajar, letting bright sunshine through to paint the floor with light. Anna crept out of the barn and squinted into the sunlight before gazing around at the overgrown fields that stretched as far as she could see. There was no sign of her companions, so she walked to the farmhouse. The water pump was where she remembered it, and she spent a peaceful ten minutes going to the bathroom, brushing her teeth, and washing up before she felt human enough to start the day.

As she returned to the barn, a muffled noise from the rear of the building drew a hesitant smirk from her.

Behind the barn. Great. She stopped at the corner and listened to soft, indistinct voices. They’re probably making love. God knows, having me around hasn’t allowed for much privacy. Her heart swelled with emotion as she went indoors. Just once. I hope I can feel the way they do just one time before I die. She plodded to her sleeping bag. Yeah, no problem. There’ll be plenty of opportunities for me to meet women.

Not knowing what else to do, she lay back down on the blankets and stared at the ceiling, counting the wooden planks from left to right. She had only counted twenty-three when the barn door opened, casting a rectangle of warm light over the abandoned double sleeping bag. Anna sat up and gave Elin a shy smile.

“Damn,” Elin said. “So I’m not going to get the pleasure of waking you up, I guess.”

“Sorry to disappoint you. I’ve been awake for a little while.

Visited the water pump and everything.”

“I didn’t even hear you.” Elin shut the barn door. “Kael’s off practicing with his bow. I decided I wanted to be lazy with you, if you’re in the mood.”

“I’m always in the mood to be with you.”

Elin beamed as she crossed the floor to offer Anna a hand. Pulling Anna to her feet, she said, “I’ve got an idea. Grab your sleeping bag, okay?”

“Okay.” Anna did as she was told. Elin gestured over to an old ladder that leaned against a loft at the far end of the barn. “Does that thing look sturdy to you?”

“The ladder or the hayloft?”

“Either. Both.”

“I’m game if you are.”

“Then come on.” Elin scampered to the loft, taking the first three steps of the ladder before Anna had a chance to blink. “Race you to the top.”

“I think you had an unfair advantage,” Anna said as she walked to the bottom of the ladder. “Knowing the idea in advance and all.” She lifted her eyes and admired the view as Elin climbed up ahead of her. Then again, I’m not complaining.

Elin disappeared into the loft, then peeked her head over the edge. “You’re just a sore loser. Now hand me the sleeping bag. I’m setting us up a proper lazy spot.”

Anna hefted the sleeping bag up to Elin. “It’s a good thing I’m not afraid of heights.”

“I was eyeing this place when I woke up this morning. I’ve always liked exploring.” Elin spread the sleeping bag out and lay on her side, gesturing to Anna. “Now come here. Let’s cuddle.”

Anna blushed, but obeyed the command without hesitation. She sank down to her knees, then stretched out on her back beside Elin. The ceiling was less than ten feet above them. She stared up at it, unsure of what to do next.

“Is it all right if I hold you?” Elin touched Anna’s arm with her fingers, stroking up and down in a lazy pattern. “I’d really like to hold you. I’ve been wanting to since I woke up this morning.”

“Really?”

“Really.” Elin tugged her into an embrace, wrapping both arms around her.

Anna reciprocated by resting her arm across Elin’s stomach. Then she curled her fingers and caressed the skin that was exposed where Elin’s T-shirt had ridden up above her belly button. Elin released a soft moan that raised the hair on the back of Anna’s neck. She pressed her face into Elin’s T-shirt, inhaling the sweet scent of her. “Well, I’d really like to be held,” she murmured.

Elin pressed her lips to Anna’s forehead and drew her closer. “I had a wonderful dream last night. It’s put me in the most incredible mood today.”

Anna snorted. “I dreamt that I was climbing this enormous tree to get to these big, red apples that were growing at the very top. But no matter how much I climbed, I never got any higher off the ground. I’m not sure what that’s done for my mood.”

“That’s not a very fun dream.”

“It was better than some I’ve had.”

“I guess it probably was. But I’m telling you, mine was a lot better.”

Anna took the bait. “What did you dream?”

Elin shifted onto her back. “It was about you. I was kissing you.”

Anna’s heartbeat stuttered at the soft words, then continued on in a crazy staccato that beat in accompaniment with her ragged breathing. She couldn’t have meant that like it sounded.

“Kissing me?” Anna squeaked.

“Yeah. And I mean really kissing you. Making out, really. I woke up so aroused, I had to touch myself. Then I practically attacked Kael before he went out with his bow and arrows. Kissed him until he couldn’t see straight. Still, I’ve spent all morning wondering how it would feel, kissing you.” Elin twisted a strand of Anna’s hair around her fingers.

Thoughts of Kael shocked Anna back to reality. “What do you think Kael would say about your dream?”

Elin gave her a wicked grin. “He thought it sounded pretty sexy, actually. I think he got just as worked up as I did, when I told him.”

“You told him?” Anna’s face flooded with heat. “He doesn’t care?”

Elin became serious and took Anna’s hand between both of her own. “Anna, listen. Kael knows exactly how I feel about you. There is complete honesty between us. He isn’t threatened by the fact that I care about you. That I love you. He cares about you, too.” She squeezed Anna’s hand. “Kael knows I’ll never leave him. I love him. I belong with him.”

Anna bit her lip as tears filled her eyes. “What about me? Where do I belong?”

“I hope—I mean, I think, and I hope you think, too—well, that you belong with me.” Elin actually blushed.

“At least it feels like you do. I’m…very attracted to you.”

“Why?”

Elin frowned. “What kind of question is that?”

“You’re not just saying this because you feel sorry for me, are you?” Anna was too ashamed to even look at Elin. “Because I’m all alone.”

A firm pinch on her hip startled her. “How can you even think that?” Elin said.

“I worry.” It was as simple as that.

“Well, I love your stubborn streak, for one thing. You aren’t about to let anyone tell you what to do. You’re independent. I find that very attractive.”

Anna said nothing. One corner of her mouth twitched into a reluctant smile.

“I love your fierce loyalty. I hear it in your voice when you talk about Garrett. I see it every time you look at me. And I see it when you look at Kael, too. You’ve been a part of this family since that first day when you risked your life for me.”

“Elin—”

“And I love your shyness. I love your innocence.” When Anna cast an ashamed look to the barn wall, Elin reclaimed her attention with a gentle hand on her chin. “You are innocent. I see so much love and passion in you, just waiting to come out. You excite me.”

“You excite me, too.”

“I love your brown skin.” Elin rested a careful hand on Anna’s stomach. “I love your dark, curly hair. Your big, brown eyes. Your body…God, you’re gorgeous.”

“Elin?”

“Yes, Anna?” Elin stroked Anna’s belly, then traced over the hem of her T-shirt. “Do you need to hear more reasons why I’m so attracted to you?”

“No. I believe you.”

“Are you attracted to me?”

“You know I am. I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Elin bent so their mouths nearly touched. “May I kiss you?”

Anna blinked, then choked out, “Yes.”

Elin moved even closer, and her breath blew warm across Anna’s lips. “Have you ever kissed anyone?”

Anna shook her head, hardly able to breathe with Elin so near. “No. Well, Garrett once. Kinda. A peck on the lips.”

Elin closed her eyes. “I want to give you more than a peck on the lips, sweetheart. I want to taste you. I want you to taste me.”

Gasping, Anna arched her back and brought her face up the scant distance that separated them. She brushed her mouth over Elin’s, barely applying pressure to warm, full lips. Elin surged forward and pressed Anna down against the blankets, dropping a string of gentle kisses over her mouth.

“Is this okay?” she murmured.

Is she kidding me? “Yes.”

Elin’s tongue traced over Anna’s top lip, then the bottom, teasing until Anna felt dizzy with need. She threaded her fingers in Elin’s auburn hair and pulled her close, opening her mouth to let Elin inside, sucking hard on her tongue. A jolt of arousal shot through her body, hitting her right between the legs. When Elin retreated, Anna pushed forward. She slipped her tongue into Elin’s mouth, stroking her, moaning in pleasure at the taste and feel of her. Elin whimpered, and Anna realized that her pale arms were trembling as she struggled to hold herself above Anna’s body.

She broke the kiss with a shaky sigh against Elin’s lips. “Wow.”

Elin collapsed onto the blankets and threw the back of her hand against her forehead. “Wow,” she echoed.

“You’re a great kisser already. I can’t imagine how you’ll be with a little practice.”

“Does that mean you’re volunteering to practice with me?”

“Whenever you want. For as long as you want. That was…amazing. Just as good as I hoped it would be.”

“It was even better than I hoped it would be,” Anna whispered.

Elin’s hazel eyes twinkled with happiness. “So you’ve thought about it?”

“Only all the time. I’ve…never felt anything like this before.”

“I’d like to do a lot more with you than kiss. But I don’t want to push you into anything. I don’t want to move you too fast.”

Anna shook her head eagerly. “You’re not pushing.” Blushing, she calmed her excited tone. “I mean, you’re not moving me too fast. As long as—you know, Kael—”

“Kael knows that I’m hoping to do more than just kiss you. He’s attracted to you, too, Anna. He doesn’t have any expectations, and he’d probably be upset with me for even telling you that, but I want you to know. But he’ll understand if you only want to share this kind of thing with me. Nobody is going to try to pressure you to do anything you don’t want to do.” She stared deep into Anna’s eyes. “No matter what, we’re family.”

Anna felt strangely reassured. “Thank you.”

Elin traced her fingertips down Anna’s face, sliding them across her skin and over her throat. She smiled when Anna’s breathing hitched at the caress. “I think you’re going to be very responsive. Do you ever touch yourself?”

Anna went bright red at the frank question. “Uh—”

Elin giggled and tickled Anna’s upper chest with blunt fingernails. “I already told you that I do. Don’t be embarrassed.”

Anna shook her head. “No. Not really. I tried a few times, but…I don’t think it worked.”

Elin gave her a kind smile. “Have you ever had an orgasm?”

“I don’t think so.”

“If you have to think about it, you haven’t.”

“Then I guess I haven’t.”

“I’d like to give you your first,” Elin murmured. “I want to make you feel good, sweetheart.”

Her trust in Elin was unthinking, immediate, and it eased any nervousness about her inexperience. “Tell me what to do,” Anna said. “I want to learn how to make you feel good, too.”