Trinity Bound (19 page)

Not to mention fucking sexy.

Reed padded over and kissed him gently, his sandalwood taste on his tongue. Josh wasn’t sure if he’d ever get used to kissing a man and feeling the difference from when he kissed Hannah. But he liked both. A lot. He ran a hand down the other man’s arm, noticing the goose bumps left in its wake. He’d never thought he’d like touching a man, but it didn’t feel wrong. It felt right. And with the addition of Hannah, it felt more so.

Could he go further with Reed? Let them go down on each other? Then submit to him and let him take him? Or could he take Reed? He shuddered at the thought. He wasn’t ready by any stretch for that, but he still got turned on. That was a good sign. Right?

Reed kissed him again, this time letting his tongue slide along the seam of his lips. Josh opened for him, allowing the man entry. They each fought for control, the kiss intensifying with each passing second.

Reed pulled back first, breathing heavily, as Josh shook his muddled brain.

“Good morning.” Reed laughed.

“Yes, it is,” Josh agreed.

Reed took his hand and Josh let him.
Huh, not too bad.

“I have something I’m working on I want to show you.”

“Okay, lead the way.”

Reed went to the back corner and let go of Josh’s hand long enough to pull the fabric off an easel.

Josh gasped.

A naked Willow knelt in a grassy grove, the angles and her hair covering the most essential parts. She looked towards the observer, her warm brown eyes glowing with hope and promise. Her hands rested on her protruding belly, cradling her and Jasper’s child.

She looked magnificent. And Reed was beyond brilliant.

“Wow, Reed. This is remarkable.”

Reed took a deep breath. “Thank God. I was worried. I loved it, but I wasn’t sure. No one else has seen it.”

Josh looked at him in surprise.

“It’s a secret for Jasper. I didn’t even let Willow sneak a peek. She only posed when I did the prelim sketches. I’m going to give it to them both after the baby shower. I just don’t want Jasper to kick my ass for seeing his wife naked.”

“I’ll protect you.” He grinned. “Plus she looks like an angel, and this will be something they will treasure always. She doesn’t look nude. Honestly, she looks like a mother. It isn’t pornographic; it’s something for their family.”

Reed hugged him hard, kissing his temple. “Thank you. That was the perfect thing to say.”

Josh shrugged. “It’s the truth.”

“Well, thank you anyway.”

“If it’s a secret, why is it not hidden more?”

Reed laughed. “Well, since nobody is allowed in my studio without permission, and even that is rare, they don’t have a chance to see it.”

Josh blushed in embarrassment. “Shit, I’m sorry, man. I just barged right in and didn’t even think about your privacy.”

Reed touched his cheek. “It’s okay, Josh. Really. You didn’t know. And I didn’t mean it that way. I’m sorry. Honestly, I’m not even too concerned by it. I want you to see everything I have, everything I am. Hannah too. And if I do need to paint something I don’t feel is ready for others’ eyes yet, I will let you know and do more to prevent accidental sharing. Don’t worry.”

Josh exhaled. “Okay, but let me know if I’m intruding. You’ve already done so much.”

“Josh,” Reed said, shaking his head, “I’ve done nothing. You saved me and Hannah. I want you here with me. Let me take care of you how I can.”

Though it wasn’t easy to do so, Josh nodded. If it made Reed feel better, he’d give in, but he knew this wouldn’t last. Something would happen.

Was he ready for forever?

“Reed, I don’t know about our future. I need time.”

“Okay.”

“But what we can do is talk about the Centrals. Do you have any idea of your father’s plans?”

Reed sighed. “I’m not part of Dad’s enforcers. And I’m not
the
Enforcer.”

“What does that mean?”

“Adam is the Enforcer. Capital E. He is the one in charge of taking care of forces that want to hurt us, though he answers to Dad. And now that he’s gone, even for a little while, I think that will go to Kade, since he’s next in line for the throne. Dad also has men outside our family that act like guards. Neil, the husband of Melanie’s friend Larissa, is one of them. They help Adam and Dad. Kade and Jasper do a lot as well. I’m stuck in the middle. Not really useful.”

“Reed, you’re everything.” Without thinking, he rubbed Reed’s chin, liking the stubble across the pad of his thumb. “Look at the work you do here. You help out the Pack with their archives and paint their history. And you teach the children at school. I mean, that counts for something. You can do what others can’t. I don’t know why you feel inferior to your family. You shouldn’t. Plus, you are a fighter. No matter what you think, I know this. I’ve seen you. You fought off twenty wolves single handedly, and only ended up with a few scratches. You are a strong wolf, believe in that.”

Reed shook his head. “You understand so much, after such little time.”

Josh smiled, not liking the sad look on Reed’s face. “It’s not that hard to take in, Reed. And when we finish getting ready, we can go over to your Dad’s house and see what’s going on. They can’t just leave us out.”

Reed laughed. “Yeah, they can. He’s Alpha. He can pretty much do whatever he wants.”

“Well, then we’ll ask.”
Forcefully
.

“Okay. It can’t hurt.”

“Reed, how did all of this happen?”

“What?” A cute, confused look appeared on his face.

“How could the Centrals take you? How could the Redwoods let this happen?” Josh winced at the way that had come out. Shit, he didn’t want to offend anyone. He just needed to know how the Centrals got so powerful.

Reed sucked in a breath and clenched his fists, anger radiating off of him.

“Reed, I didn’t mean...”

“No, Josh. It’s okay. I’m not mad at you. It’s just a fucked-up situation. You see, evil doesn’t follow the same kind of rules we do. They don’t have to worry about killing people with their powers. They relish it. They don’t have to worry about crossing the lines of demonic nature and fucking with fate. They do what they want. And no matter what we do, the Centrals have the upper hand because we can’t cross those boundaries. We fight back, and we do our best to keep the damage to a minimum, but until we can find a way to use magic and energy that doesn’t cross into evil, we’re always going to be behind.”

Well, fuck.

“Reed, some things aren’t black and white. There has to be a way.”

“Sometimes even the gray isn’t strong enough.”

Reed closed his eyes, lines of tension on his face. Josh couldn’t resist and brushed the lock of hair that fell across his brows away.

Damn, he wanted him.

Josh lowered his face and brushed his lips against Reed’s. The other man pulled him closer, their rigid cocks sliding against one another, creating heated friction.

A polite cough made them pull apart, slowly.

Hannah stood in a pair of borrowed boxers and Josh’s shirt, looking like a damned fuckable pixie.

“Good morning, boys. You look like you’ve been busy.” She gave them an impish smile.

“A little,” Josh rumbled.

She prowled over to them both, kissing Reed, then Josh, giving him the best good morning he’d ever had.

With Hannah in his arms, and Reed by his side, he could almost see a future. Pain pierced his temple as a sudden headache came on.

“Josh, what is it?” Hannah asked.

“Just a headache. I need some water.” He strode away without a look back.

There was no future with them. He needed to stop thinking about shit like that. It led to nowhere. He was a loner. That was all he was.

Pain lanced up his arm, pulsating around the wound.

Great, that was all he needed.

Chapter 15

“Are you ready to go?” Reed came up behind Hannah and held her close.

Hannah buttoned up the last button on her borrowed blouse and took a look in the mirror. She finally felt clean after four showers. The dirt and grime from the basement hell wasn’t seeping into her pores anymore. Though she wasn’t wearing her own skirt and top, it still fit well enough that she didn’t look too bad.

Hannah shrugged. “Sure.”

“You look beautiful.”

A laugh escaped her. “You have to say that; you’re sleeping with me.”

“True.” Reed grunted when her elbow came in contact with his stomach. “But you are beautiful. I’d say it anyway.”

“He’s telling the truth.” Josh came in the room, freshly showered and looking quite edible. “Just saying.”

“Okay, boys. Now that my ego is restored, I guess we can go.”

“As long as you’re happy, milady.” Reed bowed extravagantly.

“Really, man? Milady? Did you say that back when you were a young man?” Josh laughed.

“Ha ha. Let’s make fun of the old man. But remember, I can keep both of you busy and satisfied with my old man cock. So what do you say now?” Reed raised a brow.

“I’ll take it for a ride?” Hannah asked, smiling.

Both men burst out laughing, and she joined them.

“Sounds good, babe.” Josh held her close, brushing his lips against hers. “Let’s go to the Alpha’s. This should be fun.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you from the big bad Alpha.” Hannah laughed.

Josh’s eyes darkened. “I don’t need you to protect me.”

Okay. Touchy subject.

“I was just kidding. I’m sorry.”

Josh shook his head. “Sorry, I knew you were. Apparently my headache is making me act like an ass.”

Reed cupped Josh’s cheek. “Do you need something for that? Can I help?”

Hannah cupped his other cheek. “I’m a witch, after all. I can make you something.”

Josh quirked a lip. “I’m okay for now. If it gets any worse, I’ll take you up on it. Thank you.”

“Okay, then. I guess we’re ready.” Reed sighed.

He looked so nervous, but Hannah didn’t really understand why. This was his family. But then again, they’d cut him out during the decisions last night. Reed said it was because he was just an artist. But she’d seen him fight to protect her and Josh. He was fierce and strong, despite what he thought of himself. He’d been kidnapped, tortured, and shot; yet his first thought was always her. Why couldn’t his parents see that? Was it because he had two mates? Would that lower his status because he wasn’t normal?

Since all of the Jamensons lived relatively close to one another in the den, it was just a quick walk to Edward and Pat’s house. Along the way Hannah looked at the tall trees with snow on their branches and the snow covering the forest floor. Though winter was just starting, up in the mountains, it got colder quicker.