Even as the thought passed through my body with a shiver of panic, my pussy grew wet, my breasts heavy. Memories from the bride processing center swirled in my mind, but this time, I had names and faces to put on the men touching me, fucking me, bringing me pleasure.
I’d been matched to all three of them. It was unheard of on Earth. Sure, there were threesomes -- or foursomes -- but that was just sex. A bucket list item to check off. I hadn’t even found one man I’d liked enough to keep around on Earth. But three? Forever?
I kept thinking that, over and over, as the women had worked on me as if I were a small child being dressed for a party.
Without doubt, each of my mates made my breath hitch and my pulse race. They were huge, handsome warriors. And soon, their complete attention would be on me.
I had survived the Corellis. I’d survived the transport mix-up and an asshole a foot taller and a hundred pounds heavier trying to kill me. I could survive wild, three-man sex with Viken warriors who worshipped my body, who wanted nothing more than to win my heart and bring me pleasure.
Assuming that was, indeed, what they wanted. With Rolf and Erik, I was fairly confident. But Gunnar frightened me on a fundamental level I could not explain. He made me nervous and unsure. And it wasn’t just the tattoo on his wrist. No, it was the way he watched me, the way his gaze locked onto me like a predator’s, with complete focus.
He looked at me like he owned me, could do anything he liked with my body. And as much as that scared me, it excited me, too. I was afraid of him, but even more afraid of myself. Because after that one kiss, I wasn’t sure I would be able to refuse him anything. Anything at all. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to.
Alone in my room, I walked to the balcony overlooking the royal gardens below. Leah had explained that this was the royal fortress at Viken United, an island stronghold straight out of a medieval tale of knights and fair maidens. The castle was massive, and this room and the apartment suite attached to it was now mine. Forever.
Leah assured me, even if I did not choose to accept my mates, if I were to reject the match and choose another, this place would be mine as long as I lived on Viken.
And since there was no going back to Earth, like ever, that assurance settled me more than I’d thought possible.
Having the Queen of an entire planet on my side was proving to be pretty damn nice. Earth girls stuck together, even if we weren’t on Earth.
I walked to the chest-high rail and propped my arms on the edge. Below me, vast gardens spread in the center of the castle courtyard. Completely surrounded on all four sides, the gardens were the Queen’s sanctuary. Trees and flowers similar to those I’d seen in the forest stretched out below. I was on the fourth floor and could trace the many trails and gathering places down below. It was no Central Park, but it was more than big enough to wander in for hours. To escape.
I felt them before I heard them, their presence behind me sending a shiver down my spine.
Taking a deep breath, I turned, placing my back to the railing, and inspected the three men who were now mine standing before me. Big, so big.
Rolf, with his golden hair and easy grin, leaned against the doorframe, wearing tight pants and leather of a dark green with furs lining his cloak to match. His chest was bare, draped only with the leather of his sword’s scabbard where it hung over his back. Every muscle of his lean frame so well defined I could trace them with my tongue. His pants hung low on his hips and his abdomen looked like a washboard, the outline of the erection just below that made me gasp and I tore my gaze away.
Beside him stood Erik, his long brown hair let loose to hang around his shoulders like a rock star god. He wore a similar outfit, but a dark, chocolate brown. He, too, was bare chested and magnificent. Thicker than Rolf, his chest and shoulders were broad and muscled, massive. All too quickly did I remember the feel of being pressed to him in the forest when he’d held me. I could still smell his skin where I’d pressed my nose to his neck and breathed him in.
Shaking now, I turned to Gunnar, who stood with his head tilted and his arms crossed. He wore black. Of course, he was in fucking black. The dark color matched his hair and dark eyes, but unlike the others, he wore no cloak. His chest and shoulders were bare. Thick leather straps circled his wrists and arms, straps that appeared to have no purpose, but somehow made him even more virile.
Rolf stepped forward first, holding out his hand. “Are you ready, love?”
I shook my head and tried to step back, but I had nowhere to go. “Not exactly. You three are a bit intimidating all at once. I'm just an art dealer from New York City. Viken is a little… overwhelming. Like you.”
Gunnar nodded. “Of course, we are. That is our job, to be intimidating. To everyone but you.” He pointed at Erik. “You, inside. Rolf, let us know when she’s ready.”
Gunnar and Erik disappeared back into my room and I breathed a sigh of relief, until Rolf stepped forward and put his arms on either side of me, trapping me in place.
He leaned down until he was eye level with me, and I could do nothing but stare into his pale gaze. Where Gunnar would most likely pin me down with rope or restraints, Rolf didn’t need that. He just needed to look at me and I was enthralled.
“I want to kiss you, Sophia. I’ve been burning with envy at Gunnar’s kiss for hours.”
That made me laugh, made my nerves calm. Somehow, just a few words from him had me at ease. Had me feeling beautiful and desired. I licked my lips in anticipation as he lowered his to mine.
The kiss was nothing like Gunnar’s instant domination. This kiss coaxed and explored. Where Gunnar was aggressive, hard, Rolf was gentle and reverent. I melted. My nerves shoved away as I wrapped my arms around his waist and kissed him back. He stepped forward, closed the small space between us and pressed me into the railing. There was no escaping him, not that I wanted to. Rolf’s attentions were meant to soothe me, to ease me into the claiming. He was foreplay for what was to come.
The connection with Rolf did set me at ease, erased all my fears, all my worries. I had no idea what to do with three men, but they seemed to know what to do with me. I belonged to them and could easily be overwhelmed physically by all of them, but they’d known I needed space, needed coaxing. And with just the one kiss, I’d received it.
But so quickly, knowing Gunnar and Erik watched made me eager to tease them. I felt powerful and very feminine. And so when Rolf pulled back, I nodded.
I was ready.
Rolf lifted a black length of silk. “This is for your eyes, love.”
I fought for air, so turned on by the idea of having that thick fabric over my eyes, my hands shook. “Why?”