Race to Destiny 4 (4 page)

"Oh
, I know you can protect me.  I just...I need for us to all be together,” she said with a huff.  "I know it sounds crazy and I don't know why but I need us together.”  She started to hyperventilate.

Eric stood and picked her up, settling her in his lap as he sat back down in his seat.  "Breathe with me,
ä
lskling
, come on.  Look at me, Mia,” he said in a firm voice.

Her eyes snapped to his and suddenly her hands came up to cup his face.  "W-why?"

"I just want you to breathe with me.  We will all be together soon.”  Eric began to run his hands up and down her arms.  "Watch me, that's it, take a deep breath.  Good.  You are doing so well, Mia."

Her breathing began to slow and become even again.  She seemed to come back to herself and realize
d she was in his lap.  Her hands jerked on his face but then they began to caress his cheeks.  For one moment, he closed his eyes and savored the feeling of her touching him.  Then she shifted and he groaned aloud.  She jerked as if she had snapped back into herself and began to get up out of his lap.

He wrapped his arm around her and said, "Ah
…ah…ah, you stay right here.  I want the joy of feeding you some of my fries.”  He reached over and dipped one of his fries into some ketchup, then held it up to her mouth.  He actually held his breath as he waited to see what she would do, he was taking a big gamble, and he could only pray he hadn't pushed too far.

Mia was surprised at how good Eric was to her, she didn't feel like she deserved it at all.  He had talked her out of the panic attack not once, but twice.  Now he wanted to feed her? 
How did she get so lucky as to have such caring guards?
she thought.  Then he held up a french fry and she knew she had to choose.  She opened her mouth and he placed inside.  As she chewed, he rewarded her with a smile so bright you'd think she had hung the moon for him.

It took a lot to shock a three hundred year old vampire, but what he saw when he walked into the hotel room stunned the hell out of him.  There sat Eric and Mia at the dining table, but she was on his lap.  He couldn't believe what he was seeing.  He caught Eric's eye and the quick shake of his head, indicating he should say nothing.  His eyes turned to Mia's face and examined her face a little more closely.  He saw that she was pale and shaking a little, something had happened.

When Mia saw him, she seemed to visibly relax.  That made him even more curious but the answers would have to wait.  "I see you started without me.
”  He decided teasing was the way to go in this situation.

Mia blushed and moved to get up
off Eric's lap.  Eric smiled from behind Mia's shoulder as he allowed her to stand this time.  Striker was quick to move and step in front of her.  "My turn,” he said as he turned and sat in such a way that she all but fell into his lap.  She gasped as he wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her neck.

She froze in his arms and for a moment, he thought she was going to have a fit, maybe hit him or scream.  Then she slowly slid her arm around his neck and sighed.  Striker's gaze snapped to Eric's and they shared a moment of absolute awe at the woman they would share.  They both knew she had been terrified of them at first, then she seemed to accept them being around her.  Now she was allowing them to hold her and it was a gift they were going to take
, and cherish.

She leaned back and looked at his chin.  "Which dinner would you like?
”  She gestured to the remaining dishes that sat untouched.  She was feeling like a slut right now with what was running through her mind but she reveled in her newfound title, because thinking of anything else would be the death of her.

Striker took advantage of this situation
as he leaned forward and allowed his forearm to brush under her breasts and pretended to care what was on the table.  "Hmm…let's see.  I think I will take the steak,” he told her as he continued to try to hold her gaze.

Mia nodded and then said, "You have to let me move to my chair now so you can eat."
  She needed to break the seemingly strong hold they had on her right now, maybe they were brainwashing her, but what a way to go.

Striker reluctantly let her go, missing the feel of her in his arms.  "What are you having?
” he asked to try to keep her talking.

Mia looked down at her lap and said quietly, "Philly cheesesteak."

"It looks tasty,” Striker said and then grabbed the beer Eric was holding out to him.

Mia began to pick again at her food while Striker and Eric exchanged glances once again.  Then they began to talk of mundane things to try to keep Mia engaged in conversation.  This was the most interaction they had seen out of her in the two days since the attack on the compound.

After dinner, Mia excused herself to go lay down and read some of the romance book that Eric had shown her.  Once she went into the other room, Eric and Striker sat down across from each other in the living area to talk.

"I know that your kind can communicate once there is an exchange of blood or a mating.  I think we should do an exchange now.  If we wait for the mating...
”  He left the rest unsaid.

Striker frowned as Eric spoke.  "What happened?"

"Mia had two panic attacks while you were gone.  I calmly talked her out of them but they could have gotten bad.  Striker, they were both over you not being here with us,” Eric explained.

Striker was stunned by Eric's words.  "How do you know that?"

"Because she was upset you weren't here.  She told me that she needs us to all three be together.  She doesn't understand why, she just feels comforted when we are,” Eric told him.

Striker thought that over for a moment and then said, "I think she is feeling the mating bond."

Eric nodded.  "What else could explain it?  We may have to tell her sooner rather than later."

"Let's continue to take it slow for now.  She seems to be moving forward and I don't want to stop that
,” Striker said.

"Agreed
,” Eric answered.  "And the exchange?"

"Let's do it.
”  Striker brought his wrist to his mouth and bit into it with his fangs, holding it up for Eric to feed from.  Eric held up his wrist and Striker bit into it as gently as he could.  He sealed Eric's wrist, running his tongue over the bite marks and then sealed his own wrist.  He was glad they were sitting as Eric showed he was feeling the blissful feeling of drinking Striker's blood. 
‘Wow.’ 
Eric's voice echoed in his head.

Striker agreed
he hadn't realized how potent the Fae's blood would be to him as Eric was his first. 
'I agree.  That was different.'

"At least now we know it will work for us
,” Eric said aloud.

"I am going to check the email once more and then grab a shower
,” Striker told Eric.

Eric nodded.  "If you don't mind, I will go jump in while you are on the computer."

Striker absently nodded as he was booting up the laptop.  Eric got up, grabbed a change of clothes, and went to the doorway of the bedroom.  Neither male had brought up the subject of sleeping arrangements with Mia.  They didn't want to scare her but neither would they let her sleep alone in a separate room.

He looked inside, ready to explain his presence when he saw that Mia had fallen asleep reading her book.  She looked so peaceful
.  She had pulled back the bedspread and was laying on the sheets.  He set his clothes down, walked over to stand beside her sleeping form, and carefully covered her with the blanket at the bottom of the bed.  He took her book and set it aside on the nightstand.  He couldn't resist reaching out and gently tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. 
Gods, she smells so good
, he thought.

'Eric, remember I can hear you
,’
Striker's voice came through Eric's mind.

Eric had to stop himself from laughing aloud
.  'Sorry, I forgot, but she does.'

'I know that
,’
growled Striker.

'I'm going to take that shower now
,’
Eric told him.  There was no response so Eric shrugged, picked his clothes up, and headed for the bathroom.

Striker shook his head as he focused back on the email in front of him.  It was from the compound and simply gave the message that everyone was accounted for and
were presently safe.  It also listed those killed in the attack.  Striker was sad to see a few friends on that list.  He didn't like them being this close to the compound.  They were only a few hours southwest and that made him uneasy.

Striker knew Roarke may have orchestrated the attack but it wasn't Roarke himself.  Striker needed to find out who on this side of the ocean was running things for Roarke.  First, he had to see Mia and Eric safely to the Senate compound.  Then he would go after the one responsible for endangering his mates.

He knew Eric had found Mia asleep in bed and when he heard Eric's mental groan and subsequent thought of how good she smelled, Striker had gotten hard.  He knew how good she smelled.  He could smell her from where he sat on the couch in the living area.  He could hear her heart beating and the blood running through her veins.  It all called to him, demanding that he claim Mia as his mate.  He pushed those desires away and then realized something odd.  Mia's heartbeat was speeding up as if she were in distress.  He frowned just as he heard her scream.

**
***

Eric was just finishing his shower, rinsing off, thinking of Mia and her beautiful body.  He had decided to relieve himself, as he was as hard as a rock when he heard Mia scream.  He bolted out of the shower, grabbing a towel as a second thought.

Mia was dreaming of Eric and Striker sitting with her on a blanket
out in the sun, having a picnic.  Eric had kindly spread out a large quilt while Striker had carried the basket of goodies.  They had all taken a seat and she was enjoying the scenery with both men sitting on either side of her.  Striker leaned into her, touching her lips with his in a light kiss that turned into a kiss that devoured.  He plundered her mouth as he gently pushed her back onto the blanket.

When he released her mouth, he moved back slightly so Eric could lean in and kiss her just as thoroughly.  She felt Striker raise her shirt and undo the front clasp of her bra, running his hands over her sides then up to cup her bared breasts.  Eric released her lips only to trail down to her neck, running the tip of his tongue over the shell of her ear.  She moaned as she raised both her hands to lay one on each head of the men kissing her.

She moaned again, when she felt Striker's tongue run up the underside of her breast and then gasped as his lips closed over her nipple.  She arched her back when Striker sucked her nipple in and rolled it to the roof of his mouth.  Eric chose that moment to whisper in her ear all the things they wanted to do to her and she wanted to let them.

Then Striker had raised his head and smiled at her, reaching up to cup her cheek.  To her horror, his face had frozen and then blood had begun to drip out of the corner of his mouth.  Mia immediately had turned to Eric, who she saw was just as frozen in shock and when she saw the blood blooming on his chest, she had screamed.  She kept screaming as the blood from her two lovers had poured over her body, horrifying her.

Eric and Striker both reached the room at the same time, looking around in confusion.  Mia was thrashing on the bed, screaming their names.

‘
Nightmare,’
Eric said through their link.

Both men approached the bed, one on each side, and Striker reached out to shake Mia awake.  "Mia, wake up.  Mia
,” he said firmly to try to draw her out.

Eric reached over and fed her a little bliss when he smoothed his hand over her cheek.  Mia quieted almost at once.  "Mia,
älskling
, can you wake up for us?  Come on."

Although Mia had been given a dose of bliss, whatever the dream was, it was terrorizing her.  She was thrashing on the bed and Eric was afraid she would hurt herself.  He reached out and scooped her up into his arms.  Striker took her lower half and held her on his lap.  Mia immediately curled into Eric's chest, burying her face into his neck.  She began to cry softly and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

Striker began to rub her legs in a slow caress. 
'What was that you did to her?'

'I shared
with her, gave her a little bliss to calm her,’
Eric explained. 
'It's a Fae thing.'

'I see
,’
Striker answered.

"I'm so sorry.
”  Mia began to moan over and over again.

"No, Mia, you have nothing to be sorry for
,” Eric crooned to her.  "You are safe.  We are with you."

"Don't leave me, please don't leave me
,” Mia begged.

"We won't leave you, love
,” Striker told her as he rubbed her legs.

Mia began to wiggle on Eric's lap as she tried to burrow deeper into his arms.  He moaned as her little bottom wiggl
ed into his lap, which was barely covered by a towel, waking up certain parts of him he was already having trouble controlling.  He felt her warm lips brush his neck and stiffened in shock. 
What was his little Mia up to?
he thought.

'She is still half asleep
,’
Striker's amused voice came into his head. 
'I am listening to her heart.  It is slowing down like she is waking slowly.'

'You are enjoying this, aren't you?
’ 
Eric knew Striker was enjoying his predicament.

'Very much.  I was in the same situation when she lost it earlier today
,’
Striker told him.

Suddenly, Mia's arms tightened around Eric's neck and then she stiffened.  The men froze, waiting to see what she would do.  "You are safe now, Mia.  We are here
,” Eric said reassuringly.

"Eric?  Striker?
” Mia's voice came out in a whisper.

"We are both with you, love
,” Striker said.

Mia leaned back from Eric to look around her.  "What happened?"

"You seemed to be having a bad dream.  Are you okay?” Eric answered.

Mia was quiet for a minute.  Then she said sounding confused, "Eric, why are you wet?"

Eric chuckled.  "Well, I was in the shower when a young lady began to scream.  Of course, being the dashing hero, I immediately jumped out of the shower to hurry to her side."

Mia laughed softly and then gasped.  "You're naked!"

"No I'm not.  I have a towel on.”  He sounded affronted.

Mia heard Striker chuckle and looked over in his direction.  They both noticed that she never really looked them in the eye.  "Well, I appreciate you coming to my aid
, but I am sure Striker will stay with me so you can go get dressed."

"Of course, Mia.  Come over here and I will hold you to keep you safe
,” Striker assured her.  Eric groaned as Mia scooted off his lap as delicately as she could.  Striker stretched out on his side, patted the bed next to him, held his arms open to her and she laid down on her side beside him.

Eric rolled his eyes, as he made sure the towel was covering him before he got up to get dressed in the bathroom.  Once changed, he stepped out and saw Mia was laying on her stomach with her eyes closed while Striker gave her a backrub. 
'How did you manage that?
’ Eric asked Striker.

'I told her she seemed tense
,
’ Striker answered.

'Ah, I see
,
’ Eric said, just then Mia let out a moan and Eric saw Striker frown. 
'What's wrong?  Is she in pain?’
he asked concerned.

'No, but I am.  Those little moans she's making are driving me crazy
,’
Striker told him.

Eric walked over to the bed and sat down on the side.  Mia lifted her head and said, "All dressed, Eric?"

Eric smiled at her.  "Yes, ma'am."

"Mm...
”  Mia answered.

"You feeling better?
” Eric asked her.

"Yes, much.  Striker has magic hands
,” Mia told him.

"Do you want to talk about your dream?
” Eric questioned.

There was silence from her and Striker said, "We are here to help you, Mia.  You can talk to us."

Mia continued to be quiet and then she sighed softly.  She turned slightly and then sat up between them again.  "Um…well, it was just a bad dream."

"Do you want to tell us what happened in the dream?  It might help
,” Eric said to her.

Mia blushed and both men knew they had to know what happened in her dream.  "Tell us, it will make you feel better
,” Striker encouraged her.

"Well
, we were all on a picnic.  It was nice,” Mia started. Wondering how much to actually say, she looked up and waited to see what their reaction would be.

"We?  The three of us?
”  Eric was surprised. Striker smiled as well at her comment.

Mia nodded.  "It was a beautiful day.  We went out and sat on a blanket on this hillside.
”  Mia blushed again.  "Then we were enjoying ourselves when you both began to bleed. I mean seriously, one moment everything was great, I was thinking…well never mind, basically you like spontaneously began to bleed. You were bleeding all over me.  There was so much blood.”  Mia began to cry softly and Striker took her in his arms, whispering to her that she was safe.  She cried for a few minutes and then stopped, giving a few sighs of sadness.

"Are you okay now?
” Eric said as he reached over and rubbed her back.

Mia nodded but kept her head tucked under Striker's chin.  She did unhook one of her arms from around Striker's neck to reach back and hold Eric's hand
.  'It's odd, but it seems like even though she is human, she knows we are all mates,
’ Eric sent to Striker.

'I agree.  You said earlier she was upset I wasn't here at dinner.  That she said we all had to be together
,’
Striker said. 
'She is feeling the mating call.'

"I'm really tired now.  Can we all lay down and get some rest?
” Mia asked them.
Shit, had she really said that aloud?
Now it was official, she was a whore.

She once again surprised them both, seeming to know they would all lay down in the bed together.  That they were meant to be together.  "Of course, love, let's lay down.  You need some rest
,” Striker said.

"Do you want a drink or anything before I shut off the lights?
” Eric asked.

"No, thank you.  I'm fine
,” Mia said as she watched Striker stand next to the bed to strip off his clothes.  He left his boxers on for her modesty.

Her head swung over to Eric, it seemed she didn't want to miss seeing his body being exposed either.  He didn't disappoint as he took off everything but his boxers as well.  Then Eric walked over and shut off the light. 
Fuck a duck
, she thought,
where the hell was she supposed to look. 
She couldn’t tell because she wanted to make them stand side-by-side until she had her fill. Damn, this was so not the time for this, but what would any normal red-blooded woman do?  Whistle and pump her fists.  Mia thought and then sucked in a deep breath.  She needed to act non-whorish or they would leave, and she didn’t want that.  Mia smiled at them and nodded.

There was a built
-in nightlight in the bathroom that gave off a small glow as he made his way back to the bed and climbed in.  As they all settled in the bed, Mia reached for each of their hands, then softly said good night and fell asleep.