“Head on my shoulder.”
She obeyed, closing her eyes. The darkness intensified the aroma of developer chemicals, mixing with the earthy underground. Niall and Evan bore the scent of the earth as well, the mountains, the trees. It was new to her, people who didn’t smell of the civilized world. Houses, cleansers, paint, furniture upholstery, shower products from fancy salons.
His thighs steadying her with their bracket around her hips, Niall cupped her breast through the stretched fabric of the yellow sweater. As he explored the curve, stroking with his knuckles, the nipple stiffened, begged for touch through the thin stuff of her bra.
“Keep stroking yourself, lass.”
She’d almost forgotten, a little lost under their caresses. Teasing her clit, she dipped her fingers into herself and rubbed the moisture on the outside, giving herself lubrication. Her hips lifted at the stimulation, and her other hand curled in Evan’s grip, a reaction of pleasure. It made her fingers brush that sharp slash of cheekbone.
He’d moved his mouth from her fingers down to her palm, and the hair that had caught her attention earlier now feathered over her knuckles, a pleasant sensation. Her fingertips brushed his eyebrow.
His fangs teased her pulse, once, twice, and then he punctured flesh, the pain drawing her up in an arch toward him, a shudder passing through her as his tongue swirled over the area, his lips sealing down as he began to taste her. She stiffened as a burning sensation rippled up her arm, the geographical locator, the first mark. It hurt more than expected, as if her body was fighting any mark other than her original Master’s.
“All right, then?” Niall had registered it. Evan stilled. His mouth remained on her, but his gaze flickered up to her face, seeing everything. She gave a quick nod, breathed through it, realizing with each deep inhalation her body was sinking deeper into the hollows and planes of Niall’s. Evan’s gaze met his servant’s, some unspoken communication. As his attention returned to her arm, Niall’s fingers slid between hers on her clit, helping with the slow massage as she managed that pain. His skilled touch helped lessen it. In fact, a slow detonation of sensation started through her pussy and lower belly.
“She’s fair wet.” Niall’s voice was a rumble through his chest, vibrating against her shoulder blades. Would Evan take her now, since her body was ready for him? Niall’s body was ready as well, his hard organ pushing against her buttocks through the restriction of the cargo pants. Perhaps her new Master would want her on her knees, servicing him. Some vampires liked drawing it out that way, keeping their servants wanting, the power and anticipation even more arousing to them than the sex itself.
An icy cold blade sliced through the heated pain in her arm, and she twitched, a hard spasm. In that one instant, she understood how hot glass could crack if immersed in cold water too suddenly. Both men stopped, Evan withdrawing now that the mark was done, holding pressure on the dual puncture with his thumb. “Alanna? Talk to us. What’s happening?”
“I’m . . . fine. It just hurts for a while . . . but it will pass. I can take care of your needs, Master. Lord Evan. I mean Evan.”
Everything seemed to be reminding her how far she’d slipped in her discipline, her focus. Causing Evan to stop twice to check on her was the equivalent of two reprimands. But she’d improve.
When he released her arm, she brought it in to her body, pressing it against her to help relieve the throbbing. She could sense Evan watching her, far too closely. Please don’t say anything. Don’t make me more ashamed than I already am.
“Right now I need to focus on the rest of these pictures,” he said at length. “The timing of the development is critical. Niall will take you upstairs and put you to bed to rest after your trip.”