grinned back at her. “We are pretty perfect as a team. But the question remains: How the hell do we get our dragons in sync with each other? We’re not going to beat Silver Fangs if we don’t figure this out.”
“How do other winning teams do it? Are there other examples besides Hot Wings who are maybe a little more transparent?”
Astra’s brow furrowed. “Well, the top-ranking quad changes from year to year, so I doubt any of them have it figured out, but the title-holding trio is Triple Talons. I’m pretty sure they all fuck each other silly before every match. They’re the reason Simina’s so disgustingly happy all the time, in case you were wondering.”
Ksenia lifted her eyebrows. “Yeah? Those three are her mates?”
“Well, you know it would take a trio to fill the shoes of my exalted brother.”
“Rewind a bit. I’m curious about the other part.”
Astra perked up. “You mean the part where they share each other? It’s the only way to be with three guys, if you ask me. I for one don’t have the patience to take care of them all. But I thought your big bears were already a thing before you came into the picture.”
“Oh, they were. They are. Not that I can’t handle them whenever I’m their sole focus, but I love that they love each other so deeply. I’m thinking about the bonding aspect of Triple Talons’ relationship. Sex is about more than just mating, after all.”
She fixed her eyes on Astra’s and the other woman lifted an eyebrow, one corner of her mouth quirking up. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” she asked, tilting her chin toward the door.
Ksenia chuckled. “Well, it is one surefire way to get them to open the door. And if it helps our dragons sync up in the process, then why not?”
“Why not, indeed.”
19
Jacob
“They’re too quiet,” Teague observed. “Either they killed each other or they’re actually talking.”
“I’m hoping for the latter, for everyone’s sake,” Jacob said. “We need them to work it out.”
“They will,” Javin said. “If I know Astra, she’ll own up to her shit for the sake of winning. I think they both want it enough to figure things out.”
But the ensuing battle yell from within the sauna made all six men stand up straight from where they were either leaning on the wall or lounging on benches Gunther and Simon had dragged in while they waited.
Jacob’s neck prickled and his claws tickled beneath his fingertips, itching to come out, to run to Ksenia’s aid. A heavy thump rattled the other side of the door, and the heavy weight bench they’d propped against the knob to block it shut jostled, its legs screeching against the stone floor.
A draconic roar sounded, followed by another thump against the wall.
“You were saying?” Teague asked, giving Javin a sidelong look.
“This isn’t like her,” Javin said. “You sure it isn’t your girl on the offensive here?”
“I don’t know what the fuck to think,” Jacob said. “Maybe we should let them out before they do real damage to each other. If they rip each other apart, no one’s fighting any matches, much less winning them.”
He strode to the door and yanked the weight bench out of the way, but stopped short when he peered through the window inside. Teague moved up to his side, and Simon peered in from the other side. Both men let out equally surprised curses.
“This is unexpected,” Javin said, peeking through over Jacob’s shoulder.
Jacob couldn’t tear his eyes away, much less find the presence of mind to open the door. Beyond the window, Astra and Ksenia weren’t actually fighting. What they were doing was a far more intriguing sight . . .
They were kissing.
Both women were naked, bodies pressed together, arms twined around each other, hands roaming over sleek, muscular curves. For a split-second they both parted just enough to shoot a pair of breathless, come-hither looks toward the window before they devoured each other’s mouths again. Jacob’s cock stiffened painfully in his pants and he heard at least a couple other groans from the group around him.
“My guess is it’s a ploy to get us to open the door,” Val said. “But the question is whether we’d actually be the bigger fools if we don’t.”
Jacob’s lips twitched and he glanced around at the other five men. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m willing to take the risk.”
20
Ksenia
“They’re watching,” Astra whispered, brushing her lips across Ksenia’s jaw to her ear and nipping lightly at