Theirs to Protect - Julia Sykes Page 0,21

wasn’t the kind of exercise I’d been anticipating when Joseph picked me up. I tried to smother my disappointment.

When he set me down on my feet, I took a moment to assess our location. He’d brought me to the middle of the weightlifting area, not the pool. My frown was reflected back at me from the wall of mirrors that lined the far side of the gym. I glanced around, trying to orient myself. I didn’t lift weights, and I couldn’t imagine why Joseph had brought me here.

I was standing exactly where the punching bag was usually suspended, but it was missing. A large, silvery ring hung above my head, attached to a thick cable that was embedded in the ceiling. A small thrill zinged up my spine as Joseph began to circle me, and sensual awareness settled over my pebbled skin. He hadn’t brought me down here to work out. I didn’t know what he could possibly have planned, but the wolfish grin he wore told me that it would be especially wicked.

“What happened to the punching bag?” I didn’t care what had happened to it, but I needed Joseph to pounce. I would spontaneously combust if he didn’t touch me soon.

“Kiss her, Marco.”

I barely had time to suck in a gasp before Marco appeared before me. His mouth crashed down on mine, caressing my lips with feverish intensity that bordered on desperation. Joseph never ordered Marco around like this. He made suggestions or requests, but Marco was the one who issued commands to Joseph when we were making love.

Judging by the hungry way Marco claimed my mouth, he wasn’t bothered by the swapped roles. His fingers tangled in my hair, tugging back sharply. He caught my second gasp on his tongue, claiming my mouth in deep, domineering strokes.

Joseph continued to circle us both, a predator indulging in the helplessness of his prey.

“Keep her mouth busy,” he instructed Marco. “Angel, you’re not going to speak again until you’re ready to answer my questions.”

Answer his questions? Unease crept up my spine. That sounded ominous. I couldn’t think of any secrets I’d been hiding from Joseph. Did he think I was lying to him about something?

“Marco.” His name was heavy with warning.

“I know,” Marco murmured against my lips. “Don’t be anxious, babygirl,” he admonished. His big hand dipped under my shirt and bra, and he tweaked my nipple hard enough to draw a shocked cry from my lips. The little flare of pain captured my full attention, and he rewarded my response by rubbing his thumb over the abused bud. “Let Joseph play.”

Tingling pleasure flooded my mind, blanketing my anxiety and granting me sweet release. “Yes, Daddy,” I whispered, molding my body against his bulky muscles.

“That was very sweet, princess, but Joseph told you not to talk.” He pinched my nipple again, holding the sting until I squirmed and whimpered. I brushed breathless kisses over his lips, wordlessly communicating that I would behave.

He finally released the pressure and gentled his touch. Sparks danced over my delicate flesh everywhere he stroked me. “Good girl.”

Bliss soared through me at the rumbled words of praise, and a low moan of longing sounded from deep in my chest.

“Strip her.”

Once again, Marco obeyed Joseph’s command. I didn’t understand this new dynamic, but Marco made sure I was too far gone to worry about it. He tore at my clothes, roughly stripping them away. By the time he removed my panties, leaving me completely bare before them, I felt far more vulnerable and naked than simple nudity.

Marco pulled back slightly, leaving me shivering without direct contact. His body heat kissed my skin, dancing with the cool air until every inch of my flesh sparked with anticipation. He bound me in place with nothing more than his steady onyx stare. His power wrapped around me, holding me like iron chains. Secure. Tethered to him, to Joseph. To reality. Marco’s stern presence was the only thing anchoring me to the present, the only thing that prevented me from floating away on a sea of heady bliss.

“Hold her.” Joseph’s low, deep command teased the sensitive spot just beneath my ear.

Marco’s big hands finally touched me, and I moaned at the gentle contact. The callouses on his palms stimulated my tingling skin, the warmth of his hold washing through me in a warm wave. Heat splashed my core, pooling between my legs.

Something firm and slightly rough looped over my chest, just beneath my breasts. I gasped at the familiar, decadent sensation