a thick, silk tail, and now his hand came under it as he leaned in and kissed her. Not just a brush of lips, either. He deepened it, a slow, lazy exploration of her lips and tongue that made the back row a good decision.
A heavy tide of emotion came with that kiss. Evan’s fingers twined in her hair, taking a firmer hold to keep her head tilted upward as Niall’s fingers overlapped his on her neck, the two of them holding her that way until Niall at last lifted his head. He nodded to her. His tawny eyes were quiet and dark, his expression reminding her of a lone bear, heading for winter hibernation.
Clasping his hand again with both her own, she refused to let him go for the rest of the ceremony. Evan laid his hand over theirs, reinforcing the bond.
17
ALANNA decided a wedding and reception were aphrodisiacs. Niall and Evan both danced with her at different times during the reception. Holding her close, the two men took turns stroking her sensitive neck, shoulder blades and lower, the curve of spine revealed by the low back of her dress, hands lingering low on her hips. Niall played a game with her, seeing if she could guess the Dominants and submissives on the guest list through body language, nuances of conversation, significant pauses. It made her think about the following night and what type of participation Evan would prefer. The anticipation gave her some very vivid fantasies.
But there was a strong emotional draw to the festivities as well. Watching her handsome males interact with other guests, smile and laugh, hearing the rumble of their voices near her, noticing how they both glanced her way often, maintaining the connection with her, she felt like she was being woven into the fabric of their relationship, a permanent and accepted part of it. Since it was clear she was involved with both men, she was the recipient of a few speculative and envious glances from attendees who were unaware of the orientation of the groom and the many other guests, but she had no desire to discourage Niall or Evan from their obvious physical possessiveness.
When the bride and groom were escorted to a garden house prepared especially for their first night as a married couple, and the reception concluded, she and Niall returned to the guesthouse hand-in-hand. Evan indicated he would join them after a brief discussion with Tyler. Shrugging out of his coat and pulling off the tie first thing, Niall draped them over the wicker chair, then tugged her to him.
“Ye can put that up later. Come here.”
“What happened to ‘If he knocked it off, he can pick it up’? ”
“That was before I realized how nice it is tae have a lass doing all the chores.” He fended off her punch, and tucked her in close, running his hand over her backside, thumb pressing into the crease with brazen intent as he gripped her hard. “Christ, I’ve wanted to do that for hours.”
“I wish we could all three share the cellar bed.” She breathed against his mouth. “I want to be with both of you.”
“So I heard.” His brown eyes warmed as he lifted his head. “Heaven in both our arms . . .”
She flushed. “I exaggerated for the bride. I didn’t want to remind her of the more tiresome and boorish habits males can have.”
“Tiresome and boorish? ’Tis a lucky lass who gets to be with the likes of us.”
Did he know what thickening the accent while he still wore the Highland garb did to her? She had a feeling he did.
“So you say.” She managed a credible sniff, but it was no contest when he pulled her closer, brushed her hair to the side and put his lips to her neck, her jaw pressed to his, feeling the working of his throat as he gently teased that sensitive vein. Her breath left her, fingers coiling in his hair, trying not to mess up how she’d arranged it. With an impatient noise, he pulled the queue loose, letting her know he wanted her fingers buried in it.
“Being pretty is done for the day. I’d rather look well-used by an eager wench.”
She bit his jaw, earning a chuckle as he returned the favor. She willingly dug her fingers into his scalp, enjoying the thick tangle of his hair, her body starting to pulse in fervent need. She thought of what Chloe had said about wanting to devour Brendan, and