"I'm safe with you?" I lashed out, the three men my verbal victims. "I'm supposed to give myself to you, or you, or...or you and I have no idea what to do? How do I please three men? And better? How do you know things will be better? Someone set my house on fire and you think because we're married everything is better?"
Two sets of eyebrows went up before me, one dark, one light, surprised by my vehement tone and long windedness.
"Things will be better because you have us to protect you from the likes of Peters. In the morning we will take you back to Bridgewater where you will be safe." Rhys' words were laced with absolute certainty. "It may not make the problem with the man go away, but it makes your involvement in it end. You do not need to worry any longer, as you need to let your uncle take care of Peters and we will give help to him if needed. I know he is a smart man, for he gave you to us, didn't he?"
I opened my mouth to speak but Cross put a finger over my lips. "How do you please three men? Trust me, love, you've already done that by marrying us. As to the rest, it is our job to teach you." He tapped my lips once then pulled his hand away.
"Ye can do nae wrong," Simon added, using his thumbs to wipe my tear stained cheeks.
His gentle actions wiped my ire away.
"I can do no right if I don't know what to do," I countered, sniffling.
"Are ye afraid?"
I sputtered. "How can I not be?"
The men looked at each other over my head and it seemed as if they spoke without saying a word.
"We will not take you tonight, Olivia, for you are tired and you will need your rest for what we have in mind," Cross told me. "Besides, it will be hard for you to keep quiet and I want privacy for when we take you."
"Why will I make noise?" While I tried to sound calm, I could hear the panic in my words. "You're not going to hurt me, are you?"
Rhys smiled. "No, we are going to do quite the opposite. It's going to feel so good that you won't help making noise."
"Ye are going to scream, lass," Simon finished.
I wasn't sure about that, but I did believe them when they said they wouldn't take my virginity tonight and was reassured and relaxed into Simon's arms.
"That doesn't mean we won't touch you," Cross added.
"What?" I asked, surprised. Simon lifted me with his hands about my waist to stand once again before him. With his hands on the sash of my uncle's robe, he pulled the bow loose. Hands at my shoulders slipped the garment down and off my arms and then off me entirely.
"You've had an overwhelming day and it's time for your men to take care of you. All you have to do, love, is feel," Rhys said, his voice low and gentle.
"It is our job to make you feel good. Let us show you how we can do that," Cross added.
"Trust us in this, lass," Simon added.
Their hands were on me, running over my shoulders through my robe and nightgown, down my arms, over my waist and hips, over the outside of my legs. Three sets of hands could cover quite a bit of my body at the same time. Their touches were all gentle, soft. Easy and relaxed. Soothing. Everywhere they caressed my skin tingled and came to life, even through the cotton of my nightclothes.
"Oh," I murmured, surprised by...by it all. "But...but I'm all smoky."
My eyes slipped closed of their own accord and I could easily do as they bid, for it felt so good. How they could set me at ease after a crying jag and a burst of anger was impressive and I had my first simple lesson; I should not underestimate them, for when they set about doing something, they seemed to do it quite well.
I didn't know how long I stood there as they touched me, but time had no meaning. I focused on the hard press of their palms, the curl of their fingers, the sound of their breathing, even the mingling of their scents.
Their touches had stayed to modest places, but every so often, a hand slipped below my hip to curve around my bottom or a thumb moved up to caress the underside of my breast. My eyes widened at the surprise of that, but the look on Simon's face when I did made me gasp. His eyes were so dark as to be black, his cheeks ruddy and he looked at me as if...as if he were a wolf and I was a very innocent little lamb. Perhaps that was true.
This time, when Simon's thumbs moved over my breasts, they didn't stop at the bottom curve but came up to brush over my nipples, which formed into tight little points. No doubt all three men could see them poking against the cotton of my robe. His large hands stilled, cupping my breasts as if he was feeling them, testing their weight, learning their curve.
"Simon," I breathed, holding his gaze as he began to gently knead my breasts, his fingers plucking at the tight tips.
I didn't remember it happening, but somehow my robe had come off and I stood before them in just my nightgown. Simon's hands were warm, even through the thin layer of fabric between my skin and his. From my periphery, I saw Cross lean in and kiss my neck, then work his way down to the juncture with my shoulder.
"Oh!" I gasped again. I had no idea my body could elicit such feelings, for as my nipples felt the hot sensation of Simon's playing fingers, somehow between my legs I felt swollen and aching and my core clenched in need. Yes, in need.
His lips worked the narrow strap along my shoulder to slip down my arm, the cool air in the room raising goose bumps on the exposed skin. Cross' mouth continued to lave my shoulder and neck as his hand slid over my hip. Rhys was not idle in all this, for as soon as my nightgown fell off one shoulder, he inched the second strap off my other shoulder as well, and the garment was held on my body solely by Simon's hands cupping my breasts.