Illicit Mate (Abducted 4)

“Fakkreh, I could never live with myself if I hurt you like that.”

He wrapped one arm around Jenna and pulled her to him, capturing her lips, gliding his tongue between them. The taste of her was intoxicating. His other arm curled around Casey as he hugged her close, too. He released Jenna’s mouth to find Casey’s. Jenna nuzzled his neck while he and Casey kissed passionately.

Then he felt Casey’s hand glide over his stomach. Downward. His cock hardened instantly when her fingers slid over it. Jenna’s fingers joined Casey’s and they stroked him together.

Heat coiled in his gut and he thought he would die from the gut-wrenching need pulsing through him.

And that was the problem.

“No.” He grasped their wrists and drew them away from his aching member. “We can’t do this,” he said, easing away from them.

“Are you saying you won’t stay with us?” Jenna asked, her eyes wide.

“I need time to think. Without my raging hormones getting in the way.

His heart pounding, he turned and strode to the door, not looking back for fear he’d change his mind.

Darrick marched down the corridor, then got on the elevator. His pulse pounded in his ears as he sucked in deep breaths, trying to calm down.

His comm unit bleeped and he checked the text message. The commander had invited him for a drink. Good timing. He could use a drink.

He contacted the commander and arranged where to meet. Darrick changed the destination of the elevator and when he walked into the lounge, the commander was already there. A glass of Darrick’s favorite brew was sitting on the table waiting for him.

He sat down and took a deep sip.

Larson watched him, one eyebrow raised. “Your conversation with Casey and the Earth woman not go so well?”

Darrick stared at him over the tall glass.

Of course he’d know that the captain insisted Darrick talk to them before signing off on his transfer.

“It’s not that it didn’t go well. They’re totally onboard with the whole…” He glanced around, still not comfortable saying it out loud. “With this kind of unusual relationship.”

“You know, it’s not that unusual anymore. And some people on this ship—”

“Yes, I know about Baryn and his tanash’ea. But that is different.”

“The point is he’s willing to do whatever it takes to find happiness for him and his mate.” Larson leaned in. “I know you promised yourself that you would never get involved in a threesome. But Casey and Jenna are both strong women. And, as I said, times have change. The challenge is not as big as when you were growing up. Don’t you think that if they’re willing to take on this challenge that you should be, too?”

Darrick picked up his drink and downed half of it.

“I want to. I almost told them I would. But when I’m near them I just can’t think straight.”

Larson’s lips turned up in a smile. “Yeah, I can imagine. I could barely stay sane waiting for my Eva to come around. I can’t imagine trying to resist being with two sinfully sexy tanash’aei like yours.” He chuckled. “You’re a very lucky man.”

Darrick stared at Larson, then pursed his lips. Of course, his friend was right. Darrick had been truly blessed.

“So you’re away from them now. How do you feel when you think about stepping aboard the Yansome knowing you’ll never see them again?”

His chest clenched and his heart started pounding loudly. The thought of Jenna’s blue eyes, filled with pain at his abandonment made him ache inside. He couldn’t hurt her like that. Or Casey.

And, damn it, he couldn’t hurt himself like that, either.

He drained his glass and locked gazes with Larson. “I respectively withdraw my request for transfer, sir.”

Laron smiled broadly. “Noted. I’ll let the captain know.”

Darrick shot to his feet and strode out the door.