Secret Santa Surprise (Kindred Tales)

“Now you know,” Strong growled softly. “So if you don’t want to be ‘making cookies’ for real, you’d better leave the bonding fruit alone.”

“I’ll leave it…for now,” she added and gave the Dark Twin a flirtatious wink. “Come on—let’s finish the cookies.”

The good thing about the wave, was that it really did cook anything you put in it to perfection in a fraction of an instant. So after the cookies were shaped—by hand, since unfortunately, Clear didn’t have any cookie cutters—they were cooked perfectly almost as soon as he put them in.

Melanie had decided to use vanilla extract in her frosting, since she hadn’t found any other suitable fruit. She whipped it up with a Kindred appliance that was a little like a hand mixer except it had four star-shaped interlocking beaters instead of two. It turned out to be much faster and more efficient than the regular model and she was pleased with the results. And as she worked on the frosting, Clear and Strong shaped and baked the cookies.

When the frosting was finished, Melanie dipped a finger in the sweet, creamy mixture and walked over to Clear.

“Open up,” she commanded. “And tell me what you think of my frosting.”

Eyes wide, the Light Twin obeyed, opening his mouth and sucking her finger for a long moment to get the frosting off.

“Delicious,” he muttered hoarsely, at last, when Melanie removed her finger.

“I’m sure it is, Brother. I’d like to try some of that myself,” Strong growled.

“Of course.” Melanie strolled back over to the frosting bowl and dipped her finger in again. But as she was raising it to his mouth, the Dark Twin caught her wrist to stop her.

“I’d rather taste it off your lips, little one,” he murmured, his eyes dark with lust as he looked down at her.

Melanie’s heart started to beat harder but she didn’t hesitate a moment.

“That can be arranged,” she purred. She painted the frosting on like lipstick and then looked up at the Dark Twin. “Well? Come and get it if you still want a taste.”

With a low growl of pure lust, Strong gathered her to his hard chest. Bending her over his arm, he took her mouth in a ravaging kiss that left Melanie breathless.

For the first time, it occurred to her that she might be getting in over her head. Strong’s mouth on hers was relentless, demanding entry and then exploring her thoroughly, as though he had every right to do so.

Melanie couldn’t help kissing back. And as she did, she became aware that Clear was there too, standing just behind her and stroking her hair and shoulders. She felt completely surrounded by the two big, male bodies and it made every inch of her throb.

You’d better stop, whispered a little voice in her head. Stop while you still can, Melanie. Or you’re going to end up doing a lot more than making cookies tonight!

“Wait a minute!” she gasped, when Strong at last broke the kiss.

“Yes, little one?” He gave her a lazy smile. “Are you sorry you offered me a taste?”

“No, but I just…” Melanie straightened up, trying to get her scattered thoughts together. “I…I didn’t only come here to make cookies tonight,” she said at last.

“Oh no?” Clear murmured, raising an eyebrow. “Why else did you come, sweetheart?”

“To…to…” Her eyes fell on the bonding fruit and she had an idea. “I wanted to do some first-hand research—to get more ideas for my Twin Kindred vid,” she said.

“All right.” Strong nodded. “I think we can help you with that. What do you want to know?”

“Why don’t we go into the living area?” Clear suggested. “The cookies are all done now. Shouldn’t we give them time to cool before we frost them?”

“Yes—that’s exactly right.” Melanie nodded.

“All right. Then let’s go.” And Strong ushered her out of the kitchen with Clear following right behind.

As they went, Melanie wondered what in the world she was going to do next. She had no idea…

14

They settled on the big, overstuffed couch which fit the three of them perfectly with Melanie in the middle. The flickering green and gold and blue flames dancing in the fireplace before them provided the only light in the dim room. It cast the twins’ faces into light and shadows and made their positions seem much more intimate than Melanie had been expecting.

She bit her lip, looking from one to the other. Both sets of eyes—the piercing blue and the smoky green—were trained on her and both were half-lidded with lust. Were things about to go too far? Should she get up and go now?

But I don’t want to go, she thought, feeling a surge of desire. I want to stay and see what happens.

The big, muscular bodies on either side of hers felt so warm and solid and their scents mingled into a single dark, masculine spice that made her want more—although more of what, she wasn’t exactly sure.