His pale blue eyes held hers.
“I’ll do my best to find out for you.”
“I know you will,” she whispered.
WhenSeverinheld out his hand and she took it without hesitation.AndwhenRavikmoved closer on her other side, she didn’t pull away.Shelet them flank her—one warm and massive and the other cool and controlled—as they led her down the narrow hallway toward the lab.
Her body was still aching, her arm was still glowing, and the need was still there, pulsing in her blood like a second heartbeat.
But at least for the first time all day, she wasn’t trying to face it alone.
34
SEVERIN
Severin took more samples of everything…well, everything but her honey.Hedidn’t like to ask for that right now when she was clearly in so much distress.
Cassandra bore his poking and prodding stoically whileRavikhovered nearby, clearly wanting to hold her and comfort her but unsure of what reception he would get.
In the endSeverinfound what he’d thought he would find—the virus had progressed alarmingly.Nowonder she was in such deep distress—her body was on the brink of collapse if she didn’t get what she needed soon!Whichwas physical closeness, pleasure, and possibly more seed.
But how could he tell her that without sounding like some kind of opportunist,Severinwondered.Howcould he explain that she needed sexual pleasure—and a lot of it—without sounding like he was just trying to take advantage of a desperate situation?
Just as he was getting extremely worried, however,Raviksolved the problem for him by pullingCassandrain for a hug.
“Cassie needs to be touched…needs to be hugged,” he rumbled.Thenhe motioned toSeverin.“Comehere—Cassieneeds hugs from all sides.”
Hesitantly,Severinstepped closer.ButsinceCassandradidn’t object, he stepped up behind her and put his arms around both her and his best friend, who was already holding them tight.
But by this timeCassandrasmelled so hot and needy his shaft stood immediately to attention.Hestarted to step back, not wanting to poke her in the back with the hard ridge of his cock, butCassandrareached back a hand and grabbed his arm to pull him close again.
“Don’t leave.”Hervoice was muffled, since she was pressed againstRavik’sbroad chest but her grip onSeverin’sarm was tight.“Ineed this—Ineed both of you.”
“If you want us to hold you between us, the bed might be the best place,” he offered, hoping he didn’t sound too opportunistic.
To his surprise,Cassandraagreed at once.
“Yes—the bed.Let’sgo.”
Without a word,Ravikswung her up into his arms.Severinkept a hand on her arm to maintain contact and the three of them made their way back down to the mating chamber.
But before they left,Severingrabbed one more piece of equipment.Hehoped he wouldn’t need it…but he wanted to have it, just in case.
35
CASSIE
Cassie didn’t care anymore.Sheneeded this—needed them—bothof them.Herbody was going crazy with desire and having both males touching her at once seemed to ease the ache inside a little bit.
When they got to the mating chamber andRavikput her down on the massive bed, she pulled offSeverin’slong-sleeved uniform shirt, which she’d been wearing as a kind of jacket.Shereached down to hook her fingers in the hem of her hated red nighty and pull it off too…but then she hesitated.
As badly as she needed this, there had to be a line she wouldn’t cross.Shehad to be careful here.Sheknew from living aboard theMotherShipthat if you had full-onBondingSexwith aKindredwarrior, you formed aSoul-Bondthat bound the two of you together for life.
She likedSeverinandRavika lot…but she had only met them yesterday, as strange as that seemed.Plus, she was infected and so wasRavik—who knew what it might do to either of them to enter into aSoul-Bond.Andfor that matter, what if both of them wanted toBondwith her?Thatwould be a mess—unlike theTwinKindred,BloodandBeastKindreddidn’t share mates together.Shedidn’t even know if forming aSoul-Bondwith both would be possible.
So it was better if they avoided actual sex—even though she felt so empty inside it hurt.Shewas going to have to get what she needed some other way.
For now, she hoped touching both of them at once would be enough.
