Page 34 of Secret Dynasty

Chapter Nineteen

Spencer wasted no time accepting my invitation. He strode into the room, stripping his shirt off as he came. My eyes skirted over his bare skin, drinking in the tight stacked abs and defined pecs. He was a monster, but he was beautiful. I’d taken a step into the unknown, and all I wanted now was to feel his skin on mine along with Holden’s. Spencer stepped behind me, his hands circling around my waist, and began deftly unbuttoning my top. But Holden didn’t budge as his brother undressed me before him.

Our gazes locked, and I saw the battle waging inside him. It had been easy for Spencer to walk in here and claim what he believed was already his. Watching Holden, I realized it wasn’t about staking his claim. It never had been to him. It was about me and what I wanted.

It always had been about me.

There was only one way Holden would come in here and join us. Maybe he didn’t believe I was making this choice. I couldn’t blame him for that. For all intents and purposes, it looked like I was simply doing as Spencer instructed. Maybe he was just in shock that I’d finally accepted the truth.

But this wasn’t about Spencer. It wasn’t about Holden.

There was an itch inside me. It had started in the loo at Hillgrove’s, and it wasn’t getting any easier to ignore. I’d considered going to bed with Holden, but I realized now that he would never go to bed with me behind his brother’s back. That would have been accepting a scrap of me. He wanted more. Maybe he didn’t think I could give him more with Spencer here, but I was determined to prove him wrong.

“Please,” I mouthed, a silent entreaty for him alone. “I need you.”

The last time I’d said those words to him, he’d sent Spencer in his place. I’d thought it was cowardice. Now I recognized it as something else: chivalry. Holden might toy and flirt, but he had accepted that I was out of bounds. Only I could prove otherwise.

Holden cocked his head, still puzzling out what to do.

There was only one card I had left in my hand. I’d never wanted to play it. I was never certain I could because it wasn’t a bluff to throw it down. It was going all in.

It was easier for my lips to form the words than I’d expected. I’d been so afraid of them for so long. Maybe it was why they made no sound as they left my tongue. Maybe it was just wishful thinking. Maybe I’d never considered that I might mean them.

I love you.

Holden stiffened, his body going completely rigid. For a minute, he didn’t move. He didn’t even breathe. Questions formed in his eyes, replacing the turmoil with confusion. I smiled one final, unspoken invitation.

He angled his body as if to turn and walk away. Spencer’s lips found the curve of my neck as he slipped my shirt from my shoulders. I stifled a gasp of pleasure and kept my eyes on Holden.

Only a few minutes ago, I’d thought I wanted him to escape. Now I knew the truth. I would take whatever scrap of him I could have. I’d invite him into my cage. I’d sing for him and my captor as long as they played with me.

There was a moment of hesitation before Holden shifted on his feet and started into the bedroom. Whatever reluctance he felt seemed to fall away with each sure step he took inside until he reached us and bent to capture my mouth with his.

This kiss was different from the stolen ones. It was real. He tasted sweet like the first bite of fruit after it’s finally ripened. I’d waited for him. I’d resisted him. At last, it was time. His hands gripped my shoulders, squeezing softly as if to remind me that I still had a choice. I moaned to let him know what I wanted, and his fingers skimmed down the straps of my bra and glided over its lace cups. My nipples hardened at the teasing contact, and he pulled away, dipping his head to take one in his mouth.

“How does she taste, brother?” Spencer asked, his hand slipping past my waistline, down the front of my jeans and inside my knickers. He pushed a finger between my folds, and I groaned with pleasure.

But Holden didn’t answer his question. He moved to the other breast, dragging his teeth across the pebbled flesh pressing against its lacy confines.

“I think he likes you,” Spencer murmured in my ear. His words tingled like drops of icy water down my neck. “How could he not? You are the most perfect woman we’ve ever had. I’ve been dying to see him worship you.”

I closed my eyes, banishing the questions his words raised. I chose to believe them instead. I chose to believe I was perfect in their eyes. I chose to let them worship me. I kept them closed until a hand unzipped my pants. Looking down, I discovered Holden on his knees. He gazed up at me with hooded eyes as he hooked his thumbs into my waistband and pulled my jeans to my ankles. Spencer’s arms tightened around me as Holden helped me carefully out of each of my shoes. My pants followed. Every inch of my skin was on fire. I’d been naked with them before, but not with Holden’s face hovering so close to my navel. He watched me as he drew my knickers down my thighs, past my calves, and then off entirely. My teeth sank into my lip as I savored the thrill of exposure. Holden leaned forward and buried his face into me, taking a deep breath.

When he finally sat back on his heels, he only said one word, “Exquisite.”

“Isn’t she?” Spencer stroked his palm in circles on my backside. “You should taste her.”

I whimpered, wondering if I could come just from words alone.

“Shhh,” Spencer soothed me. “You need that, don’t you?”

I swallowed and managed a nod.

“I’ll tell you a secret,” he whispered as I grew dizzy between his coaxing hands and Holden’s warm breath tickling my nether regions. “Holden is a gentleman. You’re going to have to ask him for what you want.”

Another whimper escaped me. I didn’t think I could find the words.

“It’s a lot to process,” Spencer said. “I understand. Repeat after me. Please.”