How was it possible for her to love them both? Because there was no longer any denying that she did.
Staring down at Jace, who still managed to look dangerous and sated at the same time and then over to Darian who waited patiently for her to come to him, she admitted the truth to herself.
Love had finally come into her life, not once but twice. But it had come at a deep cost. Both men would go tomorrow. As much as she wanted one of them to stay, she couldn’t allow it. She wouldn’t be responsible for breaking up their family.
Family. It was what she missed the most, what she wanted.
What was she staying here for?
The question shocked and surprised her, but before she could really think about it, Darian reached her for. Sam shook her head and wrapped her hand around his cock, wanting to give him the kind of pleasure she’d given Jace, a night of pleasure he’d never forget.
Darian groaned as she slid her mouth over his cock, his fingers threading through her hair. Sam lost herself in the moment, more able to show her feelings than to voice them out loud.
Chapter Fifteen
Darian was a man torn between two worlds, between the people he loved the most in the world—his brother and Sam. He stood on the back porch and watched the sun rise and push back the darkness. The stars slipped away and dawn was ushered in.
Today was the day. The tapestry would come and choices would have to be made.
How could he choose?
Sighing, he raked his fingers through his hair. There were no easy answers. If he stayed with Sam he’d never see his brother or mother again. If he went home with Jace he’d never see Sam again.
He swept up his sword and stalked to the center of the yard. Training always calmed and centered him. He set his bare feet on the warm dirt and began a series of movements, exercises designed to strengthen his body and his skills. Darian easily fell into the rhythm of moving body and weapon together. It was familiar. Comforting.
The early morning sun soon had him sweating, but he didn’t mind. He was becoming accustomed to the heat, just as he had become accustomed to having Sam in his bed.
None of them had slept much last night. After Sam had given him a taste of heaven with her mouth, they’d taken turns making love to her again and again until she’d fallen into a fitful sleep. A twinge of guilt made him wince. They’d been all over her and she’d likely be sore today. Desperation had ridden him even as he’d ridden Sam.
To his amazement, his cock stirred. After last night he’d figured the organ wouldn’t even twitch for several days. But all it took was a thought of Sam.
Darian ignored the physical discomfort and focused on the moves of the exercises until all else slipped away. The blade cut through the air as his body sinuously twisted and turned. His movements started slow, but soon picked up speed. He kept his breathing even and deep. The exercises were as much about mental control as they were about physical development.
He felt the ripple in the air, the way every cell of his body seemed to come to attention, and knew Sam had stepped outside. He lowered his weapon and turned to face her.
“Wow, that’s incredible.”
Darian inclined his head. “Thank you. We’ve both trained since we were children.”
Several beads of sweat rolled down his chest and his fingers gripped the handle of his sword. He wished there was a foe to fight and vanquish. That would be easy. It was impossible to fight Sam’s memories and a lifetime of family expectations. He should know. He was battling with his own.
He strode toward Sam, admiring the way she looked with her dark hair pulled back in the familiar loose braid. She was wearing pants and a shirt that clung to her breasts. Her skin smelled fresh, like soap and sunshine. He leaned down and nuzzled her neck, inhaling deeply.
Sam laughed, but it was tinged with nervousness. Darian pulled back and caught her chin with his hand. “What is it?”
She shrugged. “I’m worried about today.” Sam nibbled on her bottom lip and Darian groaned. All his peace and calm fled in an instant, replaced by lust and a tenderness that nearly dropped him to his knees.
He kissed her, not with passion, but with love. Gently, he laved her abused bottom lip before deepening the caress. Other than his hand on her chin the only place they touched were their mouths, yet Darian’s body was on fire.
It would always be this way. He knew it to the depths of his soul and accepted it.
When he released her and stepped back, he’d made his decision. “I will stay with you.”
Sam’s mouth dropped open. He could tell his pronouncement stunned her. Did she think they would both leave her here alone? Or perhaps she didn’t want him here. She might as well run his sword through his heart if that was the case.
“Do you not want me to stay?” He squared his shoulders and watched her face. Confusion and hope warred there, but both were chased away by a deep sadness.
Sam wrapped her arms around herself and shook her head. “As much as I want you to stay I can’t let you.”
Now he was confused. “Why not?”
Sam didn’t know how much more she could take before she collapsed in a heap of tears and regret. Her body ached from their sexual play last night. Both men had been insatiable, taking her again and again. She was sore, but she didn’t regret last night. No woman could have felt more wanted and cared for then she did.
Emotionally, she was a wreck. She’d left Jace in bed and come downstairs to find Darian. What a sight he’d made, wearing only his leather pants and the familiar bands on his arms, as he’d trained with his sword. Swinging the weapon as though it was as light as a feather, he’d moved through a series of intricate movements that reminded her somewhat of martial arts stances. It was a mesmerizing, deadly display of raw power and very, very hot.
Sam had settled herself to the fact that both men were leaving today and now Darian had thrown this latest revelation at her. “Because, you can’t.” Great, that was totally articulate. She sighed and shook her head. “You can’t do that to your mother.” No way was she being responsible for breaking up a family.
She’d give anything to have her family back. A deep well of pain and emptiness filled her. She desperately wanted a family and he was willing to give his up.
Darian returned his sword to its protective sheath and propped it against the porch railing. “My mother will understand and she will have Jace. If I leave, you will be all alone.”
His words sliced through her like a blade. Alone, as she’d been all these months.
The door opened behind her and Jace joined them. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, snuggling against her from behind. She leaned against his strength even as she berated herself for doing so. She couldn’t get used to depending on either of them.
“What is wrong?” Jace’s deep voice rumbled through her. She loved the sound of it, the deepness, the hint of command.
“Nothing,” she replied.
“I told her I was staying,” Darian said at the same time.
Jace tensed behind her but then he relaxed. “I expected as much.”
She whirled in his arms and shoved against his chest until he backed up a step. Like his brother, Jace was naked except for his leather pants, which hung low on his hips. His hair fell around his shoulders with the familiar skinny braids on either side. A lot of men would have looked awkward or even feminine wearing two braids in their hair. Not Jace. If anything it accentuated the sheer masculinity of his face.
“He can’t stay. I already told him that.” Why wouldn’t either of them listen to her?
Jace frowned. “You do not wish him to stay?”