“That’s it. You’re such a good girl.”

  The voice in my head refused to go away. Suddenly, my pussy was throbbing, my panties damp. With the few men I’d dated in my life, none had ever attempted to take control of the limited relationship. Not once. I chewed on my bottom lip, thinking about his overt question.

  “It depends on what you have in mind.”

  “Let’s just say I’ll provide you with the kind of enjoyment that you’ve likely never experienced before.” He took his time pressing his knuckle back and forth across my pursed lips. While I didn’t know him, I found the move one of the most sensual I’d felt in a long time.

  “That does sound… fascinating.”

  “I assure you I don’t bite, although I do very bad things to naughty girls.”

  “Whips, chains, and ball gags?”

  His eyes opened wide and he gripped my chin between his thumb and forefinger. At that point, I was certain he could gather a whiff of my desire. Instead of being embarrassed, I was so aroused, I couldn’t think clearly.

  “Yes, and many other depraved acts. However, a spanking is always necessary to help a woman fully understanding her requirement to surrender.”

  Just the way he lowered his voice was enticing. Maybe I was crazy, but this was the kind of risk that could bring a sweet reward. “Then I guess it’s a good thing I’m a very good girl.”

  “That remains to be seen. If you aren’t, I have no issue taking you over my lap, spanking your bottom until its crimson.”

  Dear God, as my pussy muscles clenched and released, I had a terrible feeling I might climax right there.

  He captured my mouth, holding our lips together in quiet reverence. Then his grip tightened, pulling me even closer as the moment of passion developed an intense urgency. I pressed my hand against his chest, and the moment my index finger found his heated skin, the tip was seared. Electricity spiraled between us to the point of being out of control. As his tongue dominated mine, sweeping back and forth as if in a desperate need to taste, I swooned from his powerful touch.

  That never happened to me.

  Unable to stop myself, a moan rushed up from my core, Hunter capturing it and issuing a growl in response. I was lost in the moment, stars floating in front of my eyes. I raked my fingernails up and down, my panties soaked from the desire roaring through me. Everything was a beautiful blur, and letting go with the stunning stranger felt perfect.

  He pulled me from the chair and onto his lap, keeping his firm hold. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and when he jerked me closer, the feel of his hard cock pressing into me electrified every muscle.

  But with all deliriously delicious things, the powerful moment shared came to an abrupt end when someone invaded our space, clearing his throat.

  Hunter didn’t react for a few seconds, choosing to continue tasting me, or perhaps he was laying claim. When he did pull back, it wasn’t before he nipped my lower lip. The slight shot of pain was a strangely addictive reward, my nipples aching more than before.

  “I see you waste no time.”

  The deep male voice was easily recognizable. Now I had a name to add to the chiseled face.

  Cain Cross.

  As I glanced up towards the sound, his gaze held mine, and I was certain I heard rumbles of thunder in the distance announcing his presence.

  Hunter rose to his feet, easing me to my chair, then folding his arms as a grin popped across his face. “You made it, buddy.”

  I sat back down, immediately reaching for my champagne glass. I couldn’t get the phrase ‘little pet’ out of my mind, and it was the strangest thing, along with writing the story I had the night before.

  Cain wasn’t alone, the man standing beside him utter perfection in tight black jeans and a casual white shirt, the sleeves rolled up exposing bronzed skin and colorful tattoos. The material was so thin, the light breeze continuously exposed his carved abdomen. Broad shoulders accompanied a long, muscular torso, thighs that I could barely surround three quarters with both hands.

  He threw his hand out, Hunter eagerly shaking it. When Hunter pulled him in for a bear hug, that was a clear indication the three men were close.

  “You know I wouldn’t miss our little get togethers for the world,” the stranger teased, then tossed me a quick look. “I heard about your near… accident. I think the three of us should talk and compare notes.”

  The way he chose his words so carefully indicated he was doing his best to hide something from me. Why did it sound ominous?

  Hunter nodded, shifting his gaze back and forth between the two men. “I don’t think the challenge I faced was by accident or coincidence.”

  “Agreed,” Cain said under his breath, his piercing eyes locked onto mine. I’d never felt so uncomfortable in my life, the man so dominating my chest tightened.

  “Any indication our friend is moving?” Hunter asked as he absently ran his fingers through several strands of hair.

  “Not that I’ve been able to detect. However, I do have some information both of you need to hear.” The stranger’s voice deepened, the man just as careful with his words as Hunter had been.

  Cain was furious, but not with what his friend had said. “We should have handled the situation before.”

  “Maybe so. Time to let it go, gentlemen. Remember, I’m enjoying a lovely Sunday morning.” Hunter turned his head, grinning at me.

  “Ah, yes. The beautiful woman. I must admit I’m envious,” the stranger murmured, his tone sending a series of sparking bolts into every muscle in my body.

  When the stranger removed his dark shades and directed his attention to me, an involuntary gasp left my throat, which amused the new god-like creature and annoyed the hell out of Cain. His eyes were green like the warmest waters of the Aegean Sea. It wasn’t possible that three perfect creations were standing inches apart.

  Suddenly, I was overwhelmed with pheromones, longing to lick every inch of what appeared to be eight pack abs.

  Jesus. A little sexual banter, a heated exchange, an even hotter kiss, and I was in the throes of committing every dark sin.

  I lifted my head, locking my gaze with Cain’s. The look of possession I’d seen before had almost been crowded out by the reflection of jealousy in his cold, dark gray eyes. The look was so… obsessively enraged that I had difficulty pulling away.

  Until the stranger spoke.

  “Rose Sadler from Halo. How in the hell did you get so lucky to have her grace your dilapidated hotel? She’s far too fabulous to accept your paltry rates.” He grinned and that shattered the insane spell, all three men laughing. It was obvious they were friends, and I’d noticed they were wearing identical rings. Besides, I doubted a man like Cain would allow anyone to disrespect him that way.

  “I assure you that she came with a price,” Cain said through gritted teeth.

  Why did I suddenly have the feeling the price was my complete surrender to three, gorgeous rogues?

  And why didn’t that bother me in the least?

  “Rose, this is Cristiano Moreno,” Cain said, studying my reaction carefully. “And it would seem you’ve met my other good friend, Hunter.”

  “We were just getting to know each other more personally,” Hunter mused, then gripped my shoulder. What was it with men who thought they needed to advise every other male within seeing or hearing range that the woman he wanted to fuck was off limits? Should I be annoyed or flattered?

  For a few seconds, my thoughts drifted to the story I’d mysteriously written in the middle of the night, and for once, I wondered if I might be able to pry myself out of my conservative shell. What was the worst that could happen by having a wicked, filthy tryst with three god-like creatures?

  Then I remembered something my mother had told me more than once.

  “Nothing good happens from an incident of wanton sin.”

  Maybe my mama was wrong. Or maybe I was tired of living in the shadows while my alternate personality took the lead on stage and in every aspect of my life.

  I’d become an excellent observer over the years, something I’d learned as a performer. I could weed out the stalkers and other freaks with uncanny accuracy. However, with the three men who’d suddenly appeared in my life, I wasn’t able to grasp their true personalities versus their practiced, perfect facades and obvious long-term connection.

  However, what I did know left me wondering if I was losing my mind.

  All three were fantastically gorgeous.

  All three radiated a dark intensity that had absorbed almost every female’s attention for as far as I could see. Whether eighteen or eighty, every chick was planning on my slow demise.

  All three exuded the kind of brutal danger that should have me running far away.

  The worst realization of all was that a teensy, tiny part of me wanted nothing more than to be sandwiched between all three.

  Because that was exactly where I belonged.

  CHAPTER 15

  Cain

  Goddamn it, I wanted her. Not just for a quick passionate tryst or even for the duration of her time spent in my resort, but because I’d been unable to sleep during the few hours I’d had to myself.

  Visions of her face and her imagined naked body had continued to plague my mind until I’d finally given up, going to the gym for two hours straight.

  My good mood would ordinarily be driven into the toilet at this point except that the perpetrator of the egregious afront was one of my two best friends. However, seeing Hunter with Rose had driven a shot of jealousy into my system, which was a feeling I hadn’t experienced in years.

  Hmmm… since seeing Theodore with his filthy hands on Sage. While the few women I’d dated had been beautiful by any man’s standards, none of them had provoked the green-eyed monster into rearing from his lair.

  This was entirely unexpected.

  Rose tilted her head, using her hand to keep the glare from the sun out of her eyes. She studied me as if uncertain she wanted to give me the time of day after our exchange the night before. Fortunately, the dazzling light couldn’t hide the dark craving or the look of desire she had. Unless I was wrong, she felt that way about all three of us.

  “My,” she said in a strong voice. “The three of you look as if you’re ready to take down a heavyweight champion.”

  Hunter grinned, and I was certain Cristiano had plans on ravaging her body at some point soon. I certainly couldn’t blame him.

  “We’ve been known to handle certain issues together.” I was curious as to what her response would be.

  “I’ve heard you’re a dangerous man, Mr. Cross. In fact, I was warned about you.”

  “I’m certain you were. They were right to do so.” I heard the hint of amusement in my voice.

  She shifted her gaze slowly to Cristiano. “And you? Should I be leery if I run into you in a darkened hallway?”

  Cristiano crouched down next to her, taking her hand into his. When he rubbed her knuckles across his lips, she took an audible breath. “Yes, you should be very afraid. I regularly hunt beautiful women, taking them back to my castle where I perform filthy, sinful acts.”

  “You should know very little either bothers or terrifies me, especially after the things I’ve seen while touring the world.”

  Her answer brought a smile to Cristiano’s face, which was rare. “A woman after my own heart.”

  “Be careful, brother. She sees right through entitled bullshit,” Hunter said, half laughing.

  Rose turned her full attention to Hunter, the spark in her eyes what I wanted to see. “I already know you have sharp teeth.”

  I was tossed back in time to our plans with Sage, the desire to keep her stronger than any of us had wanted to admit. While a percentage of women might enjoy the thought of having a foursome for only one night, there were very few women who would likely enjoy more than a couple of days.

  Especially if they weren’t in charge, which she would never be.

  How long had it been since I’d allowed my mind to go off the deep end? It was impractical to think she could be mine for anything other than a single taste.

  Or was it?

  “Yes, I do. We’ll be right back,” Hunter told her, the smug look on his face forcing a smile. He’d sensed the level of irritation seeing the two of them together had created. He knew my mood swings better than Cristiano, something I doubted he’d ever let me forget. I’d been a very bad boy during my time at the City of Hope.

  “There’s a good chance I won’t be here,” Rose retorted, giving the three of us a playful but heated glare.

  He bent over, placing his hands on either side of the armrests of her chair. “Then I guess I’ll need to live up to my name, but I wouldn’t just use my sharp teeth in order to catch you.”

  While it was only brief, the flash of mischief in her eyes shifted to an unrecognizable emotion that I couldn’t read. After blinking twice, she obviously shook off whatever had troubled her, pushing his chest gently. “You boys obviously don’t know what I’m made of. Perhaps it’s time for you to find out.”

  Cristiano issued a low, husky growl, which further amused her. Her laugh was spectacular, just throaty enough to make a man weak in his knees.

  And in my case, my cock hard as a rock.

  Hunter added his own growl as he returned to his full height, lifting his eyebrows as he tossed me a look. When one side of his mouth quirked, I knew exactly what he was thinking.

  That she could be another conquest. It had been his way of making a suggestion back in our arrogant-as-fuck days.

  We headed towards the bar located on the second floor. I’d been curious as to why a special request had been made to block off the most prestigious area for outside dining. Now, I knew why. Hunter had paid a pretty penny to ensure his request was filled.

  “I’m sorry to hear about your father, Cris,” Hunter said first.

  Cristiano laughed. “Don’t be, my friend. I killed him with my bare hands. It was time for him to die.”

  I watched as Hunter’s face became clouded, which meant the man had changed significantly. He’d once enjoyed the chase and the kill as much as I did. Or maybe he simply didn’t have it in him to commit patricide.

  “We all have our crosses to bear.” Hunter’s answer amused the hell out of me, but Cristiano seemed to reflect on the words.

  We’d all changed significantly over the years, no longer the eager kids who were certain they could conquer anything tossed in front of them. While I was no shrink, I’d venture a guess that loneliness had taken a toll. When on top of any industry, trusting anyone enough to allow them into our world was dangerous.

  A quiet tension settled between us, the three of us occupying the moment of silence by staring at our lovely companion.

  “God. The woman is a tease. It’s obvious why she sells millions of CDs, sold out concerts everywhere.” Cristiano shook his head.

  “She certainly doesn’t mince words,” I told them. My cock was still aching, the desire for her keeping a wave of electricity coursing through me.

  “You were right about Rose, Cain. Her performance last night was spectacular,” Hunter said as he started the conversation.

  “Do you mean before or after you took her to bed?” Perhaps I was more irritated than I thought.

  “Here we go. Why is it that every time we get together, you two fight like fucking brothers?” Cristiano asked.

  “Because we are brothers,” I snapped. “She is beautiful, and she’s a challenging woman.”

  “She is, but well worth getting to know.”

  Cristiano sighed. “Those days are over. Besides, we have business to discuss.”

  “He’s right, but I didn’t mean to jump on you, Hunter. She doesn’t belong to me. This crap with the rise of The Iceman from the dead and good ole Theodore’s father igniting his lynch mob again has obviously gotten under my skin. We need to figure out what the hell is going on. If The Iceman has returned to active status, then he’s just getting started.”

  “You were almost killed?” Cristiano asked as he nodded toward Hunter.

  “Yeah. I don’t have any doubts it was The Iceman.”

  “By my calculations, that would make him somewhere around seventy-five years old,” Cristiano offered as he glanced back and forth between us.

  “How do you know this?”

  “The stories about him go back at least fifty years. Hell, my father swears he met him a long time ago. And I’m not kidding.” He leaned against the bar, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I don’t know about you, but I can’t see a seventy-year-old scaling walls and jumping from building to building.”

  “Have a little ageism, why don’t you?” Hunter teased.

  “Be real. You know the business we’re all in is brutal on the body as well as the soul. Besides, if the assassin had wanted you dead, you’d be dead.”

  I took a deep breath. Cristiano’s claim was fairly accurate. If what Hunter told me about the circumstances was true, then by all rights he should be nothing but ashes in a box, the assassin’s bullet hitting its mark. “How do you account for the fact that Hunter’s assassin had the same scar on his hand?” Maybe I was trying to make sense of what had occurred.

  “You just think it’s the same one. You were twelve, for fuck’s sake,” Hunter said. “Not to berate you, but there was a violent storm going on, and it was dark?”

  “There are some things people can’t forget, even at twelve.” I turned my head towards him, almost wanting to be furious, but I understood why he wasn’t convinced. Meanwhile, I’d built my adult life around the certainty that The Iceman had been responsible. What if there was someone else pretending to be the man?

  No, I had enough crosses to bear to worry about that.

  “Look, I’m not suggesting anything, and I’m not saying it’s impossible. I’m just reminding all three of us that what went on in college stays there. Plus, if you are right that Sage’s father was The Iceman, after her death, he went into a freefall for a few years, finally falling off the radar. Last he and his wife were seen, they were living in Fiji. Plus, not a single other soul made the connection that Xavier Winters was The Iceman. Not one.”