CHAPTER THREE: CONNIE

CONNIE WAS glad to see Kit so relaxed, especially after the scare he’d had earlier.

Why Don was stalking Kit was a question they needed an answer to. Was it on orders from Lennox? They knew Don worked for Lennox, so maybe it was nothing more than a recon mission.

Don had better hope they never got their hands on him.

A smile teased Connie’s lips as he observed the bemused expression on Kit’s face. Hudson’s boastful declaration to throw money at any wedding-related problem that may arise clearly left Kit feeling out of his depth. Kit really didn’t know what he was dealing with. That much was obvious.

Worst-case scenario? Hudson would use his dragon charm and cunning negotiation skills to strike a deal that the owner of the Monarch Hotel simply couldn’t refuse.

Then he’d cancel whatever grand wedding party was scheduled for the coveted date that Kit had his heart set on. Was that a ruthless thing to do?

Yes.

Welcome to dealing with dragons.

Hudson would reimburse the humans whose wedding was canceled, of course. His king wasn’t a complete asshole. Connie was pretty sure Hudson would also help the humans find another venue, and even call in favors to help them out.

Despite his tough exterior, Hudson truly cared about the well-being of those around him, human or otherwise. It was why he and his mother didn’t see eye to eye on the subject of humans. So, yes, ruthless, but not without sympathy. That pretty much summed up Hudson.

Whatever Kit wanted, the two of them would do their dead level best to provide. Kit was their most important treasure.

The absolute fear that had gripped him when Kit first called earlier had been nearly paralyzing. Hot on the heels of that had been anger.

The constant threat to their mate was becoming annoying, and Connie was getting damn tired of it. Nothing happened this time, but what about the next? There didn’t need to be a next time, dammit.

As much as he wanted to lock Kit up and never let him leave the compound, he knew that wasn’t a viable solution, but something had to change.

He grabbed Kit’s foot as his mate’s toes teased his thigh. Kit hadn’t worn his white swimsuit that turned sheer when it was wet this time, unfortunately, but that didn’t mean he was any less sexy.

He’d piled his hair on top of his head, but a couple of strands had fallen loose. The simple blue swim trunks were a little big on him, but that was because he’d swiped Connie’s.

Warmth spread in his chest at seeing his mate wearing his clothing. He also noticed Kit was doing that more and more often—swiping a pair of Connie’s shorts or a shirt of Hudson’s when they were relaxing. Connie’s dragon preened every time he saw Kit in an article of their clothing.

As they talked about their wedding, Hudson scooted nearer to Kit. Catching Connie’s eye, Hudson motioned for Connie to move closer on the other side of their mate. It was subtle, but they slowly caged Kit in.

“Okay, the Monarch Hotel it is! And why are you both sitting so close all of a sudden?” Kit asked.

Turning slightly, Connie rested his hand on Kit’s thigh. Hudson gently grasped Kit’s chin, turning their mate’s head toward him. Connie’s hand continued its journey, inching higher up Kit’s thigh as Hudson pressed their lips together in a possessive kiss.

The heat between them was palpable, their connection undeniable as they claimed their mate together.

Kit’s wineglass wobbled dangerously, threatening to spill its contents, but Connie rescued the glass and carefully set it back down. Then his focus returned to working his hand toward his prize.

After what seemed like an eternity, he deftly slid his hand up the leg hole of Kit’s swimming trunks, sending a rush of heat through his body as he wrapped his fingers around his mate’s cock.

He stroked Kit from tip to root, feeling him tremble. Leaning closer, he pressed his lips to the side of Kit’s neck as he rubbed his crotch. Kit responded eagerly, his hands reaching for Connie with a sense of urgency.

The unmistakable hardness under his hand only fueled his desire. The air was thick with electricity and every movement felt charged, as if they were creating a storm between them.

He rubbed relentlessly as Hudson dominated the kiss. Kit thrust up his hips, grinding his cock against Connie’s hand. He wanted Kit—wanted to strip him, kiss every inch of skin, cover his mate in his scent, then bury his cock as far as he could in Kit’s hot little hole.

The lemony scent of magnolias rose on the waves of steam from the hot tub as he sucked at Kit’s throat, the saltiness of his skin a treat on his tongue. Connie sucked harder, leaving a mark, and Kit moaned into Hudson’s mouth.

Connie’s cock swelled, his erection getting strangled by his trunks. So good. Kit smelled so good, so like his. He tucked Kit’s trunks under his balls and grasped his cock.

Kit lurched into his hold, moaning loudly as Connie stroked him. Connie released the tender skin he’d been lovingly abusing and admired his mark on his mate.

Tearing his mouth from Hudson, Kit arched into Connie’s grasp again. Turning, he locked eyes with Connie. “Proud of that, are you?”

“Absolutely. I want everyone to know who you belong to.” Connie let go of Kit’s cock and rubbed his thumb across Kit’s kiss-swollen lips.

Hudson growled in agreement.

Kit jumped as Hudson’s hand disappeared into the water. “Oh yeah. Touch me too, mate.”

Hudson leaned into Kit, running his nose up Kit’s throat toward his ear. Kit shivered as Hudson decided to add his own mark to Kit’s neck.

A small grin lit Kit’s face as he kissed Connie’s fingers. “Mmm. You guys like marking me?”

Both he and Hudson growled. At the same time. Because yes, they most definitely did like that. Hudson opened his eyes long enough for Connie to see they were the color of his dragon.

Connie’s vison was sharper, so his eyes had also changed. Kit seemed to have that effect on their dragons, and Connie loved that he did. He gulped. Funny how that was the first word that popped in his head.

Their bond quivered with surprise and joy. Oh by the Flames, did Kit pick up on that? Did he want Kit to pick that up?

“That’s a yes if I ever heard one. You know, maybe the three of us should think about getting a tattoo. Something that signifies the three of us belong together. We’ll talk about that later, because first—” Kit nipped Connie’s finger… then he took it into his mouth.

Heat.

Wetness.

Connie forgot about what Kit might or might not have picked up through the bond as Kit swirled his tongue around Connie’s finger. Holy dragon gods, that felt fabulous. Passion ripped through him, and his heart rate spiked.

“Suck,” Connie demanded.

Connie closed his eyes as Kit obeyed, his cock twitching. Kit flicked his tongue, doing things that were probably illegal in some states. His eyes sprang open. Holy hell, where had Kit learned that ?

Hudson left his mark and was now also watching Kit, a hungry look on his face. His fist was also working quickly under the bubbling water.

A low, grumbling purr escaped Connie as his dick pressed against his trunks, aching. “That’s a talented tongue you have there. Can’t wait to feel it on my cock.”

Kit smirked. Reaching up, he wrapped his hand around Connie’s wrist. Then he opened his mouth and showed Connie just how agile his tongue really was.

“Fuck,” Connie moaned. “I swear, if you don’t want my dick there, stop. I can’t take much more.”

Kit let Connie’s finger slip out.

Connie was so hard he could pound nails. Kit’s gaze was hazy as he watched Connie. Beyond Kit’s shoulder, Hudson’s gaze burned. Connie hooked his hand behind Kit’s neck and dragged him closer. They met halfway and their tongues tangled.

Thrusting his tongue inside, Connie tasted wine and something that was uniquely his mate. Their tongues dueled, but Kit allowed Connie to take over. The kiss grew hotter, more urgent. Demanding. Fuck, Connie wanted him. Now. His dragon rumbled in agreement.

“Mmm.” Connie ended the kiss. “Going to make you writhe for me, going to claim all of you, babe.”

Kit’s lips touched Connie’s. It was so sweet, so loving. So very loving. Hope blossomed in Connie’s chest.

Was this coming from Kit? Was he developing that type of feeling for him and Hudson already? There was affection there, and chemistry. Attraction and compatibility were definitely growing between the three of them. But love? Was it too soon to hope for that?

“Bedroom,” Kit whispered against Connie’s lips.

Then Kit nipped Connie’s ear. He shuddered as fire flowed through his body. The next thing he knew, he was pulling Kit out of the water. Grabbing his hand, Connie tugged Kit behind him as he headed toward the sliding glass door that would lead to their bedroom.

He heard Hudson chuckle as he followed them from the hot tub. Hearing him, Connie tossed a grin over his shoulder at his other mate.

But before they stepped inside, Hudson pulled them both to a stop. “Sweetheart, let’s dry off before we go in. We don’t want to get him cold.”

“I’m sure the two of you will warm me up quickly,” Kit said. But then he held his arms out. “But feel free to dry me off, by all means.”

Connie didn’t have to be told twice. He caught the towel Hudson tossed him and knelt at Kit’s feet. Lovingly, he started to wipe the beads of water away as Hudson did the same higher up. As Connie worked his way up, he was greeted by something hard sticking up in Kit’s trunks.

Connie gently pressed a kiss to it.

“Mother of all, let’s get inside. Like, now would be good,” Kit begged.

They barely made it into the bedroom before Kit came to a stop. Turning, Connie looked back at Kit, wondering what the holdup was. Bed. They needed to be in bed.

Hudson held Kit trapped in his embrace. As Connie watched, Hudson’s fingers brushed against Kit’s skin, and Kit sucked his stomach in. Maintaining eye contact with Connie, he slowly slid Kit’s trunks down his legs, baring their mate to their eyes.

Kit stepped out of the trunks and then undid his hair. Waves of light brown hair fell past his shoulders. The slight scruff on his face only added to his beauty.

Smoke curled from Connie’s nose. They needed to be in bed. Turning, he hurried to it, sending the pillows flying. He yanked the covers back. Blood pounded in his head.

“Eager, huh?” Kit’s smile lit up the room as he approached.

Connie kicked his trunks off and wrapped a hand around his cock, stroking steadily. “Hell yes.”

Hudson nodded at Connie’s hand. “Then let go of that.”

Connie’s toes curled at Hudson’s command, even as he questioned if he could follow it. Did he want to follow it? Well, yeah, he did, but maybe not immediately.

When Hudson grumbled, Connie felt the demand in his bones. So maybe he did want to listen and let go.

“On the bed, Connie, on your back. Legs hanging off the side,” Hudson growled.

Connie shivered at the deepness of Hudson’s voice. So did Kit. They both loved it when the dragon showed up to play. Connie sprawled on the bed as he was told.

“Between his legs, Kit,” Hudson demanded.

Connie took a deep breath. He wanted Kit’s mouth on him in the worst way, but he didn’t want this to end too soon, either. He spread his legs, and Kit moved between them.

Kit ran his hands up Connie’s legs. “Open.”

Connie let his legs fall open.

Kit didn’t waste time. He swallowed Connie’s cock, and all thoughts fell out of his head. Kit bobbed up and down, sucking strongly and doing things with his tongue that made Connie see stars.

He lifted his head so he could watch Kit, and he was dimly aware that Hudson had opened the end table and gotten the lube. Hudson stripped, then stepped behind Kit.

Kit’s hands landed on Connie’s hips as Hudson covered his fingers with lube and reached behind Kit.

Connie grabbed a handful of Kit’s hair.

Kit moaned, gripping Connie’s hips as he did something crazy with his tongue around the head of Connie’s cock. Connie’s eyes rolled, and then Kit suddenly deep-throated him.

His eyes fucking crossed. He tightened his hand in Kit’s hair and thrust madly. Hudson grinned at Connie, fangs bared as he did something to Kit that made Kit moan shamelessly.

Kit glanced up Connie’s body and made eye contact. Connie stared into those gorgeous hazel eyes. Beautiful. Just beautiful. Seeing Kit’s lips stretched around his cock was a filthy pleasure he wanted to see for the rest of his life.

With a whine threatening to escape, Connie fought not to come. Just as he was getting ready to blow his load, Kit pulled off.

“No, no, not yet! Kit, come on, I’m right there!”

“Exactly. You think I couldn’t feel how close you were? The bond was shouting how close you were.”

“And I’ll be ready to go again in a few minutes. Dragon, remember?”

“I’m so jealous. Okay, fine, then. But do as I say,” Kit added. “Fold your arms under your head and leave them there.”

A small grin played on Connie’s lips as he positioned his arms. This was hot. Plus, he had the perfect view of Kit between his legs, but he could also see Hudson just behind Kit. His cock certainly liked the view. It lay hard against his stomach.

“Hike your leg up, and bend your other leg, but leave it flat on the bed.”

Connie arranged himself as he was told, which really opened him up.

“Give me your hand,” Hudson growled from behind Kit.

Kit reached back.

A few seconds later, there was a soft touch at his hole as Kit’s lips meandered across Connie’s stomach. His breath trembled in his lungs. Dragon sex was often rough and tumble, but the gentle, loving touch Kit used also appealed to Connie.

It was something he didn’t even know he needed or wanted. It just reinforced how perfect Kit was for them. Kit rubbed Connie’s hole, then eased his finger inside.

There was no pain, but he wasn’t expecting any. Kit was much too gentle for that. But he needed more. Almost as if Kit knew that, he pressed in deeper. Then he added a second finger, crooked those digits, and nailed Connie’s hot spot.

Connie’s toes curled as his cock jumped, smearing precome on his belly. Kit lapped at it, and Connie watched.

A strange purring growl exploded from him, and a tingle started at the base of his spine. With a clear demand, he thrust his cock at Kit.