Chapter 44

Forty-Four

Sleep came easily that night. I spent it wrapped around Heart, but when I awake the next morning, I'm alone in my tent. I stretch and pull on some loose clothing, the need to be comfortable strong today. I put my hair up on the top of my head in a bun and step out into the sunshine. It's strange to think there's a sense of doom hanging over us and that Roger could mess this all up, but for today, we're in a different town, far from the cops who found us, and the sun is shining.

I go in search of the others but find their tents empty. No doubt they are off completing their tasks for the day. Today, I don't have anything to do, as we're already set up and everyone has their tasks. Later, I'll find Hilda and we'll ask the cards for clarification on the looming threat, but for now, there's nothing to do but enjoy myself.

I don't find any of the men in the food tent, nor in any of the surrounding ones. When I ask Dr. Louie if he's seen them, he informs me that Diamond and Heart went to hang up posters around town for the show but that he thought he saw Club and Spade in the circus tent, so that's where I head. I wonder if they are practicing a new act. I love when they try something new. It seems as if they are never happy with the same old performances. They are always learning and pushing themselves harder. When I enter the circus tent, however, it's empty save for long ribbons hanging from the rafters.

I frown, looking up at the new streamers in confusion. I touch them and find they are soft but sturdy, the bright red fabric clearly meant for something other than decoration. The ribbons are wide when I pull them open but easily scrunch together. As I look at them, the other ribbon suddenly jerks away and wraps around me, capturing me. When I see Club's teasing face through the ribbons around me, I relax. For a moment, I reached for the knife at my hip.

"What are you doing?" I laugh, trying to free myself and failing. "Is this your attempt to capture me?"

"It isn't an attempt if I'm successful," he teases, leaning in for a kiss. "Good morning."

"Good morning," I reply. "Is this for something new?"

He nods. "Spade had the wonderful idea of trying an aerial silk act. I'm not so sure myself. Being in the air is usually Heart's thing."

"Heart would love this," Spade says as he appears behind Club. He, too, leans in to kiss me. "But he's not the only one who can fly."

"I prefer to have my feet on the ground," Club reasons. "I don't think this is for me."

"Nonsense." Spade tsks. He reaches for the silk I'm not wrapped up in and tugs. "I saw this act at another circus we passed before you came along, Ember, and I've been searching for the silks ever since. I finally found them, so now you get to witness our attempts."

Club rolls his eyes. "How exciting."

Spade taps his shoulder, running his eyes over him in a lingering way that heats my skin. "You're limber enough, so this should be easy for you, sword swallower. Don't discount yourself just yet." He eyes me. "I'd wager Queen would also be great at it."

I perk up. "I can try." Then I remember Dr. Louie's warning. "As long as I don't drop too hard on my leg. Dr. Louie says I need to be careful."

Spade nods. "Then you will wait. When he clears you, we'll string you up in silks." When my eyes darken with his words, he clears his throat. "Of course, we could always suspend you without danger of injury."

Club brightens. "I like that idea better."

"I don't want to get in the way of your practice," I murmur. "I can leave if it'll help."

"No," Spade says, shaking his head. "You're staying. Practice first. Fun later."

The next hour is spent with me watching them attempt different holds in the silks. Spade is probably the best teacher for this. He's patient and soft-spoken. When Club gets annoyed with a particular hold not working, Spade is there to reassure and realign him. Both of them learn together as a unit, and I know eventually, they'll be able to bring this act to the show, the tiger tamer and the sword swallower, dancing in silks. When Club says he needs a break, they stop, and Spade looks over at me. Both of them are covered in a fine sheen of sweat. It highlights their muscles as they stand in their skintight pants, looking at me.

"Ember," Spade begins, and the way he says my name makes me sit up straighter. "Come here."

Spade is always the sweet one, and his command comes in his soft, tender voice, but there's something firm in his words, as if it leaves no room for argument. I stand immediately and walk over to him, desperate to know what he has planned for me.

"Were you paying attention?" he asks.

I nod. "It's all in your hold and the way you wrap the silks."

"Good girl," he murmurs. It's the same voice he uses on Freedom. It's the difference between leading with love and anger. Spade gives his love to those he cares for freely.

"You can't go too high," he says, "or Dr. Louie will have my head, but we can show you."

Club reaches up for the silk and wraps it around my waist before tying it at my back. "Or we can simply have you," he whispers in my ear. He tightens the knot before I can answer, and my heart rate kicks up a notch. I tug at it, but it holds strong, keeping me bound between them. Club kicks my feet out from beneath me, and I swing up with a screech until I'm upside down. Club holds me still, so that my head hangs level with Spade's pelvis. He strokes my legs before he grabs my pants and tugs them up and off, leaving me bare, then he slowly spreads my legs. My hands shoot out to latch onto Spade's thighs in an attempt to steady myself.

"Look at you, already glistening for us," Spade purrs. "We haven't even touched you yet."

I gasp as one of them swipes a finger through my wetness, testing me. "Watching you is sexy," I admit. This position makes all the blood rush to my head, but I manage to steady myself and form a coherent thought. "Of course I'm wet."

Club groans at my admission. "You're practically dripping, baby. I can't wait to bury myself inside you, but first . . ." He kneels so he can see my face. "I want to see you suck Spade's cock like this." He reaches up and pulls Spade's pants down, revealing his hard length.

For a moment, my breath freezes in my chest. Spade grasps himself and tries to step back, but Club grabs his hips with a chuckle and tugs him forward. As I watch, wide-eyed, Club's hands slide up Spade's body, making him shudder and release a tormented sigh.

"Look how hard he is for you, so ready for you to swallow him." Club's hands slide lower, and as I watch, he circles Spade's length, making him jerk in his fist.

"Club," Spade warns, his voice breathless, but he doesn't sound angry—no, he sounds desperate.

I glance up at Spade to his wide eyes burning brightly, looking between Club and me like he can't make up his mind. Dropping my gaze once more, I watch Club stroke Spade's length, pumping him until he whimpers.

"I don't want him to come anywhere but in that pretty mouth. Next time, though, I might just let him." Spade and I groan at that idea as Club grabs my head and directs me forward, pressing my lips to the tip where a bead of precum appears. "Open wide, little star."

I do so without question, parting my lips. Spade isn't rough, but Club grabs a fistful of my hair and swings me forward so I gag on Spade's cock. The momentum moves me back again before I can truly choke, but Spade takes over and follows me, gently thrusting down my throat, his soft groans filling the air alongside the sounds coming from me.

"That's it," Club purrs. "You take him so well."

My pussy clenches at his praise, and I'm desperate for more, but suspended as I am, I'm at their mercy. When Club stands and disappears, I try to anticipate where he'll touch me. Spade suddenly bottoms out in my throat, pressing inside as Club tilts me, my spine bowing as Spade keeps my head pressed back. I'm parallel with the ground now, floating in the air between them, but Spade doesn't stop. The way my back is bowed is almost painful, but I forget that the moment I feel someone's mouth on my core. I cry out around Spade's cock, my body starting to shake.

Spade strokes my neck as he presses inside, his hands exploring my throat moving around him. "So beautiful. You're so perfect, it should be a crime."

Club swirls his tongue around my clit, his fingers probing my entrance, and I explode so fast, I nearly convulse with my surprise. My legs shake as they drape over his shoulders, weak from such a quick release. He hums against me, sending sharp tingles through my core, and stands.

"You taste just as good as you look," he purrs before I feel him settle between my thighs. "I need you so badly. Come on my cock next, Queen. Mark me with your release."

He thrusts inside me. I'm so wet, he meets no resistance as he bottoms out and immediately pulls out to slam in again. I cry out when Spade pulls back, but it's cut off when he slides into my throat. They match their rhythms, Spade pressing in when Club pulls out of my pussy, Club pushing in when Spade pulls out. They fuck me with wild abandon in the middle of the circus tent, suspended from a silk. I convulse between them, my body no longer my own, my cum dripping to the floor below. Fingers stroke my entire body as they fuck me. My hands can do nothing but hold on. I have no control at all, and I love it.

Spade groans, his hand clamping around my throat as his pumping grows erratic.

"Not yet," Club growls. "A few more seconds."

"I can't," Spade rasps. "I'm going to come."

Club furiously thrusts inside me, hard and fast, his body beginning to tighten. I shatter between them, my body convulsing over and over again as they race to their own orgasms.

"Now," Club growls just as he slams inside me and holds, his cock jumping in my core, forcing me into another release. I can't cry out because Spade does the same to my throat, filling it until it spills out around my lips and drips down my cheeks. When they finish, they pull out, leaving me suspended between them until they gently unwrap me and lower me to the ground.

"That's our queen," Club coos as they embrace me, his mouth sliding over the mess on my face—Spade's mess. "So perfect and ours."

They drop tiny, featherlight kisses over my face, down my neck, and along my shoulders, and I can't help the goose bumps that erupt along my arms. I let them hold me, let them love me, and when I wrap my arms around them and sigh, they nestle closer.

"I think I like aerial silks," I croak, my voice raw.

Their soft chuckles make my heart swell, and I pull them tighter against me.

My tiger tamer and my sword swallower.