Lucie's Two Step-Brothers

Evernight Publishing www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2012 Jenika Snow

ISBN: 978-1-927368-37-4

Cover Artist: Jinger Heaston Editor: JC Chute

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION Don't be afraid to go after what you want.

LUCIE'S TWO STEP-BROTHERS Wickedly Taboo Copyright © 2012

Chapter One

Lucie was pissed. She watched as the movers came in and out of the house, boxes in hand, their sweat dripping off in rivulets. She couldn’t even stand to look at them, knowing that their very presence was ruining her life. It wasn’t theoretically their fault, but they weren’t helping the situation. Here she was, an eighteen-year-old about to start her senior year, and the worst thing imaginable was happening. Lucie should have been thrilled she only had one more year and then would never have to look back, but that wasn’t how she felt. Three months ago, her mother had made the announcement she would remarry. That wasn’t even the problem. The real problem was that Lucie hadn’t even known her mother was in a relationship that serious. Sure, her mom liked to date, but Lucie remembered the time when her mother said she would never marry again. That had been so many years ago, it was a distant memory. But still, she had said it. The other major problem was that Edward, the groom-to-be, had some baggage of his own. Not only was he moving into the house that Lucie and her mother called home, he was also bringing his two sons. Sick of watching their boxes cluttering up the living room, Lucie headed up to her room. Shutting the door with a little more force than necessary, she walked over to her window and held the curtain aside. Her mom, Melanie, stood by the moving van, hands on hips and voice raised as she barked orders for things to be moved gently. Rolling her eyes, Lucie moved her gaze to Edward. He was a pretty imposing man, and not just because he seemed to wear a perpetual scowl. He was tall and muscular, like a construction worker,

not one of those steroid-injecting weightlifters. Next to him stood his two sons, the guys that were ruining her life. She was an only child, so why should she have to share her mother, house, and life with these assholes? Maybe I’m being too harsh. As if reading her mind, the brothers, Emery and Quentin, looked up at her, their smiles big and smug. Lucie narrowed her gaze. She wanted nothing more than to raise her hand and give them the one-finger salute. This wasn’t the first time she had met them, and unfortunately it wouldn’t be the last. When her mom had announced she was getting married, she’d planned a big dinner so Lucie could meet Edward and his two sons. That had been a few months ago, but Lucie remembered it as if it were yesterday. **** The first meeting “Lucie, come down honey, our guests are here.” Our guests? The sooner this was over with, the better. Her mother had just made the announcement a week ago that she would be getting married. This was hell, pure and simple, and Lucie was stuck right in the middle of it. She would be turning eighteen in a month, and when her senior year was over, she would be out of this shitty little town. There was no way she was living under the same roof with a virtual stranger and his two kids. Oh yes, Lucie wouldn’t just have to live with one man, she would have to share her house with three. Stopping at the bottom of the staircase, Lucie stood partially hidden behind the wall. She watched as her mother opened the front door and let in Edward, her soon-to-be step-father. Anger welled inside of her. His two sons, Quentin and Emery stepped in behind him. This was the first time Lucie had seen any of them, and she had to grudgingly admit that Edwards’s two sons weren’t bad looking. A little on the muscle-head side for her taste, but easy on the eyes. Mentally kicking herself, Lucie knew she shouldn’t even be thinking about stuff like that. They were the enemy, no matter how nice––or good-looking––they appeared to be. They stepped off the landing and into view. Lucie crossed her arms, glaring. Her mother turned toward her, a big smile on her face as she pointed to the three men.

“Lucie, honey, I’d like you to meet Edward, Emery and Quentin.” Edward stepped forward and extended his hand in greeting. “Why, it is an honor to finally meet you, Lucie.” Edward’s voice was a rough growl that instantly set her on edge. Lucie flicked a glance toward her mother and saw the narrowed glare in her direction, as if to say, ‘You’re acting like a bitch, Lucie. Give them a chance.’ Lucie turned back toward Edward and took his offered hand. The shake was firm and hard and had Lucie gritting her teeth in pain. He let go and her hand fell limply to her side, circulation temporarily gone. “These are my boys, Quen and Em. Don’t let them give you a hard time, now.” Doubtful. The two took a step forward and she shook their hands. “Everyone hungry? Come on, dinner’s ready.” Her mother ushered everyone into the dining room. Lucie took a seat across from Quentin and Emery, trying not to hold their gazes, though it was hard not to. There was definitely something about them that intrigued and infuriated her. Shifting in her seat, she took the offered dish and scooped out a ladle full of mashed potatoes onto her plate before passing it to the next person. “So, Lucie, your mom tells me you’ll be graduating next year. Emery just graduated,” Edward said. Lucie glanced between Edward and Emery, but didn’t respond. “Quentin graduated last year and is taking a year off before starting college.” Lucie really didn’t care either way, so instead of making some snide remark and seeming like an even bigger bitch, she took in a mouthful of mashed potatoes. “You can really handle a mouthful, can’t you?” Lucie nearly choked on her food. She lifted a shocked gaze at Quentin before snapping her eyes toward her mother. Melanie just stared at Edward, a look of clear surprise on her face. “Quentin Charles Michaels. That kind of talk is completely inappropriate at the dinner table.” Edward’s booming voice was so loud that Lucie thought the glasses might shatter.

“Oh, honey, boys will be boys. Heaven knows Lucie has said far worse.” Eyes wide, Lucie stared at her mom. What the hell? It was like something out of a Twilight movie. Lucie chanced another glance at Quentin. The ever-present smile remained on his lips, but he never once looked up at her. Once dinner was finished everyone made their way into the living room. As her mother and Edward started talking about the wedding, Lucie excused herself and snuck out back. The air was cool and a slight breeze ruffled her hair. She stepped onto the landing of the deck and leaned over to stare out at the immaculate yard. As her thoughts drifted, she heard the back door slide open and shut. Her jaw clenched almost involuntarily. If her mother thought she would come out here and see what she thought about Edward and his sons, Lucie had no intention of sugar coating it. This had “bad” written all over it. Before her mom could utter a word, Lucie turned around and said, “Mom, list––” The words dried up in her throat as she stared at Quentin, no more than a few feet from her. Quentin stood like a good little solider. His posture was pin straight and his arms were clasped behind his back. She snapped her mouth closed and craned her neck to stare into his face. Heat filled her, along with a good dose of anger. “You have a lot of fucking nerve coming into my house and spouting off that shit at the table.” Lucie had to admit that with him standing so close she couldn’t think straight. He held up his hands in surrender and leaned against the railing. “Whoa, I just came out here to apologize. It was completely inappropriate for me to say that.” He turned his attention to the yard. “What, did your dad tell you to come out here and say that?” He chuckled and she hated the way her body seemed to tingle. “Or something like that.” He turned to look at her and her breath became lodged in her throat. “But really, I was only half joking.” He lifted the side of his mouth in a smirk. His hair, the color of mahogany, seemed almost inky black under the moon. His eyes were a deep green, but the dark around them reminded her of the wilderness, raw and untamed. “Yeah, well…” She had no retort. He chuckled. “Listen, I don’t like this anymore than you do.” Surprise filled her at his statement. “You don’t?”

He shook his head and his expression turned serious. “No. My dad’s in the military, so us moving a lot isn’t too much of a surprise. I was starting to get comfortable in the last place. Then he announces that he’s found the love of his life and is getting married and that we’re moving in with her.” He ran a hand through his hair and Lucie couldn’t help but stare at his biceps. The muscles flexed and protruded beneath the skin, and she found it hard to believe that a nineteen-year-old could possess a body like that. “You’re graduated and over legal age. Why did you come?” He was quiet for so long Lucie thought he wouldn’t answer. “There were a lot of reasons, but I guess I didn’t want to leave Em. He’s my little brother and all.” Lucie thought about that a moment. Little? Emery was only about an inch shorter than Quentin, and he was over six feet tall. “Listen, I will stay out of your way and won’t bother you. I’ve been dragging my feet about college, but I won’t be able to for too much longer. When Emery graduates we plan on starting college together.” She knew she should have been relieved by his admission, but she couldn’t help the way the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Something wasn’t right. “Does your dad usually propose to a woman after only just meeting her?” His face stayed serious. He turned and looked at her. “I wish this wasn’t happening, but there isn’t anything I can do about it.” He sighed heavily. “Do you know anything about military men?” Lucie shook her head. She didn’t know where he was going with this. “Well, let me fill you in. They like things done their way. If it isn’t, well, watch out because all hell breaks loose.” “What are you trying to say?” Lucie could feel a sick kind of dread rise in her stomach. “All I’m saying is that Em and I have learned to stay on his good side, but there are still times when we manage to piss him off.” “Are you saying my mom is in danger?” Quentin shook his head before she even finished. “No, I am just saying he likes what he likes and won’t be persuaded differently.”

Lucie didn’t have a good feeling about this, but what could she do? She didn’t know Edward, or Quentin for that matter. For all she knew, Quentin could just be filling her head with nonsense. She could go to her mom, tell her what Quentin had just said––but what if he was lying? She thought about her mom, who she knew was really happy, but still, could she risk not saying something? When Edward and his sons finally left, Lucie went into the kitchen to help her mom. “Hi, honey. I thought tonight went pretty well, although you seemed like you had a bit of an attitude. Do you not like Edward or the boys?” Lucie didn’t comment. Her mind was filled with how she would go about bringing up what Quentin said. “I don’t know, mom. This just seems so sudden. Um, so… Mom, how well do you know Edward?” The dishes clanked together as Melanie washed and rinsed them. “I know, honey. Believe me, I know, But the connection was there from the first time I spoke with him. He’s in the military, a General.” Lucie nodded and took the dish her mother handed her and started drying it. “I mean, he seems nice and all, but is he really? Like, when you guys are alone?” Her mother stopped what she was doing and stared back at her. “What are you getting at, Lucie?” “I just want to make sure he treats you right.” Her mother patted her on the cheek, water and soap suds clinging to her face. “He has. Don’t worry.” Lucie nodded again. “Don’t you remember when you and Dad divorced and you told me you would never get married again?” She hoped it wasn’t a mistake bringing up the past. Her mom breathed out roughly and went back to washing the dishes. “The relationship between me and your father was different. He cheated on me with his secretary. I didn’t want to get married again, but then I met Edward and everything changed. I know this is hard for you, but you have to understand where I’m coming from. I don’t want to be a lonely old woman.” “You wouldn’t be lonely, Mom, you have me.” Her mother smiled, but it was a sad kind of smile. “It isn’t the same and you know that, honey.”

What could Lucie say to that? Her mother knew what she wanted, so who was Lucie to try and stop her? Not commenting to avoid further upsetting her mother, Lucie helped with cleanup and then headed to bed, hoping that this wouldn’t be the worst mistake her mother made.

Chapter Two Several weeks had passed since Edward and his sons moved in and Lucie found herself sitting in the same spot, at the same time every day. It seemed Quentin and Emery worked out at five o’clock every evening, and after the first time Lucie saw them half-naked, she thanked the heavens they were so stringent in their routine. Leaning against her bedroom window, Lucie stared out at the backyard, and the sight she fixated on disturbed her somewhat. It wasn’t as if watching Emery and Quentin lift weights was the least bit off-putting, but the fact that technically they would be her stepbrothers and she was growing increasingly aroused every time she looked at them, made her feel uncomfortable. The sun was especially hot, and she could see their already bronzed skin glistening with perspiration. Their broad shoulders and muscular backs flexed every time they lifted those dumbbells. Those wide shoulders tapered off to narrow hips, and when they turned to face her she got a delicious front view, which was even more impressive. Six-packs lined their abdomens, and even from a distance she could see beads of sweat trail down the valley of hills and indents. It was a sight that left her transfixed and slightly dazed. Never had Lucie enjoyed watching two men wrestle before, but watching Emery and Quentin was a sight she could not tear herself away from, even if her life depended on it. Her pussy was so wet she could feel her panties soaked clean through. Her mother was gone, the boys were clearly working out in the backyard and were to be her inspiration, and Edward was fiddling around in the garage. No one would ever know, she kept telling herself. She cast a glance at her closed door, stood from her seat on the windowsill, and slipped her shorts and panties down. She might have worried about Emery or Quentin seeing what she was about to do, but she was in her room, on the second floor, and partially hidden behind her curtain. Even if they were to see her watching, they wouldn’t be able to tell what she was doing. She leaned back and slipped her hand between her thighs and touched her clit. Pleasure instantly washed through her and she bit the inside of her lip. The shorts they wore did nothing to hide the

impressive bulges of their crotches. The need to close her eyes and absorb the feeling of ecstasy washing through her was too hard to resist. The first image that slammed into her mind was what they looked like without the shorts on. She knew their dicks had to be as impressive and large as the rest of their bodies. Lucie rubbed her finger on her clit in slow circles and opened her eyes. God, she was so hot for them. It was sad, she could admit that. She shouldn’t be watching them work out, and she most definitely shouldn’t be masturbating to the images of her two almost stepbrothers. She was a dirty girl, but even after she thought that, she wondered if they liked dirty girls. Lucie ran her finger even faster on her clit until she felt her climax nearing. Every time she touched herself as she watched them, which to her embarrassment was starting to be an everyday kind of thing, it never took her very long to get off. She wasn’t big on masturbating, but it wasn’t like she could walk up to them and ask them for a good old-fashioned fuck. They were soon to be a part of the family, and would surely look at her as if she was crazy for expressing her desires. Hell, she thought that of herself lately. With her clit engorging even further the harder she rubbed it, she moved her finger down her cleft and rimmed the opening of her pussy. Her cunt clenched around the digit, as if trying to drag it inside. She bit her tongue to stem off her moan of pleasure and stared, mesmerized, as Quentin and Emery started wrestling. It wasn’t homosexual in any context, and when their slick, soaked skin rubbed together she closed her eyes and let her climax wash through her. When the pleasure ceased, Lucie opened her eyes again. To her shock, staring right at her were Emery and Quentin, both of whom wore knowing smirks. Had she moaned aloud and not even known it? Oh God. How mortifying. In her haste to escape, she fell off the windowsill and landed on the ground, hard. The air rushed out of her lungs. Lucie stood, pulled up her panties and shorts, and ran to the bedroom door. Just as she rushed out, she slammed into a hard, wide muscular chest. The only way to steady herself was to place her hands on the chest in front of her. She craned her neck and stared at Edward. He gripped her upper arms. Can he tell I’m all flushed from just coming? Does he know I was masturbating to the sight of his sons wrestling?

“What’s the hurry?” He smiled down at her, but didn’t release her arms. They stayed like that for several prolonged seconds before he finally released her arms and stepped back. “Are you feeling alright? You look a little flushed.” A frown started between his eyes and Lucie felt herself becoming hotter. She muttered an excuse she doubted he heard, and moved past him and down the steps. Where the hell am I going to go? Mortification didn’t even begin to describe how she felt. Just as Lucie was about to head out the front door, she sensed someone step up behind her. Turning around, she stared at Quentin. He brought a tall glass of water to his lips and took a long drink. His gaze never wavered from hers, and despite repeating in her head that she shouldn’t stare, she was helpless to stop. A lone bead of condensation slid down the glass and dripped onto his chiseled chest, and Lucie watched in fascination as it slinked seductively down the ridges of muscles. She might have stared at the drop of water forever if not for the fact she heard someone clearing his throat. It was to her increasing horror that Emery now stood right beside Quentin. Both of their mouths now were tilted up in smirks. Not trusting herself to speak coherently, Lucie took off out the front door. Her destination was unknown to her, but going somewhere private and isolated seemed like the best option. She had some serious thinking to do. She was a coward, she could admit that, but these thoughts she had of Quentin and Emery lately were arousing as well as confusing. What she needed to do was go someplace quiet and think. It might not help in the long run, but maybe it would help her to try and understand where her feelings were coming from.

Chapter Three As Lucie stared at herself in the mirror, she wondered how she would look to everyone else. She wore a simple yellow sundress that her mother picked out, her shoulders were bare and her hair hung loosely in curling strands. Today was her mother’s wedding day––a day she loathed and had dreaded. She couldn’t really understand the feeling of loathing a day that should have been one of happiness, but as she thought of her mother joining her life with Edward’s, a man that had recently been showing more signs of possessiveness and territorialism, it left Lucie feeling like her mother was making a big mistake. She couldn’t help but replay what Quentin said about his father all those weeks ago. Whatever happened, she knew her mother was an adult and knew what was best for her. Thinking back, Lucie recalled the last time she had touched herself as she watched Quentin and Emery exercise. The fact she had fled right afterward had only served to confuse her further. She’d found the resolve to suck it up and push her wayward desires to the back of her mind. Or at least, she tried very hard. She couldn’t deny there was a certain kind of magnetism when it came to Emery and Quentin, which just seemed to draw her in. Maybe it was the appeal that she shouldn’t really want them, that the lust she felt was so wrong, yet felt so right? It didn’t matter, in the end. Lucie knew what the outcome to indulging such desires would be, and that was something she didn’t want to experience. It would end up ruining her life as well as the lives of everyone around her. She couldn’t be the cause of such destruction. She smoothed a hand over her dark strands and clipped a small, jeweled barrette to the side of her hair. The deep, calming breath she took right before she headed outside didn’t help her in the least. The wedding was being held in their backyard, and although it was a beautiful area for such an event, and the day was glorious, she wished it hadn’t been so close to “home”. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and the sun warmed everything as a slight breeze whispered by. White wooden chairs were set up in even lines in front of a raised altar, tiny yellow ribbons adding color to them. Guests filled those decorated wooden chairs,

each dressed in their best attire and anticipating the nuptials of Edward and Melanie. Standing off to the side, hidden behind a shading oak tree, Lucie watched as the guests milled around, laughing and smiling, as if truly happy for what they were about to witness. It seemed to Lucie she was the only one that wasn’t thrilled. Maybe I am overreacting and being selfish? “It’s like watching moths fly toward a fire. They can’t seem to help themselves, yet you have to assume they know they’re about to fall to their death.” Startled at the sound of Quentin’s baritone voice right beside her, Lucie glanced over at him. He wore a crisp black button down shirt and a pale yellow tie. He was strikingly handsome. His strange quote seemed peculiar, yet Lucie felt that it was somehow perfect for what they were experiencing. “I can’t help but feel like this is a horrible mistake.” Lucie looked back toward the guests and her stomach twisted with nervousness. “We can’t change the course of someone’s life. They want what they want, despite the feeling of impending doom approaching.” On the other side of her stood Emery. He was dressed the same as Quentin, his gaze trained on the guests. His words were also dark, yet somehow right for the moment. “It’s time for you guys to take your places.” Lucie turned her attention toward Edward. “Come on, Lucie, I’ll walk you down the aisle.” Edward turned toward Quentin and Emery, his look going stern. “Go on, boys.” When they left, Edward held his hand out for her to take. Lucie glanced down at it and slipped her small hand into his much bigger one. His skin was cool, the calluses noticeable. He led her toward the aisle and slipped his hand on the small of her back. She held in her shiver and kept her expression neutral. She didn’t know what it was about Edward’s touch, but it certainly wasn’t welcome. It felt like icy tentacles on her body, tightening and suffocating her. When they reached the front of the altar she took her place and turned to face the guests. Music started, and Lucie saw her mother emerge from the house, her simple, yet elegant white dress billowing out behind her. Serenity washed through Lucie as she stared at her mother. She looked so happy that it was hard for Lucie not to feel the same way.

As he mother walked down the aisle, Lucie turned her attention to Edward. Although he wore a smile that seemed genuine enough, deep down Lucie couldn’t shake her uneasiness. Maybe it was just her. Maybe she was just used to it being her and her mother? It was a big shock, going from “just the two of them” to three males coming into their house. Turning her attention to Emery and Quentin, she noted their stoic expressions. They held the same composure as their father: The perfect soldier. As the ceremony progressed and Lucie watched her mother and Edward bind themselves in front of God and everyone they loved, Lucie promised herself she would try and make this work. If nothing else, she would try for her mother’s sake. When they said “I do” and the guests rose and cheered, Lucie stayed back. Holding her bouquet of white daisies, she took in the scene: Her mother and Edward. Married at last. The beginning of the end. She sensed Quentin and Emery stepping up beside her before they even spoke. “Well, looks like that’s that.” She turned toward them and licked her dry lips as they smiled down at her. “Looks like we are officially family, little sister.” Quentin wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her toward him. A groan left her. She shrugged off Quentin’s hold. “Please don’t say that. It sounds so weird.” The guys chuckled and then headed down to mingle with the other guests. Lucie knew their presence was going to make a big impact on her life, whether she liked it or not.

Chapter Four Lucie watched as Edward and her mother pulled out of the driveway and left for the airport. It had been a week since the wedding, and they were now off on their honeymoon for two weeks. Summer was ending, and the idea of starting school and getting it over with so she could graduate couldn’t happen soon enough. She was stuck in the house for two long weeks alone with Emery and Quentin, her new stepbrothers. They both worked, so she hoped they wouldn’t be home most of the time. The couch seemed like a much better place to be, instead of watching them exercise out the window. Lucie sat in front of the fireplace, and although no fire was lit, she thought about all the times her mother had created a wonderfully warm oasis for them during cold wintry nights. It would just be the two of them, mugs of hot chocolate in hand, talking about nothing in particular but enjoying each other’s company nonetheless. It was a memory Lucie would always cherish. Perhaps, Lucie thought, she was just suffering from “only child syndrome.” She felt ridiculous dwelling on the negatives of this new situation, but despite trying to move past what was happening and how their lives were changing, it was hard not to want what she had with her mother before Edward and his sons had come along. Lucie breathed out roughly and ran a hand over her mouth. She didn’t know how much time had passed, but before she knew it the sun had set and shadows danced through the living room. I must have fallen asleep. The dream she had just had played through her mind like a movie reel. She had been sandwiched between Quentin and Emery, their hands caressing her nude body, soft words fueling her desire. Her panties were soaked from the overwhelmingly vivid dream. Disgust overtook her, and she wished she could stop her thoughts. They seemed so lewd after the fact, but try as she might, she couldn’t prevent them. Activity in the kitchen drew her away from her thoughts, and Lucie got up and headed toward the sound. Leaning against the doorframe, she stared at Quentin’s back. The white tee he wore did

nothing to hide his muscular form. He didn’t turn around, and she didn’t acknowledge him. Just enjoy the view. Scolding herself, Lucie opened her mouth to say something when she suddenly felt someone step behind her. Before she could turn around, she felt Emery’s large hands land on her shoulders and his chest pressing against her back. She was frozen, and no air seemed to come into her lungs. He was so close she could smell his cologne, a masculine scent that drove her wild. “Are you hungry?” His breath teased her ear. “Quen’s decided to cook dinner tonight.” He turned her around and she swallowed upon looking into his eyes. His short hair was disheveled and he looked as if he had just gotten up. Lucie was acutely aware of how close her mouth was to all that hard flesh. Oh, God, give me strength. What could she say? She didn’t even know if she could speak right away. She felt as if her body was on fire, roasting over hot coals and simmering from the inside out. As she stared into Emery’s eyes, Lucie felt Quentin approach behind her. This was too much for her. Being so close to them, she could feel a flood of intensity and desire. They would surely think her a disgusting fool if she told them what she was really feeling. But Lucie couldn’t help it. She wanted to be on her back, her thighs spread wide, her pussy thrust out to them. Things seemed to be moving too fast. These feelings were too intense, too unusual for her to fully understand. The fact that she would let them do whatever they wanted, touch whatever they wanted to touch on her body, should have left her disgusted, not aroused. But God, she was hot for them. “So, are you hungry, Lucie?” Quentin whispered in her ear and she closed her eyes. She couldn’t help it. Being sandwiched between both of them was too much. “Yeah.” The word was no more than a whisper from her lips, a breath of sound that had escaped in her moment of need. She hoped that lone word would make them go away and give her the space she so desperately needed. “Well, come on. Food’s getting cold while you stand there.” And just like that they were gone. She couldn’t move after they both went into the kitchen, could only stare ahead as her body tingled with awareness. “You eating, Lucie?”

Blinking at Quentin’s deep voice, she found the strength to look at them. They both watched her from the kitchen table, smirks on their faces as if they knew exactly the effect they had on her. Taking a step forward, she clenched her teeth as her wet panties rubbed against her pussy. Emery held a chair out for her, but Lucie still couldn’t find the voice to mutter a thank-you. The aroma of the food finally penetrated her foggy brain, and she eyed the dishes that covered the table. Mashed potatoes and gravy, corn on the cob, grilled steaks, and a bowl of salad sat before her. “How did you cook all of this?” This question sounded stupid even before it came out of her mouth. Face heating further, she looked at Quentin. “Well, while you were moping around and thinking negative thoughts, I decided maybe a little home-cooked meal would cheer you up.” Embarrassment filled Lucie as her gaze moved from Emery to Quentin. “Have I been that transparent?” They both chuckled and she relaxed, feeling some of the tension leave her. “We both know what a difficult transition this is for you, but it won’t be too bad. We promise.” Emery smirked and then winked at her. “You’re officially our step-sister. We’ve got your back.” She did laugh then. As they dished out the food, Lucie felt a comfort for the first time since the start of all this. Maybe the whole “family” thing won’t be so bad. Quentin brought out three square-cut glasses and a bottle of dark, amber-colored liquid. The bottle was unmarked, but she knew it wasn’t her mother’s because she didn’t keep alcohol in the house. “What’s that?” Quentin set a glass in front of each of them and then filled them up a fourth of the way with the alcohol. She picked up the glass and smelled it. Whatever it was, it smelled potent. “It is fifty-year aged bourbon. Our father got it when he was overseas in the Middle East.” Quentin lifted the glass to his lips and took a drink. “Won’t he be upset if he finds out we were drinking this?” Eyeing the liquor, she worried her bottom lip as she brought her gaze back up to theirs. “Without a doubt, but he won’t notice. Whenever he brings out this bottle he is already too trashed to realize how much was

actually in there to begin with.” Emery spoke and then took a drink. “Besides, we don’t plan on getting sloshed off the stuff, just a nice buzz. We have the house to ourselves. We should celebrate.” Emery and Quentin shared a glance, as if they were communicating without saying anything. There was a moment of tension surrounding them, but Lucie didn’t want to venture too deeply into it. She lifted her glass and took an experimental sip. The alcohol was like fire water. It burned all the way down and she started to cough. Her eyes watered and she stared accusingly at the two of them. They both started laughing. “Grow some hair on that chest, Lucie.” Emery elbowed Quentin. “The first time is always the hardest.” Emery winked at her and her face heated, but she didn’t know if it was from the look he gave her or the bourbon. As they ate and conversed, Lucie found out more about Emery and Quentin. They were right, the more sips she took, the easier the liquor went down. Soon she found herself buzzed, the feeling of floating filling her and causing her trepidation and anxiousness to evaporate. That was a nice thing about alcohol, but it also had its downside. Her arousal was a slow burn inside that refused to leave. She thought she could become comfortable with them, but there was still her unnatural desire to contend with. As Lucie grew more quiet and kept to her thoughts, both Emery and Quentin also stopped talking. Finishing the last bite on her plate, she wiped her mouth with her napkin and stood. The movement caused her head to spin, but it was a nice, discombobulating sense of euphoria. “I’ll clean, since you cooked.” She grabbed her plate and reached with her free hand to get Emery’s plate. Her fingers slipped against the smooth china, but before she could remove it from the table, Emery’s hand was clasped around her wrist, warm and unyielding. She lifted a startled expression at him and felt his thumb move methodically over her inner wrist. “Emery?” Her voice was a raspy whisper and she licked her suddenly dry lips. Emery’s eyes dropped to her mouth and she could see the dark storm clouds of desire dance behind them.

“I wish you would be honest with us, Lucie.” She turned her attention to Quentin and watched as he rose from his chair and moved toward her. Heart beating a mile a minute, she knew she was trapped. “What?” She wanted to move away so she didn’t feel so caged, but she couldn’t because Emery refused to release her wrist. “The truth.” Quentin lowered his head so that his face was so close to hers she could smell the bourbon he had drunk just moments before. She cast a glance between the two of them. Emery released her wrist and moved behind her. His chest was pressed against her back and she was acutely aware of all his hard, defined muscles. Everything around her spun and she knew she needed to breathe. This situation was turning surreal, and quickly. “I can’t think, can’t breathe.” They both stepped away, but only marginally. What could she say to make them understand? “This is wrong.” They were shaking their heads before she even finished. “It isn’t wrong. All we ask is that you let us hold you, touch you, and make you feel good.” Quentin lifted his hand and ran it down the length of her arm. Lucie’s skin prickled from his touch and her breath came out increasingly faster as she looked between the two of them. “Do you know how long we have wanted you, Lucie?” Emery took a small step forward and lifted a piece of her hair off her shoulder. He ran the strands between his fingers. “From the very second we saw you.” He looked at her then, his eyes showing the truth he spoke. “Let us show you how good and right this can be between us.” Lucie closed her eyes and let his words sink in. Breathing out roughly, she nodded her agreement. This is going to either be the best thing that has happened to me or the worst.

Chapter Five Lucie couldn’t help the arousal that slammed into her harder and harder with every step she took. The fact that Quentin and Emery were leading her to her room so they could fuck her was wrong on so many levels, but felt so right, They led her up the stairs, each holding one of her hands. Am I still dreaming? Of course Lucie knew that wasn’t the case, but she couldn’t help replaying it over and over again in her mind. When they stopped at her door and pushed it open, her breath stalled in her lungs. Emery closed the door behind her, locking them all in to the events that would soon change everything. They didn’t let go of her hands and for that she was thankful. Lucie didn’t know if she would have been able to stand without the strength of their grasps. They pulled her into the center of the room and stared at her. Could they see how frightened she was of what they were about to do? Lucie wasn’t a virgin, but she had only slept with one guy and that was last summer, when alcohol had made her inhibitions wayward. She found herself in a similar situation now. The bourbon she had consumed coursed through her veins, and despite the small buzz it offered, she was lucid and coherent enough to know that she was about to sleep with her two stepbrothers. She could have said no, and knew they wouldn’t have pushed her. As she watched then a little apprehensively, Lucie knew they would go slow and give her time to adjust. Quentin and Emery both dropped her hands simultaneously, and she was surprised to find she hadn’t crumbled to the ground. Emery was first to grip the hem of his shirt and pull it over his head. Quentin was next. Their chests were something she might have seen on a marble statue depicting a Greek god, not two teenaged boys. Their pectoral muscles were defined, along with the rippling hills of their six-packs. Her pussy became moister, and she felt the arousal she had always felt for them both, suddenly rise violently to the surface. They kept their pants on and Lucie didn’t know if she was thankful or disappointed. Quentin took a step forward and brought his mouth to hers. His kiss was hurried and desperate, mimicking all of

her desires. Tongues moving against each other, it was like he was fucking her mouth: hard, rough, and fast. He broke the kiss and she swayed on her feet. His hands on her shoulders steadied her, and then he was behind her, his lips on her neck. Fire danced across her flesh and she involuntarily tilted her head to the side to accept more of his touch. Emery took a step forward. The heat that emanated from his big body had perspiration dotting her skin. He was so tall, so muscular, that in order for her to really look at him she had to crane her neck. She couldn’t move, not with Quentin doing wicked things to her body that had her knees shaking. Strength grew inside her and she lifted her hands and placed them on Emery’s chest. His skin was smooth and hard and she could feel his heart pounding behind all that muscle. Emery dipped his head and captured her lips with his. His kiss wasn’t like Quentin’s. Whereas Quentin had kissed her hard and rough, Emery kissed her as if he were coaxing her. The dual sensations made her feel like they were the predators and she was their prey. Hands pressed against Emery’s chest, Lucie slid them lower, feeling all the power he wielded beneath her fingertips. With her hand resting on his navel, Lucie pressed her tongue against his. He groaned against her mouth, a strangled sound of need and want. Quentin’s hands moved down her back and over her hips. They stopped at the waistband of her shorts and she felt his fingers curl into her. “Tell me to take these off, Lucie.” Prying her lips from Emery’s, she panted against his mouth at Quentin’s words. “Take it off of me.” The sound was a low, soft whisper she didn’t doubt they heard. Quentin made an indistinguishable sound behind her and then pulled her shorts and panties down. The cool air that circulated in the room should have cooled her raging body down, but instead it only seemed to ignite the inferno inside. Emery’s mouth was back on hers. She felt his hands move over her collarbone and rest right over her breasts. She knew her nipples were rock hard, knew that they pressed obscenely against the thin material of the tank top she wore. Maybe it had been a mistake that she had decided not to wear a bra this morning? She shook as Quentin palmed the cheeks of her ass and Emery squeezed her breasts. The dual sensations were almost too

much. She felt dizzy and lightheaded. Could someone faint from too much pleasure? She didn’t know, but she would soon find out. Breaking their kiss, Emery moved his lips across her jaw and over her neck. She felt Quentin step away, but before she could ponder what he was doing, she felt his teeth scrape lightly across one of the cheeks of her ass. Oh, it was a delicious feeling being between these two, feeling their raw power sandwiching her in, making her feel so weak and feminine. When Emery latched his mouth onto her nipple, through her shirt, Lucie groaned. She could feel his tongue, swiping over the engorged tip, drawing the peak to a rock-hard point. Quentin stood behind her and ran his hands over her ass with expert strokes. That was when she felt his fingers slip between her legs and swipe over her soaked slit. She couldn’t help but open her legs wider. This was so not “her”. Her movement caused Quentin to groan against her and move his other hand in front to tease her clit. “Tell us how you feel, baby.” Had they both said that simultaneously? Lucie’s brain was too frazzled to comprehend anything at this point. “Oh, God. Please.” It was just a whisper from her lips. She couldn’t form any other words at the feel of their nimble and expert hands and mouths on her. Quentin chuckled and renewed his effort on her clit. Feeling his finger rubbing steady circles around the swollen little bead of tissue, she pried her eyes open and looked down at Emery’s dark head. As if he sensed her staring at him, he lifted his head and looked at her with bedroom eyes. “How do you feel?” His voice sounded seductive and she couldn’t help but answer him, knowing that she wanted them to realize how much pleasure they were bringing her. “I feel so good.” He smiled and she dropped her gaze down to her breast. A dark circle of wetness covered the area he had just been sucking. Her areola was dark against the wet, white fabric. Her nipple looked so hard and big, as if he had drawn all the blood to that one area. She closed her eyes again and tilted her head back. A shot of pleasure slammed into her as Quentin continued to rub her clit. “Do you want more, baby?” Quentin’s words sounded muffled against her back and she could hear how out of breath he was, as if

what he was doing to her was almost too much for him to handle as well. Lucie nodded, not trusting herself to speak. They both stepped away from her and she felt herself become lightheaded. Their hands were suddenly on her, helping her over to the bed, and gently pushing her down on it. One of them, she didn’t know which, gripped the edge of her shirt and peeled it off. Here she was, naked and in plain sight of both of them. Lucie wondered what they thought, if they found her beautiful. “Fuck…you are so gorgeous, Lucie.” Quentin‘s words sent a thrill of excitement through her. Their hands went to the button and fly of their pants and trepidation and anticipation coursed through her. The sound of the zippers sliding down had her palms sweating and her heart racing. This was it, the moment that would determine how the rest of her life would play out. Would this very moment make everything memorable? Would being with them shatter everything she had thought possible? As she watched them push their pants and boxers down to their ankles, her mouth opened and her eyes grew wide. Standing before her, like gods from ages past, were her two stepbrothers. The shafts that sprang forth were erect and enormous. Never had she known a cock could be that long or thick. Easily they were as thick as her wrists, and she wasn’t even about to speculate on how long they were. They were far superior to average length, that much she knew. “Lie back on the bed and show us your pretty pussy.” Lucie was surprised at the language that came from Emery. She had thought he was the shy brother, but his commanding tone brokered no argument. Lucie felt her resolve crumble. She scooted farther back on the bed and felt the cold wall greet her bare skin. They both stared at her with hungry gazes, and Lucie watched in rapt awe as they grabbed their shafts and started stroking themselves. Her excitement had her panting and she braced her feet on the bed and spread her legs. She could feel her pussy lips spread apart, the chilled air brushing across the most sensitive part of her, and their eyes focusing between her legs. Head downcast as a flare of embarrassment washed through her, Lucie could hear their low-pitched mumbles. She lifted her eyes to meet theirs. Quentin stroked his cock fast and stared at her pussy. “Fuck, baby. Will you let me taste you?”

Taste? Oh, God.

Chapter Six “Yes.” The single word fell from her lips. Quentin didn’t wait for another invitation. Moving with the grace of a wild animal, he crawled onto the bed and between her splayed thighs. His wide shoulders forced her to spread her legs even wider to accommodate his massive frame. Stomach hollowing from the feel of his warm breath across her clit, Lucie bit her lip when she finally felt his tongue swipe across her pussy. He groaned against her flesh before murmuring, “Your cunt tastes so fucking good.” Quentin continued to lick and tongue her cleft. He flattened his tongue against her, moving it from the opening of her pussy to the very top of her clit. The sensation had her shaking, but his hands pressed on her inner thighs and kept her stable, somewhat. Lucie opened her eyes when she felt the bed dip beside her. She could see Emery’s stormy expression as he moved closer and closer, until he was right beside her. Keeping her eyes open was a feat that seemed almost impossible to accomplish. The pleasure Quentin wrought was mind-blowing. When he entered a finger into her pussy, her back bowed and her climax rose precariously close to the surface. Emery gripped her chin between his thumb and forefinger and tilted her head up. “Brace yourself on your elbows.” He rose onto his knees, his shaft standing stiff and big right in front of her mouth. When she did he said, “Put my cock in your mouth, Lucie.” He gripped himself with his free hand and led his dick to the opening of her mouth. The moist, thick head rubbed along her lips, coating them with his silky pre-cum. She darted her tongue out and ran it over the swollen head, tasting the saltiness of his semen. The flavor was purely masculine, potent even. Quentin’s fingers and tongue were wicked and Lucie couldn’t hold onto the moan that spilled from her mouth. The vibrations had Emery gripping each side of her head, her hair in his fists. A glance into his eyes showed his strength was breaking. She moved her tongue along the underside of his cock before bringing it back to the opening at the tip and pressing her tongue inside. The only thing that mattered at that moment was feeling Emery’s cum shooting down her throat. Despite wanting to

accomplish this and taste him, Quentin was making her feel so good that she could barely concentrate on her task. Emery started moving his hips with more force. He pushed his dick into her mouth and pulled it back out. She could feel the thick vein that lined the underside of his erection rub along her tongue with every move he made. Over and over he did this, slowly increasing his speed until the tip of his shaft was hitting the back of her throat. He groaned above her and tightened his hold on her hair. The small jets of cum that filled her mouth let her know he was close. “Suck his cock while I lick this pretty pussy.” Quentin’s deep and harsh words brought her orgasm closer to the surface. Without thought, she found herself lifting her hips and pressing her cunt into his face. She needed more of him, needed to feel more of that wicked tongue teasing her clit and pressing into her hole. Emery gave a deep growl and stilled his thrusting. Jet after jet of hot, salty semen filled her mouth and she greedily swallowed. The taste of him was potent and extreme. When his cock went limp he pulled out and leaned back on his legs to stare down at her. Sweat dripped down from his hairline and his cheeks flushed. The feel of Quentin latched onto her clit and three of his fingers shoved deep within her had her arching her back and reaching for the pleasure that was sure to follow. The suction was intense and his thrusting digits were fierce. Quentin broke away from her and murmured, “I want to taste your orgasm, Lucie. I want your cream all over my face.” He then latched back onto her pussy and had her screaming out in ecstasy. She knew what she looked like: back arched, breasts thrust forward, and legs as wide as they could go. Warm fluid seeped out of her and coated not only Quentin’s face, but also her thighs. When she couldn’t take anymore, she gently pushed Quentin away and breathed in deeply. Lucie didn’t even have the strength to open her eyes and see their reaction. Would they think she was easy? A slut? She didn’t do things like this, especially not with two men. She opened her mouth to say something, but no words came forth. It wouldn't have mattered anyway, not when Quentin rose to his knees and positioned himself between her splayed thighs. "I want you so fucking bad, Lucie." His gaze was level with her still-quivering cunt and she knew her need was just as deep as theirs. It was clear by the looks on each of their faces and the way

they stroked her lovingly that they didn't think her easy. At least, that is what she kept telling herself over and over again. Quentin's shaft was flushed red at the tip and thick and long. Emery handed him a condom and each donned one. The fact that Emery was hard again so quickly surprised her, but she didn't ponder it for too long––not when she felt the wide head of Quentin's dick press against her pussy hole. Sweat popped out along her forehead, but it wasn’t from being nervous or frightened. The fact that Lucie was about to have sex with her two stepbrothers played havoc on her body and mind. She wanted them, desperately, but her brain kept urging her that what she was doing was wrong on so many levels. Her thoughts must have been evident on her face because the next thing she knew, Quentin was leaned over her and his lips were pressed against hers. He pulled away so only an inch separated their mouths. “This feels so right, Lucie, but all you have to do is say the word and we won’t go any further.” “We would never force you into anything you didn’t want to do.” Emery stroked her hair and smiled down at her. When she didn’t respond, they must have taken that as her wish for them to stop. When they both started to pull away Lucie quickly said, “Wait.” Voice sounding hoarse, Lucie pushed up onto her elbows and stared between the two of them. “I don’t want to stop.” And she didn’t.

Chapter Seven Neither brother said anything as they stared at her. It was clear this lapse in time hadn’t extinguished their interest for her, if their raging erections were anything to go by. “Please, don’t go.” Lucie reached up and gripped Quentin’s bulging bicep. She pulled him closer to her and when he was positioned between her thighs again she leaned back and smiled. This might be the worst decision of her life, but she wouldn’t know for sure until she followed her heart. Emery moved closer as well when she reached her hand out to him. The feel of Quentin kissing her breasts had her body simmering all over again and any doubts left her. When she felt him tug at her nipples she closed her eyes and moaned. Lucie experienced a mixture of pleasure and pain, a collection of agony and ecstasy. It felt oh-sogood. With her eyes closed, she could do nothing but feel: the touch of their hands on her skin, the feel of their mouths skimming across her body. Every little thing was amplified and heightened her arousal. When lips pressed against hers and a tongue speared into her mouth, she didn’t know if it was Quentin or Emery. In the end it didn’t matter, as the feeling of completion was there with both of them and that was all that mattered. A gasp left her when she finally felt Quentin penetrate her. His cock was so thick and hard that the sensitive muscles of her pussy stretched wide to accommodate him. Lucie opened her eyes, realized Emery was hovering right in front of her face, and took matters into her own hands. Spearing her hands in his hair, she pulled him down so their mouths pressed together. Quentin continued to tunnel into her cunt. His hands were on her inner thighs, keeping her legs spread wide as he pushed all that flesh into her with unrelenting determination. She could hear his grunts of pleasure, could feel the way his fingers curled into her sensitive skin. It took all her willpower not to slip down the bed and impale herself on him even more. He was going too slow, and being too gentle with her. When he was fully embedded in her body, he stilled. Lucie continued to kiss Emery like her life depended on it, and hoped

Quentin got the hint that she wanted more by the way she lifted her hips in invitation. “Fuck, Lucie.” Quentin placed a hand on her hip to stop her movements. “I won’t last if you keep that up.” A small whimpering noise came from her and seemed to fuel Emery. He kissed her hard and rough, and moved his hands over her breasts. He tweaked her nipples, pulling the tissue until she felt blood rush to the surface. Fingers alternating on each nipple, Emery didn’t stop until a tingling sensation took residence in the sensitive flesh. When he finally broke the kiss, Lucie gasped for air. Her eyes darting from Quentin to Emery, Lucie waited for the next move. With a hand on each of her hip bones, Quentin started to pound into her welcoming flesh. Her pussy was soaked and the sound of wet flesh slapping together filled the room. Emery ran his tongue over her neck, down her chest, and started sucking at her breasts. The rough scrape of his teeth against her already swollen skin felt incredibly erotic. Deep moans and heavy panting surrounded her and she couldn’t tell who it came from. The heat rose within her until she felt like she was burning alive. “Look at how wet you are for us, baby. Does it feel good to have my cock in this tight little cunt?” She couldn’t find her voice to answer Quentin, so she nodded instead. “Does it feel good to have my brother’s mouth on those pretty little red nipples?” “Oh, God.” She found her voice again. An explosive orgasm came to the surface and she bit her lip, hard. Pleasure mixed with pain as Emery continued to roll the turgid tips between his teeth. The simultaneous stimulation was her undoing and it seemed to be Quentin’s as well. Giving a loud and long cry of ecstasy, Lucie let her climax wash through her. Quentin’s hands tightened on her hips and he pushed into her three more times before stilling. He let out a deep groan as he came. When she was able to pry her eyes open, she watched as Quentin pulled out of her, an almost pained expression marring his face. Emery dipped his head and ran his tongue over her lips. “My turn.” Quentin disappeared into the bathroom and she could hear water running. Before she realized what was happening, Emery flipped her onto her belly and placed two pillows under her hips. No

doubt her ass was thrust high in the air, but as she felt him run his hands over the twin mounds, she knew that had been the point. “I’m more of an ass man, and let me tell you, baby,” he covered her back with his chest and whispered against her ear, “Never have I seen an ass as lovely as yours.” He lifted up and she made a small noise when his hand landed on the side of her ass cheek. The bed dipped beside her and Quentin came into her view. His cock was semi-hard, and when he knelt in front of her face, she knew what he wanted. These men were insatiable. Already she had come so hard that blackness had swarmed her vision, yet feeling Emery’s hands move over her ass caused her to heat up all over again. Her pussy became wet once more and her entire body tingled. Several more smacks against her ass rang throughout the room and she admitted she liked the pain, because once that subsided a pleasurable warmth took its place. “You’re going to suck Quentin’s cock and get him hard again while I fuck this cunt.” As if to emphasize his brother’s point, Quentin brought the tip of his cock to her lips. “Come on, Lucie. Wrap those red pouty lips around my dick and suck me dry.” She opened her mouth wide and sucked on the head of Quentin’s shaft. Already she could taste pre-cum. It was salty yet potent, and she grew addicted to the taste. Just as she really started sucking Quentin’s dick, she felt the tip of Emery’s shaft become poised at the entrance of her cunt. He didn’t push slowly into her as Quentin did. He didn’t give her body time to adjust to his wide girth. No, Emery shoved all those thick, steely inches into her body so hard that she was pushed forward. The cock in her mouth slid all the way back to her throat and her eyes watered. Quentin groaned, no doubt from the feeling, and wrapped his hands around the back of her head. “Holy. Fucking. Shit!” The obscene statement made from behind had her involuntarily clenching her pussy around his cock. “God, baby. Your cunt is so fucking tight and wet. I won’t last long.” Emery started pulling out and pushing back into her hard and quick. Over and over he did this, bringing her closer to another mindblowing orgasm. The sheets were bunched tight in her fists, and sweat covered her body. Just when her climax was about to peak she felt Emery run a slicked finger over her anus. The shock was instantaneous, but not as much as when he pushed that lubed digit

inside. Never had anything been in that hole, and as he kept pounding away at her cunt with his finger in her ass, she came. Her moans must have started off a chain reaction, because as she moaned around Quentin’s cock, he came in her mouth. His semen was hot and salty, and she sucked him so hard he pulled away and panted for breath. Emery was the next to come. He grunted loudly, pulled his finger from her anus, and started spanking her ass cheeks in rapid succession until several more smaller orgasms peaked within her. When Lucie was too exhausted to keep her upper body elevated any longer, she slumped forward and breathed heavily. A small cry left her lips when Emery pulled out of her sensitive pussy. She was vaguely aware of the pillows being removed from under her and two bodies sandwiching her in. Deep murmurs sounded beside her, but she was too tired to pay attention to what they were saying. She fell asleep feeling safe, warm, and completely satisfied.

Chapter Eight The next several days after her intimate encounter with Emery and Quentin weren’t nearly as uncomfortable as Lucie initially thought they would be. Each night she found herself finding pleasure with one or both of her stepbrothers. Although there was still guilt that what she was doing was wrong, Lucie found herself caring for Quentin and Emery more than she knew she should. Her mother and stepfather were due back at the house in the next few days, and although Lucie missed her mom, she was enjoying her time alone with Emery and Quentin. One unusually warm afternoon Lucie decided it was the perfect weather to do a little sunbathing. Emery and Quentin had left early that morning for work, and Lucie couldn’t deny that the silence in the house was a little unnerving. She had grown so used to having the two of them around. Despite their time together having been short, she couldn’t help but feel a connection with them. Eyes closed and sunglasses in place, the warm sun washed over her skin. She could feel beads of sweat starting to form in the valley between her breasts. It was an almost erotic sensation. Would you have thought that before Emery and Quentin had come along? No, definitely not. Lucie blindly reached for her iPod and slipped the ear buds in. As music started to play, she reached up and undid the string of her bikini. No sense in having tan lines. No one was around anyway, and the fence was far too high for her neighbors to notice. If she wanted to, she could go completely topless and no one would be the wiser. A cool breeze played across her slick skin. As one song ended and another began, Lucie felt her eyelids grow heavy with drowsiness. Either it was about to rain or someone had just stepped in front of her and blocked the sun, because a shadow descended over her. She wanted to smile but she feigned sleep. She knew it was either Quentin or Emery and she was curious to see what they planned on doing when they thought she was unaware. Lucie licked her lips slowly. She knew the sight of her in the miniscule string bikini had to be arousing them. Hell, she had felt sexy when she put it on.

The small triangles of white barely covered her nipples and pussy. As the seconds turned into minutes and still they hadn’t touched her, she grew impatient. Lucie turned her head and slipped down her glasses. Despite the towering figure in front of her that blocked the sun, it was still bright outside and took her a moment to clear her vision. When she finally saw who stood in front of her she sat up quickly. The fact that she had untied her bikini top was momentarily forgotten, that is until Edward’s cold eyes dropped down to her exposed breasts. A smile tugged at his lips. Hands immediately going to cover her breasts, she watched in shock as he said nothing and turned and went back into the house. Heart pounding so fast she thought for sure it would break through her sternum, Lucie fixed her top and turned off her iPod. Where the hell was her mother? The door slammed shut behind Edward and Lucie finally stood after several prolonged moments. She grabbed her towel and wrapped it around her body before heading inside. Her peaceful sunbathing afternoon had just turned into the most awkward moment of her life. As she gripped the handle to the backdoor, Lucie prayed it didn’t creak and inform Edward she was coming in. The last thing she wanted right now was to see him again. The image of his cold eyes, ones that had skimmed her naked breasts like he was starving and they were his last meal, replayed in her mind over and over again. Once she was inside and realized he was nowhere to be found, Lucie darted upstairs. Before she made it to her room, Edward stepped out from behind an open door, blocking her way. “Where are the boys?” Edward’s voice was devoid of any emotions. The same went for his unrelenting eyes. “Probably at work.” She couldn’t help the sarcasm in that laced her words. “They should be back soon, though.” Lucie had no idea when they would be back, but she didn’t want Edward to know that. She stepped to the left and he mimicked her move. “Where’s my mom?” “She dropped me off and went to the grocery store. She assumed the three of you devoured everything in the house.” This was getting weirder and weirder by the moment. “You guys are home early.” His smile widened. “We missed you kids.”

Lucie stepped to the right. Edward did the same. It wasn’t hard to tell he had been drinking, not if the stench of liquor coming from him was anything to go by. “Well, glad you guys are home but if you don’t mind I’d like to change.” Edward’s eyes traveled down the length of her body before returning to her face. After a suspended moment he moved to the side and let her pass. Once in her room with the door was closed behind her, Lucie couldn’t help the shiver that skated down her spine. What in the hell was that about? She had always felt a little strange around Edward, what with his probing eyes and dark demeanor, but today put him at a whole different level. **** Three hours later and Lucie was still in her room. Her mother hadn’t come home yet and neither had Quentin and Emery. The house felt different without them around: cold, dark, and intense. Thankfully, Edward had stayed downstairs and hadn’t bothered her. Since their little run-in, Lucie couldn’t shake the feeling that there was just something not quite right about him. Book in front of her, Lucie pushed her thoughts away and focused on the story. Before she could get immersed in the world of shape shifters and witches, the sound of a car door slamming shut drew her attention. Through the window Lucie could see her mother getting out of the car. Oversized black sunglasses covered her eyes and Lucie couldn’t help but feel a little confused by the sight. Her mother didn’t even own a pair of sunglasses, especially ones that looked liked they belonged to “Jackie O”. Despite the weird sight, Lucie headed downstairs, excited to see her mother after several weeks. Before she even made it downstairs she could hear low, heated murmurs coming from the kitchen. It was clear they were trying to be quiet, but curiosity stole over Lucie and she crept closer until she could hear what was said. “You look fucking ridiculous with those damn glasses on.” The sound of ice clinking in a glass preceded Edward’s harsh words. “I didn’t want anyone to see the bruise.” Lucie was shocked by the timid, mousy quality of her mother’s words. Her mom had always been a rock, emotionally strong and not willing to put up with anyone’s crap. The woman that spoke now seemed frightened and submissive.

“Well, whose fault is that?” Edward chuckled and the sound that came forth reminded Lucie of the devil himself. Not wanting to listen to any more, Lucie rounded the corner. Her mother stood at the table and unloaded her paper bags. Edward was leaned against the counter, square-cut glass in his hand filled with amber-colored liquid. It didn’t take a genius to realize that alcohol filled that cup. Edward was the first to spot Lucie, and when he smiled broadly a sense of disgust filled her. “Hey there, pretty little thing.” Her mother turned around and smiled almost weakly. “Hi, honey.” Melanie walked up to her and embraced her. “I hope you didn’t get lonely by yourself.” Lucie stared into those big, dark frames. Whereas they might have seemed glamorous on any other occasion, Lucie couldn’t help but feel a dread settle in the pit of her stomach as she stared at them. Without thinking, she reached up and snatched them off her mother’s face. As if her mom had been anticipating the move, she stepped back, but Lucie already had a hold of the glasses. The sight that greeted her left her speechless. A nasty bruise marred her mother’s left eye and even snaked its way down to cover the top of her cheek. “What happened, mom?” Her mother reached up and made a tsking noise. “You know how clumsy I am. I tripped over a fallen log while hiking and landed right on a rock.” “You got that from hiking?” Lucie knew incredulity laced her voice. Melanie simply nodded and went back to unloading her bags. “Do you need to see a doctor?” Melanie was turned around and shaking her head before Lucie even finished asking the question. “No, no. I’m honestly fine, sweetie.” Lucie turned her stare to Edward and saw he wasn’t even paying attention. He had finished his liquor and was refilling his glass. Without even a second glance he topped off his glass and left the kitchen. When it was just her and her mother, Lucie moved closer and put her arm on her shoulder. “You sure you’re okay, mom?” The two of them were close, but were they close enough that her mom could confide something like this to her?

Melanie turned around and smiled. “I’m honestly all right, dear. You know I have two left feet.” It wasn’t a lie. Her mother did knock into stuff on a daily basis, but a little voice inside told Lucie that tripping hadn’t caused the bruise. She wouldn’t push it, though. “Okay, mom.” Lucie would just have to keep a vigilant eye on Edward, because there was no fucking way she would let him hurt her mom. She didn’t care how big he was.

Chapter Nine Lucie couldn’t sleep. She lay there, watching the lights from passing cars paint her ceiling, and pondered what the rest of her life would hold. She’d heard Quentin and Emery come home an hour ago and wondered what had taken them so long. She wished they’d been here so she could have confided in them. The sound of her door being opened a few moments later drew her attention, and for a brief moment she pictured Edward creeping in. When light from a car flashed across Quentin’s face, Lucie breathed out a sigh of relief. Despite his huge frame, Quentin moved across her room as stealthily as a thief in the night. Sitting up in bed, Lucie couldn’t help how her heart thundered in her chest. “Quentin?” Lucie said, voice so quiet she feared he might not even hear. Her pulse increased when he pushed the covers aside and slipped in. “Shh. I missed you today.” The smell of his freshly showered skin washed over her and Lucie immediately curled around him. His hair was still damp and his chest was bare. Already she was growing wet for him. His thick erection pressed against her thigh and had her arousal heightening. “I missed you, too. What took you so long? I wanted to talk to you about––” Quentin leaned in and silenced her with a kiss. He swept his tongue across her lips and she happily opened for him. He tasted so good, like spices and cinnamon. As the kiss deepened and her arousal heightened, Lucie couldn’t help but run her hands along his chest. Hot skin greeted her palms and she moved in closer, wanting to feel every square inch of him against her. It was clear Quentin wanted the same thing, because his hands moved all over her body. Soon they were both naked, and his heavy cock was pressed between her thighs. “God, I want you so fucking bad.” Quentin kissed a path along her neck as he murmured those heated words. For one second, Lucie had a moment of clarity. She pushed against his chest and looked into his shadowed face. “What if someone hears us?”

He was already shaking his head and kissing the side of her neck again before she finished. “My dad is passed out cold in the living room, and your mom went to bed hours ago. Emery is asleep too.” He licked up her neck and Lucie shivered in response. Quentin gripped the back of her knee, lifted it, and placed it over his thigh. His hard cock slipped between the folds of her wet pussy and she moaned. A slow thrust of his hips was more of a tease than anything else. Lucie wanted to feel all those thick inches shoved deep within her, stretching her, filling her until she would scream out in ecstasy. She angled her hips just right so the tip of his shaft became lodged in her pussy. Quentin let out a deep, muffled groan. He gently bit the side of her throat and moved back up to her mouth, devouring her. Both of them shifted until Lucie found herself on top of him, his dick slowly pushing into her saturated cunt. “Ride me, Lucie.” A hard breath left her. Lucie placed her hands on his pectoral muscles and braced her thighs wider apart. It felt so good having him inside her, but she wanted to feel the friction of his shaft moving in and out. She rose up slowly and closed her eyes as bliss washed through her. When just the tip was embedded in her pussy, she pushed back down, just as slowly as the first time. With her pussy flush with his groin, she rotated her hips, loving the feeling of being soaked. Her clit moved against the base of his cock. The curtains that covered the window above her bed remained open slightly, and the brightness from the full moon streamed in, painting both of them in a silvery glow. Lucie looked down at Quentin and saw his eyes at half-mast, his attention where their bodies were joined. “You know, the light from the moon is shining right on your pretty cunt.” He flicked his gaze up to hers. “Your pussy lips are spread around my cock so wide. It turns me the fuck on.” To emphasize his point, Quentin moved his fingers toward her vagina and started rubbing her lips. Lucie could feel them swell, could feel her arousal heighten. “Ride me, baby. I want to see this pretty cunt engulfing my cock.” Unable to keep her eyes open any longer. Lucie closed them and started to ride Quentin like a mad woman. She rested her hands

behind her, right on his muscular thighs, and started pumping her hips up and down so hard her breasts shook. “Fuck, baby.” Quentin reached up and started massaging her breasts. He tweaked the nipples until she felt them stand hard and erect. “These are the most gorgeous tits I have ever seen.” Hands still on her chest, he rose up and took one hard bud into his mouth. Lucie didn’t stop her pumping hips, and couldn’t even if she wanted to. She was so close to climaxing that if he just bit on the sensitive tissue gently, she would go off like a bomb. “I’m so close, Quentin.” Out of breath from her arousal, Lucie pried her eyes open and looked at him. He let go of her nipple with a pop and wrapped his hands around her waist. Without missing a beat, he started meeting her thrusts with his own. The sound of her pussy sucking at his cock filled her ears and she felt her orgasm explode. As if Quentin knew what was happening, he placed his hand over her mouth just in time. A low wail left her and would have woken up the entire house, if not for his hand covering her mouth. As her climax started to abate, Quentin rested his head on her chest and groaned softly. His hands on her waist tightened and she knew he was coming. When her own climax finally ended, Lucie collapsed on his chest, panting heavily. Her pussy convulsed around his softening shaft and they both moaned from the feeling. “Fuck, Lucie. You’re going to be the death of me.” He kissed her head, his own breathing labored. She couldn’t respond, and didn’t have the breath to. Instead, she kissed his chest. The skin was slick from perspiration and salty to the taste. Instead of repulsing her, it turned her on. “You wore me out.” Quentin chuckled against her hair and shifted until his dick slid free. They looked at each other for a moment and finally leaned in at the same time to kiss. “I better go before someone realizes I’m in your room.” Lucie knew he was right, even though she didn’t want him to leave. They kissed once more. Quentin slipped from the bed, got dressed, and sneaked out of her room. Lying there, in the dark, with a post-euphoric high, Lucie couldn’t help but think there had been something, someone, missing during her encounter with Quentin. She wished Emery had been there, touching her as well.

Chapter Ten As the days passed, Lucie began to see a slow decline in her mother’s normally happy demeanor. The bruise covering her eye was starting to go away, but a strange expression now graced her mother’s face. Maybe no one else noticed the change in her mom, but Lucie sure as hell did. Although Edward’s attitude toward her grew increasingly inappropriate and made Lucie uncomfortable, she didn’t see him acting any different toward her mother. A few times he seemed more on edge, but mostly, he displayed a strange kind of loving possessiveness toward Melanie. Lucie would have wondered if she hadn’t misinterpreted her mother’s bruised eye, if not for the fact her mom seemed to grow more depressed with each passing day. When Edward, Quentin, and Emery left for the day, Lucie knew she couldn’t waste any more time in bringing her worries out in the open. She heard dishes clinking in the kitchen and headed toward the noise. Her mom was in front of the sink, softly humming, with water splashed everywhere around her. “Mom?” Lucie took a step forward. “Yeah, honey?” Although Melanie didn’t turn around, she sounded energetic today, something Lucie hadn’t witnessed in several weeks. How to go about bringing the subject up? “Can we talk for a minute?” Melanie turned around, a strange expression on her face. “Is everything okay, sweetie?” She wiped her hands on the dishrag. Lucie moved toward her. “I just want to talk to you while we are alone.” Her mother’s eyes widened as she collapsed on the chair and covered her mouth with a hand. “Oh, God. You’re not pregnant, are you?” For one suspended moment Lucie could do nothing but stare at her mom in shock. Pregnant? Her mom must have interpreted that as a yes, because she quickly took hold of Lucie’s hands. “Oh, honey.” She breathed out deeply and continued to stroke Lucie’s hand. “Didn’t you learn from my mistakes and struggles?”

Her mother didn’t like discussing the fact that she had gotten pregnant right out of high school, so the fact that she had brought it up snapped Lucie out of her shock. “No.” Lucie shook her head hard. “I mean, no, I’m not pregnant.” She instantly saw her mother relax. “Oh, thank God.” Her mother’s cheeks reddened and she quickly added, “I just meant you’re too young to take care of a baby.” Lucie shook her head again and got right down to it. “Did you really trip while hiking?” Her mother’s face got even redder and there was a long pause before she answered. “What?” She knew her mother heard, but she repeated the question anyway. “How did you really get that bruise?” A cloud of anger covered her mother’s face. “I told you.” She got up and went back to the sink. Even though her mother kept her back toward her, Lucie continued. “Ignoring this won’t make it go away. I want to know what really happened.” Lucie stood and walked over to her mom. “You don’t even act the same anymore.” Melanie spun around, dish rag in hand and water dripping onto the floor. “I don’t know what you’re implying, but you’re out of line.” The spark of life her mother used to have made an appearance then. Her face hardened, and her nostrils flared. Lucie could tell her mother was angry, really angry. Maybe Lucie had been wrong about what happened? They stared into each other’s eyes for a suspended moment before her mom finally turned around. “Listen, I didn’t mean to snap at you, I just think this conversation isn’t appropriate.” She let out a deep breath and went back to washing the dishes. “What I told you is what happened. End of story. I don’t want you bringing this up again, especially in front of Edward. Do you understand me?” Although her mother was trying to sound stern, her voice shook slightly. A war raged inside of Lucie. On one hand she wanted to leave it be, but on the other hand she wanted to continue talking about it. In the end, defeat won over and she turned around and stalked back to her room. It certainly hadn’t gone how she imagined it. There was a side of her that felt like she had intruded on her mother’s life, like she had been so very wrong to get into her moms business. There was also another part of her, a more stubborn part that knew something was wrong.

Maybe Edward wasn’t abusing her mother? Maybe Lucie was off track in this situation? There was a feeling deep in the pit of her stomach that told her even if Edward was innocent he was turning her mother into a submissive vegetable. She knew she had to ask someone who knew Edward personally. When Quentin and Emery got home, that was exactly what she’d do. **** Hours passed before Edward, Quentin and Emery returned. The five of them sat around the dinner table in total silence. Lucie knew she wasn’t the only one who felt the tension in the room. She didn’t miss how Quentin and Emery kept glancing at her, as if they wanted to see whether she felt the same awkwardness they did. The only sound seemed to be that of silverware clanking against the china. Edward sat stiff and unyielding at the head of the table. “How was everyone’s day?” Her mother broke the silence and everyone seemed to stop eating and look over at her. “Fine.” What else could Lucie say? Her day hadn’t been anything spectacular, and the confrontation with her mother hadn’t gone the way Lucie had hoped. “It was fine, Melanie. Thank you for asking.” Quentin smiled at her mother and continued eating. “It was nice.” Emery responded as well, a smile on his lips as he looked between Melanie and Lucie. Despite the fact that Edward hadn’t responded, no one looked his way. After a long moment of silence, Melanie finally asked him, “What about you, Edward honey? How was your day?” Edward set down his fork and grabbed his ever-ready, squarecut glass filled with liquor. He stared at her mother for so long Lucie started to squirm in her seat. Although she hadn’t known much about Edward before he and her mother got married, Lucie wasn’t blind to the fact that alcohol was becoming his daily companion. “I busted my ass. How was your day? Did you enjoy staying at home and doing nothing?” The smell of his alcohol-laced breath reached Lucie and her stomach turned. It was clear he was drunk. Hell, he started drinking as soon as he woke up, so it really shouldn’t come as a surprise to her. Edward’s eyes were red-rimmed and glossy and there was a slight slur in his speech. He pushed his plate away and his fork

clattered to the table. Anger came off him in waves. The half-filled glass was again in his hand in a matter of seconds. He downed it and slammed it on the table. Lucie’s heart stopped as everyone stared at him in stunned silence. A moment later, he pushed away from the table so hard his chair flew back against the wall. Despite the fact he walked out of the dining room, his rage was still tangible. The front door slammed shut. Lucie watched as her mother gracefully got up from the table and disappeared into the living room. The urge to follow her was strong, but Lucie refrained, knowing she wouldn’t be welcome. After a long, drawn-out second Lucie finally broke the silence. “What the hell was that about?” No one responded right away. Lucie shot confused looks at Quentin and Emery. It wasn’t their fault their dad was a piece of shit, but a voice inside of Lucie nagged at her. Maybe they had known their father was like this from the very beginning. “Is he always a drunken bastard?” Quentin was the first to speak. “No.” Despite what he said, Lucie couldn’t help but notice how he glanced at Emery. “What are you guys not telling me?” A sick dread settled in Lucie’s stomach as she saw the strange expressions cross Quentin and Emery’s faces. “I’ve never seen him that bad before.” Emery spoke, his voice deep and strong, yet filled with a hint of fear. Anger and fear washed through Lucie. Anger that Edward would let himself get like that in front of others, and fear that things would escalate. Quentin took a deep breath. “Our dad grew up with the military. He has always been hard and unrelenting. We’ve seen him drunk on more than one occasion…but it’s been years since he has been in the condition he was tonight.” Nothing else was said as they ate in silence and cleared the table. By the time Lucie went into the kitchen her mother was already gone, probably to bed. Edward still wasn’t home, but that was fine with her. She didn’t want him anywhere near, in the state he was in. Lucie took a long, hot shower and hoped to wash away the night’s events. She dressed and headed to her room. Surprisingly, her mother was sitting on the edge of her bed when she entered her room. Her mom twisted her hands in her lap and Lucie knew there was something eating away at her.

“Everything okay, mom?” Of course it wasn’t, but Lucie didn’t know what else to say. “I just wanted to apologize for the way Edward acted at dinner.” “It wasn’t your fault.” Her mother smiled weakly. “He has a lot on his mind.” Anger doubled inside of Lucie. “A lot of people have things on their mind, and they don’t treat the ones they supposedly love that way.” “You’re being too hard on him, dear.” Her mom took a deep breath. “I’m not excusing his actions, but stress and life can cause people to act differently.” There was no point in arguing with her mom, not with that tone of finality in her voice. “If there is anything you want to talk about, ever, you know you can come to me, right?” It was an olive branch Lucie was throwing out, but she knew her mother. Melanie was independent and strong-willed. She liked to take control of the situation and solve the problem. That is, she used to, until she met Edward. “Get some rest, honey.” A pat on her hand was the only physical contact her mother gave her before getting off the bed and leaving her alone in silence. Lucie stared at her closed door, wondering what their life would be like if Edward continued down the path he was on. Lucie may still be young, but she wasn’t dumb. She knew a problem when she saw it and she knew if things didn’t change it would get worse before it got better.

Chapter Eleven When everyone was in bed Lucie stared out her bedroom window. Edward had stumbled home drunkenly an hour ago and crawled up the stairs. She had heard him mumbling sweet endearments to her mother, and apologizing for the way he acted. If he hadn’t been so loud while talking, Lucie might never have heard the “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” personality come out. Lucie could hear the house settling around her, could hear the creaks from the wood and the various electronics kicking on and shutting off. She wanted answers about what was really going on with Edward, but she didn’t know if Emery and Quentin would be so forthcoming with the information. There was something they weren’t telling her. She didn’t want to wait a minute longer, not when things were getting progressively worse. Grabbing her robe and slipping it on, Lucie tiptoed out her room and down the hall toward Emery’s bedroom. The door was cracked open and she pushed it open wider. When her eyes adjusted to the darkness fully, she realized he wasn’t in bed. A noise from the kitchen drew her attention and she made her way downstairs. Lucie tried to be as quiet as she could, but she knew she hadn’t been silent enough when she saw Emery standing in the kitchen doorway watching her. Neither of them said anything for several minutes. She walked closer until they were only a few feet apart. There were so many things she wanted to ask him, but she didn’t know where to begin. Before she could open her mouth and get a word out, he had his arms wrapped around her and was pulling her deeper into the darkened kitchen. His mouth slanted over hers and his tongue swiped along her bottom lip. His erection pressed against her belly, insistent, hard. All thoughts went out of her mind. Why was it so difficult to think about other things when she was near Emery and Quentin? As they continued to kiss, Emery led them into the pantry. She knew it was the pantry as soon as the smells of baking goods assaulted her. They broke the kiss and she panted against his mouth. “This is crazy, Emery.” Lucie rested her head against his chest and heard his heart beating as hard and fast as she knew hers was.

He chuckled. “I know.” She felt him run his hands over her hair. “I don’t know what came over me. I heard someone coming down the stairs and when I saw you standing there, the moonlight shining through that robe, something inside of me snapped.” Lucie leaned back and looked into his face. The pantry was dark, but the door was cracked open and the sliver of light that pierced the inky darkness slashed across his face. He looked dangerous and sexy. “I went into your room to talk to you, but I heard you down here.” He leaned down and started kissing and nipping at the base of her neck. “What did you want to talk about?” His voice was a raspy whisper. Her pussy tingled and her panties were already saturated. She needed to know what was going on before things got too intense and all common sense left her. “Wait.” She pushed at his chest and he leaned back. “I really want to talk about what happened tonight at dinner.” Emery exhaled and took a step back. A moment of hushed silence descended over them and she waited patiently for him to speak. “I wish I could tell you what happened, but Quen and I are just as stunned as you are.” Although she couldn’t really see his expression, she could hear the sincerity in his voice. “Our dad has always been stern and even cruel at times. When he was with our mother, it was like we lived in the military. Things had to be done a certain way at a certain time. Our mother was always at his beck and call, always the good submissive that did whatever he said.” He leaned against the shelf and Lucie could see him run his hand through his hair. “Even as a child I could see how sad she was. We were little back then, and of course didn’t really know any better. One day our dad told us our mother was too sick to come home. When we questioned where she was and why she wasn’t coming back, our dad got so angry with us. Finally, I guess because our childish nagging grated on his nerves, he strapped us into the car and drove us to where she was at.” Lucie wanted to ask so many questions, but she knew Emery needed time to reveal the truth. There was silence before he continued. “Our mother had severe depression. She didn’t always have it, though. I can remember,

when I was really young, how happy she was. I know it was how my father treated her, like he was a general in a house full of new recruits. I think my mom just finally gave up. I don’t blame her, though.” Lucie didn’t know what to say. She wanted to comfort him, to tell him everything would be okay, but how could she say something like that when she couldn’t guarantee it? “Where did he take you?” “To a mental hospital. I couldn’t have been more than five at the time, but I remember how sick she was. It wasn’t too long after that she died. Years after she died, our father started getting rougher with the way he acted toward us. It got to the point that Quentin wanted to leave.” Lucie moved closer and embraced him. She could hear the anguish in his voice, so deep and intense it was like a knife to her heart. “Maybe I should have left with Quen, but I didn’t want to leave our dad. I had already lost my mom. There was a piece inside of me that wanted to help him. He was cruel before she died, but after he was a tyrant.” She held him tight, not knowing how to express what she felt inside. “I don’t deny he’s a bastard, but he is my father. When he met your mom I actually saw a spark of happiness in him, but slowly he is reverting to his old ways.” Emery wasn’t crying, but he might as well have been for the sadness he emitted. Lucie leaned back and ran her hand across his cheek. A day’s worth of stubble covered his masculine jaw. Standing on her toes, Lucie brought her lips to his. It had only meant to be a kiss of comfort, but as their mouths pressed more firmly together, a heat started to grow inside of her. The kiss lasted several minutes until she was panting for air. Lucie couldn’t breathe, couldn’t even speak. Her head seemed to fall back on its own accord and she closed her eyes. “How about we talk about something else?” It was clear this conversation had brought up bad memories and Lucie felt instantly guilty. She wanted to wash away the hurt he felt. She wanted to make him feel good. “Like what?” She said it softly, seductively. “Like how hard you make me.” His murmured words whispered across her ear as he made his way closer to her mouth. He

moved his hand lower, across her belly and between her thighs until he was cupping her pussy. “Or how about we talk about how wet this pussy is for me?” His mouth was now a centimeter from hers. Her whole body came alive. “Emery,” his name was the only thing she could say. That was all he needed, though. He slanted his mouth on hers and pressed his tongue in her mouth. She met his kiss with just as much enthusiasm. His hand still cupped her pussy, pressing the material of her nightgown into the crease and teasing her clit. He started to grind his hard cock into her and she felt her knees threatening to give out. He used his bigger body to push her back until she felt the shelf behind her. As their kiss continued, he moved his hands behind her until he had the hem of her nightgown bunched in his fists. Ever-so-slowly, he pulled the material up her thighs, until it was over her hips. She had her panties off in the next second. Cool air wafted across her saturated slit. Before she knew what was happening, Emery had her turned around and bent over the shelf. Her breasts pressed against a bag of rice. The rough texture inflamed her arousal even further. When Lucie felt the hot, hard length of Emery’s cock press against her pussy, she closed her eyes and waited for bliss to consume her. A suspended moment passed and still he didn’t penetrate her. He didn’t make her wait much longer, though. He covered her back with his and she felt his hot, humid breath skate across the nape of her neck. He smelled like wintergreen and cinnamon, a strange combination but arousing nonetheless. “I’m going to fuck this sweet little pussy until you come all over my cock, and then I’m going to fuck your ass.” His words, deep, heated, and filled with intent, caused a surge of desire to slam into her. “I wasn’t lying when I said this was the most gorgeous ass I’ve ever seen.” Never had Lucie thought hearing something like that would turn her on so much, but cream literally dripped down her inner thigh as anticipation settled in. When Emery finally shoved his cock into her, it was bittersweet. The pain from his erection stretching her, coupled with the intense pleasure that followed, left her breathless. He pounded into her hard and fast until she was forced to hold onto the shelf for support, pistoning in and out of her juicy pussy with such force her

breasts shook. The sound of her cunt sucking at his cock rang throughout the confined pantry and brought her to a swift orgasm. Right as her lips parted and a moan of pleasure threatened to come out, Emery placed his hand over her mouth to muffle the sound. It reminded her of her time with Quentin. The thought of Quentin standing there, watching, as his brother fucked her turned Lucie on so much a series of smaller orgasms fired off inside her. The wave that went through her was like a hurricane of pleasure. And he didn’t stop there. Emery pulled out of her cunt and she felt her inner muscles twitching in protest. She wanted more, wanted to see how far he would go. She felt him run his fingers over her still-quivering pussy and bring the fluid to her anus. She wanted this so bad she could taste it. That one orgasm wasn’t nearly enough. When her ass was good and lubed she felt him place his cock head at the entrance of her asshole. It was a slick and smooth transition when he pushed his erection into her anus. The muscles stretched to the point of pain as her body was forced to accommodate his huge shaft. When he was fully embedded inside of her, he stilled for a second. Lucie didn’t want to wait, didn’t want him to go slow. She wanted to feel him pumping in and out of her ass hard and fast. She wanted to feel his cum filling her up and hear his moan of completion. “Do it, Emery. Fuck my ass.” Where the words had come from she had no idea. It was not like her to speak in so brash a way, but she was finding out that when she was with Emery and Quentin, a foreign part of her came to the surface, more wicked and wanton than her usual self. He didn’t make her wait for what she really wanted. Emery placed both of his hands on the shelf by her head and started pounding into her willing body. Lucie’s climax seemed weak compared to the orgasm that was building inside of her. “The only thing that would make this moment better was if Quen was here watching me fuck your ass.” Emery’s breathless words left her speechless. “I want you to imagine my brother here. He would be in the corner, watching as you sucked in air because it felt so good.” Lucie pictured just that, but to the extreme. She could see Quentin holding his hard cock, stroking it as Emery fucked her. The

closer she got to coming, the faster he pumped his fist across his shaft. She closed her eyes tightly as her orgasm crested. “Oh, God, Emery.” Quentin was still in her mind, his cum shooting out of the tip of his dick as his brother filled her ass with his spunk. When Emery’s shaft started to soften and he pulled out of her, Lucie rested fully against the shelf. Intense and extreme pleasure washed over her. She was tired, but not tired enough to realize Emery was pulling her panties up her thighs and pulling her nightgown down. “Next time we fuck, I’m going to be buried in your ass while my brother is fucking your tight little cunt.” Oh God. That was something she was definitely looking forward to.

Chapter Twelve Lucie shot up in bed. Sweat dripped from her forehead and ran down the valley between her breasts. She couldn’t catch her breath, couldn’t draw in enough air. The dream had been so real, so horrifyingly real. She threw the blanket off and rested her arms on her thighs. She had been at her mother’s funeral in the dream. Dressed all in black, Emery and Quentin stood on either side of her, trying to comfort and console her. It had been so realistic, right down to the smell of the roses laid on her mother’s coffin. A glance at the clock told her it was past ten in the morning. How did I sleep so late? Lucie stood and headed toward the window. Both vehicles were gone, which probably meant she was home alone. A hot shower sounded nice, and she hoped it would be powerful enough to wash away the horrible remnants of her dream. Grabbing a clean set of clothes, Lucie headed out of her room and went to the top of the stairs. “Hello? Anyone home?” When silence greeted her, she went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. After a few minutes, steam filled the small room. As the water cascaded over her, Lucie closed her eyes. Again she pictured that coffin, dark and ominous. The water didn’t help wash away the dream, but it did relax her, somewhat. Once her shower was over and she was dressed, Lucie headed into the kitchen and grabbed something to eat. She was indeed alone. Cup in hand, she stared out the window at the empty driveway. A plan formed in her mind. It was risky, but if she found what she was looking for it would be well worth it. Lucie headed upstairs and gripped the doorknob to her mother and Edward’s room. The brass was cold and unyielding, just like the man her mother had married. She pushed the door open but didn’t cross the threshold. Her heart thundered in her chest and her palms became clammy. Where was she even supposed to start? She knew Edward had to have documents somewhere. This may just be a wild goose chase, but Lucie had a feeling Edward was

hiding something, and if she could find proof maybe she could do something to stop him. The closet seemed like the most logical place to start. Lucie opened the closet door and switched on the light. The large walk-in closet was perfectly organized, right down to the shoes lined up according to color and style. Edward’s clothes were colorcoordinated and grouped into shirts, jackets, and slacks. She looked at the shelf above, trying to see anything that resembled a container where he might keep personal items, but nothing seemed remotely close to what she was looking for. Getting on her hands and knees, Lucie pushed aside the bottom of Edward’s clothing. Although she hoped she would have found something, there was nothing out of the ordinary lying around. Standing back up, a sense of defeat washed through her. She turned to leave, but just as her hand was on the light switch, she remembered the hidden crawl space in the corner of the closet. Heart starting to pound fiercely all over again, Lucie went over to the corner and pushed away several large containers filled with clothing. There it was, right in front of her. The door was small and nearly hidden. The miniscule latch was broken, as it had been years ago, but Lucie knew the trick to opening it. Hooking her pinky finger in the small hole that used to house the latch, Lucie twisted the digit until a burn started to settle in. Her finger wasn’t as small as it used to be, but the door finally opened nonetheless. The smell of musty oldness slammed into her. It was pitch black, but she soon found the hanging cord that was attached to the single light bulb. Clicking it on, she crawled inside and looked around. The crawlspace wasn’t high enough for her to stand completely erect, but it didn’t matter. Lucie instantly spied what she hoped was the item she was looking for. An old, tattered box rested against the farthest wall with several smaller boxes blocking most of it from view. She quickly moved toward it and pushed the other boxes aside. Lucie removed the top of the lid and was greeted with several manila folders. They were stained and discolored, but the distinct red lettering of “confidential” was stamped across each one. As she continued to remove them, the weight of their contents startled her. As she lifted the last out of the box several pictures fell from a folder and landed beside her leg.

The first one she picked up showed two very young versions of Emery and Quentin. They couldn’t have been more than five or six, but it wasn’t hard for her to see it was them. Their expressions seemed almost distant and hollow. The next photo showed a woman who resembled Emery and Quentin. It was a black and white photo, and it wasn’t hard to guess that she was their mother. She wore a long white gown and her dark hair was scattered around her head. Her eyes seemed devoid of any emotion. Lucie flipped the photo over and saw “Crandall Mental Institute” stamped across the back along with the date. Setting the photos aside, Lucie opened the first folder and started flipping through the contents. Page after page she read, each one more horrifying than the next. According to the documents, their mother, Kathryn, had gone insane shortly after her husband returned from active duty. They diagnosed her with Post Partum Depression along with PTSD stemming from being abused as a child by a neighbor. There were dictated transcripts of psychological counseling. In the documents, Kathryn stated over and over again that it was because of him that she was like this. That she couldn’t handle the punishment any longer. It was never specified who “he” was. As she read through the other folders, it was clear that Kathryn had been suffering with her disability for far too many years. She always spoke of “him”, though a name was never given. The doctors labeled her as mentally insane. Although there was documented proof of some kind of abuse going on at home, no one ever said Edward was to blame, that is, not until she got to the last paper. The paper was a sworn testimony from Kathryn, dated just days before she committed suicide. In it, she had stated that her husband Edward was the cause of all her anguish. She went into great detail about the physical and sexual abuse and the sadistic punishments he would make her endure. Even though she had sworn to these facts, it was clear from how the documents portrayed Edward that he was known as a war hero, and therefore any accusations toward him were considered false. There were photos of bruises around her wrists, abdomen, and even neck, but those were documented as “self-inflicted” despite what Kathryn had said. Lucie flipped through the pictures, each one more disturbing than the next. Kathryn was shown slowly wasting away in each photo until she was nothing more than a shell of a woman. The

last photo Lucie found was a family picture of Emery, Quentin and their parents. Emery was just an infant and was held by his mother, while Quentin couldn’t have been more than a year old and stood by his father. Edward wore his military garb, and his face held an emotionless expression. Lucie stared at Kathryn. Although she smiled, someone would have to be blind not to see the pain and anguish in her eyes. Lucie couldn’t stomach any more, especially when the picture of Kathryn’s lifeless corpse flittered to the ground. How anyone could get away with murder stunned Lucie. Lucie didn’t know if the documents would hold any ground now, not after so many years had passed, but she was sure as hell going to try. The sound of her mother’s bedroom door shutting made Lucie’s heart stop.

Chapter Thirteen Acting on pure instinct, Lucie turned off the light and cracked the crawlspace door. She stayed beside it, still able to see through the miniscule opening. A moment passed and then the closet light came on. Lucie’s mouth went dry and fear slammed into her when she spotted Edward’s ever-present combat boots stepping inside the tight confines. He started rifling through the hanging clothes. The closer he moved toward the crawlspace door, the more fear coursed through her. Adrenaline pumped in her veins and she started to sweat. When his boots were mere inches from where she hid and the sound of ruffling clothes ceased, Lucie thought for sure he had found her. As a suspended moment passed, Lucie’s heart pounded harder and faster behind her ribs. How could she explain why she was in the crawlspace with his personal documents scattered around her? The seconds turned into minutes, and just when Lucie thought he would bust her at any moment, he turned and left her in darkness. She waited several minutes before cleaning up the papers. Right as she was about to close the box, she grabbed the folder that held Kathryn’s sworn testimony along with the photos of her bruises and stuffed it under her shirt. It wasn’t too thick and would not be noticeable––at least, that’s what she kept telling herself. Climbing out of the crawlspace swiftly yet quietly, Lucie cracked the closet door and peered outside. Her mother’s room was empty. She slipped out and walked briskly toward the door. With sweaty hands, she gripped the doorknob, but couldn’t get a good grip on it. When she finally got it open, Lucie stuck only her head out and looked down the hallway. The house seemed quiet, too quiet. She didn’t know where Edward had gone, but she didn’t want to wait around to find out. When her mother’s door was shut behind her she took off toward her room. Right before she stepped inside, pain sliced through her skull. Someone had a chunk of her hair in their fist. Lucie was thrown off-balance and fell backward. The folder slipped from under her shirt and fell to the ground. Her head slammed against the floor and stars danced before her eyes. “You stupid fucking bitch.” Edward’s words were dark and ominous. “Did you really think I wouldn’t know you had been in my shit?”

Where were her mom, Emery and Quentin? Before Lucie could get away from him, Edward had her hair in his fist again and was dragging her backward. The pain was immense and she couldn’t help but yell out. She clawed desperately at his hands, trying to pry them off, but to no avail. “Shut the fuck up,” Edward chuckled. He continued, “You know, you and I could have had a little something going on the side. I mean, you have a tight little body that I’m sure can handle a big dick, but you’re too nosy for your own good.” He pulled her back into his bedroom and tossed her into the middle of the floor. His strength was immense and she felt like a ragdoll being thrown about. He slammed the door shut and Lucie scrambled backward. She looked around, and panic settled in as she realized the only way out was through the door he was blocking or out the window, two stories high. She doubted she could make it to the window and open it enough to get out before Edward caught her. Even if she managed to escape out the window, the likelihood that she would break something on the way down was a good possibility. Oh, God. Where is everyone else? She had no idea what Edward had planned, but the dark and thunderous look in his eyes spoke volumes. He held the manila envelope so tightly in his hand that his knuckles were white. She didn’t know when he had time to pick it up because to her, everything had seemed to go so fast. Edward’s chuckle was sardonic. He lifted the folder and eyed it before turning his evil stare back at her. “If you would have just kept to yourself, this could have been a sweet relationship. I don’t even mind that you fucked my boys.” Shock reverberated through Lucie’s body. He had known what she, Emery, and Quentin had done. Her face felt like it was on fire. Edward laughed again and took a step closer. “Did you really think I wouldn’t have known? I was in the military, for fuck’s sake. I spied on some of the world’s most dangerous men. Your little tryst was nothing compared to what I’ve seen.” He took another step toward her. “It’s just a shame we didn’t have a little alone time earlier, and on better terms.” The folder fell from his grasp. When he went for the buttons of his shirt and started undoing them, horror accelerated inside of her. When his shirt was fully undone he started unbuckling his belt.

“Don’t worry, I won’t be too rough with you.” Grin as big and wide as the Cheshire cat’s, Edward walked toward her. Lucie felt the wall against her back and realized she was trapped. He reached for her and out of pure instinct Lucie made a fist and aimed it right toward his crotch. Edward’s eyes widened a moment before a groan left his lips and he fell to his knees. Lucie took that opportunity to go for the door, but before she made it she felt Edward grasp her ankle. She fell onto her belly and the air left her. His grip was painful and unyielding, and when he pulled her back toward him she screamed out. It was clear they were alone in the house, but still, she prayed someone would find her before it was too late. “You’re going to wish you hadn’t done that.” He wrapped his huge arms around her waist and hauled her from the ground. He threw her on the bed and she bounced off the mattress, twice. Before she could escape he was on top of her and tearing at her shirt. Lucie opened her mouth and screamed as loud as she could. “Stop. Please stop.” His response was a dark laugh and more buttons of her shirt being ripped off. “It wouldn’t matter if anyone could hear you, anyway. They couldn’t stop me if they wanted to.” Hot tears slid down her cheeks as she tried in vain to get him off of her. It was no use, though. He was solid muscle and easily overpowered her. “I’m going to have to find a way to keep these pretty little lips closed.” Edward ran his thumb along her bottom lip to emphasize his point. “I can’t have you telling anyone what you found. Maybe I’ll sew your mouth shut.” Lucie’s heart stopped in her chest. “I picked up numerous little tricks while in the military. You would be surprised what some countries do to make sure a secret doesn’t escape.” “Get off me.” Struggling was futile, because it seemed the harder she tried to get away, the stronger he became. The ever-present stench of liquor wafted off of him until she felt bile rise in her throat. No matter what happened, Lucie vowed that if she made it out of this she would tell everyone what a monster he truly was. She didn’t care if it was the last thing she ever did, she would make sure he never hurt another person again.

Right as he was about to rip her pants off, the bedroom door burst open. Startled, Lucie turned her gaze to the side. Her vision was blurry from crying so hard, but she knew in her heart that it was Emery and Quentin. The next several minutes happened as if in slow motion. Edward was ripped off her body. The sound of him hitting the wall was loud enough that it penetrated her fear-stricken mind. Grunts, growls, and cursing rang through the room. A wave of nausea assaulted Lucie as she attempted to rise. As the minutes ticked by and still it seemed the fight wouldn’t end, a sudden silence filled the room. Lucie knew she should have run out to get help, but felt as if she was paralyzed. Wiping her eyes to try and clear her sight, Lucie feared Edward had won. It had been two against one, and despite Emery and Quentin’s size, Edward was a beast of a man with liquid courage running through his veins. With her vision now somewhat clear, Lucie took in the scene around her. The end tables were knocked over, pictures hung crooked, and there was even a large hole in the plaster that was suspiciously the size of someone’s head. A groan came from the other side of the bed and Lucie found the strength to lean forward to see who it was. As the paralyzing fear slowly left her, she realized there was no way she was going to leave Emery and Quentin, not after they had just saved her life. Edward lay haphazardly on the floor, face up. Blood covered his face, although Lucie couldn’t tell where it was coming from. Emery lay on one side of the room and Quentin on the other. Once Edward was on his feet, he went right for Emery, wobbling over like a drunk. Lucie quickly got off the bed and went over to the dresser to grab the vase. She didn’t know what Edward planned on doing, but she wouldn’t let him hurt anyone else again. She would use this opportunity, while she was momentarily invisible, to stop Edward once and for all. Edward grabbed Emery by the shirt collar and lifted him up until he was pinned against the wall. Emery’s head rolled from side to side, but with each passing moment he seemed to become more lucid. “I knew you two were trouble the moment your mother pushed you little bastards out.” Lucie watched in horror as Edward pulled his arm back and curled his hand into a fist. “I’m going to let you watch as I fuck your little girlfriend until there isn’t anything left of her. Then when I’ve had my way with her, I’m going to finish you

and your brother off. You two have been nothing but a burden to me since the moment you were born.” Lucie didn’t wait any longer. Before Edward could connect his fist with Emery’s face, she rushed toward him and brought the vase down on his head. Edward’s fist stopped inches from Emery and a moment of stillness descended over them. Edward dropped Emery and slowly turned around. The broken porcelain crunched under his foot as he took a step toward her. Although he looked almost dazed, the raw fury in his eyes was tangible. As he went to take another step toward her, a thin line of ruby red blood made a slow trek down the middle of his face. Edward’s eyes rolled back in his head and he fell to the ground. Lucie didn’t know if she had killed him or not, but she didn’t care. Rushing over to Emery and Quentin, she tried to rouse them. When they were conscious enough, the three of them rushed out of the room, leaving behind the horror of Edward’s presence. **** Lucie sat in stunned silence as she watched the paramedics wheel her mother out on a stretcher. Melanie was okay, but Edward had done a number on her. They had given her pain medications for the numerous broken ribs and concussion she suffered. Lucie was glad that her mom had survived, and had told the police what had happened. The abuse had started the night of their honeymoon and had only escalated from that point. Edward had threatened her with abuse toward Lucie if she said anything or didn’t cooperate, which further cemented his power over her. Today had been her mother’s breaking point. Melanie was a strong-willed person by nature, and Lucie was glad that inner fire had come out. It broke her heart to see her mother in so much pain, but she was glad everything was out in the open now. Hopefully justice would finally be served. Lucie had given the police the files she had found and the sworn testimony of Kathryn. The hit she had delivered to Edward hadn’t killed him, which she was thankful for. Lucie wanted him to suffer for all he had done. Emery and Quentin had read their mother’s file as well, and although she knew they had to be in shock from it all, she saw knowing looks on their faces. It would take a lot of time for each of them to heal, but the evil that had plagued them would finally be brought to justice.

Epilogue One year later Lucie unpacked the last of the boxes and stepped back to look at everything. In just a year she had graduated high school, been accepted to her ideal college, and moved out. Her mother had since healed on the outside, but she was still looking at a lot of rehabilitation, both mentally and physically. Lucie was happy to see the spark of fire and joy back in her mother’s eyes. Despite her protests that she should stay with her mom, Melanie had insisted Lucie follow her dreams. Edward still hadn’t gone on trial for the crimes he committed against her or her mother, but Lucie was glad that they were reopening Kathryn’s case and would try and charge him with her death as well. Apparently, more incriminating evidence had been found that the authorities were sure would convict him. Her relationship with Emery and Quentin had come to the surface shortly after her mother had come home from the hospital. Despite Lucie’s initial assumption that her mother would be upset over the fact that Lucie was in a relationship with her two stepbrothers, Melanie seemed open-minded about it. Lucie didn’t miss how awkward her mother seemed around the three of them at first, but as time went on Melanie began to act like herself once again. . It was going to be a long, hard road for all of them, but Lucie saw a happy future in the end. Hands on hips, Lucie couldn’t help but smile. Her little apartment wasn’t anything spectacular, but it was hers. She felt fingers brush against her ass a second before she was spun around. Thick, muscular arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her close to an equally muscular chest. Lucie look into Quentin’s dark eyes and melted against him. She lifted her finger and smoothed it over the small, raised scar that ran vertically down his forehead. It didn’t alter how handsome he was, only intensified it. Quentin leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. She could already feel how hard he was.

“How about we break the new place in?” Lucie couldn’t help but smile in response. Emery and Quentin had both been accepted to the same college she had, and despite her mother disagreeing that the three of them live together, Lucie knew in her heart that they were the men for her. She may be young and still have a lot to learn, but she wasn’t too young to know that they were what gave her strength and love, every day. As their kiss deepened she felt Emery press his chest to her back. He ran his hands over her ass and squeezed the globes of her bottom. Quentin’s cock pressed against her stomach and Emery’s pressed against her lower back. “How about we take this into the bedroom?” Emery whispered in her ear and sent shivers down her spine. The three of them walked haphazardly into the bedroom. Their hands were all over each other, and when they got to their room they quickly undressed. Lucie’s pussy was soaked and all she wanted at that moment was to feel both of their shafts moving inside of her. As if they read her mind, they moved her over to the bed. Emery lay down first and she straddled his waist. The feel of his hot cock pressed against her wet slit drove her arousal even higher. Grabbing Emery’s shaft, Lucie placed the tip at the entrance of her cunt and slid all the way down. Eyes closed because it felt so good, Lucie moaned aloud. Quentin moved behind her and pressed his large hand on the middle of her back. He pushed her forward so that her chest was flush with Emery’s. The position caused her ass to be thrust up, but she knew that was what Quentin wanted. When she felt the cool lube spread across her anus, she bit her lip in anticipation. Her mouth opened on its own accord when she finally felt Quentin filling her ass with his dick. They were both so thick and hard that she felt completely stretched and filled. Emery leaned forward and kissed her. “Hold on, baby.” Quentin’s warm breath teased the shell of her ear. “This is going to be one hell of a ride.” The End

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Other Books by Jenika Snow: The Taste of Blood The Craving Master of Mine The Diary of Anna's Submission Uncle Dominic's Touch

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