After Sofia is gone, I think of nothing for the longest time. I let my mind drift, a strange peace coming over me, because I know what I have to do.
Saying goodbye will not magically heal me. There will never be closure for me. I crave them, body and soul. I physically cannot leave this palace without seeing them one more time in the full knowledge that it will be the last time. I want that sweet memory to take with me, or I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.
I take a long hot bath and smooth scented oil over my skin, almost like a ritual to prepare myself. I leave my hair tumbling loose. No point in putting it up for a pool party.
For the first time in my life, I put on a bikini instead of one piece. It is a white halter-neck, trimmed in gold, and the little triangles of fabric barely contain my full, firm breasts. The matching high leg bikini panties are almost a thong. I tremble as I slip it on over my shaved pussy, imagining how Dane, Aeron and Tyler are going to react. I know that the fabric will turn semi-sheer in the water, but I don’t care. I finish with a silken white and gold, lacy sarong, and a pair of sexy high heels.
I no longer care that the other girls might be dressed better than me, or that I’ll look stupid. None of that matters any more.
As I reach the private part of the palace, I see security guards everywhere, discretely manning their posts. The one outside the entrance to Dane’s wing gives me a curious look when she sees my invitation. She keeps her expression professionally courteous. I have no doubt she has seen a dozen girls arrive dressed like this.
The security guard gives me directions towards the garden and pool. When I get there music is playing quietly. Night is approaching as the sun slowly dips towards the horizon, but the pool is beautifully lit with lanterns. Nobody else is here yet. Just one person is swimming laps, his powerful arms cutting ferociously through the water. It is Tyler.
My stomach tightens when I see him, his lean, muscular body shining with water. As my eyes adjust to the light, I see Aeron and Dane sitting some distance away on the other side of the pool. They are at a patio table, drinks in their hands, their heads bent together as they talk. My heart leaps at the sight of Aeron looking well.
None of them are aware of my presence yet. My heart is racing so fast that all I want to do is get out of here. I had expected there to be lots of people to mingle with while I worked up the courage to approach them. I can’t understand why no one is here. Did I arrive too early?
I take a deep breath and find my courage. Too nervous to approach Aeron and Dane together, I make my way over to Tyler. He stops swimming as he notices me. He floats in the water for a bit, paddling as he stares at me.
I discard my sarong, and I perch on the edge of the pool near the deep end, my legs dangling in the water. He swims over to me.
“What are you doing here?” he demands roughly.
From the corner of my eye I see Dane and Aeron turn to look at us. I worry that they are going to make me leave. I don’t know what to say. I came to be in their presence, to drink them in with my eyes one last time. I have no words to make things better. I have only my touch.
I run my fingers through Tyler’s damp black hair. His body stiffens, the pupils in his dark eyes seeming to get larger. I run my finger down his jaw and the strong column of his throat.
His breathing deepens. I can see his chest rise and fall. I hold onto his shoulders and lower myself into the water, unafraid of the deep end while he is with me.
The water is cool. I shiver, my nipples turning hard. Tyler’s gaze drops to them. His hands automatically go to my waist to hold me steady. The water is not as deep as I had thought. He is able to stand in it.
I cling to him, wrapping my arms around his neck and my legs around his hips. My back is pressed against the side of the pool.
“Do you want me, Tyler?” I murmur, tracing his lips with my finger.
His hands clench around my hips, and his jaw tightens. He is angry with me. But there is heat in his eyes.
“I came to see you one last time,” I murmur, my lips only millimeters away from his. “It seems I can’t stay away.”
With a sound that is almost a snarl, his lips descends over mine, claiming me in a searing kiss. I cling to him, never wanting to let go, my body writhing against his until I feel the hardness of his cock pressed against my belly.
I want Aeron and Dane to join us. I want to taste their mouths. I want to feel their hands on my body. But they stay where they are, refusing me, closing me out of their hearts.
Suddenly Tyler pushes me away. With a cry, I hold on. He lifts me up out of the water and sits me on the side of the pool. He hauls himself out of the water, and then bends down to scoop me up into his arms.
He carries me to a canopied area not far from where Dane and Aeron are sitting. I become hyper aware of the lamps here shining on me, showing the dusky pink of my nipples through the wet fabric. They are still hard and erect from the cool water.
Tyler’s gaze is grim as he drops me onto the cushioned mat beneath the canopy.
“Tyler,” I murmur, a pleading tone in my voice.
I couldn’t bear it if he abandoned me now. It hurts to see only desire in his eyes and no gentleness, even though I know that this is what I came for. I don’t want their tenderness, because it will make me want to stay. I want their bodies to claim me one last time.
“You’re a tease,” he says roughly. “You came here in your tiny bikini to make us want you. Didn’t you?”
“Yes,” I murmur.
His hand grips the top of my swimsuit, and then tears it away from my body. My hands rise automatically to cover my breasts.
“No,” he says harshly, pulling my hands down and holding them behind my back, leaving my glistening body bare to his gaze. “This is what you wanted.”
“Yes,” I admit.
He drops to his knees in front of me. He grabs me around the waist, pulling me close to him. His hand rises to my breast, squeezing it, pinching my nipple with his thick fingers.
“And this?” he demands.
“Yes,” I gasp.
His mouth closes over my nipple, sucking it hard, making me gasp out loud. He mouths both of my nipples roughly, his strong body holding me tightly in place.
“You want rough sex from a werewolf, baby?” he taunts.
“Yes,” I whisper.
“Then you’re going to have to get my cock good and ready for you,” he says, a dangerous edge in his voice.
He rises to his feet. He tugs down his shorts and his cock springs free. It is long and thick, and still hard. I brush the tip with my lips, and he grabs me by the hair.
“You want to suck me, baby?’ he taunts.
I nod. I lick my lips to wet them, and I glance up at him as I part my lips and slide his cock into my mouth.
He groans, and is unable to resist pumping long, slow strokes into my mouth. I suck hard as he slides all the way in, the clean scent and taste of him making me moan with arousal.
And then my heart leaps as I sense someone behind me.
Hands reach around me to play with my breasts, roughly squeezing them, tweaking the nipples. I know from the feel of him that it is Dane. I groan with need, my hands closing over his, holding him close. He pulls his hands away, showing me he doesn’t want my tenderness.
