Appassionato

Dream Marked - 1

by

Erin M. Leaf

For my husband: without him I would know nothing about love.

Chapter 1

In her dream a man pressed against her, sleek muscles hot against her bare skin. Emma didn’t recognize the bed or the room, though candles lit the darkness, a hundred joyful flames dancing in unison. So pretty, she thought, smiling, and the man replied with long, delicious kisses that made her forget she didn’t know his name. When she moaned, he licked down the length of her jaw, behind her ear, stopping to bite until she gasped at the sting, the pain sweet as candy. He glanced at her through his lashes, gorgeous brown eyes sparkling, and she touched his face, wanting him to give up his secrets, but instead he kissed her palm and pushed his cock along her hip, hot and desperate, an offering of sorts. She gasped, wanting more, and then another strong body spooned up behind her. A male voice whispered against her nape, but Emma couldn’t understand his intention until he slotted his hardness up against her backside, rocking into her so that she went limp with delight.

There are two men in bed with me, she thought, confused. I must be dreaming. She’d never in her life had sex like this. Then the man behind her cupped his hands around her breasts, and she forgot everything in order to focus on the warmth of his palms. The first man moved lower and pressed his face against her nipples, scratching his stubble against her until they peaked. She shivered as she watched him kiss the other man’s fingers where they held her breasts. Then he nibbled at her until she thrashed her head. She tried to turn, she wanted to see the new man, but he tightened his hands in warning.

I must be dreaming, she thought again but didn’t wake up. The first man slid down between her legs, and Emma squeezed her eyes shut. He nudged his shoulders against her inner thighs until she squirmed at the tickle of his hair. He leaned in to lick a stripe down the curve of her hip, and she heard herself beg, Please, don’t stop, please, so he moved in, stroking her with his thumbs right before he placed his lips against her nub. Emma panted, so close, and tried to grab onto something, the sheets, the headboard, anything, but the second man held her hands above her head. She struggled but couldn’t break free and, even though it was a dream, Emma knew she didn’t really want to get away. The second man shifted until he lay on his side, holding her while he teased her nipples. It was all she could do to look into his clear, green eyes. He wore silver earrings in both ears, and his wavy brown hair looked so soft she wanted to grab on and never let go. She wanted to kiss him. She wanted to do a thousand dirty things to him, but she couldn’t move or think. All she could do was shudder and clutch at his fingers while he smiled. He never let go, not even when the first man stopped licking and began sucking, the strong pulses of heat making her throw back her head and push her hips closer. He didn’t let go when she wrapped her legs around the first man’s shoulders. He didn’t let go when he leaned in for a kiss, sucking on her lips the same way the other man sucked on her clit, both of them flicking their tongues until she shattered, the pleasure so ridiculous she couldn’t see anything but sparkles of light, like fireworks. She tried to open her eyes, hug the men to her, wanting to give them the same joy, but everything suddenly faded, her hands falling apart with nothing to hang onto. She woke up, gasping. It was her twenty-fifth birthday. She’d never dreamed like that before in her life.

Happy birthday to me, Emma thought, perplexed and flushed. Her body still tingled. She remembered how the men felt, how they smelled. For a moment, she wished she could have a dream like that every night, then her alarm blared and she flinched. Just a dream, she thought, sighing as she flicked off the buzzer and tiredly slid out of bed. Time to get moving.

In celebration of her birthday, she ate chocolate cake for breakfast then spilled coffee on her white blouse as soon as she got to work. Unfortunately, her first class began before she could clean up and the sweater she tossed over the mess on her shirt didn’t do as good a job camouflaging the damage as she’d hoped. This is payback for eating cake at breakfast, she thought darkly as she tried again to wipe the stain away with a tissue. Serves me right. She looked down at her stomach, trying not to hate the curves that filled out her clothes.

“Do you need a napkin, Ms. Bell?” Samantha asked from her seat at the table in front of the circulation desk.

Emma sighed, frowning at the tiny specks of tissue her haphazard attempts at cleanup left all over her top. “Thanks, Samantha, but I think the damage is already done.” She hoped the girl would be satisfied with that explanation.

“I think the tissues are making it worse,” Samantha said, not unkindly.

Emma looked up, smiling wryly at the girl. She shifted her sweater, buttoning it closed and trying not to grimace at the unpleasant sensation of web fabric against her skin. Better that than for the students to have an unobstructed view of her floral-print bra.

“I think you’re right, Samantha. Oh well, it’s not like spilled coffee is going to kill me,” Emma said. Never in a million years did she anticipate that her job as a high school librarian would involve embarrassing situations like this, but after five years she knew better. This wasn’t the first time she’d spilled something on herself, and it wouldn’t be the last. At least most of the kids in this school are nice, she thought, eyeing the class that had just arrived for help with their science project. She smiled at them and ignored the itch from the wet blouse.

“I’ve collected most of the books we have about mitochondria and a few that touch on microbiology on a more general level, but if you need help finding anything else, just let me know.” Emma spoke loud enough for the students to hear over the low murmur of gossip. Most quieted down and Emma smiled, grateful she liked her job. She tried to shake off the lingering sleepiness from her restless night as the students perused the books she’d collected for them. She kept half an ear trained on their low conversation in case any needed help while the rest of her brain worried over the strange dreams she’d had.

Forty minutes later, the class filed out of the library and she heaved a sigh of relief, waving to her two aides that she was going to take a break. Portia, the older aide, nodded back at Emma. The younger aide, Emma’s friend Julie, moved behind the circulation desk. The three of them tried to keep someone available at all times to check books in and out for the students who visited between classes and during study hall, but unless there was a class in the library, only one person was really needed to run the computer. Emma picked at her blouse, grimacing at the half-dry stain as she lifted it away from her skin. Maybe if I take it off and rinse it, I can dry it under the hand blower in the bathroom, she thought absently as she headed to the small, private bathroom at the back of the library office. I can just wear my sweater if that doesn’t work. She closed the door behind her and unbuttoned her blouse. The small room was quiet and she breathed a sigh of relief as she ran water over her blouse. She hated feeling this tired. The dream she’d had this morning was lovely, but she’d slept fitfully most of the rest of the night. She remembered dreams where she was on a stage singing and then in the next moment she was on a plane, looking over a complicated spreadsheet. Then she was outside on the street, laughing, but her voice was wrong. And she felt taller, like her body was not her own. Except for the last dream, they were all very unsettling. Emma leaned against the sink, letting the cold water wash over the fabric, trying to calm her brain. She’d just managed to relax when the hallucination hit her between the eyes and she staggered. Water splashed over her hands and she slammed her hip against the sink counter, fighting to stay on her feet. She couldn’t breathe properly. Her heart pounded as she closed her eyes, trying to convince herself that the stage she was seeing so very clearly was just a remnant of one of her dreams. Yeah right.

In front of her a sea of people clapped wildly as they screamed and waved their arms. All those faced turned up towards her made Emma swallow hard. She felt as though she were in two places at once. For a second she thought she was having some sort of weird memory flashback because some of the dreams she’d had the night before were strangely similar to this one—standing on stage, microphone near her mouth, except nothing she’d dreamed was precisely like this. She had an excellent memory, a freakish memory, her friend Julie claimed sometimes, and this was not the same crowd, not the same stage she’d been on before in her dream. She swallowed again. She’d never been on stage in her life, at least not with a guitar in her hands. All of her stages involved talking to students about the Dewey Decimal system. Suddenly, a wave of confusion flowed through her. She closed her eyes and rested her fingers on the strings of her guitar, wondering what the fuck was happening. When she opened her eyes, she stood at the edge of the stage, frowning down at the clipboard she held. Thick bracelets sat over her wrists, the chased silver riveted into the cuffs looking bright against the soft leather. The name at the top of the clipboard read “Duncan Green,” and she licked her lips as the face associated with that name flashed across her thoughts—dark hair, brown eyes, gorgeous smile. Then she blinked and she was back to hanging on the bathroom sink, trembling. Shit. What just happened?

She slid down, sitting on the toilet lid, trying to pull herself together. She never cursed like that, not even in her own head. The most obscene expletive she ever used was damn, and it was telling that her brain supplied her with the word “fuck” right in the middle of her nervous breakdown. She wasn’t sure what it meant, just that it was downright strange. She struggled to breathe properly, willing herself to calm down. She was always calm. She didn’t freak out, and she didn’t have hysterics, and this ability to remain laid-back was one of her strengths as a teacher. She repeated this to herself, snorting under her breath when she flinched at a knock on the door. Not so calm, huh?

“You okay in there, Emma? I thought I heard something,” Julie called.

Emma swallowed and stood up, forcibly pushing thoughts of Duncan Green, rock star, out of her head. “I’m okay, Julie, just feeling tired today.” She lifted her blouse from the bottom of the sink and held the stained part under the faucet again. “I’m trying to rinse out the stain now.”

“Okay, Emma, just wanted to check.”

Emma sighed in relief as Julie stepped away from the door. Her thoughts wandered back to the hallucination, and she grimaced as she tried to puzzle out what had just happened, trying to think over the ache in her skull. She liked music but didn’t go out of her way to buy a lot of it. She didn’t know much about rock, but even she knew who Duncan Green was. Even if she didn’t know his face, his gorgeous face, her brain supplied, she’d still know who he was because Julie’s obsession with everything Duncan was well known to everyone who worked in the library. Usually Emma found it amusing, but right now she just wished the weirdness would stop. Emma couldn’t figure out why she was dreaming about him. Or hallucinating him. Whatever. And what about the other man, the one with the leather bracelets? Julie never mentioned him, but Emma knew, somehow, that he was associated with Duncan. She didn’t know how or why she knew that, but she remembered him from her dreams last night, how his curly hair made her want to sink her hands in it. He was the second man in her dream from this morning, she realized. She wished she knew his name. And that meant that the first man in her last dream must have been Duncan Green. She shivered, remembering how good his body felt against hers. She took a deep breath, trying to figure out why she was seeing these two men so vividly now, while awake. The dreams and hallucinations were connected, somehow. She shook her head and shut off the water. She looked at herself in the mirror, noting the dark circles under her hazel eyes, her messy brown hair. Shit.

She wrung out her blouse and hung it up with a spare hanger on the back of the door. There was no way it would dry in time to wear again today, so she slipped on her pink sweater and buttoned it up, relieved that it looked okay with her gray pleated skirt. She squared her shoulders, smoothed down her long hair, and opened the door. For a moment she felt a surge of something, not fear precisely, but not relief either, and she scanned the office, thankful that both Julie and Portia were off in the stacks, probably helping students. Walking through the clutter, she stopped at Julie’s desk and watched her screen saver for a few seconds. Various photos of Duncan Green in all his rock star glory faded in and out of view on the monitor. He was lovely, she mused, looking at his long, wavy hair and brown eyes, usually lined with some smoky makeup, every woman’s dream bad boy right there. In a few of the shots, the more casual photographs, she noticed another man standing behind him, holding what looked like papers in his leather-cuffed wrists. His hair was shorter, and his green eyes practically leapt from the picture, making Emma’s heart pound before the screen saver blinked another photo of Duncan into view. Emma had no idea who he was, but she knew he was the other man in her dream. She bumped the desk and the screen saver winked off. If only she could turn off her brain as easily.

Emma had more flashbacks throughout the rest of the day. Random bursts of vision and sound, none lasting long enough to pin down, but long enough to make her head start to pound instead of ache. She saw crowds and Duncan’s hands signing photos and pieces of paper. It was as if she was in his head, but just when she’d figure out that the point of view was Duncan’s, the hallucination would snap away and she’d be looking at him. She could hardly wait until school was done for the day so she could go home and crawl under the covers of her bed. She’d taken ibuprofen, but it didn’t do a thing to relieve the pain behind her eyes. At lunchtime, she hid in the library office, eating her sandwich alone while the visions flew past her closed eyes. She wondered if she was going crazy. She thought at first that maybe she just hadn’t slept well, but she’d never hallucinated before. By four o’clock, she was almost crying from the stress. She’d spent the afternoon dodging questions from Julie and Portia. She didn’t feel like trying to explain what was wrong when she didn’t understand herself what was happening.

After the last bell, she was finally able to escape, for once not lugging anything home with her to work on in the evening. She worried about driving, hoping none of the episodes would happen on the way home, but luckily the drive home was uneventful. She pulled into her short driveway, waved to her neighbor, and went into her small house, grateful to be home. She prepared a quick dinner, ate it standing up at the kitchen counter, then stripped and fell into bed, desperate for sleep. She dropped off right away, slipping into a heavy sleep despite the early hour.

The next thing she knew, it was dark and she was sitting up in bed, heart pounding. She flicked on the small bedside light and tried to calm herself, blindly looking around at her soothing cream walls and pale yellow curtains. The streetlight outside filtered through the soft fabric, twinkling in the darkness of her room. She didn’t feel rested at all.

When she closed her eyes, she remembered every dream as though it were real—Duncan growing up, having a hard time with his weight as a child until high school, teaching himself how to play guitar, losing the weight and realizing he could sing. She knew the exact moment he figured out he was bisexual and his very quiet experimentation during the one year he attended college until he dropped out to pursue his music career. She followed every step of his life from childhood to adulthood—his first record contract, the wild success of his first album, the two Grammys he won, and subsequent critical acclaim for his second album. She could sing every song on the new album, the one he was touring for now with his best friend and assistant, Jake Mackenzie. The memories weren’t sharp, not like her own. She knew the broad outlines of his life, but not the details that made them real. They felt like the memories learned in conversation with a friend.

She grasped the blanket closer to her chest, trying not to hyperventilate as she suddenly realized that she knew Jake, too. She knew the two men grew up together, and she knew that Jake was straight and had his heart broken by his high school girlfriend his second year of college. That was why he’d dropped out and finally taken the job Duncan had offered—manager, assistant, co-writer. She knew that he had an incredible laugh. He could play piano, and he’d helped create every single one of Duncan’s songs, though he refused to play onstage. She knew that they’d both grown up in New Jersey but that they lived in Brooklyn now, sharing a townhouse. Emma realized that she was crying because she felt like she knew the two men in her dreams as if they were her best friends, and that was so wrong. That was crazy and twisted, and she was obviously losing her mind, crying into her sheets in the middle of the night over two guys that she’d never even met. She sniffed and rubbed her nose, willing herself to stop it. She looked at her hands, vaguely surprised to find them so small and feminine after feeling guitar strings and piano keys under her fingertips for the past few hours. She couldn’t play an instrument if you paid her a million dollars. What was happening to her?

Emma threw back the covers and groped for her robe, suddenly realizing that she was nude. In her rush to get to bed, she’d just pulled off her clothes and crawled under the covers. She blushed, mildly embarrassed. She never slept naked. But Jake did, she thought then blushed again. Duncan wore boxers to bed, a result of growing up with two sisters. Jake was an only child. And with that thought, Emma nearly started crying again, because really, she must be insane. There was no way she could know these things. Her brain was making this shit up. She padded to the bathroom and rinsed her face then made her way to the living room. She flicked on the TV and sank into her couch, not surprised to find a rerun of her favorite late show on, even though it was two in the morning. What did surprise her was how familiar the stage and audience looked as the camera panned across the stage. Her heart began knocking against her ribcage. That was the same stage she’d dreamed about! When the camera zoomed in on the host, he held up a CD, Duncan’s new one. Emma laughed shortly and dropped her face in her hands. When she looked up again, she wasn’t at all startled to see Duncan playing the guitar. She knew every note of that song by heart. The strange thing was that she knew exactly when he would change up the melody for this particular performance, holding certain notes longer and others shorter than the version on the CD. She sighed and settled onto the couch, willing herself to relax. If she couldn’t stop the dreams, she may as well enjoy the music.

* * *

“Man, I hate it when our flight lands in the middle of the night,” Duncan complained, running his hands through his hair. He and Jake were in the car Jake had arranged to take them home to Brooklyn from the JFK airport after taping a late show in LA earlier that day. Jake slumped down on the seat across from Duncan, trying not to fall asleep. His friend looked exhausted, and Duncan worried about him.

“Yeah,” Jake grunted, not opening his eyes. “And this damn headache is driving me crazy.”

“My head still hurts, too,” Duncan said, rubbing his temples. “And even though I slept a little on the plane, I had the weirdest dreams.”

“You too? I dreamed about this woman, I think she was a high school librarian. I haven’t thought about high school in years, and here I am dreaming about a teacher. She seemed so lonely.” Jake laughed. “Reminds me of that old Adam Ant video.” He grinned at his friend, but Duncan couldn’t bring himself to smile back.

“Wait, what? I dreamed about a teacher, too. I even know her name, Emma Bell.” Duncan frowned as Jake looked at him in disbelief. “What?”

“That’s the name of the woman I dreamed about.” Jake scratched his head. “Did we ever meet someone named Emma?”

Duncan shrugged. “No, not that I can remember, but you know how many fans I’ve met the past eight years? There’s no way I could remember all of them.”

“Well, even if you could remember someone named Emma, why would we both dream about her at the same time?”

Duncan shook his head, feeling his headache intensify. “What did she look like?” Jake smirked, and Duncan rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I know what she looked like to me. I want to know what she looked like in your dream.”

“She had long, wavy brown hair. And the most gorgeous hazel eyes I’ve ever seen. And she was curvy.” Jake rubbed his face. “She was really pretty. I dreamed about when she was a kid. Saw how she went to college after—” Jake broke off, seeing Duncan nodding.

“Yeah, that’s what she looked like in my dream, too. And her brother died. That’s when she went to school.” Duncan yawned and blinked his eyes, trying to focus. “What the hell is going on? Dreaming about the same woman? That’s just weird.”

“Yeah.” Jake closed his eyes again and slumped down. “I’m going to nap until we get home. Then I’m going to crash for two days, and then we’re going to do the concert at the Garden, and we’re gonna laugh about this. Because it can’t possibly be real.” He smiled as he folded his hands over his abdomen. “We are obviously still asleep and I’m dreaming up this entire scenario because of the profound lack of sex in my life this past year.”

Duncan laughed and very carefully did not look at the way Jake’s tight jeans displayed his slim hips. He also refused to notice Jake’s taut stomach and graceful hands. He had a lot of practice ignoring his attraction to Jake, and he wasn’t going to screw up now. “Okay, I’m game. If you think you’re dreaming, then we’ll see if either of us remember this tomorrow,” Duncan said fondly, eyes lingering on Jake’s relaxed smile as the car took them closer to home.

Chapter 2

The next morning, Emma woke to the sound of early morning news blaring details about the weather on the television. She winced, rubbing her neck as she heaved herself off the couch, then gasped as she saw the time. She was late for work! After a quick shower, she grabbed a muffin from the kitchen and headed to school. With luck she would get there in time for second bell. That should be okay, she thought. She’d been late before, but usually it was because she was sick or stuck in traffic. Luckily she didn’t have a homeroom to deal with. She pulled into her parking spot and headed inside, absently humming Duncan’s latest song under her breath. The melody was stuck in her head. It wasn’t half bad.

As soon as she entered the library, Julie accosted her, shrieking at a volume that would be unpleasant if the hordes of students in the hallway heading for their first class hadn’t already inured her eardrums to unhealthy levels of noise.

“Emma! You’re finally here! Oh my God, guess what?” Julie rushed over and hugged her.

Emma juggled her lunch bag and the books she was holding, trying not to drop her hot coffee. “Julie, careful, I don’t want to sacrifice today’s coffee to the floor. It was bad enough to go through the whole day yesterday caffeine deprived, I don’t want to do it again today.” Julie immediately pulled back, catching the book that slid from the top of the pile before it could hit the ground.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m just so excited! Emma, you won’t believe what happened!” Julie hopped with excitement as she followed Emma into the library office.

Emma smiled. “You found your grandmother’s long lost purple afghan?”

Julie rolled her eyes. “Yeah, no. Try again!”

“Um, your great-uncle Ted died and left you a million dollars,” Emma teased as she walked to her desk. She put the coffee down with a sigh of relief.

“Yeah, I wish.” Julie snorted. “You suck at guessing.”

“Okay, okay. You have a hot date with the new art teacher?” Emma smirked at Julie as she organized her books, carefully stacking them between Julie and her coffee cup. The more protection her precious coffee had from her exuberant friend the better.

“The new art teacher is, like, eighty,” Julie said scornfully, ignoring Emma’s chuckle. “Okay, no more guessing. I won tickets!”

Emma grinned at Julie’s beaming face. “Tickets to what?”

“Tickets to go see Duncan Green in concert! Front row! And you’re coming with me!” Julie looked like she was about to burst with excitement.

Emma blinked, wondering when her life got so weird. “You won tickets to see Duncan Green? And you want me to go with you?”

“What are you, a parrot? Yeah, remember I was trying to win tickets all last week? I texted a zillion times and I won! I’m so excited! And of course I want you to come. I’ve been trying to get you to listen to his music for ages. And he’s hot. You’ll love him. He’s tall, dark, and handsome.” Julie rubbed her hands together.

Emma laughed. “He sounds like the hero from a romance novel. Okay, okay, I’ll come. Sounds like fun.” She took a sip of her coffee, wondering if she was going to regret this. “You know, I had a dream about him last night,” she said. She watched Julie’s face light up.

“Yeah? He’s so gorgeous, and his voice! Wow. I just melt when I hear him sing,” the younger woman rhapsodized.

“Yeah, must be all those songs you forced me to listen to at lunchtime. Now you’ve got me dreaming about him.” She shook her head, trying to make herself believe that what was going on with her was as simple as a dream. At least she hadn’t had any more of the weird hallucination episodes! “Hey, who is the other guy that hangs around Duncan all the time? He doesn’t play in the band but he’s always there. Curly dark hair, green eyes?”

Julie smiled. “Oh, that’s Jake Mackenzie. He’s Duncan’s manager or something. He’s his best friend. He’s been with Duncan almost from the beginning of his career. I think he even helps write the music, but you never see him onstage.”

Emma nodded encouragingly. “Why doesn’t he perform too?”

“Something about how Duncan is the star, the one who wanted to be famous. Jake’s been interviewed with Duncan, and he always says that it’s not his dream to be a rock star.”

Emma frowned, remembering too well how it felt to play the piano when she dreamed she was Jake. “Really? I thought I heard somewhere that he could play piano?”

Julie shrugged. “I don’t get it either. I love when they do interviews together because Jake manages to embarrass Duncan all the time. He’s the only one who can do that because Duncan is pretty much shameless. The last time they were on Oprah, Jake accidentally outed Duncan.”

“What?” Emma was confused. Duncan couldn’t be gay because she specifically remembered him thinking of himself as bisexual from her dreams. She blinked. Am I really thinking I know anything about him just because I dreamed it? I must really be losing my mind, she thought.

“No, he swings both ways,” Julie explained, unaware of Emma’s looming insanity. “Apparently, back when they were in high school, Duncan couldn’t decide whether he should date boys or girls and went to Jake with the dilemma. Jake thought up this funny idea where Duncan had to kiss both a guy and a girl. Jake said he thought that if Duncan tried both out, then the gender he liked better would be obvious. Instead of picking, though, Duncan ended up making out with both the guy and the girl. At the same time.” Julie laughed. “It scandalized their entire high school, and Duncan almost got suspended.”

“Suspended? I don’t understand.” Emma rubbed her forehead. “Why would it matter who he dated? I can see how it might have been frowned on, but still.”

“They were making out under the bleachers. During study hall.” Julie tried unsuccessfully to hold in her laughter so she wouldn’t disturb the students that were filing into the library. Emma chuckled, a smile breaking out on her face. Oh.

“Oprah nearly peed herself on TV when Jake told this story. No one knew that Duncan was bi, and then Jake just blurted it out like it was no big deal. It was awesome. His record sales went through the roof.”

“When was this?” Emma tried to remember if any of her dreams were from when the two men appeared on Oprah. She felt a headache coming on as she struggled to visualize it.

“It was about six months ago, right after he released his second album.”

Emma nodded then grimaced as a sharp pain lanced through her temple. She gasped, suddenly feeling as though someone was watching her. She whirled around, checking the office for stray students.

“Emma? Are you okay?” Julie asked, concerned. She looked around too. “We’re the only ones here.”

Emma struggled to focus. She swore she could feel someone there with her. “Yeah,” she said thickly. “I’m okay, a bit of a headache. I think I just need my coffee.” Julie nodded and Emma sat down, taking a big gulp of her drink. “I didn’t sleep well last night. I need some caffeine to wake me up.”

“I hear ya. Just don’t take too long to wake up, your first class starts in five minutes.” Julie hugged her friend then went off to check on the students out in the library. Emma nodded tiredly as she drank the rest of her coffee, trying to shove thoughts of Duncan and Jake and kissing from her head.

* * *

“Well, yet another night with those crazy dreams.” Jake yawned as he entered the kitchen.

Duncan looked up from his laptop. “You too?” He grimaced as Jake poured himself some coffee. Duncan leaned back in his chair, watching as Jake propped a slim hip against their kitchen counter. The other man wore a pair of ratty sweats, and Duncan swore he could see the outline of Jake’s dick through the worn fabric. He snapped his eyes to Jake’s face, hoping the other man hadn’t noticed his wandering eyes.

“Yeah, me too,” Jake sighed, sipping the hot black coffee carefully. He looked at Duncan, green eyes tired. “I wish I knew what was going on.”

“I looked her up on the internet. Look.” Duncan swiveled his laptop around to show Jake. “She’s a high school librarian. That’s her photo. Nothing else about her on the web, but her students seem to like her.”

Jake walked over and leaned close. “You mean she’s real? I mean, I had a feeling, but still. This is really, really weird.”

Duncan nodded. “She’s real.”

Jake put his cup down on the table and clicked through the high school’s website. Duncan watched his friend rub his forehead tiredly. He could tell Jake’s head was still bothering him. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair where the long strands dampened his loose T-shirt. He suddenly realized his head hurt too and rubbed his eyes.

“Headache?” Jake asked, looking up, eyes serious.

“Yeah.” Duncan replied absently then dropped his hand to massage the inside of his forearm.

“Did you hurt yourself?”

“No, I don’t think so,” Duncan replied. “Why?”

“You’re rubbing at the same spot, and it looks like a bruise or something.”

Duncan frowned and looked at his arm. Jake was right. “What the hell?”

Jake sat down next to him, leaning closer to see the spot on his arm better. “It’s on both arms.” Jake pointed to Duncan’s other wrist.

Duncan pushed the laptop out of the way and laid his arms on the table, palms up. “What is going on?” he asked, staring at the faint outlines of—he had no idea. Something on his arms. He glanced at Jake then looked down at his friend’s arms. There was something there, too. He needed a closer look. “Wait, let me see your arms, too.” Duncan gestured to Jake.

Jake frowned but put his arms on the table. On both forearms, clearly visible against his lighter skin, were the outlines of similar shapes. “Shit! Is it an allergy?”

Duncan squinted. They almost looked like geometric patterns. The ones on his arms were exactly the same—a circle interspersed with what looked like vines. He swore the designs grew clearer the longer he looked at them. “Look, they match.” Jake rested his fingers on Duncan’s left arm. “They’re the same on both arms.”

“Jake,” Duncan said, voice low. “What the fuck is going on?” His head hurt, and his arms were itching now, too. “What the hell are those things?”

Jake shook his head. “I have no idea, man,” he began to say then broke off, clutching his head at the exact moment that Duncan’s head throbbed violently. Both men gasped, then as suddenly as the stabbing pain began, it disappeared. They looked at each other then down at their arms. The patterns were fully visible now, like tattoos etched in black ink on their skin.

“Whoa,” Duncan muttered, rubbing at his arm.

“Hey, my headache’s gone.” Jake looked at Duncan. “What does it mean that my unexpected and mysterious new tattoos are exactly the same as yours?”

“I have no idea, but I’m willing to bet that Emma now has a pair just like them.” The two men stared at each other, freaked out. Then Duncan sat back as a thought occurred to him. “You think she’s okay? I mean, the headaches were really bad, and then they just disappeared, like magic. She’s probably at school teaching right now.”

Jake sighed then ran his hands through his wavy hair. “I don’t know, man. I hope so. Hell, I can’t even believe we’re actually entertaining the thought that this is real and not just some vague collective hallucination.” Duncan put his arm around Jake, sensing that Jake needed the physical contact as much as he did right now. Whatever was going on, Jake was his best friend and that would never change. He did his best to ignore the warm scent of Jake’s hair and the incredible smoothness of his skin as he pulled the other man as close as he could.

He felt Jake relax, reassured by Duncan’s easy affection. Duncan frowned. In fact, he could almost feel Jake inside his head, as though they suddenly had a weird kind of emotional telepathy. He wondered if Jake was having the same sense, and then their eyes met and Jake smiled shakily then blushed. Duncan inhaled sharply, feeling a stab of attraction suddenly course through him. Jake’s eyes widened, and his smile faded. With a sudden sinking sensation, Duncan realized that Jake could sense his emotions too. Shit! Jake’s eyes darted away.

“Jake,” Duncan began, desperate to reassure his friend. He cleared his throat. “Jake, look at me.” Duncan willed the other man to turn back toward him. “I don’t know what’s happening, but I want you to know...” He stopped, not knowing what to say. He reached out and grasped Jake’s arm, running his fingers over the mark on his smooth skin. “You’re my best friend.” Duncan’s voice cracked. “I don’t want you to worry, nothing will change that, I promise. I don’t know what’s going on either, but you know I love you.” Duncan ran his thumb over Jake’s tattoo, ignoring the other man’s trembling. He didn’t know what he’d do if Jake left because of this supernatural weirdness. He pulled back, worried he was being too forward.

“Hey, no, you know I love you back.” Jake grabbed Duncan’s hand, stilling the movement. Duncan felt warmth curl inside his body at the roughness of Jake’s voice. “I’m not going to leave.” Duncan closed his eyes, the wave of relief he felt overwhelming him. He listened to Jake breathe in and out, slowly and deliberately calming himself down. Duncan turned the other man’s hand over and clasped their fingers together, familiar with Jake’s meditation strategies. Duncan quieted his mind too, concentrating on Jake’s fingers, the hum of the laptop sitting on the table. Then, just as he was about to open his eyes, he felt confusion. It wasn’t his. It wasn’t Jake’s. He sensed the other man’s presence in his mind like a comforting weight, strange and familiar both, but this new emotion wasn’t coming from either of them. He gasped and Jake gripped his arm tightly. Duncan’s eyes popped open just as he felt the confusion in his mind give way to shock. He guessed that Emma had suddenly figured out what was happening.

* * *

Emma gasped, trying to recapture her train of thought. “You okay, Ms. Bell?” one of the students asked.

Emma couldn’t remember the girl’s name. All the kids’ faces suddenly blurred in the wake of the stabbing pain she felt in her temples. Her forearms itched, and she rubbed at them absently through her blouse. “I’m okay.” She tried to think. She glanced at the clock set in the far wall above the stacks. Five minutes until she could dismiss the class. She winced at the glare of sunlight streaming in through the squat windows set near the ceiling.

“Let’s pack up early today,” she said as another flash of pain stabbed behind her eyes. Her arms were starting to really bother her, and she felt lightheaded. Was she having an allergic reaction? She thought back over what she’d eaten that morning while the students gathered their books, excitement at the early dismissal from class running through their voices. Emma sat on the edge of one of the student’s desks, praying she wouldn’t pass out. What was wrong with her?

“Emma? Are you feeling all right?” Julie asked. Emma jumped. She didn’t expect her aide to sneak up on her like that.

“I don’t know, Julie.” Emma rubbed her forehead. “I think I’m going to go sit in the office for a minute. I have a terrible headache. Would you watch the students for me? I dismissed them early.”

Julie nodded. “No problem. And at least you don’t have another formal class until after lunch.”

“Yeah, I forgot about that. Thank God,” Emma said, relieved. She got up and went to the office, carefully maneuvering through the desks covered with piles of ongoing tasks. She ignored the looks the others threw her way. Portia waved at her, but Emma pretended not to see. The ESL teacher and his aide watched as Emma stumbled then got up to come help, but she waved them away. She needed to sit down for a moment. It felt like she was threading her way through an obstacle course just to get to the bathroom. She snagged her now cold coffee from her desk as she weaved past, and then she was at the bathroom.

She opened the door and put the coffee on the sink counter then ran cold water over her hands. She felt hot and cold at the same time. Her arms still itched. She rolled up the sleeves of her blouse then bent down to run water over forearms. She closed her eyes in relief as the water soothed the itch, then forced them back open as she realized there was something on her skin. What the hell? She frowned, headache forgotten for a moment. It looked like she’d gotten tattooed. On both arms. She jerked away from the water, peering at the black circle and vine-like lines suddenly inked on her body. Her heart sped up, pounding uncomfortably as she swayed on her feet. What was going on? She grimaced and rubbed at the marks, but they didn’t come off. She grabbed a few paper towels and sat on the toilet, scrubbing at her arms, but she didn’t succeed in doing anything more than irritating her skin.

Eventually she gave up and sat there, trying to think through the headache. She let her mind drift, remembering the dreams she’d had the night before, especially the last one that was so vivid. She didn’t have any trouble recalling that one. She felt her face go hot. Even though the dreams were strange, she felt oddly comforted, as though the two men really knew her. As though she knew them. As though they were her friends and she could turn to them for comfort. She grimaced. Her mind had obviously cracked from the migraine or whatever the hell was wrong with her. A sudden stab in her temples made her gasp, and her arms began to throb, not itching any longer but burning. She almost cried out, trying not to throw up, and then as suddenly as the pain began, it stopped.

Emma sat up, disoriented. She felt a flash of confusion then a cool stillness washed over her. She closed her eyes and saw Duncan looking at her worriedly. When she looked down, Jake’s arms were spread out on a table and both forearms had the same tattoos that had suddenly etched themselves on her skin. Duncan gripped Jake’s arms, the feel of his skin warm and reassuring. Emma didn’t know how it was possible, but she knew without a doubt that she was seeing through Jake’s eyes, right now. Suddenly, Jake breathed deep and flexed his hands, making the tattoos ripple, and Emma was back in her own head, confused and exhausted. Except, she wasn’t alone anymore. She could feel them both at the back of her consciousness, as though the pain and tattoos were the catalyst that finally connected the three of them together. She frowned, sensing the men’s worry for her. It was weird. She was obviously losing her mind. Emma wondered what to do next. Should she go home? She didn’t want to miss class and throw the rest of the afternoon into chaos by going home sick, so she shook her head, deciding to stay. The headache was better now, anyway.

Emma stood up and left the bathroom, happy to see that the office had cleared out. Everyone probably went to lunch, she thought as she retrieved the salad she’d left in the office refrigerator a few days ago. Some of the leaves were a bit limp, but it was mostly okay to eat. She wasn’t up to dealing with the school cafeteria or even the faculty lounge today. She settled into her chair and swiveled around to flick on the small television she kept on the shelf behind her desk, idly flipping to the local news. After a few bites of her lunch, she abruptly sat up. On the television, the anchor was detailing the surge of people posting on the internet about the sudden development of unexplained headaches and marks appearing on their arms. Emma frowned. She wasn’t the only one experiencing this?

“Twitter is still trending the rash of unexplained headaches and tattoos that people all over the world seem to be experiencing. According to reports, the incidence of this phenomenon seems to be holding steady, with maybe one person in five hundred thousand over the past week developing headaches, strange hallucinations or dreams, and the sudden appearance of tattoos on one arm. Physicians have been unable to explain what is causing these symptoms, but anecdotal reports show that, generally, couples are experiencing the symptoms together. This suggests that the transmission may be sexual in nature, although the rarity of the phenomenon has most experts stumped. No one seems to be experiencing any severe problems aside from persistent headaches. In fact, most patients report heightened feelings of empathy towards their partner, especially once the headaches subside. Some couples have begun calling the phenomenon an emotional ‘bond’ although most reputable medical doctors feel that something physiological must certainly be causing the symptoms. As yet, no one understands how the marks on the skin occur, though they seem to be caused by a sudden surge of excess melatonin, possibly as a result of hormonal fluctuations. What has most experts stumped is that each couple’s tattoos are identical.”

After broadcasting a few interviews with people who’d been affected by the mysterious “bond,” the show cut to commercial. Emma turned off the television and chewed mechanically. She wasn’t the only one experiencing this weirdness, but why did she have two tattoos instead of one? And she wasn’t involved with anyone. She hadn’t dated seriously since college, yet all the other victims were part of a couple. Absently, she fished the limp croutons from her lunch and tossed them in the trash. She knew her tattoos had something to do with Duncan and Jake. She could feel her bond to them. To both of them. That was probably why she had two tattoos. Emma sighed. She was bonded to two people at the same time? How was this going to work? She set her salad aside and dropped her face in her hands, not even flinching when the door to the office opened and Julie walked in.

“Hey, you feeling any better?” Julie asked, setting her purse on the desk next to Emma’s.

Emma looked up and then grabbed her lunch again, spearing a few more limp pieces of lettuce as she nodded. “I’m okay, I think.” She took a few more bites, forcing herself to swallow the lettuce, then gave up, dropping her fork with a huff. “Okay, okay, I’m a little freaked out, actually.”

“Freaked out? Why? What’s wrong?” Julie sat in an empty chair near Emma. “You just have a bad headache, right?”

Emma sighed then rolled her sleeves up. “Look.”

Julie frowned and leaned over. “Hey, those look like those tattoos that people are getting. I saw it on the news last night.”

Emma nodded.

“Except, wait, why do you have two?” Julie asked, confused. “And I heard that only couples are getting them, and you’re not dating anyone.”

“I don’t know why I have two.” Emma let her arms drop to her lap, uneasy about explaining her suspicions to Julie. “Between the headaches and then this, I don’t really know what’s going on at all.”

“I wonder if more people are getting the tattoos than are coming forward and talking about them,” Julie speculated. She eyed Emma’s arms, looking at her friend curiously. “Are you dreaming about anyone?”

“You know who I dreamed about, Julie. But that’s crazy. I’ve never even listened to his music.”

“What about Jake?” Julie asked.

“What about him?” Emma deliberately avoided the question.

“Did you dream about him, too?” Julie pressed. Emma shrugged and looked away from Julie’s eager face. “Oh my God, you did!” Julie said, voice rising. “Seriously?”

Emma sighed. “Yeah. And I could swear that I hallucinated about them today, while I was awake.”

“While you were awake? What do you mean?” Julie looked increasingly excited.

“I was in the bathroom and my head hurt, so I closed my eyes and tried to relax. Suddenly, I saw Duncan looking at me, but when I looked down, I wasn’t myself. I was Jake. I could tell by the hands.” Emma shook her head then looked at her friend. Julie’s eyes were wide. “And when I opened my eyes again, the scene faded, but I can still feel something. It’s like they’re in the back of my head.” Emma sighed. “I can’t really explain it.” She looked at Julie. Her friend was perched on the edge of her seat. “It’s probably nothing, I’m sure I’m imagining—” Emma tried to say, but Julie burst out before she could continue.

“Holy crap! I think you’re bonded with them!”

“What? No!” A wave of anxiety swept over her. She knew Julie was right, but she didn’t really want her friend pressing her about it.

“You’re seeing both of them, right?” Julie asked, and Emma nodded. “And from what I’ve heard on the news, when people get those tattoos, they feel each other, can tell what they’re feeling or whatever.”

“That’s crazy,” Emma said, sheer stubbornness making her deny what she already knew was happening.

Julie reached out and grabbed her hands. “Look, so far we’ve heard about couples bonding. But what if you don’t have to be a couple? What if this thing bonds people who are compatible together, whether or not they already know each other?”

“You can’t tell anyone!” Emma’s heart raced. She clutched Julie’s fingers tight. “I don’t understand what’s going on, and I don’t want anyone else to know.”

Julie squeezed back. “Of course I won’t tell anyone if you don’t want me to. We’re friends, right? Hey, you helped me when I broke up with Matt, and that was definitely going above and beyond the rules of friendship considering what a blubbering mess I was. I won’t tell. Promise.”

Emma nodded, relieved. “Thanks.” She smiled softly. Julie smiled back. “It’s just—” She broke off, trying to figure out a way to explain how unsettled she was without sounding like she was insane.

Julie nodded. “I know. This all feels weird, like a dream, right?”

“How did you know?”

Julie laughed. “I can’t even imagine what it would be like to dream about Duncan and Jake then wake up and have those marks appear on your arm. I’d be ecstatic! But also a little freaked out. I mean, I like to choose who I’m going to fall in love with, you know? Does this mean that you don’t have a choice now?”

Emma frowned. “That’s exactly what I’m worried about. And, well, I still think I’m going crazy.”

“You’re not going crazy,” Julie retorted, shaking her a bit. Emma sighed, not telling her friend that she could still feel Jake and Duncan in the back of her head. Both men were there, and if she concentrated, she could tell what they were thinking. That freaked her out more than anything, because it was totally impossible.

“Hey, wait,” Julie said as Emma tossed her limp salad in the trash. “If you’re actually connected to Jake and Duncan, does that mean they’re connected to you too?”

“That’s how it works, I think,” Emma replied, her stomach growling.

“Whoa. Can they hear us talking?”

Emma stood up and looked down at Julie, her brow wrinkling as she concentrated. She felt both men stop their conversation and look inward. “Yeah,” she whispered, feeling Duncan and Jake’s attention inside like a physical caress. She shivered as the men smiled.

“Um, wow.” Julie’s eyes widened.

Emma grinned. “Jake thinks you’re cute,” she said, not knowing how she knew that but sure of her certainty nonetheless.

* * *

Jake lounged on the beat-up sofa backstage, closing his eyes and relaxing. He’d turned off all the lights except those that ringed the dressing table mirror, basking in the dim light though he knew he really didn’t have the time for it. If he concentrated, he could feel Emma puttering around her kitchen. He mused over how quickly he’d grown used to her in his head. What was not so easy to get used to was Duncan’s constant presence. They’d been friends for a long time, spent every day together, but even so, they’d never lived in each other’s brains before. There was no disguising the attraction Duncan felt for Jake, nor his iron self-control. Jake knew intimately how much their friendship meant to the other man, and finding out just how badly Duncan desired him was a shock. On the other hand, Jake’s growing attraction to his friend was even more disturbing. It was one thing to know that your friend was bisexual and quite another to realize that some strange biological event was changing your own sexuality to match. That was the real reason why he was sitting in Duncan’s dressing room. He kept trying to wrap his brain around it all. A lifetime of being straight and now he was hot for his best friend. He sighed then rolled his eyes, disgusted with himself. Get over it, dude. So you have the hots for Duncan. It’s not a big deal.

“Hey, everything okay?” Duncan called out, sauntering over to the couch where Jake slumped.

Jake blinked his eyes open, startled. Shit. He looked down at the clipboard in his hands, hoping that the venue’s PAs weren’t incompetent. Because he clearly was. “Yeah,” he started to say then cleared his throat. “Yeah, I’m okay. I think I’m just tired.”

Duncan frowned and sat down next to Jake, his right thigh pressing close. “Hey, I know things have been really weird lately.” Jake snorted. Duncan smirked, then they both laughed.

“Yeah, you could say that again. The unrequited lust was quite the shocker, man.” Jake reasoned that he’d never been one to keep his mouth shut, why start now? The elephant in the room was driving them both insane.

Duncan stared at Jake for a moment, clearly surprised. Then he relaxed and chuckled, a hint of relief in the sound. “You wish, loser. And anyway, I’m not so sure it’s all that ‘unrequited’ anymore, eh?”

Jake felt the smile fall from his face, and he looked away.

“Hey, I’m sorry,” Duncan began then shut up when Jake slashed his hand through the air, feeling like an ass. He didn’t know why he was having such a hard time with this.

“Jake—” Duncan tried again, sounding genuinely regretful. Jake felt his insides twist at the pain on his friend’s face. He wanted to kick himself. He loved Duncan. He knew that. He didn’t ever want Duncan to feel sorry for Jake’s lack of ability to deal with reality.

“Duncan, it’s not your fault. And you’re right. It’s just, it takes some getting used to. This bond thing is fucking with me, you know?” Jake looked up to see Duncan nodding. Then he grimaced as they both felt Emma suddenly wake up in the back of their heads and start paying attention to their conversation. “I went through my whole life not really thinking about my sexuality. I liked girls and boobs, and I hung out with you, my best friend. Everything made sense and then wham!” Jake clenched his hand into a fist and smacked it onto his thigh. Duncan looked away, hunching his shoulders, and Jake tried to explain better. Anything to wipe that look of disappointment from his friend’s face. “Everything changes. I mean, I love you. I always did, but to know that you felt this way all along—” Jake broke off.

“Jake, it’s not like I’m going to do anything,” Duncan began then stopped as Jake shook his head.

“No, no, man, I know.” Jake sighed and took a deep breath. “It’s that I’m suddenly no longer sure I want you not to do anything.”

Duncan blinked. Jake could feel his skin warming as his friend looked at him first with confusion, then with slowly dawning open affection, the frown that had been on his face melting away. Jake searched Duncan’s brown eyes, reassured by their warmth. He tried to send good feelings back to him, along with a plea for patience, and felt his heart trip when Duncan smiled. Fuck, he’s gorgeous. It was the sexiest thing Jake had ever seen, and he struggled to own up to that thought instead of denying it. He must have succeeded, because Duncan’s smile grew wider, more mischievous, and in the back of his mind, he sensed Emma’s surprise, then embarrassment. Jake grinned, suddenly amused.

“So, basically, what you’re saying is that you’re suddenly feeling an attraction to me, am I getting that right?” Duncan said, his voice light. Jake swallowed and nodded. Duncan leaned closer, and Jake held his breath, thinking, He’s going to kiss me. And I’m going to let him, just as a PA dashed into the dressing room without knocking. The two men jumped apart as the door slammed open against the wall. Jake looked up, noting the damage to the wall from the doorknob. Dammit. They’d have to pay for that.

“Two minutes!” the young woman blurted frantically. “We’ve been looking for you everywhere!”

Duncan grimaced then laughed as Jake ran his hands through his hair, trying to calm down so the erection pressing against his zipper would fade. It was damned uncomfortable. Then he smiled at Duncan. Both men could feel Emma’s puzzlement and faint embarrassment. “Gotta show to do!” Duncan said, getting up from the couch. He turned and reached down to Jake, not bothering to hide his arousal from his friend. Jake hoped Duncan’s hard-on would subside before he had to go onstage. He didn’t relish finding yet another ode-to-Duncan’s-cock video on YouTube. Catching Jake’s thoughts, Duncan winked. “Come on, man, you’ve got stuff to do, too.”

Jake smiled at his best friend and took his hand.

Chapter 3

Over the next two weeks, Emma tried to get used to sensing Jake and Duncan. It wasn’t easy. Duncan was on tour, performing almost every night, and she always knew when he was on stage. The adrenaline rush of the concerts made it difficult for her to sleep, and she felt herself getting more and more tired as the days went by. She had to get up and go to work while Duncan and Jake got to sleep in after a show. It was difficult to adjust, especially with all the questions she had about what the future would bring, but still, the two weeks to the concert at Madison Square Garden where Julie won front row tickets passed quickly. Emma felt weird knowing that two other people knew what she was doing, thinking, feeling at any given moment but reassured herself that they couldn’t possibly spend all their time peeking in on her any more than she could spend all her time peeking in on them. It took concentration and focus to really understand what was happening in their lives, to hear complete conversations rather than just receive random impressions. Even as she got used to it, none of it was quite real to her. If it wasn’t for the marks on her arms, she would think she was imagining everything. Julie, on the other hand, spazzed out every time Emma casually mentioned anything having to do with Duncan or Jake. It made for some awkward conversations.

“Yeah, Duncan tripped the other day and fell against a piece of equipment,” Emma was saying at lunchtime when Julie casually mentioned the bandage Duncan sported at the previous night’s concert. Many of the fans were speculating on the nature of the injury since the bandage was on Duncan’s neck. Julie squealed when Emma revealed her knowledge, making her wince. Emma didn’t even realize that she knew how Duncan had hurt himself until Julie began talking about it. Emma explained this to Julie.

“Holy shit, Emma, that’s incredible! How do you know? Did you have another dream?”

“Julie, please, you can’t tell anyone! I’m sure Duncan and Jake don’t want their private lives exposed for everyone to see.” Emma looked around, hoping no one else could hear their conversation.

Julie looked at her friend then nodded. “I understand. You’re my best friend, don’t worry. I wouldn’t do anything to mess things up. It’s just so exciting! I’ve been crushing on Duncan for years, and here you are with a private line into his head. And he’s hot. Like seriously hot.”

Emma smiled at Julie’s enthusiasm. She couldn’t blame the other woman. She’d seen interviews and internet footage of Duncan being mobbed by fans, most of them screaming women. “I know, I remember you rhapsodizing about him when his first album came out. And no, it wasn’t a dream. It’s like, I just knew. I wasn’t there and I don’t remember what happened, but you mentioned it and suddenly I had the answer. It’s really freaking weird, actually. I don’t know if I like knowing these things about total strangers.”

“But they’re not strangers! We know a lot about Duncan and even Jake,” Julie burst out, grinning. “I mean, they’ve been on a zillion interviews together and stuff.”

“Yeah, but that’s not their real life.” Emma paused. “I mean, it is, but it isn’t who they are when they’re done for the day and eating dinner. Or right when they wake up. The guy you see on TV is the public persona, the celebrity. The guys I know are the ones who forget to pick up their socks and leave pizza boxes on the counter overnight.” She shook her head. “I don’t even know if this is real! I mean, it feels real, but this is crazy!”

“Emma, it’s real, believe me,” Julie began to say, taking a bite of her lunch, only to stop chewing when Emma sighed and put her sandwich back down without taking a bite.

“Is it? Really? How do I know? It’s not like I can just call either of them up. I don’t have their phone number. They don’t have mine. For all I know, this is completely one-sided. And aside from the initial buzz about ‘mysterious tattoos,’” Emma crooked her fingers in air-quote fashion, “we haven’t seen anything lately on the news about this bonding thing.” She ran her fingers through her hair.

Julie swallowed her last bite and winked at Emma. “It’s real. I know it is. I stalk Duncan on YouTube, and for the past few weeks he’s been wearing long sleeves. Why would he do that if not to hide something?”

Emma laughed. “Seriously? You’re basing my mental coherence on whether or not Duncan Green wears long sleeves?”

Julie laughed, too. “Yeah. The man almost never wears long sleeved shirts, and now all of a sudden he’s covering up? I don’t buy it. More importantly, most of his fans don’t buy it either.”

“So what do they think is going on?” Emma asked, picking up her sandwich again. She was losing weight, stressed from lack of sleep and the constant sensation of worry over the bonding thing. That was pretty much the only positive thing that had come out of this situation.

I could stand to lose a few pounds, she thought then blushed as she felt Jake and Duncan in her head, vehemently denying that she needed to lose weight.

She heard Duncan murmur something about liking curvy women before they faded into the back of her consciousness. She forced herself to take a bite, ignoring the strange look Julie sent her way. She chewed carefully and swallowed before speaking again. “Where do you read this stuff, anyway?”

“There are a lot of fan message boards and blogs. And most of the fans think he’s got a new tattoo. Strangely, no one seems to have noticed that Jake is wearing long sleeves, too, or put two and two together about the bonding tattoo thing.” Julie shook her head. “Honestly, I don’t get it. It’s obvious to me what’s going on.”

Emma grinned. “It’s only obvious because you’re my friend and I’m going insane.”

“You’re not going insane!” Julie snickered. “You were already insane.” Emma smiled and finished her lunch, swallowing the last bite just as the sound of a commotion suddenly filtered through the closed door of the office. Emma looked up, frowning while Julie walked to the door and opened it. The library was noisier than it should be during lunch hour. Sure, some students came to check books in and out, but Portia was usually able to handle any mischief so Emma and Julie could eat their lunch in peace. Right now, though, it sounded like there was a mob out there. Emma stood up to see what was happening.

“I can’t help it! It hurts,” a girl was saying, clutching her arm and crying. A boy stood near her, trying to touch her shoulder, but Portia kept him away from the girl. Both kids looked like they were in pain, the boy grimacing and rubbing his temples as though he had a massive headache.

Emma felt a sympathetic stab in her own head. The headaches she’d been getting were better the past few days, but not completely gone. She frowned as she walked out of the office. “What’s happening, Portia?”

The older woman gave the girl’s arm a shake and then let her go. “I caught them necking in the stacks,” she said, angry.

Emma looked at the girl and realized it was Samantha, a junior. The boy she didn’t recognize, but he looked at least as old as Samantha or older. A senior maybe? She didn’t understand why Samantha would do that, she’d always been one of the good students—straight As, a little shy but always friendly and pleasant in the library. She liked to read, Emma remembered as she rubbed her forehead, her own headache growing stronger. Somewhere in the distance, she felt Duncan take notice. She didn’t understand what would make the girl disobey one of the major rules. “What happened, Samantha?” she asked gently, waving at Portia to go help some of the students lining up to get books checked out. The faster Emma could fix this problem, the sooner she could go get a painkiller.

“I can’t help it, Ms. Bell,” Samantha began. The boy reached for her again and Emma didn’t prevent it, wanting to see what he’d do. As soon as he touched the girl, her face smoothed out and they both sighed. Emma frowned. What was going on?

“You couldn’t help what?” Emma tried to understand.

“It hurts when we’re away from each other,” the boy said, his voice cracking. Emma winced, understanding his nervousness. “It’s like, when we’re together, everything is okay. When we have to go to class,” he paused, shooting a look at Samantha, “different classes, I mean, everything goes wacky.” Emma looked at Samantha. The girl was nodding.

“I don’t know what’s happening to us. And my arm is so itchy. It’s like I’m having an allergic reaction or something.” Samantha absently rubbed her arm.

A chill went through Emma at those words. Could it be? “Can I see your arm?” Samantha nodded, and Emma gently rolled up the girl’s sleeve. On her forearm, it looked like a faint bruise was forming. Emma’s heart began racing. It looked exactly like her own arm did before the tattoo manifested. She turned to the boy and saw him rubbing at his right arm. “What about you?”

“I didn’t do it! I swear!” He looked pale.

Emma shook her head. “No, no, I know you didn’t. I meant, is your arm itchy too?” Emma noted how he didn’t seem to even realize he was still fingering the skin of his arm, too.

He looked down at his arm. “You know, actually it is, but I’ve been so worried about Samantha that I didn’t notice until you said something.”

“Here, let’s see,” Emma said, feeling Jake watching now, too. Duncan was alert, and she knew they were both seeing what was happening through her eyes. Or, at least she thought she could feel them. She grimaced as the boy pushed up his sweater. The skin on his forearm was red from his rubbing at it, but there was a slight bruise coming up, the same shape and size as the one growing increasingly defined on Samantha’s arm.

“What were you doing in the stacks?” Emma asked, almost dreading the answer. She felt Jake trying to soothe her worry, and wished she could frown at him. “And what’s your name?” she asked the boy.

“I’m Jonathan,” he said, then went quiet. Emma noted that he seemed reluctant to answer the rest of the question.

“Samantha?”

The girl was quiet for a split second, a look of intense guilt on her face, then she broke down. “I’m sorry, Ms. Bell! I know we weren’t supposed to! But I felt so awful, and when we agreed to meet here, I didn’t even think about, about—” Samantha was in tears now, but she quieted down as Jonathan hugged her.

Emma sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose between her fingers. “Let me guess. You met here and as soon as you touched you felt better.” Both teens nodded, looking guilty but calmer. “And then after making out for a few minutes, you realized that kissing not only made you feel better, it made you feel incredible, right?” Both of them were looking at her like she was talking a foreign language, and Emma didn’t blame them. Usually when a teacher caught kids making out somewhere in the school they got immediate detention. Emma knew what she was supposed to do, but they were showing the same symptoms she’d just spent two weeks suffering, the same symptoms she could no longer deny were real. She took a deep breath. “Have either of you heard of bonding?” They looked at her blankly. “It was on the news about a week ago? How two people are drawn to each other, and then strange markings appear on their arms, like tattoos?”

Jonathan cleared his throat. “I saw it on the internet but didn’t think about it much. Seemed weird. And anyway, this bruise isn’t a tattoo.”

Samantha shook her head. “No, Ms. Bell, I never heard of bonding.” Emma noticed that though Jonathan was no longer hugging Samantha, their hands were still clasped. Emma didn’t want to think about what prying them apart would do to them. In the back of her mind, she felt Duncan and Jake agreeing with her.

“Okay, look, I’m sending you to the nurse. I think you should both go home for the day.” They protested that they didn’t want to be separated, but Emma ignored them. “And I will personally tell the nurse about the bonding thing. I’m sure we can work something out.” They nodded at her, trusting that she would help them. Emma felt a sinking sensation in her chest. Their parents were not going to deal with this well, she just knew it. In her mind she felt Duncan frown and caught the stray thought that at least the kids were boy-girl and not gay. She felt her blood go cold at the thought of trying to untangle that kind of mess. Emma worked in a very conservative community. She knew that many of the parents weren’t that open-minded. She watched as the marks on the kids’ arms grew more prominent the longer they touched. This is a disaster waiting to happen, she thought as she ushered them out of the library.

* * *

Much later, Emma dropped onto her sofa, exhausted. She knew that she should get up, get ready for the concert, but she was totally wiped out after dealing with the nurse and the kids’ parents. Samantha and Jonathan refused to be separated. It took a lot of cajoling, but Emma was finally able to convince the parents not to force the issue. She showed them the news reports on the internet. They weren’t easy to find, which worried her greatly. The phenomenon was widespread, and just a few days ago, she was able to find a lot more data on bonding. Now, however, articles she remembered reading were missing. It was as if someone had done a methodological search and erase on all bonding data on the web. That freaked her out because she knew how hard it was to get rid of anything once it appeared on the internet. She’d finally had to resort to a little-known archive that cached articles and web pages. Something was happening, and she didn’t understand what it was. Why weren’t the people who were experiencing the bonding posting anymore about it on any of the social networks? What happened to all the blog posts? And even more disturbing, why had all the official articles about bonding disappeared? It was weird, and Emma was too weary to think about it any longer today. She closed her eyes and idly followed Duncan and Jake around the pre-show sound check, smiling as she felt Jake freaking out over some detail or other with the venue’s PAs. She tried not to think about the fact that Julie would be here in fifteen minutes, ready for their drive to New York. They had just enough time to get to the city, park, and not miss too much of the opening act. Emma felt a flutter of nerves in her gut thinking about the concert. Two weeks ago it sounded like a great idea, but now she was terrified at the thought of meeting Duncan and Jake face-to-face. Duncan was singing and joking around with his band right now, she knew that, but that didn’t prevent him from pausing to send her reassurances as he got wind of her mental state. Emma groaned, dropping her face in her hands, embarrassed.

* * *

Jake finished marking something on a piece of paper and then looked around stealthily, making eye contact with Duncan on stage. He jerked his head, motioning towards the dressing room, and Duncan nodded. They both felt Emma’s worry. Jake didn’t know what to do, but he couldn’t think of anything he wanted more right now than to hug his best friend. He walked to the room and opened the door, looking in satisfaction at the sofa and the bottled water on the table next to it. Duncan’s costumes hung from the racks in the corner and the dressing room table mirror was lit and ready, opposite the couch tucked against the back wall. He felt a moment’s peace at the quiet then the worry about the bonding came rushing back in.

“Hey, man, what’s up?” Duncan walked in and shut the door behind him. He locked it. Jake flinched at the click.

“You know what’s up.” Jake sighed and dropped onto the old sofa. He felt the springs protest beneath him and winced, hoping that the worn cushions wouldn’t give out tonight. Duncan sat down beside him and put his hand on Jake’s neck, gently massaging the muscles until the tension began to dissipate. Jake pointedly ignored the spark of heat he felt at Duncan’s proximity. He wasn’t ready to deal with that yet, and Duncan was too smart to bring it up in conversation, especially now, what with the bonding and Emma’s freaking out. They could feel her from a hundred miles away.

“I know,” Duncan sighed then let his hand fall away. He rubbed at his eyes, breathing slowly in and out for a few minutes. Jake could feel the other man willing him to relax, and that almost made him panic all over again, but he knew that he had to get over it. He had the feeling that this was it, that this relationship with Duncan, and with Emma, his brain helpfully supplied, would be the last serious relationship he would ever have. And strangely, he realized that he wanted it. He wanted them both. He would just have to deal with the sudden and inexplicable attraction to a guy.

“Duncan,” Jake began, trying to think of a way to talk about what he was feeling before falling silent. He shouldn’t bring it up. Emma was still upset, and he had a feeling that if he opened that particular door they would need hours to talk, and they didn’t have the time. He needed to chill out and do his job so that the concert tonight ran smoothly. Then Duncan looked at him and smiled and Jake felt his heart stop for a moment. Jesus, he’s gorgeous, Jake thought, taking in the soft brown eyes and the traces of eyeliner smudged around them, leftover from yesterday. Duncan’s affection was evident in the way his eyes crinkled at the corners. His lips weren’t smiling, but Jake could see the telltale quirk on one side that said Duncan knew exactly what he was thinking and was amused. Jake pressed his lips together, realizing that Duncan did know, for real, and not just because they’d been best friends forever. Duncan could hear his thoughts. He smiled, sweet and sexy, and Jake felt himself blush.

Duncan’s eyes grew dark. “Jesus,” Jake breathed as the arousal built between. He had to shift position on the couch, let his legs fall open as his jeans grew increasingly tighter.

“Jake,” Duncan murmured, reaching forward to cup Jake’s cheek. He ran his thumb over his stubble, and Jake relished the gentleness of the gesture. It made him feel alive, made him think that this was real and that he wasn’t in it alone. Am I finally getting used to this? He closed his eyes and just breathed as he leaned into his friend’s touch. Duncan shifted closer and Jake’s cock jumped against his jeans so hard it made him fear for the fabric. When he opened his eyes, he finally let his arousal show on his face. Duncan swiped his thumb over Jake’s lips then took his hand back. “You know I’m not going to do anything you don’t want me to.”

“I know,” Jake said, dropping his eyes. He chuckled then reached down and adjusted himself. “I can’t deny what I feel, and I can’t hide it. This is like having a lie detector hooked up all the time, you know?”

Duncan laughed. Jake felt him resist the urge to just grab and couldn’t help smiling. His friend’s self-control was epic. “Yeah, I know,” Duncan said. Jake sent Duncan the spikes and sparks of his attraction across their connection before drawing back in an attempt to calm down.

“Even so—” Duncan started, his smile suddenly dropping away, but Jake interrupted, nodding.

“Yeah, even so, you’re still my best friend. We just have to figure out how to incorporate this into everything.”

“And what about Emma?” Duncan asked. Jake wondered what she was doing. He couldn’t tell really where she was, only that she was sitting down and she was absolutely exhausted after dealing with the debacle of the bonded students.

“And what about Emma?” Jake repeated, understanding perfectly. It wasn’t enough that he suddenly felt this thing for Duncan, oh no. He had to hook up with a third person, too. This is just how absurd my life is, he thought for a second, frustrated, before he caught Duncan’s compassionate look and felt his friend soothe away the edges.

“Stop it,” Duncan said, not unkindly. “She didn’t ask for this either and she’s scared out of her mind.”

“I know, I know, I’m an ass.” Jake let himself be comforted. He hoped Emma hadn’t caught his momentary panic but knew that she had. He sent a pulse of regret her way along with the equivalent of a mental hug. He felt her smile, faintly.

“This is really weird. I could feel you do that.” Duncan wrinkled his nose, and Jake tried not to think about how adorable that made him look.

“I know.” Jake laughed abruptly. “It’s not even difficult! How bizarre is this? It’s like the universe suddenly woke up and planted a great, big, honking love whammy on us.” He tried unsuccessfully to stifle his laughter.

Duncan shook his head, smiling unwillingly. “Look, I’ve got an interview in, shit, five minutes,” Duncan said, pulling his phone out of his pocket to check the time. Jake was already nodding. “Let’s just get through the rest of the night and take it as it comes, okay?”

“Yeah, except, you know Emma’s coming,” Jake said slowly. He didn’t know it would feel so strange to say it out loud, what they’d both been thinking for the past several days. Talking about it made it real, but Duncan just nodded.

“I know, and I think we should get some backstage passes to her.”

“How? We don’t even know where she’s sitting.” Jake stood and stretched to work the kinks out of his back. He felt Duncan watching him, and deliberately let a sliver of skin peek out between his low, tight jeans and T-shirt. Duncan smirked as Jake grinned at him. He might still be a bit uneasy with his newfound attraction to his best friend, but he always prided himself on his pragmatism. He refused to hide from the truth.

“I don’t know, but I think we should get one ready. Or two, actually. Most people don’t go to concerts alone, so she’s probably coming with that cute friend of hers, and yes, I know that you are an alien who likes to go to shows by yourself!” Duncan finished with a laugh before Jake could say anything. “And don’t try to deny it!”

Jake chuckled and looked around for his clipboard. There were a million details to work out before tonight’s concert. “Okay, I won’t. And I’ll get two passes together, give them to Dave.” Dave was their head of security for this tour and all around miracle worker.

“Maybe once Mizar starts playing we’ll be able to see where she is.” Duncan caught Jake’s skeptical look. “Hey, it’s possible! I know the place is huge, but maybe she’ll be close. And I’d bet that the closer she gets to us the better we’ll be able to sense where she is. So even if she isn’t close, I think we’ll be able to find her.”

His friend was right, Jake realized. He always knew where Duncan was, it was part of his job, but since the bonding marks showed up, Duncan almost always knew exactly where Jake was, too. He’d be playing and singing and then look off stage and wink, making Jake smile in the midst of the chaos. “Okay,” Jake said, licking his lips. The realization frightened him for some reason. He wasn’t sure why. He grimaced. Maybe I’m not as used to this as I thought I was?

Duncan stood up and gathered Jake into a hug. “Hey, hey, calm down, all right? You’re making me crazy here.” He tucked his friend’s face into his shoulder and Jake relaxed.

“I think I’m nervous about meeting Emma,” he mumbled into Duncan’s jacket.

“I know,” Duncan soothed. “I’m a little nervous, too.”

Jake looked at him skeptically. “Yeah, right. Dude, you never get nervous.”

Duncan smiled. “I know, but I can feel your anxiety. I can feel hers. It’s making me itchy.”

Jake shook his head then shoved at Duncan. “Don’t you have an interview or something? Like, five minutes ago?”

Duncan grinned and hugged Jake again. “I do, but you mean more to me than a stupid interview.” Jake couldn’t help smiling at this. He hugged Duncan back with all his strength.

Chapter 4

“I’m coming!” Emma called, poking her earlobe and then wincing as she missed the hole again. Stupid earring, she thought as she walked to the front door. “Why didn’t you just come in?” she asked as she opened the door for Julie. “You’ve been here enough times that you don’t need permission.”

Julie shrugged. “Habit, I think. Here, give me that.” Julie eyed Emma’s pink earlobe. “Why didn’t you just look in the mirror?” she asked as she maneuvered the silver wire through Emma’s piercing. She slipped the plastic backing onto the post then stepped back to flick at the dangling silver strands.

“I was in a hurry.” Emma looked around for her shoes. “I fell asleep after work and just woke up about fifteen minutes ago.”

“Seriously?” Julie raised her eyebrows. “How could you fall asleep? We’re going to see Duncan Green in concert!”

Emma shook her head. “I was exhausted.” She found her favorite purple suede heels and slipped them on, walking to the full-length mirror on the back of her bathroom door to see if they looked okay with the rest of her outfit. The slim, dark jeans looked good with her fitted purple blouse. The fabric was shiny and stretchy, and she loved the way the short sleeves made her arms look thin and pretty. What she liked best, though, were the silver snaps that held it closed instead of buttons. She couldn’t do anything to disguise her curves, but in this outfit she looked almost skinny, so she was pleased. The purple shoes complimented the black, and she slipped on the thick silver bracelets she’d set out earlier. Her hair was loose, falling around her shoulders in soft waves, the silver from her earrings peeking out from between the strands. She’d actually broken open the mascara for once, highlighting the black liner she’d applied not five minutes ago. She wondered if she should cover up the marks on her arms then decided the bracelets hid them enough. Most people would just think she had a pair of very unique tattoos.

“I understand being tired, but Emma, aren’t you excited? I mean, you’re probably going to meet them, right?” Julie asked.

Emma fidgeted with her hair one last time, wishing she could avoid the question. “I know, Julie, I know. It’s just—” she sighed.

“You’re nervous.” Julie smiled and rubbed her friend’s arm compassionately.

“Yeah.” Emma sat down on her sofa. She looked at the pink nail polish that peeked through the open-toes of her shoes. “I mean, yeah, I was exhausted from the situation today at the school, then I was really nervous about the concert, then I just sat down and zonked out.” Emma carefully didn’t mention how she spent a good half-hour eavesdropping on Jake and Duncan while they had their little heart-to-heart in the dressing room. She didn’t think Julie would understand her fear. Her friend was a fan of Duncan’s and would probably love to be telepathically attached to the man. Emma, though, had spent most of her life alone. The sudden invasion of her mental privacy was as upsetting as it was comforting.

“Well, okay, I don’t know how you could sleep, but at least you’re rested and ready for the show! Come on.” Julie grabbed Emma’s hand and pulled her up. “Time to go!”

* * *

Two hours later, Julie stopped her car in the parking lot a few blocks west of Madison Square Garden. Emma felt her stomach flip over and silently congratulated herself on having the good sense to not eat anything heavier than an apple for dinner.

“Oh my God, I’m so excited!” Julie said after they’d paid the attendant. “Look! You can see the Garden from here!” She pointed and Emma obediently looked down the street at the venue’s distinctive outline. “Do you see it?”

Emma grinned. “I see it, I see it! I’ve been here before, you know,” Emma teased, but Julie just laughed and grabbed her hand.

“Let’s go!”

Two blocks later they were walking past the tour trucks parked in back of the building. “Thank God the parking wasn’t far,” Emma remarked, trying not to get a heel wedged in the metal grates that dotted the sidewalk. “I can’t walk very far in these shoes.” She let Julie tow her toward the front entrance, trying to ignore the way Jake and Duncan felt in her head. The proximity made her even more aware of the two men. She could feel them as they moved around backstage, and the mental double-vision was making her dizzy.

“I told you it wasn’t far. That parking lot’s pricey, but it’s worth it.” Julie shoved them both through the crowds. They walked up the wide steps, and Julie tugged her towards the VIP entrance. “Come on, I think we’re supposed to go in here.” Emma balked and Julie pulled on her hand. “Oh relax, it’ll be fine! Seriously.”

Emma shook her head but stopped trying to hold back. Julie had no idea. Duncan and Jake knew she was there. She could feel their anticipation. Her heart tripped alarmingly, but she gamely moved forward with Julie, hoping everything would be okay. She laughed to herself as Julie showed the ticket attendant their paperwork. What did she think was going to happen? She knew they were nice guys. Even if they hadn’t taken up residence in her head, just watching the interviews she could find of them on the internet assured her they weren’t typical rock-star assholes. Most of the interviews she could find featured Duncan, but she’d managed to track down two that had Jake, including the infamous Oprah segment. She smiled as Julie tugged again, exasperated with Emma’s timidity.

“I’m pretty sure I’m going to throw up with nervousness,” Emma said when they finally broke through the crowds and into the hallway leading to the floor near the stage. “We’re practically on the damn stage here.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. And the lights shining in his eyes will make it hard for Duncan to see much in the audience. I’ve been in the front row here before, a few years back. Different concert.” Julie grinned, maneuvering them both down the rows of chairs. Emma tried to keep her feet as the number of people grew larger the closer they got to the front. She could feel the excitement in the air, and she took a moment to look up and out in the vast interior of the arena. There were ads scrolling along electronic billboards, and the noise level was near deafening just from all the people talking and milling around. She was abruptly glad she’d remembered her earplugs. “Hey, I think we made it in time for the opening act. Look, they’re uncovering equipment at the front of the stage.” Julie pointed, but Emma was too distracted to pay attention.

“Julie, they know I’m here.” Emma stumbled into her friend’s back when Julie finally halted. “They don’t have to see me.”

Julie swiveled around to look at her. “Um, seriously?”

“Yeah,” Emma replied, nervous. “I can feel them, too.”

“Holy shit, that is so cool.” Julie breathed, gesturing to the folding chairs right next to the stage. “I think those are our seats.” Julie began making her way through the people. “And, wow. I thought maybe it was just a burst here and there that you got or something, like a bad phone connection. You’re saying that you can feel them all the time?”

Emma nodded. “I mean, it’s not like television or anything. It’s more like having a stray thought in the back of your head, and if I concentrate, or one of them concentrates, it comes into focus. And I know things without knowing I know them, you know?” Emma explained, sitting down with relief. She really wasn’t used to wearing shoes this high.

Julie stared at her then sat down too. “That is so weird. I mean, it’s cool, but it’s weird, too. Isn’t it weird knowing they can, what, feel you? See you?”

“Yes, exactly.” Emma was relieved that Julie was finally getting the idea. “That’s why I didn’t want you to tell anyone. I’m not used to this yet. I don’t know if I’m ever going to get used to it. And I have no idea how Jake and Duncan feel about it. It’s not like we’ve actually had a conversation.”

“So, you can’t, like, talk to them in your head?”

“No,” Emma replied. “At least not yet.”

Julie frowned. “What do you mean?”

Emma sighed. “Remember how those kids at school acted when their parents tried to separate them?” Emma asked. Julie nodded. “I have the feeling that it was physically painful for them to be away from each other. And remember, Duncan, Jake, and I haven’t actually met. What happens when we touch each other?”

Julie pursed her lips. “I have no idea.”

Emma nodded grimly. “Exactly. What will happen? I mean, the kids’ marks didn’t even manifest completely until they were touching. What does it mean that mine are completely formed and we haven’t even met? I’m a little scared, to tell you the truth. And I’m connected to two people, not one.”

“Oh man, it’s like the most freaky blind date ever.” Emma looked at her friend then laughed.

“Yup.”

* * *

“Duncan, she’s out there,” Jake said urgently, grabbing the other man’s arm and dragging him closer to the wall.

Duncan nodded. “I know.”

“You know?” Jake said, running his hand through his hair distractedly. “Of course you know. How could you not know?” he muttered.

Duncan smiled and pulled Jake into a hug. “Dude, you have to calm down. You’re freaking me out.”

Jake sighed, looking up at his friend. Duncan was wearing his tight leather pants and boots and a sparkly T-shirt that hugged his body. He could tell that Duncan wasn’t as cool as he pretended, but he was an excellent performer. His hair was mussed, probably from running his fingers through it, and Jake realized that Duncan was trying very hard to be calm as he pulled his friend closer. Jake took a deep breath, willing himself to chill out. “I’m not used to performing in front of billions of people, Duncan,” he said apologetically.

Duncan nodded. “I know.” He tucked his face down into Jake’s hair. “Why don’t you see if you can find out where she’s sitting? I can feel her here, and I know she’s got her friend with her, but I can’t pinpoint her location. And I can’t really take off to go look for her, but you can.”

“Okay. Her friend’s name is Julie, right?” Jake asked. He reluctantly stepped back, getting himself under control. He wasn’t helping Duncan with his freak-out.

“I think so.”

“It is so weird that we know that. All right, I’ll go see if I can find them.” Jake winced as he heard the opening notes of Mizar. It was incredibly loud back there near the side monitor speakers, and he had forgotten to put in his earplugs.

“Here,” Duncan said, grabbing Jake’s arm as the other man turned away. He held out a pair of small plastic cones. “You left these in the dressing room.”

Jake smiled at his friend, sudden affection overwhelming him. “Thanks, man.”

“Anytime. I have to go do my warm-ups now.”

“Okay.” Jake watched Duncan walk off toward the dressing room, the stiffness of his shoulders betraying his anxiety. Jake frowned, knowing that Duncan wished he could go look for Emma, too. Dammit. He wished Duncan could come with him, but there was nothing he could do about it. Duncan needed to run through his vocal warm-up or he wouldn’t be able to sing. Jake ran his hands through his hair one more time then put in the earplugs, sighing with relief as the ear-bursting music faded to a dull throb. He walked to the edge of the stage, stealthily peeking out into the audience. It was difficult to see because of the lighting, but he thought he could make out the first row. Was that Emma? He squinted but still couldn’t tell. He was going to have to go down there. He sighed, frustrated as he fingered the two backstage passes he’d arranged to have made earlier. He didn’t want to go into the crowd because he was afraid he’d be recognized. Maybe if he put on a hat? He wandered backstage, intent on finding Amanda, Duncan’s makeup artist, costume designer, and all around fixer-upper. She would be able to help.

* * *

Emma tapped her foot to the beat and watched Julie dancing. She didn’t expect to enjoy the opening act, but they were good. She looked at the stage, wondering what all the stuff covered with black fabric was going to turn into when Duncan began performing. She knew that the headliner usually put on a much more elaborate show, but she hadn’t been to enough concerts to truly anticipate what was going to happen. She tried to relax, reminding herself that there was nothing to fear. She knew from her dreams and her newfound mental landscape that both Jake and Duncan were really nice guys. She could also feel their anxiety in the back of her head, tickling at her emotions. That should have made her calmer, knowing that these two incredibly successful men were nervous about meeting her, but it only made her apprehension more vivid. What if they didn’t like her in person? What if she looked completely stupid and frumpy next to rock star Duncan? She shook her head, catching Julie’s concerned frown. Emma smiled at her friend, and then the music stopped. The deafening cheers of the crowd swamped them for a few minutes before the lights came back on and people started filtering out towards the refreshment stands during the intermission. Emma sat down, enjoying a brief respite from the craziness that was a rock concert.

“Wow, Mizar was really good.” Julie smiled at Emma.

Emma nodded as she removed her earplugs. “I didn’t expect to like them.”

“Well, wait until you hear Duncan sing live.” Julie sat down and took a sip of her water. “His voice is amazing. I have never heard a guy hit the kinds of notes he does. And you know what’s even more incredible?” Emma shook her head, bemused by her friend’s enthusiasm. “He not only sings really high notes, his lower register is ridiculously good. It’s incredibly sexy,” Julie said. She put her drink down carefully so that the open bottle wouldn’t spill.

“I looked him up on the web after—” Emma blushed as she stumbled over her words. Julie raised an eyebrow suggestively, and Emma rolled her eyes. “Well, after the dreams and stuff. I mean, I have his first album because I like his music, but I never saw any interviews or live performances. He’s really good.”

“Good? That’s all you have to say?” Julie laughed. “I lent you his new album last week. What did you think of that?”

Emma didn’t respond right away, shifting in her seat and hunting for the lip balm in her purse. How did she explain the sense of arousal she felt every time she heard his voice? To be honest, she was a little afraid of how she was going to react when she saw him on stage. She loved the album. Maybe too much. She found her lip balm and uncapped it, taking her time rubbing the minty moisturizer onto her lips. Julie watched her impatiently. After she tossed it back in her purse, Emma felt a bit more put together. “I really love it, actually.”

Julie whooped. “I knew it! I knew you’d love it.”

“Well, I’d heard some songs from the radio, so I knew I’d like it.” Emma shifted in her seat again, suddenly inexplicably anxious. She felt itchy, as though her skin was too tight. Did she eat something weird? She stood up, trying to stretch. Maybe she was just cooped up from being squished into one place too long. “Listen, Julie, I’m going to go to the bathroom and maybe get something to eat. You want to come with me?”

“Sure. I could use a pretzel.” They stood and squeezed down the row, trying not to step on anyone. When they reached the hallway, it was still so crowded that Emma felt like the walls were closing in on her.

“Where’s the bathroom?” she asked Julie.

“I think it’s that way.” Julie pointed. “I’m going to get in line for a pretzel.”

“Okay. I’ll meet you back at the seats.” Julie nodded as Emma shoved her way down the passage to a less crowded spot. She didn’t really need to use the restroom. She just wanted a moment to breathe. After about ten minutes of standing alone, she felt marginally better, though her skin still prickled. Oh, well, she thought, must be the heat and stress. She made her way back to the seats but had to pause by a pile of equipment at the edge of the stage because the crowd was too thick to get through. Too many people all trying to get to different places, she figured, waiting patiently near one of the venue’s security men. She leaned against the railing that separated the stage from the audience, ignoring the guard’s curious look. He turned away, scanning the crowd for trouble, then Emma noticed his eyes widening a fraction. What was happening? she wondered just as she caught him nodding. He turned toward her.

“Are you Emma?” the big man asked in a deceptively soft voice. Emma’s heart began pounding. How did he know her name? She nodded and he smiled. “Could you please come here for a moment?” He slid the barrier back to create a small space that she could squeeze her body through. She looked at him, wondering if she should trust him, then realized that she could feel Jake in her mind, silently urging her on. She blushed and hurried toward the opening, trying to get control of herself. Did Jake know where she was?

“Just down here, miss.” The guard guided her a short way around the edge of the stage. When he stopped, she could see a small space between the large speakers that lead underneath the stage. At the man’s hand motion, she slipped in and abruptly came face to face with Jake Mackenzie. Emma stopped breathing.

* * *

After trying and failing to find Emma during Mizar’s performance, Jake felt like hitting something. He could feel her, Duncan could feel her, but he couldn’t find her. It was driving him crazy. He felt jumpy and desperate. Finally, he stopped near the edge of the stage, protected from the crowd’s view by the enormous speakers and the security fencing. He peered out, careful to keep the baseball cap pulled low over his eyes so that even if someone saw him he wouldn’t be recognized. He watched the people walking around while the stage crew worked above him to get ready for Duncan’s concert.

I should be up there, overseeing, he thought then felt Duncan’s presence in his head urging him to keep looking for Emma.

Jake sighed, wanting to take off the cap and run his hands through his sweaty hair but not daring. Right now he was just another nondescript technician doing something esoteric under the stage. He scanned the crowd again then felt his heart trip. She was right there in front of him. He recognized her hair, the way she cocked her head. She wasn’t facing him, but she didn’t look as if she were going anywhere soon as she leaned on the security fence to people-watch. He figured she must be waiting for the crowd to ease up so she could make her way back to her seat. He pulled his radio from his belt, hands shaking.

“This is Jake. I’m looking for the security guard at the west end of the floor security fencing.” He looked at the guard who stopped his scanning to stare right at him. The guard nodded imperceptibly. Jake took a deep breath, thankful that modern security included things like ear feeds so he wouldn’t have to go out into the crowd. He could just imagine the kind of ruckus it would cause if he was seen. He pressed the button on his radio again. “Do you see the woman to your left? Her name is Emma. Please escort her through the fence to me, okay?” Jake waited until the man gave him a thumbs-up. He watched him talk to Emma, and he could feel her confusion when the guard motioned toward the barrier. He silently urged her to slip through, hoping no one would notice. He could feel Duncan coming, and he hoped that the other man kept his head down and stayed out of sight of the screaming fans. Then he saw Emma duck through the narrow space the guard created and slip under the stage. She walked a few steps, watching her feet in the dark, then stopped and looked up right into his eyes. Jake froze, unable to speak.

She was beautiful. He could tell she was nervous, and he could also tell she knew who he was. He drew a breath then silently urged her further under the stage, ducking behind one of the pillars that held up the flooring. The lift sat unused a few feet to his left, the dim strip lights illuminating the path the performers were supposed to follow to get on stage. The lights accentuated her hair, throwing highlights onto her curls, making him want to thrust his fingers into the softness and hold her still as he kissed her. She swallowed, and he saw her eyes widen, then suddenly Duncan stepped up beside him, sliding an arm around his waist. Jake leaned into his friend’s embrace gratefully as the three of them stared at each other.

Duncan was the first to break the silence. “Emma. Don’t be afraid.”

Jake’s heart tripped in double time at the emotion in his friend’s voice, and he reached out a shaky hand to her. He could feel Duncan trembling. Emma lifted her arm, not saying a word, eyes wide. Jake could feel her in his head, feel her apprehension and attraction at war with each other. He could sense Duncan’s fierce arousal, and it only ramped his own higher. When her hand touched his, Jake’s knees buckled at the spark that jumped between the three of them. Duncan held him up, so Jake pulled Emma in, folding his arms around her shaking body while Duncan moved closer, slotting himself alongside her as well. The three of them held on for dear life as a thousand images flashed before their eyes. Jake shuddered as he felt Emma’s consciousness slide into him, and he knew Duncan felt her as well. She gasped as Jake felt Duncan slip into his mind and then into Emma’s, and then his own sense of self reached out. Duncan leaned in, blindly kissing Emma, then Jake, their mouths so close together that in a second, the three of them were kissing each other messily, their minds threading together in a crescendo that left them all panting when Emma finally wrenched her face away.

“Emma. Oh, my God,” Jake croaked. Duncan looked flushed under his tan, gorgeous and trembling. Jake couldn’t think clearly, his thoughts muddy and slow with the burning heat that their three-way kiss ignited. Emma quivered, and the two men held her up, cupping her shoulders and around her waist until she could stand on her own again. Duncan pressed his erection into Jake’s side, and Emma shuddered then stepped back when someone coughed behind the trio. Jake looked up to see a stage hand adjusting something on the lift. To his relief, he didn’t think the man saw them.

“Shit,” Duncan rubbed his face, glancing back at the oblivious technician. “What time is it?”

Jake shook his head, but Emma looked down at her hand where she still held her cell phone. It’s a miracle she hasn’t dropped it, Jake thought.

“It’s nine forty-five,” she said, her voice shaky but clear.

“Oh, sweetheart, I’ve gotta go,” Duncan said reluctantly. Emma nodded, and Jake took a deep breath, trying to organize his thoughts. The burning arousal hadn’t faded in the least, even with the little bit of distance they’d put between themselves.

“I’ve got two backstage passes for you.” Jake pulled the plastic tags from his jeans pocket, trying not to wince as his hand pressed against his cock. He’d never been so aroused so quickly before. It was absurd. Emma’s eyes widened as she watched him, and Jake grinned as he felt her desire spike in the back of his head. Duncan snickered, and suddenly Jake didn’t feel so shaky. Emma grinned and took the tags, shaking her head. Jake laughed. It was that or cry.

“Thank you, Jake.” She stepped back further. “I’m looking forward to the concert.”

“Oh, baby, so am I,” Duncan said, his voice low and sexy. Jake shivered at the tone then watched him try to adjust himself, wincing in sympathy.

“This is so not the way I imagined we’d meet,” Emma said, chuckling now. “I was so nervous—”

“Oh, honey, me too.” Jake pulled off his cap and ran his fingers through his hair. He felt Duncan’s eyes on him and turned his head to see his friend watching him, his need no longer unspoken. Jake acknowledged it, smiling at Duncan, then turned back to Emma. “I was nervous as hell, but Duncan was cool as can be.”

Duncan grinned. “I totally was not, as you both know. And now I really do have to go. I’ll be looking for you, Emma.” Duncan stepped back reluctantly then turned and walked away. Jake looked at Emma. She was watching Duncan go, a look of frustration on her face.

“I know, I feel it too,” Jake said, the heat in his body turning into something both hotter and more urgent the farther away Duncan got.

“I feel like I’m burning up,” Emma whispered, lifting a hand to her forehead.

“Like with every step he takes I need him more desperately.” Jake sighed and took a careful step back, frowning as the heat increased again.

“He must be going crazy. He’s the one walking away,” Emma said, her face worried. “I was afraid of what might happen.”

Jake nodded. “We have to get together after the concert to talk about what to do.” His radio beeped, and Emma flinched. “Shit. I have to go. I’m so sorry.” He reached out a hand to Emma, but she danced back out of reach.

“I don’t know what will happen if we touch again. I can feel that Duncan is barely holding it together.” Emma sighed. “This is insane.”

Jake squared his shoulders and put his cap back on. “Yeah, I know. I’ll see you soon, right after the show. Right after.”

Emma nodded and stepped back through the barricade. Jake watched her disappear into the crowd.

* * *

After Emma found her seat, she sat down, fanning herself with the complimentary program that came with the VIP tickets Julie won. She could still feel both men in the back of her head, the sexual pull not lessening at all. She was flushed and hoped that Julie couldn’t tell how flustered she felt.

“Hey, Emma! I couldn’t find you, so I went back out to get another pretzel.” Julie flopped down next to her. “Do you want a piece?”

“No, thanks.” Emma pushed her hair back off her face, wishing a little cool air would drift her way.

“Hey, you okay? You look flushed.”

So much for Julie not noticing, Emma thought then sighed. “I met them.”

“What!?” Julie shrieked, and Emma winced. A few of the people sitting around them sent her curious looks. “What do you mean, you ‘met them?’ When? What happened?” Julie asked, her voice quieter.

Emma rubbed her face. “I was waiting by the fencing for you because the crowd was insane and I didn’t feel like pushing back through that many people to get to our seats. Then, the security guard caught my attention and squeezed me through the barrier. I knew it was Jake. When I ducked under the stage, he was there, waiting for me.”

“Oh, my God,” Julie breathed.

“He gave me these.” Emma showed her friend the passes. Julie squealed again then clapped her hands over her mouth. Emma laughed as she sensed Jake’s amusement through their bond.

“Oh, my gosh, I get to go back with you?” Julie looked like she was going to faint.

“Yes.” Emma was glad Julie was so distracted by the idea of going backstage that she didn’t question Emma’s flush anymore. Emma handed over one of the passes, enjoying Julie’s glee as they waited for the show to start. She sensed Duncan waiting in the dark and knew the concert was about to begin.

* * *

Duncan waited at the edge of the stairs, watching his band set up in the dark. Tabb twirled his sticks as he settled down behind the drum kit, then Jon picked up his bass guitar. Duncan glanced at the man on keys, grateful he’d managed to avoid Eric most of the day. His keyboard player was a brilliant musician, but the man’s attitude ever since he found out Duncan was bi had been a trial. He’d grown increasingly surly, sometimes even showing up half-drunk. If he hadn’t had a contract, Duncan would’ve fired his ass months ago. He shook his head, dispelling the negative thoughts. This was going to be an incredible concert. Emma was in the audience. Duncan couldn’t wait to get onstage, but it wasn’t until he saw Levi sling his guitar over his head and nod that he started up. As he made his way to his mark, the single bass riff of his opening song buzzed through his skin. Then the spotlight hit, and he felt Emma shiver. He couldn’t see her, but he could feel her excitement. He sensed Jake standing behind the monitors, watching to make sure the lighting came on at the right moment, and Duncan felt a stab of gratitude and love so sharp he gasped, almost losing his step as he reached the top of the metal stairs. He looked out into the audience and smiled, pushing everything to the back of his mind except the music. He sang the first note, letting it shiver through the air, amplified by the equipment, and he knew everyone in the venue was holding their breath, waiting for him to kick off the show. He finished the note and grinned as Tabb picked up the beat, and then everything began. Nothing else in the world even came close to what it felt like to stand on stage in front of thousands. This was what he was born to do. And this time, the performance felt like his soul was on fire—he hit crazy notes, the band was electric, the audience’s screaming reached insane levels. After the first set, he dashed backstage for a quick drink and felt Jake come up behind him with some water and a towel.

“Here, quick, wipe your face,” Jake said, smiling in the dim light.

“Thanks.” Duncan grabbed the towel and rubbed, careful not to smudge his eyeliner. He took the open bottle of water from Jake and swallowed half of it. “I can feel her, watching me.”

Jake nodded. “I know.”

“It’s like her soul is inside of us, and now I can hit every note perfectly, no matter how high. I’ve never felt anything like it.” Duncan needed to explain this. He desperately wanted Jake to reassure him. “It burns, too, but in a good way. And you’re inside me, and I love you so much—” Duncan broke off, his heart pounding against his ribs.

“It’s okay. I feel you both too,” Jake said, voice hoarse. “And you sound fucking incredible out there. This is the most incredible performance you’ve ever given.”

Duncan looked at his friend, seeing the truth in Jake’s eyes. He laughed. “Oh, my God, I’m going to start crying in a second!”

“Well, don’t! You have to get back out there in thirty seconds.” Jake grinned and took back the water. Duncan hesitated then stepped closer and kissed Jake full on the mouth, unable to keep the need locked down after seeing the joy on Jake’s face. Duncan groaned as a flash of heat swept through him. Jake kissed Duncan back, running his tongue over the other man’s lips until they parted and the elation slipped into desire. Duncan felt Emma shiver as the kiss deepened, and then Jake shuddered and stepped back, his mouth swollen. Duncan swallowed and hoped his erection wouldn’t show onstage. He turned and climbed the stairs, smiling as the crowd chanted his name.

When he reached the mark where he opened the second set, he slipped his acoustic guitar over his head and sat on a stool at the foot of the stairs, right in the center of the stage. He was grateful the instrument hid his arousal as the spotlight came on and the crowd roared. He tried to look into the front row but couldn’t see anything through the bright lights. He knew Emma was in the front somewhere but couldn’t pinpoint her exact spot. Doesn’t matter, he thought, reassuring himself. I know she’s there.

He cleared his throat, and the audience quieted. “This next song is about love. It’s about finding love and holding onto it no matter what happens, because you know just how precious and fragile it can be.” He shifted on his seat, nodded to Jon on bass, and began to play.

* * *

Forty-five minutes later, he stood backstage, listening to the crowd stomping and screaming, ready to head back out for an encore. Jake waited with him, no towel or bottle this time. Duncan could feel them both, and the yearning for his friend and Emma was nearly overwhelming. He turned slightly to look at Jake, who smiled, reaching his hand up to cup Duncan’s face. Duncan closed his eyes and leaned into the touch for a moment. Then his drummer began the roll that signaled the beginning of the encore, and he pulled away to jog back onto the stage. He tried again to see Emma, blinking into the dark as the lasers flickered over the crowd. His eyes swept the front row. There! She stood with her face turned up, eyes locked on his. He winked at her, then he grabbed the microphone and launched into his encore. The crowd went wild, but Emma stood perfectly still, watching Duncan with an intensity that did nothing to dampen his arousal. He could feel Jake, too, and knew he was there with him, their unique bond letting him experience the wildness of the encore through Duncan’s eyes. When the guitar solo began, Duncan sauntered right to the edge of the stage and dropped to his knees in front of Emma. Her eyes widened when he grabbed her behind the neck, then they flicked shut as she stretched out to meet his lips. Everything faded into the background, even the flash of cameras and shrieking of the crowd. She tasted like mint with a hint of sweetness, so delicious. He licked at her and swept in when she opened up, sucking on her tongue until he felt her tremble. In the back of his mind, he felt Jake moan and press a hand on his dick, and Duncan came back to himself with a snap. Reluctantly, he pulled away from Emma, wondering how long it would take before this little indiscretion ended up on the internet.

* * *

Emma waited in the dark, knowing there would be one more song. She wondered what Duncan could possibly do to top the incredible show, but when the lasers came on, all thoughts fled her head. He was looking right at her. When he began to sing, she felt his voice slither into her body. Julie screamed like a madwoman beside her, and then the swell of the crowd pushed Emma forward until she was pinned against the front of the stage. Duncan kept his eyes on her the entire time, seemingly oblivious to the roar of the fans. Feeling her body tingle, Emma wondered if she could orgasm just from his voice, but then the guitar solo began, and he stalked to the edge of the stage and dropped to his knees. Before she could react, he reached out to her. She was burning up, so she stood on her tiptoes. She needed to touch him. He tilted her head up even more just as she locked her arms around his shoulders, and then he leaned in and kissed her in front of everyone. She groaned as his tongue slipped against hers. In her head, she could feel Jake pressing a hand against his erection as he watched her and Duncan kiss from his spot at the edge of the stage. She thought she’d been aroused before when they’d kissed, but that was nothing compared to this. She was on fire. She couldn’t think. When Duncan began to pull away, she felt like crying. Their lips parted, and she watched him close his eyes for a split second, and then Jake shoved into the people right next to her and grabbed her by the hand, pulling her through the crowd as Duncan stood up and began to sing. Where the hell did he come from? She hadn’t felt him move from his spot backstage. He must have worked his way through the crowd while Duncan was kissing her.

She heard Julie calling after her but she couldn’t turn in the madness. She didn’t want to turn around. Jake’s grip was like iron on her wrist, but she went willingly because every time he let go the arousal spiked into pain. She didn’t know how Duncan could stand it, and then they broke free of the people, staggering beneath the stage into a sudden pocket of privacy.

“Jake,” Emma gasped but didn’t have time to say anymore because he was kissing her, his mouth hot. She felt her bones turn to liquid. Duncan wailed the last note of the song, and she knew he’d be here soon. She wrenched away from Jake, panting. “Not here.”

Jake nodded grimly. “Come on.” He grabbed her hand and tugged her backstage through a throng of people—technicians, PAs, and the band that was stumbling down the stairs, all of them looking at her strangely. She looked around wildly for Duncan, and suddenly he was right next to her, like magic. He didn’t speak, just grabbed her free hand. Emma trembled, feeling heat spike between the three of them. She knew she should be frightened as the two men manhandled her down a hallway and into a room, but instead she felt like laughing. Duncan let go of her and locked the door. Jake’s eyes glittered in the light of the single lamp that was lit on the far side of the room.

“This is insane,” Emma whispered then cleared her throat, trying to work some moisture into her mouth.

“I know,” Duncan replied then stalked forward. She shivered and stepped back, only to stop as Jake came up behind her. Duncan didn’t stop. He just pressed closer until she could feel both of them against her body, their heat making her sweat. Jake grabbed her arms and pressed her closer to him, grinding his erection into her ass. Emma sucked in a breath, open-mouthed, then Duncan’s lips were there. His tongue swallowed her gasp. She kissed him back, wild, not understanding how she could be so insane with lust, but she didn’t care. She thrust her hands into Duncan’s hair and hung on as she felt Jake slide his hands to the front of her blouse, shoving in between her and Duncan. He ripped it open, the sounds of the parting snaps like firecrackers. Duncan groaned and tore his mouth away. Emma moaned in protest, trying to pull his head back down. When he flicked his gaze up, she saw his pupils dilate even more. Then he leaned over her shoulder to meet Jake’s mouth. She watched them kiss with a sense of shock. She could feel their desperation in her head, feel how hot they were, the desire flowing like electricity. She grabbed onto Duncan’s shirt and writhed, wishing they were all naked and in bed somewhere.

“Oh, my God,” Jake moaned. “Emma, yeah, I want you naked, too.” She closed her eyes, not even caring that he could read her thoughts at this point. Her jeans hurt her skin.

“Over here,” Duncan said, his voice raspy from singing all night long. He tugged on her, and Jake shuddered violently then helped her walk to the sofa where Duncan gently disentangled her hands from his shirt.

“I can’t think,” she said, her voice thick, the words slurred and difficult to get out. “What’s happening to us?”

“We’re bonding. I don’t know why it’s so intense, but I don’t think we can fight it. I don’t want to fight it.” Jake sat heavily on the couch, pulling Emma on top of him. Her legs fell on either side of his hips, and she pressed down onto his groin, making them both groan. Duncan sat down next to them, his eyes hot. Her brain felt smoky, her sense of the room fading as if there was a fire beneath them, burning and burning until the soot drifted up into the world, obscuring reality.

“I don’t want to fight it either,” Duncan said as he slipped her shirt off her shoulders to rub his fingers over the delicate skin of her shoulders. “I know you.” Emma shook her head, distracted by the rock-hard cock beneath her. Duncan grabbed her and shook her, making her look at him. “I know you.”

“Duncan,” Jake said, and the other man loosened his fingers, but he didn’t let her go. Emma took a shaky breath.

“I know,” she said softly, reaching out to touch Duncan’s lips with her fingertips. She could feel his breath. He leaned up and kissed the soft mound of her breast then lifted them out of her bra. Jake gasped as he felt her shudder then reached around her and unbuttoned her jeans, sliding the zipper down as Duncan unsnapped her bra and tossed it to the floor. Emma didn’t know where to put her hands, and she rested them on Duncan’s shoulders for a moment, confused until she realized she was the only one getting undressed.

“Off,” she said desperately. She tugged at Duncan’s shirt then squirmed off Jake’s lap before he could stop her. She wanted to feel their skin on her body. “Take your clothes off.” She stood and slipped her jeans down, kicking off her shoes. She stood there in her panties, the red silk wet with her body’s arousal, and felt like hitting the two men when they did nothing but stare. “Come on,” she urged, reaching forward to yank Jake’s shirt over his head then grabbing his arms and unsnapping the leather cuffs he wore. She prodded at them in her mind, somehow whipping her desire into a command, and both men jerked into action. Duncan ripped off his shirt, cursing as the bracelets he wore got tangled in the fabric. He slipped the jewelry off, tossing the necklaces and rings on top of the growing pile of clothes on the floor. Then he toed off his boots and began to peel his leather pants off his legs. Emma started on Jake’s button-fly, but he stood up and popped it open himself. His cock bobbed out from his body, thick and pretty. Emma’s mouth watered. She wanted him.

“Jesus,” Duncan said. He’d stopped, pants half-down, his erection swelling noticeably larger as he stared at Jake’s dick. Emma’s core throbbed. She watched Jake swallow, his cock red and leaking. She licked her lips.

“Jake, oh my God, I want to touch you. Can I touch you?” Duncan asked as he quickly peeled his pants the rest of the way off. He stepped forward until he was pressed up against Emma’s side, eyes still on Jake. She shifted so his cock would rub against her hip, making Duncan shiver. She smiled, expecting Jake to agree immediately. She could feel him in her head, his arousal and need so strong her legs almost buckled. Except he wasn’t agreeing. Along with the desire came a wave of uncertainty.

“Jake, I would never hurt you. I love you. I’ve always loved you.” Duncan wrapped his arms around Emma, and she felt the hurt beginning to well up inside him. Stupid men! She wanted to hit Jake. Behind all the hesitation, she felt an inferno rising, and she was afraid that very soon all choice would be gone. If they wanted to have any control over what happened, they had to trust each other. She looked at Jake and reached out her hand. He looked back at them, hesitant.

“You can feel him, can’t you, Jake?” Emma whispered.

“Yeah.” Jake cleared his throat. “I can feel you both. I just—” he broke off and rubbed his face with his hands then took a deep breath. Emma sensed him calming himself down. “I’ve been straight my whole life, and this is overwhelming.” He looked at Duncan. “I love you. I always have. I’m just struggling with how that love is changing. I look at you and I see the man I’ve known for years, but I’m also seeing someone I want to kiss. Someone I want to fuck. I don’t know what to do with that.”

Emma’s heart skipped at the brutal honesty of his words. He stood there, naked in body, and then he willingly bared his spirit for them too, just so they could understand what he felt. They might be able to sense each other’s emotions, but she was coming to realize that knowing how someone felt and having them articulate it were two entirely different things. The love that she thought she had for Jake, growing from the initial stages of the bond, suddenly flared even more with his words. She sensed that Duncan was nearly overcome. She surged forward, pulling Duncan the two steps it took to get to Jake, and pressed herself against him, trusting that he’d catch her. Duncan slipped up on the other side and wrapped himself around them, and then they closed their eyes as the bonding suddenly blazed, barely in their control. Jake trembled, and Emma felt his emotions churning, then she kissed him, and his cock leaped against her bare skin. Duncan groaned and shoved his erection against them both, making Emma gasp into Jake’s mouth.

“Shit.” Jake tore his lips away, panting. She felt him struggle for air.

“Jake, man, it’s okay.” Duncan pressed his face into Jake’s shoulder. Jake’s hand came up and carded through Duncan’s hair while Emma held herself still, trying not to move and ignite things further. “We can stop if you want.”

“Just, no. Give me a second here.” Jake breathed, and Emma felt his free hand flexing on her hip. “Okay, this is ridiculous. I’ve loved you my whole life. I have no issues with your bisexuality or anyone’s sexuality. I know you, inside and out. I can feel the bonding about to escape us, and I’m afraid what will happen if we let it. I don’t want to fuck and fuck and have us wake up an hour later, hurting and stupid.” Jake shuddered, and Emma thought she felt tears on her forehead from where Jake was holding his face so terribly still. “So let’s do this. I choose you.”

Duncan shuddered and then shoved Jake and Emma to the sofa. They fell in a heap, and Emma wasn’t sure where one man began and the other ended, but it didn’t matter anymore. The fire that was inside the three of them raged up, and she felt pleasure tear through her body as the two men kissed, devouring each other. She rubbed her pussy against Duncan’s thigh and was at the edge of climax in an instant. Then Jake rubbed his cock against Duncan’s hip and it was all over. Emma shook as her body flexed and burned with fire. She couldn’t stop it, couldn’t keep herself still. She heard someone moaning and then realized it was her. She grabbed the two men, writhing against their bare skin, shoving her breasts and lips against them as if they were fuel and she a flame that desperately needed more to burn. The men took what she had and gave back at the same time. She felt them against her hips, her stomach, and kissed blindly, not knowing which man’s lips were on hers. It didn’t matter. The three of them orgasmed together as their minds spiraled out, hooking themselves into each other in a way that Emma couldn’t comprehend. The climax went on and on, and she felt the warm heat of their spunk slide down her body to mix with the moisture seeping down her thighs. No one cared. When the three of them finally stopped spasming, Emma realized that they hadn’t even managed to have intercourse and started giggling.

“What?” Duncan asked, his voice muffled in her hair. She couldn’t tell if he was on top of her or underneath and laughed harder. She could hear him panting.

Oh my God, we’re a mess, she thought, shaking her head, boneless with the aftershocks of their mutual orgasm. She couldn’t move if she wanted to.

“Honey, me, too. I couldn’t move if you paid me right now.” Jake flexed his hand against Emma’s breast then let it flop back down, spent.

“Wait, what?” Duncan exclaimed, his body tensing. Did you say that out loud, Emma?

“What?” Emma wrinkled her brow. She felt drunk. What was he asking her?

“No, she didn’t say it out loud,” Jake answered, his voice cracking. Emma felt his hand clutch hers, fingers pressing hard into her palm. She tensed, trying to shake off the post-coital fog.

“Holy shit.” Duncan breathed. Can you hear me talking to you?

“I can hear you,” Emma said, confused. How is this possible?

“I think it’s the bonding.” Jake shifted, sliding Emma off him and onto Duncan. He sat up, rubbing at his arm. “If we concentrate, we can hear each other.”

Duncan rubbed Emma’s arms when she shivered. “You mean, like telepathy?” Emma said aloud.

“Yeah. Try it again, honey,” Jake said.

Okay. I’m thinking that this is really weird. Emma tried to send to the men. She frowned when they flinched. “Um, I take it that worked?”

“I don’t think you need to push your thoughts at us that hard, sweetheart.” Duncan sat up, pulling Emma with him. On the other side of him, Jake frowned down at his arms.

“What is it?” Emma asked, leaning forward to see. She could feel his apprehension and tried to send soothing vibes.

“Look at my arms.” Jake put his arms face up on Duncan’s lap. Emma smiled as she felt a sudden spike in Duncan’s libido.

Stop that, Jake thought, half-amused, half-irritated as Duncan’s cock began to swell.

I can’t help it! Duncan thought back, his mind’s voice laughing.

Emma rolled her eyes then looked more closely at the bonding tattoos on Jake’s skin. “It looks like they’ve been colored in. Here, tilt your arms a little.” She reached over and shifted his hands until the tattoos caught the light.

Duncan gasped. “Emma, yours are the same.”

She looked down, not surprised to see that her tattoos also had subtle colors glittering against the strong black lines. She grabbed Duncan’s left arm and dragged it up. “So are yours, Duncan.”

What’s happening? Jake thought. Emma felt his apprehension fade as he realized that both of them had the new markings, too.

“I think our bonding is different from the others. I remember reading about how the bondings seemed to make people able to feel each other’s emotions, but I don’t remember them saying anything about telepathy or colors. Hell, I don’t remember them saying anything about sex like that, either.” Emma sighed and sat back, brushing her hair off her face distractedly.

“It’s strange how quickly the news reports disappeared, too,” Duncan said thoughtfully. Jake nodded, then all three of them jumped when someone banged on the door.

“Duncan! For fuck’s sake, are you in there? Have you seen Jake?” a man called through the door. He banged again as both Jake and Duncan’s minds supplied a name for the voice—Levi.

Shit! Duncan thought, standing up. What time is it?

“Time to get fucking dressed.” Jake hissed, reaching for his jeans. Emma laughed out loud.

“Why the hell are you laughing? Everyone is going to know exactly what we’ve been doing in here,” Duncan grumbled, unsuccessfully trying to pull up his leather pants.

“I’ve never been caught necking or petting or having sex somewhere I wasn’t supposed to, ever. It’s kinda cool.” Emma smirked. She knew she should feel the same sense of urgency as the two men but couldn’t seem to get over the feeling of joy that her orgasm had mind-whammied into her. She watched Duncan tugging on the leather and shook her head. Men are helpless.

Hey! The double-thought hit her at the same time Jake looked up from buttoning his shirt and Duncan gave up trying to pull up his pants. Levi banged again, and all three could hear the muffled cursing the guitar player wasn’t bothering to keep quiet.

“Just a sec!” Jake yelled, grimacing at the mess on his abdomen. He was holding his shirt out, obviously not wanting to get it dirty.

“Come on, man! Duncan’s supposed to be in the meet-and-greet right now! I know you know where he is, so tell him to get the fuck over it, whatever it is, and get the hell out here. The fans are getting antsy,” Levi yelled through the door. He gave it a last bang, then Emma heard him walk away, his boots hitting the floor with angry thuds. She looked at Jake, still standing with his shirt held out. He was adorable. She shrugged.

Should have cleaned up before you got dressed, dude. Emma smiled and stood up, looking around the room. She spotted some water and paper towels on a side table and walked over to get them, strangely unselfconscious in her nudity. She could feel both men watching as she walked and put a little extra wiggle in her step as she grabbed the water and cracked it open. She doused a few towels and tossed them to the men. Wipe off, she thought then wet some for herself, quickly cleaning up.

“Thanks, sweetheart,” Duncan muttered, his face flushed. Emma chuckled again. He was cute when he was flustered.

“I kinda love you,” she said to them quietly, pulling on her own jeans and hurriedly zipping up. She felt Duncan and Jake send thoughts of love to her. She smiled as she pulled on her bra and shirt, stopping for a second to admire the swirling green-purple-blue pattern on her tattoo. She couldn’t see the colors unless she held her arms just so. It was like looking at a nearly invisible oil slick in the sunlight, or the last fading colors of a rainbow. She liked it. She deliberately pushed away the thoughts of what all of this would mean for her life and for the men’s lives. We’ll figure it out later, she thought, happy to get a wave of agreement from both men as they finished getting dressed.

Chapter 5

“Emma! Good morning!” Julie walked into the office on Tuesday morning, more chipper than anyone had a right to be, Emma thought as she sucked down another mouthful of coffee. She lifted her head blearily. “Whoa, are you okay?” Julie stopped at Emma’s desk.

“No,” Emma replied, head pounding. In the back of her mind, she could hear Jake and Duncan echoing her sentiment. Since the concert on Friday, she’d been feeling increasingly worse. She knew the guys weren’t doing much better, but it wasn’t until this morning that she realized it had something to do with the bonding.

Maybe we shouldn’t be apart like this, Jake muttered in her mind, and she shook her head, feeling a wave of nausea sweep over her. Duncan winced, and she felt him trying to soothe the three of them, unsuccessfully, as he was also suffering the effects of this miasma. It was weird having them so present in her head even though they were still hundreds of miles away. But they’re getting closer, she thought, sensing the turbulence on their airplane. It wasn’t helping any of them feel better.

Julie slid the pile of books she was carrying down onto the desk with a thud. “Hey, you must be sick or something.” Julie reached out, putting her hand on Emma’s forehead. Her cool palm felt good. “You’re hot.”

Emma grimaced. “I know.”

“You should go home.” Julie sat down next to her friend. “Maybe you caught something at the concert? There were a ton of people there.”

Emma shrugged, too tired to respond. “I don’t know. I felt fine until yesterday. Sort of.”

“Hey, at least the concert was epic!” Julie said, smiling. “Meeting Duncan was amazing!” Emma smiled through her discomfort as Julie did a little bounce in her seat. “He was so nice! And Jake, too.” Julie smiled slyly. “And neither of them could keep their eyes off you. I even heard one of the reporters talking about it.”

Emma sat up. “What? A reporter was talking about us?” She felt both men suddenly pay more attention to her conversation. She closed her eyes as the room spun, but it didn’t help much as her brain suddenly zoomed in on Duncan fiddling with the window shade, trying to get it to close completely and block the sunlight. Jake was attempting to quell the vertigo he was experiencing from both the bonding and the airplane. She felt their alarm and wordless pleas for more information. She would’ve been hurt at their obvious desire to keep their relationship secret if she hadn’t also been aware of the strange suppression of any information having to do with bonding in the past week. The entire thing was frightening and suggested something more than just public disinterest. She suspected someone very influential was behind the dearth of news reports, someone who had both money and political capital.

“Oh, I think it was someone from an internet news site. She was talking to her cameraman, and they were speculating about who you were and what your relationship was to Duncan and Jake. She thought you might be a relative, but the cameraman wasn’t convinced.” Julie giggled. “If Duncan and Jake hadn’t been undressing you with their eyes the whole time, I don’t think it would’ve been an issue. Where were you right after the encore, anyway?”

Emma cursed in her head, feeling the men’s frustration. “I was in the bathroom, remember?”

“I saw Jake grab you, don’t think you can wiggle out of explaining. I’m your friend. I’m not gonna say anything if you were with them.”

Emma stared at Julie, trying to weigh what to say against her fear that something bigger was going on. Just this morning, she saw on the news that around twenty people were missing from the Philadelphia area. She suspected it had something to do with bonding but all the authorities would say was that they “were looking into the matter.” She sighed. “I told you, I had to pee. That’s all.” Emma willed Julie to believe her. Julie rolled her eyes but didn’t press her.

“All right, whatever. I gotta go shelve these books. You should seriously consider going home, though. You look really pale.” Julie squeezed Emma’s hand and got up, gathering the books on her way out of the office. Emma pressed her palms to her forehead, willing the headache to subside. It didn’t work. She had a feeling that it was really, really bad that Jake and Duncan had to fly out to LA on a red-eye the night of the concert. They’d had five minutes for a hasty good-bye after the fan meet and greet, and then the two men were off to film a new music video. Emma went home that night feeling good, feeling hopeful. The three of them had been completely unaware that the bonding was going to flare up like this. In the back of her head, she and the men had the feeling that they shouldn’t have separated, at least not so soon. She put her head down on her desk, relishing the cool feel of the wood against her skin. She needed a moment before she dialed the front office to call in sick. The only thing that helped was the knowledge that Jake and Duncan were getting closer every minute as their plane headed for the Philadelphia airport.

* * *

“I hope I can make it to baggage without barfing.” Jake closed his eyes and rested his head on the back of the seat. He sensed Duncan’s sympathy from across the aisle. He wished the other man could come back over and hold his hand, but they were landing and had to wear their seat belts. Thank God they had first class seats, he thought, swallowing hard. If he’d had to squish himself into coach seating feeling like this, he knew he’d have thrown up already.

It would look weird if I came over and cuddled you, Duncan thought. Jake smiled briefly then clutched the seat’s armrest as he felt the plane lurch again. “I can’t wait until this plane is on the ground,” he muttered.

“It won’t be long now.” Duncan shifted in his seat then sighed.

Jake cracked open his eyes and saw that his friend didn’t look any better than he felt. Duncan was pale, the last remnants of the eyeliner from the video shoot smudged beneath his eyes like bruises. Duncan lifted his head and met Jake’s gaze, the heat in his warm, brown eyes belying the exhaustion his body showed. “Duncan—” Jake began then stopped, not sure of what he wanted to say. He could feel Emma in his head, dimly heard her talking to her boss. He hoped to God that she was getting out of school for the day. He wanted her home when the plane landed. That’s where they were going.

“I’m fine, Jake, just concentrate on yourself. I’m tired, but I don’t get nauseous like you do.” Duncan shifted again, looking like he wanted to stretch out his neck and back.

“I can tell you’ve got a monster headache.”

“Nothing I can do about it,” Duncan replied shortly. Jake sighed as the other man resolutely turned his face away and closed his eyes.

* * *

An hour later, Jake was quietly cursing under his breath because he hated the entourage that had to follow them everywhere. He was grateful for the bodyguards, Charlie and Dave, because sometimes the fans were overwhelming, but he wished they could just walk through an airport without all the commotion. He stopped in front of the luggage carousel, wondering again why he didn’t hire someone to do this for them.

“Because you thought it would keep me humble,” Duncan retorted, rubbing his eyes tiredly.

Jake slung a look sideways, noting the slump in Duncan’s shoulders. The long video shoot meant neither man had been able to get any sleep the night before. To be honest, it was also because of the bonding. They’d had a trailer where they could rest before catching an early flight, but there were too many people around them for Jake to crawl into bed with Duncan without creating a lot of questions they weren’t yet ready to answer. Damned shame, Jake thought bitterly. I would’ve enjoyed napping with him.

Duncan looked at him and Jake blushed, fighting back a surge of frustration. Blushing! This bonding thing was seriously fucking with his manhood. Duncan laughed and winked. Jake rolled his eyes, fussing with his leather cuffs. He wished he could take them off. They hid the bonding tattoos perfectly, but his skin itched. He wanted to uncuff the leather and rub his arms all over Emma. And Duncan. He grinned, sneaking another glance at his friend, savoring the snug fit of his jeans. Duncan has a really nice ass. Jake felt his face heat up again. He still wasn’t used to thinking about another guy like that. He imagined touching Duncan’s cock, wondering what it would feel like against his hand. The other night with Emma had blurred into a vague memory of desperation. All he could really recall was the sensation of a lot of skin against his and then coming his brains out. Jake shivered, trying to reign in his wayward thoughts. He watched Duncan shift his weight and shove a hand in one of his front pockets.

“Behave yourself!” Duncan walked over and hissed in his ear.

Jake grinned, feeling somewhat better with the closer proximity until a flurry of flashes from the few random fans stuck behind airport security sparked in his vision. He grimaced. The lights did nothing to help his headache.

“Serves you right,” Duncan said. I want to throw you down and rip off your clothes, too, but I’m not torturing you thinking about it, am I?

Jake stared at Duncan, his body going hot all over. Duncan’s words, though silent, came through loud and clear in Jake’s head. His cock swelled. Duncan stared back. Neither man realized their luggage had come until Charlie nudged Duncan.

“Man, what is up with the two of you?” Charlie reached past Jake and snagged Duncan’s larger suitcase. “Here, make yourself useful.” He shoved the bag at Duncan, who barely caught the handle before the bag tipped over. “And you, catch your own bag.” Charlie jerked his head at Jake’s bag coming around the metal conveyor, hands already full with two more pieces of luggage.

Jake startled out of his aroused daze, grateful that at least the nausea had subsided, though the erection now pressing against the front of his jeans was anything but comfortable. He adjusted himself, hoping no one would notice, and shouldered his bag. He very carefully avoided looking at Duncan and tried not to think about Emma. He could tell she was driving somewhere, hopefully home, and didn’t want to distract her. After everyone grabbed their luggage, they began the long trek through the airport to the exit where Jake had a car waiting. They both mostly ignored the fans clustered around them, smiling cursorily and waving now and then. Maybe if we’re lucky we can get out of here without Duncan having to sign anything, he thought. He felt Duncan agree.

Neither man noticed the woman who followed them through the airport, her attention unwavering until their car pulled away from the curb.

* * *

Emma paced around her living room, the nausea gone, thank God. She still felt unsettled. She could feel Duncan and Jake coming. Did they know where she lived? She shook her head. She never told them. How could they know? Except she felt them getting closer. Her skin was so sensitive she’d had to put on a loose tank top as soon as she got home from school. Even the soft fabric of her blouse had irritated the bonding tattoos. It felt weird to be home so early. She wasn’t even hungry, though she hadn’t eaten lunch. She walked to her bookshelves to scan the titles but ended up straightening the books on the shelves instead of picking one to read. She sighed and dropped her hands after a minute, giving up trying to find something to distract her brain. She wasn’t expecting the surge of electricity that suddenly shot through her body and she gasped, reaching out a hand to keep from falling, knocking a few books to the floor. It felt like a live wire had zapped her right in the chest. She let go of the shelf and stumbled to the window as she heard a car door slam shut. On her quiet street, an unfamiliar car idled beneath the large maple tree. Duncan and Jake and another man were hauling bags from the trunk. They were here! She felt her breath catch when Duncan looked up, unsmiling. Emma stepped away from the window to the front door. She unlocked the deadbolt and swung it open just as the car drove away. The two men started up her sidewalk as she opened the screen door, sliding the clip at the top to prop it open. She felt the last of her headache subside the closer they got. When the men reached the doorway, she stepped aside into her living room. They lifted their bags inside, and Jake turned to close the screen door. When he finished, Duncan quietly shut the inside door and slid the bolt.

“Emma,” Duncan said, his voice hoarse. He hadn’t moved. Emma looked him over, taking in the tight jeans and black T-shirt, his bonding tattoos exposed and gorgeous against his olive skin. His long hair was tousled and the brown strands tumbled over his shoulders. She could see the glint of his silver ear gauges through it and had a sudden urge to shove her hands in that hair and drag his lips down. Duncan shuddered. Jake walked toward her, dark jeans and green button down shirt matching his flashing eyes. She watched him unsnap his leather cuffs and drop them to the floor, appreciating the way his biceps pushed against the fabric he’d rolled up, knowing that if she grabbed his lapels he wouldn’t stop her from ripping them open. She closed her eyes and smiled.

“I wouldn’t stop you.” Jake halted in front of her. “You can rip off any clothes you want.” He cupped her cheek in his hand. Emma felt like she’d been drugged. She could feel their spiraling arousal sparking along her thoughts.

“I’d help you rip it off,” Duncan said and Emma twitched, not realizing he’d come up beside her. Jake traced her lips with his thumb and her eyes flew open, wanting to see his face before they kissed. She bit the tip of his finger and she watched his pupils dilate.

“Jake—” she whispered just as his mouth came down. He teased her, pressing small kisses along her lips. She gasped, opening up, and then he was inside. He tastes like blueberries, she thought, then reached up and grabbed his shirt, hanging on so she wouldn’t fall. A few snaps gave way and she smelled the musk of him, inhaling deeply. Duncan groaned and pressed close. Emma melted into Jake, overwhelmed by his kiss and the feel of Duncan’s thick cock pressing against her from behind.

“God, Emma, you’re fucking gorgeous,” Duncan rasped. He rutted against her, trusting in Jake to keep her steady. Jake held her up as she tore her mouth away to breathe. Jake didn’t stop. He just kissed down her neck, sucking a bruise into the hollow of her throat while she writhed.

“Please,” she begged, frantic for more. Duncan slid his hands under her shirt, cupping her breasts as she shoved her hips against Jake, relishing the feel of his arousal against her stomach. Duncan shuddered, then flicked his thumbs over her nipples. Emma groaned. Oh, my God, she thought as she felt the two men’s need inside her head as well as against her body.

“Jesus,” Jake gasped. Emma felt him stare at her lips, his eyes going heavy-lidded as Duncan buried his face in her nape. Jake’s cock swelled impossibly harder. She felt him even through their clothes. Then Jake lifted Duncan’s face with a hand and kissed him brutally, desperation in every line of his body. Duncan gasped and Emma froze in the middle as Jake devoured his friend, their lips clashing, then gentling as they realized they were finally safe, somewhere they could touch each other without fear.

“Jake, oh—fuck it!” Duncan muttered then sucked on Jake’s full lower lip, letting it go with a sucking pop that made Emma’s sex throb.

Jake opened his eyes. “Duncan—” His lips were red and swollen. Emma’s mouth went dry.

“No, don’t,” Duncan interrupted. “I know what you’re going to say and it doesn’t matter.” Duncan leaned back in and kissed the other man, dirty and hot. Emma felt a flash of confusion before she understood that Jake was about to apologize for his lack of control when Duncan cut him off.

Jake trembled, his hands gripping Emma’s hips. Her body was trapped between them, but her mind wasn’t. She was right there with them, feeling Jake’s regret at having such a hard time dealing with his sudden attraction to Duncan. Emma realized that Duncan never dreamed Jake would someday return his feelings. He had Jake as his friend and that had been enough for him. Tears pricked her eyes as they kissed. She never wanted to forget this feeling—their sense of joy and astonishment. When they broke apart, they were breathless but happy. Jake smiled and looked at Emma.

“Honey,” he said, leaning down to kiss her before stepping away. Emma’s heart seized for a moment, then she realized he wasn’t leaving. Duncan rubbed her arms, then tugged her away from the front door and the pile of luggage they’d dropped haphazardly at their feet. Jake walked ahead of them, heading unerringly for the bedroom. The muscles in his back flexed as he ran his fingers through his hair, smoothing the curls Emma had mussed when she kissed him. Then he unsnapped his shirt and let it fall open as he looked over his shoulder at them. “You coming?”

Duncan chuckled. “Yeah, yeah, I’m coming.” He tugged harder and Emma almost stumbled before he caught her. She inhaled, loving the way he smelled a little spicy. And a little bit like airplane, she thought mischievously.

“I do not smell like an airplane!” he protested, mock-affront on his face.

Emma laughed. “You totally do.” She stepped around him, now the one leading him to the bedroom. Her head cleared enough for her to think, What the hell am I doing with a rock star and his friend? I’m just a high school librarian. Then she caught Duncan smiling and realized that he didn’t think of himself that way. To him and Jake, they were just guys who loved what they did. The fans were part of it all, yes, but incidental to their love of music and in Duncan’s case, just another part of his love of performing. She blushed, wondering what they could possibly see in her. Was it all just the bond? She stopped, thinking about that. What if they’d never bonded? They’d never have met. She felt a sudden stab of insecurity and knew the moment that Jake and Duncan sensed her hesitation.

“No, honey, it’s not true,” Jake said, stopping in the doorway of her bedroom. She shuffled her feet as Duncan’s arms came up around her. Jake stepped back toward them. “I know we may not have met without this bonding thing, but if we had, I would’ve immediately liked you. I would’ve wanted to get to know you.”

Emma frowned. “You don’t know that. You can’t know that.” She considered the implications.

“Emma, sweetheart, it doesn’t matter.” Duncan squeezed her tighter as Jake cupped her face in his hands, making her look at him. Emma closed her eyes, not wanting to see his earnest expression, but she couldn’t escape the tenderness with which he dropped kisses on her lips, nor Duncan’s quiet confidence as he whispered in her ear. “It really doesn’t matter.”

“How can you say that?” Emma felt her heart trip. She wanted this so bad but she was afraid of being hurt. What if the bonding faded? What if her feelings were artificial? She felt Duncan take a deep breath.

“I can say that because I know you and you know me. And maybe we met because of the bonding, but it doesn’t make our feelings less real. In fact, they’re more real. I’ve been inside your head. And you’ve been inside me the same way. We’ve compressed years of getting to know each other into a few moments, but that doesn’t mean we don’t get confused or worried about each other.” Emma nodded. She could understand that. She felt their concern but it didn’t stop her from having doubts or being afraid.

“I don’t think this bond will ever make our relationship perfect, with no misunderstandings,” Jake said, kissing her again. Emma couldn’t help it. She kissed him back. “I mean, come on, you’re bound to get pissed at us eventually. I have a tendency to leave the toilet seat up, you know.” She shook her head, smiling. His gentleness made her heart ache.

Sweetheart, I know you. Don’t be afraid, Jake thought to her. Emma’s smile faded as she looked into the serious green of his eyes. He cupped her cheek in his hand and she savored the warmth of his fingers. I love you.

Emma took a deep breath and tried to let go of her insecurity. “Okay,” she murmured, turning her face into his palm to kiss his fingers. He shivered and she stepped back. “Let’s go into the bedroom.”

She led them there, pausing at her bed as she imagined the way the two men would look on her crisp white sheets and comforter. She’d bought a queen size earlier that year because she was tired of never having enough space to stretch out in. Jake dropped his shirt on the chair next to the window while Duncan sat down and unlaced his boots. He looked strange sitting in her antique wingback, all that controlled masculinity shoved into such a delicate piece of furniture. She lingered near the door, uncertain what to do. The need to bond urged her forward but she didn’t feel completely mindless with lust like the first time at the concert. She couldn’t even remember exactly what happened last Friday night, only that the pleasure seemed to last forever. She couldn’t recall what Jake and Duncan looked like naked, couldn’t remember exactly what any of them did. And now it felt like they were suddenly about to make love for the first time, and Emma was nervous. She wished one of them would kiss her so she could stop thinking.

Duncan smiled. “Your wish is my command.” He strode over and gathered her close, one hand beneath her nape, fisting her hair, the other around her waist. He pulled her up onto her toes and lowered his head. Emma’s heart stuttered as he licked into her mouth. When Jake pressed up behind her, she arched her back. Jake slid his arms down and grabbed her tank top to lift it off her, stretching her arms up as he pulled it over her head. He captured her wrists, letting her feel his strength for a moment before releasing her. Duncan kissed her again. Emma loved the way he felt, loved the warmth of his lips as they teased her mouth. When he stepped back she moaned in protest, reaching for him.

“I’m not going anywhere, honey. I just want to get this off of you.” Duncan tugged her skirt down. Emma stepped out of the light cotton. She wore her favorite pair of purple silk panties. Then Jake cupped her ass and she jumped in surprise. Jake chuckled.

“Gorgeous,” he said, then dropped to his knees. He kissed the base of her spine as he wrapped his arms around her waist, then gripped her underwear with his teeth and tugged. Emma sucked in a breath at the look on Duncan’s face. Clearly, he loved this as much as Jake. She felt her panties fall to the ground and then Jake was kissing her back again as his fingers kneaded her ass. She shivered, feeling a drop of moisture slip down her inner thigh. Jake ran a finger down her crack, then lower as she trembled.

“You smell amazing,” Jake muttered, then pushed her thighs open wider. “I want to lick you until you scream.” Emma shuddered and almost lost her balance as he ran his thumbs down her labia, but Duncan caught her, hands on her hips, eyes staring down at Jake. He looked like he couldn’t decide if he wanted to kiss the other man or devour her. Emma groaned, sensing his conflict. Duncan was looking at Jake’s mouth where the other man had his lower lip caught in his own teeth, and Emma’s mind caught a flash of Duncan’s desire to suck on that lip. She opened her legs wider, wanting to see them kiss again. She pushed at Duncan’s shoulders until he dropped down. He went willingly, kissing her mound before leaning in and capturing Jake’s mouth right between her legs. Emma would have fallen if Duncan hadn’t still been holding her up. Jake had one thumb against her clit as the other slid inside her body. She shook, already on the edge. If he would just move his finger...

He didn’t. Instead he kissed Duncan, his whole focus on the other man. Or not? Emma concentrated and slid into Jake’s mind. He was enjoying the kiss, but very carefully not moving his hands, wanting to prolong the pleasure. She didn’t know where he found the control to manage it but couldn’t help but be impressed. Then Duncan pulled away and stood up. He caught Emma’s eyes and deliberately unbuttoned his jeans. She trembled as Jake pressed his thumb against her core, rubbing gently, but not enough to make her come.

“Jake, please,” she gasped. Jake chuckled and slipped away, ignoring her moan of protest. He tugged her to the bed and pushed her until she sat, then he unbuttoned his jeans and shoved them down with his boxers. His cock sprung out, the tip red and wet. Emma licked her lips, wanting to taste. Duncan groaned and she looked at him, jeans unzipped, his erection pushing against the soft cotton of his briefs.

“Jesus, Jake,” Duncan breathed. Emma agreed, licking her lips again. She reached out, but Jake stepped away.

“Uh uh. If we don’t get Duncan naked, he’s going to trip and kill himself and then we won’t get to fuck him,” Jake stated, a thread of humor beneath the desire-tinged hoarseness of his voice. Emma blinked then flushed at his bald statement. She was amazed by his courage. She didn’t know if she would’ve had the fortitude to deal with a sudden bisexual bonding as well as he had. Since he’d made the decision to accept what had happened, he’d embraced his newfound attraction to Duncan whole-heartedly. She caught him smiling at her and blushed as she felt him reading her thoughts.

Duncan laughed. “Who says you’re going to fuck me?” Then he pushed his jeans down and Emma stared. He had the largest cock she’d ever seen. Not that I’ve seen that many, she thought. How could she have missed this the last time they were naked together?

“Uh,” Jake tried to speak, then licked his lips. Emma realized that the other man was as astonished as she was. Jake tried again. “Shit, man, you could cause some serious damage with that thing!”

Emma grinned as Duncan walked over to his friend. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing,” Duncan said as he slid his hands down, capturing Jake’s dick in his palms. He pressed closer, folding his own cock into his hands as well. Jake gasped, clutching at Duncan’s biceps. Emma couldn’t look away as Duncan leaned in for a kiss as he gently moved his fingers around both of them. She could tell the exact moment Jake gave into Duncan’s superior experience, shuddering and pushing his hips closer.

“Duncan, if you don’t stop, I’m going to come,” Jake said after a moment, his voice shaky as Duncan mouthed over his jaw, rubbing his face against the other man’s stubble. Duncan stilled, then stepped back. He looked dazed. Jake gripped his cock hard, then let go and turned to Emma.

“Lie down, honey.” Jake pushed her down on the bed and then urged her up until her head lay on the pillows. Her legs trembled as he palmed them open, cupping her mound with one hand while his other drifted up to her breasts. She turned her head at the sound of a drawer opening and realized Duncan was rummaging through her nightstand. He pulled out lube and a strip of condoms.

“You’re a girl scout,” he teased, tossing the supplies on the bed. Emma smiled, then arched her back as Jake plunged his fingers inside her pussy, avoiding her clit.

She gasped. “Please, Jake, come on—” She thrashed her head, as he slipped a finger over her center.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get you there,” Jake said, settling down. He breathed on her, then dipped his head, licking her clit with small, delicate strokes. Emma moaned, closing her eyes. She didn’t even protest when she felt Duncan hold her hands down.

“You’re so beautiful like this, spread out for us.” Duncan leaned over her, pressing his cock into her hip as he leaned down to kiss her. Emma opened her mouth, reaching for more, but he was already licking down her neck, sucking hickeys into her skin. He didn’t pause until he reached her left nipple. She held her breath, trying not to wiggle and dislodge Jake between her legs, but then Duncan bit her and she couldn’t help it, she bucked against their hands, desperate for more.

“Please, please, please,” she heard someone begging, then realized it was her. She caught flashes of herself in the minds of Jake and Duncan—her body, stretched out on the bed. Her hair mussed against white sheets, her curves so delicious—she couldn’t believe they thought of her like that. They thought she was beautiful. She opened her eyes to see both men looking down at her, Jake’s fingers still stroking where his mouth left off, Duncan licking the nipple he’d just nipped. She felt her orgasm come over her in a tsunami of need. She couldn’t think anymore. She just wanted and wanted until she thought she’d die of it.

“Easy, honey,” Jake murmured. He sucked her clit back into his mouth, tonguing her more thoroughly now, but never letting her fall over the edge. Every time she came close he backed off. She moaned, grabbing at the sheets and then at Duncan’s hair, incoherent. She heard the sound of a wrapper and dimly realized that Duncan was rolling on a condom. She forced her eyes open just in time to see Jake move to let Duncan take his place. She arched her back, still clutching Duncan’s hair. Jake watched Duncan press his cock down, playing the thick head over her clit until Emma shifted her hips, trying to slip him inside.

“Take a deep breath,” Duncan said, the strain on his face making him look even more gorgeous than usual. She obeyed and he eased the head of his erection inside. She pulled on his hair and he smiled, then pressed in a tiny bit. Her eyes widened as she felt exactly how big he was.

I’ll fit, don’t worry, he thought to her and Emma nodded. Just relax, sweetheart. He pushed in a tiny bit more, his cock so thick that she could feel his length scrape against her clit. It felt divine. Her body wanted to shove down, press him in all at once but Jake held her in place, his hands so tight on her hips she couldn’t even tremble.

When did he move? she wondered.

Jake grinned at her and leaned down. Don’t worry, you’ll love this.

What— She tried to ask, then his tongue was on her clit and she almost flew off the bed with the pleasure of it. Jesus! Duncan’s thought pierced her mind. Emma agreed. Duncan grunted, then shoved himself completely inside, eyes squeezed shut.

She felt Jake’s amusement and satisfaction as his tongue danced over her clit and the base of Duncan’s erection. When Duncan pulled out, Jake slipped the head of the other man’s cock into his mouth. Duncan shook as Jake sucked hard, then slid off with a pop. He moved up to kiss Emma, his tongue licking inside her mouth just as Duncan slammed inside her again, and suddenly she couldn’t control it any more. Her orgasm rolled over them, her mind spiraling out with the pleasure. Duncan groaned and Jake bit her bottom lip, frantic. She felt Jake’s cock throb against her hip as he was caught in it too, all three of them coming apart at the same time.

Several long minutes later, Emma opened her eyes. Jake was still breathing heavy against her neck but he twitched when Duncan pulled out, gripping the condom by the base. He tied it off, tossing it into the wastebasket she kept beneath her nightstand before settling back down behind Jake who sighed as Duncan snuggled in, throwing an arm over the other man’s waist. Jake pushed his face against her shoulder and Emma kissed him, enjoying the smell of his hair, the weight of his arm over her hips. His fingers tangled in the curls between her legs and she felt like he was petting her. The thought made her smile. Both men were still inside her head, or she was in theirs. She couldn’t tell which anymore. All she knew was that she felt sublime and both men agreed absently, their minds brushing against her thoughts with a gentleness that brought tears to her eyes

It was another few minutes before Emma could gather enough energy to think about what happened. Did we just orgasm in sync? Her mind began going in circles trying to make sense of it.

“So, now is where I apologize for my totally humiliating lack of stamina,” Duncan muttered, his voice muffled by Jake’s skin. Emma snorted.

“Yeah, well, at least you were actually inside Emma at the time.” Jake laughed. “I didn’t even have a hand on my dick and I came just as hard as the two of you.” Which was weird, Emma heard his mind supply. She agreed.

“Do you think we’ll always orgasm at the same time?” Emma asked. She coughed, trying to clear her throat. “I mean, I’m not really experienced or anything, but that doesn’t usually happen, does it?”

“I don’t usually come one second after I start fucking, no,” Duncan said, his mind tinged with embarrassment.

Emma rolled her eyes. “It’s not like I lasted any longer than you. And I’m a woman. It’s not usually that easy for me.”

“I don’t orgasm at all without, you know, touch,” Jake retorted, his voice both amused and disbelieving.

“It’s the bonding,” Duncan said.

Emma was inclined to agree and found herself nodding against Jake’s hair. She kissed his temple, then stroked her fingers over his hand, pushing his palm against her pussy. It felt good. Yeah, that’s lovely, Jake thought. He smiled against her skin as Duncan continued.

“I could feel both of you, inside my head. And the pleasure just kept growing and suddenly I could feel what Emma felt, my cock going inside her. I could feel what it was like to lick her, via Jake. I could feel what it was like when you sucked me, from both sides.” Duncan gripped Jake hard, then relaxed, his hand wandering down towards the other man’s groin. “Now that is weird.”

“I’m not complaining,” Jake said. His fingers continued to play with her, sliding over her clit, the wetness making it easy. She felt herself growing warm again as his cock rose against her side.

“I can feel you right now,” Duncan muttered, then his hand slid down and cupped Jake’s hardening erection. In her head, Emma felt him squeeze Jake and she gasped at the feeling of pleasure it aroused. All three of them started breathing heavier.

“See? I can do this,” Duncan rubbed his thumb over the head of Jake’s cock, making the other man buck. “I know exactly what that feels like, because it’s like I’m doing it to myself.”

“I am not fucking complaining about this. This is a perk,” Jake said, his voice low and aroused. Emma shivered and rolled toward him, kissing him leisurely. She felt her clit swell as his fingers continued to play, but suddenly she wanted more. She wiggled down his body until her mouth was an inch from Jake’s cock. She looked at Jake, his erection rosy and thick, a drop of pre-cum on the head where it slid through the ring of Duncan’s fingers and licked her lips. He was still messy from his earlier climax but she didn’t care. Duncan stopped his strokes and tipped Jake’s cock out toward her, rubbing the tip over her lips. Emma closed her eyes and licked, catching Duncan’s thumb as she slid Jake’s cock gently into her mouth. Both men groaned as she sucked then rubbed the flat of her tongue against the underside of the head. He was circumcised. She knew that the spot right there was extremely sensitive. She licked him again just to feel him buck into her mouth. She looked up and saw him clenched up, all his muscles gorgeously flexed.

Beautiful, she thought and felt Duncan agree. She closed her eyes, concentrating on Jake, enjoying the way it made her feel. Her clit throbbed with every lick. Then Jake jerked as his cock swelled even harder inside her mouth. She knew from their bond that Duncan was rubbing his fingers over Jake’s hole so she licked faster to distract him. Jake moaned and clenched his fists in her sheets. His legs fell open and she shifted to let Duncan move in beside her.

“Where the hell’s the lube?” he asked and Emma pointed. Duncan grabbed the small bottle and poured a generous amount over his fingers. Jake panted as Emma palmed his balls, then thrashed as Duncan slipped a finger inside him up to the knuckle.

“Feels good, doesn’t it?” Duncan murmured, working his finger deeper. Jake nodded and Emma knew he’d lost the ability to speak. It didn’t matter. She sucked him back in, incredibly turned on by the sensations Duncan was creating in Jake. And she loved the way he felt in her mouth, his erection hot and silky, tasting of musk. She licked her way down the shaft then sucked the tip, ignoring Jake’s trembling. She was on the verge of orgasm just from this when Duncan nudged her aside. She saw him with a condom ready. She moved back, watching Duncan roll it down Jake’s cock, squeezing at the base to keep the other man from coming.

“Shit, hold on,” Duncan said, the strain in his voice making Emma shudder. Jake looked gorgeous, his hair sweaty, his body stretched out on her bed. She looked at his arms, enjoying the colors of his bonding tattoos flashing against his honey-colored skin. Then Duncan lifted her up, startling her when he put her on top of Jake. She couldn’t keep from grinding down on him, rubbing his cock along her wetness.

Jake’s eyes flew open. “Emma.”

She smiled as she knelt over him and he gripped her hips. She felt Duncan come up behind her.

“Let him inside.” Duncan lifted her hips and slid Jake’s erection into her body. She gasped and Jake bucked, then stilled.

Duncan was slipping two fingers into the other man’s hole. “This okay?”

“Yeah,” Jake said hoarsely. Emma held completely still, sensing Jake tremble between pleasure and fear as Duncan stretched him open.

“Take it easy,” Duncan said softly. “I won’t hurt you.” Emma waited as Duncan rolled on a condom, knowing exactly what was coming next.

“I know you won’t.” Jake said, then he closed his eyes and groaned as Duncan slowly pushed the head of his cock inside. Both men shuddered. Then Jake relaxed and Emma sensed Duncan slip all the way in.

“Oh God,” Jake groaned, face sweaty. Gently, Duncan started moving, and Emma grabbed Jake’s hands. He squeezed back tightly. She would’ve been worried if she didn’t know how incredibly good Duncan felt inside Jake, sensing the pleasure Jake was feeling as it crashed through their minds. Then Duncan hit Jake’s prostate once, twice, and it was all over. She climaxed as Jake bucked and Duncan slammed inside again and again. This time the orgasm repeated, all three of them shivering and coming again and again until she thought she’d go insane with the pleasure. When she finally collapsed on top of Jake, he was wheezing, trying to laugh and catch his breath at the same time.

“Jesus,” she heard Duncan mutter, and smiled.

“Are you trying to kill me?” Jake said when he finally caught his breath. “I mean, that was my first gay experience and I’m pretty sure it was supposed to suck.”

Emma lifted her head to look at Jake’s face. Did he really just say that?

Jake grinned at her. Yes, yes I did.

“Puns? You’re making puns?” Duncan said, disbelievingly. He carefully pulled out, making the other man hiss. “Sorry.”

“S’okay.” Jake shifted and Emma felt him slip out of her, too. “Here, lift up a sec, honey.”

Emma watched him remove the condom as she moved her weight to the mattress, snuggling up against his right side. Duncan dropped down on his left after discarding both condoms.

“I’m pretty sure I’m supposed to be traumatized,” Jake continued. Emma giggled. “I mean, I was straight. I knew who I was.”

“Shut up.” Duncan smacked the other man. “You’re ridiculously happy.” Emma laughed at his deadpan delivery.

“Are the two of you always this silly?” she asked. She felt kind of ridiculously happy herself.

“Yes, yes we are,” Jake said, voice even. “We take ourselves very seriously.” Duncan snorted.

Emma shook her head. “The two of you are absurd, but I love you.” She patted the arm on her stomach and closed her eyes as Duncan and Jake’s weariness dragged her down. A moment later, she was asleep.

Chapter 6

The next morning Emma woke up sandwiched between the two men, her stomach growling.

“Someone’s hungry.” Duncan yawned then kissed Emma’s shoulder. He looked over at Jake fondly. “Isn’t he gorgeous?”

Emma nodded in agreement, sitting up and looking down at Jake. He lay on his side, one leg bent, the other straight. He hugged a pillow and her eyes wandered down his torso, taking in the sprinkling of dark hair that arrowed to his groin. His arms were relaxed but she could see the thick muscles in his forearms and shoulders, probably from playing piano. He was beautiful. The morning sunlight slanted over his skin, making it glow. When she looked up, her gaze collided with Duncan’s and she blushed. He knew what she was thinking.

Duncan laughed and slid out of bed. Emma found herself watching him walk, the muscles in his perfect ass flexing as he strode to the doorway. He paused and looked back at her. Her eyes slipped over his muscled chest, admiring the way his pierced nipples pebbled in the cool air. He cleared his throat and her eyes flew up to his face.

He grinned at her. “You’re gorgeous too.” She blushed and Duncan laughed. “You’re adorable.” He turned and went across the hall to the bathroom. Emma flopped back onto the bed, covering her face with the sheet. She knew it wouldn’t do any good. Both men could sense her embarrassment. She felt Jake’s amusement even with her eyes closed.

“He’s right, you know.” Jake pulled the covers down.

Emma sighed, refusing to open her eyes. “Right about what?”

“You are adorable.” Jake kissed her and got out of the bed. Emma refused to move. If you two want to tease me, you can make your own coffee, she thought.

“I heard that!” Duncan called. Jake laughed from somewhere in the living room. She opened her eyes. How is this my life? she wondered. She was happy and it felt strange. She hadn’t been unhappy before, but now she there was a sense of fulfillment, of belonging, deep inside, that was as wonderful as it was weird. She looked at the clock and winced. It was a good thing she’d let the school know she wouldn’t be in today because half the morning was gone. She wondered if the bonding was finally complete or if they’d all start feeling terrible again when the men had to leave later that day. She shrugged. They couldn’t do anything about it. Duncan had a concert tonight.

Jake wandered back into the bedroom, clutching his phone. He was shirtless but had pulled on a pair of jeans. “Do you want me to make you breakfast?”

Emma looked at him, surprised. “You cook?”

Jake smiled. “Of course I cook. You know I cook.”

Emma shook her head. “I’m still getting used to this bonding thing. I have your memories, but they’re not always right at the surface where I can easily access them. And I’m too lazy to concentrate right now.”

“It’s okay. I am too.” Jake sat down on the bed and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. “I think it’s going to take us all a while to get used to it.”

Emma sighed and kissed his palm. Then she squinted. Jake looked like he was outlined in blue. She rubbed her eyes. He still looked glowy.

“What?”

“You look like someone sprinkled blue glow all over you.” She frowned, staring at him harder. She could feel the glow as well as see it. What is this? she wondered. She reached a finger out and ran it along Jake’s arm above his skin, inside the glow but not touching him. The blue glow swirled around her finger and Jake twitched.

“What did you do? It tickles.”

Emma concentrated, running her finger up his arm again. “I’m not sure.”

“What’s going on?” Duncan walked into the room wearing sweatpants and nothing else. Emma glanced at him. He glowed a warm red. He looked beautiful.

“You’re glowing red,” she said, confused.

“Emma says I’m glowing blue,” Jake explained.

Duncan walked closer. “Another bonding thing?”

Jake nodded. “Must be.”

“What’s the point of glowing?” Duncan asked as Emma ran her hand down his arm. The red glow swirled around, growing brighter where her hand passed. Duncan shivered. Emma noted that both men’s tattoos were extra colorful, the rainbow colors that had been imprinted around the black designs even more vivid to her eyes. She glanced down at her arm, not surprised to see a purple glow on her skin.

“I’m glowing purple,” she said.

Jake grinned. “Well, at least that makes sense. It’s a combination of red and blue.”

“Huh. If I concentrate, I can make it brighter or dimmer. I don’t know what that means.” Emma frowned, concentrating.

“I can feel it when you do that,” Duncan said as she idly ran her hand along his arm. “Feels weird. Not bad, just strange.”

“I think we need to see if this applies only to us, or if you can see it on other people,” Jake said. I can almost see it through your eyes, he thought.

Emma nodded. “It feels like I can play with it, but to what end?”

“The only way to find out is to try something,” Duncan said. Emma ran her hand up his thigh. He shivered again and she noted that his libido was taking a definite interest in what was going on. He put his hand over hers to stop her. “Sweetheart, I’d love to play, but I’ve got a phone interview in five minutes.”

Emma pouted, wondering what the glow would look like when they were aroused.

Jake grinned, catching her thought. “I say you torture him during his interview.”

“Jake!” Duncan said, exasperated. “Do you have any idea how hard it is to give an interview when you’re hard as a rock?” He grabbed Emma’s hand, lifting it away from his leg and kissing it before setting it down on the bed.

Jake laughed and shook his head. “I’ll go start breakfast.”

Emma smiled. “I need to brush my teeth, anyway.”

* * *

Four hours later, Emma sat in the back of a limo with Duncan and Jake on the way to Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. She held Jake’s hand, watching as Duncan discussed the night’s concert with his bassist, Jon, and drummer, Tabb. She couldn’t believe she was there, riding in the car with them. Jake wouldn’t let go of her, and Duncan sat very close on her right. She had no idea what the others were thinking. Duncan and Jake introduced her as a “friend.” She knew they’d have to discuss how to handle the bonding, but for now they’d agreed to keep things under wraps until they had more time to hash out what they were going to say to the public. Emma hadn’t even thought about it until Jake brought it up over breakfast. She wasn’t used to thinking of fans and newspapers being interested in her life. She felt a pang of insecurity at the thought. She didn’t know what they were going to do. She was a teacher, and Duncan and Jake traveled around the world. How would they manage? What would they do if they couldn’t figure out a way to be apart because of the bonding?

Jake squeezed her hand, pausing in his conversation with Duncan’s publicist. She smiled weakly at him, fooling neither him nor Duncan.

“You okay?” Jake asked, sending waves of reassurance her way. Duncan slipped his hand onto her thigh, pressing lightly. She felt his concern loud and clear.

“Yeah, just a little tired,” she said, trying to relax. I’d be fine if I hadn’t suddenly discovered that I could see the auras of other people, she thought. Not everyone, thank God, but she could see auras on Lisa, the publicist, and Tabb. She wasn’t sure what that meant. Neither of them had bonding tattoos. Was she sensing potential? She noticed Lisa rubbing at her arms as if they were itchy.

“It’s not much farther,” Duncan said quietly to her during a pause in his conversation. She nodded, wishing they were at the venue already.

A half hour later they pulled up to the back entrance. She waited until Jake got out of the car and let him help her out. She was grateful that there were no fans or photographers waiting.

“We didn’t tell them what time we’d be coming,” Duncan murmured as he stepped out behind her. “It’s easier that way. I have a lot of fans and they get a little excited sometimes.”

“I know. This is just really weird for me.” Emma touched him on the arm. “Your aura looks really pretty.”

Duncan blinked at her. “You think I’m pretty.” The tone of his voice was disbelieving.

Emma laughed. “Yeah. So is Jake. His blue glow is gorgeous, too.”

Duncan shook his head. “Emma, I’m a dude. I may wear eyeliner once in a while, but every time you call me pretty, my ego cringes.”

Jake laughed and slung his arm around Emma. “Honey, you can call me pretty anytime you like.” He ignored the looks Tabb and Jon threw their way, but Emma blushed.

“Where’s Dave?” Lisa asked, straightening her jacket. “He was supposed to be here waiting for us. I don’t know the way to the green room.”

“I’m right here,” a man said, his voice a deep baritone. He stepped out of the grey door set in the back of the building, propping it open with a brick. “I saw your car pull around from the front but it took me a minute to get to the back of the building.” He walked up, looking curiously at Emma sandwiched between Duncan and Jake. “Everything’s set. I can show you where the dressing room is.”

“We’ll find it on our own,” Tabb said, stepping past the group and exchanging a fist bump with Dave. “I want to see if my drums are still in one piece.”

“Your drums are fine, moron,” Jon said, rolling his eyes. “You always worry about them and they’re always fine.” He waved at Duncan and Jake and disappeared into the building, Tabb close on his heels.

Dave laughed. “It’s always the same. Tabb freaks over his drums, and Jon makes fun of him.” He turned back to Duncan, a smile on his face as Lisa walked over and kissed him on the cheek. “Hey, honey.” He slung an arm around Lisa’s shoulder and she snuggled into his side.

They’ve been dating for a few months now, Jake thought to Emma, answering her unspoken question as she watched Lisa relax against the large man. They looked odd together—Lisa dressed in a tailored suit, briefcase in hand, and Dave in jeans and a T-shirt, tattoos crawling up his neck. Emma watched their auras flare into a bonding pattern and wondered if she was imagining things. Bonding pattern? How do I even know that?

Duncan grinned. “I know, I know. Tabb always thinks the crew is going to dent his snare drum or something. Anyway, this is Emma, a friend of mine and Jake’s.” He pulled Emma away from Jake and she smiled uneasily, hoping no one could tell she was staring at Dave’s aura.

“Pleased to meet you,” Dave said, holding out a hand. Emma shook it warily, trying not to disturb the big man’s light green glow, but as soon as she touched him, the color flared. His eyes widened and Lisa gasped. Emma glanced at the other woman and saw that her aura was strengthening into a darker orange. Emma wrinkled her nose, trying to tamp down the surge of energy she felt. She failed. Dave looked at Lisa and Emma watched as their auras released delicate tendrils toward each other. Suddenly, the threads tried to mesh and Dave and Lisa staggered. Emma let go of Dave’s hand. Duncan reached out to him but she grabbed his arm, afraid of what would happen if he interfered.

“What’s happening?” Jake asked, voice low.

“I think they’re going to bond. Or rather, they are bonding.” Emma said, stunned as she watched a few small tendrils of light green and orange thread together. Did I cause that? Shit. She looked at Duncan and Jake and realized that their auras were already completely woven together with her own. To her eyes, the pattern said, “bonded.”

“What? Right now?” Duncan asked, worried. Alarmingly, he was thinking about Dave and Lisa fucking their brains out in public. Emma would’ve grinned if she hadn’t been so worried that she’d somehow precipitated this.

Emma shook her head. “I think it takes more than just touching to cement a bond, but the initial lock is going to happen now.” As she spoke, two unfamiliar bonding tattoos flared on Lisa and Dave’s arms. The couple gasped, hanging onto each other tightly for a moment. Then Dave bent down to kiss the petite woman.

“Aw, fuck,” Jake muttered, sounding disgusted. “Paparazzi at two o’clock.” He gestured urgently to the left.

“We’ve got to get them out of here.” Duncan moved closer to the embracing couple, looking like he was going to shoo them inside.

“Wait!” Emma said, suddenly sure that if he touched them, bad things would happen. She could see his aura flaring, an incredible show of color that made Lisa and Dave’s auras seem dim. “Let me. If you touch them, I don’t know what will happen.”

Duncan froze, then nodded. Emma walked closer to the couple, unsure of how she was going to help.

“Whatever you’re going to do, do it fast, Emma!” Jake shoved Duncan towards the door. “You, get inside.” Duncan obeyed and Emma edged closer to Lisa.

“Lisa, you and Dave have to get inside, okay?” she said, tentatively. Neither paid her any attention. They’d stopped kissing, but Lisa’s head was tucked beneath Dave’s chin and his eyes were closed. Emma took a deep breath and reached out. As soon as she touched Lisa’s arm, the couple opened their eyes and stared at her. Emma shivered. They looked like they were sleepwalking. “You have to get inside,” she said again. They nodded and shuffled inside without breaking apart.

“Good job,” Jake said under his breath as he crowded Emma into the building and slammed the door. Emma stood blinking in the sudden dimness. Once her eyes adjusted, she realized that Lisa and Dave had broken apart. They stood there staring at each other for a moment, then Dave cleared his throat.

“What the fuck just happened?” The man looked shaken.

“I knew you were going to say that. How did I know you were going to say that?” Lisa asked, her voice shrill. Emma looked at Duncan. He grimaced as Lisa and Dave touched again, their bodies melting into each other.

“How are we going to put on a concert if they’re stuck to each other?” Jake muttered, running his hands through his hair. “Maybe we can let them have the dressing room. Or see if there’s a hotel they can stay in. I don’t want them to have to run around back here like this. I know how awful it feels.”

Emma watched the glow surround Dave and Lisa, her hands tingling. “I think I can help.” Duncan looked at Emma sharply. “I think I can help them bond without the initial attachment problem.”

“How can you do that? We couldn’t even get away from that,” Duncan said.

“I think I can manipulate the auras, the bonding,” Emma explained, flexing her fingers. “I can feel their bond, see the way it interacts on a physical level. It can’t hurt to try.”

Jake sighed. “Okay, let’s just figure out a better place for this than the hallway.”

A few minutes later Emma crouched down in front of Lisa and Dave who sat on a worn sofa in Duncan’s dressing room. Jake perched on the dressing table, ignoring the chair, while Duncan leaned against him, his hands playing in Jake’s hair. Neither Dave nor Lisa seemed to notice.

“I’m going to try and cement your bond quickly. That way you’ll be up and running instead of dealing with the initial week or so of disorientation that bonded couples usually experience.” Emma said. They both nodded and Emma shifted until she was kneeling on the floor. She winced as her muscles protested, sore from the previous night’s exertions.

“How do you know what’s wrong with us?” Lisa asked, apprehensive.

Emma took a deep breath. “I can sense your bond.” It was lucky Dave and Lisa had been dating before the bond suddenly kicked in today. She didn’t know how she would have explained bonding to two strangers meeting for the first time. This was already difficult.

Dave frowned. “I’m not sure I understand. I mean, bonding? I don’t even know what that is.”

“Do you remember a few weeks ago when there were a few news reports of people suddenly waking up with tattoos? Tattoos that matched?” Jake asked, hopping down from the dressing table and walking forward.

Lisa nodded uncertainly. “I think I saw one report on the internet, but I haven’t seen anything since last week.”

“We think the phenomenon is being suppressed, or at least news reports of it are. The bonding is still happening, though.” Duncan said, sitting in the chair next to the table and rubbing his face. “Look.” He held out his arms.

“I thought those were just new tattoos you got on your day off?” Lisa offered.

Duncan shook his head. “Jake, show her.”

Jake rolled up his sleeves and tilted his arms. Even under the harsh lighting the tattoos were beautiful, Emma thought. The colors swirled around the inky designs, almost moving, just like the auras she could see roiling around the people in the room.

“They look just like Duncan’s,” Lisa said. “Does that mean—”

“Yeah,” Jake interrupted. “Duncan and I are bonded. So is Emma.” Emma held out her arm and Jake gently pushed up the sleeve of her sweater. “See?”

Lisa leaned over, inspecting Emma’s tattoo. “It looks just like theirs. But I thought only couples bonded? This makes no sense!” Lisa’s voice rose.

Emma could tell she was confused and upset. “I don’t know of any other cases of a trio bonding,” she soothed as she reached out with her mind, smoothing the agitated pattern of Lisa’s glow. The color calmed down under Emma’s ministrations. She concentrated more, pulling more tendrils of Dave’s aura over to Lisa, merging them, hooking them together. The harder she concentrated, the more she could feel Duncan and Jake in her mind, feeding her strength. Abruptly she stopped, sensing that Lisa and Dave’s bond had stabilized. Jake staggered to his feet and Emma felt his weariness. Had the energy she felt come from him?

“Yeah, I think so,” Duncan said, his voice tired.

Emma felt faint. “Are you okay?” she asked Duncan, then turned to Jake. “What about you?”

“I’m fine, just a little tired,” Jake answered, staggering over to Duncan and dropping down on the padded arm of the chair. He leaned into Duncan, accepting the other man’s steadying hand gratefully.

“Duncan has to do a show in a few hours.” Emma frowned and rubbed her hands over her tattoos. They itched. She got up, wincing at the way her knees creaked. She wobbled over to the empty end of the couch and sat down.

“It’s okay. I’ve performed when I felt a lot worse than this, sweetheart.” Duncan cracked open one of the bottles of water that sat on the dressing table. “I’ll be fine.”

Emma looked at him. If I’d known this was going to suck your energy, I would’ve waited. You could’ve managed the concert without them for a night, she thought.

Duncan smiled and swallowed his water. Don’t worry about it. He handed another bottle to Jake, sensing his bond-mate’s thirst. Jake sent a mental thank you to him and drank deeply.

“I feel a lot better,” Lisa said, breaking into their silent conversation.

Emma was happy she didn’t feel as wiped as Duncan and Jake, but that was probably because she’d drawn on their energy while working with Lisa and Dave. She sighed, pushing her misgivings aside. “Good, that’s what I was hoping would happen.”

“I do, too,” Dave said, sounding surprised. “I can feel you did something but I’m not sure what. And I can feel Lisa, a little bit—” He broke off, wrinkling his forehead. Lisa ran her hand down his back and he visibly relaxed. “It’s like I can sense her emotions, sort of. I can tell when she’s upset or happy. It’s stronger when she’s touching me.”

“Can you hear her thoughts?” Emma asked, curious. She wondered how far the process went with two people. Did the extra abilities only manifest when three people bonded?

Lisa concentrated, looking at the floor. “No. I can tell how he’s feeling a little bit, but I can’t hear him thinking. Why? Can you?”

Emma exchanged looks with Duncan and Jake. “Sort of,” she temporized. She didn’t want anyone to know the true extent of their bonding abilities. Duncan nodded at her, finishing off his water.

I don’t think we should tell people what we can do either, Jake thought.

Emma nodded, then reached for Lisa’s arm. “Can I see?”

Lisa held out her hand and Emma pushed up the other woman’s blouse. There was a clean design on her forearm, incongruous against the crisp silk of her blouse. Emma noted that the design was entirely black and much simpler than the bonding tattoo she shared with Jake and Duncan. There were no extra colors twining around the black, just a simple double slash intersected with what looked like an oval.

“It’s pretty,” Lisa said, her voice low. She turned her arm, admiring the tattoo.

“It looks good with my other tats.” Dave looked down at his arm, bemused. Then he glanced at Lisa and smiled. “I was going to wait until this weekend, but I think this will be okay.” He slid off the couch onto his knees and Emma tried not to laugh at the sense of shock she felt from Duncan and Jake.

Dave dug into his pocket and produced a small box. He took a deep breath and then opened it, revealing a small, perfect diamond that he held out to the Lisa. Emma leaned away, not wanting to interfere with the moment. Dave cleared his throat. “Lisa, I know we haven’t been dating very long, but I knew from the moment I first saw you that you were everything I wanted. Will you marry me?”

Lisa gasped and nodded, then smiled through the tears streaming down her face. She reached out for Dave and he put the ring on her finger. When they kissed, Emma stood up and walked over to Jake and Duncan. Both men were staring at Dave, identical looks of horror on their faces. She had to laugh.

“At least it’s unlikely they’ll freak out when we tell them the bonding is permanent,” Emma said, sitting on Duncan’s lap. Jake laughed as Emma leaned back, resting her face against Duncan’s warm cheek. Jake reached down and grabbed her hand, holding it in his tightly. She smiled, exhausted and happy. “What’s next? Do you need to do anything for the concert?”

Duncan sighed as he looked at the clock on the wall, ignoring the cuddling happening on the sofa across from them. “I have warm-ups in an hour. But I’m supposed to do some press before, in about a half hour. I have just enough time to get dressed.”

I’d rather undress you, Emma thought. Jake choked on his water and she laughed, enjoying the look of consternation on his face. She wished they had more time.

Chapter 7

Emma rubbed her eyes, wishing she’d gotten more sleep but not regretting her late night at the concert. She yawned, picking at her lunch. The lettuce seemed like a good idea that morning when she picked up a salad on her way to school, but now it just looked unappetizing. She wondered if it was because she knew Jake and Duncan were eating pizza. She wanted pizza too, dammit. She sighed and forced herself to take another bite. Maybe if she pretended it was pizza? She sensed Jake laughing at her in the back of her mind and mentally flipped him off. Duncan coughed, and Emma smiled. They might be several hundred miles away, but it felt like they were sitting right next to her. This was definitely one of the cooler things about bonding—never feeling lonely. The downside was that even though she wasn’t getting the headaches anymore, she felt the distance from her two men acutely. She could function, but there was a feeling of yearning that she couldn’t dispel. She knew Jake and Duncan felt it too. When they woke up this morning, they didn’t want to leave her bed and she didn’t want to let them, but they had more radio interviews and needed to drive back to New York. The distance was like an itch that couldn’t be scratched.

“Hey, Emma, you gotta turn on the TV!” Julie flopped down in the chair next to Emma’s desk and grabbed the remote.

“What’s going on?” Emma asked. Julie’s eyes were glued to the television as she flipped through the channels, finally stopping on the twenty-four-hour news station.

“Look. Your boyfriends are on TV,” Julie said.

“They’re not my boyfriends,” Emma said absently. She still hadn’t told Julie anything other than that she’d been sick the past few days but Julie wasn’t buying it. She’d been teasing Emma all morning. What could be happening that Duncan and Jake were on CNN? The last she knew they were taping an interview for a morning talk show and just a moment ago they were eating pizza. She focused and realized that both men had finished eating several minutes ago. She frowned, trying to figure out where they were. A hallway? No, a lobby. There was a huge crowd in front of them and she felt Jake’s irritation like a burr under her skin. What was going on? She concentrated on the TV.

“...now we’re live at Z100’s studio in New York where Duncan Green and Jake Mackenzie just finished a morning interview and lunch. Neither man realized they were being recorded while they ate and cameras caught tattoos on Jake’s arms that match the new tattoos on Duncan’s forearms. Fans have been talking about Duncan’s new tats for the past week. Apparently, the friends have bonded, though no one yet knows why the men have two tattoos instead of one. This is the first time any celebrities have bonded, and we believe it’s the first report of a same-sex bonding.”

“Holy shit, Emma, do you see that?” Julie pointed at the television where cameras were zooming in on Jake’s arms. He wore his customary leather cuffs, but the swirls of color and the black design of his bonding tattoos were visible above the upper edge of the bracelet. He wore the T-shirt she remembered him putting on that morning but his plaid button-down was missing. What had happened? Emma caught a vision of spilled coffee from Jake’s mind. Now that they no longer itched, he didn’t think about the tattoos when he took his outer shirt off. He didn’t realize the cuffs didn’t cover everything anymore. Ever since they’d completed their bonding, the colored swirls were visible just outside the edges of the bracelets. He looked angry, Emma thought, watching the screen. She sent soothing thoughts his way and watched his face relax minutely.

“Did you know?” Julie asked, her voice rising. “They bonded? That is so hot!”

Emma turned to her friend, wondering what she should say. Before she could think of anything, the reporter stopped talking and the camera focused on Duncan. He was answering questions, his voice flat with displeasure, but clear and steady. Emma made a shushing motion with her hand and Julie pursed her lips. Emma didn’t care. She wanted to know what the hell was happening. She tried to focus on Duncan and Jake’s thoughts but the connection was tenuous at this distance. At most, she could only receive or send emotional impressions and some visual cues. They’d already figured out that they needed to be at least within one hundred miles of each other to use their telepathy, but the empathic bonds stretched further. She picked up the remote, turning the volume on the television up a notch.

“...and when we realized what was happening, we decided to keep it under wraps for a little while as we got used to the bond,” Duncan said on the TV, obviously in response to a question. Emma frowned, wondering why this revelation had sparked such a frenzy. She felt Jake’s reminder that Duncan was insanely famous and she sighed. She kept forgetting.

“Isn’t Jake straight? How did the two of you end up bonding?” a small woman asked the men. Emma leaned forward, wondering how Duncan was going to answer this question. She was surprised to see Jake move to the microphone.

“Yes, I’m straight. Mostly. When people bond, the emotional connection takes precedence. It’s not a hardship for me to be with Duncan. I already loved him. He was my best friend since we were kids. And I know from hanging around with him so long that sexuality is a lot more fluid than most people like to admit.” This comment sparked a wave of conversation and Jake held up his hand to quiet the crowd of reporters. “Yes, I like women, but I don’t have a hard time admitting that a man can be attractive.” Emma nodded, understanding now how he was able to accept the bond with Duncan relatively easily. She’d wondered about that. Even being inside his head and knowing that he was okay with it didn’t really explain why he was okay having sex with Duncan. The bond might trump natural inclination, but she imagined that even so, a man who wasn’t honest with himself would’ve had a much harder time with the situation than Jake. She focused her attention back on the interview.

“Why do you have two bonding marks?” a male reporter asked.

Duncan blinked for a moment, and Emma felt his apprehension and sense of apology a moment before he began to answer. She sent him a wave a reassurance and saw his face soften for a moment.

“Do you want the long answer or the short answer?” Duncan asked, joking with the reporter. Emma knew he was trying to buy some time to think. She tried to make it clear that it was okay if he mentioned her. She knew that she was going to have to deal with his fame at some point, and the fact that the three of them didn’t have time to talk about it before Jake and Duncan left didn’t excuse her from facing reality. She felt a wave of thanks flow into her from them and smiled. She knew Julie was eyeing her speculatively but Emma did her best to appear oblivious.

“You’re avoiding the question!” someone yelled from the group of reporters and Emma watched Duncan wince.

“Ok, here’s the deal. One tattoo means you’ve bonded with one person. Two means—” Duncan broke off as all the reporters started shouting questions at once. Jake smirked despite the gravity of the situation and even Emma had to laugh at the mix of outrage and excitement sweeping over the crowd. Duncan ran his hands through his hair and Emma felt a pang of sympathy for him. It couldn’t be easy standing up in front of a crowd of people yelling questions about something so intimate. Despite the suppression of information about bonding, everyone knew it existed and that it involved sex. Emma wondered what this impromptu interview was going to mean to the people responsible for the information blackout. She felt Jake’s sudden apprehension as he caught the direction of her thoughts and watched his face lose its smile as the reporters continued shouting. They wanted to know who the third person in the triple bonding was. She felt Duncan’s anger and Jake’s concern and knew neither man would mention her name.

“Holy shit,” Julie breathed. Emma tore her eyes from the news just as Julie snatched up her arm, shoving Emma’s sleeve up to her elbow. The bonding tattoo gleamed innocently on her skin as Julie stared at it. Then she pulled up Emma’s other arm and shoved up that sleeve as well.

“Um—” Emma tried to think of some way to explain but Julie cut her off.

“Oh, my God. You bonded with both of them?” Julie asked, excited. Emma nodded, trying to pull her arms away. “You had sex with Duncan Green!” Julie shrieked, squeezing Emma’s hands.

“Shhhh!” Emma looked around the office, grateful there were no students around. “Julie, you have to calm down!”

Julie released Emma’s hands and jumped in her seat. “Are you kidding me? You bonded with Duncan Green and you didn’t tell me?”

“Technically, I bonded with Jake and Duncan,” Emma said, hoping Julie would get a grip before anyone came in and saw her freaking out. She looked at the TV, noting that the interview was over. She hoped Duncan and Jake were okay.

“Oh, my God, you had sex with them! How was it? Were they hot? Can you read their minds?” Julie had quieted down, but her eyes were bright and she bounced in her seat.

“I am not answering questions about my sex life!” Emma retorted.

Julie snorted and rolled her eyes. “Okay, okay, but still. At least tell me what it was like! I mean, I don’t know of any cases where three people bonded with each other. How does that even work?”

Emma closed her eyes, feeling the distance from Jake and Duncan acutely. She wished they were here, though she knew they had their own problems to deal with. “It was scary. And amazing. And I can sort of tell what they’re thinking, but it works better when we’re closer together.” Emma hoped that would be enough detail for Julie. She had no intention of explaining the extra abilities she gained from the triple bond. She didn’t want anyone knowing about that. She instinctively knew that was dangerous information.

“Wow, that’s incredible,” Julie said. “What are you going to do?”

Emma shook her head. “I don’t know. We haven’t figured out the details yet.” Julie nodded. Emma reached down for the remote and turned the television off just in time to hear a knock on the office door. She looked up through the window and saw the two bonded students she’d helped last week. Their auras were roiling, disturbed, and Emma frowned. Neither student looked happy and she noted the dark circles under Samantha’s eyes.

“Ms. Bell? Can we talk to you?”

Emma nodded and the two filed into her office. “Julie, would you mind supervising the next class?”

Julie nodded. “No problem.”

Emma gestured to two chairs near her desk and Samantha and Jonathan sat down as she pulled the blinds on the window that separated the office from the library. Julie pulled the door shut behind her as she went out to welcome the next class. Emma had the feeling that this conversation was going to need privacy as she walked back to the students. “What can I do for you?” Emma asked as she sat down.

Jonathan fiddled with his sleeve, eyes down. Emma waited patiently, sensing Duncan and Jake in the back of her mind, listening in. Where were they now?

On the way to a meeting, Duncan thought to her, sending a mental kiss her way. Emma smiled at the gesture, then caught Samantha watching her, face intent. Emma cocked her head and Jonathan looked up suddenly.

“We heard that Duncan Green and his manager bonded,” the young man said, his voice cracking. He looked like he was on the verge of a breakdown and Emma put her hand on his, stilling their nervous fiddling. She calmed his aura, smoothing the violent swirls of brown and scarlet that drifted around him and Samantha. Both students relaxed.

“Yeah, I heard that too.” Emma sat back. Their aura pattern showed that the two were completely bonded, she noticed, and she abruptly realized that they must have had sex. If so, she hoped their parents didn’t know. She hadn’t got the impression that they believed in bonding, and Emma knew that Samantha’s parents weren’t particularly happy about Samantha even dating Jonathan, let alone forming a permanent attachment.

“What does that mean?” Samantha asked, her voice plaintive. “I was just on the internet. I saw a live stream of the interview they just did and they said it was permanent. I have the same kind of tattoo.” The girl shoved up her sleeve, thrusting her arm towards Emma. Jonathan captured Samantha’s elbow and soothed her, running his palm down her arm and clasping their hands together.

“I know it’s a lot to take in,” Emma began but Jonathan cut her off.

“Her parents wouldn’t let us stay together last night! They don’t understand.”

Samantha was nodding. “It’s like having a piece of my body cut off. It burns.”

Emma sighed. She understood the feeling all too well. She could sense the absence of Jake and Duncan in her bones. “I know, Samantha. Your parents are just worried and want you to be safe—”

“You don’t know! You have no idea what it feels like!” Samantha cried out, tears in her eyes. Jonathan pulled the girl close and held her tight.

“You really can’t understand,” Jonathan said and Emma took a deep breath.

Show them, Jake urged.

To Emma’s surprise, she caught not just the emotion behind the thought, but the words as well. He must feel very strongly about it for me to receive words instead of just emotions at this distance, Emma thought. She could tell Jake and Duncan were still in the car, stuck in traffic. They were holding hands but that didn’t assuage the longing that gnawed at the three of them. Distance was a problem.

“I do understand.” Emma looked at them and slowly pushed her sleeve up until one of her bonding tattoos was visible.

Samantha gasped. “It looks like ours! Only, you have color on yours.” The girl looked at her, confused and Emma sighed, then slowly pushed up her other sleeve.

“Shit,” Jonathan breathed. “You have two? How—wait, does that mean you’re bonded with two people?”

“Yes.” Emma took a deep breath. “I’m bonded to two men, so I do understand what you’re feeling.”

Samantha reached a tentative finger out to touch Emma’s arm. “You have color in yours. What does that mean?”

“I don’t have a lot of information.” Emma laughed and shook her head. “No one has a lot of information, but I think that when three people bond instead of two, this is what happens. The bonds are also a bit stronger. Not in terms of how you feel about each other. The love is just as strong as in any bonding. But I can sense more from my bond-mates.”

“What can you sense?” Samantha asked.

“Well, for one thing, we can see through each other’s eyes if we want. If I concentrate, we can exchange thoughts, not just emotions.” Emma worried about how they were going to handle this information. Neither seemed particularly shocked, though.

“You need to talk to our parents again,” Jonathan said, abruptly. He pushed away and stood up, pacing through the clutter of the office. “Her parents wouldn’t let me stay with her the past couple nights and my parents don’t understand why it’s such a big deal. It hurts. Samantha can’t sleep, and I feel like I’m going crazy worrying about her.” He shoved his hands through his hair. “It’s like reaching out for the other half of your soul and not being able to touch it.”

Emma stared at him, knowing exactly what that felt like. Yeah, Jake said in her mind. She could feel his worry as the three of them considered their situation. Emma suddenly knew that she was going to quit her job. There was no other way.

No! Duncan thought to her, sharp enough to make her wince. We don’t want to be the reason you quit what you love to do.

Hush, Emma thought back. I love you a lot more than I love my job. She sent them reassurance.

We’ll talk about it later, Jake sent.

Samantha was looking at her oddly. Jonathan had stopped pacing. Emma discarded a dozen different responses before she figured out what she wanted to say. Their auras were pulsing again and she sighed, knowing that neither she nor Duncan and Jake could spare the energy for her to calm the two students down that way again. “For now, the most important thing you can do is touch each other as much as possible.” The two students nodded and Jonathan touched Samantha on her shoulder. The girl turned her face into his hand. It broke Emma’s heart to see them together. She wondered if it wouldn’t be better for them if they hadn’t bonded.

No! Jake thought, horrified. Emma shivered, feeling the same. But, if they had bonded when they were older, no one could keep them apart. As it was, they were too young and their parents could legally separate them. With a sense of dawning horror, Emma suddenly wondered if she could sever a bonding as easily as she could cement one. She felt the ability tingling in her hands. It would take a great deal of energy—

No, it wouldn’t, Duncan whispered in the back of her mind and horribly, Emma sensed he was right. It would give her energy, because to sever a bonding meant taking energy away from the couple. When she cemented a bonding, she gave energy back. She shuddered and clenched her fingers together, missing Jake and Duncan even more.

“Okay, I’m going to see if I can talk to your parents again. Maybe if I explain to them how bad it is for you to be kept apart, they’ll reconsider.”

Samantha was shaking her head. “They’re not going to listen. My dad was freaking out this morning, ranting about witchcraft, of all things. It’s like he’s completely lost his mind. We’re Christians, but he’s never been this crazy.” Emma frowned, wondering what religion had to do with it. Samantha continued. “He was yelling at me about not having sex before I got married. I tried to explain how much it hurt but when he found out that Jonathan and I had slept together, he went insane. The only reason I’m at school today is that my mom convinced him it would look bad to keep me home.”

Emma looked at Jonathan. The young man was pressing his lips together as if he wanted to say something but didn’t dare. “Did your parents act like this?”

He shook his head. “I’m older than Samantha. And my parents aren’t that conservative. I’m really worried about Samantha’s dad. I tried to look up some information about this bonding thing on the internet to try and use to convince her dad that this was real, but even the stuff I was able to bookmark last week has disappeared. It’s really weird.”

Emma nodded. “I know. I wondered about that myself.”

“It’s really cool that Duncan and Jake came out in that interview today. There’s no way they’re going to be able to keep that off the internet, not with a famous singer like Duncan,” Samantha offered.

“I don’t think Duncan planned the interview,” Emma said, ignoring the way Jonathan looked at her speculatively. She pushed her sleeves back down and looked at the clock. Almost time for the next bell. “Okay, I’m going to give you my cell phone number. Have your parents call me, Samantha. I’ll try and set up a time to meet with them, or just talk with them on the phone. Maybe it’ll help. I don’t know what else to do.” Emma jotted down her number and handed it to the girl.

Samantha nodded and took the paper. Jonathan got out his cell phone and programmed the number into his contacts list. “What now?”

Emma sighed and stood up. “I don’t know. Just hang in there. And please, don’t tell anyone about my bonding, okay?”

“Why not?” Samantha asked.

“I don’t know how people are going to react to a teacher bonding to two men. It’s not exactly the traditional route into a relationship, you know.” Emma smiled and walked towards the front of the office. Just as she was about to pull up the shades Jonathan spoke.

“You bonded to Duncan and Jake, didn’t you?”

Emma froze and turned around. She was about to deny it, but then saw the looks on their faces. She nodded shortly.

“Damn,” Jonathan said, quietly. “That’s how you know all this.”

“Oh my God, you’re bonded to Duncan Green?” Samantha said, the first hint of excitement Emma had felt since they came into her office coloring the girl’s voice. She had to grin at the girl’s awe.

“Please don’t mention it to anyone. We haven’t figured out what we’re going to do yet,” Emma asked them.

Both students nodded. “We won’t, Ms. Bell,” Samantha said. “Still. Duncan Green! And Jake Mackenzie! I love his music. And he’s hot.”

“Samantha!” Jonathan protested, but she just grinned at him.

“What?”

Emma shook her head, smiling too. “Try not to upset your parents, okay? Maybe they’ll let you spend more time with each other if you can fly under the radar a bit.” Jonathan nodded but Samantha avoided Emma’s gaze as they filed out of her office. Emma knew the girl was worried, with good reason. She remembered meeting with the girl’s father. He was a big man and not particularly happy about his daughter dating, let alone bonding. She sighed and wished she were anywhere but here.

Chapter 8

“We have to go back to Emma tonight. I don’t think we’ll be able to stand it if we stay in Brooklyn.” Jake shifted in the car, dropping his head against the soft leather of the seat. Duncan nodded, sensing his lover’s weariness. He looked at the long line of Jake’s jaw, wishing he could kiss him.

You can, you know, Jake thought to him, opening his eyes. They were so green, Duncan’s breath caught. He closed his eyes, trying to resist temptation, only to find Jake laughing at him in his head. Don’t be such an idiot, Jake thought. We just came out in front of a dozen video cameras. You think this isn’t all over the world by now?

Duncan laughed. “You’re right.” He caught the knowing look Lisa shot him as he unbuckled his seatbelt and shimmied over to Jake’s side and flushed slightly. He ignored the eye roll from their bodyguard, Charlie, who sat facing the rear of the vehicle. The big man wasn’t impressed or upset about the bonding, thank God. Dave, Lisa’s bond-mate, sat in front with the driver. Good thing we’re in a limo again today, Duncan thought. At least there’s enough room to maneuver.

“Yeah, that’s more like it,” Jake sighed as Duncan pressed against him, the long line of Jake’s thigh snug up against his own. Duncan let his head fall to Jake’s shoulder, inhaling the other man’s clean scent—cologne, soap, a hint of the cinnamon bun he’d eaten for breakfast. Jake smiled and put his hand on Duncan’s thigh. Duncan tensed, his cock leaping to attention as Jake kneaded the muscle.

“Are you trying to kill me?” Duncan murmured into Jake’s sleeve.

Yup, Jake thought, slipping his hand up further. Duncan gasped as his erection throbbed in his jeans. A quick look showed that Jake wasn’t faring much better. He noticed Lisa eyeing the two of them from her seat next to Charlie, who made gagging motions. Jake snorted, amused.

“Guys, seriously?” Lisa said, a hint of laughter in her voice.

Duncan smiled and snuggled closer to Jake as the car lurched forward again. “At least we’re almost at the venue.”

“Mmmm,” Jake replied.

How do you expect us to sneak into the Nokia like this? Duncan thought, his mental voice expressing his exasperation.

Jake shifted as he caught Duncan’s mental image of the two of them trying to duck into a side entrance, paparazzi everywhere. He removed his hand and took a shaky breath. Yes, exactly, Duncan thought at his friend as he unsuccessfully tried to will his erection away. The two men’s eyes met and then they felt Emma’s presence in their mind, her frustration with them evident. She was standing in front of a class of students trying not to let on how aroused she was. The both winced as they felt her mental slap. Then, thankfully, the car pulled to a stop and the driver rapped on the window dividing the front of the car from the back. Jake and Duncan looked at the driver.

“I’ll get out first. There’s a ton of people out there, probably because of your impromptu interview from earlier,” the big man said, opening his door and getting out. Dave followed him out the passenger side. The four people in back waited until the two men made their way to the back door. He opened it, and Charlie stepped out, holding back the paparazzi.

Lisa flinched as Jake peered at the crowd waiting outside. “Shit!” He ran his hands through his hair. He looked down at his wrists and Duncan knew he was thinking about how easily the bonding tattoos had been discovered.

“It’s okay.” Duncan reached over and placed his hands over Jake’s, stopping their fidgeting. “We weren’t going to keep it a secret forever.” Jake looked up and, not for the first time, Duncan cursed the bond that heightened their desire for each other. Jake’s eyes showed everything he felt and Duncan’s cock jerked behind the zipper of his jeans. Both men winced, then laughed.

“Let’s get this over with,” Jake said. Duncan took a deep breath and stepped into the chaos, then reached in to give Jake a hand out. He was grateful for Dave and Charlie’s protection as they held the crowd clear so the two men and Lisa could step onto the sidewalk.

“Duncan! Duncan! Is it true? Can you confirm the rumors of your bonding?” Duncan paused and held up a hand. The crowd quieted.

“Yes, it’s true. We’ll release more information later, but right now we’ve got to get ready for the show.” Duncan dropped his hand and made his way to the back door of the Nokia theatre, pulling Jake behind him. He knew it was a mistake to touch the other man as the physical contact only made him want to get closer, but he couldn’t help it. He wanted to touch Jake. He wanted to hold his hand where everyone could see. He imagined himself ripping off Jake’s clothes and his lover moaned as they stepped into the dark hallway. Lisa and Charlie slipped away as Dave wrestled the door shut.

“I’m going to make sure the other entrances are secure,” Dave said, rubbing his eyes. The man looked tired, but Duncan was too aware of Jake’s hand on his to say anything to his head of security. He had to get them out of here.

“Do you know where my dressing room is?” Duncan asked before Dave could leave, shoving his free hand in his jeans pocket to hide his obvious erection. Jake plastered himself to Duncan’s side and they both shuddered. What the hell was going on? Their bond was complete. Why were they suddenly feeling so desperate? Duncan noted that Dave and Lisa didn’t seem to be having such a hard time.

I think it’s because I’m so far away, Emma thought to them. Duncan knew she’d left the school. He could feel her driving. How could her thoughts come through so clearly? They’d been trying all day to talk telepathically, but the most they’d managed to do was exchange mental images and emotions. What was happening to their bond?

He looked at Jake who shook his head. I don’t know either, Jake thought to him.

Be careful! Duncan thought to Emma, worried the changes in their bond would affect her driving. He felt her nod as Jake snaked his hand around his waist, turning and pressing his thick cock against Duncan’s hip. Duncan barely choked back a groan as his own arousal ramped higher.

“At this rate, I don’t think I’m going to care if we can’t find somewhere private,” Jake rasped in Duncan’s ear.

Duncan nodded shortly. It wasn’t this bad this morning, he thought. We’re probably okay for a while, then the longer we’re apart the worse it gets. He felt Emma’s agreement and hoped she’d make it home okay. It couldn’t be easy to drive if she was feeling the effects of this as strongly as they were.

Maybe we can talk now because the bond thinks it’s an emergency. Like, maybe we aren’t supposed to be this far apart, so the bond thinks there’s something wrong and ramps up, Emma thought to the men.

There is something wrong. We’re too fucking far apart, Jake thought irritably and Duncan winced.

“I don’t think your dressing room is ready yet,” Dave said, oblivious to their internal conversation. He eyed the two men with sympathy before he turned and walked down the hall. Jake groaned and shoved his head into Duncan’s neck.

“Jesus.” Duncan ground his teeth. This is ridiculous, he thought, then gasped as Jake grabbed him and shoved him against the wall.

“I can’t wait. That’s it,” Jake said, pressing one of his thighs between Duncan’s legs. They both moaned at the friction and some of Duncan’s iron control broke. He grabbed Jake’s hair, pulling his head back. He mouthed a kiss against Jake’s jaw, enjoying the way the other man’s stubble rasped against his lips, then he slid his mouth up and they were kissing wildly. Duncan groaned and shoved back, flipping their positions. He pushed Jake up against the wall, using his height to lift the other man so that they could rub against each other better. Dimly he felt Emma stumbling up her walkway and he had a moment to think, thank God she’s safe, then Jake bit his lip and Duncan lost it completely. He sucked Jake’s tongue and started unbuckling the other man’s jeans, cursing under his breath when he couldn’t get the zipper down. Jake’s cock was so hard it made it impossible to open his pants and Duncan tugged at the catch ineffectually for a minute until Jake put his hands over his, stopping Duncan’s useless attempt to get at bare skin.

“We can’t do this here,” Jake gasped.

Duncan moaned and batted at Jake’s hands. “Are you insane? I’m going to lose my mind.” Duncan pressed his hand against Jake’s cock, hard enough to make the other man flinch. “If I don’t get my mouth on you in the next thirty seconds I’m going to come in my fucking pants.”

Jake shuddered and Duncan started to slide to his knees, thinking, Jake will give in, he has to be just as desperate as I am—he could feel Jake’s arousal as acutely as his own, but Jake caught him under his arms and dragged him down the hall. Jake tried one door only to find it locked, then two more before he found one that was open. They stumbled inside a supply closet and shoved the door shut behind them. The only light was the eerie green of an emergency exit sign but Duncan didn’t care. He pushed Jake against the door and dropped down, slipping his hand into the other man’s jeans. Jake’s cock jerked and Duncan’s mouth watered. He could feel Emma suddenly, right there with him in his mind as he tugged Jake’s pants down. Fuck the zipper, he thought as he shoved aside the other man’s boxers and sucked the head of Jake’s cock into his mouth. He closed his eyes, savoring the silky skin and sweet tang of Jake’s pre-cum. A hundred miles away Emma gasped and fell back on her bed. She scrabbled at her panties, ripping the elastic and Duncan grinned around the cock on his tongue as Jake stuffed the heel of his hand into his own mouth the muffle his shout.

Duncan sucked hard, too aroused for finesse. Jake’s dick throbbed as he scraped his teeth against the rim. He pulled off with a pop and shoved Jake’s pants down more, manhandling the other man until his legs were spread more. He shoved two fingers up against Jake’s mouth. “Lick.”

Jake gasped and obeyed, licking and nipping at his fingers until Duncan pulled them away. He sucked Jake’s cock back in and slid his wet fingers down behind the other man’s balls and into his opening, fucking the other man with them as he tongued around the slit of his cock. Jake shuddered and froze and then he was coming as Duncan deep-throated him and swallowed. Both of them moaned as they felt Emma orgasm on her own fingers, hair messy and back arched off the bed. Jake slid down the door, cock still pulsing weakly as Duncan scrabbled for his own zipper, barely pulling his erection out in time to come on the floor instead of in his pants.

“Holy fucking fuck,” Jake gasped, still shuddering.

Duncan laughed weakly then jumped as someone tried to open the door. “Fuck!” The door shoved against Jake’s back and both men pushed back on it.

“Just a minute!” Jake yelled as he tried to pull his jeans up and press against the door at the same time. Duncan buttoned his pants with his left hand and looked around for something to wipe the spunk off his right hand. He could hear Emma snickering in his head as he finally gave up and wiped it off on his T-shirt. He hoped that the jacket he wore would cover the stains as someone banged on the door.

“Duncan! Are you in there?”

Jake looked at Duncan who laughed and stood up. Why did this keep happening to them?

“The fucking paparazzi are all over the fucking venue. We need you to stop fucking around and get your ass out here!” their keyboardist yelled.

Jake snorted as he finally got his pants fastened. “Eric really gets himself worked up about stuff, doesn’t he?”

Duncan smiled, feeling too blissed-out from his orgasm to care very much about Eric’s impatience. The man needed to chill out anyway. He was always freaking out about something. “I’ll be right there Eric!” he called, then leaned into Jake, kissing the other man softly. He smiled as Jake closed his eyes, savoring the contact. “Man, I really love you.”

“Ditto,” Jake replied. He opened his eyes. “Now get out there and deal with Eric before I punch him again.” Duncan laughed, remembering the last time that happened. Eric had a tendency to say stupid things when he was drunk.

“Yeah. He had a fit when he found out I was bi. I bet he’s freaking out over the bonding thing now.” He felt Emma’s concern in the back of his head and sent a quick reassurance her way. “Whatever. If he can’t deal with it, he can leave. The only reason I kept him in the band after his last homophobic rant was because he had a contract,” Duncan said, smoothing his jacket down over his shirt.

Jake nodded. “If it comes to that, I can play the keys.”

Duncan stared at Jake, ignoring the pounding on the door. You hate playing in front of an audience, he thought.

“Yeah, well, I’m not going to let Eric fuck things up because he can’t handle us sleeping together. I like playing keyboards. I just wasn’t interested in the fame. I think it’s too late now for that.” Jake smiled and kissed Duncan, then turned and opened the door. Both men blinked in the light from the hall. Eric stood just outside, fist raised to pound on the door again.

Jake stepped back quickly. “Whoa, man, relax!”

Duncan frowned. Eric looked beyond pissed, his blond hair tousled and his face red. His eyes were bloodshot, like he’d been drinking. He watched Eric sway on his feet and wondered if the man was on drugs or something.

“What the hell? You’re fucking each other now? I didn’t sign on for this,” Eric said, venomously.

Duncan felt his temper finally rise. “If you have a problem with us, the door’s that way.” He pointed to the exit down the hall. He watched Eric glare at them, his face growing redder.

“I let it slide when you told Oprah you were bi last year because I thought you did it for the publicity, but now—” Eric broke off, struggling. “You too Jake?” He raised a fist and Jake pulled Duncan back.

“Get a grip, Eric!” Jake said angrily. He’s lost it.

Duncan nodded, then shoved Jake to the side as Eric charged. “Jesus Christ, Eric! What the fuck?” He ducked as Eric threw a punch and then Dave and Charlie were there, grabbing Eric and shoving him up against the wall just inside the closet. Duncan looked down at the floor and winced, hoping none of them noticed the wet mark on the floor. Jake snorted at Duncan’s thought, then pulled him out into the hall. Both men sensed Emma watching the scene though their eyes. Her concern for them and disgust for Eric made Duncan feel a little better.

“What do you want us to do, boss?” Charlie asked.

Duncan sighed. “Let him get his stuff and leave.” He looked at Eric who fought against Charlie and Dave’s hold. “I’ll send your check to you. You’re done.”

“Fuck you, faggot! I wouldn’t work for you now if you begged me! And I’ve got a lead on another gig anyway, with more perks than playing for you ever got me!”

“Quiet, you,” Dave growled and yanked him out of the closet. He and Charlie frog-marched him down the hall as Duncan sagged against the wall.

“I didn’t expect that. I mean, I knew he was nuts, but I didn’t think he’d totally lose it,” Jake said, leaning into Duncan. He dropped his head into Duncan’s neck. “Like you’d beg that asshole for anything.”

Duncan laughed. “I’d beg you for a whole lotta things.”

Jake lifted his face and grinned. “Oh yeah? I’d like to see that.”

Duncan’s mouth went dry and they both felt Emma rolling her eyes at them. You don’t have time for another go-round, she sent, then faded into the back of their minds.

“She’s right. You need to do sound-check and I need to practice. It’s been a while since I played all the songs and since tonight’s show is acoustic, it’d really suck if I screwed up.” Jake pushed away from Duncan and started down the hall. “Come on.”

Duncan smiled and followed his lover’s gorgeous ass down to the stage.

Chapter 9

Jake woke with a start as the car slid to a stop. “We there?”

Duncan turned the ignition off and smiled as Jake rubbed his eyes and fought to wake up. “Yeah, we’re here. It’s late. Emma’s asleep.”

Jake yawned as Duncan opened the door and got out of the car, stretching in the cool night air. His jacket and shirt rode up, revealing a thin sliver of skin for Jake to admire. Even exhausted, he’s a gorgeous bastard, he thought. No wonder I turned gay.

Hey! I heard that! Duncan thought back at him, grinning. He walked over to the passenger side and opened the door. “And anyway, you didn’t just turn gay. I think you were leaning toward bisexual, but you were too lazy to ask any guys out. Too many women throwing themselves at you.”

Jake snorted. “Yeah, yeah, whatever. I honestly didn’t think about it.” He grabbed Duncan’s hand. “You know, I don’t need you to haul me out like a damsel in distress,” Jake said, grumpy with exhaustion.

“Then get your ass out of the car. I want to get out of these clothes and crawl into bed with Emma,” Duncan replied, heartless.

Jake groaned, both at how tired his body felt and at the thought of them naked together in Emma’s bed. He felt her stir as their proximity and arousal seeped into her sleep, bringing her closer to consciousness. He stepped around the car to help Duncan with their bags.

“You were great tonight, by the way,” Duncan said as they closed the trunk and walked up the sidewalk.

Jake smiled. “Thanks. I’m not used to performing in front of such a large audience. I was a little nervous.”

“You were wonderful. I don’t know why you were nervous. You spend all your time organizing my life. You’re around crowds of people all the time, and you’re usually telling most of them what to do, too. You’re more than comfortable being in the spotlight.” Duncan smiled.

Jake paused outside of Emma’s screen door. “Yeah, but the crowds are there to see you, not me. I’m just your manager. I’m not the star.”

“Well, after tonight, I have a feeling things will be different. Between the bonding and this performance, the fans are going to go crazy.”

Jake sighed and opened the door. “I’m afraid you’re right. You didn’t look after the show, but I checked my laptop and the internet basically exploded. We made the top entertainment headline on most of the news sites. I was afraid to look at the blogs.” He stepped inside and held the door open for Duncan.

“Do you regret it?” Duncan paused, whispering in the dark.

Jake shook his head. “You know I’d do anything for you.” He was about to kiss Duncan when something flashed in the corner of his eye and turned to look. He thought he saw a man and a woman, ducking down behind one of the neighbor’s front hedges. He could swear the man was wearing the same ugly cap Eric liked to wear offstage, with the plastic beer bottle stuck to the front. He frowned and looked out into the darkness, waiting to see them again, but all was quiet.

“What is it?”

“I thought I saw something, a flash of light like a reflection off of a buckle or jewelry.” Jake peered down the street but saw nothing. The trees rustled in the late night breeze and he shivered, stepping back to let Duncan inside. “For a moment I thought I saw Eric with some woman. Wow, I must be really tired. I’m seeing things now.”

Duncan nodded and stepped in, letting the screen door swing shut behind him. Jake winced when it banged against the doorframe and he hoped it hadn’t woken Emma up.

“No such luck,” Emma said softly, stepping into the pool of light that fell into her living room from the street light outside. Jake smiled, taking in her long white nightgown. She looked innocent and young, her hair tousled from sleep. Duncan sighed and slipped past him to hug her close. Jake swung the oak inside door shut and threw the deadbolt before turning and dropping his bag. When he stepped forward, Duncan opened his arms and gathered Jake into their hug. Jake dropped his head down and inhaled Emma’s sweet scent, her hair tickling his nose with the fruity shampoo she’d used earlier that day.

“I love the way you smell,” he murmured into her skin, then opened his mouth and licked her neck. She trembled and he grinned against her cheek. He felt his cock fill again and thought to himself, Seriously? Like he hadn’t had enough sex in the past few days. Then Duncan angled his body and pressed his thick erection against Jake’s thigh. Oh. At least it wasn’t just him.

“No, it’s not just you,” Emma said, her voice throaty. Both men shivered.

“Let’s take this to bed.” Duncan stepped back, shrugging off his jacket. He let it fall onto the floor and Jake’s eyes caught on Duncan’s muscular torso, the tight T-shirt he wore hugging his pecs and clearly outlining Duncan’s pierced nipples. Jake wanted to go slow this time, run his fingers and mouth all over Duncan. He wanted to memorize what it felt like when Duncan slid into his body. He wanted Emma to suck him while he learned the texture of her hair. Duncan groaned and Emma stared, catching his thoughts.

“That’s it, let’s go,” Duncan said, yanking off his boots and grabbing Jake’s hand. He towed him into the bedroom and Emma followed, her eyes gleaming in the dark. Duncan pushed Jake onto the bed then dropped to his knees so he could pull off Jake’s shoes.

“I can undress myself,” Jake murmured, his voice cracking as Emma slipped out of her nightgown. He watched as she walked closer, full breasts swaying. He swallowed, loving the way her skin looked, smooth and luminous in the light of the small lamp she’d left on. She was curvy, not even close to skinny, and he couldn’t wait to get his hands on her. She smiled and then Duncan ripped open the snaps on Jake’s shirt, startling him.

“I don’t care if you can undress yourself, you’re obviously too distracted to bother and I’m not going to fuck you with clothes on.” Duncan efficiently pulled Jake’s wife beater over his head then stepped back to finish undressing himself. Emma dropped down, unbuckling Jake’s belt and slipping it out of the loops. Jake couldn’t speak. He felt overwhelmed, his cock pushing against his jeans insistently. Emma unbuttoned him then slid her hand inside, stroking him. Jake trembled.

Duncan smiled as he shoved down his pants, then strode naked over to them. He leaned down and kissed Jake, licking along the other man’s lips until Jake opened up. Duncan swooped in, his tongue coaxing Jake’s mouth wider. He jerked as Emma slipped her mouth over his cock, his jeans were open but not off and the fabric pressed against his balls, making the softness of her mouth that much more sweet. He moaned and then Duncan sucked on his tongue and Jake felt himself falling back, unable to sit up any longer. Duncan broke the kiss, biting along Jake’s jaw.

How does he know that drives me crazy? Jake thought as he lifted his hips. Emma yanked on his jeans until they came off and she tossed them on the floor.

I know because I can feel you in my heart, he thought to Jake. Jake smiled as Emma suddenly hugged Duncan.

How did I get so lucky? she thought at both of them and Jake smiled, completely understanding the sentiment. He felt it too. Then all thought left his head because Duncan slid down to suck his dick into his mouth. The heat of it and the rasp of Duncan’s tongue almost made Jake lose it, his climax suddenly right there until Emma’s slim fingers closed around the base of his erection, stopping his orgasm.

“Oh, God,” Jake groaned, thrashing his head then glaring when they didn’t move. His lovers smiled at him, Emma innocent and Duncan as wicked as can be with his lips stretched around Jake’s cock. Jake slid his hands into Duncan’s hair and hung on, wanting to thrust but unable to move because of the way Duncan held him down on the bed, fingers pressing into Jake’s hipbones.

“I don’t want you to come until I’m inside you,” Duncan said as he backed off. He tugged at Emma, pulling her fingers away from Jake and kissing them. “Can you grab the lube, sweetheart?”

Emma nodded, getting up and pulling a small bottle from the drawer in her nightstand. She tossed it on the bed then plastered herself along Jake’s side. Duncan dropped down even lower, nuzzling and mouthing at Jake’s balls, nudging his legs apart until he could reach back and swirl his tongue around Jake’s hole.

“What the fuck?” Jake breathed, hitching his hips against Duncan’s hands. “What are you doing?”

Duncan blew a stream of air against Jake’s sensitive skin. “I’m going to drive you out of your mind.” Then he placed the flat of his tongue against Jake’s twitching hole and swirled it around, ignoring the way Jake’s legs jerked against his head.

Jake tried to thrash, but found Emma holding his hands down as she kissed up his chest, pausing to bite at his nipples. Jake felt himself sink into the sensations, riding the edge of orgasm as Duncan expertly licked at him, pushing his tongue inside and then pulling back, teasing as Jake pulled his legs back further, opening himself up wider for Duncan. I’m going to come, oh my God what are you doing, holy shit, Jake thought incoherently. Jake seized Emma and kissed her, trying to lick inside, lose himself in her mouth. She opened for him beautifully, sucking his tongue inside as Duncan slid a finger into his hole, pressing against his prostate. Jake froze, his orgasm so close, and then Duncan slid his finger back out. Jake wanted to cry. He was so hard he hurt. Then Emma slid down and sucked his cock into her mouth. Jake shouted and bucked, but didn’t climax. Why can’t I come? he thought, confused as the most intense pleasure he’d ever felt rode his body.

I’ve got you in my mind, Emma thought at him, sucking his cock until he felt himself hit the back of her throat.

Wha— Jake wondered what she meant, and then he stopped wondering anything as she drew him deep into her throat and swallowed. His mind fuzzed into a blur of pleasure as Duncan slid two fingers back inside, licking around them as he fucked into Jake, hitting his sweet spot over and over again.

I just realized that I can control our orgasms, Emma’s thought settled lightly in his mind.

Seriously? He thought to her as she licked around the sensitive skin of his erection before sucking him down again. His back arched as she swallowed and Duncan eased his fingers out. Dimly, Jake heard the faint crinkle of a condom wrapper.

I can see your aura. I can affect it. It was just a small step from that to realizing that I could keep you from coming, Emma thought. She slid off his dick and Jake groaned as he looked at her lips, red and flushed and slightly swollen.

My cock did that to you, he sent, flashing her the image of her face looking up at him, lips parted and wet. She blushed and Jake grinned, then tossed his head back as Duncan manhandled his legs, pressing one up against his chest.

“Breathe,” Duncan said, voice hoarse.

Jake obeyed, closing his eyes as he felt Duncan press into him. Both men groaned as Duncan slid home. Emma shuddered against Jake and sank into their minds to share the sensation.

Feels good, Jake sent to her, sensing her body heavy with arousal and deeper things. He willingly let her in, enjoying the way the heat between them spiked when she flashed on how it felt for him to have Duncan rocking into his body. He shifted, trying to get Duncan to thrust. Come on, he thought at Duncan, impatient. He squirmed down, trying to get Duncan to move, then opened his eyes just in time to see Duncan smile and nudge Emma until she scooted down to lick at Jake’s cock again. Jake shuddered when her lips wrapped around him.

“Hold on.” Duncan pulled out and then shoved back inside. Jake shivered and clutched at the sheets as he felt the twin sensation of fucking Emma’s mouth and being fucked by Duncan. He couldn’t move because Duncan pinned him down, leaning on his right leg. Jake wrapped the other one around Duncan’s waist, urging him deeper with his heel. Emma draped herself over his torso, sucking while her fingers plucked at his nipples. Jake groaned louder, desperate to come, and then something snapped inside the three of them and Duncan began shoving into Jake violently, fucking him harder and harder. Emma moaned around Jake’s cock and he realized that she’d released her control. The three of them sunk into each other, the pleasure racketing higher and higher until Jake thought he’d go mad. He arched his back for a split-second, heard fabric rip. Then he fell over the edge, mouth open, stars bursting behind his eyelids as he felt Duncan and Emma go with him. He wondered if the glow he thought he saw lighting up the room for a split second before he orgasmed was a new thing and then he couldn’t think at all.

* * *

Emma woke, body tingling, just as the sun touched the horizon. Her body was hazy with pleasure and she struggled to figure out what was happening then gave up, gasping as Jake slid two fingers into her pussy.

“Good morning, honey.” He rubbed his stubbled jaw along the inside of her thigh. She realized that she was propped against Duncan’s chest, his morning erection drilling into her lower back.

“Um,” she began, then gasped as Jake ran his tongue along her clit. I can’t think when you do that, let alone talk, she thought. Duncan chuckled and slid his arms up to cup her breasts as he nosed into her hair and pressed his cock against her. She could feel that the tip was already wet. So hot.

“If you can form a coherent thought, I’m not doing it right,” Jake said, then dove back in, licking the hood of her clit before he sucked it into his mouth to nibble at the tip.

Emma cried out and Duncan tightened his fingers, flicking her nipples. The pain was delicious. She’d been a fairly inexperienced schoolteacher and now here she was in bed with two men. And I like it when the sex is a little rough, she thought, shocked.

“Darling, I can bite you whenever you want,” Duncan murmured into her skin as his hands tightened again on her nipples. He bit her neck, then sucked at the spot. She moaned, her hips rising off the bed. Jake grinned against her labia and she could feel it, feel his lips move, she was that sensitive. He rubbed his face around and the sharp pricks of his stubble made her push against him, seeking more.

Duncan shifted, pressing his arousal harder against her back. She sensed how much he was enjoying this and she wondered if the sex would ever get boring.

Jake raised his face, lips wet. “No, honey. I don’t think it will.” Emma smiled down at him and then he thrust three fingers inside her pussy without warning, pressing up and rubbing. Emma choked. She couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer. Jake slipped out and she moaned in protest, then he slid his wet fingers down behind her and teased at the tiny pucker of her ass.

“Oh my God, Jake!” Emma squirmed and thought it was a good thing Duncan was holding her so tightly or she wouldn’t be able to stand it. He pinched her nipples again just as Jake slid a finger into her ass and she went rigid with pleasure.

“That’s it, honey, just relax into it.” Jake slid his finger in and then out again and dimly Emma heard the soft click of a bottle. She opened her eyes to see that Jake had the lube open and was coating his hand with it. She inhaled, then her eyes snapped shut again as he slid a finger in her ass and pussy at the same time. Her clit throbbed and she wiggled, trying to get him to touch her there. She was so close she knew she could come if he’d just tap her once.

Duncan chuckled. “Oh no, sweetheart. Not yet.” Emma struggled briefly then relaxed as Jake slipped a second finger in her ass. It felt weird, but good at the same time, and she couldn’t keep herself from moaning desperately.

“I want to fuck you at the same time Jake shoves his gorgeous cock into your sweet pussy,” Duncan rasped in her ear. Emma groaned, trying to shove herself down harder onto Jake’s fingers.

“Patience,” Jake murmured, then he slipped his fingers out and licked against her clit, very gently. It wasn’t enough to make her come. Suddenly she wanted his cock, wanted him desperately.

“Jake, please,” she begged, grabbing his arms and grinding back against Duncan. Her body was on fire. She couldn’t focus enough to let them know what she wanted.

“Okay, hang on,” Jake said, moving back and pulling open her dresser drawer.

Thank God I stocked up, Emma thought vaguely as she watched him sit back on his heels and stroke himself before rolling on a condom. He looked up at her, eyes gleaming and Emma panted. He opened another wrapper and handed the condom to Duncan. Emma moaned a protest as Duncan shifted away so he could roll it on.

“Hold on,” Jake said as Duncan slipped back behind her and tightened his grip again. Jake kneed his way between her legs, then suddenly shoved inside, slamming into her and pressing her against Duncan. He froze, then pulled away slightly and Emma felt Duncan lift her up higher onto his chest. She frowned, not understanding what they were doing until the warmth of Duncan’s dick nudged at her ass. She stilled and gripped Jake’s arms as Duncan pressed down on her hips. It burned but Emma was so close to orgasm she didn’t care. She tried to shove down on him, get him inside faster but Jake held her up, making her wait until Duncan gently popped the head of his cock inside. She groaned, feeling like she was about to split in two, then the rest of him slid inside like warm honey and all three of them gasped as Duncan’s cock rubbed against Jake’s through the thin membrane inside her body.

“Holy shit, Duncan, I can feel you,” Jake muttered, gripping Emma’s waist so tightly she knew she’d have bruises tomorrow. She shivered, then Jake’s face hardened and he began thrusting, shoving inside almost brutally. The pressure of his cock against Duncan’s made the other man moan. Jake fucked her in earnest, pressing her into Duncan every time his hips snapped forward. She closed her eyes, savoring the roughness of his hands, the way Duncan grabbed at her and ground against her back. She wrapped her legs around Jake, pulling him into her with her heels as Duncan thrust too, his cock hot and deep inside and so good she never wanted him to stop. She felt Jake lean forward and when she opened her eyes she realized he was kissing Duncan as he thrust, the two men moaning into each other’s mouths. Emma saw their auras glow suddenly brighter. Her clit throbbed and ached as Jake slammed against it and then suddenly her orgasm crashed over her. She thrashed between the two men, savoring the deliciousness of it all and in the next heartbeat they climaxed, too. Emma felt their cocks jerking against each other inside her body, the sticky heat of it sending yet another wave of pleasure through her. Their auras flared around them and Emma sighed, sinking back down into Duncan as Jake collapsed on top.

“Jesus.” Duncan’s warm breath puffed against her sweaty neck. “We’re going to kill each other.” His cock softened and slipped out easily, to Emma’s astonishment.

Jake laughed then carefully pulled out as well, holding onto the condom as he backed up. He eased it off his still half-hard cock, tied the end, and tossed it in the garbage. Emma felt him reach between her legs and when Duncan twitched, she realized Jake was taking care of his condom too. After tossing the second one in the trash, Jake snuggled back down against Emma and Duncan, slinging an arm across her stomach. She sighed. She didn’t want to move but the sun was climbing over the sill and she knew she had to get ready for work.

“You don’t mind if we hang out here today, do you Emma? We’ve got the day off.” Jake asked after their breathing calmed down.

“No, of course not.” Emma groaned and levered herself off the two men. She grimaced, sore and itchy from the sweat and spunk drying into flakes on her body. She needed a shower. She climbed out of bed and rummaged in her dresser for clean panties and a sweater before heading to the bathroom, surprised she was still able to walk. On her way out she glanced at the bed. Jake had shifted closer to Duncan and the two men were wrapped around each other. She admired their sleek limbs and the curve of Jake’s ass, wishing she could join them and sleep the day away.

Chapter 10

“What do you mean, they’re not here?” Emma ran her hands through her hair, frustrated.

“I was on bus duty and I heard Ms. Brown talking to the principal. He’d been asking about Samantha and Jonathan and she told him they weren’t in school today. Mr. Williams seemed upset when she told him,” Portia said, standing near the circulation desk.

Emma sighed, listening to the low hum of students shuffling through the halls on their way to class. “Did Ms. Brown know where they were? She’s in charge of attendance. Maybe they’re sick?”

Portia shook her head. “Nope. She told him that they probably wouldn’t be back. Mr. Williams got angry and stomped off. I have no idea why he would get so crazy about it. They were here yesterday. A lot of kids skip once in a while. But I heard him ask Ms. Brown if they were sick and she very clearly said no.” The older woman scanned a few books and stacked them on a cart. Emma watched her line up the spines, wondering if she dared called Samantha or Jonathan at home. Then Portia sighed and Emma looked up. “Something weird is happening.”

Emma nodded. “Yeah. Samantha and Jonathan were really upset yesterday when I spoke to them.”

“You talked to them? Yesterday?” Portia asked.

“Yeah, why?”

“I think they left school early yesterday, too,” Portia said, frowning. “I don’t understand what’s going on.”

“I don’t know either, Portia. I think I’m going to call them at home, see if they’re okay.”

* * *

A half hour later Emma rubbed her forehead, wishing she hadn’t called.

You couldn’t have known, honey, Jake thought at her from her kitchen at home. She sighed, putting her face down on her desk. The cool surface helped her headache.

Listen to Jake, he’s right, Duncan thought. Emma closed her eyes and watched him smear cream cheese over a bagel. She could clearly see him sitting in the sun in her kitchen as he and Jake ate breakfast. She wished she were back at home with them instead of sitting in her office, ignoring the class in the library. Thank God Portia can handle the lesson, she thought, then jumped when her office door slammed open.

“Ms. Bell!”

Emma looked up and winced as the sharply-dressed vice principal walked over to her. Ms. Brown seemed unusually abrasive today, the sharp angles of her face accenting her mood.

“What can I do for you, Cynthia?” Emma said tiredly, standing up. Behind the woman she saw Portia quietly ease the office door shut and she nodded her thanks. In the back of her mind she sensed Duncan and Jake finishing up in the kitchen.

“I want to know what you said to those students yesterday,” the vice principal said, her voice hard.

“What students?” Emma asked, playing dumb. I’ll be damned if I’m going to roll over for you, she thought at the woman. She wished the telepathy extended into non-bonded people, but no such luck.

You go, girl! she felt Duncan send. Emma had to struggle not to laugh. She didn’t think the angry woman in front of her would appreciate the levity right now.

“Jonathan Carmetta and Samantha Woolsey,” Ms. Brown stated. She stared at Emma, her brown eyes hard and cold.

Emma wrinkled her brow, wondering why the woman was so worked up. She knows something, Jake thought. Emma sensed him getting in the car with Duncan.

Like what? She sent back to him. She felt him shrug.

“I’m not sure what you mean,” Emma said to the woman, confused. She wasn’t going to tell Ms. Brown about giving out her phone number to the students. She didn’t think she would approve. Emma had a hard time convincing her about bonding when the students first came down with symptoms. Ms. Brown had argued that Jonathan and Samantha should be separated at all times, citing morality issues. Emma knew the vice principal was extremely conservative, but she never expected the Ms. Brown’s beliefs to translate into cruelty. Emma could still remember the look of anguish on the kids’ faces as the woman spoke.

“Don’t play dumb with me,” Ms. Brown hissed. Emma’s eyes widened as the woman stepped closer. “You’re the teacher that encouraged their bond. I haven’t forgotten your part in allowing it to happen.”

Emma stopped temporizing. There was no way she was going to let this woman walk all over her. Not about this. “Ms. Brown, Samantha and Jonathan were bonded. Are bonded. Separating them would only have caused them more pain. I don’t know what you’re insinuating, but the truth is that those students needed to be near each other. If we hadn’t convinced their parents to let them stay together, both of them would have gone into shock that first night. Haven’t you seen the reports about bonding?” Emma straightened her shoulders. “It’s permanent. The scientists don’t know why this is happening or how, but that doesn’t change the reality.” Emma felt Duncan and Jake in the back of her thoughts, sending her strength and she inhaled, trying to calm herself down. She wasn’t going to let Ms. Brown intimidate her.

“It’s immoral! The violation of the mind, the sanctity of thought, it goes against everything human,” Ms. Brown stated as though Emma hadn’t spoken. “Just because we had to allow it doesn’t mean it was right. Someone needs to put a stop to such things.”

“What were you going to do?” Emma asked, eyeing the vice principal nervously. She didn’t like the look in her eye. “They would have run away together if we’d kept them apart.” Ms. Brown crowded closer and Emma stepped back, not sure if standing up to her was worth getting into a physical altercation. What the hell was the woman doing? She reached up to rub her forehead again, and quick as a viper the vice principal grabbed her arm and shoved up the sleeve of Emma’s sweater.

“What’s this?” the woman asked venomously. Emma yanked her arm away, but her sleeve didn’t fall down. She looked at her skin where the woman’s tight grip had pressed in, marking the bonding tattoo with red. It hurt and she could feel Duncan and Jake’s outrage through their link. She opened her mouth to explain, but before she could speak, the door burst open again.

“What are you doing in here, Cynthia?” Mr. Williams asked. The principal looked angry and Emma shut her mouth. She didn’t pull her sleeve back down. Screw it, I’m done hiding this, she thought. She could feel Jake cheering her.

“She’s one of them!” Ms. Brown pointed at Emma. “She has one of the bonding tattoos!” She grabbed Emma’s arm again, her grip tight. Emma wanted to pull away, then she saw the students from her class looking in through the door and she let the woman pull her over to Mr. Williams. She didn’t want them to see her getting violent with one of the school’s administrators.

“Let go of my arm.” Emma glared at the vice principal. The woman ignored her and dragged her over to the door. Great, Emma thought. Let’s just do this where everyone can see. The students were no longer paying attention to Portia because the aide was watching to see what was happening too. She looks shocked, Emma thought, looking at her longtime aide. Portia glanced down at Emma’s arm, then grimaced as if disgusted. Figures, Emma thought. She’d hoped the older woman would be supportive, but she wasn’t surprised by her response. The town she lived in was very conservative. She wished Julia hadn’t called in sick today, then reconsidered. She wouldn’t want her friend getting in trouble and she knew Julia would be right here, standing up for Emma.

“I’m bonded.” Emma yanked her arm back. No point in hiding it anymore. She pushed up her other sleeve so that everyone could see both tattoos. “I’m bonded to two people. That’s how I know how painful it can be if you try to separate someone in the initial stages. That’s why I encouraged Samantha and Jonathan’s parents to let them stay together.” Emma looked defiantly into the library. “I’m bonded, and I’m grateful for it.”

Ms. Brown’s face whitened and Portia gasped. Emma looked at the principal and while he didn’t seem disgusted, he did look disappointed. Emma knew the exact moment that Ms. Brown realized what being bonded to two people meant. That’s right, Emma thought spitefully. All three of us go to bed together.

“Two people? That’s disgusting!” Ms. Brown spit at Emma, her horror taking over. Emma jumped back, shocked.

Bitch, she heard Jake say in her head, then the outer doors to the library opened and he was there, Duncan right behind him. Emma stared at the men in surprise. She knew they were close but in all the commotion she didn’t realize they were in the school. A few students turned to see who had come in and as soon as the girls set eyes on Duncan, they freaked. Emma winced at the noise, then stepped around Ms. Brown and into the library, hoping to keep the students calm.

“Duncan, Jake, what are you doing here?” Emma walked toward them, hoping the girls in the class would stay put at their desks. No such luck. She had to wade through kids to get to her men.

“We could tell you needed us.” Jake reached out to take her hand.

“So here we are,” Duncan said, cupping her neck and rubbing the tension away. Emma relaxed, savoring their touch even in the midst of this insanity, then she turned back to the students. Some of the girls in the class were clustered around the three of them, whispering to each other and trying to get closer.

“Girls, you’re supposed to be in your seats,” Emma admonished them, gesturing to the desks.

“But, Ms. Bell! It’s Duncan Green,” one of them said, her voice high and excited.

Emma smiled. “I know.” She really couldn’t blame them. It wasn’t every day that a world-famous superstar appeared out of nowhere to visit their class. Duncan smiled at them fondly.

I like my fans, he thought at Emma.

“Are those bonding marks?” another girl asked, pointing to Emma’s arms. Emma looked at Jake and he shrugged.

“Yes. I’m bonded to Jake and Duncan.” Emma pushed her sleeves up so that everyone could see the tattoos. The girls gathered closer and Emma held out her arms. Duncan released her neck and held his arm out so that they could touch him. Several of the girls squealed again, to Emma’s dismay, but Duncan just laughed.

“I’m really lucky. I bonded to Emma and Jake.” Duncan traced a finger over one of his tattoos.

“Oh my gosh, I can’t believe it!” one of the girls shrieked. “That means that you and Jake—” she broke off, looking from one man to the other. There was a buzz of excitement as the students realized exactly what that meant. Emma willed herself not to blush as an entire class of high school students suddenly learned all about her sex life. Shit.

Jake nodded and slung an arm around Duncan. “Yup.” He smiled and the girls went crazy again.

Good lord, Emma thought faintly as the noise level increased. I’m going to go deaf. More students got up to see the tattoos, crowding close, then Emma spied Ms. Brown moving toward them, a thunderous expression on her face.

“That’s enough!” the vice principal stated, her voice sharp. “Sit down, all of you!” The girls looked at her, then back at Duncan.

Duncan smiled and waved them to their desks. “We’ll be doing an interview about it soon, don’t worry. Go sit down.” They looked at him uncertainly, then Ms. Brown clapped her hands. Everyone flinched.

“You will leave the school immediately, Emma.” Ms. Brown pointed at her, hand shaking with anger. Close behind, Emma could see the disapproving expression on Mr. Williams’ face.

I guess it was too much to hope that they’d be understanding, Emma thought. Jake sighed, catching her thought. He let go of Duncan and pulled her into a hug. Duncan stood there, expression closed, glaring at the administrators. She didn’t even have the courtesy to use my last name, Emma thought, pissed.

Duncan turned to look at her and smiled briefly. It’s a sign of disrespect. She knows exactly what she’s doing.

Emma nodded at him, then pulled away from Jake. The students were quiet now, watching the confrontation. “What happened to Jonathan and Samantha?” Emma wanted to see what Ms. Brown would say.

“They’re missing, which doesn’t surprise me a bit,” Ms. Brown answered, forgetting about the kids who could hear every word. “Bonding is unnatural.”

“I saw them yesterday. How could they be missing?” Emma asked, ignoring the woman’s nasty words.

“Their parents called this morning. Apparently the two of them ran away together,” Ms. Brown said. Emma turned away, a dull horror working its way into her heart. She could tell the woman didn’t care about the kids. It was enough that the two students were gone and no longer a problem. She moved toward her office, but Ms. Brown blocked the way.

“I need to get my stuff.” Emma stared at the vice principal. The other woman didn’t budge.

“Ms. Brown, let Ms. Bell gather her things,” Mr. Williams said. Emma snorted when the woman moved just enough to let Emma pass her if she squeezed against the circulation desk. Jake went with her into the office while Duncan stood just outside, keeping the two administrators from following.

“Wow, that woman is nasty,” Jake said, walking to Emma’s desk. She smiled as he opened her drawer and pulled out her bag, knowing exactly where she kept everything because of the bond. Then she glanced back into the library and saw the students sitting dejectedly at the desks, Ms. Brown looming over them. Duncan stood in the doorway with his arms crossed. His anger whipped at the edges of her mind.

“Yeah. She’s always been unpleasant, but this was the worst I’ve ever seen her.”

The prejudices people carry around with them can make them crazy, Duncan thought.

Jake shrugged. “He’s right.”

“I’m worried about Jonathan and Samantha.” Emma tugged her sleeves down and shouldered the bag Jake held out to her. “I can believe they ran. I talked to their parents and they were awful about the bonding,” Emma sighed, feeling uneasy. “But where would they go? It doesn’t seem right.”

Duncan turned. “What do you mean, it doesn’t seem right?”

“I don’t know. It just feels wrong. I don’t think they ran.” Emma rubbed her arms. “It’s just a feeling I have.” She looked at her two men, watching the way their auras flared and smoothed out again, the colors soothing.

“I’m not going to discount a gut feeling,” Jake stated, crossing to Emma and threading her fingers with his. She admired the way her aura seamlessly blended with his. “You helped Dave and Lisa. I wouldn’t be surprised if you could sense those kids somehow.” Duncan nodded agreement.

Emma wrinkled her nose. “I don’t know. It seems awfully silly when you say it out loud.”

“Just because it’s weird doesn’t make it impossible,” Duncan said.

Emma sighed and walked to the door. “I don’t know what I’m going to do about it anyway. I have no idea where they could be.”

“Let’s just go home. Maybe something will come up.” Jake slung his arm over her shoulders and the three of them walked into the library together. Emma ignored the virulent looks the vice principal threw her way and waved to her students on the way out.

* * *

Walking down the halls of the school felt strange. Emma knew the students in the classrooms were watching as they passed and she wondered what they thought of the rock star in their midst. It was disorienting, having so many people stare at her. Duncan squeezed her hand and sent her a wave of affection. She drew on his strength as they neared the outer doors.

“It took me a long time to get used to the fans.” Duncan stroked her hand with his thumb. “And I wanted it. I wanted to be a famous musician. It was harder for Jake to get used to.” He looked at her and smiled. “You know I’m right here. I won’t abandon you to their mercy.” Duncan gestured to the doors that led outside.

Emma closed her eyes, sinking into his mind, trying to learn in a minute what took him years. He was so comfortable with his fame and she needed to understand how to think like that. She knew there was no going back. She didn’t want to even if there were. You know there’s a way, a tiny part of her brain whispered to her, but she squashed the thought even before it fully formed, concentrating on Duncan’s hand, the warm affection of Jake ghosting through the link as well. She shivered, sensing their semi-arousal. The confrontation in the library roused protective instincts in the men. She opened her eyes, surprised.

“Is it any wonder I want to kiss you right now?” Jake murmured, pressing closer until she could feel his half-hard cock against her hip. She gasped.

“I can’t help myself. When people threaten you, I want to steal you away.” Jake slipped a hand into her hair and tilted her head. “I want to kiss you and make love to you and erase even the memory of this unpleasantness.”

Emma shuddered, clutching Duncan’s hand harder. She swallowed. We’re still in school, she told herself. Can’t do this here.

“I don’t know if I care.” Duncan growled and leaned down, nipping her lips. Jake slid his thumb into her mouth and Duncan sucked on it, then kissed Emma until she couldn’t remember anything except the feel of his mouth, the press of Jake against her body.

“God,” Jake gasped, moving in for his turn to kiss her. Duncan kissed Jake quickly first, then slipped his mouth down her jaw and Emma swayed, clinging to them so she wouldn’t fall. She wondered if she could actually come just from kissing. She could feel them in her mind, their anger over her dismissal mutating into desire. Then Jake tore his mouth away. Emma heard something banging and licked her lips, wishing the noise would stop so they could get back to the kissing.

“Shit. They caught it all on film.” Jake ran his hands through his hair.

“What?” Emma blinked, trying to figure out what was happening.

Duncan sighed and stroked her cheek, then stepped back. He looked out the inner foyer doors at the crowd of photographers filming through the outside door. “I can’t imagine the quality will be that great through two layers of glass.”

“Doesn’t matter. They got enough.” Jake took a deep breath as Emma smoothed her hands over her hair. “It was bound to happen eventually.”

“It’s okay,” Emma said, smiling tremulously. “I don’t care.”

Duncan looked at her, face intent. “You realize there’s no going back now?”

Emma laughed, suddenly feeling a lot better. “There was no going back anyway, and I wouldn’t leave you and Jake even if I could.” Duncan smiled, his whole face lighting up, and Jake slid an arm around her waist. Emma felt their relief and knew she’d made right decision. The only decision.

“Damn, I love you,” Jake murmured into her hair.

“Ditto,” Duncan said. “You two ready? I think I see Dave and Charlie out there now.” He looked down at Emma, smoothing a stray hair behind her ear. “We’ll leave your car here for now and I’ll send someone to pick it up later. It would be best if we stay together.”

Emma nodded. Her energy flared around Duncan and Jake, the three auras meshing together in a visible manifestation of their bond. Despite the loss of her job and Duncan’s fame and the unexpected raw energy of their bonding, she wouldn’t give any of it up for the world. “I’m good,” she said, smiling at her men. “Let’s go.”

Duncan nodded and Jake opened the first set of doors. The photographers outside went into a frenzy, surging forward for a moment despite Charlie and Dave’s efforts to contain them. Then Duncan opened the outer doors and the noise hit Emma like a wall.

“Jesus,” Jake breathed. Emma agreed. This is insane.

Duncan stepped out first and held up his hands. The noise subsided a bit. “Yes, it’s true, I’m bonded to Jake and Emma.” Duncan held up his arms so the paparazzi could see the tattoo. “Yes, I’ll be giving an interview soon. No, I’m not taking questions now.” He lowered his arms and moved forward, Emma directly behind him. She clung to the back of his shirt and Jake crowded up behind her, sandwiching her in between for protection. She tried to ignore the shouted questions, concentrating on following Duncan as he pushed through with Dave and Charlie’s help. Some of them were ridiculous, things she would never answer, about how exactly they had sex or if Duncan had coerced Jake into turning gay. Jake snorted at that one, then Emma stopped abruptly, tugging on Duncan. She turned to the journalist that had yelled the last question.

“What did you say?” Emma held her breath, feeling Duncan’s disapproval. He wanted to get to the car, now.

Just a moment, she thought at him and felt him sigh. Jake frowned but Emma ignored his impatience. They were all on edge.

“Do you know who trashed your car?” a female journalist asked her again, thrusting her video recorder closer.

“Someone trashed my car?” Emma asked, confused. She glanced over at the teacher’s parking lot, then flinched. Her car was destroyed. She couldn’t see the tires over the heads of the crowd but she was sure they were slashed, too. The roof was dented and all the windows were broken. Someone had spray-painted obscenities all over the outside. Emma felt the blood drain from her head. Who would do such a thing? She knew that bonding with Duncan and Jake was going to be controversial, but she didn’t expect this.

“Emma, let’s get to the car.” Duncan gently pulled on her arm.

Emma shook her head then looked straight into the journalist’s video cam. “I have no idea who did that to my car. Bonding isn’t evil or immoral. It’s a beautiful thing. And it’s not something you can keep secret or deny.” Then she turned on her heel and walked through the now-silent crowd. Dave unlocked the car and helped her into the back. Jake and Duncan followed, then Dave and Charlie got in the front. No one said anything until the car pulled away from the curb.

* * *

“Well,” Jake said, at a loss. He couldn’t believe someone had wrecked Emma’s car. He knew that the situation in the library was tense, that was why he and Duncan came to the school, but never in a million years did he expect actual violence.

Thank God it was just her car, Duncan thought and Jake nodded. He looked at Emma. She seemed composed, but fragile. He wanted to wipe the look of shock off her face and felt another surge of desire well up. For some reason, the urge to protect her came wrapped up in an arousal so strong he could barely control himself. Emma turned her gorgeous hazel eyes on him. They were a little red, but that did nothing to disguise her beauty. He unbuckled his seat belt and slid to the floor. Emma looked down at him, blushing as she caught wind of his intent.

“Let me help you forget, Emma,” Jake said, sliding his hands up her calves. He tickled behind her knees and she giggled, then stopped abruptly as Duncan caught her hands and held them down. Jake looked at his lover and winked. Emma caught her breath as Jake slid his hands up her thighs then stopped where her legs met her body. He gently rubbed against her panties. She was already wet.

“Jake, please,” she whispered, squirming.

“Hold still, sweetheart.” Duncan brought her arms over her head and placed her fingers around the handle set into the side of the car. “Hang onto this and don’t let go.”

Emma gasped, then grabbed on, angling her body along the car seat. Duncan slipped off her shoes as Jake continued his stroking, never touching her clit, just rubbing along the outside. It’s a good thing the windows in this car are tinted, Jake thought.

Duncan nodded. And that we have a privacy screen between us and the driver. Best purchase I ever made. Jake grinned and leaned over, kissing Duncan sloppily, sucking on his friend’s lower lip. Jake heard Emma panting as she watched them and he broke the kiss to see her fingers starting to let go of the grip.

“No, don’t let go, remember?” Jake admonished, moving his hands away. Emma moaned in protest, arching her back and trying to follow his hands with her hip. “We’ll take care of you, don’t worry.”

“Then why are you moving away?” Emma said, voice breathy.

“I’m just getting started, honey,” Jake rasped. He unhooked the three buttons holding her wraparound skirt together, then parted the material. She wore green satin panties. Her arousal already wet the fabric and Jake’s mouth watered at the sight.

“Gorgeous,” Duncan murmured, slipping his hands underneath the fabric. He tugged and the thin scrap slipped down her legs. He tossed it away then leaned in and breathed deep. Emma shuddered and Jake slid her sweater up. Her matching bra cupped her breasts and he tugged on it until her nipples popped out, pointed and red with her arousal. He arranged the bra cups under her breasts so that they pressed her breasts up, then thumbed over her nipples until she moaned. Duncan groaned behind him and Jake felt the other man slide his hands around his waist, one hand snaking down to cup his hard cock.

“I can feel you leaking,” Duncan breathed into Jake’s ear and he shivered, thrusting into Duncan’s hand. “I want to put this in her, slowly. I want to watch you fuck Emma. And then I want you to fuck me.”

Jake groaned, his arousal spiking. He’d never felt anything like this. Emma breathed through her mouth, lips open and red, breasts bouncing as the car went over a series of bumps.

“We don’t have much time,” Jake said, swallowing as he tried to control himself.

“We don’t need a lot of time,” Duncan replied. He slid his fingers over Emma’s wet core and she shuddered. Jake watched her writhe on the seat, her fair skin flushing beautifully against the black leather. Duncan slipped his fingers inside her, but didn’t touch her clit. She whined, and Jake’s mouth went dry when he saw Duncan slip his fingers back to her ass. He knew what Duncan was going to do, knew what those fingers felt like, rubbing and teasing. Abruptly, Jake opened his jeans, the buttons popping with one yank. He shoved down his boxers, fumbling in the side compartment of the car seat for a condom.

“I have never been so grateful in my life that you stash condoms everywhere,” he muttered as he rolled it on. He had to grab the base of his dick to keep from coming all over himself. Duncan was licking Emma now, his tongue dancing around her clit and Jake had never seen anything so erotic in his life. He fumbled with Duncan’s pants, cursing the belt his rock star lover wore and peeling the skintight material down and over the other man’s cock. It was red and leaking and Jake couldn’t help himself. He had to taste. He bent over and licked the crown, ignoring Duncan’s gasp and opening up his mouth to take in more.

“Jesus, Jake, if you keep that up I’m going to come right the fuck now.” Duncan lifted his head and looked down at Jake on the floor. Jake mouthed around the head of Duncan’s cock and looked up through his lashes. Duncan shuddered and Jake felt him harden even more on his tongue.

“It’s not like I mind the view,” Emma gasped. Both men looked up. She lay there, flushed and open. Jake groaned. Then Duncan urged him up between her legs. Jake went willingly, jerking when Duncan palmed his cock, slipping the head over Emma’s clit. She bucked and Duncan chuckled. Jake squeezed his eyes shut tight, willing himself not to go off like a teenager on his first date.

“Here he comes, sweetheart. You ready for him?” Emma nodded wildly and Duncan eased Jake’s cock inside her. When he was fully seated, Jake panted, the warm, tight sensation overwhelming him for a moment.

“Don’t come,” Duncan said sharply and Jake nodded distractedly. He heard the crinkle of another condom, then Duncan was circling his hole with his finger, still slick with Emma’s arousal. “Relax,” Duncan murmured, stroking Jake’s lower back with his other hand. Jake breathed out and Duncan slipped two fingers inside, hitting his prostate on the first go. Jake jerked forward and Emma moaned, shoving back at him, fucking herself down on his cock. Jake almost lost it, then Duncan snaked his hand around and pulled his balls away from his body.

“Not yet,” Duncan ground out, voice hoarse.

“God, hurry up,” Jake said, curling his hands around the soft leather seat. He was hard enough to pound nails.

“Okay, okay.” Duncan eased his fingers out, then Jake felt the blunt head of his lover’s cock press inside. The burn felt so good, the pain and pleasure of it making him shake. Emma wrapped her legs around both of them as Duncan slowly pushed all the way in. Then he pulled back and thrust, rocking Jake into Emma. They both moaned and Duncan grunted.

“Please, please, please,” Emma was saying and Jake could only nod in agreement. He felt so full, surrounded by his lovers. Their minds twined with his as Duncan started to move and the sensation of fucking took over. He could feel every inch of Duncan’s cock as it slid inside, the heat of him as he rocked in and he grabbed Duncan’s hands, gripping them as he lowered his head to Emma, kissing her wildly. He sucked on her lips, tasting the mint Duncan had eaten earlier on her tongue and that was the sexiest thing, knowing that his other lover had left part of himself on Emma. He shuddered, feeling his cock grow impossibly harder and he hovered on the edge of something for a moment, reveling in their bonding link, feeling them in his head, their pleasure mixing with his. He let himself hover for a moment, then he couldn’t hold on any longer and he flew apart as Duncan groaned and jerked inside him and Emma clenched around his cock. Their orgasms were so intense, Jake couldn’t breathe. He tried not to crush Emma, but he didn’t want to move. He didn’t want to be anywhere other than right here, right now, with them. He wanted to stay forever, which was impossible. But you can’t blame a guy for wishing, he thought just as Dave rapped on the divider. Wisely, he didn’t open it. Duncan pulled out and Jake winced slightly. They’d never fucked with so little preparation before. He took a deep breath, easing himself out of Emma.

Sorry, Duncan thought. You can fuck me next time. Jake moaned as he caught the thought, his hands fumbling with the used condom.

“I can’t believe we did that in the car,” Emma said, disbelief in her voice. She let go of the handle and pressed her hands into the seat. Duncan chuckled and Jake rolled his eyes.

“I’m sorry we went kind of primal all over you.” Jake stroked his hands over Emma’s breasts, admiring their soft curviness, then pulled her bra back into place. They jumped when Dave rapped on the divider again.

“You’d better see what he wants,” Jake said to Duncan. He found Emma’s panties and grabbed a napkin from the side-bar, handing it to her. She grimaced and wiped at herself, then slipped her underwear back on. Jake pulled his pants up and helped her button her skirt. When he finished, Duncan had pulled on his pants, but his belt was still hanging undone. Dave knocked again and Duncan sighed, exasperated, and let go of his belt to slide the divider back.

“What?”

“We’re here, but there are a ton of paps hanging outside of Emma’s house.” Dave resolutely did not look into the rear of the vehicle. Jake smiled, amused.

“Can you and Charlie handle them so we can get inside?” Duncan asked.

Dave grunted and slid the divider back. A moment later he and Charlie got out, then opened the rear door. Jake eyed the crowd outside, frustrated.

“There’s nothing we can do about it,” Duncan said apologetically as he ducked out, Jake right behind him.

Emma shrugged and squared her shoulders, then stepped out of the car.

Chapter 11

“Are you sure you’re okay going to this shindig with us?” Duncan asked for the thousandth time. Emma rolled her eyes. Even with the telepathy and empathy she couldn’t convince them that she would be fine. The only reason she didn’t snap at him was because she knew he was worried that she’d just lost her job and she was still concerned about her missing students.

“I’m positive,” she said aloud, emphasizing her resolve. She sat down to slip on her sparkly heels, smiling as she admired her feet. She loved these shoes. She looked up to catch Duncan eyeing her fondly. “What?”

“You’re adorable,” he said, walking over to her. He sat down next to her on the sofa and she admired his rugged good looks. He wore tight black pants and a red shirt, open at the neck. A collection of silver necklaces hung down against his chest. She loved the way he could pull off the look—rock star chic. Jake snorted and she looked up. He was wearing black pants with a green pullover sweater that emphasized his gorgeously muscled chest. She felt herself flush. The two of them were going to kill her.

“You’re just as distracting to us,” Duncan murmured, leaning close to suck a kiss onto her neck. She flushed more. She rolled her eyes at him, trying to defuse the sexual tension with humor.

“We’re never going to get out of the door if you keep looking at me like that.” Emma smoothed her hands down her black silk dress. It had half-sleeves that hugged her arms and a plunging neckline that showed off her full breasts. The straight skirt hung down to the top of her knees with a sexy slit that opened up the side. She hoped she looked okay. She didn’t want to embarrass Duncan at her first official public appearance with him.

“You look gorgeous.” Jake stopped fiddling with his earrings and strode over to them. He leaned over to kiss her and she grabbed his hands. He wasn’t wearing his wristbands.

Jake smiled. “I don’t want to hide the bonding tattoos.” He bent in again and she closed her eyes to savor the softness of his lips.

“That never gets old,” Duncan said. Emma pulled back and smiled at Duncan, then leaned in and kissed him too.

I agree, she thought.

“Okay, let’s go. Emma, I don’t want you to worry about not knowing anyone. One of us will be with you the whole time.” Duncan stood up and slipped his hand into hers.

Emma grimaced. “I suck at parties.”

“No, you used to suck at parties. Now you will be brilliant, because you’re Duncan’s bond-mate.” Jake walked to the door. “Everyone will love you.”

“I just don’t want to do anything stupid and mess up your career.”

Duncan tugged on her hand, then brought it to his mouth for a kiss. “You won’t. My career is doing fine and I doubt anything you say could derail it. In fact, now that the bonding is public, I bet I sell even better. That’s the way the industry works.” Emma sighed and allowed him to pull her to the door. “Besides, I’ve been to hundreds of these things. Sometimes they’re boring, sometimes they’re not, but they always have a lot of booze. Even if the focus is on us this time–”

Which it will be, Emma thought darkly.

Duncan frowned at her and continued. “Even if it is, someone else will get drunk and do something stupid. Happens every time. So don’t worry about it.” He grinned and Emma sighed, hoping he was right. Truth was, she really wanted to go to this party, not just because she was Duncan and Jake’s bond-mate, but because she needed the distraction. She was worried about the missing students but couldn’t do anything about the situation. She’d tried calling their parents again but no one answered. She hoped Samantha and Jonathan were okay.

* * *

Four hours later, Emma decided that Duncan was the smartest man she knew.

“Hey!” Jake said, handing her another glass of champagne. “I’m not too shabby in the brains department, either.”

Emma laughed. “I was thinking about what Duncan said before. He was right. Look.” She pointed across the ballroom. A well-dressed man was standing on top of one of the tables, singing off-key with a microphone in his hand. His suit jacket lay abandoned on the floor, his disheveled appearance in direct contrast to the richness of the ballroom. Emma eyed the crystal chandeliers and hardwood floor, bemused. She’d never been in such a fancy hotel before, yet here she was in downtown Philadelphia as one of the honored guests. And in the midst of the elegance a drunken man was singing as though he was at a frat party. “I never in a million years expected to see a karaoke machine at this kind of party.”

Jake grinned. “They’ve become pretty popular lately.”

“Oh my God, someone stab me in the ears and put me out of my misery,” Duncan complained, joining Jake and Emma. He grimaced, watching the man on the table. “Ronnie should never be allowed to drink vodka. Never ever.”

“You know him?” Emma asked.

“I know almost everyone here.” Duncan looked around. “At least he’s distracting the crowd. I knew it was going to be insane when everyone saw the bonding tattoos, but I’d no idea it would be that bad.” He ran his hands through his hair and Emma admired the long strands. She loved his hair. She wished she could sink her hands in it right now. He looked at her and grinned and she blushed. He laughed. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I love knowing when you’re thinking about me.”

Emma blushed harder and looked away to see Jake smirking at the two of them. He was just as gorgeous as Duncan. She tore her eyes away, willing the arousal to subside. Walking around in public with these two was a test of her self-control. She took a few deep breaths, feeling the men do the same. She kept forgetting that every time she grew aroused, so did they. She sent a mental apology their way, then opened her eyes as she heard a disturbance at the edge of the room.

The crowd parted and the next thing she knew, a man dashed through the people, waving something over his head.

“Is that?” Duncan asked, voice shocked.

“Yes, it is. Shit,” Jake said as he shoved Emma behind him.

She looked from one to the other, confused. “Who is it?”

They didn’t have a chance to reply before the man was in front of them and Emma realized it was Eric, the disgruntled keyboard player Duncan had thrown off his tour. Jake tried to back up, but the crowd of people behind them was rioting. She heard glass breaking and Duncan grunt as someone pushed into him.

Holy shit, he has a gun! Emma thought, in shock. She stared at Eric, and he grinned at her, his face gaunt and pale. He looked like he’d been drinking and he certainly wasn’t dressed for the party in his ripped jeans and T-shirt. Before she could say anything, his arm snaked out and grabbed her. She squeaked as he dragged her away from Jake and Duncan. She felt their panic and then the cold metal of the pistol pressed into the side of her temple. She froze.

“Yeah, don’t come any closer, Duncan,” Eric said, his voice strangely calm.

“What do you want, Eric?” Duncan shifted closer, stopping when Eric pushed the gun harder into her skin.

“It’s not what I want. It’s what I need,” the man answered. Emma held perfectly still, worried that if she struggled his finger would slip. She noted a sick aura flaring around him from the corner of her eye. She frowned, confused, despite her terror. She didn’t remember him having an aura when Duncan fired him. And the color looked wrong. It didn’t glow, for one thing. It looked like smoke, dark and grisly. It pulsed around Eric in nauseating waves and she swallowed, feeling her gorge rising.

“Emma here is the key.” Eric jerked her harder against his body. She could feel him trembling like a junkie.

“The key to what?” Jake asked, his voice low. Emma noticed the crowd around them quieting as they realized something was happening. Faces turned in, staring at Eric, staring at her. She struggled to keep her feet, the sense of being pressed against his sick aura draining her equilibrium.

“They told me I would only need one dose and I would be able to read anyone I wanted,” Eric shouted suddenly, shaking Emma. “They were wrong!” He yanked her around, turning to look at the guests surrounding them. “It didn’t work. I need more. I need someone stronger, better. And now I’ve got what I need.” He began dragging Emma away to the back of the ballroom. Emma didn’t know whether she could walk, she felt so sick. Her heels caught on the edge of the carpet that surrounded the dance floor, then Jake was in her mind.

Drop down! Let your feet go! he urged and she obeyed unthinkingly as a flash of light sparked in the room, blinding her. As she fell, the gun scraped the side of her face then went off and pain exploded in her ear. She fell to the floor and gripped her head, sure she’d been shot, but wouldn’t that mean she was dead? People who were shot in the head usually didn’t survive, and yet she felt Jake leap over her body to tackle Eric. When she pulled her hands down they were clean. She looked up, wincing at the pain in her neck. Duncan stood over her, hands spread, a ball of light crackling between his palms. Jake had his hands against Eric’s face, and suddenly she was right there with him as he drilled into Eric’s mind with his telepathy.

I didn’t think we could do that, she thought, confused, remembering her recent wish that she could use telepathy on the vice principal, Ms. Brown. Emma’s eyes met Duncan’s and she realized that he was with them too, with Jake as he dove into Eric’s brain. Duncan held his crackling ball of energy as though it were nothing. She looked at him, trying to think past the pain in her neck, then Jake pulled the information he wanted out of Eric’s mind. Eric fell down, twitching, and Jake swallowed, looking like he wanted to throw up. Emma felt Jake let go of the man’s mind with relief.

He stood up, then helped Emma to her feet as Duncan let the energy between his hands fade as well. The people around them backed up, still silent. In the distance, Emma heard sirens and realized someone must have called the cops.

“He wanted your blood,” Jake said, voice rough. “They’re capturing bonded couples and using their blood to formulate a drug that gives people the ability to read minds. Or, at least, sense other’s emotions.”

“Jesus,” Duncan breathed, reaching out to haul Jake close. “That’s horrible.”

Jake nodded, prodding Eric with his toe. “I don’t think he’s going anywhere.”

Emma rubbed her face, trying to ignore the throbbing in her ear. She couldn’t hear very well on that side, and it was making her dizzy. The crowd of people suddenly surged closer and she backed up into Jake, still trying to wrap her brain around the sudden powers her two men were manifesting. Jake could read people’s minds? And what about Duncan? She glanced at him, sensing the energy crackling just beneath the surface of his skin. Clearly, a triple bonding manifested more abilities than just telepathy.

“Whoa, hold on people,” Duncan warned, holding up his hands. Emma saw a bunch of them flinch away. What had he done that had them so spooked? She closed her eyes and tried to sift through his memories, walking through his brain until she found what she was looking for. He pulled her against his side and let her in, willingly accepting her inside his mind. She melted against him as the love he felt for her lit her up, then she found what she was looking for. He could generate energy fields with his brain. And Jake was telepathic, not just with her and Duncan, but with anyone he wished. She realized that the fear for her safety had broken some barrier, pushed all three of them past what they thought they could do. She opened her eyes and swept her gaze around the room, picking out bonded couples as well as those with potential bonds and people who didn’t have any aura now but would in the future. She lifted her hand, wanting to touch all the colors she saw, then dropped it abruptly. The missing students!

“Yeah,” Jake said, catching her thought. “That’s what happened to Jonathan and Samantha. There must be some sort of organization snatching them, manufacturing this drug.” He pursed his lips. “I knew I saw something outside of your house the other night! I bet Eric was following us.”

Duncan nodded, dropping his hands as the crowd began to drift off but Emma didn’t care. She wanted to know what happened to her students.

“Were you able to tell if they were still alive?” Emma asked, urgently. She gripped Jake’s hand, willing him to remember.

“His brain was a mess.” He sighed, swaying a bit on his feet. Emma realized that what he’d done had taken an enormous amount of energy.

“Here, sit down,” she pulled away and dragged a chair over from one of the tables. The crowd around them had dispersed a little, some of them sitting on the floor and others leaving, but some still watched them warily. Emma knew the police would probably want to question everyone and she frowned. How were they going to get out of there? They were the only ones who knew what was going on. The police would only hold them back at this point, even if they believed their story about kidnapping and drugs and bonding.

“Here, drink this.” Duncan shoved some punch at Jake. He took it and downed it in one gulp. Emma saw his color improve as the sugar hit his system.

“Thanks.” Jake shoved his hands into his hair. “We need to make them all forget.”

“Forget what?” Emma asked, confused. She was still thinking about how to find her students, but she could feel Jake’s brain going a million miles an hour.

“If people find out that bonded triples have this kind of power, everyone is going to freak.”

Duncan stared at Jake, then looked down at his hands. Tiny sparks danced from finger to finger for a moment, then he clenched them into fists. “Can you do that? Make them forget?”

Emma shook her head, the realization of what Jake intended growing inside with her horror. “Jake, no, you’ll hurt yourself trying to do that!” She grabbed his arm, terrified, but he shook her off.

“I’ve got to do it now while their memories are fragile.” He looked at Duncan. “Maybe your ability to manipulate energy can help. Do you think you can feed it to me?”

Duncan looked worried. “I’m not sure. I can’t feel your telepathy. Can you sense my energy?” Jake shook his head, frustrated.

“You can’t do this,” Emma repeated, but she knew Jake wasn’t going to listen. Both men avoided her eyes. Much as she wanted to deny it, Emma knew they needed to do this too. Reports about bonded couples were already dropping off the information grid. If people got wind of what a triple bonding really entailed—she shook her head, steeling herself for what she was about to offer. She instinctively knew that she was the catalyst for the trio. If the men used her, they could work together and access triple the amount of energy for Jake to do what he needed. “Okay, I think I can help.” Both men turned to look at her. “Both of you are part of me. If Duncan sends the energy to me first, I can filter it to Jake as he needs it. I can feel Jake’s telepathy and Duncan’s energy. Can you feel it in each other?” Both of the men shook their heads. “Well, that’s that, then. Dammit.”

“Emma, you don’t have to do this,” Jake said and she laughed, tense.

“Yes I do, and you know it.”

Duncan didn’t even speak. He sat down on the floor and rested his head against Jake’s knee, resigned. Emma sat down next to him. “Ready?”

Jake nodded shortly and closed his eyes. Emma felt Duncan begin to draw power to the surface and she grabbed his hand, absorbing it into her body instinctively. She smiled. This is part of what the bond is for, she thought and felt them agree. She leaned her cheek into Jake’s thigh and started to feed him the power, sensing his mind opening up, spiraling into the crowd. He grinned at the rush, and she couldn’t help but smile back at him, even as she concentrated. Jake riffled through their surface thoughts first, trying to find out how much each person saw. Then he concentrated, drawing more and more of the energy from Emma. Duncan held onto her, feeding her the crackling power and she bit her lip, trying to keep the wild energy under control so Jake could harness it. Duncan sparked wave after wave of the energy into her mind but after a minute, she realized that working with it felt just like smoothing out auras and she relaxed, finding it easier and easier to spin threads of it out and into Jake.

Finally, after what felt like hours, Jake slowed his work, then pulled his consciousness out of the last of the people in the ballroom. He looked down at Eric and abruptly Emma realized the man wasn’t breathing. Was he dead?

“Yeah,” Jake said tiredly. His eyes were red and Emma could feel the bone-deep weariness in him. She didn’t feel much better and Duncan groaned agreement.

“You don’t think the cops are going to think you killed him, do you?” Emma felt a prick of worry worm its way inside her.

“I can remove all traces of us from him.” Duncan raised his arms and called some sparks forth. He sent them to the body and Emma watched as they danced around, presumably scrubbing all traces of Jake and Emma’s DNA away. Emma stared at him.

“I didn’t know you could do that.”

“Neither did I until just now,” Duncan said, letting the energy fade as he slumped against Jake. “It wasn’t hard. It would’ve been easier if I wasn’t so damn tired.”

“How did you know you could do that?” Emma asked.

He shrugged. “I just knew. Instinct, I guess.”

Emma sighed and looked away, feeling overwhelmed with everything that had just happened. “We have to find my students.” Emma tried to stand up but couldn’t.

Jake pressed down on her shoulder. “We don’t have to do it right this second. Give it a minute. We should eat something.” He looked around then spotted the buffet table near the wall. “There. Let’s get some food.”

Emma leaned against him for a moment, trying to relax even as her worry for Jonathan and Samantha grew. Then Duncan staggered to his feet and helped Emma up. Jake grabbed onto Duncan’s arm and the three of them lurched to one of the tables that had a cheese and fruit tray. They sat down and Duncan passed a grape to Jake. Emma smiled as Jake opened his mouth and let Duncan feed it to him. She took a piece of cheese for herself. At least the food seemed to be helping her headache. The throbbing in her ear was almost gone. They ate in silence for the next few minutes as Emma watched the police come into the ballroom and start methodically questioning people on the far side. She could see several of them pointing towards Eric. She was glad they’d managed to make it to a table a fair distance from the body as she realized some cops were coming over, presumably to keep everyone away from the scene of death.

“We have to get out of here,” she muttered, shoving another piece of cheese in her mouth. She grabbed one of the untouched waters on the table and drank the entire glass. “If they start questioning us, the memory wipe will be for nothing and we’ll never find Samantha and Jonathan.”

“We can’t just leave, Emma,” Jake said. “Look, they’re letting people go as soon as they take their statements. We’re nothing more than another three guests. They’ll talk to us and then let us go.”

Emma narrowed her eyes at the officers spreading out in the room. She hoped Jake was right. One cop looked at them, then pulled out a notebook and walked over.

“Hello, folks. I need to ask you a few questions and then you can go.” The woman pulled out a pencil and flipped open her notebook. Of course it’s a female officer, come to drool over Duncan. She watched the woman looking Duncan up and down and wanted to growl at her. Emma wondered if the woman found the uniform uncomfortable since she seemed to be adjusting the top quite a lot, then realized she was probably just trying to get Duncan’s attention on her boobs. Emma flushed slightly as she felt Duncan laughing at her in her mind.

“I need your names and then if you could tell me what you saw, it’d be really helpful.” the cop said, clearing her throat and looking away from Duncan guiltily. Emma could tell she was smitten.

Get used to it, Jake thought, chuckling in her head, and Emma threw him a disgusted look.

After they dutifully gave their names the cop looked up from her writing to focus on Duncan as though Emma and Jake weren’t even there. Emma sensed Jake and Duncan’s amusement. She glared at the cop. “He came in waving a gun, then he grabbed me and started babbling something about needing more. I think he was high.”

The officer frowned. “You were the woman he grabbed?” She looked skeptical.

Emma nodded, pressing her lips together in irritation. Duncan put his hand over hers, silently urging her to calm down. Emma took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to let go of her irritation.

“Do you know why he picked you?”

“No,” Emma answered shortly.

The officer sighed. “None of this makes sense.” She turned to Duncan. “Did you know him?”

Duncan nodded. “He was my keyboard player, Eric Masterson. I fired him yesterday when he found out about our bonding. Eric was never very comfortable with my bisexuality and when he discovered I’d bonded to two people, it sent him over the edge.”

“You’re bonded? Who are you bonded to?” the officer asked, surprised.

“Jake and Emma,” Duncan said, gesturing to his two lovers.

The officer flushed. She looked from Emma to Jake, then flipped a page in her notebook, looking down and biting on her lip. “So, Eric didn’t like the fact that you’d bonded?”

“I think he was more upset about finding Jake and me kissing than he was about the bonding,” Duncan explained, wryly. “He’s never been comfortable with two guys making out.”

“Why did you keep him on tour then?”

Duncan looked at the cop, confused. “We had a contract. The tour is my business, not just a hobby. I can’t very well fire the people I don’t like just on a whim.”

Emma rolled her eyes as the cop nodded in understanding. The woman obviously had all sorts of lame preconceptions. “Do you have any idea what he might have ingested that made him so unstable? Did he have a history of drug use while he worked for you?”

“No, he didn’t do drugs while he was my keyboard player, at least that I knew about. Well, except for some pot now and then.” Duncan smiled charmingly at the woman. Emma wanted to hit him. “I have no idea what he could’ve taken to cause this kind of behavior, though.”

The cop frowned and glanced at the body where technicians were working. “Obviously, we haven’t run any tests yet on him so I’m not sure about this, but there is a new drug in the city that just popped up and we’ve been finding a lot of people dead from it.” She sighed and closed her notebook. “It’s been brutal. The victims seem perfectly normal, amiable even, and then over the course of a few hours, they start to act crazy. Erratic. We haven’t been about to track its origins, though we know it’s a liquid and the kids on the street are calling it ‘Path.’”

“Path? That’s weird.” Emma thought about the missing bonded couples and the ability of those who were bonded to link mentally. She felt ill. “Have you had a lot of missing person reports lately?”

The officer looked at her, surprised. “Yeah, how did you know?”

Jake coughed and Emma prevaricated. “Oh, I’m not sure. I think I saw a news report about it or something?”

“Well, if you think of anything new, give us a call.” She pulled out a card and handed it to Duncan. “I love your music, by the way.”

Emma stared at her and the officer blushed, then walked away. Jake laughed out loud. “Emma, I think you scared her.”

“Oh, please,” Emma muttered, flushing. “She was all over Duncan and you know it.”

“You’re going to have to get used to people fawning on him.”

Emma snorted, then stood up. “I have a bad feeling about this new drug she was talking about.”

“You think it has something to do with the missing bonded couples?” Jake slung his arm around her shoulders as the three of them walked to the exit.

Emma nodded as Duncan grimaced. “Yeah. What was it Eric was babbling about? That he’d be able to ‘read’ anyone he wanted? And she said it was called ‘Path.’ That’s too close to ‘telepath’ to be a coincidence.”

Duncan sighed as he held open the ballroom door for her. “I agree.”

Emma opened her mouth to continue her speculations but then her phone rang. Who could be calling now? She fished it out of her small purse and looked at the unfamiliar number before sliding her finger across the screen. “Hello?”

“Ms. Bell? Is that you?”

Emma frowned as she heard a girl’s voice. “Yes, who is this?”

“Ms. Bell! Oh my God, you have to help us! They kidnapped us, and I can’t call my parents because they threw me out and—” The voice broke off as Emma heard a loud crack over the phone.

“Samantha? Is that you?”

“Yes, it’s me, Ms. Bell, please,” Samantha whispered over the phone, her voice frantic.

Emma strained to hear. “Samantha, where are you? What’s happened?” She pressed the phone closer to her ear in an effort to hear. There was some crackling and she hoped she wasn’t about to lose the signal. Jake tugged her to the windows on the opposite side of the hallway.

“They grabbed us right after my dad kicked me out. Jonathan was with me and we were going to go to his house when this car pulled up. They had guns! They hit me and I woke up alone in this room. I don’t know where Jonathan is, but they have other girls here.”

“Samantha, are there windows? Can you tell where you are?” Emma prayed the girl had more information as Duncan rubbed her back soothingly.

“We’re high up and we’re in a city. I think it’s Philly, and everyone here has bonding tattoos. Ms. Bell it hurts! They separated all of us and they keep taking blood samples. And Ms. Bell, Ms. Brown is with them! She’s the one who takes our blood.” Samantha sounded desperate.

Emma felt her blood run cold. “Ms. Brown? The vice principal? Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m positive,” the girl cried. “Please, you have to help us!”

Emma shoved her shock down. She couldn’t afford to get hysterical now. “Okay, it’s okay. I’m going to help you. How did you get access to a phone?”

“It was in another girl’s jacket. The guards didn’t search her because she collapsed as soon as they brought her in. Some guy was yelling in the hall. That was, like, ten minutes ago. You were the only one I could think of to call.”

“Okay, I’m going to get help. Don’t worry.” Emma wondered why the girl didn’t call 911. She glanced out the window, then gasped as she realized she could see a few auras flaring here and there in the city outside. She frowned, wondering, Could I find Samantha? “Samantha, I want you to describe everything you see, inside and out, to me, okay? Can you do that?”

“Yes, okay,” Samantha answered in a shaky voice. “We’re in a warehouse somewhere, locked in an office or something. The windows are dirty, and I know we’re on the second or third floor because we can hear people beneath us.”

Emma concentrated on the girl’s voice, sending her senses out into the city. She leaned against Duncan, unconsciously drawing on his energy and on Jake’s solid sense of where he was in relation to everyone else. She could see the auras of a few people in the city below her. As she looked east, toward the river, she felt a shock in her mind and an aura flared brighter than all the others, a quick flash of scarlet that pulsed and then was gone. She narrowed her eyes. That’s where Samantha is, she thought.

“Ms. Bell, I have to go. I think someone’s coming,” Samantha hissed in her ear.

“All right, Samantha. I’ll find you, I promise.”

“Okay, just—please, hurry. Two of the girls are in a coma or something. I don’t know why, but I think it’s because they were kept from their bond-mates.”

“I understand,” Emma said grimly. “I promise I’ll find you.” She sighed as the phone went dead. She hoped Samantha would be okay. She looked up at Jake and Duncan. “I think I know where to find the missing people.”

Chapter 12

Duncan rubbed his face, scratching his fingers through the stubble on his chin. He couldn’t believe that the vice principal of the school where Emma worked was part of the kidnapping. He supposed it made sense. She had access to newly bonded kids and a massive problem with alternative lifestyles. Of course, the idea of bonding would send the woman over the edge. Emma explained how, when Ms. Brown had interviewed her for the librarian’s position a few years ago, she expressed relief at the knowledge that Emma was single. She even questioned Emma’s beliefs about marriage and religion, despite the illegality of asking about such things in an interview. And she had a background in chemistry. Apparently the woman worked as a scientist for a pharmaceutical company for a while before she quit due to some sort of interpersonal conflict and turned to teaching. Emma didn’t know the details, but it wasn’t too far of a stretch for Duncan to believe that she would force others to conform to her extremely limited ideas about right and wrong. It made him feel sick to know that someone in charge of educating children could be so evil.

He slumped further down into the seat. He was so tired. He knew Jake and Emma felt the same, though in her case he sensed her pushing past the exhaustion into mania. She blamed herself for not seeing through Ms. Brown before the kidnapping. She sat on the seat next to him, leaning forward to give directions to Dave who was driving the car. She was practically vibrating as she cast her senses out, reading colors on the darkness. Duncan couldn’t see them, but he could sense them through her. When he let himself slip into her mind he could almost see the faint dots of color here and there in the city. Impatience stole through his exhaustion. He wanted to go home with his lovers and sleep, but they were the only ones who could find the missing bonded couples. They’d talked to the cop who questioned them in the ballroom before they left the hotel, but just as Emma had predicted, the woman didn’t believe them when they explained what happened. She didn’t even believe a girl that young could be bonded. Her supervisor took one look at the rock star and his “groupies” and dismissed all three of them. So here they were, in his car, off to play rescuer.

“There!” Emma exclaimed, pointing. “You see that warehouse? Pull over, so no one sees us. Here, turn down the alley.”

Duncan looked at Jake, wondering where Emma’s instinct for this came from. The other man shrugged as she turned to look at them.

“I watch movies, you know,” she said, smiling.

Jake rolled his eyes. “This isn’t a movie.”

Her face sobered. “I know. Believe me, I know.”

Duncan sighed, then closed his eyes, pulling energy up from inside until it was close to the surface. He could create sparks or scrub organic matter off a body. He had no idea how any of this was possible. He opened his eyes and called a spark to his fingers, dancing it from one to the other playfully. He felt eyes on his hands and looked up to find Emma watching him.

“That’s so cool.”

Duncan smiled at her then closed his palms over the sparks. “I don’t know how I’m even doing it.”

“I don’t know how I can see auras, but I can. It’s easy,” she said, grabbing onto the front seat as the car lurched to a stop. Her head flew up. She looked predatory, focused. Duncan loved her ability to change from a sweet, gentle woman into a hunter. He grinned fondly, but she didn’t see.

“We’re here.” She scrambled back, sitting next to Duncan and Jake for a moment. She looked down at her sparkling shoes ruefully. “I wish we had time to change before we go in. My poor shoes.”

Jake leaned over and grabbed her hand, squeezing it comfortingly. “It’ll be okay. We’ll buy you ten new pairs of sparkly shoes if these get ruined.”

Emma laughed. “Okay, you know I’m going to hold you to that promise.” Then she sighed, the smile dropping from her face. “I know I pushed us hard to get here. I just have a feeling that we need to get in there and help as soon as possible. I should’ve known that woman was involved somehow.”

Duncan smiled at her, tugging a strand of her hair off her cheek. She turned her face into his palm. “You couldn’t have known, Emma. Stop beating yourself up. Jake and I will do everything we can to keep this from happening to anyone else. The only thing we can do now is move forward.”

Emma nodded and took a deep breath. “Let’s go.”

They got out of the car, the three of them followed by Dave and Charlie. Dave kept muttering about how Lisa was going to kill him, but Duncan knew he was just trying to blow off some tension. He looked around, trying to spot any security cameras as they inched down the alley. The ducked down another side street and then yet another alley until they found the one that ran along the back of the warehouse. He didn’t see anything unusual. There was nothing there except stray garbage and graffiti.

“Jake, can you sense anyone around?” Duncan asked.

Jake shook his head. “The only people I can sense are actually in the building. I thought they’d post guards or something.”

Emma shook her head too “I don’t see any auras except the ones in the building, not that it helps. There are a lot of unbonded people in the world.”

“I guess we’ll just have to wing it.” Duncan looked for a door but there was no entrance on this side, then he spotted an open window on the second floor. “There.” He pointed.

“How are we going to get up there?” Charlie whispered nervously.

“I’m the tallest. I can boost everyone up. Then Jake can help pull me up,” Duncan answered. Emma nodded.

“I’ll go first since I’ll be able to sense if anyone’s inside.” Jake cracked his fingers and stepped forward.

Duncan spared a brief thought about the insanity of what they were about to do, then he laced his fingers together and boosted Jake until he reached the windowsill. The other man grabbed the ledge and Duncan helped guide Jake’s feet to his shoulders so he could tilt the casement window open far enough to crawl through.

It’s all clear far as I can tell, Jake thought. Duncan held still, supporting Jake’s ankles as he worked open the window then slid through. When he popped his head back out, Duncan heaved a sigh of relief.

“Take my hand,” Jake called down and Dave stepped forward. Duncan boosted him up, then Charlie went through the small space. Emma was next.

“Don’t let me fall,” she whispered. “I hate heights.”

“I won’t, sweetheart.” Duncan kissed her quickly then lifted her up to Jake. He shivered as he felt her slim legs step onto his shoulders, willing himself not to look up under her skirt. Now was not the time. Once she was inside, Jake slung his upper body out of the window, reaching down for Duncan.

“Come on, Dave and Charlie have me. I’ll pull you up.”

Duncan nodded and grabbed on, ignoring the spark of desire he felt at the sight of Jake’s gorgeously muscled arms. He grinned as Jake caught his thought. The bonding never really left them. Duncan found it strangely comforting as he tumbled into the dark room. He could sense where Jake and Emma were through their link but couldn’t see the other two men.

“Do you think we could have a light?” Emma asked, voice low.

Duncan smiled and brought the sparks to the surface again, the sudden illumination startling Dave and Charlie.

“It’s okay. It’s just light. These won’t even burn.” Duncan reached out, instinctively sticking a spark on Jake’s sleeve. “You can cup your hand over it when you want to muffle the light.” Emma held out her arm and he stuck another spark on her. He looked at Dave and his bodyguard sighed.

“Okay, okay, here. But just for the record, this is really weird.” Dave stuck his arm out and Duncan attached a spark to his sleeve.

“Weirder than bonding with Lisa?” Charlie whispered, holding out his hand. Duncan gave him a spark and muffled a grin as Dave gave his friend the middle finger.

“Do you know where they’re holding Samantha?” Duncan asked Emma.

She frowned, concentrating. He watched her look around, slowly turning her head as though she was peering through the walls.

I am peering through the walls, she thought, her mental voice amused. Well, sort of.

“Hang on,” she said aloud and Duncan smiled. She looked gorgeous—hair mussed, her dress hugging the curves of her body, her sandals twinkling in the light of his energy. He felt another stab of arousal and she gasped, sensing it before he could control himself.

Jake shook a finger at Duncan. “Dude.”

Duncan held his hands up in surrender, ignoring the confused looks from Dave and Charlie.

“Do you think if I linked with you more deeply I could help?” Jake said after another minute passed.

Emma relaxed and looked at him. “It couldn’t hurt. I can see the auras, but they flare and swirl around so much I can’t really tell where they are. I know that they’re that way,” she pointed west, “but I can’t even pinpoint which floor.” She rolled her shoulders.

“Here, give me your hand. Let’s see if we can combine my new telepathy thing with your aura sensing.” Jake moved closer.

Duncan stepped forward as well. “I can probably feed your energy.”

Emma nodded and the three of them clasped hands. Dave and Charlie stood by the door, alert to any intrusion. Duncan closed his eyes and concentrated on calling up the energy that seemed to dance under his skin. It was easy. Almost too easy, he thought as he fed it into Emma and Jake. He linked with them, sensing Emma’s consciousness spreading out and Jake following. To Duncan, it was almost like watching a map come to life in his head as they traced the locations of the people in the building.

Ten in that room, Emma thought.

Jake nodded. I sense two guards outside, one of them a woman. That’s probably Ms. Brown. I can knock them out when we get closer.

Okay, eight in this room across the hall. I think those are the guys, Emma sent, grimacing.

No other guards, Jake thought in response to Emma. I think the two up there are for both rooms. I can see five other people in the building, two in another spot on that floor and three downstairs.

Why isn’t there an even number of guys and girls? Emma thought. Duncan felt her confusion. These are supposed to be bonded couples.

Duncan grimaced. I think some of the women might have died. He felt Emma’s horror, then resignation, and wanted to kick himself.

“No, I need to think about that. Samantha told me about the two girls who weren’t doing so well, and I deliberately blocked it out of my head because I couldn’t face the thought of it. Maybe that’s why we can’t sense them,” she said out loud, dropping his and Jake’s hands. She trembled, and he wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and protect her from all of this. The only reason he didn’t was because he knew that if he or Jake touched her, she would break down crying. He sent her comfort over their link and she smiled tremulously at him.

“Okay, the couples are being held in two rooms across the hall from each other. There are eighteen all together,” Jake explained to Dave and Charlie. He drew in the dust at his feet. “They’re on the third floor, so we have to go up the stairs. There’re two more people in a room down from them and two guards outside the cells. Three more people are on the first floor.”

“Ideally, it’d be nice if we could just knock out the two guards and release the prisoners,” Dave said, rubbing his chin.

“Yeah, except how would we get them home? We have one car. And I think some of them are in bad shape,” Emma said.

“We’re going to have to neutralize the captors somehow,” Duncan said. He looked at Jake. “If we get you close enough, could you do your mind-whammy thing, only make them pass out instead of doing a memory wipe?”

Jake grinned. “Mind-whammy? Is that what we’re calling it?”

“Shut up,” Duncan retorted, smiling despite himself. “You know what I mean.”

Emma grinned and Jake nodded. “Yeah, I think so. I’m not sure if I can do everyone at once since they’re on different floors. It was easier in the ballroom because everyone was in visible range. I don’t know if I can do it through solid things like walls.”

“And now is not the time to experiment,” Emma added as Dave nodded. Charlie looked apprehensive, but he also nodded.

“We should take out the people on the first floor first. That way the guards outside the doors can’t call for help.” Duncan took off his suit coat and dropped it on the floor. He winced as he saw how dirty it was in the room, but he knew he’d be more comfortable without it. He unhooked his cufflinks and rolled up his sleeves, trying not to stare at Jake’s bare arms as the other man did the same. Jake is too good-looking for his own good, Duncan thought, looking up just in time to see his lover grin at him. He rolled his eyes.

“Then we should take out the guards in the hall. It’d be better if we could neutralize the people in the room first, but I don’t think we can get in there without alerting the two in the hall.” Jake dropped his jacket on top of Duncan’s. “Are you going to be okay in those shoes?” he asked Emma.

She shrugged. “Not much I can do about it. I’m more upset at the thought that Ms. Brown is part of all this than I am about ruining my shoes. I knew she wasn’t the nicest person, but I didn’t think she was evil.”

Jake nodded in sympathy and started for the door. “I think the stairs are this way.” He gestured, and everyone followed him down the hall, trying not to make any noise. Duncan winced when the door to the stairs stuck, making a harsh noise when they forced it open. Luckily no one came to investigate.

When they reached the first floor, Duncan damped the sparks a bit as Jake carefully eased open the next door, trying to keep the old metal from squeaking. Three guys sat at a table on the opposite end of the warehouse. It looked like this floor had been used as a garage. There were tools and carts strewn haphazardly across the open space and several tables with dusty equipment sat along the walls. The men were playing cards in the light of a single fluorescent lamp inset on the wall behind them.

How are we going to get over there? Emma asked Duncan and Jake.

We don’t have to, remember? Jake replied. Duncan felt him drawing energy through Emma and he opened up even more so Jake would have all he needed. Dave and Charlie crouched behind them, ready to dash across the room if necessary. One of the men at the table looked up, mouth open, but before he could shout, he crumpled. Another stood up then fell down, unconscious. Duncan frowned as the man’s head hit the floor, but then Jake grunted and the last man began to sprint toward them, pulling a gun from his pocket.

This one’s giving me trouble, Jake thought. Duncan fed Emma more energy and suddenly the man went down as though someone had cut his strings.

“That was close,” Emma whispered, shaky.

Jake nodded, looking tired. “That was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I didn’t want to hurt them. It would’ve been easier to kill them than to knock them out.” He grimaced and Duncan put his hand on Jake’s neck, rubbing the tendons that had knotted up.

“Will it be easier now that you know how to do it?”

“Yeah. I think I’ve got the knack of it,” Jake responded.

“We’d better get upstairs before anyone realizes what happened here,” Dave said.

Duncan nodded and they eased back into the stairwell. He brightened the sparks and everyone started climbing. Duncan ignored his weariness, knowing that Emma and Jake felt just as bad as he did. They were almost to the third floor when suddenly the door above slammed open and a man with a gun aimed a flashlight down the steps.

Emma flinched and fell back onto Duncan as the man squeezed off a round as soon as he spotted the intruders. Duncan’s energy instinctively flared into a shield, stretching out to cover the five of them. The bullet bounced off and hit the metal of the hand rail. Emma squeaked and he shoved her down as Charlie sprinted up the stairs.

“Charlie! No! I can’t cover you if you get too far away,” Duncan shouted but it was too late. The gunman didn’t miss. Jake groaned as Charlie went down. The gunman fired again and another bullet bounced off Duncan’s shield.

“Shit!” Emma tried to shove Duncan out of the way. “We have to get up there and help him!”

Duncan held her down. “No! You’ll get shot too. Let me try something.” He concentrated on his energy, making a hot spark flare in front of the shield, then sent it up at the man. It hit him in the chest and the man went rigid then fell down, his gun clattering over the edge of the landing. It looked like he’d shocked the man with lightning, and Duncan gagged as the smell of burnt skin penetrated the stairwell.

“I couldn’t knock him out,” Jake gasped, holding onto his head. “He had some sort of mental shield or something. I kept pushing but it was like hitting a brick wall over and over again.”

“It’s all right,” Emma said, stroking his arm. “He had a weird aura, like Eric’s. I think he was on the drug.”

Duncan slumped down on the steps, breathing heavy. Dave looked at them, then dashed up the stairs to see if Charlie would be okay. When Duncan looked up, Dave shook his head. Duncan felt a dart of grief well up, but he shoved it down ruthlessly. Someone must have heard the gunshots, and they had to be ready for anything. Sure enough, another man burst through the door a moment later. Jake looked up, face grim, and the man collapsed.

“There’s still two more up there,” Emma whispered. She looked sick and Duncan knew she felt the grief as sharply as he and Jake did. She shared their memories, after all.

“Let’s go.” Duncan heaved himself to his feet and joined Dave on the landing. “Can you sense anyone in the hall?”

Jake appeared by his side. He leaned on Duncan, rubbing his thumb into the skin of Duncan’s forearm. Duncan sent him some energy through Emma, ignoring the wave of vertigo that flickered across his vision.

“They’re in the rooms with the prisoners,” Jake gasped, letting go.

Emma stared down the hall through the open door. “Can you shield us if we go down there?”

Duncan nodded. “Yeah, but I can’t shield the prisoners. This is a hostage situation right now. They know someone is here and they’ve got nothing to lose.”

She turned to Jake. “You’re sure you can’t work through the walls?”

He grimaced. “I tried. I can’t do it. I think I need a direct visual.”

“What about if we link again? My aura sensing and your telepathy?”

“I’m not sure,” Jake began, his face serious. “Can you separate the auras of the prisoners from their kidnappers?”

Emma thought about it. “No. Not if they have a true bonding aura. Maybe if they’re on the drug. The auras of the people who take it are wrong, ugly.” She shuddered. “It’s sick. Ms. Brown was so horrified about the thought of bonding and here she is, creating a drug that’s made from bonding blood.”

Jake touched her arm comfortingly, and she closed her eyes while Duncan rubbed his face, disappointed. “We have to do something.” He thought about it for a moment. “I could light the door on fire. If I put enough energy into it, I could probably burn it to dust in a few seconds.”

Emma stared at him. Duncan could feel her surprise. He shrugged. He didn’t realize he could do that until the man in the stairwell started shooting at them. “I’ll have to do both doors at once. Will you and Jake be able to knock out the kidnappers in each room?”

Jake sighed, pushing his hands through his hair. “I don’t know, but we don’t have much choice.”

“What if they’ve used the drug?” Emma asked.

Duncan turned to her. Her hair was a mess and she was pale, probably from exhaustion. He moved closer and pulled her into a hug. “If they’ve used the drug, I’ll knock them out.” He didn’t mention that his version of knocking someone out usually involved death, but neither Emma nor Jake said anything. They already knew.

“We’ve got to get moving. I’m sure they’re waiting for us,” Dave said.

Jake nodded and inched down the hall against the wall. The two doors weren’t far, maybe twenty feet from the stairwell. Beyond the doors was another window. Duncan could see the light from the city winking through the dirty glass. When they were about halfway to the doors, he held out his arms and everyone stopped. Emma looked at him inquisitively.

“I can work from here.” Duncan took a deep breath, trying not to think about why they couldn’t hear anything from where they were. Eighteen people, he thought. Why aren’t they making any noise?

Focus, Jake sent. It’s not important.

Duncan nodded and closed his eyes as Jake and Emma clasped hands. He pulled on the energy as though he were drawing electricity up from some unfathomable well. He gathered it until it felt like his skin was crackling, then he opened his eyes and sent the power sparking through the air. The two doors exploded into flame, then vaporized. It took about a second. Duncan sagged against the wall as screams erupted in the rooms.

“Shit! They’ve got shields on their auras,” Emma muttered. Duncan tried to muster the energy again, but couldn’t find it. He felt the beginnings of panic when Jake suddenly cursed, and Duncan realized that his two lovers were trying to push past the guards’ resistance.

“It’s all twisted inside their brains,” Jake panted, hanging onto Emma’s hand. Duncan tried to hold them back, lifting a hand weakly, but they inched forward. Emma’s face was twisted, her concentration so tight Duncan couldn’t tell what she was thinking anymore.

“Hang on,” she gasped, then Jake moaned and Duncan watched his lover’s face blanch. Suddenly, the bond flared and he could hear them again.

Ms. Brown, Jake thought. Where did she go?

I don’t know. Emma’s mind-voice was tinged with despair. I think she got away, dammit! How? I didn’t see a thing!

I think she dropped out the window. She must have had a rope or something. She knew we were coming. I can’t sense her anymore, either. She must have some way to shield herself, Jake sent, anger coloring his thoughts. He strode down the hall to the open window and looked out.

“I can’t see anything.” He rubbed his eyes. I thought I saw a woman lurking outside your house with Eric the other night. Could that have been her too? Jake thought, his mind voice tinged with frustration.

Probably. Nothing we can do about it now, Emma responded.

Duncan pushed away from the wall. He was feeling a little better. Not enough to draw on the energy but enough to go see what happened. Dimly, he realized it had only been about a minute since he’d demolished the doors.

“Are the guards down?” Dave asked. Duncan nodded and started down the hall, Dave close behind. When he got to the doorways, he looked in and the first person he saw was Samantha, Emma’s student. She looked up at him, tear tracks running down her cheeks, carving pale lines in the ash on her skin.

Duncan felt like he’d been punched. “Are you okay?” he asked, then she was up and flinging herself at him. He closed his arms around her slim shoulders just as Emma stepped in the room.

“Samantha, it’s okay. You’re safe now,” she murmured, running her hand down the girl’s hair. Duncan looked around. Seven women looked back, a few no older than Samantha, the rest in their early twenties. Two hadn’t got up from the floor, hadn’t even looked towards the door. They sat slumped against the far wall, holding hands as they stared blankly at the door, barely breathing. The door that was no longer there, Duncan thought. Everyone looked ill.

I guess that’s what happens when you’re forcibly separated from your bond-mate, Jake thought. Duncan nodded, his heart shying away from the thought. He hugged Samantha tightly for a moment, then set her away from him.

“It’s okay, you’re safe now,” he said, smiling at her.

She frowned up at him, then her face lit up in the most incredible smile Duncan had ever seen as a teen boy came barreling into the room and hurled himself at her.

“Samantha!” They grabbed onto each other and Duncan stepped back, feeling Jake come up behind him. He tucked his arm around the other man’s waist and put his head on Jake’s shoulder, utterly exhausted but relieved they’d been able to help these people. He wished they’d been able to catch Ms. Brown and question her. Then Emma wormed her way under Duncan’s free arm, and he let himself relax and watch the reunions of the other bonded couples for a moment. Duncan felt the precise moment Emma realized that the two women against the wall weren’t moving.

“Maybe I can help them,” Emma said, pulling away. She walked over to them and kneeled down. Duncan watched as she ran her hands over theirs, then through the air between them. She murmured to the two women and they suddenly blinked. The one on the left looked at the smaller woman next to her, then they both nodded. Emma smiled, then closed her eyes, pressing her hands on both of theirs. Duncan felt her concentrating, could almost see the auras as she knit them together, making the two women bond with each other in place of the men they’d lost.

“Wow,” Jake whispered.

Duncan agreed. “Our Emma is amazing.” She’d just formed a bond between two people who lost their original bond-mates. Duncan hoped it worked.

It will, Emma thought to him. Jake nodded and Duncan let himself believe it was possible. He hugged Jake close, burying his nose in the other man’s hair, not moving until he felt Emma slip her arms around him. He turned and kissed her, knowing that whatever happened, Emma and Jake loved him. With the two of them by his side, he could face anything, even the prospect of a world where criminals hunted bond-mates for their blood.

Chapter 13

Emma woke up, deliciously warm and tingling all over. Again. She opened her eyes, blinking down at Jake, who was half on top of her, his fingers slowly stroking between her legs. She shivered and opened her thighs wider. Duncan pressed against her other side, his morning erection already leaking at the tip. She felt the wetness against her hip and found herself arching her back, suddenly close to orgasm. Jake chuckled and moved his fingers away. “No, put them back you evil man,” she panted. He laughed and slipped his body in between her legs. She froze when she felt the head of his cock at her entrance.

“Mmm, delicious,” he said and slid inside.

Emma groaned. He felt so hot and hard and incredibly big. She couldn’t move her arms but it wasn’t until Jake slid back out to tease at her entrance that she realized Duncan was holding her hands tight above her head. “Hey!” she exclaimed, trying to tug them free.

“Uh, uh,” Duncan breathed against her neck. She gasped and he bit her, then tongued over the mark just as Jake thrust back in.

Oh, my God, she thought, shuddering.

“Hold on tight,” Duncan instructed, letting her curl her fists around his left hand. His right wandered to her breasts, toying with one nipple than the other until both were throbbing. Then he leaned down and bit the one closest to him and Jake pulled out again, teasing her clit with his cock. She thrashed, unable to keep herself still. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move her arms, couldn’t do anything except lie there and take whatever they wanted to give her.

Duncan thrust against her hip and she could feel how close he was, too. She wiggled but couldn’t get free, and he sucked her nipple back into her mouth as Jake shoved his cock back in. He bumped against her womb and she whimpered, so close to orgasm it almost hurt.

“Emma, you can’t come yet,” Jake said, stilling his movements until he was making tiny circles with his cock still buried in her body. She panted, opening her eyes to see him straining above her, his arms near her hips, muscles tense. He was gorgeous. Then Duncan bit her again and she bucked, trying to get Jake to move.

I can take control of our auras, you know, she thought when he teased again.

“Oh, no, you don’t,” he said, smiling. She looked at him, wordlessly begging. His eyes darkened and she felt his cock jump. She clenched down on him and he gasped, jerking his hips into her. Emma grinned and did it again, but she hadn’t counted on Duncan tightening his grip around her hands.

“Emma, behave,” Duncan rasped. She turned her head to see his face and nearly climaxed just from that. His pupils were blown. He rubbed his cock on her skin and she had the sudden urge to lick him. “Oh, yeah, you can have that,” he murmured as he caught her thought. Then he was shifting, straddling her until his cock was right up against her lips. “Open up, darling.”

Emma opened her mouth and he rocked in, the crown of his cock smooth and hot against her tongue. She swallowed and he shivered, then gently slid himself further inside. She breathed through her nose and clenched her hands around his so tightly her fingertips went numb. Then Duncan exhaled and pulled back at the same time Jake slid out of her pussy. Oh, shit, they’re doing this on purpose, she thought, then Jake slipped a finger down against the sensitive skin of her asshole. She writhed, trying to get more. Duncan moaned and thrust into her mouth just as Jake slid both his finger and his cock into her body. Emma felt all the nerves in her body prickle as she swallowed around Duncan’s erection. He groaned and she looked up at his face. Her eyes widened in shock. There were sparks around his head, dancing down his sleekly muscled torso and onto her.

He looked down at her and she flashed into Jake’s mind. There were sparks all over him as well and then all thought fled because the three of them were coming together, the pleasure so intense that she felt like she was burning up.

Several minutes later, she opened her eyes. Duncan had slid back down onto the bed and he eased her arms down, rubbing the muscles when she winced.

“You okay?” Jake asked, head tucked into her neck.

Emma tried to speak but nothing came out. She nodded and cleared her throat, then feebly whacked Duncan on the head tiredly for grinning. “I’m awesome.”

“Yeah,” Duncan said, voice thick and drowsy.

Hey, what time is it? Jake thought. Emma sensed his brain coming back on line after the post-orgasm coma.

“Um, around ten? I’m not sure.” Emma stretched, enjoying the way their skin felt against hers.

“Ten? Shit!” Jake jerked away from her. She shivered as his softened cock slid from her body. “We’ve got an interview scheduled for noon!”

“An interview?” Duncan lifted his head, then dropped it back down on Emma’s shoulder. “Fuck.”

“Get up, get up.” Jake was shoving at them.

Emma groaned and put her arms over her eyes. “No, no, go away.”

Duncan laughed, then heaved himself off the bed. “Rest for a few more minutes while I shower.” He leaned down and kissed her breast making her giggle. “The interview is in New York, right?” He looked at Jake and the other man nodded. Emma peeked out at them from between her arms. Jake stood in the middle of her bedroom, naked and beautiful. The morning sun lit his skin and she admired the view for a moment before her gaze skipped to the bonding tattoos on his arms. They were gorgeous, the colors and black markings highlighted somehow by his aura, making them three-dimensional. Then Duncan stepped up and cupped Jake’s cheeks. Jake stilled for a moment, smiling as Duncan moved in. Emma caught her breath as the two men she loved more than her own life kissed each other passionately. Best morning ever, she thought.

* * *

Worst morning ever, Emma thought two and a half hours later. She sat on a hard stool in front of what seemed like a thousand cameras. She tried not to fidget, but the tight jeans Duncan insisted she wear were a little uncomfortable and she wanted nothing more than to rip them off. She glanced down at her boots, grateful they’d let her wear the low heels.

You’re not going to die from wearing tight jeans for a few hours, Duncan thought affectionately. She blushed as he smiled at her. She grinned helplessly back at him, wrinkling her nose at Jake, who sat on Duncan’s other side. They were in the foyer of Duncan’s favorite recording studio, holding a press conference. She felt like a fish out of water.

This is not a ‘little’ interview, she thought to Jake, disgusted. There are a hundred cameras out there!

You’ll be fine, Jake thought back, distracted as he scribbled something down on his clipboard. She exhaled, trying to calm down. Duncan reached for her hand and she let him capture it and run his fingers over her wrist. She looked down, watching their auras slip around each other, the colors playing and melding.

“I can almost see them through your eyes,” Duncan said, his voice low so the cameras wouldn’t catch what he was saying.

Emma smiled up at him, suddenly feeling better. “They’re beautiful.” She looked at his face, loving the way his hair fell across his cheeks. He winked at her and she laughed, then Jake held up his hand and everyone quieted down. There were more people outside, some of them pressed to the glass, trying to see in. She sighed, hoping that Ms. Brown wasn’t one of them. Emma hated to think that there were still people out there making drugs from the blood of bonded couples, but she had to face reality. Just because they’d rescued a handful of kidnapped bond-mates didn’t mean that everything would go back to normal. The woman got away and she could be anywhere by now. Bonding was here to stay, and someone had already found a way to manufacture a very dangerous drug from it. Judging from how crazy Eric had been to get his hands on more after using Path for a short while, Emma knew there would be a demand for it. She and her two lovers would always be in danger. Even more frightening for Emma was the knowledge that other bond-mates didn’t have the power to protect themselves like she and Duncan and Jake could. Emma intended on doing all she could to find those who were behind the kidnapping and bring them to justice. She was immensely grateful that her men agreed with her and that Duncan’s fame and money would help them as they investigated the source of the criminal organization. Then Emma felt Jake straighten on his stool in preparation to speak and banished her negative thoughts.

“Thanks for coming today,” Jake said. “We have a brief statement to make, then we’ll take questions.” He took a deep breath and Emma sensed his nervousness, though no one watching would ever guess. He balanced on the stool confidently, his jeans and black leather jacket casual yet still appropriate for a press conference involving his rock star bond-mate. Duncan sat between them, his long-sleeved T-shirt glittering with silver threads woven in a subtle abstract pattern down the front. He looked good, Emma thought, especially sitting next to Jake. The two of them were a lethal combination. Jake shifted on his stool, shooting her a quick glance, and Emma reined in her wayward thoughts.

“To answer the question I can see on all of your faces, yes, Duncan and I are bonded.” Emma flinched slightly as the crowd went crazy, flashbulbs going off and people shouting questions. Duncan shook his head. Emma could feel his amusement.

“Hang on, hang on,” Jake was saying, trying to get them to settle down. When they realized none of them were going to answer their questions until they behaved, the crowd settled down. “Duncan and I are also bonded to Emma.” Jake gestured to her on the other side of Duncan, and she waved with her free hand, smiling despite the butterflies in her stomach. “And yes, that makes our bonding a triple-way thing. I don’t know of any other cases of this kind of bonding, but it’s real and we’re very happy.” He paused, gathering himself. “We’ll take your questions now, one at a time.” The commotion started again and Jake glanced over at Lisa, who stood waiting on the sidelines to organize the questions.

She stepped forward, raising her hand. “Yes, Melissa, what’s your question?”

“My question is for Jake—I thought you were straight? How did you end up bonding with Duncan?” Melissa leaned forward, holding her recorder out as she waited.

“I was straight. As far as I know, I’m still straight, but once you bond, labels like that don’t really matter anymore. You love where the heart goes, regardless of gender. Loving Duncan was easy. Falling in love with him was a surprise and bonding was a total shock, but I’m happy.” Jake set his hand on the back of Duncan’s neck and squeezed slightly, smiling when Duncan leaned into the gesture.

Lisa pointed to a man wearing a bowtie and a belligerent expression. “Matthew?”

The man shoved forward, ignoring the dirty looks thrown his way. “You say the three of you are ‘bonded.’” He used air quotes to emphasize his skepticism and Emma found herself frowning. At a quick glance from Lisa, she smoothed out her expression, listening to the man’s questions. “Do you have a sexual relationship? How does that even work? Do you take turns?”

Emma sighed as Duncan straightened up a bit. “Yes, we have a sexual relationship, not that it’s any of your business.” Then he grinned, eyes wicked. “And why would we have to ‘take turns?’ There’s plenty of room on a king sized bed for three people.” The crowd laughed as Matthew’s face turned red. Emma found herself blushing and smiling at the same time.

Lisa chose another journalist, this time a woman dressed in bright pink. The woman smiled at Emma. “My question is for Emma—how did you meet Duncan and Jake? What was it like finding yourself bonded to a rock star?”

Emma cleared her throat. “Um, well, we bonded before I met them.” The crowd erupted and Emma looked over at Jake, worried she’d said something wrong.

He held up his hands. “Let Emma finish.”

She waited until the murmurs died down then tried again. “The bond wasn’t solid or complete, but we dreamed about each other for weeks before we finally met. I didn’t understand what was happening, actually. I remembered seeing some reports in the news about bonds, but then all the information disappeared. It wasn’t until a couple of students in my school bonded that I realized what was happening to me.”

The reporters started shouting again, and Lisa stepped forward. “Take it easy, folks. You, in the blue shirt.”

He stretched out his arm, holding his recorder up. “I thought bonds were between two people, usually people who were already together.” He glanced at Duncan and Jake. “Or close to being together.”

Duncan dropped Emma’s hand and sat up straighter on his stool. “That’s been our understanding as well. We don’t know of any other people who have bonded with two partners, though I wouldn’t be surprised if we started seeing some. There has been a suppression of information regarding this in the last few weeks.” He laughed as some of the reporters shook their heads in agreement. “I know, I know, it’s absurd considering that the reports of the phenomenon only started coming out around a month ago, but it’s true. And the lack of information is largely because someone found a way to manufacture a drug using the blood from bonded couples.”

If Emma though the noise was bad before when Jake announced the bond with Duncan and Emma, it was nothing to what happened now. She lifted her hand and put it over Duncan’s on his leg and Jake shifted closer, the three of them seeking comfort. This was the true purpose of the press conference. After they’d dealt with the police at the warehouse two nights ago, they had agreed to keep quiet about the victims’ identities but not about bonding or the drug. Duncan firmly believed that the public deserved to know what was happening and the three of them were in a position to get it out there because of Duncan’s fame. They were also clearly able to protect themselves because of their new abilities. Emma and Jake agreed with Duncan. It was up to them to spread the word. Emma shifted on the hard stool, thinking back to that night. They never caught Ms. Brown when she snuck out during the commotion. Jake thought it was because she was the person who’d invented the drug, one of the people in charge of the whole thing. Given her pharmaceutical background, that made her extremely powerful. Anyone who had the resources to kidnap people, suppress information of that magnitude, then disappear in the middle of that chaos was clearly a dangerous individual. Emma hated that she’d escaped.

Lisa pointed again as the noise subsided.

A woman in a blue blazer moved forward, fighting her way to the front. “What kind of drug? What does it do?”

Emma nodded at Jake and he answered. “It’s a liquid. We don’t know the exact chemical composition but we know that it’s extracted from our blood. I don’t know how much you know about bonded couples, but most of us can sense the emotions of our bond-mates. It’s sort of like empathy, only not as perfect as you see in sci-fi movies.” He smiled and Emma relaxed. The hard part was over. They’d agreed not to mention their heightened sense of empathy, their telepathy, or their extra powers, but she knew they needed to explain how bonded couples sensed each other. Jake continued, “And it hurts, a lot, if you’re separated, especially in the initial stages. We need to have a honeymoon week. Eventually the bond settles down and we can be apart, but only for short periods of time.”

“How long can you be separated?” someone shouted.

Jake shrugged. “A week? Maybe more? After the bond is complete, it doesn’t hurt, but you get irritable. It feels like you’re itchy or like something’s missing. It’s unpleasant.”

Emma watched the crowd. Their surprise was genuine. They really didn’t have any information about bonding, did they? she thought.

Duncan glanced at her. No.

We need to make sure as many people as possible see this, she realized.

Duncan nodded. We will. That’s why we’re doing it this way. They didn’t know we were going to talk about bonding like this. They thought they were just getting a good scandal story about me and Jake. He grinned and turned back to the crowd.

Lisa picked out a man dressed in a grey T-shirt. “How did you find out about the drug?”

Emma answered this question. “Two of my students were kidnapped. One of them managed to get to a phone and she called me, telling me some information about where she was being held. She explained that their kidnappers were drawing blood and that she and the others had been separated from their bond-mates. She was in a lot of pain because of the separation. She knew I would help find her because I’d talked to her and her bond-mate in school, trying to help their parents understand what it meant to be bonded. She went missing a few days ago.” She took a deep breath. “The police didn’t believe us when we called them with the information about my student. I was afraid of what would happen if she was kept from her bond-mate for much longer. She’s young and I was unable to convince her parents that bond-mates need a great deal of physical contact until the bond settles, so she was already in distress from the lack of touch. It’s difficult for a parent to accept that their child has suddenly formed a permanent connection to another person, particularly such an intimate connection.” Emma shook her head as she saw the mixed emotions of the crowd. Their expressions ranged from sympathy to outrage to disbelief.

“Duncan, Jake, and I tracked down where she was being held. With the help of Duncan’s security, we managed to free the kidnapped couples. One of Duncan’s men, Charlie Williams, lost his life that day. We’re all going to miss him terribly.”

Jake coughed and Emma knew he was using it to cover up his grief. Lisa pointed to another journalist who stepped closer. “What did the police say about this drug? I haven’t heard anything on the news.”

Duncan answered this question. “The police don’t know anything about the drug. That’s why you haven’t heard a report. They didn’t even know it existed.”

Another reporter asked a question before Lisa could pick again. “What does the drug do?”

“It heightens the mental senses of the person who takes it, for a short time,” Jake said, not elaborating.

“What does that mean?” the reporter asked, looking confused. “Mental senses?”

“It means that it gives the person a limited sense of empathy. The person taking the drug can read the emotions of others while on the drug. I’m sure you can see how dangerous that is. When the drug wears off, the user experiences a sort of mania, then disorientation. We don’t know what the long-term effects are yet or how addictive it is. It’s called ’Path’ on the street.”

“Why are you giving us this information instead of the police?”

“We think that the origin of the drug is tied to a large, underground criminal organization.” Duncan held up his hands, trying to quiet the crowd down. “No, we don’t have a lot of evidence and, no, we don’t know where it began or who is behind the drug. All we know is that we rescued eighteen people and one of the seven kidnappers escaped. Clearly there is something larger going on. It’s not easy to draw blood and synthesize a drug based on a new phenomenon like bonding then get the drug on the streets in a little over a month. That takes a great deal of money.”

The crowd was quiet as everyone considered the implications of what Duncan had just said. Then one man moved forward. Lisa nodded at him when he looked to her for permission.

“How safe is it for you to be telling us this?”

Duncan snorted. “Not safe at all. But we’ll be a lot safer the sooner you write your articles and post the video of this interview on the web. The more people who understand what’s happening the better.”

Jake slid off his stool and moved closer to Duncan. “And we’re going to be hiring more security in the near future.” Duncan looked at Jake with surprise. Jake looked back, clearly serious. Duncan smiled.

Lisa pointed at the crowd. “One more question.” She gestured to a woman near the front.

“What does this mean for your tour? Are you canceling any dates? What about Emma? If you have to stay together since you’re bonded, does that mean she has to travel with you?”

Duncan laughed. “That’s a lot more than one question.”

The woman flushed but didn’t back down. “Hey, some of us are actually here to find out about your music.”

Jake grinned at the woman. “I like you.” She blushed even more, and Emma had to smile. Her men were charmers, that’s for sure.

“I’m going to keep touring. Emma has resigned her job as a librarian and will be coming onto the tour as my personal manager. Jake will be taking over as my keyboard player, and of course he will continue writing my songs with me. So it all works out great for the music.” With that, Duncan slid off his stool and slung an arm around Jake. Then he turned to Emma and pulled her down too, hugging her with his other arm. His and Jake’s love spun through their link loud and clear. She pulled Duncan into a kiss, laughing when Jake shoved in first. She kissed Jake, then Duncan, then the two men kissed each other. None of them paid any attention to the flashes exploding like fireworks around them.

Epilogue

The crowd roared and Emma glanced at her clipboard to make sure everything was ready for Duncan and Jake to go onstage. The dressing room was set up, the sound guys were ready, the equipment was working with no problems. The musicians jostled each other good-naturedly behind the metal stairs at the back of the stage. Everything was perfect. Emma closed her eyes and let the anticipation of the crowd wash over her. She sensed Jake and Duncan savoring it with her and smiled. When she opened her eyes, her men were standing in front of her, ready to go onstage. Duncan had on leather pants, combat boots, and a black T-shirt so tight she could clearly see the metal studs of his nipple rings through the fabric. Jake wore tight black jeans, soft boots, and a brown leather jacket with nothing on underneath so that the smooth skin of his chest flashed every time he moved. They looked good enough to eat.

“Hey, none of that. I don’t want to go onstage with a hard-on again,” Duncan said, his smile belying his admonishment.

Emma laughed. “Yeah, right. Like that’s anything new. By the time you get to the third song it’ll be like you’re having sex. On stage. In front of a million people.”

“Don’t yell at Duncan, honey. I like to watch him get all hot and bothered when he’s performing.” Jake grinned and swooped in for a kiss. Emma batted him away haphazardly.

Duncan shook his head in exasperation. “It’s all your fault, Jake. You’re the one wiggling your ass behind the keyboards. I can’t help but be appreciative.”

Jake rolled his eyes. “You have no self-control.”

“I have plenty of self-control. I just don’t see the point in using it,” Duncan retorted.

“Boys, please,” Emma scolded. They turned to her at the same time and she nearly melted beneath the heat of their combined attention. She pointed to the stage. “You’re on in thirty seconds.”

Duncan smiled and kissed her, taking a moment to press against her lips until she opened her mouth, breathless. He licked inside, and Emma gasped as he swiped his tongue against hers, then pulled back and bit at her lower lip, sucking until it throbbed. She didn’t even have time to savor the sting before Jake moved in, kissing her until she dropped the clipboard to hang onto his shoulders. Then he gently broke the kiss and set her away from him. “Not now, honey. We’ve gotta put on a show.” She swatted at him as he ducked, then laughed as he goosed Duncan on the way to the stage, making the other man jump and swear. How is this my life? she thought.

* * *

Three hours later, Duncan and Jake crashed into the dressing room where Emma waited. As soon as they were through the door, she swung it closed and locked it. Jake was already kissing Duncan, his mouth wild, his hands in Duncan’s hair. He looked like he was trying to climb the taller man as their auras sparked and flared around each other. Emma stepped closer, hoping to prevent costume damage. She remembered how embarrassed she’d been the time she and Jake had ripped Duncan’s shirt off after his performance. She’d had to send someone out to find something for him to wear for the fan meet and greet and he ended up wearing one of the concert T-shirts sold for his own show.

Come on, that was funny, Jake thought to her as he continued to devour Duncan’s mouth.

If you can form a coherent thought, you’re not doing that right, Emma thought back at him.

Jake pulled away from Duncan to glare at her. “You think you could do better?”

She shivered at the look on his face, then squared her shoulders and nodded.

“What are you doing all the way over there, then?” Duncan asked, mouth wet and swollen, his voice sounding low and fucked-out after singing for three hours. “Come here.”

Emma walked over to her guys, unbuttoning her blouse on the way. Her aura reached out to them, waiting to thread through theirs. She moved closer, letting her top fall from her shoulders, not caring where it went, not caring about much of anything as she watched Duncan try to wrestle Jake’s jacket off. He paused for a moment with the garment half on, half off, looking at Jake’s gorgeous chest, Emma thought. Then, in an unprecedented move that she would remember for the rest of her life, he grabbed the leather in his fists and picked the smaller man up, turning and pressing him against the dressing room wall. Emma gasped and Jake didn’t look like he was in much better shape as Duncan mauled Jake’s mouth. Jake lifted his legs up and locked them around Duncan’s waist as Emma swayed on her feet, trying not to come just from watching. Duncan rocked into the smaller man, shoving his hips forward. Emma felt their arousal, enjoying the way Duncan’s thrusts pressed against Jake’s swollen cock. A little bit longer and they’d all come, just from this. Then Duncan lifted his face and let Jake slide down the wall.

“Emma, come here,” he said, turning. Emma swallowed at the heat in his eyes. He reached out a hand and she took it, letting him pull her over. He tucked her against his chest then leaned forward, pressing her back into Jake. She gasped as she looked down, the colors of their auras blending and sparking as Jake’s arms snaked tightly around her ribs. Then Duncan slid her panties down and she groaned as his hands lingered on her skin. Now all she had on was her bra and skirt, but that didn’t stop Duncan as he stepped back for a moment to unbutton his pants. He pulled out his cock and Emma looked down at the crown, leaking and red as it peeked out between Duncan’s fingers. She itched to touch him and tried to move, but then Jake groaned behind her, squeezing until she could barely breathe. Duncan surged forward, his hips jerking as he slipped his dick against her soft folds. Emma shook and Jake lifted her off the ground, angling her pelvis just right. Then Duncan pushed inside her body, shoving her against Jake. She’d never been so grateful for going on birth control as she was now because—Wow, no condom. He felt divine.

She threw her head back and Jake bit along her neck as Duncan began rocking. Jake’s cock throbbed against her lower back like a brand, and she couldn’t move or think or do much of anything except tremble as their arousal ramped higher and higher. She reached an arm around Jake’s head, holding his mouth against the soft skin of her throat and threw the other arm around Duncan’s neck. He buried his face in her hair and began thrusting harder, short, sharp stabs forward. Emma reveled in the thick heat of him as he slid inside, bumping her clit over and over with the base of his erection. Jake moved one of his hands down to her pussy and he grabbed Duncan’s cock, making the other man groan. Jake chuckled into Emma’s ear as she squirmed, trying to rub herself against his thumb.

“Don’t worry, honey, we’ll get there. I just want to savor the journey,” Jake murmured in her ear, his voice so low Emma felt him in her spine more than heard him. Then he rubbed his thumb against her clit without letting go of Duncan’s cock. He softly circled her nub, over and over, and she shuddered. Duncan froze, then tried to thrust again, but he was blocked by Jake’s hand. He moaned and Emma thrashed as much as she could, sandwiched between the two men.

“Oh my God, Jake, I need—” she gasped and he suddenly pressed his thumb against her, unmoving.

“No, please. Move, Jake, please,” Emma begged. Duncan panted in her ear as his hips jerked against her, trying to shove his cock inside. Jake chuckled and Duncan pulled out, then trembled as Jake pumped his hand around the other man’s erection, once, twice. Emma could tell he was circling his fingers around the crown of Duncan’s cock, teasing at the slit, then squeezing tightly so that Duncan couldn’t come.

“Jake, Jesus Christ, let me come,” Duncan ground out.

Jake chuckled, then moved his hand as Duncan tried to fuck into Emma again. Duncan slid all the way home with a shudder, making all three of them groan. Jake slipped his thumb back over Emma’s clit, jamming his hips against her back. Then suddenly, he pushed them away from the wall.

“Where are we going?” Emma gasped as Duncan took over holding her up. She wrapped her legs tighter around his hips as he followed Jake to the beat-up sofa in the corner. Why do these places always have old sofas? she wondered vaguely.

“I want to fuck Duncan,” Jake said, rummaging in his bag. Duncan jerked, catching his breath and Emma sensed him think, it’s about damn time. Then he dropped Emma on the sofa and she whined, protesting as he slipped out of her.

“Hang on, sweetheart,” Duncan panted. He dragged her ass to the edge of the cushions and knelt on the floor, pushing back inside in a single hard thrust that had her gasping.

“God, finally,” Jake muttered. He stood up and walked over, holding a bottle of lube and a condom loosely between his fingers.

“Do you know what you’re doing with that?” Duncan teased, holding still. Emma squirmed, trying to get him to move. “Shh, relax, Emma,” he soothed.

“Oh, please, have a little faith in me,” Jake scoffed in response to Duncan. He dropped down and coated two of his fingers with the slick substance. “Sorry, it’s a little cold.”

“Come on,” Duncan said impatiently.

“Okay, okay,” Jake murmured. Emma felt Duncan jerk as Jake slipped one finger, then two into Duncan’s hole. “Jesus you’re tight.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve never done this before,” Duncan panted.

What? Never? Jake thought. Emma sensed his astonishment.

“Never,” Duncan said out loud. Jake trembled and eased his fingers inside Duncan. Emma felt him work at the muscle. Duncan shuddered, trying to hold completely still and failing. Then he arched back with a groan as Jake brushed against his prostate. “God, there! Right there, don’t stop, Jake,” Duncan muttered, bucking.

Jake chuckled, then slipped his fingers out. “Hang on.” Emma sensed him roll on a condom, then grab hold of his cock and very carefully push inside. She moaned as she felt Duncan stretch around Jake, experiencing everything through the bond.

“Oh, man,” Jake breathed as he eased the crown inside. “Okay, deep breaths,” he commanded, and Duncan inhaled then relaxed as Jake slid the rest of the way home. Both men groaned, then Jake thrust gently, pushing Duncan into Emma. She gasped and clutched at Duncan’s arms, desperate for them to move.

“Please, please, please,” she heard someone chanting, then realized it was her. Duncan grunted and Jake began to fuck into Duncan in earnest, the pleasure of their ménage a trois rocketing through their minds as well as their bodies.

I’m not gonna last, Emma thought.

Me neither, Jake responded, shoving his hips forward. He reached his hands up to play with Duncan’s nipple rings and at that Duncan went crazy, bucking into Emma, then arching back onto Jake, his body completely buzzed with pleasure. Emma sensed their auras crackling around them as sparks from Duncan manifested along their skin like crazy firecrackers. Then suddenly, Duncan froze, his hips jerking into her hard and Emma climaxed, her body thrashing so violently that she almost pushed Duncan and Jake over. She sensed them orgasm, too, the pleasure so intense Jake’s vision sparkled. He almost passed out as he slumped against Duncan’s back. Duncan fought to keep from crushing her, holding both his and Jake’s weight up with his elbows on the sofa. He buried his face in her neck as he gasped for air.

As they gradually calmed down, Emma knew with complete certainty that there wasn’t anywhere else she’d rather be right at this moment. She clung to Duncan, her legs still wrapped around his waist, her heels gripping Jake’s hips. Neither man wanted to let go, but finally the discomfort of their position made Duncan groan as his knees protested. Emma giggled as his softened cock slipped out of her body. He leaned back, dislodging Jake with a grunt as he got to his feet and dropped onto the sofa next to her.

“Damn,” Jake muttered, staggering to his feet.

“What?” Emma tried to stand up but then gave up as her legs continued to tremble with aftershocks.

“I got jizz on my pants. What the hell am I going to wear to the meet and greet?” Jake said, exasperated.

Duncan laughed weakly into her shoulder. “Hey, at least they’re not ripped into shreds.”

“Yeah, like that helps. I’ve got a mysterious stain on my jeans. You don’t think everyone will be looking at it?”

“How the hell did that happen? Didn’t you take them off?” Emma asked.

“Yeah, but I put them on the floor to cushion my knees.”

“Oh. Um, I thought you wore a condom? How did you get spunk on your jeans?” Emma asked, still confused.

“It slipped when I was taking it off and dripped everywhere,” Jake explained, disgusted. Duncan snickered.

“It’s not funny,” Jake muttered. “What am I going to wear now?” He flung himself down on the sofa next to Emma.

“Can’t you just pick out another pair?” Emma asked, waving her hand at the rack in the corner. She didn’t understand the problem. Jake’s costumes weren’t as customized as Duncan’s so they usually had extras. He generally wore tight jeans and leather. Duncan had a tendency to add sparkling details to his clothes, the better for the audience to focus on him during a show.

“I do, but they’re blue. These jeans are black. If I go out there in a different pair, everyone will know what we were doing in here.”

Emma smiled as Duncan smirked. “It’s not like they didn’t already know what we were doing in here.”

Emma snuggled into Duncan, eyes closed against Jake’s mock-grumpiness. “I can tell you’re rolling your eyes, you know,” she stated.

Duncan grinned and pressed closer, leaning over Emma’s lap to kiss Jake. “Seriously, man, she’s right.”

Jake huffed against Duncan’s face and Emma could feel his amusement. “Yeah, whatever.” Emma pouted as Jake got back up and sauntered naked over to the rack of clothes in the far corner of the dressing room. He pawed through until he found a pair of blue jeans. She and Duncan had an unobstructed view of his firm backside as he bent over to pull them on.

Gorgeous, she thought, licking her lips. Jake paused with one leg in and one leg out of the fresh jeans, tossing a disgusted look over his shoulder at her before he finished dressing. She grinned, unrepentant as Duncan laughed then heaved himself off the sofa with a sigh. He went over to the dressing room table, rummaging in the drawers until he found a soft cloth. He wetted it with some bottled water and handed it Emma so she could clean up before putting herself back together.

“Hey, I can’t help it. If you’re going to flash me, I’m going to enjoy the view,” Emma said, wiping her thighs. She peered up at Jake from under her eyelashes in time to see him smile at her. She pulled her panties back on then Duncan helped her with her blouse.

“It’s not fair that you don’t have to clean up,” she said as Duncan buttoned the silk over her breasts.

“Yeah, well, I was lucky he didn’t use too much lube,” he retorted.

Emma smiled and stretched up to kiss him. Then Jake was next to them, running a hand over her hair to smooth it back down. He smiled, leaning in to kiss Emma too. Duncan slid a palm over Jake’s neck and all three of them kissed each other. Emma felt the love they shared swell up inside until she was full of it, the colors of their auras mingling and dancing over their skin. Even with her eyes closed she could see it, the bonding between them strong and beautiful. When the kiss finally ended, she pulled back to look into their eyes.

“We’re always lucky, as long as we have each other,” she said, voice unsteady. Duncan’s face went soft and tender and she felt his agreement deep in her bones. Jake blinked back tears as Emma smiled at her men.

“Yeah, we are,” Jake said, his certainty sinking into her soul as Emma closed her eyes and basked in a moment that felt like forever.

THE END

www.erinmleaf.com

Content

Appassionato
Dream Marked - 1
by
Erin M. Leaf

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Epilogue