Binding Love Read online

  “I have a client to meet with for a little while this morning, so I wanted to make sure we had time to set things up for next weekend if everyone can manage the time.”

  Mallory stared straight ahead at Liam’s blatant lie. Sure, they had active accounts they were working on, but unless she missed something, there was no meeting scheduled. It took everything in her not to question him. If she knew him as well as she thought, he had something planned. What though, she had no idea.

  “I can make sure my schedule is cleared for next weekend.” Cooper reached over and placed his hand on top of hers. His fingers were warm and slightly rough against her skin. “I’d like to come back again. Maybe we could go out and do something? You could show me the sights.”

  Mallory giggled. “There’s not much to see, but I think that would be fun.” She peered over at Liam, who had a worried look on his face.

  “I agree with Mal, but I also want you to know that we’re more than happy to head to Chaos. We don’t expect you to always be the one traveling, Coop.”

  There was something going on, an undercurrent Mallory could feel but didn’t understand. Cooper and Liam wore nearly identical looks. Their brows were furrowed in thought, and Cooper no longer seemed comfortable. She missed the feel of his hand on hers when he slowly pulled away and stood, going to the counter to fill his coffee mug.

  “I don’t mind.”

  What’s wrong? Mallory mouthed the question to Liam, who only shook his head in answer. Either he wasn’t sure, wasn’t ready to talk about it or didn’t feel the need to share the information with her. All three bit the big one.

  Liam was trying hard not to think the worst but not faring very well. He, of course, would give Cooper the benefit of the doubt, but if he was right, they were going to end up having problems. The thought of it scared him. He hated to admit it, even to himself, but it was the truth.

  He and Mallory both felt deeply for the man and had even before getting back together with him. If things didn’t work out, not only would the ache be personal but he would feel it through Mallory too and that was a hard thought to bear. He didn’t want to see her hurt and fought tooth and nail the fact he had pretty much no control over the situation.

  From the look on Cooper’s face before he’d left his seat at the table, he was having some of the same thoughts. Liam decided he needed to speak with Cooper before he could do as he’d planned and leave him alone with Mallory.

  He didn’t like the idea of sending her off somewhere alone while they spoke. He normally allowed her to share in the decision making even though their relationship had a definite power dynamic flair. In his eyes they were partners, flip sides of the same coin, and as so, her opinions and ideas were extremely important to him. This time however, he was going to send her off to do something so he and Cooper could talk.

  Mallory was already invested deeply on an emotional level with Cooper and would have a hard time taking a step back to see things clearly. Hell, Liam wasn’t even sure he would be able to. He had to try. Had to see what was going on in Cooper’s head, where they all stood and if Cooper was thinking along the lines of long term.

  Liam scooted his chair back, stood then moved so he was behind Mallory. He placed his hands on her shoulders and gave a little squeeze. She tilted her head and looked up at him with a hint of concern in her gaze. He couldn’t help but smile. She had always been able to pick up on his moods, and it was obvious she was using that very skill to try to figure out what was going on.

  “Go take a shower and put on something pretty for Cooper. The two of you will be spending the day together.” Liam bent to whisper the words into the shell of her ear. When he was done, he nibbled on the sensitive pink flesh.

  He could see questions in her eyes and was a little surprised when she didn’t voice them. However, she also didn’t budge from her seat at the table. Stubborn, opinionated and too damn smart for her own good were words and phrases Liam would use to describe Mallory. They were also the very same reasons he loved and connected with her so well.

  “Now would be a good time, baby.” The words were innocent enough but a command all the same. By the look on her face, Mallory understood clearly.

  It was obvious she didn’t want to go shower and leave them alone, but he’d given her no choice. Her body was rigid as she moved from her chair, but she didn’t stomp or show her temper in any outward way that might cause discomfort for Cooper or her, for that matter. Liam knew she was completely aware if she’d done so he would have been on her, correcting the attitude in a matter of seconds.

  “I’m off to shower.” She moved around the kitchen, kissing the both of them before leaving the room.

  “I don’t want her hurt.” No beating around the bush. Liam felt being straight from the get-go was the way to do things.

  Cooper turned to face him. “Neither do I.” He stared down at the mug of coffee he was holding in his hand then back up to meet Liam’s gaze. “I don’t want any of us hurt.”

  Liam thought those words over for a minute. There were many ways to take what Cooper had said. Finally, he asked, “And you think that might happen?”

  “There are no guarantees either way.”

  Liam was getting annoyed. He moved until they stood close, face-to-face. “Do you think we’re going to end up hurt?”

  Cooper was large and imposing. He might lean more toward the submissive end of the spectrum where sexual activity was concerned, but there was nothing remotely submissive about him. He stood his ground as Liam moved closer and then took another step, insinuating himself in Liam’s personal space. Cooper knew it was a challenge of sorts. He was showing him in no uncertain terms they were on equal footing. Liam had no issue with the fact.

  It was clear he wasn’t the only one feeling frustration. Nor was he willing to back down. “I won’t ever intentionally hurt either one of you, but that doesn’t mean none of us, Mallory included, aren’t going to feel pain at some point in time.”

  Liam heard Cooper and knew he was right, but it didn’t make him feel any better. Running a hand over his face, an outward sign of the emotions coursing through him, he stalked across the room before turning to stare once again at Cooper.

  “This isn’t going to be easy, man. You’ve got to know that.” Cooper’s voice was low, calm but there was an undertone Liam couldn’t help but pick up on.

  “Nothing about relationships are easy, especially when they aren’t considered normal by the masses. They take work every single day.” Liam moved back across the room, closing the gap between them before speaking again. “I guess what I need to know is whether you’re in this for the long haul or is this a good time?”

  He really didn’t have an issue with either but needed to know. He would have to explain to Mallory if Cooper was only in it for the fun and sex, and allow her to make up her own mind on whether or not she was okay with something along those lines. He told Cooper as much.

  Standing as close as they were was wreaking havoc on Liam’s libido. The five o’clock shadow darkening Coopers chin made him appear even more rugged than his size. Liam could smell his musk and remembered exactly what it felt like to sink himself completely into the ultra-tight confines of his ass.

  “It has never been only about the sex for me.”

  Cooper’s words pulled Liam from the lust-induced stupor he nearly lost himself in. “Okay.” Liam sensed a “but” to the sentence. He waited.

  Cooper moved back to the table and sat. Whatever he had to say was causing issues. If it was what Liam thought, it had the possibility of being a huge hurdle for them.

  “I need time to get used to the idea.”

  “You need time or you need time for your family to get used to the idea that their brother is bisexual and involved in a poly triad relationship?” Liam had to voice his thoughts. There was no accusation in his tone, but the words were blunt and to the point.

  Cooper looked at him and nodded. “I’m not sure how they’re going to ha
ndle it.”

  “Casey and Jared are obviously engaged in a power dynamic relationship as are Cash and Noelle even if they don’t label it as such. Connor and Carson love and share Tara and receive no flak from everyone else due to it.” Liam wasn’t quite sure why Cooper was so worried.

  “That’s all fine and good, but it doesn’t deal with the issue. Forget the fact I enjoy submitting in bed. None of that deals with me being a bisexual man in a sea of larger-than-life men’s men. My brothers.”

  He seemed genuinely worried, and Liam feared such concern could very possibly cause some seemingly insurmountable issues for their relationship. “Did you think any less of your brothers because their relationships might not be considered normal by society standards?”

  Cooper shook his head. “Not at all. They are who they are.”

  “And you are who you are. Do you really believe they would think less of you due to it?”

  * * * * *

  Grumbling didn’t seem to work. She was still grumpy at being sent off like a child while the grown-ups talked. Mallory knew better though than to stomp around and slam cabinets unless she wanted to get her ass beat and not in a hot and sexy kind of way. Since that wasn’t ever a goal, she forced herself to think of fun things, sexy things, pretty much anything other than what Cooper and Liam were talking about.

  Of course it didn’t work. She was too nosy and wanted to be a part of whatever conversation was taking place between her two men in the kitchen. Instead, she finished brushing her hair and added the slightest bit of makeup to her face.

  The dress she put on was cute and comfortable. Combined with strappy sandals and a light sweater, she would be set for pretty much anything Cooper might want to do.

  Once finished, Mallory settled onto the side of the bed. She wasn’t quite sure whether or not she should assume they were done or take the chance and venture out even if they weren’t. She was saved from having to make a decision on the matter by a firm knock on the door.

  Her heart leapt. It had to be Cooper because Liam would never dream to knock on the door. “Come in.” Mallory stood and moved toward the door as Cooper opened it.

  He had obviously showered as well. His hair appeared darker than normal, telling her it was still damp. He’d donned a pair of well-fitting jeans and a navy blue collared shirt. The work-type boots covering his feet were scuffed from years of wear and tear. She absolutely loved a man in jeans and boots.

  “Hi.” She felt shy and realized with irritation she was probably blushing.

  Cooper sauntered to where she stood, not stopping until they were face-to-face. He leaned in close and grazed his mouth across her lips. “Hi.”

  His breath was fresh and clean and smelled of mint. Mallory wanted to devour him, suck his tongue into her mouth, tease and taste all of him. She was able to control herself though and instead asked, “Everything all right?”

  Nodding, Cooper laced his fingers with her and led them to the door. “Liam left for a meeting, so we’re going to get something to eat.”

  Liam hadn’t gone to a meeting any more than she’d turned dominant overnight. From the crooked smile and wink Cooper gave her, he knew it as well.

  “Sounds good to me.” And it did. She’d like to have him naked in bed more, but as it was, she would much rather have his company over a meal than not at all.

  They chatted over lunch about any and every topic imaginable and some she never would have thought of in a million years. It was nice. Cooper had insisted on sitting side by side versus across the table from one another. It made it easy for them to touch, something Mallory loved. The only problem was how his touch changed from that of simple brushes of his hand to his clever fingers trailing up the inside of her bare thigh beneath the table.

  By the time they were finished eating they had teased one another into a raging inferno of need. Mallory had a hard time not attacking him in the car. He was so close and yet so far away. It seemed an eternity before they arrived home even though she knew it was only a matter of minutes and most of that had been driven well above the speed limit.

  Mallory barely held on until the door closed behind them before she launched herself at Cooper, attaching her mouth to his for a kiss so deep, so profound it rocked her to the core.

  His lips took but also gave. He held her tightly to him, tilting his head to the side for better access to her mouth. His tongue was warm and wet against her own. His hands roamed her neck, her back and down to her hips, rocking her forward until she was straddling his thigh, the heat of her sex tucked in close, burning with need. It was a position she loved. The ability to rub herself as close to orgasm as possible while feeling the power of his kiss made her dizzy with delight.

  Even though she wanted to tear his clothes off and climb on top, taking the engorged length of his cock deep inside her, Mallory enjoyed what they were doing too much to stop. It wasn’t until Cooper ripped his mouth from hers and guided her steps backward toward the couch that she realized exactly how out of control she really was.

  Cooper was going to be heading home and she would have to deal with all the feelings missing him caused. That knowledge was scary and in that fear she felt the need to cling to him, to feel him in her, to hear his rasping breaths as he took her and fucked her. Liam had given them this time alone and she planned to make the best of every second of it.

  As if by magic, their clothes were peeled away and now littered the carpeted floor. Cooper might crave a taste of the other side while engaged with Liam, but there was nothing at all submissive about the take-charge man standing gloriously nude before her.

  Mallory’s heart pounded so hard she felt breathless from it. When Cooper turned her so her back was to him, his steely length prodding the cheeks of her ass, she couldn’t help but moan. He felt warm and so very large against her.

  It took no more than a slight nudge to get her to kneel on the couch. His palm flat on her back, guiding, coaxing, commanded without words. Mallory knelt on the patterned cushions then leaned forward, bracing herself on its low back. When she spread her knees in offering, Cooper murmured words of encouragement.

  “You like?” She swayed her hips seductively, enjoying the look on his face as she peered over her shoulder at him.

  “Mmm, very much.” Mallory watched as Cooper rummaged through the pocket of his discarded jeans.

  The sound of a foil packet being ripped open caused a shiver of anticipation to run down her spine, leaving her flesh ultrasensitive in its wake. She attempted to turn in order to help him roll on the protection, preferably with her mouth, but was stopped by the slight shake of his head.

  “I want you exactly like that. I want the first thing Liam sees when he walks through the door to be your beautiful face.”

  Mallory hadn’t even considered the position Cooper had placed her in, but he was right. The way she was situated would indeed make her face the first thing Liam saw when he came home. She smiled over her shoulder at Cooper and nodded. She liked the idea and knew beyond a shadow of a doubt Liam would too.

  Chapter Nine

  The sight of her ass in all its curvy and creamy pale flesh glory was a sight to behold. She was stunning in her sexuality. Giving and sensuous, she accepted every touch of his fingers along her body.

  Mallory curved her spine, lifting her hips in invitation. “Please.”

  Cooper couldn’t help but chuckle. Her plea came out sounding pitiful, as if she hadn’t been thoroughly fucked in ages. He knew the truth of the matter though and didn’t plan to be rushed.

  He ran the tip of his finger along her spine then down between the fleshy globes of her ass and finally to her moist heat. He nearly sighed in contentment, loving the silky, wet feel of her. Cooper enjoyed it even more when he slowly entered her warm and willing core with two fingers, causing Mallory to press back against him.

  “Stay still, Mal.” Cooper punctuated the command with a smack to her rump. A handprint-shaped blush rose where his palm had landed. The feel
of her flesh giving beneath the weight of his hand and the explosive sound of flesh on flesh made him want to repeat the action.

  The way she looked at him from over her shoulder, her gaze lust-glazed, had him doing just that. The next smack of his hand on her ass left a matching print.

  Mallory moaned deep and low, panting. “I didn’t move.”

  “I know, baby, but I just couldn’t help myself.” It was the truth, and he had no qualms admitting it. “I want you to look straight ahead and keep your eyes open and on the door.”

  He knew what time Liam planned to be home and it was getting close. He could hardly wait to see him walk through the front door. Cooper pulled his fingers from Mallory’s slick pussy then leaned over her back, making sure to rub the turgid length of his condom-covered cock against her entrance. He waited with bated breath to see if she would move and chuckled out loud when she remained still as she’d been told.

  “Liam has trained you well.”

  She huffed dramatically. “And you’re nearly as bossy as he is.”

  Cooper pressed his fingers, still wet with her essence, against her lips and then appreciated every flick of her tongue as she sucked and licked them clean. All the while he whispered against her ear.

  “When Liam comes through the door, he’d better see your eyes open and waiting for him.” She nodded, sucking the tip of his middle finger back into her mouth, her very talented tongue plaguing him with thoughts of replacing his finger with his cock.

  “He’s going to see me fucking you and he’s going to know how much you’re enjoying yourself even while he understands how much you’ve missed and love him in the depth of your beautiful brown eyes.”

  She quivered beneath him, her eyes fluttering closed briefly before snapping back open to stare at the door directly in front of them.