Her Guys [Blessed 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (13 page)

“Our grandfather, Ettore Cortino, was the best fisherman in Capri—” Cason started his story.

Trent cut him off. “You mean he loved to fish. That’s how
Nonno
tells the story.”

Cason frowned at Trent. “No more interruptions. Who’s telling this story?” Cason retorted.

“We won’t interrupt if you’ll tell it right,” Troy stated.

“All right. You two are sticks in the mud.” Cason looked over at Katarina. “Like I was saying, because he loved to fish, Ettore was the best fisherman in all of Capri. He’d been told by his papa to never enter Gradola.”

At Katarina’s questioning look, Carlo leaned forward and said, “Gradola is a sea cave that was rumored to be the home of sea monsters and witches.”

“Yes, yes. But Ettore didn’t believe those stories because he’d fished all the waters around Gradola and had never seen anything out of the ordinary.” After a small pause, Cason continued. “So when a huge fish swallowed his hook and started pulling Ettore toward the cave, he let it. When he entered the cave, he loosened his grip on his fishing pole. He was so taken by the beautiful blue sparkling walls that he didn’t even care when the fish took off with his fishing pole.”

“Yeah, he was so awed by the cave that he didn’t care about the huge fish getting away either. That says a lot,” Carlo blurted excitedly.

“You said that right, bro. Ettore rowed his boat deeper into the notorious sea cave.”

“He was very brave,” Carlo whispered, with a serious nod of his head.

“Yes he was. That’s why when he saw a woman floating face down in the water, he rapidly rowed over to her, and dragged her into the boat, and pumped the water from her lungs. She didn’t come to, but he knew she was alive. Rowing as quickly as he could, Ettore headed to Capri. On the way in she woke up wondering how she’d gotten into his boat. He told her the story, and that he was taking her to Capri for medical attention.”

When Cason paused, Carlo broke in. “She shocked him by smiling, and putting her hand to his chest. Heat like he’d never known shot through his body. After she pulled her hand back, she said, ‘Your heart is pure. You have just saved my life, a life that an evil witch tried to take. For that and your pure heart, I am going to bless you and all your generations. You will marry this year. My blessing will guide you to her, and all your offspring to their true loves.’

“She put her fingers on his temple then said,

‘To your true love’s inner wrist

you must place a licking kiss.

If she’s yours you will not miss

the shudders of her bliss.

Her nipples will come to a hard peak.

You can have her within a week.

Her emotions you can feel

which shows you that your love is real.’

“The witch removed her fingers from Ettore’s temple then added, ‘Health, wealth, and love will bless you and your generations from this day forward.’”

This time Carlo paused, and Cason jumped back in. “Ettore saw a bright blue light and then nothing more. He woke to an empty boat. That very year he married his true love and lived a long happy life.”

Carlo raised his drink, and they all followed suit. “May Concetta be happy and well. Salute!”

“Salute!” they all repeated.

After taking a sip of her tea, Katarina said, “Wow, that’s some family story. I enjoyed hearing it. Concetta sounds impressive.”

“Yes she does,” Lunn agreed.

Feeling at peace with their answers, and realizing they couldn’t know what Concetta had planned for the three of them, he changed the subject. “How’s business going?” he asked. A glance at Katarina and Lunn proved they were good with the change.

“The hotels are doing fine,” Trent stated then looked over at Troy.

“The bookstore had a little setback recently when a customer lit a candle and caught the tissue paper under it on fire,” Troy said.

Katarina gasped in horror. Gaven agreed with her reaction. Fire was dangerous stuff. He was glad his friends hadn’t been hurt.

Troy waved his hand and said, “It didn’t do much damage. Trey was coming out of the stockroom shortly after it started, and he put it out quickly. All we had to do was air the store out and sand the burn mark off the table and put a coat of polyurethane on it. Now it’s good as new. Of course, we are keeping a closer eye on that section of the store now.”

“We have good news,” Carlo said right before he fist bumped Cason. “We have decided to open
Cason & Carlo’s Food & Family Fun
here in Naples.”

“That’s awesome. What’s the business going to offer and when do you plan on opening it,” Trent asked.

“It’s going to be a family environment where families can come to eat burgers and pizza. We’ll have some games that they can play and win tickets from. The tickets can be exchanged for prizes. Kids love that stuff. It’ll be a party place,” Cason answered.

“Yeah, we love fun so why not run a business that makes fun memories for people. We’re hoping to open the doors in about a year,” Carlo added. His green eyes glittered with excitement.

“Is it going to be in this area?” Troy asked.

“Yeah, the building is around five miles from Coastland Center,” Cason answered.

“That sounds good. It’s close to my sports pub and Troy and Trey’s bookstore.” Gaven was glad they’d decided to open a business and even happier about them doing it in this area.

“That sounds real good. Now that you’re both settling down, maybe you’ll find your true loves soon,” Rain said then winked at Cason and Carlo.

“We’re in no hurry,” Cason answered easily and then fist bumped Carlo.

The waitress arrived with their food, and everyone was quiet for a moment as they took a few bites of their food.

“How are your jobs going?” Trey asked.

“Great, now that I fired Katarina and Lunn hired her,” Gaven stated then looked at Rain. “Does your brother-in-law want his old job back?”

“No. He’s firmly planted in our family business and Tamarisk is pregnant with their first baby.” Rain’s face glowed as she brought up her sister’s pregnancy.

“Speaking of pregnant, I need to go to the powder room,” Branda grumbled.

Watching her get up from the table and walk away, he admired her rounded tummy. “She looks so cute with her rounded belly.”

“Yeah, we think so, too.” Trey grinned from ear to ear.

“Where’s your baby?” Katarina asked Rain and Trent.

“He’s with my aunt and uncle. They insisted on keeping him.” Trent rolled his eyes.

Rain poked Trent in the side. “We’re lucky your family will keep him for us while we go out.”

“Don’t give them too much credit. They have ulterior motives.” Trent nodded his knowingly.

“What?” Rain asked.

“For you to get pregnant again,” Trent answered pointedly.

“That’s not true. They love looking after the baby.” The strawberry-blonde frowned at her grinning husband.

“True, but my parents want more grandbabies, and my aunt and uncle want Cason and Carlo to go and find their true loves so they can get some grandbabies of their own.” Trent sent Rain a
you know it’s true
look.

“Our parents are going to have to make due with your babies for a while. We are going to be too busy getting our company going to even consider giving any woman a licking kiss,” Cason stated.

“Uh huh,” Carlo agreed.

All this talk of babies was making Gaven ill. He looked nervously at Katarina and then Lunn. He couldn’t have kids. They equaled a long-term, steady home.

Katarina leaned close and said, “Eat and stop stressing.” At his questioning look, she added, “It’s obvious what you’re thinking. Eat.”

The meal progressed peacefully, and Gaven calmed in the presence of all the people he loved the most.

Loved.

He couldn’t love Katarina, but when he looked over at her, he knew he was in too deep already.
Damn it, I’m in love.

Katarina’s phone buzzed, and she checked the text message. A frown drew her brows together.

“What is it?” he asked.

“My papa wants us to come see him tomorrow. He has some news he wants to tell us,” she replied.

“Do you know what it could be about?” Lunn asked.

“No. I’m clueless.”

“Has he been healthy?”

“Yes,” she replied.

“That’s good.” he patted her shoulder. “If it was serious he would have called, right?”

“Yes,” she replied.

“Don’t worry, babe. We’ll see him tomorrow. For now let’s have a good time,” Lunn said with a comforting pat to her hand.

Gaven started sweating. Did her dad know she was with both of them? They’d have to be on high alert at this meeting. Pissed-off fathers could be very dangerous.

Katarina yawned as she walked out of the bathroom. The second she saw the intent look in Lunn’s eyes, she knew she was in trouble.

He held up a piece of rope. “Come here, kitten. I think it’s time for you to start practicing your gift. I’m going to tie you to the headboard, and you won’t be able to get free unless you use a freeing spell.”

The only reason she agreed to do it was because she knew she needed to start practicing. No guts, no glory. Walking over to him, she held out her hands. He tied her wrists together with a knot that wouldn’t come undone by itself, and then he tied the other end of the long rope to the bed with the same knot. Although this might not bode well for her later, she loved Lunn even more for wanting to help her become an enchantress. One her family could be proud of.

At 4:00 am she woke with the need to go to the bathroom and tried to ease from between her guys. She was surprised when her hands didn’t separate.

Shit!

She’d forgotten her lesson. The knowledge that she couldn’t just get up and go to the bathroom made her need to pee even greater. Squeezing her thighs together, she tried to ignore the fact that she desperately needed to go.

Not wanting to wake the men, she mumbled, “Powers that surround me, set me free.” She tugged on the rope, but it didn’t budge. A quick glance at Gaven and Lunn proved that they were still asleep. The need to pee became sharper. She crossed her legs and murmured, “I command thee to break these ropes.”

Nothing happened.

Fuck
.

Maybe she’d been too rude. She squeezed her ass cheeks together this time, hoping she could keep on holding back the flow of urine that so urgently wanted out.

After exhaling, she said, “Powers that be, break this rope.” She felt a tingle in her hand and became excited. Her excitement was short-lived, and she felt like crying when the last two inches of rope broke off and landed in her lap.

That had been close, but she needed the ropes to break on the other side of the blasted knot. She glared at Lunn’s sleeping form. Why did he have to be so good at tying knots?

A few drops of pee escaped and dampened her panties. She freaked out and turned to Gaven. To her utter surprise, he was on his side watching her and grinning.

“You almost did it. I’m proud of you, babe.” His wide smile was endearing.

His being proud of her even though she’d fail kicked her frustration to the curb. Her love for him grew even more.

More pee threatened to flow from her. She squeezed her thighs tighter and begged, “Would you please release me? I really have to go. Maybe I’ll do better under pressure next time, but right now I’m about to release a tidal wave of urine that’s going to wash you and Lunn right off the bed.

“We can’t have that now, can we? Don’t be too hard on yourself. I saw the end of the rope drop off, so I know you’ve advanced,” he said as he untied the rope.

“Thank you.” She hurried to the restroom, more determined than ever to master her gift.

Later that morning, she kissed Lunn bye and relocked the door. He was on his way to meet a client. The house was empty because Gaven had gone to the pub an hour ago. To her old room she went. With a length of rope in her hand, she sat on the bed and tied her feet together.

“Powers that be, set me free,” she murmured. The ropes didn’t move at all. No tingles, not a thing.

Volker walked into the room and bounded onto the bed.

She looked up to the ceiling and raised her arms, thinking she needed the extra help. “The powers that surround me, set me free,” she murmured. A brief feeling of floating came over her, but that ended soon. The ropes didn’t come undone. Damn, that was the wrong kind of freedom, and it hadn’t lasted long.

“I’m afraid you’ve watched too many actors mumbling spells. Forget what you’ve seen on TV. Speak clearly, my pet. It’s more about the power within you and the way you say the words than anything else.” He swished his tail around and patted her on the hand with it. “Listen to your inner witch. Let her guide you.”

That made sense. She cleared her mind and then searched for the witch within her. A spark ignited in her chest and raced through every nerve in her body. Power surged under her skin. She felt stronger and more confident than she ever had in her life.

Looking at her tied feet, she firmly said, “Power that comes from deep within, untie this knot that’s got me caught. Set me free, powers that be.”

A squee of happiness burst from her when she felt a tingle in her feet and the rope suddenly came to life and untied itself and then dropped to the bed.

“Did you see that, Volker? I did it.” Excitement was humming in her veins.

“I sure did. You did a great job, my pet.” Volker circled her, rubbing up against her body with his soft, warm fur. He purred loud enough for her to hear and feel the vibrations. “I can sense the magic in you. You’re getting stronger and catching on quickly.”

“Why thank you, sir. You’re a good teacher.” She ran her hand along his back and laughed happily. “I did it!”

A loud meow sounded from outside, and Volker leapt to the window and looked out. He grunted and twitched his whiskers. “She’s back. You might as well let me out now before I get antsy and cranky. It’s a shame you live near a neighbor that has a greedy pussy.”