"Please don't touch it. My partner is very sensitive about possible damage to his work." The young man's face bore a sour expression as he hurried over to remove Isabela's hand from the sculpture she'd been admiring.
"I wasn't going to - Never mind." Rolling her eyes, she took a step backward to better take in the assemblage of steel and wood right before her. "What is it supposed to represent?"
"Well, according to Wade it's…" Glancing at a sheet of paper attached to his clipboard, the man, who had introduced himself as Herren, read in a low monotone. "A manifestation of men's baser urges, transcended by the eternal beauty of love."
"Of course it is." Riordan came over and placed a cool hand on her bare waist. "See? That's the baser urges, right there." He pointed to a large wooden protrusion about halfway up the complicated structure, the same place, coincidentally, that she'd been fondling when Herren had interrupted her.
"I would appreciate it if you didn't make fun of Wade's work." Herren's eyes narrowed. "He isn't just any old tinkerer. This particular piece sells for…" Once again, he consulted his list. "Roughly $40, 000. Though we're likely to get a higher price if we auction it. Owning one of Wade's works is all the rage among the higher echelons of society right now."
"40, 000, eh?" Duncan whistled softly. "Not bad."
"Exactly." Herren allowed himself a satisfied smile. "We do have a few smaller pieces at the back, in case you are interested?"
"We might be. And… could we have a little chat with the artist, maybe?" Isabela glanced over across the garden to where the man in question was working metal at a tiny forge. He was shirtless, except for a leather apron, which made sense in this heat. It also gave her the opportunity to appreciate the way his muscles were playing under his sweaty skin. Not a bad-looking guy, even if his moustache was rather unfortunate. "I'd be thrilled to discuss those baser urges in more detail with him."
"That is out of the question." Herren's lips set in a grim line, the smile all but gone.
So that's the way it is, then? Isabela didn't bother to hide her wide grin. Wade glanced up briefly, but hardly seemed to notice them. Maybe he really wants to be left alone.
Herren coughed stiffly. "Wade mustn't be disturbed when he's at work. It would ruin the artistic flow."
"And, we wouldn't want that, of course." There were tiny laugh-lines around Duncan's eyes, but his tone was sober and respectful. "Do you mind if we look around a little longer? This place is amazing."
"Feel free." Herren sounded a little mollified. "I'll be here if you have any questions."
Isabela let Riordan pull her away to follow Duncan, who had wandered off to examine another sculpture, this one made of bleached driftwood and black leather in a strange arrangement that made her think of a walking skeleton. Only, this particular skeleton was over eight feet tall and had three legs and four arms. She made a face.
"Come on, Isabela." Riordan embraced her from behind, placing a quick kiss on her neck. "Admit it. This is fun. Much better than sitting around all day."
"It certainly is." Duncan reached for his camera, ready to take a picture, but was stopped by an icy glare from Herren.
"No pictures. Wade's pieces are protected by international copyright laws." The man's voice with its crisp British accent could have cut glass. "You can buy postcards at our shop, if you wish."
Duncan lowered the lens, breathing a sigh of disappointment. "Such a pity. The light in this place is truly magical."
Isabela nodded in agreement. She wasn't a huge fan of Wade's art, truth be told, but she would have loved to have seen Duncan's pictures. He'd taken hundreds of photos since his arrival on the island, and what glimpses she'd got of them on his laptop had really impressed her. He had a good eye for details that eluded everybody else, and he displayed an uncharacteristic amount of patience when it came to waiting to catch the perfect moment.
Besides, Wade's garden was a magical place, there could be no doubt about it. Sculptures were scattered all over the vast lawn, competing for attention with luscious purple jacaranda trees and pink and red bougainvillea bushes. Large palm trees towered over a pretty little pavilion with white latticed walls where Herren served iced tea to customers willing to spend money on Wade's glorious extravaganzas.
Yes, coming here had definitely been a good idea, especially since Wade's workshop was only a quick boat ride away from their domicile, on a neighbouring island. The guys had grown restless after the first two days lazing around in the sun, so they had started looking for entertainment. A word to the villa's staff had been enough to set things in motion. When they'd come down this morning, they'd found the boat waiting and a picnic basket filled with delicacies set out on the kitchen table with a neatly typed itinerary and some tips for their day out next to it. Anora really knows how to pick the right people for a job.
Isabela had enjoyed their little outing, but now she was looking forward to returning to the villa. Riordan's hands were still resting on her hip, stroking her skin in small circles, his light touch cool and pleasant, making her crave more.
"Time to go back, I think." It was as if he had read her thoughts. "Enough cultural activity for a day. Now, if we can get our master photographer to join us…"
Duncan, who was kneeling on the ground, aiming his lens carefully at a perfect hibiscus flower, got to his feet with a wry smile. "All right. Let's head back."
"Yup." Isabela smiled brightly at him. "I'm thinking cocktails by the pool, yeah?"
"You took the words right out of my mouth." Duncan grinned.
Duncan was as good as his word. As soon as they had returned to the villa and freshened up a little, he joined her at the pool, carrying two large mojitos. They sipped them in companionable silence, listening to the birds twittering in the foliage surrounding the house. Riordan was nowhere to be seen, and Isabela wondered fleetingly what he was up to.
When they'd finished their drinks, Duncan placed the glasses solicitously on a little side table, then settled on her deckchair, between her legs. Taking hold of her left foot, he nibbled gently on her ankle. "Ready for some more luxury treatment?" His dark eyes were flashing at her, both in passion and amusement.
"Oh, yes." She lay back with a lascivious sigh, delivering herself completely to his touch.
Duncan took his time, working his way carefully up one leg, until he could hook two fingers into her bikini bottoms and swiftly pull them down all the way to her feet, then repeating his upward journey on her other leg. By the time he'd arrived at his destination, she was so impatient to feel his mouth on her that her hips rose from the cushion to meet him, without any conscious effort on her part. His lips were soft and skilled, and his beard just rough enough to add an extra tingle to his caresses.
She moaned when he opened her up with this thumbs, and when he licked a winding path all the way through her sex, she cried out, arching her back in pleasure. He threw her a fiery glance, then buried his face between her legs again. And it felt good to just lie back and let him proceed, so good that it almost made her feel selfish for taking her pleasure so shamelessly from him. Except it was obvious how much he was enjoying himself as well.
At some point Riordan came out of the house, but he just settled quietly in the deckchair next to them and Duncan ignored him completely. He was fully focussed on what he was doing to her, and Isabela certainly wasn't complaining because, Gods, if she'd ever met a man who knew how to use his tongue, it was Duncan. Well, Riordan as well, but right now, it was Duncan's dark head between her legs, Duncan's mouth on her heat, and she really, really hoped he wouldn't stop any time soon.
Duncan lost himself in Isabela's taste, salty and unique and wonderful, lost himself in exploring each and every one of her folds, feeling her shiver against his tongue as she spiralled higher and higher. He couldn't get enough of her, of the tiny noises she made whenever he found a particularly sensitive spot, the rich, feminine scent of her, the way her hands scrambled for purchase when she got close, the urgent edge of her breathing that told him she was almost there, just a tiny bit more, another flick of his tongue, another minuscule caress… And then she was coming with a long, shuddering sigh, her muscles contracting over and over. It took her a good while to come down, and he patiently licked her through it, relishing the knowledge that he'd been the one to take her to such heights.
Only now did he bother to acknowledge Riordan's presence, twisting around slightly to smile at the other man. "Well? Enjoyed the show?"
"Oh yes." Riordan chuckled softly. "I didn't have the heart to disturb you, to be honest."
"What can I say?" Duncan ran a calming hand along Isabela's thigh. "She's delicious."
Riordan made a small, affirmative noise, and then he was right next to them, one hand on Duncan's shoulder. "Share the taste?"
They kissed, deeply and with plenty of tongue, with Isabela watching appreciatively. When they drew apart and Riordan reached for her instead, she pulled back, clucking her tongue impatiently at them. "Don't stop. Please."
Riordan raised a questioning eyebrow, and she elaborated quickly. "I'm good. Let me just… watch a little, okay?"
"Fine with me." Riordan's eyes were dark and hungry as he let them wander over Duncan's half-naked body. "But, I'd like to take this into the house, if you don't mind. I've got plans."
Duncan shivered. He had a fair idea what those plans entailed, and he was both looking forward to it, and a tad apprehensive about it. "Riordan…"
"Come on." There it was again, that hint of steely command in Riordan's voice, and Duncan and Isabela both obeyed without thinking.
Riordan had prepared his bedroom for them, removing the bedspread and setting out condoms and lube on the bedside table. He had also carefully selected the music he wanted: soft, slow Cuban rhythms that filled the room as soon as he turned on the stereo. The scent of the frangipani plants on the balcony outside was wafting through the open window, and the room was cool and shady, perfect after a long day in the sun.
Duncan smiled at the amount of thought and care that had gone into this little scene. He knew Riordan liked to plan ahead, knew that his friend liked to have things just so, and he didn't mind. Spontaneity was all well and good, but there was a lot of pleasure to be had just from anticipation. The bulge in Riordan's shorts as he leaned against the door, watching them both, confirmed his line of thought. He must have played it out in his head over and over, worked out exactly what he wants from us. The thought sent a hot shiver down his spine.
"Do you still want to watch, Isabela?" Riordan's voice was rough.
"Absolutely." She smiled brightly at him. "Where do you want me?"
"On the bed, with us. And I want you naked." There was no room for contradiction in Riordan's tone. "But no touching, until I tell you to."
Isabela just nodded, her eyes gleaming fervently. She proceeded to walk over to the bed. She had put on her bikini again before coming in, and now she wiggled gracefully out of it, dropping the pieces with a graceful flourish before arranging herself on the bed, near the headboard, looking at them expectantly.
"You, too, Duncan." Riordan's posture clearly betrayed his tension now, as if he was struggling to hold back. "Take off your clothes."
He complied willingly, unable to suppress the triumphant thrill he felt when Riordan's breath hitched at the sight of his naked body. He was almost fully hard already, still aroused from pleasuring Isabela, but even more by Riordan's demeanour.
"On the bed." Riordan shrugged off his own shorts, never taking his eyes off Duncan. "Lie down on your stomach."
Again, he followed the command, almost unthinkingly. There was something about Riordan's tone, something about the intense look in his eyes, that utterly drained all willpower from him. Closing his eyes, he lowered himself onto the sheets, almost moaning aloud when he felt their silky coolness along his hot flesh.
There was a moment when nothing happened, when he just lay there, listening to the thrumming of the guitar, waiting for Riordan to do whatever he wanted with him, and it was almost unbearably sweet to savour the pictures his fevered imagination conjured up. And then he felt Riordan's weight settle on the bed behind him, felt those cool hands stroke all over his back, as gentle as if he was made from glass. He trembled all over under Riordan's touch, unconsciously moving his hips in a slow, sinuous movement that drew a gasp from his friend.
"You… Damn it, Duncan." Riordan swallowed audibly. "Lie still."
He did, though it wasn't easy. He forced himself not to move as Riordan's hands wandered all over him in a gentle caress; he bit his lip to avoid thrusting into the sheets as Riordan worked a slick finger gently inside him, and somehow he stopped himself from rutting back when a second finger joined the first, teasing, exploring, making him see stars. Dimly he was aware of the music playing in the background, washing over him in gentle waves, helping him relax, making him forget all his concerns and focus on nothing but the present.
Isabela was watching, her eyes wide, her breath coming in quick gasps, and she was so close he could smell her arousal, could see the little shivers racing all over her body. She was gorgeous like this, hot and bothered, so immensely turned on by seeing them together, and her arousal fuelled his in turn until he thought he would die of lust before Riordan had even-
Pulling back his hand, Riordan bent over him to brush his lips softly along his neck. "Ready?" he whispered.
Duncan nodded vehemently, his throat too tight to speak. He knew how much Riordan wanted this, and he wanted it, too, but he was still scared and worried and uncertain of what exactly was expected of him.
"Just relax." Riordan reached for the lube again, and then he was there, his cock nudging at Duncan, pushing in, breaching his body's resistance, slow and gentle, but inexorable and it was…
He had never felt anything like this. Such incredible closeness, just like being with a woman, but this time he was the one to allow someone else into his body, he was the one who had to trust his partner to go slow, not to hurt him, to listen to his cues. It gave him a whole new appreciation for the women he'd been with. There was no pain, but quite a bit of discomfort at first, until he had gotten used to the intrusion, and then it was amazing, hot and full, but still a little unsettling. And Riordan kept pushing, more and more of him, until he was finally fully settled, breathing out sharply as he leaned over Duncan to kiss his spine. It was a feather light kiss, but as overworked as his nerves where, it sent a spark all over his body, making him clench hard around Riordan.
"Gods, Duncan!" Riordan cried out briefly, his fingers digging deep into Duncan's hips, so close to losing control.
But he didn't, of course, not Riordan, with his iron grip on himself, not Riordan who would always, always put the needs of his partner first.
"Shhhh." He ran a calming hand over Duncan's back.
The music, which had risen to a brief crescendo only moments ago, changed to a softer, sweeter tune, the plaintive voice of the singer almost a caress in itself. Riordan pulled back, ever so slowly, carefully applying more lube before he pushed back in. It took a while, but they found a rhythm eventually, slow and uncertain, but at the same time so overwhelming that Duncan had to close his eyes again.
Which was a pity, because it meant he could no longer watch Isabela, who was writhing on the sheets by now, her nipples hard as stone, her lips half-opened as she panted hard. Isabela, who was so beautiful and who couldn't tear her eyes off the scene before her, clearly turned on beyond belief by what she was witnessing. Isabela, who, at a signal from Riordan, dropped a hand between her legs to stroke herself, so close already that she barely seemed able to stand her own touch.
And then he forgot all about her, because Riordan sped up his thrusts, hitting him deeper, harder, right there, in the perfect place, and at the same time reached around him to take hold of his cock, and it was too much, just too much. He came so hard he screamed, roaring out his pleasure, too far gone to care. Behind him, Riordan cursed hoarsely, then finished with two last, stuttering thrusts, and next to him, Isabela cried out, too, sharp and high.
Duncan was still trembling by the time they had cleaned up and he made no objection when the other two left him alone in the bed to rest a while, covering him gently with a blanket. Their voices were muffled as they made their way downstairs, but he was too tired to make out individual words. Completely exhausted, he drifted off to sleep.
Many, many thanks to my wonderful beta, suilven - and apologies for all of you for keeping you waiting for an update so long.