Seduction in Black and White [The Master Chronicles]

Chapter 2

Chapter 2Emma was the first one awake.

Gideon was spooned behind Jesse, his face buried in his neck, while Jesse had his knee sandwiched between her thighs, pressing just lightly enough against her wet p***y to make her squirm. She glanced back at them over her shoulder, smiling softly at the look of contentment on their faces, and eased out from Jesse’s arms. Sometimes she couldn’t do it without waking one or the both of them; Gideon had the uncanny knack of knowing exactly when either of them left his bed. But this time she got lucky. She slid off the side of the bed and stretched, sighing at the soft ache in her n*****s from the clamps.

Vacation was good. Showering was better.

Being as quiet as possible, she padded out of the room, waiting until she was in the bathroom before removing the chains and collar. She loved to wear it for Gideon, but it was leather and would get ruined in the water. Of course, he’d use that as an excuse to get her a new one, but she didn’t want him to have more reasons to lavish her with gifts. He’d use it as bait in trying to tempt her into moving in with them, and Emma was having a hard enough time keeping him at bay on that topic. Gideon was very persistent when he got stuck on something. At least, Jesse was respecting her wishes.

The water scalded her when she stepped inside the shower, and she ducked her head beneath the spray, relishing the sting of it against her skin. She hated saying no to Gideon. She knew he wanted this—though why, she wasn’t entirely sure—but no argument she posed against it seemed to make a difference. Something was worrying him. She knew that much. Without directly asking, though, all she could gather was vague impressions. Being with him and Jesse made it both easier and harder to read Gideon. Easier, because she became more intimate with his body language in order to interpret what she got. Harder, because he got better at blocking her empathic attempts.

She heard the faint click of the bathroom door before Jesse said, “I thought something was missing.” He pulled the curtain back a little and smiled at her. “Mind if I join you?”

Just the sound of his voice was enough to make her heart leap. Pushing her wet hair out of her eyes, Emma returned his smile and held out her hand, the warm spark jumping between them when he took it and climbed in. Though four months had passed, it still felt wondrous knowing she was his. Jesse had changed her life. Saved it. She’d thought nothing could be better than his friendship. She’d been wrong.

He had taken off his collar prior to coming into the bathroom, but his neck was still slightly chafed from its edge. Emma leaned in and skimmed her tongue along the redness, savoring the saltiness of his skin. “Not too sore, I hope.”

Jesse sighed, tilting his head back and wrapping an arm around her waist. “Sore in all the right places. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I’ve been sore like this.”

He gripped her chin gently with his free hand and forced her to look up before claiming her mouth in a slow, deep kiss. It was almost sleepy, like he wasn’t quite awake yet. Water sluiced over their faces, the drops mingling where their lips met, warming her mouth and tickling her sensitive skin. There was an unmistakable flare of lust coming from him, but it was muted by something sweeter.

Emma let the kiss slow even further, reluctant to break the enchantment. Her fingers toyed with the hair at his nape, missing the curls that always came when he let it grow long. It would happen again soon enough, and she would relish it when it did. She cherished every second she had with him.

“We’ve still got three more weeks,” she said against his mouth. “Lots of time to make plenty of memories.”

“Honestly, I’m still surprised Gideon agreed to a full three weeks. I was almost willing to settle for three days, if he kept being so stubborn.”

She pulled back, twisting around to reach for her sponge and shower gel. “Don’t let him know that. He’ll drag us back to Chicago.”

“No. He promised three weeks, and I’m going to hold him to that. Chicago won’t burn to the ground while we’re gone.”

“Maybe that’s what happened the last time he took a vacation.”

Jesse snorted. “Maybe.” He gently took the sponge from her and worked it between his hands into a full lather. He didn’t speak for several beats as he washed the sponge over her chest, scraping her skin clean. “Did you want to go out tonight?”

“I’d like to try.”

Though she was still relatively new at it, Emma had gotten better about blocking out unwanted emotions from others. She kept her walls down around Jesse and Gideon because it was safe, because it drew them closer as a threesome, but it hadn’t always been like that. Once, she’d been ruled by the feelings she soaked up from others. Not anymore. And she owed that completely to Jesse. He had saved her from being auctioned off as some collectible and made it possible for her to have a life of her own. A real one. Nothing she ever did would repay him for that.

“Do you think I can handle it?”

“Well, the night is still young…ish. And it would be a terrible shame to keep you locked up…as tempting as it is to keep you locked up.” He rinsed the soap from her chest before cupping her breast, massaging her n****e with his palm. “On second thought, there’s a set of chains in the dungeon that I’d like to see you modeling.”

Her eyes fluttered shut, a soft sigh escaping her throat. “I suppose I can always drag you out with me tomorrow while Gideon’s asleep. He won’t mind if we go out during the day, will he? I can’t tell anymore.”

Jesse’s hand paused. “What do you mean?”

She opened her eyes again to see his blue gaze fixed on her in concern. “I just mean, he’s been really closed off lately. Haven’t you noticed it?”

“No…” Jesse frowned, his eyes growing thoughtful. “I mean, this last week has been a bit busy, while we’ve been getting ready. And I know he’s had some things on his mind. But I wouldn’t say he’s been really closed off.”

“Oh. Well. It’s probably nothing. I guess I’m just getting spoiled, being able to feel you whenever I want. I expect the same thing from him, and I just…forget I can’t.”

“How long has he seemed closed off to you?” Jesse asked, as though he didn’t hear her dismissal at all.

Emma paused to think about it. It had been so gradual, she hadn’t considered it before. “A month maybe?” She nodded. “A month. At least. Ever since you found the girl in the s*x shop.” Her eyes pricked at the memory. Jesse had carried the guilt of being too late to save Deacon Gowdy’s assistant like a shroud.

“A month?” Jesse wiped his other hand over his face, clearing the water from his eyes. “That’s about when he started his current campaign to get you to move in with us.”

“Started?” Emma snorted. “He’s been on my case ever since we got together.”

“Well, yes. But it’s definitely been on his mind more in the past few weeks.”

“But why would he push me away if he wanted me to move in? That doesn’t make sense.”

“No, actually with Gideon, it does make sense. He wants you physically close, he just doesn’t want you inside his head, for whatever reason. Gideon is a pro at this particular mixed signal.”

Her mouth slanted. “I suppose you’re the expert on his sort of signals.”

“I have been studying them for years now. But to get back to your original question, I don’t think he’ll mind if we go out tomorrow while he sleeps. That way, we won’t be taking any time away from his entertainment.”

Taking the sponge from his hands, she added more soap to get fresh lather. “You don’t have to go with me to the museums if you don’t want to. They probably all start to look the same to you after awhile.”

Jesse moaned softly as she ran the sponge over the red mark on his neck. “Well, I’ve seen your itinerary, and I do want to go to a few of the museums. Why don’t we meet for lunch, and hit a few tomorrow afternoon?”

“I like that. We’ll do the Frick. That’s probably more your style than the Guggenheim.”

“Sounds good. Why don’t we finish up in here, and go out to get a late bite to eat? Gideon is probably awake by now.”

She didn’t want to escape the water yet. The trip had been long, and her senses were drowning. Being with Jesse was a balm to the overload, but the intensity of being with both of them at the same time could weigh her down when she wasn’t careful. It was one of the reasons she still fought Gideon’s suggestion to move in. Sometimes, she simply needed to escape from all of it. Gideon didn’t understand.

“Do you mind if I stay in here a little longer?” She smiled, hoping he’d see it as the tease she meant it. “I don’t have the practice you do in recovering yet.”

She didn’t feel anything except understanding coming from him. Gideon may not get it, but Jesse did. He tilted his head, brushing his lips across hers, his tongue darting out to lick the drops of water from her mouth. “I don’t mind a bit.”

Her arms went automatically around his neck, her soapy body pressed as close as she could get to his. She loved Gideon, yes, but this with Jesse had always been different. Nobody ever made her feel as safe or treasured as he did; nobody else understood.

“You can always stay until he comes in and drags you out. That would be fun.”

Jesse’s fingers moved down her spine in a light caress. “That would be fun. Unfortunately, I don’t think my recovery time is quite what you think it is.”

“Even more reason to stay.” She knew she was pleading, but she looked up at him anyway. “Just for a few minutes.”

“How could I say no to that?” His lips moved to her forehead. “Turn around, and I’ll get your back.”

The smile she shot him was brilliant, her relief palpable. Turning in his arms, she deliberately wiggled her ass against his semi-hard c**k before pulling her wet hair out of his way. “This is always my favorite part.”

“Just because you know you’ve got me wrapped around your finger.”

She sighed and closed her eyes as his hands slid around to her breasts again. Apparently, her back was going to have to wait.

* * * *

Though the running water muffled their voices, it was enough just to hear their rhythmic heartbeats as Gideon stretched out on the bed. The shower was big enough for all three of them, but from the sound of it, Jesse and Emma were taking their time enjoying each other. For all he knew, Jesse might be talking to her more about moving in. Gideon would give them these moments uninterrupted.

Three weeks was a long time to be away. He hadn’t been out of Chicago that long in decades, and the slight worry of something happening in his absence nagged enough in the back of his mind to make it difficult to truly relax. Emma had picked up on his concern already. He had hoped a quick romp with Jesse in the dungeon while she unpacked would take the edge off, but then Emma had walked in, and he knew in the first second before she teased them that she knew. At least she’d played along. If there was anything he knew he could count on Emma for, it was for trusting them enough to follow blindly.

Except for the moving in. She wasn’t following blindly there. She’d dug her heels in, and she wasn’t going to budge, no matter what. The one time he needed her more than ever to accept what they said, she refused. It was incredibly frustrating.

The bathroom door opened and closed, and Gideon turned his head to see Jesse emerging with a towel wrapped around his waist. He glanced over Jesse’s shoulder and frowned. “Emma’s still in the shower?”

“Yeah, she’s taking a bit of time to herself.” Jesse sat on the edge of the bed, the towel draping over his thighs. “I half expected you to come in and join us.”

Gideon rolled onto his side. “I’m on vacation. Aren’t you supposed to be coming to me?”

“Oh, right. How silly of me to forget.” His hand slid up Gideon’s leg. “But it’s my vacation, too, you know. Maybe I can get a break from serving you.”

“Since when is serving me not your favorite thing in the world?”

“Well, you’ve got me there.” His hand came to a stop on Gideon’s hip. “Is there anything I can do now to serve you?”

Gideon knew a thousand things Jesse could do, but before anything decadent sprang to his lips, the sound of the shower reminded him where Jess had been. “You can tell me you’ve managed to convince Emma to move in already.”

“No, though the issue did come up.” Jesse frowned, and Gideon knew something was on his mind. Something besides serving him. “And now I’m kind of wondering just what is going on with you.”

He shrugged it away, stretching out on his back again. “Nothing a vacation isn’t supposed to fix, remember?”

“Except you didn’t want to go on this vacation. The only reason you agreed to it was because I used Emma as bait. And now we’re here, and you’re not letting it go. When you get this tenacious, it’s because something is going on. So what is it?”

He wanted to turn it into a joke. Just a bone I’ve been gnawing at. Wanna share it with me? But Jesse’s firm tone and steady gaze said a joke probably wouldn’t go over well.

“Nothing’s going on. I just think it’s time all of us were under one roof. She practically lives with us now anyway, so why waste her money on an apartment she doesn’t really use?”

“Because she’s happy keeping the apartment she doesn’t really use, and I don’t think she needs a reason beyond that. And what do you care how she spends her money? The only reason you’re on my back all the time is because I’m actually wasting your money.” Jesse paused, before asking in a softer voice. “Does this have anything to do with the Deacon Gowdy situation?”

The unexpected name made him stiffen, and almost immediately, Gideon cursed himself. Jesse was too astute not to notice, and the last thing he needed right now was for Jess to be distracted from the matters at hand.

“It has to do with the three of us being together. All Claudia’s death did was remind me that nobody’s safe. Getting Emma to move in means we can watch her better. We can be there to stop anything from hurting her.”

Jesse’s brow arched. “Are you suggesting she move in with us, or are you angling to lock her in your cage and never let her out of your sight again? Because that’s what it sounds like you’re suggesting, and I can tell you right now, she won’t be agreeable.”

“But at least she’d be alive to argue with me about it.”

Jesse blinked. “Okay, you are freaking me out. Do you have any reason, any good reason, to believe there’s somebody out there who would hurt her? Or is this just general paranoia because you can’t control the situation?”

There was no good way to answer Jesse’s questions. Though their relationship had them sharing more and more as time passed, there were still some corners Gideon preferred left alone. The biggest of those was his past. He had lived for centuries before changing his ways, and his history was littered with more blood and even more bodies than Jesse could ever accept. More than that, some of those deaths continued to haunt Gideon, decades after they were dust. He could live with the guilt, but he didn’t have to share it, no matter how often Jesse might ask him to.

“How many people have I pissed off in Chicago? Are you going to tell me you don’t worry about her? She can’t defend herself. Hell, she’s already been put on the auction block once. Why can’t I worry about something like that happening again?”

“Right. So, what you’re telling me is this is general paranoia because you can’t control the situation completely?”

Gideon growled in frustration. “You make me sound crazy when you say it like that.”

“Because you’re sounding crazy right now. And I know you’re not. So this brings us back to the original question, doesn’t it? Is this related to Claudia’s death somehow? Emma noticed that’s when you started distancing yourself from her, even as you insisted she move in.”

Damn it. He’d hoped Emma hadn’t been quite as aware as that. Though, in retrospect, he should have known better.

Lying had never sounded so good before. Except Emma might walk in at any minute, and the last thing he needed was for her to pick up on something he didn’t want her to. Not to mention the fact that Jesse would hate him if he learned what Gideon did after the fact.

“Claudia reminded me of Mary.” Maybe mentioning her name would be enough.

Jesse chewed on his bottom lip thoughtfully for a moment before speaking. “Why?”

“Does it matter?” He rolled away, sitting up and rising from the bed. “Why can’t that be enough?”

“I think it does matter, Gideon.” Jesse stood as well, his chin set with determination. “Your history with Mary affects so much of what you do, of who you are. Every bloody day you make decisions based on this whole part of your existence that I know next to nothing about. Don’t you think that matters to me?”

“How did this conversation turn into being about you and not Emma? I know you hate it, Jess, but there are some things that are better left buried. Mary’s one of them.”

“This conversation wasn’t about me or Emma. This conversation was about you.” Emma’s shower stopped. Jesse glanced at the closed bathroom door, then scooped his unpacked bag off the floor. “I’m going to get dressed. Emma wants to get some dinner.”

Gideon felt every step Jesse took to walk out of the room. At every step, he felt the urge to call out to him, to tell him to stop, to apologize for not wanting to talk about it. But every step went uninterrupted, until Jess was gone and Gideon was the only one left in the room.

“Shit.”

This was not how he’d wanted to start his vacation.