A Rose Between the Thornes Read online

  “Move.” Jaspers voice was harsh, and the slap on her arse once more unexpected. She bent forward as he had directed. One slick finger began to probe her nether hole. The intrusion made her tense. He caressed each buttock in turn.

  “No, love, you must relax or it will be pain for all the wrong reasons.” He seemed to be talking from inside a tunnel. With a start, Sophia realized she could hear her heart beating.

  As her passage expanded to accommodate him further, the sting as he passed her tight ring of muscles grew large and sharp and turned into a harsh stab of pain that took her breath away. Could she bear it? Sophia moaned; he had to stop.

  “Where are we at?” Jasper asked her. He must have sensed her confusion and uncertainty.

  What? What did he mean? “Your color, Rose.”

  Ah those damned colors again. She hesitated. Once more the sting of pleasure-pain filled her as he spanked her several times on each arse cheek, without removing his finger from her nether hole. Each tap seemed harder than before, its result harsher and more widespread than its predecessor. As the pain rushed through her, Sophia didn’t know if the intensity did increase in reality, or if her oversensitive flesh reacted as if they were. She tensed in anticipation of the next blow, even as her mind was full of the sharp prickles of aroused awareness. How could something so uncomfortable and so sore, be enjoyable? She struggled to comprehend the messages her brain was sending her.

  “Color, Rose? Tell me or we stop.” His finger stilled, and his hand left her buttocks. The feeling of loss surprised her. Where she had felt warm and wanted she felt deprived and alone.

  That is silly because Nat is still snug in my cunt.

  “Tell him, or my cock will be bereft of all it wants,” Nat said from under her. “Tell him green, then we can fuck to fruition.”

  “Tell me what it is, not what you think we need to hear,” Jasper warned her, pushing his finger ever deeper inside her arse hole, and began to caress her there. “I accept no lies, or half truths. To each other we are ever honest.” He moved his finger in a circle, stretching her inside in a manner which, until then, she would have said was impossible.

  In an instant the pain inside became pleasure. It radiated through her, like ripples on a pond.

  “Oh, lord, green, ‘tis green, and I...” Sophia all but sobbed the words. She was flying; her body was on fire and her senses spinning out of control. Later Sophia would decide he reached her soul.

  “Oh, Rose, you are so ready.” Jasper slowly removed his finger. Once more the pleasure stung for a brief second, and she was empty. Before she had a chance to mourn her loss, she felt something different kiss the ring of muscles that guarded her nether hole.

  “Lean forward, let your body relax.” Jasper spoke in a low and soothing voice. “Let us do the work.”

  “’Tis easy for you to say,” she said, grumbling somewhat. Sophia knew she sounded petulant, but how could she relax at such a time? Her fingernails tingled with the need for more, though she had no perception of what more she meant.

  “Rose, unless you want your arse so hot you will not bear to sit on it for a sennight, I suggest you do as I demand. Tonight I am in charge of all our bodies, and you will both dance to my tune. You have enough leeway to put your hands either side of Nat’s head, and rest your body onto him. So do it, now.” Jasper’s tone was such that she reacted to it instinctively. Her nipples rubbed the coarse hairs of Nathaniel’s chest. Nat’s chuckle reverberated through her, as his tongue swirled around the lobe of her ear, and he nipped the soft flesh.

  “You look and feel perfection, Rose. I only wish I had two good arms to take my turn after Jasper.”

  “Soon,” Jasper said. “If Rose is agreeable, we will all be able to experience anything we desire. Open for me, Rose, I am about to discover all your secrets, and we will soar together.”

  The pressure at her anal ring increased. Remembering Jasper’s words, Sophia did her best to relax. She was rewarded by his cock moving slowly inside her arse. The sting, as before, was sharp, and it flared ever larger until he filled her. Then it sparked and splintered into a myriad of exquisite sensations. Inside her quim, Nathaniel’s cock was pulsing snug and tight. Deep within her arse, Jasper’s prick was throbbing, primed, and ready. She was surrounded by her men. Sophia knew it was a moment she would never forget.

  “Ah, Rose, you are so tight, so perfect for us.” Jasper began to move. Immediately Nathaniel picked up the beat, and as Jasper pushed deep into her, Nathaniel pulled back. Sophia relaxed into their rhythm as best she could. Within seconds she was part of it. Her senses were attuned only to them. If the local hunt had chased a fox through the room, it was doubtful any of them would have noticed.

  “I need, oh I am...” She was incoherent as her body flamed and her senses shattered into millions of tiny pin pricks. Sophia screamed as her climax overtook her. Behind her, with one last hard thrust Jasper spilled into her, and the heat of his seed filled her.

  “Now, tis me, I cannot pull out.” Nathaniel’s voice was hoarse. “Lift off Rose, or we bear the consequences. I am ready to come.”

  What? Sophia wondered what he was talking about. Her body was heavy, and her comprehension shot with the intensity of her climax. The only result she needed now was to experience Nathaniel hot, hard, and pulsing as he came inside her cunt, and... She realized the implications.

  “Come, it will be fine.” And if not it was her responsibility. Sophia tightened her inner muscles around Nat’s cock and began to play him. This time, she wanted it all.

  “Sweet Lord, ahhh, yesss.” Nathaniel’s shout became a roar as he came, and his prick throbbed his climax inside her, filling her channel with his hot seed.

  The only sound in the room was their harsh breathing as each recovered. Eventually, Jasper stirred.

  “Breathe deep and even, Rose, do not tense up. I am about to withdraw. As much as I wish we could remain thus for an age, my arms need to recover, as does my cock.” Sophia realized Jasper had spent all the time with his weight on his arms, so as not to rest on either her or Nathaniel. Would it usually be so, or was it because of Nat’s arm?

  “The latter,” Jasper said and she jumped. She hadn’t realized she’d spoken out loud. “When he is fully recovered neither of us will give any quarter; until then, I will go easy.”

  If this is easy, heaven help us all.

  Sophia wasn’t sleepy and she had to think. Her mind was sluggish, and her body sated. She needed time to assimilate every emotion and act she had experienced. All of a sudden she had an intense desire to be alone, and realized to her horror she wanted to cry. When Jasper left her body, she started to shake and her lashes grew damp.

  “Ah, love, let me lift you from Nat, and you relax by him. I will prepare your bath.” Jasper was as good as his words. Seconds later Sophia found herself on the soft mattress with her hands untied, next to Nathaniel.

  As Jasper left the room, Nat grinned and put his uninjured arm around her.

  “That was worth being shot for, Rose.”

  She was glad he thought so. He held her close and rested her head on his chest as his hand played with her hair. Through the fine hairs that sprinkled his body Sophia could feel the steady beat of his heart on her cheek.

  As she rested next to one of her lovers, Sophia’s mind was all over the place. What had she done? Yes, she had experienced and enjoyed the best love making of her life, pushed her body and her emotions further than she had imagined was possible, but now what? Now she needed time to think without any outside influences, conscious ones or not.

  The door opened and steam swirled through the aperture. The perfumed scent of roses teased the air. “Your bath awaits, my lady.” Jasper moved to the bed and looked down on her and Nathaniel. Sophia became awkward. How did you look one of your lovers in the eye, knowing what you had been doing a few minutes earlier, while cuddled up to the other? She lowered her eyelids, embarrassed.

  “Shy, love?” Jasper asked as Nathaniel
moved his arm, she presumed to allow his twin to lift her. “We have no need to be reticent with each other. Indeed I expect each of us to ever be explicit about our desires and fears.”

  He swung her into his arms and held her tight. “Comfortable?”

  Sophia nodded. She could not explain her emotions until she understood them herself.

  “Then let me play ladies maid. I will leave you to soak whilst I tend to Nat, and our bed, then aid you in your ablutions before we all sleep.”

  “Together?” Sophia found her voice.

  “Of course.” Two voices answered her.

  “You think we might leave you alone?” Jasper seemed surprised she had even asked. “Whilst we are together, we are as one, Rose. You will be between us. If you are absent then of course Nat and I will not be together, we have no inclinations in that direction. But be it one of us fucking you or both of us, your place is between us.”

  “Now you know why we insist on your beautiful given name, it compliments and fits perfectly what you are.” Nathaniel spoke as Jasper walked across the room.

  Sophia had no idea what he meant, and no time to fathom it out. With each step Jasper took she experienced the soft brush of his body against her. To her amazement, the hairs on her arms stood on end, and her quim signified its approval by filling with her juices. Sore in a pleasurable way, and replete, it seemed her body thought otherwise. She gasped as her nipples chafed against him. Stings of pleasure darted down her body.

  Jasper stood her by the bath, and with a deftness that surprised her, caught up her hair and pinned it high on her head. He gave her a swift kiss that made her body tingle. Sophia swayed toward him, ready to beg for more.

  Jasper grinned. “Later,” he said, promise and triumph in his voice, as he once more lifted her into his arms. Then he lowered her into the warm, soothing water. Sophia sighed with pleasure as it lapped around her. She slid deeper until it covered her breasts and her head rested on the rim of the bath.

  “Relax, Rose, and I’ll be back soon to help you. First I must tend to other things.” He gestured in the direction of the room they had left. She nodded.

  For a few moments, Sophia let the water caress her body as she rested there with her eyes closed. The enormity of all that had happened began to sink in. She had enjoyed ever second, every nuance of their lovemaking. If both of the men had entered the room and demanded they start all over, her compliance was assured. She replayed the sensations of both Thornes embedded in her, her body trembled and her hand crept towards her quim. As she feathered the curls there, Sophia stopped, aghast at the thought that had crossed her mind. I am thinking that to touch myself is disloyal if my lovers are not here to watch? Now I am worried. All I can remember is the sensation of them in me, surrounding me and making me aware, alive, and a loved and wanted woman. In that instant, Sophia knew she needed to get away, to be alone and think very carefully about her future. Their future. With rapid stealth, she got out of the water and began to towel herself.

  Chapter Six

  “I feel fine,” Nat insisted as Jasper unwrapped the bandage on his arm. “Not up to dueling or cheating at cards, but fucking fit.”

  Jasper laughed at him, and Nat saw the flecks in his twin’s eyes brighten and flicker.

  “Seriously, Jas, you know as well as I, a little blood goes a long way. It suited us to let our lady assume ‘twas perhaps worse than it is, and the results more than suited us. Never could I have dreamed how perfect she complimented us and our ideals. To feel her sandwiched between us, and to know both our cocks and bodies were servicing her, and receiving the same treatment makes me hard just thinking about it.” He looked down his body, to where his prick was stirring. Even the memory of her as she walked across the room in naked splendor hardened him.

  “True, but I will not push her, Nat,” Jasper said, his voice solemn, his face somber “She means more to us than to coerce her, or demand of her what she is not truly willing to give us. I would rather wait for months and woo her, than push for an answer and lose her. If she comes to us freely, we will all have everything we could ever need or desire. Tonight showed us a little of our nirvana. I do not wish to spoil our chances of enjoying that experience once more.”

  Nat nodded as he pondered his brother’s words. They were wise, and must be heeded. “So,” he asked. “What next?” He flexed his injured arm, as Jasper prodded the flesh. One press made Nathaniel wince, but overall, he had indeed been let off lightly.

  “I think I’d better re-bandage,” Jasper said as he suited his actions to his word. “It will be for several reasons. First and foremost, to help prevent it opening up again should you jar your arm. Second, to remind you not to do anything that may do that, and third and in some ways most important of all, to remind Rose what happened. It will do no harm to our cause to play on her sympathies.”

  “As long as she doesn’t realize, and retaliate. I have a fondness for my ballocks,” Nat replied. He laughed as Jasper stopped winding the cloth around the wound and glanced down at his own balls.

  “I also,” Jasper said. “In truth, Nat? I would ask you to keep this covered anyway, to stave off the risk of infection. As we do not want to involve anyone else in our lives at this moment, I am satisfied it is clean, and will not fester. Even under any other circumstances I would probably not have asked the doctor to check it out. Tobbert or Stimson maybe.” He named their valets, both of whom had accompanied the twins on their travels, and helped them out of many a scrape.

  Nat nodded, he knew what Jasper meant. They had tended to each other enough times to know if a doctor was necessary. He had no qualms in abiding by Jasper’s decision.

  “There you are, all covered and safe, even, I wager, able to use it without incurring more injury.”

  Nat flexed his muscles, relieved to feel only the slighted twinge. “I believe so. However, I am weary and want no more than to lie here, with Rose between us. Has she realized what her name and ours says yet?”

  Jasper shook his head. “If she has then she is not saying so. Wish you a brandy?”

  Nat smiled. “Is the night dark? I will never refuse one.”

  Jasper rose from the edge of the bed and walked to a sideboard on which stood a decanter and glasses. Nat watched him. He glanced at the other cabinets ranged along the wall. “Ah, I hope we get to use the other items set on the cupboards before long. I have more than a fleeting desire to trail those silk and leather thongs over our lady, and to watch the way her flesh pulses and colors with their kiss. To say nothing of dressing her in those ropes and worshipping her body thus.” His cock twitched in agreement and he grimaced. “Hmm, my body is ready and waiting. However, as we decided, I will not take myself in hand unless she is here.”

  “Nor will any of us, though I fear we forgot to say so to Rose.”

  “She will not.” On that point Nathaniel was certain. “We have been told she is loyal by many people over the years. We saw her integrity earlier when she wouldn’t lie about running away. She would see it as disloyal; that is her makeup.”

  “True enough. Now, after being physician, I’ll go and play ladies maid. Rest until I bring our lady back to you.”

  Jasper strode across the room. There was a shout from Jasper, and the noise of a door slamming. Nat sat up and swung his legs off the bed. What had happened? The door from the bathing chamber crashed back on its hinges.

  “She has gone.”

  What? He did his best to assimilate what Jasper said. His brain was fuzzy and he wasn’t able to think straight. “How gone?”

  “How would I know?” Jasper pulled on his breeches as he spoke. “The room is empty, the locked door to the corridor no longer secure, but open. And of Rose there is no sign.”

  Nat climbed off the bed, and stood beside it as he glanced around the room. He swayed a little as his focus clouded and wavered. Rose gone? On a chilly night, and without any clothes? He looked around for his shirt.

  “Damn, where are my clothes? What is
she wearing?”

  “Your clothes are on the chest, and she is wearing, as far as I can tell, my bathing robe.” Jasper pulled on his boots. “Nat, dress if you must, but you need to stay here and search the house. I will check the stables.” Jasper was striding out of the room as he spoke. Nat could see the sense in his words. With not an inconsiderable effort, he began to dress. It seemed to take an age as, with care, he threaded his arm through the sleeves of a shirt. A pair of knit pantaloons were easier, although his cock protested at the confines and showed proud under the material. Later, when we find her... His mind conjured up a myriad of ways to relieve the ache there.

  Nathaniel glared at his polished boots. There was no way he could pull them on without hurting his arm. Resigned, he thrust his feet into a pair of house shoes he found near the steaming bath, and left the room.

  Which way? There was no point in following Jasper. Nat walked into the hall and started to walk along the corridor. He was fairly sure Sophia couldn’t have gone far. If she was still in the lodge, they would find her. It wasn’t an overlarge house, a mere six bedrooms plus the public rooms, and quarters for their valets and the couple who combined caretaking and cooking when necessary. Nat took his time and looked in each bedroom in turn. Satisfied Sophia wasn’t hiding in any of them, he made his way downstairs, and into the study. The fire, which had been lit earlier in the day, was now glowing embers. Nat stirred them briskly, and then added small coals until the flames once more danced. A noise at the French window made him jump and look in that direction. Jasper stood outside. Nat walked across the room and opened the glass door to let his twin enter.

  “Any luck?” he asked as Jasper walked past him, and Nat closed the door once more. A sudden gust of wind made it harder than he anticipated, and he gritted his teeth as he put his strength into closing it and a bolt of pain shot through his arm in protest.

  Jasper shook his head. Droplets of rain hit Nathaniel. He realized with a start that Jasper was soaked. To reinforce his thoughts, a gust of wind made the fire belch and smoke billowed into the room. Rain splattered onto the window glass, the noise of each drop harsh and shrill.