Or maybe it’s easy for others to ignore the thorns, seeing only what they want to see. Not me. I like the thorns. What use is a defenseless flower except to shove in a vase and let wither until its once-beautiful petals fall off?
They want to do that to Helen.
Fuck, we want to do that to Helen.
The realization makes me shift, not liking the direction of my thoughts. Patroclus and I aren’t the same as the other champions, the rest of the Thirteen. Yes, I plan to squash Helen’s dream with my own, but that doesn’t mean I want to watch her wither away. She doesn’t have to be Ares to get what she wants. She’ll figure that out as soon as this whole tournament is over.
That’s fine. I don’t have to see every step of the journey to know my destination. That’s what Patroclus is for. I have no doubt that he wants Helen, too. He’ll find us a way forward.
I grab Helen’s thighs, careful to avoid the bruise, and spread her wide for Patroclus. He makes a deep appreciative noise, and I laugh. “Somehow, you get her pussy first again and I’m stuck here doing all the work.”
“It’s good for you not to get everything you want right when you want it.” He doesn’t wait for a response before he dips down and drags his tongue over her exposed center. I’m tall enough that I get a great view of him eating her out. She’s as perfect there as she is everywhere else. I’m not sure I believe in the gods, but if they exist, they really spent the extra time forming this woman.
She squirms in my arms, but even slippery from being in the shower, I hold her immobile as Patroclus works her clit with the flat of his tongue. He goes about it like he goes about everything in life: with utter precision and a determination to be the best. Helen’s breasts heave with every breath, and impatience flickers. “Hurry up and make her come. It’s my turn next.”
Helen turns her head and I take the unspoken offer, kissing her mouth even as Patroclus kisses her pussy. She tastes a little like him, and the realization has my cock hardening to an almost painful level. She’s not one to take her pleasure, this kiss, passively. It’s a battle the same way everything between us is a battle.
And then she’s coming, moaning against my tongue and trying to thrash. I tighten my grip on her thighs, enjoying the way her muscles flex and fight against my hands. She’s athletic as fuck. Both trials have more than proven what she’s capable of. I bet we could get into some crazy creative positions between the three of us.
Later. After the tournament is over and everyone is healthy and healed.
I break the kiss as Patroclus pushes to his feet and reaches behind us to turn off the water. “Bed. Now.”
“Don’t have to tell me twice.” I carefully set Helen down…but only long enough to grab her hips and toss her over my shoulder. Her screech is music to my ears, and I can’t help laughing and giving her ass a light smack. “Quiet. You’re going to have the guards busting down the door.”
“I’m going to kick your ass!”
“Nah, but if you ask nicely, I’ll let you kiss it.” I grin when she gives another screech. Patroclus and I get rough sometimes, but we don’t play like this, this fighting that turns hot and charged and morphs into fucking. I’ve never had this with anyone but Helen.
Patroclus follows me out of the bathroom, a strange look on his face as I carefully toss Helen onto the bed. She bounces, but she’s fast, already rolling before she hits the mattress a second time. I snag her calf and flip her onto her back. “Don’t tell me one orgasm was enough for you.” I dodge a kick aimed at my face. “Be a good girl and spread your legs.”
“Fuck you!” Her words are harsh, but her eyes dance and she’s obviously fighting down a smile.
I laugh. Gods, this is fun. “If you don’t play nice, I’m going to tell Patroclus to hold you down.”
Her amber gaze flicks to him, and I see the exact moment she realizes that will get her off even harder. “Oh no,” she drawls. “Not that.” When I don’t immediately move, she curses and tries to kick me in the face again.
Brat.
“Patroclus.” I don’t have to lift my voice because he’s only a few feet away. “Hold her down.”
I watch him closely as he moves onto the bed. If either of them show the first sign of their injuries being more serious than they and the doctor claim, I’m shutting this whole thing down.
Patroclus kneels on the mattress above Helen’s head and catches her wrists, pressing them to the bed. She struggles, but I can tell she’s not fighting as hard as she could. I catch her eyeing his ribs, and my chest goes warm at how she’s taking care of him without being overt about it. Good girl. I move up between her thighs and press them wide and up, spreading her obscenely.