Liberation (4 page)

She stared between them.  “How long are you in New York?” 

“We have a house outside the city.  A friend mentioned your name in regards to the club and we hoped to see you for the first time in a less severe environment.” 

“You
live
in the States?”  The thought made her heart slam almost painfully in her chest.

“We do.”  Nuri winked.  “You are in the middle of a corporate restructuring and you will be working seven days a week for months.  When you take breaks, we wish to see you.”

“Entirely at your convenience, Marci.  There is no pressure to change your schedule to fit us into it.”  Fahad glanced at his watch.  “It is almost two in the morning.  Allow us to take you home.  We can meet for lunch or drinks tomorrow if you have time.”

They stood and held out their hands.  She placed hers in them and they lifted her to her feet.  The three of them stood very close.  She didn’t understand the smiles they gave her. 

Escorting her back to the group, Marci made introductions.  The men stood, shook hands, and sat back down. 

All of them with exception to Hudson Winters.  Taller and thicker than the cousins, he held their hands for slightly longer than propriety decreed. 

Fahad said, “It is an honor to meet a man we have known only by reputation.” 

Nuri added, “A reputation that is well-deserved and respected in our circles.” 

Marci moved to step around him and Hudson put his arm across her shoulders.  “Miss Canfield is a personal friend.”  He allowed the words to hang between them and there was no misunderstanding the message.  “Should you remove her from this club and anything was to happen to her, it would distress me.”  His smile was tight.  “I would go so far as to say it would enrage me.”

The cousins nodded.  “She will always be safe with us, Mr. Winters.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”  Glancing down at Marci, he said, “You will call tomorrow.”  It wasn’t a request and his will was something Marci had always respected and understood.  She nodded with a small smile.  “Excellent.  It was wonderful to see you.  Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

He released her and the Ghonims positioned her between them.  Fahad held her jacket so she could shrug into it.  She waved at the men and women she hoped to see again and allowed the cousins to lead her away.  On the way to the exit, they paused to collect their suit jackets and ties. 

It was a necessity that made her smile. 

Natalia’s eyes were wide as she passed the podium in the lobby with the cousins on either side.  Hurriedly saying goodbye, Marci didn’t stop to explain. 

Hudson would fill her in. 

Just inside the front door, Fahad took a cell phone from his pocket and spoke in rapid Arabic.  She took out her own and her security team picked up on the first ring. 

“Fahad and Nuri Ghonim are escorting me home.”  Glancing at the men, she added, “Their family has been connected to mine for many years.  They have my trust but I know that won’t be enough.”

“We’ll follow and call for final check.  Your apartment is being secured now.”  There was a pause before Tyler added, “You’ll have a complete security profile on your desk tomorrow morning, Miss Canfield.”

“Thank you.”  She disconnected and followed Fahad and Nuri through the exit. 

A heavy Mercedes limousine stood at the curb and she knew it was fortified against bullets as high as .50 caliber, ground to air missiles, and explosives detonated from underneath. 

They walked through the exit and she nodded to Stav who grinned in response. 

Four men met them at the top of the stairs and escorted them to the door that was held by their driver.  She knew he was as highly trained as the other members of the team. 

Once inside, the silence was heavy as she was settled snugly between the warm men. 

Marci had the uncontrollable urge to laugh.  The cousins joined her.  “Presidents have no concept.  They are grown men when this sort of security becomes second nature.  I was five the first time I was taught to aid in my rescue.”

“It was the first of many lessons that you retained with remarkable clarity.”

Meeting Fahad’s eyes, she nodded.  “Thank you.”  Turning to Nuri, she asked, “Did you ever read the
Incarnations of Mortality
that we discussed?”

“All of them.”  He chuckled.  “We had never seen anyone read so much.  You carried a book with you everywhere.” 

“There are so many, I’ll run out of time before I can read all the ones I want to.”  She glanced down at her folded hands.  “I’ve had less time to read in the last few years.” 

“Once your workload becomes more manageable, perhaps you will find a bit more time to breathe.”  Fahad lifted her hand and held it in both of his.  “This stage is the worst of it.”

“Removing the infighting and counter-purposes will help me speed the process along.”

Turning his body more toward her, Nuri asked, “Will you tell us what has happened since we last saw you?  We follow any news of you we can find but it does not provide the entire picture.” 

During the twenty-minute drive, Marci answered their questions about school, work, and her personal life.  As they pulled to the curb in front of her building, she said, “I’d love to hear about your lives the next time we meet.”

“A story we will be glad to tell.”  The cousins’ security team assembled on the other side of the glass and she moved to get out.  They held her in place long enough to lift her hands and kiss the backs.  “Until we see you again, may your dreams be filled with light and beauty.”

On impulse, a sensation that
never
affected her, she kissed their cheeks in turn.  The skin beneath her lips was warm and firm.  She thought they inhaled deeply before she pulled back. 

“Goodnight and thank you for seeing me home.”

Fahad tapped on the glass and the door was opened.  When she was standing on the pavement in the midst of their security, she glanced back and gave them a smile.

“Goodnight, Marci.”

December 2014

Over the next two months, Fahad and Nuri managed to find ways to spend time with Marci.  She began to suspect that they were in league with her personal assistant, a woman assigned to her full time upon high school graduation. 

Finally, she had to know.  When the woman with delicate features and ash-blonde hair entered her office to get signatures, she asked, “Danielle, are you feeding my schedule to the Ghonims?”

“Absolutely.”  The lack of hesitation and bluntness of the answer shocked her.  “You’re so much more relaxed after taking a bit of time to enjoy a meal with them.  You smile more.  You’re young, Marci.  It’s good for you to smile and laugh with people your age.”

“I spend time with you and Adam every day.”

“Pet, we’re almost
double
your age, as is most of the board.  Outside of the support staff, I think the youngest person you’ve seen around here in months is Mr. Winters.”

Walking to the window that looked out over Manhattan, she thought about the quick trips for coffee, the lunches at nearby restaurants, and the dinner she’d had to rush through before an urgent flight to San Francisco.  Though she had limited time, the cousins didn’t pressure her for more or make her feel bad about her responsibilities. 

They were the first men in her personal life that didn’t act
entitled
in regards to the hours she had available and she appreciated their ease with her. 

She hadn’t enjoyed herself so much in years. 

Glancing over her shoulder at Danielle, she smiled.  “Thank you.  Please continue to let them know when I’m available.”

“That’s the spirit.”  With a wink, she left Marci alone. 

An hour later, she was deep in the financial summary for one of their subsidiaries when a splitting headache slammed into the back of her head.  Making her way to the couch, she lowered herself to it. 

There was a soft tap on her door but she felt nauseous and didn’t answer.  The now-familiar scent of them reached her before a sound.  She kept her eyes closed and focused on her breathing.  With her elbows on her knees, she tried to ignore the way the room spun. 

“What is it, Marci?” Fahad asked softly as he sat beside her.  Nuri knelt on one knee between her feet.

“H-headache.  It came out of nowhere.” 

Warm hands settled along her neck and applied steadily increasing pressure to an ache she hadn’t noticed just above her shoulder blades.  The pins that held her hair in a snug chignon were removed and fingers worked along her scalp, massaging deeply from her temples to the base of her skull.

“When is the last time you scheduled a massage?” 

“I’ve only gone with Victoria.  She used to insist but they didn’t seem to help or relax me in the slightest.”

“Considering the company while you received it, this does not surprise me.”  Nuri removed his cell phone from an inner pocket of his jacket and spoke to someone on the other end in his native tongue.  Disconnecting, he returned his attention to her.  “Keep your eyes closed and focus on each muscle in your body.  Allow them to loosen and relax one at a time.  Start in your feet, relaxing each toe…” 

For several minutes, he talked her through focused meditation and applied gentle pressure to her temples.  Fahad maintained his attention at her neck.  Soon, the worst of the pain eased away. 

Opening her eyes, she inhaled deeply and gave them a small smile.  “Thank you.”

“You are welcome, Marci.”

She leaned back on the couch and Nuri moved to sit on her other side.  She dozed off and when she opened her eyes, a young woman was setting up a portable massage table. 

Turning to the three of them, she gave a small bow.  “Hello, Miss Canfield.  My name is Sally.  Please allow me to assist you.”  Holding out her hands, she helped Marci to her feet.  She led her to the full bathroom in her office and handed her a fine silk robe. 

“Take your time.  This is about your comfort and wellness.”

Stepping out of her shoes, she undressed and slipped on the robe.  Raking her fingers through her hair, Marci returned to her office.  Sally smiled and gestured her closer. 

The cousins stood and Nuri lifted her chin with the side of his finger.  “Allow her to work the knots from your body and
sleep
if you are able.” 

“It’s the middle of the day…”

“There is
nothing
so urgent that your health should suffer, Marci,” Fahad said gently.  “Take an hour or two to rest and recuperate so you can keep going.” 

In her bare feet, she was shorter by a few inches and they bent in sync to press their lips to the corners of her mouth.  A second was delivered to her jaw and a third to the skin just beneath her ear.  Hands that were warm through the thin silk stroked from her shoulder to her low back.

The simple touches caused a full body shiver.  Straightening, their expressions were heated but it was the kindness, the gentleness in their eyes that caused her heart to reach for them. 

“Until later, Marci.” 

With a final stroke over her hair, they left.  She stared after them until the door of her office clicked into place.  Exhaling slowly, she turned to Sally with a half-smile.

“Let’s give you a fresh start, Miss Canfield.  You’ll feel like a brand new woman when I’m done.”  She patted the top of the table.  “I promise.”

A deep tissue massage and an unexpected nap did
exactly
as promised.  When she was dressed again, she tried to give the massage therapist back the robe. 

“No, ma’am.  It was given to me downstairs by one of their security staff.  It’s a gift for you.”  She packed up her table and supplies and refused a tip.  “I’ve been well compensated and will see you in two days.”  At the look of surprise on her face, the young woman grinned.  “The Ghonims scheduled you for an hour and a half three days a week.  I’m to coordinate the times with your assistant.”

“That’s a lot, isn’t it?”

“Considering the tension you were carrying in the muscles of your neck and shoulders, I say let them pamper you and you’ll have more energy than you ever dreamed.”  Pulling the thick straps over her shoulder, she added, “Have a beautiful rest of your day, Miss Canfield.” 

“Thank you,” she managed to answer. 

Danielle appeared at the door to her office.  “I suggest we knock down the wall between your office and the empty one next door.  It can be a permanent spa space for you.”

“I don’t…”

“Consider it done.  You do nothing for yourself and this can happen even while your insane workload carries on.  Don’t be stubborn.” 

Alone again, Marci took her phone from her pocket and dialed Fahad. 

“Marci.  How do you feel?”

“Incredible.  Thank you.”

“You are welcome.  Shall I ask if you are free for dinner or just harass Danielle?” 

She laughed.  “I’ll make time.” 

“Excellent.  We will see you in a few hours.”

They hung up and she dived back into the stack of papers on her desk.  She hadn’t felt so energized in months.  When they picked her up for dinner, she greeted them with light kisses on their lips and got into their limo. 

The way they held her between them, kissing and touching her, was the ideal way to end her hectic day.  They murmured softly at her ears in Arabic and she ached to understand the words. 

Smiling at her, they switched to French and it made her laugh.  Until her mind caught up, translating the sensual things they whispered.  She was unable to contain her moan of response. 

Cupping the backs of their heads, stroking her fingers through thick black hair, she told them, “More.” 

Four hands tightened on her body and she felt their struggle to hold back.  “Not yet, Marci.  Not until your days are a bit calmer.  For now, you barely sleep.  We will wait.” 

At the restaurant, they assisted her from the limo.  When they were ensconced in a private room with security personnel standing outside each exit, Fahad stared at her for a long moment in silence. 

“You are the first woman who has ever made me dream.” 

Nuri added, “The first who showed me there were dreams my mind had not considered.” 

Leaning forward, crossing her arms on the table, she replied, “You’re the only men who have ever visited me while I slept.”

Inhaling sharply, Fahad ground out, “If only I had the power.” 

Smiling, Marci took her time examining their faces, learning features that were beautiful taken separately or together.  Gone were the gangly teenagers she’d once known.  In their place were men who were powerful, accomplished, and fully grown into their bodies and minds. 

Men who matched the woman she was, the existence she’d been born to, and still found her desirable.

Lifting one shoulder, she told him, “You do.” 

Since leaving Dubai half her lifetime before, she’d never spent so much time in conversation with the opposite sex.  No men had made her laugh so much, made her comfortable enough to be herself, or engaged her sexuality as firmly as her mind. 

She’d also never spent so much time in the back of a limousine.  After dinner, their driver spent an hour circling the island, part of a much larger convoy of vehicles containing security staff. 

The moment they pulled from the curb, the cousins turned their attention to her pleasure.  “Relax and let us touch you, Marci.” 

“But you…”

“No.  Close your eyes.” 

“I can’t always tell your voices apart.” 

“That does not matter, love.  Close them and just feel.” 

She did and rested her head against the leather.  Their hands stroked through her hair and then traced the lines of her body on either side.  Gently, they removed her jacket and her shoes but left the rest of her clothes in place. 

It didn’t stop them from exploring every inch of her.  Within moments, she was panting with need.  After half of hour, they pressed their hands between her thighs and she came, arching from the seat with a hard gasp. 

After providing the first orgasm she’d ever experienced fully clothed, Marci reclined limply between them.  Strong hands moved on her, from neck to knees, and she murmured, “Come home with me.”

“You have back to back meetings tomorrow, Marci.”

“I don’t
care
…”  She was not above begging as her eyes opened to stare at them. 

“Beautiful darling, it is already midnight.  You will rise before the sun as is your custom.”  Nuri rested his forehead against her temple.  “You need rest.” 

“We cannot…”  Fahad carefully controlled his voice.  “It would be selfish to rob you of the little sleep you manage to get.  Also, when we have the privilege of holding your naked body between us, we will require time to appreciate you as you deserve.” 

“There will be no quickie for our first time together, Marci.  We can wait.” 

Taking a deep breath, she nodded before she kissed first one and then the other with every emotion that was struggling to get out.  The feel of their hands holding her so tight gave her the strength not to beg. 

If they could wait, she would be strong. 

Eventually, they stopped in front of her building and escorted her into the lobby as her security team went up to check her apartment.  The night concierge politely ignored the threesome as they said goodnight a final time. 

“Until tomorrow, Marci,” Nuri whispered.

“Dream only good things,” Fahad added. 

They turned and she grabbed their hands.  “One more.  Please.”  Smiling, they traded her mouth between them and hugged her almost painfully hard.  “Thank you.” 

Nodding against the sides of her head, they planted a final kiss along her neck before they lifted her hands and kissed the back.  As one, they bowed and returned to the street with their team surrounding them.  She waited until their limo pulled away before she allowed her own team to escort her home. 

After a long shower, she climbed naked between her sheets and touched herself with thoughts of them in her mind.  Relaxing into sleep, she considered them individually and as a pair. 

Day by day, they became part of a life she never imagined would truly fit one man, much less two.  They were brilliant, funny, and kind.  They were also ridiculously sexy and she’d never wanted to get naked with men more than she did with Near and Far. 

It was the memory of
why
she’d given them the nicknames that sent her to sleep with a smile.