Two by Day, Three by Night Page 17

“Liar,” he grinned. Courtney stuck her tongue out at him and made him laugh loudly enough for Marcas to turn in their direction. He waved with a smile, and then returned to his conversation.

  * * *

  “You are trrrruly the Lady of this Manor, Miss Courtney,” Solphia exclaimed as she smoothed the fabric of Courtney’s gown. The young woman stared at her reflection in the dressing mirror, disbelieving that this was she who looked back. Marcas had the gown delivered that afternoon to surprise her. Lining the gossamer layers of fine champagne silk was diaphanous webs of Austrian crystals that caught the lights ray and gave the impression of golden fireflies flitting about the flowing skirts. The gown was fit with a princess cut waistline, a square collar, low cut bare back and off the shoulder flowing trumpet sleeves that looked like butterfly wings. Her long curls had been arranged to spill around the delicate gold tiara Marcas had given her and down her back. Finally, gold and diamond filigree earrings dangled delicately from her ears.

  “Is that me?” Courtney gawked. Solphia smiled behind her, finishing a curl with her finger. “I can’t believe what you’ve done. Marcas is going to make me wear makeup all the time now!”

  “You gave me a beautiful pallet to paint upon. That is your beauty. I only helped make it perfect.”

  “Thank you for everything, Solphia. And I mean everything,” Courtney said, touching her bottom.

  Solphia laughed. “I have seen the baron leave past girlfriends with the inability to sit. You are the only one who has had the grace to stand.”

  “What are you talking about? Rom…Hungarians!” Courtney humpfed as Solphia gave her the warning ‘eye’.

  “The others cowed and ran. You stood… you stayed. He needs a strong, brave woman in his life and one who is not afraid to stand up to him, even if it means a little spanking.”

  “Well, one thing, it was not a little spanking. I am going to watch my diet very carefully now after what he drove home. Understand that I intend to insult you quite frequently in the future by refusing seconds of your pastries. No more Old World guilt from you either. I get enough from Sebastian.”

  Solphia giggled and glanced at the clock. She intended to make a grand entrance of the beautiful girl and take some delight in the experience of watching the solemn, young man be made speechless for the first time in his life. She shook with excitement as she presented the stunning package to her young baron, unprepared for what she saw in his face.

  Marcas’ eyes widened and filled with tears as Courtney glided down the long staircase like a golden goddess. The last light of the sunset splashed the stairs and she watched him rending in two identical pieces of perfection. Love poured from the two sets of silver eyes, mixed with awe from one and lust from the other. They looked at each other and felt the struggle between who was greatest, and then turned to Courtney who smiled and held out both her hands.

  They escorted her to the car and one held the door for her while the other slid into the driver’s seat. Courtney raised her eyebrow at the one standing outside the vehicle. With a sigh, he entered, frowning at the driver.

  “Stop the faces, Marcas. He has to be here and you know it. You said both your sides are honorable, right? Well, he promised me that he will stay in the car and not interfere. He would never lie to me, or break a promise, would you?”

  “It would go against even my nature; I will stay in the shadows.”

  “Very well,” the other Marcas said grimly. “No sneaking out to try to whisk Courtney away to have your way with her, either.”

  “That would be deceptive and would lose my trust. I’m not worried about him doing anything like that,” Courtney stated, rubbing the shoulder of the one driving and feeling the tingles of longing prickle through her body.

  She looked over at the worried expression on Marcas’ face as they drove quietly to the Ambassador of State’s mansion that was located on the outskirts of Brasvo, about 60 miles from them. She leaned across the seat to kiss him tenderly on the downturned corner of his lip.

  “Why so glum? We’re going to a ball and it’s not your bottom that is sore to sit on.”

  “Don’t you act like Solphia did not furnish you with balm. I know that old woman very well,” Marcas smiled softly, curling her hair with his finger. “I cannot believe how beautiful you are like this.”

  “You need to give Solphia a raise,” Courtney grinned, as he kissed the back of her hand. She felt the eyes of the other in the rear view mirror. “I want to ask something of you two, if it’s alright. Would it be wrong of me to insist that I always have both of you in my bed at once? I mean, it’s not like your two different people… It’s… ok… the truth is that both of you together are my greatest fantasy and… what’s wrong?” she asked as the car suddenly pulled to the side of the road.

  “We are joining and…wait… we’re apart again. My love, we cannot talk about anything concerning you when one of us is driving. If we meld and…”

  “Oh no! I didn’t even think we would be without a driver!”

  “Did you do that on purpose?” Marcas asked, turning from the driver’s seat to look at her. She wrinkled her nose and nodded. He broke into a loud laugh, restarting the car. “Very clever, little girl. Very clever.”

  “You’re not mad?” she asked in a tiny voice, glancing at the man sitting next to her.

  “I’m not as impressed as my other half at your attempt to manipulate, but I do agree it was a rather ingenious move. My question is what you intended by doing it.”

  “Oh, just let it go. She outsmarted us,” the other said, turning up the long drive towards the estate. Just before entering the round about, and making sure no one was looking, he stopped the car and beckoned to Courtney over the seat. He kissed her full on the lips, leaving her panting, and then pulled to the driveway where Courtney and Marcas were escorted from the vehicle.

  Courtney knew what Cinderella felt like as she transcended the stairs of Ambassador Sergei’s mansion on Marcas’ handsome arm. He was dressed in a black tuxedo with a mandarin collar and tails, and a snow white, high collared shirt. A blood-red cummerbund accented the broad, square shoulders and the tight, slender cut of his waist. Hanging from his neck, on a piece of satin that matched the cummerbund, was his seal of office. Courtney clutched his arm as he patted her hand reassuringly while camera flashes temporarily blinded them. He held up his hand, offering his charming smile over the crowd to wave at Ambassador Sergei.

  “Out of my way, people, I need to see the baron’s new prize myself.” The old man laughed, pushing his way through the crowd. His rowdy demand startled Courtney. She had expected an Ambassador to be well-mannered and dignified and, instead, she stood face-to-face with one of the most enthusiastic men that had ever crossed her path. She liked him immediately and felt comfortable in his boisterous presence. She smiled broadly as he practiced his English in praising her, ignoring Marcas’ warning nudge not to laugh.

  Marcas excused himself politely after the Ambassador told Courtney that her hair was as silky as a goat’s ass, dragging her away before she broke into a loud gale of laughter.

  “Shhh, let’s go outside,” he whispered, smiling at the grinning guests as he pulled her onto the terrace. They knew of the young baron’s reputation with the ladies and all whispered their hopes that he would finally pick one and settle down. He clamped his hand over her mouth as he pulled her behind the trees, finally letting go as she began to snort with unladylike giggles.

  “I’m sooo sorry, honey,” she gasped, leaning against the tree and trying to catch her breath. “I couldn’t hold back any more. Oh come on… it was hysterical. As silky as a goat’s ass? Oh, my Lord…”

  A little smile played on the corners of his twitching lips as Marcas struggled with a sense of protocol and the humor of the situation. Finally, he chuckled, shaking his head. “You are going to get me into trouble with the Embassy, little one. Perhaps I leave you home from now on and take Solphia, yes?”

  “Not if you plan on climbing n
ext to me in bed that night. Thank you for bringing me here, it’s lovely.”

  “Nothing is as lovely as you under the light of the moon. And nothing as sweet.” He leaned forward and kissed her, “as the dew on your lips.”

  “Mmmm, this is the romantic side…” She purred, losing herself in his embrace. After several more stolen moments behind the tree, the two emerged with smiles as innocent as the proverbial cat who swallowed the canary.

  The orchestra played as dancers twirled over the floor, and Marcas held out his hand. “Do you waltz, Courtney Wells?”

  “I do, Baron Kalnovky,” Courtney answered, following him to the floor. She was guided by his skilled hand, flying over the floor with a grace and fluidity that felt magical. She smiled into his eyes, lost to everything else as she attuned her body to his and was swept up by his powerful gaze. With invisible reins, he steered her across the rooms, reminding her of the day they had ridden and how the magnificent beast had lovingly followed his lightest touch.

  She would have kept dancing long after the music had ended if not for him. He kissed her cheek and led her off the floor, sitting her on a bench as he went to retrieve a glass of wine. Courtney fidgeted awkwardly as she waited for him. Not speaking the language or having known any of the people made her uncomfortable. She looked up to see a stunning black-haired young woman smiling down at her.

  “Miss Wells? I am Irina. Welcome to Romania.”

  “You speak English?” Courtney looked surprised. Irina nodded, accepting the glass handed to her by a shorter, stocky man in his mid-forties. The man quickly disappeared to leave them alone.

  “Yes, I studied abroad for many years. My father believed in being multilingual in order to present well in his business. I do not have much opportunity to speak English here, so I practice as often as I can with our handsome Baron.”

  Courtney felt a prick of jealousy as the raven haired beauty with golden eyes looked across the room at Marcas with obvious affection. “So, have you known Marcas long?” Courtney cleared her throat, deliberately using the man’s first name to indicate her intimacy with him. The younger woman broke her gaze and turned to smile pleasantly at Courtney.

  “Oh yes, since I was a child. We used to go to the mud pond together and play hide and seek in the woods. Tell me, Miss Wells, do you make him happy?”

  “What kind of question is that? We are friends and I am here on business…”

  “I apologize for my bluntness. Subtlety is not my strongest characteristic.” Irina smiled, and patted Courtney’s hand. Courtney felt an uncharacteristic urge to just punch the beautiful woman right in the nose. “I have never seen him like this. He seems different.”

  “He has a lot of things going on right now, that’s all,” Courtney snipped.

  “I offended you. I beg your forgiveness. Please, allow me to explain…”

  “You don’t owe me an explanation,” Courtney interrupted, narrowing her eyes as Marcas approached them. He made a deep bow before Irina and kissed the back of her hand.

  “It is good to see you again, Princess.”

  “I was just admiring your lovely lady, Marcas. This one has curaj.”

  “Why do you say that, Irina? What did you say to her?” Marcas firmly asked, a warning glint in his eye as he held Courtney’s hand in his.

  “She didn’t say anything wrong, Marcas. She was simply voicing her concern for you as a very old and dear friend.”

  “Courtney, please… Irina? Answer my question.”

  “I like this one, Marcas. Please, accept my blessings.”

  “While I appreciate the gracious offer, Your Highness, both you and I know that they are not yours to give. Must I speak with your father again regarding court behavior?”

  “No… of course not. Miss Wells, please forgive me if I’ve offended. Baron, if I may be excused?”

  “Go enjoy the ball, Irina. And remember to stay within Leon’s sight. He told me that you’ve already managed to sneak by him twice. If it happens again…” He had a stern expression that made even Courtney tremble.

  “It will not. I promise,” Irina said quickly, kissing both of Courtney’s cheeks and scurrying away.

  “You have met the youngest of the prior royal lineage. She’s not an official princess, although, she certainly behaves like one. We all tend to indulge her. She’s 19 years old and still impossible to keep up with.”

  “She said you two played as children, and went to the mud pond,” Courtney’s voice was twinged with jealousy.

  “Unfortunately, that is partly true. I found myself in the mud often when she was a child. Her father often left her at the manor when he left the country. I acted as her sentinel and she sent me too often on a wild goose chase to find her.”

  “It sounds like you were more of a babysitter,” Courtney giggled, relaxing.

  “That I was. That young lady has landed countless times over my lap and she still manages to get into trouble. She could teach you a few things about defiance.”

  “Um, after yesterday, I don’t think I need to learn anymore,” Courtney said, reaching behind her unconsciously.

  “Did she say anything offensive?” Marcas looked squarely at her.

  “Not at all. She just wanted to know if I was making you happy. Am I?”

  “You make me more than happy; you make me whole.”

  Courtney squeezed his hand, praying that would indeed, be the outcome.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Did you have a nice time tonight without me?” the other asked with a hint of envy as they began their drive home. He was in the back seat with her, massaging her aching feet and reaching under the hem of her dress to stroke her inner thigh.

  “I had a lovely time. And thank you for allowing me to enjoy myself without worrying that you two would fight. This half of you is pure gentleman,” she patted the shoulder of her evening’s escort as he drove, “and doesn’t have a green bone in his body. You, however, would have been slugging every man that approached me. Although, there were some I would have liked you to scare away.”

  “He allowed other men to touch you?” His eyes burned angrily. “How could you put her in such a position?!”

  “Calm down, hot head. No one touched me, except when we danced. Speaking of which, you are an incredible lead. It’s so easy to follow you.”

  “Many years of practice,” the one in the front seat said. “Plus, I had no urge to fondle you, so I was able to maintain my focus.”

  “I, on the other hand, would have not let my hand leave this delectable bottom. Courtney Wells? Are you not wearing panties?” Marcas asked, eyes wide as his fingers found her moist slit.

  She giggled. “My bottom hurt too much to have anything restrict me after last night’s spanking. Plus, I was feeling… adventurous. I was wondering how long it would be before one of you noticed.”

  “That was not very responsible of you. What if…” the one driving began.

  “Leave her alone, you old stick in the mud. This is lovely and so wanting. I plan to take advantage of it,” his counterpart stated as he began to rub her clit into a state of arousal. He pushed her down roughly onto the backseat and lifted the flowing skirts above her waist, exposing her lower half to his view and his delight. Courtney pulled his mouth in to kiss her deeply, resting the bulk of his body on top of her. She felt like a teenager sneaking around in the backseat of her dad’s old car.

  “You said you would not have us separate. Have you changed your mind?” the driver asked, pulling to the side of the road, and watching for headlights in the distance.

  “Maybe you do have a jealous streak! I still want… oh my,” she moaned as she felt his swollen, hungry organ slide deeply inside of her and starting to pump hard and vigorously. He pushed her right knee to her chest, holding it in place as the other leg was stretched so her foot touched the floor. In and out, his hungry cock drove into her hot, wet canal. She felt the heat of her arousal course through her veins and lifted her body up to meet his
demand for pleasure.

  The other watched with a slight frown as Courtney flung her head back and gripped the leather seat, her release hanging in mid-flight as Marcas drummed his shaft within her. The scream of ecstasy shattered the silence within the vehicle, joined by Marcas’ own animalistic sounds as he released a stream of hot fluid within her. He collapsed on her, still buried deep, and panted breathlessly.

  No words were spoken as they continued their journey back to the Kalnovky manor. Her escort for the evening kept glancing in the rear view mirror, his frown deepening as his other half continued to silently stroke the woman into another climax. She was right! This part of him did not harbor feelings like jealousy or possessiveness, yet he felt something stirring within him that wanted to demand that the backseat activities stop. He stared ahead at the road, wondering if, indeed, his ‘lesser’ half was starting to affect him negatively.

  The three strolled the manor’s grounds, both sides holding Courtney’s hands as they walked under the trees and through the courtyard. Courtney sat them both down as she prepared tea and a plate of cookies, bringing it to the two and sitting between them. An owl flew overhead, eliciting stories of Marcas’ escapades as a boy and the mischief he would cause.

  “Do you want children?” Courtney asked quietly. The two hesitated before nodding their heads.

  “Yes,” one answered, “but we fear the curse might be bestowed upon them. Gregor does not know the answer nor does he know which half the child might follow. Do you?”

  “I did, until I was diagnosed. It can be challenging for a diabetic woman to have a safe pregnancy. Since my particular condition is so unstable, I just don’t want to take the chance on risking a baby, or myself. I guess our situation works out best for all of us, huh?” Courtney said with a touch of remorse. She would have loved to have his babies, to see them run along the green fields and tackle their father while giggling in high pitched laughter. She could not risk facing the pain of another loss, though.