Enemies in Love [High-Country Shifters 4]

by Melody Snow Monroe

  Since neither he nor Jude had done much work in the garden, he thought the hard labor might help clear his head. He went outside, located what he needed and dragged the hoe across the dry earth. Skelak. If it didn’t rain soon, they’d have nothing to eat. Hand watering was unpleasant, but for some reason he wanted to do that mindless chore.

  As he filled up the tank and carried it over to the garden, Tamor’s words raced back. Did he want to spend the rest of his life alone?

  No.

  He just wasn’t sure what to do about it. If he wanted to stay away from others, he really only had two choices. He could live on the outskirts of wolf territory or live as a wolf in the woods. The latter was totally impractical in the long run.

  As he soaked the earth, the image of Henla surfaced and his cock got hard. She seemed to love gardening. Okay, she loved to laugh and heal, too. Maybe he had been too hasty in driving her away.

  Hell, maybe he and Jude should visit her in a week or so. He would enjoy it, and as an added benefit, it would get his friend off his back at least for a little while.

  * * * *

  Digging in the earth brought Henla a lot of joy, something that had been lacking over the last few weeks. While she loved being around her family, ever since Lara had her baby, her brothers rarely stopped over at her parents’ house. Taryn in particular had softened with the new arrival, and she wouldn’t be surprised if Lara didn’t get pregnant again soon.

  The last time she’d stopped over, her sister-in-law had talked about traveling to Spirit to see her good friend, Amy. Perhaps she’d go over with them and see what life was like in the other reality. Besides, it would give her a chance to visit with Sella. Henla was so confused right now she didn’t know where to turn, and Sella always seemed to have the answers.

  Her body shot to high alert, but it wasn’t from being scared or in danger. That was odd as she was positive there were wolf shifters nearby. If she hadn’t looked to the east at that second she wouldn’t have seen the flash of light. Her body nearly crumbled at seeing Kranor and Jude coming toward her. She dropped her shovel and sprinted toward them. They met in the middle.

  Jude picked her up in a big hug and spun her around. “I’ve missed you.”

  He couldn’t have missed her half as much as she missed him. He set her down. A quick glance at Kranor told her he actually felt the same way. She stepped into his embrace. He smelled like he’d been running, and the scent of pine and earth clung to his skin.

  She glanced around to make sure no one else was near. They were close to Taryn and Kellum’s tree house, and she wondered if her brothers would sense their presence.

  “What are you doing here, not that I’m not delighted to see you?”

  The only problem was that once they left, the hole in her heart would grow bigger.

  Kranor stepped forward and squeezed her hand. “I never got to say thank you for all your care.”

  That wasn’t true. He had thanked her verbally and in many other ways, but she would accept any explanation for them being here. “You’re welcome.”

  Jude was practically bouncing up and down. “Kranor has told me so much about your swimming hole that I asked him to show me. Will you join us?”

  They could have asked her to roast a lion over a spit and she might have said yes if they’d be with her. “Yes.”

  Jude glanced around. “You don’t have to check in with anyone to leave?”

  She laughed. “No. I was almost done for the day anyway.”

  Kranor held out his hand. “It’s too bad we aren’t horse shifters. Then you could ride on my back while I whisk you away.”

  The image of her straddling his big, thick body had her pussy gushing. Damn. She poked him. “Just checking.”

  Who was this happy man? She cocked a brow at Jude. He must have been doing a lot of convincing in the last few weeks to get Kranor to even come and see her. He shot back a mental shrug.

  Never one to question her good fortune, she and Kranor led the way to their childhood getaway. She was a little self-conscious that she didn’t have on a top, but she knew Jude didn’t mind. They both wore the usual thin pants that looked like pajama bottoms to her, and the outline of their cocks was quite evident. The loincloths that the lion shifters wore protected that part of their anatomy from showing.

  When they arrived at the swimming hole, no one was there. She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d visited. It was a kid’s delight, but once the shifters grew into adulthood, they had other duties to keep them busy.

  “Hey, look, the same swinging rope is there.”

  She rolled her eyes. “It’s got to be rotten.” Her warning most likely was going to go unheeded because Kranor had already slipped off his shoes and shirt and was about to drop his pants. She should look away, but she gave up and stared anyway. There was no way she was not going to look. She told herself it was her duty to check out his back to see that the wounds had healed. To her delight she saw no scarring. The man had amazing recuperative powers.

  The naked giant grabbed hold of the rope, put his foot in the loop, and pushed away from the tall rock. He swung out into the middle of the pool and let go.

  “Yahee!” The loud splash left a temporary void in the water. His head disappeared for a moment then resurfaced. He grinned. “Come on in. Water’s great.”

  Jude disrobed. She was completely comfortable being naked in front of Jude, but Kranor was a different story.

  You want both men.

  Jude must have known her thoughts because he stepped in front on her and blocked Kranor’s view. “You can keep some clothes on if you feel more comfortable.”

  “You are a kind man, Jude Trisk.”

  He kissed her nose in response. She was twenty-eight years old and knew Kranor would do nothing she didn’t want him to. If she were honest, the only bad response would be if he ignored her. Walking home in wet underwear wasn’t her style, so naked it was. Women swam in the buff all the time, so there was no reason to be embarrassed. “I’m fine.”

  Without dwelling on it, she disrobed.

  Jude tapped her butt. “Last one in gets dunked.”

  That was so not fair. Before she got halfway to the shore, he took a flying leap and jumped in. As soon as he surfaced, Kranor dunked him again. She stopped at the shore and watched those two act like they were ten. Good memories came flooding back. From the broad smiles on both men’s faces, this was probably the first time in a long time they’d let loose and had fun.

  She remembered where the deep part of the pool was and jumped in, holding her nose. The refreshing water felt so good on her hot skin. When she surfaced, four hands skimmed over her body.

  “Look here, Jude, we found us a mermaid.”

  She rolled her eyes and grinned. “You two have been watching too much American television.” That surprised her since she hadn’t spotted a set for them to watch. “Why don’t you own a set?”

  “We have one.”

  Maybe they’d recently purchased one. “Where is it?”

  They glanced at each other. “It was hidden. Ours aren’t bulky like your brothers’.”

  Maybe there was more to the wolf technologies than she knew. She had to tread water to stay afloat, but since her men seemed buoyant, she clasped onto their shoulders. When Kranor ran a hand over her ass and Jude slipped a finger in her pussy, she figured if she didn’t try to get away she’d be having sex in eight feet of water.

  She submerged and kicked away. She was dumb not to have opened her eyes, because when she came up for air her two men were waiting for her. “How did you do that?” If she hadn’t needed her arms, she would have crossed them.

  Kranor moved closer, wrapped his arms around her waist, and pulled her tight. The instant her body pressed against his, every hormone sizzled through her system. Her pussy cramped and her heart pounded. She couldn’t even count the number of times she’d dreamed of what it would be like to be in his arms. He was no longer the really big and ta
ll eight-year-old, but a total hunk of a man.

  “We know everything you want.”

  That was a line, but she’d take the bait. “Oh, yeah? What am I thinking now?”

  Since Kranor was holding her up, she didn’t need to tread water or use her arms. She threaded her hands around his neck. Jude came up behind her, his erect cock snuggled between her legs. She widened them.

  He leaned over and pulled back her hair. “Don’t tempt me or I’ll have to impale you in the water.”

  She dropped back her head and laughed. “Promises, promises.”

  Who are you? That little voice in her head shouted back. You’re the one who’s always wanted to take a chance but never have.

  Kranor leaned back and threaded a hand between them. When he palmed her breast, she lost all thought.

  “To answer your question about what you’re thinking, you want me and you want Jude.”

  Despite every effort to keep the heat from her face, she knew she was blushing. “So what are you going to do about it?” You are so bad, girl.

  Kranor swooped her up in his arms and kicked toward the edge of the pond. He deposited her on the grassy slope and hopped out. Jude must have found a rock to step on because he emerged from the water upright. He rushed over to their clothes and spread them out like a lush blanket.

  Both men stilled for a moment. Mentally, she knew they were scanning the area for other shifters, but she would have known if anyone was near. Her ability to detect lion shifters or even women was high. Likes recognized likes easily.

  Kranor knelt down and gathered her in his arms. Without taking his gaze off her, he carried her the twenty feet to the newly made bed. His softened features and the twinkle in his eyes nearly stole her breath. Gone was the hardened shield that sealed his heart like the heaviest vault. She didn’t know what was going on with him or why he’d changed, but she couldn’t be happier.

  She barely felt the ground meet her back when he placed her on the bed of clothes. He dropped next to her and pressed her nipple with one finger. For a moment, she’d forgotten about Jude until he slid next to her on the other side. Being sandwiched between her men brought a calming effect she’d never before experienced.

  Water from Kranor’s nose dripped on his lips, and she leaned over and licked them. “Someone needs to get dry.”

  “I think it’s more exciting to slip and slide over each other as I fuck that sweet pussy of yours.”

  His crude comment made her juices gush. Her erotic dreams had bounced between the two men. Having both at the same time might overwhelm her, but she wanted to give it a try. She glanced down at Kranor’s hard cock and was once more taken by surprise at its size. His was longer than Jude’s, but not quite as thick. Liquid glistened on the top of his cock.

  “Is that water in your slit or something more tasty?”

  Jude instantly rolled her on to her side and lifted her onto her hands and knees facing Kranor. “Why don’t you taste him and find out.”

  She looked back over her shoulder. “You don’t mind?”

  “Mind? Hell, no. It’s my dream to have my cock in your ass while Kranor plunders your creamy pussy.”

  Her ass clenched. “I’ve never had sex back there before.”

  Jude leaned over her back and nuzzled her neck. He licked the shell of her ear. “I’ll be gentle, but we won’t make love back there today. I promise you we will be together someday even if I have to fight off every lion shifter in Anterra.”

  Shivers of bliss rippled across her body and her stomach clenched in delight. Even though the words were convincing, she didn’t want to get her hopes up, nor did she get the chance to dwell on his comment too long because Kranor grabbed the base of his cock and wiggled it in front of her.

  “I thought you wanted to taste him.”

  His impatience delighted her. Using only the tip of her tongue, she tilted her head sideways and slid the edge through the slit, making an exaggerated slurping noise of his pre-cum when she was done.

  “Hmm. Nice, but I need more.”

  Kranor groaned. She lowered onto one elbow so that she could hold his cock herself. He didn’t resist, but his still-wet shaft was difficult to get a good grasp on. Wanting to tease him for all the gruffness he’d put her through, she rimmed the edge of his cock with her tongue then swiped the head. Cum oozed out. Judging from the fact that his cock was red, throbbing, and hot to the touch, he might be using a lot of control not to explode.

  She was about to lean back and make a comment about him being so sensitive when Jude leaned over and cupped each ass cheek in his hands while he ran his tongue down the crack. She flinched.

  “What are you doing?” She twisted behind her, but couldn’t see anything but his large body eclipsing hers.

  Chapter Ten

  “Just ignore what I’m doing and love Kranor. I want to enjoy every delicious inch of you.”

  She loved how dreamy Jude sounded as if by presenting her ass to him she was gifting him with something wonderful.

  Kranor tapped the top of her head. “I’m still here.”

  She didn’t want to overstimulate him, so she slowly drew the head of his cock into her wet mouth and eased down his length, keeping the suction tight instead of pumping up and down as fast as she could. A low growl emanated deep from within his chest. The man better not think about shifting in the middle of this affair or she’d freak. Her brothers swore they could control themselves, but she had no idea about wolves.

  Pumping her free hand up and down in a steady movement, she took as much of his cock into her mouth as she could but failed to consume even half. She’d swirled her tongue around halfway just as Jude slipped a finger into her pussy. She jerked at the unexpected pleasure. When he plunged in a second finger, an intense power surge shot through her body and ignited her. How could one small touch set her on fire so fast?

  “Easy, sugar.” Jude slipped his finger out of her creamy hole and dragged juices up her divide.

  A warm breeze caressed her skin, and only now did she hear the birds singing. She must have spaced out for a second because the next thing she knew she was on her back with Jude’s lips on hers and Kranor spreading her legs wide.

  “You are a tease, little one, but I’ll show you the master of tease.”

  Contractions rippled from her breasts down to her pussy at those fighting words. Three weeks away from Jude had made her weak and wanton.

  “Give me your cock first, and then you can tease me.”

  Kranor looked up from between her legs. “That’s not how it works.” His grin had evil written all over it.

  He plucked a long blade of grass from the ground and drew it across the top of her pussy. Had she not been shaved bare, she might not have felt the caress. However, given her state of desperation, the blade tantalized and tormented her.

  Kranor inhaled deeply. “I think half the animals in the forest can smell your arousal. They’ll all be coming around to see if they can sample you.”

  Only for a split second did her body freeze until she could see by his relaxed shoulders that he was only joking.

  Jude sat back on his heels and she notched up her chin. “Let them come. Maybe one of them will satisfy me.” She hoped her incendiary comment would fire him up to lick and claim her himself.

  “You will pay, little one.”

  He licked her inner thigh while he dragged that damned blade of grass in circles near the crease in her pussy lips. He then had the nerve to pry open those folds and blow lightly, his lips ever so close. She bent her knees a little to move lower, but he held her tight.

  She would have complained, but Jude nicely lowered his head over one nipple and drew it gently into his mouth. She wanted him to suck hard, but the two of them must have been communicating and believed she needed the soft touch or something.

  “I need some friction.” She wasn’t addressing her comment to either one. She grabbed Kranor’s shoulder and squeezed because she couldn’t reach any lower.
Otherwise, she would have palmed his ass.

  Jude swirled his tongue around her nipple and dragged the back of his hand across the other one. Why wouldn’t they just suck hard and fuck hard? This light stuff was driving her crazy.

  “I want a cock.”

  They both looked up at the same time. “Any more complaints, little one, and we’ll have to spank that sweet ass of yours.”

  Promises, promises. Something inside her head told her to keep quiet and enjoy the ride. Both of their heads dipped again, and the second they touched her, sparks of need rippled everywhere.

  Kranor finally let the blade of grass fly away and replaced the torture device with his finger. Using only the tip, he circled her clit as if he knew all of her thoughts would be focused there when he finally touched her.

  “Stop reading my mind.”

  “Can’t help it,” Kranor said.

  Great. To block out all erotic thought, she tried concentrating on the leaves whipping in the wind and the crickets chirping. She even inhaled deeply and detected a new smell she was unable to identify, but seconds later she lost focus. Kranor had touched her clit. Her back arched as swirling lust filled her.

  As if to make her weep and beg, Jude finally sucked hard on her nipple. A raw, primal urge had her clamp down on Kranor’s shoulder, and her nails nearly broke his skin. He must have felt bad for her because he slipped a finger into her weeping hole.

  “Gah.”

  Both men inhaled as if the scent of her juices turned them on. If she could have reached their cocks she would have grabbed both and shown them what it was like to want something and not get it.

  Finally, Kranor licked her clit hard and drove in two more fingers to stretch her out, but the divine bliss only lasted a few seconds. She needed more. She’d never be satisfied until she had a big cock in her.