by Vella Day
“If you knelt, I bet you could shoot my better side.” He turned his head as if to prove his point.
She stood directly over his crotch. If she knelt, their two intimate anatomies would line up. Since they couldn’t do anything on the beach in broad daylight, she thought teasing him might be fun. “You’re right.”
On her knees, she leaned close, aimed, and took a few more pictures. Her breath caught at his beauty. When she bought a new cell phone and set up her computer she’d ask him to send her the photos.
He gripped her hips and tugged. Their position turned more awkward when her knees gave way and her crotch landed on his. Heat flew up her face, but she kept her poise and took another shot.
“I think that’s enough for today,” she said.
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
Clay removed the phone from her hand and placed it on top of his shirt. Even if she wanted to move, she couldn’t. His grasp was too tight. He pulled her shoulders toward him and kissed her.
His long, deep groan surprised her. The kiss was both tender and intense. His erection bulged right under her, and caused something inside to ignite, forcing away all objections about being with Dirk and Clay. Their claim of her being both their mates still hadn’t sunk in, but his kiss helped convince her there was something right about being with them.
“You drive me crazy.” He moaned against her lips and lowered one hand to cup her breast.
His other hand slid under her shirt and rested in the middle of her back. His nails lengthened and dug into her skin.
“Clay!”
He jerked, lifted her, and set her aside. “I’m sorry.” He jumped up and paced. When he turned around seconds later, he was back to normal.
“I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Had her vagina not been vibrating and her heart racing a hundred miles an hour, she might have run, but something about Clay was endearing.
“I actually wasn’t scared.”
“You weren’t?” His brows rose.
“No. Dirk explained everything to me. I’m actually flattered I caused such a strong reaction in you.”
He pumped a fist and dimples creased his cheeks. He bent over and retrieved his shirt. He stuffed the phone in his jeans’ pocket and drew on his shirt. “I think I promised you breakfast.
At first, she thought he was cool with everything, but clearly he was as rattled as she was.
He led them to the water’s edge. She removed her sneakers and though her toes were cold stepping in the water, she loved the ebb and flow of the sea. They walked in silence, hand in hand, enjoying the vista and each other.
In about a mile, a small strip of shops appeared. One was called The Seaside Cafe. Outside seating looked inviting, but the wind had picked up, and dark clouds were rolling in. A clap of thunder sounded in the distance.
“Mind if we eat inside?”
“Anything you wish.”
The glimmer in his eyes made being with him easy. They ordered scrambled eggs from a limited menu at the bar. The waitress pointed to a table in the corner of the cramped but cozy café and told them she’d bring their breakfast to their table.
They wove around the tables, half of which were occupied. They sat facing each other.
She placed the paper napkin on her lap. “So tell me what it was like growing up with such, how should I put it, potential?”
He laughed. “In one word—hard.”
“Why? Because you had to hide your multiple talents?”
“In a way. I grew up in Washington State where wildlife was plentiful. When I was about three, my dad taught me how to explore my other side.”
“Didn’t that freak you out?”
He shrugged. “I don’t think I knew any different. My dad could run and howl, so why not me?”
That made sense. His life sounded almost idyllic. “Were there others like you nearby?”
“Some. Dirk was my best friend growing up. We tried to share our experience with our human friends, but they just ran.”
“They rejected you?” Her hand flattened on her chest.
He laughed. “You seem surprised.”
“But you had a lot to offer. Couldn’t they see how being friends with such a talented person would benefit them?”
He shook his head. “When a real wolf killed a young boy in town, my parents decided it was time to move.”
“Did someone blame you?”
He swallowed and looked off. “Yes, only it wasn’t me or anyone else like me. It was an honest-to-goodness wolf.”
The server came over and placed their order in front of them. “Can I get you anything else?”
Clay smiled. “We’re good.” He pointed his fork at her. “Let’s eat.”
Her stomach grumbled, but she needed to digest what he’d told her. Being different would be hard especially if you thought defending your kind might make things worse. When she finished spreading most of the food around, she pushed her plate to the side. Her appetite had waned after hearing his story.
“Where are you parents now?” She hoped they were still alive.
“In Wyoming. They bought a large spread a few years back and took up ranching.”
She leaned close and whispered. “Does your dad ever shift and herd the cattle himself?”
His eyes widened. “I have no idea, but it sounds like a great idea.”
“Did you move a lot?” There might have been other incidents to prompt the family to change locations.
“Only every year.” He held up a finger. “And before you ask, our family kind of adopted Dirk and his mom. They came with us wherever we went.”
No wonder they kept no secrets between them. A twinge of jealousy surfaced. Even if she decided to be with both men, she’d never play a role as important as the one they’d played in each other’s life.
Clay slipped a hand over hers. “Something wrong?”
“No. Just thinking.”
“Are you worried there isn’t a place in our lives for you because Dirk and I are like brothers?”
Her jaw dropped. “You can read minds.”
He threw back his head and guffawed. Tears brimmed on his lashes. Her comment wasn’t that funny.
He finally straightened. “Oh, sugar, you have no idea about my many talents.”
* * *
They didn’t linger because the impending storm arrived.
As soon as they stepped inside the beach house, Elena held out her palms. “I really, really need to shower. I have sand everywhere.”
He lifted his arm. The underside was coated in sand. “Me, too.”
He held his breath hoping she’d ask if they could shower together. Dirk’s words came back to him about being his usual aggressive self and seeing if she stopped him.
“You know we have a water shortage in the state.” She’ll never fall for that line.
She laughed. “It’s raining outside.”
That wasn’t a rejection. “True, but not enough to replenish the aquifer.”
Maybe Clay shouldn’t have snapped those photos of Elena, but if she decided she wanted nothing to do with either of them, having her picture might help. Who was he kidding? Staring at her photo when he couldn’t touch her would make him go crazy. His attraction to her wasn’t because she was his mate. Elena was pure of heart, open to accept others, and eager to learn.
She moved closer and his balls turned to steel. “Are you suggesting we shower together?”
He mentally pumped his fist. His normally calm body betrayed him once more with the sound of cracking bones. “Yes.”
Making love with Elena might prevent his body from going haywire every time he was around her, but that wasn’t why he desired her. He was falling in love with this resilient, kind woman.
Her smile nearly did him in, and thoughts of Kurt and Drake’s playroom surfaced. She’d freak if he brought her into a room that had chains coming down from the ceiling and more toys than any local sex shop.
> “Clay?”
He had to stop daydreaming. “Coming. Let’s use the shower in the room where I’m staying. It’s bigger.”
“I’m game.”
She’d basically handed him an open invitation to make love with her, and he prayed he didn’t mess it up.
Chapter Ten
Elena hoped she wasn’t making a mistake, but when Clay was photographing her, she swore she saw not only compassion in his eyes, but also a strong yearning ready to burst out of him. He was a good man. Learning about his life growing up shed a new light on the kind of obstacles he’d had to face. She admired a man who made something good out of a bad situation.
“Right this way.” He opened the bedroom door.
While the room was smaller than hers, it had a more comfortable feel, especially since the bed was on a diagonal. She brushed against him and sand trickled down her arm. “Whoops.” They hurried into the bathroom and she held her palm under the sandier of her two forearms. She halted. “Wow. This is nice.”
He clasped her hand and led her into the shower stall. “We should undress in here so we don’t track sand everywhere.”
“Good idea.” She liked he was considerate about his friend’s house.
While Clay had already seen her naked, she was still a little self-conscious about removing her clothes in front of him. As if he could sense her unease, he turned to the side as he took off his clothes. The more she got to know him, the more she found him attractive. His appeal wasn’t just his good looks or that he’d saved her twice, but his ability to moderate his hidden aggression and be gentle.
She tossed her clothes over the rim of the shower and placed her sneakers outside the stall. There were two showerheads, and once Clay’s clothes were safely out of reach of the water, she turned hers on. Instead of using his side of the shower, Clay stepped over to her half.
“You’re a very dirty girl. All this sand will be hard to get off.”
She faced him and let her gaze drag down to his huge penis. Oh, my. Little doubt remained about his interest or what they would be doing later. Several objections over what she was ready to do came to mind, but she refused to dwell on them. Clay Demmers was too good to turn down.
“I think you’re sandier than me.” She brushed a clump from his shoulder.
He pulled her near, and his demanding kiss made her melt against his body. She loved how the planes of his chest pressed hard against her tits. When he threaded his fingers through her windswept hair, she plastered her palms against his pecs and returned his kiss with passion. Desperation clawed at her. This was no slow, sweet seduction like when she’d made love with Dirk. Clay was forceful to a point where even he seemed unable to stop the sexual train.
Water pummeled his back. He stepped away from the spray and rotated her around.
“I want to sample every inch of your body.” He lowered his head and drew a nipple into his mouth.
Streaks of delight rushed through her veins. The strong tug sent her core screaming for more. Unsure where to place her hands, she kneaded his shoulders, enjoying how the muscles bunched with every movement. When Clay pinched her other nipple, the pain brought out a gasp, but instantly her inner walls clenched. Her stomach fluttered when he rolled her nipple and joy sped into her veins.
He knelt in front of her and looked up. “Spread your legs for me.”
She didn’t hesitate. Her muscles tightened, waiting for the wonderful assault to begin. Every touch and lick had her reeling, and she could only imagine what he would do next.
Clay ran his tongue up her inner thigh and the anticipation alone made her hot—bubbling in fact. Fire streaked up her body, and he had yet to lick her most intimate region. Clay looked up and straightened his shoulders. “I don’t want you to come until I tell you.”
What kind of request was that? Being so inexperienced, she had no idea how to stop the inevitable climax. The timing was wrong for a discussion, but she didn’t want to get this relationship off to a bad start. “Why?”
He grinned. “Trust me. When you do climax, it will rock your world.”
He dipped his head before she had a chance to figure out how to respond. His thumbs pressed against her inner thighs as his tongue opened her lower lips.
All words flew out of her head as strong sparks of need grabbed her and made her dizzy. She clasped his head and moaned.
He stopped. “Put your hands on your head and don’t move.”
Where were all of these commands coming from? Her first instinct was to deny his request, but they actually turned her on. How strange was that? The few men she’d chosen to date weren’t dominant, but Clay’s aggression worked for her.
She planted her hands behind her head while keeping her gaze on him. Once more, his tongue swiped a wide path over her opening, and her belly coiled so tightly her thighs tensed. Then he hit that super sensitive spot Dirk loved to play with. It might be called a clit, but to her it was her instant lust button. Clay continuously flicked his tongue over the tiny bud then slipped a finger into her wet hole. Her womb spasmed and she milked his fingers.
He leaned back. “If you do that when I make love to you, I’ll go off like a rocket.”
“That wouldn’t be good.”
If his head hadn’t been in the way, she would have enjoyed watching his penis bob and expand as she traveled her path to heaven. If he’d let her use her hands, she’d give as much as she received.
He stood. “I miss your tits too much. Turn around and lean against the wall.”
Confusion clouded her brain, but excitement made her do as he asked. She palmed the wall, and Clay nestled his sex between her legs. When his penis bumped against her clit, she drew her legs together. In a flash, he stepped back and slapped her rear. It wasn’t real hard, but it was enough to sting. She jerked around and puffed out her chest. “Why did you do that?”
He lowered his gaze and moved in close. Her back pressed against the wall. “Because you moved.”
She didn’t know that wasn’t allowed. “You touched my clit.”
He cupped her face and grinned. “When we make love, there are no boundaries. I touch you wherever I want, and if I give you permission, you can touch me wherever you want. Does that seem fair?” His mere presence jumbled her thoughts.
“Yes.” Not really, but reason evaporated.
“Good.” He kissed her, but this time their lips barely touched. “One more thing. If there is anything I do that you don’t like, you can use a safe word.”
“You want to tie me up and blindfold me?” She had a good friend, Janice, who loved BDSM and had regaled her with a lot of stories. But that was for Janice—not her.
“Not tonight.” He drew her hands to his lips and kissed them. “Maybe not for a long time. Wearing a blindfold and obeying is all about trust and love.”
Love? Is that what this was?
“I don’t know if I’d like that.” Heck, everything was too new for her to know anything for sure.
“Do you trust me?” He sucked one of her fingers into his mouth and wicked flames of desire lapped her insides.
She didn’t have to think. “Yes.”
“Good. I want you to be comfortable with me and with who you are as a person.”
His words sounded warm, rich, inviting.
“Okay.”
“Your safe word will be brown.”
That was ridiculous. “Why brown?”
“Because you have the most beautiful brown hair and deep chocolate eyes.”
Oh! He fingered her locks and his tenderness seeped into her.
“When you say that word, I’ll think of you and give you my utmost respect.”
Her lips trembled upward. “When you put it that way, I think brown is a wonderful safe word.”
“Now that we have that settled, let’s begin.” He clasped her hand and drew her out of the shower.
“We aren’t finished washing.”
“We’re good enough. I can’t wait.”
> He lifted her into his arms and her heart hitched. “Whoa.”
He nodded to the towel rack. “Grab one.”
Uncertain about his intentions she did as he asked. No man had ever carried her and images of being truly rescued surfaced again. He stepped into the bedroom, and instead of placing her on the bed, he continued into the hallway.
“Where are we going?”
He stopped and set her down. His gaze went through her but the fear she expected never materialized.
Clay placed a finger to her lips. “I have rules. One is that you don’t talk unless I ask you a question. Is that understood?”
“Yes.”
He tapped her nose. “Yes, sir.”
Long ago, she’d learned to obey. With anyone else she might have balked, but not with him. Having a safe word went a long way to squelching her doubts. After her horrendous experience with being caged, tremors should be cascading over her skin, but instead of panicking, she wanted to forge ahead and share something wonderful with him.
His gaze raked over her. “Perhaps I should dry you before I show you the fun room.”
Fun room? She wanted to question him but remembered his rules.
He lifted her arms above her head. “Keep them there.”
Water trickled down her arms and across her belly. The hairs stood up and the rivulets tickled, but she remained still.
He nudged open her thighs and the intimacy escalated. Her pulse raced as he patted the area between her thighs.
“I’m going to love pleasuring you.” His phrase made it sound like they’d been transported to the eighteen hundreds. She giggled.
“My little submissive, is that funny?”
“No, sir. It sounds strange. That’s all.”
He leaned over and nibbled on her neck. His tiny swirls traced patterns of joy with every swipe. He dragged the towel from around her waist and patted her tits dry then slowly rubbed her belly. Goose bumps skittered up her arms from standing dripping wet on the cold tile.
He draped the towel around her shoulders. “Change of plans. Come on.” He clasped her hand and led her into her bedroom. “Let’s jump under the covers and snuggle.”
The sheets would dry eventually. Maybe later he’d show her his fun room. Clay stepped over to the bed and yanked down the comforter. He swept her into her arms and tossed her into the bed.
